Coincidence of High Nature Value farmlands with bird and butterfly diversity

•High Nature Value (HNV) farmland in Finland showed strong regional variation.•The produced HNV farmland indicator was associated with the butterfly diversity index.•The density of field edges and geographical location correlated with butterfly diversity.•Sub-indicator of extensive cultivation was related with the diversity of farmland birds.•HNV farmland in Finland reflects well the distribution of butterflies, but not that of birds.