Small Tortoieshell on Marjoram
There has been much in the media lately about the plight of Britain's butterflies; the idyllic picture of flowery meadows a-flutter is sadly no longer reality.
Red Admiral on Buddleia
After last year's record wet summer and the long harsh winter, it is good to see butterflies back in good numbers . . . but is this true of all or just some species and habitats?
Gatekeeper on Whitecurrant leaf
To find out what is going on across the UK, Butterfly Conservation is holding a Big Butterfly Count. If you have a Smart Phone or Tablet you can download a free App to make recording and submitting your survey really easy.
Large White on Buddleia
I've just done a count in our garden (it only takes 15 minutes) here are the results:
4 x Large White
1 x Small White
2 x Green-veined White
2 x Meadow Brown
1 x Gatekeeper
11 x Peacock
2 x Small Tortoiseshell
1 x Red Admiral
2 x Comma
Of course Buddleia is great for attracting a crowd of butterflies and nettles are the food plant of a few species BUT there is more you need to do to help our native butterflies – here are my tips for attracting more butterflies to your garden:
- don't use pesticides or fungicides
- leave messy areas, not just nettles! rough grass is important for the life cycle of many species.
- grow native British wildflowers and shrubs
- grow lots of herbs and let them flower
If you haven't already done so, please take 15 minutes this week to do the Big Butterfly Count.
Celia
x
PS the photos were all taken in our garden during my 15 minute survey, with my iPhone.
