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Marsh Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Slender Scotch Burnet

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and Butterfly Conservation Scotland (BCS) have been working together since 2008 to fund a full-time Species Officer post. The post is currently held by Dr Tom Prescott and managed by BCS. It's role is to promote and coordinate action for these three SAF Lepidoptera species. Tom's remit also includes the chequered skipper butterfly, which along with pearl-bordered fritillary is a key species under the Scottish Forestry Strategy.

Find out more below about some of the action that has been carried out for these species since the Species Action Framework was launched.

2010-2011

Great successes with these species have continued though 2010 with there now being almost 200 sites involved for Marsh Fritillary habitat management and a 90% success rate in entering the SRDP scheme. This means that over 3000ha are now being managed extensively for the butterfly's habitat, which will also benefit a range of other species.

A significant new colony of Slender Scotch Burnet was found on Mull, causing great excitement! Mull is home to all the known sites of this species in the UK. This new site is now being managed under the SRDP.

Fifteen new sites have been visited for Pearl-bordered Fritillary and/or Chequered Skipper. Tom hopes to take advantage of the woodland grazing option under the SRDP to promote management of woodland glade/edge habitat for these species.

More detail can be found in the Summary Report for 2010/11  PDF document .

2008-2009

A report  PDF document describing the work undertaken in 2008-09 encompasses a wide range of advisory work and practical management. A few of the highlights are:

Key populations and sites for Marsh Fritillary targeted through landowners, managers and agents, with considerable success under SRDP, covering over 2200ha, and including some of the UK's most important populations. A BCS press release  PDF document highlighted the success of this work.

Pearl-bordered Fritillary advice given for a range of sites. Plans at various sites on the Forest Estate are being developed. Bracken and scrub control funded at Auchenfad in Dumfries.

Slender Scotch Burnet habitat management, bracken control and fencing funded by SNH at various sites on Mull and Ulva. BCS and NTS volunteers helped with habitat management and monitoring.

Want to find out more?

A variety of publications published by Butterfly Conservation are available for the three SAF species:

These provide information and advice on identification, ecology and distribution of each species and give guidance on habitat management.

The FCS species action note series includes: 

There is also a large mural, in the atrium of the Scottish Natural Heritage office at Great Glen House in Inverness, which features the Slender Scotch burnet in Kilninian - if you are ever there for a visit see how many of the moths you can spot!