The aim of butterfly and moth surveys is not just to record the presence of butterflies or moths but also to learn more about the habitats and ecology of each species and to get information on the condition of the site so that Butterfly Conservation can implement appropriate management if required.
In our Branch area in 2010 there are several surveys that you can become involved in:
Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey
Spring is on its way and it is not too late to sign up for the exciting new Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey. This was launched last year by Butterfly Conservation, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and it got off to a flying start. Although the very ambitious target of surveying butterflies in 1000 randomly-selected 1km map squares was not achieved, an impressive 763 squares were monitored during 2009. This was an excellent effort, especially considering the limited resources available to promote and co-ordinate the survey. About half of the squares were covered by Butterfly Conservation volunteers and the other half by BTO Breeding Bird Survey participants who revisited their squares during the summer to record butterflies and other insects. Good geographical coverage was achieved and, most importantly, the recording effort was sufficient to provide a statistical baseline against which to measure trends of the less common wider countryside species that are of most interest and concern (such as the Small Copper, Common Blue and Small Heath). In Scotland low sightings of the Scotch Argus were recorded but hopefully with a few more squares added in 2010 this species will be detected in sufficient locations to be able to build a picture of how it is doing in the wider landscape.
The Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey is continuing in 2010 and needs your help! It is not a huge commitment, requiring only a minimum of two visits to a 1km grid square during the peak butterfly season of July and August. You cannot select your own square but you can chose from those randomly preselected ones in your area to make it as convenient as possible without compromising the scientific validity of the scheme. See the map of available squares (in red) to see if there is one near you or visit www.ukbms.org/wcbs.htm for more information or contact survey@butterfly-conservation.org or telephone 01929 552486 or contact our local WCBS co-ordinator Tom Prescott tprescott@butterfly-conservation.org 01540 661469 to find out more. Download feedback on 2009 sightings here (PDF File).
Pearl-bordered Fritillary survey
When to do: mid to late May 2010
The Pearl-bordered Fritillary is a high priority species. It is a UKBAP Priority Species and is included on the Scottish Biodiversity List. It has recently been designated a Species Action Framework Species by SNH. Although still relatively widespread in the UK, most colonies are small and vulnerable to changing management. It has declined rapidly across the UK, particularly in England, and Scotland is now the major stronghold but we believe it is still under-recorded with many sites having few recent records, hence the need for this survey.
Owing to the efforts of Butterfly Conservation staff and volunteers over the last 20 years, approximately 270 Pearl-bordered Fritillary sites have been identified in Scotland with the caveat that some could be the very similar Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. However, many of these sites have not been visited in the last five years according to Butterfly Conservation Scotland's records, and some have not been visited for several decades.
Glasgow and South West Scotland Branch has constructed web pages to help direct volunteer effort to sites that have not been visited in the last 5 years, and these include sites in Highland Branch area. For detailed information please visit:
www.southwestscotland-butterflies.org.uk/surveys/pbf_sites_in_scotland.shtml
Chequered Skipper in Lochaber
When to do: mid May to late June
There are three areas in the Highland Branch area where surveys for Chequered Skipper are required in 2010.
The most accessible sites are the 15 around Fort William, including a few along the very scenic Glen Nevis although more intense sheep grazing in recent years has had an adverse impact. However, Chequered Skipper was seen in 2008 at two sites along Glen Nevis where presumably grazing is less intensive.
There are six Chequered Skipper sites near Spean Bridge, one along Loch Lochy and seven along Loch Arkaig including the Butterfly Conservation Reserve at Allt Mhuic which are not too far off the beaten track. There are 34 more Chequered Skipper sites in much more remote locations in Ardgour, Sunart, Morvern and Moidart along the Lochs Linnhe, Sheil & Sunart although the sites along Loch Eil and near the Glenfinnan monument are more accessible.
For detailed information please visit:
www.southwestscotland-butterflies.org.uk/surveys/chequered-skipper-sites-in-scotland.shtml
Cinnabar
When to do: May to August
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This survey, which began last year, is continuing through 2010.
Like many of the commoner moths, the Cinnabar has undergone a long-term decline in recent decades. It remains widespread across England & Wales, but is much scarcer in Scotland, where it is most often seen in coastal areas.
For information about 2009 records and how you can help this year, please download this information sheet (PDF file).
Photo by M Parsons.
Mountain Ringlet
When to do: Late June and July
The Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron) is a rare UK butterfly being confined to montane habitat between 350 & 900 m in the central highlands from Ben Lomond in the south to Creag Meagaidh /Glen Roy in the north and from Glasdrum/Glencoe, Argyll in the west to Schiehallion in central Perthshire in the east with two known colonies further east in the Cairngorms National Park: Glen Doll & Glen Feshie. This distribution amounts to just 52 10 km squares in Scotland which makes it much rarer than the iconic birds of the Scottish mountains such as the Ptarmigan & the Golden Eagle.
For detailed information please visit:
www.southwestscotland-butterflies.org.uk/surveys2010/mountain_ringlet_surveys_in_2010.shtml