April 2025

[David M]

Monday 7th, Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea:

Speckled Wood 15
Orange Tip 15
Green Veined White 7
Peacock 3
Small Copper 2
Brimstone 1

[David Lazarus]

Those species that hibernate as pupae are easier to explain. For once, being in the west of the country has been an advantage as the winds have been easterly for quite a while now. This has led to clear, sunny days since late March with daytime highs of 15-18c. Speckled Woods, Holly Blues & Orange Tips have made the most of those warm conditions and have appeared in numbers. It was 17c here yesterday but I noted that coastal areas in the east of the country were a mere 12c with moderate winds coming in from the cold ocean. Unsurprisingly, that has retarded the emergence of several species but in time things will catch up.

Thanks for your explanation. Apologies, I didn’t explain what I meant very well. I can understand why the emergence of Speckled Wood, Orange-tip, and Holly Blue are later here in Essex compared to those counties to the west.
What I meant was that at the peak of the total numbers of the emergence from their pupae of those 3 species, I will not record 50 Specked Wood, 45 Orange-tip, and 30 Holly Blue at any site I visit in Essex. Maybe 50 Speckled Wood along the rides at Hatfield Forest on a good day, or 45 Holly Blue if I walk down Eastcliff alley at Holland-on-Sea. But certainly not together during one day at any site in Essex will I expect all three in such numbers. If I do, I will eat my cap.
What is interesting to me is the habitat that supports those numbers at Cwm Ivy, yet does not support high numbers of the other whites at the same time [particularly Green-veined], for instance. Must be to do with larval food plants, habitats, and microclimatic site conditions. I just wondered if you knew?
I wondered, if it is not too much to ask David, if you might either start a Habitat at Cwm Ivy thread [if others are interested] or DM me with some photos of the habitats that support Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, and Orange-tip and a brief description of the plants [what is there and what is not there in terms of LPFS].
I am curious as it does not really make sense to me with my experience of all the butterflies you list being on the wing at the same time at the sites I visit.
The only information I can get about Cwm Ivy is that it used to be a freshwater marsh but the sea wall was breached and it is now a saltwater marsh - which does not really help me a lot.

I look forward to announcing how tasty my cap tastes with tomato ketchup.

[Allan.W.]

First Small Coppers now emerging at Dungeness ,the first (reported) yesterday ,bit breezy and fairly cool in the breeze .In the sheltered areas it was around 12-13 c .Pleased to find seven new Coppers.....our first of the year ,but little else butterfly-wise ,also pleased to see our first (5) Swallows of 25 .Later a circuit of a much quieter Orlestone forest produced 31 Peacocks,4 Orange-tips ,1 Green-Vein,2 Brimstone , surprisingly no Commas.....little else.

'

[David M]

..What is interesting to me is the habitat that supports those numbers at Cwm Ivy, yet does not support high numbers of the other whites at the same time [particularly Green-veined], for instance. Must be to do with larval food plants, habitats, and microclimatic site conditions. I just wondered if you knew?..

It's a bit of an unusual place, David, so best to provide a panoramic image over the whole site:

That channel in the forest has been intentionally cleared to create habitat for insects and birds. If it wasn't there then the site would be far less productive.

I know of no better place for Holly Blues (and that includes the whole of Europe that I am familiar with). They really thrive here, centred mainly in the woodland ride which has copious amounts of both holly and ivy, not to mention lots of sunny perching spots.

The woodland is principally coniferous, although there are some deciduous trees growing where there isn't competition from the pines. This suits Speckled Woods very nicely, and I regularly see 30+ here in the spring.

The site is also full of hollows and depressions where water collects, including the dune area which is known as Whiteford Burrows. Cuckoo flower grows in profusion which explains the high numbers of Orange Tips.

There is NOT much brassica, nor garlic mustard, so perhaps it's not surprising that the Whites only appear in low numbers here.

Commas are fairly ubiquitous, and Red Admirals use the glade to hold territory, with Peacocks also present, although they tend to prefer the sheltered areas outside the glade.

Small Tortoiseshells, by contrast, are infrequently seen, even on the dunes. There ARE nettles, but there are no flowing watercourses at the site which is what generally appeals to this species.

