Is the UK set for a bumper summer of butterflies?

The UK could be on the brink of a bumper summer of butterflies. A warm, dry spring has raised hopes of an abundant season ahead for some of the nation’s best-loved species.

2024 delivered the worst results in the history of Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count. And it led to the declaration of a butterfly emergency. However, a sunnier 2025 offered some encouragement. And with spring 2026 one of the warmest on record, the UK could see a kaleidoscope of colourful butterflies this year.

That’s why wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is calling on the public to get out for its annual Big Butterfly Count. It runs from Friday 17 July – Sunday 9 August.

Anyone, anywhere can take part and help to paint a picture of how butterflies are faring by submitting their sightings to help create an interactive map.

These sightings provide important data that helps 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 had a better than average spring. And that has set them up for a potentially abundant summer.

The small copper and holly blue have been appearing in excellent numbers. Peacock, red admiral and sunshine-yellow brimstone have also had a promising start to the year.

This rainbow of colourful characters includes four of the top five of the recent vote to find Britain’s Favourite Butterfly, in which the peacock took the crown.

Butterflies benefitting from heatwaves

Heatwaves, warm dry spells and the occasional welcome downpour have created ideal conditions for breeding and for caterpillar growth. So this summer could see gardens and green spaces filled with fluttering wings.

Butterfly Conservation’s head of engagement, Kate Merry, said:

After the colourful spring with seemingly lots of beautiful butterflies appearing across the UK, it’s tempting to assume we’re heading for a bumper summer, and we’d love nothing more as most of our butterfly species have undergone long-term declines.

But a bright spring is only ever part of the story, which is why we need people out there taking part in the Big Butterfly Count this summer.

We genuinely don’t yet know how this year will unfold, and the only way to find out is for people to tell us what they’re seeing in their own gardens and green spaces.

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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 on the website.

80% of UK butterfly species have declined over the past 50 years. This has happened due to habitat loss, pollution and climate change. So scientists need as many eyes as possible looking for butterflies this summer to see what’s happening. Every sighting counts.

The peacock, holly blue, red admiral, brimstone and small copper can all be recorded as part of Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count, along with 15 other butterflies and day-flying moths.

Merry added:

Butterflies are icons of summer and, more importantly, key indicators of the UK’s biodiversity and environmental health.

Every single person that takes part in the Big Butterfly Count and submits their sightings is helping us to see how these pollinators are doing, which in turn helps conservationists build a wider picture of how all insects are faring.

It’s easy, fun for all the family, and a great excuse to get outside and experience the simple joy of spotting butterflies. You’ll also be helping to protect butterflies for future generations, and if that doesn’t give you the feel-good factor I don’t know what will!

How to take part:

• Download the free Big Butterfly Count app or visit the website.
• Between Friday 17 July – Sunday 9 August, spend 15 minutes in any sunny outdoor space and count the number and types of butterflies and day-flying moths you see.
• You don’t need to be an expert. Use the free ID guide on the app and website to help you identify what you’ve seen.
• Log your sightings on the website or free app and help protect UK butterflies for future generations.

This summer, experience the joy of butterflies and see how many you can count. Will it be the bumper, colourful season spring has hinted at? Only time will tell…

Featured image via John Ranson

By The Canary

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