Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Sightings at Enfield & Southgate. 1 Peacock this morning at a private site near Trent Park. 1 Lunar Marbled Brown at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Distinctly chilly again first thing, but a local walk before the sun disappeared was productive. A third Small Copper appeared (yesterday's pair were around again as well), and two Small Tortoiseshells - the extensive nettlebeds by the River Colne seem to be a suitable habitat for them as well as the many Peacocks. Orange-tips were the most frequently seen butterfly of the morning. The totals seen today: Orange-tip (22), Peacock (12), Holly Blue (10). Green-veined White (7), Red Admiral (6), Small White (4), Speckled Wood (3), Small Copper (3), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Comma (2), Brimstone (1), Large White (1). I also spotted half a dozen Silver-Y moths, and with the increase in the number of Red Admirals, I suspect there may be some immigrants arriving so will be on the lookout for Painted Ladies in the coming days. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A cool sunny morning became distinctly hazy by the end of the afternoon. The butterflies were a bit slow to appear today on my local patch near Heathrow, but they did include my first Small Coppers of the season (appearing a week earlier than last year). They were a long way apart, but both were occupying territories used by their forebears in previous years. Sightings today: Peacock (22), Orange-tip (20), GVW (13), Holly Blue (13), Brimstone (8), Small White (7), Comma (5), Speckled Wood (5), Red Admiral (4), Small Copper (2) [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings at Enfield. At Glenbrook wetlands, Lonsdale Drive, EN2 - 1 Speckled Wood this morning. At Chase Green, Enfield Town - 1 Holly Blue & 1 Green-veined White. At Chase Green Grdns, Enfield Town - male Holly Blue settled. At River View, EN2 - male Orange-tip. At Town Park, Enfield - 1 Speckled Wood. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Grizzled Skippers at Waterford Heath. This morning, one towards the northern end of the east bank of the south heath and two individuals (in view at the same time) on the north heath between the pond and the east bank [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Large White on Harpenden Common. Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Holly Blue, Peacock, Comma and Speckled Wood on Harpenden Common this afternoon. [Posted by David Hunt]
Grizzled Skipper at Waterford Heath. Popped into Waterford Heath today before the big shop. Whilst I scoured the East bank of the South Heath from the path hoping for a sighting, my daughter who is seven went with her mum to do a loop around. I didn't see any Grizzled Skippers the entire walk (very dry) but my daughter was extremely smug as she had found one basking amongst a large patch of Ground Ivy, SW side near the small exposed steel pipe. Mum helping to provide the photographic proof. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Clouded Yellow. Whilst walking my transect today at Greenwood Park I was very surprised to see a Clouded Yellow flying in my first section. I didn’t get a photo as it wasn’t settling much, but definitely a Clouded Yellow. Is this very early? [Posted by Mandy Floyd]
Sightings at Enfield, Edmonton & Southgate. At a private site near Trent Park - male Orange-tip & 1 Speckled Wood. At Statham Grove, N18 - 1 Holly Blue, 1 Green-veined White, male Orange-tip & 1 Speckled Wood. At Tanners End Lane, N18 - male Brimstone. At ASDA Southgate - 1 Holly Blue. At Southgate Chase Allotments - 2 Holly Blue together. At Dalrymple Close, N14 - 1 Holly Blue. My first sightings of Holly Blue this year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Grizzled Skippers. I walked my transect at South Heath Waterford Heath and saw a small butterfly on the purple ground ivy after settling twice I realised it was a Grizzled Skipper. There was plenty of wild strawberry on the south heath but in exposed positions. This was a nice sheltered area from the north wind near the steps up in the middle. With optimism I went to the North Heath, which is under renovation but in a scrubby area to the west of the pond near the wood I spotted another Grizzled Skipper, quite flighty. I got no pictures of either one. Saw both about 2pm. [Posted by steve kiln]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A mixed bag weatherwise today near Heathrow, with a bright warm morning, a cloudy afternoon and the a fine end to the day. Butterflies were around early and late, with the morning being mostly Holly Blues and the early evening Orange-tips going to roost. Numbers seen today: Orange-tip (19), Peacock (14), Holly Blue (13), Green-veined White (10), Small White (6), Comma (4), Speckled Wood (3), Red Admiral (2), Brimstone (2). I found a Green-veined White laying on hoary cress (and an Orange-tip was doing the same thing close by). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings at Trent Park & Enfield. At Trent Park - 2 male Orange-tip [1 at Shaws Wd & 1 near Shaws Wd Cottages] & 1 Speckled Wood at Icehouse Wd. At a private site near Trent Park - 1 Small White. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Some spells of intermittent sunshine today locally after a drizzly start - not cold, but the warmth of the sunny spells was tempered by a cool breeze. However, there were a lot of butterflies around, and all eleven of the species I've seen here this year made an appearance. In particular, Holly Blue numbers rose dramatically - good news after two comparatively poor seasons. Orange-tip numbers were high too, a new set of Red Admirals were occupying the favoured spot, and another Small Tortoiseshell appeared today. The totals: Peacock (34), Orange-tip (31), Holly Blue (25), Green-veined White (14), Brimstone (12), Small White (11), Speckled Wood (4), Comma (4), Red Admiral (3), Large White (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings at Enfield. At Enfield Rd, EN2 - male Orange-tip & female Small White. At private sites near Trent Park - male Brimstone, 1 Comma, male Orange-tip, 3 Peacock & 1 Painted Lady at Hog Hill/Vicarage Farm - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
