Latest news with #BigButterflyCount
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Five rare butterflies to keep an eye out for this summer as UK numbers decline
A "nationwide butterfly emergency" has prompted conservationists to issue an urgent plea for public participation in this year's Big Butterfly Count, stressing its critical importance after a devastating decline in numbers last year. Butterfly Conservation, the charity behind the initiative, warns that public involvement is more vital than ever following a particularly challenging 2024 for the insects. Last year's annual survey revealed a stark picture, with participants spotting an average of just seven butterflies per 15-minute count. This figure represents a nearly 50 per cent reduction from the 2023 average of 12, marking the lowest count in the history of the Big Butterfly Count. The alarming decline led the charity to declare a nationwide emergency, as 2024 proved to be the worst summer on record for several popular species, including the small tortoiseshell and common blue. 'Currently, more than half of the UK 's butterfly species are in long-term decline,' warns Kate Bradbury, garden writer, TV presenter and Butterfly Conservation ambassador. 'The good news is that everyone can help, and getting involved in this year's Big Butterfly Count is a great first step in helping these critically important and incredibly beautiful insects for generations to come.' She continues: 'You don't need a huge garden to help wildlife. By planting nectar-rich flowers, letting an area of grass grow long and incorporating caterpillar food plants like native shrubs, you can support a number of caterpillars and moths in even the tiniest space. 'Even pots and hanging baskets, planted with lavender, salvia or Mediterranean herbs like oregano and mint, can be the perfect refuelling station in the smallest space.' The charity offers a list of its top five butterflies you'd be lucky – and very privileged – to see in your garden during this year's count. 1. Small tortoiseshell The number of small tortoiseshells seen across the UK during the count in 2024 was 74% lower than it was in 2023, and the worst year for this species in the survey's history. Despite being one of the most well-known butterflies in Britain and being widespread throughout the year, this drop in numbers is hugely concerning, the charity notes. 2. Common blue As its name suggests, this vibrant blue butterfly is the most widespread blue butterfly in Britain and Ireland. Females are extremely secretive and, contrary to the name, they can be almost completely brown in colour. The number of common blue butterflies counted in 2024 was 69% lower than in 2023, with numbers down in England, Scotland and Wales but up in Northern Ireland. Find this butterfly in grassy habitats and sunny but sheltered spots such as coastal dunes, under cliffs, road verges and woodland clearings. 3. Painted lady Another species that was down in numbers last year, this amazing long-distance migrant is normally seen between May and October, arriving in the UK after a phenomenal 9,000-mile migratory journey – one of the longest in the animal kingdom – from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle. The journey is completed in stages by up to 10 generations of painted ladies, like a long-distance relay. The number of painted ladies that arrive in the UK varies each year and last year was the worst on record. Their migration tracks the availability of food plants for their hungry caterpillars, ensuring they can complete their life cycle year-round. These large, fast-flying butterflies prefer open, dry landscapes but can be found in almost any open space, from gardens to mountaintops or beaches. Their favourite source of nectar is thistles, but they will also visit bramble, ivy, knapweeds, buddleia, heathers and a variety of other flowers. Look for their distinctive patterned black, white and pinky-orange wings. Normally seen alone or in pairs, this tiny orange and brown butterfly thrives during warm, dry summers but is in long-term decline. Favouring heaths, chalk grassland and brownfield sites, their caterpillars feast on sorrel. Males are territorial, so can often be found basking on a bare piece of ground or a warm stone while they wait for passing females. They will chase off passing insects before returning to the same spot to continue their waiting game. This species declined in the 20th century and figures from last year's count show that trend continuing, with a 30 per cent decline across the UK, with Northern Ireland and Wales seeing particularly low numbers. 5. Jersey tiger moth One of three day-flying moths for which the survey collects data, with its wings folded it has beautiful zebra-like stripes in black and cream, but when it spreads its wings to fly, its hindwings are vibrant orange-red with black markings. This moth may be seen visiting flowers such as buddleia during the day, but also flies at night and is attracted to light. Its contrasting fore and hindwings allow it to camouflage among the speckled light and shadows of foliage. Jersey tigers lay their eggs on dandelions, nettles, brambles and other plants often considered to be weeds. It was once only found on the south coast of Devon, England, but in recent years has been on the move, with sightings recorded in Cornwall, South Wales, Sussex and Kent, as well as London, the Isle of Wight and Hampshire. This migration has been attributed to the UK's warming climate, which is allowing it to venture further north. Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count runs from Jul 18 to Aug 10. For more information visit or download the free Big Butterfly Count app.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
