Beetles, Bugs, Butterflies & Bats... The Park has a wide variety of habitats, full of wildlife. In the 17th century parkland there are oaks, field maples and hawthorns. These trees are home to more than 400 species of beetle as well as many varieties of insect which feed on dead and dying wood.

The trees that have splits and holes where branches have died and fallen off provide perfect roosting sites for bats. Six species of bat are recorded in the Park, including noctule and daubentons, whilst the large number and variety of insects provide excellent feeding for the bats in the sheltered rides.

Over 24 species of butterfly live in the limestone quarry area, including several rare to Lincolnshire such as the marbled white and grizzled skipper. The rarest butterfly to live at Grimsthorpe is the Duke of Burgundy, which can be seen in May and June. The caterpillars feed on cowslip leaves and prefer those shaded by long grass and scrub. To assist the Duke of Burgundy’s survival some of the limestone grassland is occasionally mown to encourage the cowslips to seed.

Limited grazing by cattle and sheep keep the rough grass cropped short, to encourage wild flowers and butterflies.

ACCESS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARKS HISTORY AND THE RANGER.

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