Latest news with #DrRichardFox
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation 'as national emergency declared
A national butterfly emergency has been declared following record-low sightings across the UK. The warning comes after Greater Manchester recorded just 6,340 butterflies and day-flying moths during last year's Big Butterfly Count. It is part of a wider decline seen across the country, according to conservation charity Butterfly Conservation. People are being asked to take part in the Big Butterfly Count (Image: Harrison Bates) The charity has described the figures as the lowest in the history of the count and part of a long-term downward trend linked to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use. 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." In Greater Manchester, 1,491 counts were submitted in 2024, with the Large White butterfly the most commonly recorded species. In Greater Manchester, 1,491 counts were submitted in 2024 (Image: Supplied) The Big Butterfly Count began on Friday, July 18 and continues until August 10, with Butterfly Conservation urging people of all ages and backgrounds to take part. Butterflies have declined by 80 per cent since the 1970s, and Dr Fox said their rapid response to environmental changes makes them key indicators of wider ecosystem health. Dr Fox said: "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 in Greater Manchester 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." READ MORE: I tried budget bakery's new upmarket sandwich - this is what I thought Popular children's author's heartfelt words after being selected for Bolton award Youngsters stepped-up to take on a challenge to help others Taking part in the count involves spending 15 minutes outdoors, recording the butterflies and day-flying moths seen during that time, and submitting the results online or via the free Big Butterfly Count app. Each sighting helps scientists track species trends and understand the effects of climate and habitat changes. Participants' data also contribute to a live, interactive biodiversity map of the UK, accessible through the Big Butterfly Count website and app. More information and resources are available at
BBC News
19-07-2025
- 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.
The Sun
19-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Lidl's £1.99 plant bundle that flowers all summer is ‘incredible deal' says Gardening Pro & butterflies love it
THERE'S trouble in paradise. Recent butterfly numbers in our gardens have been so low that experts are really worried. They're a 'key indicator' species, according to Dr Richard Fox, head of Science at Butterfly Conservation. 3 3 'When they are in trouble, we know that the wider environment is in trouble too' he told Sun Gardening. 'Last year, nature sounded the alarm call and we were able to respond, securing a complete ban from the Government on particularly toxic neonicotinoid pesticides on crops in 2025,' he said. 'Now we are calling on people across the UK to get involved once again, to enjoy 15 minutes out spotting and counting butterflies, and helping us to see how butterflies are faring this year.' In last year's worrying count, participants spotted just seven butterflies on average per count - a reduction of almost 50 per cent on the previous year and the lowest in the count's history. It was also the worst summer for a number of popular species including Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue. This year - all you need to do is to find a spot on a hot sunny day - between now and August 10. And then sit for 15 minutes and count how many butterflies you see - identifying them as you go, using their ID chart. You can download the chart and print it out for free HERE - and there' s a free app to help you identify and record the butterflies you spot. If you want to take it further - how about creating a butterfly- friendly garden? You have 20/20 vision if you can spot the hidden butterfly in five seconds – before the camera zooms in Plants like buddleia, verbena, lavender, and marjoram provide nectar throughout the butterfly season. In later summer, plants like Dahlia's, sedums, nepeta and hebes also attract our fluttering friends. And even bedding plants like pansies have their uses. They might not be as popular with the butterflies as buddleia, but they still produce nectar, and are easy to grow. Plus they can bloom all summer - and maybe into autumn if it doesn't get too cold. In an incredible deal, Lidl currently has a pack of ten for just £1.99 - so each plant is only 19p. Avoid pesticides - they harm beneficial insects like bees, ladybirds, and butterflies. Even 'pollinator-friendly' products can contain pesticides, which are toxic to insects. Organic methods such as companion planting are a great alternative - like planting basil near tomatoes to repel aphids, or using nasturtiums to attract beneficial insects and deter pests. And finally, consider letting some of your lawn grow wild. Long grass allows some species of butterflies and moths to complete their life cycle by providing a place to lay eggs and food for caterpillars. It can also allow nectar-rich plants like clover, bluebells, and dandelions to bloom. Also in Veronica's Column this week... News, top tips and competition to win 'In Conversation at Kew' tickets TOP TIP! British Garden Centres has just released a checklist on how to make the most of Balcony Gardening. If your balcony gets plenty of sunlight six hours a day, plant up tomatoes, peppers, basil, rosemary, and thyme, marigolds, bellis, petunias, pansies or fuchsias. For shady spaces, use ferns, ivy, begonias, or even some types of lettuce and salad leaves. Check how much weight your balcony can handle. Lightweight pots made from plastic or fibreglass are easy to move and won't overload your balcony. Windy conditions can dry out plants quickly and even knock over pots, so use ones with heavy bottoms and secure with plant ties or stakes. Pick sturdy, wind resistant plants like succulents, rosemary, lavender, ornamental grasses, hardy flowering plants like geraniums and marigolds, and coastal or alpine species adapted to exposed conditions. NEWS! ROSE of the Year 2026 has been announced - and it's a shrub rose called 'Coral Gardens.' Awarded by Roses UK - which promotes British rose breeders and growers - its a competition that's been going since 1982. It's aim is to discover - over a two year trial - the best roses in any given year, This year's winner, by breeders Kordes Rosen - grows up to 80cm tall, has dark coral buds opening out into pink coral flowers - that turn apricot-salmon as they fade. It's described as having a 'delicate fruity fragrance' and also shows 'excellence disease resistance.' WIN!" In Conversations at Kew" is hosting a special Gardeners World Day on September 6 - where host Nicki Chapman will be chatting to Adam Frost and Frances Tophill. We've got two 2 x lunchtime and two afternoon tickets to give away. To enter visit or write to PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. August 2, 2025. T&Cs apply PLANT OF THE WEEK! Crocosmia Can be a bit of a bully, so stop it from spreading too much - but it offers a real tropical vibe with fiery bright orange or red flowers and lush green leaves. Grows in most soils, sun and partial shade. JOB OF THE WEEK! Plant foxgloves to flower the following Spring, carrots and radishes, and get young courgette seedlings in to harvest before the first frost! TOP TIP! JULY is peak strawberry harvesting season - but it's also a good month to plant new strawberry runners. Runners are the long stems sprouting from your current crop, with baby plants at the end that are actively growing, and ideally have small roots coming out of them. Fill small pots with compost, then place the runner with the plantlet on top of the soil in the pot - and pin it down with a bit of bent wire. Keep the compost moist and within weeks you should see new leaves. Once it's got a good root system, you can cut it from the parent and get it into a bigger pot, or straight into the bed. TOP TIP! Hanging baskets are really struggling in this heat. It's advisable to water them every day - sometimes twice, as they dry out so quickly. And have a re-think if everything's dying. Succulents look good hanging over the side of baskets - and don't need as much water. As do ivy-leaf trailing geraniums, English Ivy, million bells - aka Calibrachoa and Lantana. Think about mixing in water-retaining gel crystals as well - which can really boost the moisture levels. I've used Miracle Gro 's to great success.
