Bedfordshire Sightings 2013


Sum of adult butterflies reported via Adnoto by month, once it's over. (Records submitted via other means will be databased at the end of the year but will not contribute towards this table which is easy to calculate from Adnoto's database)...

Species JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAug SepOctNovDec
Brimstone 1 6 92 99 72 24 64 6
Brown Argus 39 8 29 4
Chalkhill Blue 1266346
Clouded Yellow 32 5
Comma 1 1 97 55 14 140 78109 25
Common Blue 250 80 267 10
Dark Green Fritillary 150
Dingy Skipper 93108
Duke of Burgundy 47 9
Essex Skipper 12 1
Gatekeeper 610 396
Green Hairstreak 68 11
Green-veined White 3 33 18 152 103 19
Grizzled Skipper 26 8 1
Holly Blue 2 50 17 5 10
Large Skipper 5 348 22
Large White 5137 95 842 899106
Marbled White 692 12
Meadow Brown 121944 403
Orange Tip 6202 43
Painted Lady 1 12 29
Peacock 1 2154129 22 151 618 1 9 1 2
Purple Emperor 7 1
Purple Hairstreak 11 3
Red Admiral 1 1 11 16 10 43 20 9 19 2 1
Ringlet 42108 81 1
Silver-washed Fritillary 68 28
Small Blue 2102 2 3
Small Copper 2 2 18 34 4 14
Small Heath 15219 146 48 6 2
Small Skipper 238 13
Small Tortoiseshell 1 38 25 10 310 454 21 5
Small White 10 26 25 339 427139 57
Small/Essex Skipper 177 41
Small/G.V. White 4236 51 403 264147 15
Speckled Wood 1129 37 211 118162 8
White Admiral 8 3
White-letter Hairstreak 40 21


As there are now so many records coming in (thank you everyone!) I'm posting representative sets of data rather than all sightings (so please don't be put off if all your records aren't shown here), but I'll highlight notable records as they occur. Please keep reporting all sightings though as all records will go into the database - Keith.


December 2013

24th:
Approx 50 hibernating Small Tortoiseshells and 100 Peacocks found in a tower in Bedford by a Beds Bat Group volunteer doing a bat hibernation survey (DF).

19th:
A Red Admiral seen in flight at The Lodge (MB).

17th:
A Peacock seen sitting in sun on a garage wall in Upper Caldecote (FK).

13th:
A probable Peacock seen in flight at John O'Gaunt golf club, Potton (DK).

11th:
A Red Admiral reported from Totternhoe Knolls (TW).

8th:
A probable Peacock seen in flight at Bromham Lake LNR (MC).

A Red Admiral seen in flight in Clifton (AO).

7th:
A Peacock seen in flight at New Rd, Sandy (TR).


November 2013

27th:
A Peacock picked up from pavement on Horslow Street Potton, alive, and placed on wall (DOM).


October 2013

30th:
Brimstones seen at Mowsbury Hill LNR (JM) and in Langford (JC,APC).

29th:
Brimstone and Peacock seen by Wildlife Trust volunteers while hedgelaying at Sallow Springs NR.

28th:
A Red Admiral at Priory Country Park, Bedford (DOM).

24th:
1 Small Tortoiseshell in a Linslade Garden (REM).

6 Small White, 1 Small Copper, 1 Red Admiral and 2 Comma in Stanford Wood (RM).

1 Red Admiral and 1 Comma in Clifton Village (RM).

Brimstone, Comma and Peacock seen around the edge of the new heath at The Lodge (CC,WG,MK).

1 Brimstone and 6 Peacocks, several of which were warming on the ground, in the Deacon Hill area (GR).

23rd:
1 Red Admiral in Shefford (RM).

22nd:
1 Red Admiral in Clifton (RM).

17th:
17 Small Whites and 1 Red Admiral in Stanford Wood (RM).

15th:
1 male Brimstone seen flying in Sewell Cutting by Wildlife Trust volunteers.

12th:
6 Small Coppers seen during a guided walk on Cooper's Hill led by Gwen Hitchcock (AB,MB).

1 Small Tortoiseshell at Myers Farm Reservoir, Potton (DOM).

2 Small White, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Peacock flying in Clifton village (RM).

10th:
1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma and 2 Speckled Wood in Pegnut Wodd, Potton (DOM).

8th:
4 Small Copper in Cowslip meadow, Houghton Conquest (GR).

7th:
1 Small Copper at Barton Gravel Pit NR (GB).

1 Comma near Brook End and Hatch (FK).

6th:
13 Small White and 3 Red Admiral in Clifton village (RM).

15 Small/Green-veined White, 10 Comma and 1 Speckled Wood in Stanford Wood (RM).

2 Small White in an Ampthill Garden (DW).

1m Brimstone, 1 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood seen around the ponds in Marston Thrift during scrub clearance (KB).

4th:
5 Small White, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell in Clifton village (RM).

4 Small White, 6 Comma, 2 Speckled Wood in Stanford Wood (RM).


September 2013

29th:
1 Large White, 5 Small/Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood in Clifton village (RM).

1 Small White, 4 Red Admiral in Houghton Conquest area (GR).

27th:
4 Comma, 4 Speckled Wood in Sandhouse Lane NR (REM).

1 Small Copper, 8+ Speckled Wood in the Houghton Conquest area (GR).

26th:
9 Small/Green-veined White, 30 Comma, 3 Speckled Wood in Satford Wood (RM).

24th:
2 Large White, 15 Small/Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 6 Comma, 4 Speckled Wood in Clifton village (RM).

17 Small/Green-veined White, 21 Comma, 6 Speckled Wood in Stanford Wood (RM).

2 Small/Green-veined White, 1 Small Copper, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma and 2 Speckled Wood in Sandhouse Lane NR (BH,REM).

23rd:
6 Green-veined White, 1 Large White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Speckled Wood in the Clifton navigation area (RM).

22nd:
1 Large White, 3 Small White, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma in a Langford garden (APC).

1f Brimstone, 1 Small White, 1 Small Copper, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 5 Speckled Wood in Mowsbury Hill LNR (KB).

20th:
14 Small/Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral, 28 Comma, 14 Speckled Wood in Stamford Wood (RM).

18th:
1 Large White, 3 Small White, 2 Comma, 4 Speckled Wood in Old Warden (APC,JC).

16th:
2 Large White, 4 Small White, 1 Comma, 31 Speckled Wood in Pegnut Wood (DOM).

15th:
1 Red Admiral at Houghton Conquest (GR).

1 Small White, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 2 Speckled Wood in scrubby grasslands in Chalton (GB).

12th:
2 Large White, 5 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 2 Brown Argus, 6m,2f Common Blue, 2 Comma, 3 Speckled Wood in Ledburn Pit (REM).

10th:
4 Small White, 2 Small Copper, 2 Brown Argus, 2 Common Blue, 4 Speckled Wood, 6 Small Heath at Sandhouse Lane NR (REM).

