Sightings 2010

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	17th August 2010: More photos have been added [please don't rush to send anymore for the moment] (please try where possible to send a reduced image with a pixel width of 640 [height if portrait image] - thanks)
	Summary results from the BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT are now available.....

September 2010

Tuesday 7th September 2010
A few sightings of interest today (Tuesday 7th September 2010) - 1 Small Heath, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 09:58 BST; 1 Red Admiral, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park, 10:40 BST; 1 Green-veined White, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 10:42 BST; 1 Green-veined White, set-aside field near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 10:52 BST. - Robert Callf

Monday 6th September 2010
I was working at Aldbury today, I the large southern enclosure. I saw a red admiral, 2 common blues , brimstone, small heath and at least 3 meadow browns. Paul Thrush

Sunday 5th September 2010
Saw a single Comma along the bridle-path near Shaws Wood, Trent Park, today (Sunday 5th September 2010) at 11:30 BST. - Robert Callf

I visited Blackthorn Wood, Welwyn Garden City with Kevin Hornby - We saw 2 Small Copper, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Meadow Brown. We were not able to repeat Kevins sighting of a Brown Hairstreak last Sunday (29 Aug) - the weather was unfavourable, but the habitat looked adequate. There is public access to this wood, which is best approached from Birchall Lane (B195) onto Green Lane (Bridleway) at TL264 119. Kevin's earlier sighting was on the east side of Green Lane, just north of the wood - Malcolm Hull

Saturday 4th September 2010
Whilst playing a family game of cricket on Priory Green, Staines, on 4th September, we were pleasantly surprised to see 2 small heaths and a small copper flying in an adjacent strip of longer grass. Priory Green covers a tiny area (1 or 2 acres) adjacent to housing, although it is next to the larger, wilder Shortwood Common, which may itself have hitherto undiscovered small heaths, and almost certainly small coppers. Nice to see the SH in urban Staines! - Jeremy Soane PS common blues abound on the banks of the feeder canal which crosses the common.

Friday 3rd September 2010
Sightings today Waterford Heath south plenty of common blue, brown argus and whites, a few small heath, commas and meadow browns and speckled woods, a late gatekeeper and a small copper - Steve Kiln

A little belated... Seen on 30th August in and around Stanwell Moor on the first sunny warm afternoon for a while, were 9 Common Blues, including 3 females, 3 Holly Blues, a Brown Argus, a Small Copper, 3 Commas, one Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Woods and 8 Small Heaths. And I mustn't overlook a selection of all three Whites, including more Large Whites than I've seen here all year. - Dave Miller

Thursday 2nd September 2010
Some sightings for today (Thursday 2nd Septemer 2010) - 1 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 08:37 BST; 1 Small Heath, near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 11:24 BST; 1 Small Heath, at Barracks, Vicarage Farm, 12:14 BST. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 1st September 2010
I did the transect today at Aldbury, amongst the highlights were 6 brimstone together on a small buddleia in the northern section (with 3 others seen in the northern section), a pristine female chalkhill blue, red admiral, 21 small heath, 2 comma. There are lots of brown argus still about - 33 compared to just 8 common blue. I visited Alpine Meadow this morning and on the walk down to the reserve counted 19 speckled wood, 1 large white and 2 s/gv whites. At the reserve there were 2 meadow brown, 5 common blue, 2 small copper and single s/gv white, small white and speckled wood - Paul Thrush

A FEW SIGHTINGS FOR YOU.... SUN 29/8 = 2 X SPECKLED WOOD AT FISHERS FIELD NATURE RESERVE, BUSHEY. TUES 31/8 =23 X SPECKLED WOOD,4 X SMALL WHITE,1X BRIMSTONE AT BRICKET WOOD COMMON. TUES 31/8 =4 X MINT MOTHS,7 X SPECKLED WOOD, 4 X SMALL WHITE ATWATERCRESS NAT/RES RIVERSIDE RD, ST ALBANS. WED 1/9 =7 X MEADOW BROWN, 6 X SPECKLED WOOD, 2 X SMALL WHITE, 2 X LARGE WHITE, 2 X COMMON BLUE, 1 X SMALL COPPER AT MERRYHILL FIELDS, BUSHEY. WED 1/9 = 2 X COMMON BLUE, 5 X SPECKLED WOOD, 4 X SMALL WHITE ON WALK FINCH LANE, BUSHEY TO PATCHMORE GREEN - DAVID GOWER

A few butterfly sightings for today (Wednesday 1st September 2010) - 1 female Comon Blue, at Parkside Farm, on Res banking, 08:58 BST; 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:57 BST; 1 Small Heath, at Barracks, Vicarge Farm, 12:22 BST. - Robert Callf

August 2010

Tuesday 31st August 2010
Ware garden, I also saw a Hummingbird Hawkmoth this afternoon although very briefly as it shot through my front garden as I was talking to a neighbour - Liz Goodyear

One Humming bird hawkmoth seen today in Sherrards Park Wood, Welwyn Garden City. It was investigating remaining Bramble blossom on a sunny bank of Bramble with lots of ripe blackberries. Also today - Several Speckled Wood in sunny areas of my transect Gwynneth Pearman Jenkins

Saw a Gatekeeper settled along the track at Vicarage Farm, Enfield this morning (Tuesday 31st August 2010) at 11:32 hrs., whilst in the company of Robin White. Don't think I have seen them much later than this? - Robert Callf

Monday 30th August 2010
Some sightings for today (Monday 30th August 2010) - 3 Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 08:55 - 08:56 BST; 1 Red Admiral, flew S, at Park Farm, 10:39 BST; 1 Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:22 BST; 1 Small Copper, by Lower Lake, Trent Park, 11:47 BST (First of the autumn brood); 1 Small Heath, near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 11:53 BST; 1 Small Heath,at 'Barracks', Vicarage Farm, 12:47 BST. - Robert Callf

Saturday 28th August 2010
A few sightings for today (Saturday 28th August 2010) - 1 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 08:36 BST; 1 Common Blue, near Hadley Road, at Vicarage Farm, 08:45 BST; 1 Red Admiral, settled on Ash, Ash Wood, Enfield Chase, 10:13 BST; 2 Small Heath, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:52 and 11:17 BST; 1 male Common Blue, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:55 BST; 3 Common Blue, near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 11:29 BST. - Robert Callf

Friday 27th August 2010
A few sightings of note today (Friday 27th August 2010) - 1 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 10:26 BST; 1 Small Heath, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 12:30 BST; 1 male Common Blue, near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 12:42 BST. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 25th August 2010
Saw two Small Heath together at Vicarage Farm, Enfield this morning at 11:05 BST (Wednesday 25th August 2010), also 3 Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 11:57 - 12:00 BST and another at Parkside Farm, 12:11 BST. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 24th August 2010
A few sightings for today (Tueday 24th August 2010) - 3 male Common Blue, (1'Old Golf Course', 10:26 BST, 2 near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 10:33 BST); 2 Small Heath, at Vicarage Farm, 11:41 and 12:13 BST. - Robert Callf

At lunchtime today in the Bicentenary Garden at Brunel I recorded the following: Painted Lady, 2 Comma, 6 Speckled Wood, 3 Meadow Brown, 2 Gatekeeper (very worn), 4 Brown Argus, 5 Common Blue, Small Copper and several L.White. Steve Pash

Sunday 22nd August 2010
In my local cemetery today, Greenford Park Cemetery (TQ141816), I found a species I hadn't seen there before, the Small Heath. That's the third new species over there I've seen this year (the other two being Small Skipper and Small Tortoiseshell). All the other small titular species are to be found over there apart from blue and pearl bordered and unfortunately they are both unlikely. That makes a species tally for the cemetery of 17; Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Skipper, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Large White, Small White, Green Veined White & Orange Tip. Also seen today were 13 Small or Green Veined White and 1 Speckled Wood. My Greenford garden though had 1 Holly Blue, 3 Speckled Wood, 1 Large White and 2 Small or Green Veined. - Lee Hurrell

Some sightings for you Went to Therfield Heath Sunday and enjoyed the sunshine. The grassy slopes by the short par 3 (10th) church hill - (390332) 50+ chalkhill blues seen over a 1 hr period some really fresh males and females. Egg laying also seen, the females preferring the shallow sloping to of the hill. Also seen 15 common blues 7 brown argus 10+ large whites 10+ small whites 2 meadow browns 1 ringlet - which was suprising. 1 speckled wood and a comma along the path back to the main golf course. Then alone the "out of bounds" low cut path (399334) more chalkhill blues counted 30 then stopped, again many were really fresh, difficult to get decent photos as rather blustery Others seen 10 common blues, 5 brown argus, Great to see them, must be having a strong season as I havent seen so many this late before. - Phil MacMurdie

Butterfly World, Chiswell Green - 66 Common Blues on the transect today, showing that the new colony is thriving and probably now the best in St Albans District - amazing in only its second year. In contract, the number of butterflies on buddleia remains very poor and a total contrast to last years riches. Despite tens of thousands of buddleia flowers I saw only 4 single butterflies on them - one each of Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White & Small White. Elsewhere in St Albans today, Small White out in numbers, Common Blues in unlikely places, but other species fairly sparce - Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Green veined White and Meadow Brown the only others seen all weekend - Malcolm Hull

Some sightings for today (Sunday 22nd August 2010) - 1 Holly Blue, settled, along Jubilee Path/Park Farm, 09:58 BST; 5, 4 males, 1 female, Common Blue, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:48 BST; 1 male Common Blue, near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 11:02 BST; 1 Comma, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 11:31 BST; 3 Small Heath, at Vicarage Farm, 12:18 - 12:30 BST. - Robert Callf

Saturday 21st August 2010
A few butterflies to report today (Saturday 21st Agust 2010) - 1 Small Heath, at Parkside Farm, 08:37 BST; 1 female Common Blue, at Parkside Farm, on Res banking, 08:47 BST; 1 female Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:03 BST; 2, male and female, Common Blue, together, near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 10:18 BST; 2 Speckled Wood, at Water Grdn., Trent Park, 10:33 BST; 1 Small Heath, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park, 10:37 BST; 1 Common Blue, at South Lodge Farm, 11:08 BST; 1 Comma, at Allotments, Vicarage Farm, 11:44 BST. - Robert Callf

Friday 20th August 2010
A few sightings for this afternoon (Friday 20th August 2010) - 1 male Common Blue, at South Lodge Farm, 12:08 BST; 1 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 12:44 BST; 2, male and female, Common Blue, at Parkside Farm, on Res banking, 13:00 - 13:05 BST; 1 male Brimstone, nectaring on Burdock, edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park, 13:54 BST; 1 Comma, at Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 16:15 BST; 1 Small Heath, at 'Barracks', Vicarage Farm, 16:26 BST. - Robert Callf

Purple Hairstreak in garden this morning (near Sherrardspark Wood) - Murray Brown

Saw a Holly Blue yesterday afternoon (Thursday 19th August 2010) flying around trees near the Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield Town at 16:34 BST. - Robert Callf

Thursday 19th August 2010
Some sightings for today (Thursday 19th August 2010) - 1 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 10:46 BST; 2 Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 10:48 BST; 7+ Common Blue, at Parkside Farm, on Res banking, 11:05 - 11:09 BST; 1 Red Admiral, nectaring on Burdocks, edge of Rough Lot, 12:23 BST; 3 Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 12:33 - 12:47 BST; 1 Small Copper, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 13:05 BST. - Robert Callf

An hour today in Ruislip but no sun only noticed = 1 x small copper, 1 x gatekeeper, 2 x speckled wood, 1 x small white & 1 x large skipper David Gower

Monday 16th August 2010, Butterfly World had lost a male GREAT EGGFLY (Hypolimnas bolina), which was floating about the shadier parts of Chiswell Green Lane between the RES and rose gardens entrances (TL 12 04). This is a handsome Nymphalid native to Madagascar, S & SE Asia, the S Pacific islands & parts of Australasia. Alternative English-language names for the species include Blue Moon Butterfly and Common Eggfly. My thanks to David Graczyk of Butterfly World for the determination and for the additional information. Native butterflies in the same area included the following: Plaistowes Farm nr Chiswell Green TL 12 04 - 2 Holly Blues around ivy but not laying; Blunts Lane nr Potters Crouch TL 11 04 - Brown Argus & Holly Blue. CORRECTION to records for Mon 9/8: the grid ref for the Small Tort at Whitehouse Lane was TL 11 03. - Colin Everett

Wednesday 18th August 2010
I'm an outsider - a Yorkshire Branch member! I visited a friend of mine in Tring 1st - 4th August, and on Monday 2nd August we walked from Wilstone Village Hall to Millhoppers Pasture to check on butterfly species and numbers. We spend a good hour or two there, from about 12.30 to 3pm, not always counting butterflies, and had a (late) picnic lunch before going on to Bacombe Hill, in Bucks. A lovely reserve, we thoroughly enjoyed the day, and not just for the butterflies. There were lots of summer flowers, also young buzzards about, and we saw the nest with one of the adults nearby calling the young birds in. It's a long time since I've seen so many Common Blues! Butterfly numbers (approx) as follows: Common Blue: by far the most numerous butterfly - They were everywhere! We counted about 100 and then gave up - there were probably hundreds more! Ration of males to females was about 7 to 4, in other words, a bit less than 2 to 1. Brown Argus: as a first-time visitor I wasn't sure if Brown Argus was present or not, so some of the brown Common Blue "females" we counted were almost certainly Brown Argus. We only confirmed one on the day, as the butterflies were very lively and did not always settle long enough to be identified clearly. Large White: 30+ Small White 25+ Green Veined White 5 Peacock 5 Small Copper 10 Meadow Brown 14 (some quite worn) Ringlet 8 Gatekeeper 20+ Speckled Wood 8 Small Skipper 7 Comma 3 Brimstone (Male) 1 Small Tortoiseshell 2 Small Heath 2 - Pam Sykes

A few butterflies to report today (Wednesday 18th August 2010) - 1 male Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 08:27 BST; 1 male Common Blue, at Parkside Farm, on Res banking, 09:09 BST; 1 Purple Hairstreak, at Bay Farm, 09:33 BST; 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:34 BST; 1 male Common Blue, at Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 12:17 BST. - Robert Callf

Today at Bentley Priory during 20 mins of sun found = 1 x meadow brown,2 x gatekeeper, 1x common blue, 1 x small copper, 1 x large white, 1 x small white, and 1 x speckled wood. Later on at Stanmore country park =15 x meadow brown, 41 x common blue(mostly male),9 x small copper, 2 x large white, 1 x small white,2 x speckled wood 2 x brown argos, 5 x green veined white, 3 x silver y, 1 x mint moth, 5 x gatekeeper - David Gower

Gobions Wood LNR Brookmans Park. I x female Peacock investigating hollow tree, 3x Common blue female, 1x fresh Speckled wood, 2x worn female Gatekeeper. The Ridgeway Enfield EN2, several Comma larvae on nettles and hops - Kit Jones

Tuesday 17th August 2010
Arriving home (Tring) at around 5pm - in warm sun - I was pleased to see a Hummingbird Hawk on the buddleia in the front. I watched it for a while and then went through to the back where I scared a Painted Lady up from a bare patch near another buddleia. Also flying about Large & Small White, Holly and Common Blue. btw still no sign of any Hummingbird H. m. larvae since I watched one laying in late July - Nick Bowles

Monday 16th August 2010
Hemel Hempstead garden, following the sighting of my third Humming Bird Hawkmoth of the year in the garden yesterday I was lucky enough to have a visit from a Silver Washed Fritillary which nectared on Buddleia "Lochinch" shortly after midday today. It even stopped long enough to be photographed. It's my fourth record of a SWF since 1994 the last being in 2006.It was in good condition apart from having a slightly damaged wing and beat my previous latest record by thirteen days. Also I had my fifth Common Blue of the summer,a female, when a singleton is a rarity in most years.Making up the numbers were two Commas,Holly Blues,many Whites and A Red Admiral.The Painted Lady which had been around for four days went awol - Malcolm Newland

City of London transect today produced Large White - 6 Small White - 6 Holly Blue 1 Green Veined White - 1 - Phil MacMurdie

Third time lucky! today I positively identified a male Silver Washed Fritillary in Sherrards Park Wood. It obliged by landing on Bramble with outspread wings in the warm sunshine of a recently widened glade. I watched while it flew and landed several times. Two Speckled Wood appeared to challenge it in flight but it seemd undaunted. I managed to take a photograph, not good enough for publication but a help in identifying. When I first spotted it flying it could easily have been mistaken for a Comma as on the two previous occasions but it's flight, apart from making short glides was certainly slower. It is always possible this species and the White Admirals seen last year have always been present in the wood but in ten years of monitoring this is the first time I have seen either. And I like to think it is due to the immense amount of opening up of the canopy which has been achieved in the last few years. Now I hope there was a female somewhere in the vicinity - Gwynneth Pearman Jenkins

Walked along path next to railway line from Carpenders Park to home in Bushey today and noticed 4 x large white, a lot of small or green veined, 1 x speckled wood and 4 x holly blue......and 1 x comma......... David Gower

Sunday 15th August 2010
A few butterflies in Enfield Town yesterday (Saturday 14th August 2010) - 1 Holly Blue, at St Andrew's Churchyard, 15:07 BST; 2 Speckled Wood, together, St Andrew's Churchyard, 15:07 BST; 1 female Holly Blue, egg-laying on Ivy Flowers, Enfield Grammar School, 15:25 BST. Today's news (Sunday 15th August 2010) - 1 male Common Blue, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 09:50 BST; 1 male Common Blue, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 10:37 BST; 1 male Common Blue, at South Lodge Farm, 11:14 BST; 1 female Common Blue, along Merryhills Brook/Vicarage Farm, 11:17 BST. - Robert Callf

