Heath Fritillary in the Tamar Valley 2018 Status Report

Butterfly Conservation Report No. S18 - 07

Jenny Plackett

2018

Butterfly Conservation Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) Butterfly Conservation Trading Limited registered in England (07166835)

www.butterfly-conservation.org 2

Circulation List

Butterfly Conservation - Head Office Library Butterfly Conservation - Species Team (master copy) Butterfly Conservation Cornwall Branch – Philip Hambly (Chairperson) Butterfly Conservation Cornwall Branch – Kim Hawkey (Greenscoombe Transect Walker) Butterfly Conservation Devon Branch – Jonathan Aylett (Chairperson) Butterfly Conservation Devon Branch – Colin Sargeant (Lydford Reserve Officer) Duchy of Cornwall – Geraint Richards (Head Forester) Forestry Commission England – Richard Paton Forestry Commission England – Garin Linnington (Woodland Officer) Greenscoombe Wood Volunteer Warden – Richard Vulliamy Natural England – Jon Curson Natural England Cornwall – Hugh Tyler Natural England Cornwall – Simon Tame Natural England South West – John Holmes Tamar Valley AONB – Corinna Woodall Consultant Ecologist – Betsy Vulliamy

Contents

Summary ...... 5 1. Monitoring Background and Methodology ...... 6 1.1. Report Scope ...... 6 1.2. Monitoring methods ...... 6 2. Results ...... 7 2.1. Summary of 2018 Population Monitoring ...... 7 2.2. Lydford Old Railway Results ...... 12 2.3. Greenscoombe Wood Results ...... 12 2.4. Greenscombe Woods: Habitat suitability and foodplants ...... 15 2.5. Progress towards targets and ongoing objectives ...... 17 3. Site Status and Recommendations ...... 18 3.1. Greenscoombe Wood ...... 18 3.2. Deer Park Wood ...... 22

4. Acknowledgements ...... 24 5. References ...... 24 Appendix A: Heath Fritillary Factsheet Website link...... 25 Appendix B: Ng1: Monitoring butterflies by timed counts ...... 27 Appendix C: Timed Count Recording Form ...... 29 Appendix D: Monitoring protocols ...... 30 Appendix E: Heath Fritillary Timed Count Data for Greenscoombe Wood 2018 ...... 31 Appendix F: UKBMS Transect route (Greenscoombe West side) ...... 35 Appendix G: UKBMS Transect route (Greenscoombe Wood Ridge) ...... 36 Appendix H. Greenscoombe Wood, Compartment Names ...... 37

Summary

 Heath Fritillary populations remain in only four areas of the UK; the Blean (Kent), Exmoor (Somerset), Tamar and Lydford Valleys (Cornwall/Devon) and woodlands in south Essex.

 The weather provided exceptional conditions for the Heath Fritillary in 2018. A very wet winter with a late spell of very cold, snowy weather in March and April was followed by a warm May, which lead into hot and dry weather during June and July. This resulted in a slightly later emergence than has been seen in recent years, but the warm late May/early June weather encouraged the butterfly to speed through its flight season, peaking early and completing its flight period approximately two weeks earlier than has been seen in recent years.

 There are two extant sites in the Lydford and Tamar Valleys which contain a total of three colonies, two in Greenscoombe Wood and one at Lydford Reserve. The Greenscoombe colonies are classified as Large and Medium, whilst the Lydford Old Railway colony is Large. The estimated total peak population at Greenscoombe Wood was the highest on record, as was the total number of adults recorded from maximum timed counts. The maximum count from the Lydford Reserve transect was lower than last year (109 on 10th June 2018 cf 133 in 2017) but still the third highest in the 24 years of recording.

 In 2018 Lydford Old Railway BC Reserve transect recorded the first Heath Fritillaries (12 adults) on 20th May. At Greenscoombe Wood, fewer visits were carried out by the regular transect walkers than usual. The first Heath Fritillary was recorded on 31st May (one individual recorded) and by 2nd June 34 were recorded on the East Ridge transect. The highest count recorded on the West (Wildlife Trust) transect was for 22 Heath Fritillary on 11th June. The butterfly continued to be recorded until 8th July, when one individual was seen on the West transect. The peak in the flight season was between 8th and 12th June.

 Deer Park Wood was visited on 8th June and Blanchdown Wood was visited 9th June, when timed counts were carried out. No adults were recorded and therefore both Blanchdown and Deer Park Woods are presumed to remain extinct.

 Two colonies were recorded at Greenscoombe Wood, reducing from three due to the colonies being less than 300m apart, with individuals being seen in previously unoccupied habitat. However, they will still be referred to as GW1, GW2 and GW3 in this report.

 In Greenscoombe Wood all of the areas where Heath Fritillary colonies were present had some or all foodplants present. Observations were made by the transect walker of the larvae feeding on Germander Speedwell in areas where Common Cow-wheat was also present, indicating that Speedwell is used even when other foodplants are available.

 Extensive management took place over the winter of 2017/18 to benefit the Heath Fritillary. In addition to the standard annual maintenance (5.26ha), 5.35ha of larch conifer woodland was felled and replanted with oak and hazel to create new coppice compartments, which will come under rotational management for the butterfly and hopefully produce additional breeding habitat in the future. Further management was undertaken in other potential breeding patches and connecting habitat to increase the ability of the butterfly to colonise new areas.

 UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) Target 3: being met / exceeded with a total of 20 sites occupied during 2018 in the south west (Exmoor:18sites; Devon:1site; Conwall:1 site).

 Progress is ongoing to meet UKBAP Target 4 both in the Tamar Valley and other south west colony areas. The Tamar Valley project (supported by a BIFFA Award for Biodiversity) has created additional suitable breeding patches and improved connectivity between sites, and the ‘All the Moor Butterflies’ project operating across Exmoor is working to enhance habitat condition and connectivity across Exmoor. 5

1. Monitoring Background and Methodology

1.1. Report Scope

This report documents the results of the 2018 Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia monitoring in the Tamar Valley following on from the monitoring reports Kelly et al 2009, Rosenthal & Bulman 2010, Vulliamy et al 2011, Vulliamy et al 2012, Vulliamy & Kelly 2014, Kelly 2015, Jones et al, 2016 and Plackett, 2017. Updates on the status of the Heath Fritillary at Greenscoombe Wood, Lydford Old Railway Reserve, Blacnchdown Wood and Deer Park Wood are included.

Earlier reports documented the dispersal and behaviour post release in Greenscoombe and Blanchdown Woods (Vulliamy & Bulman 2006, Vulliamy et al 2007, Vulliamy & Bulman 2008).

1.2. Monitoring methods

Monitoring at Greenscoombe Wood (Luckett Wood) and Lydford Old Railway, BC Reserve have been conducted annually by volunteers since 1980 and 1994 respectively, using an established UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) transect route.

For population monitoring at Greenscoombe, Lydford Reserve, Deer Park and Blanchdown Woods, standard timed count methodology is used to give a rapid indication of the population size for each colony. Full details of this methodology are given in Appendix B. This method generates data for the number of individual butterflies seen in a given search time across a specified flight area. This data is then used to calculate estimates of total colony size at the peak flight period (estimated peak population)*, which is then converted to the colony size categories used in annual comparisons (Table 1). Timed count data is passed to the Butterfly Conservation monitoring team to inform national species trend data produced under the UKBMS project. Species records are passed to the relevant county recorders.

