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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe UK’s 2026 Big Butterfly Count recorded almost 1.4 million butterfly and moth sightings, yet that impressive total does not mean butterfly populations are secure. Butterfly Conservation warns that hot, dry weather may have damaged plants caterpillars rely on, with possible effects becoming clearer in 2027. That is a concern about what may happen next—not confirmation of a future population crash.
What the 2026 Big Butterfly Count recorded
Butterfly Conservation reported that 101,565 people took part in the 2026 Big Butterfly Count and recorded almost 1.4 million butterfly and moth sightings across the UK. The charity called it the second-best year in the count’s 16-year history. Its results post also said more species had above-average than below-average counts, with Holly Blue and Gatekeeper reaching their best-ever results in the count. Butterfly Conservation’s 2026 results post
These are sightings submitted to a citizen-science survey, not a census of every butterfly in the country. A large number of observations is useful information, but it does not by itself show that populations are recovering or that caterpillars survived the season.
Why a high adult count can coincide with a warning about caterpillars
Warm, sunny weather can make adult butterflies more active and visible while they fly, feed and breed. The same dry conditions can stress the plants that caterpillars need to eat. Butterfly Conservation says some of those plants withered or died before caterpillars had finished feeding.
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Professor Richard Fox, Butterfly Conservation’s Head of Science, explained the difference: “But a good summer for adult butterflies is not the same as a good summer for butterfly populations.” He added: “What matters far more is what’s happening on the ground, to the butterflies’ caterpillar offspring and the plants they depend on.”
In other words, the count reflects adult sightings during the survey period; the warning concerns a later stage in the life cycle and the condition of its food supply. A season can therefore produce many visible adults while still creating risks for the next generation.
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What Butterfly Conservation says may happen in 2027
The charity’s concern is that damage to caterpillar food plants could affect butterfly populations after the sunny season that boosted adult activity. Butterfly Conservation said the effects may become clearer in 2027. That timing is a projection, not a measured 2027 result, and the warning should not be read as proof that a crash will occur.
Fox has pointed to past droughts as a reason for concern. In a report by the Waltham Forest Echo, he said droughts in 1976 and 1995 had severe impacts on butterfly populations and that some species never fully recovered. The same report attributes to Fox the figure that 80% of UK butterflies have declined since the 1970s; that is a figure cited by the charity’s Head of Science, not a result established by the 2026 count.
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What you can do in a garden during dry weather
Butterfly Conservation recommends practical steps to help make gardens and outdoor spaces more resilient during dry conditions. They can support wildlife, but no single action can prevent drought damage or guarantee more butterflies.
- Plant trees and shrubs. The charity names holly, ivy and buckthorn as examples. Choose plants suited to your location and growing conditions.
- Collect rainwater. Set up a water butt to store rainwater through autumn and winter for use in the garden.
- Leave some grass long. Keeping patches unmown provides more varied garden habitat than cutting every area short.
These actions address different parts of the garden environment: planting can provide useful food plants or nectar, while stored rainwater can help with garden watering and longer grass preserves less-tidied patches. Their value depends on what grows locally and how the space is managed.
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