environment – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Seven areas at Significant Water Scarcity as conditions continue to shift

Seven areas in eastern Scotland are now at Significant Scarcity, as the latest weekly Water Scarcity Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows a contrasting picture across the country.

Tay Estuary (North), Whiteadder Water and Berwickshire Coastal have moved to Significant Scarcity this week. They join North Fife, Fife (East Neuk), Stonehaven and North Esk at the highest level on SEPA’s five-tier water scarcity scale.

Low to very low river flows continue across much of eastern Scotland, while most western catchments are experiencing normal to high flows.

Across Scotland, 32 areas are currently at Normal Conditions, five are at Early Warning, five at Alert, five at Moderate Scarcity and seven at Significant Scarcity.

The changing picture highlights the importance of continued monitoring of individual catchments. Conditions have improved in some areas without necessarily returning to normal, while elsewhere very low river flows have persisted for around six weeks. Full recovery of water resources can take a long time following such conditions.

In North Fife and Fife (East Neuk), river flows have remained below the Significant Scarcity threshold for 46 consecutive days. Stonehaven and North Esk have experienced 45 consecutive days of very low flows.

Weekly report, daily monitoring

SEPA publish a national Water Scarcity Report each week during the season, but river conditions are monitored daily through the Drought Risk Assessment Tool.

The tool tracks the number of consecutive days river flows have been very low. When very low flows persist for 30 days, an area can reach Significant Water Scarcity and restrictions on licensed water abstraction may be introduced to protect rivers and the wildlife they support.

Changes to abstraction licences do not wait for the next weekly report. River conditions are assessed daily, allowing restrictions to be introduced where necessary and lifted when flows recover sufficiently.

Abstractors in Lunan Water have also been advised of the potential for restrictions if very low river flows continue. Current monitoring indicates the area could reach Significant Scarcity in around 10 days, although changes in river flows could alter that position.

Eilidh Johnston, SEPA Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “The picture across Scotland remains very mixed. Most western catchments are experiencing normal to high river flows, while parts of eastern Scotland continue to face significant pressure after a prolonged dry spring and summer.

“Some eastern catchments have now experienced very low river flows for around six weeks. In others, conditions have improved enough to reset the count, while elsewhere pressures are beginning to build again.

“That is why close monitoring matters. Our weekly report gives a national picture, but conditions in individual rivers are monitored daily. That means we can see where pressure is increasing or easing and make evidence-led decisions about when action is needed to protect the water environment.

“It also means the position can change between weekly reports. Where restrictions on licensed abstraction are needed, those decisions are based on the conditions we are seeing in rivers, rather than waiting for the next weekly update.”

Pressure remains concentrated in the east

Ground conditions remain dry across parts of eastern Scotland, with only limited improvement seen in recent weeks.

Groundwater levels remain low to very low across much of eastern Scotland, while levels elsewhere are generally normal or above. Loch levels are generally normal to above normal.

The differences between catchments mean recent weather alone cannot provide a complete picture of water scarcity. River flows can respond quickly, while groundwater, soil moisture and the effects of prolonged dry conditions can take longer to recover.

SEPA continue to work directly with abstractors and other water users in affected catchments to help them understand local conditions, prepare for potential restrictions and build resilience to future periods of water scarcity.

The latest Water Scarcity Report, current scarcity levels and the Drought Risk Assessment Tool are available on SEPA’s website.

Current water scarcity levels

Significant Scarcity: Stonehaven, North Esk, Fife (East Neuk), North Fife, Tay Estuary (North), Whiteadder Water, Berwickshire coastal

Moderate Scarcity: Esk (Angus), Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Tyne (Lothian), Tweed

Alert: Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Almond, Dee (Aberdeen)

Early warning: Spey, Tay, Cree, Findhorn, Earn

All areas not mentioned above are at Normal conditions.

Dynamic Earth partners with Earthwave to show in real-time if glaciers really are going to disappear

GOODBYE GLACIERS!?

As part of its famous Polar Gallery exhibition, Dynamic Earth has launched a new exhibit in conjunction with Edinburgh start-up Earthwave, who have recently come on board as a Gallery Engagement Partner.

