TV wildlife presenter backs Big Butterfly Count

Ajay Tegala, who grew up in East Anglia, says he has always had an "affection" for butterflies and moths

A TV wildlife presenter said the annual Big Butterfly Count was helping scientists understand more about the health of the planet.

People have been urged to record the butterflies and moths they see to help experts assess the seriousness of the "butterfly emergency".

Ajay Tegala - a countryside ranger at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire and, before that, at Blakeney Point in Norfolk - said it was important because "butterflies are really good indicator species for the wider health of our environments".

Last year's count - organised by the charity Butterfly Conservation - yielded concerning results, with low numbers prompting it to declare an "emergency".

A peacock butterfly will be one of the species people will hoping to spot during the count

During the Big Butterfly Count 2025, which runs until 10 August, participants will keep tabs on numbers for 15 minutes in a chosen location, then log the results on a website or app.

Mr Tegala, 35, who has appeared on Coast, Countryfile, Winterwatch and Springwatch, is an ambassador for Butterfly Conservation.

He said he had always had an "affection" for insects, in particular moths and butterflies.

"It's really important that we get the data so that we can find out basically what things are looking like and what's it looking like this year so far.

"It's very early, but It's looking a lot more positive..." said Mr Tegala, who grew up in East Anglia and carries out wildlife surveys on the Norfolk Broads in his spare time.

He added: "Anybody can get involved, and it's just a case of spending 15 minutes in sunny weather recording what butterflies and day-flying moths you see [and] submitting that data."

The count has been running for 15 years.

Butterfly Conservation put last year's poor results partly down to wet weather—but said the long-term trend was hugely concerning.

"The 2024 figures followed a pattern of long-term decline as butterflies struggle against a backdrop of habitat degradation, climate breakdown and pesticide use," a spokesperson said.