Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Stevenage area website. I have updated the Stevenage butterflies website to add 2024 data for our branch area and nationally via the UKBMS. New charts also added for each species account [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Sightings at Enfield. 1 Green-veined White, 3 male Orange-tip, 1 Peacock & 3 Speckled Wood at private sites near Trent Park late morning/early afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Holly Blue. I was amazed to see my first Holly Blue of the year in Bentley Priory Open Space, Stanmore, whilst out on a Botany Survey with the London Natural History Society. But it didn't stay very long as one of the group plunged into the bush to ID a leaf! [Posted by Nicholas Barnett]
Prestwick Road Meadows South Oxhey. Returning to Prestwick Meadows to check on the rescued Brown Hairstreak eggs we relocated 18 of the 23 eggs rescued and found that 16 had hatched for Easter with 2 remaining unhatched. 3 of the attached twigs with eggs on appeared to be missing along with some of the markers for the eggs that were not removed. Although no caterpillars seen yet the results look promising. Butterflies seen Speckled Wood 16+, Large White 2, Orange-tip 3, Peacock 2, Comma 1 with a further 3 whites seen. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Lunar Marbled Brown at Oakwood & Southgate. 2 Lunar Marbled Brown [1 at Bramley Road, N14 & 1 at ASDA Southgate] - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 24 Green Longhorn Moth [5 at a private site near Trent Park, 19 at Trent Park] - my first of the year [FOY], 2 Comma [1 at a private site near Trent Park & 1 at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park], 5 Green-veined White [4 at a private site near Trent Park & at least one, by lower lake, Trent Park], 4 male Orange-tip [2 at private sites near Trent Park & 2 at Trent Park], 2 Peacock at Trent Park, 1 Red Admiral at a private site near Trent Park, 3 Speckled Wood at private sites near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield. Male Brimstone, 1 Peacock & 1 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park. 2 Orange-tip [male & female] at another private site near Trent Park - my first female of the year. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
more grizzled skippers. I went to North Heath and found 4 Grizzled Skippers quite widespread. 1 near the wood by the steep bank on the right sheltering. one by railway line on path ,1 nearby amongst thick hawthorn and final one other side of fence in area they were very common before hawthorn came. on south heath no Grizzled Skippers but a Cinnabar Moth. [Posted by steve kiln]
Early Morning Grizzlies. I had an Easter egg errand to run this morning so afterwards I popped into Waterford Heath to beat the rain and catch the Grizzlies before they got too energetic. In the North Heath I found 3 Grizzled Skippers around the pond between 8.30-9am, they were trying hard to warm up in the early sun and just a little flutter of grey gave away their locations. I tried the South Heath quickly but no success, far better there in the afternoon in my view. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 3 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park. 4 Speckled Wood at Trent Park [1 at Moat Wd & 3 near Shaws Wd]. 1 Large White near Obelisk at Trent Park. 2 male Brimstone at Trent Park [1 near Shaws Wd Cottages & 1 nectaring on dandelion near Merryhills Brook]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
grizzled skippers. 2 grizzled skippers in Rickneys quarry near Hertford this afternoon ,however I could find none at Waterford heath. [Posted by steve kiln]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 2 Speckled Wood [1 at a private site near Trent Park & 1 at Rough Lot/Trent Park] & 1 Peacock near Shaws Wd Cottages/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Speckled Wood at Oakwood Park & Town Park, Enfield. 4 Speckled Wood at Oakwood Park this morning [0935 to 1010 BST] including two together & 1 Speckled Wood at Town Park, Enfield along the New River at Carr's Basin this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Chiswell Green members day. It was a delight to attend the members open day at Greenwood Hall Chiswell Green as you would expect the butterfly count was low due to members being indoors most of the time. However there are a few to report. It was nice to get my first confirmed sighting of a Small White the only butterfly photo I did capture. Otherwise 1 Peacock, 1+ Orange-tip Probable Brimstone and a several unidentified whites, Large White probable among them. After we left we took a quick look over Bricket Wood Common, 2 Peacock and 1 unidentified white. The best left until last! After returning to Ricks garden it was my first opportunity to see a few comma eggs and laid on their traditional old food plant the hop too! A great end to the day. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Small Copper at Bay Farm, Enfield [TQ301985]. 1 Small Copper seen in flight & settled at Bay Farm, Enfield along the 'London Loop' [TQ301985] from 1140 to 1142 BST - my earliest record by a week [the previous earliest record was on 19th April over 20 years ago]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Garden sightings. At least six species in my Harpenden garden today: Holly blue, brimstone, small white, orange tip, comma, peacock and probable speckled woods. [Posted by Robin Pearson]
Branch Members' Day - non-members welcome. This will be held on Saturday 12th April at Greenwood Hall, Chiswell Green. Doors open at 10.30. We have four guest speakers, the opportunity to show off your best photos and plenty of time to chat to like-minded people. The sales stand will selling a selection of butterfly and moth related items including ID guides and guest speakers will also be bringing copies of their books to sell. Full details can be found at this link. Full details https://hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk/Programme%20for%20Members%20Day%202025.pdf and our Annual Review can be read here https://hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk/Annual%20Review%20for%202025%20Members'%20Day.pdf [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Sightings at Enfield. 4 Brimstone [2 males & 2 females], male Green-veined White, 2 male Orange-tip, 5 Peacock & 2 Speckled Wood at private sites near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 1 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park. Male Orange-tip near Shaws Wd Cottages/Trent Park & 2 Green-veined White [1 near Merryhills Brook at Trent Park & 1 at Lakeside, EN2]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Emperor Moth at Waterford Heath. I went up to Waterford Heath to see if I could see a Grizzled Skipper, no luck. But I did find this female Emperor Moth sitting low down in a recently cleared area. No sign of any males being attracted to her. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