The exhibit, entitled ‘Goodbye Glaciers!?’, gives visitors, for the first time in the UK, real-time information on the sad reality of how quickly many glaciers are disappearing across the world.

The United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and marked the 21st March as World Day for Glaciers. ‘Goodbye Glaciers!?’ is part of a global campaign to raise awareness about the critical role of glaciers, snow and ice in the climate system and the economic, social and environmental impacts if they disappear completely.

The ‘Goodbye Glaciers!?’ signpost represents a real glacier and shows the year scientists expect it could mostly disappear if the world continues with its 2026 climate policies.

Earthwave is a key provider of glacial data structures and satellite tracking of glaciers. Their high-resolution satellite observational data and mass balance calculations are required to accurately predict and visualise when these glaciers will disappear.

Dynamic Earth’s ‘Goodbye Glaciers?’ signpost includes a QR code linking to the global Signposts – Goodbye Glaciers!? website, featuring photos and three-dimensional projections that predict the future under 1.5°C and 2.7°C global warming.

“We are very proud to partner with Dynamic Earth. The message is clear, we must remain on target with ambitious emissions reductions if we are going to preserve glacier volume globally,” said Dr Livia Jakob, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Earthwave.

Helen Chomczuk, Marketing and Fundraising Director, added: “Our data mapping shows how global warming affects glaciers and that they will vanish in the coming decades. We’re delighted to be able to showcase this important work to Dynamic Earth visitors.

“The Signposts – Goodbye Glaciers!? exhibit is also produced in partnership with a range of academic institutions, including the University of Innsbruck, further strengthening Dynamic Earth’s close relationship with science and bringing the latest information to Edinburgh.

“Developing partnerships with the scientific community is a vital part of how we keep Dynamic Earth’s finger on the pulse of the latest global developments. As a world-class science centre and planetarium, we are committed to ensuring that everyone leaves us feeling better informed and inspired, and showing how scientists play a crucial role in helping us protect the natural world.

“Our Polar Gallery has always been a focal point at Dynamic Earth, featuring a real, touchable iceberg and an immersive sensory experience of the Earth’s extreme polar regions – and Earthwave’s work is a perfect example of the vital role that scientists play in helping us better understand these environments.

“We thank them wholeheartedly for their support.”

Picture: Haicoo Photography

GIANT OYSTER DELIVERS MESSAGES OF HOPE FOR SCOTLAND’S NATURE TO FIRST MINISTER

Pic Greg Macvean 22/09/2026 WWF – It’s In Our Nature campaign handover to the First Minister at Bute House

A selection of thousands of messages from people across Scotland sharing their hopes for the future of nature have been handed over to the First Minister inside a giant papier-mâché oyster.

WWF Scotland with a group of young nature supporters used the sculpture of the European flat oyster to handover the messages gathered from members of the public during the organisation’s recent ‘It’s in Our Nature’ campaign.

The messages call for stronger leadership and investment in nature recovery.

Among the wishes were calls for:

More safe havens for wildlife
Healthier rivers and seas
Planting of more native trees
Greater protection for endangered species
A greener, healthier future for children and communities

Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said: “These messages are proof of the growing desire for our government to take more seriously the need to invest in Scotland’s natural world. They show that people across the country care deeply about nature, how nature helps their mental wellbeing and that they want to see it flourish once again.

“Whether it’s seeing more wildlife in local communities, protecting our rivers and seas, or ensuring future generations can experience the wonders of Scotland’s natural heritage, the message is clear: people want to see action.”

First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s young climate and nature champions are at the forefront of calling for global climate and nature action, so it was great to see their passion firsthand and hear about the important work done by WWF Scotland to preserve and protect our natural environment.

“The climate emergency is already causing significant damage to nature and habitats, and tackling it is a Scottish Government priority. We will continue to do all we can to address the biodiversity crisis and help create a more sustainable world.”

The handover comes at a critical time for Scotland’s nature following a summer of extreme weather and wildfires, and 1 in 9 species already at risk of extinction.

Scotland’s natural ecosystems – including its peatlands, native woodlands, rivers, and coastal habitats – also play a vital role in capturing carbon, reducing flood risks, and building resilience against extreme weather.

