Completing Species Descriptions

[Pete Eeles]

As many of you will know, the species descriptions on the website are incomplete and, although I've had good intentions to complete these over the last 2 years, it's never happened So my latest brainwave is this, based on the fact that our collective knowledge is vastly superior to any individual's knowledge:

- Each week, a species is assigned (those with missing descriptions will be assigned first).
- During the week, anyone can provide input on what should be included for input in the description. This could be information from books (citations required!) and other sources, or personal observations.
- The information will be characterised based on the main species sections that currently exist.
- Once the week is concluded, I'll write up the final description for review, before posting.
- All contributors will be acknowledged on the species page.

I personally think that this will result in the most complete species descriptions ... anywhere - if it's done right! and they'll all be complete within the next 12 months!

Comments and thoughts welcome.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

Good plan Pete!

Information that would be really useful, and would make this site stand out even over the best books, would be flight characteristics, favourite nectar plants, behavioural traits (including times of day for various activities) and detailed habitat requirements. By pooling our wisdom each week we could build up to a unique resource.

I probably won't contribute much beyond detailed ID points and flight characteristics because so many butterflies seem to have different requirements and behaviour in Britain from out here - but I do look forward to reading the new descriptions.

Guy

[Pete Eeles]

Good points, Guy. Sounds like we'll also need to agree on the main "themes" beforehand. Once we get some more feedback, I'll propose something.

Cheers,

- Pete

[wavelea1]

Pete and Padfield

Superb ideas and as stated this could result in the most comprehensive base around - I assume Pete will oversee the content?

Wavelea1

[Pete Eeles]

I'm certainly happy to collate the content (bring it all together), but if anyone wants to take ownership of a given species, based on the "template" that *we* agree, then I'd be completely happy with that too!

I'm happy for the entire community to contribute and review, but I suggest that Guy and myself would act as final "arbiters" if there are conflicting views - assuming that Guy is happy to act in that capacity

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

I'm very happy to play a part in the final compilation! I have to say that one thing this online community has taught me is that there are some seriously knowledgeable people out there whose cumulative experience is rarely reflected in the books (and there are also complete beginners who have noticed things of interest). Living in Switzerland I've tended in the direction of birders - that is, focusing on 'twitching' and identification. That is at least partly because of the sheer numbers of species on my doorstep (I'm currently on 159 for the year and expect to clear 160 tomorrow when I go hunting for brown hairstreaks, graylings and possibly a doddery Meleager's blue if I'm lucky). I won't mention names, but some contributors to UK Butterflies have taught me masses about individual species, their habits and biology.

I wonder if each species could remain 'open' for two weeks rather than just one, so that after the first week there were always two species in play. This is because not all contributors might be available every week and I think it would be a great shame if a particular species lost out because someone happened to take a holiday that week.

Guy

[Pete Eeles]

I wonder if each species could remain 'open' for two weeks rather than just one, so that after the first week there were always two species in play. This is because not all contributors might be available every week and I think it would be a great shame if a particular species lost out because someone happened to take a holiday that week.

Completely agree. Now that you've mentioned it, I'm wondering if we should collate things over a 4 week period, just like we do with the photo competitions. The difference would be that we would start a new species on a week boundary (with up to 4 species being worked on at any one time). I think I like this because it would allow some interaction to occur over the course of the month to gain agreement on contentious observations, as well as get the commentary together!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

Sounds good to me!

Guy