Friday Fun Fact – where are Britain’s butterflies going?

The numbers of Britain’s butterflies have dropped dramatically over the last summer season.

The British Butterfly Conservation survey began in 2010. The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide survey to help create a picture of which species are most at risk. This year 36,000 volunteers took part, recording sightings of butterflies around the region.

Despite an ideal summer for butterflies, which was warmer than average and dry, certain species were more than 30 to 40% less than previous years. Other species did better and numbers were 50 to 70% better than last year.

It has left Butterfly Conservationists Shocked and mystified.

Resource:  International Express (UK) 20/10/2016

Photo © Mark Colvin