Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Small Tortoiseshell. 11:15 today in South Mimms TL191024 near Salisbury Hall a single Small Tortoiseshell sunning itself on the grass. [Posted by Terence Wood]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. I found seven species seen on my local patch near Heathrow today, where the brilliant sunshine masked the fact that it wasn't actually as warm as recent days. These included two new species for 2026: Holly Blue and Orange-tip. Unfortunately I was unable to get more than fly-by shots of either butterfly - just enough for the I/D! Overall, I reached my highest total seen so far this year. Peacock (22), Comma (11), Red Admiral (3), Small White (2), Brimstone (1), Holly Blue (1), Orange-tip (1). I also found an Orange Underwing moth, which I only recognised after seeing dozens down in Kent earlier in the week. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. After two gloriously sunny and warm days away from my local patch (watching Large Tortoiseshells in Kentish woodland), I returned today to cooler weather with only hazy sunshine. It had clearly dropped below the acceptable level for Brimstones (as I didn't see any), but there were plenty of other butterflies around: Peacock (16), Red Admiral (5), Comma (3), Small White (3). I had been hoping for Speckled Woods or even Holly Blues, but none were forthcoming. [Posted by Dave Miller]
First Small White seen in Alexandra Park. One small white seen for the first time this year in Alexandra Park, N London. (Sorry moved too quickly for a photo.) [Posted by Stephen Middleton]
Orange Tip. An Orange Tip flying across The Warren at Hartham Common just before noon today [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Tracks around Danemead HMWT. Enjoyed a morning walk in the glorious spring sunshine to check the goat willow catkins for butterflies. The usual hibernators seen Peacock 25+, Brimstone 6 (males), Comma 5 and Light Orange Underwing 4. One very excited Brimstone male thought he found the love he had been dreaming about all winter and was very upset at me for litter picking his mate. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Speckled Wood and Brimstones at Alexandra Park. The first Speckled Wood of the year was on the wing by the golf course at Alexandra Park today. Also a Brimstone nearby (others reported seeing five Brimstone) [Posted by Reuben Braddock]
Speckled Wood Sighting. Seen near the golf course in Alexandra Park on Wednesday by Reuben Braddock I heard of it via the local birders WhatsApp. First of year for the park. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Garden sighting. My first garden Peacock nectaring in the sunshine today in Muswell Hill. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Peacock at Southgate & Trent Park. 1 Peacock near Triangular Wd/Trent Park this afternoon & another one at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 1544 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. The forecast sunshine arrived near Heathrow at lunchtime, and the butterflies were quick to respond. It was a bit warmer, and the Brimstones reappeared after a two-week absence. Small Whites had begun to emerge as well, to join the usual roster of Commas and Peacocks, and there was a Red Admiral in the usual spot by the river. Today's totals: Comma (10), Brimstone (5), Peacock (5), Small White (4), Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Brimstone at Southgate. Male Brimstone at Dalrymple Close, N14 this afternoon at 1303 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Early Thorn at Southgate. 1 Early Thorn at ASDA Southgate this afternoon - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Hedge planting at Lannock Farm, Weston. Volunteers from Herts CPRE and Butterfly Conservation planting hedges on Lannock Farm this morning. All 15 species of hedgerow plants have been selected as being particularly attractive for butterflies and moths. More planting sessions are planned at Lannock Farm and at Woodhall Estate. Contact james@cpreherts.org.uk if you would like to join in [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Lots of sunshine today in my part of the world, though it was relatively cool after a chilly night. It proved enough motivation for a few butterflies, and during early afternoon, I managed to find nine Commas, three Peacocks and a Red Admiral. This last butterfly was in exactly the same spot as others seen both this year and at the end of 2025, but wasn't the same individual as any of these. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Comma & Peacock at Grovelands Park, Southgate. 1 Peacock near Rangers' Hut at 1316 GMT & 1 Comma near Priory Hospital at 1440 GMT, at Grovelands Park, Southgate [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Peacock resumes hibernation. Surprised to record four hibernating Peacocks on todays shed transect. There were four there two weeks ago, but one had subsequently emerged (see news for 9 March). Three of those recorded today were in the same positions as they had been since July. The fourth was in an entirely different location. So it seems that the individual which emerged on March 9th thought better of it! I have witnessed Peacocks breaking their hibernation before, by emerging for supplementary feed in August or September. I've never known one re-enter hibernation after Spring emergence and would be interested to know if others have witnessed this [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. More sunshine round my way than yesterday, but it was a bit cooler and breezier. Butterflies seen today comprised two Peacocks, three Red Admirals and four Commas. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Oak Beauty at Southgate. 1 Oak Beauty at ASDA Southgate this afternoon [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. There was some decent sunshine for an hour or two in the middle of the day today, and a local walk revealed a handful of butterflies: three Peacocks, two Commas and a surprisingly fresh Red Admiral. I wondered if the Red Admiral might be an early migrant rather than a local overwinterer. [Posted by Dave Miller]
