www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi, Gang

Six Comma and two Small Tortoiseshell at Sculthorpe Moor on 11th March (per Hawk and Owl Trust).

Fascinating though they are, could continental sightings please be placed well away from those concerning UK Butterflies? They are giving me palpitations!

Please check out the new service available to bug-hunters on http://www.bugalert.net.

Cheers.

Adrian Riley

How does Bugalert benefit the butterflies? I presume all reported sightings will be moderated to remove sensitive information - will this not be a full-time job?

Guy

EDIT: I've just had a chance to look at the 2011 archive and I see everything does go via you, Adrian, so you can edit it responsibly. I had horrific visions of people reporting their sightings live, without moderation. Apologies if my first reaction seemed sharp - it was precisely because of things like the rare birds alert that I became disenchanted with birdwatching and birdwatchers.

Hi, Guy

Yes, everything will go through me and all the records will be forwarded to BC and BDS at the end of the year. If anything sensitive crops up I will think long and hard before deciding what to do.

I've been a subscriber to RBA for over 10 years and am a big fan. However, like you, I have been horrified by the behaviour of some twitchers. As an ex-twitcher myself, I am very much aware of the potential problems.

I hope this goes some way to putting your mind at rest.

Adrian