Table 1: Population size categories used in annual monitoring

Estimated Peak Population (number of Population Size Category adults) >250 Large 100 to 250 Medium 10 to 100 Small <10 Very small

Four visits were made to Greenscoombe Wood (8th, 12th, 14th, 18th June 2018) to ensure there was a count near the peak flight period. Current and previous colony areas were surveyed on each occasion in suitable weather conditions (Appendix B). Deer Park Wood was visited on 8th June and Blanchdown Wood was visited on 9th June.

All areas of potential habitat were visited to see if the butterfly was present. Presence of the larval food plants, Common Cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and Germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) were recorded using an abundance scale (where 0 represents absence and 5 represents >40% ground cover), and notes were made on the general habitat condition (see Table 4).

The extent of suitable habitat within which adults were seen or the limits of individuals recorded along sections of ride were used to define the colony boundaries. Individual colonies were determined by a separation of 300m or a barrier of unsuitable habitat restricting the interchange of individuals (after Barnett & Warren 1995).

* Timed count data are used to calculate an encounter rate (No seen/hr), relative adult numbers (y= encounter rate x area x adjustment to peak) and estimated population size, x (where y= 0.499x – 2.396, after Warren 1985). The size categories given are as used in the 2004 all colony monitoring exercise (Wigglesworth et al. 2004). For the current monitoring programme correcting to peak is deemed necessary where the survey data falls outside 25% of the peak count range as indicated by a smoothed plot of local transect data. 6

Lydford Old Railway BC Reserve transect data was obtained from the volunteer warden, Colin Sargent. The flight period at Lydford began on 20th May, and the last record is from 22nd June, with the highest count recorded on 10th June. At Greensccombe Wood timed counts were highest in GW1 and GW3 on 8th June, and on 14th June in GW2, and these counts were used for population estimates. Results from the transect data at Greenscoombe Wood indicated that the flight period began on 31st May and the last butterflies were recorded on 8th July. The highest transect count was achieved on 11th June, within 3 days of the maximum count obtained from the timed count data, so it is assumed that this was the peak flight time, and no adjustment to peak was made. Full data is given in Appendix E.

2. Results

2.1 Summary of 2018 Population Monitoring

Figure 1 shows the sites surveyed for the 2018 monitoring programme in the Tamar and Lydford Valleys. Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the extent of flight areas used by each of the colonies.

There are two extant sites in the Lydford and Tamar Valleys which contain a total of three colonies. The Greenscoombe colonies are classified as Large and Medium, whilst the Lydford Old Railway colony is Large (Table 2, Figures 2, 3 and 4).

The Lydford Old Railway, BC Reserve transect recorded the first Heath Fritillaries (12 adults) on 20th May 2018. The highest count (109 HF) was on 10th June and the last record was on 22nd June (7 HF). Occasional sightings were made of the butterfly within the Lydford Forest area adjacent to the Reserve, with individuals sighted on 3rd and 22nd June, and two recorded on 10th June. No evidence of breeding within the Forestry area was noted.

At Greenscoombe Wood, the first Heath Fritillary were recorded on 31st May (one adult), the highest counts were on 2nd June on East Reserve (only one transect walk done on East Reserve this year) when 34 adults were recorded, and on 11th June on the West transect (22 adults), and the final record was from 8th July (one individual on the western reserve).

At Greenscoombe Wood two colonies were recorded (Table 2, Figure 3). Individuals were recorded all along the western side of the wood, and the firebreak between the eastern and western ridges offers connecting habitat, with some adults also recorded in this area. Technically, all areas where HF were recorded now lie less than 300m from the nearest adjacent HF record so it could be said that there is just one Large colony. However, since most individuals remain within the original colony boundaries with only occasional individuals sighted in areas between them, they will continue to be classed as two colonies (‘GW1/GW2’ and ‘GW3’). This may change as further dispersal happens over time.

The overall population at Greenscoombe Wood remains large. No adults were recorded at Deer Park Wood or at Blanchdown Wood, so both these sites are presumed to remain extinct.

Table 2: Summary of monitoring in the Tamar Valley

Max Estimated Total Total flight Estimated 2018 timed peak colonies area (ha) population size count population Greenscoombe Wood 244 1059 2 3.43 Large Deer Park Wood 0 n/a 0 0 Absent Blanchdown Wood 0 n/a 0 0 Absent Lydford Old Railway 66 751 1 0.47 Large Lydford Forest 2 n/a 0 0.17 Not estimated All Site Totals 312 3 4.07

Figure 1: Sites surveyed during the Heath Fritillary flight8 period 2018

Figure 1: Tamar Valley sites surveyed during the Heath Fritillary flight period in 2018

Figure 2: Sites surveyed, and Heath Fritillary colony areas,9 2018

Figure 3: Heath Fritillary colony areas at Greenscoombe10 Wood, 2016-18

Figure 4: Heath Fritillary colony areas in the Lydford Valley11 , 2018

2.2 Lydford Old Railway Results

High counts were recorded on the transect at Lydford Old Railway reserve, with a maximum of 109 individuals recorded on 10th June (transect week 11), the third highest daily total recorded since annual recording began (highest daily total was 138 HF recorded in 2015) (Figure 5). A timed count carried out on 9th June recorded 66 individuals, which resulted in an estimated population size which would fall into the Large category, when taking into account the area of available habitat.

Sightings on the adjacent Forestry Commission transect were made between 3rd and 22nd June, with the highest number recorded (2 individuals) on 10th June. Total sightings during the flight period amounted to 4 individuals. The corridor between the Old Railway reserve and the FC transect area was cleared back last winter to improve connectivity between the Reserve railway embankment and the Lydford Forest patch, although no sightings were made of individuals using this route.

Figure 5: Maximum Heath Fritillary count during a single transect survey visit, Lydford Old Railway Reserve 1994-2018

2.3 Greenscoombe Wood Results

At Greenscoombe Wood the overall estimated peak population size increased slightly on 2017 from an estimated peak population of 990 to 1059 in 2018 (Table 3, Figure 6), which is the highest recorded estimated population for the site. This increase is due in part to an increase in the Encounter Rate (number of butterflies seen per hour), notably in Section 2 of the Fort area, where 56 Heath Fritillary were recorded in 3 minutes on the peak flight date (compared with 48 seen in 10 minutes in 2017). The colonies on the western reserve decreased in estimated population size compared with the previous two years, but remain higher than in any year recorded between 2009 and 2015 (Figure 7). Individuals were recorded all along the western slope, so the distance between individuals flying in GW1 and GW2 remains below the 300m required between colony patches. The individuals flying along the firebreak towards GW3 were also less than 300m distant, so technically this would suggest a single colony across all areas, however most individuals remained within the ‘core’ flight areas on the western and eastern slopes, and for the purpose of this report they will continue to be classed as GW1, GW2 and GW3. The maximum number of 12

adults recorded in a single survey visit was 244, which is the highest in any year since recording began, with the exception of 2015 (when 304 were recorded).

In 2018, the maximum single count recorded in GW1 was 49 individuals, with an estimated peak population of 195, making it a Medium sized colony. The population within GW2 was lower, with 22 individuals recorded (estimated peak population 91), classified as a Small colony. As individuals were also recorded in the Oak Standards compartment, and in the adjacent areas, GW1 and GW2 are now considered to be a single Medium colony. The occupied flight area on the western side was 1.52ha, slightly lower than in 2017 (1.64ha), however new habitat has been created in GW1(3) and adjacent to GW2(7), so it is hoped that these areas will be colonised in the coming year.

