A rare butterfly has been discovered in Britain for the first time in 60 years, having moved from Eastern Europe.
A
rare
butterfly
has
been
discovered
in
Britain
for
the
first
time
in
60
years
,
having
moved
from
Eastern
Europe
.
The only previous record of a wild yellow-legged Tortoiseshell in Britain was in 1953, when it was seen just once in Sevenoaks, Kent.
The
only
previous
record
of
a
wild
yellow-legged
Tortoiseshell
in
Britain
was
in
1953
,
when
it
was
seen
just
once
in
Sevenoaks
,
Kent
.
Several weeks ago, there were already four confirmed sightings, along the East coast in Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent, and six further reports of the butterfly in coastal areas.
Several
weeks
ago
,
there
were
already
four
confirmed
sightings
,
along
the
East
coast
in
Norfolk
,
Suffolk
and
Kent
,
and
six
further
reports
of
the
butterfly
in
coastal
areas
.
Conservationists are very excited about the sightings, which are rare in the butterfly world.
Conservationists
are
very
excited
about
the
sightings
,
which
are
rare
in
the
butterfly
world
.
The butterflies are thought to have flown on easterly winds across Europe in the last few weeks.
The
butterflies
are
thought
to
have
flown
on
easterly
winds
across
Europe
in
the
last
few
weeks
.
The large and colourful insect mainly lives in Eastern Europe.
The
large
and
colourful
insect
mainly
lives
in
Eastern
Europe
.
In recent years, it has spread into Scandinavia and its number increases rapidly during warm weather.
In
recent
years
,
it
has
spread
into
Scandinavia
and
its
number
increases
rapidly
during
warm
weather
.
Also known as the Scarce Tortoiseshell, it has an orange and blue colour and is about one third bigger than our own Small Tortoiseshell.
Also
known
as
the
Scarce
Tortoiseshell
,
it
has
an
orange
and
blue
colour
and
is
about
one
third
bigger
than
our
own
Small
Tortoiseshell
.
Butterfly Conservation was starting its annual Big Butterfly Count, a yearly survey of the butterflies across the nation.
Butterfly
Conservation
was
starting
its
annual
Big
Butterfly
Count
,
a
yearly
survey
of
the
butterflies
across
the
nation
.
Sir David Attenborough, President of the charity, said," The UK is a nation of amateur naturalists and we have a proud tradition of celebrating and studying our wildlife.
Sir
David
Attenborough
,
President
of
the
charity
,
said
,
''
The
UK
is
a
nation
of
amateur
naturalists
and
we
have
a
proud
tradition
of
celebrating
and
studying
our
wildlife
.
By taking part in the Big Butterfly Count this summer, you can contribute to discovering the fantastic butterflies and other wildlife that share your garden, parks and countryside.
By
taking
part
in
the
Big
Butterfly
Count
this
summer
,
you
can
contribute
to
discovering
the
fantastic
butterflies
and
other
wildlife
that
share
your
garden
,
parks
and
countryside
.
"He added," Butterflies fought back last year after a terrible 2012 but despite this, butterfly numbers were still below average.
``
He
added
,
''
Butterflies
fought
back
last
year
after
a
terrible
2012
but
despite
this
,
butterfly
numbers
were
still
below
average
.
Three quarters of the UK's butterflies are in decline and one third are in danger of dying out.
Three
quarters
of
the
UK
's
butterflies
are
in
decline
and
one
third
are
in
danger
of
dying
out
.
This is bad news for the UK's birds, bees, bats and other wildlife.
This
is
bad
news
for
the
UK
's
birds
,
bees
,
bats
and
other
wildlife
.
A rare butterfly has been discovered in Britain for the first time in 60 years, having moved from Eastern Europe. The only previous record of a wild yellow-legged Tortoiseshell in Britain was in 1953, when it was seen just once in Sevenoaks, Kent. Several weeks ago, there were already four confirmed sightings, along the East coast in Norfolk, Suffolk and Kent, and six further reports of the butterfly in coastal areas. Conservationists are very excited about the sightings, which are rare in the butterfly world.  The butterflies are thought to have flown on easterly winds across Europe in the last few weeks. The large and colourful insect mainly lives in Eastern Europe. In recent years, it has spread into Scandinavia and its number increases rapidly during warm weather. Also known as the Scarce Tortoiseshell, it has an orange and blue colour and is about one third bigger than our own Small Tortoiseshell.  Butterfly Conservation was starting its annual Big Butterfly Count, a yearly survey of the butterflies across the nation. Sir David Attenborough, President of the charity, said," The UK is a nation of amateur naturalists and we have a proud tradition of celebrating and studying our wildlife. By taking part in the Big Butterfly Count this summer, you can contribute to discovering the fantastic butterflies and other wildlife that share your garden, parks and countryside. "He added," Butterflies fought back last year after a terrible 2012 but despite this, butterfly numbers were still below average. Three quarters of the UK's butterflies are in decline and one third are in danger of dying out. This is bad news for the UK's birds, bees, bats and other wildlife.