Duke of Burgundy. Photo: Roy Norris
The Duke of Burgundy is one of Dorset’s most threatened butterflies and desperately needs our help!
We’re looking for volunteers to help plant cowslips to boost the chances of our Duke of Burgundy butterflies in mid-Dorset! Will you join our team?
The Dorset branch of BC is taking part in the second year of a FIPL-funded project to enhance the habitats on its few remaining sites in central Dorset (FIPL = Farming in Protected Landscapes).
As well as carrying out practical habitat management tasks on these sites, in November we have arranged to plant large numbers of Cowslip plants specially grown for us, in places where we hope the Duke of Burgundy females will lay their eggs and where the larvae will thrive.
We are very fortunate to have Caroline Bulman and Martin Warren masterminding this project for us and need to put together a team of volunteers to help them on the seven sites chosen.
The Cowslip planting dates and locations are:
Wednesday November 4th Higher Hill, Plush
Tuesday November 10th Red Post Hill, Up Sydling
Wednesday November 18th Godmanstone – Watcombe Fm and Manor Farm
Sundays November 22nd and 29th The Langford Valley, east of Stratton
Wednesday November 25th and Thursday 26th Magiston Farm & Huish Farm, in the Sydling Valley
We will provide help to get you to the worksites and the tools needed for the planting tasks.
If you can help us, please contact Caroline Bulman by email at:
She will provide you with more information about the tasks
