Butterflies in the Stevenage area

News 2023

Archive: 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

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22 Oct - Major upgrade to refresh website. Also incorporating this years' transect records to species accounts

14 Oct - 3rd brood Common Blue. Despite the cool weather (12c) a male Common Blue spotted in South Field, Fairlands Valley Park close to the ground at 1315 hrs

9 Oct - Holly Blue. Male feeding on charlock flowers on grassy verge south of the Stevenage Leisure Park

7 Oct - Stevenage week 28. Transect 1240-1400 hrs (20c, 99% sun, S 3): 4 butterflies (Comma 2, Red Admiral & Common Blue - probably 3rd brood)

5 Oct - Stevenage week 27. Transect 1030-1140 hrs (16c, 78% sun, SW 3): Peacock at Shackledell

29 Sep - Small Copper. Seen in field south of Watery Grove early afternoon. Good sunshine but breezy 18c

26 Sep - Stevenage week 26. Transect 1325-1440 hrs (20c, 88% sun, S 4): Comma and Small White. Total for the year = 1224 (1035 in 2022)

25 Sep - Knebworth week 26. Last Knebworth transects of the season (1040-1310 hrs, 18-19c, 98% sun, SW 3): 8 butterflies (4 Comma, 2 Speckled Wood, Small White & Red Admiral)

21 Sep - Knebworth woods week 25. Transect walked 1300-1345 hrs (17c, 42% sun, SW 3) : 5 butterflies (Comma 2, Speckled Wood 2, Green-veined White 1) plus Small Copper & 2 Red Admiral at Six Hills Common

16 Sep - Stevenage week 25. Transect walked 1235-1350 hrs (21c, 100% sun, NE 3) yielding 3 butterflies (Small White, Red Admiral & Speckled Wood)

14 Sep - Knebworth week 24. Transect walked 1030-1320 hrs (18-20c, 100% sunshine, SW3): 30 butterflies (Speckled Wood 14, Small White 5, Comma 4) plus 3 Red Admiral & tatty Peacock. At Six Hills Common, 6+ Red Admirals on ivy near block of flats

11 Sep - Red Admiral. 4+ Red Admirals on ivy in Whittington Lane near home (TL243237)

9 Sep - Stevenage week 24. Unbroken sunshine 24c (1000-1125 hrs): 11 butterflies (Speckled Wood 5, Small White 4, Small Heath 2). No butterflies in first half of walk

8 Sep - Norton Green. Fresh Small Copper in field south of Watery Grove plus 2 Small Heath & 2 Small White. Comma near Norton Green Farm Cottage

7 Sep - Fairlands Valley Park. 1000-1130 hrs (23c, 100% sun, E2): 14 Small White, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Green-veined White. Small White egg on calabrese (broccoli) in garden

6 Sep - Astonbury Wood. 1115-1200 hrs (24c, 100% sun): 8 Speckled Wood, 1 Small White

5 Sep - Red Admiral. Seen off the A602 south of the Roaring Meg Retail Park, Stevenage at 9:55 am

3 Sep - Knebworth week 23. Transects 1055-1355 hrs (19-21c, 100% sun, SW-S 1/2): 41 butterflies (Speckled Wood 16, Small White 9, Meadow Brown 7, Small Heath 6) plus Brown Argus and Small Copper (worn specimens)

2 Sep - Stevenage week 23. Transect 1325-1445 hrs (22c, 87% sun, E 2): 12 butterflies (Small White 6, Speckled Wood 2, Common Blue, Comma, Meadow Brown, Small Heath). 1st Comma for a while - 2nd generation.

28 Aug - Knebworth week 22. Transects 1050-1345 hrs (18c, 10% sun, NW3): 45 butterflies (Meadow Brown 12 - all in park transect, Small White 11, Small Heath 5) plus Small Copper, Common Blue, Brown Argus and tatty Silver-washed Fritillary outside Pigeonswick Cottage). Also Jersey Tiger at Burleigh Bottom

27 Aug - Stevenage week 22. Transect 1020-1140 hrs (17c, 48% sun, W 3): 20 butterflies (Gatekeeper 9, Speckled Wood 6, Small Heath 2). Best count for this week since 2019

23 Aug - Therfield Heath. On eastern side between 1045 and 1245 hours (50% sun) - 17 Adonis Blue, 34 Chalkhill Blue, 30 Small Heath, 8 Brown Argus

