Prees Heath Conference held on Heathland Re-creation

A successful conference was held by Butterfly Conservation on Friday 5^th March to consider the completion of the first phase of the restoration of Prees Heath Common Reserve, generously funded by GrantScape. Over 60 delegates were welcomed by Anna Turner, High Sheriff of Shropshire and a Prees Heath Commoner. Amongst the delegates were representatives from various nature conservation bodies from other parts of the country who are restoring heathland habitats in their areas, Prees Heath Commoners and their supporters, Butterfly Conservation volunteers and local residents.

There was a guided walk around the reserve led by Dr Phil Putwain of Liverpool University, who has been advising Butterfly Conservation throughout the project, and Stephen Lewis, Butterfly Conservation’s site warden. This was followed by a series of illustrated talks at Shropshire Wildlife Trust in Shrewsbury in the afternoon. Dr Jenny Joy of Butterfly Conservation gave an in-depth talk about the ecology of the Silver-studded Blue butterfly at Prees Heath, its last remaining sanctuary in the Midlands, and showing in particular it’s amazingly close relationship with ants. Richard Scott from Landlife explained more about the deep ploughing work carried out at Prees Heath and other sites in the country. Rob Lee from Forestart based in Hadnall talked about the cultivation of bell heather plug plants that have been planted on the reserve.

For more information about the work being carried out on the reserve please contact Stephen Lewis on 07900 886809.

20 Dec 2009

15 air traffic control officers and trainees from RAF Shawbury spent last weekend on Prees Heath Common Reserve helping with Butterfly Conservation’s heathland restoration project which is turning former arable land back into glorious lowland heath.

The group planted 5,000 bell heather plug plants supplied by Forestart of Hadnall in an area in front of the old airfield hangars. The attached picture shows them with plugs and trowels at the ready. The following day they hand-harvested bell heather seed from the old airfield runway and broadcast this on the adjacent former potato field. Everyone worked hard and thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, and they made a major contribution to the restoration of the heath.   

The project is progressing well, with thousands of common heather plants already emerging less than two years after seeding. There are two types of heather on Prees Heath, common heather and bell heather, and it is important that both types become established on the restoration areas, and that’s why Butterfly Conservation is arranging for bell heather plugs to be planted and seed to be harvested and sown. More plugs await planting, and if you want to help with this work transforming the habitat for the benefit of your local wildlife please contact Stephen Lewis, Butterfly Conservation Warden, on 07900 886809.  

Wings on the Heath from John Harding on Vimeo. 

This short video clip is only recommended for those using a broadband connection.  Slow connections will probably cause the video not to play continuously.  If you experience unstable video playback pause the video to allow time for the entire stream to be downloaded to the computer memory (when the grey bar has moved fully to the right) and then play the video again.

Correction:-  The site was purchased by Butterfly Conservation on the 30th May 2006 and not on 30th May 2008 as stated in the video.

A new waymarked path has been created at Prees Heath Common Reserve to act as a guide for visitors unfamiliar with the site.

As the reserve is the last sanctuary in the Midlands for the Silver-studded Blue butterfly, which flies in the second half of June and throughout July, the waymarking posts feature the butterfly skilfully carved, painted and varnished by local supporter John Fleet from Higher Heath.

The walk is approximately one and a half miles long and starts at the kissing gate by the access track opposite the Steel Heath turning off the A49.

800 trees have recently been planted on the roadside perimeter of Prees Heath Common Reserve by Butterfly Conservation volunteers. The trees were provided by Prees Heath Forest Nurseries with the help of a grant from the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund. Species planted included oak, willow, holly, rowan, blackthorn, hawthorn, elder and alder buckthorn.  

There have been a number of well attended guided walks on the reserve throughout the summer, including one in September on The History and Heritage of Prees Heath Common which was assisted by the work and research of Eleanor Cooke, who wrote the booklet ‘Who Killed Prees Heath?’ in 1991. The walk, and the restoration work being carried out by Butterfly Conservation, was well supported by people with commoners rights and other local residents. 

For more information about the heathland restoration project, funded by GrantScape and Natural England, and how you can help contact Stephen Lewis, Butterfly Conservation’s Prees Heath Warden, on 07900 886809. 

