Home / Environment / Butterflies Thrive: Cows Save Rare Fritillary
Butterflies Thrive: Cows Save Rare Fritillary
10 Jul
Summary
- Rare High Brown Fritillary numbers dropped 62% since 1970.
- Cows help by trampling bracken and creating warm ground niches.
- Volunteers transformed a struggling habitat into a butterfly haven.
The High Brown Fritillary butterfly, once abundant in Wales and England, is now among Britain's rarest species, experiencing a 62% population decrease since 1970. Its survival hinges on a very specific habitat requiring both bracken and the common dog violet.
Conservationists in the Alun Valley, near Bridgend, have discovered an innovative solution: introducing cattle to graze the site. This unconventional approach helps manage the bracken, which, when trimmed, creates a warmer microclimate essential for the High Brown caterpillar's life cycle.
For the past three years, cows have been allowed to graze on this common land, a practice previously absent for over fifty years. Their trampling of bracken encourages varied ground structure and preserves the violet, the caterpillars' food source, without eradicating the bracken entirely.
This volunteer-led initiative, which began with just two individuals over 30 years ago and has grown to over 40 participants, has seen significant success. The introduction of solar-panelled collars on the cattle has enabled controlled grazing on unfenced land, a testament to the team's dedication and adaptability. The conservation efforts have not only helped stabilize and increase High Brown Fritillary numbers but have also fostered a strong community spirit among volunteers, who share a passion for nature and outdoor work.
