21.05.2011
An International Butterfly and Moth Conservation Camp for Young Scientists and Enthusiasts
21st - 26th May 2011
Kercaszomor, Hungary (Őrség National Park)
(Provisional programme)
Introduction: The Hungarian Natural Heritage Trust wishes to start a tradition by establishing an International Butterfly and Moth Conservation Camp event, the first of which will be held in Western Hungary between 21st and 26th May 2011. We gather that very few young people are involved in Lepidoptera conservation activities and we would like to try to reverse this trend. Consequently, we plan to organize a semi-formal symposium-training-holiday for young scientists and enthusiasts who are interested in learning and sharing information about the butterflies and moths of Europe, with particular focus on their habitats and their conservation. Participants should be nominated by Butterfly Conservation Europe (BC Europe) and partner organisations, but individual applications may also be considered up to a limited number. We will provide students with the opportunity to learn about butterflies and moths from all over Europe (and beyond), learn and practice scientific methods and work in a conservation program that benefits butterflies and moths directly.
Lectures: We plan to invite internationally recognized butterfly and moth conservation experts and landscape ecologists. A representative from the Őrség National Park will give an introductory lecture about the Park.
Conservation work: One group will participate in the conservation management of the damp hay meadows that host Maculinea teleius, M. nausithous and M. alcon as well as Lycaena dispar, Euphydryas aurinia and other important butterfly species. The majority of the work is cutting and removal of hay from the meadows which are overgrown by Filipendula and invasive golden rod species (Solidago spp.). Corridors between suitable habitat patches will be created, as these are also important for the connectivity and expansion of existing fragmented butterfly colonies. Some of the overgrown areas will be reopened with the support of the Camp participants.
Ecology of butterflies: Parnassius mnemosyne is a butterfly of (EU) community importance. There is a population of the species in Kercaszomor, although we don’t know the size of the population, the behaviour of the individuals, or whether there is connection between local colonies. The participants will practice mark-release-recapture and measure movement of individuals to obtain information about the ecology of the species. Euphydryas aurinia is among the important species that live around the camp area. Relationship between population density and habitat structure can be examined during the Camp. A butterfly corridor between two grassland habitats will also be tested by participants who will identify all specimens that approach and use the corridor; species behaviour will be recorded too.
Faunistic work on moths: If you think butterflies are fascinating but have no experience of moths, you will be interested to know that the diversity of moths is about fifteen times higher than that of butterflies. A diurnal and nocturnal faunistic study of moth species will be carried out during the Camp around the village.
Studies on Sesiidae: The clearwings (Sesiidae) form a very cryptic group within the Lepidoptera and as a result of this they are often overlooked. In Europe 107 species are known to occur of which 44 can be found in Hungary. One effective method to attract clearwings is to hang out pheromone traps and see what comes along. Imagos of quite a few clearwing species begins to fly in May and therefore we plan to carry out some faunistic study on this group, too.
Free discussions and other programmes (Leisure time): After a hard day’s work, tea-houses, barbecues and music will be organized during the evening.
Accommodation: There are three different types of accommodation available to Camp participants:
(1) Local guesthouse apartments. Two or three people would normally share the rooms and bathrooms of the guesthouse. A maximum of thirty individuals can be hosted in this way.
(2) The youth guesthouse. This facility can host eight persons in four-bedded rooms (bathroom in each room). A maximum of eight individuals can be accommodated.
(3) The cheapest accommodation is camping where only a basic fee will apply. The participants who wish to camp are required to bring their own equipment.
Fees: Two types of fee apply to the Camp; one is for guesthouse accommodation, the other is for campers. Registration and food fee will be applied for both.
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With accommodation:
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Campers:
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Registration:
Accommodation:
Food and transport:
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20 Euro
110 Euro
150 Euro
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Registration:
Basic camping fee:
Food and transport:
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20 Euro
20 Euro
150 Euro
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Total:
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280 Euro
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Total:
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190 Euro
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We can accept applications with references from BC Europe partner organizations (two persons per country), up to forty participants. Individual applications will be considered only under special circumstances (e.g. no partner organization in the host country). The age of participants desired to be between 18 and 38 because we would like to support young scientists, conservationists and enthusiasts.
If you are interested in participating, please, do not hesitate to contact us:
Szabolcs Sáfián (Safi): safian@bcghana.org
Strausz Martin: matronula@gmail.com
Oglejte si Kercaszomor na večjem zemljevidu.
Natural attractions
