Mon 4th August Trent Park 163 small heath & 19 small copper in 1hr, Covert Way new species for transect holly blue, common blue, small copper - R Callf
Broxbourne Wood NR 11.30-1.30pm, 1 white admiral, 1 ringlet, c5 purple hairstreaks. Cheshunt Park pm 1.5hrs, c90 small heath (two images below), 15 common blue, 5 small coppers - A Middleton

Sun 3rd August Sewardstone, 12.15-13.30: two clouded yellows, 82 painted ladies, 20 small tortoiseshells, c1,700 common blues...(estimate only, but there were considerably more than my 1,260 count at this site on 31 May.)   Enfield Lock, pm: 40 painted ladies spread over five buddleia bushes in Government Row - Martin Shepherd
St Albans area This afternoon I saw a Silver Washed Fritillary in a wood in the St Albans area.  I arrived 13.50 pm ~ I walked through one grassy clearing and into a second clearing at around 14.00 pm where the main vegetation is bracken.  The butterfly was gliding slowly round the clearing, pausing & perching on bracken with wings closed.  I got very good views & am positive it was not dark green.  No green on the underside & indistinct silvery lines on the underside hindwing.  I had a good deal of practice telling the species (& 20 other sorts of Fritillary) apart in Spain in June.  After 20 mins it flew off over the trees & I followed it to a second bracken-floored clearing 10 yards further on.  I the observed it for another 40 mins until approx 15.00 pm.  Behaviour was as before, flying up & down from one perch to the next, often landing in the same perch.  Any other butterfly or dragonfly entering the clearing was immediately intercepted & chased off.  He (presumably) was very aware of my presence & repeatedly flew straight towards me at head height veering away right at the last minute to pass only an inch or two above my hat.  This happened 15-20 times & was so close I could touch it, tho it never landed neare than 10 feet.  I then decided to kneel down to avoid attack & fortunately the butterfly settled closer.  The photos arent great, as it never landed with its wings open & I'll send on as soon as I can locate my downloading device. I searched a number of other clearings in the wood, but saw no other Frits - Malcolm Hull (SWF number four or five for Herts this summer)
Trent Park transect - Robert reports a staggering 118 small heaths (I couldn't find one on my 'best' site just over Essex border-AM). Also 1 brown argus, oak eggar - R Callf
Just over the border in Essex - Gilwell Park area - c90 painted ladies mostly flying SSW, 20 common blues Yates Meadow. 100+ common blues in a small area at Sewardstone LVP. A Middleton

Sat 2nd August Today in my garden N.W.Bishop's Stortford,   35+ Painted Lady, 5 Small Tortoishell, 2 Peacocks, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 1 Brimstone, 7 Gatekeeper,1 Holly Blue, 2 Meadow Brown,1 Speckled Wood, 7 Large White, 5 Small White.   Jim Fish.
Thundridge ~ I had 10 species on my buddleja today ~ painted lady, red admiral, small tortoiseshell, comma, peacock, meadow brown, gate keeper and all 3 whites. Best count was of 9 painted ladies together. My dad in Croft Road Ware has had 20 painted ladies on his buddleja today    Nick Sampford
Trent Park, clouded yellow south, 20 painted lady, 8 red admiral, 5 brown argus, 6 small copper - R Callf & R White
Honeylands, Waltham Abbey area, Essex 130 painted ladies SSW 10.30am-4.45pm plus 20 nectaring, female brimstone, 17 species butterfly. Brimsdown Middx 55 painted ladies mainly on buddleja, small heath, 15 small tortoiseshell - A Middleton
Weald, Essex, c120 painted ladies S/SW 11am to 16.30 + 30 nectaring - Colin Jupp

July 2003

Richard Revels's photo of a pair of Dark Green Frit. was taken on the joint field trip with Beds & Northants Branch to Sharpenhoe Clappers (Beds) on Sunday June 29th 2003. It was nice to hear, later in July, that as the DGFs dispersed from their Bedfordshire strongholds that some of them made their way towards the Herts border near Hexton. Dave Chandler

Thu 31th July - Sewardstone area, Lea Valley, c. 400 common blues counted in an hour in slightly less cloudy conditions - Andrew Middleton

Mon 28th July - Broxbourne Wood NR, 2 or 3 white admirals

Sun 27th July - Harold Crt & Tylers Common areas, Essex, brown argus, 50 painted ladies, 15 fresh small torts, 18 sp butterfly - Colin Jupp
Horsenden Hill - A rather tatty and late-ish White-letter Hairstreak today near Horsenden Farm was my first at the site for two weeks. Sixteen species recorded in about two hours in initially rather cool conditions: Red Admiral (1), Painted Lady (5), Small Tortoiseshell (5), Speckled Wood (4), Gatekeeper (74), Meadow Brown (ca. 200), Large Skipper (1), Small Skipper (2), Small Copper (1), Common Blue (4), Comma (1), Small White (1), Green-veined White (1), Large White (2), Small/Green-veined White (5), Purple Hairstreak (4). A bit off-topic, but yesterday I had a Kingfisher flycatching on one of the ponds at Horsenden. Does anyone know how normal this is? It had one go at a Black-tailed Skimmer, two goes at a large hoverfly and another swoop at an unidentified insect, all within a couple of minutes - Cheers, Andy Culshaw

Sun 27th July - Brimsdown/KGV Res area, Middx, 52 small tortoiseshells in thistle & nettle field (13 minutes count), c15 painted ladies, possible wall brown by reservoir but it didn't hang about for certain ID - Andrew Middleton

In last week - up to 10 wall browns at Rainham Marshes, Essex - Alan Bell

Sat 26th July - Trent Park, 45 small coppers plus 17 other species of butterfly on yesterday's walk - Robert Callf

Ken Rirsch led a Butterfly and Bird Walk at Jersey Farm Open Space in St Albans on 20th July.  This is Ken's report sent in by Malcolm Hull:  "A really good day spotting butterflies but the birds were not so forthcoming. Charlie our bird expert really struggled to spot anything feathered. The really promising feature of the day for me was the numbers of blue butterflies. Last year the best I saw was two in a day but this time we saw at least 20! We recorded 14 different species: Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Small White, Green veined white, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Marbled White, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Small skipper and Speckled Wood. The real treasures were the small copper and Brown Argus which I had not seen for two years on the park- Ken Rirsch"   Malcolm adds Brown Argus is a rare sight in St Albans District these days!

