The Big Butterfly Count at Ford Park

The Big Butterfly Count at Ford Park (17 July–9 August 2026)

A simple summer adventure for families and a lovely way to help nature.

If you’re looking for something easy, outdoors and genuinely lovely to do with the kids this summer, we’ve got you. The Big Butterfly Count 2026 runs from 17 July to 9 August, and Ford Park is a brilliant place to take part.

It’s a nationwide citizen science survey run by Butterfly Conservation, and it’s designed to help monitor butterfly populations across the UK. Butterflies are important indicators of how healthy our environment is, so every count helps build a clearer picture of what’s happening in nature, and what we can do to protect it.

Make it a Ford Park mini trail

We’d love you to turn your butterfly count into a little Ford Park adventure.

Start with a play on the playground, then take a wander through the Woodland Trail and see how many of the woodland animals you can spot along the way. From there, follow the path up to the Community Orchard.

Once you’re in the orchard, grab a butterfly sheet from the little hut then find a quiet, sunny place to  sit or stay a while and see how many butterflies you can identify.

How to take part (it’s easy)

The Big Butterfly Count is designed to be simple for everyone  you don’t need to be an expert.

• Choose a bright, sunny day (butterflies are much easier to spot in good weather).

• Spend 15 minutes counting the butterflies you see.

• You can do your count from a fixed spot (perfect for the orchard) or while walking.

• Record your results using the official Big Butterfly Count app or website, which includes a target list and an identification guide to help you.

Why it matters

Butterflies are more than just beautiful to watch as they flutter around the flowers. They’re a vital part of biodiversity, and changes in butterfly numbers can tell us a lot about habitat loss, climate change and the health of our local ecosystems.

By taking 15 minutes to do a count, you’re contributing to a much bigger picture and helping conservationists understand how butterflies are doing across the country.

Share what you spot

If you do your Big Butterfly Count at Ford Park, we’d love to hear how you got on. Tell us what you spotted (and where!) next time you’re in the park or share it with us on social media.

However you do it, thank you for taking part and enjoy your summer wander through Ford Park.