This page shows  Butterflies that have been seen in Devon during 2007.

Go to 2006 sightings. To go to a particular month click on tags below.

The following 47 species have been reported so far:-
January: Red Admiral, Brimstone, Peacock  February:  Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Speckled Wood, 
March:  Small White, Holly Blue, Painted Lady, Wall Brown, Orange Tip  April:  Clouded Yellow, Green Veined White, Large White, Small Copper, Green Hairstreak, Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Small Heath, Wood White, Small Blue, Common Blue, May: Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary,
Brown Argus, Heath Fritillary, Small Blue, Large Skipper, Glanville Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, June: High Brown Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Marbled White, Silver Washed Fritillary, White Admiral, Ringlet, Large Tortoiseshell, Small Skipper, Grayling, July: Gatekeeper, Purple Hairstreak, White Letter Hairstreak, Essex Skipper, August: Chalkhill Blue, Swallowtail, September:  Brown Hairstreak October:
November:

Day flying moths:  February: Humming Bird Hawk Moth, Jersey Tiger, Six Spot Burnet

1 January
A Red Admiral seen flying up the front of the house at 10.45am at Stowford near Chittlehampton (SS625265) by Mike Braid.

3 January
A Red Admiral seen by Arian Jupp flying in breezy, overcast conditions on Monkerton Link Road Exeter (SX962938).

14 January
A Red Admiral seen by Ann Kingston on the Tarka trail near Yelland (SS485325)

15 January
A Red Admiral seen by Sue Bruce on the Tarka trail near Wrafton (SS494352).

16 January
Another Red Admiral at Stowford near Chittlehampton (SS626264) basking in a warm spot around midday, seen by Mike Braid.
Ray Jones reported a Red Admiral flying across his garden at Tiverton (SS946127)

Two Brimstones (a male and female) and a Red Admiral seen on Witheridge Moor ( SS 862160) by Roger Crouch.

19 January
A "freshly dead" Peacock found by Ray Jones on a roadway at Tiverton (SS952128) (Amended record  4/2/07)

2 February
Derek Smith reported seeing a Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral and remarkably a Humming Bird Hawk Moth in his garden near Paignton (SX8676010)

3 February
Two (and possibly other) Red Admirals seen at Tiverton (SS110924) by Anne Redston.
A Red Admiral seen by C.R.C. Paul at Uplyme (SY335934).

4 February
Pete Hurst saw a Brimstone male at Bovey Heath(SX821772).
Ray Jones saw a Red Admiral at Tiverton(SS946127) and two more at Topsham flying near the quay (SX967891).
John Randall saw a Brimstone and a Red Admiral at Bovey Heathield DWT reserve (SX825769).
Rosalie Rhodes saw a Red Admiral at Halwell Farm (SX535525).
A Comma seen by Marjory Brunt at Slapton Ley (SX820443).
A Red Admiral seen at Uplyme(SY328935) by C.R.C. Paul.
James Hearfield reported a Humming Bird Hawk moth at Topsham (SY968880)

5 February
A Red Admiral seen at Uplyme(SY328935) by C.R.C. Paul.

14 February
A Red Admiral seen in warm sunshine at West Stowford near Chittlehampton(SS625265) by Mike Braid.
A Red Admiral seen at Tiverton (SS931114) by Anne Redston.
A Red Admiral seen flying in the sunshine by Lynton Town Hall (SS719416) by Ann Kingston.

15 February
A Red Admiral seen at Uplyme(SY328935) by C.R.C. Paul

20 February
James Hearfield reported another Humming Bird Hawk moth at Topsham (SY968880)
A very battered Peacock seen by Lizzie Stock at East Hele, Kings Nympton (SS671210)

21 February
Chris Frame saw at  least 10 Red Admirals nectaring on two entwined Daphne Bholua "Jacqueline Posthill" at Rosemoor Gardens Torrington (SS504181).

23 February
Ann Kingston saw a Humming Bird Hawk moth on Daphne Odora in an Ilfracombe garden (SS519470).

26 February
A Speckled Wood seen by Gerry Hooper in Dawlish basking on a sunny wall (SX964765)

6 March
A Red Admiral seen by Lizzie Stock at East Hele, Kings Nympton (SS671210).
A Small Tortoiseshell seen by Sue Bruce at Downend, Saunton (SS437381)

7 March
A Comma seen by Richard Champion in his garden nectaring on dandelion flowers at Broadclyst Station (SX991951).
A Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock seen by Rosalie Rhodes at Halwell (SX535525).