For details of the recently completed Purple Emperor project report,  click here

Thurs 24th July - Some good news I've had 2 wall browns in 2 different locations. Park Road, Ware on the grassy edges to the road just before the junction with Fanshawe Crescent on Tuesday and in Jewsons yard Hertford on Wednesday.  Both were sunning themselves for a few seconds before flying off.  Simon Rasch has had holly blue and painted lady in his Royston garden - Nick Sampford

Trent Park,  31 small coppers, 23 small heath, oak eggar moth - Robert Callf

Andrew Middleton and Marcel Ashby have both caught a Toadflax Brocade (see picture below) in their Middlesex (north London) gardens in the last few days. Colin Plant says "This is a very rare species confined to shingle beaches on the coast between the eastern tip of Kent and the Isle of Wight, with isolated records at Swanage and Portland. I seem also to recall an Essex coastal record? It is very rare inland and is certainly new for the Middlesex list. Presumably it was a wanderer or an immigrant?  Keep your eyes peeled when going through the catch tomorrow morning. Can we add it to the Hertfordshire list I wonder!!!"

Wed 23rd July - Some news from Horsenden Hill for last Saturday 19th July. Sorry for the late submission - our phone has been on the blink so no internet!  First of all I had a Marbled White again. This time it was on a new area (Batts Field) which is to the west of Horsenden Lane. I got an email from Neil Anderson saying he had two on 20th, both to the east of the site. Batts Field is also one of the preferred areas for White-letter hairstreak, although I saw none there on Saturday (they seem to have been early and not as easily seen this year). Other butterflies: Holly Blue (1), Green-veined White (8), Gatekeeper (197; counted in blocks of ten so pretty accurate. I covered most of the suitable habitat for this species in the area), Meadow Brown (not counted, more common than Gatekeeper), Purple Hairstreak (1), Small Skipper (6), Small Copper (3), Peacock (2), Painted Lady (9), Small White (2), Large Skipper (1, must've been more!), Comma (5), Large White (3). Outside the area on Sunday 20th at Warburg BBONT reserve, near Henley: Purple Emperor (1), Silver-washed Fritillary (2) - Andy Culshaw

Tues 22nd July - Sunday 20th July- Purple hairstreak in oak tree, and resting on bramble. Sewardstone Marsh 12.45 (see photo) - Simon Rawlinson

Haven't sent in anything for a while so I thought I might burden you with a few piccies and a sightings report form Aston Clinton Rag Pits (on Saturday 19th July, sorry its a bit late). I dropped in on the Rag Pits for half an hour, during a busy Saturday.  There were many insects on the wing enjoying the fine weather.  In the small amount of time that I spent there I managed to see what I was looking for.  Chalkhill Blues.  27 males and 4 females, all in mint condition.  It was interesting to watch the contrasting behavior of the two sexes.  The females, sitting low in the sward in between bouts of egg laying, the males fluttering tirelessly millimetres from the ground in search of females.  It amazes me how they manage to breed at all because I found more females than the males did!! Other butterflies on the wing were:- 1 Gatekeeper, 14 Ringlet, 12 Meadow Brown, 5 Marbled White (all very worn), 2 Large Skipper, 21 Small/Essex Skipper, 3 Large White, 2 Small White, 1 Brimstone,  2 second brood Common Blues, 2 Red Admiral, 3 Peacock, 1 Comma & 2 Painted Lady. Not bad in half an hour!! I took a couple of the photos today (Chalkhill Blue, Common blue and the roosting Painted Lady). The other Painted Lady photo was taken on the 19th - Allen Beechey (photos will be up later!)

Report from the Norfolk Branch on their visit to Therfield Heath (20th July). At Therfield the weather was really sunny and breezy. We enjoyed a great walk, full of butterflies, with several male Chalkhills and a fresh Brown Argus, though we couldn't find any Marbled Whites despite visiting several likely-looking spots - Pat Bonham 

Broxbourne Wood NR - Arrived just after 12 to find Andrew Middleton, Ian Woiwod and 2 work colleagues, watching at the favourite spot.  Ian had seen White Admiral and a possible Purple Emperor.  Within 5 minutes of my arrival we were treated to the sight of a male flying around above the seat.  It then settled on a sallow leaf for some seconds, allowing time for Ian to get a photo and then flew off towards the conifers.  A brief possible sighting about 10 minutes later and then we all left seeing another White Admiral on the way back to the carpark.  No sightings in Wormley Wood although one huge White Admiral tried to trick us! - Liz Goodyear and Andrew Middleton

In TL33 on Saturday 19th July. 1 Painted Lady, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, 3 Small Tort, 5 Gatekeeper, 5 Meadow Brown, 2 Large White, 5 Small White, 1 Comma, 1 GV White with 1 pair at Lyle End Farm, 1 Red Admiral and 5 Small White at Hyde Hall Farm, 1 Small Skipper and 10 Small White at Cave Bridge, and 1 Brimstone and 1 Comma at New Barn Throcking - Alan Reynolds

