RYTON MEADOWS NATURE RESERVE - Butterfly Conservation

Field Identification – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve

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C E R T I F I C A T E I N E C O L O G Y A N D

W I L D L I F E C O N S E R VA T I O N

FIELD IDENTIFICATION: RYTON MEADOWS NATURE RESERVE

JAYE WHALLEY

30 July 2008


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INTRODUCTION The location is Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve (Grid Ref: SP378728), originally a 12.4 hectare

landfill site owned by LaFarge, now leased by Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire. The site

comprises farmland (62.5 hectares), woodland (106 hectares) and Ryton Wood, SSSI owned by

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

During 1960-1990 Steetley Aggregates, Redland, LaFarge all extracted sand and gravel contributing

to the loss of 40-60 acres of woodland. Restoration in late 1980s began with inert building waste and

household rubbish capped with clay, sand and sub-soil (Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire; Slater,

2008).

Species recording began in 1990 when Mike Slater, Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire, conducted a

butterfly and day-flying moth transect survey. His restoration recommendations were adopted by

LaFarge. The site is now a herb rich grassland half sown with wildflower seed mix, one quarter

colonising naturally, the remainder left fallow. British native boundary hedgerows also planted.

Nature reserve opened officially May 2007.

A dry-stone wall was added to create egg-laying habitat for butterflies. Now small numbers of the rare

Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) and Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae) are present, together with

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) and Brown Argus

1

2

3

4

5


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(Aricia agestis). Ancient woodland once supporting 19 species of fungi and spiders now boasts 33 of

butterflies (Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire).

For this project Mike Slater was contacted with an offer to conduct a wildflower survey across five

habitats, and assist with monitoring Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) egg-laying (Lewington, 2004).

Hypothesis: Species diversity will be greater on seed sown areas than on areas left to colonise naturally.

METHODOLOGY Five habitats, 1–5 on map, will each be observed during March-June to identify and record emerging

wildflower species and participate in the annual egg-count.

A plan for measurement and providing meaningful data for both this report and Butterfly Conservation

Warwickshire was considered (Slater 2008). Therefore 5, 10 x 10m quadrats were staked in each

habitat. Two methods agreed for data collection:

• For wildflowers a 300mm diameter drop disk was provided to be randomly positioned 10 times

for each quadrat (Appendix C). For identification Guide to Grassland Plants 1, FSC was

primarily used on site with The Wildflower Key, Francis Rose (see References).

• Using the same method an OVA Deposition Preference Survey Form, provided by Butterfly

Conservation Warwickshire, was completed once a month (Appendix D). Photographs taken

and species identified using Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland,

Richard Lewington (see References).

A grid was overlaid onto an aerial

photograph of the reserve to give references

used by all Butterfly Conservation

Warwickshire surveyors. Throughout this

report the survey areas are referenced as:

• Habitat 1: AA

• Habitat 2: DC

• Habitat 3: FB

• Habitat 4: HC

• Habitat 5: JC

For this survey, abundance was not recorded and grasses were not identified.

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all photography is by Peter Whalley.


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RESULTS The observations below summarise each visit to the reserve.

29th March 2008 Photographs taken of each habitat (Appendix F):

• Habitat 1 – AA Field grazed by rabbits.

• Habitat 2 – DC Grazing enclosure. Ground slightly boggy in places.

• Habitat 3 – FB Calcareous bund of aggregate (brick/broken concrete) left to colonise.

Bird’s-foot-trefoil seeded.

• Habitat 4 – HC Thin layer of sub-soil, slow re-growth.

• Habitat 5 – JC Methane vents, thin layer of sub-soil, rabbits present.

Five 10 x 10m quadrats staked during visit.

