Where to get involved in the Big Butterfly Count

WARRINGTON people taking part in the nationwide “Big Butterfly Count” have been given hint about two of the best places to visit.
Geoff Settle, chairman of Warrington Nature Conservation Forum (WNCF) was surprised himself when he found the first – in the town centre.
He said: “There was a Painted Lady explosion in Bewsey Steet – outside the Wycliffe Community Centre.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes – it was a small cloud of Painted Ladies fluttering around the two buddleias.
“I’d seen a couple of Painted Ladies Houghton Green Pool, but I never expected to see so many in the centre of town. It was a real treat.”
Mr Settle said large clouds of Painted Lady butterflies had been seen across the UK and Ireland.
“Experts believe we are seeing a mass emergence that happens every 10 years.
“About 11 million of the butterflies were seen in the UK during the last ‘Painted Lady year’ in 2009.
“No one is exactly sure why this phenomenon takes place, but the right weather, winds and food sources are key factors and it is taking place in Warrington.”
Mr Settle said the second place is Houghton Green Pool, off Delph Lane – sometimes known as Magic Lake.
“My wife and I went for a walk there to check out the litter situation and hopefully see if the fantastic Wild Marsh Orchid display was still out.
“Unfortunately, the orchard season had finished but we saw an amazing display and variety of butterflies. There were over 50 plus Peacock, loads of Gatekeepers, a few Red Admirals, a couple of Painted Ladies, Whites (large and small) a small blue T ortoiseshell and a Speckled Wood. We didn’t see one Cinnabar Moth, but we did see thousands of their distinctive black and yellow caterpillars on the yellow ragwort.
“The pool is very low at the moment but it does mean that you can get close to seeing at least two species of Dragon Fly and it’s now litter free with the rubbish placed in the WNCF waste bin on Delph Lane – thanks to everyone else who uses this and respects the countryside. Litter kills in this environment!”