The marbled white butterfly (Melanargia galathea) is one of the many butterflies that can be seen in Finemere Wood on a sunny day. A distinctive butterfly with black and white chequered markings, it is on the wing through July and into early August.

This eye-catching butterfly can be seen on unimproved flowery grasslands with a tall sward and has a preference for purple flowers. Grasses are the food plant for the larva, and it is into these tall grasses that the adult drops the eggs from the air. Once hatched, two or three weeks later, the caterpillar munches away at the juicy grasses before heading into hibernation until the following June.

Common knapweed (Centaurea nigra) is a sun-loving plant, found in meadows, roadsides, and waste-ground. Thistle-like with a pink-purple flowerhead, it is a beauty. Top it with a marbled white butterfly and it is breathtaking.

Each flowerhead is made up of 40-100 tubular “ray” flowers and is a very rich source of pollen and nectar, attracting butterflies, bees, and many other invertebrates. The seed heads are enjoyed by many birds, goldfinches in particular.

And so, out on the adjoining meadows, in amongst the Centaurea nigra, with Melanargia galathea fluttering past in their dozens, those woodland workers who thrive in the sun continue to toil on the fencing project.

The volunteers continue to turn up no matter what the weather is doing. Some bloom under the heat of the summer sun, and others melt. Just as the flora of Finemere Wood is diverse in its requirements for sun or shade, so too are the woodland workers.

Stock netting is strained and stapled securely to posts, and struts are fixed to support strainer posts. Those who wilt in the sun, shuffle under the canopy of the wood to cut back vegetation that incessantly winds its way across the footpaths.

With such a wide diversity of habitats in this special place, many varied species thrive, and the woodland workers are just one of them.

More than 1,700 volunteers help us towards our vision of more nature everywhere, on our nature reserves, at our visitor and education centres, in our offices and more.

Find a volunteer opportunity near you

Visit a nature reserve