UKBMS 2025 results. How did our butterflies fare in 2025? Check the results from the UKBMS here [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Peacock at Enfield. 1 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park this morning. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. It felt warmer today, but the very limited sunshine only came in short bursts in the afternoon. It was enough to bring out a few dozen butterflies on my local patch near Heathrow. Holly Blue (7), Orange-tip (7), Peacock (6), Small White (4), Green-veined White (4), Brimstone (3), Large White (1), Speckled Wood (1), Red Admiral (1), Comma (1). The Holly Blues were the most noteworthy with half a dozen appearing within a minute or two of home, including a mating pair. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Peacock at Enfield Town Station. 1 Peacock at Enfield Town Station at 1537 BST - seen from the train carriage. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. After a few chilly days away in Devon with very few butterflies, I returned to my local patch near Heathrow and a sunny morning with quite the opposite. Seen today: Peacock (31), Orange-tip (18, inc. 4 females), Green-veined White (15), Small White (10), Holly Blue (8), Brimstone (6), Comma (3), Speckled Wood (2). One of the Holly Blues was a beautiful new female. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Painted Lady!. Just seen a fresh Painted Lady, two Holly Blue and a Peacock in a garden in Berkhamsted. [Posted by Sue Taylor]
Sightings at Enfield. At a private site near Trent Park - 1 Speckled Wood, 2 male Orange-tip & 1 Green-veined White - my first of the year [FOY]. At Bay Farm along 'London Loop' - 1 Peacock & 1 female Orange-tip. At Brooke Wd - 1 Speckled Wood. At Flash Lne, EN2 - 1 Peacock. At Hilly Fields Park - 2 male Orange-tip. At Enfield Chase Station - 1 Lunar Marbled Brown - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Millhoppers Reserve footbridge Opening. This morning saw the official opening of the new footbridge at Millhoppers Reserve. This was also the unveiling of a plaque to the memory of John & Margaret Noakes, the first wardens of the reserve. Event attended by branch committee members, reserve wardens, volunteers, plus family and friends. [Posted by Chris Hilling]
Orange Tip in Chelsea. I had a random and unexpected sighting of a Male Orange-tip on the Kings Road this afternoon during a brief window of sunshine when the wind dropped momentarily. i record used. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A warm morning locally, with hazy sunshine until the middle of the day. It obviously wasn't good enough for the Brimstones today as I saw none (by contrast they were flying till gone five yesterday afternoon). However, they were made up for by the abundance of Peacocks, and by the welcome appearance of a single Small Tortoiseshell. Today's totals: Peacock (39), Orange-tip (11m; 2f), Green-veined White (10m; 1f), Small White (5); Holly Blue (2m; 1f), Speckled Wood (3), Comma (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Northaw sightings. Brimstone, Peacock, Holly Blue, Orange-tip and Small Whites in the garden today [Posted by Sam Fuller]
Sightings at Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, Pymmes Park, Edmonton & Southgate. 1 Peacock & 1 Small White at Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, N13 this morning & male Orange-tip & male Brimstone at Pymmes Park, Edmonton this afternoon. 1 Double-striped Pug at ASDA Southgate this afternoon - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Pair of Orange-tips. Lots of Orange-tips around Great Gaddesden today - including this pair [Posted by Paul Cross]
Sightings at Enfield, Trent Park & Edmonton. At private sites near Trent Park - 2 Peacock, 2 Orange-tip [male & female] - my first of the year [FOY] & 1 Comma. At Trent Park - 1 Peacock near Obelisk, male Brimstone, 1 Comma & 13 Adela reaumurella settled on Hornbeam leaves in clearing in Rough Lot - my first of the year [FOY], 2 Orange-tip [male & female] near Water Grdn, male Brimstone & 1 Peacock along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges' & male Brimstone at Williams Wd. At Pymmes Park, Edmonton - female Small White & 1 Comma & several other white sp [probably Small White]. At Warwick Rd, N18 - 1 Peacock. At Church Street, N9 - female Large White - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Merry Hill and more. Taking advantage of a fine day, I decided to go on a long walk following the blackthorn from Merry Hill and other local places, where the Brown Hairstreak has been seen, and we've returned the eggs, and, also, to satisfy my curiosity of a few footpaths as well. Starting from Attenborough Fields, where there isn't any, but I did see 1 Brimstone and 1 Peacock. Then to Merry Hill where its everywhere, and I saw 10 Peacocks, 3 Commas, 16 Brimstones, 13 Orange-tips, including a mating pair, and 6 Speckled Wood. Exiting there I came out by Carpenders Park nursery, and down Little Oxhey Lane where there is a good scattering of blackthorn along the hedges. Crossing the rail line, via the bridge, across the road and there was the footpath that goes in the direction too Hatch End. I didn't go that far, just to Prestwick Road Meadows. Our ribbons and returned twigs with BHS eggs are still there. Also, 5 Speckled Wood, 1 Brimstone, 6 Orange-tips, 1 Peacock, and an unknown White. Back out the way I came in, and on to Oxhey Woods, 1 Brimstone, no blackthorn seen but it could be around the edges, I went through the middle. There was plenty of honeysuckle, so must go and have a look for White Admirals there one day - been saying that for a while now... Finally through the woods and on to South Oxhey Playing Fields, but it was getting on and nothing seen there. Past Hampermill Lake and Farm, and more blackthorn, unfortunately it gets cut regularly here. Then to the Ebury Way and 3 Speckled Woods. Through Riverside Park and Watford Fields and home. That was a long walk, I probably won't be doing it again for a while, but it was fascinating to see these places linked up - in a very green way that you wouldn't really expect from Watford. [Posted by Rick Vickers]
