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Butterfly Conservation

Get Out for the Count!

By

10th February 2020

Last Updated: 7th March 2023

Big Butterfly Count is on! Finishing on the 19th August, the three-week survey gives us all a chance to spend 15 minutes counting the UK’s most common butterflies and day-flying moths. Since its launch in 2010 the survey has become the largest of its kind in the world!

Big Butterfly Count is on! Finishing on the 19th August, the three-week survey gives us all a chance to spend 15 minutes counting the UK’s most common butterflies and day-flying moths. Since its launch in 2010 the survey has become the largest of its kind in the world!

Butterflies react very quickly to changes in their environment, making them an excellent biodiversity indicator species. This is why counting butterflies can give us a ‘feel’ for the bigger picture and the state of our wildlife health overall.

The count also gives specific feedback on the trends for individual species populations. These can be recorded over time to help research positive action plans to prevent any further species being at risk of extinction.

Butterfly Conservation President, Sir David Attenborough said: “It is vitally important that we gain a clearer picture of how our butterflies are faring. Their ongoing decline tells us that all is not well in the British countryside.

“The Big Butterfly Count is more than just counting butterflies – we’ll be taking the pulse of nature.”

Butterfly Conservation Vice-President Chris Packham is following in the footsteps of Sir David Attenborough by getting behind the Count this year.

Chris said: “It’s easy to feel powerless when confronted with endless decline statistics from birds to bees to butterflies, but the fight for our environmental future starts with small acts, it starts with you.

“That’s why I urge you to take part in the Big Butterfly Count this summer. By taking part in the Count you are showing that our butterflies, our wildlife and our environment are worth fighting for.”

There are a few simple steps that we can undertake to help reverse the decline of our butterflies and moths?

Sir David said, said: “Plant a few pots in your garden or on your window ledge with the right plants and you can provide butterflies, moths and other pollinating insects with a lifeline of food and shelter.

“Or if you have space, why not let a small patch of grass grow out rather than mowing it short; leave a patch for nettles and brambles to flourish.” You can also purchase specially-formulated butterfly food mix.

For more information visit the Big Butterfly Count website.


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