Butterfly Watch
Help us gather valuable data on butterfly species in Singapore’s parks and gardens. Learn more about butterflies while contributing to scientific research.
Last updated 2 June 2026
Enjoy spotting butterflies, or interested to learn more about them?
Join us for Butterfly Watch to collect valuable data about butterflies, which contribute to their conservation.
Butterfly Watch May 2026
Survey period: 23 - 31 May 2026
Registration deadline: TBC
Training: Practical training tentatively on 9 - 10 May 2026 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens
This is compulsory for new volunteers. Find out more about the training.
What you need: You need an account with Volunteer.gov.sg to register.
*Registration will open in April
About Butterfly Watch
Butterfly Watch is a citizen science initiative by NParks and ButterflyCircle. This initiative engages the community to collect data on butterflies in our parks and gardens.
It is organised biannually as part of NParks' Community in Nature initiative.
Why this matters
The data you collect helps us track patterns in butterfly populations over time. This information helps NParks to develop better park management and conservation measures to sustain and enhance these populations.
Who can participate
All volunteers must go through an online training.
If you are new to Butterfly Watch, you must also attend a practical training workshop before you can participate.
About the training programme
You will learn basic survey and butterfly-watching techniques, as well as how to identify of 23 common butterflies in Singapore.
The training programme includes:
Online training video (about 2 hours long)
The recordings will be sent to you upon confirmation of your registration.
Practical training workshop at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (about 1 hour long)
This short field session allows you to try out the techniques taught in the online video.
You will be assigned a one-hour slot for the practical training. You can view the dates and indicate your preference in the registration form.
Slots will be assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis, with priority given to new volunteers.
Children under 12
Children under 12 can join the survey, but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
What you need
No special equipment is required to take part. All you need is either:
A datasheet and pen, or
A smartphone with access to our online form.
Although not required, a camera or binoculars can help you better observe and record the species.
What to expect
This is the typical process of taking part in Butterfly Watch:
After you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email with more details.
View an online training video and attend a practical training if you are new to butterfly watching or wish to have a refresher. Find out more about the training.
One week before the Butterfly Watch, we will send you information about your assigned survey site and transect locations.
Head down to your site on any day within the survey period and conduct the survey at your assigned location. The survey will take place between 9am to 3pm.
Submit your survey results via the SGBioAtlas app
Frequently asked questions
What are the species I might encounter?
You might encounter some of these 23 common species:
Common Mime (Chilasa clytia clytia)
Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus malayanus)
Common Mormon (Papilio polytes romulus)
Common Birdwing (Troides helena cerberus)
Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae asteris)
Emigrants (Catopsilia spp.)
Grass Yellows (Eurema spp.)
Striped Albatross (Appias libythea olferna)
Painted Jezebel (Delias hyparete metarete)
Psyche (Leptosia nina malayana)
Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus chrysippus)
Common Tiger (Danaus genutia genutia)
Black Veined Tiger (Danaus melanippus hegesippus)
Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis vulgaris macrina)
Dark Glassy Tiger (Parantica agleoides agleoides)
Common Palmfly (Elymnias hypermnestra agina)
Bush Browns (Mycalesis spp.)
Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana javana)
Chocolate Pansy (Junonia hedonia ida)
Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya wallacei)
Tawny Coster (Acraea terpsichore)
Leopard (Phalanta phalantha phalantha)
Grass Blues (Lycaeninae spp.)
Will Butterfly Watch take up a lot of my time?
No, the training will take approximately three hours and the survey itself can be done at your own time within the survey period (9.30am to 3.30pm).
If you volunteer to do counts at more than one site, you may need to spend more time, but it is flexible according to your availability.
Is the training workshop compulsory?
The training workshops are compulsory for first-time participants. Returning volunteers do not need to attend, but they can opt to attend as a refresher, especially if they have limited experience with butterfly watching or conducting Pollard walks.
Can I choose a location for the watch?
When you sign up, the registration form will require you to indicate your preferred location to carry out the survey at. Our team will then assign you a location that is within or close to your preference.
Alternatively, if you do not have a preference or would like to have a location that is further from your home, please either indicate the zone that you would prefer to conduct the survey at, or no preference in the registration form.
Can schools, companies or organisations participate?
Yes, you can register online for groups of up to 5 people. When registering on Volunteer.gov.sg, look out for the question "Group Code" and input the same code for all members in your group. (e.g. ButterflyWatch123 – please think of your own unique code).
Large groups should contact cin@nparks.gov.sg for more information on registration.
Contact us
For enquiries, please email cin@nparks.gov.sg with "Butterfly Watch" in the email subject
Interested to join but missed the survey period? Join our mailing list for regular updates on our upcoming programmes.
