Changes in the Blackdown Hills

This project is making great progress in the restoration of open habitats and broadleaved woodland. Sites which were once stiffled by conifer plantations, making them inhabitatable to many species, have been opened up so broadleaved native trees can flourish.  Large areas of forest have been fenced, so that Longhorn cattle can graze and shape the developing habitats.

Refuges maintained by West Country Branch of Butterfly Conservation are havens for colonies of Marsh Fritillary, Duke of Burgundy, Wood White and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. These last two species have already been responding well to the light grazing instigated on Butterfly Conservation’s Mount Fancy Farm Reserve, and the widening of forest rides by Forest Enterprise.

The monitoring and surveillance of refuge sites will be expanded into new large, open areas. Butterfly Conservation will track the spread of butterflies and moths back onto land which has been lost to dark conifer plantations for decades.

Contact

Email your comments or queries to John Davis, Senior Conservation Officer.

Funders

Heritage Lottery Fund, Forestry Commission, Natural England and five local authories.

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