In September The Romsey Organic Gardeners (TROG) were treated to a talk on a Bonanza of butterflies by Brian Fletcher of the Hampshire branch of Butterfly Conservation Group.

He explained that the group managed a reserve near Winchester at Magdalen Hill Down, located near the Spitfire Bridge adjacent to the M3. This is an over 100 acre site located on chalk downland that has been restored from its original arable use. The area has been sown with native Hampshire wild flowers and grasses enabling a remarkable recovery of the native butterflies by tenfold. Such special species as Chalkhill Blue, Small Blue and particularly the Common Blue have come back in numbers.

They also have another reserve by a Southern Water reservoir to the south west of Winchester at Yew Hill near Oliver’s Battery. This is a smaller site just less than 15 acres but has various orchids as well as chalk loving butterfly species. Farnham is host to a third reserve in north east Hampshire at Bentley Station Meadow bordering Alice Holt forest. This is a SSSI wet meadow good for grassland and woodland butterflies.

Brian explained how butterflies were identified and named with books starting to be published from the 1660’s onwards. Unfortunately to ensure a best seller new species had to be listed and in some cases unscrupulous authors faked butterflies by painting existing varieties! The 1720’s onward saw a more consistent and scientific approach to naming.

The reserves have been essential to reverse a habitat loss which is the prime reason for species decline. Meadow land has declined and much chalk downland cultivated or left to go to scrub. Even rabbit grazing can affect the range of species. Where they are excluded this allows grass to grow to 3 feet and varying grass heights benefit different butterflies.

Brian also said that we gardeners can help by allowing some wild areas in the garden to remain. Spring nectar producing plants will provide food for the first butterflies of the season and autumn flowers help build up reserves for the winter. Insecticides and pesticides will kill butterflies as well as other pollinating insects, which as Organic Gardeners we try to avoid.

TROG’s next meeting is on Thursday, October 2at 7:30pm in the Crosfield Hall annex. The club is looking forward to welcoming Chris Bird of Sparsholt College who is always a favourite speaker giving his idiosyncratic take on all year white planting ideas. Visitors are welcome for a small contribution and can join members to discuss their experiences over a cup of tea or coffee after the talk.

Ian Tripp, for The Romsey Organic Gardner’s club