A group of students with special educational needs have helped launch this year’s nationwide Big Butterfly Count with an official event at Undershaw in Surrey, on Friday, July 14.

This event marks the first day of the Big Butterfly Count, an annual UK-wide survey run by wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation. The Big Butterfly Count is co-sponsored by The DFN Foundation an independent specialist SEND school for children aged 9 to 19 with learning difficulties and additional needs.

During the launch event and under the guidance of the Butterfly Conservation team, the students discussed the amazing life cycles of butterflies and moths, learning all about the tricks and tactics they use to escape predation. They then practiced their ID skills by counting the different species in the school’s vibrant gardens.

Throughout the Big Butterfly Count, the British public is being asked to spend 15 minutes in any sunny spot and record the number and type of butterflies they see to help scientists discover the impact of last year’s record-breaking heatwave on local wildlife. 

Sir David Attenborough (President of Butterfly Conservation) said: “A few precious moments spent watching a stunning Red Admiral or Peacock butterfly feeding amongst the flowers in my garden never fails to bring me great pleasure.” 

Dr Zoë Randle, Senior Surveys Officer at Butterfly Conservation, said: “This is a vital year for the Big Butterfly Count. We know 80% of butterflies in the UK have declined since the 1970s. This means there are fewer butterflies to be seen than in years gone by. However, even if you don’t see any butterflies during your Count, we still want you to tell us! We need to know where there AREN’T any butterflies just as much as where there are."

The Big Butterfly Count is open to everyone, of any age, living in towns, cities or the countryside and is running from July 14 to August 6 across the UK. For more information and to participate click here or download the free Big Butterfly Count app. 

Last year almost 100,000 counts took place up and down the country, with participants spending a combined 2.5 years counting butterflies in their gardens, local parks and in the countryside. The information gathered helps to inform conservation projects and government policies and supports other experts with their research and vital work to protect our planet.