www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi all,

Can anyone recommend a Lulworth Skipper site that does not involve steep climbing? I have asthma and arthritis in my right ankle so I am not really capable of long walks or steep ascents. Maybe somewhere there is a car park at the top of a hill? Thanks in advance.

Cheers
John W

Durlston Country Park might be a good spot. There is a bit of a steep walk down from the car park to the coastal path but its not long, but once on the coastal path it's relatively flat with the added bonus of the Skippers not really having anywhere to go so it's easy to stake out a patch. It's a later site so I'd leave it for a month before visiting.

I also hear that they inhabit the car park of Corfe Castle (it's possible you won't even have to leave your car to see one buzzing around the edge!) but I would pick your visit wisely, mid week out of school holidays or it will likely be rather busy. If you have the time you could do them both in a single day.

I'm sure others (Wurzel) will have more ideas.

Thanks for the info Bugboy.

I believe there are Grayling too at Durlston Country Park? Do they start before the school holidays?

Cheers
John W.

Yes but I've only ever seen one or two down there, I think it's a late site for them, emerging at the tale end of the Lulworths and you need the agility of a mountain goat to get close to them, at least the ones I've chased. Grayling are also at Corfe Castle, well I've seen one in the car park a few years ago.

Quite a bit further to go, but I saw both Lulworth Skipper (quite worn) and Grayling (too many of the latter to count!) at Tout Quarry on the Isle of Portland on 4th August 2021. There were plenty of other butterflies as well.

From the car park, most of the paths are level or gently sloping, though there is some loose limestone scree in places off the main tracks.

Here is a link to the page of my personal diary with the relevant report. You'll probably need to scroll down a bit to find it.

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=6157&start=4460

Dave

The easiest place and also generally one of the earliest is the National Trust car park for Corfe Castle. They fly along the very steep bank but you can see them hanging around the bottom so no climbing necessary. I've photographed one within 20 seconds of locking the car before now. This is a good spot as you can then move onto Durlston afterwards for more Lulworths and everything else Tout Quarry and Broadcroft Quarry on Portland are good spots too as most of the slopes are no higher than a 'bank' really. I've also seen them at Lulworth on the beach round the eastern side of the Cove where there have been a few slips, in the field at the top of the car park and the back route up and round past Stairhole isn't as steep as it's over a longer distance and curving up and then you can come down the steeper path more easily.

Hope this helps
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Lulworth Skippers are well out at Durlston Country Park. I was there on 30th May and saw at least 9. They were particularly easy to observe late afternoon, especially when roosting on long grass. They were on the wing until at least 19.30. The sunny weather helped!

Mike Gibbons

Thanks everyone for the advice. I visited Corfe Castle on June 8th and found plenty around the NT car park area. The weather was hot and breezy so not ideal for photography but I got a couple of acceptable photos.
Cheers
John W