Woodland butterfly takes wing once more
A RARE butterfly has been released in woods more than 40 years after the species became extinct in England.
The chequered skipper disappeared in 1976 because of the destruction of its habitat and the increased planting of conifer forests, which are unsuitable for the insect.
Historically found in bands of woodland and limestone grassland from Oxfordshire to Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, it had survived in Scotland, with conservationists hoping to reintroduce it to England if suitable habitats could be created.
Earlier this week, four butterfly conservation scientists travelled to Belgium to collect chequered skipper adults from the Fagne-famenne region in the south of the country, where they are widespread.
They were released in Rockingham Forest, Northamptonshire, yesterday.
Dr Nigel Bourn, of the Butterfly Conservation charity, said: “It has taken many years and a lot of hard work … to get to this point and I am very proud to be part of the team collecting these beautiful butterflies and returning them to England.”