Rarity returns

A colony of Marsh Fritillaries – among Europe’s rarest butterflies – has been discovered at Haweswater in the Lake District. Once widespread across the UK, the species declined dramatically last century.

In 2007, a reintroduction programme saw thousands of larvae released in Cumbria, and RSPB-managed grazing by Fell Ponies at Haweswater has since improved habitat for the species. We’re delighted that the Marsh Fritillary is back here.