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Sightings and news from July to December 2011

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This page contains sightings details of all the butterflies and moths reported to the  Sightings page between July and December 2011.

Note: These pages have been copied from the original sightings page and some links will no longer work. All images of butterflies or moths have been removed, but most can be found in the Photo House

December 2011

Thursday 22nd December 2011
I was rather surprised to see a female Brimstone sunning itself at 13.45 today near Therfield - Rupert Pyrah

News via Robert Callf, a Red Admiral seen by Robin White in Trent Park today at 12.40

Tuesday 20th December 2011
I spotted a Red Admiral in my back garden in Stevenage on 20th December. Never seen a butterfly in winter before! - Michelle

Saturday 10th December 2011
One Red Admiral moving around the Enfield garden today - Andrew Middleton

One red admiral sunning its self in a front garden of Cornwall Road St.Albans close to some still flowering red valerian - Richard Geary

Friday 9th December - nearly forgot to report I was surprised to see a faded Small Tortoiseshell fluttering over drive between our & neighbour's Hatfield house at 10.00hrs in bright sunshine over frost-covered car. Possibly disturbed by contractor working next door. This is my latest ever record. John Moss

November 2011

Sunday 27th November 2011
A Red admiral in my garden in Stocking Pelham today (Sunday 27th) valiantly struggling against the wind! Andy Brown

Friday 25th November 2011
In our back garden in St. Albans on Saturday 19th November I saw a Comma basking on our bay tree in a sunny patch, and later I'm 90% sure a single Holly Blue (confirmed by Andrew Wood) higher up on the same tree. No photos I'm afraid! - Nathan Budd

2 sightings for you from Saturday 19th November. Both at Wareside 1 red admiral on ivy flowers and one peacock, flying around our back garden - Phil MacMurdie

Sunday 20th November 2011
1 Red Admiral here in the field behind my house (in Tring) just after lunchtime today (20.11.11). It was moving south west but without any great determination, however this was pretty much against the S wind - Liz Goodyear

One red admiral in the Warren, Hartham Common this afternoon (Sunday 20th)- Andrew Wood

Saturday 19th November 2011
I took a walk at lunchtime around my patch just west of Heathrow. It was beautifuly sunny, barely a breeze, and probably around 13 degrees or so. I fully expected to see a Red Admiral, and was not disappointed. By the River Colne, I found three altogether, two of them behaving territorially and basking in the sun, and the third flying vigorously towards the sun at low tree-top height. The first two obliged with photos, and both were well worn. Their tattered wings and thin nearly furless bodies mean (I guess) that come the end of this prolonged warm spell, they are unlikely to survive. There is still nectar around, but they seemed uninterested in the remaining ivy and bramble flowers. Moving on to the more open area next to the M25 and Junction 14, a flash of white caught my eye. A female Brimstone, perhaps. However, it passed close enogh to see that it was too small, too white and possessed black markings. It promptly disappeared. Then, by complete chance, ten minutes later and a few hundred metres away on the edge of a bit of woodland, I spotted something identical - and it chose to settle. The butterfly revealed itself to be a female Green-veined White. It looked quite new - one hindwing showed a little damage, probably from brambles, but otherwise a lovely dusky late season example. I have to say I have never before seen a Green-veined White in November; I can only imagine that its chrysalis was tucked away in a particularly warm spot, and whatever normally triggers dormancy until spring failed to kick in (or the spring trigger activated prematurely). Anyway, to mutilate the well-worn cliche still further, the fat lady is still warbling, but it's a very unusual tune...
Link to UK Butterflies and the photo of the Green-veined white
- Dave Miller

Ware garden, 1 Red Admiral - Liz Goodyear

Thursday 17th November 2011
A faded, and relatively small, Red Admiral on the wing at 1354, Stevenage, junction of Sish Lane and Trinity Road. Sunny but not really warm enough, perhaps explaining its unusually rapid flight. - Stefan Hunt

Tuesday 15th November 2011
At 13.45 Almond Hill School, Stevenage Old Town. 1 Red Admiral on Tobacco plant. 14.30 Field behind St Nicks church 1 male Vapourer moth on the wing- Lee Browne

Sunday 13th November 2011
A Red Admiral in my garden in Stocking Pelham sunning itself - Andy Brown

A very active red admiral in the garden this morning, Marshallswick, St Albans - Richard Geary

Red Admiral in the garden yesterday in Hitchin - Nigel Agar

Today (Sunday) 1 Red Admiral flying south through the garden in Bengeo and 2 on Ivy in All Saints Churchyard, Hertford - Andrew Wood

Saturday 12th November 2011
Red Admiral flying around the Ivy in our Hayes garden today - Helen George

Wednesday 9th November 2011
A probable Speckled Wood drifted past our bedroom window in Hatfield late morning during a sunny spell. Quite a surprise. Perhaps it wa roosting under the eaves & was stirred by the warmth & absence of breeze - John Moss

Saw a Red Admiral flying around some Hornbeams in Whitewebbs Wood this afternoon (Wednesday 9th November 2011) at 12:58 hrs., before finally settling on one of them. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 2nd November 2011
I saw a red admiral on Monday at Tewin Orchard and a speckled wood yesterday (1/11/11) at Aldbury. One of the volunteers I was working with saw a brimstone although it could have been disturbed as we were brushcutting (it did feel quite warm though so could have been out of its own accord). - Paul Thrush

Saw hummingbird hawkmoth hovering over our garden patio table yesterday 1st November and the day before. Full sunshine in Gustardwood near Wheathampstead - G Walton

Tuesday 1st November 2011
This afternoon (Nov 1st) a fresh looking Holly Blue in my garden Pinner. This is much the latest sighting I have ever recorded. Could this be an insect that would normally have overwintered as a pupa? - Graham Elcombe

2 Red Admirals in Ware Park, 4 on the western side of Ware, 2 in All Saints Churchyard, Hertford and 1 at Cromwell Road Allotments, Hertford - Andrew Wood

Tuesday afternoon (Nov 1st) at the top of the meadow, Fir & Pond Woods NR... a very smart red admiral. - David Gompertz

One Red Admiral flew past me in Primrose Hill Rd, Stevenage Old Town, early afternoon -Stefan Hunt

Today 1st November I saw a Red Admiral out enjoying the sunshine in my garden in Stocking Pelham - Andy Brown

October 2011

Monday 31st October 2011
A rather wind blown Red Admiral in my garden in Stocking Pelham on Sunday the 30th October – Andy Brown

With a bumper apple crop this year I have taken up cider making. Putting the crushed apple pulp 'pomace' , on the compost heap at the Old Hale Way allotment site in north Hitchin, it has attracted Red Admirals 28/10/11 Nigel Agar

Saturday 29th October 2011
Yesterday, 28th Oct, a fairly tatty Small Copper on Horsenden Hill at Paradise Fields. Also two Red Admirals nectaring on ivy nearby on Horsenden West. - Andy Culshaw

Seen at Hatfield Aerodrome (disused) yesterday 28-10-11: 3 x male Brimstone - David Wheatcroft

Just to confirm saw a male Holly Blue from a balcony flat at Grovebury Court, Chase Road, N14 yesterday afternoon (Friday 28th October 2011) at 13:08 hrs - it was in pristine condition and is the latest I have ever seen. - Robert Callf

Friday 28th October 2011
Seen a Speckled Wood, in very good condition, this morning (Friday 28th October 2011) at Boxer's Lake, Enfield at 11:22 hrs., settled on Ragwort. Later around 1 o'clock a Holly Blue was seen flying on Chase Road, Southgate settling on Leylandii - Robert Callf.

Wednesday 26th October 2011
Peacock in Broxbourne Woods yesterday 25th. Red admiral at Lilley in North Herts today - Steve Kiln

Still one Speckled Wood at Fernyhill Wood, Enfield this afternoon (Wednesday 26th October 2011) at 13:00 hrs, settled in a sunny spot. - Robert Callf

Monday 24th October 2011
Two Red Admirals in the garden today, nectaring on a flowering shrub.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7395917@N02/6275912931/
Robin Pearson

Robin White and myself saw a Speckled Wood at Ferny Hill Farm, Enfield this afternoon (Monday 24th October 2011) at 12:38 hrs. - Robert Callf

Sunday 23rd October 2011
Red Admiral seen at Norton Green, Nr Stevenage early afternoon, wasteground at rear of travellers site - Stefan Hunt

On Thursday 20th October, I saw a Red Admiral nectaring on a flowering shrub just outside my office to the north of Heathrow. Very sunny, but only 10-11 degrees. On Saturday 22nd October, I found a Speckled Wood sunning itself by the River Colne in Stanwell Moor - again no more than 11 or 12 degrees, but sunny. - Dave Miller

A few butterflies to report today (Sunday 23rd October 2011) - 1 Peacock, flying around the church building at St Thomas's, Oakwood, N14 this afternoon. At Grovelands Park, Southgate, N14 saw 2 Speckled Wood and 1 Red Admiral near the Ranger's Hut at 13:30 hrs. - Robert Callf

Thursday 20th October 2011
1 Holly Blue in Wengeo Lane, Ware, 1 Brown Argus Ware Cemetery, 3 Red Admirals, The Bourne Ware, repeatedly clashing around a patch of sunlight rather than feeding or flying directionally. A few other Red Admirals around Hertford and Ware Andrew Wood

At least two different Small Coppers in the meadow enclosure at Fir & Pond Woods today (Thursday 20th October 2011) between 11:45 - 12:30 hrs. Also a Red Admiral settled near the charred remains of a bonfire nearby at 11:52 hrs. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 19th October 2011
One Red Admiral on Ivy by garden this morning, shade temperature 8 degrees - Robin Pearson

Tuesday 18th October 2011
Saw a Small Copper in Oakwood Park, N14 today (Tuesday 18th October 2011) settling on Bramble, 11:50 hrs and again in the same area 12:04 hrs., quite faded - no other butterflies today. - Robert Callf

Monday 17th October 2011
I saw a red admiral sunning itself high up in the trees at about 4.30pm on Saturday 15th in Kings Langley. Elizabeth Debenham

Saw a Red Admiral fly South at Parkside Farm, Enfield, today (Monday 17th October 2011) at 11:00 hrs - Robert Callf & Robin White.

Sunday 16th October 2011
Hummingbird Hawk Moth in Hemel Hempstead garden yesterday on Buddleia "Pride of Hever Castle" and Verbena Bonariensis.Saw a late female Common Blue at Butterfly World today. - Malcolm Newland

Red Admirals again today in Hitchin garden - Nigel Agar

Saturday 15th October 2011
Took a 4 hour walk around Hertford and Ware and in total saw 44 Red Admirals, 2 Commas, 2 Small Coppers (displaying pair), 1 Small White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Holly Blue - Andrew Wood

A very tatty Speckled Wood in the Harpenden garden today - Robin Pearson

A few sightings for today (Saturday 15th October 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, flew S, at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 10:32 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, flew S, at Park Farm, Enfield, at 11:40 hrs; 1 Speckled Wood, at Wildwoods Lake, Enfield, 14:00 hrs. - Robert Callf

Two Red Admirals on ivy in our Hitchin garden on Friday 14 October - Nigel Agar

Friday 14th October 2011
Today 14th saw a common blue and 2 brown argus at Rickneys. On Tuesday 11th in bencroft wood a red admiral and two small coppers on a single ragwort plant in the field by Bencroft, so much for ragwort pulling it was one of the few nectar sources around - Steve Kiln

Saw a Speckled Wood today (Friday 14th October 2011) at Lakeside, Oakwood, N14 at 13:10 hrs and a Peacock at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, at 13:42 hrs., near the Firing Range. - Robert Callf

Finally, two Red Admirals on the ivy adjacent to my garden, very fresh-looking but too flighty for a photo, yet - Robin Pearson

Was working at Aldbury yesterday and saw a single small copper and meadow brown in the southern enclosures. - Paul Thrush

Mon 10 Oct Red Admirals and Comma on ivy Amwell Quarry lane. Weds 12 Oct Red Admiral also on ivy Hitchin garden - Nigel Agar

Thursday 13th October 2011
Saw a Small White today (Thursday 13th October 2011) at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, along Merryhills Brook, 14:00 hrs; 1 Speckled Wood, opposite Firing Range, at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 14:20 hrs., also thought I saw a Red Admiral at the 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park. - Robert Callf

Just to report sightings of Red Admiral as follows in my Hitchin garden: 1 seen on 27/09/2011 at 13.00 20 deg., 1 seen 08/10/2011 at 13.00 Cloud 16 deg. and 1 seen 13/10/2011 at 13.30 Overcast 15 deg. All 3 sightings have been near the ivy hedge at side of driveway - today's butterfly had a good fly around the whole back garden before disappearing into next door's garden - Val Fullforth

Wednesday 12th October 2011
Nearby Weedy field, Batford - 1 Large White - Darin Stanley

Small Coppers are still on the wing at the Shackledell Grassland, Stevenage. A now faded individual was seen basking in the sun on top of a grass stem at about 1400 hours today. - Peter Clarke

Tuesday 11th October 2011
Visited Patmore Heath area today and walked several of the paths in and around Albury. Although not very sunny it was about 18d C and we encountered 8 Red Admirals and 1 Small White. Also searched several good areas of elm and in total found 8 white-letter eggs. 6 were on one branch overhanging the footpath! Liz Goodyear and Andrew Middleton

Have had a Comma on the Ivy flowers just outside my garden for the last two days.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7395917@N02/6234202106/
Robin Pearson

Saw a Speckled Wood at Capel Manor Gardens, Enfield today (Tuesday 11th October 2011) at 14:05 hrs. - Robert Callf

Monday 10th October 2011
Saw a couple of Speckled Wood today (Monday 10th October 2011) - 1 at Parkside Farm, Enfield, 10:22 hrs and another at South Lodge Farm, Enfield, along Merryhills Brook, 12:30 hrs. - Robert Callf

Sunday 9th October 2011
A burst of warm sunshine (over 20 degrees again today) enticed me out at lunchtime today. My local patch was full of Red Admirals again - I counted over 25 in twenty minutes of walking and at one point could see seven at once. Many seemed freshly emerged. They were nearly matched in numbers by Speckled Woods, some of which were noticeably small. The only other butterflies seen today were a Holly Blue and a Small White. The former was flying in and around a holly tree overgrown with ivy and surrounded by brambles - which after all must constitute ideal habitat for the species - Dave Miller

Saw two Red Admirals flying South at Vicarage Farm, Enfield this morning (Sunday 9th October 2011) at 11:30 hrs and 11:55 hrs. - Robert Callf

Saturday 8th October 2011
Saw two Speckled Wood together yesterday (Friday 7th October 2011) in Grovelands Park, Southgate, N14, at 16:00 hrs. Also saw a large nymphalid fly SW over Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm, Enfield at 10:30 hrs today (Saturday 8th October 2011) most probably a Red Admiral- Robert Callf.

