Butterflies are putting on a spectacular show this summer, with warm, sunny weather helping many species take to the wing.

Conservationists at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust say the recent spell of sunshine is giving people more opportunities to spot some of the UK's most colourful insects in gardens, parks and nature reserves.

While sunny weather has increased the visibility of many butterfly species, the Trust says thriving butterfly populations depend on having the right habitats in place.

Across its nature reserves, the Trust has been restoring and managing wildflower-rich grasslands, opening-up woodland rides and tackling invasive species to provide butterflies with the nectar sources and food plants they need throughout their lifecycle. Visitors can see the results for themselves:

• At Astonbury Wood Nature Reserve, near Stevenage, male Silver-washed Fritillaries have been seen holding territory and feeding on brambles in the newly coppiced area and in the sunny glades, which the Trust has recently opened-up and cleared. The females seek out violets in the shade and lay their eggs on tree trunks close to them. The presence of this species demonstrates the importance of open areas in this habitat even to butterflies primarily found in woodland. In addition, Brimstone, Large Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Marbled White, Comma and Green-veined White have also been observed at Astonbury during the current sunny spell.

• At Hexton Chalk Pit Nature Reserve, to the west of Hitchin, participants on a Butterfly Walk last week, were treated to the encouraging sight of 40+ Chalkhill Blue butterflies. The chalk grassland reserve supports a wide range of wildflowers, including Pyramidal and Fragrant Orchids, Lady’s Bedstraw, Horse-shoe Vetch, Clustered Bellflowers and Hairy Violet – the foodplant of Dark Green Fritillary larvae. This colourful bouquet provides a feast for many species including the Chalkhill Blue, Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Dark Green Fritillary. 

• At Danemead Nature Reserve, near Hoddesdon, the White Admiral, an endangered butterfly on the GB Red List, has been spotted in recent days. To thrive, the species needs both Bramble blossom in sunny positions for nectar and Honeysuckle, preferably partially shaded, for egg-laying, both of which are carefully managed by the Trust on the reserve.

Iain Ward, Wilder Woodlands and Reserves Officer at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, says:

"It's wonderful to see so many butterflies on the wing this summer. Warm sunshine certainly helps, but these numbers also reflect many hours of habitat restoration and careful management. Butterflies are sensitive indicators of the health of our environment, so when they thrive, it's a sign that nature is recovering.

"By managing flower-rich grasslands, opening-up sunny woodland glades and rides, while connecting habitats across our area, we're giving butterflies the resources they need to survive not just this summer, but also for generations to come.”

Butterflies are among the UK's most recognisable wildlife, but many species have experienced significant long-term declines due to habitat loss, changing land use and climate pressures. Conservation action is therefore more important than ever.

Everyone can play their part. Between 17 July and 9 August, Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide citizen science survey aimed at helping to assess the health of our environment. Recording sightings helps conservationists build a clearer picture of how different species are faring and informs management plans. 

As butterflies continue to brighten the summer landscape, the Trust hopes their presence will inspire more people to support efforts to restore nature locally. And to take simple actions at home to make a difference, from allowing areas of grass to grow longer and planting nectar-rich flowers to avoiding pesticides and leaving sunny corners of gardens undisturbed.

To keep up to date with the Trust’s conservation work and the wildlife benefitting from our actions, sign up to receive your monthly newsletter here.