Mon 21st July - News from the 16th (sorry my mistake, Nick I did receive email but somehow it never got "put up" LG) been to Broxbourne this morning 10 to 1  Had 5 sightings of emperors.  12.04 male above sallows briefly, 12.05 male joined by female clashed briefly female seemed to chase male off and then laid 2 eggs in sallow opposite the bench on both occasions I see the abdomen point towards the sallow though I never actually see an egg, the eggs were roughly 6 foot apart she then flew off strongly down the ride. 12.07 male over the sallows, 12.09 male over the sallows, 12.11 male over sallows then up and down the ride it was as if it was looking for the female it clouded over at about 12.20 and rained we never see any more sightings. Spent 2 hours at fritillary site in poor weather [no sunshine] with out any luck also went to Therfield Heath for chalkhill blues with no luck either - Nick Sampford

Covert Way - latticed heath, 18 speckled woods, 20 gatekeepers - Robert Callf

Dark-green Fritillaries on the Pegsdon Hills are confirmed.  There was one there this afternoon and about 15.30 hrs along with lots of Chalkhill Blues, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns Small Skippers, some Common Blue, one Marbled White and Small Heath on the lower grassland. I did not go as far as Telegraph Hill today and all the butterflies seen were in the valleys and on the lower slopes - Nigel Agar

A bit quiet in my garden for butterflies so far this year but pleased to say that white admiral seen on and off for at least 1 hour on Saturday (19th) in my back garden backing onto Sherrardswood, Welwyn Garden City - favouring same area as one seen 2 years ago.  Also at least 1 painted lady feeding on buddleia for 2-3 hours - David James

Sun 20th July - Horsenden Hill,  leading a botany walk for London Nat Hist Soc up Hill today I was delighted to see 2 Marbled Whites, the 1st fairly inactive in same area as previous sighting + other above wood in long grass. Also seen 60+ Meadow Brown, 30+ Gatekeeper, 4 Speckled Wood, 6 Sm Skipper, 2 Painted Lady, 8 Red Admiral, 6 Peacock, 2 Comma, 5 G.v. White, 1 Sm Copper, 5 Common + 1 Holly Blue - Neil Anderson 

I did Val Fulforth's transect this morning on Telegraph Hill. Small Skipper 8, Essex Skipper 2, Brimstone 3, Large White 3, Small White 16, Sm/GV White  7,Common blue 2, Chalk Hill Blue 8, Small Tort 1, Comma 3, Marbled White 4, Gatekeeper 23, Meadow Brown 15, Ringlet 11.  Outside the transect area Painted Lady and Small Heath both on Pegsdon Hills, Beds. - Nigel Agar

Broxbourne Wood NR, joint field trip with the Norfolk Branch.  We were joined by 12 members of the Norfolk Branch today (although I believe one lady was an Essex member).  Unfortunately, the Purple Emperor did not co-operate and there were only about 6 fleeting glimpses and then unfortunately not everyone present was lucky enough to see them.  However, White Admiral were still showing well and thanks to Dave Watson, several present were able to observe a very sedentary Purple Hairstreak through his "scope" feeding on honey dew.  Dave Chandler was thrilled to see his first ever Purple Emperor if only briefly.  The Norfolk Branch were returning home via Therfield Heath and I hope to hear later how many Chalkhill Blues they saw and whether they found another target species; Marbled White - news via Liz Goodyear

Sat 19th July - Government Row, Enfield Lock: painted lady, peacock, small tortoiseshell, red admiral, and comma visited buddleia bush in the garden this afternoon - Martin Shepherd

Trent Park 34 small coppers in 1.5hrs, 15 small heath, 160 meadow brown, 53 gatekeepers, 8 common blues - Robert Callf

Berkhamsted Common (B) & Ashridge Park (A): 18 butterfly spp including Purple Hairstreak (A & B), Small Copper (2 at B), Marbled White (A), Common Blue (A) & Ringlet (B). Red Admiral, Comma & worker Hornet all on sap run at B - Colin Everett

Broxbourne NR, several observers from 11amish, 3 brief sightings of Purple Emperor over sallows,  12.55, 2.25 and 2.40. Also 3-5 white admirals seen, and one red admiral landed on Jeremy Gaskell for about 30 minutes or more - news via Andrew Middleton

Swarms of Purple Hairstreaks arround oaks, Coppetts Wood 19.30 this evening - Tony Clancy

Bishops Stortford garden, 1 Painted Lady - Andrew Hardacre

Had a second Small Ranunculus last night 18th July in Ponders End after one one 11th June.  Both were very fresh - Andrew Middleton

Fri 18th July - Broxbourne woods 12.05 White admiral on wooden seat - on ride, running west & parallel to emperor ride (near pond). 12.30 Red Admiral near log pile, just down from West car park - Les Borg

Bramfield Park Wood  - 18 species including 3 White Admiral, Brimstone and Common Blue - Andrew Middleton

Female Purple Emperor see at 1.50 on Tuesday 15 July at Broxbourne Woods flying up path past bench at eyelevel then into trees  - Tony Clancy

Wed 16th July - Robert Callf saw his first ever hummingbird hawk-moth on buddleja outside his Southgate residence today

Diane Andrews rang to say her husband, Richard went to Broxbourne Woods today, he left the Reserve (not necessarily intentionally) and between 11.30 and 12 observed a male Purple Emperor grounded on a damp patch of the track he was walking along.  Later he saw a female around sallows in the Reserve

Some observations from Commonswood this morning between 11.30 and 12.30: 3 Comma, 4 Common blues, 2 Red Admirals, several Gatekeepers - 2 of which were mating, several Essex skippers, several Large Whites, 2 Green veined whites. Numerous Meadow Browns - Les Borg

