19 species of butterfly have been recorded in Battersea Park on iRecord since July 2022. Click here to see photos of 17 of these species, all taken in Battersea Park. More information about these sightings can be found on iNaturalist. Two other species were recorded in 1998 and 2017.

Most of these species can be photographed near the ground if the opportunity arises. But the White-letter Hairstreak and the Purple Hairstreak are less likely to be seen at ground level.

The White-letter Hairstreak is most likely to be seen resting on a leaf high up on an elm tree between May and July - there are elms on the east and south sides of the meadow area near Chelsea Bridge and above the railings in the street on either side of the Rosery Gate, and it has been seen in these areas in 2016 and 2023. The elms are on the tree map here. Some of these elms are small trees which have re-grown from the roots after a tree has been cut down on account of Dutch Elm Disease, but the butterfly has been seen on small elms.

The Purple Hairstreak has not been recorded in Battersea Park since 1998, but there is a good chance that it is there. Look out for it between July and August in the evening of a warm sunny day, flying around high up in oak trees. There are many oaks in Battersea Park, including English Oaks, Turkey Oaks, Evergreen Oaks and Red Oaks. Some of the oaks are on the tree map here.

Butterfly Conservation have been working with Wandsworth Council and Friends of Battersea Park to make habitat improvements for wildflife in the Park, in particular in the Nature Reserve on the east side of the Park. A Marbled White and a Gatekeeper have been recorded for the first time in 2024, in the meadow area near Chelsea Gate where the grass has been allowed to grow long. Other butterflies which might be seen in the coming years with the benefit of these improvements are Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Small Heath, Ringlet, and Small Copper.