Couple of firsts on Knebworth transects. My firsts of the year for Speckled Wood and Orange-tip in and around Norton Green Common in mid afternoon plus a nice Green-veined White in Wintergreen Wood, Knebworth Park [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Speckled Wood. Speckled Wood seen outside Main Hide at Lemsford Springs [Posted by Rose Newbold]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Wall-to-wall spring sunshine today and an unsurprisingly enthusiastic response by my local butterflies. Numbers were more than twice those of any previous day, and nine species were seen: Peacock (35), Brimstone (14), Orange-tip (11), Green-veined White (8), Speckled Wood (8), Comma (4), Small White (3), Red Admiral (1), Holly Blue (1). The abrupt emergence of the GVW to outnumber the Small Whites was notable, as was the large number of Peacocks. They were everywhere and my count might well have been an underestimate. After my comment yesterday, the appearance of the Holly Blue was very welcome. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Peacock at Edmonton & Brimstone at Southgate. 2 Peacock at Edmonton this afternoon [1 at North Middx Hospital & 1 at Park Avenue, N9] & male Brimstone at Dalrymple Close, N14 this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
First 4 Transects completed. The weather was finally favourable to do my transects, so I completed all 4 today, clocking up 7 miles. Species seen : Speckled Woods, Brimstone, Small White, Peacock. Photo is of Speckled Wood in Highgate Cemetery. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. More sunshine today near Heathrow, but it was cooler and breezy. There were more butterflies though: Peacock (10), Orange-tip (6m+1f), Small White (4), Speckled Wood (4), Brimstone (3m), Green-veined White (1), Comma (1), Red Admiral (1). It was good to see a few more Orange-tips, though I am concerned about the lack of Holly Blues here so far this year. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Speckled Wood. I visited Batchwood near St Albans this afternoon. Amongst the amazing display of Bluebells, I saw my first Speckled Wood of the year, two Peacocks and a Brimstone [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Quite warm, quite windy, largely cloudy - not ideal for butterflies, but I did manage to encounter a few this afternoon on my local patch near Heathrow. The roosting male Brimstone was a bit of a lucky find, and the brief spells of sunshine kept a few Orange-tips from snoozing too. Today's relatively slim pickings: Orange-tip (3), Peacock (2), Speckled Wood (1), Brimstone (1), Small White (1), Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Peacock & Speckled Wood at Edmonton. 1 Peacock at Haselbury Road near Westerham Avenue & 3 Speckled Wood including two together at Pymmes Park, Edmonton this afternoon - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
First Orange Tip in my garden. One of the great delights of Spring and a good chance to try out my new phone camera. Two more spotted at my allotment. [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
First Green-veined White of the year. Spotted my first Green-veined White of the year in this afternoon’s sunshine along with my first Speckled Woods and some Peacocks [Posted by Julia Hawkins]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A cool and cloudy morning was followed by a very sunny (but still cool) afternoon. The sun brought the butterflies out again on my local patch, though the Brimstones soon disappeared again as it wasn't really warm enough for them. The highlights today were my first Green-veined White of the season and a lovely fresh female Orange-tip nectaring on the plant from which it got its etymological name. 36 butterflies overall: Peacock (15), Small White (7), Brimstone (5), Red Admiral (2), Comma (2), Orange-tip (2), Speckled Wood (2), Green-veined White (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Moth trap at Heartwood Forest. The weather was freezing cold on the evening of Saturday 28th March. However, we did manage to get one trap in sufficient shelter from the wind and had around 40 moths of 13 species in it including 2 Blossom Underwings, the third and fourth records for Heartwood of this scarce and local species. I must have seen around 10 Light Orange Underwings at Heartwood in the past week or so. Another benefit of all the Aspens which have been planted on the site. The Orange Underwing also occurs there but it is much scarcer at that site. If you want to see that one then you need to go to Bricket Wood. [Posted by News from Mark Sterling]
