Butterfly Conservation

@savebutterflies

The official account for UK wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation. Saving butterflies, moths and our environment. 🦋 Cover photo 📷: Peacock (Aglais io) - Gundula Vogal

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Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· 20d

With the #BigButterflyCount well underway, keep your eyes open when spotting differences between species 👀 Tiny white dots on the underside of the hindwing mean you've spotted a Gatekeeper - there are none on Meadow Brown!

Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count guide to identifying Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown butterflies. Cut-out image of Meadow Brown with wings open. Annotation next to it reads: "Mostly brown with patches of orange around the eyespots on the forewings". Cut-out image of a Gatekeeper underneath with annotation: "Generally smaller and mostly orange"

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· 24d

Look out for the beautiful Comma in Northern Ireland this summer 👀 The Comma is a master of camouflage, transforming into a dead leaf simply by closing its wings. 🍂 📷: Andrew Cooper #BigButterflyCount

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· 25d

You don't need to be a butterfly expert to get involved in the #BigButterflyCount! 🦋🔎 Use our free identification guides for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to help you. Download and take part here 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj

Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count identification guide for England with photos of each species

Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count identification guide in Welsh with photos of each species

Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count identification guide for Scotland with photos of each species

Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count identification guide in Irish with photos of each species

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· 25d

The Big Butterfly Count 2026 is here and butterflies need our help! 🦋 From now until 9 August, spend just 15 minutes outside counting the butterflies you see and help us take nature's pulse. The best part? Anyone, anywhere can take part. Count yourself in 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· 26d

The Large White had its best year on record in last year’s #BigButterflyCount with a whopping 396,510 records 🥇 Will it be number 1 again this year? Find out by taking part in the Big Butterfly Count from tomorrow! Count yourself in 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· 27d

The Small White was the second most counted butterfly in last year’s #BigButterflyCount with 318,762 sightings - an incredible increase of 128% from 2024!🦋👀 You don't have to be an expert to help butterflies and moths. Get ready to count from this Friday 18 July to Sunday 10 August.

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· 28d

3 days until #BigButterflyCount 2026 lifts off! 🦋 The Gatekeeper took third in last year's count with 236,425 sightings. Despite a slight increase from 2024, this butterfly has seen a 22% decline since the count began. With over 80% of UK butterfly species in decline, every single sighting counts.

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jul 10

What's this? A Red Admiral has fluttered onto your feed to let you know that the Big Butterfly Count is just 1 week away! Are you in? Get ready to count 👉 https://butrfli.es/3SVFepj 📷: Michael Preston

A Red Admiral butterfly faces directly at the camera while feeding on buddleia flowers against a vibrant green background

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jul 5

Big Butterfly Count is coming to two RHS garden shows this summer! 🦋🌼 We're proud to be collaborating with garden designers Amanda Thomas and Emma Atkinson, who will be creating insect-friendly havens at RHS Sandringham and RHS Badminton. Read more about their designs 👉 buff.ly/uI1WwsO

Emma Atkinson's garden design will feature between 250 and 300 plants, including an alder buckthorn bush, a crab apple tree and a sea of sweet-smelling purple and pink flowers such as Echinaceas, Savlias and Oregano. At its heart will be a bench where visitors can sit and count the butterflies that she hopes will visit.

Amanda Thomas' Butterfly Sanctuary Garden design features nectar-rich planting, native hedging, a wildlife pond and a garden room set among trees.

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jul 3

Thanks to the dedication of local volunteers, the Duke of Burgundy is hanging on in the Chiltern Hills 🦋 Last winter alone, volunteers from our Upper Thames branch took part in 21 work parties, planting hundreds of cowslips and caring for patches of habitat the Duke depends on. 📷: Bob Eade

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jul 2

PESTICIDE UPDATE 🚨: The Government has been found to have legally failed in protecting butterflies and the environment from toxic neonicotinoid pesticides

Close-up of a field of crops being sprayed by a mechanical sprayer attached to a tractor. Text overlay reads: "Pesticide Update. UK Government failed to comply with law over banned pesticides."

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jul 1

Here are just a few of the brilliant butterflies and moths to look out for in your gardens and green spaces this month! 🦋🌻 See how many you can spot in the Big Butterfly Count from 17 July - 9 August 👉 https://bigbutterflycount.org/

Butterfly Conservation's Butterflies and Moths to see in July: Common Blue, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Painted Lady, Silver Y, Peacock, Six-spot Burnet, Meadow Brown, Garden Tiger, Small White

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 25

Want to make sure your Government does their bit? Become a campaigner and join the Big Insect Rescue 👉 butterfly-conservation.org/big-insect-r... 📷: Sue Earnshaw

Large White butterfly and bee flying to or away from a purple scabious flower against a dark red and orange blurred background

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 25

10% want more protected habitats for wildlife, and 9% want government to make new housing and land developments nature–friendly.

10% want more protected habitats for wildlife and 9% want nature at the heart of new developments. Graphics of a butterfly flying over a plant and a moth on a brick wall.