UK households urged to do one task so butterflies will keep returning
Transform your garden into a colourful butterfly haven with this one expert gardening tip that will see these gentle creatures fluttering around your lawn summer-round If you want to see butterflies fluttering across your lawn all summer, make sure you complete this one simple task. Encouraging butterflies in your garden is more crucial than ever, given that these beautiful creatures have sharply dropped in population in the UK. According to the results of Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count, 2024 was one of the worst years on record for butterflies, making it the fifth-worst year since records began. Conservation specialists now say that over half of butterfly species are in long-term decline. Fortunately, there are some ways that you can make your garden more butterfly-friendly - and it takes barely any time at all. According to Harry Bodell, a gardening expert from having fresh blooms is key to keeping butterflies around your home. He said: 'Butterflies need fresh flowers, as old ones have little to no nectar.' He continued: 'When you remove dead blooms from your flowers, known as deadheading, you free up energy and space for the plants to create new blossoms, meaning more nectar for butterflies.' To deadhead flowers, Harry says that you first must remove the faded or wilted blooms from the plant. He explained: 'Pinch or cut off the flower stem below the spent flower and just above the first set of full, healthy leaves.' Don't worry about what tools you have on hand. Harry adds that you can use your fingers, pruning shears, or scissors to do this. As for what kinds of flowers you should plant in your garden, Harry suggests that butterflies are attracted to colourful blooms, such as red, orange, purple and yellow. He added: 'Other factors that will make plants appealing include sweet nectar, accessible shape, and scent. Some of the best flowers for attracting these pollinators to your garden are aster, lavender, milkweed, sage, and sunflowers.' Equally, it's a good idea to plant perennial and annual plants. Perennials regrow every spring while annuals last just one growing season a year. This helps provide butterflies with a year-round variety of plants to feed on. As for other ways to keep butterflies coming back to your garden, it can be helpful to reduce your mowing frequency. This is because butterflies prefer lawns with varying grass lengths. Allowing your garden to grow more freely can create a far more diverse environment, which is ideal for butterflies. It can also allow other creatures to thrive.
Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Wild spaces could be created in Glasgow to support butterflies
The two-year project would see the creation of 13 wild spaces in local schools, and 15 publicly accessible wild ppaces in parks in partnership with Glasgow City Council. There would also be engagement events, volunteering opportunities and training sessions. READ NEXT: New restaurant opens in Southside bringing a taste of Algeria to Glasgow Sammy Fraser, wild spaces officer at Butterfly Conservation, told the Glasgow Times the spaces are to benefit both wildlife and people and can vary largely in size. She said: 'For us as a team, it's not a traditional conservation programme, it's very much focused on brining benefits and value to local communities. 'When we say a wild space, we mean providing either feeding, breeding or shelter habitats for butterflies and moths, but there's no prescription on what wild spaces look like. 'It can be everything from planters, a flat with a balcony garden for example or it could be really large meadow site.' Butterfly Conservation aims to create 'a world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever'. The first wild spaces project took place in across Perth and Stirling in 2023, with Sammy saying it has shaped what they would like to bring to Glasgow. She said: 'The feedback from communities said they really enjoyed the development of wild spaces in the community, but they would like to see it being brought into schools and that's one of the things we fed into the Glasgow project.' READ NEXT: 'First of its kind' skincare store to open in city centre this month As well as applying for National Lottery funding, Butterfly Conservation has launched a Crowdfunder to help fund the project. So far, more than £3400 has been raised towards their £20,000 target. Last year, Butterfly Conservation declared a national Butterly Emergency after the summer's Big Butterfly Count showing a 'hugely concerning decline in numbers' across the UK. In total, just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded across the UK from July 12 to August 4, down almost 600,000, equivalent to more than a third of 2023's total. Sammy added: 'Most of the UK is urban in terms of habitat availability and the Butterfly Emergency was declared last year based on the impact of things like climate change, habitat loss, chemical use and pollution. 'For us, we're trying to make more habitat available in urban environments and connect them with what's happening in the countryside because there's a really obvious gap there we need to try and fill with more wild space creation.' Glasgow City Council has been contacted for comment. You can find out more at
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Gardening experts recommend the top 5 plants that repel rats naturally
