Butterflies in the Stevenage area

News

Archive: 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

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8 Oct - Transects' annual totals. The 3 transect annual totals updated to include this years figures - all higher than 2024

6 Oct - Stevenage week 27. Transect 1255-1410 hrs (17c, 100% sun, S2) - 1 Speckled Wood. Total for year is 1515 highest since 2019

29 Sep - Knebworth Woods week 26. Transect 1245-1325 hrs (15c, 100% sun, NW1) - 3 Speckled Wood

23 Sep - Stevenage week 26. Transect 1210-1325 hrs (14c, 90% sun, NE 3) - 9 butterflies (6 Speckled Wood, 3 Small White)

19 Sep - Knebworth week 25. Transects 1020-1250 hrs (19-21c, 100% sun, SW 4) - 18 butterflies (6 Speckled Wood, 4 Small White, 3 Red Admiral). Also 2 Small Copper in Knebworth Park & 2 Brimstone (male & female) at Norton Green Common. Large White near the Stevenage Leisure Park

16 Sep - Stevenage week 25. Transect 1310-1425 hrs (18c, 71% sun, W4) - NO butterflies. Conservation cuts in South Field and Shackledell (2nd time this year). With one week to go, best year since 2019 - 1496 counted

12 Sep - Knebworth Woods week 24. Transect 1020-1105 hrs (15c, 96% sun, W 4) - 3 butterflies (Small White, Comma, Speckled Wood)

9 Sep - Stevenage week 24. Transect 1010-1135 hrs (17c, 95% sun, S3) - 7 butterflies (speckled Wood 4, Small White 2, Meadow Brown)

6 Sep - Stevenage week 23. Transect 1010-1135 hrs (18c, 56% sun, SE2) - 7 butterflies (3 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, 2 Meadow Brown). Hazy sunshine which may partly account for low total

5 Sep - Knebworth week 23. Transects 1000-1245 hrs (17-18c, 60% sun, SW 3) - 30 butterflies (12 Small White, 6 Green-veined White, 5 Meadow Brown). Almost certainly Clouded Yellow (helice) in field east of Langley (TL220223)

31 Aug - Knebworth Woods week 22. The woods transect only 1015-1100 hrs (18c, 38% sun, SW4) - 15 butterflies (6 Green-veined White, 5 Small White, Comma, Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown)

28 Aug - WCBS Aston. 1040-1140 hrs (19c, 92% sun, SW4) - 8 butterflies (5 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, Speckled Wood)

26 Aug - Stevenage week 22. Transect 1315-1440 hrs (23c, 22% sun, SW 3) - 15 butterflies (7 Speckled Wood, 4 Small White, Small Copper)

24 Aug - Knebworth week 21. Transects 0955-1245 hrs (19-22c, 50% sun, S2-3) - 73 butterflies (24 Meadow Brown, 14 Small White, 12 Green-veined White). No Meadow Browns on the woods transect

19 Aug - Stevenage week 21. Transect 1305-1435 hrs (23c, 22% sun, NW 4) - 23 butterflies (11 Meadow Brown, 5 Small White, 2 Large White, 2 Speckled Wood) plus Common Blue & Small Copper (both at Shackledell Grassland)

17 Aug - Knebworth week 20. Transects 1000-1250 hrs (18-21c, 100% sun, E3) - 109 butterflies (46 Meadow Brown, 14 Small Heath, 13 Small White) plus 2 new brood Small Copper

12 Aug - Stevenage week 20. Transect 0925-1100 hrs (24c, 100% sun, NE2) - 65 butterflies (41 Meadow Brown, 13 Gatekeeper, 6 Speckled Wood). Only one white (SW)

10 Aug - Norton Green. 1000-1045 hrs (21c, 100% sun, SW2) - 36 Meadow Brown, 24 Gatekeeper, 3 Small Copper, 3 Small Heath, 2 Common Blue & 3 whites

8 Aug - Knebworth week 19. Transects 0955-1255 hrs (21-22c, 80% sun, W3) - 121 butterflies (39 Gatekeeper, 37 Meadow Brown, 10 Small White). Small Heath in Knebworth Park - extra white on hindwing undersides - possible ab. nolkeniana.