Small White Alexandra Park. My first of year seen by Ally Pally Garden Centre. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Holly Blue. One Holly Blue in my garden in Hemel Hempstead. 15. 50 this afternoon [Posted by Ashley Cox]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A much warmer day today, and a lengthy spell of sunshine mid-afternoon brought forth a good selection of butterflies on my local patch. These included my first Speckled Woods of 2026, plus the first female Brimstone I've seen here this year. Overall numbers seen: Brimstone (12), Small White (5), Peacock (4), Red Admiral (3), Orange-tip (3), Speckled Wood (2), Comma (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Transect walking season starts on Wednesday. Good time of year for the Branch to say a big thank you to all our transect walkers and other butterfly recorders. Your hard work and diligent reporting provide vital information which informs all the work that we do. Quite overcast here in St Albans today, but in a brief sunny spell after lunch I saw three male Brimstones hurtling around Verulamium Park. The lack of any females so far is an interesting observation for me but infuriating for the male Brimstones [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. During one of the very sparse sunny intervals today, two of the Red Admirals that have set up shop on a certain spot on my local patch were tussling as usual. No other butterflies seen today though. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Though it remained cold today, the wind had dropped, the hail showers had stopped and there was a decent amount of sunshine. I found a handful of butterflies on my local patch near Heathrow: Peacock (4), Red Admiral (3), Comma (1) and my second Orange-tip of the year (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Small White at Pymmes Park, Edmonton. 1 Small White at Pymmes Park, Edmonton this afternoon at 1229 GMT - my first confirmed sighting of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Hazy sunshine again today, but quite a bit warmer. Today's highlight was another Small Tortoiseshell - a long way away from yesterday's example, being found north of the M25-T5 link road bridge. I also found my first male Small White of the year; all of the other sightings so far have been females. Today's overall totals: Peacock (15), Comma (8), Brimstone (3), Red Admiral (2), Small White (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1). Peacocks appear to be dispersing now - both yesterday and today I found more flying over the open grassland areas and fewer basking on brambles near the lake. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Berkhamsted. 1 Female Holly Blue in garden. [Posted by Ian Gamble]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A cold and misty start to the day, with the sun appearing rather hazily just before midday round my way. Butterfly numbers were generally lower, though Peacocks seemed undaunted. However, the highlight of the day was finding a Small Tortoiseshell within five minutes of home, my first of the year. They really have become a relative rarity here these days. Totals today: Peacock (19), Red Admiral (3), Comma (2), Small White (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Small Tortoiseshell. 11:15 today in South Mimms TL191024 near Salisbury Hall a single Small Tortoiseshell sunning itself on the grass. [Posted by Terence Wood]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. I found seven species seen on my local patch near Heathrow today, where the brilliant sunshine masked the fact that it wasn't actually as warm as recent days. These included two new species for 2026: Holly Blue and Orange-tip. Unfortunately I was unable to get more than fly-by shots of either butterfly - just enough for the I/D! Overall, I reached my highest total seen so far this year. Peacock (22), Comma (11), Red Admiral (3), Small White (2), Brimstone (1), Holly Blue (1), Orange-tip (1). I also found an Orange Underwing moth, which I only recognised after seeing dozens down in Kent earlier in the week. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. After two gloriously sunny and warm days away from my local patch (watching Large Tortoiseshells in Kentish woodland), I returned today to cooler weather with only hazy sunshine. It had clearly dropped below the acceptable level for Brimstones (as I didn't see any), but there were plenty of other butterflies around: Peacock (16), Red Admiral (5), Comma (3), Small White (3). I had been hoping for Speckled Woods or even Holly Blues, but none were forthcoming. [Posted by Dave Miller]
First Small White seen in Alexandra Park. One small white seen for the first time this year in Alexandra Park, N London. (Sorry moved too quickly for a photo.) [Posted by Stephen Middleton]
Orange Tip. An Orange Tip flying across The Warren at Hartham Common just before noon today [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Tracks around Danemead HMWT. Enjoyed a morning walk in the glorious spring sunshine to check the goat willow catkins for butterflies. The usual hibernators seen Peacock 25+, Brimstone 6 (males), Comma 5 and Light Orange Underwing 4. One very excited Brimstone male thought he found the love he had been dreaming about all winter and was very upset at me for litter picking his mate. [Posted by Nathan Ellis]
Speckled Wood and Brimstones at Alexandra Park. The first Speckled Wood of the year was on the wing by the golf course at Alexandra Park today. Also a Brimstone nearby (others reported seeing five Brimstone) [Posted by Reuben Braddock]
Speckled Wood Sighting. Seen near the golf course in Alexandra Park on Wednesday by Reuben Braddock I heard of it via the local birders WhatsApp. First of year for the park. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Garden sighting. My first garden Peacock nectaring in the sunshine today in Muswell Hill. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Peacock at Southgate & Trent Park. 1 Peacock near Triangular Wd/Trent Park this afternoon & another one at Dalrymple Close, N14 at 1544 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. The forecast sunshine arrived near Heathrow at lunchtime, and the butterflies were quick to respond. It was a bit warmer, and the Brimstones reappeared after a two-week absence. Small Whites had begun to emerge as well, to join the usual roster of Commas and Peacocks, and there was a Red Admiral in the usual spot by the river. Today's totals: Comma (10), Brimstone (5), Peacock (5), Small White (4), Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Brimstone at Southgate. Male Brimstone at Dalrymple Close, N14 this afternoon at 1303 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Early Thorn at Southgate. 