Thousands of people are expected to take part in this year's Big Butterfly Count.

The study, led by the Butterfly Conservation charity, will take place from July 12 until August 4.

The annual event sees  people using their gardens, visiting green spaces or the countryside for 15 minutes each time to count butterflies and record the sightings.

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The aim is to help the conservation charity keep track of the butterfly species in each area. 

According to the charity, butterflies are indicators of a healthy natural environment and almost half of Britain’s butterfly species are already threatened or near threatened with extinction.

Butterfly Conservation has also said that counting butterflies is good for your mental health and wellbeing, and can reduce anxiety by almost 10 per cent.

Dr Zoë Randle, senior surveys officer at Butterfly Conservation, said: "We need as many people as possible to take part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count to help us see what’s happening with our butterflies and moths. 

"We’re getting reports that although many species have been seen early this year, likely due to the very warm early spring, sightings are actually down, which is probably a result of the very wet and windy weather.

"So people getting out and counting will be invaluable in helping us to gauge what’s going on.

"In total, over 1.5 million butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded in last year’s count, with the Red Admiral reigning supreme with almost 250,000 sightings.

"This was the first time this iconic species hit the top spot and we’re curious to see whether the warmer winter will enable it to keep its number one position or whether another species will come out on top this year."

More information can be found at https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/.

Last year more than 135,000 counts took place up and down the country, with participants spending a combined total of almost four years counting butterflies.

The information is used to help scientists understand how butterflies and moths are faring.

It then informs conservation projects, government policies and supports other experts with their research and vital work to protect the planet.