The wet grassland and heathland forms an important habitat for the small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly, as this is where the dog and marsh violet grow which are the food source for the caterpillar.
Scrub Management at Black Plantation
Heart of Durham volunteers have spent several task days cutting back scrub, which has been encroaching the grasslands and heathland in Black Plantation.
Volunteers beginning to clear scrub on the wet meadow
Without our intervention, succession would continue finally resulting in a woodland and the loss of the grassland and heathland habitat, which could result in the loss of the butterfly in this area.
The wet meadow before work was complete
After scrub management work
Volunteers having a lunch break in the woods
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