Butterflies in the Stevenage area

News 2019

Archive: 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

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27 Oct - Purple Hairstreak eggs. 5 Purple Hairstreak eggs on 4 mature oaks at eye-level on southern edge of Watery Grove. Ruby Tiger moth (probably) larva on fence in back garden

22 Oct - Norton Green and east Knebworth Park. 3 Comma together on brambles NE corner of Parsons Grove plus Small Copper further south near the metal gate. Another Small Copper close to the southern edge of Watery Grove

19 Oct - Species accounts updated. Accommodate 2019 transect results and latest UKBMS annual report for 2018. Some new photos and changes in layout

18 Oct - Problems with website. Over the last day or so, webpages have not been displayed properly but should be resolved now. Apologies for any inconvenience

16 Oct - Small Copper still flying. In field south of Watery Grove, saw 2 Small Copper and a Small White. Also found a Purple Hairstreak egg on a large oak on the SW corner of the wood

9 Oct - 5 species Knebworth Park and Stevenage. Late morning/lunch-time walk yielded 3 Small Copper (all poor condition), 2 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock and Small White (on road verge south of the Leisure Park). Also 16-spot Ladybird below the Peacock

26 Sep - Knebworth week 26. Both transects walked but after cloudy skies at 1pm saw no butterflies in the woods transect. In and around Knebworth Park, I found 2 Small Copper, 1 Small White and 1 Comma. Best season overall since I started recording here since 2017

23 Sep - Stevenage week 26. 4 butterflies (Speckled Wood, Small Copper, Peacock, Small White). Total for the year 1852 - second highest ever (since 1993). Most successful year for 4 species (Brown Argus 11, Silver-washed Fritillary 6, Meadow Brown 626, Small Heath 45)

20 Sep - Late Brown Argus. My latest ever sightings of Brown Argus locally in field south of Watery Grove - 4 counted including one fresh specimen. Also here were 5 Small Heath and 1 Small Copper

19 Sep - Small Copper at Shackledell. At last a Small Copper at Shackledell Grassland, not seen here since 18 May. A Common Blue still flying in Fairlands Valley Park, west of the Environment Lake

18 Sep - Knebworth week 25. The two transects yielded 32 butterflies (Speckled Wood 9, Green-veined White 6, Small White 5). Pleased to see 4 Small Copper all in Knebworth Park but much lower count than last year in same week. Also found a Hornet on bramble in Wintergreen Wood

17 Sep - Stevenage week 25. Early afternoon transect butterfly count was 10 (Speckled Wood 7, Small Heath 2, Small White) but no Small Copper compared with 13 in the same week last year. Due to low quality or number of sorrels and adversely affecting the larvae in the early summer? Or delayed emergence?

15 Sep - Commas loving the blackberries. At least 10 Comma seen in Knebworth Park on the south-eastern edge of Cowley's Corner Wood, mostly feasting on the blackberries. The Red Admirals which were here last week have now disappeared. Notable number of crane-flies about

14 Sep - Knebworth and Rableyheath. Another visit searching for Brown Hairstreaks without success. Several Red Admirals seen enjoying the flowering ivy plus one flying over Knebworth station

13 Sep - Knebworth transects week 24. Unbroken sunshine, 17-18c yielding 43 butterflies (Green-veined White 13, Small Heath 10, Small White 8). Only 1 Small Copper when last year in same week I counted 15! but 'whites' more common

10 Sep - Stevenage transect week 24. Early afternoon (73% sunshine) walk yielded 16 butterflies (Speckled Wood 5, Small Heath 5, Small White 3). Total about normal for this time of year - number of Small Heath compensates for lower than average Speckled Wood abundance

7 Sep - Welwyn and Knebworth. Very limited sunshine (<5%) in north Welwyn, Pottersheath and Rableyheath searching for Brown Hairstreaks (in vain). Several whites, 3 Speckled Wood (in Lockleys Wood) and 5 Red Admirals on ivy by footpath on western edge of Roebuck Woodland

5 Sep - Knebworth Park (east). Walk in this section of the park yielded several butterflies and moths away from the wind including a faded Brown Argus, 5 Red Admirals (SE of Cowleys Corner Wood) and at least 8 Treble-bars south of Watery Grove

4 Sep - Contact feedback form. Should now work! If you have any news or comments about the website I'll be pleased to hear from you

3 Sep - Knebworth transect week 23. After cloudy start sun shone from noon giving overall count of 86 butterflies (Green-veined White 20, Small White 19, Small Heath 19). Second brood Common Blue very low - perhaps related to few Bird's-foot trefoil in flower and previously impacting on the larvae?

