Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Copthall Park South. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Copthall park South. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Small White. Small White, adult, flying (and at rest) in house. Appears to be a fresh specimen. Based on the upper wing pattern, this identifies as a first brood male. If that is the case, I hesitate to consider it a 'late' or 'last' record for 2024; rather it appears to be an 'early' or 'first' record for the 2025 cohort? Though the chance of this adult surviving into the New Year and then to the spring is not high. [Posted by Leslie Williams]
Brown Hairstreak at Fryent country park. After many walks at Fryent country park over the last few months searching for Brown Hairstreak eggs over five hundred have been found with finds in every one of the field enclosures across the whole site. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak egg rescue Prestwick Road Meadows. Due to the work put in by Liz Goodyear and the result of a visit by Rohan Harris's initial egg search followed by Liz's a good number of Brown Hairstreak eggs were discovered. Rick and myself added another 2 eggs on our initial visit. The site was in need of management which is due anytime soon. Another egg rescue was needed and thanks to Liz Goodyear's superb map we were able to locate and remove any eggs that were in the areas due to be managed. We initially had a target of 18 eggs to relocate and remove and the tags really helped us to find the eggs. One in a cluster of 3 eggs was missing but another egg was found on the next marked egg compensating. 1 tagged egg by Liz on the mid eastern section was snapped off but fortunately Rick eventually saw the tag and rescued that egg. We removed 1 extra egg marked by Rohan close to the southern side next to the 2 eggs due to be rescued as it was even more vulnerable than the other two. As we got through the site relatively quickly rescuing 19 eggs we had a bit of time on our hands before dark and went on to find a further 5 eggs 4 of need of rescue the other tagged and left making a total of 23 eggs rescued. All eggs safely stored in Ricks garden and hopefully on their return to Prestwick Road Meadows we can monitor their progress to see if we can gather some evidence of the caterpillars reaching a bud! [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Big City Butterfly Zoom meeting 11 December 7pm - 8pm Date confirmed. For the last three and a half years, activities focusing on the project’s three themes: improving habitats, recording species and inspiring people, have been delivered across 17 inner-London boroughs. Project Officers Emma and Steve will take you through the project’s achievements and plans for legacy as they move into the final few months of the project. Booking details here. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/big-city-butterflies-project-achievements-tickets-1069198263789 [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Bluesky for our branch. Join as a member of Bluesky, another social media platform, to get the latest news for the BC Herts & Middx branch. Click here to sign up [Posted by Peter Clarke]
BC Emergency Fundraising Appeal. Save our Butterflies - Butterfly Conservation has suffered a drop in income and has launched an emergency appeal for funds. Please click here and donate if you can [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Fryent Country Park. Seventy Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Fryent Country park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Red Admiral at Enfield. 1 Red Admiral at a private site near Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Red Admiral at Enfield. 2 Red Admiral at private sites near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Composers Park. Nine Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Composers Park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Fryent Country Park. Forty six Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Fryent Country Park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Fryent Country Park. Twenty one Brown Hairstreak eggs found in two field enclosures at Fryent park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brimstone Moth at Southgate. 1 Brimstone Moth near outside light at ASDA Southgate this afternoon - my latest ever & first November record. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Prestwick Road Meadows. Twenty six Brown Hairstreak eggs found distributed across the site at Prestwick Riad Meadows. One also found across the road at the play area. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Hillingdon. Twelve Brown Hairstreak eggs found at an open area to the east of Uxbridge Sports club near North Hillingdon. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Welsh Harp. Fifteen Brown Hairstreaks found at Welsh Harp Reservoir, also one at the car park and one at Woodfield Park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
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]
Speckled Wood at Enfield. 1 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Speckled Wood at Town Park, Enfield. 1 Speckled Wood at Town Park, Enfield this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Small Coppers on last Herts & Middx BC butterfly walk this year. Grey skies, a stiff breeze and temperature of 13 degrees greeted us on arrival at Nomansland Common. 8 optimistic butterfly spotters set off and we’re soon rewarded by some excellent views of a knot-grass caterpillar. A few glimmers of sun encouraged the Small Coppers, with several seen in flight. Others were sunbathing, but the sun did not shine and most were hunkered down on prominent sprigs of Heather. Later we found a group of six Small Coppers all close together with mating in mind. Crossing to the east side more Small Coppers were seen nectaring on Ragwort. In total 27 seen along with a possible Red Admiral, many Yellow legged mining bees and a couple of Dung Beetles playing football with rabbit droppings. A cool but satisfactory end of the season [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Large White, Red Admiral & Small Copper at Enfield. 1 Large White, 1 Red Admiral & 1 Small Copper at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park during late morning & early afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Large White at Enfield. 2 Large White nectaring on buddleia at Enfield Rd, EN2 this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Garden Carpet & Meal Moth at Southgate. 1 Garden Carpet & 1 Meal Moth at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Hampstead Heath Brown Hairstreak. Three Brown Hairstreak eggs at new locations on Hampstead Heath. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Croxley Moor. After reading about Malcolm's count of Small Copper at Croxley Moor I hooked up with Rick Vickers for an afternoon visit. We didn't reach the numbers seen by Malcolm but still reached 48+. They were in various states of condition from fresh to semi tatty. Some with variant blue scales on the lower hind wing and others without. Some finding the dwindling amount of ragwort to feed on others basking on semi dried cow pats. Looking at where we had travelled on site we realised there was a lot we missed. We can conclude that there must have been well over a hundred on the wing and probably over 200 over the entire site! Thanks Malcolm for sharing the info on Small Coppers. Other butterflies seen 11 White's unidentified , 1 Green-veined White, 8+ Small Heath, 2+ Meadow Brown and a single Comma. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Brown Hairstreak at Hampstead Heath. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Hampstead Heath. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Large White at Enfield. Female Large White at a private site near Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Welsh Harp. Three Brown Hairstreak eggs found in new areas at Welsh Harp [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Small Coppers at Chorleywood. Visited Chorleywood Common to continue my search for Small Coppers. I recorded 6 myself, but met up with the transect walking team who had seen 5. With only one possible overlap that’s a site total of 10. Half were on Ragwort, the rest on heather. Courtship attempts were observed and one male was flying round all the Ragwort plants searching for females. One female left the Ragwort and went exploring for egg laying sites on Sheep’s Sorrel . Meadow Browns still out in good numbers - I saw 48. Also Small Heath, Silver Y, Red Admiral , Small and Large Whites [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Brown Hairstreak. Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Welsh Harp (3). Woodfield Park (1) and West Hendon Playing fields (12). [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Trent Park. 1 Comma & 3 Speckled Wood at Water Grdn/Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Small Coppers in London. Continued my quest for Small Copper at Osterley Park in Hounslow. 15 spotted, mostly nectaring on the plentiful supply of Ragwort with a couple of courtships. Speckled Wood, Comma and Brown Argus also on the wing at this site [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Comma at Whitewebbs Park. 1 Comma along Flash Lane at Whitewebbs Park this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak. Brown Hairstreak egg at Parkfields and Allum Lane Spinney. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
UK Butterfly Emergency Declared. Big Butterfly Count results reveal lowest numbers on record - Butterfly Conservation calls on Government to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’ and act now by banning toxic neonicotinoid pesticides, before it’s too late - People encouraged to sign open letter to Steve Reed here: https://butterfly-conservation.org/emergency - Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count 2024 saw the lowest number of butterflies spotted per Count in its 14-year history - A third of species had their worst year on record ever - More than 9,000 Big Butterfly Counts reported not seeing a single butterfly. Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has today declared a national ‘Butterfly Emergency’, with results of this summer’s Big Butterfly Count showing a marked and hugely concerning decline in numbers. Overall, participants spotted just seven butterflies on average per 15-minute Count, a reduction of almost 50% on last year’s average of 12, and the lowest in the 14-year history of the Big Butterfly Count. It was the worst summer in the Count’s history for Common Blue, Holly Blue, Green-veined White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady and Scotch Argus. And the majority of species (81%) showed declines in the number seen this year compared with 2023. In total, just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded across the UK from 12 July - 4 August, down almost 600,000, equivalent to more than a third of 2023's total, and 9,000 Counts were logged as seeing zero butterflies, the highest in the citizen science programme’s history. These figures have alarmed scientists and resulted in the charity declaring a nationwide ‘Butterfly Emergency’. Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “The previous lowest average number of butterflies per Count was nine in 2022, this latest figure is 22% lower than that, which is very disturbing. Not just that, but a third of the species recorded in the Big Butterfly Count have had their worst year on record, and no species had their best. The results are in line with wider evidence that the summer of 2024 has been very poor for butterflies. “Butterflies are a key indicator species; when they are in trouble we know that the wider environment is in trouble too. Nature is sounding the alarm call. We must act now if we are to turn the tide on these rapid declines and protect species for future generations. Butterfly Conservation is writing an open letter to Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs calling for the Government to act now for nature by declaring a ‘Nature Emergency’ and banning butterfly-killing neonicotinoid pesticides once and for all, with no exceptions, before it’s too late. Dr Fox explains: “When used on farmland, these chemicals make their way into the wild plants growing at field edges, resulting in adult butterflies and moths drinking contaminated nectar and caterpillars feeding on contaminated plants. Many European countries have already banned these chemicals, it’s time for the UK to follow suit and put the natural world first. If we don’t act now to finally address the long-term drivers of butterfly decline, we will face extinction events never before seen in our lifetime.” More than 85,000 citizen scientists took part in Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count this year, submitting 143,241 Counts. This is equivalent to 35,810 hours, or four years worth of time spent counting, in gardens, parks, school grounds and the countryside. Dr Richard Fox concluded: “If every single person who helped with the Count this summer signs our letter to the Government, we could prevent the very real and pressing threat of species becoming extinct in our lifetime.” [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Enfield & Trent Park. 2 Comma [1 at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park & 1 at a private site near Trent Park], 3 Green-veined White including a pair mating at a private site near Trent Park, 4 Meadow Brown at a private site near Trent Park, 3 Small Heath at a private site near Trent Park & 4 Small White at private sites near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak egg. Brown Hairstreak egg at Stanmore Country Park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Green-veined White at Trent Park. Female Green-veined White along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges' Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
More Small Coppers. Today I visited Gustardwood Common north of Wheathampstead. This has always been a secondary site, but subject to significant habitat improvements in recent years. Heather and acid grassland was plentiful, but only 2 Small Coppers recorded plus 1 Silver Y, 4 Small Heath and 2 Commas. Slightly disappointed, I stopped at Nomansland Common on the way home and recorded 55 Small Coppers - more than double last weeks total. This species really does seem to be having a strong finish to the season this year. Half were nectaring and the other half engaged in courtship activities. No sign yet of egg laying [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Green-veined White & Small Heath at Enfield. Female Green-veined White flew into a spider's web & was caught by a spider & 1 Small Heath at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
More Small Coppers. At lunchtime I visited Patmore Heath near Albury, a HMWT reserve. Small Copper was the dominant species with 31 recorded. Most were nectaring, Devils-bit Scabious being the most popular flower at this site, with others on Ragwort and garden flowers from the surrounding houses. Only one courtship today, but plenty of aggression between competing males. Also on the wing Small Heath, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Comma, Red Admiral, Large, Small and Green-veined Whites [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Merry Hill Bushey. Another visit to Merry Hill Saturday saw a drop in numbers of butterflies, not entirely surprising with the temperatures dropping to near freezing during the week. Whites were the most common sighting with a mixture of Large and Small about 20 seen. Meadow Brown sightings down to 2, Small Heath 1, Red Admiral 1, Comma 3 and first spotted by Rick Small Copper 1. We had two glimpses of butterflies unidentified but no further sightings of a Brown Hairstreak. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Return to Croxley Common Moor. After a disappointing year, pleased to have a much better day! 62 Small Coppers, my best total for this species for several years. Most nectaring on Ragwort and just one on Watermint and 7 courting couples. 11 Small Heath, 17 Small White plus Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Comma at Trent Park. 1 Comma along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges' Trent Park & 2 female Meadow Brown at a private site near Trent Park this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak egg. Brown Hairstreak egg at Fryent Country Park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Therfield Heath. Bob and I visited Therfield Heath this afternoon mainly searching for our target species, Adonis Blue. In the end, we counted at least 10 males plus at least one female, all in the area between Two Hills and the cafe, eastern side of the path (TL346401). Also seen were 2+ female Chalk Hill Blue, 2 Common Blue, 20+ Meadow Brown, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Gatekeeper, 5+ Small White [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Trent Park. 2 Comma [1 edge of Moat Wd & 1 'Old Golf Course'], male Green-veined White at 'Old Golf Course', female Meadow Brown nectaring on Bramble blossom, edge of Moat Wd, 2 Painted Lady [1 nectaring on Bramble blossom, edge of Moat Wd & 1 nectaring on Ragwort, by lower lake], 2 Red Admiral edge of Moat Wd, female Small White edge of Moat Wd & 1 Speckled Wood at Water Grdn/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Hummingbird Hawk-moth. Just seen my first Hummingbird Hawk-moth of the year in my garden in South Harrow. Also, 1 Painted Lady, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Large White and 1 Small White. [Posted by Michael Robinson]
Butterflies in northwest Hertfordshire. Liz Goodyear and I visited a woodland in northwest Hertfordshire where there were over 20 Commas feeding on softening blackberries. Also present were Speckled Woods, Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Meadow Brown, Common Blue and Small Heath. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Red Admiral at Enfield. 1 Red Admiral at a private site near Trent Park & 6 nectaring on ivy blossom along Flash Lane, EN2 this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Clouded Yellow. Male Clouded Yellow seen on my local patch close to Heathrow T5 and the River Colne. [Posted by DAVID MILLER]
Trip to Nomansland. 23 Small Coppers at Nomansland this afternoon. Most were nectaring on heather, with one couple mating. Numbers likely to build on this site over the next few weeks. Join me for a butterfly walk an end of season extravaganza on Sun 29th Sept, details on Events page. Also at this site today 4 Small Heath, 1 Burnished Brass, 28 Meadow Brown, 3 Comma and 2 Red Admiral [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Trent Park. 5 Red Admiral [1 at a private site near Trent Park & 4 together along 'vista' between Rough Lot & Moat Wd/Trent Park], 1 Meadow Brown settled near Ride Wd/Trent Park - quite late, 1 Comma basking on ivy, edge of Water Grdn/Trent Park - caught & carried off by a European Hornet, male Green-veined White, edge of Icehouse Wd/Trent Park, 2 Speckled Wood [1 edge of Williams Wd & 1 edge of Shaws Wd/Trent Park]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Double-striped Pug at Southgate. 1 Double-striped Pug at bus-stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Southgate. 1 Common Marbled Carpet at ASDA Southgate this afternoon & 1 Yellow Shell at bus-stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 this morning. 3 Large White nectaring on buddleia & 1 Red Admiral at Southgate Chase Allotments & female Large White nectaring on buddleia at Chase Road, N14 near West Grove Primary School. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Latticed Heath at Enfield. 1 Latticed Heath at a private site near Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Therfield Heath. On visiting Therfield Heath we travelled from the car park taking in the areas by the ancient barrows. We had already seen several Whites on the wing and the first of the Meadow Brown on the wing by the time we reached the barrows. Some parts had been cut back so narrowed our search a bit also the flowers had mostly gone over in the barrows area. We spotted a butterfly which was either a Small Copper or Small Heath but we lost sight to determine. We didn't see either species again Saturday. Although warm it remained stubbornly overcast on Saturday which probably contributed the the rather disappointing overall count. After heading past the rugby match to the slopes to the east we did eventually find our target species the Adonis Blue. First was a female and eventually we saw 3 males and Rick managed to spot a further female 5 in total with all looking in reasonable condition. The bonus turned out to be a single male Brimstone otherwise good numbers of Large and probably Small White and 25+ Meadow Brown with Rick tempting one on his finger. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Silver Y at Southgate. 1 Silver Y at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Painted Lady Parkland Walk South. I was rewarded for my efforts on my Parkland Walk South transect today by a pristine looking Painted Lady enjoying nectar from the large Buddleia on the bridge over Northwood Road N6 [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Painted Lady. Painted Lady seen this morning at Brent Reservoir. [Posted by Michael Robinson]
Cover crops around Brickendon. Had a little bit of sunshine this morning so went along the NNR path through Monks Green Farm. The cover crops next to the footpath have a great variety of flowering plants as do the surrounding meadows but the fodder radish is particularly popular right now with nectaring butterflies. Seen today was a very welcomed Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Small Copper (on nearby Ragwort), Small and Large Whites in numbers beyond counting. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Small Coppers. Two Small Coppers seen today on my transect at Alexandra Park. A welcome sight. In a couple of locations. Lonesome as nothing much else around. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Double-striped Pug & L-album Wainscot at Gordon Hill Station & Light Emerald at Enfield Chase Station. 1 Double-striped Pug & 1 L-album Wainscot [a new species for me] at Gordon Hill Station & 1 Light Emerald [fresh] at Enfield Chase Station this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Box-tree Moth at Southgate. 1 Box-tree Moth at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Red Admiral on ivy. Red Admiral on flowering ivy Whittington Lane Stevenage. Hopefully more to see this autumn after a poor year so far [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Long-tailed Blue near Heathrow. While following my usual walk on my local patch near the western end of Heathrow Airport, between the M25 and the River Colne, I spotted a pale worn butterfly chasing Small Heaths and a Common Blue. It settled and only after looking at photos I took of it was I able to confirm that it was a male Long-Tailed Blue. [Posted by DAVID MILLER]
Copyright on News form. The vast majority of photos are of butterflies which require copyright. However, there are some which do not, like the two images below. Clicking the 'Initialise Copyright' button fills the Copyright fields at the bottom of the page below the Caption fields with the Name specified. The Copyright fields can be amended or cleared (as in this example). There is no need to clear the Copyright fields for photos not to be uploaded e.g. if only Photo 1 is used to upload, the Copyright fields for Photo 2 and Photo 3 can be left unchanged. [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Common Marbled Carpet at Enfield. 1 Common Marbled Carpet seen in flight & settled at a private site near Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Garden, Ebury Way and Croxley Moor. While Pete was off on Merry Hill again, I was enjoying the sunny delights of my back garden, which was quite full for a change, with Large and Small White, Red Admiral and Comma (one of each seen). That was just the morning, afternoon came and we decided to check some of the places in-between where eggs or adults had been seen of the Brown Hairstreak. So, from Riverside Road we walked down towards Hampermill Lane, then back up the Ebury Way - plenty of Blackthorn, but no BHS seen. We did see plenty of whites, mostly Large, (10+) and Speckled Woods (5+) and a Comma, before we got to Croxley Moor. When we got to the Moor, it was quite the hive activity with 12+ whites, 5 Red Admiral, 5 Holly Blues (more than I've seen all year!), 2 Small Copper, 1 Speckled Wood, 15+ Meadow Brown and 30+ Small Heaths. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by Rick Vickers]