Charity is confirmed as owner of Prees Heath Common Reserve

The charity Butterfly Conservation has been re-confirmed as the registered proprietor of an area of Prees Heath Common following a legal challenge in the County Court. The claim made by Mr Anthony Barnett of Hodnet was dismissed by District Judge Brown, who also refused Mr Barnett permission to appeal.

Butterfly Conservation, purchased the western half of Prees Heath Common in May 2006 from Prees Heath Ltd. Mr Barnett disputed the ownership, alleging that the conveyance had been unlawful. However, the Judge ruled that Butterfly Conservation had purchased a registered title at HM Land Registry and accordingly were the registered and lawful proprietors of the same. Mr Barnett did not produce evidence supporting his allegation, or his assertion that the common had never been owned. 

Mr Barnett’s unfounded claim was made on the back of a legal challenge against protective works carried out by Butterfly Conservation on their part of the Common. The creation and improvement of ditches and banks around the perimeter of the site was done to prevent illegal vehicle access. Consent for these and other works that are of benefit to the Common, was granted retrospectively by the Secretary of State on 3rd July 2007, and on that basis the claim was dismissed. Mr Barnett was ordered to pay Butterfly Conservation’s legal costs from the date of that formal consent. 

Prees Heath Common Warden Stephen Lewis said: “Judge Brown’s decision is very good news for the Reserve, which has been secured in perpetuity by Butterfly Conservation with financial assistance provided by GrantScape, Natural England and public donations. The support of the Prees Heath Commoners, local residents and the many visitors who enjoy the Reserve will help us succeed with this important project.”

The Reserve not only provides the last remaining sanctuary in the Midlands region for the endangered Silver-studded Blue butterfly but is also being managed to provide a haven for all forms of wildlife, including heathland plants, birds, insects, mammals and reptiles. A major heathland and grassland restoration project is underway on the areas of the reserve that were in intensive arable cultivation for many years. It is Open Access land so visitors are welcome to walk on the Reserve at any time. 

Photo: landscape of the Reserve taken by Stephen Lewis.

The Silver-studded Blue butterflies are now on the wing until the end of July and can mainly be seen flying on and around the areas of heather. In common with many other species of butterfly, however their numbers are reduced this summer. This is the expected result of the very poor summer last year when the wet weather prevented the butterflies from flying and mating. 

Photo: Male male Silver-studded Blue butterfly taken by John Harding

Stephen Lewis, Prees Heath Common Reserve Warden, runs guided walks on the reserve to see the Silver-studded Blues and other wildlife. He is also keen to welcome new helpers on volunteer work parties to maintain and restore the site. For more details contact Stephen on 07900 886809 or see the BC web-site at http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/ or visit the local web-site by clicking HERE

Prees Heath Common Reserve - Grant Success

Butterfly Conservation has been granted £2,000 by the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund to plant trees along the A49 and A41 roadside perimeter of Prees Heath Common Reserve. This will pay for 500 oaks plus a number of willows, holly, rowan, alder buckthorn, hawthorn and blackthorn, as well as for over one thousand gorse and broom shrubs. The trees and shrubs will be of local provenance and are being provided by Prees Heath Forest Nurseries. Planting will take place in the autumn, and will be organised by Stephen Lewis, Prees Heath Warden, and local volunteers. If you would like to help please contact Stephen Lewis on 01743 340721.

The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund provides support for projects that aim to enhance the roadside environment, and it is named after William Rees Jeffreys, who contributed much to improve conditions for road users in the first half of the last century.  

Silver-studded Blue butterfly egg hunt took place before Easter on Prees Heath Common Reserve. The photo shows from left Bill Kavanagh, Marion Dawson, Carole Griffiths, Albert Griffiths and Katie-Mai Vaughan getting their eyed trained to search for the tiny eggs, which measure less than one millimetre in diameter.

Stephen Lewis. Prees Heath Warden, explains that only two eggs were located, and this may be down to the very poor weather when the Silver-studded Blue was flying last summer. 

A further event to hunt for the caterpillars of the Silver-studded Blue will be held on Saturday 26^th April starting at 10.30am. Everyone is welcome to attend, and for more details contact Stephen Lewis on 01743 340721.

