Red Admiral resurgence in gardens

Red Admiral Butterfly 006 e (Mike Toms) (RA)-200px.jpg

2013 was a good year for many of our common garden butterflies, giving them a boost after a run of miserable summers. This year started off even better, with many butterfly species emerging earlier and in higher numbers than in previous years, thanks to the mild spring temperatures.

This early emergence promised another fruitful breeding season for butterflies and it was. Whilst seen in slightly lower numbers than last year, both Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell were still reported from about half of BTO Garden BirdWatch gardens, and interestingly Small Tortoiseshell peaked a month earlier than in 2013.

However, the star species for Garden BirdWatchers this year was the Red Admiral. It started to increase in gardens three weeks earlier than in 2013, and by the end of August 42.5% of GBW gardens had reported seeing them, a 26% increase from 2013. By the beginning of October, unprecedented numbers were still being reported.

Clare Simm, from the Garden BirdWatch team, commented, "We knew from anecdotal reports that this year would be another good one for butterflies, and it did not disappoint. As you can see, our volunteers do not just focus on birds, but also provide us with vital information on other wildlife groups too."

Despite being migratory, Red Admirals are increasingly being reported well into the winter, with more seeming to survive the winter instead of dying off or returning to their wintering grounds. Will this winter be mild enough for them? Help us find out!

Get in touch for a free BTO Garden BirdWatch information pack which includes a copy of our quarterly magazine. Email gbw [at] bto.org, telephone 01842 750050, or write to GBW, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU. For more information about BTO Garden BirdWatch, visit http://www.bto.org/gbw

Notes for Editors

1. The BTO Garden BirdWatch is the only nationwide survey of garden birds to run weekly throughout the year, providing important information on how birds use gardens, and how this use changes over time. Currently, some 14,500 people take part in the project. The project is funded by participants’ contributions and is the largest year-round survey of garden birds in the world. For more information see www.bto.org/gbw.
    
2. The BTO is the UK's leading bird research charity. A growing membership and up to 60,000 volunteer birdwatchers contribute to the BTO's surveys, collecting information that underpins conservation action in the UK. The BTO maintains a staff of 100 at its offices in Thetford, Stirling, Bangor (Wales) and Bangor (Northern Ireland), who analyse and publicise the results of surveys and projects. The BTO's work is funded by BTO supporters, government, trusts, industry and conservation organisations. www.bto.org

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