How to get involved

There are many ways in which you can contribute to the UKBMS:

Setting up a new transect

Additions to the UK transect network are always welcome, but please be aware of the commitment involved. For your data to be of most use, you will need to a) walk your transect regularly, with very few missed weeks each year, and b) continue your transect for at least 5 consecutive years. See a summary of the transect method.

Key steps in setting up a new transect

Select your site and design the route (we recommend using your first recording season to test and adjust the route before it is permanently fixed). You may wish to seek advice from a local co-ordinator at this stage.
Fill in a UKBMS F1 Site details form and send it to Butterfly Conservation (see contact for details).
Record your data on a UKBMS F2 Weekly recording form.
Send your data, either as copies of the recording forms or entered onto computer using our Transect Walker software, to your local transect co-ordinator (or to Butterfly Conservation if none available) each year.

Recording forms, guidance notes, local co-ordinator details and the Transect Walker recording software are all available via our resources page.

Other ways you can help and take part

Attend a UKBMS meeting or workshop

Click here for the schedule of regional, national and international meetings involving the UKBMS.

Become a co-ordinator

If you live in an area which currently does not have a transect co-ordinator (see co-ordinator details), you could make a huge contribution by co-ordinating your local monitoring network. Contact Butterfly Conservation if you are interested.

Data entry

If you do not feel able to set up a transect yourself, you could help by entering transect data from one or more sites onto computer. Contact your local transect co-ordinator for details.

Participate in the wider countryside monitoring pilot study

If you are interested in helping with this pioneering new project, you can discover more information and the relevant contact details.