Butterfly Conservation charity and TV wildlife expert Chris Packham urge Ross-shire residents and people in the wider Highlands to take part in latest Big Butterfly Count survey
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
HIGHLAND residents have been urged to take part in a wildlife charity's latest national butterfly survey.
Buttefly Conservation has today launched its Big Butterfly Count 2020, with support from noted wildlife expert and TV presenter Chris Packham.
And the charity believes the survey will be a chance for the public to give a gift back to nature this summer after the key role it played in boosting people's mental wellbeing during the coronavirus lockdown.
Chris Packham added that the Big Butterfly Count will be an easy way for people to do something positive to give back and help conserve nature for future generations.
Mr Packham said: “While so many of us have had a bit more time to appreciate the nature on our doorsteps during the lockdown period, and learning about the natural world has been a mindful distraction from uncertainty, this is a real chance to do something positive and contribute to conserving nature.
"Butterflies and moths are key indicators of the health of our environment and anyone can help contribute to our understanding of these incredible creatures by taking part in in the Big Butterfly Count.
"The sightings you submit will be used to map and measure populations and the geographic spread of species across the UK. We’re asking everyone who have been given a helping hand from nature this year to return the favour."
The fine weather of spring has seen the earliest average emergences of butterflies for the last 20 years and Butterfly Conservation has received thousands of extra enquiries about butterfly and moth sightings made by an ever more nature-loving public.
Last year’s Big Butterfly Count saw more than 113,000 people take part, and it is hopeful of smashing that total in 2020. The UK-wide survey simply asks people to spend 15 minutes in an outdoor space counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) you see.
There were 11,057 counts submitted in Scotland for the Big Butterfly Count last year with overwhelmingly abundant numbers of Painted Lady butterflies spotted, up 7541 per cent (141,649 spotted) from the previous year, while Green-veined White and Small Copper butterflies saw declines of 56 per cent and 60 per cent respectively.
Dr Zoë Randle, Senior Surveys Officer at Butterfly Conservation said: “We’re excited to find out the results from the Big Butterfly Count this year. The very sunny spring weather meant that almost all butterfly species have emerged early this summer, so we’re hoping for some interesting data.
"As our weather patterns change it’s more important than ever for us to be able capture this information.
"We’ve seen an incredible amount of interest from people who have been out and about in their gardens and local areas spotting butterflies for the first time.
"From children learning about the lifecycle of a butterfly from a caterpillar found in their own back gardens to adults who have spotted a fluttering Red Admiral while exercising outside instead of at the gym. Nature has really shown its true value to us this year, but it is still under threat. Now, more than ever, we must all do our little bit to protect it."
The Big Butterfly Count is open to everyone, from ages from three to 103, and provides a real contribution to science and our understanding of butterfly and moth populations in the UK, a key indicator of the health of our environment, including the effects of climate change. Simply visit Bigbutterflycount.org to find out more or download the free Big Butterfly Count app to enter your findings.
