Welcome
Gloucestershire is a wonderful county for nature and offers something for everyone. We have a wide range of habitats including urban areas in Gloucester and North Bristol, wild areas in the Forest of Dean, open commons such as Minchinhampton and Rodborough, old quarries like Breakheart near Dursley.
There are well over 100 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) containing a variety of rare and interesting plants, insects and other wildlife. Butterfly Conservation owns three reserves in the county - the Bill Smyllie Reserve, the Masts Reserve and Rough Bank.
Nearly 50 species of butterfly and over 1700 species of moth have been recorded in the county.
Species to look out for
Find out more
Discover moths at Rough Bank Reserve
Moth recording has been taking place at Rough Bank since Butterfly Conservation purchased the site in 2012. We now have records for hundreds of species, so take a look at our list of what you can find at the site.
Butterfly walks booklet
Sale now on - save up to 33%
The 2nd Edition of the Butterfly Walks in Gloucestershire booklet is now available. As well as walks, we've added an extra list of good butterfly sites around the county and a guide to the flight times of our butterflies to help you decide which walk to do and when.
Get involved
News
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Species on the Edge launches with the Small Blues at Logie Quarry
A new and exciting conservation project called Species on the Edge will launch at a free family fun day event hosted by Butterfly Conservation Scotland at Logie Quarry, near Tain, on Saturday 3 June.
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Butterflies find safe haven in UK gardens, new research reveals
New research published by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) reveals how the UK's gardens are acting as a safe haven for butterflies.
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Europe's grassland butterflies in steep decline
A new report on the trends of grassland butterflies across Europe has shown numbers have declined by 36% over the last decade.
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Coul Links - again!
If you have been following the saga of Coul Links in East Sutherland you will know that the original proposal for a golf course was turned down by the Scottish Government. In July last year another application was submitted. Here's an update on our objection.
Events
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Yew Tree Farm Nature Day
Sunday 11th June 2023, 9:30am-1:00pm
The owners invite you to join them and other organisations in an exploration of the farm’s habitats and wildlife, including meadow, orchard, garden and pond. Moth traps, butterflies and limestone grassland plants.
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Stratford Park - Bioblitz 2023
Monday 12th June 2023, 1:00pm-7:00pm
In Stratford Park we are doing a Bioblitz on the 12th of June Full details of that are here: https://www.stroudvalleysproject.org/events/stratford-park-bioblitz-2023
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Daneway Banks
Wednesday 14th June 2023, 11:00am-1:30pm
A walk to see Large Blue and other butterflies. Meet at gate opposite Siccaridge Wood SO936034, nearest postcode GL7 6LN, W3W fearfully.farm.dandelions. Limited parking is available at SO939033 (not in pub car park unless eating there)
Booking required. Contact Chris Wiltshire 01453 545509, @email
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.