Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages)

Associated Species Action Plans Green hairstreak Wall brown butterfly Associated Habitat action plans Scrub and naturally regenerating woodland Grassland Heathland Urban 'wasteland'

Despite its unfortunate name, this is an attractive little butterfly when seen close up and one which is scarce in the West Midlands and is in accelerating decline nationally. This species survives at low population densities at a handful of sites in the Action Plan area, mainly on post-industrial land, vulnerable to development pressure. Old railway land, reclaimed industrial habitats, woodland glades and meadows are typical locations. Sites must contain an abundance of bird's-foot trefoil, its larval food plant. Dingy skipper prefers rough ground with bare areas and relatively low vegetation growth. Butterfly Conservation includes this species in its Regional Action Plan as a medium priority species, i.e. regionally important.

• Destruction of unimproved grassland through housing, industrial development or land 'improvement'.
• Tree planting.
• Accidental and deliberate fires.
• Lack of management to halt natural succession of grassland to scrub or to prevent grassland becoming rank.

Current conservation action is largely reactive to threats to sites containing dingy skipper.

Some colonies receive appropriate management, for example, at Shire Oak Park LNR and at Brownhills Common, Walsall.

3.1 Legal status

None

3.2 Management, research and guidance

As this species occupies 'pocket handkerchief' sized sites, it could be affected in the larval and pupal stages by trampling, between July and April.

Sensitive scrub clearance and grass cutting may be required on some sites to halt succession.

There is a need to establish a programme to monitor current and historic sites for this species.

ACTION	Potential Deliverers		YEARS							Meets Objective No.
	Lead	Partner	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2011
5.1 Policy and legislation
Seek the inclusion of effective measures for the conservation of the dingy skipper in the preparation of Unitary Development Plans and other policy documents.	LAs	WT, BC	As UDPs and other policy documents are produced.							2
Encourage the protection of post industrial where dingy skipper occurs.	LAs, EN	WT, BC								2
5.2 Species management and protection
Encourage the protection all known dingy skipper butterfly colonies.	LAs, LO	EN, WT, BC								2
Encourage the protection and management of grassland and former industrial sites	LAs, LO	EN, LAs, WT								2
Seek to ensure sites with recorded colonies have management plans, which use best practice for dingy skipper butterfly conservation.	LAs, EN	WT, BC, LO								2
5.3 Advisory
Disseminate information to landowners to introduce management for dingy skipper.	BC, EN	WT, LAs, FWAG								3
Ensure records of this species are submitted to EcoRecord	BC, ER	LAs, EN, WT								1,2
Promote best practice guidelines for dingy skipper.	BC	EN, WT, LAs, FWAG								2,3,4
5.4 Future research and monitoring
Survey former locations where current status of this species is not clear.	BC	WT, LAs, LO								1
Establish monitoring at key sites to determine any change in status.	BC	WT, LAs, LO								1
Target former industrial sites to survey for the presence of this species.	BC	WT, LAs								1
Promote and support research aimed at measures to assist long-term species conservation.	BC	EN, WT, LAs								4
5.6 Communications and publicity
Raise awareness of the decline of dingy skipper butterflies and its importance in conservation management.	BC	ALL								3
Highlight the dingy skipper's ability to survive at low population levels and therefore the need for careful monitoring at former and existing sites.	BC	WT, EN								3
5.7 Links to other action plans
Scrub and naturally regenerating woodland, grassland and "urban wasteland".

This Biodiversity Action Plan will be implemented over 10 years with a first review after 5 years. A group will be set up to co-ordinate implementation and to report to the Biodiversity Steering Group. This group will meet at a minimum on a yearly basis.

Review will be carried out in conjunction with related Habitat and Species Action Plans as appropriate.

Review will consist of measuring achievement of targets. The group will, with the support of the Steering Group, develop and implement appropriate monitoring methods which will inform the review process.

The Action Plan will be revised and updated in the light of review results and any relevant changes in circumstances and/or additional information which becomes available during the review period.

In line with national guidance, the Steering Group will report to the UK Steering Group.

Joy, J. (1997) West Midlands Regional Action Plan West Midlands Butterfly Conservation

Maitland Emmet, A- (1989) The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Volume 7, Part 1 Harley Books

Thomas, J, (1991) The Butterflies of Britain & Ireland Dorling Kindersley

West Midlands Butterfly Conservation (1998) A provisional Atlas for Butterflies of the West Midlands 1995-98 West Midlands Butterfly Conservation

Biodiversity Action Plan for Birmingham and the Black Country © 2000

Printing of this publication for educational purposes is permitted, provided that copies are not made or distributed for commercial gain, and the title of the publication and its date appear. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires specific permission from the Steering Group.