Request to homeowners

Spring awakening: Butterflies are now fighting for survival

Closed windows can be a death sentence for butterflies.(Bild: Pexels.com)

(Bild: Naturpark Dobersberg)

The smallest opening in a window or door can mean the "death sentence" for butterflies. After the cold season and their hibernation, they now have to fly out into nature again. But they only have a short time to do so and many are in danger of dying.

Spring is already eagerly budding in many places in Lower Austria. Depending on the part of the country, the butterflies that came into the houses to overwinter in the fall through tiny openings are now also awakening. "Since then, the butterflies have used up their energy reserves. Depending on the temperature, they can only survive for one or two days after waking up," says Leo Ledwinka, chairman of the Thayatal Nature Park Association Dobersberg, which is also dedicated to protecting the little flutterers.

The team of the Thayatal Nature Park Dobersberg around chairman Leo Ledwinka is committed to the well-being of butterflies and even runs its own butterfly nature trail.(Bild: Naturpark Dobersberg)

Closed windows are a fire hazard
He asks homeowners to check their attics, barns and cellars because the butterflies are now desperate to get outside, especially on warm days. "As the animals instinctively fly to the brightest source of light, closed windows are particularly dangerous. Countless butterflies die during this critical phase," emphasizes Ledwinka.

Please check attics, sheds and cellars on warm days to release trapped butterflies into the wild.

Leo Ledwinka, Obmann des Naturparks Dobersberg

Own nature trail in the Waldviertel
The Waldviertel Association runs a 2.5-kilometer butterfly nature trail with information boards including audio guides for cell phones, which give visitors an understanding of the butterflies' way of life.