| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| July 2025 |
|---|
| Date | Location | Species | Reporter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th | Langdon Hills EWT Plotlands/Great Berry. | Comma, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Common Blue, Small Copper | Andrew Cox | Female silver washed fritillary, feeding on bramble. At least four small coppers. Two marbled white. |
| 6th | Grants Meadow Allotments, Colchester (TM0124) | Peacock, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Ole Wiedenmann | small part of on the western site of the allotments, more than 20 Gatekeepers, +10 Ringlets and Meadow Browns, several Small Copper and Small Skipper and large Whites, single individuals of the other species mentioned (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 5th | Aversley Wood (TL162819) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak | Rosalyn Payne | 8.30-10am Sunny Periods, windy. Silver-washed Fritillary 5, White-letter Hairstreak 3, Comma 1, Red Admiral 4, Speckled Wood 1. |
| 4th | Thaxted (TL6131) | Peacock, Painted Lady, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Common Blue | Stephen Dutton | 45 Marbled White, 35 Meadow Brown, 25 Large White, 10 Small White, 2 Green veined White, 8 Small Skipper, 8 Gatekeeper, 4 Peacock, 2 Painted Lady, 2 Ringlet, 1 Common Blue (fresh male) |
| 4th | Thames Estuary Path, East Tilbury (TQ694781) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue | David Lazarus | Large numbers of Essex Skipper & Gatekeeper; good numbers of all 3 whites; Wall numbers reduced by SW wind but increasing [29]; second brood Common Blue & Brown Argus in double figures (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 4th | Shoeburyness,essex | Comma, Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Small Copper | Steve Day | In garden |
| 4th | Shadwell Wood (TL5741) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Large White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Purple Hairstreak | John Landels | 12+ SWF and 2 Purple Emperors in Dunns Clearing. |
| 4th | Rowney Wood (TL5733) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Purple Emperor, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper | Richard Berry | 3 PE flying high in the oak canopy 1 WA also flying in canopy, did descend, but did not land. |
| 4th | Langdon Hills (TQ6786) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | 1 male patrolling at the territory briefly chased a 2nd male early afternoon. |
| 4th | Eastcliff Footpath, Holland on Sea (TM192159) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Wall, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, White-letter Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Brian Goodey | Five holly blues and fourteen speckled woods, and an unexpected wall brown (only the second I've seen in northeast Essex in the last ten years. |
| 4th | Brampton Woods | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Nola Bowles | |
| 4th | Brampton Wood (TL184698) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Steve Binding | Mid morning sunny warm 25c+. (51)PCock.(13)Comma.(5)RedAD.(2/3)WhtAD. (16)SilvWFrit.(1)MarbWht.(2)SpecW. Lots of Ringlet+GateK. Some MedBrn. (27)LrgWht.(1)Smwht.(14)GVWht.(4m)Brim. (32)LrgSkip.(11)smSkip.(6)BrnArg.(1)HollyB. (1m)ComBlue.(2)SmCopper.(10+)PurpHS . (1)WhtLtHS. Search includes a section of field edge Top ride to East ride. |
| 3rd | Woodwalton Marsh (TL212813) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Steve Binding + Roger Orbell | Sun, cloud warm 20c.11.40/2.20pm. (3)EssexSkip.(23)SmSkip.(5)LrgSkip. (12)LrgWht.(5)SmWht.(2)GVWht. plenty Ringlet, MedBrn , UN ID White. (20+)MarbWht.(2m+1fm)Brim.(33)PCock. (1)PLady.(3)Comma.(6/7)GateK.(1)RedAD. (6)BrnArg.(3m+1fm)ComBlue.(1)PurpHS. (1)WhtLtHS. |
| 3rd | Woodwalton Green Lane (TL209813) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Steve Binding + Roger Orbell | Sun, cloud, breezy 2.30pm . Only some species counted. (50+)Peacock.(3)RdAD.(1)PLady(3)Comma. (1)Brim.(3/4)Marbwht.(6/7)BrnArg. (2/3)ComBlue.(4)SmTort.(4)SmCopper. (1)SmHeath.(6)GateK. Plenty MedB. Ringlet. Sm/essexSkip.SmWht.LrgWht.odd GVWht. |
| 3rd | Thaxted (TL6031) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Richard Berry | Single tatty WLH seen feeding on thistle 3 Purple Hairstreak sitting high in oaks good numbers of all other species (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 3rd | Rowney Wood (TL5733) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Purple Emperor, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper | Rob Pople | 09:55‒11:55. Mostly clear/sunny; c.18-21°C. Mainly in SW quadrant of Wood [my first visit, so don't know how representative this part / spp. listed is?]. 1+ White Admiral. 4+ Purple Emperor (in oak just W of central path 'crossroads'). Also brief views of unID'ed hairstreak [Purple?]. |
| 3rd | Holland Haven (TM216170) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Small Copper | Brian Goodey | Two marbled whites from two separate locations. Hundreds of small and large whites, and small skippers plentiful. |
| 3rd | Great Holland Pits NR (TM201192) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Purple Emperor, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Essex Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue | David Lazarus | A couple of Purple Emperor in the canopy of the oaks at the pond congregation area. Half-a-dozen tatty White Admiral - mostly female.Good numbers of Gatekeeper & new brood whites. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 3rd | Devils Dyke Newmarket Racecourse (TL615616) | Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Brown Argus, Chalk Hill Blue | Richard Berry | Chalk Hill Blue - too numerous to count Mostly males, but a few females seen, including mating pairs (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 1st | Hatfield Forest (TL5218) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | At the Wall wood territory Woodside Green early afternoon ,a brief male around the tree tops and a female cruising around lower down , not seen to interact. |
| 1st | Great Holland Pits NR (TM202192) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Purple Emperor, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Copper | Brian Goodey | At least two purple emperors seen on several occasions over The Tarn. Loads of freshly emerged gatekeepers; a few tired large skippers. All smaller skippers examined were Essex skippers. |
| June 2025 |
|---|
| Date | Location | Species | Reporter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30th | St. Faith's Park, Brentwood (TQ585936) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Barbara Beckett | 12-1pm on very hot sunny day. 3 Marbled White seen for only the second time at this site. 40+ Small/Essex Skippers. 2 Common Blue. 2 Purple Hairstreak. 10+ Ringlet. 200+ Meadow Brown. Grass fields have not yet been cut which is unusual. |
| 30th | Sea wall Goldhanger | Other butterfly | Stephen Murray | Possible Bath White butterfly seen at 2.30pm today |
| 30th | Monks Wood (TL1979) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Purple Hairstreak | P Bromley R Payne R&S Orbell J Winterbottom Etc | A walk around the SW corner of Monks Wood produced 17 species this morning including 10+ Silver-washed Fritillaries. The Purple Emperor was seen in the parking area at Brown's Gate. |
| 30th | Litlington, South Cambs (TL311428) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue | Phillip Hastings | Surge in garden sightings over last few days coinciding with buddleia and lavender coming into flower. 3-4 x Peacock 2-3 x Large White, Small White, Meadow Brown 1 x Red Admiral, Marbled White, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Comma, Brimstone (m), Holly Blue (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 30th | Devils Dyke (July Course End) (TL614161) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Dark Green Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Chalk Hill Blue | Paul Fisher | 07.30-10.00 AM Visit 21-29C. No Overall Count Done But Of Note: x2 Chalkhill Blue Males Seen In Section 2. x7 Dark Green Fritillary's, 4 Of Which Were Very Worn. x3 Small Copper's. x1 Painted Lady. Plenty Of Gatekeepers Along The Eastern Side Of The Dyke. Lots Of Peacocks. |
| 29th | Woodwalton Fen (TL230850) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Purple Emperor, Small White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Purple Hairstreak | Diana Spencer | At least 3 Purple Emperor around the bungalow, Purple Hairstreaks very high up. Hot but very cloudy. |
| 29th | Woodland Trust wood, Theydon Bois (TQ457979) | Purple Emperor | Ian Watts | 6pm. Single territorial male. |
| 29th | South Essex Woods (TQ835916) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Heath Fritillary, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Wall, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus | David Lazarus | Last 30 Heath Fritillary across all sites; second brood Wall at Hockley Woods; all 4 new brood whites in all woods & in good numbers; White Admiral & Silver-washed Fritillary in both Hadleigh Great Wood & Hockley Woods. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 29th | Beachet Wood, Tawney Common (TL491012) | Purple Emperor | Ian Watts | 8pm. Single seen high on north western fringe of wood. |
| 28th | Woodwalton Fen | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Purple Hairstreak | Alan Day | |
| 28th | Monks Wood (TL198792) | Comma, Peacock, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper | Simon Ingate | Comma x 3, Peacock x 2, Comma x 3, Silver Washed Fritillary x 10, Brimstone x 3, Marbled White x 6, Large Skipper - lots, Meadow Brown x 10, Ringlet x 20 also Small white x 3 Green Veined White x 2, 4 x White Admirals (some video - can this be uploaded)? |
| 28th | Houghton Meadows (TL293717) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Small Copper | Jeremy Milne | White-letter Hairstreak 2, Purple Hairstreak 1, Small Copper 8 |
| 28th | Holme Fen (TL2089) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper | Diana Spencer | 6+ Silver Washed Fritillary throughout Holme Fen, mainly near Holme Fen Posts. 50+ Red Admirals. |
| 28th | Hatfield Forest (TL5218) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | Single male holding territory at the pond/cattle grid Wall wood, early afternoon. |
| 27th | Woodwalton Fen (TL230849) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Purple Emperor, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Purple Hairstreak | Alan Owers | 5 purple emperors around bungalow at one stage this afternoon including 1 that spent more than half an hour on my hand. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 27th | Perry Lagoons + meadow (TL157669) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Steve Binding | 11am/2.20pm sun, cloud, breezy but hot. (12)Pcock(25)Comma.(18)RedAD.(1)PLady. (31)LrgWht.(45)SmWht.(18)GVWht. so many UN ID White. Lots of MedBrn + Ringlet.(11)Gatekeeper. (4)SmCopper.(3)LrgSkip.(23)SmSkip ID. (2)PurpHS.(1)SpecWood.(3)SilvWashFrit. (3fm+2m)Brim.(1)ComBlue.(1)BrnArg both 2nd gen . Good numbers thanks to masses of bramble and thistles. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 27th | Monks Wood (TL488036) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak | Andrew Terrell | Friday afternoon, 3pm to 4pm. Sunny intervals, 27 degrees. |
| 27th | Monks Wood (TL488036) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak | Andrew Terrell | Friday afternoon, 3pm to 4pm. Sunny intervals, 27 degrees. |
| 27th | Monks Wood (TL205805) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Purple Hairstreak | Alan Owers | Single purple emperor on scat along footpath outside wood at Woodwalton end. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 27th | Hatfield Forest (TL5421) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | 2 males chasing at the gate 32 territory. |
| 27th | Hatfield Forest (TL5321) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | 3 males at north west territory. |
| 27th | Hatfield Forest (TL5320) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | 2 males clashing at central west territory, 2 females and a male at eight wantz. |
| 27th | Hatfield Forest (TL5319) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | 3 males chasing at Lodge cottage and 2 at Central. |
| 27th | Abberton Reservoir & Roman River SSSI (TL962177) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Purple Emperor, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | 8+ Purple Emperor at the entrance to the reserve; large numbers of Purple Hairstreak; both Meadow Brown & Large White in very good numbers at both sites; Comma doing well too. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 26th | High Wood Gt Dunmow (TL6022) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | Early afternoon, 1 Female along the side of the wood and 2 males chasing at the territory here. |
| 26th | Hatfield Forest (TL535212) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue | David Lazarus | Very large numbers of Ringlet; good numbers of Small & Large Skipper, Comma & Silver-washed Fritillary; 4 Purple Emperor with two low-flying through a ride. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 25th | Rowney wood (TL5733) | White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | 14 Purple Emperors here this morning 10.00- 12.30, 13 Sallow searching/Oak edging males and 1 female, 2 SWF, 2 White Admiral including 1 aberration with no white bands on the upper wing. |
