Good afternoon on this beautiful Monday!
This weekend I had a stall at our local A&P (A&P stands for the agricultural and pastoral shows, which are an annual affair in many rural New Zealand communities). It was a big day with lots of people and in the rush of it all I forgot to send out this week’s newsletter.😳
So today we’re rambling down another path in the garden, and I thought I’d share a couple of fun pūrerehua (butterfly) activities with you.
Colouring Pages
Last December our town started a new community newsletter. We used to have a wonderful local paper, but the editor retired and it was only recently that someone was brave enough to pick up the reins (thanks Di Lewis!).
I am contributing a colouring page and a Critter of the Month column, as well as some photo essays featuring local nature reserves and wildlife. Click the PDF below to download a hi-res copy of February’s page (you can print up to A3 size).
I ❤ Butterflies & the Big Butterfly Count
This year we at the Moths & Butterflies NZ Trust (MBNZT) are commandeering Valentine’s Day for I ❤ Butterflies Day, and also undertaking a citizen science project: the Big Butterfly Count.
You can do as many 15 minute counts as you like, and please do submit your survey even if you don’t see any pūrerehua because that’s important information, too (and yes - white butterflies count!).🦋
From the MBNZT website:
How do we know how well our butterflies are faring... when we don't know where they are (or aren't)? Here in NZ most people don't even know what butterfly species we have.
We learned this in 2019 when we did our first national survey of butterfly species, and realised we needed to do much more education before we embarked on another project like this. And now, with the help of technology and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, it is going to be much simpler.
At a time convenient to you, on the weekend of 17 and 18 February, we would like you to do a 15-minute butterfly count. It would be great if you could choose somewhere where you will be able to repeat the exercise year after year. If you have a smartphone, download the app - look for the purple icon.
I hope you enjoy the colouring page, and are looking forward to counting butterflies with us next weekend.
Zenobia💜
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