2 Sep - Stevenage transect week 23. Late morning in almost unbroken sunshine yielded 10 species and 36 butterflies (Speckled Wood 16, Small White 8, Small Heath 5). Red Admiral, Painted Lady and Comma also seen

1 Sep - Comma pupa. Still unhatched on hop in garden after first being discovered on 13 Aug. 3 Red Admirals on white buddleia also in garden - good sign for many more this autumn?

29 Aug - Knebworth transects week 22. Better results than week 21! 115 butterflies (Small White 30, Small Heath 30, Green-veined White 23). Record number of Small Heath on the park transect - 25 by the footpath in west Knebworth Park. Only 1 Common Blue - poor second brood

26 Aug - Stevenage transect week 22. Walked between 1025 and 1155 am in mid 20s degrees producing 39 butterflies (Small Heath 14, Small White 11, Speckled Wood 5). The Small Heath count is the highest ever on transect since I started in 1993 and since 1995 and before this year I had never seen more than 3 in any week

24 Aug - Small Heaths. At least a dozen in Knebworth Park and towards Norton Green

21 Aug - Knebworth transects week 21. 75 butterflies overall (Small White 19, Meadow Brown 15, Speckled Wood 14). Only 3 Gatekeeper, 3 Common Blue and no Brown Argus. Things definitely winding down now!

20 Aug - Stevenage transect week 21. Early afternoon visit produced 45 butterflies (Speckled Wood 14, Small White 8, Gatekeeper 7) but surprisingly only 2 Meadow Brown. A female Silver-washed Fritillary was also seen in Whomerley Wood

19 Aug - Otmoor and Aston Rowant. 7 Brown Hairstreaks near car park at RSPB Otmoor around midday. Afternoon visit to Aston Rowant yielded my first Silver-spotted Skipper for 50 years plus 2 Adonis Blue and several Chalkhill Blue and Painted Lady. A lucky day!

15 Aug - Hairstreaks. Went searching for Brown Hairstreaks at Norton Green on 3 ash trees between 8 and 9:30. Couple of 'brown' ones but both Purple! In afternoon scouring the numerous blackthorn hedges in Fairlands Valley Park also proved fruitless

13 Aug - Knebworth transects week 20. 134 butterflies and 17 species (Gatekeeper 47, Meadow Brown 36, Common Blue 10). Numbers of Common Blue disappointingly low. In garden, Comma pupa on hop plus Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock and Painted Lady feeding on white buddleia

12 Aug - Stevenage transect week 20. Caught in a 20-minute shower at just after 11 and limited sunshine overall resulted in only 40 butterflies (Gatekeeper 27, Meadow Brown 7, Common Blue 2)

8 Aug - Jersey Tiger. My first ever Jersey Tiger at Fairlands Valley Park (TL251235) at 10:00 am while looking for Brown Hairstreaks

7 Aug - Knebworth transects week 19. Less than half last week's total - 141 butterflies (Gatekeeper 54, Meadow Brown 52, Common Blue 8). Small Copper 2nd generation numbers disappointingly low at the moment with only one seen

6 Aug - Big Butterfly Count. In Fairlands Valley Park (west of the Environment Lake) counted 13 Common Blue, 2 Brown Argus, 2 Meadow Brown, 1 Gatekeeper and 1 Small White. First ever Yellow Shell moth in garden

5 Aug - Stevenage transect week 19. Early afternoon walk yielded 100 butterflies (Gatekeeper 26, Meadow Brown 25, Small White 14) lower than half last week's total. First Small Heath of new generation. 2 Silver-washed Fritillary (incl female) in Whomerley Wood so hopefully now breeding here

4 Aug - Norton Green and garden. Early start at Norton Green 8-10am for first attempt to find Brown Hairstreak (no success!). In garden, at least 6 Comma larvae on hop and Meadow Brown (probably) larva on meadow grass

