#623: Big Butterfly Count

The Big Butterfly Count is now underway. Organised by the Butterfly Conservation charity, this is an annual Citzen Science opportunity for students. 

This starts in mid July - some schools will still be working, but this may need to be set as a holiday (or perhaps a pre-task for those who will be starting their GCSE courses in the following September - or between Years 10 and 11)

We will be aiming to produce a resource of this nature - a sort of summer preparation pack of activities to help introduce some key natural history skills for students so they can get up to speed with what to expect.

Download a butterfly ID check sheet here. (PDF download)

I'll be taking part between now and the end date in August.

#505: NBN Atlas for butterfly data

Data is at the heart of the conservation decisions we make to protect butterflies and moths and we believe good data is key to their future survival 💚

That’s why we have made over 46 million UK records publicly available online on the @NBNAtlas 👉 https://t.co/hssENVr7Mj pic.twitter.com/JC9AA24swt

— Butterfly Conservation (@savebutterflies) October 18, 2023

Check out the atlas here for all things butterfly... 

 

#245: Butterflies

Butterflies are an important element of our lives - flitting in and out of them at times, and with a strength that belies their apparent fragility and ephemeral nature.

Happy New Year! Butterflies and moths are often seen as a symbol of hope and new beginnings 🦋

Keep an eye out for these species in your gardens and local green spaces this month, and let us know what you see. 👀 #SaveButterflies #MothsMatter pic.twitter.com/EnlUHAOBB1

— Butterfly Conservation (@savebutterflies) January 1, 2024

Image: Butterfly on Buddleia - Alan Parkinson - shared under CC license 

#62: Big Butterfly Count 2023

The Big Butterfly Count 2023 started recently and runs through to early August. My neighbour's Buddleia bush has been very busy with butterflies. My mum always calls this a "butterfly bush" and they definitely like it.

The #BigButterflyCount 2023 has officially started! 🦋

Our butterflies and moths need our help more than ever. This is why we are urging everyone to get out for the Count to help us conserve them! 💚

Get involved 👉 https://t.co/mtv6gZ0dPN#SaveButterflies #MothsMatter pic.twitter.com/6vsjWInxmd

— Butterfly Conservation (@savebutterflies) July 14, 2023

Once the new GCSE Natural History launches, one would hope that there would be links to this sort of activity provided in a calendar of events so that teachers can't miss out on some of the big days and events that are spread throughout the year.

David Attenborough introduces the count, as inspiration for young people perhaps to get involved.

I completed the count earlier and submitted my data. Here's one of my images of some local butterflies as well. Remember that we are putting together a folder / album of CC licensed images for you to use in your own powerpoints when the time comes.

Image: Alan Parkinson, shared under CC license