Biodiversity in Glasgow (BIG) 2007-9

Urban green spaces often have a bad image, and are poorly managed and under-valued.  Yet some are not only very attractive places to enjoy, but are important for wildlife. 

Butterfly Conservation and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) ran the BIG project to encourage local people to record the birds and butterflies in Glasgow’s green spaces by providing training, identification guides and support.

There was a tremendous response from the public, and over 100 sites were surveyed for birds, butterflies and their habitats.

The data was collected and analysed in conjunction with other data sets to discover the most important sites in Glasgow, and look at how other sites could be improved.

The aim of the project was to improve future management of green spaces within Glasgow and other cities in Scotland, as well as encouraging more people to get involved in recording wildlife. A report will be available in due course.

This project was funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Biodiversity Action Grants Scheme. It was also supported by Glasgow City Council and members of the Glasgow Biodiversity Partnership.

Butterflies and Moths mean Business 2004-8

This innovative project aimed to:

• Raise the profile of butterflies and moths
• Encourage recording, and
• Help locals and visitors enjoy their visits to butterfly and moth sites, bringing economic benefits to the rural Stirling area and the Cairngorms.

A programme of free workshops was held each year to train the public to carry out surveys.  Several hundred people have now been on workshops and have gone on to become active recorders. 

The workshops were informal and fun, consisting of an indoor session, followed by a field trip to practice new skills. They also gave participants a chance to meet like-minded people and countryside staff.  Workshops focussed on species such as the Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, Mountain Ringlet, Argent & Sable Northern Brown Argus and Kentish Glory. 

Other workshops were introductory sessions on butterflies or moths for those involved in the tourism business, such as tourist information staff and rangers.

Other activities included:

• Developing butterfly trail walks with partners
• Producing free literature and identification guides

Funding was through the EU (via LEADER+ programmes in rural Stirling and the Cairngorms), Scottish Natural Heritage, Cairngorms National Park, Cairngorms Biodiversity Partnership, and Stirling Council's Biodiversity Action Grants Scheme.

Argyll Islands Species Recovery Programme 2005-7

Many of the islands in this area have strongholds for key species, including the Marsh Fritillary and Slender Scotch Burnet (pictured).  The latter is only found on a few sites on Mull and Ulva and nowhere else in the UK. 

This three year project worked closely with communities, farmers/crofters, foresters, landowners and conservation bodies to secure sympathetic land management to conserve these important and beautiful insects.

The project focussed on giving advice at sites for key species and hosting workshops to encourage local people to survey and monitor on the islands. 

Popular and successful workshops were held on Lismore and Mull where people are now involved in annual monitoring of the two key species. 

In addition several new colonies were found on the islands, most excitingly for Slender Scotch Burnet, but also Marsh Fritillary, Argent & Sable and Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth. 

Funding was by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund through Nadair 2.

Butterflies and People in the Highlands 2006-8

The Highlands have the lowest human population in the the UK, but has some very important species.

As a result, endangered species including the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Chequered Skipper, Argent & Sable, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth, Square-spotted Clay and Barred Tooth-striped are little recorded in the region.

Through this project we aimed to raise awareness by hosting butterfly and moth training workshops for local people throughout the region.

Each workshop focussed on the identification and requirements of local species and how to record them, and include an outdoor element.

Demonstration events were also held for land owners and their advisers.

The project has resulted in a remarkable increase in awareness and recording of Highland’s butterflies and moths.

The project was funded by The European Community through the North Highland and WHELK (Lochaber) LEADER+ Programmes, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Executive’s Biodiversity Action Grant.

Contact

Email our Stirling office for more information on these projects.