Dr. Dave Wainwright is the North York Moors Project Officer for Butterfly Conservation.
On this page, he gives us an insight into his role and the ways in which we
can all help to conserve butterflies and moths in the area.

CONSERVING THE BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF THE NORTH YORK MOORS

AIMS OF THE PROJECT

Recording

The North York Moors & surrounding areas are home to some of Yorkshire's rarest butterflies!

Photo Copyright: Jax Westmoreland

BUT...

...we still need to know more about which species live where. You can help us to find out by recording as many butterflies as you can when you visit the area. We are interested in all butterflies not just the more rare species and the information we need includes:

The type(s) of butterfly seen

The date seen

Where they were seen
Please give a 6 figure grid reference and a place name or
Alternatively you could mark locations on a photocopied map
(free maps are available at http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/)

The number of each species that you saw

DON'T WORRY IF…

…you can't tell the difference between a Large Skipper and a Large Kipper…

Large Skipper		Large Kipper

Just order our FREE butterfly ID chart OR book a place on one of our free guided walks and let the experts show you which butterfly is which, where each type lives, what plants they need etc.

The full list of guided walks with details and dates and how to book a place can be found on the events page.
To order a chart, contact dwainwright@butterfly-conservation.org

If you are able to compile any butterfly records during 2006, please submit them to:

Dave O'Brien, 30 Appleton Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. TS5 5JE
or Tel: 01642 290379
or email: d.obrien6@ntlworld.com

Butterfly Monitoring

Conservationists need to know whether animal or plant populations are going up, down or staying the same. They can then concentrate their efforts on those faring badly. The only way to find out this information is by undertaking repeated counts. With butterflies, this is very, very easy, as they are easy to see and fairly easy to identify.
The monitoring method involves:

Walking along a pre-determined route (known as a transect) once a week when conditions are warm and sunny.

Transect walks need to be undertaken 26 weeks per year (all-species monitoring)
or
6/7 weeks per year (single species monitoring)

Counting the numbers of butterflies you see within a five-metre wide corridor along the transect

Recording a few details such as the amount of sunshine, temperature etc.

Experts from Butterfly Conservation are available to help YOU set up a transect, either close to where you live or on a site where the rare species are to be found.

In return for your help, you'll benefit by:- exercise & a tan; feedback from Butterfly Conservation; and the knowledge that YOU are contributing to the future of the county's wildlife.

Butterfly Conservation will soon be looking for volunteers willing to help us with this important scientific work starting in July 2006. Keep an eye on this page or local press for details, or contact dwainwright@butterfly-conservation.org for further information.

Moths

Photo Copyright: Dean Stables and Charlie Fletcher

We know even less about the moths in the North York Moors area than we do about butterflies.
We're running several events this year aimed at finding some rare and attractive moths, both day and night fliers.
If you'd like to join us, then check out the events page and contact me on the e-mail address above

News

Throughout the summer, we'll keep you abreast of what's been happening in the North York Moors.
Just log on to the website and got to the NY Moor News page to find out what's been happening in the world of butterflies and moths in this rather special part of the world.