than 50 years there were only isolated sightings. But in the 1950s, the speckled wood began to
reappear in its old haunts, apparently from the strong colonies on the Kent side of the Thames, and
since then it has moved steadily northwards and eastwards. Recently the main thrust of the advance
has followed the line of the coast.
The marbled white (Melanargia galathea) maintains only a tenuous foothold in the heavy clay
areas of south Essex, though a straggler has been seen on Mersea Island, possibly from the Thames-
side colony. Another of the Satyridae ('Browns') which has declined in recent years is the grayling
(Eumenis semele). This fine butterfly, found on grassy heaths and in open rides of woods, was
formerly common in parts of north-east Essex, mainly on the Army heaths south of Colchester, near
the shore at Colne Point and at Fingringhoe Wick, on the Colne Estuary. Its principal habitats have
not been altered to any marked extent It seems that, as with some of the woodland species already
mentioned, the main reason for its contraction of range must be climatic. In 1983 a small surviving
colony was found on the military rifle ranges area at Middlewick, Colchester following reports of
graylings in nearby gardens in 1982. Part of this particular grassland habitat has been damaged by
ploughing and disturbance and an appeal has been made to the military authority's conservation
officer to protect the remaining grassy heathlands.
The meadow brown (Maniola jurtina) remains one of the commonest species in meadows, on
heaths and grassy banks and in woodland clearings but it is subject to local fluctuations in numbers.
Like many other grassland insects, it has suffered to some extent from the intensive arable cultivations
in Essex which have reduced the area of mixed native grasses and flowering plants. The small heath
(Coenonympha pamphilus) has similar habitat requirements to the meadow brown and is able to
sustain viable populations on roadside verges. It is one of the Essex species which has benefited from
the wide grassy banks bordering the new major road projects in the county.
The ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) is declining in some areas because of habitat changes. It is
found in the grassy rides of woods and woodland margins but, like other Satyrid butterflies with grass-
feeding larvae, it is severely affected by prolonged drought conditions of the kind encountered in 1976.
To sum up: the general picture of Essex butterflies is far from encouraging. Compared with
southern, western and midland counties, Essex and East Anglia have never enjoyed the variety and
abundance of species, particularly of woodland butterflies. Many Essex woods have become
overgrown since the cessation of coppicing as a regular management practice. In coppicing the
patchwork of open areas and young growth created by cutting was ideal for a number of butterfly
species because larval foodplants flourished under sunlit, open conditions.
It is significant that when coppicing re-commenced in part of the north-east Essex woodland belt
containing the white admiral, the butterflies quickly took advantage of the resultant coppice clearing.
It is fortunate that the Essex Naturalists' Trust has been able to create a number of woodland reserves
suitable for conserving butterflies and in which much coppicing is now carried out to enhance the
habitat for plants and insects. Conservation use has also been made of disused railway cuttings and
old gravel and sand workings which can provide suitable breeding grounds for a number of butterfly
species.
There is some encouragement from the return of the speckled wood and the rediscovery of the
grayling in the north of the county and it is possible that we may yet see a recolonisation of suitable
woodland by the white admiral and the larger fritillaries, provided these continue to maintain viable
populations within range of the Essex habitats.
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