Quantock nature recovery work in action
These two butterfly species have not been recorded on the Quantocks since 1996 and thus may be extinct, however they are both small and easily confused with moths and could be easily missed and under-recorded.
We would like to make a point of specifically looking for these butterflies, as well as continuing to look for White-letter hairstreak (rediscovered after an 18-year gap in 2025 under our Elm & Hairstreak Project).
Dingy Skipper
Habitat – Grassland (particularly Chalk grassland), woodland clearings, heathland.
Flying- May/June, early July, late August
Foodplants – Common & Greater birds-foot trefoil, Horseshoe Vetch
Possible sites – Bromfield Hill, Great Hill, Marrow Hill, Firebeacon, Triscombe.
Grizzled Skipper
Habitat – Unimproved grassland, woodland clearings
Flying- May/June & August
Foodplants – Wild strawberry, Agrimony, Avens, Dog Rose, Tormentil
Possible sites – Bromfield Hill, Great Hill, Marrow Hill, Firebeacon, Triscombe, also Enmore Road, Durleigh.
These are the two main areas that we understand that previous records exist for ~
Please report any sightings to us on the following email
Include the date, location and species, and a photograph (if you managed to get one!).
Thanks!