Butterfly Conservation
40 years of saving butterflies, moths and their habitats

SIGHTINGS with your news. Photos are also most welcome - click here Thank You to everyone who has sent in sightings and photos. Please keep sending them in and encourage others to do likewise. Archived Sightings can be found by clicking below: 2007 2006 First Reported Sightings 2008       36 Chalkhill Blue 5th July 35 Gatekeeper 4th July   34 S-W Fritillary 30th June 33 White Admiral 26th June   32 W-L H'streak 26th June 31 Purple H'streak 25th June   30 Small Skipper 22nd June 29 Marbled White 19th June   28 Essex Skipper 18th June 27 Ringlet 17th June   26 Black H'streak 13th June 25 Meadow Brown 11th June   24 Heath Fritillary 8th June 23 Large Skipper 4th June   22 Painted Lady 21st May 21 Clouded Yellow 13th May   20 Common Blue 11th May 19 Brown Argus 11th May   18 Camberwell Beauty 8th May 17 Small Heath 8th May   16 Dingy Skipper 5th May 15 Wall Brown 5th May   14 Grizzled Skipper 4th May 13 Small Copper 4th May   12 Large White 26th Apr 11 Green H'streak 26th Apr   10 Orange Tip 21st Apr 9 Speckled Wood 15th Apr   8 GV White 9th Apr 7 Holly Blue 4th Apr   6 Small White 1st Apr 5 Small T'shell 4th Mar   4 Brimstone 10th Feb 3 Comma 9th Feb   2 Red Admiral 8th Feb 1 Peacock 12th Jan

Sunday 7th September
Mill Road cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582) Sunday afternoon - between the showers....at least a dozen Small Whites, the odd pair of Large Whites plus a couple of Red Admirals and a Comma. Nick Ballard

Monday 1st September
Peterborough (Grid Ref: TF192010) At midday - a (24 year) record number of Small Tortoiseshells (17) on buddleiah in my garden; Comma (1), Large White (5), Small White (2), Holly Blue (2). David Withrington
Lodge Farm, Fulbourn, Cambs (Grid Ref: TL512534) As a post script to sightings of 8 Small Tortoiseshells made on the 28th August, Kathryn reports that:
Since then we've been inundated with Small Tortoiseshells flying in the good weather breaks and aestivating when it's cloudy.
Cricketfield Lane, Ramsey (Grid ref:TL283849) Counted 20+ Small Tortoiseshell on my buddleia at 11.30am today (managed to get 6 in this photo). Also 2 Red Admiral, 2 Small White and 1 large White. Phil Bromley
Heydon (Grid ref:TL430393) More observations & pictures from Jack Harrison: Mass emergence of new brood Speckled Woods after rain previous day. Along 300 metres of lane circa 15 males seen, often sparring with one another at edges of territories (photo attached).
In addition, Jack writes: Large White observation. The caterpillars resulting from eggs laid in July have disappeared from my brassicas (off to their pupation sites I presume). So a newly emerged Large White today almost certainly third brood (photo attached).
Westfield Farm, Comberton (Grid ref:TL376546) Small White 56, Large White 2, Green-veined White 5, Common Blue 7, Speckled Wood 4, Meadow Brown 1 & Small Heath 3. Tony Roberts

August 2008

Sunday 31st August
Duxford (Grid ref:TL479465) I was pleasantly surprised to see 3 Small Tortoiseshells in my garden - just like old times? Mike Gittos

Saturday 30th August
Great Chishill, S. Cambs (Grid ref:TL425390) Jack Harrison writes: We all enjoy seeing butterflies in pristine condition. Not so this chap (photo) who is getting more and more tatty by the day but can still fly as strongly as ever.
And later, he adds: Not just that tatty Peacock (sent earlier today) but now some decent specimens. Tortoiseshell is obviously new brood (photos attached).
He finishes with: They keep emerging in the garden. New brood Comma late afternoon, but not behaving for the camera. But the bland underside (compare summer brood) shows clearly enough. This is the form that hibernates - the pale (hutchinsoni) doesn't.

Thursday 28th August
Lodge Farm, Fulbourn, Cambs (Grid Ref: TL512534) 2 Brimstones, 1 Peacock, 2 Red Admirals, 4 Common Blues, 1 Speckled Wood, 4 Small Whites, 2 Meadow Browns, 1 Gatekeeper and 8 Small Tortoiseshells. Kathryn Grumball
Old Railway Line, Comberton (Grid ref:TL377544) Small White 8, Common Blue 2 & Meadow Brown 5. Tony Roberts
Westfield Farm, Comberton (Grid ref:TL375545) Brimstone 1, Small White c100, Large White 1, Green-veined White 3, Common Blue 17, Speckled Wood 1l, Gatekeeper 3, Meadow Brown 9 & Small Heath 1. Tony Roberts

Wednesday 27th August
Great Chishill, S. Cambs (Grid ref:TL425390) I love butterflies but not so sure about caterpillars. Hundreds of Large White caterpillars infesting my garden at the moment - just two shown in this picture. Jack Harrison

Tuesday 26th August
Orwell Clunch Pit Transect: (Grid ref: TL365506) Small White 5, Common Blue 2, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 8 & Meadow Brown 8. Tony Roberts

Monday 25th August
Writtle, Chelmsford (Grid ref:TL670059) Small Tortoiseshell in my garden (photo attached). Richard Bigg
Stansted Airport Lagoons (Grid ref:TL550216) 2 Small White, 1 Brown Argus (Unusual here for me) & 11 Meadow Brown. (1M Black-tailed Skimmer & 10 Common Blue Damselfly). Mike Harris

Saturday 23rd August
Fleam Dyke (Grid ref:TL549542) Over 100 butterflies: Nearly half were Whites – mainly Small with a good number of Green-Veined and a few Large. All the usual suspects – Meadow Brown, a few Gatekeepers hanging-on, Common Blue, Brown Argus, the odd Speckled Wood, Brimstone (when the sun was out) and Peacock. Highlight was 8 Chalkhill Blue (2 females and 2 males, plus 2 mating pairs - photo attached) in sections 6,7 & 8. No Painted Lady, (will they arrive late if we get some prolonged warm southerly winds?) or Red Admiral which was unusual. Outside of transect saw 1 male Chalkhill in section 3, plus a Small Heath in section 2. Nick Ballard
Roman Rd (Grid ref:TL5252) Brimstone - 1, Large White - 8, Small White - 13, Gr Vn White - 10, Holly Blue - 1, Red Admiral - 1, Painted Lady - 1, Speckled Wood - 8, Meadow Brown - 5. Trish Agnew.
Mistley, near Manningtree, Essex (Grid ref:TM1131) A staggering 3 small torts nectaring on the buddleia outside my house. Most I've seen together for ages. Rick Vonk
In the fields around Barton (Grid ref:TL4054), Tony Roberts reports:
Tinkers Field - Small White 13, Speckled Wood 2 & Meadow Brown 2
Telegraph Field - Small White 6, Common Blue 5 & Meadow Brown 7
Holt Field - Small White 16, Common Blue 1, Brown Argus 2 & Meadow Brown 10
Old Nags Field - Small White 8 & Peacock 1
Great Chishill, S. Cambs (Grid ref:TL425390) Holly Blue x2, first in garden for four weeks. Red Admiral x4, Peacock x4, Meadow Brown many, Large and Small Whites many. Gatekeepers no longer being seen (abundant earlier in month) Caterpillars - Large White x several hundred having ruined brassicas and nasturtiums. Jack Harrison

Friday 22nd August
Old Hall Marshes (Grid ref:TL9712) Long walk around RSPB reserve had reasonable numbers of butterflies: single Small Copper, single Painted Lady, very tatty, possibly just in across sea, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Red Admiral 2, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Essex Skipper, all between 10 and 25 individuals. Vince Lea & Louise Bacon
Writtle, Chelmsford (Grid ref:TL670059) My first sight of a Small Tortoiseshell this year. This one nectaring on buddleia in my garden. Richard Bigg
Westfield Farm, Comberton (Grid ref:TL376546) Essex Skipper 1, Small White c150, Common Blue 2, Speckled Wood 4, Gatekeeper 7, Meadow Brown 40 & Small Heath 4. Tony Roberts

