Butterfly Conservation was formed by a small group of dedicated naturalists in 1968 following the alarming decline of many beautiful butterflies and moths, a decline that the society aimed to reverse. Our vision is of a world rich in butterflies and moths for future generations to enjoy. Butterflies are beautiful and intrinsically valuable. Together with moths, their sensitivity to environmental change makes them valuable indicators of the health of the countryside.
46 species of butterfly can be found in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. In any year, between 30 and 40 of these species can be seen on our reserves.
Around 1940 species of moth have been recorded in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, over 600 of these on our reserves.
Butterfly Conservation has over 25 reserves across the UK, including 3 in Hampshire: Yew Hill, Magdalen Hill Down and Bentley Station Meadow.For the foreseeable future the branch intends to publish an e-Newsletter every two months. For further information please click here.
Click here to access the report online.
Click here ... to access the report.
The branch is pleased to sponsor the excellent HantsMoths website.

04 May 2026: Painted Lady arrival, and Clouded Yellow?
02 May 2026: First sighting of Painted Lady
02 May 2026: Walk over Arreton Downs today
01 May 2026: Paulsgrove Chalk Pits
30 Apr 2026: Painted Lady feeding on garden thyme, New Milton
29 Apr 2026: Chalton Down, Old Idsworth
27 Apr 2026: Glanvilles on the Landslip
26 Apr 2026: Duke of Burgundy (Noar Hill) 26th April 2026
25 Apr 2026: Dukes on the wing at Noar Hill
24 Apr 2026: Monks Walk, Gosport
23 Apr 2026: Common Blue at Freshwater Bay
22 Apr 2026: Wall Brown at Yarmouth
19 Apr 2026: Paulsgrove Chalk Pits
18 Apr 2026: Small Blue at Freshwater Bay
14 Apr 2026: Hummingbird Hawkmoth
13 Apr 2026: Portsdown Hill (East)
07 Apr 2026: Fort Purbrook, Portsdown Hill