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Welcome to the East Scotland Branch of Butterfly Conservation
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Butterfly Conservation is teaming up with Marks and Spencer to
launch the biggest ever public butterfly and moth count to date.
You can join in and help us track butterflies and moths, so we
know where they need our help the most
Find a sunny spot in your garden, local park or other open space
and spend 15 minutes counting butterflies and moths.
For more information, to download an ID chart and submit your
sightings please visit the big
butterfly count website.
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Welcome to the web-site of the East Scotland branch of Butterfly Conservation. The aim of the site is to provide information about the activities of our branch in the Scottish Borders;
the Lothians, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, Perth and Kinross,
Fife, Angus, Banffshire and Aberdeenshire.
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Once common butterfly is disappearing fast
The familiar Small Tortoiseshell is in trouble! Once by far the most common butterfly to be seen in gardens, it has suddenly become very scarce in southern Scotland and in other parts of the UK
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Butterfly Conservation Scotland is carrying out research to find out why and is asking the public to help by letting us know where you have seen them. The public can either return postcards or submit records online via the Butterfly Conservation Scotland website.
One possible cause is the recent colonisation of a Continental parasitic fly that attacks the caterpillars. In the UK, the Small Tortoiseshell should be benefiting from global warming, but if this is the reason for it decline, it will illustrate the unexpected consequences that climate change could have on our native flora and fauna. It also underlines why we must do all we can to protect and conserve all our species and habitats, not just the rarities.
Richard Sutcliffe, a long-term Butterly Conservation recorder from Glasgow said “Small Tortoiseshell used to be a common sight in my garden but I have hardly seen one in the last two years. We really need more information from all parts of the country”.
The survey is funded by the Scottish Government.
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The Branch's area has a very diverse range of habitats including extensive areas of upland moorland, coastal habitats, wetlands, farmland, broad-leafed and coniferous woodland. These different habitats support a wide range of fauna and flora and a good number of butterfly species and many species of moth may be seen within the region.
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The East Scotland branch of Butterfly Conservation seeks to increase our knowledge of the region's butterflies and moths, to assist in their conservation and to encourage the study of these fascinating insects. We run events ourselves and support the events of other organisations too.
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We would very much like to hear about what you have seen and encourage you to take up regular monitoring of Butterflies and/or Moths. This web site has forums where you can tell us about your sightings or ask questions too. We also have branch members who act as formal recorders for Butterflies and Moths; details about who they are and how to get your sightings to them can be found through the menu on the left of this page
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You are encouraged to come along to our field trips. This one was to a moss in Midlothian to see Large Heath. Richard Buckland, the Branch Organiser on
the left and our Moths Officer, Jeff Waddell is on the right, with the
net.
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Conservation Action
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan lists our most threatened species and habitats. Most species listed are either undergoing rapid declines, or have populations of European or international importance in the UK. In Scotland some of these species will not be declining fast, or may even be stable, but the declines in other areas mean that they qualify for listing. What action is needed for each species and habitat is determined at a combination of UK, country, regional and local levels.
Local Biodiversity Action Plans are an excellent way of co-ordinating action to conserve wildlife at the local level. Local action cannot take place without the enthusiasm and interest of local people, and depends on partnerships between local communities, landowners, businesses, a range of voluntary and public organisations, and the local Council. Contact your local council to see how you can get involved. Butterfly Conservation is a UK charity, with over
13,000 members, and nearly 1000 in Scotland. We work closely with the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, local communities and conservation partners to safeguard Scotland’s butterflies and moths, by:
- Advising landowners on managing land for butterflies and moths.
- Carrying out surveys of our most threatened species.
- Training volunteers to enable them to take action for butterflies and moths.
- Making recommendations to the Scottish Government on its environmental policies.
- Encouraging everyone to cherish butterflies and moths.
Join us!
You can support us in this vital work by joining Butterfly Conservation. With an annual membership you will receive an interesting and informative welcome pack, a colourful magazine Butterfly three times a year and membership of your local branch of Butterfly Conservation. For a membership form or for further information, please contact us.
Scotland Office
Balallan House 24 Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QG.
Tel: 01786 447753
Web: www.butterfly-conservation.org
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Butterfly Conservation is a registered charity dedicated to the conservation
of butterflies and moths.
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