Merry Hill Bushey. On a quick scout from my flat in Bushey to Merry Hill, first searching the area I found a female B Hairstreak on Friday. I wasn't successful in that zone only seeing 4 Small Heath, 2 Meadow Brown. I then backtracked towards the upper entrance of Merry Hill and explored the bit that is closest to my flat. There wasn't so much blackthorn to explore but found a suitable patch nice and sheltered. Clocked a butterfly over bramble which I expected to be a Meadow Brown, well it turned out to be Brown Hairstreak. Whether it was the same female I saw Friday is debatable as she was in similar condition. I couldn't get a focus on her egg laying but in this photo her left palp indicated the direction of travel, which happened to be in the out of bounds zone the other side of the hedge. She seemed to deposit an egg just over 2ft off the ground at TQ 1363, 9421. Other butterflies seen 1 Red Admiral, Whites 7 mostly Large with a further 6+ sighted along Merry Hill Road. I even managed to get a photo of a Large White not to far from the B. Hairstreak sighting. They don't often stay still enough for a photo! [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Enfield Town. 1 Painted Lady, 1 Red Admiral & 1 Small White at Town Park, Enfield this afternoon & 1 Red Admiral along New River at Enfield Town, 1 Snout near Parsonage Lane, Enfield Town. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Adonis Blues on Therfield Heath. Perfect morning on Therfield Heath today - warm, sunny, still. There were good numbers of Adonis Blue males about plus plenty of very tatty looking male and female Chalkhill Blues. Looks like the 2nd brood are faring better than the first! [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by Paula Moore]
Merry Hill egg laying Brown Hairstreak TQ 1350, 9411. I managed to get out of work early enough to see how long it would take to reach the last sighting of a Brown Hairstreak on Monday. That went out of the window after entering Merry Hill from the entrance closest to my flat. After passing a good cluster of ash trees and clocking some good potential blackthorn I thought I'd better check that out first. I was just noting down the first Small Heath sighting and Meadow Brown. To my astonishment I found another Brown Hairstreak less than 15 minutes walk from my flat! An egg laying female and I observed her for a few minutes probing the blackthorn before losing sight. I'm not going to put her best side up in the photo's as this one shows a bit of expected scale loss, but otherwise you would assume a reasonably fresh specimen. After walking to the other points we had seen Brown Hairstreak no further sightings. I did see 1 Small Copper the first I'd seen at Merry Hill this season. Otherwise 6 whites seen on route with a further 6 at Merry Hill, 2 Large White noted on return in garden on return. Small Heath 12+, Meadow Brown 18+, Speckled Wood 2, Red Admiral 1. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Trent Park. Female Large White along bridle-path near Merryhills Brook/Trent Park, 2 Red Admiral near Shaws Wd/Trent Park [one settled & another in flight], 1 Comma near Water Grdn/Trent Park & 1 Small Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Butterfly and Bug Festival in Greenwood Park. Join Chiswell Green Community Gardeners on Sunday 8th September at their butterfly and big festival. There will be advice sessions on how to attract more butterflies to your garden. The event takes place from 2-4pm. See their poster for info on other activities. The location is next to our chalk bank in Greenwood Park and is best accessed by the park entrance next to Midway Surgery, 93 Watford Rd, Chiswell Green, St Albans AL2 3JX [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Hibernation watch. A third Peacock now hibernating in my St Albans shed. I’ve seen none on the wing for the last ten days, so it’s likely they are now all in hibernation. So a good time to take stock of the season. 3 Peacocks compares to an average of 5 over the last decade. So below average, but there have been 4 years with lower totals, so not disastrous … unlike Small Tortoiseshell. Hibernating total for that species is still 0 compared to an annual average of 19 and a previous low of 5. I’ve seen one on the wing for over 6 weeks. The only positive spin I can put on this is that it is a vey variable species which continually surprises me! [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Red Admiral at Southgate. 1 Red Admiral at Southgate Chase Allotments this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Clouded Yellow - Alexandra Park. A return visit to my old local patch this morning, yielded a good but brief view of a Clouded Yellow at the top of Anthill Meadow in Alexandra Palace Park. [Posted by Gerry Rawcliffe]
Red Admiral at Southgate. 1 Red Admiral at Chase Side, N14 this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak in London Borough of Hackney. Allens Gardens, Hackney. Female seen on the ground at very close range (I could have easily have potted it if I had a pot on me). Unmistakeably a Hairstreak from the distinctive white lines on the underside, on an orange/brown background. The habitat is a small urban woodland with scrubby areas and borders a railway line (which greatly increases the chances of getting a migrant or other wanderer). There is a wide variety of mature trees with Ash predominating. [Posted by Chris Farthing]
Southern Country Park, Bishops Stortford. My first visit to this attractive flower rich chalk grassland site. Met with Bob Clift and Jim Hook to discuss suitable locations for a new butterfly bank. Common Blues doing well with at least 15 seen. Also Brown Argus, Small Heath, Painted Lady (Bob's first for the year), Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown, Small and Green-veined Whites [Posted by MalcolmHull]
Comma at Trent Park. 1 Comma near Water Grdn/Trent Park this morning at 0940 BST. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Merry Hill. When the wind finally calmed down, out to Merry Hill again, rather quiet but it is that time of a quiet year, couple of whites, 8+ Speckled Woods, similar amount of Meadow Browns, 1 Small Heath and 1 Brown Hairstreak (spotted by Pete), but as I got the pic this week (not a dodgy video), I got to put the post up. [Posted by Rick Vickers]
Merry Hill Bushey. I took another look over at Merry Hill last Friday (23 August) afternoon. I had to enter from Carpenters Park side as there are road works blocking the entrance to Merry Hill Road. I would have walked if my lower back wasn't so bad as I live close. Although no sightings of Brown Hairstreak today I was looking for potential areas to look for eggs later in the year. There are a few spots with ash and blackthorn that I have noted as potential so far, but there are areas that are yet to be explored at this site and yet to be discovered! Rick also went to Merry Hill today but we didn't meet. No Brown Hairstreak sightings for Rick either but he came up with better numbers for my count on Small Heath and Speckled Wood than I did. My personal count was 25+ Meadow Brown, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Heath, 2 unidentified Whites. 5 Common Blue all males. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Red Admiral at Trent Park. 1 Red Admiral basking on E edge of Icehouse Wood/Trent Park & female Green-veined White & female Small White settled near Shaws Wd Cottages/Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Holly Blue at Enfield Town. 1 Holly Blue flying around ivy near Silver Street, Enfield Town this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Lots of Blues on Therfield Heath. Good numbers of Adonis Blues were on the wing on the eastern side of Therfield Heath this afternoon. I saw at least 15 males and there were probably plenty more. Most but not all of the activity was on Lankester Hill (Old Rifle Range). Most of the Chalkhill Blues look pretty ragged now, but there are still quite a few about and others saw females egg laying. Similar numbers of Brown Argus and Common Blue were seen - most of the Common Blue females were suffused with blue. A single Holly Blue was seen on my way to the heath. I also checked out Church Hill early evening: not a single blue could be seen on the south side, but some Chalkhills were roosting on the north side and in the chalk pit at the bottom (one female seen), so there is hope that they will re-establish themselves given the right conditions (and some ants). Several Common Blues and a Brown Argus were roosting at the bottom of the hill, some dangerously close to the web of a Wasp Spider! Small Heath butterflies have been on the wing here continuously since the end of April. With very warm weather forecast for the middle of next week, I recommend that this will be the optimum time if you want to see Adonises on the wing. [Posted by Martin Johnson]
Second Brood Adonis Blues At Therfield Health. I was already at Therfield Heath so thought I would have a quick look for second brood Adonis Blue. I saw about five stunners in about 20 minutes in sunny but very windy conditions. My daughter then decided finding some ice-cream was far more important. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Brown Hairstreak in South Harrow. Was very surprised to find the odd looking Gatekeeper on the buddleia in my garden in South Harrow this lunchtime turn out to be a female Brown Hairstreak. Had a good look at it through my binoculars. Also, had one Speckled Wood, one Small White and one Large White in the garden. [Posted by Michael Robinson]
Common Blue, Green-veined White, Purple Hairstreak & Small Heath at Trent Park. Female Common Blue, 1 Green-veined White & 1 Small Heath at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park this morning & 1 Purple Hairstreak [worn & tatty] settled low down along bridle-path between Merryhills Brook & Shaws Wd/Trent Park at 1111 BST - quite a late record, but I have seen them in early September in the past. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Bad weather for Therfield Heath Branch Walk. The forecast is for rain tomorrow morning (Sat 24th) when I am due to lead a Branch Walk on Therfield Heath. I will go to the start for 10.30 anyway, but it is probably not worth travelling far for this event tomorrow. Weather looks better in the second half of next week if you want to do a self-guided walk. [Posted by Nick Keep]
Jersey Tiger at Oakwood & Light Emerald at Southgate. 2 Jersey Tiger [1 at Lakeside, EN2 & another at South Lodge Cres, EN2] this morning & 1 Light Emerald near outside light at ASDA Southgate. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak South Oxhey. Following on from the other weeks success at Merry Hill, and finding a second four leaved clover in the garden, time to go searching... South Oxhey Playing fields, same point I found the egg earlier in the year, just as the sun shone (about only time today) 1 Brown Hairstreak TQ10443 93638. Unfortunately I only had the video camera and it went into Bigfoot/UFO mode - a bit fuzzy! [Posted by Rick Vickers]
Minet Country Park sightings. The photos relate to two butterflies we saw today (along with plenty of commoner butterflies including Holly Blue and Small Copper). They are Brown Hairstreak and Long-tailed Blue, both of which are new species for us. [Posted by Dave Bookless & Colin Conroy]
Hummingbird Hawk-moth. Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Coldharbour Allotments, Harpenden, at midday [Posted by Alan Jackson]
Garden Pebble at Southgate. 1 Garden Pebble at bus-stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Branch walk at Clothall Common. Pair of Chalkhill Blues, Brown Argus & Small Blue [Posted by Paula Moore]
Herts & Middx branch butterfly walk on Clothall Common, Baldock. 8 of us gathered for our first branch walk at this new location, famed as the best place in Herts for seeing 6 different species of blues. Butterflies were fairly scarce to start with, but by the time we reached the top of the slope both male and female Chalk-hill Blues and Common Blues were seen in good numbers. We examined many blues closely, noting the different colours and spots. Sadly no Adonis Blues were seen, but the second generation has not yet fully emerged. Back down at the foot of the slope we added Brown Argus, Small Blues and Small Heath. Ten species in total, with 18 Chalkhills and 16 Common Blues altogether. Stopping off at Weston for lunch, I immediately spotted a Holly Blue bringing my personal total for the day to five. [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Hexton Chalk Pit. We hadn't been over to Hexton Chalk Pit for a long time so it was great to go to a reliable site for Chalk Hill Blue, although already passed mid August we did see 30+ with the number of females almost matching the males. Some of the males looked relatively fresh and some were in hot pursuit of females making them easy to see. 4+ Common Blue 3 were females.1 Brown Argus, 30+ Meadow Brown, 1 Small Heath and 10+ Six-spot Burnet Moth. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
The Skype, Wheathampstead. 7 Common Blue and 2 Small Heath at this traditional meadow filled with Birds foot Trefoil and other wild flowers. Shame St Albans Council have allocated it for development [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Red Admiral at Trent Park. 1 Red Admiral flew & settled in bushes by upper lake, Trent Park this morning at 0758 BST. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Another Jersey Tiger. A Jersey Tiger has been seen for a couple of days in my Welwyn Garden City garden. It was nectaring on Buddleia this evening [Posted by John Yates]
Therfield Heath. Still high numbers of Chalk Hill Blues (50+ including c. 5 females) and some in good condition too. First Adonis Blue of the new brood (male on poo) - thanks to Trevor Sawyer for spotting it. Other species: Gatekeeper 30+, Meadow Brown 40+, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small White 4 and Large White [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Merry Hill Bushey. I had another go at looking for Brown Hairstreak this afternoon apart from a couple of may be glimpses was unsuccessful this time. But did get to see my first Brown Argus of the year there. 1 male looking reasonably fresh but with a couple of chinks in the right side upper and lower wing. Found feeding on the fleabane which is now in full bloom. Honey bees are making the most of the flowers there too, as well as the 3 Brimstones sighted. Gatekeeper numbers are dropping off with 5 seen, Meadow Brown were most numerous although their numbers dropping at 25+ , Small Heath 5 seen with the one in the photo slightly opening it's wing in pulses. I did sort of capture that but not as good as the photo. Speckled Wood sightings 7 officially confirmed but some of the darker butterflies flitting over the hedgerows were most likely to be Speckled Wood not B. Hairstreaks which could have doubled their count. 2 Large White and 3 other Whites seen. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Large White at Oakwood. Female Large White on buddleia at Oakwood Station late morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak. Me and Brian Dawton went to Horsenden Hill arrived at 9, quite windy in field by car park walked to find Ash in shelter and saw 3 flying about in tree tops , then walked to bridge and saw one perched clearly from bridge. Then saw a few more. Walking back back uphill we saw a few more flying downhill, it was getting very windy when we left. Many Ash have dieback now In all we saw about 12 Brown Hairstreak and many Jersey Tiger. [Posted by Tony Clancy]
Painted Lady & Small Heath at Enfield & Common Blue at Trent Park. 1 'very fresh' Painted Lady settled on ground & on thistle head at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park at 0750 BST & 2 Small Heath together here, also. Male Common Blue by lower lake, Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Jersey Tiger. Was in bathroom this morning and with the help of live feature on phone managed an open wing shot [Posted by Paula Moore]
Hibernating Butterflies. Rather dull here today, so a good time to check on the butterflies hibernating in my shed. I now have two - both Peacocks. Over the last ten years I've been recording hibernating Peacocks the average annual total has been five. I've seen several on the wing this week, so still time for this total to increase. During the last decade there have been four years with two or less hibernating Peacocks. So this year looks below average, but not a disaster for this species. The same can't be said for Small Tortoiseshells. The average annual number has been 19 and the lowest previous year 2021 when there were five. This year there are none and with none seen on the wing, it appears that this species may have disappeared from St Albans area. [Posted by Malcolm HULL]
Stafford Road & Ickenham Marsh. An 8-30 sunny start in quite a breeze. Sighted 20+ Brown Hairstreaks possibly all males including the first sightings (6) on the LWT Ickenham Marsh reserve which were around a 'master ash' alongside the ungrazed southerly wooded brook side path (TQ 0864 8510). Watched 2 males engaged in a (2 mins) twirling duel. Returned early PM to see 1 male flitting along the path. Of the remaining sightings 8+ around a master ash bordering the largest meadow (c.9-30) and the remainder were singletons flitting around the blackthorn till my 2pm departure but only 2 photo opportunities for those I had informally teamed up with (the more eyes the better for BH!). Unlike last year the BH are not (yet?) settling to feast on the nectar which is maybe due to less thistle and knapweed at the expense of ragwort along with the closing up of the clearings as the blackthorn marches on at 1-2m per year. Also 10 Small Copper, 25 Small Heath which both are my best counts on this site for some years or possibly ever. 2 Brown Argus. 25+ Speckled Wood, 1 Holly Blue, 12 Purple Hairstreak with a few low level landings plus the usual browns and whites. [Posted by Nick Furtek]
Therfield Heath. A walk lunch time, just the eastern side/Lankester Hill c60 Chalkhill Blue , mostly males but a good many females, 2 pairs "in cop", 12 Common Blue, 4 Brown Argus, no sign of any Adonis yet... [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Trip to Hexton. Hexton Chalk Pit Reserve - 50 Chalk-hill Blues, 4 Common Blues, 1 Small Heath and 3 Brimstones. Searched the field edges on Hexton Manor Estate adjoining the Reserve and along Hexton Rd. Chalk-hill Blues in both locations, but best on the west side and several were seen crossing the road. Added 11 more Chalk-hill Blues, 1 NB5 Spot Burnet, 4 Brown Argus, 3 Small Heath , 6 Common Blues 4 Six-spot Burnets, 2 Brimstones, 1 Marbled White and 1 Silver-washed Fritillary. Excellent news that the Este has been acquired by Natural England who plan a chalk grassland restoration project [Posted by Malcolm HULL]
Common Blue & Shaded Broad-bar at Trent Park. Female Common Blue & 1 Shaded Broad-bar at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Common Blues Picking Up. 32 Common Blues today at a private site east of St Albans. My best total of the year so far for this species. Brown Argus and Small Heath also in flight plus Brimstones and Peacocks feeding avidly before they enter hibernation [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Merry Hill Bushey TQ 131 939. I went out for a stroll at Merry Hill today for as long as I could stand the heat. The butterflies apart from some of the M. Brown and Brimstone were mostly seen hugging the hedge-line. On entering I saw a Red Admiral and a white along the hedgerow. A further 7 whites seen unidentified. Other species seen 1 L. White, Speckled Wood 8+, Meadow Brown 20 +, Gatekeeper 8+, Brimstone 2, male and female, Jersey Tiger Moth 1. I was looking out for Brown Hairstreak and I took the route up to a bench where there is blackthorn and ash. I hung around for a while looking up but had no sightings so decided to move on. I was still scanning the hedgerow as I walked along and had a glimpse of a butterfly that would fit the description of a female B Hairstreak but was off over the other side of the hedge. I then ventured towards the place where Rick spotted the first one a couple of weeks back and found another male not too far from the first sighting. Although the white border on the wings was frayed he didn't look old, probably a few days at most. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Whippendell Woods and Cassiobury Park. Arriving in the car park at Rousebarn Lane 1 Large White and 1 S. Wood spotted. Being in Whippendell Woods and close to water we expected that butterfly numbers would drop usually due to the presence of hawker dragonflies at this time of year. Well they were relatively low but so were dragonfly numbers compared to previous years although a few hawkers were sighted. Species sighted in Whippendell Woods. A further 2 S. Wood, 2 Peacock, 1 Brimstone, 2 Gatekeeper, 3 Comma, 3 Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Holly Blue, 4 L White, 2 confirmed GV White, and about 6+ unidentified whites. Pushing our luck with time in Cassiobury Park after 5pm we found our first Small Copper of the year along with 4 Gatekeeper, 3 M Brown, 1 Skipper S/E and 1 S. Wood. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Second Brood Small Blues. Two Small Blues at the meadow in Upper Bourne End Lane where I also had 6 Common Blues. Just one Small Blue at the A41 Bourne End junction, but I did see 25 Six-spit Burnets there. No Small Blues at Redbourn Lane, but 15 Brown Argus, 10 Common Blues, 1 Small Copper and a Large Skipper [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Silver-washed Fritillaries at Scales Park. At least three male Silver-washed Fritillaries were whizzing up and down the rides at Scales Park (near Nuthampstead) this afternoon - they were too smart for me to catch on camera. These are the first SWFs that I have seen locally, in what appears to have been a poor year for them. Also seen: Small/Essex Skippers, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood (lots), Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper (still lots), Peacock, Comma and Brown Argus. [Posted by Martin Johnson]
Common Blue & Jersey Tiger at Trent Park. Female Common Blue settled on E edge of Icehouse Wd/Trent Park & 3 Jersey Tiger at Trent Park [1 Moat Wd, 1 Icehouse Wd & 1 Shaws Cottages/Trent Park]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Blustery day at Therfield Heath. A very windy but warm day at Therfield Heath, the Chalk Hill Blues were out in fairly good numbers, not as good as 2022 but not bad considering the lack of spring. Lots of Gatekeepers and lots of Meadow Browns. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by James Somerville]
