Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Sightings at Enfield & Southgate. 1 Peacock this morning at a private site near Trent Park. 1 Lunar Marbled Brown at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Distinctly chilly again first thing, but a local walk before the sun disappeared was productive. A third Small Copper appeared (yesterday's pair were around again as well), and two Small Tortoiseshells - the extensive nettlebeds by the River Colne seem to be a suitable habitat for them as well as the many Peacocks. Orange-tips were the most frequently seen butterfly of the morning. The totals seen today: Orange-tip (22), Peacock (12), Holly Blue (10). Green-veined White (7), Red Admiral (6), Small White (4), Speckled Wood (3), Small Copper (3), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Comma (2), Brimstone (1), Large White (1). I also spotted half a dozen Silver-Y moths, and with the increase in the number of Red Admirals, I suspect there may be some immigrants arriving so will be on the lookout for Painted Ladies in the coming days. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A cool sunny morning became distinctly hazy by the end of the afternoon. The butterflies were a bit slow to appear today on my local patch near Heathrow, but they did include my first Small Coppers of the season (appearing a week earlier than last year). They were a long way apart, but both were occupying territories used by their forebears in previous years. Sightings today: Peacock (22), Orange-tip (20), GVW (13), Holly Blue (13), Brimstone (8), Small White (7), Comma (5), Speckled Wood (5), Red Admiral (4), Small Copper (2) [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings at Enfield. At Glenbrook wetlands, Lonsdale Drive, EN2 - 1 Speckled Wood this morning. At Chase Green, Enfield Town - 1 Holly Blue & 1 Green-veined White. At Chase Green Grdns, Enfield Town - male Holly Blue settled. At River View, EN2 - male Orange-tip. At Town Park, Enfield - 1 Speckled Wood. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Grizzled Skippers at Waterford Heath. This morning, one towards the northern end of the east bank of the south heath and two individuals (in view at the same time) on the north heath between the pond and the east bank [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Large White on Harpenden Common. Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Holly Blue, Peacock, Comma and Speckled Wood on Harpenden Common this afternoon. [Posted by David Hunt]
Grizzled Skipper at Waterford Heath. Popped into Waterford Heath today before the big shop. Whilst I scoured the East bank of the South Heath from the path hoping for a sighting, my daughter who is seven went with her mum to do a loop around. I didn't see any Grizzled Skippers the entire walk (very dry) but my daughter was extremely smug as she had found one basking amongst a large patch of Ground Ivy, SW side near the small exposed steel pipe. Mum helping to provide the photographic proof. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Clouded Yellow. Whilst walking my transect today at Greenwood Park I was very surprised to see a Clouded Yellow flying in my first section. I didn’t get a photo as it wasn’t settling much, but definitely a Clouded Yellow. Is this very early? [Posted by Mandy Floyd]
Sightings at Enfield, Edmonton & Southgate. At a private site near Trent Park - male Orange-tip & 1 Speckled Wood. At Statham Grove, N18 - 1 Holly Blue, 1 Green-veined White, male Orange-tip & 1 Speckled Wood. At Tanners End Lane, N18 - male Brimstone. At ASDA Southgate - 1 Holly Blue. At Southgate Chase Allotments - 2 Holly Blue together. At Dalrymple Close, N14 - 1 Holly Blue. My first sightings of Holly Blue this year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Grizzled Skippers. I walked my transect at South Heath Waterford Heath and saw a small butterfly on the purple ground ivy after settling twice I realised it was a Grizzled Skipper. There was plenty of wild strawberry on the south heath but in exposed positions. This was a nice sheltered area from the north wind near the steps up in the middle. With optimism I went to the North Heath, which is under renovation but in a scrubby area to the west of the pond near the wood I spotted another Grizzled Skipper, quite flighty. I got no pictures of either one. Saw both about 2pm. [Posted by steve kiln]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A mixed bag weatherwise today near Heathrow, with a bright warm morning, a cloudy afternoon and the a fine end to the day. Butterflies were around early and late, with the morning being mostly Holly Blues and the early evening Orange-tips going to roost. Numbers seen today: Orange-tip (19), Peacock (14), Holly Blue (13), Green-veined White (10), Small White (6), Comma (4), Speckled Wood (3), Red Admiral (2), Brimstone (2). I found a Green-veined White laying on hoary cress (and an Orange-tip was doing the same thing close by). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings at Trent Park & Enfield. At Trent Park - 2 male Orange-tip [1 at Shaws Wd & 1 near Shaws Wd Cottages] & 1 Speckled Wood at Icehouse Wd. At a private site near Trent Park - 1 Small White. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Some spells of intermittent sunshine today locally after a drizzly start - not cold, but the warmth of the sunny spells was tempered by a cool breeze. However, there were a lot of butterflies around, and all eleven of the species I've seen here this year made an appearance. In particular, Holly Blue numbers rose dramatically - good news after two comparatively poor seasons. Orange-tip numbers were high too, a new set of Red Admirals were occupying the favoured spot, and another Small Tortoiseshell appeared today. The totals: Peacock (34), Orange-tip (31), Holly Blue (25), Green-veined White (14), Brimstone (12), Small White (11), Speckled Wood (4), Comma (4), Red Admiral (3), Large White (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings at Enfield. At Enfield Rd, EN2 - male Orange-tip & female Small White. At private sites near Trent Park - male Brimstone, 1 Comma, male Orange-tip, 3 Peacock & 1 Painted Lady at Hog Hill/Vicarage Farm - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