Catherine from Central Scotland and Lothian’s West wrote:

“Nature is about all life on this planet and we must protect it. Scotland is well placed to do more from planting trees in the right environment to cleaning up our rivers and reducing pollution. The clock is ticking, we can’t delay.”

 Stuart from Glasgow added:

“I have always felt that the Scots have a long history of stewardship of the land, and that is even more important today. If we do not take care of Scotland’s nature in a sustainable and regenerative way we risk losing that which is most important to future generations, the enjoyment of nature.”

Marion from the Highlands said:

“We all need and depend on nature for our mental and physical health. It underlies food production, clean water and clean air.  Our future and that of our children depends on our protecting nature now.”

Woven Expressions: Free Weaving Classes at Granton Grows Greener

Some great news for all our weavers and crafters, we now have the dates for our FREE WEAVING CLASSES at Granton Parish Church, Edinburgh / Granton Goes Greener.

The sessions will all take place in the church session room, just walk to the green door of the West Hall and you will find us.

All the classes are ADULTS ONLY drop-ins with all the materials provided, so no need to book.

Any questions-email: anna@grantongoesgreener.org.uk

More people than ever using Edinburgh’s bike lanes

More bikes than cars at morning rush hour for the first time on Leith Walk

More bikes than cars at morning rush hour for the first time on Leith Walk, Edinburgh

67,572 cycle journeys recorded on Leith Walk in the month of May, a 25% increase on May 2025
Record share of journeys on York Place being made by bike

New traffic data analysed by Cycling Scotland, Scotland’s national cycling charity, shows the continuing success of high-quality cycle lanes, with record levels of cycling seen on key routes in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Over a 48-hour period in May 2026, traffic surveys recorded 5,653 bike journeys on Edinburgh’s Leith Walk – a record at this location.

Cycle journeys accounted for 11% of all methods of travel on Leith Walk, with more bikes than cars counted during one morning rush hour period (8-9am, Wednesday 13th May) – the first time this has been observed on an on-street cycle route in Edinburgh.

On nearby York Place, where protected cycle lanes now connect the City Centre West East Link route to Leith Walk, 2,018 bikes were recorded over the 48-hour period, amounting to 4.7% of all travel methods recorded, both marking new records for the location.

This cycling modal share is a significant increase on the first survey conducted on York Place in May 2021, when bikes accounted for only 2.1% of journeys – a sign of the growing impact of the new cycling infrastructure.

In addition to results from this 48-hour traffic survey, a permanent cycle counter on Picardy Place at the top of Leith Walk has been recording its highest levels of cycle traffic in 2026. 67,572 cycle journeys were recorded through all of May 2026 compared with 54,193 throughout May 2025 (an increase of 25%).

Great Junction Street in Leith saw a record 2,043 bikes counted over the two days, with a cycling modal share of 4.4%. This follows the recent completion of Leith Connections project, with a new protected cycle lane connecting Leith Walk to Commercial Street.

At all of these locations, strong peaks in cycling were seen at morning and evening rush hours, indicating that more people are travelling by bike for everyday journeys, like commuting to and from work.

Analysis of traffic levels also shows that long-term increases in cycling modal share at these locations are primarily due to more people cycling, rather than any corresponding decrease in vehicle traffic.

Traffic surveys carried out by Cycling Scotland, in partnership with local authorities, involve a temporary camera counting all passing traffic at more than 50 locations across Scotland. The surveys count all travel modes including pedestrians, bikes, cars, buses, vans and larger goods vehicles.

Conducted biannually each May and September, with funding from Transport Scotland, these nationwide traffic surveys help to track changes in modal share, highlighting how new high-quality cycle routes are supporting more people to make sustainable journeys.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said: “I am pleased to see Cycling Scotland’s latest figures on cycle lane use in Edinburgh. The record levels of use across the city particularly on Edinburgh’s City Centre West-East Link demonstrates the infrastructure we are providing is helping more people than ever travel by bike for everyday journeys.

“Active travel is pivotal in helping people save money, improve their health and reduce transport emissions – walking, wheeling and cycling is transformational for both people and planet.

“We are investing £226 million in active and sustainable travel this year, and the evidence shown by these figures highlights how this funding is creating safer and easier routes that will lead to more people choosing to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys.”

Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Edinburgh City Council Transport and Environment Convener, said: “These new figures speak for themselves.

“Over the last year, we’ve seen city cycling records being consistently broken. This is a direct consequence of our commitment to creating and improving cycling infrastructure across Edinburgh, as part of our City Mobility Plan.

“We’ve also seen the overwhelming popularity and success of our cycle hire scheme, delivered by Voi, providing a convenient and economic way for people to get around.

“It’s never been easier to cycle in the Capital, so I’d encourage anyone thinking about it to give it a try.”

Keith Irving, Chief Executive of Cycling Scotland, said: “What we see clearly from the data is where Edinburgh invests in protected cycle lanes and improved networks of cycling routes, more people are travelling by bike.

“The high volumes of cycling that we continue to see around morning rush hour tells its own story, with people evidently using these new routes to make everyday journeys by bike, including to work. We’re also seeing signs of a strong network effect, as routes begin to join together and make more journeys possible.

“Altogether, more people cycling is a net benefit for everyone, for our health, for reducing harmful pollution and reducing congestion on our streets. We need more safe cycling routes, to bring these advantages to more people across Edinburgh and Scotland.”

SEPA: Autumn rain fails to reverse impact of dry spring and summer

The effects of Scotland’s dry spring and summer are continuing to impact eastern Scotland, with four further areas days away from reaching the highest water scarcity level, potentially bringing the total at Significant Scarcity to eight.

The latest weekly Water Scarcity Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows North Fife, Fife (East Neuk), Stonehaven and North Esk remain at Significant Scarcity.

Tay Estuary (North), Whiteadder Water, Berwickshire Coastal and the Lower Dee and Water of Feugh areas are now approaching the same level.

Six of these eight areas have already experienced Significant Scarcity this year.

Rainfall allowed river levels in the six previously affected areas to recover temporarily but did not reverse the underlying deficit which has built up over months of dry weather.

Recent rain has not brought lasting recovery

Further showery rain is forecast over the coming days. This may bring localised and short-term improvements, but sustained and widespread rainfall will be needed for a lasting recovery, particularly across eastern Scotland.

River flows remain low to very low across much of the east, with many catchments continuing to experience prolonged low flows. Ground conditions remain dry despite some recent improvement, while groundwater levels are also low to very low across much of the region.

Eilidh Johnston, SEPA Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “Looking out of the window, it may feel as though Scotland has had plenty of rain. But our monitoring shows that showers passing through have not reversed the effects of the prolonged dry weather.

“Think of exceptionally low river flows as the red zone on a car’s fuel gauge. Recent rain put some fuel back in the tank and helped these rivers move out of that red zone for a time, but it did not refill the tank. River levels have fallen again and the warning light is coming back on.

“That is why our decisions are based on environmental monitoring and long-term scientific evidence, not simply the weather we have experienced over the past few days. Our monitoring network allows us to see what is happening in rivers across Scotland and compare current conditions with records collected over many years.

“The question is not simply whether it rains, but how much rain falls, where it falls and whether it is sustained for long enough to replenish rivers, soils and groundwater.”

Compliance and resilience

SEPA carry out compliance inspections when areas reach Significant Scarcity to ensure temporary restrictions on licensed water abstraction are being followed. Inspections carried out in the Fife area have found 100% compliance.

Officers have also seen investment in off-line water storage, allowing water collected when it is available to be used later without adding pressure to rivers when flows are critically low.

While most seasonal irrigation has now ended, some farmers still require water for later crops, including brassicas. Investment in storage means those businesses are more resilient and better able to continue operating towards the end of the growing season.

Eilidh added: “Our inspections in Fife have found excellent compliance with the restrictions that are in place. We have also seen the benefit of businesses planning ahead and investing in resilience, including off-line storage which reduces their reliance on rivers when water levels are critically low.

“Businesses which abstract water should continue to check the latest information, follow their water scarcity plans and use water as efficiently as possible.”

What does significant scarcity mean

Significant Scarcity is reached when river flows at a representative monitoring station remain below Q95 for 30 consecutive days. Q95 is an exceptionally low flow which, based on long-term records, would on average only occur 18 days per year.