At GW3 (eastern slope) the colony was estimated as Large with estimated peak population rising from 491 in 2017 to 773 in 2018. Occupied area increased from 1.98ha to 2.33ha, due to coppice management work carried out in 2017/18.

Survey Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Small/ Colony Very Small Small Medium Medium Very Small Medium GW1 Small Small Medium Medium

Colony Not Very Very Extinct Extinct Extinct Small Large GW2 recorded Small small

Colony Medium Small Small Large Medium Medium Large Large Large Large GW3 / Large Estimated Peak Medium Medium Large Large Medium Medium Large Large Large Large Population (116) (180) (532) (860) (227) (156) (621) (972) (990) (1059) size Total max. 23 43 185 208 59 106 304 172 240 244 Adults Recorded Total 2 3 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 colonies Total area occupied 1.37 1.2 2.9 2.72 1.8 1.9 2.7 4.2 3.62 3.43 (ha) Total Area 5.26, plus Managed 0.5 1.21 4.45 3.85 3.85 4.12 4.21 5.4* 4.08** 5.35ha= (ha) 10.61***

Table 3: Summary of colony size and status at Greenscoombe Wood (2009-2018)

* based on map of ‘Proposed 2015_16 management’ (incl. annual grazing of areas such as Penney’s Piece). ** based on map of ‘Proposed 2016/17 management’ (incl. annual grazing of areas such as Penney’s Piece). *** based on map of ‘Proposed 2017/18 management’ (incl. annual grazing of areas such as Penney’s Piece). Also includes 5.35ha area where Larch was felled and young coppice planted – this area will hopefully offer suitable habitat as part of a long term coppice management cycle.

Figure 6: Total Estimated peak populations, Greenscombe Wood 2009-2018

Figure 7: Estimated peak populations by compartment, Greenscombe Wood 2009-2018

Figure 6:Total Estimated Peak Population, Greescoombe Wood 2009-2018

Figure 7: Estimated Peak Population by compartment, Greescoombe Wood 2009-2018

2.4 Greenscombe Woods: Habitat suitability and foodplants

Results of the larval foodplant assessment are presented in Table 4 and Figure 8. All accessible compartments (24 compartments) were assessed, and presence was confirmed of some or all of the larval foodplants in all compartments, with the exception of Penney’s Piece, the Top Ride and Firebreak. Penney’s Piece had been well grazed by ponies over the summer, and evidence of the foodplant was not seen; the top ride was heavily disturbed at the track edges by felling operations earlier in the year so no foodplant was apparent, however Ribwort Plantain may come in quickly; and the Firebreak was becoming overgrown and difficult to access so a full inspection was not possible.

Cow-wheat remains the most abundant foodplant and was present in 20 of the 24 compartments surveyed. Overall, Cow-wheat has increased in abundance since 2013, with the greatest frequency recorded in 2015 (Figure 8).

Eastern Slope (GW3): Heath Fritillary were recorded in 14 of 19 compartments. The highest timed counts were recorded in S1 and S2 (Hill Fort) and along the Top Ride. Foodplant surveys were carried out in 14 of the 19 compartments and confirmed the presence of at least one of the three foodplant species in all 14 compartments. Of the sites surveyed, Cow-wheat was not recorded in two (Friebreak and M4), but other food plants were noted in M4. Presence of Cow-wheat in the four meadow compartments was mostly confined to the boundary fringes, however Ribwort Plantain and Germander Speedwell were recorded as ‘scarce to frequent’ across all the meadow areas.

Western Slope (GW1/GW2): Nine of the 10 compartments were occupied and all compartments were surveyed for larval foodplants. The highest Heath Fritillary count was from compartment one where 22 Heath Fritillary were recorded. Cow-wheat was common (ground cover >10%) to abundant (ground cover >40%) in Oak Standards, the Bottom Ride and Compartment 3, whilst in all other compartments the frequency varied between scarce (a few patches present) and frequent (patches always in view). Ribwort Plantain was rare and Germander speedwell rare to scarce in the western compartments.

Figure 8: Common Cow-wheat frequency, Greenscoombe Wood 2013-2018

Table 4: Foodplant abundance Greenscoombe Wood (2013-2018)

Abundance Score 2013 Abundance Score 2014 Abundance Score 2015 Abundance Score 2016 Abundance Score 2017 Abundance Score 2018

Part of Part of Part of Part of Part of Part of Germand Germand Germand Germand Germand Germand Colony Compartment Cow Ribwort Cow Ribwort Cow Ribwort Cow Ribwort Cow Ribwort Cow Ribwort Site Location colony colony colony colony colony colony er er er er er er Area Name Wheat Plantain Wheat Plantain Wheat Plantain Wheat Plantain Wheat Plantain Wheat Plantain 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Speedwell Speedwell Speedwell Speedwell Speedwell Speedwell GW3 Eastern Slope Compt.3b no yes yes yes 1 0 0 3 0 2 2 0 0 GW3 Eastern Slope Compt.4 no yes no no yes 0 0 0 4 to 5 0 0 3 0 0 GW3 Eastern Slope Compt. 5 no no no 2 0 0 GW3 Eastern Slope Hill Fort S4 no no no 5 0 0 GW3 Eastern Slope Meadow-M4 no no yes yes 0 5 4 1 4 3 0 5 4 0 2 3 GW3 Eastern Slope Compt.4 Fire Break yes no yes yes yes 2 2 2 1 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 GW3 Eastern Slope Bottom Ride yes no yes no yes yes 2 2 0 1 2 2 0 5 5 1 0 2 GW3 Eastern Slope Compt.1 no yes yes yes yes yes 0 0 2 5 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 3 GW3 Eastern Slope Compt.1a yes yes yes yes 4 0 4 2 0 0 2 0 2 GW3 Eastern Slope Compt.2a yes yes yes yes no yes 0 0 2 3 3 2 0 2 5 4 3 3 2 0 1 GW3 Eastern Slope Compt.2b no yes yes yes no yes 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 3 2 0 1 GW3 Eastern Slope Compt.3a yes yes yes yes yes yes 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 GW3 Eastern Slope Hill Fort S1 yes yes yes yes yes yes 4 0 0 5 1 1 5 0 0 4 1 1 5 0 2 5 0 2 GW3 Eastern Slope Hill Fort S2 yes yes yes yes yes yes 5 0 0 4 0 1 5 1 1 5 0 2 5 0 2 GW3 Eastern Slope Hill Fort S3 no yes yes no no yes 4 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 GW3 Eastern Slope Meadow-M1 yes yes yes yes yes yes 2 5 2 3 4 2 4 5 4 4 4 4 3 5 3 3 3 3 GW3 Eastern Slope Meadow-M2 yes yes yes yes yes yes 2 5 2 3 4 2 0 5 5 4 3 3 3 5 4 2 2 2 GW3 Eastern Slope Meadow-M3 no yes yes yes yes yes 1 2 0 3 4 2 0 5 5 4 3 3 3 5 4 2 2 2 GW3 Eastern Slope Top Ride yes yes yes yes yes yes 2 3 2 1 2 2 4 5 4 5 4 2 5 2 2 GW3 Eastern Slope Transect Route no yes yes yes yes 3 0 0 4 0 4

