Spot a once in a decade butterfly phenomenon

Chris Packham is urging wildlife lovers across Wiltshire to take part in the world’s largest insect citizen science survey to help reveal if the UK is experiencing a once in a decade butterfly phenomenon.

Unusually high numbers of Painted Lady butterflies have been reported across Europe over the spring and early summer, with large numbers now spotted crossing over into the UK.

Around 50 sightings have already been reported across the county, including 10 Painted lady butterflies seen in Longbridge Deverill near Warminster.

Other places the butterfly has been spotted include Chippenham, Trowbridge, Avebury, Devizes and Marlborough.

The butterfly is a common immigrant that migrates in varying numbers from the Continent to the UK each summer, where its caterpillars feed on thistles. But around once every 10 years the UK experiences a Painted Lady ‘summer’ when millions of the butterflies arrive en masse.

Butterfly Conservation Vice-president and wildlife broadcaster, Chris Packham, is calling on nature lovers to take part in the Big Butterfly Count over the next three weeks to help reveal if we are experiencing a Painted Lady year.

The last mass immigration took place in 2009 when around 11 million Painted Ladies descended widely across the UK.

Chris said: “The Painted Lady migration is one of the wonders of the natural world. Travelling up to 1km in the sky and at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour these seemingly fragile creatures migrate hundreds of miles to reach our shores each year.

“This butterfly undertakes an extraordinary 7,500-mile round trip from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle every year – almost double the length of the famous migrations of the Monarch butterfly in North America.

“Signs across Europe are looking very promising, meaning that 2019 could be a very good year for the Painted Lady with high numbers already being recorded across parts of the UK.

“The butterfly can turn up anywhere so please take part in the Big Butterfly Count and look out for them – you could be witnessing a once in a decade butterfly phenomenon.”

People are encouraged to take part in their gardens, a nearby park or while out walking the dog, but they can also get involved by attending a Butterfly Conservation event.

A summer butterfly walk and Big Butterfly Count is taking place in Newton Tony in the Bourne Valley on Saturday 27 July.

On Sunday 11 August - the last day of the Big Butterfly Count - people can also take part in a free butterfly walk at Cotley Hill near Warminster. More details on these events can be found at:

www.butterfly-conservation.org/WiltshireCountevents

Taking part in the Count helps butterflies but it also has benefits for those doing the counting. Research has revealed that watching wildlife and spending time in nature can have positive benefits for mental health and wellbeing.

Chris added: “The mental health benefits of spending time outdoors watching nature have been blindingly obvious to me for as long as I can remember. Immersing yourself in nature, even if it’s just for a few short minutes, changes your perspective, it helps you slow down and notice what’s going on around you and it opens a door to the overlooked beauty and drama of our natural world.”

Butterfly Conservation is being supported by mental health charity Mind to champion the benefits of spending time in nature.

Rachel Boyd, Head of Content Information at Mind, said: “Being outdoors in green environments can help us deal with negative feelings and experiences like depression. Noticing our environment, observing interesting and beautiful things, and being more aware of the world around us can boost our wellbeing and self-esteem. That’s why we’re pleased to see initiatives like the Big Butterfly Count offer opportunities for us to take time out and engage with our natural surroundings.”

The Big Butterfly Count is sponsored by B&Q. The GoodHome report, commissioned by B&Q and carried out by the Happiness Research Institute, also urges people to get green fingered.

The report looks at the impact of our homes on our overall happiness and wellbeing and found that no matter where people live access to green space makes a big difference to happiness levels, highlighting that we are significantly unhappier without it. Having access to some sort of green space like a garden or balcony is universally important.

The Big Butterfly Count, celebrating its 10th birthday this year, is the world’s largest butterfly survey. Participants are encouraged to spot and record 17 species of common butterfly, including the Painted Lady, and two day-flying moths in the UK during three weeks of high summer.

Last year more than 100,000 people counted over one million butterflies in total during the Count.

Steve Guy, Market Director Outdoor, B&Q said: “B&Q is delighted to once again sponsor the Big Butterfly Count. We want to help everyone support nature and attract wildlife into their gardens and outdoor spaces. Whether you have a hanging basket, window box, planter or a flowerbed, no space is too small to plant a nectar source to attract butterflies and other insects.

“Getting outside, creating a space for wildlife and connecting with nature is good for children and adults alike, we encourage everyone to get involved, plant some nectar sources for pollinators and join in the Big Butterfly Count 2019.”

The Count runs from 19 July to 11 August. Taking part in the Count is easy - find a sunny spot anywhere in the UK and spend 15 minutes counting the butterflies you see and then submit sightings online at www.bigbutterflycount.org  or via the free Big Butterfly Count app.

The Big Butterfly Count is being launched at the Natural History Museum. Dr Blanca Huertas, Senior Curator, Lepidoptera, said: “We’re very excited to be part of the 10th anniversary of the Big Butterfly Count. Our work at the Museum includes research about biodiversity and inspiring the public to engage in protecting the natural world. The Big Butterfly Count invites the public to help collect vital data as well as connect with the nature on their doorstep so we hope people of all ages get involved.”