November 14, 2009
Painted Ladies head South for winter sun
Butterfly Conservation believe they have solved one of nature’s long-standing mysteries – thanks to the help of the public.
Every year Painted Lady butterflies arrive in the UK from North Africa and the Mediterranean. It has long been known that they breed here during the summer and also that they cannot normally survive our winters. What happens to these Painted Ladies as winter approaches was unknown until now.
Painted Lady © Mark Priest, from the surfbirds galleries.
Scientists had been baffled as to whether Painted Ladies attempted to 'tough it out' and died trying during our winters. Or was there a return southward migration to warmer climes, as is the case with Swallows, Cuckoos and Red Admiral butterflies? Part of the problem has been that, unlike these other well-known migrants, there was very little evidence of Painted Ladies flying south in the autumn.
This summer was a bumper migration year with, at the peak, up to a billion Painted Ladies in Britain.
Butterfly Conservation has been monitoring Painted Lady movements since the start of northward migration at the beginning of the year, with members of the public being able to report sightings online. There has been a huge response, not only from the UK but from across Europe. An amazing 12,000 sightings have been submitted so far, with reports still coming in.
Last month brought some particularly exciting reports. From the Channel coasts of Cornwall, Devon, Sussex and Kent sightings were reported of Painted Ladies heading straight out to sea towards continental Europe.
Now reports have been received of butterflies arriving back in the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation’s surveys manager, said “Several of these lucky observers saw more than one butterfly head out on its perilous voyage. This is exactly the evidence needed to lay this enduring mystery to rest. Painted Ladies do return southwards from Britain in the autumn enabling the species to continue its breeding cycle during the winter months”.
Posted by Surfbirds at 6:30 AM | Comments (0)
November 1, 2009
Queen of Spain Fritillary breeds on Sussex Coast
A rare migrant butterfly from Europe appears to be attempting to establish a colony in Britain. The Queen of Spain Fritillary butterfly has been breeding at a location on the Sussex coast. The butterfly has been increasing in numbers across northern Europe and its arrival in Britain is almost certainly a sign of climate change.
The butterfly, although common in northern France, was hardly ever seen in mainland Britain between the 1950s and 1989. Since then sightings have become more frequent and there was a short-lived breeding colony in Suffolk in the late 1990s.
Queen of Spain Fritillary © Nick Ransdale, from the surfbirds galleries.
However, Queen of Spain Fritillary butterflies have been seen along the Sussex coast in the past month and Neil Hulme of the Sussex Branch of the charity Butterfly Conservation has photographed them mating. These appear to be the progeny of an immigrant female butterfly spotted nearby in July. He and other Sussex butterfly enthusiasts are now waiting to see if this results in a permanent Queen of Spain colony. In particular they are searching for the butterfly's eggs, which are usually laid on field pansies growing on the edges of arable fields.
Experts think that the warm, sunny autumn will have helped them reproduce again. Dr Tom Brereton, Head of Monitoring at Butterfly Conservation's national HQ, said that the Queen of Spain Fritillary had been edging northwards over recent years, especially in warm summers.
He said: "It is most likely that the Queen of Spain Fritillaries which arrived in July were migrants dispersing from strongholds in eastern Normandy, northern France. From the Normandy coast near Le Havre to Sussex, the sea crossing is a distance of about 90 miles - i.e. a six hour flight in favourable southerly winds."
Neil Hulme, chair of Butterfly Conservation's Sussex Branch, said: "I was amazed to see this incredibly rare butterfly in Sussex but even more amazed to see a mating pair late in October. It does look like they are trying to establish a breeding colony for the first time in Sussex".
If the Queen of Spain does establish itself in Britain it will be the third butterfly to do so in the last 20 years, following the Red Admiral which now overwinters regularly across southern Britain and the Clouded Yellow which breeds regularly at one location on the south coast.
The Queen of Spain name was given to the butterfly in 1775 by Moses Harris in The Aurelian's Pocket Companion, but there is no explanation for why he did so.
Posted by Surfbirds at 7:32 AM | Comments (0)
October 3, 2009
UK Butterfly invasion continues into autumn
Britain is experiencing an autumn invasion of butterflies, long after butterfly migration from Europe has usually ceased. It comes at the end of a summer which has seen the biggest migration of butterflies into the UK for more than decade.