If low flows continue and the four approaching areas reach the threshold, affected licence holders will be required to stop abstracting water. Most seasonal irrigation in those areas has already ended, but formal restrictions will still be issued where applicable to protect rivers and the wildlife that depend on them.

Restrictions are targeted and temporary. They are kept under regular review and lifted when conditions improve sufficiently.

SEPA publish weekly Water Scarcity Reports throughout the summer, using information from Scotland’s environmental monitoring network to provide advance warning of changing conditions and help water users plan ahead.

Anyone can monitor local conditions using SEPA’s online Drought Risk Assessment Tool, which shows how close monitoring stations are to reaching Significant Scarcity.

ONE MILLION NEW GARDENS

Campaign calls for a new standard for Britain’s new-build homes

The New Build Manifesto launches with a call to make gardens part of the infrastructure of new housing – designed from the outset for people, wildlife and a changing climate

As Britain embarks on one of its biggest periods of housebuilding in a generation, a new national campaign is calling for the gardens around those homes to be given far greater attention.

The New Build Manifesto https://newbuildmanifesto.co.uk/, founded by award-winning garden writer and designer Andrew Jackson, launches on 24 September with a mission to raise the standard of new-build gardens across Britain.

With more than a million new gardens potentially being created during this Parliament, the campaign argues that Britain has a once-in-a-generation opportunity: not simply to build new homes, but to create an entirely new generation of gardens.

Yet many buyers currently receive outdoor spaces that are little more than a starting point – compacted or poor-quality soil, thin turf, close-board fencing, limited planting and little provision for wildlife, shade or increasingly extreme weather.

For homeowners, the result can be years of work and considerable additional expense before the space outside their new home becomes the garden they expected it to be.

The New Build Manifesto wants that to change.

Its central argument is simple: a garden should not be treated as the space left over once a new home has been built. It should be regarded as part of its essential infrastructure.

“We are building new homes at a huge scale, but we urgently need to ask what we are building around them too,” says Andrew Jackson, founder of The New Build Manifesto.

“We have the opportunity to create more than a million new gardens in just a few years. Imagine the impact if those gardens began life with decent soil, better planting, space for nature and the ability to cope with heavier rainfall and hotter summers.

“A new garden shouldn’t be an expensive problem handed to the homeowner with the keys. Done properly, it can be an asset from day one – for the people who live there, for wildlife and for the neighbourhood around it.”

MORE THAN A LAWN AND A FENCE

There are around 25.8 million gardens across Great Britain, according to the Royal Horticultural Society. Collectively, they form an enormous network of green space, providing habitat for wildlife while helping to absorb rainfall, moderate temperatures and make towns and cities greener and more liveable.

The creation of more than a million new gardens therefore represents an environmental opportunity at a scale that is easy to overlook.

The New Build Manifesto is calling for the quality of gardens and outdoor spaces to be considered alongside the quality of the homes themselves.

It wants the conversation about new housing to include practical questions about the ground beneath our gardens, how water moves through developments, the trees and plants we establish, how wildlife can move between plots, and whether gardens being created today will remain comfortable and resilient as the climate changes.

The ambition is not to prescribe what every garden should look like. It is to ensure homeowners are given the foundations from which a good garden can grow.

FROM BLANK PLOT TO THRIVING GARDEN

Jackson knows the experience first-hand. When he moved into a new-build home, his own garden began as many do: a relatively blank plot surrounded by fencing.

Over the following years, he transformed it into a mature, wildlife-rich garden. That experience eventually prompted a much bigger question: why are so many new homeowners expected to begin their gardens almost entirely from scratch?

The New Build Manifesto grew from that question.

It combines a national campaign for better new-build gardens with practical support for the people already living with them – helping homeowners understand their soil, improve drainage, choose resilient plants, create habitats for wildlife and allow young gardens to develop character and maturity over time.

The message is deliberately optimistic: the blank plots being created around new homes are not simply a problem to solve. Collectively, they could become one of Britain’s biggest opportunities to create new green space.

A CAMPAIGN FOR HOMEOWNERS AND INDUSTRY

The New Build Manifesto is bringing together homeowners, housebuilders, developers, garden designers, horticultural businesses, environmental organisations and policymakers around a shared ambition for better new-build gardens.

