Flourescent swarm descends on nature reserve

Like a swarm of flourescent locusts a Chiltern Society conservation group joined me at the reserve today to cut and clear scrub from scallops along one of the woodland rides. This lets light in to produce a flush of flowers, sheltered warm spots for invertebrates and fresh growth of flowering shrubs that will provide a source of nectar for a whole range of insects over the next few years. One of the main beneficiaries will hopefully be the Siver-washed Fritillary butterfly that has done well along these rides over the last few years and needs fresh patches of its larval food plant, Dog Violet, and sunny, scrubby ride edges. Thanks to Mike and the Chiltern Society volunteers - see http://www.chilternsociety.org.uk/ .