What’s new?
26 March 2008
Woodlands are improved for rare butterfly
Funding enables improvements to Northamptonshire reserves
Three woodlands that were once part of the ancient Rockingham Forest have benefited from the loving care of their guardians, the Wildlife Trust. Improvements were made to Glapthorn Cow Pastures and Short Wood - two Sites of Special Scientific Interest near Oundle - and the nearby Southwick Wood.
The work was part of the Butterflies and SSSIs project that was made possible thanks to a grant of over £23,000 from SITA Trust, through the Landfill Communities Fund, and £2,500 from Natural England.
The project enabled improvements to habitats of several rare species, most notably the black hairstreak, the county’s rarest butterfly. The black hairstreak has a highly restricted distribution in Britain, being limited to around 35 colonies in the East Midlands. Other rare wildlife that lives in these nature reserves include nightingales and pipistrelle bats, which are both of national conservation priority, and are highlighted in Local Biodiversity Action Plans
Local volunteer teams carried out much of the habitat enhancement works, such as widening the rides to allow in more light to encourage a greater diversity of plants, insects, small mammals and birds. The grant was also used for tree thinning, glade management, coppicing and health and safety tree works. A brushcutter course and woodland training workshops has also been run to train volunteers in practical habitat management techniques.
Volunteers have also been carrying out an investigation into longhorn beetles with in the woodland and especially focused on the ride areas. GPS mapping of the three woodlands has also been carried out looking at blackthorn habitat, other habitats within the woodland and mapping of pathways.
Thanks to a Heritage Lottery Grant, The Wildlife Trust purchased Southwick Wood and an area of arable land linking it to Short Wood in November 2007. Work will start soon to create an area of regenerating woodland for future generations to enjoy.
For more information about the project, please contact Tamzin Smith on 01604 405285 or email Tamzin.Smith [at] wildlifebcp.org