1 Aug - Knebworth transects week 18. 324 butterflies (Meadow Brown 121, Gatekeeper 113, Small White 16). First summer brood of Common Blue (8). In garden at 1545, 8 Gatekeeper plus Large White, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Peacock and Common Blue

29 Jul - Stevenage transect week 18. 233 butterflies (Gatekeeper 83, Meadow Brown 72, Small White 22); 4 Brown Argus the most ever recorded here plus very fresh Painted Lady. Big Butterfly Count later yielded 30 at FVP including 6 Brown Argus

25 Jul - Knebworth Park transect week 17. Between 9:30 and 11:30 counted 218 butterflies (Meadow Brown 95, Marbled White & Gatekeeper 31). Not so many whites, Just before midday, saw 2 Purple Hairstreaks low down in The Firs, Knebworth Woods

23 Jul - Knebworth woods transect week 17. Similar count to weeks 15 & 16 - 274 butterflies (Meadow Brown 105, Gatekeeper 75, Marbled White 27) plus 2 Small Copper just outside transect. Loads of Gatekeeper feasting on ragwort in Cannocks Wood

22 Jul - Stevenage transect week 17. Warm, more sun than cloud yielding 286 butterflies (Meadow Brown 80, Gatekeeper 49, Small White) including 13 Peacock and 11 Comma (rarely achieve these counts) most on brambles. 2 Brown Argus, first of new brood, at Shackledell

21 Jul - WCBS July. Despite mostly cloudy weather at Aston (TL2722), recorded 89 butterflies (Small White 31, Meadow Brown 19, Ringlet 9) including 2 Brown Argus

18 Jul - Another Purple Emperor. After ten minutes searching at Norton Green Common for His Majesty I found him at 1335 hours in the open area flying north to south towards the oak by the metal gate. Continued looking for another 2 hours without success

17 Jul - Knebworth transects week 16. Increasingly hazy sun yielded 646 butterflies (Meadow Brown 215, Marbled White 122, Ringlet 117) including first Small Copper, Brown Argus and Brimstone in new generation. A few more whites now on the wing

16 Jul - Stevenage transect week 16. Late morning in almost unbroken sunshine yielded 257 butterflies (Meadow Brown 95, Ringlet 43), 2 Silver-washed Fritillary - first time seen more than 1 here. Evening walk at Norton Green Common - Meadow Brown still very active, several Purple Hairstreak. Small Skipper egg-laying on Yorkshire Fog

15 Jul - Norton Green Common. Afternoon visit in search for Purple Emperor. Generally cloudy with very brief sunny spells - no definitive sightings. In the grassland, I came across Garden Grass-veneer and Common Yellow Conch micro-moths

12 Jul - Knebworth transects week 15. 652 butterflies recorded (Meadow Brown 220, Marbled White 200, Ringlet 129). First Peacock of the summer generation seen north of Wintergreen Wood

11 Jul - Norton Green Common field trip. Seemingly ideal weather but butterfly numbers not as spectacular as last years' event. No Purple Emperors and only 5 Purple Hairstreaks. Taking a while for some species to get going, at least compared to last year

9 Jul - Hatfield Forest. Annual visit with Bob Clift. Even in mostly overcast conditions we saw quite a few butterflies especially late on. We spotted at least 2 Purple Emperors over pine and oak in '8-way' junction between 1240 and 1330

8 Jul - Stevenage transect week 15. Warm, more cloud than sun but very light winds accounted for 296 butterflies (105 Meadow Brown, 79 Marbled White, 64 Ringlet) plus a Silver-washed Fritillary which I very rarely find here. After cut at Shackledell, Marbled White dispersing to adjoining grassland areas

7 Jul - Purple Emperor at last. At 1:25pm a Purple Emperor flew over an oak on SW edge of Watery Grove. Small Skipper in garden earlier in the day

5 Jul - First Gatekeeper. First Gatekeeper of the year in field east of Cannocks Wood. 15 other species seen in Norton Green area but no White Admirals or Purple Emperors. More whites now including Marbled White!

