Butterflies

A total of 28 UK butterflies have been recorded in the nature reserve, since records began. 

Below is a list.  Not all the butterflies recorded are common or often seen in the reserve:

Essex Skipper
Essex Skipper
Thymelicus lineola

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: July to August
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Netley Meadow

Small Skipper
Small Skipper
Thymelicus sylvestris

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: Late June to Mid August
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: MacGrory’s Meadow

Large Skipper
Large Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanus
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: June to Early August
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Netley Meadow

Orange Tip
orange Tip
Anthocharis cardamines
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: April to Mid June
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Main Valley Area

Large White
Large White
Pieris brassicae

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: Late Jun – Early September
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Netley Meadow

Small White
Small White
Pieris rapae

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: Mid April to Mid June & Mid July to Mid September
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Anywhere

Green-veined White
Green-veined White
Pieris napi
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: Mid April to Mid June & July to August
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Anywhere

Clouded Yellow
Clouded Yellow
Colias croceus
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Rare
Flight: June to Mid October
Last Recorded: 2013
Best Location To See: Meadow Area

Brimstone
Brimstone
Gonepteryx rhamni

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Less Common
Flight: January to June & August to September
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Valley Floor Area

Speckled Wood
SPECKLED WOOD
Pararge aegeria

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: Late March to Early October
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Silt Trap Area

Small Heath
Small Heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Rare
Flight: Late May to Early September
Last Recorded: 2021
Best Location To See: No Details

Ringlet
Ringlet
Aphantopus hyperantus
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Variably Common
Flight: Mid June to Mid August
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: MacGrory’s Meadow

Meadow Brown
Meadow Brown
Maniola jurtina

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: June to September
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Meadow Areas

Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper
Pyronia tithonus

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: Mid July to August
Last Recorded: 2022
Best Location To See: Silt Trap Area

Marbled White
Marbled White
Melanargia galathea
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: Mid June to Mid August
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Meadow Areas

Silver-washed Fritillary
Silver-Washed Fritillary
Argynnis paphia
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Rare
Flight: Mid June to Late August
Last Recorded: 2010
Best Location To See: Valley Floor Area

Red Admiral
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: January to October
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Kitchen Garden Area

Painted Lady
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Variably Common
Flight: April to October
Last Recorded: 2022
Best Location To See: Valley Floor Area

Peacock
Peacock
Aglais io
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: January to Mid May & Mid July to August
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Valley Floor Area

Small Tortoiseshell
Small Tortoiseshell
Aglais urticae
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Less Common
Flight: January to May and July to September
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Valley Floor Area

Comma
Comma
Polygonia c-album

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: January to April & July to September
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Valley Floor Area

Small Copper
Small Cooper
Lycaena phlaeas

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Less Common
Flight: Mid April to Mid June & August to October
Last Recorded: 2022
Best Location To See: Netley Meadow

Purple Hairstreak
Purple Hairstreak
Favonius quercus
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: July to August
Last Recorded: 2022
Best Location To See: Meadow Areas

Green Hairstreak
Green Hairstreak
Callophrys rubi
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Rare
Flight: Mid April to June
Last Recorded: 2012
Best Location To See: Netley Meadow

Holly Blue
Holly Blue
Celastrina argiolus

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Variably Common
Flight: April to Mid June & August – September
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Valley Floor Area

Brown Argus
Brown Argus
Celastrina argiolus

About:

Vinters Valley Status: Less Common
Flight: May to Mid June & Late July to August
Last Recorded: 2022
Best Location To See: MacGrory’s Meadow

Common Blue
Common Blue
Polyommatus icarus
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Common
Flight: Mid May to Early September
Last Recorded: 2023
Best Location To See: Meadow Areas

Chalkhill Blue
Chalkhill Blue
Polyommatus coridon
About:

Vinters Valley Status: Rare
Flight: Mid July to Early September
Last Recorded: 2005
Best Location To See: No Details

Butterflies

The flight information provided is an approximate guide as to when you are likely to see the butterfly species in the Reserve. Emergance and flight times can vary year to year based on the weather conditions.