Butterfly Sightings 2004 - Upper Thames Branch
(Berks, Bucks & Oxon)
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** July to December 2004 Archive **

November & December 2004

22/11/04 - Maureen Cross reports seeing a male Brimstone in her garden in Streatley today.

October 2004

26/10/04 - John Notton sent in these results on behalf of his daughter who lives in Bicester. She has noticed other species throughout 2004 but unfortunately without dates:

10/10/04 - Holly Blue

26/10/04 - Small Tortoiseshell

John says “If I have read the distribution map correctly, this is an under-recorded square, being largely urban (probably ex council house, with small gardens).”

26/10/04 - Tom Dunbar sent in this report: “I have had a daily two Red Admirals in my Aylesbury garden over the last four days. They were joined by another RA and a Painted Lady this morning. All are in excellent condition. The absence of Small Torts and Commas is perhaps significant. I hope the Torts have not suffered another serious decline. Here's hoping that they have simply gone into hibernation early this year.

09/10/04 – The following news from Dave Wilton: “I decided to go out to the Rushbeds tramway this afternoon to check on the Comma population (it was the only place I could think of to go to locally that might still have butterflies in double-figure quantities!). Sure enough, I found 16 Commas sunning themselves on the more sheltered areas of bramble, accompanied by three Speckled Woods and a single Red Admiral.”

08/10/04 - On Saturday 2nd October Dave Wilton’s garden at Westcott was graced by the appearance of a late Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

On Thursday 7th October he spent a pleasant hour and a half in the sunshine at Finemere Wood and recorded a grand total of seven butterflies from five species: Small White (2), Small Copper (2), Red Admiral, Comma and Speckled Wood.

Thursday 7th October - Paul Bowyer spent his lunch time in search of butterflies close to the Haymill nature reserve on Britwell, close to the Slough Trading Estate. He was surprised to find a Small White searching for nectar among the wild flowers in the area.

05/10/04 - Phil Coles went to Asham Meads and recorded Green Veined White and Speckled Wood.

04/10/04 – Report from Tony Croft: “After this morning's deluge brilliant sunshine tempted me to Whitecross Green Wood and it proved quite productive. Three Commas lazily feeding on blackberries or so it seemed, one very active small copper, one male Brimstone and a surprise female Brown Hairstreak. Although a little worn she was flying quite strongly along the ride leading from the car park and then settled high on blackthorn giving some really good views. On returning home I was greeted by a Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell.”

Tom Dunbar sent in this report on 2nd October: “Setting off home from the branch AGM I encountered heavy driving conditions until I approached the Chilterns where I was welcomed by blue skies. A quick visit to Coombe Hill was too tempting to pass up in my attempt to secure my first October sightings. I was rewarded by singletons of Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Small Heath.”

30^th September 2004

28/09/04 - Dave Maunder’s butterfly sightings, seen around Aylesbury over the last week (9th-25th): Red admirals(5), Commas(4) - feeding on rotting blackberries and ivy bloom; Sm. tortoiseshell(1), Large whites(4), Small whites(13), and Speckled wood(1). On Sunday 26th Dave had a stroll down to Eythrope and saw Peacock(1), Red admirals(4), Commas(3) - all on ivy bloom; - also Small whites(2), and Speckled wood(1).

27/09/04 - Dave Wilton spent an hour and a half at Finemere on Monday afternoon: “It was painfully obvious that the season is now drawing to a close as only six species were active: Small White (6), Green-veined White (1), Small Copper (3), Brown Argus (1), Comma (1) and Speckled Wood (7). The Small Coppers and Comma were in good condition but the remainder were looking very faded and battered.”

Phil Coles sent in a number of sightings for this month:

18/09/04 Rushbeds Wood - Speckled Wood

20/09/04 Asham Meads - Green Veined White

28/09/04 Aston Rowant NNR (South) - Small White, Green Veined White, Small Heath

Here's Dave Maunder’s list of butterflies seen around Aylesbury last week:- Red admirals(8), Comma(1), Large white(1), and Small whites(15).

Dave Wilton called at Whitecross Green Wood on his way home from work Wednesday 22^nd September. The weather was overcast and breezy, but the temperature was 18C and he managed to record 2 female Brown Hairstreaks, Large White (2), Green-veined White (4), Comma (2) and Speckled Wood (1).

Dave Wilton spent 19^th September doing some long-overdue tidying up in his garden at Westcott: “Several Large and Small Whites and a Hummingbird Hawk Moth were attracted to what's left of the Phlox, but it was the Marigolds that brought in a couple of surprise visitors: a Brown Argus (first confirmed sighting for my garden this year) and a rather battered Gatekeeper. I haven't seen a Gatekeeper since early August so I wonder where this one had been hiding!”

Sunday 19^th September 2004

Mick and Wendy Campbell went for a walk in the Piddington area today, 19^th: they saw 5 species of butterfly despite the blustery conditions – Small White, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Comma.

Dave Wilton’s sightings for Saturday 18^th were as follows: “By 3.30pm today (Saturday) the showers had stopped, the wind had died a little and the temperature had risen to 17C so I went out to Lapland Farm and Rushbeds Wood to search the blackthorn and ash. In the two hours that I was there I saw plenty of dragonflies and hornets but the only butterfly that showed itself was a solitary bedraggled Meadow Brown that I nearly stepped on in the Rushbeds tramway. Not even a White or a Speckled Wood! By 5.30pm it was quite sunny and the temperature had gone up another degree but there was still no sign of Brown Hairstreak activity anywhere.”

News from David Redhead for 15th September: “In spite of it being windy and the temperature being only 16C I had rather a good day. In the morning on the second flush of flowers on the garden buddleia a Red Admiral, Comma, Large White, Small White and Hummingbird Hawk moth. Then off at midday to do the Swyncombe Down transect - 20 Meadow Brown, 4 Common Blue, 2 Speckled Wood, a Large White and a Small White. But the prize was right at the end two pristine Small Coppers. Surprisingly no Small Heaths. Later at Whitecross Green Wood with Becky Woodell, 5 Brown Hairstreaks (4 definitely female and the other probably so) having supper and going to bed in ash and oak trees. Becky also reported a pristine Small Copper.”

14/09/04 - Dave Maunder saw these butterflies in Aylesbury last week:- Painted lady(1), Red admirals(2), Commas(2), Sm. tortoiseshells(4), Large whites(16), Small whites(60+), Green-veined white(1), Speckled woods(6), and Common blues(5, all female).

Sunday 12th September - Tom Dunbar sent in this report: “I went on a visit to Arncott MOD land today. Blustery conditions with occasional sunshine and showers prevailed. Adult butterfly sightings were limited to a Small White, two Small Tortoiseshells and a Speckled Wood. However during about 90 minutes of searching 17 Brown Hairstreak eggs were located over a wide area. I look forward to revisiting this site later in the year and feel confident that at least several dozen eggs can be found at this location where adults were seen this year for the first time.”

Another ninety-minute search by Dave Wilton on 12/9/04 for Wall Brown along the southwest edge of the landfill site near Edgcott (not the most pleasant place in the world for a late-afternoon stroll!) drew a blank, which was hardly surprising given the showers and generally blustery conditions. However, he did disturb several Small White, Small Copper and Small Heath along the way, as well as single examples of Common Blue and Painted Lady.

Dave Wilton visited the village of Blackthorn on Saturday 11^th September and was pleasantly surprised to see a single female Brown Hairstreak, seemingly in reasonably good condition, fly at head height along the hedgerow and then briefly came to rest on some Blackthorn. It took off again and promptly disappeared across the field on a strong gust of wind. There was no other activity in or around the field apart from a pair of Small Heaths and a single Small Tortoiseshell.

Friday 10^th September 2004

The following is UTB Brown Hairstreak Champion David Redhead’s summary of the Brown Hairstreak Weekend (4/5th Sept), when a total of 22 adult Brown Hairstreaks were seen. Thanks to everybody who participated.

Saturday

Whitecross Green Wood :Four females seen by Paul Huckle & Dave Dennis - three at low-level and one in an ash tree.

Noke Wood : Dave Ferguson saw two adults at low-level just north of the wood - one was definitely identified as a female.

Blackwater Wood : Dave Ferguson's next port of call where he saw a low-level female in the field to the east of the wood.

Woodeaton & Elsfield : This area visited by David Redhead proved unproductive.

Bernwood Forest & Meadows: Two visits (Dave Dennis & David Redhead) but no sightings.

Sunday

Bernwod Meadows: Chris Lamsdell reported 3 females

Woodsides Meadows : Dave Wilton saw an adult in the reserve and on his way back to his car saw a low-level female just south-east of the Wendlebury M40/A34 interchange. This sighting extends the north-west range by about 0.5km.

Piddington : Wendy & Mick Campbell saw three females near Piddington and found 15 eggs in the same locality.

Waterperry Wood : Dennis Dell reported a single female on transect and one off-transect

Whitecross Green Wood : Jim Asher saw two adults in an ash tree and a low-level female in the first ride.

Asham Meads : Jim's next port of call where he saw two females in the north meadow.

Stanton Little Wood : David Redhead saw two probables in flight and found lots of promising habitat.

Danesbrook Farm : Another probable here seen by David Redhead just east of the farm buildings.

Bernwood Forest & Meadows : Two visits (Jim Asher & David Redhead) but no sightings.

The lack of sightings in Bernwood Forest & Meadows is surprising in view of the reported sightings from there over the previous fortnight. Activity in ash trees is continuing, much later then last year, but most sightings were of low-level females. No definite male sightings were made. If you haven’t seen a Brown Hairstreak yet you’re not necessarily too late. In 2003 the last reported sighting was made on the 16th Sept and the previous year one was seen during the first week in October.

*****

This news received from Derek Brown on 10/9/04: “I managed a quick trip to Aston Rowant last Sunday, 5^th, – 2 x Silver-spotted Skipper, 2 x Clouded Yellow; 2 x Chalkhill Blue and 3 x 2nd brood Brimstone.”

September 9^th - Francis Gomme found that Silver-spotted Skippers were still flying at Beacon Hill, Aston Rowant this afternoon: “3 rather tired specimens seen (I saw my first SSS this year on 18th July near Risborough so they have enjoyed a good flight period!). A few Common Blue and Brown Argus - all now very faded – but good numbers of Small Heath and Meadow Brown. Small Coppers were everywhere - 100+ including some very fresh specimens. Speckled Wood 5+ along Icknield Way below Beacon Hill and 1 Clouded Yellow on open hillside.”

David Gantzel went to Lodge Hill on September 9^th and found that the most numerous butterfly was Small Heath. Also a few Meadow Brown, Small Copper, Common Blue and one Brown Argus.

8^th September - David Redhead, having had no definite sightings during Brown Hairstreak weekend, was beginning to suffer withdrawal symptoms so went to Stanton Little Wood, Bernwood Meadows & Whitecross Green Wood today. Stanton Little Wood proved frustrating with a probable Brown Hairstreak flying about but never settling in view to allow a definite identification. Bernwood Meadows was disappointing with only a single Meadow Brown seen. Whitecross Green Wood proved interesting. The first butterfly he saw was a pristine Small Heath (only 12 previous records for this site). Four Brown Hairstreak eggs were found and after much searching a female adult Brown Hairstreak in an ash tree. So over 3 hours searching resulted in only one Brown Hairstreak sighting. Numbers appear to be on the wane. Other butterflies seen were Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Comma.

Dave Wilton reports for Tuesay 7^th September: “At lunchtime today I went to the section of the dismantled Woodham to Wotton railway line that lies immediately west of Westcott airfield. Twelve species were active in the sheltered cutting there, comprising Large White (1), Small White (4), Green-veined White (1), Common Blue (51), Brown Argus (10), Small Copper (1), Red Admiral (1), Comma (5), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Painted Lady (1), Speckled Wood (10) and Small Heath (6). Unfortunately there was no sign of second-brood Dingy Skipper, which is what prompted my visit. Rather than walk from home I drove to Wotton Underwood village because it is located in the centre of one of Jim Asher's unreported squares. Unfortunately I didn't see a single butterfly along the footpath from Wotton to the cutting (which is in an adjacent square). Next port of call was Lapland Farm on the off-chance that a Brown Hairstreak might show itself. Nothing doing, of course (far too windy) - all that I found were Common Blue (4), Small Copper (2), Red Admiral (2), Speckled Wood (3) and Meadow Brown (3, two of them very battered). Final destination was the Hewin's Wood Drain - still no sign of second-brood Wall, but 3 Clouded Yellows were active, as were Common Blue (25), Brown Argus (11), Small Copper (2) and Small Heath (14).”

and on Monday 6^th September Dave had a look at the BBOWT-owned Long Herdon & Grange Meadows along the banks of the River Ray south of Marsh Gibbon: “Although the western side of these two meadows had already been partially mown, it came as a great surprise to me to find that they are at least comparable to, if not better then, the meadows at Lapland Farm for their variety of flora. They must support a good selection of butterflies during the summer. The north-eastern section contains a mass of Devil's-bit Scabious which was still in flower (now THIS would be a nice place to find Marsh Fritillary!). The majority of the surviving butterflies were feeding from the Scabious and comprised: Small White (1), Green-veined White (6), Small Copper (6), Common Blue (11), Brown Argus (2) and Small Tortoiseshell (1). A probable female Brown Hairstreak was seen flying along the low Blackthorn scrub that divides the north and south sides of the eastern meadow but she was lost to view in a gust of wind before I could get a positive identification.”

On a short walk around Grangelands on Sunday 5th, Dave Maunder saw: Red admirals(2), Comma(1), Meadow browns(18), Small heaths(17), Speckled woods(4), Small whites(8), Green-veined whites(3), Common blues - female(7), male(3), Brown argus(3), and Small coppers(3). “I also noted Vapourer moths(2), Treble-bar moths(2), Pyrausta purpuralis(1), and Pyrausta aurata(1). Near the car park I also saw a Hornet- they seem to be appearing widely in the Chilterns these last few years!”

Tuesday 7^th September 2004

5/9/04 – Tim Watts was at the Calvert landfill today and saw 1 female Wall Brown: “This was same one seen on 15/8 & 22/8, patrolling the same 10 mt area and has the same damaged wing. Now very faded. Also 4 Red admiral, 20+ small heath & lots of Whites. I also checked Rushbeds yesterday and 2 of the Black Hairstreak sites near the landfill for Brown Hairstreak, but no luck.”

Tom Dunbar sent in this report on his Brown Hairstreak Weekend “I went Brown Hairstreaking in Surrey and UTB with some success. To see my full report click here.”

