Blog

Summers never seem long enough here in the UK, and later in June there’ll be the summer solstice, after which the days will begin getting shorter again. So all we can do is make the best of these long days and short nights by being outdoors as much as possible to soak it all up. 

In May our gardens are getting into the swing of summer. Here is what you can do to make your garden better for wildlife. 

Butterfly Conservation's Head of Volunteering & Education, Kate Merry, invites us into her home as she and her family adjust to life in lockdown.

Many people have started recording moths in their gardens for the first time since the lockdown was introduced. The number of species that can be seen may be intimidating at first so we have produced this guide to the commonest species that can be found at the moment.

We’re delighted to be able to share a guest blog post from our very own Dr Phil Sterling.

The Southern Small White is heading our way from Europe, says Butterfly Conservation's International Director.

This April, with life not as we know it, our gardening tips get creative. 

Introducing Fiona Bell, PhD student at the University of Liverpool, who is currently researching the Grizzled Skipper butterfly and its response to a changing climate.

In November 2019 Butterfly Conservation, in partnership with MothsIreland, published the Atlas of Britain and Ireland’s Larger Moths. 

Climate change is causing shifts in the distribution of Lepidoptera in Britain, with southern species expanding northwards at an increasing rate over the past 50 years.

A major new project is in progress with the aim to better monitor butterfly population trends across Europe.

Natura 2000 is the network of nature protection areas designated through the European Union.

We chat to Karen Goldie-Morrison, Butterfly Conservation’s new Chair.

In support of the Government's Year of Green Action and our #iwill4nature pledge, Butterfly Conservation is hoping to connect more young people than ever before with wildlife this year, teaching them about butterflies and moths and inspiring them to take part in social action to improve the natural environment. Last summer we hosted a work placement for 15-year old Harry Holyer who tells us what he learnt from his time with us.

By the time February comes around, it can seem like such a long time since anything new grew in the garden.

Caroline Nicholson, Manager of Devon Recovery Learning Community talks about getting back to nature and how working with Butterfly Conservation and our National Parks has helped improve people's mental health.

Caroline Nicholson, Manager of Devon Recovery Learning Community talks about getting back to nature and how working with Butterfly Conservation and our National Parks has helped improve people's mental health.

Today, an edited version of an open letter to the Prime Minister was printed in The Times. It calls on Boris Johnson to stop and rethink current plans for HS2 in light of the hugely damaging impact it'll have on our natural world. Signed by the UK's environmental charities and ambassadors, the full letter can be read here.

Northern Ireland might only be a small country perched at the North-Western edge of Europe but we think it is a very special place.

Cultivate your passion for gardening this January with our latest blog from the Secret Gardener.

Want to make eco-friendly and green New Year's resolutions that will help save our environment? Try these top tips from Butterfly Conservation staff for a better year ahead, both for yourself and our wildlife.

As our climate increasingly warms, the UK’s peatlands are put under ever greater pressure. Find out how Butterfly Conservation is working alongside volunteers to protect this unique habitat.

December tends to be a busy month for both people and birds, but for differing reasons. We have the excitement of preparing for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, whilst our garden birds will be doing all they can to survive the shorter days and much longer colder nights.

Here are CJ Wildlife’s top tips for helping your garden birds this winter.

275 years of moth recording in one publication.

Let us answer what to do with a hibernating butterfly in your home, garage or shed.  The best solution is to rehouse the butterfly into a suitable location. Catch the butterfly carefully and place it into a cardboard box or similar, in a cool place for half an hour or so to see if it will calm down.

Find out how a group of nature enthusiasts can be developed into a skilled, effective and supportive team of butterfly recorders.

The State of Nature 2019 report has recently been published by a partnership consisting of more than 50 organisations drawn from conservation NGOs, research institutes and UK and national governments working together to provide an up to date assessment of the state of the UK’s wildlife across land and sea.

One of the things I enjoy most about our Back from the Brink project is its variety. Not just the variety of species that we are working to protect, but also the variety of activities that we get to do in order to achieve these aims. After another busy year it seems like a good time to reflect on some of the highlights over the past 12 months.

Trick-or-Treat? Discover 10 Magical Moths for Halloween.

Unusual traits have been found in Grayling butterflies in North Wales and a new study looks at how life cycles are affected by environmental factors.