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.

14 Apr 2026: Hummingbird Hawkmoth
07 Apr 2026: Fort Purbrook, Portsdown Hill
07 Apr 2026: Green Hairstreak at Freshwater
06 Apr 2026: Stockbridge Down - Grizzled Skipper
26 Mar 2026: Another newly-emerged Orange Tip sighted today
26 Mar 2026: Update to recent post
26 Mar 2026: Another Orange-tip (and a Speckled Wood)
23 Mar 2026: Orange Tip and Holly Blue - unusually early emergence
23 Mar 2026: Orange Tip and Holly Blue - unusually early emergence
23 Mar 2026: Another day. another early butterfly at Marwell
21 Mar 2026: Small Tortoiseshells emerge from hibernation.
21 Mar 2026: Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Freshwater.
19 Mar 2026: Large Tortoiseshell at Yarmouth.
18 Mar 2026: Bedhampton Sightings
18 Mar 2026: Butterflies in Rownhams
05 Mar 2026: Brimstone bonanza (and a Small White) near Andover
04 Mar 2026: Monks Walk, Gosport
04 Mar 2026: Spring arrivals in Southampton