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The Guardian
26 minutes ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Britons urged to help measure butterfly recovery after 2024 slump
People are being urged to help measure the scale of Britain's butterfly bounceback after last summer's dramatic decline with this year's launch of the world's biggest insect survey. The Big Butterfly Count asks volunteers to spend 15 minutes in a local green space counting the butterflies and day-flying moths they see. Results of the survey, which takes place from 18 July to 10 August, can be logged on the Butterfly Conservation charity's website or via its free app. Naturalists say it has been an 'outstanding' summer for butterflies and other flying insects but the Big Butterfly Count will determine whether it has been better than average or simply a return to normal after the dismal, butterfly-less summer of 2024. Fine and sunny weather in April and May ensured caterpillars prospered and there have been large and unusually early emergences of midsummer butterflies including peacocks, gatekeepers and marbled whites. Butterflies have also been seen farther north than ever before as a result of global heating, with the booming purple emperor spotted in North Yorkshire and the white-letter hairstreak – which only reached Scotland in 2017 – now found in Dundee. 'It's an outstanding year for most, but not all, butterflies and many other winged insects,' said Matthew Oates, a naturalist and butterfly expert. 'It's all the more remarkable after last year's insect nadir, which was by far the worst insect trough in my experience of nearly 70 years of butterflying. I was seriously worried.' Butterfly Conservation declared a 'butterfly emergency' after last summer's Big Butterfly Count revealed the lowest numbers in its history. The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, the gold standard of scientific butterfly surveying, which has been collecting data since 1976, also reported the second-lowest numbers of common butterfly species in 2024 since records began. Dr Richard Fox of Butterfly Conservation said this year was much more encouraging but warned of 'shifting baseline syndrome' whereby people became used to lower numbers of butterflies and so considered what might actually only be a moderately good or average summer to be an abundant one. 'I've been in Cornwall and there were loads of butterflies around – red admirals, peacocks, gatekeepers, and the whites are doing well,' said Fox. 'There are two big 'buts': a better summer for butterflies does not redress the 50 years of decline, and we know that drought isn't good for butterflies or moths or anything that eats plants. The impact of this year's dry weather will be on the next generation of butterflies, and drought is not good news.' The sunniest spring on record and continued sunny weather through the summer have been a boon for many species, and in many regions there has been just enough rain to prevent caterpillar food plants shrivelling up and dying. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Many species have emerged as butterflies earlier than ever this year. The brown hairstreak, which is usually an August butterfly and the last species to take to the wing as a butterfly each summer, was spotted in Surrey and Sussex in June. Lepidopterists expect that some species, such as the white admiral and the small pearl-bordered fritillary, may have unusual second or third broods this summer because they emerged so early. But a few of Britain's 59 native species of butterfly have not fared well this year, including the rare large blue and common species such as the ringlet. The large blue is susceptible to dry springs, while the ringlet requires damp conditions for its grass-feeding caterpillars, and struggles in dry summers. The once-ubiquitous small tortoiseshell continues its baffling disappearance from southern Britain, where it has become a rare butterfly. Up to 100,000 citizen scientists who take part in the Big Butterfly Count each summer provide 'quality data about how butterflies are doing beyond the nature reserves that are monitored every week', said Fox. 'Taking that 15 minutes just to spend time in nature, to stop worrying about the day-to-day grind and focus on things of beauty, we know is good for our brains and it's good for mental wellbeing. It's something that everyone can do and it gives us a bit of agency when faced with these huge threats to our precious natural environment.'
