The Big Butterfly Count 2026 starts this week, from Friday 17 July to 9 August.

Organised by Butterfly Conservation and much like the RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Watch, it aims to keep a track of the health of the UK’s butterfly population by collecting data from YOU, all around to country.

Flutter over to http://butterfly-conservation.org and sign up to get free downloads and submit your findings. It’s really easy. There’s also a mobile app.

Just spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot.

It’s a lovely thing to do with the kids over the school holidays.

Why not go out onto Limpsfield Common and see what different types of butterflies you can spot around the heather or in the woodland. There’s lots you won’t necessarily see in your garden.

Don’t forget in this dry weather, keep a butterfly water station in your garden – a shallow bowl of water, filled with pebbles, twigs or bits of juicy fruit for butterflies to perch on.

Download the spotter sheet below or find other spotter sheets on our flora and fauna page.

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