Sightings 2010

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	3rd October 2009: A few new photos (going back to the summer) have been posted, more will follow in due course.....

DID YOU KNOW the Hertfordshire & Middlesex branch now has over 600 members and is one of the largest branches of Butterfly Conservation? We are a thriving and successful branch with dedicated volunteers helping with the many jobs that need to be done to ‘run a branch’. For some years several of the committee members have been doubling up their roles but with the increased membership this is being much harder.  We have also recently lost two valuable supporters with Alan Downie standing down from the committee and Ann Piper moving away from the area. So we now need your help. Can you spare some time to help with organising or helping the sales and promotion team or take on the role of field trip co-ordinator.  Although we hope that anyone volunteering would attend committee meetings, this wouldn’t be essential although access to the internet would be desirable as we do a lot of our communication by email.  We meet on a weekday evening about six times a year and usually at John Murray’s house which is near Wheathampstead. Someone to take the minutes at these meetings would also be welcomed. If you don't drive we may be able to help with a lift. If you feel you can help in any way or would like more information please ring or email Liz Goodyear (see committee page for details).

Saturday 23rd January 2010
The first butterfly of the year was reported to the website, but unfortunately although it was in London, it was the wrong side of the Thames! "I was sitting in my office in 'Lambeth, London SE1 7HT', yesterday afternoon (21/01/2010) around 14:30hrs, when I noticed a Red Admiral butterfly fluttering around the car park. It stayed for approximately 30 mins, resting on highly walls, before eventually flying off" - Matthew Gilbert

Tuesday 12th January 2010
The Brown Hairstreak egg hunt this Sunday (17th) has been postponed because of the weather. Conditions around the site are still treacherous & there's more freezing weather & snow forecast before Sunday. Please contact Malcolm Hull if you would interested in coming along and would like to know the rescheduled date! (see committee page for details)

Monday 11th January 2010
FUNDING REQUEST FROM JEZ PERKINS.
I am the Reserve Manager for Millhoppers Pasture and also the Species Co-ordinator for the Grizzled Skipper. In September 2010 I will be taking part in an expedition to Tanzania to climb Mount Killimanjaro, at 5,895m it's the highest free standing mountain in the world. The climb will take 8 days and I am aiming to raise money for four charities one of which is our branch of Butterfly Conservation. The proceeds will be spent on our Reserve Millhoppers Pasture. If you would like to make a donation pleases do so through the following website. Any donations will be very much appreciated: www.sponsor-me.org/kilimanjarointernationalchallenge_jezperkins Thank you - Jez Perkins

Every year the FSC offers a range of natural history taxonomy courses for people with a professional interest in the environment, many of which are accredited and certified by awarding bodies to help individuals develop their skills. In 2010 there are over 160 courses that are suitable for people with a professional and vocational interest in the environment. Courses cover a wide range of subjects including birds, mammals, mosses, lichens, invertebrates, habitat management and the National Vegetation Classification. For more details: http://www.field-studies-council.org/professional/2010/index.asp Louise Pugh Marketing Assistant Field Studies Council

December 2009

Thursday 10th December 2009
1 Red Admiral flying across Priory Street, Ware in bright sunshine at lunchtime today - Andrew Wood

A December sighting for you, seen today (10th) at Patmore Heath, Red Admiral sunning itself on a tree trunk, along with about 30 Bluebottles, don't they know its December ? - Martin Dodd

Saturday 6th December 2009
Hot sunshine today, Sunday 6th December, brought out a Red Admiral in our Hayes garden. Good news as I expect it is hibernating here somewhere, which means hopefully I will get to see it again! - Helen George

November 2009

Saturday 28th November 2009
Red Admiral, near Hillingdon, flying then settling on pavement to bask in weak sunlight - Andy Whitney

Tuesday 24th November 2009
Noticed a Cream-spot Ladybird at Myddelton House Grdns., Bulls Cross, today (Tues 24th November 2009) on the wheelbarrow I was using for raked leaves. Perhaps not so surprising given the mild weather we are having? - Robert Callf

Saturday 21st November 2009
One Red Admiral in our Hertford back garden feeding on rotting pears Saturday lunchtime 21 November - Andrew Wood

Even I have now seen a butterfly! A male Brimstone also fluttering around, in my next door neighbour's garden in Ware today at 12.30 - Liz Goodyear

Friday 20th November 2009
A female Brimstone fluttering on low vegetation on a track leading to Shackledell Grassland, Stevenage at 1335. I have never seen a Brimstone this late in the season before. - Peter Clarke

Thursday 19th November 2009
Just one Red Admiral in Ware Cemetery today 19th November Andrew Wood

Tuesday 17th November 2009
4 different Red Admirals in Ware Cemetery this lunchtime. The first butterflies I have seen for 3 weeks - Andrew Wood

I was thrilled to see a peacock butterfly flutter against a window in Kings Langley in sunshine around 12.30pm on November 17th 2009 - Elizabeth Debenham

Sunday 15th November 2009
Red Admiral & Painted Lady nectaring on hebe in my St Albans Garden at lunchtime today - Malcolm Hull

Saw a large dark Nymphalid butterfly in Oakwood Park, N14 this afternoon after church (I saw it through the binoculars whilst it was in flight and could not make out any white in it's wings - so probably not a Red Admiral, though not 100% sure). - Robert Callf

