About 15,000 people took part in the census this year. “More than 80 percent of the counters have spotted an atalanta,” says a spokeswoman. The atalanta is black with orange stripes and white spots and has been seen scattered all over the country.
In second place is the peacock eye. It has been counted about 21,000 times. The little cabbage white follows with 11,000 counts.
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Just like last year, the count lasted three weeks. The first two weeks it was still cold and wet and there were hardly any butterflies to be seen. Especially the last week when it got warmer, many caterpillars pupated. “It suddenly became a butterfly party,” according to the spokeswoman.
For better protection
The public was able to relay sightings in the garden for the past three weeks online. The Butterfly Foundation uses the data to better protect the insects. If a certain species appears to be declining, the foundation can work with nature managers to ensure that the habitats of that species receive better protection.
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