Butterflies boosted by balmy weather
Butterflies had a bumper 2013, and the mild weather means you could even get to see some now at your nearest WWT Wetland Centre.
Numbers had decreased during a disappointing summer 2012. But the annual Wider Butterfly Count Survey showed they bounced back in the hot summer of 2013. The survey is run by The Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and Butterfly Foundation, who were established by a group of conservationists headed by WWT founder Sir Peter Scott.
The Survey counted 85 butterflies from five species in each survey patch over July and August 2013. That's twice the number seen in 2012. The result matched the Big Butterfly Count result, a public count launched at WWT London Wetland Centre last July by the actress Joanna Lumley, which also showed double the number of butterflies.
WWT London Wetland Centre Grounds and Facilities Manager John Arbon said:
“Butterflies are an important part of wetlands, both as pollinators and also as iconic, beautiful insects that people love.
“2013 was a particularly good year for the Speckled Wood and the Common Blue at London Wetland Centre. We also caught glimpses of the White Letter Hairstreak which is generally more elusive than the more common Purple Hairstreak variety. So it was a good year all round.
“The unseasonably mild start to 2014 means we’re already seeing the odd butterfly this year – including Peacock and Red Admiral. They’re a lovely sight, just coming along and seeing them gives you hope that spring weather and light evenings aren’t too far away.”
