| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 28 Dec |
Post Christmas egg hunt this afternoon and found a single Brown Hairstreak egg on Blackthorn, at a new site, head height near a line of
Ash Trees in a Hayes recreational area. Despite 1.5 hours of searching this was the only one that I found on some poor quality stretches of Blackthorn around
the field margins |
Paul Busby |
| 23 Dec |
Holly Blue reported from Islington |
Katherine Pogson |
| 18 Dec |
Inspired by Liz and Andrew M's pioneering searches last year in the south Middlesex area for Brown Hairstreak eggs, I've briefly
revisited a couple of of the sites where eggs were searched for unsuccessfully, to see if there is any evidence of expansion this year. Pleased to say
that there were 3 eggs in the Feltham area. (Also a total of 10 Blue-bordered Carpet moth eggs across the site).
In November, a couple of
Brown Hairstreak egg finds:
First, five BH eggs found in the Teddington area. Perhaps not a very significant find since this site is immediately
north of the Thames. However, I found nothing here last year despite a fairly extensive search, so this may suggest recent northward expansion, and
possibly the butterfly crossing the river in the Kingston area rather than further west as was probably the case in 2016. There is I think no blackthorn
at this site, and the eggs were on some other sort of prunus (presumably plum or cherry) - rather small and scruffy plants. Secondly, one solitary egg
found in the Sunbury area. A number of us have looked here before without success. I'd like to think there are more eggs here but I found no others near
the site. Much of the blackthorn here is, though, fairly inaccessible |
Stephen Reisbach |
| 9 Dec |
A good turnout of about a dozen enthusiasts attended the field trip for the Brown Hairstreak egg-hunt in the Hillingon area. It wasn't
long before we found our first white eggs on the blackthorn. They were in a cluster of three spotted by Liz Goodyear but being more elongated in shape they
were the eggs of a Blue-bordered Carpet moth. We soon saw the eggs of our target species, mostly singly and widely dispersed and in the end we counted
14 eggs including one which was probably parasitised - an excellent total. Probably about the same number of Blue-bordered Carpet moth eggs were also
discovered. A splendid day all round and thanks to Paul Busby for organising this event. (Peter Clarke) |
Paul Busby
Liz Goodyear
et al. |
| 4 Dec |
4 Orange-tip pupae on Mexican Orange Blossom in Bishop's Stortford garden, all green and looking healthy |
Bob Clift |
| 4 Dec |
Purple Hairstreak egg on oak on the southern edge of Watery Grove - the hole on the top suggests it might have been parasitised |
Peter Clarke |
| 3 Dec |
Red Admiral at Briary Lane Royston about 2pm |
Nick Keep |
| 2 Dec |
A walk around my local patch near the River Colne at Stanwell Moor around lunchtime, with the sun shining and temperatures up at the 15 degree
mark, produced two butterflies: a Red Admiral which performed a couple of brisk fly-bys, and a Comma which I found basking on the ground |
Dave Miller |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 30 Nov |
Red Admiral in Bengeo garden |
Simon Knott |
| 18 Nov |
Red Admiral at Shortwood Common, Staines |
Stephen Reisbach |
| 18 Nov |
Red Admiral at the Piggottshill Allotments site, Harpenden |
Albert Callewaert |
| 17 Nov |
Although only 11°C, the Small Copper was still there feeding on ragwort, south of Watery Grove |
Peter Clarke |
| 17 Nov |
Two Red Admirals in my Stocking Pelham garden |
Andrew Brown |
| 17 Nov |
A Speckled Wood and a Red Admiral in my Harpenden garden |
Robin Pearson |
| 14 Nov |
Red Admiral in the walled garden at Capel Manor College, Enfield EN1 4RQ |
Stuart Gillings |
| 14 Nov |
Two Red Admirals and... two brand new third brood Holly Blues (one female, one male) at Stanwell Moor |
Dave Miller |
| 14 Nov |
1 Comma feeding on a Mahonia at Crane Mead, Ware and Red Admirals at Foxholes, Hertford, Ware Park and Ware Cemetery (4) |
Andrew Wood |
| 14 Nov |
A Small Copper, feeding on the same ragwort plant as one seen last week in the field south of Watery Grove. Nearer home, I found a
Red Admiral feeding on a dandelion flower on a grassy bank near Walden End, Stevenage |
Peter Clarke |
| 13 Nov |
Two Red Admirals including one of aberration fructa (forewing red bands split into two) and bialbata (white spot on red
bands) and two Commas at Stanwell Moor |
Dave Miller |
| 11 Nov |
A Red Admiral in my Bishop's Stortford garden this morning |
Bob Clift |
| 11 Nov |
Despite yesterday afternoon and evening when we had thunder and torrential rain, this morning's sunshine still managed to conjure a Red
Admiral on my local patch at Stanwell Moor |
Dave Miller |
| 11 Nov |
Speckled Wood in Bengeo garden this morning. My first ever November record for species |
Simon Knott |
| 10 Nov |
Solo Red Admiral this morning in my garden backing onto Sherrardspark Wood in Welwyn Garden City |
Ivan Judd |
| 8 Nov |
A Red Admiral was sunning itself on my loppers during our work party on Halsey Field, Gadebridge, Hemel Hempstead |
Chris Ridley |
| 8 Nov |
Three Red Admirals seen at Stanwell Moor. The most interesting bit was a Red Admiral egg-laying, but I also came across a
Silver Y moth which seems unusual too |
Dave Miller |
| 6 Nov |
A Red Admiral in Bishop's Stortford Southern Country Park |
Bob Clift |
| 5 Nov |
At Hilfield Park Reservoir I saw 1 Green-veined White |
Peter Elton |
| 5 Nov |
In bright weather at around 2:00 pm in the field adjoining Watery Grove I saw 2 Small Coppers feeding on ragwort - my latest ever |
Peter Clarke |
| 2 Nov |
Stanwell Moor: Another frosty start to the day, but lots of sunshine to bring the temperatures up to 11 or 12 degrees by lunchtime. Not much
wind either. The local hotspots round here were all ivy patches. Altogether, I counted seven Red Admirals and a Comma, plus a rather worn Holly Blue which I
disturbed whilst moving closer to a Red Admiral and lost track of |
Dave Miller |
| 2 Nov |
A Small Copper still on the wing this morning at 9.50am along Dyes Lane just to the west of Norton Green |
Tom Speller |
| 2 Nov |
Had a Clouded Yellow in the sunshine at Bayfordbury: the first I've seen this year! |
Ian Flack |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 31 Oct |
Harpenden: 1 Red Admiral flying round back garden on a cold, breezy morning |
Robin Pearson |
| 31 Oct |
Stanwell Moor: 5 Red Admiral, 1 Small Copper, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Comma and 1 Painted Lady (looked new) |
Dave Miller |
| 29 Oct |
Stanwell Moor: 2 Red Admiral, 1 Common Blue, 1 Small Copper and 1 Small White |
Dave Miller |
| 28 Oct |
I was delighted to see a Red Admiral in my back garden in Stocking Pelham |
Andrew Brown |
| 28 Oct |
Harpenden. A Red Admiral flying strongly in my garden - at 7°C! |
David Hunt |
| 26 Oct |
Stanwell Moor: 3 Red Admiral, 2 Common Blue and 1 Speckled Wood |
Dave Miller |
| 26 Oct |
1 Red Admiral settled in oak edge of Ride Wood, Trent Park at 13:38 hrs, 1 Small Copper at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 13:42
hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 25 Oct |
Stanwell Moor: 4 Red Admiral, 4 Common Blue (1 fresh), 2 Small Copper, 2 Holly Blue, 1 Small White, 1
Speckled Wood, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 female Brown Argus (very fresh) |
Dave Miller |
| 25 Oct |
Harpenden: 1 Red Admiral and a worn Peacock in and around Ivy in garden |
Robin Pearson |
| 24 Oct |
Stanwell Moor: 6 Red Admiral, 4 Common Blue, 3 Small Copper, 1 Holly Blue (fresh), 1 Small White and 1 male
Brown Argus (very fresh) |
Dave Miller |
| 24 Oct |
2 Small Copper at 'New Fields' Trent Park at 13:52 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 24 Oct |
Hounslow. A sunny afternoon with a Small Copper down by the railway on the Heath the only butterfly spotted |
Peter Gore |
| 23 Oct |
In Trent Park - 1 Speckled Wood (worn & faded) near Oakwood entrance 12:55 hrs, 2 Small Copper together 'New Fields' at 13:28
hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 23 Oct |
Nomansland Common on a rather breezy day with hazy sun : 1 worn and tatty Small Copper nectaring on ragwort; 1 Garden Carpet
moth flying above the heather and settling in the lower branches of an oak tree |
David Hunt |
| 22 Oct |
Red Admiral at Park Ave, Bushey |
Rebecca Palmer |
| 22 Oct |
The first butterfly I've seen in my Ware garden for weeks despite all the sunshine and warm weather! A Red Admiral flew through at 4.30
this afternoon briefly pausing on the house bricks and then off again south |
Liz Goodyear |
| 22 Oct |
Harpenden Common: 1 Small Copper at the same place as last week |
David Hunt |
| 22 Oct |
I saw a Red Admiral in the sunshine today at c. 1:30pm flying amongst the trees near Hampstead Heath on my road |
Mark Barclay |
| 21 Oct |
Red Admiral at Park Ave, Bushey |
Rebecca Palmer |
| 21 Oct |
In Oakwood Park this afternoon - 1 Red Admiral and 1 Speckled Wood at 14:45 hrs near Saxon Way entrance W of 10 km line, 1
female Small Copper E of 10 km line at 15:04 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 21 Oct |
A Small Copper and a very worn Common Blue in a field near Bareleigh, east of Stevenage. Later, a Red Admiral over ivy
flowers in Aston |
Peter Clarke |
| 21 Oct |
Red Admiral has been spotted feeding on the Ivy flowers in our Hemel Hempstead garden this morning and last Friday pm |
Chris Ridley |
| 20 Oct |
2 Red Admirals near Radlett Road, Watford |
Rebecca Palmer |
| 20 Oct |
King George Reservoir, Enfield, a 'helice' Clouded Yellow - see photos |
Andrew Middleton |
| 20 Oct |
Berkhamsted, Parents' back garden: A Small Tortoiseshell feeding on a Viburnum. Very likely the same individual seen a week ago |
Chris Hilling |
| 20 Oct |
Relatively early morning Red Admiral in Eastcote (TQ1085), about 8.20am, in bright sunshine but still quite cold, flying along the
gables of a house then onto flowering Ivy |
Paul Busby |
| 20 Oct |
Hounslow. Four butterflies in autumn sunshine this afternoon: two Small Coppers down by the railway as usual and a White in the same
area circled me several times without ever getting close enough for me to identify. The highlight though was a lively Holly Blue fluttering high up
around the Ivy flowers in the Pevensey loop |
Peter Gore |
| 20 Oct |
4 Small Copper at Trent Park (3 'New Fields', 1 near Ride Wood), 5 Red Admiral (1 flew SW at 'New Fields' Trent Park at 11:53
hrs, 1 settled on ground near Ride Wood, Trent Park at 12:43 hrs, 1 flew SW at Ferny Hill Farm, Enfield at 13:28 hrs, 2 at Vicarage Farm, Enfield - TQ 30 97
- 1 flew S at 14:21 hrs and 1 near Allotments at 14:45 hrs) |
Robert Callf |
| 20 Oct |
Harpenden: Four Red Admirals plus a Comma on my garden ivy |
Robin Pearson |
| 19 Oct |
A strong flying Red Admiral cross the busy Victoria Road, South Ruislip towards Lidl car park (TQ1285), whilst waiting for a bus to
arrive |
Paul Busby |
| 19 Oct |
St Albans - Peacock in my bedroom this morning. I think it must have been hibernating in the suitcase I fetched down from the loft. I'm
off to Italy for the week, maybe the butterfly sensed that and was hoping to hitch a lift to a warmer place? |
Malcolm Hull |
| 19 Oct |
Harpenden Common: 1 Small Copper |
David Hunt |
| 19 Oct |
1 Red Admiral nectaring on ivy flowers near Allotments at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 13:58 hrs, 1 Painted Lady
nectaring on dandelions at Parkside Farm, Enfield near farm shop (TQ 301 981) at 14:47 - 14:50 hrs at least, 1 Small White at Parkside Farm, Enfield
(TQ 29 98) at 15:32 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 19 Oct |
Three Red Admirals on ivy flowers in my Harpenden garden |
Robin Pearson |
| 18 Oct |
I saw a Small Copper in one of the meadow areas of Heartwood Forest |
Chris Ridley |
| 18 Oct |
Near Kimpton Mill, a Comma and a Red Admiral, both around ivy at the edge of a private plantation at grid ref TL 1990 1870
(tetrad TL11 Z) in sunshine at 15:40 hours |
Colin Everett |
| 18 Oct |
In Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood near Triangular Wood at 12:40 hrs, 7 Small Copper (6 at 'New Fields' including a courting couple,
1 near Ride Wood), 1 Clouded Yellow in Sect 6 'New Fields' at 12:54 hrs and probably the same individual Sect 5 at 13:00 hrs, 1 Peacock near
Upper Lake at 13:40 hrs, 1 Red Admiral nectaring on michaelmas daisies 'Old Golf Course' at 13:45 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 16 Oct |
At the south end of Ellenbrook Fields near Smallford (tetrad TL10 Y): a Painted Lady feeding on ragwort flowers and a male
Brimstone, both at grid ref TL 1965 0794; two separate Small Coppers 70 metres apart in the adjacent field at TL 1955 0797; and a Speckled
Wood along the tree-line at TL 1961 0797. No Clouded Yellow today although the location (and especially the Small Copper field) is suitable |
Colin Everett |
| 16 Oct |
2 Small Copper at 'New Fields' Trent Park and 1 Small White at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 15:33 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 13 Oct |
Park Ave/Mead Way, Bushey 1 Red Admiral |
Rebecca Palmer |
| 13 Oct |
At St James churchyard, Bushey 1 x Red Admiral |
David Gower |
| 13 Oct |
End of the season return visits to a couple of my favourite sites this year.
At Northfield Rd, Tring, there were no butterflies flying at
all, despite the warm sunny afternoon. A single Comma was perching on ivy.
At Nomansland Common I saw 16 Small Coppers including the blue
spotted aberrant form caeruleo-punctata, which I've not often encountered at this site. As with my last visit the Coppers' behaviour was impacted by
the weather, in this case a stiff wind about 15 mph. A few were flying, but most were sheltering either within the Heather, or flat on bare ground. Those
perched were much less conspicuously positioned than on the branch Butterfly walk on 30th Sept. Just one adopted the curious "sideways" position with wings
parallel to the ground. One was perched with a more normal "head down" position. One was nectaring on ragwort and another examining sheep's sorrel looking
for egg-laying sites |
Malcolm Hull |
| 13 Oct |
'Old Golf Course' Trent Park: 1 Small Heath at 13:37 hrs (my latest ever and possibly for Herts & Middx?) and 1 Small Copper at 13:41 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 10 Oct |
Having seen so few this year, it was a real pleasure to find a Small Tortoiseshell in parents' Berkhamsted back garden this afternoon |
Chris Hilling |
| 10 Oct |
Painted Lady in field south of Watery Grove |
Phil Barron |
| 10 Oct |
In Ayot St Lawrence (TL 1943 1684), a Red Admiral and a male Brimstone, both around ivy |
Colin Everett |
| 10 Oct |
I just had a Clouded Yellow at Sarratt Bottom (TQ 03362 98398). No camera sadly - but it didn't settle anyway. I was standing on the
bridge looking at the crayfish and it flew along the bank within feet of me, flitted around for a moment and then carried on along the bank heading South |
Martin Parr |
| 10 Oct |
Hounslow. One Small Copper down by the railway yet again and a Speckled Wood and Small White close to the former Golf
Course on today's sunny walk |
Peter Gore |
| 10 Oct |
At around 11:30 in the field north of Burleigh Farm, I found 5 Small Copper and a Silver-Y over the 'nettle' strip |
Peter Clarke |
| 10 Oct |
19 Small Copper at Trent Park (15 at 'New Fields, 4 at 'Old Golf Course'), 2 Small White together at Parkside Farm, Enfield
(TQ 30 98). 1 Speckled Wood (well worn) near Park's Office, Trent Park. Surprised to find a Painted Lady nectaring on ivy blossom at
Oakwood Station (TQ 294 959) at 16:45 - 16:50 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 10 Oct |
13 Small Coppers and a Peacock during a short stroll around midday on the south-facing side of the heathland on the eastern end
of Nomansland Common |
Barbara Doye |
| 9 Oct |
Small White seen by Frays River, Uxbridge (TQ052838) at lunchtime |
Paul Busby |
| 9 Oct |
22 Small Coppers at Nomansland Common early this afternoon, 1 Large White and 1 Red Admiral at the point where
Symondshyde Wood and Sutton's Farm Pits join |
Andrew Wood |
| 9 Oct |
Hounslow. A Small Copper (quite likely the same one seen on Sunday) and a Speckled Wood, both on the Heath near the railway were
the only butterflies identified, three whites and a large darker butterfly avoided confident identification on a warm sunny afternoon walk today |
Peter Gore |
| 9 Oct |
1 Comma at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 at 12:20 hrs. At Trent Park - 2 Red Admiral (1 settled Sect 5 at 13:00 hrs, 1 flew S over
Triangular Wood at 13:09 hrs), 11 Small Copper (10 at 'New Fields', 1 at 'Old Golf Course'), female Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course', 1 Small
White near Hadley Road/Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 9 Oct |
At Rickneys Quarry this morning, 3 Small Copper, Common Blue and 2 Treble-bar moths |
Steve Kiln |
| 8 Oct |
On a walk today at Bridgefoot, South Mymms I was surprised to encounter a Jersey Tiger Moth that seemed extremely attracted to me, and
landing on my clothing several times!. Also seen 1 Small Copper and 1 Small White |
Terry Wood |
| 8 Oct |
1 Small White at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 14:03 hrs and 2 Small Copper at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 15:00 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 7 Oct |
A Painted Lady at Hilfield Park Reservoir. Also 2 Speckled Wood and 3 Small Copper |
Tony Blake |
| 7 Oct |
A Speckled Wood at Finch Lane Allotments, Bushey |
Rebecca Palmer |
| 7 Oct |
Millhoppers Reserve. Near the end of our very productive work party at around 2.45pm two butterflies were spotted: A Small Copper on
some Ivy and a Speckled Wood basking in the warm afternoon sun on the fence |
Chris Hilling |
| 7 Oct |
A Small White seen by the Overground railway track just after Wembley Central station (TQ183849) |
Paul Busby |
| 7 Oct |
Hounslow. Just one butterfly today, a Small Copper sunning itself on a dead Oak leaf on the Heath near the railway |
Peter Gore |
| 7 Oct |
1 Speckled Wood at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 12:12 hrs and 1 Small White at Holly Hill Farm, Enfield (TL 291 000)
at 14:10 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 5 Oct |
Walk to the shops in Ruislip Manor on a sunny Friday lunchtime and saw a Peacock flying around flowering Ivy in Shenley Park (TQ099871)
and a Speckled Wood nearer home (TQ105872) |
Paul Busby |
| 5 Oct |
1 female Small White at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 12:25 hrs. Trent Park 'New Fields' (12:45 - 13:35 hrs) - 1 Small Heath near
Triangular Wood at 12:57 hrs (Only the third year ever that I have recorded this species in October!), 3 Speckled Wood together at 13:04 hrs and 3
Small Copper. Later, 3 Small Copper at Trent Park (1 field near Dew Pond, 2 'Old Golf Course') |
Robert Callf |
| 4 Oct |
1 Small White at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) this afternoon at 14:42 hrs and another at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 15:20 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 3 Oct |
Whilst out today looking for spindle bushes and feeding damage of the micro moth Nephopterix angustella on the spindle berries
(of which we were successful) we also looked at quite a lot of elm for White-letter Hairstreak eggs. This was a circular walk on public footpaths from
the old Widford Station, to Wareside, up towards Noblands Green, across and back down to the River Ash at Widford. Much of the walk was in TL4016. We were
successful in finding eggs on three occasions but what was most significant was that - on the first occasion, we found three eggs on the same growth joint
which was unusual. The second elm where we found an egg was on the end tip and on closer inspection there appeared to be three eggs sitting on each other but
this was incorrect as there was another egg underneath them. Finally, 5 eggs were found on the end tips of some twigs of the same elm but again two eggs on
two different end tips and a further singleton on another end tip. On all the occasions we have found eggs, we have never had so many multiple eggs on the
same day. We can only assume that because of the hot weather, the females were 'too hot' to fly around and just kept laying eggs in the same place? |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 3 Oct |
1 female Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 14:00 hrs and 3 Small Copper (2 at 'Old Golf Course', 1 near Dew Pond).
1 Garden Carpet at bus-stop shelter at Bramley Road, N14 this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 2 Oct |
1 Speckled Wood at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) this morning at 11:39 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 1 Oct |
In the Jockey End area (TL01 G), a Speckled Wood on private land at Widmore Spring, and a Comma at Hedgeswood Common; also a
Pale Tussock caterpillar at the latter site |
Colin Everett |
| 1 Oct |
A Box tree moth on my car tyre, on 19 September, not even a couple of metres from a pair of box trees in my porch way (Bishop's
Stortford). I have seen several of them in the last few weeks and I discovered that the moth is reaching epidemic proportions in London, and spreading out into the Home
Counties. My 2 box trees have been decimated by the caterpillars. The moth is about 30mm from head to wingtip |
Bob Clift |
| 1 Oct |
1 Speckled Wood along Leeging Beech Gutter N of Williams Wood at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 298 978) this morning at 09:36 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 30 Sep |
Nomansland Common - despite cloudy weather, 18 people and one dog joined me for our last branch Butterfly walk of the season.
We set off around
the Small Coppers favourite sites on the acid Heath. We soon found our first Small Copper tucked up on the short grass. It readily crawled onto my hand
seeking warmth and we could all examine and photograph it, although its wings remained firmly closed. We next encountered a group of 3 Small Coppers all
roosting on the stems of dead grass, about 15-20 cms above ground level in a sheltered spot. After that the next 8 Coppers were all roosting on heather. We
noticed they were all conspicuously positioned on or near the top of the heather, so easy to spot. All had their wings firmly shut and were turned sideways
with the maximum surface area pointing towards the sky.
Next we found the feathers of a dead Woodcock, followed by another Small Copper roosting on gorse.
We passed through the wood to the eastern side of the Common. The first Copper was hiding low down in the grass, the next four roosting in prominent positions
on gorse about 50-60 cms above ground. Finally we found one on the ground with its wings open, providing good photo opportunities. More were seen roosting on
grass stems, gorse, bramble and knapweed, all prominently positioned and turned sideways.
After a very brief glimpse of sun we found an upright Copper
rubbing its wings together getting ready to fly. Maybe this unusual sideways roosting is a way they can detect if the sun is about to come out and once it
does they get ready to fly. Unfortunately we saw no more sun, but there were a couple more Coppers in flight before we got back to the car park. Just as we
finished Jackie drew attention to a Common Blue, roosting on a grass stalk in a more characteristic heads down position.
In total I recorded 31 Small
Coppers, 1 Common Blue and two cocoons vacated by 6-spot Burnet Moths - not bad for an afternoon of 14 degrees and only 30 secs of sun! |
Malcolm Hull |
| 29 Sep |
Spent a considerable time watching a Small Copper (possibly my favourite butterfly) feeding on a clump of asters on an allotment, just
outside Long Marston on the road to Wingrave (SP892162) |
Alison Beck |
| 29 Sep |
One Speckled Wood on ivy in my Harpenden garden |
Robin Pearson |
| 29 Sep |
Small Copper at Finch Lane Allotments, Bushey |
Rebecca Palmer |
| 29 Sep |
1 Speckled Wood in Gypsy Lane, Hitchin TL207293, 2 Speckled Wood in Purwell Ninesprings HMWT reserve, Hitchin TL205291 |
David Inward |
| 29 Sep |
Barred Sallow in Hemel Hempstead garden |
Ashley Cox |
| 29 Sep |
Hounslow. A pleasantly sunny day with the following butterflies seen: Speckled Wood: 3 Small Copper: 2 Brown Argus: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 29 Sep |
St Albans - 1 Small Tortoiseshell interrupted its hibernation to feed on Sedum in my garden in the warm sunshine at lunchtime. However
the other 12 stayed hibernating. This afternoon I visited a disused gravel pit on the east side of town. Still plenty of nectar around, I saw 12 Common
Blues, 1 Small Copper, 1 Small Heath, 1 Brown Argus and 2 Small Whites |
Malcolm Hull |
| 29 Sep |
Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) this afternoon - 1 Speckled Wood, 1 male Common Blue, 1 female Small Copper and 1
Small Heath |
Robert Callf |
| 29 Sep |
I've just seen a Speckled Wood butterfly in my garden in Muswell Hill |
Amanda Constantinou |
| 28 Sep |
1 Speckled Wood near Oakwood entrance at Trent Park, 17 Small Copper at Trent Park (16 'New Fields', 1 'Old Golf Course'), 1
Comma at Water Garden, Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood near lower lake, Trent Park, female Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park and 1
Small Heath here also |
Robert Callf |
| 28 Sep |
Bricket Wood Common - Lovely sunny day at lunchtime for the last transect of the season - Just 3 Speckled Woods |
Malcolm Hull |
| 27 Sep |
1 Speckled Wood, 1 unidentified white - paths west of Weston Way, Baldock TL242327 |
David Inward |
| 27 Sep |
Hounslow. A shorter walk today with reduced numbers a consequence: Speckled Wood: 8 Small Copper: 1 Painted Lady: 1
Small Heath: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 27 Sep |
Harpenden Common on a very warm and sunny afternoon: 1 Small Copper; 1 Small Tortoiseshell; 4 Speckled Wood (2 x 2
clashing males) |
David Hunt |
| 27 Sep |
1 Red Admiral flew SW at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 10:51 hrs, 2 Comma at Trent Park (1 'Old Golf Course' 1 Water
Garden), 6 Small Copper at Trent Park, 1 Small White, 1 female Common Blue (fresh), 2 Small Heath and 1 Red Admiral at
'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood near Water Garden, Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood near Equestrian Centre, Trent Park |
Robert Callf |
| 26 Sep |
1 Small Tortoiseshell - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 26 Sep |
Hounslow. Managed a complete walk today during a lull in activity on the Marshalling Yards with the following sightings resulting: Speckled
Wood: 7 Comma: 1 Small Copper: 4 Brown Argus: 1 Small White: 3 Common Blue: 3 Peacock: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 26 Sep |
1 Garden Carpet at bus-stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 this morning, 2 Small White at Parkside Farm, Enfield at
TQ 301 980 and TQ 297 982, 1 Red Admiral flew SW at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 11:16 hrs. At 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park: 4 Small
Copper including three together nectaring on ragwort, 2 Small Heath, 3 Common Blue - 1 male, 2 females including one fresh female. 1
Speckled Wood and 1 Comma nectaring on rotting berries at Water Garden, Trent Park at 13:18 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 26 Sep |
A Comma and male Brimstone at Harpenden |
Robin Pearson |
| 25 Sep |
A Small Tortoiseshell in Skylark Place, Royston |
Laurence Drummond |
| 25 Sep |
A Small White and Speckled Wood seen at Brunel University Campus (TQ 06 82) at lunchtime |
Paul Busby |
| 25 Sep |
Clouded Yellow at Hertford Road/Lodge Drive, Hatfield (TL237096) |
Chris Benton |
| 25 Sep |
Hounslow. Reduced numbers in today's sunshine in part because I omitted the central Marshalling Yards loop where clearance work is under way,
and tidying away of nectar plants on the Pevensey loop has made it harder to find butterflies there. Still, a dozen butterflies and 7 species though:
Small Heath: 1 Small Copper: 3 Comma: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Red Admiral: 2 Brown Argus: 2 Peacock: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 25 Sep |
Clouded Yellow flying NE close to the ground in field north of Burleigh Farm near Langley (TL223218) |
Peter Clarke |
| 25 Sep |
1 Speckled Wood at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 6 Small Heath - 2 at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) and 4 at 'Old Golf Course'
Trent Park incl a fresh one - a good number for so late in the season! 6 Small Copper at Trent Park (5 at 'Old Golf Course', 1 near Dew Pond), 1 male
Large White near Ride Wood, Trent Park, 3 Speckled Wood at Trent Park |
Robert Callf |
| 24 Sep |
Red Admiral at Park Ave/Mead Way, Bushey |
Rebecca Palmer |
| 24 Sep |
Surprised to see a Painted Lady on Ivy blossom on the garage roof of my Hatfield garden. First non-White for weeks/months. Usually
hope for Red Admiral about now, but no hope this year |
John Moss |
| 24 Sep |
Small Copper in my Stevenage garden feeding on buddleia |
Peter Clarke |
| 24 Sep |
Morning visit to River Pinn, Ruislip Golf Course, Ickenham (TQ 07 87) and on Michaelmas Daisies saw a Small Copper and a Painted
Lady (reported via BC Migrant Watch), then another Small Copper on Thistle and a Speckled Wood on bankside vegetation. Then on the entrance
field to Gutteridge Wood (TQ 08 84) saw a Common Blue, Small White and a Speckled Wood |
Paul Busby |
| 24 Sep |
Hounslow. After the wet weekend, sunshine this afternoon led to butterfly sightings resuming much as they'd left off: Speckled Wood: 7
Small Copper: 8 Common Blue: 5 Holly Blue: 1 Red Admiral: 1 Small White: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 24 Sep |
1 Red Admiral flew SW at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) at 09:39 hrs, 1 Small Copper nectaring on michaelmas daisies at
Parkside Farm/Res (TQ 29 98) at 10:14 hrs, 1 Speckled Wood at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97). Trent Park 'New Fields' (13:10 - 14:00 hrs) - 1
Small Heath Sect 6 at 13:33 hrs, 14 Small Copper, 1 Speckled Wood |
Robert Callf |
| 21 Sep |
Small Copper on my allotment this afternoon, a rare sighting at this location. I have seen several individuals of this species outside
its usual sites in recent weeks, supporting predictions of a strong third brood. Why not join me on the afternoon of Sunday 30th for a stroll round its
stronghold at Nomansland Common near St Albans to see if we can beat my record count of 70? Details on the
walks and talks webpage |
Malcolm Hull |
| 21 Sep |
Hounslow. Blustery conditions and some rain but surprisingly reasonable numbers of butterflies: Speckled Wood: 10 Common Blue:
4 Green-veined White: 1 Red Admiral: 1 Small White: 1 Small Copper: 3 |
Peter Gore |
| 20 Sep |
1 Speckled Wood at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 13:54 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 19 Sep |
3 Small Copper at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) including two together, 1 female Small White at Ferny Hill, Enfield
(TQ 28 98), 4 Speckled Wood at Trent Park (1 edge of Moat Wood, 1 E edge of Icehouse Wood, 1 near Dew Pond, 1 near Equestrian Centre); 1 Small
Copper at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 2 Small Heath (1 fresh, 1 worn) at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm
near Merryhills Brook (TQ 29 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 18 Sep |
3rd brood Brown Argus at Stanwell Moor |
Dave Miller |
| 18 Sep |
Morning clean-up of Frays River, Fassnidge Park, Uxbridge (TQ05 84) and saw a Speckled Wood and Small White. After lunch at
(TQ 08 84), Gutteridge Wood entrance field, saw a Box-Tree Moth perched on Dog Rose and a Small White and then at Cutthroat Wood Meadow saw a
Common Blue, Small White and another Speckled Wood |
Paul Busby |
| 18 Sep |
Hounslow. On a breezy but frequently sunny afternoon walk the highlight was another sighting of Clouded Yellow, once again in the Heather
field near the railway. This individual also seemed reluctant to fly far and settled on the underside of a Willow (?) leaf before I disturbed it. After a
short stop and walk 50 or so yards further I had a further sighting of a Clouded Yellow, this time flying strongly over trees. As it could well be the same
individual I'm including only 1 in the following stats.: Speckled Wood: 11 Brown Argus: 2 Common Blue: 2 Small Copper: 7
Comma: 1 Clouded Yellow: 1 (Also a dozen or so unidentified Whites) |
Peter Gore |
| 18 Sep |
1 Speckled Wood this afternoon at 13:46 hrs at Woodberry Wetlands (TQ 326 876). 1 Speckled Wood near Merryhills Brook at Trent
Park, 1 Common Blue and 1 Speckled Wood near Merryhills Brook at Vicarage Farm (TQ 29 97), 1 Small Heath and 1 Small
Tortoiseshell at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 15:40 hrs. 1 Box-tree Moth and 1 Gold Triangle at ASDA Southgate this afternoon and 1
Box-tree Moth at Dalrymple Close this evening |
Robert Callf |
| 17 Sep |
4+ Speckled Wood and 1 Red Admiral at Fishers Field Nature Reserve, Bushey |
Rebecca Palmer |
| 17 Sep |
Quite surprised to see a fresh male Brimstone in Rushden Road Sandon. TL31973436 |
Laurence Drummond |
| 17 Sep |
Morning visit to the old landfill tip at Little Britain (TQ 0480) and saw just 3 Small Whites amongst the Buddleias. A number of
butterflies around the pond at Minet Country Park (TQ 1080) on a sunny lunchtime visit, seeing 3 Brown Argus, a Common Blue and a Small
White on the damp mud. Finally, around the Minet Cycle Track saw another 4 Small Whites |
Paul Busby |
| 17 Sep |
4 Small Copper and 4 Small Heath at Trent Park, 1 Common Blue and 2 Speckled Wood at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ
30 97), 1 Large White at Enfield Road, EN2 near Jolly Farmers PH at 13:13 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 16 Sep |
Folly Lane, St Albans - a male Brimstone, possibly disturbed from hibernation by hedge pruning activity |
Malcolm Hull |
| 16 Sep |
I had my first Hertfordshire Clouded Yellow - a single, worn specimen flying this afternoon at Fox Covert, just west of Therfield Heath |
Ian Small |
| 16 Sep |
At Merryhill fields, Bushey spotted 3 Small Coppers, 6 Speckled Wood, 1 Small White, 1 Common Blue. At St James
churchyard 4 Speckled Wood and in Bushey garden 1 Speckled Wood |
David Gower |
| 16 Sep |
1 Small Blood-vein at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 bus-stop shelter (TQ 295 950) this morning and 2 Speckled Wood at Vicarage
Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97). 7 Speckled Wood along New River in Town Park, Enfield and 1 Willow Beauty at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. 2
Small Dusty Wave at Dalrymple Close, N14 this evening |
Robert Callf |
| 15 Sep |
2 Speckled Wood - Walsworth Common, Hitchin TL19473038 |
David Inward |
| 15 Sep |
Hounslow. Surprisingly good numbers of butterflies on a warm, intermittently sunny,afternoon: Speckled Wood: 9 Small Copper: 9
Small White: 5 Large White: 1 Common Blue: 6 Brown Argus: 2 Small Heath: 3 Holly Blue: 2 Green-veined White:
1 |
Peter Gore |
| 15 Sep |
1 female Common Blue, 4 Small Heath and 2 Small Copper at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park and another Small Copper
near Water Garden, Trent Park. Trent Park 'New Fields' (12:30 - 13:10 hrs) - 2 Speckled Wood (1 near Oakwood entrance, 1 Sect 7), 5 Small Heath,
12 Small Copper, 1 male Common Blue Sect 5, 1 Comma nectaring on putrefying blackberries edge of Church Wood 12:57 hrs and 1
Box-tree Moth near Cockfosters entrance - my first for this site! |
Robert Callf |
| 15 Sep |
St Albans - unmistakable signs of Box tree moth larvae damage on a small box plant in my garden. The first record I'm aware of for St
Albans, but unsurprising as it has been spreading rapidly in our branch area. A good time to remember that we have a Butterfly Conservation guidance note on
this species, aimed at discouraging spraying. For advice
read note |
Malcolm Hull |
| 14 Sep |
Whilst working near the confluence of the Fray's River and River Pinn in Yiewsley, (TQ055806), saw a Speckled Wood on some wood
chippings |
Paul Busby |
| 14 Sep |
2 Small Dusty Wave at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 bus-stop shelter this morning. 3 Small Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park
this morning and 1 Small Copper near Ride Wood, Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 13 Sep |
A walk in the eastern part of Knebworth Park yielded 51 Small Copper (several in pairs), 5 Small White, 13 Small Heath,
13 Speckled Wood and 4 Comma including two together feasting on blackberries. Incredible number of Small Coppers in varying condition -
my best ever count |
Peter Clarke |
| 13 Sep |
Hounslow. A sunny afternoon with the following sightings: Small Heath: 3 Small Copper: 8 Small White: 3 Speckled
Wood: 3 Common Blue: 6 Brown Argus: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 13 Sep |
Another lunchtime visit on a sunny day, to the Stafford Road Open Space, Blackthorn thicket, TQ0985 and saw 7 Speckled Woods, 8
Small Copper, 4 Common Blues and a Small White. Towards the railway depot and on the cut field , TQ0986, saw 2 Small Heaths, 3
Small Coppers, 2 Common Blues, a Small White and one unidentified brown butterfly fly up and over Blackthorn hedge by a Large Ash.
Earlier on Gutteridge Meadow (TQ0885) saw 2 Small Coppers and a female Common Blue and then on the Blackthorn hedge lined field at entrance to
Gutteridge Wood (TQ0884) saw a Speckled Wood, 2 Small Whites and another Small Copper, making a total of 14 Small Coppers for the day |
Paul Busby |
| 13 Sep |
Regents Park NW1 - A lunchtime stroll around the Inner Circle gardens produced a surprisingly good number of butterflies Large White 6,
including a mating pair; Holly Blue 1; Small White 8; Small Tortoiseshell 1 and Speckled Wood 2. Lots of bees, making use of the
ample nectar sources and good number of Darter Dragonflies. A good haul in this insect haven within our densest urban area |
Malcolm Hull |
| 13 Sep |
1 Small Dusty Wave at bus-stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 this morning, 2 Common Blue including one female at Trent
Park, 1 Small Copper near Water Garden, Trent Park at 11:08 hrs, 1 Meadow Brown at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 11:14 hrs, 6 Small
Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Green-veined White at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 12:26 hrs, 2 Small Copper (male
and female), along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm (TQ 29 98) at 12:45 hrs. This afternoon (15:00 - 15:25 hrs) at Vicarage Farm, Enfield near Merryhills Brook
(TQ 298 968) - 1 Common Blue, 4 Small Heath, 1 Small White and 2 Speckled Wood together. 1 Painted Lady and 2 Small
White at Oakwood Station at 16:33 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 11 Sep |
Cloudy and breezy morning on a River Pinn working party in Ruislip but saw 3 Small Coppers (TQ 08 87) |
Paul Busby |
| 11 Sep |
Small Copper, an uncommon butterfly for the Little Hadham Parish near Ash Valley Golf Course (TL431205). Less than 10 records in 10
years |
Jono Forgham |
| 11 Sep |
1 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 1 female Meadow Brown near Water Garden, Trent Park at 14:12 hrs, 1 Small
Copper near Water Garden, Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 1 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood (TQ 29 97)
and 1 male Common Blue near Merryhills Brook at Vicarage Farm (TQ 29 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 10 Sep |
I thought it was worth reporting a Clouded Yellow in Hertfordshire. The grid ref is TL 19493 05870, a patch of waste ground near the
River Colne at Colney Heath |
Scott Chalmers |
| 10 Sep |
Found a Small Heath with 2 white dots in the forewing's black eye-spot in Southern Country Park, Bishop's Stortford |
Bob Clift |
| 10 Sep |
Lunchtime visit on a sunny, breezy day, to the Blackthorn copse, TQ 0985, saw 6 Speckled Woods, 2 Small Heath, 3 Small
Copper, a male Common Blue, a Silver Y moth, 2 Small Whites and a bright fresh Comma. Towards the railway depot and on the cut
field , TQ 0986, saw 3 Small Heaths, 3 Small Coppers, a Large White and a Small White. Finally, late afternoon to Wraysbury Drive
Open Space, Yiewsley (TQ 055806) and saw another Small White |
Paul Busby |
| 10 Sep |
Hounslow. A pleasant autumn afternoon, the highlight being a Small Tortoiseshell, unusual for us here so late: Speckled Wood: 6 Small
Copper: 6 Common Blue: 4 Meadow Brown: 1 Brown Argus: 5 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Painted Lady: 1 Small Heath: 2
Holly Blue: 2 Small White: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 10 Sep |
1 male Common Blue at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 09:39 hrs, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Small Heath at Park Farm,
Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 male Small Copper at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 11:07 hrs and 3 Small Heath here also, 1 male Common Blue at
Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97). 1 Brown Argus, 1 male Common Blue and 2 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm near Merryhills Brook (TQ 29 96)
and 2 Small Heath and 1 Small Copper at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97). 1 Square-spot Rustic at Dalrymple Close, N14 this morning (had
flown in flat last night) and 1 Yellow Shell at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 this morning at bus-stop shelter |
Robert Callf |
| 9 Sep |
Afternoon out walking in the Yeading Valley, investigating Blackthorn scrub areas. Came across the following butterflies, Lake Farm, off
transect (TQ 094 802) saw a Small Copper and a Common Blue in a dry swale, then over at Ten Acre Wood and surrounding fields (TQ 09 83) saw 2
Small Coppers, 2 Common Blue and Brown Argus in the fields between the two LWT reserves, a Speckled Wood along the entrance path
to wood and a further 3 Small Coppers and 2 Common Blues along the Hillingdon Trail, south of the wood |
Paul Busby |
| 9 Sep |
Oakwood Park (13:25 - 14:35 hrs) - 16 Speckled Wood (8 W of 10 km line, 8 E of 10 km line), 1 Small Heath E of 10 km line, 5+
Small Copper including a pair E of 10 km line, 1 Large White W of 10 km line and 2 male Common Blue E of 10 km line. 1 Brimstone
Moth at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 9 Sep |
2 fresh male Common Blues on my Stevenage transect, a species I have not seen here since week 20 (14 August) - 3rd brood specimens? |
Peter Clarke |
| 8 Sep |
I went for a lunchtime walk at Bishops Woods Country Park, saw 4 Speckled Woods (TQ 069 917) when the sun came out. Then back to
Eastcote to walk the Roxbourne Rough transect, quite often see more butterflies off-transect, today's sightings included a Small Heath (unusual here),
Brown Argus, Small Copper and female Common Blue around a patch of flowering Ragwort (TQ 119 876) then another Small Copper and 3
male Common Blues around flowering Fleabane (TQ 120 876) |
Paul Busby |
| 8 Sep |
1 male Common Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield at 11:08 hrs, 1 Small White at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) and 1 Speckled
Wood at Bay Farm, Enfield (TQ 294 987) and 1 Vapourer at Cuckold's Hill, Enfield Chase (TQ 302 985) |
Robert Callf |
| 7 Sep |
Plenty of butterflies seen on a 4 hour walk along the fields near the Yeading Brook from Ruislip Gardens to Gutteridge Wood Meadows.
Butterflies by grid square: TQ 10 85: Small White and Common Blue by wild flowers near pond, 4 Speckled Wood, 2 Small Copper and
2 Common Blue on the rough grassland area of Bridgwater Fields. TQ 09 85 : Footpath along Brook, 5 Speckled Woods and a Small White,
Stafford Road Open Space, 2 Brown Argus, Common Blue, Speckled Wood and Small White, Blackthorn thicket, 2 Small Coppers,
6 Speckled Woods and a Small White. TQ 09 86, Railway depot hedgeline, 8 Small Copper, 1 Small Heath, 1 Brown Argus, 1
Speckled Wood and a Common Blue. TQ 08 85, Uncut field, 1 Small Heath and 2 Speckled Woods, Ickenham Marsh, 2 Speckled
Woods, Hillingdon Trail, a Small Copper and 3 Speckled Woods. TQ 09 84 Gutteridge Wood boardwalk, female Holly Blue near flowering
Ivy and 2 Speckled Woods, TQ 08 84 Small White by A40, Speckled Wood Cutthroat Wood. TQ 07 84 2 Small Whites near Buddleia on
Master brewer derelict site and finally TQ 10 80, a Small White by Minet Cycle track |
Paul Busby |
| 7 Sep |
1 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), also here 2 Small Copper together at 11:38 hrs, 2 male Common Blue at
11:48 hrs and 1 Silver Y, 1 Speckled Wood at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 female Brown Argus at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at
12:27 hrs, 2 Small Copper at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, also here 4 Small Heath, 1 Speckled Wood E edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park,
4 male Common Blue at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood/Merryhills Brook (TQ 29 97), also here 2 Small Heath, 2 Speckled Wood near Equestrian
Centre, Trent Park |
Robert Callf |
| 6 Sep |
In blackthorn-rich habitat close to sightings on 2 September in the Hillingdon area, four female Brown Hairstreak were seen and
subsequently a brief egg search yielded 3 eggs. The best activity was seen close to ash trees between 11.30 and 1 during 100% sunshine. See Andrew's video
clips here |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 6 Sep |
1 Small White - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 6 Sep |
Hounslow: Small Heath: 7 Red Admiral: 1 Holly Blue: 5 Small Copper: 4 Speckled Wood: 4 Brown Argus: 6
Common Blue: 4 Small White: 1
|
Peter Gore |
| 6 Sep |
1 Red Admiral flew S at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 10:29 hrs, 2 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 1
female Small Copper nectaring on michaelmas daisies at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield at 10:38 hrs, 1 Small White at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98),
3 Small Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Red Admiral by Lower Lake, Trent Park at 11:50 hrs and 1 Meadow Brown here at 11:52 hrs.
