Current status
In Scotland, the chequered skipper is primarily a species of woodland edge and scrub. It occurs in areas of lightly grazed or ungrazed grassland, scrub and marsh around open broadleaved woodland, on wet but well-aerated soils. These areas are dominated by the larval foodplant, purple moor-grass. Nectaring occurs in glades with bluebells and bugle. Males defend territories, usually located in warm, sheltered areas. Females may move several kilometres and can be widely scattered towards the end of the flight period.
The chequered skipper is a boreal species that occurs across Europe, Asia and North America. It is declining in several European countries and is extinct in Denmark . It is endangered in some countries outside Europe (eg Japan). In England the chequered skipper was once fairly common in the East Midlands, but it became extinct there in the 1970s. The British populations are now restricted to about 50 sites in a small area of western Scotland. The known history of the species in Scotland is short as it was not documented here until 1942.
In Great Britain the chequered skipper is classified as Out of Danger. It is protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with respect to sale only.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Inappropriate grazing management of wood pasture.
Loss of open areas within woodland.
Current action
Many populations are on SSSIs or NNRs. One colony is on a Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve.
Three populations of the chequered skipper in Scotland are monitored as a part of the National Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.
A species action plan, grant-aided by NE, CCW, SNH and WWF, was published by Butterfly Conservation in 1996.
Butterfly Conservation has produced a comprehensive site inventory, identifying 10 core areas in Scotland.
A booklet describing conservation measures for the species was published jointly by Butterfly Conservation and SNH in 1996.
Butterfly Conservation initiated a reintroduction in England in 1995, in collaboration with FE, NE, the University of Birmingham, and the French and Belgian authorities.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain populations at all known sites.
Restore a viable population in England by 2005.
If suitable habitat can be restored, re-establish a further five populations in England by 2010.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Take account of the requirements of the chequered skipper when considering grant applications (eg Woodland Grant Scheme, Countryside Premium Scheme, Farm Woodland Premium Scheme) for woodland planting, natural regeneration, and changes in grazing on or near chequered skipper sites. (ACTION: FC, SNH, SOAEFD)
Encourage financial incentives for coppice restoration and beneficial woodland management in the recent former range in the East Midlands. (ACTION: NE, FC)
Site safeguard and management
Discourage detrimental development proposals affecting known breeding areas. (ACTION: LAs, SNH)
In areas with populations of the butterfly, encourage positive management of forestry plantations and wayleaves associated with broadleaved woodland and incorporate requirements of the chequered skipper into Forest Design Plans and other management plans. (ACTION: FC, SNH)
Where possible, increase the available habitat at known sites and adjacent areas, and attempt to link up existing fragments of habitat. (ACTION: FC, SNH)
Where there is realistic potential for re-establishment of this butterfly, promote restoration of potential habitats in the former range in England. (ACTION: NE, FC)
Ensure that the butterfly is included in site management documents for all relevant SSSIs and NNRs. (ACTION: SNH)
Consider notifying as SSSIs sites supporting viable populations of the chequered skipper, where this is necessary to secure their long-term protection and appropriate management. (ACTION: SNH)
Species management and protection
Continue the re-establishment programme at the FE site in eastern England, with monitoring of the butterfly and its habitat. (ACTION: NE, FE)
If suitable, appropriately managed, extensive habitats can be found or restored, conduct five further strategic reintroductions to England. (ACTION: NE, FC)
Discourage collection of chequered skippers at all sites. (ACTION: NE, FE, SNH)
Advisory
Advise landowners and managers of the presence of this butterfly and the importance of beneficial management for its conservation. (ACTION: NE, FC, SNH).
Future Research and Monitoring
Monitor key populations in Scotland, either by standard transects or timed counts, and collate data annually to compare trends with changes in site condition. (ACTION: SNH)
Undertake regular surveys in Scotland to confirm the status of all known breeding areas and to confirm the range of the species. (ACTION: SNH)
Conduct targeted autecological research to inform habitat management. (ACTION: NE, FC, SNH)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to a central database for incorporation into national and international databases. (ACTION: NE, SNH)
Communications and Publicity
Promote opportunities for the appreciation of the chequered skipper and the conservation issues associated with its habitat. This should be achieved through articles within appropriate journals, as well as by publicity leaflets. (ACTION: NE, FC, SNH)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume IV: Invertebrates (March 1999, Tranche 2, Vol IV, p303)