Sussex spots more than 50,000 butterflies during bumper summer

More than 50,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded across Sussex during this year’s Big Butterfly Count, making it a particularly strong summer for many species.

A total of 4,048 people took part across the county, recording 50,548 butterflies and moths during the three-week survey organised by Butterfly Conservation.

The Gatekeeper was the most commonly spotted butterfly in Sussex, followed by the Small White and Meadow Brown.

There was also a significant rise in sightings of the Painted Lady.

Citizen scientists recorded 2,348 Painted Ladies in Sussex, while across the UK numbers were up 335% compared with last year.

The increase has led to 2026 being widely described as a “Painted Lady summer”.

Painted Ladies undertake a remarkable migration to Britain, with several generations completing different stages of a journey from Africa, across the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea, before reaching the UK.

Butterfly Conservation believes this year’s strong numbers were helped by favourable conditions for caterpillars during the spring, followed by hot and dry summer weather which allowed adult butterflies to fly, feed and breed.

However, the charity has warned the same conditions which produced high numbers this year could create serious problems for butterflies in 2027.

Prolonged drought caused many of the plants relied on by caterpillars to wither or die before the insects had finished feeding.

Butterfly Conservation fears the impact of that loss of vegetation may only become clear next year.

Professor Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “Adult butterflies love hot, sunny weather for flying, feeding and breeding, and that's exactly why people saw so many this summer. However, the very same weather that made it a good year for butterflies - lots of sunshine and very little rain - could mean we’re actually on course for a population crash, which could take years to recover from.

“The extreme droughts in 1976 and 1995 had severe impacts on butterfly populations, with some species never fully recovering. And the major problem we have now is that 80% of the UK’s butterflies have declined since the 1970s, so many are already struggling for survival, without these extreme weather pressures.

“With increasingly hot, dry summers and droughts predicted to become more and more frequent due to climate breakdown, degraded habitats and already depleted butterfly populations, some species may be pushed further and faster towards extinction, which is a very sombre thought. They are, quite simply, less resilient to these events, which means we could be looking at very difficult years ahead.”

Butterfly Conservation is now encouraging people across Sussex to take steps to make gardens and outdoor spaces more resilient to dry weather.

The charity recommends planting more trees and shrubs, including holly, ivy and buckthorn, which provide food and shelter for butterflies and caterpillars.

Species including oak, hawthorn, birch, apple and willow can also provide important habitat for native moths and butterflies.

People are also being encouraged to install water butts during the wetter autumn and winter months, allowing rainwater to be stored for use during periods of drought.

Leaving areas of grass to grow longer is another measure recommended by the charity.

Longer grass develops deeper roots and can remain greener during dry spells, while also providing food plants for species including the Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper.

Research by Butterfly Conservation found gardens with areas of longer grass recorded up to 93% more butterflies, as well as a greater variety of species.

The charity says monitoring next year will be particularly important in determining the longer-term effects of the extreme conditions experienced during 2026.

The Big Butterfly Count will return between Friday 9 July and Sunday 1 August 2027.

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