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Trees woods and wildlife
Butterflies
Woodland butterflies are some of the most thrilling and colourful woodland animals. But with a 47% decrease since 1990, protecting and increasing their woodland habitats is more important than ever.
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Blog
How to attract butterflies to your garden
Learn how to encourage butterflies into your garden with butterfly-friendly plants, butterfly feeders and more.
Danielle Wesley • 13 Mar 2020
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Blog
8 rare butterflies in UK woods and why they need our help
Learn more about eight of the rarest woodland butterflies in the UK, why they’re in trouble and where you can still spot them.
Charlotte Varela • 09 Apr 2026
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Journal
Wood Wise – woodland management for sun-loving butterflies
The autumn 2013 issue of Wood Wise examines how the careful management of open space in woodland can benefit declining butterflies such as fritillaries.
PDF (1.55 MB)
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Blog
What is the difference between butterflies and moths?
When the two look so similar, is there actually a difference between a butterfly and a moth? Find out how to separate the two and discover the truth behind some common myths about moths.
Charlotte Varela • 21 Jul 2023
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Trees woods and wildlife
Common dog violet
A charming sanctuary for butterflies, common in UK woodland. Look to the woodland floor for a flush of purple and you might see fritillary butterflies feeding and laying their eggs.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Black hairstreak
One of the rarest butterflies in the UK and the rarest hairstreak, the black hairstreak is beautiful but elusive.
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Blog
Common UK butterfly identification and facts
Identify some of the UK's most common butterflies, find out where to look for them, and learn more about their incredible lives.
Amy Lewis • 22 Jul 2019
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Blog
Signs of summer in nature
Discover the signs of the changing seasons – look for trees in full leaf, summer flowers blooming, butterflies, bats, grasshoppers and more.
Hannah Rudd • 04 Aug 2026
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Press centre
New population of rare heath fritillary found in Kent
The heath fritillary, one of the UK’s rarest butterflies, has been discovered for the first time at the Woodland Trust’s Victory Wood in Kent.