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Butterflies in the Stevenage area

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Species
Brimstone
Brown Argus
Brown Hairstreak
Chalkhill Blue
Clouded Yellow
Comma
Common Blue
Dark Green Fritillary
Dingy Skipper
Essex Skipper
Gatekeeper
Green Hairstreak
Green-veined White
Grizzled Skipper
Holly Blue
Large Skipper
Large White
Marbled White
Meadow Brown
Orange-tip
Painted Lady
Peacock
Purple Emperor
Purple Hairstreak
Red Admiral
Ringlet
Silver-washed Fritillary
Small Blue
Small Copper
Small Heath
Small Skipper
Small Tortoiseshell
Small White
Speckled Wood
Wall
White Admiral
White-letter Hairstreak
Extinct/rare immigrants

News 2020


Archive: 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017


News functions 1 Dec - Purple Hairstreak eggs. Half-hour search for Purple Hairstreak eggs on the large oaks SW edge of Watery Grove was unsuccessful. Was a poor year for this butterfly in the summer. Hopefully there are eggs higher up the trees out of arms' reach

27 Nov - Photos added. Added photos for moths trapped in my garden and for coleoptera (beetles) seen locally. Click on 'Photos' in the menu bar

21 Oct - Silver-washed Fritillary species update. Added information on the sighting of the valezina form on 29 July in Whomerley Wood

15 Oct - Transect data for 2020. Updated transect count and phenology graphs for each species on website. Also added the graphs for the Knebworth woods transect

11 Oct - Small Coppers. Early afternoon at Norton Green yielded 2 Small Coppers making most of the sun in the field south of Watery Grove

5 Oct - Speckled Wood. Short walk after lunch while the sun shone found a solitary, tatty Speckled Wood on eastern edge of Monk's Wood

28 Sep - Knebworth week 26. 21 butterflies in unbroken sunshine but fairly cool (13-14c) - Small Copper 10, Speckled Wood 6, Small White 2 plus Comma, Peacock and Small Heath. Consistent counts of Small Copper in last few weeks in Knebworth Park - most were on bare patches of ground

24 Sep - Stevenage week 26. Early afternoon transect walk produced just 2 butterflies - Speckled Wood and Small Copper. A fair southerly breeze blowing but reasonably warm so a disappointing count

20 Sep - Knebworth week 25. Similar counts on both transects produced total of 25 butterflies (Small Copper 12, Speckled Wood 6, Small Heath 4). At least half of the meadow at Norton Green Common was cut during the past week

19 Sep - Norton Green and Watery Grove. Early afternoon walk yielded 8 species (Small Heath 10, Small Copper 6, Small White 2, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Brown Argus and Red Admiral). Red Admiral was feeding on ivy on hedge north of the A1 underpass

17 Sep - Stevenage week 25. Late morning transect walk in almost unbroken sunshine yielded 11 butterflies (Speckled Wood 10, Common Blue). Average for week 25 in 27 years is about 8 so not bad! However, unless there is an unexpected rise in numbers of Common Blue next week, the butterfly is set to have its worst year (only 9 recorded) since 2012 when only 4 were counted

14 Sep - Knebworth Park (east). On the rough ground east of Cowley's Corner Wood 15 Small Coppers encountered but now only 1 Small Heath and little else apart from whites and Speckled Wood

13 Sep - Knebworth week 24. 8 more butterflies seen (44) compared to week 23's total - Speckled Wood 12, Small Heath 11, Small White 9, Small Copper 8. The Small Heath is having a great year - the best since I started the transects in 2017

11 Sep - Stafford Road Open Space Ickenham. Bob Clift visited a known Brown Hairstreak site near Ickenham searching for this butterfly. Unfortunately, it was predominantly cloudy and all we saw were Speckled Woods and whites. However, Nick Furtek who lives nearby visited the site as we were about to leave and found a female Brown Hairstreak on the brambles

10 Sep - Stevenage week 24. Encountered my first Small Copper on the transect this year in Shackledell feeding on Canadian Goldenrod. The butterfly had the 'blue badges' ab. caeruleopunctata. 7 other butterflies seen - 6 Speckled Wood and 1 Small White

