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.