After 700 gruelling miles and a whole lot of rain, Trustee Simon Saville has completed his 2024 Bike for Butterflies challenge! With the weather firmly not on his side, Simon's third Bike for Butterflies had two running themes: getting wet, and spotting low numbers of butterflies!

With a journey that took him from Llandudno to Kettering, Simon visited many wildlife reserves and sites of special interest along the way with a long species list to see. Simon successfully ticked 26 of these off his list, with 9 eluding him this year. 

Route / sites visited

Llandudno (the Great Orme), Eyarth Rocks BC Reserve (Ruthin), Whixall Moss, Prees Heath BC Reserve, Leftwich Meadows (Northwich), Fletcher Moss (Didsbury), Astley Moss (Manchester), Ainsdale Dunes, Arnside Knott, Witherslack Wood & Howe Ridding Wood, Wet Sleddale, the Way of the Roses (Swarth Moor, Calley Heath, Millington Pastures), Priory Fields (Hull), Snakeholme Pit BC Reserve, Chambers Farm Wood & Butterfly Garden, Southrey Wood BC Reserve, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Fermyn Woods.

Simon with BC staff and volunteers at Fermyn woods celebrating the end of his journey

Species seen

Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Comma (hutchinsonii form), Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Silver-studded Blue (caernensis and nominate ssp.) Common Blue,White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Northern Brown Argus, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Large Heath (davus ssp.), Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Grayling (thyone ssp.).

Species missed
Dark Green Fritillary, High Brown Fritillary, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock (except caterpillars) White Admiral, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Wall.


You can read Simon's full journey diary here highlighting the highs, lows, species and challenges that each week saw him take on. There is still time to donate to his Just Giving page and send a congratulations towards the hard work for butterflies and moths. Bike for Butterflies 2024 - JustGiving 


"After 20 days - only three above 20C - I've completed the 700 miles of my 3rd #BikeForButterflies. The weather has been appalling, and the route taxed me to my limits, but it's been a great experience and I'm proud to have made it to the end in one piece. We've raised a good sum for Butterfly Conservation - and there’s still time to donate"

 

Simon at the finish line