Where have all the butterflies gone?. Malcolm Hull recently gave an interview to Mix 92.6 the local radio station serving St Albans commenting on the shortage of butterflies this year and what can be done about it. Listen to the podcast here https://mix926.com/podcast/where-have-all-the-butterflies-gone-and-how-we-can-help/ [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Comma & Holly Blue at Trent Park & Jersey Tiger at Oakwood. 1 Comma & 1 Holly Blue near Water Grdn/Trent Park & 1 Jersey Tiger at South Lodge Cres, Enfield this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Branch Butterfly Walk to Ickenham. Nick Furtek led our annual search for Brown Hairstreak around the fields at Ickenham. I arrived early and searched the ash trees along the hedgerow from 8:30. In 2 hours I had 12 confirmed Brown Hairstreak, including 3 low down along the hedge. 4 Purple Hairstreaks were also identified. Joining the walk, Nick led us through the maze of paths and clearings in the Blackthorn, searching for photo opportunities of Brown Hairstreaks on flowers. Unfortunately most of the thistle patches which proved so productive last year had disappeared. The sun went in making our task more difficult. By the time I left at 1pm there were no further confirmed Brown Hairstreak, just a few brief glimpses of possibles. We did see 17 other species, including Small Coppers, Small Heaths, Common Blues, Brown Argus, a Large Skipper and Purple Hairstreaks. Moths included Straw Dot, Vapourer, Yellow Shell, Shaded Broad-bar and Cinnabar caterpillars. Many thanks to Nick for his expert commentary and guidance around the site. [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Holly Blue, Purple Hairstreak, Small Copper & Jersey Tiger at Trent Park. 2 Holly Blue [1 by lower lake & another E edge of Icehouse Wd/Trent Park], 1 Small Copper nectaring on ragwort at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Purple Hairstreak settled on bramble near Water Grdn/Trent Park & 2 Jersey Tiger [1 near Moat Wd & 1 near Shaws Wd/Trent Park]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Common Blue, Red Admiral & Jersey Tiger at Trent Park. Male Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 1 Red Admiral at North Lawn near Icehouse Wd/Trent Park & 2 Jersey Tiger [1 at Moat Wd & 1 near Dew Pond/Trent Park]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Painted Lady at Enfield. 1 Painted Lady at a private site near Trent Park at Enfield. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Millhoppers Chalk Bank. Whereas the new pond at Millhoppers has been a great success attracting a range of species including many Damsel and Dragonflies and Small China Mark moths, the chalk bank has slightly under performed. This year it was decided to cover the bank with a fresh deeper layer of pure chalk obtained from Pitstone Quarry. During the August work party our wardens and volunteers undertook the daunting task of transferring two and half tonnes of chalk from the roadside delivery point up through the reserve to the chalk bank location. Five volunteers put in an amazing shift with their wheelbarrows and the new improved chalk bank is now complete. The Bird's-foot Trefoil plants planted on the original chalk are flowering extremely well, so they have been kept, and we have now added some Common Rock Rose plug plants and seeded the rest of the bank with Kidney Vetch and Horseshoe Vetch. We are hoping for some Small Blue butterflies in 2025. [Posted by Chris Hilling]
Ickenham.. London Wildlife Trust event to Ickenham Marsh Reserve and beyond. I jumped at the chance to accept LWT Pete Salter's request to plan a route, where 17 of us, mostly complete butterfly novices, set of from Austins Lane, Ickenhan for a 3 mile 'butterfly walk' to spot as many species as possible. The route initially took us through the only uncut meadow in the area then through the reserve along the Yeading Brook to Stafford Road Open Space then returning across the cut meadows providing a variety of habitats for all the target species. The groups enthusiasm was way beyond my expectation as we encountered new species with many photographs being taken which slowed the pace extending the walk by quite a margin, although the Brown Hairstreak also proved a little elusive not helped by the occasional disappearing sun. The final tally? 17 including the 1x Jersey Tiger Moth or 19 with the 1x Small Skipper and 1x Small White seen only by myself and fellow H&M members Pete F and Rick V on our after hours extended walk. My numbers. 4x Purple Hairstreak, 3x Brown Argus, 5x Common Blue, 4x Small Heath, 3x Small Copper, 1x Ringlet, 3x Large White, 5x Speckled Wood, 4x Green Veined White, 2x Comma, 1x Red Admiral, 1x Holly Blue 50+ Gatekeeper, 50+ Meadow Brown and last but not least 1x Brown Hairstreak (a fresh female). Well done Pete F for spotting this and his photo (much better than mine!). We did not scan the ash tree tops for BHs (not good for the photos) but did encounter a few further possible lower level sightings. Thank you to all the attendees for making this a pleasant event. [Posted by Nick Furtek]
Speckled Wood at Town Park, Enfield & Holly Blue at Edmonton. 1 Speckled Wood at Town Park, Enfield & female Holly Blue at Stark's Field Primary School, Lower Edmonton this afternoon [my first of the summer brood]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Stafford Road Open Space. I released what I thought at first glance to be a Gatekeeper from the clutches of a spiders web on a head of Ragwort soon to discover it was a female Brown Hairstreak. Regaining its composure on the tip of my finger if flew and settled on a nearby bush, spread her wings as if to say thank you before flying off ! 3 Small Coppers, 3 Common Blues, 3 Speckled Woods, 1 Magpie, I Small Heath, 4 Brown Hairstreaks. [Posted by Jed Corbett]
Chalkhill Blue abberation. Seen on 2 Aug at Therfield Heath. I believe this is the female form with partially blue hindwings called semi-syngrapha [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Sawbridgeworth. Walk from the house down to the Rivers Orchard site, 4 "Small Skipper" two identified ,1 Small and 1 Essex, 9 Common Blue (8 male 1 female), 4 Peacock, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown in the 50+ region and first of the new brood Small Heath (1). [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Common Blue at Trent Park. Male Common Blue settled at North Lawn/Trent Park this morning at about 0845 BST. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Toadflax Brocade larvae. Toadflax Brocade larvae....On Purple Toadflax but none on the extensive area of Yellow Toadflax? Shire Golf Course Barnet ....+ 10 x Peacock...2 Red Admiral ..2 Comma...Many Gatekeepers. An area in centre of Course is planted out with most popular nectar and food plants for pollinators ..kj [Posted by Kitt Jones]
Purple Hairstreak. One of several Purple Hairstreaks seen during branch walk at Claybury park [Posted by Paula Moore]
Jersey Tiger at Trent Park & Brimstone Moth at Southgate. 1 Jersey Tiger edge of Moat Wd/Trent Park & 1 Brimstone Moth at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
White Admiral in Knebworth Woods. White Admiral on edge of Newton Wood during transect (first ever) about 20 yards from spot of previous sighting in 2021. Also a Small Copper, only my second of the year anywhere, in Knebworth Park. Ringlets and Marbled Whites are just about hanging on. [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Brown Hairstreak in LB Barnet. Brown Hairstreak in Ash at Darlands Nature Reserve in Totteridge. It flew along the edge of the canopy about 50 feet off the ground and perched obligingly allowing good views through binoculars. Also 5 Purple Hairstreaks, mostly low down. Other butterflies few in number with just 8 other species seen. Moths included Mother of Pearl, Shaded Broad Bar and Silver-Y [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Croxley Moor. An escape to Croxley Moor after work provided the perfect fix to a lack of Small Copper this season. We hadn't long got through the gate before our first sighting of the year! 21 + seen which we were glad to see. 7 Common Blue including 1 female, 4 Small Skipper, 2 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 12+ Small Heath, Gatekeeper in good numbers well over 30 seen, Meadow Brown also in similar numbers. 5+ Large White with other Whites seen. Rick may have spotted a Brimstone but alas that one got away. No Brown Hairstreak seen yet but has potential when the females get going. Unfortunately due to continued problems with the website I am unable to post photographs. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Grovelands Park & Southgate. 1 Red Admiral at Dalrymple Close, N14 & 1 Comma & 5 Speckled Wood at Grovelands Park, Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Trip to Croxley Common Moor. No luck today searching for Brown Hairstreak at this site where eggs were found last winter. But the habitat quality is quite good and I’d expect BH to become established there. 15 butterfly species and 3 moths, the stand outs for me being Small Copper(21), Small Heath (14), Common Blue (9), Purple Hairstreak (5) and my first Holly Blue of the summer (1) [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Gordon Hill Station, Enfield. 4 Least Carpet, 4 Riband Wave & 1 Mother of Pearl at Gordon Hill Station near lights this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Please Support a National Ban on Urban Pesticides. A new campaign has been launched to tackle pesticide use, one of the main causes of declines in butterflies and moths. Their first step is to launch a petition calling on the new government to ban unnecessary pesticide use in towns and cities. Click this link to support the petition and learn more about the campaign https://pesticidecollaboration.org/go-pesticide-free/ [Posted by Malcolm HULL]
Trip to Bushey. Long-tailed Blue at Bushey Open Space. This former golf course site is reverting to nature and the Branch are working with the site advisers to share ideas on habitat creation. On the adjoining Woodland Trust Merry Hill site I had 15 Purple Hairstreaks, 3 Brown Hairstreaks (all in Ash trees) and 17 Six-spot Burnets(a rare sight so far this year) including this mating pair [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Yellow-tail at Oakwood Station. 1 Yellow-tail at Oakwood Station this afternoon [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
New broods at Waterford Heath. I had my first Brown Argus and Common Blue at Waterford Heath (south) for a while. Also had 5 newly hatched Brimstones. [Posted by Steve Kiln]
Three species of Hairstreak in Hayes. A visit to Minet Country Park, Hayes looking at the extensive Elm and Blackthorn hedges. First a Purple Hairstreak in a small Oak, then onto looking at the Elm Hedge which has been a WLH hotspot, just the one in the canopy today. I have looked at the Blackthorn here over a number of years and today right at the end of the walk saw a fresh Brown Hairstreak in small row of Blackthorn in the cycle track. Lots of other butterflies despite an early cut of the meadow including Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Brown Argus, Small Skipper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Holly Blue as well as a couple of Jersey Tigers. [Posted by Paul Busby]
Brown Hairstreak Merry Hill Bushey. It was a delight to see our first Brown Hairstreaks in Hertfordshire with 2 males seen. First spotted by Rick Vickers both at TQ 13132 93944. To our good fortune the first stayed still long enough for a photo. Other butterflies seen good numbers of Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood 1, Common Blue 4+, Purple Hairstreak 5+, Brimstone 1, Marbled White 6, Small Skipper 15+. Large White and other Whites were also on the wing. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Brimstone, Comma, Peacock & Red Admiral. 1 Comma at Trent Park Equestrian Centre at 0942 BST, 1 Peacock at Prince George Ave, N14 at 0957 BST, 1 Red Admiral near bus-stop opposite Oakwood Station & male Brimstone nectaring on purple-loosestrife at wetland area in Town Park, Enfield at 1246 BST. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Jersey Tigers in Stevenage. 5 Jersey Tigers turned up in and on moth trap in my Stevenage garden last night [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Peacocks out in St Albans. Peacocks on buddleia in my garden and along the street. Ten spotted in the local park. 15 in total this morning compared to none yesterday. Glad for some good butterfly news at last! [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Silver Washed Fritillary form valezina. After just leaving Sherrardspark Wood, I noticed what appeared to be a valezina form of a Silver Washed Fritillary in a flowered garden. First SWF I have ever seen at, or near, this generally butterfly devoid site. [Posted by John Yates]
Sawbridgeworth. First walk from the house to the Rivers orchard site since mid June, looking very different with all the Knapweed out and a big display of Red Clover, 15 "Small" Skipper, none of which stopped long enough to be identified but I suspect the very tatty ones were small and the fresh looking ones Essex..., 4 Brimstone (3 f 1m), 1 Common Blue (m), 2 Red Admiral , 9 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Marbled White (nearly over here), Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown both well in the 60 + range. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Branch Event. Millhoppers Reserve. During the butterfly walk at Millhoppers reserve today when 2 visitors and 2 wardens took part, we saw: 2 Speckled Wood, 3 Brimstone, 35 Gatekeeper, 15 Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet, 4 Small Skipper, 2 Large White, 4 Peacock, and 1 Red Admiral. [Posted by Christine Ridley]
Finchley N3, N12 Pollinator Group at Long Lane Pasture. 25 people arrived for a butterfly walk at this 2 acre site on the North Circular Rd. Rescued from development 20 years ago, it is now an emerging woodland with sunny pockets of scrub and grassland. We recorded 14 species altogether, 11 butterflies and 3 moths. Gatekeepers were dominant with over 50 seen. The highlight for me was two Large Skippers - more than I have seen on any site this year. Finchley Pollinators is an enthusiastic local group promoting planting for insects in the local area. [Posted by Malcolm HULL]
Purple Emperor at Alexandra Park. This morning about 10.20 I was walking along the east side by the sallows and where the path floods when I saw a Purple Emperor flying low and then landing on the ground, perhaps looking for minerals. [Posted by Helen Bantock]
White Letter Hairstreak Parkland Walk South. I led a walk this morning for The Friends of PW. Among the usual expected sightings which included fresh Peacocks, we saw two White Letter Hairstreaks close up. One took a liking to the shirt of one of the group! This as far as I know is an unrecorded species for that patch. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Branch Event Therfield Heath. A nice sized group peaking at slightly less people than the 16 species of butterflies recorded met at the main carpark today. Chalkhill Blue males were seen almost as soon as we stepped on to the mown grass by the cafe, many more than I would expect in this area. Maybe the very long uncut grass, due to the wet weather this year is driving them down to the mown non-SSSI area. Small, Essex and Large Skippers identified to species were seen near the scrub going up Lankaster hill along with a single faded Ringlet. Small/Essex skippers were seen throughout the walk in good numbers as were Gatekeepers, Chalkhill Blues and Meadow Browns. Enough Marbled Whites were still on the wing for everyone to get a good view, We then moved on to the bowl of the Rifle Range where 2 faded male Common Blues, male and female Brimstones and 3 Dark Green Fritillaries were added to the sightings. Two somewhat out of season Small Heaths were seen in the valley area. Flyby Red Admiral, Peacock, Large and Small White completed the list. Moths consisted of several Burnets and a Silver-Y We failed to find Small Copper where I saw one on Wednesday when checking the route. There have been more reports than usual of Small Copper this year but it remains a relatively rare spot on the Heath. [Posted by Nick Keep]
Trent Park & Enfield Road, EN2. 3 Peacock at Trent Park [1 nectaring on buddleia near Shaws Wd & 2 at North Lawn by lower lake], female Common Blue on thistle head at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 4 Peacock together, nectaring on buddleia at Enfield Road, EN2. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak. I was amazed to see a Brown Hairstreak (female I suspect as the underside was a golden orange colour) in our garden in Pinner. It was the first I have ever seen in sixty years [Posted by Paul Luckham]
Trent Park. 6 Peacock together, nectaring on buddleia near Shaws Wd Cottages at 0955 BST, male Common Blue near Shaws Wd/Trent Park & 1 Six-spot Burnet at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
NEW: Summer Butterfly Walk - Sunday 28th July in St Albans. The Green House St Albans has organised a walk as part of Big Butterfly Count
Meet at St. Albans Verulamium Museum 10.45 on Sunday 28th July.
Public · No charge.
Join Malcolm Hull from Butterfly Conservation for a leisurely one-hour walk around Verulamium Park and hopefully spot some butterflies and moths along the way. All are welcome at The Green House afterwards for refreshments and conversation about our wonderful butterflies and moths.
Meet at the Roman museum for 10.45am. We will have some spotter sheets on hand but you can also download your own guide and digital app by logging onto https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/. Share the details with your friends and let’s make this count matter https://www.facebook.com/events/s/butterfly-walk/1007574000556864/. [Posted by Malcolm HULL]
Rooftop butterflies. I saw a Peacock and Brimstone 8 floors up at my office in Embankment.The Peacock came back later on. There’s a nectar rich garden there that was buzzing with bees. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Abundance of butterflies at Therfield Heath. If your butterfly batteries need recharging in this tricky year, I recommend a trip to Therfield Heath. In the space of four hours I spotted 15 species of butterfly plus lots of Six-Spot Burnet moths and Cinnabar caterpillars. The meadow at the foot of Church Hill had the most variety with dozens of Gatekeepers, the usual meadowland species, plus a couple of Brimstones and Dark Green Fritillaries, Peacocks and a Red Admiral. Oddly no Chalkhill Blues at all on Church Hill, but hundreds over on the heath (Lankester Hill and towards the Icknield Way), and a bonus trio of Small Coppers on the path between the burial mounds on the way back to the car park. [Posted by Annie Sutcliffe]
SW Fritillary in Northaw. Hot on the heels of my bedroom window Purple Emperor was this Silver-washed Fritillary on a kitchen picture frame. If only it were always this easy. On its last legs sadly. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by Sam Fuller]
Trent Park. 1 Ringlet at Icehouse Wd/Trent Park, 2 Peacock at North Lawn near Icehouse Wd/Trent Park, 2 Comma [1 edge of Water Grdn & 1 near Water Grdn/Trent Park], 1 Small Copper nectaring on ragwort near Water Grdn/Trent Park [First of the summer brood], 1 male Common Blue at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park [First of the summer brood], 1 Silver-washed Fritillary & 1 Red Admiral along 'vista' near Moat Wd/Trent Park & 10 Six-spot Burnet at Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Purple Emperor Egg update. Following on from the post I made here on the 10th July at Balls Wood, regarding the witnessing a female Purple Emperor laying an egg, now 13 mostly cool days later the egg finally hatched (23rd July PM). My young daughter named her "Violet" and is fascinated to see the process in action, plus it's good exercise.[Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Gatekeeper. 10 Gatekeepers on a small garden patch, Abbots Road, Abbots Langley. This species which had record numbers here last year is bucking the trend of many other species by having another prolific year. [Posted by Clive Burrows]
Brown Hairstreak. Pristine Brown Hairstreak at Northwick Park this evening. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Silver-washed Fritillaries in Symonshyde Great Wood. Five SWF today, all males. Four of them very docile and nectaring on bramble, just one patrolling on territory. Fresh flush of Speckled Wood enjoying the cool cloudy conditions [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Least Carpet & Riband Wave at Southgate. 2 Least Carpet & 1 Riband Wave at ASDA Southgate this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Silver Washed Fritillary f. Valezina. Spotted this absolute beauty outside of Danemead HMWT after initially dismissing her up in a tree as a very large Speckled Wood, thank goodness I listened to that little inner voice of doubt and investigated into the brambles. Still photographs (especially mine) don't do this butterfly any justice whatsoever because as she moves about in the late sunlight she ripples with rich iridescent colours, absolutely stunning to witness. After enchanting me for several minutes the spectacle ended abruptly, seems I wasn't her only admirer and soon I had two other regular SWFs on the same patch bramble blossom, which of course only resulted in butterfly chaos. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Chalk Hill Blues at Hexton Chalk Pit. 20 plus Chalk Hill Blues in warm but cloudy conditions. Lots of Gatekeepers too 50 plus, Ringlets 10 plus as well as a few Marbled Whites. [Posted by Sam Fuller]
Immature lepidoptera on hop in Stevenage garden. On checking the hop, I discovered a Comma egg (photo taken on 15 July but egg still unhatched), a Comma larva and a Vapourer moth larva within inches of each other about 4 feet above ground. The hop is supported by a 'wigwam' structure of bamboo canes and the leaves are tightly packed. Also, an adult Vapourer (a first) turned up in my moth trap on Thursday night. [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Friends of Alexandra Park Walk. I led a local walk after a lunchtime shower; 14 people came along, we spent most of the time in the anthill meadow. We saw many Six-Spot Burnet Moths, some mating pairs among them. Otherwise there were still a couple of Marbled Whites around, Many Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and a Purple Hairstreak fluttering about an oak on the edge of the meadow. There were a few flypasts from Whites one of which was a Green Veined. A few Small Skippers were also flitting about. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Silver-washed Fritillaries in Berrygrove Wood. 3 male SWFs on territory in the tiny sunny pockets within the wood. Two were hotly contesting rights to the best location, duelling ferociously Seeing me enter their space, one flew close over my head and the other straight at my eyes, veering away at the last moment - a clear case of intimidation! Elsewhere in the wood new broods of Large White (20) and Green-veined White (around50) were dominant. Just one Purple Hairstreak, they seem to be having a poor year. 12 species in all [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Batford. 19.07.24 - Batford - 1 PURPLE EMPEROR seen for about 1 second in flight before disappearing behind hedgerow along public footpath beside KW school, Batford just north of the weedy/scrubby field. Spent another hour and a half but found nothing. [Posted by Darin Stanley]
Purple Hairstreak & Six-spot Burnet at Trent Park. 2 Purple Hairstreak settled on ash at Icehouse Wd/Trent Park this morning & 7 Six-spot Burnet at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Ware garden. Having spent the last six weeks of the 'summer' on the other side of the world, I came back to a garden of butterflies with 2 Commas chasing, 1 female Brimstone nectaring on Everlasting pea, 1 Large and 1 Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, 1 Gatekeeper, 1 Meadow Brown and a fly past by a Marbled White - 9 species during the day! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Purple Emperor at Bedmond. Female Purple Emperor flitting around and perching on a young Ash within a small woodland on Bell Lane, east of Bedmond. She stayed in sight for around 30 seconds ten meters above ground level, providing excellent views. Delighted at this as I first searched this area for PE 12 years ago and several times since with no luck previously. Earlier in Potters Crouch Plantation I added Silver-washed Fritillary to last weeks haul. At lunchtime at Serge Hill I saw my first Large Skipper of the year in Herts and my first new brood Brown Argus and Peacock. 16 species in all (including 6 spot Burnet), browns are dominant, but overall numbers of butterflies now seem to be increasing [Posted by Malcolm HULL]
Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral & Speckled Wood at Trent Park. 1 Comma, 1 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral & 2 Speckled Wood along bridle-path near Merryhills Brook at Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Hertford Heath and Balls Wood. There were many butterflies out today in the hot and sunny conditions. Many Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Large Skipper were on the wing with Small Skipper, Peacock, Marbled White, Small Heath, Brimstone, Large White and Small White also seen on the walk. The highlights though were two Silver Washed Fritillary and one tatty White Admiral. [Posted by John Yates]
Uxbridge Fields & Hillingdon House Farm. On a thorough check of Hillingdon House Farm and neighbouring fields, I saw 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Commas, at least 5 Small Skippers, 2 Meadow Browns, at least 6 Gatekeepers, 1 Holly Blue and 1 Green-veined White. [Posted by Matthew Milne]
