Number of butterflies in UK falls to lowest since surveys began

Prevalence of plastic grass and rising levels of nitrates blamed for absence of many species in urban gardensDespite a summer of glorious sunshine, fewer butterflies than ever were recorded in the world's largest citizen science insect count.On average, fewer than nine butterflies per count were spotted in this summer's Big Butterfly Count, the lowest in the 13 years of Butterfly Conservation's popular July recording scheme.Gatekeeper (+58.6% compared with 2021)Large White (-9.4%)Small White (-25.8%)Meadow Brown (-17.5%)Red Admiral (-20%)Peacock (-5.5%)Small Tortoiseshell (+13%)Comma (+94.7%)Ringlet (-38.5%)Common Blue (+154.4%) Continue reading...