Attenborough: ‘Get planting for butterflies’

Sir David Attenborough is calling on people in the North West to take part in world's largest butterfly survey this weekend

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Sir David Attenborough is calling on people to help reverse butterfly declines by planting nectar sources for pollinating insects in their gardens.

The President of Butterfly Conservation is launching the wildlife charity’s citizen science project and the world’s largest butterfly survey, the Big Butterfly Count. 

Sir David Attenborough is calling on people to plant pots in their gardens or window ledges, using nectar sources such as Catmint, Lavender, Oregano, Echinacea and Cranesbill.

Sir David said: “The UK’s butterflies really need your help this summer. Three-quarters are in decline and one-third in danger of extinction.

“The ongoing and alarming loss of their habitat is a major and worrying factor in their falling numbers.

“But by taking one simple step you can help to reverse this loss. Plant a few pots in your garden or on your window ledge with the right plants and you can provide butterflies, moths and other pollinating insects with a lifeline of food and shelter.

“It’s up to every single one of us to make sure that the spectacle of mid –summer butterflies remains a much anticipated highlight of the season rather than becoming a long-mourned memory.

“Make yours a butterfly summer by getting out for the Count.”

You can also do as many Counts as you like in your own garden between 17 July and 9 August. Just find a sunny place and spend just 15 minutes counting every butterfly seen and then submit sightings online at www.bigbutterflycount.org 

Around 45,000 people took part in last year’s Big Butterfly Count, spotting almost 560,000 butterflies.

Last year the Small Tortoiseshell continued its fight back after years of decline. The butterfly, whose population has plummeted by 78% since the 1970s, saw numbers rise by almost a quarter compared to the summer of 2013 making it the fourth most commonly seen Big Butterfly Count species - its highest ever ranking.

Last summer was also good for Peacock, which was the most abundant Count butterfly.