GW1 Western slope Penneys Piece no no no no no yes 0 0 0 1 1 1 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 GW1 Western slope Top ride no no no no yes no 2 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 2 3 0 5 0 0 0 GW1 Western slope Bottom Ride no no yes no yes yes 1 0 0 1 2 1 4 0 0 3 3 2 3 0 5 4 0 2 GW1 Western slope Compt.1 no no yes yes yes yes 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 0 1 0 1 GW1 Western slope Compt.2 no yes yes no yes yes 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 2 2 3 1 3 3 1 0 GW1 Western slope Compt.3 no yes yes yes yes yes 0 0 0 2 2 2 5 0 0 4 3 3 3 1 0 4 0 1 GW1 Western slope Transect Route yes no yes yes 2 2 1 2 2 2 5 2 0 GW2 Western slope Compt.5 no no no yes yes yes 0 0 0 3 1 4 1 0 0 5 1 1 3 0 0 2 0 1 GW2 Western slope Compt.7 no no yes yes yes 1 1 2 5 0 0 5 1 3 1 2 2 0 0 GW2 Western slope Oak standards no yes yes 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 GW2 Western slope Compt.6 no no yes yes yes yes 2 0 0 3 1 4 4 0 0 5 1 1 3 0 2 3 0 1 TOTAL 35 19 14 46 38 37 81 30 40 57 33 33 65 32 52 59 12 26

Foodplant rank abundance scale: 0 Absent 1 Rare – a few plants only 2 Scarce – a few patches present 3 Frequent – patches always in view 4 Common – ground cover >10% 5 Abundant – ground cover >40%

2.5 Progress towards targets and ongoing objectives

In 2005 only one site in the Tamar Valley (Deer Park Wood) was occupied. In the intervening period the number of sites temporarily increased to three, following a formal reintroduction to Greenscoombe Wood and a trial reintroduction at Blanchdown Wood. In 2018 only one site (Greenscoombe) remains occupied. In the Lydford Valley the species has persisted at the Lydford Old Railway site (where it was reintroduced in the late 1990s) and has been recorded on the adjacent Forestry Commission site in low numbers (possibly not being used as breeding habitat).

The Heath Fritillary colony at Deer Park Wood is still presumed extinct, and following the trial reintroduction at Blanchdown Wood in 2007 no Heath Fritillary have been recorded since 2010. The reintroduction at Greenscoombe Wood in 2006 continues to be successful with the 2015-2018 survey results being the highest since the reintroduction.

Table 5 outlines UK BAP targets for Heath Fritillary. Target three is currently being met, and exceeded with a total of 20 sites occupied during 2018 (18 sites on Exmoor in Somerset, one site in south Devon and one site in Cornwall). The current range is being maintained and Heath Fritillary in Cornwall are at high numbers.

Progress to meet Target four by 2030 is ongoing. Work to restore and maintain suitable habitat is ongoing in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset (for Exmoor, see Phelps et al 2017).

The Saving Tamar Valley’s Heath Fritillaries project (led by Butterfly Conservation in partnership with local landowners in the Tamar Valley) has helped to deliver habitat improvements to enhance existing habitats and increase connectivity between potential breeding sites. The work has been grant funded through a BIFFA Award for Biodiversity, and supported the cost of practical management work across six sites covering approximately 10 hectares of habitat. The fund has supported the cost of replanting in the new coppice compartments following the larch removal in January this year, as well as management to improve the connecting habitat corridors (removing hedge and scrub barriers and creating nectar rich field margins to link up breeding areas in Greenscoombe with Deer Park Wood. Expansion of Heath Fritillary to new and formerly occupied sites will help towards meeting target four, and target three by helping to maintain and increase the current range.

Table 5: UK Biodiversity Action Plan targets for Heath Fritillary (Devon and Cornwall)

UK BAP Targets for the Heath Fritillary covering the Devon & Cornwall population

Target 3: Maintain the current range in east Cornwall, Devon and Somerset (2005 base line, 11 sites).

Target 4: Restore populations in east Cornwall, Devon & Somerset to 1989 status by 2030 (1989 status, 27 sites/ 32 colonies)

3. Site Status and Recommendations

3.1. Greenscoombe Wood

 Owned and managed by the Duchy of Cornwall  Monitored by timed counts and transects  Two colonies recorded (one Large, one Medium), compartments of GW1 & GW2 are <300m apart from each other so now are part of the same colony (however in the report they will still be referred to as ‘GW1’, ‘GW2’ and ‘GW3’).  Management in winter 2017/18 involved coppicing, scrub clearance, annual strimming/mowing and grazing, in addition to extensive clear felling of larch conifer, followed by planting up with oak and hazel coppice (Table 6).

Details of management undertaken in Greenscoombe Wood during the winter of 2017/18 are outlined in Table 6, and amounted to 5.26ha of habitat being managed to improve the condition of potential breeding habitat. Added to this, a further 5.35ha of larch was felled from the west side of the site close to GW1 & GW2, and these areas have been planted with hazel and oak saplings and will be managed as part of the wider coppice cycle. It is hoped that these newly felled areas will provide habitat for Heath Fritillary in the future, once the rotational management is in place.

Management 2017/18 Area managed Coppice compartments GW3 (1a, 2a, 2b) and 0.62 ha GW1 (3) Annual mowing of GW3 (M1, M2, M3, M4) 0.85 ha Grazing of Penney’s Piece with ponies, 0.91 ha coppicing of Alder Buckthorn in Penney’s Piece on 6 year rotation Ride strimming West slope 0.48 ha Ride strimming East slope 0.68 ha Chemical bracken control, scrub cutting GW3 1.2 ha (S1, S2, S3, 3a, 3b & 4) and GW Oak standards Transect maintenance West slope 0.38 ha Transect maintenance East slope 0.14 ha Felling of larch; replanting with oak and hazel 5.35 ha coppice Total area managed 10.61 hectares

Table 6: Management carried out to improve habitat suitability for Heath Fritillary, 2017/18

The Western Slope GW1 (Compartments one – three and bottom ride): Numbers have been increasing year on year across GW1 compartments, with the maximum timed count from a single survey visit higher than any previously recorded. Compartment one continues to support the greatest numbers (11 in 2017, 22 in 2018), but 15 individuals were also recorded in Compartment three, mostly along the transect path but at least 4 were also recorded flying across the newly coppiced area, where Cow- wheat was already evident. Three Heath Fritillary were recorded along the Bottom ride, where Cow-wheat is common, but shade from the large boundary trees makes much of the trackside habitat unsuitable.

GW2 (Compartments five, six, seven and oak standards): Heath Fritillary were recorded in all compartments with a total count of 22 Heath Fritillary in 2018 but numbers fell compared with 2017 (35 HF) and 2016 (48HF). The butterflies were well spread between the three compartments, with total sightings varying between 7 and 9 on any single survey visit. Bastard balm, Heath Speedwell and Cornish Bladderseed were noted in these areas. All sightings were made in the narrow transect route, which has been cleared to create a 4m wide corridor through otherwise 18

impenetrable coppice re-growth. Cow-wheat abundance along this route has remained similar to 2017 but decreased slightly since 2016. Cow wheat remains abundant in the Oak Standards compartment, although only one Heath Fritillary was recorded here due to high levels of shading. Compartment six was coppiced in 2013/14 and compartment seven was coppiced in 2014/15. Compartment 5 is due to be coppiced in the coming winter.

Key recommendations:

See Figure 9. West side/ Reserve  Coppice the plot due to be cleared next in the cycle (Compartment 5), and burn arisings.  Coppice and clear scrub underneath the upper half of the Oak Standards plot, burn arisings.  Maintain transect route, cutting and clearing the path at least 4m width, burn arisings.  Bracken control (Asulox) in mid July in GW1 Compartment 3 (which was coppiced last year and has come back very bracken dominated).  Bracken control (Asulox) in mid July in all plots recently cleared of larch (approx. 5.5ha)  Cut all rides.  Put posts in to mark the boundary between compartments at top and bottom limits.  Conduct timed counts and habitat assessments across all sites in 2019.