| 25th | Roughtalleys Wood Local Nature Reserve (TL488036) | Red Admiral, Purple Emperor, Large White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown | Tom Simon | Purple Emperors flying around the canopy in the NE corner of Roughtalleys Wood. Viewable from right angle bend in long boardwalk. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 25th | Phyllis Currie EWT Reserve, Great Leighs (TL721182) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Copper | George Brown | Sunny and warm, S wind. !.40-2.20p.m. Single Small tortoisehell, Peacock, Speckled wood and Small heath. 2 Marbled whites and Small coppers. (Also Small/Essex skippers not specifically identified). |
| 25th | Monks Wood, Cambridgeshire (TL198792) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper | Richard Bircham | Large numbers of Comma and Marbled White. |
| 25th | Lingwood Common (TL775059) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | My first Purple of Emperor of 2025 at Lingwood Common; good numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary, Meadow Brown & Ringlet (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 25th | Great Staughton Meadow (TL127646) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Small Copper | Steve Binding | Late afternoon, overcast but warm 25c. (10)GVWht.(3)LrgWht.(10)Smwht lots of UN ID White.(21)MarbWht. Plenty MedBrn Some Ringlet. (2)LrgSkip.SM/Essex Skip Lots of. (4)EssexSkip . (2)fresh looking male Brimstone. (1)PLady.(1)SmTort.(2)RedAD.(1)PCock. (11)Comma.(26)SmHeath.(1)SmCopper. Search includes top headgerow of 2nd meadow. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 25th | Great Holland Pits NR (TM202192) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Purple Emperor, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Small Copper | Brian Goodey | C14, P2, RA3, WA8, PE3, B3, SWt5, LW3, GW2, SWd1, SH3, R13, MB21, LS2, SS14, ES2, WH6, PH5, HB1, SC2. One female and two male purple emperor. Good numbers of white admiral and comma. Our first ringlets of the year. |
| 25th | Ditton Park Wood (TL666571) | Purple Emperor | Neil Dickinson | The Purple Emperors are out! At least half a dozen different individuals around the tops of the oaks with occasional sparring between pairs. One briefly came to the ground but only lingered long enough for a poor photo that’s not worth sharing. Visit made over a hour either side of midday. Better numbers than seen here in recent years. |
| 25th | Baddow Meads (TL728061) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Meadow Brown in their 100s; highest number of recorded sightings of Marbled White seen in the floodplain ever & good numbers of Essex Skipper & Small Tortoiseshell (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 24th | Eastcliff Footpath, Holland on Sea (TM192160) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Small Copper | Brian Goodey | C5, P2, RA2, SWt13, LW4, GW1, SWd5, MB6, SS4, ES1, WH3, HB17, SC1. Second generation small and green-veined whites out in numbers, only a few checked. Small copper don't appear to have a focused first generation this year. |
| 23rd | Vange Marsh RSPB | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper | Andrew Cox | At least 43 marbled whites, many feeding on brambles. Many smaller skippers. |
| 23rd | Hatfield Forest (TL5421) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | Single territorial male at the gate 32 territory. |
| 23rd | Hatfield Forest (TL5321) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | Single territorial male at the North west territory. |
| 23rd | Hatfield Forest (TL5320) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | 2 territorial males at the central west territory. |
| 23rd | Hatfield Forest (TL5319) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | 2 Males at the Lodge cottage territory, 2 at central and a ride side newly emerged female here. |
| 23rd | Church Broom Wood, Little Leighs (TL719165) | Comma, Red Admiral, Small White, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Common Blue | George Brown | Sunny and warm, fresh W wind, 3.15-4.10p.m. 4 Commas, 1 Red admiral, 6 Ringlets, 4 Marbled whites, 1 Large skipper, 1 male Common blue. (Also c.8 Small or Essex skippers). |
| 23rd | Belton Hills to Benfleet Downs (TQ785857) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Very Large numbers of Large & Green-veined White; also, Small & Essex Skippers; 30+ White-letter Hairstreak (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 22nd | Southey Wood | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Black Hairstreak | Matthew Webb | Male Purple Emperor, female Black Hairstreak, 2, possibly 3 White Admirals, 6 Silver-washed Fritillaries and a aberrant Comma the highlights. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 22nd | Loshes Meadow (TL871369) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper | Gerard Fletcher & James Elsey | Singles of Brimstone, Red Admiral, Marbled White & Small Tortoiseshell. 4 x Comma, 4 x Small Heath,60+ Meadow Brown. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 22nd | Langdon Hills EWT Marks Hill | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Andrew Cox | At least six silver washed fritillaries, both sexes noted. At least eight white admirals. Two red admirals. One marbled white. Many ringlets & meadow browns. |
| 22nd | Langdon Hills EWT Lincewood & Great Berry | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Meadow Brown | Andrew Cox | Two each of silver washed fritillary & white admiral. At least six marbled white. |
| 22nd | Hatfield Forest (TL545210) | Comma, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Very good numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary; & a single Purple Emperor (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 22nd | Hardwick Wood (TL3557) | Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown | James Smith | |
| 22nd | Great holland pits,Great holland essex | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Essex Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Other butterfly | Steve Day | Went looking for purple emperor,possible sighting high in oak tree near bird hide, |
| 22nd | Fowlmere RSPB (TL4045) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue | Ade Cooper | Incredible number of Marbled White on the reserve and some adjacent fields. 415 counted |
| 22nd | Devil's Dyke (July Course end) (TL615361) | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Dark Green Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper | Martin Peers | Small Tortoiseshell 2 (both fresh), Dark Green Fritillary 2, Brimstone 2, Large White 10+, Small Heath 14, Marbled White c270, Ringlet 30, Meadow Brown 48, Large Skipper 3, Small Skipper 6, Essex Skipper 2 |
| 22nd | Coneyfield wood Tiptree (TL8918) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | 5 Purple Emperors at the territory here early afternoon, 4 males and 1 probable female. |
| 22nd | Birch Green (TL9418) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | 1 Male at the territory Layer Breton heath. |
| 22nd | Abberton reservoir (TL9617) | Purple Emperor, Purple Hairstreak | Laurence Drummond | At least 3 males around Oaks at the old road 12.30 |
| 22nd | 800 Wood (TL3959) | Comma, Small White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Meadow Brown | James Smith | Good numbers of whites, meadow browns and marbled whites. |
| 21st | connaught Lake, Epping Forest (TQ4095) | Comma, Silver-washed Fritillary, Large White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper | Anthony Hare | Speckled Wood 2,Marbled White 2 (seen on Grassland on the lake approach) Small/Essex Skipper 3,(constantly on wing couldn't tell them apart)Comma 3,Silver-Washed Fritillary 2,Ringlet 6,Large White 2,Large Skipper 1,Meadow Brown 3,(seen on grassland on the lake approach. |
| 21st | South Essex Woods (TQ835916) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Heath Fritillary, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Holly Blue | David Lazarus | End of season with numbers halved; Good numbers of Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Large White; Silver-washed Fritillary in all 4 woods & White Admiral seen in Hadleigh Great Wood only. |
| 21st | Paxton Pits (TL195629) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper | Steve Binding | Friends of Paxton Pits. Survey Dragonflies and Butterflies. (6)MarbWht.(15+)Ringlet. Lots of MedBrn.(7)LrgWht.(5)GVWht.(2)SmWht. Plenty of UN ID White.(6)SmSkip.(1)LrgSkip. (3)RedAD.(2)SpecW.(1)Plady Very fresh looking. (1)new Peacock.(1fm)Brim(6)Comma. Very Hot conditions so only route A surveyed. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 21st | Lordsbridge (TL3954) | Brimstone | Vince Lea | Having seen a worn individual on transect earlier in the week, surprised to see a fresh male in the garden. There's usually a few weeks gap between the generations. |
| 21st | Langdon Hills EWT Plotlands. | Comma, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Andrew Cox | One WL hairstreak |
| 21st | Giants Hill Rampton (TL432680) | White-letter Hairstreak | Chris Brown | One W-L Hairstreak after an hour searching; feeding on bramble near elms trees, viewed from within Giants Hill hay meadow (accessible to public). (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 21st | Epping Forest (TQ3995) | Speckled Wood, Ringlet | Anthony Hare | Speckled Wood 4,Ringlet 11. |
| 21st | Castor Hanglands NNR | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Black Hairstreak | Matthew Webb | 2 White Admirals, a few Silver-washed Fritillaries, a tatty Black Hairstreak and a Purple Hairstreak the highlights. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 20th | Woodwalton Fen (TL230849) | Comma, Red Admiral, Purple Emperor, Large White, Green-veined White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Purple Hairstreak | Steve Binding | 7am/10.30am hazy sunshine. Warm 17c . (1)PurpEmp.(3/4)PurpHS.(16)LrgSkip. (14)Ringlet.(2)LrgWht.(11)GVWht. (3)RedAD.(3)Comma.(3)MedBrn. Plenty UN ID White. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 20th | Marks Hill Wood & Northlands Wood (TQ686877) | Comma, Peacock, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Holly Blue | David Lazarus | 25 Silver-washed Fritillary across both woods plus a few White Admiral; v. large numbers of Meadow Brown in the rides & clearings; large numbers of Large White & Marbled White; Ringlet & Green-veined White numbers increasing; new brood Peacock (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 20th | Langdon Hills EWT Willow Park. | Comma, Peacock, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Small Copper | Andrew Cox | |
| 20th | Langdon Hills EWT Marks Hill | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Andrew Cox | At least three white admiral. Male silver washed fritillary. Two purple hairstreak. |
| 20th | Langdon Hills EWT Lincewood & Great Berry. | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue | Andrew Cox | |
| 20th | Highwoods Country Park, Northern Woodlands (Colche | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper | Ole Wiedenmann | at least 7 White Admirals, 2 Silver Washed Fritillaries, many Meadow Brown and Skippers (difficult to quantify) (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 20th | Hawkwood allotment. (TQ3795) | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet | Anthony Hare | Small Tortoiseshell 1,Red Admiral 1,Speckled Wood 3,Small White 12,Ringlet 5,Large White 3. |
| 20th | Barrington (TL4150) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Painted Lady, Large White, Clouded Yellow, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown | Paddy Grove | Lovely to see a Clouded Yellow flying in the evening sunshine |
| 19th | Thaxted (TL6131) | Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Small White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Common Blue | Stephen Dutton | 10:00 -11:00 25 deg 70 Meadow Brown,60 Marbled White, 12 Small Heath, 8 Small White, 2Small Skipper, 1x Brimstone,Small Tortoishell,Common Blue |
| 19th | Roman River SSSI - Friday Wood (TL990209) | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak | David Lazarus | White-letter Hairstreak all along Cherry Tree Lane; all 3 premier woodlanders inside Friday Wood with good numbers seen of SWF & White Admiral; single male Purple Emperor (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 19th | Meadgate Park (TL722059) | White-letter Hairstreak | David Lazarus | First White-letter Hairstreak in my local recreational park/urban green space - 3 meta-colonies found |
| 19th | Brampton Wood (TL184698) | Comma, White Admiral, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Purple Hairstreak | Steve Binding | early morning sunny 17c. (6)WhtAD.(5)SpecW.(27)LrgSkip. (23)Ringlet.(41)MedBrn.(4)SmSkip. (1)PurpHS.(3)GVWht.(1)SmWht. (6)Comma. SEV UN ID White. |
| 18th | Duck End Green, Rayne (TL721230) | White-letter Hairstreak | Andy Goodey | c.10 tussling above elms in traditional site for species |
| 17th | Yate's meadow Epping forest (TQ3895) | Comma, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Common Blue, Small Copper | Anthony Hare | speckled Wood 3 (on the woodland edge) Marbled White 21, Small & Essex skippers 10 (unable to break that number down as they were constantly on wing) Comma 1, Ringlet 1, Common Blue 3, Small Heath 39, Meadow Brown 63, Large Skipper 2, Small Copper 1. |
