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. The branch's area has a very diverse range of habitats including extensive areas of upland moorland, coastal habitats, wetlands, farmland, broad-leaved and coniferous woodland. These different habitats support a wide range of fauna and flora and a good number of butterfly species and many species of moth may be seen within the 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.
We aim to provide information about the activities of our branch in the Scottish Borders, the Lothians, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, Perth and Kinross, Fife, Angus, Banffshire and Aberdeenshire.
If you live in the region and are a member of Butterfly Conservation you automatically become a member of our East Scotland Branch.
Species to look out for
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 or ask questions too. 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 Records and Sightings menu items at the top left of this page.
Where to see butterflies
If you would like to see some of the butterflies that the East Scotland Branch area has to offer, we have revealed some of our favourite locations.
Get involved with surveys
Conservation action is absolutely reliant on information about the distribution and abundance of butterflies. Butterfly Conservation uses a number of survey techniques to gather this information.
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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Sending in Butterfly Records
Thanks to technology it is easier than ever to send in sightings of butterflies. Thousands of records are received this way every year now, and it has helped open the world of butterfly recording to people who may never have recorded an insect. But how can you go about it?
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Early Butterflies
After February's phenomenal mini heatwave no less than 7 Butterfly species were recorded within the East Branch area. Very unusual. Here are a few of the photographs showing Speckled Wood (Robert Wright) Painted Lady (Jim Montana), Peacock and Comma (Iain Cowe)
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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.
Events
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Moth Night: Tentsmuir Point National Nature Reserve
Friday 3rd May to Thursday 26th September 2019, 9:00pm-7:00am
A new monthly trapping event to be held in various locations in Tentsmuir Forest.
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Butterfly Walk: Tentsmuir Point National Nature Reserve
Saturday 4th May 2019, 11:00am-2:00pm
Come join us for a short walk looking for Green Hairstreak along the coastal path at Tentsmuir forest.
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Urban butterfly identification workshop: Granton, Edinburgh
Wednesday 8th May 2019, 10:00am-3:00pm
National Museums Collection Centre, Granton
Come along to this free event to learn how to identify and record Edinburgh's 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
Webmaster:
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:
Barry Prater