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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Reservoir site to become wildflower meadows with Butterfly Conservation's help
Charity donating seed from nature reserve created on farmland.
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Butterfly partnership sets out to save rare species in Wales
Landowners and volunteers work together to help beautiful Marsh Fritillary.
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Nature charities fight Scottish golf course plan - again
Internationally-important site to be discussed at public inquiry.
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Charities and firefighters launch education drive after fire destroys rare butterfly habitat
Fire service and police investigated vandalism at wildlife haven.
Events
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Devon: Work Party - Kerswell Down
Sunday 5th January 2025, 10:30am-2:30pm
Kerswell Down
Raking up and disposal of material that will be cut on the 15th October
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Devon: Work Party - Home Farm Marsh, Fremington
Saturday 11th January 2025, 10:30am-2:30pm
Home Farm Marsh, Fremington
Tree field weeding and raking up of cut material around the trees
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Devon: Work Party - Haldon Forest near Exeter
Saturday 25th January 2025, 10:30am-2:30pm
Haldon Forest near Exeter
Clearing bracken, scrub and young trees to open up an area used as a breeding site by pearl-bordered fritillaries.
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
