On March 9th 2015 work will begin on an exciting project to create a colourful habitat for the rare Striped Lychnis moth on the verges of the B3404 at Magdalen Hill Down, just outside Winchester.
The project is being led by the national wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation. It will manage scrub and other plants on the verges, creating an ideal habitat for growth of the Dark Mullein plant, the key food-source for the moth. Over 3,000 Dark Mullein plants will be planted once the management work is complete.
Despite its name, the plant’s flowers are yellow and it is a popular sight in gardens, so this project will have a double benefit as it will make the verges more attractive and colourful.
Once the work is complete, local volunteers will be trained in how to preserve and improve the valuable habitat. Planned activities include monitoring the moths, guided walks and work parties.
The project has been initiated and developed by the Hampshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation, which has over 1600 members and is growing rapidly.
The project is going to cost £32,000 and The Veolia Environmental Trust has awarded £23,737 through the Landfill Communities Fund, with Butterfly Conservation making up the shortfall.
Butterfly Conservation’s Moth Conservation Officer Tony Davis says, “Roadside verges can provide a rich habitat for wildlife and our project will transform the ones at Magdalen Hill into a place where the Striped Lychnis moth can establish itself and hopefully thrive.
“Our Hampshire Branch has been a key-player in getting this project off the ground and we look forward to their continued input into managing the verges and increasing awareness of their conservation importance.”
The Executive Director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, adds, “It is great to hear that this important project starts next week. It will have multiple benefits for the environment, biodiversity and people living in and passing through the area. We also love it when volunteers get involved in schemes we support – I look forward to hearing about the results of their hard work.”