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Seahorse Trust Autumn-Winter 2025 newsletter
The results of Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count are in, and while the numbers are a vast improvement on 2024’s record lows, experts warn urgent measures are still needed to reverse long-term decline.
The sunniest spring and hottest summer ever recorded in the UK provided good weather conditions for butterflies after 2024’s record-breaking lows. However, the results from the Big Butterfly Count show that it was definitely not a bumper summer for our beleaguered butterflies.
Between July 18 and August 10, over 125,000 citizen scientists got involved in the Big Butterfly Count – more than ever before – and recorded 1.7 million butterflies and moths, with the top five species being Large White, Small White, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown.
On average, participants recorded 10.3 butterflies during each 15-minute count. While a marked improvement on last summer’s record low of just 7.2, it is only broadly average by modern standards, and has done little to reverse longer-term declines.
Butterflies need two things to thrive: good weather and a healthy environment.
Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, warns that “We may feel like we’ve seen lots of butterflies this summer, but that’s only because last year was so awful.
“Last summer’s results were the lowest we’ve seen and a stark warning that many of our common butterfly species are facing significant pressure from challenges linked to habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use.
“Whilst we’ve seen noticeably more butterflies during 2025’s Big Butterfly Count, the figures suggest it’s actually been a pretty average year for them by modern standards.
“The 15-year Big Butterfly Count trends show that more than twice as many widespread species have declined significantly than have increased. And, while most species had a better than average summer, one-third of species fared poorly even in the generally beneficial weather.
“There remains a need for us to take urgent action to support our butterfly populations, including by improving the environment in which they live, restoring habitats and reducing pesticide use. Until we do these things we are unlikely to see a great recovery in butterfly numbers, regardless of how much the sun shines.”
Winners and losers
Some species did show marked increases this summer. The Large White and Small White both recorded their best ever Big Butterfly Count result. View the results for each species below by selecting each tab along the top of the below graph:
Butterfly abundance 2016-2025 by Butterfly Conservation
Meanwhile the Small Tortoiseshell, which had its worst Big Butterfly Count result on record in 2024, showed some improvement but still recorded a below average year and has declined by 60% since 2011.
The Jersey Tiger moth had a record year. The species was recorded more widely and in higher numbers than ever before.
By contrast, Holly Blue had its second worst Big Butterfly Count result on record, Common Blue had its third worst and Meadow Brown had its fourth worst Count result.
| Big Butterfly Count 2025 UK | Abundance | Average per count | % change from 2024 | 14-year trend (bold significant) |
| Large White | 396,510 | 2.449 | 131.42 | 46.74 |
| Small White | 318,762 | 1.969 | 128.27 | 7.49 |
| Gatekeeper | 236,425 | 1.460 | 0.31 | -21.87 |
| Red Admiral | 166,289 | 1.027 | 185.17 | 51.54 |
| Meadow Brown | 133,025 | 0.822 | -39.57 | -18.02 |
| Peacock | 96,155 | 0.594 | 52.78 | -12.24 |
| Speckled Wood | 53,423 | 0.330 | 43.33 | -35.14 |
| Comma | 43,062 | 0.266 | 42.01 | -1.13 |
| Common Blue | 39,602 | 0.245 | 227.97 | -54.30 |
| Green-veined White | 39,272 | 0.243 | 67.42 | -57.40 |
| Small Tortoiseshell | 37,186 | 0.230 | 141.65 | -59.68 |
| Small Copper | 20,925 | 0.129 | 21.08 | 93.89 |
| Holly Blue | 20,685 | 0.128 | 135.70 | 10.19 |
| Ringlet | 18,386 | 0.114 | -66.45 | -42.51 |
| Painted Lady | 15,856 | 0.098 | 207.19 | 14.24 |
| Jersey Tiger | 11,876 | 0.073 | 174.44 | |
| Brimstone | 9149 | 0.057 | -14.27 | -6.60 |
| Six spot burnet | 5943 | 0.037 | -73.48 | |
| Marbled White | 2125 | 0.013 | -90.42 | -17.49 |
| Silver y | 1940 | 0.012 | -61.78 | |
| Scotch Argus | 1376 | 0.008 | 122.78 | |
| TOTAL | 1,667,972 | 0.49 | 63.59 |
The UK’s bumblebees are in crisis
Bumblebees are a cherished part of our natural world. Their loud buzz is a distinctive feature of our gardens, parks and the wider countryside throughout the summer. They not only bring a smile to our faces but also play a crucial role in pollinating crops and wildflowers, which contributes millions to the economy. Without bumblebees our world would be quieter, less colourful and lack many of the foods we love. Without bumblebees, we could soon face our own crisis.
What’s the problem?
Unfortunately, the story of bumblebees in the UK over the past century has been one of decline. Two species became extinct and eight (one third) of our remaining 24 species are currently listed as conservation priority species due to large-scale declines in their distribution.
How are bumblebees doing in the UK?
The UK is currently home to 24 species of bumblebee. Two bumblebee species have become extinct in the last century. A further eight bumblebee species are currently listed as conservation priority species due to large-scale declines.
One of our rarest bumblebees, the Great Yellow bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus) is now only found in the far north and west of Scotland and perhaps the rarest UK bumblebee species, the Shrill carder bee (Bombus sylvarum) is found only in a handful of locations in south Wales and southern England.
Why is this happening?
Habitat loss
The UK has lost 97% of wildflower meadows in the last century. Bumblebees are struggling to find enough food and good nesting spots to survive. Habitat loss comes in several forms:
- Outright loss – for example building new houses on a meadow.
- Fragmentation – habitats are becoming cut off from each other.
- Reduced quality – without flowers, gardens, greenspaces and the wider countryside offer little food for bumblebees.
- Increased competition – too many honeybees and commercially reared bumblebees increase competition for food and can lead to the spread of diseases.
Pesticides
Insecticides can directly kill or affect the ability of bumblebees to find food and reproduce. Herbicides kill the flowering plants which are a vital food source for bumblebees.
Climate change and extreme weather
Shifts in seasonal patterns and weather could disrupt bumblebee behaviour and impact survival at key life stages, such as spring emergence, nesting, and winter hibernation.
Extreme weather events like floods, droughts and storms can have an immediate impact on bumblebees. Floods can drown hibernating queens and underground nests. Droughts can cause plants to wither and die which reduces the amount of nectar and pollen available for bumblebees to feed on and collect for their nest. Storms prevent bumblebees from foraging for food as they struggle to fly in wet windy weather.
Read the Position Statement here>> Local Nature Recovery Strategies statement