8 March
Pete Hurst saw a Small White, a Small Tortoiseshell, a Red Admiral and a Peacock in Dawlish (SX953768).

10 March
A Brimstone seen at Double Waters (SX477700) by John Randall.
A Comma and a Red Admiral seen at West Stowford near Chittlehampton (SS625265) by Mike Braid.

11 March
A Peacock seen by John Randall at Torcross (SS824425)

13 March
A Brimstone seen near Lopwell dam(SX498646) by Rosalie Rhodes.
A Peacock seen at Blanchdown Wood (SX423726) by John Randall.
Pete Hurst reported a Painted Lady - a fresh, vigorous individual,  a new migrant he thinks at Chudleigh (SX868798).

 14 March
Simon Hutchings saw a Holly Blue at Ottery St Mary (SY093953).

21 March
Mike Braid reported a Red Admiral flying in the warm sunny morning at Stowford near Chittlehampton (SS625265).  A survivor of the artic blast we had in previous days.

24 March
Two Small Whites seen at Stoword near Chittlehampton(SS625265) by Mike Braid.  One flying outside and one newly hatched in the house!

26 March
Two Peacocks flying in the sun near Rumsham Barnstaple(SS573313) seen by Mike Braid.
A Peacock seen by John Randall at St. Budeaux Plymouth (SX453584).

27 March
Derek Smith reported a Wall Brown in his Paignton garden (SX867601).
Mike Braid saw six Peacocks and a Brimstone at Stowford (SS625265). Spring must be here!
John Randall saw a Peacock at Blackadon DWT Reserve (SX713734)

28 March
Richard Champion saw the first Orange Tip of the year, very early, and also several Small Tortoiseshells and a Peacock at Broadclyst Station (SX991951)

30 March
A Peacock seen at Bableigh (SS593298) by Mike Braid.

2 April
Two Brimstones, a Small Tortoiseshell and three Peacocks seen at Stowford (SS627264) by Mike Braid.

3 April
Graham Hobbs reported seeing several Small Coppers, a Holly Blue and several Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks at Stoke Point (SX568451).

5 April
A Clouded Yellow seen by Chris Frame fluttering over vegetation alongside the seafront path, 100 yards from Lime Kilns car park in Budleigh Salterton (SY073819).
John Randall saw 12 Brimstones and a Peacock at Trendlebere Down (SX 778795).
Mike Braid saw an Orange Tip, two Small Tortoiseshells, one ovapositing on nettle and a Peacock at Stowford (SS624264)
Richard Champion reported a Brimstone, a Green Veined White, an Orange Tip, a Holly Blue and several Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks at Broadclyst Station (SX991951).
Graham Jones reported another Clouded Yellow, a male in fresh condition in the Otterton area (SY085852), he also saw 10 plus Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks and several Brimstones and Commas. 

6 April
Mike Braid reported three Orange Tips, a Small Tortoiseshell and several Peacocks at Stowford (SS625265).
Adrian Jupp saw a Speckled Wood and several Peacocks at Salcombe Mouth(SY146877).  He also saw  two Clouded Yellows and some Peacocks at Beer (SY231892).
Peter Bowers saw a Holly Blue at Sampford Peverell (ST029143).
Pete Hurst saw a Small Copper at Ruggadon Trusham (SX857816).

7 April
Derek Smith saw a Clouded Yellow and a Large White at Berry Head(SX945566).
Mike Gough saw a Clouded Yellow flying over his garden also two Holly Blues at Sidford(SY136903).

8 April
Pete Hurst reports seeing a Green Hairstreak, an Orange Tip, several Holly Blues, Speckled Woods and Peacocks and a Small Tortoiseshell at Warren Point, Wembury (SX535482).
Another Clouded Yellow reported from Budleigh Salterton(SY070819) by Rog and Liz Hamling.  It seems that there has been a wave of these migrants arriving on the East Devon coast.

10 April
Two Speckled Woods, four Brimstones and five Peacocks seen by John Randall at Andrews Wood DWT reserve (SX707515)
A Speckled Wood, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell and five Peacocks seen at Stowford (SS624264) by Mike Braid.

11 April
Four male Clouded Yellows and six Walls seen at Berry Head (SX945566) by Derek Smith.
John Randall saw 15 Brimstones, two Orange Tips, nine Peacocks and a Speckled Wood at Plymbridge Woods (SX530590).