9.30am Painted lady basking on conifer in garden N.W.Bishop's Stortford Jim Fish

Saturday 7th November 2009
Still two Small Copper in set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 12:18 GMT (Our latest record by one day!). What is the all time latest record for Herts & Middx? - Robert Callf & Robin White. The extreme date was 6/11/01. It was 12/10/55 when Brian Sawford wrote his book! - Andrew Wood
Also Robin White also saw a Painted Lady fly across the Lower Lake in Trent Park today at 10:50 GMT. - news via Robert Callf

Wednesday 4th November 2009
One Small Copper remains in the set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park (TQ2997) at 13:08 GMT - still in good condition and my latest record in Trent Park for eight years. - Robert Callf

I had a close view of a Small Copper today (7th November) in Mad Bess Woods (TQ075891), Ruislip, which is the latest I've ever seen one. Other witness: Michael Hammond - Michael Robinson

Monday 2nd November 2009
1 Painted lady in my garden N.W Bishop's Stortford also 1 Red Admiral Grange Paddocks B. S - Jim Fish

Painted Lady seen next to the north circular in Finchley, approx TQ258899 - Tom Clarke

I thought the Painted Lady season was finally over - but one was seen in our garden in Pinner, Middlesex on Monday 2nd November. Graham Elcombe

One freshly-emerged Painted Lady nectaring in full sun on a Hebe shrub at 1405 in Sun Lane, Harpenden. Whether due to the sun or the nectar I can't be sure - but the insect seemed totally unaware of my presence, allowing me to approach it to within a couple of inches. Alan Jackson

Some interesting late sightings of Small Copper today (Monday 2nd November 2009) in Trent CP - one in rough area between Ride Wood and the Lower Lake, 12:01 GMT, and three, including two together (one of which was in good condition and could conceivably last another week or two) in set-aside field near Dew Pond, 12:18 - 12:21 GMT. If the weather stays reasonably mild I can imagine a late record being broken? Also four Firecrests seen today in Trent Park. - Robert Callf

I saw a late Painted Lady in Robert Avenue St Albans. The date was the 2nd of November 2009 at 12:20, the insect was feeding on a Hebe bush. We have yet to experience an air frost generally in this area although the 17th of October saw temperatures only a fraction above freezing. Alan Gardiner

My garden in Hatfield. A bright Red Admiral flitting round Ivy blossom at 12.30 was a pleasant surprise on a chilly day, the first sighting for 10 days or more - John Moss

October 2009

Saturday 31st October 2009
A couple of butterflies to report today (Saturday 31st October 2009) - 1 Painted Lady, near Water Grdn., 13:13 GMT; 1 Small Copper, nectaring on Michaelmas daisies, set-aside field near Dew Pond, 13:40 GMT. - Robert Callf

Today 2.30 feeling fed up as spurs were 3-0 down, so go up to Waterford Heath to look for late small coppers, none at all but as i was leaving, in car park on vicarage lane one female CLOUDED YELLOW flew by and settled in silver birch tree. It was in good condition, probably second brood - Steve Kiln

A lone comma at 1445 near the pond at new hall farm Babbs Green, feeding on Blackberry remnants in the afternoon sun - Laurence Drummond

Friday 30th October 2009
1 Red Admiral seen on a cloudy day near stortford farm park near Bishops stortford - A J Steele

Thursday 29th October 2009
Another quick walk alongside the River Colne near Stanwell Moor after lunch today (29th) produced a couple of fast-flying Painted Ladies and a Peacock sunning itself on a bramble bush. - Dave Miller

Sunday 25th October 2009
A quick tour of my local patch in Stanwell Moor during the morning of the 23rd October revealed just the one butterfly, a Red Admiral avidly feeding on ivy. Dave Miller

I see that sightings reports are tailing off, so you might like to hear of a Small Tort on a late dandelion, Red Ad and at least one, possibly two, Painted Lady on ivy at the end of the garden here (Tring) mid-day on Friday 23rd - Nick Bowles

Friday 23rd October 2009 (seven species reported)
At lunchtime, One Red admiral on the Ridgeway in Ware and a Small Copper and Painted lady in a field behind Wodson Park, Ware which still has a pretty good show of Knapweed in flower. - Andrew Wood

Batford - Weedy field by B653 at lunchtime: 1 male COMMON BLUE - Darin Stanley

The fine and warm weather today brought out a Peacock - seen flying in Fairlands Valley Park just outside Monks Wood, Stevenage at 1320 hrs. - Peter Clarke

In my Garden N.W Bishop's Stortford. 2 Painted Ladies, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small White - Jim Fish

Thursday 22nd October 2009
Some news for today (Thursday 22nd October 2009) - 5 Small Copper, at Trent Park (1 on Michaelmas daisies, near Lower Lake, 12:34 BST, 4 nectaring on Michaelmas daisies, set-aside field near Dew Pond, 13:03 - 13:06 BST) - a good number so late in the autumn? - Robert Callf

I see from the latest Newsletter that there is some interest in your 2 counties in Heath Fritillary. I'd like to draw to your attention, therefore a caterpillar search field trip scheduled for Saturday 7 November at Thrift Wood, Essex - details on the Cambs and Essex website - Guy Manners

Sunday 18th October 2009
A few sightings for today (Sunday 18th October 2009) - 1 Green-veined White, settled, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:56 BST; 4 Small Copper,(3, including two together, nectaring on Michaelmas daisies, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:59 - 12:08 BST, 1 set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 12:21 BST); 1 Speckled Wood, along bridle-path, near Merryhills Brook, Trent Park, 12:54 BST. Also two unidentified White sp., (1 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 1 'Barracks', Vicarage Farm). - Robert Callf

Tuesday 13th October 2009
Lovely autumn day, at Commons nature reserve (Welwyn Garden City) 1 large white, at Rickneys 3 common blue, one brown argus, a small copper, a small white and a painted lady - Steve Kiln

2 Brown Argus and 4 Small Copper on a field NW of Hadley Wood today - news from Diane Andrews

There was a red admiral outside Grebe House (St Albans) this lunchtime, on ivy. I saw 3 comma (all nectaring on bramble together) and 2 small copper at Aldbury yesterday. Have attached a photo of 2 of the commas together. Paul Thrush

One Red Admiral on Ivy in my Harpenden garden this morning plus usual assortment of bees. Robin Pearson

Monday 12th October 2009
I'm still getting visits from Painted Lady's in my garden in Hayes, Middx, as well as Peacocks. I've attached a picture of a Painted Lady that came in today, nectaring on a Verbena 'Seabrooks Lavender'. I can't praise this plant enough for attracting insects. It compares to any Buddleia as a magnet for Butterflies, Bees, and especially Moths, Silver Y's in particular, the plant was covered in them this summer. So anyone wanting other idea's on what to plant for our Butterflies and other insects, this is definitely a contender for best performing plant. Its been in flower since the Spring and its still going strong! - Helen George

BENTLEY PRIORY--------6 x Red Admiral (4 females) 3 X Painted lady ( 2 females)----I x Comma, all on a small patch of ivy flowers in full sun behind "The Case Is Altered" Pub. Kit Jones

Sightings for today (Monday 12th October 2009) - 1 Comma, along Merryhills Book, at Vicarage Farm, 10:09 BST; 1 Speckled Wood, edge of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 10:31 BST; 7 Small Copper,(1 near Lower Lake, 11:02 BST, 6, including four together, on Michaelmas daisies, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:10 - 11:15 BST); 1 Comma, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:12 BST. 1 Painted Lady, nectaring on Michaelmas daisies, 'Old Golf Course', 11:15 BST; 1 Small White, settled at Ferny Hill Farm, 11:40 BST; 1 Painted Lady, in flight South of 'Barracks', Vicarage Farm, 13:02 BST; 1 Painted Lady, nectaring on thistles, Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 13:12 BST. - Robert Callf

Sunday 11th October 2009
Female Common Blue and three Painted Ladies arouind Bengeo today 11 October. Yesterday 10th October nothing but Small Whites in Bengeo and Bramfield, 6 in total - Andrew Wood

Saturday 10th October 2009
Aldenham Church TQ 14 98 - Red Admiral; Hogg Lane nr Elstree Aerodrome TQ 16 96 - Red Admiral; Elstree Aerodrome/Hilfield Park Res boundary path TQ 15 96 - male Brimstone; Watford Link Road TQ 11 97 - white sp (probably Small White). - Colin Everett

Two painted lady travelling S E through the same gap in the woodland that others went N W in June--------- I x fresh male painted lady seen caught in spiders web and released-------I x Comma, 2x Red Admiral on Michaelmas daisies ----- I x Speckled wood and something that looked like a Brown hairstreak but obviously wasnt flying high in the oak canopy.--- KIT JONES

Some news for today (Saturday 10th October 2009) - 6 Small Copper,(4 at 'Old Golf Course', 11:02 - 11:05 BST, 2 together, set-aside field near Dew Pond, 11:41 BST), Trent Park; 1 Painted Lady, nectaring on Ivy flowers, 'Old Nursery', Trent Park, 11:32 BST; 2 Comma,(1 nectaring on michaelmas daisies, set-aside field near Dew Pond, 11:41 BST, 1 edge of Shaws Wood, 11:56 BST); 1 Painted Lady, set-aside field near Shaws Wood, Trent Park, 11:43 BST; 1 Speckled Wood, along bridle-path near Merryhills Brook, Trent Park, 11:59 BST. - Robert Callf

Robin White reported a Common Blue in set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park on Thursday 8th October 2009. - news via Robert Callf

Thursday 8th October 2009
Batford – 1 late male COMMON BLUE beside Lower Luton road & 1 PAINTED LADY in weedy field, at around lunch time - Darin Stanley

A real disappointment today after last week's plenty - perhaps to be expected really. However, the major let down was that the access to the best bit of my local patch (north of the A3113) has been cut off. I attach a picture of the ominous signs. I believe the intention is to turn the area into a country park of some sort, but I suspect it will be rather sanitised in the process. Portions of the wildflower area appear to have been cut short already - perhaps not unreasonable in October. I will keep an eye on what they're up to. On the rest of the walk today (8th), there were two Peacocks, a Comma and a Red Admiral on ivy flowers, and two Painted Ladies, very new, basking on brambles in between flying energetically around the treetops. Also of note was a Speckled Wood spotted last Sunday (4th) apparently considering laying eggs on the lank grass by my front doorstep. - David Miller

Today in the Bicentenary Garden at Brunel University I saw a small but fresh, brightly coloured Painted Lady. Also Speckled Wood, Peacock & Large White. Steve Pash

A Speckled Wood flying over the pond in Whomerley Wood, Stevenage at around 1400 hrs. Peter Clarke

Tuesday 6th October 2009
A couple of sightings today (Tuesday 6th October 2009) - 1 Red Admiral, flew low over Cuckolds Hill, Parkside Farm, 13:00 BST. 1 Painted Lady, on Res banking, at Parkside Farm, 13:12 BST. - Robert Callf