Comma & Large White at Trent Park. 1 Comma at Water Grdn/Trent Park & 3 Large White near Icehouse Wd/Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Comma & Large Skipper at Trent Park. 1 Comma edge of Moat Wd/Trent Park & female Large Skipper near Shaws Wd/Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Latticed Heath & Six-spot Burnet at Trent Park. 2 Six-spot Burnet at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park [TQ287977],1 Latticed Heath near Dew Pond/Trent Park [TQ294973], 1 Comma, 1 Large White & 1 Green-veined White near Water Grdn/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Double-striped Pug & Garden Carpet at Southgate. 1 Double-striped Pug & 1 Garden Carpet at bus-stop shelter at Chase Road/Charter Way, N14 [TQ295951]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Feast for an Emperor. We arrived along the Lime Avenue with fingers crossed that we would at least get a sighting. Rick set the table with a suitable waft of flavours soon emanating. The weather was sunny to start with but sadly after looking up until 12.30 no sightings were seen. There seemed little point in continuing so we packed down and took the decision to look for butterflies in Whippendell Woods instead. Red Admiral, 1 Comma, Large White, Ringlets and Meadow Brown seen along the Lime Avenue. Nicola who had joined us for the Emperor search needed to take her dog home but the other two did join us for a while in Whippendell Woods. With no sightings of White Admiral it looks like they have had a bad year in Whippendell Woods compared to the last 5 years. We did see 8 fresh looking Silver-Washed Fritillary between us, 4+ Comma, 3 Gatekeeper, 1 Large Skipper, 3+ Small Skipper, 6+ Red Admiral, 1 Green-veined White, Large White and several other Whites. Ringlets and Meadow Brown. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Big Butterfly Count has started. Please download the app and submit your sightings over the next three weeks https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/. Todays weather in St Albans was much improved and I carried out my first count on my allotment. The first butterfly I saw was my first Brimstone of the summer - a male, sitting on one of my Alder Buckthorn trees where it had probably fed as a caterpillar. Gatekeeper was the species with the highest numbers with 6 crowding round the marjoram. Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Large and Small Whites, a Comma and female Brimstone also featured in the count. Please record as many Big Butterfly Counts as you can over the next few weeks [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Cloudy day at Broxbourne Wood. A cloudy day at Broxbourne Wood, very small numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary, loads of Ringlets and a couple of Commas . [Posted by James Somerville]
Goldingtons Wood. We went up to Goldington's Wood at Hertford Heath this morning. There was a White Admiral on bramble not far from the main ride, and another (or maybe the same one) swooped down to rest on woody nightshade growing through the irises around the pond. A Silver-washed Fritillary at the Haileybury end and a Patrolling Purple Emperor shortly after noon in the assembly area at Mount Pleasant. Also Purple Hairstreaks near the pond and at Mount Pleasant. Also saw Peacock, Comma, Red Admiral, Large and Green-veined White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
First Painted Lady Highgate Cemetery. In the East Cemetery on my transect at noon I saw a fresh looking Painted Lady on the main avenue in the East Cemetery. This is a first at this site since I started my transects. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Wildfest Cassiobury Park. We had an enjoyable day at the Wildfest despite the overcast conditions and we were pleased it didn't rain. We had a fair number of people come over to our stall and of course was plugging the Big Butterfly Count. We gave out leaflets with one of those bookmarks with the discover and learn website address. Hopefully some of the parents and their children will take part over the coming weeks. We did both at least get to put on a butterfly walk this year. I went out on the first walk with a small group of people. We didn't get to see a great number of butterflies unfortunately with several Ringlets seen and a few Meadow Brown. I was hoping to see lots of skippers at this time of year as it is usually about their peak time. We managed 1 Essex Skipper and it wasn't me who spotted it but did manage to get a photo, my first of the season! Rick went out on the second walk with quite a following at least double the attendees for my walk and if the late comers caught up with Rick almost triple. Ringlets, Meadow Brown, a couple of Skippers, 1 White and a Gatekeeper. Before and after the walk Red Admiral, 1 very brief glimpse of a White Admiral in Whippendell Woods with a confirmed sighting of a Small Skipper. Not the best of day's for butterflies but hopefully we found a few more people who will take part in future Butterfly Conservation projects. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Purple Emperor near Bricket Wood. Purple Emperor gliding through the oak canopy at Blackgreen Wood (between Bricket Wood and How Wood), just N of the M25 by Park Street Lane at grid ref TL 138 026 while I was surveying for breeding birds this afternoon. Also at least one Purple Hairstreak there and a dead male August Thorn moth along the lane. [Posted by Colin Everett]
Chorleywood Common transect. We recorded a 262 butterflies on the Chorleywood Common transect this week, a record for the year so far. The Small and Essex Skipper count was 42 in total, with some positively identified of both species. Other species recoded include Meadow Brown (108), Ringlet (30) Marbled White (27), Gatekeeper (19), Small White (10), Large White (8), Small Heath (7), Comma (3), Red Admiral (2), Purple Hairstreak (2). Nice to see the Whites appearing in greater numbers than of late. Purple Hairstreak numbers are still low. [Posted by Chris Hankinson]
Trip to Symonshyde Great Wood. 2 Silver-washed Fritillaries - less than 10% of the number at the same time last year. They may be late emerging, though UK Power Networks have removed all the vegetation from their favourite ride, leaving little for the butterflies to feed or perch on [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Purple Emperor in Heartwood Forest. Tempted out of the house by the sunny weather this morning, I arrived at Pudler's Wood a little later than I intended. Once again I just missed a grounded male - this time Liz and Anne (accompanied by their dog Dougal), who I had met on my last visit, enthusiastically welcomed me saying they had just photographed an individual which was flushed up from dog poop by a dog at around 9.15 (this was their first ever sighting, so they were cock-a-hoop!). A few minutes later a second male came down to dog poop, and we all had excellent views and photo opportunities on several occasions until just before 10.00. Both were found in the middle of the ride along the north-eastern edge of Pudler's Wood (TL 16064 11674). After a half hour lull, I was greeted by a third male which had grounded on damp earth some 75 metres to the north-west on the same ride (TL 16007 11717), at the intersection with the path leading to Round Wood. All three of these males were remarkably worn and battered and missing chunks of their wings, and none of them matched photos of my previous three males which were fresh and relatively intact on the 4th July. So we now have a minimum total tally of 6 males for this year, and they appear to be from two different hatchings given the markedly different conditions of their wings. I also searched the ride up to and around the Dog Pond at TL 15756 11341, but there was no sign of any other Purple Emperors, although it was nice to see 4 Red Admirals and at least 6 Commas coming down to the sprayed bait of diluted Belacan Shrimp Paste (see my 4th July report). I also checked unsuccessfully along the path through The Magical Wood, and along the often productive ride (TL 16053 11045) along the northern edge of Lady Wood. I left at 12.30, with no further sightings since 10.30. (It's very odd that I have not seen a single specimen perching or patrolling the canopy and subcanopy where they are usually much easier to spot). Also seen on my walk today (starting at the main car park) were 2 Large Skippers, 4 Large Whites, 1 Small White, 4 very fresh Gatekeepers, and dozens of Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, and Ringlets. [Posted by Andrew Neild]
Warm day at Broxbourne woods. A warm day at Broxbourne Wood today - a few Silver-washed Fritillaries on the wing, loads of Ringlets and Meadow Browns . A few Marbled Whites. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by James Somerville]
Trent Park. 2 Green-veined White, 1 Holly Blue near Oakwood entrance, 1 Red Admiral near Ride Wd & 1 Comma along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges'. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Purple Hairstreak at Hertford Heath. At 10 am on the sunny side of the oak grove between College road and the main road (London Road) near Haileybury college. Specifically the smaller oak with tree protection number 2115, about 20-30 Purple Hairstreaks (only males seen) but likely far more. They were very intent on licking the moisture around the developing acorns and occasionally basking. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
White Admiral and Purple Emperor near St Albans. Potters Crouch Plantation near Bedmond - Purple Emperor flying along the canopy edge at the high point on the NW corner of the wood at 1.30 pm this afternoon. It took off at the first glimpse of sun and I had a good view of it in flight for 10 seconds. A first ever sighting for this species in this wood. I met with Chris Hocking and walked along the main ride and recorded a total of 6 White Admirals. Ringlets doing well plus Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and GV White. Sadly this wood is threatened by development proposals, which the Branch is objecting to [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Female Purple Emperor observation. I walked to Balls wood HMWT from Monks Green Farm this morning, the weather was cool with dark cloud cover but I needed the exercise. I wasn't surprised that I didn't see much about given the dull conditions until I briefly glimpsed a slightly tatty and damp looking female Purple Emperor on a fairly small willow tree, arms reach from the track. The camera phone picture I had hastily fired off confirmed what I thought I had seen in those few seconds, she was egg laying and after a few minutes of looking I was able to photograph the freshly laid egg. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Comma at Trent Park. 1 Comma settled on bramble near Ride Wd/Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Photographers. If you are among a group of people at a branch event, for example, taking photos and you want your photo to appear on our news webpage please submit using the news form. In other words, one photographer per news item. [Posted by Peter Clarke]
White-letter Hairstreak and Small Tortoiseshell in St Albans. WLH spotted in the tall Elm alongside King Harry Lane in Verulam Park (lay by entrance). Meadow Brown and Ringlets doing well, but numbers of Marbled White and Golden Skippers are low. New broods of Gatekeeper, Comma, Large, Small and Green-veined White all spotted. Best of all, my first flying Small Tortoiseshell of the year in Herts [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings. 5 Silver- washed Fritillary, 2 White Admiral and singletons of Comma and Green-veined White amongst butterflies seen in morning walk around Bricket Wood [Posted by Clive Burrows]
Chalkhill Blues are Flying on Therfield Heath. At least seven male Chalkhill Blues were flying on the east side of Therfield Heath (Old Rifle Range area) this morning. Hopefully there will be lots more to see here if summer ever arrives. I was also lucky to see mating Dark Green Fritillaries - a second male tried to join in the fun, but was eventually sent on his way. Sightings: Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Small Heath, Ringlet, Meadow Brown (lots), Gatekeeper (lots), Marbled White (100+), Dark Green Fritillary (12-15 est.), Red Admiral (1), Comma (1), Chalkhill Blue (7+). [Posted by Martin Johnson]
Trent Park. 1 Red Admiral at Icehouse Wd/Trent Park. 2 Comma [1 near Ride Wd & 1 North Lawn/Trent Park], 3 Green-veined White on wet mud near Rough Lot/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Bricket Wood Branch Event. Despite the dire weather forecast, 12 of us gathered on Sunday morning to search for butterflies on the Common. Ringlets were the first species spotted. They enjoy cool damp conditions and one was seen flying in quite heavy rain! We then added Meadow Brown, Scorpion Fly and male and female Banded Demoiselles to our list of sightings. After a heavy shower we reached the scallop in Gas Pipe Ride and were rewarded with excellent views of White Admiral and Comma. After that the heavens opened and we swam back to the car park! [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Whippendell Woods Watford. Saturday's weather was a bit on the bad side for this time of year. The daytime temperature struggled to reach 15 degrees. Hence most butterflies stayed in bed, but on the brief sunny spells Ringlets became more active along with Meadow Brown. About 20+ Ringlets seen plus a good scattering of Meadow Brown but only about 5+ for the Meadow Brown recognised sightings. One Skipper was sighted but in the passing glimpse was either Small or Large. The first Gatekeeper of the year in Whippendell Woods was at least photographed with 1 seen, 2 Comma sighted. But otherwise no sightings of White Admiral, Silver-Washed nor the Emperor. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Silver Washed Fritillary and Purple Emperor on Broxbourne Wood. After the rain break and in high humidity (best time in my view) I saw plenty of Silver Washed Fritillaries, enough chances to get some close ups. Also saw a Purple Emperor busy exploring a willow tree at eye level, only problem was the bramble thicket between us. I believe this was a female as no purple seen, definitely a PE as I was close enough to see the orange eyes clearly. Haven't got super close to White Admirals here yet but they are about, got a bad picture yesterday in all that wind. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Purple Emperor in Heartwood Forest. The sunny weather this morning drew out at least 6 of us in search of Purple Emperor in Heartwood Forest, most of us drawn by earlier reports here on BC. I arrived a little later than planned at 9.20 and immediately met Ken Brown, who told me he'd taken photos of a male only a couple of minutes before I arrived (!). This individual settled in a bush at TL 16004 11723. I then sprayed bait of diluted Belacan Shrimp Paste (highly recommended by Purple Emperor experts) around lots of bushes and fence and marker posts in that area and around the crossroads at TL 16117 11620 (eastern corner of Pudler's wood), and at various points on the path to the dog pond at TL 15744 11332. At 10.15 a male came down at the Pudler's Wood crossroads and investigated various shrimp bait sites, before landing at the base of one of the marker posts. After being spooked by some dogs it returned twenty minutes later and again investigated the sprayed leaves before landing on another post, providing wonderful photo opportunities over at least ten minutes until 10.50. After that we had no further sightings, despite many sunny spells and 6 pairs of eyes(!), and we all left before midday. (Note: The north-westerly wind meant that the dog pond area was much too exposed and gusty for Purple Emperor today, while the crossroads to the south-east of the two extensive woods, and the ride northwards from that point were very much protected, and were clearly favoured by the two males we saw; as the experts say, Purple Emperors hate wind - always search for them on the leeward side of a forest). Also seen in the area were 1 Holly Blue, 2 Purple Hairstreaks, 1 Large Skipper, 2 Large Whites, 6 Commas, 1 Red Admiral, 7 Marbled Whites, 14 Meadow Browns, 8 Ringlets, and 3 Speckled Woods. [Posted by Andrew Neild]
Very windy day at Therfield Heath. A very windy but warm day at Therfield Heath lots of Meadow Browns and lots of Marbled Whites a few showing their age . [Posted by James Somerville]
Small Skipper and White Admiral in Broxbourne Woods. A visit to Broxbourne Woods found a pair of Small Skipper, 1 Large Skipper, 1 White Admiral, 1 Red Admiral,1 Gatekeeper, 7 Marbled White and numerous Meadow Brown and Ringlet. [Posted by Paul Gymer]
White-letter Hairstreak at Trent Park. Female White-letter Hairstreak [pristine condition] nectaring on thistle head near Shaws Wd Cottages/Trent Park [TQ294971] from 1023 to 1024 BST, observed through 8x's binocular at 1.9 metres, also male Large Skipper here & Mother of Pearl on edge of Icehouse Wd/Trent Park [TQ293974]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Trip to Batchwood St Albans. Rather cloudy this afternoon and no butterflies seen at all during the first mile of my walk. On reaching a small strip of meadow next to Batchwood, the sun peeled out and butterflies lifted off in numbers. The area was seeded with wildflowers a couple of years ago by St Albans Council and it is left unmown until the end of the summer. In 20 mins I counted over 350 Meadow Browns, also picking out 8 Ringlets, 2 Small Heath, 2 newly emerged Commas, 1 Marbled White and 2 tatty Red Admirals. By way of comparison, 20 minutes on mown grass nearby yielded just 5 butterflies, all Meadow Browns. Waking back through the Batchwood Estate, I added another 40 Marbled Whites plus Large and Small Skippers and Speckled Wood. That shows what a difference wildflowers make and why BCs Wild Spaces campaign is so important. Find out more here https://wild-spaces.co.uk/ [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
A manifesto for butterflies, moths and the environment. Butterfly Conservation have identified five urgent asks for our new government 1) More budget for butterflies We need the government to double the budget for species recovery. 2) Take action for our landscapes We need to improve the most important places for butterflies and moths through landscape-scale action. 3) Access to nature for all The wellbeing benefits of nature need recognising – everyone should have a wild space within 15 minutes’ walk. 4) Ban pollinator-killing pesticides for good Environmentally damaging neonicotinoids need banning immediately, with no exception. 5) Take light pollution seriously Recognise light pollution, a huge threat to moths, as an environmental pollutant and set legally binding targets for its reduction. [Posted by Malcolm HULL]
Work Party 31st July Waterford Heath Volunteers needed. Herts & Middx Wildlife Trust are running a work party at 10am at Vicarage Lane car park Waterford Heath. The main aim for us is the improve the North Heath for Grizzled Skippers. Members are welcome but they need to register as volunteers with Herts and Middx Wildlife Trust on their web site. Please contact Steve Kiln at 07920-482111 or stevewkiln@gmail.com to help you through process. Once registered you can volunteer at other Hertfordshire butterfly sites they manage. We have 2 volunteers so far. [Posted by Steve Kiln]
Purple Emperor at Heartwood Forest. Despite the pessimistic forecast it dawned lovely and sunny, and so I headed off early to Heartwood Forest in search of Purple Emperor. I wasn't expecting to have any luck so early in the day but imagine my surprise when, just after 9, I spotted a male Emperor circling low at the eastern corner of Pudler's Wood (TL 16112 11621). It was trying to settle but kept being disturbed by a couple of dogs. It grounded soon after they left, but quickly lost interest in the sun-baked earth and miraculously landed at head-height only a few feet from me, allowing wonderful views in direct sunlight, firstly of its under side, and then of its glorious upper surface, providing a full 4-wing purple spectacle. (After returning home I can confirm from wing markings that this is a different male from the one reported 2 days ago on iNaturalist at almost the exact same location.) I didn't see any other specimens, despite scouring the treeline and the usual haunts. Also seen in the same area before it clouded over miserably around 10 am were 3 Commas, several dozen Marbled Whites, about 10 Meadow Browns, and a few Ringlets. [Posted by Andrew Neild]
Essex Skipper First of Year. I saw my first of year Essex Skippers today at Alexandra Park. All three skippers Large, Small and Essex were mingling by the edge of the cricket pitch. I checked my photos to confirm later and happy with ID [Posted by Dee Cullen]
First of Year Gatekeeper. On my transect at Alexandra Park at lunchtime looked very fresh. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Gatekeeper and Purple Hairstreak at Broxbourne Wood. Cool, calm and cloudy during quick lunchtime walk. Sun was out for about 10 seconds and this Gatekeeper caught my eye and I rescued this Purple Hairstreak from the path shortly after. I did see a Silver Washed Fritillary but he was in no mood for stopping, they seem to go from too fast to too tatty with little inbetween. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Branch event. Whippendell Woods Butterfly Walk for White Admiral 2024. Branch Event. Not a great turnout with 3 attendees for this years annual butterfly walk to look for White Admiral. It was also a bit of an anti-climax after our observations on Saturday. Whilst having a bite to eat at the hub the weather looked promising apart from the wind the sun started to shine. However at 2pm the start of the walk it clouded up. We had a look at an oak tree just inside the golf course for Purple Hairstreak as we have seen them there before on our walks. None seen so we went to see if there was any movement of the Purple Emperors along the Lime Avenue that we saw Saturday. With the cloud and wind we didn't get a peep today so we moved on into Whippendell Woods to look for White Admiral. Although we tried all the usual spots we were disappointed with White Admiral sightings until the end of the walk. By this time unfortunately the two lovely Irish ladies that joined us had already departed. Janet the local RSPB lady stayed with us and we did see 2. Unfortunately we didn't see any Silver-washed Fritillary today either but they are out there in Whippendell Woods! We did get to see plenty of Ringlets and Meadow Brown which seen to be dominating in good numbers so far. We did also get to see Large Skipper, Red Admiral, Comma, 1 Large White and a couple of other whites. We can't win them all but good luck with all butterfly walks planned elsewhere in Herts and Middlesex over the rest of the season. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Purple Hairstreak in Sherrardspark Wood. We found this butterfly resting on a post this afternoon. [Posted by John Yates]
Purple Emperor Northaw. Spent the afternoon looking for them at Fir & Ponds woods. No joy. Came home and wife said there was a butterfly trapped in our bedroom. Window had only been open an inch….. [Posted by Sam fuller]
Popped down to Danemead HMWT. I went for a look around Danemead HMWT after the morning rain with hopes of a close up of a Silver Washed Fritillary or White Admiral. I didn't see any SWF or WA but halfway there I saw a Purple Emperor on some dried up poo at around 1.30pm during a sunny spell. He spooked before I could get a close up picture. Ten minutes later further down the track I saw another Purple Emperor on a fresh (and smelly) dog poo. Possibly the same butterfly but his temperament seemed to be very different, who can say for sure. I will try harder but these Purple Emperors are starting to becoming a real trip hazard for me :) [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Lime Avenue and Whippendell Woods. After a tip off from our friend Jarek of 2 sightings of Purple Emperor along the Lime Avenue on Wednesday Rick and myself went to investigate. We definitely saw 3, a fourth is debatable . We then ventured into Whippendell Woods to look for White Admiral 7 seen although 2 were only glimpsed. We only managed to see 1 Silver-washed Fritillary today but hopefully we will have more luck on the walk tomorrow. Other butterflies seen Ringlets and Meadow Browns both increasing in numbers both species somewhere between 50-100 seen overall. Large White 4, Red Admiral 4+, Comma 7+, Large Skipper 6+ Rick saw 1 Small Skipper and unidentified smaller whites 3. Hopefully we shall see some of those species tomorrow on the walk. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Hertford Heath. One male Purple Emperor at the territory in the Roundings, 4pm. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Warm afternoon at Broxbourne Wood. A nice warm afternoon at Broxbourne Wood, Ringlets were out in very good numbers same with Meadow Browns. A few Marbled Whites and a Purple Hairstreak with one deformed wing. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by James Somerville]
