Why Butterflies are Declining

Destruction and alteration of habitats are pricipally responsible for the decline in butterfly populations.

Some of the most serious threats are:

• the ploughing and improvement of grassland with fertilisers, herbicides or by resowing.
• abandonment of coppices which are being replaced by high forest, often conifers which shade out te undergrowth, destroying conditions needed by many butterflies.
  

How can I help butterflies?

Anyone with a garden can do a great deal for butterflies by planting the flowers and food plants that butterflies need. It is possible to attract butterflies into your garden which will give great pleasure and give an opportunity to observe them closely. In late summer the Peacock, Tortoise-shell and other Vanessids, which eventually hibernate, need quantities of nectar to build up their strength.

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