This page is dedicated to sharing first butterfly & moth sightings, unusual sightings and indeed anything you feel might be of interest to others!

If you have any news about what you have seen or if you have a photo to share, please send to:
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If you have been recording butterfly and/or moth sightings throughout the year and wish to send them to us, please see our recording page. We use this information to monitor how well different species are faring, and concentrate our effort on the butterflies and moths that need the most help.
Please Note: These sightings are not picked up as actual records - Please send a full record, with all details, for any of this year's sightings.
We welcome any photos you send in. However, any photo sent is on the understanding that the Branch has permission to use it to promote Lepidoptery in all media forms.
January 2025
Thursday 30th January 2025

Josh Forrester messaged: "Just had a Red Admiral sunning itself underneath a fragrant Mahonia on Weelsby Road in Grimsby. Nearly fell over when I saw it. First butterfly of the year for me!"
Wednesday 29th January 2025
Mark Johnson messaged: "While repointing a brick wall at a property in Haugham this afternoon, I noticed a Common Plume moth on a post nearby."
Sunday 26th January 2025

Laura Gundy emailed: "Whilst out searching for Brown Hairstreak eggs this morning, I came across a female (flightless) Mottled Umber moth perched on a Blackthorn stem in a hedgerow near to Hoop Lane, Wragby. I have never seen one before, so it is a new species for me."
Tuesday 14th January 2025
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Get in! My first butterfly of the year, a Small Tortoiseshell, seen flying in a neighbour's garden in Coningsby today. Although this sighting was slightly unexpected so soon after a couple of weeks of really cold weather, the fact that the temperature had just climbed into double figures and the sun was shining had obviously coaxed this individual out of hibernation."
Pete Smith emailed: "I was out searching for Brown Hairstreak eggs in the Limewoods this morning and was pleasantly surprised to be joined by a Peacock butterfly flying about near the edge of Pleasure House Wood, alongside the B1202 south of Wragby. The time was 10:30am and the temperature, despite still being in single figures at around 8 degrees C, felt pleasantly warm compared to last week! At the risk of jinxing things, dare I say that it isn't long now until spring?"
Derek Fox from Langworth emailed: "Around 10:15am I was stood in the kitchen washing the breakfast pots, when a Peacock butterfly landed in my garden. I did not manage to get a picture. Whether it had been disturbed from somewhere i have no idea!"
Friday 10th January 2025
Dawn Ludlow reported: "Small Tortoiseshell found flying around inside my office at work today at RAF Coningsby."
Sunday 5th January 2025

Laura Gundy emailed: "I donned wellies and waterproofs and went sploshing around a very muddy Sotby Wood today. I was rewarded with a sighting of a young Drinker moth larva. Very cute!
Friday 3rd January 2005
Dave Wright reported: "Literally hundreds of Brown-tail larval webs visible in the scrub on the outer dunes, just north of Saltfleet Haven this afternoon."
December 2024
Boxing Day 26th December 2024
Laura Gundy emailed: "It was a foggy but mild afternoon for a Boxing Day walk today, and everything here at Benniworth Walk Farm is dripping wet. I spotted a moth sheltering under an ivy leaf on a tree trunk - I think a Winter Moth but I didn't want to disturb it too much to look closely. One tree further on there was another one doing the same thing. Now I know they're there I shall keep my eyes peeled for more!"

Christmas Eve Tuesday 24th December 2024
Gary Fenwick emailed: "I was surprised when an Angle Shades landed on my camera bag within my open car-boot, whilst I was at Toft Newton Reservoir this morning! Bizarre!"
Friday 20th December
Dave Wright reported: "This afternoon I popped over to see Laura Gundy at Benniworth Walk Farm, and we were astonished to see a Peacock flying around the yard."
November 2024
Saturday 30th November 2024
Nige Lound emailed: "Another great month at Gib with our 7th County first of the year in Oak Rustic, trapped on 9th and another 4 NNR firsts with Cypress Carpet, Juniper Carpet and long overdue Merveille de Jour! The leaf mine was found, of the excellently well named, Blue-shot Dot (Stigmella plagicolella). Others of note were Clancy’s Rustic on 1st, Radford’s Flame Shoulder again on 3rd, Red Sword-grass on 10th and our 4th record of Marbled Fern (Musotima nitidalis) on 5th. We have done rather well here for migrant moths this autumn as you will see below. Thanks to Martin Gray as usual for advice etc, much appreciated! Migrant Moths at Gib 140924 to 301124: Dark Sword-grass 57, Delicate 261, Radford’s Flame Shoulder 27, Gem 17, Clancy’s Rustic 27, Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl) 58, Scarce Bordered Straw 33, Silver Y 29, Pearly Underwing 2, Stigmella plagicolella (Blue-shot Dot) 1, Musotima nitidalis (Marbled Fern) 4, Convolvulus Hawk-moth 11, L-album Wainscot 6, Euchromius ocellea (Silver-spotted Veneer) 3, Angle Shades 177, White-point 27, Diamondback 11, Rush Veneer 95, Turnip Moth 2, Dark Spectacle 3, Small Mottled Willow 9, Rusty Dot Pearl 11, Ypsolopha sequella (Pied Rabbit Moth)1, Satellite 7, Spoladea recurvalis (Banded Sable) 1, Merveille de Jour 1, Oak Rustic 1, and Red Sword-grass 1."
Tuesday 26th November 2024
Dave Wright reported: "Late news from Ian Shepherd, a friend who lives in Cleethorpes, who contacted me regarding a sighting of a Holly Blue in his garden on Monday 11th November. He was in disbelief at first, but managed to see it on a number of occasions."
Monday 25th November 2024
Toby Ludlow emailed: "The season continues! On a walk around Moor Farm Nature Reserve, spotted a Red Admiral sunning itself on the ground, trying to shelter from the cold wind."

Thursday 14th November 2024
Derek Fox emailed: "Two Red Admirals in the garden this morning, one nectaring on rotting fruit and the other one just sunning itself."

Mark Johnson emailed: "My nephew, Jamie, borrowed my trap last night and put it in his grandparents garden in North Somercotes. He caught three moths, 1 Beaded Chestnut, 1 Silver Y, but the highlight was this Cypress Carpet."

Wednesday 13th November 2024
Dave Wright reported: "Following an early morning visit to Donna Nook NNR, Chris Atkin and I had a walk along Haven Bank in Saltfleet and came across two butterflies making the most of the unseasonal warm and sunny conditions - a Comma and Red Admiral. Later, we moved on to Rimac and met up with Toby Ludlow in the hope of seeing Wall for probably the last time this year. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful, although Toby had seen a Small Tortoiseshell at Quarry Hill earlier."

Monday 11th November 2024
Dave Wright reported: "My first ever November Wall this morning, sheltering from the cool NW breeze along Haven Bank in Saltfleet."
Toby Ludlow emailed: "After 2 weeks of anticyclonic gloom, the sun finally made a prolonged appearance, which forced the lower overnight temperatures up into double figures. So with the sun shining and the skies an azure blue, I paid a visit to Moor Farm Nature Reserve and was rewarded with a sighting of a Peacock flying low over the heath. Fortunately, it decided to land in front of me and bask on the ground. Later, a trip to Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve also yielded a single butterfly, but this one was a Red Admiral. Or should I more accurately say, half a Red Admiral!

Mark Brandon emailed: "Just had a Small Tortoiseshell on the Cosmos in our North Somercotes garden making the most of the November sun."

Friday 1st November 2024
Chris Atkin messaged: "Wall successfully ticked for November! Two seen at the same time at Quarry Hill, Rimac."

