Hunting butterflies in magical meadows

Hunting butterflies in magical meadows

Small Pearl bordered Fritillary - Chris Lawrence

Enjoy our showiest insects – and the flowers they depend on – at Cors Goch Nature Reserve

The complex geology and wealth of habitats make Cors Goch, on Anglesey, one of Wales’s most diverse nature reserves. It’s home to many rare wetland plants, including insectivorous species, and a collection of orchids. Heather, gorse and the scarce pale dog-violet thrive in acidic heathland whilst, as summer progresses, ox-eye daisy and lousewort still dot the small, enclosed fields amongst drying grasses.

This tremendous variety of plant life supports an equally impressive range of invertebrates and Cors Goch’s butterflies include the well-known small copper, common blue and orange-tip.  You may also come across the more elusive small pearl-bordered fritillary – now is a good time to spot them, and please tell us what you find!

Cors Goch’s rich habitats are managed by a team of volunteers and staff, and traditional techniques such as scything are still valuable. Why not come along to an event on the reserve on 13 July to learn more about both?