2025 Butterfly Count
The timing of the Big Butterfly Count didn’t coincide with bramble blossoms that are normally found along the edges and clearings of Fox Hill Woods this time. You may have noticed an early crop of yummy blackberries this year, or maybe you saw small shriveled berries. This is because “Spring 2025 was exceptional, going down as the UK’s warmest and sunniest on record” – Met office. Plants and animals emerged either early or out of sync with the eco system on which they depend.
As a Fox Hill newsletter subscriber, you’re likely already attuned to the rhythms of nature and have noticed the subtle shifts in your garden and surroundings. So rather than going into a climate crisis discussion, I’ll simply acknowledge the changes we’re witnessing together. I found that the small and large whites were in abundance in my garden, while a few others made less appearances. This lines up with the national observations recorded on the Big Butterfly Count Map. While we have no pictures from Fox Hill, here is a selection of Lepidoptera from my garden as compensation:
So, what can we do?
Here are a few ideas:
- Find more about what’s going on locally with sustainability and how you can get involved at the Wokingham People Planet Pint meetup. Pop down to The Rose on the first Thursday of each month at 6pm to meet like-minded locals.
- I often hear people wonder why they should make an effort when it seems like others don’t. But that’s when it matters most. The smallest actions can lead to meaningful change. Never underestimate the ripple effect of sharing the positive choices you’ve made for nature.
- As they say, knowledge is power. The study of seasonal changes in plants and animals from year to year is called Phenology. The Woodland Trust is collecting data for its Phenology studies through Citizen Science and by adding a record to their database.
Thank you for everything you do,
Claire