Safeguarding Warwickshire’s Smallest Butterfly

The Small Blue butterfly is listed under Section 41 of the NERC Act (2006). This project will restore & expand essential habitat through targeted conservation work with the support of volunteers & the local community, ensuring the butterfly a sustainable habitat into the future.
Work will take place at four key sites in the Southam Lias Grasslands landscape. Specialist contractors will undertake scrub management & ruderal control. Kidney Vetch, Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil & Wild Strawberry will be planted by volunteers.
Kidney Vetch is the Small Blues larval foodplant. Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil & Wild Strawberry are an adult nectar source & the larval foodplants of three other UK BAP Priority Species of butterfly & moth; the Grizzled Skipper & Dingy Skipper butterflies, & Chalk Carpet moth; expanding the projects biodiversity benefits.
A part-time Project Officer will supervise the contractors & volunteers, & liaise with landowners. Volunteers will undertake species surveys & participate in work parties.