21 Aug - Knebworth week 21. Transects 1050-1410 hrs (20-22c, 90% sun, W2): 97 butterflies (Meadow Brown 36 - 34 in the park, Gatekeeper 16, Small White 12) plus late Essex Skipper in Burleigh Meadow

19 Aug - Stevenage week 21. Transect (1245-1420 hrs, 23c. 61% sun, SW 4): 41 butterflies (Gatekeeper 18, Speckled Wood 8, Meadow Brown 5) plus Small Copper and Brown Argus on sections not seen before. No new generation Small Heath

17 Aug - Stafford Road Open Space Ruislip. 18 Brown Hairstreak (most ever seen on any site), 15 Speckled Wood, 6 Small White, 8 Gatekeeper, 4 Brown Argus, 2 Holly Blue, Small Copper & Red Admiral

15 Aug - Knebworth week 20. Transects 1045-1400 hrs (21c, 90% sun, SW 3): 132 butterflies (Gatekeeper 51, Meadow Brown 37, Small White 11) plus Jersey Tiger at 2 Burleigh Farm Cottages. Single Marbled White at Knebworth Park and Ringlet in Newton Wood

13 Aug - Stevenage week 20. Transect (1300-1435 hrs, 22c, 52% sun, SW 3): 63 butterflies (Gatekeeper 41, Meadow Brown 9, Small White 4) plus first Small Copper of year, 2 'dark' Comma & tatty Small Skipper

10 Aug - WCBS & Astonbury. WCBS at Aston (TL2722): 27 butterflies (Small White 7, Gatekeeper 7, Green-veined White 5) plus Jersey Tiger outside Pond House. Astonbury Wood: 12 butterflies (SW 2, GvW 2, LW 2, RA, C, SpW 3, MB)

9 Aug - Knebworth week 19. Unbroken sunshine for the 2 transects walked 1045-1415 hrs (18-20c, W 3): 255 butterflies (Gatekeeper 105, Meadow Brown 58, Small White 24) plus Brimstone 9. Essex Skipper, Marbled White & Ringlet still just hanging on

6 Aug - Stevenage week 19. Transect 1025-1205 hrs (16c, 75% sun, W 4): 71 butterflies (Gatekeeper 38, Meadow Brown 10, Small White 6) plus first Brown Argus since 2020, Holly Blue 4 & Silver-washed Fritillary (female)

3 Aug - Knebworth woods week 18. Transect 1025-1130 hrs (18c, 44% sun, NW 4): 89 butterflies (Gatekeeper 36, Green-veined White 14, plus Small Copper (1st of year here in Burleigh Meadow), Common Blue and female Silver-washed Fritillary in Norton Green Common. 2 Large Skipper also at the common

1 Aug - Knebworth Park week 18. Transect 1040-1235 hrs (19c, 1% sun, W4): 102 butterflies (Meadow Brown 39, Gatekeeper 36, Peacock 6) plus 3 Small Copper. In garden 2 Red Admiral on 'white' buddleia, 2 Peacock, 4 Gatekeeper

29 Jul - Stevenage week 18. Transect 1015-1145 hrs (20c, 46% sun, W 4): 113 butterflies (Meadow Brown 39, Gatekeeper 31, Small White 10). Marbled White (4) hanging on but no Ringlet

25 Jul - Knebworth week 17. Both transects (1045-1430 hrs, 17-19c, 50% sun, N 3) yielded 331 butterflies (Gatekeeper 88, Meadow Brown 69, Green-veined White 33) plus first Comma of year in the park, first Holly Blue of year in woods. Peacock more abundant (23) and 3 Painted Lady in and around the park

23 Jul - Stevenage week 17. Transect 1230-1420 hrs (21c, 43% sun, W4): 139 butterflies (Meadow Brown 35, Gatekeeper 24, Small White 19) plus first of new generation of Peacock (4), Brimstone (1 - female) & Common Blue (1)

21 Jul - Norton Green Common. Mid morning visit yielded Purple Hairstreak, Comma, Ringlet, Large White 2, Gatekeeper 32, Meadow Brown 24, Red Admiral 2, Small White 5, Small Copper 2, Large Skipper & Brown Argus in field south of Watery Grove