Thursday 6th October 2011
Visited Pymmes Park, Edmonton today (Thursday 6th October 2011) and saw the following - 2 Speckled Wood, 13:45 and 13:55 hrs and 2 Red Admiral, together, 13:52 hrs. Nice and sunny but a lot cooler than of late - Robert Callf

Wednesday 5th October 2011
During occasions of brightness in breezy conditions and still 20c between 11.30 and 1.30, 12 Small Copper, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Little Owl at Cheshunt Park - Andrew Middleton

Wednesday 5th October 2011 - 2 Speckled Wood (1 at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 09:40 hrs and another near Shaws Wood, Trent Park, 13:10 hrs); 1 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, Enfield, 11:30 hrs. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 4th October 2011
Probably last of good days yesterday at Ickleford 4th October had brown argus, female common blue, first Small coppers at site this year x 2, despite much searching they typically appear when I was not really looking, a speckled wood made up the quartet - Stuart Pittman

Monday 3rd October 2011
Determined to squeeze the last drop of sunshine out of this last day of summer-in-autumn, I took a walk locally by the River Colne at around 4pm. It was still around 25 degrees, despite the low sun, and the butterflies I saw were pretty active. In a sunny gap in the trees right next the river, I found the air patrolled by three Red Admirals, sparring and spiralling as energetically as their forebears had done in the same spot in July. Two Speckled Woods and a Holly Blue became caught up in the aerial display, certainly to the dismay of the latter, who don't usually get involved in that sort of thing. There has a been one Holly Blue or another in this spot since early April, six months ago now. Moving on to the open area near the M25, I found that the extensive Small Heath colony was still in evidence, with at least eight individuals seen. Again, these have been around in numbers since April. Finally, back nearly to home, I watched some more Speckled Woods catching the last bit of sun on the ivy. One of them put up a beatiful new Comma, which regained its composure, and then its perch, as the restless Speckled Wood moved on. Dave Miller

Saw 6 small coppers and a brown argus at waterford heath south pit, nothing at all on the north pit but still 4 brown arguses, a common blue and small copper at Rickneys - Steve Kiln

Monday 3rd October 2011 - 1 Red Admiral at Boxer's Lake, Enfield, 13:50 hrs; 2 Speckled Wood, together, at Grovelands Park, Southgate, N14 at 14:32 hrs - Robert Callf

News via Robert Callf, Robin White reported seeing a Small Heath at Vicarage Farm this morning at 10.30

Sunday 2nd October 2011
Saw three Speckled Wood (Sunday 2nd October 2011) - 1 at Oakwood Park, N14, 12:30 hrs and 2 at Grovelands Park, Southgate, N14, 13:00 and 13:50 hrs. - Robert Callf

Saturday 1st October 2011
Saw the following butterflies today (Saturday 1st October 2011) - 1 Small Copper, settled on Michaelmas daisies, Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield, 10:15 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, flew S, at Park Farm, Enfield, 10:40 hrs; 3 Speckled Wood (1 at Rectory Farm, 11:40 hrs, 1 at Strayfield Road, Clay Hill, 11:45 hrs, 1 at Flash Lane, Clay Hill, 11:55 hrs); 1 Small Copper, at Whitewebbs Park, 12:50 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Hilly Fields Park, Enfield, 13:10 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Gordon Hill Station, Enfield, 13:35 hrs. - Robert Callf

Male Clouded yellow Sat 1/10/11 Wilstone Village, new road - John Taylor

Whilst walking in Fairlands Valley Park (part of my Stevenage transect) earlier this afternoon, I spotted a Small Copper at Shackledell Grassland at about 1330 hrs and a Red Admiral just outside the Canyon Play Centre some 5 minutes later - Peter Clarke

September 2011

Friday 30th September 2011
Saw a Red Admiral from the 121 bus along Chase Rd, N14 yesterday morning (Friday 30th September 2011) at 11:22 hrs. - Robert Callf

Probably around 28-29 degrees (the car claimed 30, but it's prone to exaggeration) this afternoon at Heathrow. A quick walk near the River Colne at around 4pm was blessed with a couple of Speckled Woods, a Common Blue (male), a Small White, two Red Admirals, a Comma and four Small Heaths. All were very active in the unaccustomed warmth - I think I've grown used to more sluggish behaviour over this less than sunny summer! - Dave Miller

A pristine angle shades moth was resting on a leaf in Kings Langley on September 22nd in the afternoon. I have seen a speckled wood butterfly for a day or two and again today 30th September in Kings Langley. Elizabeth Debenham

Thursday 29th September 2011
A few butterflies to report today (Thursday 29th September 2011) - 1 Speckled Wood, along bridle-path near Merryhills Brook, Trent Park, 12:20 hrs; 2 Red Admiral, flew SW, at South Lodge Farm, Enfield, 12:25 and 12:35 hrs; 1 Small Tortoiseshell, at South Lodge Farm, Enfield, 12:30 hrs. Also a single Small Copper in set-aside field North of Williams Wood, Trent Park, today (Thurs 29th September 2011) at 09:35 hrs - Robert Callf

Wednesday 28th September 2011
Today 28th at Waterford Heath south, 5 small coppers and small white. Yesterday 27th, walking Chiltern ridge at Aldbury Nowers, 3 red admiral, a comma, a large white, a meadow brown, a small copper and several small heaths - Steve Kiln

Berkhamsted to Hemel via Grand Union canal, walk in warm sunshine today 28 Sept, 1 Comma at Berkhamsted, I Speckled Wood, 1 Peacock & 1 Small Copper near Boxmoor - Ernie Leahy

Just had a short walk today (Weds 28th Sept 2011) over the 'New Fields' in Trent Park, along some of my old transect here and saw the following: 5 Small Copper, nectaring on thistles and Michaelmas daisies, 11:55 - 12:20 hrs; 1 Speckled Wood, along the board walk near the tube-line, Sect 7, 12:00 hrs; 1 Peacock, nectaring on Michaelmas daisies, set-aside field top of Snakes Lane near the Oakwood entrance, 12:38 hrs. Surprisingly no Red Admiral or Comma here today. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 27th September 2011
Speckled Wood in King Georges Playing Fields, Stevenage, near tennis courts just before 4pm - Stefan Hunt

Saw a single Small White in set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park yesterday (Monday 26th September 2011) at 13:30 hrs. - Robert Callf

Sunday 25th September 2011
Nomansland Common, Sandridge - Despite a windy and overcast afternoon, 12 people attended the last branch field trip of the year. Butterfly numbers were lower than expected, but we saw a total of 12 Small Coppers and one Small White. This morning at Butterfly World Chiswell Green, I saw 2 Common Blues. At Bricket Wood Common St Albans, butterflies were hard to spot amongst thousands of falling leaves. I managed to pick out 1 Speckled Wood and a Red Admiral, nectaring on ivy blossom - Malcolm Hull

A couple of sightings for today (Sunday 25th September 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, flew S, Parkside Farm, Enfield, 11:08 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, nectaring on Ivy, along Jubilee Path at Park Farm, Enfield, 11:50 hrs. - Robert Callf

Saturday 24th September 2011
Here are some butterfly sightings for today (Saturday 24th September 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, at Vicarage Farm, 10:45 hrs; 1 Small Copper, at Parkside Far/Res., Enfield, 11:15 hrs; 1 Comma, on Ivy along Jubilee Path/Park Farm, Enfield, 12:00 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, on Ivy along Jubilee Path/Park Farm, Enfield, 12:00 hrs; 1 Speckled Wood, along Jubilee Path/Park Farm, Enfield, 12:00 hrs; 1 male Common Blue, at Barracks, Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 13:40 hrs. Robert Callf

Friday 23rd September 2011
Speckled Woods and Commas at Broxborne Wood and Bencroft. Meadow brown and small copper at Waterford heath and Rickneys but also two brown argus at Rickneys - Steve Kiln

Thursday 22nd September 2011
A few sightings to report for today (Thursday 21st September 2011) - 1 Small Heath, at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 13:25 hrs; 1 male Small Copper, at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield, 13:40 hrs; 2 Speckled Wood, together, at Bay Farm, Enfield, 14:30 hrs. - Robert Callf

Red Admiral caught in the moth trap last night along with a Silver Y moth. (Hitchin garden.) Caught one before many years ago and reported it to Ted Ellis, BBC nature presenter at the time, who wrote back and said Red Admirals do occasionally fly at night. - Nigel Agar

I was in Danemead today and saw a speckled wood, a white which I think was a green-veined white and a painted lady. - Andy Brown

Wednesday 21st September 2011 Saw a couple of butterflies today (Wednesday 21st September 2011) - a probable Red Admiral at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm, Enfield and a Speckled Wood here at 13:50 hrs - Robert Callf & Robin White. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 20th September 2011 Of interest, a Hummingbird hawk moth on buddleia in Easington Road Dane End at 17.20 today - Laurence Drummond

Red Admiral and Comma on Ivy along the lane to Amwell Quarry on Tuesday 20 September. Nigel Agar

A few sightings to report today (Tuesday 20th September 2011) - 1 Small White, at Parkside Farm, Enfield, 12:25 hrs; 2 Speckled Wood, at Park Farm, Enfield (1 at 12:55 and another at 13:20 hrs); 1 Red Admiral, flew S, at Park Farm, Enfield, 13:50 hrs. - Robert Callf

Monday 19th September 2011
Some sightings for yesterday (Sunday 18th September 2011) - 1 Small White, at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 10:50 hrs; 2 Red Admiral, at Vicarage Farm, Enfield (1 flew S, 11:35 hrs, 1 flew SW, 11:38 hrs); 1 Comma, settled on Ivy, at Park Farm/along Jubilee Path, 13:10 hrs; 2 Red Admiral, settled on Ivy, along Jubilee Path/Park Farm, Enfield, 13:10 hrs. Today (Monday 19th September 2011) - 1 Peacock, rather worn and faded, along Strayfield Road, Clay Hill, Enfield, 13:15 hrs; 1 Large White, in Lavender Hill Cemetery, Enfield, 14:45 hrs. - Robert Callf

Sunday 18th September 2011
Stunning Small Copper late morning in recently cleared area to east of dip in main ride, Broxbourne Woods. Alan Jackson

Saturday 17th September 2011
Saw a Comma settled on Ivy along the Jubilee Path at Park Farm this afternoon (Saturday 17th September 2011) at 12:50 hrs., and a Speckled Wood settled on Bramble near the Equestrian Centre at Trent Park at 14:00 hrs. - Robert Callf

Friday 16th September 2011
I did a proper tour of my local patch (Stanwell Moor) at lunchtime today, and found the wooded bits full of Speckled Woods, plus several new Commas, a few Whites, a Peacock and numerous Red Admirals on the ivy flowers. On the same piece of burdock as one of the Commas sat a Silver Y moth, looking freshly emerged as well. The grassy expanses near the motorway still had a good number of Small Heaths, as many as I'd seen at the wide expanse of Denbies earier in the day, plus a brand spanking new Common Blue male. I arrived home to find a Small Copper meandering along the grassy roadside verge, and a Holly Blue investigating the (non-flowering) ivy on the side of the house. Rough totals: Small Heath 20 Speckled Wood 20 Red Admiral 10 Small/GV White 5 Comma 5 Holly Blue 3 Common Blue 1 Peacock 1 Small Copper 1 Silver Y moth 1 - Dave Miller

In Bencroft Wood and Broxbourne Wood 12 commas and 4 speckled woods, in field by Bencroft Wood, two small coppers and a late meadow brown. At waterford heath south small copper and meadow brown. At home in Bengeo red admiral, comma, painted lady and humming bird hawk moth - Steve Kiln

Thursday 15th September 2011
Some sightings for today (Thursday 15th September 2011) - 3 Red Admiral (1 Sidhil's Field, at Vicarage Farm, 09:20 hrs., 1 flew S at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 09:40 hrs, 1 Parkside Farm, Enfield, 10:40 hrs); 1 Large White, on michaelmas daisies, set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 13:10 hrs; 1 Painted Lady, on michaelmas daisies near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 13:10 hrs; 1 Comma, edge of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 13:15 hrs; 3 Speckled Wood, together, Shaws Wood, Trent Park, 13:20 hrs. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 14th September 2011
Just to report sightings of 5, possibly 6 Red Admirals in the Sherrardspark Wood area (Welwyn Garden City) 1 x Red Admiral on Templewood Vale (Knightsfield area) yesterday. 4 x Red Admirals around the Reddings of which 2 (possibly a third) were in a sunny glade just off one of my transects (I was clearing away a tent and beer bottles), chasing each other (I'm not sure whether or not we had initially disturbed them). The other 2 were flying into gardens of houses which back onto the woods in this location - Charlotte Fox

A few butterflies to report today (Wednesday 14th September 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, along hedgerow N of Williams Wood at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 09:55 hrs; 1 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 10:15 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, settled on Ivy flowers, Strayfield Road, Clay Hill, 12:45 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Whitewebbs Park, 13:40 hrs. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 13th September 2011
Saw a Red Admiral at Brayside Farm, Enfield this afternoon (Tuesday 13th September 2011) at 13:45 hrs., flying during a shower. - Robert Callf

Broadwater GP, Holly Blue today - Chris Lamsdell

14.00.14.45, St Nicks Churchyard. 17 Red Admiral, 8 Speckled Wood, 2 Green-veined White and 1 Large White. - Lee Browne

Redbourn Church End. Few Butterflies but several Large Whites passing through the garden & one Red Admiral this morning Yesterday a Speckled Wood - Ernest Leahy

Monday 12th September 2011
Mint condition Red Admirals and one Comma feeding on ivy on the lane up to Amwell Quarry reserve before the rail crossing - Nigel Agar

