Butterfly Conservation
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
The official account for UK wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation. Saving butterflies, moths and our environment. 🦋
https://butterfly-conservation.org/
Cover photo 📷: Eriocrania cicatricella - Eglė Vičiuvienė
https://butterfly-conservation.org/
Cover photo 📷: Eriocrania cicatricella - Eglė Vičiuvienė
Did you know that only 2% of British butterflies and moths spend the winter as an adult?
The majority survive as eggs, caterpillars or chrysalises. 🐛
You can help them by leaving dead plants where they are until the following spring 👉 buff.ly/ls5ZDU4
📷: Heath McDonald
The majority survive as eggs, caterpillars or chrysalises. 🐛
You can help them by leaving dead plants where they are until the following spring 👉 buff.ly/ls5ZDU4
📷: Heath McDonald
January 3, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Did you know that only 2% of British butterflies and moths spend the winter as an adult?
The majority survive as eggs, caterpillars or chrysalises. 🐛
You can help them by leaving dead plants where they are until the following spring 👉 buff.ly/ls5ZDU4
📷: Heath McDonald
The majority survive as eggs, caterpillars or chrysalises. 🐛
You can help them by leaving dead plants where they are until the following spring 👉 buff.ly/ls5ZDU4
📷: Heath McDonald
Happy New Year! Butterflies and moths are often seen as a symbol of hope and new beginnings 🦋
Keep an eye out for these species in your gardens and local green spaces this month, and let us know what you see.
Keep an eye out for these species in your gardens and local green spaces this month, and let us know what you see.
January 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Happy New Year! Butterflies and moths are often seen as a symbol of hope and new beginnings 🦋
Keep an eye out for these species in your gardens and local green spaces this month, and let us know what you see.
Keep an eye out for these species in your gardens and local green spaces this month, and let us know what you see.
That's a wrap on 2025! 🎉
We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of our funders, partners, supporters and members and everyone who has supported our work this year. We couldn't have achieved any of this without you. 🦋
We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of our funders, partners, supporters and members and everyone who has supported our work this year. We couldn't have achieved any of this without you. 🦋
December 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM
That's a wrap on 2025! 🎉
We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of our funders, partners, supporters and members and everyone who has supported our work this year. We couldn't have achieved any of this without you. 🦋
We'd like to say a huge thank you to all of our funders, partners, supporters and members and everyone who has supported our work this year. We couldn't have achieved any of this without you. 🦋
The Winter Moth is one of the few species able to cope with freezing temperatures ❄️
The males use their low body weight and comparatively large wings to their advantage, while the females are completely flightless!
📷: Tamás Nestor, Antony Wren, Rob Blanken
#MothMonday
The males use their low body weight and comparatively large wings to their advantage, while the females are completely flightless!
📷: Tamás Nestor, Antony Wren, Rob Blanken
#MothMonday
December 29, 2025 at 11:50 AM
The Winter Moth is one of the few species able to cope with freezing temperatures ❄️
The males use their low body weight and comparatively large wings to their advantage, while the females are completely flightless!
📷: Tamás Nestor, Antony Wren, Rob Blanken
#MothMonday
The males use their low body weight and comparatively large wings to their advantage, while the females are completely flightless!
📷: Tamás Nestor, Antony Wren, Rob Blanken
#MothMonday
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation
Small Chocolate-tip (Clostera pigra) - North Antrim, April 2025. Lovely little moth from earlier in the year. One I see more commonly as a caterpillar in summer (last image). #moths #mothsmatter #teammoth @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @europebutterfly.bsky.social
December 27, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Small Chocolate-tip (Clostera pigra) - North Antrim, April 2025. Lovely little moth from earlier in the year. One I see more commonly as a caterpillar in summer (last image). #moths #mothsmatter #teammoth @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social @europebutterfly.bsky.social
If you're hoping for a kiss under the mistletoe, you might be joined by an unexpected visitor 👀
Meet the Mistletoe Marble (Celypha woodiana)
The English name for this micro-moth comes from its caterpillar foodplant, you guessed it, mistletoe!
