Butterfly Conservation's research on benefits of butterfly counting

Conducted with the University of Derby, the study surveyed individuals who partook in the Big Butterfly Count 2022.

Results demonstrated that briefly immersing oneself in nature and butterfly counting decreases anxiety by an average of nine per cent, as well as enhancing mental wellbeing.

Furthermore, spending a quarter of an hour observing and tallying butterflies heightened participants' feeling of being in sync with nature. Noticing butterflies more often reportedly lasted six to seven weeks after taking part.

A Common Blue in a girl's hand (Image: Supplied)

Dr Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, said: "While we have long known that there is a link between nature and human wellbeing, this study is the first to prove that the simple act of looking for and counting butterflies leads to a measurable decrease in anxiety."

Dr Carly Butler, a researcher in Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby and lead researcher on the study, said: "Our study showed that even small periods of time spent watching and counting butterflies are beneficial, with the benefits of reduced anxiety and stronger nature connectedness being the same whether people carried out just one 15-minute count or took part multiple times."

A family counting butterflies (Image: Supplied)

Participants expressed a range of emotions, including 'joy, fascination, sadness, and concern'; the latter mostly sparked by lower-than-expected butterfly sightings and fear over the earth's state.

Dr Butler added: "Interestingly, the more intensely participants felt these emotions, the more their feeling of closeness to nature and noticing wildlife increased afterwards, with participants reporting they felt motivated to help butterflies and nature more, by doing things such as transforming their gardens into butterfly-friendly havens."

The Big Butterfly Count involves tens of thousands of participants (Image: Supplied)

Dr Fox said: "In order to save wildlife and ensure nature’s recovery we need people to care, and we know that being connected to nature sparks these caring feelings and a desire to do something positive.

"This study indisputably shows that citizen science activities, such as spending just a few minutes counting butterflies, makes people feel more connected to nature – a vital step in the battle to save wildlife. 

"We’re at a tipping point, nature is in crisis, but we can all do something to help. Simple acts such as creating wild spaces to provide a haven for wildlife, or planting butterfly-friendly plants in pots on a patio, terrace or balcony can have a positive impact."