Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Therfield Heath. Church Hill warm, sunny - Adonis Blue 1 (male), Small Heath (4). Rifle Butts; Adonis Blue (3 males), Common Blue (3 males), Brown Argus (4). Internet searches indicate that Adonis Blue at Therfield in 2024 had poor 1st and 2nd broods, probably related to the weather. In 2025, internet reported first brood counts have been in single figures. So the species may be at a cross roads and if this 2025 first brood does not fare well, it may not survive 3 poor breeding seasons in succession. Let us hope it responds to the good weather - 2nd brood counts in (August) 2025 will be important. [Posted by Paul Duff]
Small Skipper sighted near Heathrow. Inspired by Dave's records of his observations in and around Stanwell Moor, I headed to the area close to Heathrow in the hope of seeing a small tortoiseshell. Instead, I was most surprised to see this Small Skipper which seems incredibly early even by this year's standards. It was nectaring on grass vetchling. I had it in sight for about 30 seconds, and did not see it again in all the time I spent there hoping it would return! [Posted by David Bristol] [Posted by David Bristol]
Sightings at Hillbrow, Letchworth. 3 x Small Blue; 1 x Small Heath; 1 x Meadow Brown; 1 x Brimstone. Moths: 1 x Cinnabar, 1 x Common Carpet [Posted by Patricia Clegg]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. During a shorter than usual local walk this afternoon, I counted over 70 Meadow Browns and about half that number of Small Heath. Everything else had much smaller numbers, with even Common Blues down to fewer than 20. However, highlights were a Painted Lady, another new Comma and two Large Skippers battling over the same short stretch of path. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings at Grovelands Park, Southgate. At Grovelands Park [1150 to 1420 BST] - 3 Common Blue, 3 Holly Blue, male Meadow Brown, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Heath, 4 Speckled Wood, 1 Mother Shipton & 1 Red-headed Cardinal Beetle. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
We the Lea. Zain Henry and I joined this innovative event involving walks, talks and spotting nature al multiple sites along the river which forms a green corridor along the eastern border of Hackney. We learnt about the local biodiversity action plan, a plan to convert old filter beds into a wildlife haven and much more. Starting at Horseshoe Bridge with talks including one from me on the fortunes of butterflies and moths in the area. We crossed Hackney Marshes and saw several of the sites which form the Hackney Buzzline, featured at our Members Day. It was a quiet day for butterflies, with Small Whites being the most common species. Red Admirals, Comma, Large White, Holly Blue and Speckled Woods also seen Others in the group saw and photographed a mating pair of Lime Hawkmoths. An apple orchard of several dozen trees, contained hundreds of ghostly shrouds of the Apple Ermine moth, with caterpillars visible inside. The six mile walk finished with nature films in a bar at Cody Dock - quite an event and many thanks to Gerry Tissier who organised it [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Marbled White butterfly on Therfield Heath. A single male Marbled White was flying over the south side of Church Hill this morning - the first time I've seen one in May. Also present: Meadow Brown (4), Small Heath (6), Common Blue (4), a few unidentified, worn 'brown' blues and a Burnet Companion moth. I couldn't find any Adonis Blues. [Posted by Martin Johnson]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. At Trent Park - 10 Yellow-banded Longhorn Moth [Nemophora degeerella], including males & females, along bridle-path near Merryhills Brook [TQ297967], male Large Skipper at Rough Lot. Male Large Skipper near Duncan's Wd/Enfield Chase at Park Farm. 3 Common Blue, 1 Large Skipper & 1 Hedge Beauty [Alabonia geoffrella] at a private site near Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A similar selection of butterflies on my local patch today - minus the Large Skippers, but including a rather faded Peacock and a brand new 2nd brood Comma, form hutchinsoni - another first for the year for me. There was also a very new Red Admiral showing off its magnificent underside in the late afternoon sunshine. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings at Enfield. At a private site near Trent Park this morning - 1 Red Admiral, 2 Large Skipper - my first of the year [FOY], several Meadow Brown, male Common Blue, 1 Green-veined White & 1 Mother Shipton. Also, an immature Black-tailed Skimmer - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Welcome Small Tortoiseshell sightings continued on my local patch near Heathrow today. They included one which was very heavily marked, and another where the two black forewing spots were reduced to almost nothing - verging on the listed aberration ab. ichnusoides. 12 species were seen in all, and despite only occasional sunshine I counted around 120 butterflies altogether: Common Blue(29), Small Heath(25), Meadow Brown(24), Brown Argus(14), Small Tortoiseshell(6), Red Admiral(5), Small White(5), Holly Blue(5), Speckled Wood(3), Large Skipper(2), Brimstone(2), Small Copper(1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Branch visit to Hillbrow, Letchworth Garden City. Six people joined us for our visit to this notable Small Blue site this morning plus we later joined by two staff from the Garden City Heritage Trust. After 15 minutes of dullness the sun broke through and we recorded: Butterflies: Brimstone 5, Common Blue 3, Holly Blue 2, Large White 2, Peacock 1, Small Blue 27, Small Heath 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 1. Moths: Burnet Companion 5, Cinnabar 2, Cochylimorpha straminea 5, Mother Shipton 2, Scoparia pyralella 1, Small Yellow Underwing 1, Yellow Shell 1. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Sightings at North Enfield & Southgate. At Gough Park, Forty Hill - 1 Speckled Wood. At Forty Hall CP, Enfield - 1 Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Wood together, 2 Chimney Sweeper, 1 Yellow-banded Longhorn Moth. At a private site at North Enfield - 1 Orange Beauty [Commophila aeneana] - my first of the year [FOY], 1 Yellow Shell - my first of the year [FOY], 2 Cinnabar, male Common Blue, 1 Small Heath & 2 male Meadow Brown. 1 Treble Brown Spot at Dalrymple Close, N14 - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Meadow walk near Brickendon. Very unsettled weather today around the farm and the blustery wind made getting any photos amongst the long grass a challenge but at least I stayed dry...mostly. Common Blue (lots), Small Heath (8), Peacock (1), Speckled Wood (3), Small Copper (4), Small White (1), Large Skipper (4) highlights were FOY Meadow Brown and a fresh Small Tortoiseshell. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
SSL Certificate renewal. The SSL certificate renewal process did not run this morning making the website insecure. I just contacted the server/database administrator to resolve. Apologies for the inconvenience [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A very mixed day weatherwise on my local patch - aside from the strong breeze as a common factor. However, the main highlights were six different Small Tortoiseshells seen in three quite well-separated spots. It was very good to see what has become a relatively uncommon species these days. Perhaps surprisingly, over 100 butterflies were seen altogether, including ten other species. Common Blues, Small Heaths and Meadow Browns made up most of these to be fair. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings at Enfield. At private sites near Trent Park this morning - 3 male Meadow Brown - my first of the year [FOY], 1 Small White [worn & tatty], 2 Alabonia geoffrella & male Yellow-barred Longhorn Moth [Nemphora degeerella] - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Large Skipper near Brickendon. Finally spotted my FOY Large Skipper on the farm. Cloudy day so not much flying around the meadows at the moment but the flowers are nearly at full might. Plenty of Ox-eye daisies, buttercups, vetch, red clover and the bramble blossom has started around the perimeter. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Sightings from Staines Moor. It was very breezy when I returned this afternoon to Staines Moor. I found just the one Large Skipper today, but was very pleased to see a fresh Small Tortoiseshell, likely a survivor from the nest of caterpillars found here a month ago. On the caterpillar theme, there were still plenty of Peacocks among the nettles, but I also came across an Orange Tip on a sprig of cuckoo flower. On my return walk, a very faded Comma appeared - and then just round a corner on the path I spotted a Comma caterpillar suspended from a nettle stalk waiting to pupate. Other butterflies seen during the afternoon included Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Small White. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Large Skippers At Alexandra Park. Today I was pleased to see my first of year Large Skippers on my transect at Alexandra Park despite blustery conditions. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Sightings at Enfield. 1 Painted Lady nectaring on Bramble blossom at a private site near Trent Park at 1455 BST & female Green-veined White at another private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Small Blue. Hillbrow, Letchworth Garden City - Early afternoon visit, Small Blue x11, Common Blue x2, Small Heath x5 and Brimstone x6. [Posted by Roger Millard]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Today's local walk began with a Painted Lady, but otherwise included everything seen the day before - plus a few Brimstones, a Peacock and another Small Copper I'd not seen before. I also managed to get close enough to a Mother Shipton moth to snatch a photo before it whizzed away. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Staines Moor. I visited Staines Moor again today to see if any more Large Skippers had appeared. I found three in all (including the one seen on 21st), plus a few Small Heath, a Peacock, a faded Orange Tip, a GVW and a single Common Blue. I also came across yet another nest of Peacock caterpillars. [Posted by Dave Miller]
A walk north of Hertford & Ware. A pleasant walk today seeing Holly and Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Small Heath, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Peacock and most pleasing Small Tortoiseshell. Also several Peacock nests and Orange Tip larvae. On the moth front a Brimstone Moth and Mullein moth larvae and webs of Yponomeuta padella on Hawthorn and Blackthorn and Yponomeuta cagnella on Spindle. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Sightings at Enfield. 10 Small Heath counted this morning at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. I saw my first two Meadow Browns of 2025 today on my local patch near Heathrow - one of the earliest dates I have found them. Among the 25 Common Blues today was a particularly blue female, and with similar numbers of Small Heath I made an effort to get an image or two. Also seen were Red Admirals, Speckled Woods, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Small White and Large White. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. After the thunderstorm this afternoon, sunshine reappeared and I had a local walk as usual. The main highlight was a female Holly Blue laying on goats' rue, but Common Blues put on a good show as well. Only seven species seen today, though: Common Blue 25, Small Heath 14, Brown Argus 9, Holly Blue 4 and Red Admiral, Small Copper and Speckled Wood one each. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Staines Moor. I managed a brief look at Staines Moor this afternoon before a large storm moved down from the direction of Heathrow. However, I noticed that a nest of Peacock caterpillars I'd been keeping an eye on were starting to disperse out across the extensive nettle bed. I was also pleased to find a Large Skipper in a spot where I'd seen good numbers a few years ago. Hopefully more will follow. There was also a Small Heath before the sunshine disappeared. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings at Trent Park & Monken Hadley Common. At Trent Park -1 Alabonia geoffrella & 1 Cinnabar near Cockfosters entrance - my first of the year [FOY]. At Monken Hadley Common - 1 Alabonia geoffrella at TQ260970 & 1 Latticed Heath at TQ269972 - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Small Blue. Letchworth: Hillbrow. Late morning, the only butterflies seen were two or three Small Blues [Posted by Phil Barron]
Sightings at Trent Park & Monken Hadley Common. At Trent Park - 3 Chimney Sweeper at 'New Fields' - my first of the year [FOY], male Common Blue, 5 Small Heath & 2 Holly Blue near Oakwood entrance. At Monken Hadley Common - 1 Alabonia geoffrella at TQ258970, male Brimstone at TQ269969 & several Speckled Wood. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield, Oakwood Park & Southgate. At Oakwood Park [1245 to 1345 BST] - 3 male Common Blue E of 10 km line, 1 Holly Blue W of 10 km line, 1 Small Heath & 1 Burnet Companion - my first of the year [FOY]. At private sites near Trent Park - 2 Green-veined White mating, 2 Painted Lady [1 'faded' & another 'fresh'] - my first of the year [FOY], 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, 1 Small White & 1 Mother Shipton. Male Poplar Hawkmoth at ASDA Southgate this evening - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Chorleywood Common transect. We spotted our first ever Green Hairstreak on our 17th May transect walk. To our knowledge, this species hasn't previously been recorded on Chorleywood Common. Other species spotted this week were Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood and Small Heath. 44 butterflies seen against 33 seen in the same week last year. [Posted by Chris Hankinson]