Male Common Blue in Town Park, Enfield this afternoon at 15:13 hrs. 1 Orange Sallow at bus-stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 (TQ
295 951) this morning - my third year in succession for this species in the Southgate area, also 1 Small Dusty Wave here and 1 Yellow Shell at
Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98) this morning |
Robert Callf |
| 5 Sep |
Quick 5 minute visit to one of commemorative WW1 wild flower and poppy beds planted by Hillingdon Council and local youth groups close by the
Yeading Brook, South Ruislip (TQ 106 861) and saw a Small Copper and two male Common Blues. Then at lunchtime, at Tile Kiln Open Space, London
Borough of Enfield by the Pymmes Brook, very close to North Circular Road and A10 trunk road (TQ 32 92) and saw a Holly Blue on flowering Ivy and a
Large White and 2 Small Whites around Buddleia |
Paul Busby |
| 5 Sep |
4 Speckled Wood, 1 Small White - fields SE of St Mary's Church, Great Wymondley TL2128. 1 Large White - St Faiths Close,
Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 5 Sep |
Hounslow. After a cloudy start this morning the sun finally shone towards the end of the Marshalling Yards loops and with the sun came the
butterflies. In the Pevensey loop a strange looking butterfly high up in an Ash tree, with the aid of binoculars, proved to be 2 Speckled Woods mating. Small
Copper sightings reached double figures and made them the commonest butterflies of the day - I can't remember that happening here before. Here's the summary:
Brown Argus: 9 Small Copper: 11 Common Blue: 3 Small White: 3 Meadow Brown: 2 Small Heath: 7 Large White: 1
Holly Blue: 1 Speckled Wood: 4 |
Peter Gore |
| 5 Sep |
1 Speckled Wood at Park Farm, Enfield at 10:49 hrs, 1 Speckled Wood edge of Rough Lot near Obelisk, Trent Park, 2 Small
Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 female Small Copper (pristine condition) near Water Garden, Trent Park at 12:06 hrs, 1 Speckled
Wood at Water Garden, Trent Park and 2 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97). 1 Speckled Wood near Merryhills Brook at Trent
Park at 14:40 hrs, 5 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield near Merryhills Brook (TQ 297 968) and 3 Common Blue including one female here, 1
Meadow Brown near shelter belt at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 301 969) at 14:55 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 4 Sep |
Hounslow. I was surprised today to have a second sighting of Clouded Yellow. Since it came in exactly the same place as yesterday's it's very
likely the same individual. I watched it dipping towards Heather flowers and Birch scrub leaves (most of what grows here) reminiscent of other whites
searching endlessly for Brassicas, In the end it settled for quite a while on bare ground, well camouflaged amongst the clay coloured stones and only moving
again when I disturbed it by getting too close. It was last seen heading over the burnt car so I will be interested to see if I find it again back in this
seemingly inhospitable place. Whilst Clouded Yellow watching I also spotted Brown Argus, Small Copper and Small Heath, the only butterflies seen anywhere on
the Heath/Golf Course today. The remainder of the day's sightings were on the Marshalling Yards and Pevensey where my much scrutinised Ragwort plant today
hosted 1 each of Small Heath, Small Copper and Holly Blue. Summary: Speckled Wood: 3 Brown Argus: 2 Small Copper: 5 Small White:
1 Small Heath: 4 Meadow Brown: 1 Common Blue: 2 Holly Blue: 1 Clouded Yellow: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 4 Sep |
1 Small Heath at Trent Park and 1 Speckled Wood at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) this morning. This afternoon, 1
Green-veined White (fresh) near Merryhills Brook at Vicarage Farm (TQ 29 97) and 3 Small Heath here and another 5 in adjacent tetrad at
Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), also 1 Green-veined White and 2 Small White here. 1 female Holly Blue at Oakwood Station at 15:12
hrs and 1 male Common Blue at Ivy Road Recreation Ground, N14 at 15:35 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 3 Sep |
Hounslow. It feels rather late in the season to see a 'first' but as I meandered amongst the surviving Heather near the railway and tried to
ignore the burnt-out car that still sits in one corner I was joined by a Clouded Yellow, the first I've seen this year. It didn't stay long but settled on
a Heather flower for long enough to remove any doubts: Meadow Brown: 6 Speckled Wood: 6 Red Admiral: 1 Holly Blue: 3 Brown
Argus: 10 Common Blue: 10 Small Heath: 7 Comma: 1 Large White: 1 Clouded Yellow: 1 and 1 Box moth in my garden |
Peter Gore |
| 3 Sep |
1 Brimstone Moth at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) this morning, 1 Small Heath at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98) at
09:35 hrs, female Brown Argus at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 09:44 hrs, 1 Small White at Rectory Farm, Enfield (TQ 309 987), 1 Speckled
Wood at Rectory Farm Road, Enfield (TQ 313 989) and 1 at Flash Lane, EN2 (TQ 320 989), 2 Small Copper at Whitewebbs Park (TQ 323 992). 1 Small
Dusty Wave at Enfield Chase Station this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 2 Sep |
A female Brown Hairstreak in my garden in the Hillingdon borough. Around 1.30 it landed briefly on a patio fuchsia and then flew onto
pyracantha berries where it stayed for a couple of minutes before disappearing beyond my back garden fence. I have only seen this butterfly once before at
the RSPB reserve at Otmoor and wasn't aware they could be seen in our area. Around half an hour before seeing the Hairstreak, a Small Copper (another
unusual sighting) also landed in the garden but soon disappeared |
Sharon Newson |
| 2 Sep |
1 Small White - Purwell Meadows, Hitchin TL19933006 |
David Inward |
| 2 Sep |
Hounslow. Sunny throughout this afternoon and very similar to yesterday up to the point of return through the tunnel entrance when I saw in
quick succession a Peacock, a young lady sitting in a cloud of smoke emanating from the pipe she was smoking and a very fresh looking Comma which flew
strongly up river away from the scene (which was set to recorded music). I suppose it's just possible the butterflies were smoked out of hibernation in the
culvert walls somewhere but the Peacock seemed to want to enter whilst the Comma couldn't get away fast enough. Here's the summary: Small White: 4
Large White: 2 Meadow Brown: 3 Common Blue: 1 Brown Argus: 9 Small Copper: 6 Speckled Wood: 2 Holly Blue: 4
Small Heath: 5 Peacock: 1 Comma: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 2 Sep |
I carried out a more extensive search for Small Heath butterflies on Shortwood Common (TQ047718), this time minus the dog. I encountered a
total of 13 Small Heaths in widely varying locations, so the likelihood is that most if not all of them were separate individuals. One was seen
nectaring on spear thistle, otherwise they were seen flying low over the ground (sometimes in pairs) and landing on short grass. They shared their habitat
with a male and female Common Blue, the former seen nectaring on spiny restharrow (Shortwood Common has a strong population of this local plant). I
also saw 2 Speckled Woods spiralling on the nearby footpath, which is shaded by high brambles, hop plants and young trees. Lastly I saw a Small
White in the footpath area |
Jeremy Soane |
| 2 Sep |
6 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), also 2 male Common Blue here, 1 Painted Lady settled at Parkside Farm,
Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 09:36 hrs, also here 1 Common Blue and 1 Small White, 1 Speckled Wood at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) and another
at Trent Park near Merryhills Brook |
Robert Callf |
| 1 Sep |
Shortwood Common North (TQ047718) I saw at least 4 Small Heaths at least 100 metres from last week's sightings and so likely to be
different individuals. 3 of them were flying together on a patch of rough grassland which contained flowering restharrow. The other was flying around a
bramble bush, at least 2 metres off the ground. I also saw a male Common Blue, and a Small White |
Jeremy Soane |
| 1 Sep |
Hounslow. After morning sunshine I made a late morning start in mostly full sun. It didn't make a great deal of difference, I was still unable
to record an identified butterfly until part-way round the Marshalling Yards. Here's the final tally: Brown Argus: 10 Speckled Wood: 3 Common
Blue: 8 Small Copper: 6 Meadow Brown: 2 Small White: 4 Holly Blue: 1 Large White: 1 Small Heath: 5 |
Peter Gore |
| 1 Sep |
1 Meadow Brown at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) at 09:08 hrs, 1 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97), 6 Small
Heath at Trent Park, 1 male Common Blue (fresh) at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 10:55 hrs, 1 Red Admiral flew W at Vicarage Farm, Enfield
(TQ 30 97) at 11:59 hrs. 1 Yellow Shell at Oakwood Station |
Robert Callf |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 31 Aug |
Nomansland Common: 3 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 4 Small Heath, 3 Meadow Brown, 3 Speckled Wood, 1
Small Copper. 1 Box Tree Moth in my south Harpenden light trap on the night |
David Hunt |
| 31 Aug |
Hounslow. Sunnier but with cloud on the return journey. 4 Holly Blues were seen on the patch of Ragwort in the Pevensey loop, 2 females
nectaring and two presumed males drawn to the seemingly uninterested females. A female Small Copper (one seen here for three days now) left promptly for a
nearby Thistle apparently unwilling to put up with the resulting disturbance. Here's the full list with Brown Argus once again disconcertingly the most
numerous, a mix of some very warn specimens and a few fresh-looking: Small White: 3 Meadow Brown: 3 Speckled Wood: 2 Small Copper:
6 Green-veined White: 2 Common Blue: 1 Brown Argus: 18 Holly Blue: 7 Red Admiral: 1 Small Heath: 3 Large
White: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 31 Aug |
1 Small Copper at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 09:50 hrs, 2 Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 4 Small Heath
at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Meadow Brown near Water Garden, Trent Park at 10:50 hrs, 1 Speckled Wood at Water Garden, Trent Park, 1
Common Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), also here 2 Small White, 1 Green-veined White and 4 Small Heath. 1 Light
Emerald at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm |
Robert Callf |
| 30 Aug |
2 Common Blue and 2 Brown Argus at Gutteridge Wood Meadow (TQ 0984), a Speckled Wood and Small White at the
recently cut meadow area in Cutthroat Wood (TQ 0884). At Minet Country Park pond area, 4 Brown Argus and 2 Small Heath (TQ 1080) with another
Brown Argus and 2 Small White around the Cycle Track area (TQ 1180). Finally at Sweetcroft Lane River Pinn meadow saw a fresh Comma, a
Small Copper, a Speckled Wood and 2 Small Whites (TQ 0684) |
Paul Busby |
| 30 Aug |
Found a mating pair of Small Coppers in the NW section of Knebworth Park while walking the transect. Usually, butterflies 'in cop'
have their wings folded but in this case the wings of the top individual (female) are slightly open. Later in the garden, a Red Admiral appeared,
perhaps a sign of things to come - have not seen this species for several weeks |
Peter Clarke |
| 30 Aug |
Hounslow. Intermittent sunshine all day so a few more butterflies this afternoon: Speckled Wood: 5 Small White: 7 Holly
Blue: 4 Brown Argus: 12 Common Blue: 3 Small Copper: 5 Large White: 1 Meadow Brown: 3 Painted Lady: 1 Small
Heath: 3 |
Peter Gore |
| 30 Aug |
A sunny day on Harpenden Common and plenty of foliage for any caterpillars that survived the drought. Butterflies: 2 Small White; 1
Large White; 2 Small Heath |
David Hunt |
| 30 Aug |
In the Kenwood Walled Garden TQ 27325 87529 I saw a Humming-bird Hawk-moth. Apart from a Large White and a few grass moths, it was
the only lepidopterous thing I saw |
Michael Hammerson |
| 30 Aug |
1 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) and 9 at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, also at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park 1 female
Meadow Brown at 10:05 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 29 Aug |
1 probable Orange Swift Triodia sylvina - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 29 Aug |
Hounslow. After a rainy morning a little afternoon sunshine was mostly limited to the Marshalling Yards portion of the walk: Small White:
4 Painted Lady: 1 Brown Argus: 10 Common Blue: 4 Green-veined White: 1 Small Heath: 3 Holly Blue: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 29 Aug |
Trent Park 'New Fields' this afternoon (13:35 - 14:30 hrs) - 1 Small Copper, 2 Speckled Wood, 3 Small Heath and 1 Small
White |
Robert Callf |
| 28 Aug |
1 Green-veined White, 1 Speckled Wood - Walsworth Common, Hitchin TL1930 |
David Inward |
| 28 Aug |
Hounslow. A walk that began in similar conditions to yesterday but gradually the sun fought its way through the cloud and more butterflies
emerged. In the Pevensey loop a patch of Ragwort, dwarfed and flowering late as a result of human activity, attracted three female Holly Blues and a Small
Copper, a colourful little display. Pleasing to see more Small Coppers. Here's the Summary: Small White: 2 Speckled Wood: 3 Common Blue:
7 Brown Argus: 8 Small Copper: 4 Meadow Brown: 2 Large White: 4 Holly Blue: 6 Green-veined White: 1 Small
Heath: 4 Comma: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 28 Aug |
1 Small Heath at Trent Park and 1 at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97). Town Park, Enfield this afternoon - 1 Holly Blue at 12:45
hrs and 3 Speckled Wood at 13:10 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 27 Aug |
4 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 1 Small Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood at
Water Garden, Trent Park, 1 male Common Blue at Trent Park and 1 male at Vicarage Farm, 1 Meadow Brown at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm,
Enfield (TQ 30 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 27 Aug |
Aldbury Nowers - no sun for this afternoon walk but still quite warm. 8 Small Heath, 4 Speckled Wood, 2 Meadow Brown, 2
Brown Argus, 2 Small White, 2 Green-veined White and 5 Common Blue of which 2 female. I also saw Yellow Shell, Lesser
treble-Bar and Silver-ground Carpet moth |
Chris Hilling |
| 27 Aug |
Hounslow. Only 15 butterflies seen on a cloudy afternoon after yesterday's rain but 9 species was a pleasing variety in the circumstances.
Again most of them were on the Marshalling Yards: Meadow Brown: 5 Speckled Wood: 1 Brown Argus: 1 Small Copper: 1 Common
Blue: 2 Small White: 2 Holly Blue: 1 Painted Lady: 1 Small Heath: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 25 Aug |
1 Large White - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 25 Aug |
Hounslow. With no sun at the start or end of my walk only 2 butterflies were seen anywhere on the Heath. Fortunately the Marshalling Yards,
Pevensey and the old golf course itself were slightly luckier: Brown Argus: 16 Meadow Brown: 5 Small Copper: 3 (all female) Small
White: 5 Common Blue: 4 Holly Blue: 4 Large White: 3 Green-veined White: 2 Small Heath: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 25 Aug |
2 Small Heath at Trent Park and 9 at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 24 Aug |
2 Common Blue (1 male, 1 female), 4 Meadow Brown, 4 Small Copper - Alleyfield Burial Ground, Ickleford, TL181319 |
David Inward |
| 24 Aug |
During sunny spells this morning at Alexandra Palace Park, I saw several Brown Argus, Small Copper, and Common Blue, as
well as 2 Holly Blue and one rather tatty Meadow Brown. Most excitingly I recorded my first Small Heath for the site. This takes my own
year list for the site to 23, and with 4 other species seen by other observers, including Silver-washed Fritillary, Clouded Yellow, Marbled White and Painted
Lady, the year list for Alexandra Palace Park now stands at 27 species. The most reliable site in the park, especially for the Small Coppers and Brown Argus
is what we locals now refer to as Anthill Meadow, to the north of the lower road and the cricket pitches. The old horse race track again to the north of the
cricket pitches has had regular sightings of both Purple and White-letter Hairstreak |
Gerry Rawcliffe |
| 24 Aug |
Hounslow. Still some sunshine but generally cloudier and breezier, reducing numbers and variety: Meadow Brown: 13 Holly Blue: 5
Large White: 2 Green-veined White: 4 Small White: 8 Common Blue: 8 Brown Argus: 6 Small Heath: 4 Speckled
Wood: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 24 Aug |
4 Small Heath and 2 Meadow Brown at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97). 2 Small Heath and 2 Meadow Brown at
'Old Golf Course' Trent Park. 1 female Green-veined White and 1 female Small White near Hadley Road/Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 23 Aug |
Whilst walking our dog on Shortwood Common North (on the north-eastern fringe of Staines at TQ047718) I saw the following species: Meadow
Brown, Common Blue (female) and 3 Small Heaths. This is actually the largest total of Small Heaths I have seen here in one visit.
Shortwood Common is a relatively small patch of green belt in the form of neutral grassland, and butterflies seem to have increased here in the last few
years, corresponding to a general reduction in the number of grazing cattle |
Jeremy Soane |
| 23 Aug |
Hounslow. Following rain in the morning this was an afternoon walk with plenty of sunshine and a good variety of butterflies. The three
sightings of Painted Lady, although widely separate in space and time, could be the same active individual managing to cross my path on three separate
occasions. Here's the full list: Meadow Brown: 9 Small White: 5 Small Copper: 1 Brown Argus: 12 Large White: 7 Common
Blue: 12 Small Heath: 8 Green-veined White: 1 Painted Lady: 3 Red Admiral: 1 Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 23 Aug |
An early afternoon walk in Fairlands Valley Park yielded 2 Brown Argus, 6 Small White, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Large White,
13 Common Blue, 3 Speckled Wood and 2 Small Heath including a slightly unusual one (extra black spot under eye-spot) |
Peter Clarke |
| 23 Aug |
1 Meadow Brown and 1 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) and 4 Small Heath at Trent Park. 1 Blood-vein
at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 22 Aug |
Early evening walk at Wood Farm, Stanmore Country Park (TQ1793) only saw 3 Meadow Brown and a Blood Vein Moth, then a Common
Blue on Heather in nearby Pear Wood |
Paul Busby |
| 22 Aug |
A Speckled Wood nectaring on buddleia and a Comma larva on hop in my Bishop's Stortford garden |
Bob Clift |
| 22 Aug |
A day of hoping to see second generation specialists but with no success! First we visited Rickneys where there was a good sprinkling of
Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Heath and a few Meadow Brown but little else. Then to Hexton Chalk Pit where the sun tried a bit
harder ..... we found 2 Chalkhill Blues, one male and one female, again Common Blue, Small Heath, with a few Brown Argus and
Speckled Wood. Finally to Frogmore Quarry, where we were amazed that despite all the hot weather, the pit was still almost impassable - the 'causeway'
was just walkable but it was still impossible to 'cross the stream' leading to the top bank. Common Blue, Brown Argus and Small Heath
were present with a few moths including a Latticed Heath, Common Carpet and Mother of Pearl |
Andrew Middleton
Liz Goodyear |
| 22 Aug |
1 Large White, 1 Small White - path next to Ash Brook, south of Wymondley Road, Hitchin TL2028 |
David Inward |
| 22 Aug |
Hounslow. A dull sun-less afternoon and a rather rushed walk combined to produce much smaller numbers; the most notable sighting was a Box
moth on the Marshalling Yards, a long way from any known caterpillar food source. Brown Argus: 5 Speckled Wood: 2 Meadow Brown: 7
Small White: 2 Green-veined White: 1 Holly Blue: 3 Large White: 1 Small Heath: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 22 Aug |
1 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) this morning |
Robert Callf |
| 21 Aug |
Morning clean-up of River Pinn at Philpots Farm Meadow, Yiewsley (TQ 06 81) and 25+ White butterflies seen including at least 1 Large
White, 2 Small White, 5 Green-veined Whites along with 2 Small Coppers, at least 3 Brown Argus and 4 Common Blue, 4
Speckled Woods and a Meadow Brown. Later along the boardwalk and at Gutteridge Wood meadow (TQ 08 85) saw another Meadow Brown, 2
Speckled Woods, 3 Common Blue and 2 Brown Argus. Finally at Cutthroat Wood (TQ 08 84) saw another 4 Brown Argus, a Large
White, a Meadow Brown and a Speckled Wood |
Paul Busby |
| 21 Aug |
Hounslow. A sunny afternoon walk. A Peacock on the Marshalling Yards was likely the same individual I saw briefly yesterday without properly
identifying it. A female Small Copper on the riverside stretch of the Pevensey loop was a welcome and too rare sighting this year, in an unlikely location.
This is the full list: Small White: 4 Large White: 7 Green-veined White: 2 Holly Blue: 4 Peacock: 1 Speckled Wood:
2 Brown Argus: 22 Meadow Brown: 11 Common Blue: 15 Small Copper: 1 Small Heath: 3 |
Peter Gore |
| 21 Aug |
Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) this morning - 6 Meadow Brown, 4 Small Heath and 2 male Common Blue. 1 Yellow
Shell and 1 Willow Beauty at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 20 Aug |
A few butterfly sightings whilst river sampling the River Pinn at St Martins Approach, Ruislip (TQ091880) including 2 Common Blues, a
Meadow Brown, at least one Green-Veined White and at least 2 Small Whites. Blood Vein moth and a worn Yellow Shell in the
bankside vegetation |
Paul Busby |
| 20 Aug |
Hounslow. Morning sunshine seemed to act as encouragement to fly so higher numbers than recently: Holly Blue: 9 Small White: 11
Meadow Brown: 11 Large White: 4 Speckled Wood: 3 Common Blue: 16 Green-veined White: 3 Brown Argus: 23 Comma:
1 Red Admiral: 1 Small Heath: 4 |
Peter Gore |
| 20 Aug |
3 Small Heath and 1 Meadow Brown at Vicarage Farm. 4 Small Heath, 2 Meadow Brown and 2 female Common Blue
at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park |
Robert Callf |
| 19 Aug |
1 Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens, 1 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 19 Aug |
Surprised to see a Small Heath on a relatively new wild flower bed, albeit parched to commemorate WW1, 100 year anniversary with
Poppies at the end of Jim O'Neil Walk by Victoria Road, South Ruislip. A ragged Holly Blue, a Speckled Wood and at least 3 Small Whites
also seen nearby (TQ106861). On Bridgwater Fields (TQ 10 85) further along Yeading Brook, saw a Large White, at least 5 Small Whites and a
further 4 Speckled Woods |
Paul Busby |
| 19 Aug |
Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) - 1 Green-veined White, 1 Painted Lady at 10:20 hrs, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 female Small White
near Ride Wood (TQ 29 97), 4 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Heath and 1 female Common Blue this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 18 Aug |
Aldbury Nowers: a post lunch walk in warm, muggy conditions with very little sunshine produced reasonable numbers: 16 Meadow Brown, 1
Small Copper, 4 Brown Argus, 10 Small White, 16 Small Heath, 2 Green-veined White, 5 Common Blue of which 2 female,
2 Large White and 1 Speckled Wood. From there I went to the Northfields Road site mentioned By Malcolm Hull on the 5th Aug and despite not
finding any Dingy Skippers I did see 34 Common Blue of which 3 female, 1 Painted Lady, a selection of whites and my first ever Clouded
Yellow |
Chris Hilling |
| 18 Aug |
Two Common Blues seen at Cutthroat Wood, Hillingdon |
Paul Busby |
| 18 Aug |
Hounslow. No sun this afternoon but I was pleased to see a Small Heath flying in the burnt out area where I saw so many in the summer pre-fire.
Here's the full list: Large White: 2 Small White: 5 Meadow Brown: 13 Green-veined White: 4 Brown Argus: 6 Common
Blue: 4 Speckled Wood: 1 Holly Blue: 4 Small Heath: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 18 Aug |
1 Speckled Wood - Walsworth Common, Hitchin TL19543033 |
David Inward |
| 17 Aug |
1 Small White, 1 Large White - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 17 Aug |
Hounslow. All sightings in morning sunshine today, after the rain yesterday a few puddles on the Heath made a welcome change: Meadow
Brown: 10 Common Blue: 19 Small White: 16 Speckled Wood: 2 Brown Argus: 11 Large White: 2 Holly Blue: 2 Small
Heath: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 17 Aug |
2 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 1 Green-veined White settled on thistle at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at
11:17 hrs, 5 Meadow Brown at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 2, male and female, Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Jersey
Tiger at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 11:30 hrs, 1 Small Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 8 Common Blue including one female at
Vicarage Farm, Enfield near Shaws Wood (TQ 29 97), 7 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood, 1 female Brown Argus at Vicarage Farm near
Shaws Wood at 12:10 hrs, 1 Meadow Brown at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood. 1 Yellow-barred Brindle at Oakwood Station this afternoon - new for
this tetrad |
Robert Callf |
| 15 Aug |
In spite of the cloud and wind on my Knebworth transects, I still saw fair numbers of mostly inactive butterflies including a Small
Heath
feeding on Water Mint |
Peter Clarke |
| 15 Aug |
Hounslow. No sun today but reasonable numbers seen nevertheless: Holly Blue: 6 Meadow Brown: 19 Speckled Wood: 4 Small
White: 8 Comma: 2 Large White: 4 Green-veined White: 2 Brown Argus: 10 Common Blue: 9 Small Heath: 2 and 1
Jersey Tiger |
Peter Gore |
| 15 Aug |
Folly Lane allotments St Albans - Beautiful fresh Comma and equally fresh Painted Lady on one of my allotment buddleias this
afternoon. Also dozens of both Large and Small Whites plus several Common Blues nectaring on Alan Downie's Hemp Agrimony and Fleabane,
plus Holly Blues and Mint Moths |
Malcolm Hull |
| 15 Aug |
Nomansland Common on a warm, if mostly overcast morning: 2 Small White; 5+ Small Heath; 4 Speckled Wood; 5+ Meadow
Brown; 2 Brown Argus; 5+ Common Blue; 1 Small Copper |
David Hunt |
| 15 Aug |
1 male Common Blue at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 male Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 2 Small
Heath at Trent Park and 3 at Vicarage Farm. Trent Park 'New Fields' this afternoon (13:30 - 14:20 hrs) in the cloudy conditions - 1 Meadow Brown
and 1 Jersey Tiger |
Robert Callf |
| 14 Aug |
Harpenden Common: 1 Small White; 3 Small Heath; 3 Speckled Wood; 4 Brown Argus; 7 Common Blue |
David Hunt |
| 14 Aug |
Hounslow. A mix of sunshine and cloud. Gatekeepers seem to have decided the summer's over and are again absent from sightings. Large White and
Holly Blue by contrast are still doing relatively well: Small White: 8 Speckled Wood: 8 Large White: 11 Meadow Brown: 14 Holly
Blue: 10 Green-veined White: 3 Common Blue: 8 Brown Argus: 15 Small Heath: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 14 Aug |
2 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97). Trent Park 'New Fields' (13:05 - 13:50 hrs) - 8 Small Heath, 4 Common
Blue including one female, 1 Small Copper, 4 Meadow Brown, 2 Speckled Wood. 1 Willow Beauty at bus stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 this
morning. 2 Gold Triangle at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 13 Aug |
1 Jersey Tiger resting on top of varigated garden form of ivy over handing fence of property on north side of Park Road, Ware at
TL34645 14506. 1 Holly Blue flushed out of ivy covered stump by footpath at TL34350 14281. 1 Holly Blue on bramble on edge of playing field,
Ware at TL34423 14205. 1 Holly Blue on edge of Ware Crematorium at TL34991 15281. 1 Small Copper and 1 Small Heath on edge of Ware
Crematorium at TL34928 15268. 2 small caterpillars of Toadflax Brocade on Purple Toadflax in formal garden (Priory Gardens) in linear border on south
side of Priory Street, Ware at TL35574 14373. 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth feeding on Buddleja davidii on shrub border at TL35615 14329, Ware. Several
damage signs noted on box bushes by Box Tree moth caterpillars in Priory Gardens, Ware at TL35517 14303. 1 Holly Blue tapped from elder
branches (frequent ivy present here) by small tarmac road almost opposite Ware Skate Park at TL35513 14368 |
Brian Laney |
| 13 Aug |
2 Holly Blue at Town Park, Enfield |
Robert Callf |
| 13 Aug |
1 Small White, 2 Holly Blue - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 12 Aug |
2 male Common Blue and 1 Meadow Brown at Oakwood Park this morning (08:45 - 09:15 hrs) |
Robert Callf |
| 11 Aug |
After completing my WCBS square in Hampstead garden Suburb having seen another Jersey Tiger (TQ 26 88), I took a walk through Hampstead
Heath extension to the Spaniards Inn and onto Kenwood meadow (TQ2687). Really pleased to see a Silver-washed Fritillary in a sunny glade on the brow of
the Sandy Path near the Spaniards, a bit ragged but stayed in the glade sometime for photos. Other butterflies in TQ2687 included a Small Copper, 3
Small Whites and 2 Speckled Woods in Hampstead Heath extension area, then a Comma, a Holly Blue and 2 Speckled Woods in the
wooded pond area and finally 3 Brown Argus, 2 Common Blue and a Meadow Brown in the parched Kenwood Dairy meadow |
Paul Busby |
| 11 Aug |
Hounslow. Plenty of sunshine on the outward journey after two welcome wet days, cloudy on the return limiting butterfly activity: Speckled
Wood: 5 Meadow Brown: 25 Large White: 16 Comma: 2 Small White: 14 Holly Blue: 8 Green-veined White: 5 Common
Blue: 21 Brown Argus: 18 |
Peter Gore |
| 11 Aug |
A Holly Blue female nectaring on Purple Toadflax in my Harpenden garden. Also several whites and a tatty Meadow Brown |
David Hunt |
| 11 Aug |
Hillbrow LGC: One hour walk around the main site and bridleway this morning; Common Blues everywhere, stopped counting after 100;
Brown Argus x50+; Small Heath x2, first I have seen on this site; Painted Lady x1; still a few Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns
and Small Whites. Still no second brood Small Blues |
Roger Millard |
| 11 Aug |
1 female Brown Argus at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 09:05 hrs, 1 Small Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 09:45
hrs, 1 male Common Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 10:35 hrs, 1 Clouded Yellow and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Hog Hill,
Vicarge Farm (TQ 30 97) at 11:01 and 11:05 hrs respectively. Trent Park 'New Fields' (12:45 - 13:30 hrs) - 1 Small Copper, 2 Common Blue and 8
Small Heath. 1 Brimstone Moth at Oakwood Station |
Robert Callf |
| 10 Aug |
1 Small White and 2 Agriphila inquinatella at St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 10 Aug |
1 male Common Blue at Trent Park and 2 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) this morning |
Robert Callf |
| 9 Aug |
1 Brimstone Moth at bus stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 this morning |
Robert Callf |
| 8 Aug |
A Common Blue in our Rushden garden |
John Dingemans |
| 8 Aug |
1 Lime-speck Pug at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 8 Aug |
A Hummingbird Hawk-moth in Bishop's Stortford garden |
Bob Clift |
| 8 Aug |
A Jersey Tiger stayed for about an hour on bay and ivy in my Aldbury garden |
Tim Alps |
| 8 Aug |
1 Common Plume moth Emmelina monodactyla, 1 probable Agriphila tristella - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 8 Aug |
Hounslow. Several degrees cooler and not as much sun but still very warm, humid and dry. Speckled Wood: 9 Meadow Brown: 25
Small White: 15 Large White: 5 Brown Argus: 5 Common Blue: 11 Gatekeeper: 4 Holly Blue: 3 Green-veined White:
4 Red Admiral: 2 Small Heath: 2 and 1 Jersey Tiger |
Peter Gore |
| 8 Aug |
This morning's count of Jersey Tigers was a minimum of 141 in my Ware garden |
Liz Goodyear |
| 7 Aug |
1 female Holly Blue at Town Park, Enfield at 11:46 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 7 Aug |
I found a minimum count of 93 Jersey Tigers in and around my Ware garden moth light this morning! |
Liz Goodyear |
| 7 Aug |
Hounslow. Multiple fires across the Heath, former golf course and Pevensey speed the natural decline of butterfly numbers. The worst of them
from my point of view may only truly affect next year's sightings - much of both sides of the main path near the railway burned, destroying all the Broom,
Gorse and Heather in that area: the Green Hairstreaks, if they survive, will have to move on a little in 2019. This was today's butterflies: Large
White: 10 Meadow Brown: 21 Gatekeeper: 5 Holly Blue: 4 Small White: 7 Brown Argus: 13 Common Blue: 18
Speckled Wood: 3 Green-veined White: 5 Red Admiral: 1 Small Heath: 2 Small Copper: 1 and 2 Jersey Tigers |
Peter Gore |
| 6 Aug |
Saw a Jersey Tiger Whitebarns, Furnaux Pelham TL432280 |
Laurence Drummond |
| 6 Aug |
1 Large White - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 6 Aug |
This morning, 1 male Common Blue at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98) and 1 male Common Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield
(TQ 30 97), also 9 Small Heath here |
Robert Callf |
| 5 Aug |
A Jersey Tiger swooped into our garden in Gadebridge, Hemel Hempstead at about 5pm |
Chris Ridley |
| 5 Aug |
I visited Coppetts Wood (TQ 27570 91392) and the adjacent green link this evening between 16.30 and 18.00 and was excited to find a rather
tatty male Silver-washed Fritillary defending a sunny ride with Buddleia against two Commas, a Large Skipper and any Large and Small White that came
through, it's the first time I have seen a Silver-washed Fritillary at Coppetts Wood. In total I saw 5 Commas, 1 male Silver-washed Fritillary,
4 Holly Blue, 5 Meadow Brown, 4 Speckled Wood, 1 Gatekeeper, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 8 Large White, 9 Small or
Green-veined White, 1 Large Skipper |
Miles Attenborough |
| 5 Aug |
At 1045 approx grid ref TL192087, we were walking in a field known as the old radio station, Smallford. It is adjacent to the cement and gravel
works in Oaklands Lane, there is a bridleway/footpath. We saw one Clouded Yellow, 2 Small Coppers, and numerous Small Heath. I've never
seen a Clouded Yellow there before |
Rose & David Seabrook |
| 5 Aug |
A long hot summer is always a good opportunity for butterflies to squeeze in an extra generation. Small Blue has been producing second
generations at a number of its Herts sites in recent years, so I was pleased, but not surprised, to see 5 at the Bourne End junction of the A41 this morning.
More unusual was a record of at least 7 Dingy Skippers on land at Northfields Rd Tring this afternoon. The males were all super active, perching on
flowers/twigs and intercepting and chasing the numerous passing Common Blues. A couple of Dingies were seen in courtship flight and a female crawling
on the ground around low growing Birds-foot Trefoil, apparently searching for egg laying sites. Also at this site I saw 1 Clouded Yellow, 3 Painted
Ladies, 1 Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, approx 500 Common Blues, plus good numbers of Small
Heath, Meadow Brown, Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Brown Argus and Treble Bar moths.
Back in St Albans, the
first Painted Lady in my garden this year, along with the ever present Holly Blue |
Malcolm Hull |
| 5 Aug |
Small Copper egg-laying on Sorrel at 11 am in my Stevenage garden. Found 2 eggs so far! |
Peter Clarke |
| 5 Aug |
Visited Oakwood Park this morning (08:50 - 09:30 hrs) - 1 Small Heath E of 10 km line at 09:13 hrs. 1 Gold Triangle and 1
Toadflax Brocade at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 4 Aug |
A Purple Hairstreak in our Rushden garden |
John Dingemans |
| 4 Aug |
At Frogmore Meadow HMWT reserve TQ 022988, this afternoon, 2 Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 Purple Hairstreak and numerous
Common Blue |
Jill Saunders |
| 4 Aug |
1 Holly Blue - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 4 Aug |
Symonshyde Wood, St Albans & adjoining land: Common Blue 130, Brown Argus 30, Meadow Brown 36, Speckled Wood 10,
Silver-washed Fritillary 2, Large White 2, Green-veined White 2, Small Copper 2, Holly Blue 1, Purple Hairstreak 1,
Comma 1, Silver Y 1
Heartwood Forest, St Albans: Small Heath 72, Common Blue 387, Meadow Brown 71, Brown Argus
38, Small Copper 3, Green-veined White 3, Gatekeeper 2, Large White 2, Speckled Wood 2, Small Skipper 1, Essex
Skipper 1, 6-spot Burnet moth 1, Silver Y moth 4. Checked out the areas in Valley Field planted with Kidney Vetch last year. Several small
plants are showing, but there are significant signs of rabbit damage |
Malcolm Hull |
| 4 Aug |
Hounslow. Common Blue numbers seem to be still increasing as most others decline in the continuing sun: Speckled Wood: 11 Meadow
Brown: 26 Gatekeeper: 7 Small White: 12 Green-veined White: 2 Large White: 13 Brown Argus: 17 Common Blue: 27
Holly Blue: 5 Red Admiral: 1 Small Copper: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 4 Aug |
Saw two Clouded Yellows this morning, one at Rickneys quarry and one at Waterford Heath south pit |
Steve Kiln |
| 4 Aug |
Trent Park 'New Fields' (11:10 - 12:00 hrs) - 6 Small Heath, 9 Common Blue including a pair copulating, 2 Small Copper and
1 Comma |
Robert Callf |
| 4 Aug |
1 Jersey Tiger at Vicarage Farm, Enfield this morning |
Robert Callf
Bob Husband |
| 3 Aug |
A Jersey Tiger in Cuffley |
Ray Brewer |
| 3 Aug |
There are a lot of Lucerne crops west of Bishops Stortford, north of the A120, I checked out the ones I could access this afternoon, at
Wickham hall TL473223, 2 Clouded Yellow, at Hadham Park TL468220, 3 Clouded Yellow, also 1 Small Heath and 1 Silver-washed
Fritillary at Albury Lodge TL442243, 1 Clouded Yellow and at Albury End TL425234, 6 Clouded Yellow, at all the sites there were many
Common Blue, chasing, clashing and egg-laying everywhere, probably hundreds |
Laurence Drummond |
| 3 Aug |
My wife & I visited Myddelton House, Enfield at midday and were very surprised to see 6 Jersey Tiger Moths feeding on Meadow-sweet
beside the lake. A Purple Hairstreak then flew down to join them. Other butterflies 5 Holly Blue, 1 Peacock, 12 Whites (mainly Small).
Later in my South Mymms garden (6:30 pm) we saw a Jersey Tiger Moth flying around the dahlias! |
Terry Wood |
| 3 Aug |
St Albans - Brown Argus in my garden this afternoon during my Big Butterfly Count. This species is a rare visitor here, not recorded in
the garden most years. Also I spotted Mint Moth, 2 Holly Blues, Comma, Common Blue, 2 Large Whites and 2 Small
Whites, plus my first Red Admiral in the garden of the year which spent an hour nectaring first on Hemp Agrimony and then Buddleia Weyeriana.
Earlier
at Bricket Wood Common with Chris Newman and Faye Tuffnell - Good numbers of Holly Blues, Purple Hairstreaks and Brown Argus. Also a few
Brimstones, a single Silver-washed Fritillary and a couple of Common Blues |
Malcolm Hull |
| 3 Aug |
Painted Lady in my Stevenage garden at 2:15 pm and surprisingly a Small Copper a minute later - first ever in the garden! |
Peter Clarke |
| 3 Aug |
Hounslow. Another hot sunny morning, numbers still holding up quite well. Speckled Wood: 11 Small Copper: 1 Large White: 14
Small White: 24 Meadow Brown: 25 Gatekeeper: 10 Green-veined White: 2 Brown Argus: 20 Holly Blue: 8 Common
Blue: 25 Small Heath: 1 Red Admiral: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 3 Aug |
Painted Lady in my Flaunden garden this morning |
Jill Saunders |
| 3 Aug |
1 Lime-speck Pug at bus stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 (TQ 295 950) and 1 Jersey Tiger at Vicarage Farm, Enfield
(TQ 30 97) this morning |
Robert Callf |
| 2 Aug |
Shocked to find a Brown Argus in our Greater London garden. Including 1 Holly Blue, 1 Common Blue, 4 Small Whites,
2 Large Whites |
Helen George |
| 2 Aug |
Before early evening walk noticed 1 Small White and 1 Brown Argus in Bushey garden (can't recall seeing any Argus here before).
At Water Lane, Watford 1 Holly Blue, 3 Comma, 2 Small White, 1 Common Blue, 22 Mother of Pearl moths. A noticeable
absence of Small Tortoiseshells locally this year and this is normally a great spot. Finally at Fishers Field Nature Reserve 2 Common Blue, 2
Comma, 2 Small White, 2 Speckled Wood, 6 Purple Hairstreak |
David Gower |
| 2 Aug |
A Humming bird hawk-moth on buddleia at Hadham Hall TL461227, 2 Clouded Yellows over large lucerne field at Albury lodge,
TL441241, and a female Silver-washed Fritillary on buddleia at Clapgate TL442249 |
Laurence Drummond |
| 2 Aug |
Hillbrow LGC: A walk around the main site and bridleway; Common Blue x150+ mostly males; Brown Argus x19; good numbers of
Meadow Browns and Large and Small Whites |
Roger Millard |
| 2 Aug |
Mostly morning sightings in bright sunshine with a single Peacock the only different species from yesterday. Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex
Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey/Argyle Road TW3 2BE: Speckled Wood: 10 Red Admiral: 2 Large White: 16 Brown
Argus: 17 Meadow Brown: 34 Gatekeeper: 18 Small White: 25 Holly Blue: 6 Small Heath: 1 Common Blue: 23
Green-veined White: 10 Small Copper: 1 Peacock: 1 and 1 Jersey Tiger |
Peter Gore |
| 2 Aug |
5+ Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) and 1 Painted Lady here at 09:47 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 1 Aug |
Clouded Yellow at Heartwood Forest |
Brian Legg |
| 1 Aug |
Hummingbird hawk-moth, nectaring on phlox, in my Flaunden garden, late afternoon |
Jill Saunders |
| 1 Aug |
1 Large White - Junction of Willian Road and Hampden Road, Hitchin TL20003005. 1 Green-veined White, 1 Gatekeeper, 2
Large White, 1 Small White - Knebworth Recreation Ground and adjacent bridleway - TL2520 |
David Inward |
| 1 Aug |
More sunny weather and more butterflies. A new high for Jersey Tiger moths for the first time included two seen on the same Buddleja. Hounslow
Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey/St. Stephen's Road TW3 2BW/The Avenue TW3 2BG/Argyle Road TW3
2BE/Home: Small White: 17 Speckled Wood: 11 Meadow Brown: 43 Large White: 6 Gatekeeper: 24 Green-veined White: 13
Holly Blue: 7 Red Admiral: 4 Small Copper: 3 Common Blue: 29 Brown Argus: 16 Small Heath: 2 and 6 Jersey
Tiger moths |
Peter Gore |
| 1 Aug |
1 Purple Hairstreak at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 09:03 hrs, 1 Small Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 09:14 hrs, 1
Red Admiral E edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park at 09:37 hrs, 1 Comma edge of Shaws Wood, Trent Park at 09:52 hrs, 10 Brown Argus at
Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood (TQ 30 97) - my first double-figure count for this tetrad! Also here 15 Common Blue including 3 females, 2 Small
Copper, 1 Small Skipper and 3 Small Heath. Trent Park 'New Fields' (11:40 - 12:30 hrs) - 1 Comma, 11 Common Blue including
3 females, 10+ Small Copper, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Small Heath. 1 Jersey Tiger at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 07:40 hrs this
morning. 1 Light Emerald and 1 Double-striped Pug at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 31 Jul |
St Albans Shed Transect - The shed season is picking up with the total number of butterflies hibernating increased from 4 to 9 over the last
week. Compared to last year Peacocks (2) are doing better, but Small Tortoiseshell (7) are well down. Remains to be seen if any more hibernate
here. In most recent years there has been a second round go into hibernation in late summer, though in 2017 there were no new hibernators after the end of
July |
Malcolm Hull |
| 31 Jul |
Two Clouded Yellows today, one on the east side of Bramfield Wood and several hours later one north of Stapleford, these are 2 km apart
but could conceivably be the same insect. A pair of courting Holly Blues at Waterford Heath |
Andrew Wood |
| 31 Jul |
I made the most of this morning's sunshine and although there's a distinctly autumnal feeling to everything I saw good numbers of butterflies
again. Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey/Home: Small White: 34 Speckled Wood: 6
Meadow Brown: 42 Green-veined White: 9 Large White: 9 Brown Argus: 20 Holly Blue: 3 Comma: 1 Red Admiral: 1
Gatekeeper: 11 Painted Lady: 1 Common Blue: 11 plus 1 each Jersey Tiger and Box moth |
Peter Gore |
| 31 Jul |
1 male Common Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 1 female Common Blue at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 09:27
hrs, 1 Red Admiral at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 09:47 hrs, 1 Small Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 3, 2 males and 1 female,
Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Jersey Tiger near Water Garden, Trent Park at 10:29 hrs, 1 Brown Argus E edge of Icehouse
Wood, Trent Park at 10:51 hrs, 4 Brown Argus at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood (TQ 29 97), 3 Silver Y at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood, 9, 7
males and 2 females, Common Blue at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood, 1 Small Copper at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood, 2 Small Heath at
Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood, 2 Speckled Wood near Equestrian Centre at Trent Park. 1 Toadflax Brocade and 3 Willow Beauty at ASDA
Southgate this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 31 Jul |
At Tyttenhanger GPs (TL195052) this morning I just saw small numbers of Small and Green-veined White, Speckled Wood,
Comma, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper but as I was leaving towards the model railway I saw a Clouded Yellow |
David Booth |
| 30 Jul |
Therfield Heath: nine of us joined the walk (part of the Big Butterfly Count scheme). We soon found our first Chalkhill Blues and, after
initially finding males, we came across many (ca 40) females egg laying or looking for suitable sites near their food plant, Horseshoe Vetch. We also had fun
trying (not always successfully!) to distinguish, both in flight and at rest, between the female Chalkhill Blues, female Common Blues and male and
female Brown Argus butterflies. A significant minority of female Chalkhill Blues were of a locally common variant having four white marks on the upper
wings. Also seen on the walk were two Small/Essex Skippers, Large White, Small Whites, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, lots of
Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers and a few of a new generation of Small Heath butterflies. Several Silver Y moths (currently at
plague proportions!) were also seen |
Martin Johnson |
| 30 Jul |
Another afternoon walk but this time with a mix of sun and cloud encouraging more butterflies to fly. Hounslow
Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey: Meadow Brown: 31 Large White: 5 Gatekeeper: 19
Small White: 11 Green-veined White: 6 Speckled Wood: 3 Brown Argus: 1 Common Blue: 4 Small Copper: 1 Red
Admiral: 2 Comma: 1 Small Heath: 1 and 3 Jersey Tigers |
Peter Gore |
| 30 Jul |
2 Common Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 1 Speckled Wood at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 10:19 hrs, 4 Common
Blue at Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood along Merryhills Brook at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) at 12:03 hrs. 1 Brimstone Moth and 1 Jersey
Tiger at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97). 1 Red Admiral settled in Grovelands Park, Southgate this afternoon at 16:04 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 29 Jul |
An afternoon walk when I failed to avoid the rain completely. Although mists of very fine rain were visible, especially in the more open areas,
it was actually pleasanter walking than many recent hot days. The butterflies clearly saw things differently with much reduced numbers and absence from the
aforementioned open areas. Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey: Meadow Brown: 17 Purple Hairstreak: 1
Gatekeeper: 8 Brown Argus: 6 Common Blue: 1 Small White: 2 Green-veined White: 3 Large White: 2 Red Admiral:
1 and 2 Jersey Tigers |
Peter Gore |
| 29 Jul |
1 Pyrausta aurata moth - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 28 Jul |
Panshanger Park, near Hertford - 14 people joined today's walk at the HMWT Festival of Wildlife event. We were rewarded by a spectacular
display from hundreds of newly emerged Common Blue Damselflies dancing round the lake. Butterfly highlights included Brown Argus, Common Blue,
Purple Hairstreak, Red Admiral and several Commas. We also spent time brushing up distinguishing between the different species of browns
and whites. A very well attended event, with many people recruited to take part in the Big Butterfly Count. Thanks to Steve Kiln and Simon Knott for helping
with the stall. Simon brought along the contents of his moth trap from Bengeo which included the spectacular Jersey Tiger. Amazingly 50% of members of
the public from the local area had seen this species within the last 2-3 weeks |
Malcolm Hull |
| 28 Jul |
A mix of cloud and sunshine with little sign of last night's rain remaining but strong breezes were certainly a problem for both walkers and
butterflies so reduced sightings not surprising. Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey:
Speckled Wood: 13 Green-veined White: 8 Holly Blue: 3 Meadow Brown: 42 Gatekeeper: 21 Small White: 28 Large
White: 4 Common Blue: 4 Brown Argus: 8 Small Copper: 2 Painted Lady: 1 Red Admiral: 2 and 1 Jersey Tiger |
Peter Gore |
| 28 Jul |
At Fishers Field Nature Reserve 2 Small White, 3 Speckled Wood, 1 Gatekeeper, 1 Small Copper, 1 Brown
Argus, 1 Common Blue, 1 Large White. Water Lane, Watford afterwards seeing 5 Common Blue, 8 Small White, 3 Green-veined
White, 5 Gatekeeper, 1 Comma, 1 Red Admiral and 5 Mother of Pearl moths |
David Gower |
| 28 Jul |
1 female Common Blue at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 08:21 hrs, 1 Brown Argus at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood
(TQ 29 97), also here 9 Common Blue - 6 males, 3 females and 1 Small Heath |
Robert Callf |
| 27 Jul |
A sunnier morning walk. A car had burned on the Heath near the railway. Fortunately vegetation is very sparse here (and sparser still in the
drought) so only a small area of Heather had been destroyed beyond the patch under the car. Butterflies were slightly more numerous in the sun. Still no rain
here. Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey/St. Stephens Road TW3 2BW/The Avenue TW3 2BG/Argyle
Road TW3 2BE/Home: Red Admiral: 3 Holly Blue: 14 Meadow Brown: 22 Gatekeeper: 49 Speckled Wood: 12 Small White: 42
Large White: 6 Comma: 2 Green-veined White: 6 Brown Argus: 11 Common Blue: 11 Small Copper: 1 and 1 Jersey
Tiger |
Peter Gore |
| 27 Jul |
A lot of Common Blues around. 40 at Rickneys Quarry but at Waterford Heath only 8 but a surprisingly large number of Holly Blues
17 on the west side where the Goats-rue has not been cut down. Still plenty of Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers and Whites. At home in Bengeo a
Jersey Tiger moth |
Steve Kiln |
| 27 Jul |
1 Large White and 1 Painted Lady at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 08:29 hrs. Trent Park 'New Fields' (10:15 - 11:00 hrs) -
4 Small Copper, 4 Common Blue, 1 Small Heath and 1 Brown Argus. 1 Small Tortoiseshell nectaring on buddleia at Southgate
Chase Allotments at 13:01 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 26 Jul |
A couple of Jersey Tigers seen along the course of the River Pinn, Ickenham, approx. 1Km apart. The first seen on low bank side
vegetation before flying to perch on Willow (TQ 074 861), the second flying and perching on railway bridge across river then into small trees (TQ 073 871).
Other butterflies in TQ 07 86 included 2 Red Admirals, a Comma, several Green-veined Whites, a Holly Blue, a Speckled Wood,
3+ Meadow Browns |
Paul Busby |
| 26 Jul |
A Jersey Tiger in my Barnet garden at 3pm - Very hot southerly. A 'first' for me |
Michael Habben |
| 26 Jul |
Not quite as sunny as recently but very humid. A single Purple Hairstreak seen, resting on Carex beneath Willow and Ash next to one of the
dried-up ponds in Pevensey. A small increase in Red Admiral sightings is welcome even if they're still nowhere near last year's numbers at this time. Hounslow
Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey/St. Stephens Road TW3 2BW/St. Stephens Road TW3 2BN/Argyle Road TW3
2BE: Speckled Wood: 12 Meadow Brown: 20 Gatekeeper: 34 Small White: 26 Green-veined White: 8 Comma: 2 Holly
Blue: 12 Peacock: 1 Large White: 8 Small Heath: 4 Painted Lady: 1 Brown Argus: 11 Common Blue: 17 Red
Admiral: 4 Purple Hairstreak: 1 and two Jersey Tigers |
Peter Gore |
| 25 Jul |
In Baldwin's Wood, Flaunden in clearing, nectaring on Knapweed TQ007998: 5 Silver-washed Fritillary. In Meadow above Home Farm near
Latimer, (but in Herts TQ005993): 4 Silver-washed Fritillary, also several Brown Argus and Common Blue nectaring on large patches of
Marjoram. In my garden in Flaunden 1 Silver-washed Fritillary, Comma and Red Admiral with numerous Whites |
Jill Saunders |
| 25 Jul |
A Purple Hairstreak was seen at Maple Lodge NR (spotted by Emily Hobson) |
Sharon Monahan |
| 25 Jul |
Mostly a morning walk again, part of the return journey affected by smoke and ash from somewhere unseen. Three Small Heaths across the site
seemed new and there are some undersized Brown Argus - given they're small to start with, this means very small butterflies. Argyle Road TW3 2BE/The Avenue
TW3 2BG/152 St. Stephens Road TW3 2BW/98 St. Stephens Road TW3 2BN/Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling
Yards/Pevensey: Speckled Wood: 14 Small White: 45 Gatekeeper: 42 Meadow Brown: 32 Purple Hairstreak: 2 Brown Argus:
19 Green-veined White: 8 Comma: 2 Large White: 9 Ringlet: 1 Common Blue: 13 Small Heath: 3 Holly Blue: 7
Red Admiral: 1 and 5 Jersey Tiger moths |
Peter Gore |
| 25 Jul |
2 Purple Hairstreak at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 07:14 hrs. 1 female Common Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97)
at 08:21 hrs. Trent Park 'New Fields' (09:55 - 10:55 hrs) - 4 Small Copper, 3 Small Heath, 3+ Purple Hairstreak, 2 male Common
Blue and 3 Large White. 1 Comma nectaring on buddleia at Southgate Chase Allotments at 12:28 hrs. 1 Marbled Beauty and 1 female
Oak Hook-tip at ASDA Southgate this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 24 Jul |
I had a brief visit from a Silver-washed Fritillary today, which then headed off towards Great Ashby District Park. I've also had at
least 2 Purple Hairstreaks visiting my garden for the last 4 days, which would also show in the Oaks at the entrance to Great Ashby District Park.
