I would like to thank Bob and Joy Jones (Letters, November 29) for publicising the benefits of nature reserves such as Clifton Backies and Wheatlands that are free to the public.

It is only through the support and hard work of members that these areas of natural beauty can exist and be maintained to the benefit of both visitors and the flora and fauna that they accommodate.

There were some minor anomalies in the original article (November 24).

The list of butterfly species recorded at Clifton Backies did in fact include the Red Admiral, and the maximum number of butterflies recorded in one visit was significantly more than 150 - reaching 240 on July 4.

From this year the Clifton Backies site is being entered into the records of the national butterfly monitoring scheme managed by Butterfly Conservation (www.butterfly-conservation.org).

The collation of this information nationwide helps DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) arrange the most effective conservation management for the preservation of butterfly species and other wildlife. To qualify, the survey carried out this year follows strict guidelines in order to ensure results are representative of the site - the same route is followed once a week for 30 weeks of the year and the butterfly species are recorded in each section (or transect) of the site.

I appeal to like-minded people to help preserve these wonderful havens, and make sure the resident plants and animals become the real winners!

Tony Fairburn,

Ings View,

Rawcliffe,

York.

Updated: 08:49 Thursday, December 02, 2004