www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Return of the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary to Sussex

A short film by Justin Ingham https://vimeo.com/256913210

Thanks for posting this, Neil. It's nice to see in real time the kind of effort that goes into such projects.

Brilliant project. I wish it every success.
I imagine that the reserve will require continued management to prevent bracken and birch scrub taking over and smothering the violets. I wonder if some light grazing would be beneficial?

Thanks, both.

Nick - it would be great to get some light cattle grazing here, but it would be very expensive to fence the site and the movement of livestock comes with all sorts of complications. Fortunately, the reserves are in a Countryside Stewardship scheme, so there is an annual grant for maintenance, such as ride and ride-edge mowing. We also have chainsaw- and brushcutter-trained volunteers to assist with tasks such as coppicing and Bracken management. BC volunteers provide regular muscle throughout the winter, and we're fortunate in getting plenty of additional help from the Brighton Conservation Volunteers.

I believe the key to success here is the creation of a mosaic of very different habitat types, many of which are suitable for Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary; we have some of our SPBF eggs in different baskets!

BWs, Neil