Heatwave could bring out the butterflies: How West Berkshire can help with the Big Butterfly Count 2021

The Big Butterfly Count is underway and runs from July 16 to August 8.

The nationwide survey is aimed at helping to assess the health of our environment.

Now in its eleventh year, the Big Butterfly Count has rapidly become the world’s biggest survey of butterflies.

More than 111,500 people took part last year with 145,249 counts of butterflies and day-flying moths from across the UK.

To take part all you need to do is for 15 minutes choose a spot, preferably sunny, and count the number of butterflies you see during that time.

You can record what you see using the Butterfly Count app or online.

Butterflies 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.

For more information and to join in visit www.bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/