BIG Butterfly Count 2026

Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count 2026 has launched – and this year’s heatwaves mean we could be on track for a bumper summer of butterflies.

After 2024 delivered the worst results in the history of the Count and Butterfly Conservation declared a butterfly emergency, a sunnier 2025 offered some encouragement – but with this spring one of the warmest on record, the UK could be treated to a kaleidoscope of colourful butterflies this year.

Now, Butterfly Conservation is calling on the public to get out for the Big Butterfly Count from Friday 17 July to Sunday 9 August.

Anyone can take part in the Count and help to paint a picture of how butterflies are faring by submitting their sightings to help create an interactive map. This data helps our scientists understand where butterflies are thriving, struggling, or shifting due to climate change, habitat loss or restoration. Some of the country’s most recognisable and loved species have already had a better-than-average year, setting them up for an abundant summer.

The world’s largest butterfly survey, the Big Butterfly Count asks people to spend just 15 minutes outdoors in a sunny spot, count the butterflies and day-flying moths they see, and submit their sightings via the free app or at www.bigbutterflycount.org.