Gatekeeper, Comma, Large & Small Skippers, Meadow Brown, Brimstone (mostly male), Large, Small & Green-veined
Whites in good numbers. A single Hummingbird Hawkmoth and dozens of Silver Y |
Steve Lane |
| 24 Jul |
A Jersey Tiger in my Colney Heath garden |
Helen Kerr |
| 24 Jul |
A similar morning to yesterday even in a very similar further encounter with a Red Underwing at the tunnel exit. This time it eventually
departed from script by retreating to to the culvert where I found myself disconcertingly watching a Jersey Tiger. I never did find out where the Red
Underwing hid but the Jersey Tiger, my second of the day, flew across the river. Two more were seen on the way home giving a modest new high for Jersey Tiger
of 4. Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey/120 & 98 St. Stephen's Road TW3 2BN/The Avenue TW3
2BG/Argyle Road TW3 2BE: Speckled Wood: 11 Gatekeeper: 45 Meadow Brown: 42 Red Admiral: 1 Large White: 14 Small
White: 38 Green-veined White: 9 Purple Hairstreak: 1 Ringlet: 2 Brown Argus: 9 Small Skipper: 1 Common Blue: 3
Holly Blue: 3 Small Copper: 1 plus 4 Jersey Tigers and a Red Underwing |
Peter Gore |
| 24 Jul |
1 male Clouded Yellow at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) at 07:42 hrs, 1 female Common Blue at Parkside Farm, Enfield
(TQ 29 98) at 08:20 hrs, 3 male Common Blue at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) and 1 Small White and 1 Painted Lady at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm
at 09:20 hrs. Trent Park 'New Fields' (11:00 - 12:00 hrs) - 14 Small Copper, 1 Holly Blue, 19+ Common Blue, 1 Large White, 1
Green-veined White. 1 Knot Grass at ASDA Southgate this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 23 Jul |
Walking my Knebworth Woods transect yielded very few skippers but I found a Small Skipper with white patches, at the bottom end of the
meadow at Norton Green Common |
Peter Clarke |
| 23 Jul |
I was very surprised at 10:30 this morning to see 2 Purple Hairstreaks fluttering low by my feet in my South Mimms garden, a South
Mimms first for me. I then proceeded to the end of my garden and was also surprised by seeing a Small Copper, another first for the garden. Also
present were 2 Holly Blue, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Small White & 1 Large White |
Terry Wood |
| 23 Jul |
Panshanger Park - Visited this site to research Butterfly walk for next weekends Festival of Wildlife. It's an old gravel works and very
dried out, with few flowers or butterflies in the meadows. Along the river was much more productive. Sightings included 23 Commas, plus Common
Blues, Purple Hairstreaks, Essex Skipper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Browns and Whites. All welcome for next weekends event,
details on the field trips page |
Malcolm Hull |
| 23 Jul |
1 Magpie moth Abraxas grossulariata - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 23 Jul |
Another morning walk in full sunshine and once more Purple Hairstreaks seen at ground level across the site. Moths again had a starring role:
what I think was almost certainly a Red Underwing looked positively sinister as it landed on the brickwork in the gloom of the tunnel entrance whilst 3 more
Jersey Tiger moths were seen. One in the Holly hedge on St. Stephens Road may well have been the individual seen last week at that location, the one that
greeted me at my own front door was definitely new to me. Argyle Road TW3 2BE/The Avenue TW3 2BG/St. Stephens Road TW3 2BW/Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather
-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey/Murray Avenue: Meadow Brown: 24 Gatekeeper: 60 Purple Hairstreak: 10
Green-veined White: 6 Large White: 13 Small White: 36 Comma: 3 Brown Argus: 8 Common Blue: 9 Speckled Wood: 9
Small Skipper: 1 Holly Blue: 8 Small Copper: 2 Red Admiral: 3 Peacock: 1 and 3 Jersey Tiger moths and 1 Red
Underwing |
Peter Gore |
| 23 Jul |
1 Purple Hairstreak and 1 Jersey Tiger at Vicarage Farm, Enfield this morning and 1 Purple Hairstreak at Lakeside, EN2
at 08:31 hrs. Grovelands Park, Southgate (10:30 - 12:30 hrs) - 2 Large White, 3 Small Copper, 3+ Common Blue, 3 Holly Blue and
2 Speckled Wood. 1 Silver Y at Parkside Farm (TQ 29 98) this morning |
Robert Callf |
| 22 Jul |
2 Speckled Wood, 1 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 5 Small White - Walsworth Common, Hitchin TL1930 |
David Inward |
| 22 Jul |
It had become something of an embarrassment that, despite years of looking for butterflies, I'd never stumbled across a Humming-bird Hawk-moth.
Today at last, no longer; one such was my first sighting on Argyle Road, moving across the top of a low Privet hedge dividing two gardens. After such a start I
didn't hope for much more and butterflies were very similar to recent days but in Pevensey I managed to double my sightings of Silver-washed Fritillary when I
spotted one briefly nectaring on Buddleja above me. It looked very much at home amongst the riverside trees although a little worn. Argyle Road/Hounslow
Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey/Hanworth Road TW4 5LH/Hounslow garden: Gatekeeper: 61
Speckled Wood: 17 Green-veined White: 15 Meadow Brown: 35 Purple Hairstreak: 4 Large White: 11 Small White: 34
Holly Blue: 10 Ringlet: 1 Common Blue: 11 Brown Argus: 14 Silver-washed Fritillary: 1 Red Admiral: 1 Small
Copper: 1 and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth and a Jersey Tiger |
Peter Gore |
| 22 Jul |
1 female Large White and 1 Common Blue at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) this morning before 09:00 hrs. 1 Green-veined White and
1 Large White nectaring on buddleia at Southgate Chase Allotments at 14:18 hrs and 1 Common Blue and 2 Small White nectaring on
lavender at Chase Road, N14 (TQ 296 949) at 14:25 hrs. 1 Tree-lichen Beauty at ASDA Southgate this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 22 Jul |
A Jersey Tiger moth inside my Hertford house last night |
Helen Cheshire |
| 21 Jul |
A Painted Lady on our Stevenage Old Town garden buddleia late afternoon was most welcome - it was present for most of the two hours I
sat in the garden |
Tom Speller |
| 21 Jul |
During a morning's birding at Tyttenhanger GPs I also saw 2 Painted Lady, plus Comma, Holly Blue, Red Admiral,
Small White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and just one Marbled White |
David Booth |
| 21 Jul |
An afternoon walk mainly. Good numbers of Common Blue and a fresh Small Heath but variety declining - no Skippers at all and only 1 Comma from
the four hibernators. Argyle Road TW3 2BE/St Stephens Road TW3 2BN/Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling
Yards/Pevensey: Large White: 17 Speckled Wood: 16 Meadow Brown: 42 Gatekeeper: 57 Common Blue: 25 Small White: 15
Green-veined White: 8 Holly Blue: 13 Red Admiral: 2 Brown Argus: 16 Ringlet: 1 Comma: 1 Small Heath: 1
Purple Hairstreak: 1 and a Jersey Tiger moth |
Peter Gore |
| 21 Jul |
Walked along ridgeway from near Tring station to Tring park. Sightings in and around main woodland path(SP927099) were 1 Brown Argus,
14 Small White, 23 Meadow Brown, 24 Gatekeeper, 1 Small Copper, 10 Speckled Wood, 4 Green-veined White, 10 Large
White, 11 Silver-washed Fritillary, 5 Brimstone, 3 Marbled White, 5 Ringlet, 4 Common Blue, 1 Small Heath, 2
Peacock, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 2 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Small Skipper, 1 Magpie moth.
Walked
back via Wigginton and after a pint spent time at Aldbury Nowers. In lowest enclosure were 4 Speckled Wood, 58 Meadow Brown, 17 Common
Blue, 5 Small Skipper, 6 Small Heath, 2 Brown Argus, 9 Gatekeeper, 1 Small Copper, 2 Large White, 9 Small
White and 4 Silver Y. At next enclosure were 12 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Skipper, 4 Small Heath, 2 Large White, 1 Small
White, 1 Ringlet, 1 Comma and 2 Silver Y. Lastly at Duchie's Piece recorded 29 Small White, 1 Peacock, 8
Gatekeeper, 29 Common Blue, 6 Brown Argus, 25 Meadow Brown, 1 Brimstone, 1 Dark Green Fritillary, 1 Green-veined
White, 3 Ringlet, 2 Small Heath, 1 Large White, 1 Common Carpet |
David Gower |
| 21 Jul |
2 Speckled Wood - Town Centre Gardens, Stevenage TL24112436. 1 Small White - Stevenage Museum gardens TL24052410 |
David Inward |
| 21 Jul |
Aldbury Nowers N.R (SP951129): This butterfly walk was led by Josh (HMWT). The group saw Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Small
Heath, Gatekeeper, Marbled White -2, Dark Green Fritillary -1, Silver-washed Fritillary -3, Comma, Peacock-1,
Common Blue, Chalk-hill Blue-1, Brown Argus, White-letter Hairstreak-1, Green-veined White, Large White, Small
White, Brimstone, Silver Y-1 and Six-spot Burnet-1 |
Shailesh Patel |
| 21 Jul |
This morning - 2 Green-veined White near Water Garden, Trent Park, 3 male Common Blue including a 'runt' at Vicarage Farm near
Shaws Wood (TQ 29 97) and 3 Brown Argus at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood. Trent Park (11:10 - 11:50 hrs) - 9 Small Copper including a courting
couple, 1 Holly Blue, 1 male Common Blue, 1 Marbled White and 1 Small Heath. 3 Six-spot Burnet at Trent Park 'New Fields'.
1 male Gypsy Moth and 1 Mother of Pearl at ASDA Southgate at 23:50 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 20 Jul |
Another "down to earth" Purple Hairstreak in the company of a Holly Blue on the drying mud of Gutteridge Wood meadow pond
(TQ0984), also on adjacent meadow and boardwalk were 6+ Gatekeeper, a Holly Blue, 2+ Meadow Brown and a Speckled Wood. In the main
wood meadow, on a young Oak saw another worn Purple Hairstreak, then flew onto Dog Rose. On the other side of Gutteridge Wood, walked the Blackthorn
lined field before the wood entrance (TQ 08 84) and saw another Purple Hairstreak, head height on Oak, also a Red Admiral, 5+ Gatekeeper,
1+ Meadow Brown, at least one Small White and one Green-veined White |
Paul Busby |
| 20 Jul |
Back to Oxhey woods but rather cloudy. In northern woodland did see 7 Holly Blues, 6 Speckled Wood, Small and
Green-veined Whites |
David Gower |
| 20 Jul |
2 male Common Blues roosting in my Stevenage garden at 6:35 pm. With female seen last evening, probable colony |
Peter Clarke |
| 20 Jul |
3 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Large White plus many unidentified whites - Walsworth Common, Hitchin TL196302 |
David Inward |
| 20 Jul |
Chorleywood Common: Common Blue, Brown Argus, Purple Hairstreak, Meadow Brown, Small Copper, Gatekeeper, Large and
Green-veined Whites all in reasonable numbers on an overcast afternoon. Skippers, Marbled Whites and Ringlets have all disappeared.
A single Comma hanging round nettles by the car park.
Irene Oulsnam, Dick Ashfield and I met Daniel, the new Conservation Ranger and learnt about
plans to improve the habitat on this excellent site. Plans include reinstating conservation grazing and removing trees to extend the chalk grassland area |
Malcolm Hull |
| 20 Jul |
Yet another warm humid morning but with no sun breaking through, butterfly sightings reflecting that to an extent. Argyle Road TW3 2BE/St
Stephens Road TW3 2BN/Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey: Green-veined White:
9 Gatekeeper: 66 Meadow Brown: 23 Speckled Wood: 11 Large White: 8 Small White: 20 Holly Blue: 3 Purple
Hairstreak: 1 Ringlet: 2 Brown Argus: 9 Common Blue: 5 Small Copper: 1 Red Admiral: 1 Painted Lady: 1 Essex
Skipper: 1 Small Skipper: 1 and 2 Jersey Tiger moths |
Peter Gore |
| 20 Jul |
1 Painted Lady at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) at 07:43 hrs, 1 male Common Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at
07:55 hrs, 1 Jersey Tiger at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 08:44 hrs, 1 Red Admiral at Park Farm, Enfield at 08:51 hrs, 2 male Common
Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield near Shaws Wood (TQ 29 97). Trent Park 'New Fields' (12:05 - 13:05 hrs) - 9 Small Copper, 2 Marbled White, 1
Painted Lady nectaring on thistles at 12:30 hrs, 3 male Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue nectaring on thistle edge of Church Wood, 1 Red
Admiral near Triangular Wood at 12:54 hrs, 1 male Silver-washed Fritillary nectaring on thistles corner of Triangular Wood (TQ 288 966) from 12:56
- 12:58 hrs - for a glorious couple of minutes. 3 Purple Hairstreak at Trent Park this afternoon. 1 Black Arches and 1 Brimstone Moth at
ASDA Southgate this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 19 Jul |
Visited Ruislip Woods this afternoon starting off at St Vincents. After searching for 25 mins 2 Purple Emperors appeared in the canopy
directly above entrance at 15.45 and were seen many times circling around each other at speed until 16.10. On two occasions the white markings were very
clear but couldn't make out if males or females. Also seen nearby were 6 Speckled Wood, 3 Purple Hairstreak, 4 Large White. Around
perimeter path were 8 Gatekeeper, 1 Comma, 1 Ringlet, 3 Meadow Brown, 1 Brown Argus. At Haste Hill 3 Gatekeepers,
3 Meadow Brown, 3 Common Blue. Onto Poor's Field seeing 2 Meadow Brown, 3 Gatekeeper, 1 Small White, 1 Peacock, 1
Comma, 1 Purple Hairstreak. Lastly in Copse Wood no sign of White Admirals but found 3 Purple Hairstreak and 2 Holly Blue |
David Gower |
| 19 Jul |
Quite often, the text books say that the best time to see Purple Hairstreaks is early evening around the canopy of Oak trees. This
season, I am seeing more that break this rule. Today's surprise sightings, whilst walking in the River Pinn stream at Ickenham (TQ0685) carrying a pollution
boat trial, I saw 2 butterflies, which turned out to be PH on the bank vegetation, at least 100m from the nearest Oak at 9.15am in the morning. Seemed happy
basking in the morning sunshine then flitting between the bank vegetation and some feathers from a dead Magpie. Couple of hundred metres upstream, I saw
another on bank vegetation but this time under an Oak and finally at Swakeleys Lake hard standing car park, one flew up from the ground into a nearby Ash |
Paul Busby |
| 19 Jul |
My Letchworth G C garden, male Silver-washed Fritillary feeding on buddleia, a garden first, do not know of any nearby colonies |
Roger Millard |
| 19 Jul |
One female Brown Hairstreak low down in a park in London Borough of Richmond, close to where eggs were found in
winter 2016. The first confirmed adult sighting in our branch area since 1998 |
Andrew Wood |
| 19 Jul |
A female Common Blue in my Stevenage garden at 6:45 pm - first time ever! Quite close to some Bird's-foot Trefoil I planted earlier
in the year |
Peter Clarke |
| 19 Jul |
An early start so most of these were seen in the morning. Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling
Yards/Pevensey: Gatekeeper: 70 Green-veined White: 5 Brown Argus: 11 Meadow Brown: 36 Red Admiral: 1 Small White: 25
Purple Hairstreak: 2 Speckled Wood: 16 Large White: 12 Ringlet: 1 Common Blue: 6 Small Copper: 2 Holly Blue:
1 and a Jersey Tiger |
Peter Gore |
| 19 Jul |
4 Holly Blue including two nectaring on burdock, 1 Gatekeeper and 1 Speckled Wood at Town Park, Enfield this morning. 1
Jersey Tiger in Town Park, Enfield (TQ 323 961) near Carr's Basin at 10:42 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 18 Jul |
A second-brooded Four-spotted found on a road verge near Barley, just outside Hertfordshire. Look for them
on other road verges, bridleways and footpaths in North Herts where there is abundant Field Bindweed in flower |
Sharon Hearle |
| 18 Jul |
Today's Purple Hairstreak in an unexpected spot was on a Bramble leaf at the tunnel entrance, the wrong end for the nearest Oak. Half a
dozen Small Skippers were still around but too restless and tatty to identify properly. They have effectively finished here. Argyle Road TW3 2BE/Hounslow
Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey: Gatekeeper: 91 Large White: 14 Speckled Wood:
9 Peacock: 2 Green-veined White: 15 Meadow Brown: 39 Small White: 26 Ringlet: 4 Brown Argus: 15 Small Copper:
2 Common Blue: 8 Holly Blue: 4 Comma: 3 Red Admiral: 2 Purple Hairstreak: 4 |
Peter Gore |
| 18 Jul |
A Silver-washed Fritillary on buddleia at 1pm in my Barnet garden |
Michael Habben |
| 18 Jul |
A Purple Hairstreak in my Bishop's Stortford garden (a new garden record), several times throughout the day. The third hairstreak
species of the year, the most likely but the last to appear and three more species than I could have reasonably expected! |
Andrew Palmer |
| 18 Jul |
Trent Park 'New Fields' (11:00 - 11:50 hrs) - 4 Marbled White, 1 Painted Lady, 4 Small Copper, 1 Large Skipper, 1
Peacock, 2 Large White and 1 female Common Blue. At ASDA Southgate at 01:00 hrs - 1 Small Rivulet - new for the site, 1
Blood-vein and 1 Silver Y. 1 Silver Y at Chase Road/Chelmsford Road, N14 this morning and 1 Shaded Broad-bar at Parkside Farm/Res,
Enfield this morning at 06:36 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 17 Jul |
Went in search of Purple Hairstreaks at Fishers Field nature reserve this evening and was rewarded with 12 sightings (first time I've
seen here). Also 2 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Copper, 3 Common Blue, 1 x Brown Argus, 1 Comma, 1 Large White. At least
30 Cinnabar caterpillars on ragwort as well |
David Gower |
| 17 Jul |
Tring: returned home at 6pm to find two Red Admirals having territorial dual for the right to sit in the middle of the road in front of
my house. Later on I found a Buff Arches on shed wall |
Chris Hilling |
| 17 Jul |
Jersey Tiger at Courtyard Art Centre, Port Vale, Hertford, this afternoon |
Chris Benton |
| 17 Jul |
A more leisurely walk so numbers seen back up again but Peacocks suddenly missing. Whitton Road TW3 2EJ/Argyle Road TW3 2BE/Hounslow
Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey: Red Admiral: 1 Speckled Wood: 7 Gatekeeper:
60 Green-veined White: 16 Small White: 26 Holly Blue: 3 Purple Hairstreak: 4 Meadow Brown: 24 Large White: 11
Small Copper: 4 Comma: 1 Ringlet: 3 Brown Argus: 7 Common Blue: 10 and 1 Jersey Tiger. Smoke rising from the
vicinity of the Heath and a fire engine rushing there as I was leaving around 2.30 |
Peter Gore |
| 17 Jul |
1 female White-letter Hairstreak at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 09:02 hrs, 2 Red Admiral at Park Farm, Enfield, 2 male
Common Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) and 2 Brown Argus here also. In Town Park, Enfield - 1 Comma and 1 Speckled Wood |
Robert Callf |
| 16 Jul |
Brief lunchtime visit to Welsh Harp Environmental Centre and surprisingly saw a Purple Hairstreak land on my car before taking off
again. Also saw a few Gatekeepers, Large and Small Whites |
Paul Busby |
| 16 Jul |
I went for a late walk through Tunnel Gardens (TQ293914) at 6.30 and found this late stage caterpillar of the Alder Moth - Acronita
alni basking on a bramble leaf most of which it had eaten. Prior to that I visited Coppetts Wood from 4.30 to 5.15 where I saw one Purple
Hairstreak, three Commas, one Red Admiral, one male Common Blue, five Holly Blues, Large Whites, Green-veined
Whites, Gatekeepers, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, and Large Skippers |
Miles Attenborough |
| 16 Jul |
We saw 10+ Purple Hairstreaks mud puddling in and the brick ponds at Hertford Heath |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 16 Jul |
A quick visit to the fields north of Clothall Common on the edge of Baldock confirmed the continued existence of the new Chalkhill Blue
colony there with 5 seen. Then on to Therfield Heath where the best concentration was on the track between the Trig point and Therfield Lane generally numbers
seemed lower than in the past across the whole site from Church Hill to the Rifle Range. Combined with my observations visit to Hexton two days ago I don't
think 2018 is a classic year for this species |
Andrew Wood |
| 16 Jul |
I have had three visits so far from White-letter Hairstreak this summer in my Ware garden - the last two times nectaring on Hemp
Agrimony. Unfortunately I didn't expect to find one caught by a spider! |
Liz Goodyear |
| 16 Jul |
Marshalls Heath: Hot on the heels of the Purple Emperor, 2 Silver-washed Fritillaries flew into the house this afternoon: one in our
bedroom and one into the conservatory. I caught, released and photographed the latter after putting it on the Vibernum bush in the lawn. I hope it recovers
from its ordeal: I've put the hose on nearby so that a fine spray drifts over it now and again. I'm hoping it hasn't got dehydrated or overheated (the
temperature in the conservatory is 32 degrees with the doors open). Again these are the first ever sightings at this site |
John Murray |
| 16 Jul |
Commitments later in the day meant a rather rushed early morning walk, so reduced sightings are largely a result of of halving the time spent.
However there was one striking result probably of the early start: a minimum of 6 Purple Hairstreaks were seen on one small patch of Brambles under an Oak
whilst individual "grounded" Purple Hairstreaks were also seen across the site including one on what's effectively an extensive piece of lawn at the end of
the Pevensey loop. Sadly there's also bad news: two fires on the Heath included one which destroyed a lengthy stretch of grassland, Broom, Heather etc between
the ditch and the railway line. This has been playing host to significant numbers of my sightings from Green Hairstreaks in spring onwards and will be much
missed. Murray Avenue/Hounslow Heath/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey/Heath-Heather-Railway: Meadow Brown: 26 Purple
Hairstreak: 11 Gatekeeper: 29 Green-veined White: 10 Speckled Wood: 5 Brown Argus: 2 Small White: 9 Large White:
6 Comma: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Peacock: 2 Red Admiral: 1 Small Skipper: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 16 Jul |
1 male Brown Argus at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 08:15 hrs, 2 female Large White together near Hadley Road/Vicarage
Farm (TQ 30 97), 1 Silver Y at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98). Lots of Purple Hairstreaks this morning - 3 at Park Farm, 2 at Duncan's
Wood, Enfield Chase, 20+ at Trent Park including 16 settled on ground between 09:20 - 09:35 hrs, 1 Holly Blue edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park, 1 Small
Copper nectaring on thistle near Ride Wood, Trent Park at 09:33 hrs and 3 Speckled Wood together near Equestrian Centre, Trent Park at 10:37 hrs.
Trent Park (12:00 - 13:00 hrs) - 1 Large Skipper, 1 female Holly Blue nectaring on thistle at 12:14 hrs, 10 Small Copper 'New Fields',
1 Painted Lady nectaring on thistles near Triangular Wood at 12:21 hrs, 5 Purple Hairstreak and 1 Peacock at 12:54 hrs, 25 Six-spot
Burnet. A Painted Lady nectaring on buddleia at Southgate Chase Allotments at 14:17 hrs. 1 Mother of Pearl at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 15 Jul |
Town Park, Enfield between 13:45 - 14:05 hrs - 1 female Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma and 4 Holly Blue. 1
Comma at Windmill Hill/Shirley Road, Enfield at 14:08 hrs. 1 Box-tree Moth at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 15 Jul |
Two unusual garden sightings. I planted a patch of Birds-foot Trefoil in my garden 15 years ago. Today for the first time I found a Common
Blue on it! A female, who stayed around for half an hour nectaring on the flowers, but no sign of egg laying. I did see a Holly Blue egg laying
in the shade around 7 this evening. Curiously it chose the flower buds of Wisteria to lay on - never heard of that plant being used before |
Malcolm Hull |
| 15 Jul |
Aldbury Nowers - A couple of times I have met people at events and walks and mentioned that the Nowers is my local 'patch' so to speak. 'Oh'
they say, 'I went there and did not see much'. Well, in the three hours or so I spent there today, 22 species were present with over 500 individuals seen
including over 150 each of Meadow Brown and Small White. Also Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Small
Copper, Dark Green Fritillary, Silver-washed Fritillary, Common Blue and Chalkhill Blue. Plus an unusual looking 6-spot
Burnet with creamy/yellow spots and pink/yellow hindwing |
Chris Hilling |
| 15 Jul |
From 12.55 t0 13.30, One male Purple Emperor on territory at Bardon Clumps, Rickneys Quarry, Hertford |
Laurence Drummond |
| 15 Jul |
Despite the borough making the national news for grass fires last night thankfully we were not affected this time with the result that the
butterflies are similar to recent days. A single Small Heath in a spot where I haven't seen one recently looked very fresh. Argyle Road TW3 2BE/St Stephens
Road TW3 2BW/St Stephens Road TW3 2BN/Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey:: Comma: 3
Speckled Wood: 10 Large White: 11 Gatekeeper: 64 Meadow Brown: 33 Essex Skipper: 3 Holly Blue: 12 Green-veined
White: 6 Brown Argus: 15 Common Blue: 14 Peacock: 5 Small White: 16 Red Admiral: 2 Purple Hairstreak: 2 Small
Heath: 1 Small Copper: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 15 Jul |
Branch Butterfly Walk at Bricket Wood Common, St Albans - 20 people joined our annual walk on this woodland and heathland site. We started by
looking at the Elm in Drop Lane for White-letter Hairstreaks. All but one of the Elms by the car park were dying and no Hairstreaks were seen. We did see
both Common and Holly Blues. Next we saw Purple Hairstreak quite low down in an oak. Two local residents came to find out what we had spotted
and we showed them a good photo taken through telescopic lens.
Onto the Common and the main ride, which was quite shady. It's nearly 20 years since the
ride was cut and the canopy is beginning to close over. But as we entered sunny pockets butterflies started to be seen. Firstly whites, Ringlets and
more Purple Hairstreaks. Then a Brown Argus, Silver-washed Fritillary, a Peacock, Holly Blue and Comma. Meadow
Browns, Ringlets, Large and Green-veined Whites all in good numbers plus several Large Skippers and Gatekeepers. Several more
sightings of Silver-washed Fritillaries (all male), one of whom flew directly at my face before veering away at the last moment, fearlessly trying to
persuade me to leave its territory.
Onto the heathland and the range of species varied to include Brimstones all greedily feeding on thistles before
entering hibernation. Marbled Whites joined the fun, though in much lower numbers in recent years. In fact numbers of all grassland species were low,
due to prolonged cattle grazing which lasted into June. We saw several small orange Skippers and all three we got a close look at all turned out to be
Small Skipper rather than Essex. I saw one apparently egg laying on grass and we took some photos of tiny white specs for further examination.
Silver-washed Frillaries were much in evidence, with a dozen seen in total. There weren't many moths today but we did record Silver Y and
Yellow Shell, also Common Darter, Banded Demoiselle, Southern and Brown Hawker dragonflies.
Ten of us then visited Mutchetts Wood next door to look
for Purple Emperor, but with no luck, despite studying the master-tree area for an hour. It may have finished treetop activity early this year. We did not
see any White Admirals, which were doing well a month ago and have probably also finished early due to the heat. Purple Hairstreaks were having a fine
time with several dozen seen altogether |
Malcolm Hull |
| 15 Jul |
After river sampling the Yeading Brook, South Ruislip, went for a 15 minute stroll around the nearby rough grassland area on Bridgewater Fields
(TQ1085) and saw at least 12+ Gatekeepers, 3 Large Whites, 3+ Small Whites, 3+ Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Small
Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Brown Argus, Ringlet, 2 Common Blue and 2 Holly Blue |
Paul Busby |
| 15 Jul |
Eastcote, Middx: Celandine Walk (TQ113892). One Small Copper this morning |
Graham Elcombe |
| 15 Jul |
Tyttenhanger GP - walk up from Willows Lake through western field: 4 Marbled White and 3 'blues' difficult to get onto in very long
grass |
Chris Lamsdell |
| 15 Jul |
In the last section of my Butterfly Transect at Marshalls Heath I was repeatedly buzzed by a Purple Emperor on the grass strip opposite
my house. Didn't see any flashes of purple so presume a female, though the behaviour would seem to be that of a male. At any rate it's the first ever record
of one at this site |
John Murray |
| 14 Jul |
At Tring Park, I saw a Purple Emperor again this morning off the main woodland path gliding around and settling on an ash tree just
below a sallow |
Philip Woodward |
| 14 Jul |
A bumper day in my Bishop's Stortford garden with male Silver-washed Fritillary (only 2nd garden record), White-letter
Hairstreak (2nd) and Small Copper (also only 2nd record) - all on buddleia or hebe - all at same time around 16:30 |
Andrew Palmer |
| 14 Jul |
Alpine Meadow, Berkhamsted - Shamefully it has been over a year since I went to this lovely little reserve but I'm pleased to say that this
mornings' all too brief visit was most rewarding... well over 100 Small and Large Whites seen on footpath towards reserve from Bridgewater School. Then
at the meadow were... 62 x Meadow Brown, 22 x Gatekeeper, 16 x Small White and 11 x Large White, 4 x Marbled White, 4 x
Peacock, 5 x Silver-washed Fritillary, 16 x Large Skipper and 6 x Essex Skipper and 3 x Common Blue. Also present were
Silver Y and Burnet moths |
Chris Hilling |
| 14 Jul |
Visited Telegraph Hill, Hoo Bit and Hexton Chalk Pit. Telegraph Hill continues to get even more scrubbed up and I was surprised to find even
one Chalkhill Blue. Nothing else of note there. At Hexton I recorded my lowest ever end to end count of Chalkhill Blue with only 26 in a 5
metre box from one end to another (repeated twice with the same result), in good years this number has been an almost uncountable 300. Plenty of Marbled
Whites and 6 Dark Green Fritillary. Good numbers of Six-spot burnet moths and Brimstones but little else of note. Given those low
numbers it was perhaps surprising that I even found one Chalkhill Blue off the reserve over on Lion Hill. On the way back to Lilley I found one
White-letter Hairstreak nectaring on marjoram on the edge of Ward's Wood. Large and Small Whites and Ringlet were by far the commonest
species overall |
Andrew Wood |
| 14 Jul |
A couple of Painted Ladies added to BC Migrant Watch, one on Lake Farm transect, the other Minet Country Park, off transect, both Hayes,
Middlesex. Forty minute stroll at 10am along the wooded/scrub boundary of Stockley Park Golf Course, Goulds Green section (TQ08 80) and saw plenty of Whites,
at least 17+ Large White, 12+ Small Whites and 5+ Green-veined Whites plus Holly Blue, Common Blue, Small Skipper,
3 Comma, 7+ Speckled Wood, 7+ Meadow Brown, 7+ Gatekeeper. Lunchtime, off transect at Minet Country Park included a Marbled
White, 5+ fresh Brown Argus, 3 Common Blue and tens of Green-veined Whites, Small Whites, Gatekeepers, A number of
these butterflies seen on mud on the ever shrinking pond |
Paul Busby |
| 14 Jul |
2 Speckled Wood, 1 plus Large White, 1 plus Green-yeined White 1 with unusual pattern - Gypsy Lane north (bridleway by
Purwell Ninesprings Reserve) Hitchin TL2029. 1 Ringlet - Purwell Ninesprings Reserve, Hitchin TL20672930 |
David Inward |
| 14 Jul |
Therfield Heath, Royston - Gorgeous day on the Heath, I counted 500 Chalkhill Blues, 37 Dark Green Fritillaries, 16 Marbled
Whites, 25 Small/Essex Skippers (of which 2 were identified as Small, 4 as Essex), 6 Brown Argus, 5 Common Blues, 3 Small
Heath, 4 Brimstones, 5 Peacocks, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral and very large numbers of browns
and whites.
There was a concentration of Chalkhill Blues on the south side of Church Hill, but they were well distributed across the unmown areas on the
site. But numbers were well down in the rifle range/Upper rifle range areas, compared to my last visit a few years ago. The Kidney Vetch is doing very well
along the track, no Small Blues seen, but both Chalkhill Blues and Brown Argus were taking nectar from this plant. A cut field adjoining the Heath with no
flowers or any green vegetation contained hundreds of Large and Small Whites all flying very close to the ground - why? 6-spot Burnet was the most
numerous moth, though I also saw Dusky Sallow, Shaded Broad-bar, Silver Y and many Cinnabar moth caterpillars |
Malcolm Hull |
| 14 Jul |
The most unusual sight of the day came when I was standing on the bridge within the Pevensey loop. Below me on what I think were dock leaves a
Purple Hairstreak fluttered. The spring that flows beneath the bridge dried some time ago but it's still odd to find this butterfly there. On the other hand
Purple Hairstreaks have been much easier to see lower in the trees all summer - life at the top must be hard this year- and I suspect I miss many of them
flying fast and anonymous amongst the usual suspects. Whitton Road TW3 2EG/Argyle Road TW3 2BE/St Stephens Road TW3 2BN/Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/
Heath--Ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey: Speckled Wood: 15 Holly Blue: 12 Small White: 16 Gatekeeper: 74
Meadow Brown: 44 Purple Hairstreak: 3 Large White: 5 Green-veined White: 12 Common Blue: 8 Essex Skipper: 3 Brown
Argus : 12 Small Skipper: 3 Ringlet: 3 Small Heath: 1 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Comma: 3 Peacock: 2 Red
Admiral: 1 Small Copper: 2 Jersey Tiger moths: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 14 Jul |
A female Silver-washed Fritillary in the Garden of the Waggon and Horses (Choppys) Pepper Hill, Ware (TL368121), mid afternoon, looked
like she was searching for somewhere to deposit eggs, but no joy while I could see her |
Laurence Drummond |
| 14 Jul |
Symondshyde Woods. Large count of Silver-washed Fritillaries in pylon glade and area this afternoon. Counted 24 with occasional group
of four chasing up and down. Also had four low level White-letter Hairstreaks on bramble and two Holly Blues, Gatekeepers, Meadow
Browns, Ringlets, Whites and Large Skipper also present |
Trevor Chapman |
| 14 Jul |
Trent Park 'New Fields' (10:50 - 11:50 hrs) - 2 Painted Lady together nectaring on thistles near Triangular Wood at 11:07 hrs, 3
Peacock, 1 Comma, 3 Small Copper, 2 male Common Blue and a female Clouded Yellow nectaring on thistles at 11:17 hrs. 1
Purple Hairstreak at Parkside House, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 07:05 hrs, 1 male Brown Argus at Vicarage Farm near Shaws Wood (TQ 29 97) at 08:20
hrs, 1 male Common Blue at Vicarage Farm near Merryhills Brook (TQ 29 97) at 08:23 hrs - my first of the summer brood and 1 Marbled White here
also. 1 Peacock at Oakwood Station at 13:01 hrs and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Southgate Chase Allotments. 1 Silver Y at ASDA Southgate.
At least 4 Six-spot Burnet at Trent Park 'New Fields' this morning |
Robert Callf |
| 13 Jul |
A little late today so slightly fewer butterflies. Another sighting of Jersey Tiger on the Heath, this time staying on my side of the ditch so I was
able to see the familiar stripes of the moth resting on an Oak. We're still troubled by new grass fires but amidst the ever changing environment it was good
to see 4 Small Coppers at different locations. Argyle Road:TW3 2BE/St Stephens Road TW3 2BN/Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath--Ex Golf
Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey: Gatekeeper: 61 Speckled Wood: 11 Small White: 12 Meadow Brown: 47 Large White: 5
Comma: 4 Purple Hairstreak: 3 Common Blue: 10 Peacock: 4 Holly Blue: 12 Ringlet: 3 Brown Argus: 14 Small
Copper: 4 Essex Skipper: 1 Painted Lady: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Red Admiral: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 13 Jul |
A Small Tortoiseshell and at least 8+ Small Whites near Limehouse Cut, Bromley-by-Bow |
Paul Busby |
| 13 Jul |
Symondshyde Great Wood, St Albans - 22 Silver-washed Fritillaries crammed into small sunny areas of bramble, both males and females in
equal numbers. Mating behaviour and searching for egg-laying sites both observed. An elderly couple of White-letter Hairstreaks. 5 Purple
Hairstreaks, 3 Commas, 5 Peacocks. Dozens of browns and whites, but only a single Large Skipper.
Bricket Wood Common with Chris
Newman - Purple Emperor - 3 sightings in 90 mins spent searching the oak canopy at the Mutchetts Wood high point - probably the same individual in each
case cruised round top of a tall oak. 11 Silver-washed Fritillaries, 35 Purple Hairstreaks, 6 Peacocks, 5 Commas, 2
Brimstone, 3 Holly Blues, 5 Brown Argus, 2 Large Skippers, 5 Marbled Whites plus the same supporting cast. Seems like a
great year for Silver washed and Brown Argus, but a complete lack of Small, Essex Skippers and White Admirals |
Malcolm Hull |
| 13 Jul |
I got to Rusling End at about 1.15 and studied the Oak tops but saw nothing so pondered the healthy Sallows nearby and luckily at 1.40 a
female Purple Emperor flew into the nearest Sallow (3 or 4 of these trees in a cluster) and I watched it working its way around the tree. I went in
close - it was only about 8ft up - and tried to take a photo. Haven't studied them yet and not too optimistic but there was no doubt, it was that close - and
it eventually flew up into the Oak beyond |
Don Gregory |
| 13 Jul |
Unfortunately I didn't have my camera or phone with me but as I was going to lunch today (about 12.45), I saw the shadow of a butterfly/moth
flying behind my head. Stopped and observed a bright flutter, coming to rest in a bush between two buildings on the County Hall site. When I got closer I
could see it was a Jersey Tiger. Maybe the hot weather has attracted them away from the south-west. It was in a classic at-rest position with its
wings closed, just the brilliant stripey pattern of the upper wings showing |
Bonnie West |
| 13 Jul |
Town Park, Enfield - 2 Large White, 2 Holly Blue, 1 Gatekeeper and 2 Speckled Wood. Male Gypsy Moth at ASDA
Southgate at 01:10 hrs this morning. 1 large Cinnabar caterpillar on ragwort at Town Park, Enfield (TQ 324 961) this
afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 12 Jul |
Ayletts Celebration Garden (TL 16730 05040), my wife and I saw 4 Purple Hairstreaks, 2 Peacock, 1 Painted Lady, 4 Small
Skippers and 1 Small Copper |
Glen Barnes |
| 12 Jul |
A beautiful Jersey Tiger on buddleia in my Broxbourne garden. Is it a migrant? Presumably others have been seen |
June Crew |
| 12 Jul |
Back to Merryhill fields, Bushey. Sightings as follows = Meadow Brown x 111, Comma x 6, Holly Blue x 3, Large
White x 5, Gatekeeper x 132, Small Tortoiseshell x 1, Purple Hairstreak x 10, Ringlet x 39, Speckled Wood x 2,
Marbled White x 13, Green-veined White x 1, Small Skipper x 5, Small White x 3, Large Skipper x 2. Moths were
Silver Y x 1, Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet x 2, Yellow Shell x 17, Shaded Broad-bar x 16 |
David Gower |
| 12 Jul |
My wife & I visited Maidens Bridge, Enfield today to see the newly established colony of Beautiful Demoiselle (damselflies), and were extremely
surprised to see a group of 6 large brown Old Lady moths (Mormo maura) flying about and settling under the bridge. We then walked along Turkey
Brook into Forty Hall Park and saw at least a dozen Purple Hairstreaks - they seemed to be everywhere. Also seen Meadow Brown(5),
Ringlet(4), Speckled Wood(3), Gatekeeper(8), Comma(4), Red Admiral(1), Peacock(2), Holly Blue(1),
Large Skipper(6) and numerous Whites(mainly Small) |
Terry Wood |
| 12 Jul |
A walk round Balls Wood (TL343105) today had: 8 Silver-washed Fritillary, 21 Peacock, 51 Meadow Brown, 95 Ringlet,
28 Gatekeeper, 31 Large White, 1 Speckled Wood, 22 Green-veined White, 12 Large Skipper 4 Small/Essex Skipper, 4
Comma, 4 Brimstone, 4 Small White, 1 Red Admiral. Sadly no White Admirals or Purple Emperors! (284 butterflies) |
Andy Brown |
| 12 Jul |
Today's highlight was a Jersey Tiger moth which flew across the ditch towards the railway. I declined to test my deteriorating long-jumping
skills, suspecting the result would be painful so only got a brief look. A second even briefer sighting came on the way home when another likely one
disappeared into the Holly hedge on St.Stephen's Road, also a no-go area for me. Butterflies were numerous and varied but not quite so garishly coloured:
Argyle Road TW3 2BE/Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-Railway/Heath---ex Golf Course/River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey:
Large White: 5 Speckled
Wood: 14 Gatekeeper: 110 Small White: 20 Meadow Brown: 61 Small Copper: 1 Small Skipper: 3 Purple Hairstreak:
3 Comma: 3 Peacock: 11 Ringlet: 7 Common Blue: 4 Brown Argus: 8 Green-veined White: 7 Red Admiral: 3 Essex
Skipper: 3 Holly Blue: 4 Brimstone: 1 Painted Lady: 1 Small Heath: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 12 Jul |
1 Large White - St Faiths Church, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 12 Jul |
An overcast start to the day didn't promise much and yet 14 people turned up for the Norton Green Common field trip. We set off down the track
and very little was happening until we reached the open area at about 10:45 when the sun began to burst through. We scoured the brambly bush on the
right and suddenly we were overwhelmed with the number of Purple Hairstreaks dancing around and many sitting motionless on the leaves. While we were marveling
with this experience Chris Benton had a look around in the 'meadow' on his own and found 4 or 5 White-letter Hairstreaks feeding on thistles. An opportunity
missed for most of us because when we ventured into the meadow they were gone (or maybe just missed) but we found plenty of golden skippers, whites, Marbled
Whites, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Gatekeepers with the occasional Silver-washed Fritillary, Peacock and Comma. Entering the field beyond the meadow looked
less promising as most of the grass was cut about two weeks ago but we still found two Small Coppers and a Common Blue. At around 11:50 we saw a flash of
black and white near the wooden stiles - a Purple Emperor! A female Silver-washed Fritillary was also spotted near this point foraging close to the ground.
Returning to the meadow, we encountered a Brown Argus, a couple more Common Blues, Small Coppers, Red Admirals and Large Skippers. One of the highlights was
finding a Gatekeeper ab. excessa (extra black spots on the forewings) feeding on thistle. In the open area, as we were about to say our goodbyes at
12:50, a male Purple Emperor flew up and was about to settle close to some dog poo but didn't! At this time another Purple Emperor (a female) was seen high
up on the oak towards Pigeonswick. Four of us stayed around for another hour and we saw 2 or 3 more Purple Emperors in the open area including a female
possibly laying her eggs on a sallow close to the bye-laws sign at about 14:10.
Quite a few dragonflies about too like the Common Darter, Migrant Hawker
and Ruddy Darters spotted by Bob in a shrubby part just beyond the common.
Species counts: Small Skipper 10+, Essex Skipper 10+, Large
Skipper 2, Large White 10+, Small White 20+, Green-veined White 1, Purple Hairstreak 100+, White-letter Hairstreak 4,
Common Blue 3, Brown Argus 1, Small Copper 3, Purple Emperor 5+, Red Admiral 3. Comma 5, Peacock 3,
Silver-washed Fritillary 5, Marbled White 10+, Gatekeeper 20+, Meadow Brown 20+, Ringlet 20+ |
Peter Clarke
Bob Clift |
| 12 Jul |
2 male Brown Argus at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 1 Comma at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), also here 2 Purple
Hairstreak and 1 White-letter Hairstreak settled on Wych Elm at 10:49 hrs (a new record for the tetrad for this recording period). 5 Purple
Hairstreak around and settled on Wych Elm at Duncan's Wood, Enfield Chase at 11:03 hrs, 3 Holly Blue and 2 Peacock at Trent Park, 1
Comma edge of Williams Wood, Trent Park at 11:50 hrs, 1 Peacock nectaring on thistles at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) at 12:15 hrs. First
Jersey Tiger of the year at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) this morning at 10:03 hrs near Hadley Road, probably my earliest ever! |
Robert Callf |
| 11 Jul |
An enjoyable afternoon walk and interesting contrast to yesterday's began with a Brimstone on Argyle Road TW3 2BE followed by a Small Skipper
on a parked car in St. Stephens Road and a Holly Blue further down the Road.TW3 2BN. There seemed quite a lot of butterflies of different species flying
immediately I arrived on the Heath and after watching at least 5 Purple Hairstreaks low on an Oak I turned my attention to a Buddleja where I'd seen several
more species. Trying to confirm a Red Admiral I found myself looking instead at an orange butterfly and, thankfully before noting "Comma", I had time to spot
distinctly non-ragged wings and identify my first ever Silver-washed Fritillary. A male it's probably sadly out of place here (no violets) but welcome
nevertheless and perhaps indicative of a species doing well elsewhere. It flew along the Buddlejas nectaring a little but eventually out of site back where
I'd come from.By the time I spotted a Painted Lady towards the end of my walk 21 species had been seen,a total achieved without the assistance of Small Heath,
an ever present since 17 May I think (several other species have come and gone and started another brood in this time). A female adder sun-bathing alongside
the path in the Pevensey loop was a disconcerting first of another kind in that location.
Hounslow Heath/Heath-Heather-railway/Heath-ex-Golf Course/
River Crane/Marshalling Yards/Pevensey/Argyle Road: Brimstone: 1 Small Skipper: 9 Holly Blue: 13 Ringlet: 1 Meadow Brown:
51 Gatekeeper: 82 Comma: 5 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Speckled Wood: 8 Large White: 6 Purple Hairstreak: 8
Silver-washed Fritillary: 1 Small White: 15 Green-veined White: 2 Peacock: 17 Brown Argus: 4 Small Copper: 2
Common Blue: 3 Red Admiral: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 Painted Lady: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 11 Jul |
A few Purple Hairstreaks in Hatfield House park tonight while watching an open air play |
Trevor Chapman |
| 11 Jul |
1 Small Tortoiseshell at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 Holly Blue edge of Rough Lot near Obelisk, Trent Park and another near
Water Garden, 1 Marbled White at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Small Copper (pristine condition) nectaring on thistle near Ride Wood, Trent
Park, 3 Large White at Trent Park and 1 Holly Blue at Lakeside, EN2. 1 Peacock at Oakwood Station yesterday at 16:05 hrs. 1 Small
Tortoiseshell nectaring on buddleia at Southgate Chase Allotments this afternoon, also 1 Peacock nectaring on buddleia at Dalrymple Close, N14 at
16:49 hrs. 3 Six-spot Burnet at Trent Park and 1 Silver Y at Vicarage Farm, Enfield near Merryhills Brook (TQ 29 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 11 Jul |
St Albans - First two Small Tortoiseshells have gone into hibernation in my shed. Both are in characteristic over-wintering positions,
i.e. the darkest positions free of cobwebs, one under a shelf and one on the underside of the roof behind a hoist. I checked the shed thoroughly last Sunday
when there were none present, so they have gone in during the last two days. This seems early but is about the same time that hibernation started for last 3
years. On Sunday evening I observed a Small Tortoiseshell in my bedroom, flying very slowly round the room close to the walls and ceiling clearly searching
for a hibernation spot. On that occasion I caught it and released it through the window so that it could find a more suitable position which is not heated
during the winter.
I'd be really interested to hear from anyone else who encounters Small Tortoiseshells hibernating |
Malcolm Hull |
| 10 Jul |
At 6.30 pm I went into my north facing kitchen (Stevenage) and saw a Silver-washed Fritillary fluttering around outside. Almost
couldn't believe it but I know they travel. Nearest 'wood' is south, 200m away but never seen one there so assume it came windborne from the east |
Don Gregory |
| 10 Jul |
We saw 1 Purple Hairstreak, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Small Copper and good numbers of Marbled Whites, Ringlets,
Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Small Skippers at Fir and Pond Woods (TL277006). We also saw 3 Silver-washed Fritillaries at Old
Park Wood (TQ049913) |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 10 Jul |
Not as sunny and cooler, with Holly Blue, Skippers and Purple Hairstreak clearly affected: Hounslow Heath: Large White: 1 Speckled
Wood: 6 Gatekeeper: 11 Meadow Brown: 8 Ringlet: 2 Small White: 2 Peacock: 1 Brown Argus: 1 Green-veined
White: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled Wood: 2 Gatekeeper: 10 Small White: 3 Meadow Brown: 2 Marbled White: 1
Large White: 1 Comma: 1 Peacock: 2 Heath---ex-Golf Course: Meadow Brown: 15 Green-Veined White: 5 Small White: 7
Gatekeeper: 10 Essex Skipper: 2 Red Admiral: 3 Holly Blue: 1 Comma: 1 Large White: 1 Ringlet: 1 Speckled
Wood: 2 River Crane: Meadow Brown: 1 Brown Argus: 1 Small White: 2 Marshalling Yards: Small White: 15 Peacock: 8
Brown Argus: 3 Green-veined White: 4 Large White: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Gatekeeper: 42 Painted Lady: 1 Meadow
Brown: 24 Pevensey: Small White: 1 Red Admiral: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Gatekeeper: 6 Meadow Brown: 3 |
Peter Gore |
| 10 Jul |
Harpenden Common, warm, breezy and slightly overcast. Mostly whites and Meadow Brown: Large White (10+); Small White (10+);
Green-veined White (10+); Meadow Brown (10+); Ringlet (5); Marbled White (10+); Gatekeeper (10+); Small Heath (1);
Common Blue (3 males); Holly Blue (1); Purple Hairstreak (6); Small Copper (1): Small Skipper (10+, all females); Essex
Skipper (1 female); Comma (2) |
David Hunt |
| 10 Jul |
A Brown Argus in my Ealing garden - the first I have ever recorded here |
John Eborall |
| 10 Jul |
1 female Brown Argus at Vicarage Farm, Enfield near Shaws Wood (TQ 29 97) at 12:55 hrs. At Boxer's Lake, Enfield (14:50 - 15:15 hrs) - 1
female Large White, 4 Speckled Wood and 4 Gatekeeper. 2 Small White nectaring on lavender at Prince George Ave., N14 (TQ 294 959) |
Robert Callf |
| 9 Jul |
4+ Purple Hairstreaks were seen flying around oak trees on the GSK site at Stevenage (TL238 219) at 1.30pm |
Chris Bessant |
| 9 Jul |
I went up to Preston and cycled back off road through Hitch Wood and Pinfold to Foxholes where at 2.50, same spot (but much shadier), I saw one
Purple Emperor passing between the Sallow and the Oak. I carried on to Walk Wood which was much better today (3.10) as I saw 2 Purple Emperors
flying together plus some single flights, so 2 minimum. Then on to Reynolds Wood and again one appeared (3.35) repeatedly, same place as on 29th June in the
Oak tree tops just north of the path |
Don Gregory |
| 9 Jul |
Reed: at least three 'new' sites for Purple Hairstreaks have been found in the woodland between Reed and Barkway (NE Herts.) with one
at Rokey Wood (TL373357) and two more in mature oaks near Gannock Grove (TL368356). With lots of mature oaks in the surrounding woodland there must be many
more Purple Hairstreak colonies in this area. However, I drew a blank at Earl's Wood, east of Barkway (TL395353) when I visited last week. None of these sites
showed any evidence for Purple Emperor, Silver-washed Fritillary or White Admiral although public access to the interiors of the woods is very limited.
