With the Big Butterfly Count just weeks away, residents across Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire and Lancashire are being urged to discover whether their favourite butterflies are thriving this summer

The Peacock has been crowned Britain's Favourite Butterfly, topping the first-ever public vote on all 60 UK species — and claiming the crown in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and Yorkshire too. Now, with the annual Big Butterfly Count fast approaching, wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is calling on people across the North to get outside and report on how the show-stopping species, and its rivals, are faring.

The regional top fives showed plenty of local colour alongside the Peacock's dominance. In Northumberland, the Orange-tip took second, followed by the Brimstone, Common Blue and Red Admiral. Tyne & Wear's list ran Orange-tip, Red Admiral, Holly Blue and the majestic Purple Emperor. Yorkshire's followed a similar pattern, with Orange-tip, Red Admiral, Brimstone and Holly Blue completing its top five.

Lancashire bucked the trend entirely: there, the Orange-tip claimed top spot outright, with the Peacock pushed into second, ahead of Red Admiral, Holly Blue and Brimstone.

The Big Butterfly Count, billed as the world's largest butterfly survey, runs from Friday 17 July to Sunday 9 August. Participants are asked to spend just 15 minutes in a sunny outdoor spot, count the butterflies and day-flying moths they see, and submit sightings via the free app or at www.bigbutterflycount.org.
Butterfly Conservation's Head of Engagement, Kate Merry, said the strength of feeling in the public vote should now translate into action, with residents encouraged to be "ready and waiting" when the count opens.

This year's count carries particular weight. Butterfly Conservation declared a "butterfly emergency" in 2024 after numbers fell to their lowest recorded level, prompting a rescue mission launched in 2025 to tackle long-term declines. Around 80% of UK butterfly species have declined over the past 50 years, driven by habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use — making this year's data especially valuable.

How to take part

Download the free Big Butterfly Count app, or visit www.bigbutterflycount.org
Between 17 July and 9 August, spend 15 minutes in any sunny outdoor space counting butterflies and day-flying moths
No expertise needed — the app and website include a free ID guide
Log sightings via the app or website to help build a national picture of how butterflies and moths are faring