6 Sep - Knebworth and Rableyheath. Late morning walk from Knebworth station to Rableyheath yielded mostly whites but saw Red Admiral on ivy in Knebworth, a late Holly Blue in Rableyheath and a Peacock by the railway. Hoping for a Brown Hairstreak to appear among the blackthorn hedges but no luck

5 Sep - Knebworth week 23. Fine morning with a NW breeze saw 36 butterflies recorded on the transects (Speckled Wood 10, Small Heath 10, Small Copper 8). Second week without GvW and numbers of Spw lower than expected

2 Sep - Stevenage week 23. In almost unbroken sunshine this morning I counted 20 butterflies (Speckled Wood 13, Small White 3). Comma seen east of Monk's Wood enjoying the blackberries. Still no Small Copper

1 Sep - Small Heaths galore. 2-hour late-morning walk in eastern side of Knebworth Park and Norton Green yielded 65 Small Heath and 12 Small Copper most of which were on the rough ground east of Cowley's Corner Wood. 3 fresh Comma feeding on the blackberries. Expect numbers of Small Copper to rise in next few weeks

31 Aug - Knebworth week 22. Limited sunshine in the 2 transects but light winds helped. 50 butterflies recorded (Small Heath 20, Meadow Brown 9, Small Copper 7). Undoubtedly more Speckled Wood would have been seen in the wooded areas if the sun had been out. In the woods transect only 14 butterflies whereas since 2017 over 40 were counted each year for this week. The now predominantly cloudy conditions probably had an impact

30 Aug - Stevenage week 22. After several days of dull weather finally walked the Stevenage transect in mid morning yielding 12 butterflies (Speckled Wood 6, Small Heath 2). Disappointing number of Small Heath - last year 14 were counted in this week. Yet to see a Small Copper this year here although several seen in nearby Norton Green

22 Aug - Knebworth week 21. Brief sunny intervals and breezy in morning resulting in 44 butterflies for the 2 transects (Speckled Wood 15, Small Heath 12, Meadow Brown 7). The Speckled Wood usually peak at this time of year. After a 5-minute shower before reaching Norton Green Common the sun shone brightly for the rest of the walk. A Small Copper beamed at me in the field south of the common. Numbers of whites are falling now

20 Aug - Stevenage week 21. Transect walked between 1025 and 1150 in limited sunshine (no sun in sections 6-8 covering Shackledell). Counted 20 butterflies (Speckled Wood 5, Small White 3, GvW 3, Gatekeeper 3). Only 2 Small Heath but found a special Brown Argus without some spots on the hindwings. A few Silver Y moths about. 45 butterflies in same walk for this week last year

18 Aug - Knebworth week 20. Walked both transects recording 81 butterflies (Small Heath 31, Meadow Brown 19, Green-veined White 8). 5 Small Coppers, 4 of which were in Knebworth Park. Of the 4 I photographed 3 were ab. caeruleopunctata ('blue badges' on hindwings). At last, saw a Common Blue on the woods transect

17 Aug - Fairlands Valley Park (south). Quick wander around after the sun broke through in the morning. Common Blue and Small Heath at Shackledell. Moth trap in garden resulted in 49 moths including firsts for Orange Swift and Straw-barred Pearl (apparently very local in Herts)

16 Aug - Knebworth woods. Walked the transect 1125-1225 in cloudy but bright conditions until a torrential downpour at just before 1230. 29 butterflies recorded including Gatekeeper 16, Small White 5, Meadow Brown 3. Pleased to find Small Copper, Small Heath and Brown Argus as well as at least 5 Silver Y moths in a small area at the bottom of the common.

12 Aug - Stevenage week 20. Early walk for transect 0930-1055, 27c, 100% sun yielding 55 butterflies (Gatekeeper 25, Small White 8, Meadow Brown 7). Only the whites, Small Heath, Peacock and Speckled Wood engaged other than feeding. Couple of Speckled Wood already paired up by 9:30. Peacock basked with wings wide open on ground in the shade. Disappointing not to see Brown Argus or Common Blue - were they hiding somewhere?