A few sightings for today (Monday 12th September 2011) at Whitewebbs Park, Enfield: 1 Red Admiral, 14:22 hrs and two Small Copper, 14:25 and 14:33 hrs. - Robert Callf

Sunday 11th September 2011
A short walk along the River Colne near me in Stanwell Moor, on a sunny warm but windy morning, produced only half-a-dozen species. Red Admirals and Commas were on the ivy flowers, and taking an interest in the remaining squishy blackberries. A new batch of Speckled Woods were basking and flitting in and out of the riverside vegetation, along with a few Small and Green-veined Whites. Finally, one solitary very new female Holly Blue had found a rare thistle flower to nectar from, and was hanging on tight. Numbers: Red Admiral 6 Comma 3 Speckled Wood 8 Small White/GVW 5 Holly Blue 1 - Dave Miller

A few sightings to report today (Sunday 11th September 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, Enfield, 10:45 hrs; 1 Small White, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park, 11:57 hrs; 1 Speckled Wood, edge of Shaws Wood, about 12:30 hrs; 1 female Small Copper, along Merryhills Brook/Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 12:50 hrs., the variety with a row of blue spots in the hindwing - fresh, the first of the third brood (Robert Callf & Robin White). - Robert Callf

I have just moved house to Stocking Pelham at the far north east of the county so I thought I would send in a few records. Over the past couple of weeks I have seen several Large whites , one speckled wood, one small tortoiseshell and one large, pale butterfly which I think was probably a painted lady – but not positive ID. Hopefully some more interesting sightings next summer ! - Andy Brown (HMWT)

Saturday 10th September 2011
Had a trip to London today and saw the following: Victoria Embankment Gardens (TQ304804) Whilst at the Thames Festival I saw 2 Large White and a Red Admiral nectaring despite a light rain shower. - Rob Smith

Friday 9th September 2011
Saw the following butterflies yesterday (Friday 9th September 2011) - 2 Speckled Wood, together, along bridle-path near Equestrian Centre, Trent Park, 13:34 hrs; 1 Peacock, at Barracks, Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 14:15 hrs; 1 male Meadow Brown, near Hadey Road, at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 15:20 hrs. - Robert Callf

Thursday 8th September 2011
Saw my first Painted Lady of the year today (Thur 8 Sep) on the heather in Sherrardspark Wood, Welwyn Garden City - Ian Flack Ian Flack

Wednesday 7th September 2011
Late news from 29th August: Had three Commas and two Red Admirals at the same time on Escallonia Bifida today. It certainly lives up to its reputation as a butterfly magnet as it was clearly preferred to anything else in the garden including Verbena Bonariensis, although that did attract a solitary Small White. Yesterday, joining the Commas and Red Admirals were my second Painted Lady of the year, this time a perfect specimen. Also had a Speckled Wood which spent a long time nectaring on Escallonia Bifida. Don't see that very often. A Large White also turned up. Today the usual suspects were joined by a Small White plus my latest ever Meadow Brown. It was slightly smaller than average but looked fresh and like the Speckled Wood yesterday behaved very aggressively towards the much bigger Red Admirals. My previous latest Meadow Brown was 27.8.1991! - Malcolm Newland

Saw a couple of butterflies today (Wednesday 7th September 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, settled on the South facing side of Merryhills Brook at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 10:05 hrs and a Green-veined White settled at Whitewebbs Park at 14:15 hrs. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 6th September 2011
Saw a Green-veined White at Brayside Farm, Enfield today (Tuesday 6th September 2011) at 12:20 hrs. - Robert Callf

Sunday 4th September 2011
Painted Lady in our neighbour's front garden in Harpenden this morning (4 September): just before the Heavens opened. - Alan Jackson

Saturday 3rd September 2011
Seen at Hatfield Aerodrome 1 Common blue, 1 small heath, 1 small copper (very fresh), 5 Speckled woods, 15 large white, 3 small white and 3 meadow browns - Andy Steele

Saw the following today (Saturday 3rd September 2011) - 2 Comma,(1 edge of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 12:08 hrs, 1 Vicarage Farm, 12:25 hrs). - Robert Callf

Old rivers nursery site, Sawbridgeworth, 13.30 pm, poor, 18 Meadow brown, 4 Speckled wood, 1 Gatekeeper, 1 Common blue, 1 Red admiral and one Painted lady. - Laurence Drummond

Friday 2nd September 2011
I did the transect at Aldbury today with the highlight being a male chalkhill blue in the southern enclosures (I’ve never seen one in the southern part of the reserve before). There were also 2 red admirals on the buddleia in the northern section together with 3 brimstone. - Paul Thrush

Hatfield aerodrome today,4 small heath,1 brown argus and 1 very worn Small copper all in the eastern area. Laurence Drummond

A summer day at last . In Bencroft Wood one small copper and a comma, At Amwell bird reserve 10 Red Admirals on Ivy Flowers plus brimstone and Holly blue and many whites. As well as three Hobbies near the bridge towards Holycross lake being fed by Adults. At Waterford Heath North 3 small coppers, a brimstone and 3 small heath. At Rickneys Small copper and three brown Arguses and small heath - Steve Kiln

Thursday 1st September 2011
Some news for today (Thursday 1st September 2011) - 1 male Meadow Brown, at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield, 10:25 hrs; 1 Small Heath, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 12:00 hrs; 1 male Meadow Brown, set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 13:08 hrs. - Robert Callf

Brunel University Bicentenary Garden A short lunchtime walk produced 2 Clouded Yellow, 4 Brown Argus, Small Copper, Speckled Wood, GV & Large White and Red Admiral. 31st August - Lime Hawkmoth Caterpillar at the base of a Lime Tree on campus - Steve Pash

August 2011

Monday 29th August 2011
News for today (Monday 29th August 2011) - 1 Small Heath, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood, at Vicarage Farm, 09:32 hrs; 1 male Common Blue, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood, at Vicarage Farm, 09:34 hrs; 1 female Brown Argus, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood, at Vicarage Farm, 09:34 hrs; 2 Small Heath, together, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:35 hrs; 1 female Gatekeeper, set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 12:10 hrs; 1 Small Copper, set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 12:10 hrs. - Robert Callf

4 x speckled wood and 1 x gatekeeper at Bricket wood common and 1 x yellow underwing in Bushey garden today - David Gower

Sunday 28th August 2011
A couple of sightings today (Sunday 28th August 2011) - 1 Green-veined White and 1 Common Blue near Hadley Road/Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 09:18 hrs. - Robert Callf

Friday 26th August 2011
On August 21st I was at Aldbury Nowers. Weather was beautiful in the evening light. I saw one brimstone, treble bar, a few common blues and possibly brown argus as the row of top wing orange spots continued to the edge. Several small heaths were in evidence with three circling round each other on the marjoram in Dutchy's Piece.The big find was what I believe was a female SILVER WASHED FRITILLARY on brambles in the woodland climb up to the top enclosures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7392841@N04/6069317145/
Elizabeth Debenham

Humming Bird Hawk Moth on Red Valerian (in the rain) in our Hitchin garden today - Nigel Agar

Thursday 25th August 2011
Saw three Small Heath this afternoon (Thursday 25th August 2011) - two at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 13:00 hrs and another at Ferny Hill Farm, Enfield, 13:40 hrs. - Robert Callf

I did the transect at Aldbury on Monday, along with the usual meadow browns, small heaths and the odd gatekeeper there were quite a few brimstones about, 2 red admirals and single comma, peacock and small tortoiseshell. On the previous Friday (19/8) I'd seen a small tortoiseshell in the large southern enclosure and a single marbled white (which came as a surprise as I haven't seen one in over a month!). - Paul Thrush

Wednesday 24th August 2011
Saw the following today (Wednesday 24th August 2011) - 1 female Brown Argus, roosting in grass, along hedgerow near Hadley Road at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 09:25 hrs; 2 Meadow Brown and 2 Gatekeeper, at Whitewebbs Park, at about 13:30 hrs. - Robert Callf

Jersey Tiger seen today (24 Aug 2011) in the wildlife garden of the Natural History Museum - Martin Honey

Monday 22nd August 2011
Red Admiral at Park Farm, Enfield at 12:40 hrs and one Small Heath at Bay Farm, Enfield, 14:30 hrs., today (Monday 22nd August 2011). - Robert Callf

35 Small Heath, 60+ Meadow Brown and 3 gatekeeper on Hounslow Heath - Chris Slack

Sunday 21st August 2011
Some sightings for today (Sunday 21st August 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood, at Vicarage Farm, 08:45 hrs; 1 Small Heath, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood, at Vicarage Farm, 08:50 hrs; 1 Speckled Wood, at Rectory Farm, Enfield, 10:52 hrs; 2 male Common Blue, at Whitewebbs Park, 11:50 hrs and 1 Brown Argus here as well, 11:50 hrs - the first that I have seen at this site! - Robert Callf

Saturday 20th August 2011
A couple of butterflies to report today (Saturday 20th August 2011) - 1 male Common Blue, at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield, 10:22 hrs; 1 Comma, edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park, 11:50 hrs. - Robert Callf

Small heaths today, 2 at Hatfield aerodrome and 4 at Colney Heath - Laurence Drummond

Friday 19th August 2011
Two Small Tortoiseshells and two Large Whites at the BMX Olympic track at Stratford - Malcolm Hull

Saw the following today (Friday 19th August 2011) - 1 Small Heath, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood at Vicarage Farm, 09:40 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, near Hadley Rd., at Vicarage Farm, 09:50 hrs. Robert Callf (P.S., Still a few Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns but not much else)

Thursday 18th August 2011

Wednesday 17th August 2011
Before sunset on 16th August I saw a humming bird hawk moth nectaring on a buddleia on the corner of country lane between Kings Langley and Chipperfield. It is the second I have seen this year
Link to pictures
- Elizabeth Debenham

On Monday 15th in Balls Wood - small skippers and large skippers. On Waterford Heath today (Wednesday) 1 small heath - on the eastern bank of the south heath. Andy Brown

Some news today (Wednesday 17th August 2011) - 1 Small Heath, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood, Trent Park, 10:20 hrs; 1 male Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trrent Park, 10:25 hrs; 1 male Common Blue, at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield at 11:00 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Bay Farm, Enfield, 11:40 hrs; 1 Comma, at Bay Farm, Enfield, 11:42 hrs; 1 Holly Blue, at Whitewebbs Park, 14:00 hrs. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 16th August 2011
Saw a Red Admiral in set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park today (Tuesday 16th August 2011) at 11:20 hrs. - Robert Callf

Monday 15th August 2011
Sunday 14th - a quick walk through field opposite Tring station counted 10 x meadow brown, 1 x small heath,2 x small white, 1 x holly blue. At Aldbury Nowers briefly were 8 x meadow brown, 2 x small heath, 5 x gatekeeper, 3 x small white, 1 x large white, 3 x speckled wood, 1 x marbled white, 1 x gv white. Aldbury nowers (10 mins walk)towards Pitstone hill 12 x meadow brown, 7 x small heath, 1 x gatekeeper, 18 x chalkhill blue( 10 male, 8 female). 2 x holly blue at Garston Station - David Gower

Just been to Long Deans Nature reserve and spotted a white letter hairstreak (rather old and tatty specimen!) - John Mynett

Redbourn -Church End area 15 August -While lawn mowing today a worn female Purple Hairstreak landed on our Bramley apple tree about 7 ft up. It stayed for half a minute opening its wings. This is the first I have seen in Redbourn & I dont know of a local colony. Also this morning one Gatekeeper & 7 Large Whites - Ernie Leahy

Saw a single Holly Blue at Strayfield Road, Clay Hill, Enfield this morning at 11:10 hrs (Monday 15th August 2011) and a single Small Heath yesterday (Sunday 14th August 2011) at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, at 08:50 hrs. - Robert Callf

Saturday 13th August 2011
A couple of sightings for today (Saturday 13th June 2011) - 2 Green-veined White, along Jubilee Path at Park Farm, Enfield, 10:34 hrs; 1 Comma and 1 Green-veined White, edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park, 11:40 hrs. - Robert Callf

Friday 12th August 2011
Some sightings for today (Friday 12th August 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 09:30 hrs; 1 male Common Blue, at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield, 09:52 hrs; 1 Small Tortoiseshell, at Bay Farm, Enfield, 10:20 hrs - the first that I have seen for a good few weeks; 1 Holly Blue, at Hilly Fields Park, Enfield, 12:20 hrs. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 10th August 2011
On Tuesday in Broxbourne Woods, a rare painted lady, in Bencroft Wood a small copper - Steve Kiln

Some late reports from last week including a Greenford sighting for Essex Skipper! Tuesday 2nd August: A visit to Greenford Park cemetery after work in warm sunshine yielded 2 Gatekeeper, 3 Meadow Brown, 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Green Veined White, 2 Small White, 3 male Common Blue, 1 Small Copper and most excitingly a male Essex Skipper, the first one I have ever seen there. This brings the number of species seen within the cemetery to 20 - not bad for a small site in West London! Wednesday 3rd August: Another after work visit, this time to West Middlesex Golf Course, in a last ditch attempt for local Hairstreaks. I saw 3 Purple, all out of reach along with 1 Holly Blue, 1 Green Veined White, 2 Gatekeeper, 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Comma and 1 Red Admiral. - Lee Hurrell

Weedy field, Batford - 4 BROWN ARGUS, 1m Common Blue, 2 Small Copper - Darin Stanley

On the HMWT Goldington site at Hertford Heath today during a volunteer workparty we saw: 2 white admirals, small white, large whites, green veined white, red admirals, gatekeepers, speckled wood and best of all a small oak (sessile) full of purple hairstreaks close to the ground. We counted at least 7 - there were probably more. They were located near the HMWT entrance sign at the mount pleasant entrance to the reserve. - Andy Brown

Saw the following today (Wednesday 10th August 2011) - 2 male Common Blue, at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield, 09:50 hrs and one Red Admiral settled on the track at Gordon Hill Station, Enfield at 12:30 hrs. Also saw three Blue butterflies in flight at Whitewebbs Park (I think one was a Holly Blue and the others Common Blues - but can't be sure) - Robert Callf

I was working at Aldbury yesterday in the northern section, the 2 male chalkhill blues were still present and there were also 2 red admirals and 2 brimstones about. At Hexton today I saw a few chalkhill blues and a pristine peacock - Paul Thrush

