A RARE butterfly is maintaining its stronghold on the Malvern Hills thanks to the Conservators and their volunteers.
Sightings of the grayling butterfly from the first part of this summer seem to show that its population on the Malvern Hills seems to be stable, despite its numbers declining nationally.
The good news is attributed to conservation work cutting back scrub from rocky outcrops on the eastern slopes of North Hill and the Worcestershire Beacon, as the graylings like to bask on the exposed rocks where they attract mates.
Conservators warden Nicky Quinn said: "We’re so lucky to have such a good population of grayling butterflies here but they need constant monitoring so that we can see how they respond to our management.
"One of the best places to see the grayling is up the hill from Ivy Scar Rock as you walk onto North Hill from North Quarry car park. You’ll need a good eye as they can be difficult to see when they’re perched on the rocks."
To help monitor the population, the Conservators are asking walkers to keep an eye out for the grayling. Anyone spotting them is urged to contact the Malvern Butterfly Group at mbg.records.@btinternet.com or alert the Conservators via Twitter or Facebook.
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