Penney’s Piece  Graze with ponies over summer (max 3 ponies for 3 months).  Apply herbicide on low growing bramble spreading across open grassland in the middle of the compartment. Use knapsack spray to target application and take care to avoid other plants.  Continue 6 year coppice cycle to cut one sixth of the Alder Buckthorn from across the site, burn arisings.

The Eastern Slope

GW3 Meadows (M1, M2, M3, M4): Heath Fritillary were recorded in all meadow compartments, although presence was confirmed in M4 on only one of the survey visits, and only one individual was recorded. M1 had a maximum count of 10 (nine in 2017, five in 2016), M2 had a maximum count of seven (five in 2017, four in 2016) and M3 had a count of three, as last year and 2016. As last year, most sightings were noted along the eastern boundaries of the compartments, where the mown areas connected with the western edges of the coppice compartments. In M4 Cow-wheat was absent as in 2017, however Ribwort Plantain and Germander Speedwell were frequent.

GW3 Hill Fort (S1, S2, S3): Numbers in S1 and S2 remained high, with 36 recorded in S1 (same in 2017, 25 in 2016 and 51 in 2015) and 56 recorded in S2 (48 in 2017, 20 in 2016 and 26 in 2015). The estimated population index gives a higher index figure for 2018 because the time spent in surveying each compartment was less (eg. 3 minutes in S2 instead of 10 minutes, to avoid risk of double counting). Both these compartments continue to offer exceptionally good habitat, with abundant Cow wheat growing amongst low vegetation, light bracken growth and patches of bare ground with full and dappled sunlight. Considerable effort has been put in over recent years to keep scrub in check and control bracken and this has been extremely effective.

Two of the large oaks which had been shading the ground flora in S3 were felled last winter, and this has made the habitat much sunnier and more suitable. Cow-wheat is frequent and 10 Heath Fritillary were recorded here (none last year).

GW3 Compartments 1, 1a, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 4: Numbers have continued to decline in Compartment 1 (max count 2 Heath Fritillary, compared with 5 in 2017). Last coppiced in 2013, the compartment has now become tall and the canopy is closing over; this compartment is due to 19

be coppiced in 2018/19. Compartments 1a, 2a & 2b were coppiced in 2017/18 and the habitat was recovering well, with a few patches of Cow-wheat already apparent. A total of 8 Heath Fritillary were recorded across these compartments.

GW3 Fire Break & Top Ride: A maximum of seven adults were recorded in the Fire Break (as in 2017 and 2016) and 28 adults were recorded along the length of the top ride (34 in 2017), and as last year, most of these were recorded in the ride at the top of the fire break adjacent to S1 and S2.

East Ridge  Mow Meadows 1,2,3 as late as possible, ideally late September. Collect arisings and pile them under the shade of the conifer on the other side of the track.  Leave Meadow 4 uncut, and assess habitat in summer 2019. Consider leaving one meadow uncut every 4 years, on rotation.  Thin hedges around and between the meadows by removing occasional birch, oaks and chestnut trees to make them more permeable for the butterfly but without removing shelter. Manage as coppice stools, no stump treatment.  Coppice Compartment 1, burn arisings.  Bracken control (Asulox) in mid July in Compartments S1-S3  Cut all scrub in Compartments S1-S3, burn arisings  Remove lower limbs (up to 6ft above ground) from oak trees in Compartments S1-S3 to allow more light down to ground level  Maintain transect route, cutting and clearing the path at least 4m width, burn arisings.  Cut all rides.  Put posts in to mark the boundary between compartments at top and bottom limits.  Conduct timed counts and habitat assessments across all sites in 2019.

Firebreak Recommendation that this section is incorporated into the coppice cycle to maintain open connectivity between the East Ridge and West habitat.

Figure 9: Proposed management at Greenscoombe Wood, 2018/19

3.2. Deer Park Wood

 Owned and managed by Duchy of Cornwall  One survey visit made in 2018  No adults recorded in 2018 (none seen in 2016 or 2017, a single adult record in 2015)  Deer Park Wood is still presumed to be extinct  2017/18 management included coppicing of the lower half of the original Heath Fritillary compartment, brushcutting to remove scrub and gorse

For the third consecutive year, no Heath Fritillary were recorded at Deer Park Wood in 2018. Common Cow-wheat was abundant in the north eastern compartment, but mostly in areas where large boundary trees cast shade over the ground flora. Across the wider site (the original flight area), Cow-wheat was scarce and very localised. The occasional patches where it was frequent were associated with areas that had been scraped in previous years (notably the lower western part of the site). The patch that was coppiced in 2017/18 (lower right/eastern corner of the original flight area) has grown back very quickly, with 3-4ft of growth on hazel stools, and is already becoming unsuitable as breeding habitat due to shading of foodplants. The fertility of this area has resulted in very fast regrowth which makes it impossible for Heath Fritillary to breed in before too much shade is cast in the first season after cutting. One solution is to clear the vegetation off and carry out a scrape in a portion of this area (not more than half), to create patches of bare ground and enable the foodplant to get a hold. Previous scraped areas still hold some potential habitat, although this is now very small.

Germander Speedwell and Ribwort Plantain continue to be frequent, particularly along the leat below the original flight area. Ox-eye daisy is frequent across the slope, and Bastard Balm is also present, and locally frequent.

The valley bottom compartment south of the road was cleared of scrub in 2016/17 and arisings removed. This area is becoming dominated by Rosebay willowherb, bramble, soft rush, woodsage, bluebells and ivy and this wet meadow should be cleared back again with a brush cutter and all arisings removed.

The ride below the conifer plantation across the road to the east of the original flight area offers further potential habitat (Germander speedwell and Ribwort plantain are frequent) and the ride provides linking habitat between Deer Park Wood and Greenscoombe, running on through areas at Deer Park Farm. Management at Deer Park Farm to create a nectar rich field margin, and clearance of tall scrub in the area surrounding the Devon Consols Mine, is being undertaken this year and should also assist the movement of Heath Fritillary from Greenscombe Wood.

Further potential habitat could be created by removing conifer from around the periphery of Deer Park Wood historic flight area, particularly clearing conifer to the west/north west (Sheba Wood).

Key recommendations See Figure 10.

Original Heath Frit breeding area (north of road)  Mow wide path along bottom track below original compartment  Consider clearing one year coppice regrowth and carrying out a scrape (max half of the site) to restore grassland habitat in lower right (eastern) quarter of historic breeding area  Remove one of the oak standards from walled boundary around recent coppice (to far right/east of historic breeding area), which has frequent cow-wheat but heavy shading  Conduct timed counts and habitat assessments Wet meadow clearing opposite main breeding area  Strim back willow and scrub growth to maintain flower rich marshy area  Mow wide track heading north/east toward Deer Park Farm, mowing a wide strip to remove scrub encroaching at ride sides.

