Butterflies secure reserve status

Sandlings nature reserve is home to 22 species of butterflies

The presence of 22 butterfly species on land in Suffolk has brought recognition of its importance as a local nature reserve (LNR), a council has said.

Ten hectares (25 acres) at the Sandlings in Rushmere St Andrew have won Natural England LNR status because its main residents are butterflies.

An open day on the site is being staged by Suffolk Coastal council on 27 July.

"LNR designation confirms that local people value these areas highly," said Mary Neale, from the council.

"Both The Sandlings and Mill Stream open spaces have won LNR classification and the sites need protecting and managing for current and future generations.

"It's good news for local people, and the flora, fauna and wildlife that call these sites their home.

"Butterflies are the most significant residents of Sandlings, with 22 out of a possible 31 species having been seen on the site, including several which are scarce in Britain, and this brought recognition of its improtance from Natural England," she said.

Biodiversity supported

Sandlings is an area of redundant agricultural land which was formerly used for grazing livestock and most recently horses.

It is mainly grassland and oak scrub, with several remnant hedgerows and areas of young secondary woodland.

Mill Stream is predominantly an area of public open space that has been managed by Suffolk Coastal for several years.

It is a stream valley comprising fen vegetation and alder and willow carr with several areas of open water, which support a high biodiversity.

It is most notable for water voles, a protected species, which are present on the site.