The national garden butterfly count this year resulted in the lowest ever number of sightings since the event began in 2015 and some 400 spotters saw no butterflies at all, according to preliminary figures from the butterfly foundation Vlinderstichting.

This year spotters saw an average of five butterflies, compared with eight last year and 16 nine years ago. Participants were asked to monitor the number of butterflies they saw during a 15 minute period last weekend.

In total, spotters saw 22,219 butterflies, with the red admiral (atalanta) and cabbage white – which led the list last year – as the most common. Spotters identified 25 different types of butterfly, two down on 2023.

The Vlinderstichting told broadcaster NOS the results give a good indication of the state of Dutch flora and fauna because butterfly populations are quick to react to climate change and environmental problems.