Extinct chequered skipper butterfly reintroduced to Fineshade Wood, near Stamford
A butterfly which has been extinct for 40 years has been reintroduced right on our doorsteps.
Volunteers from the Butterfly Conservation and international experts worked to reintroduce the chequered skipper butterfly to Fineshade Wood in 2019.
The project has been such a success that the location was revealed today (Thursday, January 27) and people visiting the woodland should be able to spot it this summer.
Dr Dan Hoare, director of conservation for Butterfly Conservation, said: “We had to keep the exact location of these butterflies secret for the first few years following their introduction to allow them time to get established.
“While our work to secure the future of this population continues, we are delighted to be able to reveal their location so that butterfly enthusiasts can come and enjoy spotting them in the wild in England.”
It was part of the conservation project Back from the Brink which is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Butterflies were collected in Belgium in 2018 and 2019 and released in Fineshade by experts from Butterfly Conservation, while Forestry England had carried out preparations to the site in order to help provide favourable habitats.
More butterflies have been released since and have successfully bred.
It is hoped the continuation of this project will build a large, resilient and sustainable population of chequered skipper across Rockingham Forest.
Rockingham Forest was previously a stronghold for the butterfly but over time the habitat became enclosed and dark. This led to the extinction of the chequered skipper in England as they need an open and sunny habitat in a woodland.
But changes in land management techniques led Forestry England to widen tracks through the forest and thin the woodlands.
The best time to see the chequered skipper butterfly is in June, when the adult butterflies can be seen flying.
They can be difficult to spot but are most likely to be seen perching in sheltered positions either next to wood edges or among light scrub or bracken. Males dart out to investigate passing objects, defending their territory against other males and other butterfly species, or in the hope of locating a potential mate.
Females are hard to spot and fly low among grasses when egg-laying.
Those visiting are asked to stay on marked paths and keep dogs on leads.
