Welcome
The county of Cumbria is located where the boundaries of southern and northern species of butterfly overlap which goes some way to explaining why 41 species are recorded, rather high for a county this far north.
We have the Mountain Ringlet and Scotch Argus that cannot be seen anywhere else south of the Scottish border. Large Heath is found on the Solway and Morecambe Bay Mosses, the Small Blue is present on Brownfield sites on the west coast and Marsh Fritillary fly on a few grassland sites in the north and west.
The limestone woodlands and grasslands bordering Morecambe Bay are the UK stronghold of the rare High Brown Fritillary and are also home to Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Northern Brown Argus, Silver-washed Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy butterflies.
Species to look out for
Learn more
Submit your sightings
Let us know what you have seen.
See our latest sightings
View the latest butterfly and day-flying moth sightings in Cumbria.
Get involved
News
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Coul Links golf course development deemed too damaging for nature to go ahead
Controversial plans to build a golf course on one of Scotland’s last undeveloped dune systems have suffered a significant set-back this week. Planning Officers from Highland Council have recommended the plans be refused by the North Planning Applications Committee at its 6 December meeting, a move welcomed by the Conservation Coalition campaigning to save Coul Links.
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Dr Amir Khan becomes new Vice President of Butterfly Conservation
We are thrilled to announce that Dr Amir Khan has joined Butterfly Conservation as one of its Vice Presidents.
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Create your own needle felted Jersey Tiger moth
Give yourself or a loved one the gift of craft this Christmas with a Jersey Tiger moth needle felting kit from The Makerss. With a live craft along at 10am on 20 January 2024, treat yourself or someone special, all whilst helping to secure the future of the UK’s butterflies and moths.
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Butterfly Conservation Summer Raffle Winners!
The Butterfly Conservation Summer Raffle has now come to an end and the winning tickets have been drawn! Were you one of the lucky winners?
Events
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Cumbria: Conservation Work Party at Holme Stinted Pasture, Burton-in-Kendal
Sunday 10th December 2023, 10:00am-3:30am
Holme Stinted Pasture Clawthorpe
Cutting and sawing gorse and burning. Some chain saw work possible
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Cumbria Conservation Work Party diary entry
Wednesday 13th December 2023, 10:00am-3:30am
to be confirmed
to be confirmed
Volunteer with us
Butterfly Conservation relies on the support of thousands of volunteers, and we are always looking for more help inside the office and out in the field. Whether you want to volunteer at a local branch, get outside and help manage our nature reserves, or help with one of our events, we have something for everyone to get involved in! Your time can make a real difference.
Branch information
In your area
Contact branch
- Chairman:
Chris Winnick - Treasurer:
David Eastlick