Britain's beleaguered butterfly populations have staged a modest recovery this summer, according to the latest results from the world's largest annual insect count. The findings from the Big Butterfly Count 2025 offer a glimmer of hope following what conservationists described as a "catastrophic" 2024 season.
From Crisis to Cautious Optimism
This year's survey, which saw over 100,000 participants submit more than 1.5 million counts across the UK, shows several species have rebounded from last year's devastating numbers. However, scientists caution that this recovery only brings populations back to average levels rather than representing significant growth.
Dr. Emily Bridges, lead scientist for the Butterfly Conservation trust, noted: "While we're relieved to see many species recovering from the disastrous lows of 2024, we must remember that 'average' is still well below what we would have considered normal a few decades ago."
Winners and Losers in This Year's Count
The red admiral emerged as one of the biggest success stories, with sightings increasing by 278% compared to last year. This striking migratory species appears to be adapting well to changing climate conditions and was spotted in nearly 90% of all counts.
Other species showing strong recovery include:
- Gatekeeper: +189% compared to 2024
- Meadow brown: +158% compared to 2024
- Small white: +144% compared to 2024
However, some species continue to struggle. The small tortoiseshell, once a common garden visitor, remains worryingly scarce with numbers still 30% below the long-term average.
Weather Patterns Create Ideal Conditions
Conservation experts attribute this year's improvement largely to favourable weather conditions. A warm, dry spring followed by a mixed but generally reasonable summer provided better breeding and feeding conditions than the cold, wet weather that plagued 2024.
"Butterflies are incredibly weather-sensitive," explains Dr. Bridges. "The combination of a warm spring and sufficient sunny periods during summer allowed for successful breeding cycles and good opportunities for feeding and flight."
The Big Picture: Long-Term Concerns Remain
Despite this year's improvement, the long-term trend remains concerning. Overall, UK butterfly populations have declined by approximately 42% since the first Big Butterfly Count in 2010. Habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change continue to pose significant threats.
Urban areas showed particularly promising results this year, with garden sightings increasing by 15% compared to 2024. This suggests that efforts to create wildlife-friendly gardens and green spaces are having a positive impact.
How You Can Help Britain's Butterflies
Conservation organisations are urging the public to continue supporting butterfly populations through:
- Planting nectar-rich flowers that bloom throughout the season
- Creating sheltered, sunny spots in gardens
- Avoiding pesticide use where possible
- Allowing some areas of grass to grow long
- Participating in annual counts to help monitor populations
While the 2025 results offer welcome relief, conservationists stress that continued effort is needed to ensure these beautiful insects don't just recover from bad years but actually thrive in the long term.
