Page 11 - BBOWT Annual Review 2015-16

Southern damselfly populations are stable but

the species remains rare and has been identified
as a key species for conservation action. A small
colony is found in the Cothill Fen sites, Oxon,
which BBOWT manages.

The establishment of a Friends of Cothill
volunteer group has enabled higher levels of
targeted dragonfly management. Enhanced
habitat quality, for both southern damselflies
and other rare and specialist species such as the
keeled skimmer and small red damselfly, has
meant population increases: the maximum day
count of southern damselflies rose from two in
2010 to more than 15 by 2015.

11% 47% 5%

The total area of Sites of The percentage that the The amount by which
Special Scientific Interest total area of our nature the area of features in
within Berks, Bucks and reserves has expanded by favourable condition on
Oxon that our nature since 2012. our nature reserves has
reserves now cover. increased.

Pyramidal orchids have spread across the

extension at Hartslock, Oxon, following
restoration grazing.

Over 15,000 Chiltern gentian are thriving in

the chalk grassland at Dancersend, Bucks,
following tree and scrub removal.

Silver-studded blues are specialist heathland

butterflies. Partly due to the loss of heathland
these butterflies are declining nationally; their
population collapsed by three-quarters between
1995 and 2004.

By cutting heather at Wildmoor Heath, Berks,
in rotation a mix of heather structures and ages
has been created to provide conditions for all
stages of the butterfly’s lifecycle. Silver-studded
blues recolonised the site in 2010. In 2015, there
was a maximum day count of 15 individuals.