22 August 2008

The BBC is busy following the fortunes of five butterflies this week on the One Show. The series of five special shows is to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Butterfly Conservation.

But it's not only the five species featured who are suffering. Recent wet and cold summers have hit all our native butterflies hard as they act as early warning indicators of our changing climate.

Rain forces butterflies to find shelter, keeping them from the nectar they need for a good breeding season.

Matthew Oates, of the National Trust, tells viewers: "Weather conditions impact greatly on the fortunes of butterflies. The last two summers have been blighted by rain and wind that seriously affected numbers across the UK.

It has been a dreadful butterfly year, probably the worst in my 45 year experience. I've kept detailed records since 1972, and it's certainly the worst year since then."

Dr Martin Warren, Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation, is keen to point out that we can all help change the fortune of butterflies: "Butterflies are under threat like never before but we now have the knowledge to reverse their declines. In our 40th year we are calling for a concerted effort from the public and government to make sure butterflies don't vanish for ever."