Bernwood Forest   by David Redhead
Sunday 21st May 2000

Overcast conditions meant this early season venture to re-establish the presence of Grizzled Skipper in Bernwood Forest did not start well. It was a good half hour before we saw our first butterfly but this proved to be the target species. Eventually we were to see eight species including a Small Copper and a "tatty" Painted Lady. The total count for Grizzled Skipper was two, one seen at the second major ride intersection from Oakley Wood car park and the other down the ride to the north where it was last recorded in 1998.
Two of the party of four paid a short visit to Whitecross Green Wood afterwards and added a Speckled Woodell to the species list for the day.