Tag: Big Butterfly Count 2025

Butterflies in Scotland fail to shine despite hottest UK summer on record

Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count reveals worrying results of decades of decline

The results of Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count are in, and while the numbers are a vast improvement on 2024’s record lows, the charity has warned that urgent measures are still needed to reverse long-term decline.

The sunniest spring and hottest summer ever recorded in the UK provided good weather conditions for butterflies after 2024’s record-breaking lows. However, the results from the Big Butterfly Count show that it was definitely not a bumper summer for our beleaguered butterflies.

Between July 18 and August 10, over 125,000 citizen scientists got involved in Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count – more than ever before – and recorded 1.7 million butterflies and moths, with the top five species being Large White, Small White, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown.

On average, participants recorded 10.3 butterflies during each 15-minute count. While a marked improvement on last summer’s record low of just 7, it is only broadly average by modern standards, and has done little to reverse longer-term declines.

In Scotland, 6,286 people joined the count compared to 3,587 last year, and counted 71,988 butterflies and moths in the three-week period. On average the number of butterflies recorded per count was 9. The most-seen species in Scotland were the Small White (17,140), Large White (14,065), Red Admiral (11,459), Peacock (10,337) and Green-veined White (5,032).

Butterflies need two things to thrive: good weather and a healthy environment.

Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “We may feel like we’ve seen lots of butterflies this summer, but that’s only because last year was so awful.

 “Last summer’s results were the lowest we’ve seen and a stark warning that many of our common butterfly species are facing significant pressure from challenges linked to habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use.

“Whilst we’ve seen noticeably more butterflies during 2025’s Big Butterfly Count, the figures suggest it’s actually been a pretty average year for them by modern standards.

“The 15-year Big Butterfly Count trends show that more than twice as many widespread species have declined significantly than have increased. And, while most species had a better than average summer, one-third of species fared poorly even in the generally beneficial weather.

“There remains a need for us to take urgent action to support our butterfly populations, including by improving the environment in which they live, restoring habitats and reducing pesticide use. Until we do these things we are unlikely to see a great recovery in butterfly numbers, regardless of how much the sun shines.”

Winners and losers

Some species did show marked increases this summer. The Large White and Small White both recorded their best ever Big Butterfly Count result.

Meanwhile the Small Tortoiseshell, which had its worst Big Butterfly Count result on record in 2024, showed some improvement but still recorded a below average year and has declined by 60% since 2011.

The Jersey Tiger moth had a record year. The species was recorded more widely and in higher numbers than ever before.

By contrast, Holly Blue had its second worst Big Butterfly Count result on record, Common Blue had its third worst and Meadow Brown had its fourth worst Count result.

What can be done to help

Butterflies are key indicators of the UK’s biodiversity and environmental health. Tracking their numbers helps Butterfly Conservation understand the impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and conservation action.

This year’s results are a reminder of how much we still need to do if we want to restore butterfly numbers in the UK.

Dr Richard Fox added: “We’ve reached a critical moment. The time to take action for UK butterflies is now. We know the weather impacts their numbers and with the summer we’ve just had we should be seeing them in far greater numbers. Even when the weather is good, the environment is only able to support far fewer butterflies than it used to.

“We must now do more to improve the habitat that our butterflies live in. This is why Butterfly Conservation is calling for an end to the unlicensed use of butterfly-killing synthetic pesticides, and asking retailers to take them off the shelves.

“We are in a nature crisis. We should be providing people with the tools to help and not the means of destruction.”

A rescue mission

Butterfly Conservation has launched a rescue mission for the UK’s butterflies and is asking people to sign its open letter to retailers calling for the removal of toxic synthetic pesticides from sale for domestic use. You can add your name by visiting www.butterfly-conservation.org

Big Butterfly Count will return in 2026. Next year’s event will take place between July 17 and August 9 so be sure to make a note in your diary – let the countdown begin!