Been back to Aldbury Nowers today. Sightings were = about 80 x common blue, 6 x large white, 30 x brown argus, 22 x small white, 1 x speckled wood, 10 x small heath, 4 x small copper, 15 x brimstone(8 male, 7 x female), 12 x gatekeeper, at least 4 x green veined white and 1 x silver washed fritillary. Was hoping to see Dark green fritillary but no luck . Spotted 4 more silver washed around Steps hill and along ditch about 15 mins walk outside Aldbury found 8 x chalkhill blue ( 3 were females)........... - David Gower

Stanwell Moor, at last a dry day! I had an afternoon stroll along the river to J14 to see what might be about. I found 6 Red Admirals, 5 Commas and a Peacock in various spots, all being rather territorial (odd for a Peacock at this time of year). There were 6 or 7 new Speckled Woods, including one slurping happily away on a rotten blackberry, plus a few Gatekeepers and 2 Meadow Browns. The Small Heath colony also seems to have had a batch of new arrivals, and there was a lot of courtship behaviour apparent, including a mating pair. There were around 30 Common Blues, a little worn now, and including 7 or 8 females and one spider victim, plus a couple of Brown Argus. Finally, I saw 8 to 10 Holly Blues, one of which was no bigger than a Small Blue - it sat next to another just to emphasise the difference. - Dave Miller

Seen around Panshanger aerodrome. Brown argus Purple hairstreak Common blue Gatekeeper Meadow brown - Craig Hornby

Friday 13th August 2010
Sightings at Aldbury Nowers on Wed 11.... 150+ common blue, 60+ brown argus, 50+ meadow brown, 40+ gatekeeper, 12x brimstone, 40+ small heath, 20+ small white, several large & green veined white, 6x small copper, 2x speckled wood, 1 x holly blue, 1 x humming bird hawk moth(will notify moth group), 2 x male chalkhill blue (first time i've seen for some time) - David Gower

Saw a female Holly Blue settled at Carr's Basin, Town Park, Enfield yesterday (Thursday 12th August 2010) at 13:49 BST. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 11th August 2010
Some sightings for today (Wednesday 11th August 2010) - 1 Holly Blue, settled on Bramble, at Vicarage Farm, 07:45 BST; 1 Small Heath, at Vicarage Farm, 08:34 BST; 1 Speckled Wood, at Park Farm, 09:01 BST; 2 Red Admiral, at Trent Park, 09:36 and 09:55 BST; 2 Comma, at Trent Park, 09:36 and 10:18 BST; 8 Common Blue, at Trent Park, 09:42 - 10:33 BST; 3 Small Copper, at Trent Park, 09:42 - 10:31 BST; 1 Small Heath, at Trent Park, 10:11 BST; 6 Speckled Wood, at Trent Park, 10:47 - 10:50 BST; 1 Holly Blue, at South Lodge Farm, 11:17 BST. - Robert Callf

Whilst doing the transect at Aldbury I saw a painted lady, red admiral and a male chalkhill blue in the key butterfly area (I don't know if this would be the same one as last week - 8 days ago, it looked very bright and in good condition?). There were still good numbers of common blues and brown argus. At Alpine Meadow I counted common blue - 133, brown argus - 8, small copper - 13, small white, comma, red admiral, meadow brown, and gatekeeper. Along the farm track I saw speckled wood - 4, red admiral, small copper, comma, gatekeeper and common blue. Paul Thrush

News from 28 July (before our hols in Cornwall). Plashes Wood, near the farm, - 1 white letter hairstreak - did get a photo (not great). Elsewhere in and around the wood - Purple Hairstreak 9 - notably on a cherry tree where the appeared to cluster to "nectar" on the cherry juice. + the usual ringlets etc…. 8th August Moor Green Common Blue - 30 !!!!! - seen both on the green itself and along the road towards moor green, on knapweeds. + many of the usual suspects - Phil MacMurdie

Monday 9th August 2010
Silver Washed Fritillery in Broxbourne Woods today 09/08/10 near map ref TL347080 nectaring on Hemp Agrimony. (Main ride in the centre of the woods.) Nearby Purple Hairstreak in the oaks. While Admiral flew across the ride near the far seat at the end of the HCC sector TL 328074 and Small Copper on brambles near the West Car Park.TL324071 - Nigel Agar

A Ware garden first (or the first time I had seen one in the garden), Small Copper - Liz Goodyear

News for yesterday (Sunday 8th August 2010) at Oakwood Park, N14 - 3 Holly Blue, 09:42 - 10:16 BST; 3 Small Copper, including two together, 10:06 - 10:16 BST; 1 female Large White, 10:12 BST; 1 male Common Blue, at 10:19 BST. Sightings for today (Monday 9th August 2010) - 2 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 08:37 BST; 1 female Common Blue, at Vicarage Farm, 08:43 BST; 2 Red Admiral,(1 along Jubilee Path/Park Farm at 09:35 BST, 1 nectaring on Burdocks, edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park, 09:42 BST); 2 Comma, together, nectaring on Burdocks, edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park, 09:42 BST; 1 Green-veined White, edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park, 09:42 BST; 2 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 09:46 - 09:47 BST; 2 Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course' (male, at 09:47 BST, female, at 09:51 BST); 5 male Common Blue, on thistles near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 09:59 BST; 1 Small Copper, on thistles near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 09:59 BST; 2 Purple Hairstreak, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park, 10:06 - 10:07 BST; 1 male Common Blue, at South Lodge Farm, 10:28 BST; 1 Comma, field near Enfield Road, at Vicarage Farm, 11:08 BST. - Robert Callf

Went to Weston Hills Nature Reserve earlier today (1000 - 1100 hrs) hoping to see a Dark Green Fritillary. I wasn't lucky but I saw a male SIlver-washed Fritillary in the wooded area - skimming over the brambles. It settled a few times so I was able to view it through my binoculars - Peter Clarke

Whitehouse Lane nr Bedmond - Small Tortoiseshell; near Potters Crouch TL 10 04 - Green-veined White, 3 Holly Blues (all at separate sites) & Comma; near Bedmond TL 10 03 - Common Blue. - Colin Everett

Sunday 8th August 2010
Bramble area adjacent to track between Coldharbour Farm and Little Coldharbour Farm, Ashridge. Silver Wash Fritillary patrolling 50 yard area of brambles. Restless flight seldom alighting. For the second year no Small Tortoiseshell seen at Berkhamsted Common. 3 Purple Hairstreaks seen in early June. Only one Peacock so far. One Painted Lady in early spring. Few Marble whites. Poor year for Skippers. Usual numbers of Ringlets, Meadow Brown, Brown Argus - Mike Spittles

My walk in Fairlands Valley Park and Whomerley Wood, Stevenage between 1300 and 1400 hours today yielded the following butterflies: 3 Large Whites, 20+ Small/G-V Whites, a Brimstone, 8 Common Blues, a Holly Blue, a Small Copper, a Painted Lady, a Peacock, a Comma, 5+ Speckled Woods, 20+ Gatekeepers, and 5+ Meadow Browns. Quite a lot of SIlver-Y moths around as well. The sun was out about 50% of the time but pretty warm and 'lightish' winds. Peter Clarke

Garden butterflies (Tring) included an occasional visitor Brown Argus among 2 male and 4 female common blues, and a single (probable male) White Admiral - first time visitor after 17 years at this address. Also recorded in the garden Large white 1, Small white 4, Painted Lady 1, Gatekeeper 4 - Nick Bowles

The following seen at Old Hatfield Aerodrome, Herts today: 1 x Brimstone 2 x Common Blue 2 x Gatekeeper Fair numbers Small White, Few Large White, Fair numbers Meadow Brown, Few Small Heath - David Wheatcroft

Friday 6th August 2010
Counted 5 Small Copper, together, on thistles in Oakwood Park, N14 this morning (Friday 6th August 2010) at 08:47 BST, also 2 (male and female) Common Blue, here as well. A number of Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown here also. Also two Purple Hairstreak in Oakwood Park, N14 this morning (Friday 6th August 2010) one at 07:40 BST - nectaring on blackberry and another at 08:30 BST. - Robert Callf

1 x holly blue this morning in Bushey front garden - David Gower

Thursday 5th August 2010
Here are a few sightings for today (Thursday 5th August 2010) - 3 (2 males, 1 female) Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 08:34 BST; 1 male Common Blue, on Res banking, at Parkside Farm, 08:58 BST; 1 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, 09:13 BST; 1 Purple Hairstreak, at Ash Wood, Enfield Chase, 09:42 BST; 1 Comma, edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park, 09:42 BST; 2 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 09:56 BST; 2 Small Heath, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 09:56 and 10:02 BST; 1 Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 09:57 BST; 1 Comma, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park, 10:26 BST; 1 male Common Blue, at South Lodge Farm, 11:03 BST. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 4th August 2010
A few sightings for today (Wednesday 4th August 2010) - 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 11:34 BST; 1 Green-veined White, settled, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent Park, 12:17BST; 1 Holly Blue, at Town Park, Enfield, 13:03 BST. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
Some sightings for today (Tuesday 3rd August 2010) - 1 Comma, edge of Rough Lot, Trent Park, 08:45 BST; 1 Red Admiral, edge of Ride Wood, Trent Park, 09:17 BST; 1 Painted Lady, on thistles, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 09:40 BST; 1 male Common Blue, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 09:42 BST; 1 Brown Argus, on white clover and thistles, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 09:45 BST - the first that I have seen in the Park for a few years! 3 Small Copper, near Dew Pond, Trent Park, 09:45 - 09:50 BST; 8 Common Blue, at South Lodge Farm, 10:11 - 10:18 BST - including two females; 1 Brown Argus, at South Lodge Farm, 10:15 BST; 1 male Common Blue, along Merryhills Brook/Vicarage Farm, 10:20 BST; 1 Comma, at Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 10:40 BST; 2 male Common Blue, at Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 10:41 - 10:45 BST. Also a Gatekeeper at Town Park, Enfield today (Tues 3rd August 2010) at 11:04 BST. P.S., After a absence for two years, seen three Brown Argus so far this year, including the two today. - Robert Callf.

I did the transect today at Aldbury Nowers and found it very difficult due to the high numbers of butterflies! Highlights included a white letter hairstreak and 2 silver washed fritillaries in the coppice area in the south and a male chalkhill blue in the key butterfly area in the north. I also had a dark green fritillary in the south and another silver washed fritillary along the Ridgeway. To give you an idea of numbers, the totals for common blue are 458, brown argus 105, meadow brown 128 and small heath 25. I also saw the hummingbird hawkmoth again and there were quite a few brimstone, peacock and gatekeepers around together with a single small tortoiseshell. Paul Thrush

Spent this afternoon in Ruislip Woods and recorded 8 x speckled wood, 13 x meadow brown, 10 x small white, 12 x gatekeeper, 2 x ringlet, 4 x common blue, 1 x small copper, 1 x silver y - David Gower

Went for a walk across Nomansland south side with our small grandsons. Weather dull & windy but 21C with abundant Knapweed & some Bird's-foot Trefoil in flower. Everything short & browned by drought. Saw 20+ Meadow Brown, 20+ Small White, 25+ Common Blue (mainly bright males), 5 Gatekeeper, 3 Small Skipper, 2 Ringlet. Probably more resting, but small boys don't hang about. Numbers on wing increased when sun emerged as we left. Loads of Bees - John Moss

Monday 2nd August 2010
I walked through all 4 of the Ruislip Woods and other than a few whites there were very few butterflies as it was mainly cloudy. When the sun did show there was Purple Hairstreak activity in all the woods and 2 Small Copper on Poors Field. Steve Pash

Sightings at Noman's land Common 2 purple hairsreaks ( 1 laying eggs), good numbers of large whites, small whites, meadow browns, gatekeppers with few green veined white and common blue and singles of comma, Silver y moth and small copper - Andy Steele

On Sunday went for a walk near Anstey and went through Scales Park ride. Saw 30 ringlet,15 green veined whites and a few gatekeepers, but outside in field to the east saw. 1 silver washed fritillary , 3 large skippers and 10 common blues. Steve Kiln

I visited Aldbury today with Andrew and walked around the whole reserve. Highlights included a male silver washed fritillary, hummingbird hawkmoth and good numbers of small copper. Common blues and brown argus were still incredibly numerous, especially around patches of marjoram and other nectar sources. In the coppice area in the south there were hundreds flying with many more flying along the field edge and in the third enclosure. In the key butterfly area in the north we estimated there to be at least 20 brown argus and 50 common blue around a large area of marjoram. When you think of the area of the reserve it’s hard to get an accurate count but there must be many hundreds (most likely more than I counted last week). - Paul Thrush

A few sightings for today (Monday 2nd August 2010) - 6 Common Blue,(2 at South Lodge Farm, 10:14 - 10:15 BST, 4 at Vicarage Farm, 10:39 - 11:04 BST); 1 Small Copper, at Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 10;53 BST; 1 Comma, at Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 11:00 BST. Also two Holly Blue, together, Carr's Basin, Town Park, Enfield, at 11:22 BST, including a female settled. -Robert Callf

On the 29th July I witnessed a Silver-Washed Fritillary butterfly in Whippendell Woods, Watford flying at head height at c.1 pm Ian Bennell

Sunday 1st August 2010
Visited the Old Rivers Nursery site at TL4714 today 11.30-12.30 ,weather cloudy but humid,meadow brown and gatekeeper still in the 50+ range,ringlet down to 1,speckled wood 1, common blue 33,(including one tiny male @25% size of the others) ,brown argus 13,small skipper 1 and small copper 1 - Laurence Drummond

At Broxbourne woods on 24th July spotted = 8 x common blue, 1 x 5 spot burnet, 1 x large white, 3 x comma, 1 x silver y, 1 x peacock, 2 x small coppers, 1 x purple hairstreak, 6 x large skippers, 1 x red admiral , 10 x ringlet, 3 x g v white, 12 x small white. - David Gower

July 2010

Friday 30th July 2010
OAKHILL WOODS LNR EN4 First Small copper of the year (on Ragwort), 1x Female Brimstone -Kit Jones

Some news for today (Friday 30th July 2010) - 1 Speckled Wood, near Equestrian Centre, Trent Park, 11:48 BST; 1 Speckled Wood, Shaws Wood, Trent Park, 12:00 BST; 4 male Common Blue, Trent Park (2 by Lower Lake, 12:22 and 2 'Old Golf Course', 12:28 BST); 2 Peacock, nectaring on thistles, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 12:30 BST; 2 Small Copper, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 12:32 BST; 1 Peacock, nectaring on Burdock, edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park, 12:37 BST; 7 Comma, at Trent Park, (1 nectaring on thistles, 'Old Golf Course', 12:30 BST, 3 nectaring on Burdocks, edge of Moat Wood, 12:39 BST, 3 nectaring on Burdocks, edge of Rough Lot, 12:39 BST); 1 Comma, along Jubilee Path/Park Farm, 13:03 BST; 2 male Common Blue, on Res banking, at Parkide Farm, 13:55 BST; 1 Small Heath, at Parkside Farm, 13:58 BST; 1 Small Heath, at Park Farm, 14:00 BST; 2 male Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 14:11 BST; 1 Small Heath, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Stables, at Vicarage Farm, 14:22 BST; 1 male Common Blue, along Leeging Beech Gutter near Stables, at Vicarage Farm, 14:22 BST. A few interesting sightings for yesterday (Thursday 29th July 2010) - 1 Small Heath, at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm, 15:38 BST; 1 Comma, near Water Grdn., Trent Park, 17:10 BST; 1 male Oak Eggar, settled on the path, edge of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 18:00 BST - I managed to pick it up - it appeared undamaged, but did not fly off! Robert Callf. P.S., At last a few more Comma, but Peacock numbers still low!

