On Tue, 22 Jul 2003 10:16:39 +0100, "David W.E. Roberts"
wrote:


"mbb" wrote in message
...
My young sons' school has an (almost) surrounded quadrangle garden, a
simple
lawned area with 3 or 4 mature buddlejas, a neglected pond, and some other
herbaceous beds.

I'm told that it's a pleasant area, but "the bushes don't encourage
butterflies". I know it's a subjective opinion, but might it be true? Are
there situations where the buddleja doesn't attract butterflies? Or is it
the local geography, perhaps?

regards, mbb

Could just be a general lack of butterflies.
We have had budleias of various kinds in the back garden for about 20 years
now.
15 years ago they would be covered in butterflies each summer.
In recent years, nary a one.
This year has been a good one for butterflies and moths, but still no
comparison to years back.
Two or three at a time on the budleia is an event.
I almost never see honey bees either.
Loads of bumble bees of different sizes and colours though.

Probably due to local agriculture; large fields, few hedgerows, loads of
spraying.

Cheers
Dave R


I'm with Dave on this one ......... We have had a good to normal year
with butterflies / moths and live in Lincolnshire.

No hedgerows (we planted 200 metres around our property) large fields,
and spraying ......... god knows what !! Oh yes all controlled spray
chemicals, etc etc. But what do they ACTUALLY spray and in what
concentration.

Example: Potatoes ....... when ready to harvest, the top greenery is
sprayed with acid (not sure which) sulphuric I think ..... this
allegedly kills off the green tops, it does, (and also
butterflies/insects/birds/god knows what else) to ensure that the
harvesting machine does not 'clog' with foliage ....... (by the way it
does not effect the potatoes :-| so they say)

On as still evening, the whole hundreds of acre area is covered in
hovering acid killing stench .......... how the hell can anything
survive.

I am all in favour of progress ..... but at what cost?? Look at the
humble house sparrow .......

We really need to get a grip in the UK .............