COLD START TO SUMMER HAS TAKEN TOLL ON BRITAIN'S BUTTERFLY POPULATIONS

Fewer butterflies - such as this peacock - are being seen this summer

 

WHERE have all the butterflies gone? 

The cold and wet early summer has hit numbers in most, if not all, parts of Britain.

 Although April was the sunniest on record, it was also very cold with a record number of frosts. This was then followed by the wettest May for over 50 years.

According to the national organisation, Butterfly Conservation, the speckled wood was particularly low in numbers this spring, but the small tortoiseshell, comma, green-veined white, large white and red admiral have also been down in abundance compared with their 10-year average.

Says a spokesperson for BC: "The UK is experiencing an increasing number of extreme weather events, a likely result of climate change, and it is important we learn the effect these changes have on our native butterfly species in order to understand the likely long-term impacts on biodiversity."

Today, BC launches its annual three-week Big Butterfly Count.

The survey is open to everyone, of any age, living in towns, cities or the countryside. 

Taking part just requires you to spend 15 minutes in an outdoor space  counting the amount and type of butterflies, and some day-flying moths, you see. 

There were over 145,000 counts submitted to the Big Butterfly Count last year, more than ever before. 

Chris Packham, vice-president of Butterfly Conservation and wildlife broadcaster, says: "Climate crisis is an urgent issue and it can be overwhelming to think about what we can do as individuals to really make a difference. 

"Because butterflies and moths make excellent indicators of the impacts of climate change and other human environmental factors, collecting data on their numbers is really important. 

"So, something as simple as recording a butterfly spotted in your garden, at your local park or on your window box can play a part in vital research into a global problem." 

The 2021 Big Butterfly Count runs from today(July 16 to August 8). 

For more information and to take part visit www.bigbutterflycount.org