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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Big Butterfly Count 2021 sees lowest ever number of butterflies recorded
Wildlife charity warns that we must act now if we are to save the UK’s butterflies and moths for future generations.
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Tribute to Douglas Boyes
We at Butterfly Conservation, Newcastle University and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the recent sudden loss of Douglas Boyes. A supremely talented, enthusiastic and dedicated young scientist he was also a kind and generous colleague to those he worked with, and a young man who had already achieved so much in his career and life to date.
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Butterfly Conservation’s Craft Club is Back
Our craft club returns on January 20th 2022 and this time you can felt your own Red Admiral butterfly.
Suitable for complete beginners as well as more experienced crafters, you’ll receive all the materials you need to take part.
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Call to landowners to help save threatened West Wales butterfly
The threatened Brown Hairstreak butterfly’s range in South-west Wales has more than halved in the last decade, a new study by Butterfly Conservation South Wales Branch reveals.
Events
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Cumbria: Conservation Work Party at Yewbarrow, Witherslack
Wednesday 20th October 2021, 10:00am-3:30pm
Yewbarrow, Witherslack
Continuing cutting, clearing and burning scrub to make a new coupe
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Cumbria: Conservation Work Party Halecat Woods
Wednesday 3rd November 2021, 10:00am-3:30pm
Halecat Woods, Witherslack
Maintain the ride habitat for early summer butterflies at Halecat Woods using loppers and bow saws.
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Cumbria: Conservation Work Party Holme Stinted Pastures, Burton-in-Kendal
Sunday 7th November 2021, 10:00am-3:30pm
Holme Stinted Pasture, Clawthorpe
Cutting and burning scrub using bow saws, loppers.
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
