Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Brown Hairstreak. One Brown Hairstreak egg found at Warners Brothers studios Leavesden. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak egg hunt and training morning at Horsenden Hill. A brilliant recording effort this morning at Horsenden Hill despite the cold, dull weather! Weather conditions were however perfect for seeing eggs though! Ten people joined us and over a 2 hour period we found 74 eggs, with 3 eggs being found within a short distance of the carpark - a great start! The site is vast and there is plenty more blackthorn to be searched! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Brown Hairstreak at Fryent country park. With permission granted, 64 Brown Hairstreak eggs rescued from areas due for cutting back at Fryent country park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Red Admiral in Dorset. Seen on 2 January in Broadstone . Warming up a bit this week with some probable sunshine so maybe worthwhile searching for it [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Further observations from today's Brown Hairstreak egg survey. There were several double egg finds - see photos. Malcolm checked the hedge trimming around the field systems and they were all carried out following the agreed rotation with the land managers! [Posted by Chris Hankinson & Malcolm Hull]
Branch Winter Event at Stafford Road Open Space.. 10 of us assembled in sub zero frosty conditions, including 6 rookies for training in the delicate art of Brown Hairstreak egg hunting. The forecasted sun that we had banked on failed to appear but thankfully the temperature rose sufficiently to thaw the frosty foliage to make the task in hand possible with a total number of 28 eggs found with all the newcomers finding at least 1 egg so mission accomplished on that front. The event included a walk about the area highlighting the various 'hot spot' clearings and the location of master ash trees where adults roost and assemble enabling folk to return on their own come the flight season. It turned in to quite a social event as there were people from different local groups exchanging plenty of useful local butterfly and conservation chit chat. No one left early despite the gloomy cold weather and everyone said they had an enjoyable time. See you same place in August for the flight season walk. PS There will be another training/survey event next Sunday 19th at Horsenden Hill if you missed today [Posted by Nick Furtek]
Columbia...Home to 20% of the World's Butterfly Species by Ian Small. Did you miss our Zoom presentation last night? Well we recorded it so you can now watch it or watch it again to see the amazing photographs of Colombian butterflies - it will definitely brighten up your day ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7cfzGco8GM. [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Brown Hairstreak eggs. Over the last couple of weeks Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Roxbourne Park (17). Moat mount open space (1). Arrandene open space (10). [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Beat the Winter blues!. With our programme of free Zoom talks. Starting this Wednesday 8th January with 'Colombia - home to 20% of the world's butterfly species' - Ian Small. Full details are here & note earlier start time: https://www.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk/winter-zoom.php. Alternatively you can join us on one of our Brown Hairstreak survey mornings starting on Sunday 12th January . Anyone can come but please book (in case we have to postpone), remember to wrap up warm, wear wellies (everywhere is muddy!) & bring a hand lens. Full details are here: https://www.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk/winter-events.php [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Happy New Year. Hopefully better weather in 2025 for more butterflies than last year. Changes forthcoming on website for year change [Posted by Peter Clarke]