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Butterfly Conservation

@savebutterflies.bsky.social
4.6K followers 146 following 683 posts

The official account for UK wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation. Saving butterflies, moths and our environment. 🦋 butterfly-conservation.org Cover photo 📷: Pale Tussock by Julia Martin

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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Hello October! Or should that be Moth-tober? 🎃🦋 With autumn well underway, keep an eye out for these butterflies and moths in your gardens and local green spaces.
Butterfly Conservation's Butterflies and Moths to see in October: Speckled Wood, Brimstone moth, Comma, Frosted Orange, Peacock, Angle Shades, Red Admiral, Light Emerald, and Wall.
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UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme @pomscheme.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
PoMS reaches another key milestone with publication of our modelling paper and blog on the eve of the last day of our 10th survey season!! 👏🎉 Thanks as ever to all the volunteers, partners and funders who have made this possible 🙏 🌟 More details below!
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Spot the moth 🫥 Meet our 'Wonder of the Day', the Merveille du Jour (Dichonia aprilina)! Its pale green colouring and black markings allow it to blend in perfectly with lichens and mosses. 📷: Clive Jones #MothMonday #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
A moth perfectly blended in with pale green lichen on a tree
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Dan @wildlifedan1.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I'm still seeing clouded yellows wherever I go and I think they look even more beautiful against the Autumn colours. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
In the last 120 years, we have lost over 50 species of native moths, and suspect many others are now at risk of extinction 🔴 This autumn, we're taking on a ‘moth-umental’ task to create the first-ever Red List for Britain’s macro-moths, and we need your help 👉 www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/moths-matter
A large orange-brown moth with leaf-shaped wings and a long snout, resting on a dead plant stem
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Richard Fox @richardfoxbc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
📣 New paper alert. Latest study by @mingrui-li.bsky.social as part of his PhD @uniexecec.bsky.social on the impact of public access to land on #CitizenScience butterfly recording. 🥾⛔️📋🦋 @savebutterflies.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Modelling spatial deficits in citizen science recording: a case study from UK butterflies - Journal of Insect Conservation
Abstract Citizen science data are increasingly used to infer species distributions and monitor biodiversity at large spatial scales. However, recording effort is often uneven across space, potentially...
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
It's time to give moths their moment! 📢 A vital part of our planet's biodiversity, moths are important pollinators and provide an irreplaceable link in the food chain for species such as birds, hedgehogs and bats. But they are facing a challenging future. 📷: Ethan Murphy #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
A close up of a Lime Hawk-moth with a furry face and long antennae, peering over a surface with vibrant green and purple blurred background.
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This year's #BigButterflyCount results show it was a very good summer for many of our widespread butterfly species. But how will the extreme heat and drought impact next year's populations? ☀️🦋 Dr Dan Hoare, Director of Nature Recovery, breaks down the results.
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The results are in 🦋📢 A huge thank you to the 101,565 of you who took part in this year's #BigButterflyCount! While many widespread butterfly species had a good summer, drought and record heat could impact next year’s populations. Read the full results 👉 buff.ly/V75ZHi7
A Peacock butterfly feeding on buddleia. Text overlay reads 'The results are in' with Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count logo in the bottom right. Image by Gundula Vogal
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
An amazing achievement! Congratulations Madeleine, and thank you for championing butterflies and moths 🦋👏
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Which species do you think took the top spot in this year's #BigButterflyCount? 🦋 The numbers have been crunched and all will be revealed soon. Stay tuned! 📷: Michael Preston
Painted Lady butterfly feeding on a pink flower
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Do you participate in nature-related citizen science, or would you like to? 📱🌿 @forestresearchuk.bsky.social want to know what encourages people to get involved in nature recording and what challenges they may encounter. Take part in the survey 👉 defragroup.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
A person with a green backpack bends down in a field of tall, dry grass with scattered white flowers, examining something closely with a butterfly identification guide in their hand.
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Emma Cameron @ecameron.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
One of many beautiful clouded yellow butterflies I saw on the #southwestcoastpath in South Devon. #butterflies @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The Red Underwing (Catocala nupta) knows how to make a statement 🤩 Keep an eye out for this flashy moth in woodland, parkland, scrub, riverbanks and gardens. 📷: Iain H Leach, Will Langdon, David Green #MothMonday #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
A grey-brown moth with red and black hindwings on show, resting on a green leaf
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Richard Fox @richardfoxbc.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Painted Ladies on the move - there’ve been half a dozen on our buddleia every day this week, stocking up before they head south 👋
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The seasons are changing, and so too are the butterflies and moths you can find in your wild spaces 🦋🍂 #SaveButterflies #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
This bank holiday #MothMonday, we're putting the spotlight on Abraxas, otherwise known as the Magpie moths. These beautiful species are most commonly found in the woodland and moorland areas of the UK. 📷: Magpie - Patrick Clement 📷: Clouded Magpie - David Green #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
The Magpie (Abraxas grossulariata). A moth with white wings and black and orange markings. Clouded Magpie (Abraxas sylvata). A moth with white wings and orange-brown and grey splotches, resembling bird droppings.
