Froglet Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 OK, this is a bit odd but... We've had caterpillars this year which have (scarily quickly) become butterflies. Has been so much fun but now is the time to release them! I'm just wondering how? Do I take the 'butterfly garden' net outside, pin back the lid and wait? Do I open it up and shake them out? I obviously don't want to damage them but I can't see how to do it. Anyone else ever done this?
Rea Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 I did it at home once, we just opened the net in the garden and waited for them to leave
Andreamay Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 we did the same just opened up but sometimes if reluctant we helped a little. Ours are still cosy in their beds but usually ready to fly the nest the same time as our leavers! :-) OK, this is a bit odd but... We've had caterpillars this year which have (scarily quickly) become butterflies. Has been so much fun but now is the time to release them! I'm just wondering how? Do I take the 'butterfly garden' net outside, pin back the lid and wait? Do I open it up and shake them out? I obviously don't want to damage them but I can't see how to do it. Anyone else ever done this?
Stargrower Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 We did the same - just opened the net and waited, and waited and waited! In the end we had to coax them gently out and off they went. Ours are due in a couple of weeks!
HappyMaz Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 We always let the children hold the butterflies, before releasing them. Makes for a great photo opportunity, and adds to their sense of wonder as they watch them flutter away off their hands. If the butterflies didn't fly off of their own accord, we would just put them back in their house and try again later. Enjoy - it is really a magical experience!
Guest Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 same as happymaz - it's a good lesson in care and concern for living things and great for discussion or how they use/need wings to fly away from predators!!!! so we need to be extra careful - and seeing how delicate they are. enjoy!! x
Froglet Posted July 3, 2013 Author Posted July 3, 2013 Well, we did it - 3 flew and 2 needed a little coaxing. There was an enormous gasp as the first one flew out and most stayed to watch the next couple. After that just the die hards stayed for the reluctant fliers. Have some lovely video of the children saying things like "Come on, you can do it!" and "Don't be scared, come and enjoy the fresh air." to them. Has been so lovely - have saved the chrysalis shells for them to explore tomorrow and will definitely be getting more next year. Maz - how did you get them to perch on fingers/hands? I had a couple of little girls who were desperate to do it but I didn't think we could and wasn't sure how anyway. Luckily one girl is staying with me as a Y1 next year so she can have a go then! 1
laura Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 Ours are all in chrysalis' but they didn't secure themselves very well to the paper and dropped off Only one is still attached...
Guest Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 Ours are all in chrysalis' but they didn't secure themselves very well to the paper and dropped off Only one is still attached... That happened to one of ours, I just laid it on one of the flowers and it was fine ... :1b well, it WAS fine until the big day came and it was time to release them ... some of the children had the chance to hold them on their hand ... they stayed their for some time ... brilliant for the 'photo shoot' ... the anticipation of the great release was too much ... but then it happened ... the butterfly flew up into the air ... and ... ... a blackbird swooped down ... ... :blink: ... and it was GONE! :huh: Ditto butterfly number two :mellow: . x
laura Posted July 3, 2013 Posted July 3, 2013 Oh gosh Devonmaid, how awful. Hopefully ours will be ok then.....
sunnyday Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 That happened to one of ours, I just laid it on one of the flowers and it was fine ... :1b well, it WAS fine until the big day came and it was time to release them ... some of the children had the chance to hold them on their hand ... they stayed their for some time ... brilliant for the 'photo shoot' ... the anticipation of the great release was too much ... but then it happened ... the butterfly flew up into the air ... and ... ... a blackbird swooped down ... ... :blink: ... and it was GONE! :huh: Ditto butterfly number two :mellow: . x Oh no!
SueJ Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Ours are due for release on Friday - think I will do a risk assessment for this activity - and here was I thinking this would be a breeze 1
sunnyday Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Ours are due for release on Friday - think I will do a risk assessment for this activity - and here was I thinking this would be a breeze Well I think you should and furthermore I would like to see a copy please! :rolleyes: 1
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