Butterflywatch: British populations thrive thanks to record sunny spring

Dry weather helps insects get out early and survive longer but bigger picture still one of concernIt has been a very good year so far for butterflies in Britain, thanks to the sunniest spring since records began in 1910. Dry, sunny weather has helped butterflies get out early, survive for longer than usual and lay plenty of eggs.The naturalist Matthew Oates noted 36 consecutive days when he saw butterflies on the wing, from Good Friday through to late May - a cheering and increasingly unusual experience in this country. Continue reading...