In a first-ever national poll by Butterfly Conservation, the peacock butterfly has been crowned Britain's favourite, with more than 20,000 votes cast across 60 native species.

The peacock — instantly recognizable by its striking blue-purple wings and distinctive eyespots — beat out all other candidates in a celebration of the familiar backyard beauty that many of us have spotted fluttering through gardens on sunny days. The poll's results highlight just how much British wildlife enthusiasts cherish our native butterflies and the role they play in our everyday natural landscape. Read the full story →

Today's takeaway: When people get to vote on nature they love, it reminds us that conservation starts with connection — and the peacock's win shows Brits are deeply attached to the wild beauty right outside their doors.