Prees Heath Warden Stephen Lewis said: “We value the work of our volunteers hugely, and are always seeking new people to become involved. Several free public events are being held on Prees Heath Common Reserve throughout 2008, and details are in a newsletter available at Whitchurch Heritage Centre and Shropshire Wildlife Trust, or by contacting me on 01743 340721. People can help by doing practical work on the reserve or by monitoring and counting the numbers of butterflies, thereby providing important records of how butterflies are adapting to climate change. Last year the Government adopted butterflies as official indicators of biodiversity and climate change. Butterfly Conservation is a membership organisation with 12,500 members, the largest organisation of its kind in Europe, and simply by joining you can do your bit for the conservation of butterflies and moths – full details can be accessed at www.butterfly-conservation.org or by phoning 01929 400209.”

A new free leaflet for Prees Heath Common Reserve has been produced by Butterfly Conservation.

The leaflet (front cover below, showing the Silver-studded Blue butterfly emerging from its chrysalis attended by ants) has sections on the different aspects of the Common, including its history, heritage, natural history and its restoration, all illustrated with some magnificent photographs taken by local photographers.

Copies are available at Whitchurch Heritage Centre, Shropshire Wildlife Trust in Abbey Foregate in Shrewsbury, or by contacting Stephen Lewis, Prees Heath Warden, on 01743 340721 or by email at slewis@butterfly-conservation.org. The leaflet can also be downloaded in pdf format by clicking HERE

The restoration of Prees Heath Common for the benefit of both wildlife and visitors has taken a major step forward.

In November 100 tonnes of heather brash (159 bales) was imported from Cannock Chase and spread on an area in front of the old airfield hangars that has been in intensive agricultural production in recent years and was deep ploughed in the spring, thereby exposing the less nutrient-rich sandy subsoil. The brash contained many seeds, and hopefully these will germinate next year and re-create a lowland heathland habitat for plants, insects and birds. The work was completed by Fieldfare Farmers of Ash.

This work follows the sowing of the deep ploughed area around the old airfield control tower with wildflower and grass seed harvested form hay meadows at Melverley Farm and Tilstock in September. Initial indications are that germination has been favourable.

Heather bales		Loading bales
Spreading		Applied brash

 

If you are planning to come to the next work party at Prees Heath on Sunday 9th December could you please bring a garden fork. We will start by walking over the area where the heather brash from Cannock Chase has been applied, which is a bit clumpy in places and needs to be spread more evenly. After that we will do some cutting of mature heather and strewing it on some bare areas. Following much prodding, homemade cakes will be available.

The last work party of the year will be on Monday 17^th December, when hopefully  a start on tree thinning on the runway will take place.

Butterfly Conservation has recently carried out work to create a more formal entrance point onto Prees Heath Common Reserve, with funding from GrantScape. As well as a vehicle access barrier, a kissing gate accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs has been installed, along with an information sign, and a section of ditching filled in.

One photo shows four of the volunteers who helped to install the kissing gate and sign, from left Doug Hampson, John Patrick, John Thompson and Allan Dawes. The vehicle access barrier was manufactured and installed by Wallgrove Forge of Malpas, and the landscaping was carried out by W.T. Hopwood of Prees Heath. The sign was designed by MA Creative of Shrewsbury and features a picture of the Silver-studded Blue butterfly taken by local photographer John Harding.

A number of volunteer work parties are being held on the reserve throughout the winter – for more details contact Stephen Lewis, Warden, on 01743 340721.

The Heathland Restoration Project and the Silver-studded Blue to be Featured on BBC1's 'Nature of Britain'

This autumn the BBC will be screening an eight part series entitled 'The Nature of Britain', presented by Alan Titchmarsh. The programme due to be screened on Wednesday 28th November at 9pm will feature Butterfly Conservation's Prees Heath Common Reserve, using material filmed last year.

Most strikingly, it will show the rare Silver-studded Blue butterfly just after it has emerged from its chrysalis and before it is ready to fly, and still attended by ants. Specialist equipment had to be used to obtain some remarkable close-up images, not only of the butterfly but also of its egg, a tiny white disc which measures just 0.8mm in diameter.

In addition the film will show how people have been getting involved on the reserve clearing up all the rubbish that disfigured the site last year, cutting back invading scrub to allow the heather to regenerate and trapping and recording moths.

