What amazing weather we have had this weekend! And it isn't just me that has been appreciating the sunshine - Fen Drayton Lakes is bustling with butterflies! There are 56 different species in Britain and Ireland but there are 250,000 species around the world. They are found in nearly all terrestrial habitats and are indicators of a healthy environment and ecosystem.
On the Wednesday Wander last week we saw nine species of butterfly as well as cinnabar moths, banded demoiselles, common blue damselflies and several dragonfly species.
Unfortunately, this year is likely to be one of the worst on record for butterfly populations. In Britain, most species are at the northern limit of their range and so the warming climate should be good news for butterflies. Warmer weather in the UK, in theory, means butterflies can extend their range further north and subsequently increase their population size. However, hand in hand with climate change is unpredictable weather and changeable seasons.
The mild winter led to many species coming out of hibernation early. With only limited food available and a late but harsh winter in February, many caterpillars will not have survived to spring. The cool spring and wet summer have put up another hurdle for butterfly populations. Butterflies are cold blooded and so rely on warm ambient temperatures to fly. Cool and wet weather makes them vulnerable to predation and unable to search for a mate, reproduce and lay eggs.
The Big Butterfly Count began on Friday and I would encourage everyone to get involved. As well as giving us information about butterflies themselves, butterfly population changes also tells us a lot about the wider environment. Butterflies are extremely sensitive to subtle changes in climate and the environment. This, with their rapid life cycle, means they respond quickly and noticeably to environmental changes. Their use as an indicator species has been recognised scientifically and politically - butterflies are one of the main indicators being used to monitor trends in Europe's biodiversity as part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
For more information about the Big Butterfly Count visit http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/
Comma (Grahame Madge, rspb-images)