Pete Roworth messaged: "Around midday, I had 2 Red Admiral and a Wall at Sea View."
October 2024
Thursday 31st October 2024
Nige Lound and Sam Goddard reported: "Great mothing fun at Gibraltar Point NNR throughout the month with 4 County firsts and plenty of common and scarcer migrants keeping us entertained. The highlights were as follows: Clancy's Rustic - NNR 1st record on 16th, then 4 overnight 23rd, 5 on 24th, 3 on 25th, 2 on 28th, and 2 on 30th. So a total of 17 in October. Delicate - 19 on 6th, 22 on 25th and 34 on 28th. Must be breeding here??!! A total of 230 in September and October. L-album Wainscot - County first on 7th, then singles on 8th, 23rd, 24th and 28th. So 5 during October. Radford's Flame Shoulder - confirmed as a County 1st on 6th, then a much fresher specimen on 23rd, and 2 more on 25th. Then 9 on 28th and 5 on 30th. 18 in October. Banded Sable Spoladea recurvalis - County first on 30th. Marbled Fern Musotima nitidalis - County first 8th, then singles on 24th and 25th. We are wondering what November will deliver?"

Wednesday 30th October 2024
Dave Wright reported: "I received a late record from Andy Sims who trapped a Clancy's Rustic in his Swanpool garden on 7th October. This was confirmed by Martin Gray as the 5th County record."
Monday 28th October 2024
Gary Fenwick from Middle Rasen emailed: "I am coming to the end of my second year of mothing, and I have loved every minute! In that time, I have made a mental note of half a dozen moths I would particularly like to see and one of them turned up this morning! A beautiful and distinctive Merveille du Jour, whilst it escaped the pot it landed on my bedroom window frame, allowing me to photograph it! I also had a Palpita vitrealis (Olive-tree Pearl), which research tells me is a migrant and more often found down south and near the coast! Other interesting moths were Red-green Carpet - 4, Black Rustic - 1, Angle Shades - 2, Feathered Thorn - 1, and Deep-brown Dart - 1. Altogether I had 19 species and 39 moths."
Sunday 27th October 2024
Laura Gundy emailed: "I'm currently keeping an eye on some Small and Large White larvae that are feeding on brassica plants in one of the fields at Benniworth Walk Farm. I am interested to learn if they can make it to pupation or not - will a frost kill them? I watched in fascinated horror today as a parasitic wasp was ovipositing into one of the Small White larva. Scattered amongst the butterfly larvae there are also a few Turnip Sawfly larvae, which are a very smart blue-black colour. In my garden at the farm there are also a few Small White larvae on the Wild Mignonette plants and in the glorious sunshine today there was one Comma butterfly dashing about."

Gary Fenwick emailed: "A Red Admiral at Donna Nook today. My last butterfly of the year!!??"
Derek Fox emailed: " Still a few butterflies in the garden today - 3 Red Admirals, 1 Comma and 1 Large White."

Thursday 24th October 2024
Owen Beaumont messaged: "Small Copper and Wall at Rimac this afternoon."
Cliff Morrison messaged: "Red Admiral and Speckled Wood in my garden at Brickyard Lane today."
John Walker messaged: "A walk between Churchill Lane and Coastguard Cottages produced 2 Comma, 2 Peacock and 1 Speckled Wood."
Wednesday 23rd October 2024
Dave Wright reported: "During a walk along the outer sand dunes at Donna Nook NNR this morning, masses of Brown-tail larval webs were discovered in the Sea Buckthorn, just out from Sea Lane in Saltfleet. Later, when the sun eventually emerged and it became quite warm, a visit to Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR produced 4 Wall at Quarry Hill, Rimac, and singles of Comma, Red Admiral and Small White at Sea View."

Tuesday 22nd October 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "With the temperature around 3 or 4 degrees above the norm for this time of year, there are still several species that are hanging on and can be seen on the wing, if you are prepared to put in a little effort. When the sun deigned to shine this afternoon, I saw 4 species in Coningsby (7 Small Whites, 3 Large Whites, 3 Red Admirals, and a Comma) and 4 further species at Kirkby Moor (5 Small Coppers, 3 Brimstones, 1 Peacock, and a Speckled Wood). So 8 species in total, and 24 butterflies."
Chris Atkin messaged: "A single Wall by Quarry Hill, Rimac, and Comma and Red Admiral at Sea Wiew."
Monday 21st October 2024
Owen Beaumont messaged: "Today I had a Wall at Crook Bank, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR. It looked fairly fresh as well."
Friday 18th October 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Two Painted Ladies seen today in Coningsby. Later, I paid a brief visit to Rimac and had 7 Wall, including one female that had just emerged."
Owen Beaumont messaged: "Wall on the wing at Rimac today, and I had a Painted Lady fly over arable farmland near Little Carlton on Wednesday 16th."
Cliff Morrison mesaged: "I had a Wall at Brickyard Lane this morning and a Brimstone into ivy yesterday. Exploring hibernation spots?"
John Walker messaged: "Singles of Red Admiral, Comma and Speckled Wood today at Coastguard Cottages, Churchill Lane."
Pete Roworth messaged: "Sea View today - singles of Red Admiral, Comma, Large and Small White."
Thursday 17th October 2024
Rob Julier emailed: "On a visit to Swallow Vale this morning, I found 3 Small Copper, 2 Peacock, a Comma and a Large White. Also, 50+ Ivy Bees, far too active to attempt to count."
John Walker messaged: "Churchill Lane to Coastguard Cottages - 2 Red Admiral, 2 Comma and a single Peacock."
Pete Roworth messaged: "A Wall on the wing at Sea View today."
Tuesday 15th October 2024
Graham Catley messaged: "Today I had Speckled Woods in my garden at Barton and Alkborough, the latter site also producing a Willow Emerald Damselfly."
Monday 14th October 2024
Dave Wright reported: "Still a few butterflies about as the season gradually draws to a close. Yesterday, despite being generally overcast, I had 2 Small Coppers at Haven Bank, Saltfleet, and nearby found a Speckled Wood at Paradise Wood. Today, I visited Kev Armstrong and had a walk around his land at Wold Farm in Nettleton. During a sunny period we found a single Speckled Wood and 2 male Large Whites."
Rob Julier emailed: "Today, a visit to Nettleton Wood produced 3 Large White, a Small Copper, a Willow Emerald Damselfly and a Common Darter."
Friday 11th October 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Met up with Dave Wright at Kirkby Moor for a wander around the reserve today. Clear skies overnight gave rise to colder air temperatures, several degrees lower than that of the past few days, and it took some time to get up into double figures, and then only peaked at 11 degrees Centigrade. However, the azure skies, negligible wind, and full sun made it very pleasant indeed. As reported previously, nectar sources are now in short supply on the reserve and day by day are dwindling fast; it will not be long before the last of the Heather and Ragwort goes over. By carefully scrutinising these last refuges of nectar, we managed to amass a very respectable total of 32 Small Coppers. The majority of these third brood individuals are looking quite worn now, but there was the odd reasonable one amongst the total. As we traversed the heathland and descended the slight south-facing slope, we encountered a small area where a number of Peacocks had emerged from hibernation, no doubt benefitting from the full effects of the sun. Here we saw 7 Peacocks, having not seen a Peacock on the site for several weeks; we went on to record 9 Peacocks in total. We then moved into the wooded part of the reserve, and a walk around the visitors' route yielded 2 Red Admirals, a single Comma, and a very faded, third brood Speckled Wood. Also, we noted 38 Fox Moth larvae, mostly along the edge of the main track that divides the reserve. All in all, a great day, with great company, and a great result seeing 45 butterflies of 5 species."

Wednesday 9th October 2024

Dave Wright reported: "The Lincolnshire Coast beckoned yet again, and so I met up with Chris Atkin at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR. The weather conditions were more conducive to birding rather than looking for butterflies. However, just after midday, a few sunny spells developed and we unexpectedly came across 5 Wall and a Small Copper at the sheltered Quarry Hill near to Rimac car park. Later, and during subsequent sunny spells, we came across 2 more Small Copper, 3 Comma and 1 Red Admiral."