Rather than seeking to create identical gardens, the campaign wants to establish some basic principles for what homeowners should reasonably expect: good ground, sensible water management, opportunities for planting and trees, connectivity for wildlife, and gardens capable of adapting to a changing climate.

It will also provide homeowners with practical information and inspiration to help them transform the gardens they already have.

Andrew Jackson adds: “This isn’t about demanding elaborate landscaped gardens with every new house. It’s about getting the fundamentals right.

“We are going to build these homes anyway, and the land around them is going to become millions of gardens. We can either regard that space as an afterthought, or recognise what an extraordinary opportunity it represents.

“Britain is a nation of gardeners. The next generation of British gardens is being created right now.”

From 24 September 2026, homeowners, organisations and industry professionals will be invited to take the New Build Manifesto pledge and support the campaign for a better standard of garden alongside every new home.

Greens hail support for Data Centre halt

TIME TO HALT AI DATA CENTRES?

The Scottish Greens have hailed Outlander star Sam Heughan’s support for a moratorium on hyperscale AI data centres ahead of a crunch vote in the Scottish Parliament today brought by the Green MSPs.

The Outlander star has urged politicians to “listen to what communities and environmental organisations are saying” and halt climate-wrecking data centre applications until a national strategy is in place.

The Scottish Greens have called for all applications for data centres above 50MW to be paused until a clear national strategy is in place, but the Scottish Government has fallen short of committing to a moratorium.

Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: “Sam Heughan is right that the Scottish Government should listen to communities and campaigners who are calling for a moratorium.

“We need an immediate pause on these applications until we can assess the impact on our energy systems and local environments. The current approach from the Scottish Government is unsustainable.

“MSPs can show support for local communities by backing our calls for a proper national strategy and demanding the halt that is needed.”

You can ask MSPs to vote for a moratorium with a quick e-action from Friends of the Earth Scotland.

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is calling for a moratorium ‘because of our profound concerns about the environmental impacts of these mega data centres’.

The campaigners say data centre proposals that are already known about would require more electricity than Scotland’s total peak winter demand.

And the number of applications could triple under projections from the National Energy System Operator (NESO).

That would divert far too much renewable energy from heating our homes, charging our EVs and powering our public transport, and decarbonising our industry – all of which is needed to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and tackle the climate crisis.

Butterfly Conservation: Drought could leave Britain’s butterflies fighting for survival next summer

This year’s Big Butterfly Count results show a good summer for most widespread butterflies
However, Butterfly Conservation warns the impact of the hot, dry weather may have hit caterpillars hard, with many facing starvation
Charity shares three top tips to ‘drought-proof’ gardens and help butterflies

The results of Butterfly Conservation’s 2026 Big Butterfly Count are in and show it was a very good summer for butterflies. But experts warn that despite a good year, what comes next could be dire …

With the Met Office confirming it ‘increasingly likely’ to be the hottest summer on record, August saw the UK’s National Drought Group declare that more than 70% of England was officially in drought, with almost all of the UK experiencing drier than usual conditions.

As a result, the charity fears that the real cost of this summer’s extreme weather may not be felt until next year, when this year’s drought-stressed caterpillars should be emerging as adults.

Professor Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “This has been one of the hottest, driest summers on record, and the figures certainly suggest that was good news for many of the widespread butterfly species monitored by the Count. In fact, it was the second-best year in the 16 year history of the Big Butterfly Count!

“Adult butterflies love hot, sunny weather for flying, feeding and breeding, and that’s exactly why people saw so many this summer. But a good summer for adult butterflies is not the same as a good summer for butterfly populations.

“What matters far more is what’s happening on the ground, to the butterflies’ caterpillar offspring and the plants they depend on. The very same weather that made it a good year for butterflies – lots of sunshine and very little rain – could mean we’re actually on course for a population crash, which could take years to recover from.”

Butterfly Winners and Losers

During this year’s Big Butterfly Count, 101,565 participants recorded almost 1.4 million butterflies and moths across the UK.

