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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Boost garden butterfly numbers by up to 93% with one simple step, new study reveals
Letting parts of your garden grow wild with long grass can increase butterfly numbers by up to 93% and attract a wider range of species, according to new research from leading wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation.
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Double your donation today with the Big Green Match Fund!
From today, for just 7 days, your donations to support our critical conservation work will be doubled!
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More than 26,000 people help Kent moths in biggest project of its kind
Volunteers counted moths on White Cliffs of Dover, created new habitat and even found new moth populations.
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Winning big with the Butterfly Conservation Lottery!
Congratulations to Chris from Derby who recently scooped £1,000 in the Butterfly Conservation lottery.
Events
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Cumbria Field Trip, The Butterflies of Warton Crag
Saturday 4th May 2024, 10:00am-2:00pm
Warton Crag Carnforth
Targeting Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Green Hairstreak and other early Spring species.
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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
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