Welcome
Welcome to the Devon Branch of Butterfly Conservation. If you live in the region and are a member of Butterfly Conservation you automatically become a member of the Devon Branch.
Devon has around 39 resident butterfly species and we can help point you in the right direction on where and when is best to see them.
You can keep up to date with the branch on Facebook & Instagram as well as X (Twitter).
Species to look out for
Devon updates
Roger Bristow Memorial Walks
See our exciting new web page where you can download details of butterfly walks in Devon. These Devon Butterfly Walks are in remembrance of a much respected and highly regarded member of Butterfly Conservation, Roger Bristow, who passed away in September 2020. Roger was one of the founding members of the Devon Branch of Butterfly Conservation and he played a huge role in improving the knowledge of Devon’s butterflies. Currently we have Walk 1 - Orley Common, Walk 2 - Ashclyst Forest, Walk 3 Berry Head National Nature Reserve, Walk 4 - Kerswell Down, South Devon. Watch out for more walks coming soon.
Our latest newsletter
Our latest newsletter is the Autumn 24 edition which you can download by clicking here (and you can also find this on our Members page). All our past newsletters can also be downloaded from our Members page.
Branch Events
These are now in full swing and you can view all our Branch Events by clicking on the Branch Events button in the Menu top left of this webpage (or scroll down to the Get Involved section below). Please note that ADVANCED BOOKING IS USUALLY NECESSARY FOR ALL EVENTS and you are advised to check the online Events pages which will be updated if there are changes to any of the events, or any cancellations. Don't forget to look at Events in our neighbouring counties too - Somerset & Dorset events can be viewed on the same Branch Events page by inputting the relevant county name into a search. Cornwall branch put their events on their own web page - you can find this by putting Cornwall Butterfly Conservation into any search page on the web.
Social media
You can keep up to date with the branch on Facebook & Instagram as well as Twitter. Look for us on Facebook as Butterfly Conservation Devon, on Instagram as bc_devon and on Twitter as @BCDevon.
Get involved with volunteering
Want to help up and help Devon's butterflies - we are looking for volunteers to help us with our Branch Events - download more information here.
Branch Reserves
Devon has two BC butterfly reserves you can visit. Lydford Old Railway & Little Breach. Please click on each of these for more information.
Learn more

Latest Sightings
Have you seen a butterfly? Take a look at our latest sightings page to find out what you can see at this time of year and what species were seen each month last year!

Conservation projects in Devon
The ‘All the Moor Butterflies’ project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will help to restore and create habitat for the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, High Brown Fritillary, Heath Fritillary and Marsh Fritillary on some of the UK’s most famous moorland landscapes, including Exmoor, Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor.

Key sites to see species
Find out more about some of our main butterfly species and the best sites to see them in Devon.

Newsletters and email news
Keep up to date with all our latest news by signing up for our email newsletter or catching up on our past ones.
Get involved
News
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Four-year project records 20,000 butterflies thriving in London
Councils and community groups show how wildlife can thrive in urban spaces with help.
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Record numbers of environmental charities commit to racial diversity in bid to boost representation
The third annual RACE Report, the UK’s largest analysis of the racial diversity of the
environmental charity and funder sector, has been published today. -
Butterfly Conservation awarded £250,000 to help beautiful bog butterfly in Wales
New dedicated officer will train volunteers and oversee innovative research.
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It’s a win for butterflies! Government refuses emergency use of banned butterfly-killing pesticide on sugar beet
In a win for wildlife the Government has refused to allow the emergency use of a banned pesticide on sugar beet to protect butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Events
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Devon: Work Party - Miltor Mator Common near Kingskerswell
Saturday 15th February 2025, 10:30am-2:30pm
Dainton railway bridge
Improve habitat opportunities for a range of butterfly and moth species, including grizzled skipper butterflies
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Devon: Work Party - Lydford Old Railway Reserve
Saturday 22nd February 2025, 10:30am-2:30pm
National Trust’s Waterfall car park
Continuing the essential winter clearance work for the Heath Fritillary and other butterflies.
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Devon: Work Party - Haddon Hill, Exmoor
Tuesday 25th March 2025, 10:00am-3:00pm
Haddon Hill Car Park
You're invited to join us to help with managing an important Heath Fritillary site at Haddon Hill on Exmoor.
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
Jonathan Aylett - Branch Organiser
Marjory Taylor - Treasurer
Ray Jones