Actress and environmental campaigner Joanna Lumley was at the London Wetland Centre last week to officially launch the Big Butterfly Count 2103.

The former Absolutely Fabulous star is encouraging everyone to get out and about and report butterfly sightings to Butterfly Conservation, to determine whether populations are growing or declining.

The count, which runs until August 11, comes as Butterfly Conservation president, Sir David Attenborough, warned that UK butterfly numbers are at an historic low, with 2012 being the worst year on record for UK butterflies.

Clearly struck by the natural beauty of WWT London Wetland Centre, Ms Lumley also urged everyone to step away from their screens this summer.

She said: "To have water near you is built into the human gene and everywhere you look there is water.

"Without everything you see here at London Wetland Centre - plants growing in profusion, wildlife, the sound of birds, butterflies bees and insects, the water filled with newts, frogs and small fishes, beetles and bugs - we as human beings can’t exist. It’s absolutely magic."

If you are interested in taking part in the Big Butterfly Count, WWT London Wetland Centre is a fantastic place to see native butterflies.

Specific habitats have been created to support butterflies as well as mammals, birds and amphibians.

For the duration of the Big Butterfly Count you can pick up a free butterfly spotter sheet at the admissions desk, so you can have a truly worthwhile day out by recording the butterflies you see and reporting your findings to Butterfly Conservation.

To learn more about the Big Butterfly Count and the London Wetland Centre experience visit www.bigbutterflycount.org/ or www.wwt.org.uk/London.

 

TODAY'S TOP WANDSWORTH STORIES