12 April
Mark Ogden reports seeing seven Pearl Bordered Fritillaries on Torrington Commons (SS483197).See Photos  He also saw 10 plus Brimstones including Three females egg laying(one egg found), a Small White, a Green veined White, a Red Admiral, several Orange Tips, Small Tortoiseshells, Commas and Speckled Woods and ten plus Peacocks.
David Land saw ten plus Pearl Bordered Fritillaries at Ramshorn Down (SX793738) also several Orange Tips and  Holly Blues and one each Brimstone, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and Peacock.

15 April
Pete Hurst reports a Pearl Bordered Fritillary at Piddledown Common, Teign Valley(SX737898).

16 April
Richard Champion saw six Pearl Bordered Fritillaries in Ashclyst Forest (SX991998) also a Clouded Yellow, a Large White, several Holly Blues and Orange Tips and ten plus Peacocks.

17 April
22 Pearl Bordered Fritillaries seen at Blackadon DWT Reserve(SX713734) also another nine at Newbridge Hill (SX709710) by John Randall.

18 April
A Green Veined White and Holly Blue seen at Plymbridge Woods(SX530590) by John Randall.
Stephen Hatch saw a Wall and numerous Orange Tips at Neadon(SY826872).
A Dingy Skipper, several Grizzled Skippers, a Small Copper, Large White and Orange Tips seen by Pete Hurst at Ruggadon, Trusham (SX857816)

19 April
A Clouded Yellow and 22 Pearl Bordered Fritillaries seen at Dunsford (SX784892) by Stephen Hatch.

21 April
Four very early Small Heaths, a Pearl Bordered Fritillary, three Grizzled Skippers and two Small Coppers seen at Trenchford Reservoir (SX806824) by Stephen Hatch.

26 April
Four Wood Whites seen by Steve Threlkeld at Ash Moor DWT reserve (SS530089).  He also saw another ten on the Tarka Trail between Petrockstow station (SS525099) and Ash Moor DWT.

28 April
Six Wall Browns seen by John Randall at Bonehill Down near Widecombe in the Moor (SX729780).
John also saw three Grizzled Skippers, 30 Brimstones, two Holly Blues, three Peacocks, 20 Pearl Bordered Fritillaries and 8 Speckled Woods at Great Plantation nr Bovey Tracey (SX820755).

29 April
Bill Deakins reports nine Small Blues at Lummaton Quarry (SX913665), also a Common Blue, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Wall and a Small White.
Roger Thornett reported a good number of Red Admirals in steady stream of fresh individuals moving north all morning on light southerly winds at East Budleigh Common (SY037845)

1 May
Two Common Blues, Red Admiral, Brimstone, several Orange Tips, Green Veined Whites and Speckled Woods seen at Stowford (SS625265) by Mike Braid.
A Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary and ten plus Pearl Bordered Fritillary seen at Dunsford (SX784892) by David Land.

2 May
Liz Hamling saw a Dingy Skipper, several Brimstones, a Small Copper, 30 plus Common Blues and Holly Blues, a Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral and Small Heath at  DWT Bystock reserve (SY840020).

3 May
Mark Ogden reported 68 Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries on transect at Torrington Common (SS483197) also ten plus Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, Brimstones, Green Veined Whites, Red Admirals, Peacocks and Speckled Woods, several Large Whites, Small Whites, Orange Tips, Small Coppers, Holly Blues, Small Tortoiseshells and Small Heaths and a Green Hairstreak. Fifteen different species in all.

4 May
Six Brown Argus seen at Braunton Burrows (SS461351) by Mark Ogden also 30 plus each of Dingy and Grizzled Skippers.  Other species seen were Large Whites, Small Whites, Green Veined Whites, Orange Tips, Common Blues, Red Admirals and Peacocks.
Five Heath Fritillaries were seen on section 2 of the Lydford Reserve a fortnight earlier than is usual.

5 May
Eleven Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries seen at North Roborough Down near Horrabridge (SX503698) by John Randall also 8 Brimstones and a Holly Blue. 

6 May
A Wall (photo) and Large Skipper (photo) seen at Beesands (SX820410) by Tom Stevenson

8 May 
Three Heath Fritillaries seen at Lydford.  

12 May 
A Small Blue, also a Common Blue, Orange Tip and several Speckled Woods seen by Dave Land at Berry Head (SX942566).

14 May
Ten Glanville Fritillaries, two Large Skippers seen at Berry Head (SX942566) by Derek Smith.

20 May
Peter Davey reported the following seen at Kiddens Plantation  (SX871843) ten plus Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, several Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, Common Blues, and Speckled Woods, a Small Copper and a Green Veined White.

