Rare butterfly species may be returning to Watford parks and woods following improvements.
A rewilding programme, begun last year, is beginning to show signs of success as nature spotters have seen increasing biodiversity in Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Wood.
Sightings of purple emperor and white admiral butterflies have already increased at both Whippendell Wood and Cassiobury Park following walks and surveys this year.
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Hertfordshire Butterfly Conservation chair Malcolm Hull said: “Whippendell Woods has long been one of the best woodland butterfly sites in the county, with some of the highest numbers of white admiral and silver-washed fritillary butterflies.
“It’s great news that purple emperors are also now thriving on the site as well.”
The magnificent butterflies declined steadily during the 20th Century and are now restricted to some of the larger woods in southern England.
Last year, Watford Borough Council worked with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT), Butterfly Conservation and Friends of Cassiobury Park on their ‘rewilding’ programme.
Many species were planted to bring the countryside back to Cassiobury park, including tufted vetch, which attracts bumblebees, garlic mustard, an important food plant for caterpillar species and also sweet vernal grass and crested dogstail, both which are good source of food for the larvae of brown and skipper butterflies.
Friends of Cassiobury Park chair Peter Jenkins said: “Not only will the wetlands project restore habitat and increase biodiversity.
“It will also increase access to wildlife for park visitors and help with the management of the floodplain.”
The Whippendell Wood Restoration Project involves the gradual removal of conifers from a plantation to allow more light to penetrate the woodland canopy.
This has encouraged specialist ancient woodland species to recover and reverse years of damage on this special site of Scientific Interest.
HMWT have also been working with volunteers to restore glades and rides in the woodland, which will benefit a range of species, particularly woodland butterflies.
The Wetland Restoration Project in Cassiobury Park aims to recover the old watercress beds and other ponds, creating an extensive habitat for a range of species, especially threatened birds such as Snipe and Green Sandpiper.
Mr Jenkins said: “Not only will the wetlands project restore habitat and increase biodiversity.
“It will also increase access to wildlife for park visitors and help with the management of the floodplain.”
Reserves officer at HMWT Anna Daniels added: “Volunteers play a key role in nature’s recovery and are making a real difference in improving the value of Cassiobury Park, both for wildlife and people”.
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “Investing in our parks and open spaces and enhancing our environment is a key priority for us.
“These projects are not just good for wildlife, but they also boost our own wellbeing, with the sight of wildflower meadows in bloom and open spaces teeming with wildlife.
“It’s really special to be finding such species in an urban park, and it’s also great to see we are supporting pollinating insects, which are the lifeblood of our environment.”
Cllr Tim Williams, who is responsible for parks, said: “Nationally, our wildflower habitats have sadly been in sharp decline during the 20th Century.
“However, more wildflower meadows have been created in the UK in recent decades and to continue this positive change, these initiatives are helping play crucial part in stopping decline of insects, including bees and butterflies nationwide.”
Both biodiversity projects are both part of the council’s sustainability strategy plan aiming to help hit the target of making the borough carbon neutral by 2030.
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