Prees Heath Common

   Grid Reference: SJ559365

   O.S. Map: 126

   Access: The site is located in the triangle of land formed by the A41 and the A49 a couple of miles south of Whitchurch in North Shropshire.
Parking is available off the A49 alongside an access track on the right when traveling north, directly opposite a turning signposted to Steel Heath. This track is continually in use, so please park with due consideration to the people who depend on it to access their properties.
Alternatively, there is parking available outside the old grain stores further along the A49

   Prees Heath Officer: Stephen Lewis
                                      Butterfly Conservation, 193 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6AH

                                      Tel/Fax: 01743 340721
                                      Mobile:  07900 886809

   Work Party: Follow this link for information on Volunteer work parties and events

 

The Site is Secured in Perpetuity

Butterfly Conservation purchased the western half of Prees Heath Common near Whitchurch in North Shropshire on 30th May 2006, after a long-fought process going back many years.

The purchase was possible thanks to the generous and patient support of thousands of donors within the Society, as well as both Shropshire and Cheshire Wildlife Trusts, and the general public. Vital funding has also come from English Nature, but the majority has been through a major Biodiversity Challenge Fund grant from Grantscape under the Landfill Tax Credits Scheme. Butterfly Conservation and its partners are delighted with the result, and extend warm thanks to all those who have helped with this important acquisition, and especially the support received from commoners and local residents.

With the appointment of Stephen Lewis as Prees Heath Officer, we have embarked on a 4 year restoration project to secure the 60 hectare (148 acre) site against fly-tipping and illegal vehicle access, and to establish a reserve for a nationally important population of the Silver-studded Blue butterfly.

Restoring the Heath

Much of the site bears the legacy of years of intensive arable cultivation, with vigorous weeds and enriched soils, and returning it to heathland and other wildlife habitats, given the level of nutrients in the soil, will be a lengthy and challenging process. Fragments of heathland have survived and have been the Silver-studded Blue’s refuge, but they in turn have suffered from neglect and abuse, although thanks to the efforts of Butterfly Conservation West Midlands Branch and the support of local residents and commoners this precious population has been maintained.

The initial grassland phase is expected to bring some immediate conservation results for annual plant communities and farmland birds, such as Skylark and Corn Bunting. Recreating the wetlands that were a feature of the site before it was turned into an airfield during World War II will be another exciting aspect.

The Only Site in the Midlands for the Silver-studded Blue

The butterflies usually start to emerge in mid-June, and can usually still be seen on the wing until the beginning of August. The emergence in 2006 has been particularly strong, and visitors have been astounded by the sight of hundreds of butterflies shimmering above the sparse heather and grass sward that forms their special habitat. On the upperside of the wings the males are lead-blue in colour, whilst the females are brown. The silver studs which give the butterfly its name are tiny marks in the middle of the black spots on the outer edge of the underside of the hindwings.

 After mating, the females lay their eggs on the stems of heather, close to the ground where the vegetation is sparse and often near to ants’ nests, and the eggs remain there throughout the winter. In early spring the eggs hatch, and the caterpillars form an association with black ants (Lasius sp.), giving them sugary secretions in return for protection. The caterpillars feed on young heather shoots (Calluna and Erica spp.) and on this site possibly on Bird's-foot trefoil. The relationship continues when the butterfly emerges from its chrysalis in the summer mornings as it is still vulnerable until it has pumped up its wings.

 Emergence usually coincides with the flowering of Bell Heather, Erica cinerea, and the butterflies will spend a lot of time taking nectar from the crimson flowers. In cold or wet weather and in the evening the butterflies form communal roosts on the stems of mature Heather plants, or on the stems of other plants such as Knapweed or Broom.

A Rich Heritage

Although efforts will be focused on restoring the wildlife habitat of Prees Heath, the land has seen a variety of uses over the years, and this is an important aspect of the site. These include a muster point for King John’s army in the thirteenth century and for Royalist troops in the Civil War, a trench warfare training ground in World War I and a bomber training airfield in World War II. In fact the hacked-up concrete on the old airfield runway has played a vital role in saving the Silver-studded Blue’s habitat from being ploughed up in the same way as much of the rest of the site. Another significant factor is that the land is a Common, and Commoners rights continue to be held by a number of local people. Interpreting the site for visitors will require a lot of research.

To learn more about this site please download this information leaflet:

Prees Heath Common Reserve
 

Further Information:

For more information and photographs of the recent activities on the reserve, please visit this website:

http://www.woodlanereserve.co.uk/preesheath.htm

Butterfly Conservation Main website