Ermine Street north of Goose Green, before it rained, I went to see whether I could find Kevin and Sandra Standbridge's sap run.  With help of their instructions, I found it about 10.50 and first noticed 2 Red Admirals.  Then at 11 o'clock, the most worn Purple Emperor I have ever seen flew in and settled on the tree (I couldn't tell the sex, not helped by the sun being in my eyes most of the time).  I watched the tree, and every now and then it flew out and re-positioned itself.  I tried to take a photo but was unsuccessful and then to video it.  At this point it flew out and I was unable to see whether it returned.  It was there for at least 45 minutes just like the other day - Liz Goodyear

Tues 15th July - We had 2 Dark Green Fritillaries at Pegsdon Hills on Thursday 10 July. The first I've actually seen on site -  Andy Fleckney (news via Beds & Northants Branch)  Dave Chandler comments the grid reference was "within a mere 100 metres of the Herts border at Noon Hill, Hexton"

Marbled White, 1 at St. Ippollyts Electricity Transformer Station at 2045 - habitat seems suitable for larger numbers - David Russell

I just heard from Rachel Terry that she also had a Marbled White on her Horsenden transect on Saturday 12th - presumably the same one I had. Even more interesting, one of the green keepers reported a White Admiral at Horsenden Hill Golf Course, very close to the spot where I had a 'probable' high overhead on 22nd June. I've yet to get the precise details on this one - Andy Culshaw

Derry's Wood (south of Wormley Wood):  Purple emperor found at 12.28 at south end of Derry's Wood at the edge of a clearing with oak and sallow.  The butterfly - I think it was a male but no close views - was on sallow and flew south.  It then reappeared at 12.45 and landed on oak, and flew north and out of sight at 12.50.   Also white admiral, two purple hairstreaks, and several ringlets and red admirals - Martin Shepherd

On Sunday, I received the following email and rang John Murray immediately.  He has been in touch and there is a photo. My wife and I saw a Large Tortoiseshell in our garden today - Sunday 13th July, at lunchtime.   Never having seen this butterfly before in 60 years, it reappeared in the early evening, sunning itself on the patio wall.  How unusual is this sighting?  We live in Gustardwood, near Wheathampstead  - David Eberstein

We visited Tring Park for the first time during the Purple Emperor flight period today (previous visits limited to habitat observations in winter).  Eventually we were rewarded with the sight of Purple Emperor flying up the escarpment and then flying off down the hillside again.  However, the prize sighting went to a Silver-Washed Fritillary (its getting a bit of habit) on bramble.  Unfortunately Brian Jessop wasn't able to meet us on site, but we stopped by at his workplace on the way home to tell him.  Needless to say he was going to go there after work  - Liz Goodyear and Andrew Middleton

I didn't see the full significance of the Ringlet observation at Ally Pally (see Saturday 12th). Have a look at what Colin Plant says about the species' status as a London insect. It's a good year for them but normally you wouldn't expect to see them much nearer to St Paul's than Broxbourne.  Difficult morning at Broxbourne today nothing seen. Lack of fresh dog pooh to blame? Also W-letter Hairstreak at Brickendon Green, unfazed by stiffening breeze, appeared to be ovipositing - Jeremy Gaskell

Bricket Wood transect 103 butterflies of 17 spp including 1 White Admiral, 2 Purple Hairstreaks, 2 Marbled Whites, 2 Peacocks (1st of new brood), 1 Common Blue and 1 Ringlet. A male RED-TIPPED CLEARWING moth to a combination pheromone lure among osiers and mixed willows by river Colne at Otterspool (Aldenham) at 3.34 pm. Local experience shows that many sites with osier have this overlooked species - Colin.Everett

Thought you might both be interested in another Middlesex record of Small Ranunculus Hecatera dysodea. I've just been brought one that had flown in to someone's lounge in Hounslow on Sunday, 13 July (Pat Haynes via MRH) - Martin Honey

Mon 14th July - Here's today's sightings from Broxbourne Wood. Purple emperor @ 1pm, 1,40pm, 2.30pm & 3pm. White admirals - several sightings between 10.15am & 4pm - now looking a bit tatty. Red admirals - just 2 sightings all day, 1 @ 11.40am & another @ 1.50pm - Les Borg

Nick Sampford has just rung to say, he is pretty sure he has just seen a Silver-washed Fritillary/Fritillary in the same wood, north of Ware, where he had a sighting last year.  The wood is full of violets. Also seen in this wood was a White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak.  Here is his report: 
After recent sightings with purple emperor I was expecting a bit of a quiet time locally and I decided to look at woods local (North of Ware) to me for any purple emperor activity.  I have access to some local woods which are strictly private and this is where I looked. I found a white admiral and many purple hairstreaks in the first area I looked  and was well pleased as I don't think white admiral has been recorded in this place before. I moved to the second place where I wanted to look and watched a heron fly low across a field between me and the wood. That's when I noticed a large orange insect flying along the edge of the wood -  I watched fly fast and purposely along the wood for at least 100 yards,  it looked like a fritillary but oak eager couldn't be ruled out as I was watching at 100 yard range it was lost to view after about a minute. 5 minutes later it was there again flying again fast this time up and down the trees it clashed twice with large whites and chased one and was lost to view again this time I had it in view for a good 2 minutes. I had to wait a further 12 minutes before I saw it again it was like it was patrolling the edge of the wood it was in view for a further 2 minutes before it disappeared again.  I was quite excited by now as I feel a oak eager wouldn't clash and drive off a large white - this is fritillary behaviour. 10 minutes later and what i can describe as the best sighting was of 2 fritillaries the bright orange one was circling what seemed to be a darker one [female ] I watched them for 1/2 minutes until they seemed to disappear into the wood. I waited another 40 minutes with out anymore sightings  I had to leave to do the school run and returned at 5.45 with Angela and Tom. We were there for about 2 minutes when a fritillary species flew past us at 25 yard range it was flying with the strong wind behind it and was so fast no positive id could be gained. We also had another 4 very distant sightings one of which clashed with and dwarfed a comma.  The nature of the site is very private and little has changed in the last 50 years when my Dad was a boy they do not seem to use pesticides as the fields are full of flowers in spring the woods are managed for pheasant shooting and have good growth of violets. Today's sightings are with in view of the area where I see a fritillary last year  - I will return tomorrow  - Nick Sampford The way Nick describes the flight and attitude to other butterflies is identical to that seen last Thursday in Essex by LG & AM when we had our Silver Washed sighting

