The Big Butterfly Count which has recently ended, was an event which ran from the 14^th July to the 6^th August 2023 and was created by the Butterfly Conservation in efforts to understand the effects of climate change on our countries butterfly species, and subsequently make efforts in order to help improve conservation methods. This event involved getting members of the public involved from all ages and locations within the UK, to spend just 15 minutes in a sunny spot and to note down how many butterflies of different species are seen in that time. This could take place in any location such as parks, woodlands, heathlands, and for most people including myself; gardens.

My butterfly count began on a bright and warm day during the beginning of August, as summer is in full swing, a vast majority of the springtime butterfly flight seasons have finished for the year although some do in fact have second broods which emerge around this time. These second broods join in with the other species that emerge later in the year along with species whose numbers are boosted by migrating individuals from warmer climes.

Within the first few minutes my first species was already sighted, a Green – Veined White, these are one of the more common species you will likely see during a walk or visit outside, this individual fed on verbena before being joined by Small Whites and one Large White. 

These all belong to the same family of butterflies known as Pieridae, the other species consisting of Brimstone, Orange - Tip, the migrating Clouded Yellow, and the Wood White, the latter a species which has unfortunately gone extinct within Wiltshire although strong conservation efforts are being made for its eventual reintroduction.

The aforementioned Brimstone became the fourth species to be recorded and was followed by Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper. These two species can look similar but are easily distinguished by their upper wings when drinking nectar or basking in warm weather, these are some of the most common summer species that I see whenever I am out and about, so much in fact that its easy to get slightly bored of them until you realise just how spectacular they are to observe.

A flash of colour from passing Peacocks and Red Admirals and a quick glimpse of a powder blue Holly Blue completed the remaining five minutes of the allotted 15 minutes that I had to begin with.

Upon looking back at my sightings for my butterfly count I had recorded a total of 9 species with the most individuals seen at any given time being two Small Whites and two Meadow Browns.

By doing these butterfly counts you are also helping conservationists and butterfly recorders to build up an image of the distribution of all these different species, allowing the study of their movements in relation to the impacts of climate change.

On another note, simply spending time out in the outdoors can be brilliant for mental health and in general just taking a break from the hustle and bustle of life. Nothing calms me down more than spending time checking what is flying around the flowers or swimming within the pond.

Now it is time to enjoy the rest of our summer as we will soon begin to look to autumn and winter and then the spring of next year where we can enjoy all that butterflies have to offer once more.