Please note that volunteer spaces have now been filled, thank you to those who showed interest.

The butterfly transect takes approximately one hour and is a leisurely walk around Holywell Park. The route is divided into 10 sections, you will record the numbers and different types of butterflies you see in each section.

You are given a week once a month in which to complete the survey and you should try to choose the sunniest and driest day. It’s best to survey between 10am and 2pm, although you can go during the early evening on warm days.

As a beginner, you will be partnered with a more experienced surveyor so it’s a great way to meet colleagues and network. Full training on how to identify butterflies and undertake the survey is given.

The survey is now entering its third year and to date, the Gardens Team has recorded 17 species of butterfly and made over 700 sightings. All records go to the charity Butterfly Conservation and help scientists understand butterfly populations and the challenges they face.

This is a great way to spend time in nature, improve your mental health, and do something positive for the environment.