Butterfly Conservation

Transcription

1 Butterfly Conservation European Interests Group (EIG) What EIG Does The European Interests Group of Butterfly Conservation aims to promote the enjoyment, conservation and study of butterflies, moths and their habitats in Europe. Membership is open to members of Butterfly Conservation. Other individuals and organisations are also encouraged to contact EIG so that together we can build a network for sharing data, experiences and practical help. 1

2 Mandate of EIG Circulate information on European butterflies and moths to members and partners in Europe. Encourage recording of butterflies and moths in Europe and facilitate contact with recording schemes and encourage the local atlases that are planned in several parts of Europe. Publicise the plight of butterflies and moths in Europe where changes in agriculture, particularly land abandonment, are a huge threat. Help set up projects with partners in Europe. Provide a skilled selffunded volunteer resource for European nature conservation organisations such as national parks. We have over 200 members many of whom are skilled at identifying European butterflies. Assist the work of Butterfly Conservation Europe (BC Europe) and act as ambassadors for BC in Europe with partner organisations. Work with partner organisations in lobbying in Europe. EIG Membership Open to all BC Members All done by Must do a Direct Debit 10 in addition to existing BC subscription 2 Newsletters a year AGM at same date and place as BC AGM We are not planning to be a European wide membership organisation but we do have some members in countries other than the UK. We have a long list of friends of EIG to whom we send the Newsletter. 2

3 EIG Newsletter The EIG Newsletter Reports of EIG official advertised survey expeditions Trip reports from individuals and groups Articles on single species Articles on the butterflies of a particular area Book Reviews 3

4 Hungary 2006 Butterflies and Moths surveyed in the Orseg and Aggtelek National Parks in two weeks with reports written and presented to the directors of the National Parks at the end of each week What do we do? Aim to do surveys that provide useful information to conservationists. Not just butterfly photography holidays. We concentrate on Red List species that are of limited distribution in places where butterflies are poorly known and local volunteer resources are limited. We always aim to work with and assist local partners We aim to provide ID training for our members 4

5 Ecrins 2007 Survey for Balkan Fritillary Boloria graeca in Ecrins National Park France July None found but 386 Records 89 Species Chelmos Greece June 21-July 1 st

6 Chelmos Trip 2008 Survey for Odd Spot Blue (Turanana taygetica) Map its habitat. Survey for Chelmos Blue (Polyommatus iphigenia) Assess the affect of fires Discourage collecting of protected species Publicise the importance of Mount Chelmos as a butterfly site. Write a report for the authorities in Athens and try and get the National Park better protection. Peloponnese 6

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8 Hungary 2008 Hungary

9 EIG Target Species Colias myrmidone Lycaena helle Turanana taygetica Pyrgus cirsii Phengaris teleius Polyommatus orphicus Coenonympha hero Euphydryas maturna Erebia sudetica Pseudochazara amymone Pseudochazara orestes Phengaris nausithous Colias chrysotheme Plebejus dardanus Polyommatus nephohiptamenos Coenonympha orientalis Mainly Endangered or Vulnerable Red List Species Of limited distribution In areas that have not been well surveyed Where local butterfly expertise and volunteer effort is limited Usually in southern and eastern Europe. Problem of Identification 5 Species of White in this picture! With 200+ butterflies in one country many species are very difficult to tell apart. Pyrgus skippers, Blues and the Genus Erebia usually need to be examined closely by an expert. Though keys are now available experts are rare. Much biogeographical information is out of date Mountain Green-veined White Southern Small White Mountain Small White Small White Wood White 9

10 New Key to European Butterflies Butterflies of Europe By Tristan Lafranchis Proper Key 22 EIG Members EIG Calendar Competition every year Sold to raise money for EIG 7.50 each 100 copies European Interests Group European Butterflies Scarce Large Blue (Maculinea telejus) Nigel Peace 2010 Calendar 10

11 EIG Website Country pages where to see butterflies Greece Switzerland Cyprus Spain Slovenia Italy More to come! 11