Northern Ireland news

New research from wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation and Northumbria University has shown that moths adapted to cooler conditions are being lost from parts of Britain as a result of climate change. 
 

A beautiful and unusual moth that looks like a Hummingbird in flight appears to have had a bumper year in 2022, with an estimated ten-fold increase in sightings reported across the UK.

This March, Butterfly Conservation is offering free and discounted will writing services to make it easier for people to support the butterflies and moths they value and the ensure everyone, whatever their circumstance, has the chance to shape the future for the next generation to enjoy.

March 3rd is World Wildlife Day and to mark the occasion we've put together some information about the butterfly and moth species you might see if you venture out this weekend.

Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is seeking nature-loving volunteers for a brand-new project called Wild Spaces which will transform urban spaces in Stirling into green havens.
 

Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is seeking nature-loving volunteers for a brand-new project called Wild Spaces which will transform urban spaces in Perth into green havens.
 

In Scotland, butterfly species that require specialist habitats have greatly declined, but the figures show increases too, as many countryside-wide species have increased in Scotland. While this bucks the trend elsewhere in the UK, it’s a clear indicator of climate change.

The State of the UK's Butterflies 2022 report, released today by Butterfly Conservation, has revealed the alarming news that 80% of butterflies in the UK have declined since the 1970s.

Of the four UK countries, England’s butterflies have fared the worst, particularly those species that rely on specific habitat to thrive.

Overall, 71% of butterflies in Wales have declined in abundance, distribution, or both, with those species that require specific habitats in order to thrive the worst affected.

Overall, 71% of butterflies in Wales have declined in abundance, distribution, or both, with those species that require specific habitats in order to thrive the worst affected.

Butterfly Conservation is thrilled to be celebrating two wins at the RSPB Scotland’s Nature Awards 2022.
 

Join us in signing the petition addressed to Rishi Sunak, asking him
to take the lead at the COP15 summit on biodiversity and fight for a global deal to halt and
reverse nature loss across the world by 2030.
 

The Dataset’s Dream is a temporary art installation created by two artists, award-winning writer Thomas Sharp and the visual artist Bryony Benge-Abbott, who produced  last month’s film with Big City Butterflies called The Colour of Transformation. 

We are sorry to have to announce that, due to difficulties with transport, the Walk for Wildlife planned for London on 27th November has been postponed until spring 2023.

Many moth species have increased in distribution by shifting their ranges in response to climate change, predominantly due to habitat availability which is limiting their ability for range expansion.

On Tuesday the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill starts its progress through the Houses of Parliament. The main purpose of the bill is to end all remaining laws that came from the EU on 31st December 2023.

In its first annual 30x30 progress report, Wildlife and Countryside Link is calling on the Prime Minister to send a clear international message that the UK will be a global leader in implementing 30x30. The 30x30 target is expected to be a key commitment in global nature talks at COP15 in Montreal in December.

Habitat loss is one of the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss. A lower amount of habitat, and greater isolation between habitat patches reduces the ability of species to move between habitat patches across the landscape. Measuring connectivity is crucial for informing conservation planning and developing effective policies.

PhD Candidate at the University of Northampton, Jamie Wildman, has recently submitted his thesis on the Chequered Skipper. In this interview Jamie explores the importance of his research, and his journey into conservation.

A study led by Butterfly Conservation scientists, in collaboration with Rothamsted Research, has revealed complex patterns of winners and losers among Britain's larger moths.

Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, explains the science behind the Red List of British Butterflies.

Gatekeeper takes top spot and it's good news for the blues, with increases for Common Blue and Holly Blue, but the general decline continues though, with fewer butterflies spotted overall.

If you spotted a Jersey Tiger moth in London this summer you weren’t alone – more than 1,000 were recorded in the Greater London area during this year’s Big Butterfly Count.

Butterfly Conservation has joined 78 other organisations in an open letter to the Prime Minister.

The importance of maintaining environmental protections. 

We are incredibly saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

We congratulate Liz Truss on her election to UK Prime Minister. Butterfly Conservation looks forward to working with the new Government to tackle the urgent need for nature recovery both in the United Kingdom and globally at the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference in December.

A new study led by Butterfly Conservation scientists, in collaboration with Rothamsted Research, has revealed complex patterns of change among Britain’s larger moths.

All our runners have been training hard for the big challenge, the Great North Run is a tough race but with the support of everyone in the Butterfly Conservation family we know that they will all fulfil lifetime ambitions and be able to say “They did it and achieved what they didn’t think was possible”.