Families joined the Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council this half term to track down some of the rare Marsh Fritillary butterflies that inhabit Aberbargoed Grasslands.
Mission: Butterfly is a brand new app, recently launched by Caerphilly County Borough Council, designed to bring Aberbargoed Grasslands National Nature Reserve to life. The free app, available to download in both iPhone and Android format, allows visitors to search for secret butterfly hotspots using GPS and camera functions on their smartphones and collect 15 hidden butterfly species virtually – 11 at Aberbargoed Grasslands and 4 along Markham cycle path.
Local ward members, the Mayor and Cabinet Members joined youngsters who were thrilled with the free family activities taking place in the Aberbargoed Education Centre. The abundance of activities included; kite making, butterfly flapping, Caterpillar camouflage game, a butterfly trail, pond dipping and decorating pots with butterfly friendly seeds planted in the soil.
Cllr Ken James, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development said: “We are so fortunate to have an area of such raw and natural beauty to explore within our county borough. We are keen to be at the forefront of the latest technology and marrying it with the great outdoors offers something for everyone.”
He added: “Visiting the Grasslands and using the app is certainly a family friendly afternoon out and I would encourage residents and visitors to explore the trail and of course the many hidden gems of our county borough.”
Download the app before you visit the grasslands by searching ‘Mission Butterfly’ at Google Play http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.uk.co.heritageinteractive.mission.butterfly&feature=search_result or on the Apple App store. Alternatively, visit http://your.caerphilly.gov.uk/countryside/media/apps.