| 17th | Magog Down (TL4953) | Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Common Blue, Small Blue | Duncan McNiven | 4 x Small Blue inc pr in cop (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 17th | Hatfield Forest (TL529207) | Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Emperor, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | First Purple Emperor of 2025; ~250 Meadow Brown; Good numbers of new brood whites [all 4] & Comma; also good numbers and increasing Silver-washed Fritillary, Large Skipper & Ringlet. [woodland rides only - 479 butterflies] (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 17th | Bury (TL281825) | Clouded Yellow | John Temprell | An unexpected sighting while walking mid day in hot sun. Very skittish and hard to photograph as not geared up for shots of butterflies. On a footpath between crop fields. A worn individual. Flew off east across field. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 16th | Stour Wood (TM193311) | Comma, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue | David Lazarus | Good numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary and a couple of White Admiral; also, new brood Comma (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 16th | Shadwell Wood (TL5741) | Comma, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Meadow Brown | John Landels | 4 SWF in the Wood and 1 Marbled White at entrance to Wood. |
| 16th | Monks Wood (TL2080) | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak | Rosalyn Payne & Karen Sanderson | Sunny, 21 Deg, 9.45-11.45. Comma 2, Red Admiral 3, White Admiral 7, Brimstone 1, Green-veined white 2, Large Skipper 6, White-letter Hairstreak 2. |
| 16th | Langdon Hills EWT Marks Hill | Red Admiral, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue | Andrew Cox | One white admiral. Two silver washed fritillaries, male & female feeding on bramble together. |
| 16th | Langdon Hills EWT Lincewood & Great Berry Meadows. | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Essex Skipper, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Andrew Cox | One white admiral. Four marbled white. |
| 16th | Great Wilbraham Common (TL534576) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown | Chris Brown | Meadow Brown 60, Small Heath 7, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Large White 2, Green-veined White 1, Small White 4, Brimstone 1, Comma 2, Marbled White 1 |
| 16th | Great Holland Pits NR (TM202192) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Small Copper | Brian Goodey | ST1, C6, RA4, WA5, B5, SW4, LW1, GvW1, SWd4, SH2, MB11, LS2, SS6 (checked), WlH5 HB7, SC2. Earliest we've seen w-l hairsteaks. |
| 16th | Essex University, Wivenhoe Park (TM031239) | Comma, Large White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Small Skipper | Ole Wiedenmann | first Gatekeeper of the year, 50-60 Meadow Browns, 4 Commas, 1 Large White, 1 Small Heath, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Small Skipper, 2 Large Skipper (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 16th | EWT Great Holland Pits (TM201193) | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak | David Lazarus | Good numbers of White-letter Hairstreak & White Admiral and new brood Comma; all 4 whites new brood but few of them |
| 16th | Brampton Wood (TL184698) | Comma, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Black Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Steve Binding | early morning visit sunny and warm 18c. First Butterfly of the day (1).SWFrit. (10)WhtAD various locations some on brambles, (5)Comma.(16)LrgSkip.(49)MedBrn.(1)LrgWht. (5)GVWht.10 UN ID White.(1)v worn ComBlue fm. (1)V worn BrnArg.(9)Ringlet.(6)SpecW. (3)SmSkip.(1)MarbWht flying down from the top of the main ride.(2)BlkHS. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 16th | Bedford pulis | Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Black Hairstreak | Ray Church | Completely different from last Tuesday when I visited,4white Admirals towards wood and south end path ..unfortunately no photos. |
| 15th | Woodwalton Marsh (TL210812) | Dark Green Fritillary, Brimstone, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Andrew Terrell | 13:00 to 14:00, Sunny Intervals. 1 x very battered White Letter Hairstreak. 2 x very fresh Dark Green Fritillary. 1 x brimstone. Several Small Heath. Multiple Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper. 1 x each male and female very faded and battered Common Blue. 1 x very faded and battered Brown Argus. |
| 15th | Westley Heights, Church Lane Meadow. | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Large White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper | Andrew Cox | At least six each of comma & painted lady. One marbled white. |
| 15th | Langdon Hills EWT Lincewood & Great Berry. | Comma, White Admiral, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Andrew Cox | Two or three white admirals. One marbled white. |
| 15th | Hayley Wood (TL293527) | Comma, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper | John Murray & Adrian Sargent | Sunny early morning 20 degrees C. One sliver-washed fritillary seen in the open glade. Two ringlets also seen. Numerous meadow brown around woodland edge. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 15th | Havering country park (TQ5093) | Purple Emperor | Laurence Drummond | My first of the year and my earliest ever by one day, a territorial male at 14.15. |
| 15th | Hatfield forest,essex | Comma, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Common Blue | Steve Day | 30+ meadow brown ,15 marbled white,1 ringlet 1SWF |
| 15th | D'Engaynes Meadow, Stow cum Quy (TL515593) | Comma, Peacock, Large White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue | Chris Brown | 48 Marbled White, 35 Meadow Brown, 12 Small Skipper, 4 Large Skipper, 2 Common Blue, one each Comma, Specked Wood, Small Heath, Peacock, Large White. |
| 14th | Tiptree (TL8918) | Comma, White Admiral | Laurence Drummond | At Coneyfield wood early afternoon, 3 White Admiral and 4 Comma. |
| 14th | Thaxted (TL6131) | Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Small White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Stephen Dutton | 3 Marbled White (first here), 1 Small Tortoishell (1st at this location) 2 Brimstone,3 Common Blue,males. 1xHolly Blue, Small White. Small Heath and Meadow Brown not counted |
| 14th | Houghton Meadows (TL293717) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Brown Argus, Small Copper | Jeremy Milne | Small Tortoiseshell 2, Comma 8, Peacock 1, Red Admiral 1, Brimstone 3, Small White 1, Large White 1, Green-veined White 4, Small Heath 2, Meadow Brown 50, Large Skipper 3, Brown Argus 1, Large Skipper 3 |
| 14th | Houghton Grange Grasslands (TL294718) | Comma, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue | Jeremy Milne | Comma 3, Green-veined White 1, Small Heath 1, Marbled White 2, Ringlet 10, Meadow Brown 20, Large Skipper 3, Small Skipper 2, Common Blue 2 |
| 14th | Hatfield Forest (TL5319) | Comma, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Large White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue | John Landels | 1 SWF and 3 Marbled Whites |
| 13th | Langdon Hills Country Park (TQ691871) | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Common Blue | David Lazarus | My first White Admiral of 2025 with White-letter Hairstreak also in Northlands Wood. New brood Brimstone, Large, Small & Green-veined White and Comma. Good numbers of Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, & Marbled White; 250+ in total. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 13th | Highwoods Country Park, Squirrels' Field (Colchest (TM0028) | Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Ole Wiedenmann | large numbers of Large Skippers and Meadow Browns (difficult to count, >50), at least one Small Skipper, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small White, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Common Blue (1 fresh) |
| 13th | Gt Holland Pits (TM202192) | Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Liz Huxley | included 5 comma, 3 brimstone, 2 large skipper & my first white letter hairstreak of the year (seems quite early) (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 13th | Great Staughton river walk (TL135642) | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper | Steve Binding | 9.05/10.35am very warm but breezy. (6)LrgSkip.(1)RedAD.(7)SmTort. (1)very fresh looking PLady. (4)GVWht.(6)MedBrn.(11)SmHeath. (1)MarbWht. |
| 13th | Great Staughton Meadow (TL127646) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Steve Binding | 10.45/12.10pm hot but breezy. Main meadow plus 2nd meadow. Lots of MedBrn. (62)SmHeath (8)SmSkip.(2)Brim.(3)BrnArg. (2)MarbWht.(1)RedAD.(2)Comma.(3)sMTort. (4m)ComBlue. |
| 13th | Devils Dyke (July Course End) (TL615361) | Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Dark Green Fritillary, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Common Blue | Paul Fisher | 08.00-10.30AM; 20-24ºC; Sunny. East facing banking was also checked: SECTION ONE: Comma x1; Red Admiral x1;Dark Green Fritillary x5;Small Heath x3; Marbled White x64; Ringlet x4; Meadow Brown x11; Large Skipper x2; Small Skipper x1. SECTION TWO: Red Admiral x1; Painted Lady x1; Dark Green Fritillary x6; Brimstonex1; Green-Veined White x1; Unident White x2; Small Heath x7; Marbled White x127; Meadow Brown x34; Large Skipper x5; Common Blue x2. SECTION THREE: Dark Green Fritillary x8; Brimstonex1; Small Heath x13; Marbled White x91; Meadow Brown x49; Large Skipper x4;Small Skipper x1; Common Blue x11. |
| 13th | Brampton Wood (TL180770) | Comma, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Purple Hairstreak | Paul Fisher | Midday; 25ºC; Sunny. No counts done but of note was a Purple Hairstreak along the main ride(North), with no Black Hairstreak's seen. |
| 13th | Blackheath , Colchester (TM009286) | Comma, Painted Lady, White Admiral, Meadow Brown, White-letter Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Simon Patient | Our first White-letter Hairstreak of the year in our garden, on the same Elder/Ivy bush used last year by combating males. |
| 12th | Thaxted (TL6131) | Brimstone, Small White, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Stephen Dutton | 20 Meadow Brown, 10 Small Heath, 4 Small White,2 Common Blue 1x Holly Blue, Large Skipper, Brimstone, |
| 12th | Norman Cross, Peterborough (TL1690) | Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper | James Hanlon | |
| 12th | Fingringhoe Wick (TM045194) | Comma, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Liz Huxley | 2 white admiral by Trout Pools - earliest I've ever seen them (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 12th | Belton Hills to Benfleet Downs (TQ785857) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Common Blue | David Lazarus | Three firsts for 2025 - good numbers of Marbled White; a couple of Ringlet; & start of White-letter Hairstreak in double-figures; Also, second brood Small & Green-veined White, plus Comma. Over 250+ v. active. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 11th | Roman River SSSI + Abberton Reservoir (TL973191) | Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue | David Lazarus | All 3 golden skippers; new brood Small & Green-veined White and Comma; Meadow Brown & Small Heath numbers increasing (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 11th | Davy Down Park, South Ockendon, Essex (TQ591801) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Holly Blue, Brown Argus | Paul & Barbara Beckett | Walk along the Mardyke Way in the afternoon; warm and sunny. At least 10 fresh-looking Small Tortoiseshell. |
| 10th | Woodwalton Marsh (TL210812) | Dark Green Fritillary, Brimstone, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Rosalyn Payne | 11.45, Sunny. Brimstone 2, Large Skipper 1, Common Blue 9, Brown Argus 4, Small Heath 3, Marbled White 4, Meadow Brown 5, Dark Green Fritillary 1 (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 10th | Rampton (TL432467) | White-letter Hairstreak | David Bradley | We've had White-letter HS on this patch since 2022. I'd not seen them there prior to that and there were no reports AFAIK. Probably half a dozen today, maybe more. There have Purple HS here too, also since 2022. Will check the site again for them and report in if they're showing. It's possible there were some today, but I didn't get photos as I had with the WLs. Trees on Lode edge about 60m from the Rampton Road bridge |
| 10th | Paines Brook, Harold Wood (TQ551912) | Comma, Red Admiral, Small White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Colin Jupp | 21 White-letter Hairstreaks with frequent clashing male activity in particular over ash trees early-mid pm. My highest count here. Also 3 Large Skipper, 1 Small White, 3 Holly Blue, 5 Comma, 2 Red Admiral, 5 Speckled Wood, 5 Meadow Brown and on evening return visit 5 Purple Hairstreaks 8pm. nearby, Harold Hill, Petersfield Avenue: 2 White-letter Hairstreak over elm near A12 bus stop, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 2 Holly Blue. Harold Hill/A12: 7 White-letter Hairstreak central reservation elms, 2 Holly Blue |
| 9th | Westley Heights C. Park. | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue | Andrew Cox | |
| 9th | Meadgate Park (TL720058) | Purple Hairstreak | David Lazarus | First Purple Hairstreak of 2025 in the local park |
| 9th | Hayley Wood (TL293527) | Silver-washed Fritillary | Adrian Sargeant | Central along the main ride within the woods, the SWF was feeding on dogwood flower. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 9th | Great Holland Pits NR (TM202192) | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Small White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Brian Goodey | ST1, RA5, SWt1, SWd4, SH5, MB18, LS3, SS1, GH1, HB2, CB5. Our first small skipper and meadow browns of the year. |
| 9th | Alconbury Flower Bank (TL190761) | Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper | Steve Binding | Mid afternoon sun, cloud ,very breezy. (25+)MarbWht + the same amount in the private area beyond the gate. (10)MedBrn.(3)SmWht. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 8th | Great Staughton river walk (TL135642) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Small White, Green-veined White | Steve Binding | 3.55pm/4.45pm odd sun ,cloudy breezy, Not ideal even so (12)SmTort found on the field edges on the bare earth and along the pathways. Possibly more. Also (1)very fresh Comma. (1)GVWht.(1)SmWht. |
