The Big Butterfly Count 2026 is a nationwide citizen science survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment. It was launched in 2010 and has rapidly become the world’s biggest survey of butterflies. (The Peacock Butterfly – recently crowned Britain’s favourite is our feature image if you are wondering).
We count butterflies because not only are they beautiful creatures to be around but they are also extremely important. They are vital parts of the ecosystem as both pollinators and components of the food chain. However, they are under threat. Numbers of butterflies and moths in the UK have decreased significantly since the 1970s. This is a warning that cannot be ignored.
Butterfly declines are also an early warning for other wildlife losses. Butterflies are key biodiversity indicators for scientists as they react very quickly to changes in their environment. Therefore, if their numbers are falling, then nature is in trouble. So tracking numbers of butterflies is crucial in the fight to conserve our natural world. That’s why taking part in this massive citizen science enterprise is of great importance not just for our butterflies but for the wider environment and biodiversity in general.
The Big Butterfly Count 2026 reopens on the 1st of July ready for the main event between the 17th of July and 9th of August. This is in association with Butterfly Conservation and more information Butterflies and their group can be found there.
Download ID Chart
Download the ID Chart and print off so you are ready to record those you can see. ID Chart for Scotland
Find a spot & Record
Find a nice spot in the Park to look for butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes while recording what you see.
Submit your ID Chart
Send us a photo of your completed sheet either by email or via our Facebook page and we will compile all findings and submit to the Big Butterfly Count.
When all the results are in their Interactive Map will update and you can view all the results nationwide.