📷: Bill Urwin, Patrick Clement
Meet the Mistletoe Marble (Celypha woodiana)
The English name for this micro-moth comes from its caterpillar foodplant, you guessed it, mistletoe!
📷: Bill Urwin, Patrick Clement
December 22, 2025 at 11:40 AM
If you're hoping for a kiss under the mistletoe, you might be joined by an unexpected visitor 👀
Meet the Mistletoe Marble (Celypha woodiana)
The English name for this micro-moth comes from its caterpillar foodplant, you guessed it, mistletoe!
📷: Bill Urwin, Patrick Clement
Meet the Mistletoe Marble (Celypha woodiana)
The English name for this micro-moth comes from its caterpillar foodplant, you guessed it, mistletoe!
📷: Bill Urwin, Patrick Clement
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation
I had to do a double-take when I saw this Red Admiral sunbathing this afternoon! It’s always uplifting to spot a #butterfly, and this was a lovely December surprise.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
#DailyNature
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
#DailyNature
December 20, 2025 at 9:03 PM
I had to do a double-take when I saw this Red Admiral sunbathing this afternoon! It’s always uplifting to spot a #butterfly, and this was a lovely December surprise.
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
#DailyNature
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
#DailyNature
Happy Winter Solstice! Today marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year 🌙
While we cosy up, here's a little reminder of brighter days to come.
While we cosy up, here's a little reminder of brighter days to come.
December 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Happy Winter Solstice! Today marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year 🌙
While we cosy up, here's a little reminder of brighter days to come.
While we cosy up, here's a little reminder of brighter days to come.
Too late to send a card in the post? Don't worry, we've got you covered! 🦋📮
Send an eCard in time for Christmas and donate the cost of a card and stamp to help us save butterflies and moths 👉 https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecards/charities/butterfly-conservation/christmas
Send an eCard in time for Christmas and donate the cost of a card and stamp to help us save butterflies and moths 👉 https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecards/charities/butterfly-conservation/christmas
December 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Too late to send a card in the post? Don't worry, we've got you covered! 🦋📮
Send an eCard in time for Christmas and donate the cost of a card and stamp to help us save butterflies and moths 👉 https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecards/charities/butterfly-conservation/christmas
Send an eCard in time for Christmas and donate the cost of a card and stamp to help us save butterflies and moths 👉 https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecards/charities/butterfly-conservation/christmas
Dover Twist moth honoured at Dover’s 5th annual Winter Lantern Festival ✨
The tiny moth (lantern puppet not to scale) was rediscovered by Butterfly Conservation Ecologist Rebecca Levey this year, after it had been thought to have been extinct in England for 73 years!
📷: Future Foundry, Matt Wilson
The tiny moth (lantern puppet not to scale) was rediscovered by Butterfly Conservation Ecologist Rebecca Levey this year, after it had been thought to have been extinct in England for 73 years!
📷: Future Foundry, Matt Wilson
December 19, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Dover Twist moth honoured at Dover’s 5th annual Winter Lantern Festival ✨
The tiny moth (lantern puppet not to scale) was rediscovered by Butterfly Conservation Ecologist Rebecca Levey this year, after it had been thought to have been extinct in England for 73 years!
📷: Future Foundry, Matt Wilson
The tiny moth (lantern puppet not to scale) was rediscovered by Butterfly Conservation Ecologist Rebecca Levey this year, after it had been thought to have been extinct in England for 73 years!
📷: Future Foundry, Matt Wilson
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation
Butterfly numbers booming in St Albans! Managing meadows with low mow techniques and sowing wildflower seeds have resulted in a big increase in butterfly number. Congratulations to St Albans Council @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
The butterfly population at our summer meadows has increased by 350% in just three years thanks to a major wilding project.
Forty key grassland sites across the District were seeded with wildflowers and mowed only once to boost biodiversity.
More info: www.stalbans.gov.uk/news/butterf...
Forty key grassland sites across the District were seeded with wildflowers and mowed only once to boost biodiversity.