John Gudgeon emailed: "I found a very large and unusual moth today, in my garden at Holbeach St. Marks, Spalding. My wife got a fright of her life when she was standing right next to it. Turns out that it was a Convolvulus Hawk-moth."
Tuesday 8th October 2024
Rob Julier from Healing emailed: "A Merveille du Jour was on the outside of my actinic trap this morning."
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Well, the weather turned out to be much better than forecast, and after a few light showers it brightened up after midday. With the temperature up at 17 deg. C. and the sunny intervals increasing, the butterflies began to fly. A Brimstone appeared in my garden, closely followed by a Red Admiral, and in neighbouring gardens there were Large and Small Whites. So, I decided to spend a couple of hours at Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve and for my trouble I added 3 other species: Comma, Speckled Wood, and Small Copper. Most of the heather has now gone over, so there is very little in the way of nectar sources available on the reserve. The few patches that are still in bloom are very sporadic, but where they do occur they harbour small concentrations of Small Coppers. So by carefully searching these areas, I still managed to find 34 Small Coppers at this site."
John Walker messaged: "This afternoon the ivy on the eastern hedgerow at Toby's Hill LWT Nature Reserve in Saltfleet produced 3 Comma, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Small White and c25 Ivy Bees."
Pete Roworth reported: "3 Wall at Sea View today."
Owen Beaumont reported: "3 Wall at Rimac today."
Saturday 5th October 2024
Laura Gundy messaged: "I joined the Lincolnshire Bat Group today for bat box checks at Tattershall Thorpe Carr Wood, which included looking in the WW2 air raid shelters there. Within the shelters I saw a total of 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock and 15 Herald moths hibernating. Also saw one Speckled Wood flying in the afternoon sunshine."
Toby Ludlow messaged: "I saw a Painted Lady in Coningsby today."
Friday 4th October 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Spent several hours enjoying the warm weather today. The temperature got up to 17 deg. C, and it hovered around the 16, or 17, mark for a large part of the day. However, although sunny, it was quite hazy at times and this, combined with the cold breeze that was blowing, took the edge off of what would have been a tremendous day. Nevertheless, I managed to record 90 butterflies of 11 species, no mean feat at this time of year! The pick of the bunch was what was undoubtedly a third brood Common Blue, found at Kirkby Moor, looking like it had recently emerged. Most of the other species were found in very small numbers: ones, twos, or threes. These were: Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, and Speckled Wood. That left 3 species which were slightly more abundant: Red Admiral, with 11 seen; Comma, 16; and Small Copper, 50. A couple of male Vapourer moths were also seen."
Derek Fox emailed: "After the first two days of heavy rain this week, I did not imagine I would see five species of butterflies in my Langworth garden today, nectaring on rotting fruit, Michaelmas Daisies and Buddleias - 9 Red Admirals, 4 Commas, 6 Large Whites, mostly males, 3 Small Whites and 1 Small Tortoieseshell."

Dave Wright reported: "For the second day running, a Peacock has been nectaring on the few remaining buddliea flowers in my Grimsby garden. This afternoon it was joined by a Red Admiral and a Comma."
Wednesday 2nd October 2024

Dave Wright reported: "This morning, the cloudy conditions and fresh to strong north easterly breeze hampered proceedings at Donna Nook NNR. However, just before midday, the cloud began to disperse, and it became sunny and quite warm, especially in the sheltered areas. A walk between Saltfleet Haven and Sea Lane produced 2 Red Admiral, 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Large White, and 4 Small White. Nearby at Haven Bank, a third brood Brown Argus (see attached) was my first ever October record. Also noted 4 Small Copper, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Comma, 6 Large White, 1 Small White, and a single Willow Emerald. Later, and just before the cloud returned, 2 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, and a Small White were seen at Paradise Wood. Just south of here, along the fence line towards Sea View, an amazing total of 182 Fox Moth larvae were counted in a small section of the field margin."

John Walker messaged: "Green-veined White, Small White and Speckled Wood in the sheltered area of the Coastguard Cottage gardens at Churchill Lane. A further 2 Speckled Wood on my garden edge ivy, plus 4 Comma and 3 Red Admiral."
September 2024
Monday 30th September 2024
Brian Hedley emailed: "I had a fresh-looking Brown Argus at Kirkby on Bain LWT reserve today, presumably a 3rd generation individual."
Sunday 29th September 2024

Mark Johnson from North Somercotes emailed: "A treat was in store in this morning's garden trap with two new moths. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the edge of a huge underwing on an egg box. Quickly replacing the trap light, I retreated to the shed so as not to lose what I had hoped was a moth with a little bit of blue. Carefully picking up the egg box I soon found my largest pot was insufficient for the job, so had to dash back in to find a container suitable to house the monster underwing. Having found an appropriate box I persuaded said moth that it was the place to be, and as it crawled in, it opened its wings to confirm this was indeed a Clifden Nonpareil! A supporting cast of a Palpita vitrealis, the second new moth, and Rush Veneer and Scarce Bordered Straw rounded up the rest of the migrants."

Saturday 28th September 2024
Gary Fenwick emailed: "After birding at Donna Nook (Siberian Stonechat, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Wheatear and ringtail Hen Harrier) I popped over to Covenham Reservoir on my way home. I saw another ringtail (and 3 Whooper Swan) but the sighting of most interest was a late Wall, which looked in pristine condition (3rd brood)! There was also a Small White."
John Walker reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "A walk between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane produced 4 Speckled Wood, 2 Small White, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Comma."
Wednesday 25th September 2024
Dave Wright reported: "Today I spent most of the morning with Chris Atkin, birding the coastal section between Stonebridge car park and the breach, at Donna Nook NNR. Highlights included Siberian Stonechat, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Warbler and a Raven, which appeared over the car park on our arrival. The weather wasn't particularly good for butterflies, but we did note a Large White and Peacock, and a Red Admiral was seen by Mark Johnson. Around midday we moved on to Haven Bank at Saltfleet, and found a third brood Wall and Small Copper, 4 Large White, 3 Small White and a Red Admiral nearby at Paradise car park. The only other butterflies seen were a Comma and Speckled Wood, in a sheltered area just off Sea Lane in Saltfleet."

Toby Ludlow messaged: "Paid another visit to Kirkby Moor this afternoon, for a few hours, but the conditions were very different to the last time I visited - it was overcast and gloomy, very breezy, and therefore no butterflies were flying; I knew I'd have to work hard for my money! As I walked along the main track, dozens of fully-grown Fox Moth caterpillars could be seen littering the heath, and during my time there I counted 163 without too much effort. The butterflies were not quite so easy to spot but, with careful examination of the heather, Small Coppers could be found clinging on for dear life. Once I got my eye in, I started to steadily build up a total. This was helped somewhat by a couple of brief bright spells, which coincided with my arrival at the fabled Ragwort plant. There were "only" 5 Small Coppers on it this time and, as I lifted my camera up, one of them flew off! However, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining, and with that a new copper flew in. This one was an aberrant individual - as near as damn it ab. obsoleta, but it did have a couple of minute traces of the hindwing copper marginal band. Therefore, as a purist, I would have to put it down as an extreme example of ab. radiata.

After a bit more searching, I also located a Brown Argus hunkered down in the heather, but this would be the only one of this species that I came across. However, in contrast, I had managed to see 80 Small Coppers over the course of the afternoon, in what I would deem very poor weather conditions. Unfortunately for me, my best discovery of the afternoon did not occur until I was back at home and looking through my photographs: I realised that one of the Small Coppers that I had photographed was of an aberration that I had always wanted to see, and I had but not realised! Doh!😩 This Small Copper aberration is ab. cupreopunctata, similar to that of ab. caeruleopunctata but, instead of a row of blue spots interior of the hindwing copper marginal band, there is a row of copper spots. And, unlike caeruleopunctata which is quite often encountered, this aberration is very rare and I don't know of any other photograph of one."

