Butterflies in the Stevenage area

News 2021

Archive: 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

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25 Oct - Species account update. Accounts for all species seen this year on the 3 transects updated including the weekly counts

24 Oct - Brimstone and Peacock. Brimstone on southern edge of Watery Grove and Peacock on the track west of the grove in the afternoon sunshine

19 Oct - Comma. In a brief sunny spell, Comma seen in a sheltered spot in Monk's Wood. Very warm 19c

15 Oct - Small Copper and Speckled Wood. Another trip to Norton Green yielded a Small Copper further east in the field south of Watery Grove. Speckled Wood basking about 8 feet up a hornbeam on western tip of Watery Grove off track

11 Oct - Small Copper at Watery Grove. Hoping for another sighting of the Brown Argus seen yesterday but instead found a Small Copper, female Brimstone and a tatty Green-veined White in the field

10 Oct - Brown Argus. Very late Brown Argus in field south of Norton Green Common. The bands on forewings appeared more white than orange but unfortunately I lost sight of it when getting camera ready! Red Admiral also nearby on ragwort - do not recall seeing one on this flower before

6 Oct - Small Copper. A bad year for Small Copper. One seen today in field south of Watery Grove on ragwort. I did not find one in Stevenage TL2422 square (Fairlands Valley Park) all year

24 Sep - Knebworth week 26. Unbroken sunshine for the 2 transects yielded 18 butterflies (Speckled Wood 13, Brimstone, Small Copper, Comma, Meadow Brown, Small Heath). Perhaps a late flush of Speckled Woods - 9 by the path between the Firs and Newton Wood and 3 in Pigeonswick Wood. Annual conservation cut at Norton Green Common in last few days

23 Sep - Stevenage week 26. Early afternoon in limited sunshine produced 3 butterflies (Small White 2, Speckled Wood). All winding down now!

17 Sep - Knebworth week 25. Some sunshine and cooler than yesterday walking the Knebworth transects which yielded 39 butterflies (Speckled Wood 15, Small Heath 8, Comma 7). 6 of the COmmas basking on brambles and the other feeding on Water-mint edge of Norton Green Pond. Only 1 Small Copper on this occasion (in Knebworth Park)

16 Sep - Stevenage week 25. Almost unbroken sunshine resulted in 14 butterflies being recorded (Small White 5, Speckled Wood 5, Red Admiral 2, Meadow Brown 2) but still no Small Coppers here this year. Outside a house near home is a flowering ivy which attracted 3 Red Admirals and a Comma at 10:15 am

12 Sep - Knebworth week 24. Good spells of sunshine yielded 39 butterflies (Speckled Wood 21, Small Copper 6, Small Heath 3) including late male Brown Argus over Water-mint in Knebworth Park where male Common Blue also seen. All the Small Coppers were fresh and largely inactive

11 Sep - Stevenage week 24. Late morning walk in humid conditions (42% sun, 21c) produced 10 butterflies (Small White 10. Speckled Wood 2, Green-veined White). Walked transect also on 9 Sept and saw a tatty Common Blue but showers at start and end - very limited sunshine

6 Sep - Knebworth week 23. Warm and sunny conditions over the 2 transects yielded 65 butterflies (Speckled Wood 40, Small Heath 7, Meadow Brown 5). 26 of the Speckled Woods were by the path between Newton Wood and The Firs. 3 fresh Small Copper, 2 of which were feeding on water-mint in Knebworth Park, but no Common Blue

5 Sep - Stevenage week 23. In late morning sunshine, transect produced 13 butterflies (Speckled Wood 8, Small White 3, Comma, Meadow Brown). Most grassland areas left uncut all summer

4 Sep - Norton Green. In dull weather, apart from the odd white and Speckled Wood flying there was a Small Copper and Small Heath in field beyond the common. Later, Painted Lady on white buddleia in garden

29 Aug - Knebworth week 22. Very limited sunshine over the 2 transects yielding 14 butterflies (Green-veined White 5, Meadow Brown 4, Gatekeeper 3, Small White 2)

27 Aug - Stevenage week 22. Cloudy conditions in early afternoon on transect resulted in only 6 butterflies (Speckled Wood 2, Gatekeeper 2, Meadow Brown, Small Heath)

