Cornwall Council Encourages Residents to Join The Big Butterfly Count

Survey running now until August 10th

Cornwall Council is calling on everyone to take part in the Big Butterfly Count before it’s too late, as nearly a quarter of butterfly species across the UK are now at risk of extinction.

With Cornwall’s Nature Recovery Strategy putting butterflies at the heart of local conservation work, the council is supporting the UK-wide Big Butterfly Count, which runs until 10th August 2025.

Butterfly emergency declared

Following the results of the 2024 count, Butterfly Conservation has declared a “butterfly emergency” due to the alarming drop in numbers. The charity is asking people to spend just 15 minutes counting butterflies in their gardens, parks, or local countryside and submit their findings using the free Big Butterfly Count app, available on iOS and Android.

“You can help by taking part in the Big Butterfly Count,” the council said in a statement. “It’s running now until August 10.”

A vital sign of nature’s health

Butterflies are more than just a pretty sight. They’re key pollinators and an important part of the food chain. More crucially, they are early indicators of biodiversity change, reacting quickly to shifts in their environment. Declining butterfly numbers are seen as an early warning sign for wider wildlife losses.

“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 council stated.

The data collected will help scientists understand how species are coping with climate change and habitat loss.

How to take part

• Pick a sunny spot outdoors

• Count butterflies for 15 minutes

• Submit your results using the free app or via the website

• You can do as many counts as you like from different places

• Even if you see no butterflies, it’s still valuable to report that

There’s also an interactive map where people can see counts from across the UK.

No paper records accepted

All data must be submitted online or through the app. Paper, text, phone or email submissions cannot be accepted.

A growing movement with star backing

Launched in 2010, the Big Butterfly Count has become the world’s biggest butterfly survey, with over 64,000 people taking part in 2022.

Well-known figures including Sir David Attenborough, Chris Packham, Nick Baker, Joanna Lumley OBE, and Alan Titchmarsh MBE have publicly supported the count.

To get involved and help make a difference, visit the website:
👉 https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

Cornwall Council says: “Butterflies need your help.”