4 Jul - Norton Green Common and beyond. In the afternoon scoured tops of the oaks at the common and edges of the surrounding woods for Purple Emperors but none seen. Maybe a bit early

3 Jul - Knebworth transects week 14. Broken sunshine, warm and light winds brought 566 butterflies on the 2 transects (242 Meadow Brown, 156 Ringlet, 103 Marbled White) and 14 species including the first Small and Essex Skippers of the year

2 Jul - First half of transect season. Compared to 2018's total of 1183 butterflies for the 3 transects, this year so far has yielded 1121 - little change. Somehow I thought it would be much lower!

1 Jul - Stevenage transect week 14. Late morning with sunny intervals produced 142 butterflies (75 Meadow Brown, 42 Marbled White, 14 Ringlet). Significant part of Shackledell grassland was cut in last few days which undoubtedly reduced numbers for Marbled White and Ringlet. First Small Skipper of the year seen here

30 Jun - First Purple Hairstreak. After about 2 hours I found a Purple Hairstreak over the top of one of the oaks in Watery Grove. I may have seen the other Purple species in Norton Green Common at 1:50pm as it was the right colour and size but flight behaviour suggests perhaps not. It flew over 2 or 3 oak tops as if looking for a site to perch and not involved in courtship or dog-fight!

29 Jun - First Silver-washed Fritillary. Silver-washed Fritillary seen gliding through in Pigeonswick Wood but no sign yet of the other woodland specialists in the Knebworth woods complex. Earlier, saw 5+ White-letter Hairstreak at Six Hills Common

28 Jun - Knebworth transects week 13. A warm sunny day yielded 333 butterflies (249 Meadow Brown, 36 Ringlet, 16 Small Heath). 5 Painted Lady and 5 Red Admiral also seen but as yet none of the woodland specialists are out

27 Jun - Stevenage transect week 13. First sunny day of the week produced 145 butterflies (79 Meadow Brown, 28 Marbled White, 18 Ringlet). A Silver Y seen at Shackledell and later. Hummingbird hawk-moth feeding on valerian in the garden

23 Jun - Painted Lady influx?. Painted Lady visited my garden briefly to feed on 'Bowles Mauve'

22 Jun - First Painted Lady and Ringlet. 2 Painted Lady and 5 Ringlet SE of Cowleys Corner Wood. Meadow Brown common and Small Heath still flying in the area but Common Blue, Small Copper and Brown Argus absent

21 Jun - Knebworth transects week 12. Sunny start but cloudier in early afternoon meant fewer butterflies in Norton Green. Overall, 115 seen (99 Meadow Brown, 7 Speckled Wood, 5 Large Skipper). Again, several Chimney Sweeper in Knebworth Park

18 Jun - First Marbled White. Visit to Norton Green Common and field beyond yielded my first Marbled White of the year. Many Meadow Brown and several Large Skipper also. Red Admiral seen earlier at Six Hills Common

17 Jun - Stevenage transect week 12. 61 butterflies between 10:20 and 11:55 am in 50% sunshine (45 Meadow Brown, 12 Large Skipper, 2 Small Heath). Also saw a Red Admiral basking on ground.

16 Jun - Small Tortoiseshells. In garden, a couple of Small Tortoiseshells paired up in the afternoon, often feeding on Valerian flowers, for over 2 hours before moving on

15 Jun - First White-letter Hairstreak. Found a White-letter at Six Hills Common at 9:40 in the elm canopy. Later, walked the Knebworth transects in very little sunshine: 43 butterflies (28 Meadow Brown, 5 Speckled Wood, 4 Common Blue). Still several Chimney Sweeper in the park

14 Jun - Stevenage transect week 11. First fine day this week yielded 42 butterflies (36 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Heath, 3 Speckled Wood). In garden, saw a Hummingbird hawk-moth feeding on Red Valerian flowers. Went to Six Hills Common early this morning without success on the White-letter Hairstreak

12 Jun - Six Hills Common. After reading about a White-letter Hairstreak sighting in Enfield on 8 June I went to Six Hills Common for any roosting individuals (overcast weather) and pupae. Over an hour searching on the south and east side of the elms proved fruitless but perhaps too early in the season for adults

9 Jun - Hillbrow, West Letchworth. Successful late morning visit in search for the Small Blue. Over 10 seen on bottom half of slope. 30+ Meadow Brown and 2 Small Heath also found. As well as Kidney Vetch quite a few Pyramidal Orchids in flower

