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Edinburgh Reporter
23-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh residents urged to look out for one particular butterfly
Nature lovers in Edinburgh and the Lothians have been urged to look out for one of the nation's best known butterflies, after its numbers declined last year. The Small Tortoiseshell suffered a record 79% decline north of the Border from 2023-24, amid a long term drop of over 60% in the past 40 years. Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is hoping the colourful and charismatic species will fare better this year amid a 'nationwide rescue mission' to save threatened species. It has urged thousands of Scots to take part in its annual Big Butterfly Count. The citizen science survey will run until August 10, with the results used to help map how different species are faring and where new conservation efforts should be targeted. Dr Tom Prescott, the charity's Head of Conservation for Scotland, said: 'The Small Tortoiseshell had a really poor year and that was reflected by lower numbers coming out of hibernation this spring. 'Now we don't know if last year was just a one off or if it's going to get even worse this year. Perhaps it will buck the trend and start to improve. 'We are hoping this will be a better year but we won't know for sure until people get out there and count them. 'The Small Tortoiseshell is highly recognisable and It should be visible in gardens, parks and the general countryside all over Scotland. 'Taking part in the Big Butterfly Count is a chance to make a real contribution to protecting them.' The Small Tortoiseshell is familiar to many Scots as it can be found in a variety of habitats. They lay their eggs on nettles and thistles, and adults drink nectar from a wide range of garden plants such as buddleia and sedum. The Big Butterfly Count is the world's biggest annual butterfly survey. Each year, thousands of people spend 15 minutes outdoors counting and recording the butterflies and day-flying moths they see. Butterfly Conservation declared a 'butterfly emergency' after last summer's survey returned the lowest numbers on record. In Scotland, 22,818 butterflies were spotted, down by almost 20% compared with 2023. Only five butterflies were seen per count on average, which was the lowest since the count started in 2010. A dozen of the 17 species in the count showed a reduction in numbers while the Small Tortoiseshell along with the Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Scotch Argus had their worst year. The result was deemed 'an urgent SOS' from butterflies struggling against habitat degradation, climate breakdown and pesticide use. Small Tortoiseshell_Iain H Leach, Butterfly Conservation Like this: Like Related
The Irish Sun
19-07-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Lidl's £1.99 plant bundle that flowers all summer is ‘incredible deal' says Gardening Pro & butterflies love it
THERE'S trouble in paradise. Recent They're a 'key indicator' species, according to Dr Richard Fox, head of Science at Butterfly Conservation. 3 The 'Small Tortoiseshell' is declining in numbers, keep an eye out Credit: Supplied 3 This 'Small White' is also known as the 'Cabbage White' in the UK Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 3 The Red Admiral arrives in the UK from North Africa and Continental Europe in Spring Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 'When they are in trouble, we know that the wider environment is in trouble too' he told Sun Gardening. 'Last year, nature sounded the alarm call and we were able to respond, securing a complete ban from the Government on particularly toxic neonicotinoid pesticides on crops in 2025,' he said. 'Now we are calling on people across the UK to get involved once again, to enjoy 15 minutes out spotting and counting Read More Gardening In last year's worrying count, participants spotted just seven butterflies on average per count - a reduction of almost 50 per cent on the previous year and the lowest in the count's history. It was also the worst summer for a number of popular species including Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue. This year - all you need to do is to find a spot on a hot sunny day - between now and August 10. And then sit for 15 minutes and count how many butterflies you see - identifying them as you go, using their ID chart. Most read in Fabulous You can download the chart and print it out for free If you want to take it further - how about creating a butterfly- friendly garden? You have 20/20 vision if you can spot the hidden butterfly in five seconds – before the camera zooms in Plants like In later summer, plants like Dahlia's, sedums, nepeta and hebes also attract our fluttering friends. And even bedding plants like Plus they can bloom all summer - and maybe into autumn if it doesn't get too cold. In an incredible deal, Avoid pesticides - they harm beneficial insects like Even 'pollinator-friendly' products can contain pesticides, which are toxic to insects. Organic methods such as companion planting are a great alternative - like planting basil near tomatoes to repel aphids, or using nasturtiums to attract beneficial insects and deter pests. And finally, consider letting some of your lawn grow wild. Long grass allows some species of butterflies and moths to complete their life cycle by providing a place to lay eggs and food for caterpillars. It can also allow nectar-rich plants like clover, bluebells, and dandelions to bloom. Also in Veronica's Column this week... News, top tips and competition to win 'In Conversation at Kew' tickets TOP TIP! If your balcony gets plenty of sunlight six hours a day, plant up tomatoes, peppers, basil, rosemary, and thyme, marigolds, bellis, petunias, pansies or fuchsias. For shady spaces, use ferns, ivy, begonias, or