Join the butterfly and moth celebrations

15th July 2022

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Big Butterfly Count (1)

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is encouraging residents to take part in the Big Butterfly Count and Moth Week celebrations this July.

The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide citizen science survey which takes place annually.  This year’s event runs from 15 July to 07 August 2022 and we want to put Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area on the Butterfly Map!

The aim of the Big Butterfly Count is to help understand the health of our environment and how Climate Change and habitat loss is impacting on each species.  Butterflies are a key part of the ecosystem as pollinators and components of the food chain.

Join the Council’s Biodiversity Team at Forthill Park, Enniskillen on 29 July 2022 from 2-5pm at ‘Picnic In The Park’ where you will be taken on a tour of the Tree Trail whilst counting butterflies along the way!  On 05 August 2022, the Team will be hosting a Big Butterfly Count event at St Julian’s Park, Omagh from 1-3pm.

Another important but undervalued flying friend is the moth!  They also have an important role to play in Biodiversity as they are important food items for many other species.  This year the annual Moth Week event takes place from 23 to 31 July 2022 and this is an opportunity to celebrate the beauty, life cycle and habitats of moths.

If you spot any butterflies or moths in your garden or when you are out and about, we would encourage you to record your sightings with the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (www.nmni.com/cedar) as this information is vital to monitor what species are present in our environment and those which are in decline.

For more information, visit the Biodiversity section of the Council’s website – www.fermanaghomagh.com or contact the Biodiversity Team at biodiversity@fermanaghomagh.com