Thursday 21st August
Tiptree Heath (Grid ref:TL884145) Small Copper widespread in small humbers (10+ total), Small Heath, Brown Argus, Common Blue - 2-5 each, also present; Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Essex Skipper, Whites. Vince Lea, Louise Bacon & Richard Bigg.
Bradwell-on-Sea (Grid ref:TM026079) Good numbers of whites, many coming in to roost in long grass of sea walls at 6pm. Also, one 1 Small Tortoiseshel, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Meadow Brown. Vince Lea & Louise Bacon
Barnack Hills & Holes (Grid ref: TF075045) During a two hour visit saw 14 Chalkhill Blue, 5 Brown Argus, 3 Small Copper, 3 Brimstone, 3 Small Heath, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Peacock,1 Speckled Wood. Lots of Meadow Brown, Essex Skippers, Common Blue and a few Gatekeeper, Small, Large and Green-veined Whites. Rosalyn Payne & Phil Bromley
Anglesey Abbey (Grid ref: TL592622) Not primarily a butterfly visit, but in passing seen: Meadow Browns - countless; Brimstone (on white buddleia) - 1 male, 2 females (photo attached); Peacock - circa 5 & Common Blue - 1 male. Jack Harrison
Girton Recreation Ground and Wood (Grid ref: TL425624) Small White 16, Common Blue 1, Brown Argus 1, Speckled Wood 14 & Meadow Brown 32. Tony Roberts

Wednesday 20th August
Orwell Clunch Pit Transect: (Grid ref: TL365506) Small White 8, Common Blue 3, Speckled Wood 6, Gatekeeper 3& Meadow Brown 18. Tony Roberts
Shepreth River Walk (Grid ref: TL385506) Small White 6, Green-veined White 1, Red Admiral 2, Gatekeeper 3 & Meadow Brown 5. Tony Roberts

Sunday 17th August
Univeristy Botanic Gardens (Grid ref:TL455571) Painted Lady 1. Philip Oswald.

Friday 15th August
Orwell Clunch Pit (Grid ref: TL365506), about a dozen Common Blue, 3-4 Brown Argus, a Sm/Essex skipper, single Peacock and Red Admiral. Lots of Meadow Browns, Gatekeeper, also one or two Speckled Wood. A few moths out as well, the highlight being a single Chalk carpet, but also Dusky Sallow, Pyrausta aurata and 2 Silver Ys. Louise Bacon & Vince Lea
Holt Field, Barton (Grid ref: TL403544) Large White 3, Small White 7, Green-veined White 6, Common Blue 3, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 2, Comma 1, Gatekeeper 3 & Meadow Brown 27. Tony Roberts
Telegraph Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL408545) Common Blue 16, Speckled Wood d, Gatekeeper 6 & Meadow Brown 34. Tony Roberts
Old Nags Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL398545) Meadow Brown 2. Tony Roberts
Tinkers Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL407548) Small White 2, Small Copper 1, Brown Argus 9, Gatekeeper 6 & Meadow Brown 30. Tony Roberts

Thursday 14th August
Fleam Dyke (Grid ref: TL544545), Southeast side of main road in less-than-ideal weather (17 degs, brisk wind although sunny) Chalkhill Blues 1 male, 2 females. Also all the other expected species, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Whites, Small Skipper. Jack Harrison.
Great Chishill On buddleia; Red Admirals x 4, three were very fresh Peacock x 3 Whites Large & Small (not counted - many). Jack Harrison.
Mill Road cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582), A few Small White and single Large White, Gatekeeper and Holly Blue, with a few Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers still around. First time I've recorded (at least 2 male) Common Blues (no females) and a couple of Brown Argus. (See attached photos). Nick Ballard

Tuesday 12th August
Orwell Clunch Pit Transect: (Grid ref: TL365506) Small White 4, Green-veined White 5, Common Blue 1, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 5, Gatekeeper 21, Meadow Brown 22 & Ringlet 2. Tony Roberts

Monday 11th August
Lark Rise Farm Barton Cambs (Grid ref: TL415555) Transect. Small/Essex Skipper 1, Small White 5, Green-veined White 3, Speckled Wood 2, Gatekeeper 10 & Meadow Brown 25. Tony Roberts.
Fleam Dyke - Fulbourn to A14 (Grid ref:TL544545). Hundreds of Meadow Brown, Gatekeepers. Many Whites - mainly Small, but also good numbers of Large and Green Veined. A few Speckled Wood, Common Blue and when the sun came out, Brimstones, including several females, with a couple of Brown Argus, Small Heath and some mainly Essex, with Small, Skippers. Singles of Chalkhill Blue (male at ref above), Painted Lady and Peacock plus a couple of Red Admirals were the highlight. (See attached photos). Nick Ballard

Sunday 10th August
On our trip to the branch garden party at Anglesey Abbey (Grid ref: TL592622), we had a short walk before & managed to see loads of Meadow Browns, a Small/Essex Skipper a few Common Blues & Gatekeeper, a couple of Small Coppers & an Ear moth (see attached photos). Janet Edmunds & David Jones

Saw my first Painted Lady of the year today, in Blinco Grove, Cambridge (Grid ref: TL464563). Also 3x Peacock, 3x Gatekeeper, 3x Common Blue, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, numerous Meadow Brown and Small White in the Botanic Gardens, Cambridge (Grid ref: TL455571) (various photos attached). Jonathan Stephens

Fleam Dyke - Chalkhill Blues: (Grid ref: TL5454)
1. Between Mutlow hill and the old railway (TL 545545) a solitary male on the sunny side of the bank, just out of the rather strong SW wind.
2. On the other side of the A11, just beyond the juniper trees, towards the Balsham end. (TL 553536) on the sunny side of the bank. (99% sure a female - plenty of horseshoe vetch about- disappeared into a nearby tussock as the sun went and we lost it, despite a long wait.
3. On the sheltered side of the bank, 2 males (TL 531538)  a very good sighting of both.
4. Another male on top of bank despite the wind at TL 560539.
Stella & Roger Wolfe

Saturday 9th August
Mill Road cemetery, Cambridge : (Grid ref:TL460582). This morning in the Cemetery: 2 Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Speckled Wood and still lots of Meadow Browns in the grassy area to the north, with a couple of battered Gatekeepers elsewhere. (Blackberries galore too!) Nick Ballard.

Friday 8th August.
Fleam Dyke, on transect (Grid ref:TL549542) , on transect One Chalkhill Blue, and one painted Lady amongst the usual suspects. Roger Lemon

Thursday 7th August
Westfield Farm Transect, Comberton (Grid ref:TL376546) Small Skipper 4, Essex Skipper 9, Small/Essex Skipper 9, Brimstone 2, Large White 4, Small White 13, Green-veined White 14, Brown Argus 2, Common Blue 2, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 3, Gatekeeper 23, Meadow Brown 70 & Small Heath 2. Tony Roberts

Wednesday 6th August
Orwell Clunch Pit Transect: (Grid ref: TL365506) Green-veined White 2, Peacock 1, Gatekeeper 12 & Meadow Brown 41. Tony Roberts
Shepreth River Walk (Grid ref: TL385506) Essex/Small Skipper 6, Small Skipper 5, Essex Skipper 8, Brimstone 1, Small White 9, Green-veined White 7, Comma 1, Common Blue 1, Peacock 24, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Gatekeeper 100+ & Meadow Brown 100+. Tony Roberts

Tuesday 5th August
Sunnymead Farm (near Wivenhoe) (Grid ref:TM055220) A Painted Lady - first this year. Moira Jackson

Monday 4th August
At 5.30pm, we went over Bretons outdoor centre, Rainham (Grid ref:TQ516848) for an hour. I came across 6 Red Adrimals, 2 Commas, & a few Large & Small Whites, 1 of the Red Admirals kept landing on my hand - what a good view I had (see attached photos).
We also went over to Ingrebourne Hill CP (Grid ref:TQ524831) for an hour; came across a Small Skipper, lots of Common Blues & 3 Small Coppers ( a first for us). On the way home, we saw a brimstone moth (see attached photos). Janet Edmunds & David Jones

