Back to Sussex Butterfly Report 2004 Index

2004 : The Skippers

The Small Skipper was recorded from 152 squares. Compared with 2003, it was present in 90 new squares but unrecorded from 56 old squares. It appears to be stable across the county. Locally abundant during July.

The Essex Skipper was recorded from 51 squares. Compared to 2003, it was present in 40 new squares but unrecorded from 27 old squares. Arlington Reservoir and Thorney Island produced the highest sightings.

The Silver Spotted Skipper was recorded from only 17 squares. Compared with 2003, it was present in 5 new squares but unrecorded from 7 old squares. It was on the wing throughout August (J. & J. Steedman saw 230 at High and Over on August 4^th). It still only occupies the same range as in 2002.

The Large Skipper was recorded from only 127 squares - 15 more than the previous year. Compared with 2003, it was present in 73 new squares but unrecorded from 58 old squares. It was on the wing throughout the County in June and July. 

The Dingy Skipper was recorded from only 45 squares - 17 more than the previous year. Compared to 2003, it was present in 27 new squares but unrecorded from 10 old squares. It was regularly distributed along the length of the Downs but also occurred throughout the Weald. The main flight period was May, tailing off in June.

The Grizzled Skipper was recorded from 49 squares - 24 more than the previous year. Its distribution is similar to that of the Dingy Skipper, flying from April ending to the start of June.