White Admiral. 4 at Broxbourne woods from Bencroft west car park. Mostly in flight but one on ground. [Posted by sam fuller]
Trent Park. 3 Red Admiral [1 along bridle-path near Shaws Wd, 1 at Water Garden & 1 along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges'/Trent Park], 1 Comma at Water Garden/Trent Park & 7 Marbled White near Shaws Wd/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Comma & Large Skipper at Trent Park. 1 Comma & female Large Skipper at North Lawn by lower lake, Trent Park this morning before 0900 BST. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Cool and cloudy morning at Broxbourne wood.. Plenty of "small game" seen at Broxbourne Wood particularly around the central NNR pathway. In addition to countless Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Large Skippers, 20+ Marbled Whites, 6 Comma, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Small Heath, 3 Speckled Wood and 1 Purple Hairstreak. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Batford. 4 WHITE LETTER HAIRSTREAKS in around 6 small oaks amongst elms in SW corner of the weedy/ scrubby field by KW School. [Posted by Darin Stanley]
white admiral and silver washed. At Broxbourne Woods in West Car Park ride and meadow. 2 Silver Washed Fritillary and one White Admiral. Plenty of Ringlets and Large Skippers too. [Posted by steve kiln]
Whippendell Woods Watford. A further visit to Whippendell Woods this afternoon in hot weather did produce 2 confirmed sightings of Silver-Washed Fritillary. White Admiral were playing hard to get. I saw 2 chasing each other before having a lovely chat with a bloke with a dog. It didn't help with the White Admiral search though. In all 3 confirmed sightings with a possible 4th. Other butterflies seen Comma 5, L Skipper 5, Holly Blue 1, Ringlets 20+ Meadow Brown 20+ and one unidentified White at Rousebarn Lane. A probable sighting of a Brimstone Moth, I can't think of another similar sized moth in that colour. [Posted by Petr Fewell]
Trent Park Equestrian Centre & Trent Park. 1 White-letter Hairstreak settled in grass at Trent Park Equestrian Centre this afternoon at 1240 BST [FOY]. 1 Red Admiral at North Lawn/Trent Park & 2 Comma [1 near Ride Wd & 1 edge of Moat Wd/Trent Park]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
White Admiral at Balls Wood. One very fresh and mobile White Admiral at the usual area in Balls Wood. Seen on the wing at 10.30am and on the muddy path leading to the wooden walkway at around noon. [Posted by Annie Sutcliffe]
The more you look.... These last couple of days I had a few possible high speed tree sightings after walking along the forest between Monks Green and Danemead HMWT in the hot sun but it finally paid off. A hundred yards from home and I found this pristine male Purple Emperor searching the track for salty licks. Usually you get a couple of photos and they fly away but this guy was there for 30 mins and completely unfazed by me. Here are some (cropped) pictures from my trusty old camera phone once my hands stopped shaking! [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
A quick look at Merry Hill Bushey. A brief visit this afternoon in rather hot conditions to Merry Hill to see how the Marbled White was doing there was lovely. I didn't pack a pen in my rush from work so these numbers are approximate. Marbled White 20+ Meadow Brown 50+ Ringlet 50+, Small Heath 8+, Large White 1, Large Skipper 8-9. Several flying Burnet moths also caught my attention. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Purple Hairstreak at Trent Park. 1 Purple Hairstreak settled on the ground in Shaws Wd/Trent Park this afternoon [FOY]. 1 Large White along bridle-path near Merryhills Brook/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Oakwood Park, Trent Park & Southgate. 1 Holly Blue, 32 Marbled White & 1 Cinnabar at Oakwood Park this morning. Female Common Blue & 1 Comma by lower lake, Trent Park this afternoon. 1 Common Emerald at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Silver Washed Fritillary and Purple Hairstreak. One Silver-washed Fritillary (surprisingly tatty) on my Balls Wood Transect today, no White Admiral or Purple Emperor. Yesterday three Purple Hairstreaks at Mount Pleasant on Hertford Heath. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
SWF at Hertford Heath NR. Spent a few hours this morning at Balls Wood NR, no White Admirals seen. On the way home, I saw my FOY Silver Washed Fritillary zooming up and down the main ride at Hertford Heath NR (Hailibury college side). [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
White Admiral search Whippendell Woods. A visit to Whippendell Woods this Sunday to look for White Admiral worked out well with 4 seen. Hopefully their numbers will increase for next weeks butterfly walk. Other butterflies seen Red Admiral 1, Speckled Wood 2, Comma 2, Large Skipper 1, Meadow Brown 10+, Ringlet 20+ . Also unconfirmed a possible sighting of a Brimstone by Rick, we both clocked a glimpse of what looked like a Silver-washed Fritillary. No Whites seen on this occasion. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Bramfield Park wood. No sign of any White Admirals today , 3 Marbled White in the meadow next to the Bramfield village hall car park, no White Admiral at Balls wood either Wed/Thur or Friday. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Walkern Road Bennington. Two Dark Green Fritillaries along Walkern Road adjacent to High Wood Bennington. Circa 30 Marbled White, 8 Ringlet also present. [Posted by Phil Bishop]
White-letter Hairstreak at Six Hills Common. At least 5 White-letter Hairstreaks, including 2 pairs of males clashing, over the elm canopy at Six Hills Common Stevenage at 0950 hours [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Garden Carpet & White Ermine at Southgate. 1 Garden Carpet & 1 White Ermine near outside lights at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
21.06.24 - Batford. 2 WHITE LETTER HAIRSTREAKS in small oak tree by large bramble bush SW in the Weedy/ scrubby field by KW school. Thanks. Darin. [Posted by Darin Stanley]
White Admiral on the wing in Whippendell Woods. On a fairly brief visit to Whippendell Woods 2 White Admiral seen one at “Camilla Oak” the other by the fork in the path by Strawberry Fields. 2 Comma also seen with a growing mixture of Meadow Brown and Ringlets. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Small Blues still flying at Hillbrow (Letchworth). I found seven Small Blues whilst looking round the fields behind Hillbrow (Letchworth) today. Also seen: Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Brimstone, Small Heath, Common Blue and a Cinnabar Moth. [Posted by Martin Johnson]
Dark Green Fritillary on Therfield Heath. A Dark Green Fritillary (my FOTY) was on Church Hill this morning, together with hordes (conservative estimate - 80) of Marbled Whites. Also seen were Small Heath (lots), Meadow Brown (lots), a few Speckled Woods (in Fox Covert) and a single, faded Brown Argus - the last(?) of a very poor spring showing here. A Scarlet Tiger Moth was an interesting find: the first I've seen on the heath. [Posted by Martin Johnson]
Trent Park. 4 Marbled White [FOY], 2 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet [FOY] & 3 Small Skipper at 'New Fields' Trent Park. 1 Ringlet near Ride Wd/Trent Park & 1 Straw Dot [FOY] at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
BRANCH EVENT THERFIELD HEATH CANCELLED 21st June 2024. Unfortunately I will not be able to lead tomorrow's branch walk on Therfield Heath due to illness. There are two more walks planned for the Heath in July and August. You are of course welcome to do a self guided walk on the Heath at any time. Apologies Nick Keep [Posted by Nick Keep]
Marbled White at Therfield Heath. There were over 20 Marbled White on the wing at Church Hill this afternoon along with many Meadow Brown and Small Heath. [Posted by John Yates]
Whitewebbs Park. 1 Comma & 1 Red Admiral at Whitewebbs Park [TQ318977] late morning/early afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Species accounts updated. For records submitted in 2023 as described in the branch annual report [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Ickenham Marsh / Ruislip Gardens Stafford Open Space area.. A 1.5 hour / 3 mile stroll yielded:- 5 Marbled White, 9 Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 19 Small Heath (TQ 0904 8605 the best area), 6 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 1 Speckled Wood. 5 Ringlet. 100+ Meadow Brown. 2 White Letter Hairstreak hovering along the elms in Austins Lane. [Posted by NICHOLAS FURTEK]
Trent Park. 1 Large Skipper edge of Williams Wd,1 Red Admiral nectaring on bramble blossom E edge of Icehouse Wd, 1 Small Heath 'Old Golf Course', 2 Small Skipper near Shaws Wd, Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Rivers Orchard Sawbridgeworth. Lunchtime visit, 6 Large Skipper, 2 Brimstone (m), 2 Common Blue (m) , 2 Holly Blue, 3 Marbled White (at last!), 30+ Meadow Brown, 25 Small Heath, 2 Ringlet. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
White Admiral. First sighting of a White Admiral in Bishops Wood Country Park near Rickmansworth. [Posted by Carole Holton]
Trent Park. 1 Holly Blue, 1 Large Skipper, 9 Small Heath & 1 Ringlet [FOY] at Trent Park this morning near Triangular Wd & Church Wd. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Six Spot Burnet. Some shots of Six Spot Burnet moth larvae getting ready to pupate and pupating in a field near Watton at Stone yesterday. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Trip to Croxley Common Moor. 97 Small Heath, 10 Meadow Brown and 2 Brimstone. No luck in my search for leaf mines of the rare(possibly extinct) micro moth Aproaerema albipalpella or it’s host plant, Petty Whin [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Ringlet at Norton Green. First Ringlet of the year in field south of Norton Green Common - earliest since transect started in 2017 [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Rivers Orchard Sawbridgeworth. More sun than cloud today first time since the 2nd of the month, still no Marbled White, 9 Large Skipper, 4 Brimstone (2 male 2 female), 2 Holly Blue, 3 Speckled Wood, 36 Meadow Brown, 16 Small Heath. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Rivers Orchard Sawbridgeworth. The weather broke early afternoon and a quick walk down the fields from the house, very windy and only the "Browns" on the wing none of the hoped for Marbled White but my ffy 2 Ringlet along with 12 Meadow Brown. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Common Blue at Grovelands Park, Southgate. Male Common Blue at Grovelands Park late morning/early afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Large Skipper & Small Heath at Trent Park. Male Large Skipper edge of Icehouse Wd/Trent Park & 1 Small Heath near Shaws Wd/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Quiet day at Therfield Heath. Despite the cold dull weather at Therfield Heath today, there were 5 Adonis Blue keeping low to the grass, 5 Small Heath quite active and 4 Meadow Brown [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by James Somerville]
2023 Annual Report. The branch 2023 Annual Report is now available online on the website [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Marbled Whites at Therfield. A quick visit to Church Hill to see the Bee Orchids also resulted in half a dozen each of Marbled Whites (ffy) and Meadow Browns, a couple of Small Heaths and a Common Blue (although no sign of any Adonis), despite the cool weather. [Posted by Annie Sutcliffe]
First Marbled White. One Marbled White disturbed in grassland near Stapleford this morning in cloudy cool conditions. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Larval hostplants. How much do you know about larval foodplants? Which butterfly caterpillars feed on them? Find out more here [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Transect Walker need for 2025 at Aldbury Nowers. Aldbury Nowers near Tring in the west of Hertfordshire is one of the best sites for butterflies in our area and has a long running regular transect walk recording and monitoring them. Our current recorder can only cover the route until the end of the 2024 season and we would love to hear from you if you would be interested in helping there. It is a regular weekly commitment for up to a couple of hours from April to September and some parts of the site are a steep walk so you need to be reasonably fit and also able to identify what you see Please contact Andrew Wood (details on the contacts page) if you would like to learn more or to have a visit to the site to see what the recording entails. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Ffy White Letter Hairstreaks. Minimum 5 at Cheshunt Park this morning around the Elms at the sheltered east end this morning before the cloud, also one nectaring on Hogweed. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Chimney Sweeper at Trent Park. I counted 10 Chimney Sweeper in the usual field at Trent Park [TQ287965] this afternoon [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Rivers Orchard Sawbridgeworth. Usual walk from the house lunchtime, 3 Large Skipper, 6 Brimstone (4 male 2 female), 4 Common Blue (3 male 1 female, the female was in a courtship chase with one of the males), 2 Holly Blue, 6 Meadow Brown and 22 Small Heath. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Butterflies near Royston. From a private site visited with permission near Royston a Small Blue (first for that 2Km square) and a Brown Argus [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Moth larvae in the Royston area. About 10 Brown-tail larvae on sallow on Therfield Heath, 8 Mullein larvae in central Royston and the larval case of Coleophora conspicuella at a private site near the town. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Hillbrow, Letchwoth. I spotted a minimum of 4 Small Blues today, 2 Brimstone and a Small Heath [Posted by Phil Barron]
Local patch. A walk down the fields mid-afternoon to the Rivers orchard site Sawbridgeworth, 5 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone (m), 2 Common Blue (m), 2 Holly Blue, 1 Peacock (faded but intact), 1 Meadow Brown (first of the year here), 14 Small Heath. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Adonis Blue at Therfield Heath. Visit to Therfield Heath with Bob Clift in cloudy, breezy weather but warm 17c did not deter some butterfly activity in the sheltered areas between 1100 and 1300 hours. We did not see our first butterfly until about 1130 - a Holly Blue. Towards the southern end where the path bears to the right (TL3492 3996) we saw our first Adonis Blue. In all, we counted 6 Adonis Blue, 3 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Heath, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue and several Yellow Shell moths. [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Road Along Therfield Heath closed East Bound. For people wanting to come to Therfield Heath the road along the bottom of the Heath is one way until at least the 19th June. This may still be in place for the branch walk on 21st June. Will try and update the day before on this page. You can go from Royston to the McDonalds roundabout but not the other way so to get to the Heath from the West you need to go round the bypass and through town. Both the Cafe and Therfield Road car parks are still open but you have to go west when returning to the Baldock Road from the Therfield Road car park. Adonis Blue and Brown Argus about when it is not raining. [Posted by Nick Keep]
Two Caterpillars at Heartwood. During Saturdays branch walk two caterpillars were located. ID has proved tricky, as can sometimes be the case with moth larvae. Having consulted with Andrew Wood, his view is that they are Scalloped Hooktip and Hebrew Character [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Green Hairstreaks at Horsenden Hill. 2 different Green Hairstreaks this morning at the same part of Horsenden Hill West about 50 minutes apart. [Posted by John Eborall]
Green Hairstreak at Oakwood Park. 1 Green Hairstreak photographed in NE corner of Oakwood Park [TQ30509530] this afternoon by Eugene Dillon-Hooper. The first record for the site, as far as we know. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Heartwood Forest. Tried for Small Blue today but just had 2 brief sightings, 1 in the carpark that flew around my feet for 2-3 seconds and an egg laying female along the entrance road that just melted away also 10 Brimstone their great summer goes on (4 male and 6 female). 2 Common Blue (males) 2 Holly Blue, 1 Red Admiral, my first 3 Meadow Brown of the year and 20+ Small Heath. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Small Blues at Heartwood. I returned to Heartwood in better weather to see if I could improve on the meagre Small Blue Counts from my last two visits. In total 10 were recorded, 5 in the Airfield, 3 in Valley Field and 1 at the Ham Wood entrance on Coleman Green Lane. All these were on Kidney Vetch. The tenth was in young woodland near to the Airfield where it was taking water/salts from mud on the path. The only other species today which I’ve not reported from this site recently were Small Yellow Underwing and Green-veined White [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Holly Blues and Bee Orchids at Waterford Heath. 11 Holly Blues feeding on Goat's Rue, and over 300 Bee Orchids on site. 50 by car park and over 200 in central square. the most I have ever seen here. Also first Meadow Browns of the year. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by Steve Kiln]
Branch Event: Small Blue at Heartwood Forest. Conditions were overcast for the Branch Butterfly Walk, but that did not deter 20 of us from setting off on Saturday morning. On the way to the Airfield, a Meadow Brown was spotted hunkered down in long grass and a roosting cinnabar moth. The Kidney Vetch at the Airfield was in good condition, but no Small Blues were identified (Andrew had seen seven there last week). Moving on to Valley Field we saw Burnet Companion, Small Heath and two Grass Rivulet moths. Finally in an area sheltered from the cold northerly breeze, Andrew found a roosting Small Blue, which posed obligingly for photos. Several children joined the walk and their enthusiasm lifted the mood on a grey day. [Posted by Malcolm HULL and Andrew Steele]
Common Blue & Small Heath at Grovelands Park, Southgate. 2 male Common Blue & 3 Small Heath near tennis court at Grovelands Park this afternoon [TQ307946]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Holly Blue at Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, N13. 1 Holly Blue near Community Orchard at Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, N13 this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
A few sightings from Therfield Heath. Today at Therfield Heath Three Adonis Blues, 3 Common Blues and 5 Small Heaths [Posted by James Somerville]
North Enfield. Male Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 2 Large Skipper [male & female] - [FOY], 2 male Meadow Brown, 1 Silver Y, 1 Small Copper [FOY] & 3 Small Heath at a private site in North Enfield. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
29/05/24. Walk from the house down to the Rivers orchard site Sawbridgeworth lunchtime, 2 Large Skipper, 10 Brimstone (most ever for me here, 3 males and 7 females) ,6 Common Blue (males) ,1 Holly Blue , 2 Speckled wood and 10 Small Heath. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Orange Tip larvae. I went round all the Garlic Mustard in the garden today and found 10 larvae at different stages of development [Posted by Andrew Wood]
A good day for Moths at Heartwood Forest. A cool afternoon with sunny spells presented ideal conditions for day flying moths. Grass Rivulet was the most common moth species, photo shows one egg laying in Yellow Rattle. Burnet Companion, Yellow Shell, Mother Shipton and Latticed Heath all in good numbers plus a few Silver Y. Small Heath was the most numerous butterfly, with a few Brimstones and Peacocks. A bit on the chilly side for the others, I recorded only singles of Small Blue, Common Blue and Brown Argus [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Meadow Brown at Enfield. Male Meadow Brown at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park this afternoon at 1300 BST [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Alabonia geoffrella & Large White at Trent Park. 1 Alabonia geoffrella at Rough Lot/Trent Park & male Large White at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
27/05/24. Walk again from the house down the field to the Old Rivers orchard site Sawbridgeworth , didn't get to the site before a very lively, fresh and bright Painted Lady flew up off the track behind Maybes walk (my ffy) , Still quiet at the site just 2 Brimstone { 1 male 1 female) , 1 Common Blue (male ffy) ,2 Holly Blue , 1 Red Admiral ; 3 Speckled Wood and 3 Small Heath. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Brimstone, Holly Blue & Speckled Wood at Enfield Town & Town Park, Enfield. 1 Holly Blue along New River at Town Park, male Brimstone & 1 Speckled Wood along New River at Enfield Town. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Adonis Blue and Brown Argus at Therfield Heath. We had 3 sightings of Adonis Blue and 5 sightings of Brown Argus. Also Brimstone seen. [Posted by John Yates]
Adonis Blue out on Therfield Heath. Seen during a very brief early morning visit to Church Hill: Adonis Blue (1 male), Brown Argus (3), Painted Lady (1), Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Martin Johnson]
Waterford Heath workparty volunteers needed. Myself and Andrew Wood on Friday 24th May, had a good meeting with people from Herts & Middx Trust who lease Waterford Heath. What we are expecting is there will be a workparty in July on mid week day date TBA. We are looking for volunteers to help improve the North Pit at Waterford Heath which is the best place locally for Grizzled Skippers. We will be part of a large workparty on the heath. The task will be part of Herts & Middx workparty programme. I am looking for volunteers to help. Work starts 10am finishes 3 -4pm. Tools provided. Please register your interest & contact Steve Kiln on 0792048211 or stevewkiln@gmail.com. Thank you. This is great opportunity to help this important local site. Steve Kiln [Posted by steve kiln]
First Adonis Blues at Therfield Heath. After a not long hunt around to see if the first batch of Adonis Blues had started to come out. I saw 2. I also saw one Brown Argus and one Common Blue. Numbers still seem to have suffered in this part of the country sadly due to the drought from August 2022 the Small Heath numbers are very good so far this year, they were out in force. [Posted by James Somerville]
Garden Pebble at Enfield Chase Station. 1 Garden Pebble at Enfield Chase Station this evening. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Ffy Large Skipper. Light winds and some sun tempted me down the field from the house to the Old Rivers orchard site, not much about but a ffy Large Skipper was an unexpected bonus and my first ever in May, 2 male Brimstone, 2 tatty Green-veined White, 3 Holly Blue and 3 Small Heath. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Red Admirals. Very few on the wing today, I was boosted by seeing a pair of Red Admirals in the West Highgate Cemetery on my transect. Only one Holly Blue otherwise. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Alabonia geoffrella, Brimstone, Cinnabar, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Mother Shipton, Orange Footman, Orange-tip, Peacock, Red Admiral, Silver Y, Small Heath, Small White, Speckled Wood & Yellow-barred Longhorn at Enfield, Southgate & Trent Park. 2 Alabonia geoffrella at Trent Park [1 edge of Church Wood & 1 near Water Grdn], male Brimstone at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 1 Cinnabar edge of Church Wd/Trent Park [FOY], 6 Green-veined White [2 at Trent Park & 4 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park], 3 Holly Blue [1 at Dalrymple Close, N14, 1 at Trent Park & 1 at Jolly Farmers PH, Enfield Road, EN2], 5 Mother Shipton at Trent Park [3 at 'New Fields' & 2 at 'Old Golf Course'], 1 Orange Footman at Rough Lot/Trent Park [FOY], 3 Orange-tip [female edge of Church Wd/Trent Park & 2 males at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park], 2 Peacock [1 near Water Grdn/Trent Park & 1 at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park], 1 Red Admiral at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 3 Silver Y [1 near Church Wd/Trent Park & 2 at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park], 7 Small Heath [3 at 'New Fields' & 1 at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, 3 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park], 1 Small White near Oakwood entrance/Trent Park, 5 Speckled Wood at Trent Park & 2 Yellow-barred Longhorn near Church Wd/Trent Park [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Small Heath out in force. This afternoon I visited Nomansland Common, Sandridge and recorded 37 Small Heath and 4 Small Copper. Cinnabar and Silver Y moths were also around in good numbers [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Small Copper. One on allium flowers in my St Albans garden TL130046, in pristine condition while I was hanging out the washing so no chance of a photo as it moved off after a few seconds. [Posted by Alan Gardiner]
