THE Big Butterfly count for 2025 has just begun with a flutter of wings across the borough says Warrington Nature Conservation Forum.
It continues until Sunday, August 10 – and following the results of last year’s count, Butterfly Conservation has declared a butterfly emergency.
They need help more than ever before and by taking part in the count – a UK wide survey = you can help assess the health of the environment simply by counting butterflies.
Visit the butterfly-conservation website to get involved.
It is a fun survey that all the family can do together or individually.
It only takes 15 minutes and can be done on your phone, or you can download a data and id sheet to record your results and enter them when you get home. Both ways will have great pictures of all the butterflies you are likely to see.
Geoff Settle, chairman of Warrington Nature Conservation Forum (WNCF), said: “You can do as many surveys as you like over the four-week period and where you want, it’s a straightforward process.
“ For example, a WNCF member went for a walk along the Leeds Liverpool Canal and in the first 15 minutes spotted large and small white,s a speckled wood and a red admiral. He then walked on and came off at Pennington Flash where he recorded a tortoiseshell, a skipper and a copper blue.
“Another member has a buddleia in her garden which butterflies love. She counted five small whites, five peacocks and a red admiral all on the plant at the same time.
“ Buddleias are found in many places especially on and around old buildings. Why not take a clipping and take it home to grow? In a year or so you will then have a flowering plant along with your flowers that will attract lots of butterflies. “
The data collected is very important to the analysis that will take place after the results are in. They will help the Butterfly Conservation understand impact of climate change on nature. It will give information about where butterflies are thriving or declining. Butterflies are a key indicator of the health of nature because they and their caterpillars are near the bottom of the food chain. If they are found to be in danger, then so are the animals and birds further up the food chain.
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This is a great survey to do. Last year numbers were down due to high rainfall but with three heatwaves already this year more butterflies have been seen especially on the very hot days.
One good place has always been the Rixton Claypits Reserve where you will also find dragonflies.