Butterflies & Moths Vinters Valley Nature Reserve QR Code Walk 1

The delicate flapping of their wings and the beautiful colours make butterflies a favourite with many people.  They are an important part of the UK’s wildlife and are highly sensitive indicators of the health of the environment.

Butterflies also play an important role in being pollinators of plants.

There are 59 species of butterfly in the UK, and 28 of them have been recorded in reserve.  Not all of them are common, but in a good year you can see 18 of them.

Butterfly species require different types of habitat.  In the reserve, we have species that require grass meadows to lay their eggs with others needing trees and nettles.

In spring, visitors may see the Orange Tip butterfly, flying along the main Valley Floor, and during the summer months see Peacock, Comma, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White & Large White on the Buddleia bushes in the Kitchen Garden & Terrace area.  

There are over 2,500 species of moth in the UK.

Birds, especially Blue Tits & Great Tits, rely on moth caterpillars to feed their young with.  Drops in the number of moths means less food available.

Below are some of the species you may see within the reserve, during September & October:

Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
The Red Admiral butterfly is medium sized with black wings, orange bands, and white spots. They can be seen almost anywhere within the reserve (when flying) and lay their eggs on Stinging Nettle.

Speckled Wood
Pararge aegeria
The Speckled Wood often perches in sunny spots, spiralling into the air to chase each other. They are seen along the path towards the lake.

Photos © Ben Kirby