April 2008

12/4/08: The first Cowslip (Primula veris) shoots were observed (Gulliver). The table shows the

identification key (Rose, 2006): Species Key Key steps

Primula veris Rose (2006) General Key to Plant Families 1, 2, 5 Rose (2006) E; Plants with individual flowers small (5mm or less), grouped into umbels, with individual flower stalks all radiating from one point on tip of stem like ribs of an umbrella – umbels either simple, or compound (umbels of umbels)

1, 3, 4 >>Primulaceae

27/4/08: These species were identified, unless stated each was recognised by its common name

(Gulliver and Rose, 2006):

Habitat 1: AA • Cowslip (Primula veris)

• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg)

Habitat 2: DC • Cowslip (Primula veris)

Habitat 3: FB • Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

• Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Habitat 5: JC • Field Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvenis)

• Broadleaf willow herb (Epilobium montanum) identified by Mike Slater

• Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense)

• Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

• White clover (Trifolium repens)

• Common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) identified by Mike Slater

• Common centaury (Centaurium erythraea) identified by Mike Slater


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May 2008 5/5/08: The first butterflies were observed (Lewington, 2004):

Peacock (Inachis io)

Orange Tip female (Anthocharis cardamines)

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)

Soil pH tests were conducted using a garden testing kit:

• Habitat 1: AA Neutral

• Habitat 2: DC Neutral-Alkaline

• Habitat 3: FB Alkaline

• Habitat 4: HC Neutral

• Habitat 5: JC Neutral

24/5/08: The first egg witnessed was laid by Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) on Bird’s-foot-trefoil

(Lotus corniculatus) (Gulliver and Lewington, 2004):

These wildflowers were identified during a butterfly walk with Mike Slater, unless stated each was

recognised by its common name (Gulliver and Rose, 2006):

• Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) identified by Mike Slater

• Greater Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus) identified by Mike Slater

• Common vetch (Vicia sativa)

• Greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) identified by Mike Slater

• Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)

• Creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) identified by Mike Slater

• Bugle (Ajuga reptans)

• Lady’s smock (Cardamine pratensis) also known as Cuckooflower, identified by Mike Slater

• Kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) identified by Mike Slater

• Ragged-robin (Lychnis flos cuculi)


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14th June 2008 Wildflowers and butterflies abound, these photographs were taken as individual was egg-laying

(Lewington, 2004):

Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae)

Grizzled Skipper egg

Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) Dingy Skipper egg Additional wildflowers observed, unless stated each was recognised by its common name (Gulliver

and Rose, 2006):

Habitat 2: DC • Creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) identified by Mike Slater

• Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Habitat 3: FB • Black Medick (Medicago lupulina)

• Goosegrass (Cleavers) (Galium aparine)

• Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) identified by Mike Slater

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Habitat 4: HC • Black Medick (Medicago lupulina)

• Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens)


Habitat 5: JC • Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) identified by Mike Slater

• Clover, red (Trifolium pratense)

• Cowslip (Primula veris)

• Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)

• Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)

• Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum)


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• Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

• Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

• Sheep’s Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)


The biological recording form can be found in Appendix B.

To demonstrate diversity, wildflower species per habitat is displayed below (Appendix C):

Summary of Species Recorded

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1 - AA 2 - DC 3 - FB 4 - HC 5 - JC

Habitat

Freq

uenc

y

With the average number of species being:

• Habitat 1 – AA 3.3

• Habitat 2 – DC 2.7

• Habitat 3 – FB 2.2

• Habitat 4 – HC 4.3

• Habitat 5 – JC 5.4

A comparison between two survey areas, the grazing enclosure (DC) sown with a wildflower mix and

the top field (JC) left to colonise naturally. The distribution of plants relative to sown and colonised

areas was measured using Mann-Whitney U test (Appendix E). The data is analysed by giving each

measurement a rank score and comparing the medians of each sample. The result shows that our

hypothesis can be accepted as there is no significant difference in species found in the two areas.

This graph shows species frequency for wildflower seed mix against natural colonisation:


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0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Bird's-

foot T

refoil

Black M

edic

Bugle

Butterc

up, C

reepin

g

Cinquefo

il

Clover, R

ed

Clover, W

hite

Comman R

agwort

Common C

entau

ry

Knapw

eed,

Common

Lady

's Bed

straw

Ribwort Plan

tain

Sheep

s Sorr

el

Thistle

,Cree

ping

Vetch,

Common

Yarrow

Freq

uenc

y

DC Sown JC Colonised


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DISCUSSION

Monitoring at different times of year has been challenging. In hindsight a recording sheet completed

for early wildflowers, such as Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvenis) and Cowslip (Primula veris), as well as

data collected end-June for this report, would provide useful information if monitoring continues in

2009.

