The UK's butterflies have had a "disastrous summer," says Dr Dan Hoare of the charity Butterfly Conservation, after the results of their annual 'Big Butterfly Count' show the lowest number of sightings in the 14 years it's been running. Butterfly numbers are being affected by climate and land use change, Hoare explains, in addition to the use of certain pesticides. Butterfly Conservation is calling on the UK government to fully ban neonicotinoid pesticides, which have been grant special authorisation since 2021. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES of the 2023 Big Butterfly Count