Butterfly Conservation is urging people across the Isle of Wight to take just 15 minutes to help reverse the alarming decline in UK butterfly numbers.
The Big Butterfly Count, running from Friday 18th July to Saturday 10th August, invites residents to record butterflies and day-flying moths in gardens, parks, school fields or countryside spaces. Last year, numbers fell to historic lows nationwide, prompting the charity to declare a ‘Butterfly Emergency’ – with similar concerns raised locally on the Isle of Wight.
In 2023, the Meadow Brown was the most commonly spotted butterfly in Hampshire. This year, Island residents are being asked to log their sightings using the free Big Butterfly Count app or at www.bigbutterflycount.org.
Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, has said:
“This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation and make a real contribution to protecting butterflies in the UK for generations to come.
“If we lose butterflies, we lose more than beauty – we lose balance in our ecosystems. If you do one thing for nature this year, get out for the Count this summer – every count really does make a difference.”
Butterflies are key indicators of environmental change. By taking part, residents help scientists track species’ movements and protect local biodiversity.