1 Large White, 3 Small White, 2 Small Tortoiseshell in a Langford garden (APC).

7th:
3 Large White, 1 Comma, 26 Speckled Wood on Jackdaw Hill, Greensand Ridge (CG).

7 Small White, 12 Speckled Wood in Linslade New Woods (REM).

1 Clouded Yellow at Brogborough No 2 Pit - old landfill site (AG).

5th:
11 Large White, 49 Small White, 1 Comma in Clifton village (RM).

1 Clouded Yellow and Chalkhill Blues on Pegsdon Hills (GB).

4th:
17 Large White, 9 Green-veined White, 3 Comma, 18 Speckled Wood, 1 Ringlet in Stamford Wood (RM).

31 Large White, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Speckled Wood around Clifton navigation (RM).

2nd:
2 Clouded Yellows near Cockayne Hatley (IW).



August 2013

31st:
A tatty male Chalkhill Blue turned up on the Old Warden Tunnel NR transect, a long way from chalk (KB).

29th:
1 Large White, 5 Small White, 1m Common Blue, 1 Painted Lady, 14+ Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock in a Langford garden (AC,JC).

28th:
1 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Brown Argus, 1m,2f Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 Meadow Brown in a small meadow adjoining Cockayne Hatley Wood (IW).

7 Large White, 5m,1f Common Blue, 18m,2f Chalkhill Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 4 Speckled Wood, 6 Meadow Brown on Sharpenhoe Clappers (DK,BK).

2 Large White, 10 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Painted Lady, 29+ Small Tortoiseshell mostly on white buddleia, 2 Peacock in a Langford garden (AC,JC).

27th:
1 Clouded Yellow, 2 Large White, 3 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 1f Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 1 Comma, 4 Speckled Wood, 2 Meadow Brown in a Cockayne Hatley garden (IW).

1 Brimstone, 5 Large White, 15 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock on Buddleia in Potton (DOM).

26th:
2 Large White, 18 Small White, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, 21 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Peacock in a Langford garden (APC,BD).

1m,1f Brimstone, 3 Large White, 4 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 2 Small Copper, 22m,4f Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 12 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Meadow Brown in Ledburn Pit (REM,DSM).

2 Clouded Yellows west of Sharpenhoe Clappers car park (PG).

4 Clouded Yellows near Potton Wood (IW,RR).

25th:
2 Clouded Yellow in grassland on northern edge of Bedford (PW).

40+ Large White, 30+ Small White, 5 Green-veined White, 2 Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 13 Speckled Wood, 3 Gatekeeper, 4 Meadow Brown at Myers Farm Quarry and Sheepsbridge Wood, Potton (DOM).

2 Clouded Yellow, 1 Brimstone, 2 Large White, 5 Small White, 2 Common Blue, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock at Wigmore park (AB,DB).

23rd:
1 Clouded Yellow, 1m Brimstone, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock, 1 Comma, 10+ Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet at Houghton regis quarry (CG,DS).

1 Large White, 2 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 2 Common Blue, 7 Peacock, 1 Comma, 4m,2f Silver-washed Fritillary including a female of the form valezina, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Gatekeeper, 3 Meadow Brown at King's Wood NNR, Heath and Reach (REM).

1 Clouded Yellow flying fast near Cockayne Hatley church (IW,IW).

21st:
4 Large White, 7 Small White, 1 Red Admiral, 15 Small Tortoiseshell, 6 Peacock in a Langford garden (APC).

20 Large White, 15 Small White, 2 Small Copper, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 5 Gatekeeper, 9 Meadow Brown on the Tetworth Hall estate (DOM).

20th:
5 Clouded Yellow, 20 Large White, 2 Small White, 2 Brown Argus, 3 Common Blue, Chalkhill Blues, 2 Red Admiral, 3 Painted Lady, 30 Small Tortoiseshell, 13 Peacock, 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Gatekeeper, 1 Meadow Brown in Houghton Regis Chalk Pit (AD,GC).

1f Brimstone, 2 Large White, 3 Small White, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Peacock and a male Silver-washed Fritillary feeding on white buddleia (REM).

3 Large White, 11 Small White, 21 Small Tortoiseshell, 12 Peacock, 1 Comma in a Langfrod garden (APC).

2m,1f Brimstone, Large Whites, Small Whites, Green-veined Whites, 2 Small Blue, 7 Brown Argus, 7m,4f Common Blue, 8m,3f Chalkhill Blue, 1 Peacock, 8 Gatekeeper, Meadow Browns, 1 Small Heath on Barton Hills (APC).

19th:
A Purple Hairstreak seen at The Lodge (MW). 1 Clouded Yellow, 1 Large White, 3 Small White, 10m,7f Common Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Peacock, 5 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Heath in Marston Vale Country Park (MH).

1m Brimstone, 3 Small White, 13 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Peacock in a Langford Garden (APC,HC).

1 Clouded Yellow and 1 Brimstone seen in Hougton Regis Quarry. Also present were Common Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown. (JP).

18th:
1m Clouded Yellow at Old Warden Tunnel NR (KB).

1 Painted Lady in Shefford (PH).

1 Small Skipper, 3 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 50 Large White, 3 Small White, 2 Purple Hairstreak, 21 White-letter Hairstreak, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue, 1 Painted Lady, 6 Peacock, 1 Silver-washed Fritillary, 8 Speckled Wood, 5 Gatekeeper, 5 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlet in Spanoak Wood (AD,GC).

8m,3f Brimstone, 2 Large White, 1 Small Copper, 3 Small Blue, 6 Brown Argus, 12 Common Blue, 8m,5f Chalkhill Blue, 1 Peacock, 1f Dark Green Fritillary, 11 Gatekeeper, 1 Ringlet, 8 Small Heath in Barton Hills (APC).

3 Large White, 7 Small White, 10 Small Tortoiseshell, 13 Peacock in a Langford garden (APC).

17th:
12 Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Brown Argus, 4 Peacock, 1 Comma, 2 Silver-washed Fritillary, 3 Speckled Wood, 7 Gatekeeper, 2 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet in Odell Great Wood (AD,GC).

15th:
1 Small Skipper, 3 Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Small Copper, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Gatekeeper, 2 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlet in Linslade New Woods (REM).

1 Small/Essex Skipper, 1m Brimstone, 3 Large White, 7 Small/Green-veined White, 1m Small Copper, 1m Brown Argus, 5m,1f Common Blue, 1m Chalkhill Blue(!!!), 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 12 Peacock, 1 Comma, 4 Speckled Wood, 3 Gatekeeper, 2 Meadow Brown in a small clearing beside ride in Maulden Wood (RR,BN).

14th:
8 Large Skipper, 6m,2f Brimstone, 2m,2f Common Blue, 1 Painted Lady, 50+ Peacock, 3 Comma, 4m,3f Silver-washed Fritillary, 3 Speckled Wood, 10+ Gatekeeper, 50+ Meadow Brown, 10+ Ringlet in Marston Thrift (CG,DB).

