Last week saw the start of Butterfly Conservation’s annual Big Butterfly Count. Sadly, many of our butterflies are in serious decline. Many of us have anecdotal experience of seeing fewer butterflies around than in our childhoods, or enjoying fewer butterflies on a buddleia bush in our garden. Such observations are borne out in the statistics, with Butterfly Conservation reporting that 70% of species have declined in occurrence since 1976. To help track the changes in butterfly populations, we are being asked to look out for and record butterflies for 15 minutes. An identification guide is provided and recording the results is a quick and simple process. The Big Butterfly Count runs until Sunday 7th August and you can do counts on as many days as you like.
Here at Flatford Wildlife Garden, we garden with butterflies in mind, planting nectar-rich flowers that attract butterflies. Why not see if can lure more butterflies to your garden by planting one of these in your garden?
Though less widely recognised or reported, moths are also facing huge challenges. There are over 2500 species of moth living in the UK in a wide range of habitats. Since 1914, there have been 56 moth extinctions, though happily 6 of these have been recolonised or refound.
So when gardening, we shouldn’t forget these fantastic insects, as even a small garden can be home to around 100 species of moth! Not all moths drink nectar, but those which do will be likely to visit the same kind of flowers you’d plant to attract butterflies.
Six spot burnet moth feeding on small scabious
Photo: Patrick Cashman (rspb-images.com)
Even better would be to plant some night scented flowers as well, such as honeysuckle, jasmine or evening primrose, to turn your garden into an evening paradise for moths. And of course we mustn’t forget that moth and butterfly caterpillars need a range of food sources too. As different species favour different plants, the key is to have as wide a variety of plants as possible. It’s a great excuse to be a more ‘messy’ gardener as many caterpillars feed on the native plants we consider weeds.
Emperor moth caterpillar feeding on bramble
Photo: Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
23rd-31st July is National Moth Week. Although organised in the US, this aims to be a global citizen science event. Their website features some great resources and ideas on how to spot moths. The RSPB also has a guide on making a moth lure, which could be a fun activity for the family during the summer holidays.
Flatford Wildlife Garden is open every day from 10:30-4:30. It's only a couple of days now until the Big Wild Summer activities begin - click here for further details.