Simply count butterflies for 15 minutes during bright (preferably sunny) weather during the big butterfly count. Butterfly Conservation has chosen this time of year because most butterflies are at the adult stage of their lifecycle, so more likely to be seen. Records are welcome from anywhere: from parks, school grounds and gardens, to fields and forests. Butterflies react very quickly to change in their environment which makes them excellent biodiversity indicators. Butterfly declines are an early warning for other wildlife losses. That's why counting butterflies can be described as taking the pulse of nature. The count will also assist in identifying trends in species that will help us plan how to protect butterflies from extinction, as well as understand the effect of climate change on wildlife. Butterfly Conservation has more information on their website about how to count butterflies as well as a handy identification sheet. You can send in your sightings online at www.bigbutterflycount.org. Or if you are more technologically inclined you can use their smart phone app! Categories Data and evidence