Latest news with #ButterflyConservation
Edinburgh Reporter
a day ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh residents urged to look out for one particular butterfly
Nature lovers in Edinburgh and the Lothians have been urged to look out for one of the nation's best known butterflies, after its numbers declined last year. The Small Tortoiseshell suffered a record 79% decline north of the Border from 2023-24, amid a long term drop of over 60% in the past 40 years. Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is hoping the colourful and charismatic species will fare better this year amid a 'nationwide rescue mission' to save threatened species. It has urged thousands of Scots to take part in its annual Big Butterfly Count. The citizen science survey will run until August 10, with the results used to help map how different species are faring and where new conservation efforts should be targeted. Dr Tom Prescott, the charity's Head of Conservation for Scotland, said: 'The Small Tortoiseshell had a really poor year and that was reflected by lower numbers coming out of hibernation this spring. 'Now we don't know if last year was just a one off or if it's going to get even worse this year. Perhaps it will buck the trend and start to improve. 'We are hoping this will be a better year but we won't know for sure until people get out there and count them. 'The Small Tortoiseshell is highly recognisable and It should be visible in gardens, parks and the general countryside all over Scotland. 'Taking part in the Big Butterfly Count is a chance to make a real contribution to protecting them.' The Small Tortoiseshell is familiar to many Scots as it can be found in a variety of habitats. They lay their eggs on nettles and thistles, and adults drink nectar from a wide range of garden plants such as buddleia and sedum. The Big Butterfly Count is the world's biggest annual butterfly survey. Each year, thousands of people spend 15 minutes outdoors counting and recording the butterflies and day-flying moths they see. Butterfly Conservation declared a 'butterfly emergency' after last summer's survey returned the lowest numbers on record. In Scotland, 22,818 butterflies were spotted, down by almost 20% compared with 2023. Only five butterflies were seen per count on average, which was the lowest since the count started in 2010. A dozen of the 17 species in the count showed a reduction in numbers while the Small Tortoiseshell along with the Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Scotch Argus had their worst year. The result was deemed 'an urgent SOS' from butterflies struggling against habitat degradation, climate breakdown and pesticide use. Small Tortoiseshell_Iain H Leach, Butterfly Conservation Like this: Like Related
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- General
- Tom's Guide
Butterflies will flock into your yard to enjoy this 2-ingredient treat — and it's simple to make
I've been watching a flurry of butterflies visit my yard this year and have enjoyed seeing them gently rest on flower heads while they feed on the nectar. They devour the sticky treat that provides them with the energy to fly and reproduce. While there are many plants that will encourage butterflies into your yard, you can also entice these beautiful pollinators in by making your own nectar. And what's more, it's so simple, you'll wonder why you haven't tried it before. By taking a few quick and easy steps, you can support the important role that butterflies play in our ecosystem. This bright yellow butterfly feeder is bound to attract butterflies and is designed to hold nectar and overripe fruit. It also includes a built-in ant moat to deter the insects from feasting on the butterfly food. It measures 9 (W) x 9 (L) x 9.5 (H) inches, and comes with a brass handing rod. Follow these 5 quick steps and watch the butterflies flock into your yard. 1. Add 1/4 cup of sugar to 2 cups of water. 2. Heat the mixture in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. 3. Leave the syrup to cool for 30 minutes. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. 4. Take a saucer or shallow dish, and place a brightly colored sponge in its base. Then, pour the syrup over the sponge. 5. Finally, place the dish near some flowers and watch the butterflies flutter in to feed. The key to encouraging butterflies to feed on your homemade nectar is to place it close to scented flowers, as butterflies will find the food by scent rather than sight. Placing the butterfly nectar on a colorful sponge will also help them zoom in. You could also mount the food on a post, to prevent ants from sharing the feast, or purchase a butterfly feeder designed for the job. You can still attract butterflies into your outdoor space even if you have a small garden, as long as it's big enough to contain a few plants. The Butterfly Conservation states, 'Butterflies will visit any garden, however small, if they can feed on suitable nectar plants.' So, as long as you have a few blooms to attract them in to begin with, butterflies will enjoy your homemade nectar. From my own experience, I know that butterflies love Buddleia, and it's no coincidence that it's also known as the Butterfly Bush, as it's highly attractive to butterflies and other pollinators and insects. But, if your yard is small, and you don't have the space for a large shrub, such as Buddleia, you could plant lavender or marjoram in containers. Monarch butterflies in particular like milkweed — it's the only thing they'll eat. Spring flowers will help butterflies replenish their depleted reserves after hibernation, while fall flowers will help them build them back up again before hibernation. So, if you want to help the ecosystem and watch the butterflies feed, make sure to place some butterfly nectar in you yard between spring and fall. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Butterfly count emergency call to Scots
