Farm News | October 29, 2024
Butterfly Survey 2024 Results
Huw Pennell, volunteer with Butterfly Conservation, gives an update on the 2024 Butterfly Survey…


Butterfly Conservation volunteer Huw Pennell carried out a second year of surveys on the farm over summer 2024 monitoring butterfly (and bumblebee) species, along with returning volunteer Juliet Wilson. We caught up with Huw to find out about the results…
How have our butterflies fared on the farm this year?
The Butterfly Walk (transect) was set up in May 2023, which was eight weeks into the annual recording period, so for an accurate ‘like for like’ analysis, we have taken the same recording period for this year. Sadly, in line with the records across the UK, butterfly numbers on Lauriston Farm were well down on last year, likely driven by the very wet and cool spring and summer. When it is wet, cold and windy, most butterflies struggle to fly and feed, find a mate and lay eggs. At the same time, last year’s overwintering caterpillars or pupae can also struggle to survive, impacting on the overall numbers.
Which species were most affected?
The most numerous butterflies recorded on the farm continue to be grassland specialists (Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Small Skippers) plus Speckled Woods whose caterpillars feed on the grasses, and the Whites (Large White, Small White and Green-veined White). The Meadow Browns (-66%), Ringlets (-47%), and Speckled Woods (-66%) were hit the hardest – all species that depend on grasslands.
What about the Small Skippers and the Whites?
The Small Skippers actually saw an increase in their numbers. The species is a relatively recent arrival into north west Edinburgh, and despite the poor weather they have managed to expand their presence on the farm, where the long grasses of Yorkshire Fog are its favoured caterpillar food. The adults also benefit from the purple knapweeds and thistles that are abundant on the farm edges. The Whites (Large, Small and Green-veined) all faired well and the Green-veined White, which tends to prefer slightly damper habitats, saw recordings up 50% compared to the same period as last year. And a note for all growers: Green-veined Whites are not a pest of cultivated vegetables!
Were there any new species recorded this year?
We had three recordings of the Holly Blue butterfly, which is a recent arrival into Edinburgh. The fact that we had three separate recordings covering May, July and September suggests a successful second brood and is a good sign for its future prospects.

Holly Blue butterfly at Lauriston Farm, by Huw Pennell
How do our numbers compare to the UK-wide trend?
We won’t have the UK-wide results for the full year until later in November, but we do know that the results of this summer’s national Big Butterfly Count showed the lowest numbers in its 14 year history, with 81% of butterfly species showing a decline, and overall numbers almost 50% down on last year.
Is there anything we should be doing differently on the farm?
I think the work the farm is currently doing to encourage biodiversity – nature friendly farming, no use of insecticides, keeping swathes of grassland areas etc. – will help to minimise the pressure on our butterflies and allow them to bounce back in the years ahead.
Any particular highlights for you this year?
Seeing the Holly Blue arrive on the Farm and the increase in Small Skipper numbers were particularly pleasing. However, my personal highlight was discovering a large cluster of Peacock butterfly caterpillars feeding gregariously on a nettle patch near the wild meadow planting in July (see picture). Hopefully a number of these will appear as adult Peacocks early next year.

Peacock butterfly caterpillars at Lauriston Farm, by Huw Pennell
2024 Survey Results Summary
Key Numbers
As well as the overall numbers being down, the number of species was a little down and we saw changes – no Small Copper or Wall recorded on survey walks this year, but the recently arrived Holly Blue was recorded on three separate occasions.
Top Five Species by Number
The Meadow Brown also remained the highest recorded species flying on a single walk, with a count of 30 individuals (last year’s highest number recorded on one walk was 87).
Top Ten Species
Species Making Regular Appearances
Small White – recorded on 11 individual weeks (three less than last year)
Ringlet – recorded on 8 individual weeks (three more than last year)
Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood – recorded on 7 individual weeks (three less and two less than last year, respectively)
Species Across the Season
Earliest recorded species: Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock
Latest recorded species: Speckled Wood
Longest flying periods:
Peacock: 23 weeks
Speckled Wood: 22 weeks
Holly Blue: 20 weeks
Huw Pennell, October 2024
Here at Lauriston Farm, we use farming methods that are designed to bring back biodiversity, so we always hope to see our wildlife numbers increasing. We are saddened but not surprised by this year’s butterfly survey numbers, given the news that the annual UK-wide Big Butterfly Count recorded its lowest ever numbers in 2024.
Thinking about what these results mean, it does seem likely this was a particularly difficult year for butterflies – we certainly felt the effects of the exceptionally wet spring and cold summer on our vegetable production. But it’s not a one-off – in the UK, we are looking at decades of falling numbers. It’s a stark reminder of the pressure wildlife is under – from climate change, habitat loss, pollution and poisoning of soil and water – and the urgent work of halting species decline. We take heart that Huw believes we are still doing the right thing here at the farm for butterflies, and it will be a suitable haven for them when weather conditions allow.
We’d like to say another big thank you to Huw Pennell and Juliet Wilson for carrying out the 2024 Butterfly Survey at the farm and recording this important data. They also submit the full results to the Butterfly Conservation Trust to contribute to national records.
Huw also carried out the second year of the BeeWalk bumblebee survey – click here to read the results.