News from Tring Park - Brian Jessop had 5 sightings of Purple Emperor on Saturday and Philip Woodward saw one on Saturday and one last Thursday

News from Horsenden Hill for Sunday 13th July: Speckled Wood (15), Meadow Brown (abundant), Small White (1) Large Skipper (12), Gatekeeper (140+), Green-veined White (14), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Purple Hairstreak (2), Holly Blue (1), Large White (5), Red Admiral (4), Small Skipper (17), Essex Skipper (1; netted and released), White-letter Hairstreak (3), Comma (5), Small Copper (5), Common Blue (1) - Andy Culshaw

Sun 13th July - News from Broxbourne Wood, we see 5 sightings of purple emperor in 4 hours it was a lot slower than yesterday I decided to count every butterfly I see so here goes: purple emperor - 10.21 male ? very brief view over sallow, 11.01 male over sallow, 11.20 male over sallow and along ride towards car park, 11.22 female high over oak and sallow oposite the bench it was much larger than the male we had just seen, 12.25 male flew low up the ride towards the car park watched for a godd minute and a half but never landed. Stayed 10 till 2 o'clock but no more sightings. Also  seen: peacock 1, small tortoiseshell 1, red admiral 12, white admiral  18, comma 11, meadow brown 117, ringlet 52, gatekeeper 18, essex skipper  25, small skipper  17, large skipper  3, unidentified skipper 65, small white 29, green veined white 13, large white 35, unidentified whites  48, purple hairstreak 23 - 16 species in total - Nick Sampford

Today we walked around Balls Wood and saw 3 White Admirals and large numbers of Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and Skippers large and small. We then walked towards Goose Green on Ermine Road, halfway between Elbow Lane Farm and Goose Green, we spotted a White Letter Hairstreak on the right hand side. Then about a hundred yards on the left, we spotted various butterflies feeding on sap about 25 feet up on an Oak tree. 3 Red Admirals, 3 Commas, 1 Speckled Wood and a PURPLE EMPEROR (unable to id sex). It stayed on sap for at least 45mins from 11.30am. We left to get scope to take photos however on our return an hour later it had gone. The other butterflies were still there, it could therefore be a regular sap sight. Very enjoyable day loads to see little owl, thrushes blackcap, dragonflies etc. We also had a Male Brimstone in our garden today at Hertford Heath - Kevin and Sandra Standbridge

We have had a report that a Purple Emperor was seen today in Wormley Wood by Brian Dawton

9 July 2003, Therfield Heath: four marbled whites in warm, humid conditions seen between 13.00 and 14.00 on grassy slopes approaching the hilltop beechwood west of the car-park - Martin Shepherd

Yesterday, Saturday 12th July, 11.30  -  12.30  near Alexandra Palace: single White-letter Hairstreak and 1-3 Ringlet (identified in flight and but also seen settled). It sounded a very good day at Broxbourne yesterday - Jeremy Gaskell

Sat 12th July - News from Horsenden, a brief walk this AM resulted in my first Marbled White for the site just south of the summit of the hill. Long expected after the recent records from Brent Res and (last year) Greenford Country Park (and there are several older records from Horsenden itself). It was rather small and so was presumably a wandering male. Also today Small Copper (1), Red Admiral (1), Speckled Wood (4), Gatekeeper (abundant), Meadow Brown (abundant), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Large White (2), Small White (1), Purple Hairstreak (6) [didn't have time to check the best spots for White-letter]. Of interest nearby 6 Slow Worms in the composter in my back garden (a joint site high!) - Andy Culshaw

More news from Broxbourne, Malcolm Hull, Andrew Middleton, Robert Callf and Kevin & Sandra Standbridge were treated to the sight of a male Purple Emperor at a probable sap flow in the late afternoon and a Marbled White

I visited a couple of sites on the edge of Hertford today. Firstly the old cricket pitch area at Goldings now long grass, and creeping thistle in the main and saw: from about 10:30 to 10:45, 30 Small.Essex skippers of which one was definitely and Essex, 1 Large Skipper, 20 Meadow Brown, 24 Gatekeeper, 1 painted lady, 1 red Admiral, 2 Ringlet, 1 Small White, 3 Small Copper, 1 Common Blue, 2 Comma, 1 large White. Then on to Archer's Spring which was to be a Sports Centre but the contractors removed the topsoil and then left, so we have a classic brownfield site right next to Sele farm housing estate. There are short grass areas maintained by scrambling and rabbit grazing bare soil, some areas of long grass an masses of creeping thistle, ragwort, buddleia, bramble and goats rue. There are also so good lengths of elm and oak hedge. Here between 11:10 and 11:45 there were 3 Green-veined Whites, 4 Small whites, 6 Large whites, 6 Commas, 5 red Admirals, 5 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 fresh summer brood Peacock (first I have seen this year), 2 Small Copper, 1 Common Blue, 1 Purple hairstreak, 2 painted lady, 12 Ringlets and well over 100 of each of Small/Essex Skipper, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown (I gave up counting). Disappointingly no White Letter hairstreaks. Also 20 burnt out cars, all of which looked as if they had been there some time - Andrew Wood