| 8th | Burwell Cuuting (TL575465) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Common Blue | Lorraine Mathews | 16°C mostly overcast. 25+ Marbled Whites, 2 Large Skippers, 2 Brimstones (f), 15 Meadow Browns, 3 Common Blues, 1 Comma, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Green veined White,2 Red Admirals |
| 8th | Brampton Wood (TL184698) | Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Black Hairstreak | John Murray | Damp and breezy morning, 07:30 - 11. Very little activity. Numerous speckled woods and 2 x red admiral. 4 black hairstreaks seen on the main ride opposite site 1. |
| 6th | Woodwalton Marsh (TL212813) | Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Large White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Grizzled Skipper, Large Skipper, Black Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Stephen Binding + Paul Fisher | Midday odd sun, cloud 16c. (1)MarbWht.(7m+3fm)ComBlue.(4)SmHeath. (1)SmTort.(6)MedBrn.(1)LrgSkip.(3)BrnArg. (1m+1fm)Brim.(3)BlackHS. (1)LrgWht. (1)Grizzled. |
| 6th | Woodwalton Green Lane (TL209813) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Black Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Stephen Binding + Paul Fisher | Mid afternoon Sun ,cloud 16c. (1m+1fm)Brim.(2)LrgWht.(6)SmWht. Plenty UN ID White. (2)LrgSkip.(1)SmSkip.(2)Comma). (3)BrnArg.(8m+2fm)ComBlue.(7)SmTort. (3)SmHeath.(9)MedBrn.(1)SmCopp. (8)Black HS low on Blackthorn near the railway bridge . The most seen here. Of which there were at least 2/3 females egg laying. |
| 6th | Monks Wood (TL201803) | Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Black Hairstreak | Stephen Binding + Paul Fisher | Sun + cloud still warm Late afternoon. (4)RedAD.(17)SpecWood. (11)BlkHS. (1)GVWht.(4)LrgSkip.(1m)OrgTip. |
| 6th | Highwoods Country Park, Squirrels' Field (Colchest (TM0028) | Small White, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Ole Wiedenmann | around 2 pm, changing between sunshine and clouds: 1 Small White, 1 Small Heath, 5 Meadow Brown, 8 Large Skipper, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue, 1 Small Copper (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 6th | Foxearth Meadows and adjacent disused railway trac | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown | Lawrence Garside | 5 Small tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small white, 1 GV White, 2 Speckled wood, 1 Meadow brown |
| 4th | Woodwalton Marsh | Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Grizzled Skipper, Large Skipper, Black Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Steve Binding | 11am/12.40 sun/cloud 17c. (4)MedBrn.(7m+3fm)ComBlue.(3)BrnArg. (7)SmHeath.(1)LrgSkip.(2)fresh SmTort. (2)GVWht.(1)LrgWht.(1)Brim.(5)BlkHS on privet flowers.(2)Grizz one very worn and damaged one fair. No marb white yet. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 4th | Brampton Wood (TL184698) | White Admiral | Steve Binding Reporting For Roger Orbell | one White Ad seen at the top main ride. |
| 4th | Blackheath. Colchester (TM009286) | White Admiral | Simon Patient | One inside our conservatory this evening was a bit of a surprise, my earliest sighting. |
| 4th | Baddow Meads & Meadgate (TL721060) | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | At last signs of a recovery with healthy numbers of Small Tortoiseshell having emerged - so far, 30+ across half of the floodplain; Also, first Small Skipper in Meadgate Fields of 2025 (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 2nd | Thames Chase Forest Centre (TQ584864) | Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Meadow Brown, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue | Rob Smith | Green Hairstreak 1, Common Blue 2 (m+f), Small Tortoiseshell 2, Meadow Brown 5, Small White 1. (9.45-10.15am) (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 2nd | Perry Lagoons (TL157669) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Steve Binding | 1pm/3pm Sun + Cloud, breezy 17c. (4)SpecW. (2)LrgWht. (3)GVWht. (2)SmWht. (1m)OrgTip. (3)Brim. (6m+1fm)ComBlue. (2)RedAD. (1)SmTort. (1)fresh Comma. (1)BrnArg. (5)SmHeath.(8)MedBrn. |
| 2nd | High Ongar to Paslows Common, a circular walk. | Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper | Rosie & Bill Perkins, Linda & George Jenkins. | 1,Wall, 1,Large Skipper, 4,Meadow Brown, 1,Orange-tip, 1,Painted Lady, 1,Red Admiral, 15,Small Heath, 4,Speckled Wood, 15,Green -veined White, 12,Small White, 5,Large White. |
| 2nd | Fields adjacent to St Peter and St Paul’s Church (TQ828934) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Large White, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue | David Glover | 5x Large White 3x Small Tortoiseshell 3x Small Heath 2x Comma 2x Meadow Brown 1x Holly Blue 1x Painted Lady 1x Red Admiral Since the good sized field margins were established - now full of Oxeye Daisey and Birds-foot Trefoil - this is now developing into a rather profitable site for many common butterflies. |
| 2nd | Eastcliff Footpath, Holland on Sea (TM192159) | Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue | Brian Goodey | 12 speckled woodsâ€â€Âgood number for this time of year; 26 holly blues, well down compared to early June last year. A single meadow brown is our first for the year. |
| 2nd | Devils Dyke racecourse | Dark Green Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Adonis Blue | Howard Butler | Adonis Blue x2 DARK-GREEN FRITILLARY x 7. Some very early sightings. |
| 2nd | Devil's Dyke July Racecourse (TL617616) | Dark Green Fritillary, Brimstone, Small White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue | John Murray | Evening visit, warm and sunny 20°C. 2 dark green fritillaries seen feeding on privet flowers. Numerous marbled whites, along with common blue, some of which are now quite worn. Several brown argus also seen. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 2nd | Brampton Wood (TL184698) | Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Black Hairstreak | Steve Binding + Roger Orbell | 9.30am/12.30 Sun, Cloud ,Breezy but warm. A general walk around the wood. Black HS (30/35) main ride opp site 1. (2) car park. (10) west ride. (2) glade area. Others (27)SpecWood.(2)LrgWht.(1) LrgSkip. ((4)RedAD.(2)SmHeath.(1)Brim.(1)Comma. |
| 1st | nr St Osyth (TM144159) | Peacock, Painted Lady, Holly Blue | Simon Cox | Single Holly Blue, Painted Lady and Peacock, latter two on flowering pyracantha, all in our garden |
| May 2025 |
|---|
| Date | Location | Species | Reporter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31st | The Naze | Painted Lady | Liz Huxley | 4 painted lady |
| 31st | Sawtry | Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Grizzled Skipper, Large Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Jeremy Milne | 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Brimstone, 3 Green-veined White, 2 Small White, 1 Orange-Tip, 1 Large White, 7 Small Heath, 1 Grizzled Skipper, 3 Large Skipper, 2 Brown Argus, 5 Common Blue |
| 31st | Monks Wood (TL2080) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Black Hairstreak, Common Blue | Phil Bromley & Rosalyn Payne | Black Hairstreak survey for Natural England produced 120 individuals. Bottom Ride 12, Stocking Close Ride 33, Barrow Ride 17, Main Ride 27, Hotel Ride 13, East & West Fields 18. |
| 31st | Langdon Hills Country Park (TQ699864) | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | First Large Skipper in 2025; Over 250 butterflies with half Common Blue; 20+ Meadow Brown; First Small Tortoiseshell in Johnson's Meadows for 5 years (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 31st | Great Clacton (TM1717) | Painted Lady | Simon Cox | Painted Lady in flight in suburban garden noted during Breeding Bird Survey |
| 31st | Castor Hanglands NNR | Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Black Hairstreak | Matthew Webb | 100+ Black Hairstreaks seen in the northern end of the site - clearly a good year for them. Many spots had five or six on view at the same time. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 31st | Brampton wood | Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Black Hairstreak, Holly Blue | ROGER ORBELL | carried out the Black Hairstreak timed count survey site 1 89 site 2 80 site 3 118 site 4 19 site 5 46 Lots showing on Main Ride opposite Site 1 entrance |
| 30th | One Tree Hill, Johnsons East (TQ702864) | Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Small Skipper, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Rob Smith | Small Skipper 1, Orange-tip 1m, Small Heath 7, Common Blue 5, Holly Blue 1 (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 30th | Magog Down (TL846532) | Common Blue, Small Blue | John Murray | Brief visit at approx 5:30pm. Warm, but breezy and partly cloudy. Roughly a dozen small blue in a small area of grass just inside the entrance gate. Several common blue also seen. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 30th | Holland Haven NR (TM216170) | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Brian Goodey | An unexpected small tortoiseshell and our first brown argus of the year. Five or six painted ladies. |
| 30th | Devils Dyke Race course end (TL617616) | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Dark Green Fritillary, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Dingy Skipper, Large Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper, Adonis Blue | Steve Binding/ Paul Fisher | 11.20/2pm sunny but breezy 22c . (41)ComBlue.(12)MarbWht.(3m)OrgTip. (6m+1fm)Adonis.(17)BrnArg. (1)SmCopp. (16)Brim. (2)GVWht. (8)DGFrit.(21)SmHeath. (5)HollyB. (11)LrgSkip.(5)MedBrn.(3)SmTort. (2)RedAD.(1)fresh looking DingySkip. (1)GrnHS worn. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 30th | Burnham-on-Crouch (TQ975953) | Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Heath, Essex Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue | David Lazarus | First Essex Skipper of the year; good numbers of Small Heath & Common Blue; also Small White surprisingly; singles of the rest (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 30th | Brampton Wood (TL184698) | Brimstone, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Black Hairstreak | Steve Binding/ Paul Fisher | 8.40/10.30 18c very breezy sun/cloud. (15)SpecWood.(1)Brim. (1)OrgTip male. (13)BlkHS main ride near site 1. (9)BlkHS Site 1. (35+)BlkHS Site 2 to pond. (2)BlkHS Elsewhere. Total 59+. |
| 30th | Aythorpe Roding to Great Canfield. | Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Rosie & Bill Perkins, Linda & George Jenkins. | 1,Large Skipper, 1,Meadow Brown, 5,Small Tortoiseshell, 10,Speckled Wood, 2,Common Blue, 1,Brown Argus, 16,Small Heath, 11,Green-veined White, 10,Small White, 3,Large White, 6,Brimstone. |
| 29th | Sea wall just beyond North Fambridge marina, Essex (TQ842973) | Small Heath | Julia Osborne | Dry partial cloud, about 14:15 hrs, just flitting around and landing on grass (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 29th | Hockley Woods (TQ835916) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, Heath Fritillary, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Wall, Holly Blue | David Glover | 40+ Heath Fritillary - not the best day for them, given the rather breezy conditions and intermittent spells of sunshine, but still some decent numbers around. 3x Speckled Wood 2x Holly Blue 2x Small Tortoiseshell 1x Red Admiral 1x Wall, 2x Comma, another Small Tortoiseshell and 2x Large White near Gustedhall Wood at TQ840908 |
| 29th | Devils Dyke, Newmarket race course | Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Marbled White, Green Hairstreak, Adonis Blue | Graham Hersey | First 2 Marbled White at the bottom of the Dyke out of the wind, 20 plus Adonis Blue, Plus green Hairstreak |
| 28th | Great Staughton river walk (TL135642) | Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Holly Blue | Stephen Binding | 4pm/5.30pm sun, cloud, breezy 18c. (1)PLady (1)RedAD. (3)very fresh SmTort. (2m)OrgTip.(4)GVWht.(2)SmWht. (2)LrgWht. (2)Brim.(1)HollyB.(1)SmHeath. (1) very fresh LrgSkip+ sev UN ID White. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 28th | Great Staughton Meadow (TL127646) | Small Heath, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Stephen Binding | 11/12pm Breezy sun, cloud not ideal still.(31)SmHeath (1)ComBlue male (1)Brown Arg. |
| 28th | Fingringhoe Wick | Painted Lady, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Liz Huxley | my first painted lady of the year - a rather worn individual (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 26th | Meadgate & Baddow Meads (TL722058) | Peacock, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | First sighting of a Meadow Brown in 2025; Whites finished apart from 1 tatty Orange-tip; numbers of Common & Holly Blues increasing; first Peacock emergent (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 25th | Monks Wood (TL2080) | Speckled Wood, Black Hairstreak | Phil Bromley & Rosalyn Payne | A female black hairstreak was seen today. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 25th | Havering Country Park | Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Zayed Ahmed | 1 Large Skipper, 1 Green Hairstreak, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Holly Blue, 5+ Common Blue, 10+ Small Heath, 12+ Six-spot Burnet moth |
| 25th | Community Garden on the Old Heath Recreation Groun (TM0124) | Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Ole Wiedenmann | at least 9 but most likely more Holly Blue, 5 Speckled Wood, 2 Small White, 2 Common Blue, 1 Brimstone, 1 Large White |
| 25th | Brampton Wood (TL184698) | Black Hairstreak | Steve Binding Reporting For Roger Orbell | 10 Black HS seen between the main ride and Wayne Pond. |
