Building a picture of butterfly numbers: An exercise in applied mindfulness
In the chill days of winter, a welcome task is making plans for the coming warmer season, and now, just days away from the meteorological start of spring, we can start to put plans in place for our annual programme of wildlife surveys, work that can begin in earnest once the natural world begins to awaken again.
Key to carrying out all the dozen or so different species surveys we undertake across our 500+ hectares, to assess the effectiveness of our land management approach, is a team of volunteer surveyors.
We caught up with volunteer Butterfly Surveyor Adrian Ford to find out what’s involved…
How did you become involved with Earth Trust?
Many years ago, I’d done weekend volunteering for BBOWT at their Dry Sandford Pit reserve, on work parties and as a volunteer reserve warden. When I was approaching retirement, I fancied doing something similar: something that would get me out in the open air, provide a bit of exercise and a chance to meet new people, while having a positive impact.
Just a few weeks before I retired (nearly nine years ago now, how time flies when you’re enjoying yourself!), I came across a small piece in a local magazine about Earth Trust and how they were looking for new volunteers to help both at the Centre in Little Wittenham and at the Thrupp Lake reserve near Abingdon.
I liked the sound of what Earth Trust were about, so got in touch as soon as I was free. And so, before I had time to settle into a cosy retirement, I found myself regularly joining the Thursday Land Management volunteer group, at Thrupp Lake to begin with, and then at a number of the other community reserves managed by Earth Trust.
I learnt to use a scythe without causing danger to others and lots more land management skills involved in caring for meadows, grassland, woodland and wetland habitats.
I enjoyed myself so much it was only a matter of time before I was doing extra days as part of the Centre’s maintenance team, joining in with hedgelaying and carrying out butterfly surveys.
With the Thursday volunteers repairing a tern raft
Pleaching technique in hedgelaying
Using a clinometer to estimate tree height
A spot of scything, clearing paths in the wood
What is involved in being a Butterfly Surveyor?
To be a Butterfly Surveyor is not as difficult as some might think. It just requires good observational skills which people can pick up and develop quite quickly. A good pocket field guide or the iRecord butterflies app is essential though.
Earth Trust provides volunteers with comprehensive instructions on how to conduct a survey. The main thing is consistency in the method used, as what we’re aiming for is to build up a picture of butterfly numbers week on week and year on year, at particular sites.
The results are uploaded to the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme’s website, where they are combined with results from all over the country, thus helping identify any population changes across the UK or in certain areas, or at individual sites e.g. due to the effects of management.
The surveys, or ‘transects’, are carried out from the beginning of April until the end of September – 26 counts per year – at weekly intervals and depending on weather conditions (some days may be too cold or too wet).
Earth Trust has a team of volunteers that work to a rota so it’s not too onerous for any one volunteer. I do my surveys at the Thrupp Lake and Abbey Fishponds community reserves in Abingdon.
For each transect walk, the average temperature, wind strength/direction and percentage sunshine are noted on a standard form, and the walk is then done at a slow, steady pace using the same fixed route, noting any butterflies that are seen up to 2.5 m either side and 5m ahead. No looking back over your shoulder or stopping to take lots of photos!
Thrupp Lake, Abingdon
Common blue at Abbey Fishponds, photo by Adrian
Abbey Fishponds, Abingdon
Sadly, I lost my wife last autumn after a difficult illness during which I spent a lot of time as her carer. When I could find spare time, I found that butterfly surveying was an excellent way of getting some relaxation by focusing on an activity that requires paying attention in peaceful surroundings – an exercise in applied mindfulness, if you like.
Have there been any unexpected aspects to the work?
There have been occasional days when, despite the conditions seeming favourable, barely a single butterfly is to be seen, which can be disappointing (although in terms of collecting data, equally important). Yet on another day when the sun is out after a period of rain, you can be rewarded by a procession of butterflies almost too numerous to count. That’s my happy time.
Although I don’t class myself as an expert, I’ve been able to pass on my knowledge to fellow volunteers who in some cases have gone on to develop greater specialist knowledge in the subject and that is personally very satisfying.
Do you have a favourite butterfly/species?
It would be difficult to choose my favourite butterfly out of the 57 or so UK native species, but the one that made such an impression on me as a small child must be the red admiral (Vanessa atalanta), which has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.
Another I still have a soft spot for, the small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), with its beautiful colours and markings, has noticeably dropped off in numbers.
Can people get involved at home?
Over the last 25 years, I’ve been keeping records of birds and other wildlife (including butterflies) in our garden for the British Trust for Ornithology’s Garden BirdWatch monitoring scheme, and in that time, I’ve seen definite shifts in both bird and butterfly numbers.
I would encourage anyone with an interest to join in too, it’s a simple way we can all help and make a difference.
“Citizen science” surveys perform a vital role in helping us understand the effects of climate change and land management, providing more than just anecdotal evidence of what might be going on.
If you’d like to get involved in volunteering with us, find out more information at Volunteer with Earth Trust