The Conservation Volunteers

e Conservation Volunteers A wonderful time for butter ies

Now is a wonderful time for seeing butterfl ies in gardens and the wider countryside. But did you know these beautiful insects have become much less common over recent years? Long term monitoring since 1976 shows massive declines in both numbers and spread of many species, including more common sorts such as the Small Tortoiseshell, down 74%. So, what is going wrong? Broadly, loss of habitat, and loss of quality of habitat are to blame. Without abundant fl owers and a range of caterpillar food plants in the countryside, butterfl ies cannot thrive. Intensive agriculture and herbicides reduce both the number of fl owers and of caterpillar food plants. Weather is also a big factor. Even butterfl ies benefi tting from general climate warming are vulnerable to the extreme weather events that climate change brings. What can we do? As individuals there are many things. • Buy organic food, if you can. The wildlife-

friendly farming methods protect habitat for butterfl ies. • Make your garden butterfl y friendly. Old fashioned single fl owers, in a range of shapes, provide nectar for a range of butterfl ies and other insects. Keep your garden un-tidied over winter, to allow overwintering habitat for insects, until the weather warms again. • Join a specialist butterfl y conservation organisation or your local wildlife trust. TCV groups are working to help butterfl ies locally by carrying out habitat work such as making and maintaining sunny areas where woodland butterfl ies can thrive. Our meadow management work benefi ts open area species, as well as creating conditions where a wide range of wild fl owers can fl ourish. To join us, email kay. thompson@tcv.org.uk

Call Lee on: 01530 490019

SERVICING

Average appliance has 30 items checked, adjusted and cleaned

REPAIRS FIX PRICE GUARANTEED Installations, Free quotationsLPG qualified25 years of experience

Finance packages available starting with 0% APR over 24 months with other packages available. We are an appointed representative of the Pay Monthly Boiler Centre who are authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority FRN676340 www.ignitegasltd.co.uk

Check us out on facebook.com/ignitegasservices

RAMSELL & WATKINS

Domestic & Industrial Electrical Services & Property Maintenance

• New builds/extensions • Electrical testing/reports • Upgrades/repairs

John Ramsell & Michael Watkins

Mobile: 07375 357623 Tel: (01530) 411606 Email: ramsellwatkins@gmail.com