UKBMS 2025 results. How did our butterflies fare in 2025? Check the results from the UKBMS here [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Peacock at Enfield. 1 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. It felt warmer today, but the very limited sunshine only came in short bursts in the afternoon. It was enough to bring out a few dozen butterflies on my local patch near Heathrow. Holly Blue (7), Orange-tip (7), Peacock (6), Small White (4), Green-veined White (4), Brimstone (3), Large White (1), Speckled Wood (1), Red Admiral (1), Comma (1). The Holly Blues were the most noteworthy with half a dozen appearing within a minute or two of home, including a mating pair. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Peacock at Enfield Town Station. 1 Peacock at Enfield Town Station at 1537 BST - seen from the train carriage. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. After a few chilly days away in Devon with very few butterflies, I returned to my local patch near Heathrow and a sunny morning with quite the opposite. Seen today: Peacock (31), Orange-tip (18, inc. 4 females), Green-veined White (15), Small White (10), Holly Blue (8), Brimstone (6), Comma (3), Speckled Wood (2). One of the Holly Blues was a beautiful new female. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Painted Lady!. Just seen a fresh Painted Lady, two Holly Blue and a Peacock in a garden in Berkhamsted. [Posted by Sue Taylor]
Sightings at Enfield. At a private site near Trent Park - 1 Speckled Wood, 2 male Orange-tip & 1 Green-veined White - my first of the year [FOY]. At Bay Farm along 'London Loop' - 1 Peacock & 1 female Orange-tip. At Brooke Wd - 1 Speckled Wood. At Flash Lne, EN2 - 1 Peacock. At Hilly Fields Park - 2 male Orange-tip. At Enfield Chase Station - 1 Lunar Marbled Brown - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Millhoppers Reserve footbridge Opening. This morning saw the official opening of the new footbridge at Millhoppers Reserve. This was also the unveiling of a plaque to the memory of John & Margaret Noakes, the first wardens of the reserve. Event attended by branch committee members, reserve wardens, volunteers, plus family and friends. [Posted by Chris Hilling]
Orange Tip in Chelsea. I had a random and unexpected sighting of a Male Orange-tip on the Kings Road this afternoon during a brief window of sunshine when the wind dropped momentarily. i record used. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A warm morning locally, with hazy sunshine until the middle of the day. It obviously wasn't good enough for the Brimstones today as I saw none (by contrast they were flying till gone five yesterday afternoon). However, they were made up for by the abundance of Peacocks, and by the welcome appearance of a single Small Tortoiseshell. Today's totals: Peacock (39), Orange-tip (11m; 2f), Green-veined White (10m; 1f), Small White (5); Holly Blue (2m; 1f), Speckled Wood (3), Comma (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Northaw sightings. Brimstone, Peacock, Holly Blue, Orange-tip and Small Whites in the garden today [Posted by Sam Fuller]
Sightings at Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, Pymmes Park, Edmonton & Southgate. 1 Peacock & 1 Small White at Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, N13 this morning & male Orange-tip & male Brimstone at Pymmes Park, Edmonton this afternoon. 1 Double-striped Pug at ASDA Southgate this afternoon - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Pair of Orange-tips. Lots of Orange-tips around Great Gaddesden today - including this pair [Posted by Paul Cross]
Sightings at Enfield, Trent Park & Edmonton. At private sites near Trent Park - 2 Peacock, 2 Orange-tip [male & female] - my first of the year [FOY] & 1 Comma. At Trent Park - 1 Peacock near Obelisk, male Brimstone, 1 Comma & 13 Adela reaumurella settled on Hornbeam leaves in clearing in Rough Lot - my first of the year [FOY], 2 Orange-tip [male & female] near Water Grdn, male Brimstone & 1 Peacock along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges' & male Brimstone at Williams Wd. At Pymmes Park, Edmonton - female Small White & 1 Comma & several other white sp [probably Small White]. At Warwick Rd, N18 - 1 Peacock. At Church Street, N9 - female Large White - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Merry Hill and more. Taking advantage of a fine day, I decided to go on a long walk following the blackthorn from Merry Hill and other local places, where the Brown Hairstreak has been seen, and we've returned the eggs, and, also, to satisfy my curiosity of a few footpaths as well. Starting from Attenborough Fields, where there isn't any, but I did see 1 Brimstone and 1 Peacock. Then to Merry Hill where its everywhere, and I saw 10 Peacocks, 3 Commas, 16 Brimstones, 13 Orange-tips, including a mating pair, and 6 Speckled Wood. Exiting there I came out by Carpenders Park nursery, and down Little Oxhey Lane where there is a good scattering of blackthorn along the hedges. Crossing the rail line, via the bridge, across