A total of 816 butterflies of 18 species were recorded during surveys at Palmers Brook Nature Reserve in 2025 most of which are common and widespread in England.
However, three species are UK BAP priority species, as well as Section 41 species under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006; Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae, Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus and Wall Lasiommata megera.
The Grizzled Skipper and Small Heath are also listed as Vulnerable on the butterfly red list of Great Britain, whilst the Wall is listed as Endangered.
In addition to the conducted butterfly surveys, there have been some exciting incidental sightings of noteworthy butterflies. A white admiral Limenitis camilla was recorded within the woodland ride to the west of the site which is a species of conservation concern and defined as vulnerable on the Great Britain butterfly red list. Further to the north of this location, four purple hairstreak Neozephyrus quercus butterfly were observed within the canopy of a mature oak which is encouraging news.
© HIWWT
© HIWWT