A recent report from Butterfly Conservation announced that 80% of the UK’s butterfly species have declined in abundance and/or distribution since the 1970s. In response, Essex Wildlife Trust launched a new citizen science project in 2023.  

Butterfly Seekers aims to capture data about butterfly abundance and distribution in Essex. In just four months, 200 Essex residents recorded 10,155 butterflies across Essex, exceeding the project’s initial target of 2,000.  

The results from 2023 showed that the distributions of wall brown, silver-washed fritillary, white admiral and marbled white butterflies are suspected to have changed dramatically in Essex in recent years. 

The data from this campaign is helping Essex Wildlife Trust to understand where butterflies are across Essex and enables the Trust to target conservation actions to help butterflies thrive and recover.  

Butterfly Seekers launches for its second year from 1 March – 30 September, and the Trust urges the public to take part for the purpose of monitoring how butterfly populations are changing over time and in response to climate change.  

Essex Wildlife Trust are hoping to gather a further 12,500 records this spring and summer. 

No scientific background is required to take part, anyone can become a butterfly seeker. To take part, participants are asked to download the free ArcGIS Survey123 app and upload the locations of butterflies they see with or without a photo. 

Zoe Ringwood, Head of Conservation Evidence for Essex Wildlife Trust, says: 

“Butterflies are indicators of the health of the environment for wildlife. If there are good numbers of butterflies, we know that other insects, birds and mammals are doing well too. Butterflies are also important pollinators and an essential part of the food chain, providing food for nesting birds and many other animals. That’s why this citizen science project is crucial for helping butterflies in Essex to thrive again.” 

Bailey Tait, Campaigns & Advocacy Manager for Essex Wildlife Trust, says: 

“We were blown away with the interest in this citizen science campaign during its first year. We’ve already been able to learn from the valuable data recorded by citizens across the entire county. Meadow brown, gatekeeper and large white were the most spotted butterflies in Essex with 2,000, 1,500 and 937 butterflies spotted respectively.  

Participants found that taking part in Butterfly Seekers encouraged them to spend more time outdoors and connect with nature around them. We hope that this year, even more citizen scientists will help us find out more about butterfly populations across Essex.” 

Take part