Prees Heath, Shropshire

Target species: Silver-studded Blue, Purple Hairstreak, Essex Skipper.

Leader: David Tomlinson 

Meet at 10.30am. Prees Heath lies between the A49 and A41, two miles south of Whitchurch, North Shropshire. Meet in the car park at SJ557362 (nearest Post Code SY13 3LA, but note that post code would take you finally to the west of the A49; the car park is just east of the A49).

What3Words: learns.microchip.gracing

Prees Heath Common is a major Butterfly Conservation reserve. Following major habitat recreation to expand the area available to the Silver-studded Blue colony, this event is an opportunity to observe the butterfly in large numbers and appreciate the scale of habitat creation on the common. The Silver-studded Blue has an intimate relationship with ants and this will be described as will the restoration actions conducted on the common.

Prees Heath also hosts a large population of Purple Hairstreaks in the many oak trees to the west side of the reserve.  Some of the oaks are quite small and it is sometimes possible to find the hairstreaks at eye-level.  This is facilitated by bringing a step-ladder and, if you have one that is light and reasonably portable, bring it with you (this is not a joke!).

To the east of the reserve is a colony of Essex Skippers and we will try to see these after dealing with the blues and hairstreaks.