News

06 Apr 2024

Lunar Marbled Brown at Oakwood. 1 Lunar Marbled Brown at Cedar House Financial Services, Bramley Road, Oakwood this afternoon [FOY]. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]


Brown Hairstreak on Hampstead Heath. Four of the six eggs found on the Hampstead Heath have successfully emerged so far. The first to emerge found at 2nd instar stage today. [Posted by Rohan Harris]

Photo © Rohan Harris

Brimstone. Brimstone nectaring on dandelion in Harpenden. [Posted by David Hunt]

Photo © David Hunt

Branch Members' Day. Our Members’ Day, take places on Saturday 6th April at the Greenwood Park Community Centre, Chiswell Green, St Albans - we very much hope that you will be able to attend - non-members welcome. Full details of the programme and location can be found by clicking Here The keynote speaker is Peter Eeles - author of the Life Cycles of British and Irish Butterflies (2019) and British and Irish Butterfly Rarities (2023). [Posted by Liz Goodyear]

05 Apr 2024

Despite the wind.... The warm sunny spells brought out the Butterflies this afternoon , a walk across from Actons farm High Wych to Hunsdon airstrip , 5 Peacock, 2 Red Admiral and my ffy Small Tortoiseshell. [Posted by Laurence Drummond]


Brimstone, Peacock, Red Admiral & Speckled Wood at Enfield. Male Brimstone, Peacock, Red Admiral & 3 Speckled Wood at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]


Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-tip & Peacock at Trent Park. Male Green-veined White near Ride Wd/Trent Park, male Orange-tip along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Garden/Trent Park & 2 Peacock here, male Brimstone edge of Williams Wd/Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]

04 Apr 2024

Green-veined White & Small White at Enfield. Male and female Green-veined White copulating at a private site near Trent Park at 1302 BST & male Small White here. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]


Green-veined White & Speckled Wood at Trent Park. Male Green-veined White nectaring on dandelions along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Garden at Trent Park [TQ294976] at 1240 BST. 1 Speckled Wood along Leeging Beech Gutter near Water Garden at Trent Park [TQ294976] at 1244 BST. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]

03 Apr 2024

Green Longhorn Moth [Adela reaumurella] at Trent Park. Female Green Longhorn Moth observed settled at Shaws Wd/Trent Park [TQ296971] at 1600 BST - an early record! [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]


The latest results from the annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS). Butterfly Conservation has released details of some shocking declines last year in butterfly numbers (but with some good news as well). Read their blog here [Posted by Liz Goodyear]


Big City Butterfly Vacancy. An exciting one year contract with Big City Butterflies, now advertised. Engagement Officer (Big City Butterflies) Butterfly Conservation, Home-based (London region) with frequent travel within inner London, £28,148 - £32,519 depending upon experience. For more details click here [Posted by Paul Busby]

02 Apr 2024

Brown Hairstreak egg. Brown Hairstreak egg at Hampstead Heath [Posted by Rohan Harris]


Speckled Wood at Enfield. 1 Speckled Wood seen at a private site near Trent Park by Eugene Dillon-Hooper. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]


Peacock at Enfield. 1 Peacock at a private site near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]


Surrey Butterflies Zoom presentation 7pm-8pm. The last talk in the Surrey & SW London Branch of Butterfly Conservation spring series will be on Tuesday 2nd April. Ken Elsom will provide an update on the database and its capabilities and also use the data to show how Surrey's butterflies are faring, against all the challenges they face. Some of the conclusions are surprising! The database and maps can be viewed Here. This set of web pages has been constructed using the Transect data from 2000 to 2023 in VC17 (Surrey & SW London). Booking is required - please be patient - we will admit you to the Zoom just before the scheduled start. Link to Eventbrite to register is Here. The talk will be available afterwards on YouTube. [Posted by Liz Goodyear]

01 Apr 2024

Peacock at Trent Park. 1 Peacock at Rough Lot/Trent Park this afternoon. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]


Peacock at Enfield. 2 Peacock - singles at two private sites near Trent Park. [Posted by Robert Mark Callf]


Brown Hairstreak on Hampstead Heath and Heath Extension. The Brown Hairstreak egg found on Hampstead Heath Extension had emerged by 7.30 this morning after first showing signs of emergence on the 30th March. One of the eggs found on Hampstead Heath is at the point of emergence today. [Posted by Rohan Harris]

30 Mar 2024

Orange Tip. Orange Tip male plus several Peacock and Brimstone at Lea Valley Walk, Harpenden [Posted by David Hunt]

Orange Tip
Photo © David Hunt