Merry Hill Bushey. I met up with Rick Vickers at Merry Hill who informed me of sightings of 2 Peacock and a Speckled and a few Small Heath before reaching me. Otherwise the butterfly count was as follows. Small Heath 21+, Brimstone 6+, Speckled Wood 3, Green-veined White 2, Small White 1, unidentified flying whites 3, Red Admiral 1, Small Copper 2, Holly Blue 1, Common Blue 5+ including a very blue female. Peacock 2 [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Over 100 butterflies again today on my local patch next to Heathrow, but a slightly different mix than the day before. Nearly three weeks since the unusually early sighting here of a female Large Skipper on 29th April, I finally came across a male today. Common Blue continued to live up to their name, with nearly 50 counted today. Small Coppers also continue to impress (on a much smaller scale!) with two more individuals I had not come across before. They seem to be widespread across the whole large area of the site, but at a low density. 13 species seen here today, and an impressive 17 over the course of the last week. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Butterfly walk at Shrubhill Common Nature Reserve, Hemel Hempstead. Shrubhill Common is looking very good this spring, with lots of Bird's foot Trefoil, especially on the south facing slope, and the number of butterflies we saw today, reflected this. Three people joined the walk while Malcolm and I led, and altogether we found 10 Dingy Skipper, 14 Common Blue, 19 Burnet Companion as well as 1 Small Heath, 1 Large White, 1 Brimstone, 2 Cinnabar moths, a Mother Shipton and a Common Carpet moth. [Posted by Christine Ridley]
Branch butterfly walk at Bovingdon Brickpits. 13 degrees and cloudy when I arrived at the site this morning. But the sun was soon peeping out and 16 of us set off looking for Dingy Skippers. Not much flying at 10.30 and we spent some time searching old knapweed seed heads for roosting Dingies. Birds-foot Trefoil was showing well and we began to see Common Blues, nearly all males. In total we saw 30 of this species, including one very blue and one mostly brown female. Other species included 3 Burnet Companion, 2 Small Heath, 1 Brimstone and 2 Peacock. Eventually we found a skipper …a Large Skipper, my first of this year. They aren’t usually on the wing until after Dingies have finished . So the timing of our visit to this site may have been too late in the season. [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings at Grovelands Park. 3 male Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Small Copper, 4 Small Heath, 5 Speckled Wood & 1 Mother Shipton. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. The 100+ butterflies seen on my local walk today included the only Painted Lady I've seen here so far this year. There was also a very fresh and boldly marked female GVW that may possibly be a second brood individual, given the way this year is going. I found several nicely marked female Common Blues among the 30 or so seen - the species is doing well here this year after a slowish start.. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Holly Blue at Town Park, Enfield & Edmonton. 1 Holly Blue at Town Park, Enfield & another one at Starks Field Primary School, Church Street, Edmonton this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Adonis Blues on Church Hill, Therfield Heath. At least 8 Adonis Blues, including one female, were flying on the south bank of Church Hill this afternoon. Although there was a small spring generation here last year, I didn't see any of the second generation so this was a bit of a surprise. The mowing of the vegetation here in the late summer of 2024 has proved to be very beneficial for blue butterflies (15+ Common Blues and 10+ Brown Argus also active this afternoon), with lots of Horseshoe Vetch growing along the banks. Orange Tip butterflies were still active in the adjacent woodland. [Posted by Martin Johnson]
