Volunteers wanted to help rare blue butterfly

The Caithness Countryside Volunteers hopes to attract new members to their next event planned at the Castle hill Heritage Trail, Castletown on Sunday 9th June. The group are attempting to expand the range of kidney vetch plant to create new habitat for the rare small blue butterfly.

Volunteers will be removing dense vegetation and planting out plugs of kidney vetch.  The kidney vetch serves as the food plant for the small blue butterfly caterpillar.

The event has been supported through CSV Action Earth organised by the Community Service Volunteers. As part of this year’s campaign, SNH will be supporting around 170 projects in Scotland through grant awards of up to £500, aimed at groups that will help support and encourage volunteer activity through practical environmental projects.

Marina Swanson, Highland Council Countryside Ranger & event organiser said: “We have a dedicated core group of Caithness Countryside Volunteers but hope this project may attract some new members. We have been able to buy some new tools for this project through the grant awarded from CSV and we hope our efforts will make a difference on the ground with regard to the small blue butterfly local population. If anyone wishes to come along, please meet at the Castle hill Flagstone Trail car park at 10.30am on Sunday.”

The Caithness Countryside Volunteers is organised through the Highland Council’s Planning & Development Countryside Rangers and is always looking for new members. If you wish to find out more about the group, please contact Marina Swanson on 01955604588 or e-mail marina.swanson@highland.gov.uk