This week’s nature notes are inspired by these fabulous butterfly photos captured by one of our runners, John Bates, on a run in Newhall Valley.
Can you identify the butterflies? Check out the identification sheet and this link to help you! https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/identify-garden-butterflies
One possible benefit of the current circumstances is that many councils may have to leave road verges uncut. Roadside verges are one of the last refuges for the many plant species that have been devastated by the conversion of natural meadows into farmland and housing estates. These narrow strips of grassland are home to 700 species of wildflowers, nearly 45% of the UK’s total flora.
Over recent years, many of our once-common butterflies have declined but experts hope that the respite for the road verges may to lead to an explosion of colour in the countryside this summer and bring benefits to pollinators, including butterflies, birds, bats and bees.
While we are out spending more time in our gardens we can help too. Encourage butterflies to visit your garden by planting nectar-rich flowers and shrubs like buddleia, ivy, daisies, and primroses for them to feed on throughout the seasons – even a few flowers in a windowbox will do the trick!
Several of our local garden centres are doing home deliveries while closed so SE Fitness you can get your orders in and get planting!