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Trees woods and wildlife

Butterflies

Woodland butterflies are some of the most thrilling and colourful woodland animals. But with a 55% decrease between 1999 and 2015, protecting and increasing their woodland habitats is more important than ever.

Blog

How to attract butterflies to your garden

Learn how to encourage butterflies into your garden with butterfly-friendly plants, butterfly feeders and more.

Danielle Wesley  •  13 Mar 2020

Journal

Wood Wise – woodland management for sun-loving butterflies

The autumn 2013 issue of Wood Wise examines how the careful management of open space in woodland can benefit declining butterflies such as fritillaries.

PDF  (1.55 MB)

Trees woods and wildlife

Silver-washed fritillary

These flashy butterflies are strong fliers with a flair for the dramatic. Spot the silver-washed fritillary charging through the air along woodland rides in search of a mate, or the caterpillars munching on their favourite flowers: violets.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common dog violet

A charming sanctuary for butterflies, common in UK woodland. Look to the woodland floor for a flush of purple and you might see fritillary butterflies feeding and laying their eggs.

Trees woods and wildlife

Comma

Tough, charming, rough around the edges. The comma is one of the few butterflies that is becoming more widespread, likely due to global warming.

Trees woods and wildlife

Peacock

Big. Bold. Beautiful. This stunning showstopper is instantly recognisable, with its captivating azure ‘eyes’ and orange-brown wings. Widespread and common throughout the UK, it is one of our most-loved butterflies.

Trees woods and wildlife

Primrose

Primroses are a cheerful sign of spring. They are one of the first woodland blooms and an important nectar source for butterflies. Look out for their friendly yellow in woodland clearings.

Trees woods and wildlife

Sweet violet

Romantic and showy, sweet violet grows on woodland edges, its flowers providing nectar for butterflies in early spring.

Trees woods and wildlife

Orange-tip

Subtle, delicate and well-disguised – that is until the male flashes a splash of bright orange. Orange-tips are a butterfly of grassland and woodland edges.

Trees woods and wildlife

Gatekeeper

Named for its rigorous patrol of hedges and woodland rides, the gatekeeper butterfly is a prime pollinator. Look for them sipping nectar on sunny days in the summer.

Press centre

Early signs of spring becoming the new norm, says the Woodland Trust

Earlier signs of spring – such as the first leafing of trees or the first sightings of butterflies – could be here to stay, says the Woodland Trust.

Trees woods and wildlife

Speckled wood

Understated yet headstrong, the speckled wood spends its time basking in sun-dappled woodland and fiercely patrolling its patch.

Trees woods and wildlife

Brimstone

A common master of disguise, the brimstone blends perfectly into the alder leaves it lays its eggs on. Spot them in early spring when they emerge from hibernation.

Trees woods and wildlife

Purple emperor

Despite its exotic appearance, the purple emperor is as typical of UK woodland as the mighty oak. It’s elusive and beautiful, but has quite the unsavoury appetite.

Trees woods and wildlife

Moths

While they may not be seen as quite as attractive as butterflies, moths have a beauty all of their own. A whole host of moth species live in woodland, using their camouflage skills to blend in with tree bark, leaves and other woodland features. There are over 2,500 species of moth in the UK.

Trees woods and wildlife

Holly blue

A delicate holly-lover with some unsavoury tastes. Find the holly blue on its foodplant in woodland, or feeding on juices from rotting fruit or carrion.

Trees woods and wildlife

White admiral

Found exclusively in woodland, the white admiral is a stunning butterfly with a delicate gliding flight. Unlike its sun-loving peers, this black and white beauty prefers shady spots to relax in.

Blog

Common UK butterfly identification and facts

Identify some of the UK's most common butterflies, find out where to look for them, and learn more about their incredible lives.

Amy Lewis  •  22 Jul 2019

Blog

Forest animals: 9 animals adapted to forest life

From scampering squirrels to beautiful butterflies, discover how our woodland species are perfectly adapted to a life among the trees.

Charlotte Varela  •  09 May 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Purple hairstreak

Small yet stunning, the purple hairstreak is rarely seen as it spends much of its time fluttering high up in the tree canopy. Reliant on oak woodland, this little butterfly is never far from oak trees.

Blog

What is the difference between butterflies and moths?

When the two look so similar, is there actually a difference between a butterfly and a moth? Find out how to separate the two and discover the truth behind some common myths about moths.

Charlotte Varela  •  21 Jul 2023

Blog

11 types of day-flying moth in the UK: an identification guide

The UK is home to a number of moths that are active during the day, many of which rival butterflies for colour and beauty. Which species might you encounter on a summer's walk? 

