British butterflies late because of cold spring

This video, recorded in a garden, is called English Butterflies.

From Wildlife Extra:

Late show for rare spring butterflies

Coldest spring for 50 years has delayed butterfly emergence

May 2013. The coldest start to spring for half a century has led to many butterflies emerging weeks later than usual, Butterfly Conservation has revealed. March, the second coldest since records began, followed a chillier than average winter with snow on the ground in places well into April (And the weather is still cold, wet and rotten).

Grizzled skipper – a month late

The emergence of many rare spring species was typically delayed by a fortnight and in some cases by three or more weeks, with one species – the Grizzled Skipper, emerging a month later than last year.

Other late butterflies

Last year the endangered Pearl-bordered Fritillary was on the wing by April 1st but this year the butterfly didn’t emerge until April 27th.

The endangered Wood White was first seen on April 10th in 2012 but this year was not seen until early May.

Similarly, Duke of Burgundy didn’t put in an appearance until late April, around three weeks later than last year.

May not be a disaster

But the late spring is not necessarily a bad thing for our butterflies as the emergence of the host plants they depend upon will also have been delayed. The cold start to 2013 follows washout 2012 – the worst year on record for UK butterflies with the majority of species suffering declines.

Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation Surveys Manager, said: “The long cold winter has delayed the emergence of some of our most threatened butterflies by at least two weeks this spring. In itself, this is not necessarily a bad thing. The key factor is what the weather is like over the coming weeks while these butterflies are flying, mating and laying eggs.

“Many species were decimated by foul weather last spring and their numbers will be lower this year. They really need some fine spring weather and a successful breeding season in order to start rebuilding their populations.”

The public can get closer to our rarest spring butterflies this May with Butterfly Conservation.

Save Our Butterflies Week

The charity is running Save Our Butterflies Week – a series of UK-wide events highlighting conservation work that is helping to reverse the declines of our butterflies.

Dr Martin Warren, Butterfly Conservation Chief Executive said: “This is a great chance for people to visit some fascinating sites and see some of our rarest butterflies. Experts will be on hand at each event to explain their unique life cycles and the work that Butterfly Conservation is doing to conserve them.”

Related articles

• Butterflies emerging late due to cold UK spring (itv.com)
• Late arrival for rare butterflies (bbc.co.uk)
• UK’s rare spring butterflies make a late show (updatednews.ca)
• UK’s rare spring butterflies make a late show (arunbabyveranakunnel.wordpress.com)
• Boost butterfly numbers with ‘Buzz’™ (greenreview.blogspot.com)
• Crowd Sourcing Butterfly Conservation (datamining.typepad.com)
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• Yunlin launches purple crow butterfly conservation activities (wantchinatimes.com)
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Spanish wildlife, and butterfly effect

This is a Spanish video about the Natura 2000 Day.

From BirdLife:

Celebrate the Natura 2000 Day with a simple gesture

Thu, May 16, 2013

Juan Ramon Lucas

On 21 May, the Natura 2000 network celebrates its first European Day, and SEO (BirdLife in Spain) has started a campaign to involve citizens in this project, which aims to ensure the survival of the most valuable and threatened species and habitats by establishing nature protected areas throughout Europe. The action, based on the so-called “butterfly effect”, claims that “a simple gesture as the flap of a butterfly can change the whole world”, and calls on participation by uploading pictures of people raising their hands in the shape of a butterfly to a specific website.

In exchange of these gestures, regional Spanish public administrations will set up specific initiatives to preserve their local Natura 2000 areas. The main goal of this online action is to spread the knowledge and the relevance of the network among the society. A short promotional video of the campaign, with statements from EU Commissioner Janez Potočnik, Spanish awarded chef Ferran Adrià, journalist Juan Ramon Lucas and violinist Ara Malikian, is also available on YouTube and Vimeo.

Pictures can be sent to the campaign website from now until the 21^st. Organisers have also opened an official Facebook page and a Twitter profile, using the hashtag #DiaNatura2000.

For more information please contact Beatriz Sánchez, Project Coordinator at SEO/BirdLife (BirdLife in Spain).

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• Bird watchers give evidence against hunter (timesofmalta.com)
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• Maltese criminals kill rare birds (dearkitty1.wordpress.com)

Stonechat, skylark and meadow pipit

After 1 May in the Drents-Friese Wold nature reserve, comes 2 May.

On the edge of the Dolderdumse veld heathland and forest, a male stonechat sits on a shrub.

This photo shows the favourite habitat there of stonechats, heathland birds.

A skylark singing and flying.

