COLUMN: Welshpool making ‘Pathways for Pearls’

The Welshpool area is a stronghold in Wales for a very beautiful, but sadly rare, butterfly called the Pearl-bordered Fritillary; Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust are working hard to change the fortunes of this special species – and you can help, says Conservation Officer Tammy Stretton.

“Down amongst the bracken litter, tiny spikey black caterpillars are waking up from a long sleep.

We tend to think of dormice being long hibernators, but in the UK the Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly caterpillar enjoys a much longer rest; it typically settles down in August and is not seen again until March, when they head back out to feed.

It’s likely you’ve never heard of a Pearl-bordered Fritillary (PBF for short), let alone seen one, as sadly they’re now rare.

In Wales, there are just a handful of sites left, most of which are in the Welshpool area. Not only does this make Welshpool folk lucky, but we also have the power to help this threatened species. More on that later, but first, let us get back to the butterfly!

Let us imagine it is a pleasant sunny March (we can but hope!); after munching through Common Dog-violet leaves, the PBF caterpillars are ready to turn into a chrysalis by April, then two or three weeks later the adult butterfly emerges and sets off in search of a mate.

They do not fly particularly far and need plenty of warm sunshine to remain active. Females are selective when choosing a nursery, preferring carpets of violets, under some sort of canopy (which tends to be bracken round here), and plenty of litter (e.g. dead bracken or tree leaves) for caterpillars to hide and hibernate in.

Once mating and egg-laying is done, the butterflies die, handing the baton on to the next generation in eggs less than 1mm high! To see a PBF butterfly, you need to get out in the right place, between mid-April and the end of May.

Habitat loss and fragmentation is the main reason why this once widespread beauty is now so scarce. For over two decades, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust has been working with land managers to ensure the conditions are good on the remaining sites.

Despite this, we have lost some sites and the PBFs remain at risk. We need to do more, and this is where you come in!

The Pathways for Pearls project wants to work with every land manager in the project area to improve and create habitats and increase connectivity in the landscape. Whether you have a window box, or acres of land, there is something you can do to help. Here are some examples:

• Create glades and rides in woodland
• Manage bracken and scrub to encourage diversity
• Reduce intensity and/or severity of hedge cuts
• Increase floral diversity of grassland
• Plant/sow/encourage nectar-rich spring-flowering plants

Even doing nothing can be good. Leave some weeds and be less tidy! One of the PBF’s favourite nectar sources are dandelions.

By slightly changing the way we manage land, we’ll increase the opportunities for a diverse range of plants, animals and fungi, including cherished species like hedgehogs and bees. Together we can make the area better for wildlife and people.

Pathways for Pearls is offering free surveys, habitat management advice and funding for land managers in the project area. For more information, visit: www.montwt.co.uk/p4p

If you want to take action for PBFs but do not have your own land, or live outside the project area, you may be interested in joining the ‘Friends of PBFs’ volunteer group.

As part of the Welshpool Fairway to Haven project, led by Welshpool Golf Club, volunteers are undertaking hands-on management and carrying out surveys. More details at www.montwt.co.uk/fairway2haven

Please spread the word about these projects with your friends and neighbours. The PBFs thank you!

PICTURES:

Pearl-bordered Fritillary caterpillar © Tim Ward

Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly © Tim Ward