Thursday 29th July 2010
Visited Chess Valley, East of Chenies, this afternoon, around Frogmore Meadow NR. (This is right on the frontier with Bucks.) As well as the usual Browns and Whites, we saw Small Copper (1) and Peacock (1), both looking newly emerged; also Comma, good numbers of Common Blue of both sexes; and one geriatric Marbled White - Graham Elcombe

Brown Hairstreak are now flying in other branch areas - news via Malcolm Hull

Some news for yesterday (Wednesday 28th July 2010) - 4, 3 males, 1 female, Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 07:54 - 08:02 BST; 1 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 07:54 BST; 1 immature Common Darter, settled on Bramble, Park Farm; 1 female Large White, at Park Farm, 08:45 BST; 1 Peacock, edge of Moat Wood, Trent Park, 09:10 BST; 4 male Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 09:15 - 09:25 BST; 1 Peacock, settled on thistles, 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 09:20 BST; 1 Peacock, by Lower Lake, Trent Park, 09:30 BST; 1 Small Copper, by Lower Lake, Trent Park, 09:34 BST; 1 male Common Blue, by Lower Lake, Trent Park, 09:35 BST; 1 male Holly Blue, settled on path, Water Grdn., Trent Park, 09:51 BST; At least four Common Blue, at South Lodge Farm, 10:15 - 10:19 BST; 1 Comma, at South Lodge Farm, 10:16 BST; 1 Holly Blue, Sidhil's Field, at Vicarage Farm, 10:37 BST. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 28th July 2010
OAKHILL WOODS LNR-----Fresh Common blue in very good numbers also Gatekeeper and Six spot burnet-------but------Peacocks & Tshells notable by their absence and very few Meadow brown this year. ENFIELD RIDGEWAY EN2---Ix fresh Painted lady female on Buddleia KIT JONES

I had a Hummingbird Hawk Moth laying eggs in my garden on sunday. First time I've witnessed this, don't know if its a common happening - Steve Lane

Batford, weedy field. The following were seen in a small stretch of hedgerow about 10 yds long, between 2 Oak trees near the weedy field within 10 mins on site. 1x PURPLE HAIRSTREAK, 2x Holly Blues, Gate keepers, Meadow Browns, 1x speckled wood, 1x Large White, 1x Green Veined White, 1x Small White. Another 5 mins found me 1x SMALL COPPER, small skipper, common Blues & a SILVER Y MOTH in the weedy field. - Darin Stanley

Silver-washed Fritillary seen at Danemead today - Andy Brown

Fir & Pond Woods NR...Wednesday PM... mainly on the meadow. A patch of creeping thistles is a butterfly hotspot. Meadow browns 5, GVWs 8, large white 1, small white 1, ringlet 4, small copper 3, small (2) and 1 Essex skippers, comma 1 Gatekeepers 15 to 20. Common blues .. 4 male and 2 female. Speckled woods, 8, elsewhere in the Reserve. - David Gompertz

I don't normally post my Ware garden moth records but the last three days has been quite interesting. It started on Sunday night with a confirmed Fen Wainscot (a bit off the beaten track!), then on Monday night, in addition 2 Tree-lichen Beauties, I had this unusual moth. At first I just thought it was a worn garden regular but it didn't fit with anything in the books. Andrew Wood has been able to confirm it was a White-line Dart, nothing special to look at but a definite rarity. This morning I recorded my first Toadflax Brocade - Liz Goodyear

Tuesday 27th July 2010
I was at Purwell Ninesprings this morning/afternoon, saw a comma, green veined white and gatekeeper. I stopped off at Hexton on they way back and it was alive with chalkhill blues, definitely a couple of hundred throughout the reserve. There were also common blues, brown argus, gatekeeper, large white, large skipper, marbled white, meadow brown and a comma. - Paul Thrush

Some news for today (Tuesday 27th July 2010) - 1 Red Admiral, on buddleia, at Enfield Road, 08:38 BST(whilst bus was waiting at stop); 1 Green-veined White, at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm, 09:15 BST; 1 male Large Skipper, at Hog Hill, Vicarage Farm, 09:15 BST; 1 male Common Blue, at Vicarage Farm, 09:24 BST; 2 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 09:31 and 09:36 BST; 1 male Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, Trent Park, 09:32 BST; 2 Peacock, near Duncan's Wood, 10:20 BST; 1 Comma, near Duncan's Wood, 10:20 BST; 4 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:42 - 10:53 BST; 4, 3 males, 1 female, Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course, Trent CP, 10:42 - 10:51 BST; 1 Essex Skipper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 10:49 BST; 1 Comma, near Water Grdn., Trent CP, 11:06 BST; 1 male Common Blue, along Merryhills Brook/South Lodge Farm, 11:56 BST. - Robert Callf

Batford, Weedy field, this lunchtime - 2x PURPLE HAIRSTREAKS in usual Oak tree further up the public footpath running along the west side of the field & 1x ESSEX SKIPPER in the weedy field itself, plus regulars. - Darin Stanley

OAKHILL WOODS LNR. 8x Gatekeeper. Ix Ringlet. 2x Six-spot burnet. 4x Small skipper-------on Marjoram. ENFIELD RIDGEWAY EN2. 6x Comma. 4x Red Admiral. 1x Speckled wood. 1x Purple hairstreak on rotten bananas---- 1x Peacock 1x Painted lady. 2x Large white on Budleia. Kit Jones

Over the weekend just gone 24th & 25th July I saw 6 Mint Moths in my Hitchin Garden on some Cat Mint. This is presumably a second brood, I also saw a similar number of first brood specimens earlier in the year, Phil Barron

Monday 26th July 2010
Sightings from weekend: Sat 24th - Park Wood, Ruislip, male PE at 13.55, White Admiral, Peacock, 3 Comma, 2 Common Blue, 4 Small Skipper, 3 Speckled Wood, 3 Ringlet, 2 GV White, 5 Large White and dozens of Purple Hairstreak, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. Sun 25th July - Meadows adjacent to Ten Acre Wood, Hillingdon, Peacock, Red Admiral, 4 Comma, 4 Common Blue, Small Skipper, Speckled Wood, GV White, 3 Large White, 10+ Purple Hairstreak, 100's of Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown! Steve Pash

Saturday Purple Hairstreak. At Wareside (7) SG12 7RA near the old mardocks station site - 5 on small c10ft oaks inc egg laying. babbs green 3 widford 6 - also at wareside small copper (3) battling it out over a ragwort flower head with a common blue + 2 brown argus. Sunday broxbourne woods. 1 purple emperor but no photo's 1 silver washed frit - photo attached. we counted up to 50 purple hairstreaks then gave up. there are everywhere in the woods. white admiral - 7 a photo attached. Then took a trip to Balls wood and Hertford heath more purple hairstreak 15+ White admiral 2 - Phil MacMurdie

Mating pair of Common Blue in my Ponders End front garden meadow this morning. Yesterday a Small Copper was present - Andrew Middleton

On Saturday morning I set out with dog between 9.30 and 10 a m to the vague hope of seeing some more hairstreaks stuck in spider's webs at Sherrardspark Wood. The patch, described below (at the bottom of the path coming down from the Pentley Park entrance), was butterfly rich with two commas, a skipper and meadow browns fluttering, and I couldn't believe it when a hairstreak came into view through my binoculars when i was studying a green-veined white (Actually, it was just settled there, I didn't even see it at first). Then I saw several more (5,6 maybe 7), settled on the brambles and occasionally flying around. I couldn't catch a glimpse of the upper-side of the wings but decided they were definitely white-letter hairstreaks. I spread the word hoping a couple of people could confirm my identification and a couple of volunteers went out and took the pictures - Charlotte

I was working at Aldbury today and really didn't expect to see much. I went to check the coppice area in the southern part of the reserve and discovered lots of roosting common blue and brown argus in the brachypodium grass. Counting the whole area (incl the large field edge) I had 199 common blue/brown argus in the south and 180 of both species in the northern half of the reserve, a grand total of 379 throughout the reserve! I started counts for both species but they were just too numerous and I didn't want to go wading in and disturb them, some stems had 3 butterflies on and small pockets of grassland had groups of up to 10-20 butterflies. I also saw a pristine small blue in the southern part of the reserve, along the field margin. It settled long enough to get a positive identification, but it didn't settle after this and was very purposeful in its flight, eventually disappearing across the now barren large field adjacent to Northfield Road (it was topped last week). Would this be a second brood individual? I will be up at the reserve again this week so will have a look out for any more. - Paul Thrush

Sunday 25th July 2010
Ware garden, in addition to the garden regulars, a white-letter hairstreak feasting on buddleia. Make that 2, later a second tattier individual in back garden feasting on hemp agrimony - Liz Goodyear

Some sightings for today (Sunday 25th July 2010) - 2 Small Heath, 'New Fields', Trent Park, 12:35 - 12:37 BST - fresh, first of the 2nd-brood; 22 Small Copper, at 'New Fields', Trent Park, 12:38 - 13:23 BST (A good summer-brood and by no means a complete count!); 3 Comma, at 'New Fields', Trent Park, 12:46 - 13:13 BST; 2 Peacock, 'New Fields', Trent Park, 12:47 and 13:20 BST; 1 Painted Lady, 'New Fields', Trent Park, 13:03 BST - very fresh, on thistle-head; 2 male Common Blues, at 'New Fields', Trent CP, 13:20 - 13:23 BST. - Robert Callf

Further incidental butterfly recording in SW Herts around Flaunden/Bovingdon/Chipperfield areas, where good numbers of Small Coppers & Common Blues. Records as follows: Tower Hill nr Chipperfield TL 03 02 - Meadow Brown & Gatekeeper; Nuffield Farm nr Bulstrode TL 03 03 - 3 Gatekeepers & Meadow Brown; Bovingdon Lodge TL 02 03 - Green-veined White, 2 Small Coppers, Common Blue, 7 Gatekeepers & 5 Meadow Browns; Harts Hill Farm nr Bulstrode TL 02 02 - Green-veined White & 5 Gatekeepers; Flaunden TL 01 01 - 2 Large Whites, female Small White ovipositing on young leaves of Garlic Mustard, Small Copper, 8 Common Blues, 3 Commas, 7 Gatekeeper & 5 Meadow Browns; Belsize nr Chipperfield TL 03 01 - Green-veined White, Small Copper & Gatekeeper. - Colin Everett

Butterflies on Buddleia at Butterfly World today included Painted Lady (4), Peacock (4), Red Admiral (2), Comma (1), Large White & Small White. The second generation of Common Blues was out inforce - 24 counted in total, all but one being males - Malcolm Hull

Wood Lane Pirton, Transect on 25/07/2010 - 2 Brown Argus, 3 Common blue, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Peacock, 2 Comma, 8 Speckled Wood, 4 Large Skipper, 1 Small Skpper, many whites, gatekeepers, ringlets. Val Fullforth

Saturday 24th July 2010
At Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross this morning I searched again without success for WL Hairstreak. I have not seen them here this year and wonder if they have died out as the Wych Elm trees all look dead to me. A loss of a former traditional site. 15 species seen though, including 6 Comma, 2 Brimstone, Small Copper, Holly Blue, Marbled White, Purple Hairstreak and many Small, GV. and Large White and the other usual suspects. - John Edwards

Took the now usual walk in tl4714 High Wych/Sawbridgeworth today from 10.30-11.30, White species (no marbled or gv that I noticed) probably 100+,meadow brown and gatekeeper in the 50+ range,ringlet 23,common blue 18,small copper 3, brown argus 6, small/essex skipper 8,and large skipper 1, bearing in mind these numbers are just from the path there are large areas of open meadow covered in clover and knapweed - Laurence Drummond

A few sightings for Thurs 22nd July 2010 - 17 Small Copper, at 'New Fields', Trent CP, 10:42 - 11:20 BST; 1 Peacock, Sect.6, 'New Fields', Trent Park, 10:58 BST; 1 Comma, 'New Fields', Trent CP, 10:37 BST. - Robert Callf

Did a bit of a mammoth butterfly walk as part of butterfly week. 11 locations some close. Started at Bricket common at 10am (very good) , the Symonshyde wood disappointing, then Broxbourne wood, Bencroft and back to Rickneys and Waterford heath. Highlights silver washed fritillaries at Bricket common and Symonshyde, white admiral bricket and broxbourne wood. Purple hairstreak all throughout bencroft and broxbourne wood. Brown argus waterford heath north, small copper broxbourne wood and Rickneys. 20 species in all most common gatekeeper (171) out of (576) then meadow brown, Ringlet, purple hairstreak. Did not see a single small heath or small tortoiseshell - Steve Kiln

Friday 23rd July 2010
A little incidental recording of butterflies while conducting a pair of late-season TTVs in the Hemel Hempstead area for the Bird Atlas. Records as follows: Highfield TL 06 08 - Green-veined White, Holly Blue & Peacock; Punch Bowl Lane TL 09 09 - 10 Green-veined Whites, Small Copper & Meadow Brown; Hogg End Lane TL 09 08 - Small White, 3 Green-veined Whites & Gatekeeper. - Colin Everett

Thursday 22nd July 2010
Visited Butterfly World in St Albans on the 21st July. As soon as we walked in a Peacock landed on me, chased away by a Red Admiral. There was Whites, Comma's and a Common Blue basking on the gravel. There was also a Hawkmoth but am not sure of its identity. Butterfly World is inspirational and will be even more so when completed! - Helen George

Terry Lyle had 4 Silver-washed Fritillary sightings whilst doing his transect over the weekend and the Soanes Centre at Tower Hamlets Cemetery has been favoured on at least 3 occasions. - Bob Watts

An early evening stroll on 21st July by the Colne at Stanwell Moor again produced an abundance of Commas and Red Admirals. The addition this evening was a brand new Brown Argus, flying with a similarly new Common Blue. A pity they didn't stop to chat and be photographed, because unusually, the Blue was noticeably the smaller of the two! Dave Miller

A few sightings for Grovelands Park, Southgate, N14 this morning (Thursday 22nd July 2010) - 1 Peacock, 08:35 BST; 2 female Gatekeeper, 08:36 - 08:38 BST; 1 Meadow Brown, 08:37 BST. Yesterday (Wednesday 21st July 2010) saw a Small Copper at Totteridge, Herts., at 06:09 BST - Robert Callf

On Sunday 18th July I saw 2 male and a female PE in Park Wood, Ruislip. The 2 males were seen in the canopy in usual place at the St Vincents end of the wood. The female was nearby along the edge of the wood by Haste Hill Golf Course. Plenty of Purple Hairstreak througout the wood and 4 White Admiral along the ride.. The edge of the wood was alive with Ringlet, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. Also recorded; 4 Comma, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, male Brimstone, 3 Holly Blue, Small & Essex Skipper and 2 Speckled Wood. I then visited Bayhurst Wood to check for PE. I spent about an hour in the picnic area in the centre of the wood. No sign of any males in the canopy but a possible female flew low across the clearing to a Sallow and then disappeared! This clearing was alive with butterflies with 2 White Admiral, 9 Red Admiral, 3 Comma, Peacock, Marbled White, 10+ Ringlet, Small Skipper, 4 Speckled Wood, 6+ Purple Haistreak, dozens of Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown and a Silver Y moth. Steve Pash

News from Reddings, Welwyn Garden City You may like to know that I have been observing Purple Hairstreak in the oak canopy above our garden adjacent to Sherrards Park Wood most evenings since 7th July and they have been present at ground level on occasion in three other places on my transect in the wood. We have also seen a White Admiral in our garden close to where two were observed last July. This is unusual in Sherrards Park Wood. Lastly, Is it easy to confuse a Comma with a Fritillary? I have seen many Commas in flight and they always fly very fast and eratically. But twice recently I have thought the orange and black/brown butterfly flying and gliding around my feet looked very like a fritillary. They were the size of a large Comma or larger and appeared very like a Silver washed Frit. I find this hard to believed becasue they are not reported in our wood - Gwynneth Pearman

These are the latest butterfly sightings in my Greenford garden, Middlesex: 18.10.10 - 1 Silver-washed fritillary female, 1 Holly blue, 2 Gate-keeper, 1 Large white, 1 Small white, 1 Comma, 21.07.10 - 1 Red Admiral - Alessandro Giusti

Seen Panshanger aerodrome 11.7.10, Purple hairstreaks 8+ White- Letter hairstreaks - small groups in elm. Comma 6 Brown argus Small copper Small skipper Large skipper Marbled whites 8+ Red admiral Gatekeeper Ringlet Essex skipper - Craig Hornby

I am a Sherrardspark Woods Wood Warden and was out on Tuesday with a fellow Wood Warden (Ian Flack) who is helping me identify butterflies in general. I do two transects in Sherrardspark Woods, on the edge of Welwyn Garden City, and yesterday, (off transect on a familiarisation tour for my benefit) we saw two butterflies caught in spiders' webs.* They conformed in size and colouring (underside of the wing) to the image on the FSC AIDGAP laminated sheet I had with me of White hairstreaks but some of the wings were missing so were unable to see the end of the characteristic "W" (most of the white streak was present) but nevertheless are pretty certain of our identification - they were definitely hairstreaks. If they hadn't been trapped we would not have seen them! - Charlotte

Tuesday 20th July 2010
While my wife was gardening in our garden (Potters Bar) she saw a "hairstreak" nectaring on /Aster frikartii. /Her photograph shows clearly that this was a white letter hairstreak.! We do have a small Japanese elm in the garden. Whether this is of interest to WHLs I do not know. - David Gompertz

Whilst doing the Aldbury Nowers transect today I saw 2 separate dark green fritillary (one in N3 looking quite worn) and one in the key butterfly area (much smarter). I also saw 3 silver washed fritillary, one male in the southern part of the reserve in the new coppice area (I've never seen one here before) and 2 more clashing in one of the glades along the Ridgeway between the 2 sections of the reserve, one of which was a definite male (photos of both attached). The hummingbird hawkmoth is still present, this time it was in the key butterfly area (I assume it's the same one I saw last week!) - Paul Thrush

I spent today at Aston Downhill Mountain bike circuit indoctrinating pupils in the fine art of whizzing downhill on bikes. Anyhow between looking out for obstacles and of course, keeping a careful eye on my charges, deep in forest and not in glades, I saw 3 Silver Washed Frit. Suggesting good penetration of this woodland block. (Upper Thames Branch news) On return home at about 5.45 I saw lots of butterflies in Tring garden (most on buddleia for first time this summer) Brimstone, Sm White, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Gatekeeper and 6spot Burnet plus more exciting a Hum Bird hawk that laid 6 eggs while I watched and probably far more before I spotted it - Nick Bowles

Seen a Purple Emperor in the Enfield Chase area today (Tues 20th July 2010). Interesting but I suppose not completely unexpected Robert Callf

ENFIELD RIDGEWAY EN2----I X Painted Lady male on Budleia. 5 Commas , 2 P Hairstreak on rotten pears. Is it my imagination or are P Hairsteak spending alot of time on the ground this year? - Kit Jones

Monday 19th July 2010
Some news for today (Monday 19th July 2010) - 1 Small Copper, on thistle head, Park Farm, 09:10 BST; 2 Green-veined White, along Jubilee Path at Bay Farm, 09:23 BST; 1 Brown Argus, on thistle head, along Jubilee Path at Park Farm (TQ2998) at 09:30 BST - the first we have seen locally for several years! 2 Comma, along Jubilee Path at Park Farm, 09:38 and 09:40 BST; 1 Peacock, along Jubilee Path at Park Farm, 09:40 BST; 10 Small White, together, on Bramble, along Jubilee Path at Park Farm, 10:07 BST; 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 10:39 BST; 1 Small Copper, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent CP, 10:59 BST; 1 Comma, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent CP, 11:00 BST; 2 White-letter Hairstreak, on thistles near Dew Pond, Trent CP, 11:06 - 11:10 BST; 1 Small Copper, near Dew Pond, Trent CP, 11:19 BST; 1 Red Admiral, at Vicarage Farm, 11:49 BST; 1 Holly Blue, near Allotments, at Vicarage Farm, 12:10 BST - Robert Callf & Robin White.