1 Early Thorn at ASDA Southgate this afternoon - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Hedge planting at Lannock Farm, Weston. Volunteers from Herts CPRE and Butterfly Conservation planting hedges on Lannock Farm this morning. All 15 species of hedgerow plants have been selected as being particularly attractive for butterflies and moths. More planting sessions are planned at Lannock Farm and at Woodhall Estate. Contact james@cpreherts.org.uk if you would like to join in [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Lots of sunshine today in my part of the world, though it was relatively cool after a chilly night. It proved enough motivation for a few butterflies, and during early afternoon, I managed to find nine Commas, three Peacocks and a Red Admiral. This last butterfly was in exactly the same spot as others seen both this year and at the end of 2025, but wasn't the same individual as any of these. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Comma & Peacock at Grovelands Park, Southgate. 1 Peacock near Rangers' Hut at 1316 GMT & 1 Comma near Priory Hospital at 1440 GMT, at Grovelands Park, Southgate [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Peacock resumes hibernation. Surprised to record four hibernating Peacocks on todays shed transect. There were four there two weeks ago, but one had subsequently emerged (see news for 9 March). Three of those recorded today were in the same positions as they had been since July. The fourth was in an entirely different location. So it seems that the individual which emerged on March 9th thought better of it! I have witnessed Peacocks breaking their hibernation before, by emerging for supplementary feed in August or September. I've never known one re-enter hibernation after Spring emergence and would be interested to know if others have witnessed this [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. More sunshine round my way than yesterday, but it was a bit cooler and breezier. Butterflies seen today comprised two Peacocks, three Red Admirals and four Commas. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Oak Beauty at Southgate. 1 Oak Beauty at ASDA Southgate this afternoon [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. There was some decent sunshine for an hour or two in the middle of the day today, and a local walk revealed a handful of butterflies: three Peacocks, two Commas and a surprisingly fresh Red Admiral. I wondered if the Red Admiral might be an early migrant rather than a local overwinterer. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Comma at Trent Park. 1 Comma along Leeging Beech Gutter near 'Three Bridges', Trent Park this afternoon at 1314 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Peacock emerging from hibernation. Cold and overcast all day in St Albans and just 10 degrees when I stepped out at lunchtime. Surprisingly one of my Peacocks had chosen today to emerge from hibernation. It was sitting with wings closed in the middle of the doormat outside my back door. To arrive in this position it must have dropped to the floor of the shed and then walked out, squeezing itself through the gap underneath the door, rather than taking the more obvious route of flying out of the unglazed window. I’ve seen both exit routes from the shed used before. Not sure why they’d use the walking/squeezing exit route, which must be more risky? Maybe it’s just too hard to warm up sufficiently to fly on a cold day? Or is it a sign their bodily reserves are low after an unusually long hibernation (2025 saw the earliest recorded hibernation) [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Garden sightings. Two Brimstones and a Comma in my Harpenden garden. [Posted by Robin Pearson]
Brimstone. 1.40. Brimstone in my garden Acton W3 6DR. [Posted by Trevor Porter]
Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstones. Walking the dog this morning in North Mymms I saw my first butterflies of the year, 1 Small Tortoiseshell at TL226031 and 1 Brimstone at 217031. Then in early afternoon I saw a further Brimstone in my South Mymms front garden (TL221008). [Posted by Terence Wood]
Sightings at Enfield, Cockfosters & Trent Park. At a private site near Trent Park - male Brimstone, 1 Comma & 1 Peacock late morning. Near Enfield Rd, EN2 - male Brimstone & 1 Peacock. At Westpole Ave, Cockfosters - male Brimstone. At Trent Park 'New Fields' [1300 to 1400 GMT] - male Brimstone, 2 Comma & 1 Peacock. At Bramley Rd, N14 - male Brimstone. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Alexandra Park Sightings. Saw 5 Brimstones and 1 Peacock this morning. The Brimstones were patrolling the edge of the anthill meadow. The Peacock was puddling at the bottom of the eastern slope below the BBC tower. [Posted by Dee Cullen]
Therfield Heath and Royston. Saw my first Peacocks today, along with Brimstone. Saw Comma a couple of days ago. I also saw a Pieris, which I think was a Large White, flying strongly on Heath. [Posted by Nick Keep]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. The sun finally appeared in hazy fashion around half one today, too late for Brimstones it would seem, and there was just the one Peacock. However, on my usual walk I still managed to see six Commas and three Red Admirals, two of which were conducting an aerial battle high above my head at one point. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Today's sunny intervals were not really ever long enough to tempt the butterflies out, but on my local patch I managed to find just one each of Comma, Brimstone and Peacock. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Brimstone at Wareside. Finally the rain has stopped, and in the fine summer sun one male Brimstone seen in our Wareside garden this lunchtime. [Posted by Philip MacMurdie]
