Habitat management for the White Letter Hairstreak

The group worked on clearing the scrub and small trees at Saltwells NNR, there has been sightings of the white letter hairstreak which are protected under the wildlife act as a priority. By clearing the scrub and small trees they created a woodland ride giving the area more light which attracts the white letter hairstreak. They will also be planting more elm trees which the butterfly feeds off, in the 70's Dutch elm disease killed millions of elm trees thus reducing the number of white letter hairstreak. A couple of students made a hibernaculum using logs and placing them in a pile, this will be a good shelter for wildlife during the winter. Reptiles including the common lizard will benefit from the hibernaculum and will enjoy using it as a basking spot to take in the winter sun.