www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Some good news to share with you all.
The Small Blue went extinct in the West of Scotland at the end of the 1970s/early 80s.
For the last few years the local Butterfly Conservation branch (Glasgow & SW Scotland) in association with the Scottish Wildlife Trust have been working to attempt a reintroduction at one of their reserves in Ayrshire only ~1 mile from the last known record. Today we got photographic evidence from the local SWT Reserves Manager of the first known wild Ayrshire Small Blue in over 30 years! It was found on an adjacent golf course (who have been very supportive all along) to our reintroduction site.

One swallow (or butterfly) doesn't make a summer & all that but it is some encouragement for the years of sowing & planting kidney vetch, creating soil banks, driving hundreds of miles to get introduction stock etc. that at least we are on the right track.
Still don't think that we have the grazing regime right yet, though ...

I'm glad for you Scott, and generally for all Northerners.
I find it humbling, and it makes me realise just how extra lucky some of us other Southerners are.
I wish you the best for this season.
Chris

Tremendous news. I had no idea of this initiative.

This is a hardy little butterfly and one that I would expect to respond positively to any reintroduction attempt.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that this colony not only thrives but extends its range.

That's fantastic news Scott! Well done to you and all involved!

Cheers,

- Pete

Wonderful to hear, what superb news! Best of luck with the future.

Andrew.

One other interesting thing is that last year due to weather etc. we were unable to translocate any adults to the site. Despite no adults being seen last Summer that means that this year's sighting is at least 2nd generation! Even more promising.