Derek Fox emailed: "A very worn Painted Lady in the garden today. On Saturday Commas and Red Admirals were enjoying nectaring on rotting pears and apples. At one stage there were 4 Commas and 4 Red Admirals jostling to get on the fruit. It has been a great success!"

Renata Jackson messaged: "I saw a Wall at Rimac today."
John Walker from Coastguard Cottages, Churchill Lane messaged: "About 20 Ivy Bees, 4 Red Admirals, 3 Speckled Woods and 2 Small Whites on the Ivy, and a Wall on the garden wall!"
Tuesday 24th September 2024
Renata Jackson messaged: "9 Fox Moth caterpillars on Sea Buckthorn at Sea View this afternoon."
Monday 23rd September 2024
Pete Roworth messaged: "Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Sea View this morning."
Sunday 22nd September 2024
John Davison emailed: "Yesterday, at Tuetoes Hills, Laughton Forest, I found a Pine Hawk-moth larva. Today, a visit to Messingham Sand Quarry produce a Snout and Pink-barred Sallow moths, and the larvae of 3 Elephant Hawk-moth, Pebble Hook-tip and Scalloped Hook-tip."

Friday 20th September 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "That's more like it! Paid a visit to Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve in the afternoon and third brood Small Coppers are now emerging well. During my time there I managed to find a respectable 134 Small Coppers, which included 1 mating pair. And, amazingly, one Ragwort plant had 10 Small Coppers on it! Incredibly, the Ragwort plant next to it had 8 Small Coppers on it, too!!!"

John Walker reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "Lots of insects this afternoon on large stand of ivy on garden boundary at Coastguard Cottages, including 9 Red Admirals, 2 Commas and 6 Ivy Bees."
Pete Cawdell emailed: "A fresh Painted Lady at Witham Way, Southrey today, replacing the tatty one of a week ago."
Thursday 19th September 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "After a very gloomy morning, there was a brighter outlook for the afternoon. So, I headed to Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve after lunch, for a couple of hours, in anticipation of the "sunny intervals" that were forecast. They failed to materialise! This made it very hard going on the butterfly front, but during my time there I did disturb 22 Small Coppers. In contrast, on the moth front, there were fully-grown Fox Moth caterpillars littering the heath, and without too much effort I quickly amassed a total of 107. Most of these were busy munching away. Whilst Fox Moth larvae are known to eat a variety of plants, with Bramble and Heather being well known examples of larval foodplants, all of the caterpillars were found well away from the Heather, in the grassier areas, and the few that I examined closely were eating Sheep's Sorrel."
Wednesday 18th September 2024
Dave Wright reported: "This morning I had a walk along Haven Bank in Saltfleet, and despite the cloudy conditions and cool breeze, the sheltered areas produced 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood, 5 Large White, 5 Small White and 2 Green-veined white. A single Willow Emerald was still present in the area. Later, and despite the sun failing to appear, I paid a brief visit to Rimac and Sea View on the nearby NNR, and noted several second brood Meadow Brown and a single third brood Small Copper. Little else on the wing apart from 4 Small White, 2 Green-veined White, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Comma and a male Common Blue on the edge of Rimac car park."

Tuesday 17th September 2024
Pete Cawdell emailed: "After a foggy/cloudy morning it turned into a very pleasant warm, sunny and calm afternoon. I was on my way elsewhere so only had time for about an hour's look between about 1pm and 2pm. Along the main, rather overgrown, track in from Horncastle Road I found what I was expecting here at this time of year with 3 Commas feeding on the Scabious flowers and old Bramble fruit. There were also about 10 Green-veined White and 3 Large White. Apart from that, just one Red Admiral showed, plus a male Brimstone exhibiting rather curious behaviour in flying slow and low through the Bramble briars at ground level. It seemed to be either searching out the perfect spot to spend the winter months, or perhaps it smelt a female in the vicinity. In the turning circle area there was 1 more Comma, a Green-veined White and a Large White. In our BC Coppice Area (in Section 5) most of the Scabious had finished flowering and there was only 1 Comma and 1 Green-veined White. However, along the Primrose Ride running south from the old deer tower up to the fenced orchid patch (Section 9), the Scabious was still largely in flower. Here I found at least 9 Comma, a Red Admiral, and about a dozen Green-veined White with a couple of Small and Large Whites."
Monday 16th September 2024
Rob Julier emailed: "A Convolvulus Hawk-moth, a first for my garden trap in Healing last night."

Sunday 15th September 2024
Bill Meek from Humberston messaged: "Got a Delicate in the garden trap this morning."
Saturday 14th September 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Spent the afternoon out at Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve. The weather was mostly bright, but it was quite windy, and gusty at that, so butterflies were being buffeted and therefore struggling to maintain their desired flight path, and because of that the Small Coppers, in particular, were hard to track as they sped low across the heather. The third brood Small Coppers haven't really got going yet, but thorough searching over the heathland produced a decent total of 72, which included about a dozen courting couples. Amongst the total were a few nicely marked individuals with blue spots preceding the marginal copper band on the hindwings (ab. caeruleopunctata). Not many other butterflies about: 3 fresh Brown Argus, 3 Large Whites, 1 Small White, and 1 Comma."

Friday 13th September 2024
Pete Cawdell emailed: "Just managed to still get the 'Big Five' at Witham Way, Southrey today. On my remaining buddleia flowers I had 7 Red Admiral, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Comma, 1 late Peacock and 1 tatty Painted Lady. Also 7 Large White, 4 Green-veined White and 3 Small White. On the same day Rick Camm counted 20 Common Blue at his Osbournby Hill Top site. He also recorded 2 Painted Lady, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Comma and good numbers of Large and Small Whites."

Wednesday 11th September 2024
Graham Catley messaged: "Small Heath at Searby this afternoon."
Monday 9th September 2024
Stephen Thompson emailed: "Two good moths in my garden in Horncastle over the weekend, - Palpita vitrealis and Birch Mocha."

Sunday 8th September 2024
Gill Brader reported: "I found this unusual Red Admiral today at Barnetby-le-Wold." Toby Ludlow commented: "Wow! I wish I'd seen it. Red Admiral ab. millierei, if I'm not mistaken. Beautiful!"

Derek Fox emailed: “It was a nice surprise to see a Painted Lady in the garden today, nectaring on my Black Knight Buddleia for about 2 hours. The last one I saw was on 1st August.”

John Davison emailed: "I had a successful larvae hunt at Messingham Sand Quarries and found these - Buff tip, Elephant Hawk-moth, Peppered Moth and Iron Prominent."

Cliff Morrison messaged: “Small, but steady southerly movement of Red Admirals between Brickyard Lane and Churchill Lane today. Also, a single Small Tortoiseshell.”
Saturday 7th September 2024: Convolvulus Hawk-moths in Grimsby and Clifden Nonpareil at Nettleton!

Kev Armstrong from Nettleton messaged: "Very little of interest in the garden traps this morning, until the second one revealed an immaculate Clifden Nonpareil."

