Branch Reserves

Branch Reserves


Eyarth Rocks

This 22 acres of the Craig-adwy-wynt ridge of rare limestone             pavement near Ruthin, and its associated special plants and habitats  was bought by Butterfly Conservation in 2001, with a grant from the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and CODA, plus donations from members, and opened by Iolo Williams, BBC wildlife presenter on 22nd. May 2002.

Rare Butterflies

		Eyarth Rocks is home to 32 of the 34 species that still live in North East Wales. Rarest of these is the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, which has declined by 90% in the last 20 years, and is now threatened with extinction. The caterpillars of this species, as well as the Dark Green Fritillary and Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary that also live here, have to feed on the leaves of Dog Violet (Viola riviniana) that grows in dense mats in the shelter of Bracken. Since taking over management of the site we have had spectacular success in helping the population of Pearl-bordered Fritillary to increase at Eyarth Rocks.
Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Habitat Management

Volunteers clearing scrub

Local volunteers have been working for the last five winters to clear the hawthorn and gorse scrub that was threatening to envelope the site. Some 8 acres have been cleared, and the butterfly numbers are increasing fantastically - see the graph above. But there is still some work to be done -  come and join us between January and late March, learn about habitat management and get some great exercise in a good cause! Contact Jan Miller or David Hinde for more details via   info@northwalesbutterflies.org.uk

Sponsor the Reserve!

We have raised money to match-fund CCW grants that have paid for contractors' work on the Reserve in the last four years. This has included the use of chainsaws to fell dense scrub trees. Now we have secured European Union Objective One funding for the restoration of the dry-stone walls, interpretation panels and installing stock-proof fencing all around the boundary so that a carefully controlled number of sheep can be grazed there to control the scrub. This funding also has to be partly match-funded, and we will need funds to maintain the site in future. If you would like to sponsor some of this work contact Jan Miller at info@northwalesbutterflies.org.uk