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
York police officer arrests suspects despite assault
A police officer was pushed, kneed, hit in the head and put into a headlock as she tried to arrest a suspect was one of two men wanted for more than 40 offences between them who were arrested in York on Wednesday evening, North Yorkshire Police said.A force spokesperson said the "courageous" officer still managed to arrest the pair, aged 19 and 30, despite both men assaulting alleged crimes include burglary, possession of Class A drugs and theft of unattended motor vehicles, as well as assaulting an emergency worker. Police said officers were called to reports of a man on a roof being chased by other men near the Punchbowl pub on Lowther Street just after 21:00 19-year-old had initially been detained by members of the public reporting a house was said to have pushed the officer and hit her in the face in a bid to resist arrest, but was detained after a member of the public offered officer then recognised the 30-year-old, who was also said to have resisted with violence."Despite being pushed, kneed, hit in the head and put into a headlock, the officer successfully detained the man while backup arrived at the scene," the force spokesperson confirmed both men remained in custody for questioning. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Leeds-Liverpool towpath work connects communities
The final section of a historical Yorkshire towpath which links two communities in different counties has been resurfaced and two-mile stretch between Kildwick in North Yorkshire and Silsden in West Yorkshire had been described as the "missing link" on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal and River Trust, which was responsible for the project, said the work meant the path would now directly connect the two places and be easier for people to walk or cycle along. Sean McGinley, from the trust, said the route, which is more than 200 years old, was a "national treasure" which needed "ongoing care to remain open, navigable, and accessible for all". About £1.8m was spent on improvements, which included better access for people with mobility difficulties and pushchairs, as well as the addition of new signs and widening of the path as the longest single canal for the passage of boats, the 34-mile (54km) route connects Leeds and Bradford to Skipton and charity said it took in "some of the most picturesque and uplifting open countryside along England's canal networks" as well as heritage including the Bingley Five Rise Locks. The work was carried out in a partnership between Bradford Council, North Yorkshire Council and the West Yorkshire Combined McGinley said: "These improvements not only help to safeguard our rich canal heritage but also make it easier and more appealing for more people to experience the health benefits of spending time by water."David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: "For too long, this vital missing link on the towpath represented a missed opportunity for communities in North and West Yorkshire." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The UK's most breathtaking coastline revealed - and it has 'views to rival Malibu'
A popular coastal destination has been named the most breathtaking in the UK - and it has stunning views to rival Malibu. A new study has uncovered 30 of the most-loved seaside towns across the UK - and two Cornish locations have placed in the top three. Nearly 70 per cent of Brits even believe the UK's coastal views easily rival those abroad. And more are opting to ditch an international beach break to explore the beauty on their doorstep. Of the 30 destinations listed, St. Ives, Cornwall has taken the top spot as the nation's favourite coastal location, thanks to its stunning beaches, clear waters, and picturesque harbour. Though Malibu is known for its glamour and high-end lifestyle, it's been said that St. Ives has 'views to rival' the Californian coastal city - famous for its golden sands and blue waters. In 2022, St Ives was also crowned the happiest place to live in Britain, scoring highly on several factors such as how much people feel a sense of belonging to their area and whether there is access to green space. Following in second place as the UK's favourite coastal destination is Robin Hood's Bay, in North Yorkshire, while Cornwall's Padstow came in third, in the study by commissioned by Haven Holidays. Located 6 miles south of Whitby on the Yorkshire coast, Robin Hood's Bay is a picturesque fishing village known for its charming cobbled streets, historic atmosphere and beautiful coastal setting. Meanwhile, the town, civil parish and fishing port of Padstow offers traditional Cornish pubs, beloved fish and chip spots, a farm and a quaint harbour. Ranking fourth is the Isle of Skye's Portree, famed for its distinctive row of colourful buildings by its harbour, followed by Pembrokeshire's Tenby in fifth place. Simon Palethorpe, CEO at Haven, says the outcome of the survey 'goes to prove you don't need to go far from home to get picture postcard views and scenery'. He adds: 'There's nothing better than starting and ending your day with a sunrise and sunset view over the sea - even more so when it's on home soil. 