Stakes should have been taller as vegetation, particularly in DC and JC, soon made them difficult to

see.

Identifying species from vegetation was unsuccessful. The reserve elevation is quite exposed; the high

winds during March/April made research using The Wild Flower Key on site difficult.

Ecological management methods means 33 breeding butterfly populations are now present. The

preferred egg-laying sites for Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), rock, bare ground/hallows and Bird’s-foot-

trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) have now been introduced (Lewington, 2004; Rose, 2006). By continuing

the process of planting the correct food plants (wildflowers and saplings) which are known nectar

sources our native butterflies and moths appear.

Bio-diversity results from variation in soil types and light grazing or mowing. Common Ragwort

(Senecio jacobaea) was removed from the grazing enclosure DC by Mike Slater, so three cows and

calves could occupy this field (Gulliver). Field JC was mown for the first time in September 2007.

The self seeding of nectar plants throughout the reserve is evident, as demonstrated with the Bee

Orchid which as been found at 3 locations on the reserve.

Nettles (Urtica dioica) on the calcareous bund (FB) have been sprayed and are dying back. This may

have been due to calcium carbonate as the aggregate used was destined for landfill or nitrate levels

depending on where it came from. Thistles (Cirsium vulgare and Cirsium arvense) have also been

sprayed due to their abundance in the field (HC).


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REFERENCES Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire - Saving butterflies, moths and their habitats – Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire Reserve at Ryton Wood Meadows. Accessed 07/04/08 http://www.warwickshire-butterflies.org.uk/reserve.asp Chalmers, N. and Parker P. (1986) The Open University Project Guide Field. Field Studies Council Cook T., Dr 2008 (07 June): Field Trip. Newton Field Centre, Newton. Gulliver, M. & R. A key to grassland plants 1. FSC Publications, Shrewsbury Lewington, R. (2004) Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. British Wildlife Publishing, Hampshire Rose, F. (2006) The Wild Flower Key How to identify wild flowers trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland. Penguin Books Ltd Slater M. 2008 (16 February): Meeting relating to Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve. Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire The NBN Species Dictionary. Access 24/07/08 Available from: http://nbn.nhm.ac.uk/nhm/


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Appendix A - Log 1 - 1st Visit 16/2/08: Background information

2 3


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4 5- 2nd Visit 21/3/08: Methodology agreed

6


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7- 3rd Visit 29/5/08: Staking out habitats

8 9 - 4th visit 14/4/08: First sampling data recorded


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10 11 - 5th visit 19/4/08: Butterfly walk with Mike Slater

12 - 6th visit 27/4/08: Met with Mike Slater and agreed soil sampling may be beneficial. Beginning to recognise wildflowers


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13 14 - 7th visit 5/5/08: Soil samples recorded 15 - 8th visit 24/5/08: Butterflies and

wildflowers


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16 - 9th visit 14/6/08: Recording wildflower species

17 18


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APPENDIX B – Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve (biological recording form)


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Appendix C - Ryton Meadows Nature Reserve recording sheet Site ZONE 1 - AA Site ZONE 2 - DC