Friday 6th September 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Finally, a decent spell of September sun! So, with the mercury (or mobile weather application) reading 22 degrees Centigrade, a trip to Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve was in order. At first it seemed rather quiet, and the third brood Small Coppers were playing hard to get, but a slow walk over the heath gradually produced a tally of 12. Besides these, there were a couple of Small Heath and singles of both Large and Small White. And once over the heathland, a female Meadow Brown was a nice surprise at this late date. A walk around the visitors' route produced several additional species, Speckled Wood being the most numerous with 14. Most of these are looking well past their best now, which was in sharp contrast to the 2 amazingly fresh Commas that were enjoying the profusion of overripe blackberries. Also making the most of this bountiful crop was a Red Admiral. A couple of Peacocks were also flying over the briars, but they didn't alight for sustenance. All the way around the walk was a smattering of Whites, the majority (9) being Green-veined, but there were 3 Large and 1 Small White, too. Apart from that, Brimstone was the only other species encountered."
Peter Cawdell reported: "Rick Camm emailed me his latest sightings on his local patch at Osbournby Hill Top, south of Sleaford. Today he recorded the following butterflies in this area: 53 Common Blue, 3 Brown Argus, 1 Small Heath, 5 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Comma, with 'good numbers' of Large and Small Whites. The farmer had, unfortunately, recently ploughed up the set-aside clover/trefoil mix field to return it to agriculture. However he has left a wide strip near the top which is where the Blues are now cantering their attention and, luckily with the timing, being able to deposit their eggs.
Derek Fox emailed: " At last a warm sunny day brought out a few more butterflies in my Langworth garden. 14 Red Admirals some really fresh and colourful, 5 Small Tortoieseshells, the most I have seen of the second brood one of which was very small, 2 Commas, one Peacock, and 15 assorted Whites, Large, Small and Green-veined."

Wednesday 4th September 2024
Dave Wright reported: "This morning I managed to get down the coast again, this time in the company of Chris Atkin. The weather wasn’t ideal for butterflies, and although it was pleasant and sunny first thing, it gradually deteriorated as the day progressed. Therefore, we spent most of the time birding the coastal scrub from Sea Lane at Saltfleet, south to Rimac. We noted lots of common migrants, which included 5 Redstarts, 3 Whinchats at 2 Wheatears. At Sea View we had a Pied Flycatcher and 3 Spotted Flycatchers, with one of the latter seen to take a Large White and swallow it whole! During a brief sunny spell, we checked the Ivy at Haven Bank, and still managed a decent count of 22 Red Admirals along with a single Painted Lady. An unexpected find here was a Willow Emerald damselfy. Between Rimac and Sea View, a few Common Blues, Speckled Woods and Meadow Browns were still on the wing, and it was refreshing to see lots of Whites of all three species flying in all areas, even when conditions turned decidedly gloomy. Additionally, we had an Angle Shades moth and yet another Wasp Spider near Rimac car park, and, nearby along Willow Hedge, we came across a female, final instar nymph, Long-winged Conehead."

Phil Bowler emailed: "As is so often the case, the third (autumn) brood of the Small Copper makes up for the lack of numbers beforehand in our Amber Hill garden. In fact, prior to today, we had only seen one Small Copper in the garden this year. Today though heralds the start of their third brood, with no less than 4 seen throughout the garden, proving that a few must have been around earlier in the year. A fantastic sight! Also saw a brand new Painted Lady, very scarce this year. There is also a sudden large increase of Small, and to a lesser extent, Large Whites. I read in the Sussex equivalent of these pages that over 400 had been seen recently coming in from the coast."

Monday 2nd September 2024
Mark Brandon messaged: "20 Red Admirals along Ivy hedge to Sea View work base."
John Walker messaged: "15 Red Admirals in Coastguard gardens at Churchill Lane this morning, my highest count this year!"
August 2024
Saturday 31st August 2024
Stephen Thompson emailed: "I trapped at Woodhall Spa Golf Club this evening, the highlights being Purple Bar, and two new for the site, Southern Wainscot and Treble-bar."
Friday 30th August 2024
Dave Wright reported: "With September almost upon us and a warm and sunny day forecast for the Linconshire coast today, I decided to visit Saltfleet-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR in the hope of seeing a few late summer butterflies. I'd arranged to meet up with Owen Beaumont at 10:30 to walk the transect at Rimac, but prior to this, I had a stroll along a short section of Haven Bank in Saltfleet. It was a wise move, as a few patches of flowering Ivy produced a staggering 48 Red Admirals, 2 Peacocks, and 2 Small Tortoiseshells. I also noted the following in the immediate area: 4 Large White, 9 Small White, 2 Green-veined White and 3 Speckled Wood. The transect itself resulted in the following records: 95 butterflies of 11 species: 1 Small Skipper, 1 Large White, 10 Small White, 18 Green-veined White, 20 Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Peacock, 11 Speckled Wood, 22 Meadow Brown, and 2 Small Heath. Following the transect I walked north towards Sea View and Paradise and had similar butterflies and numbers to those at Rimac, but with the addition of a pristine Brown Argus, 2 Holly Blue, and a Wall, the latter being the only one of the day. Still lots of dragonflies on the reserve, the highlight being 4 Willow Emerald damselflies, and it was great to see 2 Wasp Spiders hanging on in the Rimac area."

John Walker messaged: "13 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 5 Red Admiral, 3 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock in the garden count today at Coastguard Cottages, Churchill Lane."
Thursday 29th August 2024
Phil Bowler emailed: "I went over to Snakeholme Pit this afternoon and was greeted by the largest Brown Hairstreak I've ever seen - it was more or less Meadow Brown size! She did settle but a combination of wind, me fiddling with my camera, and a rogue Speckled Wood shooing it off, meant that I did not get a picture. She was fairly fresh, but what a size! Very little else about. The aforementioned Speckled Wood totalled 5, all fresh, as were the Green-veined White (17) - new brood? Just 2 Large Whites and 7 Small. The only other species seen were one each of Common Blue, Red Admiral, Latticed Heath, and Meadow Brown (genuine article!)."
Roy Harvey emailed: "I visited Nettleton LNR mid-afternoon today, not really expecting to see much, due to the time of year. Indeed, there were not many butterflies around, but I was pleased to see my first Brown Argus of the year, as well as a few Common Blues. A pair of mating Green-veined White was an unexpected surprise. Otherwise, 3 Speckled Wood and 1 Small Copper were the only other confirmed species."

Wednesday 28th August 2024
Cliff Morrison messaged: "This morning I had my first migrant Convolvulus Hawk-moth of the year in my dune trap at Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR. Also, Dusky Thorn and Old Lady, which is uncommon here."
Bank Holiday Monday 26th August 2024
Andy Spragg emailed: "Seen today in a garden in Pinchbeck (we're only here for the day), one each of Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and Small White (female). I don't know what the Small Tortoiseshell situation is in Lincs, but round our way in South Bucks, they're pretty rare these days, so I thought it was worth passing on the sighting."
Owen Beaumont messaged: "A Painted Lady at Rimac this morning."
Roy Harvey emailed: "I had a walk along Owmby Wold Lane today, just north of where I live. Was pleased to come upon a few butterflies. I counted 15 Speckled Wood and 12 Green-veined White, plus 1 Red Admiral. Also, a few Large and Small Whites around."

Graham Catley emailed: "A mixture of Small and Green-veined Whites (see attached), having a get together today in Barton. No real count, but seems to be good numbers of both at the moment after such a dismal spring/summer."

