Book launched to aid conservation.
Conservation efforts are making a difference to some of the region’s rarest butterflies – this is the clear message from the first ever book covering all the butterflies found in Birmingham & the Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire.
The book, which has been published by the West Midlands Branch of Butterfly Conservation, provides detailed information on which butterflies are found in the region and where to find them.
Each of the 40 species that occur is illustrated in full colour with helpful tips on how to identify them and 25 specially designed butterfly walks are included for those hoping to see some of the harder to find species.
In Birmingham and the Black Country, these include Portway Hill, Woodgate Valley and the Rea Valley.
The book is a result of two years of hard work on the part of the editorial team, who have drawn from a database of almost half a million records, 70,000 coming over the past five years, and is a tribute to the recording efforts of both Butterfly Conservation members and other volunteers.
The book is aimed at butterfly enthusiasts of all ages and experience from complete beginners to those who are already keen butterfly watchers or photographers.
Ian Duncan, who co-ordinated the publication of the book on behalf of West Midlands BC, said: “By publishing this book we hope to raise awareness of the problems facing many of our butterflies, some of which are continuing to decline. We also wanted to show how, by taking effective conservation action, many species can recover and continue to flourish.
“The Pearl and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, Wood White, Silver-studded Blue and Brown Hairstreak are all examples of where conservation effort in different parts of the region has made a huge difference.”
Peter Seal, Chair of West Midlands BC added: “The book is a real team effort and could not have been produced without help from many quarters. We would like to particularly thank those local companies and individuals who helped us to raise the necessary funding required for publication.
“West Midlands Butterfly Conservation has a terrific record of working with other wildlife organisations to conserve declining species and we hope that the book will encourage more people to help us in our efforts and also become members of Butterfly Conservation.”
All proceeds from the sale will help conserve butterflies and moths in the West Midlands. Copies of the book can be ordered online at