Hanningfield Reservoir (Transect) (Grid ref:TQ737976)
Small Skipper 16, Essex Skipper 4, Large White 26, G-v White 26, Small White 30, Brown Argus 4, Common Blue 10, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 14, Speck Wood 8, Gatekeeper 387, Meadow Brown 189 & Ringlet 1.
Silver Y 1, 6-spot Burnet 13, Shaded Broad-bar 8, Latticed Heath 4 & Dusky Sallow 2.
Black-tailed Skimmer 2, Emperor 2, Ruddy Darter 5, Common Darter 10, Southern Hawker 1, Brown Hawker 5, Migrant Hawker 1, Banded Dem. 2, Common Blue Dams. 72 & Small Red-eyed Dams 1 (new for Res., as far as I know). Jim Smith
Trumpington, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL454549) Recent walks across the fields from Trumpington to Addenbrookes Hospital along where the guided bus route is being laid have shown large numbers of Gatekeepers on tall lilac flowering plants covered with large burrs (Sorry I’m not a good botanist!). At 9am this morning there were 6 fresh Brown Argus and a few tatty looking Meadow Browns feeding on Thistle. The Brown Argus allowed me to get really close to observe. I’d not appreciated their beauty before now and typically I decided not to bring my camera to work today and rain is forecast for the rest of the week. Mark Elsdon

Sunday 3rd August
Bedford Purlieus (Grid ref:TL040996) We returned here to search for the Silver-washed Fritillary. We sighted at least 6, with 4 present in one clearing alone, their condition ranged between pristine and very tatty (photos attached). Phil Bromley & Rosalyn Payne

Friday 1st August
Perrywood Garden Centre (Grid ref:TL882176) My first sighting this year of a Painted Lady. In pristine condition nectaring on various flowering plants. Richard Bigg

July 2008

Thursday 31st July
Ingrebourne Hill CP (Grid ref:TQ524831) It was overcast & humid with large spots of rain. Near the lake, I saw lots of Common Blue, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, a few Skippers & a Dusky Sallow moth. Over the lake, there were very large dragonflies chasing each other. As I walked around the lake, I came across a buddleia plant & I didn't know what to look at first; 2 Peacocks a Red Admiral, also a 6-spot Burnet on the plant with Common Blues, Whites, Gatekeepers & Meadow Browns all in view. On my way back to the car on a dirt track was a Painted Lady. It was worth going out in the rain. See attached photos. Janet Edmunds

Wednesday 30th July
Burwell Old Railway (Grid ref:TL575652) Again uncountable Chalkhill Blues (100+, probably many more) including one blueish female variant, probably semi-syngrapha (it WOULD NOT open its wings except for a very short time when i/d made). Jack Harrison
I did a quick tour of Magog Down, after 5.0 pm today and saw numerous Meadow Browns and quite a few Gatekeepers, but no Common Blues, no Small Heaths, and just one Brown Argus. Julia Napier.
Cambourne Transect My transect continues to improve year on year, with excellent numbers of browns, and for a change a couple of Peacock, a Red admiral amongst the hedgerow bramble-feeders. The real stars of the show, however, were 20 Common Blue and a single Small Copper. I have not recorded the latter for two years, and normally only get 1 or 2 Blues in a season, so this shows how carefully-managed new grasslands can be good, and continue to get better as their flower-richness increases. Louise Bacon
Westfield Farm, Comberton (Grid ref:TL376546) Small White 6, Green-veined White 2, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 8, Gatekeeper 12 & Meadow Brown 200 plus. Tony Roberts

Tuesday 29th July
Orwell Clunch Pit Transect: (Grid ref: TL365506) Small Skipper 1, Small White 6, Green-veined White 1, Speckled Wood 12, Gatekeeper 24 & Meadow Brown 61. Tony Roberts
Shepreth River Walk (Grid ref: TL385506) Small White 13, Green-veined White 1, Comma 2, Peaccock 3 & Meadow Brown 6. Tony Roberts

Monday 28th July
Bedford Purlieus (Grid ref:TL040996) One Silver-washed Fritillary (see attached photo) by the entrance with the Forestry Comission noticeboard, on the bend in the track. Peter & Jan Farbridge
Old Railway Line, Comberton (Grid ref:TL377544) Brimstone 4, Green-veined White 10, Small White 4, Common Blue 2, Peacock 8, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Gatekeeper 10 & Meadow brown 60+. Tony Roberts
Hanningfield Reservoir (Transect) (Grid ref:TQ737976)
Small Skipper 160, Essex Skipper 2 ID'd, Large Skipper 1, Large White 17, Small White 146, G-v White 8, Purple Hairstreak 1, Brown Argus 3, Common Blue 15, Holly Blue 1, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock 28, Comma 6, Speckled Wood 5, Gatekeeper 454, Meadow Brown 282, Ringlet 15.
Shaded Broad-bar 31, Silver Y 1, 6-spot Burnet 39, Mother of Pearl 1.
4-spot Chaser 2, B-b Chaser 1, Bl-t Skimmer 4, Emperor 3, Ruddy Darter 13, Common Darter 2, Southern Hawker 1, Migrant Hawker 1, Brown Hawker 3, Banded Dem. 4, Azure Dams 3, Blue-tailed Dams 2, Common Blue Dams 28.
Not a bad selection but no Red Admiral or Small Copper and numbers of insects generally very low!. Jim Smith

Sunday 27th July
Maldon Wick (Grid ref:TL842057) Late morning walk in great conditions, again looking for White-letter Hairstreak, again no luck ! Other butterflies noted: Essex Skipper - inc a female which appeared to be prospecting a bgrass stem for egg laying. Large Skipper 2, Large White (assumed most were ) - good numbers over adjacent Lucerne (I think) field. Green-veined White, Purple Hairsteak 3+, Small Copper 1, first local one this year, Brown Argus 1, another local first of year, Common Blue 4+, Holly Blue 3, Red Admiral 2, Peacock 2, Comma 2, Speckled Wood, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Ringlet 4. Russell Neave
Offord D'Arcy (Grid ref:TL219663) Three second brood male Orange-tips at the old cricket ground. Phil Bromley & Rosalyn Payne
Lucy Wood, Kirtling (Grid ref:TL683568) There were a few Painted Lady, Comma, Red Admiral and 1 Small Tortoiseshell plus good numbers of Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small White, Large White and a few Small Skipper. Sharon Hearle

Saturday 26th July
Hatfield Forest (Grid ref:TL533198) Two fast moving male Silver-washed Fritillaries feeding on bramble along the ride between Round Coppice and Lodge Coppice. Also present Small and Large Skipper, Brimstone - 1, Large White, Green-veined White, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper & Meadow Brown. Russell Neave
Littlebury / Strethall (Grid ref:TL518398) Ringlet - 6, Meadow Brown - 8, Gatekeeper - 18, Large White - 12, Small White - 12, Green Veined White - 1, Red Admiral - 2, Comma - 1, Brimstone - 2, Peacock - 4. Tim Sizer
Bedford Purlieus (Grid ref:TL040996) We spent the afternoon here having seen a report on the Northants web site!
We sighted Silver Washed Fritillary 4, White Admiral 4, Purple Hairstreak 1, Brown Argus 8, Brimstone 3, Large White 5, Comma 8, Common Blue 1, Speckled Wood 1, Small Heath 1. We lost count of the numbers of Peacocks, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Large Skippers, Small Skippers, Small Whites & G V Whites. Phil Bromley & Rosalyn Payne
Devil's Dyke transect (Grid ref:TL616616) I recorded a magnificant 978 Chalkhill Blue on the transect today. Sharon Hearle
Benfleet Downs (Grid ref: TQ785858) A Wall Brown and a Red Admiral. Andrew Wodhouse

Friday 25th July
Hazeleigh Wood, near Maldon (access by arrangement) (Grid ref:TL835040) White Admiral - 1+ seen late afternoon. (3 seen on 5/07 and been out for week or so prior to that date). This is at least the third year they have been seen in the area. Also seen, Comma - 2, Gatekeeper - good numbers. Russell Neave
Therfield Heath, Royston (Grid ref:TL348402) Chalkhill Blue - 100+ individuals - they were incredibly abundant! Also, Small Tortoiseshell - 1, Large White -15, Small White - 13, Gatekeeper - 8, Small Skipper - 10 , Marbled White - 6+ ( because they were only inhabiting a small area of heath, I couldn't be certain I was counting the same specimens more than once, hence I'm erring on the low side). Tim Sizer
Barnack Hills & Holes (Grid ref: TF075045) A solitary Chalkhill blue seen. Several Marbled Whites however, approx 30+. Single Marbled White seen the other side of Walcot Hall adjacent to the reserve as well. Phil Todd

