Lake District walkers urged to look out for England's only mountain butterfly
The mountain ringlet, a small brown butterfly with orange wing spots, lives exclusively on mountains and is more commonly found in Scotland than in England, where conservationists say it is so hard to find that they have yet to discover whether numbers are going up or down.
Adult butterflies usually emerge in June and fly for up to three weeks, but the timing depends on the weather – with the last week of May the earliest it has been spotted in Cumbria while the latest is mid-July.
The butterflies are small – 35-38mm (1.4inches) – and only active in bright sunshine, keeping low to the ground in short flights, pausing on grass tussocks or feeding on the flowers of tormentil and heath bedstraw.
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is examining how mountain ringlets are responding to climate change, with concerns mountain species will be squeezed into smaller areas of suitable habitat as temperatures rise.
The charity says sightings from the public, as they explore the Lake District national park, would help improve knowledge of the butterfly's distribution and breeding success.
Butterfly Conservation North of England conservation manager Martin Wain said: 'We would be so grateful if fell walkers could keep their eyes peeled for this lovely little butterfly and report their sightings.
'You might even discover a new colony! We urgently need to know more about where it is so we can learn more about how to protect it.
He added: 'Looking for the mountain ringlet can add extra interest to your hike, whether you slow down and mindfully look for it, watch out for it as you eat your sandwiches, or just keep it in mind as you walk.'
The charity has produced a map of previous sightings of mountain ringlets, all above 450 metres (1,476ft), on mountains in the Borrowdale volcanic group – from Wasdale in the west to Mardale and Haweswater in the east.
The map also includes potential new locations marked in pink squares, near to existing sightings, where conservationists are most keen to encourage people to look for new colonies.
Lancaster University student Mim Woodward, who is helping to co-ordinate the project, said: 'If you can explore one of these pink squares, you could be the first to record a mountain ringlet there – helping to uncover a brand new colony.
'These are the most important areas for us to search, and your walk could make a real difference to Butterfly Conservation.'
The charity hopes to work with farmers and land managers across Cumbria to trial different land management techniques, in particular grazing regimes, to see how to maintain the best habitat for the mountain ringlet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
BBC sports presenter reveals she's pregnant with sweet bump pic after getting engaged and buying new home
grand slam! She gave an insight into how her pregnancy has been so far BBC sports presenter Jenny Drummond has revealed she's pregnant with her first child. The 36-year-old shared her happy news after getting engaged and buying a brand new home. 3 3 Posting a picture cradling her baby bump, Jenny - who has not revealed who her partner is - told her followers: 'They say things sometimes come in threes - engagement, house, now baby G. Feeling very lucky indeed.' The former tennis player - who has covered everything from Wimbledon to the Women's Six Nations - was inundated with messages from her famous pals and fans. Fellow presenter Laura Woods Golfer Annabel Croft remarked: 'Congratulations, such wonderful news.' And Sky host Eleanor Roper added: 'Aww congratulations!!!' Jenny gave an insight into her pregnancy as she shared a video made during Wimbledon. She wrote alongside it: 'Always so proud to present and voice the women's preview to the Wimbledon final of @bbcsport coverage. 'Not going to lie, I puked my way through this shoot - morning sickness has not been my friend but we got there thanks to pick n mix and most importantly to Joe Bamonte, @bensmith_cam and the editing team in Salford.' Jenny, who hails from Scotland, is known for her work on BBC Sport and TNT Sports, where she specialises in tennis, rugby, and golf. She previously opened up about being a female in a male-dominated industry and told the Daily Mail: 'As a female you get commented on how you look and what you wear rather than how you perform as a presenter or reporter. 'Then people criticise the angle of your questions or how articulate you were in the way that you said something. That p****s me off, for sure. 'I use Twitter/X for work but am not active on it. I'm sensitive and can't hack that (abuse) side of it, so I don't even bother looking.' 3