We were down at the post pond (Ruislip Common) on saturday afternoon (3/10) near the gate into the woods when we saw a white admiral butterfly. It briefly flew round before disappearing back up into a tree. We realise that this is a very late sighting - Sue & Steve Place

Sunday 4th October 2009
A single clouded yellow recorded near Hadham Hall, Little Hadham on 04.10.09. Brief feeding stops as it headed North East at 12.45pm. Flight speed was about 5mph in a light westerly breeze. My first record for the parish - Jonathan Forgham

A Red Admiral at Abbots Langley TL 09 01 - Colin Everett

At Rickneys 4 brown argus and a painted lady, a new one, at Waterford Heath south only 2 small coppers. In Bengeo at home small tortoiseshell and a painted lady - Steve Kiln

Friday 2nd October 2009
I was working at Alpine Meadow yesterday, saw a small copper, comma and speckled wood - Paul Thrush

A few sightings for today (Friday 2nd October 2009) - 2 Small Copper, set-aside field, edge of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 13:57 - 13:59 BST. 1 Painted Lady, at South Lodge Farm, 14:17 BST. - Robert Callf

Thursday 1st October 2009
A few sightings for today (Thursday 1st October 2009) - 1 Painted Lady, at Parkside Farm, at 09:56 BST, 1 Small White, at Parkside Farm, 09:56 BST. 4 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:18 - 11:22 BST. 1 Red Admiral, set-aside field near Williams Wood, Trent Park, 12:34 BST. 3 Speckled Wood, together, along bridle-path near Merryhills Brook, Trent Park, 12:48 BST. - Robert Callf

It may be 1st October, but my trip today along the river to the usual patch by the motorway was like something out of midsummer in terms of numbers and variety. First of all, I clocked species number 22 for the year on this spot, by finding two Small Coppers in amongst the Common Blues. These were as numerous as at any time this summer, with 25+, mostly male and some very fresh indeed. Also in with the Blues were two or three Brown Argus, likewise brand new and given the date, a definite third brood (as reported from other sites). Only four Small Heath today however. I spent a couple of hours at the site, during which time Clouded Yellows hurtled through at regular intervals: often in twos, and at least fifteen altogether, probably more. Any that showed signs of stopping were intercepted by Common Blue males and chased away in colourful dogfights. There were a lot of freshly emerged Painted Ladies, again more than a dozen, and a similar number of Peacocks. Finally, along the riverside, four Speckled Woods, three Small Whites, one Large White, and last of all a Red Admiral and a Comma on ivy flowers. 70+ butterflies from 12 species. Not bad for October, I'd say. And a lot of photos to sort out! - Dave Miller

Tower Hamlets Cemetary Large Tortoiseshell sighting - we'd like to give you a little bit more info that'll be more accurate. The large tortoiseshell was seen by Terry Lyle on Friday 25th flying 10metres from him in woodland with a light understorey. It was a rich orange butterfly, Red Admiral size. Terry has seen L. Tortoiseshells before. One in London in 1977 sitting right before him, others flying in France and Spain. As that sighting was at 10metres, he decided to do the transect again on Sunday 27th, in the hope of seeing it again. On section 7 of the transect he did. Terry put it up from open grassland, just as he reached it. It flew to the top of a tall birch 100 metres away and again Terry saw what a rich orange impression it makes in flight - Kenneth Greenway Cemetery Park Liaison Officer

September 2009

Wednesday 30th September 2009
Saw a single Small Copper at the 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park this afternoon (Wednesday 30th September 2009) at 12:08 BST. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 29th September 2009
Tower Hamlets Cemetary, Speckled Wood & Small White still in good numbers here over the last two days plus a single male Common Blue on each day - Keir Mottram

One settled very battered painted lady, so much so that I thought it was something new and one or two others in a dog fight along the edge of the Rose Garden and Butterfly World boundaries on 12 Sept around 5pm. One common blue male in good condition at Ivinghoe on 18th Sept in afternoon. One pristine peacock at around 12.30pm in Kings Langley on 24th Sept and one male brimstone in Kings Langley on 27th Sept which was too fast to take a photo.. Elizabeth Debenham

Spotted a Painted Lady in Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage near the car park at the southern end. Also 2 Speckled Woods in nearby Whomerley Wood. Peter Clarke

Detailed report of a second brood White Admiral seen at Wimbledon Common on Sunday 27th recieved - news received via Nick Bowles on the Uk-Leps newsgroup

Sunday 27th September 2009
Still feeling quite chilly though it was 1030 and very sunny, I set off today (27th) round the standard route to Junction 14. The usual suspects were all present, but in different numbers to last week: Two Speckled Woods along the riverside, plus a single Red Admiral and only one Comma, but once on the other side of the A3113, things hotted up. There has been a second flush of flowering thistles, and no less than seven Peacocks and three Painted Ladies were making the most of them, along with a Large White and two Small ones. No GVW today. There is still an abundance of big white daisies and tall yellow oxtongue (I think that's what it is!), and these were proving attractive to the Common Blues, which were out in force. I counted 17 males and 7 females before giving in. A few Small Heaths remained (no more than 6 or 7), one of which appeared to be laying eggs. Finally, making a late appearance on the walk, were four Clouded Yellows. Spiralling in pairs when first seen, one male reluctantly sat near enough for a reasonable photo. Not quite the spectacle which I experienced on Friday of 500+ Clouded Yellows by the Sussex coast at Birling Gap, but lovely to see some so close to home nevertheless. - Dave Miller

A Clouded Yellow on the eastern side of the lake at Southern Country Park, Bishop's Stortford (TL474193) on this fine sunny morning, my first of the year. Tony Moverley

The Warren, Colney Heath - 19 Small Coppers & 2 Painted Ladies Bury Dell, Park Street - 8 Small Coppers, 1 Small Heath & 1 Painted Lady - Malcolm Hull

Saturday 26th September 2009
In serene anti-cyclonic conditions the Abbots Langley/Kings Langley areas provided a scattering of records of Red Admirals & Commas on ivy flowers, a Speckled Wood, several Small Coppers and Small Whites (all the whites I was able to check were that species and included egg-laying females). Records as follows: Garston garden TL 11 00 - a Red Admiral around ivy; The Retreat at Abbots Langley TL 08 01 - a Red Admiral flying through; Kings Langley TL 07 02 - 3 Red Admirals (2 on ivy, 1 on Buddleia) & 3 Commas (all on ivy); near New Plantation nr Kings Langley TL 07 04 - 2 Small Coppers (1 feeding on ragwort), 3 Red Admirals (all on ivy) and a Comma (on ivy) [also a Silver Y]; near Bedmond TL 09 03 - 2 Small Coppers at edge of stubble field (1 feeding on Scentless Mayweed); Abbots Langley TL 09 02 - 3+ Small Whites including 2 females ovipositing on winter rape & a Speckled Wood; near Abbots Langley TL 10 02 - a female Small White. - Colin Everett

Saw a small copper yesterday in Brunswick Park - TQ285938 - Tom Clarke

Friday 25th September 2009
Saw a Red Admiral in Oakwood Park, N14 this morning (Friday 25th September 2009) at 08:26 BST. - Robert Callf

St Albans - Red Admiral, Peacock, Painted Lady, Large White, Small White & Speckled Wood all flying today. 19 Painted Ladies in the gardens at Butterfly World was the highlight. Many are quite fresh still so I suspect will still be around for a while, though it closes for the winter after next Sunday (4th Oct) - Malcolm Hull

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
A few sightings for today (Wednesday 23rd September 2009) - 3 Small Copper,(2 'Old Golf Course', 10:40 and 10:42 BST, 1 by Lower Lake, 10:48 BST); 1 Green-veined White, on thistle-head, Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 12:19 BST; 1 Comma, Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 12:27 BST; 3 Small White, on thistle-heads, Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 12:27 BST; 1 Painted Lady, on thistle-head, Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 12:29 BST. Best Regards, Robert Callf

Wednesday 23rd September 2009 A Red Admiral flying swiftly SW through Aldenham TQ 13 98 at 1520 hours (cf movement of Swallows and Meadow Pipits in the same direction on this afternoon) and Wednesday 16th September 2009 A Painted Lady along Blackbirds Lane near Radlett TL 14 00 this afternoon, looking fresh and behaving territorially. - Colin Everett.

Tuesday 22nd September 2009
I had a red admiral this morning at Aldbury, it was basking between two of the southern enclosures. Paul Thrush

Saw a single Painted Lady on buddleia outside my window in Southgate, N14, this morning (Tues 22nd September 2009) at 09:55 BST. - Robert Callf

Monday 21st September 2009
News for today (Monday 21st September 2009) - 1 Small Copper, set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 11:31 BST. 1 Comma, along bridle-path near Shaws Wood, Trent Park, 11:41 BST. - Robert Callf

Horsenden Hill, warm sunny and light winds. Perfect for inspecting the ivy. All Speckled Woods were East side of the road. 3 Commas and 1 Red Admiral all on one ivy bush in the nature trail just west of the road. Whites well scattered as usual. Not bad numbers for the time of the year and my best haul of the month by and large. 11x Speckled Wood 5x Whites 4x Comma (All on ivy) 2x Red Admiral (All on ivy) 2x Unidentified (Silhouetted high up as they fluttered past) 1x Painted Lady (Near ivy) Total: 25 - Mike Rubin

Sightings for the weekend - Saturday 19th spetember North Enfield CC 2 Purple Hairstreak flying across the cricket ground and up into the old master tree. 1 red admiral 1 comma Several green veined whites. Wareside 1 Red Admiral 4 Comma - also nectaring on ivy flowers - which is extensive in the orchard next door. 1 painted lady - somewhat worn but very active. + several whites (green veined and large). The brown argus eggs are all still accounted for and currently unhatched. Also went for a purple hairstreak egg hunt on Sunday and found several on English Oak next to the footpath near bromley Grid ref 414208 (although no adults seen) - will lokk at this place next year during flight season. - Phil MacMurdie

Sunday 20th September 2009
Out came the sun on Friday morning (18th), so off I trudged along the Colne to Junction 14 and a little way north. Plenty of butterflies: Six Red Admirals and ten Commas all told, mostly concentrated on one patch of ivy which gets the sun most of the day. Three Peacocks and a Painted Lady on a Buddleia bush by the lake, plus three more Painted Ladies at various spots along the way. There were eight Speckled Woods, evenly spread and varying in wear and a selection of all three Whites. On the north side of the A3114, the patch of Small Heaths produced over a dozen today, and I was pleased to see that there appeared to be another flush of Common Blues, after seeing the last tatty specimen two weeks ago. These were new, and I spotted seven, three females and four males: two engaged in a whirlwind courtship, mating within a couple of minutes. Finally, disturbed by one of the Blues, up popped a Clouded Yellow, which led me a merry dance as I attempted a close photo - I made do with a long shot, but good enough to show the individual was a male, apparently brand new. On Sunday 20th, I repeated the exercise with three small boys in tow, and we saw a very similar selection (more Peacocks but minus the Clouded Yellow, sadly). However, my eldest son (Toby) spotted a female Common Blue lay an egg, and I managed a good photo of it. - Dave Miller

News for today (Sunday 20th September 2009) - 1 Comma, at Ferny Hill, 11:12 BST. 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:31 BST. 1 Clouded Yellow, Uni-lawns, Tent Park, 11:49 BST. 2 Small Copper, set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 12:06 - 12:08 BST. - Robert Callf

St Albans - A fresh flush of Small whites, with sightings in many locations around in St Albans. Peacocks appear to be coming out of hibernation with 4 seen at different locations around the District. 7 Painted Ladies at Butterfly World, mostly newly emerged individuals. Commas around in good numbers & a few Small Tortoiseshells. Nomansland HMBC Branch Field Trip - Highlight of the weekend 70 Small Coppers, 1 Comma, 1 Common Blue, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Green-veined White, 2 Peacock & 1 Silver Y. This is the highest total of Small Coppers recorded from one site visit anywhere in Herts/Middx for 14 years - Malcolm Hull

Sunday PM 20th Sept Fir and Pond Woods NR Potters Bar ... 5 small coppers, 2 small whites and a peacock. - David Gompertz

Highlight today 2 small copper at Waterford Heath south near gate, still common blue, brown argus and small heath at Rickneys. At home in Bengeo painted lady, comma and peacock - Steve Kiln

Saturday 19th September 2009
News for yesterday (Friday 18th September 2009) - 1 Clouded Yellow, nectaring on dandelions, Sidhil's Field, at Vicarage Farm, 14:34 BST. 1 Painted Lady, at 'Barracks', Vicarage Farm, 14:39 BST. 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 16:39 BST. 1 Comma, edge of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 17:33 BST. Some sightings for today (Saturday 19th September 2009) - 1 Clouded Yellow, at Park Farm, 11:58 BST. 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 12:41 BST. 3 Small Copper, nset-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 13:29 - 13:31 BST. 1 Comma, at South Lodge Farm, 13:48 BST. These are my first sightings of Clouded Yellow this year! - Robert Callf

Friday 18th September 2009
Friday 18th Sept In the garden this lunchtime N.W. Bishop's Stortford 6 Commas 1 Peacock 1 Red Admiral 1 Painted Lady(in pristine condition) 2 Small Whites 1 Large White. Painted lady still here 15.30hrs All were nectaring on Michaelmas Daisies and Verbena Bonariensis. Small Tortoiseshell also turned up 16.00hrs Not bad for this time of year - Jim Fish

Horsenden Hill, I didn't look on Tuesday as it was raining. But on Wednesday I found hibernators feeding up on ivy, and were easy to spot even under cloudcover. 4x Comma (all by the nature trail just West of Horsenden Lane north on unshaded ivy. There might even have been a 5th but not sure.) 2x Red Admiral. One with 2 of the Commas on the same ivy. 1 a couple of fields further West. 1x Speckled Wood. 1x Large White. On Thursday I returned to Grove Farm. No leps on the extensive ivy there under the cool overcast. But I found posts blocking the Northeastern end of the meadow below the large grass field and a note saying not to cut due to Japanese Knotweed control. I did see small knotweed plants there indeed. The meadow there was nice with Ragwort and other nectar sources. I wish they'd keep it like that all the time rather than keep raising the plants to the bare soil. Then having been alerted to Knotweed, I noted several large flowering knotweed plants on my way back along the narrow road from David Lloyd (/Bedser Drive) to Greenford Road. (And a large number of conkers. Ahhh those were the days...) I'd never paid attention to these before. But are they any good as a nectar source for butterflies at this sparce end of the season? The flowers were quite extensive. Just like in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_knotweed ... - Mike Rubin

Wednesday 16th September 2009
News for today (Weds 16th September 2009) - 2 Small Copper, together, edge of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 11:55 BST. 1 Small Copper, on stubble field E of Shaws Wood, at Vicarage Farm, 12:06 BST. - Robert Callf

Ware garden, 3 Comma on garden ivy flowers this afternoon - Liz Goodyear

Monday 14th September 2009
A couple of sightings of note today (Monday 14th September 2009) - 1 Small Copper, at Cuckold's Hill, Parkside Farm, 10:13 BST. 1 male Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:41 BST. - Robert Callf

Sunday 13th September 2009
Yesterday afternoon (Saturday Sept.19th) was spent on our Dark Lane, Cheshunt allotment where I was delighted to see as well as a number of whites (mainly small) one male common blue butterfly which nectared on the flowers of some pot marigolds for a while. I can't recall seeing a common blue here before. It seemed to be in good nick and enjoying the September sunshine. - Roger Newbold

Well, I was proved wrong again - there was another butterfly lurking in the cage on Saturday morning (12th)! This one set off determinedly into the sunshine unbothered by wasps, I'm glad to say - making 290 in all (yes, Friday's total was typing error). I did my usual walk straight afterwards, so the count started with one Peacock, followed swiftly by a succession of Commas (seven in all), three Red Admirals and a single Painted Lady. In addition, three Speckled Woods were seen, several Small and/or Green-veined Whites and finally the Small Heath patch produced ten or so, but they are beginning to look pale and tired now. I have no idea where the Peacocks I released have dispersed to, but with strongish winds from all quarters over the period of their emergence, they could be anywhere. I have yet to see one of them again. - Dave Miller

Wareside 12th September Front garden - having decided to re-lay the front lawn, I then had the pleasure of following a female brown argus around who was busy selecting which hedgerow cranbesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum) seedlings to lay her eggs. I managed to track her for about 30 mins and identify approx 30 small plants that she had laid her eggs on - all now have white plant lables next to them so I don't cut them up.as they will be carefully dug up and potted next weekend. She was very selective and only picked the small plants growing in full sun. gently placing an egg either under the leaf or between the curled edge where the stalk joins the leaf itself. The eggs are blue-green in colour and tended to be laid singularly on each plant, only rarely did a plant receive more than one and only then if she flew back to a previously visited specimen. It was interesting that she did not select any of the larger plants only those that were no more than 1cm high and with leaves almost flat to the ground surface. She was then followed by a female small copper who was more interested in the sorrel that was growing in a sunny corner. This now has 5 eggs on two leaves - (and another plant lable next to it) so it wont get dug up. It certainly facinated the kids who wondered what the hell I was up to on my hands and knees in the midle of the lawn / weeds. New lawn to have some daisies these cranesbill plants come up everywhere and are great when the get bigger. Other visitors this weekend Comma - drinking from the last of the blackberries. Small Tortoishell 1 Several speckled woods (4) - Phil MacMurdie

Saturday 12th September 2009
News for today (Saturday 12th September 2009) - 2 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:44 and 10:48 BST. 1 Comma, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:48 BST. 1 Red Admiral, near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 10:59 BST. 2 Comma, together, on Bramble, near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 10:59 BST. 2 Comma, together, on Ivy, 'Old Nursery', Trent Park, 11:31 BST. 1 Small Copper, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 11:37 BST. 1 Small Copper, along Merryhills Brook at Vicarage Farm, 12:07 BST - Robert Callf

Commas and speckled woods abound. Commas - 5 at waterford heath,9 at broxbourne wood and 2 at Bencroft wood in same order speckled wood 3,6 and 3. Rickneys 2 small heath,2 brown argus and 9 common blue also small white and a speckled wood. No small coppers anywhere - Steve Kiln

Friday 11th September 2009
The 189th and last Peacock butterfly (I think...) emerged today. However it met a nasty end almost immediately, being viciously attacked by a wasp. The latter's modus operandi was to bite the butterfly's head off, carry the body to the ground and then sting it to death. Once the butterfly was still, the wasp then abandoned it - Dave Miller

Thursday 10th September 2009
Some news for today (Thurs 10th September 2009) - 1 Red Admiral, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Stables, at Vicarage Farm, 09:44 BST; 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:44 BST; 1 Comma, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:46 BST; at least 1 Red Admiral, edge of Shaws Wood, Trent Park, 13:03 BST. - Robert Callf

Records for today at Aldbury Nowers - S2 - Comma S3 - Comma Common blue - 2+ Meadow brown Brown Argus N1 - Comma on buddleia Red Admiral at bottom of horse chestnut track Speckled woods throughout in suitable areas Paul Thrush

Few butterflies in the Bricket Wood/lower Ver valley area; at Smug Oak Lane nr Bricket Wood TL 14 02 a Green-veined White was feeding on flowers of Dandelion and Bristly Ox-tongue. - Colin Everett

Wednesday 9th September 2009
Yesterday 8th September in my garden in Hayes, 2 Whites, 1 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, all looking in pristine condition. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth which kept flitting in and out of the garden in Hayes for about 20 minutes, feeding on Caryopteris and Verbena 'Peter Seabrook', also looking in very good condition. Helen George

Some news for today (Weds 9th September 2009) - 1 Silver Y, at Parkside Farm, on Res banking, 09:46 BST. 1 Red Admiral, at Parkside Farm, 09:49 BST. 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:02 BST. 1 Small Heath, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:04 BST. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 8th September 2009
A couple of sightings for today (Tuesday 8th September 2009) - 1 Green-veined White, settled on Ragwort, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 10:20 BST. 1 Comma, settled on Bramble, S of Barracks, at Vicarage Farm, 11:23 BST. Also a number of Small White seen at Vicarage Farm over cultivated field. - Robert Callf

After a day's break, the Peacocks had clearly been watching the weather forecast and went for it big time today. I released a further 145 this morning, punctuated by the solitary Comma, which emerged in the middle of it all. 28 degrees and very sunny. There are still a few left, amazingly. Dave Miller

Monday 7th September 2009
Some news for today (Monday 7th September 2009) - 1 Red Admiral, at Parkside Farm, 11:41 BST. 1 Comma, edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park, 12:57 BST. 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 13:20 BST. 1 Painted Lady, Sidhil's Field, at Vicarage Farm, 16:05 BST. - Robert Callf

I had 2 small tortoiseshells and a red admiral at Wilstone Reservoir on Saturday (5/09). Paul Thrush

Sunday 6th September 2009
Just to let you know of a purple hairstreak in my Harpenden garden, today, Sunday 6th. The usually tatty autumn specimen, but never seen one before in my garden. Not even sure which sex - Richard Harrington