6 Jun - Knebworth woods transect week 10. Better weather-wise compared to yesterday so more butterflies: 15 (6 species: 8 Speckled Wood, 3 Small Heath). Unexpectedly found a Small Heath in a small woodland clearing (The Firs). A pristine Red Admiral was nearby on the brambles but a Speckled Wood came down and attacked it preventing me from taking a close-up photo! Some oaks and sallows also heavily defoliated

5 Jun - Knebworth Park transect week 10. 22 butterflies counted (12 Common Blue, 6 Speckled Wood). Highlight was finding 12 Chimney Sweeper moths in the park at the same spot as last year. Also walked the woods transect but cloudy conditions prevailed and few butterflies. Good to see a fresh male Large Skipper at Norton Green Common

3 Jun - Stevenage transect week 10. Breezy and about 50% sunshine in late morning yielded 15 butterflies (7 Speckled Wood, 4 Common Blue, 2 Small Heath, 2 Meadow Brown). Heavy defoliation on many hornbeams on eastern side of Monks Wood

2 Jun - First Large Skipper. At Norton Green Common, found a Large Skipper towards the bottom end. 10 species in all including Meadow Brown and 2 Small Tortoiseshell (very worn) which I haven't seen for a while. Brown Argus now looking worse for wear. Some trees (like hornbeam) damaged through defoliation of leaves probably by moth larvae

1 Jun - Wilbury Hill, Letchworth. Several Brimstone (seemingly in good condition) and Small White flying. First Meadow Brown of the year

31 May - Brown Argus aberration. Spotted a Brown Argus ab. snellini (white surrounding black spots on forewings) in Fairlands Valley Park, on the bank west of the Environment Lake. Also 11 Common Blue seen here

30 May - Knebworth transects week 9. Common Blues stole the show with 22 counted in total of 42 butterflies. 7 Speckled Wood, 4 Small Heath, 3 Brown Argus and 3 Small Copper also recorded in breezy conditions but with more sunshine forecast!

28 May - Frogmore Gravel Pit update. Revisited the pit to find white egg (possibly Grizzled Skipper) but to no avail. Perhaps it had already hatched. Mostly cloudy weather but at least I saw a Small Copper which I failed to find on 24 May

27 May - Stevenage transect week 9. Late morning in breezy conditions resulted in 12 butterflies (6 Common Blue, 4 Orange-tip and 2 Speckled Wood)

25 May - Frogmore Gravel Pit. Morning visit yielded 3 Grizzled Skipper near the centre of the pit plus Common Blue and Brown Argus but no Small Copper or Small Heath. May have found Grizzled Skipper eggs at the southern end but photos proved inconclusive. One large 'white-winged with several black spots' dragonfly

24 May - East Knebworth Park and Norton Green. All expected species seen but in low numbers. Saw my only second Red Admiral of the year on the southern edge of Watery Grove - probably a female seeking a spot to lay her eggs

23 May - North Stevenage. Main target species was the Small Blue on the chalky bank off Martins Way. After an hour's search no success - some Kidney Vetch are now in flower. A few whites are still on the wing plus Common Blue, Holly Blue and Brown Argus

22 May - Knebworth transects week 8. More cloud resulted in fewer butterflies: 27 (8 Speckled Wood, 6 Orange-tip, 3 Small Heath). A Small Yellow Underwing at Knebworth Park. At Six Hills Common, I found 2 Common Blue, a Small Copper, a Small Heath and Brown Argus in under 5 minutes

21 May - WCBS at Aston. Better results on my WCBS - 15 butterflies (6 species including 3 Small Heath and Small Copper at the cricket ground). First Brown Argus on the A602/Monkswood Way underpass.

20 May - Stevenage transect week 8. Some great weather in the morning but only 6 butterflies. First Common Blue of the year at Shackledell

19 May - Knebworth woods transect week 7. Despite limited sunshine it felt warm. 15 butterflies (6 species including 4 Small Heath and a Small Copper). The Small Heath were seen together at the same time. Later at Six Hills Common, a Common Blue and Small Copper were seen

18 May - Shackledell. First Small Copper and Common Blue (2) of the year at Shackledell Grassland

16 May - Knebworth Park transect week 7. First Small Copper, Small Heath and Common Blue on this transect this year. 13 butterflies in all including 7 Orange-tip. Weather too cloudy for the Knebworth woods transect but did find a Latticed Heath moth at Norton Green Common

15 May - Dunstable Downs. Splendid sunny day yielded 14 species including 20+ Duke of Burgundy, 30+ Dingy Skipper, 10+ Green Hairstreak, 5+ Grizzled Skipper plus Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Heath and Small Copper

14 May - Stevenage transect week 7. Another disappointing walk with only 4 butterflies counted (2 Orange-tip, 1 Holly Blue and 1 Speckled Wood). There was a stiff easterly breeze blowing which probably didn't help!

