UK butterfly numbers bounce back after last year’s all-time low

Big Butterfly Count records increase on 2022 but longer-term trends show declines for some of most common species

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This year's capricious summer weather has been an unexpected boon for Britain's butterflies, with the biggest insect count in the world recording an increase on last year's all-time low.

Red admirals dominated the Big Butterfly Count as citizen scientists recorded an average of 12 butterflies per 15-minute count, up from nine in 2022.