Marbled Whites were seen in low density in many of the surrounding fields.
Royston: Over the last two weeks I've located a further four sites for
White-letter Hairstreak in the town itself, two in Green Walk Plantation and two in Stile Plantation, including (rather embarrassingly) one at the end
of my road! I've observed some of these sites in previous years, without success, but the butterflies seem to have been energised by this year's heatwave and
have possibly spread from nearby Elms? I'm sure that there are more White-letter Hairstreak sites in and around Royston waiting to be discovered.
Therfield
Heath (Old Rifle Range and environs): Chalkhill Blue (250+ including mating pairs). Also Essex Skipper, Small Skipper, Large
Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Small Heath, Ringlet, Meadow Brown,
Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Dark Green Fritillary (smart females, tatty males), Red Admiral, Peacock (10+, very smart),
Small Tortoiseshell (one only), White-letter Hairstreak, Holly Blue and Common Blue (one tatty female) - 20 species in all |
Martin Johnson |
| 9 Jul |
3, probably several more, Small White - William Ransom Way, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 9 Jul |
First butterfly a Meadow Brown on The Avenue TW3 2BG followed by: Hounslow Heath: Meadow Brown: 2 Peacock: 1
Gatekeeper: 10 Holly Blue: 4 Speckled Wood: 3 Comma: 1 Green-veined White: 2 Ringlet: 3 Small White: 1
Purple Hairstreak: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Small Skipper: 2 Gatekeeper: 5 Small Heath: 1 Meadow Brown: 2 Ringlet:
2 Brown Argus: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Small White: 8 Green-veined White: 13 Comma: 2
Gatekeeper: 13 Meadow Brown: 16 Large White: 3 Peacock: 1 Holly Blue: 3 Purple Hairstreak: 1 River Crane:
Gatekeeper: 1 Small White: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Red Admiral: 2 Marshalling Yards: Holly Blue: 1 Large White: 6
Brown Argus: 4 Peacock: 11 Green-veined White: 4 Speckled Wood: 4 Small White: 11 Small Heath: 1 Meadow Brown:
20 Essex Skipper: 2 Small Skipper: 1 Gatekeeper: 32 Ringlet: 2 Brimstone: 1 Pevensey: Comma: 1 Gatekeeper:
14 Holly Blue: 3 Green-veined White: 3 Speckled Wood: 1 Small White: 4 Large White: 2 Meadow Brown: 5 Small
Skipper: 4 Small Copper: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 with a Holly Blue and a Small White in my garden. A dozen 6-Spot Burnet
moths across the site |
Peter Gore |
| 9 Jul |
1 Comma at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 08:59 hrs, 3 Purple Hairstreak at Parkside Farm, Enfield, 1 Peacock at
Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) at 09:30 hrs, 1 Purple Hairstreak at Parkside House, Enfield (TQ 29 98) and 1 at Duncan's Wood, 4 Purple
Hairstreak on ground edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park at 09:52 hrs, 5+ Large White at Trent Park, 2 Peacock nectaring on thistle 'Old Golf
Course' Trent Park at 09:55 hrs, 1 male Clouded Yellow at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 09:59 - 10:01 hrs - my first of the
year! 1 Red Admiral at Oakwood Station at 12:32 hrs. 1 Silver Y at Ferny Hill Farm, Enfield near Obelisk in Trent Park this morning |
Robert Callf |
| 8 Jul |
As part of the Gordon Beningfield anniversary last weekend, we arranged a butterfly walk, starting at Wilstone Village Hall, round Millhoppers
Nature reserve. We saw 15 species of butterfly altogether, including 2 Marbled White, 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Comma, 1 Peacock, 1
Green-veined White, 2 Brimstone, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Gatekeeper, 2 Essex Skipper, at least 7 Large Skipper,
several Small Skipper, quite a few Large and Small White, and many Ringlet and Meadow Brown. There were also two White Plumed
moths, and several impressive Brown Hawker dragonflies on the site |
Chris Ridley |
| 8 Jul |
At ASDA Southgate - 1 Silver Y, 1 Least Carpet, 1 Gold Triangle and 1 Small Magpie. 3 Least Carpet at
Dalrymple Close |
Robert Callf |
| 8 Jul |
Fantastic butterfly walk today through woods South Mymms to North Mymms church 17 species seen. 1 White Admiral & 2 Purple
Hairstreak, 1 Silver-Washed Fritillary & 1 White-Letter Hairstreak. On the meadows and surrounding church 20+ Marbled White, 40+
Gatekeeper, 30+ Ringlet, 20+ Meadow Brown, 40+ Small White, 5 Large White, 4 Green-veined White, 6 Speckled
Wood, 12+ Large Skipper, 2 Comma, 2 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady |
Terry Wood |
| 8 Jul |
Another visit to Broxbourne wood this morning - Green-veined White x 8, Peacock x 7, Ringlet x 71, Silver-washed
Fritillary x 25, Purple Hairstreak x 13 (quite a few low down on oaks), Large White x 29, Gatekeeper x 19, Small White x 9,
Meadow Brown x 24, Small Skipper x 8, Marbled White x 7, Speckled Wood x 3, Large Skipper x 2, Red Admiral x 1 and
Purple Emperor flying above at 11.50 & 1.30 where seen male last week on path which bears left from T-junction at top of path from west car park |
David Gower |
| 8 Jul |
White-letter Hairstreak in Panshanger Park |
Allan Burrows |
| 8 Jul |
In the afternoon, White-letter Hairstreak, on Common Elm sapling in my garden hedge in Flaunden (Only one seen but maybe more) |
Jill Saunders |
| 8 Jul |
I went to Norton Green earlier and saw a Purple Emperor at about 12.05. I was seated on the logs near the Byelaws sign and something
big and dark flew past. I went out into the clearing and waited and within 5 minutes the Purple Emperor flew off the sallow and into the large Oak canopy,
just before the birch where a male Purple Emperor was seen 2 years ago on the field trip. I spent another hour looking but without success. There are quite
a few Silver-washed Fritillaries about |
Don Gregory |
| 8 Jul |
Several fires across the site had some effect on numbers recorded, notably Peacocks - the Buddleja bushes I counted them on yesterday no longer
exist - but numbers generally still high: Argyle Road TW3 2BE: Large White: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Hounslow Heath: Large White: 1
Gatekeeper: 8 Holly Blue: 1 Comma: 1 Meadow Brown: 3 Small White: 3 Ringlet: 1 Peacock: 1 Green-veined
White: 1 Common Blue: 1 Brown Argus: 1 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Gatekeeper: 3 Meadow Brown: 1
Ringlet: 1 Brown Argus: 1 Small White: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Holly Blue: 2
Heath--Ex Golf Course: Purple Hairstreak: 1 Marbled White: 1 Green-veined White: 13 Meadow Brown: 14 Small White: 7
Gatekeeper: 14 Comma: 3 Small Heath: 1 Small Skipper: 1 Large White: 2 Peacock: 2 Brown Argus: 2 Painted
Lady: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 River Crane: Green-veined White: 2 Small White: 5 Purple Hairstreak: 1
Marshalling Yards: Small White: 5 Ringlet: 3 Green-veined White: 1 Meadow Brown: 17 Large White: 1 Common Blue: 1
Speckled Wood: 2 Small Heath: 1 Brown Argus: 2 Gatekeeper: 26 Small Skipper: 2 Peacock: 3 Pevensey:
Gatekeeper: 13 Meadow Brown: 11 Small Heath: 1 Small White: 6 Green-veined White: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Large
White: 6 Red Admiral: 1 Comma: 1 Small Skipper: 2 Essex Skipper: 2 St. Stephens Road TW3 2BN: Holly Blue: 1 Small
White: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 8 Jul |
A Common Blue newly emerged in Potten End garden at 7.00am this morning. See Paul's flickr account for photos of
upperside and underside |
Paul Cross |
| 7 Jul |
Seen in Bushey garden were 5 x Large White, 1 x Peacock, 1 x Gatekeeper, 4 x Green-veined White, 2 x Small
White, 1 x Holly Blue, 1 x Brimstone. Moths 1 x Mother of Pearl, 1 x Riband Wave |
David Gower |
| 7 Jul |
After the multiple reports of Purple Emperor around BISHOPS STORTFORD I decided to see if I could find an assembly area nearby, I parked
at Southern Country Park and walked down THORLEY LANE EAST until I came to the first likely looking trees and straight away saw a male holding territory in a
gap behind some cottages, it's so much easier when they're exactly where you think they should be! I watched for 30 minutes but could only see one. I then
went to try another area that had been on my list for some time, at WESTLAND GREEN near LITTLE HADHAM, and again looked up in the first canopy gap and saw a
male holding territory, gliding and perching around the gap, wish it was always this easy! |
Laurence Drummond |
| 7 Jul |
1, probably more, Small White - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 7 Jul |
Began with a Small White in my garden then: Hounslow Heath: Large White: 1 Painted Lady: 1 Gatekeeper: 15
Ringlet: 11 Small Heath: 1 Meadow Brown: 5 Small White: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Peacock: 2 Essex Skipper: 1
Green-veined White: 1 Heath/Heather/ Railway: Gatekeeper: 10 Small Heath: 2 Meadow Brown: 4 Common Blue: 1 (On return
stretch, another male actually second of new brood). Purple Hairstreak: 2 Brown Argus: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course:
Gatekeeper: 6 Speckled Wood: 2 Large White: 2 Small White: 7 Green-veined White: 13 Meadow Brown: 14 Ringlet:
5 Brown Argus: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Comma: 1 River Crane: Gatekeeper: 2 Comma: 2 Small White: 5 Red Admiral: 1
Small Heath: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Marshalling Yards: Peacock: 16 Meadow Brown: 12 Small White: 3 Ringlet: 6 Holly
Blue: 2 Brown Argus: 2 Small Heath: 4 Small Skipper: 5 Essex Skipper: 2 Common Blue: 1 (Male, first of new brood)
Gatekeeper: 34 Speckled Wood: 1 Pevensey: Purple Hairstreak: 1 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Small White: 4 Gatekeeper: 12
Small Skipper: 2 Meadow Brown: 8 Speckled Wood: 1 Large White: 2 Green-veined White: 1 Holly Blue: 3 Small
Heath: 1 Essex Skipper: 2 and 2 Holly Blues on Whitton Road TW3 2EG |
Peter Gore |
| 7 Jul |
This afternoon in Trent Park (13:50 - 15:10 hrs) - 2 Comma, 1 Essex Skipper, 1 Small Copper nectaring on ragwort edge of
Church Wood at 14:22 hrs, 1 male Silver-washed Fritillary edge of Church Wood at 14:31 hrs, 1 Peacock, 1 Painted Lady nectaring on
thistles edge of Church Wood at 14:44 hrs and 1 female Brimstone here. 1 Dark Arches at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 23:30 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 6 Jul |
2 Purple Emperors at Foxholes Wood accessible from public footpaths. The first one appeared at at 12.35 and flew from the Oak onto the
nearby Sallow. It took a long time for me to find as it hardly moved with wings closed and in mostly shade. It stayed there for at least 20 mins with wings
closed and I wondered if it might have been a female laying eggs? The second appeared after about 15 mins and moved from the Oak onto the Sallow and rested
with open wings before slowly moving around, eventually disturbing the first Purple Emperor when the two circled each other about a foot apart, drifting
lazily above and across the path over the trees above me where I lost them |
Don Gregory |
| 6 Jul |
At least 10 Silver-washed Fritillary and Six-spot Burnet at Aldbury Nowers NR. 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Large
White and 1 Small White on buddleia at Southgate Chase Allotments at 18:00 hrs. |
Robert Callf |
| 6 Jul |
Stocks Golf course, Aldbury - 4 Silver-washed Fritillaries patrolling the woodland edge. One spent 20 mins taking moisture/salts from
the edge of the watered greens. Chorleywood Common - Purple Hairstreaks (c25), Small Skippers (100ish) and Meadow Browns (hundreds)
dominated today's walk. Large and Green-veined Whites showed well |
Malcolm Hull |
| 6 Jul |
Argyle Road TW3 2BE: Speckled Wood: 1 Hounslow Heath: Meadow Brown: 2 Green-veined White: 2 Small Heath: 1
Gatekeeper: 1 Peacock: 1 Comma: 3 Red Admiral: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Ringlet: 2 Gatekeeper:
7 Purple Hairstreak: 2 Comma: 1 Peacock: 1 Small Heath: 3 Holly Blue: 2 Meadow Brown: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course:
Speckled Wood: 1 Ringlet: 5 Meadow Brown: 8 Holly Blue: 2 Green-veined White: 2 Gatekeeper: 7 Large White: 1
Comma: 1 Purple Hairstreak: 1 River Crane: Holly Blue: 3 Purple Hairstreak: 1 Small Heath: 1 Ringlet: 1 Small
White: 1 Marshalling Yards: Small White: 3 Ringlet: 7 Peacock: 13 Large White: 3 Essex Skipper: 2 Comma: 1
Speckled Wood: 5 Meadow Brown: 15 Gatekeeper: 19 Small Heath: 1 Small Skipper: 3 Small White: 1 Marbled White:
2 Holly Blue: 1 Pevensey: Red Admiral: 1 Small White: 3 Comma: 2 Large White: 3 Gatekeeper: 2 Holly Blue: 2
Meadow Brown: 4 Green-veined White: 1 Ringlet: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 Small Skipper: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 5 Jul |
1 male Purple Emperor grounded on mud at Shire Golf Club St. Albans Road, Barnet. Salix caprea in abundance around lakes |
Kitt Jones |
| 5 Jul |
At Northwood HQ, Sandy Lane 1 x Holly Blue, 1 x Small White. After work a visit to Oxhey Woods starting at Northern
woodland (TQ104 927) finding Large White x 9, Red Admiral x 4, Meadow Brown x 3, Green-veined White x 4, Speckled Wood x 3,
Comma x 2, Small White x 2, Holly Blue x 2, Purple Hairstreak x 13 which were seen on five oaks. Central woodland (TQ106 925)
were 1 x Speckled Wood, 1 x Holly Blue. Lastly to Southern section (TQ106 923) Small White x 1, Large White x 1, Purple
Hairstreak x 9, Satin Wave moth x 1. Also in Bushey garden Small White wave x 1, Lesser Carpet x 1 |
David Gower |
| 5 Jul |
On a lunchtime walk around Tyttenhanger G.P. I saw approx. 20 Small White, 12 Gatekeeper, 15 Ringlet, 2 Comma,
6 Marbled White, 4 Meadow Brown and 5 Small Skipper |
Terry Wood |
| 5 Jul |
Two Brown-tail moths in my Harpenden light trap this week - both males. Not clear if they are migrants or are representatives of a local
colony |
David Hunt |
| 5 Jul |
Lunchtime butterflies at Brunel University, Uxbridge included a Comma, Gatekeeper, Small White and Meadow Brown.
Late afternoon, on boardwalk heading out of Gutteridge Wood, another low level Purple Hairstreak, this time on bracken fern. Further on on Gutteridge
Meadow saw at least 5 Essex Skippers, 5+ Meadow Brown, 3+ Ringlet, 3+ Gatekeeper, a Marbled White, a Large White,
a Green-veined White and Small White. Finally, at Cutthroat Wood area saw another Purple Hairstreak, a faded Large Skipper, 3
Comma, a Speckled Wood, 2+ Small White, 3+ Meadow Brown, 5+ Ringlet and 3+ Essex/Small Skippers |
Paul Busby |
| 5 Jul |
A hot afternoon walk began with a Gatekeeper and a Holly Blue in my garden followed by: Hounslow Heath: Gatekeeper: 7
Meadow Brown: 7 Small Heath: 1 Ringlet: 4 Large White: 4 Small White: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Comma: 4 Purple
Hairstreak: 3 Heath/Heather/Railway: Gatekeeper: 1 Ringlet: 2 Purple Hairstreak: 5 Comma: 3 Peacock: 2 Holly
Blue: 1 Small Heath: 1 Meadow Brown: 2 Red Admiral: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Purple Hairstreak: 1
Gatekeeper: 7 Meadow Brown: 14 Essex Skipper: 2 Small White: 4 Small Heath: 2 Peacock: 2 Ringlet: 2 Red
Admiral: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Large White: 2 Small Skipper: 2 River Crane: Small White: 4 Green-veined White: 1 Meadow
Brown: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Ringlet: 2 Comma: 1 Marshalling Yards: Peacock: 8 Ringlet: 16
Small White: 2 Large White: 4 Purple Hairstreak: 2 Speckled Wood: 2 Brown Argus: 1 (very fresh-looking on a Cinquefoil
flower) Small Skipper: 8 Green-veined White: 1 Gatekeeper: 25 Meadow Brown: 26 Essex Skipper: 5 Holly Blue: 3
Marbled White: 1 Pevensey: Gatekeeper: 1 Small White: 1 Holly Blue: 4 Speckled Wood: 3 Large White: 2
Green-veined White: 1 Meadow Brown: 5 Ringlet: 3 Comma: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 Small Skipper: 2 and 1 Gatekeeper
on Argyle Road TW3 2BE |
Peter Gore |
| 5 Jul |
At Danemead (TL344080) we saw 1 White Admiral and a minimum of 4 Silver-washed Fritillaries, all being very territorial!
There were also good numbers of Meadow Browns, Ringlets and a couple of very fresh Small Skippers |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 5 Jul |
Hummingbird Hawkmoth in his St Alban's garden |
Richard Callf |
| 5 Jul |
1 Comma at Woodberry Down (TQ 324 875) at 11:56 hrs. Southgate Chase Allotments - 4 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1
Painted Lady, 1 Large Skipper, 3 Small White and 1 Silver Y all on buddleia. 1 Peacock nectaring on buddleia at
at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 13:46 hrs. Also here, 1 Spotted Magpie (Anania coronata) at 00:30 hrs and 1 Twenty-plume Moth at 01:20 hrs.
1 Agapeta hamana at Chase Road/Chelmsford Road, N14 at 00:45 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 4 Jul |
Nomansland evening walk. Each talk oak tree in the evening sun had about 10 Purple Hairstreaks. Must have seen a couple of hundred |
Trevor Chapman |
| 4 Jul |
1 Gatekeeper, 1 Large White, 2 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Small White -
path south of Bucks Head PH, Little Wymondley. 3 Small White - Meadowbank, Hitchin TL196300. 3 Small White, 1 Ringlet, 1 Meadow
Brown - Walsworth Common, Hitchin TL19673012 |
David Inward |
| 4 Jul |
At Bricket Wood Common, walked up main footpath passing 4 male Brimstones, 6 Marbled Whites and at least 15 Meadow
Browns and 10 Large Whites. At least 4 Silver-washed Fritillaries at hotspot, 1 White Admiral and 1 Comma. Time 1:15 pm
to 3pm |
Ernest Leahy |
| 4 Jul |
A walk from Bromley-by-Bow tube station past Bow Locks (TQ 38 82) and along Limehouse Cut only yielded 5+ Small Whites, despite an
abundance of Buddleia. In contrast, at Dan Ackroyd Green Link, four mini-meadows alongside road and railway (TQ 36 81) yielded 9 species amidst the
wildflowers and overgrown grass including a Peacock, a Red Admiral, 10+ Small White and Green-veined Whites, 2 Large
Skippers, 7+ Gatekeepers, a Ringlet, a Meadow Brown and a Speckled Wood. Even better, across the road at Tower Hamlets
Cemetery Park (TQ 36 82), saw a Painted Lady (record added to Migrant Watch), 2+ Essex Skippers, a Large Skipper, 3+ Comma, a
Red Admiral, a Holly Blue, 10+ Gatekeepers, 10+ Small and Green-veined Whites, 4+ Ringlets, 4+ Meadow Brown |
Paul Busby |
| 4 Jul |
Visited Whippendell woods in Watford, and saw: at least 20 Silver-washed Fritillaries, 1 White Admiral, 4 Commas, as well
as lots of Ringlets, a Large Skipper and a few Large and Small Whites. It's the first time I've visited these woods in the summer -
quite a find! |
Chris Ridley |
| 4 Jul |
Harpenden Common, late afternoon, hot and humid, not much flying: Marbled White (10+), Meadow Brown (10+), Small Heath
(2); Small White (10+); Green-veined White (3); Comma (1); Peacock (1); Small Skipper (7); Purple Hairstreak (10+
frolicking low over the bramble banks beneath the oaks); 6-spot Burnet moth (3) |
David Hunt |
| 4 Jul |
Visited Woodberry Wetlands (TQ 328 874) this afternoon (13:50 - 15:20 hrs) and recorded the following: Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock
, Holly Blue, Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood. 1 Scarce Footman at ASDA Southgate at 01:15 hrs this morning. 1 White-shouldered
House Moth at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 23:30 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 4 Jul |
A mostly morning walk again and mostly in sunshine, the highlights a fresh Small Copper and increasing numbers of Peacocks: Hounslow Heath:
Small White: 8 Comma: 3 Gatekeeper: 9 Ringlet: 14 Meadow Brown: 6 Essex Skipper: 1 Peacock: 1
Green-veined White: 2 Purple Hairstreak: 2 Large White: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Gatekeeper: 10 Holly Blue: 1 Small
Skipper: 1 Small Heath: 1 Ringlet: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Large White: 1 Heath---ex-Golf Course: Green-veined White: 6
Gatekeeper: 7 Peacock: 3 Small White: 6 Meadow Brown: 22 Red Admiral: 2 Comma: 2 Ringlet: 14 Essex
Skipper: 3 Small Skipper: 1 Large Skipper: 2 Purple Hairstreak: 4 River Crane: Small White: 2 Gatekeeper: 1 Meadow
Brown: 3 Comma: 1 Marshalling Yards: Ringlet: 1 Peacock: 10 Speckled Wood: 1 Small White: 7 Gatekeeper: 24
Green-veined White: 5 Marbled White: 4 Essex Skipper: 4 Meadow Brown: 22 Small Skipper: 5 Small Copper: 1 Small
Heath: 1 Pevensey: Speckled Wood: 4 Small White: 3 Large White: 1 Green-veined White: 4 Ringlet: 1 Gatekeeper:
4 Holly Blue: 1 Meadow Brown: 16 Small Skipper: 2 Essex Skipper: 1 Large Skipper: 1 Small Heath: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 4 Jul |
Led a walk around Bencroft Wood. In the field behind over 50 Marbled White and Ringlets but also 20 6-spot Burnet moths
and 20 Small Skippers then I ventured to top of Wormley Wood. In the rides there i saw about 20 Silver-washed Fritillaries, 5 White
Admirals and countless Ringlets |
Steve Kiln |
| 3 Jul |
Park Wood, Ruislip (TQ 0989) Three Silver-Washed Fritillaries; and four Purple Hairstreaks, high up in one oak tree (probably
more) |
Graham Elcombe |
| 3 Jul |
A lot more activity in our Bushey garden. Recorded 1 x Gatekeeper, 1 x Large White, 1 x Green-veined White, 1 x
Comma, 1 x Holly Blue. Moths 7 x Mother of Pearl, 1 x Small Magpie (all on nettles), 1 x Garden Carpet, 1 x Common
Emerald, 2 x Silver Y, 1 x Dotted Clay |
David Gower |
| 3 Jul |
Symondshyde Great Wood at 11.30 to 1 p.m. the flowering bramble was alive with Silver-washed Fritillaries, White-letter
Hairstreaks, Brimstones, Gatekeepers, Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Large Skippers and Ringlets. I counted up
to 25 W-L Hairstreaks inc. pairs and many more S-w Frits |
Chris Holtby |
| 3 Jul |
Warm weather on River Pinn working party adjacent to Ruislip Golf Course (TQ 07 87) and saw plenty of Ringlets (40+), Meadow
Brown (10+), a Speckled Wood, a Small Skipper and plenty of butterflies coming stream side on banks and mud including 4 Commas,
5+ Green-veined Whites, a Large White, 3+ Small Whites, then a Holly Blue landing on a volunteers damp clothing at the end.
Afternoon visit to Brunel University (TQ 06 82) and saw another Holly Blue, a Gatekeeper, a Comma and a 4+ Small Whites |
Paul Busby |
| 3 Jul |
1 Small White and 1 Small Tortoiseshell - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 3 Jul |
Sandra surprisingly found a Heath Fritillary this morning in Broxbourne woods at the bottom of the meadow
where the small oaks are in the corner where the blackberry is flowering. We fully understand that this is probably an introduction (unless anyone else knows
otherwise) but it was still an exciting moment. Several other people also saw it until it disappeared. Also there have been lots of Purple Hairstreaks
coming to the floor and 2 White-letter Hairstreaks as well. Purple Emperors have been seen flying around as well |
Kevin Standbridge |
| 3 Jul |
Visited Alexandra Park (TQ 303 901) this afternoon (14:35 - 15:45 hrs) and recorded the following - 1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma,
1 Speckled Wood, 2 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet, 2 Large Skipper, 1 Green-veined White, 1 male Gatekeeper, 1 female
White-letter Hairstreak settled at 15:01 hrs. 1 Peacock nectaring on buddleia at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 13:31 hrs and 1 Small
Tortoiseshell at Enfield Chase Station (TQ 321 966) at 14:09 hrs and 4 Least Carpet here too |
Robert Callf |
| 3 Jul |
Dane O'Coys Lane Bishops Stortford. Purple Hairstreaks, many spread over a large area of oaks, White-letter Hairstreaks 15+, one
male Silver washed Fritillary, Marbled Whites, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell,
Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Large White, Comma, Small Whites |
Jim Fish |
| 3 Jul |
On and around Redbourn Golf Club. The butterflies were enjoying the newly watered greens and I have never seen so many Small Whites (200)
and Green-veined Whites (100) in huge groups enjoying the wet grass around the greens and a small amount of mud in what is left of a pond, also seen
Large Whites (10), Marbled Whites (100), Small Tortoiseshell (10), Large Skipper (2), Brimstone (1), Meadow Browns
(50), Small Heath (1), Comma (5), Speckled Wood (5), Ringlet (7) and my first sighting of a Purple Hairstreak on the green
of hole 12! |
Mandy Floyd |
| 3 Jul |
Hounslow Heath: Ringlet: 14 Small White: 3 Essex Skipper: 1 Gatekeeper: 4 Meadow Brown: 4 Small
Skipper: 2 Green-veined White: 3 Peacock: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Meadow Brown: 15 Gatekeeper: 7 Peacock: 1
Essex Skipper: 3 Green-veined White: 1 Small White: 3 Small Skipper: 1 Large White: 3 Ringlet: 2 Comma:
2 River Crane: Ringlet: 1 Large Skipper: 1 Meadow Brown: 4 Small Skipper: 2 Small White: 1 Marshalling Yards: Small
Skipper: 2 Large Skipper: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 Marbled White: 1 Ringlet: 4 Green-veined White: 1 Speckled Wood:
2 Meadow Brown: 27 Small White: 5 Gatekeeper: 24 Large White: 1 Pevensey: Red Admiral: 1 Gatekeeper: 1
Ringlet: 1 Small Skipper: 2 Comma: 2 Small White: 1 Meadow Brown: 9 Heath/Heather/Railway: Meadow Brown: 1
Gatekeeper: 3 Green-veined White: 1 and 1 Large White on St. Stephens Road TW3 2BN |
Peter Gore |
| 3 Jul |
I went to Symondshyde Great Wood to look for Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral and White-letter Hairstreak. Plenty of SWF and not
uncommon to see 5+ males at one time, plus about 8 females in total, one of which was ovipositing on conifer bark about 45 cm from the ground. WLH were also
avidly feeding on the bramble with two seen together on a single flower stem - 2018 certainly seems to be the Year of the WLH. Butterflies: Large White
(10+); Small White (10+); Green-veined White (10+); Brimstone (3: 2 males, 1 female); Meadow Brown (10+); Ringlet (10+);
Marbled White (1); Small Heath (10+); Gatekeeper (10+); Speckled Wood (10+); Comma (8); Red Admiral (1); White
Admiral (2); Silver-washed Fritillary (40+); White-letter Hairstreak (6+, mostly feeding on various bramble bushes but one crawling about
amongst the grass); Purple Hairstreak (2, identified in flight but not seen close-up). Moths, most of which were found drowned and floating on the
surface of a muddy puddle: Silver-Y; Light Emerald; Common Emerald; Riband Wave (2, both being of the typical form rather than
f. remutata); Common White Wave; Snout |
David Hunt |
| 2 Jul |
A 'wounded' male Purple Emperor found on Pottersheath Road near Arnold's Farm at Pottersheath |
Maggie Dolan |
| 2 Jul |
A male Purple Emperor in my Bishop's Stortford garden at 11:00am |
Shelagh Tee |
| 2 Jul |
A male Purple Emperor in Bishop's Stortford Southern Country Park at 08:25am |
Andy White |
| 2 Jul |
During a late morning walk in Fir & Pond Woods I was pleased to see several Purple Hairstreak, Marbled White, Large & Small
Skipper, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, and Large, Small & Green-veined Whites.
Although I searched the usual tree tops for 20 mins soon after noon, for Purple Emperors, there were none in view |
Terry Wood |
| 2 Jul |
Scales Park (near Anstey): I saw a male Purple Emperor (TL412336), 8+ Silver-washed Fritillaries and 3 colonies of Purple
Hairstreaks during a one hour visit. All these species have been reported from this isolated and possibly under-watched site in NE Herts. before, but it
was great to see Purple Emperor within 6 miles of my home in Royston! Other species seen were Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large
Skipper, Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow
Brown, Ringlet and Small Heath. There was no sign of White Admiral (not previously reported from this site). A few dragonflies were seen,
including Brown Hawker.
Therfield Heath (east of the Therfield Road): at least 60 Chalkhill Blues were on the wing, including a few females and one
mating pair (images provided). Also seen were Small Skipper, Essex Skipper (15+), Large Skipper, Brimstone, Large White,
Small White, Green-veined White, White-letter Hairstreak (just off the heath), Dark Green Fritillary (25+ males), Small
Tortoiseshell, Marbled White (80+ but numbers down on 2017), Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown (numbers dropping off
now), Ringlet and Small Heath. Also seen were three dragonfly species (male Emperor and Ruddy Darter and female Banded Demoiselle) and my first
ever local Summer Chafer beetle |
Martin Johnson |
| 2 Jul |
Visited Symondshyde Great Wood. Many Silver-washed Fritillaries from the moment we entered the wood, But no sign of White Admiral.
Biggest surprise was 3 White-letter Hairstreaks together on the same bramble patch, avidly feeding and allowing very close observation |
Andrew Wood |
| 2 Jul |
Short visit to Newton Farm Ecological Park, Rayners Lane (TQ 13 86) and saw 10+ Small White, 3+ Green-veined White, a
Speckled Wood, a battered Large Skipper, a Small Skipper, 2+ Gatekeeper, 2+ Meadow Brown, 2+ Ringlet, a
Comma and a Holly Blue |
Paul Busby |
| 2 Jul |
Batford, Weedy Field - from 17.40, was looking for Purple Hairstreaks in the largest Oak along the public footpath just beyond the weedy field
at TL15291516. Managed 3 Purple Hairstreaks. At 17.50 came a complete surprise of a Purple Emperor that suddenly appeared, flying southward
along the hedgerow, heading toward the B653 Lower Luton road, but disappearing over the hedge top, losing it to view. This was the same behaviour as one I
had 2 years ago, doing exactly the same thing. Clearly the butterfly is using the hedge line as a through route but from where and where was it going? Guess
I will never know. Also White-letter Hairstreaks in usual spot |
Darin Stanley |
| 2 Jul |
Went for a walk from Chipping to Capon wood, 1 Purple Emperor seen over the canopy at Capon wood, along the track from Chipping, 16
Small Tortoiseshell and 1 very large Painted Lady |
Laurence Drummond |
| 2 Jul |
At 09:45 am a Purple Emperor near the top of an oak half way down in the 'meadow' at Norton Green Common on the eastern side |
Peter Clarke |
| 2 Jul |
The following at Heartwood Forest: Comma 2, Gatekeeper 10+, Marbled White 30+, Meadow Brown 10+, Ringlet
10+, Brimstone 4+, Large White 5+, Small White 5, Speckled Wood 5+ |
David Wheatcroft |
| 2 Jul |
Another sun-drenched day so off to look for Purple Emperor in Heartwood Forest, stopping en route at the west end of Nomansland. Nomansland
Common, western end (TL162124): Small Tortoiseshell (1); Purple Hairstreak (10+); Small White (10+); Green-veined White (10+);
Large White (6); Brimstone (2: 1 male, 1 female); Meadow Brown (10+); Ringlet (8); Small Skipper (2); Speckled Wood
(1). No sign of the PE seen on 28 June at this point. Heartwood Forest: Small White (10+ and very numerous); Green-veined White (10+); Large
White (10+); Brimstone (1 male); Meadow Brown (10+); Ringlet (10+); Marbled White (10+); Small Heath (4);
Gatekeeper (3); Comma (2); Small Tortoiseshell (3); Red Admiral (1); Purple Emperor (2); Large Skipper (1);
Small Skipper (4); Common Blue (1 male). One of the PE was perched in the large oak by the pond at the corner of Well Wood (TL157113), the
other was flying just above the track at TL161119, presumably searching for something unpleasant to feast upon. In that it was unsuccessful and after 45
seconds or so flew off down the path I had just arrived on from Nomansland. This PE was a male, although it did not land, so no photo unfortunately.
Magnificent sight, all the same |
David Hunt |
| 2 Jul |
1 Red Admiral, 1 Large White, 2 Small White, 2 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Peacock at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98),
3 Purple Hairstreak and 1 Comma at Duncan's Wood, Enfield Chase, 1 Marbled White at Ferny Hill Farm, Enfield, Purple Emperor -
two sightings in Rough Lot, Trent Park at 12:56 and 13:07 hrs, 6 Purple Hairstreak edge of Williams Wood, Trent Park. 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 1
Peacock nectaring on buddleia at Southgate Chase Allotments and 1 Small Tortoiseshell nectaring on buddleia at Dalrymple Close, N14.
1 Silver Y at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) this morning |
Robert Callf |
| 2 Jul |
A Silver-washed Fritillary in HMWT Reserve Frogmore Meadow, Chess Valley |
Jill Saunders |
| 2 Jul |
I had a walk around Hexton Chalk Pit between 10.20 and 11.30am. I saw 12 Chalkhill Blues, 40+ Dark Green Fritillary, 80+
Marbled White, 1 Holly Blue, 4 Brimstone (3 male, 1 female), 1 Gatekeeper, 1 Large Skipper, 2 Small Skipper,
Small & Large Whites, 25+ Small Heath, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and a pair of Six-spot Burnet. The White-letter
Hairstreak came back for the second day. Took up residence around my garden pond and had several drinks with some Azure Damselflies present too |
Steve Lane |
| 2 Jul |
Out very early, arriving back at noon, the day began with a Meadow Brown on The Avenue TW3 2BG, then Hounslow Heath: Ringlet:
18 Meadow Brown: 5 Gatekeeper: 5 Small White: 10 Large White: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Purple Hairstreak: 4 Holly
Blue: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Green-veined White: 1 Meadow Brown: 25 Ringlet: 6 Large White: 1 Small White: 3
Gatekeeper: 5 Small Heath: 3 Peacock: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 Small Skipper: 1 Large White: 2 Comma: 1 River
Crane: Red Admiral: 1 Comma: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Meadow Brown: 1 Gatekeeper: 1 Ringlet: 1 Large White: 1
Green-veined White: 1 Small White: 2 Marshalling Yards: Ringlet: 18 Marbled White: 5 Small Heath: 1 Small Skipper:
3 Essex Skipper: 2 Large Skipper: 1 Small White: 9 Large White: 1 Peacock: 2 Meadow Brown: 18 Gatekeeper: 18
Pevensey: Small White: 5 Gatekeeper: 3 Comma: 2 Meadow Brown: 8 Speckled Wood: 3 Green-veined White: 3 Large
White: 1 Ringlet: 5 Small Skipper: 5 Essex Skipper: 2 Small Heath: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Small Heath: 3
Gatekeeper: 3 Ringlet: 3 Small White: 1 Argyle Road TW3 2BE: Holly Blue: 1 plus 1 each Holly Blue and Small White
close to home |
Peter Gore |
| 2 Jul |
St Pauls Cathedral churchyard: 6 Small White, 3 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1
Holly Blue (on buddleia next to the Thames) |
Phil MacMurdie |
| 1 Jul |
I visited Cornmill Meadows in the Lea Valley with our local RSPB group (Pinner) and amazingly saw a White-letter Hairstreak on bramble
bushes amongst good numbers of Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and Ringlets |
Sharon Newson |
| 1 Jul |
I saw 1-2 Purple Emperors on territory at a private wood near High Wych |
Laurence Drummond |
| 1 Jul |
Three Lakes Westmill Farm - Ware - SG12 0ES: 1 Purple Emperor - visiting during lunch. Broxbourne Woods - west side: 2 Purple
Emperor - landing on dog poo some great photos, 16 Silver-washed Fritillaries, 3 Marbled white, 3 Gatekeeper, 16 Purple
Hairstreak, 13 Ringlet, 5 Large Skipper, 6 Small Skipper, 1 Speckled Wood. Wareside - SG12 7RA: Amongst the many
Ringlets, Meadow Browns etc, 3 Marbled White, 2 White-letter Hairstreak in our front garden |
Phil MacMurdie |
| 1 Jul |
Sent the day watching the world and butterflies go by in my Great Ashby, Stevenage garden and saw; 1 White-letter Hairstreak, 1
Orange-tip (male), 1 Brimstone, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Comma, 2 Large Skipper, 1 Essex
Skipper, 1 Holly Blue (female laying eggs on Purple Loosestrife), several Large, Green-veined and Small White, 3 Meadow Brown, 1
Gatekeeper |
Steve Lane |
| 1 Jul |
We saw a Silver-washed Fritillary while out on a bike ride in some woods in Flaunden. See Jason's
tweet |
Jason Rojewski |
| 1 Jul |
A walk around Hilfield Park Reservoir this morning (8.30 - 11.45am) produced many butterflies: 4 - 5 White-letter Hairstreaks in or
near the Elms at TQ160961 and many Purple Hairstreaks, including at least 5 on the ground in the grassy paths, allowing incredibly close views.
About 15 Marbled Whites; 3 - 4 Ringlets; 3 Gatekeepers; 3 Small Skippers; 1 Essex Skipper; 2 Commas and at
least 200 Meadow Browns |
Tony Blake |
| 1 Jul |
One Purple Emperor Cattlins TL316013 Theobalds area, also several White-letter Hairstreak flying and perching on a tall elm
hedge |
Andrew Middleton |
| 1 Jul |
2 Purple Emperors clashed at the assembly area at Hampstead Heath this afternoon at about 13:30. Thereafter just the one visible on
and off until I left at about 16:00. White-letter Hairstreaks showing nicely on the elms, Spaniards Road |
Frank Nugent |
| 1 Jul |
Having completed my WCBS survey in Hampstead Garden Suburb at lunchtime, I extended my walk through Hampstead Heath Extension (TQ 2687) to The
Spaniards Inn. It was a very hot day and saw 2 Purple Hairstreaks, one at about head height on a small Oak and the second one unusually at pond level
coming to rest on reed. Also saw a male Brimstone, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Small White, 14+ Meadow
Brown, Purple Emperor was elusive though. On way back made a brief visit to Wood Farm, Stanmore Country Park (TQ 1793) and saw 5+ Gatekeeper, 6+
Marbled White, 15+ Meadow Brown, a Small Tortoiseshell and a couple of Small Skippers |
Paul Busby |
| 1 Jul |
A late afternoon visit to Norton Green Common was unsuccessful in finding my target species, the Purple Emperor, although 50/50 possibilities
in last 2 days, both near the bye-laws sign. However, I found an unusual form of the White Admiral ab. nigrina where the white bands are virtually
absent, at the bottom end of the common - it was only 2 feet away at one point so I had a good view of it. A male Silver-washed Fritillary was seen
patrolling the brambles on the eastern side of the meadow. Dozens of Purple Hairstreaks on the oak tree-tops |
Peter Clarke |
| 1 Jul |
Out in the morning of a new month. All 26 of our 2018 species flew on at least one day in June. We won't manage that in July (see you next year
G.H. and O.T.) but at least it's possible for us better the total. Off to a good start with 18, including some fresh Peacocks: Argyle Road TW3 2BE: Holly
Blue: 1 The Avenue TW3 2BG: Meadow Brown: 1 and 1 Box moth, the furthest yet from "my" colony but fairly close to last year's others seen.
Hanworth Road TW4 5LQ: Large White: 1 Hounslow Heath: Speckled Wood: 1 Purple Hairstreak: 3 Red Admiral: 1 Holly Blue: 2
Small White: 2 Meadow Brown: 1 Comma: 2 Ringlet: 22 Peacock: 1 Gatekeeper: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled
Wood: 4 Comma: 3 Ringlet: 2 Purple Hairstreak: 3 Gatekeeper: 2 Meadow Brown: 2 Small Skipper: 3 Large
White: 1 Small Heath: 1 Heath---ex-Golf Course: Ringlet: 16 Large White: 2 Green-veined White: 3 Purple Hairstreak: 1
Gatekeeper: 4 Meadow Brown: 11 Small White: 11 Small Skipper: 1 Marbled White: 1 Comma: 1 Small Tortoiseshell:
1 Small Heath: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 River Crane: Meadow Brown: 1 Small Heath: 2 Ringlet: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Marshalling
Yards: Small White: 3 Peacock: 2 Large Skipper: 2 Green-veined White: 1 Meadow Brown: 9 Gatekeeper: 6 Holly
Blue: 1 Small Skipper: 8 Essex Skipper: 2 Ringlet: 36 Speckled Wood: 2 Large White: 1 Small Heath: 2 Pevensey:
Large Skipper: 1 Gatekeeper: 2 Ringlet: 2 Comma: 2 Holly Blue: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Small White: 1 Essex
Skipper: 1 Meadow Brown: 6 Small Skipper: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 1 Jul |
1 Red Admiral, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Small White - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David inward |
| 1 Jul |
We were joined at Fir & Pond Wood with HMWT Assistant warden John Rowley and his wife and Sue Smith. Whilst waiting by the Fir Wood entrance
gate at 12.30, Sue's alert eyes picked up a Purple Emperor in the gap but no further flights were made so we walked the field edge to watch the canopy
of Pond Wood as in previous years. At least one Emperor was patrolling the canopy although not too conspicuously so at about 1.15 we returned to the meeting
point and again a Purple Emperor was seen, followed soon after by two chasing. This top edge was a new area for Emperors although the gap we were watching
wasn't probably the exact assembly area.
Leaving John at Fir & Pond, Sue and ourselves then went to Northaw. Almost immediately on arrival just after 2, a
male patrolled the usual area. Later two were chasing but around 2.15 we had a prolonged pause in activity. However, two then returned and we were treated to
some amazing aerial displays. Just as we were leaving we had a chase of two with a third individual not noticing!!
Purple Hairstreak were active at
both sites and a Silver-washed Fritillary came along the path at Fir Wood |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 1 Jul |
Broxbourne woods. 3 or 4 Purple Emperors seen starting at 9.40 half way down path from west car park eventually landing on something
tangy around 10.10, a female. At top of path bearing left a male Purple Emperor already had three admirers. Another sighting nearby maybe same one.
At 11 and again at 12 another seen flying around oaks in middle of enclosure. First time I've managed to photo one in UK so a great experience although
someone from Canterbury had some lovely shots of the male! |
David Gower |
| 1 Jul |
Harpenden Common sizzling at 28°C: Meadow Brown (10+); Marbled White (10+); Speckled Wood (8); Small Heath (4);
Gatekeeper (2 males); Ringlet (10+); Large White (4); Small White (10+); Green-veined White (3); Small Tortoiseshell
(2); Comma (1); Holly Blue (1); Small Skipper (5); Essex Skipper (1 male); Purple Hairstreak (3) |
David Hunt |
| 1 Jul |
At Oakwood Park, N14 (08:55 - 09:25 hrs) - 1 Green-veined White W of 10 km line, 1 female White-letter Hairstreak alighted on
bramble blossom at 09:06 hrs W of 10 km line at TQ 299 959, 20 Small Skipper nectaring on patch of knapweed E of 10 km line at 09:15 hrs, 1 male
Gatekeeper E of 10 km line, 3 Marbled White E of 10 km line. 1 female Large White at Prince George Ave., N14 near St Thomas's Church at
09:27 hrs. 1 Small Tortoiseshell nectaring on buddleia near Oakwood entrance, Trent Park at 12:03 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 1 Jul |
Everywhere very parched in Waterford Heath south, in middle square saw my first Gatekeepers 2 |
Steve Kiln |
| 1 Jul |
Bower Heath, near Harpenden- female Purple Emperor around the same oaks as on 27 June, remained in the area until about 11.00 when I
lost it around one of the oaks. Cycling along the Bower Heath Lane by the heath, had sighting of a Purple Emperor flying along the road losing it over
the heath at about 11.15. possibly the same butterfly. Clearly a mid morning attendance is required (10.15 onward) as found nothing late morning onward.
Despite regular wanderings around the surrounding woodland on the last two attendances, I have been unable to locate their assembly point. Also 1
Silver-washed Fritillary in the same location & plenty of Purple Hairstreaks |
Darin Stanley |
| 1 Jul |
Frogmore Lakes, near Radlett. I've never seen the Purple Emperor here before. This was seen along the edge of Hyde Lane, a wooded track
between areas of scrub. It borders an area which until 18 months ago was a wood of hybrid poplars. These are now felled and the area is now scrub with a lot
of vetch |
Alan Winn |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 30 Jun |
I saw a small butterfly land on the grass in my Ickenham garden but lost sight of it until it was disturbed by a Meadow Brown. On closer
inspection I found that it was a White-letter Hairstreak, a species I hadn't seen before |
Sharon Newson |
| 30 Jun |
I was lucky enough to see a male Purple Emperor this morning in Tring Park at about 11.30. I had a great view of it as it settled on
the ground in the dappled sunlight of the wood at the top of the escarpment for several minutes before gliding away over the treetops. This is the earliest
I have seen a Purple Emperor at Tring Park since first seeing them here in 2002.
The number of butterflies was extremely good obviously helped by the
spell of fine weather with several Silver-washed Fritillaries, Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Ringlets and Speckled Woods |
Philip Woodward |
| 30 Jun |
Bower Heath near Harpenden. Plenty of Purple Hairstreak & White-letter Hairstreak action at this location early afternoon |
Darin Stanley |
| 30 Jun |
At least a dozen male Chalkhill Blues on the Rifle Range at Therfield Heath this morning. See Andy's
tweet |
Andy Symes |
| 30 Jun |
Visited the Bramfield Woods complex and Bramfield Park Wood. Highlight was a male Purple Emperor flying up in Bramfield Wood from low
down to the top of a young oak and then about 20 minutes later seeing it fly up the ride towards me, circle round and disappear showing its purple wings very
clearly. Several White Admirals and double figures of Silver-washed Fritillaries in Bramfield Wood. A dozen or so Silver-washed
Fritillaries in Bramfield Park Wood. Today was the first day I have seen several Purple Hairstreaks low down rather than high up flying around
trees. Surprised to find two Common Blues on the edge of Bramfield Park Wood. Also many Large Whites and Green-veined Whites,
Ringlet and Meadow Brown. Smaller numbers of Small Heath, Brimstone, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral,
Speckled Wood |
Andrew Wood |
| 30 Jun |
6 Ringlet - Howard Gardens behind Heritage Museum, Letchworth TL221323. 1 Comma, 2 Small White - Heritage Museum garden,
Letchworth TL221323 |
David Inward |
| 30 Jun |
Argyle Road TW3 2BE: Holly Blue: 1, Hounslow Heath: Large White: 3 Ringlet: 14 Purple Hairstreak: 3 Comma:
2 Meadow Brown: 4 Gatekeeper: 3 Red Admiral: 1 Small Heath: 2 Holly Blue: 1, Heath/Heather/Railway: Ringlet: 2
Painted Lady: 1 Gatekeeper: 1 Small Heath: 2 Meadow Brown: 5 Large Skipper: 1 Small White: 1 Comma: 1,
Heath---ex Golf Course: Meadow Brown: 12 Purple Hairstreak: 1 Comma: 1 Small White: 2 Ringlet: 4 Large White: 2
Essex Skipper: 4 Small Heath: 1 Small Skipper: 1 Gatekeeper: 1, River Crane: Small Skipper: 1 Large White: 2
Green-veined White: 1 Ringlet: 2, Marshalling Yards: Green-veined White: 1 Meadow Brown: 8 Gatekeeper: 6 Brimstone:
1 Small Skipper: 4 Essex Skipper: 2 Holly Blue: 1 Small Heath: 3 Large White: 2 Ringlet: 17 Marbled White:
3 Small White: 1 Red Admiral: 1, Pevensey: Meadow Brown: 6 Large White: 3 Small White: 2 Comma: 1 Speckled
Wood: 2 Red Admiral: 1 Holly Blue: 4 Ringlet: 5 Gatekeeper: 2 Large Skipper: 1 Essex Skipper: 2 Small
Skipper: 2, Hanworth Road TW4 5LH: Large White: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 30 Jun |
At St James church courtyard, Bushey have seen 9 x Ringlet, 14 x Meadow Brown, 7 x Gatekeeper, 1 x Large White,
1 x Comma. In Bushey garden 1 x Large White (unable to ID a lot more), 1 x Holly Blue, 1 x Comma |
David Gower |
| 30 Jun |
Heartwood Forest, Sandridge - After today's Butterfly walk I had two clear sightings of Purple Emperor. Both were at the pond on the
SW corner of Well Wood (TL157 113). On the first occasion the Emperor circled slowly over the pond before flying off rapidly. On the second occasion it
landed on the ground near the pond edge apparently looking for moisture/salts. It stayed for a minute before flying off and the Purple colouring was very
evident. I also spent an hour looking at likely treetop assembly locations in Well Wood and Langley Wood with no results |
Malcolm Hull |
| 30 Jun |
Trent Park - 5 Purple Hairstreak; 3 White-letter Hairstreak - 1 female caught by spider on thistle head (otherwise in pristine
condition) afforded good views of upperside and underside, 2 males edge of Church Wood; 5 Gatekeeper; 2 Comma; male Silver-washed
Fritillary settled on bramble edge of Church Wood (TQ 286 968) at 09:52 and 09:55 hrs, also another couple of possible sightings elsewhere in Trent Park;
1 Painted Lady nectaring on thistles near Water Garden at 10:31 hrs onwards. 1 Purple Hairstreak at Ash Wood, Enfield Chase; 1 Large
Skipper at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), also here 2+ Comma, 1 Green-veined White, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Gatekeeper, 1
Purple Hairsreak. 1 Marbled White at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97). 1 Comma at Oakwood Station at 15:05 hrs, 1 Small
Tortoiseshell nectaring on buddleia and 1 Comma at Southgate Chase Allotments at 15:26 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 29 Jun |
Butterflies from the Buntingford area include Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Gatekeeper and Brimstone
with photos shown on right |
Andrew Wood |
| 29 Jun |
Went to Bricket Wood Common after work. Findings being White Admiral x 4, Silver-washed Fritillary x 8, Purple Hairstreak
x 8, Meadow Brown x 54, Ringlet x 38, Large White x 4, Comma x 1, Small Skipper x 5, Speckled Wood x 1,
Brimstone x 2, Small White x 3 & Marbled White x 21. Also on corner of Drop Lane and Station Road Purple Hairstreak x 2 high up on
oak tree (TL135 020) |
David Gower |
| 29 Jun |
On my transect at Heartwood Forest had a Purple Emperor on the ferns at the back of Wells Wood |
Andrew Steele |
| 29 Jun |
1 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large White - Midland Cottages north, off Nightingale Road, Hitchin TL191300.