12 May - Knebworth transects week 6. Good weather produced 42 butterflies (21 Orange-tip, 10 Speckled Wood, 4 Green-veined White). First Small Heath and Red Admiral of the year. Why so few Green-veined White compared to Orange-tip?

10 May - Stevenage transect week 6. Less than 50% sunshine and 13 degrees yielded only 4 butterflies (2 Orange-tip, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Small White)

4 May - Possible migration of Large Tortoiseshells. At least 600 reported in the Netherlands - unprecedented, at least in the last 50 years or so. See Chris van Swaay's tweet. In favorable weather conditions some of them may migrate to the UK

30 Apr - Knebworth transects week 5. Not much luck with the weather - only about 20% sunshine overall accounting for just 18 butterflies (12 Speckled Wood)

29 Apr - Stevenage transect week 5. Early afternoon visit yielded only 13 butterflies with Orange-tip again the most numerous with 6. Fairly cool and only about 40% sunshine

26 Apr - Frogmore Gravel Pit. Still no Grizzled Skippers on second visit to the site in the last week although weather was not ideal with a stiff breeze. Several sheltered areas with some wild strawberry now in flower

23 Apr - Knebworth transects week 4. 41 butterflies recorded (12 Orange-tip, 11 Green-veined White, 9 Speckled Wood). 11 of the Orange-tips were found in the park transect and 8 of the Green-veined Whites in the woods transect. The sun was mostly hazy and many butterflies were not as restless and easier to approach for photos

22 Apr - Stevenage transect week 4. Late morning walk produced 22 butterflies including 12 Orange-tips but only 2 other 'whites' seen

21 Apr - Purple Hairstreak larva update. Purple Hairstreak larva (2nd instar) on same oak bud as first seen on 6 April on the southern edge of Watery Grove - about 7mm long

20 Apr - My first Small Copper. I failed in my quest for the Grizzled Skipper at the Frogmore Gravel Pit but I did find a Small Copper on the western side. Orange-tip was the most abundant species

19 Apr - Knebworth transects week 3. 30 butterflies of which 15 were Orange-tips. One female appeared to be egg-laying on some Gariic Mustard plants which are just beginning to flower (in Norton Green Common)

18 Apr - First Holly Blues. 3-hour ramble from Graveley to my home crossing St Nicholas churchyard and Fairlands Valley Park along the way produced 65 butterflies with double-figure counts for Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone. The highlight was finding my target species: 2 Holly Blues in the northern section of Fairlands Valley Park

17 Apr - Stevenage transect week 3. Lunchtime transect walk yielded 14 butterflies (8 species) including 2 Orange-tips - both females feeding in dandelion but no males seen here yet. Small Copper larva seen this morning in the garden now appears to have disappeared - hopefully it has pupated. Will I find the pupa - that's the big question?

11 Apr - First Orange-tips. Eventually my luck was in on Knebworth Woods transect when at Norton Green Common I saw 2 'small' male Orange-tips patrolling down a ride. Overall. 17 butterflies including 8 Peacock and 5 Comma. Surprising to see several Peacocks considering how few were seen last summer

10 Apr - First garden butterfly of the year. Small White feeding on 'Bowles Mauve' for several minutes at 1245 hours. Later went on Stevenage transect with mercury barely touching 11 degrees just 1 Small White seen

6 Apr - Purple Hairstreak larva. Purple Hairstreak larva on oak bud - about 5mm long presumably emerged from hatched egg close by. Second Small Copper larva in garden on same sorrel plant alive and well

5 Apr - Small Copper larva update. Small Copper larva in my garden - nearly 2cm long - probably in 5th (final) instar. Unable to find other larva. Cloudy day on Knebworth transects produced no butterflies

1 Apr - Stevenage transect week 1. Fairly cool (12 c) in unbroken sunshine yielded my first Green-veined White and Speckled Wood of the year. Also 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock and a Comma

30 Mar - National Recorders' Meeting. Some very entertaining talks in Birmingham and met some interesting like-minded enthusiasts

29 Mar - Knebworth transects week 0. Glorious day in the sunshine yielding 29 butterflies (9 Brimstone, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 11 Peacock and 4 Comma).