Figure 10: Proposed management at Deer Park Wood, 2018/19 23

4. Acknowledgements

Butterfly Conservation would like to thank all the partner organisations and individuals working in the Tamar Valley for their continuing contribution towards the conservation of the Tamar Valley population of the Heath Fritillary: the Devon and Cornwall Branches of Butterfly Conservation (particularly Kim Hawkey), the Duchy of Cornwall (Geraint Richards and Chris Matthews), Richard Vulliamy (Volunteer Warden for Greenscoombe Wood), Natural England (Hugh Tyler), Forestry Commission England (Richard Paton, Garin Linnington and Dave Powell), Tamar AONB (Corrinna Woodall and Lesley Strong), the 7th Earl of Bradford (owner of Blanchdown Wood) and the head forester Mark Snellgrove. Butterfly Conservation’s work on this species is made possible through funding by Natural England under the Action for Threatened Species project (nominated officer Jon Curson). Butterfly Conservation’s survey and advised management work on the Heath Fritillary in the Tamar Valley has been made possible through HLS funding from Natural England (nominated Officer Hugh Tyler). Additional management in the winters of 2017/18 and 2018/19 is due to be carried out through a BIFFA Award, which will support practical management to increase the extent of potential breeding habitat within the Tamar Valley.

5. References

Barnett, L.K. & Warren, M.S. (1995) Species Action Plan: Heath Fritillary Mellicta athalia. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.

Jones, R.,Kelly, C. & Bulman, C. (2016). Heath Fritillary in the Tamar Valley: 2016 Status Report. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham (Butterfly Conservation Report no. S16-10).

Kelly, C., Rosenthal, A., Bourn, N. & Bulman, C. (2009). Heath Fritillary in the Tamar and Lydford Valleys: 2009 Population Status Report and Habitat Assessment. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.

Kelly, C., Vulliamy, B,. & Braven, J. (2015). Heath Fritillary in the Tamar Valley: 2015 Status Report. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham (Butterfly Conservation Report no. S15-16).

Phelps, S. (2017). Heath Fritillary on Exmoor: 2017 Status Report. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham

Plackett, J. (2017). Heath Fritillary in the Tamar and Lydford Valleys: 2017 Population Status Report and Habitat Assessment. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham

Rosenthal, A. & Bulman, C. (2011). Heath Fritillary in the Tamar and Lydford Valleys: 2010 Status Report. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham (Butterfly Conservation Report no: S11-10).

Vulliamy, B., Vulliamy, R & Bulman, C. (2006). Monitoring the population and dispersal of the Heath Fritillary (Mellicta athalia) in Greenscoombe Wood SSSI one year after reintroduction. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham.

Vulliamy, B. & Bulman, C. (2006) Monitoring the reintroduction of the Heath Fritillary (Mellicta athalia) to Greenscoombe Wood SSSI in 2006. Contract report to English Nature.

Vulliamy, B. & Bulman, C. (2008) Monitoring the population & dispersal of the Heath Fritillary (Mellicta athalia) in Greenscoombe Wood SSSI in 2008, two years after reintroduction. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham. Butterfly Conservation Report no: TSO8-28).

Vulliamy, B., Vulliamy, R & Kelly, C. (2011) Heath Fritillary in the Tamar Valley. 2011 Population Status report. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham (Butterfly conservation Report no: S11-25).

Vulliamy, B., Vulliamy, R & Kelly, C. (2012) Heath Fritillary in the Tamar Valley. 2012 Population Status report. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham (Butterfly conservation Report no: 12-21).

Vulliamy, B. & Kelly, C. (2014) Heath Fritillary in the Tamar Valley. 2013 Population Status report. Butterfly Conservation, Wareham (Butterfly conservation Report no: 14-01).

Warren, M.S. (1985) The ecology and conservation of the Heath Fritillary butterfly Mellicta athalia. Unpublished report to the Nature Conservancy Council.

Appendix A: Heath Fritillary Factsheet Website link Heath Fritillary Factsheet

Appendix B: Ng1: Monitoring butterflies by timed counts

TIMED COUNT MONITORING Timed counts are a useful method for rapid monitoring of rare species, especially those that have temporally and spatially dynamic distributions in extensive habitats. Unlike transects, timed counts need only be carried out once a year at a site to provide meaningful results. However, the margins of error in timed count data tend to be greater than transects. It is also important to note that local transect data is required to generate a meaningful index from the raw timed count data.

This guidance note describes how to carry out a timed count to UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme specifications. It is vital that all of the required information is recorded during a timed count if it is to be used in the UKBMS to analyse trends at National, Regional and site levels.

RECORDING BASICS When to record: Make a timed count as near as possible to the peak flight period of the species in question. Your local Transect or BNM co-ordinator may be able to advise you on this. Only one count is needed per year if this is achieved. Time of day: Timed counts should ideally be made between 10:45 and 15:45 hours. Between 10:00 and 17:00 hours is usually allowable, though butterfly activity may drop off rapidly during the late afternoon on warm days, so later times should be avoided. Weather conditions: Timed counts should only be carried out in warm and at least bright weather, with no more than moderate winds and not when it is raining. The minimum criteria are either 13-17ºC with at least 60% sunshine, or if there is no sunshine the temperature must be 17ºC or above. Windspeed (Beaufort scale) should be no more than 5 unless the survey area is sheltered from the wind. Check that conditions are suitable before you start the count and that if the temperature is less than 17ºC there is likely to be sufficient sun for butterfly activity.

HOW TO DO THE COUNT 1. Briefly walk the site to identify the extent of the adult flight area. If adults are patchily spread over a large area, it is better to identify sub-populations and survey them separately. 2. Count adults by walking the site in a zigzag path, covering the flight area as thoroughly and evenly as possible. It is important the walk passes through areas of high and low adult density: If only the best patches are visited, our analysis may over-estimate abundance. 3. Recording should be made at a slow, steady pace. Count the number of butterflies seen in a fixed time period (in minutes) sampling the whole flight area. This usually takes between 5 and 60 minutes depending on the size of the colony area. Do not worry about counting the same butterfly twice as the analysis accounts for this.

ESTIMATING PROPORTIONS OF SIMILAR SPECIES If similar species such as High Brown Fritillary (HBF) and Dark Green Fritillary (DGF) are flying together at a site, you can identify a sample of the individuals and the results can be used to determine the proportion of each species present. For example, if from 45 butterflies seen, 5 HBF and 8 DGF were confirmed, the remaining 32 unconfirmed individuals can be divided up proportionately to give an estimated 12 HBF and 20 DGF, thus giving totals of 17 HBF and 28 DGF. Under new UKBMS criteria you need to confirm the identity of at least 25% of the individuals seen in order for the estimated counts to be accepted. In situations where individuals are too numerous to achieve this, i.e. over 100, you should confirm the identity of at least 20 individuals. Note that you will need a license to capture High Brown Fritillary and the use of nets may be prohibited in some areas - contact the Species Team at BC for details.

WHAT TO RECORD ON Timed counts should be recorded on an Nf1: Timed Count Recording Form available from Butterfly Conservation. Use a separate form for more than two visits in a year, and as required for each sub-site (if the site is large). THE BEAUFORT SCALE: RecordingMapping the the flight weather: area: Draw S unshine a sketch shouldmap of the be Code MPH Description Specifications on land estimatedflight area, the ideally nearest on a 10%photocopy of the of time a large it was scale sunny OS 0 0-1 Calm Smoke rises vertically whilemap (e.g. you 1:5000 were - completing1:25 000), and the use count. this to If record a distinct the 1 1-3 Light air Slight smoke drift shadowestimated is extent cast (bright of the cloud)colony thenin hectares. conditions Remember may be 2 4-7 Light Breeze Wind felt on face & leaves rustle classedthat the asflight sunny. area Record may well shade change temperature, from year e.g.to year. with 3 8-12 Gentle Breeze Leaves & twigs in constant motion a portable thermometer placed in a shaded situation at Raises dust and small branches 4 13-18 Moderate Breeze the beginning of the count before you start, and record27 move the average windspeed code using the Beaufort scale 5 19-24 Fresh Breeze Small trees in leaf begin to sway (see right). 6 25-31 Strong Breeze Large branches move & trees sway

See below for an example colony map.