9 Aug - Knebworth Park week 19. Walked transect 1030-1210 hours 90% sunshine 23c yielded 72 butterflies (Small Heath 26, Gatekeeper 18, Meadow Brown 10). Still no Brown Argus this year. In garden moth trap was a Jersey Tiger, my first of the year and new for garden. One of the 2 Peacocks left its 'hibernating' home above bin cupboard in last 24 hours

7 Aug - Knebworth woods week 19. Much earlier than usual to walk the transect this week because of impending heat (0925-1030 hrs). 115 butterflies (Gatekeeper 58, Meadow Brown 23, Small White 12). Some skippers and MW still on wing plus 7 Small Heath. Probable Brown Hairstreak seen at 0840 off Kitching Lane north of Burleigh Meadow

6 Aug - Brown Argus. When the sun broke through and after the cricket I took a quick stroll to Shackledell and found a roosting Brown Argus on top of a grass stem (7:30pm) - first of second brood here

5 Aug - Stevenage week 19. Breezy but warm and sunny for Stevenage transect walked 1025-1155. 99 butterflies recorded (Gatekeeper 56, Meadow Brown 18, Speckled Wood 13). No Silver-washed this time. Moth-trap in garden last night attracted over 50 moths including Clouded Border and Black Arches. firsts of the year

2 Aug - Big Butterfly Count. In Fairlands Valley Park, west of the Environment Lake between 1010 and 1025 counted 20 butterflies (Common Blue 10, Gatekeeper 8, Small White 2)

31 Jul - Norton Green. Studied 3 ash trees for Brown Hairstreaks between 7:45 and 9:30. No butterfly (including Purple Hairstreak) activity on the tree-tops. Too hot for them (already 20+ c)? Some Purple Hairstreaks seen low down and possible Brown Hairstreaks just off Kitching Lane (TL225229). Will have to re-visit

30 Jul - Knebworth week 18. Sunny and warm weather for transects yielding 199 butterflies (Meadow Brown 68, Gatekeeper 52, Small White 20) including 6 Silver-washed Fritilary in or around Norton Green Common. First Brown Argus of the year, also at the common. Very few skippers, Marbled White and Ringlet about

29 Jul - Stevenage week 18. Transect 1025-1205 hours in intermittent sunshine (70%) yielded 116 butterflies (Gatekeeper 58, Meadow Brown 36, Speckled Wood 4). The highlight was finding the Valezina Silver-washed Fritillary in the southern part of Whomerley Wood (last section). Still waiting for the Small Copper to appear this year here

28 Jul - Norton Green Knebworth Woods. Mid morning walk - sunny at first but clouded over by 10:30. Gatekeeper most common with over 80 specimens including one aberrant excessa. Silver-washed Fritillary and Purple Hairstreak now looking worn. Only 2 Marbled White and 1 Small Skipper

24 Jul - Knebworth week 17. Limited sunshine on the transects but was warm. 228 butterflies recorded (Gatekeeper 84, Meadow Brown 43, Green-veined White 24). No 2nd brood Common Blue yet although one was seen in between the transects in the field north of Burleigh Farm. A spike in numbers of Peacock near Pigeonswick COttage and Norton Green Common but second successive week with no Silver-wash Fritillary

22 Jul - Stevenage week 17. Unbroken sunshine for Stevenage transect 1040-1210 hrs resulting in 155 butterflies (Meadow Brown 60, Gatekeeper 43, Small White 13). 3 Purple Hairstreaks in hollow under oak tree by path near the Scouts Activity Centre. First Common Blue (female) of second generation in Shackledell Grassland

21 Jul - WCBS July and BBC. Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey in TL2722 (Aston) yielded 48 butterflies (Gatekeeper 15, Meadow Brown 11, Small White 10) of which 16 were counted in section 1 (out of 10) so disappointing that less than 50 recorded overall. Big Butterfly Count in back garden - 19 including 10 Gatekeeper and 4 Ringlet but no Meadow Brown!

20 Jul - Knebworth week 16. Recorded 273 butterflies on Knebworth transects (Meadow Brown 100, Gatekeeper 48, Small White 25). No Silver-washed Fritillary and no Marbled White in Knebworth Park. Bad season for grassland species in Knebworth Park. Fallow Deer numerous here probably grazing heavily on the grasses

18 Jul - Purple Emperor. At last, after several days of searching for Purple Emperors in Norton Green eventually found a female enter an oak tree on SW tip of Watery Grove at 3:10pm. No individuals on tree-tops 3-4pm

17 Jul - Stevenage week 16. Walked 1000-1140 hours in warm calm conditions and mostly sunny yielding 167 butterflies (Meadow Brown 68, Ringlet 17, Small White 14). After a stupendous summer for butterflies last year, grassland species struggling this summer with abundance lower than half of that in 2019. Will there be a pick-up in numbers for week 17?

15 Jul - Moth trap results. Last night's trap in garden produced 32 moths and 11 species including my firsts for Oak Eggar and Scalloped Oak. Uncertain was most numerous with 10 followed by Common Rustic agg with 5

13 Jul - Hatfield Forest. Bob Clift and I went to Hatfield Forest to find Purple Emperor in particular. We didn't find one but we didn't look hard and long for it in the usual high-spots. At least 20 Purple Hairstreaks on ground, 6+ White-letter Hairstreaks on one bramble bush at around 1pm. Many Silver-washed Fritillary present

12 Jul - Knebworth week 15. Both transects yielded 287 butterflies compared to 652 on same day last year! Meadow Brown 83, Ringlet 62 and Small White 40. Quite a few Peacock (11) about and first Brimstone of the new generation. Also 7 Silver-washed Fritillary including 3 in Graffidge Wood

10 Jul - Stevenage week 15. Transect walked between 1030 and 1155 hrs - 43% sun, 16c and NW force 3 yielded 139 butterflies (Meadow Brown 39, Small/Essex Skipper 36, Marbled White 19). Good to see Silver-washed Fritillary again on edge of Monk's Wood where I also saw first Holly Blue of the summer generation

7 Jul - Knebworth woods week 14. Although predominantly cloudy it felt warmer with lighter winds. 226 butterflies this time (Ringlet 76, Meadow Brown 57, Marbled White 23). First Gatekeeper of the year x 2 by The Firs and a Purple Hairstreak by the track towards Norton Green at eye-level on elder flower

6 Jul - Knebworth Park week 14. Cloudy and windy conditions during transect unsurprisingly yielded only 43 butterflies (Meadow Brown 28, Marbled White 5, Ringlet 5). Also walked the woods transect but only 38 butterflies recorded so walked that again on the following day!

1 Jul - Stevenage week 14. Less than 10% sunshine during Stevenage transect 1015-1145 hrs: 123 butterflies (Meadow Brown 34, Marbled White 28, Ringlet 24). Very lucky that the sun was out briefly when walking along E edge of Monks Wood when I saw Silver-washed Fritillary on brambles and a Purple Hairsteak over the top of a tall oak

28 Jun - Knebworth week 13. Windy and showery (1050-1355 hours) still provided 289 butterflies (Meadow Brown 119, Marbled White 72, Ringlet 39). Also 6 Silver-washed Fritillary in The Firs in less than 5 mins but none anywhere else. 2 Red Admiral and 3 Comma at the end off the track towards Norton Green Farm

26 Jun - Silver-washed Fritillary. Mid morning visit to Norton Green Common yielded my first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year at the north end of Cannocks Wood near the gate. Saw a female on brambles in the meadow by the blackthorn thicket. Looked hard for the 2 Purple species but to no avail. No White Admirals either. Have to keep reminding myself that we are still in June!

24 Jun - Stevenage week 13. Transect walked 1000-1130 yielded 126 butterflies (Meadow Brown 47, Marbled White 29. Small White 19). 6 species in garden including 1st ever Marbled White plus 1st Ringlet of the year, 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 4 Meadow Brown

23 Jun - WCBS TL2722 (Aston) June. 1015-1125 hrs in 100% sunshine resulted in 74 butterflies (Meadow Brown 57, Small Tortoiseshell 5, Marbled White 5) but no Ringlets

22 Jun - Norton Green & moth trap catches. On the lookout for woodland butterflies at Norton Green, Cannocks Wood & Pigeonswick Wood 1055-1345 hrs. No PE, PH, WA but possible Swf in Pigeonswick. Moth trap early morning found 27 incl. 7 new ones (4 micros)

21 Jun - Six Hills Common. As soon as sun came out at about 9:20 am I dashed off to the common hoping to find roosting White-letter Hairstreaks but found none. Already active by 09:45 when I saw at least 2 (probably 3) individuals in the middle gap. Managed to take long-range photo of one resting near the top of one elm tree

