What claims to be the country’s only native butterfly farm says it will wing back into action this summer after a disastrous winter saw it lose most of its insects.
Last year Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre crowd-funded £3,000 to set up the butterfly farm, which unlike others in the UK isn’t designed for tropical species.
It proved a huge success last year, but recent winds have blown off its roof killing many of the insects hibernating and plants inside.
Now the centre is working towards returning it to working order and a new £2,500 thermal polythene roof which should be more sturdy.
“Last year went really well and we had four species of butterfly breeding that are native to this country,” said centre manager Mark Birdsall. “We had so many of some species such as Red Admirals, we were able to release some into the wild.
“The centre attracted lots of schools visit and it was great for those learning about life cycles as you could see them in all three states, caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly in one sitting.
“At times there were 30 or 40 floating around.
“Setting it up was a case of trial and error as it has never been done in this country before.
“The wind destroyed everything but we’re determined to bring it back and make it as natural as possible.
“It’s firstly educational, secondly about conservation of butterflies whose numbers are diminishing and it’s also an attraction for the site.”
With the roof returned, the centre’s staff are now looking to replace all the plants that the caterpillars and butterflies fed on in four distinct sections.
They then need to replace the stock.
Mark is delighted that pupils from William Stukeley Primary School Holbeach helped raise money to get the facility going again thanks to holding a non-uniform day.
The centre is to fund the majority of the refurbishment itself by re-allocating other parts of its budget.
“We crowd-funded last time so we don’t want to ask people to pay for it again,” continued Mark. “We’re now looking forward to getting back up and running.
“Hopefully we can get back to full strength in the butterfly house soon.
“We know what works and what doesn’t now and there’s a host of other exciting ideas we’re also working on.
“It just adds to the experience people get when they get to here. “
