Median Farm was a site earmarked for development but thanks to Natural Resources Wales we have been able to rescue the land and start restoring vital habitat for Marsh Fritillary butterflies.
Median Farm is an extension to our Caeau Ffos Fach butterfly reserve in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire. It is part of a Special Area of Conservation, for both the marshy grassland and the population of the nationally threatened Marsh Fritillary butterfly that it supports. Butterfly Conservation has managed the site since 1998 and two years ago we were given the chance to extend the reserve to include the neighbouring plot known as Median Farm. 
As well as a fantastic population of butterflies, Median Farm’s hedgerows are home to Dormouse and Bullfinch. But getting the balance right for all the species supported at Median Farm is a tricky business.
The brambly scrub we need to remove for the butterflies is where the Dormice forage. They spend several months of the year asleep in the undergrowth, which means a thorough search has to be undertaken before any clearance work begins.
Following the fencing last year, funded by Cwm Environmental, we have a huge job to clear all the cut material on the site but the work must be split over two years so we can leave undisturbed piles for Dormice to hibernate in.
In addition to our human volunteer effort we also had four cattle this year to help us keep the grass under control. This was the first time in five years that the site had been grazed. Most of the time the cattle were just bobbing heads above the sea of rank grass and they loved exploring all the nocks and crannies on the site. The cows arrived in August and by the time they left in November two calves had been born. Thankfully the cattle went to their winter quarters before thieves stole the stock gate at the site entrance. It will be replaced and chained when the animals come back on next year.
Conservation work parties will take place at Median Farm throughout the winter and new volunteers are always welcome. Check the event listings and please come along.
Russel Hobson
Head of BC Wales
Thanks to The Mammal Society for the Dormouse image