Rats can be a real pain - they chew through everything, from plants to electrical wires, and can spread potentially fatal diseases. Here's how to keep them at bay There's nothing more unsettling than spotting a rat in your garden – these unwelcome rodents gnaw through your plants and spread disease. Thankfully, there's a simple method to keep them at bay. Rats are notorious pests, known for devouring everything from vegetables and meat scraps to rubbish. They can also transmit unpleasant diseases, such as leptospirosis, which can lead to potentially fatal complications like Weil's Disease. Luckily, gardening gurus suggest planting certain flora known to repel these pests, reports the Mirror. It may seem odd, but rats detest the aroma of specific flowers and shrubs, even though they might be pleasing to our noses. To help with any infestaitons, Pure Pests has identified the top five plants for keeping rats at bay. 1. Lavender While many of us cherish lavender for its delicate floral scent, it's a sensory nightmare for rats due to the plant's high concentration of essential oils. An added bonus is that it attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. This is particularly crucial given the decline in butterfly numbers in the UK, as reported by Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count. 2. Mint Humans are so fond of mint that we use it to freshen our breath. Rats, on the other hand, despise the potent freshness of mint so much that they actively avoid it. This is because mint contains menthol and other compounds which they find unpleasant. Even better, the scent of the plant is quite strong, so it creates a wide smell-barrier which repels rats. 3. Marigold These vibrant yellow flowers are known to have a heavy, musky smell, somewhat similar to overripe animals. While humans enjoy it, rats find their overpowering odour unpleasant. An added bonus is that they also find the Marigold's bright colours off putting too. Rats prefer dimmer lighting and find bright lights and colours uncomfortable. 4. Catnip This is a tip for cat-lovers. Catnip serves the dual purpose of attracting more felines to your yard, while also keeping nasty buck-toothed rodents at bay. Catnip has a sharp, minty smell and contains the oil nepetalactone, which triggers a euphoric response in cats' brains. However, it does the opposite for rats, who are completely repelled by it. 5. Camphor plant Camphor plants (not to be confused with the camphor tree) are gentle, leafy plants with dark fruits. Fortunately, their innocent appearance belies a rat-thwarting machine. They have a sharp earthy scent that is often compared to Vick's Vaporub. It is also a deterrent to rats, who despise the plant. Research shows it can even be an effective rodenticide as it causes symptoms like irritability and blurred vision in rats.
Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to plant 5 flowers to deter rats 'find them repulsive'
If rats are overrunning your garden then experts suggest growing these five plants in your garden which will send any nasty rodents sprinting in the opposite direction There's nothing worse than discovering a rat in your garden – these nasty rodents chew through your plants and spread disease. Luckily, there's an easy way to deter them. Rats are pernicious pests and are known to eat everything from vegetables, meat scraps to rubbish. They can also spread nasty illnesses, like leptospirosis, which can cause potentially life-threatening complications like Weil's Disease. Fortunately, gardening experts recommend growing specific plants known to ward off vermin. It might sound weird, but rats hate the scent of certain flowers and bushes, even though they might smell lovely to us. Pure Pests say these are the five best rat-banishing plants to grow, as reported by Yahoo News. Lavender Most of us adore lavender for its gentle floral smell. However, for rats, it creates a sensory nightmare, due to the plant's high concentration of essential oils. It has the added benefit of attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. This is especially important, given that butterfly numbers have dropped in the UK, according to Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count. Mint Humans love mint so much that we use it as a breath freshener. Well, not rats. Vermin hate the stringent freshness of mint so much that they go out of their way to avoid it. This is because mint contains menthol and other compounds which they find unpleasant. Even better, the scent of the plant is quite strong, so it creates a wide smell-barrier which repels rats. Marigold These cheerful yellow flowers are known to have a heavy, musky smell, somewhat similar to overripe animals. While humans enjoy it, rats find their overpowering odour unpleasant. An added bonus is that they also find the Marigold's bright colours off putting too. Rats prefer dimmer lighting and find bright lights and colours uncomfortable. Catnip This is a tip for cat-lovers. Catnip serves the dual purpose of attracting more felines to your yard, while also keeping nasty buck-toothed rodents at bay. Catnip has a sharp, minty smell and contains the oil nepetalactone, which triggers a euphoric response in cats' brains. However, it does the opposite for rats, who are completely repelled by it. Camphor plant Camphor plants (not to be confused with the camphor tree) are gentle, leafy plants with dark fruits. Fortunately, their innocent appearance belies a rat-thwarting machine. They have a sharp earthy scent that is often compared to Vick's Vaporub. It is also a deterrent to rats, who despise the plant. Research shows it can even be an effective rodenticide as it causes symptoms like irritability and blurred vision in rats.