| 24th | Mundon, Essex (TL872013) | Speckled Wood | Julia Osborne | Dry warmish, slightly cloudy around 15:50 (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 24th | Monks Wood (TL200803) | Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Black Hairstreak | Rosalyn Payne & Phil Bromley | 2pm A brief sunny period, 2 Black Hairstreak tussling high in the Blackthorne. A few Speckled Wood, and a Small Heath in West Field which is no longer locked. |
| 23rd | Walk from Doddinghurst to Mountnessing windmill. | Peacock, Painted Lady, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Rosie & Bill Perkins, Linda & George Jenkins. | 2,Painted Lady, 3,Orange-tip, 1,Brown Argus, 2,Common Blue, 9,Small Heath, 1,Large White, 3,Small White, 4,Green-veined White, 2,Peacock. |
| 23rd | Roman Road, Babraham (TL526520) | Small Blue | Keith Edkins | (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 23rd | Highwoods Country Park, Southern Fields (Colcheste (TM0027) | Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Ole Wiedenmann | Common Blue the most numerous species (~ 30), ~15 Small Heaths, 1 Brimstone, 1 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Holly Blue (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 23rd | Hadleigh Great Wood (TQ818878) | Heath Fritillary, Speckled Wood | David Lazarus | First sighting of Heath Fritillary at HGW in 2025 Withheld for conservation reasons (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 23rd | Fleam Dyke, Fulbourn (TL543546) | Green Hairstreak, Small Blue | Keith Edkins | (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 21st | Wandlebury, Cambridge (TL4953) | Brimstone, Small White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Small Blue | Lorraine Mathews | Newly emerged Meadow Brown on lower grass. 1 Holly Blue, 8+Common Blue, 6+Small Blue, 5 Brimstones, 3 Small White, 1 Speckled wood, 6 Small Heath |
| 20th | Thaxted (TL6131) | Small White, Small Heath, Common Blue | Stephen Dutton | 6 Small Heath, disappointingly down on last week. 6 Common Blue males, nice increase on last week. 1 Small White. Weather 18 deg,sunny, Northerly breeze. |
| 20th | Middlewick Ranges, Colchester (TM0122) | Small Heath, Common Blue, Small Copper | Ole Wiedenmann | North Eastern grassland part of the Wick, 50+ Small Heath, 30+ Small Copper, 4 Common Blue |
| 20th | Hatfield Forest (TL533187) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Common Blue | David Lazarus | Quiet in the rides with mostly Speckled Wood now. Common Blue numbers increasing in the grasslands; and a few Painted Lady and spring brood Comma (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 20th | Great Holland Pits NR (TM202192) | Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Small Copper | Brian Goodey | A single large skipper is our first of the year. |
| 19th | Old Hall Marshes (TL9612) | Wall, Small Heath, Common Blue, Small Copper | Liz Huxley | 1 wall brown; 12+ small heath; 10+ common blue; 5 small copper |
| 19th | Baddow Meads (TL718062) | Small Tortoiseshell | David Lazarus | First Small Tortoiseshell 2025 emergent (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 18th | New Decoy/Holme Fen (TL2288) | Painted Lady | Diana Spencer | 3 Painted Lady along the Dragonfly Trail from New Decoy |
| 18th | Magog Down (TL486532) | Common Blue, Small Blue | Howard Butler | A count of approximately 60 Small Blues were noted throughout the reserve (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 18th | Country Park, Ely (TL5480) | Speckled Wood | Julie Wakefield | 2 speckled wood. Flying in wooded area. Sunny. |
| 17th | Woodwalton Marsh (TL211812) | Peacock, Brimstone, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Diana Spencer | 1 Green Hairstreak and 2 Grizzled Skipper still at Woodwalton Marsh (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 17th | Vange Marsh | Peacock, Red Admiral, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Common Blue | Andrew Gox | |
| 17th | Trumpington Meadows (TL4354) | Peacock, Brimstone, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Blue | Paddy Grove | Small Blues in north and south meadows, and very good numbers of Common Blue. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 17th | Little Belhus CP and Havering CP | Comma, Large White, Orange-Tip, Wall, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Zayed Ahmed | 1 GH, 1 Wall Brown, 1 Small Copper, 1 Orange-tip, 1 Orange-tip larva, 2 Holly Blue, 3 Brown Argus, many Common Blue at Little Belhus Country Park 1 Comma, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Large White, multiple Common Blue, multiple Small Heath at Havering Country Park |
| 17th | Fordham (TL922281) | Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Ole Wiedenmann | Meadows and Hedges west of Fordham village: 25+ Small Heath, 11 Common Blue, 4 Speckled Wood, around 10 Small/Large Whites, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Small Copper, 1 Holly Blue (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 17th | Circular walk around Tollesbury. | Comma, Peacock, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Small Copper | Rosie & Bill Perkins, Linda & George Jenkins. | 12,Holly Blue, 20,Small Heath, 5,Speckled Wood, 1,Comma, 1,Orange-tip, 3,Small Copper, 1,Peacock, 5,Green-veined White, 3,Small White, 4,Large White. |
| 17th | Bowers Marsh | Wall, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Andrew Gox | |
| 16th | Wallasea Island (TQ960937) | Painted Lady, Orange-Tip, Wall, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Very large numbers of Common Blue & good numbers of Small Heath; a few of the rest (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 16th | Great Baddow (TL7206) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small White, Orange-Tip | David Pallash | Incredible 9 painted lady on the walk. |
| 14th | Woodwalton Marsh (TL212813) | Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Grizzled Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Steve Binding + Paul Fisher | Sunny 18c+ 13.10pm Quick visit. Positive (3)GrizzSkip possible 4th. (5)Brim.(2m)OrgTip.(1)SmWht. (3)PCock.(2)SMHeath.(2m)ComBlue. (1)LrgWht.(3)BrnArg. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 14th | Paxton Pits (TL199626) | Brimstone, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Grizzled Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Steve Binding + Paul Fisher | Warm but Breezy 16c+.10.10/11.50am. (21)Grizzled main area + (1) elsewhere. Also (1)SmCopp.(2m)ComBlue. (2)BrnArg. (3m+1fm)OrgTip. (1m+1fm)Brim.(1)SpecW. |
| 14th | Hockley Woods (TQ835916) | Heath Fritillary, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood | David Lazarus | First sighting in 2025 of Heath Fritillary at Hockley Woods - also the first female in Essex Withheld for conservation reasons. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 13th | Thaxted (TL6131) | Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Small Heath, Common Blue | Stephen Dutton | 10 Small Heath, 2 Common Blue males, 2xLarge and Small White, 1x Brimstone female and Peacock |
| 12th | Yaxley fen | Red Admiral, Painted Lady | Alan Day | |
| 12th | TANHOLT PITS (TF242015) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Howard Butler | 5 walls ,2 Painted Ladies and 2 Green hairstreaks were notable for this site |
| 12th | Silver Street, Witcham | Green Hairstreak | David Hopkins | Long awaited parochial record. In my front garden on Pyrocantha. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 12th | Havering Country Park | Comma, Painted Lady, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Zayed Ahmed | 2 male Large Skipper, and 2 Hutchinsoni Comma, both firsts of the year. Also a surprise Green Hairstreak, 2 Holly Blue, 1 passing through Painted Lady, 2 Orange-tip, 2 Speckled Wood, Whites, plenty of Small Heath and Common Blue. 118 Burnet pupae counted in one small section |
| 12th | Coates, Whittlesey (TL301981) | Wall | Andrew Gardener | Single butterfly sighted and then a second (or same Wall) 20 minutes later, sighted 400 meteres to the east at TL305982.I have been birdwatching on the site for 10 years and this is the first time I have seen Wall. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 11th | connaught Lake, Epping Forest (TQ4095) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue | Anthony Hare | Brimstone 2,Speckled wood 3,comma 1,Small white 3,Peacock 1,Holly blue 2. |
| 11th | Yaxley Fen | Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Orange-Tip, Small Copper | Alan Day | |
| 11th | Yate's meadow Epping forest (TQ3895) | Red Admiral, Speckled Wood | Anthony Hare | Red admiral 2,Speckled wood 4,(both species seen in woodland rides near the meadow) |
| 11th | Wanstead Flats, NE London (TQ406866) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Large White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Small Copper | Ian Watts | The first branch field trip of the season took place at Wanstead Flats. The group enjoyed warm and sunny conditions, with only strong gusty winds preventing the conditions from being perfect. Whilst the wind no doubt kept butterfly numbers down, the group still saw 32 x Green Hairstreak (target species), 14 x Holly Blue, 4 x Small Copper – making it a mostly Lycaenidae day – plus 3 x Small Heath, 2 x Large White and singles of Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Peacock and a Mother Shipton moth. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 11th | Thames Estuary Path (TQ694781) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Heath, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Large number of Wall [76]; first Green Hairstreak of 2025; good numbers of Common Blue & increasing (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 11th | Paxton Pits (TL199626) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Grizzled Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Steve Binding | 09.15/12.45 pm very warm sunny 18c+. target Grizzled skipper.(33) seen 29 main area, 4 at various other areas. A good 8/9 were fresh females all egg laying. Others seen were (1)SmCopp.(1m)ComBlue.(2)BrnArg. (4)SmHeath. (1)PCock. (1m+2fm)Brim. (1)RedAD. Sev UN ID White. (1m)OrgTip. |
| 11th | Langdon Hills (Great Berry EWT). | Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall | Andrew Cox | Female orange tip. At least three speckled wood. |
| 10th | Yate's meadow Epping forest (TQ3895) | Comma, Peacock, Small White, Large White, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Common Blue | Anthony Hare | Comma 2,Common blue 2,Peacock 1,Large white 1,Small white 1,Small heath 30,Holly blue 1 (flying in & out of the woodland edge). |
| 10th | Woodwalton Marsh (TL212081) | Peacock, Brimstone, Large White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Grizzled Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Paul Fisher | 14.10-14.50. 24ºC. Grizzled Skipper x1; Brimstone(♂)x2; Large White x1; Orange-Tip(♂)x2; Unident White x2; Brown Argus x2; Common Blue(♂)x2; Peacock x1; Small Heath x1. |
| 10th | Thaxted (TL6131) | Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Holly Blue | Stephen Dutton | 8 Small Heath, 2X Large White,Small White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue and one Brimstone |
| 10th | Sawtry | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Grizzled Skipper, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Jeremy Milne | Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 12, Brimstone 5, Green-veined White 5, Orange-tip 10, Large White 6, Small Heath 3, Grizzled Skipper 3, Brown Argus 4, Common Blue 4, Holly Blue 1 |
| 10th | River Chelmer-Waterside Development (TL715062) | Wall | David Lazarus | First recorded sighting of a Wall in Chelmsford since digital records began [1960] (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 10th | Monks Wood | Brimstone, Large White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood | Alan Day | |
| 10th | Devils Dyke (July Course End) (TL609562) | Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Adonis Blue | Paul Fisher | 09.00-11.30. 17-21ºC. Section One. Dingy Skipper x3; Brimstone(♂)x1(♀)x3; Large White x1; Small White x1; Green-Veined White x1; Orange-Tip(♂)x2; Unident White x3; Green Hairstreak x2; Holly Blue x2; Brown Argus x9; Common Blue(♂)x10; Adonis Blue(♂)x7; Peacock x1; Small Heath x1. Section Two. Dingy Skipper x2; Brimstone(♂)x1(♀)x1; Orange-Tip(♂)x2; Unident White x1; Green Hairstreak x5; Brown Argus x4; Common Blue(♂)x8; Adonis Blue(♂)x2(♀)x1; Small Heath x3 Section Three. Brimstone (♀)x2; Orange-Tip(♂)x1; Unident White x1; Green Hairstreak x1; Brown Argus x6; Common Blue(♂)x7; Adonis Blue(♂)x2; Peacock x1; Small Heath x3. |
| 10th | Circular walk from Stock to Margaretting. | Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath | Rosie & Bill Perkins, Linda & George Jenkins. | 9,Orange-tip, 5,Speckled Wood, 2,Peacock, 1,Red Admiral, 7,Small Heath, 12,Large White, 5,Green Veined White, 4,Small White. |
| 10th | Burwell Cutting (TL575465) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Adonis Blue | Paul Fisher + Lorraine Mathews | 11.49-13.15. 22-24ºC. Brimstone(♂)x14(♀)x3; Large White x1; Green-Veined White x7; Orange-Tip(♂)x2; Unident White x6; Green Hairstreak x5; Holly Blue x7; Brown Argus x2; Common Blue(♂)x2; Adonis Blue(♂)x4; Red Admiral x1; Peacock x1; Speckled Wood x1; Small Heath x6. |
| 9th | Tanholt Farm, Peterborough (TF242015) | Peacock, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Wall, Brown Argus, Common Blue | Alan Owers | At least 5 wall present, mainly in usual area along Cats Water. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 9th | Magog Down (TL486531) | Peacock, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Small Blue | Andrew Terrell | |
