The silver studded blue butterfly (Plebeius argus) has been found on a Bystock nature reserve near Exmouth for the first time in 20 years. It was seen not on its traditional heath land habitat but on the south-facing grassland to the north of the reserve. It has suffered severe population loss due to the destruction of its heathland habitat.
Matt Boydell, Devon Wildlife Trust's Land Management Manager caught the butterflies mating on the site. He said: "This is really exciting discovery for us. It really demonstrates that with the right amount of effort and support it is possible to help these rare species to spread further. We have to thank our regular volunteers who have helped to improve the site over the past few years and open up areas for the silver studded blue to move through to the reserve."
On a more worrying note, one of the beavers introduced to Creag Mhor, Scotland has vanished. Her disappearance coincided with the sound of unauthorised gunfire.
Three beaver families were released at carefully selected sites in Knapdale Forest, Mid-Argyll, and observation and tracking began immediately. A family of four was released into Loch Coille Bharr, a family of four into Loch Linne and the final family of three was released into Creag Mhor Loch. Unfortunately, shortly after release a juvenile male from the Loch Linne family died. A post-mortem was carried out by independent veterinary professionals but the results were inconclusive.
The two remaining beavers at Creag Mhor swam off into the Crinan Canal. Simon Jones, Scottish Beaver Trial Project Manager, said "We are obviously concerned that there could be a link between her disappearance and the unauthorised shooting, and the local police have been informed. We suspect that the noise from the shooting has disturbed these animals even if no direct link between the shooting and disappearance is found."
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