2 Clouded Yellow at Moleskin/Sharpenhoe Clappers (DC).

1 Clouded Yellow in Heath and Reach (LA,JT).

13th:
1 Essex Skipper, 1 Clouded Yellow, 1 Brimstone, 80 Large White, 60 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, 9 Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Peacock, 3 Comma, 6 Speckled Wood, 50 Gatekeeper, 30 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet in Myers Road Quarry, Potton (DOM).

1 Large White, 2 Small White, 3m,1f Common Blue, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Gatekeeper in Linslade New Woods (REM).

2 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 12 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 3 Common Blue, 1 Painted Lady, 3 Peacock, 2 Comma, 7 Speckled Wood, 7 Gatekeeper, 6 Meadow Brown, 4 Ringlet in Turvey (AD,GC).

1 Clouded Yellow in Knocking Hoe NNR (GB)

11th:
1 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 20 Large White, 1 Small White, 2 White Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock, 4 Comma, 8 Speckled Wood, 4 Gatekeeper, 7 Meadow Brown, 4 Ringlet in Swineshead Wood (AD,GC).

10 Small/Essex Skipper, 1f Clouded Yellow, 1m,1f Brimstone, 20 Large White, 50 Small/Green-veined White, 3 Brown Argus, 10m,2f Common Blue, 500m,500f Chalkhill Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 10 Gatekeeper, 30 Meadow Brown, 2 Small Heath in Houghton Regis chalk quarry (RR).

5 Small/Essex Skipper, 1m Clouded Yellow, 10 Large White, 35 Small/Green-veined White, 4 Common Blue, 100m,100f Chalkhill Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 20 Gatekeeper, 20 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Heath at Barton Hills NNR (RR).

9th:
20+ Small/Essex Skipper, 50+ Small/Green-veined White, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 2 Red Admiral, 20+ Peacock, 2 Silver-washed Fritillary, 2 Speckled Wood, 30+ Gatekeeper, 50+ Meadow Brown, 30+ Small Heath in Marston Thrift and Rectory woods (CG).

A Clouded Yellow was seen near Chalgrave (DH,KH).

8th:
A female Purple Emperor briefly wandered through a garden in Studham (CB,RR).

1 Small Blue, 40 Peacock at Purley centre marsh farm luton, a demolished building site (HGE).

1 Small Skipper, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 65 Large White, 5 Green-veined White, 3 Common Blue, 1 Holly Blue, 37 Peacock, 2 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood, 15 Gatekeeper, 11 Meadow Brown, 9 Ringlet in the area of the navigation in Clifton (RM).

7th:
1 Clouded Yellow in Gordon Field, Bedford (MH).

Approx 5000 Chalkhill Blue in Houghton Regis Chalk Pit (RP,RK).

1 Small Copper in Old warden Park (TS).

On a determined hunt for the species 2 Dark Green Fritillary were found on Blow's Down (CH).

6th:
3 Peacock, 2 Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 Comma in Holcot Wood. Also present were Large White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Ringlet (MP,SP).

5th:
1 Painted Lady in Old Warden Park (TS).

4th:
1 Large White, 3 Small White, 6m Common Blue, 10+ larvae Small Tortoiseshell, 1 adult and 50+ larva Peacock, 2 Comma, 5 Gatekeeper, 6 Meadow Brown in Tiddenfoot WP Peace Meadow (REM,DSM).

1 Large White, 3 Green-veined White, 2 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlet in Mallard Hill, Bedford (RB).

2 Large Skipper, 1m,1f Brimstone, 8 Large White, 12 Small White, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 25 Peacock, 5 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood, 6 Gatekeeper, 14 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlet, 4f,3m Silver-washed Fritillary in Marston Thrift (AB,CB,RR).

A Painted Lady in Stewartby (KB).

3rd:
10 Large White, 8 Small White, 40+ Chalkhill Blue, 24 Gatekeeper, 2 Meadow Brown on Pegsdon Hills (DK,FK).

2nd:
1m Brimstone and 3 Large White at tea rooms in Southill (DK).

1st:
1 Small/Essex Skipper, 10 Large White, 7 Small White, 1 Painted Lady, 6 Peacock, 2 Comma, 1 Meadow Brown in an Upper Caldecote garden (DK,FK).

5 Brimstone, 7 Common Blue, 1 Painted Lady, 2 Peacock, 1 Comma, 1 Marbled White, 1 Ringlet, 1 Small Heath at Knocking Hoe NNR. Also present but uncounted were Large White. Small White, Chalkhill Blue, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown (GB).

1 Large Skipper, 1m Brimstone, 4 Large White, 2 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 14m,2f Common Blue, 14 Peacock, 2 Marbled White, 7 Gatekeeper, 3 Meadow Brown, 6 Ringlet in Ledburn Road Sand Pit (BH,REM).

40 Peacock, 3 Comma, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Small White, 1 Large White and a male Brimstone with a Holly Blue flitting around buddleias in Brunel Rd ind est Bedford (KB).

July 2013

31st:
2 Small Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 3 Small White, 2 Common Blue, 22 Chalkhill Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 11 Marbled White, 3 Gatekeeper, 14 Meadow Brown on Sharpenhoe Clappers (AdeW)

30th:
A female Purple Emperor egg laying on Sallows in Potton Wood. [This is a new wood for the species!]. Also 2 Silver-washed Fritillary. (IW,RR)

A wandering male Chalkhill Blue in Potton Wood (IW).

29th:
A possible wandering Purple Emperor spotted near Blunham (ID).

28th:
4 Small Skipper, 50+ Large White, 50+ Small White, 4 Green-veined White, 10 Purple Hairstreak, 1 White Admiral, 15 Peacock, 2 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Gatekeeper, 50+ Meadow Brown, 20 Ringlet in West Wood (EW,AW).

1 White-letter Hairstreak, 1 White Admiral, 1 Purple Emperor, 3 Silver-washed Fritillary in Chicksands Wood (AD).

2 Large Skipper, 27 Large White, 6 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 1 Common Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 2 Comma, 1 Marbled White, 39 Gatekeeper, 28 Meadow Brown, 18 Ringlet in Sheepsbridge Wood, Potton (DOM,JD).

27th:
4 Small Skipper, 2 Essex Skipper, 6 Large Skipper, 40 Large White, 6 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, 5 Common Blue, 2 Peacock, 6 Marbled White, 19 Gatekeeper, 30 Meadow Brown, 13 Ringlet at Stratton Park Balancing Lake, Biggleswade (DOM).

1f Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 1m Holly Blue in Bedford garden (KB).

15 Large Skipper, 2 Brimstone, 10 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 3 White-letter Hairstreak, 1 White Admiral, 1 Red Admiral, 10 Peacock, 2 Comma, 3 Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 Speckled Wood, 12 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet in Chicksands Wood (JC,PC)

5 Large Skipper, 6 Small/Green-veined White, 2 Peacock, 1 Comma, 1f Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 Gatekeeper, 1m,2f Meadow Brown, 5 Ringlet in College Wood (MH).