'Brits are still so surprised by the breathtaking coastline we have in the UK.' Meanwhile, a new study has found that of the five most-loved seaside destinations across Europe, four are in Britain – with Welsh locations performing particularly well. The UK beaches are ranked higher than any of the coasts in popular holiday haunts such as Spain, France and Greece. TOP 30 BREATHTAKING UK COASTAL VIEWS St Ives, Cornwall Robin Hood's Bay, North Yorkshire Padstow, Cornwall Portree, Isle of Skye Tenby, Pembrokeshire Poole, Dorset Ilfracombe, North Devon Portmeirion, Gwynedd Shanklin, Isle of Wight South Downs Salcombe, Devon Weymouth, Dorset Brighton, East Sussex Llandudno, Conwy Bournemouth, Dorset Hayle, Cornwall Filey, North Yorkshire Porthmadog, Gwynedd Southwold, Suffolk Lydstep, Pembrokeshire Stromness, Orkney Berwick, North East Great Yarmouth Lochinver, Sutherland Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear Hastings, East Sussex Whitstable, Kent Plockton, Ross and Cromarty Aberystwyth, Ceredigion Pwhelli, North Wales Barafundle Bay Beach in Pembrokeshire was ranked in second place in the analysis from Holidu, an online holiday rental portal. The Welsh bay has a stretch of golden sand and clear water – it is often compared to a beach in the Caribbean. The beach is only accessible via a half-mile walk from the nearest car park, which gives it a true sense of seclusion. Continuing to fly the flag for Britain in third place is the charming Traeth Mwnt on the west coast of Wales, known for its white sand and scenic coastal paths.
Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Ryedale Festival review — extraordinary music in England's grandest homes
Running for 17 days across North Yorkshire from Skipton to Scarborough, the Ryedale Festival has expanded greatly in recent years. Architecturally, it encompasses some of the grandest stately homes in England as well as beautiful churches. Musically, it presents a healthy variety of styles and performers, with Eric Whitacre, Kate Rusby, Stephen Hough and Jess Gillam all appearing this week or next. That nearly 12,000 tickets have been sold for this year's festival attests to the shrewd programming instincts of Christopher Glynn, the pianist who is Ryedale's artistic director. And he doesn't play safe either. He was part of the ensemble for an extraordinary concert on Wednesday afternoon in Pickering Church. Mingling the music of Michael Tippett with that of Tippett's baroque hero, Henry Purcell, it ended with a rare performance of Tippett's disarmingly idiosyncratic 1958 chamber cantata Crown of the Year. • Read more classical reviews, guides and interviews Setting a celebratory text by Christopher Fry, it deploys a unique combination of instruments (including handbells and recorders) to create a web of plangent polyphony into which Tippett weaves numerous allusions to folk tunes. Three singers (here the sopranos Claire Booth and Rowan Pierce and the countertenor Alexander Chance) deliver the text, often in close harmony. Some of the vocal writing is reminiscent of Tippett's opera The Midsummer Marriage, and there's that same feeling of slightly mystifying joyousness. One imagines listeners in the Fifties and Sixties greeting it with an approving murmur of 'far out, man'. I loved it, which perhaps dates me as well. Pierce and Tippett's biographer Oliver Soden were the excellent speakers in Tippett's scarcely less quirky Words for Music Perhaps, reciting Yeats's image-infused poems between Tippett's equally characterful instrumental responses. All the singers also ranged through a selection of Purcell songs (Pierce in particular finding the perfect blend of tonal beauty and incisive enunciation), and — the final atmospheric touch in an intriguing programme — two recorder players popped up around the church performing Tippett's strange but haunting Inventions between the bigger pieces. • Read more theatre reviews, guides and interviews I wasn't so impressed by Wednesday evening's concert: the veteran Austrian ensemble Quatuor Mosaiques playing last quartets by Haydn and Schubert. The tone was wiry, the rapport imprecise, though there was vigour in the playing. But at least it was a chance to gawp at the solemn splendour of the drawing room at Duncombe Park, a stately home usually closed to the public.★★★★☆Festival continues to Jul 27, Follow @timesculture to read the latest reviews
