Join the biggest ever nationwide survey to assess the health of our environment from 24 July – 1 August.

Butterflies are very sensitive to their surroundings so are good biodiversity indicators. A decline in butterfly numbers gives an early warning signal that a habitat and its wildlife are at risk.

To take part in the Big Butterfly Count just count the butterflies you see for 15 minutes during bright, preferably sunny, weather in your garden, local park or any green space.

You can download an identification chart to help you identify which butterflies you see. Make a note of the number of different butterflies you spot and add your records online.

The survey, which takes place in Save our Butterflies week (24 July – 1 August) is run by Butterfly Conservation in association with Marks and Spencer.

Sir David Attenborough, President of Butterfly Conservation, said ‘Butterflies are extraordinary, heart lifting creatures – visions of beauty and visions of summer.  Butterflies in profusion tell us all is well with nature. When they decline it’s a warning that other wildlife will be soon be heading the same way. So with the big butterfly count we’ll be doing more than just counting butterflies – we’ll be taking the pulse of nature.’