20 Jul - Big Butterfly Count & Astonbury Wood. Fairlands Valley Park (grassy slope west of the Environment Lake): Small White 7, Meadow Brown 7, Gatekeeper 7, Marbled White plus 6-spot Burnet moth (1st of year anywhere). Butterfly survey with Andrew Wood. Species seen: Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small White & Essex Skipper - all in sections 3 & 4

19 Jul - Knebworth week 16. Overcast conditions and very limited sunshine on the 2 transects (1040-1410 hrs, 20-21c, W2-3): 238 butterflies (Meadow Brown 61, Gatekeeper 43, Ringlet 31) plus 19 Red Admiral (13 between The Firs and Newton Wood), 6 Peacock & Painted Lady (in Knebworth Park)

18 Jul - WCBS July 23. Covering TL2722 tetrad (Aston). 1040-1140 hrs (19c, 3% sun, SW 3). 28 butterflies (Small/Essex Skipper 10, Small White 4, Gatekeeper 3, Essex Skipper 3). Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue, Ringlet, Large White

16 Jul - Stevenage week 16. Transect 1005-1145 hrs (19c, 38% sun, SW 4): 174 butterflies (Small/Essex Skipper 61 - 10 Essex & 6 Small, Meadow Brown 44, Small White 14). 1st Red Admiral and Large White of year. Only 6 Gatekeeper and 9 Ringlet

13 Jul - Norton Green field trip 1030-1300 hrs. 8 people turned up. Steady rain fell until noon before sun burst through and butterflies more active. Skippers, Meadow Brown and Marbled White most common, several Red Admiral, 5 Purple Hairstreak and 2 Silver-washed Fritillary

10 Jul - Knebworth week 15. Breezy with sunny intervals on the 2 transects 1040-1420 hrs (22-24c): 365 butterflies (Meadow Brown 130, Marbled White 72, Ringlet 49). Notable increase in numbers of Small/Essex Skippers, Small Whites, Red Admirals and Ringlets. New generation Brimstone also by Pigeonswick Cottage

8 Jul - Stevenage week 15. Transact 0950-1135 hrs (24c, 23% sun, S2): 228 butterflies (Marbled White 80, Meadow Brown 65, Small/Essex Skipper 58 - 2 Essex identified) plus new brood Holly Blue and first Gatekeeper (4) of year. Total weekly count best since 2019.

6 Jul - Knebworth week 14. Equal mix of cloud and sun on the 2 transects (1045-1420 hrs, 19-21c, SW4): 341 butterflies (Meadow Brown 171, Ringlet 46, Marbled White 44) plus first Essex Skipper(2+) & Gatekeeper(3)

2 Jul - Stevenage week 14. Transect 1010-1140 hrs (19c, 23% sun, W 4): 96 butterflies (Meadow Brown 41, Marbled White 29, Small Skipper 9 - 1st of year) plus 1st Silver-washed Fritillary & Ringlet (2), new generation Comma (2) & Small Tortoiseshell

29 Jun - Three firsts. Norton Green/Knebworth Woods - 1st Silver-washed Fritillary and Gatekeeper of year on southern edge of Watery Grove plus Purple Hairstreak off path west of Newton Wood. Also first new generation Small Tortoiseshell outside Pigeonswick Cottage. 2 Cinnabar moths also

26 Jun - Knebworth week 13. Average conditions 1035-1350 hrs for the 2 transects - 198 butterflies (Meadow Brown 144, Small Heath 16, Marbled White 10) plus first Small Skipper (4) and Ringlet (6) of the year. Also first Brown Argus on woods transect since 2020

24 Jun - Stevenage week 13. Transect walked 1300-1435 hrs (25c, 9% sun, W1) - 100 butterflies (Meadow Brown 63, Marbled White 29, Large Skipper 5). Marbled White in garden evening first here since 2020. Male Brimstone in garden also

23 Jun - First White-letter Hairstreaks. First of the year at Six Hills Common on the elm tree-tops - at least 5 counted 1005-1010 hours in bright, rather than sunny, weather

21 Jun - Knebworth week 12. In warm sunshine both transects together yielded 82 butterflies (Meadow Brown 51, Small Heath 21, Speckled Wood 5) plus first Marbled White of year at Norton Green Common where for some reason the Meadow Brown takes longer to get going

