Marsh Fritillary by Amy Lewis

Brown Hairstreak – Philip Precey

As summer approaches, more and more butterflies start to emerge along hedgerows and among meadows. We thought we'd share some of the work we have been doing for butterflies and how you can help the currently decreasing butterfly populations....

Brown Hairstreak

In Teifi Marshes, Wildlife Trust Officer Nathan Walton is working to improve habitats for Brown Hairstreak butterflies. This species is in severe decline across Britain, so anything that can be done for them is vital. We undergo surveys of these beautiful creatures to develop records of their numbers in certain areas. Find out how we have done with surveys in the past.

Marsh Fritillary

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales do a lot of work for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly all around south and west Wales, stretching from Cardiff right up to Aberystwyth. Ceredigion, Gower and Rhondda are possibly the most active areas.

There is an ongoing project in Rhondda that is in the early stages and is currently applying for a license. If accepted, this licence would give us the means to reinforce the endangered populations of Marsh Fritillary in the area alongside habitat management.

Garden Butterflies

The most recent State of Nature Report (2016) reported over a 60% decline in butterfly species over the previous years. We have a project in Cardiff at the moment called My Wild Cardiff which is all about inspiring and educating people to allow them to create habitat for wildlife in their own gardens and allotments.

On lots of our other reserves our general habitat management is a boost to local butterfly populations. For example, wildflower meadow creation at Parc Slip Nature Reserve near Bridgend and meadow management at Carmel Nature reserve near Llandeilo.

Find out how you can help wildlife