Among individual species there were winners and losers. More species had above-average counts this summer than below-average. Holly Blue and Gatekeeper both had their best ever Big Butterfly Count results, and Small Copper its third best. Holly Blue abundance has increased by 42% over the 16 years of Big Butterfly Count and Small Copper has increased by 93%.

No species had its worst Big Butterfly Count in 2026, but it was the second-worst year for Small Tortoiseshell, which has now decreased by 66% since the Count began. Speckled Wood, Green-veined White and Ringlet, all species known to be sensitive to drought, were seen in below-average numbers and show declines of 44%, 54% and 39%, respectively, since 2011.

One of the standout stories was the Painted Lady, up 335% on last year, in what’s been widely described as a ‘Painted Lady summer’. It was the second-best year for Painted Lady since the Big Butterfly Count started and its abundance has increased by 74% over that time. Painted Ladies undertake one of the most remarkable insect migrations in the world, arriving in Britain via a relay of several generations, each flying a leg of the journey from Africa, across the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea, before reaching UK shores.

Small White topped the national table this year, with 281,634 recorded, ahead of Gatekeeper (211,029), Large White (190,295), Red Admiral (141,178) and Meadow Brown (134,335) rounding out the top five.

A difficult year ahead

Butterfly Conservation’s greater concern lies not with this summer’s results, but with the impact of the extreme summer weather experienced across much of Britain on butterflies next year and in the longer term.

This year, many of the plants that caterpillars depend on had withered or died before the caterpillars had finished feeding on them, and the charity fears the impact on butterfly and moth populations will become fully apparent in 2027.

Professor Fox added: “Our real worry isn’t this summer, it’s what happens next. We’ve been here before and it’s not good; the extreme droughts in 1976 and 1995 had severe impacts on butterfly populations, with some species never fully recovering.

“And the major problem we have now is that 80% of the UK’s butterflies have declined since the 1970s, so many are already struggling for survival, without these extreme weather pressures.

“With increasingly hot, dry summers and droughts predicted to become more and more frequent due to climate breakdown, degraded habitats and already depleted butterfly populations, some species may be pushed further and faster towards extinction, which is a very sombre thought.

“They are, quite simply, less resilient to these events, which means we could be looking at very difficult years ahead.”

Three top tips to ‘drought-proof’ gardens for butterflies

Butterfly Conservation is calling on people across the UK to take three simple ‘drought-proofing’ actions in their gardens and outdoor spaces this winter to help caterpillars, and in turn, butterflies and moths:

1. Plant more trees and shrubs

Holly, Ivy and Buckthorn are among the best choices for butterflies. Holly and Ivy together support garden favourite the Holly Blue, while flowering Ivy is also a valuable late-season nectar source for the colourful Red Admiral and charming Comma, as well as a host of bees, moths and hoverflies.

Buckthorns are the food source for Brimstone caterpillars, whose sunshine-yellow butterflies often herald the start of spring.

Species such as oaks, Hawthorn, birches, apples and willows all provide homes for caterpillars of a wide array of native moths.

All are widely available, low-maintenance, and provide shade and shelter from heatwaves as well as food for caterpillars and adult insects. Their deep roots and dense structure also help them cope with dry conditions once established.

2. Set up water butts

Collecting rainwater through autumn and winter, when it’s plentiful, means there’s a reserve to fall back on for key plants during a dry summer.

With numerous hosepipe bans enforced in 2026, preparing now could be the key to helping butterflies next year when the hot, dry weather is predicted to return.

3. Leave patches of grass to grow long

Left uncut, grass develops deeper roots and stays green for longer than a closely mown lawn, which browns off quickly in a drought. Longer grass also provides caterpillar foodplants for species like Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper, and creates cooler, damper conditions for butterflies to seek refuge during heatwaves.

Research by Butterfly Conservation scientists showed that gardens with a patch of long grass saw up to 93% more butterflies and a wider range of species, so this is one free and simple change that could really help butterflies when they need it most.

The Big Butterfly Count will return in 2027, when citizen scientists across the UK will be more important than ever before to help discover the true impact of this summer’s extreme weather.

Mark your diary now… Big Butterfly Count 2027 – Friday 9 July – Sunday 1 August.

