Starts Today: Israel's Great Butterfly Count 2026
"The Great Butterfly Count" in Israel is a project now in its seventh year and will take place from March 29 to April 18. This citizen-science initiative is led by the Butterfly Enthusiasts Association, in collaboration with the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Ramat Hanadiv, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), and the Nature and Parks Authority. The count takes place annually during the spring—the peak period of annual butterfly activity. Beyond the personal experience and connection to nature, the count data serves as an important research tool. The information gathered allows researchers to track trends in Israel's butterfly populations and learn about the status of broader ecosystems.
This year, due to the security situation, the count will take place near homes and close to protected areas, in accordance with Home Front Command guidelines. Alongside this, the initiative's organizers express hope that later in the period, it will be possible to return to more open and remote areas and count butterflies safely.
To participate, you are required to stand in one place for 15 minutes, identify and count how many butterflies are seen, and report via:: the online form
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/26b58926bc8f4983842cd865011604b8?lang=he
Understanding Key Issues: In the last six years, since the count began in Israel in 2019, extensive data has been collected, allowing for the identification of changes and trends over time. This year, researchers hope to deepen the understanding of key issues, including the impact of unusual rainfall amounts in various regions on butterfly abundance, the appearance of tropical species due to unique weather conditions—such as the arrival of the Blue Pansy in our region—and signs of recovery in butterfly populations in areas affected by fires along the lines of conflict. The Great Butterfly Count is a citizen science project where participants contribute observations that assist scientific research aimed at understanding the butterfly population. At the Israeli Citizen Science Center at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, data from this year and previous years will be consolidated into the center's database to help identify trends and changes over the years.
Data and Information: The data is used by researchers to help understand changes and trends in Israel's butterfly populations and to track phenomena such as butterfly migration or the arrival of tropical butterflies in Israel. The information also enables the planning of ways to protect butterflies from extinction and contributes to understanding the impact of climate change on wildlife and the state of nature in Israel. The success of the project depends on broad public participation from all over the country. The more information collected, the more accurate and in-depth a picture of the state of nature in Israel can be built.
We all hope that later in the period, it will be possible to expand the counting areas, but even now, the public is invited to go out, look around—and count butterflies.
Why count butterflies? Butterflies are highly affected by environmental and climatic changes and therefore serve as a biological indicator for the state of the environment and climate change. Butterflies are delicate and beautiful creatures that also serve as ambassadors for the conservation of open spaces and unique habitats.
How to participate?
- Preparation in advance: Print or save "The Dedicated Guide to the Great Butterfly Count" on your mobile, which contains photos of 24 prominent butterfly species during the spring.
- Choosing a location: The count can take place in any open area—nature reserves, settlements, urban gardens—the main thing is that there are flowers and the possibility of seeing butterflies.
- Conducting the observation: Follow the butterflies for 15 minutes, identify them using the guide or the app, and record how many individuals of each species were observed.
- Reporting findings: Fill out the online form. Even those who did not identify a butterfly can report this on the form.
Additional Information:
- It is recommended that the count be conducted between 09:00-12:00, hours when butterflies are particularly active, but it can continue until 15:00.
- If no butterflies were observed, note this on the form - their absence is also important information.
- Multiple observations can be performed, whether in the same place at different times or in different locations across the country.
Leah Benyamini, representative of the Butterfly Enthusiasts Association and coordinator of the annual count: "When going out into the field, and in accordance with Home Front Command instructions, it is recommended to also pay attention to butterfly behavior: are they just moving between flowers, laying eggs on host plants, or perhaps observed in a dual flight that looks like a dance – but is actually a territorial struggle between males. In high areas, males can sometimes be seen waiting for females on peaks, while along nature trails, one can notice butterflies guarding territory and looking for mates. Butterflies are not just beautiful creatures, but also a fascinating biological phenomenon."
Dr. Orr Comay, data ecologist at HaMa'arag, Steinhardt Museum of Natural History: "Butterfly monitoring is an excellent way for anyone to help track the state of nature anywhere in the country. Data collected by volunteers of the National Butterfly Monitoring Program allowed, for example, the assessment of the risk to Israel's 138 native butterfly species - of which 55 species were found to be threatened (40%). The Great Butterfly Count is an important activity, allowing even those who cannot monitor in a fixed place throughout the year to contribute to research and the protection of these wonderful insects."
Dr. Nirit Lavie-Alon, citizen science lead at the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) and the Israeli Citizen Science Center at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History: "We hope that participating in the Great Butterfly Count will provide a bit of relief from staying in protected spaces and shelters and a break from the sounds of sirens, allowing focus only on the joy of the abundance of blooms and the beauty of butterflies, while understanding that you are part of a broad national citizen science project contributing to understanding trends and the impact of climate change. Even in residential areas and near shelters, there are flowers and butterflies, and participating in their counting provides a pleasant respite."
This year as well, the "Butterfly Enthusiasts Association in Israel" and all green organizations invite the people of Israel to join the Great Butterfly Count. This initiative, similar to the traditional Bird Count, is always held during the spring and the Passover holiday.
For more details, butterfly guide, online reporting form, and ways to participate: To the Israeli Citizen Science Center website
(Photo: Plain Tiger. Photo: Oz Rittner)
