Volunteers sought for the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey

Article written by Zoë Randle, Surveys Officer at Butterfly Conservation

The Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS), launched in 2009, represents the first UK-wide survey of butterfly abundance using a random sampling framework.  The scheme is important both for assessing the changing status of widespread butterfly species and in providing an indicator of the health of the countryside. The WCBS is jointly run by Butterfly Conservation (BC), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH).  The scheme is funded by the project partners and a consortium of Government agencies led by JNCC.  

Key findings from the 2012 Survey

Location of the WCBS squares: 334 BTO BBS squares (blue) and  437 Butterfly Conservation squares (pink).
Despite the terrible weather in 2012 across the UK, participation was at an all time high. In total 1,548 visits were made to 771 randomly selected 1km squares by 648 recorders, who collectively counted 64,452 butterflies of 46 species.  This is a substantial improvement in volunteer effort, with a 17% increase (114) in squares sampled than in 2011. The number of recorders was up by 20%; however, the number of butterflies counted fell by 5% compared to 2011.

For the fourth consecutive year Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) was the most abundant species, 18,629 individuals were counted in July and August, almost twice as many as in 2011. Meadow Brown was also the most widespread butterfly for the third successive year occurring in 89% of squares, compared with 81% in 2010 and 2011. The majority of other species fared poorly; in fact it was the worst year in the four year series.

What’s happening next?

The WCBS is running for a fifth year in 2013, and at a welcome higher resource level for training and promotion.  Through this we hope to exceed last year’s coverage levels. For further news and results keep an eye on the website or contact us.

Get Involved

To take part, all that is required is to conduct at least two surveys each year over the July and August period to an allocated 1km square. Most Butterfly Conservation Branches have a WCBS Champion who can allocate you a square and provide help and support to get you started.  For more information or to find out who your Branch Champion is please contact Zoë Randle (Surveys Officer) via survey@butterfly-conservation.org or 01929 406006.

Thanks

We are extremely grateful to all the volunteer recorders and local co-ordinators who participate in these surveys – without your help the project would simply not be possible.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) image courtesy of David Dennis

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