It's a good site for Brown Argus, but not for Small Copper. Dingy Skippers aren't usually too common, but grassland species such as Small Heath, Meadow Brown & Marbled White are all widespread at the right time of year.

There are also Graylings & Small Blues, and I have even recorded a Wall Brown here once.

It is certainly the best butterfly site on the Gower between the beginning of March and the end of April.

[David Lazarus]

Perfect. Thank you David. It now makes sense to me, and I am grateful for how you explained it. It sounds like a fascinating place. It is not a mix of habitat that I am familiar with - very different from those I frequent here in Essex. I am confident that I will not find such a collection of habitats anywhere in Essex - so I think my cap is safe.

[David M]

Perfect. Thank you David. It now makes sense to me, and I am grateful for how you explained it. It sounds like a fascinating place. It is not a mix of habitat that I am familiar with - very different from those I frequent here in Essex. I am confident that I will not find such a collection of habitats anywhere in Essex - so I think my cap is safe.

Probably hard to find that habitat anywhere, David. It's unique to be honest, and whoever had the original idea to open up a tranche within the woodland needs to be knighted for services to nature!

[David Lazarus]

I had another good day out and about in Essex yesterday, with 200+ recorded sightings. This time, for the first time in a while, Peacock sightings were not the highest. At the brassica field at Hadleigh Castle Country Park, that I mentioned on my previous visit, the butterfly jamboree had begun with a field full of whites. I recorded 30+ for those I could identify but there were 100-150 of the same species, with only a couple of Large White having a look at all the fuss.
I had been tempted to Two Tree Island earlier to search for the female Wall that had been reported, but I did not find her. After the festivities at Hadleigh, which strictly speaking was on Hadleigh Farm land on the walk between Belton Hills Nature Reserve and Benfleet Downs, I was once again tempted to see if a Wall would pop out at East Tilbury. The Thames Estuary Path site had ideal conditions and the plants are looking good but the Spring Festival had not begun - maybe in a couple of weeks. What I did find was activity of a Green-veined kind as I did at the brassica field. 100+ seen for the day but I reckon there were more than 200 over the four sites - it was Green-veined White day. If you live in Essex and want to see large numbers of Green-veined White high on mustard oil and the scent of love, then Hadleigh Castle Country Park is for you.

I also managed to get some photos of Green-veined White nectaring on a variety of plants:

Green-veined White
Belton Hills Nature Reserve 07/04/2025

Green-veined White
Belton Hills Nature Reserve 07/04/2025

Green-veined White
Hadleigh Castle Country Park 07/04/2025

Green-veined White
EWT Thameside Nature Discovery Park 07/04/2025

Some were trying to get in on the act:

Green-veined White
Thames Estuary Path near East Tilbury 07/04/2025

And the only butterfly basking on the sea wall was, of course, a Peacock that came second in numbers with about 50:

Peacock
Thames Estuary Path near East Tilbury 07/04/2025

But it really was an amazing day for the mass emergence of Green-veined White everywhere:

Green-veined White
Thames Estuary Path near East Tilbury 07/04/2025

[David M]

...What I did find was activity of a Green-veined kind as I did at the brassica field. 100+ seen for the day but I reckon there were more than 200 over the four sites - it was Green-veined White day...

Wow! I rarely hit double figures for this species, let alone triple!

That must have been some spectacle to see so many.

[David Lazarus]

Wow! I rarely hit double figures for this species, let alone triple!

That must have been some spectacle to see so many.

Yes, it really was something to experience, David. All nice and fresh. There were only a few Large White in the brassicas field last week. It is why I am recommending those who live in Essex to visit. There is also an opportunity to photograph them close up on Bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripte and Greater Stitchwort Rabelera holostea a short walk away in Belton Hills NR.

I have also witnessed a third brood mass emergence along the River Chelmer near me a few times.

Unlike the Cwm Ivy habitat you described above we have large patches of Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiollata in riverine and wet woodland habitat, lots of horticultural and agricultural brassicas escapees, and salt-tolerant brassicas along the Essex Saltmarsh Coast- Green-veined White are unsurprisingly a common butterfly in large areas of Essex.

[David M]

Slim pickings at Merthyr Mawr dunes, near Porthcawl, today with hazy cloud and cool conditions meaning only 4 butterflies were seen:

Grizzled Skipper 3
Small Copper 1

[millerd]

Nothing spectacular locally today, but when investigating the only patch of cuckoo flower along the whole of my walk, I found an egg. As I've yet to see a female Orange Tip (and to be honest, there have been far fewer males around this year thus far). I wondered if this might be from a female GVW - there are plenty of those!

It is in the classic spot an Orange Tip would choose though, so I shall have another look tomorrow to see if it has turned orange (and keep a better look out for female OT! ).

Dave

[David Lazarus]

Very nice photographs of the ova on Cuckoo Flower Cardamine pratensis, Dave.

Which reminds me, before I forget, I heard my first Cuckoo of the year at East Tilbury yesterday.

Yesterday, Tuesday 08th April, I did a little reconnaissance again, this time near Chafford Hundred at Grays Chalk Quarry Nature Reserve and Chafford Gorges Nature Park. It was a visit to a different kind of landscape composed of habitats that I am unfamiliar with - Chalk Quarry and Calcareous Grassland. This is the type of habitat that is now found in less than 1% of Essex, and mostly in the north-west of the county which is difficult for me to get to by public transport. The Grays Chalk Quarry NR is the exception in the south of the Essex. There was not many butterflies there, but I found it a very interesting place that will come into its own when the grassland community is at its most dynamic. I look forward to visiting it again. On the other hand, Chafford Gorges Nature Park was disappointing and did not seem to offer much to support a diverse range of butterflies - no need for me to visit there again.

It is close to East Tilbury, so I took an earlier visit than the one yesterday to see what is happening during the afternoon. I recorded 97 sightings with an even number of Green-veined White and Peacock. Plenty of activity along the sea wall. That is before the Spring Festival begins. On the way there, along a path next to a fence separating the Thames Estuary Path and Mucking Marshes Land Fill/EWT Thameside NDP there was also plenty of action provided by Speckled Wood and Comma.

More Green-veined White courtship and coupling along the sea wall:

Green-veined White pair in cop
Thames Estuary Path 08/04/2025

And my first rescue of 2025 - a very lucky escape for the Peacock below who was caught in a spider's web. I make no apologies for 'interfering' with nature as butterflies need all the help they can get. I suspect this potential victim may be a female looking to place her ova on an appropriate plant but fell into a trap:

Peacock [rescued] female
Thames Estuary Path 08/04/2025

As a gift for rescuing her, she gave me a photo of her recovering on a lichen-covered sea wall before she flew off for more life.

[David Lazarus]

I am lucky to see a single butterfly a day up here in North East Essex. Been so cool and windy.

A very sad man
Julian

I thought I would try the north-east of Essex today with the forecast of 15C sunny intervals and full sun from about 1 o’clock. It was a good chance for me to do some more reconnaissance by taking a look at Middlewick Ranges where I hope to collect some butterfly sighting data to support the argument against a proposed housing development. I found it to be an excellent place, former military-owned land rich in biodiversity.
Still no sign of the sun by midday and it was no more than 13C but felt 11C in the north-easterly wind, and still overcast. I made the most of it and walked to EWT Abberton Reservoir for the first time, there and back, after a circuit around Roman River SSSI (Friday Wood & Cherry Tree Lane), which is one of the best butterfly sites in Essex.
On the return trip the sun finally came out at 2.20.

As Julian quite rightly said, you have to be lucky to see one butterfly a day in the north-east of Essex. It feels like a different country up there.

18 miles of walking, over 6 hours of visiting 3 excellent sites for seeing butterflies.

Total: one Speckled Wood that mistakenly popped out for a brief moment before sensibly calling it a day and headed back into the brambles.

Not all bad, I found a grove of elm of various ages and no sign of Dutch Elm Disease along the route between Abberton Reservoir and Charlotte’s Grove - almost guaranteed to have a colony of undiscovered White-letter Hairstreak there in the summer.

Despite that success, a very sad man.

[David M]

Sometimes you get days like this, especially earlier in the season.

Doing the hard yards is never wasted though. There are always things that you notice for future reference (e.g. a row of elms like you said, David).

I went out for an hour today to check the recent fire damage to my local commons. That was useful as I now know which parts have been hit and which have escaped. Only saw 4 butterflies though; 2 Peacocks and 2 unidentified Whites. For once though, the butterflies were secondary.

[Butterfly_Julian]

I am lucky to see a single butterfly a day up here in North East Essex. Been so cool and windy.

A very sad man
Julian

As Julian quite rightly said, you have to be lucky to see one butterfly a day in the north-east of Essex. It feels like a different country up there.

I decided yesterday, full sun and about 13c, to wander around the field margin behind our cottage. Manly to see if the Green Hairstreak are silly enough to come out, off course not. But was over the moon to see 5 Peacock
Good Elm find, fingers crossed with that search David.

[millerd]

With the cloud lifting ahead of the forecast today, I headed back down to Denbies Hillside, arriving in increasingly warm sunshine. I very quickly found a Green Hairstreak and a couple of Grizzled Skippers, and by following the fenceline at the bottom of the slope managed to see a succession of the latter and then my first Dingy Skippers of 2025. On the far side of the hillside, I found more Hairstreaks plus a couple of Orange Tips and several Peacocks, and on a return traverse I was passed by a Holly Blue and a couple of GVW.

Overall I would estimate I saw at least 15 Grizzlies, 5 or 6 Dingies and 7 or 8 Green Hairstreaks.

More of the day to follow in my PD...

Dave

[essexbutterflyer]

A brilliant day at Malling Down in Sussex today, with Small Copper, Dingy Skipper and Grizzled Skipper all seen.

The day began with 1 Small Copper at Castle Hill NNR (Brighton), and then at Malling, after quite the hike, I found their hotspot. In total there were 5 Small Copper, 3 Dingies, 2 Grizzlies, along with a good supporting cast of Peacock, Whites and a male Brimstone. Also a Comma at Castle Hill, where have they all gone?

Very pleased all in all

[David Lazarus]

Yesterday, 10th April, I was happy to return to the Mediterranean Climate Zone of Chelmsford after my chilly day before in the north-east of Essex with its Arctic winds emanating from Great Oakley. While many of you are already sighting the second wave of Spring butterflies, here in Chelmsford, despite the weather, I am still concentrating my efforts on the plight of the Small Tortoiseshell. With the overcast conditions of the morning gone, I had the opportunity to do a 3-hour thorough search of the riverbanks of the Chelmer in their pursuit. And thankfully, I hit double-figures for the first time with a total of 15 which makes 30 sightings this Spring in the River Chelmer floodplain.

Small Tortoiseshell
2025 Recorded Sightings by Site

I hoped for 100, but thought 50 was more realistic, and 30 was expected and so it turned out. Now that all of the over-wintering individuals will be in flight I am not expecting to see anymore distinct individuals. Obviously, some would have left the area, and many, especially females, I would not have come across - an estimate based solely on gut feelings, probably means there were around 50 Small Tortoiseshell over-wintering along the banks of the River Chelmer where I have been searching [at most]. Enough to recover to double that by next year, hopefully.

Small Tortoiseshell
Baddow Meads 10/04/2025

Small Tortoiseshell
Baddow Meads 10/04/2025

Small Tortoiseshell
River Chelmer 10/04/2025

Small Tortoiseshell
River Chelmer 10/04/2025

Small Tortoiseshell
River Chelmer 10/04/2025

Small Tortoiseshell
River Chelmer 10/04/2025

Small Tortoiseshell
Baddow Meads 10/04/2025

Small Tortoiseshell
Baddow Meads 10/04/2025

There was also time to take my first Orange-tip photo, some nice close-ups of the common whites, Peacock, & Comma.

Orange-tip
River Chelmer 10/04/2025

Small White
River Chelmer 10/04/2025

Large White
River Chelmer 10/04/2025

Peacock
Baddow Meads 10/04/2025

Comma
Meadgate Park 10/04/2025

With the great weather forecast over the next two days, even in the north-east of Essex, I hope you have a great day up at EWT Great Holland Pits, if you have plans Julian. I wanted to get up there myself to see the Brimstone ovipositing on the buckthorn before they disappear, but there are rail replacement buses running.

[David M]

Nice to know there are reasonable numbers of Small Tortoiseshells somewhere in the south of the country, David.

I've still seen just the one!

[David Lazarus]

I've still seen just the one!