Spring has well and truly arrived and East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has organised a simple ‘Violet hunt’ to run throughout May and June, appealing to the public to join in so that future conservation work can then be concentrated in the right areas.
Sidmouth Herald: The common dog violetThe common dog violet (Image: East Devon AONB)

Violets are vital food for the caterpillars of two of the UK’s rarest butterflies, the pearl bordered and small pearl bordered fritillaries. By hunting for the violets, it will reveal where these butterflies might be found.

East Devon AONB Project officer, Pete Youngman, said: “It’s a great excuse to go for a walk in the countryside, perhaps taking your children or grandchildren with you, and look at the beauty and variety of spring flowers in the woods, helping us benefit wildlife at the same time.
“We have a special page on our website which has a lovely video about the life of the butterflies and a guide as to how to carry out the survey.”

For more information go to: https://www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk/our-work/projects/saving-special-species/small-pearl-bordered-fritillary