This July Katie and Jemma from the Shropshire Petals and LSF Wholesale team took part in The Big Butterfly Count. Run by the charity Butterfly Conservation, the Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide citizen science survey. It invites people across the UK to record the butterflies they see, helping scientists track how our butterfly populations are changing at a time when many species are in decline.
Here’s Jemma’s account of the day:
“Have you heard of this? It pops up and has been talked about on the BBC, radio, Instagram and socials etc…
It was our first year of participation at Shropshire Petals & LSF, and I’ve been quite eager to take part in more citizen science projects.
Katie and I journeyed up to the flower production field on 21st July – mid way through our harvest period. The sunshine was out, it was lovely, and our ten-minute survey found 5 species over our beds of statice and helichrysum.
We observed:
- Large White
- Small White
- Green-veined White
- Gatekeeper
- Painted Lady
It was such a small snapshot – a very hot day, and a very specific area of the field.
Next year I think we will plan to conduct several more surveys over time and different habitats so we can get a wider understanding for ourselves and of course, log more data for the Big Butterfly count which will contribute to the bigger picture across the UK. This in turn helps scientists understand the direct impact of negative environmental factors on our wildlife and ecological systems. It is also very fulfilling to recognise and have more knowledge about the world around you!”
How can I get involved in 2027?
The Big Butterfly Count for 2027 is between 9th July 2027 - 1st August 2027. You can log onto the Big Butterfly Count website, download a handy butterfly ID chart, or their free app on your smart phone. Choose a spot to observe butterflies and moths, and watch for 15 minutes. Record what you see, and take a look at their interactive map too.
We can't wait to see what incredible species of butterflies we see in our flower fields in 2027!