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Gladiators in chaos as FOUR stars are injured during filming for new BBC series
Gladiators is in chaos after four of the athletes were are injured during filming for the new series. Professionals, Legend, Diamond, Bionic and Athena, have all suffered injuries during the competition, which is set to be aired in January 2026. Filming began last month at Utilita Arena in Sheffield with Bradley Walsh and his son Barney returning to host. Diamond (Livi Sheldon) has suffered a knee injury, rupturing her ACL and MCL during filming. Legend (Matt Morsia) has tore a bicep, while Bionic (Matty Campbell) dislocated his shoulder and Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains) also injured her knee. A source told The Sun: 'Gladiators is the ultimate test of speed, strength and endurance - and four of its champions have paid the price.' They added: 'It just goes to show that these games are tough and even our professionals can suffer injuries.' Meanwhile the upcoming series of Celebrity Gladiators will come out just before the civilian one. A new batch of super fit celebrities are set to take on the Gladiators in a battle of strength and skill. The reboot of Gladiators was a smash hit when it aired last year, and a celebrity spin-off was quickly commissioned, featuring comedians and gym lovers. But this year the casting team have stepped it up and found four stars who can definitely give the Gladiators a run for their money. The Sun reported last month that model Vogue Williams will be joined on the show by fitness guru Joe Wicks, former Olympic boxer Nicola Adams, and gym-obsessed I'm A Celeb winner Sam Thompson. Vogue won the first series of Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and regularly shares fitness tips and workout videos with her Instagram followers. Meanwhile Joe dominated British TV screens during Covid thanks to his at-home workout clips, and reality star Sam often shares his gym progress. Former Olympian Nicola could however prove the one to beat, after retiring undefeated in 2019 and becoming the first female boxer to become an Olympic champion after winning gold at London 2012. A source told the publication: 'Last year, producers of the debut celebrity version played it for laughs with three comedians taking part — with hilarious results for viewers. 'But this year they've assembled four celebrities who can give the Gladiators a serious run for their money, and serve up a clash to savour. The first series of Celebrity Gladiators saw Joel Dommett and Ellie Taylor crowned the winners after a tense finale.
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
Karren Brady's astonishing glow-up – and how much it cost her
A sleek blow-dry, a deep tan, a preternaturally smooth, sculpted visage: at first glance, it could be Melania Trump – or one of the female members of her husband's cabinet. In fact, it is 56-year-old Karren Brady, the businesswoman and television personality best known for the BBC's The Apprentice. Baroness Brady has always been a glamorously groomed figure, but in a series of recent photographs and videos posted to her Instagram account, she looks strikingly different, and undeniably Maga-esque. In a white broderie anglaise midi dress by House of CB, paired with a waist-cinching Chanel belt, Brady hardly resembled a typical grandmother of one (soon to be two). Her svelte figure has sparked weight jab rumours. However, in the past she's insisted that this is down to lifestyle changes rather than weight loss drugs. Last year, she told the Daily Mail: 'I became a grandma, and I wanted to be a fit healthy grandma, so I started eating healthy and exercising.' She's been transparent about having aesthetic work done in the past, including a £3,500 non-surgical facelift in 2024. The caption accompanying her recent post gave some insight into another treatment she's undergone. 'I never thought I'd have the confidence to wear short sleeves again, but after a course of Exion skin tightening with radiofrequency, I can,' she wrote. This skin-tightening treatment, a course of which costs up to £5,000, stimulates collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid to firm without needles or downtime. But as well as sculpted arms, Brady seems to have undergone a more comprehensive transformation, with Melania, Lauren Sánchez-Bezos and other fans of the 'Republican beauty' look firmly on the moodboard. So, how much does it cost to have a full-on Maga glow-up? We asked the experts to find out their estimates. The aesthetic work: £25,000+ 'Karren Brady's transformation is more than clever makeup or flattering light, but I don't think she's had surgery' says Dr Paris Acharya. 