The heathland restoration project has seen considerable progress this year. After the ex-arable areas were deep ploughed to bury the enriched topsoil, some of these areas have been sown with wildflower and grass seed harvested locally by Forestart of Hadnall from the reserve itself, Melverley Farm near Ash and hay meadows near Tilstock, and sown by Fieldfare Farmers. Later this year a large quantity of heather brash from Cannock Chase, the nearest similar habitat to Prees Heath that can act as a major seed donor, will be applied. But much more remains to be done, and the project is a long term one which will take several years for the full benefits to be appreciated.

Throughout the summer various events and guided walks were held on the reserve. These included a wildflower walk led by Botanical Society of the British Isles County Recorder Sarah Whild, and the photo shows her explaining the features of Wavy Hair-grass, one of the distinctive heathland species to be found on the site.

As part of the heathland restoration programme, Butterfly Conservation has applied to North Shropshire District Council to thin some of the trees on part of the old airfield runway, but only in those areas where it is evident that the trees are shading out the heather and thereby having a negative effect of the lowland heathland habitat favoured by the Silver-studded Blue butterfly. Stephen Lewis would be happy to discuss this further with anyone who is concerned.

Now that autumn is here, volunteer work parties are starting again, and a varied programme has been put together. This will include work to establish a wetland area on the reserve to provide habitat for birds such as lapwing, curlew and snipe, and maybe even water vole, as well as wet heathland plants. Acorns and saplings will be collected by volunteers to establish more tree cover around the roadside perimeter of the site, and scrub will be cleared from some of the heathery areas such as the old airfield runway. Everyone is welcome to come and lend a hand - please contact Stephen Lewis, Warden, on 10743 340721 for more details.

Which is your favourite?

Vote NOW for the Nation's Favourite Butterfly at www.butterfly-conservation.org
 

Prees Heath Common Reserve, the last refuge in the whole of the Midlands for the Silver-studded Blue butterfly, was officially opened on Wednesday 4^th July by Dr Martin Warren, Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation.

The Reserve was purchased last year by Butterfly Conservation following a campaign to save the site involving Prees Heath commoners, local residents, Shropshire and Cheshire Wildlife Trusts and Butterfly Conservation going back to 1991. 150 people attended the opening ceremony, and the Silver-studded Blues, which will be flying until near the end of July, were evident on the heather in good numbers.

The opening was also supported by the children and staff of Tilstock Primary School, who provided some excellent display material, and Dr Warren gave out prizes for the best exhibits.

The photograph shows the ribbon being cut by Dr Warren, with from l to r John Davis (BC), Stephen Lewis (BC), Reg Moreland (Prees Heath Commoner), Dr Warren, Maurice Avent (BC), Doris Ankers (Mayor of Whitchurch), Jenny Joy (BC) and Mike Williams (BC).

Dr Warren with Reg Moreland (Prees Heath Commoner)

Mullein moth (larva)
Grass Wave
Agapeta hamana
Common Swift
Green Carpet
Buff tip
Brimstone
Yellow Shell
Scathophaga stircararia
Flame Shoulder
Small Angle Shades
Ruby Tiger
Heart and Dart
Shoulder-striped Wainscot
Dark Arches
Clouded Silver
Scorched Wing
The Flame
Middle-barred Minor

“A Dawn Chorus Walk took place on Prees Heath Common Reserve on Sunday 6^th May, led by local bird expert John Campbell and organised by Butterfly Conservation. A total of 20 people arose at the crack of dawn for the 5 o’clock start, and during a two hour walk around the Reserve a total of 25 species of bird were either seen or heard. One of the best moments came when the sound of a female cuckoo was heard, a strange bubbling note quite unlike the familiar song of the male. Several Willow Warblers were heard, as well as Whitethroats and Yellowhammers.

The walk was the first of a series of events that are taking place on Prees Heath Common Reserve this summer. The next event will be a workshop on how to identify and record Butterflies on the Reserve, on Saturday 26^th May, starting at 10.30am. For more details contact Stephen Lewis, Prees Heath Warden, on 01743 340721.”

John Campbell birdspotting with BBC presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff on Prees Heath last year whilst filming a programme due to be screened in the autumn.

Heathland restoration work is getting underway at Butterfly Conservation’s Prees Heath Common Reserve near Whitchurch. Following an assessment of the condition of the former arable land on the reserve by national experts with experience in restoring arable land to heathland, and after considering a range of options, it has been decided to invert the soil with a deep plough. This will effectively bury the topsoil, which has been hugely enriched with chicken manure over the years, and expose the more nutrient-poor sandy subsoil, which will provide more suitable conditions for heathland plants and grasses. The work will take about two weeks and is being carried out by Fieldfare Farmers of Ash, near Whitchurch, with a specialist plough hired from Landlife, founder of the National Wildlflower Centre in Liverpool. Butterfly Conservation’s project to restore Prees Heath is being funded by the GrantScape Biodiversity Challenge Fund.

