Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey

Following four years of pilot studies, the WCBS was formally launched in 2009. The WCBS is the first UK-wide survey of butterfly abundance based on random sampling. In spite of limited resources for promotion, there was a fantastic response by volunteer recorders. In total 1642 visits were made to 763 1-km squares (see map) by 611 recorders, who collectively walked 3300 km of survey line, counting 119,000 butterflies of 47 species.

The full feedback newsletter can be downloaded here.

The most widely recorded species over the core July and August period was the Large White, occurring in nearly 90% of squares, whilst the most abundant species was the Meadow Brown with approximately 15,000 individuals counted. Two Browns (Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper) and three Whites (Large White, Small White, Green-veined White) accounted for two thirds of all butterflies counted.

On average, recorders saw 11 species and 160 butterflies per square (based on two visits). This represents a marked increase in numbers from the pilot study years, when around 100 butterflies were seen in the same period. This increase could be due to a good year for migrant species such as the Painted Lady which was present in 83% of squares and ranked 4th in total abundance compared to 2008 when it ranked 26th and also Large White which jumped three places to 1st position in 2009. Encouragingly the Small Copper, a species of intermediate range and abundance, was seen in over a quarter of squares and moved five places up the table to become the 14th most commonly seen species.

Looking back to 2008, butterfly numbers are up by nearly a third and 1-2 more species were seen per visit. With three years of data from 2007-2009 we will be able to look at changes in butterfly abundance in the wider countryside and the possible reasons for change.

The Insect Flower Search Pilot study was very successful with around a third of recorders taking part. The Common Carder Bumblebee was the most widespread species and the Marmalade Hoverfly was the most abundant. The pilot study will not be continuing in 2010 but it shows that recorders are keen to look for other insects in the countryside.

The newsletter of the 2010 results can be downloaded here.

The Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS) is the main scheme for monitoring population changes of the UK's common and widespread butterflies. The survey is a partnership project run jointly by Butterfly Conservation, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH). We now have five years of data (including the pilot years of 2007 and 2008) from the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS). In 2011, 723 squares were surveyed by 523 recorders who counted in excess of 67,000 butterflies of 45 species. This is a fantastic recording effort and we wish to thank everyone who took part.

The newsletter of the 2011 results can be downloaded here.

On average recorders saw 47 butterflies of seven species per survey made over July and August compared to 60 butterflies of 7 species per survey in 2010. These data support anecdotal observations that 2011 was a relatively poor year for common and widespread butterflies. Almost two-thirds of the butterflies seen comprised of Meadow Brown, Small White, Green-veined White, Large White and Gatekeeper. The most widespread (and abundant) species was the Meadow Brown occurring in over 80% of squares.

Due to a grant from Scottish Natural Heritage coverage was boosted in Scotland, giving more representative coverage for a number of northerly distributed species including Scotch Argus. The Essex Skipper had a good year as did the Red Admiral. However, it wasn't all good news; both the Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue had poor years.

Participants once again recorded day-flying moths in 146 squares, Silver-Y was the most widespread species and Six-spot Burnet was the most abundant. Dragonflies and damselflies were recorded in 222 squares Common Darter was the most widespread and abundant species for the third year running.

The Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS) is the main scheme for monitoring population changes of the UK's common and widespread butterflies. The survey is a partnership project run jointly by Butterfly Conservation, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH). We now have six years of data (including the pilot years of 2007 and 2008) from the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS). In 2012, 771 squares were surveyed by 648 recorders who counted in excess of 64,000 butterflies of 46 species. This is a fantastic recording effort and we wish to thank everyone who took part.

The newsletter of the 2012 results can be downloaded here.

It was a good year for some of the grass-feeding Satyrid (Brown) species. For the fourth consecutive year Meadow Brown was the most abundant butterfly with 18,629 individuals counted. It was also the most wide spread species occurring in almost 90% of squares. Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small White, Ringlet and Green-veined white accounted for over two-thirds of butterflies observed.

For the majority of species it was a poor year – the worst in a four year series. There has been a year-on-year decline in mean butterfly abundance in each year of the WCBS. On average, recorders saw 44 butterflies of four species per survey made over July and August compared to 80 butterflies of 8 species per survey in 2009.

Participants once again recorded day-flying moths in 222 squares, Silver-Y was the most widespread and abundant species. Dragonflies and damselflies were recorded in 259 squares; Common Blue Damselfly was the most abundant species and Common Hawker the most widespread species.

The WCBS is the most comprehensive UK-wide survey of insect abundance to use a robust random sampling framework and is important in assessing the changing status of butterfly species in the wider countryside and in providing an indicator of the health of nature. The scheme is run as a partnership between Butterfly Conservation (BC), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), co-funded by a multi-agency consortium led by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).

We now have seven years of data (including the pilot years of 2007 and 2008) from the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey (WCBS). In 2013, 857 squares were surveyed by more than 700 recorders who counted in excess of 140,000 butterflies of 45 species. This is a fantastic recording effort and we wish to thank everyone who took part.

The newsletter of the 2013 results can be downloaded here.

A simple analysis of yearly totals indicated that the vast majority of butterflies fared better than in 2012. Last year recorders saw an average of 85 butterflies of five species per survey made over July and August – almost double the numbers recorded in 2012.

The Small Tortoiseshell, which has suffered an ongoing decline, recorded its best summer since the start of WCBS. More than 6,833 individuals were counted with the butterfly seen in 80% of squares compared to just 40% in 2012. Following an appalling 2012, the Common Blue also enjoyed a good year with an average five-fold increase in abundance per-square. The Small Copper and Brimstone also thrived – and were both more widespread and abundant than in the previous year. The Large White and Small White, commonly known as the ‘cabbage whites’ were also recorded in profusion with more than twice the number of Large Whites counted per square and five times the number of Small Whites in 2013 than in 2012. For the fifth year in succession the Meadow Brown was the most widespread and abundant species. The butterfly was recorded in more than 90% of squares with 8,000 more butterflies counted in 2013 than 2012. The Holly Blue and Red Admiral were among the minority of species that didn’t have such a good year with numbers down for both compared to 2012. Participants once again recorded day-flying moths in 304 squares, Silver-Y was the most widespread and abundant species. Dragonflies and damselflies were recorded in 323 squares; Common Blue Damselfly was the most abundant species and Common Darter the most widespread species.

The newsletter of the 2014 results can be downloaded here.

The newsletter of the 2015 results can be downloaded here.

The newsletter of the 2016 results can be downloaded here.

Result from the 2017 survey can be downloaded here.

Result from the 2018 survey can be downloaded here.

Result from the 2019 survey can be downloaded here.

To take part in the WCBS please contact the WCBS co-ordinator:

Dr Zoë Randle

Butterfly Conservation
Manor Yard
East Lulworth
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5QP

Tel: 01929 406006
Email: survey@butterfly-conservation.org

To take part on an existing BTO BBS square please contact the BBS National Organiser:

Sarah Harris

BTO
The Nunnery
Thetford
Norfolk
IP24 2PU

Tel: 01842 750050
Email: bbs@bto.org

The online data entry system is available to use. Please enter your data by the end of September.
Enter your data online

1. WCBS Guidance for surveys on butterfly only squares (i.e. not BTO BBS squares)
2. WCBS Guidance for BTO BBS recorders
3. WCBS recording form (for all recorders)
4. Landowner letter
5. Health and safety note