Despite the erratic and changeable weather in Britain this summer, this year’s Big Butterfly Count has shown an increase in butterfly numbers compared to the previous year’s all-time low. Citizen scientists recorded an average of 12 butterflies per 15-minute count, up from nine in 2022. The red admiral butterfly dominated the count, followed by the gatekeeper, large white, small white, and holly blue. While this summer’s butterfly count is the highest since 2019, long-term trends reveal concerning declines in some common butterfly species.
Over the past 13 years, the small tortoiseshell’s numbers have fallen by 30%, with even larger declines for species like the speckled wood (-38%), ringlet (-41%), common blue (-44%), and green-veined white (-61%). However, the red admiral’s numbers have seen a significant increase, with a 338% rise compared to the previous year, benefitting from global heating. These findings suggest a complex relationship between weather conditions, habitat availability, and butterfly populations in the UK.
UK butterfly numbers bounce back after last year’s all-time low | Butterflies | The Guardian