For more butterfly friendly gardening tips visit www.butterfly-conservation.org

BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT RESULTS 2026 – UK TOTALS

	Species	Total count	Change from 2025 (%)^*	Change from average year (%)^*	Trend2011-2026(% change)^*
1.	Small White	281,634	-13	32	12
2.	Gatekeeper	211,029	17	50	-7
3.	Large White	190,295	-39	19	46
4.	Red Admiral	141,178	-13	39	63
5.	Meadow Brown	134,335	-6	-15	-19
6.	Painted Lady	85,508	335	161	74
7.	Common Blue	54,430	17	-16	-52
8.	Peacock	54,414	-3	39	3
9.	Holly Blue	43,849	221	128	42
10.	Small Tortoiseshell	33,123	-30	-53	-66
11.	Speckled Wood	31,512	-17	-28	-44
12.	Green-veined White	27,877	-22	-13	-54
13.	Comma	23,220	-33	-2	-3
14.	Small Copper	19,406	-28	38	93
15.	Ringlet	15,606	0.1	-0.5	-39
16.	Jersey Tiger	12,628	–	–	–
17.	Silver Y	8,180	–	–	–
18.	Brimstone	6,087	27	67	11
19.	Six-spot Burnet	4,304	–	–	–
20.	Marbled White	1,897	19	7	-14
21.	Scotch Argus	935	–	–	–
	Total	1,381,447

*This year, Butterfly Conservation has developed and applied a new analysis to account for variations in flight times of butterflies. Many species emerged earlier than normal in 2026 due to the heat, and some had almost finished before this summer’s Big Butterfly Count started. The new analysis adjusts for such changes to ensure accurate representation of butterfly populations.

**Flight period adjustment is not available for moths or Scotch Argus at present.

PICTURED TOP: Small Copper in a very dry landscape – Pete Hughes

Summer’s legacy lingers into Autumn

SEPA – WEEKLY WATER SCARCITY REPORT

Scotland has entered autumn with two areas at Significant Water Scarcity, as prolonged rainfall deficits continue to affect river flows.

Significant Water Scarcity has now been recorded somewhere in Scotland in each of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) past six weekly reports, although the areas affected have changed during that time.

The latest Water Scarcity Report from SEPA shows The Upper Tweed and Mid Tweed & Lauderdale have moved to Significant Scarcity this week. No abstraction licences are affected by this change.

Significant Scarcity is reached when representative river flows remain exceptionally low for 30 consecutive days.

Meanwhile, Dee (Galloway) and Urr Water have now moved out of Significant following rain this week, though the wider area remains at moderate scarcity. Across Scotland nine areas are at Moderate Scarcity, a level where environmental impacts are clear.

The picture varies sharply across Scotland. Recent rainfall has improved conditions in parts of the north-east, with Deveron, Ythan and Don (Aberdeenshire) moving from Moderate Scarcity to Alert. Doon, Irvine and Ayr have returned to Normal Conditions.

Further down the east coast, very low river flows continue. In Fife, North Fife and Fife (East Neuk) both reached Significant Scarcity earlier this summer before conditions improved following rainfall. Both have now recorded 25 consecutive days of very low flows again.

Stonehaven, North Esk and the Lower Earn areas are also at risk of moving to Significant next week.

The report comes at the beginning of meteorological autumn, which began on 1st September. 

Eilidh Johnston, SEPA Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “Scotland has a reputation for rain, so it can seem surprising to be at the start of autumn with two areas at Significant Water Scarcity, particularly when it may be raining where you are.

“But water scarcity isn’t determined by today’s weather. Rainfall deficits build up over time, and a few days of rain may not be enough to reverse the effects of a prolonged dry period.

“We can see that clearly this week. Conditions have improved in some areas, while rivers in parts of the south and east remain exceptionally low.

“This summer has shown why businesses which rely on water from the environment need to plan ahead. The impacts of dry conditions can last beyond the dry weather itself.

“As our climate changes, periods of water scarcity are expected to become more frequent and severe. Businesses need to understand what that could mean for them and have plans in place before water becomes constrained.”

Further showers are forecast on Friday, with potentially heavy rain on Sunday. SEPA will continue to monitor rainfall, river flows, soil moisture and groundwater levels and update water scarcity levels as conditions change.