Those planning a stay in in Dorset holiday cottages over the coming months may wish to keep their eyes peeled after a number of endangered butterflies were spotted by a farmer in the area.
According to agriculture portal Stackyard, dairy farmer Richard Foot identified five different species living on his land during the summer months while taking part in a scheme run by Waitrose.
He is one of a number of suppliers of dairy products to the supermarket chain and participates in the Waitrose WildCare wildlife habitat scheme, which urges farmers to help promote the development of wildlife on their farms.
Mr Foot saw 40 per cent of the country’’s 67 butterfly species – making him the most successful participant – and said that the competition gave him an incentive to look at his land more closely.
"I suspect these butterflies may have been here for a while," the news source quoted him as saying.
According to UK Butterflies, the heath fritillary and marsh fritillary are two of the rarest species in the country, while the nationwide population of the silver-spotted skipper is on the increase.
Posted by Andrew Hill 