| 9th | Langdon Hills Country Park (TQ691873) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Very good numbers of Common Blue across the whole site (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 8th | Pound Wood (TQ8288) | Comma, Peacock, Heath Fritillary, Brimstone, Large White, Speckled Wood | David Lazarus | First sighting of Heath Fritillary [withheld for conservation reasons] (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 8th | Hornchurch Country Park (TQ5384) | Peacock, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath | Paul & Barbara Beckett | Small Heath on the grassland in the NW part of the Park. |
| 8th | Hockley Woods & Hullbridge (TQ823913) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Wall now established at Hockley Woods, and colony at Hullbridge doing well. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 6th | St. Faith's Park, Brentwood (TQ586938) | Speckled Wood, Small Copper | Paul & Barbara Beckett | Mid-afternoon on cool day. Single Small Copper on buttercup in usual place in NW corner of the Park. |
| 5th | Swaddywell Pit Nature reserve | Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Copper | Sharon Hearle | Two Grizzled Skippers and 9 Dingy in cool wind but sunny |
| 5th | Archers Wood (TL172811) | Red Admiral, Large White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood | Rosalyn Payne | Red Admiral 5, Large White 2, Orange-tip 2, Speckled Wood 1. |
| 4th | Langdon Hills Country Park (TQ701863) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Good numbers of newly emerged grassland specialists, with Small Heath & Common Blue numbers increasing significantly; Wall in double-figures for first time (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 4th | East Tilbury Sea Wall; Coalhouse Fort Grasslands | Peacock, Red Admiral, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Heath, Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | Zayed Ahmed | 50+ butterflies including highlights 20 Wall Brown, Brown Argus (2), Small Copper (2), Common Blue (3), Green Hairstreak (2) and Red Admiral (1) |
| 2nd | Warley Country Park, Brentwood (TQ584926) | Brimstone, Small Heath | Paul & Barbara Beckett | 12:30-1:00pm, sunny and warm. Small Heath in grassland near pond at N edge of park. |
| 2nd | RSPB Ouse Washes (TL470859) | Peacock, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Wall, Common Blue | Phil Bromley & Rosalyn Payne | From Welches Dam to a little past Purls Bridge we saw Wall Brown (8), Common Blue (1), Peacock (4), Orange-tip (4), Large White (2) & G-v White (10+). (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 2nd | Paxton Pits (TL198627) | Brimstone, Green-veined White, Grizzled Skipper | Chris Boness | Upto +10 Grizzled Skippers present, 1 Male Brimstone, 1 Green Veined White (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 2nd | Mundon Wash (TL879053) | Peacock, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Wall, Small Heath, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Good numbers of all 4 whites; 20+ Small Heath, a couple of Wall, Small Copper & Common Blue (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 2nd | Maldon Wick Nature Reserve (TL840055) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | First Wall sighting at Maldon Wick; good numbers of Speckled Wood along the disused railway embankment (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 2nd | Childerditch lower field, Thorndon North, Brentwoo (TQ611905) | Comma, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Small Copper | Paul & Barbara Beckett | 3-3:30pm warm, sunny and calm. Small Copper 2, Small Heath 3, Orange Tip 3 2m 1f. Others single. |
| 1st | Woodwalton Marsh | Peacock, Brimstone, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Grizzled Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Small Copper | Diana Spencer | One Green Hairstreak, several Grizzled Skipper |
| 1st | Willow Walk (TL5480) | Orange-Tip | Julie Wakefield | 1 flying. |
| 1st | Trumpington Meadows (TL432542) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Holly Blue, Small Blue | Trevor Sawyer | A single Small Blue seen this morning east of the Motorway. None seen to the west of the motorway... yet. |
| 1st | Perry Lagoons (TL157669) | Peacock, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Grizzled Skipper, Small Copper | Steve Binding | Quick check 08.30/09.45am already warm.(5)SpecW.(2)LrgWht. (4m)OrgTip.(1)GVWht.(3)PCock. (1)SmCopp, and (1)Grizzled Skip worn , non seen the last 2yrs due to the site becoming overgrown except within the lagoons itself. So this was a surprise . (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 1st | Great Holland Pits NR (TM202192) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Small Copper | Brian Goodey | C2, P3, RA1, B14, SWt2, LW7, GW5, OT3, SWd13, GH1, HB2, SC2. |
| 1st | Eastcliff Footpath, Holland on Sea (TM192159) | Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue | Brian Goodey | Speckled wood 21, holly blue 10 and a single orange-tip. |
| 1st | Devils Dyke Newmarket Racecourse (TL6161) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Adonis Blue | Richard Berry | 1 female Adonis Blue Dingy Skipper, too numerous to count Large numbers of Green Hairstreak (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
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| April 2025 |
|---|
| Date | Location | Species | Reporter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30th | Thames Estuary Path, East Tilbury (TQ693785) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall | David Lazarus | Wall numbers up to 40+, both male and female; Orange-tip & Green-veined White in very good numbers (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 30th | Sawtry | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Green Hairstreak | Jeremy Milne | Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 6, Brimstone 3, Green-veined White 10, Small White 1, Orange-tip 6, Large White 6, Small Heath 2, Green Hairstreak 1, Lackey & Small Eggar larval tents |
| 30th | One Tree Hill (TQ700864) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Brown Argus, Common Blue, & Small Copper all emerged with Small Heath numbers starting to rise (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 30th | Markshall, Coggeshall | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper | Mike Grealy | |
| 30th | Holland on Sea (TM1915) | Green Hairstreak | Brian Goodey | One sunning itself on a hawthorn hedge in my garden. |
| 30th | Great Staughton river walk (TL135642) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Painted Lady, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Copper | Steve Binding + Paul Fisher | Late Afternoon 24c. (1)worn Painted Lady (1)SmTort.(1)PCock.(3)GVWht. (2m+2fm)OTip, numerous UN ID Wht. (3)SmCopper. Only a small part of the walk checked. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 30th | Great Staughton Meadow (TL127646) | Peacock, Orange-Tip, Small Heath | Steve Binding | A quick visit mid morning. Warm and sunny 20c. (21)Small Heath. Numbers increasing. ten last visit a few days ago, they seem to do well here. Lack of other species (3)PCock.(3m)OTip. 2/3 UN ID WHite. |
| 29th | nr St Osyth (TM144159) | Brimstone, Small White, Holly Blue, Small Copper | Simon & Pat Cox | Single Small Copper and Holly Blue (both 1st in garden this year), single Brimstone, 2 Small Whites |
| 29th | West Canvey Marshes RSPB (TQ7784) | Wall | Laurence Drummond | 4 along the track to the main reservoir hide, fresh looking and flighty but I think at least 2 males clashing. |
| 29th | Noak Hill, Romford | Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Holly Blue | Martin White | Highlight is Wall, very rarely seen here in last 30 years. |
| 29th | Langdon Hills ( EWT Lincewood & Great Berry). | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood | Andrew Cox | Three brimstone (male & two females). Many speckled woods & at least three male orange tips. |
| 29th | Eastcliff Footpath, Holland on Sea (TM192159) | Peacock, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Small Copper | Brian Goodey | Three holly blues, twenty-one speckled woods. First small coppers here and elsewhere, already better numbers than last year's first generation. |
| 29th | Devil's Dyke, July Racecourse, Newmarket (TL617616) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue | Paul & Barbara Beckett | Sunny warm calm day 12:30-2:30pm. 20+ Dingy Skipper along the West facing bank including 2 pairs mating. 10+ Brimstone males. Single Green Hairstreak and Common Blue male. |
| 29th | Barnack Hills & Holes (TF076046) | Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus | Paul Fisher | 11.30-12.45. 22c. Peacock x3; Brimstone x12 (x4 Females); Green-Veined White x1; Orange-Tip x6; Speckled Wood x2; Small Heath x4; Green Hairstreak x14; Brown Argus x3; Numerous unident Whites. |
| 28th | Thaxted (TL6031) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood | Richard Berry | Good numbers of all species. Open farmland and hedgerow. |
| 28th | M25 Embankment (east), Brentwood (TQ573912) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Small Copper | Colin Jupp & Rob Smith | Green Hairstreak 6 (some clashing on Field Maple after 4pm), Comma 4, Orange-tip 3 (2m,1f), Speckled Wood 3, singles others |
| 28th | Johnson’s Meadow, One Tree Hill | Peacock, Brimstone, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Small Copper | Zayed Ahmed | Singles/doubles of each |
| 28th | Ely Country Park (TL5480) | Brimstone | Julie Wakefield | |
| 28th | Devil's dyke July racecourse | Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Dingy Skipper, Adonis Blue | David Hoblyn | Plenty of Dingy skippers and one Adonis blue. |
| 27th | south east Ely (TL5480) | Orange-Tip | Julie Wakefield | |
| 27th | nr St Osyth (TM144159) | Peacock, Small White, Large White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood | Simon Cox | Minimum 2 each of Large and Small White plus Orange Tip; single Speckled Wood and Peacock in our garden |
| 27th | Tubney Fen (TL5566) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Heath | Martin Peers | Single Small Heath |
| 27th | Thames Estuary Path (TQ693785) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Good numbers of Wall [22]; Peacock, Green-veined White and Orange-tips at 40+; Small White 20+ (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 27th | One Tree Hill (TQ696859) | Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Wall, Small Heath, Common Blue, Small Copper | David Lazarus | First Wall and Common Blue of 2025; also, a few Small Heath & Small Copper (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 27th | Hilton, Nr St Ives | Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Holly Blue | Alan Coles | Very warm & sunny day, this afternoon had a fem Small Heath on back lawn plus at least 3 Holly Blues These were my first of the year. |
| 27th | Burwell Fen (TL5568) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip | Martin Peers | single Small Tortoiseshell |
| 27th | Beckton Alps, Greenway, Armada Way (TQ4382) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Rob Smith | 4 Green Hairstreaks, incl 3 clashing over Field Maple. Speckled Wood 2 clashing, singles others |
| 26th | Wrabness EWT reserve (TM1631) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood | Martin Peers | |
| 26th | St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Hockley (TQ826093) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Wall | David Glover | 3× Peacock 3× Large White 2× Wall 1× Brimstone 1× Comma 1× Red Admiral 1× Orange Tip 1× Green-veined White |
| 26th | Paxton Pits (TL195629) | Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Small Heath, Grizzled Skipper, Brown Argus | Stephen Binding | Friends of Paxton Pits first Dragonfly and Butterfly survey. cool and overcast for Route A. Still found (2)Grizz.(1fm) OrgTip.(1)BrnArg. all at rest. Route B warmer afternoon. (2m)OrgTip.(1)SmHeath.(4)GVWht. (3)Brim. (3)PCock. (2) Holly Blue in the carpark. sev UN ID White. |
| 26th | Fleam Dyke (TL5554) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone, Orange-Tip, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Cameron Landels | Single Green Hairstreak on the Dyke close to the A11 on the Balsham side. |
| 22nd | Walk from Blackmore to Mill Green. | Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip | Rosie & Bill Perkins, Linda & George Jenkins. | 6,Orange-tip, 1,Brimstone, 8,Green-veined White, 3,Large White, 2,Small White. |
| 22nd | Little Warley Common (TQ605906) | Peacock, Small White, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Small Copper | Rob Smith | singles of each |
| 22nd | Langdon Hills Country Park (TQ693785) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Brown Argus | David Lazarus | First Brown Argus of 2025; good numbers of Large White, Green-veined White, & Orange-tip; also Peacock. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 21st | South | Peacock, Brimstone | Julie Wakefield | |
| 20th | Swaddywell Pit Nature Reserve | Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Dingy Skipper | Matthew Webb | 2 Dingy Skippers noted. More Orange-tips and Brimstones noted too. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 20th | By African Dawns Pidley-cum-Fenton (TL3381) | Brown Argus | Graham Almond | By a farm track. A perfect specimen. |
| 19th | RSPB reserve Ouse Washes (TL4785) | Peacock, Brimstone | Julie Wakefield | Sunny but windy. 1 brimstone, 1 peacock. |
| 19th | Harrow Lodge Park | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue | Zayed Ahmed | Many GVW, many Speckled Wood, 5 Orange-tip, 3 Small White, 3 Holly Blue, 3 Peacock, 2 Comma, 2 Large White, 1 Red Admiral |