A kestrel. A buzzard.

A tree pipit. Probably the same one as a few days ago.

In Wapserveld reserve, a yellowhammer sings.

Brimstone and orange tip butterflies.

In a meadow, a skylark.

Later, in another meadow, a meadow pipit.

Back in the garden, a female pied fly-catcher sitting on a table.

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Swallowtail elected favourite Dutch butterfly

This is a video about the metamorphosis of swallowtails (Papilio machaon).

Dutch voters have elected the old world swallowtail as favourite butterfly.

In an Internet poll, this species got 1449 votes.

The rest of the Top 5 is:

2. Holly blue butterfly 1300 votes
3. Peacock butterfly 1199
4. Orange tip 1112
5. Comma 693

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Bee-killing pesticides out of British supermarkets

This video is called Science Bulletins: Bee Deaths Linked to Common Pesticides.

From Wildlife Extra:

Waitrose removes three neonicotinoids from supply chain

Buglife delighted that Waitrose remove dangerous neonicotinoid products from supply chain

April 2018. Following on from The UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) recommendation that the use of toxic insecticides, known as neonicotinoids, be suspended, supermarket giant Waitrose is asking all of its suppliers of fruit, vegetables and flowers to avoid the use of three formulations of neonicotinoid based pesticides on crops destined for the supermarket. The move comes in light of concerns about their effects on bees, butterflies and other important pollinators.

‘Seven Point Plan for Pollinators‘

Under a ‘Seven Point Plan for Pollinators’ (see below) that begins immediately, farmers supplying Waitrose are to stop using three systemic formulations of neonicotinoids by the end of 2014 at the latest. The three formulations – imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam – will no longer be used on crops attractive to bees and other pollinators. The restriction on use is a precautionary measure and will remain in place until scientists can demonstrate conclusively whether or not the formulations are adversely affecting populations of pollinator insects.

The approach will also be rolled out progressively to commodity crops such as oil seed rape on the Waitrose Farm at Leckford in Hampshire and as soon as practicable to other areas of the arable sector that supply Waitrose.

Buglife delighted that Waitrose remove dangerous neonicotinoid products from supply chain

Vanessa Amaral-Rogers, Buglife Pesticides Officer said “This is a huge step in the right direction, leading the way for other retailers to follow. By voicing their concern for pollinators they are adding pressure and weight to the campaign for a ban on the use of neonicotinoids”

…

Vanessa said “By taking these precautionary measures Waitrose have shown an admirable commitment to the long term security of our wild insect pollinator health and populations.”

Waitrose owns its own 4,000 acre farm at Leckford in Hampshire, which has been part of the John Lewis Partnership for nearly 90 years. Managed to high environmental standards, it produces a rich variety of goods for Waitrose including milk, cider, apples, mushrooms, Leckford chicken and rapeseed oil.

Research project

In addition the supermarket chain has announced that it will fund a significant research project with the University of Exeter into the effects on pollinators of multiple pesticide use. The work will look at the impact of combinations of neonicotinoids and other pesticides on pollinators. The results of the three year programme will be used to develop alternative methods of pest control.

Waitrose Director of Quality & Technical David Croft said: “We have been looking at pollinator health for some time in close collaboration with our fresh produce suppliers. Given the concern about these pesticides and the need to support pollinators we believe this is a responsible precautionary step as part of a wider, holistic approach under our seven point plan.

“The role of pollinating insects such as bees is crucial in sustaining agriculture in the long term, as part of a thriving ecosystem that will support food security, healthy diets and the wider agricultural economy.

“The current debate on the decline of pollinators has raised attention about the potential adverse impact of neonicotinoid pesticides. With this in mind, and in favour of strengthening pollinator presence, Waitrose is supporting a precautionary approach with these chemicals.”

The Waitrose Seven point plan for pollinators

Waitrose is:

Supporting the EU’s review into the use of three key neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam), on crops attractive to bees.

Avoiding the use of these three neonicotinoids in our fruit, vegetable and flower supply chains for Waitrose products. This will focus on flowering plants attractive to pollinators and see these pesticides being phased out worldwide, beginning immediately and working over the next two seasons.

Supporting further research into pollinators through the University of Exeter. The work will look at the impact of neonicotinoids, other pesticides and the combination of both on pollinators. The results will contribute to the development of alternative methods of pest control if the chemicals are found to have long term adverse effects. This will be a three year programme of work.