18 Jun - Stevenage week 12. Transect 1025-1140 hrs (23c, 84% sun, SE2) - 30 butterflies (Meadow Brown 20, Speckled Wood 5, Large Skipper 2, Marbled White - first of the year). Small Heath seen at Shackledell - first of the year on 17 June

15 Jun - Garden Speckled Wood. First of the year in back garden plus a Small White

13 Jun - Knebworth week 11. Transects 1040-1340 (21-24c, 97% sun, E2-4): 12 butterflies (Meadow Brown 5, Small Heath 3, Speckled Wood 2, Green-veined White, Large Skipper - first of the year). Also first Chimney Sweeper of the year in Knebworth Park. All but one of the 9 butterflies seen in park transect were in field north of Burleigh Farm (section 5)

10 Jun - Stevenage week 11. Transect 1015-1145 hrs (22c, 100% sun, NE2): 11 butterflies (Speckled Wood 6, Holly Blue 3, Small White & 1st Meadow Brown of the year). Later in the garden a female Holly Blue appeared to be laying eggs on Alder Buckthorn. Check soon for any eggs or caterpillars

7 Jun - First Hertfordshire Brown Argus. Of the year, seen in field south of Watery Grove along with 10 Small Heath and 2 Mother Shipton moths

4 Jun - Knebworth week 10. Unbroken sunshine, 17-18c, NE3 (1110-1355 hrs) for the transects: 16 butterflies (Small White 5, Holly Blue 2 - first in the park since 2019, Small Copper, Common Blue, Small Heath - firsts of the year)

3 Jun - Stevenage week 10. Transect 1045-1210 hrs 9 butterflies (Holly Blue 4, Speckled Wood 3, Green-veined White, Common Blue). All Speckled Woods in the largest sunny 'pockets' (territories?). Males wish to hold the largest territories possible so without competition from other males is that what is happening here?

2 Jun - Knebworth week 9. Strong spells of sunshine but stiff NE breeze on the 2 transects (1235-1410 hrs, 95% sun, 16-17c, NE3) - 9 butterflies (Green-veined White 3, Speckled Wood 3, Small White, Peacock and first Painted Lady of the year at Burleigh Farm)

28 May - First Small Copper of the year. in field south of Watery Grove, Norton Green plus 3 Small Heath in one hour late morning

27 May - Stevenage week 9. Transect 1245-1410 hrs (17c, 100% sun, E3): 12 butterflies (Holly Blue 10, Small White, Speckled Wood)

26 May - Blues!. Walk to Fairlands Valley Park yielded 20 Holly Blue and first Common Blue (x3) of the year. Also Green-veined White, Peacock and Orange-tip

24 May - Norton Green & garden. 2 Small Heath in field south of Watery Grove (first of the year locally). In garden, Brimstone and possibly also Holly Blue egg-laying on Alder Buckthorn

23 May - Knebworth week 8. Transects 1035-1325 (15-17c, 35% sun, NE3) - 12 butterflies (Speckled Wood 4, Orange-tip 2, Peacock 2, Red Admiral 2 - firsts of the year)

22 May - Clothall Common, Baldock. Searching for Small Blue but none seen. Only whites found (Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White & Orange-tip). Windy in open fields with little shelter

21 May - Hexton Chalk Pit. With Phil Barron - saw 10+ Brimstone, 3 Holly Blue, 5 Dingy Skipper, 2 Small Heath (first of the year), Small White & Orange-tip

20 May - Stevenage week 8. Transect 1045-1210 hrs (16c, 94% sun, N4) 18 butterflies (Holly Blue 8, Orange-tip 5, Green-veined White 3, Speckled Wood 2). The Holly Blue count is the highest for any week since 2004. A lot of dogwood about so some females probably egg-laying

16 May - Knebworth week 7. Both transects walked 1035-1310 hrs (13-15c, 75% sun, N3): 22 butterflies (Orange-tip 8, Speckled Wood 7, Green-veined White 5, Peacock 2). Expected pickup in numbers of Speckled Wood but not to be. Why no Small Whites?

