It may have seemed a strange time of year to be on a field trip in relaton to butterflies but the committed and hardy enthusiasts who belong to the Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland did just that during the snow and ice recently.

But they found a good way to keep warm by burning off vegetation which was threatening the butterfly habitat.

Their site was a small wildflower-rich grassland field at Bowara, not far from Enniskillen.

Bowara is home to one of our most threatened species, the Dingy Skipper butterfly, along with a host of other important plants and animals. The small group of volunteers from BCNI and the local area gathered at Bowara to carry out some practical conservation work. The site does not get regular grazing and so over time the grassland has become overrun with low growing shrubs such as Willow and Birch. These trees shade out the sun and make the site cooler and darker, which leads to the decline of the butterflies, their food plant, and other heat-loving species, explained Cathering Bertrand, Senior Regional Officer with BCNI.

“Bowara is very small, less than two hectares and is very sheltered. Situated on a fairly steep bank, it is difficult to access and so has not been resown or reseeded like so many of the surrounding fields. The grassland gets occasionally grazed by curious cattle and is south facing, which creates a warm, wildflower-covered wildlife haven in the spring and summer sunshine,” she said.

John O’Boyle, Chairman of Butterfly Conservation Northern Ireland said: “Our group have known of this site for some time and been doing regular surveys of the special species found there.” “The most important butterfly species at Bowara is the Dingy Skipper. This tiny brown butterfly looks more like a moth and would be completely overlooked by most people at first glance. However, Dingy Skippers are a priority butterfly species, listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Irish Red List of butterflies. In the six counties of the north they are only found in Fermanagh as they need the nutrients the limestone rich soils provide for the growth of their caterpillars. Due to their rarity, Dingy Skippers are recognised as one the key species in the Fermanagh Biodiversity Action Plan.

“The caterpillars of Dingy Skippers feed on the leaves of Bird’s-foot Trefoil, a common enough wildflower, but one that cannot grow in modern pasture as it cannot compete with stronger, faster growing grasses and high nutrient levels.” Julie Corry, Biodiversity Officer with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council explained: “Even in Fermanagh, sites that support the Dingy Skipper are few and often fairly isolated. Each one is very important to conserve in order to ensure this unique species does not go extinct here.” Catherine Bertrand, added: “We’re very grateful to the BCNI volunteers and local folk who came down to join us on Sunday. We were able to open up a new glade and burn a lot of the brash that was choking the site, and we’re excited to see how the butterflies respond over the next few seasons.” BCNI will be returning to Bowara in May and June to carry out surveys of the butterflies and other wildlife. If you would like to get involved in this(no previous experience necessary!) please contact Catherine on 07584597690 or cbertrand@butterfly-conservation.org. Their work is part of the wider Plantlife and Ulster Wildlife, Heritage Lottery and Northern Ireland Environment Agency funded partnership project “Saving Our Magnificent Meadows” and also contributes towards the delivery of the Council’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan.