Butterflies in Decline – how can you help?

Through the summer months we can see many butterflies on the wing around the woods. They are currently enjoying a prolonged spell of warm weather and, each year, they bring us the sight of bright colours on their intricately patterned wings while flitting and basking in the sun. Moths and butterflies are unusual in the world of flying insects, with their wings covered with coloured patterns of tiny scales, we have given them their name, Lepidoptera, which translates as “wings with scales”. These miscellaneous mottles are used for many reasons from attracting a mate to creating camouflage or deterring predators and the scales can even save their lives, allowing the insects to slip away from a spider’s web.

Other interesting invertebrates included the six-spot burnet, one of the day-flying moths. The volunteers all went home happy so, it seems, surveying these beautiful creatures has a positive effect on your well-being and recording where they are found will help with the further improvements of habitats at Fingle Woods so, please join in. Get started with the annual Big Butterfly Count that continues until 12th August this year. Please help our beautiful butterflies – here’s how:For more information on butterfly monitoring and where you can help, find out about the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and the more straight forward Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey hereGet involved in the Big Butterfly Count and submit your results before the 12th Augustby Matt Parkins