THE future of a Devon nature reserve which contains some of the UK's rarest butterfly species is being threatened by a pheasant shoot, it has been claimed.

The Dunsford Reserve, between Exeter and Dartmoor, is a rare heathland habitat and home to the pearl-bordered fritillary whose caterpillars feed on violets growing on the 140-acre site.

Conservationists say the flowers are being eaten by the tens of thousands of pheasants being reared on land which surrounds the reserve.

Head warden Andrew Baker, of the Devon Wildlife Trust, also said the birds' droppings had an effect similar to "sprinkling fertiliser on a rare bit of grassland". The pheasants, he said, "peck and scrape at everything" and in places had removed the topsoil.

The reserve is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, one of more than 4,000 in England.

Joe Scaife, whose home borders the reserve, said the once calm and peaceful atmosphere had been shattered by the shoot, which is permitted to operate for up to 28 days a year.

The shoot's owner, Peter Davidson, said he was unaware of the need to approach Natural England about the operation.

He said he had co-operated with Devon Wildlife Trust.