Butterfly Conservation European Interest Group (EIG)

[Roger Gibbons]

The EIG now has around 150-200 members who have an active interest in European species. Between them, there is a considerable body of knowledge. Given the interest in European species on the UK Butterflies Forums, the forthcoming AGM may be of interest.

It is my understanding that you can attend the AGM even if you are not (yet) an EIG member, but if you wished to then participate in EIG activities (e.g. the annual visit to the Natural History Museum) and receive the comprehensive newsletter, you would be expected to join. Membership of the EIG is via an additional £10 paid with BC subscriptions by direct debit; the application form is on http://www.bc-eig.org.uk.

Previously, the EIG AGM had been held at the end of BC AGM but this has become increasingly unsatisfactory because the number of EIG members has grown and the size of the EIG programme has expanded, etc. This AGM will be a great opportunity to have more time for discussion and get to meet people.

This year the EIG AGM will be held on Saturday 13 October as a member's day and get together at Stratford Butterfly Farm: Swan's Nest Lane, Stratford-on-Avon, CV37 7LS http://www.butterflyfarm.co.uk (includes map).

The program is as follows:

11.00 Coffee
11.30 AM Tour of Butterfly Farm (£5.00) optional – you can just come for the AGM
12.30 Pub Lunch nearby or bring your own packed lunch as required
2.00 AGM to finish by 4 pm for cup of tea, depart 4.30

Please email Anne Spencer apatura.metis@yahoo.com before 1 October if you are able to attend and if you require lunch.

[Roger Gibbons]

Just to mention that the EIG programme will now include the showing of one or more films by Brigitte and Pieter Kan who have filmed the entire lifecycles (including courtship) of such iconic species as Camberwell Beauty, Southern Festoon, Spanish Purple Hairstreak, and Provence Hairstreak, all filmed in the wild in southern France. Similar projects on other species such as Iolas Blue are currently in the pipeline.

I have seen these films and they are astounding in their insight into the ecology of these species, often in a way that was previously unknown, and the quality is exceptional.