Lesser butterfly orchid - update

The following are brief summaries of some of the action that we and our partners have done since the Species Action Framework was launched. They're in chronological order, with the most recent updates at the top of the page.

8 December 2009

The Cairngorms Rare Plant Project, a partnership of Scottish Natural Heritage, Aberdeen University and the Cairngorms National Park Authority is being established to take forward further investigation and instigate action for lesser butterfly orchid within the Cairngorms National Park, its UK stronghold. This work will include:

1. Drawing together all records on past and present distribution of lesser butterfly orchid within the National Park. All sites and past records will be checked and details recorded of orchid populations, associated species, vegetation/habitat type, soil and geology as well as site management. There are two well recorded populations of lesser butterfly orchid within the National Park including what is probably the largest population anywhere in Scotland. Intensive fieldwork is likely to turn up others. In each case the land mangers need to be informed and advice given on management, especially grazing level, and encouragement to apply for funding through the Rural Development Contracts.

2. Site management at the site with a very large population of lesser butterfly orchids has been stable for many years. Further investigation is needed at this site and elsewhere to answer the question "Given the extent of apparently suitable habitat why aren't there more large populations across the Park?" This will take the form of a more detailed investigation of the geology, soils, slope, aspect of the site as well as looking at map and aerial photo records.

3. To date, very little experimental work has been carried out to try and improve and restore habitats for lesser butterfly orchid although the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has already undertaken some work on seed germination. A series of experiments will be set up to inform management practice for this orchid and the feasibility of restoring lesser butterfly orchid populations to former sites and suitable habitat within the Cairngorms National Park but with equal applicability to other parts of Scotland.  

Winter 2008

A project to discover more about the habitat requirements and optimal habitat management for lesser butterfly orchid was carried out by the Plantlife and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group with financial support from Scottish Natural Heritage. This project looked at the grazing and other land management in place at 18 sites for lesser butterfly orchid across Scotland. The sites sampled took in the range of habitats in which lesser butterfly orchid occurs. The results of the project include a set of management recommendations for managing for this orchid and other orchid species such as the small white orchid frequently found growing with lesser butterfly orchid. The recommendations have been used to provide advice to applicants for Rural Development Contracts.

Summer 2007- Summer 2009

Following the successful appeals for records of lesser butterfly orchid in 2006 the press and media profile of this appeal was maintained with further articles and press releases in the following three years. Concentrated effort by botanists and members of the public submitting these records via the SNH website have, once checked and validated, significantly increased our knowledge of this species. Information on the habitats in which this orchid grows has been particularly valuable. Regular grazing is clearly an important management requirement and lack of grazing is the most frequent cause of populations in decline. In the north and west this orchid is frequently found by roadsides and on open grazings but usually in small numbers. It occurs less frequently in Easter Scotland but it is here that the largest populations (500 spikes or more) occur. The four years of survey will be summarised in a report due in spring 2010.