even some types of lettuce and salad leaves. Check how much weight your balcony can handle. Lightweight pots made from plastic or fibreglass are easy to move and won't overload your balcony. Windy conditions can dry out plants quickly and even knock over pots, so use ones with heavy bottoms and secure with plant ties or stakes. Pick sturdy, wind resistant plants like succulents, rosemary, lavender, ornamental grasses, hardy flowering plants like geraniums and marigolds, and coastal or alpine species adapted to exposed conditions. NEWS! ROSE of the Year 2026 has been announced - and it's a shrub rose called 'Coral Gardens.' Awarded by It's aim is to discover - over a two year trial - the best roses in any given year, This year's winner, by breeders WIN! " PLANT OF THE WEEK! Crocosmia Can be a bit of a bully, so stop it from spreading too much - but it offers a real tropical vibe with fiery bright orange or red flowers and lush green leaves. Grows in most soils, sun and partial shade. JOB OF THE WEEK ! Plant foxgloves to flower the following Spring, carrots and radishes, and get young courgette seedlings in to harvest before the first frost! TOP TIP! JULY is peak strawberry harvesting season - but it's also a good month to plant new Once it's got a good root system, you can cut it from the parent and get it into a bigger pot, or straight into the bed. TOP TIP! Hanging baskets are really struggling in this heat. It's advisable to water them every day - sometimes twice, as they dry out so quickly. And have a re-think if everything's dying. Succulents look good hanging over the side of baskets - and don't need as much water. As do ivy-leaf trailing geraniums, English Ivy, million bells - aka Calibrachoa and Lantana. Think about mixing in water-retaining gel crystals as well - which can really boost the moisture levels. I've used
Scottish Sun
19-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Lidl's £1.99 plant bundle that flowers all summer is ‘incredible deal' says Gardening Pro & butterflies love it
Scroll down to win 'In Conversation at Kew' tickets DIG IT! Lidl's £1.99 plant bundle that flowers all summer is 'incredible deal' says Gardening Pro & butterflies love it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE'S trouble in paradise. Recent butterfly numbers in our gardens have been so low that experts are really worried. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up They're a 'key indicator' species, according to Dr Richard Fox, head of Science at Butterfly Conservation. 3 The 'Small Tortoiseshell' is declining in numbers, keep an eye out Credit: Supplied 3 This 'Small White' is also known as the 'Cabbage White' in the UK Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 3 The Red Admiral arrives in the UK from North Africa and Continental Europe in Spring Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 'When they are in trouble, we know that the wider environment is in trouble too' he told Sun Gardening. 'Last year, nature sounded the alarm call and we were able to respond, securing a complete ban from the Government on particularly toxic neonicotinoid pesticides on crops in 2025,' he said. 'Now we are calling on people across the UK to get involved once again, to enjoy 15 minutes out spotting and counting butterflies, and helping us to see how butterflies are faring this year.' In last year's worrying count, participants spotted just seven butterflies on average per count - a reduction of almost 50 per cent on the previous year and the lowest in the count's history. It was also the worst summer for a number of popular species including Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue. This year - all you need to do is to find a spot on a hot sunny day - between now and August 10. And then sit for 15 minutes and count how many butterflies you see - identifying them as you go, using their ID chart. You can download the chart and print it out for free HERE - and there' s a free app to help you identify and record the butterflies you spot. If you want to take it further - how about creating a butterfly- friendly garden? You have 20/20 vision if you can spot the hidden butterfly in five seconds – before the camera zooms in Plants like buddleia, verbena, lavender, and marjoram provide nectar throughout the butterfly season. In later summer, plants like Dahlia's, sedums, nepeta and hebes also attract our fluttering friends. And even bedding plants like pansies have their uses. They might not be as popular with the butterflies as buddleia, but they still produce nectar, and are easy to grow. Plus they can bloom all summer - and maybe into autumn if it doesn't get too cold. In an incredible deal, Lidl currently has a pack of ten for just £1.99 - so each plant is only 19p. Avoid pesticides - they harm beneficial insects like bees, ladybirds, and butterflies. Even 'pollinator-friendly' products can contain pesticides, which are toxic to insects. Organic methods such as companion planting are a great alternative - like planting basil near tomatoes to repel aphids, or using nasturtiums to attract beneficial insects and deter pests. And finally, consider letting some of your lawn grow wild. Long grass allows some species of butterflies and moths to complete their life cycle by providing a place to lay eggs and food for caterpillars. It can also allow nectar-rich plants like clover, bluebells, and dandelions to bloom. Also in Veronica's Column this week... News, top tips and competition to win 'In Conversation at Kew' tickets TOP TIP! British Garden Centres has just released a checklist on how to make the most of Balcony Gardening. If your balcony gets plenty of sunlight six hours a day, plant up tomatoes, peppers, basil, rosemary, and thyme, marigolds, bellis, petunias, pansies or fuchsias. For shady spaces, use ferns, ivy, begonias, or