Ensuring, through our farm engagement and supply chain development work via the Waitrose Farm Assessment that all fresh produce farms initially (and arable farms subsequently) monitor and develop bee/pollinator activity. This is based on our previous work with the University of Sussex, via our Agronomy Group, where Waitrose and our fresh produce suppliers work closely together to strengthen standards.

Strengthening control frameworks for our commodity crop ingredients such as wheat and oil seed rape, adopting the LEAF standard in these sectors as a proven platform for future environmental development. This will support the delivery of learnings from our produce agronomy and CEUKF activity in the arable sector. Our own Waitrose farm at Leckford is already LEAF certified for these crops.

Engaging our consumers including Waitrose Partners (who are co-owners of our business, as well as working in our business) to gather more data on pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, through their own observations. Customers will be asked to share their observations via web developments and apps that are being developed jointly with Earthwatch and the University of Sussex, to contribute to the growing fact base on pollinators and so help to frame future developments that support pollinators.

Investing in the development of organic farming to support a wide range of crops that enable choice for consumers. Our support for organic farming also extends to funding from the sale of Duchy Originals from Waitrose that, via the Prince of Wales Charitable Trust, is enabling the Soil Association to develop and share learnings from organic farming across all farming areas to support and strengthen sustainability for the future.

Study shows reproductive effects of pesticide exposure span generations: here.

Related articles

• Waitrose asks suppliers to avoid bee-harming pesticides (guardian.co.uk)
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• Stop bee-killing pesticides, British parliamentarians say (dearkitty1.wordpress.com)
• Ban pesticides to save bees, say MPs (bbc.co.uk)
• Bee vs. Neonicotinoid (slowfoodedinburgh.wordpress.com)
• Pesticide makes bees forget the scent for food, new study finds (guardian.co.uk)
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First chiffchaff song, first brimstone butterfly, of spring

Today was the first “real” spring day, above 20 degrees centigrade, after a cold early spring.

This is a video about a singing chiffchaff.

This morning, on my way to the railway station, I heard the first chiffchaff song. Later than in earlier years.

Later, at a pond in Santpoort, two Egyptian geese on the bank, and tufted ducks swimming.

In a garden, the first brimstone butterfly of the year.

This is a brimstone butterfly video.

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British butterflies in cold spring weather

This video is called Butterflies: Spotting and identifying Britain’s butterflies.

From Wildlife Extra:

UK butterfly sightings 2013

2013 butterfly sightings

March 2013. With British Summer time officially happening at the end of March, you might have expected that we would be seeing a few butterflies taking ot the wing; A few is the opeartive word here, as the snow and miserable weather continues to plague the UK. Just 10 species have been spotted this year, compared with 16 by this time last year.

So far, after a surprising number of butterflies spotetd on 1st January, there have just been a trickle since. Small white (Berkshire) and Small copper (Norfolk) were both seen on 5th March, an Orange Tip (Oxfordshire) on 27 February, and a Comma in Kent on 8th January.

Remarkably, 6 different species of butterfly were recorded in the UK on January 1st, some in several locations according to Butterfly Conservation. There are always a few early sightings, but we think it is very unusual to have 5 different species on January 1st.

The species and locations are:

A Brimstone was spotted in Bedfordshire
Red admirals were spotted in Hampshire Gloucester & Surrey
Painted Lady were seen in Dorset, Isle of Wight and Sussex
Small Tortoiseshell in Dorset and Sussex
Peacock in Staffordshire and Sussex
Speckled Wood in Cornwall

If you think you might have seen a first butterfly of the 2013, let Butterfly Conservation know.

March 2013. Washout 2012 was the worst year for UK butterflies on record with 52 out of the 56 species monitored suffering declines, a scientific study has revealed. Some of our rarest species such as the fritillaries bore the brunt of the second wettest year on record and now face the real threat of extinction in some parts of the UK: here.

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Monsanto kills monarch butterflies

This video from North America is called Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed leaves.

By Debbie Hadley in the USA:

Monsanto, Milkweed, and the Declining Monarch Migration

March 18, 2013

By now, you’ve probably heard the bad news. This winter’s eastern monarch population hit a record low, occupying a scant 1.19 hectares of oyamel forest in Mexico. Since 1975, when the monarch overwintering habitat was discovered, scientists have never recorded numbers this low. Chip Taylor of Monarch Watch notes that this represents a 59% decline over the previous year. And 2011-2012 was not a good year, either.

While much of our attention over the past three decades has been focused on saving the monarchs‘ winter habitat in Mexico, we’ve done very little to preserve their breeding habitat here in the U.S. Monarch caterpillars are specialist feeders that feed only on milkweeds (genus Asclepias). As milkweed goes, so go the monarchs.

