The UK is set for a bumper butterfly year after an unseasonably hot spring sent populations soaring. According to Butterfly Conservation, several species have already been spotted venturing beyond their usual habitats in search of new feeding and breeding grounds.
Launched this week, the charity's annual Big Butterfly Count invites members of the public to record sightings across the country between 17 July and 9 August. Dr Dan Hoare, director of nature recovery at Butterfly Conservation, says this period offers an opportunity for butterflies to 'colonise and reach out to new places'.
As part of the initiative, participants are encouraged to dedicate just 15 minutes a day to counting butterflies and moths in their chosen spot. Observations can be logged via the charity's website or dedicated app. This vital data will provide insights into the health and distribution of these pollinators.
Professor Helen Roy from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the University of Exeter believes that the encouraging news for butterflies may signal a broader trend of insect populations thriving. While long-term butterfly numbers have declined since the 1970s due to habitat destruction and degradation, recent initiatives such as 'No Mow May' offer cause for optimism.
Prof Roy highlights how simple actions can create more havens for butterflies. She suggests allowing gardens to become more diverse and 'messy', envisioning a patchwork of these areas emerging across the country if individuals adopt such practices – ultimately benefiting a wider range of insects.