Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges — More than 300 brown hairstreak butterfly eggs discovered near Llandeilo this winter after decade of decline

After a decade of decline, the brown hairstreak butterfly population in south-west Wales is showing signs of recovery. Landowners have reduced the frequency of hedgerow flailing, allowing more eggs to survive over winter. Volunteers recorded 276 eggs on the north verge and 117 on the south verge of the A40 west of Llandeilo, marking a 50% increase from the previous year. This success highlights the importance of hedgerow management for butterfly conservation.