Thursday 24th July
The Roman Road, just south of Copley Hill (Grid ref: TL520525) At the highest point of the Road before it descends to Worsted Lodge. An area full of Small Scabious, Knapweeds, Lady’s Bedstraw. A solitary Marbled White, just as last year. I thought it was a male, unfortunately. Also reported from Magog Down 2 weeks ago. Julia Napier
Great Chishill Meadows Marbled White still present but only four today. Season almost over. But remaining very positive about this new colony. Gatekeepers in hundreds, Meadow Browns up to 100, Ringlets old and worn with no more than 20 seen. Small Skippers also declining and only handful seen. One female Large Skipper. Green-veined White circa 10 Large Whites circa 5, Brimstone 1. My garden in Great Chishill, FAR TOO MANY Small Whites laying on the cabbages. Jack Harrison

Wednesday 23rd July
Bedford Purlieus (Grid ref:TL040996) Between 3:15pm and 5:15pm, 3 Silver-washed Fritillaries along the main track on the west side of Bedford Purlieus - 2 were near the entrance to the southernmost ride, and the third (see attached photo) by the entrance with the Forestry Comission noticeboard, on the bend in the track. Peter & Jan Farbridge
Barnack Hills & Holes (Grid ref: TF075045) Chalkhill Blue (3 males), Small Tortoiseshell (several), Peacock (5), Comma (I fresh), Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Marbled White (25), Large White, Small White, Small Skipper. David Withrington
Devils Dyke Burwell railway cutting (Grid ref: TL575652) Excellent showing of Chalkhill Blues on the old railway with circa 100 (all males) with a couple of stragglers on the main bank. Two Common Blues, two Peacocks, 6 Tortoiseshells (mainly on thistles at bottom of ditch), several new Brimstones plus the usual Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and a handful of elderly Ringlets. Jack Harrison

Tuesday 22nd July
At least 4 Peacock on buddleia in my Maldon garden, first seen for a while. Russell Neave
Maldon Wick (Grid ref: TL842057) Late afternoon walk looking for White-letter Hairstreak ( failed ! ) produced the following: Small and Large Skipper, Large Whites, Red Admiral -1, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper- good numbers & Ringlet - 4. Russell Neave
I had this Marbled White on the buddleia this a.m., in a St Ives garden. John Le Gassick
Bretons outdoor centre, Rainham (Grid ref:TQ516848) At lunchtime today, only for an hour, saw a Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White, 3 Speckled Woods, 5 tatty Meadow Browns, 6 Peacocks ( 4 on same plant), 2 very large dragonflies with lots of Gatekeepers, Small & Large Whites, also Skippers of all types (see attached photos). Then to finish it off a Red Admiral in my back garden when I got home. Janet Edmunds
Orwell Clunch Pit, Cambs Transect (Grid ref: TL365506) Small/Essex Skipper 9, Small Skipper 6, Essex Skipper 7, Green-veined White 8, Common Blue 1, Speckled Wood 1, Gatekeeper 24, Meadow Brown 89 & Ringlet 1. Tony Roberts
Shepreth River Walk (Grid ref: TL385488) Small/Essex Skipper 20. Small Skipper 12.Essex Skipper 9. Small White 73. Green-veined White 18. Peacock 13. Small Tortoiseshell 14. Comma 3. Gatekeeper 18. Meadow Brown 68. Ringlet 7. Tony Roberts

Monday 21st July
Stour Wood, Essex (Grid ref:TL336403) 6 White Admirals: As we were changing our shoes we saw the first White Admiral on the other side of the car park. There was another 30 feet away. Both very active. We then walked the trail around the reserve and saw three more before the bridge. Another entertained us around the gate north of the bridge. It actually landed on my back briefly. Also saw two Commas, 1 Red Admiral, loads of Gatekeepers, Speckled Wood plus all the usual whites, meadow browns etc. Kevin Rees
Fleet Head, Great Wakering (Grid ref:TQ945895) In the late afternoon/early evening had 5 fresh Peacocks, a Red Admiral, 3 Gatekeepers, a Green-veined White, several Large whites and 3 Comma. Steve Arlow
Belfairs NR (Grid Ref:TQ817879) A White Admiral and 6 Purple Hairstreaks. Andrew Woodhouse.

Sunday 20th July
I had my first ever Purple Hairstreak in my back garden in St Johns Rd Epping, Essex (Grid ref:TL336403). Paul Flack
West Canvey Island, Essex held about 40 Marbled Whites and numerous Meadow Browns and a Six-spotted Burnet though the strong winds hampered finding much else other than a couple of Essex Skippers. Steve Arlow
Westfield Farm, Comberton (Grid ref:TL376546) Small /Essex Skipper 20. Small Skipper 12. Essex Skipper 8. Large White 6. Small White 37. Green-veined White 33. Small Tortoiseshell 1. Comma 1. Gatekeeper 40. Meadow Brown 200plus. Ringlet 17. Tony Roberts.
Hatfield Forest (Grid ref:TL531198) One Silver-washed Fritillary (see attached photo) was (still) on the ride between Round - and Lodge Coppice (12:30 pm). Jan Hein van Steenis.

Saturday 19th July
Mill Road cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582) First Gatekeepers of the season (see attached photos), with Meadow Browns still abundant; a few Green Veined White earlier in the week with more Large White in the last few days, plus the odd Red Admiral. Also a few more 2nd generation Holly Blues. Nick Ballard.

Friday 18th July
Recorded 217 Chalkhill Blue on the Devil's Dyke transect (Grid ref:TL616616) today - with 183 in section one especially where the branch work party took place last year. Also 62 Gatekeeper and 52 Meadow Brown and more Large White than seen in previous years. Sharon Hearle.
Brookside Industrial Estate, Sawtry (Grid ref:TL166842) Public footpath between end of estate and corn field I walked about 100 m saw 25 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Meadow Brown, 2 Gatekeeper, 2 Small White, 1 Large White, 1 Ringlet and a very sorry looking Red Admiral. Rosalyn Payne

Wednesday 16th July
Thrift Wood transect (Grid ref:TL792018) A total of nine species all very active in the sun. High numbers of Ringlet and fewer numbers of Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper. Small or Essex Skippers (would not settle long enough to fully ID) Comma, Peacock, Large White, Green-veined White and I was pleased to see three Purple Hairstreaks high in the oaks. Richard Bigg

Tuesday 15th July
Orwell Clunch Pit Transect: (Grid ref:TL365506) Small Skipper 7, Essex Skipper 15, Small/Essex Skipper 14, Large White 2, Green-veined White 10, Peacock 1, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 101 & Ringlet 21. Tony Roberts
Bretons outdoor centre, Rainham (Grid ref:TQ516848) On an evening walk, we managed to see 4 Red Admirals, 5 Commas, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, a Common Blue, Large & Small Whites, Meadow Browns & all Skippers; also a brown hairy caterpillar (see attached photos). Janet Edmunds & Dave Jones
Madingley Road Park & Ride Site, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL424594) Purple Hairstreak at ground level on grass fringe at south side of site (attached photo). Keith Edkins
Hainault Forest CP (Grid ref:TQ476936) 2 White Admirals. Steven Stuart

Monday 14th July
Burwell Cutting, Reach (Grid ref:TL575652) 8 Chalkhill Blues (all males, no females) and then on the
Devil's Dyke Numerous Green-veined Whites, approximately one every 20 metres. Similar density of Gatekeepers. Mostly males but one or two females & all newly emerged. Large Whites at rate of about one per 40 metres. One Small Tortoiseshell. Five or six Small Skippers but no positive sightings of any Essex. Plenty of the common browns, Meadow Brown and in the more shaded areas, a few well worn Ringlets (see attached photos). Jack Harrison
Telegraph Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL408545) Small Skipper 6. Essex Skipper 7. Small White 16. Green-veined White 24. Meadow Brown 100 plus. Ringlet c50.
Holt Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL403544) Small Skipper 4. Essex Skipper 6. Small White 4. Green-veined White 8. Marbled White 1. Meadow Brown 100 plus. Ringlet 34.
Old Nags Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL398545) Green-veined White 1. Meadow Brown 3. Ringlet 2.
Tinkers Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL407548) Small White 12. Green-veined White 14.. Large White 2. Meadow Brown 200 plus. Ringlet 35. Tony Roberts

