Large Blue butterfly thriving on Somerset’s hills
14th Aug 08The large blue butterfly on the East Polden Hills in Somerset is turning into a real conservation success story. After being re-introduced to Somerset Wildlife Trust's Green Down nature reserve in 1992 the site quickly became one of the best sites in Europe for the species.
This large blue population has been used as a donor site for further re-introductions in the area and south west for the past 15 years. Green Down - which is managed by SWT - is such a small and fragile site with poor access it has to be closed to the public for the butterfly's flight period to protect it and the large blue.
3000 Large blues in 2008
In 2007 the population was reduced by a combination of a spring drought and poor weather during the flight period, however, we are pleased to report that in 2008 it has bounced back and over 3,000 large blues flew in June on its flower rich slopes.
It shows that the large blue is bucking the trend during a summer when experts believed butterfly numbers in many parts of the country stand at an all time low.
This large blue population has been used as a donor site for further re-introductions in the area and south west for the past 15 years. Green Down - which is managed by SWT - is such a small and fragile site with poor access it has to be closed to the public for the butterfly's flight period to protect it and the large blue.
3000 Large blues in 2008
In 2007 the population was reduced by a combination of a spring drought and poor weather during the flight period, however, we are pleased to report that in 2008 it has bounced back and over 3,000 large blues flew in June on its flower rich slopes.
It shows that the large blue is bucking the trend during a summer when experts believed butterfly numbers in many parts of the country stand at an all time low.
