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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Week 24 starts today! Do you need any pointers to help you enter your data? We have great videos and resources that walk you through it how to do it. You'll find them all on the UKBMS our website here: buff.ly/di3oDpJ

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Its week 23 of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme! September is here and we're into the last month of the survey. Some summer species may no longer be on the wing, but keep an eye out for second (or even third) broods of some species.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The abundance of butterflies seen in woodland in the UK has declined by 57% since 1990. But, the short-term trend, since 2015, shows no change - which is more encouraging.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The abundance of butterflies seen on farmland in the UK has declined by 32% since 1990. The short-term decline (since 2015) is less dramatic at 11%.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Habitat specialist butterflies have fared worse than the generalists. For all UK habitat specialist butterfly species have declined by 37% since 1976. However, if we look at the trend over the last ten years from 2015, there has been little change.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Just published: UK and England butterfly population indicators using UKBMS data. These show a long-term decline in the all-species index in the UK of 18% and a 37% decline for habitat specialists in the UK. Check out the full statistics here ⬇️ www.gov.uk/government/s...

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Its week 22! Did you know that the sightings you enter to the UKBMS also feed through to iRecord? This makes them available to county recorders, species experts and researchers. If you have an iRecord account you can view your UKBMS records all together with your other records.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Today is the start of week 21. The deadline for submitting all your data for the UKBMS is the end of October - so get ahead and enter all your data to date. This gives our team of volunteer Coordinators and species experts time to check, validate and verify your records.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Its week 20. Thinking of setting up a new transect for next year..? Now is a good time to trial it and make any tweaks it so it's ready for the next season. Once finalised, the route can't be changed, so testing it first is crucial. More info here: buff.ly/zQyStix

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Its week 19, August already! If you're off on your hols and someone is covering your transect, make sure they are linked to it on the UKBMS website so they can enter data and are signed up to Assemble. UKBMS website: buff.ly/ndO4Aob Assemble: buff.ly/LIF7yMF

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

We are half way through the core survey season for the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey 👏 👏 Recorders carry out 2 visits to their allocated square, 10 days apart in July and August, to record all the butterflies they see. There's still time to get involved ⬇️ buff.ly/YLnZSVB

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

It's week 18! Keeping your data entry up to date is crucial for swift analysis at the season's end. Take a moment to review and enter your data. There's a helpful video to guide you: buff.ly/QSIgMdi

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Don't forget, the UKBMS website (and other Indicia sites such as iRecord) will be offline TOMORROW and are expected to be back up from Weds. You'll be unable to access or enter data during this time. Thanks for your patience whilst the team at @ukceh work to boost the storage capacity of the system

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Please be aware that the UKBMS website - and other Indicia sites such as iRecord - will be unavailable next week on Tueday 28th July due to maintenance. It is expected that the site will be back up from Wednesday 29th. You'll be unable to enter your UKBMS counts during this time.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Its week 17 Keep at it! The more weeks that you can consistently record, the more valuable the data is to produce UK butterfly population trends and insights into local populations. Missing a week or so is ok, but try not to miss multiple weeks in a row during peak flight times

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Week 16 starts today! What has been your favorite sighting on your transect walks so far this year..? We've had rare species, new species to a site, large numbers and memorable encounters.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Don't forget, there is planned maintenance on the UKBMS website TODAY from 5pm. This will mean you can't access the wesbite or enter data. Manitenance is expected to last until 9pm. Please keep hold of any data and enter it once the manintenance is complete. Thanks!

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Please be aware that the UKBMS website will be unavailable next WEDNESDAY evening July 15th from 5pm due to maintenance. It is expected that the site will be back up by 9pm.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Its week 15! As we head towards the summer holiday period, you may want to get someone to walk your transect if you're away. If you do, they must register on Butterfly Conservations volunteer portal - Assemble. Register here ukbms.org/sites/defaul...

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

It's week 14. Did you know you can look back at the data from your site for previous years? There are various charts and tables showing the data, just log in to the UKBMS website and go to 'My data'. Handy video on how to do this - buff.ly/1JCT7yG

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Today is the start of the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey! This volunteer scheme monitors butterflies across 1900 randomly allocated 1km squares across the UK. The core survey runs from now until the end of August, providing crucial data on butterflies. Get involved ⬇️ buff.ly/YLnZSVB

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

The core survey season of the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey starts tomorrow. Recorders will be visiting their 1km squares in July and August to survey butterflies. This survey provides valuable info on how butterflies are doing across the UK. Get involved ukbms.org/wider-countr...

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Week 13 and we're halfway through!! 🎉 👏 👏 The mid-point of the transect survey season, a good chance to look back and appreciate all we've seen and look ahead to the late summer species. What have been your best sightings so far?

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Catch up on the latest UKBMS news with our Summer eNewsletter. This edition includes 2025 UKBMS results highlights, seasonal guidance, ways to get involved and FAQs from surveyors. buff.ly/gRxnwuE

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Out now! The Annual Newsletter for the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey. Find out about the WCBS results for 2025 and read some great articles about butterflies in urban habitats. ukbms.org/sites/defaul...