EXAMPLE MAP OF FLIGHT AREA Note: Scale 1:10 000. Boundary of colony shown in thick black ink. Map has national grid annotation, and site name is clearly visible.

SD4 SD5 9 0

SD7 3

REMINDER OF THE MINIMUM INFORMATION TO BE RECORDED 1. Site name and 6-figure grid reference (site name should be consistent each year) 2. Date of count 3. Weather conditions 4. Number seen (confirmed and estimated) 5. Duration of count (minutes) 6. Extent of flight area (hectares)

ELECTRONIC STORAGE AND TRANSFER OF DATA A specially formatted excel spreadsheet (Nf2: Timed Count Data Sheet) has been produced to allow you to computerise the data recorded on the paper forms. Data for any number of sites can be entered on one sheet.

WHEN AND WHERE TO SEND YOUR DATA Send in all records of visits, importantly even if none are seen. Data should be sent in either as hard copies of the Nf1 Timed Count Recording Forms or you can email a copy of your Nf2 Timed Count Excel Data Sheet, to Butterfly Conservation Head Office. If your data is to be included in the annual UKBMS analyses and reports, recording forms must be in by the end of October and Excel data by the end of November at the latest.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Dorset, BH20 5QP [email protected] 01929 400209

Appendix C: Timed Count Recording Form HEATH FRITILLARY – LYDFORD/TAMAR TIMED COUNT RECORDING FORM

SITE NAME: ID used on sketch map: approx dimensions of DATE: flight area (m): RECORDERS:

!! PLEASE MARK THE FLIGHT AREA CAREFULLY ON THE MAP PROVIDED!!

START TIME - END TIME: Temperature (in the shade): Sunshine (mean % of time): Max wind speed (beaufort scale)*: NUMBER SEEN: TOTAL SEARCH EFFORT (mins)**:

** Actual minutes searched x no: recorders if covering separate ground within same colony. COW-WHEAT ABUNDANCE* (tick): 0 1 2 3 4 5 Ribwort Plantain abdn* (tick): 0 1 2 3 4 5 Germander speedwell abdn * (tick): 0 1 2 3 4 5 HABITAT DESCRIPTION (Circle or add):

Coppice with standards/ coppice no standards/ ride edge/ scalloped ride/ grassy bank/ other:

Regrowth type - oak/ holly/conifer/mixed broadleaves/ other:

Age of coupe/ clearance: (known/ estimated)

MANAGEMENT NOTES / RECOMMENDATIONS:

* Beaufort scale: * Foodplant rank abundance scale: 0 Calm – smoke rises vertically 0 Absent 1 Light air - slight smoke drift 1 Rare - a few plants only 2 Light Breeze - wind felt on face, leaves rustle 2 Scarce - a few patches present 3 Gentle Breeze - leaves & twigs in constant motion 3 Frequent - patches always in view 4 Moderate Breeze - raises dust & small branches 4 Common - ground cover more than 10% 5 Fresh Breeze - small trees in leaf begin in sway 5 Abundant - ground cover more than 40% 6 Strong Breeze – large branches move & sway

OTHER DATA FLOW? surveyor to pass to county recorder/s OR submit via RECORDS: (Circle): BC Species: Grid ref: No/ stage/ notes:

Appendix D: Monitoring protocols

Definition of a colony.

Over most of its distribution, the Heath Fritillary exists in a metapopulation structure with a number of sites supporting sub-populations which may in turn be composed of several colonies. Mixing of individuals between sub-populations (i.e. between colonies in a single 'site') is assumed to occur infrequently with movement of individuals between sites occurring only occasionally.

Individuals freely able to move between habitat patches are considered to form one colony. The determination of an individual colony is therefore based on the separation of observed flight areas by either a distance of 300m of the existence of a barrier of unsuitable habitat which probably restricts the free interchange of individuals. For the purpose of monitoring in the Tamar and Lydford Valleys, the extent of suitable habitat within the coppice coupes in which adults were seen or the limits of individuals recorded for sections of ride or grassland, have been used to define the colony boundaries.

This definition is based on original work by Warren et al. (1984) with the addition of a distance figure representing a modification given in the 1995 Butterfly Conservation Species Action Plan (Barnett and Warren 1995) which gives: “a group of individuals that occurs in a discreet area and is separated from other groups by at least 300m of apparently unsuitable habitat.”

Sightings of one or two butterflies in suitable habitat with a Cow-wheat abundance score of >2 are considered to indicate the presence of a colony.

Appendix E: Heath Fritillary Timed Count data for Greenscombe Wood 2018

Time Flight Estimated Colony Sub-patch Central Grid No: Site name Date Recorder searched area population Size category name/ref name/ref ref seen (mins) (Ha) size Greenscombe GW1 (West) Bottom Ride SX3915 7245 08/06/2018 JP 3 5 0.17 17 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 1 SX3911 7256 08/06/2018 JP 22 5 0.1129 65 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 2 SX3910 7248 08/06/2018 JP 8 5 0.0755 19 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 3 SX3910 7240 08/06/2018 JP 15 6 0.2588 83 Medium Greenscombe GW1 (West) Penneys SX3898 7227 08/06/2018 JP 1 10 0.571 12 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Toppiece Ride SX3909 7257 08/06/2018 JP 0 15 Total GW1 49 46 1.1882 195 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 5 SX3913 7267 08/06/2018 JP 0 2 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 6 SX3912 7273 08/06/2018 JP 9 5 0.0676 19 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 7 SX3915 7280 08/06/2018 JP 4 5 0.1879 23 Small Greenscombe GW1/2 (West) Oak SX3912 7262 08/06/2018 JP 0 2 Total GW2 standards 13 14 0.2555 42 Greenscombe GW3 (East) S1 SX3927 7259 08/06/2018 JP 36 8 0.16 91 Greenscombe GW3 (East) S2 SX3926 7263 08/06/2018 JP 56 3 0.14 319 Greenscombe GW3 (East) S3 SX3929 7266 08/06/2018 JP 10 5 0.14 38 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 1 SX3932 7258 08/06/2018 JP NS Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 1a SX3932 7255 08/06/2018 JP NS Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 2a SX3931 7251 08/06/2018 JP 1 3 0.12 10 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 2b SX3930 7247 08/06/2018 JP 0 2 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 3a SX3932 7262 08/06/2018 JP 6 5 0.13 24 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 3b SX3937 7261 08/06/2018 JP 1 5 0.1 7 Large Greenscombe GW3 (East) M1 SX3926 7256 08/06/2018 JP 8 5 0.11 26 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M2 SX3927 7252 08/06/2018 JP 7 5 0.15 30 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M3 SX3927 7248 08/06/2018 JP 3 5 0.13 14 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M4 SX3926 7242 08/06/2018 JP 0 5 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Fire Break SX3920 7260 08/06/2018 JP 7 5 0.3 55 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Top Ride SX3924 7251 08/06/2018 JP 28 8 0.25 110 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Bottom Ride SX3933 7252 08/06/2018 JP 10 5 0.18 48 Total GW3 173 69 1.91 773