Quadrats Quadrats Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Bird's-foot Trefoil 9 Bird's-foot Trefoil 8 Broadleaf Willow Herb Broadleaf Willow Herb Bugle Bugle Buttercup, Creeping 7 Buttercup, Creeping 2 Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup, Meadow Cinquefoil, Creeping Cinquefoil 1 Cleavers (Goosegrass) Cleavers (Goosegrass) Clover, Red Clover, Red Clover, White 3 Clover, White Comman Ragwort Comman Ragwort Common Centaury Common Centaury Cowslip 2 Cowslip Dandelion Dandelion Knapweed, Common Knapweed, Common 7 Knapweed, Greater Knapweed, Greater Lady's Bedstraw 7 Lady's Bedstraw 3 Nettle Nettle Ox-eye Daisy Ox-eye Daisy Ragged Robin Ragged Robin Ragwort Ragwort Ribwort Plantain 5 Ribwort Plantain 4 Sorrel Sorrel Strawberry, Barren Strawberry, Barren Strawberry, Wild Strawberry, Wild Thistle, Spear Thistle, Spear Thistle,Creeping Thistle,Creeping Vetch, Common Vetch, Common 1 Yarrow Yarrow 1 Total 2 3 3 4 4 4 2 3 3 5 33 Total 1 3 3 3 3 2 4 2 3 3 27


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Site ZONE 3 - FB (BUND) Site ZONE 4 - HC Quadrats Quadrats Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Bird's-foot Trefoil 3 Bird's-foot Trefoil Black Medic 4 Black Medic 9 Broadleaf Willow Herb Broadleaf Willow Herb Bugle Bugle Buttercup, Creeping 6 Buttercup, Creeping 7 Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup, Meadow Cinquefoil Cinquefoil Cleavers (Goosegrass) Cleavers (Goosegrass) Clover, Red Clover, Red Clover, White 2 Clover, White 6 Comman Ragwort Comman Ragwort 1 Common Centaury 2 Common Centaury 2 Cowslip Cowslip Dandelion Dandelion Knapweed, Common 2 Knapweed, Common 4 Knapweed, Greater Knapweed, Greater Lady's Bedstraw Lady's Bedstraw Nettle 1 Nettle Ox-eye Daisy Ox-eye Daisy Ragged Robin Ragged Robin Ragwort Ragwort Ribwort Plantain Ribwort Plantain 1 Sorrel Sorrel Strawberry, Barren Strawberry, Barren Strawberry, Wild Strawberry, Wild Thistle, Spear Thistle, Spear 2 Thistle,Creeping 2 Thistle,Creeping 9 Vetch, Common Vetch, Common 2 Yarrow Yarrow Total 1 3 2 3 3 4 2 2 1 1 22 Total 5 5 3 5 3 6 4 3 5 4 43


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The steps taken when identifying the taxonomy in these tables were from one of the following methods:

• Instant recognition of plant by its common name, as either identified before (eg Newton Field Centre) or plant growing in own garden (eg Bugle, Goosegrass and Common Vetch).

• Identification provided by Mike Slater, Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire, who decided which wildflower seed mix to sow when restoring grassland. Genus and species was then taken from either of the reference books below.

• Reference made, when on site, to the pocket sized field guide ‘Guide to grassland plants 1’ written by Mavis and Richard Gulliver and published by FSC Publications / AIDGAP.

• Photographing specimens and studying ‘The Wildflower Key How to identify wild flowers trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland, written by Francis Rose and published by Penguin Books.

• Species Family name sourced from Wikipedia.

Site ZONE 5 - JC Quadrats Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total Bird's-foot Trefoil 5 Black Medic 7 Broadleaf Willow Herb Bugle 1 Buttercup, Creeping 1 Buttercup, Meadow Cinquefoil Cleavers (Goosegrass) Clover, Red 3 Clover, White 3 Comman Ragwort 5 Common Centaury 2 Cowslip Dandelion Knapweed, Common Knapweed, Greater Lady's Bedstraw 8 Nettle Ox-eye Daisy Ragged Robin Ragwort Ribwort Plantain 10 Sheeps Sorrel 1 Strawberry, Barren Strawberry, Wild Thistle, Spear Thistle,Creeping 3 Vetch, Common 5 Yarrow Total 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 5 6 3 54


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Appendix D - OVA Deposition Preference Survey Form

OVA DEPOSITION PREFERENCE SURVEY FORM

SITE NAME:

