A BUTTERFLY boom on Canvey is brightening up the hopes of nature lovers across south Essex.

The island’s RSPB reserve is proving to be one of the most important nature sites in the UK for breeding rare and protected butterflies – despite only being open a year.

As butterfly numbers across the country dwindle to an all-time low, with some species teetering on the brink of extinction, the island’s West Canvey Marshes is experiencing a welcome influx.

The reason is the 640-acre marsh site provides ideal grassland habitat for insects and birds to breed.

Excited RSPB wardens are reporting a massive increase in the population of marbled white butterfly at the reserve – a species very rarely seen in Essex.

Warden Marc Outten said: “I recently counted 321 marbled whites feeding mainly on thistle heads, which was a fantastic sight.

“They are a very attractive species and have distinctive black and white patterns, making them easily recognisable.

“They are often attracted to purple flowering plants like thistles, knapweed and field scabious, making Canvey an ideal home for them.

“It’s very rare to get them here in Essex so this goes to show how well the reserve is doing.”

Marc added how plans are also under way to create habitats especially for wading birds including lapwings and redshanks to breed at Canvey.

He said: “Their numbers have dropped dramatically. They are really struggling at the moment.

“We are seeing more of them over at Canvey recently though and so we will be bringing in an action plan to help them breed specifically at the site.”

Nature experts have become increasingly worried by the decline of butterflies in gardens and reserves over the past few years and fear many species could be wiped out forever unless changes are made.

The problem has arisen due to habitat loss, driven by intensified farming and forestry.

Over the past 200 years five of the UK’s 59 butterfly species have become extinct and over half have seen their numbers drop by 20 per cent.

Marc added: “There’s no doubt about it, we have to act now if we want to protect butterflies from vanishing altogether. We are thrilled that Canvey marshes is playing a vital role in protecting them.”