The Life of Animals | chequered skipper | This one small animal that uses its wings to fly and also very beautiful is divided into miraculous kind, these animals are very beautiful views and we will always see it, usually the women who are very fond of the animal because of its beautiful color and shape is also a funny and also unique, want to know? The following report
Set up by Forestry Commission Scotland in partnership with Butterfly Conservation and Forest Research in 2003, the Allt Mhuic nature reserve - on the north Shore of Loch Arkaig - aims to support several species of butterfly, particularly the nationally important ‘Chequered Skipper', that only occurs in the UK within a 25 mile radius of Fort William.
As part of this project the Commission pioneered large scale habitat and species management through the use of a conservation grazing programme using 15 young Highland Cattle. However it became apparent in 2009 that it wasn't working as had been hoped and that butterfly numbers were still declining.
Kenneth Knott, for the Commission, said: "The decision was taken to change the grazing regime on the lower slopes from summer to winter grazing and early indications suggest that the change is benefiting butterfly numbers. As the season has progressed at least five species on the site have shown improvements in numbers, which is excellent news and we are looking forward to getting the end of season figures to compare to previous years.
The chequered skipper butterfly count shows a 160 per cent increase (up from 3 to 8 in the monitored transect), with the first ever male territories being mapped. Indications are that numbers of the dark green fritillary have shown a 250 per cent (up from 8 to 28) increase and the small pearl bordered fritillary and the speckled wood butterflies have doubled in number.
The local recorder on the site Tony Millard said: "The whole site looks really good and the results this year are fantastic. The introduction of the cattle has made a real difference to the quality of the site, making the conditions and the habitat much more amenable to several butterfly species. An early success like this is really encouraging and we hope we are on course to see further improvement next year. It's a great example of how more natural land management techniques can bring additional benefits.
Other species such as Dragonflies are also showing a positive response to the changes, increasing in numbers and exceeding those found in the control areas.
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