Newcastle Residents Urged to Help Count Butterflies

The Big Butterfly Count has returned for another summer, giving people across Newcastle and the North East the chance to play a part in one of the UK's biggest wildlife surveys. Whether you are walking through Jesmond Dene, exploring Rising Sun Country Park, visiting the Town Moor or simply enjoying your own garden, every butterfly spotted could help scientists understand how nature is changing.

Run annually by Butterfly Conservation, the nationwide survey asks people to spend just 15 minutes counting butterflies and day-flying moths before submitting their sightings online or through the official app. The simple activity has become one of the world's largest citizen science projects, helping researchers monitor the health of the UK's environment while encouraging families to spend more time outdoors.

Why butterfly numbers matter.

Butterflies are often described as one of nature's most important indicator species. Because they respond quickly to changes in weather, habitats and pollution, shifts in butterfly populations can provide an early warning that wider ecosystems are under pressure.

The latest long-term monitoring paints a mixed picture. Data collected over the past 50 years shows that 33 of the UK's 59 native butterfly species have declined, while 25 have increased and one has insufficient data for assessment. More than 44 million butterfly records have been gathered by volunteers since 1976 across more than 7,600 monitoring sites, making it one of the largest insect monitoring programmes anywhere in the world.

The North East offers plenty of places to take part.

The North East is home to a wide range of habitats where butterflies thrive during the summer months. Parks, nature reserves, coastal grasslands and woodland clearings all provide opportunities to spot familiar species including Small White, Peacock, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown.

Popular locations around Newcastle include Jesmond Dene, Rising Sun Country Park, Gosforth Nature Reserve and the Town Moor, while further afield, Northumberland National Park and the Durham coastline also provide excellent butterfly habitats. Even a window box filled with flowering plants or an untidy corner of the garden can attract important pollinators.

Thousands already take part every year.

The Big Butterfly Count continues to grow in popularity across the UK. During last year's survey, more than 125,000 people submitted sightings, recording approximately 1.7 million butterflies and day-flying moths. Participants counted an average of 10.3 butterflies during each 15 minute survey, an improvement on the previous year's record low, although conservation experts say long-term declines remain a concern.

The survey normally runs throughout the peak butterfly season, making it easy for families, schools and individuals to get involved while enjoying the warmer weather.

Small actions can make a big difference.

Experts say anyone can help butterflies without making major changes. Planting nectar-rich flowers, leaving patches of long grass, avoiding unnecessary pesticide use and allowing wildflowers to flourish all create valuable habitats for butterflies and other pollinating insects.

These simple steps not only benefit butterflies but also support bees, hoverflies and many other species that play an essential role in healthy ecosystems.

Every sighting helps build a bigger picture.

Each butterfly recorded contributes to a national database used by scientists and conservationists to track changes across Britain. The information helps identify which species are struggling, where habitats are improving and how climate, land management and urban development are affecting wildlife over time.

For Newcastle and the wider North East, strong participation also provides valuable local information that can influence future conservation work and help protect green spaces for generations to come. Spending just 15 minutes outdoors could provide data that supports years of scientific research while giving residents a fresh appreciation of the wildlife living on their doorstep.

If you have spotted more butterflies than usual this summer, or perhaps fewer than you expected, your observations could become an important part of the national picture.

Share your thoughts below.

Will you be taking part in the Big Butterfly Count around Newcastle or the North East?