The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping the Butterfly Conservation Trust track the movement of British butterflies and to help assess the health of our environment.
Butterflies react very quickly to environmental changes which make them excellent biodiversity indicators.
Simply count butterflies for 15 minutes during bright, (sunny if possible) weather during the survey time: 17th July – 9th August.
TCV Scotland is encouraging all staff and volunteers to get involved in the Big Butterfly Count. Here are some examples:
Our Natural Networks trainees are running various events around the country! Have fun, spot butterflies all by taking part!
Small Tortoise Shell
Here’s just a selection of our Natural Network trainees getting involved in the survey:
Carrie Eeles based at the Singleton Environment Centre, Kent will be incorporating the butterfly survey into regular survey days she runs with a community group. Carrie is also hoping to get a parent and toddler group and kids club involved at the Singleton Environment Centre.
Donna Oxbrough based at the National forest in Leicester and Derbyshire. As it is the school holidays Donna has organised to take part in the Big Butterfly Count with a number of play schemes in her local area instead.
Margaret Trigg based at TCV York is going to be out surveying sites in York and will now also be adding a big butterfly count at each of her sites between the 17th July and 8th of August.
Simon Gray in Northern Ireland will be running a Summer Wildlife and Wildflower walk at a local park in Lisnaskea, which will involve a moth trap unveiling, a wildflower walk and then a big butterfly count at the end of the day.
Join in and feel good by taking part in The Big Butterfly Survey 2015!
More information?
Visit: The Big Butterfly Count website at: http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/about
Download your handy free ID chart here: http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/idchart
Meadow Brown
Peacock butterfly