Climate change affecting butterfly migration say Dorset charity
Butterfly Conservation is asking for our help to track the species here
Climate change is causing butterflies to change their breeding behaviours, according to a Dorset based charity.
The migratory Red Admiral normally winters in Europe or North Africa before travelling back to the UK in the Spring to lay their eggs.
But many are staying put or even moving north because it's getting warmer here.
Common garden butterflies such as the peacock, comma and holly blue, have been discovered further up the country based on 50 years of research.
Other species on the move include the Jersey tiger, a day-flying moth found only in south-west England but which has been spotted as far north as central London in recent years, and the Scotch argus in Scotland, which is retreating northwards to stay in the cooler climate it prefers.
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is asking people to take part in the annual Big Butterfly Count, to help scientists understand more about the northward move of butterflies as temperatures rise.
To take part in the count, the charity says people just spend 15 minutes in any sunny spot and record the number and type of butterflies they see - or even if they do not see any at all, which is also important information for the experts.
Dr Zoe Randle, senior surveys officer at Butterfly Conservation, said:
"We're seeing other species which have previously suffered severe declines, such as the comma, recovering, with a huge increase of 94% in where it is found.
"These highly adaptable species are all able to move into new places as the climate warms, but for habitat specific species these trends raise serious red flags.
"Species that rely on particular habitats aren't able to move as freely as our garden favourites.
"This means that, if climate change continues, they could become trapped in isolated fragments of remaining habitat, unable to move and with their food plants at risk from adverse weather conditions, facing the very real threat of extinction."
Butterfly Conservation vice president and TV presenter Chris Packham urged members of the public to take part in the count to help conservationists take action to save wildlife.
He said: "Butterflies are on the move, and there's no doubt that climate breakdown is behind these geographic shifts.
"We know nature is running out of time, so we need to act now. 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."
This year's Big Butterfly Count runs from today (Friday 12th July) to Sunday 4th August.