ARCHIVE SIGHTINGS FOR 2006

This page contains the sightings of all the butterflies and moths reported on the main Sightings page during 2006.
Photos submitted during the year can be seen by clicking here.

Click here to return to the current Sightings page.

DECEMBER 2006

Saturday 30th December
RSPB Rainham Marshes, Essex (Grid ref:TQ549790) Brimstone on the wing in the Cordite store area of the reserve. Howard Vaughan
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Essex Birders Yahoo Group)

Woodwalton Fen, Cambs (Grid ref:TL225845) Red Admiral. Kevan Wolstencroft
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cammoths Yahoo Group)

Cambridge (Grid ref:TL426611) Red Admiral in my back garden. Tim Sparks

Braxted Park, Essex (Grid ref:TL855155) Red Admiral. Glyn Evans
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Essex Birders Yahoo Group)

Lawford (near Manningtree), Essex (Grid ref: TM093308) Red Admiral in my garden, Anne Lansdown
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Essex Birders Yahoo Group)

Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire (Grid ref:TL350522) Red Admiral basking and flying at edge of The Gloucesters, Wimpole Estate this morning in mild sunny weather. Val Perrin

Thursday 28th December
Braintree, Essex (Grid ref:TL771204) 1.15 pm - just seen male Brimstone flying in garden. Val and Carl Blamire

Sunday 17th December
Ouse Washes RSPB Reserve, Welches Dam (Near Manea), Cambridgeshire (Grid ref:TL471861) Peacock on the wing this afternoon in the reserve car park. Louise Bacon

Saturday 16th December
Abbey Road, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL461590) Comma seen in front garden of house. Bob Sparks

Grange Farm, Witcham (c. 5miles W of Ely) (Grid ref:TL465800) Red Admiral and Silver-Y flying in the sunshine here. I fear this week may finish them off.....David Hopkins
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cammoths Yahoo Group)

Saturday 9th December
Southend, Essex (Grid ref:TQ854887) Had a Red Admiral flying around my garden in Eastwood today enjoying the December sunshine! Paul Baker
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Thursday 7th December
Billericay, Essex (Grid ref:TQ678951) At about 12:15, there was a Red Admiral flying in the grounds of Billericay Health Centre. It was by then very suuny, but 45mins earlier there had been very heavy hail, rain and thunder. David Petts

Tuesday 5th December
Station Road, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL460572) Two separate Red Admirals between 1.30 & 2pm, the first flying on Station Road in Cambridge, and the second on Regent Street, also in Cambridge town centre. Evan Bowen-Jones

Monday 4th December
Huntingdon Road, Cambridge (Grid ref:TL433601) One Red Admiral seen around midday. Vince Lea

NOVEMBER 2006

Wednesday 29th November
Wickford (NE of Basildon, Essex) (Grid ref:TQ7593) Only the usual common garden birds in my garden, but about midday there were two Red Admirals flying around quite happily. David Petts
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Cambourne (8m W of Cambridge) (Grid ref:TL318597) Had a Peacock flying around the Wildlife Trust Office garden and settled on my window-sill. Not pristine, but not overly tatty. Louise Bacon

Ardleigh Reservoir (NE of Colchester, Essex) (Grid ref:TM035284) Single Red Admiral [& single Common Sympetrum]. Chris Balchin
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Eves Corner, Danbury, Essex (Grid ref:TL783052) Two Red Admirals. Simon Wood
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexMoth Yahoo Group)

Furze Hills, Mistley, Essex (Grid ref:TM123314) One Red Admiral. Chris Gibson
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexMoth Yahoo Group)

Monday 27th November
Colchester, Essex (Grid ref:TM011256) One Red Admiral. Chris Gibson

Thursday 23rd November
Foxton, Cambridgeshire (Grid ref:TL411483) This morning, only a week and a day away from December, there is a SMALL WHITE in my garden just over the border in southern Cambs! Toby Austin

Orton Brimbles area of Perterborough (Grid ref:TL150965) Saw a Red Admiral in the Orton Brimbles part of Peterborough. Trevor Wilson
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cammoths Yahoo Group)

Saturday 18th November
Upminster (Grid ref:TQ571872) Solitary Red Admiral seen in the canopy of an apple tree taking advantage of a brief glimpse of autumn sunshine. Kathryn Grumball

Wednesday 15th November
Melbourn, Cambridgeshire (Grid ref:TL384445) Red Admiral - One individual flew through the grounds of Melbourn Baptist Church this morning. (But none to report from my Foxton garden, where they were regular last week.) Guy Manners
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cammoths Yahoo Group)

Sunday 12th November
Newport, Essex (Grid ref:TL518336) A Red Admiral is in my garden this morning....several others over the last week as well... am looking forward to my first December record of the species! Stephen Patmore

Colne Point, near St Osyth, Essex (Grid ref:TM105124) Red Admiral (1). Glyn Evans
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Thursday 9th November
Holland Haven, Essex (Grid ref:TM220172) Red Admiral (11), Common Darter (4). Bruce Brown

Tuesday 7th November
Writtle, near Chelmsford, Essex A misty, chilly morning but at about 10.00am I had a Red Admiral flying round my garden!
I think it was looking for some sustenance but there is not much left. Richard Bigg

Monday 6th November
Holland Haven, Essex (Grid ref:TM220172) Red Admiral (8), Common Darter (6+). Bruce Brown

Sunday 5th November
The Naze, Essex (Grid ref:TM265234) Red Admiral (11), a few Common Darters. Bruce Brown
Frinton-on-Sea, Essex Red Admiral (2). Bruce Brown

Saturday 4th November
Holliwell Point, Essex Coast (Grid ref:TR025965) Clouded Yellow - one on the sea wall. Brain Churches
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Wednesday 1st November
The Naze, Essex (Grid ref:TM265234) A lot colder, temp.8 and northerly breeze. Red Admiral (34), Painted Lady (5), Comma (1). Bruce Brown

OCTOBER 2006

Sunday 29th October
The Naze, Essex (Grid ref:TM265234) Kestrel catching butterflies in the dell (the large hollow in the undercliff habitat); it crashed down on them as they feed on ivy. Numerous Red Admirals, a few Painted Lady’s, one Clouded Yellow (undercliff, the area immediately south of the tower) and probable Small Heath (farm pool).
Chris Balchin
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Essex Birders Yahoo Group)

Cambridge (Grid ref:TL467613) I had a quick walk along the disused railway line from the Milton Road end, while it is still a wildlife habitat, and I saw 5 species of Butterfly. 1 Brimstone, 1 Large White, 1 Peacock, 4 Commas and at least 10 Red Admirals. The Commas, Peacock and a number of Red Admirals were on flowering Hebe outside the VW garage, the others were along the line. David Heath
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cammoths Yahoo Group)

Grange Farm, Witcham (c. 5miles W of Ely) (Grid ref:TL465800) As I scanned the paddock nearest the house with binoculars this lunchtime, I watched a Dandelion fluttering along in the breeze and realised it was a pristine Clouded Yellow. This prompted a quick trudge around the droves, where I saw 2 Commas, 5+ Small Tortoiseshells, a dozen + Peacocks, 1 pristine Painted Lady, and a good smattering of Red Admirals (which look like they are going to overwinter with us). David Hopkins
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cammoths Yahoo Group)

Earith Washes (c 5miles NE of St. Ives) (Grid ref:TL392754) A brief walk along the washes here this morning provided 2 Red Admirals, a Small Tortoiseshell and a very bright Brimstone. This seems exceptionally late for what I always consider a spring butterfly. Anyone else seen them lately? David Griffiths
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cammoths Yahoo Group)

The Naze, Essex (Grid ref:TM265234) Very sunny and warm temp (16C), slight NW breeze. Red Admiral (76), Comma (5), Painted Lady (16), Small White (4), Speckled Wood (1). Bruce Brown

Wednesday 25th October
The Naze, Essex (Grid ref:TM265234) Very windy, from S/SE. with rain. Red Admiral (8). Bruce Brown

Saturday 21st October
The Naze, Essex (Grid ref:TM265234) Still quite a few Red Admirals about, perhaps 15-20, plus a Painted Lady. Anne Lansdown
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Friday 20th October
Mundon (3 m SE of Maldon), Essex (Grid ref:TL879026) Clouded Yellow (1). Simon Wood
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Essex Moth Yahoo Group)

Thursday 19th October
The Naze, Essex (Grid ref:TM265234) Between 12:00 and 15:00hrs, Quite windy. Red Admiral (56), Small White (1), Comma (1). Bruce Brown

Wednesday 18th October
The Naze, Essex (Grid ref:TM265234) Red Admiral (35+). Bruce Brown

Sunday 15th October
The Naze, Essex (Grid ref:TM265234) Red Admiral (30+), Small White (3), Comma (1). Bruce Brown

Thursday 12th October
Hadleigh Castle CP (Grid ref:TQ810860) A RSPB guided walk yielded Red Admiral (40+) and Clouded Yellow (1).
Alan Shearman (South Essex Community Project Officer, RSPB, Wat Tyler Country Park)
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Essex Birders Yahoo Group)

Shoeburyness, Essex (Grid ref:TQ929839) On a three mile walk today on the seafront from Shoeburyness to Southend dozens of Red Admirals were seen flying south west across the estuary. Bruce Foxall

The Naze, Essex (Grid ref:TM265234) Red Admiral (40+), Painted Lady (4), Small White (6), Speckled Wood (2). Bruce Brown
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Monday 9th October
North Mersea, Essex (Grid ref:TM029153) While conducting Webs count around Mersea island, Clouded Yellow (1).
Glyn Evans
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Sunday 8th October
Millfield, Peterborough (Grid ref:TF188005) Saw a Hummingbird Hawkmoth visiting blue trailing lobelia in my patio pots before heading off to the main garden. I've never seen one before. Mrs Helen Mould

Bathside Bay, Harwich (Grid ref:TM250323) Clouded Yellow (1). Chris Balchin
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Monday 2nd October
Three Rivers Golf Course (S of Maldon), Essex (Grid ref:TL841003) Escaped getting drenched this afternoon and whilst taking the scenic route across the course, I had Clouded Yellow (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Red Admiral (loads), Small Copper (1). Glyn Evans
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Elton, SW of Peterborough (Grid ref:TL089938) The Red Admirals are very welcome. They particularly like our rotting Plums with up to 5 jostling for position at times. Conditions must have been good for breeding this year. What in particular I don't know. Also seem to be good numbers of Common Blues about. I had several at Serpentine BP yesterday and loads at Maxey GP today. Brian Stone

Sunday 1st October
Serpentine BP, Peterborough (Grid ref:TL165943) Still plenty of Clouded Yellows (see report on 9th Sept). I saw at least 5 and managed a few nice shots (see the Photos page). Brian Stone
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cammoths Yahoo Group)

Ramsey Marsh, Essex (Grid ref:TL940058) Clouded Yellow (2). Russell Neave
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Ramsey Marsh, Essex (Grid ref:TL952062) On the S. Blackwater 5 Red Admirals dodging the rain showers between 11.30-12.30. Graham Ekins
(Note from Editor: pers.com.)

SEPTEMBER 2006

Saturday 30th September
Abberton Reservoir, Essex The following sightings were made in the pm and concetrated in 2 locations, Wigborough bay and the Information centre near Layer de La Haye Causeway: Painted Lady (1), Red Admiral (2), Comma (1), Large White (4), No Small Tortoiseshells or Peacocks.
Migrant Hawker (8), Southern Hawker (1), Common Blue Damselfly - several hundred across reservoir (presumably a late hatch), Ruddy Darter (1), Common Darter (4). Graham Ekins
(Note from Editor: taken with observers' permission from posting on EssexBirders Yahoo Group)

Southey (Limbourne) Creek , near Maldon (Grid ref:TL868047) Clouded Yellow 1+, Red Admiral. plus 2 Red admirals in my garden (outskirts of Maldon at Grid ref:TL862049). Russell Neave

Tuesday 26th September
Stretham, near Ely I have just counted 76 Red Admirals on about 20m ivy hedge (Grid ref: TL512744). All appeared in pristine condition with most nectaring on the ivy and a few basking in the sunshine. Quite a sight.
Humming bird hawk and Vapourer around the garden in the last few days. Ian Barton & Kathleen Rosewarne
(Note from Editor: taken with observers' permission from posting on Cammoths Yahoo Group)

Sunday 24th September
Gunners Park LNR, Shoeburyness (Grid ref:TQ932845) We have had a very good year for Small Heath. 29 seen today. Best single day figures for 2003, 2004 and 2006 were 16, 11 and 56 respectively. Bruce Foxall

Saturday 23rd September
Coalhouse Fort, Tilbury, Essex (Grid ref:TQ691766) One Clouded Yellow seen (between 10am and midday). Alan Shearman (South Essex Community Project Officer, RSPB, Wat Tyler Country Park)
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Essex Birders Yahoo Group)

Holme Fen, (near Sawtry, S of Peterborough) (Grid ref:TL205895) A few hours spent here resulted in quite a few butterflies. Top of the list was Small Copper - probably saw 10-12. Also Commas, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell. Vince Lea & Louise Bacon

Wednesday 20th September
Cambourne, Cambridgeshire A good transect for me today - started off with a Red Admiral sun-bathing, then had a couple of Speckled Woods. The open areas were a bit of a dead-zone as its quite breezy, but the grassland in the lee of the wood to finish had three cracking Small Copper and a Brown Argus. Louise Bacon

Grange Road, Lawford (near Manningtree), Essex Another sighting of a Clouded Yellow in my garden (Grid ref: TM093308) – a very worn individual, presumably a different one after all that time (see observation on 28th August 2006).
I’m not on the coast, so am surprised to get this species, although I have a blue-flowered Mediterranean shrub (I think it’s called Ceratostigma willmottianum) which seems to attract them. Anne Lansdown

Tuesday 19th September
Barton, Cambridgeshire The Ivy has just come into flower, and on our ivy hedge today were 8 Red Admirals & 1 Comma. Vince Lea

Sunday 17th September
Devil's Dyke, Newmarket (Grid ref:TL619614) We saw at Devils Ditch between 1 and 4 pm: many small whites, Small Heath (12), Common Blue (8 o/w 2 aberrant), Small Copper (2), Painted Lady (1), Red Admiral (1),Brimstone (1 male), Clouded Yellow (1) - which we thought was a pretty spectacular list for this late in the year - so we thought we would pass it on. Hope this is of some interest. Tim Bergel & Helen Pinder

Hatfield Forest, Essex (Grid ref:TL547202) Clouded Yellow seen 'belting across the car park' in the afternoon. John Slee
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Bishop's Stortford Bird Group Yahoo Group)

Tuesday 12th September
Hadleigh Castle CP (Grid ref:TQ810860) A visit in the pm in good conditions, numerous whites, about a dozen Small Heath, and the crowning glory one Clouded Yellow. Bruce Foxall

Monday 11th September
Little Paxton Pits, Cambridgeshire (Grid ref:TL189625) Camberwell Beauty reported
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cambirds Yahoo Group)

Cambourne & Hardwick, Cambridgeshire This warm September weather has brought a good late brood of several bright species. Transects at Cambourne & Hardwick over the last 2 days have had Brown Argus, Small Copper, Common Blue, and also Small Heaths back on the wing again. Enough to cheer me up after August's dismal showing.....Louise Bacon

Newport, Essex (Grid ref:TL519338) 1 Small Copper on last remains of buddlia in my garden in Cherry Garden Lane, stayed for 5 minutes from 13.52. Tony Smith
(Note from Editor: taken from posting on Bishop's Stortford Bird Club website)

Sunday 10th September
Stansted Airport Lagoons (Grid ref:TL550216) 1F Clouded Yellow,, 1 Large White, 2 Small White, 1M Meadow Brown, 16 Small Heath, 9 Common Blue, 1 Burnet Companion. Mike Harris
(Note from Editor: taken from posting on Bishop's Stortford Bird Club website)

Saturday 9th September
Serpentine BP, Peterborough (Grid ref:TL173945) At least 3 Clouded Yellows and a few Silver Ys were at the western end of Serpentine BP on Saturday along witha good selection of resident leps: Common Blue,Brown Argus, Small Heath, Small Copper. Brian Stone
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cammoths Yahoo Group)

Wednesday 6th September
Stansted Airport Lagoons (Grid ref:TL550216) A fair few Common Blues & Small Heaths still on the wing, single Brown Argus, Small Tort, Red Admiral & most notably, a Small Copper - my first ever here. Stephen Patmore
(Note from Editor: taken from with observer's permission posting on the Bishop's Stortford Bird Group Yahoo Group)

Tuesday 5th September
Gunners Park, Shoeburyness (Grid ref:TQ933846) During a 40 minute walk (11.00 to 11.40) in ideal conditions 85 butterflies (6 species) seen: Small/Green Veined White (23), Large White (1), Small Heath (56), Small Copper(3) Painted Lady (1), Common Blue (1 Female) Bruce Foxall

March, 12m W of Peterborough) (Grid ref:TL418969) A Camberwell Beauty found inside a school sports hall at March (watched for 30 minutes) before being trapped and released out of a window.
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Cambirds Yahoo Group)

Fleam Dyke (Grid ref:TL548541) A great transect, for September; 78 butterflies, 11 species. A bit breezy but warm and sunny all the way, such a nice return to butterfly weather after August!
Fleam Dyke from Fulbourn end to Bedford Gap (otherside of A11): Brimstone (2), Large White (9), Small White (30), GV White (8), Brown Argus (9), Common Blue (3), Chalkhill Blue (4), Painted lady (1), Comma (2), Speckled Wood (3), Small Heath (7), Chalkhill Blues (4 well worn; 2m, 2f). Vince Lea

AUGUST 2006

Monday 28th August
Grange Road, Lawford (near Manningtree), Essex I had a Clouded Yellow in my garden this afternoon (Grid ref: TM093308) – in fact it’s still there this evening, ‘roosting’ on a shrub (if that’s the correct term!). I’m still getting regular visits by Hummingbird Hawk Moths too. Anne Lansdown
(Note from Editor: taken with observer's permission from posting on Essex Birders Yahoo Group)

Sunday 20th August
Stansted Airport Lagoons (Grid ref:TL550216) Large White 2, Small White 1, Clouded Yellow 1F, Common Blue 60+ (probably hundreds more accurate but count from path only), Meadow Brown 20 (all 'fresh' again, no sign of worn out imago's from last visit), Small Heath 7, Silver Y (the only day flying moth). Mike Harris
(Note from Editor: taken from posting on Bishop's Stortford Bird Club website)

Purleigh, Essex (Grid ref:TL836024) Clouded Yellow (s) plus hundreds of Blues also a Hummingbird Hawkmoth.Quite a sight!!
I also saw a couple of small butterflies that i thought were Dingy Skippers. However, according to ' Butterflies of Essex' , they are supposed to be extinct in Essex ?? Awaiting to review film later! Peter Ray-Smith

Hatfield Forest, Essex (Grid ref:TL540198) Silver-washed Fritillary seen on large Buddleia bush by Shell House, near main lake. Ray Addley

Thursday 17th August
Belfairs NR, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex (Grid ref:TQ820876) Editor: We have received a message from Coastal Essex. The explosion of Silver Washed Fritillaries continues, and also a good sighting of White Admiral & Marbled Whites.

I recently spotted a Silver-Washed Fritillary in the woods near my house which has not been seen in Essex since the late 70's and was thought to be extinct. This must be a rare vagrant and I attach my photo together with a White Admiral which has also suddenly started to re appear in the woods. Peter Ray-Smith
Peter Ray-Smith was also kind enough to send in some more recent photos taken around the Leigh-on-Sea area shown on the Photos page

Monday 14th August
Peterborough area Editor: We have received report of a Camberwell Beauty being seen in a Peterborough area garden this weekend. A migrant from Continental Europe, this species has been increasing in numbers in Holland this year, and the first East England sightings came last week from Suffolk.

Tuesday 8th August
Brampton Wood (Grid ref:TL184697) Silver-washed Fritillary. Also a Small Copper and very good numbers of Brown Argus. Malcolm Anderson

Sunday 6th August
Over Railway Cutting (Grid ref:TL381687) At least a dozen Wall's were easily found without much effort. Also present was Common Blue (lots), Brown Argus (2)), Small and Large White (lots), and a couple of Meadow Browns. Mark Hows

JULY 2006

Sunday 30th July
Cambridgeshire has some very funny things going on at present....

Over the past couple of days, we have had sightings of 2 Silver-Washed Fritillary at Bedford Purlieus (W of Peterborough), where they haven't been seen since the 1950's. There has also been sightings just over the border in the SW at the RSPB HQ in Sandy, Bedfordshire. Today, another SWF was seen in a private garden on Buddleia, not that far from Brampton Wood. There is also a report this afternoon of a Swallowtail on Buddleia in St Ives (Huntingdonshire), reported to a national rare bird information service.
It is not known whether these are migrants or releases. however, due to the fact that there are several such unusual observations, and migrant moths are being found all the time at the moment, we should give the benefit of the doubt and call them migrants. Lets hope that some of these become new colonies, especially the SWF at Bedford Purlieus.
Louise Bacon

Saturday 29th July
River Stort (between Twyford Lock & Spellbrook lock) (Grid ref:TL491185) 19 Silver Y's, 15 Small Whites, 1 Small Tortiseshell, 13 Meadow Browns, 8 Painted Ladies, 6 Comma, 2 Small Skippers, 1 Brimstone, 2 Ringlet, 7 Gatekeepers, 3 Essex Skippers, 3 Peacock, 2 Red Admirals. Jono Forgham
(Note from Editor: taken from posting on Bishop's Stortford Bird Club website)

Friday 28th July
Small Tortoiseshell - It seems strange to be reporting sightings of singles of this familiar butterfly, but they are very scarce this year.
Yesterday on the allotment, I saw two! Louise Bacon (added by Ed - in Barton, Cambridgeshire)

Huge numbers of Chalkhill Blues (>1000) flying on Devil's Dyke this year, and reports of one at the 'fledgling colony' on Fleam Dyke.
A male Chalkhill Blue was seen well away from any known colonies on the railway track outside Hayley Wood, West Cambridgeshire Tue 25th July at 7pm (see photo). Dwarfing the 4-5 Brown Argus that were also feeding on Knapweed here.
There have also been about 4 males at the clunch pit in Orwell, South Cambs, which is nice chalk grassland near to Therfield Heath (a big colony), but apparently without any Horseshoe Vetch so probably further wandering individuals.
Vince Lea, Ian Barton & Kathleen Rosewarne, & Val Perrin

Sunday 23rd July
Over Railway Cutting (Grid ref:TL381687) One male Clouded Yellow on the railway line at Over on Sunday and Monday at least. Also dozens of Painted Lady, Peacock and Common Blue.
I have been told of another Clouded Yellow on farmland at Barton (near Cambridge). Vince Lea

Dunmow Railway Cutting (Grid ref:TL612215) On walking from Buttleys Lane E towards Dunmow; Comma (1), Ringlet (1), Speckled Wood (3), Peacock (3), Meadow Brown (2), Green-veined White (1), Small White (1), Red Admiral (1).
At the cutting itself; Small White (7), Peacock (6), Painted Lady (3), Meadow Brown (6), Essex Skipper (3), Common Blue (7), Ringlet (3) and Gatekeeper (2). Tony Moverley

Saturday 22nd July
Stansted Airport Lagoons, Essex (Grid ref:TL550216) 17 species of butterfly on the wing: Painted Lady (12+), Red Admiral (3), Peacock, Small Tort, Comma, Large White, Small White, Brimstone (1m), Speckled Wood, Brown Argus (1), Common Blue (10+), Gatekeeper (40+), Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper (1+), Large Skipper (4) & Ringlet (1) - the latter in a very sorry state, I guess this year's first brood must be virtually over? Stephen Patmore

Sunday 9th July
Hatfield Forest, Essex (Grid ref:TL539198) Liz Goodyear and I joined a National Trust butterfly walk at Hatfield Forest, Essex today, and the highlight over the ringlets, white-letters and purple hairstreaks, was a Silver-washed Fritillary which the group watched as it disappeared up over the trees - Andrew Middleton
(Note from Editor: taken from posting on the Herts & Middlesex BC Sightings page)

Stansted Airport Lagoons, Essex (Grid ref:TL550216) 1 Comma, 50 Meadow Brown, 2 Gatekeeper, 10 Ringlet, 2 Essex Skipper, 10 Small Skipper, 1 The Blackneck, 10+ Silver Y, 1 Early Thorn, 10 Six spot Burnet, Lots Cinnebar caterpillars. Mike Harris
(Note from Editor: taken from posting on Bishop's Stortford Bird Club website)

Saturday 8th July
River Stort (between Twyford Lock & Spellbrook lock) (Grid ref:TL491185) Gatekeeper (3), Cinnabar caterpillars all over the Ragwort, Small Skipper (3), Essex Skipper (too numerous to count), Large Skipper (1), Comma (1), Ringlet (too numerous to count), Red Admiral (2), Small Tortoiseshell (2). Tony Moverley

Sunday 2nd July
Hadleigh CP, Essex (Grid ref:TQ796861) Had a dozen White-letter Hairstreaks at Hadleigh Castle Country Park at approx. Grid ref:TQ785857. Also lots of Marbled whites and a few Large Whites. Mark Hows

Thrift Wood, Essex (Grid ref:TW790017) Over 20 Heath Fritillaries, lots of Speckled Woods and Meadow Browns. Mark Hows

Saturday 1st July
Stansted Airport Lagoons, Essex (Grid ref:TL550216) 3 Early Thorn, 20+ Six spot Burnet, 60+ Meadow Brown & 1 Small Skipper. Mike Harris

JUNE 2006

Thursday 29th June
Old Hall Marshes (N of Tollesbury) (Grid ref:TL962114) Fine summer's day with mod E/SE winds. Slightly hazy conditions. I was sat on the seat by the wind pump and a Clouded Yellow was seen flying strongly up and down low over the counter wall that is right in front of the seat. Brain Churches

Sunday 25th June
Bedford's Park, Romford, Essex. (Grid ref:TQ518923) 2 White-letter Hairstreaks on elms at south end of park this morning - Ian Phillips
(Note from Editor: taken from posting on Herts & Middlesex Branch BC website)

Saturday 3rd June
RSPB Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire. (Grid ref:TL408458) 2 Small Heath, very evident male and female Brimstones, 1 male Orange tip. Doug Radford