20 Jun - Knebworth week 12. More cloud than sun producing 143 butterflies (Meadow Brown 96, Marbled White 16, Small Heath 10) including 1st Ringlet of the year by Rusling End Cottage. All 3 Commas were hutchinsoni the pale form

17 Jun - Stevenage week 12. Muggy conditions in morning yielded 95 butterflies including 65 Meadow Brown,13 Marbled White, 5 Speckled Wood and first Small Skipper of the year (at Shackledell). Earlier at 7:30 am, saw White-letter Hairstreak active over tree-tops on leeward side. First new generation Comma in garden

15 Jun - New generation Peacock. At Norton Green on a bramble patch alongside the track found a very fresh Peacock but also a tatty Comma (hutchinsoni?). I have hardly seen any Commas of this form in the past few weeks

14 Jun - First White-letter Hairstreak. At Six Hills Common, saw 1 (maybe 2) White-letter Hairstreaks over the elm tops at 10:30. Later in the Knebworth woods, my first Marbled White in field south of Watery Grove and my first Essex Skipper here also but no Small Skippers yet

13 Jun - Knebworth week 11. Sunny start until clouds developed by 11:30 but remained warm. Encountered 87 butterflies (Meadow Brown 66, Small Heath 9, Large Skipper 4, Speckled Wood 4). About 30 Meadow Browns in first 5 mins in field north of Burleigh Farm

11 Jun - First Marbled White. On Stevenage transect (week 11), in about 10% sunshine, counted 22 butterflies (Meadow Brown 16, Large Skipper 2, Speckled Wood 2, Small White & 1st Marbled White of the year). The Marbled White was seen at Shackledell Grassland along with most of the other butterflies

9 Jun - Knebworth week 10. Fine start to day tempted me to re-walk transect although it clouded over by 11:30. 38 butterflies (Meadow Brown 27, Small Heath 9, Large Skipper & Small Tortoiseshell). Checked the elms on Six Hills Common for White-letter Hairstreaks but none seen. A Brown Elm Bell moth was found on an elm leaf

8 Jun - Moth trap. 42 moths in trap (2 unidentified) - 6 firsts (Silver Y, Small Elephant Hawk-moth, Barred Marble, Small Magpie, Heart & Club & Uncertain). 23 Heart & Dart!

4 Jun - Knebworth week 10. Wasn't sure to walk transect but forecast for week is dire. Although some sunshine 25% about 6c cooler than yesterday and breezy conditions resulted in only 12 butterflies (Speckled Wood 7, Meadow Brown 5). 2 Chimney Sweepers in usual place in Knebworth Park

3 Jun - Stevenage week 10. Overcast conditions surprisingly yielded 13 butterflies (Large Skipper 4, Meadow Brown 4, Sm Tortoiseshell 2, Speckled Wood 2 & Red Admiral). Moth trap in garden attracted first Elephant hawk-moth, Clouded Silver & Dark Arches of year

1 Jun - Orange-tip larva. It has disappeared from its usual position in last few days at the top of GM plant. Didn't look broad enough to pupate? Moth-trap last night yielded 2 new species Varied Coronet and Rustic Shoulder-knot but still large number of Heart & Dart (33 out of 43)

30 May - Knebworth week 9. Unbroken sunshine during the 2 transects resulted in 17 butterflies (Small Heath 11, Meadow Brown 2, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Peacock, Speckled Wood). Cold and clear night attracted only 18 moths to trap but at least 2 new species - Green Pug and Ephestia sp.

29 May - First Large Skippers. 2 Large Skippers in field S of Watery Grove plus 10 Small Heath, 3 Meadow Brown and a Brown Argus. Surviving Orange-tip larva in garden still doing well

28 May - First Meadow Brown. 1st Meadow Brown of the year. Been searching miles and miles for it yet found one in garden! Went to the chalky bank off Martins Way looking for Small Blues but only one butterfly overall - an unidentified white

27 May - Stevenage week 9. Only 8 butterflies in Stevenage transect: Speckled Wood 6, Small White 2. Fresh Small Tortoiseshell, first of the new generation, in garden. Moth trap from last night attracted 38 moths of which 8 were firsts of the year