Broxbourne Wood Nature Reserve, joint field trip with Countryside Management Service.  At one point over 30 people gathered around the seat half way down the main ride.  Many were rewarded with several sightings of a male Purple Emperor patrolling the sallows and  even better when it landed on the ground.  A female was also seen along the ride and appeared to be egg laying.  Other butterflies included several White Admiral, a male Brimstone and a Small Copper.  Diane Andrews also reported that on Wednesday with Jeremy Gaskell they had seen a Marbled White near Brickendon  - many observers (if any one present would like to add to this report please send me an email - LG)

Far less exciting but in my Ware garden on my return, a fresh Peacock and Large Skipper and later I found a Speckled Wood in the downstairs toilet ! - Liz Goodyear

I saw a butterfly in the garden (on an ornamental poppy, don't ask me what sort) this afternoon.  I tentatively ID'd it as Large Skipper.  Does this sound OK for a Bishps Stortford garden? (confirmed) - Andrew Hardacre

More news of sightings from Broxbourne Wood NR, the purple emperor sighting yesterday (11.7.03)  Les Borg was photographing it (a male) at about 12.05 pm as it sat on the path in the dip where the brook goes under the main ride (just west of where we were standing this afternoon.)  A couple reported seeing a female purple emperor in the forest ride behind where we were standing (that was yesterday). Other butterflies seen along the main ride yesterday were gatekeeper, ringlet, speckled wood, meadow brown, small skipper, large white, green-veined white, comma, red admiral, painted lady, white admiral (at least 8 sightings).  Today, while I stood by the brook in the dip, I had 3 white admirals circling around me. Yesterday, at about 12.20pm Les Borg returned to the car park for his lunch and was told that a purple emperor had been perched on his car feeding on squashed insects.  I thought they could only suck.  Maybe it was sucking up juices.  An interesting observation? - June Crew and the Cheshunt Natural History Society Field Trip

Fri 11th July - Sightings for Broxbourne woods: Purple emperor - several sightings during the day from - the first at 12.08 1 male on ground near the lowest point on the ride. approx 1.30. Further sightings of flying emperors up to 3.30pm. A couple in the car park reported a male settling on car bonnets, possibly to feed from fly squash. One of the cars was mine. White admirals - at least 4 individuals seen during the day and Red admirals as well. Purple hairstreak spotted by Nigel Taylor along the same ride. Four commas also seen - Les Borg On a sour note, I accidentally left my binoculars somewhere in the wood on Thursday afternoon. They are a pair of Green, Kowa, 8 x 45 with a black strap. I can be contacted on 01438 717841 (there is a reward) 

Broxbourne Woods pm, 4 sightings of Purple Emperors from West car park [1 male sighting in Sallows, 2 females also],  1 fresh female gave superb views with open wings on pine trunk below bench - Tony Clancy

Broxbourne Woods,  male Purple Emperor towards bottom of main track from West Car Park at 12.08pm. Female seen at 1.10pm, ten yards up from bottom of track. Also purple hairstreak, four commas, eight + white admirals, gatekeeper, small skipper, red admirals, ringlets, large white, small white, brown hawker and southern hawker dragonflies and probable broad bodied chaser - Nigel Taylor 

A Hummingbird Hawk-moth visited the hanging flower baskets of the Old Crown pub in Great Hadham at 19.00 this evening. A pleasant distraction from my very pleasant pint of Adnams! - Murray Orchard

Hummingbird Hawk-moth seen in Walkern, again. This time feeding on geraniums...might be the same one....on the other hand it might not! - Jeff Davies

Thurs 10th July - Broxbourne Woods, brilliant view of an egg-laying female Purple Emperor in Brox woods this afternoon. On sallow by the path just down from the west car park. Also White Admiral and a Comma near the seat and barricade at the end of the first sector of the woods - Nigel Agar

Broxbourne Woods, I've found the area, thanks to a gentleman who I believe is a member of the butterfly society. He pointed out an emperor for me, but it was too high up to photograph. The count was:- 3 White Admirals, 1 Purple Emperor, 3 Comma, 3 Red Admirals and c20 Meadow Browns - Les Borg

I thought you would like to have another record of the sighting of Purple Emperor at Broxbourne Woods today, the 10 July, at 12.05 for about half an hour, along the main ride from the west car park.   On the muddy strip for about 15 mins then flying and settling on horse droppings for the rest of the time. Several White Admirals also seen -  Iris Newbery

Went out of county today and visited a private wood, "over the border" in Essex.  Didn't find what we were looking for, but the wood was heaving with Commas but then suddenly amongst them, we saw a male Silver-washed Fritillary acting extremely territorially over brambles - Andrew Middleton and Liz Goodyear

Showed a friend some of the faunal + floral delights of Horsenden Hill this pm (9th July) + 1 of highlights was my 1st ever sighting of Marbled White for the site. I know in recent years they have been appearing in new sites in London; I've recorded them at Runnymede, Wimbledon Common + Richmond Park in recent years but it was satisfying to see 1 on my doorstep! Few vanessids today- just 1 Comma + a large dark butterfly (probably Red Admiral /Peacock) which rapidly flew over at height; I suspect it was former sp. as I've not seen any new emergents of latter yet. Also: Meadow Brown -abundant, Gatekeeper -40+, Speckled Wood- 8, Large Skipper- 4 Small Skipper- 40+ (no Essex found on examining 10+ settled on plants) Holly Blue- 2, White Letter H- 2/3 - Neil Anderson

Wed 9th July - Chalk-hill Blues and Marbled Whites both active at Hexton Chalk Pits this afternoon  - Nigel Agar

