One of South East England’s most threatened butterflies is set to receive a boost in its last remaining forest stronghold thanks to a project to create and improve habitat and investigate its sudden decline.
The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary was once widespread across the South East but is now confined to a few small areas in the New Forest in Hampshire.
The New Forest Fritillaries Project run by Butterfly Conservation (BC), the Forestry Commission (FC) and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust will improve existing habitat and create new areas for the threatened butterfly.
It is hoped the project will enable the butterfly to avoid regional extinction and provide information about the impact of our changing environment on wildlife.
The population and habitats of the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary will be monitored long-term as part of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.
Steve Wheatley, BC’s Senior Regional Officer said: “This could be the last chance to save the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary in the South East.
“I live in Lewes in Sussex and it used to be a short bike ride to see this beautiful butterfly flying in local woodland. Now it’s a two-hour drive and soon it could be even further away – too far for my children to experience, other than on special trips.”
One of the reasons thought to lie behind the butterfly’s decline is the drying out of woodlands, likely to be a result of climate change in the region. The increase in sudden and unseasonable deluges can also result in the drowning of the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary caterpillars.
Changes in post-war woodland management might also have affected the butterfly, with small-scale habitat niche’s being lost as woodland management has become increasingly mechanised.
The New Forest Fritillaries project, funded by Biffa Award and the Dulverton Trust amongst others, will carry out research to examine these impacts and find out how to reverse them to slow down declines.
The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary has managed to cling on in a few New Forest inclosures where small-scale sensitive management takes place.
John Durnell of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust said: “We are very happy to be part of this project. We see this delivering important biodiversity benefits for Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and other wildlife dependent on these habitats“
Forestry Commission Ecologist Jay Doyle said: “The project will fit very well with our wider management objectives for the New Forest, to enhance connectivity for wildlife.
“We will work with Butterfly Conservation to the best of our ability to save this butterfly and jointly deliver valuable targeted work, including utilising the enthusiasm and passion of our Two Trees Conservation Volunteer team.”
New volunteers are welcomed and are encouraged to get involved in searches for the butterfly, surveying habitats and helping to create new habitat.
For information about the project please contact Butterfly Conservation’s Steve Wheatley @email