The Butterfly Conservation ‘Big Butterfly Count’ returns 18 July-10 August
Leading wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation, has announced the dates of this year’s Big Butterfly Count
The annual citizen science programme, which is now in its 16th year, attracts tens of thousands of people out into their gardens, local green spaces or the countryside to spend 15 minutes counting butterflies and helping to track trends and inform conservation action.
After declining numbers of butterflies resulted in the charity declaring a nationwide Butterfly Emergency last year, it’s more important than ever that people take part in 2025.
Last summer’s Big Butterfly Count results were alarming. Overall, participants spotted just seven butterflies on average per 15-minute Count in 2024, a reduction of almost 50% on 2023’s average of 12, and the lowest in the history of the Big Butterfly Count. It was also the worst summer in the Count’s history for a number of popular species including Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue.
Butterflies are indicators of a healthy natural environment, and with half of Britain’s butterfly species already threatened or near threatened with extinction, it’s never been more important to understand how our insects are responding to the changing landscape, climate and pollution, and to take action to protect them.
Last year, more than 85,000 citizen scientists took part in Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count, submitting 143,241 Counts. This is equivalent to 35,810 hours, or four years’ worth of time spent counting butterflies, in gardens, parks, school grounds and the countryside – areas the charity is not easily able to get vital data from otherwise.
The information gathered helps scientists to understand how butterflies and moths are faring, informs conservation projects and government policies and supports other experts with their research and vital work to protect our planet.
This year’s Big Butterfly Count runs from Friday 18 July – Sunday 10 August. For more information and to take part simply visit www.bigbutterflycount.org or download the free Big Butterfly Count app.
