Help Joanna Lumley count and conserve butterflies
Visitors to WWT Slimbridge can help conserve butterflies by recording the number they see on their days out this summer.
The Big Butterfly Count 2013, launched at WWT’s London Wetland Centre last week and Joanna Lumley spent the morning there wildlife watching to celebrate.
Now visitors to WWT Slimbridge are being encouraged to take part in the count which runs until 11th August.
Every visitor arriving at the Centre is being given a free spotter sheet so they can contribute to the research and there is more information at: http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/
Joanna encouraged everyone to get out and about and report butterfly sightings to Butterfly Conservation, to go into a national record which can be used to determine whether populations are growing or declining. The count comes as Butterfly Conservation president, Sir David Attenborough warned that UK butterfly numbers are at a historic low, with 2012 being the worst year on record for UK butterflies.
Joanna said: “If you’re interested in taking part in the Big Butterfly Count, WWT Wetland Centres are fantastic places to see native butterflies. Centres have recreated specific habitats that support butterflies as well as mammals, birds and amphibians and most centres hold butterfly and minibeast walks and talks.
For the duration of the Big Butterfly Count, all nine WWT Wetland Centres have free spotter sheets at the admissions desk, so you can have a truly worthwhile day out by recording the butterflies you see and reporting your findings to Butterfly Conservation.
WWT has nine different Wetland Centres around the UK – all of which are easily accessible places to be immersed in nature and witness the wonders of wetland wildlife.
You can choose as much or as little activity as you want – relax with a book and watch the world go by, watch birds in a hide, go on a free walk & talk, take a canoe safari or boat trip or entertain the kids with pond dipping, arts and crafts and play areas. The one thing that’s guaranteed, your day will always include guaranteed close-up wildlife encounters.
To learn more about the WWT Wetland Centre experience and to see our locations, go to: http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/
