Pictured: grayling, Hipparchia semele
Notes from Jenyns: Found on Newmarket Heath & the Devils Ditch in profusion every year, first showing itself about the beginning of July. ~ Also on Gamlingay Heath; & in Ray’s time, (Raj. Ins. 128. no. 6.) on Gogmagog Hills. ~In 1827, ~ on Alington Hill.
200-year trend in Cambridgeshire: Decline to local extinction.
Modern records
Sadly, this species has disappeared from many of its former sites as agricultural intensification has destroyed its short grassland habitats. Instead of being found ‘in profusion every year’ this species is now extinct in the county.
National records map
Grayling national records map: https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0000520428
