By 1998, several sites as far north as Cotham, had recorded their first examples, whilst Colwick and Holme Pierrepont, both continued to report the species on an almost annual basis.

Because the Essex Skipper is extremely similar to the Small Skipper, it's further spread throughout the county, has probably passed unnoticed. It is extremely under-recorded, but now probably present over much of Nottinghamshire.

Like the Brown Argus, the Essex Skipper's rise as a colonist, has come at more or less the same time. Then again, many other butterflies (which were once a very difficult find in Nottinghamshire) have also continued to spread at a terrific rate.

Discovery at Eakring - July 27th 2003

The Essex Skipper was a species which was always likely to occur in the area at some time; and it was discovered near Eakring village whilst searching for another recent (but seemingly only temporary) colonist - the Brown Argus.

Described by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust as a "species-rich green lane" and suitably designated as a SINC site, Mill Lane (above) runs west from Eakring village, alongside the Oil Bore Holes site for part of its length. The variety of flora found along it's length is excellent and consequently, provides a useful nectar source for many butterflies and other insects. It was along here, that the Essex Skipper was first noted and numbers appeared quite good. A more thorough survey will take place.

The Essex and Small Skipper are difficult to tell apart. Life-cycle differences mean that the Essex Skipper emerges a few weeks later than the Small Skipper (usually around the third week in July) then over-winters in the egg stage with the Small Skipper passing the Winter as a young larva. Larvae of both species feed on a variety of grasses.

Structural differences between the two are slight and quite subtle. However, once learnt seperating the two becomes quite easy to the trained eye. The most obvious difference is on the underside of the tips of the antennae - black on Essex Skipper and light-brown on Small Skipper.

Above left:- Essex Skipper - the photograph shows the black antennae tips easily

Another way of distinguishing the two, lies in the thickness of the line of scent scales on the forewings of the males. In the Essex, this band is much finer and straighter than that of the male Small Skipper, where the scent band draws away from the leading edge of the forewing and towards the body.

This band can sometimes be difficult to see clearly on worn adult male Essex Skippers and is always more obvious on male Small Skippers.

The general colouration of the upperside of the forewings is usually a much more fulvous brown on the Small Skipper, though this feature is by no means diagnostic, but may provide initial suspicion of identification. Often Essex Skippers can appear worn in comparison.