A couple of sightings for Town Park, Enfield (Monday 19th July 2010) - 1 Comma, 12:24 BST and 1 Speckled Wood, 12:37 BST - Robert Callf - Robert Callf

Marbled White in garden feeding on Buddleia in Tewin. Only second one seen in 27 years! Jim Farr

I walked the usual route along the Colne to J14 at around 5pm today. Hot (29 degrees at 4pm at the airport apparently). Gatekeepers were everywhere, not really possible to count as everywhere you looked another one popped up. In second place was the Comma - there were at least 20, carefully spaced along the river, chasing dragonflies and pretty well everything else. Both forms were seen, interestingly. The rest of the list? 8 Peacocks, 6 Red Admirals, 7 Meadow Browns, 7 Small Heaths, 5 Speckled Woods, 2 Large Whites (both male), 5 Green-veined Whites, at least 10 Small Whites, 1 female Brimstone, 2 Small Coppers, 1 male Common Blue and no less than 8 Holly Blues, including one spiralling group of 5. They were mostly nectaring on shaded areas of bramble, out of easy camera reach and wings firmly shut. Finally, within 50 metres of home, a Purple Hairstreak danced around the top of a fairly isolated oak. 15 species. - Dave Miller

On the north side of Wintergreen Wood, I saw a White Admiral amongst the brambles at around 12 noon. I then walked through Knebworth Park to Graffidge Wood searching for the Purple Emperor but no luck. On the edge of Newton Wood and at Norton Green there were many Purple Hairstreaks low down, some even on the ground. - Peter Clarke

At Ruislip woods today found = 7x purple hairstreak,12x white admiral, 8x small white, 1x large white, 1x large skipper, 2x comma and many meadow browns, ringlets and gatekeepers. Noticed 3 butterflies high above oaks but didn't see long enough to confirm were purple emperors) David Gower

Sighting today at Broxbourne Woods today today include 1 Purple Emperor high in trees, least 6 purple hairstreaks with more flying around the trees ground level (photo attached) high number of large whites, green- veined whites, small whites, ringlets, meadow browns and gate gatekeeper with 1 Red Admiral, 1 comma and 1 Silver-washed Fritillary. At Symondshyde Great Wood 4 Silver-washed Fritillarys with one feeding on the tree, 4 white letter hairstreaks, 1 comma and a high number of large white and Green-veined white, gatekeeper, speckled woods and meadow browns with 3 small whites and 5 ringlets And in my St Albans garden 1st 2nd brooded holly blue - Andy Steele

Batford, Weedy field - Lunchtime stroll found me 3 SMALL COPPER, 1x WLH, 1x PURPLE HAIRSTREAK, 2x Common Blues, numerous Gate keepers & Marbled whites. Hexton Chalkpit NR - 1 DARK GREEN FRITILLARY?!? ( I'll never know.....too quick!) & numerous CHALKHILL BLUES. - Darin Stanley

I saw one clouded yellow on Saturday morning at the allotments near Batford ford TL148148. It looked fresh and was flying around for over 5 minutes. Paul Unwin

Hemel Hempstead, I am collecting many seeds and had a pristine male Common Blue today nectaring on Lavender, Greater Knapweed and Betony - Malcolm Newland

Sunday 18th July 2010
First time ever in my garden Enfield garden, large fritillary got to be silver washed 17.30 - Brian Dawton

Walked Bencroft, Broxbourne and Waterford Heath. Highlights silver washed fritillary in broxbourne ride, Purple hairstreak in bencroft wood, broxbourne glade and at waterford heath south and north pit. 2 red admirals at waterford heath south, gatekeepers abounding everywhere - Steve Kiln

Individuals of each of the following species in a Garston (Watford) garden TL 11 00 - Large White, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Meadow Brown & Gatekeeper. [Also of wider interest: on Tuesday 13th July a Hummingbird Hawk-moth on buddleias at the entrance to the ASDA hypermarket off the A41 in North Watford TQ 11 99.] - Colin Everett

Earlier today I went for a walk in my local park (locally known as "Orchard Meadow" - Grid Ref: TQ 10470 68783?) in Sunbury-on-Thames, Middx at around 3.30pm in search of some Small Coppers, Common Blues and Purple Hairstreaks. All but the last species were seen in good numbers. However, the highlight of the day was a totally unexpected sighting of a single White-Letter Hairstreak giving excellent views whilst nectaring on some thistles. This is the first time I have seen at this site, which suggest it may include the presence of the WHL's host plants (English and Wych Elm trees).that (as yet) I am unable to identify - Peter Colins

Two sightings of Purple Emperor today in Bricket Wood - both in the same spot about an hour apart, so could have been the same individual. Lots of Purple Hairstreak activity in the treetops through the cloudy hours around lunchtime & also good numbers of the same species active down near ground level. Apart from that I saw much the same species as Alan Jackson yesterday, but also Speckled Wood and a couple of Common Blues - Malcolm Hull

I visited Broxbourne Woods between 10.00hrs and 12.15hrs this morning (18 July): slightly windy, not very warm and not very sunny. A pristine female Silver-Washed Fritillary was near the top of the main drive (left-hand side as you go down) throughout. A White Admiral was soaring back and forth over the newly-felled ride: and we found 3 more nectaring on bramble by the path that goes round the north--west sector of the wood. There was a Red Admiral on a small buddleia bush. Commas and Purple Hairstreaks were present throughout much of the wood in good numbers. Six experienced observers failed to find any PEs. Purple Hairstreaks were also flying around Brickendon pond - Alan Jackson

A few sightings for today (Sunday 18th July 2010) - 1 Purple Hairstreak, settled on Bramble, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, 09:22 BST; 1 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, 09:31 BST; 1 Purple Hairstreak, at Park Farm, 09:53 BST; 1 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, 09:59 BST; 1 Comma, by Lower Lake, Trent CP, 10:25 BST; 2 Purple Hairstreak, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent CP, 10:35 BST and 10:39 BST; 1 Comma, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent CP, 10:35 BST; 1 Comma, along Merryhills Brook/South Lodge Farm, 11:01 BST; 1 Holly Blue, at Town Park, 11:48 BST; 1 Speckled Wood, at Town Park, 11:53 BST. - Robert Callf

Saturday 17th July 2010
Walked across Bricket Wood Common this afternoon (17 July) following the bridleway from School Lane (Munden House) to Bucknalls Lane and back. Quite sunny, quite warm - but windy. In a couple of hours we saw 5 Silver-Washed Fritillaries (four females, mostly in good condition, and a pristine male), 2 White Admirals (well worn), 5 Commas, 2 Red Admirals, about 25 Purple Hairstreaks, 5 Brimstones (3 males), several dozen Marbled Whites, Large White, Small Whites, G-V Whites, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Large Skippers and Small Skippers. Also two hornets. But perhaps the highlight (if you're into horror movies) was a fight between a Southern Hawker and a Brown Hawker. This ended with the gruesome spectacle of the victorious Southern Hawker consuming as much of the Brown Hawker as it could, starting with the head. This was my first visit to Bricket Wood (I've no good excuses for not having visited previously): and I doubt it will be my last! Alan Jackson

In a brief visit to Weston Hills on Saturday, I had a walk through the chalk area near the western tunnel end that is not fenced off and among many Gatekeepers and Six Spot Burnets had several good views of a Dark Green Fritillary - Andrew Wood

Spent a few hours at ALDBURY NOWERS today and found 2 x silver washed fritillary, 2 x dark green fritillary, (others were too far away to identify) 15+ common blue, 20+ small white, very large numbers of Ringlet, gatekeeper, meadow brown, marbled white, large, small and essex skippers, 12x small heath, 2x red admiral, 1 x comma, 1x brimstone, 4x yellow shell moths, 2x common carpet, 1x light emerald, 1x golden twin spot, 2 x pyrausta nigrata, hundreds of narrow bordered 5 spot and 6 spot burnets - David Gower

Saw both a male a female Silver-washed Fritillary together in garden in Abbots Road, Abbots Langley today. Also saw a male in Kings Langley a week Friday ago, the 9th July - Clive Burrows

Went to Fairlands Valley Park, Stevenage looking for Purple Hairstreaks on the edge of Peartree Wood near the Canyon Playground. Saw 3 of these flying over the top of one of the tallest oak trees at around 6:40pm. A little breezy but sunny and about 21 degrees. - Peter Clarke

ENFIELD RIDGEWAY EN2 5 Comma , 5 Red Admiral, 3 Peacock on Budliea. 3 Comma ,2 Red Admiral, and 1 Speckled wood on a rotten pear ( Not Seen Sp Wood on fruit before)? OAKHILL WOODS LNR EN4 7 Comma, 2 Red Admiral, 2 GV White, I L Skipper, I Holly B, 1 Large white,, 2 P Hairstreak 4 M Brown, 4 Gatekeeper and 1 WL Hairstreak all on a small patch of bramble in the centre of the wood. ( This is a new location for WLH on the reserve) - KIT JONES

Some sightings for today (Saturday 17th July 2010) - 1 female Large Skipper, at 'Barracks', Vicarage Farm, 08:48 BST; 1 Comma, E edge of Williams Wood, Trent CP, 09:09 BST; 1 Red Admiral, at Parkside Farm, 09:27 BST; 1 Holly Blue, at Park Farm, 09:54 BST; 2 Purple Hairstreak, at Parkside House, 09:57 BST; 2 Comma, together, edge of Moat Wood, Trent CP, 10:12 BST; 1 male Common Blue, 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 10:17 BST; 3 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 10:17 - 10:20 BST; 1 Marbled White, settled on Knapweed, 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 10:22 BST; 1 Peacock, by Lower Lake, Trent CP, 10:40 BST; 1 Red Admiral, by Lower Lake, Trent CP, 10:40 BST; 2 Comma, together, near Dew Pond, Trent CP, 10:57 BST; 1 male Holly Blue, near Dew Pond, Trent CP, 10:57 BST; 1 Small Copper, near Dew Pond, Trent CP, 11:01 BST; 1 Red Admiral, near Dew Pond, Trent CP, 11:02 BST; 1 Red Admiral, near Shaws Wood, Trent CP, 11:10 BST; 1 Comma, along Merryhills Brook/South Lodge Farm, 11:15 BST; 1 Speckled Wood, Town Park, Enfield, 12:01 BST. - Robert Callf

On my transect in Heartwood forest first 2 site sighting of brown argus. At Symondshyde Great Wood just a quick visit but 1 silver-washed, 1 white letter hairstreak, and a few each of gatekeeper, large white, meadow brown and ringlet plus 1 gv white - Andy Steele

Friday 16th July 2010
I have just seen a red admiral in Verulum Park, St Albans outside Grebe House - Paul Thrush

Some news for today (Friday 16th July 2010) - 1 Holly Blue, settled, on bridle-path (taking minerals from horse manure), near Merryhills Book, Trent CP, 12:35 BST; 1 Holly Blue, Shaws Wood, 12:42 BST; 3 Comma, (1 along bridle-path, near Shaws Wood, 12:40 BST, 2 together, Shaws Wood, 12:42 BST); 1 Comma, at Parkside House, 13:27 BST; 1 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, 13:37 BST; 1 Green-veined White, near Hadley Road, at Vicarage Farm, 14:06 BST; 2 Green-veined White, set-aside field, N of Williams Wood, Trent CP, 14:15 BST; 1 male Large White, set-aside field N of Wiliams Wood, 14:20 BST; 1 Red Admiral, at Vicarage Farm, 14:31 BST. - Robert Callf

2 hours at Bricket Wood today, didn't see everything I hoped for but spotted = 28 x gatekeeper, 1 x comma, 2 x holly blue, 40 x ringlet, 7 x small white, 10 x silver washed fritillary at least, 6 x small skipper, 2x brimstone, 4 x white admiral, 1 x silver y moth, 2 x blood vein moths - David Gower When visiting Roe Green Common (TL314337) today to do a botanical survey I noted the following - 20+ Meadow Brown, 7 Gatekeeper, 2 Ringlet, 2 Small/GV White, 3 Large White, 1 possible Marbled White. Blustery, cloudy conditions made conditions poor for butts. but this is a big area of rough grassland with abundant Knapweed & Thistle in flower where I would expect at least Skippers & probably others to be conspicuous in calm conditions - John Moss

Wednesday 14th July 2010
A few sightings of interest today (Wednesday 14th July 2010) - 2 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, 09:42 and 09:48 BST; 1 Small Copper, 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 10:13 BST; 1 pair Small Skipper, copulating, 'Old Golf Course', 10:13 BST; 1 male Common Blue, 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 10:18 BST; 1 Peacock, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent CP, 10:18 BST; 1 Comma, near Dew Pond, Trent CP, 10:36 BST; 1 Essex Skipper, along Merryhills Brook/South Lodge Farm,11:03 BST; 1 Peacock, along Merryhills Brook/Vicarage Farm, 11:12 BST; 1 Painted Lady, on thistle, Barracks, at Vicarage Farm, 12:01 BST; 1 Small Tortoiseshell, Sidhil's Field, 12:06 BST; 2 Comma, on Bramble, at Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 12:02 and 12:17 BST; 1 male Large Skipper, at Sidhil's Field, Vicarage Farm, 12:18 BST. - Robert Callf

Tuesday 13th July 2010
Last week I observed half a dozen Small skippers gathered on a patch of damp mud in a dried up pond-------not seen this behaviour before------maybe the flowers are short on nectar with the drought? Barnet Gate Wood, Arkley (entrance in Hendon wood lane) has alot of S caprea and S viminalis----as well as ancient woodland with tall oaks-----A dog walker thought he saw a PE settled on the path---Kit Jones

Seen at least two Red Admiral today (Tuesday 13th July 2010) - 1 along Merryhills Brook/Vicarage Farm, 12:27 BST; 1 Sidhil's Field, at Vicarage Farm, 12:56 BST. Also seen was a probable in flight briefly before it disappeared into the crop at Park Farm - Robert Callf

At the moment, SW Frits are showing in both the Bucks and Herts sections of Ashridge. In the Herts bit, they have turned up in Aldbury Nowers, Frithsden Beeches and to the north and south of Monument Drive. - Don Otter

Monday 12th July 2010
As I couldn't do the group trip to bricket wood yesterday decided to see what was around, even on a grayish day plenty still around 3 Silver- Washed Fritillaries, 1 White Admirals, high number of Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Marbled whites and Large Skippers and quite a few Small Skipper least 1 Essex Skippers that I could ID around five large whites two Green-Veined Whites and on the common a nice sighting of a common blue first time I've seen one here - Andy Steele

News from 10th July: Took a walk up to St Vincent's this afternoon and saw my first Purple Emperors of 2010. At first there was one on a hornbeam leaf high up in the canopy. This was joined by another and when they flew around they were joined by 2 more making a total of 4 in the air together. After that, one settled, then flew around a bit and came back to the same tree. I watched them for about 45mins. Best views I have had of PE's for ages! Saw 6 White Admirals along the pylon ride - not as good as John's 30 but shows they are still around in numbers. - Mark Morgan

This year's Bricket Wood Common walk spotted 17 species in all, with three more seen on the common afterwards. Starting with a glimpse White-letter Hairstreak by the car park, we headed down the ride in gloomy overcast conditions. There were dozens of butterflies out - all Ringlets! Mark Carter from the Countyside Management Service talked about the benefit of last winters management works including more coppicing, an extension to the ride and scrub clearence. All these have improved the environment for butterflies and once the sun came out more species were in evidence. Silver-washed Fritillaries rushed up & down the ride - difficult to count - but I reckon at least 9 individuals, plus 7 White Admirals. Other species sighted included Purple Hairstreak, Brimstone, Small, Large & Green-veined Whites, Small, Large & Essex Skippers, Marbled White, Meadow Brown (which is having a poor year), Gatekeeper, Comma & Red Admiral. Those who stayed on after 1 pm were rewarded with several glimpses of Purple Emperor in the oak canopy. Peacock put in a late appearence & Brown Argus made a welcome return visit after several years absence. The field trip was the culmination of a weeks butterflying around St Albans. Other species on the wing included Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell & Painted Lady. Which makes a total of 24 species in the district - Malcolm Hull

News from yesterday, I found a male (correction) Purple Emperor in our bedroom this morning around 10.30 this is the first I have ever seen so very exciting. We are bordered by oak and hornbeam woodland and are fortunate to have a very large oak tree in the garden so I am hoping she came from there - Julie Wise (this is close to a historic area in the Knebworth/St Paul's Walden area so very important)

You are probably getting tired of these observations by now, but I went to Broxbourne Woods yesterday (Sunday July 11) from the inner N London suburbs to see if I could find one, but it really found me: a splendid male, and my first ever sighting of the species, feeding on horse dung on the ride about 100 yards from the west car park, and investigating, and settling on, everyone who came past - even my wife, who is not interested and only came under sufferance and was not looking forward to waiting hours for nothing to turn up. However, it was already there to greet us and even she was quite amused that it chose to sit on her. I attach two photos; the upperside photo was tricky, as it had settled on my camera arm and I had to carefully take the camera with my left hand and try to get a steady shot with it - happily it came out well. There was also a Silver-Washed Fritillary. A trip to Bricket Wood followed; around the common, six Silver-Washed Fritillaries, three White Admirals, an a good number of Ringlets, Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers; a few Large Skippers and one Small Skipper - no Essex Skippers that I could make out. Also two Marbled Whites, two Green-Veined Whites, but none of the "common" nymphalids. Michael Hammerson

Today in Kings Langley TL053034 area saw a fresh peacock butterfly, several gatekeepers along the hedgerow, ringlet, meadow brown, large white and large skipper; possibly a marbled white too, but it was fast. They have been seen there before this season - Elizabeth Debenham

Batford/ Weedy Field TL152151: 2+ PURPLE HAIRSTREAKS in larger Oak 200m along the footpath/ Hedgerow from B653 (same line of Bushes & Trees as the WLH's, at lunchtime - Darin Stanley

Made a few notes today (Monday 12th July 2010) - 1 male Large Skipper, edge of Icehouse Wood, Trent CP, 12:40 BST; 1 female Small Copper, very fresh - summer-brood - edge of Wiliams Wood, Trent CP, 12:50 BST; 1 Comma, Shaws Wood, Trent CP, 12:52 BST; 1 Comma, along Merryhills Brook/South Lodge Farm, 13:00 BST; 1 Red Admiral, along Merryhills Brook/Vicarage Farm, 13:08 BST. - Robert Callf

I was at Wilstone Reservoir this morning and saw 3 small tortoiseshell, gatekeeper, marbled white and meadow brown along the bank from the steps to the corner of the reservoir. I had a look around Aldbury on the way back and saw small copper (2 in the south), plenty of marbled whites, gatekeeper, ringlet and meadow browns, large white, brimstone, large and small skipper and a dark green fritillary (3rd enclosure in the south). Along the Ridgeway between to the 2 sections of the reserve I had one definite sighting of a silver washed fritillary (male), it was incredibly bright, speckled wood and 2 comma. In N1 (enclosure closest to Pitstone Hill) I saw a hummingbird hawkmoth nectaring from many different flowers. This is the second record for me in 3 1./2 years at the Trust. - Paul Thrush

A good weekend - this is a very abridged summary as busy at work today Saturday - Widford 1 silver washed fritilary flying low over the cricket ground. Wareside (near) 2 purple hairstreak on small oaks near the old mardocks railway station site. Plus a host of ringlets, meadow brown etc etc…. Couldn't find any WL hairstreaks. Broxbourne woods The west wood 1 purple emperor - didn't get a decent view but aparently earlier (via other peoples photo's) it was happily drinking from peoples cameras, a strawberry and some horse dung. We did see 2 silver washed frit's and 4 white admirals, got some excellent photo's of the white admirals + many purple hairstreak. I'll try to send some across this evening when I have downloaded them. Also saw a big dragonfly, blue body, green thorax, munch his way through a purple hairstreak, took him less than 30 seconds to finish his meal - Phil MacMurdie

Sunday 11th July 2010
One swallowtail sighted flying rapidly WNW at around 4:15 p.m. this afternoon, 11 Jul immediately East of Frogmore Meadows HMWT reserve, near Chenies, approx map ref TQ024990 - Simon Cumming

Up to the 4th July the garden butterfly tally was a pretty miserable 10 species but since then things have improved with sightings of Ringlet,Meadow Brown,Small Skipper,Gatekeeper, Marbled White,Red Admiral and Painted Lady.I have also seen two Hummingbird Hawkmoths nectaring on Lavender Dwarf Munstead Blue.Very pleasing considering that none of my Buddleias are in flower yet. - Malcolm Newland

Around 8th July I saw my first red admiral fly of the year past the window in Kings Langley.On 9th July I saw two moths on the window. One was a light emerald and the other was I think a common wave. Pictures enclosed. A trip to Bricket wood in the afternoon on 10th July produced two to three white admiral flitting round the trees and honeysuckle in the late afternoon light which could have been the same one patroling there, but also one by the bridges over the ride. There were some ringlets, small and large skippers, a small number of marbled whites, one brimstone and gatekeeper, a comma,meadow brown and one fast flying which could have been a silver washed fritillary or maybe another comma. Saturday 10th July in Commonwood, TL047002, Nr Kings Langley we saw one or two male common blue, one or two marbled whites,both firsts for me in this area, two or three commas, large skipper, meadow brown. On 11th July in Chipperfield around 1pm there were several meadow brown, burnet moth I think, in flight by the pond past the Windmill pub, then a quick trip to Dellfield found some gatekeepers and marbled white, but we didn't stay long as it was so hot. Big excitement in Kings Langley as I spotted a purple hairstreak on giant hogweed not far from an oak tree and Scatterdells wood.I noticed it from the car as the shape of the butterfly on top of the flower was in full silhouette.I stopped to take a photo which is enclosed! There were several gatekeepers and meadow browns along the hedgerows. There was a comma in the Kings Langley garden too. Elizabeth Debenham

Sandra and I went to Balls Wood today. We arrived at 11.00am, very hot and sunny but also quite windy with occassional cloud. We immediately saw a very fast Silver Washed Fritillary and during the next 3 1/2 hours we saw at least 5 Silver Washed Fritillary. We also saw at least 10 White Admirals, 2 Red Admirals, a pristine male Brimstone, a Peacock, lots of Purple Hairstreaks, Large Skippers, Small Skippers, Large Whites, Green Veined Whites, lots of Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Commas, Gatekeepers and a Speckled Wood. The sighting of the day was our first ever sighting of a Purple Emperor in Balls Wood, (Directions) if you go to the bottom of the track from the main entrance and turn left, then turn right at the next junction, walk down to the owl box and turn left and walk until you see a seat near the pond. We saw the Emperor flying around the oak tree next to the pond, this is also a good area for Purple Hairstreaks. A really good day watching lots of butterflies, also saw Brown Hawkers and Emperor Dragonflies in good numbers. Kevin and Sandra Standbridge

Following Clive Burrows' initial record of Purple Emperor at Bricket Wood ten days ago on 1/7/10, Malcolm Hull and I have intensified our efforts to locate this species' master tree in the surrounding woodland. After guidance from Liz Goodyear & Andrew Middleton, we concentrated our vigils in Mutchetts Wood (W of the railway line and SW of the Common, grid ref approx TL 126 010). This has resulted in sightings of Purple Emperors at that site on each of the afternoons of 9th, 10th and 11th July. All observations were made in and between the crowns of the tallest oaks, and have included two presumed males in a prolonged aerial chase at 1525 hours on the 10th. Note that Purple Hairstreaks and White Admirals are also present here, the latter generally at lower elevations but occasionally in high-ascending altercations. Further to yesterday's records of Silver-washed Fritillary egg-laying nearby, further such behaviour was observed by me this afternoon. A female was almost certainly laying on a tall ivy-covered birch stump just inside the BRE grounds at 1510 hours; she ascended as high as 4-5 metres resting intermittently on the trunk. This or another female was also prospecting hawthorn and oak trees, and a few minutes later I watched another egg being laid on the same fence as yesterday. - Colin Everett

Just had the amazing sight of a Swallowtail Butterfly in Grovelands Park, Southgate, N14 at 14:31 BST. I only saw it briefly in flight - a large black and yellow butterfly, which flew strongly over a bed of thistles and out of sight into some Oaks. The first time that I have seen this species, probably a migrant, but I suppose you can not rule out the fact that it could be a release? Also seen here were - 2 Speckled Wood, together, at 13:11 BST; 1 Comma, at 13:12 BST; 2 Ringlet, at 13:15 and 13:18 BST (Possibly the first I have seen at this site?). Saw the following two butterflies in Town Park, Enfield yesterday (Saturday 10th July 2010) at 14:15 BST - 1 Comma and 1 Purple Hairstreak.- Robert Callf

Took walk around my new area near home today, meadow brown, ringlet and large white all in the 50+ range, 31 small skipper, 6 gatekeeper, 4 large skipper, 2 small copper, 1 small tortoiseshell and one comma - Laurence Drummond

Two male Purple Emperors this morning along the ride. Seemed to prefer people to dung. Images on my blog-http://philbishopsbirdingblog.blogspot.com/ Two White Admirals seen-one by the pond and another in the meadow to the south. Huge numbers of Ringlet and Small/Essex Skippers, and a few Purple Hairstreak in the meadow - Phil Bishop

Saturday 10th July 2010
Went for a walk in Tring Park this morning and was thrilled to see a Purple Emperor swoop down briefly under the Lime trees in the wooded area at the top of the escarpment.( about 10,30 am) It then flew into some Brambles before taking off again very quickly. However I was able to see it long enough to identify this wonderful butterfly and decided to stick around in the same area to see if it would fly around again which it did 15 minutes later but flew up into the ash trees again very quickly. This is the first time I have seen one here since 2006. I also saw 3 Silver- Washed fritillaries in different parts of the wooded area to complete an excellent morning - Phil Woodward

2 PE active in the canopy at the St Vincent's end of Park Wood between 18.00 - 18.45hrs. Steve Pash

1 female White-letter Hairstreak observed taking moisture off wet grass in Tottenham cemetry TQ331910 on 7.7.2010 at around 15.00. - Alastair Goodall

3.0 pm Saw a bright, newly emerged Silver Washed Fritillary basking/nectaring on a sunny patch of bramble along a south-facing stretch of the wood-edge of Long Deans Wood, part of Long Deans NR (TL0755 0486). I was able to watch it, with binoculars in one hand and the book in the other, long enough to be sure it was a female SWF. Michael Pearson

At Bricket Wood Common today many sightings of Silver-washed Fritillaries included observations of females ovipositing. At around 1330 hours inside the fenced-off grounds of the Building Research Establishment (BRE), a female was fluttering around the dark narrow trunk of a small hawthorn bearing growth of various climbing plants and was almost certainly laying. Later at around 1630 hours, when in the company of Malcolm Hull, both of us saw a pair courting along the adjacent bridleway and two instances of females (perhaps the same individual) ovipositing on the fence of a property. One egg was located, viewed through a lens and its position marked. Both tree and fence are north-facing at this point, for which the eight-figure grid reference is approx TL 1282 0128. The mown edges of the BRE grounds here have an extensive carpet of violets. - Colin Everett

Broxbourne Wood NR field trip report. Several people joined us this morning although there were concerns that the Emperor would not appear as this had been the case the previous day. However, around 10.30 a male flew around and eventually started to enjoy the delights of some dog muck. It didn't stay long but one returned later and found some hidden dog muck in the bracken. Then one was seen on the trunk of a dying oak tree (it didn't appear to be sap run feeding?). All individuals flew off but could have been the same butterfly. However, then suddenly one flew out of a sallow (not female) and down the ride and then flew off. Another emperor flew along the ride and appeared to be more interested in the sallow. We didn't get a good sight of it but we thought this might have been a female. We would say 3 individuals. Later we were informed one had been seen on the path around the edge of reserve leading from the west carpark (photos to be posted later). Also seen were White Admirals (low numbers) and purple hairstreak. Another visitor reported a Silver-washed Fritillary near the carpark. In the afternoon a few of us then went to look for territorial behaviour ending up at the Northaw territory where at least two emperors were observed. Many flights around the canopy but only a few clashes even though we could see two emperors - Liz Goodyear, Andrew Middleton and everyone else!

A few sightings for today (Saturday 10th July 2010) at Oakhill Woods LNR, East Barnet - 2 Green-veined White, together, 09:55 BST. Also seen here were three Large Whites, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Purple Hairstreak - Robert Callf

Friday 9th July 2010
Among the many White Admirals on the wing at Bricket Wood Common today was an example of the aberrant form OBLITERAE, with obscured white bands. The approx eight-figure grid reference for this record was TL 1295 0120 - about 50 metres SE of the north railway bridge and a few metres from the gas pipeline ride. - Colin Everett

At around mid-day myself and 2 others watched at least 2 Purple Emperor in the canopy at the St Vincent's end of the wood. Purple Hairstreak, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, White Admiral, Specked Wood and Lge Skipper also seen. As it was so warm (29C) I visited the site again in the evening and watched at least 3 PE clashing in the canopy between 19.25 -19.45. They settled for short periods giving good views but just beyond photographic range. Also, dozens of Purple Hairstreak. Steve Pash

Spent over 4 hours at Bricket Wood today so a few different sightings to report= 15 x meadow brown,22 x ringlet, 22 x white admiral, 13 x silver washed fritillary, 13 x large skipper, 5 x large white, 3 x small white, 8 x essex skipper, 4 x small skipper, 1 x comma, 1 x brimstone, 1 x green veined white, 1 x blue(probably holly),25 x marbled white, 6 x speckled wood,4 x gatekeeper,.. David Gower

1.20 PM Fir & Pond Woods NR.. .. purple emperor flying in high oaks at top (north) of Pond Wood (at last I've found one myself)! - David Gompertz

Went to Wormley Wood today from 09.00-14.15, south west area, white admirals again 10+ , 1 male silver washed fritillary, lots of purple hairstreaks around fairly low down,at 11.40 a large female purple emperor appeared along the sallows in the north/south ride and perched on hornbeam, then a male entered the ride from the same direction and disappeared over the canopy, at @12.00 another male flew south along the ride flickering blue and purple as it passed close by me about 2 feet off the ground, all the while the female continued to sit it out on the hornbeam, another couple of flights across the ride and time to check the territory, at 12.44 a single pemp enters the canopy gap and settles on the favoured hornbeam spray, after 5 minutes at 12.49 it flies round the gap un-challenged then nothing to 13.20, tried the pond gap 13.30-14.00 nothing - Laurence Drummond

Early morning stroll in Oakwood Park, N14, today (Friday 9th July 2010) produced the following sightings - 2 Speckled Wood, together, 07:52 BST; 1 Red Admiral, settled, 07:53 BST; 1 male Large Skipper, 08:19 BST.Hot days can be good for wandering butterflies if you can stand the heat! Later: a few more sightings for today (Friday 9th July 2010) - 1 Purple Hairstreak, behind bus-stop, near Oakwood entrance, Trent CP, 12:23 BST; 1 Holly Blue, near Oakwood entrance, Trent CP, 12:10 BST; 1 White-letter Hairstreak, settled on Field Maple and Wych Elm, behind bus-stop near Oakwood entrance, Trent CP, 12:25 - 12:30 BST. - Robert Callf.

Thursday 8th July 2010
Spotted a Male Gatekeeper basking on the ivy in the garden this morning while having a late breakfast. (My first definite Gatekeeper of the year.) Meanwhile what looked like a Large White came to visit the Buddleiah which is starting to flower. - Mike Rubin

Broxbourne Common, 1 or 2 purple emperors around 3.45pm, plus a couple of white admirals. Hatfield area, no purple emps seen; previous to sallows being felled in 2007, recorded up to 7 on a visit - Andrew Middleton

At Jersey Farm Open space on Sandringham Crescent, St Albans (I called this St Albans open space previously), July 5th Marbled whites, Essex Skippers. And on July 7th Essex Skippers (I think) and Ringlets. - Brian Knight

Goose green to Monks Green again today 10.45-12.15, white admiral numbers down to just 7, 1 male swf, my first gatekeeper of the year, yet again no sign of any pemps, did 12.55-13.25 at the Claypits Wood territory,nothing. Laurence Drummond

Some news for today (Thurs 8th July 2010) - 2 Small Tortoiseshell, at Park Farm,(1 at 11:39 and another at 12:22 BST); 1 Red Admiral, at Park Farm, 12:15 BST; 1 Comma, at Park Farm, 12:18 BST; 1 Comma, at Williams Wood, Trent CP, 13:07 BST; 1 Red Admiral, at Shaws Wood, Trent CP, 13:14 BST; 1 Small Tortoiseshell, along Merryhills Brook/South Lodge Farm, 13:23 BST; 1 Peacock, along Merryhills Brook/South Lodge Farm, 13:25 BST - My first of the new brood; 1 Red Admiral, along Merryhills Brook/Vicarage Farm, 13:30 BST; 1 Red Admiral, at 'Barracks', Vicarage Farm, 13:41 BST. - Robert Callf

Thursday PM Fir and Pond Woods. The meadow was covered with ringlets... too many to count. Also lots of small skippers. My first gatekeeper of the year. Marbled whites x 9, meadow browns 3, large skippers 2, female brimstone 1, large white 1 and 2 gvws. On the muddy margin of The Pond a group of 9 white butterflies gathered .. at least two were gvws.. the others were perhaps small whites. They were all in continuous motion around a very small muddy area. No PEs seen although I spent 30 minutes observing the usual oak trees. David Gompertz

Holly Blue near the central roundabout in Watford TQ 10 97; holly & ivy both present. - Colin Everett

Wednesday 7th July 2010
Saw a female Large Skipper at Town Park, Enfield today (Wednesday 7th July 2010) at 11:37 BST. - Robert Callf

another update from the South West corner of the territory. Another cloudy walk to J14 at around 5pm, but plenty to see. Firstly were a couple of Commas disputing a stretch of riverbank with a Red Admiral - overall 8 Commas were seen in the area. There were also three Small Tortoiseshells, plus two nests of new ST caterpillars, and a Peacock. The Small Heaths appeared to have declined, down to 10 today, but there were 8 Gatekeepers and a new Speckled Wood. On the white side, 5 Small and 2 Green-veined put in an appearance, mostly hiding in the brambles. Purple Hairstreaks were wheeling and scrapping in their usual spot, at least half a dozen, but very difficult to count accurately. Finally, another first for the year (and not seen here in 2009), a group of four new Essex Skippers. A couple of photos are attached, clearly showing the black underside to their antennae. - Dave Miller

