Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Small White Alexandra Park. My first of year seen by Ally Pally Garden Centre. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Holly Blue. One Holly Blue in my garden in Hemel Hempstead. 15. 50 this afternoon [Posted by Ashley Cox]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A much warmer day today, and a lengthy spell of sunshine mid-afternoon brought forth a good selection of butterflies on my local patch. These included my first Speckled Woods of 2026, plus the first female Brimstone I've seen here this year. Overall numbers seen: Brimstone (12), Small White (5), Peacock (4), Red Admiral (3), Orange-tip (3), Speckled Wood (2), Comma (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Transect walking season starts on Wednesday. Good time of year for the Branch to say a big thank you to all our transect walkers and other butterfly recorders. Your hard work and diligent reporting provide vital information which informs all the work that we do. Quite overcast here in St Albans today, but in a brief sunny spell after lunch I saw three male Brimstones hurtling around Verulamium Park. The lack of any females so far is an interesting observation for me but infuriating for the male Brimstones [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. During one of the very sparse sunny intervals today, two of the Red Admirals that have set up shop on a certain spot on my local patch were tussling as usual. No other butterflies seen today though. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Though it remained cold today, the wind had dropped, the hail showers had stopped and there was a decent amount of sunshine. I found a handful of butterflies on my local patch near Heathrow: Peacock (4), Red Admiral (3), Comma (1) and my second Orange-tip of the year (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Small White at Pymmes Park, Edmonton. 1 Small White at Pymmes Park, Edmonton this afternoon at 1229 GMT - my first confirmed sighting of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Hazy sunshine again today, but quite a bit warmer. Today's highlight was another Small Tortoiseshell - a long way away from yesterday's example, being found north of the M25-T5 link road bridge. I also found my first male Small White of the year; all of the other sightings so far have been females. Today's overall totals: Peacock (15), Comma (8), Brimstone (3), Red Admiral (2), Small White (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1). Peacocks appear to be dispersing now - both yesterday and today I found more flying over the open grassland areas and fewer basking on brambles near the lake. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Berkhamsted. 1 Female Holly Blue in garden. [Posted by Ian Gamble]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A cold and misty start to the day, with the sun appearing rather hazily just before midday round my way. Butterfly numbers were generally lower, though Peacocks seemed undaunted. However, the highlight of the day was finding a Small Tortoiseshell within five minutes of home, my first of the year. They really have become a relative rarity here these days. Totals today: Peacock (19), Red Admiral (3), Comma (2), Small White (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
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]
Comma at Trent Park. 1 Comma along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges', Trent Park this afternoon at 1314 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Peacock emerging from hibernation. Cold and overcast all day in St Albans and just 10 degrees when I stepped out at lunchtime. Surprisingly one of my Peacocks had chosen today to emerge from hibernation. It was sitting with wings closed in the middle of the doormat outside my back door. To arrive in this position it must have dropped to the floor of the shed and then walked out, squeezing itself through the gap underneath the door, rather than taking the more obvious route of flying out of the unglazed window. I’ve seen both exit routes from the shed used before. Not sure why they’d use the walking/squeezing exit route, which must be more risky? Maybe it’s just too hard to warm up sufficiently to fly on a cold day? Or is it a sign their bodily reserves are low after an unusually long hibernation (2025 saw the earliest recorded hibernation) [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Garden sightings. Two Brimstones and a Comma in my Harpenden garden. [Posted by Robin Pearson]
Brimstone. 1.40. Brimstone in my garden Acton W3 6DR. [Posted by Trevor Porter]
Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstones. Walking the dog this morning in North Mymms I saw my first butterflies of the year, 1 Small Tortoiseshell at TL226031 and 1 Brimstone at 217031. Then in early afternoon I saw a further Brimstone in my South Mymms front garden (TL221008). [Posted by Terence Wood]
Sightings at Enfield, Cockfosters & Trent Park. At a private site near Trent Park - male Brimstone, 1 Comma & 1 Peacock late morning. Near Enfield Rd, EN2 - male Brimstone & 1 Peacock. At Westpole Ave, Cockfosters - male Brimstone. At Trent Park 'New Fields' [1300 to 1400 GMT] - male Brimstone, 2 Comma & 1 Peacock. At Bramley Rd, N14 - male Brimstone. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Alexandra Park Sightings. Saw 5 Brimstones and 1 Peacock this morning. The Brimstones were patrolling the edge of the anthill meadow. The Peacock was puddling at the bottom of the eastern slope below the BBC tower. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Therfield Heath and Royston. Saw my first Peacocks today, along with Brimstone. Saw Comma a couple of days ago. I also saw a Pieris, which I think was a Large White, flying strongly on Heath. [Posted by Nick Keep]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. The sun finally appeared in hazy fashion around half one today, too late for Brimstones it would seem, and there was just the one Peacock. However, on my usual walk I still managed to see six Commas and three Red Admirals, two of which were conducting an aerial battle high above my head at one point. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Today's sunny intervals were not really ever long enough to tempt the butterflies out, but on my local patch I managed to find just one each of Comma, Brimstone and Peacock. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Brimstone at Wareside. Finally the rain has stopped, and in the fine summer sun one male Brimstone seen in our Wareside garden this lunchtime. [Posted by Philip MacMurdie]
Butterflies on Harpenden Common. One Comma and One Peacock enjoying the sunshine on Harpenden Common on the St John's Wood area [Posted by David Hunt]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A glorious sunny day, and though not as warm as 25th February had been, I found more butterflies today during a lengthy walk around my local patch near Heathrow. The highlight was a newly-emerged female Small White, the first non-hibernator of the season. The totals today: Peacock (12), Comma (9), Brimstone (5), Small White (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Brimstone & Red Admiral at Oakwood. Male Brimstone & 1 Red Admiral - my first of the year [FOY] at Lakeside, EN2 at 1256 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 1 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park at 1012 GMT. At Trent Park - 2 male Brimstone [1 at Rough Lot & 1 at Williams Wd], 2 Peacock [1 at Rough Lot & 1 near 'Three Bridges'] & 1 Orange/Light Orange Underwing seen in flight at 'Old Golf Course' - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
early walk of transects plenty of butterflies. waterford heath south 2 Brimstones, 4 Commas , and 5 Peacocks. [Posted by steve kiln]
Brimstones. Lovely to see two Brimstones enjoying the sun this morning whilst walking in the Amwell - Stansted Abbots area.(TL386134 and TL374123) [Posted by Roger Newbold]