Butterfly Counting
The Big Butterfly Count
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Want to get out and about this summer? Why not join in the Big Butterfly Count! This FREE activity takes place every summer, organised by the Butterfly Conservation.
Simply count butterflies for 15 minutes during bright (preferably sunny) weather during the big butterfly count. We have chosen this time of year because most butterflies are at the adult stage of their lifecycle, so more likely to be seen. Records are welcome from anywhere: from parks, school grounds and gardens, to fields and forests.
You have until the end of August to send in your sightings either, online or by using their FREE big butterfly count smartphone apps available for iOS and Android.
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Why count butterflies?
Butterflies react very quickly to change in their environment which makes them excellent biodiversity indicators. Butterfly declines are an early warning for other wildlife losses.
That’s why counting butterflies can be described as taking the pulse of nature.
The count will also assist in identifying trends in species that will help plan how to protect butterflies from extinction, as well as understand the effect of climate change on wildlife.