Large Tortoiseshell. Battered LT at Incombe Hole (Bucks) SP 9573 1549 W3W: pulses.upset.stiffly [Added 'Bucks' - Peter Clarke] [Posted by Richard Ashford]
Small Heath at Oakwood Park & Holly Blue & Speckled Wood at Enfield Town & Town Park, Enfield. 1 Small Heath at Oakwood Park this morning at 0900 BST. 1 Holly Blue at Chase Green Grdns, Enfield Town this afternoon. 1 Holly Blue & 1 Speckled Wood at Town Park, Enfield this afternoon. 1 Speckled Wood near New River at Enfield Town this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Holly Blues. Late afternoon, 4 Holly Blues in my Ware garden - 2 taking moisture from a puddle and 2 chasing each other! Also Red Admiral and male and female Brimstone [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Small Blues. Further count of 9 Small Blues, male and female at Chiswell Green in late afternoon sunshine. [Posted by Clive Burrows]
Branch Walk: 7 Dingy Skippers in Hemel. Today's Branch Walk at Shrubhill Common in Hemel Hempstead attracted 10 people, who saw 7 Dingy Skippers. The site looked in good condition I spite of poor weather conditions we saw. 7 Dingy Skippers, 3 Mother Shipton (including a mating pair), Silver Y moth, 6 Small/Green-veined Whites, 5 Burnet Companion, 2 Small Yellow Underwing, 4 Brimstone, 1 Orange Tip and 1 Holly Blue egg laying on Dogwood. Earlier at Bovingdon Brickpits, the morning walk organised by the branch had less success. Conditions remained cloudy and 7 of us saw just 1 Common Blue, 1 Small Yellow Underwing, 1 Green-veined Whife, 1 Small White and 1 Green Longhorn Moth. We also met five old English goats who are now carrying out Conservation grazing at the site [Posted by Christine Ridley and Malcolm Hull]
Butterflies & Moths at Enfield, Southgate & Trent Park. 1 Angle Shades near outside light at ASDA Southgate this afternoon, 1 Common Carpet at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 5 Green-veined White [3 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park & 2 at Trent Park], 2 Mother Shipton [1 at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park & 1 near Shaws Wd/Trent Park], 1 Snout at Hadley Rd, Enfield [FOY], 2 Speckled Wood [1 at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park & 1 at Rough Lot/Trent Park]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Small Blue. 2 Small Blues seen in the late afternoon on the outer perimeter fields of the old Butterfly World site in Chiswell Green. The butterfly was on the wing here earlier in the week. [Posted by Clive Burrows]
Hexton Chalk Pit. Good numbers of Dingy Skippers. Brimstone and Small Heath plus a couple of Green Hairstreak, a Brown Argus and a variety of moths - Pyrausta Nigrata, Small Purple-barred and Burnet Companion [Posted by Patricia Clegg & Nikki Williams]
Beane Valley Grizzled Skippers. A permission visit to another private site today. 13 Grizzled Skipper adults and 10 eggs, all on Agrimony (It is the easiest larval food plant to examine). One leaf had four eggs on it. We hope to visit it in the next few weeks to see if we can locate larval activity. [Posted by Andrew Wood & Liz Goodyear]
Painted Lady. This pristine Painted Lady visited the dwarf lilac in our front garden today. There are a few of them around. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Orange Beauty at Oakwood Park. 2 Orange Beauty [Commophila aeneana] at Oakwood Park this afternoon - one fresh & another faded [FOY]. Also at this site - 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Holly Blue, 4 Mother Shipton [FOY] & 7 Silver Y. At Houndsden Gutter, N21 - 2 Speckled Wood together. At Grovelands Park - 2 Holly Blue included a female settled, 1 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood & 1 Silver Y. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Addition to walks programme. I am planning on a butterfly recording walk this coming Sunday (19th). I have advertised it on the Stortford Nature FB account. Meet at Tescos car park by Timpsons at 11am for a 4-5 mile walk taking in footpaths to Hadham Hall, Millennium Wood, Bury Green, Stocking Wood, East Wood and the adjoining footpaths. Weather forecast looks fine. Meet at CM23 4DD. [Posted by Jono Forgham]
Bug for missing photos on duplicate news items fixed. To prevent creating duplicates in the first place when asked to re-submit form please do not accept unless you need to, e.g. if you made a mistake and want to go back. Either click 'Cancel' on message prompt or do not refresh browser. [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Late afternoon sun. Decided to pop into Rickneys as some late sun. 4-15 -5 pm. The place was buzzing. 2 Treble Bar Moth, 3 Silver Y to start. Then 5 Brown Argus, 3 Grizzled Skippers, Small Heath, Large White, Peacock and 2 Common Blues my first of the year. Decided to pop to Waterford Heath. 5 Treble Bar, 4 Silver Y, 4 Burnet Companion. 1 Peacock, 1 Grizzled Skipper, Small Heath, Brimstone, Brown Argus. Worth going. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by steve kiln]
Grizzled Skipper at Waterford Heath south. An hour or so of warm sunshine saw me up at this site where I saw 7 Grizzled Skippers, including a mating pair. Also present were Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Small Heath, Small White, Peacock and for moths Treble Bar, Silver Y, Cinnabar, Burnet Companion, Celypha lacunana, and Pyrausta aurata and Pyrausta purpuralis. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Trackside Survey and garden butterflies. The annual track side survey north of Hertford went ahead today, in perfect roosting conditions (initially). Accompanied by Alan we found 3 Grizzled Skippers roosting on knapweed seed heads quite close together (they appeared to be all male). A further Grizzled Skipper was disturbed on the opposite track side when it had brightened up. Also seen were 6 Small Heath and 1 Burnet Companion. The highlight was repeat of yesterday when I selected a random agrimony leaf and found 4 Grizzled Skipper eggs underneath! Thanks to Network Rail for allowing this annual survey to continue. Meanwhile back in my Ware garden as the afternoon brightened up there was almost immediately a Holly Blue, female Brimstone, Green-veined White and a manic immaculate Red Admiral! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Alabonia geoffrella, Brimstone, Green Carpet, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Orange-tip, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Silver Y, Small White & Speckled Wood at Enfield & Trent Park. 1 Alabonia geoffrella at Rough Lot/Trent Park [FOY], male Brimstone at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 3 Green Carpet at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park [FOY], 10 Green-veined White [7 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park & 3 at Trent Park], 3 Holly Blue [1 at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 1 at Enfield Road, EN2 near Jolly Farmers PH & 1 at Oakwood Station], 2 male Orange-tip at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park, 1 Painted Lady at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park [FOY], 4 Peacock [3 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park & 1 along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Grdn/Trent Park, 1 Red Admiral at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 10 Silver Y at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park & 3 Speckled Wood [2 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park & 1 at Rough Lot/Trent Park][Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Grizzled Skipper in the Beane Valley. We visited a private site today and found 3 adult Grizzled Skippers and Liz discovered three eggs on the same agrimony plant. The First one she looked at! [Posted by Andrew Wood & Liz Goodyear]
Painted Lady seen in White City. We spotted a Painted Lady in Hammersmith Park (W12) whilst walking the transect(not yet set up on the system). [Posted by Catharine Sowerby]
Green-veined White, Nettle-tap & Speckled Wood at Enfield. Female Green-veined White at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 1 Nettle-tap settled on nettles at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park [FOY] & 3 Speckled Wood [2 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park & 1 at Enfield Road, EN2]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
HEXTON CHALK PIT: DINGY SKIPPERS, SMALL HEATHS & my first BROWN ARGUS of the year.. A quick lunchtime visit to Hexton Chalk Pit yielded half a dozen Dingy Skippers, 2 Small Heaths, 1 Large White and 1 Brown Argus. Not bad considering it was also breezy with intermittent sunny spells. [Posted by Julia Hawkins]
Silver Y & Speckled Wood at Enfield & Trent Park. 2 Silver Y [1 at a private site near Trent Park & 1 at Icehouse Wd/Trent Park], 1 Speckled Wood near Icehouse Wd/Trent Park [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Caterpillar on Hounslow Heath. This caterpillar spotted on Oak during the Branch butterfly walk this afternoon is a Small Quaker. Confirmed by Andrew Wood who advises that there are a lot around. Full report of the trip to follow [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Holly Blue, Red Admiral & Speckled Wood at Enfield & Oakwood. 2 Holly Blue [1 at Oakwood Park this morning & 1 at Holly Walk, Enfield Town this afternoon], 1 Red Admiral & 1 Speckled Wood along New River at Town Park, Enfield this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Dukes and Grizzleds. Went to Incombe Hole yesterday just in Bucks. Saw 16 Duke of Burgundy, 25 Brimstones ,1 Green Hairstreak, plenty of Dingy and Grizzled Skippers. Today on usual sites. No Grizzled Skippers on Rickneys ,10 on Waterford Heath North pit and 2 on South pit. Saw 3 Holly Blue on Goats Rue. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by steve kiln]
Roughdown Green Hairstreak. A single Green Hairstreak welcome sighting after 2 years of no record. [Posted by Brendan Sheridan]
Waterford Heath. Perhaps it was a little too warm for many butterflies to be flying at lunchtime today, I could only find 1 Grizzled Skipper on the North pit and nothing else, on the South pit 0 Grizzled Skipper and two Holly Blue also my ffy Brown Argus and Small Heath. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Brimstone, Common Carpet, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Orange-tip, Peacock, Silver Y, Small Heath, Small White & Speckled Wood at Enfield & Trent Park. 3 Brimstone [2 males at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park & female near Ride Wd/Trent Park], 1 Common Carpet at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 10 Green-veined White [6 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park & 4 at Trent Park], 2 Holly Blue [female settled on Holly, Rough Lot/Trent Park & 1 at Oakwood Station], 2 male Orange-tip [male at Hadley Road, EN2 & male at a private site near Trent Park], 3 Peacock at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 1 Silver Y at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 1 Small Heath at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park [FOY], 1 Small White at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park & 4 Speckled Wood [3 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park & 1 at Rough Lot/Trent Park]. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Dingy Skippers & Green Hairstreaks @ Hexton. Plenty of Dingy Skippers today at Hexton Chalk Pit and several Green Hairstreaks [Posted by Ian Carle]
Brimstone, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Large White, Latticed Heath, Orange-tip, Peacock, Small White, Small Dusty Wave, & Speckled Wood at Enfield, Southgate & Trent Park. 3 male Brimstone [2 at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park & 1 edge of Icehouse Wd/Trent Park], 4 Green-veined White [2 at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park & 2 at Rough Lot/Trent Park], 2 Holly Blue [1 by lower lake/Trent Park & 1 at Oakwood Station], female Large White at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park, 1 Latticed Heath at Enfield at a site near Trent Park, 3 Orange-tip [2, male & female, at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park & male edge of Shaws Wd/Trent Park], 4 Peacock at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park, 2 Small White at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park, 1 Small Dusty Wave at ASDA Southgate [FOY] & 5 Speckled Wood [4 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park & 1 near Shaws Wd/Trent Park]. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Egg laying day in the garden. Holly Blues, a Brimstone and an Orange Tip all egg laying in my St Albans garden at lunchtime. The Orange Tip flew slowly round searching the Hedge Garlic, Honesty and Sweet Rocket looking for suitable egg laying sites. Initially she selected their usual favourite, Hedge Garlic, but then laid most of her eggs on Sweet Rocket. There were still many unopened flowerbeds on the Rocket, whereas the Hedge Garlic has mostly gone to seed already. The Holly Blue was less adventurous, laying on the Holly flower buds and the Brimstone chose the Buckthorn. Later at Batchwood, my first Painted Lady of the year [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sunny afternoon at Aldbury Nowers. Green Hairstreak (3), Dingy Skipper (3), Grizzled Skipper (1), Small Heath (4), Small Copper (1), Holly Blue (1), Orange Tip (8), Green-veined White (6), Brimstone (25), Peacock (3), Speckled Wood (1), Silver Y (2), Common Carpet (1). Despite the low numbers it feels as though the butterfly season is starting JOIN ME this Sunday for a trip to the best Green Hairstreak site in our area. Or on Sat 18th to see Dingy Skippers - details on the Events page [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Brimstone, Brimstone Moth, Brown Silver-line, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Large White, Orange-tip, Peacock & Speckled Wood at Enfield, Southgate & Trent Park. 3 male Brimstone [1 at Trent Park & 2 at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park], 1 Brimstone Moth at ASDA Southgate, 1 Brown Silver-line edge of Rough Lot/Trent Park [TQ286976] - [FOY], 7 Green-veined White [5 at Trent Park & 2 at a private site near Trent Park], 4 Holly Blue at Trent Park [3 near Oakwood entrance & 1 near Rough Lot], 1 female Large White edge of Ride Wd/Trent Park, 4 Orange-tip [3 at Trent Park - female near Oakwood entrance, male near Ride Wd & male near Rough Lot, male at Enfield at a site near Trent Park], 4 Peacock [1 at Trent Park, 1 at Ferny Hill Farm, 2 at private sites at Enfield near Trent Park], 2 Speckled Wood [1 near Snakes Lane/Trent Park & 1 at a private site at Enfield near Trent Park]. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Holly Blue Sightings also noticing big drop in Speckled Wood nos. I saw around 6 Holly Blues today in my garden. They seemed to be attracted to a Tamarisk Tree which is in blossom. I’ve been struck by the lack of Speckled Woods so far this year. In previous years I’m used to seeing many, Highgate Cemetery for example. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Hexton Chalk Pit. Took a while but eventually saw a three Dingy Skippers and a Green Hairstreak. Orange Tip and Brimstone were also present. [Posted by John Yates]
Common Carpet, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Orange-tip, Peacock, Brimstone & Silver Y at Enfield, Oakwood & Southgate. 1 Green-veined White, 2 male Orange-tip, 4 Peacock, Common Carpet & Silver Y at private sites in Enfield near Trent Park. A female Brimstone at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm [a private site near Trent Park]. 3 Holly Blue [2 together at St Thomas Church, Prince George Ave, N14 & 1 at Ivy Road Recreation Ground, N14]. [Edited by Peter Clarke] [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Grizzled Skipper at Waterford Heath (north pit). Over a 2 hour period I found 9 Grizzled Skippers on the north pit - well distributed across much of the site and a marked improvement on my last year's max total of 4. Only a few other butterfly species seen and no identifiable day-flying moths [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Brimstone, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Large White, Muslin Moth, Orange-tip, Peacock & Speckled Wood at Enfield, Oakwood & Trent Park. Male Brimstone edge of Rough Lot/Trent Park, 9 Green-veined White [5 at private sites at Enfield & 4 at Trent Park], 1 Holly Blue at Oakwood Station, female Large White at a private site at Enfield, female Muslin Moth settled at Bramley Road, N14 [TQ295961], 4 male Orange-tip [2 at private sites at Enfield & 2 at Trent Park], 6 Peacock [4 at private sites at Enfield & 2 at Trent Park], 1 Speckled Wood at a private site at Enfield. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Waved Umber at Southgate. 1 Waved Umber near outside light at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Spring Walk Whippendell Woods branch event.. What a glorious start it was on Sunday and I was watching 2 Holly blue out of my kitchen window in Bushey during the morning. Unfortunately the weather had clouded over for the start of our butterfly walk at 2pm. We had a reasonable turnout but sadly it wasn't to go our way with butterfly sightings. Because of the recent weather the bluebells were still in flower and only just on the turn. There were only 2 butterflies seen, 1 Male Orange-tip and 1 Red Admiral. Jarek who joined us found the roosting Orange-tip as in the photo! As we all were heading back Jarek once again had the luck of which I only had a glimpse of the Red Admiral. He had hooked up with his family and was videoed on his daughters arm. Hopefully the weather will pick up for other planned butterfly walks during the year in Herts & Middlesex including our next walk on the 30th June [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Holly Blue at Town Park, Enfield. 1 Holly Blue at Town Park, Enfield this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Hunting Grizzleds. 1st real warm day for me anyhow decided to look for Grizzled Skippers. 1st site Rickneys plenty of strawberry good conditions, no Grizzleds. However my first Brown Argus of the year and my first Mother Shipton moth and Silver Y. Onto Waterford Heath south. Good conditions no Grizzleds. However another Silver Y. Onto Waterford Heath North. Down to the lower area on left. Nothing except a Small White and a Peacock. Through the gate into railway owned part. Very overgrown by Hawthorn. To my surprise saw 3 Grizzled Skippers at last! Walked most of the site, plenty of Wild strawberry. Saw Holly Blue, 2 Brimstones, more Small whites and a further Grizzled far side of the pond. This Reserve seems now better for Grizzled Skippers than South heath and Rickneys well at the moment, plenty of food plants creeping cinqfoil, agrimony and Wild strawberry plenty of shelter. But it need much more conservation work done on it. Some of the paths are impassable. Might try and organize a work party there. Might need volunteers. Watch this page. I got several photos but did not upload them. Steve Kiln [Posted by steve kiln]
Brimstone, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Large White, Orange-tip, Peacock, Red-green Carpet & Small White at Enfield, Southgate & Trent Park. Female Brimstone & Holly Blue at Chase Road, N14 this morning. 7 Green-veined White White [1 at a private site near Trent Park & 6 at Trent Park], 1 Large White at a private site near Trent Park, 3 male Orange-tip [2 together at a private site near Trent Park & 1 edge of Water Garden/Trent Park], 3 Peacock [2 at private sites near Trent Park & 1 along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges' Trent Park], 1 Red-green Carpet at ASDA Southgate, 1 Small White at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Common Carpet at Enfield. 1 Common Carpet at a private site near Trent Park this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock, Silver Y & Speckled Wood at Enfield. 3 Brimstone [male at a private site near Trent Park, female at a different private site near Trent Park & another female at Boxer's Lake, Enfield], 2 male Green-veined White at private sites near Trent Park, 2 male Orange-tip at a private site near Trent Park, 3 Peacock at private sites in Enfield, 2 Silver Y at private sites in Enfield & 2 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Waterford Heath. Spent an hour at lunchtime wandering around Waterford Heath on this welcomed May day. Saw half a dozen Grizzed Skippers fighting over the sun loungers at the North Pit (NE of the fenced pond area). Others seen about were Comma 1, Red Admiral 1, Brimstone 2, Peacock 2. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Clouded Yellow. I saw a Clouded Yellow this morning at Cassiobury Park near the fishing lake at the Gade Avenue end. [Posted by Ian Bennell]
Small Heath Butterfly on Therfield Heath. A single Small Heath butterfly was seen today at the bottom of Church Hill - my first of the year. Also lots of Brimstones and Peacocks and a few Orange Tips, Green-veined Whites and Holly Blues in the Church Hill / Jubilee Wood area. Silver Y and Common Carpet moths were also seen. [Posted by Martin Johnson]
Waterford south pit. One Grizzled Skipper along the escarpment on the east side, briefly in a sunny spell mid afternoon. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Planned walk at 10.30 am Incombe Hole in Buckinghamshire either 8th or 9th May. After successful walk last year at Incombe Hole last year where we saw 15 species including Duke of Burgundy, Grizzed Skipper and Dingy skipper etc and many moths. The Dukes are 2 weeks earlier than last year so have decided to move it forward. Will confirm details nearer the time when surer on weather etc. Will ask you to advise me if you are interested in coming. Steve Kiln mobile 07920-482111. I will be there on date chosen. [Posted by steve kiln]
Brimstone, Brimstone Moth, Green-veined White, Large White, Orange-tip, Peacock, Silver Y, Small White & Speckled Wood at Enfield & Trent Park. Amended sightings for Tuesday 30th April 2024 - Brimstone, Brimstone Moth, Green-veined White, Large White, Orange-tip, Peacock, Silver Y, Small White & Speckled Wood - male Brimstone, 6 Green-veined White, male Large White [FOY], 2 Peacock, 1 Silver Y [FOY], 2 Small White & 1 Speckled Wood at private sites near Trent Park. At Trent Park - 2 Green-veined White, 2 male Orange-tip, 2 Peacock & 1 Speckled Wood at Trent Park. 1 Brimstone Moth at ASDA Southgate [FOY] [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock & Speckled Wood at Enfield & Trent Park. 2 Green-veined White & 2 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park. At Trent Park - 5 Green-veined White, male Orange-tip edge of Icehouse Wd, 1 Peacock near Ride Wd, 1 Speckled Wood at Moat Wd. 1 Speckled Wood at South Lodge Crescent. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Comma, Common Carpet, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock & Speckled Wood at Enfield & Trent Park. Enfield 'private sites' - male Brimstone, 2 Green-veined White, 2 male Orange-tip, 1 Peacock & 1 Speckled Wood. At Trent Park - male Brimstone, 1 Comma edge of Shaws Wd, 1 Common Carpet edge of Shaws Wd, 2 Green-veined White, 3 male Orange-tip & 5 Peacock [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Grizzled Skipper at Waterford Heath. Went up to Waterford Heath this morning. Starting at 11:25 (edited); I walked around the north pit first trying to find sheltered sunny locations and at 12:00 I saw something move and it was my first 2024 Grizzled Skipper (just north of the pond). I continued around the north pit, then onto the south pit, finishing just before 15:00 with no further sightings. I did have to wait for the cloud cover to move through at times but the conditions were good. There were a few fast flying whites, Orange-tips and Peacocks but little else! Photo is a record shot! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Early morning Orange-tip. The female Orange-tip is still roosting in my Ware garden this morning on Garlic Mustard! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Butterflies on Therfield Heath. Orange Tip (5), Large White (2), Green-veined White (4), Speckled Wood (1), Peacock (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Comma (1). Most seen in sheltered locations in Jubilee Wood, the rest on Church Hill. Daytime temperature 12C but sunny. [Posted by Martin Johnson]