Tuesday 6th July 2010
Visited Norton Green site earlier today. At around 1230 I spotted a White Admiral on bramble in Cannocks Wood/Newton Wood - Peter Clarke

As usual Bricket Wood common failed to disappoint despite some major works taking place half-way along the main ride meaning I had to approach from both ends as it were. 6 Silver-washed Fritillaries (just 1 male), 9 White Admirals, 2 Gatekeepers, a few Brimstones, Marbled Whites and numerous Skippers, Ringlets and Meadow Browns. Weather warm with variable amounts of cloud and a light breeze. Robin Pearson

Started at Goose Green car park again 08.45, walked south along Ermine Street and across to bridleway to Monks Green, white admiral numbers still climbing, stopped counting at 20! 1 slightly worn male silver washed fritillary, no sign any pemps up to 11.15. Laurence Drummond

A few sightings for today (Tuesday 6th July 2010) - 1 Small Tortoiseshell, on Bramble, along Salmons Brook at Parkside Farm, 08:35 BST; 2 Purple Hairstreak,(1 Sidhil's Field, at Vicarage Farm, 07:51 BST, 1 at Parkside Farm, 09:04 BST). - Robert Callf

Monday 5th July 2010
Batford, Weedy field - 8+ WHL's in various trees running at side of weedy field by the public footpath - Darin Stanley

A few sightings today at BENTLEY PRIORY SPECKLED WOOD X 3, MEADOW BROWN X 23, LARGE SKIPPER X 6, RINGLET X 10, LARGE WHITE X 4, COMMA X 2 - David Gower

A venture back over the border into Herts on Saturday produced two sightings of Dark Green Fritillary at Hexton Chalk Pits. Could well have been the same butterfly as pretty much in the same spot although about 30 minutes separated the sightings - Toby Austin

News from Bricket Wood - Silver-washed Fritillaries numbers are increasing - at least ten individuals today including both males & females. Purple Hairstreaks are now out & other species today include White Admiral (at least 5), White-letter Hairstreak, Painted Lady & Red Admiral. Ringlets are having a very good year & have spread throughout the wood, outnumbering all other butterflies put together. No repeat sightings of Purple Emperor today. The Branch Field trip starts at 10 am Sunday from the parish car park. Bring a packed lunch if you can stay on after 12.30 and look for Purple Emperors - Malcolm Hull

Started at the Goose Green car park today 09.30 and headed south down Ermine Street, turning right into the woods at the pond, and across to the bridleway to Monks Green, seen 1 male purple emperor, again very agitated only managing to ground for 2-3 seconds at a time,2 silver washed fritillary both males on the move, at least 12 white admiral around the area many comma, ringlet, meadow brown, speckled wood, purple hairstreak and one small tortoiseshell, checked the Broxbourne Common territory 12.48-13.30, second year running, nothing seen. Laurence Drummond

I was walking along the river side of Stocker's Lake lunchtime when I suddenly noticed an orange butterfly which I innitially assumed would be a comma . It alighted and I quickly realised that it was a fritillery, the first I have ever seen around Stocker's in nearly 30 years. Being a little rusty on fritillery ID I quickly made a mental note of the back pattern and checked when I got home that it was a Silver washed Fritillery - Joan Thompson

Steve and I have been up to Park Wood both days this weekend and had sightings of Purple Emperors at the St. Vincents site. On Saturday (3/7) we saw two between 12.30 and 1.00 p.m. and yestrday (4/7) at least 3 between 11.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. We had a very brief perched view on each occasion. The area they are in is quite difficult to view as the sky area is small and there are lower level leaves. Also saw quite a few White Admirals - double figures each day. Other sightings of note - Emperor dragonfly perched, Southern Hawker perched, Brown Hawker Sue & Steve Place

The following at the old Hatfield Aerodrome, Herts site yesterday: 1) Good numbers of Marbled White 2) Comma - few present 3) Ringlet - fair numbers 4) Small Heath - few present 5) Green-veined White - Few present 6) Meadow Brown - few present 7) Small Tortoiseshell - Few present - David Wheatcroft

A few sightings of interest today (Monday 5th July 2010) - Several Purple Hairstreaks, at Vicarage Farm and Trent CP - my first of the year! A couple of Gatekeepers, also my first of the year; 2 Comma, along Jubilee Path/Park Farm, 10:22 and 10:27 BST; 1 Small Tortoiseshell, along Jubilee Path/Park Farm, 10:23 BST; 1 female Large Skipper, along Jubilee Path/ Park Farm, 10:33 BST; 1 Comma, by Lower Lake, Trent CP, 11:18 BST; 1 Comma, along Merryhills Brook/Vicarage Farm, 11:56 BST; 1 Red Admiral, on track near Merryhills Brook/Vicarage Farm, 12:02 BST; 1 Small Tortoiseshell, at 'Barracks', Vicarage Farm, 12:11 BST; 1 Small Tortoiseshell, near Allotments, at Vicarage Farm, 12:19 BST. - Robert Callf.

Some sightings from the weekend. Friday 3rd July: Wareside (SG12 7RA) 1 Silver Washed Fritilary - in the garden sunning itself on the fence. Saturday 4th July Red Admiral (3) Small Tortoiseshell (5) Ringlet loads 20+ Meadow brown (6) Small Skipper 5 Large Skipper 6 Small white 4 Speckled wood (3) Comma (2) Went looking for WLH at widford but couldn't find any. The moth trap yielded some surprises Including 1 royal mantle - which I didn't realise was a good one as it was difficult to find. + 1 lilac beauty 1 blackneck 5 elephant hawk moths 1 privet hawk, 1 blotched emerald - Phil MacMurdie

Sunday 4th July 2010
Did my walk to J14 a bit earlier in the afternoon today and despite the cloud, achieved quite a tally. I saw a Holly Blue a few metres from the front door, a good start. The notable feature today was the abrupt rise in the number of Gatekeepers - at least 20 were seen, and every one of them male. The rest of the tally - 25 Small Heaths (there were still fresh ones in amongst the worn ones), 15 Meadow Browns, 15 Commas, 4 Small Whites, 3 Green-veined Whites, 3 Peacocks, 1 Large White, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Small Skipper, 1 Red Admiral and finally 1 Purple Hairstreak, which had been peacefully feeding on bramble until buzzed by a Comma. 14 species today - Dave Miller

Today Sun 4/6 Walked from FINCH LANE, BUSHEY along path through fields to PATCHETTS GREEN GRID REF'S= TQ 13491 96427 & 13777 97068 12 X YELLOW SHELL MOTHS, 40+ X MEADOW BROWN, 2 X SPECKLED WOOD, 1 X RED ADMIRAL, 5 X LARGE WHITE, 3 X SMALL WHITE, 7 X LARGE SKIPPERS, 6 X SMALL SKIPPERS, 3 X SMALL TORTOISHELL, 11 X RINGLET, 1 X COMMA, 4 X GATEKEEPER (PATH THROUGH JEWISH CEMETARY)- DAVID GOWER

We walked from goose green and headed into the woods towards the rough track passed the pond to where we have seen purple emperors before. We saw 4 White Admirals, lots of Large Skippers, Ringlets, Meadow Browns on the way to the crossroads at the top of the hill. We then turned right and half way along the track saw a Silver Washed Fritillary and a number of Purple Hairstreaks. Unfortunately no Purple Emperor seen. We then went to Broxbourne Woods, arriving at 1pm, we walked to the bottom of the main ride, 3 men were watching a Purple Emperor which was on the mud in the dried up stream. They had been watching it for about 1 1/2 hours and it then started flying and landing on people. pic attached. whilst we were their we saw a Silver washed Fritillary and White Admirals - Sandra and Kevin Standbridge

I went for a walk this morning at Aldbury Nowers and saw a Silver Washed Fritillary fly through small wood next to the golf course. I then followed the Ridgeway footpath towards Ivinghoe and saw another one feeding off Brambles. Walked further on and saw at least 2-3 Dark Green Fritillaries flying on the slopes where a lot of the management work has been done. Nice to see two types of fritillary on one walk - Phil Woodward

Old park ride near Theobalds park 1/7/10 purple hairstreak near piggeries also although not your area Sewardstone Marsh Lee Valley white letter hairstreak normal spot on prunus and several purple hairstreaks about oaks 4/7/10 - Brian Dawton

Started at broxbourne woods today 8.45- 0915, just one white admiral, off to wormley wood (south west section) a good count of white admiral a bit more spread around than usual (thanks to the work done here I think)at least 10 in the area, a male silver washed fritillary along the hard surfaced track at 11.20 and at 11.45 very jumpy male purple emperor grounding briefly but constantly gliding in and out of the wood about 2 feet off the ground, at 12.35 I went to check the territorial area at 12.42 an emperor glided in from the east followed by another at 12.47 from the west, which perched on an exposed hornbeam spray, a brief chase at 12.50 then nothing until at 13.12 another took a slow tour of the area but remained un-challenged, I left around 13.25 and found another silver washed fritillary in the recently opened up ride and another male emperor trying to ground on the track, it may have been the same one as earlier as it's behaviour was exactly the same - Laurence Drummond

On Saturday 3rd July had a walk across Panshanger Estate, saw mainly Ringlets, but a few Comma and Small Tortoiseshell and gatekeeper and one Marbled White. But along the footpath by the side the aerodrome a strong colony of Marbled White (there is a good amount of Knapweed and Scabious on the airfield side, so I suspect even more on that side of the hedge). By the way the café at the airfield no longer severs the public, which is a shame on a hot walk. On Sunday 4th July we had about 35 attendees for the Balls Wood walk with HMWT. Good number of White Admiral, including one grounded and seemingly drinking dew and feeding on white clover, very obliging for photos, Silver Washed Fritillary, Purple Hairstreak, Large and green veined White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, large and Small Skippers. Afterwards I redid my transect and on the way out of the wood on the entrance ride was passed by a Marbled White, so that makes 3 years of sightings for this species in the wood. Andrew Wood

Sunday morning... Fir & Pond Woods NR. A satisfyingly large number of butterflies at last. Too many ringlets and small skippers to count. Also14 marbled whites, 2 meadow browns, 3 large skippers, various whites and 2 speckled woods.... all on the meadow. - David Gompertz

Saw a hummingbird hawk moth in my garden on saturday evening. Today saw at Kings mead 1 female brimstone, 1 fresh comma, 3 small tortoiseshells, ( not yet up to the big amounts of last year) 1 Red Admiral, 15 meadow brown, 8 ringlets, 5 large white, 1 small white and 1 Green veined white - Andrew Steele

Two good views of a single Dark-green Fritillary in the beer garden of The Battle Axes pub along the appropriately titled Butterfly Lane in Borehamwood this afternoon - news from the London Moth Group newsgroup

I was knocking off some of my 10k squares for UTB today. I checked some moribund elm with pathetic regrowth in few spots on Marshcroft Lane Tring where the elm was good 3 years ago, and found more unknown-to-me, reasonable elm (suckers up to 3m) along the roadside at Cow Roast canalside SP963100 - and around the corner to Northcott Court SP966102. Anyway no sign of WLH - but note I do keep looking. From there I went up to and through Ashridge Forest to Toms Hill SP967117 where I saw a definite male SWF along with all the to be expected commoner stuff (inc. my 2010 first Gatekeeper), except Small Heath. Blanked on Purp Hstreak, though it ws a bit windy and perhaps a shade too early in season. Another P Lady in garden here yesterday - with Small Skipp, GV White, S tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown and Ringlet. Generally the garden is empty things pop in briefly - Nick Bowles

A few sightings in Oakwood Park, N14 (Sunday 4th July 2010) - 2 Ringlet at 10:02 and 10:04 BST. Also a Comma at 12:20 BST. Other butterflies not counted but present were Small Skipper and Large Skipper and Meadow Brown - Robert Callf.

News from 1/7/10 footpaths just to north Northaw church ringlets extremely numerous - Brian Dawton

Purple Emperor at 1pm at Fir and Pond Wood, seemed like a large male, really checking out the canopy at the high spot, doing well in the strong breeze - Andrew Middleton

Saturday 3rd July 2010
Species today at Hexton Chalk Pits were: Ringlet 14, Marbled White 12, Common Blue 3, Dark Green Fritillery 1, Meadow Brown 4, Small Skipper 1, Chalkhill Blue 5, Large Skipper 2 - Nigel Agar

Got an early start today, pulled up in the broxbourne woods west car park at 08.57,by 09.00 I've seen a Purple Emperor dart round an oak tree,then down at the stream in the new clearing I disturbed a grounded male which perched in a small maple tree, oddly I stayed until 10.00 and had no further sightings also 4 white admiral here, then round to the martins green carpark 10.15, and into the woods, white admirals doing well here again with at least 6 seen, and finaly at 10.41 a grounded male purple emperor on dried horse dung, close to the spot where I got my picture last year, he fed intently for nearly ten minutes, I tried to get him to climb onto my finger but he just flicked his wings and carried on feeding! Laurence Drummond

I went for a walk in Tring Park this morning and saw one Silver Washed Fritillary on the woodland Path at top of Escarpment flying in docile fashion around the bottom of the Lime trees - Phil Woodward

Yesterday had a good turnout for walk , we saw 13 species in all, including small copper and small heath in fields and white admirals in bencroft and in wormley wood. Today went to waterford heath where I saw plenty of small skippers and marbled whites and a couple of gatekeepers. Steve Kiln

Today at STANMORE COUNTRY PARK I spotted: 1 x FRITILLARY ( IT WAS LARGE BUT DIDN'T LAND), 10 X SMALL SKIPPERS, 50+ MEADOW BROWNS, 3 X RINGLET, 2 X LARGE WHITE, 1 X GREEN VEINED WHITE, 1 X RED ADMIRAL, 1 X COMMA - DAVID GOWER

OAKHILL WOODS LNR East Barnet----WL Hairstreak flying about half a dozen-----Ringlets are numerous this year ( first record was a singleton in 2008)---Large/ Small skippers doing well---as are five spot burnets ----- NB Only one TShell nest this year but several Peacock nests and Commas doing well breeding on hops and nettles in the reserve. Does anybody know if meadow ants predate grassland butterfly eggs/larvae etc-----( not Common blue) as we have numerous ant hills with the attendant Green woodpeckers. KIT JONES

Northaw Great Wood - 2 purple emperors. Also one small tortoiseshell resting out the mid-day on a shady wall. Andrew Middleton

Batford, Weedy Field - 16 WHL's along hedgerow & bank of trees leading from small Oak tree by public footpath seen by Jason Reynolds - news from Darin Stanley

A male Silver-washed Fritillary seen patrolling glade in Cannocks Wood with a Purple Hairstreak also in the same area. Overall in the Norton Green area, counted 30+ Meadow Browns, 70+ Ringlets, 10+ Large Skippers, 3 Small Whites, 1+ Essex Skipper, 1+ Small Skipper, 3 Speckled Woods, 2 Marbled Whites and a Comma but no White Admirals at the site. Also looked for the White Letter but no luck with that either - Peter Clarke

During a 30 minute wander, a minimum of 6 Marbled Whites seen at the Southern Country Park (TL4719), Bishop's Stortford this afternoon, together with numerous Meadow Brown, 5+ Large Skipper, 20+ Small/Essex Skipper (both species present), 3 Ringlet. and 1 Small White. - Tony Moverley

I went for a walk today from my flat to the wildlife site at Watton Green. I saw a Marbled White at TL296191 on railway land at Watton, a further Marbled White was seen at TL295183 by the footpath along with 10 Ringlet, a couple of Large Skippers and Small Tortoiseshells a Comma and Meadow Brown and several Peacocks. I had a quick look at the oak trees along Perrywood Lane and was rewarded with a glimpse of something silvery flitting about in the canopy of one of them. I returned to the oaks after a relatively fruitless look at Watton Green (the site had just been cut for hay!) and was lucky enough to get some good views and a passable picture of a Purple Hairstreak TL295182. - Ian Carle

Friday 2nd July 2010
Had a chance to visit the Northaw territory today for 40 mins, two Purple Emperors seen at 13.23 in the small gap mainly on ash, wormley wood 15.00-1600 many ringlet and meadow brown, 3 commas and 2 white admiral all at the southern end. Laurence Drummond with Andrew Middleton at Northaw

The usual local walk at around 5pm today under overcast skies (though the temperature was around 25 degrees) was very productive: 7 Commas, 4 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Red Admirals, 5 Peacocks, 2 Meadow Browns, 20 or so Small Heaths, 6 Green-veined Whites, 1 Large White (male), 1 Holly Blue nectaring on brambles, at least 12 Purple Hairstreak high on various trees next to the roundabout, and finally 1 Gatekeeper, the first for the year here. 11 species all told- Dave Miller

Thursday 1st July 2010
Saw a male purple Emperor today at Bricket Wood around 4pm. It took off from ground as I approached around 20 feet away. Flew up into tree and away out of sight. Certain of id being so close - Clive Burrows

At 7pm at Turnershill Marsh Cheshunt I observed 2 Marbled Whites for 30mins, taking many good photographs. The area was on the far south side adjacent to Pindar Car Park, Windmill Lane - Graham Smith

Batford, Weedy field - At least 4 WLH's around small Oak tree by public footpath as you enter the weedy field - Darin Stanley

News from Tuesday 29 June I walked along the NE bank of Wilstone reservoir from the car park steps up to SP910132. It was very windy. There were lots of damselfly (approx 100) and 60 Small Tortoiseshell. They were by the path and down the bank; there were probably many more about - Helen

