WORCESTERSHIRE Wildlife Trust has become a ‘species champion’ of the brown hairstreak and wood white butterflies.

The announcement has been welcomed by West Midlands Butterfly Conservation, as the organisation seeks to publish its first book on butterflies in the region.

Mervyn Needham, trustee of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, said: “Of all the butterflies that can be found in Worcestershire, it was only natural that we become champions for the brown hairstreak and wood white.

“The amazing conservation success story of the brown hairstreak is centred on our Grafton Wood nature reserve, jointly owned with Butterfly Conservation.

“At the other end of the scale, the wood white is hanging on in the region but is now extinct in the county; it’s only with better management and the help of volunteers from organisations like the trust and Butterfly Conservation that this delicate butterfly can return to Worcestershire.

“We’re delighted to help raise the profile of butterflies in our region and to support the publication of the planned book in this way.”

Efforts by the two conservation organisations over the last decade have helped the rare brown hairstreak butterfly increase both in numbers and territory. From a relatively small colony near Grafton Flyford, the butterfly can now be found throughout much of the Forest of Feckenham.

The decline of wood white butterflies in Worcestershire however has mirrored the national trend. They have specific habitat requirements that require active management of woodland rides, something that tends to happen less frequently these days.

Mike Williams, publicity and marketing officer for West Midlands Butterfly Conservation, said: “The book will celebrate and raise awareness of the 44 different butterfly species that people in our region can enjoy in their gardens, nature reserves and the wider countryside.

“It is only with the help of species champions like Worcestershire Wildlife Trust that we can raise the funding needed to push this exciting project forward.

“We are delighted they have become species champions of the brown hairstreak and wood white and hope that other organisations and individuals will be inspired to do the same for their favourite butterfly.”

The book is due to be published in spring 2016.

Anyone willing to submit high-quality images, particularly of eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises, or suggestions of favourite butterfly walks should contact Mike Williams at mike@stagborough.fsnet.co.uk