23 July 2010

The public are being urged to take part in the nation's largest ever count of butterflies to help build a picture of how butterflies are faring across the UK, revealing the health of our countryside and towns.

Many rare butterflies have suffered devastating declines in recent years but concern is mounting for our more common garden species. Butterflies and moths are not only very important pollinators and vital to the food chain, but they tell us about the health of our environment. Their fragility means they respond very quickly to change and a drop in numbers is a serious warning to all wildlife.

Butterfly Conservaiton is hoping thousands of people will submit their sightings of butterflies and day-flying moths this week.

Taking part is simple - you just need to spend 15 minutes in a garden, park or field (or any location where butterflies might be seen) anytime between 24 July and 1 August and make a note of what you see. Log on to the big butterfly count website to find out more, download ID charts and submit your sightings.

Sir David Attenborough, President of Butterfly Conservation said: "The big butterfly count should be great fun. Butterflies are extraordinary, heart-lifting creatures - visions of beauty and visions of summer. Butterflies in profusion tell us that all is well with nature. When they decline it's a warning that other wildlife will be soon be heading the same way. So with the big butterfly count we'll be doing more than just counting butterflies - we'll be taking the pulse of nature."

Butterfly Conservation is teaming up with Marks & Spencer to bring you the big butterfly count. On Saturday 24 July, M&S stores across the country will be handing out guides on how to take part and butterfly masks for children. A selection of the stores will also have representatives from Butterfly Conservation on hand to give advice and answer questions about these beautiful creatures.

Dr Martin Warren, Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Marks & Spencer. We hope to make this the biggest count of butterflies ever undertaken and anyone can take part, young or old. With the help of the public, we will be able to find out more about the state of our common garden butterflies, many of which we think may be in decline."

M&S will also be encouraging all its customers and staff to take part by rewarding them when they complete the count with 10 per cent off M&S plants when they shop online, and offering M&S customers a discounted membership to Butterfly Conservation, along with a special poster and leaflet on how to attract butterflies into their gardens.

Richard Gillies, M&S Director of Plan A, commented: "We want to lead the way in making a positive contribution to the environment and we really hope lots of people across the country will take part in the big butterfly count - it should provide vital information about the health of the UK's butterfly population."

Last month, Butterfly Conservation and M&S announced they would be working together to raise awareness about the importance of butterflies and moths among the retailer's customers and farmers. The Making Butterflies Count campaign is part of the retailer's eco-plan, Plan A commitment to be the world's most sustainable retailer by 2015.

Richard Gillies continued: "We want to make it as easy as possible for all our customers and farmers to get involved - with the launch of the big butterfly count, our fantastic range of products, and also the support our farmers will be getting from Butterfly Conservation, there should be something for everyone."