The iconic Pearl Bordered Fritillary is one of the first fritillaries to emerge and can be found as early as April in woodland clearings, around woodland edges and on rough hillsides with bracken. We know of just one surviving colony left in Shropshire and we want your to help us change that.
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Impact areas
The population of pearl bordered fritillaries in the Oswestry Uplands is the only known remaining population in Shropshire. In a wider regional West Midlands context, the colony of the butterflies in Shropshire is one of only three colonies remaining in Worcestershire and Herefordshire. This could be our last opportunity to recover this population without carrying out translocations and so preserving the genetic distinctiveness.
As a priority, our work will target habitat interventions required for immediate action to sustain and enhance the remaining colony of pearl bordered fritillaries in the Oswestry Hills. Habitat management works at these sites including bracken removal and conservation grazing will help facilitate the dispersal of the colony. The local populations of the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary will also benefit alongside other butterfly species like the Wall and Dingy and Grizzled skippers.
