This is a list of places where, on a suitable day, you are likely to be able to see the species listed. Unfortunately, as with most things in nature watching, nothing is certain (but isn't that part of the attraction?) and no guarantees are given!

The list is not comprehensive and only notes the more unusual or interesting insects that may be seen. In the case of moths, only the day flying species are given.

If you are interested in a particular species you should check the best time of year for this to be on the wing.

As time goes on we will be adding links to further information about the locations and species in this list but please bear with us as we assemble this information.

Ainsdale Dunes, Sefton Coast: SD 302 112  

  • Butterflies - Dark Green Fritillary, Grayling, Common Blue        
  • Moths- Grass Eggar, Cinnabar, Portland Moth

Beacon Fell: SD 565 427

Birkbank Bog, Nr Lancaster: SD 527 604

  • Butterflies - Green Hairstreak, Green Veined White, Orange Tip  
  • Moths - Fox Moth, Emperor Moth, Common Heath

Boilton Wood, Preston: SD 58 31

  • Butterflies - Large Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Meadow Brown

Cross Hill Quarry, Clitheroe: SD 745 434

  • Butterflies - Large Skipper, Common Blue     

Cuerden Valley Park, Bamber Bridge: SD 565 238

  •  Butterflies - Orange-tip, other common species  

Eaves Wood, Silverdale: SD 470 760

  • Butterflies - Large Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Purple Hairstreak, Green Hairstreak, Northern Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Grayling, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Ringlet.

Fleetwood Nature Park: SD 337 466  

  • Butterflies - Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Copper, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath
  • Moths Shaded Broad-bar

Gait Barrows NNR, Silverdale: SD 48 77 

Public and permissive paths, dogs not allowed off public footpaths.  

  • Butterflies - Dingy Skipper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Purple Hairstreak, Green Hairstreak, White-letter Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Northern Brown Argus, Duke of Burgundy, Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, High Brown Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Wall, Grayling, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper.     
  • Moths - Speckled Yellow, Anania funebris (B&W)

Heysham LNR: SD 405 598  

Note:  Dogs on leads only in nature park, or can run free in 'landscape strip' to south 

  • Butterflies - Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Wall, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Grayling.

Hindburndale: SD 648 634      

  • Butterflies White Letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak  
  • Moths - Clouded Magpie

Lytham St. Annes Nature Reserve: SD 310 300            

  • Butterflies - Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue, Small Copper, Gatekeeper, Wall, Meadow Brown, Grayling
  • Moths - Lattice Heath, White Satin, Yellowshell, Six Spot Burnet.

Mere Sands Woods: SD 447 160

  • Butterflies - Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Small Copper, Gatekeeper, Wall, Meadow Brown
  • Moths - Latticed Heath

Myers Allotment reserve, Silverdale: SD 473 750

  • Butterflies – Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Purple Hairstreak, Northern Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Wall, Grayling, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Ringlet.

Click here to find out more about Myers Allotment, Butterfly Conservation's only reserve in Lancashire.

Peel Park and the Coppice, Accrington: SD 771 292

Rivington Reservoirs: SD 62 16  

  • Butterflies - Green Hairstreak          

Rossall Point, Fleetwood: SD 315 479

  • Butterflies - Common Blue, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Large White, Small White, Painted Lady, Red Admiral. 
  • Moths - Six Spot Burnet                                    

Salt Hill Quarry Clitheroe: SD 755 425           

  • Butterflies - Small Skipper, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell
  • Moths - Cinnabar, Silver Ground Carpet, Yellow Shell

Trowbarrow Quarry, Silverdale: SD 481 755           

  • Butterflies – Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Purple Hairstreak, Northern Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Wall, Grayling, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Ringlet.

Warton Crag: SD 490 727           

  • Butterflies - Large Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Green Hairstreak, Northern Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, High Brown Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Wall, Grayling
  • Moths - Cistus Forester (green), Least Minor, Chimney Sweeper

White Coppice: SD 617 190           

  • Butterflies - Green Hairstreak
  • Moths - Orange Underwing

Wigan Flashes: SJ 58 02  

  • Butterflies - Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Copper, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Wall, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper      

Winmarleigh Moss: SD 44 77                

  • Butterflies  - Large Skipper, Large White, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Large Heath (davus), Meadow Brown              

Yarrow Valley Park, Chorley: SD 57 15 

  • Butterflies - Common Blue, other common species    

Yealand Hall Allotment: SD 493 762

  • Butterflies - Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Purple Hairstreak, White-letter Hairstreak, Northern Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Grayling, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Ringlet.
  • Moths – Speckled Yellow, Least Minor, White-spotted Sable.       

Further information

You can purchase a book with further information about sites for Butterflies and Day-flying Moths in Lancashire - find out more.

The North of England Regional Conservation Strategy also lists sites and landscapes important within the context of Northern England.