22 May
Richard Champion saw an unprecedented 21 Small Coppers along a 200 metre length of public footpath through an uncut hay-meadow at Aylesbeare (SY029928) also Common Blues and Peacocks.
John Randall reported good numbers of Marsh Fritillaries at a private site.

24 May
Six Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries and 3 Marsh Fritillaries seen at Hill Bridge near Mary Tavy (SX527798) by John Randall.

29 May
A Large Skipper, Small Copper, Common Blue,  Holly Blue and Large White seen at Stowford (SS625265) in poor weather.

1 June
Chris Button saw two High Brown Fritillaries, four Dark Green Fritillaries , two Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries and a Common Blue at Heddons Mouth (SS655492).(See Photo)
Green Hairstreak and four Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries seen at  Blackadon DWT reserve (SX713734) by John Randall.

4 June
A freshly emerged Meadow Brown seen at Stowford(SS625265) by Mike Braid.
Derek Smith reported seeing 20 plus Large Skippers, six Marbled Whites and 20 plus Meadow Browns at The Grove Brixham
(SX571919).

6 June
Two Wood Whites seen at the Ash Moor DWT reserve(SS530089) by Steve Threlkeld the DWT Warden.

10 June
Seven Large Skippers, a Dingy Skipper, two Wood Whites, a Brimstone, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, two Speckled Woods and eight Meadow Browns seen by John Randall at Quoditch (SX407978).  He also saw five Wood Whites at Cookworthy Plantation(SX417017).  Also four Large Skippers, a Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, seven Marsh Fritillaries and four Meadow Browns at Dunsdon DWT reserve (SS301083).

12 June
A Silver Washed Fritillary, a Brimstone. Green Hairstreak, Speckled Wood , Meadow Brown, 2 each of Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady and Small Heath,  14 Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries at Luckey Tor near Dartmeet(SX685723) reported by John Randall.

17 June
Two White Admirals seen at Ashclyst Forest (SY007996) by Richard Champion, also a Dark Green Fritillary, Large Skipper, Red Admiral and several Ringlets, Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns.

20 June
A Large Tortoiseshell seen by Mike Lock at Musbury Castle (SY289939), he reports it as clean adult in good condition, basking on ground. See Photo

23 June
Three Small Skippers, eight Dark Green Fritillaries and twelve Marbled Whites seen by Sue Bruce at Braunton Burrows(SS458353).

26 June
A Grayling seen by Sue Bruce at Highveer Point Heddon Valley (SS656499).

29 June
A Large Tortoiseshell seen by Chris Root at Shortwood Common, Budleigh Salterton (SY 849052). Photo.

1 July
The Branch field event at Dunsford (SX784891) reported 13 different species.  Several  High Brown, Dark Green and Silver Washed Fritillaries.  Large Skippers, new generation Brimstones, Green Veined Whites, an old Holly Blue, a White Admiral, Red Admiral and Comma.  A Marbled White, several Meadow Browns and a number of Ringlets.

6 July
A Large Tortoiseshell seen by Roger Boswell at Peak Hill Sidmouth (SY114869).

First Gatekeeper of the year at Stowford (SS625265) also Silver Washed Fritillary, Comma, ten plus Meadow Browns and 30 plus Ringlets. Seen by Mike Braid.

7 July
The first two Purple Hairstreaks seen in Ashclyst Forest(SX991998) by Roger Thornett.

9 July
Another Large Tortoiseshell seen in the grounds of Bicton College by Geoff Jones.

10 July
A Large Tortoiseshell seen again at Shortwood Common (SY849052) by Chris Root.  Photo.

12 July
Tom Ottley reported 10 Graylings and a Marbled White on Bovey Heath(SX823767).
Mark Swan reports seeing an Essex Skipper at Dunsford (SX785892).  Also the following species Small Skipper, Clouded Yellow Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Purple Hairstreak, Small Copper, Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Comma, High Brown, Dark Green and Silver Washed Fritillaries, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet

14 July
A White Letter Hairstreak seen settled on a low leaf of a Wych Elm for c 5 mins at 12.10 at Drakeford Bridge (SX788802) by John Randall. Also a Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, two Red Admirals, a Comma, Silver Washed Fritillary, and six Meadow Browns.

17 July
Pete Hurst saw a  Jersey Tiger Moth at home in Chudleigh (SX 868798).

4 August
Several Chalkhill Blues seen by Rog and Liz Hamling at Branscombe undercliff (SY213880).  Also a second generation Dingy Skipper and Wood White, several Large Whites, Holly Blues and Red Admirals, a Peacock, several Gatekeepers and a Jersey Tiger moth.

