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Spring Butterflies of Sussex
Tour Code: GBR290A 4-day holiday in search of the many species of butterfly which are found within the beautiful South Downs National Park.
£945 (land only)
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Join a local expert and naturalist guide as we cover the many beautiful habitats within the South Downs National Park. During May, Sussex is graced by over 20 species of butterfly, including many sought-after species such as Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Adonis Blue and Green Hairstreak.
On our June departure, we will hope to have the rare opportunity of finding a Black Hairstreak at the county's only known location of this declining species!
We will also be admiring a diversity of other species, ensuring we connect with as many different species as possible for this time of year. Walking across these ancient landscapes will reveal not only a plethora of butterflies, but also many birds which are otherwise in decline across much of the UK. Corn Buntings and Skylarks are frequently encountered, and being at the height of the breeding season, these species amongst others will be in full voice. A variety of orchids and other wildflowers will be in full bloom, so we expect this tour to be varied, with a strong emphasis on butterflies. We will also be running a moth-trap on one of the nights to admire another form of Lepidoptera!
- Observing over 20 species of butterfly (in either May or June)
- Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary & Adonis Blue in May
- The rare Black Hairstreak and many Marbled Whites on our June departure
- Observing the contents of a moth-trap
- A beautiful riverside hotel in the Cuckmere Valley
- Led by a local Lepidopterist
Outline Itinerary
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Bob Eade
Bob has been interested in wildlife ever since he was just six years of age when he would watch the wildlife around him whilst he was fishing. When he was 12, he started photographing what he saw and some 50 years later he is still doing much the same, although fishing is a thing of the past now.
The usual break away from this was as he brought up his two sons, one of whom also got the wildlife bug and is now working full time for Naturetrek.
Bob's main wildlife interest now is in Lepidoptera, and he has had many photographs published over the years, mainly in magazines for the Wildlife Trusts and Butterfly Conservation, as well as several books.
Much of his time is spent studying the Wall Brown butterfly and he is the species champion for this species for the Sussex branch of Butterfly Conservation.
He also has a great interest in all other aspects of wildlife, particularly odonata, orchids, birds and Badgers.
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Who can fail to be delighted by butterflies – the intensity and variety of their colours, their delicate beauty and fascinating life cycles? Our tours allow butterfly-watching enthusiasts to observe marvellous species all around the world. Sadly, butterflies are in decline in many regions. To help prevent the loss of these beautiful creatures, our butterfly holidays make a direct contribution to their conservation.
Naturetrek Butterfly Tours
- We offer an excellent range of dedicated butterfly holidays
- All tours are led by a Naturetrek butterfly-watching expert
- Although butterflies are the main focus of our butterfly tours, we also take time to observe other wildlife
- By booking one of our dedicated butterfly holidays you will automatically be making a contribution to their conservation.
Here’s a selection of our dedicated butterfly tours:
Although we include butterfly-watching in many of our holidays, we offer a wide selection of dedicated butterfly tours, including:
- The Cevennes – we look for butterflies in the Massif Central
- Butterflies in Normandy – we go in search of some of Normandy’s 160 species of butterfly
- Sweden's Butterflies & Dragonflies – Sweden is home to Large Blue, Apollo, Scarce Copper and many more species
- Butterflies of the Dolomites – we explore sheltered valleys and butterfly hot-spots in the Italian Dolomites
- Sri Lanka - A Butterfly Tour – seeking Sri Lanka’s dazzling tropical species
- Butterflies of Morocco's High Atlas Mountains – a search for the butterflies of the High Atlas Mountains, with a wealth of other wildlife and mountain walks in spectacular scenery.
Naturetrek & Butterfly Conservation
As a top category ‘Gold’ corporate sponsor of Butterfly Conservation (BC), we donate around £1,500 annually to the charity. As well as this, since 2002 we have donated 10% of all income generated by our annual programme of butterfly tours that we run in partnership with BC, and give BC membership to all non-members joining the tours.
Our specialist recommends...
"I'd recommend Naturetrek's Butterflies of South Africa holiday. On this butterfly holiday we look for butterflies in the Wajkkerstrom (montane grassland), which supports a wonderful diversity of species. Closer to home I'd suggest our Butterflies of Hungary tour, or Butterflies of Croatia for unspoilt landscapes and a density of butterfly-life rarely seen in western Europe now."
Tom Brereton - Operations Manager
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
