Weekly Butterfly Surveys
The United Kingdom Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) is one of the longest running insect monitoring schemes in the world. Starting in 1976, the scheme is one of the most important resources for understanding changes in insect populations.
As part of this, Chloe from the Green Spaces team has been leading weekly transects around Peel Park and the Coppice LNR in Accrington since June 2022. This involves taking people on a gentle 2km stroll around the site, recording each butterfly that can be seen flying between the months of April and September. The species and numbers recorded varied week to week, with one transect reaching numbers of 345!
The species recorded include:
- Small & Large Skippers
- Small & Large Whites
- Orange-tip
- Green Veined White
- Small Copper
- Red Admiral
- Peacock
- Comma
- Painted Lady
- Small Tortoiseshell
- Brimstone
- Small Heath
- Gatekeeper
- Meadow Brown
- Speckled Wood
- Ringlet
These walks have been great for people who have an interest in ecology, want to learn more about local wildlife, or who simply just want to come along on a gentle walk and meet like-minded people.
Future Transects
Despite the Green Spaces team's project coming to an end this June, if you would like to get involved with these surveys then you can still do so! At this time of year, the more eyes the better!
The weekly transects will now be led by the Peel Park Pollinator's project officer, Robert Gabryszak. For more info, contact robert.gabryszak@prospectsfoundation.org.uk.
