Butterfly Seekers
Since 2023, you've reported over 18,500 butterfly records from all across Essex. Please help us learn more about our fluttery friends by submitting your observations.
We're recording our sightings through Nature Counts - you can find a tutorial here.
Butterfly species to look out for
Although we're keen to build up our records for all Essex butterflies, we're particularly interested in the species below.
Common blue female - Vicky Nall
Marbled white - Guy Edwardes/2020 Vision
Silver-washed fritillary butterfly - Don Sutherland
Small tortoiseshell butterfly
Wall brown butterfly - Richard Burkmarr
Why do we need to help butterflies?
Butterflies are indicators of the health of the environment for wildlife in general. If there are good numbers of butterflies, we know that other insects, birds and mammals will be doing well too. Butterflies are important pollinators and an essential part of the foodchain, providing food for nesting birds and many other animals. Their colourful and intricately patterned wings and joyful flight pattern brightens gardens, woodlands and wildflower meadows.
Butterfly Conservation’s recent report announced that 80% of the UK’s butterfly species have declined in abundance and/or distribution since the 1970s – this is of great concern.
Your data will help us understand which butterflies are where across Essex and will enable us to target conservation actions to help them thrive and recover.
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