The warm, sunny September weather is probably a factor.
Over recent days there have been numerous reports of newly-arrived Red Admiral, Large White and Clouded Yellow butterflies along the South Coast.
Clouded Yellow © Mike Watson/Birdquest, from the surfbirds galleries
Of particular interest, Clouded Yellows have been observed in substantial numbers, with counts of up to 600 at coastal localities in Sussex. They have also been seen in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Kent and on the Isle of Wight.
The Clouded Yellow originates each year from North Africa and southern Europe, migrating north and first arriving in the UK in May or June. Experts believe that the recent sightings are a mixture of migrants and home grown butterflies that are the progeny of arrivals earlier in the year. There have been some intriguing observations from mid September of Red Admirals and Large Whites flying in from the sea as well as observations of incoming butterflies along the coast.
Dr Tom Brereton, Head of Monitoring, said: "The fact that these butterflies are clustered so close to the coast points to the fact they are new arrivals. There have also been sightings at sea, where unusually the butterflies have been travelling north towards England rather than south towards wintering areas."
There is also evidence that Painted Lady butterflies are continuing to arrive from mainland Europe, again well after migration into the UK has normally ceased.
In May this year, there was a massive migration of Painted Ladies, following ideal breeding conditions last winter in the Atlas Mountains in North Africa. At one stage it was estimated there could have been up to a billion Painted Ladies in Britain.
It was the first year that a large-scale migration had been monitored all the way from Morocco and there is now considerable interest in the reverse journey
Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow butterflies cannot normally survive the UK winter. In the case of Painted Ladies there has long been speculation that they migrate back to North Africa but there is no solid evidence.
The Indian Summer has undoubtedly helped these migrants, but resident butterflies are also continuing to fly well into the autumn, with 20 species (a third of all UK species) still on the wing. This includes very rare second broods of White Admiral and third broods of Brown Argus.
If you see Painted Ladies apparently heading out across the Channel or heading south across France please help us and Log your sighting .
Dr Martin Warren, Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation, said: "It was fantastic to see so many Painted Ladies and now to have all these Clouded Yellows. However, we have to remember that these are not native butterflies. Their appearance is the result of a rare combination of circumstances, mainly in North Africa. Most British butterflies continue to decline. Until we halt that decline the vast majority of summers will see very few butterflies in many parts of the country."
Posted by Surfbirds at 7:55 AM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2009
Butterflies behaviour linked to climate
Butterflies basking in the relatively warm South of Britain are likely to be more liberal in their choice of where to live than their cousins in the cooler and wetter North, according to new findings published this week.
The research, carried out by scientists from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Butterfly Conservation and the University of York, has important implications for efforts to conserve butterfly species under changing climates, particularly where habitat restoration or conservation is planned.
Small Copper © Andrew Lawson, from the surfbirds galleries
Scientists already know that the location of food plants can limit where butterflies are found, but the new study is the first time that researchers have shown how the climate of an area can affect the number of habitat types or 'environmental space', such as grassland, woodland or heathland, that species are able to use for growth.
The study concluded that species' niches - the range of habitat types that butterflies choose to live in - are broader in warmer southern British locations, where butterflies are most abundant, than in the cooler north.
Lead author Dr. Tom Oliver from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology said, "If these trends hold over time as well as space, then climate warming in Britain may benefit many butterfly species by allowing them to use a wider range of habitats. We must be wary though, as an increased frequency of climatic extremes, such as unseasonal cold snaps, could severely reduce butterfly populations and possibly restrict them to fewer habitat types".
The research team analysed data for 41 butterfly species. In areas with cold winters and high rainfall, the harsh climates can cause many habitat types to be unsuitable, restricting butterflies to only their favourite habitats. In contrast, in warmer locations life is easier for 'thermophilic', or warmth loving, insects such as butterflies and they are able to spread across the landscape.
The researchers also concluded that as the British climate changes over time butterflies are likely to modify their habitat requirements. They predict that species such as Small Coppers and Gatekeepers may become more frequent visitors to our parks and urban gardens.
