A HUGE effort to reverse the decline of some of East Lancashire’s moths and butterflies is taking place with the help of the county’s residents.

Butterfly expert Ray Sandiford released 30 small tortoiseshell butterflies into Summerseat Nature Reserve in a bid to boost dwindling numbers.

Volunteers from Lancashire Wildlife Trust watched as Ray let the butterflies go and it is hoped the insects will breed before they die.

The trust, which cares for the Ramsbottom nature reserve, is backing Ray in his fight to protect the creatures.

Ray said: “I have asked local councils to take care when clearing fields and scrub areas but I have had no luck. They still remove nettles, which could contain hundreds of butterfly pupae.

“I think there is a good chance of butterflies thriving at Summerseat because nobody is going to be cutting down nettles or other plants. It is great to think we can have small tortoiseshells, peacocks and commas here.”

Meanwhile, conservation experts have called on wildlife lovers to take part in a nationwide moth count between Thursday and Sunday to help reveal the extent of the effect of climate change on some of the best loved species.

The tiger moth, a once-popular summer sight in gardens, has seen a 92% fall in UK numbers in the past 40 years.

In Lancashire, several species have faced significant decline with populations not easily expected to recover due to changes in land use and climate change.

The V moth has become so rare they are now only sighted in Silverdale, near Carnforth.

Steve Palmer, micro county recorder for the Lancashire Moth Group said: “The more records we get, the better because it will help us monitor and protect and search for rare species.

“Moths, are such an important part of the natural order. They pollinate plants, provide nutrition for bats and birds and are a good indicator about climate.

“People can also consider land use by leaving corners for wild plants to grow and not trimming hedgerows back as regularly or as extensively.”

Mr Palmer said not all moth species were suffering. He said: “Some moths are in fact now increasing in number in Lancashire such as the Blackmeck and the Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner which causes brown blotches on flowers.”

To take part in the Moth Night count, register at www.mothnight.info