Sunday 13th July
Hadleigh Castle CP (near Southend-on-Sea) (TQ800860) What a great day we had here, too many to count of Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Marbled White, Large & Small Whites, with Skippers everywhere; also 3 Peacock & 3 Commas (see attached photos). Janet Edmunds & David Jones
Sunnymead Farm (near Wivenhoe) (Grid ref:TM055220) This morning had a Small Copper first in years (in garden). Moira Jackson
Stansted Airport Lagoons (Grid ref:TL550216) In one brief sunny spell, a few insects became apparent: 3 Large White, 30 Meadow Brown, 1 Essex/Small Skipper & 1 Black-tailed Skimmer (male). Never thought I would 'miss' Small Whites!! Mike Harris

Saturday 12th July
Thorley Wash, near Bishop's Stortford (Grid ref:TL490181) This extract taken with observor's permission from UK Back Garden Moths website:
Was out fishing the other day near Sawbridgeworth in Essex and noticed this in-between a patch of long grass, it was feeding on a clover flower and I fumbled quickly to get the camera out of the bag and somehow managed to take some pics before it was blown away in the wind! I've never even heard of a Grizzled Skipper in these parts let alone seen one so it was a real happy shock! anyone else seen one before? Ben Sale


Called at Devil's Dyke (Grid ref:TL616616) today to look at orchids also saw Meadow Brown, Ringlets, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Green Veined White and Chalkhill Blue (see attached photo) and a Musk Beetle (with thanks to Louise for ID on this nationally scarce longhorn beetle). Hazel Orbell

Friday 11th July
Mill Road cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582) Lunchtime before the rain - 1 Green Veined White, 1 Large White, a few Meadow Browns and Ringlets and several more Holly Blues. Nick Ballard

Thursday 10th July
Lodge Farm, Fulbourn, Cambs (Grid Ref: TL512534) 2 Small Tortoiseshells, a Large Skipper, Green Veined White, Comma, Red Admiral, 3 Gatekeepers and too many Meadow Browns to count precisely (abundance letter D). Also 5-10 Cinnabar caterpillars on ragwort. A much better range of species than this time last year, but in an area where John has been leaving the thistles and nettles to grow. Kathryn Grumball
Westfield Farm, Comberton (Grid ref:TL376546) Small Skipper 4, Essex Skipper 4, Small White 5, Green-veined White 17, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 1, Meadow Brown 113 & Ringlet 30. Tony Roberts
Benfleet Downs (Grid ref:TQ785858) Whilst plant hunting today at Benfleet Down, Hadleigh Country Park. Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Commas, Small Skippers and Speckled Woods in high numbers. Large Whites, Small Whites and Green Veined Whites in fair numbers and one Purple Hairstreak that obligingly perched at eye level but disobligingly declined to stay for a photograph. Roy Wells
Mill Road cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582) 1 Large White and the first 2 2nd-generation Holly Blues, plus the odd Ringlet and Meadow Brown. Nick Ballard

Tuesday 8th July
Sunnymead Farm (near Wivenhoe) (Grid ref: TM055220) The first Purple Hairstreak (f) butterfly this year on an oak tree; also a few Large White and lots of Meadow Browns. Moira Jackson

Sunday 6th July
Mill Road cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582) Several Meadow Browns and a few Ringlets, plus singles of Small White, Green Veined White, and an energetic Small Tortoiseshell (see attached photos). Nick Ballard
Thorndon Country Park (Grid ref:TQ612914) Despite overcast & showery weather, we were surprised by what we saw! We lost count of Ringlets & Meadow Browns, also saw our first Gatekeeper this year, along with Large, Small & Essex Skippers (see attached photos). Janet Edmunds & David Jones

Saturday 5th July
Marbled Whites at Great Chishill doing very nicely thank you. 10+ seen today and three together on one occasion (see attached photo). Also countless (perhaps 1,000) Small Skippers. But no confirmation of Essex Skippers although suspected.
Jack Harrison
In Dodds Grove, Belfairs Woods (TQ817879) and the excellent ride the other side of the bridletrack, there were 1+ White Admirals still, only 10+ Heath Fritillaries (down from 50+ last weekend), Red Admiral, 3+ Purple Hairstreaks including one low down by the path, a Comma, 4+ Large Whites, Small and Large Skippers, 15+ Meadow Browns, 30+ Ringlets and a Speckled Wood. Steve Arlow

Friday 4th July
Witcham (Grid ref:TL465806) Essex Skipper 4. Small Skipper 5. Green-veined White 4. Small Tortoiseshell 1. Meadow Brown 100 plus. Gatekeeper 1. Ringlet 60 plus. Small Heath 1. Tony Roberts.
Roman Road near Worsted Lodge (Grid ref:TL522522) One fresh Small Tortoiseshell (see attached photo) & four male Gatekeepers, my first this year in Cambs (but had seen in Beds yesterday) and at
Heydon (Grid ref:TL431408) On the roadside (protected verge) and adjacent set-aside, two Marbled Whites. First sightings here in the 15 years I have lived in the area; I have been checking over the years and been expecting them to turn up. Jack Harrison

Two Ringlets - one in Orton Longueville area of Peterborough (Grid ref:TL165965) and one in the Woodston area of Peterborough (Grid ref:TL186579). Trevor Wilson

Roydon (Grid ref:TL415094) A single perfect specimen of Marbled White. After 40 years of butterfly watching this is very exciting! (& a number of Ringlets also seen y'day.) Faith Davis

Wednesday 2nd July
Brenthall Wood, Harlow (Grid ref:TL478101) Four Purple Hairstreaks were present in a high oak at the corner of the wood at 8 pm. Jan Hein van Steenis

Tuesday 1st July
Monks Wood We returned to the wood again to look primarily for the White Admiral, we found a good number of them along the ride to the east of the cross rides at TL198802, seeing up to 3 at a time (see attached photos). I would estimate that we saw 10+ individuals during our visit.
Rosalyn also spotted a female Purple Hairstreak drying her wings in the long grass at the side of this ride (see attached photos). Another quick visit at 7.00pm confirmed that the Purple Hairstreaks are about in large numbers, I saw dozens flying high in the canopies of favoured oaks. Phil Bromley & Rosalyn Payne

Hatfield Forest, Essex (Grid ref:TL537199) Had a dash down the Forest after work last night to see if I could connect with the SWFs seen y'day but no luck. It was still very warm (17:15-18:15) and there were butterflies flying, but not what we wanted! 1 Large White, 3 Comma (inc 1 of the light variety), 20 Meadow Brown, 15 Ringlet, 1 Speckled Wood & 1 Large Skipper. Mike Harris
Orwell Clunch Pit Transect: (Grid ref:TL365506) Comma 1, Meadow Brown 81, Ringlet 56 & Small Heath 2. Tony Roberts
Devil's Dyke (Grid ref:TL590640) Marbled White (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1) together with numerous Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and several Large Whites. The whole of the Dyke is carpeted in Pyramidal Orchids and quite a sight. Tony Moverley

Many thanks to Graham Bailey for sending in this:
My friend Paul Potton counted 8 White Admirals yesterday pm (Tues 1st July) from Hadleigh Great Wood, of which Belfairs is a part. This was in a different part of the wood where we both found 3 of them on Sunday when it was mostly cloudy, when we also found 60 + Heath fritillary, 3 Commas, plenty of Ringlets and Meadow browns and also Large and Small skippers, and a couple of Large whites.
The wood is looking the best I've ever seen it, with plenty of bramble in flower and honeysuckle everywhere. An older friend of ours remembers several species of fritillary from this wood when he was younger back in the 1950's, esp. the High Brown which was quite common there. If only that were the case now! It will never get back to its former glory, but it is very heartening to see both the Heath fritillaries and White admirals doing so well at present. Graham Bailey

June 2008

Monday 30th June
Cambourne Grid Ref:TL309590) First Marbled White for this new settlement, also 30+ Meadow Brown, lots Ringlet, 5 Large Skipper and 2 Small Skipper. Louise Bacon

Holt Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL403544) Essex Skipper 3, Small Skipper 2, Brimstone 1, Small White 1, Red Admiral 1, Marbled White 1, Meadow Brown 51 & Ringlet 33. Tony Roberts
Telegraph Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL408545) Essex Skipper 1, Small White 1, Meadow Brown 60& Ringlet 35. Tony Roberts
Mill Road Cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582) This evening: Several Meadow Brown (mainly in the longer grass at the N end), plus 1 summer Comma and a Red Admiral. Nick Ballard

