Make sure you cast your vote for Britain's Favourite Butterfly with @savebutterflies.bsky.social ! Today's nominations feature Branch Conservation Officer Huw's favourite, the 'emerald emperor' that us the Green Hairstreak, who may be little but is very beautiful!

Lots of Wood White, Large Skippers and Speckled Woods in Hazelborough Forest this morning. Didn't find any Black Hairstreak in the location seen last year, but still early in the season for them. @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social

Beautiful video from committee member Judith as always. Check out these absolutely lovely Black Hairstreaks!

An easy way to support butterfly conservation is to walk a transect. Transects are predetermined routes where the goal is to record both butterflies and weather conditions. If you are interested, contact our Conservation Officer via our website - link in bio! #savebutterflies #bcbedsnorthants

Make sure you cast your vote for Britain's Favourite Butterfly with @savebutterflies.bsky.social ! Today's nominations feature Branch Membership Secretary Chris' favourite, the dainty but bold Small Copper, who is rather uncommon meaning sightings always feel special!

More painted ladies from a few days ago - so stunning!

Large White caterpillars 🐛 on Garlic Mustard in my garden. @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social

Well, we planted the Mulleins for the Mullein moths & they are now busy munching their way through the leaves & flower spikes - I hope they leave some flowers! @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social

Painted ladies are having a tremendous year by all accounts! Drop your photos and videos in the comments 🦋

Great results from the Priory Park transect today, along with some gorgeous photos! Transects are an easy way to get involved - drop us a message for more info!

Make sure you cast your vote for Britain's Favourite Butterfly with @savebutterflies.bsky.social ! Today's nominations feature Branch Web Officer and Treasurer Judith's fave, the glorious Orange-tip, which she loves for the underwing camouflage and how easy they are to spot for new enthusiasts!

Were glad the Wood Whites came out for Tara! So far seems to be a great year for them!

We love a Duke of Burgundy spot! Some great photos from Emma out in Kensworth Quarry, Dunstable, Bedfordshire 😍

They've said it best! Remember your iRecord app whilst out and about this Bank Holiday!

As we head into holiday season, do check events local to your destination for little gems like this!

Small Copper just over the county border. We love a Small Copper photo, litter or not! *p.s. please do pick up your litter and take it home 😊

Make sure you cast your vote for Britain's Favourite Butterfly with @savebutterflies.bsky.social ! Branch committee secretary Poppy votes for the Peacock: "Their markings are so beautiful and vibrant but they're also very clever - perfect predator deterrents!" #savebutterflies #conservation

Make sure you get out to see the Orange-tips on the wing!

Went looking for Wood White in Hazelborough Forest, Northants and found around 20, along with some other spring species and the bluebells still out @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social @upperthames.bsky.social

Fantastic showing of Wood Whites in Northants! 😍

Field Trip: Salcey Forest Join branch committee members Judith Barnard and Chris Walpole for a guided tour around the site in search of Spring butterflies. Everyone welcome! #savebutterflies #butterflies #butterflyconservation #bcbedsnorthants

Look out for the colourful Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae) this month 👀 This common and well-distributed day-flying moth is often mistaken for a butterfly because of its vibrant red and black markings. 📷: Iain H Leach, Rachel Scopes, James Peat #MothMonday #MothsMatter #TeamMoth

Turns out, it's not just dogs who love a really good stick!

Keep on submitting your sightings on iRecord! A quick and easy app to use, it's the simplest way to make a real impact to butterfly and moth conservation - right from your pocket!

Our latest branch newsletter is now available, and can be viewed on our website (link in bio). We are looking for enthusiasts from Bedfordshire to get more involved in our next issue. Contact us for more info! #butterflyconservation #ukbutterflies #bcbedsnorthants #savebutterflies

Brilliant report of a Wall Brown at Magog Down near Cambridge on 1st May First record of the species here in decades

Keep recording your sightings of all butterflies and moths! We had sightings of these beauties 8th April (Northants) and 17th April (Beds). By recording your sightings, we can build a picture of geography, weather and trends - not just locally but nationally too!

