The distinctive lime-green yellow of a brimstone butterfly is an unmistakable sign of spring arriving as it's one of the first butterflies to take to the wing. However, the brimstone is also one of the longest living butterflies and can be spotted all through the summer months. It is commonly spotted in gardens, woodland and parks.

Statistics
Wingspan: 6.0-7.4cm

Conservation status
Common

When to see
January to December

Where to see
Grebe House Wildlife Garden, Cassiobury Park 

With their unmistakable markings and beautiful colouring, the peacock butterfly can be found in gardens where it feeds on buddleia and other flowers. It ranges far, however, and can also be found in the shelter of woodland rides and clearings. The caterpillars feed on common nettles. The "eyes" on the wings of a peacock butterfly not only resemble the feathers of the bird it's named after but also act as a defence mechanism to deter predators. 

Statistics
Wingspan: 6.3-7.5cm

Conservation status
Common

When to see
January to December

Where to see
Grebe House Wildlife Garden, Alpine Meadow

If the sun is shining, this small innocuous butterfly takes to the air, and will be found resting close to the ground.  It can be found in a variety of habitats but prefers the sparse, fine grasses found on heaths, moors and grassland.

Statistics
Wingspan: 3.3-3.7cm

Conservation status
Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework

When to see
April to September

Where to see
Aldbury Nowers, Hertford Heath

The delicate gliding flight of this large butterfly is a wonder to behold. Usually found in shady woodland with sunny glades, its favourite food plant is bramble. The caterpillar of the white admiral feeds solely on honeysuckle, making the creation of sunny woodland rides and glades essential for honeysuckle to grow and for the white admiral to thrive.

Statistics
Wingspan: 5.6-6.6cm

Conservation status
Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework

When to see
June to August

Where to see
Balls Wood, Danemead 

From mid-April onwards, rare grizzled skipper butterflies can be found flying close to their main larval food plant, wild strawberry or roosting on the seed heads of last year’s St John’s wort. Like most skippers, the grizzled skipper is extremely difficult to follow when in flight, but will stop to feed from various nectar sources, and is easiest to see in the early morning when it basks on bare ground in the sunshine.

Statistics
Wingspan: 2.3-2.9cm

Conservation status
Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework

When to see
April to August

Where to see
Waterford Heath 

In later summer, clouds of chalkhill blue butterflies can be found fluttering around low-lying grassland flowers. The larval foodplant is horseshoe vetch and the adults often feed on knapweed and scabious.  Apart from the very rare large blue, the chalkhill blue is the largest of the blue butterflies.

Statistics
Wingspan: 3.3-4.0cm

Conservation status
Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981

When to see
July to September

Where to see
Hexton Chalk Pit