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 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 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 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.
