Big Butterfly Counting in the Lost Woods

Butterfly Conservation's annual Big Butterfly Count (a UK wide survey to help assess the health of our environment simply by counting butterflies) has started and Michael Blencowe from the Lost Woods team has been out supporting community groups to survey their local butterflies.

At Plumpton, 30 people crowded into the village bandstand while Michael explained some of the key butterfly species to look out for during the count before leading a walk around the park pointing out browns, whites, blues, coppers and admirals.

The following day Michael also ran a butterfly survey training course for the Steyning Downland Scheme, educating butterfly recordists in identification. On a walk around the reserve, the group found Brown Hairstreaks, Clouded Yellows, Painted Ladies and Dingy Skippers.

If you can spare 15 minutes to look for butterflies  - whether in your garden or local woodland - find out more here.

The survey runs until the 9^th August - get counting!