'Over the years, she has always been open about having non-surgical treatments and her look suggests treatment stacking, rather than a single intervention. It's likely a strategic blend of technologies, injectables and longevity protocols layered together.' Alongside skin tightening treatments like Exion, Acharya says this face and body 'stack' is likely to have included laser work, biostimulants like polynucleotides and injectables like Profhilo and Botox. According to Acharya, a glow-up of this calibre typically totals up to £25,000 annually at a leading clinic, and its popularity is on the rise among certain groups. 'Younger women and high-profile patients including brides, media personalities, women in law and finance are now leaning towards a more glamorous edit: defined jawlines, sculpted mid-faces and lips with presence,' says Acharya. 'The look is intentional – designed to hold under cameras, command boardrooms and shine in bridal portraits.' The teeth: £26,000+ Brady's gleaming pearly whites are unlikely not to have had some intervention – especially given that she's over 55. 'She appears to have had porcelain veneers,' says leading cosmetic dentist Dr Rhona Eskander. 'You can see how they create a uniform, symmetrical smile with a bright white shade that reflects light evenly. Veneers like these are designed to mask imperfections in colour and shape, while enhancing harmony with the lips and face.' Veneers with Dr Eskander start from £1,300 per tooth. The jewellery: £340,000 Glittering diamonds and statement stones are the order of the day for Brady, with striking ring stacks worn on both hands. 'From what can be seen, her main ring appears to be an emerald-cut diamond of around seven carats on a platinum band,' says Charlotte Needham, founder of British jewellery brand The Promise Co. 'If it is a natural diamond of high colour and clarity, you could expect a piece like this to fall in the region of £200,000-£300,000. She wears it alongside a diamond eternity band, which, depending on the quality and size of the stones, could add another £30,000-£40,000.' The outfit: £2,189 Brady's cotton broderie anglaise midi dress, which is now out of stock at British brand House of CB, retails for £189. Meanwhile, her waist-cinching belt from Chanel is likely to have cost up to £2,000. The tan: £250 Brady might have been enjoying the sun (at home in Britain as well as abroad), but experts agree that she's likely to have had a spray tan, which can cost up to £250. James Read, tanning expert and founder of Self Glow, has noticed that deeper tans are catching on among those opting for at-home tanning too. 'I've noticed a rise in people 'double dipping' – layering two products on the same day to build a richer, more glamorous glow,' he says. 'It's about achieving depth and strength in the tan without it overpowering the rest of the look. The effect is bold but still polished, moving from a weekend-away glow to a two-week-away glow.' The makeup look: £429 Neat, defined brows, nude lips and a statement eye seem to be all the hallmarks of the Republican-glam beauty look – and Brady ticks all the boxes. Especially notable are her eyelashes, as Edy Kurowska of Edy London Lashes explains. 'I think she is wearing strip lashes – I'd be very surprised if anybody was bold enough to apply such thick extensions on a semi-permanent basis,' says Kurowska, who prefers to individually apply faux lashes for a more natural look. 'Her makeup looks like it's been done professionally, so it's probably a makeup artist who applied them as part of a full look, which would cost around £200 a pop.' Her eyebrows, meanwhile, are likely altered on a more permanent basis. 'Karen has great brows that really frame her face,' says Vanita Parti, founder of Blink Brow Bar, where a 'total brow package' costs £229. 'She may have had a brow lamination treatment that tames the brows so they're easier to shape.' The hair: £745 The insouciantly tousled hairstyles may still reign in many beauty circles, but for proponents of the Maga look, it's all about bombshell blow-dries with plenty of sleek length and bouncy volume. The colour has changed too – a lighter, shinier take on the caramel highlights Brady has had for years, likely achieved via balayage. At Neville Hair & Beauty in Knightsbridge, where the big, bouncy blow-dry reigns supreme among expertly groomed clients, a full head of balayage with a senior colourist costs £495, while a cut and blow-dry will set you back £250. The nails: £70+ Like Lauren Sanchez-Bezos, Brady favours a chunky French manicure – a more traditional take than the minimalist versions that have become popular in recent years. A luxurious gel manicure at a high-end salon like Townhouse will set her back upward of £70.
