Spring butterflies

Orange tip butterfly

© Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION

Spring

Spring butterflies

Spring on the wing

A sure sign that spring is on its way is the emergence of overwintering butterflies in search of early pollen. Surrey is a great county for butterflies, with over 40 species recorded.

Overwintering butterflies

Some butterfly species over-winter as eggs, caterpillars or chrysalises during the cold winter months, whilst others hibernate until the following spring.

The first butterflies of the year include the brimstonepeacock, small tortoiseshell, red admiral and comma. Also look out for non-overwintering butterflies such as the orange-tip.

Top sites for spring butterflies

Species A-Z

Stag beetle on log pile

© Terry Whittaker/2020VISION

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