Saw a Red Admiral this morning (Sunday 6th September 2009) in Oakwood Park, N14 at 09:43 BST, which flew across the tennis courts. - Robert Callf

Today at Maple Lodge Nature Reserve TQ 03 92 with Paul Lewis, several species of butterfly included two Small Coppers on ragwort near the owl nestbox, one or two Commas and a Painted Lady. Nearby on buddleias at Maple Cross TQ 02 92 were two Large Whites and three Painted Ladies. Saturday 5th September In north Herts with Rob Clements, the rather few butterflies included two Red Admirals on ivy at Wallington TL 29 33. - Colin Everett

Saturday 5th September 2009
Some sightings for today (Saturday 5th September 2009) - 1 Red Admiral, flew S, at Vicarage Farm, 09:59 BST. 1 Painted Lady, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, 11:05 BST. 1 Red Admiral, flew SW, at Park Farm, 11:50 BST. 1 Red Admiral, near Ash Wood, Enfield Chase, 12:03 BST. 1 Small Copper, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 13:33 BST. 1 Comma, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 13:40 BST. 1 Red Admiral, S edge of Williams Wood, 13:54 BST. - Robert Callf.

The first of the chrysalids hatched today, so the day began with releasing ten brand new Peacocks into the sunshine. I set off round my usual local route and encountered no shortage of butterflies. The ivy has flowered, attracting a selection of gleaming Red Admirals - I saw a dozen or more, including some groups. They were also attracted by the rotting blackberries everywhere, as were a Comma and a Speckled Wood. Four of each of these were seen in various spots. Whites were in abundance, mostly Small and Green-veined in equal numbers, but a handful of Large Whites too. The area near the M25 had, if anything, more Small Heaths than ever - I stopped counting after 20. However, the Common Blues had dwindled to just two, and only three Meadow Browns were spotted. Added to all this, I saw four Painted Ladies in a variety of places, including a very new individual on the ivy with the Red Admirals. Eleven different species. - Dave Miller

Butterfly World, Chiswell Green - Painted Ladies still around in good numbers (21 today), including both fresh & worn specimens. Also 2 Red Admirals, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 4 Common Blues, 1 Silver Y & assorted whites. At the other end of Lye Lane, a very different range of species on Bricket Wood Common - Speckled Woods (37), 7 Commas (5 of them feeding on blackberries), 1 male Brimstone, 1 Red Admiral, 1Silver Y & whites - Malcolm Hull

Friday 4th September 2009
Two Comma's in my back garden in St Albans feeding on the over-ripe Victoria Plums. At least one was present every time I checked (about half hourly) between 10 am & 3 pm. To put this observation in context, I've never seeen more than one Comma in the garden at the same time in the last 15 years & the plum tree has been present for about 10 years. Only other butterfly in the garden today was a Small White, laying on Nasturtiums - Malcolm Hull

Thursday 3rd September 2009
Some observations some a little dated as I'be been busy at work But here goes Went back to re-visit some of the tetraad squares where some of the "better" finds have been located. 28/8 Bury Green - Small Heatth colony found earlier this year continues to thrive with another 5 individuals found Also small copper (1) Standon (Mill lane) The thriving colony of common blues continues 7 found and 1 brown argus The farm there has a "back garden" which is loaded with trefoil and kidney vetch which is approx 8 inches tall Small blues would love it if only they were around. Elsewhere Wareside Small Copper, Common Blue and Brown Argus seen. The latter egg laying on the trefoils and rock roses planted in the garden. So will watch these develop. North Enfield CC (Hilly Fields) - bit out of my patch but my old cricket club Purple Hairstreak still very common - watched 20+ PH's gently fly across the cricket outfield on their way to the master oak Which is a 400+ yr old tree at the top of the hill. 22/8 Dame Alice Owen school potters bar Purple Hairstreak (3) seen flying across the cricket field nr the M25 - Phil MacMurdie

While Blackberrying along the public footpath behind Bylands House, Dunstable Road, Redbourn I came across a total of 5 Small Coppers sometimes feeding on thistles & Knapweed in the short rabbit grazed turf. Occasionally I have found them on Redbourn Common. The only other Butterfly in this disused paddock was a Meadow Brown - Ernie Leahy

Some news for today (Thurs 3rd September 2009) - 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 13:57 BST. 1 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, 14:27 BST. 2 Painted Lady, on thistles, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Williams Wood, 14:35 BST. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 2nd September 2009
News from 31st August: Croxley Common Moor. During a half hour walk acroos the Eastern end of the Reserve (which is being grazed by cattle) I saw about twenty Small Heaths. Otherwise there were very few butterflies to be seen, despite the warm bright weather. - Graham Elcombe

Tuesday 1st September 2009
I have seen a speckled wood most days over the last week in Kings Langley. On 30th August there was a common wainscot moth in Barnes Lane in the field hedgrow border just outside the village. Yesterday August 31st I saw at least 7 small tortoiseshell butterflies all at once, one white and one painted lady on lavender in Barrowby Road, Grantham, Lincs! (I thought they were worth a mention even though they are out of the local area.) - Elizabeth Debenham

News for today (Tues 1st September 2009) - 2 Painted Lady, flew W, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:48 and 10:51 BST. 2 Small Copper, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 11:34 and 11:37 BST. 1 male Common Blue, along Merryhills Brook at Vicarage Farm, 12:00 BST. 1 Painted Lady, on concrete path S of Barracks, at Vicarage Farm, 12:23 BST. - Robert Callf

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