Habitat work boosts rare butterfly numbers on Chase
Careful habitat management by rangers has contributed to a welcome rise in the population of the dingy skipper butterfly at Cannock Chase Country Park.
The latest annual butterfly survey, carried out by Staffordshire County Council’s countryside team along with the Special Area Conservation team and volunteers, revealed more than a 50 per cent increase in dingy skipper numbers recorded since 2023.
This is very positive news for this vulnerable species, which has declined nationally by more than 40% since the 1970s.
Dingy Skippers are pollinators and they thrive in areas with good biodiversity, so their presence is a reliable indicator of a healthy ecosystem.
These butterflies favour open ground and wildflowers, which is why they have taken a particular liking to the Fives Valley area of Cannock Chase. The site’s unique history as former mining and military land has created the perfect conditions for this rare species to flourish.
Rangers have been working to protect and expand this valuable habitat since the Dingy Skipper was first prioritised for conservation at the site in 2004.
Winter work has now begun to clear invading birch scrub from the grassland and bare ground needed for the butterfly’s food plant (Bird’s-foot trefoil) to grow.
The county council has just secured more funding from both Butterfly Conservation and Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) to assist with further habitat management work in the Fives Valley area.
Councillor Hayley Coles, Staffordshire County Council cabinet member for communities and culture, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Dingy Skipper population at Cannock Chase rising after years of careful management by our rangers and volunteers.
“This work is testament to how vital conservation work is in protecting vulnerable species and creating healthy habitats where wildlife can flourish. With support from our partners and the local community, we’re helping to safeguard this rare butterfly and many others for future generations to enjoy.”
Staffordshire County Council’s rangers, partners and volunteers will continue to carry out yearly surveys to support the Dingy Skipper and other species at Cannock Chase.
Anyone interested in volunteering can find more information on the county council’s website.