Sunday 25th August 2024
Pete Cawdell emailed: "I visited Welton-le-Wold Old Gravel Pits this morning (with kind permission of the owner), taking along Laura Gundy who I hoped would emulate her feat of last year in finding me a Wall Brown along the cliff face of this very suitable habitat. Unfortunately I think we were a little late, and Dave Wright was not wrong in his prediction of us failing, as the Walls he visits regularly on the adjacent Lincs coast have all but finished in their second brood. Also the weather was, yet again, not that good with some sunshine, but stronger winds than most butterflies can tolerate. However, I always enjoy monitoring this varied site where you feel anything could turn up. All things considered we were quite pleased with our final tally of 46 butterflies of 10 species. We recorded a late Peacock, 4 Red Admirals (3 on a buddleia), 8 Speckled Woods (part of a fresh new brood), 3 very late Meadow Brown, a couple of Gatekeeper, a few Whites - 2 Large, 3 Small and 4 Green-veined. Most numerous were 18 pretty Common Blue (3 of which were females). A new species for the year at this site was a faded Holly Blue that Laura spotted, well hidden and engrossed in feeding on bramble flowers. We also had great views of a pair of Red Kites (but don't tell the active gamekeeper!). So I must try again next year and I live in hope that soon Wall butterflies will make a sustained comeback inland from where they disappeared 20 years ago.
Friday 23rd August 2024:Lincolnshire Butterfly Challenge!
Toby Ludlow messaged: "I've watched a fair bit of sport on the telly over the summer, so was eager for a bit of competition myself. Therefore, I decided to see just how many species of butterfly I could see at this time of year in one day in Lincolnshire. With the summer species fast disappearing, I pondered over the question of just how many species it could be possible to see in one day: 10? 15? 20? More? After some thought, I reckoned that 20 would be pushing it somewhat, and that all of the planets would need to align in order for me to get close to that. Nevertheless, and in true Olympic fashion, I decided on a personal challenge based on three award levels: Bronze - for 10 species; Silver - for 15 species; and Gold - for seeing 20 different species. With the ground rules set, it was now time for action. Or so I thought!!! I had not made allowances for the weather. With a Fresh Breeze blowing all morning and gusting over 70mph for large parts of it, the challenge immediately stalled. It was not until the afternoon that the wind gusts were forecast to drop below 40mph, so what initially was going to be a full-day challenge turned into a half-day challenge.
With the morning session a write-off, I headed to Chambers Farm Wood for the afternoon - the best place to see a good range of species, in my humble opinion. Starting in the Butterfly Garden, I didn't get off to a flyer! There wasn't a single nymphalid there, but after a quarter of an hour there I had managed to see all three species of White, and there was a solitary male Brimstone in there too. The only other butterfly in the garden was a male Common Blue, which favoured the Common Fleabane on which to nectar. So I was now on 5 species.
I left the garden behind and set off into the wood proper. By now the wind had dropped to an acceptable level and there was more blue sky than cloud, so at least the weather was finally behaving. No sooner in the wood and the Speckled Woods started to appear. Over the course of the afternoon it turned into the "Speckled Wood Show", which was just as well because there were very few butterflies about, besides these. A walk along the main stone track up to Fiveways was largely in shade, due to the position of the sun and the orientation of the ride. However, here, I did disturb a faded, male Silver-washed Fritillary, and shortly thereafter located a Comma resting on a Bramble leaf, which was even more faded, if that was possible! Before reaching Fiveways, a small butterfly was blown by the wind, across the path just in front of me. It battled for control against the elements, but managed to regain composure and land on a Bramble leaf: it was a female Brown Hairstreak! It was not long before she was off and headed towards a clump of Blackthorn, no doubt in search of egg-laying locations. Momentarily, this caused me to look skyward, and something caught my eye high up around an Ash tree - it was 4 Purple Hairstreaks glinting in the sunlight. With this species under my belt, I was starting to feel pleased with my results so far: I hadn't even got to Fiveways, but had seen 10 species. The "bronze" was in the bag! And, several of the species I had seen so far were the ones on my target list that I thought would be tricky to find. Conversely, I hadn't seen a Meadow Brown, a Skipper, or a Gatekeeper. How this would come back to haunt me...
I pushed on. At Fiveways I had another bit of luck: 2 more female Brown Hairstreaks down low, but no new species, alas. In fact, I didn't record another new species until I got to Minting Triangle, where I found a Peacock doing its best impression to hide atop a Devil's-bit Scabious bloom in a dark, shady spot. Up to this point, apart from the aforementioned Speckled Woods, very little was on the wing: the absence of nymphalids was notable, and I hadn't seen a single Red Admiral, which until recently had been ubiquitous on the stretch up to Minting Triangle. Further on, past the triangle, I finally added Gatekeeper to my list, when a male took to the air, but its flight was half-hearted, to say the least, and I don't think there was much life left in this individual. In contrast, at the far extremity of my walk, I disturbed a really fresh Small Tortoiseshell, which was full of vim and vigour and sped off into the distance. By now it was time to turn round and head back to the car. I tallied up and confirmed my haul of 13 species so far. The cloud was thickening again, and it was starting to become quite overcast. As I walked back, I bumped into Pete Smith, who hadn't fared as well as I had done, especially on the hairstreak front. We walked back to the car park together and decided on another quick look around the Butterfly Garden, which coincided with a spell of sunnier weather. Fortunately, there were a few more butterflies about this time: a Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell, and then eventually a Red Admiral was seen gliding around. Whilst there, I told Pete about a previous Small Copper sighting I had had in the Butterfly Garden, and pointed to the spot where it had been. To our amazement there was a Small Copper nectaring on Common Fleabane, close to where I had indicated. With the species count now on 15, and "clutching the silver", it was starting to get serious! Thoughts turned to those other species that potentially I could find; I still hadn't seen a Meadow Brown or a Skipper!!! As we walked around the Butterfly Garden, several more Common Blues were showing, including a couple of nicely-marked females from either end of the colour spectrum: one really blue and the other quite brown. It was then that I spotted a Brown Argus, which was flying low to the ground and particularly interested in one of the flower beds. It turned out that she was a female and we witnessed her egg-laying on Common Rock-rose, the traditional larval foodplant for this species. This one made it 16 species now, so I thought my best option would be to depart and call in at Moor Farm Nature Reserve on the way home, to hopefully add a couple more species. Just as we were preparing to leave, we spotted a female Brown Hairstreak fluttering near to the gate into the Butterfly Garden, a new species for the day for Pete. This was closely followed by an appearance from a Purple Hairstreak in the garden, which we saw probing around on one of the tall Rudbeckia blooms, also a new species for the day for Pete. We both departed Chambers and I headed for Moor Farm.
Once at Moor Farm Nature Reserve, it took less than five minutes to add Meadow Brown and Small Heath to my list, as I now inched closer to the dream goal of 20. I could only think of one other species that I thought I could gain at Moor Farm, which was Small Skipper. I knew it wouldn't be easy, as I saw very few of them on a previous visit. However, persistence finally paid off after half an hour, largely through experience of knowing the site really well and the best locations to try. I was now on 19 species, and the target was tantalisingly close, but I was running out of daylight. I thought about the species that were left that I could realistically see: Wall, Essex Skipper, Painted Lady, or Holly Blue. I wasn't prepared to include Clouded Yellow, as it has had a "shocker" of a year and very few have been seen in the southern counties, let alone sightings in Lincolnshire. At this late hour, I wasn't prepared for a journey to the coast, which would have almost guaranteed a Wall and would have been my best prospect for an Essex Skipper sighting, if it isn't too late in the year already for the latter! You can call it lack of commitment (you know who you are!😁), but I decided to draw stumps and go home, content in the knowledge that I'd given it a fair crack. There was the slim chance of a Holly Blue in my garden after all, and once at home I spent a good 20 minutes scouring the Viburnum bush, often a favourite haunt of the Holly Blue. However, as time ticked on, it was just not meant to be, and I finished on a respectable 19 species. And, although just missing out on the "gold", in true British style, I did allow myself a celebratory glass of the amber nectar!
In summary, the challenge turned out to be great fun. So why not give it a go and see how you get on, before the summer comes to an end. At the moment I think there is a remote possibility of seeing 23 species in Lincolnshire in one day, but you will need to put in some effort, or have some amazing luck! Remember, time for Small and Essex Skipper is fast running out. And the days for Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper are numbered, too!
Stop Press: I don't believe it! It's fate! Went out to the car at 18:45, with the light fading, only to find a pale salmon-coloured butterfly flying around my car, looking for somewhere to roost up. It finally settled for a position on my bungalow wall. Species number 20, a Painted Lady and the "gold" snatched from the jaws of defeat!!!"
Wednesday 21st August 2024
Roy Harvey emailed: "Today I saw a single Common Blue along the sea wall between Killingholme & Immingham."

