Our conservation volunteers returned to Roborough down for their early January workday, working in partnership with Butterfly Conservation. This is a well established collaboration, with 2025 being the 10th year the Dartmoor Preservation Association has been involved with the project. Butterfly Conservation believe strongly in collaborations, as part of nature’s recovery at a larger scale, and working with us is part of their ongoing effort to reach out and ensure that everyone has access to and can enjoy the wonders of butterflies and moths.
Each butterfly species has its own habitat requirements. These are determined by the foodplant of the caterpillar, the nectar source for the adult butterfly and the conditions needed for the caterpillar to survive and then pupate successfully. Habitat specialist butterflies and moths can disappear rapidly if the environment they rely on changes. Habitat loss is the main cause of the decline of butterflies and moths. Land management techniques such as the intensification of farming and forestry, industrial development of buildings and roads and climate change all have an impact.
Upland habitats can seem rather inhospitable at first glance, however, a range of specialist species are adapted to and thrive in these conditions, many only occurring on the higher peaks. It is possible that climate change could impact on these species as, as the climate warms, they will have nowhere to go. Heather moorlands can support a range of species, whilst wetter flushes, rocky crags along stream sides and damp grassland are home to many additional butterflies and moths. Dartmoor is home to an impressive range of butterflies, including the Grizzled Skipper, High Brown Fritillary and White Admiral.
At Roborough Down, clearing work is undertaken, to ensure that invasive and fast growing plants do not dominate and lead to loss of biodiversity. It is important to allow native wildflowers enough light and space to thrive, as these offer vital food sources for the butterflies at various stages of their life cycle. This most recent workday had excellent attendance and dry weather, meaning that noticeable progress could be made over the course of the day.
Jenny Plackett, Butterfly Conservation Conservation Manager (South West England) gave this feedback: ‘I just wanted to send a quick message to say thanks so much to you and the team for the fabulous job you all did at Roborough yesterday! It was really pleasing to see how the site is looking now, after all the work you guys have been doing there over the last couple of years. I just hope the butterflies appreciate it as much as I do! ‘
Our conservation volunteers will return to Roborough Down in autumn, potentially focusing on a different area of the site. We are always looking for new volunteers to join our fantastic team, and more information on volunteering with the DPA can be found on our website.
Image: Jenny Plackett