How to get involved with the Big Butterfly Count

Keep an eye out for butterflies this summer

The Big Butterfly Count starts on 12 July - and organisers are asking people to get involved.

The charity Butterfly Conservation organises the day to work out how many butterflies there are and where they live in the UK.

It involves volunteers spending 15 minutes in an outdoor space, counting how many butterflies they see and what they look like.

Conservationists are worried about more butterflies moving north. This is because of the warmer climate as global warming changes our weather patterns.

What's happening to butterflies in the UK?

Butterfly Conservation says that this year there have been fewer butterflies noticed in the count.

They say this is likely because of the wet spring we’ve been experiencing, and the cold conditions for this time of year.

It says overall in the past 50 years there’s been a huge decline in butterfly numbers of around 80%.

One reason is climate change. When conditions change, for example more rain or extra hot weather, certain species find it harder to survive.

If forests and meadows are damaged by the climate changing, or from deforestation, there are fewer places for butterflies to live.

How can I take part in the Big Butterfly Count?

First you need to ask a grown-up that you know to go onto the Big Butterfly Count website.

You can go out together, and maybe take a friend or sibling with you, and find an outdoor space.

Set a 15 minute timer, and see how many butterflies you count in that time.

Note them down, and see if you can spot certain colours or types of butterfly.

How do butterflies help the environment?

Butterflies are a good indication of how the environment is doing.

You’ll usually find them around and near flowers and trees. If there’s more of them, it means plants and flowers are thriving.

They are pollinators and also contribute to biodiversity - that’s the term for lots of different species living in one place, helping each other grow and survive.