Amy Lewis  •  23 Apr 2021

Trees woods and wildlife

Green hairstreak

The only green butterfly in the UK, this small but spectacular species can be seen fluttering through woodland clearings during the spring months.

Blog

Red admiral butterfly: identification and recording

Learn how to identify red admiral butterflies, their caterpillars and pupae with our handy guide, and record your sightings with Nature's Calendar.

Amy Lewis  •  24 Apr 2020

Blog

Top 10 coastal woods in the UK

Bats, rare butterflies, dinosaur footprints and even the roar of a whirlpool – these coastal woods are just waiting for you to visit.

Charlie Mellor  •  18 Jun 2019

Blog

Signs of summer in nature

Discover the signs of the changing seasons – look for trees in full leaf, summer flowers blooming, butterflies, bats, grasshoppers and more.

Danielle Wesley  •  01 Jun 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Ringlet

With chocolate brown velvety wings and a delicate trim, the ringlet is an understated yet attractive butterfly. Look out for its trademark bobbing flight as it travels through woodland glades.

Press centre

New population of rare heath fritillary found in Kent

The heath fritillary, one of the UK’s rarest butterflies, has been discovered for the first time at the Woodland Trust’s Victory Wood in Kent.

Video

How gifts in wills have made a difference: Avoncliff Wood

A third of all the work we do is made possible by gifts in wills. Find out more about the difference they've made to Avoncliff Wood, a beautiful wood in the Cotswolds that's also helping to combat the use of plastic on our estate. 

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Blog

First signs of autumn

Discover when autumn starts and the signs of the season – look for leaves changing colour, autumn fruits and seeds, migrating birds, ivy flowering and incredible fungi.

Danielle Wesley  •  31 Aug 2019

Journal

Wood Wise – conservation grazing in woodland management

The autumn 2012 issue of Wood Wise examines the value of grazing for woodland management, including the impacts difference grazers can have.

PDF  (3.39 MB)

Blog

7 blossom crafts and activities for kids

Discover fun blossom crafts and activities to enjoy with your children this spring.

Danielle Wesley  •  11 Mar 2022

Protecting trees and woods

Urge the Senedd to restore nature with trees on farms

Our Ten Asks for Trees would boost the Sustainable Farming Scheme’s impact for Wales’ people and landscape. Urge the Senedd to make them happen.

Plant trees

Natural regeneration

The UK needs more trees. We plant millions of native trees every year, but planting is just one way to help the UK's woodlands expand. Allowing nature to take its course is also an effective and efficient method of getting more trees in the ground.

Blog

First signs of spring in nature

Spring is a glorious time in nature with new leaves, bright blooms and thriving wildlife. But when does spring really start and what are the key signs to look for?

Charlie Mellor  •  19 Feb 2021

About us

Faughan Valley Woodlands: from fragments to thriving forests

The Faughan Valley Woodlands project aims to reconnect pockets of ancient woodland, allowing them to become more resilient and thrive in the future. 

Support us

Hucking Estate appeal, Kent

Your support helped us extend and secure this slice of Kent countryside. Now we have a unique opportunity to create a larger site with limitless potential.

Support us

Endangered wildlife appeal

Nature needs help. Please make a donation to support our life-changing work to plant trees, restore habitats and protect the UK's woodland. Together, we can give wildlife a future.

Blog

Why are plants important? 7 reasons why we need them

Plants are essential for people, wildlife and the environment. Explore how they provide for pollinators, boost mental health, fight climate change and more.

Chris Britt-Searle  •  28 Jun 2024

Blog

Is ivy poisonous?

Discover whether ivy is poisonous and learn more about where it grows, how to take care of it in your garden and why it’s a great plant for wildlife.

Kate Lewthwaite  •  17 Aug 2021

Trees woods and wildlife

Plum

A butterfly’s paradise with lovely blossom and even lovelier fruit. The plum is a petite tree which is perfect for pollinators and a perfect addition to any orchard.

Blog

Which birds migrate? Who you can spot this summer

Swallows, swifts and martins aren’t our only summer migrants – keep your eyes peeled for these species and record your sightings through Nature’s Calendar.

Charlotte Varela  •  12 May 2018

Trees woods and wildlife

Bracken

Huge, widespread, ancient. Bracken is thought to be the most common plant in the world and is found on all continents except Antarctica. In the UK, they thrive in woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Treecreeper

These tiny birds live and breathe trees. Spot treecreepers scuttling up branches looking for a tasty morsel to bring to their nests.

Press centre

Continued disruption of seasonal weather is causing spring activities in autumn

After a year of weather extremes, UK wildlife may be starting to confuse seasonal activities as spring sightings are reported in October says the Woodland Trust.