More info: www.stalbans.gov.uk/news/butterf...
December 17, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Butterfly numbers booming in St Albans! Managing meadows with low mow techniques and sowing wildflower seeds have resulted in a big increase in butterfly number. Congratulations to St Albans Council @bc-hertsmiddx.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
You might spot this moth in orbit this month 🛰️
The Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) can be found in areas of woodland and scrub from October through to April.
📷: Iain H Leach, Patrick Clement
#MothMonday #TeamMoth
The Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) can be found in areas of woodland and scrub from October through to April.
📷: Iain H Leach, Patrick Clement
#MothMonday #TeamMoth
December 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
You might spot this moth in orbit this month 🛰️
The Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) can be found in areas of woodland and scrub from October through to April.
📷: Iain H Leach, Patrick Clement
#MothMonday #TeamMoth
The Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) can be found in areas of woodland and scrub from October through to April.
📷: Iain H Leach, Patrick Clement
#MothMonday #TeamMoth
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation
Happy band of Brown Hairstreak egg counters at Alners Gorse reserve @savebutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
December 13, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Happy band of Brown Hairstreak egg counters at Alners Gorse reserve @savebutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation
Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata) - North Antrim. A species from the summer months. #magpiemoth #abraxasgrossulariata #teammoth #moths #mothsmatter @savebutterflies.bsky.social @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @europebutterfly.bsky.social
December 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata) - North Antrim. A species from the summer months. #magpiemoth #abraxasgrossulariata #teammoth #moths #mothsmatter @savebutterflies.bsky.social @ulsterwildlife.bsky.social @europebutterfly.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation
Two Peacock butterflies seen in the glorious Sussex sunshine today #SouthDowns. A proper winter treat!
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social @southdownsnp.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social @southdownsnp.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
December 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Two Peacock butterflies seen in the glorious Sussex sunshine today #SouthDowns. A proper winter treat!
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social @southdownsnp.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
@sussexwildlife.bsky.social @southdownsnp.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Meet the two new project officers 'Making Peatlands Work for Lepidoptera' 👋
Charlotte and Kay are working with partners delivering nature-based solutions in peatlands across northern England to investigate and improve the way habitat restoration can support species such as the rare Large Heath.
Charlotte and Kay are working with partners delivering nature-based solutions in peatlands across northern England to investigate and improve the way habitat restoration can support species such as the rare Large Heath.
December 14, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Meet the two new project officers 'Making Peatlands Work for Lepidoptera' 👋
Charlotte and Kay are working with partners delivering nature-based solutions in peatlands across northern England to investigate and improve the way habitat restoration can support species such as the rare Large Heath.
Charlotte and Kay are working with partners delivering nature-based solutions in peatlands across northern England to investigate and improve the way habitat restoration can support species such as the rare Large Heath.
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation
Might be useful for County Butterfly and Moth Recorders! @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Want to improve the accuracy of your wildlife data? 🦋📍
Join our Checking & Validating Your Wildlife Records webinar on Mon 2 Feb 2026. Learn how to use Record Cleaner to spot errors, apply rule-sets and prep data for submission.
Book: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1976877829...
@ukceh.bsky.social
Join our Checking & Validating Your Wildlife Records webinar on Mon 2 Feb 2026. Learn how to use Record Cleaner to spot errors, apply rule-sets and prep data for submission.
Book: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1976877829...
@ukceh.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Might be useful for County Butterfly and Moth Recorders! @savebutterflies.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation
Surprised to see a Comma on the wing at Denton reservoir this morning. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @lincsnata.bsky.social @lincswildlife.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Surprised to see a Comma on the wing at Denton reservoir this morning. @savebutterflies.bsky.social @lincsnata.bsky.social @lincswildlife.bsky.social
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation
The sun is out, and I am most glad. Brown hairstreak egg searching today. Looks like a big year! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The sun is out, and I am most glad. Brown hairstreak egg searching today. Looks like a big year! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
A brilliant Brimstone has arrived to brighten your day. Lucky you!
