Welcome to the Warwickshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation.
Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire works alongside land owners, local authorities, conservation bodies, businesses and local people to raise awareness about the threats to our butterflies, moths, their habitats and our environment. We provide advice and practical help on how to protect these and other threatened wildlife in the region.
Several butterflies in the region such as the Small Blue and Wood White are particularly vulnerable due to habitat loss and population fragmentation resulting in small isolated colonies which become increasingly susceptible to local or regional extinction. The Wall Brown is now believed to be extinct in the region with no sightings since 2007. Other species such as the Duke of Burgundy are confirmed as extinct in the region, last seen in 1987. Warwickshire also hosts a wide variety of moths including species such as Sciota hostilis which is found nowhere else in the country.
Our members are vital to the work we do in our region. We currently have 495 branch members of Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire. Want to join us?
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Latest Butterfly Records 2019
View all of the records submitted online this year.
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Butterflies to see in February 2019
You can see up to 6 species of Butterfly during
February
in Warwickshire.
Look for:
Brimstone,
Clouded Yellow,
Comma,
Peacock,
Red Admiral,
Small Tortoiseshell,
Latest species reported in 2019
Brown Hairstreak on 27/07/2018 by Ivor Davies & Helen Burnett.
There have been 36 from a possible total of 37 butterfly species so far reported in 2019.
First Sightings
Annual first sightings data: 2018 : 2017 : 2016 : 2015 : 2014 : 2013: 2012 : 2011 : 2010 : 2009 : 2008 : 2007
Branch Activities
Our branch activities are a great way to meet new people, learn more about our butterflies, moths, their habitats and the conservation techniques used to ensure their survival.
We conduct organised walks, moth trapping and conservation days at important public and private wildlife sites across Warwickshire led by local experts.
Canal and River Trust Reward for butterflies.
After a series of visits and assessments, which saw expert judges travel across the country, an independent panel of experts, led by Christopher Rodrigues CBE, selected its finalists for the 2016 Living Waterways Awards.
From inspirational visitor centres and vibrant theatrical performances, to innovative education projects and pioneering environmental initiatives, winners are listed under nine award categories with a team of volunteers from the Warwickshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation winning the Natural Environment category for their work to save rare butterflies at Fenny Compton Tunnels. Read more...
Keith Warmington awarded Outstanding Volunteer Award by Butterfly Conservation.
Keith Warmington has made significant contributions to Butterfly Conservation in Warwickshire undertaing various roles for the branch including Chairman, Treasurer and Branch Butterfly Recorder.
In 2003 Keith co-wrote ‘Butterflies of Warwickshire – Their Habitats and Where to Find Them’.
Pictured above: Mike Slater (left) hands over the Outstanding Volunteer Award to Keith Warmington during a Warwickshire Branch Commitee Meeting in 2015.
Latest Branch News
Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire is involved in a wide range of projects and activities from conservation activities to guided butterfly walks and moth nights. For all the latest news about Butterfly Conservation Warwickshire, please visit our news page.
Latest Press Releases
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Volunteers help butterflies, moths & other wildlife in Warwickshire
Almost all of our conservation and recording efforts rely upon the goodwill of land owners and time given freely by our dedicated team of volunteers and members.
Butterfly Recorders
Casual records of butterfly sightings in your garden or while out in the countryside can be submitted online using our simple recording form. The majority of our butterfly distribution data is gathered this way.
Site Based Transect Recorders
This requires a long term commitment with the aim of gathering detailed records of butterfly numbers and species along a given route over many years. These Transects help us to assess the effects of habitat change and loss at a particular site and help inform habitat management practices to ensure the survival of important species in our area.
Habitat Management / Organised Work Parties
Much of our work involves the management of butterfly and moth habitats in the region. Tasks include scrub clearance, planting of wildflowers, erecting fencing, gates and repairing footpaths.
Much of this work takes place on important protected wildlife sites like our own Butterfly Reserve at Ryton Wood Meadows. We also work in partnership with the Forestry Commission, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, other land owners and government agencies including Network Rail, Sustrans, British Waterways and defra in order to improve habitats for butterflies and moths.
Warwickshire Branch President presented with Lifetime Achievement Award.
Margaret Vickery has made significant contributions to Butterfly Conservation for a period of over 25 years.
She wrote the Butterfly Conservation Gardening for Butterflies book in 1998, and in 2003 co-wrote ‘Butterflies of Warwickshire – Their Habitats and Where to Find Them.’
Margaret was Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Newsletter Editor for the Warwickshire Branch from 1997 to 2002. She has also acted as Chairman and Branch Organiser and was appointed as Branch President in 2009. Margaret is an outstanding individual who has shown great commitment to the conservation of butterflies throughout her career.
Pictured above: Peter Titley presents the award to Margaret Vickery at Butterfly Conservation's National AGM held in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire - November 2014.
For more informations visit the Marsh Christian Trust web site www.marshchristiantrust.org/lepidoptera
A 180 Year Old Puzzle Solved!
Summer, 1833 in Ufton Wood, Warwickshire. A young man called James Moreton Walhouse was out catching butterflies to add to his collection. Little did he know that on that day, he would catch a butterfly which would become one of the most interesting stories in the history of Warwickshire butterfly recording.
Find out more about the Great Spangled Fritillary (Argynnis cybele / Speyeria cybele) and why it took 180 years to confirm its identification.
Work Parties