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
November 2019
Do you want to do something to help Devon's butterflies this winter? Then why not join us on one (or more) of our Winter Conservation Workdays which start in November. You will find us a friendly bunch of people and we have events all around the county so that you can pick what suits you best. Members often ask what they will be expected to do on one of these workdays - well, we all do as much or as little as we each feel confident is right for us - so you can really 'stuck into' getting rid of a marathon mound of brambles or you could do a bit of gentle pruning. Its up to you!. See below in our Events section for our full list of dates - in November we have things going on on Sunday 3rd (Chudleigh Knighton), Sunday 10th (Little Breach Reserve), Saturday 16th (Lydford Reserve), Wednesday 20th (Dart valley), & Sunday 24th (Ashclyst). If one of these looks of interest to you then check out the full details on our Events listing here.
Great news - the branch is now on Facebook as well as Twitter. Look for us on Facebook as Butterfly Conservation Devon and on Twitter as @BCDevon.
In November we are still posting on our Sightings page so let us know if you have seen any butterflies, and you can catch up with our summer news in our latest newsletter.
pdf 3.05 MB
Coming up on 26th November 2019 is another event being held at the University of Exeter - Conservation in the South-West uplands: challenges and solutions. More details on this link.
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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Managing land for butterflies and moths
Our work seeks to help the development of new land management support schemes by combining the latest scientific evidence and Butterfly Conservation’s practical experience of working with farmers and land owners on the ground.
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Make your vote count!
The campaign for the Westminster General Election is now well and truly in full swing! This time it feels different, and not just because of the intense debates around Brexit. After years of trying to secure political attention, the environment has finally burst through onto the political stage.
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British and Irish moths are on the move
Scientists from Britain and Ireland who have been involved in compiling the newly published Atlas of Britain and Ireland’s Larger Moths have revealed that our moths are on the move.
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Dig It – Gardening tips for November
As gardeners, we always tend to have one eye on the present, while looking forward to the future. It rarely stops, except in the depths of winter when everything that can be done, is done.
Events
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Devon: Work Party - Miltor Mator Common near Kingskerswell
Saturday 18th January 2020, 10:30am-2:30pm
Dainton railway bridge
Continuing the essential winter clearance work, removing scrub and small trees.
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Devon: Work Party - Chudleigh Knighton Heath (south end)
Saturday 25th January 2020, 10:30am-2:30pm
Chudleigh Knighton Heath (south end)
Coppicing and scrub clearing close to where a large glade has recently been created and Pearl-bordered Fritillary is present.
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Devon: Work Party - Haldon Forest near Exeter
Saturday 1st February 2020, 10:30am-2:30pm
Haldon Forest near Exeter
Managing the early Fritillaries breeding area by mainly removing or coppicing tree growth.
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