Butterfly count follows worst year on record

Somerset bucked a national downward trend in the number of butterflies recorded

An annual butterfly count is under way after it logged the lowest numbers on record last year.

There was a 35% decline in butterflies and moth species recorded across Somerset in 2024 - with a total of 43,547, compared to a total of 66,486 in 2023 according to the Butterfly Conservation.

The count has been running for 15 years but last year the charity said butterflies were at "their lowest ebb" on the back of 50 years of decline - with the wet weather contributing to the poor results.

"What we really need to see is which species have been able to bounce back from that weather of last year, and which species might still be struggling," said Dr Dan Hoare from the charity.

The gatekeeper butterfly was the most spotted species in Somerset last year, with more than 9,000 reported sightings.

To join in the count people can sign up online and record their results on the website or app.

The gatekeeper butterfly was the most spotted butterfly species in Somerset last year

Dr Hoare said: "Butterflies are an indicator of the health of our environment.

"With about half of Britain's butterfly species already threatened or near threatened with extinction, it's really important that we understand what's driving these declines in nature – and we can use butterflies as an indicator.

"When we get things right, they bounce back really quickly, and they can show us where nature recovery is working, but when their numbers are declining, that's a real sign that we need to do more."

He added that Somerset was a significant area for butterflies with "really lovely rural habitats".

The survey runs until 10 August, with the results revealed the following month.