RYTON WOOD MEADOWS GRID REF: SP376726 SPECIES: DINGY SKIPPER

DATE: 19/4/08 RECORDER: JAYE WHALLEY

5 metre square numbers 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91

81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71

61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


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Example 5m square reference code format: DB43

OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS

5 Metre Square Reference Code AA1 AA2 AA3 AA4 AA5 AA6 AA7 AA8 AA9 AA10 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 6 6 9 6 5 7 6 9 4 6 2. Number of eggs on foodplant - - - - - - - - - - 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) - - - - - - - - - - 4. Height of shoot containing egg - - - - - - - - - - 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip - - - - - - - - - - 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant - - - - - - - - - -

7. Percentage bare ground within disc area 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 8. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within

disc area 5 1 10 1 10 10 5 5 0 0

9. Percentage of green grass within disc area 70 90 90 50 80 70 80 60 90 20

10. Evidence of stock grazing (trampling, cattle paths, dung, poaching) within disc area

N N N Y N N Y N N N

11. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

12. Seeds heads from the previous year or black plantain heads3(roosting perches) within disc area

N N N N N Y N N N N

13. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 1 0 1 0 4 0 6 2 2 3

14. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N N N N N N

15. Aspect, flat ground or on slope orientation to sun (e.g. F=flat, 1SW=shallow slope south west, 2NE=medium slope north east, 3E=steep slope east etc.)

F F F F F F F F F F

16. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) None

5 Metre Square Reference Code DC1 DC2 DC3 DC4 DC5 DC6 DC7 DC8 DC9 DC10

1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 10 14 23 18 12 2. Number of eggs on foodplant - - - - - - - - - - 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) - - - - - - - - - - 4. Height of shoot containing egg - - - - - - - - - - 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip - - - - - - - - - - 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant - - - - - - - - - -

7. Percentage bare ground within disc area 20 0 0 0 0 8. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within

disc area 15 40 10 10 40

9. Percentage of green grass within disc area 50 30 60 20 10


N N N N N

11. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 1


N N N Y Y

13. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area N N N N N

14. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N N N N N


1 1 1 1 1



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5 Metre Square Reference Code HC1 HC2 HC3 HC4 HC5 HC6 HC7 HC8 HC9 HC10


plant - - - - - - - - - -


disc area 0 20 20 50 0



N N N N N



N N N Y N

13. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area N N N N 5



F F F F F


5 Metre Square Reference Code JC1 JC2 JC3 JC4 JC5 JC6 JC7 JC8 JC9 JC10


plant - - - - - - - - - -


disc area 10 5 0 0 2



N N N N N



N N N N N

13. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area 2 2 8 2 0



F F F F F



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SITE NAME:


DATE: 27/4/08 RECORDER: Jaye Whalley


81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71

61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


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OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE: 17o 5 Metre Square Reference Code - AA AA71 AA28 AA68 AA94 AA78 AA39 AA60 AA19 AA40 AA96 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 4 4 4 10 14 10 2 2 6 6 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant

7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 55 50 20 20 40 50 50 50 50 75


disc area 5 0 0 30 20 40 20 0 20 5



N N N N N N N Y N N



N N N N N N N N Y N




F F F F F F F F F F

17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area)

5 Metre Square Reference Code - DC DC10 DC27 DC35 DC12 DC59 DC79 DC93 DC75 DC05 DC05 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 7 10 18 14 22 15 4 13 11 8 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant



disc area 5 5 20 50 20 20 30 80 70 5



N N N N N N N N N N



N N N N Y Y N Y N Y




1S 1S 1S 1S 1S 1S 1S 1S 1S 1S



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5 Metre Square Reference Code - HC HC12 HC55 HC72 HC06 HC03 HC40 HC79 HC76 HC73 HC23 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 6 1 4 14 4 2 4 8 1 1 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant



disc area 5 2 2 10 30 5 20 30 10 10



N N N N N N N N N N



N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F

17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) 2

5 Metre Square Reference Code - JC JC19 JC23 JC79 JC97 JC94 JC72 JC49 JC44 JC33 JC12 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 1.5 4 6 6 4 2 2 3 3 4 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant



disc area 5 5 10 20 0 2 0 0 2 0



N N N N N N N N N N



N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F



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5 Metre Square Reference Code – BUND FB FB01 FB21 FB26 FB77 FB83 FB09 FB94 FB10 FB32 FB92 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 2 2 1 1 3 5 2 2 15 3 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant



disc area 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 30



N N N N N N N N N N



N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F BUND FACE

BUND FACE F F BUND

FACE



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SITE NAME:


