So summer is upon us and it seems to be turning into a butterfly bonanza year!

The overall decline in butterfly numbers is depressing news. 80% of butterfly species in the UK have decreased in either abundance, distribution, or both since 1976. But every now and then they have a better year and it certainly looks that way from all the delightful fluttering we’ve been seeing here on Looe Island nature reserve. As usual, we have seen plenty of the grass loving species such as meadow browns, ringlets and gatekeeper. The species all belong to the group called the browns. Now we know this doesn’t sound very exciting but patterns on these generally tawny butterflies are beautiful, so we encourage our visitors to slow down, and take time to really look at all wonders of the natural world.

Part of the island’s management is to monitor wildlife - this includes everything from the flowers, to the trees, the butterflies and birds and of course the seals. Using the information gained from monitoring, we’ve worked hard to improve the island’s grasslands and one plant that has benefited is the wild carrot. The plant has many other common names, including Queen Anne's lace, which perhaps helps to describe the delicate finery of its pretty flower umbels. Wild carrot is, of course the ancestor of the cultivated carrot but it’s root is small and woody, so not really enjoyable to munch upon! However, it is still useful for both gardeners and wildlife as Wild carrot attracts those all-important pollinators.

At the end of July we were joined by a regular group of surveyors who are linked to Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust and Looe Marine Conservation Group. These local volunteers carry out monthly seal surveys and record the island’s birds and the butterflies. The surveyors are excellent at spotting seals both in and out of the water. They record where the seals are seen and their behaviour as well as trying to get zoom photos to identify individual seals. Experienced surveyors can tell whether it’s a male or female seal and whether it’s a mature adult or a young seal. Then they can even study a seal’s unique fur pattern and identify individuals. 

We also record incidents of disturbance which sadly happens when people get too close or too long to wildlife both in the sea and on land. Wildlife disturbance is easy to avoid but perhaps more difficult to understand. Sometimes the accumulated impacts and long-term effects of disturbance might not be immediately be obvious, so people may think it doesn’t matter but it does. We all need wildlife to thrive so please give wildlife space. There’s lots of advice about the Marine and Coastal Code here. Finding out more not only helps people to protect the amazing wildlife around Looe Island but it also makes any encounters with nature more rewarding.

If you want to learn more about the island then please do take a look at our page here - the website includes lots of useful information, including details about how you can enjoy a visit to this very special nature reserve, bookable via Looe Sea Safari.

Claire Lewis

Looe Island Warden’s Assistant