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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 12th July 2024
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Big Butterfly Count 2024 begins
Sir David Attenborough is among those urging the public to take part.
Public urged to help monitor butterfly numbers.

The public are being asked to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count to help scientists understand how climate change is affecting butterflies.

This year’s count is running from Friday, 12 July until Sunday, 4 August. To take part, participants need to spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot and record the number and type of butterflies and day-flying moths that they see. It is open to anyone in the UK.

The annual count is organised by the charity Butterfly Conservation and provides information that allows scientists to monitor butterfly populations.

Data from the last 50 years has shown that many species are spreading northward, including the peacock, comma, and holly blue. The changing climate is allowing them to survive in areas that would previously have been too cold.

However, the same trend is having a negative impact on the spread of species that prefer a cooler climate. The Scotch argus is one species of butterfly that is becoming less common in more southern regions.

Zoë Randle, senior surveys officer at Butterfly Conservation, said: “Species that rely on particular habitats aren’t able to move as freely as our garden favourites.

“This means that if climate change continues, they could become trapped in isolated fragments of remaining habitat, unable to move and with their food plants at risk from adverse weather conditions, facing the very real threat of extinction.”

The Big Butterfly Count is the largest citizen science project of its kind. Last year, more than 135,000 counts took place.

Sir David Attenborough, president of Butterfly Conservation, added: “The UK is a nation of amateur naturalists, and we have a proud tradition of celebrating and studying our wildlife.

“Every single person taking part in the Big Butterfly Count helps to build a picture of how butterflies are faring and how we can best conserve them.”

More information about taking part can be found on the Big Butterfly Count website.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.