Julia Byczynski
Butterfly Seekers
Become a Butterfly Seeker
Help us bring butterflies back from the brink by filling in our Butterfly Seekers survey. You don't have to be an expert to take part! Just follow these simple steps:
1. Download the ArcGIS Survey 123 App
Get it on the App Store and Google Play
2. Download the Butterfly Seekers survey
In the app, click ‘Continue without signing in’.
3. Submit your sightings through the survey
Choose the photo that looks like the butterfly you've spotted. You can fill out the survey as many times as you like between 1 March - 30 September. The more data you submit, the more we can learn about and help our fluttery friends.
Last year
Thank you to all the Butterfly Seekers who submitted their observations last summer. We received over 10,000 butterfly observations across Essex which will help us learn about and help our fluttery friends. Take a look below at some of the photos from last year's campaign.
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.
Join our mailing list
Keep up to date with Butterfly Seekers, other Trust campaigns and more by receiving updates straight to your inbox.