6 Aug - Stevenage week 19. Transect 1005-1150 hrs (19c, 93% sun, W3) - 117 butterflies (45 Gatekeeper, 43 Meadow Brown, 7 Large White, 7 Speckled Wood) plus a Purple Hairstreak (first one close to the ground this year)

5 Aug - Big Butterfly Count in Fairlands Valley Park. 1025-1040 hrs (18c, 95% sun, W4) - 12 butterflies (4 Gatekeeper, 3 Common Blue, 2 Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood & Meadow Brown)

2 Aug - Knebworth woods week 18. Transect 1030-1130 hrs (18c, 2% sun, NW3) - 55 butterflies (41 Gatekeeper, 12 Meadow Brown, 2 Large White). Very few flying in overcast conditions

30 Jul - Stevenage week 18. Transect 1000-1140 hrs (21c, 28% sun, W1) - 95 butterflies (54 Gatekeeper, 36 Meadow Brown, 3 Common Blue). Only 1 white (Large White).

28 Jul - Knebworth week 17. Transects 1005-1310 hrs (21-22c, 65% sun, NW2) - 198 butterflies (117 Gatekeeper, 44 Meadow Brown, 9 Large White, 9 Small White, 9 Green-veined White)

25 Jul - Astonbury Wood July. 1045-1120 hrs (22c, 70% sun, W 2) - 14 butterflies (6 Speckled Wood, 4 Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Red Admiral & Comma)

23 Jul - Stevenage week 17. Transect 1015-1155 hrs (20c, 62% sun, N 2) - 149 butterflies (104 Gatekeeper, 24 Meadow Brown, 7 Large White plus 2 Holly Blue -first of a new generation). Gatekeeper count highest weekly total since 2006

21 Jul - Big Butterfly Count in Fairlands Valley Park. Between 1020 and 1035 hrs - 17 Gatekeeper, 14 Common Blue, 2 Meadow Brown, Green-veined White & 4 6-spot Burnet

20 Jul - Big Butterfly Count in garden. Between 1715 and 1730 hrs, after damp start to the day - Red Admiral, 4 Gatekeeper, 2 Large White, Comma, 3 Common Blue including courting pair in flight & Jersey Tiger

18 Jul - Knebworth week 16. Transects 0930-1235 hrs (23-25c, 97% sun, SW3) - 323 butterflies (121 Gatekeeper, 53 Meadow Brown, 44 Large White). 2 Painted Lady (Knebworth Park & field N of Burleigh Farm). Gatekeeper count (72) on woods transect second highest ever

17 Jul - First garden Common Blue. First for several years - a male at around 0830 hrs

16 Jul - Stevenage week 16. Transect 0940-1125 hrs (20c, 18% sun, NW4) - 92 butterflies (41 Gatekeeper, 24 Meadow Brown, 7 Common Blue). 1 Small Skipper half of forewing bleached white. Jersey Tiger on white buddleia in garden

13 Jul - Knebworth week 15. Transects 0935-1250 hrs (21-25c, 75% sun, NE2) - 289 butterflies (98 Gatekeeper, 90 Meadow Brown, 24 Large White). First Holly Blue seen for months at Norton Green. At least 2 Gatekeepers unusually large - Meadow Brown size.

10 Jul - WCBS Aston. 0940-1050 hrs (22c, 100%sun, NW 2) - 69 butterflies (24 Gatekeeper, 15 Large White, 8 Small White plus 2 Small Copper at the Cricket Ground). Highest total since June 2020

9 Jul - Stevenage week 15. Transect 0925-1120 hrs (21c, 70% sun, NW2) - 158 butterflies (53 Meadow Brown, 27 Gatekeeper, 16 Large White plus 1st Small Copper, Essex Skipper and Purple Hairstreak of the year)

4 Jul - Knebworth week 14. Transects 0935-1305 hrs (20-23c, 80% sun, SW3-4) - 363 butterflies (100 Ringlet, 69 Meadow Brown, 48 Marbled White, 48 Gatekeeper plus 1st Common Blue of new generation and 1st Painted Lady of year at Norton Green

3 Jul - Field trip to Norton Green. 8 of us enjoyed ideal weather 1030-1300 hours to find Purple Emperor & White Admiral at the common. Many Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Marbled Whites, Small Skippers & 'whites' Small Copper in field beyond the common

1 Jul - Stevenage week 14. Transect 0920-1110 hrs (27c, 87% sun, W1) - 275 butterflies (71 Meadow Brown, 66 Marbled White, 38 Small/Essex Skipper plus new generation Peacock and Common Blue (2) and first of the year Silver-washed Fritillary in Millennium Wood)

30 Jun - Large Skipper in garden. First of the year Large Skipper in Stevenage garden in the evening feeding on 'Bowles Mauve'

29 Jun - Knebworth week 13. Transects (0940-1310 hrs, 23-25c, 25% sun, W1) - 519 butterflies (149 Ringlet, 102 Marbled White, 97 Meadow Brown plus first Gatekeeper (12) of the year, new generation Peacock (5)). Whites numerous. Highest weekly count in the woods transect ever. Also 1st Gatekeeper of year at Six Hills Common and my Stevenage garden

