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 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
Devon Branch Members Day & AGM 14th Oct 2023 at Crediton - download Programme here
Our latest newsletter is the Autumn 23 edition which you can download by clicking here (and you can also find this on our Members page). The newsletter contains full details about our Members Day & AGM. All our past newsletters can also be downloaded from our Members page. 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 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.
You can keep up to date with the branch on Facebook as well as Twitter. Look for us on Facebook as Butterfly Conservation Devon and on Twitter as @BCDevon.
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.
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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Ministers urged to step in and save Coul Links
Highland Council votes to grant permission for golf course development despite overwhelming opposition.
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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.
Events
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Devon: Work Party - Heathfield Reserve near Bovey Tracey
Sunday 7th January 2024, 10:30am-2:30pm
Heathfield Reserve near Bovey Tracey
Raking, clearing and coppicing at Teignbridge’s Heathfield reserve to maintain the open and warm heathland there.
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Devon: Work Party - Chudleigh Knighton Heath (old railway area)
Sunday 14th January 2024, 10:30am-2:30pm
Chudleigh Knighton Heath (south end)
Coppice small trees and bushes close to a large glade that has been cleared to encourage the population of pearl-bordered fritillaries.
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Devon: Work Party - Little Breach Reserve near Culmstock
Sunday 4th February 2024, 10:30am-2:30pm
Little Breach Reserve near Culmstock
Raking up to do after the brushcutter and also some scrub/small tree cutting.
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