Butterflies

A practical and fascinating guide to spotting some of Britain's most treasured wildlife—the butterfly. Each British species is covered, including the Skippers, the Swallowtails, the Whites and Yellows, the Hairstreaks, Coppers and Blues, the Fritillaries and Aristocrats, and the Browns. Expert advice on every aspect of identifying butterflies, from places to visit and capturing them on film, to attracting them into your garden. The fascination with butterflies has been a gloriously British pastime since the early 18th century, through the Victorian butterfly mania of the 1890s and two World Wars. This is a wonderful celebration of great British butterflies, whether you are tracking the elusive Green Hairstreak, Painted Lady, and Purple Emperor in the wild or identifying the more common Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip, and Chalkhill Blue from the comfort of your garden chair. This fascinating guide to the British butterfly will delight both beginners and enthusiasts alike, with practical tips on all aspects of attracting, tracking, and identifying butterflies and how to protect these beautiful creatures for future generations.

Matthew Oates is one of the leading countryside advisers at the National Trust and a world expert on butterflies. He has contributed to a number of natural history titles, including The National Trust Book of the Countryside.