Park Wood, Ruislip - After yesterdays joint H&MBC & RDNHS walk had finished I walked up to the St Vincent's end of Park Wood. Within a few minutes of the sun breaking through at 15.35 a Purple Emperor gave 2 short flights across the canopy. I waited another 30 minutes but no more sightings. I expected late emergence this year but perhaps this warm spell has enabled them to get back on track. Ten people turned up for the walk and despite the cloud we all managed to get good views of White Admiral, Ringlet, Purple Hairstreak and all the common species. Good numbers of Marbled White were seen in the field adjacent to Ruislip Lido Car park. - Steve Pash

Hour visit to Bricket Wood included 2 Silver-washed Fritillaries and 13 White Admirals - Clive Burrows

Numbers building at Balls Wood, now, but about a week behind last year. 2 White Admirals and 2 Silver Washed Fritillaries at Balls Wood on today's transect walk. It seems to be a good year for Large Skipper here, also saw many Ringlets, Comma, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and Small White - Andrew Wood

I saw two Ringlets on Stanmore Country Park yesterday together with emerging Small Skippers. We didn't see either last Sunday. John Hollingdale

92 Marbled Whites recorded on my Bunkers Park transect. This number is the highest single visit total for this species in the 12 years of the transect; also, it excedes the full year final totals of every year since 1999, with the exception of last year, 2009. Michael Pearson

June 2010

Wednesday 30th June 2010
Two colonies of Marbled Whites at Wheathampstead LNR, about 20 in total, plus dozens of Meadow Browns and Ringlets, only 2 Large Skippers though - Robin Pearson

Batford. Weedy field - now up to 4 WHITE LETTER HAIRSTREAKS around small Oak tree by public footpath as you enter the weedy field - Darin Stanley

Harmondsworth Moor Around 5pm, on a quick ramble I counted dozens upon dozens of Small Skippers, 5 Small Heaths, 20 or so Meadow Browns, 12 Marbled Whites, 1 Green-veined White, and one Large White. The Marbled Whites are clearly established here - Dave Miller

Tuesday 29th June 2010
Garston - Single Marbled White in colony there, along with 12 Ringlets and 5 Meadow Browns. At Bricket Wood 12 White Admiral, 1 Green- veined White, 6 Large Skipper and 2 Purple Hairstreaks, am visit - Clive Burrows

I visited Park Wood in Ruislip yesterday ( 28th) in search of White Admirals and had a grand total of 33. This is by far the most I have ever seen here . Most were either along the old pylon ride or in the woodland twenty meters either side of it. However, others were further in amongst the scattered clumps of flowering honeysuckle. I did not cover the whole wood so would suggest that my count is an underestimate of the high numbers present. Nowhere near this number were seen here last weekend so this would suggest an immergence over the last two days. - John Edwards Ps I know of a report of around fifteen to twenty White Admirals over the weekend from nearby Bayhurst and Mad Bess Woods ( London's Birding) so this looks like being a superb year for this species in the Ruislip area.

Monday 28th June 2010
Stanwell Moor On a late afternoon stroll along the usual route, I came across the following: 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, 6 Commas, 1 Peacock, 4 Large Skippers, 8 Green-veined Whites, 4 Meadow Browns, 30 or more Small Heaths, and 2 Small Skippers (the first here this year) - Dave Miller

Batford weedy field - - 2 WHITE LETTER HAIRSTREAKS in Oak tree by public footpath as you enter the weedy field - Darin Stanley

Had an early Purple hairstreak drinking from the bird bath in my garden at 11 am Enfield Ridgeway EN2-----------No WLH at Oakhill woods LNR as yet - Kit Jones

Sunday 27th June 2010
Bricket Wood. 10 White Admirals, 1 Comma, 1 Silver-washed Fritillary and 3 grounded Purple Hairstreaks in a morning visit - Clive Burrows

FRI 25/6/10 Bricket Wood/ Grid Ref:Tl12884 02143 10 X Speckled Wood 6 X Large Skippers 2 X White Admirals 10 X Meadow Browns 2 X Brimstones (females. nearby Garston Station Fri 26/6/10 1x Comma 1 X Large Skipper 1 X 5 Spot Burnet Moth. Sunday 27/6/10 Merryhill Fields, Bushey Grid Ref Tq 1305594667 76+ Meadow Browns 4 X Common Blue 1 X Speckled Wood 1 X Brimstone(male) 30+ Marbled Whites 50+ Burnet Moths( Ones Could Id Were 5 Spot) 38 X Small Skippers( Possibly A Few Of These Were Large) 10 X Larege Skippers - David Gower

Along River Pinn on edge of Ruislip GC. 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Comma, 10+ Meadow Brown, 4 Speckled Wood, 5+ Large Skipper and 6+ NB 5 Spot Burnet - Steve Pash

A late walk (after 7pm, but still nearly 30 degrees) round the environs of Junction 14 of the M25 revealed a large number of Small Heaths settling down for the evening (well over 30), plus a couple of newly emerged Peacocks and two distinctly territorial Red Admirals. Finally, the first Purple Hairstreaks were out, zipping around in spectacular dogfights within a few metres of the oblivious traffic on the motorway roundabout - Dave Miller

Not satisfied with yesterdays failure to see white admiral I returned to Balls Wood 12.50-13.15, 4 found gliding an perching along the usual ride - Laurence Drummond

Coppetts Wood, 3-4 White letter Hairstreak clashing above usual Ash tree at 2.30.pm Tony Clancy

The joint BC/CMS field meeting at the Chorleywood House Estate TQ 03 97 produced the following species (the counts should be regarded as estimated minima): 1+ Small Skipper, 4+ Large Skippers, 1 male Brimstone, 1 Common Blue, 20+ Marbled Whites, 20+ Meadow Browns and 15+ Ringlets; also 1 adult and several larval Cinnabar moths. Away from that site I noted a Small Tortoiseshell around rather leggy nettles near the A405 at Garston nr Watford TL 10 00. - Colin Everett

Saturday 26th June 2010
Saturday's joint LNHS/BC walk on Horsenden Hill was again successful in locating White-letter Hairstreak. About 24 people took part in the walk - probably about as big as we would like it to get! I had a pre-walk recce around the 'usual' spots for the Hairstreak and located a minimum of 16, flying strongly from about 8.45am in the warm conditions. On the walk itself, we managed a minimum of 10, but none particularly low down. As usual, though, we had the telescope with us and this enabled everyone to get decent looks of at least one Hairstreak. Otherwise, the variety of butterflies was a little poor. Meadow Brown numbers definitely seem down on what we would expect for this time of year. We did manage 5 Marbled White on a couple of meadows. All of the 'small' skippers we netted were Small and there were decent numbers of Large Skipper. Other than that, the odd large White, Speckled Wood, Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet and Burnet Companion were around. Immediately after the walk I had a Purple Hairstreak on the Horsenden West transect and yesterday (27th) I had 5 White-letters, 3 Marbled Whites and a brimstone around the Farm/east side of the site during a brief visit. - Andy Culshaw with Dave Howdon

Ruislip Park Wood: 6+ White Admiral, 5+ Ringlet, 4 Speckled Wood, 10+ Meadow Brown, 6+ Large Skipper, 2 Large White, 2 Comma, Poors Field: 4 Ringlet, 12+ Meadow Brown, Small Copper Field west of Lido car park: 20+ Marbled White, 10+ Ringlet, 20+ Meadow Brown, 12 Large Skipper, 6+ Small/Essex skipper, 2 Common Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Large White, Speckled Wood, 40+ NB 5 spot Burnet, Burnet Companion and Silver Y. Steve Pash

Whilst walking along Stocks road towards Ivinghoe saw 2 Dark Green Fritillaries at about 4. 30 at separate locations settled on the road verge hedgerow flowers. Generally seemed like butterflies were becoming very active and there was a lot of Skippers, Meadow Browns and Ringlets flying around here and on the headland conservation areas near Aldbury where I also saw Dark Green Fritillaries again. - Phil Woodward

As me and my dad were taking a walk through Balls Wood on Saturday 26th June, we saw 2 White Admirals, 1 Comma and dozens of Skippers - Cameron Landels

First: Spent 09.15-10.00 at the Pole Hole elm north of Harlow today no definite wlh just 2 possibles,also 5 large skipper,1 meadow brown,at balls wood 14 large skipper, 15 meadow brown, 5 speckled wood and 1 ringlet. Then more news for today, a new local walk for me in high wych, straight out of the front door a single meadow brown in the front garden, walk north along high wych lane @200yds then east along the footpath towards Sawbridgeworth, no more butterflies for 500yds untill suddenly 3 small tortoiseshell together basking at the side of the rape fields then through the hole in the hedge into an area of what was previously arable fields, and is now open grassland with a surprising diversity of flora dissected with old orchards and scrub, I took a roughly circular walk around the whole area and recorded a further 19 meadow brown, 2 small tortoishell, 2 common blue, 9 large skipper and one speckled wood, I will be keeping an eye on this area(TL41S) as I think it could produce some good numbers in the future Laurence Drummond

Dark Green Fritillary at Hexton Chalk Pits yesterday (25 June.) Also 2 Marbled Whites, M/Brown, Ringlet, Common Blue, Small Heath and Large Skipper. No sign of WL Hairstreaks. Hexton definitely is in Hertfordshire! Nigel Agar

So dry everywhere, plenty of ringlets, large skippers and meadow brown at Broxbourne Woods and Waterford Heath south best was 4 marbled whites on waterford heath south pit - Steve Kiln

Friday 25th June 2010
I did the Aldbury Nowers transect today, amongst what you’d expect (good numbers of marbled white, meadow brown, ringlet and skippers) I saw a single painted lady and counted 15 small heath throughout the reserve. I quickly popped over to Pitstone Hill and saw a newly emerged dark green fritillary but obviously this is just over the county border! I visited Alpine Meadow this morning and it was alive with butterflies, almost too many to count! I had: Ringlet – 20+ (7 seen together in mating spiral dance) Meadow brown – 16+ Marbled white – 17+ Large skipper – 13+ Small skipper – 3+ Common blue On the farm track leading to the reserve from Bridgewater school I had: Meadow brown – 10 Ringlet Speckled wood – 3 Small tortoiseshell Large skipper These are quite conservative counts, there were so many butterflies on the reserve! - Paul Thrush

At 6.50 pm yesterday, (24th June) I saw my first Marbled White of the year, along with a handful of Large Skippers and Meadow Browns, at the bottom of the large sloping meadow behind Chorleywood House Estate, which leads down to the River Chess, during a pleasant stroll in the evening sunshine - Andy King

Thursday 24th June 2010
Ware town elm tree, instant white-letter activity at 8.45am this morning of two individuals clashing. As I was already late for work I didn't stay. On returning past the tree at 6pm despite sunshine no activity was observed in several minutes of watching - Liz Goodyear (for more white-letter news.....)

Weedy Field/ Batford - 2 MARBLED WHITE - Darin Stanley

Saw four Small Tortoiseshells and one Comma at Vicarage Farm, Enfield this afternoon (Thurs 24th June 2010) between 15:25 - 16:07 BST. Also Robin White reports having seen a Dark Green Fritillary on Clover near the Dew Pond, Trent CP this morning (Thursday 24th June 2010) at 11:25 BST. - Robert Callf

Wednesday 23rd June 2010
First Marbled Whites (5) on my Bunkers Park transect for this year - Michael Pearson

Success! 2+ White-letter Hairstreak on Horsenden this evening 5.15-5.30pm. Saw two cavorting around elms and ash alongside the cycle track/footpath adjacent Horsenden Lane and then another (or one of the same) about 100 yards further down the path towards the farm gate. Also a tardy (for this site) male brimstone, 1 red admiral and 2 painted lady. - Andy Culshaw

Dark Green Fritillery on the Pegsdon Hills (Beds) this afternoon, also Small Heaths. Colony of freshly emerged Small Tortoiseshells at Wrights Farm, Pirton - Nigel Agar

News from Diane Andrews on a visit to Aldbury Nowers today in search of Small Blue. A three hour visit from the station at Tring included 3 Small Skipper, 27 Large Skipper, 3 Brimstone, 1 Small Copper, 15 Common Blue, 4 Speckled Woods, 10 Marbled Whites, 71 Meadow Browns, 23 Small Heath, 61 Ringlets and the highlight a Fritillary flying across the field beneath Aldbury Nowers, however no Small Blue. Diane thought the Fritillary was a Silver-washed but it known that Dark Green are flying in Bedfordshire.

Saw my first Small Skippers of the year on Monday 21st June 2010 - one in Trent CP and another at Vicarage Farm. Also first Six-spot Burnet of the year on Monday and a courting couple of Small Tortoiseshells at Vicarage Farm. Yesterday (Tues 22nd June 2010) saw my first Ringlet of the year in Trent CP. Also saw a Red Admiral along the Jubilee Path at Park Farm, Enfield, yesterday (Tuesday 22nd June 2010) which settled on an Oak at 10:41 BST.- Robert Callf

2 x Small skippers at Nomansland Common, Wheathampsted - Richard Geary

Weedy Field, Batford - 1 Small Skipper, Numerous Meadow Browns - Darin Stanley

White-letter Hairstreak seen at 3 sites in Enfield today, first 3 at Durrants Park, 1 at the elm by the A10 in Edmonton and 2 clashing as we talked to a lady enquiring about what we were looking for in Enfield Town (she also saw them!) - Liz Goodyear and Andrew Middleton

Tuesday 22nd June 2010
At last two white-letter hairstreaks over the park elms in Ponders End this evening at 5.35pm - Andrew Middleton

Park Wood, Ruislip, Middlesex. One White Admiral seen this afternoon, half way along the main East - West Ride - Graham Elcombe

Monday 21st June 2010
I had to go to Aldbury Nowers after hearing the reports of small blue and wasn’t disappointed! Managed to find one in the furthest northern compartment (where the major scraping works were done). I also had my first marbled white, meadow browns and ringlets today. There were quite a few common blues around, some looking quite worn, small copper, brown argus, large skipper, brimstone, small heath and speckled wood. - Paul Thrush

After work this evening, I had a stroll around Harmondsworth Moor to see what was about. A handful of Small Heaths were in evidence, as were quite a number of Meadow Browns, and a solitary Small Tortoiseshell outclassing the others in speed and manoeuvrability. However (firsts for me this year) there were also a host of Small Skippers mostly on knapweed flowers, and thousands of Burnet moths. Finally, the icing on the cake, a brand new Marbled White. Another first for me this year, and the first time I have seen one at this site, or indeed anywhere close to the airport. Some photos attached, including one clearly showing the buff/brown underside of a Small Skipper's antennae. Scores: Meadow Brown 15+ Small Skipper 15+ Small Heath 5 Small Tortoiseshell 1 Marbled White 1 - Dave Miller

News from Diane Andrews today on a visit east of Hadley Wood. 1 Small Skipper, 3 Large Skipper, 2 Common Blue, 7 Speckled Wood, 23 Meadow Brown and 2 Small Heath. On the 13th June she saw 160 Peacock caterpillars at Ally Pally.

Sunday 20th June 2010
Nice to see a small tortoiseshell on our allotment in Dark Lane, Cheshunt this afternoon - the first I have seen this year. Otherwise it was all very quiet apart from one Small White and one White Plume Moth disturbed whilst weeding - Roger Newbold

Car problems have kept me in my own back yard this weekend, so the usual walk close to the M25 beckoned. Never dull, however... The tally was: Small White 5 (including an egg-layer on a wild crucifer) Large Skipper 10+ (including 2 females) Common Blue 6 (all male and rather worn) Brown Argus 1 Speckled Wood 1 Meadow Brown 3 Small Heath 50+ (there were distinctly more than last week) Red Admiral 3 Comma 3 (all brand new) Small Tortoiseshell 6 (including two performing their courtship ritual. Goodness me, he was a patient chap!) Add to this more Peacock caterpillars that you could count, at every stage of development from tiny hatchlings to 5cm voracious spiny monsters - Dave Miller

More notes for Thursday 17th June. In Chipperfield, Dellfield area, one large skipper, one common blue, one battered small white, two meadow browns and a darter dragonfly. June 20th Bunkers Park, Hemel Hempstead.There were up to ten six spot burnets on one grass or six on a plantain. One meadow brown, but no blues this visit. I found a caterpillar I didn't recognise near the centre path on an ox eye daisy - picture on photos page. One oak hookip moth on a window in Kings Langley.

