Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Late Brimstone. A late Brimstone was active this afternoon in gardens along Manderville Rise, Welwyn Garden City. [Posted by John Yates]
Stanmore Common. Nineteen Brown Hairstreak eggs found on Stanmore Common. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Stanmore country Park. Sixteen Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Stanmore Country Park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Speckled Wood at Trent Park. 1 Speckled Wood [worn & faded] along bridle-path near Merryhill's Brook at Trent Park [TQ297967] this morning at 1059 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Speckled Wood in Stevenage. A very worn Speckled Wood spotted in Fairlands Valley Park, NW of the Environment Lake at 1pm. Apparently the latest record ever in the TL22 square beating previous record in 2022 on 18 October at Watery Grove [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Small Copper at Oakwood Park. 2 Small Copper this morning in Oakwood Park ['very fresh looking' female at 0840 GMT & another one 'faded' at 0900 GMT - presumably 4th brood individuals?] [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Butterfly Conservation launch Youth Panel. The new Youth Panel aims to involve young people in BC’s activities and make our activities more accessible to younger participants. Watch their new YouTube video here https://youtu.be/RXZFhMdg_0o?si=nXD5T-zeLP9PXD6o [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
West Hendon Playing fields. Thirty two Brown Hairstreak eggs found and West Hendon Playing Fields. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 1 Speckled Wood at Duncan's Wd/Enfield Chase at 1000 BST & 2 Red Admiral [1 along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Grdn/Trent Park & 1 at a private site near Trent Park]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 1 Red Admiral at a private site near Trent Park, 2 Comma at Trent Park [1 edge of Moat Wd & 1 nectaring on Michaelmas daisies by lower lake] & 1 Small Copper nectaring on Michaelmas daisies by lower lake, Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Feathered Thorn at Gordon Hill Station. 1 Feathered Thorn at Gordon Hill Station this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Speckled Wood - Northaw. Very faded out in the sun [Posted by Sam Fuller]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 1 Red Admiral nectaring on Ivy blossom at a private site near Trent Park & 1 Comma nectaring on Michaelmas daisies by lower lake, Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Regents Park. Three Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Regent’s Park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 3 Red Admiral flew S at private sites near Trent Park, 2 Comma at Trent Park [1 nectaring on Michaelmas daisies by lower lake & 1 nectaring on Ivy blossom, edge of Water Grdn], 3 Red Admiral nectaring on Ivy blossom, edge of Water Grdn/Trent Park, 1 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 2 Comma at private sites near Trent Park, including one nectaring on Ivy blossom, 2 Red Admiral flew S at a private site near Trent Park, male Brimstone at a private site near Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park & 1 Green-veined White at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Feathered Thorn & Red-green Carpet at Enfield. 1 Feathered Thorn & 1 Red-green Carpet at Lavender Hill Cemetery this afternoon at the office window. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Mutton Brook Barnet. In a newly planted ’tiny forest’ three Brown Hairstreak eggs found. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Welsh Harp. Ten Brown Hairstreak eggs found. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Small Copper. In flight at Sandbridgebury Riding School (next to Heartwood Forest) [Posted by Sam Fuller]
Small Coppers survive first frost. We had a sharp frost last night, followed by bright sunshine this afternoon. I revisited Nomansland to see what impact the weather had on Small Copper numbers. I counted 16 today, slightly down on last week, which is expected as the season is reaching its end. The butterflies were in small groups, most nectaring on Ragwort, a few on heather and one on Gorse. Three were exploring egg laying opportunities on Sheeps Sorrel. It seems one frosty night is not a problem for this species, which sleeps overnight in trees and bushes which provide good shelter [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings at Enfield. 9 Red Admiral [2 nectaring on Ivy blossom at Allotments near Enfield Rd, 1 at Bay Farm, Enfield, 3 at Rectory Farm, 1 at Strayfield Rd, EN2, 1 at Brayside Farm, Enfield & 1 at Hilly Field's Park], 3 Speckled Wood [1 at a private site near Trent Park, 1 at Bay Farm, Enfield & 1 at Flash Lane, EN2]. Most of the Red Admirals were actively migrating South. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Common Marbled Carpet at Southgate. 1 Common Marbled Carpet near outside light at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Northwick Park. Forty one Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Northwick Park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Hampstead Heath. Four Brown Hairstreak eggs found at different locations on Hampstead Heath. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Speckled Wood at Enfield & Trent Park. 3 Speckled Wood [1 at a private site near Trent Park, 1 along bridle-path near Merryhill's Brook at Trent Park & 1 at Lakeside, EN2]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield. 5 Speckled Wood [2 at private sites near Trent Park, 1 at Strayfield Rd, EN2 & 2 at Flash Lane, EN2], male Brimstone & male Large White at Gordon Hill Station this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Painted Lady in Stevenage. My first Painted Lady of the year opposite St Nicholas School, Six Hills Way, Stevenage at around 1pm [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Speckled Wood at Enfield. 1 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Hampstead Heath. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs close to each other at the northern most part of the Heath near Kenwood kitchen garden. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Small Coppers still flying at Nomansland. 22 Small Coppers today. No sign of mating behaviour today, but 8 females seen on Sheep’s Sorrell looking for egg laying sites. The remainder sunbathing or nectaring. Heather and Ragwort still the preferred nectar sources, though for the first time I saw one apparently nectaring on Gorse. Few now lol fresh, with many showing signs of wear [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Northaw sightings. 3x Large White, 2x Red Admiral and a Speckled Wood in midday sun today - on Ivy and Verbena [Posted by Sam Fuller]
Sightings in Enfield, Southgate & Trent Park. 8 Speckled Wood [1 at Chase Rd/Grovebury Crt, N14 & 7 at three private sites near Trent Park], 1 Small Copper & female Green-veined White at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park & Comma & Red Admiral nectaring on Michaelmas daisies at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, male Brimstone basking on Ivy near Merryhill's Brook/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Magic Garden. Following a couple of Commas that set up residence in the Garden last week, it was all change today with a Red Admiral, Painted Lady and a Large White. St Mary's Road, Watford [Posted by Rick Vickers]
Painted Lady. Painted Ladies have been a rare sight in St Albans this year. Today I found a Buddleia in full flower by St Albans station with 1 Painted Lady and 2 Red Admirals nectaring on it. Elsewhere round town 3 more Red Admirals, 3 Large Whites and 1 Small White [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Hampstead Heath Extension. One Brown Hairstreak egg found on Hampstead Heath extension. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Enfield sightings. 2 Comma at Rectory Farm Rd near railway bridge, including one nectaring on Ivy blossom, 2 Speckled Wood [1 at Flash Lane, EN2 & 1 at Cook's Hole Rd, edge of Hilly Field's Park], Red Admiral at Flash Lane, EN2, Comma & 2 Large White at Gordon Hill Station. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Croxley Common moor. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs. One adult Small Copper. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak eggs. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs laid a few inches apart at Parliament Hill tennis courts Hampstead Heath. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Enfield. 1 Large White nectaring on Michaelmas daisies at a private site near Trent Park, female Green-veined White nectaring on Bramble blossom along 'The London Loop' at Bay Farm, Enfield, 2 Small White [1 near Brooke Wd & a female at Rectory Farm near 'The Red House']. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Red Admiral at Enfield. 1 Red Admiral seen in flight during rain from platform at Enfield Chase Station at 1433 BST. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak Hampstead Heath. Brown Hairstreak egg found in a new area at the north of Hampstead Heath. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
