The National Trust and the charity Butterfly Conservation have tried to create the ideal conditions for the heath fritillary on Exmoor including using cattle to selectively graze and trample areas for the butterfly, removing bracken and cutting glades at the edge of woodland.<\/p>\n
It is not all good news, however. The National Trust is conscious that the exceptionally warm and sunny spring prompted the butterflies to emerge two to three weeks earlier than usual.<\/p>\n
Basil Stow, a National Trust area ranger at Holnicote, said: \u201cThe early emergence is a mixed blessing. If unsettled weather follows, it could cut short the butterfly\u2019s flight season and disrupt its life cycle. It\u2019s a reminder of how delicately balanced nature is and how climate extremes can threaten even our most carefully managed landscapes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jenny Plackett, the south-west England conservation manager at Butterfly Conservation, said: \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to see such strong numbers of heath fritillary on Exmoor this year. They\u2019ve clearly benefited from the warm, sunny spring, emerging as adults weeks ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve recorded butterflies at several new sites, including areas where they haven\u2019t been seen since the 1990s. The heath fritillary is generally very sedentary, so this kind of expansion is highly unusual and suggests that recent habitat management is working.\u201d<\/p>\n
The heath fritillary thrives in moorland and coppiced woodland \u2013 hence its nickname \u2013 where its caterpillars feed on common cow-wheat. It is restricted to four core landscapes: Exmoor, the Tamar Valley in south-west England, the Blean woods in Kent and woods in south Essex.<\/p>\n
This article by Steven Morris was first published by The Guardian on 25 June 2025. Lead Image: The heath fritillary was almost extinct in Britain in the early 1980s, but targeted conservation work has brought it back from the brink. Photograph: National Trust Images.<\/i><\/p>\nWildlife in catastrophic decline<\/h2>\n
The 73% decline in vertebrate wildlife populations during the last 50 years (mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish), is primarily driven by human activities that threaten biodiversity.<\/p>\n
Habitat Loss and Degradation<\/em> – human activities like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture have led to the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats, reducing the space and resources available for wildlife.<\/p>\n Pollution<\/em> – air, water, and soil pollution from industrial activities, agriculture, and other sources can harm wildlife directly or indirectly by affecting their habitats and food sources.<\/p>\n Climate Change<\/em> – changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, and sea levels are disrupting ecosystems and impacting species’ ability to adapt and survive.<\/p>\n Overexploitation of Resources<\/em> – unsustainable hunting, fishing, and logging practices can lead to the depletion of populations and the loss of biodiversity.<\/p>\n Invasive Species<\/em> – the introduction of non-native species can disrupt ecosystems, compete with native species, and threaten their survival.<\/p>\n