David M wrote:Bugger the etiquette. This guy has much knowledge to offer and I personally love reading it.

Historically, those who were abnormally unorthodox often made the greatest contribution to political and social change.

Maybe I could get a small part on TV?

Martin

Martin, when you say "introduction of non-native strains" into regions such as Japan, do you mean strains of species already present or are you introducing new species into these areas? I would have thought that even the introduction of a new genetic strain of a species would be illegal i...

- or since you mention global warming, the evidence that suggests certain species need help adjusting to this. Bottle-necked colonies certainly do. For evidence look no further than Mountain Ringlets moving higher up mountains. Whats happens when their ecological requirements are higher than the mo...

Pete Eeles wrote:Given your experience, Martin, I'm sure you're more careful than that!? I'd also be interested in the purpose of introducing non-native strains both in Britain and elsewhere

I think you've pretty much already answered this one yourself.

Martin

, but would hate to see the "races" that have adapted to the environment in the British Isles over tens of thousands of years disappear as a result of genetic experimentation! So would I, but, at most, only just slightly over one lot of ten thousand years, surely? Maybe you mean generatio...

I could understand doing this when a species is on its last legs - such as the Cumbrian Marsh Fritillary being crossed with stock from other regions, or when reintroducing a species that has been lost altogether (e.g. Large Blue from Sweden, Chequered Skipper from France, Large Copper from the Neth...

I do agree with Paul's sentiments, that introducing non-native genes artificially into the gene pool (without good reason and good planning) is arguably a high-risk strategy since there could (I imagine) be the prospect of any introduction having a negative effect, as well as positive. I agree with...

Without specifics it's difficult to comment since any concern would be largely species-specific. Criteria-specific, yes, which makes it a lot easier to understand. But, considering one answer invariably leads to a whole host of further questions, I'll decline to answer this one for the time being. ...

Paul Wetton wrote: Lets keep our fingers crossed that long term effects of these introductions continue to profit the species involved.

Anyone with any examples where the long term effects of such introductions havn't profited the species involved? Any species?

Martin

Paul, Yes, I do introduce genetic strains that are not sourced from Britain into Britain. Although, very rarely and only then under very special circumstances. I have also helped introduce a multitude of British butterfly strains all over Europe including two very recently above the Arctic Circle, p...

I get the distinct impression that, maverick though he seems to be, he knows his stuff better than practically anyone. If I know my stuff better than "practically" anyone, as the first and possibly only person ever to be professionally employed as a County Butterfly Recorder then I strong...

Well the short answer to these questions is: - I’m completely satisfied with my own expertise, scientific scrutiny and personal methodology. Well your own science must be fine then. :shock: You seem to be adopting a moral high ground on the basis of flawed science in others but your own work has no...

This would appear to be an opportunity to exercise your right under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (1)Any person making a request for information to a public authority is entitled— (a)to be informed in writing by the public authority whether it holds information of the description specified in...

Jack

"However, it would be most useful to hear about your breeding programmes. For example, the cages you use, how to keep predators such as birds and cats away, the locations within your garden (sun, shade, etc), your overwintering methods."

Best phone me or send an email address

Martin

Warsop Vale Site Destruction For Butterfly Conservation’s first record of Dingy Skipper at the Warsop Vale site in 1999 see:- East Midlands Branch, Butterfly Report – 2000, p.7 For the destruction of the site see: - Nottinghamshire County News, Christmas 2006, Bright future for Dingy Flier; ELG Wan...

MISSION NOT SO IMPOSSIBLE Despite the claims of vulgar opinion Nottinghamshire's butterfly enthusiasts have produced a plethora of evidence detailing their sightings and captures over the previous two centuries. The relative intensity of this activity is doubtless less copious than that provided fo...

The Demise of Nottinghamshire’s Wildlife Heritage There is nothing wrong with Surreptitious Science; I practice it all the time. For example, if I release a butterfly species into a Nottinghamshire locality and if it is still there three generations later I consider this a successful introduction, ...

Over the years I’ve had very little success with requests for information from Butterfly Conservation, this despite having supplied them with a huge quantity of my personal data. It seems to me that their policy is to steer all butterfly research in Britain and thwart or frustrate any research which...