Scots urged to to help scientists measure climate change's impact on butterflies

Scots are being urged to count butterflies this summer, as scientists seek to better understand the impact of last year's extreme heatwaves. 

The record temperatures, heatwaves and droughts which blighted the country last year are believed to have caused some of the plants that caterpillars feed on to wither and die.

To help scientists understand how butterfly populations are faring, Butterfly Conservation is asking the Scottish public to spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot, recording the number and kind of butterflies they see.

'Vital Year'

Dr Zoe Randle, senior surveys officer at Butterfly Conservation, said: “This is a vital year for the Big Butterfly Count.

“We know that the previous extreme summer droughts in 1976 and 1995 took a heavy toll on butterflies and numbers crashed the following year, taking almost a decade to recover.

“The data collected in Scotland during this year’s Big Butterfly Count will give us a valuable insight into what the effect of the most recent extreme weather has been, and how we might be able to better protect our beautiful butterflies.

“With climate change here to stay, we need people in Scotland to take part more than ever before.”

Download the App

Dr Randle added: “We know 80% of butterflies in the UK have declined since the 1970s, which means there are fewer butterflies to be seen than in years gone by.

“However, even if you don’t see any butterflies during your count, we still want you to tell us.

“We need to know where there aren’t any butterflies just as much as where there are, so please still log your result and then pick another day or location and try again. There are no limits on how many times you can take part.”

This year’s Big Butterfly Count runs from Friday July 14 to Sunday August 6. For more information and to take part visit the official website or download the free Big Butterfly Count app.