23 Aug - Knebworth week 21. Reasonable spells of sunshine yielded 98 butterflies on the 2 transects (Meadow Brown 26, Small White 17, Speckled Wood 15). Gatekeeper on the wane but Large Skipper still seen at Norton Green Common. First Brown Argus here (at Knebworth Park) of the year. 3 Silver-washed Fritillary at Pigeonswick and the common

19 Aug - Stevenage week 21. 90% sunshine boosted transect count t0 51 (Gatekeeper 13, Meadow Brown 11, Small White 9). No Peacock so perhaps they have entered hibernation. Still no Brown Argus or Small Copper here this year

15 Aug - Knebworth week 20. Drizzle on way but cleared up in time for start of transects. About 50% sunshine overall accounting for 120 butterflies (Meadow Brown 37, Gatekeeper 26, Small White 13). 2 Painted Lady at Norton Green Common and new brood Small Copper and Small Heath in Knebworth Park. Very worn Small Tortoiseshell outside Pigeonswick Cottage - probably won't enter hibernation in the winter

14 Aug - Stevenage week 20. Intermittent sunshine but cloudy in middle section, consisting mostly of grassland habitat, accounted for low total of 34 butterflies (Gatekeeper 18, Peacock 5) but disturbed a nice female Common Blue. Tatty Small Skipper also seen feeding on thistles.

11 Aug - Hexton Chalk Pit. With Phil Barron in early/mid afternoon. 100s of Chalkhill Blues many of which the males were chasing single females. By far the most abundant species and very few of any others. No Dark Green Fritillary - the end of their flight season?

10 Aug - Knebworth week 19. Good sunshine resulted in 215 butterflies on Knebworth transects (Gatekeeper 78, Meadow Brown 64, Small White 18). Marbled White still flying at Norton Green Common. Still quite a few Peacocks and perhaps surprisingly some fresh Large Skippers. Female Common Blue in egg-laying mode at Knebworth Park but did not find an egg

5 Aug - Stevenage week 19. Late morning transect in intermittent sunshine and stiff breeze yielded only 49 butterflies (Gatekeeper 18, Meadow Brown 16, Small White 3) including a nice female Common Blue (1st of the summer brood). No Small/Essex Skippers or Marbled White but Large Skipper still flying

2 Aug - Knebworth week 18. Very little sunshine but bright and hardly any wind helped to encourage some butterflies to become active. 227 butterflies (Meadow Brown 76, Gatekeeper 72, Peacock 17). Saw Silver-washed Fritillary apparently egg-laying on mature oak south of Wintergreen Wood and minutes later saw fresh Painted Lady on thistles north side of the wood

29 Jul - Stevenage week 18. Quite sunny but Cooler and breezier than last week. 129 butterflies (Meadow Brown 36, Gatekeeper 29, Small/Essex Skipper 21 (5 identified as Small)). Probably past the peak period of the year after previous weeks' counts of 204 and 177

26 Jul - WCBS TL2722 (Aston) July. Cloudy at first but brightened up later in late morning survey. Counted 51 butterflies of which more than half were by footpath north of Aston to Benington Road near Holbrook Farm - mostly on the thistles including several skippers

25 Jul - Painted Lady. During very brief sunny spell in the afternoon, Painted Lady turned up in the garden feeding on a buddleia plus several Gatekeepers and a Large White

23 Jul - Knebworth week 17. More comfortable walk on the transects in the cooler weather late morning/early afternoon. 358 butterflies (Meadow Brown 122, Marbled WHite 57, Gatekeeper 53) and only 10 Small/Essex Skippers and yet to see new generation Common Blue, Brown Argus and Small Copper. Whites are more common

22 Jul - Stevenage week 16. Hot and sunny late morning yielded 177 butterflies (Meadow Brown 80, Marbled White 20, Small/Essex Skipper 16) Only 3 identified Skippers - all Small. New generation Brimstone and Peacock seen

21 Jul - Purple Emperor in Whomerley Wood. After Don Gregory's sighting outside Whomerley Wood on 18 July I visited the spot (NE corner near the school) at c 9 am and within 5 mins a Purple Emperor swooped down from high on an oak towards underpass

17 Jul - Knebworth week 16. Unbroken sunshine yielded almost double the number of butterflies in week 15. Would have recorded more if two fields were left uncut. 414 butterflies (Meadow Brown 136, Ringlet 76, Marbled White 60). 3 Silver-washed Fritillary and new generation Brimstone in The Firs. Skippers restless and difficult to identify - only 2 Small Skippers out of 26 in total.