10 August
A second generation Dingy Skipper seen at Billacombe old railway (SX506540) by John Randall.  Also a Large White, several Common Blues, Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns, Small Heaths and a Gatekeeper.

11 August
A number of Six-spot Burnet moths seen at Dunscombe (SY158882) by Rog and Liz Hamling.  Also a Brown Argus, several Common Blues, Holly Blues, Red Admirals, Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and a Large White.

A Swallowtail seen by Colin Bath on the South slope of Clennon Valley Paignton (SX878594). He observed it well twice in flight then it flew rapidly west.

26 August
A Clouded Yellow seen by John Randall at Bull Point, Plymouth (SX436578). Also a Large White, Common Blue, Gatekeeper, two Speckled Woods and 30 Meadow Browns.

4 September
Dave Land saw four Brown Hairstreaks at Preston Down (SX887624).  One nectaring on thistle for 45 minutes.

15 September
John Randall saw eleven different species on the NT Stoke Point coastal footpath (SX530469 to SX563465) they were Clouded Yellow(3), Large White(13), Small White(50), Green Veined White(2), Small Copper(10), Common Blue(1),  
Painted Lady(6), Red Admiral(4), Wall(2), Meadow Brown(25), Speckled Wood(2).

20 September
Ken Furmedge saw a Swallowtail at Knightshayes Court, Tiverton (SS963154).

21 September
There are still a good number of butterflies nectaring on various flowers and rotting apples in Mike Braid's garden at Stowford(SS625265) including three Painted Ladies, ten plus Red Admirals, several Small Tortoiseshells and Speckled Woods.  A Comma and Small Copper were seen earlier in the week.

22 September
A late Holly Blue (presumably 3rd generation) seen by John Randall at Bull Point Plymouth (SX436578) also two Red Admirals.

28 September
John Randall saw the following on the footpath from Bovisand to Wembury Point (SX480480) and at Wembury Point (SX502484)-
a total of Three Clouded Yellows, four Walls, six Red Admirals, a Painted Lady, two Small Coppers, a Small Tortoiseshell, a Peacock, two Speckled Woods, nine Large Whites and 18 Small Whites.

11 October
A very late Holly Blue, presumably third generation, reported by Rosalie Rhodes at Down Thomas (SX504503) also a Red Admiral and Speckled Wood.

15 October
An even later Holly Blue seen by John Randall on the coastal footpath at SX560460 also a Small Copper, ten Red Admirals, two Commas and eight Speckled Woods.  Also a Wall at SX536464.

18 October
Colin Rhodes saw a Clouded Yellow in pristine condition at Heybrook Bay (SX498488).
There are still ten plus Red Admirals nectaring and feeding on rotting apples in Mike Braid's garden at Stowford (SS625265) plus a couple of Commas and a very battered Speckled Wood . Also a Peacock at Heddon (SS652289).
Tom Stevenson saw a a very fresh looking Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary (presumably late 2nd generation) at Pigs Nose Valley Prawle (SX769357) also a pristine Clouded Yellow.  He also saw a very tatty Wall at Prawle (SX777355).

23 October
Rosalie Rhodes saw a Wall in good condition at Bovisand (SX492493).

1 November
Two fresh Clouded Yellows seen by Brian Raine at Haven Cliff (SX254898).

2 November
Kevin Rylands saw a Meadow Brown at Dawlish Warren (SX983789).  Amazing for November!

6 November
A Small Copper seen in a well sheltered south facing rocky enclosure at Druid Ashburton (SX743713) by Pete Hurst.

9 November
Phil Parr saw five Red Admirals around ivy at Bindon & Dowlands Undercliffs (SY282894) and a Clouded Yellow at Culverhole Bindon Undercliffs Seaton  (SY274894).

11 November
Phil Parr saw a Speckled Wood at Whitlands Undercliffs (SY308905).

12 November
Phil Parr reported a Small Copper in a sheltered spot at the bottom of the combe with some Selfheal Bristly Oxtongue and tiny Hawkweeds still in flower and three Red Admirals around ivy at Lincombe SSI (SY158881).
 

14 December
Pete Hurst sent in this note. I had not seen any Red Admirals since we had some hard frosts about 3 weeks ago, but was lucky to find one today, albeit roosting, at the top of a window ledge of a house's front room, outside but obviously quite sheltered & benefiting from a little house warmth (which will keep frost at bay). My only butterfly sighting this December!

.

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