28 Mar - Stevenage transect week 0. Walked between 1235 and 1340 hours (44% sun 13-14c and W force 1) - 3 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell in the Shackledell Grassland area. In garden, the 2 Small Copper larvae happily nibbling away the sorrel leaves

25 Mar - Fewer butterflies. Only 9 butterflies (4 Peacock, 3 Comma, 2 Small Tortoiseshell) on a slightly cooler and windier day at Norton Green and the Knebworth Woods complex

24 Mar - 5 species (2 firsts - Peacock and Small White). On a UKBMS timed-count between 1235 and 1420 hours in Fairlands Valley Park, 11 Brimstone, 15 Peacock, 6 Comma, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Small White (36 in all compared to 44 on 15 March 2017 when Comma and Small Tortoiseshell were the most common). In garden, second Small Copper larva on same sorrel plant but larger (1 cm) and more purple markings

21 Mar - Small Copper larva. A Small Copper larva under a sorrel leaf in the garden - looks relatively small - about 7mm. Earlier a walk on my Stevenage transect in cloudy conditions (1% sun) yielded no butterflies and about half a dozen bees

16 Mar - Website update. Statistics tables updated to accommodate 2018 records. In addition, navigational links now set up horizontally under the banner partly to enhance user-friendliness on mobile devices

9 Mar - Camberwell Beauty in north London. Reported at Winchmore Hill Station. Another sighting in the area in February. I don't know of any late summer/autumn migrants from 2018 although there was a report from Sussex on 23 February which suggests it might relate to a migrant from last year

3 Mar - Update for 2018. Species distribution and abundance updated for Herts & Middx in 2018. Most species benefited from the warm and dry summer especially the 'whites' and later broods of grassland butterflies like the Common Blue

26 Feb - Commas to the fore. In 45 minutes in the early afternoon warm sunshine, I counted 11 Commas and 6 Brimstones (all males) in Fairlands Valley Park

25 Feb - Female Brimstone and Peacock. I found a female Brimstone basking low down on ivy in Lockleys Wood, Welwyn. Peacock at Norton Green Common reported by Sharon Chesterman

24 Feb - 3 species on another warm sunny day. Walk to Knebworth Park and Norton Green yielded 3 male Brimstones, a Small Tortoiseshell and a Comma

23 Feb - My first butterflies of the year. 2 male Brimstones at Roebuck Woodland, Stevenage, one of which was basking on ivy. Slightly on the small side

17 Feb - Extinct species and the rare immigrants. Website updated to include a section on butterflies which used to exist in the area but are now presumed extinct excepting the Wall, lost during the survey. The very rare immigrants, like the Camberwell Beauty, are also added for sightings in the area. Click on the bottom item of the species list for more details

14 Feb - First butterfly of the year!. Red Admiral reported in the gardens at the Benington Lordship by Richard Harrington

12 Feb - Website update. Records added for 2018 and distribution charts updated. Note different colours depicted for older records - various shades of green for 2005-2014 but not since then. Blue circles indicate presence for 1995-2004 only. For last year of this 5-year mapping challenge 2015-2019 can you help fill in the 'gaps'?

7 Feb - Norton Green Common. Under the auspices of Natural England, Knebworth Parish Council and the Countryside Management Service, a work party was arranged to carry out conservation tasks such as coppicing hornbeam and removing some blackthorn thickets and open up areas on the western side. Excellent work by the volunteers and well done to all those involved

7 Jan - Speckled Wood update. Speckled Wood widens niche to occupy open non-woodland sites in some areas due to climate change - see species account

1 Jan - Happy New Year!. What will 2019 bring to our butterflies? Did the drought in the early summer of 2018 have an impact? Here's hoping for a dry winter .... Wishing everyone a bumper butterfly year in 2019