Page 37 - link magazine

Bumper butterfly year at Lydiard
Wildflower enthusiast and Lydiard Park gardener John Ball from Grange
Park is thrilled to have counted record numbers of butterflies this summer,
thanks to the warm weather, and to the better management of wildflower sites.
Recounting the proliferation of ever silver-washed fritillary which
butterflies he has spotted John said: are especially rare as the caterpillars
“In early August I counted 70 at one feed on woodland violets. “The sweet
time in my garden, including 40 violets in Lydiard Park have been
peacocks, which is a record. Visitors there for decades but are doing better
to the walled garden at Lydiard have now thanks to our efforts removing
been gobsmacked by the numbers of competition and reducing soil fertil-
butterflies; one couple counted 40 ity by removing nettles,” he said. “The
commas, which are relatively rare and sighting of the fritillary has reinforced
territorial.” my intention to spread these plants
John was also excited to spot his first into other areas.”
Come and cut down trees
to improve a West Swindon wood
Peatmoor Community Woodland Group is inviting readers to Peatmoor
Copse on Sunday 3 November to help with coppicing and woodland
management activities.
The copse is a fragment of the cal, do something for the environment
ancient Braydon Forest which was and learn about woodland manage-
once a royal hunting ground covering ment are invited to come along.
North Wiltshire. Nowadays, it’s a se- Children are welcome to learn
cret green oasis within West Swindon. woodcraft skills but they must be
Using handtools trees are cut down accompanied by an adult. The site is
to the ground (coppiced) in a seven not easy for people in wheelchairs and
year cycle to increase their lifespan there are no toilets nearby.
and improve the biodiversity of the For details mail: roger_ogle@mac.
woods. com or call 01793 608840.
Newcomers who want to get practi- Facebook: Peatmoor Woodland

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swindonlink.com • November 2013 37

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