Cosy days, crisp leaves and autumn butterflies are here |
In this October edition of All Aflutter, read the full results of the Big Butterfly Count 2025, have your say in our Big Insect Rescue Plan, find out which species you might spot this month and discover your jobs for the garden in October. |
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Despite great weather this summer, the number of butterflies recoded in the Big Butterfly Count only reached average levels. Butterflies need two things to thrive: good weather and a healthy environment. Until we take action to improve habitat, including removing pesticides from our gardens, we won’t see a great recovery in butterfly populations, no matter how much the sun shines.
Which is why we are asking retailers to remove toxic synthetic pesticides from their shelves. We are in a Butterfly Emergency and we need to be giving people the tools to help and not the means of destruction. Join the thousands of others demanding that we remove this toxic barrier to nature recovery from supermarket shelves. |
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Big Butterfly Count 2025... The results are in |
Over 125,000 people took part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count – more than ever before! A huge thank you to everyone who got involved.
More than 1.7 million butterflies and day-flying moths were counted and the top-five most-spotted butterflies across the UK were the Large White, Small White, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown.
However, despite the sunniest spring and hottest summer ever recorded in the UK, it was only an average year for butterfly numbers. The weather gave butterflies a bump compared to last year’s record-breaking lows, but the average number of butterflies spotted per count is only broadly average by modern standards and has done little to reverse long-term declines. |
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Have your say on the Big Insect Rescue Plan |
Butterfly Conservation has joined forces with Buglife and Bumblebee Conservation Trust to create the Big Insect Rescue Plan and help reverse the declines our insects are experiencing. Thousands of you have already let us know what you feel are the most important challenges facing insect recovery and what you think would make a difference for insects like butterflies and bees. If you haven’t had your say, you can submit your ideas below before 31 October. |
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Species to see in October |
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Each month, we’ll be diving into a species of butterfly or moth. This month, let’s meet the Duke of Burgundy. |
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A huge thank you to everyone who opened their gardens and green spaces this year to raise vital funds for Butterfly Conservation. It was a summer of two halves, with some open days blisteringly hot and others facing torrential downpours. But our visitors braved the elements and enjoyed blooms and cakes from Port Stewart in Northern Island all the way across to Maidstone in Kent. If you would like to open your garden to raise money for Butterfly Conservation please contact fundraising@butterfly-conservation.org.
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Jobs for your garden this October |
Autumn has arrived and the trees are starting to shed their leaves, but before you sweep them away, read why the Secret Gardener will be celebrating their leaf litter this month. |
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Protect butterflies, moths and the environment by remembering Butterfly Conservation in your Will. |
This month, Butterfly Conservation is offering free and discounted Will writing services for our members and supporters. We’ve teamed up with three providers to help make writing or updating your Will as easy as possible.
If you choose to leave a gift to Butterfly Conservation, your heartfelt contribution will help to protect butterflies, moths and the habitats they depend on, so future generations of nature lovers experience the joy of seeing these beautiful creatures in the wild. |
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Our promise to you
We will never swap, sell or rent your details to anyone. We will always follow the strict code of conduct set out by the Fundraising Regulator. You can change how you hear from us or unsubscribe from our mailing lists at any time, just let us know. |
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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) Unsubscribe | |
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