Warm weather leads to population boost
The unusually warm weather this summer has led to a welcome boom in the UK's butterfly populations, according to the Big Butterfly Count 2013.
The annual survey aims to monitor the populations of 21 target butterfly species across the UK, this year running from July 20 and August 11.
A record-breaking 46,400 people took to their gardens and local parks to count butterflies, which is a 72 per cent increase on last year's participants.
The results revealed dramatic population inclines in many target species, with peacock numbers increasing by over 3500 per cent compared to the 2012 count.
Members of the public taking part saw an average of 23 individual butterflies and moths of the 21 target species, compared to only 13 individuals in 2012.
Of the 21 species, almost 75 per cent showed year on year population increases, and 12 species inclined by more than 50 per cent.
Although many species increased in abundance, a few also declined compared to the previous year's count, including meadow brown, which had declined by a third compared to 2012, marbled white, which are 59 per cent down and ringlet, 52 per cent down.
The Big Butterfly Count is expected to return again next summer to continue to observe trends in butterfly species.
For the full 2013 results for all 21 species click here.
