How Can I Help Save UK Butterflies? Your Guide To The Big Butterfly Count 2025

Remember spending sunny afternoons in the garden, watching a brightly coloured butterfly dance from flower to flower? It’s a classic sign of summer. But lately, it feels like we’re seeing fewer of them. And it’s not just a feeling. Britain’s butterflies are in trouble, and they really need our help.

But the good news is, you don’t need a science degree or any fancy kit to make a difference. All you need is 15 minutes and a bit of outdoor space. This is a call to action for all wildlife lovers; our fluttery friends need us.

A butterfly emergency? what’s going on?

So, here’s the story. Last year, the charity Butterfly Conservation ran their annual survey, the Big Butterfly Count, and the results were pretty grim. In fact, they were the worst they’d ever seen. They even declared a ‘Butterfly Emergency’ because the decline in numbers was so bad. This isn't just a one-off bad year, either. It’s part of a long-term problem. Since the 1970s, a shocking 80% of butterfly species have seen a drop in numbers.

It’s easy to think, "Oh, that’s a shame," and move on. But butterflies are more than just pretty insects. Their struggle is a huge red flag for the health of our environment. They are sensitive little creatures, so when their numbers drop, it tells us something is going very wrong with our planet’s ecosystems. Last year’s results were a clear SOS message from our native wildlife. Because of this steep decline, Butterfly Conservation is launching a rescue mission this year, not just a survey. And they’re calling on every single one of us to be a part of it.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it…

Okay, ‘rescue mission’ sounds dramatic, but your part in it couldn’t be simpler. Seriously. From Friday, 18 July 2025, the Big Butterfly Count officially begins. Your mission is to find a spot – your garden, a local park, a field on your dog walk, even a window box on your lunch break – and spend just 15 minutes there.

In those 15 minutes, all you have to do is look for butterflies and day-flying moths. Then, you simply record what you see. That's it! No nets, no jars, no complicated science stuff. Just you, your eyes, and a little bit of time. One small action that takes fewer minutes than making a cup of tea can provide vital information. It’s a brilliant way to turn your curiosity into real conservation action.

Think of it as being a citizen scientist for a quarter of an hour. Every single count submitted helps build a massive, nationwide picture of what’s happening with our butterfly populations. Every count provides another piece of the puzzle, and that’s why we need everyone to take part and count.

But why do butterflies even matter?

It’s a fair question. They’re lovely to look at, sure, but what else? Well, Dr Richard Fox, the Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, puts it perfectly. He explains that butterflies are incredibly important ‘bioindicators’. Basically, they’re like the canary in the coal mine for our environment. Because butterflies are so sensitive to change, their decline is a powerful warning that our natural world is in peril.

Dr Fox says, “This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation and make a real contribution to protecting butterflies in the UK for generations to come. 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.”

He also adds, “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.”

So, when you spot a Red Admiral or a Common Blue, your sighting helps scientists figure out where species are doing okay and where they’re struggling. This data is gold dust for conservation efforts, helping to target action where it’s needed most to help protect the species. This information helps save not just one butterfly, but entire habitats.

So what’s the actual problem?

Why is there such a massive decline of butterflies? It boils down to a few big things. Their homes (habitats) are being destroyed. Think of wildflower meadows being replaced by housing estates or farmland. The climate is also changing, becoming more extreme and unpredictable, which messes with their life cycles. And then there are pesticides. These chemicals are used in farming and even in our own gardens, and they can be really harmful to butterflies and other insects, even the ones that claim to be ‘pollinator friendly’.

The good news is we can help right at home. Letting a corner of your garden grow a bit wild, planting nectar-rich flowers like lavender or buddleia, and avoiding pesticides are all brilliant ways to create a butterfly-friendly space. It’s all part of the wider conservation effort to protect these delicate creatures for the future. We need to help them thrive this summer.

Okay, i’m in. how do I take part?

Brilliant! Joining the rescue mission is easy. The count runs from Friday, 18 July to Sunday, 10 August 2025. Here’s exactly what you need to do:

• First, get the free Big Butterfly Count app on your phone or head to the website at www.bigbutterflycount.org. They have a handy chart to help you identify the different butterflies you might see.
• Between 18 July and 10 August, pick a day and a spot. Any outdoor space will do.
• Spend just 15 minutes spotting and counting the number and type of butterflies and day-flying moths you see.
• Log your sightings through the app or website. Your data will instantly be added to a live map showing results from across the country!

It’s that simple. By taking part, you’re not just counting butterflies. You’re standing up for nature and helping Butterfly Conservation gather the data they need to protect our environment. Your help is essential.

Let’s bring them back

This summer, let’s all take a moment to step outside, slow down, and do something amazing for the natural world right on our doorstep. The Big Butterfly Count is more than just a survey; it’s a nationwide team effort. Butterfly Conservation is launching a campaign for everyone. This is our chance to be part of the comeback story for the UK’s butterflies.

Every single person who takes part adds another voice to the calling for better protection for our wildlife. Every butterfly you count is a tiny piece of data that helps build a bigger picture. The butterflies are in decline, and we need to take action. So, will you join the mission? Every count really does matter.