16 Jul - Stevenage week 16. Unbroken sunshine (1025-1220 hrs) on Stevenage transect yielded 204 butterflies (Meadow Brown 70, Marbled White 60, Ringlet 29) but still no Gatekeeper yet here. Silver-washed Fritillary also seen (1st of the year). Plus 6-spot Burnet (2) (1st of the year).

15 Jul - Norton Green field trip. With hardly any sunshine during field trip (1030-1300 onwards) there were few butterflies and no Purple Emperors! Purple Hairstreaks and Silver-washed Fritillary became active when skies brightened. One highlight was a Comma egg found on nettles near Pigeonswick Cottage

14 Jul - Silver-washed Fritillary. Saw Silver-washed Fritillary in Whomerley Wood just south of the moat. Also saw possible Purple Emperors on oak tops from the same spot but only brief glimpses so need to return for confirmation

13 Jul - Purple Emperor and White Admiral. Norton Green and Knebworth woods morning walk in mainly cloudy conditions nevertheless yielded Purple Emperor on the track leading to Norton Green Common 'meadow' at 1 pm. Earlier spotted a White Admiral (first for 4 years) near Pigeonswick Cottage on bramble patch in brief sunny spell

9 Jul - Knebworth week 15. Very little sunshine (none in the woods transect) and light shower lasting nearly an hour in the park transect. However, great to count 255 butterflies (Meadow Brown 125, Ringlet 53, Marbled White 36) plus 1st Gatekeeper of year at Burleigh Bottom and Purple Hairstreak low-down south of Burleighcroft Wood. 3 Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet at Norton Green Common

8 Jul - Stevenage week 15. Late morning about 50% sunshine yielded 116 butterflies (same as week 14) but many more Marbled Whites (47) (most at Shackledell). Also 36 Meadow Brown, 12 Ringlet and 10 Small/Essex Skipper with 4 identified as Small.

5 Jul - Knebworth Woods week 14. 67 butterflies counted on transect (Meadow Brown 33, Ringlet 10, Marbled White 4). Earlier saw 3 White-letter Hairstreaks at Six Hills Common each in different elm canopy 'gaps'. Outside transect saw 3+ Purple Hairstreaks high up on the oaks E edge of Cannocks Wood and N edge of Parsons Grove

4 Jul - Silver-washed Fritillary. First Silver-washed Fritillary of the year seen on the southern edge of Watery Grove on the brambles

2 Jul - Stevenage week 14. Not much sunshine (20%) but pleasantly warm with very light winds yielding 116 butterflies (Meadow Brown 67, Marbled White 26) plus 6 Ringlets and 3 Small Skippers (1st of the year here)

1 Jul - Knebworth Park week 14. Walked both transects but conditions much less favourable in the woods one. 111 butterflies recorded in the park (Meadow Brown 80, Small Heath 20) plus 1st Marbled White, Ringlet(2) and Small Skipper here for the year. Woods transect walked again on 5 July - details later

26 Jun - Knebworth week 13. Pleasantly warm and sunny intervals for the 2 transects yielded 78 butterflies (Meadow Brown 43, Large Skipper 15, Speckled Wood 12) plus a Painted Lady and Small Copper but still no Marbled Whites. 2 Chimney Sweeper at Knebworth Park

25 Jun - Stevenage week 13. Took advantage of afternoon sunshine to walk Stevenage transact - 31 butterflies (Meadow Brown 14, Speckled Wood 10, Marbled White 3) plus Burnet Companion and probably Spindle Ermine (at Shackledell)

23 Jun - Transects week 12. Only decent day weather-wise this week and walked only 2 transects. Knebworth woods in morning yielded 14 butterflies including 1st Small Skipper of the year. Stevenage transect in afternoon - 20 butterflies including 1st Marbled White of the year. At Six Hills Common White-letter Hairstreak seen, another first!

