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
May 2019
Many of our Devon butterfly species are now on the wing and in May we have a number of exciting events that you can attend to see some of our butterflies at their very best! Full details are on our Events page and make sure you check out the following dates:- 5th May - Great Torrington Commons, 16th May - Hembury Woods, 25th May - Cookworthy Woods Nr Holdsworthy.
If you would like to help survey our Devon Marsh Fritillary population then there is a workshop on 23rd May and the branch will also be joining in the Spring Woodland Festival at Yarner on the 19th May.
A new addition to the Branch Events in June is also now up on the web site - a 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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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.
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The nocturnal pollinators: scientists reveal the secret life of moths
Scientists have discovered that moths may play a much broader role as plant pollinators than previously suspected.
Events
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Devon: Threatened Butterfly and Moth Survey Training
Thursday 23rd May 2019, 10:30am-3:00pm
Hound Tor Car Park, TQ13 9XG
An identification and survey workshop focused on Marsh Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, and Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth.
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Devon: Field Trip - Guided walk at Cookworthy Woods near Holsworthy
Saturday 25th May 2019, 1:00pm
Gatherly moor entrance to Cookworthy Woods
Guided walk at Cookworthy Woods near Holsworthy, for Wood White & Grizzled Skipper.
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Devon: Field Trip - Jurassic Coast Undercliffs East Devon
Sunday 9th June 2019, 10:30am
Whitlands, grid ref. SY 306 910
Guided walk through Jurassic Coast Undercliffs NNR starting with a look at moths caught the night before then focussing on Humble Glades.
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