| 18th | WWT Welney (TL5495) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock | Julie Wakefield | 1 peacock, 1 small tortoiseshell |
| 18th | Holme Fen (TL1989) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Grizzled Skipper | Rosalyn Payne & Phil Bromley | Midday, Red Admiral 1, Peacock 12, Brimstone 1, Green-veined White 10, Grizzled Skipper 1 (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 18th | Harrow Lodge Park | Comma, Peacock, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue | Zayed Ahmed | 1 Comma, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Large White, 2 Peacock, 3 Orange-tip, many GVW, many Speckled Wood |
| 18th | Eastcliff Footpath, Holland on Sea (TM192159) | Holly Blue | Brian Goodey | Two holly blues, first for the year but a week or two later than usual. |
| 18th | Abberton EWT | Green Hairstreak | Doug Holden | At least 2 at the main entrance |
| 17th | Swaddywell Pit Nature Reserve | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Grizzled Skipper | Matthew Webb | One Grizzled Skipper only. Little else with Peacock the most common butterfly. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 17th | Langdon Hills Country Park (TQ691873) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Small Copper | David Lazarus | Good numbers of Large & Green-veined White, and Orange-tip. First Small Copper & Small Heath sightings. Also, Latticed Heath moth (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 17th | Harrow Lodge Park | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue | Zayed Ahmed | Many GVW, many Speckled Wood, 2 Brimstone, 2 Comma, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Large White, 1 Small Tortie, handful of Peacock |
| 17th | Great Holland Pits NR (TM202192) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood | Brian Goodey | C4, P10, RA2, B6, SWt2, LW2, GW4, SWd6. A few red admirals here and elsewhere locally. |
| 17th | Eastcliff Footpath, Holland on Sea (TM192159) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood | Brian Goodey | P6, RA1, GW2, SWd18. Good number of speckled woods emerging during the last week. |
| 16th | Earls Colne | Painted Lady | Mike Grealy | Basking in the sun (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 14th | Devil's Dyke Racecourse | Peacock, Dingy Skipper | Sharon Hearle | Surprised to find 8 Dingy Skipper today on Devil's Dyke - all at the bottom of the ditch close to Dandelion or Ground Ivy. No nectar on the slopes. Also saw 14 Common Heath moths. |
| 13th | Harrow Lodge Park, East Tilbury Sea Wall | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue | Zayed Ahmed | At Harrow Lodge: 2 Holly Blue, egg-laying GVW, 2 Brimstone, 2 Orange-tip, 1 GH, 1 Small White, 1 Large White, 2 Comma, 3 Peacock, good numbers of Speckled Wood At East Tilbury: 18 Peacock, 5 GVW, 1 Orange-tip, 1 Speckled Wood |
| 12th | Wanstead Flats (TQ406868) | Peacock, Brimstone, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady | Ian Watts | 3 x Peacock, 6 x Brimstone, 6 x Speckled Wood, 2 x Holly Blue, 1 x Painted Lady (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 12th | Little Warley Common (TQ605906) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Copper | Rob Smith | Small Copper 2, Peacock 4, Comma 2, singles others |
| 12th | Hatfield Forest (TL543209) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood | David Lazarus | Large numbers of Brimstone, Orange-tip, and Peacock |
| 11th | Vange Marsh. | Peacock, Small White, Green-veined White | Andrew Cox | |
| 11th | Langdon Hills (Dunton Plotlands) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Orange-Tip | Andrew Cox | |
| 11th | Landermere, Nr. Thorpe-le-Soken (TM195229) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral | Kas Aldous | Several of each Peacock, Comma & Red Admiral all flying around fields and across road from fields/hedgerows. Bright sun, warm and a light breeze. |
| 11th | John Weston Reserve, Walton (TM2624) | Peacock, Brimstone, Speckled Wood | Simon Cox | 2 Brimstone, 2 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood |
| 11th | Fingringhoe | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood | Rosie & Bill Perkins, Linda & George Jenkins. | 12,Brimstone, 10,Peacock, 6,Comma, 3,Speckled Wood, 14,Large White, 15,Small White, 3,Green Veined White. |
| 11th | Eastcliff Footpath, Holland on Sea (TM192159) | Comma, Peacock, Small White, Speckled Wood | Brian Goodey | Five speckled woods. |
| 11th | Black Notley (TL771204) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip | VALERIE BLAMIRE | First Male Orange Tip seen in garden in 2025. |
| 10th | Thaxted | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood | Richard Berry | Butterflies in good numbers in more sheltered spots across farmland |
| 10th | St Ives (TL318723) | Holly Blue | Nick Milne | First garden sighting of the year |
| 9th | Paxton Pits (TL195629) | Comma, Peacock, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood, Grizzled Skipper | Steve Binding + Paul Fisher | mid afternoon 15c too windy really, still saw (1)Grizz. (12)PCock. (1)SmWht.(2)GVWht. (4m)OTip.(8)Comma. (2)SpecWood. (sev)UN ID White. |
| 8th | Woodredon Hill, Epping Forest (TQ418995) | Orange-Tip | Tom Simon | 1 male Orange-tip flying over road. |
| 8th | Holme Fen (TL1989) | Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Small Copper | Phil Bromley & Rosalyn Payne | Our first Small copper of the year, plus Brimstone (1), G-V White (7) & Peacock (6) (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 8th | Gravel Hill Way (Estate), Dovercourt (TM234301) | Comma, Brimstone | Kas Aldous | I x Brimstone (superb, extremely bright male). Flew fast and went high over houses. 2 x Comma flitting around garden bushes. Sunny and fairly warm day although moderate to high breeze at times. |
| 8th | Devils Dyke Newmarket Racecourse (TL6062) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Green Hairstreak | Richard Berry | 2 Green Hairstreak seen in the ditch of dyke. Very flighty in the midday sunshine (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 7th | Westley Heights C. Park. | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White | Andrew Cox | Two male brimstones. Mating pair of G.V.White. |
| 7th | Lark Rise Farm, Barton (TL4154) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood | Vince Lea | |
| 7th | Langdon Hills ( EWT Lincewood & Great Berry). | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral | Andrew Cox | |
| 7th | Farmland west of Barton (TL3955) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White | Vince Lea | Permissive path on the edge of crop fields and a small woodland, stream & pond. 10 Peacock, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Brimstone, 2 Green-veined White |
| 7th | Barnack hills &Holes (TF077044) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Green Hairstreak | Steve Binding + Paul Fisher | From midday sunny 16/17c. (7)Green HS. (3)OTip m. (2)GVWht.(sev) UN ID Wht. (2)Comma. (2m+1fm ovi)Brim. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 6th | St Ives (TL329717) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood | Jeremy Milne | Scrubby grassland off Parson’s Drove: 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Comma, 11 Peacock, 1 Brimstone, 8 Green-veined White, 3 Speckled Wood |
| 6th | Paxton Pits (TL198628) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Grizzled Skipper | Iain Whitaker | Two Grizzled Skippers seen. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 6th | Ouse Fen, Earith Bridge | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Green-veined White | Alan Coles | 10.45 to 11.15 a.m One female Green-Veined White in grassy bank plus one Peacock & one Small Tortoiseshell. Weather was sunny but with cool easterly breeze at times. |
| 6th | Litlington, South Cambs (TL311428) | Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip | Phillip Hastings | 2-3 Green-veined White - first sighting of this species this year and suspect a brood just hatched locally as all in the garden at the same time. 2 Orange-Tip (m). Also first time seen in garden this year. 1 Brimstone (m) - species seen every day at the moment (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 6th | Lawford Dale Estate, Nr. Manningtree (TM101317) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Green-veined White | Kas Aldous | 1 x Green-veined White on garden plants near pathway. Butterfly condition- superb. Plus 2 x Small Tortoiseshell and several Peacock flitting about elsewhere on the estate. Mostly bright, sunny and warm with a light breeze. |
| 6th | Houghton (TL284723) | Holly Blue | John Winterbottom | One settled briefly on garden hedge (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 5th | Langdon Hills Country Park (TQ690854) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood | David Lazarus | Large numbers of Peacock; good numbers of Comma, Green-veined & Large Whites; and the start of the Orange-tip. |
| 4th | Two Tree Island (TQ830852) | Wall | Kathy Hunter | a female Wall Brown along the path on transect (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 4th | Doddinghurst. | Comma, Peacock, Small White, Large White | Rosie And Bill Perkins., Linda And George Jenkins. | 5,Peacock, 1,Comma, 1,Large White, 1,Small White. |
| 3rd | Walthamstow Marshes Nature Reserve (TQ349877) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood | David Lazarus | Good numbers of Small White at both Walthamstow Marshes NR & Coppermill Fields TQ351880; low numbers of the rest - a couple of Small Tortoiseshell |
| 3rd | Thaxted (TL610031) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip | Richard Berry | 1 large white 1 Orange-tip (male) 1 Red Admiral 3 Brimstone 4 Green-veined White 5 Peacock 7 Comma |
| 3rd | Nr. Meadow Millennium Green, Little Clacton (TM163192) | Comma, Peacock, Small Copper | Kas Aldous | 2 x Small Copper (seemingly good condition), very flighty along hedgerow on a very sunny but not overly warm afternoon, light breeze. Plus 3 Peacock & 1 Comma. |
| 2nd | Thaxted (TL610031) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock | Richard Berry | 5 Small Tortoiseshell 2 Comma 2 Peacock |
| 2nd | Perry Lagoons + meadow (TL157669) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Orange-Tip, Speckled Wood | Steve Binding | 1.25/3pm sunny warm 19c but breezy. (28)PCock.(8)Comma.(1)SpecW. (2)Brim.(1)RedAD. (1m)Orange Tip.(2)UN ID White. |
| 2nd | Harrow Lodge Park and The Chase Local NR | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue | Zayed Ahmed | 18 Comma (and one egg!), 16 Peacock, 4 Speckled Wood, 3 Brimstone, at least 3 Small Whites, 1 Large White and 1 male Holly Blue in a sheltered spot at Harrow Lodge. |
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| March 2025 |
|---|
| Date | Location | Species | Reporter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31st | Perry Lagoons (TL157669) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Speckled Wood | Steve Binding + Paul Fisher | sunny 17c. (24)Pcock. (6)Comma. (2)Brim. (1)RedAD. (1)SmWht. (1)SpecWood, very fresh. (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 31st | Paxton Pits (TL195629) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White | Steve Binding + Paul Fisher | 12.25/16.10pm sunny 17c. (16m+3fm)Brim (28)PCock. (7)Comma. (1)GVWhite. |
| 31st | Hare Park Six Mile Bottom. (TL582587) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Orange-Tip | Kevin Wilson | 2 male Orange Tips on the wing. My first for this year. Also 4 male Brimstones, 1 Peacock and 1 Comma. 10.25 am-11 15 am. |
| 31st | Belhus Woods Country Park, Aveley, Essex (TQ565824) | Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Speckled Wood | Paul & Barbara Beckett | 11am-3pm walk on sunny and warm day. 30+ Peacocks, 10+ Brimstones, 5+ Small Whites, 1 Speckled Wood. |
| 30th | Great Oakley (TM201280) | Orange-Tip | Julian Sidney | In my garden (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 29th | Honeypot Lane Allotments, Brentwood (TQ583935) | Comma, Peacock, Small White | Paul & Barbara Beckett | Sunny but breezy morning digging at the allotment. Singles only including Small White near the brassica cage. |
| 29th | Great Oakley (TM201280) | Large White | Julian Sidney | Seen in out garden. Recorded on IRecord (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 29th | Eastcliff Footpath, Holland on Sea (TM192159) | Peacock, Speckled Wood | Brian Goodey | Our first speckled wood of the year. |
| 27th | Hatfield Forest (TL542209) | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone | David Lazarus | Good numbers of Comma & Peacock, with Brimstone numbers down because of the morning cloud. First, and only Red Admiral seen at Hatfield Forest in 2025 so far. |
| 27th | Harrow Lodge Park | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White, Large White | Zayed Ahmed | 20 Peacock, 10 Comma, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Large White, 1 Small White (likely more), 1 Brimstone, 1 Red Admiral |
| 26th | nr St Osyth (TM144159) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White | Simon Cox | 2 Commas, single Peacock, Small White & Brimstone in our garden |
| 26th | Westley Heights C. Park. | Peacock, Brimstone | Andrew Cox | At least two male brimstones. |
| 26th | Westfield Farm (TL3754) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock | Vince Lea | |
| 26th | Wandlebury Orchard, Cambridge | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White | LORRAINE MATHEWS | 8 Brimstones including one female, 2 Commas, 3 Peacocks and a Green Veined White |
| 26th | Littley Green. | Peacock, Brimstone, Speckled Wood | Rosie And Bill Perkins., Linda And George Jenkins. | 4,Brimstone, 2,Peacock, 1,Speckled Wood. |
| 26th | Lark Rise Farm (TL4155) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White | Vince Lea | |