The following report was received from David Redhead for 5th September: “This afternoon Wendy & I spent over two hours in Bernwood Forest looking for Brown Hairstreak but in the parts not usually associated with this species. We were unsuccessful but had sightings of another 11 species. These included 22 Comma (all nectaring on Devil's-bit Scabious), 7 Brimstone & 5 Red Admiral - all these butterflies were beautifully fresh. Also seen - everywhere - Speckled Wood & Small White; several - Green-veined White, Common Blue, Meadow Brown; one only - Painted Lady, Large White & Brown Argus.”

Monday 6^th September 2004

4^th September - Dennis Dell was doing his Waterperry Wood transect and saw two female Brown Hairstreaks: “One was within Waterperry at the northern end flying around and landing on Hawthorn. The other sighting was very nostalgic for me, for it was at the same spot where I had seen my 1st BrH about 26 years ago, namely, along the road between Hell Coppice and Waterperry. It landed very low down on a fresh Blackthorn shoot about one metre from the ground. It crawled all the way along this shoot in a very deliberate manner; maybe it was ovipositing but it was in the middle of bramble and I could not get close enough. This behaviour, I know, is familiar to all BrH enthusiasts. It never fails to fascinate me, however, since few species apart from the Hairstreaks go in for crawling such long distances!

Chris Lamsdell sent in two reports on 5^th September: “A few Silver-spotted Skippers still present at Aston Rowant today, with numerous Small Copper, Small Heath, Common Blue, Large White, Meadow Brown, GV White & 2 Clouded Yellows

At least 3 Brown Hairstreaks at Bernwood Meadows, plus someone bashing the bushes with a long pole trying to get them to fly out - is this really necessary?”

Tim and Colleen Watts saw a female Brown Hairstreak low down at Rushbeds wood railway hedge at 3 p.m. on 3^rd September. Also a Hummingbird Hawk moth feeding on honeysuckle for the last 3 days in their garden in Whitchurch and a Red Underwing at the Calvert reserve last week and another seen at Grendon Underwood churchyard,

Friday 3^rd September 2004

On Friday 3^rd September Adrian Cadman got the Brown Hairstreak weekend off to an early start: “Unfortunately I shall not be able to take part in the weekend activities, but I did manage to spend a couple of hours around the Bernwood Meadows (2.30pm to 4.35pm) where I encountered 2 female Brown Hairstreaks - 1 fresh insect at the NW corner of the meadow between York Wood and Hell Coppice (where the footpath from the meadow car park emerges), which I probably disturbed - it then spent about 5 minutes on various leaves of a crab apple before flying up onto an Oak. It was still there half an hour later. The other was on the roadside hedge north of the meadow car park on the meadow side where the meadow is at its narrowest. This rather worn individual was constantly receiving the unwelcome attention of 2 Speckled Woods between bouts of feeding on over-ripe blackberries. I could only spend 30 minutes at the tramway meadow (Rushbeds Wood) inspecting the woodland edge from the gate along to the SW corner of the wood - no sightings at low, medium or high levels.

Brendan McCartney sent this news in on 2^nd September: “Ruth and I were out at Jubilee River today and saw a beautiful Clouded Yellow butterfly. We had seen our first of this species at the same site 2-3 years ago. It was in the area just south of the river and west of the bridge. Unfortunately I did not have a camera with me.

Wednesday 1st September - report from Tom Dunbar: - “Today Mick Campbell and I had an excellent day looking for Brown Hairstreak. We checked out 4 sites including a short stretch of the A41! Our count of BHS was 5 adults. Other butterflies seen included Small White, Clouded Yellow, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood.

Thursday 2^nd September 2004

A report from David Redhead of his day spent in Bernwood on 31^st August, starting from the Hell Coppice car park: “After seeing a couple of Speckled Woods and a White my fourth butterfly was a female Brown Hairstreak flying up and down the ride. The main ride up towards Oakley Wood car park gave me my first Red Admiral and Painted Lady and turning right towards the Meadows resulted in a couple more Painted Ladies and Red Admirals and another female Brown Hairstreak! This one kept settling on the ride edge vegetation and then moving on and finally left the ride disappearing from sight. Going up the shaded and damp ride from the Meadows my eye was caught by something large flying high (above transect range) in the top of an oak tree. It was a Red Admiral and it then flew down to a branch about 20ft high in another oak. As it settled on the branch, totally in the shade, I realised there was another Red Admiral already settled there and two more flying about the branch. Closer examination through binoculars showed there were half a dozen hornets crawling over the branch as well. I watched the four Red Admirals flying around and settling on this branch for about 10 minutes and at one time all four Red Admirals were settled on it. Then a Speckled Wood joined the party. Presumably all these insects were attracted to this shaded branch by sap oozing from it. Next stop Bernwood Meadows and on the road side of the west meadow I found another female Brown Hairstreak. Further searching of the meadows only produced a Clouded Yellow.

Total count for the day 96 - Speckled Wood 30, Small White 28, Common Blue 10, Red Admiral 9, Meadow Brown 4, Brown Hairstreak 3/4, Painted Lady 3, Large White 3, Green-veined White 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Small Copper 1, Clouded Yellow 1.

Dave Wilton’s first report after returning from holiday, received on 31^st August: “To get back into the swing of things I went out to the Hewin's Wood Drain and Finemere Wood this morning. Hewin’s Wood Drain produced four Clouded Yellows as well as good numbers of Common Blue (40+) and Brown Argus, but no sign of the second-brood Wall that I hoped I might find there. Finemere has changed significantly in the three weeks since I was last there. With the rides having now been mown, gone are the Skippers, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Gatekeepers, although a single Small Heath was present in the meadow just outside the reserve entrance. The most numerous butterfly seen was the Speckled Wood (50+), while the only other species recorded were Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Purple Hairstreak and Red Admiral. This afternoon I spent some time on the western slope of Muswell Hill (west of Brill) looking for Brown Hairstreak but none was seen. Again, the most numerous butterfly present was the Speckled Wood. There were even two of them in my garden at Westcott when I got back home.”

Tuesday 31st August - Tom Dunbar sent in this report: “I located a further two new sites for Brown Hairstreak today. I consider both to be highly significant if not very exciting”.

31^st August - Butterflies seen in Aylesbury last week by Dave Maunder were:- Painted ladies(7), Large whites(8), Small whites(40+), Green-veined white(1), Speckled woods(5), and a single Holly blue - weather not so good last week!

Wednesday 1^st September 2004

30th August 2004 - Despite high winds Tom Dunbar continued to survey for new Brown Hairstreak sites today. He reports: ”A green lane north of the Ambrosden to Merton road produced good habitat but no BHS sightings. I have noted this as a site to return to later in the year for an egg search.' 'I then drove down Ploughley Road towards Upper Arncott. A glimpse of another green lane (logged in the BHS 'locker' 10 days ago) necessitated sharp application of brakes. The lane was overhung with mature blackthorn which was perhaps too shady. Working to the notion that 'nothing ventured nothing gained' I eventually found my way to the south facing / field side of the hedgerow which as expected was more sheltered from the blustery wind. The result was 4 female BHS; three on ash and one initially in flight then to settle on hawthorn. I consider this an exciting and perhaps significant find being the most northerly adults in my records. The quality of the blackthorn and ash trees seemed to be good enough for a colony to exist at this location. It will be interesting to attempt to confirm this notion in future seasons.”

Sunday 29^th August 2004

Pete Eeles visited the Wildlife Trust site at Hartslock on Saturday 28^th and saw 1 male Adonis Blue (very worn), 2 Clouded Yellow, 1 Holly Blue, 7 Small Heath, 4 Common Blue, 7 Small White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 26 Meadow Brown.

David Redhead’s Brown Hairstreak report for Thursday 26^th: “There was no sign of Brown Hairstreak activity in the southern of the two Bernwood Meadows. However, in Whitecross Green Wood where sightings of a low level male and female had been seen that morning, I saw two Brown Hairstreaks, one which flew down to the blackthorn where I lost sight of it and the second in a small oak tree in front. The latter remained settled on a leaf for some time before opening its wings to reveal itself as a female. A further trek through the rides accompanied by Tony Croft produced no further Brown Hairstreaks but two Vapourer Moths were seen flying – both obligingly settling in positions allowing definite identification.”

Saturday 28^th August 2004

Adrian Cadman sent this report on 26^th August: “I spent a couple of hours along the southern edge of Rushbeds wood on Saturday 21st August looking for Brown Hairstreak; eventually I encountered 1 female near the small pond (50 yards west of the entrance gate to the wood) where it alighted for a few moments before flying up into the ash trees behind. No other BHS seen. I then went up to the Laplands Farm drove where I saw 1 male making its way west along the blackthorn hedge, obligingly alighting on an Oak before disappearing to the other side of the hedge. I also saw about 10 Small Coppers in ones and twos, Common Blues were living up to their name, a couple of Clouded Yellows together with 5 Small Heaths on the flower meadow at Lapland Farm.”

The following updates and reports were received from David Redhead on 26^th August:

Sunday 22nd Bernwood Forest Field Trip: Ten UTB members and two guests from Beds & Northants Branch turned up for what was to prove to be the most successful UTB Brown Hairstreak Field Meeting ever with a total Brown Hairstreak count of 11 adults and 6 eggs. The species count for the day was 15 - Small Skipper, Clouded Yellow, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brown Hairstreak, Small Copper, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady (a count into double figures), Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper & Meadow Brown. A truly successful and memorable day!

Saturday 21st Whitecross Green Wood. “An afternoon walk I lead here for the Oxford Meads BBOWT Group was successful in seeing the Brown Hairstreak. Three were flying in ash tree A (although they spent most of the time in the neighbouring oaks) and one was definitely identified as a female when it settled. In the main ride half the party had a short viewing of a female at low level. The final sighting was a brief flight by another adult (of indeterminate sex) in another ash tree. Another 11 species were seen of which the most interesting were two late and fresh looking Large Skippers (a second brood?).”

Friday 20th Bernwood Meadows. A late in the day visit produced no adult Brown Hairstreaks but two BHS eggs were found on the blackthorn and marked for the forthcoming UTB Field Meeting.

Thursday 19^th Wychwood Forest. “Patrick Boston obtained permission for a visit and we were accompanied by Una Fenton. The aim was to assess the site for the presence of Brown Hairstreak last recorded here in the mid 1980's. There are plenty of ash trees and blackthorn, although a lot of the latter is rather aged and does not look suitable for egg-laying. Some of the best looking blackthorn was searched for eggs without success but there was a brief glimpse of a "might have been but probably a Vapourer" disappearing into the foliage. Conclusion: definitely worth some more thorough egg searching this coming winter. 11 butterfly species were definitely seen including two Silver-washed Fritillaries (my first in the UTB area this year). More correctly it was one and a half as the first was extremely faded with half its wing area missing but still able to fly. In several areas the Meadow Saffron made a wonderful show.”

Tuesday 24^th August 2004

Butterflies seen by Dave Maunder in Aylesbury over the last week were:- Painted ladies(2), Red admirals(2), Comma, Sm. tortoiseshells(3), Large whites(14), Small whites(100+), Green-veined whites(3), Meadow browns(2), Hedge browns(3), Speckled woods(8), Holly blues(5), Common blues(35), Brown argus (3), and Small coppers(5).

Wendy and Mick Campbell recorded 17 butterfly species on Sunday 22^nd August during visits to Wendover Woods – checking Silver-washed Fritillary numbers and Coombe Hill – hoping to find Silver-spotted Skipper. In Wendover Woods they did a wider circuit of the site to see the range of the SWFs. 10 were recorded altogether, the best numbers being seen in sunny clearings where females were nectaring on wild flowers. One (probable) male was seen flying strongly south out of the wood! Other notable species included a Brown Argus, Red Admiral, Small Copper, 10 Speckled Wood and the usual more common species. Later on at Coombe Hill 4 further species were added to the list: Brimstone, Chalkhill Blue (8), Small Heath and a Clouded Yellow. No SSS seen unfortunately.

David Redhead recorded Silver-washed Fritillary in Wychwood Forest on Thursday 19^th August.

Monday 23^rd August 2004

Peter Eeles has asked me to pass on the following request. He's moved his excellent website (which was www.eeles.net/butterflies) to www.ukbutterflies.co.uk. This website is now open for you to contribute your photos - something that Peter has been meaning to allow for some time. If you'd like to consider contributing to the website, to the benefit of your fellow enthusiasts, then details are shown on the “Contributing” page of Peter's website.

David Fuller reports a new butterfly for his garden in Maidenhead: “I was surprised to see a Clouded Yellow on my Verbena bonariensis on Saturday, what a good addition to the garden list. A supporting cast of: Comma x 2, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White x 9, Painted Lady x 2, Meadow Brown, all in the space of an hour.

David Gantzel recorded two Painted Lady butterflies in Hazlemere on Sunday August 22^nd.

Maureen Cross, Adonis Blue Species Champion, reports that the Adonis Blue is alive and well on Lardon Chase. With fears that they had disappeared from this National Trust sight 3 UTB members set out on the Saturday 21st August field trip to search the hillside and were rewarded with 4 Adonis Blues, 2 males and 2 females. Their reward was, besides the Adonis, 12 other species of butterflies as follows: Small Copper, Small White, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Holly Blue, Brown Argos and these moths: Treble Bar, Yellow Shell, Silver Y.

Tim Watts had another attempt at photographing the Wall Brown at Calvert Landfill yesterday, 22^nd, and was pleased that he managed to get some better shots. A definite count of 2 different Wall Browns (see photo above) as one was in good condition and the second had a damaged wing. Tim also noticed that the one he saw last week was very bright. Also seen on site 2 Clouded Yellow, 2 Painted Lady, 25+ small heath & 3 small copper.

Saturday 21^st August 2004

Mick Campbell and Tom Dunbar continued their surveying on 20^th August at 2 sites in the Bucks area. Tom reports on their findings: ”The first site was the Coombe Hill area on the Chiltern escarpment. The target species was Silver Spotted Skipper. Despite likely habitat being found no SSS were located. Photographers would have thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent light conditions that prevailed over the Vale of Aylesbury and indeed on Bacombe Hill as an enormous thunderstorm swept the hillside. It was interesting to note how quickly butterflies were back on the wing post storm. 17 Chalkhill Blue, 3 Painted Ladies and 1 Red Admiral were the butterfly highlights. Our second port of call was the water pumping station at Dancersend. Target species was Brown Hairstreak following a reliable report of it being seen there last year by a warden of a local nature reserve. We found likely habitat to include blackthorn and ash but no BHS. A Clouded Yellow was the highlight at this site.”

Thursday 19th August -Mick Campbell and Tom Dunbar visited the Arncott location where Brown Hairstreaks were located yesterday. Their intention was to familiarise themselves with the site and possibly find more BHS adults or eggs.

One egg was found near previous egg finds. Then 3 further eggs were located nearly a kilometre away in a distinctly separate part of the site. Having walked a good deal of the area, Mick and Tom suspect that the butterfly might be widespread here. Tom says: “We would hope to return later in the year to do a more thorough egg survey when the leaves have fallen.”

Nick Bowles reports a single Silver-spotted Skipper on his transect at the foot of Coombe Hill, Wendover on 18^th August. This is the first SSS on a transect anywhere for Nick and his first at Coombe Hill, although others have reported them there. Further evidence of their continued spread to new sites.

Tom Dunbar sent in this report for Wednesday 18th August. “AJP, Nick Bowles and Tom broke some more new ground on the Brown Hairstreak front with the following sightings in the Arncott area:

- 2 fresh BHS eggs

- 2 female BHS on separate ash trees

Nick adds: “These could be some of the first eggs seen in UTB this season though probably not the first laid. Also recorded on the day were 3 Purple Hairstreak and the ubiquitous Painted Lady.”

David Redhead sent in this Brown Hairstreak report on the 18^th August: “Matthew Oates has belatedly reported seeing a female Brown Hairstreak ovipositing in Whitecross Green Wood on Sunday 15th August. The egg was laid at 8 feet - obviously she had not read the books!”

David also reports seeing two Painted Ladies in his garden on Tuesday17th. Speckled Woods seem to be out in good numbers again – with lots being seen in Bernwood Forest on the 18th. Also Purple Hairstreaks are still about - three seen in ash trees and one at ground level.

On 14-8-04, a hot and sunny day, Dave Maunder visited Coombe hill near the Monument and recorded: Chalkhill Blues(60+), Common Blues(5), Brown Argus(5), Small Coppers(11), - “a pair mating and I also watched a female laying eggs on Sorrel – they were quite numerous up here.” Small Heaths(20+), Meadow Browns(55+), Hedge Browns(9), Essex Skipper(1), Brimstones(2), Small Whites(5), Green-Veined White(1)

Then on 15-8-04 Dave walked over the fields to Hartwell cemetery and back. Sightings included: Chalkhill Blue –Female – “A rare sight in the football field near Fairford leys and a vagrant from the Chilterns, I expect.” Common Blues(5), - “a nice little colony of these and Brown Argus in Hartwell cemetery!” Brown Argus(5), Holly Blues(6), Meadow Browns(10), Hedge Browns(8), Speckled Woods(13), Large Whites(2), Small Whites(8), Green-Veined Whites(12), Red Admiral(1), Sm. Tortoiseshell(1)

Dave’s other sightings in and around Aylesbury during 8^th-13^th August: Painted Lady(1); Red Admiral(1); Sm. Tortoiseshells(2); Hedge Browns(9); Speckled Wood(1); Brimstone; Large Whites(20+); Small Whites(100+); Green-Veined White(1); Holly Blue(1); Common Blues(20+); Brown Argus(4); Small Copper(1).

Wednesday 18^th August 2004

AJP Wingrove (member of Surrey branch) sent in this report for Tuesday 17th August: “I joined Tom Dunbar in searching for my first Brown Hairstreaks of the season. We located 1 on the ash trees at Laplands Farm. Another was found at the Rushbeds Tramway railway bridge despite the windy conditions. We next looked in the area north of Otmoor and found a male close to the Merton M40 bridge. Is this the most north-westerly sighting to date in the UTB area? Our final location was Holly wood where we found 2 adults on very tall ashes. We hope to make contact with the landowner to seek permission to survey here more thoroughly in the future.”

Michael Robinson reports a Clouded Yellow on the footpath between Ibstone and Northend on Saturday 14 August and it was the same place that he saw a couple of Clouded Yellows last October.

Monday 16^th August 2004

David Newland (Cambs & Essex BC) sent in the following: “After a walk round Bernwood starting about 2 pm on Sunday 15 August (where there were two reported sightings of Brown Hairstreak at ground level, one male, one female), I saw one unidentified hairstreak at high level on an oak in the far meadow (a tree suggested by David Redhead and Tony Croft). Moved on to Whitecross Green Wood about 4 pm. There was again a report of one each male and female at low level, but it was now dull and further activity seemed unlikely. However at 5.00 pm a male BHS settled on a clump of wild angelica about 200m from the Wildlife Trust sign on the west side of the path. It remained there for 47 minutes. After about 10 mins it made a short flight, returning to an adjacent cluster on the same plant. After about 30 mins it hopped over to a third cluster. I was joined by 3 other observers and numerous photos were taken by two of us. Eventually at 5.47 pm the BHS flew several circles around the small adjacent oak tree and settled on a leaf near its top (height estimate about 7m). The temperature was about 24 C and it remained humid and overcast throughout.”

David Redhead spent Sunday morning, 15^th August, in Bernwood with Tony Croft and Gerry Kendall. Later in the day David & Tony met a couple from Cambs & Essex Branch who had been inspired by the UTB Website to come looking for Brown Hairstreak. Here is David’s report: "Today Bernwood Meadows eventually succumbed to the combined might of Tony Croft, Gerry Kendall (armed with scope) and myself. Along the southern boundary we found an oak with an ash tree either side. Just as we were about to leave to examine the next ash along a movement in the oak arrested our step - eventually one female and two male Brown Hairstreaks were identified. Although a couple spent a little time in the ash to the right the oak seemed their home. Gerry lined his scope up on what he thought was a fourth at the very top of the oak tree to find a Small Copper staring back at him. No other ash trees (and quite a few were searched) gave any evidence of Brown Hairstreak activity. Next I walked the Shabbington Wood transect which yielded only 34 butterflies (compared to just over 300 a fortnight ago) but did include a late Marbled White. Returning to my car through the Meadows I met an East Midlands Branch Field Trip looking for Brown Hairstreaks. Some of them had seen a female briefly on the small oaks on the way down to the Meadows but they had had no further success, except for a Clouded Yellow (which I did not see). I took them over to the trees discovered this morning, collecting a loner from Lancashire Branch on the way. I am pleased to report the Upper Thames Branch was not let down. A male was perched near the oak tree top and did not move for the half hour I was there. Then another hairstreak flew from the oak and settled near the bottom of the right hand ash. It remained there for a couple of minutes before flying deeper into the ash but the orange flash from its upper wings made it a definite female Brown Hairstreak. Finally one of the party focussed in on a settled (but tatty) Purple Hairstreak and I left them a much happier band than I had found them.”

Tim Watts visited Calvert landfill Sunday 15^th: This is a mostly private site but with some public footpaths across and around it. These butterflies were all seen on a public footpath that skirts the site near the Quainton to Edgcott road. (the Hewin’s drain road) - 3 Wall Brown (certain at least 3 as 1 bright, 1 faded + another a long distance away), 3+ Clouded Yellow, 1 Painted Lady.

On a short trip to Hewin’s drain on Sunday 15^th August, in search of the second-generation of Wall Brown, 4 UTB members recorded 14 species of butterfly, including 1 Wall Brown, a staggering 11 Clouded Yellow (all heading north) and 29 Small Copper, along with good numbers of Common Blue and Brown Argus, 1 Painted Lady and a few Small Heath.

David Hutchinson visited Wendover Woods this weekend and sent in the following news: “I had imagined there to be a huge buddleia bush so was a little surprised to see the size of it. Nevertheless, there were 4 Silver-washed Fritillary (females I think) on the bush along with a few browns & whites. They were rather worn & tatty although I did manage to take a couple of reasonable pictures.

Mike Wilkins led a Field Trip to Aston Rowant NNR, 14 August 2004.

The day was ideal for the dozen participants who included visitors from Hertfordshire and Worcestershire. It was cloudy and humid but pleasantly warm on Beacon Hill so the butterflies were active but not too much, making it ideal for the photographers. Butterfly species recorded were: Small Skipper; Large Skipper; Silver-spotted Skipper; Brimstone; Large White; Small White; Green-veined White; Small Copper; Brown Argus; Common Blue; Chalkhill Blue; Holly Blue; Painted Lady; Peacock; Speckled Wood; Marbled White; Gatekeeper; Meadow Brown; Small Heath; (Clouded Yellow).
Moths recorded were: Vapourer; Six-spot Burnet; Dusky Sallow; Yellow Shell; Silver Y.

Tom Dunbar sent in this report for Saturday 14th August: “Mick and Wendy Campbell, Tom and Rosaleen Dunbar went in search of Brown Hairstreak today. Initially the team looked at a site by the railway line in Dorton where Dave Wilton had located Black Hairstreak in June. We didn't find any. There was a consensus that the blackthorn was unsuitable. Our next port of call was the Piddington area. We found 6 adults all on ash in 3 separate sites - 2 male, 3 female and one indeterminate. We also had a useful chat with the farmer and praised his successful management of the habitat.”

Saturday 14^th August 2004

David Redhead reports on his Brown Hairstreak sightings today: “Firstly I went to NT's Boarstall Duck Decoy - quite interesting but not too good for butterflies although their guide leaflet does state White Admiral (not that I saw any honeysuckle). Lots of mature ashes and two stands of blackthorn but definitely not suitable for egg-laying. Speckled Woods & Green-veined Whites reached double figures and a Red Underwing on the information hut wall was a bonus. Next Panshill, i.e. the hill down from the motorway bridge towards WXGW. There are superb blackthorn hedges with some ash trees growing out of them and the two most prominent held a brace of male Brown Hairstreaks each. We are now up to 32 active trees and 122 sightings.

Today, 13^th August, Dave Ferguson recorded 100+ Chalkhill Blues, 1 Silver-spotted Skipper at Yoesden Bank, 50+ Chalkhill Blues, 20 Silver-spotted Skippers, 1 male Clouded Yellow at Aston Rowant NNR (on the most southerly slope).

13/8/04 - David Redhead’s update on the Brown Hairstreak survey is as follows: “Tony Croft reported a male and female in an ash tree in the first meadow at Asham Meads. Matthew Oates has just let me know that he saw 3 in the ashes alongside the Rushbeds Tramway and another at Holly Wood. Meanwhile I spent over two hours SW of Otmoor without success. There were compensations - lots of fresh Common Blues in the field margins alongside Noke Wood. The Holly Blues are happy but the Vannesids have vanished.”

Adrian Cadman reports from Great Linford a female Clouded Yellow on August 10th amongst the commoner species [photo supplied and will be posted in the next few days.]

Thursday 12^th August 2004

Thursday 12th August - Tom Dunbar reports: “Mick Campbell and I had an exceptionally successful day today searching for new Brown Hairstreak sites in the Piddington Village area. We located 4 males on ash trees in 3 different locations and then Mick used his eagle eye to spot a female down on blackthorn in egg-laying mode at one of these sites. Our observations today indicate that it is very worthwhile scanning both ash and blackthorn at this stage of the butterfly's life-cycle.”

A couple of sighting reports from Tony Croft: “On 10^th August, at Wendover Woods we saw 3 Silver-washed Fritillary. Then, on a two hour visit to Whitecross Green on 11^th, in bright sunshine following heavy rain, revealed 3 purple hairstreak, 6 small copper, 3 small skipper, 2 meadow brown, 1 male brown hairstreak flying near the ground and 1 silver washed fritillary. Is this a first at WXG?”
[As far as we can tell from the records, this is a first sighting of SWF at Whitecross Green Wood.]

Welcome to the website, new contributor David Gantzel, who visited the buddleia bush in Wendover Woods on 10th August. He saw two battered females and one quite nice male Silver-washed Fritillary. On the ride leading to the bush one Dark Green Fritillary, others included brimstone, gatekeeper, meadow brown, and GV white, large and small white.

A Red Admiral on his buddleia at Hazlemere, on 10th.

David also made the following comment regarding the note on Gomm Valley [see entry for 1^st August]. “I was the warden here for many years and by constantly keeping the scrub under control we had good numbers of DGF. Now it has got badly overgrown, so not surprised none seen. Pity. Enjoyed the moth evening. The small insect with the hood has been tentatively identified as Horned Leafhopper Centrotus cornnnutus.”

Tom Dunbar sent in this report of two field trips made on Tuesday afternoon with Dave Wilton: Yeosden Bank failed to deliver the promised Adonis Blues. However the species count totalled 17 including 1 Clouded Yellow, 2 Painted Ladies and 104 Chalkhill Blues. Then at a site near Goring Dave saw his first Adonis Blue of the season - well 21 of them actually – taking him to 40 species for the season. They were accompanied by 32 Chalkhill Blue and a handful of Brown Argus, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper. He is off to the US of A in the near future and will no doubt attempt to misdirect some Monarchs across the pond to settle in Finemere to improve his total.

David Redhead reports on his Brown Hairstreak surveying on 10th: I went to Woodsides Meadow near Wendlebury this afternoon where I drew a blank - perhaps not surprising as it is on the very edge of known egg-laying area. Came back via Charlton-on-Otmoor and lost count of suitable looking roadside ash trees. Stopped of at Nick Droy's group of trees opposite the entrance to Whitecross Green Farm and got a single male after a short wait. Ash trees and blackthorn are ubiquitous - so why does this apparently mobile butterfly have such a low occupation density and such a restricted range?

Dave Maunder has sent in his regular list of butterfly sightings for the last week and says it’s good to see Brown Argus doing okay in Fairford Leys this year: Brimstone(1), Large Whites(30+), Small Whites(100+), Green-Veined Whites(12), Red Admiral(1) - on a patch of nettles, Peacocks(6), Commas(3), Sm. Tortoiseshells(2), Meadow Browns(6), Hedge Browns(65+), Speckled Woods(7), Small Skipper(1), Essex Skippers(13), Holly Blues(14), Common Blues(45+), Brown Argus(6) – found along the Fairford Leys on trefoils, Small Coppers(4).

Tuesday 10^th August 2004

Robin Carr reports that he had 2 Silver-washed Fritillaries on his transect at Dancers End last Friday. This site is only about a mile east of Wendover Woods.

Dave Wilton’s report for Monday 9^th is as follows: “Having seen a Hummingbird Hawk Moth feeding from Phlox in my garden in the pouring rain at lunchtime, I was tempted out mid-afternoon when (all too briefly!) it stopped raining. Even though it was drizzling at the time, I managed to confirm another Brown Hairstreak site at the southeast corner of Rushbeds with a single specimen seen flying about in the top of an Ash beside the gravel parking area right at the road junction.

Mike Collard reports there were just three Silver-washed Fritillaries on the famous bush in Wendover Woods when he visited it on 9^th August. 1 GV White and a few common species, no Peacock and not many flowers left and that was before the rain.

On Sunday afternoon, 8^th August, David Redhead went to the SW corner of Bernwood Forest to survey the ash trees for Brown Hairstreak: ”Within about 10 mins a couple of large hairstreaks were sighted and a little later a third flew and settled on a leaf allowing a good view to definitely confirm it as a Brown Hairstreak. I had another brief flight by a large hairstreak followed by a much longer one by a small hairstreak which went into the first ash tree where I was able to id it as a Purple Hairstreak. This is another difference I am noticing between brown and purple - the purples seem to fly for much longer with a fidgety flight. I next went to the small Bernwood Meadows car park and scrutinised the ash trees on the west (less visited) part of the meadows but without success except for a pair of purples in a half dead ash. Wandering back across the meadows a skipper settled very obligingly for me to get a full on view of the antennae - it was a hit you in the eye no doubt Essex Skipper with its bulbous antennae ends glossy black as though they had just been dipped in Indian ink”

Adrian Cadman managed to spend a late lunch at Rushbeds Wood Friday 6^th August hoping to see SWF: “No luck (in fact no luck here at all this year for SWF). I then went to the tramway meadow which had just been cut for hay where 2 fresh looking Clouded Yellows were nectaring on knapweed lying on the ground. Along with commoner species there were at least 3 Small Coppers on the bramble flowers and Holly Blues (v active & difficult to count) along the woodland edge, but no sign of Brown Hairstreaks on the wing.”

Darren Ward travelled down from Cumbria on Saturday 7^th to visit the infamous 'Buddleia bush' in Wendover Woods: “It held 6 Silver-washed Fritillary, 3 males 1 reasonably fresh, plus Brimstone & 3 Common Whites & Marbled. Going back to the car a cracking male SWF Very fresh. Later on at Watlington Hill, Silver-spotted Skipper was ace (photo below) +24 all males that were sexed, but were very mobile in the hot weather, plus 3 Brown Argus.”

Derek & Cathy Brown went to Hartslock on Sunday 8th for the Adonis Blue: “It was very hot (11.00-12.30pm), - the butterflies would not settle, and even when they did they wouldn't open their wings! We're sure that we did see some male Adonis in the far field, but unfortunately no photos. However see below because I think I got a couple of shots of a more sedentary female Adonis - but again with closed wings? I'm not sure about the underside on this one. I should mention that the Chalkhills were common over the other fields but noticeably not the last field - so maybe ABs? However the Commons were there too. In addition we saw 5-6 Clouded Yellows - again see below for a rather poor photo. Having moaned about the lack of migrants, of course they prove me wrong by suddenly showing up, as we have now had 10 Painted Ladies in the garden this weekend as well as the CY at Hartslock.”

On Saturday 7th August Paul Bowyer went back to Sands Bank to check on the Chalkhill Blues he had seen earlier in the week and spotted a couple more. Also identified were Gatekeepers(14), Small White (4), Brimstone (4), Peacock (2), Ringlet (2) Meadow Brown (21), Small Skipper (2), Small Copper (1), Brown Argus (4), Marbled White (2), Painted Lady (2), Silver Y (1) and Six Spot Burnet (4). Also for future football ground sightings, Common Blue, Meadow Brown and Small White on the pitch at the Wycombe Wanderers' match.

Sunday 8^th August 2004

Martin Mitchell visited Lardon Chase today and recorded the following: Painted lady (1), Brown Argus (1), At the Holies he saw Clouded Yellow (2).

Tim & Colleen Watts visited Finemere Wood this afternoon and saw 1 Clouded Yellow in the field at the top of wood.

Also 1 Painted Lady, 4 Small Heath, 2 Purple Hairstreak.

Dave Wilton reports on his findings today: “Tom and I spent some considerable time searching locations around Stanton St John, Boarstall and Dorton but the high winds limited any chance of success. The only Brown Hairstreak seen, apart from those while we were with 2 other UTB Members at the entrance to Lapland Farm, was on the west side of the M40 bridge at Honeyburge.”

Wendy & Mick Campbell visited 2 sites today. The first was Chinkwell Wood where they recorded an astonishing sighting of a Silver-washed Fritillary which emerged briefly from the wood out into the field, did a complete u-turn and shot back into the wood again! Other interesting species seen were Brown Argus, Common Blue and a Clouded Yellow. As the strong wind was greatly reducing any possible Brown Hairstreak activity in the Ash trees they then decided to find a more sheltered location and headed for Lapland Farm, They were immediately successful and saw 2 BHS in the railway bridge area where Tom Dunbar had directed them. One was in an Ash tree and the second posed for photos low down in a nearby hedge. They positively id’d another 2 BHS in a large Ash tree in the left-hand corner of the field from the gate.

Dave Maunder saw 2 Clouded Yellows, both newly emerged males, yesterday afternoon near Fairford Leys in Aylesbury - a nice town sighting!

Welcome to Tim Hearn, new contributor to the website, who sent in the following report today: “I'm not a member, but thought you might like to receive some sightings from yesterday at Wendover woods. Having failed to locate the legendary buddleia, we set off down the Orientation ride. About 100m in from the car park/toilets is a bank of what I think is probably wild Thyme or similar. This was alive with butterflies at 2.30pm. Small Skippers (12), large skipper (1), 1 rather battered Marbled White, 1 brown argus, 100+ Gatekeeper, 50+ Meadow Brown, 4 Brimstone, 10 Silver Washed Fritillary and a solitary Clouded Yellow in a big hurry! Also what I'm reasonably sure was a purple hairstreak but since I could only observe it on the wing, I can't claim it as certain. All in 20 minutes! Hope this is of some interest to your members.”

Peter Hall reports seeing a Clouded Yellow yesterday at BroomWade sports ground next to Hughendon Manor, High Wycombe.

The following report was received from David Redhead: “Saturday morning in bright sunshine I was approaching the top of the south face of The Holies when I was met by a shimmering carpet of Chalkhill Blues. Closer examination showed there was an area of about 40 by 10m which had been fenced off in the past and presumably subjected to a different management regime at some time The turf height and floristic density here was intermediate between the area outside the fence and the bottom of the hill below an electric fence. The area below the electric fence was being grazed and was devoid of Chalkhills. My estimate of numbers in the relatively small previously fenced area was of the order of 600 - taking the hillside as a whole they must have been into four figures. A beautiful and interesting sighting.

7th August - Tom Dunbar sent in this report for today: “One Brown Hairstreak was located on a mature ash in the M40 / Worminghall area adjacent to Bernwood. I have seen good numbers of eggs and 2 adults in an adjacent area over the last 2 years. This fact prompted me to check the area again today. A return to the Smiths Lane area of Bernwood brought zero returns. The local lane was flailed last winter, which obviously removed what would have been a good crop of eggs. A Clouded Yellow offered some compensation - 4th day on the trot for CY. One further BHS was found in the Stanton Little Wood area, again on ash. Mick Campbell and I looked on this ash on the 5th. Mick was fairly confident he located a BHS at the time but didn’t get a good enough sighting to id it. So far I have seen 18 Brown Hairstreaks at 9 locations. I am avoiding the 'hotspots' i.e. Whitecross Green Wood and Bernwood Forest.”

This interesting news was passed on by Dave Ferguson and came from Don Otter of Bucks Birders – “Also had a Silver-washed Fritillary on Buddleia bush in my garden at Ringshall yesterday. I have seen these on the estate on a handful of occasions but not often enough to make me think we have a resident population. If anyone knows different... I'd like to hear from you! There are, of course, Dark Green Frits on the Ivinghoe Hills.”

New contributors to the website, David & Sally Irven (Members of Beds & Northants branch) paid a visit to Hartslock this morning, 7^th August. It produced sightings of; dozens of Chalkhill Blues, several Brown Argus, one male, two female second-brood Adonis Blue, several Common and Holly Blues, two Clouded Yellows & many Meadow Brown, Small Heath and Gatekeeper.

Mick & Wendy Campbell decided to do a short walk around Penn Wood on Saturday 7^th and were very surprised to find a Brown Argus and a Small Blue in an open, sunny clearing of the wood. Some wild flowers were growing in the clearing, such as Bird’s foot Trefoil and also Heather which was being used for nectar, but the foodplants for these 2 species of butterfly could not be located.

Saturday 7^th August 2004

Dave Wilton’s report for Friday, 6^th August: “I made another brief stop at Span Green this morning before heading off down the A34 to work. I parked at the eastern (Touchbridge) end and ambled off down the track towards where I'd seen Brown Hairstreak activity a few days ago. I'd walked less than a hundred yards, only half way to the first southside field entrance, when I espied these two [see the rare photo of Brown Hairstreaks pairing at the top of this page] on Brambles on the right (north) side. Lucky or what?! The Brambles are beneath a substantial Ash tree (the first Ash that you come across in that hedgerow) but the nearest suitable Blackthorn would appear to be some distance away. I walked down as far as the point where the farm track narrows into a footpath, checking all the fields as well, but the only other confirmed Brown Hairstreak activity that I saw in the hour that I was there (10.15 - 11.15) was back at where I'd started. The mating pair were still on the Brambles, while another male was seen flying about in the Ash above them. That's at least four different trees they've been recorded in at Span Green - makes me wonder if this "Master Tree" idea has much substance!
Other activity besides the three Brown Hairstreaks comprised Small Skipper (6), Essex Skipper (2), Large White (3), Small White (12), Green-veined White (7), Small Copper (6), Common Blue (1), Marbled White (1), Speckled Wood (2), Gatekeeper (49) and Meadow Brown (17).”

Friday 6th August Tom Dunbar saw a Painted Lady at Prestwood Picnic Site and a Clouded Yellow at Beacon Hill Elsborough during two short visits. “Are migrants now hitting the UTB shores in numbers?”

Paul Bowyer went to Finemere on 5^th August to see the much publicised Clouded Yellow: “I was not disappointed, I found 1 in the area of wild flowers before the gate to the woodland and another in the cleared area behind the fence near the turning circle. This latter area is supporting more butterflies than I can ever remember. I also noticed the good numbers of Brown Argus near the entrance to the wood and even along the main ride. The species I identified were Clouded Yellow, Large White, Small White, Green Veined White, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Purple Hairstreak, Painted Lady, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Small Copper, and Brimstone.”

Dave Maunder comments on the butterflies he’s seen in Aylesbury during the last 2 weeks of July: “Not many Vanessids about this week (1^st week of August), compared to this time last year when I was recording 100+ painted ladies and sm. tortoiseshells on the Buddleias around Aylesbury - not one tortoiseshell yet this week!
Red Admirals(6), Sm. Tortoiseshells(34), Commas(9), Large Whites(60+), Small Whites(300+), Green-Veined Whites(10), Marbled Whites(2), Meadow Browns(10), Ringlets(3), Hedge Browns(60+), Speckled Woods(4) – 1^st of 3^rd brood on 21/07/04, Small Skippers(7), Essex Skippers(16), Holly Blues(20) - good numbers of Holly Blues around this season! Peacocks(8), Marbled White(1), Large Skipper(1), Small Coppers(3).

Thursday 5^th August 2004

Tom Dunbar and Mick Campbell found 2 new sites for Brown Hairstreaks today. In the Boarstall area they located one on an ash tree. Near the M40 at Honeyburge they located 2 Brown Hairstreaks, 2 Purple Hairstreaks and 2 White-letter Hairstreaks all on the same small mixture of ash and elm. A search in the Stanton Little Wood area was interrupted by a threatening thunderstorm. They resolved to return another day having spent 2 hours on site. A search in the Ludgershall area also failed to turn up any further sightings of Brown Hairstreak but did deliver one Clouded Yellow. The above site-visits followed up egg finds from previous egg searches. This has proved to be a very successful strategy in locating adults.

Wednesday 4^th August 2004

Tim & Colleen Watts visited Aston Clinton Ragpits on Monday 2^nd and recorded Chalkhill Blues and Brown Argus. They also went to Beacon Hill Ellesborough today and recorded lots of Chalkhill Blues, 3 Small Copper and Brown Argus.

David Fuller went to Wendover Woods this morning for the Silver-washed Fritillary and saw 8 on the ‘buddleia bush’ - 4 females, 2 worn males and 2 fresh males. Also there 200+ GVW/SW, 4 Holly Blue, 4 Peacock, 60+ Gatekeepers, some Meadow Browns and Large and Small Whites all along the ride.

David Fuller also went to Watlington Hill yesterday, 3^rd August, looking for and counting butterflies. He saw 29 Silver-spotted Skippers of which only 4 females. He met Mick Campbell and Tom Dunbar who at the time had seen 14 others in a different area. Also seen were Chalkhill Blue 24, Green-veined White 6, Speckled Wood 2, Holly Blue 2, Common Blue 33 including 4 females, Brimstone 10, Marbled White 3, Large White 11, Painted Lady 1 very fresh, Small Heath 3, Small Copper 3, Brown Argus 3, Large Skipper 1, Small White 1, Meadow Brown 85, Gatekeeper 24

Tom Dunbar reports that he and 3 other UTB members, David Redhead, Mick Campbell and Dennis Dell, spent a full day searching for Brown Hairstreak on the Bucks / Oxon borders today. “Our branch Chair and Brown Hairstreak Champion was found champing at the bit in Widnell Lane Piddington - our pre-arranged meeting place - in search of his first BHS of the year. We soon put this to rights with sightings of three adults on a suitable ash tree. Next port of call was Piddington Wood. Over the following two hours several ash trees were searched. Eventually we came upon two BHS in an ash on the outer hedgeline of the woods. The group then took themselves off to Upper Span Green (Green Lane area). Four adults were located here to the delight of the party. One member also recorded a single specimen on an ash in Whitecross Green Wood on the way to the meeting place earlier in the day. A total of 10 BHS on four sites was deemed a great success.

Please note:- female BHS are now on the wing although not yet ovipositing; the sites were chosen because eggs were previously found there in good numbers; Purple Hairstreaks commonly fly in the same ash trees and can cause mis-identification of Brown Hairstreaks - always carry binoculars!”

One of the party dropped into Rushbeds 'Tramway' on the way home. No BHS were found on the ashes there. However a Clouded Yellow did compensate to some degree and also at Lapland Farm where a Painted Lady was on offer as compensation for the lack of BHS.

Dave Wilton’s report for today: Having got home from work yesterday afternoon I popped out to have a look at the eastern end of Span Green at Touchbridge. There was some Hairstreak activity a couple of hundred yards along the track in a small Ash a few yards to the right of the entrance to the first field on the left (south) side, but a thunderstorm arrived at the same time and I had to beat a hasty retreat. I went back to the same spot this morning (0930am - 1000am) and found two male Brown Hairstreak in the same Ash. I had a brief sighting of what may have been another that flew up the field's hedgerow blackthorn tops to land in different small Ash just the other side of the field entrance, but it didn't fly again while I was there so no positive ID. Didn't have time for any more exploring but at least this is another site with confirmed activity. Several Speckled Woods and Small Coppers also noted while I was there.

News received today from David Newland (Cambs & Essex BC): “I had an opportunity to call at Aston Rowant on 2^nd August. I didn't see any Silver-spotted Skipper on the north side of the motorway but saw 6 SSS (both males and females, nectaring on dwarf thistles and basking) during about 15 minutes spent on the south side on a hot but overcast afternoon.”

Tuesday 3^rd August 2004

Paul Bowyer went to Whitecross Green Wood early yesterday morning, 2^nd, but did not take binoculars. There were likely Brown Hairstreaks in the trees but I could not identify them. I did find one on the ground however. Other species seen were White Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Marbled White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Large Skipper, Essex Skipper, Small Skipper, Large White, Green Veined White, Small White, Brimstone and Small Copper.

In the afternoon, Paul then went on to Sands Bank for about 20 minutes and had a very significant sighting of 2 male Chalkhill Blue, which he hasn't seen there since about 1990. Horseshoe Vetch does grow on the site and has prospered since Wycombe Wanderers used the lower slopes as a car park.

Colleen and Tim Watts went to Wendover Woods on Mon 2^nd afternoon and saw at least 6 different S.W.Fritillaries around the buddleia.

David Ferguson tried for SSS at Yoesden Bank on 31/7 without success. However, he was more successful at Bernwood where he saw a Brown hairstreak by the meadow entrance yesterday. Also a Clouded Yellow at Wormsley.

Dave Wilton called at a couple of places in the afternoon of 2^nd August on his way home from work:
At Muswell Hill he found one Brown Hairstreak (definitely a male) in the top of an Ash in the middle of the copse. He thought there may have been more but two Purple Hairstreak and a Speckled Wood (would you believe!) were also active in the top of the same tree. In the end it was definitely just the one Brown. He checked all of the associated blackthorn and brambles but there was no sign of any females. In the hedgerow a few yards to the south of the copse there's another Ash and there was a Hairstreak active in that as well but he couldn't get a positive ID due to looking towards the sun.
Second stop was the western end of Span Green where two Brown Hairstreak (assumed to have been males) were recorded in the top of the same Ash tree. Once again there was no sign of any females yet.

After going home Dave nipped out to Finemere, determined to track this SWF down.  No joy, yet again, but the Clouded Yellow that he found in the cleared area behind the turning circle two days ago was still there, hiding amongst the bird's foot trefoil. 

On 31/07/04 at Paices Wood, Aldermaston, Eddie Napper saw at least 4 Silver washed Fritillaries, one on Buddleia adjacent to car park.  The site is accessed through Youngs Industrial Estate and is a West Berks reserve.
Also, at Finemere Woods on 30/07/04 a Brown Argus in the meadow just before the woods.

Sunday 1^st August 2004

Derek & Cathy Brown had a look for Adonis at Hartslock this morning without success – “lots of Chalkhill, a few Holly, 2 Common Blue males and a Brown Argus but none of the target! Perhaps too early - we''ll try again. Also a complete lack of clouded yellows and still no Painted Lady in the garden - as I mentioned the Hummingbird Hawk Moths are back - where are the migrant butterflies! However we did have 3 new species for the garden today - 2 small skippers, a Small Copper and best of all a Purple Hairstreak that landed on our swing-chair.”

Dave Wilton had a look at the Gomm Valley nature reserve near Loudwater this morning: “My final attempt to track down Dark Green Fritillary locally ended in yet another failure so I'm not going to put any more effort into it – the butterfly will just have to come and find me now!  Common Blue (4), Holly Blue (2) and Peacock (3) were amongst the dozen species recorded in this small reserve. I then went to see the "infamous buddleia" in Wendover Woods.  There I was greeted by four male Silver-washed Fritillaries fighting for space with nine other butterfly species (Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown) and at least one Six-Spot Burnet Moth, not to mention the bees and hoverflies.  It really is a sight to behold - especially as the bush isn't all that big as buddleias go!  A walk into the woods further up the hill brought my final - and very conservative - SWF count up to 15, including two mating pairs.  Eight males and three females were confirmed, the sex of the other four remaining undetermined (just you try chasing them through brambles wearing shorts!).  On returning to the buddleia two hours later the SWF count there was five, again all male.”

Mick & Wendy Campbell continued their hunt for Silver-washed Fritillary, visiting 3 woods today in ideal weather conditions. They started in Homefield Wood and were on their way back to the car when they spotted 2 SWF flying rapidly north through the wood. They then went to the privately owned Hatchet Wood and recorded 7 SWF from the public footpath. The females were nearly all nectaring on bramble, while the males were far more active. The final destination was Crowsley Wood near Henley where moderate numbers of SWF have been recorded in previous years. They counted 10 SWF, mostly along the main ride, but were unable to find any good quality foodplant. A total of 19 for the day!

Saturday 31^st July 2004

Wendy & Mick Campbell decided to carry out a more thorough Silver-washed Fritillary survey in Wendover Woods today to try and establish whether or not a colony was present. A very conservative count of 10 females and 20 males, plus the discovery of the dog violet foodplant, followed by observation of females ovipositing on the trunks of fir trees seems to confirm that there is a sizeable colony present in Wendover Woods.

Derek & Cathy Brown didn’t have any luck at Finemere for the PE or SWF today, but saw 3, presumably male, Brown Hairstreaks at Whitecross at the top of a large Ash tree in the main ride.

Tom Dunbar sent in the following report and observations today: I added two further sites, both in the Piddington area, to my Brown Hairstreak total for this season. I recorded 3 males at one and a single male at the second. I have seen 8 males at 4 sites over the last 3 days.
I base my searches on the outcomes of egg searches carried out the previous autumn / winter. This has so far proven a very productive approach. I watched a male today perched on an ash leaf where it remained stationary for at least half an hour. It had presumably taken its fill of honeydew for the day. I had the feeling it had arrived on the dancefloor before the band had turned up! Unlike last year I have so far failed to spot a BHS at ground level. There is evidence that the males do so prior to the emergence of females. But once the females emerge perhaps the males are too busy attending to potential partners and warding off other males which necessitates their constant presence on the tree tops. What happens to the males after mating is complete? We know that the females disperse to egg lay. I have never seen further male activity at this stage atop the ashes. It will be interesting to discover if the emergence gap between the sexes is a constant year on year.

Dave Wilton only had time today for a two-hour trip to Finemere mid-afternoon. The warm sunshine brought out a very respectable 23 species altogether, but still no Silver-washed Fritillary! Best of all was a single pristine Clouded Yellow in the cleared area behind the turning circle.  This area has often been a butterfly-free zone on my previous visits but today it held several Brown Argus and Common Blue as well as about ten Peacock (the latter all on teasels).  23 Peacock were seen altogether, while other notables included Brimstone (11), Small Copper (3), Holly Blue (1), Purple Hairstreak (17), Painted Lady (1), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Comma (1), Marbled White (8) and Speckled Wood (2).

Tim Watts saw a single Purple hairstreak on Calvert BBOWT reserve yesterday. Rather out of its habitat as there’s only the odd oak on site and it was seen on brambles in an open area.

Friday 30^th July 2004

The buddleia bush in Wendover Woods found by Dennis Dell is attracting more than butterflies! Today, another 3 UTB members went to see the Silver-washed Fritillaries reported by Dennis:

Dave Ferguson reports: The buddleia is amazing - there were 12 species on it, including up to 5 male Silver-washed Fritillaries and a fresh Painted Lady. A female SWF was seen along the path that goes off the main track opposite the bush. A picture of one of the SWFs is attached. [Photo will be posted tomorrow.]

Mick & Wendy Campbell also visited the now famous buddleia today and initially didn’t see any SWF. However after 5 minutes or so the first one arrived, followed shortly by another 2, all males. On turning round towards the wood to see where they were coming from, several more SWF could be seen flying higher up the hill across the bramble patches and amongst the trees. They were able to count a definite 8 male and 1 female SWF altogether.

Tom Dunbar, armed with new bins, had a late visit to the Piddington area today where one Brown Hairstreak was located on an ash tree at 5.30 pm. This ash was identified last year as a potential 'muster' tree.

News received from Tony Croft today: “I went to Aston Rowant this morning to search for the SSS. As I was lying prone on the hillside trying for a photo Dave Wilton turned up, so as he had his notebook and pencil with him I think he will furnish you with all the facts and figures of what we saw there. I did manage to cosy up to a Silver-spotted Skipper and get this photo. [See photo above.]

Dave Wilton’s daily report as follows: This morning I decided to go off to the Aston Rowant Nature Reserve in pursuit of Silver-spotted Skipper.  I started on the south side of the motorway, hoping that I might see Dark Green Fritillary as well, but the area in which they have previously been seen has now been mown.  The Chalkhill Blue was out in force, with 67 males and 7 females recorded (including one mating pair, of which the female was a non-flyer with deformed wings).  Small Copper (4), Brown Argus (1), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Peacock (1), Marbled White (12) and Small Heath (21) were present along with quantities of the regulars - Whites, Small/Essex Skippers, Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns.  Having seen no sign of Silver-spotted Skipper, I decided to have a quick look at the north side of the motorway.  Practically my first sight on entering the reserve was Tony Croft lying in the grass photographing one!   We saw four in the short time that I had available, with a single Common Blue being the only additional species noted.

Yesterday, 29^th, Adrian Cadman had the good fortune to pass Bernwood during his working day and managed an hour on the Butterfly trail from 10.50am in glorious hot sunshine! He says: ”Whilst watching a Hornet catching bite size insects on the inflorescences of Wild Carrot (?) I noticed a Brown Hairstreak nectaring. It was noticeably smaller and paler than other BHs I've seen, so presume it was a male??? (Unfortunately no other butterfly folk in the vicinity to ask, I continued to the Meadow Gate site, nobody there either). I retraced my steps and inspected every Wild Carrot head and immediately found another (presumed) male, this poor thing had a beak shaped piece missing from both wings! and very worn hind wing edges. Further inspection of Wild Carrots produced more hairstreaks, this time 3 Purples. At the crossroads where the grassy butterfly walk leaves the ballasted main track there were further Purples on the profusion of Wild Carrot and remarkably another BH, this time in pristine condition. I spent about 15 minutes in its company but it never obliged with an upperside view, again I presume it was a male. Eventually it flew up on to a sallow before fizzing away. Unfortunately I had to fizz away as well. How many BH were nectaring on Wild Carrot yesterday? All the hairstreaks were very vulnerable - could almost touch them before they would move.”

Thursday 29^th July 2004

Today, 29^th, Dave Wilton couldn't resist the temptation of going to Rushbeds Wood in the morning after Tom's success with Brown Hairstreak there yesterday.  The only Hairstreak activity around those Ash trees at the Lapland entrance when I arrived at 9am was of the Purple variety, so I went off to walk through the wood and then check the meadow along the southern edge.  The habitat also looks perfect there for Brown Hairstreak but none was seen.  It was only when I returned to the Lapland entrance before going home that two Brown Hairstreaks showed themselves in the Ash tree tops. One decided to do a little sunbathing, providing confirmation that it was indeed a male.  Twenty species were recorded altogether, including Brimstone (6), Small Copper (4), Common Blue (1), White Admiral (1), Peacock (6), Comma (3) and Small Heath (10).
In the afternoon he had to go to Tring so made a short visit to College Lake. Six second-brood Small Blue were found on the eastern side of the reserve. Brown Argus (5), Common Blue (16) and Peacock (5) were also recorded.  The usual quantities of Small/Essex Skipper, Small/Large White, Marbled White and Meadow Brown were present but they were outnumbered many times over by the Gatekeeper which was active everywhere.

Yesterday, 28^th, Dave Wilton called briefly at Whitecross Green on his way to work but there was no sign of Brown Hairstreak – he wonders if he should have gone to Lapland Farm instead! However, it’s great to know that they are out there at last.

[Please note – if you’re visiting Lapland Farm, it’s best to park at the public road junction and walk the short distance down the private road leading to the Lapland Farm entrance.]

Wednesday 28^th July 2004

Dennis Dell visited Wendover Woods today and was pleased to be able to report the following: At the southern end of Wendover Woods, there is a very large open grassy area in a shallow valley. This area is not suitable for many of the blues because there are no short cropped grassy areas (it is not grazed). I came across a small, isolated, Buddleia bush in this area which was absolutely covered in butterflies: an astonishing sight! All the expected species were there, but what caught my eye in particular, were three Silver-Washed Fritillaries, which were enjoying the nectar as much as the Peacocks etc. There is plenty of Marjoram nearby, but the Buddleia was definitely favoured. Species seen in the whole area: Small, Large, and Green-Veined Whites, Comma, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Small and Essex skippers, Silver-Washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock, Large Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell.
No Dark Green Fritillaries or Chalkhill Blues, however (grass too long, probably, so vetches and trefoils don't have much chance).

Tom Dunbar saw his first Silver Spotted Skipper today: The SSS was seen at Happy Valley in the Chilterns. He then paid a late visit to Laplands Farm where he joined Tim and Colleen Watts who were already on site. This resulted in 3 Brown Hairstreaks being spotted on the same assembly ash trees as last year. It was Tim and Colleen’s first ever Brown Hairstreak sighting. The gender could not be confirmed but we assumed they were males. On arrival home Tom instantly ordered a decent set of binoculars over the net!

Welcome to Pete Eeles, new contributor to the website, who visited Greenham Common today and observed the following: 25 Grayling; 12 Essex Skipper (yes, I checked their antennae!); 2 Small Skipper; 14 Common Blue (13 male, 1 female); 56 Gatekeeper; 12 Meadow Brown; 1 Small Tortoiseshell; 3 Small White; 1 Brimstone (female, very fresh, which was unexpected).
[Peter runs an excellent website at http://www.eeles.net/butterflies/index.html ]

Tuesday 27^th July 2004

The following report was received from Dave Wilton today: Having seen mention of Silver-washed Fritillary just down the road from me at Finemere I thought I had better have a look myself before going to work this morning.   At 9am the sun was out, 21 species were recorded in the 90 minutes that I was there, but unfortunately no Silver-washed put in an appearance (and neither did Purple Emperor for that matter).  A fresh Brown Argus was the best thing on offer, while of the four White Admirals seen two were in pristine condition, making me think that maybe they emerge over quite a long period.  The full list of species comprised Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Purple Hairstreak, Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, White Admiral, Marbled White, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet.

Monday 26^th July 2004

[Thank you to those of you who have sent photos. These will be posted in the next day or two.]

26/07/04 - Tim and Colleen Watts had good views of female Purple Emperor at Finemere Wood resting on sallow at the bend in the main track at 5:30 p.m. today. Also a Silver-washed Fritillary briefly in the same spot. 1 tatty White Admiral, 3 Peacock, Holly blue, female common blue and 6 Purple hairstreak.

Tim Watts has passed on this news: 2 Dark Green Fritillaries were reported at Steps Hill Bucks on the Bucks bird club e-group website today, 25^th July.

Cathy and Derek Brown visited Greenham Common on 25^th July and recorded 12 Graylings as well as a single second-generation Small Blue and 3 male Common blues amongst others. At Bowdown they saw 3 White Admirals but no SWF.

Tom Dunbar and Alan Wingrove visited Pitstone Fen this morning, 25^th July: “Amongst 14 species were 15 second brood Small Blue. This compares very favourably with 17 seen here in May. Does the species generally have a second brood in our area? Other second broods to note were Brown Argus, Common Blue and Small Heath. We had hoped for a second brood Dingy Skipper but no joy. The afternoon saw a decline in the weather conditions. A visit to Leckhamstead Wood in search of second brood Wood White was curtailed as a consequence. None was seen. However other species included 1 Large Skipper, an estimated 1000 mixed Large / Small / Green Veined Whites in a set-aside field, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Brown Argus, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 15 Gatekeeper, 15 Meadow Brown, 7 Speckled Wood.
There are reports that the Brown Argus is expanding its range and that it is colonising set-aside fields adjacent to its 'normal' habitat to this end. A visit to a third site in North Bucks for possible Purple Emperor and second brood Wood White was abandoned with increasing cloud cover and the distant call of the teapot.”

Saturday 24^th July 2004

Welcome to Paul Gee, new contributor to the site and keen photographer who is in the process of creating his own website – click here to see Paul’s progress so far. Paul is a BC member, Herts & Middx Branch, and visited Finemere today. His photograph of a Purple Hairstreak is shown at the top of the page.

The following was received from Tim Watts today: “This morning at 11 a.m. in Finemere wood I saw my 1st ever Silver-washed Fritillary. It was bombing up and down the 1st ride on your left once through the gate. It landed on a bush but not long enough for photo. A photographer told me he had seen one there last week.”

On a short trip to Finemere this afternoon, Wendy & Mick Campbell recorded a White Admiral and a female Purple Emperor in the main ride.

Derek & Cathy Brown opted to head north in search of Purple Emperor and Brown Hairstreak today: “We went to Waterperry Wood this morning - really nice spot but unfortunately no Emperors while we where there. Never mind, we saw lots else - 18 species. (Multitudes of GK, SS, LS, MB and some ES. As well as 12 SW, 4 GVW, 20 LW, 12 Brims, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Red Admiral, 20 MW, 30 Ringlet, 12 Speckled wood, 2 white admiral, 8 Peacocks and 20+ Purple hairstreaks. The Peacocks were really pristine but the PHs were a bit moth eaten. If the Peacock was a rare butterfly only found in the tropics everyone would rave about it! They really are stunning). We then paid a quick visit to Whitecross - nothing new here but saw 4 WA. Again no PE, and no Brown HS. On the way back we stopped for an hour at Aston Rowant and added 4 CHB, 2 SC, 2 ST, 6 SH, 1 Comma and best of all a single Dark Green Frit. Unfortunately it didn't settle for long and I didn't get a photo - yet again. This beast continues to elude me! No sign of SS Skips, but 24 species all told!

Several UTB members decided independently to head south in search of Grayling today. Here’s how they got on:
Dave Wilton managed to escape from work early this morning and made the most of the good weather by stopping at Newbury to visit Bowdown Wood (hoping for Silver-washed Fritillary) and Greenham Common (for Grayling). He wasn't disappointed!  Bowdown produced Large Skipper (1), Large White (2), Small White (1), Green-veined White (8), Purple Hairstreak (2), Small Copper (4), Holly Blue (1), White Admiral (2), Red Admiral (2), Peacock (2), Comma (1), Silver-washed Fritillary (2, both towards the eastern end of the reserve – see photo above), Speckled Wood (7), Gatekeeper (32), Meadow Brown (14) and Ringlet (18). Across the road at Greenham Common he bumped into Paul Bowyer and they set off to find a Grayling.  There was a stiff south-westerly breeze which reduced the number of active butterflies to a minimum, but after walking about a mile to the west (and spotting a Fox Moth caterpillar on the way) we eventually disturbed a Grayling from its hiding place amongst some stones.

Tom Dunbar and Alan Wingrove reported that high winds on this very exposed site restricted their species count to fifteen, contrasting with Paul Bowyer's 20 earlier in the day. Their species count included 2 Essex Skipper, 3 Small Skipper, 2 Small White, 7 Common Blue 2nd brood, 1 Holly Blue, 12 Small Copper, 2 Peacock, 1 Tortoiseshell, 1 Purple Emperor, 13 Grayling, 23 Gatekeeper, 12 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet, 2 Speckled Wood, 10 Small Heath. UTB records indicate the presence of the Purple Emperor in the vicinity in past years.

Dennis Dell reports seeing his first two summer generation Holly Blues in his garden on 23^rd July. He also checked out the Aylesbury Park Golf Course on the western edge of Aylesbury near Stone. Plenty of rough grassy areas divided by hedgerows with mature trees surrounding the fairways and greens make this an ideal habitat for our grassland species. 93 Gatekeepers, 65 Meadow Browns, and 21 Marbled Whites seen. Other species: Peacock, Small and Large Whites, Small and Essex Skippers, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Comma, and the first summer Small Copper, making 13 species. Additional species seen in early June (7th) were: Large skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Red Admiral, and Speckled Wood. A total of 18 species, which is not bad for a golf course!

Friday 23^rd July 2004

Tim and Colleen Watts visited Finemere wood this afternoon and having seen 1 White Admiral, 10 Purple hairstreaks and a Holly blue they then hit the jackpot with 3 views of a Purple Emperor. The 1st view was in flight but low and close - Tim thinks it may have been feeding or resting and they had disturbed it. Then seen again, both times gliding around top of oaks. Finally, seen on the bend on the main track, 5 -5:10 p.m,

Friday 23rd July - on a warm and bright afternoon Wendy and Mick Campbell and Paul Bowyer went to Waterperry Wood mainly in search of Purple Emperors. 2 were spotted (both female) along the main ride through the wood. There was much excitement when the first of the two swooped and glided from sallow to sallow giving us very good views of this impressive butterfly. Other species recorded were: Small Skipper and Small Copper (in Bernwood), Gatekeeper (35), Meadow Brown (4), Speckled Wood (3), Marbled White (10), Ringlet (4), Brimstone (13), Large White (4), Small White (4), Green Veined White (3), Large Skipper (6), Essex Skipper (4), Holly Blue (1), Peacock (5), Red Admiral (1), Comma (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1), White Admiral (4), and Purple Hairstreak (22), a total of 21 species.

Mick and Wendy then continued on to Rushbeds Wood but no Purple Emperor or White Admiral were seen. In Rushbeds Meadow they located 2 Small Heath and a single male Common Blue, bringing their total species count for the day to 23. No Brown Hairstreaks were found.

Tom Dunbar reports on his visit to Ivinghoe Beacon today Friday 23rd July. What a relief to set off in glorious weather with the prospect of unbridled sunshine for a change! The target species were Dark Green Fritillary, Chalkhill Blue, Common Blue, Brown Argus. The first two were achieved. Common Blue and Brown Argus are obviously not yet on the wing in this northerly location (seen in Surrey yesterday). The species list included 7 Small Skipper, 3 Essex Skipper, 4 Large Skipper, 8 Brimstone, 20 Small White, 4 GV White, 3 Large White, 2 Purple Hairstreak, 13 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, 5 Peacock, 1 Small Copper, 6 Holly Blue, 6 Dark Green Fritillary, 30 Chalkhill Blue, 110 Marbled White, 53 Gatekeeper, 14 Meadow Brown, 8 Ringlet, 24 Small Heath. I tried all the favoured locations for Speckled Wood but to no avail. I feel this butterfly is having a poor season.

Thursday 22^nd July 2004

Dave Wilton decided to give his neck a well-earned rest from Purple Emperor surveying and visited the National Trust site at Grangelands this afternoon. “The Chalkhill Blue hadn't seen me yet this year and I was pleased to record 27 of them altogether. Small White (17), second-brood Brimstone (25), Gatekeeper (30) and Meadow Brown (15) were also present in abundance. Lesser numbers of Small & Essex Skipper, Large White, Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White, Small Heath and Ringlet were recorded, along with single examples of Large Skipper, Green-veined White, Small Copper and Comma.”

Mick & Wendy Campbelll chose Hodgemoor Wood in Bucks, as their target location for White Admiral this afternoon to confirm that a colony was still resident there. They were pleased to record 4 in different areas of the wood, along with 45 Purple Hairstreak, 9 Holly Blue and 7 other species. On returning to the car park they discovered Elm growing in the nearby lane and watched closely to see if any White-letter Hairstreaks were present. The first few turned out to be Purple Hairstreaks, but then one landed near the front of the tree, quite low down and they were able to positively id it as White-letter. After a minute or two it flew off into the wood.

Wednesday 21^st July 2004

Tony Croft went to Aston Rowant this afternoon and although the weather wasn't all that brilliant (mainly cloudy 21C) there were good numbers of butterflies around: 15 Chalkhill Blue (all male); 30+ Small Heath; 30+ Small Skipper; 3 Essex Skipper; 8 Marbled White; 5 Small Copper (nice surprise); 3 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Brimstone. There was one possible Silver Spotted Skipper but I got only the briefest glimpse of it before it flew off. I should think this weekend would be a good time to get back there with all this fine weather we are being promised. I am working unfortunately so I guess someone else will probably have the privilege of the first positive sighting.

Dave Wilton’s report for today: I could only manage a couple of hours this afternoon, co-incidentally at the time the weather was at its worst!  I decided to go to Boarstall Wood where the 'high point' can be scanned from Span Green (a known Brown Hairstreak site).  I spent an hour staring skywards but neither species came out to play.  I then decided to walk the footpath that goes along the northern edge of the wood and as I passed Boarstall Wood Cottage I was amazed to see a Purple Emperor do an orbit above its back garden and land in a nearby oak! This private wood belongs to the Ernest Cook Trust and one day needs to be properly surveyed for its butterfly content. I did manage to see a single White Admiral in the only ride that is visible from outside.

Tuesday 20^th July 2004

Allen Beechey, surveying for Purple Emperor in the Bernwood complex, sent in the following report of his last 2 days’ sightings: ”19th July - I spent 4½ hours at Bernwood (10:45 am until 3:15 pm) at both known PE assembly areas plus visiting two other suspected areas.  Unfortunately, PE's failed to show.  I had to console myself with conducting a count of the other butterflies that were around and finished up with: large Skipper 8, Small/Essex Skipper 29, Essex Skipper 5, Small Skipper 3, Speckled Wood 4, Marbled White 36, Meadow Brown 37, Ringlet 103, Gatekeeper 69, Purple Hairstreak 32, Green-veined White 5, Small White 4, Large White 7, Brimstone 4 & White Admiral 1.

20th July – I spent 4 hours at Bernwood (10:30 am to 2:30 pm) looking at all of the known and suspected PE assembly areas and drew a blank (again!). I walked practically the whole of the Bernwood complex but failed to see any PE's the whole day long.  I did, however, see 8 White Admiral which all refused to be photographed and most significantly, 3 Silver Washed Fritillary!  I saw the first one flying along the main path right next to the Oakley Wood car park at about 10:40 am. This individual thought about landing for about half a second before flying off over the trees.  About 3 hours later I saw another individual feeding on Bramble flowers right at the eastern most end of the wood (past the turning circle which is at the end of the main, gravel ride). It fidgeted around the same bramble bush for about 5 minutes before flying off down the ride (with me in hot pursuit!).  Having lost sight of him (my one photo of this individual confirms my assumption of its gender!) I walked back up the path to fetch my bag, only to see another SWF fly onto the same bramble bush.  Initially I thought that this was the same insect that I had just followed down the ride, but it differed from the previous one in that it had no damage to its right hind wing.”
[This is a very significant report of Silver-washed Fritillaries in Bernwood as there have only been 9 reported sightings since 1995. Please send in all sightings to this website or to Mick Campbell who is the Silver-washed Fritillary Species Champion for UTB.]

Mick and Wendy Campbell made a return visit to Huntshill Wood, Naphill, today (20^th) searching for White Admiral which, according to UTB records, has not been seen in this wood before. There is an abundance of good quality, old Oak trees in this wood and patches of bramble, ferns and honeysuckle. There’s also a pond/water-logged area. They spent about 1-2 hours in the wood and, on their way back to the car, Wendy spotted the unmistakable flight pattern of a White Admiral as it flew through a sunny clearing. Fortunately it landed on a small oak tree sunning itself, enabling a positive id. They recorded 13 species in total in the wood, the other notable sighting being of 11 Holly Blues, which seem to be having a very good year.
In the afternoon they went to the Aston Rowant reserve where they recorded excellent numbers of Small Tortoiseshell (50+) feeding on large patches of thistle, 39+ Small Heath and 10 Chalkhill Blue – all male apart from one.

Dave Maunder saw the following butterflies in Aylesbury last week:- Commas(9), Sm. tortoiseshells(15), Large whites(2), Small whites(20+), Marbled whites(4), Meadow browns(11), Ringlets(12), Hedge browns(15), Large skipper(1), Small skippers(14), Essex skippers(5), and Holly blues (2).

Dave Wilton surveyed Chinkwell and Whitecross Green Woods today, 20^th, the target species being the Purple Emperor. Here are his records and observations for the day: “This morning I spent a couple of hours at Chinkwell Wood near Brill. Unfortunately no Purple Emperors appeared but the early sunshine meant that there was still a plentiful supply of other butterflies within the wood. Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet were present in large quantities, there were smaller numbers of Large Skipper, Small, Large and Green-veined Whites, Purple Hairstreak, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood, as well as single examples of Brimstone, Holly Blue and Marbled White. The only notable absentee was White Admiral although I did see some here back in June.  I didn't make a thorough check of the meadow to the south of the wood but it certainly held good numbers of Marbled White, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown.
This afternoon I spent some time at Whitecross Green Wood.  The main rides have all now been mown, but despite the cloudier weather the species total was similar to that at Chinkwell with the addition of Small Skipper, White Admiral (2) and a fresh Peacock. I bumped into Tony Croft here and he pointed out one of the likely Brown Hairstreak sites, but none of the butterflies seem to have emerged yet.  Having seen no sign of my main target species within the wood either, I decided to walk the public footpath that climbs up to the high point at the southeast corner (actually called Oriel Wood in that area).  There I had two brief glimpses of a Purple Emperor patrolling the treetops, my only sighting for the day.”

On July 19th Paul Bowyer decided after work to go to Cocksherd Wood, which is just inside the Slough Border. Paul reports the following: “I saw Purple Hairstreaks, Commas, Large White and Small White. It was fascinating to see what looked like Commas of different generations on the wing at the same time. I then walked north towards the council dump to look for White-letter Hairstreaks once again. This time there was fresh purpose as the fountain of all knowledge (M.C.) had advised me to look for the combination of elm and ash rather than just elm to find these elusive butterflies. I did this and I found an ash standing proud amongst surrounding elm. There were 2 perhaps 3 hairstreaks at the top flitting between the ash and elm. Also in the area were Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Essex Skipper, Large White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady. Thanks Mick!”

Monday 19^th July 2004

Here is an account of today's butterfly tour by Dave Ferguson: A quick stop at Oakley Airfield produced 150+ Small Whites flying over bean fields. The only other butterflies were 2 Small Tortoiseshells. A search in Piddington Wood for PEs failed but I did see 1 White Admiral, 1 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood and many Ringlets. The adjacent meadow was full of Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Small Whites, as well as 1 Green-veined White, 4+ Small Skippers and 4+ Essex skippers, Next stop was Rushbeds Wood where I saw a Purple Emperor flying at tree-top height over one of the rides. Other new species for the day were 1 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Large White, 4 Large Skippers and 1 Brimstone. Another White Admiral was nice. There were 2 Small Heaths at Lapland Farm as well as thousands of grasshoppers. Final stop was Grangelands where I found 2 Chalkhill Blues and a Holly Blue. There was a Peacock and a Red Admiral on the buddleia in the garden, which brought the day's species total to 22.

Wendy & Mick Campbell continued their hunt for Purple Emperors today. On the way they checked the blackthorn at Bernwood Meadow just in case the Brown Hairstreaks had started to emerge. No luck there, so they carried on to their target location, Waterperry Wood, seeing 2 White Admirals on the route through Bernwood. They arrived at Drunkard’s Corner, a suspected assembly point for Purple Emperors, at 2.00 p.m. and immediately observed a male PE soaring high up in the canopy, flying quickly between the line of tall Poplars, about 80 feet high, and settling periodically to sunbathe in the tree tops. This continued on and off for about 40 minutes during which time they were joined by Dennis Dell who was also able to observe the behaviour. All 3 of them then walked back along the main track where Mick spotted a female PE flying overhead. It settled low down in a fairly small oak tree close to sallows sunbathing with wings open allowing good opportunity of viewing it through binoculars. Altogether 20 species of butterfly were seen during this warm and mostly sunny day.

Dave Wilton spent this afternoon looking at Purple Emperor sites once again, starting with Piddington Wood near Arncot. This is how he got on:.  My second attempt at finding one here resulted in another failure, although a fresh Holly Blue and Brimstone did make the visit worthwhile.  I then walked to nearby Little Wood, which proved more successful. From the footpath that runs along its south-eastern side I managed to find two Purple Emperors patrolling the oaks at the wood edge (they were accompanied by a single White Admiral). Next stop was Rushbeds, where a quick stop on the railway bridge at the south-eastern corner was again successful with a single Purple Emperor sighting, this time to the east of the railway line.  My final port of call was Finemere where I drew another blank, although it was nice to find a rather battered Painted Lady flying at the top of the hill near Finemerehill House.  Within the wood itself, three White Admirals showed themselves in the early evening sunshine.

A cautionary note for Brown Hairstreakers: twice today (at the entrances to Piddington Wood and Lapland Farm meadows) I thought I'd struck gold, finding a Hairstreak flying at the top of an ash tree adjacent to a big stand of blackthorn.  On both occasions it turned out to be a Purple Hairstreak!

Sunday 18^th July 2004

Tom and Rosaline Dunbar and Ali Latham sent in these reports of their search for Purple Emperor today:

Ali Latham - Charged off up Tring Hill with Tom and Ros, more or less a waste of time!  Found the site mentioned in the PE study near the 2 Buddleias and sallows but nothing doing!  In fact there is a worrying lack of any butterflies up there!  3 Red Ad, 1 Gatekeeper, 2 Large White, 1 S W, 1 Sm Tort and a few Marbled W down on the flowers on the lower slopes.  What is going on there?  And why does the sun always manage to shine here at 5 p.m. onwards?!!!

Tom Dunbar - Saturday's cancellation of homely tasks (fit new cooker) allowed a visit to Kingswood to survey for Purple Emperor (restricting myself to public access areas). Good habitat for PE and White Letter Hairstreak was noted but zero sightings recorded. A hairstreak was seen on elm but the sighting could not be confirmed. Hopes of better things at Rushbeds Wood were not realised. This wood normally hosts good numbers of Purple Hairstreaks but only one was seen. Alas no Purple Emperor or White Admiral.

The weekend at least showed some consistency with a visit to Tring Park across the County border in Hertfordshire with with Ali Latham and Rosaleen Dunbar . This is a known site for Purple Emperor. Some very 'likely' PE territories were found but no Purple Emperors were seen. The incredibly low number of butterfly numbers was noteworthy the highlight being a lone Red Admiral.

It only goes to show that the lot of the lepidopterist does not always run smooth. It is always interesting and important to experience the 'lows' in our recording which often raise questions and allow comparisons with seemingly similar habitats which are producing an abundance of species and numbers at the same time as the dearth elsewhere.

Dave Maunder report on his visit to Heythrop park, near Enstone, Oxon today: I saw my first Hummingbird hawk moth of the year feeding on Buddleia; also a few yards away resting on reeds in a pond I found 3 Scarlet tiger moths - a nice find! Butterflies seen here were:- 3 Commas, 2 Red admirals, 2 Sm. tortoiseshells, 1 Small skipper, 6 Green-veined whites, 1 Small white, 2 Meadow browns, 4 Hedge browns, 1 Ringlet, 1 Speckled wood.

Paul Bowyer and Mick Campbell spent a few hours looking for Dark Green Fritillary and Purple Emperor this afternoon: At Butler’s Hangings they struggled to locate a very faded Dark Green Fritillary, a single, fresh Chalkhill Blue and a Small Copper. Other species seen included good number of Marbled White, MB, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Small & Large White. They also surveyed Hodgemoor Wood car park which is a potential location for Purple Emperor, this being the high point of the Oak Wood which has lots of good quality Oak trees and the odd Sallow. No PE seen, but they did record 6 Purple Hairstreak and 1 Red Admiral in dull, overcast conditions. Looking for the same habitat in nearby woods, they then visited Huntshill Wood and Naphill Common, Bradenham, by which time it was quite late and still very overcast. They still managed to find 20+ Purple Hairstreak and 1 Red Admiral, but no PE.

Dave Wilton also surveyed Rushbeds briefly both yesterday afternoon and this afternoon and says: “I had Brown Hairstreak in mind as well as Purple Emperor. Yesterday's visit produced eleven species active within the wood (large numbers of Ringlet and Meadow Brown, a handful of Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Large White, Green-veined White, Purple Hairstreak, Marbled White and Gatekeeper, plus single examples of White Admiral and Speckled Wood). The Lapland Farm meadows were full of Meadow Brown (100+) and good quantities (30+) of Marbled White, Gatekeeper and Small/Essex Skippers, while I also found a single Small Heath. Today's visit was basically more of the same, although I was luckier with Purple Emperor in that one showed itself above the treetops in the southeast corner while I watched from the railway bridge.  No sign of Brown Hairstreak at all, although they must start appearing any day now.

Saturday 17^th July 2004

Ali Latham and Wendy & Mick Campbell decided to go to Bernwood again today, their target species being Purple Emperor and the long shot of an early Brown Hairstreak. The weather looked promising with more blue sky than clouds for a change and the air temperature was warm. They started off at the main car park where Ali saw a Purple Emperor immediately after getting out of the car. They then went into a small clearing nearby where they were delighted to see a pristine Silver-washed Fritillary sunning itself on the bramble, along with many Gatekeepers, Skippers (Large & Small), Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Marbled Whites, Large Whites, Green-veined White, Comma, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and good numbers (100+ during the day) of Purple Hairstreak. Their second Purple Emperor was seen right down the other end of the wood, by the ‘old’ car park. They then headed off to the M40 Compensation Area seeing 2 Common Blues, 2 White Admirals, a Brimstone and 4 second-generation Peacocks on the way. Finally at the Compensation Area they added Small Whites, Essex Skippers and 7 Small Tortoiseshells to their list. A very enjoyable day, with a total of 21 species recorded.

Thursday 15^th July 2004

Success for Derek Brown today in his hunt for the White-letter Hairstreak (see photo at top of page): I went to Maidenhead Thicket today and finally managed to see the WLH (3 of them). Also picked up Purple Hairstreak here as well and Essex Skipper at Decoy Heath (no SSBs there, although I saw 8 at Silchester.) In total 22 species today, (I also went to Pamber) - not bad for a mixed weather day.

Nigel Parsons sent the following message yesterday: I have been spending most of my "butterfly time" in places outside the UTB area so haven't had much to report. However, I do go to local sites near to home or work and often see good numbers of butterflies and numerous moths that I can't identify - yet! Only yesterday (13th July) I went to a park in Slough after work and saw 12 marbled white, 2 ringlet, 2 gatekeeper, 5 GV white, 25 meadow brown, 3 large white, 5 small white, 1 speckled wood, 2 small Ts and good numbers of skippers of which I definitely confirmed 3 Essex and 5 small.

At another public recreation/amenity site in Iver Heath Fields, a local conservation group makes efforts to manage the site with nature as well as dog walkers in mind. A visit here on 7th July produced 39 marbled white (only ones or twos were seen 3/4 years ago), 2 ringlet, 25 gate keepers, 38 meadow brown, 6 large white, 5 small white, 10 small Ts, 1 comma, 2 PHS, 3 large skipper, 2 holly blue and numerous skippers (at least 7 small and 11 Essex).

Wednesday 14^th July 2004

Allen Beechey is surveying for Purple Emperors in Bernwood and sent this report in today: The one PE sighting I have had so far was pretty good. On the 12th July at 1:20pm a female flew overhead and settled low in a sallow bush on the shady side of the York Wood - Hell Coppice ride. I say shady side .. if there was any sun it would have been the shady side!  Anyway this particular female had a large chunk of its left hind wing missing and once settled on a Sallow leaf (about 7ft up) proceeded to try to lay an egg.  She gave up pretty quickly and flew up to a nearby Oak where she sat and basked (in vain!) for about 10 minutes before sluggishly flying off in a South Easterly direction. I went over to Bernwood again yesterday evening 6pm onwards and saw a few active Ringlets, Small Skippers, one Gatekeeper, and hundreds upon hundreds of Purple Hairstreaks. I gave up counting at 235 and that was after only half a mile down the main ride that runs from the Oakley Wood car park!  Truly a fabulous sight.

Two more sightings for you:- For the last four nights a Hummingbird Hawk moth has been visiting the Buddleia in our front garden in Didcot.  Tonight it was accompanied by a Red Admiral, which was still very active at 7:30pm!

Perhaps the most interesting sighting of the lot however, is that my Father reports that today - and for the third year running! - he has seen a White Letter Hairstreak in his garden in Chesham. Anyone familiar with the area will know that it is a Beechwood dominated area.  I haven't got a clue where the elm is in the location but it has to be close.  I'll have another look this weekend!

Jan Haseler had a close encounter with a Purple Hairstreak at the Harris Garden, University of Reading yesterday (Tuesday 13th), which was the 21st species of butterfly she has seen there over the last 2 years. Then when Jan arrived home in Tilehurst, she saw her first garden Small Skipper.

A Large Skipper was a garden first on Friday 9th for Keith Mitchell in Stoke Goldington.

Tuesday 13^th July 2004

A few more butterflies seen by Dave Maunder in Aylesbury during the last week were:-

7 Commas today, 2 Holly blues, Sm. Tortoiseshells (15), Large whites(2), Small whites(15+), Marbled whites(4), Meadow browns(11), Ringlets(12), Hedge browns(10), Large skipper(1), Small skippers(14), and Essex skippers(5).

Paul Bowyer went to Homefield Wood this afternoon: “The weather was warm with some very bright spells of sunshine. The species recorded were as follows ;- Ringlet (20+), Meadow Brown (20+), Gatekeeper (5), Speckled Wood (2), Marbled White (8), Large White (6), Small White (3), Large Skipper (7), Essex Skipper (3), Small Skipper (3), Comma (9), Small Tortoiseshell (2), White Admiral (2) and 1 Silver Washed Fritillary.”

Coincidentally, Mick Campbell and Tom Dunbar also visited Homefield Wood this afternoon arriving at about 4.30 p.m. Skies were overcast but the conditions were still and the temperature was warm. They saw 7 species of butterfly: 2 White Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 8 White-letter Hairstreak, 3 Ringlet, 1 Green-veined White, 2 Meadow Brown and 3 Marbled White.

Dave Wilton was out and about again for most of today looking for Purple Emperor, his final opportunity for a few days: “This morning I went to Piddington Wood near Arncott (where the butterfly has already been seen this season), Boarstall Wood and Rushbeds. My only sighting was a brief glimpse of one in flight at the southeast corner of Rushbeds. This afternoon I went back to Finemere and at about 3.20pm had two separate sightings (probably of the same butterfly) flying amongst the oaks along the main ride in roughly the same spot that Tim Watts found one yesterday. Having subsequently done a complete circuit of the wood, I was surprised to count no less than 53 Purple Hairstreaks flying around the oaks as I walked back down the main ride at about 4.30pm.  It was quite dull under the overcast skies at that stage and, apart from the odd Ringlet, they were the only active butterflies to be seen!”

Monday 12^th July 2004

The following report was sent in by a very patient Tim Watts today, intent on spotting his first Purple Emperor:
I spent 5hrs in Finemere today - 3 hrs in the same spot eventually produced my 1st ever Purple Emperor. It landed in the top of an oak tree and with my telescope on 60x zoom with digi camera attached I managed to get some photos. It stayed in the same spot for 1hr 5mins. I could only see the underside and out of 60 photos taken only 1 with wings closed showing the eye spot and this was a split second before it flew off when the sun came out for the first time. I saw White Admirals as well, but they didn't make me jump out of my seat like the Purple Emperor did, so I think I should be okay with the id from now on!

After Dave Wilton had shared Tim’s view of the Purple Emperor through the scope and with sunshine appearing from the northwest he decided to carry on up the wood to check out the highest points: “I didn't see any other Purple Emperors at Finemere but while at the very top of the hill by Finemerehill House I decided to take the bridleway down to the entrance of Greatsea Wood because the high point there was rather more sheltered from the strong northwesterly breeze. My luck was in - one Purple Emperor was patrolling the treetops as I arrived and I disturbed another from the track in front of me, which promptly flew up into the canopy to do battle with the other one. Wonderful stuff - fighting Purple Emperors two days running! There was nothing else noteworthy at Finemere apart from the lack of White Admirals (I only saw one).”

Here is the full list of butterfIies recorded yesterday by Dave Wilton in Chinkwell Wood : Small Skipper (1), Essex Skipper (3), Large Skipper (3), Green-veined White (1), Red Admiral (1), Marbled White (30+), Gatekeeper (25), Meadow Brown (30+) and Ringlet (18), as well as several Five-spot Burnet sp. and Six-Spot Burnet Moths on thistles and numerous Cinnabar Moth caterpillars on ragwort. The footpath that runs from south to north through the centre of the wood produced Large Skipper (1), Large White (1), Green-veined White (1), Purple Hairstreak (2), Comma (2), Speckled Wood (2), Meadow Brown (5) and Ringlet (22).

Sunday 11^th July 2004

A reduced team of 4 UTB members braved the forbidding skies today to continue the Purple Emperor survey. 3 of them started at the old car park to the South of Bernwood and walked up the main ride stopping at suitable locations on the way to search the canopy. Unfortunately the weather was too cold and overcast and after about an hour they headed back to the car. The next survey point was the small Holly Wood nearby. This is not a known site for Purple Emperor but needed surveying to see if there was suitable habitat. However, no sallow could be found from the footpath round the wood and it was deemed unlikely to be attractive to Purple Emperors (they did find a nice stand of blackthorn which looked very interesting for possible Brown Hairstreak, with good Ash trees and bramble close by). Finally, with a patch of blue sky opening up, the team dashed back to the main Bernwood car park and searched for another half an hour in a sheltered clearing just off the main path. After watching a White Admiral feeding on bramble, they were finally rewarded with a lone Purple Emperor, which circled a sap-covered birch tree before disappearing from view.

The fourth member of the team, Dave Wilton, decided to survey Chinkwell Wood. He recorded two Purple Emperors in the treetops, watching them for about 20 minutes.  More details to follow.

Saturday 10^th July 2004

The UTB Purple Emperor Survey began today with ten members of the group meeting in Bernwood car park. The weather started off sunny with some cloud and the group spent some time hoping to see a Purple Emperor in the area of the car park where at least two had been sighted earlier in the week. Purple Hairstreaks were seen in good numbers in the Oak trees and some even came down low enough to be photographed. Also seen were 2 Gatekeepers and a Red Admiral.

The group carried on down the main ride recording a female Common Blue, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Large Skippers, Green-veined White, Small White, Comma, Speckled Wood, a single White Admiral (numbers possibly reduced by the heavy rainstorms?) and Marbled White. At a site near the centre of the wood where a line of tall Oaks bordered a field they at last saw a Purple Emperor. It flew down from the canopy, heading at first towards the group of surveyors and then veered off suddenly and flew rapidly towards the cover of a large area of conifers. Shortly after the rain started to fall and promptly turned into a hail storm (did the Purple Emperor know something we didn’t when it headed for the conifers?). A very wet group of surveyors beat a hasty retreat back to the car park by which time the sun had broken through once more and the Purple Hairstreaks were dancing in the tree tops again!

Derek and Cathy Brown popped in to Lardon Chase today and amongst other things saw 6 Chalkhill Blues, 5 Small Skippers and a single Gatekeeper - all new species for them this year [photos of Chalkhill Blue & Small Skipper below].

Friday 9^th July 2004

Tony Croft sent in this news today: I have just returned from Whitecross Green Wood. A profusion of Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and Ringlets. 6 Purple Hairstreak and the same number of White Admiral. Lots of Small Skipper and one Gatekeeper.

On my return to the car park there was a Purple Emperor on the ground just by my car. Its long yellow proboscis seemed to be brushing a tar covered stone. It had its wings open and as it moved them I could see the colour change from brown to purple and back to brown. I got to within a couple of feet of it and watched it for a long time before it flew off. Unfortunately I had left my camera at home so missed out on a potentially great shot.

Dennis Dell reports another sighting of a Purple Emperor today at the same location he saw one on July 5^th along a public footpath through a wood near Finemere: “It’s a 'classical' high point territory, with Oaks on either side of the path. The specimen was high up and landed on one of the Oaks before flying across the path twice, backwards and forwards, landing briefly on both sides high up. It disappeared after a few minutes.. Dave and I met members of the Cornwall (!) and Bedford sections sitting half way up the main Finemere ride. They'd been sitting there for hours, and had seen just one landing briefly on an Oak there.”

Dave Wilton continued his surveys of Finemere wood today:- I spent several hours in Finemere this afternoon searching for Purple Emperor, but once again without any luck.  They are in there somewhere, though, because for the third visit running I've met someone in the wood who has succeeded in seeing one! Seventeen other species were recorded and they comprised Small Skipper (8 confirmed), Essex Skipper (1 confirmed) plus several more Small/Essex that wouldn't sit still long enough to be positively identified, Large Skipper (8), Large White (1), Small White (4), Green-veined White (2), Purple Hairstreak (19), Common Blue (3), White Admiral (15), Red Admiral (4), Small Tortoiseshell (4), Comma (4), Speckled Wood (1), Marbled White (18), Gatekeeper (1), Meadow Brown (30+) and Ringlet (30+).

Having seemingly been declared a butterfly-free zone over the past few weeks, activity in my garden at Westcott has picked up now that the Buddleia have started to flower.  Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White and Meadow Brown have all begun making regular appearances over the past few days.  Activity so far is not a patch on last year, though.

On Tuesday 6^th July Matthew Oates visited various Oxford woods surveying for Purple Emperors. The following is an extract from his report:

Whitecross Green produced only 4 males, all fresh, and should have done better. The main territory appears to be in the garden of two houses outside the wood.
Shabbington. Very disappointing. Only 1 battered female and 2 males briefly. Failed to see any on several candidate territory sites, I think the problem is mainly that the Bernwood population is very low at present (little good sallow) and the males need company in order to be properly active and visible.

Piddington Wood, Arncott. A small Woodland Trust derelict coppice + standards wood SE of Bicester. Only here for 1 hour. Straight in on a classic iris territory: 3-4 males active inside the wood's NE corner, though visibility is limited by coppice regrowth. Small woods and copses should not be under-estimated for iris, they can reveal relatively good colonies.

Wednesday 7^th July 2004

The following was sent in by Paul Bowyer today: On Saturday 3rd July I went to Silchester Common to see the Silver Studded Blues. This is outside the UTB area so I then went to Decoy Heath, which is UTB. There were no blue butterflies there but I did see the following species:- Meadow Brown, Essex Skipper, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White and Ringlet.
On Sunday 4th July in the afternoon I went to Finemere. It rained most of the time, but it was warm rain and I was surprised to see many butterflies on the wing as well as resting. The species seen were as follows:- Ringlet, Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White, Essex Skipper, Large Skipper, White Admiral, Purple Hairstreak, Large White, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood. The highlight of the visit was a recently emerged male Purple Hairstreak drying its wings, perched on grass about a foot from the ground. At this stage the butterfly's wings were a pastel shade of purple not the deep shade they become later in life.

Yesterday (6th July) Dennis Dell was pleased to see a Comma, several Tortoiseshells, Whites, and a Large Skipper which all arrived on the Buddleia in his garden at the same time.

David Redhead reports an Essex Skipper seen yesterday on rough grassland near his house.

Tuesday 6^th July 2004

Exciting news from Dave Ferguson today who reported the following: “Bernwood today produced 3 Purple Emperors (2 on the ground by the main car park, 1 flying over the main ride between York's Wood and Hell Coppice), 7 White Admirals and 8 Purple Hairstreaks” (see photos above).

The first Purple Emperor sighting was reported by Dennis Dell on 29^th June in Finemere. He has since had 2 further sightings, both in the Finemere area, on 5^th and 6^th July and comments as follows:

- All three sightings were at high points.
- On June 29th and July 5th, the specimens were both actually about 100 metres outside the wood, flying very close to the ground and not returning to the wood!
- On July 5th, the sighting was on an Oak just inside the wood at the highest point: a possible 'assembly' tree which needs confirmation.

Dave Maunder also saw his first second-brood Holly Blue on the wing near Aylesbury vale park this afternoon: “Three males having a battle in the afternoon sun was nice to see! Also seen were a single White-letter hairstreak on the usual elm near the Oxford Road, 5 Marbled Whites, 30+ Ringlets, Meadow Browns, my 1st Hedge Brown (yesterday) - and one more today, 2 Red Admirals (both quite worn), 4 Commas, 20+ Sm. Tortoiseshells, Large Whites (2), Small Whites coming out in good numbers today, and 12 Small Skippers and 4 Large Skippers.”

Dave Wilton spent an hour or two at Aston Rowant NNR this morning, both north and south of the M40.  Marbled White (50+) and Small Heath (60+) were active everywhere, while numbers of Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet and Meadow Brown were also to be seen in the sunshine.

Monday 5^th July 2004

The following report received from David Redhead today: I can confirm Tony Croft's observation that Holly Blues are back on the wing - one seen from car by Cowley Tesco's roundabout followed by a second in our garden.

The Shabbington Wood Transect today produced my first Gatekeeper (1) and Purple Hairstreaks (5). Also 177 Ringlets, 38 Small Skippers, 35 Large Skippers, 32 Meadow Browns, 15 Marbled Whites, 4 White Admirals, 3 Speckled Woods, 2 Green-veined Whites and singleton Comma, Common Blue & Small Tortoiseshell. A total of 313 butterflies and 13 species. The Common Blue seemed in very good condition, which made me wonder if it was first of the second brood but it seems rather too early.

Dave Wilton spent two hours in Finemere this morning. He saw plenty of butterflies, including White-letter Hairstreak (1) and Purple Hairstreak (8), but still no Purple Emperor!

A walk in the Little Marlow area this morning by Dave Ferguson produced: 2 Small Skippers, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone (fresh), 4 Large Whites, 24 Small Whites, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 23 Small Tortoiseshells, 4 Commas, 17 Marbled Whites, 2 Gatekeepers, 32 Meadow Browns, and 12 Ringlets. This afternoon Hedgerley HIll turned up 2 Essex Skippers, 11 Small Skippers, 2 Small Whites, 35 Marbled Whites, 1 Gatekeeper, 47 Meadow Browns, and dozens of July Belles. There was also a Holly Blue in our garden.

Sunday 4^th July 2004

Tom Dunbar and Ali Latham visited 2 sites today Sunday, Warburg Reserve and Wildmoor Heath in Berks. The wind was not as strong as on recent days but sunshine and consequential temperatures were low. The only butterflies of note were Dark Green Fritillary at Warburg and a single Silver Studded Blue at Wildmoor Heath. Butterflies in general were in very low numbers.

Tony Croft was delighted to see a Holly Blue in his garden in Aylesbury this morning: “We do have both holly and ivy in the garden which I have been leaving to its own devices over the last couple of years in the hope of encouraging the few I have seen to increase, so fingers crossed!”

Dave Ferguson reports seeing 1 Essex Skipper at Mop End today.

Jan Haseler chalks up another first sighting for the season: “We saw 3 Chalkhill Blues at Lardon Chase today. There were also some very cooperative Skippers - 1 Small and 3 Essex Skippers perched long enough on grass stems for us to be able to sort them out.”

Mick and Wendy Campbell spent the day dodging rain bursts and managed successful visits to 3 sites, recording well over 100 butterflies of 17 species. They started in Homefield Wood looking for White-letter Hairstreak and were very pleased to record 4, along with Comma; Holly Blue; Large Skipper; Marbled White; Meadow Brown; Red Admiral; Ringlet; Small White and Speckled Wood. They continued on to Aston Rowant and added another 6 species to their list: Small Tortoiseshell; Small Heath (40+); Small Skipper; Large White; Common Blue (female – in good condition); Dark Green Fritillary (2 – pristine condition) and then finally at Bradenham Bank they saw Essex Skipper (2).

Saturday 3^rd July 2004

Jan Haseler was in her garden in Tilehurst today and saw the first 2 Gatekeepers of the season.

A return visit to Penn Wood by Mick Campbell today in search of the Purple Hairstreak was looking fruitless until he moved into the middle of the wood where it was somewhat sheltered from the strong wind. Here he managed to find a single Purple Hairstreak. Also seen were good numbers of Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Large Skippers. A lone Red Admiral was also observed flying in the sunshine at the top of an Oak tree.

Friday 2^nd July 2004

News from David Redhead today: Even in the very windy conditions today we had a couple of Commas, a Small White & Red Admiral in the garden and several each of Meadow Brown, Marbled White, Ringlet & Small Skipper on the adjacent rough grassland plus a single fresh Small Tortoiseshell.

Bird enthusiast Brendan McCartney sent in this butterfly sighting: Thursday 1^st July Ruth and I were out walking in Pheasant Hill Woods, near Hermitage, when we saw our first White-letter Hairstreak.  We'd seen plenty of Meadow Browns and Speckled Woods but were alerted to the very dark wings of this butterfly, As luck would have it, it settled about 3 ft above the ground and right next to the path we were on.  We were able to study it at about 1 foot range, but sadly did not have a camera.  It was a brilliant specimen and it really made our day.

Thursday 1^st July 2004

Dave Wilton had another unsuccessful search for Purple Emperor in Finemere today, but on the plus side he did see a White-letter Hairstreak (on the farm track), six Purple Hairstreaks (all along the main ride) and no less than 17 White Admirals, seven of which were fighting over one small patch of bramble flowers (see photo at top of page).

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