A Shropshire nature reserve is hoping to turn blue this summer, after work to create new habitat for a threatened butterfly is completed.
Butterfly Conservation’s (BC) Prees Heath Reserve near Whitchurch was once the only place in the county to see the Silver-Studded Blue butterfly, but last year more than 300 were seen at the site.
Prees Heath Warden, Stephen Lewis, said: “We’re hoping that numbers will be even better this summer after volunteers have helped prepare a more extensive area of heathland habitat for the caterpillar of this beautiful butterfly.
“When BC first took on Prees Heath, the site had suffered many years of neglect and abuse, but ten years on, it is thriving with wildlife.”
This latest conservation work marks a milestone for the BC reserve, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.
The charity purchased Prees Heath in May 2006 to protect the Silver-Studded Blue, which has undergone a major decline across the UK.
Ten years of dedicated conservation work by BC volunteers, staff and partner organisations mean the butterfly can now been seen flying in good numbers at the reserve throughout June, July and August.
To celebrate, BC and the Meres & Mosses Landscape Partnership Scheme are hosting a free, family Biotblitz event at Prees Heath on Sunday 29 May.
Wildlife enthusiasts from around the county are being invited to enjoy an afternoon of hunting for butterflies, moths, caterpillars, birds, wildflowers, lizards and anything else they can find.
There will also be a free barbecue, evening stargazing and a chance to look for the reserves resident bat species.
Experts will also be on hand to show people Silver-Studded Blue caterpillars, which have an important relationship with black ants on the reserve.
The ants attend to the caterpillars, licking their sugar-rich secretions in return. When the caterpillar turns into a chrysalis, the ants bury it underground or take it into their nest, caring for it and protecting it from any predators until the butterfly emerges.
For more information about this event or to book your free place, please contact Stephen Lewis on 07900 886809 or email: @email