Butterflies are not only beautiful but also vital to the UK’s natural environment. Across the Windsor Estate, the rich variety of habitats, landscapes, and land uses supports an impressive array of butterflies and moths.
Thirty-three species of butterfly and 600 species of moth have been recorded. Their numbers and diversity serve as indicators of environmental health. Discover more about these fascinating species below.
The burnet moth is a striking day-flying moth, easily recognised by its metallic black wings with vivid red spots. Common in wildflower-rich grasslands such as Stag Meadow and the Cavalry Exercise Grounds, it feeds on nectar from knapweed and thistles. Its caterpillars feed on bird’s-foot trefoil and overwinter in cocoons before emerging in summer.
The cinnabar moth is a striking, day-flying species with bold black and red markings, often seen in grasslands and meadows. Its caterpillars are bright orange and black, feeding on ragwort, which makes them toxic to predators. Ragwort itself is harmful to livestock, particularly when it becomes mixed into hay. On the Estate, we have a programme in place to control this plant within the Park.
The common blue butterfly is found in many of the flowery grasslands in Windsor Great Park, such as the Picnic Field car park by Queen Anne’s Ride. Males have vivid blue wings, while females are more brown with a blue dusting. They lay their eggs on bird’s-foot trefoil, and the caterpillars feed on legumes, supporting pollinators and biodiversity.
The grayling butterfly is a well-camouflaged species found in dry grasslands in Swinley Forest, Swinley Park and Buttersteep. Its mottled brown wings blend perfectly with bare ground, helping it avoid predators. Active in summer, it often rests with wings closed. The species is one of our conservation priorities.
The large skipper butterfly is a fast, darting species found in sunny grasslands, hedgerows, and woodland clearings. Recognisable by its golden-orange wings with dark borders, it’s active from June to August. Females lay eggs on coarse grasses like cock’s-foot. Caterpillars shelter in folded leaves, overwintering before pupating in spring.
The marbled white butterfly is a striking black-and-white species found in sunny grasslands and meadows, such as Stag Meadow and the Flying Strip. Despite its name, it belongs to the browns family. Adults are most visible in June and July, feeding on wildflowers. We manage the grasslands carefully to provide a diversity of habitats that support its full life cycle.
The orange-tip butterfly is a familiar spring species in Windsor Great Park and its woodlands, easily recognised by the bright orange wingtips of the males. It favours damp meadows, hedgerows, and woodland edges. Females lay their eggs on plants such as cuckooflower, which is abundant in the open parkland during spring. The caterpillars feed on seed pods before pupating and overwintering as chrysalises.
The silver-studded blue butterfly is a national priority for conservation and is found in heathlands within Swinley and Buttersteep Forests. Our habitat management efforts have helped the species to spread to many new areas of the Forests over the past ten years. Males have bright blue wings with silvery spots on the underwings. The rely on ants to protect their caterpillars which feed on heather and gorse.
The small copper butterfly is a vibrant, fast-flying species often seen in sunny grasslands, meadows, and gardens. Males are territorial, displaying bright orange wings with dark borders. Females lay eggs on sorrel and dock plants. The caterpillars feed on leaves before pupating, with multiple broods appearing from spring through autumn.
The small heath butterfly is a delicate, low-flying species found in grasslands, meadows, and heathland. It has pale orange-brown wings with a distinctive eyespot and often rests with wings closed. Active from spring to autumn, it lays eggs on fine grasses. Its subtle colouring helps it blend into dry, grassy habitats.