Tuesday 9th August 2011
A lunchtime walk at Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits today produced several Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Whites, as well as Comma 3, Speckled Wood 2, Red Admiral 2, Peacock 1, Small Heath 1. - Terry Wood

22 Chalkhill Blue and 1 Brown Argus on Hexton Chalk Pits. Hexton Common TL1030 WCBS 2 Red Admiral, 33 Small White, 1 Large White, 1 Peacock, 1 Essex Skipper, 6 Meadow Brown. Nigel Agar

I only thought to count at the end of my walk today but felt that the site needs to be monitored 09/08/2011 from Ellenbrook Fields/BAe Hatfield: 1x Silver washed fritillary along SE facing edge of Round Wood, 1x Female Purple Hairstreak egglaying on oak on SE edge of Home Covert, 15x Small Heath at various points along boundary path north of old runway. Seeems to be thriving. 3x Common Blue on boundary path at SW end, 2x Brown Argus on boundary path at SW end, Also numerous Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, various Whites, Speckled Wood, Small & Large Skipper present and a single Comma. Last week 01/08/2011 I also recorded single Marbled White, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock - Paul Moss

A few sightings to report today (Tuesday 9th August 2011) - 1 Small Copper, at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield, 09:50 hrs; 1 Small Heath, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:40 hrs; 1 male Large Skipper, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 12:00 hrs - rather faded. - Robert Callf

Monday 8th August 2011
A visit to Fir and Pond Woods this morning...noting butterflies on the meadow but not doing a systematic check. This turned up 2 small tortoiseshells, one of which posed briefly for a photograph. Otherwise I saw a peacock, a small copper, and a GVW. I counted at least 10 gatekeepers and two meadow browns. - David Gompertz

Silver Washed Fritillery still out. today (Monday 8 August). Also a brand new Painted Lady on the mint patch near the West Car park. Looked far too new to be a migrant and was probably a recently emerged, second generation adult. - Nigel Agar

I did the transect today at Aldbury and of interest were 2 male chalkhill blues in the northern section, a red admiral, brimstone and 2 dark green fritillary. There were 13 brown argus across the whole site but only single figure common blue. - Paul Thrush

Saw a Small Copper near the Bowling Green in Grovelands Park, Southgate yesterday (Sunday 7th August 2011) at 14:35 hrs. Today (Monday 8th August 2011) at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield saw two male Common Blue at 09:52 hrs and one Small Copper at 10:00 hrs. - Robert Callf

Quick report from Tyttenhangar Res TL194052, 2nd August. Conditions - warm, humid, slightly cloudy. First time we have seen Purple Hairstreak at that site. Just one on a low growing oak. Small White and Gatekeeper abundant (24, 17 in count period), Large white 2, Meadow Brown 2, Comma 3, Speckled Wood 2. Brown and Southern Hawkers and various damsels present also. - Alun & Chrissie

Sunday 7th August 2011
Brown Argus seen in the weedy field at Batford - Darin Stanley

Butterfly World, Chiswell Green - Despite unpromising weather forecasts 18 hopefulls turned up for this mornings field trip. We were rewarded with several prolonged sunny spells & some unusual butterfly sightings. Top of the list was second brood Small Blue, seen in the large area of Kidney Vetch on the chalk mound antennae. The first individual was nectaring on Bird's Foot Trefoil & stayed still long enough for us all to get a good look and many photos. One, possibly two other individuals were seen by others along the antennae. Another unusual sighting was the Scarlet Peacock, a south american species, escaped from the nearby tropical greenhouse. Numbers of Common Blue (37) were well up on last week, though 6 spot Burnett (70) were down. Depite the hundreds of flowering buddleias, we saw only a single Red Admiral nectaring on them. Small Tortoiseshell, Essex Skipper, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Small White made up the numbers. Malcolm Hull

Friday 5th August 2011
News for today (Friday 5th August 2011) - 1 Peacock, at Barracks, Vicarage Farm, 09:00 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Whitewebbs Park, 12:20 hrs; 1 Painted Lady, at Whitewebbs Park, on thistle head, 12:20 hrs; 1 Yellowtail Moth, (found in the grass, edge of Whitewebbs Wood). - Robert Callf

I saw a Clouded Yellow (female) in the gardens of Buckingham Palace when on a guided tour of the state rooms & gardens. I was quite taken aback to see this scarce migrant butterfly right in the centre of our capital city but the palace gardens were most attractive to butterflies. - David Chandler

Aldbury Nowers - Ran a field trip with the U3A to Aldbury Nowers this morning. The site is looking in better condition than its been for years, with masses of wildflowers in the sections which have been grazed & also rapidly recolonising the soil scrapes. We recorded 1 Dark Green Fritillary, 1 Chalkhill Blue (both Northern section), 1 Silver-washed Fritillary (Turlhanger Wood), A dozen Brown Argus, Small Heaths, Brimstones, Red Admirals, 1 Small Copper, only a few Common Blues and quite a lot of Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Green-veined Whires & Speckled Woods, plus a few Small Whites, Large Whites & a lone Small Skipper. Moths included several Treble Bar, Shaded Broad Bar, Mint Moth, 6 spot Burnett. No sign of Small Blue, though its sites in the northern compartment are now clearly marked by wire fences, to restrict grazing on the Kidney Vetch. The flowerheads of the vetch all looked very dead, so there may be a shortage of egg laying sites. Second brood Small Blues have been reported from nearby Pitstone (Bucks) this week, so worth looking for it at potential Herts & Middx sites. At Northfield Rd, Tring, Herts in the afternoon I saw another Chalkhill Blue and 3, possibly 4 second brood Dingy Skippers, one of which I managed to photo. Field trip this Sunday - 10 am Butterfly World, Chiswell Green - Admission at reduced price of £4. This is a potential Small Blue site and the more eyes we can have out the better! - Malcolm Hull

A single Waved Black came to my girlfriend's wall-mounted garden light early a.m. on 6th August 2011 - Des McKenzie

Batford, weedy field - 1 BROWN ARGUS - Darin Stanley

Peacock in grassland opposite Novotel Hotel, near entrance to Knebworth Park. - Stefan Hunt.

Wednesday 3rd August 2011
A couple of sightings of note today (Wednesday 3rd August 2011) - 1 male Common Blue, on Res banking at Parkside Farm, Enfield, 10:00 hrs (one of it's wings was deformed) - I saw a Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing near here a few weeks ago with stunted and deformed wings - I wonder if there is something in the environment which is causing this - pesticides or herbicides? 1 Red Admiral, near Allotments, at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 11:45 hrs. - Robert Callf

Carried out the second BTO/ WCBS today 03/08/11 in Knebworth Woods TL2222. Very little beyond Gatekeepers, MBs and Small and GV Whites but Burleigh Meadow acid grassland at TL223228 had a Small Copper. egg laying female - Nigel Agar

Lucas Wood, Todds Green, Nr Stevenage (behind industrial units, TL219260) Spent about 40 mins around the edges of this small woodland from about 1245. Meadow Brown 5+, Gatekeeper 10+, Ringlet 1, Brimstone 1, Red Admiral 1, Whites 15+, Speckled Wood 8+, E/S Skipper 4+, and at least 3 Small Copper. Cinnabar caterpillars on Ragwort. Dormouse signs by western edge of wood. Behind nearby Fisherman P.H., Fishers Green, 2 Holly Blue - Stefan Hunt

After a pretty poor year to date, last night's Highgate Wood trap was heaving, particularly with micros, with which I am only now struggling to come to terms. Best sighting, though, was a Jersey Tiger - our second in four years. Michael Hammerson

Harpenden Road -Redbourn on chalk cutting hill towards Harpenden - 3 Common Blues, one small Skipper, 3 Large Whites and a large stand of Cluster Bell Flowers. Nicky Line Harpenden- end:- 5 Holly Blues, 3 Speckled Woods, 2 Gatekeepers, 5 Large Whites, one Meadow Brown. Ernie Leahy

Tuesday 2nd August 2011
Sunday 31st July Stanwell Moor A local walk in the middle of the day produced the following: 2 Red Admirals, 2 Commas, 1 Peacock, 5 Speckled Woods, 6 Meadow Browns, 15 Small Heaths, 10 Gatekeepers, 2 Large Whites, 3 Green-veined Whites, 6 Brown Argus, 1 Holly Blue and 20 Common Blues (including 7 or 8 females). I was pleased to see the Common Blues as they seem to be scarce elsewhere this year in the second brood. Monday 1st August Harmondsworth Moor Early evening (about 1730), and I hoped to catch a few butterflies before they roosted as the sun was still so hot. Just about successful, as I saw: 12 Gatekeepers, 25 Meadow Browns, 2 Speckled Woods, 2 Small Heaths, 2 Small Skippers, 2 Essex Skippers (and 3 more that could have been either!), 10 Common Blues (a couple of females only) and finally well over a dozen Brown Argus. The latter were in three distinct locations, all rather fresh and gleaming, and varying greatly in size from Common Blue dimensions downward to the tiny. - Dave Miller

For the first time in my Hayes garden, a Brimstone, feeding on Red Clover in the first year of having a wildlflower meadow. Stayed all morning! Helen George

Silver Washed Fritillery. Broxboune Woods 1/08/11 Agar Nigel

July 2011

Sunday 31st July 2011
News from Horsenden Hill. Minimum 3 Brown Argus on Upper Thrifts, including a mating pair. Prior to mating, the pair were engaged in a curious head-to-head circular dance that went on for a good 3-4 minutes. Good to see that this small population continues on a clay site with no rock rose. Andy Culshaw

At Fishers Field nature reserve late afternoon were 3 x gatekeeper, 1 x small white, 1 x large white, 1 x speckled wood. Finch lane , Bushey were 13 x gatekeeper, 2 x comma, 3 x small white,1 x large white, 5 x meadow brown, 1 x small copper. In our Bushey garden spotted 1 x holly blue, 1 x speckled wood, 4 x gatekeeper, 5 x large white, 3 x green veined white, 3 x small white and 2 x shaded broad bar. David Gower

Visited Hexton today, plenty of chalkhill blues, however returned to car to find someone had attempted to steal it. I had parked just outside the reserve on the opposite side of the road, with another car there, I would suggest not parking here as it is a little secluded - - Richard Geary

At Symondshyde wood, me and my dad saw 6 rather faded Purple Hairstreaks and 1 Comma - Cameron Landels

Silver Washed Fritilleries at Ashridge this afternoon. Sunday 31 July. First sunlit clearing on the ridge path past the wooden foot bridge north of the Monument. On Brambles with Large Skippers. - Nigel Agar

At Tyttenhager GP on Saturday the 30th had 40 + gatekeepers, 20 + Large White, 5 GV White, 6 Red Admiral 20 Meadow Browns, 3 Peacocks, 4 Common Blues, 2 Small White 3 Small Heaths, 3 Essex Skipper, 1 Brown Argus, 2 Small Skippers and 1 Small Copper. At Wilstone GP today had 3 Red Admirals, 1 faded Small Tortoishell, 1 Small Copper, 10 Gatekeepers and 10 Large Whites - Andy Steele

On Saturday, meadow south of Bencroft wood, TL331061, 09.10 AM of note 6 Small heath, Old rivers nursery site High wych/ Sawbridgeworth,12.20-13.05,3 Large white, 1 Ringlet, 5 Speckled wood, 6 Common blue, 7 Brown argus and 12 Small skipper,30+ Meadow brown and 60+ Gatekeeper. - Laurence Drummond

A few sightings for today (Sunday 31st July 2011) - 1 Peacock, on thistles at Barracks, Vicarage Farm, 09:10 hrs; 1 Small Copper, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood, at Vicarage Farm, 09:40 hrs; 1 Small Heath, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood, at Vicarage Farm, 09:40 hrs; 1 Small Copper, in set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 09:45 hrs; 1 Small Heath, on Res banking at Park Side Farm, Enfield, 10:00 hrs; 2, male and female, Gatekeeper, copulating, at Bay Farm, Enfield, 10:30 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Whitewebbs Park, 12:10 hrs; 2 Green-veined White, at Whitewebbs Wood, 12:20 hrs; 1 Speckled Wood, at Whitewebbs Wood, 12:20 hrs; 1 Holly Blue, settled on Ivy at Hilly Fields Park, Enfield, 12:30 hrs. - Robert Callf

At Broxbourne Wood saw 14 species incl a brimstone and first ever brown argus in Bencroft wood. Brimstones also at waterford heath. - Steve Kiln

Saturday 30th July 2011
A couple of sightings to report today (Saturday 30th July 2011) - 1 Comma, at Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 08:45 hrs; 1 male Common Blue, at Parkside Farm/Res., Enfield, 10:00 hrs. - Robert Callf

Went to Bricket Wood taday. At start of Drop Lane were 3 x holly blue, 1 x gatekeeper, 2 x small white and 2 x green veined white. At Bricket Wood starting from School lane spent 3 hours around wood and common. Sightings were 33 x gatekeeper, 3 x ringlet, 7 x silver washed fritillary, 5 x speckled wood, 17 x meadow brown, 12 x small white, 1 x red admiral, 15 x green veined white, 10 x large white, 3 x peacock, 8 x brimstone, 1 x large skipper, 14 x cinnebar caterpillars, 1 x small skipper, 6 x purple hairstreak, 6 x holly blue, 3 x essex skipper - David Gower

At Hertford Heath I saw many Gatekeeper, more Speckled wood I think I have ever seen anywhere, chasing, spiraling and mating everywhere, also many Purple hairstreak some now quite tatty and one very fresh looking Small copper - Laurence Drummon

Friday 29th July 2011
A couple of sightings from Thursday 28th July. In Balls Wood (on the main rides) Silver Washed Fritillary + 2 White Admirals. I also saw a Brimstone and (possible) White letter hairstreak at the main entrance gate to the wood - Andy Brown

At Hexton Chalk Pit NR, TL106300, on Sunday 24th July 2011 between 10.15 & 10.45 I saw 225 Chalkhill Blue, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Small White, 1 Meadow Brown , 1 Large White. Later the same day at Sharpenhoe Clappers (Bedfordshire) I saw 18 species 376 Chalkhill Blue, the tail end of the Dark Green Fritillaries just 10 seen and only 1 Marbled White - Peter Glenister