16 Jun - Large Skippers. Late morning walk to Norton Green in warm and sunny weather yielded 8 Large Skipper and 13 Meadow Brown in field south of Watery Grove and woodland edge. On way home saw first new brooded Small Tortoiseshell of the year by roundabout between police station and Six Hills

14 Jun - First Large Skipper. Late afternoon walk to Shackledell Grassland. First Large Skipper of the year seen feeding on Ox-eye Daisy. Meadow Brown also here

13 Jun - Knebworth week 11. Unbroken sunshine and warm. Better in the park transect where 21 butterflies counted including 1st Meadow Brown of the year and a Painted Lady north of Burleigh Farm. Only 8 butterflies in the woods transect, 7 of whicn were Speckled Wood

11 Jun - Stevenage week 11. Muggy conditions in transect walk during early afternoon. Not much sunshine - 10 butterflies (Speckled Wood 7, Small Heath 2 and 1st Common Blue of the year on transect)

8 Jun - Stevenage week 10. Re-walked the transect for week 10 hoping to see more than 1 butterfly! 9 counted (Small Heath 6, Speckled Wood 2, Small White). Disappointing not to find Common Blue at the Shackledell Grassland where I saw 3 males and 1 female on 6 June

7 Jun - Holly Blue. Holly Blue appeared to laying eggs on Firethorn (Pyracantha) west of the Environment Lake in Fairlands Valley Park. Searched the chalky bank off Martins Way for Small Blue but to no avail. Beautiful Bee Orchid found at bottom of slope

6 Jun - Fairlands Valley Park. Morning walk to north and south sections of the park. 1st Common Blue on bank west of the Environment Lake plus 4 more at the Shackledell Grassland

5 Jun - Knebworth week 10. Unbroken sunshine in morning for the park transect yielding 17 butterflies including 12 Small Heath and 1st Common Blue of the year. Also Chimney Sweeper in NW section of Knebworth Park. On the woods transect after lunch clouds began to build and only 5 butterflies recorded with 1st Small Copper of the year here

3 Jun - Stevenage week 10. Transect walked 1035-1155 in good sunshine but only 1 Speckled Wood and Mother Shipton moth seen, both at the Shackledell Grassland site

2 Jun - Frogmore gravel pit. Only the southern side of the pit accessible due to flooding in the centre and northern section. My search for Grizzled Skipper failed. Brown Argus and whites only were seen

31 May - Knebworth Park (east). Morning visit to eastern Knebworth Park in the fields near the A1(M) yielded 22 Small Heath, Brimstone, Orange-tip and Mother Shipton moth

30 May - Knebworth week 9. Almost unbroken sunshine on my 2 Knebworth transects yielded 27 butterflies (Small Heath 11, Orange-tip 5 and first Small Coppers of the year - 3 all in NW section of Knebworth Park). Still no Brown Argus or Common Blue. Some female Orange-tips probing for suitable plants (e.g. cuckoo flower) to lay eggs

29 May - Stevenage week 9. More sunshine and warmer for this week on the transect (19c and sun 79%) but disappointing to find only 9 butterflies (Peacock 4, Small Heath 2, Small White 2 and female Orange-tip). Amazing that Peacocks are still around - perhaps they went back to 'hibernate' during the cold weather in April?

26 May - Knebworth week 8. Weather very similar to previous day on Knebworth transects. 4 butterflies (Speckled Wood 2 and Small Heath 2; the latter the firsts of the year)

25 May - Stevenage week 8. Although there was some decent sunshine in the afternoon it felt cool in the breeze and NO butterflies were seen on the transect

18 May - Knebworth week 7. Fair amount of sunshine for the 2 transects but only 1 butterfly (Speckled Wood) seen in the morning for the park transect in Graffidge Wood. In the afternoon higher temperatures (16c) resulted in 15 butterflies (Orange-tip 7 and 1st Red Admiral of the year) in the woods transect

16 May - Stevenage week 7. Transect walked between 1030 and 1140 am in 56% sunshine, 15c and S force 3. 9 butterflies (Orange-tip 5, Small White 2, Green-veined White 2). Nice Small Yellow Underwing moth feeding on buttercup at Shackledell grassland

12 May - Knebworth woods week 6. Walked the woods transect again for week 6 when sun was forecast from mid afternoon. Was rewarded with 7 Orange-tips, 2 Green-veined Whites and a Small White

11 May - Knebworth week 6. Sunshine in only first 3 sections in the park transect resulting in just one butterfly - Green-veined White. Steady rain in second half. The woods transect also walked but rain continued until sun broke through in 4th section when 2 Orange-tips were seen

9 May - Stevenage week 6. Walked Stevenage transect on 7 May but counted only 2 butterflies so tried again today in much warmer conditions (18c) resulting in 9 butterflies (Green-veined White 9, Orange-tip 2, Peacock and Small White) but no Speckled Wood which usually starts building up to first peak of the season

