Welcome to the Upper Thames Branch of Butterfly Conservation

Founded in 1982, the Upper Thames Branch aims to protect butterflies, moths and their habitats in the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The rolling hills of the Chilterns, the Oxford and Aylesbury clay vales, the ancient Bernwood Forest complex, the edge of the Cotswolds and the heathlands of south-east Berkshire are all to be found in the three counties. Several rare species of lepidoptera can be found in the region, including the Black Hairstreak, Adonis Blue, Silver-spotted Skipper and Duke of Burgundy butterflies, and the Striped Lychnis and Heart moths.
Interested in volunteering with us? There's a new web page available here which provides more information.
A recording of the talk on surveying techniques given on 21st March can be viewed here.
Butterflies
Three-quarters of the fifty-eight British butterfly species can be found in the Upper Thames region. More about butterflies
Moths
Over 1700 species of moth have been recorded in the Upper Thames region. More about moths
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First sightings (10)
24-Mar: Speckled Wood
24-Mar: Orange-tip
18-Mar: Holly Blue
Events
13-Apr: Standardised survey technique training : Pangbourne, Berks
02-May: Branch talk - Spring Butterfly ID
04-May: Spring Butterfly ID : Incombe Hole, Bucks
11-May: Spring Butterfly ID : Small Dean Lane Bank, Bucks