Forestry Commission to help save butterflies and moths
The plight of Britain's rare butterflies and moths is to be tackled by the Forestry Commission in an attempt to boost their dwindling numbers in the nation's woodland. They have teamed up with Butterfly Conservation and have identified 140 key sites which need action, 77 of those have been designated grade A priority sites as they are home to some of our rarest species, such as the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, and the Argent & Sable moth. The main reason for the decline in woodland butterflies and moths is complicated, but has been linked to a decline in woodland management and traditional skills such as coppicing, which is what creates bright open paths where butterflies thrive. They don't survive in the shady, overgrown, unmanaged woodlands.
The Wyre Forest is one of the first woodland sites to be tackled, as it contains some of our most spectacular species of butterflies. Here they will thin the tree canopies, restore flower meadows and manage the bracken to encourage caterpillars. A weekly count will then be carried out by a group of volunteers weekly during the summer months to see if progress is being made.
Related: Dalby Forest eco friendly visitor centre opens | More acts sign up for 2007 Forest Tour
