Grayling
Hipparchia semele
The grayling is a large butterfly with a looping and gliding flight, during which the paler bands on the upper wings are visible. Its cryptic colouring makes it difficult to see when at rest on bare ground, tree trunks, or stones. The wings are kept closed when not in flight and the fore wings are usually tucked behind the hind wings, concealing the eyespots and making the butterfly appear smaller. Its larvae feed mainly on sheep’s-fescue, red fescue, bristle bent and early hair-grass. Coarser grasses such as tufted hair-grass and marram are occasionally used. Many colonies are coastal, on dunes, saltmarsh, under cliffs, and cliff tops. Its main habitats are found on dry heathland, calcareous grassland, old quarries, earthworks, derelict industrial sites such as old spoil heaps and, in a few areas, in open woodland on stony ground. It is found on a wide range of soil types, but all are dry and well-drained, with sparse vegetation and plenty of bare ground in open positions.
The grayling is a widespread species but is declining in many areas, particularly inland. It is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species.
In The Tees Valley grayling colonies are associated with old industrial sites of the Tees estuary. Key sites are Maze Park, South Gare/Coatham sand dunes and old railway sidings.