DATE: 24/5/08 RECORDER: JAYE WHALLEY


81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71

61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


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OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE: 17o 5 Metre Square Reference Code FA

1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 10 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 1 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) Y 4. Height of shoot containing egg (cm) 5 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip (cm) 0.5 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant (cm) 10

7. Percentage of unidentified green plants within disc area 5

8. Percentage bare ground within disc area 15 9. Percentage of dead dry vegetation within

disc area 0

10. Percentage of green grass within disc area 5


N

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0


N

14. Visible clumps of Rabbit dropping within disc area N

15. Bramble and/or other low invading scrub (e.g. Hawthorn seedlings) within disc area N


F

17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) 2 (Female) Dingy Skipper; 2 Green Hairstreak; 1 Grizzled Skipper


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SITE NAME:




81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71

61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


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OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE: 20o overcast, bright 5 Metre Square Reference Code - AA AA10 AA5 AA1 AA25 AA100 AA91 AA41 AA55 AA58 AA23 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 10 17 9 7 12 10 5 9 10 11 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant



disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



N N N Y N N N N N N

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 2 BFT,

Cowslip 1 BFT 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BFT


N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F



plant



disc area 0 20 50 50 40 40 0 50 10 30



N N N N N N N N N N

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 1 vetch 0 0 0 0 0


N Y N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F



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plant



disc area 0 10 10 5 20 5 5 0 5 10



N N N N N N N N N N

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2

1 Forget Me Not 0 0 1 Forget

Me Not 0 0 0 1 Forget Me Not 0 0


N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F


5 Metre Square Reference Code - JC JC4 JC22 JC44 JC53 JC64 JC99 JC95 JC91 JC10 JC1 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 2.5 2 2 3 9 10 8 9 3 9 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant



disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0



N N N N N N N N N N

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 0 1 BFT 0 0 0 1 BFT


N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F



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plant



disc area 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 10 0



N N N N N N N N N N

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Bugle 0


N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F

17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) 1 – Dingy Skipper


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SITE NAME:




81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90

80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71

61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51

41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50

40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


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OVA DEPOSITION DETAILS OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE: 5 Metre Square Reference Code - AA AA1 AA41 AA100 AA98 AA91 AA89 AA10 AA52 AA45 AA24 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 19 7 10 25 13 20 18 19 5 5 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant



disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



N Y N N Y N N N Y Y

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 BFT 0 BFT BFT BFT 0 0


N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F

17. Adults counted (in flight over survey area) 1 – Dingy Skipper


plant



disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 20



N N N N N N N N N N

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 0 1 BFT 1 vetch 1 vetch 0 0 0 0


N N Y N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F



Page 37



plant



disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



N N N N N N N N N N

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 0 1 BFT 3 F-M-N

b’cup, cl 1 clover 0 0 0 0 1 Butter cup


N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F


5 Metre Square Reference Code - JC JC91 JC96 JC100 JC42 JC32 JC10 JC6 JC1 JC38 JC34 1. Vegetation Height (measured in cm) 8 16 15 4 10 5 25 18 5 3 2. Number of eggs on foodplant 3. Colour of egg (yellow/Orange) 4. Height of shoot containing egg 5. Distance of egg from shoot tip 6. Distance of shoot from centre of main

plant



disc area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



N N N Y N N N N N N

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 1 BFT 0 0 1 BFT 0 1 BFT 1 BFT 1 BFT 0


