Dingy Skipper
Erynnis tages
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Dingy Skipper is one of the less glamorous butterflies but a good record on the Sefton Coast nonetheless. It's moth-like in appearance and resting posture — flat wings with grey-brown mottling. It requires short, open grassland with Bird's-foot Trefoil on warm, bare south-facing ground. The dune grassland at Ainsdale provides this habitat. In May on a warm, sunny morning, a patient search of suitable habitat should turn one up.
At a Glance
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hesperiidae |
| Habitat | Bare dune grassland · Limestone grassland · Open dry ground with Bird's-foot Trefoil |
| Diet | Adults: Bird's-foot Trefoil, Bramble. Larvae: Bird's-foot Trefoil, Crown Vetch. |
| UK population | Declining — amber-listed; lost from many sites |
| Sefton Coast | Present in small numbers on open dune grassland at Ainsdale; local and not always easy to find |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Bare, dry dune grassland at Ainsdale NNR where Bird's-foot Trefoil grows. Declining nationally.
Identification
Small, moth-like butterfly. Grey-brown with pale spots. Rests with wings spread flat like a moth (unlike other skippers). Chequered wing pattern. Short, rapid flight. Easy to lose on bare ground.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Search open dune grassland at Ainsdale in May on sunny days. Look for a small moth-like insect resting flat on bare ground or low vegetation near Bird's-foot Trefoil.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is of moderate conservation concern. Population monitoring and habitat management on the Sefton Coast support its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Dingy Skipper declining?
The Dingy Skipper has declined by around 50% in the UK since 1976, linked to loss of its key habitat — short, open, south-facing grassland with Bird's-foot Trefoil. Grassland improvement, scrub encroachment and reduced grazing have all reduced the bare, warm ground it needs for breeding. Active management at Ainsdale NNR helps maintain suitable conditions.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.