The Cotswold Water Park

CWP 95: PLEASE DO NOT CUT, TRIM OR DAMAGE THE BARBERRY PLANTS AT THIS SITE

In recent weeks, in an effort to make progress along the permissive footpath at Lake 95 (located at the northern end of the site, accessed from Fridays Ham Lane), a number of individuals using this footpath have been cutting back bramble and other thorn bushes. The footpath is very overgrown here and is admittedly poorly accessible, so these actions are hardly surprising. 

In doing so however, a number of barberry plants (a thorny bush with yellow flowers) have been damaged. These plants were to be used in the reintroduction of a rare moth species, called the Barberry Carpet Moth. There are only a handful of colonies of this species left in the entire UK, and Wiltshire is known to be a stronghold. This species was found at Lake 95 (in the late 1990s) prior to mineral extraction, and despite best efforts to sustain this species by translocating the barberry plants (its larval food plant) to the perimeter of the site, the population was not sustained here. However, the plants remain mature and largely healthy and a reintroduction project is planned in the near future.  

The Barberry Carpet Moth is a protected species and a priority for conservation action at a UK level, as part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Please help us to conserve this species. We recognise that favourable management of the wider area around Lake 95 and the permissive footpath is needed and are looking to achieve this. 

This is a permissive footpath and so the damage may have been caused by anyone using the footpath, although as many birders use the site, I am asking for your help. If you see anyone trimming or cutting the barberry plants, please encourage them not to.

If you have any queries, please let me know. Thank you in advance for your help.

Gareth Harris.  Biodiversity Officer, Cotswold Water Park Society