2 firsts of the year at Norton Green. A Common Blue, initially feeding on Wild Strawberry flowers, and a Large Skipper seen just outside the common. The date of the Large Skipper sighting equals the earliest ever known recorded in the TL22 square. Several Small Heath also but no 'whites'. [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Brown Hairstreak caterpillar at Willow Tree Open Space (Hillingdon). A lot of newish young blackthorn growth has appeared at Willow Tree Open Space so I took a look and shortly found a Brown Hairstreak caterpillar crawling along a low branch. Hopefully they are starting to do well in the area. [Posted by Claire Easter]
More Small Blues and a Painted Lady migrating. 2 Small Blues on the embankment at Redbourn Lane in Redbourn. Lots of Kidney Vetch, but all the plants were small dried out and and hardly flowering. In the adjoining field the KV in equally poor condition. Later on Batchworth Golf Course, a Painted Lady, flying rapidly north at around 25 mph. The fifth one I’ve seen this week, looks as though we have the start of a migration [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Brown Silver-line at Trent Park. 2 Brown Silver-line disturbed from Bracken SE edge of Rough Lot/Trent Park [TQ284975] this morning - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Over 100 butterflies of 15 species seen again on my local walk today. These included a mating pair of Small Heath, and yet another Green Hairstreak. This latter butterfly appeared in yet another new location along my route, making four separate spots for the species. Common Blues dominate the numbers at present, with 27 seen today altogether. Also seen: Large White, Small White, GVW, Orange Tip, Brimstone, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Comma, Red Admiral, Peacock and Speckled Wood. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Harpenden Common. A good few Small Heath sunning and cavorting on Harpenden Common this afternoon. [Posted by David Hunt]
Three male Adonis Blues on Therfield Heath. Three male Adonis Blues were enjoying the evening sunshine on Therfield Heath (Old Rifle Range) today. [Posted by Martin Johnson]
Waterford Heath. South pit , at least 15 Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral , 1 Painted Lady North pit, 4 Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 2 Brown Argus, 4 Grizzled Skipper and 1 Small Heath [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Green Hairstreak at Alexandra Palace Park. Today we refound presumably the same Sunday Green Hairstreak at the Anthill Meadow - created by volunteers as a special butterfly site within the park. We believe this is only the second record at Ally Pally since June 2021. [Posted by Tony Jakeman]
Roosting Small Blues at Rose Farm. 4 Small Blues roosting in long grass this morning alongside two Common Blues. As usual they perch facing head down near the top of tall grass stalks, in the shade and close to the hedge. They choose much the same spot as their ancestors stretching back for ten years. Round the corner in the sunshine another Small Blue warming up plus several Small Heath [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Brimstone Moth at Southgate. 2 Brimstone Moth at ASDA Southgate this evening. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield. At private sites near Trent Park - Male Brimstone, 3 male Orange-tip, female Small Copper, 27 Small Heath, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Mother Shipton, 1 Small Yellow Underwing along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm/Res [TQ301983] - my first of the year [FOY], 1 Straw Dot - my first of the year [FOY] - [TQ297982] - an early record! [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Oakwood Park. At Oakwood Park this morning [1030 to 1120 BST] - 1 Hedge Beauty [Alabonia geoffrella] settled on Bramble at 1044 BST - my first of the year [FOY] & a new record for the site & tetrad [TQ299950], female Brimstone W of 10 km line, 2 Common Blue [courting pair] E of 10 km line, 2 Holly Blue [1 W of 10 km line & 1 E of 10 km line], 1 Small Heath E of 10 km line, 4 Speckled Wood [3 W of 10 km line & 1 E of 10 km line] & 2 Mother Shipton E of 10 km line. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Common Blue at Alexandra Palace. On my transect I saw another fresh Male Common Blue, this time in a different location to my first sighting, along the edge of the cricket pitch. They tend to like it there and there is plenty of Trefoil. Also, a lovely Burnet Companion in the anthill meadow. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Sightings at Enfield. 2 Brimstone [female at Hilly Fields Park & male at Gordon Hill Station], 1 Brown Argus along 'London Loop' at Park Farm - my first of the year [FOY], male Common Blue along 'London Loop' at Park Farm, 8 Holly Blue [5 at private sites near Trent Park & 3 at Flash Lane, EN2], 2 male Orange-tip [1 along 'London Loop' at Bay Farm & 1 at Gordon Hill Station], 1 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park, 26 Small Heath [24 at private sites near Trent Park, 1 at along 'London Loop' at Park Farm & 1 at Rectory Farm]. 1 Blood-vein & 1 Mother Shipton at a private site near Trent Park. 1 Waved Umber at Gordon Hill Station - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Small Blue & Cinnabar Moth. I was delighted to find Small Blue (2 sightings, possibly 1 individual) & Cinnabar moth at a site near Clothall Common today. Also Common Blue, Orange Tip, Brimstone and a Burnet Companion moth. [Posted by Ian Small]
Meadows around Brickendon village. At lunchtime I have walking the meadows around Monks Green Farm, keeping an eye out for any Painted Lady that stopped off for refuelling. Today was the day that I spotted one in the small cover crop which is field mustard I think, very popular with insects. Sunshine is lovely but hoping for some decent rain soon. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
10 Green Hairstreak in Hounslow. Todays Branch walk covered Hounslow Heath and Feltham Marshalling Yards. The best Green Hairstreak site in our branch area didn’t disappoint with ten individuals seen. The first, a female was ovipositing on broom. Several more were seen on the ground amongst birds foot-trefoil and broom. But the biggest concentration were nectaring on Green Alkanet, something we have not witnessed before and may be linked to the very dry conditions - some areas of grass were already brown and wild flowers desiccated. Other sightings included Common Blues, Small Coppers, Brown Argus, Mother Shipton, Burnet Companion and Cinnabars. Also of note, two Painted Ladies. Adjoining the car park four large bushes had been stripped of all leaves and were shrouded in larval webs. There were many caterpillars still alive, but with no further leaves left to eat - Spindle Ermine moths. [Posted by Malcolm Hull and Pete Gore]
Sightings at Oakwood Park & Town Park, Enfield. At Oakwood Park [0935 to 1005 BST] - 1 Green Hairstreak seen in flight w/ Holly Blue & settled from 0949 to 0950 BST [TQ300951] - my first record for the Enfield area, after several reported by others in recent years, 4 Holly Blue & 1 Small Heath. At Town Park, Enfield [1220 to 1250 BST] - 2 Holly Blue & 1 Speckled Wood. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Small Dusty Wave at Southgate. 1 Small Dusty Wave at ASDA Southgate this evening - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
How many Small Heath?. Amazed to see a spectacle at Norton Green during my transect - several males fighting for attention of a female Small Heath. Other species seen: Orange-tip, Green-veined White, Comma, Peacock and Speckled Wood [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Dingy Skipper in Hatfield. Visited a restored pit at Hatfield Quarry - this is a private site and access was with permission from the landowner Common Blues are doing well with 116 recorded. 5 Dingy Skipper, 12 Brown Argus, 9 Small Heath as well as Burnet Companion, Mother Shipton, Latticed Heath and Purple Mint moth. This attractive site is beginning to suffer from excess scrub and the Branch are engaging with the landowner on future management plans [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings at Trent Park. At Trent Park 'New Fields' [1515 to 1620 BST] - 1 Comma, 2 Holly Blue, male Orange-tip, 1 Peacock, 1 Small Heath, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Mother Shipton & female Broad-bodied Chaser settled near Oakwood entrance. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Oakwood Park & Oakwood. At Oakwood Park [1330 to 1410 BST] - 4 male Common Blue all E of 10 km line, 2 Holly Blue [1 W of 10 km line & 1 E of 10 km line], 1 Large White W of 10 km line, 4 Small Heath all E of 10 km line, 1 Speckled Wood E of 10 km line. 1 Holly Blue at Prince George Ave, N14. 1 Brimstone Moth at Bramley Road, N14 - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Early morning ex gravel pits.. decided to go early in this hot dry weather worth it. In Rickneys Quarry. a Comma, 4 Grizzled Skippers, 5 Brown Argus 3 Common Blue. In North pit Waterford heath. No Grizzleds but 5 Brown Argus, 2 Common Blue, a Small Tortoiseshell and a Cinnabar Moth. On South Heath disappointing but highlights, 2 Holly Blues, a Common Blue, a Small Heath and a Treble bar moth. [Posted by steve kiln]
