Two new books published by the Herts Natural History Society can be ordered through this website.

The Herts Natural History Society are celebrating the publication of two fantastic new books. In the best traditions of British natural history, both books have been produced on a voluntary and non-profit basis. The Moth book was co-sponsored by Butterfly Conservation, Hertfordshire and Middlesex Branch.

The Moths of Hertfordshire by Colin W Plant The history, status, distribution and phenology of the micro- and macro-Lepidoptera of a south-eastern English county ISBN 978-0-9521685-7-7 Published by Hertfordshire Natural History Society on 3 July. 544 pages, with many colour photos, distribution maps and flight charts Hardback, A4 size, 295 x 210mm, spine 36mm, weight 2480g, HNHS price £45 The book is the result of ten years of survey work by volunteers, led by the Herts Moth Group and compiled and edited by Colin Plant. The 1548 species accounts summarise current knowledge, including first and last years, number of records, status and distribution, conservation status and caterpillar foodplants. A distribution map is presented for all species ever recorded as resident and showing historical changes as well as modern day distribution. For 595 species there are standard week flight charts for adults, specific to Hertfordshire. Introductory sections discuss the influence of geology, habitat, climate and man's activities and include a contributed chapter by experts Ian Woiwod and Phil Gould on the long term moth studies at Rothamstead Research in Harpenden. Final chapters give an overview of Hertfordshire's moth fauna, assess conservation management needs and present a Red List of Hertfordshire moths. From this, formal recommendations are made for species to be included in the county's biodiversity action plan process.

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Hertfordshire Authors: Alan Reynolds, Revd Tom Gladwin and Christine Shepperson ISBN 978-0-9521685-6-0, Published by Hertfordshire Natural History Society on 23 April Paperback, B5 size, 144 pages, colour photos, maps and flight charts. HNHS price £9.50 The book covers all 19 species of Dragonfly that live in the county. Each is described and illustrated with a colour photo, distribution map and the time of year when it can be seen in Hertfordshire. The information is based on a survey over six years by volunteers who visited almost every pond and stream in the county looking for dragonflies. The 'Top Ten' sites to visit in Hertfordshire, where 16 or more breeding species can be seen, are described in detail with maps and colour photos. So for the first time you will have accurate up to date information on where and when you are likely to see a particular species. Also included are details of all rare migrants dragonflies found in Hertfordshire since 1975, with colour photos and a history of all species recorded in the county from 1835-2006.

Prices include free postage and packing, cheques payable to HNHS please

You can order either of these books by post by sending your name and address with a cheque, payable to HNHS, to Linda Smith (Butterfly Conservation), 24 Mandeville Rise, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 7JU, or phone 01707 330405. [Alternatively contact Malcolm Hull at the address at the foot of this page.]

The following goods are available from the branch by post. The list changes from time to time and we cannot guarantee availability. Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.

All profits go directly to help the work of Butterfly Conservation. Why not help your favourite charity by buying a butterfly gift? You may help a friend or relation build their interest in butterflies and moths.

The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland by Richard Fox, Jim Asher, Tom Brereton, David Roy & Martin Warren. (Softback 112 pages) Butterfly Conservations latest nationwide atlas with the best published distribution maps showing how different species are expanding or (more often) contracting their UK range. Detailed accounts of each species and recomendations for new priority species - Price £12

Philip's Guide to Butterflies of Britain and Ireland by Jeremy Thomas - £9.99. A new edition of this classic guide. NEW I first developed an interest in butterflies when my wife bought me an earlier edition

The Butterflies of Cambridgeshire - a comprehensive guide to butterflies of one of our neighbouring counties, showing the locations of all species including rareties which still survive there including Grizzled & Dingy Skipper, Green & Black Hairstreaks, Small Blue and Wall. The book is an A5 sized paperback comprising 122 pages, with lots of colour photos, distibution maps and analysis of population trends. The authors Robin Field, Val Perrin, Louise Bacon & Nick Greatorex-Davies are all members of the local Butterfly Conservation Branch - Price £8.00

