Wildlife

Wild UK Butterfly Monitoring 2026

Butterfly monitoring programs in the UK and what they tell us about population trends and welfare in 2026.

Key Facts

UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme has collected comparable data since 1976
Widespread species show average declines of 24% over 50 years of monitoring
Specialist species including Pearl-bordered Fritillary have declined by over 80%
Climate change is driving range expansion for some species while stressing upland specialists
Garden recording through the Big Butterfly Count engages tens of thousands of participants annually

Welfare Considerations

Butterfly monitoring provides the evidence base for conservation welfare responses. Without population data, it is impossible to know when intervention is needed or whether conservation management is working. Citizen science monitoring programs enable conservation welfare at landscape scale.

What You Can Do

Participate in the Big Butterfly Count each summer to contribute monitoring data
Record butterflies in your garden and local area throughout the season
Support Butterfly Conservation and their habitat management and monitoring programs