Big Butterfly Count app with Speckled Wood (2020) by Butterfly ConservationButterfly Conservation
The Big Butterfly Count - for everyone
The Big Butterfly Count is our UK-wide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) we see.
Big Butterfly Count: How To Take Part (2020) by Butterfly ConservationButterfly Conservation
Taking place in July each year for three weeks, the Big Butterfly Count asks you to choose any outdoor place to spot butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes. Then record which species you see using our dedicated website or app (available from all app stores).
Sir David Attenborough: Why Butterflies Are Important (2015) by Butterfly Conservation and David AttenboroughButterfly Conservation
Why take part?
Let our President Sir David Attenborough tell you...
Painted Ladies in Hartlepool BBC VersionButterfly Conservation
This is important because butterflies and moths are vital indicators of how our environment as a whole is faring
Large Blue butterfly with volunteers by Will Langdon (2020) by Will Langdon and Butterfly ConservationButterfly Conservation
Taking part
In 2020 over 111,000 people took part, spotting and recording over 1.5M butterflies! This data is so important to us as it allows us to measure how butterfly populations are changing each year due to factors including human behaviour and climate change.
Marbled White butterfly by Bob Eade (2015/2020) by Bob Eade and Butterfly ConservationButterfly Conservation
Running in 2020 from 16 July - 8 August
Anyone can take part, from 1 to 101, so please take part this year on 16 July!
BBC Radio 4 interview snippet: The Big Butterfly Count (2021-07-17) by Butterfly Conservation. Credit to BBC Radio 4Butterfly Conservation
Our Vice President Chris Packham launches the campaign
In 2020 our Vice President Chris Packham launched the Big Butterfly Count, appearing on Sky News, ITV Lunchtime News and BBC Radio 4 to talk about the importance of conserving our butterflies and moths.
Small Copper butterfly by Bob Eade (2015/2020) by Bob Eade and Butterfly ConservationButterfly Conservation
Want to help us all-year round?
If you'd like to help us with our research then you don't have to wait for the Big Butterfly Count. You can contribute butterfly sightings all-year-round using our iRecord App.
iRecord Butterflies Promotional Film (2020) by Butterfly Conservation and UK Centre for Ecology & HydrologyButterfly Conservation
Here's how to use the app
It's really easy!
Common Blue (Male) butterfly by Ian A Kirk (2015/2020) by Ian A Kirk and Butterfly ConservationButterfly Conservation
Your records help
This data adds to over 50 years of records which helps us monitor population distributions and trends. So thank you for getting involved!
