Friday 12th July to Sunday 4th August 2024
15 minutes whenever and wherever you have the time to enjoy nature and watch butterflies
A UK-wide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) we see.
The Big Butterfly Count 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. Over 64,000 citizen scientists took part in 2022, submitting 96,257 counts of butterflies and day-flying moths from across the UK.
Why count butterflies?
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.
So, thank you for taking the time to help!
Counting butterflies can be described as taking the pulse of nature and we depend on you, our citizen scientists, to help us assess how much help nature needs. The data from this and other counts will also help us to identify important trends in species that will assist us in planning how to protect butterflies from extinction, as well as understanding the effect of climate change on wildlife.
How to take part
Simply count butterflies for 15 minutes during bright (preferably sunny) weather during the Big Butterfly Count. We have chosen this time of year because most butterflies are at the adult stage of their lifecycle, so more likely to be seen. Records are welcome from anywhere - from parks, school grounds and gardens, to fields and forests.
Price: Free to take part
Location: Where ever you like
butterly, butterflies, count, nationwide, conservation, nature
Why not stay at Deepdale Camping & Rooms for 'Big Butterfly Count'
Other Dates For Your Diary |
Time Horizon - Antony Gormley |
Sun 21 Apr to Thu 31 Oct |
Pop Up Shops |
Thu 17 to Tue 22 Oct |
Pop Up Shops |
Thu 24 to Tue 29 Oct |
Pop Up Shops |
Thu 31 Oct to Tue 5 Nov |
Deepdale Christmas Shopping |
Fri 1 Nov to Tue 24 Dec |
Sheringham Beach Clean |
Sun 3 Nov |
Camping - Midweek 3 for 2 Special Offer |
Sun 3 Nov to Fri 20 Dec |
Self Catering Rooms - Midweek 3 for 2 Special Offer |
Sun 3 Nov to Fri 20 Dec |
Norfolk Restaurant Week |
Mon 4 to Fri 8 Nov |
The Jolly Charity Pub Quiz |
Tue 5 Nov |
Walking Women |
Tue 5 Nov |
Christmas Pop Up Shops |
Fri 8 to Sun 10 Nov |
Introduction to Green Woodworking Course |
Sat 9 Nov |
Christmas Pop Up Shops |
Mon 11 to Thu 14 Nov |
Norfolk Restaurant Week |
Mon 11 to Fri 15 Nov |
Sandringham Parkrun |
Saturday 28th December |
Deepdale Pizzas - Street Food |
Friday 18th October |
Docking Village Hall Weekly Market |
Wednesday 18th December |
North Wootton Village Market |
Saturday 21st December |