the road and there was the footpath that goes in the direction too Hatch End. I didn't go that far, just to Prestwick Road Meadows. Our ribbons and returned twigs with BHS eggs are still there. Also, 5 Speckled Wood, 1 Brimstone, 6 Orange-tips, 1 Peacock, and an unknown White. Back out the way I came in, and on to Oxhey Woods, 1 Brimstone, no blackthorn seen but it could be around the edges, I went through the middle. There was plenty of honeysuckle, so must go and have a look for White Admirals there one day - been saying that for a while now... Finally through the woods and on to South Oxhey Playing Fields, but it was getting on and nothing seen there. Past Hampermill Lake and Farm, and more blackthorn, unfortunately it gets cut regularly here. Then to the Ebury Way and 3 Speckled Woods. Through Riverside Park and Watford Fields and home. That was a long walk, I probably won't be doing it again for a while, but it was fascinating to see these places linked up - in a very green way that you wouldn't really expect from Watford. [Posted by Rick Vickers]
Couple of firsts on Knebworth transects. My firsts of the year for Speckled Wood and Orange-tip in and around Norton Green Common in mid afternoon plus a nice Green-veined White in Wintergreen Wood, Knebworth Park [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Speckled Wood. Speckled Wood seen outside Main Hide at Lemsford Springs [Posted by Rose Newbold]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Wall-to-wall spring sunshine today and an unsurprisingly enthusiastic response by my local butterflies. Numbers were more than twice those of any previous day, and nine species were seen: Peacock (35), Brimstone (14), Orange-tip (11), Green-veined White (8), Speckled Wood (8), Comma (4), Small White (3), Red Admiral (1), Holly Blue (1). The abrupt emergence of the GVW to outnumber the Small Whites was notable, as was the large number of Peacocks. They were everywhere and my count might well have been an underestimate. After my comment yesterday, the appearance of the Holly Blue was very welcome. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Peacock at Edmonton & Brimstone at Southgate. 2 Peacock at Edmonton this afternoon [1 at North Middx Hospital & 1 at Park Avenue, N9] & male Brimstone at Dalrymple Close, N14 this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
First 4 Transects completed. The weather was finally favourable to do my transects, so I completed all 4 today, clocking up 7 miles. Species seen : Speckled Woods, Brimstone, Small White, Peacock. Photo is of Speckled Wood in Highgate Cemetery. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. More sunshine today near Heathrow, but it was cooler and breezy. There were more butterflies though: Peacock (10), Orange-tip (6m+1f), Small White (4), Speckled Wood (4), Brimstone (3m), Green-veined White (1), Comma (1), Red Admiral (1). It was good to see a few more Orange-tips, though I am concerned about the lack of Holly Blues here so far this year. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Speckled Wood. I visited Batchwood near St Albans this afternoon. Amongst the amazing display of Bluebells, I saw my first Speckled Wood of the year, two Peacocks and a Brimstone [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Quite warm, quite windy, largely cloudy - not ideal for butterflies, but I did manage to encounter a few this afternoon on my local patch near Heathrow. The roosting male Brimstone was a bit of a lucky find, and the brief spells of sunshine kept a few Orange-tips from snoozing too. Today's relatively slim pickings: Orange-tip (3), Peacock (2), Speckled Wood (1), Brimstone (1), Small White (1), Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Peacock & Speckled Wood at Edmonton. 1 Peacock at Haselbury Road near Westerham Avenue & 3 Speckled Wood including two together at Pymmes Park, Edmonton this afternoon - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
First Orange Tip in my garden. One of the great delights of Spring and a good chance to try out my new phone camera. Two more spotted at my allotment. [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
First Green-veined White of the year. Spotted my first Green-veined White of the year in this afternoon’s sunshine along with my first Speckled Woods and some Peacocks [Posted by Julia Hawkins]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A cool and cloudy morning was followed by a very sunny (but still cool) afternoon. The sun brought the butterflies out again on my local patch, though the Brimstones soon disappeared again as it wasn't really warm enough for them. The highlights today were my first Green-veined White of the season and a lovely fresh female Orange-tip nectaring on the plant from which it got its etymological name. 36 butterflies overall: Peacock (15), Small White (7), Brimstone (5), Red Admiral (2), Comma (2), Orange-tip (2), Speckled Wood (2), Green-veined White (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Moth trap at Heartwood Forest. The weather was freezing cold on the evening of Saturday 28th March. However, we did manage to get one trap in sufficient shelter from the wind and had around 40 moths of 13 species in it including 2 Blossom Underwings, the third and fourth records for Heartwood of this scarce and local species. I must have seen around 10 Light Orange Underwings at Heartwood in the past week or so. Another benefit of all the Aspens which have been planted on the site. The Orange Underwing also occurs there but it is much scarcer at that site. If you want to see that one then you need to go to Bricket Wood. [Posted by News from Mark Sterling]