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Is it a hummingbird? Is it a hawk? No, it's a Humming-bird Hawk-moth! These impressive travellers can arrive in the UK at any time from April to December, but numbers usually peak in August and September. More are seen in hotter summers and when there are southerly winds. #MothsMatter #TeamMoth
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Levon Dymond @levondymond.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Found a field full of Fleabane that had loads of Clouded Yellows, including at least one of the white Helice form. Here's a slo-mo of one. @savebutterflies.bsky.social #butterflies #insects #nature #bugsky
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Mike Smith @mikecsmiffy.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Pleased to say that the first thing I saw when we got back to our garden in Dunwich after the fire was a Hummingbird Hawk-moth #moth #moths #wildlife #ukwildlife #wildlifephotography #nature #naturephotography @bc-suffolk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social
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Drew Cooper @andrewcooperx.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Green-veined White (Pieris napi) in the garden last night. Just emerged with beautiful, fresh lemon yellow wings. Photographed against Buddleia flowers in Bournemouth. @savebutterflies.bsky.social #UKButterflies
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Rambling Ray @rayrambling.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Special visit this week to Anchor Bottom, Where BC Sussex Recorded 2148 Male Adonis Blue Butterflies a day earlier with estimated 8-10k across vast Chalk Downland. Saw hundreds myself, their Magnificent Sky-Blue colour really does catch your eye! @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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@s4r4h-l @s4r4h-l.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
#MothMonday with my first ever red underwing at #PowisCastle #MothsMatter @savebutterflies.bsky.social
A red underwing moth, this beauty is rather large at around 1.5/2 inches
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Penny Relf @celastrina59.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A fun day at Burnby Hall Gardens for their very well attended Owl Adventures family event. Whisper the Barn Owl perched happily on the @bcyorkshire.bsky.social flag watching the admiring crowd! Thanks to Rose from @eastyorkshirebatgroup for the photo.
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martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
My friends garden has a rash of Convolvulus Hawkmoths at the moment! At least three last night around her Tobacco plants in Corfe Castle. Several other people have seen them locally too. I love all the pollen stuck to that huge proboscis. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
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Chris Corrigan @chriscorrigan3.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Spot the Grayling! Master of disguise... #NewForest @savebutterflies.bsky.social @arc-trust.bsky.social @newforestnpa.bsky.social
Grayling
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Rare moth makes a comeback after more than 70 years! For decades, the only site where the Dark Bordered Beauty could be found in England was Strensall Common in Yorkshire. Now a second population has been rediscovered at the National Trust's Wallington estate, providing new hope for the species.
A Dark Bordered Beauty moth, with yellow and brown patterned wings, resting on a green leaf amongst grass
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Have you spotted the vibrant flash of a Clouded Yellow this summer? These powerful fliers are regular summer visitors to the UK from North Africa and southern Europe, sometimes arriving in large waves to brighten our coasts and countryside. 💛 📷: Philip Hambly, Leigh Prevost, Will Langdon
Two Clouded Yellow butterflies are perched on Common Bird's-foot Trefoil. One butterfly is resting, wings open, while the other hovers above it. The background is a soft blur of greenery and flowers.A Clouded Yellow butterfly rests with wings closed on a thin stem against a blurred purple background.A Clouded Yellow butterfly flying above a patch of Common Bird's-foot Trefoil
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martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Nice video of @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social work with many partners to save Duke of Burgundy in Dorset, thanks to funding by @dorsetlandscape.bsky.social. Lets hope all the good work by our volunteers pays off. dorset-nl.org.uk/dorset-downs...
dorset-nl.org.uk
Duke of Burgundy Butterfly critical site management | Dorset National Landscape
The natural beauty of this AONB is described by a suite of special qualities that together make it unique and outstanding, underpinning its designation as a nationally important protected landscape.
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
21 weeks, 760 miles cycled, 25 miles walked 🚵 Congratulations to Pete Moore, Chairman of our Highlands and Islands branch, for completing his epic mission to see all 29 resident butterflies in the Highlands this summer, ending with the elusive Large White! @bchighland.bsky.social
Butterfly Conservation Highlands and Islands branch chairman Pete Moore is wearing a red fleece, binoculars and a white bike helmet. He is riding his bike on a gravel track through birch trees and heath, with a hill in the background.
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
We’re proud to support the development of a new GCSE in Natural History 🦋🎓 Combining classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork, the GCSE will help young people discover more about the natural world while building important skills for the future. 📷: Chelsea Mae Photography #InternationalYouthDay
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Judith Barnard 🦋 @butterfliesonfilm.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Guess the moth Watch to the end for the reveal Spotted in a Northamptonshire hedgerow @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social
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Bodleian Social Science Library @bodssloxford.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
🦋 With impeccable timing our butterfly jigsaw was completed just before the end of the #BigButterflyCount Have you seen any of these butterflies? Our staff spotted 6 of these species and 97 individual butterflies in nearby green spaces over 4 lunchtime counts. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Photo of a completed jigsaw puzzle displaying 20 colourful butterfly species found in the UK against a faded background of tree trunks with a border of pink, red, blue and purple flowers.
