It was a poor year for seven-spot ladybirds, which feed on garden aphids
Mr Oates said: "We were more than overdue a good summer and eventually we got a real cracker, although it kicked in after the slowest of possible starts.
"The way our butterflies and other sun-loving insects bounced back in July was utterly amazing, showing nature's powers of recovery at their best."
Many birds and mammals had also recovered well from the cold spring, he said.
'Collect memories'
"Importantly, we have seen more winners than losers in our wildlife year, which is a tremendous result considering where we were last year."
He added; "For most specialist naturalists, such as birders and butterfliers, it became deeply memorable because naturalists, like many other people, collect memories."
But the extended cold period was a difficult time for breeding frogs and many mammals coming out of hibernation.
It was a poor year for garden aphids, as well as the seven-spot ladybirds and birds - including tits - which feed on them.
The number of slugs was also dramatically reduced - something many gardeners are unlikely to regret.