Garden butterflies. In my Ware garden, during a moment of sunshine and warmth, 1 female Orange-tip and 2 Small Whites were active. Edited to say that later the Orange-tip was now roosting on Garlic Mustard whilst it rains! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Green-veined White, Small White & Speckled Wood at Enfield & Trent Park. 3 Green-veined White, 5 Small White & 1 Speckled Wood at private sites near Trent Park, 2 Green-veined White pr copulating near Ride Wd/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
White Letter Hairstreak larva. 23 White Letter Hairstreak larvae found on Hampstead Heath using a uv torch. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Orange-tip, Peacock, Small White & Speckled Wood at Enfield & Trent Park. Male Orange-tip edge of Williams Wd/Trent Park, 1 Peacock edge of Rough Lot/Trent Park, 5 Small White [3, 2 males & 1 female at a private site near Trent Park & a pair edge of Williams Wd/Trent Park], 2 Speckled Wood [1 at a private site near Trent Park & 1 at Shaws Wd/Trent Park]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Green-veined White, Peacock & Small White at Enfield & Trent Park. 1 Green-veined White & 1 Small White at a private site near Trent Park, 1 Green-veined White at Hadley Rd/Enfield, 1 Peacock edge of Rough Lot/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Silver Y and a variety of butterflies in Pirton nr Hitchin. 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth (video capture), 1 Silver Y, 10+ Peacock, 10+ Green-veined White, 4 Speckled Wood, 3 Orange-tip (male), 3 Holly Blue (male) & 1 Small Tortoiseshell [Posted by Julia Hawkins]
Garden Capet, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood & Tawny-barred Angle at Enfield & Trent Park. 1 Garden Carpet at a private site near Trent Park [FOY], 3 Green-veined White [1 at Hadley Road, 1 near Water Garden/Trent Park & 1 at a private site near Trent Park], 2 male Orange-tip at Trent Park [1 near Obelisk, 1 along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges'], 5 Peacock [2 at a private site near Trent Park, 2 at two private sites near Trent Park, 1 near Ride Wd/Trent Park], 1 Red Admiral near Ride Wd/Trent Park, 3 Speckled Wood [1 at a private site near Trent Park & another one at a different private site near Trent Park, 1 at Rough Lot/Trent Park], 1 Tawny-barred Angle settled in grass at a private site near Trent Park - my first record of this species. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock, Small White & Speckled Wood at Enfield. 4 Speckled Wood [1 at a private site near Trent Park & 3 at another private site near Trent Park], 3+ Green-veined White[1 at private site near Trent Park, 2 along 'Jubilee Path' near Little Beechill Wd/Enfield Chase], 1 Peacock along 'Jubilee Path' near Little Beechill Wd/Enfield Chase, also here, male Orange-tip & 1 Small White. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Speckled Wood at Southgate. 1 Speckled Wood settled with wings closed on wall near outside light at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. I have seen this species in this situation before. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak larva. Larva of one of the six hatched Brown Hairstreak eggs found on Hampstead Heath fluorescing under black light. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Woods. Rick and myself had a long walk through Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Woods. A speckled Wood was sighted on route along Merton Road. Walking through Cassiobury Park we spotted 5 Orange-tip, 2 Brimstone, 1 Holly Blue, 6 Peacock, 2 Speckled Wood with another along the perimeter of the golf course, 3 Comma and 3 unidentified Whites. Whippendell Woods 1Green-Veined White, 9 Orange-tip, 13 Peacock, 2 Comma, 2 Brimstone. We didn't reach Whippendell Woods until 3pm and suspect we would of seen much more if we had. [Posted by Peter Fewell]
Angle Shades, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock & Small Tortoiseshell at Trent Park. 2 male Brimstone, 6 Green-veined White including a pair mating at Water Garden, 4 Orange-tip [3 males & 1 female], 2 Peacock & 1 Small Tortoiseshell along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Garden/Trent Park, 1 Angle Shades along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges' Trent Park [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Orange-tip, Peacock & Speckled Wood at Enfield. Male Brimstone, 6 Green-veined White, male Holly Blue, male Orange-tip, 3 Peacock & 1 Speckled Wood at private sites near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Green Hairstreak sighting at Stanwell Moor. Whilst out on my usual local walk near Stanwell Moor Village, I spotted a Holly Blue in a tussle with another small butterfly. when the latter had seen the former off, it came down and settled in front of me. This is the first Green Hairstreak I have seen in this area, and I've been looking for around sixteen years... Plenty of other butterflies seen during the walk, including this female Holly Blue and an increasingly rare sight here, a Small Tortoiseshell. [Posted by Dave Miller]
River Colne by Radlet Road Playing Fields and Fishers Field, Watford. Sunny but windy day, first stop River Colne by Radlet Road Playing Fields, Orange tip 1, Peacock 5, Green veined white 1, Comma 1, Small tortoiseshell 1. Then to Fishers Field, Peacock 4, Holly blue 1, Brimstone 1, Speckled wood 3, Comma 1. [Posted by Rick Vickers]
Green Longhorn Moth [Adela reaumurella] at Trent Park. 16 male Green Longhorn Moth settled on hornbeam leaves, Rough Lot/Trent Park at 1005 BST. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Orange-tip at Lonsdale Drive, EN2. Male Orange-tip at Lonsdale Drive, EN2. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Orange-tip, Peacock & Speckled Wood at Boxer's Lake, Enfield. Male Brimstone, 2 Orange-tip [male & female], 2 Peacock & 1 Speckled Wood at Boxer's Lake, Enfield this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Orange-tip & Peacock at Enfield Road, EN2. Male Brimstone, male Orange-tip & 1 Peacock at Enfield Road, EN2. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Orange-tip & Peacock at Enfield. 2 male Orange-tip, male Brimstone & 2 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-tip & Peacock at Trent Park. 2 male Brimstone along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges' Trent Park, 12 Green-veined White including six together at Water Garden & five, including a pair mating along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges' Trent Park, 1 edge of William's Wd/Trent Park, 3 male Orange-tip [2 along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges' Trent Park & one edge of William's Wd/Trent Park, 1 Peacock near Ride Wd/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone & Orange-tip at Enfield Road, EN2. Male Brimstone & male Orange-tip at Enfield Road, EN2. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-tip & Peacock at Trent Park. Male Brimstone along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges' Trent Park, 2 Green-veined White pair together edge of Williams Wd/Trent Park, 6 Orange-tip [5 males & 1 female] at Trent Park, 2 Peacock together near Water Garden/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock & Speckled Wood at Enfield. Male Brimstone, male Green-veined White, 2 male Orange-tip, 1 Peacock & 2 Speckled Wood at private sites near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Dandelion Patrol. My daughter and I started our season in earnest by walking along the forestry track from Monks Green Farm towards Broxbourne Wood. The tracks are helpfully edged both sides with Dandelions, feeding on them we saw 1 Red Admiral, 8 Speckled Wood, 3 Brimstone, 10+ Peacocks, 10+ Orange Tip (including two females), 5 Comma, 2 Green Veined White. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Peacock & Speckled Wood at Enfield. 1 Peacock & 1 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park & 1 Speckled Wood at another private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Green-veined White & Peacock at Trent Park. Female Green-veined White at Rough Lot/Trent Park, male Brimstone near Ride Wd/Trent Park & 4 Peacock at Trent Park [2 together at Rough Lot, 1 by lower lake & 1 along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges']. Male Green Longhorn Moth [Adela reaumurella] at Rough Lot/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Church Hill and Jubillee Wood. Only a few Peacocks on the Church Hill transects in the first two weeks, but the Pasque Flowers are prolific this year. The first few are going to seed but the display will be good for a couple of weeks still. More interestingly a Large White and a Red Admiral (first for me this year) coming back through Jubilee Wood. Ash dieback clearance has opened up the wood quite a lot. Also first Comma in my garden today. [Posted by Nicholas Keep]
Common Carpet, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock & Speckled Wood at Enfield. 2 Peacock [one at a private site near Trent Park & another at a different private site near Trent Park], 1 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park, 2 Green-veined White [one at a private site near Trent Park & another male at Hadley Road], 3 Orange-tip [female at a private site near Trent Park & another female at another private site near Trent Park & a male at a private site near Trent Park], 1 Common Carpet settled at a private site near Trent Park - a very early record, but not altogether unexpected. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Garden butterflies. Having failed to see any Orange/Light Orange Underwings at Balls Wood, I returned home and the sun came out! Almost immediately in my Ware garden was a male Brimstone, Holly Blue, female Orange-tip egg laying on both Honesty and Garlic Mustard and a Large White that had to be let out of the greenhouse (the door was open!) [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Lunar Marbled Brown at Oakwood. 2 Lunar Marbled Brown at Bramley Road, N14 this afternoon, after the morning service at St Thomas - God is Good! [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Millhoppers Reserve. At the work party today we saw Peacock, Comma, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood and a male Orange Tip. All this despite the very gusty winds. [Posted by Chris Hilling]
Green Veined White at Forty Hall Enfield. My first sighting of it this year. In the walled garden at Forty Hall. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Cheapside Farm.. 1 Brimstone at Midday nr Texaco Garage hedge [Posted by T. M. Mylett]
Ffy Orange Tip. A male zipping along the main road at Bridgefoot farm Little Hadham. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Brimstone & Peacock at Hilly Fields Park, Enfield. Male Brimstone & 1 Peacock at Hilly Fields Park, Enfield this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone at Enfield. Male Brimstone at a private site near Whitewebbs Park this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Peacock & Speckled Wood at Enfield. 1 Peacock & 1 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park & 1 Peacock at another private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Lunar Marbled Brown at Oakwood. 1 Lunar Marbled Brown at Cedar House Financial Services, Bramley Road, Oakwood this afternoon [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak on Hampstead Heath. Four of the six eggs found on the Hampstead Heath have successfully emerged so far. The first to emerge found at 2nd instar stage today. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brimstone. Brimstone nectaring on dandelion in Harpenden. [Posted by David Hunt]
Despite the wind.... The warm sunny spells brought out the Butterflies this afternoon , a walk across from Actons farm High Wych to Hunsdon airstrip , 5 Peacock, 2 Red Admiral and my ffy Small Tortoiseshell. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Brimstone, Peacock, Red Admiral & Speckled Wood at Enfield. Male Brimstone, Peacock, Red Admiral & 3 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-tip & Peacock at Trent Park. Male Green-veined White near Ride Wd/Trent Park, male Orange-tip along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Garden/Trent Park & 2 Peacock here, male Brimstone edge of Williams Wd/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Green-veined White & Small White at Enfield. Male and female Green-veined White copulating at a private site near Trent Park at 1302 BST & male Small White here. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Green-veined White & Speckled Wood at Trent Park. Male Green-veined White nectaring on dandelions along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Garden at Trent Park [TQ294976] at 1240 BST. 1 Speckled Wood along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Garden at Trent Park [TQ294976] at 1244 BST. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Green Longhorn Moth [Adela reaumurella] at Trent Park. Female Green Longhorn Moth observed settled at Shaws Wd/Trent Park [TQ296971] at 1600 BST - an early record! [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
The latest results from the annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS). Butterfly Conservation has released details of some shocking declines last year in butterfly numbers (but with some good news as well). Read their blog here [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Big City Butterfly Vacancy. An exciting one year contract with Big City Butterflies, now advertised. Engagement Officer (Big City Butterflies) Butterfly Conservation, Home-based (London region) with frequent travel within inner London, £28,148 - £32,519 depending upon experience. For more details click here [Posted by Paul Busby]
Brown Hairstreak egg. Brown Hairstreak egg at Hampstead Heath [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Speckled Wood at Enfield. 1 Speckled Wood seen at a private site near Trent Park by Eugene Dillon-Hooper. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Peacock at Enfield. 1 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Surrey Butterflies Zoom presentation 7pm-8pm. The last talk in the Surrey & SW London Branch of Butterfly Conservation spring series will be on Tuesday 2nd April. Ken Elsom will provide an update on the database and its capabilities and also use the data to show how Surrey's butterflies are faring, against all the challenges they face. Some of the conclusions are surprising! The database and maps can be viewed Here. This set of web pages has been constructed using the Transect data from 2000 to 2023 in VC17 (Surrey & SW London). Booking is required - please be patient - we will admit you to the Zoom just before the scheduled start. Link to Eventbrite to register is Here. The talk will be available afterwards on YouTube. [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Peacock at Trent Park. 1 Peacock at Rough Lot/Trent Park this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Peacock at Enfield. 2 Peacock - singles at two private sites near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak on Hampstead Heath and Heath Extension. The Brown Hairstreak egg found on Hampstead Heath Extension had emerged by 7.30 this morning after first showing signs of emergence on the 30th March. One of the eggs found on Hampstead Heath is at the point of emergence today. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Orange Tip. Orange Tip male plus several Peacock and Brimstone at Lea Valley Walk, Harpenden [Posted by David Hunt]
Brimstone, Peacock & Small White at Enfield. Male Brimstone, 2 Peacock & 1 Small White [FOY] settled at a private site near Trent Park. 1 Peacock at another private site near Trent Park & 2 together along Hadley Road. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Butterfly Sightings, Hounslow. Streets: Holly Blue:2, Brimstone: 1, Peacock: 2. Heath Edge/Pevensey Road: Brimstone: 2, Peacock: 8. Golf Course & Heath vicinity: Peacock: 2. Marshalling Yard: Brimstone: 1, Peacock: 9, Comma: 1, Small Tortoiseshell: 1. [Posted by Pete Gore]
Orange-tip sighting. Spotted 3 male Orange-tip butterflies across the road from RSPB Rye Meads. Also spotted several Peacock butterflies, 2 Brimstone & 2 Small White. Sadly no photos just video of one of the Peacock butterflies. [Posted by Julia Hawkins]
Holly blue. My first Holly blue in my garden in Bengeo. About 12.30. Steve kiln Also Peacock and Brimstone [Posted by Steve kiln]
Hexton Chalk Pit HMWT Reserve. Two holly blues around ivy covered tree stump, two male brimstones and one peacock seen elsewhere on the nature reserve. [Posted by Richard Wistow]
Our last Zoom talk of the season. Our last Zoom talk of the season was on Wednesday 27th March 2024 - ‘What did we see in 23 and what's in store for 24?’ Andrew Wood, Branch Records Collator will look back to the butterflies and moths seen in 2023 and what we might expect in 2024. If you missed the talk, the link to YouTube is here [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Hampstead Heath and Heath extension. Checking the five Brown Hairstreak eggs found at the Heath and the one at the Heath extension today. One of the eggs at the Heath has emerged. Orange underwing on the curb at Hampstead Way that borders the Heath Extension. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Peacock at Enfield. 1 Peacock this morning at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Comma & Peacock at Trent Park. Male Brimstone near Obelisk, 1 Comma at Rough Lot & 1 Peacock near Ride Wood at Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone, Comma & Peacock at Enfield. 1 Comma, 1 male Brimstone & 1 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park. 1 Peacock at another private site near Trent Park & another one at another private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brimstone 11 Peacock 11. First transect of the year at Stevenage (south Fairlands Valley Park) 1220-1330 hours yielded 11 Brimstone (all males), 11 Peacock and 2 Comma. Likely that some of the Brimstones and Peacocks were counted twice as they appeared to be patrolling along the edge of the wood and woodland ride. [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Balls Wood. Visited Balls Wood this lunchtime in the hope of identifying an Orange/Light Orange Underwing moth. Several were observed grounded (about 5) soon after 12 noon but not one stayed on the ground sufficiently long for an id to be confirmed! Also flying were 5 or so Peacocks, 3 Comma and 1 male Brimstone. I was surprised that the main track wasn't that muddy but a note of warning the Roundings has closure notices up so don't assume it will remain open if you drive down it successfully! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Small White: Culpeper Community Garden, Angel, Islington. Small White seen at 1pm in this highly recommended and delightful Community Garden. Newts and Toads in the pond too, plus plenty of bees and birds. [Posted by Nicholas Barnett]
Small White: Wembley Park tube station approach in sidings. Happily spotted by my 10 year daughter. First of the Year for both of us. [Posted by Nicholas Barnett]
Moths and Butterflies. A Peacock and a Comma at the The Warren at Hartham Common, Hertford and more surprisingly a Hummingbird Hawk-moth too. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Comma at Grovelands Park, Southgate. 1 Comma at Grovelands Park at 1247 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak. One Brown Hairstreak egg found a Hampstead Heath. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Hibernation watch. St Albans shed - All four of the remaining Small Tortoiseshells in my shed have flown this week. However both Peacocks are still in residence [Posted by Malcolm HULL]
Brown Hairstreak. Returned to Northwick Park, the Brown Hairstreak egg that was submitted yesterday that appeared to be emerging was empty and the larva located 15cm away on a bud which it then entered. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Peacock at Enfield. 6 Peacock - 2 at a private site near Trent Park & 1 at another private site near Trent Park & 3 at Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Butterfly Sightings, Hounslow. A Brimstone, 2 Peacocks and a Small Tortoiseshell on the golf course area, 3 Peacocks on the Marshalling Yard and 3 more down by the railway on the heath. [Posted by Pete Gore]
Northwick and Roxbourne Park. Northwick Park: Seven Brown Hairstreak eggs found (including one that appeared to have the larva emerging from it). Adults also seen: 3 Brimstone, 1 Comma, 1 Peacock and 1 Small White. Roxbourne Park: Two Brown Hairstreak eggs found and one adult Peacock seen [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brimstone, Comma & Peacock at Enfield. Male Brimstone nectaring on Blackthorn blossom at private site in Enfield near Trent Park. Male Brimstone at Bincote Road, EN2. 2 male Brimstone, 2 Comma & 2 Peacock near Boxer's Lake Play Area this afternoon. Male Brimstone and Comma at Oakwood Station. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak. A further ten Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Northwick Park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brimstones on the move. At 11:30 and despite being mild; although not that sunny, two male Brimstones were seen to almost simultaneously fly across my Ware garden - heading for my nearby flowering blackthorn. There is a lot of ivy in the gardens and I suspect they had either been roosting or hibernating there. Also later a Peacock was seen. [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Small Tortoiseshell. A Small Tortoiseshell in my Royston Garden today. Surprisingly late for a first branch report. Also a Peacock out on Therfield Heath [Posted by Nick Keep]
Orange/Light Orange Underwing at Enfield. 3 Orange/Light Orange Underwing together in flight at private site near Trent Park this afternoon at 1541 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak. A Brown Hairstreak egg found at Neasden Recreation Ground to the south of Brent Reservoir. At Regents Park two eggs found. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Speckled Wood. Seen at Abbots Langley 1130 am [Posted by Clive Burrows]
Comma & Peacock at Trent Park. 1 Comma settled in bracken clearing SW edge of Rough Lot at 1200 GMT & 1 Peacock along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Garden at 1234 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Peacock at Trent Park. 1 Peacock along SW edge of Rough Lot/Trent Park this afternoon at 1225 GMT [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Rickmansworth. Brimstone adj UP tube line at stn 1248hrs - my first butterfly of 2024 [Posted by T. M. Mylett]
Brown Hairstreak. Brown Hairstreak egg found at new location on Hampstead Heath. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brimstone at Oakwood. Reported sighting of a Brimstone at Oakwood Station this afternoon at 1315 GMT by Eugene Dillon-Hooper. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Peacock at Enfield. 3 Peacock at Enfield - two together on private land & one at Enfield Road near Jolly Farmers PH. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
The official end of winter. Three male Brimstone butterflies flew through our Harpenden garden this afternoon, even though there was little sun and the temperature was only 14C. We always regard this uplifting annual event as marking the end of winter and will be getting the fizz out tonight (the overnight arrival of three Chiffchaffs in a nearby wood confirmed the arrival of spring). [Posted by Alan Jackson]
