THIS article has proved very popular on HU12 Online, so we are re-publishing here.
If you and your family – and it is a good family activity – opt to take part in the Big Butterfly Count, then let us know here on the Hedon Blog how you have found the plight of our butterflies in Hedon!
“Taking the pulse of nature”
BUTTERFLIES ARE DISAPPEARING at an alarming rate. Their decline reveals the poor health of our environment. People across the country are being asked to take part in a nationwide survey to help Butterfly Conservation and help assess the health of the local environment.
The Big Butterfly Count takes place from Saturday 19th July until Sunday 10th August 2014. It involves people downloading a butterfly identification chart and spending 15 minutes – preferably on a bright, sunny day – in a garden, park or on a walk, and counting the butterflies they see.
The results are then logged online.
The survey is being organised by the charity Butterfly Conservation. Butterflies react very quickly to any change in their environment and any butterfly declines are an early warning for other wildlife losses. The Butterfly Conservation’s national President Sir David Attenborough has described the Butterfly Count as “taking the pulse of nature”.
Find out more at www.bigbutterflycount.org
The Results of the Butterfly Count for 2014 are out! See: http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/2014mainresults
Top butterfly species was the Peacock.
22 people/families from Hedon took part in the count.
The Big Butterfly Count has just a few days left and so far this year it’s the colourful garden species such as the Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell that are really making the summer of 2014 memorable.
Butterfly Conservation has received a huge upsurge in sightings of these dazzling garden favourites as the warm winter weather, mild spring and sunny summer have allowed these species to thrive. Early indications are that 2014 will be a bumper year for some common garden species.
Peacock butterflies are hotly tipped to move up the charts after taking an early lead in this year’s most-counted butterfly list, but don’t discount the Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers from putting on a late surge. Butterfly Conservation would love to know if you’ve seen any and don’t forget, you can submit as many counts as you like.
Why not try out the free smartphone app to identify, record and submit your count. Need some help with technology? Watch this step-by-step guide to using the app:
It is good to note that people from Hedon have been taking part in the Big Butterfly Count