even some types of lettuce and salad leaves. Check how much weight your balcony can handle. Lightweight pots made from plastic or fibreglass are easy to move and won't overload your balcony. Windy conditions can dry out plants quickly and even knock over pots, so use ones with heavy bottoms and secure with plant ties or stakes. Pick sturdy, wind resistant plants like succulents, rosemary, lavender, ornamental grasses, hardy flowering plants like geraniums and marigolds, and coastal or alpine species adapted to exposed conditions. NEWS! ROSE of the Year 2026 has been announced - and it's a shrub rose called 'Coral Gardens.' Awarded by Roses UK - which promotes British rose breeders and growers - its a competition that's been going since 1982. It's aim is to discover - over a two year trial - the best roses in any given year, This year's winner, by breeders Kordes Rosen - grows up to 80cm tall, has dark coral buds opening out into pink coral flowers - that turn apricot-salmon as they fade. It's described as having a 'delicate fruity fragrance' and also shows 'excellence disease resistance.' WIN! "In Conversations at Kew" is hosting a special Gardeners World Day on September 6 - where host Nicki Chapman will be chatting to Adam Frost and Frances Tophill. We've got two 2 x lunchtime and two afternoon tickets to give away. To enter visit or write to PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. August 2, 2025. T&Cs apply PLANT OF THE WEEK! Crocosmia Can be a bit of a bully, so stop it from spreading too much - but it offers a real tropical vibe with fiery bright orange or red flowers and lush green leaves. Grows in most soils, sun and partial shade. JOB OF THE WEEK! Plant foxgloves to flower the following Spring, carrots and radishes, and get young courgette seedlings in to harvest before the first frost! TOP TIP! JULY is peak strawberry harvesting season - but it's also a good month to plant new strawberry runners. Runners are the long stems sprouting from your current crop, with baby plants at the end that are actively growing, and ideally have small roots coming out of them. Fill small pots with compost, then place the runner with the plantlet on top of the soil in the pot - and pin it down with a bit of bent wire. Keep the compost moist and within weeks you should see new leaves. Once it's got a good root system, you can cut it from the parent and get it into a bigger pot, or straight into the bed. TOP TIP! Hanging baskets are really struggling in this heat. It's advisable to water them every day - sometimes twice, as they dry out so quickly. And have a re-think if everything's dying. Succulents look good hanging over the side of baskets - and don't need as much water. As do ivy-leaf trailing geraniums, English Ivy, million bells - aka Calibrachoa and Lantana. Think about mixing in water-retaining gel crystals as well - which can really boost the moisture levels. I've used Miracle Gro's to great success.
The Herald Scotland
16-07-2025
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Here is my guide to attracting butterflies to your garden
I noted that here in Scotland the Butterfly Count had identified a 79% reduction in Red Admiral numbers, 62% Painted Lady and 74% Comma. The problem had possibly been exacerbated by the sunless summer we endured. Our Scottish weather was especially bad for butterflies as they find it well nigh impossible to fly and forage in these conditions. In fact, the wind's now howling outside as I write and there's plenty of the wet stuff coming out of the sky, so butterflies will be few and far between at the moment. Read more These conditions meant my findings for Small Tortoiseshell butterflies took a serious dip last year; in fact I saw none in the garden all summer. Although this was very disappointing, I've been delighted to see three of them at once during the recent dry, so the B.C.'s 84% decline since 2020 may not be reflected in everyone's garden. We can help Butterfly Conservation assess populations by participating in this year's Big Butterfly Count. It runs till Sunday August 10. If you'd like as to take part, visit sign up, download the app and submit your results. All you need to do is choose a sunny day, select a popular spot for butterflies and count the numbers of each species you see over a 15 minute period. To help identify the different species, the charity has included illustrations of the species we can see in Scotland, so you might want to spend a little time identifying in advance any species you don't already know. As part of the BTO's [British Trust for Ornithology] Garden Bird Survey, this charity invites participants to record butterfly as well as bird numbers and I've just been able to look at our records for last year and compare the trends here with Butterfly Conservation's general results. Interestingly, although B.C. has recorded that Peacock butterflies have declined by 42% since 2010, I see more of them than any other species here. In fact, they actually overwinter here and you can see pretty faded specimens emerging in spring and, later, lots of the next generation hard at working building up their resources by sipping as much nectar as possible in preparation for winter hibernation. So we gardeners really can make a difference for butterflies by providing plenty of nectar-rich flowers over the summer and autumn. Plant of the week Origanum vulgare, Origano/Wild Marjoram (Image: unknown) Origanum vulgare, Origano/Wild Marjoram, is a truly all purpose plant. The small, aromatic, rounded leaves are essential flavouring for many dishes; fresh or dried. The dense clusters of pink flowers are very attractive both to gardeners and to butterflies, bees and hoverflies. Grow in well drained soil in sun for the best flavour and aroma. Cutting back in late autumn is the only maintenance required.