We arrived at Broxbourne around 9.30 and walked down the ride from west car park where we met Dave [the school teacher]at the bench there were many commoner butterflies about and we soon see a odd white admiral fly past. There was some fresh dogs muck and horse muck on the ride. At about 10.20 Angela  noticed a butterfly around the tall sallow when it finally showed to all of us we agreed it was a purple emperor  it flew over the sallows and was lost to view, we waited for a few minutes and Angela decided to walk down the ride at about 10.25 just before the damp area she noticed a large dark butterfly on the path and called me and Dave to come see it. Angela shouted its a male emperor I think when we got there we were giving amazing views of a male emperor feed on the ground I took about 10 photos of it head on when it flew up the track towards the bench it settled again on the ground 10 foot in front of me allowing me to take more photos.  Again it decided to fly again this time high over our heads and along the track directly behind the bench Angela  followed it and found it again on the ground  until 10.40 where it flew up the track back towards the bench and high over it  and it was lost to view. Angela walked down the ride to where it was first to see it had returned and by a amazing bit of luck it had it showed there for 2 minutes and flew slowly up the track stopping every now and then as if posing for photos I was having problems with low shutter speeds and missed a few great shots it continued up the to about 30 yards past the bench when it decided to turn tail and fly back down the track where it stop on some old dogs muck at 10.47 it stayed in the same position until 11.02 when it flew slowly off down the track stop for a few seconds approx every 5 yards me and Dave followed it through the damp patch and along the ride it disappeared in to the wood at 11.09 and wasn't seen again. What a brilliant sighting I knew sitting and wait at the bench would pay off in the end the times are exact due to my camera recording the time of each shot I have allowed 2 minutes for me getting to the butterfly from when Angela called it and 5 minutes the time it took me to walk from where I last see it to the bench in total it was in constant view for 49 minutes. In total I took 267 photos  but many were slightly out of focus due to low light/shutter speed but I've attached what I feel represent the best shots - Nick Sampford

Just a quick note on today's joint field trip with Surrey branch at Bookham Common:- well, it did exactly what it said on the tin! Very hot, humid, mostly sunny conditions saw many, many Silver-washed Fritillaries and slightly less White Admirals giving good, occasionally excellent, views to a group of c.30 people, including someone who got up at 5.30 in the morning to do a day-trip from Chester! Post-lunch saw extended views of three, probably four, male Purple Emperors patrolling the canopy and giving superb views perched on the end of the topmost twigs of the master tree. Unfortunately, they could not be tempted down to a lower level - lucky Nick Sampford! -  Keir Mottram

This may seem hard to believe, but I was sitting at my desk in Welwyn Garden City this afternoon and something caught my eye as it flew past the window - it was unmistakably a White Admiral.  I saw it repeatedly over about a 30-minute period (4.00 - 4.30 pm).  My office is on the first floor and looks out over an enclosed courtyard which has a few shrubs and small trees - the butterfly was flying around happily and then resting on the foliage - whilst I could look down on it from above.  The wing pattern and flight are unmistakable. I cannot think where it might have come from.  The office is right in the centre of Welwyn, about 300 m from the train station.  I can't imagine how many miles this is from its nearest known colony.  Very warm day, but no wind to speak of which could have blown it in from anywhere - it obviously came of its own accord - Ian Small

Broxbourne Wood Reserve, Nick Sampford had a male Purple Emperor grounded for nearly ?30 minutes today, enjoying the delights of some "dog muck!" - he took about 300 photos, watch this space for the best shot LG

Saved a painted lady from an untimely end at Liverpool Street station. Having found a fresh individual on the steps on the way out of the station I carefully picked it up to save it from being squashed by the hoards of commuters. Having reached nearby Finsbury circus it was duly released on to the flowering heliotrope. It was last seen enjoying the facilities. Also seen this morning: Meadow brown (4), small white (1) and large White(1), flying in grasses just outside Drayton Park (North London) railway sidings. - one of the few joys of rail delay - Phil MacMurdie

Tues 8th July - Broxbourne Wood Reserve, 1 purple emperor 1.50 [female] lots of still fresh looking white admirals + smaller numbers than normal of all 3 skippers and whites ringlet meadow brown gatekeeper no commas but there wasnt any sun yesterday - Nick Sampford

There were around 40 male and 4 female chalkhill blues at Hexton this afternoon - two females were coupled with males. 
Two pairs large whites also coupled. Meadow browns also seen - about ten - Les Borg

Wormley Wood (south side) 7 White Admiral (3 in one clearing, 4 in another clearing), loads of Ringlet, also Red Admiral, Comma, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Green-veined White and Large Whites - Liz Goodyear and Andrew Middleton

Sunday 6 July, Ickleford  - 1/2 Marbled White. Small White. Oughtonhead, 1 Marbled White.2 Gatekeeper.1 Red Admiral. Also
Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Comma, Meadow  Brown, Ringlet, Small Tortoiseshell, Green Veined White. I do not know if Marbled White are regular at these sites but I cannot remember reading of them there - Dave Cording

Mon 7th July - On Sunday 6th July, Kathryn and I went up to Tring Park for a look around.  During the course of our walk we saw 100+ Ringlets, 70+ Marbled Whites, 15 Meadow Brown, 2 Small Heath, 5 Speckled Wood,  40+ Small Skipper (I checked several to see if there were any Essex Skipper amongst them but to no avail), 7 Large Skipper, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Comma (one egg laying), 1 Painted Lady and finally almost at the end our walk, 2 Purple Emperors (probably males).  Unfortunately ever so slightly out of range of my camera!!  However I did take a couple of photos of some more approachable specimens - Allen Beechey & Kathryn Graves

