national insect week – The South West Coast Path

Community Engagement Summer Update

From insect walks and coastal history tours in Torbay to butterflies and sea swims in Dorset, our walking groups are making the most of the summer. The Coast Path Connectors project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, continues to bring people together on accessible, supported walks across our five area hubs in Torbay, North Devon, Dorset, Plymouth and Cornwall. In this latest update, our Community Engagement team give an update on their community walks and what’s to come.

Celebrating National Insect Week – Spotting Insects in Dorset

In celebration of National Insect Week (23rd – 29th June), Catherine Mason (Community Engagement – Dorset) shares highlights from a misty but magical community walk over Ballard Down with the Loft community group. Despite the drizzle, the chalk grasslands gradually revealed a buzzing array of wildlife, from marbled white butterflies to bush crickets and red-tailed bumblebees. As the sun broke through, the wildflower meadows burst into life with thirteen butterfly species and countless other pollinators making an appearance.

Wildlife

Celebrating butterflies during National Insect Week

This National Insect Week (24th-30th June) we spoke to University of Cambridge Master’s student, Alex Petter, about species of butterfly to look out for on the South West Coast Path.