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.
Details of surveys planned for 2011 will appear below, but please also vist our Events page for details of Field Trips that are associated with surveys.
Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey 2011
This year Dr Zoë Randle, Butterfly Conservation Surveys Officer, has taken over the Co-ordination of the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS) and writes,
“We are delighted to inform you that we have decided to continue the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS) again in 2011. Once again this will be a collaborative project with BTO and CEH.
We would like to thank everyone who took part last year and especially the WCBS Champions who helped promote the survey within the Branches.
The survey had another successful year with nearly 700 squares sampled. We hope you will continue to survey the same squares in the same way as last year. Our priority is to re-survey these squares for at least the next 2 years so that we can determine trends in the wider countryside and see whether they differ from transect trends.
We also welcome new participants either to help re-survey old squares, or to survey new ones for the first time. New surveyors will be allocated randomly selected 1-km squares in their Branch area. The squares need to be surveyed in July and August by two visits at least ten days apart.
Anyone interested in taking part in the WCBS in the Highlands and Islands in the coming season should contact Tom Prescott, email tprescott@butterfly-conservation.org for further information".
WCBS squares to be surveyed in 2011: |
|
|---|---|
| Square | Location |
| HU3635 | Hamnavoe, Shetland |
| HU5140 | North Mid Yell, Shetland |
| NA9924 | Mealasta, west coast Lewis |
| NC1520 | North of Suilven, Lochinver |
| ND2490 | The Berry, Hoy, Orkney |
| ND2496 | Withigill, Hoy, Orkney |
| NG3534 | Portnalong, Loch Harriport, Skye |
| NG4234 | Roineval, NE Drynoch, Loch Harport, Skye |
| NG8901 | Sguir a choire Bheite, Knoydart |
| NG9611 | Glen Shiel - south |
| NG9834 | Attadale E of Loch Carron |
| NH1796 | Rhidorroch, E of Ullapool |
| NH2191 | Ullapool |
| NH2283 | SW Loch Broom. Nr Ullapool |
| NH2603 | N of Loch Garry |
| NH3003 | Invergarry (north) |
| NH9619 | Boat of Garten |
| NJ1534 | Tomore, nr Advie |
| NJ4953 | NE Keith |
| NM5753 | Drimin |
| NM7367 | South end Loch Sheil, Sunart |
| NM8297 | Knoydart |
| NN0785 | end of Glen Loy |
| NN2787 | between Glen Roy & Loch Lochy |
| NN5796 | Glen Markie Spey Dam |
Pearl-bordered Fritillary Sites in Scotland requiring surveying in 2011
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.
For further information about Pearl-bordered Fritillary sites requiring surveying in Highland Branch area, please visit Glasgow and South West Scotland Branch website:
http://www.southwestscotland-butterflies.org.uk/surveys/pbf_sites_in_scotland.shtml
Mountain Ringlet surveys 2011,
If you are interested in taking part in these surveys please visit the Glasgow and South West Scotland Branch website for information on sites and methodology:
http://www.southwestscotland-butterflies.org.uk/surveys2010/mountain_ringlet_surveys_in_2010.shtml