In the course of last summer, it became apparent that two species of butterfly were breeding in the churchyard: the Small Copper and the Common Blue. Both of these are rather small butterflies and you will need to walk through the area if you are to see them – it’s unlikely that you will spot them simply by walking up the main path. The Small Copper has a bright copper-coloured background with black markings on it. The Common Blue is a lovely sky blue with a white border round the wings. Well, at least the males are: the female is brown, with orange spots along the edge of the wing. Both of these species are beautiful, and well worth the effort of seeking out. They both fly for an extended season during the summer.

So far this year, we’ve had more than the usual number of cool and windy days, on which insects of all sorts very sensibly hunker down in the vegetation, so are in consequence very difficult to see. Now that I no longer live in Fletching, my visits to the churchyard are – sadly – fewer than I would like, so if anyone else would like to walk through the area occasionally and report to me what they see, then this would be most valuable and welcome. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the name of the species: a description, or better still a picture taken on your phone, would be very valuable.

Your sightings will not only generate important data on butterflies and other wildlife but also provide participants with precious time out from the stresses of life. Research has indicated that spending time in nature, for example watching wildlife, can have positive benefits for mental health and wellbeing. Mental health charity Mind has found that being in nature can have a powerful, grounding effect, with research indicating that it can help alleviate mental health problems like depression and anxiety.

Spending time with nature offers us all precious breathing space away from the stresses and strains of modern life, it enables us to experience joy and wonder, to slow down and to appreciate the mesmerising beauty of the wildlife that lives side-by-side with us.

Nigel Symington

nigel.symington@gmail.com