11th July 2005

Blackwater Valley Butterflies

Colourful and delicate, fascinating to watch, butterflies
continue to enchant people of all ages. One person who has
had a life-long interest in them is Peter Martin, who has been studying and recording them most of his life and has just
written a book on the subject called Blackwater Valley Butterflies.

A must-have for anyone interested in butterflies, this full-colour, 52-page book offers an illustrated guide to the 32 different species found in the Blackwater Valley with practical information on identification, wingspan and distribution, plus details on nectar sources. There is useful background information about the Blackwater Valley with details of suitable sites to visit, as well as ‘at-a-glance’ charts showing the different butterfly families along with their flying periods.

“I first developed an interest in butterflies when I was a schoolboy”, comments author Peter Martin, “when I used to watch them flying around the school playing fields at break times.” This developed into a life-long interest and Peter, who now lives in Fleet, is leader of the North-east Hampshire Area Team for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch of Butterfly Conservation.

“People are fascinated by butterflies,” said Christine Reeves Visitor Promotions Officer for the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership who published the book, “and we are sure there will be a big interest in this book, which is written to encourage people to get out into the Blackwater Valley and identify the many butterflies found there.”

COME ON A WALK: If you would like to find out more about butterflies, Peter Martin will be leading a walk around Fleet Pond Nature Reserve on Wednesday 20th July starting at 10.30am. Meet at the Reserve car park via Cove Road and Bramshott Bridge. For more details contact the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership on 01252 331353.

BUY THE BOOK: Blackwater Valley Butterflies, which costs just £2.50 plus 50p p&p, is a companion title to Blackwater Valley Dragonflies and Blackwater Valley Path and is available from the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS. It can also be found at libraries and tourist information centres in the region. More details

END

For further information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.

Did you know?

Of the 32 different butterflies found in the Blackwater Valley, 17 include a colour in their name? Clouded Yellow, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Green Hairstreak, Green-veined White, Large White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Orange Tip, Purple Emperor, Purple Hairstreak, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Copper, Small White, White Admiral.
July and August are the best times to see butterflies in the Valley (if you’re lucky you could see as many as 28 different species flying during this period).
The wingspan of the 32 species varies from 0.9in or 22mm (Silver-studded Blue) up to 2.2mm or 55mm (Red Admiral, Purple Emperor and Brimstone).Some butterflies live for only a few weeks in their adult form whereas others can live for as long as 10 months?

Notes

Peter Martin is a founder member of the Fleet Pond Society and spent 15 years in the 70s and 80s as voluntary warden. He was also editor for the Society’s newsletter for 12 years and is still a Member of the Society’s Executive Committee.
The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) is funded by the County, District and Parish Councils along the River Blackwater. It works to promote community action in conservation and recreation and to protect the Valley for the enjoyment and well being of the whole community.
Members of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership are: Hampshire County Council, Surrey County Council; the District, Town and Borough Councils of Blackwater & Hawley, Bracknell Forest, Farnham, Guildford, Hart, Rushmoor, Sandhurst, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Wokingham and Yateley.