The holly blue butterfly.

Big Butterfly Count 2026 gets underway 

The UK could be set for a bumper summer of butterflies, with a warm, dry spring raising hopes of an abundant season ahead for some of the nation’s favourite species.

British charity Butterfly Conservation said with this spring being the warmest on record, the UK could be treated to a kaleidoscope of colourful butterflies this year. 

Among the species thriving are the small copper and holly blue, which have been seen in excellent numbers. The peacock, red admiral and sunshine yellow have also had a promising start to the year.

The news comes at the beginning of the 2026 Big Butterfly Count (17 July - 9 August), which calls on members of the public to document their sightings to help create an interactive map.

These citizen-science sightings can help experts understand where butterflies are thriving, struggling, or shifting due to climate change, habitat loss or restoration.

Butterfly Conservation’s head of engagement, Kate Merry, said: “After the colourful spring with seemingly lots of beautiful butterflies appearing across the UK, it’s tempting to assume we’re heading for a bumper summer, and we’d love nothing more as most of our butterfly species have undergone long-term declines. 
 
“But a bright spring is only ever part of the story, which is why we need people out there taking part in the Big Butterfly Count this summer. We genuinely don’t yet know how this year will unfold, and the only way to find out is for people to tell us what they’re seeing in their own gardens and green spaces.” 

Image (C) Iain H Leach.