25 May - Knebworth week 8. Wall-to-wall sunshine on the 2 transects but only 13 butterflies ('June' gap?) - Small Heath 10, Brimstone, Orange-tip and Common Blue. But a yay moment in finding a Chimney Sweeper in Knebworth Park (west side) where I have found it in the last 2 or 3 years

22 May - Female Orange-tip. A female Orange-tip scoured over several Garlic Mustard plants in garden for over half an hour at around midday. Afterwards searched for white eggs without success. The plants now looking less healthy and flowering almost finished. Some florets covered in webs which may have been a deterrent

20 May - Stevenage week 8. Very warm and sunny on my transect resulting in 7 butterflies of 5 species including first Common Blue of the year at Shackledell. Also found Common Blue west of the Environment Lake in N Fairlands Valley Park. Over 30 moths in trap overnight including at least 6 firsts

19 May - First Red Admiral of year. Morning walk to Norton Green and east of Knebworth Park yielded several Small Heath, Small Copper and Mother Shipton. Red Admiral seemingly probing for nettles to lay eggs southern edge of Watery Grove. Black-headed Cardinal Beetle also seen east of Cowley's Corner Wood

18 May - Knebworth week 7. Waited for suitable weather - warm but breezy resulted in 22 butterflies (GvW 7, Orange-tip 4, Small Heath 3) but the highlight was my first Painted Lady of the year off the main track at Norton Green Common. Moth-trap from last night 19 moths of 10 species incl. Buff-tip

17 May - Stevenage week 7 part 2. Walked the transect again in slightly warmer weather but saw only 6 butterflies (Brown Argus at Shackledell and 5 GvW).

16 May - Moth trap. 2 firsts in moth trap - Marbled Minor and Treble Lines in addition to Shuttle-shaped Darts & Heart and Darts

15 May - Stevenage week 7. Quiet week with the cold weather and today was no different when on Stevenage transect I counted a measly 4 butterflies -= GvW 2, Speckled Wood & Brown Argus which was the highlight on the same spot as last week. Also found a Scorpion Fly in Millennium Wood

8 May - First Small Coppers and Small Heath. Walk to Knebworth Park via Norton Green produced 45+ butterflies (Orange-tip 15, GvW 12, Speckled Wood 7) including first Small Copper (2) at Knebworth Park and a Small Heath in field south of Watery Grove

6 May - First Brown Argus. On Stevenage transect found only 13 butterflies but included my first Brown Argus of the year at Shackledell. Very unusual to see first brood specimens here and sighting is my earliest ever, by at least a month, in Stevenage. Also seen were 3 Orange-tip, 3 Peacock and Large White

4 May - Knebworth Park and Norton Green. Walked the 2 Knebworth transects in reasonable weather: 29 butterflies (GvW 10, Orange-tip 7, Small White 6). Highlights were finding a rare beetle Dendroxena quadrimaculata north of Graffidge Wood and even rarer moth Pammene trauniana at Norton Green. Super yay!

2 May - Stevenage week 5. Walked my transect 1100-1215 in good sunshine but only 13c so just 9 butterflies (Orange-tip 3, GvW 3, Small White 3). Looked hard for Common Blue and Small Copper at Shackledell but no luck

26 Apr - Knebworth Park (east). Walk to Norton Green and east Knebworth Park: 34 butterflies (Orange-tip 15, Peacock 9, Brimstone, GvW 7 Iincluding a mating pair), Small White and Speckled Wood.

25 Apr - Fairlands Valley Park. Far fewer butterflies than last Monday's similar walk in similar weather with No Holly Blues! 18 Orange-tip, 4 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Peacock & Brimstone

24 Apr - Knebworth Park and Norton Green. 10-mile walk produced 52 butterflies (Green-veined White 15, Small White 12, Orange-tip 11, Speckled Wood 8, Peacock 4, Sm Tortoiseshell, Comma & Brimstone). A while since I have seen a Comma

23 Apr - South Stevenage. Walk to Roebuck Woods yielded 16 Orange-tip, 8 Small White, 13 Green-veined White, 1 Brimstone and 1 Peacock. In garden, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood, both firsts of the year

22 Apr - South Fairlands Valley Park. Transect walked between 1245 and 1355 hours yielding 32 butterflies: Orange-tip 11, Brimstone 2, Peacock 5, GvW 6, Small White 5, Speckled Wood 2, Holly Blue 1. For garden, first Speckled Wood and Holly Blue of the year

