Glow-worm sites in and around Wiltshire

A. Records published by Anthony Wootton (Country-Side 1971, 21 456-463 and 572-574, and XXII, No 6, Spring 1974, 266-271.) NB: Comments such as ‘10 years ago’ here refer from 1970s.

Just S. of Salisbury [Not a lot of use, this!].
Baydon, Nr. Aldbourne, many 1970.
Norton, formerly quite numerous but not seen for several years.
Wilton, Nr. Salisbury, numerous by railway line just after war (last in 1947).
Spye Park, Lacock, 1 only in garden, June-July 1972 and previous years.
Compton Chamberlayne, 1 on bedside table at night, early July 1973 [Might be worth inquiries among residents - RS].

B. Sites reported to Robin Scagell
Site  Map    Location and details if any: f = (glowing) females
No    Ref
514 ST7865   On canal bank between Bath and Bradford on Avon, 10-20 1990
548 ST787302 Silton, verge of B3092, 1961-2
003 ST803610 Winsley, Bradford on Avon, Wilts 50f 1991
230 ST8268   Lane at Henley nr Box, past 10 years
232 ST9362   Seend Cleeve, on canal side opposite Barge PH 90,91
147 ST937608 Opp. 'Bell', Seend, Wilts 20f 1991
202 ST952206 Tollard Down, Rushmore  1991
552 SU1136   Middle Woodford Green, cottage path to well. 18f recent years
570 SU1969   St Johns School, Orchard Hill, Marlborough.
544 SU2261   Crofton, Nr Burbage, about 8 years ago
524 SU235634 Disused railway at Savernake. Recent years

NOTES: This is a comparatively short list considering that Wiltshire should be classic glow-worm country, consisting mostly of chalk and limestone! Dorset, for example, has three times as many sites. It may be that the lack of unimproved land in Wiltshire is the problem – glow-worm larvae seem to spend their time among vegetation searching for snails and slugs, and the vast plains of grassland are not so suitable. But it would be well worth trying to find new sites in the area – I would suggest searching any scarp slopes where wild flowers are abundant, old hill forts, lane verges and waste ground.
– Robin Scagell.