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Geoff Campbell North Antrim Moths @gcampbellphoto.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria) North Antrim - 7th August 2026. This lovely little moth is a scarce migrant, and only the second I have seen up here. #moths #mothsmatter #teammoth @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @europebutterfly.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
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Clive @stonesphotographs.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
"Green-Veined White" fluttering around the garden lavender 🦋📸 #ShareMondays2026 @savebutterflies.bsky.social @lincswildlife.bsky.social #EastCoastKin #NaturePhotography #WildlifePhotography #Butterfly #ThePhotoHour
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
The bad news: #BigButterflyCount is over for another year 😞 The good news: You can still submit the results of any counts done between 17 July and 9 August until the end of this month! 🙌 Submit any pending counts at 👉 butrfli.es/3SVFepj 📷: Brian Valentine
A Holly Blue butterfly looking inquisitively at the camera while resting on a leaf against a blurred, green background.
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Richard Fox @richardfoxbc.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Nice to get out in the field with some @savebutterflies.bsky.social colleagues in Dorset on Tues - mapping Marsh Fritillary caterpillar webs, taking part in #BigButterflyCount & moth trapping. A very fresh Small Elephant Hawk-moth was surprising in early Aug. #teammoth @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Today is the final day to get out for the #BigButterflyCount! Take 15 minutes out of your day to enjoy nature and help protect vulnerable butterflies and moths. 💚 Use the ID guide on the free Big Butterfly Count app or go to 👉 butrfli.es/3SVFepj 📷: Painted Lady - Bob Eade
Side view of a Painted Lady butterflies feeding on a yellow flower with wings closed, showing elaborate brown, grey and white patterned underwings.
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Paul Clack @paulclack.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Queen of Spain fritillary today in Hampshire. At least three in an arable margin, with clouded yellows, painted lady, vestal and hummingbird hawk-moth. @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Tara @wildtara.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
In the park so had to do another #BigButterflyCount 🦋 @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Hannah Breach @hannahbreach.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
In a neat little follow on from last post: watched a Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) investigating geranium leaves in the garden this lunchtime. Freshly laid, minute egg of a Brown Argus. #brownargus
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Ashley Cox @naturecatcher58.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
@savebutterflies.bsky.social Gotcha, found a sweet spot (not for the want of trying) at 1/8000th of a sec for this Hummer feeding on spear thistle at Ivinghoe Beacon, Bucks
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Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Our practical #volunteer work party was at St Mary's Church in Oldberrow on Tuesday carrying out the annual churchyard wildflower meadow cut. This is a wonderful biodiverse area we have been helping to manage in partnership with @caringforgodsacre.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Group photo showing volunteers and church wardens/supporters in front of St Mary’s Church. Photo taken by Tony Penycate
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Richard Fox @richardfoxbc.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Painted Lady was the star of my garden #bigbutterflycount this morning. This migrant species is having a good year - but just how good? Take part in @savebutterflies.bsky.social Big Butterfly Count this week to help us find out www.bigbutterflycount.org
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
It's the final weekend to get out for the #BigButterflyCount and help take nature's pulse 🦋 You don't need to be an expert to make a big difference for butterflies and moths. All you need is 15 mins, a spot of sunshine and patience! 👉 butrfli.es/3SVFepj Where will you be doing yours?
Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count identification guide for England with photos of each speciesButterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count identification guide in Welsh with photos of each speciesButterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count identification guide for Scotland with photos of each speciesButterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count identification guide in Irish with photos of each species
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Welcome to the Butterfly Buffet! Today's special: Tree sap 🦋🌳 Flower nectar is an important source of energy for many adult butterflies and moths, but some also have a taste for tree sap, aphid honeydew, rotting fruit and even animal dung! 📹: Charlotte Brooks
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Southbourne Seafront Transect @helice25.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Great day on our Southbourne Seafront transect supporting @savebutterflies.bsky.social Big Butterfly Count. Nice to show visitors the Clouded Yellows zipping along the undercliff. Thanks to all who helped with the display 😀 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @ukbms.bsky.social
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Jonni Price @jonniprice.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Whilst down for the LT Shrike, we headed to Prestbury Hill Reserve. A fantastic @savebutterflies.bsky.social site with 18 species of #butterflies seen including plenty of shimmering Chalkhill Blue in the midday heat. Also several Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Brown Argus, DG Fritillary & WL Hairstreak.
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Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Are there tigers in your neighbourhood? 🐯 Tiger moths are some of our most iconic day-flying moths with vibrant colours and flashy patterns, but some species can look quite similar. Here's what to look for 👇 #MothsMatter #MothMonday #TeamMoth
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Brian Christian @bcriverside28.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Slo-mo of a Hummingbird Hawk Moths in our #YorkshireDales garden this afternoon. One of several investigating the pink Phlox. @savebutterflies.bsky.social #lepidoptera #nature
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