25 Jun - Stevenage week 13. Transect 0955-1150 hrs (23c, 28% sun, W2) - 243 butterflies (75 Meadow Brown, 69 Marbled White, 31 Ringlet). A few whites about incl 19 Large White and increasing numbers of skippers but no Essex Skippers identified

20 Jun - Knebworth week 12. Transects 0940-1245 hrs (23-26c, 70% sun, SE3) - 278 butterflies (138 Meadow Brown, 64 Marbled White, 17 Ringlet). First Small Copper of the year in Knebworth Park where first transect Small Tortoiseshell of the year also seen. Silver-washed Fritillary (another first) at Norton Green

19 Jun - Painted Lady. First Painted Lady of the year just outside my front door basking on the ground at 0745 hrs

17 Jun - Stevenage week 12. Transect 1005-1150 hrs (22c, 94% sun, SW 3) - 132 butterflies (90 Meadow Brown, 18 Marbled White, 8 Small Skipper). Meadow Brown highest weekly count since 2019.

16 Jun - Brimstones in garden. Male & female Brimstones fluttering around in the evening - probably home-grown

14 Jun - Knebworth week 11. Transects 1005-1245 hrs (21-24c, 97% sun, SW 4) - 86 butterflies (62 Meadow Brown, 7 Large Skipper plus 1st Marbled White(2) & Red Admiral of the year). A very tatty Peacock near Pigeonswick Cottage - unusual for June; could be from last years 2nd generation in the autumn

11 Jun - Stevenage week 11. Transect 1030-1200 hrs (20c, 78% sun, SE3) - 24 butterflies (12 Meadow Brown, 6 Large Skipper, 4 Speckled Wood + 1st Small Skipper (female) of the year & one of the earliest ever).

8 Jun - Knebworth Woods week 10. Transect (1025-1115 hrs, 15c, 78% sun, NW4) - 11 butterflies (Large Skipper 8, Meadow Brown 2 (1st of year), Speckled Wood) all in section 4 (Norton Green Common)

6 Jun - Stevenage week 10. Transect 1320-1440 hrs (19c, 98% sun, S4) - 5 butterflies (Large Skipper 3, Speckled Wood & Meadow Brown (1st of the year))

31 May - Knebworth week 9. Transects 1025-1255 hrs (21-23c, 85% sun, SW 3) - 15 butterflies (Speckled Wood 8, Large Skipper 4, Small Heath 2). 4 Chimney Sweeper as well as a Cinnabar moth in Knebworth Park

30 May - Stevenage week 9. Transect 1025-1155 hrs (21c, 98% sun, S4) - 8 butterflies (5 Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Holly Blue, Small White). The Large Skipper & Holly Blue firsts of the year here

25 May - Fairlands Valley Park. Despite the blustery conditions, saw a female Orange-tip and a Common Blue

23 May - Knebworth week 8. Only the woods transect (1045-1130 hrs, 15c, 50% sun, W3) - just one butterfly Speckled Wood in ride west of Newton Wood

20 May - Stevenage week 8. Transect 1055-1220 hrs (15c, 100% sun, NE3) - 4 butterflies (Large White, Small White, Common Blue (1st of the year), Small Heath). First garden Green-veined White

17 May - Knebworth week 7. Transects 1235-1500 hrs (15-16c, 90% sun, N3) - 17 butterflies (6 Speckled Wood, 4 Small Heath,3 Small White) plus first Common Blue of the year on the park transect. Also Burnet Companion & Mother Shipton

16 May - First Common Blue and Large Skipper. Firsts of the year for the butterflies in the field south of Norton Green Common. For the Large Skipper. equals the earliest ever known recorded date in the TL22 square. 6 Small Heaths also seen but no whites

13 May - Stevenage week 7. Transect 1030-1150 hrs (19c, 100% sun, E3) - 6 butterflies (3 Speckled Wood, Orange-tip, Peacock & Small Heath)

12 May - Astonbury Wood May. Good work done over the winter - coppicing and construction of landmarks. 1045-1120 hrs (20c, 100% sun, SE3) - just one butterfly - Orange-tip.