Sightings at Enfield & Enfield Town. 12 Small Heath, 1 male Orange-tip & 1 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park. 4 Holly Blue & 1 Red Admiral at St. Andrew's Church, Enfield Town this afternoon after 1600 BST. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. I returned to my local patch today after a couple of days out elsewhere. To be honest, it rarely disappoints and today was no exception. I counted over 100 butterflies, and for the first time this year saw 15 species. Both Holly and Common Blues had their best showing so far, but the highlight was the appearance of another Green Hairstreak, in a spot nowhere near either of the other two I've seen here this year. Today's tally: Holly Blue 19, Common Blue 16, Peacock 15, Brown Argus 11, Small Heath 10, GVW 7, Orange Tip 4, Speckled Wood 4, Red Admiral 3, Small Copper 3, Large White 3, Brimstone 3, Small White 2, Comma 1, Green Hairstreak 1. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Orange Tip Egg in my garden. Muswell Hill.. I was pleasantly surprised to find a single Orange Tip Egg on one of the few flowering Garlic Mustard plants in my garden. I will watch progress with interest. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Sightings at Oakwood Park, Enfield & Trent Park. 3 Speckled Wood including two together at Oakwood Park this morning. At Trent Park - 1 Small Copper, 2 male Brimstone, 2 Comma together, edge of Church Wd, 1 Common Carpet near Nature Trail, 1 Speckled Wood by lower lake, 2 Peacock at 'Old Golf Course', 1 Green-veined White edge of Rough Lot. 1 Peacock near Duncan's Wd/Enfield Chase, 1 Mother Shipton at a private site near Trent Park, 1 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park, 4 Small Heath at private sites near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Let it Grow. For the last few years HMBC have been working with St Albans District Council to record butterfly numbers on Low Mow Plots and areas of Wildflower seeding on highway verges, parks and green spaces. This article in St Albans Times describes some the local initiatives Let it Grow [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. Male Brimstone at a private site near Trent Park, 2 Green-veined White [1 at a private site near Trent Park & 1 by lower lake/Trent Park], 2 male Orange-tip [1 at a private site near Trent Park & 1 edge of Rough Lot/Trent Park], 1 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park, 13 Small Heath at a private site near Trent Park, 3 Speckled Wood at private sites near Trent Park, 2 Mother Shipton at private sites near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
White Letter Hairstreak larva. White Letter Hairstreak larva seen under UV light on Hampstead Heath. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. On a grey day with a chilly northeasterly wind blowing, I didn't really expect to see much in the way of butterflies today. However, some sporadic sunshine appeared late in the afternoon, and a brisk local walk was rewarded by three Speckled Woods (3m), three Brown Argus (1f, 1m), two Common Blues (2m), two Orange Tips (1f, 1m) and a very tatty female Large White. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Small Heath at Enfield. 1 Small Heath at a private site near Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
