Be part of the butterfly count

The Big Butterfly Count, organised by the charity Butterfly Conservation, encourages people to spend about 15 minutes in a sunny spot and record how many of each species of butterfly or moth they see.

The count runs until July 31, and participants can take part as many times as they like, anywhere they like.

Butterfly declines are an early warning for other wildlife losses, which is why counting them can be described as taking the pulse of nature.

The count will also identify trends in species that will help conservationists plan how to protect butterflies from extinction, as well as understand the effect of climate change on wildlife.

You can download an identification chart and log your sightings on the Big Butterfly Count website. Sightings can only be submitted online at www.bigbutterflycount.org

Anyone can take part, young or old, but under 16s will need a parent or guardian to assist when submitting their count. The website will be open to receive records throughout July and August.

More than 10,000 people took part in the Big Butterfly Count in 2010 - making it the biggest ever single count anywhere in the world.