Doing your bit for science

Most people interested in nature be it birds, mammals, or just the great outdoors are members of one society or another. All of these groups promote the environment and whatever your interest is, for the benefit of said species or activity. There are literally hundreds of these groups. But just stop to think for a moment, any chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and although not much love goes the way of insects, they are a great indicator of the larger environment’s health.

We all know that insects however small, ugly or creepy play an important role in the cycle of life. One insect to buck the ugly trend is the butterfly, and the people at butterfly conservation are asking for your help. This work is extremely important as they are a good indicator on how things are under the surface as it were, and all it takes is 15 minutes of you time.

What is being asked is for you to pick a 15 minute slot between now and the 5th of August and recorded your sightings. they even provide a downloadable sheet so all you have to do is tick boxes, nothing could be easier. It can be anywhere, in your garden, park, woodland, or even a regular walk. Just add the location to the information. Then fill in the online form. Job done, it’s that easy.

More information and the download sheet is available at http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/about

Remember you have until the 5th of August and you can do as many counts, in as many different places as you like. even over your morning coffee in the garden. The more entries they receive the better scientific picture will be created,  every submission counts, and if every body does just one count, then wow that would be amazing, and whats more you get to sit and watch nature for 15 minutes all in the name science. It might even get you out of doing the washing up!