By some estimates, a full 70% of monarch butterflies fed on milkweeds growing in farm fields in the past. But thanks to Monsanto, an agricultural biotechnology corporation and the world’s leading producer of the herbicide Roundup, most of those farm fields no longer sprout milkweed. In the past 20 years, Monsanto introduced Roundup Ready corn and soybeans, and farmers were quick to adopt these genetically-modified crops. Instead of tilling their fields to control weeds, farmers spray them with Roundup. The Roundup Ready crops continue to grow, while the weeds – including the milkweeds – die back. Milkweed can tolerate tilling, but not Roundup.

Roundup isn’t the only factor contributing to the monarch decline, of course, but it certainly isn’t helping. That’s why Roundup Ready crops top my list of 10 threats to monarch migration.

March 2013. The Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health made up of representatives from Member States within the European Union met recently to discuss a substantial ban on neonicotinoid insecticides. Member States voted on the proposed ban but there was no consensus, and the ban has not been approved: here.

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Dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies video

Like earlier videos on this blog, this video was recorded by Alex Molin in the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen nature reserve in the Netherlands. This time, not in winter, but in summer. And not about birds, but about mating dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies.

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Monarch butterflies in trouble

This video is called Complete Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly.

From Wildlife Extra:

Monarch butterfly numbers decline again

Drought conditions and historic wildfires lead to more decline

March 2013. Bad news again for the Monarch butterfly: Drought conditions and historic wildfires the past few years continue to decrease their numbers as they wing across Texas this spring. Worse news: milkweed plants – the only kind they need to survive – are also not in plentiful supply, says a Texas A&M University Monarch watcher.

Craig Wilson, a senior research associate in the Center for Mathematics and Science Education and a longtime butterfly enthusiast, says reports coming from Mexico where the Monarchs have their breeding grounds show their numbers are significantly down, a disturbing trend during much of the past decade.

Wilson explains “The severe drought in Texas and much of the Southwest continues to wreak havoc with the number of Monarchs. The conditions have been dry both here and in Mexico in recent years. It takes four generations of the insects to make it all of the way up to Canada, and because of lack of milkweed along the way, a lot of them just don’t make it.”

Drought hampering milkweed food

The dry conditions and changing farming practices are hampering the growth of milkweed, the only type of plant the Monarch will digest as it makes its trip north. Texas has had dozens of wildfires in the past few years that have hampered milkweed growth, and even though there are more than 30 types of milkweed (Asclepiadaceae) in the state, the numbers are not there to sustain the Monarchs as they start their 2,000-mile migration trip to Canada. Increased use of pesticides is also adversely affecting milkweed production, he notes.

“But if people want to help, they can pick up some milkweed plants right now at local farmer’s cooperative stores,” he says, “and this would no doubt be a big boost to help in their migration journey.”

The Monarch reserves are in the Mexican state of Michoacan. It’s an area where tens of millions of Monarchs spend the winter and mate before heading north, Wilson points out.

“On a recent visit to the Monarch overwintering sites in Michoacan, former President Jimmy Carter said: ‘The Monarch butterfly unites the three countries of North America in peace.

It is an ambassador of peace which requires protected areas and ecosystems that are preserved through sustainable agricultural and forestry practices. We need to work together to maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem for all North America,” Wilson adds.

“It is important to have a national priority of planting milkweed to assure there will be Monarchs in the future,” Wilson believes. “If we could get several states to collaborate, we might be able to provide a ‘feeding’ corridor right up to Canada for the Monarchs.”

Wilson is currently adding a variety of milkweed plants to the existing Cynthia Woods Mitchell Garden on the Texas A&M campus. He recommends the following sites for Monarch followers: Journey North, Texas Monarch Watch and Monarch Watch.

For more information about monarch butterflies and their migration, visit www.monarchwatch.org.

Nomads of the Wind and Other Wonders of the Butterfly World – Photographic Story of the Monarch Butterfly Migration. There is a great deal that we still do not know about the Monarch Butterfly, but this book presents the extent of our knowledge in stunning fashion. Many of the secrets of the extraordinary migration that the Monarchs make are yet to be unlocked … Read more here.

Related articles

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• Film captures journey of monarch butterflies (triblive.com)
• GMOs Drive Monarch Butterfly Populations to ‘Ominous’ Lows (commondreams.org)
• Monarch butterfly numbers drop by ‘ominous’ 59 per cent in Mexico (blogs.windsorstar.com)
• Scientists see ominous decline in Mexico’s Monarch butterflies (science.nbcnews.com)