Welcome
Welcome to members of the East Scotland branch of Butterfly Conservation and to others interested in the conservation of butterflies and moths in our region. We seek to increase our knowledge of the region's butterflies and moths, to assist in their conservation and to encourage the study of these fascinating insects. We run events ourselves and support the events of other organisations too.
Gathering information to inform conservation.
We would very much like to hear about what you have seen and encourage you to take up regular monitoring of butterflies and/or moths. We have Facebook groups for moths and butterflies where you can tell us about your sightings and ask questions. We also have branch members who act as formal recorders for butterflies and moths; details about who they are and how to get your sightings to them can be found through the Recording Butterflies and Moths page.
![Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary [m & f], Clearbrook, Dartmoor, 16.5.20 (Dave Gregory)](/sites/default/files/styles/srcset_medium/public/2020-05/small_pearl-bordered_fritillary_m_f_clearbrook_dartmoor_16.5.20_dave_gregory.jpg)
What's been seen and informally sharing your own sightings
If you have seen or caught a butterfly or moth then why not share this with other branch members? It might be your first sighting of a species for the year, your first ever, or just a cracking photograph! To share your sightings, thoughts and queries or to find out what others are seeing then visit our East Scottish Butterflies Facebook Group or our East Scottish Moths Facebook Group.
Scotland also has the popular ScottishMoths email forum. This is particularly useful for those difficult identifications and also has discussions on all aspects of moth ecology and recording.
Suggested Butterfly Sites
The branch area has many good places to visit to see butterflies. We have details of some shown on a map of suggested butterfly sites.
Get involved with surveys
Conservation action is absolutely reliant on information about the distribution and abundance of butterflies and moths. Butterfly Conservation supports a number of surveys help gather this information.
Gardening for Butterflies and Moths
Gardening with butterflies and moths in mind is one of the most rewarding things you can do in your own backyard.
News
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TV Gardener Alan Titchmarsh calls on people to create a Pit Stop for Pollinators this spring.
TV gardener, and Butterfly Conservation's Vice-president, Alan Titchmarsh, calls on people to create a Pit Stop for Pollinators this spring, and provide butterflies and moths with the plants they need for survival.
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Working to save Scotland's peatlands
Scotland’s lowland bogs are vital habitat for butterflies and moths, but sadly many are in poor condition due to historic drainage for agriculture and forestry.
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Butterfly Conservation: Interview with Dr Richard Fox
Dr Richard Fox has been part of Butterfly Conservation for almost 24 years. Now Head of Science, we met with Richard to discuss his role and the importance of recording and collecting data, as well as his own love of butterflies and moths.
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Threatened butterfly species cope well in below-average butterfly year
Results from the annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) show that while the overall picture for butterflies in 2021 was poor, species that are the focus of targeted conservation efforts have fared well.
Events
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Pearl-bordered Fritillary Workshop at Dun Coillich, near Aberfeldy
Tuesday 17th May 2022, 12:00pm-3:00pm
Dun Coillich near Aberfeldy
Join us for a field workshop at Dun Coillich near Aberfeldy to learn about the Pearl-bordered Fritillary in Scotland and how to take part in this year's surveys for the species.
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Green Hairstreak survey - Pentland Hills
Tuesday 17th May
Pentland Hills
Join the Rangers at Pentland Hills to look for the beautiful Green Hairstreak
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Butterfly identification and recording workshop - Edinburgh
Wednesday 18th May
Saughton Park, Edinburgh
Join us in Edinburgh's Saughton Park to learn how to identify and record butterflies.
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
Please use the form above to contact the branch team with details of your enquiry and your location and we'll get back to you.
If you would like to make postal contact then please send to the recipient care of the Butterfly Conservation Scottish Office: Butterfly Conservation Scotland, Balallan House, 24 Allan Park, Stirling, FK8 2QG.
Chair:
Apithanny Bourne
Branch Organiser:
Glyn Edwards
Treasurer:
Dr Colin Whitehead
Secretary:
Suzanne Smith
Website manager:
Mark Cubitt
Newsletter editor and membership:
Richard Buckland
Butterfly advisor:
Duncan Davidson
Aberdeen area organiser:
Helen Rowe
Perthshire area organiser:
Cathy Cauldwell
Tayside area organiser:
David Lampard
Angus area organiser:
Paul Brooks
Fife and Clacks area organiser:
Colin Edwards
Lothians area organiser:
Richard Buckland
Borders area organiser:
Michael Scott
