Working to save Dorset's butterflies and moths

75% of British butterflies and 66% of common moths have declined in living memory. Our efforts include conservation work, monitoring butterflies and moths, and raising awareness of the problems they face. There are lots of ways you can help.  Find out more

For Butterfly Conservation’s national HQ visit butterfly-conservation.org
Two brownish and orange butterflies with white and black markings on a green leaf
Duke of Burgundy. Photo: Tracy Whincup

Butterfly monitors urgently needed for central Dorset

We have two important sites for butterflies which need more people to monitor them, and both are hilly, so you can count butterflies and get fit at the same time! Read more...

Map showing location of walks

Plea for help for Dorset Butterfly Transect walks from Steve Brown

Spring is here! The birds are singing and ten species of butterfly have been sighted: it’s going to be a good butterfly year! Five transect (butterfly monitoring) walks in North Dorset are having problems with not enough people to cover all the weeks needed Read more...

A red, black and browni butterfly with some white markings on some brown, rotting apples
Red Admiral. Photo: Stewart Balmain

First Dorset butterfly of 2025

We are delighted – if somewhat surprised, given the recent weather – to have had a Red Admiral reported, seen on 2 January 2025 in Broadstone. (Not the one in the photo above, which is from our archives). Read more...

A white butterfly with black markings on a yellow flower.
Large White. Photo: Penny Hawes

Four White Holes to fill with only 29 days left

As we said in an earlier article, we are trying to beat our previous record of filling 2609 (89.5%) of the kilometre squares in Dorset with at least one butterfly record. As of now (1 December) we are up to 2,606: just 4 squares short of beating our record. Read more...

View all

Events diary

View all

Recent sightings

Report a sighting
View all

Photo gallery

Large Tortoiseshell. Photo: Warren Port 2025

Warren found this butterfly on Turner’s Puddle Heath (south of Bere Regis) on 19 March. We’ve put a photo of his from 2024 of a Small Tortoiseshell below so you can see the difference. Read more...

View all

Species spotlight

Whtie butterfly with black tips to wings on a bright pink flower See profile

Large White

  • Family: Whites
  • Size: Large  Wingspan: 67mm
  • Regional priority: Low

Join now Join Butterfly Conservation to help us save butterflies, moths and habitats.

DonateMake a donation to help us with our work to save butterflies and moths*.

*Donations received via this link will come to Dorset Branch.

Our promise to you:

  • We will never swap, sell or rent your details to anyone.
  • We will always follow the strict code of conduct set out by the Fundraising Regulator.
  • You can change how you hear from us or unsubscribe from our mailing lists at any time, just let us know.