A butterfly charity has launched a 'nationwide rescue mission' to save the colourful insects – amid a 'deeply concerning decline' in their numbers. Butterfly Conservation has urged thousands of Scots to take part in its annual Big Butterfly Count, which runs until 10 August. The charity declared a 'Butterfly Emergency' after last summer's citizen science survey returned the lowest numbers on record. Its experts said the result was 'an urgent SOS' from butterflies as they continue to struggle against a backdrop of habitat degradation, climate breakdown and pesticide use. They warned that species are in danger of disappearing in Scotland without urgent action. The world's largest annual butterfly count asks members of the public to spend 15 minutes in an outdoor space counting and recording the butterflies and day-flying moths they see. The results are used to help map how the insects are faring and where new conservation efforts should be targeted. Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation said: 'This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation and make a real contribution to protecting butterflies in the UK for generations to come. 'Butterflies are beautiful, yes, but they're also incredibly important bioindicators. This means that as they continue to disappear, as they have over recent decades, it indicates something is going seriously wrong in our natural world. We need to heed that warning and take action before it's too late. 'If we lose butterflies, we lose more than beauty — we lose balance in our ecosystems and that will have serious repercussions for wildlife in the UK. 'Taking part in the Big Butterfly Count only takes 15 minutes and it's something everybody can do. 'If you do one thing for nature this year, get out for the Count this summer. Every count really does make a difference.' He added: 'People in Scotland might be seeing more butterflies this year compared to the dreadful numbers last year, but that doesn't mean all is well. It doesn't reverse the butterfly emergency — we've got 50 years of long term decline of butterflies.' Last year, there were 22,818 butterflies spotted in total during the Big Butterfly Count in Scotland, down more than 5000 or almost 20% compared with 2023. Only five butterflies were seen per count on average in Scotland, which was the lowest since the count started in 2010. The Ringlet was the most abundant butterfly north of the Border, ahead of the Small White and Meadow Brown. However, of the 17 butterflies and day flying moths in the count, 12 showed a reduction in numbers. The Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Scotch Argus all had their worst year in the survey's history. The Green-veined White had its second worst year, while the Holly Blue, which had its best ever summer in Scotland in 2023, was down by 42%. Peacock butterfly numbers fell a staggering 94%. Butterfly Conservation said the delicate insects respond quickly to environmental change, making their decline 'a powerful warning sign of a planet in peril'. The charity is calling on thousands of 'everyday heroes' from school kids to grandparents, dog walkers, hikers and even office workers on their lunch break, to take part in this year's count. Dr Fox said: 'Nature is sounding the alarm call. We must act now if we are to turn the tide on these rapid declines and protect species for future generations.' Like this: Like Related
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Springwatch's Ajay Tegala backs Big Butterfly Count
A TV wildlife presenter said the annual Big Butterfly Count was helping scientists understand more about the health of the have been urged to record the butterflies and moths they see to help experts assess the seriousness of the "butterfly emergency".Ajay Tegala - a countryside ranger at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire and, before that, at Blakeney Point in Norfolk - said it was important because "butterflies are really good indicator species for the wider health of our environments".Last year's count - organised by the charity Butterfly Conservation - yielded concerning results, with low numbers prompting it to declare an "emergency". During the Big Butterfly Count 2025, which runs until 10 August, participants will keep tabs on numbers for 15 minutes in a chosen location, then log the results on a website or Tegala, 35, who has appeared on Coast, Countryfile, Winterwatch and Springwatch, is an ambassador for Butterfly said he had always had an "affection" for insects, in particular moths and butterflies."It's really important that we get the data so that we can find out basically what things are looking like and what's it looking like this year so far. "It's very early, but It's looking a lot more positive..." said Mr Tegala, who grew up in East Anglia and carries out wildlife surveys on the Norfolk Broads in his spare added: "Anybody can get involved, and it's just a case of spending 15 minutes in sunny weather recording what butterflies and day-flying moths you see [and] submitting that data."The count has been running for 15 Conservation put last year's poor results partly down to wet weather—but said the long-term trend was hugely concerning."The 2024 figures followed a pattern of long-term decline as butterflies struggle against a backdrop of habitat degradation, climate breakdown and pesticide use," a spokesperson said. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
How YOU can help butterflies, just by counting them
Do you love spotting butterflies as they flutter through the flowers? Well, you can help to protect them - just by counting each one that you see. The Big Butterfly Count is back from 18 July to 10 August, and everyone in the UK invited to take part. Last year, butterfly numbers were at their lowest in 14 years. Some well-known species like the Small White, Common Blue, and Small Tortoiseshell had their worst summer ever. Experts are worried that butterflies are disappearing because of habitat loss, climate change, pollution and other year's warm, sunny weather is better for butterflies, but they still need help and counting butterflies can give scientists important information about how these insects are doing in different parts of the UK. In 2024 a decline in numbers was put down to a wet spring and cooler summer, however butterfly numbers have seen a general decline since the 1970s. Experts warn that things like loss of habitat, climate change and chemicals used in pesticides are largely to blame. Dr Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation said: "Butterfly numbers fluctuate from year to year in response to the weather, and the warm, sunny conditions over recent weeks have been much better for butterflies than the wetter, cool conditions last year, which resulted in one of the worst years for UK butterflies on record."How much butterflies have bounced back will only become clear if people get out, in their thousands, to take part in the Big Butterfly Count," he said. "Although the recent sunshine is great for adult butterflies, the growing drought across many parts of Britain is bad news for their caterpillar offspring, which need growing plants to feed on." How do I get involved in the Big Butterfly Count? To take part, first you need to ask a grown-up to go onto the Big Butterfly Count website. You can then go out together, and maybe take a friend or sibling with you, and find an outdoor a 15 minute timer, and see how many butterflies you count in that them down, and see if you can spot certain colours or types of count runs from Friday 18th July to Sunday 10th August 2025.
