The Big Butterfly Count is a butterfly survey that takes place every summer across the UK. It’s open to anyone and easy to take part.
You simply use an identification sheet or app and note how many of each type you see in 15 minutes. Then you submit your results to the Big Butterfly Count website. Each count is just 15 minutes, but you can do it as many times as you like. This means you can do it with different people and in different places; for example, with family or friends or in your church grounds.
Everyone’s results are added anonymously to a map on the website. The results show whether butterfly numbers have gone up or down since last year. If they’ve gone down, then butterflies need our help. The number of most species of butterfly in the UK has gone down significantly since the 1970s. In fact, some butterflies are now at risk of extinction. So butterflies really need our help.
But we also need butterflies, because they pollinate our plants, which give us food like apples. They are also really beautiful, with exquisite designs and vivid colours, part of God’s creation.
This year’s Big Butterfly Count will run from 17 July to 9 August. You can take part anywhere in the UK, whether you are at home or away.
Painted Lady Butterfly, Edinburgh
Comma Butterfly
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Post and images submitted by an Eco-Congregation member from Edinburgh and West Lothian.