| 26th | Langdon Hills ( EWT Lincewood & Great Berry). | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone | Andrew Cox | Six male brimstones. Five peacocks. Two commas. One red admiral. |
| 26th | Holland on Sea (TM193156) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Green-veined White | Brian Goodey | Beautiful day and butterflies numerous: peacocks 10, red admirals 2, comma 7, small white 4, green-veined white 1, small tortoiseshell 2 |
| 26th | Harrow Lodge Park | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood | Zayed Ahmed | 1 mint fresh Speckled Wood. Also 3 Peacock, 3 Comma, at least 2 Small Whites, 1 Large White, 1 Brimstone, 1 Small Tortoiseshell |
| 26th | Hardwick wood (TL3557) | Peacock, Brimstone, Large White | Vince Lea | |
| 26th | Hadleigh Castle Country Park (TL792861) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White | David Lazarus | Over 50 Peacock seen across 4 sites at Belton Hills NR, Hadleigh Castle CP, Benfleet Downs, & Canvey Wick NR; a handful of Comma & Brimstone; first Large White of 2025 plus Green-veined White at Hadleigh Castle CP; and a Small Tortoiseshell at Canvey Wick NR. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 26th | Great Clacton, Essex (TM175179) | Peacock | Kas Aldous | Butterfly condition- Very fresh, colours excellent. First in garden this year. Alternate flitting around and sunning itself on top of dandelions. |
| 25th | Harrow Lodge Park | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Large White | Zayed Ahmed | 1 male Large White, 3 Comma, 1 Peacock and one Red Admiral, before the clouds rolled in. |
| 25th | Harrow Lodge Park | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Large White | Zayed Ahmed | 1 male Large White, 3 Comma, 1 Peacock and one Red Admiral, before the clouds rolled in. |
| 24th | Holland on Sea (TM194158) | Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White | Brian Goodey | One red admiral, ovipositing on nettles, a single peacock and our first small white of the year. |
| 24th | Fairlop Water CP (TQ4590) | Speckled Wood | Alan Bell | a single. Nothing else seen |
| 24th | Berners Roding (TL593098) | Small Tortoiseshell | Tom Simon | Single Small Tortoiseshell. |
| 24th | Baddow Meads (TL718062) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Red Admiral, Green-veined White | David Lazarus | First Red Admiral & Green-veined White of 2025; & a few Small Tortoiseshell & Comma along the riverbanks. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 20th | Warley Place NR, Great Warley, Brentwood (TQ583908) | Peacock, Brimstone | Paul & Barbara Beckett | Warm sunshine at 2pm. Brimstone 2 males 1 female; 1 Peacock. |
| 20th | New Shardelows Farm near Fulbourn. (TL537542) | Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone | Kevin Wilson | 4 Butterflies seen between 9.50 am -1.45 pm. 2 male Brimstones, 1 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoishell. Sunny light wind. |
| 20th | Monks Wood (TL2080) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | Rosalyn Payne & Phil Bromley | 11am - 12.15 Sunny 17 Deg. Main, Stocking Close, Hotel rides + East Field Comma 5, Peacock 6, Brimstone 10m - 1 f. |
| 20th | Lyonshall Wood, S of Great Leighs (TL7314) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | George Brown | Sunny and warm, 11.45am-1.35pm. 1 Comma, 1 Peacock, 4 male Brimstones. (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 20th | Litlington, South Cambs (TL311428) | Peacock, Brimstone | Phillip Hastings | 2 x Peacock (first sighting in the garden of this species this year), feeding on Vibernum 2 x Brimstone (m); 1 x Brimstone (f) flying around (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 20th | Langdon Hills ( EWT Lincewood & Great Berry). | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | Andrew Cox | Three male brimstones Four peacocks. One comma. |
| 20th | Howland's Marsh (TM111160) | Peacock | Richard GreatRex | More than 10 Peacocks along the footpath past the reserve. |
| 20th | Hatfield Forest (TL540208) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | David Lazarus | Good numbers of Peacock, with less Brimstone, and the same number of Comma as 2 weeks ago (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 20th | Black Notley (TL7620) | Brimstone | George Brown | Sunny and warm. 2 male Brimstones in garden, 11.25a.m. |
| 19th | Town Mead Depot, Waltham Abbey (TL379002) | Small Tortoiseshell | Tom Simon | |
| 19th | South Cambridge city garden | Brimstone | Anne Applin | 1 green-yellow presumably male Brimstone flying across our garden in south Cambridge at around noon today, 19th March 2025 in bright sunshine, about 14 degrees C. Our first sighting of any butterfly this year. |
| 19th | Perry Lagoons + meadow (TL157669) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | Steve Binding+ Paul Fisher | 13.20/14.40pm sunny and still 15/17c. (9)Comma. (1)Brim. (1)PCock. |
| 19th | Lattersey NR (TL2896) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone | Rosalyn Payne & Phil Bromley | 10.30-13.00 Sunny,13 deg. Small Tortoiseshell 1, Comma 1, Peacock 2, Red Admiral 1, Brimstone 2 |
| 19th | Harrow Lodge Park and Chase Local NR | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small White | Zayed Ahmed | 11 Comma, 4 Peacock, 3 Brimstone, 2 Small White, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small Tortoiseshell across both areas. |
| 18th | Harrow Lodge Park | Comma, Peacock, Small White | Zayed Ahmed | My first small white of the year! Also 5 Comma and one Small Tortoiseshell. |
| 9th | Westley Heights C. Park. | Brimstone | Andrew Cox | Male brimstone in Hall Wood. |
| 9th | St Ives (TL306724) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | Jeremy Milne | 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 1 Peacock, 2 Brimstone |
| 9th | Ramsey (TL2785) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | Tony Lack | 2 Comma, 3 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell on Viburnum in my garden plus 1 Brimstone in flight. |
| 9th | Litlington, South Cambs (TL311428) | Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone | Phillip Hastings | First sightings in the garden this year - and three species came along at once. All feeding on Vibernum shrub in warm sunshine. 1 x Brimstone (m); 1 x Comma; 1 x Red Admiral (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo photo ) |
| 9th | Langdon Hills ( EWT Lincewood & Great Berry). | Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone | Andrew Cox | Male brimstone. Three commas Two red admirals. One peacock. |
| 9th | Harrow Lodge Park | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone | Zayed Ahmed | 8 Comma, 7 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshells (male attempting to mate with female), 1 Red Admiral and 1 Brimstone |
| 9th | Fingringhoe Wick (TM047194) | Comma | Richard And Sandy GreatRex | A pair in one location and a single elsewhere. |
| 9th | Baddow Meads (TL727064) | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock | David Lazarus | The first Small Tortoiseshell [5] on the wing in the floodplain of the River Chelmer. Good numbers of Comma. |
| 8th | Stanford Rivers to Greenstead Church. | Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone | Rosie & Bill Perkins, Linda & George Jenkins. | 2,Brimstone, 2,Comma, 1,Red Admiral. |
| 8th | Perry Lagoons + meadow (TL157669) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | Steve Binding | 11.15/12.50pm sunny 18c (1)PCock. (7)Comma. (14m+1fm) Brim. |
| 8th | Harrow Lodge Park | Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Brimstone | Zayed Ahmed | A brilliant 5 species at Harrow Lodge Park in the space of one hour: 7 Comma, 3 Peacock, 1 Brimstone, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small Tortoiseshell. 1 Comma at Havering Country Park and 1 at Hainault Forest |
| 8th | Coldhams Lane Cambridge. (TL488571) | Brimstone | Kevin Wilson | 2 male Brimstones on the wing. 1 by St. Andrews church and the other in the Toyata dealership grounds. |
| 8th | Archers Wood (TL1780) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | Rosalyn Payne | Comma 3, Peacock 1, Brimstone 4 |
| 7th | Weeleyhall Wood (TM157211) | Comma | Richard And Sandy GreatRex | A single individual on the ride. |
| 7th | Hare Park Six Mile Bottom. (TL583589) | Brimstone | Kevin Wilson | 2 Brimstones seen on the wing. 1 at 11.40 am and another in a different area 11.50 am |
| 7th | Epping Upland Millennium Garden, Essex (TL437054) | Red Admiral | Tom Simon | 1 Red Admiral. |
| 6th | The Gardens of Easton Lodge | Brimstone | Steven Ratcliffe | Two sighted. Sunny and warm weather, no wind. |
| 6th | Spring Pond Wood, Ongar (TL554027) | Brimstone | Lisa Hyde | |
| 6th | Monks Wood (TL1980) | Comma, Brimstone | Rosalyn Payne & Phil Bromley | Sunny, 18 Deg, No wind. Comma 1, Brimstone (m) 7. |
| 6th | Little Warley Common (TQ605905) | Brimstone | Rob Smith | 1m |
| 6th | Langdon Hills (EWT Willow Park & Mark's Hill & Lin | Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone | Andrew Cox | Singles of each. Brimstone was a male. |
| 6th | Langdon Hills ( EWT Lincewood & Great Berry). | Red Admiral | Andrew Cox | Two red admirals tussling in a sunny glade. |
| 6th | Kimbolton cemetery (TL099680) | Brimstone | Jon Powell | 2 males seen |
| 6th | Hatfield Forest (TL532206) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | David Lazarus | Good numbers of Brimstone & Comma (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 6th | Empty Common Cambridge (TL454566) | Comma | Roger Horton | I Comma butterfly flying over allotment gardens. Too fleeting for a photo. |
| 6th | Dry Drayton, Cambridge (TL379622) | Brimstone | Val Perrin | One male Brimstone flying across High St, Dry Drayton in warm sunshine. |
| 6th | Clacton-on-Sea (TM169142) | Peacock | Malcolm Wilson | Sunning on our back fence, 200 yards from the beach |
| 6th | Chigwell Row Wood LNR, Essex (TQ461928) | Brimstone | Tom Simon | 3 Brimstones (2 males, 1 female). |
| 5th | Trumpington Meadows nature reserve | Red Admiral, Brimstone | Lorraine MATHEWS | 4 Brimstones and a Red Admiral seen just over the bridge on the South side of Trumpington meadows. Blues skies and sunshine 14c |
| 5th | Langdon Hills Country Park (TQ686876) | Comma, Peacock, Brimstone | David Lazarus | First Comma & Brimstone [male] of 2025 (Photo(s) supplied: photo photo ) |
| 5th | Gog Magog Down, Cambridge (TL490531) | Brimstone | Phillip Hastings | One male Brimstone flying along the southern edge of a wood in warm sunshine. Only my second butterlfy sighting of the year (the first was also a male Brimstone). |
| 5th | Fordham (TL633689) | Brimstone | Nick Milne | Single male flying along hedgerow |
| 4th | Tylers Common (TQ5690) | Comma | Rob Smith | in a small clearing |
| 4th | Sawston (TL048638) | Comma | Jo Sinclair | 1 |
| 4th | Sawston (TL048638) | Brimstone | Jo Sinclair | 3 males at St Mary's churchyard seen in the afternoon sunshine |
| 4th | Ramsey (TL2785) | Peacock | Anthony Lack | Single in my garden in bright sunshine & light breeze. |
| 4th | Meadgate Fields Open Space (TL729056) | Peacock | David Lazarus | First butterfly of the year (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 4th | Claybury Park (TQ382615) | Brimstone | Zayed Ahmed | One male Brimstone fluttering along woodland edge |
| 4th | Albany Gardens, Clacton (TM185155) | Red Admiral | Brian Goodey | An early red admiral, sunning itself on grass. |
| 3rd | St Ives (TL306724) | Peacock, Brimstone | Brian Milne | Single Brimstone in flight and single Peacock nectaring from Heather. |
| 3rd | Great Staughton Old Cemetery (TL123647) | Comma, Brimstone | Steve Binding | Mid afternoon, nice and sunny, one Brimstone and one Comma |
| 3rd | CherrybHinton Hall, Cambridge | Brimstone | Lorraine Mathews | Blue skies, bright sunshine, no breeze 12°Flew out in front of me. |
| 2nd | Holland on Sea (TM190159) | Small Tortoiseshell | Brian Goodey | Our first butterfly of the year. Last small tortoiseshell we saw here was 1 April 2024. |
| 2nd | Freshfield, Cardinal's Green (TL616584) | Small Tortoiseshell | Rosemarie Parks | (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 1st | Havering Country Park | Red Admiral | Zayed Ahmed | One fluttering and gliding along woodland edge, before climbing above treetops. Also one seen at RSPB Rainham Marshes by a friend. |
| February 2025 |
|---|
| Date | Location | Species | Reporter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28th | Ramsey (TL2785) | Small Tortoiseshell | Anthony Lack | Single in sushine on my Viburnum. |
| 28th | Hornchurch Country Park | Red Admiral | Nicholas Barnett | Excited but not surprised to see my first butterfly of the year on this balmy day. |
| 25th | Whaddon, South Cambridgeshire (TL349463) | Brimstone | Phillip Hastings | One male Brimstone flying very strongly along a hedgerow next to main road through the village in warm sunshine. First sighting for me of any butterfly anywhere since early last October! |
| 14th | RSPB Rainham Marshes (TQ547788) | Other butterfly | David Lazarus | 7 Brown Hairstreak ova - 4 in the car park & 3 just inside the entrance of the reserve (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 5th | Claybury Park (TQ428911) | Other butterfly | David Lazarus | 8 Brown Hairstreak ova in 3 separate locations, on south-facing Blackthorn suckers (Photo(s) supplied: photo ) |
| 5th | Benfleet. | Red Admiral | Rosie And Bill Perkins., Linda And George Jenkins. | 1,Red Admiral. |
| 2nd | Havering Country Park | Red Admiral | Zayed Ahmed | 2 Red Admirals flying strongly in 7° full sun, one rapidly heading south and one low over grass |
| January 2025 |
|---|
| Date | Location | Species | Reporter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30th | Wood Lane alongside Wennington Wood (TL244787) | Red Admiral | Jeremy Aldred | one, sunning itself by roadside |