New Ferry Butterfly Park has been spruced up further by a Love
Wirral Grant which has enabled the planting of a holly hedge along our boundary
to benefit the holly blue butterfly and to screen urban fencing. Also, 150 primroses, 50 stitchwort and 50 red campion were planted in between bluebells
established last November. This en masse
planting contributes considerably to the spring nectar sources available to butterflies
coming out of hibernation. Thanks to all the volunteers who did this extra planting on top of the preparation
for the Open Day and the visit of the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside on Sunday 4th May.
During one workday this spring more than 50 butterflies were
recorded at the park including three unmistakeable brightly coloured male brimstone
butterflies. This was a delight. They
are more regularly seen at the park now, although there is no evidence yet that
they are breeding. We eagerly look
forward to the month of May when buckthorns can be examined for evidence of
brimstone butterfly caterpillars. Next
year when the primroses are truly established it is hoped that the brimstone
butterflies will be able to enjoy the primrose flowers as they have a
sufficiently long tongue (16mm) to easily
reach down the 10mm flower tube to reach the primrose’s nectar.
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| Brimstone butterfly. Photo: Wikipedia |
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