Monks Wood (Grid ref:TL195798) During a two hour visit between 12.30 & 2.30pm, I saw 12 species of butterfly. White Admiral 4, Black Hairstreak 1, Purple Hairstreak 1, Comma 3, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Red Admiral 1, Small Skipper 2, Large Skipper 11, Marbled White (in East Field) 8, plus lots of Meadow Brown, Ringlet & Speckled Wood. Phil Bromley

Hatfield Forest, Essex Two Silver-washed Fritillaries. At 3pm, walking down the wide ride separating Lodge coppice and Round coppice (TL531198) in hope rather than any expectation, a Silver-washed Fritillary flew past like a bullet at head height and was gone before 100% ID was made. Then, duly alerted to their likely presence, another individual was seen nectaring on bramble flower a few yards away. Tony Moverley & Zander Ratcliffe

Sunday 29th June
Fairlop Waters, Ilford (Grid ref:TQ455904) Small Heath. Kathleen Black
Brampton Wood (Grid ref:TL184698) 2 White Admirals (see photo) circling near the pond; 2 Comma, 1 Red Admiral (see photo), a few Large Skippers, the odd Large White and, as my brother would say, "more Ringlets and Meadow Browns than you can shake a stick at!". Nick Ballard
Jack Harrison on a brief visit also to Brampton Wood reports:
Numerous Ringlets and Meadow Browns, a few Small Skippers and three Commas form hutchisoni. This is the pale mid-summer form that does not hibernate. Hutchinsoni breed to produce dark forms in late summer and these join slower developers from the hibernated individuals from previous season; these are also dark. (See attached photo).Jack Harrison
London Road, Harlow (Grid ref:TL473102 to TL472109) 7 White-letter Hairstreaks were seen between 7:30 and 8:20 this morning. Jan Hein van Steenis

Saturday 28th June
Latton Park (just south of Harlow) (Grid ref:TL470075) 2 Large White, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 35 Meadow Brown, 40 Speckled Wood, 10 Ringlet & 6 Small/Essex Skipper. Mike Harris
Belfairs NR / Hadleigh Castle CP (Grid ref:TQ817879) Thanks to the previous post, had a family trip to Belfairs Wood & Hadleigh Castle CP in Essex:
In Belfairs Wood: Heath Fritillaries (lots) and a few White Admirals. NB: One of the White Admirals was aberrant and had most of the white missing from it's wings (see first photo).
In Hadleigh Castle CP: Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Small White, Large White, Small Heath, Commas, Large, Small and Essex Skippers, Holly Blues, Marbled Whites (see photo) & 1 White-letter Hairstreak. Trevor Sawyer
Great Chishill, South Cambs (Grid ref:TL425393) Pleased to see Marbled Whites again, first seen here in 2007 (been watching this meadow for past 15 years). Three males and one female bode well for this new colony. Incidentally, not too far away at Therfield Heath, Royston (in Herts), the colony there, established since circa 2003, is now thriving with very good numbers.
Also in Great Chishill, meadows numerous Ringlets (easily the commonest species) plus lesser numbers of Meadow Browns, Small Heaths, Small and Large Skippers. In my garden in the village, one fresh brood Small Tortoiseshell.
Have attached image of Small Skipper which shows the orange coloured tips to the antennae. The very similar Essex has black tips. Jack Harrison
Brampton Wood (Grid ref:TL180704) After finding someone who could provide me with a location (I should have checked the website a bit closer!), I went to TL180704 and saw:
1 Black Hairstreak at 11:15 (I was there between 11:00 and 12:45, and I didn't even find it myself...). My patience was awarded with 1 White Admiral though (at least two were seen by others along the Main and Cross Rides). Jan Hein van Steenis
Fleam Dyke transect (Grid ref:TL549542) Did the transect today - seemed the best opportunity despite the wind. Time:1:00pm to 2:45pm; Temp: 19C to 21C; Wind WSW Strength 4/5 gusty; Cloudy with sunny intervals.
37 butterflies, 6 species:
14 Meadow Brown; 12 Ringlet; 5 Small Heath; 4 Large Skipper; 1 Small White; 1 Speckled Wood. Not a bad count considering the conditions. A few more Ringlet and Meadow Brown and the odd Large Skipper and Small Heath outside transect. Also Pyrimidal orchids over the A14. Nick Ballard
Wicken Fen (Grid ref:TL555705) A walk around the outside of Sedge Fen produced the following:
Hornet moth - pair in cop (see attached photo), Ringlet 21, Meadow Brown 28, Large Skipper 22, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Red Admiral 1 and Brimstone 1 fem.
Also lots of Ruddy darters out inc. one mature male. Kathleen Rosewarne & Ian Barton
Westfield Farm, Comberton (Grid ref:TL376546) Transect: Essex Skipper 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 1, Meadow Brown 51, Ringlet 2, Small Heath 3. Tony Roberts

Thursday 26th June
Girton (Grid ref:TL423630) Meadow Brown 4. Tony Roberts
Lark Rise Farm Transect, Barton (Grid ref:TL415555) Small Skipper 1, Large White 1, Small White 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1 & Meadow Brown 43. Tony Roberts
Brampton Wood (Grid ref:TL179701) This afternoon... 1 Black Hairstreak (dissappeared too fast for photograph), 1 very fresh White Admiral (see photo - didn't come down from high foliage), 3 Large Skippers (photo), 1 Red Admiral, + Commas, Ringlets, Meadow Browns. Trevor Sawyer
Malcolm Anderson also reports White Admiral at Brampton (Grid ref:TL182703) today.

Many thanks to Mark Bunch who has sent in this:
I thought other website visitors might like to know of a lovely day I had at Belfairs Woods (TQ817879) and Hadleigh Castle CP (near Southend-on-Sea) (TQ800860) today.
Belfairs Wood:Heath Fritillary 40-50, Ringlet and Meadow Brown:abundant, Small Skipper:10, Brimstone:1, Large White:5, Holly Blue:1, White Admiral:4 & Red Admiral:2 (photos attached).
Hadleigh CP: Small Skipper:abundant, Essex Skipper:40-50, Large Skipper:10, Large White:10, Green-veined White:5, White-letter Hairstreak:15, Purple Hairstreak:2, Holly Blue:10, Common Blue:4,Red Admiral:4, Comma:10-15, Small Tortoiseshell:1, Marbled White, Meadow Brown and Ringlet: abundant in long grass, Small Heath:5-10 (photos attached).
During the day, I saw literally hundreds of butterflies, surrounded by singing Chiff-chaffs, Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Skylarks! Mark Bunch

Wednesday 25th June
Sweyne Park, Rayleigh (Grid ref:TQ800921) Just a quick walk around this 'wild' park, but found my first Marbled Whites this year (8 seen). Also reasonable numbers of Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Small Skippers, as well as Large Skippers, Common Blues, Speckled Woods and a few Burnet Companion moths.
More cloud than sun, but the Marbled whites should build up to good numbers here. Graham Bailey
Monks Wood (Grid ref:TL195798) At about 11.00am on a main E-W ride, a Male Purple Hairstreak took to the wing a couple of yards in front of me and flew high up into a nearby oak tree. I assume that it had emerged this morning. Ten minutes later, further down the ride, the same thing happened again. Other sightings were Small Skipper 2, Large Skipper 6, numerous Speckled Wood, Ringlet & Meadow Brown. Phil Bromley
Hanningfield Reservoir (Transect) (Grid ref:TQ737976)
Butterflies:Large White 1, Common Blue 9, Large Skipper 1, Small Skipper 9, Ringlet 11, Meadow Brown 40, Speckled Wood 1.
Damselfies: Azure 27, Red-eyed 1, Blue-tailed 3; 4-spot Chaser, Emperor 2, Black-tailed Skimmer 2.
Moths:Silver Ground Carpet 2, Yellow shell 1, Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet 2, Silver Y 1, Shaded Broad-bar 1.
Low numbers but a bit more encouraging. Jim Smith
Mill Road Cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582) First butterfly for weeks, it seems - 1 Meadow Brown at lunchtime. Nick Ballard

Tuesday 24th June
Thrift Wood (Grid ref:TL792018) Late afternoon look as a nice sunny day. At least 6 Heath Frits outand about, also several Meadow Brown and Ringlet, good to see. Russell Neave
Hinxton (near Great Chesterford) (Grid ref:TL496447) Small Heath at Hinxton today (photo attached). Jonathan Stephens
Orwell Clunch Pit Transect: (Grid ref:TL365506) Essex Skipper 4, Common Blue 1, Speckled Wood 1, Meadow Brown 54 & Small Heath 1. Tony Roberts