This is an initial step in the restoration of the heathland, which currently only survives in fragments on the reserve and provides precious habitat for the nationally endangered Silver-studded Blue butterfly. In the autumn areas will be re-seeded using seed and material of local provenance. It is a long-term project, however, and it will take a period of years for the full benefits to be realised.

Visitors to the reserve are asked to be aware that heavy machinery is on site, and take appropriate precautions. For more information about the project and how you can get involved, contact Stephen Lewis, Prees Heath Warden, on 01743 340721 or email slewis@butterfly-conservation.org

Nine volunteers got to grips with clearing scrub from the old airfield runway at Prees Heath Common Reserve. They concentrated on cutting and burning over-mature gorse and dead broom which has been shading out the heather. Reserve warden Stephen Lewis says: ‘The initial work on the site is going very well, but there is still a lot more to do. Restoring the heath to its former glory will take many years, especially on those areas that have been used for arable cultivation. As part of the project, a Reserve leaflet is going to be produced, and if anyone has any old pictures or memories of Prees Heath Common or historical information they would be very welcome. As well as giving information about the wildlife of the site and the rare Silver-studded Blue butterfly that lives there, the leaflet will also have sections on its history and heritage.

The next planned event on the reserve is scheduled for Sunday 21^st January, when volunteers will be asked to hunt for the eggs of the Silver-studded Blue in the heather, as well as helping with some litter clearance. I can be contacted for more details on 01743 340721.’

8 volunteers got to grips with some gorse cutting on the old airfield runway at Prees Heath Common Reserve on Saturday 16th December. The gorse was cut where it was shading out the heather in order to enhance the heathland habitat, and the work is part of the heathland restoration programme being carried out by Butterfly Conservation and financed by Grantscape and Natural England.

The biggest challenge will be to restore the land that has been in arable cultivation to heathland, and work has started on this already and will continue throughout next year.

More volunteer work parties will be arranged for the New Year, and for further details contact Stephen Lewis, Prees Heath Warden, on 01743 340721.

The photos show the volunteers in action, including our youngest volunteer yet, 5 year old James Brammer with his father David Brammer from Higher Heath, Janet Vernon and Marion Dawson also from Higher Heath and David Evans from Weston-under-Redcastle.
 

‘Butterfly Conservation is applying to DEFRA for permission for the ditches and banks (which were put in as an emergency measure), for a steel barrier gate and a steel kissing gate to be installed to replace the big ditch alongside the north side of the access track and for information signs to be installed at 3 access points. For more information contact Stephen Lewis on 01743 340721, or email at slewis@butterfly-conservation.org. Also please write to DEFRA at the address on the Notice with your views – your views matter!’    (Click HERE to view the notice)

                                                 Volunteers hard at work

The meeting held at Higher Heath Village Hall gave interested parties an opportunity to receive  the latest update on the Prees Heath Common Reserve.  After the  presentation given by Stephen Lewis, Reserve Manager, those attending were able to to discuss future developments.

                  Dan's first task towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Award

                         Group photograph after a successful fungi foray

         The most colourful

Preparing an access point

Yet another load of litter

Saturday  was National Moth Night – yes, there really is such a thing! 20 people came to Prees Heath Common Reserve and gathered round a moth trap with a mercury vapour light bulb, and 13 species of moth were recorded. These were Merveille du Jour, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Dusky Thorn, Bright-line Brown-eye, Uncertain, Flounced Chestnut, Barred Sallow, Brown-spot Pinion, Flounced Rustic, Common Rustic, Large Yellow Underwing, Garden Carpet and Neglected Rustic. A Minotaur Beetle also entered the trap. Attracting moths by hanging a piece of rope soaked in cheap red wine and sugar proved less successful. The Merveille du Jour (Marvel of the Day) was undoubtedly the star, and the bright and clear markings on the specimen in the photo indicate that it was freshly emerged.’ For more information about moths click HERE.

                                                      Merveille du Jour (Marvel of the Day)