The Red Admiral. Photo © Brian Sawford

Although the weather might not show it, spring is officially here and with it will be coming a beautiful array of creatures that each year bring hedgerows and country lanes to life.

To celebrate this annual pageant of colour the Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum in Tring is showing the Bright Wings of Summer: an exhibition about Hertfordshire’s Butterflies until April 22 2007. It explores the intense environmental pressures facing butterflies and moths in the county.

We’ve all been guilty of taking nature for granted at some point, and the exhibition is designed to heighten awareness of insects - essential if species are to survive and make a comeback following their winter disappearances.

Grizzled Skipper. Photo © Brian Sawford

Butterfly extinction is one that seems particularly unacceptable giving their harmless and striking nature. These perfect members of the biosphere are in danger of disappearing all together, with several species having been lost in the area over the last 40 years.

“We are delighted to host this new exhibition which highlights the importance of recording butterflies and moths,” said Alice Dowswell, the Museum’s exhibition officer. “Many species can be used as indicators of the quality of the environment, and the more we know about them, the greater chance we have of saving them.”

Created by the Hertfordshire and Middlesex branch of Butterfly Conservation, the exhibition displays photos by butterfly expert Brian Sawford.

Marbled White. Photo © Brian Sawford

The Grizzled Skipper is just one of the endangered butterflies which are the focus of the exhibition. This characteristic spring butterfly can be found in sparsely vegetated habitats and usually occurs in small colonies. However, it has declined in several regions and is starting to move away from its usual home of southern chalked areas.

It can be clearly identified by the black and white checkboard pattern on its wings and is definitely one to look out for although its rapid, buzzing flight can make it difficult to follow.

One success story is that of the spectacular Purple Emperor. This large brown butterfly has iridescent wings that shine blue or purple in the light. They are the largest woodland species of butterfly in Britain with a wingspan of up to 80mm.

Silver-washed Fritillary. Photo © Brian Sawford

Many believed that this species no longer existed in Hertfordshire, but thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers, it is now known to be present in several woods in the area.

To coincide with the exhibition, there will be butterfly mobile-making and a butterfly walk for families during the Easter holidays, as well as an illustrated evening talk by Brian Sawford for adults on April 19 2007.

Those with a keen interest can help by keeping track of butterflies they see in the local area and sending their sightings to Butterfly Conservation.

Purple Emperor. Photo © Brian Sawford

Visit the Butterfly Conservation website to find out more about their work.