Glow worm sites in and around Dorset

A. Records published by Anthony Wootton (Country-Side 1971, 21 456-463 and 572-574, and XXII, No 6, Spring 1974, 266-271.)
NB - note that the dates referred to are as from the dates of these publications

Harcombe Heath Nr. Lyme Regis
Chideock between Bridport and Lyme Regis during last three years (1969)
Durdle Door Nr. W Lulworth, Common several years ago August 1964.  Isle of Purbeck (SY 994840) 4 females, 1 male summer 1968.
On 3/4 mile stretch of disused railway track between Bridport and West Bay, 31 in 1970, only 6, 1971.
A few miles E. of West Bexington along private road and along coast within 300 yds of seashore: up to 20 in 1970, 6 f 1971.
Tarrant Rushton nr.Blandford, banks and lawns of house, 1973.
Charlton Marshall Nr. Blandford in garden 1971
Portland Bill, 6 females on grassy slopes N. of lighthouse 1966.
Ringstead Bay large numbers over cliffs c. 50 years ago not seen now.
Morton E. of Dorchester (SY 806900), 1, early July 1971.

B. Sites reported to Robin Scagell
Site  Map    Location and details if any: f = (glowing) females, m = males
No    Ref
034 ST5703   Rampisham, Dorset 1991
502 ST7417   Road Stalbridge-Stalbridge Weston (20-30 y)
548 ST787302 Silton, verge of B3092, 1961-2
201 ST795203 Todborough  1991
584 ST8026   Railway embankment at Gillingham stn, for many years.
212 ST8111   Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset 1991
199 ST857107 Hod Hill  100f 1991
571 ST8707   Bryanston School, Blandford.
198 ST875164 Jerry's Hole, Sutton Waldron  160f 1991
200 ST879188 East Compton  1991
133 ST888181 Fontmell Down  9f 1991
202 ST952206 Tollard Down, Rushmore  1991
138 SU003098 Amen Corner, Gussage All Saints 21f 1991. Also seen 1994
137 SU008095 Gussage All Saints, Dorset 7f 1991. Also seen 1994
139 SU024103 Knowlton Ring, Dorset 20f 1991.
552 SU1136   Middle Woodford Green, cottage path to well. 18f recent years
035 SU1618   Breamore, Fordingbridge, Hants 1991
075 SU229145 Fritham Heath, New Forest 7f 1991
213 SY5386   W Bexington, Dorset 1991
500 SY5396   Powerstock Common, Dorset (recent years)
501 SY5495   Eggardon Hill, Dorset (recent years)
533 SY6769   Portland Bill, around clifftop huts, 1975, up to 10
247 SY805802 Steep part of path down to Durdle Door. Aug 91
553 SY806894 Churchyard and rectory garden, Moreton
205 SY9577   Chapman's Pool, Worth Matravers, Dorset  3f 1991
583 SY964777 Worth Matravers, 4 or 5 Jun 84
085 SY977766 Worth Matravers, Dorset 8f 1991
029 SY996944 Old rly line, Creekmoor, Poole, Dorset 4f 1991
046 SZ0197   Delph Wood, Broadstone, Poole 1f 1991
113 SZ0387   Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset 1991

Notes. No shortage of sites, but there are probably many more not listed here. I have not updated this list since 1991.
Writing in The Countryman in July 1990, Rona Williams stated that 'for a few short weeks every summer stretches of the Dorset cliffs are magnificently lit by a myriad of tiny lights', yet the numbers listed here give no hint of this. A few night time
explorations along the coastal path would be worthwhile. In 1995 I have had reports of small numbers on Studland Heath on the path between the Little Sea and the Agglestone, and of larvae (in May) around the Blue Pool.

In 2000 there was a tentative report of glow worm larvae from the urbanised green areas around SZ 183931 in Christchurch. Contact warden Robin Harley (robinp.harley@virgin.net) for details.