Tuesday 20th August 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Following an early afternoon deluge, the thick cloud finally moved on and the skies cleared mid-afternoon, so I nipped over to Kirkby Moor to see what was on the wing. The result was "not a lot" and the place had an end-of-season feel to it. A walk over the heathland did produce some butterflies, but they were very sparsely distributed. Incredibly, there were still some second brood (summer) Small Coppers making the most of the Heather in bloom, and I managed to see 9 different individuals, which included 2 females that were searching out Sheep's Sorrel on which to lay their eggs. Apart from that, there were only singletons of Comma, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown, and a brace of Small Tortoiseshells. The latter were really fresh, so hopefully there are more to emerge in the coming days.

Monday 19th August 2024
Owen Beaumont messaged: "The butterfly transects are becoming quiet now. I had 69 individuals of 9 species today at Rimac: 3 Small Skipper, 3 Small/Essex Skipper, 2 Small White, 3 Green-veined white, 17 Common Blue, 3 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 4 Wall, 8 Gatekeeper and 25 Meadow Brown. Also, 2 Small Tortoiseshells on the cleared dune frontage at Brickyard Lane."

Chris Atkin messaged: "2 fresh Small Tortoiseshells at Rimac today, the first near the MOD Track, and the second along Willow Hedge."
Sunday 18th August 2024
Toby Ludlow from Coningsby messaged: "Not many butterflies in the garden today, but there were 2 fresh Small Tortoiseshells, which was noteworthy given their scarcity this year."
Saturday 17th August 2024
Roy Harvey emailed: "On a visit to Frampton Marsh RSPB today, we saw 2 Eyed Hawk-moth caterpillars near the car park, one of which was showing really well."

Pete Roworth messaged: "Small Tortoiseshell this morning at Sea View, the first I've seen for a long time!"
Friday 16th August 2024
Pete Cawdell emailed: "Today Rick Camm reported to me from his local site, Osbounby Hill Top, where he found 71 Common Blues and 13 Brown Argus. Good to see these species are doing well there, as they have been generally struggling for any numbers at many County locations so far this year."

John Walker messaged: "2 Hummingbird Hawk-moths on the buddleias in my garden at Coastguard Cottages, Churchill Lane, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR."
Wednesday 14th August 2024
Dave Wright reported: "Following the success of the 'Great Butterfly Conservation Open Day' at Rimac/Sea View, I decided to return this morning in the company of Chris Atkin. Unfortunately, the glorious weather that blessed the event last Sunday failed to materialise today, although as the day progressed, the cool NE breeze did lighten, and the initial cloud was replaced with warm sunny periods. We noted similar butterfly species to that of Sunday, but not surprisingly reduced in numbers. However, we did see 3 species not seen previously, and these included Holly Blue, Comma, and Speckled Wood. There were a few day-flying moths about, and included a Fox Moth caterpillar.

In contrast, dragonflies were literally everywhere you looked, the most notable being 12 Willow Emerald, a recent colonist now doing well all over Lincolnshire. The undoubted highlight was once again not a butterfly, but 2 more Wasp Spiders near the car park at Rimac. Incredible really, especially when you consider that the first for the reserve was only found last weekend.

Tuesday 13th August 2024
Pete Roworth messaged: "Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Sea View this morning."
Pete Cawdell emailed: "Today there was a female Silver-washed Fritillary in Morkery Wood. She was in good condition and flying around low to the ground searching out violet patches so she could lay her eggs on nearby tree trunks. Not much else about, only a Comma, Small Skipper and a couple of Gatekeeper. Also a couple of new brood Speckled Wood."
Graham Catley messaged: "I finally found Purple Hairstreak at the farm at Searby this morning. I also had about 5 at Alkborough a couple of weeks ago."

Monday 12th August 2024
Gary Fenwick emailed: "I thought I would investigate my local woods for butterflies this afternoon. The best spot I discovered was across the road from Walesby Caravan Park. I saw a couple of Large White, c25 Small White, c5 Green-veined White and 2 Meadow Brown, but the best was an individual Silver-washed Fritillary, a pleasant surprise!
Owen Beaumont messaged: "A Painted Lady at Sea View this afternoon."
Dave Wright reported: "Butterflies have been notable by their absence recently in my Grimsby garden, apart from Holly Blue. However, I did get a surprise late this afternoon, when a Small Tortoiseshell visited the Hemp Agrimony. Sadly, this is only the second time I've seen this species in my garden this year."

Sunday 11th August 2024: Butterfly Conservation Open Day at Rimac
Toby Ludlow emailed: "Firstly, it has to be said, what an amazing day! It is with our deepest gratitude that we must thank our benevolent hosts, Natural England, and in particular Owen Beaumont and Renata Jackson, for allowing us to hold our Open Day at their reserve at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe NNR, once again, and for providing facilities at the Eco-classroom to showcase our displays, to promote our charity, and to enable us to cater for the many visitors that attended. Many members of the Lincolnshire Branch committee should also be thanked for going above and beyond, not only on the day, but also beforehand for all of the preparatory work that has to be performed in order to make the day a success: all of the cakes that have been baked, the many displays that have been created and assembled, the plants that have been grown and nurtured, and the time and effort involved to organise and run a Moth Night at the site on the previous evening and to pot up a selection of moths for the public to view.

The Committee also managed to arrange for some splendid weather on the day: blue skies, 28 deg. C heat, and a cool breeze blowing. The first guided Butterfly Walk began at 11:00 and was well attended by members of the public - approximately 40 people braved the heat and were soon rewarded with sightings of our primary target: the Wall. Although really active in the heat of the day, several examples of both males and females could be seen drifting across the reserve, and we estimate we saw around 30 individuals. Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers were commonplace all over the site, and an abundance of Ragwort flowers proved irresistible to many. There were still dozens of golden Skippers on the wing, and we were able to positively identify both Small and Essex Skippers. Common Blues, which have been anything but common this year, were ubiquitous and numbered in the hundreds; it was a welcome change to see so many of this species at one location. There were a couple of diminutive females, however, about the size of a small Brown Argus, which needed careful identification. Unlike the Common Blues, Brown Arguses were proving rather elusive, and it was not until the walk reached its halfway point that we finally added this species to the day's list. Another 2 were observed swiftly afterwards. Nearby, a fresh Small Copper was spotted nectaring on a Ragwort plant, which was the find of the day until news broke of a Wasp Spider that had been discovered, a first for the reserve.

We were slowly racking up the species and added Large White and Peacock when they flew across the track in front of us. But it was not until the final leg back to the car park that we saw a Ringlet. It was that faded, though, it needed close scrutiny to establish its identity. A male Green-veined White was our only other addition before we made it back to the eco-classroom for lunch. A short break for lunch gave an opportunity to peruse the displays inside the eco-classroom and to purchase some of the wares on offer. The cakes, I'm told, were to die for!!! Replete, we reconvened at 14:00 for the afternoon walk. Again, we were blessed with a good turnout from the public - approximately 30 people this time. Just to mix things up for those that had been on the earlier walk, we headed northeastward this time, towards Sea View. It was not long before we encountered several Wall butterflies gliding over the dunes, much to the delight of those present. Perhaps not quite as numerous on this stretch of the coast, there were still good numbers and we estimated that we had seen about 20. Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and Common Blues were plentiful, but similarly not quite so prolific as they had been on the earlier walk. Conversely, we saw 6 Brown Argus, twice the number we had seen in the morning session. As we approached Sea View we added three new species for the day: Brimstone, Red Admiral and Small Heath. Two of the former were busy probing the blooms on a clump of Musk Thistles, and sat beautifully just waiting to be photographed. We completed the return leg, back to the car park at Rimac, content with our day's work."