14 May - Stevenage week 7. Transect 1215-1335 (15c, 100% sun, W1) 15 butterflies (Orange-tip 9, Holly Blue 4, Green-veined White - 1st of year, Speckled Wood 1 - 1st of year & latest ever 1st)

11 May - Knebworth week 6. Transects 1045-1325 (15-16c, NW 1) 20% sun - 13 butterflies (Speckled Wood 8 - 6 in Graffidge Wood, Green-veined White 2, Orange-tip, Peacock & Small Tortoiseshell). Field at Burleigh Bottom flooded. Clouded over in Knebworth woods (Norton Green) so far fewer butterflies here

7 May - Stevenage week 6. Transect 1330-1450 hrs (19c, 36% sun, NW1): 6 butterflies (Orange-tip 2, Holly Blue, Brimstone, Small White, Peacock) but still no Speckled Wood

4 May - First garden Orange-tip. Female turned up to feed on cuckoo flower (over 5 minutes but no eggs found) then on 'Bowles Mauve'. Walked Knebworth woods transect again for week 5 (1055-1135 hrs, 15c, 46% sun, SE3) - 11 butterflies (Green-veined White 3, Brimstone 2, Orange-tip 2, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 2)

30 Apr - Knebworth week 5. Both transects walked 1045-1325 hrs (15-17c, 50% hazy sun, S3) yielding 10 butterflies (Peacock 5, Orange-tip 2 - first of the year here, Speckled Wood 2, Green-veined White)

29 Apr - Stevenage week 5. Glorious weather unbroken sunshine in transect 1045-1200 hrs (14c, SE2) but only 8 butterflies (Peacock 5, Orange-tip 3 males)

28 Apr - Knebworth week 4. Managed only the woods transect due to mostly unsuitable weather this week. Walked 1415-1500 hrs (16c, 24% sun, W4) -4 butterflies (2 Speckled Wood, Peacock & Green-veined White - first of the year). Also Holly Blue at Six Hills Common

22 Apr - Stevenage week 4. Transect 1240-1350 hrs (14c, 52% sun, S1) - 5 Peacocks. Disappointing after good day on 20th so may walk it again this week. Brimstone eggs on buckthorn in garden

20 Apr - 2 new firsts of the year. In spite of the fresh N breeze and cooler than yesterday saw 7 species including the first Speckled Wood and Holly Blue (2 at least 1 male) of the year in Fairlands Valley Park. Also 14 Peacock, 5 Brimstone, Small White, Orange-tip and Comma

19 Apr - Knebworth week 3. Park transect 1305-1420 hrs (14c, 26% sun, NE4): 2 Small Tortoiseshells. Woods transect 1440-1520 hrs (14c, 96% sun, NE4): 7 Peacocks. First Orange-tip (male) of the year on bank south of the Leisure Park

17 Apr - Stevenage week 3. Transect 1205-1320 hrs (15c, 40% sun, NE 2) - 18 butterflies (12 Peacock, 5 Brimstone, 1 Comma) - above average counts for Peacock and Brimstone for this week. First garden butterfly of the year - Peacock basking on plastic chair then feeding on Bowles Mauve

9 Apr - Knebworth week 2. Park transect 1210-1330 hrs (13c, 100% sun, S 3) - 8 butterflies (3 Brimstone, 3 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell). Woods transect 1345-1430 hrs (15c, 98% sun, S3) 8 butterflies (6 Peacock including a pair together on blackthorn blossom at Norton Green near pond, Small White, Brimstone).

8 Apr - Stevenage week 2. Transect 1250-1405 hrs (13c, 56% sun, SW1) - 10 butterflies (5 male Brimstone, 5 Peacock). 2 of the Brimstones were involved in a territorial fight at Shackledell - almost touching each other!

7 Apr - Knebworth woods week 1. Transect walked 1335-1415 hrs (12c, 80% sun, N2) - 4 Peacock, 1 Brimstone. Comma also outside transect in Burleigh Meadow. First Small White of the year on grassy bank south of the Stevenage Leisure Park

4 Apr - Stevenage week 1. Transect 1445-1555 hrs (11c, 100% sun, SE 2) yielded 9 butterflies (3 Brimstone, 4 Peacock, 2 Comma)

3 Apr - First Small Tortoiseshell of the year. Seen sunning itself on the ground just west of the Shackledell Grassland at 4pm. 11c but long spells of sunshine

21 Mar - First butterflies of the year. 3 male Brimstone and a Comma in Fairlands Valley Park (south) at around 1:30 pm. 15 degrees and good spells of sunshine but breezy

9 Mar - Species accounts updated. 1. The State of UK's Butterflies 2022 Report for distribution up to 2019. 2. Herts & Middx Branch Annual Report 2023 for abundance and distribution in 2022