Butterflies on Harpenden Common. One Comma and One Peacock enjoying the sunshine on Harpenden Common on the St John's Wood area [Posted by David Hunt]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. A glorious sunny day, and though not as warm as 25th February had been, I found more butterflies today during a lengthy walk around my local patch near Heathrow. The highlight was a newly-emerged female Small White, the first non-hibernator of the season. The totals today: Peacock (12), Comma (9), Brimstone (5), Small White (1). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Brimstone & Red Admiral at Oakwood. Male Brimstone & 1 Red Admiral - my first of the year [FOY] at Lakeside, EN2 at 1256 GMT. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield & Trent Park. 1 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park at 1012 GMT. At Trent Park - 2 male Brimstone [1 at Rough Lot & 1 at Williams Wd], 2 Peacock [1 at Rough Lot & 1 near 'Three Bridges'] & 1 Orange/Light Orange Underwing seen in flight at 'Old Golf Course' - my first of the year [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
early walk of transects plenty of butterflies. waterford heath south 2 Brimstones, 4 Commas , and 5 Peacocks. [Posted by steve kiln]
Brimstones. Lovely to see two Brimstones enjoying the sun this morning whilst walking in the Amwell - Stansted Abbots area.(TL386134 and TL374123) [Posted by Roger Newbold]
Dull day in St Albans. Just 5mins of sunshine and no butterflies in action. So a perfect day to carry out my shed transect and check on hibernating butterflies. Of the Five hibernating Peacocks, one has flown and four are still present. Weather for the coming week looks warm and sunny, so keep your eyes peeled for more butterflies in flight [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Oak Beauty at Upper Edmonton. 1 Oak Beauty near outside light at Silver Street Station, Edmonton this morning [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
First thrills. Thrilled to see my first butterflies of the year whilst on a yomp from Enfield Town to Edmonton Green: Brimstone (m) + 2 x Comma: Town Park, Enfield Peacock: Enfield Playing Fields 2 x Comma: Lee Road Open Space Peacock: Salmons Brook Park, Edmonton Green [Posted by Nicholas Barnett]
Fairlands Valley Park Stevenage. My first butterflies of the year with 7 Brimstone (all male) hugging the woodland edge and 2 Peacock in and around the Shackledell Grassland in the southern section of the park. [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. After a bit of fog had cleared mid-morning locally, the day became one long sunny period with temperatures up to 17 degrees. I ended up with an impressive butterfly count, finding 8 Peacocks, 7 Brimstones, 5 Commas and a single Red Admiral (it's less than ten weeks since I saw the last one). [Posted by Dave Miller]
Peacock in Cuffley. First butterfly of the year flying around Cuffley Car Park this afternoon [Posted by Sam fuller]
Double figures!. Full sun and 14? in our Harpenden garden brought out the first Brimstone (and first butterfly) of the year: an event we traditionally celebrate with a bottle of fizz. This pioneer was followed by no fewer than thirteen more Brimstone fly-throughs. These sightings were both welcome and unexpected, coming after a dreadful autumn for garden butterflies and the dullest of winter birding (no blackcaps, redpolls, siskins, redwings, fieldfares or bramblings in our garden). Plenty of bees and several ladybirds about today, too. [Posted by Alan Jackson]
Butterflies in Hertford and Ware. Two walks today, one in each town. The total was Brimstone 12, Peacock 9, Comma 7, most satisfyingly a Small Tortoiseshell in Ware Cemetery and surprisingly a definite Small White on Wadesmill Road, Ware [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Peacocks. 3 Peacocks in Broxbourne Woods west ride [Posted by steve kiln]
Brimstone in garden. Had a male Brimstone in my Harpenden garden today, first butterfly of the year! [Posted by Robin Pearson]
Brimstone & Peacock at Enfield. Male Brimstone seen in flight & settled, E edge of Shaws Wd/Trent Park at 1100 GMT. Male Brimstone & Peacock at Lakeside, EN2 at 1117 - 1118 GMT. My first butterflies of the year. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Habitat management for Duke of Burgundy. Volunteers from Herts joined Upper Thames Branch and the Chiltern Rangers to manage scrub for Dukes. We created small clearings about 5 meters in diameter within the scrub, providing the right niche for this most exacting of species. The work took place at Wadborough Field, a good breeding site for Dukes just a few hundred meters from the Herts border. We hope that the Dukes will continue to spread and one day breed in Herts again. Many thanks to Nick Bowles and Upper Thames branch for organising the volunteer work party of 25 people [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Brimming with joy. Today I saw nine Brimstones on the towpath beside the short stretch (15-minute walk) of the Grand Union Canal between Bulbourne and Marshcroft Lane (SP 937133). For the next 2 hours, I only saw one. The canal is very sheltered and it was quite windy after leaving the towpath. [Posted by Rikki Harrington]
Sightings from Stanwell Moor. Increasingly sunny today and temperatures up to 14 degrees - not unexpectedly the butterflies on my local patch near Heathrow responded. I found four Peacocks, two Brimstones and a Comma over the course of a longish walk. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Brimstone at Ashridge. Male Brimstone at Ashridge Golf Course SP 986 130 at 11:56 hours, flying around evergreen shrubs and possibly resettling within them [Posted by Colin Everett]