A short journey along the River Colne and the Whippendell Woods Butterfly walk. I was in need of having my car cleaned so dropped the car off at the Tesco's car park cleaning services which gave me an hour to wander along the River Colne, 2 Green- Veined Whites, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Brimstone and another unidentified flying White. (Only photo I can post of a butterfly today is a Green-veined White from the River Colne.) As for the Spring branch Butterfly Walk in Whippendell Woods the butterfly count was disappointing, with a count of 1 White and although Rick and myself think it was a GV White it was not confirmed! However it was the best turn out for one of our walks ever! A real mixed age group as well. Rick followed up at the rear to make sure none of the attendees got lost and I was kept busy with questions at the front by the 3 youngest sisters who were amazing for their age at asking such questions about butterflies. Real young stars who made my day for what turned out to be a bad role of the dice with the weather after the recent warm spell. Although it was bad for butterflies this time all who came seemed to enjoy the walk. The bluebells were still in flower we stopped at all the butterfly hotspots to point out what is likely to be seen there and when and hopefully we will get to see more butterflies on the Summer Walk. All attendees seemed to enjoy the walk despite the lack of butterflies and those 3 young girls in the photo were keen to come along on our next walk and it would be a delight to have them there with their family too. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Small Heath at Oakwood Park. 3 Small Heath at Oakwood Park this morning before Church & Spotted Flycatcher. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Cassiobury Park & Whippendell Woods. A preliminary walk around the Park and Woods before the Walk on Sunday (Hope to see some of you there), What I saw in the the Park was: Red admiral x 2, Holly blue x 3 Speckled wood x 3 approx 5 Unknown White and (highlight of the day) 1 x Small copper. Following that I then went into the Woods, where I saw a further:Speckled wood x 4, Holly blue x 2, Brimstone x 8, Orange tip x 7, Unknown whites x 6, Comma x 1, Peacock x 3, Large white x 1, Red admiral x 1, Peacock x 6, it began to get a little lively as it cooled down - and then it became butterfly bedtime and the walk back was a bit quiet. [Posted by Rick Vickers]
Small Blue. 14 Small Blues counted in a twenty minute walk around old Butterfly World perimeter at Chiswell Green in the late afternoon sun. [Posted by Clive Burrows]
Sightings at Oakwood Park & Southgate. 2 Brimstone [male at Dalrymple Close, N14 & female at Oakwood Park], male Common Blue seen settled at Oakwood Park - my first of the year [FOY], 3 Holly Blue [2 at Dalrymple Close, N14 & 1 at Oakwood Park], 1 Small Heath at Oakwood Park, 1 Mother Shipton at Oakwood Park - my first of the year [FOY] & fem/imm Broad-bodied Chaser seen in flight & settled in tree at Oakwood Park [TQ303953] at 1305 BST - my first of the year [FOY]. All sightings in Oakwood Park were E of the 10 km line. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield. Male Brimstone, 1 Green-veined White, male Large White, 2 male Orange-tip, 2 Peacock, 1 Small Copper & 10 Small Heath at private sites near Trent Park. 1 Blood-vein along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm/Res, Enfield [TQ300983] - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A early start for a local walk today ahead of the forecast hot afternoon. 14 species seen today, including another new one for the year (making 17 for my local patch so far in 2025). No.17 was the Green Hairstreak. One popped up out of nowhere in a new location, but the second (the pic attached) turned up precisely where I saw one last year. The behaviour was the same as well - chasing Holly Blues. Overall, numbers were subdued in the heat, with only Orange Tips and Holly Blues making it to double figures. One other highlight of the morning was a very new female Brown Argus nectaring on the caterpillar foodplant. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Trip to Aldbury Nowers. Hot & sunny this afternoon with butterflies flying at top speed and moths hiding in the shade. Pleased to see 2 Green Hairstreaks. Others I managed to ID included 7 Dingy Skippers, 2 Grizzled Skippers, 3 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 17 Small Heaths, 1 Yellow Underwing moth. Brimstones were by far the most common species. We are still looking for help walking the transect at this brilliant site, please contact Andrew Wood if you are interested [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings at Trent Park. A few sightings at Trent Park 'New Fields' or 'Butterfly Meadows' from 1210 to 1300 BST this afternoon - Male Brimstone near Triangular Wd, 1 Comma near Church Wd, 1 Green-veined White at Church Wd, 2 male Orange-tip, 2 Peacock, 1 Small Copper near Triangular Wd & 1 Speckled Wood. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]