More Brown Hairstreak eggs and my first butterflies of the year!. I visited Hatton Fields close to Heathrow Airport today as the area of fields including Hatton Fields is constantly under threat of development! Despite far from ideal egg searching conditions (buds, flowers, fire damage, and bright sunshine) I found 3 Brown Hairstreak eggs along a extensive hedgeline of blackthorn/prunus. I also saw my first butterflies of this year - midway along the footpath 1 Peacock and 1 Brimstone. Further along and close to the last egg which was in a different 2km square another Peacock and Brimstone. [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
A Comma at Chells Manor and a Peacock by Broxdell Allotments, both Stevenage. A Comma at Chells Manor and a Peacock by Broxdell Allotments, both Stevenage [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Landscapes for lepidoptera. The recording of last night's BC Surrey & SW London, Zoom presentation by SE Regional Officer, Steven Lofting, is now available on YouTube . Here Steven explains the processes involved with working on Landscape projects to save threatened butterfly and moth species. [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Oak Beauty at Southgate Circus. Oak Beauty on wall near outside light at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Brown Hairstreak. One Brown Hairstreak egg found at Bentley Park Nature Reserve [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs found in different areas of Regents Park [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Comma at Trent Park. 1 Comma basking on log near Triangular Wd/Trent Park [TQ288965] at 1151 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
My flying butterflies of the year. Folly Lane, St Albans - Two male Brimstones patrolling, one paying particular attention to my Alder Buckthorn trees. Also one Comma [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Brimstone. Fluttering down the road from St Peter’s Hill in St Albans [Posted by Sam fuller]
Hibernators still in residence. St Albans shed - 2 Peacocks and 4 Small Tortoisehells, all still hibernating. So far this year the Herald moth and 1 Small Tortoiseshell have either flown or been predated. I’m expecting more action in the next few weeks [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Red Admiral Stevenage. Red Admiral feeding on blackthorn northern section of Fairlands Valley Park at 1:45 pm [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Brown Hairstreak Eggs. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Frays Farm meadow Hillingdon. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brimstone. A male Brimstone has been flitting round my Harpenden garden this morning. Regards Robin [Posted by Robin Pearson]
Transect Recording. Its only a few weeks before the new season starts and the branch transect list page has been updated! Some of the branch transects have been walked for over 25 years which really shows how butterfly numbers have declined or in some cases increased thanks to habitat management changes. This is clearly illustrated in the recently published Chorleywood Common Report for 2018 - 2023. The branch gave habitat advice in 2018, which was implemented and at the same time a transect was set up to monitor how effective the changes were - a superb result! There are several transects that are no longer walked - if you would like to volunteer please contact Andrew Wood (details on committee page) [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
More Brown Hairstreak finds. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs found on the Hillingdon trail path south of Harefield. A further eleven eggs found at Hounslow Heath including four laid together in one instance. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Peacock at Trent Park. 1 Peacock nectaring on Sallow flowers by lower lake, Trent Park at 1336 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
BC Surrey Zoom Talk on Tuesday 12th March 7-8pm.. Steven Lofting is Butterfly Conservation's Conservation Manager for SE England, which includes Surrey (Steve will also be involved with some work in our branch area of London). He will give an update on BC's work for butterflies and moths on a landscape scale in South East England. Working at a landscape-scale, with partners, is fundamental to improving conditions for wildlife, and BC's strategy includes a goal to improve the condition of some of the most important landscapes for butterflies and moths. Read more here This is one of a series of Zoom talks presented by the Surrey & SW London Branch of Butterfly Conservation. Link to register : The talk will also be recorded and be available to watch on YouTube later. [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Brown Hairstreak egg finds at Warren Farm LNR. I decided I wanted to visit Warren Farm LNR in Hanwell, following the exciting news that they had been successful in their fight to gain LNR status! Information was that there was a lot of blackthorn but this wasn't the case but I found 2 Brown Hairstreak eggs amongst some sucker growth. I then visited Trumper's Meadow which is between the Grand Union Canal and Warren Farm and found 3 more eggs (only 2 were viable). (for info I planned this trip before seeing on iRecord a late entry of an adult sighting from August 2023 close to the Meadow!) [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Attracting Butterflies and Moths to Gardens and Green Spaces - Malcolm Hull. Click here to view Malcolm Hull's talk on 29 February [Posted by Peter Clarke]
IMPORTANT. Please read about the revamped version of our branch website. Welcome to the revamped version of our branch website. Our branch website is modelled on the Hants/IOW branch website. As well as the visual attractiveness of this website it incorporates many important features including increased security and improved performance. One significant feature is the use of News items including sightings submitted by observers. Rather than sending emails for submission it is better to have this done automatically and then verified by an administrator. Another factor is online editing. Some users can be granted access to edit certain web pages themselves instead of them being done manually by an administrator. Other notable features are included as shown on the horizontal menu. In the past, we have allowed observers to send emails for submission of records to appear on the sightings page and to be recorded on a 'sightings' database hence the requirement for a specific location like grid reference. Now, however, it is common practice to submit records formally through national databases like iRecord. Any sightings reported via the 'Submit News' function will NOT be recorded on any database so it is not necessary to be specific about location. To submit a news item (sighting, online talk, field trip or any significant event) click on the 'Submit News' button under the 'News' button on the horizontal menu as shown in Photo 1 (click to expand) below. You should be presented with a 'News Form' as shown in Photo 2. Fill in the details as required. Up to 3 photos can be uploaded. It is recommended that each photo is less than 2Mb in size otherwise you may be asked to resize or crop the image. After completing the form, click the 'Preview' button to inspect the resultant action. If satisfied, click the 'Submit' button. The item will have to be verified by an administrator before it appears on the news item list as represented on the 'News' screen (see Photo 3) and its title on the right hand side on the Home page. Finally, I must thank Pete Eeles for his invaluable support. [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Brown Hairstreak. One Brown Hairstreak egg found at Hampstead Heath Extension [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak eggs. Three Brown Hairstreak eggs found at West Hendon Playing fields in two separate areas. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak egg at Hampstead Heath. One Brown Hairstreak egg found on Hampstead Heath [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak eggs at Whitings Hill/Open Space, Barnet. I had had on my radar Whitings Hill/Open Space in Barnet, a short distance from the previous Dollis Brook sightings even to point of knowing where to park but hadn't got around to visiting. However last week Rohan tried to survey the site but was defeated by torrential rain and mud but reported it had a lot of blackthorn. This was far too tempting so I visited today. The mud is horrendous but there is so much blackthorn, in fact too much and much of it is well budded and almost in flower! Over a period of 3½ hours I found 4 Brown Hairstreak eggs well distributed across the site so I suspect there were many more! Thanks to Rohan for reminding me of this site and for his and everyone else's tremendous finds this winter! This was definitely my last survey as the budding is really making it too difficult now to find eggs! Hopefully these sites will dry out a bit by the summer! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
White-letter Hairstreak egg at Garston Park. I returned to Garston Park in Watford today to make sure I hadn't missed any blackthorn on my previous visit! Next to a nice stand of blackthorn I realised there was some nice flowering elm low down and after some searching I finally found a hatched White-letter Hairstreak egg – I had forgotten how small they look when hatched! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Female Brimstone Nomansland Common. Working with conservation volunteers on Nomansland Common clearing Gorse, although the air temperature was low, if felt warm in the sun in front of the trees, and a female Brimstone flew past and settled on the Gorse about knee high. It then clouded over, cooled down, and the Brimstone stayed settled. I decided to photograph it when we finished work, but cold rain then started (I understand it fell as hail nearby in St Albans). I assume this was why the Brimstone stayed put despite me accidentally shaking the Gorse a few times when I caught on brambles, and pushing my compact camera to little more than an inch from it for maximum magnification. [Posted by Chris Newman]
A trip though the Pyrenees, the Cévennes and the Auvergne. Roger Gibbons' online Zoom talk on 21 February. YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jksHvZxWQ6Q [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Finding Black Hairstreak and other caterpillars using UV torchlight. Online Zoom talk by Gareth Tilley (Surrey & SW London branch on 20 February. YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qaRJJnRV1I [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Brown Hairstreak egg near Holywell. One Brown Hairstreak egg found at King George’s fields near Holywell [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Small Tortoiseshell in Enfield. Eugene Dillon-Hooper reports a sighting of a Small Tortoiseshell in the Enfield area late morning [Posted by Robert Callf]
Brown Hairstreak eggs near Harrow. Following on from recent Brown Hairstreak egg finds in the Stanmore area I decided to revisit an area of blackthorn off Old Redding near the Harrow View point today first seen in January 2022. It is a public footpath with prunus along the hedge line – in total I found 8 Brown Hairstreak eggs but to my surprise I looked at two probable Cherry Plum bushes that were already flowering and found 2 eggs despite the flowers! Another blackthorn twig had 3 eggs very close to each other [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Brown Hairstreak eggs at Croxley Common Moor. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Croxley Common Moor [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak egg at Hampstead Heath. One Brown Hairstreak egg found at Hampstead Heath [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Painted Lady at Sunbury-on-Thames. Painted Lady - fresh individual on plum flowers by Sivyer's Lake at end of Hazelwood Drive, Sunbury-on-Thames at 12.30 pm. Seen by three people [Posted by Phil Cribb]
Brown Hairstreak egg at Moat Mount Open Space. Brown Hairstreak egg at Moat Mount Open Space, near Barnet [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Egg finds in Totteridge area. Having visited Totteridge now four times, the last on Tuesday when it rained - I could only find 4 more Brown Hairstreak eggs but all in slightly different areas, I decided to go somewhere new! I started from Quinta Park in Barnet and followed the Dollis Brook Loop walk to Totteridge Fields. Over a 3½ hour period I found 3 Brown Hairstreak eggs which would be a new 2k so although only 3 its 3 more than had been found there!!! I was hopeful that Totteridge Fields LWT Reserve would come up trumps but the blackthorn is not the type of blackthorn I like and a lot had been cut so a wasted walk! However the fields between Totteridge Common and Barnet (Mays Lane) are lined with blackthorn and there must be more eggs to be found? Be warned the mud is dreadful in places! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Brimstone at Hounslow. The butterfly year here began early with a male Brimstone on the heath near the railway. It was shortly followed, albeit in the next tetrad along, by what was probably a Comma and then much later a likely Peacock was seen to fly on the far side of Pevensey Road meadows. This could well have emerged from someone's garden shed in the back gardens and it certainly showed more interest in matters the other side of the fences there than in the wide open spaces of the meadows, thus making it impossible for me to confirm that guess either. Nothing else seen so just one definite so far but clearly likely that the hibernating species are around in small numbers for now. Still working on doing things differently. This was the normal walk of just over 12 miles modified to include extra time on the Marshalling Yard (which is now officially labelled as such and as a nature reserve - good news for sure even if I wasn't rewarded by the butterflies. [Posted by Peter Gore]
Brown Hairstreak eggs at Edgwarebury Park. Five Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Edgwarebury Park [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brimstone in St Albans. I just had a Brimstone in my St Albans garden. I think that’s the earliest for me [Posted by Chris Hocking]
Brimstone in St Albans. Tricia Gibbons saw first Brimstone butterfly of 2024 in St Albans garden - so beautiful [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Brown Hairstreak eggs at Totteridge. I returned to Totteridge today - it was far too sunny to see eggs properly and terribly muddy! I ended up with a total of 10 Brown Hairstreak eggs, 6 in the same area as Wednesday's eggs finds near Folly Brook but also 3 in different areas of the scrub and a 4th close to where the very first egg in 2020 was found in the main area. [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Red Admiral at Northaw. Red Admiral in garden [Posted by Sam Fuller]
Andrew Wood's online talk 'How the ground below our feet affects the butterflies and moths in the sky'. See the YouTube clip : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcgAwhhE6ms [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Brown Hairstreak eggs at Hampstead Heath. One Brown Hairstreak egg found at Hampstead Heath [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in West Hendon. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs found at West Hendon Playing Fields [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak eggs at Totteridge. I have spent the last two days searching the main fields at Totteridge and found 20 Brown Hairstreak eggs in total. Yesterday it was a matter of finding 4 quite quickly and then waiting for at least another 1½ hours before the next eggs were found, today it was a bit easier. However, the more interesting was that today I finished by crossing the Folly Brook where in previous years much searching for eggs has been conducted with no success and 3 Brown Hairstreak eggs were found quite quickly - I will need to return as there is still a lot of blackthorn to check here! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
How the ground below our feet affects the butterflies and moths in the sky. How the ground below our feet affects the butterflies and moths in the sky - Andrew Wood. For Zoom details click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85141207659 [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Brown Hairstreak eggs Brockley Hill. Six Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Brockley Hill [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak egg in Composers Park. One Brown Hairstreak egg found at Composers Park, Elstree [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in Hertfordshire, at Merry Hill, Bushey. Ian Watts and myself decided to look at Merry Hill in Bushey following on from our close but not close enough Brown Hairstreak egg find last week. There is a lot of blackthorn although some looked unsuitable - some areas ticked all the right boxes, oak, ash, bramble and nectar! In the end we found 14 Brown Hairstreak eggs although nothing for the last hour!!! We think the site, or at least where the eggs were found is about 1.5km inside the Hertfordshire border so we now wonder where else they can be found! [Posted by Liz Goodyear & Ian Watts]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in Fryent Country Park and Welsh Harp Reservoir. Two new Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Fryent Country Park. Two also found at Welsh Harp Reservoir [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in London Loop between Aldenham Country Park and Stanmore Common. So close but so far!! Following on from Rohan Harris' recent very successful Brown Hairstreak egg finds at Stanmore Country Park, Ian Watts and myself decided to try and find an egg in Hertfordshire today so we followed the London Loop from Aldenham Country Park towards Stanmore Common. Needless to say the first decent blackthorn we found was where a ditch forms the boundary between Greater London and Hertfordshire. We found two Brown Hairstreak eggs one was 25 yards from the county border and the second was even closer at 10 yards! After that on our very muddy route back via Elstree, there was more blackthorn along the London Loop (which we didn't search) but after we turned off back towards Elstree we found very little! [Posted by Liz Goodyear & Ian Watts]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in Stanmore Country Park. Nine Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Stanmore Country Park [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Peacock at Trent Park. 1 Peacock seen in flight & settled on base of Hornbeam, edge of Williams Wd/Trent Park [TQ294973] at 1325 GMT - my earliest ever, I don't think I have ever seen one in January [Posted by Robert Callf]
Brown Hairstreak quietly retaking London and beyond. Brown Hairstreak quietly retaking London and beyond in today's Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/31/brown-hairstreak-rare-butterfly-quietly-retaking-london [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Red Admiral in Bayfordbury. Saw my first butterfly of the year: a Red Admiral flying in the sunshine in the Pinetum at Bayfordbury [Posted by Ian Flack]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in Fryent Country Park. Three Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Fryent Country Park [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in Fryent Country Park and Stanmore Country Park. 17 Brown Hairstreak eggs on the North West side of Fryent Country Park. Also 7 Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Stanmore Country Park [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in Fryent Country Park. Six more Brown Hairstreak eggs found at areas not previously searched on the East side of Fryent Country Park [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Egg finds in Ware. Took a walk around my local fields in Ware this morning and finally found a White-letter Hairstreak egg on the elms by the playing field (usually much easier to find). Of note was that some of the elm flower buds were starting to burst. On blackthorn 5 Blue-bordered Carpet along Wood Lane and a further egg along the hedge near Hollycross Road. Had an odd egg which was on an oak leaf bud, where a Purple Hairstreak egg would be found - but it was ridged. Looked like a Green-brindled Crescent but wrong larval food plant and laying location??? [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Brimstone at Oughtonhead Common. Tony Hukin saw a Brimstone at Oughtonhead Common, Hitchin at around 1pm [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in Fryent Country Park. Searched six field enclosures at the East side of Fryent Park. Brown Hairstreak eggs found in every field but one. Total of 13 eggs found [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Peacock in Bengeo. Had a Peacock in my back garden in Bengeo [Posted by Steve Kiln]
Red Admiral in Bishop's Stortford. A single Red Admiral flying north along Stansted Road Bishops Stortford at Fullers Court lunch time TL492212 [Posted by Laurence Drummond]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in Fryent Country Park. Short visit to Fryent Country Park, found four Brown Hairstreak eggs three of which were in a field enclosure not previously searched [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in Fryent Country Park. A longer visit to Fryent Country Park, searched four field enclosures and found 27 Brown Hairstreak eggs [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Big City Butterflies Project Update. Big City Butterflies Project Update - Ele Johnstone and Steve Bolton YouTube video can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB63vbwQwbs [Posted by Peter John Clarke]
Brown Hairstreak eggs in Fryent Country Park. Three Brown Hairstreak eggs on a quick visit to the southern area of Fryent Country Park to the East of Fryent Way. NW9 9SE [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Branch Event. Brown Hairstreak egg search at Stafford Road Open Space. Volunteers joined a small handful of regulars at the Stafford Road Open Space in Ruislip to help with the annual egg survey for the Brown Hairstreak. Postponed from the original date because of potential snow, the new date proved to be a very fine day to be out searching. Most of the volunteers were new to the task but it took barely a minute to find the first egg and show exactly what it was that we were looking for. In fact, the first Blackthorn bush that was searched contained 10 eggs and, spreading out, the volunteers soon got into their stride with egg finds coming thick and fast. In the public Open Space area, it seemed that almost all of the Blackthorn contained at least an egg or two and every attendee had success finding eggs. In only a couple of hours or so of searching, a total of 103 Brown Hairstreak eggs (plus one Purple Hairstreak egg) were found, an excellent result that is consistent with the record number of adult sightings last summer. The Ruislip site seems to be going from strength to strength. Alongside the volunteer egg search, Malcolm Hull, Liz Goodyear and Nick Furtek met with Ricky, an enthusiastic representative of TfL, to search for eggs on the adjacent TfL owned land that is not accessible to the general public. A total of 15 Brown Hairstreak eggs were found, reinforcing how much this beautiful butterfly species is now part of the wider Ickenham and Ruislip landscape [Posted by Ian Watts]
Peacock in Panshanger Park. A Peacock was flying in the sunshine along the trees in Panshanger Park [Posted by William Bishop]
Campaign to save Whitewebbs Park, Enfield. Campaign to save Whitewebbs Park in Enfield from development hit the national press today with an article by Patrick Barkham in the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/09/locals-hit-back-at-spurs-football-plans-for-green-biodiverse-space-tottenham-enfield-london?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Otherfefdc75cc70b867&esid=d3229daa-9753-ee11-be6f-6045bdd0ef4d [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Red Admiral in Enfield. I was pleasantly surprised to see a Red Admiral in flight & settled on ivy-clad tree near Archer's Wd/Forty Hall CP, Enfield [TQ333992] this afternoon between 1317 & 1320 GMT [Posted by Robert Callf]
Red Admiral in Bengeo. We spotted a Red Admiral flying around our next-door neighbour's house in Bengeo late this morning in the rain, but before the wind got up [Posted by Andrew Wood]