Red Admiral at Trent Park. 1 Red Admiral reported at Trent Park by Eugene Dillon-Hooper [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Another Brown Hairstreak egg.... When the sun appeared this afternoon, I squelched my way around my local patch near Heathrow hoping that one or two butterflies might have been tempted out of hibernation. I wasn't fortunate on that front, but I ended up having a close look at a wild plum tree that was just coming into flower just in case it harboured any Brown Hairstreak eggs. I managed to find just the one, but it is notable that this tree is some way away on the other side of the M25-T5 link road from the eggs found on the blackthorn hedge back in January. I appears that the butterfly is even more widespread in this area than previously thought. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Peacock in St Albans. 12 degrees and sunny this afternoon with a hint of Spring in the air. Enough to encourage a Peacock out of hibernation in Mount Pleasant. However it seemed to be regretting its choice as it was perched on the pavement in a shady position. Luckily I didn’t tread on it and relocated it to a more favourable position. I do hope it does OK! [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
BHS egg return Prestwick Road Meadows. The blackthorn had been cut, winter is nearly gone and it was time to return the Brown Hairstreak eggs that had been rescued last year and have been sitting at the bottom of my garden for the last few months. Since our (Pete Fewell and I) last returning at Merry Hill the other week, we seen to have got the hang of it and we went quite quickly this time attaching approx 25 BHS eggs on 23 twigs and a further 2 blue bordered carpet moth eggs in a couple of hours. Special thanks goes to Aneel Odhwani, who joined us, we were very grateful of the extra pair of hands! That gave us a bit of time to have a look about the site, and we found another 10 BHS eggs. Things are looking good for this location, and hopefully we will see then matured later in the year. [Posted by Rick Vickers]
Millhoppers Reserve hits the Headlines. Completion of the new bridge at our Millhoppers Reserve recently featured on BBC news. Click on this link to read more. Listen to Christine Ridley interviewed on Three Counties radio. Many thanks to Chris Hilling, Paula Reid, Christine Ridley and Peter Mellitus for all their hard work in getting the bridge completed [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Valentine's Peacock. I saw a Peacock at 12.20 today (14th February) on the Grand Union Canal towpath between Cow Roast and Dudswell SP962102. [Posted by Rikki Harrington]
Red Admiral - broxbourne school. A surprise and early first record of the year - while leaving the Broxbourne School car park, a Red Admiral flew into the car. After a few seconds exited fit and well, but very surprising given the wet weather. best regards Phil [Posted by Philip & Oliver MacMurdie]
National Moth Recorders Day Recording. National Moth Recorders day was held last weekend in Birmingham. There were some excellent speakers including Tim Blackburn from UCL who spoke at last years Herts & Middx Members Day. If you missed it and want to catch up, there's now a recording available on the BC website, available by following the link below National Moth Recorders Meeting 2026 [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Free Wildflower Seeds for Branch Members. The Branch is offering free native wildflower seeds suitable for butterflies and bees. The mix of 24 species includes some excellent nectar flowers as well as well as larval food plants such as Birds-foot Trefoil, Agrimony, Kidney Vetch and Yellow Rattle. They are suitable for sowing in neutral or alkaline soils and the recommended density is 3 grams per sq meter. Suitable for sowing this Spring in gardens or local green spaces Seeds are available free to branch members on a first come, first served. Contact malcolmhull@hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk Bee and Butterfly Wildflower Mix [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Pale Brindled Beauty at Southgate. 1 Pale Brindled Beauty at ASDA Southgate this afternoon - my second of the year at this site. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
First sighting of 2026 at Stanwell Moor. Good spells of sunshine and temperatures around the 11 degree mark locally today. After a longish (and rather muddy) walk around all the likely spots, I had almost given up on seeing a butterfly. However, back at the start I disturbed a Comma which was basking low down. I managed to track its direction, but the sun went in at a crucial moment and I couldn't work out where exactly it had landed. This meant I ended up disturbing it for a second time and unfortunately failed to find it again to record its image for posterity!. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Large White pupating. Berkhamsted - a week ago three Large White caterpillars were spotted looking for sites to pupate. One got squashed, but two made it as far as my grandchildren’s front door. Progress was slow - after 5 days the caterpillars had attached themselves with a silk girdle, but still had their caterpillar skin showing. After 7 days the first one pupated. I guess everything moving slowly due to the cold [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Merry Hill Brown Hairstreak egg search. Despite the muddy conditions and the problem with the road closure signs up a fantastic small group of people joined us for the egg search. We headed for the area we first recorded an adult on the wing as we did last year. The first eggs were recorded on blackthorn stands that had been clipped back before we could conduct an egg rescue there. The first 3 eggs were found low down on bits that survived the maintenance, I suspect a lot more eggs were removed here during the maintenance season. That said more eggs were found in the area searched which was left alone. We got to 17 eggs in this area searched with the remaining 3 eggs found in the area beyond the hedge-line towards Merry Hill Road. Eggs found with a green tinge noted of which looks like algae is confirmed by the superb photo's of eggs by Aneel Odhwani who attended. Awesome egg photo's thank you Aneel for those! Rick and a few others didn't get to find an egg but they all saw one. Rick saw the most though as he was doing the recording! Rick and myself returned after to find a few suitable spots for returning rescued eggs from Merry Hill. The first phase now complete but more to return at Merry Hill. Will keep you posted with that. [Posted by Peter Fewell and Rick Vickers]
