News and blog

Hot off the press... our latest news, articles and blogs.

Swallowtail

Late Show For Rare Spring Butterflies

The coldest start to spring for half a century has led to many butterflies emerging weeks later than usual, Butterfly Conservation has revealed.

Burnet

Ask Your MP To Stand Up For Moths

You can help moths by asking your local MP to sign up to an early day motion which calls on the Government to take urgent action to save our dwindling moth populations.

Nettles

Dig It - May tips from the Secret Gardener

Nettles are important foodplants for the caterpillars of several butterflies and moths. They have also been grown in herb gardens for centuries and can provide many benefits for people too.

Oak Processionary Moth

Aerial Spraying Not The Answer

Butterfly Conservation is extremely disappointed that the Forestry Commission is going ahead with aerial spraying of a protected wildlife site to control the Oak Processionary Moth.

Oasis

Born and Bred by Oasis

Women’s fashion retailer Oasis has collaborated with Butterfly Conservation for this year’s spring and summer season to design a unique collection of t-shirts.

Sussex Emerald

Airport Extension Threatens Rare Moths

The Government’s decision to give the go-ahead for the expansion of Lydd Airport in the area is one of those decisions that leaves us aghast and dismayed.

Meadow Brown

Shifting Butterfly Baselines

So the results are out. 2012 was the worst year for butterflies in the UK since detailed national population monitoring began in 1976.

Orange Tip

Emerging from Winter

We British are very interested in the weather. It’s a national obsession, and nowhere more so than among Britain’s butterfly and moth enthusiasts.

Martin

Conservation Car Crash Coming?

Since the 1950s, the UK has developed a world leading system of conserving its natural heritage. But these hard won gains are now being steadily eroded in the rush to save money and deregulate.

Elephant Hawk

Moths Suffer 40-Year Crash

The abundance of the UK’s larger moths has crashed during the past 40 years with three species becoming extinct in the last decade, a major scientific report reveals.

Moths

Tales From The Trap - January 2013 Week 3

With a mix of rain, wind, snow and frost not a moth has dared enter the BC Towers Moth Trap this week, so instead Les Hill explains why recording moths is more important than ever... when they do arrive!

Burnet

You Say Butterfly, I Say Moth

‘What is the difference between butterflies and moths?’ - Richard Fox, Surveys Manager tackles this often asked question.

Blackbirds - RSPB

RSPB Guest Blog - Big Garden Birdwatch

With snow on the ground there is not a butterfly in sight - but there are still plenty of birds! Join the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch and count how many.

Hawk Moth

Tales From The Trap - January 2013 Week 2

The first 2013 report from Les Hill, Senior Data Manager, National Moth Recording Scheme and Dorset County Macro-moth Recorder reports from the BC Towers Moth Trap.