20 Apr - Holly Blues and Orange-tips. Local walk in Fairlands Valley Park: 22 Orange-tip, 12 Holly Blue, 7 Small White, 4 Speckled Wood, 5 Green-veined White and 7 Peacock. Most of the Holly Blues were along the eastern boundary in northern section away from the wind. Count equals record for this century

19 Apr - Knebworth Park and Norton Green. 10-mile local walk yielded 49 butterflies (Holly Blue, Orange-tip 16, Peacock 9, Green-veined White 13, Small White 5, Speckled Wood 4, Brimstone). Large number of Green-veined Whites emerged in last 2-3 days

16 Apr - Norton Green Common. Late morning walk yielded 16 butterflies (7 Orange-tip, 3 Small White, 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Peacock and 1 Comma) but no conclusive sign of Green-veined White

15 Apr - S Fairlands Valley Park. Slightly warmer accounting for 10 Peacock, 8 Orange-tip, 2 Green-veined White, 3 Small White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Holly Blue, 2 Comma and 4 Speckled Wood (first of the year)

14 Apr - N Fairlands Valley Park. One each of Orange-tip, Small White, Green-veined White and Holly Blue. Holly Blue also on western edge of Whomerley Wood. But no Peacocks! Quite cold though - 11c

11 Apr - Fairlands Valley Park. 90 minute morning walk yielded only 3 Peacock - warm but little sunshine (less than 20%)

10 Apr - Norton Green and Knebworth Woods. Knebworth Woods transect week 2 (1040-1125) unbroken sunshine 16-17c: 5 Peacock, 1 Orange-tip, 1 Small Tortoiseshell

8 Apr - 2 more firsts of the year. Green-veined White outside Whomerley Wood and male Orange-tip in Fairlands Valley Park near the Scouts Activity Centre. Early Grey moth in trap in garden last night

7 Apr - First Small White and Holly Blue of the year. Afternoon walk in Whomerley Wood and north Fairlands Valley Park yielded 24 Peacock, 5 Comma, 2 Small White, Brimstone and Holly Blue

5 Apr - Norton Green Common. Morning visit - 7 Peacock, 4 Brimstone and 1 Comma. Quite warm but breezy

4 Apr - Peacock having a good start. My local walk in south Fairlands Valley Park yielded 14 Peacock, 4 Brimstone and 4 Comma. Best start for Peacock here since 2015

27 Mar - Website update. Each species account updated to incorporate latest UKBMS abundance figures up to 2019 - best year since 1997

24 Mar - Knebworth Park and Norton Green. Compared to similar walk last year on 25 March (counts in brackets) much higher today: Peacock 13 (4), Comma 5 (3), Small Tortoiseshell 2 (2) and Brimstone 2 (0)

23 Mar - 4 adult hibernators at Roebuck. Saw 5 Comma, 1 Brimstone, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock on western edge of Roebuck woods - does not happen very often!

21 Mar - First moth in trap. Hebrew Character in trap last night but sadly died (due to frost?). 2 Comma and Peacock (first of the year) in FVP sheltered from stiff E breeze

16 Mar - First butterflies of the year. 4 Brimstone and 6 Comma in Fairlands Valley Park (including 1 Comma at the Shackledell Grassland)

28 Feb - Statistics tables updated for 2019. More records than ever in 2019 for TL22 so thank you to all those who have contributed. Better than average year but sadly no sightings for White Admiral and Small Blue

23 Feb - TL22 decad data update for 2019. Species webpages updated for records submitted in the TL22 square in 2019 (thanks to Andrew Wood for supplying the data)

15 Jan - Comma species account updated. Included notes about hazel being used as a larval foodplant in Europe

11 Jan - Some very early sightings. Comma from moth-trap in Ben Sales' Stevenage garden on 7th. Other species already seen in Hertfordshire: Peacock on 3rd, Holly Blue on 8th, Small Tortoiseshell on 9th and Large White on 10th

1 Jan - Happy New Year!. 2019 was a good year generally for butterflies. Second best year for Stevenage transect since 1993 with highest ever counts for Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Brown Argus and Silver-washed Fritillary

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