Recording butterflies and moths in Devon

We always encourage members to record Devon’s butterflies as butterflies are extremely valuable indicators of the state of the environment.

Anyone can take part in this recording effort, from butterfly beginners to experienced recorders. There are a number of different ways you can do this, but please make sure you only submit a record once by one of these methods:

• Email individual sightings to County Recorder for our sightings page (this method is ideal for first sightings of a species and other notable or interesting sightings).  If you want the record to appear on our Latest Sightings page then you must use this method.  Please use the [email protected] email address.
• Batch Recording to County Recorder - If you record a lot of butterflies (and we hope you do) our preferred way to receive your records is on an Excel spreadsheet at the end of the season (Please see our Example Spreadsheet below for layout & headings required)  
• MapMate - If you use this software then please make sure you have patch 398 downloaded and under user queries "export my records for a <vice-county> in <year>", copy and past into a spreadsheet.
• Download the Spreadsheet for Recording Butterfly Records & our Data Entry Guide  

• when you have finished the season please email it to the County Recorder via the following email address: [email protected].  
• iRecord app – This is a free butterfly recording app you can use on your smartphone. The app can be downloaded from Butterfly Conservation here.  Records that come in via this app can be viewed online at iRecord and are forwarded to the Devon County Recorder at the end of the year.  
• Moth Sightings - for information about recording Moths follow this link Devon Moth Group to the  You may also find the following pages useful.
• UK Moths
• Moth Night
• Big Butterfly Count   Join in with the Big Butterfly Count this summer
• Garden Butterfly Survey   Record the butterflies that visit your garden over a year

Other methods also used in Devon:

 More information can be found at the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme web page.

• Transects - These are records using official methods of regular monitoring for specific sites.  If you are interesting in undertaking a transect please contact the Devon Branch of Butterfly Conservation via the contact box half way down on the Devon Branch In Your Area web page.
• Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey - This scheme takes random 1km squares which are checked twice in the year, the aim being to get a general picture over the whole of Britain. If you are interested please ask for more information via the contact box half way down on the Devon Branch In Your Area web page.
• Timed Count - A species time limited count for the experienced observer - Devon's Fritillary Butterflies are generally collected by this method.

Other sites branch members may find useful

Butterfly and Moth sites:

Devon Moth Group   Moth study, recording and conservation in Devon

UK Butterflies   Useful information about butterfly species and informative articles

UK Moths   Online guide to the moths of Great Britain and Ireland

Other Wildlife Organisations:

Devon Wildlife Trust   Discover all the wildlife in Devon              

Buglife   Information about many species of insects

Other Wildlife and Conservation websites specifically about Devon:

East Dartmoor Blog   Natural England/Woodland Trust Blog about East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve