Pollinators in the Making
Key information
Butterfly Egg Hunt & Blackthorn Planting Day
Join us in The Regent’s Park to help blow away the January blues, and protect one of the rarest butterflies in the UK. Brown hairstreaks are beautiful delicate butterflies which rely on both ash trees and blackthorn (sloe) bushes to thrive and to complete different stages of their life cycle.
Visitors can get involved with both hands-on planting and citizen-science activities. Brown hairstreaks lay their eggs on blackthorn, as this native tree is the main food plant of brown hairstreak caterpillars. We’ll be planting new blackthorn saplings in areas close to ash trees, and we’ll also be surveying existing blackthorn trees and hedges in The Regent’s Park for brown hairstreak eggs, and recording our findings.
- Drop-in any time between 11am – 3pm for sapling planting.
Citizen-science walks will take place through the day. We will be carrying out brown hairstreak butterfly egg counts in different parts of the park a short walk from the planting site. This will involve scanning hedgerows for tiny space-age-looking eggs about 1mm wide, and recording the number and GPS location of these eggs. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm for nature and conservation.
This opportunity and the Help Nature Thrive project are possible thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Find out more about the Help Nature Thrive project on our website.
Please note that photography may be taken during this event. If you do not wish to be included in photos, let a member of staff know on the day. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
Please note:
- This event is free to attend and made possible thanks to the wonderful players of People’s Postcode Lottery. We ask that you sign-up using the Register button above so we have an idea of numbers.
- Times: 11am - 3pm with In the event of extreme weather, this event may be cancelled or finish early.
- This event is entirely outdoors. Please ensure you dress prepared for the weather and bring protection from the sun.
- Activities may vary from event to event but activities are suitable for the whole family.
- For any other questions please contact Help Nature Thrive via email: HelpNatureThrive@royalparks.org.uk
- We want to help you get the most out of your visit, so if you have any accessibility needs that you would like us to know about, then feel free to email to let us know how we can best support you, or talk to a member of staff on the day.
- There may be a photographer taking photos of the event on behalf of The Royal Parks. These photos may be used on social media and shared with our funders. If you do not wish to be in the photos, please tell a member of staff. Please see our privacy policy for details on how we process photographs.