Butterflies seen on Colney Heath Thursday 28 July 2011 in the course of a Herts and Middx Wildlife Trust botanical survey. 6 Purple Hairstreak 4 Small Heath 1 Six Spot Burnet 3 Meadow Brown 3 Small White seen by others present:- 1 Red Admiral 1 Small Copper - Nigel Agar

Late this afternoon noticed 2 x meadow brown, 4 x gatekeeper in field opposite St.Vincents, Northwood Hills. At Poors field 4 x speckled wood, 2 x meadow brown, 20 x gatekeeper, 1 x small skipper, 2 xwhite banded carpet moth - David Gower

Thursday 28th July 2011
Today I had my first Painted Lady of the year. It was about 3/4 of normal size and a bit battered.Also had a Small Tortoiseshell, and walking to Sainsburys saw a female Common Blue in a neighbours front garden.Hope it makes it to mine as I haven't had one yet. Malcolm Newland

The following found along Icknield Way and at Telegraph Hill in the morning in almost unbroken sunshine: 1 Holly Blue, 50+ whites, 20+ Meadow Browns, 5+ Speckled Woods, 30+ Gatekeepers, 30+ Brimstones, 30+ Chalkhill Blues, 5+ Ringlets, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small Skippers, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 3 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue, 5+ Marbled Whites and 2 Peacocks. Peter Clarke

Yesterday's sightings (Wednesday 27th July 2011) as follows - 1 Small Copper, at Park Farm, Enfield, 12:00 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Duncan's Wood, Enfield Chase, 12:22 hrs (pristine condition); 1 Comma, edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park, 12:45 hrs; 2 Green-veined White, together, edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park, 12:45 hrs; 2 Holly Blue, together, settled on churned up mud of bridle-path near Merryhills Brook/Trent Park, 13:25 hrs. Today (Thursday 28th July 2011) saw the following at Tyttenhanger GP - 1 male Common Blue, 10:50 hrs; 1 Small Copper, 10:55 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, 10:58 hrs; 1 Brown Argus, 11:15 hrs. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 27th July 2011
Telegraph Hill, nr Lilley. In cloudy weather at chalk cutting, at least ten Chalkhiil Blues, including two females. Also here were GV white, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, 1 Marbled White, 1 Comma, 1 Six-Spot Burnet. Along neighbouring track Speckled Wood and a Common Footman. - Stefan Hunt

Broxbourne Wood, Monday 25 July, 1 Silver washed fritillery, 2 Ringlet, 9 Gatekeeper, 3 Green Veined White, 9 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Skipper, 1 Peacock, 1 Large Skipper, 5 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Comma, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Red Admiral - Nigel Agar

Tuesday 26th July 2011
Just two Red Admirals to report today (Tuesday 26th July 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, on buddleia at Bay Farm, Enfield, 11:10 hrs and another at Rectory Farm, Enfield, 11:40 hrs. - Robert Callf

The last four days have produced fourteen species in my Hemel Hempstead garden and my 6th record this year of an HBHM. Highlights were my first White Letter Hairstreak since 2006 and my first Purple Hairstreak since 2001! Peacock numbers show a slight improvement with three at once on the 25th and I had four Red Admirals together on the 24th. Making up the numbers were all the Whites, Meadow Brown, Male Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Comma, Holly Blue and Ringlet. Not bad for a small suburban garden! - Malcolm Newland

Monday 25th July 2011
During my work break saw 1 x red admiral & 1 x gatekeeper in Northwood - David Gower

Peacock numbers on my buddleia in Ware increased to 4 this morning (2 on Sunday) - Liz Goodyear

Some news for (Friday 22nd July 2011) - 3 Brown Argus, singles in three different tetrads (1 on thistle along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood at Vicarage Farm, 11:32 hrs, 1 set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 11:35 hrs, 1 at Park Farm, Enfield, 12:10 hrs); 1 Red Admiral, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, 11:35 hrs; 1 female Large Skipper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, 11:40 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Parkside Farm, Enfield, 11:50 hrs; 1 Peacock, at Parkside Farm, Enfield, 11:50 hrs, 1 Peacock, at Park Farm, 12:58 hrs; 2 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, 12:25 and 12:52 hrs; 2 Comma, at Park Farm, 12:40 and 12:55 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, Water Grdn., Trent Park, 13:35 hrs; 1 Peacock, on buddleia, Water Grdn., Trent Park, 13:42 hrs; 1 Comma, on buddleia, Water Grdn., Trent Park, 13:42 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, near Firing Range, at Vicarage Farm, 14:45 hrs. News for today (Monday 25th July 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, Barracks, at Vicarage Farm; 1 Small Heath, at Vicarage Farm, 10:35 hrs; 1 male Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 10:41 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Parkside Farm, 11:20 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, 11:45 hrs; 1 Comma, at Park Farm, Enfield, 12:15 hrs; 5 Peacock, on thistles edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park, 12:57 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, on thistle edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park, 12:57 hrs; 2 Comma, edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park, 12:57 hrs; 1 Small Heath, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 13:03 hrs. Also several other Red Admirals which I saw but did not note the times. - Robert Callf

Sunday 24th July 2011
Norton Green, nr Stevenage. Went to viewpoint for yesterdays star butterfly, not expecting to be lucky. Waited a while, went for a walk, when I returned Peter Clarke was searching. Was describing it to him when a Valezina Silver-Washed Fritilary came down on nearby brambles. This was further up the ride from the bylaws sign where I saw it yesterday. If anyone fancies venturing along this ride be aware that the terrain is difficult, with many hard to see holes. Around brambles further down track, on left toward Pigeonswick were 2 ordinary (sic) SWF, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Holly Blue, 1 Peacock, 2+ Speckled Wood, some GV and L Whites, Meadow Brown, small number of worn Ringlet, and a lot of Gatekeepers. - Stefan Hunt

At Hexton CP today and on Great Butterfly Count, 27 Chalkhill Blue, 1 Dark Green Fritillery (rather battered), 1 Essex Skipper 2 Gatekeepers 1 Specked Wood (by the gate) Large ands Small Whites at Hexton Common i e north of the village Small Tortoishell, Small Whites, Gatekeepers - Nigel Agar

Robin Pearson's flickr link to some Bedfordshire Chalkhill Blues

Today at Tyttenhager GP had 1 White-Letter Haistreak feeding on Ragworth 80 + gatekeepers, 30 + Large White, 10 GV White, 17 Red Admiral at least, 8 Commas 20 Meadow Browns, 3 Peacocks, 2 Holly Blues, 4 Common Blues,2 Small White 1 Ringlet, 1 Purple hairstreak, 1 Specked Wood - Andy Steele

News from Bricket Wood - 13 Holly Blues on todays transect, by far the highest weekly total in 13 years. Brimstones (6) & Peacocks (5) out today. Purple Hairstreaks, Red Admiral, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns & Green-veined Whites all out in good numbers. Marbled White, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary Ringlet, Large, & Small, Skippers are all still flying, but numbers well down from their peak 2-3 weeks ago. Common Blue, Essex Skipper, Speckled Wood, Comma, Small & Large Whites also seen today, but no sign of Purple Emperor. One Silver-washed Fritillary was seen nectaring on buddleia, so worth looking out for this species in garden locations after its exceptional year. Butterfly World - Six-spot Burnet moth out in force at Butterfly World this afternoon. 290 recorded on the transect, which comfortably exceeds my previous totals anywhere in St Albans district. Other species flying there today included Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Silver Y, Essex Skipper, Common Blues, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper & the whites. Also I think the answer to the Valezina Q is that its very unusual. The only previous Herts sighting I'm aware of is reported in Sawford - Knebworth Woods 7 July 1946! - Malcolm Hull

Went to Norton Green this afternoon for nearly 2 hours and saw the following: 5+ Purple Hairstreaks. 2 Peacocks, 4+ Silver-washed Fritillaries, 20+ Meadow Browns, 20+ Gatekeepers, 2 Ringlets, 10+ Commas, 5+ Marbled Whites, 1 Speckled Wood, 20+ skippers, 30+ whites. The highlight was the sighting of the variant form Valezina of the Silver-washed Fritillary. I saw it several times (with Stephan Hunt who saw it yesterday) towards the bottom of the field between Watery Grove and Cannocks Wood between 1345 and 1415 hrs. At first glance it looked like a large Ringlet and its behaviour was different to the usual females because it tended to favour the shade and did not fly much. Peter Clarke

Some sightings for today (Sunday 24th July 2011) - 2, male and female, Gatekeeper, 12:40 hrs; 1 Green-veined White, 12:45 hrs; 1 Holly Blue, 12:46 hrs, at Oakwood Park, N14. At Grovelands Park, Southgate: 3 Holly Blue, 13:25, 13:30 and 14:35 hrs; 1 Speckled Wood, 13:30 hrs, 2 Red Admiral, on white buddleia, 13:35 hrs. Yesterday (Saturday 23rd July 2011) - 1 Small Copper, at Vicarage Farm, 14:15 hrs; 1 male Oak Eggar, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood, 14:35 hrs; 1 Essex Skipper, near Hadley Rd/Vicarage Farm, 14:45 hrs; 4 Speckled Wood, at Park Farm, Enfield, 15:10 hrs. - Robert Callf

Just to let you know during my 15 mins of Big Butterfly Count at lunchtime a couple of circuits around the garden revealed a Silver Washed Fritillary, (thrilling) we have some photos of this, and a Purple Hairstreak plus 4 Admirals, 3 Peacocks, a Common Blue, 3 Gatekeepers, 3 Meadow Browns and 3 Whites. The Fritillary was feeding on Buddleia and Lysimachia clethroides - Julie Wise

Saturday 23rd July 2011
Norton Green, near Stevenage. Was at emperor watchpoint this morning in lousy weather when, during one cloud break, a Valezina Silver-Washed Fritilary flew into brambles a few feet away! At the Norton Common Bylaws sign, by the ride at Watery Grove Wood, I was standing on the concrete platform facing North, landed in brambles to my left. Great close-up views, briefly showing pinkish underside, but mostly showing its grey-green upperside. Knew it was an abberant SWF, but had to look it up when I got in. From what I can gather it is somewhat rare, but how rare? Can someone let me know? Took some pics with a camera phone (3.2mp) which are not exactly pro-quality but show what it is. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildmanstefan Also in same area were comma, gatekeeper, 1 purple hairstreak, whites and a couple of ringlet. Did not see a PE, but do I feel bothered? -Stefan Hunt.

At Hatfield Aerodrome (Disused) today: Few Small/Essex Skipper, 2 x Red Admiral, Few Gatekeeper, Fair numbers Meadow Brown, Few Small White, 1 x Brown Argus and 1 Comma - David Wheatcroft

Near Little Hadham in a field of lucerne, several Latticed Heath moths - Liz Goodyear

Friday 22nd July 2011
Good butterfly day today Friday. In Broxbourne Woods in ride 15 species incl two silver washed Frillaries, 2 small and two essex skipper, common blue and 4 purple hairstreak. Lots of gatekeepers and 40 plus meadow browns. In Bencroft wood 20 green veined whites and gatekeepers and purple hairsteaks in many of the oaks, plus peacocks and red admirals. Went to cock lane in disused gravel pit by A10 9 species incl purple hairstreaks,common blue and many brown argus - Steve Kiln

Had a pleasant 2 hours in mostly sunshine 11am to 1pm on Nomandsland Common finding at least 6 Purple Hairstreaks- 3 really low in the small oaks adjacent to the road . Also seen were 3 Small Coppers, 2 Common Blues, numerous Gatekeepers and a Comma. Later we saw a Painted Lady at a plant nursery at Sandridge. - Ernie Leahy

Got out in the early morning sun and managed to do some recording for: St Nicks Church Yard 9.40- 9.55am. 1 Large White, 1 Small White, 5 Green-veined White, 1 Holly Blue, 7 Speckled Wood, 1 Gatekeeper, 2 Meadow Brown. Field behind St Nicks Church 10- 10.35am. 1 Small Skipper, 6 Essex Skipper, 2 Large Skipper, 3 Large White, 10 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 2 Small Copper, 5 Brown Argus, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Marbled White, 11 Gatekeeper, 5 Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet. - Lee Browne

Ware garden at 8.30, at least 10 Red Admiral on the buddleia - Liz Goodyear

Friday 22nd July - over 100 gatekeeper on Hounslow Heath LNR this morning and 1 purple Hairstreak, 2 Brown Argus on site yesterday. Have started full time trapping at the BAA Causeway site on the River Crane with James Webster their ecologist in an area of old flood meadows, alder carr, woodland and reedbeds, first trap yeilded up Dingy and Scarce Footman and Bulrush Wainscot along with several Macros. - Chris Slack

Thursday 21st July 2011
A few sightings today (Thurs 21st July 2011) - 1 Essex Skipper, along hedgerow N of Williams Wood at Vicarage Farm, 12:10 hrs; 1 Small Heath, at Parkside Farm, Enfield, 12:25 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, near Firing Range at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 13:32 hrs. Also a fair few Green-veined White at Vicarage Farm today ('summer-brood'). - Robert Callf.

Wednesday 20th July 2011
Managed to get in my first records for the Big Butterfly Count. Weather was warm but overcast. 10-10.15am Roebuck Woodland. Green-veined White 3, Meadow Brown 3, Gatekeeper 1, Speckled Wood 1, Red Admiral 1, Silver Y 1. Lee Browne

Tuesday 19th July 2011
A couple of sightings for today (Tues 19th July 2011) at Tyttenhager GP - 1 Marbled White, 14:32 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, 14:45 hrs, also a couple of sightings which I was not able to confirm, one of which was almost certainly a Peacock. - Robert Callf.

