How to conduct a butterfly survey
Why are Common Blue butterflies a useful indicator species?
Our butterfly focus is on the Common Blue butterfly, a widespread species which use a variety of habitats and is therefore a good indicator of connectivity. The caterpillar primarily feeds on common bird’s-foot-trefoil, but also greater bird’s-foot-trefoil, black medick, common restharrow, and white clover. Common Blue butterflies are good indicators for developing grasslands that are rich in wildflowers.
We will monitor this species by undertaking transects using the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme methodology, so it is possible to compare the population at Bore Place to national trends.
This training session is one of our scheduled surveys - so by the end of the session, you'll already have contributed data to our research. Whilst your time is hugely valuable to us, taking part in any of our trainings and surveys will give you useful experience you can use elsewhere, too.
Places are limited for each training session and must be pre-booked. Please book here to let us know you're coming.
If the session is fully booked, please join the waiting list as we may be able to offer another training session in response to demand.
Important info
- Over 18s only.
- Dress for the weather and in clothes you don't mind getting mucky - all training sessions are practical and will be outside.
- Wear sturdy, comfortable boots or wellies.
- Feel free to bring water and snacks with you.
- Sorry, no dogs are permitted with the exception of service animals.
This training session is FREE thanks to funding support from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme
