Butterfly Conservation - Upper Thames Branch

Sunday 1st June 2008

Jim Asher did the Aston Upthorpe transect on 31st May: "The temperature was about 18C, but little sun and few butterflies in flight. I did see a couple of Dingy Skippers, including one that decided to roost in a hawthorn about 5 feet up - see photo below - not its usual behaviour. Also a couple of Grizzled Skippers, several fresh Common Blue males, and a few Small Heaths."

Dingy Skipper
Photo © Jim Asher

Thursday 29th May 2008

Martin Kincaid and Paul Moon visited Stonepit Field (SP 846 423) in Milton Keynes, Bucks at lunch time (12.40-1.40) today, 29th May: "We went to look for the recently established colony of Small Blues. In beautiful sunshine, we were able to find 12-14 freshly emerged Small Blues, of which three were clearly female. I get the feeling that Small Blue is going to have a good year from what I've seen elsewhere this week (in Bedfordshire - sorry!). We also saw four male Common Blues and singletons of Small White, Orange Tip and Small Copper plus dozens of Burnet Companions. Incidentally, back on 6th May I recorded Grizzled Skipper at this site for the first time and it's certainly one of the best butterfly spots in Milton Keynes these days."

Dave Wilton checked the waste ground to the north of the Calvert Green housing estate in mid-Bucks this afternoon, 29th May: "It produced Dingy Skipper (11), Green Hairstreak (3), Common Blue (13) & Small Heath (2). Day-flying moths included Pyrausta purpuralis (3), Common Heath (2) & Burnet Companion (5)."

Jenni Hignett, BBOWT, sent this first sighting report on 27th May: "My first Painted Lady of the year seen on 9th May at Aston Rowant, Oxon. Plus some of the usual suspects: Comma (1), Peacock (2) and Green-veined White (2)."

On Saturday 24th May at Dancersend, in very windy conditions and with only brief sunny periods, Mick Jones saw his first Large Skipper of the year, a male. "There were still 3 male Dukes of Burgundy - one in each of the usual lekking areas, but looking rather tatty now. Also recorded Dingy Skipper, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Brimstone and Large White. Over the last fortnight I have been able to record 4-7 Dukes on every visit in suitable conditions, always using the same three areas. The peak count was 9 on 11th May. We will soon be focusing our survey on looking for eggs and larval damage. I would appreciate any records from visitors, please contact me at:-

Gerry Kendall and Mike Wilkins led the Field Meeting to Aston Upthorpe Downs on 24th May: "Over twenty people with a good range of experience and ages took part in the recent walk at Aston Upthorpe Down. The day was a bit on the windy side, but not too bad given the recent weather. The party saw thirteen species of butterfly including both the early skippers and Green Hairstreak. This is a couple fewer than the corresponding field trip last year, but must be counted as a success given the conditions. Duke of Burgundy, always a long shot, was not seen and nor was Adonis Blue though we must hope that the latter will appear again this year. There was also a good smattering of moths including Cinnabar, Treble Bar, Angle Shades, and a Common Carpet. One of the Cinnabars came to a sticky end at the hands (or jaws) of a spider as the photograph below shows. The butterfly list for the day was Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Peacock and Small Heath."


Cinnabar Moth eggs Photo © Wendy Wilson	Cinnabar moth taken by a spider Photo © Wendy Wilson	Pyrausta nigrata Photo © Mike Wilkins

On Friday 23rd May Tony Croft, Dave Wilton and Becky Woodell went to look at the Wood White colony near Salden Wood, Bucks: "In rather mediocre weather only six of the target species of Wood White were seen, spread over a distance of about a kilometre. Rather bizarrely, three of them were males perched together on the same grass stem! Can anyone think of a good reason for this odd behaviour? Other species seen in the area included Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Brown Argus, Common Blue & Peacock."

Wood Whites
Photo © Dave Wilton

Monday 26th May 2008

Rien De Keyser visited Grangelands, Bucks, several times during the last few days resulting in the following observations: Thu 22/05: 1 Holly Blue, 2m Common Blue, 1 Dingy Skipper, 1m1f Brimstone, 3 Small Heath. Fri 23/05: 2 Dingy Skipper, 1f Holly Blue, 2m1f Brimstone, 2f Common Blue, 1 Small White, 1 Green Hairstreak. Sat 24/05: 1 Green Hairstreak, 2m1f Brimstone, 1 Small White, 2m1f Common Blue, 2 Small Heath, 1m Holly Blue.

Dave Ferguson reports on his walk in the area of Black Park, Bucks, on 24th May: "My walk around the heathland this morning, 24th, produced c20 Speckled Yellows and c10 Common Heaths. On the rides to the east of the heathland were 5+ Downy Emeralds with 2 more north of the heathland. Singles of Broad-bodied Chaser and 4-spotted Chaser on the heathland pond. Also Large Red Damselflies and Azure Damselflies. Oh ... and 3 Speckled Woods."

David Redhead sent this brief update on Saturday, 24th May: "Just now (at 5pm) I saw my first Common Blue on the grassland between my house (Littlemore, Oxon) and the ring road."

Friday 23rd May 2008

Jan Haseler sent this news today, 23rd May: "I saw 5 Brown Argus and 5 Common Blue at Green Park, Reading today. In 2006, I saw 10 Common Blues for every Brown Argus at this brownfield site. In 2007, it was 4 Common Blues for every Brown Argus. Now they are present in equal numbers."

Helen Hyre sent the following report today, 23rd May: "We haven't seen many butterflies. However, the details below may be of interest.
Wendover Arms near Drayton Beauchamp, Bucks, Weds 21 May between 13.40 and 14.10. There was a gusty cold wind and a few sunny spells - not good butterfly weather. However, I saw 4 Small White, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock. Also 12 Common Blue (I think they were all male). They were mostly in the chalky area near the A41 bypass, some on birdsfoot trefoil. Blue colours were stunning.
Ascott House, Wing, Bucks, Thursday 22 May at approx 16.30. Cool with a few sunny spells. On a grass head my husband spotted our first Small Copper. Both right wings were damaged."

Mike Wilkins did his Lardon Chase transect on Thursday morning 22nd May: "Lots of Common Blues, but apart from Brimstone the rest were off transect: Dingy Skipper, Small Blue and a fresh male Adonis Blue. Also Common Carpet, several Yellow Shells and a Common Swift."

Dave Wilton did a tour around some of the Dingy Skipper colonies in the Bucks Chilterns on Wednesday 21st May: "It produced sightings at Buttler's Hangings (5), Grangelands (3), Aston Clinton Ragpits (2) and Ivinghoe (11). Not great numbers, but then there weren't large quantities of any species to be seen, despite there being a reasonable amount of sunshine. Other butterflies recorded during the day comprised Grizzled Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Peacock & Small Heath. Eleven species of day-flying moth were also seen and their overall numbers were almost equivalent to those of the butterflies!"

Mick & Wendy Campbell and Hazel Hall visited Yoesden Bank on Wednesday 21st May: "It was quite warm and sunny but butterfly numbers weren't high, with Dingy Skipper (11) being the most abundant of the 12 species seen. We had to sit and wait for Green Hairstreak (2) to appear in the top corner of the bank where we usually see them and our only Small Blue of the day was hiding by a hawthorn bush in the opposite corner. Other species seen were Small Heath (8), Orange-tip (8), Peacock (3), Holly Blue (1), Brimstone (3), Large White (2), Green-veined White (1), Common Blue (3) and Grizzled Skipper (3). Probable Small Whites weren't stopping to be counted and no sign of Adonis Blue. Moths included Mother Shipton (1, fresh), Burnet Companion (5), Treble-bar (1) and a number of unconfirmed Carpets and Pyraustas. Also our first Broad-bodied Chasers of the season."

Tuesday 20th May 2008

David Redhead sent this news on 20th May: "After a few dismal days it was nice to see the sun shining this morning and my early morning dog walk produced two Speckled Woods and two Common Carpets by 8:40am, all flying without any encouragement from the dog or me. The first Speckled Wood was at the very start at 7:40am investigating the blossom on the horse chestnut tree at the bottom of the garden - it was still doing the same an hour later. Later in the morning Wendy and I went to Chilswell Valley, an outcrop of calcareous grassland immediately to the west of Oxford. We saw 12 Common Blues, all male bar one, and our first Brown Argus of the year. No other butterflies but 4 species of moth - six Common Heath and singletons of Mother Shipton, Common Carpet & Lesser Treble-bar. Back home in the garden there was a Large White, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Comma and 3 Orange-tips - one a female showing an interest in our Sweet Rocket which has already had three eggs laid on it. Our broad beans were playing host to a Lesser Yellow Underwing caterpillar and a Pyrausta Aurata. In the afternoon I went square-bashing in and around Oxford for just a Holly Blue & Large White but did find some Orange-tip eggs at several locations including Wolfson College Gardens where two patches of Garlic Mustard, carrying 7 eggs and one small caterpillar, had pleasingly been allowed to survive. I have now found Orange-tip eggs in 23/25 of the tetrads in my 10K square - it has actually proved more difficult than I thought it would. I think it suffers a similar fate to the Brown Hairstreak - one of my finds today was a couple of eggs and a 3mm caterpillar on a small road verge clump of garlic mustard - as I left I met a tractor mowing the verge and heading straight for them!" [Moth photos will appear on the Moth Sightings page.]


Orange-tip f. Photo © David Redhead	Orange-tip f. Photo © David Redhead

Liz Goodyear and Andrew Middleton visited the Pitstone area on the Herts/Bucks border on 19th May and sent this interesting report: "A nice early start to get roosting butterflies - only 4 degrees C temperature reading in the car - had the frost warning light up. At 6.45am Andrew saw 2 Grizzled Skippers roosting. In total in 2 hours in Hertfordshire we saw 25 Dingy Skippers initially roosting (teasel x 2, st johns wort x 9, willow herb x 1, thistle x 2 and possibly a michelmas daisy x 1. Then the sun came out and warmed up the Dingys and the remaining 12 or so were mostly basking but two were seen clashing. Also seen were 17 Common Blue, 1 Brown Argus and 6 Small Heath plus Burnet Companion moths. Into the Bucks part of the site and we found 3 Dingy Skippers and 1 Common Blue and 2 Small Heath plus a Cinnabar moth. No more Grizzleds and the weather was pretty unpleasant by now, the sun went in, the clouds came over and it was really cold. Across the road we had a bit of sun for a while and found 4 Common Blue, 8 Dingy Skippers, 4 Small Heath, 1 Burnet Companion and 2 Small Blue, one was roosting and the other nectaring on birds foot trefoil."

Alun & Chrissie March were out early at Aston Clinton Ragpits and Dancersend by mid morning on Sunday 18th May: "Dancersend - 3 Duke of Burgundy, 2 Dingy Skipper, 1 Grizzled Skipper, 1 Orange-tip, 2 Common Blue (1 new female), 4 Brimstone, 6 Large White, 3 Holly Blue (2 female). Most sightings taken around the four meadow quarters adjacent to one of the main entrance points to the reserve. Also, several Burnet Companion moths around. Aston Clinton Ragpits - 2 Common Blue, 2 Large White, 1 Dingy Skipper, 1 Brimstone."

17th May - Tony Croft sent this update on the progress of the wild Brown Hairstreak caterpillars found on his garden blackthorn hedge in Long Crendon, Bucks: "The photo below was taken on 16th May. It's about 1 cm long. I'm seeing three Brown Hairstreak caterpillars almost daily but the fourth one hasn't been seen since May 5th. It was, however, quite deep in the bush on which it hatched and this has grown rapidly, so it may still be in there somewhere."

Brown Hairstreak caterpillar
Photo © Tony Croft

Friday 16th May 2008

Malcolm Brownsword went to two sites on 14th May: "Homefield Wood 14 May (transect): 1 Grizzled Skipper, 1 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 2 Orange Tips, 3 Common Blues, 1 Peacock. Hartslock also 14 May (not transect): Over 20 Dingy Skippers, 4 Grizzled Skippers, 10 Small Heath, 8 Common Blues, 1 Holly Blue. Please note that BBOWT are now leasing the field at the top of the valley. I have only done one transect here so far (it is referred to as 'Hartslock extension') and this yielded zero butterflies!"

Ched George sent the following news on 15th May: "1 Brown Argus at Coombe Hill, Wendover, yesterday (14th)."

David Chandler, Chairman of BC Herts & Middlesex Branch, sent this report for Wednesday 14th May: "At Ivinghoe Beacon this morning I found 5 Duke of Burgundies, 3 Dingy Skippers and 1 Grizzled Skipper. I met some BC members from UTB who had been on the site longer and they said that they had seen 20 Dukes. The usual other suspects seen were at Ivinghoe: Brimstone & Small Heath."

Tony Croft & Peter Bugg visited Watlington Hill on the afternoon of 14th May: "When the sun finally came out we saw 4 Brown Argus and a Small Copper."

Richard Soulsby's Swyncombe transect on Wednesday morning, 14th May, had more of interest than previous weeks: "Brown Argus (5 + 3 off-transect), Small Blue (2), Small Heath (15), Green Hairstreak (7), Dingy Skipper (3 + 1 off-transect), Small Copper (2 + 1 off-transect), as well as assorted Speckled Wood, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-Tip, Brimstone, Holly Blue and Small Tortoiseshell. Moths: Common Carpet (10), Green Carpet (3), Pyrausta nigrata."

John Parsons, Newbury, sent the photo below: "It's the larva of the Purple Hairstreak, found on oak leaf in Bowdown Woods on 14/05/2008 - an hour's search didn't produce any more."

Purple Hairstreak larva
Photo © John Parsons

Tim & Colleen Watts were at the Calvert BBOWT reserve (permit only) on 11th May: We saw Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper and Small Heath. We had a good look around the landfill site in the best spots but failed to find our target of Wall Brown."

Grizzled Skipper
Photo © Colleen Watts

Francis Gomme reports that it was very quiet at Bernwood Meadows on 12th May: "However, I did see 1 Common Blue plus Orange-tips, Green-veined Whites, Small Whites and Peacocks."

Richard Soulsby spent a productive hour at the Warburg BBOWT Reserve in Oxon on Monday afternoon, 12th May: "It provided my first sightings this year of Small Heath (5), Grizzled Skipper (7+), Dingy Skipper (6+), and a single male Common Blue, as well as lots of Brimstones and unidentified Whites. Moths included Burnet Companion, Brimstone moth and Pyralid spp. In my garden (in Benson) while mowing the lawn a few days ago, I watched a female Orange Tip laying eggs on Lady’s Smock – I’ll avoid mowing that part of the lawn and follow their progress."

Monday 12th May 2008

John Hemmings sent this report of his weekend's sightings on 12th May: "Saturday 10th: Grangelands – Green Hairstreak (2), Holly Blue (3), 1 ovipositing on Dogwood, Small Heath (2), Brimstones, Orange Tips, Green-veined Whites. Sunday 11th am: Hartslock – Grizzled Skipper (3+), Dingy Skipper (10+), Green Hairstreak (1), Speckled Wood (1), Peacock (3), Small Heath (3), Brimstones, Orange Tips, Green-veined Whites. Sunday 11th pm: Lardon Chase – Small Blue (2) – photo below, Dingy Skipper (2), Brimstones, Orange Tips, Green-veined Whites.

Small Blue
Photo © John Hemmings

Wendy & David Redhead visited BBOWT's Hartslock Reserve on the afternoon of Sunday 11th May: "We had hardly got through the gate before we saw our first Dingy Skipper of the year. The reserve was awash with them and our count by the time we left was at least 40 which we think is the most we have ever seen in one location. Small Heaths (14) were also about throughout the reserve and the far slope even produced 5 Common Blues - both these species were also firsts for us in 2008. Also seen 4 Orange-tip, 3 Holly Blue (which we are seeing everywhere) and 2 Brimstone. There were some day-flying moths about with a pristine Mother Shipton and a little flurry of about four Pyrausta nigrata."

Jim Asher went to Seven Barrows on 11th May: "Little flying other than some Dingy Skippers (about 10 - photo of a mating pair below), two Green Hairstreak (photo below of one ovipositing on rock rose) and one Duke of Burgundy, plus a few Common Blues. I had Grizzled Skipper last weekend at Aston Upthorpe, but saw none today at 7B."


Dingy Skippers (mating pair) Photo © Jim Asher	Dingy Skippers (mating pair) Photo © Jim Asher


Duke of Burgundy Photo © Jim Asher	Green Hairstreak ovipositing on Rock Rose Photo © Jim Asher

Dave Wilton managed to get out for a couple of hours on 11th May to his local disused railway cutting (Westcott, Bucks): "Dingy Skipper (23) and Grizzled Skipper (26) were out in good numbers, I'm relieved to say, and I watched a female Dingy Skipper lay an egg on bird's-foot trefoil. One very lonely male Common Blue and four Small Heaths were the only other items of interest. No sign of Green Hairstreak but it seems to be a very small colony here and I don't normally see the one or two that get recorded until the hawthorn blossom is over and they come down to ground level. Several hornets seen on the move, the first I've noticed this year."

Nick Bowles sent the following report on 11th May: Saturday 10th May - I saw a single Grizzled Skipper in the Calvert drain area in a brief visit. NO Wall Brown. No key species in the Grendon area but I did see Comma laying on Elm. I didn't check to see if an egg was actually laid but she was testing the leaves very purposefully and bending her abdomen around. On Sunday 11th, at Dancersend 2 Duke of Burgundy on anthill at 10am. No other key species despite a walk around the site. At Coombe Hill, Grizzled Skipper 4 and Green Hairstreak 1, plus Small Copper 2. Aston Clinton Ragpits Dingy Skipper 2. Near Pitstone Church Small Blue 3, Dingy Skipper 6, Small Heath 2 and Common Blue."

Francis Gomme called into Dancersend on the afternoon of Saturday 10th May: "Between 15.00-16.00 hours it was overcast and humid but I did see 3 Dukes of Burgundy, plus Small Whites and Large whites, Brimstones and 2 Green-veined Whites."

Lloyd Garvey was at 7 Barrows (BBOWT reserve) on 10th May: "I saw a few singles of Dingy Skipper, Holly Blue, Small Copper, Small Heath plus 3 Brimstone and a Common Carpet."

Dennis Dell sent this photo on 10th May: "It shows the typical 'prayer mode' of a Purple Emperor larva in May."

Purple Emperor larva in 'prayer mode'
Photo © Dennis Dell

Thursday 8th May 2008

At Hartslock this morning, 8th May, Francis Gomme recorded: "12+ Dingy Skipper, 4 Grizzled Skipper, 5 Green Hairstreaks, 3 Small Tortoiseshells patrolling upper slope, 5 Small Heaths, 2 Holly Blues, Brimstones, Peacocks, Orange Tips, Large Whites and 2 Green-veined Whites."

Welcome to the website new contributor Nikola Middlemast: "A colleague of mine recommended I send you some photos I took of a breeding pair of Green-veined White butterflies. The photos were taken at Coley Park in Reading on the 8th May 2008 12:00ish."

This report from Tom Stevenson arrived this morning, 8th May: "Another new one for the year - and I still haven't seen Comma! This is one of my favourites - a Small Copper down my Benson (Oxon) allotment this morning."

Dennis Dell and Dave Wilton visited Ivinghoe Beacon, Steps Hill and Pitstone Hill, Bucks on 7th May: "Three very fresh-looking Dukes of Burgundy were found at Ivinghoe, but the "butterfly of the day" was definitely the Green Hairstreak with 41 recorded across the area (34 of them in one small area on the edge of Pitstone Hill!). Other butterfly species seen during the day comprised Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper (including a mating pair), Brimstone, Small White, Orange-tip, Holly Blue, Peacock, Speckled Wood & Small Heath. Day-flying moths included Adela reaumurella, Burnet Companion & Small Purple-barred."

Tom Stevenson found an hour on 7th May to have a look at Swyncombe: "No Skippers which is what I was hoping for but 3 Green Hairstreaks and a Small Heath. A single Peacock and Holly Blue and about 5 Brimstone (only one female). I have known it better but it was quite windy up there. I attach a couple of photos - although the Green Hairstreak is not good it is in flight!"


Green Hairstreak Photo © Tom Stevenson	Small Heath Photo © Tom Stevenson

Mick & Wendy Campbell went to Aston Upthorpe on Wednesday 7th May: "No Duke of Burgundy seen unfortunately, but good numbers of Green Hairstreak (11). There were surprisingly few Skippers on site - despite the warm and sunny weather - just a single pristine Dingy Skipper and 3 Grizzled Skippers, one of which was ovipositing (photo of the egg below). Other species seen were: Orange-tip (6), Brimstone (9), Peacock (5), Green-veined White (3), Small Tortoiseshell (1) and Holly Blue (3)."


Green Hairstreak Photo © Wendy Campbell	Grizzled Skipper Egg Photo © Wendy Campbell

Malcolm Brownsword saw the following at Hartslock on 6 May: "4 Brimstone, 2 Orange Tip, 1 Holly Blue, 2 Small Heath. I was told there were Green Hairstreaks around, but I did not find any."

7th May - Nigel Partridge reports that he went for a late afternoon walk around Park Wood and surrounding area on Monday 5th May: "16 Peacocks, 9 Brimstones, 1 Comma, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and a few Whites I didn't get a chance to ID."

Robin Carr went to Dancersend on 6th May and saw one Duke of Burgundy.

Dave Wilton went to the disused railway cutting near Salden Wood, south-west of Milton Keynes, on Tuesday 6th May: "Four Wood Whites were active in the sunshine, while other species seen included Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock, Comma and Speckled Wood. Day-flying moths comprised Grapholita jungiella, Common Heath and Cinnabar."

Tony Speight sent this update on 6th May: "Having had the first sightings only last week it was great to have 19 Dingy Skipper as well as a Large White, Holly Blue and Peacock on my transect at Sands Bank. Also seen were Brimstone and Speckled Wood but not on transect. I also went to another wood in High Wycombe today (6th May), Castlefield Wood and saw 4 Large White, 5 Orange Tip, 16 Speckled Wood, 2 Peacock and a Holly Blue."

Alun & Chrissie went to Dancersend on Monday 5th May: "The butterfly count was 15 Brimstone, 9 Green-veined White, 4 Small White, 9 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Speckled Wood, 11 Orange Tip and 1 Small Copper (on the extension meadow) - a pristine specimen."

Richard Soulsby sent the following report for 5th & 6th May: "At last some decent weather, so on the 5th May I explored “empty” tetrad SU5898 (near Stadhampton, Oxon) for the 10k square SU59. This yielded seven species: Peacock (7), Brimstone (2), Large White (2) and one each of Small White, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood. This morning (6th) my garden in Benson was buzzing with Holly Blues and at lunchtime I did the Swyncombe transect yielding: Orange Tip (3), Holly Blue (1), Speckled Wood (1), Green-Veined(?) White (1), Brimstone (4 + lots off-transect), Peacock (3) and Green Hairstreak (1)."

Wednesday 7th May 2008

Mick Jones is carrying out a detailed survey of Duke of Burgundy at Dancersend this year:
"Sunday 4 May - Saw the first Duke of Burgundy (a male) of the year in mown paths on Anthill. Also saw Peacocks, Brimstones, Orange Tip and Green-veined White.
Monday 5 May - Couldn't visit until 4:00 - no sightings of Dukes, but did add Speckled Wood and Green Hairstreak (2) to our list.
If people would like to contribute to the survey at Dancersend, I can supply a recording form and detailed map for noting sightings. Please contact me at :-

Dave Wilton paid another visit to the disused railway west of Westcott, Bucks on Monday afternoon, 5th May: "This visit met with some success in that I found, at last, a single Dingy Skipper although there was still no sign of Grizzled Skipper. More of a surprise was a pair of Small Heaths (the photo below was the best I could manage), while other active species there included Brimstone, Large White, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Holly Blue, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell. Moths included Esperia sulphurella, Pyrausta purpuralis, Common Carpet and Common Heath (six seen, evenly split between males and females). Even our garden saw some variety amongst the butterflies today, with Brimstone, Large White, Orange-tip and a pair of Holly Blues making appearances. The Large White, which has been something of a rarety around here so far this year, paused briefly for the camera."

Small Heath
Photo © Dave Wilton Large White
Photo © Dave Wilton

David Fuller reported the following butterflies on 5th May: "Odney Island Cookham 03/05/08 male Common Blue ( first of the year for me), male Brimstone. My garden in Maidenhead 04/05/08 Peacock, male Orange Tip, Small White and female Holly Blue and on 05/05/08 Holly Blue female, Green-veined White (first of the year for me), Peacock, male Orange-tip and Small White."
David Gantzel reported the following on 5th May: "Holly Blue at Hazlemere and at Little Kingshill Arboretum on Saturday May 3rd; Peacock at Hazlemere Sunday May 4th. All singles."
David Redhead sent these butterfly sightings on 5th May: "On Saturday 3rd May I did the M40 transect but all I saw in Bernwood Forest and on the M40 transect was 4 Orange-tip, 3 Brimstone, 2 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Green-veined White. Once again there was more variety in our garden (Littlemore, Oxon) with 2 Comma, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Orange-tip, 2 Peacock and singletons of Brimstone, Green-veined White, Large White and Speckled Wood. On Sunday 4th May we had a Brimstone egg-laying on the buckthorn in our garden and the Orange-tip egg count on the garlic mustard in our garden has risen to 26. Although the first Orange-tip eggs were laid on the 23rd April none has yet hatched."
Saturday 3rd May 2008

Ched George had the following sightings today near Lodge Hill, Bucks: Duke of Burgundy 1, Green Hairstreak 1, Dingy Skipper 1, Grizzled Skipper 1.
Nick Bowles went along the Chiltern ridge today, 3rd May: "I discovered Grizzled Skipper (at least two) at Coombe Hill near Wendover, but failed to find Green Hairstreak, Dingy or Duke. Amazed to see both Coltsfoot and Horseshoe vetch in flower about 30m apart at Aston Clinton Ragpits. Plenty of Brimstones (8) and Peacock (7) about with fewer, but still several, Orange-tips (4) and a solitary Speckled Wood and Green-veined White."
Tony Croft saw his first Green Hairstreak of the season at Wytham Woods (Oxon) this afternoon, 3rd May.
Derek Brown reported the following today, 3rd May: "I saw a couple of Grizzled Skippers at Decoy Heath (Berks) this afternoon, 3rd (picture not great unfortunately)."

Grizzled Skipper
Photo © Derek Brown

Tony Speight sent the following report on 3rd May: "After about half an hour of walking on Sands Bank, High Wycombe and seeing only one butterfly on what was quite a dull morning (Saturday 3rd May), I was pleased to see my first Dingy Skipper of the year and within the next fifteen minutes my total butterfly count had improved to Peacocks (2), Brimstones (6) and Dingy Skippers (2)."

Dingy Skipper
Photo © Tony Speight

Tony Croft sent this update on 1st May: "Of the original 19 Brown Hairstreak eggs laid in my Bucks garden last summer just 10 survived the winter. Of those, 6 have hatched and this Brown Hairstreak caterpillar is believed to be from the first hatching which took place on April 17th and is 2-3mm long. By our adopted convention when monitoring caterpillars we give them names from A to Z so this is Agnetha."

Brown Hairstreak caterpillar
Photo © Tony Croft

On 30th April Dave Maunder reported some butterflies seen since the 14th around Aylesbury: "Peacocks (25); Small Tortoiseshells (6); Comma (1); Brimstones (male - 5, female - 2); Orange-tips (3); Large Whites (2 - 1 on 22nd, 1 on 27th); Small Whites (8), Green-veined Whites (6); Holly Blue (1, on 26th) and my first Speckled Wood of the year at Coombe Hill on 27th April."
Tuesday 29th April 2008

Judith Barnard, BC Beds & Northants Branch, saw a number of butterflies in Willen, North Bucks, yesterday, 28th April: "I saw 2 Peacocks, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and two Speckled Woods (flying around each other)."
Nigel Partridge sent this news on Sunday 27th April: "Some butterflies have started to appear thanks to the sun this weekend. Saw our first Holly Blue yesterday (26-4-08, picture attached), whilst today, 27th, Orange-tip and Large White were firsts for the year."

Holly Blue
Photo © Nigel Partridge

John Ward-Smith sent the following report on Sunday 27th April: "In and around Bracknell over the past few days I have seen plenty of Peacocks and Brimstones. But also there have been singletons of Orange-tip at Moss End, Warfield on 23rd April, Speckled Wood at Wishmoor Bog on 25th April, and Holly Blue in my Bracknell garden on 26th April."
David & Wendy Redhead saw the following on Saturday 26th April: "There was a Large White in our garden in Littlemore, Oxon, on Saturday before I went to do the Aston Upthorpe Transect which only produced Brimstones and Peacocks plus one Small Tortoiseshell and one Comma plus two Green-veined White off transect - no Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper or Dingy Skipper. On Sunday 27th in our garden, Wendy recorded: Brimstone, Orange-tip (male & female), Holly Blue, Green-veined White, Large White, Peacock and Speckled Wood. We then went to Slade Camp to check the Brown Hairstreak eggs and in the allotments (where three of the eggs have been laid) we saw 3 Brimstone, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Orange-tip to bring Wendy's species total to an impressive 8 for the day."
On Saturday 26th April, Rien de Keyser saw his first Brimstone butterfly of the year at Christ Church College in Oxford.
Saturday 26th April 2008

This news just received from Nick Bowles: "A real breath of spring at home here in Tring today. In Wendover Woods a large forest area about 2 crow-flying miles west of Tring (but in Bucks not Herts.) today, 26th April: Brimstone, un-id'd Small or Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood. I also visited Bucks sites which have colonies of Grizzled & Dingy Skippers, Green Hairstreak, and Small Copper, but no sign of any. Simply more of the same species as above. No sign of Holly Blue anywhere. Slow worm and Grass snake, Buzzard, Red Kite and my first singing Whitethroats of the season added to the fun. No species of particular interest yet, but at least Orange-tip and Speckled wood now under my belt for the year."
Tony Speight, Parks Ranger for Wycombe District Council, sent the first UTB Green Hairstreak record of the year on Friday 25th April: "I was pleasantly surprised to get my first Green Hairstreak sighting of the year today (25/4/08) while on Sands Bank in High Wycombe. So far this year I had only managed to see 2 other species on the site namely Peacock and Brimstone, both of which were also seen today."
On 25th April Derek Brown sent the photo below of a male Orange-tip, seen in his garden in Beenham, Berks, on 18th April.

Orange-tip (male)
Photo © Derek Brown

On 25th April Becky Woodell reported on her butterfly season to date: "My garden in Oakley, Bucks, has so far this year produced 1 Brimstone, 1 Comma and 2 Peacocks. My Whitecross Green Wood transect on 23rd April had 10 Brimstones, 22 Peacocks, 1 Comma, 2 Orange Tips, 1? Green-veined White (time 1 hr). Oakley Wood on 22nd - 9 Brimstones, 5 Peacocks, 2 Commas (1 hr)."
On Tuesday afternoon, 22nd April, David Redhead walked the Swyncombe Down transect: "Just two Brimstones and three Peacocks in 70 minutes. Before leaving home, in 10 minutes I managed 4 Green-veined Whites (my first of the year and from their behaviour I suspect it was three males after a female), a male Orange-Tip, a female Brimstone, a Comma and a Peacock and on my return in 5 minutes there were two Commas and a female Brimstone - I think on a timed count basis that makes the butterfly population in my garden nearly 50 times that at Swyncombe Down with over twice the variety! In the afternoon I walked the Shabbington Wood transect for 1 Brimstone and 6 Peacocks."
Dennis Dell reported as follows on 22nd April: "At last, 18 degrees and 100% sunshine! I expect those of us who weren't having to work, rushed out to enjoy the welcome sunshine and warmth which has eluded us so far. During my Finemere Meadows transect I saw the 'usual suspects', mostly Peacocks [13] which, as other members have reported, does indeed seem to be abundant this spring. I also agree with the dearth of Red Admirals: I also did not see any."
Dave Wilton sent this news on 22nd April: "Finally, a warm and sunny Spring day! A transect at Waterperry Wood, Oxon produced Brimstone (5), Green-veined White (2), Peacock (9), Comma (3), Speckled Wood (1), while road-side sightings in Bucks on the way there and back comprised Brimstone (6) and Orange-tip (2). The disused railway west of Westcott Airfield brought more of the same, with Brimstone (2), Green-veined White (1), Orange-tip (1), Peacock (16) and Comma (2), but unfortunately there was no sign yet of Grizzled or Dingy Skipper. Back home at Westcott, Bucks I saw Brimstone (1), Peacock (3) and Small Tortoiseshell (1) to finish the day with 55 butterflies of seven species."
On Tuesday 22nd April Malcolm Brownsword sent these reports: "I saw the following this morning in my garden at West Hagbourne, Oxon, 2 miles south of Didcot: 1 Holly Blue, 1 Brimstone (male). This afternoon at Homefield Wood (18C, almost 100% sun), I saw 5 Brimstone, 11 Peacock (including 2 nectaring on primroses on the grassland area) and 1 Comma. I'm doing transects for BBOWT at Homefield Wood and Hartslock again and will be making extra visits to both reserves, so will send further records."

Peacock
Photo © Malcolm Brownsword

Friday 18th April 2008

Dave Ferguson sent this news on 16th April: "At last - a non-hibernating butterfly. A Holly Blue flew around the garden (Beaconsfield) yesterday (15th)."
Tuesday 15th April 2008

David Redhead said that with the colder weather butterflies were very few and far between today, 15th: "Just singletons of Brimstone, Small White and Peacock in our garden (Littlemore, Oxon) today. On Saturday afternoon 12th April, the Shabbington Wood transect produced just 4 butterflies - two Commas and two Peacocks."
Wendy Wilson sent this interesting update today, 15th: "On June 9th last year I sent you photos of an Orange-tip caterpillar in my Gerrards Cross (Bucks) garden which pupated in my insect cage. The pupa remained there in a north-facing shed all winter and, apart from a fine spray of water occasionally, I left it alone. Two weeks ago the tip went black and I was afraid it had gone mouldy. However, I am delighted to report that a perfect imago emerged safely this morning and crawled up on to my finger and rested briefly. Then came the magical moment when the wings opened to reveal brilliant splashes of orange. After basking on the lawn he spent the next 40 minutes nectaring on forget-me-nots in my garden (ignoring primroses, tulips and grape hyacinths which were also on the menu), before flying off towards Austenwood Common 50 metres away, where there's plenty of garlic mustard in bud. Incidentally, does anyone out there know why one orange wing-tip always looks yellow in digital photos? I have the same problem with Red Admirals. Talking of which, I agree with Dave Wilton that Red Admirals are in short supply this year. I have yet to see one, whereas there are Peacocks everywhere, I saw five today on the common and in my garden."

Orange-tip (m.)
Photo © Wendy Wilson Orange-tip (m.)
Photo © Wendy Wilson

Dave Wilton was in Finemere Wood today, 15th April and recorded the following: "In case no-one else has reported one yet, I saw my first Green-veined White in Finemere Wood this afternoon along with Brimstone (5), Peacock (12) and Comma (7).
Mick & Wendy Campbell had very similar results to Dave's Finemere Wood visit (see above): "We walked from Holton to Waterperry Wood today, 15th April. In the middle of the wood where it was about 12-13C and sheltered from the cool breeze we recorded Brimstone (5 - all males, one nectaring on primroses), Peacock (12) and Comma (10 - one nectaring on Sallow blossom). There were also several Orange/Light Orange Underwing moths flying in the sun and tadpoles in one of the more permanent-looking woodland pools."
David Fuller reports an Orange-tip in his Maidenhead (Berks) garden on Monday morning 14th April, one day earlier than 2007, also a Peacock.
Sunday 13th April 2008

13/04/08 - Butterflies seen in Aylesbury over the last few weeks by Dave Maunder included: Peacocks (5), Small Tortoisehells (12), Brimstones (6) and Small whites (2, 1 on 9th, 1 on 13th).
Wednesday 9th April 2008

Latest news from Wendy Wilson today, 9th April: "The temperature on my car thermometer registered 6.5C when I arrived at Langley Park this morning, Wednesday 9 April, but the sun was shining and the old brick wall in the arboretum there provides a nice sheltered habitat (it must have been 15C warmer there) so it was worth having a look around. I was delighted to see my first Speckled Wood of the season, impersonating one of the dead leaves it was resting on (photo attached). I also saw 5 Peacocks, two in Langley Park and three at Chalfont Heights."

Speckled Wood
Photo © Wendy Wilson Peacock
Photo © Wendy Wilson

John Hemmings reported the following on 8th April: "4 Peacocks, 2 male Brimstones and a pair of Commas (in courtship) on a pleasant spring day at Gomm Valley on 3rd April. Hope they are all still OK since we have gone back to winter!"
David Gantzel sent these sightings on 8th April: "Friday April 4th two Peacocks at Terriers, High Wycombe and two Peacocks and one Small Tortoiseshell at Hazlemere, Bucks."
Anne Booth says they had their first Speckled Wood in the garden (Earley, Reading) on 5th April.
Graham Elcombe sent this news on 5th April: "On 1st April, at BBOWT's Warburg Reserve (near Henley), two Commas on the same bush, one very dark and fresh looking, the other a lot paler (hopefully a male and female). Also, one male Brimstone."
Dave Wilton sent this report on 5th April: "A walk around various sites local to me in Westcott, Bucks yesterday (4th April) produced more than 20 butterflies but they were all still from the hibernating species: Brimstone, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma. Photographs of three of them appear below. After last year's bumper crop, Red Admirals seem to be noticeable by their absence this spring."

Peacock
Photo © Dave Wilton Brimstone
Photo © Dave Wilton Small Tortoiseshell
Photo © Dave Wilton

David & Wendy Redhead have made the following sightings in the first four days of April:
"Tuesday 1st April
Bicester Fields : Peacock 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1. Garden (Littlemore, Oxon) : Brimstone 2, Small White 2, Peacock 1. Scrub near house : Comma 2, Peacock 2. Day total : 5 species, 11 butterflies.
Thursday 3rd April
Garden : our first Orange-tip of the year (a male), Brimstone 2, Peacock 2, Small White 1, Comma 1. Day total : 5 species, 7 butterflies.
Friday 4th April
Bernwood Forest : Brimstone 11 (including our first female of the year), Comma 11, Peacock 9. Garden : our first Holly Blue of the year, Peacock 3, Brimstone 1, Small White 1, Comma 1. Grassland by house : Peacock 1. Day total : 5 species, 39 butterflies.
The current centre of attention in our garden is a large laurel bush in flower and the Holly Blue was flying about in it this afternoon (4th) rather than the nearby holly tree. The Holly Blue was challenged as sighting of the day by a male Bullfinch in the apple tree between the laurel bush and holly tree where it was feasting on the buds and also by five amazingly fresh looking Commas flying about in close proximity in a ride in Bernwood Forest. The attached photo shows an amazingly fresh looking Peacock considering it is nine months old! Sadly from the weather forecast it sounds as though spring is going into temporary abeyance."

Peacock
Photo © David Redhead

Wendy Wilson was in the Chess Valley on 4th April: "I was crossing a footbridge from Herts to Bucks near Sarratt Bottom when a male Orange-tip flew towards me crossing the river in the opposite direction. Luckily I first spotted it while it was still in Bucks! Also in the vicinity were two Peacocks and a Brimstone."
Derek Brown sent this news on 4th April: "We've finally managed a few butterflies in the garden in Beenham (Berks) over the last week or two, including Brimstone, Comma and Peacock and today (4th) Cathy saw a Speckled Wood this afternoon."
At 2pm on Friday 4th April Martin Raper recorded 3 male Orange-tip butterflies in Moor Copse Nature Reserve, Berks.
Tony Croft sent this report on 4th April: "I've just carried out my first transect of the season at Rushbeds Wood in today's lovely sunshine and recorded 10 Peacock; 7 Brimstone and 1 male Orange-tip. On March 31st Josie saw a Brimstone Moth at Chinnor.
On Friday 4th April, Pete Eeles saw 2 Orange-tip (1 male, 1 female), 1 Brimstone (male), 1 Peacock and 1 Holly Blue (male) in his garden in Thatcham, Berks.
On 2nd April David Fuller reported the following: "In my garden in Maidenhead, Berks, on Saturday 29th March I saw Brimstone 2 males, Peacock 2, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell."
Danny Howard was in Abingdon town centre on 1st April and saw his first Peacock of the year fluttering around in the warm sunshine.
Ben Carpenter sent the following report: "I noticed on the butterfly sightings page that Speckled Wood hasn't been seen this year yet. I saw one at Marsh Baldon (nr Nuneham Courtenay which is 5 miles south of Oxford) on the 30/03/2008."
Monday 31st March 2008

This sighting was received from Jim Asher today, 31st March: "I had a very reliable sighting reported today by Michael and Jenny Kelsey from Marcham, Oxon, of a male Orange-tip, amongst other species, at Dry Sandford Pit (Oxon) yesterday 30th March!"
David & Wendy Redhead sent this news from Littlemore, Oxon, yesterday 30th March: "In our garden at about 1.30pm there were 3 Brimstones, 2 Peacocks and a Comma plus a definite sign that spring has sprung, 2 Small White! Wendy & I then popped over to Chilswell Valley where we managed 3 Peacocks, 2 Brimstone plus a Comma and a Small Tortoiseshell - making a total of 15 butterflies and 5 species for the day."
Jim Asher had his first butterfly sightings of 2008 yesterday, 30th March, in Oxfordshire: "One Comma and 5 Brimstones around Cothill area, and two Brimstones and a Peacock in Marcham. I also found a Purple Hairstreak egg on a small oak near Hitchcopse Pit."

Comma
Photo © Jim Asher

Saturday 29th March 2008

On Thursday afternoon, 27th March, Wendy & David Redhead saw a Comma sunning itself on the gravel paths in their vegetable garden in Littlemore, Oxon.
Maureen Cross sent this transect report on 27th March: "The sun shone so today I did my first transect on Lardon Chase (Berks), butterflies none, bumblebees 5 or could they have been butterflies in fur coats? Who would blame them?"
Dave Wilton sent the following on Thursday 27th March: "Until today I'd given up hope of seeing any butterflies at all this month. However, as the temperature achieved a sweltering 12C in this afternoon's sunshine I decided to spend a couple of hours in Finemere Wood and managed double figures! Brimstone (3), Peacock (1) and Comma (6)."
26th March - this late news received from Dave Ferguson: "I saw a Small Tortoiseshell near Aston Abbots (Bucks) on Feb 28th. Also recently a Peacock but unfortunately I didn't note the details. I am going to have to fit butterflying around surveying for the Bird Atlas for the next four years. This could be interesting - atlasing takes you to places you don't normally go to."
[There are still a few grids left that need surveying for the next Butterfly Atlas - if you enjoy getting out in the sunny countryside, even if it's just for an hour or so in your spare time, then perhaps you can help? Wendy]
Wednesday 20th March 2008

Ched George sent the following report on 17th March: "Sue recorded a male Brimstone in our Radnage garden on Saturday, March 15th. I see there are several reports for 14th and 15th on the website already."
Sunday 16th March 2008

Mike Wilkins had a Brimstone in his garden (Abingdon, Oxon) yesterday, 15th March.
Mick Campbell saw a Brimstone and Peacock near the river in Thame on 15th March.
David Fuller reports seeing a male Brimstone in his Maidenhead (Berks) garden on 14/03/08.
Pete Eeles sent this news yesterday, 15th March: "At last - my first butterfly of the season! A female Brimstone flying around my garden (in Berkshire) at midday, getting some nectar before the heavens opened."
Judith Barnard of the Beds & Northants branch of Butterfly Conservation saw two separate Brimstone butterflies in Willen Park and Bolbeck Park, Milton Keynes on Friday lunchtime (14th March).
Monday 10th March 2008

On Saturday 1st March Wendy Redhead saw a Red Admiral sunning itself on a gravel path in her garden in Littlemore, Oxford.
Dave Wilton sent the following report on 27th February: "I thought the sheltered rides at Rushbeds Wood, Bucks might produce a Brimstone or two in today's good weather but instead I found this Comma soaking up the sun. Perhaps last night's earthquake disturbed its slumber!"

Comma
Photo © Dave Wilton

Saturday 23rd February 2008

Mary Payne sent the following report on 18th February: "I saw a Small Tortoiseshell yesterday afternoon (Sunday 17th Feb) in some scrubland by the Watermead lake, Aylesbury."
Saturday 16th February 2008

On 13th February Maureen Cross sent the following sightings: "On Friday 18th January I saw a Peacock flying outside my kitchen window. Looking at the sightings page I think it was possibly the first of the year and can only assume it ventured out on a day when, although it was cloudy, the temperature was unusually high for January. Yesterday, 12th Feb, I encountered 2 Red Admirals in Streatley which was much more understandable as it was a nice warm sunny day."
11th February: David & Wendy Redhead saw their first butterfly of 2008 on Saturday 9th February: "There was a male Brimstone flying around for about 10 minutes in our garden in Littlemore (Oxon) about midday today."
Don Otter reports seeing a Red Admiral flying at Steps Hill (Bucks) on Monday 11th February.
On Monday February 11th David Gantzel saw a male Brimstone in his garden in Hazlemere (Bucks).
10th February - Tim & Colleen Watts report seeing the following butterflies: "A Brimstone at Whitchurch on 9/2/08 and a Peacock at Waddesdon Manor on 9/2/08."
Thanks to Dave Wilton for the following report: "On Saturday 9th February species champion Stuart Hodges led a group of eight intrepid (some might say foolhardy) UTB members in a search for Black Hairstreak eggs at Finemere Wood. The final egg tally was two, accounting for 12 man-hours of searching time and proving yet again just how difficult it is to find this stage of the butterfly's life cycle. The first egg was discovered within 60 seconds of the start and if we'd given up at that point it would have improved the statistics no end!"
This news came from Bill Parry on 10th February: "I saw a Comma in my garden in Feilden Grove, Oxford, on Wednesday (6th Feb.) and two male Brimstones this afternoon (10th)."
Richard Soulsby saw his first butterfly of the year on 10th February: "It was a Small Tortoiseshell flying in a Benson (Oxon) garden."
Rien De Keyser sent this news on 10th February: "I saw a Red Admiral flying around on Headington Road, between Morrell Avenue and Marston Road (between Oxford and Headington) on 30/01/08. My only butterfly this year so far..."
On 9th February Dave Maunder sent the following report: "Over the last two lovely spring-like days I've managed to see in Aylesbury Peacocks (2), Brimstone (1), male, (in St Mary's churchyard), and a Comma - all seen today (9th), except one Peacock seen yesterday by my wife in our garden. Not a bad start to the butterfly year!"
Dick and Val bodily saw a Brimstone on Saturday 9th February in their garden at Shenley Lodge, Milton Keynes.
Friday 8th February 2008

David Gantzel saw an active Red Admiral at Hedsor garden centre in Bucks today, 8th February.
Nigel Partridge sent the following report at 2.30pm today, 8th February: "About an hour ago I saw my first butterfly of the year. A Peacock basking in the sun on one of the walls here at Loosley Row, Bucks."
On 8th February Mick Campbell saw his first butterfly of the season: a Red Admiral flying around a churchyard near Long Crendon, Bucks.
On Friday 8th February Martin & Dee Raper report seeing a male Brimstone flying along the edge of River Field in Moor Copse at noon. It was very sunny and 10C.
This beautiful Reserve is well worth a visit. Click here to see the Moor Copse Nature Reserve website.
This news came from Dave Wilton today, 8th February: "A Brimstone carried out a fly-past through our garden at Westcott (Bucks) this morning which gets me off the mark for this year."
Wendy Wilson saw the first Peacock of the season on Wednesday 6th February. It was flying and basking near Latimer House in the Chess Valley, Bucks.
Sunday 3rd February 2008

Graham Elcombe sent the following on 29th January: "This afternoon, 29th Jan, at Savill Garden (part of Windsor Great Park), I saw a Red Admiral. It was in very good condition and quite active. I think it had been nectaring on a winter-flowering clematis growing on a South-facing wall."
Martin Townsend saw a Small Tortoiseshell flying and basking outside his house in Oxford at 11.55am on 29th January.
On 26th January several UTB committee members attended a guided tour of Finemere Wood in Bucks, during which Wildlife Trust, Forestry Commission and Natural England staff explained some of the work that is being planned for the wood over the next two or three years. Initially two large compartments of Norway Spruce and Corsican Pine will be cleared-felled and allowed to regenerate naturally. The work, which is expected to start at the end of the coming summer, will make a significant inroad into getting rid of most of the conifers that were planted in the 1970s and speed up the process of returning the SSSI to oak woodland. In contrast to previous felling carried out by BBOWT, this time most of the timber will be removed and sold to help fund the operation, so there will be some disruption while the work is carried out. In particular, the main track will need to be strengthened to provide access for heavy vehicles and machinery. Visitors may well experience some inconvenience during the month or so that it will take to fell and clear each of the compartments but the eventual benefits for butterflies and for other wildlife will be immense. Although on a smaller scale, similar work to remove conifers will be carried out at Whitecross Green Wood over the same period. Dave Wilton.
On 27th January Chris Iles reports seeing an unidentified dark butterfly: "Presumably Peacock or Red Admiral, seen in central Abingdon today, flying away from a winter-flowering shrub which had attracted a number of honey-bees."
Work Party Report - Aston Upthorpe Downs, Sunday 27th January: For the second time this winter an Upper Thames Branch work party tackled the encroaching growth on section 6 of the butterfly transect at Aston Upthorpe Downs. With eight members present we even managed to start widening the section in places. As a result of our efforts here, during this and previous winters, much of this area is now a carpet of wild strawberry plants. So it was especially pleasing to read Mike Wilkins' recent transect report which showed that during the summer of 2007 the Grizzled Skipper count, at 87, was the second highest ever recorded in the 16 years the transect has been walked. David Redhead.

The work party takes a well-earned rest!
Photo © Jim Asher

On the morning of 26th January 2008 Robin Dryden led a walk around Langley Park, Bucks: "We were delighted to see a Red Admiral butterfly flying across the 'vista' grassland, heading towards some flowering gorse."
Wednesday 9th January 2008

David Redhead sent the following Brown Hairstreak update for 1st January 2008: "The first Upper Thames Branch Brown Hairstreak egg count of the year at the RSPB Otmoor Reserve on New Years Day managed to set a new record for the hedge alongside the access track in the car park field with 123 eggs as against 74 in 2007, 120 in 2006 and 74 in 2005. The westward hedge, which was cut back last winter, is regrowing but not yet to the extent to have restored the amount of shelter it previously afforded. So the new record is pleasing especially as we can no longer comprehensively search the backside of the hedge as for much of its length it has now grown up to the barbed wire fence. So a case could be made for the comparable figure this year to be about a third higher.

All our egg counts to date this winter have shown either comparable or increased figures to last winter indicating the poor 2007 summer had no deleterious effect on the Brown Hairstreak. From reports received from the West Midlands Branch this seems to be the case as well in Worcestershire but Richard Smith tells me that four egg transects in West Wales show a consistent and extremely significant fall in numbers of 78%.

On the range front Dave Wilton has been going great guns and egg finds have now been made in 153 km squares. This includes 12 extensions of range and several of these are from areas which have been searched in previous winters without success. So further evidence of a gradual expansion in range.