On 2013-05-15 17:18:25 +0000, Dave Cornwell said:

Following last year's wet summer Scientists are saying that they are at
their lowest numbers since humans inhabited the planet. A bit of a
sweeping statement and difficult to prove I would think but I have been
concerned. Having said that I have seen more at this stage than I
actually did last year. Plenty of Commas, Brimstones, Orange Tips and
Peacocks so far plus s few Small Tortoiseshells and Green Veined
Whites. Perhaps because April was better.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...ing-wet-summer


I think that is does no harm to issue sweeping dramatic statements such
as that one - if only to wake most people (who think everything is rosy
in the countryside) out of their dreamworld before there are none left.

Most of the UK rare species are only prevented from extinction by
careful preservation and management of tiny areas of their habitat. If
they had been left to their own devices they would have all gone years
ago.

I have seen a few Orange Tips so far this year, but no Commas here yet.
However, it is noticeable how coastal walks do not now produce the
Small Heaths, Graylings, or even Common Blues, in numbers that were
common over twenty years ago.