The iconic silver studded blue butterfly is once again thriving at Thursley National Nature Reserve, Natural England announced today (Monday 14 July) on the second anniversary of the five day fire which tore through the 400 hectare site - home to some of England's most endangered flora and fauna.
Around 120 fire fighters battled to save the lowland heath nature reserve and at the time it was feared the fire could lead to irreversible loses of rare wildlife. Two years on, recent monitoring results show that the sterling efforts of fire fighters, conservationists and local volunteers were not in vain.
Natural England's Simon Nobes is the Senior Reserve Manager for Thursley and worked with fire fighters during the disaster to save the butterfly colonies - which have become confined to just a handful of sites in England and Wales. “On our most recent survey last week we found 126 butterflies at one location, an increase of over 100 since they were first surveyed after the fire,” Simon revealed.
Speaking about his experience Simon said: "The flames consumed the dry and wet heathland with frightening speed, burning out Dartford warbler nest sites, sand lizard areas and butterfly colonies - leaving a barren, scorched landscape of ash in their wake. Looking back at what was left of the Reserve, it is fantastic that populations of these fragile butterflies have pulled through, showing outstanding powers of recovery.”
Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said: “Wildlife in England has become increasingly fragmented and National Nature Reserves provide crucial refuge for endangered species, acting as pockets of biodiversity from which nature can grow.
“When Thursley, a nucleus of threatened species, went up in flames we thought our worst fears had been realised. However, through the combined efforts of fire fighters, the local community and our Reserve staff, against the odds, Thursley has been saved.”
Sir Martin was quick to praise the efforts of local people who raised over £8,000 to help rehabilitate the heathland, repair visitor facilities and to train and equip a number of new volunteer fire wardens to spot potential dangers on the Reserve and act to prevent a repeat of the devastating fires of 2006.
Simon Nobes concluded: “I believe the heartening recovery of Thursley is due in no small part to the unflinching support and passion of local people who were determined to bring this important wildlife habitat and popular visitor site back to life."