Category: Conservation management

Everyone needs a suitable environment for their lives. Butterflies and many other arthropods thrive best in a divers landscape that is neither too overgrown with bushes and trees nor too bare. They need plenty of host plants that caterpillars consume and plenty of nectar-rich plants for adults. We try to create such a landscape for them by sowing herbs, pruning or felling trees, mowing, pulling turf and other activities. Sometimes it may seem that we are destroying nature, but our interventions really help to target species rather to harm them.

Mosaic cutting above Asuan and maintenance of nectar-bearing plots

At the turn of July and August, a mosaic cutting of vegetation using brush cutters took place on the slopes above the Asuan Reservoir. The chopped biomass was raked and cleared away. A “volunteer hay event” for the public was organised. Unfortunately, only one volunteer, Matěj, came due to the extremely hot weather and a last-minute change of date. Despite that, Matěj was not afraid of work and helped us a lot! We also mowed the previously sowed nectar-bearing plots to support slower-growing and less competitive target plants.

Grazing above Asuán

From the second half of June, in cooperation with the Ábel association, we started grazing employing a mixed herd of sheep and goats. The animals will help us especially with suppressing the saplings and resprouting of expansing trees that we cut during the winter. Grazing will take place here with gradual moving of the herd until the end of August. Limited grazing of several animals will continue also in September.

The first mowing at Dívčí hrady in 2022

At the end of May, the first mowing of dry grasslands around sainfoin (Onobrychis) took place at Dívčí hrady site. About half of each area of the sainfoin patch was always cut. Early mowing will ensure the continuity of flowering throughout the summer – so flowering plants will still be available.

Preparation of nectar-bearing plots and disturbance of grass turf

During April, we set up nectar-breeding plots at Dívčí Hrady and around Asuan. Among other plants, species serving as food plants for caterpillars of some target butterfly species (eg crepuscular burnet or silver-studded blue) will also be sown. Furthermore, turf was disturbed in places potentially suitable for the reproduction of rock grayling, whose eggs and caterpillars require warmed and loose fescue lawns. We wold not be able to handle with the heavily connected turf without the help of heavy equipment.

Finally clean above Asuan!

Even the fickle weather did not deter us from completing the cleaning of wood chips and garbage above the Asuan reservoir. In the first week of April, we were able to have a garbage truck taken away and enjoy the beautifully clean “forest-steppe landscape”.

School children and volunteers have helped with wood chips

The amount of wood chips and rubbish above the Asuan reservoir was so large that it was not possible for the members of the project team to clean the entire area. Fortunately, pupils from the FZŠ Prof. Otokara Chlupa, also took part in the work within the Patronages project under the auspices of the Scout Institute. With the rakes, they set out to help not only the butterflies, but they also managed to save the overheated toad. Over the weekend, their efforts were followed by other volunteers who, in addition to the feeling of a job well done, could sit by the fire and refresh themselves. Although there is still some work to be done, there is less wood chips and rubbish.

Spring is calling – the raking call No. II

Do you want to help nature and missed our last event? Or have you been there and want to experience it again? Participate in the wood chips raking and garbage cleaning around the Asuan pond in the Prokop Valley in Prague: 50.0455628N, 14.3467067E

The event will take place on Saturday 26^th March from 9:00, if the weather is nice. If you are interested, write to us at: insectecologygroup@gmail.com. We will offer REFRESHMENTS in the form of sausages and drinks (beer, lemonade). Beautiful weather guaranteed!

Cleaning the wood chips after shrub pruning around Asuan reservoir

On Saturday, March 5, we cleaned the garbage and removed the wood chips that remained after cutting and crushing the overgrowth trees and shrubs around the Asuan pond. A total of 12 people participated in the event, both team members as well as enthusiastic volunteers. THANK YOU VERY MUCH (VOLUNTEERS) and we hope to see you again! There is still plenty of chips to remove. In the next step, sowing of nectar-rich plants and other interventions to support endangered butterfly species will begin.

Help us clear wood chips after shrub pruning around Asuan reservoir

Do you want to do some good for nature? Participate in the removal of garbage and wood chips around the Asuan pond in the Prokop Valley in Prague.

The event will take place (if the weather is good) on Saturday 5 March from 9:00 CET.

If you are interested, send us a message via our Facebook page or to: insectecologygroup@gmail.com. REFRESHMENT in the form of sausages and drinks (beer, limonade) will be provided.

The management of overgrown trees around Albrechtův vrch continues

Pruning of trees and shrubs on slopes around Albrechtův vrch continues, and at the beginning of December, in addition to our chainsaws, also supplier’s tractor equipped with milling cutter fought with the overgrown jungle.