1 Ringlet - Midland Cottages south, off Nightingale Road, Hitchin TL191299 |
David Inward |
| 29 Jun |
Broxbourne Woods between 11.30 am and 2.00 pm: Ringlets (lots), Comma (several - less prevalent than fritillaries),
Silver-washed Fritillaries, Purple Hairstreaks (These could be seen flying in the oak trees ). The Purple Hairstreak in photo was found hardly
moving on path. I saw a Purple Emperor circling in trees on about five occasions. One seen on path - looked a bit worse for wear. A Purple
Emperor was also photographed on the edge of the recently chopped down woodland area at end of path from West car park |
Vaughn Reade |
| 29 Jun |
Butterflies in my Hayes garden included 1 Brimstone, 1 Ringlet, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Large Skipper, 2 Large
Whites and 1 Magpie moth |
Helen George |
| 29 Jun |
Scorching hot day and saw a record number (for me ) of Hairstreaks on the Minet Country Park transect, seeing 10+ Purple Hairstreaks
fairly low down, about 2m up in some medium size Oaks and around the corner 3+ White-letter Hairstreaks. Then after the transect, went back to the
small glade of mostly Elm but some Oak and bramble and for 20 minutes around 4pm, saw at least 5+ White-letter Hairstreaks, a Purple Hairstreak,
3 Marbled Whites, a Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Green-veined Whites, a Ringlet, a Large Skipper, 6+
Meadow Browns and a Comma (TQ110798). At the ever shrinking pond (TQ109800) saw a dozen Green-veined Whites and a Small Skipper
on the damp mud. Later into the evening, near the fields by the main line railway in Ickenham (TQ075870) saw 2 Marbled Whites, 3 Comma, 2
Large Skipper, 2 Small Skipper, 10+ Ringlet and 20+ Meadow Browns |
Paul Busby |
| 29 Jun |
St Albans - Large hutchinsoni Comma on buddleia in my garden this evening. Unusual to see a butterfly doing this so early in the
season. I'm predicting a bumper year for butterflies on buddleia |
Malcolm Hull |
| 29 Jun |
Another sunny morning so off to tempt the tabanids at Bricket Wood Common: Meadow Brown (many); Ringlet (many); Speckled
Wood (many); Marbled White (5+); Large Skipper (1); Small White (5+); Green-veined White (5+); Brimstone (1); Holly
Blue (2); Purple Hairstreak (10+, a couple of females crawling over grass leaves at virtually ground level, perhaps looking for moisture?);
Silver-washed Fritillary (6+ males, all rather frisky and rarely stopping to feed); Red Admiral (1); White Admiral (5, occasionally
feeding on bramble flowers but often frequenting the lower branches of silver birch trees); Small Tortoiseshell (1); Comma (1) |
David Hunt |
| 29 Jun |
Six Hills Common: at lunchtime I saw at least two (& probably rather more) White-letter Hairstreaks high up on the large elms. Best
seen from the pavement I found, towards the south of the group of trees |
Phil Barron |
| 28 Jun |
A Silver-washed Fritillary seen in my Hemel Hempstead garden |
Chris Tipper |
| 28 Jun |
In the Berkhamsted and Northchurch area I set myself a project this year and having mapped the locations of some elm locally this winter (and
having been shown White-letter Hairstreak so I knew what to look for) I set off and stood and stared at trees. I got the odd funny look, but the reward
was finding the elusive butterfly and even managing to get some fuzzy photos to confirm I had the right species. I was so excited to see the first ones
spiralling up into the sky before coming down to lurk on Ash or Elm. But now 10 confirmed locations later and in the region of 50 butterflies seen,
I'm beginning to expect to see them. First one seen on 24 June - see photo on right |
Sue Taylor |
| 28 Jun |
Morning volunteers session for London in Bloom judging of Highgrove Wood, Eastcote and saw a Small Skipper, 2 Speckled Woods,
5 Ringlet and 3 Meadow Brown. In the afternoon, pleased to see another White Admiral gliding around Hazel on the Gutterudge Wood
transect |
Paul Busby |
| 28 Jun |
Another late afternoon visit this time to Fishers Field Nature Reserve, Bushey. Sightings were Small Skipper x 16, Essex Skipper
x 8, Marbled White x 25, Meadow Brown x 17, Ringlet x 17, Comma x 2. Also Six-spot Burnet moth x 1. In Bushey garden
Riband Wave x 1, Mother of Pearl x 2 |
David Gower |
| 28 Jun |
Report from the London Bird Club - Totteridge Green: 4 male Purple Emperor, 2 Silver-washed Fritillary, 30+ Purple
Hairstreak, Marbled White, lots of Ringlet and Meadow Brown, 5 Large White, Brimestone, 2 Red Admiral.
Also Brown Hawker |
Samuel Levy
Tony Clancy |
| 28 Jun |
Two Holly Blues seen today, in my Pinner garden. This confirmed several probable sightings in the last few days |
Graham Elcombe |
| 28 Jun |
A trek to Nomansland Common on a rather hot and sunny afternoon to see if I could spot a Purple Emperor (I first saw one there in 2016). There
was an excellent selection of butterflies to enjoy: Small White (10+, and more like 50+);
Green-veined White (3); Large White (2); Speckled Wood (10+); Meadow Brown (10+); Marbled White (10+); Ringlet
(10+); Small Heath (10+); Comma (3); Small Tortoiseshell (3); Purple Hairstreak (10+) including one which posed at eye level;
Large Skipper (1); Small Skipper (1); and finally, the coveted Purple Emperor (1, I think a male, although I only saw it through the
bins from below, as it was gliding lazily around the tops of a small group of oak trees). Moths: several groups of Cinnabar larvae on the ragwort |
David Hunt |
| 28 Jun |
1 male Gatekeeper at Flash Lane, EN2 at 09:55 hrs - my first of the year, 11+ Ringlet, 7 Marbled White, 4 Small
Skipper, 6 Comma, several Purple Hairstreak at Whitewebbs Park. Met Andrew Wood by chance and we saw a Purple Emperor at 12:12 hrs
near North Lodge in usual gap in canopy at TQ 326 998. 2 Least Carpet and 1 Willow Beauty at ASDA Southgate at 12:50 am |
Robert Callf |
| 27 Jun |
At Danemead we saw 25+ Meadow Brown, 20+ Ringlet, 1 Common Blue, 2 White Admiral, 4 Purple Hairstreak, 2
Silver-washed Fritillary, 5 Large Skipper |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 27 Jun |
Spent 90 mins at Merryhill Fields, Bushey late afternoon. Sightings were Meadow Brown x 311, Marbled White x 102, Ringlet
x 247, Comma x 7, Large White x 2, Green-veined White x 1, Small White x 3, Gatekeeper x 6, Large Skipper x 18,
Small Skipper x 10, Essex Skipper x 1. Moths were 2 x Yellow Shell & 3 x Shaded Broad-bar. Also in our Bushey garden noticed 1 x
Large White, 1 x Small White. Moths were 1 x White Plume, 1 x Twenty-Plume, 3 x Small Magpie, 1 x Garden Carpet, 1 x
Treble Brown Spot |
David Gower |
| 27 Jun |
At Norton Green Common (near Stevenage) TL228227: Marbled White 4, Purple Hairstreak 3, Silver-Washed Fritillary 1. One
Purple Emperor or White Admiral (it was one or the other!) briefly flew by |
Philip Barron |
| 27 Jun |
Late afternoon circular walk across Batchworth Heath, through Bishops Wood and along the Golf Course. Highlights were in Bishops Wood (TQ 06 91
and TQ 06 92) with 8 Silver Washed Fritillaries and 4 White Admirals throughout the wood, also seeing a Purple Hairstreak, 2 Commas
, 2 Green-veined Whites, 2+ Ringlets, a Red Admiral, 2+ Speckled Woods, 6+ Large Skippers, 65+ Meadow Browns. Along
the Golf Course edge (TQ 06 92), another Purple Hairstreak around Oak, 6 Marbled White, a Small Skipper, a Speckled Wood, a
Common Blue, 4+ Ringlets. 30+ Meadow Brown, a Cinnabar, a Comma. Earlier in walk at Batchworth Heath and first part of
woodland walk (TQ 07 91 and TQ 0792) saw only 15+ Meadow Brown, 5+ Speckled Wood, a Large Skipper and a Ringlet. At lunchtime saw
a Red Admiral at Watling Park, Burnt Oak |
Paul Busby |
| 27 Jun |
Bower Heath near Harpenden. 1 Purple Emperor around smaller oaks approx 11.45 on section of Heath on the western side of the B652 (Bower Heath
Lane) |
Darin Stanley |
| 27 Jun |
Totteridge Green 2 male Purple Emperors, 2 Silver-washed Fritillary through, 1 Marbled White. Monken Hadleigh Wood by
common, 2 male Purple Emperor. Rough Lot Trent Park, 1 Purple Emperor. Whitewebbs after 5pm, 2 Red Admirals chasing in territory,
Comma. 5+ Purple Hairstreak at each location |
Tony Clancy
Liz Goodyear
Andy Middleton |
| 27 Jun |
Went to Plashes wood 16.00 to 17.00 and saw two Purple Emperors at the territory also 6 Purple Hairstreaks |
Laurence Drummond |
| 27 Jun |
Another hot sunny day so off to nourish the seemingly famished horseflies in Symondshyde Great Wood: Speckled Wood (10+); Meadow
Brown (many); Ringlet (very many, mostly in fresh condition); Marbled White (3); Large Skipper (2); Essex Skipper (1,
confirmed); Small White (2); Green-veined White (8); Comma (3); White Admiral (3, including 2 males clashing and spiralling up
into the tree tops); Silver-washed Fritillary (about 6 males, either searching for freshly emerged females, squabbling with each other or feeding,
mostly on honey dew on tree leaves rather than utilising the bramble flowers). Judging from the relatively low numbers (at least compared to 2017), I think
the SWF emergence has not long started at this site, a wood that maybe a little 'late' when compared to others in the area |
David Hunt |
| 27 Jun |
Went to Amwell NR to look for Norfolk Hawkers, which we saw approx 5, anyway on the way back, a large butterfly flew across the canal (just up
from the Bittern watchpoint) and then glided around us and looked like it might land but a dog walker came along. It was a Purple Emperor, pretty sure
it was a male. It was at 5pm and was very hot and sunny but path is in dappled shade at that time. First time I have ever seen one at Amwell, a wonderful
surprise |
Kevin & Sandra Standbridge |
| 27 Jun |
Oakwood Park (15:20 - 16:10 hrs) - 2 Holly Blue W of 10 km line, 1 Red Admiral W of 10 km line, 7 Large Skipper W of 10
km line, 9+ Marbled White E of 10 km line, 3 Ringlet E of 10 km line, 21+ Small Skipper E of 10 km line, 1 or 2 Essex Skipper E
of 10 km line. 1 Holly Blue at Lonsdale Drive, EN2 (TQ 302 959) and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at (TQ 303 960). 1 Large White and 1
Speckled Wood at Boxer's Lake, Enfield this afternoon and my first sighting for the year of Vapourer here (TQ 305 962) at 16:34 hrs. 1 Gold
Triangle at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 26 Jun |
Went to Broxbourne Wood and got there about 9.30 very very hot, very little wind. Saw 1 Purple Emperor about 10.15 where the oaks
are at the bottom of the meadow from the car park in the left hand corner where there are lots of blackberry flowering. It landed low on a tree, couldn't get
near it but looked like a female, stayed a minute and then flew high. The 2nd PE was on the top path about 11.15, a male who was patrolling and landing along
the whole of the path, keeping to the dappled shade areas, we watched it for about 15 minutes gliding and landing.
Also lots of Silver-washed
Fritillary, good number of White Admiral, Purple Hairstreaks (looking to come down but bracken has been bruised so they didn't land),
couple of Red Admirals, Commas, Meadow Browns, Ringlet, Large and Small Skippers and a few Marbled Whites,
Small Heaths |
Kevin & Sandra Standbridge |
| 26 Jun |
Purple Emperor: 3 at Whitewebbs, 2 at Rough Lot, Trent Park and 2 including a female at Totteridge Green (new assembly area) |
Tony Clancy
Andy Middleton
David Green |
| 26 Jun |
Morning London Rivers Week event celebrating the Yeading Brook restoration project in Ruislip Gardens (TQ 11 86), volunteers saw first
Gatekeeper and a Comma and tens of Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Green-veined Whites, Small Whites and Large
Skippers in the rough grassland by river. Brief afternoon walk at Welsh Harp Open Space (TQ 21 87) and another Gatekeeper, a Comma, a
Red Admiral, a Marbled White, a Purple Hairstreak around a small Oak, 2 separate White-letter Hairstreak on different Elms, as
well as many Meadow Browns and Small Whites. Finally, a short late afternoon along Yeading Brook, Queens Walk, South Ruislip (TQ 11 86) and saw
another Comma, a Speckled Wood, 3+ Meadow Browns and 5+ Small Whites |
Paul Busby |
| 26 Jun |
At Northwood HQ Sandy Lane 1 x Comma, 1 x Red Admiral, 1 x Small White, 1 x Ringlet |
David Gower |
| 26 Jun |
Trent Park 'New Fields' - 8 Comma, 6 Marbled White and 2 Purple Hairstreak. 3 Large Skipper at Town Park,
Enfield at 19:04 hrs., including at least 2 males |
Robert Callf |
| 26 Jun |
2 Meadow Brown - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 26 Jun |
I saw the following butterflies walking through Broxbourne Woods from East car park from 11.30 am to 2.00pm: Marbled White (x2),
Ringlets (many), Comma (x1), Silver-Washed Fritillary (at least 10). Purple Emperor (Saw one flying down through trees). Also
saw two later, one in a drying up mud pool, the other on something appropriately unpleasant like dog/fox faeces. The latter returned a couple of times to
same spot |
Vaughn Reade |
| 26 Jun |
Hounslow Heath: Small White: 1 Ringlet: 22 Meadow Brown: 2 Small Heath: 4 Small Tortoiseshell: 2 Marbled
White: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: White-letter Hairstreak: 1 Small Heath: 9 Meadow Brown: 3 Comma: 1
Essex Skipper: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Purple Hairstreak: 1 Meadow Brown: 8 Ringlet: 7 Large
Skipper: 1 Gatekeeper: 2 Comma: 1 Essex Skipper: 2 Small Heath: 1 Small Skipper: 3 River Crane: Comma: 1 Red
Admiral: 1 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Small White: 1 Marshalling Yards: Major works commenced here, usual walk today but terrain affected:
Small Heath: 5 Gatekeeper: 1 Comma: 1 Large Skipper: 2 Marbled White: 10 Essex Skipper: 10 Small Skipper:
12 Large White: 1 Ringlet: 46 Meadow Brown: 16 Small White: 1 Pevensey: Small White: 1 Comma: 1 Purple
Hairstreak: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Ringlet: 1 Meadow Brown: 10 Small Skipper: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 Small Heath: 1.
A Holly Blue in my garden, another in The Avenue TW3 2BG and a third plus a Large White on Argyle Road TW3 2BE with a Comma on St
Stephens Road: TW3 2BN. Despite large numbers counted the uncounted numbers of Whites, Browns and Skippers felt high today |
Peter Gore |
| 26 Jun |
A male Silver-washed Fritillary patrolling over brambles near Pigeonswick Cottage, Knebworth |
Peter Clarke |
| 25 Jun |
White-letter Hairstreak x 3 - around top of elm on corner of Batchwood Drive & Green Lane, St Albans |
Peter Ewer |
| 25 Jun |
Really hot day, but the highlight was a butterfly on an upright damp pond dipping net at Welsh Harp Environmental Centre (TQ208871), which on
closer inspection turned out to be a Purple Hairstreak! It was a brief visit for me, but also saw 2 Marbled Whites, 3 Ringlets and 4
Meadow Browns. Bit later at Watling Park, Burnt Oak saw a Speckled Wood (TQ 2091). Earlier in the day on a lunchtime walk from Eastcote to
Roxbourne Park along the Yeading Brook (TQ 1187) saw 8+ Small White, 5+ Meadow Brown, 5 Speckled Wood and a Small Skipper |
Paul Busby |
| 25 Jun |
I had a walk around Great Ashby Park for about one hour and I saw 3 White-letter Hairstreaks, all tree top views, 3 Small Heaths,
30+ Marbled Whites, 10 Large Skippers, 30+ Ringlet, Small and Large Whites, 100+ Meadow Browns, 4 Common Blues and
1 Comma. Also several Burnet Companions and 1 Six-spot Burnet |
Steve Lane |
| 25 Jun |
I took a trip to Hexton Chalk Pit to see the Dark Green Fritillary and hopefully get some decent photos. Some hope! On a hot and sunny morning
the DGF were extremely active, all the ones I saw being males purposefully searching for freshly emerged females in the sward. Very nice to see them, although
only one paused (and posed) for a brief refuel on Greater Knapweed. Butterflies: Dark Green Fritillary (20-30 males); Meadow Brown (good
numbers); Marbled White (many with a good number already paired); Ringlet (good numbers); Small Heath (many); Speckled Wood (5
in the shady woodland approach to the pit); Large White (2); Small Tortoiseshell (1); Common Blue (2 males). Good show of orchids too:
Common Spotted; Pyramidal; Common Twayblade |
David Hunt |
| 25 Jun |
1 Red Admiral at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 at 08:44 hrs, 4 Purple Hairstreak in Trent Park, also here 5 Comma,
9 Marbled White (6 'New Fields', 3 'Old Golf Course'), 3 White-letter Hairstreak edge of Church Wood 09:25 - 09:45 hrs, 1 Red Admiral
near Ride Wood at 10:25 hrs, 2 Small Tortoiseshell at Park Farm, Enfield, 1 Purple Hairstreak at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 2 Small
Tortoiseshell at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), also 1 Marbled White here. Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) - 2 Purple Hairstreak
around oak canopy at 21:04 hrs, 1 Painted Lady settled on track at Hog Hill at 21:10 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 24 Jun |
Hampstead Heath: 2 Purple Emperors clashing at territory 1-1.15 but not seen later (big flock of tits, nuthatches and great-spots
in territory tree-tops), 2 Silver-washed Fritillary, 4+ White-letter Hairstreak along Spaniards, 5 Purple Hairstreak, 2 Red
Admiral, 3 Brimstone, 1 Small Skipper, 4 Large Skipper, c25 Meadow Brown, 1 Speckled Wood |
Andrew Middleton |
| 24 Jun |
Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small Skipper seen at Victoria Park (TQ363840) |
David Harrison |
| 24 Jun |
I had a morning trip 9.30 to 11.15 at the Green Link meadow west of Coppetts Wood and to Coppetts wood itself, I saw 30 plus Meadow
Browns, 5 Large Skipper, 3 Holly Blues, 4 Large Whites, 3 Green-veined Whites, 2 Commas, 4 Small or Essex Skippers
, 3 Speckled Wood. The best part of the trip was photographing a Large Skipper only to see a crab spider creeping out of the corner of the frame to
pounce on it. The spider grabbed it but the butterfly got away!
Visited Brickett Wood common between 4.00 and 6.00, saw 3 Silver-washed Fritillary
in the gas main ride, 6 White Admiral (in the gas man ride and then on the edge of the clearing as you come through the gate), 30 plus Marbled
White mainly on the eastern and western edges of the common. 3 Holly Blues, 30 plus Meadow Browns/Ringlets but only 2 definitely confirmed
Ringlets. 5 Large Skippers. 4 Speckled Wood. 3 fresh Brimstones, 3 Comma (1 old and battered and 2 fresh). 1 Red
Admiral. 5 Large White. 4 Green-veined/Small White.
Quick visit to Tunnel Gardens in Bounds Green from 6.50 to 7.30 tonight. 2 fresh
Commas, 6 Large Skippers, 2 Holly Blue, 4 whites |
Miles Attenborough |
| 24 Jun |
New Mill Meadow, Tring (SP923131): A late afternoon walk produced an abundance of Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Marbled White
but the highlight was being able to tempt a Large Skipper to perch on my fingertip where he remained for about 20 seconds allowing a rare up close view |
Chris Hilling |
| 24 Jun |
A 9.30am sighting of an active Hummingbird Hawk Moth, my first of the year, in my Eastcote front garden. Added the sighting to the
BC Migrant Watch site, easy to do and a nice interactive map to search records, relatively few Herts and Middx sightings on there though |
Paul Busby |
| 24 Jun |
I spent an hour and a half at Six Hills Way, Stevenage this morning, at least a dozen White-letter Hairstreaks at all height levels in
the trees, even at ground level, also one Purple Hairstreak and Large White |
Colin Alderman |
| 24 Jun |
Hounslow: Two firsts today - a not entirely surprising Gatekeeper and, after no less than three consecutive small Skippers had flaunted their
glossy black antenna tips at me I thought I'd better stop pretending every Small Skipper is a Small Skipper. Here are the full details: The day began with a
sighting on my bathroom window of a Box Moth. A female Meadow Brown, Large White and Red Admiral followed in my garden. Then:
Hounslow Heath: Small Skipper: 2 Meadow Brown: 6 Comma: 1 Ringlet: 26 Large White: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Large
Skipper: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled Wood: 2 White-letter Hairstreak: 2 Purple Hairstreak: 2 Small Skipper: 2
Ringlet: 1 Small Heath: 6 Meadow Brown: 2 Large White: 1 Essex Skipper: 1 Holly Blue: 1
Small White: 1 Heath---ex=Golf Course: Ringlet: 4 Meadow Brown: 17 Small Skipper: 2 Comma: 2
Gatekeeper: 1 Large Skipper: 1 Small Heath: 3 Purple Hairstreak: 1 River Crane: Comma: 1 Marshalling Yards: Small
Skipper: 16 Small Heath: 6 Meadow Brown: 12 Green-veined White: 1 Large Skipper: 2 Essex Skipper
: 6 Marbled White: 7 Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Ringlet: 44 Brimstone: 1 Small White: 1
Gatekeeper: 1 Pevensey: Meadow Brown: 10 Green-veined White: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Large Skipper: 1 Ringlet: 1
Small Heath: 2 Essex Skipper: 1 Small Skipper: 1 Small White: 1 Painted Lady: 1 and 1 final
Holly Blue on the roads back, TW3 2BL |
Peter Gore |
| 24 Jun |
10 Meadow Brown - Walsworth Common meadow area, Hitchin TL193303. 1 Green-veined White, 1 Large White, 1 Small
White - Triangle Community Garden, Hitchin TL190302 |
David Inward |
| 24 Jun |
I sat down in my Ware garden for a few moments only to see a small butterfly zigzag through. It alighted briefly to reveal a pristine White-letter
Hairstreak |
Liz Goodyear |
| 24 Jun |
Oakwood Park, N14 this morning (07:55 - 09:10 hrs) - 8+ Small Skipper E of 10 km line, 1 Ringlet E of 10 km line, 1 male
Common Blue E of 10 km line, 1 male Purple Hairstreak settled on bramble & grass from 08:24 hrs E of 10 km line, 1 female Large Skipper
at 10 km line, 4 Marbled White E of 10 km line. 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Southgate Chase Allotments at 14:11 hrs. 1 Least Carpet settled
on lime tree next to bus stop at Bramley Road, N14 opposite Bramley Parade this afternoon and 1 Least Carpet and 1 Common Marbled Carpet at ASDA
Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 23 Jun |
At Hexton Chalk Pit, double figures at least of Dark Green Fritillaries on the wing plus abundance of Marbled Whites. Large
Skipper also photographed along with a few Common Blues but sadly no Chalkhill Blues yet |
Chris Holtby |
| 23 Jun |
It was nice to see the first Small Tortoiseshell in my South Mymms garden this afternoon. Also seen 1 Speckled Wood |
Terry Wood |
| 23 Jun |
Butterflies seen at Therfield Heath TL337399 this lunchtime: 2 Dark Green Fritillary, 20+ Marbled White, 10+ Meadow Brown,
6+ Small Heath, 2 Small Tortoiseshell |
Patricia Clegg |
| 23 Jun |
Late afternoon walk along a couple of km of Elm-lined fields between St Marys Church and Breakspear Road North, Harefield (TQ 05 89) and saw
a solitary White-letter Hairstreak in the canopy and unusually then flew away along the line of Elms. In addition saw 200+ Meadow Brown, 3+
Ringlet, 5 Large Skippers, a Marbled White, 3 Commas and a Small Magpie moth in a nettle patch |
Paul Busby |
| 23 Jun |
This afternoon: 1 female Common Blue and 1 male Large Skipper at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 Comma at
Parkside Farm, Enfield along Salmons Brook, 5 Small Tortoiseshell at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97), also here 2 Comma, 2 female Large Skipper
and 2 Small Heath plus 1 Burnet Companion at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield on bank and 1 Least Carpet at bus stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter
Way, N14 |
Robert Callf |
| 23 Jun |
Copse Wood, Ruislip (TQ084 900): About six White Admirals there, this-afternoon |
Graham Elcombe |
| 23 Jun |
Purple Hairstreak, Large White, Comma, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood on this
morning's guided walk at Holland Park in west London. One White Admiral, otherwise just Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper
and Speckled Wood at Northaw Great Wood in a short visit this afternoon |
Andrew Wood |
| 23 Jun |
Mid morning trip to HMWT Balls Wood, 7 White Admiral, good views both grounded and patrolling the rides, 1 Silver-washed
Fritillary, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Comma, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood and Large Skipper common and
widespread, also 1 Holly Blue, 1 Common Blue, 1 White-letter Hairstreak (taking moisture from the grass) and 2 Purple Hairstreak |
Laurence Drummond |
| 23 Jun |
Hounslow - Hounslow Heath: Comma: 1 Ringlet: 20 Small Heath: 3 Small Skipper: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Small
Tortoiseshell: 1 Common Blue: 1 Large White: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled Wood: 2 White-letter Hairstreak: 1 Meadow
Brown: 4 Small Skipper: 6 Small Heath: 5 Comma: 2 Ringlet: 2 Large Skipper: 1 Heath---Golf Course: Purple
Hairstreak: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Ringlet: 9 Meadow Brown: 10 Large Skipper: 1 Comma: 2 Small Heath: 1 River
Crane: Small Skipper: 1 Brown Argus: 1 Small Heath: 1 Comma: 1 Large White: 1 Ringlet: 1 Marshalling Yards:
Large Skipper: 3 Marbled White: 8 Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Small Heath: 6 Common Blue: 2 Meadow Brown:
25 Holly Blue: 1 Small White: 2 Small Skipper: 24 Ringlet: 80 Green-veined White: 1 Pevensey: Small White:
1 Speckled Wood: 1 Purple Hairstreak: 2 Small Skipper: 5 Small Heath: 2 Ringlet: 1 Meadow Brown: 10 |
Peter Gore |
| 23 Jun |
A sultry day but rather breezy afternoon hereabouts so butterflies seeking a bit of shelter. Cross Lane Harpenden (TL148127): 2 Comma;
1 Speckled Wood; 1 Small White; 3 Meadow Brown. Heartwood Forest: Meadow Brown (many); Small Heath (many); Marbled
White (30+); Speckled Wood (1); Ringlet (10+); Small White (3); Large White (1); Brimstone (1 male); Large
Skipper (1 male); Small Skipper (10+); Holly Blue (1); Common Blue (2 males); Comma (3). Moths: Cinnabar larvae on
ragwort; Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet starting to emerge (2 flying, 1 drying wings). Dragons and Damsels: Agrion splendens;
Libellula depressa (several males and females by the dew pond at Well Wood) |
David Hunt |
| 23 Jun |
Did my transects in Broxbourne Woods and Bencroft Wood. Many Marbled Whites at both sites and plenty of Ringlets and Meadow
Browns too, highlight was a Purple Emperor landing right in the middle of the ride on Broxbourne west ride and 4 Silver-washed Fritillaries,
Commas, Large Skippers and Small Heath too. Saw 10 or more Purple Hairstreak on an oak at Bencroft |
Steve Kiln |
| 22 Jun |
Tyttenhanger GPs TL195052. A morning's birding also produced a good butterfly list: 1 Purple Hairstreak at Tyttenhanger Farm, 5
Ringlets and 1 Small Skipper at Willows Farm Lake, 10+ Marbled White and many Meadow Brown around the site. Also Red
Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Small White |
David Booth |
| 22 Jun |
Batford, Weedy field - up to 6 White-letter Hairstreaks around small elms surrounding the large area of bramble in the SW corner of the
weedy field. Quick & very easy |
Darin Stanley |
| 22 Jun |
Therfield: 40+ White-letter Hairstreak seen at several sites along the Icknield Way between Therfield Heath (TL349 347) and Mill Road,
Therfield (TL339 375). Also two Dark Green Fritillaries and singles of Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Comma and Ringlet. A few
Ringlets and several Small Skippers are now flying on Therfield Heath. On my way back I discovered a 'new' colony of WLH no more than 250m
from my home in Royston! |
Martin Johnson |
| 22 Jun |
Norton to Baldock Rd. at approximately TL235345, Elms on the north side of the road; White-letter Hairstreak x9 at least, many more
sightings but more than likely to be the same individuals |
Roger Millard |
| 22 Jun |
Bricket Wood Common - White Admirals (4), Purple Hairstreak (2), and Marbled Whites (3), on today's transect. Good
numbers of Meadow Browns and Large Skippers, but Ringlet numbers are low. One White Admiral was nectaring on bramble, one taking salts
from mud and two searching through high rise side vegetation |
Malcolm Hull |
| 22 Jun |
At 9:00 am, I found a White-letter Hairstreak close-up at eye-level on the southern edge of the cluster of elms at Six Hills Common |
Peter Clarke |
| 22 Jun |
Whitewebbs Wood territory, Enfield, 1 male Purple Emperor several times from 1-1.30pm, none seen at Trent Park Rough Lot 2-3pm,
Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, 5 Purple Hairstreaks |
Andrew Middleton |
| 22 Jun |
1 Large White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell - Baldock Cemetery TL239339 |
David Inward |
| 22 Jun |
I lead a walk to Hertford Heath and Balls Wood today. Hertford Heath (TL349107): Purple Hairstreak, Meadow Browns, Speckled Woods,
Ringlet, Comma and Green-veined White. Balls Wood (TL344105): 6 (or possibly 7) White Admirals, 2 Commas, Meadow
Browns, possible Small White, Large White, Speckled Woods |
Andy Brown |
| 22 Jun |
Brent Reservoir:- 4 White-letter Hairstreak, 10 Marbled White, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Ringlet, Meadow
Brown, Comma and 1 Cinnabar moth |
Shailesh Patel |
| 22 Jun |
Hounslow: It's the numbers that are the highlight today so here they are: Hounslow Heath: Comma: 4 Small Heath: 5 Meadow
Brown: 4 Ringlet: 1 Large Skipper: 2 Red Admiral: 1 Purple Hairstreak: 1 (1st) Speckled Wood: 2 Heath/Heather/Railway:
Speckled Wood: 2 Red Admiral: 2 Comma: 1 Small Skipper: 3 Purple Hairstreak: 1 Small Heath: 7 Small White:
1 Ringlet: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Comma: 4 Speckled Wood: 1 Purple Hairstreak: 3 Meadow Brown: 8 Ringlet: 13
Small Heath: 1 River Crane: Red Admiral: 1 Large White: 1 Marshalling Yards: Comma: 2 Large Skipper: 4 Speckled Wood:
2 Small Heath: 7 Marbled White: 10 Meadow Brown: 26 Common Blue: 3 Ringlet: 78 Small Skipper: 24 Pevensey:
Speckled Wood: 1 Meadow Brown: 1 Comma: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Ringlet: 3 Small Heath: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 22 Jun |
Trent Park 'New Fields' (10:40 - 12:30 hrs) - 5+ Purple Hairstreak including several settled low down, up to 3 White-letter
Hairstreak clashing edge of Church Wood 11:25 - 11:55 hrs, 40+ Small Heath, 6 Marbled White, 2 Ringlet, 1 male Large Skipper
near Church Wood, 1 Small Tortoiseshell nectaring on thistle top of Snakes Lane 12:21 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 21 Jun |
30+ Meadow Brown, 10+ Marbled White, 3 Common Blue and 1 Small/Essex Skipper in grassland at Jersey Farm Recreation Ground
this afternoon. TL170696/7 |
David Utting |
| 21 Jun |
At Heartwood Forest: 10+ Marbled White, 6+ Meadow Brown, 5+ Ringlet and 5 Small Heath |
David Wheatcroft |
| 21 Jun |
After completing the Minet Country Park, I walked on to view the extensive patch of Elm in the South of the park (TQ 11 79). In a small glade
of mostly Elm, Oak and Bramble saw at least 5 White letter Hairstreaks (probably more), as well as 2 Commas, 4 Green-veined Whites, 2
Holly Blues, a Speckled Wood, a Ringlet and Meadow Brown. Nearby along hedge line saw 3 Marbled Whites, 3 Common
Blues, a Large Skipper, Burnet Companion and Cinnabar moth, as well as a number of Cinnabar caterpillars of various sizes on
Ragwort |
Paul Busby |
| 21 Jun |
This afternoon, 1 Painted Lady at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) at 16:12 hrs, also here 1 male Large Skipper, 1 Red Admiral
settled at Hog Hill and 3+ Small Tortoiseshells. At Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) field margin along Salmons Brook - clouds of Meadow Brown
'several hundred', 1 male Large Skipper, 1 Large White, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Comma and at least 3 Ringlet on Res
bank |
Robert Callf |
| 21 Jun |
A gorgeous day so a long trek over to Batford and environs. Pigottshill Lane, Harpenden (TL149142): 2 Speckled Wood. Batford Nature
Reserve (TL149147): 8 Meadow Brown; 3 Ringlet; 1 Small White. Batford field (TL151149 and thereabouts): Meadow Brown (swarms
gorging themselves on the bramble flowers); 20+ Ringlet; 10+ Marbled White; 2 Small Heath; 1 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Comma;
2 Brown Argus (one very fresh, the other almost scaleless); 1 Common Blue (male); 3 White-letter Hairstreak (males clashing around the
tops of about 5m high elm saplings); 6 Large Skipper; 3 Small Skipper (all confirmed); plus several Banded demoiselle Agrion
splendens damselflies. Dark Lane, Harpenden (TL147135): 1 Speckled Wood |
David Hunt |
| 21 Jun |
Of interest on my Heartwood transect was a White Admiral (think 1st for the site) flew through on main footpath just outside Langley
Wood and my first Painted Lady in the wild flower meadows |
Andrew Steele |
| 21 Jun |
At least 4 White-letter Hairstreak mid morning, around Elms at Standon along the A120, TL397225 |
Laurence Drummond |
| 20 Jun |
1 White Admiral in Bramfield Woods |
Alex & Janet Lewis |
| 20 Jun |
Today despite a poor forecast we revisited TQ07 to look for adult White-letter Hairstreak at sites we had identified as having good elm in the
winter but where we couldn't find or search for eggs.
Our first site was the Sipson Road (TQ0777) where it crosses the M4 spur road into the Heathrow
Terminals. The spur road has many elms along it and after waiting for the cloud to clear at 10.45 two White-letter Hairstreak were seen a short
distance from the bridge parapets.
The next stop was Harmondsworth Moor (TQ0577) where some scrappy elm had been seen near the road, and another area was
also found - some was now dying and despite looking in good sunshine nothing was seen. So we then continued to the Stanwell Moor Road in TQ0474 where there
was some tall elm in a layby and one was quickly seen flying around the top of the canopy. Then onto TQ0272 close to Staines Moor, here again the elm wasn't
that good and we again drew a blank. Parking in Staines as close as possible to the A308 (TQ0571) we were able to observe two individuals flying around elm
on the bypass through binoculars! In Feltham (TQ0971) we had found some high roadside elm and we revisited this only to see that around the horse paddocks
there was more elm and three were seen here. At this point it became cloudier and the traffic heavier and we started to wonder whether we would get to all
our targets. The last one we knew about were the huge elms beside the M4 in Harlington (TQ0878) and it didn't take long for us to see at least 5 individuals
high up in the canopy of these magnificent elms. The last target was the western edge of Cranford Park and eventually one was seen perched on an elm leaf in
TQ0977. This completed 6 x 2km squares today in a 10k which had not knowingly had any records ever in the Middlesex section (part shared with other
counties). In total we have found them in 9 x 2km squares in a very difficult landscape |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 20 Jun |
Ellenbrook Field: At least 20 Ringlets and about 10 Marbled Whites. Also Purple Emperor (edge of wood on track, TL202 088)
and Silver-washed Fritillary briefly on brambles (TL201 089). From Heartwood on 4 June, about 8 Small Blue on west side. Got photo of mating
pair. Kidney Vetch has certainly recovered at Heartwood, near top of ridge (TL164 116), but I have had no sign of Small Blue in that part |
Martin Webb |
| 20 Jun |
In Oakwood Park (11:30 - 12:10 hrs) - 19 Small Skipper (2 W of 10 km line, 17 E of 10 km line), 9+ Marbled White (2 W of 10km
line, 7+ E of 10 km line), 1 male Common Blue - very fresh, W of 10 km line, 1 male Large Skipper E of 10 km line. In Grovelands Park this
afternoon - 6 Speckled Wood, 3 Large Skipper including a female egg-laying, 1 Small Heath - very fresh (unusual at this site), 4+
Small Skipper and 1 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet on thistle-head. 1 Scarce Silver-lines at ASDA Southgate at 01:10 hrs - first
record for the site! 1 Small Magpie at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 03:00 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 19 Jun |
My nephew Charlie astonishingly found a Purple Emperor on the pavement just round the corner from his house
at 8.45pm near Hampstead Heath |
Alan Lloyd |
| 19 Jun |
Icknield Way Trial, Ickleford - 2+ Speckled Wood and 1 Red Admiral - TL177316, 8+ Meadow Brown - TL178316 |
David Inward |
| 19 Jun |
First Marbled White and Ringlet sightings of the year at Bayfordbury today (TL3110), along with Meadow Browns, Large
Skippers, Speckled Woods, Small Heaths and a Common Blue |
Ian Flack |
| 19 Jun |
Hounslow: Hounslow Heath: White-letter Hairstreak: 3 Meadow Brown: 3 Ringlet: 6 Small Tortoiseshell: 3 Red
Admiral: 3 Small Skipper: 2 Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 3 Green-veined White: 1 Heath/Heather/railway: White-letter
Hairstreak: 3 Speckled Wood: 2 Large White: 1 Small Heath: 6 Meadow Brown: 1 Small Skipper: 2 Small White: 2
Comma: 1 Red Admiral: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Red Admiral: 1 Small Skipper: 3 Ringlet: 4 Common Blue: 1 Meadow
Brown: 7 Speckled Wood: 1 Small Heath: 2 River Crane: Meadow Brown: 1 Marbled White: 1 Red Admiral: 2 Marshalling
Yards: Marbled White: 9 Common Blue: 2 Brown Argus: 1 Large Skipper: 5 Small Heath: 7 Small Skipper: 11 Ringlet
: 37 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Meadow Brown: 37 Large White: 1 Pevensey: Meadow Brown: 8 Small Skipper: 1 Small Heath:
1 Argyle Road: Large White: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 19 Jun |
4 Ringlet at Trent Park near Triangular Wood. At Monken Hadley Common (TQ 268 973) this afternoon - 5 Speckled Wood,
5 Ringlet, 6+ Large Skipper, 3 Small Heath, 3 male Common Blue including two fighting, 3 Marbled White and 1
Painted Lady at 14:28 hrs, 6+ Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet (six settled on Birds-foot Trefoil and another possible two seen in flight only),
1 Burnet Companion and 1 Mother Shipton. 1 Ringlet at Covert Way LNR. 1 Garden Carpet at ASDA Southgate at 01:00 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 18 Jun |
1 Speckled Wood - Oughtonhead Lane, Hitchin TL172298 |
David Inward |
| 18 Jun |
2 White Admirals at Balls Wood and 1 Ringlet plus the usual Meadow Browns, Large Skipper, Comma,
Speckled Woods and Green-veined Whites |
Andrew Wood |
| 18 Jun |
After last year's surprise sighting of a White Admiral at Gutteridge Wood, today I saw two on the transect, perching and flying between
Hazel and Bramble. This year's sightings were in a different part of the wood too.
Earlier in the day at Ruislip Rugby Club,(TQ 09 86) inspecting the Elms
saw a Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Comma and then a Purple Hairstreak flew up into the mature Oak.
On Gutteridge Wood meadow and
pond (TQ 09 84) watched a Swallow make repeated visits to the pond and saw a Ringlet, 2 Meadow Browns and 4 Large Skippers. Further onto
to the Elm tree lined fields to Ten Acre Wood (TQ 09 83) saw 45+ Meadow Browns, a Large Skipper and a Speckled Wood, then in the wood saw
a further 3 Meadow Brown and 2 Speckled Woods. Back at Cutthroat Wood (TQ 08 840) saw another 4 Large Skippers, 2 Common Blue, 4
Meadow Browns and 2 Speckled Woods.
Finally, a late afternoon visit to the meadow adjacent to Mad Bess Woods and Duck Hills Road, Ruislip
(TQ 08 89)and saw 120+ Meadow Brown, 15+ Marbled White, 4+ Large Skippers, 2+ Small Skippers, 6+ Common Blue, 5+
Ringlet, 3+ Speckled Wood and a Burnet Companion moth, as well as 10+ Burnet moths flying around not settling |
Paul Busby |
| 18 Jun |
Batford, weedy field - usual fare around site, Marbled Whites & Large Skipper now on the wing. Best of all were at least 7
White-letter Hairstreaks in the SW corner of the field at TL151149, 4 of which mainly favouring a very small oak, close to the first large area of
bramble in said corner. The others located in nearby trees along the eastern side |
Darin Stanley |
| 18 Jun |
I made the following sightings on Therfield Heath, east of the Sporting Club (TL 347406) this morning. Therfield Heath: the east end was packed
with butterflies this morning and, for once, a bit of variety. Large Skipper 5, Brimstone 2, Small White 1, Brown Argus 7,
Common Blue 6, Dark Green Fritillary 7, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Marbled White 14, Meadow Brown 110, Small Heath 143.
I also saw one Silver Y moth and several Common Lizards |
Martin Johnson |
| 18 Jun |
7 Speckled Wood at Trent Park, 42 Small Heath at 'New Fields' Trent Park 14:00 - 14:47 hrs, Cinnabar caterpillars (small)
on ragwort - several plants, 3 Ringlet at Trent Park (2 'New Fields' 1 near Ride Wood), 18 Large Skipper at Trent Park (16 'New Fields', 2 'Old
Golf Course'), 2 Small Copper at 'New Fields' Trent Park, 5 Small Skipper at 'New Fields' Trent Park, 2 Marbled White at 'New Fields'
Trent Park (my first of the year), 1 Red Admiral edge of Nature Trail, Trent Park at 15:05 hrs, 1 Comma at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park - worn,
1 Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Burnet Moth (Narrow-bordered Five-spot or Six-spot) - only seen in flight, 2 Small
Tortoiseshell (1 at Park Farm, 1 at Vicarage Farm), 1 male Large Skipper and 1 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97). 1 Udea
olivalis at ASDA Southgate at 01:50 am, also here 1 Common Emerald and 1 Snout |
Robert Callf |
| 18 Jun |
Hounslow: Hounslow Heath: Comma: 2 Small Heath: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Meadow Brown: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway:
Speckled Wood: 3 White-letter Hairstreak: 3 Small Heath: 9 Comma: 2 Meadow Brown: 1 Red Admiral: 1 Holly Blue:
1 Heath---ex-Golf Course: Meadow Brown: 10 Common Blue: 2 Ringlet: 2 Holly Blue: 1 Small Heath: 2 Marshalling Yards:
Meadow Brown: 22 Large Skipper: 3 Speckled Wood: 1 Red Admiral: 1 Small Heath: 6 Marbled White: 4 Small
Skipper: 11 Common Blue: 3 Ringlet: 23 Comma: 1 Pevensey: Comma: 2 Meadow Brown: 2 Small Heath: 1 Argyle Road
TW3 2BE: Speckled Wood: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 18 Jun |
Harpenden Common on a rather hot and sunny afternoon: 20+ Meadow Brown (all males as far as I could see); 20+ Small Heath
with many clashing males, usually in twos but also in threes and fours; 10+ Marbled White (all males); 6 Ringlet; 10+ Common Blue
; 1 Speckled Wood; 1 Six-spot Burnet; and many Crambus pascuella. Small Heath seem to be having an exceptionally good year
and I have never seen so many on the Common. Of note, one of the Small Heath lacked the eye-spot on the underside of the forewing, possibly referable
to ab. caeca |
David Hunt |
| 18 Jun |
Between 09:45 and 10:00 am I saw 3 White-letter Hairstreaks in the elm canopy at Six Hills Common |
Peter Clarke |
| 17 Jun |
I visited Bricket Wood Common (TL 13176 00782), in very cloudy conditions this afternoon, not a great deal of butterfly action but I was lucky
to find 1 pristine Small Tortoiseshell, 1 fresh male Marbled White, 2 Large Skippers. I disturbed a lot of Meadow Browns and
Speckled Woods when walking along the main ride but I did not count them. Sadly no White Admirals or Silver-washed Fritillaries as too cloudy |
Miles Attenborough |
| 17 Jun |
Whilst river sampling the Yeading Brook, South Ruislip this morning, saw a Red Admiral fluttering around the stinging nettles bank side
(TQ105860) |
Paul Busby |
| 17 Jun |
Harpenden Common on an overcast yet warm afternoon: 20+ Meadow Brown; 4 Small Heath; 1 Marbled White (male); 3 Common
Blue (2 males, 1 female); 1 Large Skipper (female); 1 very fresh Painted Lady plus plenty of Nettle-tap moths. East Common
(TL141128): 1 Meadow Brown; 1 Yellow Shell |
David Hunt |
| 17 Jun |
Hounslow: Hounslow Heath: Large White: 1 Small Heath: 4 Heath/Heather/Railway: White-letter Hairstreak: 3 Small
White: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Small Heath: 2 Meadow Brown: 1 Small Skipper: 4 Heath---ex-Golf Course: Speckled Wood: 3
Comma: 1 Large Skipper: 1 Common Blue: 1 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Small Heath: 1 Meadow Brown: 3 River Crane:
Comma: 1 Marshalling Yards: Ringlet: 12 Speckled Wood: 5 Meadow Brown: 12 Brown Argus: 2 Small Heath: 3 Small
Skipper: 1 Common Blue: 1 Painted Lady: 1 Pevensey: Speckled Wood: 1 Meadow Brown: 1
|
Peter Gore |
| 16 Jun |
Dark Green Fritillaries and Marbled Whites reported from Therfield Heath - on our branch twitter page |
Andy Symes |
| 16 Jun |
1 Speckled Wood at Gough Park, Forty Hill at 15:04 hrs, 2 Speckled Wood at Forty Hall CP, 2 Ringlet, 1 female Large
Skipper and 1 Comma at Forty Hall CP near Archery Wood (TQ 336 993), 1 Speckled Wood at Whitewebbs Park near North Lodge. 1 Small Dusty
Wave at Enfield Chase Station this afternoon and 4 Riband Wave at ASDA Southgate last night |
Robert Callf |
| 16 Jun |
Hounslow: Hounslow Heath: Meadow Brown: 1 Ringlet: 2 Small Heath: 2 Holly Blue: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Small
White: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled Wood: 4 White-letter Hairstreak: 3 Comma: 1 Small Heath: 8 Large Skipper: 1
Heath---ex Golf Course: Comma: 2 Meadow Brown: 5 Common Blue: 2 Large Skipper: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Small White: 1
Small Heath: 2 River Crane: Meadow Brown : 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Marshalling Yards: Meadow Brown: 13
Ringlet: 12 Large Skipper: 3 Speckled Wood: 3 Small Skipper: 3 Red Admiral: 1 Common Blue: 3 Small Heath:
5 Brown Argus: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 16 Jun |
On a brief visit to St James Church, Bushey spotted 22 Meadow Brown and 1 Blue-bordered Carpet moth |
David Gower |
| 15 Jun |
We were delighted to find a White Admiral on Bricket Wood Common this afternoon. We initially disturbed it feeding on bramble in the
clearing. It flew off into the wood and the sun went in but we waited for the next sunny interval and it duly returned, again feeding on bramble. We also
saw 1 Brimstone, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Red Admiral, and many Meadow Brown both in the brambly clearing and on the open common. An
immature male Broad-bodied Chaser was also hunting from a perch in the bramble bushes |
David Neal
Anna Marett |
| 15 Jun |
Saw my first White-letter Hairstreak and Marbled White of the season, at Minet Country Park transect in Hayes, Middlesex.
