SKIPPERS

Dingy Skipper

Erynnis tages

When to see:

April to Early July.
Peak: End May - End June

Habitat:

Open/rough ground, hillsides

Where to see:

Cashmoor, Clubmens Down, Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Melbury Down, Ballard Down, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Cerne Abbas, Portland Tout, Lankham Bottom, Southfield Hogcliffe

Foodplants:

Birdsfoot Trefoil

Behaviour:

Perch

Essex Skipper

Thymelicus lineola

When to see:

July and August.
Peak: End July - Mid-August

Habitat:

Open/rough ground, clearings

Where to see:

Stour Valley, Bere Regis By-pass, Alners Gorse, Hatch Pond

Foodplants:

Grass, Cocksfoot, Creeping Soft

Behaviour:

Patrol

Grizzled Skipper

Pyrgus malvae

When to see:

April to June.
Peak: Mid-May to early June

Habitat:

Open/rough ground, clearings

Where to see:

Fontmell Down, Hod Hill, Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Cerne Abbas, Lankham Bottom, Southfield Hogcliffe

Foodplants:

Wild Strawberry, Creeping Cinquefoil

Behaviour:

Perch

Large Skipper

Ochlodes venata

When to see:

June to August.
Peak: Mid June to End July

Habitat:

Open/rough ground, clearings

Where to see:

Anywhere

Foodplants:

Grass, Cocksfoot, False Brome

Behaviour:

Perch/Patrol

Lulworth Skipper

Thymelicus acteon

When to see:

July to Mid September.
Peak: August

Habitat:

South-facing Purbeck hillsides

Where to see:

Durlston CP East, Durlston CP West, Bindon Hill, Broadcroft Quarry

Foodplants:

Grass, Tor Grass

Behaviour:

Perch

Silver-spotted Skipper

Hesperia comma

When to see:

Mid July to End September.
Peak: Mid August to Early September

Habitat:

South-facing, close grazed downland

Where to see:

Fontmell Down

Foodplants:

Grass, Sheep’s Fescue

Behaviour:

Perch

Small Skipper

Thymelicus sylvestris

When to see:

Early June to Early September

Habitat:

Open/rough ground, clearings

Where to see:

Anywhere

Foodplants:

Grass, Yorkshire Fog

Behaviour:

Patrol