Big Butterfly Count: Sir David Attenborough calls on Brits to take part in initiative and insists it’s good for mental health

Sir David Attenborough has spoken of the mental health benefits of spending time with nature while urging the public to take part in the world’s largest butterfly count.

The Big Butterfly Count requires people to spend 15 minutes counting butterflies and submitting sightings online.

Butterfly Conservation, the charity organising the count, is asking the public to spot and record 17 species of butterfly for the next three weeks.

Mental health charity Mind is supporting the Big Butterfly Count as a "wonderful way of interacting with the environment" and championing the benefits of spending time in nature, which research shows can help alleviate problems such as depression and anxiety.

Sir David has spoken of the mental health benefits of spending time with nature and watching wildlife in the garden at home.

"A few precious moments spent watching a stunning red admiral or peacock butterfly feeding amongst the flowers in my garden never fails to bring me great pleasure.

"Spending time with nature offers us all precious breathing space away from the stresses and strains of modern life, it enables us to experience joy and wonder, to slow down and to appreciate the wildlife that lives side by side with us."

Butterflies have been on the decline for the past 40 years, but this year could see an increase in the species as the cold winter followed by a late spring have created optimum conditions.

But the Butterfly Conservation said if conditions get too warm and create a drought the result could be catastrophic as the insects would die from the lack of food.

The count will help contribute to conservation knowledge of butterflies.

Sir David said: "A cause for great concern over recent years is that many of our once common and widespread species like the large white, small copper and gatekeeper have started to struggle, mirroring the declines of rarer species.

"Butterfly Conservation has also revealed that butterflies are declining faster in our towns and cities than in the countryside.

"So please take part in the Big Butterfly Count this summer, we need to know, now, more than ever before, just what is happening to butterflies in our towns, in our gardens and in our countryside."