The Joys of Lockdown ...

With the quite splendid weather forecast, don't forget to get involved in the Big Butterfly Count 2020 and to forward your images of butterflies on The Ridge to us.

Individuals are asked to spend just 15 minutes counting the butterflies they see.

The sunny spring weather has caused butterfly species to emerge earlier this year than at any time for two decades, with experts predicting that following the hot summers of both 2018 and 2019, butterfly numbers could build to their greatest abundance since the mid-1990s.

Chris Packham, the wildlife campaigner and vice-president of Butterfly Conservation, said ... 'taking part in the charity's three-week count was a chance to give back to the natural world, which has been a source of solace and joy during lockdown. This is a real chance to do something positive and contribute to conserving nature. Butterflies and moths are key indicators of the health of our environment and anyone can help contribute to our understanding of these incredible creatures by taking part in in the Big Butterfly Count. The sightings you submit will be used to map and measure populations and the geographic spread of species across the UK. We're asking everyone who has been given a helping hand from nature this year to return the favour' ...

To get involved then CLICK HERE.