AT the turn of the 20th century it would be possible to witness clouds of fluttering butterflies, creating a kaleidoscope of colour, on any country walk during summer.
These days we are lucky to spot a handful on a day's walk through the fields, fells or by the coast.
Intensification of farming and forestry have led to the destruction of flower-rich meadows, hedgerows, ancient woodland and wild corners – crucial habitats for butterflies.
Deciduous woodlands, home to many butterflies, have changed out of all recognition and have either become too shady for butterflies or replaced with dense conifer plantations.
Butterfly numbers have declined seriously; five of Britain's 59 resident species have become extinct and another nine species are on an extreme engendered list.
The future of nearly half our remaining species hangs in the balance.
Moths (the largely nocturnal cousins of butterflies) have also disappeared at an alarming rate.
But it is not all doom and gloom for the flutter-bys. In some parts of the UK nature and conservation organisations are working with farmers to preserve and create butterfly habitats.
And according to Butterfly Conservation, the UK's main defender of butterflies and moths, while it may be impossible to put the clock back, much can be done to increase butterflies and moths and save threatened species from extinction.
In Lancashire butterfly and moth enthusiasts such as James Hide are keeping a watchful eye on butterfly species and numbers.
James, a retired furniture trade employee, admits to a guilty secret - as a schoolboy 50 years ago, along with countless other lads, he used to collect, kill and pin the dead insects and display them as a hobby.
He points out that the decline in numbers of butterflies is completely unrelated to such now non-PC activities!
As a long standing committee member of the Lancashire branch of Butterfly Conservation he is a keen "spotter" at his attractive cottage home on the outskirts of Goosnargh.
James's favourite "local" is the Peacock butterfly which has spectacular "eyes" on its wings.
He said: "When you see it in your garden it is fantastic. I get great joy when I see it."
Other butterflies James suggests people can look out for in this area are the Small Copper and Holly Blue.
During the summer months, look out for the Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Painted Lady, can be spotted.
During spring look out for Brimstone, the Orange Tip, the small Tortoiseshell and various whites.
Relative "newcomers" to the north, having "emigrated" from the south of England are the Comma, which feeds on nettles and Speckled Wood, which feeds on grasses.
Non-native butterflies which arrive in Lancashire from overseas include the magnificent Red Admiral and the Painted Lady.
Among butterfly species which have declined locally are the White Letter Hair Streak, whose numbers have dropped because its favoured habitat, the elm tree, has been decimated by Dutch Elm disease. Another species now rarely seen in this parts is the Grayling.

Plants which attract butterflies: French Marigold, Verbena, Buddleia, Sedum, ox eye daisies, phlox, dog violets and primroses.
Places to look for butterflies: gardens, parks, fields, meadows and riverbanks and close to streams.
Places nearby particularly particularly favoured with butterflies: the Morecambe Bay area, Warton Crag, Arnside Knot.

A BC spokesman said: "People should know what we have done to our own natural heritage, and how creatures as beautiful as butterflies have been just elbowed out of our landscape in the pursuit of short-term gain.
"Once people realise, it becomes more difficult for the ignorant and the exploiters to get away with desecrating our country."