Welcome to the Yorkshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Butterflies are not only beautiful and fascinating creatures but are also highly responsive to the environment. David Attenborough described them as 'A thermometer of the health of our natural world' Almost every species of butterfly is in decline and a quarter are facing extinction. We have lost more than 97% of our traditional meadows and woodland in recent times so it is crucial we raise awareness about the threats facing our butterflies, moths, their habitats and our natural environment. Yorkshire Branch work in partnership with land owners, local authorities, conservation bodies, businesses and the local community to achieve this.

Here in Yorkshire the Duke of Burgundy and Pearl Bordered Fritillary are particularly vulnerable due to habitat loss and increasingly susceptible to extinction. Yorkshire also has the only remaining colony of the Dark Bordered Beauty Moth in England, on Strensall Common and is on the brink of extinction.

Become a member today and help us save butterflies, moths and their habitats. There are many rewarding roles volunteering in recording and conservation; you will be surprised to find out what is on your doorstep! We have a real challenge when 60% of children in the UK have never seen a Peacock butterfly according to a YouGov Survey and 78% of parents are concerned that children don’t spend enough time interacting with nature.

Welcome to the New Website

It might have a new look bringing together all our social media as a 1 stop shop but we have included as much as possible of the old site so lovingly created and maintained by Jax Westmoreland and we thank her for her many years service. Its a legacy we treasure and we wish her well as Nick Hall takes on the role of webmaster. Our objective with creating the new site was that it should be dynamic with fresh content every time you visit as well visual and interactive. We wish to make our Yorkshire butterflies more accessible with our 'Sites' section with an interactive map and walks. We want to tell you more about what we do and about the 100's of volunteers that help on work parties, recording and transects. There is likely much we have missed and many errors so please do flag them. Coming soon: Where, When and How for finding each of our species with fieldcraft tips along with identification guides, the Top 50 sites to visit in Yorkshire and a guide to our Day flying moths. Please do make suggestions or even a contribution and let me know what you think of the new website. webmaster@yorkshirebutterflies.org.uk

Your Guide to the Website

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Website Updates: 22nd May Conservation/Projects/Limestone Lepidoptera Species Factsheets added

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