Welcome
The Somerset & Bristol Branch covers the ceremonial county of Somerset and the city and county of Bristol. If you live in the region and are a member of Butterfly Conservation you automatically become a member of the Somerset and Bristol Branch.
For the purpose of recording Lepidoptera the region is divided into two Vice Counties (VC5 & VC6). There is an informative page and map explaining the Somerset Vice Counties on the Somerset Moth Group website.
We have four reserves – Stoke Camp and Westbury Beacon in the Mendips, Haddon Moor on the edge of Exmoor and Mount Fancy in the Blackdown Hills.
As well as the information available here, why not visit our branch website where you can learn more about butterflies and our activities in Somerset and Bristol.
Species to look out for
Find out more
Butterfly first sightings
View this season's first confirmed sightings of butterflies on the branch website.
For the latest moth sightings, visit the Somerset Moth group website.
Butterfly Walks in Somerset and Bristol (guidebook)
This beautifully illustrated guidebook provides everything you need to know on where to spot every species of butterfly this part of the country has to offer, including the previously extinct Large Blue.
Get involved
News
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Coul Links: The right decision
The wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation Scotland warmly welcomes the Scottish Government’s refusal of the application for a golf course on Coul Links, near Dornoch in East Sutherland.
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Making Space for Butterflies in Mendip - Somerset Wildlife Trust
Somerset Wildlife Trust has now successfully completed its year-long ‘Making Space for Butterflies in Mendip’ project with Aggregate Industries, which worked to improve butterfly habitat and food sources in the Mendip Hills area
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The ‘bog squad’ celebrates six years of success in protecting Scotland's peatlands
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation celebrates six years of the incredibly successful ‘Bog Squad’ initiative this March.
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Who will protect the protectors?
Butterfly Conservation are shocked and deeply saddened at the recent murders of Mexican butterfly activists Homero Gómez González and Raúl Hernández Romero.
Events
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Somerset & Bristol: Winter Social
Saturday 29th February 2020, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Ruishton Village Hall, Cheats Road, Ruishton, Taunton TA3 5JD
This is our annual get-together, where we have the opportunity to catch up with each other and to show photos of our recent butterfly adventures and holidays.
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
Post vacant - Treasurer
John Andrews - Secretary
Julian Rawlins - Transect Coordinator
Peter Bright - Butterfly Recorder
Ross Harley - Macro Moth Recorder
Chris Iles