Monday 18th July 2011
Bicentenary Garden, Brunel University, the following were active during the short sunny spell at lunchtime: 4 Brown Argus, 8 Gatekeeper, 2 Meadow Brown, 5 Speckled Wood, Comma, Red Admiral & Peacock - Steve Pash

Some sightings for the last few days - (Saturday 16th July 2011) - 1 Six-spot Burnet, field N of Williams Wood at Vicarage Farm, 16:10 hrs. - First of the year! 1 Peacock, at Park Farm, Enfield, 15:40 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Bay Farm, Enfield, 17:00 hrs. (Sunday 17th July 2011) - 1 Comma, near Allotments at Vicarage Farm, 11:50 hrs; 2 male Common Blue, at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 12:00 hrs and 12:20 hrs; 1 Peacock, at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 12:00 hrs; 1 Small Copper, at Vicarage Farm, 12:20 hrs; 1 Marbled White, flew over Wildwoods Lake, Enfield (TQ322994) at 14:52 hrs; 2 Purple Hairstreak, settled low down on Oak (after shower) at Hilly Fields Park, Enfield, 15:25 hrs. (Monday 18th July 2011) - 1 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, (female - with deformed and stunted wings) at Park Farm, Enfield, 11:00 hrs; 1 Essex Skipper, at Bay Farm, Enfield, 11:10 hrs - my first of the year! 1 Comma, at Bay Farm, 11:15 hrs; 1 female Large Skipper, at Park Farm, Enfield, 11:42 hrs; 1 female Holly Blue, settled low down with wings spread, at Park Farm, Enfield, 11:45 hrs; 1 Comma, at Park Farm, 11:47 hrs; 1 Coma, edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park, 12:24 hrs; 1 Comma, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park, 13:02 hrs; 1 Comma, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 13:06 hrs; 1 Oak Eggar, near Firing Range at Vicarage Farm, Enfield, 14:05 hrs. - Robert Callf

Been busy lately - but some recent sightings for you Sunday 11th July Hummingbird Hawk Moth - Wareside - on the budleia bushes in the garden Brown Argus Ringlet (7) Red Admiral (5) Peacock (1) Small Tortoishell - (8) - Also we raised many from a brood of catterpillars rescued before the hedge cutters came along. Now have another group of approx 20 - busy devouring our nettles. Also Hummingbird Hawk moth at Hunsdon - Crown PH Garden. - on Red Valerian Friday 15th - Wareside Peacock (8) Red Admiral (5) Small Tortoishell (3) Comma (2) All on the garden budleia. Whilst in the orchard Ringlet (13) Meadow Brown (10) Brown Argus (2) Small Copper (1) Gatekeeper now emerging, seen 2. Small, Large and green veined whites all about also. Sunday 17th Broxbourne woods A trip between the heavy downpours to see if we could find the Emperor None seen, no white admiral either - However we were rewarded with some superb views of a fresh female Silver Washed Fritilary, nectaring on the thistles at the cleared area of the woods. Also several ringlets, speckled wood and meadow browns, + many large skipper, which appears to have done very well this year. Phil MacMurdie

Sunday 17th July 2011
Earlier this weekend in kings Langley; Small Tortoiseshell seeing off a Meadow brown from the buddleja, pair of Red Admiral chasing through the garden. Holly blue and Speckled wood. Today in a short spell of sunshine I found small or essex skipper in flight, one marbled white, gatekeeper and meadow brown in Kings Langley country lane; also a red tailed bumble bee and Large white. Below are pictures of a Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7392841@N04/5937353213/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7392841@N04/5947195512/
Elizabeth Debenham

The following At Hatfield Aerodrome (Disused) Today: Gatekeeper - 10+, Small White - 10+, Small Tortoiseshell - 1, Essex Skipper - 4+, Meadow Brown - 10+, Speckled Wood - 3, 8+ Ringlet - David Wheatcroft

Surprised to see a pristine Speckled Wood in my garden this afternoon in Chiswell Green. It managed to dodge the persistent spells and enjoy the brief sunny interludes. - Martin Gore

Just 1 x peacock in front garden (Bushey) today. Just back from Germany where i counted 21 different species - David Gower

Friday 15th July 2011
Ruislip - Copse Wood; 4 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 3 Comma, 3 Speckled Wood, lots of Gatekeeper, a few worn Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large & Small White & lots of very obliging Purple Haistreak setting low on bramble & other scrub. Meadow next to Lido car park: 3 Marbled White, 4 Ringlet, several Meadow Brown, 6+ Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Small & large Skipper. Poors Field: Brown Argus, Red Admiral, Small Skipper and Gatekeeper. Park Wood: PE late afternoon at St Vincents end of wood. Steve Pash

Flood Plain on Old Knebworth Lane 9.45-10.45am. Green-veined White 3, Small White 6, Large White 3, Small/Essex Skipper 6, Large Skipper 2, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 17, Gatekeeper 8, Ringlet 8, Common Blue 2, Holly Blue 3, Brown Argus 3, Small Copper 1, Purple Hairstreak 1, Peacock 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Red Admiral 1.
Small Skipper
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63869857@N06/5940736153/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63869857@N06/5941294578/
Lee Browne

Walking the mile to work this morning, I set off at 8.30 and saw 6 Red Admiral on my buddleias or sat on the pebble dash on the house. Also seen 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma and 1 Peacock. At the end of the road, another Red Admiral and a White-letter Hairstreak creeping around a evergreen shrub. I assumed that every buddleia bush I passed would provide more sightings. 1 mile later I had seen no more butterflies - Liz Goodyear

Some sightings for today (Friday 15th July 2011) - 1 Comma, near Allotments at Vicarage Farm, 10:32 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Parkside Farm, 11:25 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, 12:05 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, at Bay Farm, Enfield, 12:28 hrs; 1 male Common Blue, at Park Farm, Enfield at 12:20 hrs; 3 Red Admiral, at Rectory Farm, 12:45 - 12:55 hrs; 1 Red Admiral, edge of Whitewebbs Wood, 13:55 hrs; 1 Comma, edge of Whitewebbs Wood, 13:55 hrs. - Robert Callf

During a cloudy afternoon's visit to Norton Green between 1255 to 1515 hours I saw quite a few butterflies including a White Admiral which flew overhead from Watery Grove towards Newton Wood. No definite sightings of the Purple Emperor although there might have been one when one large dark butterfly with some white on its wings flew at and then above me when I walked along the track. Marbled Whites very much in evidence in the field by Watery Grove even if numbers of them are falling elsewhere. Still a lot of golden skippers around, whites, Purple Hairstreaks and Meadow Browns but Ringlets now declining. A Red Admiral and a few Commas also seen - Peter Clarke

Thursday 14th July 2011
In an hours visit to Bricket Wood this morning I recorded 12 Purple Hairstreaks down settling on the bracken. Having struggled to find the odd one at ground level this year, this was surprising. They were all in a similar area and all females. A White letter Hairstreak was also down next to them on a thistle head. 3 White Admirals were hanging on and the Silver washed Fritillaries were still going well with 11 seen. - Clive Burrows

Earlier this week red admiral, small tortoiseshell, holly blue and speckled wood in the garden in Kings Langley. July 14th.It has been quite an afternoon for butterflies in Kings Langley. Driving up a local country lane I disturbed a red admiral, possibly a comma in hedgerow. Walking along a grassy verge where ragwort and clover were growing, I saw small copper, small skippers, one marbled white, ringlets, gatekeepers,meadow brown, small whites -- one pair, at least two large whites, one holly blue (not confirmed), as it was flying so fast along the hedgerow. A bit later I saw a small skipper and small copper on same ragwort. Small tortoiseshell and gatekeeper were enjoying some marjoram.Also there were lots of cinabar caterpillars still and I think one mallow moth. I was just considering it was about time we saw a peacock when there on a buddleja in full display a new PEACOCK and another small tortoiseshell were seen! - Elizabeth Debenham

Walked from just west of A1(M) at Stevenage Symonds Green to Norton Green. Emergence of Peacocks, present in all the expected places. Covered this area last on Saturday and didn't see any. Numerous Red Admirals seen, a lot of of them pristine. At Pigeonswick Cottage, in meadow by small gate (appx TL225228), a Purple Hairstreak and a Silver Y. Also a Hare in nearby long grass. It thought it was hidden, laying 6 feet away, but was off at mega-speed when it saw me point my Nokia. The horse again took an inconveniently close interest in me, but is friendly. Brief view of Silver-Washed Fritilary in Cannocks Wood, part of Newton Wood - Stefan Hunt

A few sightings for today (Thursday 14th July 2011) - 1 Red Admiral, on buddleia near High Barnet Station, 09:20 hrs; 2+ Red Admiral, at Tyttenhanger GP, 10:35 hrs and 11:50 hrs; 2 Marbled White, at Tyttenhanger GP, 10:40 hrs; 1 Peacock, at Tyttenhanger GP (TL1905), 11:50 hrs. - Robert Callf

I went to F & P to look for PEs today at 1.00. I reckon that I saw 3 or even 4 PEs at about 1.30. I also went to Fir and Pond Woods NR to do an odd job or so not expecting a good butterfly day, but I was wrong. I saw 13 species. These included red admirals (4), meadow browns (6), marbled whites (3), gatekeepers at least 7, GVWs (5). There were also 3 small and 1 Essex skipper and one each of small copper, peacock, comma and ringlet. There were also several whites both small and large. - David Gompertz

Wednesday 13th July 2011
A few sightings to report for the past two days - 1 Red Admiral, 12:43 hrs and 1 Holly Blue, 13:10 hrs., both at Grovelands Park, Southgate, N14 on (Monday 11th July 2011). Yesterday (Tues 12th July 2011) - 3 Ringlet, at Park Farm, Enfield, at 08:30 hrs and 1 Red Admiral at Silver Streeet, Enfield Town, settling on the window of Greggs the Baker, 18:00 hrs. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 12th July 2011
Field behind St Nicks Church, 9.30-11am, not perfect conditions but still a fair few butterflies on the wing, Gatekeeper 6, Meadow Brown 1, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Ringlet 16, Red Admiral 3, Small/Essex Skipper 7, Green-veined White 2, Marbled White 13, Brown Argus 1, Small White 3. If anyone’s interested there’s a programme on Monday 18th July at 19.30 on BBC4 called Born to be Wild this episode is about butterfly and moth recording and conservation. Lee Browne

News from Sunday 10th July: Woodoaks Farm - in the area of set-aside S of Ladywalk Wood - TQ 029936 Lots of activity with Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Large, Small & Essex Skipper, Large, Small & GV White, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue and my first sighting of Brown Argus at this site. Heronsgate - field NE of Bottom Wood - TQ029938 (just in Herts) Small Heath, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Comma, Peacock, GV White, Small Skipper and Holly Blue. Heronsgate - Hill Farm Track - TQ028946 Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma Large & Small White and Holly Blue. Monday 11th July: Brunel University, meadow S of Cleveland Rd (not Bicentenary Garden) - TQ056827 Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Large, Small & GV White, Large, Small & Essex Skipper, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Holly Blue, Small Copper and Brown Argus, a first for this site! Steve Pash

Monday 11th July 2011
Stanwell Moor, a lot of activity around my patch this Sunday lunchtime. Peacocks are now very prominent, with at least a dozen seen; they were mostly nectaring, but one or two were behaving territorially, so I wonder if they will produce a second brood as in 2009. There were also seven or eight Red Admirals and the same number of Commas. Gatekeepers are building nicely, all males thus far, including an unusual pale golden-coloured one rather than the normal rich orange-brown. Curiously, they had completely replaced the Ringlets along the woodland edge, though the Meadow Browns remain undiminished in number. Speckled Woods had clearly emerged in a new brood, and over a dozen were seen, often in groups of two and three. Holly Blues joined them along the woodland edges, but only five were seen altogether. The Small Heath colony continues strongly, and today they were joined by a host of new Essex Skippers (every one checked was definitely not a Small relative), perhaps as many as 20 of each species. Very difficult to count accurately. Finally, five or six new brood Brown Argus were out, but no Common Blues - odd to see the former but not the latter. At 8pm, a brief sortie confirmed that all the oak trees in the vicinity have Purple Hairstreaks. It was their ideal evening for dancing over the treetops - strong late sunshine and warm, nearly calm, conditions. - Dave Miller

Ruislip Woods. Copse Wood top of Ducks Hill. Midday. Male Purple Emperor settled on damp patch in pathway. Also a few Speckled woods, Gatekeepers, Ringlets, Meadow Browns and Small skippers in neraby clearing plus a dozen or so Purple Hairstreaks shimmying around the tree tops with one settling in a conifer several times for some duration. Disappointingly no White Admirals. Fields towards Lido next to Ducks Hill 5 Marbled Whites, 2 Red Admirals, plenty of Ringlets, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Small Skippers. - Nick Furtek

Spent a productive morning at Watery Grove today around the clearing by the Norton Common Bylaws sign.The highlight was a pristine Silver Washed Fritillary.Other sightings included;2 Red Admiral,5+Marbled Whites,2 Small Copper,10+ Purple Hairstreaks,5+ Comma,Several Gatekeepers,numerous Large and Small Whites ,Large and Small Skippers,Meadow Browns and Ringlets. - Darrel Bryant

Silver Washed Fritilleries in Broxbourne Woods today (Monday 11 July) c14:00 hrs on the flowery strip betwen the two paths not far from the car park. At least three present . Courtship flight observed. Also Commas and Red Admirals seen near the seat at the far end of the reserve. No White Admirals or Purple Emperors seen. Nigel Agar

Sunday 10th July 2011
A few sightings for yesterday (Sunday 10th July 2011) - 1 Painted Lady, at Park Farm, Enfield, 12:10 hrs (fresh); 1 Peacock, at Park Farm, Enfield, 12:15 hrs - the first of the summer-brood that I have seen; 1 Red Admiral, at Strayfield Road, Clay Hill, Enfield, 13:15 hrs. - Robert Callf.

