Large Blue making a comeback
Friday, August 08th, 2008 | Author: News Team
Back in the late 1970’s the large blue butterfly was pronounced extinct in Britain. However, following a reintroduction programme in the 1980’s, it has once again become established “ if somewhat precariously so. The good news is that it is reported as having “bounced back” following last year’s bad weather to increase its numbers.
Last year the populations of the large blue butterfly fell alarmingly at Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Green Down nature reserve, near Somereton, as a result of a spring drought and poor weather during the flight period.
This year, however, more than 3,000 butterflies took flight in June at the site, which was recently selected as one of 20 “Butterfly Survival Zones” in a bid to save the country’s rarest species. According to the Somerset Wildlife Trust, the site is one of the best in Europe for the large blue since the species was reintroduced to the reserve in 1992.
The large blue butterfly is still considered to be globally threatened, as a result of loss and bad management of its habitat, and is one of a number of species prioritised for conservation action under Britain’s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
The large blue population at the Green Down reserve has been used as a donor site for further re-introductions in the area. Encouragingly the butterfly’s numbers have been boosted by a local farmer whom, we are informed, uses his Dorset horn sheep and ruby red Devon cattle to graze the site in a way which help the reserve’s wildlife.
Just another example of farmers and environmentalists working together for the preservation of our countryside and its habitats.
More on the sterling work being undertaken by the Somerset Wildlife Trust may be found here .
Category: Butterflies, Wildlife | Leave a Comment
