Sunday 4th August | 10:00am - 1:00pm

Citizen Science: How to Conduct a Butterfly Survey

What is citizen science?

We monitor the biodiversity across the Bore Place estate throughout the year, and we are looking for volunteers to help. Citizen science is when the public contributes to scientific research - you could be a species expert, or just someone with an interest. In 2024 we are offering is a series of FREE training sessions to learn to survey for our six key indicator species in a friendly and relaxed group setting. From there, you can then look to take on regular or ad-hoc voluntary surveys at Bore Place, to contribute meaningful data to our work.

Why have we got six key indicator species?

We are focusing our surveying efforts on a few species (or groups of species) to create a replicable and manageable way to monitor biodiversity at Bore Place. Indicator species give us clues about the condition of their environment, for example pollution or climate change, and monitoring populations of these species helps us to understand the wider health of the ecosystem.

No prior experience or knowledge is necessary. By undertaking our training sessions, you will be creating a team of trained and enthusiastic citizen scientists to help monitor and record the biodiversity at Bore Place - and hopefully beyond!

This event is fully booked

If you would like to join the waiting list, please email hello@boreplace.org with the event, your name and the number of tickets you would like.

Key information

Free Event

18+ only 18+ only

How to conduct a butterfly survey

Why are Common Blue butterflies a useful indicator species?
Our butterfly focus is on the Common Blue butterfly, a widespread species which use a variety of habitats and is therefore a good indicator of connectivity. The caterpillar primarily feeds on common bird’s-foot-trefoil, but also greater bird’s-foot-trefoil, black medick, common restharrow, and white clover. Common Blue butterflies are good indicators for developing grasslands that are rich in wildflowers.

We will monitor this species by undertaking transects using the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme methodology, so it is possible to compare the population at Bore Place to national trends.

This training session is one of our scheduled surveys - so by the end of the session, you'll already have contributed data to our research. Whilst your time is hugely valuable to us, taking part in any of our trainings and surveys will give you useful experience you can use elsewhere, too.

Places are limited for each training session and must be pre-booked. Please book here to let us know you're coming. 
If the session is fully booked, please join the waiting list as we may be able to offer another training session in response to demand.

Important info

  • Over 18s only.
  • Dress for the weather and in clothes you don't mind getting mucky - all training sessions are practical and will be outside.
  • Wear sturdy, comfortable boots or wellies.
  • Feel free to bring water and snacks with you.
  • Sorry, no dogs are permitted with the exception of service animals.

This event is part of our People and Nature Together project, made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and thanks to National Lottery players. This event is FREE thanks to funding support from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.

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