Butterflies of Ninewells wood.

According to the Hamlyn guide; Butterflies of the British Isles by J A Thomas, an excellent book, in the richest examples of woodland you could find between 35 to 40 different species of Butterflies. Well if we get half that number then I will be pleased. As with most species I expect to see more as the regeneration proceeds, and cutting down the densely planted Corsican Pine can only have done good.

I will list all the butterflies I have seen and include a photo if I have one, I do not intend to use other peoples photos and then I will write apiece on each one, and you will then be able to click on the name to see more about each species, or click on the photo to see it full size. The same as my wildflower page. Also names in Red means that I have seen it in Ninewells wood but not in our section.

Recently (2019) the wood has regenerated quite considerably, lots of Silver Birch which are over 3M tall. There is a self sown Buddleia bush near the entrance but not a lot of Butterflies on it. The most visited flowers are the Brambles.

Now 2024 the wood is even more wood like with some of the Silver Birch a good 10M tall The Buddleia is still there but getting overgrown by the trees. I do maintain paths and open areas but prefer to let some areas take their own course. This year has been very poor for all insects and the main ride through Ninewells wood ( not part of my patch) has as always a lot of Buddleia and masses of Hemp Agrimony, both of which attract lots of butterflies but on a walk through on Sunday 28th July there were just a few Peacocks and a couple of Gatekeepers and one Small White.

Small Cabbage White. May 2014

Peacock April 2015,