WILDLIFE-LOVERS in South Cumbria have just over a week left to get involved in a scheme aimed at surveying the fortunes of Britain’s most beautiful winged insects.
The Big Butterfly Count, the world’s largest butterfly survey, has been running since July 14, when it was launched by Sir David Attenborough. He warned that UK butterflies face a critical summer, after a string of poor years has seen the numbers of many common species decline.
More than three-quarters of the UK’s butterflies have declined in the last 40 years, and last year was the fourth worst on record for the creatures. Sir David is urging the public to take part in the Big Butterfly Count survey to help reveal if widespread species can mount a comeback this summer.
Since the count began, events have taken place at Undermillbeck Common near Windermere, Brantwood near Coniston Water and the Hay Bridge Nature Reserve at Bouth, near Ulverston. Next Friday from 10.30am until 3pm, there will be a guided walk around the Hay Bridge reserve for just £5 per person. Those taking part are encouraged to download a butterfly ID chart and take part in a 15-minute count.
Visit www.butterfly-conservation.org for more information on the count, which runs until Sunday August 6.
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