This surprisingly hardy butterfly is able to withstand freezing temperatures. ❄️
Get to know our Species of the Month 👉 https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/species-of-the-month-brimstone
📷: Tamás Nestor
This surprisingly hardy butterfly is able to withstand freezing temperatures. ❄️
Get to know our Species of the Month 👉 https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/species-of-the-month-brimstone
📷: Tamás Nestor
December 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
A brilliant Brimstone has arrived to brighten your day. Lucky you!
This surprisingly hardy butterfly is able to withstand freezing temperatures. ❄️
Get to know our Species of the Month 👉 https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/species-of-the-month-brimstone
📷: Tamás Nestor
This surprisingly hardy butterfly is able to withstand freezing temperatures. ❄️
Get to know our Species of the Month 👉 https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/species-of-the-month-brimstone
📷: Tamás Nestor
Thanks to YOU, our amazing supporters, we've smashed our Big Give target!
That's £75,140 that will fund vital research and conservation work to help the Dark Bordered Beauty to spread its wings and thrive once more. Thank you 💚
📷: Lindsey Bowes
#ChristmasChallenge #MothsMatter @biggive.bsky.social
That's £75,140 that will fund vital research and conservation work to help the Dark Bordered Beauty to spread its wings and thrive once more. Thank you 💚
📷: Lindsey Bowes
#ChristmasChallenge #MothsMatter @biggive.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Thanks to YOU, our amazing supporters, we've smashed our Big Give target!
That's £75,140 that will fund vital research and conservation work to help the Dark Bordered Beauty to spread its wings and thrive once more. Thank you 💚
📷: Lindsey Bowes
#ChristmasChallenge #MothsMatter @biggive.bsky.social
That's £75,140 that will fund vital research and conservation work to help the Dark Bordered Beauty to spread its wings and thrive once more. Thank you 💚
📷: Lindsey Bowes
#ChristmasChallenge #MothsMatter @biggive.bsky.social
This #InternationalVolunteerDay, we're celebrating 50 years of incredible volunteer contribution to the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme! 🦋
Hear from the dedicated volunteers who make the scheme possible 👉 buff.ly/TEquScH
#UKBMS50
Hear from the dedicated volunteers who make the scheme possible 👉 buff.ly/TEquScH
#UKBMS50
Celebrating 50 years of butterfly monitoring
The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme is celebrating its 50th survey season in 2025. This film highlights a few of the 2,500 volunteers who carry out butterfly surveys each year to contribute to the…
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This #InternationalVolunteerDay, we're celebrating 50 years of incredible volunteer contribution to the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme! 🦋
Hear from the dedicated volunteers who make the scheme possible 👉 buff.ly/TEquScH
#UKBMS50
Hear from the dedicated volunteers who make the scheme possible 👉 buff.ly/TEquScH
#UKBMS50
With one colony left in Yorkshire, the Dark Bordered Beauty is on the brink of extinction in England 🚨
After a wildfire in May 2025 destroyed part of the moth’s breeding site, it has never been more critical to expand its range to other areas.
After a wildfire in May 2025 destroyed part of the moth’s breeding site, it has never been more critical to expand its range to other areas.
December 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
With one colony left in Yorkshire, the Dark Bordered Beauty is on the brink of extinction in England 🚨
After a wildfire in May 2025 destroyed part of the moth’s breeding site, it has never been more critical to expand its range to other areas.
After a wildfire in May 2025 destroyed part of the moth’s breeding site, it has never been more critical to expand its range to other areas.
Butterflies are nature’s canary in the coalmine, and the release of this year’s biodiversity indicators in England signals a crisis in the wider environment. 🧵
December 4, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Butterflies are nature’s canary in the coalmine, and the release of this year’s biodiversity indicators in England signals a crisis in the wider environment. 🧵
Reposted by Butterfly Conservation
A rather tatty Red Admiral in my garden in Chard today 3rd Dec!
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
A rather tatty Red Admiral in my garden in Chard today 3rd Dec!
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social