Completed Work for the Grizzled Skipper at Waterford Heath. This is how the site looks now after the work has been done [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Enhancing Grizzled Skipper habitat at Waterford Heath. In the past two and a half weeks Herts & Middx Wildlife Trust in association with our branch of Butterfly Conservation have been doing a major piece of habitat restoration on the north section at Waterford Heath. An area that was once a stronghold for this rare butterfly had during Covid and after become overgrown with Italian alder, hawthorn, wild rose and dogwood that was too well rooted to clear to allow wild strawberry and cinquefoil (caterpillar foodplants) to recover. We agreed that drastic work was needed to clear this area, scrape off some of the topsoil and see if a major intervention can help this threatened butterfly. It all looks very muddy and messy and some roots remain despite the use of mechanical plant to extract roots. The scraped soil has been moved to a very barren area to create sheltered banks which we also hope will be beneficial to insect and plant populations on the heath. The first set of pictures show the area (about the size of two football pictures) before clearance and the second set below what it looks like at the end of the work. [Posted by Andrew Wood]
Brown Hairstreak eggs near Heathrow. After recording (on 13th August 2025) the first ever adult Brown Hairstreak to be found on the Heathrow River Colne Biodiversity Area (part of my local patch to the north of Stanwell Moor), I had arranged with the relevant team from LHR to join them for a winter BH egg hunt in the most likely part of the site. This is an east-facing hedgerow containing a fair bit of blackthorn, including some low suckering growth encroaching into the grassland. Over the course of a couple of hours between five of us we found eleven Brown Hairstreak eggs. This was an excellent result, and will have a direct bearing on how this bit of the site is managed in the future. [Posted by Dave Miller]
Red Admiral. Seen in a garden in Bishop's Stortford by Andy White [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Pale Brindled Beauty at Southgate. Male Pale Brindled Beauty at ASDA Southgate this afternoon - my first moth of the year! [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Butterfly artwork in Hatfield. If you go to Hatfield, visit the Queensway Subway in the Town Centre. Today the mayor of Hatfield, 'opened' the recently commisioned subway artshow to complement the existing mural. Features some lovely artwork by local painters of our Hertfordshire butterflies and well worth a visit. [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Butterflies of Southern Mexico - Ian Small. For those that missed the Zoom Presentation on the 21st January, it can now be viewed on YouTube. YouTube recording can be viewed here [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Millhoppers Reserve footbridge. I am pleased to inform everyone that the footbridge at the Millhoppers Reserve is open and ready to accept the feet of all lepidopterists and other like minded folk. A good job as we now have quite a bit of water flowing in the stream! Huge thanks to fellow warden Peter plus volunteers Len and Phil who helped me with constructing the ramps either side of the bridge. [Posted by Chris Hilling]
Ealing Beaver Project Brown Hairstreak egg hunt at Paradise Fields. I have now heard back from the co-ordinators of the egg hunt on 11th January and the final count was a phenomenal total of 242 eggs counted during the morning; 71 of the eggs were found in the 2nd year regrowth in the 'beaver coppice area'! [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Hedgerow Heroes. Volunteers from BC and CPRE Herts planting hedges on the Woodhall Estate north of Hertford today. The 15 species selected are all good for butterflies or moths, including Buckthorn for Brimstones, Elm for White-letter Hairstreak, Holly for Holly Blue and Blackthorn for Brown Hairstreak (ready for when it arrives in this area!). There’s another task at the same site at 10 am next Sunday 25th. Email james@cpreherts.org.Uk if you’d like to volunteer to help. All necessary tools and training provided [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Hibernating Peacocks. Today I carried out my first hibernating butterflies transect of the year. Five Peacocks all still dormant in my shed. One has acquired an unusual pale spot on the underwing. I’ve not seen this before and interested to know if anyone has an idea what may have caused it? [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Welsh Harp Brown Hairstreak egg hunt. The recent Brown Hairstreak egg hunt/survey at the Welsh Harp is reported as having found 59 eggs - a superb result Full report here [Posted by Liz Goodyear]
Branch Event- Brown Hairstreak Egg Hunt at Ruislip Gardens. -5c @ 8am on my garden thermometer so no surprise we had a few drop outs but the sun shone on the 6 that braved the cold which was to be a sunny pleasant social event along the 2+km loop passing various Brown Hairstreak master trees and clearings where the adults frequent. 28 eggs were found in total with everyone including the 3 first timers finding 2+ which was a reasonable count due to the blackthorn hedges having been cut back hard upto the Ickenham Marsh Reserve entrance, which we didn't venture to for the above reason. Nice that 2 eggs were found in an area of very heavy flailing. Egg picture courtesy of Dee. [Posted by Nick Furtek]