A third or fourth-hand report of a Clouded Yellow passing through John O'Gaunt golf course. (Details unconfirmed).

26th:
1 Silver-washed Fritillary at The Lodge (AS).

6 Small Skipper, 2 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 5 Large White, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 1 Comma, 1 Silver-washed Fritillary, 2 Marbled White, 12 Gatekeeper, 3 Meadow Brown, 5 Ringlet in Linslade New Woods (REM).

7 Small Skipper, 4 Large Skipper, 47 Large White, 7 Green-veined White, 2 Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 13 Peacock, 5 Comma, 3 Marbled White, 25 Gatekeeper, 19 Meadow Brown, 12 Ringlet by the Clifon Navigation (RM).

1 Brimstone, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 15 Peacock, 1 Comma on buddleia by Brunel Rd industrial estate Bedford (KB).

25th:
1 pair Small Skipper, 5 Large Skipper, 45 Large White, 44 Small White, 6 Green-veined White, 2 Brown Argus, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 1 Comma, 3 Speckled Wood, 8 Marbled White, 42 Gatekeeper, 71 Meadow Brown, 72 Ringlet in Myers Road Quarry, Potton (DOM).

30+ Large Skipper, 1m Brimstone, 4 Large Skipper, 10 Green-veined White, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 2 Red Admiral, 30+ Peacock, 6 Comma, 5m,1f Silver-washed Fritillary, 10 Speckled Wood, 1 Marbled White, 7 Meadow Brown, 40+ Ringlet in Chicksands Wood (MH).

24th:
20 Large Skipper, Large White, Green-veined White, 8 Peacock, 6 Silver-washed Fritillary, 6 Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet in Potton Wood (APC).

19 Small Skipper, 3 Essex Skipper, 25 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 44 Large White, 34 Small White, 13 Green-veined White, 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 8 Peacock, 11 Comma, 6 Speckled Wood, 27 Marbled White, 63 Gatekeeper, 43 Meadow Brown, 280 Ringlet, 2 Small Heath in Pegnut Wood, Potton (DOM).

A Silver-washed Fritillary flew through Cowslip meadow near Houghton Conquest (GR).

2 White Admiral in Maulden Wood (SR).

23rd:
3 Dark Green Fritillary at Knocking hoe NNR (GB).

7 Large White, 3 Painted Lady, 6 Peacock, 1 Comma, 2 Meadow Brown in Upper Caldecote (DK).

22nd:
A Clouded Yellow flew through the car park at Sharpenhoe Clappers at 1pm (DC,KB).

A Purple Emperor on Dunstable Downs just below the Gateway Centre (WP).

1 Small Skipper, 4 Large Skipper, 4 Large White, 10 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 3 Comma, 1 Marbled White, 1 Gatekeeper, 5 Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet in Henry Smith Park, Potton (DOM).

2 White Admiral and possibly 12 Silver-washed Fritillary in King's Wood, Heath and Reach (RD).

21st:
9 Small Skipper, 5 Essex Skipper, 7 Large Skipper, 10 Large White, 9 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, 2 Purple Hairstreak, 1 White-letter Hairstreak, 1 Brown Argus, 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock, 6 Comma, 6 Speckled Wood, 20 Marbled White, 33 Gatekeeper, 40 Meadow Brown, 42 Ringlet in a disused pit in Deepdale near Potton (DOM,JD).

20+ Small/Essex Skipper, 2 Large Skipper, 1 Large White, 10 Small/Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral, 5 Comma, 4m Silver-washed Fritillary, 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Meadow Brown, 90+ Ringlet in Chicksands Wood (MH).

A Silver-washed Fritillary in a garden in Wrestlingworth (JH, via IW).

3 Dark Green Fritillary on Warden and Galley Hills (AG).

19th:
1 Small Skipper, 2 Large Skipper, 1 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 3 Purple Hairstreak, 1 White Admiral, 2 Comma, 12+ Silver-washed Fritillary (22 sightings), 3 Speckled Wood, 8 Marbled White, 15 Meadow Brown, 36 Ringlet at King's Wood Heath and Reach (BH,REM).

1 Dark Green Fritillary, 1 Chalkhill Blue in Sundon Quarry (LD,GB).

3 Holly Blue in a Bedford garden (AD,GC).

5 Large Skipper, 1 pristine Grizzled Skipper, 1 Large White, 1 Common Blue, 57 Chalkhill Blue, 10 Dark Green Fritillary, 80 Marbled White, 1 Gatekeeper, 20 Meadow Brown, 45 Ringlet, 1 Small Heath at Sharpenhoe Clappers (HG,JG).

18th:
1 Small Skipper, 10 Small/Essex Skipper, 12 Large Skipper, 6 Large White, 1f Purple Emperor, 6 Speckled Wood, 12 Meadow Brown in Chicksands Wood (RL).

17 Small Skipper, 15 Large White, 13 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Comma, 14 Marbled White, 27 Gatekeeper, 19 Meadow Brown, 11 Ringlet by the navigation in Clifton (RM).

1f Large White, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Speckled Wood. 1 Marbled White, 2 Meadow Brown, 5 Ringlet in Linlade Woods (REM).

10 Small/Essex Skipper, 8 Large White, 8 Chalkhill Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 6 Dark Green Fritillary, 2 Speckled Wood, 20 Marbled White, 20 Gatekeeper, 10 Meadow Brown, 20 Ringlet, 4 Small Heath at Sharpenhoe Clappers (APC,Bedford U3A).

2 Small Skipper, 7 Large Skipper, 25 Large White, 20 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral, 9 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 2 Speckled Wood, 25 Marbled White, 22 Gatekeeper, 80 Meadow Brown, 65 Ringlet in Myers Road Quarry and Sheepsbridge Wood, Potton (DOM).

3 or 4 Dark Green Fritillary, with Gatekeeper and about 12 Chalkhill Blue near the Whipsnade Downs car park (PM).

17th:
4 Small Skipper, 12 Small/Essex Skipper, 17 Large Skipper, 17 Large White, 6 Small White, 7 Green-veined White, 1 Small Copper, 1 Red Admiral, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Comma, 8 Speckled Wood, 25 Marbled White, 19 Gatekeeper, 46 Meadow Brown, 320 Ringlet in Pegnut Wood, Potton (DOM).

3 Green-veined White, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet by the River Ouzel, Linslade (REM).

Large White, Small White, 1 Painted Lady being harassed by a Small Tortoiseshell, 10 Small Tortoiseshell, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet at Myers Farm, Potton (DOM).

27 Large White, 1 Holly Blue, 9 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet in a Clifton garden (RM).

16th:
5 Large Skipper, 13 Large White, 3 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 16 Small Copper, 7 Small Tortoiseshell, 8 Speckled Wood, 32 Marbled White, 4 Gatekeeper, 110 Meadow Brown, 125 Ringlet, 6 Small Heath at Myers Road Quarry - Sheepsbridge Wood, Potton (DOM).

3 Small/Essex Skipper, 2 Large White, 1 Small Copper, 2 Comma, 20 Meadow Brown, 4 Small Heath at The Lodge, Sandy (DK,FK).

7 Silver-washed Fritillary on the Potton Wood transect (IW).

14th:
9 Marbled White in grassland around Claphampark Wood (PW).

3 Small Skipper, 7 Large White, 4 Small White, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Gatekeeper, 21 Meadow Brown, 32 Ringlet, 1 Small Heath in Honeydon (AD,GC).

4 Small Skipper, 5 Large Skipper, 1 Large White, 1 Comma, 6 Speckled Wood, 18 Marbled White, 37 Meadow Brown, 54 Ringlet, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Marbled White, 7 Ringlet in Linslade New Woods (REM,DM).

1 Large White, 1 Common Blue, 7 Chalkhill Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 9 Dark Green Fritillary, 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Marbled White, 12 Meadow Brown, 4 Ringlet, 7 Small Heath at Barton Hills NNR (AB,DB).

13th:
3 male Purple Emperor reported from Chicksands Wood (SB). Can I please ask readers to search other woods for Purple Emperors. Visiting Chicksands Wood to see them doesn't add to our knowledge of the species' distribution in Bedfordshire. There may be unknown populations to be discovered. Thanks - Keith

3 Large Skipper, 1f Large White, 1 White Admiral, 3 Comma, 1 Silver-washed Fritillary, 2 Speckled Wood, 6 Marbled White, 5m,1f Meadow Brown, 30+ Ringlet in West Wood (MH).

50 Large Skipper, 6 Large White, 35 White-letter Hairstreak up in the elms/ash/oak trees, 2m Purple Emperor (one reported by someone else), 3 Comma, 15 Speckled Wood, 1 Marbled White, 50 Meadow Brown, 80 Ringlet in Chicksands Wood (EM,AW).

1 Large White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, Dark Green Fritillary, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Ringlet in a Luton garden (HG,JG).

12th:
1 pair of Small White and 5 Painted Lady in a field near Willington (NJ).

11th:
1 Brown Argus, 1 Comma, 2 Common Blue, 3 Gatekeeper, 5 Large Skipper, 39+ Marbled White, 113 Meadow Brown, 2 Painted Lady, 1 Red Admiral, 77+ Ringlet, 19+ Small Heath, 42 Small Skipper, 9 Small Tortoiseshell in the meadows near Kings' Wood Houghton Conquest (GR).

Large Skipper, 2 Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, lots of Marbled White, 1 Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet in the Totternhoe Quarry area (SB).

1 Large Skipper, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 6 Ringlet at Lower Stondon (TL1534); 2 Large Skipper, 1 Large White, 2 Green-veined White, 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 1 Marbled White, 10 Meadow Brown, 7 Ringlet at Lower Stondon (TL1634)(AB,MB).

12 Small Skipper, 9 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 10 Large White, 2 Small White, 3 Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 15 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 3 Comma, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Gatekeeper, 25 Meadow Brown, 19 Ringlet, 1 Small Heath in Yelden (AD,GC).

5 Small Skipper, 4 Large Skipper, 5 Large White, 1 Small White, 2 Red Admiral, 14 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Comma, 3 Speckled Wood, 1 Marbled White, 1 Gatekeeper, 11 Meadow Brown, 21 Ringlet by the navigation in CLifton (RM).

10th:
4 Purple Hairstreak at the top of oaks in Chicksands Wood (PH).

White-letter Hairstreak also seen in Chicksands Wood (SP).

3 Small Skipper, 4 Large Skipper, 2 Large White, 4 White Admiral, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Comma, 2 Silver-washed Fritillary, 11 Speckled Wood, 3 Meadow Brown, 9 Ringlet in College Wood, Northill (AD,GC).

8th:
1 Brimstone, 2 Brown Argus, 3 Common Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Dark Green Fritillary, 2 Speckled Wood, 4 Marbled White, 5 Meadow Brown, 5 Ringlet, 8 Small Heath on Whipsnade Downs (RR).

7th:
The first of my dozen hand-raised Peacocks hatched this morning and is now flying around Bedford (KB).

1 Large Skipper, 3 Common Blue, 2 Dark Green Fritillary, 4 Marbled White, 3 Meadow Brown, 5 Ringlet, 2 Small Heath in old pit at northern part of Barton Hills NNR (RR).

1 male Silver-washed Fritillary near Barton Church (RR).

3 Common Blue, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 6 Dark Green Fritillary, 20+ Meadow Brown, 6 Ringlet, 20+ Small Heath on Barton Hills and surrounds (CG).

6th:
1 Hutchinsoni Comma in Bedford garden (KB).

1 Painted Lady feeding on Mahonia in a Bedford garden (AD).

1 Brimstone, 9 Dark Green Fritillary, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Marbled White, 3 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Heath on Sharpenhoe Clappers (AB).

1 Brimstone, 8 Common Blue, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 50+ Dark Green Fritillary, 10 Marbled White, 4 Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet, 7 Small Heath on Sharpenhoe Clappers (MH).

Gatekeeper seen near Cranfield (AB,CB).

5th:
1m Chalkhill Blue at Knocking Hoe NNR (GB).

2 Small Tortoiseshell north of Ampthill (CG).

2 Small Tortoiseshell in Greenfield (KB).

2 Small Tortoiseshell in Bedford (KB).

3 Large Skipper, 2m Brimstone, 3 Large White, 3 Small White, 8 Common Blue, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Dark Green Fritillary, 1 Speckled Wood,14 Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet, 22 Small Heath at Knocking Hoe NNR (AS).

5 Large Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 3 Large White, 1 Small Blue, 20+Common Blue, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 50+ Dark Green Fritillary, 7 Speckled Wood, 30+ Marbled White, 10+ Ringlet, 20+ Small Heath at Sharpenhoe Clappers (AS).

3+ Small Skipper, 6+ Marbled White, 12+ Meadow Brown, 6+ Ringlet, 1 Small Heath near Houghton House (GR).

3 Marbled White at Knocking Hoe NNR (GB).

Small Skipper seen in Greenfield by Wildlife Trust staff.

4th:
2 Large Skipper, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet in Linslade New Woods (RM).

1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Ringlet, 2 Small Heath in Wigmore Park (AB).

2 Large Skipper in a meadow near Houghton Conquest. Other species nearby were 1 Common Blue, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 20+ Meadow Brown, 2 Speckled Wood (GR).

2m Large Skipper, 4 Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Speckled Wood, 3m,1f Meadow Brown, 12 Ringlet in Ledburn Road Sand Pit, Linslade (BH).

3rd:
1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 3 Speckled Wood, 47 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet, 5 Small Heath in Stanford Wood (RM).

1st:
1 male Silver-washed Fritillary in Chicksands Wood (AH).

1 Large Skipper, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock by the navigation in Clifton (RM).



June 2013

30th:
1 Small Copper in Heath and Reach (MB).

1 Red Admiral and 1 Painted Lady on Deacon Hill (Pegsdon Hills) (GR).

29th:
4 Dark Green Fritillary at Sharpenhoe Clappers (APC,DC,BD).

26th:
1 Small Tortoiseshell on the very edge of Bedfordshire near Gamlingay (DOM).

The Flitwick Moor Peacock larvae are now starting to pupate (KB).

2 Common Blue and 1 Meadow Brown in Cowslip Meadow, Houghton Conquest (GR).

25th:
2 Ringlet and 6 Small Heath in a meadow near Ampthill (CG).

A fresh Red Admiral at The Lodge, Sandy (BC).

7 Small Blue on the Barton Bypass road verges (DS).

1m Orange Tip still flying in Potton Wood (DS).

Small Blues seen and photographed at Knocking Hoe NNR, an unusual location for the species (HG,GB).

Meadow Brown flying by the A6 at Maulden Wood (SR).

Meadow Brown flying by the Bedford bypass (KB).

1 Large Skipper, 1 Large White, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Comma, 6 Speckled Wood, 4 Meadow Brown, 9 Small Heath in Stanford Wood (RM).

24th:
3m Common Blue and 3 Meadow Brown in fields in Shillington (GB).

23rd:
1 Large Skipper, 1 Dingy Skipper, 1 Small Blue, 6m,3f Common Blue, 1 Meadow Brown and 4 Small Heath at Sharpenhoe Clappers (MH).

22nd:
Just 1 Speckled Wood and a probable Large White seen during the invertebrate day at Flitwick Moor. A colony of over 100 Peacock larvae developing well was the bright spot.

19th:
A male Large Skipper seen on the Linslade bypass, with a Brown Argus (RM).

1 Dingy Skipper, 1m Brimstone, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Green Hairstreak, 10 Small Blue, 1 Common Blue, 1 Small Heath in Sundon Pits (TL0427), and 1m,1f Brimstone, 10 Small Blue, 16m,1pair, Common Blue in Sundon Pits (TL0426) (DA).

17th:
A Grizzled Skipper flying at Totternhoe Knolls little hills (SB,JK).

5 Dingy Skipper, 2m Brimstone, 1 Green-veined White, 3 Small Blue, 20m,10f Common Blue, 1 Peacock, 4 Small Heath in Sundon Quarry (RR).

16th:
A male Orange Tip and a Brown Argus both awaiting better weather on seed heads north of Odell. A Red Admiral was seen in flight though. (KB).

15th:
A Dingy Skipper on Warden Hill (DS).

3 Small Blue, 3 Common Blue on Warden Hill (AB,DB)

14th:
1 Large White, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma and 1 Orange Tip larva in Lower Stondon (AB,MB).

4 Large White, 1 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 1 Orange Tip, 1 Red Admiral. 8 Small Heath in Stanford Wood (RM).

On a road verge near Shefford a large population of fresh Common Blues were found. 60 males and 30 females were counted and there were probably more present (RR).

13th:
2 Small Heaths reported from Galley and Warden Hills (LD).

12th:
2 Large White larvae found on garlic mustard in Bedford garden (KB).

1m Brimstone, 1f Common Blue, 2 Small Heath in Sharnbrook (TL0158) and 1 Green-veined White, 2m Common Blue, 6 Small Heath in Sharnbrook (TL0058) (DA,BNHS members).

9th:
6 Common Blue, 1 Small Heath and most interestingly, 7 Dingy Skippers on road verges near Thurleigh, the second new site for the species this season. (PW,PS).

1 Dingy Skipper, 1m Orange Tip, 1 Brown Argus, 13 Common Blue, 6 Small Heath at Knocking Hoe NR (AB,DB).

8th:
11 Small Blue, 6 Common Blue, 3 Duke of Burgundy at Totternhoe Quarry (WA)

7th:
22 Small Heath in Galley and Warden Hills SSSI (TL0925); 1 Dingy Skipper, 10 Brimstone, 1 Common Blue, 10 Small Heath in Galley and Warden Hills SSSI (TL0926); 1 Dingy Skipper in Galley and Warden Hills SSSI (TL0726); All recorded by LD.

6 Dingy Skipper, 1 Orange Tip, 1 Peacock at Sandhouse Lane NR (BH,RM).

2m Brimstone, 2 Large White and tens of Small Blue on scrubby grassland near Sewell (GB).

6th:
3 Brimstone, 1 Small White, 2 Small Blue, 9 Common Blue, 1 Peacock at Houghton Regis quarry (DA).

5th:
21 Large White, 5 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 1 Orange Tip, 3 Holly Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 4 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood, 12 Small Heath in Stanford Wood (RM).

1 Dingy Skipper, 3m Brimstone, 4 Small White, 10 + 1 pair Brown Argus, 6 Common Blue, 12 Small Heath at Knocking Hoe NNR (GA).

4th:
1 Grizzled Skipper, 2 Large White, 1 Orange Tip, 1 Comma, 12 Speckled Wood in Chicksands Wood (CG).

3rd:
11 Dingy Skipper, 8m,2f Brimstone, 1 Small Blue, 3 Common Blue, 1 Speckled Wood at Houghton Regis Chalk Quarry (RR).

2nd:
26 Dingy Skipper, 9 Brimstone, 1 Large White, 4 Small White, 2 Orange Tip, 5 Green Hairstreak, 5 Small Blue, 1 Common Blue, 3 Duke of Burgundy, 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Totternhoe Quarry (TD).

1 Small Copper and 1 Small Heath on Studham Common (RR).

3 Dingy Skipper and 5 Grizzled Skipper at Rookery South pit (SB).

2 Dingy Skipper, 6 Brimstone, 5 Brown Argus, 3 Common Blue and 3 Small Heath on Barton Hills NNR (MH).

1st:
1 Dingy Skipper and 2 Small Heath on Pegsdon Hills (SB).

15+ Dingy Skipper, 3 Brimstone, 2 Large White, 2 Small White, 3 Orange Tip, 5 Duke of Burgundy, 1 Green Hairstreak, 1 Common Blue, 2 Small Blue, larvae of Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 1 Small Heath in Totternhoe Quarry (DG,BB).

4 Dingy Skipper, 4 Brimstone, 2 Large White, 1 Small White, 2 Orange Tip, 9 Small Blue including a pair, 1 Comma in Sewell Cutting (DG).


May 2013

31st:
12 Dingy Skipper, 4 Grizzled Skipper, 10 Brimstone, 2 Green-veined White, 6 Orange Tip, 8 Green Hairstreak, 1 Small Copper, 7 Duke of Burgundy, 2 Peacock on Whipsnade Downs (CW).

2 Grizzled Skipper, 1m,1f Brimstone, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Small White on Dunstable Downs five knolls (GB).

27th:
14 Orange Tip and 1 Brimstone seen during a walk in the Wymington area (PW).

3 Dingy Skipper, 1 Green-veined White, 6m Orange Tip, 1 Comma. 3 Speckled Wood at Sandhouse Lane NR (RM,DM,BH).

5 Brimstone, 12 Large White, 7 Green-veined White, 4 Orange Tip, 1 Duke of Burgundy, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 1 Small Heath at Totternhoe Quarry (AS).

7 Brimstone, 26 Dingy Skipper, 11 Duke of Burgundy, 22 Green Hairstreak, 5 Grizzled Skipper, 1 Large White, 1 Orange Tip, 2 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell on Whipsnade Downs (AB,MB). [All immaculately recorded by 100m squares! - KB]

5 Dingy Skipper, 2m,2f Brimstone, 1 Green-veined White, 2f,2f Orange Tip, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Speckled Wood in Sewell Cutting (PF).

26th:
1 Small Copper on Pegsdon Hills (HG,JG).

1 Large White, 8m Orange Tip, 6 Green Hairstreak, 6 Small Heath in Pedsdon Hills (TL1129) (HG).

3 Dingy Skipper, 1 Brimstone, 2 Large White, 1 Small White, 3m,2f Orange Tip, 3 Green Hairstreak, 6 Small Heath on Pegsdon Hills (TL1229) (HG,JG).

Small Blue, Dingy Skipper, Duke of Burgundy, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip (no abundances provided) in the Totternhoe area (JB).

14 species: 7 Green Hairstreak, 7 Dingy Skipper, 2 Grizzled Skipper, 1 Duke of Burgundy, 6 Brimstone, 12 Orange Tip, 4 Green-veined White, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Large White, 1 Peacock, 5 Small White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Speckled Wood in the Sewell Cutting/Eastern-end of Totternhoe Quarry areas (PG).

25th:
2 Brown Argus, 9 Dingy Skipper, 13 Grizzled Skipper, 6 Green Hairstreak, 6 Brimstone, 5 Orange Tip, 2 Small White, 4 Large White and a Peacock on the Dunstable Downs transect (WP).

4 Brimstone, 1m Orange Tip and 2 Small Heath at Knocking Hoe NNR (GB).

23 Large White, 2 Green-veined White, 9 Orange Tip, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 5 Comma, 4 Speckled Wood in Stamford Wood (RM).

4 Dingy Skipper, 1 Grizzled Skipper, 1m,1f Brimstone, 1 Orange Tip, 1 Duke of Burgundy, 1 Peacock in Totternhoe Old Quarry (DM).

10 Dingy Skipper, 5m,1f Brimstone, 2 Orange Tip, 1 Green Hairstreak, 2 Small Blue, 1 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood at Totternhoe Limeworks (DM).

1 Small Blue, 3 Dingy Skipper, 2 Duke of Burgundy, Large White, Peacock, Brimstone and Orange Tip at Totternhoe (KT).

1 Dingy Skipper at Old Warden Tunnel, a new site for the species (KB).

21st:
1 Large White in Stanford Wood (RM).

1m Brimstone, 1 Orange Tip, 1 Large White at Yarl's Wood (KB).

1 Orange Tip, 1 Large White, 1 Speckled Wood in green lane near Putnoe Wood (KB).

20th:
1 Large White, 1 Orange Tip in Clifton (RM).

19th:
2 Orange Tip and 4 Holly Blue in Potton (DOM).

1 Orange Tip and 1 Holly Blue in Ampthill garden (DW).

1 Orange Tip and 2 Speckled Wood in King's Wood, Houghton Conquest (DW).

1 Brimstone, 18 Orange Tip, 1 Red Admiral, 4 Peacock, 2 Comma in a walk around Roxton (LC).

4 Dingy Skipper, 2 Brimstone, 1 Small White, 2 Orange Tip, 4 Duke of Burgundy, 1 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood in the Totternhoe Quarry area (PF).

2 Dingy Skipper, 2 Brimstone, 1 Duke of Burgundy in Totternhoe Quarry (RR).

1 Dingy Skipper and 1 Duke of Burgundy on Whipsnade Downs (PM).

16th: 1 fresh Dingy Skipper on Knocking Hoe (GB).
4 Orange Tip, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Holly Blue in Potton (DOM).
4 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Orange Tip, 2 Red Admiral, 5 Peacock, 4 Comma in Stanford Wood (RM).

15th: 1 Green-veined White spotted roosting in evening on cow parsley in Flitton Moor (AB,MB).

12th: 2 Orange Tip in Tilwick Meadow and 1 Orange Tip in Robin's Folly (PW).

10th: 7 Comma, 2 Holly Blue, 10 Large White, 3 Orange Tip, 3 Peacock. 1 Red Admiral, 25 Small/Green-veined White, 2 Speckled Wood in Clifton and Stamford Wood (RM).
2 Large White, 7 Orange Tip, 3 Peacock, 2 Comma, 50+ Speckled Wood in Chicksands Wood (RR).
2 Brimstone, 25+ Large White, 5+ Small White, 4 Orange Tip, 2 Holly Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 4 Peacock, 1 Comma, 8 Speckled Wood in Pegnut Wood (DOM).

8th: 1 Comma, 1 Large White, 2 Speckled Wood in Sheepsbridge Wood, Potton (DOM).

7th: 2 Grizzled Skippers at Sandy Smith NR (JP).
On Whipsnade Downs today was a Duke of Burgundy. a Grizzled Skipper, a Dingy Skipper and half a dozen Green Hairstreak (DC).
1 Dingy Skipper, 4 Green Hairstreak and 2 Grizzled Skipper at Whipsnade Downs (CH).
8 Brimstone, 1 Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 2f Orange Tip, 4 Duke of Burgundy, 2 Speckled Wood at Totternhoe Quarry. (GH)
20 Brimstone, 2 Small White, 3m Orange Tip, 2 Duke of Burgundy, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 6 Peacock at Whipsnade Downs (GH).
2 Duke of Burgundy and a couple of Green Hairstreak at Totternhoe (KT).
3/4 Green Hairstreak and 2 Grizzled Skippers at Whipsnade Downs (KT).

6th: 2 Green Hairstreak and 4 Grizzled Skipper at Marston Vale Millennium Country Park. No sign of Dingy Skipper though (KB).
A Grizzled Skipper on Totternhoe Knolls little hills, feeding on poo! (SB,JK).
5 Green Hairstreak between Whipsnade Downs and Dunstable Downs visitor centre (IB).
2 Green Hairstreak and a Holly Blue at Knocking Hoe NNR (GB).
18 Speckled Woods in Chicksands Wood (RM).
Several Duke of Burgundy spotted today at Totternhoe Quarry (DI,SI).
Otherwise 8 Brimstone, 5 Comma, 3 Holly Blue. 2 Large White, 8 Orange Tip, 10 Peacock, 1 Small White reported from around Beds (RB,RM,TP,GB,PB,IB,AB,MB).

5th: A Green Hairstreak reported from Dunstable Downs at lunchtime (JL).