Monday 23rd June
Days Lane (4 miles SE of Chipping Ongar) (Grid ref:TQ592983) Days Lane setaside produced my second Small Tortoiseshell of the year (early for 2nd brood) and an early Essex Skipper together with several Meadow Browns and a Green-veined White. With a good week promised, perhaps things are looking up at last! Jim Smith
Woodwalton Marsh (BCNPWT reserve 6m N of Huntingdon) (Grid ref:TL212813) During a twenty minute visit, I saw Marbled White 4 (2 photos attached), Ringlet 3, Meadow Brown 3 and Common Blue 1. Phil Bromley

Sunday 22nd June
Hockley Woods (Grid ref:TQ834924) Despite it being very windy, it was mostly sunny and warm. Plenty of Heath Fritillaries on the wing in coppice plots in various stages of regrowth. After about two hours of wandering around the site I noted a very healthy 337 butterflies, but unfortunately only a very small proportion of these were noted from the recently coppiced areas of the winter of 2007/08. A 'satellite' coppiced section had the largest count of 93 Heath fritillaries, but this is now mostly unsuitable for egg laying as it has been colonised by long grasses and bramble, but certainly this area was full of cow wheat (the larval foodplant) last year.
Also noted were Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Large Skipper, several Speckled woods and a Silver Y moth. Graham Bailey
Benfleet Downs (Grid ref:TQ785858) Despite the gales, a few butterflies about in sheltered places today: 8 Marbled Whites, 3 Small Skippers, 1 Ringlet,1 Small Heath. Also Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Small White, Common & Holly Blue. While at Fobbing (near Stanford-le-Hope) (Grid ref:TQ716840) 1 Red Admiral & 1 Peacock. Jan Hein van Steenis

Thursday 19th June
Found 1 Marbled White today on Devil's Dyke first time ever on transect. Also recorded Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and Common Blue. Sharon Hearle.
Monks Wood. Spotted my first Ringlet of the year (photo attached). Also Large Skipper 5, numerous Speckled Wood & Meadow Brown. Phil Bromley.

Wednesday 18th June
Orwell Clunch Pit Transect: (Grid ref:TL365506) Essex Skipper 1, Green-veined White 1, Speckled Wood 5, Meadow Brown 7 & Small Heath 2. Tony Roberts.
Markshall Arboretum (4 miles E of Braintree) (Grid ref:TL841257) First sighting of Ringlet here. Jonathan Jukes

Tuesday 17th June
Brampton Wood (Grid ref:TL179701) Highlights of formal Black Hairstreak Survey were 19 at site 2 and 3 and Ringlet on Cross Ride. Roger Orbell.
Thrift Wood transect (Grid ref:TL792018) The first Heath Fritillary's (photo attached) 8, Speckled Wood 2, Meadow Brown 2, Ringlet 2 and one Large Skipper. Richard Bigg.
Monks Wood (Grid ref:TL196806) Black Hairstreak 3 (photo attached), Speckled Wood 18 & numerous Meadow Browns (50+). Phil Bromley.

Sunday 15th June
Brampton Wood (Grid ref:TL180704) Black Hairstreak, a few observations between 11am and 1pm, then more as weather improved, on branch field trip. Also seen - Meadows Browns, Speckled Woods, Single Large Skipper.

We tried to go on the field trip at Brampton Wood, but arrived late! It's a long way from Rainham so we did our own walk & found the group at the Black Hairstreak site. We saw lots of Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns, 3 Large Skippers, a lot of Black Hairstreaks flitting about & a good sighting of 1 landed (which was great). (Several photos attached). Janet Edmunds & David Jones
Woodwalton Marsh (Grid ref:TL212813) Freshly emerged Burnet moths & 4 Grizzled Skippers (3 photos attached). Charles Nicol
Belfairs NR - Dodds Grove (Grid ref:TQ817879) Heath Fritillary, easily over 100, within yards of the entrance to Dodds Grove (1 Large Skipper also) Not so many in Belfairs (4 photos attached). Rosalyn Payne & Phil Bromley

Saturday 14th June
Brampton Wood (Grid ref:TL180704) Black Hairstreak, 11 sightings today between 1.30pm & 2pm. Roger Orbell & Charles Nicol
Bretons outdoor centre, Rainham (Grid ref:TQ516848) A few Speckled Woods, 1 Small White, 1 Large White, 1 Small Heath & about 10 Holly Blues. We also saw 2 lots of Peacock caterpillars in the nettles. (Various photos attached) Janet Edmunds & David Jones.
Eversden Wood 25+ Speckled wood, 6 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Also saw a Red-tipped Clearwing (photo attached) nectaring on an umbellifer, 4 or 5 Nemophora degeerella and 1 Adela rufimitrella. Kathleen Rosewarne and Ian Barton

Thursday 12th June
Little Chesterford, Essex. 3 Meadow Brown, 1 Common Blue & 1 Sitochroa verticalis moth, but no Four-spotted moths, public footpath near Research Park. Sharon Hearle, Tim Sizer & Louise Bacon

Wednesday 11th June
Brampton Wood (Grid ref:TL182699) 3 Meadow Brown, 1 Red Admiral & 1 Large Skipper (2 photos attached). Charles Nicol.

Tuesday 10th June
Black Hairstreak seen today at Glapthorn (Northamptonshire) by me and several others (it was found by Doug Goddard). Apparently flying in Oxfordshire last weekend. So the planned Brampton Wood search this weekend shouldn't be too early as some might have feared in this slightly late season. Jack Harrison.

Monday 9th June
Thrift Wood (Grid ref:TL790017) 6 Heath Fritillary. Roy Pennock
Hinxton (near Great Chesterford) (Grid ref:TL496447) Large Skipper (photo attached), 2 Common Blues and Red Admiral. Jonathan Stephens
Shepreth L moor. Brimstone 1+ male, Small White 1 male, Speckled Wood 2+, Small Heath 2+. Guy Manners

Sunday 8th June
Thrift Wood (Grid ref:TL790017) 4 Heath Fritillary (photo attached). Roy Pennock
Fleam Dyke - A14 to old railway section (Grid ref:TL545545) Several tatty Brimstones, including mating pair, 3 Small Heath, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Common Blue, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Peacock and 1 Large White (various photos attached). Nick Ballard
D'Engayne's Fen, next to Wilbraham Fen SSSI (Grid ref:TL512593) 2 Common Blue and 1 Brown Argus, a Large Skipper, plus a couple of Small Heath (3 photos attached).Nick Ballard
Found this Orange tip Larva in the garden of Argyle Street Housing Co-Op on Garlic Mustard (photo attached). Also spotted a Holly Blue here. Nick Ballard
East Barnwell LNR (Grid ref:TL479582) At the edge of Cambridge Airport, there were in excess of half-a-dozen Common Blue males and also a few females (2 photos attached). Plus a few Brown Argus and the odd Small Heath. Nick Ballard
Rettendon Common (Grid ref:TQ767982) In a field down to grass within 100 yards at the rear of our house I spotted at least 6 Small Heaths all flying in a small short grassy area this afternoon. We have been here almost 30 years but it is the first time I have ever seen more than one at a time. Ken Ulrich
Ingrebourne Valley (Grid ref:TQ536842) Butterflies:Peacock, 2 Large Whites, Brimstone, 11 Common Blues, Holly Blue, 2 Brown Argus, Large Skipper, 2 Small Skippers, 3 Green Hairstreaks, Small Heath, Speckled Wood and 5 Small Whites.
Dragonflies: 2 Four Spotted Chasers, many Banded Demoiselles & 6 Black-tailed Skimmers. Dave Morrison
(Taken from posting on the London Birders forum website - observer's permission previously granted - Editor)

Friday 6th June
Lark Rise Farm, Barton. Brimstone 2, Red Admiral 1, Common Blue 1. Louise Bacon

Thursday 5th June
Mill Road Cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582) Pair of Speckled Woods circling each other for at least 15 mins (2 photos attached). Nick Ballard
Brampton Wood (Grid ref:TL179701) Large Skipper (photos attached). Charles Nicol.
Westfield Farm, Comberton (Grid ref:TL376546) 1 Small Heath. Val Perrin.
Wimpole South Avenue Around 10 Small Heath, 1 Common Blue and 2 Red Admiral. Louise Bacon
Chesterford Research Park (near Little Chesterford) Found 5 Four-spotted moth along the public footpath that runs parallel to the the road leading to the Research park. Hopefully there will be even more around for the event on Thursday 12th. Sharon Hearle.