Additional off transect records included 2 Large Skippers, 3 Common Blues and a Cinnabar moth |
Paul Busby |
| 15 Jun |
Hounslow: Amongst a lot of butterflies, two highlights: The White-letter Hairstreak on the Heath is the first I've seen on this group of Elms and
hence in this tetrad. One seen again several hours later on the return stretch. The 2 Small Tortoiseshells looking very fresh are likely the first of the new
brood, seen close to the nettle-beds where I saw pairs several times in spring although these 2 were separate sightings. Hounslow Heath: White-letter
Hairstreak: 1 Comma: 1 Ringlet: 1 Small Tortoiseshell: 2 Large Skipper: 1 Heath/Heather.Railway: White-letter Hairstreak:
4 Comma: 1 Small Heath: 8 Small Skipper: 1 Speckled Wood: 3 Heath---ex-Golf Course: Red Admiral: 2 Holly Blue:
1 Meadow Brown: 12 Speckled Wood: 2 Ringlet: 1 Common Blue: 4 Small Heath: 6 Large Skipper: 1 Comma: 2 River
Crane: Meadow Brown: 1 Marshalling Yards: Meadow Brown: 17 Speckled Wood: 4 Ringlet: 9 Large Skipper: 3 Holly Blue:
1 Small Skipper: 3 Common Blue: 8 Brown Argus: 4 Small Heath: 7 Pevensey: Meadow Brown: 2 Small Heath: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 15 Jun |
Oakwood Park (14:30 - 15:10 hrs) - 4 Common Blue (2 W of 10 km line, 2 E of 10 km line), 3 Large Skipper (1 male W of 10 km line,
2 E of 10 km line), 1 Ringlet W of 10 km line, 6 Small Skipper E of 10 km - those that were sexed were males, 1 Small Heath E of 10 km
line, 2 pairs of Meadow Brown mating, 4 Burnet Companion (2 W of 10 km line, 2 E of 10 km line), 2 Orange Conch Commophila aeneana
(1 W of 10 km line, 1 E of 10 km line), 3 Yellow Shell E of 10 km line, 1 Cinnabar E of 10 km line. At Boxer's Lake, Enfield - 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Small Tortoiseshell. 1 Large Skipper at
Dalrymple Close, N14 this afternoon. 1 Mint Moth - P. aurata, around mint at Southgate Chase Allotments this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 15 Jun |
King Harry Lane, St Albans - 2 White-letter Hairstreaks clashing above the elm at the rear of the Abbey View golf course at 8.20 this
morning. The pair were still in view and clashing 15 minutes later - such stamina! |
Malcolm Hull |
| 15 Jun |
Ellenbrook Field (Old Hatfield Airfield): 20+ Meadow Brown (probably twice that, lost count!), 6 Small Heath, 2 Speckled
Wood, 3 Common Blue (a fraction of the number seen last week), 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large Skipper (male, exceptionally bright
orange), 1 Cinnabar, 1 Burnet Companion |
Robert Bull |
| 14 Jun |
Durants Park, Enfield - 1 Purple Hairstreak over ash and oak this evening |
Andrew Middleton |
| 14 Jun |
Hounslow: Whitton Road TW3 2EL: Painted Lady: 1 Hounslow Heath: Small Heath: 3 Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled Wood: 1
White-letter Hairstreak: 5 Small Heath: 10 Heath---ex Golf Course: Meadow Brown: 7 Common Blue: 2 Brown Argus: 1 Small
Heath: 3 Comma: 1 Painted Lady: 1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 4 Ringlet: 2 (1st) Large Skipper: 2 Painted
Lady: 1 Common Blue: 3 Meadow Brown: 11 Small Heath: 2 Marbled White: 1 (1st) Pevensey: Speckled Wood: 1 Small
White: 1 Meadow Brown: 1 Small Heath: 4 Common Blue: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 14 Jun |
2 Meadow Brown at Rectory Farm, 1 Meadow Brown and 1 Speckled Wood at Strayfield Road, 1 Speckled Wood at Flash
Lane, EN2 and 1 Speckled Wood and 2 Holly Blue at Hilly Fields Park. 1 Riband Wave (my first of the year) and 1 Brimstone Moth
at bus stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 (TQ 295 951) and 1 Silver Y at Rectory Farm this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 14 Jun |
Harpenden Common on a rather breezy if sunny afternoon: 20+ Meadow Brown; 6 Small Heath; 1 very fresh Ringlet trying out
its wings; 3 Common Blue; many Nettle-tap; and 1 Straw Dot |
David Hunt |
| 13 Jun |
1 Red Admiral in my St Albans garden then later in St Julian's Meadow, Greenwood Park (TL13930515) 45 Meadow Brown, 4 Small
Copper, 5 Common Blue, 4 Large Skipper, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Small Heath, 1 Speckled Wood |
Mandy Floyd |
| 13 Jun |
In a morning visit to Bricket Wood lasting one and a half hours, I encountered 10 Large Skipper, 3 Brimstone, 7 Speckled
Wood, 13 Meadow Brown and a single White Admiral |
Clive Burrows |
| 13 Jun |
Visited Wormwood Scrubs in west London for about 90 minutes this morning and saw 41 Meadow Browns, 11 Large Skippers, 3
Common Blue, 2 White-letter Hairstreaks, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Cinnabar and 2 Burnet Companion. Rather quieter for butterflies
than I had expected and no Small Skippers yet at what is a strong site |
Andrew Wood |
| 13 Jun |
1 Red Admiral near Shaws Wood, Trent Park at 15:37 hrs, 1 Speckled Wood at Shaws Wood, Trent Park, 1 Small Copper
edge of Williams Wood near Dew Pond, Trent Park at 15:42 hrs, 1 male Large White at Ferny Hill, Enfield, 3 Small Tortoiseshell - all freshly
emerged (2 at Park Farm, 1 at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm - TQ 30 97). 1 Silver Y at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 Mother Shipton at Park Farm,
Enfield, 1 Small Magpie at Vicarage Farm near Hadley Road (TQ 30 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 13 Jun |
A number of lunchtime sightings around the fields and hedgerows of the Hillingdon Trail by the Yeading Brook, between Ruislip Gardens and
Ickenham (TQ 09 85), including a fresh Painted Lady (added to BC migrant watch), a Small Heath, 50+ Meadow Brown, 4 Common Blue,
a Brown Argus, 3 Speckled Wood and 8+ Large Skippers. Later on at a cloudy Cutthroat Wood, Hillingdon saw a fresh Comma and a
Speckled Wood |
Paul Busby |
| 13 Jun |
Hounslow: A sunny start but afternoon cloud probably limited butterfly activity later: Hounslow Heath: Small Heath: 2 Speckled
Wood: 3 Heath/Heather/Railway: White-letter Hairstreak: 4 Small Heath: 4 Small Skipper: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Painted Lady:
1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Speckled Wood: 2 Common Blue: 1 Meadow Brown: 7 Small White: 1 River Crane: Red Admiral: 1
Speckled Wood: 1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 3 Meadow Brown: 7 Small Skipper: 1 Small Heath: 5 Common Blue: 5
Brown Argus: 1 Pevensey: Red Admiral: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Small Heath: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 13 Jun |
2 Ringlet and 3 Marbled White (firsts of the year) plus 5 Meadow Brown in Martins Way,
Stevenage |
Peter Clarke |
| 12 Jun |
The Field trip to the Hillbrow site in Letchworth attracted 16 attendees despite the dull, cool and at times drizzly conditions. We found
around 8 roosting Small Blues and a couple of roosting Common Blues. A few Meadow Browns were also disturbed. Moths included
Sitochroa verticalis, Cinnabar, Epiblema costipunctana and Homoeosoma sinuella |
Andrew Wood |
| 12 Jun |
1 female Large Skipper near Bowling Green in Grovelands Park this afternoon at 15:37 hrs, also 5 Meadow Brown and 1 Straw
Dot here. 1 Silver Y at ASDA Southgate last night at about 1:00 am. 1 Common Marbled Carpet at ASDA at 23:45 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 11 Jun |
Holly Blue sighting at Lady Capel's lock near Kings Langley |
Peter Gore |
| 11 Jun |
From 5.15p.m spent 2 hours at Merryhill Fields, Bushey. Recorded 165 Meadow Browns, 37 Large Skippers, 3 Common Blue,
2 Speckled Wood. Moths were 1 Silver Y, 2 Burnet Companion, 8 Straw Dot, 14 Yellow Shell, 1 Brimstone, 1
Blood-vein, 3 Green Oak Tortrix, 1 Treble Brown Spot, 1 Common Marbled Carpet. Also in Bushey garden this evening 1 Straw
Dot, 1 Small Magpie, 1 Twenty-plume (on honeysuckle), 1 Common Carpet |
David Gower |
| 11 Jun |
4 Meadow Brown, 1 unidentified skipper, no Small Blues - St Nicholas churchyard, Stevenage TL2426. 1 Red Admiral - The Avenue,
Old Town, Stevenage TL235257 |
David Inward |
| 11 Jun |
I went to Symondshyde Great Wood to check on whether any Silver-washed Fritillary had emerged. Alas not. But plenty of Speckled Wood
(20+), 2 Meadow Brown, 1 Large Skipper and a couple of interesting small butterflies fluttering about the upper branches of an elm and
periodically landing on the leaves. I eventually managed to get my optics on them and, to my surprise, found that they were both Small Heath. I think
they were feeding on honey dew as Speckled Wood were also engaging in similar behaviour. Coleman Green Lane (TL177115): 2 Meadow Brown; 1 Small
Heath. My south Harpenden
garden: 1 Small White |
David Hunt |
| 11 Jun |
1 Small Tortoiseshell - fresh (new generation) nectaring on bramble blossom at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 11:20 hrs - was a nice start to
the day! Northaw Great Wood - 9 Speckled Wood and 4 Meadow Brown. 1 Aleimma loeflingiana at Northaw Great Wood on window at
information centre near car-park. Also at Enfield Chase Station - 1 Snout, 1 Treble Brown Spot and 2 Small Dusty Wave |
Robert Callf |
| 10 Jun |
We saw 2 Common Blue, 1 Brown Argus and 20+ Meadow Browns at Colney Heath TL195059 |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 10 Jun |
Oakwood Park (14:15 - 15:20 hrs) - 4 Speckled Wood (3 W of 10 km line, 1 E of 10 km line), 3 Large Skipper including one female
(1 W of 10 km line, 2 E of 10 km line), 6 Common Blue (2 W of 10 km line, 4 E of 10 km line) and 1 Holly Blue (W of 10 km line). 7 Burnet
Companion (most E of 10 km line), 4 Silver Y E of 10 km line, 4 Orange Conch - Commophila aeneana E of 10 km line, 1 Yellow
Shell E of 10 km line, 1 Timothy Tortrix E of 10 km line (new for the site) |
Robert Callf |
| 10 Jun |
Moths seen in Bushey garden were 3 Small Magpie, 1 Mint Moth, 1 Silver Y |
David Gower |
| 10 Jun |
After some very quiet weeks my Balls Wood Transect produced 2 Painted Ladies, a fresh looking Small Tortoiseshell (rarely seen at
this site), 36 Speckled Woods, a Small Heath and a few Meadow Browns and Large Skippers. A surprise on Hartham Common, Hertford
this afternoon was a male Orange-tip, the first I've seen this June |
Andrew Wood |
| 10 Jun |
Hillbrow LGC - Small Blue x40+; Common Blue x14; Meadow Brown x20+; Brown Argus x4; Large Skipper x2;
Speckled Wood x1; Large White x1; Brimstone x1 and Red Admiral x1. Many Small Blues egg-laying |
Roger Millard |
| 10 Jun |
Enfield, White-letter Hairstreak - 2 at Jubilee Park, 1 at Durants Park. Ferry Lane Estate, 1 Painted Lady |
Andrew Middleton |
| 10 Jun |
The Painted Lady that first appeared on 6th June was very much attracted to the Red Valerian in my South Mymms front garden, and it stayed
for a further 3 days! Unfortunately it has now moved on |
Terry Wood |
| 10 Jun |
Hounslow: Another good sunny day with sightings including ever-increasing numbers of Small Heaths, 2 fresh-looking Commas, a good sighting
of my first Small Skipper of the year at the top of a grass stalk above me and a slightly less satisfying White Letter Hairstreak flying briefly at the top
of the Elms. Here are the details: Hounslow Heath: Small Heath: 3 Common Blue: 2 Meadow Brown: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Heath--Ex-Golf
Course: Red Admiral: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Small Heath: 6 Common Blue: 2 Meadow Brown: 1 River Crane: Common Blue: 1
Brown Argus: 1 Marshalling Yards: Comma: 2 Speckled Wood: 3 Meadow Brown: 7 Small Heath: 9 Common Blue: 7 Large
Skipper: 2 Small Skipper: 1 Brown Argus: 2 Pevensey: Red Admiral: 2 Speckled Wood: 2 Meadow
Brown: 2 Small Heath: 3 Common Blue: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled Wood: 2 Small Heath: 5 White-letter Hairstreak: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 10 Jun |
My first Large Skipper of the year on my Stevenage transect which also yielded 10 Speckled Wood and 7 Meadow Brown |
Peter Clarke |
| 10 Jun |
Having just returned from Broxbourne Woods this afternoon: Speckled Wood - 9, Small Heath - 2, Common Blue - 1, Large
White - 1, Ringlet - 1, Silver-washed Fritillary - 1 a wonderfully fresh male, Comma - 1. At Wareside:
Holly Blue - 1, Orange-tip - 2, Small White - 1, Speckled wood - 1, Small Heath - 1, Large White - 1. The
Silver-washed was a surprise it seems early and was pristine |
Phil MacMurdie |
| 9 Jun |
A 5-spotted male Meadow Brown near Watery Grove and 59 Common Blues (in 15 minutes!) in the southern disused section of Arlington
Business Park are the highlights of my early afternoon walk in SW Stevenage |
Peter Clarke |
| 9 Jun |
I stopped by the Bourne End slip road briefly this lunchtime and was rewarded with 19 Small Blue, 1 Common Blue, 5 Meadow
Brown and 1 Large Skipper. Not bad for 20 minutes shuffling around the roadside |
Chris Hilling |
| 9 Jun |
Chiswell Green - this morning outside the Butterfly world perimeter fence - 4 Small Blues plus Painted Lady. Heartwood Forest
Sandridge, this afternoon in Valley Field - 50 Kidney Vetch plants, 1 Small Blue, 1 fresh Small Tortoiseshell, 105 Small Heaths, 35
Burnet Companions, 18 Common Blues, plus Meadow Browns, Mother Shipton, Silver Y, Cinnabar, Speckled Wood,
Large Skippers. Never seen so many Small Heath in St Albans District. They were nectaring on Buttercups, White Clover and Dandelions |
Malcolm Hull |
| 9 Jun |
21 Small Heath at 'New Fields' Trent Park, also here 1 male Common Blue, 1 Small Copper, 3 Large Skipper, 1
Comma - fresh (new generation). At Trent Park 'Old Golf Course' - 1 male Common Blue and 1 Small Heath. 1 Red Admiral at Park
Farm, Enfield near Duncan's Wood at 15:57 hrs and 1 Painted Lady along track at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) at 17:06 hrs. 1
Double-striped Pug at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14, 1 Silver Y at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 2 Straw Dot and 1 Burnet
Companion at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) |
Robert Callf |
| 9 Jun |
A brief walk around St James church Bushey courtyard produced 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Meadow Brown and 3 Nemophora
degeerella moths |
David Gower |
| 9 Jun |
Harpenden Common on a warm and muggy afternoon. Butterflies: 7 Common Blue (6 males, 1 female); 5 Meadow Brown (all males, most
freshly emerged); 6 Small Heath; 2 Speckled Wood; 1 Comma. Moths: 2 Silver Y; 1 Chimney Sweeper; 1 Burnet Companion.
Damselflies: 1 Large Red (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 1 Banded Agrion (Agrion splendans) |
David Hunt |
| 9 Jun |
Hounslow: A sunny start followed by cloudier humid conditions: Hounslow Heath: Common Blue: 4 Small Heath: 2 Speckled Wood:
2 Small White: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Common Blue: 4 River Crane: Red Admiral: 1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 5 Meadow
Brown: 7 Large Skipper: 2 Common Blue: 5 Small Heath: 5 Pevensey: Speckled Wood: 1 Common Blue: 1 Meadow Brown:
1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Small Heath: 7 |
Peter Gore |
| 9 Jun |
I saw a Small Heath flying around on Shortwood Common (TQ047718), on the outskirts of Staines and between the A30 (to the North) and A308
(to the South). I have seen Small Heaths here before but they are hardly abundant, and not necessarily egg-laying/breeding in the vicinity. Having said that,
this year the grazing (courtesy of a mixture of cows and horses) has been lighter than usual which has probably helped them to survive/spread. Also Yellow
Shell moth |
Jeremy Soane |
| 9 Jun |
4 Speckled Wood, 2 Meadow Brown and 1 Painted Lady on Poors Field, Ruislip Woods |
Carole Holton |
| 8 Jun |
Visited Aldbury Nowers (10:50 - 13:45) and recorded the following- 1 Dingy Skipper, 12+ Small Heath, 12+ Common Blue
including several females, 7 Large Skipper including one female, 2 Brimstone male and female, 1 male Large White, 1
Ringlet - my earliest ever! 9 Speckled Wood, 1 Brown Argus. Also seen 1 Treble bar, 1 Straw Dot, 3+ Silver Y,
3 Yellow Shell and 1 Cinnabar. 1 Willow Beauty at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 8 Jun |
4 Meadow Brown, 1 Cinnabar moth - Greenway north of Cambridge Road, Letchworth TL2031 |
David Inward |
| 8 Jun |
Late afternoon at Oxhey Park, Watford (TQ116 953) spotted 1 Red Admiral. Later on at Water Lane, Watford were 3 Meadow Brown,
2 Cinnabar, 2 Mother Shipton, 1 Burnet Companion. Onto Fishers Field nature reserve seeing 12 Meadow Brown and 3 Large
Skippers my first this year |
David Gower |
| 8 Jun |
A Red Admiral along the bank of the River Colne at Little Britain Ford (TQ047810). Later at Welsh Harp Environmental Centre (TQ 20 87)
saw a Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and a Large White, then after inspecting the Elms at Welsh Harp Open Space for WLH (TQ 21 87) saw a
fresh Comma, at least 2 Large Skippers, 2 Speckled Woods and 4 unidentified whites |
Paul Busby |
| 7 Jun |
I visited a a couple of sites in north east Herts looking for Small Blues on abundant Kidney Vetch with no success but there were many
Common Blue and Small Heath and a few Meadow Browns and one Painted Lady |
Andrew Wood |
| 7 Jun |
Cloudy day, saw a Large White on Botwell Common Road, Hayes - TQ092805 |
Paul Busby |
| 7 Jun |
Hounslow: Cloud and a little rain this afternoon but still the following seen: Hounslow Heath: Speckled Wood: 1 Heath--ex Golf Course:
Small Heath: 1 River Crane: Painted Lady: 1 Marshalling Yards: Small Heath: 3 Green-veined White: 1 Common Blue: 3
Meadow Brown: 2 Heath/Heather/Railway: Common Blue: 1 Small Heath: 4 |
Peter Gore |
| 7 Jun |
2 Speckled Wood at Trent Park (1 near Oakwood entrance, 1 near Dew Pond), 19 Small Heath at 'New Fields' Trent Park 13:35 - 14:35
hrs, 9 Large Skipper including one female at Trent Park (8 at 'New Fields', 1 near Dew Pond), 5 Small Copper at Trent Park 'New Fields' 13:35 -
14:35 hrs, 6 male Common Blue at Trent Park 'New Fields', 1 Holly Blue E edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park, 1 Small Heath at Vicarage
Farm (TQ 30 97). 9 Chimney Sweeper at 'New Fields' Trent Park this afternoon in the usual field, also 4 Cinnabar, 1 Mother Shipton at
Trent Park 'New Fields' and 1 Burnet Companion at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 6 Jun |
St Pauls Cathedral gardens: 2 Holly Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small White. Not bad from central London during a stunning
lunchtime break |
Phil MacMurdie |
| 6 Jun |
Off-transect records at Minet Country Park, Hayes (TQ 11 79) included 10 Cinnabar, a Silver Y, a Burnet Companion moths
and 4 Common Blue and a Brown Argus butterfly. There is quite an extensive patch of Elm at the back of the park and spent another 30 minutes, in
the hope of seeing a White-letter Hairstreak, but alas none (yet). Although, did see my first Large Skipper of the year on the transect route, as well
as a Small Heath and Yellow Shell moth |
Paul Busby |
| 6 Jun |
Land off Hillbrow, Letchworth Garden City this afternoon, Small Blue 44 including mating pairs and egg laying, Common Blue
16, Brown Argus 4, Meadow Brown 4, Large Skipper 1, Brimstone 1 |
Andrew Wood |
| 6 Jun |
After a poor lunchtime butterfly walk at Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits seeing only a Large White, Small White and Holly Blue,
it was very satisfying at 6:30 pm this evening to see my first Painted Lady of the year in my South Mymms front garden |
Terry Wood |
| 6 Jun |
1 Holly Blue and 3 Speckled Wood at Gough Park, Forty Hill, 8 Speckled Wood at Forty Hall CP, 1 Green-veined White
near Maiden's Bridge, Forty Hall CP, 1 male Large White at Maiden's Bridge, Bull's Cross, 1 male Large Skipper at Whitewebbs Park at 15:23 hrs,
1 Speckled Wood and 2 male Meadow Brown at Whitewebbs Park, 2 Holly Blue at Hilly Fields Park, Enfield, 2 Speckled Wood at Hilly
Fields Park. 4 Chimney Sweeper at Forty Hall CP (TQ 336 988), 2 Silver Y at Forty Hall CP, 1 Silver Y and 1 Cinnabar at
Whitewebbs Park |
Robert Callf |
| 6 Jun |
Hounslow: Sunshine throughout the afternoon and an increase in sightings: Hounslow Heath: Small Heath: 1 Speckled Wood: 1
Brown Argus: 1 Large Skipper: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Speckled Wood: 3 Common Blue: 2 Small Heath: 2 Peacock:
1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 4 Meadow Brown: 2 Common Blue: 10 Large Skipper: 1 Green Hairstreak: 1 Pevensey:
Red Admiral: 1 Small Heath: 2 Common Blue: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Peacock: 1 Small Copper: 1 Small Heath: 7
Common Blue: 2 Brimstone: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 6 Jun |
In Bencroft field I saw 10 Large Skippers, 12 Meadow Brown, 6 Small Heath, 4 Common Blue, one Small Copper,
a Mother Shipton, 4 Burnet Companion, 1 Silver Y and a Latticed Heath |
Steve Kiln |
| 6 Jun |
Harpenden Common: 6 Common Blue; 3 Small Heath; 1 Small White; 5 Speckled Wood; nest of Small Tortoiseshell larvae;
Nettle-tap; Crambus lathoniellus |
David Hunt |
| 6 Jun |
Stevenage GSK Site meadow: Common Blue 47, Small Heath 2, Brown Argus 6, Meadow Brown 7, Holly Blue 5,
Large Skipper 4, Small White 1 and moths Burnet Companion 18, Cinnabar 9. Emperor dragonflies and Common Blue, Blue-tailed and
Red-eyed damselflies present on lake |
Trevor Chapman |
| 5 Jun |
Some off-transect records for Roxbourne Rough, Eastcote with a Meadow Brown, 2 Common Blue, a Burnet Companion and
Silver Y moth |
Paul Busby |
| 5 Jun |
Hounslow: Cloud followed by sun today, to an extent reversing yesterday's experience: Hounslow Heath: Brown Argus: 1 Heath---ex Golf
Course: Common Blue: 1 Brown Argus: 1 Small Heath: 1 River Crane: Common Blue: 1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 5
Large Skipper: 1 Small Heath: 4 Common Blue: 8 Pevensey: Speckled Wood: 1 Small Heath: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway:
Speckled Wood: 1 Small Heath: 10 Common Blue: 2. Moths: 1 Cinnabar, 1 Silver Y 1 Mother Shipton 3 Burnet
Companion |
Peter Gore |
| 5 Jun |
In Oakwood Park (14:55 - 15:40 hrs) - 1 Red Admiral W of 10 km line at Conservation Pond at 15:00 hrs, 1 Small Copper W of 10 km
line at 15:08 hrs, 14 Meadow Brown, 2 Large Skipper W of 10 km line, 9 Common Blue. including one female (some W and some E of 10 km
line). Also 12 Orange Conch (Commophila aeneana) - 6 W of 10 km line including a pair copulating at 15:11 hrs and 6 E of 10 km line - most were
very bright and fresh, they were really co-operative not flying far and settling, 3 Mother Shipton 1 W of 10 km line, 2 E of 10 km line, 3 Burnet
Companion including one W of 10 km line, 1 Yellow Shell E of 10 km line, 1 Cinnabar E of 10 km line |
Robert Callf |
| 4 Jun |
A single Speckled Wood by the Thames Path in Staines (TQ037708) |
Paul Busby |
| 4 Jun |
Hounslow: Mid afternoon sunshine soon gave way cloud and really gloomy conditions on the return journey but a very fresh-looking Meadow Brown,
first of the year here was reward enough and the variety seen good in the conditions: Hounslow Heath: Brown Argus: 1 Speckled Wood: 2
Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled Wood: 2 Small Copper: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Speckled Wood: 1 Common Blue: 2 Small Heath:
1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 1 Meadow Brown: 1 Painted Lady: 1 plus 1 each of Silver Y and Cinnabar and at least 5
Burnet Companion moths |
Peter Gore |
| 4 Jun |
1 Bee Moth at Dalrymple Close, N14 and 1 Treble Brown Spot at Chase Road/Chelmsford Road, N14 |
Robert Callf |
| 4 Jun |
A female Nemophora degeerella in my south Harpenden garden this morning |
David Hunt |
| 3 Jun |
Couldn't resist another visit to Aldbury Nowers as was passing on walk to Pitstone this afternoon. At bottom enclosure noted 1 Speckled
Wood, 5 Common Blue, 10 Small Heath, 1 Orange-tip, 1 Brimstone, 4 Meadow Brown. Moths were 6 Silver Y, 1
Cinnabar, 1 Burnet Companion, 2 Mother Shipton, 2 Common Carpet. At next enclosure 1 Small Heath, 1 Meadow Brown,
2 Common Blue. Moths 2 Silver Y, 1 Common Carpet, 1 Burnet Companion. Lastly at Duchies Piece were 4 Brown Argus, 14
Small Heath, 4 Meadow Brown, 3 Brimstone, 4 Common Blue and 3 Silver Y. In Bushey garden another 2 Small Dusty
Wave and 1 Garden Carpet |
David Gower |
| 3 Jun |
Brown Argus and Small White seen near entrance of Gutteridge Wood plus 4 Speckled Wood, 2 Common Blue and 4
Burnet Companion moths at Cutthroat Wood clearing (TQ 08 84) plus a further 2 Common Blue and 2 Burnet Companion moths at Gutteridge
Wood pond area. Late afternoon, very brief stop at Nine of Herts Golf Club, Batchworth Heath and saw my first 2 Meadow Browns and a Common Blue.
(TQ 07 92). Further afield, saw tens of Painted Ladies on Jersey last week, heading north? |
Paul Busby |
| 3 Jun |
Not much in the rides in Broxbourne Woods but in the field behind Bencroft very long grass: 4 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Copper, 7
Large Skipper and 10 Small Heath, also Mother Shipton, Burnet Companion and
Latticed Heath |
Steve Kiln |
| 3 Jun |
Hounslow: Sunshine throughout a morning walk, the highlights were two 2 "old" species rather than new ones. I spent a ridiculous amount of
time following what I was sure was a Green-veined White and was duly rewarded, when it settled, as perhaps I should be in these circumstances, by the sight
of a rather faded female Orange-tip dragging her species into June. My pleasure at this fairly mundane experience was all the more exaggerated because
moments earlier I'd been watching a Green Hairstreak. This individual I at first saw as a female Common Blue, then some unknown species and only finally as
what it was. Virtually all the colouring had gone from its wings with only a thin band of green visible nearest its body. The remains of the "hairstreaks"
were just about apparent if you looked close enough but it was the characteristic closed wings and movement from Broom-tips to Broom-tips that left no doubt.
Here are the full details: Hounslow Heath: Speckled Wood: 3 Orange-tip: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Small White: 1 Heath--ex-Golf
Course: Speckled Wood: 1 Small Heath: 4 Common Blue: 1 River Crane: Common Blue: 3 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 4
Brown Argus: 1 Common Blue: 17 Green-veined White: 1 Small Heath: 4 Pevensey: Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Small
Heath: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Small Heath: 3 Common Blue: 1 Green Hairstreak: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 plus 3 Cinnabar,
3 Burnet Companion, 2 Silver Y and 1 Mother Shipton moths across the site |
Peter Gore |
| 3 Jun |
Trent Park - 3 Large Skipper at 'New Fields', 11 Common Blue (10 at 'New Fields', 1 by lower lake), 11 Meadow Brown at
'New Fields', 32 Small Heath at 'New Fields 11:00 - 12:00 hrs, 7 Small Copper at 'New Fields', 3 Speckled Wood at Trent Park, 1 Red
Admiral by lower lake, Trent Park at 12:20 hrs, 1 Holly Blue at Water Garden, Trent Park. 1 Holly Blue at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97),
female Brown Argus at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) at 13:00 hrs - my first of the year! 1 Peacock at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97)
1 Small Yellow Underwing at 'New Fields' Trent Park, also here 11 Cinnabar, 2 Burnet Companion, 2 Chimney Sweeper and 2 Silver
Y. 1 Alabonia geofrella at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) at 13:13 hrs. 1 Treble Brown Spot at ASDA Southgate, 1 Treble Brown Spot,
1 Straw Dot and 1 Lychnis (a new species for the tetrad) at Dalrymple Close, N14 |
Robert Callf |
| 2 Jun |
1 early morning Meadow Brown at Tyttenhanger GP and at Greenwood Park 15+ Meadow Browns, 4 Common Blues, 8+ Burnet
Companion, 2 Silver Y, 1 Cinnabar |
Andrew Steele |
| 2 Jun |
Five Commom Blue at Hollingson Meads, Pye corner this evening, no idea why they are there no habitat (3ft sward!) or food plant nearby
but there they were! |
Laurence Drummond |
| 2 Jun |
Heartwood Forest Sandridge - Small Blue on west side of Well Wood (TL157116), just where transect route emerges from the wood. Also
good numbers of Small Heath, Common Blue, Brimstones plus a few late Peacocks and Orange-tips. Nomansland Common -
Small Coppers, Small Heath and Common Blues |
Malcolm Hull |
| 2 Jun |
Back to Fishers Field Nature Reserve this morning sightings being 3 Speckled Wood, 6 Common Blue, 1 Brimstone(m), 2
Small Copper, 2 Meadow Brown(f), 1 Garden Carpet moth, 1 Mother Shipton, 1 Cinnabar. Back home at Bushey garden 1
Large White, 1 Small Magpie, 1 Straw Dot. On nettles around 8 Mother of Pearl caterpillars. Visiting house last night were
1 Small Dusty Wave & 1 Treble-brown Spot |
David Gower |
| 2 Jun |
Hounslow: More sunshine today and more butterflies including the first Large Skippers of the year: Hounslow Heath: Brown Argus: 3
Common Blue: 3 Small Heath: 1 Large Skipper: 1 Heath--ex Golf Course: Small Heath: 3 Small Copper: 1 Common Blue:
1 Large Skipper: 1 River Crane: Speckled Wood: 1 Marshalling Yards: Common Blue: 15 Small White: 1 Speckled Wood: 8
Brown Argus: 4 Large Skipper: 1 Pevensey: Holly Blue: 1 Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled
Wood: 1 Small Heath: 2 Common Blue: 1 Large Skipper: 1 and across the site 4 Cinnabar, 8 Silver Y, 3 Mother
Shipton and 6 Burnet Companion moths |
Peter Gore |
| 2 Jun |
Oakwood Park (15:25 - 16:30 hrs)- 6 male Meadow Brown, 19 Common Blue - probably my highest count for this site! 3 Small
Copper 2 males and 1 female, 1 Painted Lady nectaring on bramble patch at 16:03 hrs (E of 10 km line) - my first of the year!
1 White
Ermine and 1 Small Dusty Wave at ASDA Southgate. 1 Commophila aeneana settled at Oakwood Park (E of 10 km line)
- the oily black spots really stand out from the orange background, also possibly a couple seen in flight only - my first of the year. Other moths at this
site - 8 Burnet Companion (most E of 10 km line), 2 Yellow Shell (1 W of 10 km line, 1 E of 10 km line) - my first of the year, 3 Silver
Y (E of 10 km line), no Mother Shipton confirmed today |
Robert Callf |
| 1 Jun |
Hounslow: Morning sunshine was soon lost but conditions remained favourable enough for reasonable numbers of butterflies: Hounslow Heath:
Green-veined White: 2 Speckled Wood: 6 Common Blue: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Small White: 1 Heath--ex Golf Course: Common
Blue: 2 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 3 Small Heath: 2 Painted Lady: 1 Common Blue: 8 Brown Argus: 2 Pevensey:
Red Admiral: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Small Heath: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Small Heath: 2 Common Blue: 1 Brown Argus: 1.
Numerous moths, those counted were Mother Shipton: 4 Cinnabar: 5 Burnet Companion: 7 Silver Y: 5 across the whole site but most
common on the Marshalling Yards, true numbers being rather higher |
Peter Gore |
| 1 Jun |
Chiswell Green, St Albans - visited Greenwood Park to discuss creation of Small Blue habitat with the parish council. Large Skipper,
Meadow Brown, Common Blue and Burnet Companion all flying in the meadow. Later at the Butterfly World Perimeter fence we say 5 Small
Blues, including two feeding on horse dung. This afternoon we visited Redbourn Lane, Redbourn and recorded 3 Small Blues |
Malcolm Hull
Sharon Hearle
Mandy Floyd |
| 1 Jun |
Harpenden Common: 3 Common Blue; 1 Small Heath; 1 Silver Y. My south Harpenden garden: 1 Speckled Wood |
David Hunt |
| 1 Jun |
2 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 1 male Meadow Brown at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 10:26 hrs, 3
male Meadow Brown at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 Small Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 2 Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course'
Trent Park, 2 Small Copper at Trent Park (1 near Water Garden, 1 near Dew Pond), 4 Speckled Wood at Trent Park (3 at Water Garden, 1 near
Equestrian Centre). 1 Speckled Wood at Town Park, Enfield at 15:15 hrs
Some moths at ASDA Southgate at 1:15 am - 1 Willow Beauty, 1
Brimstone Moth, 1 Common Marbled Carpet. 1 Bee Moth at bus-stop shelter Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 (TQ 295 951) this morning. 3
Silver Y at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 Blood-vein at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 Green Oak Tortrix settled on gate
at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 Nettle-tap at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 5 Silver Y at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 Cinnabar
and 1 Straw Dot at Park Farm, Enfield, 2 Silver Y at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Cinnabar at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park. 1
Mother Shipton at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) and 1 Burnet Companion at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park. 1 Small Magpie at ASDA Southgate
and 1 Light Emerald at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 23:40 hrs - both first for the year |
Robert Callf |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 31 May |
1 Speckled Wood at Northwood HQ Sandy Lane and 1 Small Magpie moth in Bushey garden |
David Gower |
| 31 May |
A White-letter Hairstreak reported at Greenford this morning - see David's twitter page |
David Howdon |
| 31 May |
A beautiful Painted Lady at St James's Park, London SW1A this afternoon |
Frank Nugent |
| 31 May |
First Meadow Browns (2) on the chalky bank off Martins Way in Stevenage |
Peter Clarke |
| 31 May |
1 Small White - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 31 May |
My first Painted Lady in the garden at St Albans this afternoon |
Mandy Floyd |
| 31 May |
At Trent Park 'New Fields' (TQ 286 965) between 13:40 - 14:40 hrs - 23 Small Heath, 7 Small Copper, 8 male Common Blue,
1 male Meadow Brown - my first of the year! 4 Speckled Wood at Trent Park (1 Water Garden, 3 Shaws Wood). Sightings
at Vicarage Farm near Merryhills Brook (TQ 29 97) - 6 Small Heath. 12 Chimney Sweeper at 'New Fields' Trent Park (TQ 286 965) - my first of the
year, also here 1 Straw Dot , 5 Cinnabar, 6 Mother Shipton, 2 Silver Y, 3 Burnet Companion. 1 Blood-vein and 1
Mother Shipton at Vicarage Farm near Merryhills Brook (TQ 29 97) |
Robert Callf |
| 30 May |
We visited Frogmore in the hope of finding some Grizzled Skippers roosting but despite searching all the areas accessible we found none.
Recent rain meant that water levels had risen so getting around the site was even more difficult in places. We then decided to look for Grizzled Skipper eggs,
and to our amazement we found 41 scattered across the site, some in areas we have previously never seen Grizzled Skipper. All bar 3 were on Agrimony with 3
eggs found on the top of the leaves, and 3 were found on Wild Strawberry. We don't doubt that eggs are laid on Strawberry and Cinquefoil as observed at
other sites but Agrimony is by far the easiest to search. Of these 41 eggs, 7 had hatched - we found two minute caterpillars on two leaves where they were
beginning to form tents and one where the caterpillar was already in a tent. At the beginning most other butterflies and moths were roosting but gradually
by about 3.30 the day was brightening up and 3 adult Grizzled Skipper were seen near the entrance. Also Common Blue and Brown Argus became active and
combined with the roost counts we recorded 14 Brown Argus, 14 Common Blue, 6 Small Heath, 1 Small Copper, 4 Silver Y, 1
Light Emerald moth, 11 Cinnabar and 2 Treble-bars roosting together and a Mullein moth caterpillar |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 30 May |
Hounslow: Cloudy conditions with butterfly sightings limited to the Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 3 Common Blue: 2
Small White: 1 Brown Argus: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 30 May |
1 male Common Blue at Grovelands Park, Southgate at 15:52 hrs. Moths at Grovelands Park: 2 Silver Y, 1 Straw Dot
(my first of the year!) and 1 Yellow-barred Longhorn (Nemophora degeerella). 1 Silver Y at Dalrymple Close, N14 |
Robert Callf |
| 30 May |
1 x White Ermine moth seen on the steps at Bushey station this morning |
David Gower |
| 28 May |
I spent just over an hour at Aldbury Nowers. At top nature reserve came across 3 x Small Heath, 6 x Brimstone (m), 8 x
Common Blue (m), 1 x Orange-tip (m), 2 x Silver Y moths, 2 x Mother Shipton. Duchies Piece next, seeing 5 x Small
Heath, 1 x Brimstone (m), 1 x Brown Argus, 1 x Common Carpet. At next enclosure, were 2 x Common Blue (m), 2 x
Small Heath, 1 x Large White, 1 x Brimstone (m). Lastly at lowest enclosure, spotted 1 x Speckled Wood, 6 x Small
Heath, 1 x Small Copper, 2 x Large White, 2 x Brimstone (1 female), 6 x Common Blues (m), 2 x Grizzled Skippers.
Moths were 3 x Silver Y, 1 x Common Carpet, 1 x Celypha lacunana |
David Gower |
| 28 May |
1 Speckled Wood at The Ridgeway, Enfield near Slades Hill, 1 male Orange-tip at New Cottage Farm Potters Bar at 14:56 hrs, 2
Speckled Wood at Potters Bar near New Cottage Farm, 1 Large Skipper near Fir & Pond Woods LNR (TL 274 010) at 15:08 hrs - my first of the year!
1 Speckled Wood at Fir & Pond Woods LNR at 15:25 hrs, 1 Red Admiral at Fir & Pond Woods LNR at 15:50 hrs, 1 Speckled Wood and 1
Holly Blue at Oakmere Park, Potters Bar (TL 264 011), 1 Holly Blue at Chase Side, N14 near ASDA Southgate at 17:44 hrs. 9 Alabonia
geoffrella at Fir & Pond Woods LNR after 3 pm, 1 Yellow-barred Longhorn Moth (Nemophora degeerella) at Fir & Pond Woods LNR - my first
of the year, 1 Silver-ground Carpet at Fir & Pond Woods LNR - my first of the year, 1 Mint Moth (P. aurata) at Fir & Pond Woods LNR,
1 Common Marbled Carpet at ASDA Southgate, 1 Common Marbled Carpet at Chase Road, N14 (TQ 296 946) |
Robert Callf |
| 28 May |
I went back to the open green space to the west of Coppetts Wood this evening (18.30 to 19.30) (TQ 27498 91476) to see if I could find Common
Blues roosting. I saw two male Common Blues and found 1 female who settled down to roost giving me some nice pictures. I also saw around five
Holly Blues nectaring on a plant which from its leaves looked like it was from the pea family. Also two Small Coppers darting around too fast
to get a picture |
Miles Attenborough |
| 28 May |
Hillbrow LGC - A walk around the main site and bridleway: Small Blue x50+; Common Blue x11 (including a 'blue form'
female); Brown Argus x1; Brimstone x3; Yellow Shell x2; Burnet Companion x3; Silver Y x20+ and Cinnabar x2 |
Roger Millard |
| 28 May |
My first Painted Lady of the year on the grassy bank near the Fairlands Way/Grace Way junction in Stevenage. Also one in my garden
later, feeding on 'Bowles Mauve' |
Peter Clarke |
| 27 May |
Painted Lady seen at Little Tring in field adjacent to footpath alongside road leading to Wilstone |
Doug Helsby |
| 27 May |
11 Common Blue including two females at Oakwood Park (most E of 10 km line), 2 Small Copper at Oakwood Park (E of 10 km line),
1 Speckled Wood and 1 Holly Blue W of 10 km line at Oakwood Park. 3 Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata) at Oakwood Park near
Conservation Pond (W of 10 km line), 2 Burnet Companion - my first of the year and 2 Silver Y at Oakwood Park (E of 10 km line) - my first
of the year, 1 Blood-vein at Oakwood Park (E of 10 km line), 8 Mother Shipton at Oakwood Park (1 W of 10 km line, 7 E of 10 km line),
1 Bright-line Brown-eye at ASDA Southgate - my first of the year |
Robert Callf |
| 27 May |
A shorter walk at Stanwell Moor (because of the heat and humidity), but still around 50 butterflies counted:: Large White 2,
Small White 3, Green-veined White 2, Brown Argus 7, Common Blue 10, Holly Blue 7, Red Admiral 1, Comma 1,
Speckled Wood 3, Small Heath 12.
A rare excursion for me down the path towards Staines Moor. Before reaching Staines Moor proper, the path
gives access to some open wild grassland, and here I found several Brown Argus and Common Blues, a Red Admiral and two Small
Coppers, one of which was a nice female |
Dave Miller |
| 27 May |
We had a work party on Halsey Field and saw 11 species of butterfly and 3 species of day flying moths altogether. Butterflies included:
Common Blue (lots), Brown Argus (also a great number, though not as many as the Common Blues), 1 Small Copper, 1 Peacock,
several Brimstone, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Orange-tip, a couple of Holly Blues, 1
Speckled Wood and several Small White. Moths included: Mother Shipton, Silver Y and 1 Beautiful Golden Y.
No sign of a Green Hairstreak today though! |
Chris Ridley |
| 27 May |
Visited Coppetts Wood and the neighbouring green link today first thing between 8.00 and 9.00 I saw 1 Green-veined White, one
Large White and two Holly Blue. I returned from 17.30 to 18.30 and was pleased to find a male Common Blue and a mating pair of Common
Blues, which I have never seen here before, a Small Copper, and two Holly Blues in the green link area (TQ 27498 91476), and a male
Orange-tip, a Comma, a Green-veined White, two Holly Blues and a Speckled Wood in Coppetts Wood (TQ 27577 91389) |
Miles Attenborough |
| 27 May |
At Tyttenhanger GPs had 1 Brown Argus, 2 Orange-tips, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Peacock, 1 Cinnabar, 2 Small
Heath, 5+ Small Whites, 3 Green-veined Whites, 5+ Large White and 1 Speckled Wood |
Andrew Steele |
| 27 May |
Merryhill Fields, Bushey seeing 1 x Peacock, 2 x Speckled Wood, 4 x Small White, 2 x Holly Blue, 1 x Orange-tip
(m), 5 x Brimstone (m). Moths were 1 x Burnet Companion, 4 x Silver Y, 2 x Mother Shipton, 1 x Nemophora degeerella,
1 x Alabonia geoffrella. In Bushey garden 2 x Holly Blue, 1 x Small White |
David Gower |
| 26 May |
This morning at St James churchyard, Bushey: 4 x Speckled Wood, 2 x Large White, 3 x Holly Blue, 2 x Orange-tip (f).
At Water Lane, Watford: 4 x Holly Blue, 2 x Orange-tip (m), 3 x Small White, 2 x Large White, 2 x Common Blue (m), 1 x
Brimstone (f), 1 x Silver Y, 1 x Cinnabar, 1 x Burnet Companion. Fishers Field Nature Reserve, Bushey noted 2 x Brimstone
(f), 1 x Peacock, 1 x Small White, 1 x Holly Blue , and 3 species I don't recall recording here before which were 3 x Common Blue
(m), 1 x Brown Argos, 1 x Small Copper. Tonight in Bushey garden were 2 x Light Brown Apple and 1 x Small Dusty Wave moths |
David Gower |
| 26 May |
Hounslow: Horribly humid, but plenty of sunshine led to reasonable numbers of butterflies and good variety: Hounslow Heath: Orange-tip:
1 Small Heath: 2 Brimstone: 1 Small White: 1 Heath--ex Golf Course: Speckled Wood: 2 Green-veined White: 2
Holly Blue: 1 Large White: 1 Orange-tip: 1 Brimstone: 1 Small Heath: 3 River Crane: Holly Blue: 1 Marshalling Yards:
Peacock: 1 Speckled Wood: 6 Brown Argus: 2 Common Blue: 3 Painted Lady: 1 and one each of Burnet Companion,
Cinnabar and Mother Shipton moths. Pevensey: Holly Blue: 2 Speckled Wood: 2 Heath/Heather/Railway: Common Blue: 2(1m,1f)
Green Hairstreak: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 26 May |
1 Orange-tip male - horse fields off Purwell Lane, Hitchin TL202296 |
David Inward |
| 26 May |
1 Holly Blue and 1 Silver Y in my south Harpenden garden. Of potential interest, a Puss Moth in my light trap this morning |
David Hunt |
| 26 May |
2 Small Dusty Wave at bus-stop shelter at Chase Road near Charter Way this morning. Small White, 3 Speckled Wood and 1
Red Admiral at Arnos Park, N11 late morning/early afternoon. 1 Holly Blue at Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, N13. 1 Lime-speck Pug at
ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 25 May |
Male Common Blue at Golders Green Crematorium (TQ252879) |
Paul Busby |
| 25 May |
1 Cinnabar at Grovelands Park, Southgate this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 25 May |
Hounslow: Not much to report on a cloudy day, just 2 Common Blues on the Marshalling Yards with 1 Speckled Wood and an earlier
Speckled Wood on the Heath. They were substantially outnumbered by Mother Shipton moths but only 3 of these were recorded the rest being too
active to be formally identified |
Peter Gore |
| 24 May |
2 Green-veined White at Hilly Fields Park, Enfield (TQ 321 984) this afternoon. 1 Green-veined White at Whitewebbs Park,
2 Holly Blue (1 at Strayfield Road, EN2 at 15:28 hrs, 1 at Forty Hall CP near Maiden's Bridge - TQ 341 987 at 17:21 hrs) |
Robert Callf |
| 24 May |
A leisurely ramble around Harpenden Common on a sunny afternoon produced the following butterflies: 1 Speckled Wood;
1 Small Heath; 1 Orange-tip (male); 3 Green-veined White; 3 Common Blue (males); and 1 very fresh Comma
var. hutchinsoni. Diurnal moths: 1 Burnet Companion; 2 Adela rufimitrella on Hedge Garlic flowers; 1 Common Carpet;
and several Glyphipterix simpliciella (Cocksfoot Moth) on buttercup flowers |
David Hunt |
| 24 May |
More butterflies seen off transect than on it, at Roxbourne Rough, Eastcore and saw my first 2 male Common Blues as well as 2
Brown Argus in the wet meadow area (TQ 12 87) |
Paul Busby |
| 23 May |
A gentle wander around my local patch at Stanwell Moor produced around 50 butterflies of 12 species: Large White 6, Small White 5,
Green-veined White 2, Brimstone 2, Brown Argus 2, Common Blue 5, Holly Blue 10, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 2,
Speckled Wood 5, Small Heath 10. It's good to see the Brown Argus and Common Blues starting to increase |
Dave Miller |
| 23 May |
Today, we held an intensive survey of both north and south pits at Waterford Heath to try and understand how the Grizzled Skipper
'ticks' at these two sites.
We started at the north pit just after 8.30 in cloudy, windy and poor conditions. Starting at the cliff face under the
Sacombe Road we quickly found several roosting Grizzled Skippers but numbers started to decrease as we walked towards the north end of the pit and
around to the railway line. Some brightness allowed some Grizzled Skippers to probably come off their roosts. Checking the sex of the individuals
found, the majority on the north pit were male! We also found 1 egg on Common Agrimony. Counts on the north pit were 24 Grizzled Skipper plus 1
dead on a seed head, 28 Brown Argus, 5 Common Blue, 11 Cinnabar and 2 Silver Y moths.