2nd: 10 Brimstone, 4 Comma, 4 Green-veined White, 8 Holly Blue, 12 Large White, 10 Orange Tip, 14 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral, 9 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Small White, 1 Speckled Wood reported today from around Beds (KB,RB,AB,MB,RM,DK,GB,PB,FK).
Brimstone egg found on buckthorn at Priory Country Park (KB).

1st: A fine day:
7 Brimstone, 9 Comma, 4 Green-veined White, 3 Holly Blue, 1 Large White, 17 Orange Tip, 18 Peacock, 2 Red Admiral, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 18 Small/Green-veined White, 2 Speckled Wood from around the county today (KB,NC,RM,LC,AM,RR).


April 2013

30th: 2 Grizzled Skipper seen on the Dunstable Downs transect (WP).

29th: 2 Orange Tip and 1 Peacock near Henlow (AB,MB).
First 2 Green Hairstreak seen at Sharpenhoe Clappers (DC). [Not reported until 7th May - KB]

26th: Speckled Wood at Linslade New Woods, along with 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacocks and 1 Comma (BH,RM). [Exactly one month later than first Speckeld Wood in 2012 - KB].
2 Large White and 1 Holly Blue in an Upper Caldecote garden (DK).

25th: 3 Brimstone, 1 Red Admiral, 18 Peacocks and 9 Commas in Stanford Wood (RM).

23rd: Another hatching:
Orange Tips seen in Maulden Wood (SR) and another in Broom Gravel Pits (DOM). [Exactly one month later than first Orange Tip in 2012 - KB].
28 Brimstones, 16 Commas, 46 Peacocks, 5 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Small Whites reported far and wide on a glorious day (NR, BH, RM, DOM, AO, JOS, KB).

22nd: Peacock in Stanford Wood (RM).

21st: Small Tortoiseshell in Tingrith Wood (SB).

20th: More "hatchings"...
A Large White in an Upper Stondon garden (MB).
A Green-veined White in Clifton (RM), another in Bedford (KB) and also one in Potton Wood (IW).
A Brimstone, Holly Blue and 2 Small Tortoiseshell in a Bedford garden (AD,GC).
22 Brimstones, 21 Commas, 49 Peacocks and 9 Small Tortoiseshells also reported from all over Beds at time of writing. (AB, CG, DOM, RM, KB, IW, ST).

19th: Finally a "hatching"...!
A Small White butterfly with slightly tattered wings lying exhausted in Luton garden. It was fed on watered down honey and was then able to fly (JG,HG).

18th: Still no "hatchings" reported - the previous record (looking back to 1995) for the latest first "hatching", a Speckled Wood, was 5th April 1996, and we are thirteen days beyond that... :
1 Brimstone at The Lodge (CC).
1 Red Admiral and 1 Comma in Stanford Wood (RM).

17th: Small Tortoiseshell by the 17th green on John O'Gaunt golf course (ST).
1 Peacock and 3 Commas at the Myers Road Quarry, Potton (DOM).
2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma and 1 Peacock at Myers Farm, Potton (DOM).
1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Peacock at Drovers Spinney, Shefford (AO).
1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock and 9 Comma in Stanford Wood (RM).
2 Brimstone, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 3 Red Admiral and 6 Comma in Maulden Wood (PG).

16th: 1m Brimstone, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock in Linslade Woods (RM).
4 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock and 6 Comma in Stanford Wood (RM).
1 Brimstone and 1 Peacock in Clifton Park (RM).

15th: Commas suddenly in evidence (only 4 until now, but 12 today).
In Potton Wood were 8 Comma, 10 Peacock and a Brimstone (IW).
In Pegnut Wood was a Peacock and 4 Commas (DOM).
Red Admiral near the 16th green on John O'Gaunt golf course (ST).
Brimstone in Bromham (HMMH).

14th: Warmest day of the year so far:
Brimstone: Old Warden Tunnel transect (KB); Totternhoe Knolls x2 (MH); Heath and Reach (MH); Woodbury Hall (DOM); Clifton x3 (AO); Shillington x3 (GB); Sundon Park (PG); Warden Little Wood (KB); Warden Great Wood (KB); Pegsdon (GB); Claphampark Wood x2 (PW); Deacon Hill/Telegraph Hill x6 (CG,DB);
Comma: Deacon Hill/Telegraph Hill x3 (CG,DB);
Peacock: Clifton (AO); Sundon Park (PG); Shillington (GB); Lower Stondon (MB,AB);
Small Tortoiseshell: Lower Stondon (MB); Claphampark Wood x2 (PW);

13th: Small Tortoiseshell at Priory Country Park (KB).
2 Peacocks sheltering from the wind near Sheerhatch Wood (DK).

10th: Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone in Priory Country Park (NM).
Brimstone near Clifton cricket ground (RM).
Brimstone on John O'Gaunt golf course (ST).
Comma in Shillington (GB).

7th: Another fair day:
Brimstone: 1 on the A428 in Turvey (AD); 1 in Keysoe (RB).
Comma: 2 in a Maulden garden (CG); 1 in Potton Wood (DOM).
Peacock: 1 on Potton Wood transect (IW).
Red Admiral 2 seen in West Wood (PF); 3 in Keysoe (RB).

6th: First nice day for ages:
Brimstone: Male in Shillington (AB); Lower Stondon (AB,MB); 2 males Linslade (JK); Clifton (AO); Blunham (TS).
Comma: Stanford Wood (RM).
Peacock: Stanford Wood (RM).

2nd: Small Tortoiseshell in disused railway cutting at Sewell (GH).


March 2013 < BrimstoneCommaPeacockSmall Tortoiseshell


31st: By this date last year ten species were flying. In addition to the five over-wintering species were Small White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood! If every year was identical life would be boring...

30th: A Peacock held in the hand on a cold day at Priory Business Park, Bedford (MW).

5th: On a lovely day reports flooded in:
Brimstone in: Cardington (RF), Swineshead (AD,GC), Shillington (GB), Totternhoe Knolls (Wildlife Trust volunteers), Linslade x2 (MS), Leighton Buzzard (JL), Barton (BS), Bedford (GC), Upper Caldecote (DK,FK).
Peacock in: Totternhoe Knolls (Wildlife Trust volunteers), and RSPB Sandy (CC).
Small Tortoiseshell in: Priory County Park (NR), Dunstable STW (JL).
Comma in: RSPB reserve Sandy (Anon).


February 2013

19th: A Red Admiral photographed in Bromham (PA).
A Peacock in Shillington (GB).


January 2013

9th: A Comma was sunning itself on the Greensand Trust office walls in Maulden Wood (SS,SR,LM).
A Small Tortoiseshell flying around the hillfort at the Lodge (SB).

8th: An unidentified Nymphalid was seen flying in Old Warden Tunnel NR cutting by the Wildlife Trust volunteers.

5th: A male Brimstone in a Bromham garden, possibly disturbed by gardening (PA).

4th: A slightly dull Peacock in Linslade at 11:50 (BH).

1st: Didn't take long for the first report, a Brimstone at noon today on Pegsdon Hills (KW).