Mating Green-veined Whites at Rothersthorpe Fishing Ponds, Northamptonshire. But first some cute Canadian Geese goslings🪿 @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social

Rangers Hilary Monk and Dan Hurst, along with former branch committee members Doug Goddard and Andy Wyldes, will be giving a guided tour around Fermyn Woods Country Park. Everyone welcome! Details to register in picture. #butterflies #butterflyconservation #bcbedsnorthants

First Wood White at Salcey Forest this year, spotted by our very own Judith!

Good numbers of butterflies at Pegsdon despite the strong breeze - lots of Dingy Skipper, Brimstones, Green Hairstreaks & our first Small Coppers of the season. Also Holly Blue, Orange Tip & Speckled Wood @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social @wildlifebcn.org

Judith's great clip of this gorgeous Holly Blue shows the thick and dark wing margins that differentiate it as female beautifully.

Acting Chair and Northants Butterfly Recorder David James gives fantastic talks to local groups - check out this feedback he received recently. Contact us via direct message, website or Insta if you'd like more info on booking him. Links in our bio! #butterflyconservation #butterflies

Beautiful footage as always from Judith! 😍

Incredible picture from our Acting Chair and Northants Butterfly Recorder today! Can you spot the eggs she's already laid? Let us know in the comments!

An exciting opportunity for someone in Beds or Northants who has experience with numbers/finance. Full details in pics! Contact us via links in bio to discuss further.

Scarlet Tiger moth caterpillars 🐛 on Comfrey in Duston village #bcbedsnorthants

Possibly Green-brindled Crescent moth larva? On Hawthorn. At @wildlifebcn.org's Strawberry Hill Nature Reserve (Beds) last week. Although it was the only one I saw, much of the Hawthorn along the footpath was very well nibbled. #Moths #Insects @brianecambs.bsky.social @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social

Absolutely amazing pictures today from Bedfordshire! 😍

Volunteer Opportunity: Wood White Surveys at Rockingham Forest & various sites, May-June & July-Aug 2026 If you are interested, click the link in our bio to sign up to Butterfly Conservation's volunteer platform Assemble. We'd love to have you on board! @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Lots of events starting to spring up at different branches across the UK!

Butterfly transect today at Priory Park Bedford with 42 butterflies of 7 species. Lots of Green-veined Whites & a pair of Small Whites. Orange tip egg on Garlic Mustard & moth caterpillars feeding on Hawthorn, Agriopis species, possibly Dotted Border? @bcbedsnorthants.bsky.social @ukbms.bsky.social

Volunteer Opportunity: Chequered Skipper and Wood White Surveys at Fineshade Wood, May-June 2026 If you are interested in getting involved, click the link in our bio to sign up to Butterfly Conservation's volunteer platform Assemble. We'd love to have you on board! @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Look out for the spectacular Ruby Tiger (Phragmatobia fuliginosa) this month 🐯 This small, chunky tiger moth regularly appears in garden moth traps and can be seen during the day as well as at night. 📸: Rachel Scopes, Rob Blanken, Ivan Lynas #MothMonday #MothsMatter #TeamMoth

Holly Blues are now on the wing in both Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, having been sighted on 31st March and 2nd April respectively. These gorgeous pictures from @dbminshall.bsky.social show off the stunning two-tone blue and their delicate little fuzz perfectly!

Looking like one of the best Springs in recent years but we can only be sure if you record the butterflies seen. We encourage the use of iRecord, an app you can download to your phone. Its free and simple to use. Do give it a try & thanks if you already use it @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Welcome to the Bedfordshire & Northamptonshire branch of Butterfly Conservation. We're a small but passionate team of volunteers working alongside Butterfly Conservation to protect and celebrate our local butterfly & moths populations. Drop us a comment to say hi! ⬇️