We then went to the South Pit
where most butterflies were now flying in the afternoon sun. A thorough search of key areas found 27 Grizzled Skipper including 1 female
roosting at the end of the survey near the entrance! We also followed several female Grizzled Skippers including 1 that laid eggs on both Agrimony and
Creeping Cinquefoil. 3 other eggs were found on Agrimony. Also seen were 49 Brown Argus, 37 Common Blue, 12 Small Heath, 4
Small Copper, 1 Small White, 1 Peacock, 5 Holly Blue (including at least one egg laying on Goat's Rue), 1 Comma,
1 Brimstone, 1 Orange-tip, 1 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 9 Cinnabar, 4 Burnet Companion, 1 Silver
Y and 1 Diamond-back moth.(Finishing at 4.25) |
Liz Goodyear
Steve Kiln
Andrew Middleton
Andrew Wood |
| 23 May |
After 4.25 pm we went to Rickneys and in 30 minutes found 6 roosting Grizzled Skipper, 8 Common Blue and 6
Brown Argus |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 23 May |
This afternoon in Oakwood Park - at least 4 Mother Shipton (1 W of 10 km line and 3 E of 10 km line), 5 Common Blue
(1 male W of 10 km line and 4 including a nice female with wings spread E of 10 km line) - beautifully fresh, 1 Small Heath (TQ 300 951), 1
Speckled Wood E of 10 km line |
Robert Callf |
| 23 May |
Hounslow: Mostly sunny and breezy, today's sightings included a female Common Blue for the first time this year: Hounslow Heath:
Green-veined White: 2 Small Heath: 2 Orange-tip: 2 Large White: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Speckled Wood: 2
Small Tortoiseshell: 1 River Crane: Brown Argus: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 6 Holly Blue:
1 Green-veined White: 1 Common Blue: 7 Brown Argus: 1 and one each Cinnabar and Burnet Companion moths. Pevensey:
Small White: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Peacock: 1 Common Blue: 2 Small Heath:
1 Speckled Wood: 1 and one Mother Shipton moth |
Peter Gore |
| 22 May |
Four spotted moth seen at Peterborough. (Although not in our area, was asked to announce sighting -
Peter) |
Sharon Hearle |
| 22 May |
My neighbour Brian very kindly showed me a Lime Hawk moth he had found in his garden in Bounds Green North London this evening |
Miles Attenborough |
| 22 May |
Pleased to see 3 Small Blue in the grassland by the back road to the services at Bourne End and a Holly Blue perched on a
bush, near Upper Bourne End Lane. Then, late afternoon at Welsh Harp Environmental Centre, London borough of Brent saw 2 Holly Blues, a
Comma, Large White and at least 3 Speckled Woods |
Paul Busby |
| 22 May |
1 female Large White edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park this afternoon. 1 Holly Blue at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 13:11 hrs,
1 Holly Blue at Chase Road, N14 near Charter Way at 13:17 hrs, 1 Holly Blue near Oakwood entrance, Trent Park, 6 Small Copper
at 'New Fields' Trent Park from 13:25 - 14:10 hrs, 1 Peacock near Triangular Wood, Trent Park at 13:48 hrs, 14 Small Heath at Trent
Park (13 at 'New Fields', 1 at 'Old Golf Course'), 1 Cinnabar at 'New Fields' Trent Park, 1 Mother Shipton at 'New Fields' Trent Park,
1 male Brimstone near Church Wood, Trent Park at 14:06 hrs, 2 Common Blue at Trent Park (male near Cockfosters entrance and female near
Ride Wood), 2 male Orange-tip at Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood at Nature Trail, Trent Park, 1 male Orange-tip near Duncan's Wood,
Enfield Chase at 15:39 hrs, 1 Peacock along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 2 Holly Blue together at Hadley
Road/Parkside Farm at 16;07 hrs, 1 Holly Blue at Vicarage Farm (TQ 30 97) and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Vicarage Farm near Firing Range
(TQ 30 97) at 16:34 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 22 May |
A perfect sunny afternoon in Chiswell Green, the butterflies were really enjoying the warmth around (TL124 044) an area off Chiswell
Green Lane, St Albans - 4 Orange-tips, Peacock 3, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue, Small Blue 10, Comma.
Further on my walk my sightings got even better, Small Blue 25, Orange-tip 5, Common Blue 6, Brimstone 3, Peacock 4,
Small Tortoiseshell 2, Brown Argus (f). |
Mandy Floyd |
| 22 May |
I visited Hexton Chalk Pit late morning for around 1½ hours, mainly sunny, but a little breezy. I've never seen so many
Dingy Skippers, must have been at least 70. Also 12 Brimstones (2 females), 10 Small Heath, 6 Common Blue, 2 Holly
Blue, 1 Green Hairstreak (very shy), 3 Large White and 5 Orange-tips (all female). I then made my first ever visit to
Hillbrow, Letchworth. First butterfly I saw, a Small Blue, went on to see at least 15+, also 6 Common Blue, 2 Holly Blue, 1
Brown Argus, 6 Brimstones, 3 Orange-tips, 2 Large White. Mainly sunny and very breezy |
Steve Lane |
| 22 May |
Hounslow: A mix of cloud and sunshine but reasonable numbers of butterflies and Common Blue leading the way without the assistance of
any females. 2 Holly Blues on Whitton Road TW3 2EG then Hounslow Heath: Brimstone: 1 Peacock: 1 Speckled Wood: 1
Holly Blue: 2 Large White: 1 Small Heath: 1 Orange-tip: 2 Heath---ex Golf Course: Speckled Wood: 2 River Crane:
Brimstone: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Marshalling Yards: Orange-tip: 1 Common Blue: 7 Speckled Wood: 1 Green
Hairstreak: 1 Brimstone: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Green-veined White: 1 (also 1 each of Cinnabar, Burnet Companion and
Mother Shipton moths) Pevensey: Brimstone: 1 Orange-tip: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Common Blue: 1 Brown Argus:
1 Small Heath: 1 Brimstone: 1 Holly Blue: 1 (and another Mother Shipton) |
Peter Gore |
| 21 May |
Whilst walking our dog on Staines Moor I saw the following species: Speckled Wood (from the footpath leading up to the moor from
Hithermoor Road), at least 4 Holly Blues (also before the moor), 2 Small Coppers and 2 Small Heath on the moor itself. I saw one other blue
butterfly in flight, I didn't see it settle but I suspect it was an early Common Blue |
Jeremy Soane |
| 21 May |
A late afternoon visit to a particular area of my local patch at Stanwell Moor revealed that two more species had emerged - Common
Blue and Brown Argus. I found just one of each, along with two or three Small Heaths |
Dave Miller |
| 21 May |
Despite really nice weather, relatively few insects flying today, but some highlights, two Mother Shipton, Burnet
Companion moths, a Large White and Brimstone butterfly, all around a patch of Ragged Robin seen at Gutteridge Wood Meadow (TQ 09 84)
with a solitary Broad Bodied Chaser patrolling the pond. Amidst a number of Banded Demioselle at Little Britain Ford (TQ 04 81) saw a solitary female
Orange-tip on Garlic Mustard. Whilst on Minet Country Park transect saw my first tiny Brown Argus of the year and a Blood-vein
moth with a couple of male Broad Bodied Chasers on the pond |
Paul Busby |
| 21 May |
1 Holly Blue - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 21 May |
2 Holly Blue at Whitewebbs Farm, Enfield (TL 327 004), 1 male Orange-tip at Forty Hall CP at 17:13 hrs and 1 Speckled
Wood here at 17:24 hrs. 1 Cinnabar at Guy Lodge Farm, Enfield (TQ 330 998) this afternoon at 16:21 hrs - my first of the year. 1
Spectacle at ASDA Southgate - my first for this site! |
Robert Callf |
| 21 May |
Therfield Heath (Church Hill south side): Brown Argus (12), Common Blue (7 males), Brimstone (3 males),
Orange-tip (1 male) and various whites. Also one very worn Speckled Wood in nearby woodland |
Martin Johnson |
| 21 May |
Hounslow: Out in morning sunshine but back in afternoon cloud and humidity. Butterflies generally similar to yesterday with my first
Burnet Companion of the year on the Marshalling Yards together with a Mother Shipton. Otherwise as follows: Hounslow Heath:
Green-veined White: 3 Small White: 1 Orange-tip: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Green-veined White: 2 River Crane:
Holly Blue: 1 Brown Argus: 1 Marshalling Yards: Orange-tip: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Small Copper: 1 Common Blue:
5 Brown Argus: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Peacock: 1 Pevensey: Orange-tip: 3 Holly Blue: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway:
Small Copper: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 21 May |
A Speckled Wood just visited my woodland garden in Welwyn Garden City |
Ivan Judd |
| 20 May |
1 Holly Blue along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 300 983) at 15:44 hrs, 1 Comma along Salmons Brook at
Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 302 980) at 16:03 hrs, 2 Mother Shipton at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 2 Small Heath at Vicarage Farm,
Enfield (TQ 30 97) and 1 Peacock at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 16:31 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 20 May |
We joined David and Karen from the Box Moor Trust and 5 other members at Bovingdon Brickworks for our now annual guided walk around this
lovely site. For once the sun was shining but despite this, butterflies were quite elusive! We were able to get good views of several Dingy
Skippers and 20 were recorded either on the field or in the 'pits'. Also seen were several Large White, Green-veined White,
Holly Blue and Speckled Wood plus a single Small Tortoiseshell. Male Orange-tip were seen and an Orange Tip egg and a
caterpillar were found on some Cuckoo Flower. Day-flying moths did make a small appearance with 4 Burnet Companion, a Mother Shipton and
Cinnabar. A site specialist that feeds on Speedwell was also seen - Adela fibulella
Earlier we had stopped at the Bourne End exit from the A41 and recorded 16 Small Blue on both sides of the dual carriageway and 4 Burnet
Companion |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 20 May |
I saw 11 Small Blues at Chiswell Green this morning |
Malcolm Hull |
| 20 May |
An hour's walk at Waterford north pit (TL315150) this afternoon produced 1 Holly Blue, 2+ Orange-tip, 6-7 Brown
Argus, 1 Small Copper, 1 Small Heath and 3 Grizzled Skipper, plus several distant unidentified whites |
Pete Waldron |
| 20 May |
I had a really good view of a Green Hairstreak on a maple leaf at elbow height, as I walked along the footpath running along
the bottom of the slope on Halsey Field today. This is the second sighting I've had of this species of butterfly on the field this spring, but as far
as I know there have been no sightings of it in previous years |
Chris Ridley |
| 20 May |
A Holly Blue and Speckled Wood seen whilst river sampling Yeading Brook, South Ruislip (TQ 10 89) |
Paul Busby |
| 20 May |
After the Bovingdon walk I went to Aldbury Nowers. Lovely early afternoon: 15 plus Small Heath and 20 plus Brown Argus
were most prevalent, 6 Brimstone, 3 Common Blue, Speckled Wood, 2 Dingy Skippers, whites and Orange-tips, no
Grizzled Skippers or Green Hairstreak. On moth side, 6 Burnet Companion, 2 Common Carpet, 1 Mother Shipton and a Silver Y |
Steve Kiln |
| 20 May |
At Rickmansworth Festival noticed 2 x Orange-tip & 1 x Holly Blue not far from aquadrome (TQ053 936). Female
Holly Blue around our Bushey garden for 45 mins |
David Gower |
| 20 May |
Hounslow: Another sunny day with the first Blue Damselflies I've seen this year and again a good mix of butterflies with rather more
unidentified Whites than those identified: Hounslow Heath: Large White: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Orange-tip: 4 Small Heath: 1
Green-veined White: 2 Small White: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Speckled Wood: 1 Peacock: 1 River Crane: Holly Blue: 1
Orange-tip: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 3 Green Hairstreak: 2 Common Blue: 4
Holly Blue: 1 Peacock: 1 and 2 Cinnabar moths. Pevensey: Orange-tip: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Holly Blue: 1
Heath/Heather/Railway: Green Hairstreak: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Large White: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 19 May |
1 Brimstone male - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 19 May |
Visited St James Church Bushey cemetery this morning. Sightings were 10 x Holly Blue, 3 x Orange-tip (females), 1 x
Speckled Wood, 3 x Large White, 3 x Small White, 1 x Green-veined White. In Bushey garden 1 x Holly Blue then
onto Fishers Field Nature Reserve recording 2 x Large White, 1 x Speckled Wood, 1 x Holly Blue. Last at Water Lane, Watford, 2 x
Orange-tip ( 1 m & 1 f), 1 x Small White, 1 x Brimstone (female) |
David Gower |
| 19 May |
Holy Trinity churchyard, Bengeo, Hertford. Holly Blue x3; Orange-tip x2; Large White x1; Red Admiral x1;
Speckled Wood x1 |
Chris Benton |
| 19 May |
A few butterflies this afternoon - 1 Holly Blue at Enfield Road, EN2 at 14:40 hrs, 1 Peacock and 1 male Brimstone
at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 1 Holly Blue at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97), 2 Orange-tip male and female together at
Parkside Farm, Enfield near Pump House at 15:24 hrs and 1 Holly Blue here, 1 Small White edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park at 16:28 hrs, 1
Small Tortoiseshell at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 18:18 hrs. 1 Poplar Hawkmoth at ASDA Southgate - a
new species for the site! 1 Blood-vein at Dalrymple Close, N14 |
Robert Callf |
| 19 May |
An early start at Hexton - arriving just before 9 and leaving the area at 10.30. The Chalk Pit was alive with Dingy Skippers
- over 35 recorded on the actual Reserve and a further 8 seen on the field edge by the wood. Over the road, one more was seen on the track. Also seen
was a single Green Hairstreak, 3 Small Heath, at least 10 Small Purple-barred and a few Pyrausta Nigrata and 2
Burnet Companion moths |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 19 May |
Hounslow: Sunny throughout but numbers quite low although variety good, including my first Common Blue of the year (male). Argyle Road
TW3 2BE: Speckled Wood: 1 Hounslow Heath: Orange-tip: 2 Large White: 1 Small White: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Speckled
Wood: 1 Peacock: 1 Orange-tip: 1 River Crane: Speckled Wood: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Marshalling Yards:
Green-veined White: 2 Small White: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Small Copper: 1 Small Heath: 1
Green Hairstreak: 1 Orange-tip: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Common Blue: 1 Green Hairstreak: 1 Holly Blue: 1
Peacock: 1 Green-veined White: 2 Orange-tip: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 19 May |
Dingy Skipper and Brown Argus sharing a blade of grass near Jockey End |
Paul Cross |
| 18 May |
I walked up to Harmondsworth Moor, northwest of the airport this morning, and despite glorious sunshine, not a great deal was flying:
just a few Orange-tips and various Whites |
Dave Miller |
| 18 May |
I walked back onto my local patch near Stanwell Moor and things livened up a bit. Notable was the first Small Copper of the year
disputing ownership of a patch of buttercups with one of a dozen Small Heaths seen overall. There were also no fewer than three Small Tortoiseshells,
all looking very battered now. The overall tally: Holly Blue 11; Small Tortoiseshell 3; Orange-tip 2; Green-veined White 4;
Small Heath 12; Speckled Wood 2; Small Copper 1; Large White 6; Small White 3; Peacock 1 |
Dave Miller |
| 18 May |
My final visit of the day to Bedfont Lakes CP (north side) and once again Brimstones predominated at this site, with a dozen or
more seen. There were also a handful of Orange-tips. I had hoped to see Common Blues, but all the blue butterflies flying around the vetch
flowers in the grass were in fact Holly Blues. I counted six, all females and all looking to lay eggs |
Dave Miller |
| 18 May |
12:55 pm in Bishop's Stortford. I have just seen a pristine Green Hairstreak alight on a Cotoneaster hedge next to my car for a
few seconds (which I fortuitously happened to be loading), before flying off to the north. Gone before I could get my phone out to take a picture.
That's my best butterfly record from here ever |
Andrew Palmer |
| 18 May |
At Chiswell Green this afternoon in a walk of 30 minutes counted 18 Small Blue. Also afterwards a mile away the other side of M1
motorway recorded another Small Blue |
Clive Burrows |
| 18 May |
My garden in Bounds Green North London had many visits from Holly Blues this afternoon, 5 in the garden at one time 3 floating
round the holly tree one nectaring on my Cotoneaster and one taking salts from the damp earth. Also 1 Speckled Wood and 1 female
Orange-tip |
Miles Attenborough |
| 18 May |
1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 male Orange-tip at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 30 97) at 17:28 and 17:30 hrs respectively.
Disturbed a Common Carpet along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98) this afternoon at 16:55 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 18 May |
Hounslow: Mostly sunny with a new high for Green Hairstreak (still only 8 though!) and a notable absence of Holly Blue. Hounslow Heath:
Orange-tip: 4 Green-veined White: 6 Small White: 1 Heath--ex-Golf Course: Green-veined White: 4 Small White: 1
Speckled Wood: 1 Peacock: 2 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 3 Green Hairstreak: 4 Brown Argus: 1 Brimstone:
2 Small Copper: 2 Green-Veined White: 1 and a Cinnabar moth. Pevensey: Orange-tip: 2 Comma: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway:
Peacock: 1 Green Hairstreak: 4 Green-veined White: 3 |
Peter Gore |
| 18 May |
This morning at Rickneys, 4 Brown Argus, 2 Grizzled Skippers and my first Common Blue. On
north pit Waterford Heath, 4 Grizzled Skippers, 4 Brown Argus and a Small Heath |
Steve Kiln |
| 17 May |
A very brief trip to Stanwell Moor late in the day revealed that the first Small Heaths had appeared - perhaps five seen
altogether. Also seen were five Holly Blues and two of each of Small White, Green-veined White and Large White |
Dave Miller |
| 17 May |
Patmore Heath - several Large Whites, Red Admiral, Orange-tip and surprisingly a Speckled Wood. TL443257 |
Andy Brown |
| 17 May |
Morning by River Pinn, Ickenham rail bridge and saw a Speckled Wood and a Small White (TQ 07 87). Lunchtime along HT
boardwalk at Gutteridge Wood saw a Holly Blue, Peacock, female Brimstone and male Orange-tip (TQ 09 84), afterwards at
Cutthroat Wood and saw a Comma, 4 Green-veined White and 3 Speckled Wood (TQ 08 84). Then at Minet Country Park, Hayes saw at
least 8 Green-veined Whites, a Small White, male Brimstone, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Holly Blues
(TQ 10 79). Finally along The Ridgeway saw another Holly Blue (TQ 13 88) |
Paul Busby |
| 17 May |
Panshanger Park: Peacock x7, Orange-tip x3, Green-veined White x1, Speckled Wood x1, Brown Argusx1,
Holly Blue x3 |
Chris Benton |
| 17 May |
About 15 Holly Blue around the St Catherines Road/New Road/Churchfields area of Broxbourne, even saw two right in the centre
around the traffic lights |
Laurence Drummond |
| 17 May |
All 3 of the 4 Small Coppers of which I had a close-up view, in the Knebworth Park area, had silver/blue 'badges' on the
hindwings, ab. caeruleopunctata |
Peter Clarke |
| 17 May |
Hounslow: A sunny afternoon walk. Although numbers were not as high as earlier in the week, variety was good and included 2 year firsts:
Hounslow Heath: Green-veined White: 4 Peacock: 1 Orange-tip: 3 Speckled Wood: 2 Heath---ex Golf Course: Brimstone:
1 Large White: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Marshalling Yards: Green-veined White: 2 Small White: 1 Brown Argus: 1 (1st)
Holly Blue: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Orange-tip: 1 and one Cinnabar moth. Pevensey: Orange-tip: 4 Holly Blue:
1 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Green Hairstreak: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Small
Heath: 1 (1st) Peacock: 1 Brimstone: 1 Small White: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 17 May |
At Rickneys late afternoon a Grizzled Skipper, a Small Heath and a Brown Argus with usual whites and
Orange-tips. At Waterford Heath south, 1 Brown Argus, 2 Grizzled Skippers and a Silver Y and 2 Cinnabar moths |
Steve Kiln |
| 17 May |
2 Holly Blue and Speckled Wood at Broomfield Park, Palmers Green this afternoon, also a few unidentified whites |
Robert Callf |
| 16 May |
I met Andrew at 8.30 and we first walked Rickneys in cool, cloudy and windy conditions. Initially all this produced was one
Grizzled Skipper roosting on Forget-me-not at the bottom of the 'key bank'. We then walked across the bottom of the pit and saw
nothing but returning via the edge of Bardon Clumps we found two more Grizzled Skippers roosting on St John's Wort. Returning up the
'bank' it appeared we had missed a further SIX all also roosting on Forget-me-not at the bottom. We then drove to our meeting point with
Network Rail for our annual escorted trackside visit north of Hertford - earlier I had been rung, "did I want to go ahead as it wasn't
sunny?". "Yes I said!!!". Having signed all our safety forms, we set off (in hard hats, and high viz gear) just before 10 am and the
conditions were still cool, cloudy and very windy and quickly we had found 13 roosting Grizzled Skippers all on St John's Wort seed heads
but then the sun tried to come out, not much but enough to disturb the Grizzled Skippers from their slumber and the next one seen was in
flight. Further down the track, one further Grizzled Skipper was found half basking and then roosting on Forget-me-not (this in an area we
rarely find them) and on the other side of the track one more Grizzled Skipper was found roosting on St John's Wort. It was disappointing
as the count was less than last year but the problem was that the sun had also tried to shine and we feel that a few Grizzled Skipper had come
off roost. Also seen were 5 Cinnabar moths, 1 Brown Argus and a Small Heath as well as 2 Toadflax Brocade and 2 Pale
Tussock moths roosting. We didn't walk the area north of this key area towards the cutting, as the habitat has deteriorated and for safety
reasons we aren't allowed to walk too close to the trackside. We then went to Welwyn North Station and looked very thoroughly at the area between
the two tunnels but no butterflies were recorded. We would like to thank Network Rail for their continued support in allowing us to survey these key
areas. Finally we went to Frogmore and despite searching for two hours our final count was 4 roosting Grizzled Skipper all on Forget-me-not! |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 16 May |
1 female Adela reaumurella at Grovelands Park this afternoon |
Robert Callf |
| 16 May |
Hounslow: An early morning walk in cloudy, breezy conditions. Just two butterflies, 1 Green-veined White on the Heath and a
Speckled Wood on the Marshalling Yards |
Peter Gore |
| 15 May |
Holly Blue seen at Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre on a brief afternoon visit |
Paul Busby |
| 15 May |
At Bushey station 1 x Brimstone moth and in Bushey garden 2 x Small White, 1 x Large White, 1 x Light Brown
Apple moth |
David Gower |
| 15 May |
1 Brimstone St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 15 May |
Hounslow: A beautiful sunny morning and early afternoon walk with good numbers of Green Hairstreaks spread out across the site and a
Painted Lady the highlights. Hounslow Heath: Large White: 1 Green-veined White: 3 Speckled Wood: 2 Green Hairstreak: 1
Orange-tip: 1 Brimstone: 1 Heath---ex Golf Course: Comma: 1 Green-veined White: 2 Peacock: 1 Orange-tip: 1
Small White: 2 Brimstone: 1 River Crane: Green-veined White: 1 Marshalling Yards: Green-veined White: 5 Brimstone:
2 Small White: 1 Peacock: 2 Holly Blue: 6 Green Hairstreak: 5 Orange-tip: 2 Speckled Wood: 3 Large
White: 1 Painted Lady: 1 Pevensey: Green-veined White: 3 Orange-tip: 1 Small White: 1 Speckled Wood: 2
Brimstone: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Holly Blue: 2 Green Hairstreak: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Orange-tip:
1 plus 1 Holly Blue in Argyle Road TW3 2BE with 1 more in my garden |
Peter Gore |
| 15 May |
4 Speckled Wood near Oakwood entrance, Trent Park, 6 Small Copper 'New Fields' Trent Park, 3 Small Heath together
Sect 6 'New Fields' Trent Park at 15:07 hrs, 1 Holly Blue at Bramley Road near Snakes Lane at 15:37 hrs, 3 Mother Shipton 'New Fields'
Trent Park. 1 Holly Blue and 1 Small White at Lonsdale Drive, EN2 near Boxer's Lake. 1 male Orange-tip at Oakwood Station at
17:58 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 15 May |
In my south Harpenden garden: 1 Orange-tip; and 2 Small White, plus the following diurnal moths: 1 Cinnabar; several
Mint moths (Pyrausta aurata); and 3 Psychoides filicivora, a probably under-recorded species for the county and whose
larvae mine various ferns. Harpenden Common had relatively few butterflies: several Green-veined White; a couple of Orange-tip; and
1 Speckled Wood, although the Cydia ulicetana were swarming well around the gorse |
David Hunt |
| 15 May |
Hillbrow LGC - 11.30 to 12.30. A walk around the main site and bridleway; Small Blue x1; Small
Copper x1; Orange-tip x10+; Brimstone x4 males and Latticed Heath x1 |
Roger Millard |
| 15 May |
Did my transects in Broxbourne Wood, saw several Speckled Yellow moths and first Small Heath, right near the west car
park, plenty of Green-veined Whites on the bugle |
Steve Kiln |
| 14 May |
Spent a couple of hours at Aldbury Nowers from 4 p.m. Seen in lower enclosure were 5 x Grizzled Skipper, 8 x Brimstone (all
males), 1 x Large White, 5 x Orange-tip (3 were males), 11 x Small Heath, 3 x Small Copper. Moths were
3 x Cinnabar, 7 x Green Carpet, 2 x Mother Shipton, 1 x Small Quaker, 3 x Common Carpet. Onto Duchie's Piece when
sun fading but did see 1 x Orange-tip, 1 x Large White, 1 x Small Heath, 4 x Common Carpet |
David Gower |
| 14 May |
1 Orange-tip male - Bedford Road, Ickleford TL176316. 1 Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Orange-tip male,
1 Green-veined White - fields NW of Ickleford TL1731. 1 Brimstone, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Orange-tip male - Westmill
Lane Hitchin Tl1730. 1 Orange-tip male - Burford Way, Hitchin TL1730 |
David Inward |
| 14 May |
One Brown Argus at Salmon's Spring near Patmore Heath. In the area between Stocking Pelham and Bishops
Stortford also saw a few Large White, Brimstone, Green-veined White (including one mud puddling), Peacock, Small
Tortoiseshell, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood |
Andrew Wood |
| 14 May |
1 Speckled Wood near Triangular Wood, Trent Park at 13:38 hrs, 3 Small Yellow Underwing including two nectaring on
buttercups at 'New Fields' Trent Park - my first of the year! 3 Small Copper - 2 males and 1 female at 'New Fields' Trent Park 13:50 - 14:02 hrs
- my first of the year. Monken Hadley Common (14:20 - 16:30 hrs) - 2 Holly Blue, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Comma near Beech Hill Lake
(TQ 269 971), 1 male Orange-tip flew over Beech Hill Lake (TQ 271 970), 1 male Orange-tip at Covert Way LNR (TQ 265 974) at 14:54 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 14 May |
Hounslow: Back to continuous sunshine and good numbers of butterflies, the highlight being my first Small Copper of the year. Holly
Blues still flying around the streets with 1 on Argyle Road TW3 2BE and 2 on Whitton Road TW3 2EG.Then: Hounslow Heath: Green-veined White:
2 Orange-tip: 3 Speckled Wood: 1 Brimstone: 2 Small White: 1 Peacock: 2 Heath---Ex Golf Course: Speckled
Wood: 2 Orange-tip: 1 Brimstone: 1 Peacock: 1 River Crane: Holly Blue: 1 Orange-tip: 1 Green-veined
White: 1 Peacock: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Comma: 1 Marshalling Yards: Orange-tip: 2 Speckled Wood: 3 Brimstone:
1 Holly Blue: 4 Green-veined White: 2 Small Copper: 1 Green Hairstreak: 1 Peacock: 1 Pevensey: Peacock:
2 Speckled Wood: 2 Holly Blue: 2 Orange-tip: 2 Small White: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Holly Blue: 1 Brimstone:
2 Orange-tip: 2 Green Hairstreak: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 14 May |
In my south Harpenden garden: 1 Orange-tip (male); 1 Large White; and 1 Small White (female). Harpenden Common:
10+ Small White; 6 Green-veined White, females laying eggs on Hedge Garlic; 4 Orange-tip; 5 Large White; 1 Speckled
Wood; 1 Comma; 1 Holly Blue; and several Cydia ulicetana around the gorse. Nomansland Common: 10+ Small White;
10+ Green-veined White; 10+ Orange-tip; 4 Large White; 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Holly Blue; 1 Brimstone (male);
numerous Cydia ulicetana around the gorse; and 1 Grapholita internana flying about the gorse |
David Hunt |
| 13 May |
1 Green-veined White, 1 Holly Blue and 2 Orange-tip male and female at Parkside Farm, Enfield at Hadley Road
(TQ 301 980), 1 male Orange-tip, 1 Large White and 2 Small White at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 male Orange-tip
and 2 Large White male and female at Holly Hill Farm, Enfield (TL 289 000) |
Robert Callf |
| 13 May |
After yesterday's dismal weather and an uninspiring forecast for today it was no surprise that the Hounslow Heath Field Trip was
attended by just Paul Busby and myself. Many thanks Paul! We had a pleasant walk in slowly improving weather but butterflies were limited to the three
smaller whites (with Green-veined White dominating) and Speckled Wood. The highlight was not a butterfly but something I think new to me - if I had to
guess I'd say female Broad-bodied Chaser. It looked a bit like a Hornet but I didn't get a very good view and could well be far off in this guess. With
Paul we completed the Hairstreak walk (3 actual species and a fantasy Brown) and he then departed whilst I went back to my normal walk. Much of this,
including the Marshalling Yards and Pevensey was similar to the earlier walk but by the time I had returned through the tunnel it was much warmer and
sunny. Whilst identifying a Small White I spotted my first Green Hairstreak of the day perched on a Bramble leaf next to the river. This inspired me
to return home via the exact same stretch Paul and I had walked earlier and almost immediately two Green Hairstreaks fluttered amongst the Broom. I
lost sight of one but the other perched on the tip of a shoot probably laying but I'm never very sure I can sort leaf buds from eggs and don't like
to poke around for fear of damaging an egg. There was one further sighting in the vicinity of these two which I haven't added to the count but much
further along the path a third Green Hairstreak was seen, again on Broom. Here are the full stats omitting the initial walk with Paul: Marshalling
Yards: Speckled Wood: 1 Green-veined White: 4 Holly Blue: 1 Pevensey: Green-veined White: 1 Small White: 1 River
Crane: Small White: 2 Green Hairstreak: 1 ex-Golf Course--Heath: Orange-Tip: 2 Green-veined White: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway:
Small White: 1 Green Hairstreak: 3 and back home in my garden Holly Blue: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 13 May |
At Six Hills Common, this morning after searching for more than half an hour on the elm leaves I found a final instar White-letter
Hairstreak larva about 3 feet above ground |
Peter Clarke |
| 11 May |
At Stanwell Moor, a similar sort of day as 10th, but the intermittent sunshine made the Orange Tips more amenable to photography. The overall tally:
Holly Blue 15; Orange-tip 10; Green-veined White 7; Brimstone 2; Speckled Wood 4; Comma 1; Large
White 3; Small White 4; Red Admiral 1; Peacock 2 |
Dave Miller |
| 11 May |
Frogmore, lunchtime today, 9 Grizzled Skippers. Difficult access as pit fully flooded |
Trevor Chapman |
| 11 May |
Hounslow: Mostly cloudy and I omitted the railway section of the heath whilst wandering elsewhere without seeing any butterflies.
Here's what I did see on the rest of my walk: Hounslow Heath: Green-veined White: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Heath--ex-Golf Course:
Speckled Wood: 4 Peacock: 1 Orange-tip: 1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 6 Green-veined White: 2
Green Hairstreak: 1 Small White: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Pevensey: Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Orange-tip: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 10 May |
At Hilfield Park Reservoir TQ160 954 I spotted one Green Hairstreak |
Peter Elton |
| 10 May |
At Stanwell Moor, Holly Blues still going strong and a good day for Orange Tips too. The overall tally: Holly Blue 20; Orange-tip 12;
Green-veined White 6; Brimstone 4; Speckled Wood 4; Comma 2; Large White 2; Small White 2; Small
Tortoiseshell 1; Cinnabar moth 1 |
Dave Miller |
| 10 May |
At 4.30 I went late to Waterford Heath south pit looking for Grizzled Skippers on the sunlit bank. Saw 2 amongst the Goat's
Rue. Down in the settling beds I had a Burnet Companion moth |
Steve Kiln |
| 10 May |
Hounslow: Not quite as sunny and warm but still a good mix of butterflies with one Green Hairstreak in an odd place perched
10 feet up an Oak tree. Just one Holly Blue in Argyle Road TW3 2BE on mostly cloudy streets then: Hounslow Heath: Small Tortoiseshell:
1 Small White: 2 Speckled Wood: 2 Heath--ex Golf Course: Speckled Wood; 2 Orange-tip: 1 Small White: 1
Small Tortoiseshell: 1 River Crane: Speckled Wood; 1 Orange-tip: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Marshalling Yards: Holly Blue:
2 Large White: 2 Orange-tip: 1 Green Hairstreak: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Brimstone: 2 Pevensey: Holly Blue:
2 Green-veined White: 2 Orange-tip: 2 Holly Blue: 1 Speckled Wood: 3 Peacock: 1 Small White: 1
Heath/Heather/Railway: Brimstone: 1 Red Admiral: 1 Orange-tip: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 10 May |
1 female Orange-tip inspecting garlic mustard at Ferny Hill, Enfield at 12:27 hrs, 1 female Green-veined White at
'Old Golf Course' Trent Park at 12:51 hrs and 4 Speckled Wood (1 at Parkside Farm near Pump House, 2 at Park Farm and 1 near Merryhills Brook
at Trent Park) |
Robert Callf |
| 9 May |
Late afternoon walk around Cutthroat Wood, Hillingdon and saw a male Brimstone, a Peaccock and 4 Speckled Woods,
then along A40 slip road to Hillingdon tube station and saw another 2 Brimstones, a Holly Blue and a number of unidentified Whites
(TQ 08 84) |
Paul Busby |
| 9 May |
The day started at 09:50 at Rickneys in broken sun and over 2½ hours we recorded 24 Grizzled Skipper throughout the
entire site (including areas where we haven't seen them before). Also of note were 1 Cinnabar moth. We then walked to Waterford Heath north
(north entrance) arriving at 12:55 and en-route recorded 2 more Grizzled Skippers and a Mother Shipton moth. We walked the west side of
Waterford Heath north towards the railway slopes and on this side recorded 12 Grizzled Skipper, and a Silver Y moth. We then crossed the
road and entered Waterford Heath south at 14:20. This was much slower and nothing was seen in the old filter beds but across the main pit and Sacombe
Road slope we counted 10 Grizzled Skipper and our first Latticed Heath. Returning to the North Pit at 16:00 we saw 2 more
Silver Y. Throughout the day we saw several Large White and wondered if there had been a migrant movement of Large White and Silver Y?
The east side of the north pit was also slow until we found a mating pair and then under the conifers near the north entrance 4 more were seen in the
brambles. The total for the North Pit was 17! We had also seen on both pits incidents of chases and clashes but no egg laying females. We then
decided we would visit Frogmore arriving at 17:30 although the reading in the car was 20 C things were slowing down and as the pit is still very
flooded - access to some key areas impossible. The count here was a poor 3! 2 individuals were found roosting one on hawthorn, the other on
Forget-me-not. Also recorded was a Latticed Heath. In total 8 hours by 2 people searching = 16 hours! Total for day = 56! |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 9 May |
At Balls Wood TL343105 - lots of Speckled Woods along the rides |
Andy Brown |
| 9 May |
Hounslow: A dozen butterfly species and two moths today, the latter a second Cinnabar on the Marshalling Yards and a
Mother Shipton likely the same individual I failed to identify on Monday, still flying energetically around the small patch of grassland next
to the river just before the tunnel. Here are the butterflies: 1 Holly Blue in my Garden, 2 on St. Stephens Road TW3 2BW. Hounslow Heath:
Green-veined White: 3 Brimstone: 2 Small Tortoiseshell: 2 Orange-tip: 2 Large White: 1 Peacock: 2
Holly Blue: 2 Speckled Wood: 2 Small White: 1 Heath--ex Golf Course: Green-veined White: 2 Holly Blue: 1
Red Admiral: 1 Large White: 1 River Crane: Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Marshalling Yards:
Peacock: 1 Green-veined White: 5 Orange-tip: 6 Holly Blue: 4 Speckled Wood: 2 Green Hairstreak: 3
Pevensey: Holly Blue: 1 Orange-tip: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled Wood: 1
|
Peter Gore |
| 9 May |
3 Orange-tip male, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Brimstone female - Purwell Meadows east, Hitchin TL2029. 2 Orange-tip
male - Purwell Meadows west, Hitchin TL198299. 2 Orange-tip male - Walsworth Common, Hitchin TL1930 |
David Inward |
| 9 May |
Waterford Heath (north): 7 Grizzled Skipper (1 by railway, 2 at far north of site and 4 on the slope near the picnic bench),
1 Small Copper, 1 Orange-tip, 3 Holly Blue, 1 Brimstone, 2 Green-veined White and 3
unidentified whites |
Aaron Clements-Partridge |
| 9 May |
At Grovelands Park, Southgate this afternoon (12:20 - 14:30 hrs) - 12 Speckled Wood, 1 Peacock at 12:37 hrs,
16 Holly Blue, 1 male Orange-tip, 1 Small White and 1 Comma at 13:40 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 8 May |
At Northwood HQ , Sandy Lane 1 x Holly Blue. After work enjoyed a walk in Merryhill Fields, Bushey spotting 1 x Orange-tip
(male), 3 x Brimstone (males), 2 x Speckled Wood, 1 x Holly Blue |
David Gower |
| 8 May |
1 Orange-tip male - Cambridge Road, Hitchin TL19822999. 1 Orange-tip male - Willian Road, Hitchin TL19973006 |
David Inward |
| 8 May |
Hounslow: The morning began with a Speckled Wood in my garden doing its best to copy the usual Holly Blue resident by moving
from Holly flowers to Ivy leaves but fooling no-one. Thereafter there was one Holly Blue on Argyle Road TW3 2BE and 2 in St. Stephens Road
TW3 2BW. Hounslow Heath: Green-veined White: 5 Holly Blue: 2 Brimstone: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Heath--Golf Course:
Comma: 2 Holly Blue: 1 Brimstone: 2 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 River Crane: Orange-tip: 1 Comma: 1
Marshalling Yards: Orange-tip: 1 Green Hairstreak: 1 Green-veined White: 2 Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 4
Orange-tip: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Pevensey: Comma: 2 Green-veined White: 1 Orange-tip: 3 Holly Blue: 3
Heath/Heather/Railway: Holly Blue: 1 Green Hairstreak: 1 Brimstone: 1
|
Peter Gore |
| 8 May |
1 Mother Shipton at 'New Fields' Trent Park (TQ 285 964) at 11:48 hrs, and possibly a second in flight only - my first of the
year! Pymmes Park, Edmonton (14:00 - 15:00 hrs) - 4 Holly Blue, male Brimstone, female Large White and Speckled Wood |
Robert Callf |
| 7 May |
Green Hairstreak seen at Halsey Field during her transect walk - not seen here before |
Chris Ridley |
| 7 May |
2 Holly Blue and 1 Speckled Wood at Salmons Brook near Enfield Road, 1 Green-veined White at Vicarage Farm,
Enfield (TQ 30 97), 1 Holly Blue and 2 Large White near Pump House at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 302 980), 1 Small Tortoiseshell
along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 298 984), 3 male Orange-tip at Parkside Farm, Enfield, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 male
Orange-tip and 1 Small White at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 29 98), 1 Green-veined White at Holly Hill Farm, Enfield (TQ 289 998) and
1 male Orange-tip at Windrush, The Ridgeway (TQ 288 996), 1 Holly Blue at The Ridgeway, Chase Farm Hospital (TQ 311 978) and 1
Holly Blue at Windmill Hill, Enfield (TQ 317 967) |
Robert Callf |
| 7 May |
Harpenden Common: 4 Orange-tip (3 males, 1 female); 3 Small White; 2 Green-veined White; 1 Speckled Wood;
and 1 Holly Blue. My south Harpenden garden: 1 Brimstone male; 3 (2 males, 1 female); and 2 Small White |
David Hunt |
| 7 May |
1 Large White, 1 Orange-tip male - Purwell Meadows west, Hitchin TL1929. 1 Orange-tip male - Cambridge Road,
Hitchin TL19752996. 1 Holly Blue, 1 Orange-tip male - Walsworth Common by pond, Hitchin TL19713005 |
David Inward |
| 7 May |
Hounslow: Much earlier start today and a Green Hairstreak amongst the Broom on the heath for a change. 1 Holly Blue on
my road with 2 In Argyle Road TW3 2BE 2 in St. Stephens Road TW3 2BH and TW3 2BW and 2 on Hanworth Road TW4 5LH and TW3 5LA. Hounslow Heath:
Speckled Wood: 1 Green-Veined White: 5 Small White: 1 Orange-tip: 3 Peacock: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Heath--ex Golf
Course: Green-veined White: 1 Orange-tip: 1 River Crane: Holly Blue: 3 Orange-tip: 2 Marshalling Yards: Comma: 2
Holly Blue: 2 Speckled Wood: 2 Orange-tip: 5 Green Hairstreak: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Peacock: 1
Brimstone: 1 Pevensey: Orange-tip: 1 Holly Blue: 4 Speckled Wood: 2 Comma: 1 Green-veined White: 2
Heath/heather/Railway: Comma: 1 Brimstone: 2 Green Hairstreak: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Green-veined White: 1
Orange-tip: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 7 May |
Went to north pit Waterford Heath this morning 10am. I found 1 Grizzled Skipper near where I saw it the other day near railway
line but I went to far end, one towards the top and two more in middle section. There is plenty of short stuff with plenty of strawberry plants and
sheltered too. Also saw Small Purple and Gold moth there and 2 Holly Blues and plenty of whites and Orange-tips |
Steve Kiln |
| 6 May |
During work party day at Millhoppers the following were seen: Small White, Green veined White, Large White,
Speckled wood, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, and lots of Orange-tips |
Chris Ridley |
| 6 May |
Butterflies in Hitchin garden: Brimstone, Green-veined White, Large White, male Orange-tip, 2 Holly
Blue. First of each except Brimstone |
Martin Banthorpe |
| 6 May |
Made my first visit to Fishers Field Nature Reserve, Bushey this year and recorded 2 x Small White, 7 x Speckled Wood,
7 x Orange-tip (males), 1 x Large White, 3 x Comma, 3 x Peacock, 3 x Holly Blue. At Water Lane, Watford were 2 x
Brimstone (males), 1 x Speckled Wood, 2 x Orange-tip (males}. Lastly in our Bushey garden 1 x Large White, 1 x Small
White, 2 x Orange-tip (females) |
David Gower |
| 6 May |
Hexton Chalk pit NR: 7 Brimstones, 1 male Orange-tip, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Green Hairstreak, 1 Green
Carpet moth. Telegraph Hill: 10 Brimstones, 1 Holly Blue, 4 Orange-tips. Hoo Bit clearing: 2 Green Hairstreaks, 3
Brimstones, 2 Orange-tips. Hexton Crossroads: 1 Holly Blue |
Chris Benton |
| 6 May |
1 Speckled Wood, 1 Brimstone, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Orange-tip - Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living
(Rosehill Hospital) meadow TL207309; 1 Small White - Cambridge Road, Hitchin TL20063030; 1 Holly Blue - Franklin Gardens, Hitchin
TL19873021 |
David Inward |
| 6 May |
My dad and I spotted 2 Green Hairstreaks and 3 Dingy Skippers at Hexton Chalk Pit |
Cameron Landels |
| 6 May |
Hounslow: It felt as though it was a little too hot for both humans and butterflies with numbers of the latter noticeably lower: A
Holly Blue and a Brimstone in my garden then 1 more Holly Blue on Whitton Road TW3 2EH, 3 on Argyle Road TW3 2BE and 3 on
St Stephen's Road TW3 2BW. Hounslow Heath: Orange-tip: 1 Green-veined White: 4 Peacock: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Heath-ex-Golf
Course: Holly Blue: 1 Orange-tip: 1 River Crane: Holly Blue: 2 Marshalling Yards: Peacock: 2 Orange-tip: 2
Speckled Wood: 4 Green Hairstreak: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Green-veined White: 1 Pevensey: Green-veined White: 2
Orange-tip: 2 Holly Blue: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Comma: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Holly Blue: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 6 May |
1 male Holly Blue at Dalrymple Close, N14 (TQ 297 949) at 11:08 hrs, 1 Holly Blue at Chase Road near Oakwood Station
(TQ 292 959) at 11:15 hrs, 4 male Orange-tip at Trent Park, 1 Holly Blue Sect 5, Trent Park at 11:46 hrs, 1 Speckled Wood Sect 5,
Trent Park at 11:50 hrs, 1 Comma and 1 Holly Blue near Oakwood entrance, Trent Park at 12:19 and 12:21 hrs respectively. In Town Park,
Enfield (13:50 - 14:05 hrs) - 1 Holly Blue, 1 male Orange-tip, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Comma. Still no Small Copper or Small
Heath |
Robert Callf |
| 5 May |
1 Orange-tip male - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 5 May |
Hounslow: Sunshine throughout this afternoon and two highlights: a Cinnabar moth on the Marshalling Yards was my first of the
year and at last we have a Green Hairstreak on the Heath where we want them particularly. This contrary individual was spotted in a nettle patch but
clearly focused on the Brambles behind so now it looks as though between now and the field trip on the 13th I need to check out every Bramble patch on
the Heath as well as the usual Gorse and Broom. Suspect I might be busy next week. Here are the full details: 1 Holly Blue in my garden 1 on
Whitton Road TW3 2EH 1 On Argyle Road TW3 2BE and 6 on the Holly hedge in St. Stephens Road TW3 2BW. Hounslow Heath: Comma: 2 Holly Blue:
3 Small Tortoiseshell: 4 Brimstone: 3 Peacock: 1 Orange-tip: 6 Green Hairstreak: 1 Green-veined White: 3
Small White: 1 Heath--Ex Golf Course: Peacock: 1 Comma: 2 Green-veined White: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 River Crane:
Orange-tip: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Brimstone: 1 Marshalling Yards: Peacock: 2 Holly Blue: 3 Orange-tip: 8
Green Hairstreak: 4 Pevensey: Holly Blue: 6 Orange-tip: 3 Brimstone: 5 Speckled Wood: 1 Small Tortoiseshell:
1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Peacock: 1 Large White: 1 Brimstone: 1
|
Peter Gore |
| 5 May |
Aldbury Nowers (SP951129) - An hour long stroll through the northern compartments this afternoon produced 6 x male Brimstone,
10 x male Orange-tip and 1 x female, 4 x Green Hairstreak, 5 x Grizzled Skipper, 1 x Green-veined White, 3 x
Small White and one other unidentified white |
Chris Hilling |
| 5 May |
2 Holly Blue (1 Salmons Brook at Enfield Road, 1 near Allotments, Vicarage Farm), 1 Speckled Wood at Parkside Farm,
Enfield near Pump House (TQ 301 980) at 15:12 hrs, 1 or 2 Peacock at Parkside Farm, Enfield, 3 male Orange-tip (1 Salmons Brook at
Enfield Road, 1 at Vicarage Farm near Firing Range, 1 at Parkside Farm, Enfield), 3 Small Tortoiseshell at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 3097),
1 Peacock at Vicarage Farm, Enfield |
Robert Callf |
| 4 May |
This morning I went again to Rickneys looking for Grizzled Skippers without success but I saw a Latticed Heath moth, but there
were plenty of Orange-tips and Green-veined Whites. On the south heath no Grizzled Skipper but as well as Orange-tips and whites
several Peacocks and a Comma. However on the north heath I found a Grizzled Skipper over the fence on the railway side |
Steve Kiln |
| 4 May |
Hounslow: Sunny on the outward stretch but mostly cloudy returning. Two quite high totals could reasonably be much higher: 8
Holly Blues on the Holly hedge in St.Stephens Road is undoubtedly lower than true numbers flying there today and at the start of the Heath
walk numbers of Green-veined Whites were very high. I haven't included any I couldn't get close enough to for a definite identification but
Small White and female Orange-tip are quite low. Nearly every white butterfly I look at is a Green-veined White. Details as follows: St.Stephen's
Road TW3 2BW: Large White: 1 Holly Blue: 9 Hanworth Road TW4 5LQ: Brimstone: 1 Hounslow Heath:
Holly Blue: 1 Green-veined White: 10 Orange-tip: 3 Brimstone: 1 Heath-ex Golf Course: Brimstone: 1
Holly Blue: 2 Orange-tip: 3 Peacock: 2 Speckled Wood: 5 Green-Veined White: 1 River Crane: Holly Blue:
1 Orange-tip: 1 Brimstone: 1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 5 Orange-tip: 1 Green Hairstreak: 3
Green-veined White: 4 Peacock: 1 Pevensey: Green-veined White: 2 Small White: 1 Comma: 2 Holly Blue: 4
Speckled Wood: 1 Peacock: 1 Brimstone: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Peacock: 1 Comma: 2 Orange-tip: 1 and
finally coming home 1 Holly Blue on Argyle Road TW3 2BE and slightly unusual an Orange-tip on Whitton Road TW3 2EG |
Peter Gore |
| 4 May |
In my south Harpenden garden: 2 Orange-tip, 2 Holly Blue, 1 Small White, and 2 male Esperia
sulphurella, a diurnal micro-moth. On Harpenden Common: 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Green-veined White, 2 Small White,
1 Speckled Wood (St Johns Wood area) and 1 Holly Blue. The only diurnal moths were a few Grey Gorse Piercer (Cydia
ulicetana) |
David Hunt |
| 4 May |
1 Brimstone - Highover Way, Hitchin TL19753049 |
David Inward |
| 4 May |
1 Holly Blue at Salmons Brook/Enfield Road at 12:34 hrs, 1 male Orange-tip and 1 Small White near Enfield Road
opposite Jolly Farmers PH at 12:40 hrs, 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 3097) at 12:50 hrs, 2 male Orange-tip along
Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm, Enfield, 1 Green-veined White at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 2998) at 13:30 hrs, 1 female Holly Blue
along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 298 984) at 13:32 hrs, 1 male Orange-tip and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Park Farm,
Enfield (TQ 290 988) at 14:17 - 14:18 hrs, 1 Common Carpet at Park Farm near Ridgeway, Enfield (TQ 291 995) - my first
of the year! |
Robert Callf |
| 3 May |
I visited both parts of Bedfont Lakes CP. Nothing unusual on the north side, though there were good numbers of Brimstone (15+)
and Green-veined White (15+), plus a few Speckled Woods, Orange-tips and both Large and Small Whites. I then moved to the
south side of the railway, which is less manicured, more wooded and also less visited. At the gate, I was greeted by a Holly Blue sucking up
minerals from the damp path, and then just inside the park entrance proper, I disturbed a female Green Hairstreak from the lush trefoil plants
in the grass. Unfortunately the butterfly was soon lost in amongst the foliage. I walked to the railway and back, during which I saw at least 10
Holly Blues and a similar number of Green-veined Whites, plus Brimstones and Orange Tips. However, on the return leg,
I spotted another Green Hairstreak. It was settled on a dogwood bush, and no amount of disturbance from me waving a camera could keep it away!
