Site Condition Monitoring of Marsh Fritillary on designated sites in west Scotland 2014-15

NatureScot

Description

The marsh fritillary butterfly Euphydryas aurinia is a Habitats Directive Annex II species that is widespread in Scotland in coastal Argyll and the Inner Hebrides, where Islay is the principal population. In Scotland it occurs among damp grasslands and heaths that are usually associated with some form of grazing. A survey was undertaken in autumns 2014 and 2015 of designated sites supporting E. aurinia.

Geographic Description

The records in this dataset relate to designated sites supporting E. aurinia in western Scotland.

Purpose

The purpose of Site Condition Monitoring is to determine the condition of the designated natural feature within a site. This is to establish whether the natural feature is likely to maintain itself in the medium to longer term under the current management regime and wider environmental or other influences. An effort was made to assess additional 1 km squares within designated sites where suitable habitat was thought to be present confirm further areas for habitat management if required.

Data quality

There is a high degree of confidence - survey was by experienced surveyors. However, populations of E. aurinia fluctuate and the species can be difficult to locate in some years.

Methods

This method was based on the SCM guidance for monitoring this species. Sites within SSSI/SAC monitored in 2002 were repeated using the same forms as the 2002 survey where possible. Additional populations were recorded if seen, and if some distance from the 2002 survey sites additional habitat data recorded. Timed counts of larval webs were made, but in 2014 the webs were so abundant that in many locations only presence was noted. Foodplant density and condition, habitat condition and grazing regime were all recorded.

Citation

No citation information available.

Rights

OGL

Digitised records