ONE of Wales’ rarest butterflies is making a comeback in Carmarthenshire, Butterfly Conservation has revealed.

The wildlife charity has been working to stabilise numbers of the internationally-threatened Marsh Fritillary by increasing and improving habitat areas.

The work has paid off with Butterfly Conservation Wales reporting a dramatic increase in numbers in Carmarthenshire.

Head of Butterfly Conservation in Wales, Russel Hobson, said: “Since the mid 2000s the Marsh Fritillary has struggled here. But site conservation work by ourselves and partner organisations, combined with improved weather during the butterfly’s flight period, has meant numbers are stabilising and on some sites we have seen a spectacular recovery.”

One of these sites is Median Farm, an area of marshy grassland which forms an extension to Butterfly Conservation’s Caeau Ffos Fach reserve in Cross Hands. As well as butterflies, it is also home to the threatened dormouse and equally elusive birds like the Grasshopper Warbler.

“Four years ago we would only see maybe three or four butterflies at Median Farm, but now it’s possible to see more than 40 in one go," said Mr Hobson.

"It’s an amazing result and particularly meaningful because the site was once earmarked for development.

“Thanks to Natural Resources Wales and the Welsh Government, we have been able to rescue the land and for the last two years have been working to restore vital habitat for this beautiful butterfly.”

The Marsh Fritillary can be identified by its colourful wings, which are far brighter than other fritillary butterflies. The upper wings are reddish-orange, with yellow or white patches and black veins. It is also the only fritillary to have a row of black dots around the bottom edge on both sides of the hindwing, but none on the forewing.

Once widespread in Britain and Ireland, its numbers have declined by nearly 50 per cent over the twentieth century, a pattern also mirrored throughout Europe. Because of this it is now one of the few butterflies afforded protection on a continental scale.

Russel added: “The future remains uncertain for this butterfly as development pressure and modification of land management practices continue, but we’re doing everything we can to keep the Marsh Fritillary in Wales.”

Butterfly Conservation South Wales are asking for more people to help out at their winter work parties at Median Farm, getting everything just right for the butterfly before summer.

Events are taking place on January 14 and February 3 and 14.

If you would like to go, please contact Conservation Officer George Tordoff on 01792 642972 or the Branch event organiser, Richard Smith, on 01446 793229