A leading wildlife charity is urging people across the UK to get involved in this year's Big Butterfly Count.

Butterfly Conservation hopes that participation in the count will help track how climate change is impacting the movement of butterflies.

The organisation has found through 50 years of data that many species, including the Red Admiral, Holly Blue, and Comma, have spread northward.

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This is attributed to climate change creating warmer habitats, which have seen the Red Admiral transition from a migratory species to a UK resident with a threefold increase in numbers.

The Holly Blue, once unseen in Scotland, has also seen a 34 per cent UK habitat expansion.

Dr Zoë Randle, senior surveys officer at the charity, explained that the Comma butterfly has seen a 94 per cent increase in its presence in the UK.

She explained: "Species that rely on specific habitats aren’t able to move as freely as our garden favourites.

"If climate change continues, they could become trapped in isolated fragments of remaining habitat."

The Jersey Tiger, previously found only in southwest England, has moved as far north as central London, earning its place in the Big Butterfly Count in 2021 for the first time.

On the other spectrum, the Scotch Argus in Scotland is retreating northwards to the cooler climates it prefers.

Chris Packham, vice president of the charity, said: "Butterflies are on the move, and there’s no doubt that climate breakdown is behind these geographic shifts.

"We need you to get out for the Big Butterfly Count, let us know what you spot and where you spot it.

"You will be gathering the important data we need to see what the latest impacts are on our butterflies and moths, so that we can take the action needed to protect them."

With half of Britain's butterfly species threatened or nearly threatened with extinction, understanding these changes could be critical.

Sir David Attenborough, president of Butterfly Conservation, said: "Every single person taking part in the Big Butterfly Count helps to build a picture of how butterflies are faring in order to best conserve them."

The Big Butterfly Count begins on Friday, July 12 and will run until Sunday, August 4.

To take part, spend 15 minutes in any sunny spot counting and noting the type of butterflies you spot.

Visit www.bigbutterflycount.org or download the free Big Butterfly Count app to get involved.