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).
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 in Somerset & Bristol
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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Moth motorways could help resist climate change impact
Moths struggling to move north to adapt to climate change in the UK could be assisted by pinpointing areas where habitat restoration can give them a smoother journey.
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Half of British butterfly species on new Red List
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is warning that time is running out to save some of Britain’s best-loved insects, with the latest Red List assessment of butterflies published today, revealing a 26% increase in the number of species threatened with extinction.
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Half of British butterfly species on new Red List
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is warning that time is running out to save some of Britain’s best-loved insects, with the latest Red List assessment of butterflies published today, revealing a 26% increase in the number of species threatened with extinction.
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Moth Night 2022 - Public urged to hunt for woodland moths
Moth enthusiasts, conservationists and the public will be heading for the woods for the UK's largest annual Moth Night event - running on days and nights from 19th - 21st May.
Events
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Somerset & Bristol: Stoke Camp, Mendip Hills (Guided walk)
Sunday 29th May 2022, 11:00am-1:00pm
Stoke Camp BC Reserve, Mendip Hills
Back in the Mendip Hills and the first walk to one of our branch reserves.
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Somerset & Bristol: Halse Combe, Exmoor (Guided walk)
Wednesday 1st June 2022, 11:00am-1:00pm
Halse Combe, Exmoor
A walk around Halse Combe, Exmoor looking for Heath Fritillary (National Trust's Holnicote Estate)
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Somerset & Bristol: Lamplighters Marsh (Guided walk)
Saturday 11th June 2022, 11:00am-1:00pm
Lamplighters Marsh, Shirehampton
Lamplighters Marsh is nature reserve near Shirehampton, Bristol. A butterfly transect is walked here during the season by a team of volunteers
This will be our first guided walk to this site.
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
Nick Redman - Secretary
Alison Uren - Membership Secretary
Sue Davies - Transect Coordinator
Peter Bright - Butterfly Recorder
Ross Harley - Macro Moth Recorder
Chris Iles - WCBS Champion
Andy Danford
