Celebrating our small blue butterflies in Caithness

The small blue butterfly will be celebrated and work done to preserve its habitat highlighted at an event at Castlehill Heritage Centre on May 12.

Local conservation organisations and volunteers are joining forces at the public event on Sunday, May 12 at Castlehill Heritage Centre to celebrate the rare small blue butterfly and showcase the work that is being done in the county to preserve its habitat.

The event, which is open to everyone, will run from 10.30am until 1pm and will be delivered by Species on the Edge, Dunnet Community Forest, RSPB Forsinard, Association of Northern Trails, and the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub.

The event will include information on small blue butterflies and the work planned in the local area; fun craft and seed planting activities suitable for all the family; an opportunity to sign up to become a small blue survey volunteer – as well as drinks and biscuits.

Caithness Environment Volunteers, led by High Life Highland countryside ranger, Paul Castle, will be carrying out habitat management work in the car park area during the event. Over 18s are welcome to join in the work – please come dressed appropriately for outdoor work.

The event will culminate with a coastal walk through small blue territory, led by John O’Groats Trail manager, Kenneth McElroy. As well as a wonderful opportunity to explore some of the county’s best small blue habitat and a fantastic bit of coastline, the walk is a chance to quiz Ken about a brand-new north coast trail. Departing from Castlehill Heritage Centre at 11.30am and heading east along the coast for approximately 15km, the walk will end at Dunnet Head.

There is some rough ground to cover so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Wear sensible clothing and a pair of decent shoes, and bring waterproofs and a packed lunch. To book your spot on the walk and coordinate transport arrangements, email manager@jogt.org.uk

The small blue is the UK’s smallest butterfly and Caithness is home to the three northernmost colonies in the country. The butterfly is dependent on kidney vetch, the sole food plant of small blue caterpillars.

Habitat loss has led to increased isolation of small blue populations, so restoring connections between colonies is vital for the long-term conservation of this species. Even small habitat creation schemes can provide important stepping stones in the landscape, so local people can make a real difference by getting involved in the efforts to protect small blues.

Louise Senior, people engagement officer for Species on the Edge (Sote), said: “The groundswell of support for small blue butterflies in Caithness is amazing.

“People are getting involved in all sorts of ways, from growing Kidney Vetch plants to raising awareness by creating art. This event is about sharing some of that joy that small blues bring to so many people and encouraging even more folk to get involved.”

This event takes place just ahead of small blue survey season – the four to six weeks of the year when small blues can be seen on the wing. Sote is coordinating small blue surveys, an essential tool in monitoring and understanding the species.

Sarah Bird, project officer for Sote, says: “Monitoring our small blue population is critical to understanding how best to protect them.

“We’re looking for survey volunteers who can spend a few hours during May and June walking through small blue colonies and recording their findings. Full training and support, plus travel expenses, will be provided to survey volunteers.”

For more information about the event, or for a chat about how to get involved in work to protect small blue butterflies in Caithness, please contact Louise Senior at: louise.senior@plantlife.org.uk

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.