Friday 18th June 2010
Did the Aldbury Nowers transect yesterday as Paul on holiday - already....weather fantastic but butterflies surprisingly thin. However, please to see a green hairstreak in the first Cmpt and several small blue whilst looking for grizzled skipers in usual place at far end, which I didn't see. I have not seen a small blue before but can confirm sighting as there were also brown agrus flying with them, and I caught one. Carol Lodge from HMWT also saw it. I note from the web site one was seen in the field below AN - I guess this was next to Northfield Road, so they are around, but whether they will stay is another matter - Martin Hicks

A fairly early morning stroll in Oakwood Park, N14 today (Friday 18th June 2010) produced a female Large Skipper at 09:15 BST low down in some grass (presumably just emerged) - Robert Callf

Thursday 17th June 2010
Some news for today (Thursday 17th June 2010) - 1 Red Admiral, at Vicarage Farm, 08:53 BST; 1 male Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, 09:19 BST; 3 male Large Skipper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, 09:21 - 09:23 BST; 1 Common Blue, along Jubilee Path/Park Farm, 10:32 BST; 1 male Large Skipper, along Jubilee Path/Park Farm, 10:34 BST; 1 Common Blue, 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 11:21 BST. Also seen a very worn Holly Blue, in Town Park, Enfield this afternoon at 12:35 BST (It just occurred to me that I have not seen many this spring!). News for yesterday (Wednesday 16th June 2010) - 1 Red Admiral, along bridle-path near Merryhills Brook, 12:47 BST; 1 Small Copper, near Dew Pond, Trent CP, 13:00 BST; 1 Speckled Wood, Rough Lot, Trent Park, 13:23 BST; 1 Peacock, at Parkside Farm, 14:17 BST; 2 male Common Blue, at Parkside Farm, on Res banking, 14:30 - 14:33 BST; 1 Red Admiral, at Lonsdale Drive, 16:03 BST. - Robert Callf

I went to Wheathampstead LNR today and there were several butterflies and moths on the wing, several large skippers, 1 orange tip, 2 common blue, 1 cinnabar moth. - Robin Pearson

Last year it was painted ladies. Could this year be the year of burnets? 16th June at Bunkers Park, Hemel Hempstead. I have never seen so many burnet cocoons. There must have been hundreds over the whole area as I lost count along the pathways and had to pick up caterpillars from the path and toss them to safety in the long grass and ox eye daisies. Several burnet mating pairs and numerous burnet caterpillars on the grass and daisies.I took one photo which illustrates the life cycle and another with a camoufIaged caterpillar. I saw a small number of meadow browns and surprsingly only two common blues, but it was after 6pm. - Elizabeth Debenham

Wednesday 16th June 2010
Saw a Large Skipper yesterday (15/06) at the back of Wilstone reservoir in a very sheltered spot by the public footpath, it was quite a cool windy day although quite sunny - Alan Gardiner

Chimney Sweepers are still flying at Forty Hall in large numbers - majority along the field edges near Turkey Brook. Also good numbers of Large Skipper, also seen in small numbers Small Copper and Common Blue. White-letter Hairstreaks do not appear to be flying yet (will be any day though) in north London despite determined searching! Liz Goodyear and Andrew Middleton

Female Common Blue in front garden (Ponders End) Seen previously a male and Small Copper - Andrew Middleton

Tuesday 15th June 2010
Some sightings for today (Tues 15th June 2010) - 2, male and female, Common Blue, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, 09:09 - 09:10 BST; 1 male Large Skipper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, 09:13 BST; 3, 2 males, 1 female, Large Skipper, together, on Res banking, at Parkside Farm, 09:40 BST; 1 male Common Blue, on Res banking, at Parkside Farm, 09:47 BST; 1 Small Tortoiseshell, along Jubilee Path, at Park Farm, 10:58 BST; 1 male Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 12:10 BST; 2 male Large Skipper, edge of Williams Wood, Trent CP, 12:37 - 12:38 BST; 1 Red Admiral, edge of Williams Wood, Trent CP, 12:37 BST; 2 Large Skipper, edge of Shaws Wood, Trent CP, 12:41 - 12:43 BST; 1 Speckled Wood, at Lakeside, N14, 13:01 BST. - Robert Callf

I walked to Junc. 14 at lunchtime today to see what was about. Very little along the river, just a solitary Large Skipper exactly where I saw one on the 7th. However, in the area close to the motorway, I found four more Large Skippers chasing each other around the brambles, a single Meadow Brown (the first around here this year), a very elderly Comma, four Common Blues and an astonishing 30 or more Small Heaths, flying up at every step. All the caterpillar nests (four so far) on the nettles have turned out to be Peacocks - Dave Miller

On Tuesday 15th June at Aldbury Nowers just before sunset I saw a newly emerged six spot burnet resting on a plantain head under the beech trees at top of the hayfield. Evening was very cool so only saw 4 common blue butterflies. Later at a window in Kings Langley a beautiful brimstone moth. Elizabeth Debenham

Monday 14th June 2010
At 12.30 settled on the ground in my Hitchin front garden, my first PAINTED LADY of the season. Apart from good numbers of the white varieties, have not seen anything too exciting on my transect at Wood Lane, Pirton - Val Fullforth

News from Saturday 12th June 5 Painted Lady at Widford. Also 1 hummingbird Hawk moth which crashed into our front lawn as we were having a bit of breakfast. It soon recovered to fly off to nectar at a nearly lilac. 4 painted lady 1 red admiral. We also have a fully grown red admiral caterpiullar which is about to turn to a chrysalis on the nettle patch in the back garden. 2 orange tips linger on as well. We also had poplar hawk, elephant hawk, peppered moth, several sallow kitten, clouded silver + many more moths in the trap over the weekend - Phil MacMurdie

Sunday 13th June 2010
In Tring area popped into Aldbury Nowers 2.30 sunday. Not best weather, saw 10 plus large skippers, about 8 common blues and small heath, just a single grizzled skipper but to my surprise a Small Blue in field below the hill - Steve Kiln (This is in a similar location to a report a few years ago - they are flying very close just over the Bucks border so it well worth looking for them in the area)

Visited Waterford Heath South pit, 13th June, saw 2 different Grizzled Skippers, so they are flying pretty late this year, also Common Blue, Brimstone, Small Copper, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown. The commonest Lepidoptera was the day flying Burnet Companion moth which were all over the Birds Foot Trefoil. Other larger moths were Cinnabar, Latticed Heath, Silver Y and Straw Dot. On 12th June walked along the footpath on the southern edge of Panshanger Park , still Orange Tips present, along with a fine looking Emperor Moth early instar larva, about 25mm long. See http://homepage.ntlworld.com/zoothorn/emperor_120610.jpg Andrew Wood

Saw my first summer-brood Small Tortoiseshells today (Sunday 13th June 2010) - two at Vicarage Farm - they are exquisite when they first emerge! Also saw a Painted Lady flying N at Park Farm yesterday (Sunday 13th June 2010) at 11:14 BST, also a Green-veined White (summer-brood - well marked), settled here, 11:23 BST. - Robert Callf

Saturday 12th June 2010
Here are a few sightings for today (Saturday 12th June 2010) - 16 Large Skipper,(13 at Trent CP, between 10:21 - 11:56 BST, including a pair copulating; 1 male at Park Farm, 12:30 BST; 2 males at Parkside Farm, 12:58 - 12:59 BST); 4 Speckled Wood,(1 Sect.1, 10:22 BST, 2 together, Sect.7, 10:42 BST, 1 Rough Lot, 11:55 BST); 8 Small Heath,(7 at 'New Fields', Trent CP, 10:31 - 11:08 BST, 1 at Vicarage Farm, 13:34 BST); 1 Silver Y, Sect.6, 'New Fields', Trent CP; 3 Small Copper, 'New Fields', Trent CP, 10:51 - 11:14 BST; 1 male Meadow Brown, 'New Fields', Trent CP, 11:19 BST; 1 Peacock, near Sport's Field, Trent CP, 11:15 BST; 2 Red Admiral,(1 near Sport's Field, Trent CP, 11:20 BST, 1 Park Farm, 12:32 BST); 1 Large White, Rough Lot, Trent CP, 11:55 BST; 2 male Common Blue, at Parkside Farm, 12:49 - 12:55 BST. - Robert Callf

First meadow browns of year one in Broxbourne Wood and two at Waterford Heath south where I also saw 2 large skipper, and one grizzled skipper - Steve Kiln

Friday 11th June 2010
Somewhat astonished to arrive home (Tring) at 4.40pm and see a Painted lady feeding on Dames Voilet in front garden. Weather had been poor all day but brightened about 3pm. Also in attendance : Brimstone, Small White, Common Blue - Nick Bowles

Batford - 1 Painted Lady - Daring Stanley

Wednesday 9th June 2010
Red Admiral in School Lane near Welwyn just north-east of Rectory Wood - Murray Brown

Took a trip to Northaw Great Wood today (Wednesday 9th June 2010) and recorded the following leps - Speckled Woods; Speckled Yellows, Brown Silver-lines and a female Pale Tussock, settled on an Oak trunk - Robert Callf

News from Diane Andrews "Thought you might like to know the results of my hunting of Chimney Sweeper. Thursday 3rd June, I didn't make it in time to join Andrew's trip at Forty Hall so I guess there'll be some duplication here - I went round just the meadow area ie on my own for about 1/2 hour: 35 Chimney Sweepers and otherwise just 1 Small Copper, 3 common Blues, 2 Mother Shipton, 2 Burnet Companion plus 1 Silver Y. Then off for a look at Trent Park (saw a Small Tortoiseshell at Turkey Street Station on the way): 84 chimney Sweepers, 10 burnet companions, a cinnabar and 45 Small Heaths, 12 Small Coppers, 15 Common blues and a Peacock, Comma and a Speckled Wood. And some squawking ring-necked Parakeets! On June 4th I thought I'd try investigation King George's Fields, Hadley: 10 Chimney Sweepers, 5 Burnet Companions, 2 Orange Tips, 2 Small coppers, 6 Common Blues, (including a mating pair) a single large skipper - and a Red Admiral my first of the year, believe it or not."

Monday 7th June 2010
Stanwell Moor, after a week away around the South of the UK, in mostly cloudy (but warm) conditions I did the walk from home to Junc.14 today. First to be seen was a brand new Large Skipper (first one here this year). In addition, there were: Green-veined White (1), Small White (1), Holly Blue (1), Speckled Wood (3), Brown Argus (2 - male), Small Heath (12 or more), Common Blue (10 - 2 female, 8 male). Also noted were a couple of Burnet Companion moths, and numerous fresh Cinnabar moths. Three caterpillar nests discovered - two seem to be Small Tortoiseshells and the other Peacocks, but all are still very small and I may have mistook one for t'other... - Dave Miller

Weedy field at Batford, 1 Large skipper, 1m common blue & 1 Meadow Brown - Darin Stanley

I saw an orange tip, common blue and large skipper at Barkway Chalk Pit today - Paul Thrush

News from 4 June 2010 - Forty Hall walk quiet - c35+ chimney sweepers, 3 small copper and 3 common blue (including Diane Andrews' sightings, and a larger number of chimney sweepers recorded at Trent Park). 5 June Broxbourne Wood NNR - quiet, 1 common blue. Rickneys pm 44 common blues, 9 brown argus, 7 small heath, 4 grizzled skippers, small copper, large skipper, silver y, burnet companion - Andrew Middleton

Recent notes: 22nd May at Albury Nowers, a glow worm either female or a larva on path leading between lower enclosures. One peacock, one comma. 27th May in Kings Langley, a garden carpet moth. I searched up the lane which had recently been trimmed back hard, for orange tip eggs on "Jack by the hedge" and was pleased to find over a dozen dotted along the lane. One found the previous week had been hacked. Why does the trimming happen after the butterflies have layed? Many must be killed that way. One tiny caterpillar on the "Jack by the hedge".. orange tip? 30th May at Aldbury Nowers in early evening,a few blues and one argus. Evidence of burnet cocoons. 2nd June at Aldbury Nowers, lots of resting blues at early evening. One mating pair.About 2 dozen burnet cocoons and about 3 burnet caterpillars ready to pupate.One cinebar flying over meadow.One small unidentified yellow single stripe caterpillar on grass just up from meadow.One small heath butterfly at rest. 4th June a speckled wood in Kings Langley midday. In early evening a garden carpet moth by roadside on nettles. Female orange tip in Chipperfield fluttering in woodland edge on "Jack by the hedge" flowers. I was pleased to find one burnet cocoon, possibly one small skipper as I had seen them there last year, but it was too fast to be sure which sort. Elizabeth Debenham

Sunday 6th June 2010
Numbers of butterflies down a bit, but saw two red admirals one at Rickeys and one at waterford heath where I also saw 4 grizzled skippers in areas I'd never seen them before. At home I had a painted lady nectaring on the perennial wallflower - Steve Kiln

Meadows west of Copse Wood, Ruislip (adjacent to Ducks Hill Rd): 12+ Large Skipper (my first of the year), 6+ Common Blue, 4 GV White 3 Speckled Wood, 5+ Burnet Companion and a Clearwing but not sure which species! - Steve Pash

Near Pitstone (Herts side only) - All sightings in one hour. Single individual seen unless number stated. Painted Lady, Silver Y, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak (2),Orange Tip, Small Heath (15), Cinnabar Moth (12), Treble Bar (33),Dingy Skipper (7), Burnet Companion (2), Brown Argus (2), Common Blue (166), Large Skipper - Malcolm Hull

Saturday 5th June 2010
Sighting today at Nomansland Common, 10 common blue, 3 orange tips, 2 speckled wood, 4 small white, 2 large white, 1 peacock, 2 Mother shipton and 1 Small elephant hawk moth - Andrew Steele

Sightings for today (Saturday 5th June 2010) - 1 male Orange Tip, at Parkside Farm, 11:00 BST; 2 male Common Blue, on Res banking, Parkside Farm, 11:10 BST; 1 male Meadow Brown, on Res banking, at Parkside Farm, 11:11 BST - My first of the year! 1 female Orange Tip, settled, at Park Farm, 11:20 BST; 2 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 12:42 - 12:45 BST; 1 Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 12:44 BST; 1 Small Copper, near Dew Pond, Trent CP, 13:16 BST. - Robert Callf

At Wheathampstead LNR this morning about 5 Common Blues, 1 Small Copper and 2 Orange Tips, then at Waterend several dozen male Banded Demoiselles on the river banks. Robin Pearson

Thursday 3rd June 2010
03.06.10 at 1300 - 1 Meadow Brown, 3m Common Blues, 1f Orange Tip seen in Weedy field at Batford by B653 - Darin Stanley

News for Wednesday 2nd June 2010 - 1 Large White, at 'Barracks', 09:10 BST; 1 Mother Shipton, at 'Barracks', 09:11 BST; Good numbers of Silver Y; 1 Small Copper, set-aside field N of Williams Wood, 10:28 BST; 1 female Large White, along hedgerow N of Williams Wood, 10:32 BST; 1 male Orange Tip, along Hadley Road/Parkside Farm, 10:39 BST; 2 male Common Blue, at Parkside Farm, on Res banking, 11:00 - 11:01 BST; 1 male Large Skipper, on Res banking, at Parkside Farm, 11:02 BST - First of the year! 2 imm Black-tailed Skimmer, on Res banking, at Parkside Farm - First of the year! 3 Mother Shipton, together, on Res banking, at Parkside Farm; 3 Burnet Companion, on Res banking, at Parkside Farm; 1 Cinnabar, on Res banking, at Parkside Farm - First of the year! 1 Small White, settled, at Park Farm, 11:50 BST; 1 Small Yellow Underwing, at Park Farm; 1 Peacock, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 12:20 BST; 3 Common Blue, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent Park, 12:23 BST; 1 Small Copper, at 'Old Golf Course', Trent CP, 12;24 BST; 1 male Orange Tip, by Lower Lake, Trent CP, 12:30 BST; 1 Silver-ground Carpet, at Dew Pond, Trent CP; 2, male and female, Orange Tip, at Lakeside, N14, 13:21 and 13:32 BST. Some news Thurs 3rd June 2010 - 1 Comma (very faded), at Archery Wood, Forty Hall, 12:30 BST; 1 male Orange Tip, at Forty Hall Farm, 13:20 BST. - Robert Callf

East Lane nr Bedmond TL 10 02 - male Orange Tip; near Bedmond TL 09 04 - Small Copper & Speckled Wood; Pimlico nr Bedmond TL 09 05 - 4 Green-veined Whites, 2 Common Blues & 2 Peacocks; Hyde Lane nr Bedmond TL 08 04 - Pair of Small Whites in copulo; Bedmond TL 09 03 - male Orange Tip; Parsonage Farm at Abbots Langley TL 09 02 - male Orange Tip & Peacock. - Colin Everett

Wednesday 2nd June 2010
Whilst out birding today on Duke's Meadows in Chiswick, Middlesex, London - I saw a clouded yellow fly strongly N/NE. I have experience of the species and have seen them in the Mediterranean and also in the UK, the last one at Beddington Sewage Farm late last summer (Very different locations!), and there's very little around here with which to confuse them! The butterfly showed bright yellowy orange upside of the wings with quite broad black markings on the edge of the wings and flew very deliberately N/NE - Louis Freeland-Haynes

Aldbury Nowers, whilst doing the transect today I saw my first large skipper of the year. Counted 48 common blues throughout the site and 10 dingy skipper with a few grizzled skipper and green hairstreak. - Paul Thrush

Today's Pishiobury Park walk with CMS was very successful considering the recent horrid weather. It was amazing to see the sun shining and several people joined us. Our first encounter was with a Broad-bodied Chaser but this was quickly followed by several Common Blues and Small Copper. Green-veined White and female Orange Tip showed themselves well and allowed for close examination and help with identification. An Orange Tip egg was also found. Small White and Large White were also seen but not so close to. A Holly Blue also made an appearance. After walking around the field edge we walked through a more enclosed area close to Nursery Wood and several Speckled Wood were seen and our first Large Skipper of the year. Several male Orange Tip were seen during the walk and a probable egg laying Red Admiral. Also noteworthy were the number of Silver Y moths as well as singleton Burnet Companion and Mother Shipton. As we walked by the River Stort, a Grass Hopper Warbler was heard and we saw Banded Demoiselles, a Hairy Dragonfly, Large Red, Common Blue and Blue tailed Damselflies. A Red eyed damselfly was seen flying over the river. Later by one of the Park's pond Azure Damselflies were observed. An excellent morning's walk - Andrew Middleton, Liz Goodyear and Fiona Underhill

Rickneys this afternoon, large numbers of Common Blue as well as Brown Argus and Small Heath, an Orange Tip and 1 Grizzled Skipper. Moths included Silver Y, Burnet Companion, Latticed Heath and Cinnabar - Liz Goodyear and Andrew Middleton

Tuesday 1st June 2010
Saw a Painted Lady on the beach at Brighton on Sunday looked like it had just flown in.. maybe the start of another influx? Malcolm Hull

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