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 25

15% want government to provide resources for farmers to go nature–friendly, and 15% want a priority on restoring clean rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.

15% want more support for nature-friendly farmers and 15% want clean water now. Graphics of a hand holding a plant and a water droplet with arrows going around it.

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 25

4 in 10 want to see pesticide use banned from our homes, local parks and landscapes.

4 in 10 want pesticide use banned from our homes, local parks, and landscapes. The image features a large green leaf and a light green butterfly.

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 25

Insects need urgent action from all of us 🦋🐝🪲 In 2025, we joined forces with Buglife and @bumblebeetrust.bsky.social to gather thousands of opinions on how everyone in the UK can work together to save insects. Here are the ways you want to see your Government taking action this #InsectWeek 👇

Brimstone butterfly feeding on an orange flower with a bee coming in to land. Text reads "What you want to see in THE BIG INSECT RESCUE". Image by Sue Earnshaw

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 20

Through the Borderlands Project, we’re working with farmers and communities to support sustainable hill farming, restore biodiversity, and protect this butterfly’s stronghold. 📷: Apithanny Bourne

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 20

Around 40% of the entire UK population of Northern Brown Argus can be found on the hillsides of southern Scotland, alongside its sole caterpillar foodplant, Common Rockrose. 📷: Apithanny Bourne

Northern Brown Argus butterfly resting on Common Rock Rose

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 20

There is nothing quite like walking through a blooming, buzzing meadow in June 🌼🌿 At this time of year, the tiny Northern Brown Argus can be seen flying low over sheltered flowery grasslands. 📷: Iain Leach

Northern Brown Argus butterfly on common rock rose

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 19

ONE MONTH TO GO 📆🦋 Will you be joining us for the world’s biggest survey of butterflies? Spend 15 minutes outside counting butterflies and help take nature's pulse by taking part in the #BigButterflyCount from 17 July – 9 August. You'll find it surprisingly, surprisingly pleasant. 🍃

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 17

Good news for the rare Duke of Burgundy! 🎉 2025 was the best year on record for the species in Kent, with nearly 600 butterflies counted - an increase of more than 9000% from 2005. This incredible increase is thanks to the dedicated efforts of conservationists, farmers and volunteers. 📷: Bob Eade

Side view of a Duke of Burgundy butterfly resting on a primrose leaf with wings closed

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 15

Thanks to Gaynor in Staffordshire for sharing this photo of a stunning Scarlet Tiger moth in her garden. In German, the species is known as ‘schönbär’ which translates to ‘Beautiful Bear’. Have you spotted a tiger in your garden? 📸 Gaynor Roberts #MothMonday #MothsMatter #TeamMoth

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 11

60 butterflies. One favourite. The nation has spoken... Britain's Favourite Butterfly is the mighty Peacock! 👑🦋 #BritainsFavouriteButterfly

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 11

Ban butterfly-killing pesticides for good ❌ Despite repeated promises to ban them, the UK Government has quietly granted yet another 'emergency' license to spray butterfly-killing pesticides across our fields this summer.

Close-up of a field of crops being sprayed by a mechanical sprayer attached to a tractor. Text overlay reads: "Ban butterfly-killing pesticides for good. No 'emergency' authorisations. No exemptions."

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 9

Voting for Britain's Favourite Butterfly may have closed, but the vote for banknotes has just begun! 💷🦋 We're thrilled that the iconic Marsh Fritillary butterfly has made the Bank of England's shortlist for the next series of banknotes.

A Marsh Fritillary butterfly on a £5 note. Text above reads 'Butterflies on a banknote'.

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 7

Today is your last chance to see your favourite crowned #BritainsFavouriteButterfly! 🦋👑 Who are you rooting for? Vote now 👉 https://britainsfavouritebutterfly.co.uk/?utm_source=Social_Media&utm_medium=Social_Media&utm_campaign=BFB_2026&utm_id=BFB_2026 Illustrations by Richard Lewington

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 6

220 miles, eight days, one special butterfly! 🚲🦋 In less than a week, Butterfly Conservation Chair Simon sets off on an epic journey to raise funds to protect the rare Northern Brown Argus in the Scottish Borders. Support Simon on his Bike for Butterflies 👉 buff.ly/dRT82n6 📷: Iain Cowe

Northern Brown Argus butterfly basking on grass

Simon's Bike for Butterflies 2026 route map across the Scottish borders

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 3

This #VolunteersWeek we're celebrating the winners of our 2026 Volunteer Awards! 🦋🌟 These incredible individuals have gone above and beyond to make a difference for butterflies and moths. Meet the inspiring volunteers 👉 butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blo...

A collage of this year's Volunteer Awards winners, including a group shot of a volunteer work party taken by Neil Hulme.

Butterfly Conservation@savebutterflies· Jun 2

Did you catch the magnificent Marsh Fritillary on #Springwatch? 🦋 This striking butterfly with orange, yellow and brown chequered wings was once so common in Northern Ireland that in the 1850s farmers recorded fields swarming with caterpillars in the autumn! 📷: Tim Melling