Help for the Pearl Bordered Fritillary butterfly

The team took along specialist flailing equipment to one of the few remaining county strong-holds of the fritillary, near Cardinham, Bodmin, to help recreate the natural conditions for the butterflies habitat.

Jim Briggs, Heligan Estate Manager, commented, “Although we have limited resources, and tend to pour our efforts into improving and maintaining our own land, it’s only by considering and supporting other local sites of conservation importance that species such as the Pearl-bordered Fritillary will have any chance of building up its population to stay stable, never-mind increase and spread – effectively – we're in it together.”   

The beautiful butterfly was once widespread but its numbers have undergone a rapid decline in the last two decades due to the loss of natural habitat.  It is now a national Biodiversity Action Plan priority species and has under a third of the numbers it once had.  One of the earliest fritillaries to emerge, it can usually be found as early as April in woodland clearings or on hillsides with bracken.  The Heligan team believe the butterfly was almost certainly present at Heligan at one time, most likely when the practice of coppicing was more common-place in the woodlands.

“This has been hugely beneficial for us” continues Briggs, “We’ve learnt much about the habitat that helps maintain the Fritillary, and hopefully our work will lead to an increased, sustained, population of butterflies, which perhaps we may ultimately recreate at Heligan.”

The Lost Gardens of Heligan are planning a number of Butterfly Walks in 2012, which will be detailed on its website www.heligan.com   For further details on how to help the butterfly populations throughout Cornwall, check out www.cornwall-butterfly-conservation.org.uk