Discover Butterflies in Britain by D. E. Newland - A 224 page hardback guide to where to see butterflies, with descriptions, maps and photographs of Britains top 66 butterfly sites. It includes detailed descriptions and photos of all 58 British species with at least one hotspot for each. Broxbourne Woods is the only featured site in our branch area, but there are many in neighbouring counties including Denbies Hillside & Oaken Wood, Surrey, Sharpenhoe Clappers & Bison Hill in Beds and Devil's Dyke and Monks Wood in Cambridgeshire - Price £17.50

Note Cards - approx card size 15x10 cm plus envelope - 2 cards for £1 (3 examples displayed) - - Attractive colour photo montages of butterflies on plants, designed by branch member Charles Smith using his own photos. Choose from different designs - Brimstone, Comma, Common Blue, Dark Green Fritillary, Heath Fritillary, Holly Blue, Marbled White, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell, Specled Wood, Swallowtail, White Admiral. NEW

Brimstones	Brown Hairstreaks	Common Blues

Postcards from CB Picture Postcards 8 designs, from local butterfly photographer and member Clive Burrows.  Clive grew up in Abbots Langley where he still lives and many of his photos are taken in the nearby Hertfordshire countryside.  Continental species have been photographed on his walking trips in Greece and Spain. Clive as also a prize winner in the last BC national photo competition.  Designs include Brimstone, The Clipper,  Clouded Yellow, Comma, Eastern Festoon, Hairstreak (6 species on one card), Orange Tip and Orchids (3 species on one card).  All cards 35p each, SPECIAL PROMOTION: 10 for £2.50

Hairstreaks	Orchids
The Clipper	Brimstone	Comma
Eastern Festoon	Clouded Yellow	Orange Tip

Butterfly Postcards from CB Picture Postcards First Series  - 5 different cards,  Postcards based on photos by HMBC member Clive Burrows, prize winner in the last BC national photo competition.  Designs include Peacock, White & Red Admirals (2 species on 1 card ~ not illustrated), Black-veined White, Butterflies of Andalucia (6 species on 1 card) and Papillons de Alpes Maritimes (6 species on 1 card) - 35p each.  SPECIAL PROMOTION: 10 for £2.50

Butterflies of Andalucia	Papillons de Alpes Maritimes	Black-veined White

Following the success of his postcards, Clive Burrows has launched a range of greetings cards featuring his own stunning butterfly photographs. Each card, is A6 size, folded & blank inside for your greeting. There are 5 different designs each with one photo on the front. Designs include Marbled Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Scarce Swallowtail, Blue Morpho and Spotted Fritillary. A card with envelope costs SPECIAL PROMOTION: £1 each (original price £1.50

Butterfly Badges from Andrew Middleton
A range of badges (1/2") with the Branch name and a choice of 6 pictures - 1. roosting Dingy Skipper, 2. Comma larva, 3. Orange Tip, 4. Small Tortoiseshell, 5. Peacock (sold out) and 6. Chalk-hill Blue  - each badge costs .50 pence

Bugbox - £2.00 - 4x magnification, suitable for identifying caterpillars, moths, ladybirds and a host of other insects. Great for kids NEW

Bugbox Triple Viewer - £3.50 - as above but with extra features giving views from above, below & sideways for ease of identification. NEW

Scrunch bug - £2.00 - Wind up caterpillar. Appeals mainly to the under 12's NEW

Mounted Butterfly Prints by Nick Sampford - a range of high quality butterfly photos  each professionally mounted on card (A5 approx).  Designs include Brown Argus, Brown Hairstreak, Chequered Skipper, Comma, Dark Green Fritillary, Gatekeeper, Orange Tip, Purple EmperorSwallowtail, White Admiral and Wood White - NOW £2.50 each each.