Bees, Butterflies, Moths and Bugs
Our Insects
Our insects are in trouble. It's so easy to not notice, but we need be worried - we depend on them!
By the time they reached 18, children born in 2004 in the UK had lived through a 64% decline in flying insects.
Since the 1970s, 80% of butterfly species have decreased in abundance or distribution or both.
So sad to be losing all their life-giving buzz, beauty and purpose around us.
The findings above are from Bug Life's 'Bugs Matter' 2022 citizen science survey.
The latest Bugs Matter survey - which counts insect ‘splats’ on vehicle number plates after journeys – recorded a staggering and alarming 60% decline in England in flying insects sampled on vehicle number plates between 2021 and 2025.
What we are doing
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Helping to increase food sources and habitats for insects by sowing native wildflower seeds and planting daffodil bulbs 🌼.
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Promoting insect and bug-friendly gardens 🪲🐝🦋.
- Raising awareness and taking time to notice and enjoy nature 🐛🦗🪳.
Events so far have included:
Local Butterfly Walks, including Frank's Wood and Bannerdown common. | |
Morning moth trap reveal get-togethers. Thanks to Chris Woods for sharing his knowledge. | |
Insect information stalls and display boards at events in the village. | |
2025: Butterfly, caterpillar and moth hunt in the school grounds plus a collage workshop led by Marion Hill. Following on from last year's wildflower project, 2025's focus was on what the insects need in order to support their whole life cycle. | |
2023: Bug hunt and collage workshop at Colerne Primary with local artist Marian Hill; check out her website www.buzzandscuttle.com/. |
A Wild Colerne display board -
gardening for insects and wildflowers.
Can You Help?
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Are there dull spaces in the parish near you that could be transformed with some pollinator friendly planting - for our insects but also for us? Let us know 🙂
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Mow less often and use a higher cut.
- Leave a “wild area” to give our insects a bit of wild space, to feed, breed and complete their life cycles.
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Ditch the pesticides/herbicides!
