A NATIONAL organisation aimed at protecting glow worms has hit out at Malvern Hills Conservators, claiming they carried out work which could put the species at risk.
UK Glow Worm Survey criticised the organisation, which are responsible for looking after the Malvern Hills and commons, after being contacted by Malvern resident Steve Price.
The 53-year-old, who lives on Pound Bank Road, regularly walks up to Wood Street at night to see the insects light up the area.
But he said he was left ‘heartbroken’ when he discovered that Malvern Hills Conservators had cut the long grass where he had spotted about 20 glow worms.
Mr Price took to social media to voice his concerns, which led to an angry response from a spokesperson from UK Glow Worm Survey.
A statement issued on behalf of the group read: “This is completely the wrong way to manage a glow-worm site.
“A rough cut earlier in the year, or even during the glowing season if necessary, would be fine, but not as severe as this.
“Maybe a few have survived and will reappear, and hopefully the eggs that have been laid so far will survive to live another year.”
Speaking to the Observer, Mr Price said he had not seen any glow worms since the area was ‘flattened’ and feared for the insects’ future in Malvern.
There are thought to be just hundreds of sites in the UK where glow worms can be found.
And, Mr Price added, from the research he had carried out, he felt Wood Street would be in the top half of sites in the country.
“Glow worms are quite rare,” he added.
“There are more towards the coast, but up here you very rarely see them and it is a treat when you do.
“I feel pretty heartbroken and my daughter and my girlfriend feel the same because we loved it up there.
“We appreciate they have to do maintenance work, but not at the cost of glow worms.
“It just seems like a really unpleasant thing to do.”
Beck Baker, community and conservation officer for Malvern Hills Conservators, confirmed they were aware glow worms existed at Wood Street before they carried out the work.
“The Malvern Hills are generally really good for glow worms as we do manage our land sensitively,” she said.
“And we have managed this patch off Wood Street in the same way year on year for at least the last five years and we have not seen any decline in the number, so it has not had any visible affect.
“We do continue to manage the glow worms and other species at Wood Street, so we will have another survey next year to have a look.
“If the management has affected them we will change it, but at the moment that’s not something we would be doing.”
Visit http://www.glowworms.org.uk/ for more on the UK Glow Worm Survey.