Wednesday 4th June
Cambourne Transect 2 Speckled Wood and 1 Red Admiral. Louise Bacon
Hardwick Wood (Grid ref:TL375595) 1 Red Admiral on transect, 1 Large Skipper afterwards. Louise Bacon
Mill Road Cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582) 2 Speckled Wood and 1 Small White. Nick Ballard

May 2008

Saturday 31st May
Crown Lakes CP, Farcet (Grid ref:TL198947) During a two hour visit, we recorded the following: Wall Brown 2, Common Blue 54, Orange-tip 7 (6 female, 1 male), Small / GV White 7, Small Copper 1, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 1 & Brimstone 1 (photos attached). Rosalyn Payne & Phil Bromley

Thursday 29th May
Woodwalton Marsh (BCNPWT reserve 6m N of Huntingdon) (Grid ref:TL212813) The most Grizzled Skippers I have seen here this year, 10+, Small Heath 7, Brown Argus 4, GV White 2, Orange-tip 2, Small Copper 1, Common Blue 1 & Peacock 1 (photos attached). Phil Bromley
Orwell Clunch Pit (Grid ref:TL365506) Small White 2, Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 1 & Speckled Wood 1. Tony Roberts
Old Railway Line, Comberton (Grid ref:TL377544) Brimstone 9, Small White 2 & Peacock 2. Tony Roberts
Offord (Grid ref:TL213661) I took these pictures near Offord today. There were 6 Mother Shiptons on a patch of ground ivy. I also saw 3 Brown Argus, 3 Brimstones & 1 Peacock. Charles Nicol

Saturday 24th May
Great Chishill, South Cambs (Grid ref:TL425394) Photo of Small Heath. Grassland site approx 6 hectares in size, one Small Heath at least every 25 metres over every part of site I looked at with on occasions, three (presumed males) seen sparring together. Numbers here have increased steadily over the past few years and the population density is as good as anywhere in my experience. Jack Harrison

Friday 23rd May
Burwell Cutting, Reach (Grid ref:TL575652) Several Small Heath, Small/GV Whites, a few Orange-Tip and Brown Argus, 1 Green Hairstreak, 3 Male Common Blue & 1 Peacock (3 photos attached). Nick Ballard
Devil's Dyke (Grid ref:TL590640) Caterpillars near car park (photo attached) the odd Small/GV White and a few Small Heath, Brown Argus and Common Blues. No Dingy Skippers...Nick Ballard
Thanks again to Trevor Sawyer for the identification of the caterpillars as those of Emperor moth. Editor

Wednesday 21st May
Cowes Farm, Dodinghurst (3 miles SE of Ongar) (Grid ref:TQ581978) Had a worn migrant Painted Lady today at about 16:30. Could this be a forerunner of another big year? The winds are right. Jim Smith
Mill Road Cemetery, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460582) 5 Holly Blue, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Small White & 1 Green-veined White. Nick Ballard
Telegraph Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL408545) Small White 1. Orange tip 2. Common Blue 1. Tony Roberts
Tinkers Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL407548) Brimstone 1. Small White 1. Green-veined White 1. Orange Tip 1. Peacock 1. Small Tortoiseshell 1. Tony Roberts

Tuesday 20th May
Brampton Wood (Grid ref:TL182699) I found this beautiful Small Copper. Also the caterpillars... I do not know what species they are. Charles Nicol. Thanks to Trevor Sawyer for their identification as Drinker moth caterpillars. Editor
Orwell Clunch Pit (Grid ref:TL365506) On transect: Brimstone 3. Small White 2. Green-veined White 2. Common Blue 1. Speckled Wood 1. Tony Roberts
Holt Field, Barton (Grid ref:TL403544) Small White 3. Orange Tip 2. Tony Roberts
Old Nags, Barton (Grid ref:TL398545) Small White 1. Green-veined White 1. Tony Roberts

Monday 19th May
Buckden (Grid ref:TL210663) One Brown Argus (photos attached). Charles Nicol

Sunday 18th May
Two Tree Island (EWT Reserve) (Grid ref:TQ824852) We went to the Two Tree Island open day, was windy but we managed to see our first Red Admiral (photos attached) of the year, at least 5 Holly Blues (photo attached), 3 male & 3 female Orange Tips, 2 Green-veined Whites & at least 10 Small Whites. A good day didn't expect to see that many. Janet Edmunds & David Jones

Wednesday 14th May
Old Railway line, Comberton (Grid ref:TL377544) Brimstone 4. Small White 7. Green-veined White 3. Small Tortoiseshell 1. Peacock 2. Tony Roberts
Part Westfield Farm, Comberton (Grid ref:TL376546) Brimstone 3. Small White 12. Green-veined White 4. Peacock 1. Speckled Wood 1. Tony Roberts
Crown Lakes CP, Farcet (just S of Peterborough) (Grid ref:TL198947) 4 Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue, Small Heath and Wall. These were all near the Green Wheel cycle bridge near the main railway line. Also recorded Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper and Wall at the Froglife Hamptons reserve. Sharon Hearle
Danbury Common (Grid ref:TL780039) On 20 mins or so walk round the Nature Reserve, there were upwards of a dozen Brimstone, I lost count. There were several mating dances in progress with sometimes two males fluttering round one female. Overall the males seemed to outnumber the females by about 3 to 1. Richard Bigg.

Tuesday 13th May
Orwell Clunch Pit (Grid ref:TL365506) Clouded Yellow 1. Brimstone 2. Large White 2. Green-veined White 1. Common Blue1. Speckled Wood 3. Small Heath2 on transect. Tony Roberts

Burwell Cutting, Reach (Grid ref:TL575652) We returned to here and saw Common Blue 3 (2 females & 1 male), Small Copper 1, Small Heath 2, Green Hairstreak 6, Orange-tip 4, Peacock 3 & Speckled Wood 3 - (photos attached). Also saw a Red Admiral near the car park at Reach. Phil Bromley & Rosalyn Payne

Devil's Dyke (Grid ref:TL590640) I had a further search today in cooler, breezier but just as sunny weather as field trip on 11th. Dingies and Green H's both present again along the transect route area but a more detailed search was conducted from beyond this oint to the A14 and along the 'mini dyke' that runs parallel to the transect route.
Well Gap to Bomber Gap: Dingy Skipper 8, Green Hairstreak 3.
Bomber gap: nil.
Bomber Gap to A14: Dingy Skipper 1, Green Hairstreak 3, Brown Argus, 1.
Mini Dyke: Green Hairstreak, 3. Administrative county suffolk, Vice county Cambridgeshire (This is the bit north of the race-horse track.)
Other species seen included slightly better numbers of Small Heath (all areas) and a splendid male Emperor moth. Vince Lea

Monday 12th May
Buckden (Grid ref:TL190674) Today I found this Holly Blue about to lay an egg on a bush in our garden, Charles Nicol

Sunday 11th May
Branch field trip to Devil's Dyke, led by Vince Lea and initially attended by 11 others. The final tally on the racecourse transect section was 57 Dingy Skippers and 23 Green Hairstreaks (photo by Hazel Orbell) with 12 people searching whole of the bank (so more intensive than the transect method). 8 of the Dingies were as 4 mating pairs (photo by Hazel Orbell) and 1 was ovipositing (egg photographed).
In the afternoon, several of us moved on to the Reach end of the Dyke having heard that a Grizzled Skipper had been seen here the previous day - a species not seen at this site for probably 3 decades or so! Here we saw a further 10 Green Hairstreaks, together with 1-2 Brown Argus, Small Copper and Common Blue. Although we failed to spot a Grizzled, we were fortunate enough to meet up with Phil Bromley & Rosalyn Payne who had seen one just prior to our arrival (see sightings report below). Click here for FULL TRIP REPORT. Vince Lea

Burwell Cutting, Reach (Grid ref:TL575652) Grizzled Skipper 1, Small Copper 1 & Brown Argus 1 (3 photos attached). Rosalyn Payne & Phil Bromley

Saturday 10th May
Northwick Rd site, Canvey Island) (Grid ref:TQ760837) Wall Brown - at least 6 males and one female, mostly at eastern end of site. Small Heath one, Orange Tip 4-5, Speckled Wood 6, Holly Blue 5+, Peacock 2