I realised that it was laying eggs, and after a bit of searching I discovered some of the blue-green ova nestled in the flower buds |
Dave Miller |
| 3 May |
1 Brimstone - St Faiths Close, Hitchin TL19873030 |
David Inward |
| 3 May |
Harpenden Common: 3 Orange-tip (all males); 2 Small Tortoiseshell; 2 Peacock (both rather worn); 3 Small
White; and 3 Green-veined White. In my south Harpenden garden: 2 Orange-tip (1 male, 1 female); 1 Holly Blue; and 1
Small White |
David Hunt |
| 3 May |
There were a pair of mating Orange-tips in my garden in Potten End this afternoon - see photo also on flickr |
Paul Cross |
| 3 May |
Hounslow: A very pleasant walk from mid-morning, mostly in sunshine,began with a Holly Blue in my back garden followed by a
second one, a female, which flew from Privet to Rose bush as soon as I opened my front door. There was 1 Holly Blue on Whitton Road TW3 2EJ, 1
on Argyle Road TW3 2BE and 1 on St.Stephens Road TW3 2BH. Then: Hounslow Heath: Green-veined White: 3 Orange-tip: 1 Small
Tortoiseshell: 3 Holly Blue: 1 Heath--ex Golf Course: Orange-tip: 3 Green-Veined White: 2 Speckled Wood: 1 Holly
Blue: 1 Large White: 1 Brimstone: 1 Peacock: 1 River Crane: Small White: 1 Orange-tip: 1 Green-veined
White: 1 Marshalling Yards: Orange-tip: 5 Green-veined White: 8 Speckled Wood: 5 Green Hairstreak: 1 Brimstone: 1
Holly Blue: 2 Peacock: 1 Pevensey: Speckled Wood: 2 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Small White: 1 Green-veined
White: 3 Peacock: 1 Orange-tip: 3 Holly Blue: 1 Heath/heather/railway: Brimstone: 2 Orange-tip: 2
Green-veined White: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 3 May |
3 Speckled Wood at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 2998) and 1 E edge of Duncan's Wood, Enfield Chase, 5 Green-veined White at
Park Farm, Enfield including a pair copulating, 1 female Orange-tip SW edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park (TQ 282976) at 12:01 hrs, 1 male
Orange-tip at Bramley Parade, N14 (TQ 295961) at 13:40 hrs. 1 male Orange-tip along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 2998) at
10:51 hrs. A few butterflies in Oakwood Park this afternoon (14:55 - 16:00 hrs) - 1 male Orange-tip W of 10 km line at TQ 299 950, 1 female
Orange-tip, female Holly Blue and 1 Speckled Wood E of 10 km line at TQ 302 952 and 2 Speckled Wood together W of 10 km
line at TQ 298 952, also a few unidentified 'whites' |
Robert Callf |
| 2 May |
Despite pretty horrible conditions at times, we found 1 Grizzled Skipper roosting at Rickneys close to the central foot path on
a seed head but nothing at either Waterford North or South Pit over a four hour period - there are an awful lot of seed heads to check! |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 2 May |
At Grovelands Park near Church Hill entrance - 1 male Orange-tip and 1 Green-veined White at 14:42 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 1 May |
After nearly a week of cold grey and sometimes wet gloom, the sun shone this morning, and I had a lengthy look round my local patch
at Sandwell Moor. I found nine species in total, with Holly Blues once again predominating (including several females) and good numbers of GVW and
Orange Tips. The overall tally was: Holly Blue - 20+; Green-veined White - 15+; Orange-tip - 10; Comma - 4; Large White - 3;
Small White - 3; Speckled Wood - 3; Brimstone - 2; Peacock - 1 |
Dave Miller |
| 1 May |
A Holly Blue in the unlikely urban setting of Welbeck Street London W1 at lunchtime |
Malcolm Hull |
| 1 May |
Bright sun brought 2 + m Orange-tips to my Hatfield garden with 1 m Holly Blue doing the rounds |
John Moss |
| 1 May |
Some sunshine but quite breezy, big difference in transects today, at Belmont Railway saw over 50 Spring butterflies, which is quite
sheltered versus Gutteridge Wood and Roxbourne where hardly anything was flying. In addition, I did see two roosting butterflies at Cutthroat Wood,
Hillingdon, a female Orange-tip on Hawthorn tree and a Speckled Wood resting |
Paul Busby |
| 1 May |
In my south Harpenden garden, 2 Holly Blue, 1 Orange-tip (male), and 1 Large White (female) |
David Hunt |
| 1 May |
Nice to see some butterflies in my Ware garden today. 2 male Orange-tip were clashing, later a female stopped to nectar on my
abundant Honesty but moved onto a Garlic Mustard flower head to lay an egg. Also seen were Green-veined White, Small White and a very
brief visit by a Comma |
Liz Goodyear |
| 1 May |
Hounslow: A Holly Blue in my garden this morning got the month off to an early start, with the following seen in a mix of cloud,
sunshine, breeziness and rain: Hounslow Heath: Speckled Wood: 1 Green-veined White: 1 River Crane: Brimstone: 1 Marshalling Yards:
Green-veined White: 2 Pevensey: Orange-tip: 2 Comma: 2 Heath/Heather/Railway: Orange-tip: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 1 May |
Searched Rickneys Quarry and Waterford Heath for any signs of Grizzled Skipper - finally found one in
the middle of south heath. There was a Speckled Wood in same area, elsewhere on heath several Orange-tips, Green-veined White and a
Small White. No Commas or Peacocks |
Steve Kiln |
| 1 May |
2 Holly Blue butterflies dancing around my Barnet garden. I couldn't get a photo as they were flying high and didn't settle |
Tricia Thompson |
| 1 May |
1 Small White at Parkside Farm, Enfield along Salmons Brook at 09:48 hrs, 1 Speckled Wood at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 2998)
at 10:07 hrs, 2 Green-veined White and 1 Small White at Park Farm, Enfield, 2 Large White at Trent Park (male, near Water Garden,
female E edge of Icehouse Wood), 2 Peacock E edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park at 11:28 hrs, 1 Small Tortoiseshell edge of Williams Wood,
Trent Park at 11:34 hrs, 4 Speckled Wood together, Shaws Wood, Trent Park at 11:42 hrs, 1 male Orange-tip at Shaws Wood, Trent Park at
11:42 hrs, 1 Speckled Wood near Equestrian Centre, Trent Park at 11:57 hrs. 3 Orange-tip 1m 2f near Oakwood entrance/Triangular Wood,
Trent Park and 1 Speckled Wood here also |
Robert Callf |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 26 Apr |
Harpenden Common on a sunny day tempered by a rather chilly wind: 2 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Comma, 1 male Small
White; 2 female and 1 male Green-veined White; and 2 male Orange-tip. Whilst on the Common I met Cloe JaiswalI who told me that
she had seen and photographed a blue butterfly the St John's Wood area of the common. Her photo confirmed it as a female Holly Blue |
David Hunt |
| 26 Apr |
Hounslow: An afternoon walk, weather similar to yesterday but a little colder: Hounslow Heath: Peacock: 1
Green-veined White: 2 Heath-ex Golf Course: Speckled Wood: 1 Green-Veined White: 1 Brimstone: 1 River Crane:
Orange-tip: 2 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 6 Holly Blue: 1 Green-veined White: 1 Small White: 1 Pevensey:
Small White: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Orange-tip: 1 Large White: 1 Green-veined White: 1 and 1 Holly Blue
in my garden |
Peter Gore |
| 26 Apr |
1 male Orange-tip at Flash Lane, Enfield, EN2 (TQ 320990) at 11:06 hrs, swarms of Adela reaumurella around canopies of
trees at Whitewebbs Park (TQ 324998) late morning 11:45 - 11:55 hrs approx 'several hundred', 4 Speckled Wood at Whitewebbs Park including two
together near North Lodge, 5 Green-veined White at Whitewebbs Park including four together near North Lodge (TQ 327998) and 1 male
Orange-tip, 1 Speckled Wood near Guy Lodge, Whitewebbs Road (TQ 331 998) at 13:14 hrs, 1 Speckled Wood near Archery Wood,
Enfield (TQ 334993) at 13:30 hrs, 2 male Orange-tip and 1 Speckled Wood at Forty Hall CP (TQ 331 992) at 13:32 hrs, 2 Holly Blue
together, 1 male Orange-tip and 1 Comma near Maiden's Bridge, Bull's Cross (TQ 342987) between 14:02 and 14:06 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 25 Apr |
Speckled Wood at Stocking Pelham |
Andy Brown |
| 25 Apr |
Hounslow: April showers today, leading to an odd-looking distribution of sightings and several species conspicuous by their absence. No
doubt at all though that Speckled Woods are currently increasing. At the start of the walk the only butterfly seen was a Speckled Wood on the
stretch of heath alongside the golf-course then: River Crane: Speckled Wood: 1 Orange-tip: 1 Green-veined White: 1
Marshalling Yards: Orange-tip: 6 Holly Blue: 1 Speckled Wood: 10 Pevensey: Green-veined White: 1 Speckled Wood: 4
Holly Blue: 2 Orange-tip: 1 Small White: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Speckled Wood: 1 Holly Blue: 1 and 1 final
Holly Blue for today on Argyle Road TW3 2BE. Unidentified whites today in double figures, all from the three smaller species |
Peter Gore |
| 25 Apr |
1 Green-veined White along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 299984) at 10:45 hrs, 1 Peacock at Parkside Farm,
Enfield (TQ 297983) at 11:00 hrs, 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 2998) at 11:12 hrs, 1 Green-veined White near
Duncan's Wood, Enfield Chase (TQ 287987) at 11:20 hrs, 2 Green-veined White together nectaring on dandelions along Ferny Hill, Enfield
(TQ 286982) at 11:35 hrs, 1 female Adela reaumurella on dandelion along Ferny Hill, Enfield (TQ 286 982) and 1 male near Obelisk, Trent Park
(TQ 285980), 1 Small White and 1 male Orange-tip at Lakeside, EN2 (TQ 298963) between 13:00 - 13:03 hrs. 1 Green-veined White
along Snakes Lane near Oakwood entrance, Trent Park (TQ 293960) at 14:24 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 24 Apr |
1 Holly Blue in my garden and 1 on Whitton Road TW3 2EG |
Peter Gore |
| 24 Apr |
I found an Orange-tip roosting on honesty this evening in my Hertford garden |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 23 Apr |
I went out locally in Stanwell Moor, and despite relative cloudiness and much cooler weather there were still a few things to be found,
principally grounded Green-veined Whites: Green-veined White - 8; Small White - 2; Orange-tip - 3; Holly Blue - 4;
Speckled Wood - 2 |
Dave Miller |
| 23 Apr |
Hounslow: Cloudier this afternoon, Speckled Woods happy enough, Holly Blue not so much: Hounslow Heath: Green-veined White : 2
Orange-tip: 1 Peacock: 1 Marshalling Yards: Speckled Wood: 7 Orange-tip: 2 Small White: 1 Green-veined White:
1 Pevensey: Speckled Wood: 2 Peacock: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Orange-tip: 2 Green-veined White: 2 Comma: 2
|
Peter Gore |
| 23 Apr |
1 Speckled Wood between Icehouse Wood and Dew Pond, Trent Park this morning at 09:01 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 22 Apr |
I had 1 Holly Blue and 2 Orange-tip in my Hertford garden |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 22 Apr |
A good selection of butterflies seen while pottering around at Nicholls Farm, Redbourn, including Orange-tip, Peacock,
Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Small White and Large White. Lots of whites in particular enjoying
the sunshine |
Peter Tallantire |
| 22 Apr |
At Stanwell Moor: Brimstone 6; Small/GVW 14; Large White 4; Orange-tip 8; Holly Blue 30+; Peacock 6;
Comma 5; Small Tortoiseshell 1; Red Admiral 2; Speckled Wood 8. Cooler again. After overnight rain, the paths were damp
first thing, and the Holly Blues were down taking minerals in several spots. Their numbers continue to increase, and they were everywhere: seeing five
or six at a time was quite common. One individual became quite tame and happily sucked sweat from my finger. I saw the first Large Whites of the year:
a female appeared and was almost immediately set upon by a male and the pair coupled in very short order. I also came across a fairly new-looking Red
Admiral, possibly a recent immigrant or maybe locally hatched |
Dave Miller |
| 22 Apr |
1 Brimstone - Purwell Meadows west, Hitchin TL19882994. 1 Orange-tip male - Purwell Meadows east, Hitchin TL20052986. 1
Orange-tip male - by Millstream pub car park Walsworth Common, Hitchin TL19723001. 1 Orange-tip male, 1 Holly Blue, 1
Green veined White, 1 Small White - southern end of main pond, Walsworth Common, Hitchin TL19713004 |
David Inward |
| 22 Apr |
Hounslow: Overnight rain meant a high river and a few more puddles but sunshine all morning led to a further increase in numbers
although less variety. Holly Blues lead the way: 2 in my garden, 3 on Whitton Road TW3 2EG, 2 on Argyle Road TW3 2BE and 2 on the Holly hedge
in St.Stephens Road TW3 2BW then Hounslow Heath: Speckled Wood: 2 Brimstone: 3 Small Tortoiseshell: 2 Orange-tip: 2
Heath-- Ex Golf Course: Comma: 2 Orange-tip: 2 Brimstone: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Large White: 1 Green-veined White: 1
River Crane: Orange-tip: 2 Marshalling Yards: Peacock: 3 Orange-tip: 6 Speckled Wood: 5 Holly Blue: 2
Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Brimstone: 1 Green-veined White: 2 Pevensey: Small White: 1 Holly Blue: 7 Orange-tip: 3
Brimstone: 2 Heath/Heather/Railway: Holly Blue: 2 Brimstone: 1. Increasing numbers of unidentified whites |
Peter Gore |
| 21 Apr |
In Stocking Pelham, several Holly Blues, a Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and an Orange-tip |
Andy Brown |
| 21 Apr |
1 Holly Blue in our Bushey garden and later on at White lion pub garden, Sopwell Lane, St Albans noticed 2 Holly Blue & 1 Orange-tip (TL148068) |
David Gower |
| 21 Apr |
At Aldbury Nowers: 1 Green Hairstreak at SP 95050 13736 |
Paul Lister |
| 21 Apr |
1 Orange-tip male - St Faiths Close, Hitchin TL19863030. 1 Small White - path by railway, Walsworth Common, Hitchin
TL19273042. 1 Small Tortoiseshell - river bank opposite pavilion, Walsworth Common, Hitchin TL19583028 |
David Inward |
| 21 Apr |
Hounslow: Good morning sunshine today and good butterflies with two firsts: my first Green Hairstreak of the year lived up to its
scientific name settling on Bramble, a second one later was in a more usual setting on Broom, both on the Marshalling Yards. As I was heading for
the tunnel on the way back a Painted Lady surprised me although on reflection it occurred to me I've been seeing Large Whites (and probably
understating their numbers slightly) and Red Admirals over these last few days so perhaps we have a few migrants here or passing through. Here are
the full details: Argyle Road TW3 2BE Holly Blue: 2 Hounslow Heath: Orange-tip: 2 Small White: 2 Holly Blue: 1 Large
White: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Red Admiral: 1 Green-Veined White: 3 Small Tortoiseshell: 3 Brimstone: 1
Heath--Golf Course: Holly Blue: 2 Orange-tip: 2 Brimstone: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 River Crane: Orange-tip: 1
Comma: 1 Holly Blue: 2 Marshalling Yards: Peacock: 2 Comma: 3 Holly Blue: 3 Speckled Wood: 3 Orange-tip:
4 Green Hairstreak: 2 Painted Lady: 1 Pevensey: Small Tortoiseshell: 1
Orange-tip: 3 Green-Veined White: 1 Holly Blue: 4 Small White: 1 Speckled Wood: 1 Comma: 1
Heath/Heather/Railway: Brimstone: 1 |
Peter Gore |
| 21 Apr |
This morning around Tyttenhanger GPs (approx TL192053): Had 2 Peacocks, 4+ Orange-tips, 1 Comma,
2 Small Tortoiseshells and 3 Green-veined Whites |
Andrew Steele |
| 21 Apr |
I walked round Coppetts Wood Nature reserve in Barnet this morning best spot TQ275913. 2 Speckled Wood, 3 Holly Blue,
5 Commas, 1 Peacock, 1 female Brimstone, 2 Large White, 8 male Orange-tips, 1 Green veined White
(see Photo also on flickr),
11 unconfirmed white butterflies in flight |
Miles Attenborough |
| 21 Apr |
1 Green-veined White at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 3097) at 08:43 hrs and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at 09:48 hrs.
1 Speckled Wood near Oakwood entrance, Trent Park at 11:27 hrs and 1 Holly Blue, 1 Comma, 1 male Orange-tip and 1
Green-veined White here too, 1 female Brimstone near Triangular Wood, Trent Park at 11:46 hrs and 1 Peacock here also, 1
Small Tortoiseshell near Water Garden, Trent Park at 12:22 hrs, 1 male Orange-tip, 1 Peacock, 1 Comma and 1
Small Tortoiseshell at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 3097) |
Robert Callf |
| 20 Apr |
At Stanwell Moor: Brimstone 8; Orange-tip 10 (inc 3f); Small/GV White 15+; Small Tortoiseshell 2;
Peacock 7; Comma 3; Red Admiral 1; Speckled Wood 6; Holly Blue 20+. Not quite so hot today. Among today's
Orange Tips were the first females I've seen. Holly Blue numbers continue to rise - the heat doesn't seem to bother them at all |
Dave Miller |
| 20 Apr |
3 firsts of the year: Orange-tips (in the field north of St Nicholas church, Stevenage and in Fairlands Valley Park), Holly
Blue in the St Nicholas churchyard and Speckled Wood in Whomerley Wood. Over 20 Small Tortoiseshells overall including unusual
aberration griseomarginata in Fairlands Valley Park on the western edge of Peartree Wood |
Peter Clarke |
| 20 Apr |
I haven't had many opportunities for nature walks recently but did spot 1 male Orange-tip at Cedar Road, Watford after work
(TQ117 951) |
David Gower |
| 20 Apr |
In my Hatfield garden today male & female Brimstone (possibly more than one of each) & 1st Holly Blue of year
flitting round Ivy |
John Moss |
| 20 Apr |
Walk along the north bank of the River Stort today, Pye corner to Harlow Mill. 3 Orange-tip (males), 3 Green-veined White,
3 Comma (2 in courtship chase) 8 Small Tortoiseshell (2 in courtship chase), 6 Peacock (4 in two separate courtship chases) 1
Holly Blue and 1 Speckled Wood |
Laurence Drummond |
| 20 Apr |
1 Holly Blue - St Faiths Close, Hitchin TL19873030. 1 Brimstone - Cambridge Road/Meadowbank junction, Hitchin TL19582991 |
David Inward |
| 20 Apr |
1 Lunar Marbled Brown at ASDA Southgate - my first for the site!
In Grovelands Park this afternoon - 3 Holly Blue including two together, 1 male Brimstone and 1 male Orange-tip |
Robert Callf |
| 20 Apr |
Yet more sunshine, slightly more butterflies: 2 Holly Blues in my garden today with 1 more at the end of the road, 1 on the main
road (TW3 2EG ) and 1 on the Holly hedge in St.Stephens Road (TW3 2BW) then: Hounslow Heath: Peacock: 1 Green-Veined White: 1 Small
Tortoiseshell: 2 Orange-Tip: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Heath--ex Golf Course: Orange-Tip: 4 Brimstone: 1 Speckled Wood: 1
Red Admiral: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Peacock: 1 Green-Veined White: 1 River Crane: Brimstone: 1 Orange-Tip: 1
Holly Blue: 2 Marshalling Yards: Comma: 3 Green-Veined White: 2 Orange-Tip: 6 Speckled Wood: 1 Brimstone: 1
Peacock: 2 Pevensey: Brimstone: 2 Comma: 2 Heath/Heather/Railway: Peacock: 1 Brimstone: 1 Speckled Wood: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 19 Apr |
At Stanwell Moor: Brimstone 10; Small/GVW 10; Orange-tip 10; Holly Blue 10; Peacock 5; Comma 3;
Small Tortoiseshell 1; Red Admiral 1; Speckled Wood 1. A hot and sunny day and many butterflies were sheltering from the heat.
I saw my first Speckled Wood of the year and also the first Red Admiral. The latter was a very worn individual that has made it through from 2017 |
Dave Miller |
| 19 Apr |
Here is a list of the butterflies seen while I was recording habitat for the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey this afternoon along the
River Ver between Redbournbury Mill and the Gorehambury Estate: Orange Tip: individual females at TL122102 and TL125093; males at TL126092 and
TL125088; Brimstone: individual females at TL121105 and TL127086; two males at TL122101, plus individual at TL125093; Red Admiral at
TL122101; Peacock at TL122103; Small Tortoiseshell at TL120107 and 2 Comma at TL126086 |
David Utting |
| 19 Apr |
One Holly Blue in my south Harpenden garden |
David Hunt |
| 19 Apr |
Hounslow: Hotter still today with butterfly numbers increasing: St. Stephens Road TW3 2BW: Holly Blue: 3 Hounslow Heath:
Orange-Tip: 3 Speckled Wood: 1 Heath--Golf Course: Orange-Tip: 4 Brimstone: 1 Peacock: 1 Holly Blue: 2
Comma: 1 Green-Veined White: 1 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Large White (1st): 1 River Crane: Speckled Wood: 1
Marshalling Yards: Orange-Tip: 6 Brimstone: 1 Comma: 1 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Holly Blue: 1 Speckled Wood:
1 Peacock: 1 Pevensey: Brimstone: 2 Holly Blue: 2 Comma: 1 Small White: 1 Heath/Heather/Railway: Peacock: 1
Holly Blue: 1 Orange-Tip: 1 plus 1 Holly Blue in my garden - 1 also seen here yesterday in the evening |
Peter Gore |
| 19 Apr |
1 Brimstone - Bancroft, Hitchin TL18602968 |
David Inward |
| 19 Apr |
1 Peacock by lower lake, Trent Park at 13:55 hrs, 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 3097) at 14:26 hrs,
1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Comma clashing along Salmons Brook at Enfield Road (TQ 310968) at 14:51 hrs, a few 'small' whites and a few
butterflies too quick for me |
Robert Callf |
| 19 Apr |
Therfield Heath: Holly Blue (1), Comma (2), Peacock (5), Brimstone (10+), Small Tortoiseshell (10+),
Green-veined/Small White (8). The whites that could be identified were all Green-veined |
Martin Johnson |
| 18 Apr |
A male Orange-tip in Enfield Town |
Dobrina Dobreva via Robert Callf |
| 18 Apr |
First sightings in our garden of Orange-tip(female) and Holly Blue (male) at Bernards Heath, St Albans |
David Utting |
| 18 Apr |
On a long walk today from Ivinghoe Aston to Ivinghoe Beacon, Ashridge Visitor Centre, Norcott Hill, Dudswell, along the Grand Union to
Bulbourne then down the Wendover Arm to Wilstone and back, I saw Holly Blues (my first of the year), an Orange-tip (ditto),
Small and/or Green-veined Whites (ditto), Brimstones, Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, Commas and (80% certain
it was on the other side of the canal) a Red Admiral. All were seen in Herts but only Brimstones, Peacocks, Small Torts and Commas in Bucks,
probably because of timings (start and end of the walk). Now I am cream crackered, but it was worth it |
Rikki Harrington |
| 18 Apr |
On a glorious warm and sunny day at Stanwell Moor, I went out and about early before the butterflies became too energetic and I
became the opposite! Brimstones were the most numerous species again, with well over a dozen seen overall. Today was also a big day for Holly Blues,
and I came across around ten in various spots, including several sucking up minerals from damp patches on the path. I also saw several Commas laying
eggs on the the young nettle plants.
A rough tally of species: Brimstone - 15+; Holly Blue - 10+; Small/GV White - 10+;
Peacock - 10+; Orange Tip - 7; Comma - 5; Small Tortoiseshell - 1 |
Dave Miller |
| 18 Apr |
Female Emperor moth (Saturnia pavonia) at Therfield heath (Church Hill) today |
Chris Benton |
| 18 Apr |
Female Brimstone nectaring on Bluebells in my Hatfield garden today |
John Moss |
| 18 Apr |
In a country lane not far from Flaunden, Flaunden Lane at least two Peacock butterflies along the Nettles and hedges in late
afternoon sun |
Elizabeth Debenham |
| 18 Apr |
Harpenden Common: 10+ Small Tortoiseshell, most still in the nettle bed area but others dispersed across the common;
1 male Brimstone; and swarms of Grey Gorse Piercer (Cydia ulicetana) around (where else) the gorse bushes. The Comma and Peacock butterflies
from yesterday were nowhere to be seen and had presumably dispersed with the warmer and less windy conditions |
David Hunt |
| 18 Apr |
1 Brimstone - St Faiths Close, Hitchin TL19873030 |
David Inward |
| 18 Apr |
Despite the warm weather, saw relatively few butterflies on the London Borough Hillingdon & Harrow transects. Did see my first
Speckled Woods at Roxbourne Rough and Lake Farm and my first Green-veined Whites at Minet Country Park, all a couple of weeks late
this year |
Paul Busby |
| 18 Apr |
There were good numbers of Brimstone on the wing today at Purwell Ninesprings and our first Holly Blue of the year! |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 18 Apr |
Hounslow: Warmer and sunnier, inevitably with lots of butterflies including 4 year firsts: Hounslow Heath: Holly Blue (1st): 1
Peacock: 2 Small Tortoiseshell: 1 Heath--ex-Golf Course: Comma: 1 Orange-Tip: 1 Green-Veined White (1st): 2
Peacock: 1 River Crane: Red Admiral (1st since February): 1 Holly Blue: 1 Comma: 1 Small Tortoiseshell: 1
Marshalling Yards: Comma: 1 Orange-Tip (1st): 3 Brimstone: 3 Peacock: 4 Pevensey: Comma: 4 Brimstone: 5
Holly Blue: 2 Small White (1st): 1 Heath-Heather/Railway: Small Tortoiseshell: 1.
The highlight involved the Green-veined Whites. I first saw a male Orange-Tip which promptly got into an aerial duel with a white butterfly. This soon
ended with the white flying on in front of me quickly joined by another white, both dropping out of sight. As I drew next to them - five yards at most
- they rose again, now a mating pair of Green-Veined Whites, the female towing the male in the usual fashion to plants at eye-level. 'Courtship'
acceptance and mating commencement all in a matter of seconds it seemed. Both looked very fresh with conspicuous veining |
Peter Gore |
| 18 Apr |
1 female Large White at Chase Road, N14 (TQ 296 949) at 10:15 hrs, 1 Small White at Hadley Road, EN2 (TQ 299 980)
at 11:14 hrs, 3 Small White at Holly Hill Farm, Enfield (TL 290000) at 11:53 hrs, 1 Comma at Holly Hill Farm, Enfield (TL 300001) at
12:26 hrs, 1 Peacock near Crews Hill (TL304001) at 12:44 hrs, 4 Peacock at Rectory Farm, Enfield (TQ 304 992), 1 Comma at
Hilly Fields Park, Enfield (TQ 318988) at 14:33 hrs, 1 male Brimstone at Gordon Hill Station (TQ 318977) at 14:47 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 18 Apr |
My first butterfly of 2018, in warm, sunny, Kings Langley this lunchtime was a Holly Blue!! |
Elizabeth Debenham |
| 17 Apr |
Sunshine arrived in the middle of the day, and so did the butterflies. A walk around my usual route at Stanwell Moor showed that the
Orange Tips in particular are well underway. Overall, I saw seven, plus seven Brimstones, five Peacocks, five Commas, a
Small Tortoiseshell and several Whites, including my first Green-veined White of the year. There was at least
one other, plus three Small Whites as well. Right at the end of the walk I spotted another new species for the year - a Holly Blue flying
around a large Holly tree |
Dave Miller |
| 17 Apr |
Warmer but blustery day but saw a Red Admiral amongst the usual butterflies on the Gutteridge Wood transect |
Paul Busby |
| 17 Apr |
First clearly identified butterflies of 2018 in my Pinner garden this morning: a male Brimstone & a badly damaged
Comma |
Tony Porter |
| 17 Apr |
Franklin Gardens, Hitchin TL19863020 - 1 Brimstone |
David Inward |
| 17 Apr |
2 Small Tortoiseshell together at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (TQ 307972) at 11:34 hrs, 1 Comma at Bay Farm, Enfield
(TQ 296986) at 12:44 hrs, 1 Small White E edge of Little Beechill Wood, Enfield Chase (TQ 285993) at 12:59 hrs, 1 Peacock and 1
Small Tortoiseshell near Little Beechill Wood, Enfield Chase at 13:03 hrs - 13:05 hrs, 2 Peacock at Holly Hill Farm, Enfield
(TQ 289998), Sightings for Fir & Pond Woods LNR near Potters Bar all in Pond Wood (TL 279004) - 1 Green-veined White
at 14:40 hrs, 1 Large White at 14:55 hrs, 2 Peacock, 1 male Brimstone at 15:00 hrs, 1 Comma
at 15:01 hrs and 1 Peacock near New Cottage Farm, Potters Bar |
Robert Callf |
| 17 Apr |
I saw 1 Small White, 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 Peacock butterflies at Amwell Nature Reserve |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 17 Apr |
A sunny but rather windy day on Harpenden Common, most butterflies taking shelter in the nettle bed area: 10+ Small
Tortoiseshell; 5 Comma; 3 Peacock, and 1 male Brimstone. Only 1 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell were seen
outside of the nettle bed area |
David Hunt |
| 16 Apr |
Hounslow: Cloudy conditions today with few butterflies and I had to wait until the Pevensey loop before I felt myself rewarded with
my first Speckled Wood of the year, a very fresh looking individual. A Comma was the only other butterfly identified. With future
Hairstreaks in mind I'm looking for both Elm and Blackthorn. Not so good for the former but far more of the latter than I'd remembered even
effectively on my walk as well as elsewhere on the heath and golf course. I foresee quite a lot of peering at twigs in the autumn and winter! |
Peter Gore |
| 16 Apr |
1 Adela reaumurella SW edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park (TQ 284975) this afternoon at 12:50 BST - my first of the year!
1 Double-striped Pug at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 15 Apr |
Two Common Plume moths (Emmelina monodactyla) seen on wall at Cricklewood Station (TQ239859) - presumably attracted to lights the previous night |
Jonathan Wallace |
| 15 Apr |
Harpenden Common: seven Small Tortoiseshell and one Comma, all on the nettle beds |
David Hunt |
| 14 Apr |
A walk around the Jersey Farm area of St Albans (TL179089) produced 3 Brimstone, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and a surprise
Holly Blue |
Dan Cooper |
| 14 Apr |
After a solid week of unremitting gloom, damp and cold, today was a total contrast. A walk around my local patch at Stanwell Moor in
glorious warm sunshine was blessed with good numbers of butterflies. The highlights were the three Orange Tips, the first of the year. Totals for a
couple of hours gentle ambling: Brimstone 9 (including 3 females), Small Tortoiseshell 8, Peacock 5, Comma 4, Small
White 3, Orange Tip 3 |
Dave Miller |
| 14 Apr |
Plenty of Commas, Small Tortoiseshells, Brimstones, Peacocks and Small Whites whilst walking transects today in the Spring
sunshine. In addition, saw 2 Small Whites at Minet Cycle track, Hayes, (TQ109803) and a Brimstone, 2 Commas and a Peacock
at Cutthroat Wood, Hillingdon (TQ 08 84) |
Paul Busby |
| 14 Apr |
While walking my Stevenage transect among 5 Peacocks I saw was one of aberration diopthalmica - small blue spot
between the eye-spot on the hindwings and the angle of the tail |
Peter Clarke |
| 14 Apr |
St Faiths Close, Hitchin - 2 Brimstone - 1 at TL19843027, 1 at TL19873031. Walsworth Common, Hitchin 3 Brimstone -
1 at TL19713005, 1 at TL19693012, 1 at TL19703025, 1 Small Tortoiseshell at TL19723005. Baldock Road, Letchworth - 1 Brimstone at
TL23183256. Baldock Road Recreation Ground, Letchworth - 1 Brimstone at TL23113261 |
David Inward |
| 14 Apr |
Hounslow: More sunshine at last and although I failed to get close enough to several whites, given glimpses of black wing-tips
it's likely that at least one of the two smaller whites (three with female Orange-Tip) is now flying here. Here are the butterflies I could identify:
Hounslow Heath: Peacock: 2 Small Tortoiseshell: 4 Brimstone (f):1 Heath--Golf Course: Peacock: 2 Marshalling Yards:
Comma: 4 Brimstone (m): 3 Peacock: 2 Pevensey: Comma: 1 Peacock: 1 Heath-Heather, Railway: Peacock: 1.
The Small Tortoiseshells were two more pairs, the second pair in amongst fresh low nettles. Approximately half a dozen unidentified whites, some of
these likely Brimstones |
Peter Gore |
| 14 Apr |
A male Brimstone at Garston (Watford), grid ref TL 119006 |
Colin Everett |
| 14 Apr |
1 Comma along Leeging Beech Gutter N of Williams Wood at Vicarage Farm (TQ 298978) at 12:43 hrs, also here 1 Peacock
at 12:45 hrs and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at 12:47 hrs, 1 male Small White at Cuckold's Hill, Parkside Farm, Enfield (TQ 301983) at
13:00 hrs, 1 Comma at Park Farm, Enfield (TQ 293985) at 13:38 hrs, 2 Peacock at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park (TQ 288977) at 14:09 hrs,
1 Comma edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park (TQ 293975) at 14:33 hrs, 1 Peacock and 2 Comma edge of Williams Wood, Trent Park
(TQ 295972) between 14:43 - 14:45 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 14 Apr |
Harpenden Common: six Small Tortoiseshell, including two courting pairs on the nettle beds; 1 Comma; 1 Peacock;
and 1 female Brimstone. One male Brimstone in my south Harpenden garden |
David Hunt |
| 14 Apr |
Spring at last. Brimstone , Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock in garden at Bengeo and at Waterford Heath South.
Brimstones and 1 Peacock in Broxbourne Woods. Later at Rickneys it had warmed up now (18 degrees), Brimstone two Peacocks
and two Small Tortoiseshells. Popped back to Waterford Heath and saw female Orange-tip on the bank |
Steve Kiln |
| 14 Apr |
Visiting family in Cricklewood today and saw nice male Brimstone flying at Chichele Rd/Ansom Rd junction (TQ236854). Later saw a second Brimstone flying over Cricklewood Broadway at TQ239855 |
Jonathan Wallace |
| 13 Apr |
1 Double-striped Pug at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 11 Apr |
1 Satellite and 1 Common Quaker at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| 8 Apr |
Small Tortoiseshell in my Hitchin garden |
Martin Banthorpe |
| 7 Apr |
Brimstone in my Hitchin garden |
Martin Banthorpe |
| 7 Apr |
Beautiful male Brimstone in my Hatfield garden this afternoon, 1st this year apart from a possible Small Tortoiseshell on 5th April |
John Moss |
| 7 Apr |
Warmer again at Stanwell Moor, but the sunshine was more limited and there were fewer butterflies. Just two Brimstones today (a male and the first female I've seen this year), two Small Tortoiseshells, a Peacock and a Comma |
Dave Miller |
| 7 Apr |
A Peacock in my garden in Stocking Pelham and a Brimstone on Patmore Heath (TL442258) |
Andy Brown |
| 7 Apr |
One Brimstone in my garden in Pinner, this morning |
Graham Elcombe |
| 7 Apr |
1 Brimstone - by railway east of Letchworth Station (TL219329) |
David Inward |
| 7 Apr |
One male Brimstone passing through my south Harpenden garden this afternoon |
David Hunt |
| 7 Apr |
I saw a Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone at Hunsdon Meads (TL420111) this morning |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 6 Apr |
A warmer day and a similar set of butterflies seen on my local patch (Stanwell Moor): Six Brimstones, six Peacocks, seven Small Tortoiseshells and a Comma. Once again, two of the Tortoiseshells were feeling amorous |
Dave Miller |
| 6 Apr |
At Whippendell Wood (Watford): 1 Comma in TQ 0896; 2 Brimstones (male, separate female), 2 Commas and 2 Peacocks
in TQ 0897; 2 male Brimstones and single Comma and Peacock in TQ 0797 |
Colin Everett |
| 6 Apr |
First butterflies of the year at Nicholls Fm, Redbourn today with two Small Tortoiseshells chasing each other around and
a single Brimstone |
Peter Tallantire |
| 6 Apr |
I was visited by two Commas while planting up a wildflower meadow in Tunnel Gardens Bounds Green (TQ293914) today |
Miles Attenborough |
| 6 Apr |
Hounslow: Another pleasant sunny day with more butterflies,the highlights being my first Small Tortoiseshells of the year
with two together flying low above nettles in a part of the Pevensey loop freshly planted as a small mixed orchard; and on the Marshalling Yards
a Brimstone and a Comma nectaring on the same Willow branch. Here are the details: Hounslow Heath: Comma: 1; Marshalling Yards:
Comma: 6 Small Tortoiseshell: 2 Peacock: 4 Brimstone (m): 3; Pevensey: Comma: 2 Small Tortoiseshell: 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 6 Apr |
1 Comma, 1 male Brimstone and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Arnos Park, N11 this afternoon, also this afternoon
two sightings of male Brimstone at Waterfall Walk, East Barnet (TQ 288933) and 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Comma at West Walk,
East Barnet (TQ 282943) |
Robert Callf |
| 6 Apr |
Greenwood Park Chiswell Green (TL1305) - at last my first flying butterflies of the year, 2 Small Tortoiseshells this morning
while out with Mandy Floyd making plans for the Small Blue Project. Bricket Wood Common - first transect of the year with Chris Newman
produced 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 12 Commas, 5 Brimstones (Male and female) and 8 Peacocks. Beware, this site is very
muddy right now. St Albans - Today's inspection of my shed revealed that 5 out of the 21 Small Tortoiseshells who made it through the winter have
now departed, leaving 16 still in hibernation |
Malcolm Hull |
| 5 Apr |
1 Brimstone in my garden in Welwyn Garden City |
Jennie Reed |
| 5 Apr |
1 Comma in my garden in Abbots Langley at 12.45 pm |
Marilyn Randall |
| 5 Apr |
On a lovely sunny day today, though not especially warm, the butterflies were back. On a walk around my local patch at Stanwell Moor, I found two Commas, four Peacocks, four Brimstones and no less than 13 Small Tortoiseshells . The Tortoiseshells were starting to indulge in courtship behaviour, with three pairs seen in characteristic poses |
Dave Miller |
| 5 Apr |
The following at various sites on the north side of Watford: a Comma in woodland at North Watford Cemetery, (TQ1073 9973); Peacock and 2 Small Tortoiseshells around nettles in grassland at Fortunes Farm, (TL1119 0198); Small Tortoiseshell around nettles at Garston Park (TL1217 0057) |
Colin Everett |
| 5 Apr |
1 male Brimstone flying down Marshalswick Lane, St Albans,
2 male Brimstones in St Albans garden and I female Brimstone and 1 Comma in Greenwood Park, St Albans |
Mandy Floyd |
| 5 Apr |
Berkhamsted HP4 1EH: lunchtime at work a male Brimstone flew down Northbridge Road past the Screwfix shop and 20 minutes later a
Comma briefly landed on outside wall of the workshop before flying off over the canal |
Chris Hilling |
| 5 Apr |
One female Brimstone in my south Harpenden garden, 1 male Brimstone on Harpenden Common and 1 male Brimstone in south Harpenden |
David Hunt |
| 5 Apr |
A very pleasant sunny afternoon with lots of butterflies at last! Hounslow Heath: Peacock: 1; Golf Course: Comma: 1;
River Crane: Brimstone (male): 1; Marshalling Yards: Comma: 6, Peacock: 3, Brimstone (male): 1; Pevensey: Brimstone (male): 2 |
Peter Gore |
| 5 Apr |
1 Brimstone - St Faiths Close, Hitchin |
David Inward |
| 5 Apr |
Two hour walk around favoured butterfly spots in Hertford and Ware this afternoon produced 1 Red Admiral, 2 Comma, 3 Peacock, 10 Brimstone and 26 Small Tortoiseshells, including several displaying pairs. I think this might be the latest I have caught up with all the hibernating species on one day. A joy to see |
Andrew Wood |
| 5 Apr |
Two male Brimstones this morning at TL166097 and TL165098. One female at TL171099 |
David Utting |
| 5 Apr |
1 Red Admiral along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three-bridges' at Trent Park (TQ295977) at 11:25 hrs. 1 Red Admiral
near Oakwood entrance, Trent Park (TQ 291961) at 13:33 hrs, 3 Comma at Trent Park (1 Sect 2 at 13:50 hrs, 1 Sect 5 at 13:58 hrs and 1 Sect 6
at 14:06 hrs), 1 Peacock Sect 2 Trent Park near Triangular Wood at 13:52 hrs, 1 female Brimstone edge of Triangular Wood, Trent Park
at 14:32 hrs |
Robert Callf |
| 4 Apr |
1 male Diurnea fagella at ASDA Southgate |
Robert Callf |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 26 Mar |
I was just beginning to give up hope of seeing a butterfly in March when at last a male Brimstone put in an appearance
flying along the top of the bushes that shield Argyle Road (TW3 2BE) Hounslow from the railway. There were two more sightings of unidentifiable dark
butterflies probably Red Admirals,one on the Marshalling Yards,one on the Pevensey Loop; this representing a doubling of that category to date. The
earlier one last week I thought more likely a Peacock. Moths have been about the same with three separate sightings of single likely Orange Underwings
flying near the tops of Silver Birches, also on the Marshalling Yards mid March to March 22nd |
Peter Gore |
| 26 Mar |
A male Brimstone and 2 Small Tortoiseshell in Fieldfare way Royston today |
Laurence Drummond |
| 26 Mar |
2 male Brimstones today: One at Little Mole wood, Bengeo and one at Goldings, Waterford |
Chris Benton |
| 26 Mar |
A lovely sunny morning and a walk around my local patch near Heathrow started with a Small Tortoiseshell right outside the
front door. An hour or so of walking produced four Peacocks, a Brimstone and a Comma to add to the total. Finally, on the way
back, I found a freshly emerged male Small White nectaring on a pussy willow - see photo on right. Eight butterflies
of five species - not bad considering the season is only just underway |
Dave Miller |
| 26 Mar |
Broxbourne Woods NR today, we saw 2 Comma, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and eventually 1 single male Brimstone. There were maximum of 3 flights high in the treetops of Orange/Light Orange Underwing moths but no groundings! |
Liz Goodyear
Helen Bantock |
| 26 Mar |
1 Comma at Monken Hadley Common (TQ257973) this morning at 11:32 hrs basking in sunny spot |
Robert Callf |
| 25 Mar |
This afternoon there was a male Brimstone flying through and Scarlet Tiger larva in the garden, Tring |
Nick Bowles |
| 25 Mar |
Millhoppers Reserve - whilst surveying the fence line and posts this afternoon, we spotted a male Brimstone plus a pair of dueling Commas |
Chris Hilling
Paula Reid |
| 22 Mar |
We saw 2 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies at Thorley Wash this morning. On twitter |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 21 Mar |
This afternoon, in the field behind my house (part of Miswell Recreation Ground, Tring ; there were 8 Small Tortoiseshells and a single Comma. I was very surprised as it didn't seem anywhere near warm enough to my skin. One of the Torties was a female and was closely attended by a male |
Nick Bowles |
| 21 Mar |
Today I saw my first 'non-freak' Brimstone, strangely in precisely the same spot as the one on 10 January at Wendover Arm, Grand Union Canal! Just the one on a 16 mile walk |
Richard Harrington |
| 21 Mar |
1 Orange Underwing/Light Orange Underwing seen in flight through bins near Oakwood entrance, Trent Park (TQ291961) this afternoon at 12:35 hrs - a real sign of spring! |
Robert Callf |
| 21 Mar |
Small Tortoiseshell in Standon High Street at 11 am |
Steve Kiln |
| 16 Mar |
2 male Brimstones in Graveley, one near the pond and another up the lane towards the church |
Don Gregory |
| 16 Mar |
A Comma in my garden at 11:00 in Sawbridgeworth |
Mike Harris |
| 16 Mar |
Brimstone over Chestnut Lane footpath near St Andrew's Church, Totteridge (TQ242938) |
Bob Husband |
| 16 Mar |
One Comma in the gardens at Elton Court, Bengeo, Hertford. (TL321133) |
Chris Benton |
| 16 Mar |
My first two butterflies of 2018 were two Small Tortoiseshells today, one at The Warren, Colney Heath and one on the northern side of Colney Heath itself |
Andrew Wood |
| 16 Mar |
A Peacock in my garden in Stocking Pelham. A Brimstone on Patmore Heath TL442258 |
Andrew Brown |
| 16 Mar |
Had already seen Red Admiral at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park with a Brimstone there today. Also seen at Ally Pally (TQ295900) along with Small Tortoiseshell |
Robert Watts |
| 16 Mar |
Also had my first butterfly of the year, Comma at Brent Reservoir (TQ2287) |
Andrew Self |
| 16 Mar |
My first butterflies , all Brimstones; 1 at Tewinbury Farm , 2 in my transect at Waterford Heath (south) and 1 at home in Bengeo |
Steve Kiln |
| 16 Mar |
1 Red Admiral seen in flight and settled at Lonsdale Drive, EN2/Merryhills Drive, EN2 (TQ 303961) at 14:15 hrs and 1 male Brimstone at Boxer's Lake, Enfield (TQ306962) at 14:27 - 14:30 hrs - my first butterflies of the year! |
Robert Callf |
| 14 Mar |
Peacock at Hammonds Farm near Symondshyde (TL186114) |
David Utting |
| 13 Mar |
The Small Tortoiseshell which had been hibernating for at least the last 4 months at my work in St. Albans (TL148070) flew off today |
Andrew Steele |
| 13 Mar |
A Brimstone briefly flew over my Stevenage garden at 12:15 pm. Temperature in the shade 10 degrees |
Peter Clarke |
| 11 Mar |
On a sunny Sunday morning around Tring Resevoirs I saw 5 Brimstones including 3 flying together around Ivy Bushes. The temperature was a very Springlike 14 degrees Celsius |
Charlie Jackson |
| 11 Mar |
Male Brimstone in Bengeo garden this morning |
Simon Knott |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 26 Feb |
On a cool grey day, I saw a Small Tortoiseshell flying around the roof of a house in Aldbury |
Charlie Jackson |
| 18 Feb |
I saw 1 Red Admiral today near Bramfield (TL282164) |
Jenny Sherwen |
| 18 Feb |
St Albans: My first transect of the year, looking for butterflies hibernating in my shed. I recorded a total of 19 Small Tortoiseshells, all fast asleep.
The numbers were down by three compared to my last visit in October. I doubt that any have yet flown so the fall in numbers is most likely due to predation by spiders.
Another possible cause is the butterflies changing position - they tend to shuffle around over time, gravitating towards the darker recesses.
This can make them harder to spot, even with the aid of a torch. Also recorded on the same site, one Large White pupa, which I found inside my house over Christmas and moved to a cooler spot so that it doesn't hatch too early |
Malcolm Hull |
| 17 Feb |
1 Red Admiral (briefly) in my Ware garden this morning |
Liz Goodyear |
| 12 Feb |
Hounslow: Ice on puddles across the site and temperatures in single figures but some sunshine and my second Red Admiral of the year. This was on the Heath at the junction of the three tetrads and managed at least a few moments in each of them flying quite energetically for a coldish day in February |
Pete Gore |
| 12 Feb |
Red Admiral in garden NW Bishop's Stortford. 12:30 pm |
Jim Fish |
| 2 Feb |
A Red Admiral under the eaves outside our St Albans house at 9:30 am - it was awake early! |
Mandy Floyd |
| Date |
Description |
Recorder |
| 31 Jan |
1 Common Quaker at Oakwood Station above stairwell - spring is on the way!? |
Robert Callf |
| 25 Jan |
Report from Butterfly Conservation: A Speckled Wood flew across Bow Creek. Wasn't a very early emergence, as it looked really tatty. It must have been one of last year's that had somehow hung on |
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| 25 Jan |
Although temperatures were still quite low, bright afternoon sunshine was perhaps sufficient to encourage a Red Admiral to fly on the Marshalling Yards during today's walk |
Pete Gore |
| 25 Jan |
First butterfly sighting of 2018 for me, Red Admiral on Muswell Hill Broadway reported on facebook |
Dee Cullen |
| 19 Jan |
I know it's sunny today but it's still badly cold and there's a bit of northerly in the west wind. So I was surprised,
though pleasantly so, to see a pristine Red Admiral sunning itself on one of our south-facing window sills in Stepney at 12.30 |
Keir Mottram |
| 18 Jan |
A Red Admiral flying and basking at 11:30 hours in a front garden in Brent, NW9, grid ref TQ 207 867. Also in NW9, 450 metres away at the end of the same road, an unidentified Nymphalid glimpsed in flight at 13:15 hours at the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, grid ref TQ 208 871 |
Colin Everett |
| 17 Jan |
A Nymphalid flew across the road at the entrance to Shingle Hall, Trimms Green near Sawbridgeworth at 12.40, most likely a Small Tortoiseshell |
Laurence Drummond |
| 17 Jan |
White-letter Hairstreak eggs are waiting to be found at the moment! A visit to SW London today found eggs on elm in the London Boroughs of Ealing (TQ28); Hounslow (TQ17); Richmond and by the Thames in Sunbury (Spelthorne DC) (TQ12) at 6 sites! |
Liz Goodyear
Andrew Middleton |
| 10 Jan |
Whilst walking along the Grand Union Canal Wendover Arm today I saw a fine male Brimstone (SP912130). It was bright sunshine and 8 deg. C., well below the normal flight threshold. Anyway, a wonderful early 'spring' moment amongst the gloomy days, even though it may be two months before I see another. I have been recording firsts since 1988 and my previous earliest was 13th Feb (1998) |
Richard Harrington |
| 2 Jan |
Report from Butterfly Conservation HQ - at 10 am, outside the vets I work in Connaught Street, London W2, a Red Admiral fluttering around. Couldn't believe it! |
Catherine Beazley |
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%20TherfieldHeath_30Jul18_MJ.jpg "Chalkhill Blue (f) Therfield Heath 30 Jul")
%20variant%20TherfieldHeath_30Jul18_MJ.jpg "Chalkhill Blue (f) variant Therfield Heath 30 Jul")
