News Archive for Jul 2025

Bishops Stortford. After my third effort this year I got male Purple Emperor patrolling the territory at Thorley lane east TL4719 just after 2pm. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]

Therfield Heath. Dark Green Fritillaries and Chalkhill Blues were out in force this afternoon. [Posted by John Yates]

Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. At private sites near Trent Park - male Common Blue, 2 Small Copper nectaring on ragwort, 7 male Gatekeeper & 1 Blood-vein. At Trent Park - 1 Comma by lower lake, 2 Painted Lady [1 by lower lake & 1 edge of Icehouse Wd], 1 Purple Hairstreak near Ride Wd, 3 Peacock [1 edge of Rough Lot & 2 together on buddleia at Shaws Wd], 1 Red Admiral edge of Icehouse Wd, 1 Silver-washed Fritillary on buddleia at Shaws Wd - my first of the year [FOY], 1 Small Tortoiseshell edge of Icehouse Wd - very 'fresh', 2 Small White pr mating edge of Icehouse Wd. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]

East of St Albans. An early start at Jersey Lane, where I was rewarded by a Small Tortoiseshell and two White-letter Hairstreaks, the first time I’ve succeeded in finding the latter species at this site. Later in Symonshyde Great Wood 18 Silver-washed Fritillaries, concentrated along the electric ride. A female was egg laying on a gnarled pine, starting at 7ft off the ground, then 8ft and finally 10ft, presenting the prospect of a very long journey for the tiny caterpillar next year. Two sightings of Purple Emperor on the southern side of the wood. New generation of Brown Argus (9) and Common Blue (1) also on the wing [Posted by Malcolm Hull]

Large Tortoiseshell at Wareside. Phil MacMurdie saw a Large Tortoiseshell on 29 June - for more details see below [Posted by Peter Clarke]