Leading wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation, known for its sector-leading butterfly and moth population data going back over 50 years, has launched a plea to the public to help contribute to assessing the effects of climate change while it’s scientists and volunteers are unable to carry out monitoring of wildlife sites during the lockdown.
A vital indicator of the effects of climate change in the UK, butterfly phenology (the study of the timing of natural events) recording is going to be severely affected this spring due to the restrictions on movement to halt the spread of...
Brighten up a dull February by join Assistant Ranger Stuart and Conservation Apprentice Leo as they carry out habitat management for the beautiful Pearl Bordered and Small Pearl Bordered Butterfly on Haytor Down.
The Pearl Bordered is a particularly fussy client in its demand for a ‘well-balanced’ bracken environment, requiring bracken for wind shelter and warmth, whilst simultaneously requiring clearer patches to facilitate the growth of dog violets – its main food and egg laying plant.
The techniques we will be using to manage the site are quite basic - a lot can be...
Widespread drought-sensitive butterfly population extinctions could occur in the UK as early as 2050 according to a new study published today in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change.
However, the authors conclude that substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions combined with better management of landscapes, in particular reducing habitat fragmentation, will greatly improve the chances of drought-sensitive butterflies flying until at least 2100.
The study was led by the UK’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) in collaboration with the University of Exeter,...
One of the commonest complaints heard in the 21st century world of work is that people now have to take their work home with them. But a team member from a leading Devon environmental charity has now taken this modern phenomenon to a new level.
Kate Langdon has spent the last eight years working for Devon Wildlife Trust - the charity which looks after 50 nature reserves and which works for the county’s precious wildlife and landscapes.
Kate is part of Devon Wildlife Trust’s Working Wetlands team. Part of the team’s work has been restoring wildlife flower meadows in north-...
From a tiny egg, via a crawly caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly, come and celebrate the butterflies and moths that are native to Britain on 5 and 6 July at A la Ronde, near Exmouth.
The Big Butterfly Weekend, which runs from 11am–4pm, will have experts on hand to help you discover all sorts of interesting facts about these fascinating creatures. You will be able to take a guided walk in the wildflower meadow to find out how to spot and identify some of our native species (take your own binoculars); and you can learn about the plants that attract butterflies.
Devon charity, the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, has donated a large collection of butterflies, moths and other insects to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter.
The Conservation Trust oversees Paignton Zoo, Slapton Ley, Living Coasts and Newquay Zoo and the specimens were collected by Dr David Stradling, the former Chairman, who passed away in July 2012 after a long illness. His collection was started in the 1950s and includes specimens from the UK, Switzerland, Trinidad, Argentina and Botswana.
Work has begun on the installation of solar panels on Exeter City Council's buildings.
The 800 panels, which are currently being put up on two roofs of the Civic Centre and three other sites across Exeter, will have a capacity of about 200 kilowatts – that’s the equivalent of 50 standard domestic solar photovoltaic systems!
The panels, which are being installed by Exeter renewable energy specialist SunGift Solar, will deliver an on-going reduction in the Council's energy costs as well as reducing its carbon footprint. The other buildings benefitting from the 'green'...
