David Attenborough promotes big butterfly count for mental health

Watching nature provides 'precious breathing space' from the stress of modern life, Sir David Attenborough said, as he urged people to take part in the world's biggest butterfly count.

The big butterfly count

While the UK’s butterflies are basking in the best summer conditions in more than a decade, if the hot weather becomes a drought it could be “catastrophic” for the insects as plants wither and caterpillars starve.

The public are being encouraged to take part in the Big Butterfly Count over the next three weeks to help experts see how butterflies are faring and to enjoy the mental health benefits of watching wildlife.

The UK has experienced the right combination of a cold winter and a settled late spring and summer so far this year, enabling spring butterflies to thrive.

The annual count could record a bumper year for species such as holly blue, common white, common blue and red admirals. But the ongoing hot dry conditions could mean plants wither away and the next generation of caterpillars cannot find the food they need to survive. Populations of butterflies collapsed as a result of the 1976 drought for this reason, wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation said.

The Big Butterfly Count, organised by Butterfly Conservation and sponsored by B&Q, asks people to spot and record 17 species of common butterflies and two day-flying moths during three weeks of high summer.

Mental health charity Mind is supporting the Big Butterfly Count as a “wonderful way of interacting with the environment” and championing the benefits of spending time in nature, which research shows can help alleviate problems such as depression and anxiety.

And Butterfly Conservation president and veteran broadcaster Sir David has spoken of the mental health benefits of spending time in nature, even at home watching garden wildlife.

“I have been privileged to have witnessed some truly breath-taking wildlife spectacles in far-flung locations but some of my most memorable experiences have happened when I’ve been simply sitting and watching the wildlife that lives where I do,” he said.

“A few precious moments spent watching a stunning red admiral or peacock butterfly feeding amongst the flowers in my garden never fails to bring me great pleasure.

“Spending time with nature offers us all precious breathing space away from the stresses and strains of modern life, it enables us to experience joy and wonder, to slow down and to appreciate the wildlife that lives side by side with us.”

Sir David also said the Big Butterfly Count, which involves spending 15 minutes in a sunny spot counting butterflies and submitting sightings online, can help gather vital information that may help protect them in the future.