1km of blackthorn planting as new hedges and bolstering older plantings at Ryton Pools Country Park. Blackthorn is the larval food-source for the Brown hairstreak butterfly, now rare in the county. The adult butterfly lays its eggs near the tips of 1-2 year growth so that spring growth is available to next year’s caterpillars. Sensitive management of these blackthorn hedges will provide a vital refuge for the species.

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