Thirty-five different species of butterfly have been identified at Ryton Pools Country Park by rangers.

Butterflies have been recorded using transects where a recorder walks along the same fixed path regularly, counting butterflies and moths along the way and making a note of their species.

2022 is the 12th year of counting species at Ryton pools and a new transect has now been established to monitor the habitat improvement work over the next 30 years.

Warwickshire County Council says analysing populations of these species will allow "country park rangers to assess the quality and success of conservation projects".

The survey has been completed for the 12th consecutive year (Image supplied)\

Ryton Pools is now the only site in the county, alongside the adjacent Ryton Wood Meadows, where all four species of Warwickshire Hairstreak Butterfly can be seen.

Work is being done to strengthen populations of the rare Brown Hairstreak, which has seen its numbers plummet recently due to hedge flailing.

Country Park rangers now have a four-year cutting rotation in place across the site to maximise egg-laying, and have also boosted the habitat by planting 10,000 blackthorn trees into hedges across two sites.

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The council said the effects are already showing, with a population increases of 700 per cent at one site and 980 per cent at the other.

Brown Hairstreak Egg (Gill Thompson)

Councillor Heather Timms, portfolio holder for environment, climate and culture at WCC, said: "Butterflies are beautiful creatures that contribute a great deal to our natural environment.

"As both prey and predators, they help maintain the careful balance of our food chain.

"What's more, observing their changing behaviour provides a practical demonstration that we must take action on climate change. The fantastic work of the park rangers at our stunning country parks helps support an incredible number of moth and butterfly species.

"It isn't just rangers who can make a difference in supporting these wonderful insects. We can all take steps such as planting butterfly-friendly plants and providing shallow water sources."