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The Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

BUTTERFLY Conservation is inviting people to help save Hampshire and Wiltshire's rare and disappearing woodland butterflies and moths, by looking after their habitats.

They are holding a public meeting for people to find out about the Tytherley Woods Project on Wednesday, March 26 at 7.30pm at King Edward's Hall in West Tytherley.

The project is part of Butterfly Conservation's ambitious South East Woodlands Project which aims to improve conditions for woodland wildlife, especially butterflies and moths, across the south of England.

People such as local residents, landowners and others interested in wildlife may be able to help by recording butterflies and moths in local woods, attending public events and training sessions and by giving a local perspective to the project.

The Tytherley Woods project area lies between Salisbury in the west and just beyond Little Sombourne in the east, straddling the border of Wiltshire and Hampshire.

It comprises a mosaic of woodland, chalk downland and neutral meadows and although arable farming has shaped much of its character it is still punctuated by extensive patches of woodland, the remnants of which would once have been a much larger forest.

These woodlands have traditionally supported a range of flora and fauna thriving while the woodlands have been managed through the centuries for food and fuel. However, in more recent times changes in woodland uses and values have meant many of our ancient woodlands are now under-managed or neglected, and this area is no exception.

The project will involve the Forestry Commission working with woodland managers and local people to encourage, advise, train and support woodland owners to carry out active and appropriate management in their woodlands.

Dr Kate Dent, Tytherley Woods Project Officer, said: "The lack of management within our woodlands has led to rapid declines in specialist woodland wildlife, like the rare and beautiful Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

"Between 1995 and 2004 this species national population declined by 51 per cent, while another woodland specialist, the White Admiral declined by 36 per cent.

"However, both species are still present within the Tytherley project area and it is hoped these populations can not only be maintained here, but also enhanced in the coming years."

12:47pm Thursday 20th March 2008

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