UK habitats and wildlife
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Freshwater Bay on the Isle of Wight
habitat of Melitaea cinxia, the Glanville Fritillary, June 2015Steps Hill, Ivinghoe
chalk downland in the north Buckinghamshire Chiltern Hills, home to Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina), Chalk-hill Blue (Lysandra coridon), Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja), and many other species, 3 July 2015Steps Hill, a favourite haunt
Wild Cherry and Blackthorn bushes in full bloom on an early spring day on 5 May 2016 when the first Dingy and Grizzled Skippers (Erynnis tages and Pyrgus malvae respectively) were making an appearanceStrawberry Bank, near Cirencester
This stretch of flower-rich meadows in Gloucestershire is home to a strong colony of Marsh Fritillaries (Eurodryas aurinia), seen here on 8 June 2016Rombald's Moor, West Yorkshire
Many Green Hairstreaks (Callophrys rubi) can be seen here in May and these heather moors are also strongholds for the Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia), Northern Eggar (Lasiocampa quercus f. callunae) and Fox Moth (Macrolthylacia rubi). I have been visiting these moors since my teenage years and will keep returning until I can no longer walkTwistleton Scars, Ingleton
in the incomparable Yorkshire Dales, an area of limestone pavement with small glacial erratics, and the unexpected location of the paired Emperor Moths shown on this website, 13 May 2007Tout quarry, Portland Bill, Dorset
This Dorset site is notable for its strong colony of Silver-studded Blues (Plebejus argus) and Graylings (Hipparchia semele)Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire
A September scene, 2015, with Chalk-hill (Lysandra coridon) and Adonis Blues (Lysandra bellargus) still flying, along with Silver-spotted Skippers (Hesperia comma)Bernwood Forest
Buckinghamshire, a remnant of the once vast 16th century royal hunting forest, but now on a wet July morning, home to many woodland species, although Marsh and Pearl-bordered Fritillaries (Eurodryas aurinia and Clossiana euphrosyne respectively), Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina), and Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) have been lost at this site in the past 20 years.Fallow Deer
the moment I was spotted, Whitecross Green Wood, Buckinghamshire, 7 June 2018Nichols Moss, Cumbria
One of the moss sites to the north of Morecambe Bay, home to a colony of Large Heath (Coenonympha tullia, form davus) where Bog asphodel and Cross-leaved heath provide ample nectar sources. Photographed on 6 July 2016Whitbarrow, Morecambe Bay, Cumbria
These limestone pavements are a geological feature of the area and part of one of the most diverse butterfly locations in the UK, late July 2007Arnside Knott, Cumbria
A renowned home to High Brown, Dark Green, and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, Grayling, Duke of Burgundy, Northern Brown Argus, and Scotch Argus, with a westerly view on 5 July 2016Smarsdale, Cumbria
Lying to the north of Morecambe Bay, this nature reserve is home to Northern Brown Argus (Aricia artaxerxes), Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops) and Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja) seen here in late July 2007Honister Pass, north Cumbria
Looking down the track towards the Honister Slate Quarry and the southern edge of Derwentwater (both obscured from view) in the northern Lake District. This is the location of one of the scattered colonies of Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron) 5 July 2016Honister Pass, Cumbria
the windswept grassland in the foreground is the habitat of the Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron) with the road over the pass constructed along the scenic valley beyond. Photo taken on 5 July 2016 - but the butterfly could not be tempted to take flight in a strong, cold wind in the absence of sunshine. There's always next year!Strumpshaw Fen
RSPB Reserve, Norfolk Broads, home to the British Swallowtail, Papilio machaon britannicus, 11 June 2018How Hill, Norfolk Broads
one of the prime English locations for Papilio machaon, the Swallowtail, 15 June 2017Great Orme's Head, Llandudno
Another strong and distinctive colony of Silver-studded Blues (Plebejus argus) can be found here in North WalesLoch Arkaig, Argyll, Scotland
Despite the harsh weather conditions indicated in this photo, the Chequered Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon)somehow manages to make this area its home at the northern-most extent of its range. May 2011Meall Reamhar
Oban, Scotland, a Marsh Fritillary site at risk of tree planting, May 2017towards Port Ramsay
on Lismore, Argyll, Scotland, a Marsh Fritillary site, May 2017Show More