More than 30,000 butterflies spotted in Staffordshire during annual survey

WHILE NUMBERS ARE VAST IMPROVEMENT ON LAST YEAR, FIGURES SHOW SPECIES IS STILL IN DECLINE

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NATURE lovers in Staffordshire spotted 32,222 butterflies and day-flying moths during this year's Big Butterfly Count.

During the three weeks of the summer, 2,234 people took part across the county.

On average, spotters saw 9.2 butterflies and moths per count - a 83 per cent increase compared to 2024 - and the most-spotted in Staffordshire was the Large White.

While the numbers are a vast improvement on last year, the charity Butterfly Conservation has warned that urgent measures are still needed to reverse long-term decline.

Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, warned that it may feel like we've seen lots of butterflies this summer, but that is only because last year was 'so awful'.

He added: "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.