THE eastern slopes of North Hill, above Malvern town centre and Link Top, has been a hive of activity in recent weeks, as work has been carried out to preserve wildlife habitats.

Passers-by and hill walkers have heard chainsaws buzzing and seen smoke as volunteers from Butterfly Conservation and Malvern Hills Conservators, plus Conservators staff, have been felling young trees and burning them on the mid-slopes of the hill.

The slopes include a mosaic of habitats includes grasslands, scrub and bracken, which provide homes for adders, stonechats, and grayling butterflies.

It also includes geological features such as Ivy Scar Rock, which is pictured in many Victorian artworks of the area.

Conservation officer Beck Baker said: "This habitat mosaic is common further west in Wales, where it is known as ffridd. This habitat is dependent upon light grazing and some management by man.

"Due to a period of no grazing on the hills, much of our ffridd has been invaded by sycamore woodland to the detriment of those species, the geology, the views and the character of the hills.

"The restoration of open habitats forms part of our ongoing conservation works. So a huge thank-you to all those volunteers who help to keep our hills special."