Summer Blues

Sitting out in the garden on a sunny day, or taking an afternoon stroll in the countryside you should be almost guaranteed the site of a common blue butterfly. The reality is that in recent years common blue populations have hit a record low in the UK.

The common blue is not alone in its decline. The European Grassland Butterfly Indicator report showed that 17 grassland butterfly species, including the common blue, have shown declines of roughly 50% from 1990 numbers across Europe. And the reason for these declines? It’s the same old story of extensive habitat loss. Agricultural intensification since the 1950s has changed the face of grassland management, we have lost huge quantities of the semi-natural grassland and wildflower meadow that butterflies depend on. Butterflies are left reliant on nature reserves, roadside verges and urban parks and even then they are threatened by wind-drifted insecticides which kill many of their larvae.

Butterflies are a really important indicator of environmental health so this decline is highly concerning for conservationists. However, there is hope for our butterflies and certainly for the common blue. Scientists have noticed that the common blue is doing much better in coastal areas. The coast provides excellent habitat for the common blue, and many other butterflies too. Sand dunes, coastal grasslands, cliffs and downs are often fairly inaccessible and tend to be sunnier and warmer than inland habitats, which is all good news for butterflies.
But everyone can do their bit to help save our butterflies, even by simply planting a container full of nectar-rich flowers like lavender. At Wolf Fields, A Rocha UK’s Southall project, we are in the process of planting a wildflower meadow that is designed to be of maximum benefit to butterflies and other pollinators. We are also committed to monitoring butterfly populations in Southall on a regular basis.

All is most definitely not lost for the common blue and with a bit of love and attention it can be a part of everybody’s summer once more.

Sources:
European Environment Agency (2013) The European Grassland Butterfly Indicator: 1990-2011.
BBC Earth