Co-author Tom Brereton, Head of Monitoring at Butterfly Conservation said, "The results indicate that more wide-ranging efforts are needed in order to conserve butterflies in the face of new threats. It is vital we keep large areas of well-managed habitat in the landscape to allow species to adapt and survive."
Posted by Surfbirds at 7:54 AM | Comments (0)
September 10, 2009
One of Britain's most threatened butterflies has seen an unexpected surge in numbers this summer
The Marsh Fritillary, one of Britain's most threatened butterflies has seen an unexpected surge in numbers this summer. Recent surveys suggest that numbers in Dartmoor and Exmoor may be on the up.
Following the declines noted during the last two very wet summers, the increase in numbers is offering fresh hope. Butterflies can't fly in the rain, which limits their ability to find nectar and breed, so there was a real concern that the dire conditions in 2007 and 2008 would have had a serious impact on numbers this year. However, the warm and sunny conditions throughout the spring and early summer encouraged good numbers of fritillary butterflies on many sites across the moors.
Marsh Fritillary © Nick Franklin, from the surfbirds galleries
Marsh Fritillaries, which fly from late May to the end of June, had an especially good year, with counts at some Dartmoor sites two or three times higher than those recorded during the previous two years. The only remaining Marsh Fritillary site on Exmoor also enjoyed record numbers.
This reverse in fortune is not only down to the weather. The Two Moors Threatened Butterfly Project, lead by Butterfly Conservation in a partnership with Dartmoor and Exmoor National Park Authorities, Natural England and the Environment Agency, has been working with landowners and land managers over the past four years to carry out management works, improving the butterflies' habitat. Ideal habitat management for the butterfly is achieved through traditional farming practices, such as light grazing. Specialist management advice has been given to landowners, and support provided to access funding towards the costs of management works such as scrub clearance and fencing.
Jenny Plackett, Butterfly Conservation's Project Officer, said: "The Marsh Fritillary is one of Britain's rarest butterflies, so it's fantastic that this species seems to be making a real recovery on Dartmoor and Exmoor. The landowners are working really hard to improve conditions on their land for the butterfly, and it's very encouraging that their efforts are now showing such positive results."
Posted by Surfbirds at 6:54 AM | Comments (0)
July 29, 2009
A billion butterflies but crisis remains
It is possible there will be up to a billion Painted Lady butterflies flying in Britain in coming days.
Conservationists say there may be opportunities to see butterflies in greater numbers than for years. Even if the weather is not sunny and warm throughout the UK, millions of butterflies should emerge in the areas that are experiencing good weather.
However, they are warning this one-off phenomenon masks an underlying decline in British butterfly numbers.
Painted Lady © Paul Harrison, from the surfbirds galleries
Richard Fox, Surveys Manager at Butterfly Conservation, says the abundance of Painted Lady butterflies has left many people confused as there has been a large amount of media coverage regarding the severe decline in British butterflies. "The Painted Lady isn't a resident butterfly. It migrates from North Africa and some years we see very few of them. This year conditions in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco were about as good as they get and allowed excellent germination of the caterpillar food-plants."
By May swarms of Painted Lady butterflies were arriving in the UK. Now all those butterflies will have bred and a second generation is poised to take to the skies.
Richard Fox said: "By all calculations it is possible that we could have up to a billion Painted Lady butterflies by early August. The Painted Lady does not overwinter in the UK and by autumn the vast bulk will have gone."
He added: "The picture for native British butterflies remains mixed. Numbers appear to be up on the previous two summers, which were extremely wet and dire for butterflies. This summer has been better so far, in spite of the recent showers. If the wet summers had continued some endangered species such as the Heath Fritillary were vulnerable to extinction. The good news is the Heath Fritillary appears to have rallied and is having a good year. But numbers overall are still well down on a decade ago."
For more information visit www.butterfly-conservation.org
Posted by Surfbirds at 8:25 PM | Comments (0)
May 31, 2009
Millions of Painted Lady butterflies are now arriving in Britain, after an amazing 1000 mile migration from North Africa
Butterfly Conservation (http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/) has been receiving reports since the start of the Bank Holiday weekend of sightings of large numbers of these butterflies. People throughout Britain have seen these fast-flying butterflies moving overhead for hours on end, setting the scene for what could be one of the largest Painted Lady migrations in decades.
