Historically, this butterfly was described as 'common near Mansfield' (Brameld) and
used to be abundant in some seasons, on sandy ground at
Thieves Wood, where it was last seen in 1884 (Daws). In
Sherwood Forest it was described as 'occasional' by
Sterland, but J.W. Carr (and others of the time) had
reasons to doubt many of Sterlands records. However,
given the dry, sandy nature of the Sherwood Forest area, Grayling
would have seemed likely to have occurred on areas of
heathland such as Budby South Forest.
Now long extinct in Nottinghamshire. The
last county record appears to be from Rushcliffe
Golf Course, dated around 1963. The record is rather vague
and there is little information other than a grid
reference. Even the year isn't certain and the record should clearly be
regarded as suspect. |
