Pupils leading bid to protect tiny butterfly

ANGUS primary pupils are leading an effort to protect Scotland’s tiniest butterfly as part of a nationwide conservation project.

Par t of t he county’s coastline is a stronghold of the rare Small Blue, and youngsters at Carnoustie’s Woodlands Primary have taken cupido minimus to their hearts by becoming the first school in the country to champion the insect.

Earlier this year, residents from Easthaven visited the school to raise awareness of the species, which has a declining population.

The Angus coast and Easthaven environs are areas of the country where the butterfly can be found, and the Woodlands youngsters have created a poster and logo to promote the first Small Blue Week in Scotland, which kicked off yesterday.

Residents in Easthaven planted the kidney vetch plant on which the butterfly thrives in partnership with Butterfly Conservation and Ta y s i d e B i o d i v e r s i t y Partnership in April, with the aim of creating a corridor of the plant to Carnoustie.

They have also installed a new interpretation board at the village’s heritage point to inform the public about butterflies and encourage people to report sightings.

Paul Kirkland, of Butterfly Conservation, said: “We are really thrilled at the enthusiasm for Small Blue Week.

“It serves to highlight the tremendous amount done by volunteers to help safeguard our smallest butterfly, and raise awareness of the challenges it and many other pollinating insects face.”

The awareness week will see volunteer surveyors visit sites along the Angus coast to monitor the population of the butterfly.

The Small Blue can be seen from late May to early July.