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Its week 12! For the keen beans - did you know - you can carry out more than one walk a week on your transect - as long at the weather is right. The data from multiple walks will be averaged for analysis.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Its week eleven! Have you entered your data to the UKBMS website? Get ahead and enter your walks as you go instead of waiting to end of the season. Its much safe than risking those precious forms or notebooks being chewed by the dog, having coffee split on them or blowing away😉

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Its week ten! Remember to record the percentage sunshine for each section of your transect - how to decide if its sunny? If you cast a shadow, that counts as sunshine 🌞

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Its one month until the start of the core survey season for the Wider Countrsydie Butterfly Survey. This citizen science scheme monitors butterflies across the UK landscape. Want to get involved? Check out our Volunteer Opportunities page - volunteer.butterfly-conservation.org/opportunitie...

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

It's the start of week nine for UKBMS butterfly transects. If you're walking a transect, enter your data on the UKBMS website ASAP so it's secure — once submitted it feeds into iRecord for county recorders and others to use.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Please note - Indicia systems, including the UKBMS website will be offline from 5pm tomorrow Weds 27th May until midday Thurs 28th May for planned essential maintenance. Thanks for your patience!

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Britains favourite butterfly - cast your votes now! buff.ly/bGqz8Oj Maybe for the iconic woodland species, the White Admiral, which just happens to also be the UKBMS logo and only has 65 votes so far! (Biased...who's biased..?!!) It is a stunner!

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Please note - Indicia systems, inlcuding the UKBMS website will be offline from 5pm today until tomorrow morning for planned essential maintenance. Thanks for your patience!

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Its week eight! We are two months through, well done and thinkyou to all the UKBMS Surveyors! Remember, if you're walking with a friend, only record the butterflies that one of you see - not both - otherwise you'll be doubling the recorder effort and over-inflating the numbers.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Week seven of UKBMS butterfly transects starts today. You can walk your transect on any day from Weds 13th May to Tues 18th May. Check the forecast to choose the best day - warm, sunny and not windy. You can check the weather criteria in our resources - ukbms.org/sites/defaul...

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Today is the start of week six of UKBMS butterfly transects. Thousands of volunteers go out each week to walk a butterfly transect and contribute data to a fifty year-long dataset. Want to get involved..? Visit our website for all the info - ukbms.org

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Week five of UKBMS transects starts today! Keep an eye on the forecast for a warm, bright and still day to carry out your survey. Winds should be less than beaufort scale 5 - if small branches are moving then its probably getting too windy.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Its week four, we are one month in! Did you know, you can look back at the data you've submitted so far, including data others have entered for your transect. Visit the UKBMS website and go to My data>Reporting>Annual Summary to see some handy charts and tables. ukbms.org/annual-summary

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Its week three! You can walk your transect on any day of the week. But its best to walk during the first suitable weather window - some weeks you may not get a second chance! Remember the minimum temp 🌡️ is 13oC in sunshine, 17oC if its overcast.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Looks like the UKBMS website is down, along with the iRecord website. Our partners @ukceh.bsky.social are working on fixing it. Thanks for your patience!

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Today is the start of week two! Butterfly transect Surveyors have had a great first week with the warm spring and sunshine resulting in lots of butterfly sightings. What will week two bring..? Want to get involved? Find out more - ukbms.org

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Butterfly enthusiasts needed in Kent! We're working with @kentwildlife.bsky.social to recruit more butterfly surveyors on nature reserves in Kent. Can you ID butterflies and spare some time to walk a transect? If so find out more below, we'd love to work with you! buff.ly/llcOz1Y

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Want to get involved in monitoring butterflies and contribute to a 50yr dataset tracking populations of butterflies in the UK? We have opporunities to join teams surveying transects in some great locations in Lancashire. Find out more here: buff.ly/3cnIupq @BC_Lancs

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

WEEK ONE! The UKBMS surveys officially kick off today 🎺 🥳 🦋 If you're taking part, check the weather and choose a good day for your survey this week - temps above 13degrees, sun and light winds are best. Weeks run from each Wednesday to the following Tuesday this year. Good luck!

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

We're enjoying the UK Butterfly Recorders meeting today! Fascinating talk on using UV torches to monitor Black Hairstreak larvae. More great talks to come... If you couldn't make it today the recording will be up on YouTube in a week or two. 📷: Iain H Leach

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Its 2 weeks today until the start of the official Butterfly Monitoring season But for any keen beans you can do early transect walks before April 1st if the weather is warm, above 13oC, dry, bright and still. Early counts can be entered on our website as weeks -3, -2, -1, 0 etc.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Targeted surveys - Set up to monitor particular species that may be under-recorded through the standard transects, such as egg counts for Brown Hairstreak or evening point counts for Purple Hairstreak. There is a range of surveys to get involved in buff.ly/Qo4kgNX 📷 Purple Hairstreak: Jim Asher

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

If you've enjoyed spotting some early butterflies this spring, why not get involved further and join our surveys. We have three standardised survey methods which provide invaluable data to monitor butterfly populations. See comments below for more info..... 📷 Brimstone: Iain H Leach

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Butterfly Transect trianing in Derbyshire! Join one of these free sessions to find out more about monitoring butterflies and getting involved in the UKBMS. Led by the local County Recorder, this day will provide you with the skills needed to carry out a butterfly transect as part of the UKBMS.

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UKBMS @ukbms.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Thinking of monitoring butterflies in your local area or setting up a monitoring project? We have new guidance to help navigate the various monitoring methods and choose the best option for your project. buff.ly/fvThSQq

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