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. Why not join in our one of our Events (during the summer we organise field events to show you some of our resident butterfly species and in the winter we organise conservation work days to improve the habitat for butterflies in Devon). Click here to view more details or scroll down this page to the section marked "Get Involved"
Species to look out for
Devon updates
June 2019
Our latest branch newsletter is out!!! Click here to download the June 2019 edition. Many thanks to all the contributors to the newsletter and to Pete Hurst our newsletter editor.
With the butterfly in full swing we hope your will be able to join us on one of our events. Full details are on our Events page (you will need to scroll down this page to view all the events) and make sure you check out the following dates:- 9th June - Jurassic Coast Undercliffs, East Devon; also 9th June - Dunsdon Devon Wildlife Trust reserve, near Tamar lakes. 14th June - Moth Event at New England Wood near Lee Mill; 15th June - Lydford old railway reserve; 21st June - Moth event at Dart Valley near Holne, Devon Wildlife Trust Reserve; 22nd June - Tiverton Hospital Wildlife Garden tour & walk at Cove Down Farm; 30th June - Ashclyst Forest Nr Exeter.
Please note if you are using our printed Branch Events information you also need to check the Events page on our web site incase any details have changed. There are also additional events such as the chance to see the Heath Fritillaries at the BC Lydford Reserve on Saturday 15th June (please note this is CHANGED from our original date of Sun 23rd June). Please note that booking is required for most of our Events and you should check the full details before travelling please.
We also recommend you keep a close eye on our Sightings page so that you know what species are being seen where. Please email us with your Sightings as well!.
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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UK moths battling unfair reputation
Around three quarters of the UK population (74%) have some negative opinion of moths, with many people believing the majority eat clothes and are pests, a study has revealed.
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Butterflies bounce back in heatwave summer
UK butterflies bounced back in 2018 following a string of poor years, thanks in part to last year’s heatwave summer, a study has revealed.
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Street lights affect wildflower pollination
Street lighting operating all night can alter the natural pollination of a common wildflower, a study involving Butterfly Conservation (BC) has revealed.
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Environment Bill
In July 2018 Prime Minister Theresa May announced that the Government would bring forward an Environment Bill. Butterfly Conservation (BC) understand that Defra are working on the draft of the Bill, to cover England and reserved matters in devolved countries, and this will be published before Christmas.
Events
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Devon: Field Trip - Ashclyst Forest nr. Exeter
Sunday 30th June 2019, 10:30am-2:30pm
Ashclyst Forest Gate car park
Guided walk at Ashclyst Forest best known for the White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillaries and Scarlet Tiger moths
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Devon: All the Moor Butterflies Exmoor Celebration
Tuesday 2nd July 10am - 3pm
Hunter's Inn, Heddon Valley, EX31 4PY
A series of short talks followed by a guided walk in celebration of the threatened butterflies of Exmoor and the work that has gone in to saving them.
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Devon: Moth Event - Plymbridge Woods, Plymouth
Saturday 6th July 2019, 9:00pm
Plymbridge Woods National Trust car park
Moth event at Plymbridge Woods, Plymouth
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