Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch
Saving butterflies, moths and our environment
Mutton Brook Barnet. In a newly planted ’tiny forest’ three Brown Hairstreak eggs found. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Welsh Harp. Ten Brown Hairstreak eggs found. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Small Copper. In flight at Sandbridgebury Riding School (next to Heartwood Forest) [Posted by Sam Fuller]
Small Coppers survive first frost. We had a sharp frost last night, followed by bright sunshine this afternoon. I revisited Nomansland to see what impact the weather had on Small Copper numbers. I counted 16 today, slightly down on last week, which is expected as the season is reaching its end. The butterflies were in small groups, most nectaring on Ragwort, a few on heather and one on Gorse. Three were exploring egg laying opportunities on Sheeps Sorrel. It seems one frosty night is not a problem for this species, which sleeps overnight in trees and bushes which provide good shelter [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Sightings at Enfield. 9 Red Admiral [2 nectaring on Ivy blossom at Allotments near Enfield Rd, 1 at Bay Farm, Enfield, 3 at Rectory Farm, 1 at Strayfield Rd, EN2, 1 at Brayside Farm, Enfield & 1 at Hilly Field's Park], 3 Speckled Wood [1 at a private site near Trent Park, 1 at Bay Farm, Enfield & 1 at Flash Lane, EN2]. Most of the Red Admirals were actively migrating South. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Common Marbled Carpet at Southgate. 1 Common Marbled Carpet near outside light at ASDA Southgate this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Northwick Park. Forty one Brown Hairstreak eggs found at Northwick Park. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Hampstead Heath. Four Brown Hairstreak eggs found at different locations on Hampstead Heath. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Speckled Wood at Enfield & Trent Park. 3 Speckled Wood [1 at a private site near Trent Park, 1 along bridle-path near Merryhill's Brook at Trent Park & 1 at Lakeside, EN2]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Sightings at Enfield. 5 Speckled Wood [2 at private sites near Trent Park, 1 at Strayfield Rd, EN2 & 2 at Flash Lane, EN2], male Brimstone & male Large White at Gordon Hill Station this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Painted Lady in Stevenage. My first Painted Lady of the year opposite St Nicholas School, Six Hills Way, Stevenage at around 1pm [Posted by Peter Clarke]
Speckled Wood at Enfield. 1 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Hampstead Heath. Two Brown Hairstreak eggs close to each other at the northern most part of the Heath near Kenwood kitchen garden. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Small Coppers still flying at Nomansland. 22 Small Coppers today. No sign of mating behaviour today, but 8 females seen on Sheep’s Sorrell looking for egg laying sites. The remainder sunbathing or nectaring. Heather and Ragwort still the preferred nectar sources, though for the first time I saw one apparently nectaring on Gorse. Few now lol fresh, with many showing signs of wear [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Northaw sightings. 3x Large White, 2x Red Admiral and a Speckled Wood in midday sun today - on Ivy and Verbena [Posted by Sam Fuller]
Sightings in Enfield, Southgate & Trent Park. 8 Speckled Wood [1 at Chase Rd/Grovebury Crt, N14 & 7 at three private sites near Trent Park], 1 Small Copper & female Green-veined White at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park & Comma & Red Admiral nectaring on Michaelmas daisies at 'Old Golf Course' Trent Park, male Brimstone basking on Ivy near Merryhill's Brook/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]
Magic Garden. Following a couple of Commas that set up residence in the Garden last week, it was all change today with a Red Admiral, Painted Lady and a Large White. St Mary's Road, Watford [Posted by Rick Vickers]
Painted Lady. Painted Ladies have been a rare sight in St Albans this year. Today I found a Buddleia in full flower by St Albans station with 1 Painted Lady and 2 Red Admirals nectaring on it. Elsewhere round town 3 more Red Admirals, 3 Large Whites and 1 Small White [Posted by Malcolm Hull]
Hampstead Heath Extension. One Brown Hairstreak egg found on Hampstead Heath extension. [Posted by Rohan Harris]
Enfield sightings. 2 Comma at Rectory Farm Rd near railway bridge, including one nectaring on Ivy blossom, 2 Speckled Wood [1 at Flash Lane, EN2 & 1 at Cook's Hole Rd, edge of Hilly Field's Park], Red Admiral at Flash Lane, EN2, Comma & 2 Large White at Gordon Hill Station. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]