N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F



Page 38



plant



disc area 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



N N N N N N N N N N

12. Known nectar plants in flower within disc area2 0 1 BFT 1 clover 1 butter

cup 0 0 1 clover 0 0 0


N N N N N N N N N N




F F F F F F F F F F



Page 39

APPENDIX E – Mann-Whitney U-test

The raw data below shows the number of species found per quadrat on A (seed sown area DC) and B

(free colonisation of area JC):

Drop A B 1 4 2 2 4 5 3 5 3 4 4 3 5 3 5 6 6 4 7 6 3 8 3 7 9 7 1 10 6 3

48 36

The Mann-Whitney U-test is used to test whether the two independent groups could have come from

the same population, and is one of the most powerful non-parametric tests. The purpose of the U-test

is to test for a difference in medians, and is not dependant on normality or equal variance as explained

by Cook (2008).

Using the U-test, the data is ranked on a continuous scale in ascending order where A is seed sown

area DC and B is free colonisation area JC. The two columns are ranked as one data set, starting with

the lowest number. Therefore in Table 2 below we work our way down by giving number 1 (A) the rank

value of 1, number 2 (A) the rank value of 2. However, a different ranking method is applied where

measurements are equal. The 3’s are counted across A and B and take up ranks 4,5,6,7,8,9,10

(seven 3’s), when tied each number is given the average (or mean) of the ranks they take up so 7.5

(the mean of 4,5,6,7,8,9,10). When the number of tied ranks is even it will be given a .5 number, when

odd the average will be a whole number. The ranks are then summed for each area.


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Table 1: Original Raw Data set for

No of samples taken Table 2: Raw Data arranged numerically for

No of samples taken A Ua B Ub A Ua B Ub 1 1 4 11.5 1 1 3 7 4 11.5 2 2.5 3 7 5 13 2 2.5 3 7 6 15.5 3 7 3 7 3 7 7 18 3 7 2 2.5 7 18 3 7 4 11.5 7 18 3 7 2 2.5 5 13 3 7 3 7 6 15.5 3 7 3 7 3 7 4 11.5 4 11.5

10 59.5 10 141 4 11.5 5 13 5 13

Ua 99 Ub 14.5 6 15.5 6 15.5 7 18 7 18 7 18 10 59.5 10 141

The values of U have been calculated as follows:

A (sown): U=n1n2 + n1(n1+1) - Σra so, 10 x 10 + 10(10+1) – 59.5 = 95.5

2 2

B (colonised): U=n1n2 + n2(n2+1) - Σrb so, 10 x 10 + 10(10+1) – 141 = 14

2 2

The smaller of the two U values, 59.5, is compared with the appropriate value in the table of Critical

Values (Chalmers and Parker, 1986) by measuring across 10 down 10 (based on the number of

samples) giving a result of 23 (as shown below):


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If the corresponding calculated U-value of 95.5 is less than the tabulated figure 23, then the null

hypothesis must be rejected.

In this comparison the hypothesis is accepted and it is assumed there is no significant difference in the

numbers of species in the two areas.


Page 42

Appendix F – Fieldwork

MARCH

Habitat 1 - AA

Habitat 2 - DC

Habitat 3 – FB (calcareous bund)

Habitat 4 - HC

Generally across the habitats

Bugle

Ribwort Plantain

APRIL

Habitat 1 - AA

Habitat 2 - DC



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Bird’s-foot refoil

Ground-ivy(Glechoma hederacea)

Common forget-me-not

Broad leaved willowherb

Barren strawberry

Barren strawberry

Common ragwort

MAY

Greater Stitchwort

Ribwort Plantain

Bugle


Page 44

JUNE

Habitat 1 - AA


Habitat 4 – HC

Habitat 5 – JC


Cattle grazing (photo by Mike Slater)

Common Forget-me-not

Birds-foot trefoil

Ragged Robin

Ladybird on Common Vetch

Six-spot Burnet

Silver-ground carpet

Common Blue female

Common Blue male

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RYTON MEADOWS NATURE RESERVE - Butterfly Conservation