When the sun finally decided to come out this afternoon I walked up to Aldbury Golf course and through the small wood that leads to the Ridgeway Path. I managed to see a Silver-washed Fritillary in this small woodland and then another 3 or 4 further into Aldbury Nowers flying in the sunlit glades. I also saw a Dark-Green Fritillary on the steep slope further up the Ridgeway Path and encouraging numbers of Red Admirals on the brambles which looked like they had just hatched out( I counted 6). Phil Woodward

Visit to Symonshyde today yielded five Silver Washed Frits….including stunning views of mating pair. Also one of the five was on the road just to the west of the gates. Also 4 or 5 White Admirals Robin & Sandra Smith

I saw a Humingbird Hawkmoth at Knebworth Woods at TL223222 nectaring with Ringlets on Bramble near the gate where the path from Pigeonswick comes out into open fields. This was in the course of a WCBS on July 1 - Nigel Agar

Couldn't make the Bricket Wood walk so had a stroll around the weedy field near Batford, three Holly Blues
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/5921915368_3a9c7a3eae_z.jpg
being the only butterflies of note. Robin Pearson

'Interesting behaviour' - I had a call from Alan Storey who visited Broxbourne Wood on 1st July from Lancashire. He reported seeing a White Admiral upside down in a bush with its proboscis in a dead wasp in a disused spiders web, so it would seem taking fluids from the dead insect, behaviour he and I have not come across before. The White Admiral subsequently flew off, so it was not caught in the web - Andrew Wood

Sandra and I went to Balls Wood today from 11.00am until 2.00pm, weather was very warm, cloudy with sunny spells. Along the main ride we saw 1 White Admiral, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 1 Peacock and lots of Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small and large Skipper. We then walked to where we had seen the PE last year but no sign this year however we did see 2 Silver Washed Fritillary, 2 White Admiral, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Brown Argus, 3 Purple Hairstreak and again lots of Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small and large Skipper. Also saw 4 Emperor Dragonflies, 2 Brown Hawkers and a Black Tailed Skimmer, Slow Worm and Grass Snake. - Kevin Standbridge

Old rivers nursery site High wych/Sawbridgeworth ,18 Small skipper,2 Brown argus,4 Gatekeeper,1 Speckled wood,3 Small tortoiseshell,1 very fresh Peacock,Meadow brown 40+ and Ringlet 20+. - Laurence Drummond

Saturday 9th July 2011
Norton Green Nr Stevenage. Hummingbird Hawkmoth in meadow next to Pigeonswick Cottage, feeding on flowers in long grasses near small gate. Note, resident horse is inquisitive. Silver-washed Fritilary at Watery Grove. Holly Blue along track that leads from Pigeonswick to High Broomin Wood. Two Gatekeepers on lane near High Broomin Wood. Note also, there is a music festival at Knebworth, so area is not tranquil. Stefan Hunt

Sat 9th July - Park Wood, Ruislip Plenty of PE activity this afternoon between 16.15 - 17.10. At least 3 males in 2 territories. 3 White Admiral, Red Admiral, 4 Comma, 3 Speckled Wood, several fresh Gatekeeper, Small & Large Skipper, Plenty of Ringlet, Meadow Brown & Purple Hairstreak. Steve Pash

Broxbourne Wood Reserve, field trip report. Several people joined us for the annual event, and despite the weather being a bit anti-social, most people were able to get glimpses of Purple Emperor flying overhead although none were seen grounded. Only one White Admiral was seen on the ride but the probable highlight was an pristine female Silver-washed Fritilary which was very co-operative in allowing most people to take a photo. She later went and laid some eggs on a tree trunk in front of us, so we also able to see the eggs! Also seen was a Brown Argus, Red Admiral, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet and numerous Purple Hairstreak. A Gatekeeper was seen by one or two observers. Later a smaller group went to Northaw where spectacular territorial activity between at least two Purple Emperors were seen - various observers including Andrew Middleton and Liz Goodyear

Bricket Wood Common - new species out this week - Brown Argus, Small Copper, Comma & Essex Skipper. Also 2 Purple Emperors & an abundance of Silver-washed Fritillaries, Red Admirals, Purple Hairstreak, Marbled Whites Meadow Browns & Ringlets. White Admirals still holding on. Fied trip starts at 10 am tomorrow (Sunday 10th) Butterfly World - new species out this week - Essex Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, second generation Common Blue & Brown Argus. Number of Meadow Brown, Small Skipper and Marbled White all well up on last year. But I've not seen a single new Peacock at any site in St Albans area yet - Malcolm Hull

Have just seen a HUMMINGBIRD HAWK moth on a Buddleja in Kings Langley, 3.15pm. I was out there trying to photograph a red admiral, watching a holly blue and the hawk moth just appeared. Too fast for a photo as it was gone as soon as. - Elizabeth Debenham

Saw a female Large Skipper in Oakwood Park, N14 yesterday afternoon (Friday 8th July 2011) at 13:30 hrs. Also saw a Red Admiral in Trent Park this morning at 11:20 hrs (Saturday 9th July 2011) Sect. 8 of 'New Fields' and a Purple Hairstreak, along Cockfosters Road near the Main entrance to Trent Park, 11:40 hrs. Some sightings for today (Saturday 9th July 2011) - 3 Comma, at Monken Hadley Common, 12:00 - 12:05 hrs., near Beech Hill Lake (TQ 272969); 1 Red Admiral, Monken Hadley Common, near Beech Hill Lake, 12:00 hrs; 5 Ringlet, Monken Hadley Common near Beech Hill Lake, 12:03 - 12:05 hrs; 2(male and female) Large Skipper, Monken Hadley Common near Beech Hill Lake, 12:06 hrs; 3 Small Skipper, Monken Hadley Common near Beech Hill Lake, 12:10 - 12:15 hrs; 1 male Holly Blue, at Covert Way LNR, 12:25 hrs (TQ 265974); 1 Comma, at Covert Way LNR, 12:50 hrs. - Robert Callf

Friday 8th July 2011
Not a brilliant day Friday due to wind and cloud but there is an eruption of brown argus (must be 2nd brood), 11 at rickneys, 16 at waterford heath split equally between north and south. Saw 16 species at Waterford Heath which is high incl common blue, red admiral and small tortoiseshell - Steve Kiln

Thursday 7th July 2011
Chalkhill Blue at Hexton Chalk Pits - Nigel Agar

Some late sightings news - I did the transect on Tues and of particular interest were 4 dark green fritillaries (3 in the south, 1 in the north) and a hummingbird hawkmoth in the largest southern enclosure. There were plenty of marbled whites about, a few gatekeepers , ringlets, meadow brown, small copper, brown argus, small heath, brimstone, skippers, whites and a red admiral. Yesterday there was also a comma and small tortoiseshell in the large southern enclosure. In Verulum Park on Monday I saw a comma, small tortoiseshell and various small/gv whites. I also saw 2 small butterflies spiralling around near a large oak but didn't get a close view. Possibly purple hairstreaks? There was also a red admiral and a holly blue outside my house! - Paul Thrush (Paul has also received a report of a Purple Emperor found on a driveway just outside Harpenden in the Wheathampstead direction!)

Wednesday 6th July 2011
Went to Watery Grove PE watchpoint hoping for a break in the weather. Wasn't there very long when the sun returned and my first ever Purple Emporer (male) circled me several times, nearly made contact with my face, then landed on nearby dog deposit 1135am. Stayed for about two minutes then flew up to oak-tops by gate. Didn't manage to wipe the smile off my face all day! - Stephan Hunt

Hounslow Heath LNR, 1 Small Copper, 6 Purple Hairstreak, 4 Ringlet, 12 Small Heath, 1 Painted Lady, Small and Essex Skippers - Chris Slack Cranebank LNR, A small area of meadows adjacent the River Crane just south of the A4 in London Borough of Hounslow. Red Admiral 3, Meadow brown 10+, Small Heath 3, Ringlet 1, Small Skipper 6 - Chris Slack

July 1st, I saw at least two small tortoiseshells in a field towards Chipperfield from Belsize, Nr. Kings Langley. On brambles a ringlet, meadow brown in grass, large skipper also on brambles. In Kings Langley on 4th July a meadow brown in a wheatfield, 5th July a female holly blue in a garden, 6th July in morning a pristine red admiral, a small white, ringlet and holly blue all in one garden and possibly a small tortoiseshell high up near a house wall. - Elizabeth Debenham

05.04.11 - weedy field, Batford: 1 WHITE LETTER HAIRSTREAK, 1 PAINTED LADY, 06.04.11 - weedy field, Batford: 2 PURPLE HAIRSTREAKS, 1 Holly Blue, 1 small white - Darin Stanley

Tuesday 5th July 2011

4th July Bricket Wood - photo: Clive Burrows
3rd July Broxbourne Wood Main Ride - photo: Laurence Drummond
28th June Broxbourne Woods central path - photo: Laurence Drummond
3rd July Broxbourne Wood Main Ride on bird dropping - photo: Laurence Drummond
27th June Broxbourne Woods Main Ride photo: Laurence Drummond

Norton Green. One Small Heath on path in SE corner of land behind travellers site, also a Purple Hairstreak low on brambles nearby, 1135. A single White-letter Hairstreak (my first) on footpath running northerly from Pigeonswick Cottage adjacent to meadow appx 1230. Superb close views until joggers sent it flying away. Also Speckled Wood here, and at least two Red Admirals. At about 1535 a Purple Hairstreak along cyclepath near Bowling Green, Stevenage Old Town - Stephan Hunt

Knebworth, Watery Grove area, 1 Purple Emperor overhead seen by Andrew Middleton. Also present were at least 1 Silver-washed Fritillary, Marbled White, Red Admiral, Commas, 1 Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlets, Holly Blue, Large Skipper (and probably other skippers) Common Blue in field and numerous Purple Hairstreak in the canopy and one low down for Bob to photo - Andrew Middleton, Liz Goodyear joined by Peter Clarkem Bob Clift and Stephan Hunt

Went to Plashes wood today, parked near entrance to Hanging wood 10.50, quick glance at some elm behind Ribford cottage gave a single Wl hairstreak, up the footpath through Hanging wood plenty of Meadow browns, Ringlets, Commas, and 2 small skipper, up to Plashes farm and along the track behind the farm again lots of Meadow brown, Ringlet, Comma, also here 3 Red admiral, 2 Small tortoiseshell, 10+ Large skipper, Purple hairstreak around the oaks and on bramble and thistle, on the walk back 2 more Small tortoiseshell and one Brown argus - Laurence Drummond

Park Wood, Ruislip Silver-washed Fritillary on Grubb Ground at lunchtime today. At least 4 White Admiral, 6+ Ringlet, 4+ Meadow Brown, 5+ Speckled Wood, 3 Large White, several Small/Essex Skipper, 5+ Purple Hairstreak and a Holly Blue. No sign of Purple Emperor. Steve Pash

OAKHILL THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE---Chase side,Southgate N14( hay meadows)-------2x Marbled white, 3x Ringlet-----4x WLH---------all first records for the site. The regular early June cutting put back till 1st August--also seems to have had a positive effect on skipper and meadow brown numbers. KIT JONES

Six White letter Hairstreaks including a female egg laying observed low down on elm on a new site for me in the Bricket wood/ Garston area at lunctime today. - Clive Burrows

Surprised sighting in my St Albans garden today with a fresh marbled white plus comma and 2 Large whites - Andy Steele

Seen by Kevin Hornby on 2.7.11 at White letter hairstreak 2, Purple emperor seen in bushes along path near Panshanger playing field. Marbled white 5+, Small tortoiseshell 2 - news via Clive Hornby

Monday 4th July 2011
Broxbourne Woods 4 July Arrived in west Car park at 9:50am in clear sunshine but searched rides until a pair of PURPLE EMPERORS found fluttering in sallows at 12:20 pm for about 20 seconds. Seen on the slope just 150 meters W of the ash pile and subsequently 2 brief sightings of one flying over canopy. Another was seen in another part of the wood by a dog walker. Also 2 White Ads , 2 Silver Washes Frits , Green Viened Whites ,Commas , & a male Brimstone etc. Ernest Leahy

Monday 4th July - Bicentenary Garden, Brunel University 2 Red Admiral, Comma, 2 Gatekeeper, 5+ Meadow Brown, 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Marbled Whites, Large, Small & GV Whites, Small/Essex Skipper, 2 Holly Blue and 3 NB 5-spot Burnet - Steve Pash

Symondshyde Great Wood - The rides were alive with Silver-washed Fritillaries - I counted 18 in all, but there could well have been more. 6 White Admirals & a solitary White-letter Hairstreak. At Park Croft on Hammonds Lane I had three sightings of a large dark nymphalid flying just above the top of oaks at the highest point in the wood complex. I didn't see it well enough to be 100% sure it was a Purple Emperor, but I think it quite likely. Grid ref of sighting TL191115, though the best viewpoint is 100yards to the west on the public footpath that runs NE from Hammonds Lane - Malcolm Hull

Purple Emperor grounded today at Bricket Wood. Around 1145, sailed down from the oaks and landed in front of me on some bracken. It then popped up a few feet onto a tree sapling. Here it stayed for 15 minutes. It was sighted just a few hundred metres away from my grounded sighting last year, a few days earlier - Clive Burrows

Some Middlesex butterfly sightings: Saturday 2nd July: Park Wood, Ruislip 1.10-3.30pm; 2 Purple Emperors at the northeast end, also 1 Brimstone, 1 Holly Blue, 12+ Speckled Wood, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Ringlet, 2 Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, 4 Purple Hairstreak Sunday 3rd July: Horsenden Hill pm under somewhat cloudy conditions; still 3 White-letter Hairstreaks hanging on, 3 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Red Admiral, good numbers of Small and Green-veined Whites, ca. 9 Marbled White, 4 Holly Blue, 1 Essex Skipper among dozens of Small or Small/Essex skippers. Bizarrely, could not 'buy' a Gatekeeper, although I did have a belated first one of the year the day before. - Andy Culshaw

Old Hatfield Aerodrome 25+ purple hairstreak around 3 large oak trees close to Hatfield Road - Richard Geary

Batford, weedy field : 8+ PURPLE HAIRSTREAKS flying between the 2 Oaks further along the footpath just north of the weedy field. early evening is best - Darin Stanley

Record transect day at Heartwood forest with both Marbled White (8) and Small Skipper(12) highest for the site so far also 2 Essex Skippers, 8 Large Skippers,8 Gatekeepers, 4 Small Tortoiseshells, 3 Commas, 40 Ringlets, 81 Meadow Browns, 34 Large White, 3 Green-Veined and 1 Small White
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e140/cookie_yum/wildlife/hertsbutt08.jpg Then at Symondshyde Great Wood Later had 6 Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 White Admiral, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Comma plus quite a few Ringlets and Meadow Browns - Andy Steele

