How do we know how well our butterflies are faring... when we don't know where they are (or aren't)? Here in Aotearoa New Zealand most people don't know much about what butterfly species we have.
It was discovered in 2019, after the first national survey of butterfly species by the Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust (MBNZT), that there was not much awareness out there. MBNZT realised that there needed to be more education before there could be another project like that. Now, with the help of technology and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, it is much simpler.
Pick a time convenient to you, during the weekend of 17 and 18 February and take a 15-minute butterfly count. Ideally choose somewhere where you will be able to repeat the exercise year after year.
Recording results
If you have a smartphone, download the app – look for the purple ButterflyCount icon – to record your findings online.
If you don't have a smartphone you can download a PDF tally sheet from MBNZT's website to record your 15-minute butterfly count.
Where to count? – you can carry out your count in a defined area such as a garden, park or paddock, while walking along, or standing on a fixed point counting butterflies that fly past. it is recommend choosing a time when it is sunny and warm, with no rain and not too windy. The best time to see the most butterflies is usually early afternoon.
For more information and to enter: www.nzbutterflies.org.nz/project/big-butterfly-count
Related content
For more information on butterflies, check out some of our great content below:
- Investigating butterflies
- Our elusive native butterflies
- Monarch butterflies
- Monarch butterfly life cycle
- White butterflies
- White butterfly life cycle
- Butterfly defence mechanisms
- New Zealand butterfly origins
- New Zealand native butterflies
We also have lots of supporting PLD content here, including two unit plans.
