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Hello and welcome to the July edition of All Aflutter!

Summer is in full swing, and your butterfly and moth sightings are flooding in. But how will the numbers look for Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count this year? The Big Butterfly Count runs from 18 July to 10 August - read on to find out how you can get involved. 

Plus, do you struggle to tell the difference between a Meadow Brown and a Gatekeeper? Or which white butterfly just fluttered by? We’ve pulled together a quick guide to spotting the difference between common garden butterflies to help you hone your identification skills. We’ve also got an exciting rediscovery in Kent, and the Secret Gardener shares what they’ll be doing in their garden in July.

Two weeks until the Big Butterfly Count!

The countdown has begun! Butterfly Conservation’s annual citizen science survey, the Big Butterfly Count, takes place between 18 July and 10 August. This fun, free, family-friendly activity is a great way to connect with nature and provide vital data for our conservation scientists at the same time. All you have to do is spend 15 minutes outside, whether that’s a garden, a park or an allotment, and count the number and type of butterflies and some day-flying moths you spot.

Extinct moth rediscovered after 73 year absence

There was a surprise discovery made in Kent last month, when Butterfly Conservation Ecologist Rebecca Levey stumbled on an entire colony of Dover Twist moths while conducting a survey for other species with volunteers. The Dover Twist has not been recorded in England since 1952, and the only place in the UK where it has been seen since then is the island of Tiree off the north west coast of Scotland, where it is known as the Tiree Twist.

Spot the difference! How to tell the difference between common garden butterflies

Struggling to tell the difference between a Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper? Don’t know your Holly from your Common Blue? And which cabbage white was that, anyway? Read our top tips for identifying common butterflies in your garden. 

Species to see in July

Meadow Brown

Painted Lady

Garden Tiger

The Secret Gardener: Jobs for your garden in July

July is a time when the Secret Gardener puts their feet up to enjoy their hard work through the spring and see which butterflies and moths come to visit – although there is always time (though maybe not the space) to add in a few more butterfly-friendly plants which flower in July and August.

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Photo credits: Matt Berry, Kate Merry, Rebecca Levey, Andrew Cooper, Iain Leach and Martin Warren.

Butterfly Conservation: Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468). Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP, Tel: 01929 400 209. Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SC039268)

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