Photographing butterflies

[fissidens]

Simple question:
If I want to photograph protected species do I need a license?

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by fissidens

Simple question:
If I want to photograph protected species do I need a license?

as far as i aware no, not for butterflies - you might need permission to enter/photograph at certain sites if they are not generally open to the public - check out the butterfly conservation trust for detailed site locations

[Gill Catton]

some schedule 5 species are protected from disturbance - which close up photography might be considered to be.
Principles and importance of conserving invertebrates

They seem to mainly be very rare species that you are unlikely to come across, though it's worth baring in mind

[fissidens]

Thanks for your comments. Marsh Fritillary is protected and is one of the butterflies I would like to photograph. Do people get licenses when they take snaps of this species? More to the point, has anyone run into trouble doing that?

[badgerwatcher]

I had no idea these restrictions existed!

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by fissidens

Thanks for your comments. Marsh Fritillary is protected and is one of the butterflies I would like to photograph. Do people get licenses when they take snaps of this species? More to the point, has anyone run into trouble doing that?

Have contacted Butterfly Conservation, will let you know what they say....

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I couldn't tell you anything about licenses to photograph butterflies, but wanted to wish you luck with it Did a fair bit of it myself during last summer and found it very frustrating, but enjoyable at the same time

[Gill Catton]

Right!! I have got hold of Butterfly Conservation who told me to ask Natural England which is a bit worrying as I thought they ought to know about things like this but still.....The conclusion from the Peterborough office licensing department was that photographing butterflies 'is not a licensable activity' so you can proceed unhindered - presumably so long as you are taking pictures in situ in the wild and not taking a butterfly elsewhere to photograph it.

[fissidens]

Thanks Gill - you're a real star! Now all I need is a rare butterfly to sit still for long enough for me to photograph it ...

[Mr Mag00]

The only restrictions I am aware of is related to the Large Blue, where there are site restrictions in Somerset during the flight period and others sites are private, supposedly secret and therefore unable to gain access, unless you are lucky enough win a ticket I believe they still randomly allocate tickets to the private sites each year. 'They' being Butterfly Conservation i think and their regional offices