Welcome
The county of Cumbria is located where the boundaries of southern and northern species of butterfly overlap which goes some way to explaining why 41 species are recorded, rather high for a county this far north.
We have the Mountain Ringlet and Scotch Argus that cannot be seen anywhere else south of the Scottish border. Large Heath is found on the Solway and Morecambe Bay Mosses, the Small Blue is present on Brownfield sites on the west coast and Marsh Fritillary fly on a few grassland sites in the north and west.
The limestone woodlands and grasslands bordering Morecambe Bay are the UK stronghold of the rare High Brown Fritillary and are also home to Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Northern Brown Argus, Silver-washed Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy butterflies.
Species to look out for
Learn more
Submit your sightings
Let us know what you have seen.
See our latest sightings
View the latest butterfly and day-flying moth sightings in Cumbria.
Get involved
News
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Get creative for nature for a chance to win!
Do you love nature and want to make sure it’s protected? Enter our competition to design a banner for the Restore Nature Now demonstration in London.
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Ready, Steady, Quiz!!
Our brand new Butterfly Conservation quiz launches today, test your knowledge on a wide variety of butterfly and moth related questions!
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Treasure hunters wanted to help find one of the rarest jewels in Northern Ireland wildlife
Nature lovers asked to get photos of beautiful ‘colour-changing’ moth.
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Gardeners back less frequent lawn mowing, poll finds, as ‘No Mow May’ begins
Almost half of gardeners do not plan to mow their lawn more than once in May, a survey suggests, as Plantlife’s annual campaign to boost nature in gardens kicks off.
Events
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Cumbria Field Trip, The Butterflies of Halecat Woods and Nichols Moss
Thursday 16th May 2024, 11:00am-2:30pm
Tom and Abi Plants Witherslack
Target species Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Green Hairstreak and a range of Spring butterflies
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The Butterflies of Kendal Fell
Monday 20th May 2024, 10:00am-2:30pm
Duke of Burgundy, Dingy Skipper and other spring species at Kettlewell Crag
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Cumbria: Field Trip, The Butterflies of Ormsgill Slag Banks, Barrow in Furness
Wednesday 22nd May 2024, 10:30am-3:15pm
Ormsgill Slagbanks, Barrow in Furness and optional Sandscale Haws
Target Species at Ormsgill: Dingy Skipper, Common Blue, Small Blue. At Hodbarrow, Wall Brown and other Spring Species
Volunteer with us
Butterfly Conservation relies on the support of thousands of volunteers, and we are always looking for more help inside the office and out in the field. Whether you want to volunteer at a local branch, get outside and help manage our nature reserves, or help with one of our events, we have something for everyone to get involved in! Your time can make a real difference.
Branch information
In your area
Contact branch
- Chairman:
Chris Winnick - Treasurer:
David Eastlick