The Big Butterfly Count UK numbers:

SpeciesAbundanceAverage Per Count (APC)% change from 2024 (APC)15 year trend %
Large White3965102.449131.4246.74
Small White3187621.969128.277.49
Gatekeeper2364251.460.31-21.87
Red Admiral1662891.027185.1751.54
Meadow Brown1330250.822-39.57-18.02
Peacock961550.59452.7812.24
Speckled Wood534230.3343.33-35.14
Comma430620.26642.01-1.13
Common Blue396020.245227.97-57.4
Green-veined White392720.24367.42-54.3
Small Tortoiseshell371860.23141.65-59.68
Small Copper209250.12921.0893.89
Holly Blue206850.128135.710.19
Ringlet183860.114-66.45-42.51
Painted Lady158560.098207.1914.24
Jersey Tiger118760.073174.44_
Brimstone91490.057-14.27-6.6
Six spot Burnet59430.037-73.48_
Marbled White21250.013-90.42-17.49
Silver Y19400.012-61.78_
Scotch Argus13760.008122.78_
TOTAL1667972   
YearAverage per count
201612.2
201710.9
201811.2
201916.2
202010.7
20219.2
20229.0
202312.0
20247.2
202510.3

Calling all wildlife lovers – UK Butterflies need you!

This year, we’re not just launching a survey — we’re launching a nationwide rescue mission, and we need everyone to get involved.

Last summer, Britain’s butterflies sent an urgent SOS through Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count.

The wildlife charity declared a Butterfly Emergency after results revealed a marked and deeply concerning decline in butterfly numbers, which were the lowest in the Count’s history.

The 2024 figures followed a pattern of long-term decline as butterflies struggle against a backdrop of habitat degradation, climate breakdown and pesticide use.

That’s why this year, we’re not just launching a survey — we’re launching a nationwide rescue mission, and we need everyone to get involved.

🧪 No lab coats. No science degrees. Just 15 minutes of your time.

Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count 2025 begins on Friday 18 July, and we’re calling on thousands of everyday heroes, from schoolkids to grandparents, dog walkers, hikers, even office workers on their lunch break, to take part.

Worryingly, 80% of butterflies have declined since the 1970s. These delicate icons of summer respond quickly to environmental change, making their decline a powerful warning sign of a planet in peril.

The good news? There is hope. With just 15 minutes of your time, you can help protect UK butterfly species for future generations.

🕵️ The mission?

Spend 15 minutes in any outdoor space and count the butterflies and day-flying moths you see and submit your sightings to help build our interactive map.

That’s it. One small action that contributes to a much bigger effort to help save butterfly species and the ecosystems they support.

“This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation and make a real contribution to protecting butterflies in the UK for generations to come,” said Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation. “Butterflies are beautiful, yes — but they’re also incredibly important bioindicators. This means that as they continue to disappear, as they have over recent decades, it indicates something is going seriously wrong in our natural world. We need to heed that warning and take action before it’s too late.

“If we lose butterflies, we lose more than beauty — we lose balance in our ecosystems and that will have serious repercussions for wildlife in the UK. Taking part in the Big Butterfly Count only takes 15 minutes and it’s something everybody can do. If you do one thing for nature this year, get out for the Count this summer! – Every count really does make a difference.”

Whether you see a Red Admiral, a Common Blue, or an entire kaleidoscope of Meadow Browns, your sightings provide vital data that help scientists understand where butterflies are thriving, struggling, or shifting due to habitat loss or restoration.

And by taking part, you’re doing more than logging data — you’re standing up for nature. Your observations will help create a live map of UK biodiversity, visible in real-time through the Big Butterfly Count website and free app.

🌍 Why It Matters

With over 80% of UK butterfly species in decline, every single sighting counts.
Butterflies are early warning signs of environmental collapse — when they struggle, so do birds, bees, and entire ecosystems.

Together, we can reverse the trend by learning where and why butterflies are struggling and taking action to save them.

 What’s the problem?

Butterflies are struggling because their habitat is being destroyed and the climate they thrive in is changing and becoming more unpredictable. 

Populations may also be declining as a result of pesticide use, both commercially and in gardens. Even insecticides and pesticides labelled “pollinator friendly” can harm butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Employing more nature friendly gardening methods, such as companion planting and allowing wild spaces to flourish within our gardens are two of the best ways to help butterflies thrive at home.

✅ How to Take Part

  1. Download the free Big Butterfly Count app or visit www.bigbutterflycount.org
  2. Between 18 July and 10 August, spend 15 minutes in any outdoor space and count the number and type of butterflies you see
  3. Log your sightings on the website or app and help protect UK wildlife for future generations

This summer, step outside, slow down, and reconnect with the natural world on your doorstep.

Become a citizen scientist. Be part of the comeback. Help bring butterflies and wild spaces across the UK back to life.