30 Apr - Stevenage week 5. Very cool and little sunshine in early afternoon meant that only 2 butterflies were seen Peacock and Speckled Wood (1st of the year here). Also walked transect on 3 May but results were even worse with just 1 Speckled Wood counted. Knebworth transects not walked this week due to the unfavourable weather

23 Apr - Knebworth week 4. Early afternoon walk for both transects yielded 17 butterflies (disappointing despite the good weather although a stiff breeze in places) - Peacock 5, Orange-tip 5 and first Speckled Wood of the year in The Firs

22 Apr - Stevenage week 4. Transect walked 1310-1430 hours 100% sun, 12c, E force 3 yielded 17 butterflies (Peacock 9, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Brimstone 2, Green-veined White 2 and Orange-tip 1

19 Apr - Stevenage week 3. On Stevenage transect (1205-1320 hours) 13c, 10 Peacock, 3 Brimstone & 1 Orange-tip but no Small White when on Saturday 17 Apr there appeared to be a mass emergence of Small White 1km away on the other (north) side of Six Hills Way in Fairlands Valley Park

18 Apr - Knebworth week 3. In early afternoon (11-12c) in unbroken sunshine recorded 9 Peacock, 7 Brimstone & 2 Small White for the two transects. 3 Small White and a Green-veined White south of the Leisure Park, Stevenage on way home

17 Apr - First Orange-tips. In Fairlands Valley Park mid afternoon recorded over 30 butterflies including 2 male Orange-tips close together on edge of Ashtree Wood near the cafe. Also 14 Small White, 9 Peacock, 6 Brimstone, 2 Comma & Green-veined White

14 Apr - Stevenage week 2. Only 11 degrees in NE breeze and 25% sunshine resulted in 4 butterflies on Stevenage transect: 3 Peacock and 1 Comma

4 Apr - Knebworth Woods week 1. Walked transect in mid afternoon when it was just warm enough (12-13c) to find 5 Peacocks. Outside the transect near the blackthorn hedge on northern edge of Burleigh Meadow were 3 Peacocks and 2 Commas on or close to the ground

1 Apr - Stevenage week 1. Only 13c and a fresh NE breeze not ideal but counted 5 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell which I had not seen since 9 March. No Brimstone seen - perhaps it was too cool for the males to be patrolling around. Both the Small Tortoiseshell and one Peacock were enjoying the blackthorn blossom bursting into life in the last 2 days

31 Mar - Knebworth Woods week 0. Cloudy conditions saw only 2 Peacocks, both at Norton Green Common on Knebworth Woods transect

30 Mar - Stevenage week 0. Glorious sunny weather late morning yielded 11 Brimstone, 4 Peacock and 1 Comma on Stevenage transect

29 Mar - Fairlands Valley Park. 14 Peacock, 6 Brimstone and 2 Comma in the park early afternoon. Expected more Commas -maybe the cold wet winter impacted their survival on their hibernation sites in the open countryside? Ann Wan found a Small Tortoiseshell in the park near the entrance off Six Hills Way

23 Mar - First Brimstone and Comma. Brimstone in Whomerley Wood (southern end) and Comma at the Shackledell Grassland where a Peacock was also seen

22 Mar - First Peacock of the year. Disturbed a Peacock while walking in South Field close to the school boundary in S Fairlands Valley Park

9 Mar - My first butterfly of the year. Small Tortoiseshell on mound north of the football ground car park at south end of Fairlands Valley Park. Barely above 10c but strong sunshine at around 1:30pm. Tom Speller saw a Comma at the Environment Lake (FVP)

24 Feb - Brimstone. Phil Barron saw a Brimstone on a railway embankment in Hitchin (TL202287)

19 Feb - White-letter Hairstreak egg. Liz Goodyear reported finding a White-letter Hairstreak egg at Bragbury End on elm on the A602 road verge (TL2721)

13 Feb - Species accounts updated. Small dark green circle (instead of yellow cross) to donate species present in 2020 on distribution maps

9 Feb - Species accounts updated. Table for branch area distribution and abundance updated from annual report for 2020

4 Feb - Species accounts updated. Accounts updated for records submitted in the TL22 square for 2020. Distribution maps replaced. Thank you to all those who contributed in spite of the lockdown earlier in the year. Can you help fill in the gaps this year?