Trent Park area (yesterday), 4 small copper, 25 small heath, 2 oak eggars, - new fields area, 7 ringlets, 12 comma.  Today, 2 marbled whites, 9 fresh painted ladies - Robert Callf and Robin White

Rare sighting of a marbled white next to labs at Rothamsted this lunch time, presumably a wanderer from the cutting on the Redbourn Road. 30+ male chalkhill blues were seen this afternoon at Hexton Chalk Pit but only a single female. Dark green fritillaries still very plentiful over the Beds border at Sharpenhoe. If anyone wants to be certain of seeing one that's the place, probably the best site for it in UK at the moment -  Ian Woiwod

Took a walk down the lane by Norton Green this lunchtime. Having watched what were presumably a couple of Purple Hairstreaks flitting around the oak canopies, I went into the flower meadow. The mowing the other year obviously did it the world of good as it is now a blaze of colour with Lady's and Marsh Bedstraw, Yellow Meadow Vetchling, Marsh Thistle and plenty of Knapweed still to flower. As is normal for this meadow, Ringlets were abundant (100+), with Meadow Browns a very poor second. There were also a few remaining Large Skippers, being replaced by dozens of Small Skippers and the first flush of Gatekeepers. However, the highlight of my lunch-hour was my target species, a Marbled White - Alan Reynolds

Broxbourne Wood Nature Reserve, both male and female Purple Emperor observed today - various recorders

Sun 6th July - Today's excursion into TL43 produced 1 Small Skipper, 1 Ringlet, 4 Meadow Brown and 1 Gatekeeper at Old Manor Farm, Sharpenhoe End, 2 Small Skipper, 2 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlet, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Large White, 1 Small White and 4 Large Skipper at New Lake West, 5 Small White, 2 Gatekeeper, 1 Painted Lady, 10 Meadow Brown, 10 Ringlet and 2 Large Skipper at New Lake East, 4 Ringlet at Puttocks End Cottages, and 1 Gatekeeper, 5 Ringlet and 2 Small White at Brent Pelham Hall - Alan Reynolds

The insect in the photo is Urocerus gigas, a Hymenopteran related to the sawflies and variously referred to as the Horntail or Giant Wood Wasp. It is entirely harmless and should be present in most Herts woods with some conifers - Colin Everett

A warm afternoon for a walk around Maple Cross. Plenty to see. Evidence of small tortoiseshell caterpillars in abundance and also some peacocks too. Butterfly sightings as follows - 18 small tortoiseshells, 7 small skippers (or maybe Essex!) 9 meadow browns, 7 large whites and 2 small whites, 1 comma, 1 red admiral and 1 marbled white. Earlier today I saw a comma egg laying on nettle just outside the house! I'm surprised I have not seen any peacock butterflies in view of the numbers of caterpillars around - Ann Piper

Ware garden, very few butterflies visiting the garden at the moment, but just had a garden first - a Ringlet - Liz Goodyear

Nice to get White letter-Hairstreak and Purple Hairstreak in the Highdown area today - Stuart Pittman

Broxbourne Wood Nature Reserve, had first female purple emperor over the sallows along the ride from the carpark yesterday at 1.55 in no sunlight  there were many white admirals [20+] sightings and lots of small & large skippers, meadow browns and ringlets and a hornety looking thing which landed on my shoulder - Nick Sampford  I understand it gave Nick a fright (slight understatement) 

Sat 5th July - Thundridge garden, I have had a hummingbird hawk moth in my garden on lavender twice this week once on Monday and again yesterday - Nick Sampford

Fri 4th July - On Friday afternoon at Kings Mead, 11 Meadow Brown, 4 Red Admiral, 14 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Large White, 1 Ringlet, 1
Comma, 5 Large Skipper and a pair of GV White mating - Alan Reynolds

Did my Balls Wood transect in mainly dull but warm weather today. The total of 434 in 45 minutes which was the highest in 8 years of walking this route. However 301 were Ringlets. Just one White Admiral, a Small Tortoiseshell and numbers of Comma, Meadow Brown, Large, Small and Essex Skippers - Andrew Wood

The insect I had on 16th June (or another) returned on 28 June. I again saw it in our back garden in Puckeridge feeding, as before, on white campion. It appeared twice at about 18.30 and then at 20.15. On each occasion it spent several minutes feeding and I was able to watch it extremely closely, noting the yellow hindwings, grey body with black and white pattern on the rear and the huge proboscis. The noticeable eyes made it look even more like a hummingbird! - Murray Orchard

Not much news from The Chase this week as its been rather damp. Lots of small/essex skippers around. Also Red Admiral caterpillars are out, I saw them on Wednesday - Tom Clarke

Wed 2nd July - On my farm walk today in Maple Cross I saw 8 different species :- 20 tortoiseshells, many flying as pairs, 10 meadow browns, 2 commas, 5 skippers (small) 7 large whites and 3 small whites, 1 red admiral and my first sighting of a marbled white. It was hot and rather humid - Ann Piper

Robert Callf reported seeing up to 18 Commas recently

Tues 1st July - Saturday Trent Park area, 1 gatekeeper, 10 ringlets. Recently up to 1 commas, several white letter hairstreaks over elms opposite Oakwood tube plus one around a flowering elm tree - Robert Callf & Robin White

June 2003

Mon 30th June - (Some of Nick's news was "lost in transet") 29th June, Broxbourne woods  from east car park [10.30 to 1.30], white admiral [12 sightings ], purple hairstreaks [10], ringlets[12], meadow brown [60+], large skipper[20], comma [3], small skipper, small white, large white, holly blue, red admiral, speckled wood, 4 species of dragonfly. No sign of purple emperor along sallows but did  watch for a hour or so female white admirals laying flat on the sallow branches waiting for males to come along the males were flying ve