Two local biodiversity news items have hit the headlines this week...

Rare butterfly begins to flourish - Amid fears of extinction on the Isle of Wight in 2010, the pearl-bordered fritillary, one of the UK’s rarest woodland butterflies, has survived against the odds to take advantage of the Forestry Commission’s extensive programme of habitat management at Parkhurst Forest, near Newport. Click here to read the full story.

Survey on rare seaweed - A National survey of a rare seaweed is being organised from its Island stronghold. The survey of the distinctive peacock's tail seaweed (Padina pavonica) is being led by the Medina Valley Centre for Environmental and Outdoor Education at Newport.It hopes to establish the current status of the alga, which has a distinctive shape, colour and frond pattern and is easily identified on the shore. Click here to read the full story.