All photo`s taken with hand-held Canon Powershot A640There has been a distinct lack of butterflies this summer, none more so than on my recent visit to Bedford Purlieus the other day. The sun was shining and Lisa and I had finished work relatively early so we decided to go for a walk around the nature reserve to see if any butterflies were on show. After 2 hours of trudging around a very beautiful wood we didn`t have much to show for our efforts! Lots of Speckled Woods, a few Meadow Browns, a couple of Ringlets (not pictured), several Small Whites (again, not pictured) and what I think is an Essex Skipper, although it could be a Small Skipper, not quite sure as the antenna do look black, but I am no expert!
The day after our visit White-letter Hairstreaks and Silver-washed Fritillaries were being reported, so we obviously chose the wrong day! However, we will return and hopefully get to see a few more species at this lovely wood.
Butterflies are having a tough time of it at the moment with overall numbers in massive decline, with common species such as Meadow Brown falling by up to a fifth in numbers in 2010 compared with 2009. Certain species are showing signs of improvement due to the help of conservation work, but the future does look bleak. Follow my link to Butterfly Conservation to see what you can do to help.
The day after our visit White-letter Hairstreaks and Silver-washed Fritillaries were being reported, so we obviously chose the wrong day! However, we will return and hopefully get to see a few more species at this lovely wood.
Butterflies are having a tough time of it at the moment with overall numbers in massive decline, with common species such as Meadow Brown falling by up to a fifth in numbers in 2010 compared with 2009. Certain species are showing signs of improvement due to the help of conservation work, but the future does look bleak. Follow my link to Butterfly Conservation to see what you can do to help.
I took a look at the Butterfly Conservation site. We do have a buddleia but it's like a triffid and has to be severely cut back or it will get us all!
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Hi John, I'm not seeing as many woodland butterfly species as I'd like either. Good times just around the corner perhaps.
ReplyDeleteNot just me then. I have noticed a real fall off in numbers this year. Poor survival rates through the harsh Winter maybe. Also here a lot of nettle patches were cleared in the Spring and they attracted dozens of flutters.
ReplyDeleteHi John, yes there is definitely far less of any species in this first part of the season than normal. I have not seen any Ringlets yet. I have seen quite a few Meadow Browns in the last few days since I posted some the other day. I think your Skipper is a "Large" judging by the dark markings that are actually visible on the top side.
ReplyDeleteI am getting very concerned about the lack of butterflies in my area John. After a good start at the beginning of Spring they are just nowhere to be found! We visited a spot which should have had plenty a couple of days ago. It was warm, sunny, not too breezy and all the right vegetation was there but... not one butterfly was seen during the entire time we were there. It really is worrying.
ReplyDeleteAt least you did see some and got some nice photos too :)
Hi John, I can only echo the above on my patch here in Kent, I thought it was because I'm out before work and it's a bit too cool but a couple walks later in the day recently have produced only single figure counts, although I have had more Small Tortoiseshells, upto 8, which were alomst non-existent two years ago. I hope you get back to find plenty on your next visit.
ReplyDeleteHi Bazza,
ReplyDeleteBuddleia can be a problem, you just have to cut them back quite hard in the early Spring. You will get the benefit in the summer with all the insects.
J
Hi Rob,
ReplyDeleteHopefully there will be a mass emergence soon. The sun will have to stay out for the butterflies to enjoy though!
J
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteYes, two hard winters in a row and then an extremely dry Spring can`t have helped.
J
Hi Roy,
ReplyDeleteNumbers are definately down, but hopefully better times are coming.
Thanks for the i.d. on the Skipper, I was wrong on both counts!
J
Hi Jan,
ReplyDeleteThe conditions when we went for the walk were ideal, but the results weren`t great! As you say, we did at least see some butterflies and thanks for the kind words about my photo`s! ;)
J
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteI think Small Tortoiseshells are having a better time of it now, having said that, I can`t remeber the last time I saw one!
J
John,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the gorgeous images. I live in Michigan and have noticed a huge decrease in butterflies. I have numerous butterfly food and attractant plants (butterfly weed, dill, parsley, milkweed, thistles, etc.) but have only seen one Monarch this year!! My milkweed is in full bloom along with my butterfly weed which are generally covered with butterflies, but I've only seen one.
I've also noticed that my local honey bee population that lives in the siding of my neighbors old farmhouse has drastically dropped! I'm going to do some further research to see if there's a correlation and/or the explanation!
-Amber
Hi Amber,
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by and your kind words about my humble photo`s!
I have read somewhere that Monarch butterflies are having problems due to their overwintering grounds in Mexico being destroyed by illegal logging, so that may be why you are seeing fewer.
Honey bees are having a tough time of it aswell, some friends of mine opened their hive recently to discover that it was empty, with just a few dead ones left behind. I think that a mite is causing some of the problem, but every possibility is being looked at.
J