Butterfly Conservation
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch
Celebrating our 40th Anniversary!
1982 - 2022
Click Here to Join!

Welcome to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch of Butterfly Conservation

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.

Butterflies

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.
More about our butterflies...

Moths

Around 1940 species of moth have been recorded in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, over 600 of these on our reserves.
More about our moths...

Reserves

Butterfly Conservation has over 25 reserves across the UK, including 3 in Hampshire: Yew Hill, Magdalen Hill Down and Bentley Station Meadow.
More about our reserves...

Important message for all members.

For the foreseeable future the branch intends to publish an e-Newsletter every two months. For further information please click here.

A digital (non-pdf) version of the 2023 Branch butterfly report is now available

Click here to access the report online.

The 2022 national UKBMS Report has now been published.

Click here ... to access the report.

Butterly Walks in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight


  • You can inspect some sample pages from the book here ...
  • The Press Release about the book is available here ...
  • To order a copy of the book, please visit the NHBS web site - search under the Bookstore tab - or click here.
  • Copies will also be available for purchase (cash only) from Ashley Whitlock on the branch fieldtrips where he is the walk leader (once they resume).
  • To report any inaccuracies in the book please email here.

Sponsorship

The branch is pleased to sponsor the excellent HantsMoths website.

Hants Moths Website

05 Mar 2026: Brimstone bonanza (and a Small White) near Andover

04 Mar 2026: Monks Walk, Gosport

04 Mar 2026: Spring arrivals in Southampton

04 Mar 2026: Brimstone in Rownhams area

02 Mar 2026: Small mercies at Great Fontley

25 Feb 2026: First Sighting 2026

25 Feb 2026: Monks Walk, Gosport

25 Feb 2026: Multiple butterfliy sightings in Enham Alamein

25 Feb 2026: Brimstones in Winchester

25 Feb 2026: First Brimstone in Winchester

24 Feb 2026: An unexpected surprise in Leigh Park

24 Feb 2026: First Brimstone in Emsworth

24 Feb 2026: Male Brimstone

04 Feb 2026: First butterflies of 2026

04 Feb 2026: First local butterfly of 2026

31 Jan 2026: Spring has sprung at Great Fontley

23 Jan 2026: HASLAR SEA WALL CAR PARK SCRUB (HSWCPS) - HISTORY

19 Jan 2026: 25-year butterfly transect trends

19 Dec 2025: Another December butterfly in Enham Alamein

10 Dec 2025: Late butterflies in Chandlers Ford