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Letting parts of your garden grow wild with long grass can increase butterfly numbers by up to 93% and attract a wider range of species, according to new research from leading wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation. This is the first scientific evidence that wildlife-friendly gardening practices, such as having long grass and flowering ivy, boost the … Read more
Rare butterfly species back from the brink following successful reintroduction. This summer, wildlife enthusiasts will be able to see the Chequered Skipper butterfly in the wild for the first time in more than 40 years. Extinct in England since 1976, the butterfly has been successfully breeding in a hidden forest, thanks to the expertise of … Read more
Nature lovers from across the UK are invited to take part in the world’s largest survey of butterflies from Friday 16th July when the Big Butterfly Count 2021 is launched. The annual citizen science event – run by wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation – offers an easy way to give something positive back to nature and is open … Read more
Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm is getting ready to reopen its doors to the public as a Covid-19 secure environment from Monday 17th May. Ahead of welcoming back visitors, owner Clive Farrell will release thousands of stunning tropical butterflies, which the Farm has been breeding especially during lockdown. Featuring 250 different butterfly species sourced from 20 different countries, … Read more
The winners of the Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020, launched this year in association with invertebrate charity, Buglife, have been revealed. Over 5,000 images were submitted from around the globe, competing for a total prize fund of £23,000, with a number of categories including Arachnids, Beetles, Butterflies & Moths, Flies, Bees & Wasps, Aquatic Bugs and … Read more
The world’s largest butterfly survey has been launched by Chris Packham and wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation to help assess the health of our environment. The Big Butterfly Count attracted more than 113,000 people last year, and with many of us turning to nature during lockdown, 2020 is expected to be the biggest year yet. Taking … Read more
Preparations are underway at Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm to welcome back visitors this weekend following months of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak. Teams have been working behind the scenes to ensure all the necessary social distancing measures are in place before doors reopen on Saturday 4th July. Several changes have been made to protect visitors, … Read more
The warm spring weather and the sunniest May on record has led to many butterfly species emerging early in the UK this year. It is the first time this century that so many have been seen at this time, with sightings recorded for wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation including some very early dates for particular species. … Read more
The Pocket Book of Garden Experiments by Helen Pilcher Looking for fun activities to keep the kids amused while staying at home? The Pocket Book of Garden Experiments by Helen Pilcher is packed full of ideas and perfect for families wanting to spend some quality time together. Bring out your inner-scientist, stretch your imagination and … Read more
A survey carried out by British charity Butterfly Conservation has revealed that the unusually warm and wet summer last year provided a welcome boost to butterfly populations. Of the butterfly species surveyed over half recorded greater numbers, with 2019 becoming one of the best years since records began 44 years ago. Butterflies benefiting from the … Read more
The Wildlife Trusts and Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) launch their annual Wild About Gardens campaign this month. Inspired by a new film adaptation of the Frances Hodgson Burnett classic, The Secret Garden – in cinemas from 10th April – gardeners are urged to get growing to help save our butterflies and moths. Gardens provide a vital refuge … Read more
Escape the cold and wet weather over the festive holidays and visit The Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm where temperatures are guaranteed to hit 25°C and over. Discover the stunningly beautiful Christmas Butterfly, also known as Papilio Demodocus, which is part of the Swallowtail family. This magnificent butterfly is sourced directly from butterfly farmers of the Kipepeo … Read more
Conservation charity The RSPB has released some top tips on helping wildlife this season, with spokesperson Beth Markey offering her advice on how to make our gardens nature-friendly in preparation for winter. Don’t tidy your autumn garden At this time of year, it’s really important to avoid the urge to cut back and tidy too … Read more
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has confirmed 2019 as a ‘Painted Lady Year’ after nearly half a million were recorded in just three weeks as part of this summer’s The Big Butterfly Count. The high number of Painted Lady butterflies occur as a natural phenomenon about once in every decade, when migratory butterflies arrive in the … Read more
Stratford Butterfly Farm has introduced several stunning new butterfly species and tropical birds to their collection this summer. After months of careful sourcing, the seldom-seen Dero Clearwing, from the rainforests of Columbia, the Procilla Beauty, from Costa Rica and the Blue Pansy, from Thailand can now be seen on display. In addition, three new Kakarikis … Read more
UK wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is urging us all to take part in The Big Butterfly Count to help assess the health of our environment. Launching today and celebrating its 10th year, the world’s largest butterfly survey attracted more than 100,000 people in 2018 who counted over one million butterflies. Participants are encouraged to spot … Read more
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation (BC) has confirmed that elusive butterfly the Purple Emperor has officially returned to Norfolk after disappearing half a century ago. Last recorded in 1961, the Purple Emperor was declared extinct in the county in the early 1970s, but experts from BC’s Norfolk Branch have revealed the butterfly is back and could be breeding … Read more
If your kids love nature, why not send them on a butterfly trail with these inspiring books – perfect to enjoy alongside The Big Butterfly Count taking place this July too … How to be a Butterfly Written by Laura Knowles and illustrated by Catell Ronca Ideal for younger children eager to learn more about … Read more
Farmland cared for by The National Trust in South Wales has been transformed into a haven for rare animals, birds and wildflowers after the introduction of a pioneering new project involving traditional 1940s farming methods. A stretch of coastline near the spectacular Worms Head in Rhossili has been restored to its former glory after ‘strip … Read more
A recent survey conducted by a leading holiday park operator has revealed that 84% of holidaymakers would like to see more wildlife on their next break. Away Resorts, located in six prime locations across the UK and winner of a gold David Bellamy Conservation Award, have responded to public demand with new wildlife protection measures at … Read more
The National Trust is embarking on ambitious plans to develop 60 hectares of lowland heath and wood pasture in a bid to save the UK’s rarest and most endangered butterfly, The High Brown Fritillary. The last 50 years has seen a rapid decline in High Brown numbers, with changes in their natural habitat and pressures … Read more
ZSL London Zoo will be unveiling a brand new exhibit next week full to the brim with handy hints on how to make your garden an oasis for native wildlife. Opening on Tuesday 15th August, ZSL’s new Wildlife Garden will be offering tips to green-fingered visitors, both young and old, on how to encourage creatures … Read more
Stratford Butterfly Farm are inviting visitors to come along and get up close to a number of insects this summer. The farm’s Education Team will be running a series of Meet the Minibeast handling sessions which will take place every day from 22nd July until 3rd September. Here visitors will get the chance to hold … Read more
A new exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London features hundreds of live butterflies and moths on display in a tropical butterfly house. Sensational Butterflies includes a kaleidoscope of colourful butterfly species ethically sourced from Central and South America, Africa and Asia especially for the show. Follow the trail through a tropical habitat of … Read more
The Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm, home to hundreds of spectacular butterflies, insects, reptiles and spiders, will welcome a number of new residents in time for the Easter holidays. Visitors to the farm’s Minibeast Metropolis will be able to see a new inhabitant, the Mexican walking fish, a cross between a fish and a lizard. The unusual amphibians … Read more
From 31st March to 29th October 2017, Longleat will play host to a swarm of colossal bugs, which will be exhibited amongst the spectacular grounds. The iconic Wiltshire estate will feature these anatomically correct animatronic critters, allowing guests to experience their bizarre and intriguing beauty up close and personal. Amongst back garden frequenters such as bees, … Read more
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