Some sightings for today (Monday 4th July 2011) - 1 Comma, S of Barracks, at Vicarage Farm, 08:40 hrs and another at Barracks, 08:45 hrs; 1 Painted Lady, along track at Vicarage Farm, 08:55 hrs; 1 Small Tortoiseshell, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Stables, at Vicarage Farm, 09:15 hrs; 1 male Gatekeeper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 09:25 hrs and several others seen in various places; 2 Red Admiral, at Park Farm (1 at 10:27 and another at 10:58 hrs); 2 Small Tortoiseshell, at Park Farm (1 at 10:32 hrs and another at 10:55 hrs); 2 Red Admiral, at Trent Park (1 near Obelisk, 11:05 hrs and another at 'Old Golf Course', 11:15 hrs); 1 Comma, edge of Water Grdn., Trent Park, 11:30 hrs; 1 Comma, at Dew Pond, Trent Park, 11:45 hrs; 1 Small Copper, '2nd brood', near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 11:50 hrs; 1 Small Tortoiseshell, near Allotments at Vicarage Farm, 12:30 hrs. - Robert Callf

Went yesterday to Bricket Common as I am doing a walk with east herts footpath society tomorrow, butterflies are fantastic there, saw 12 silver washed, 4 white admiral and over 100 marbled whites, plus holly blues, brimstones, red admiral and many browns abounding. The one thing I saw I am sure was a dark green fritillary either that or high brown, I would have thought nothing of it except there was the dark green fritillary reported in Broxbourne woods recently it had the double black edges and wing shape different. Will keep my eyes peeled tomorrow and take my camera this time. Steve Kiln

Saw the first 6 spotted burnet on Wheathampstead LNR on July 1st feeding on a scabious. Linda Brooks

26/6/11 - Steve and myself went up to the PE site near St.Vincent's and arrived at 11.00 a.m. Waited half an hour and nothing showed. We walked around other areas and got back to the site at 2.00 p.m. and within minutes saw at least two flying around on 2/3 occasions and one perched. One stayed perched long enough to get our scope onto it. Also sightings of White Admirals and Purple Hairstreak. 02/07/11 - Steve and myself went up to the purple emperor site twice over the weekend. Just a brief glimpse on Saturday at around 12.10 p.m. before the cloud arrived. Yesterday 03/07 arrived at 10.30 a.m. when it was all blue sky and then the cloud rolled in and we did not see anything. Sue & Steve Place

Sunday 3rd July 2011
I have been to Hexton chalkpit this afternoon (3rd July), and there was a single male Chalkhill Blue.Later, down the track across the road from the chalkpit, I watched a Dark-green Fritillary flying past -Ian Small

Noticed 1 x holly blue between tring station & tring. At Tring park noted 31 x meadow brown, 1 x small skipper,1 x small heath, 11 x marbled white, 2 x essex skipper, 33 x ringlet, 1 x small white, 2 x gv white, 2 x large white, 1 x large skipper. Looked like a purple emperor but too fast to be sure, maybe white admiral! Walked via ridgeway tring park to station. = 3 x meadow brown, 1 x small skipper, 1 x marbled white, 27 x ringlet, 4 x small white, 1 x gv white, 1 x speckled wood, 3 x red admiral, 2 x small tortoiseshell. At field opposite tring station by railway line = 10 x 4 spot burnet, 19 x meadow brown, 4 x small skipper, 3 x shaded broad bar moth, 6 x essex skipper, 1 x small heath, 126 x marbled white! , 27 x ringlet, 2 x small white, 1 x small toitoiseshell. Aldbury nowers= 5 x meadow brown, 1 x essex skipper, 5 x small heath, 30 x marbled white, 29 x ringlet, 1 x small white, 1 x large skipper,2 x large white, 1 x small tortoiseshell, 1 silver washed fritillary. Around ridgeway just passed Aldbury nowers (opposite chalk pit) were 20 x dark green fritillarys on and around thistles and 2 x small tortoisehells. 1 x white letter hairstreak at stanmore country park (seen twice around elm) - David Gower

Broxbourne Woods (10:00-12:15) 10+ Large White 3 Small White 1 G V White 1 Purple Hairstreak 1M Brown Argus 2 Common Blue 1M Purple Emperor (plus 2 others reported at Bonfire) 3 Comma 5 Red Admiral 2 Silver Washed Fritilliary 1 Marbled White 50+ Ringlet 50+ Meadow Brown 2 Gatekeeper 10 Small Skipper 3 Large Skipper - Mike Harris

Early ish start today,glad I did,arrived Broxbourne main ride 09.27,2 male Purple emperors gliding,chasing and grounding at the eastern end of the ride,one taking a particular liking to some bird droppings on a Bracken frond,on the way back at 10.10 a large male was seen gliding and grounding continually near the car park,so 3 different males present,decided to try Wormley wood,arv 10.20,as soon as I set foot in the ride the sun went in and stayed in for the duration of my visit,nothing of any note seen here.I then went to the Martins green carpark at 11.58, and walked north along Ermine street then across west to the bridleway to Monks green,still mainly in cloud very quiet nothing of note,at Monks green I scanned the canopy of Jepps wood from 12.50-14.30 but saw no sign of any Emperor activity,so inconclusive ?,on the walk back where previously there appeared not to be any(Highfield)I noted 6 White admirals - Laurence Drummond

Decided to pop down to the old Hatfield Aerodrome today for a quick look at numbers and take a few photos, this turned in to a 3 hour walk just to cross the 1st section of grass and 600+ photos to sort. Species seen, silly numbers of small and essex skippers, and a few large skippers, marbled whites, small and large whites, ringlets, meadow brown, gate keeper, tortoiseshell, small copper, single holly blue, single small heath and to my total suprise a single white-letter hairstreak in the middle of a grassy field!Richard Geary

Saw two White-letter Hairstreaks in Oakwood Park, N14 this morning (Sunday 3rd July 2011) - one settled on Bramble, 09:05 hrs and another settled in grass at 09:40 hrs. This is the first time that I have seen White-letter Hairstreaks at this site, despite looking in previous years. Also several Purple Hairstreaks, including one settled in the grass at 08:32 hrs. 2 Holly Blues (08:45 and 10:00 hrs) and one Comma at 09:45 hrs. At least four Small Skippers at Grovelands Park, Southgate, N14 13:33 hrs; 1 Holly Blue, 13:38 hrs and two male Large Skippers, 13:39 - 13:40 hrs. - Robert Callf

Just back from a walk at Ashridge/Pitstone. Along with loads of dark green fritillaries, marbled whites, ringlets, meadow browns, small heaths, large skippers and speckled woods, I saw a single clouded yellow, going like the clappers over Pitstone Hill at 949142. Sadly, this is in Buckinghamshire, a couple of hundred yards from the Herts border but, unless it hung a right very soon after I lost sight of it, it will have entered our territory! First I’ve seen round here for a few years Richard Harrington

Alongside the weedy field in Batford today, apart from the usual (sadly no hairstreaks) were two Holly Blue and a male Brimstone. Robin Pearson

I walked up to Tring Park again this morning hoping for a repeat performance of yesterday and I was not disappointed. At about 10.00am I clearly saw a Purple Emperor swooping through the lower branches of the lime trees on the main wooded ride. A minute later further up the ride opposite the gate I could see that it had settled on the path so I quickly ran up to it and got a great view of a pristine male emperor(with the purple sheen). It settled for a good 30 seconds before flying off but it was very close to where I saw the emperor yesterday on the other side of the gate. I thought I would hang around this area for another couple of hours but without any further sightings - Phil Woodward

Saturday 2nd July 2011
Decided to do a late visit to the Broxbourne common territory today, as it has a more westerly aspect it gets the best of the late afternoon sun,arrived at 16.15, by 16.16 I had seen a Purple emperor make two short flights around high up on the veteran oak, two more flights noted up to 16.30, no chasing or clashing seen, so far emergence appears to be low ? - Laurence Drummond

There are a splendid array of marbled white butterflies next to the Clothall Common Estate in Baldock on the same area as last year. It is a patch of uncultivated ground between the end of Aleyn Way and the A505 Royston Road approximately 400ft by 300ft. They started appearing at the end of the week before last and are now very numerous - Anne Rousell

12-4pm, Graffidge Wood, 3 Silver Washed Fritillary - Lee Browne

News from Bricket Wood - Record numbers of Marbled White (72), Ringlet (300) & Silver-washed Fritillary (15) on todays transect. White Admiral (8) & Red Admiral (4) also doing well. Interesting sighting of a female Holly Blue laying on the flower buds of wild hop. Several eggs were laid & we found a small silvery blue egg nestling in this unusual choice of location. After lunch, three sightings of a male Purple Emperor, probably all the same individual. Join us on the field trip next Sunday, 10th July at 10 am - Malcolm Hull & Colin Everett

On Friday July 1st - at about 5.00pm I saw a Marbled White in a garden in Glenhurst Avenue, Ruislip. This was the first time I have ever seen one of these butterflies - Dr Charles Stephens

On Friday 1st July, during a walk in the late afternoon at Aldbury (Stocks) Golf course saw a Dark Green Fritillary flying across the grassed area amongst the Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and Ringlet. Saturday 2nd July: Went for a walk early this morning at Tring Park and saw another Dark Green Fritillary flying across the field at about 9.30 am. I then walked up to the main wooded ride at the top of the escarpment and passed through the gate that eventually takes you to an area of Sallow trees, I was really excited and pleased to see a Purple Emperor fly around and settle in the lower undergrowth for a short time (25-30 seconds) before swooping off into the trees. I could not tell if it was a male or female but it was just great to see one at this site once again. - Phil Woodward

Batford (Harpenden), weedy field by the B653 mid-morning today (2 July): a superabundance of Marbled Whites (three figure numbers), Large Skippers and Small Skippers; good numbers of Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Gatekeepers; and several Large Whites, G-V Whites, Holly Blues, Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells. One Speckled Wood and one uncooperative Hairstreak (prob W-L) by the rejuvenating elms, one Comma by the main road and a Cinnabar moth by the footpath to the east of the field. - Alan Jackson

A Silver-washed Fritillary seen in Wintergreen Wood over the brambles at around 1145 hrs. Later at 1220hrs, a White Admiral spotted in a clearing (again over brambles) very close to Pigeonswick Cottage. A few Purple Hairstreaks now also out in the Norton Green area.Peter Clarke

At Hatfield Aerodrome (Disused) today: Still Good numbers Marbled White, Fair numbers Large Skipper, Few Small Skipper, 1 x Red Admiral, 2 x Tortoiseshell, 1 x Gatekeeper, 5+ x Small Heath, Good numbers Meadow Brown, Fair numbers Small White & Green Veined White and Fair numbers Ringlet - David Wheatcroft

Walked from Bayford station to BROXBOURNE wood and popped into field just around first bend in road. Found 1 x meadow brown, 1 x comma, 2 x green veined white,1 x speckled wood,3 x small white,20 x ringlet, 12 x essex skipppers, 6 x small skippers. Around 2 main paths at Broxbourne spotted 40 x meadow brown, 1 x comma, 15 x green veined white, 10 x speckled wood, 9 x small white, 42 x ringlet, 1 x essex skipper, 3 x small skipper, 1 x large skipper, 9 x red admiral, 2 x large white, 1 x marbled white, 4 x purple hairstreak, 1 x white admiral. Unfortunately I missed a purple emperor by 10 mins I'm told! David Gower

Broxbourne ride this morning 2 silver washed Fritillaries in the main ride plus one in glade. Purple hairstreak in the oaks in glade. In Waterford heath 16 marbled whites and my first gatekeeper - Steve Kiln

I was able to trundle round my usual walk first thing on the 30th June as a change from late afternoon. In all, 16 species were seen, which is quite a tally. Small and GV Whites were out everywhere, starting the day with a visit to the bramble flowers and presenting unusual photo opportunities. Further new Gatekeepers had emerged, and my recently discovered Ringlet colony had at least ten members. New emergences also incuded second brood Brown Argus, Small Copper, Common Blue and Holly Blue. The final tally, counting down: 25+ Small Heath 12+ Small White/GVW (more of the latter in those checked by about 3 to 1) 10 Ringlet 8 Comma 6 Meadow Brown 4 Large Skipper 4 Gatekeeper 4 Small Tortoiseshell 4 Red Admiral 3 Speckled Wood 1 Peacock 1 Holly Blue 1 Common Blue 1 Small Copper 1 Brown Argus - Dave Miller

Friday 1st July 2011
I just got a call from Andy and Luke from the wildlife trust to go up to Patmore Heath as they had just found a new butterfly for the site! I walked up and there it was - see link (the new species is a Purple Emperor!!! - news via Gavin Vicary with Andy Brown and Luke Shenton
Gavin's photos
Gavin's photos
Andy Brown's photos
Andy Browns's photos


Went to Norton Green this afternoon (1400-1510) to find 3 species in particular: White Admiral, Silver-Washed Fritillary and Purple Emperor. No luck with the first two but to my surprise I saw a Purple Emperor at the top of my 'favourite' oak tree about halfway down the SW edge of Watery Grove. I saw it fly very briefly at about 1450 hrs around the top of the tree and a had a very good view of it before it settled.Peter Clarke

Started at Goose green car park today 10.05,walked north along Ermine street up to Balls wood,despite loads of good sallow no Purple emperor sighted,in Balls wood 6 white admiral and one Silver washed fritillary and my first Gatekeeper of the year,no sign of any Purple emperor on the walk back to Goose green,stopped off at Broxbourne west car park 11.50 and saw one Purple Emperor down by the Bench,a group of people there had seen a grounded emperor at the far eastern end of the ride,also one White admiral here. Laurence Drummond

Visited Broxboune Woods between 1000 and 1240 today. Two Purple Emperors seen by me this morning-one on the wood ash pile at the top of the main ride and a second in the grassy clearing west of the pond. At the latter location, two White Admirals were seen, plus many Purple Hairstreaks. At least two or more White Admirals along the main ride. Ringlets and Meadow Browns are out in abundance and there are also a few Comma and Red Admirals too.A Purple Emperor was also seen by others around the car park earlier in the day, and a Silver Washed Fritillary was also reportedly seen (Comma not entirely eliminated!) among the thistles along the stream bed. - Phil Bishop

Bricket Wood Common, butterflies seen today (12 to 1pm) include White Admiral, Red Admiral, Silver Washed Fritillary, Marbled White, Large White, Small White, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood - Terry Wood

Batford, weedy field, 3 PURPLE HAIRSTREAKS, 1 WHITE LETTER HAIRSTREAK, 1x 2nd brood HOLLY BLUE, numerous Gatekeepers, Marbled whites, small Skippers, Meadow Browns, Ringlets & some large Skippers - Darin Stanley