The first indication of their arrival in Britain came last Thursday (May 21) when Butterfly Conservation members first reported seeing large numbers off Portland Bill in Dorset. Since then, thousands have been seen flying north at locations across southern England, from Cornwall to East Anglia.
Painted Lady © Dean Stables, from the surfbirds galleries
The fine Bank Holiday weekend weather brought hundreds of new sightings from as far north as Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. There were even sightings of hundreds in central London. An estimated 18,000 were spotted flying past Scolts Head Island on the Norfolk coast yesterday and were passing at 50 a minute over a 400m front today.
Scientists have been predicting an unusually large migration since late winter. The butterflies originate from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, where heavy winter rains allowed good germination of the caterpillar food-plants. A Spanish researcher, Constanti Stefanescu had reported seeing hundreds of thousands emerging in mid February and beginning their long flight north. They were seen in large numbers in Spain during April and a few weeks later in France.
Butterfly Conservation is asking for the public's help to track the migration by logging any sightings online. Take part in the Painted Lady Count by spending a couple of hours monitoring butterflies in your garden or a nearby field.
Download instructions for collecting and submitting your sightings (http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/). Visit the migrantwatch survey pages to find out more about contributing to this nationwide survey.
Richard Fox, Surveys Manager at Butterfly Conservation, said: "There are literally millions of Painted Lady butterflies arriving right across Britain. This is a spectacular phenomenon".
Posted by Surfbirds at 8:00 PM | Comments (0)
May 12, 2009
UK Butterfly numbers plunge to new low
Butterfly numbers have fallen to a new low, according to data from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme.
British butterflies have been declining steadily for years. The new statistics show that recent wet summers have accelerated these declines. Heavy rain makes it hard for butterflies to survive - they can't fly in the rain and that means they can't reach the nectar they feed on. Rain also reduces breeding success.
The relative absence of breeding during the dire summer of 2007, the wettest on record, impacted seriously on butterfly numbers last year.
Orange Tip © Damian Money, from the surfbirds galleries
The statistics confirm conservationists' fears that 2008 was the poorest summer for butterfly numbers for more than 25 years.
For 12 species 2008 was their worst year since records began in the mid 1970s.
The list includes several once familiar garden visitors whose numbers have dwindled in recent years, for example, the Orange-tip, a beautiful spring butterfly, and the Small Tortoiseshell, which has declined drastically over the last decade.
The figures also show that some butterflies are rapidly becoming extinct in parts of the country.
Species causing concern include one of our rarest butterflies, the High Brown Fritillary. Dr Tom Brereton, Head of Monitoring with Butterfly Conservation, said: "There are now fewer than 50 High Brown Fritillary colonies in the entire country, many of them small. The recent bad weather has pushed an alarming number of these to the brink of extinction".
Other threatened butterflies with worryingly low numbers include the Pearl-bordered Fritillary and the Wood White.
There is also great concern over several formerly common butterflies that have declined dramatically in recent decades, including the Small Heath, Small Copper and Wall.
Butterflies are important as indicators, alerting us to underlying problems with the environment. If butterfly numbers are falling, inevitably other wildlife is also suffering and in decline.
The main factors causing the long term decline of many butterfly species include the loss of crucial habitats such as flower rich grassland and the intensification of farming methods. A lack of management is also causing problems in habitats such as woodlands.
Butterfly Conservation is working with landowners and other conservation organisations to help reverse declines as a matter of great urgency.
Dr Brereton said: "We just hope that this year we don't have another dire summer and that butterfly numbers are able to recover."
The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme is operated by Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH). Each year it collates data collected by thousands of volunteers. Dr Marc Botham, a butterfly ecologist at CEH who analysed the 2008 results commented "The results show the enormous value of long running datasets in identifying environmental problems. We are enormously grateful to the 1,500 volunteers who contribute each year, making the UKBMS one of the world's most important resources for understanding insect populations"
Posted by Surfbirds at 9:48 AM | Comments (0)