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Butterflies Surge in Rewilded West Sussex Beauty Spot
19 Oct
Summary
- Butterfly numbers boomed with 5,290 recorded.
- Two new nationally important species were spotted.
- 330 acres were rewilded over the last two years.
A rewilded area in West Sussex, Halnaker Hill Farm near Chichester, has experienced a remarkable increase in butterfly numbers. A recent survey documented 5,290 butterflies across 28 species, notably including the dingy skipper and the small blue, both of which are nationally important and had not previously been observed at this location. This flourishing biodiversity is a direct result of a rewilding project that began two years ago, transforming 330 acres of intensively farmed land back into a natural habitat. Over 20,000 trees and seven kilometers of hedgerow have been planted during this period, contributing to the rapid ecological recovery of the site. Conservationists highlight the swift and spectacular development of diverse habitats, proving nature's resilience when given the opportunity to thrive.
