Nature lovers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be able to discover some of the UK’s rarest and most beautiful butterflies this summer, following the launch of a new guidebook.
Butterfly Walks will help enthusiasts identify the best places to see the key species found across the two counties, including the extremely rare Glanville Fritillary butterfly.
The guide, released this week, has been produced by Butterfly Conservation’s (BC) Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch with the help of two of the Solent’s leading butterfly experts, Ashley Whitlock and Kevin Freeborn.
Branch Chair, Mike Wall, said: “Hampshire and the Isle of Wight form one of the UK’s top butterfly locations and the area is home to around 46 different species.
“The future of our butterflies depends on generating greater public awareness and support for their conservation and this beautifully illustrated book helps us to do this. It is the perfect guide for families and individuals, introducing them to the spectacular variety of butterflies here and the wide range of habitats that they live in.”
The book includes 34 different walks, from coastal day trips to woodland rambles. Some encourage further exploration of local BC reserves, including flagship butterfly reserve Magdalen Hill Down, near Winchester.
Mike added: “We are so lucky to have places like Magdalen Hill Down on our doorstep as this is one of the best sites in the UK to see Small Blue and Chalk Hill Blue butterflies
“This book will not only help you to find and experience these wonderful creatures for yourselves, but all the proceeds will contribute to protecting our butterflies through conservation activities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”
Butterfly Walks includes simple maps with GPS waypoints for every walk, handy tips on butterfly flight periods and details of the best time of year to see each species. Information on caterpillar foodplants and photos to aid identification are also included.
This book can be ordered direct from BC and costs just £6.00 + £1.25 p&p.
Or please send a cheque for £7.25 made payable to ‘Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch Butterfly Conservation’, together with your name and postal address to:
Kevin Freeborn, c/o Butterfly Conservation,
Unit 2, Bull Pens, Manor Farm, Itchen Stoke,
Alresford, HAMPSHIRE, SO24 0QT
BC member and butterfly expert Kevin Freeborn is the author of Butterfly Walks in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. All photographs within the book are credited to Ashley Whitlock.