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Help record butterflies and moths for Shropshire’s first butterfly and moth festival

People are being asked to help record butterflies and moths as part of a summer programme to save rare and important insects and celebrate their upland home across three areas of common land in the Shropshire Hills.

Free events are taking place on the Stiperstones, Clee Liberty and the Long Mynd - between Wednesday 18 May and Wednesday 13 August. People can pre-book onto guided walks, identification workshops, moth mornings and training in survey techniques.

See Events page for details.

Festival organisers, and moth and butterfly experts Mike Williams and Jenny Joy, say some of the species found on the three commons are in decline nationally. They say information gathered by people could help reverse the fortunes of the Grayling, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Dark Green Fritillary butterflies. 

As Mike Williams explains:

“This is a targeted piece of citizen science. We hope members of the public can fill in gaps in our knowledge about where key species are. We can then work with landowners and commoners to conserve them.

“Photographers can also contribute towards conservation efforts. They can record butterflies and moths they see on these three commons this year by entering a photographic competition. An app takes the hardwork out of identification. There are prizes and a chance to feature in the 2023 West Midlands Butterfly Conservation calendar for the overall winner.

“Ultimately we hope that the festival will add to people’s understanding of the importance of Shropshire’s upland commons for wildlife. Plus encourage people to record the butterflies and moths they see,” adds Mike.

The festival is part of the Our Upland Commons Project - a three-year, £3m, 25-partner project helping to secure the future of upland commons in the Shropshire Hills, Dartmoor, the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. It is led by the Foundation for Common Land.

Published by Shropshire Hills National Landscape on (modified )