It turns out that a good year for humans wasn’t necessarily a good year for butterflies. After the UK’s hottest summer on record, we’ve got the results of the annual Big Butterfly Count, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
Kent’s butterfly spotters turned out in force this summer, with 6,120 people taking part and counting over 84,000 butterflies and moths. While that’s a big jump from last year, when numbers hit an all-time low, the experts say we shouldn’t be celebrating just yet.
Dr. Richard Fox from Butterfly Conservation put it bluntly: “We may feel like we’ve seen lots of butterflies this summer, but that’s only because last year was so awful.”
What’s the Real Story?
Reports indicate that nationally, the number of butterflies seen per count was only slightly better than average. So, even though it was a beautiful summer, the overall butterfly population is still struggling. The Common Blue had its third worst year, and the Holly Blue had its second worst. And while the Small Tortoiseshell showed some improvement, its numbers are still down a whopping 60% since 2011.
What Can We Do?
It appears clear that even with great weather, our butterflies need a lot more help and Butterfly Conservation is on a mission to save them. They’re asking people in Kent and across the country to sign an open letter to retailers, calling for them to stop selling toxic synthetic pesticides. These chemicals are a huge problem for butterflies and other pollinators, and the charity believes we should be helping, not harming, them. If you want to get involved, you can sign the open letter on their website. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for next year’s Big Butterfly Count, running from July 17 to August 9, 2026. Let’s hope for even better news next time!