10 May - Knebworth week 6. Transects 1030-1255 hrs (16-18c, 90% sun, E3) - 29 butterflies (8 Orange-tip, 8 Small Heath, 4 Green-veined White). 7 of the Small Heath were in the field south of Norton Green Common including a mating pair and several males fighting for attention of the female. Also probably an early new generation Comma at the common

9 May - Stevenage week 6. Transect 1225-1345 hrs (16c, 100% sun, E3) - 11 butterflies (3 Speckled Wood, 2 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, 2 Orange-tip, 2 Small Heath (first of the year))

2 May - Knebworth week 5. Transects 1030-1300 hrs (18-19c, 100% sun, NE 3) - 14 butterflies (4 Speckled Wood, 3 Orange-tip, 3 Small Heath - earliest ever). Also in garden moth trap - first-evers for Herald and Acleris literana

1 May - First garden Holly Blue. Of the year in garden. Also Orange-tip egg on garlic mustard in garden

29 Apr - Stevenage week 5. Transect 1025-1145 hrs (17c, 100% sun, SE2) - 16 butterflies (10 Speckled Wood, 5 Orange-tip & Green-veined White). Good to see so many Speckled Woods after poor year in 2024 when only 33 counted in total and maximum of 7 on 13 August (week 20). First garden Orange-tip & Brimstone (both females possibly egg-laying)) of the year

28 Apr - First Holly Blue of the year. Seen on the western side of Knebworth Park. Other species: Speckled Wood, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip and Peacock

27 Apr - Knebworth week 4. Transects 1045-1330 hrs (15-18c, 95% sun, S2) - 35 butterflies (12 Orange-tip, 8 Speckled Wood, 7 Green-veined White)

22 Apr - Stevenage week 4. Transect 1410-1525 hrs (16c, 59% sun, S2) - 12 butterflies (6 Peacock, 2 Orange-tip, 2 Brimstone)

21 Apr - Website updated. New data for 2024 (branch area & UKBMS) added. New charts added for each species account

19 Apr - Knebworth Woods week 3. Transect 1400-1440 hrs (16c, 90% sun, E4) - 21 butterflies (7 Peacock, 4 Green-veined White, 4 Orange-tip)

17 Apr - Stevenage week 3. Transect 1240-1405 hrs (14c. 86% sun, E1) - 18 butterflies (8 Orange-tip, 5 Peacock, 3 Green-veined White & first Speckled Wood of year here)

12 Apr - Knebworth week 2. Transects 1055-1330 hrs (15c-18c, 100% sun, SE3) - 24 butterflies (10 Peacock, 4 Brimstone, 4 Orange-tip, 3 Speckled Wood - last 2 of which firsts of the year). 3 male Orange-tip by cycle track south of the Leisure Park

8 Apr - Stevenage week 2. Transect 1255-1410 hrs(13c, 98% sun, E2) - 8 butterflies (5 Peacock, Green-veined White, Small White & Brimstone)

7 Apr - 3 firsts of the year. Green-veined White, Large White (x2) and Orange-tip in and around Fairlands Valley Park. 6 Peacock and 6 Small White also seen.

4 Apr - Knebworth week 1. Transects 1110-1340 hrs (15c-18c, 100% sun, NE 4) - 19 butterflies (14 Peacock, 5 Brimstone). Small White by the Leisure Park

2 Apr - Stevenage week 1. Transect 1255-1410 hrs (14c, 100% sun, NE 4) - 6 butterflies (5 Peacock, 1 SW). First garden Small White of the year

31 Mar - Peacocks to the fore. Visit to FVP northern section - 14 Peacock, 4 Brimstone & 3 Comma

26 Mar - Stevenage week 0. First transect of the year 1245-1350 hrs (15c, 93% sun, S2) - 3 Comma, 3 Brimstone & Peacock. In garden, Brimstone & Peacock (feeding on Bowles Mauve)

24 Mar - Brimstone & Comma. Only butterflies (one of each) seen in the northern section of Fairlands Valley Park in cool weather (11c)

20 Mar - More Brimstones. One near Stevenage Police Station, 2 around Norton Green and one in the garden. Peacock also close to Pigeonswick Cottage

19 Mar - First Small White of the year. In Fairlands Valley Park close to Six Hills Way plus 4 Brimstone, 4 Comma & a Peacock elsewhere in the park

9 Mar - First garden butterfly of the year. Comma on ground and 2 more at Norton Green

8 Mar - Commas at FVP. 2 seen in the northern section of Fairlands Valley Park on the eastern side sheltered from the wind

6 Mar - Comma. At around 3pm at Norton Green

5 Mar - First Peacock of year. In the northern section on sheltered bank by stream close to the footbridge (TL253247)

4 Mar - First butterflies of the year. At Fairlands Valley Park: Male Brimstone in flight in southern section and Comma on ground at the Shackledell Grassland. 10c, SE 1 and unbroken sunshine between 1 and 2 pm

2 Jan - Happy New Year. Hopefully on better weather in 2025 we'll see more butterflies than last year