Greenscombe GW1 (West) Bottom Ride SX3915 7245 12.06.2018 SB 0 3 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 1 SX3911 7256 12.06.2018 SB 5 2 0.1129 39 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 2 SX3910 7248 12.06.2018 SB 1 2 0.0755 9 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 3 SX3910 7240 12.06.2018 SB 4 2 0.2588 67 Medium Greenscombe GW1 (West) Penneys SX3898 7227 12.06.2018 SB 0 3 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Toppiece Ride SX3909 7257 12.06.2018 SB 0 5 Total GW1 10 17 0.4472 115 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 5 SX3913 7267 12.06.2018 SB 5 4 0.077 16 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 6 SX3912 7273 12.06.2018 SB 6 3 0.0676 21 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 7 SX3915 7280 12.06.2018 SB 6 3 0.1879 50 Small Greenscombe GW1/2 (West) Oak SX3912 7262 12.06.2018 SB 0 2 Total GW2 standards 17 12 0.3325 87 Greenscombe GW3 (East) S1 SX3927 7259 12.06.2018 SB 17 4 0.16 87 Greenscombe GW3 (East) S2 SX3926 7263 12.06.2018 SB 41 4 0.14 177 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 1 SX3932 7258 12.06.2018 SB 1 2 0.24 19 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 1a SX3932 7255 12.06.2018 SB 4 3 0.13 26 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 2a SX3931 7251 12.06.2018 SB 2 2 0.12 19 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 2b SX3930 7247 12.06.2018 SB 2 3 0.05 9 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 3a SX3932 7262 12.06.2018 SB 4 2 0.13 36 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 3b SX3937 7261 12.06.2018 SB 0 0 Large Greenscombe GW3 (East) M1 SX3926 7256 12.06.2018 SB 6 3 0.11 31 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M2 SX3927 7252 12.06.2018 SB 1 3 0.15 11 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M3 SX3927 7248 12.06.2018 SB 2 4 0.13 13 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M4 SX3926 7242 12.06.2018 SB 2 4 0.23 19 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Fire Break SX3920 7260 12.06.2018 SB 2 2 0.3 41 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Top Ride SX3924 7251 12.06.2018 SB 9 3 0.25 95 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Bottom Ride SX3933 7252 12.06.2018 SB 0 4 Total GW3 93 43 2.14 582

Greenscombe GW1 (West) Bottom Ride SX3915 7245 14/06/2018 JP NS Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 1 SX3911 7256 14/06/2018 JP 4 5 0.1129 16 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 2 SX3910 7248 14/06/2018 JP 0 2 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 3 SX3910 7240 14/06/2018 JP 3 2 0.2588 51 Small Greenscombe GW1 (West) Penneys SX3898 7227 14/06/2018 JP NS Greenscombe GW1 (West) Toppiece Ride SX3909 7257 14/06/2018 JP NS Total GW1 7 9 0.3717 67 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 5 SX3913 7267 14/06/2018 JP 7 3 0.077 26 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 6 SX3912 7273 14/06/2018 JP 7 3 0.0676 24 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 7 SX3915 7280 14/06/2018 JP 8 5 0.1879 41 Small Greenscombe GW1/2 (West) Oak SX3912 7262 14/06/2018 JP 0 3 Total GW2 standards 22 14 0.3325 91 Greenscombe GW3 (East) S1 SX3927 7259 14/06/2018 JP 24 5 0.16 97 Greenscombe GW3 (East) S2 SX3926 7263 14/06/2018 JP 25 5 0.14 89 Greenscombe GW3 (East) S3 SX3929 7266 14/06/2018 JP 2 2 0.14 22 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 1 SX3932 7258 14/06/2018 JP NS Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 1a SX3932 7255 14/06/2018 JP NS Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 2a SX3931 7251 14/06/2018 JP 1 2 0.12 12 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 2b SX3930 7247 14/06/2018 JP 1 2 0.05 8 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 3a SX3932 7262 14/06/2018 JP NS Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 3b SX3937 7261 14/06/2018 JP NS Large Greenscombe GW3 (East) M1 SX3926 7256 14/06/2018 JP 10 5 0.11 31 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M2 SX3927 7252 14/06/2018 JP 2 2 0.15 23 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M3 SX3927 7248 14/06/2018 JP 3 2 0.13 28 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M4 SX3926 7242 14/06/2018 JP 0 2 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Fire Break SX3920 7260 14/06/2018 JP 0 2 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Top Ride SX3924 7251 14/06/2018 JP 18 5 0.25 113 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Bottom Ride SX3933 7252 14/06/2018 JP 3 3 0.18 26 GW3 Total 89 37 2.334 449

Greenscombe GW1 (West) Bottom Ride SX3915 7245 18.06.2018 SB 0 4 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 1 SX3911 7256 18.06.2018 SB 4 3 0.1129 23 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 2 SX3910 7248 18.06.2018 SB 3 3 0.0755 14 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Cpt 3 SX3910 7240 18.06.2018 SB 0 3 Small Greenscombe GW1 (West) Penneys SX3898 7227 18.06.2018 SB 0 4 Greenscombe GW1 (West) Toppiece Ride SX3909 7257 18.06.2018 SB 0 4 Total GW1 7 21 0.1884 37 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 5 SX3913 7267 18.06.2018 SB 3 3 0.077 14 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 6 SX3912 7273 18.06.2018 SB 5 3 0.0676 18 Greenscombe GW2 (West) Cpt 7 SX3915 7280 18.06.2018 SB 2 3 0.1879 20 Small Greenscombe GW1/2 (West) Oak SX3912 7262 18.06.2018 SB 1 2 Total GW2 standards 11 11 0.3325 52 Greenscombe GW3 (East) S1 SX3927 7259 18.06.2018 SB 14 4 0.16 72 Greenscombe GW3 (East) S2 SX3926 7263 18.06.2018 SB 9 4 0.14 43 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 1 SX3932 7258 18.06.2018 SB 2 2 0.24 34 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 1a SX3932 7255 18.06.2018 SB 0 3 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 2a SX3931 7251 18.06.2018 SB 0 3 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 2b SX3930 7247 18.06.2018 SB 0 3 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 3a SX3932 7262 18.06.2018 SB 1 2 0.13 13 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Cpt 3b SX3937 7261 18.06.2018 SB 0 0 Large Greenscombe GW3 (East) M1 SX3926 7256 18.06.2018 SB 0 3 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M2 SX3927 7252 18.06.2018 SB 1 3 0.15 11 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M3 SX3927 7248 18.06.2018 SB 1 4 0.13 9 Greenscombe GW3 (East) M4 SX3926 7242 18.06.2018 SB 0 4 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Fire Break SX3920 7260 18.06.2018 SB 4 2 0.3 77 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Top Ride SX3924 7251 18.06.2018 SB 0 3 Greenscombe GW3 (East) Bottom Ride SX3933 7252 18.06.2018 SB 0 4 Total GW3 32 44 1.25 258 MAXIMUM COUNT FROM GW1 49 MAXIMUM COUNT FROM GW2 22 MAXIMUM COUNT FROM GW3 173 TOTAL MAXIMUM COUNTS FROM ALL AREAS 244 TOTAL OCCUPIED FLIGHT AREA 3.43ha ESTIMATED PEAK POPULATION SIZE 1059 Recorders: JP Jenny Plackett; SB Steve Batt, volunteer surveyor NS = not surveyed 34

Appendix F: UKBMS Transect route and proposed additions

Luckett Wood

Key Existing UKBMS Transect route New transect section

Appendix G: UKBMS Transect route and proposed additions

Greenscoombe Wood-Ridge

Key Existing UKBMS Transect route Proposed New transect section

Appendix H. Greenscoombe Wood, Compartment Names Habitat Assessment codes

HLS Compartments