Champion is the title given to people who take a greater interest in a particular species than most recorders and are therefore the ones to speak to about the moth or butterfly. A champion idea and champion in deed.
The role is an essential conservation activity; we need more than just squares on a map to understand the species and what is happening to its populations. We also need records from the general countryside, not just the hot spots and well known reserves.
Why is it becoming so important?
Have you heard of the drive for improvements to Sites of Special Scientific Interest [SSSI] by 2010? It is being undertaken by Natural England due to an EU initiative, to stop the deterioration in the populations of rare species. A review by Butterfly Conservation showed that all was not well with the work as many species have been lost from SSSI's due to scrub removal and cutting hedges back to the fences.
There was also the recent review of Biodiversity Action Plan species which lead to a major increase in the number of lepidoptera being added to the list.
Planners, and other bodies involved with decisions about the use and management of land, need ever more detailed and better data on species to be able to undertake their work.
What is it all about?
The amount you can do is basically your choice and here is the range of things you can consider:
First decide the species or group then pick your favourite, one you have heard is in trouble, one we have suggested to ease identity issues.
Then think about the area or location. The area to cover is up to you, it can be the whole county, your locality or half way across Surrey and Kent to cover soil types and current ranges
Try to annually check the known locations and populations
Find new habitats and sites
Photograph the species for the newsletters and websites
Monitor the effectiveness of management activities, is it working?
Look up the historical records in books and understand the flow of where the species used to be
Learn to discover the early stages – become able to teach others too
See the full flight periods and different generations
Carry out timed counts to judge populations.
Data is available to guide and inform you
There is help and advice offered. Chat to Ken Willmott and Malcolm Bridge for Surrey and for Kent, Peter Kirby, Mike Easterbrook or Ian Ferguson, as detailed in the newsletters. You can also email them from the websites and, of course, you may contact David Gardner about moths and butterflies in both branches, particularly for cross border species of concern.
Judging by other branches, the enjoyment and knowledge the champions gain is amazing and very rewarding for them too. Just develop your interest or become the person to ask.
Here are some of the aims for the future:
Discuss your species with champions from other branches; Butterfly Conservation head office is currently considering creating National Champions, to co-ordinate news and take the understanding and help given to a species to another level.
Conduct annual gatherings to discuss what is happening and what is new. Join inter-species discussion round the table at the conservation days. By 2010, we hope to have champions established and data to exchange.
Overlay weather reports to establish any particular links with the success or failure of a species.
You can restrict your area to just where you live, for example the Ashford area and compare notes with the old book on local lepidoptera!
Below are the species we need champions for:
Kent - Moths
Mocha Current Species Champion(s):None.
Hawk-moths Current Species Champion(s):None.
Clearwings Current Species Champion(s):None.
Lace Border Current Species Champion(s):None.
Straw belle Current Species Champion(s):None.
Little Thorn Current Species Champion(s):None.
White Ermine Current Species Champion(s):None.
Cream-bordered Green Pea Current Species Champion(s):None.
Stigmella Genus as leaf mines Current Species Champion(s):None.
Phyllonorycter Genus as leaf mines Current Species Champion(s):None.
Small magpie Current Species Champion(s):None.
Mother of Pearl Current Species Champion(s):None.
Anania verbascalis Current Species Champion(s):None.
Anania funebris Current Species Champion(s):None.
Adela Genus Current Species Champion(s):None.
Garden Tiger Current Species Champion(s):None.
Nettle-tap Current Species Champion(s):None.
Green oak Tortrix Current Species Champion(s):None.
Button Snout Current Species Champion(s):None.
Large Yellow Underwing! Current Species Champion(s):None.
Brimstone Moth Current Species Champion(s):None.
Peppered Moth in all three forms Current Species Champion(s):None.
Pancalia leuwenhoekella Current Species Champion(s):None.
Scarce Prominent Current Species Champion(s):None.
Oak Lutestring Current Species Champion(s):None.
Any other BAP species recently added to the list due to the Rothampsted data
If you think you can help please contact David Gardner or one of the other three Kent contacts.
Butterfly Conservation Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468)
Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)