Garry and Julie Nelder emailed: "We went to Snakeholme today at about 10:00, weather was sunny and humid, we had Brown Hairstreak at the very far end of the pit just where it turns back along the main road by the seat. Other butterflies were very few and consisted of Comma, Peacock, Brimstone, Large White, and Small White. We then went on to Little Scrubs Meadow and had Purple Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Peacock, and Small White."

John Davison emailed: "2 nests of Buff-tip larvae at Messingham Sand Quarry this morning."

Saturday 10th August 2024
John Davison emailed: "John Petyt and I visited Tuetoes Ride and Tuetoes Hills on Saturday afternoon. Apart from the unforecast light rain for a while it proved extremely good for larvae. Tuetoes Ride: Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large Skipper, Peacock, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and a tatty Silver-washed Fritillary. Latticed Heath and Straw Dot, 6 Eyed Hawk-moth larvae, 1 Elephant Hawk-moth larva, 3 Herald moth larvae, 1 single and 1 nest of Buff-tip larvae. Tuetoes Hills: 1 Emperor Moth larva, 1 Peppered Moth larva, and 2 nests of Buff-tip larvae."

Friday 9th August 2024
Pete Cawdell emailed: "Today I paid a much weather-postponed visit to Gibraltar Point LWT Reserve. It was at least sunny and warm but I hadn't reckoned on the strong winds which severely affected butterfly sightings. My quest was to photograph a Grayling as there have been persistent but scarce rumours and sightings of this species here over many years. The thought was that occasional migrants were blown in from Norfolk, the coastline of which was clearly visible a mere 14 miles away to the south, over The Wash. Recently we have gained information, from a very knowledgeable and experienced out of county butterfly expert, that this species has actually been present in small numbers, under the noses of the 'birders', for more than a decade. (They are, apparently, particularly fond of feeding on the Sea Holly flowers.) Furthermore she had visited the site on Wednesday and seen one, on another cloudy, blustery day!
Exploration is hampered by a large section of coastline being roped off as a Little Tern protected area until Sept 1st. I failed in my quest although I did register a 'maybe' a couple of times in one location, but it was only seen very briefly, being buffeted by the wind down a track and soon lost from sight in the strong sunshine. There were about 20 Meadow Brown and 10 Gatekeeper about in all, with a single Essex Skipper nectaring on a clump of ragwort in a sheltered spot. To relieve the 'Brown boredom' a fresh Painted Lady was spotted on Sea Lavendar and a single Small White was flying in from the sea. On my return walking inland I noticed a male Common Blue flying low in the vegetation, and then a Peacock making a brief sortie over some bushes. I rested on a fence looking into what is marked off as another no-go Sanctuary Area, and then gazed down at a few more Browns, before being startled by a Dark Green Fritillary slowly chasing off a couple more Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. I certainly wasn't expecting to see one of those. Another visitor from Norfolk? Further watching revealed a Small Heath, again my single sighting of the day. Before I left I visited the Old Coastguard Station (past the new Visitor's Centre) to see if there were any butterfly sightings on the board. There weren't .. just birds .. despite my informer having told the warden of her Grayling sighting 2 days before. The helpful voluntary LWT warden on duty today explained that due to extensive changes of staff they had not been able to do the Butterfly Transect at all this year. He showed me a couple of impressive enlarged photographs of butterflies recently seen, pinned up on an internal display board. One was just a Red Admiral but the other was a White-letter Hairstreak down nectaring on some flowers. We have had regular sightings of these Hairstreaks in The Plantation area where there is apparently still a large Elm tree, around the tops of which, in season, these elusive butterflies can be seen. The volunteer with the new Warden, Richard Doan, had viewed a couple only about 10 days ago, before spotting the one photographed low down. Driving out I noted many younger elms around this Plantation and a sole Large White in flight. Whilst I didn't really see what I was hoping for this proved a useful review of a site I haven't visited for a while .. and my intrigue with a possible small Grayling colony goes on! I was a bit surprised not to see any Walls. There used to be fair numbers at Gibraltar Point, but I was told by Kevin Wilson last year that they were getting scarce. It appears they have retreated north even along our Lincs coast.
Toby Collett emailed: "I do moth trapping with my youngest at Hubberts Bridge and had a Webb's Wainscott last night. On Thursday 1st August I had a Bedstraw Hawk-moth in the trap, which was new for the year, garden and life!"
Thursday 8th August 2024
Toby Ludlow emailed: "Spent an hour or so at Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve today until the sun disappeared and the rain started. A walk along the main track produced a respectable total of 16 Small Coppers, 10 female Meadow Browns, and 5 Gatekeepers. There were also singles of: Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Green-veined White and Brown Argus. Summer brood Small Coppers have been on the wing for 4 weeks now, so we are nearing the end of the flight period. My expectation was that they would be all past their best, and indeed most were. But there were a couple of really fresh ones out there, both aberrations: one ab. caeruleopunctata and one ab. juncta + caeruleopunctata. I was also amazed to catch up with the same pathological aberration, with a pale left-hand forewing, which I first saw 15 days ago; it was virtually in the same spot, too!"

Tuesday 6th August 2024
Phil Bowler emailed: "Well, wonders never cease! The last thing I was expecting to see in our Amber Hill butterfly garden in this summer largely devoid of butterflies, was a Silver-washed Fritillary. Yet that is exactly what I caught a brief sight of this afternoon, before it rapidly flew off along the adjacent dyke bank, looking for a mate. Amongst a handful of male Common Blues were a couple of females, including this stunning blue form, one of the most striking I've seen. Peacocks peaked at 60 last week, there's only a few left now. Gatekeepers and a few Brown Argus, plus a couple of Small Heath and a Small Copper, were the other highlights, plus some very large Large Whites."

Gary Fenwick emailed: "Today I had a three-and-a-half-hour saunter around Risby Warren on. I'd visited Alkborough Flatts in the morning, where I saw a Wall and then, on a bright and warm afternoon I saw the following at Risby Warren: Meadow Brown - c80, Gatekeeper - c50, Small/Green-veined White - c50, Common Blue - 7, Small Heath - 11, Large Skipper - 2, Small Copper - 6, Peacock - 3, Wall - 1, Silver Y - 2, Six-spot Burnet Moth - just the one individual!"
Sunday 4th August 2024
Graham Catley emailed: "Following yesterday's Wall at Alkborough (see attached photo), I had another one today at Barton Wolds TA016181."

Saturday 3rd August 2024
Laura Gundy emailed: "Earlier this year I wrote of seeing Magpie Moth larvae feeding on Sedums in my dad's garden in Strubby. Whilst I was visiting there today, I saw a beautiful newly emerged adult on the wall right near the plants, which was great. A smattering of butterflies around too - Peacocks, Red Admirals, Large and Small Whites, a Comma and a Speckled Wood. Also, a Peacock pupa attached to the conservatory!"

Friday 2nd August 2024

Toby Ludlow emailed: "Had a really enjoyable day at CFW today in the company of Dave Wright and Mark Holmes. The early morning cloud took a fair while to clear, so it was a slow start to the day; reduced light levels meant that very little was flying. During a look around the Butterfly Garden we managed to find a roosting Small Skipper and disturbed a Gatekeeper into flight, but there was very little else. We took a slow walk up to Fiveways, and then on to Minting Triangle with little more than Ringlets for company. All the while it was slowly getting brighter and when we got to the Triangle we could suddenly feel it getting warmer as the clouds started to part. Dragonfly activity commenced: a couple of Brown Hawkers and a squadron of Migrant Hawkers took to the air. We came across a fresh home-grown Painted Lady, but it was extremely flighty and we couldn't get near it. We pressed on past Minting Triangle and virtually on the stroke of midday we saw our first Brown Hairstreak: a male flew low down, across the ride, and then up into and then around an Oak. On high, we watched it flitting around periodically, but it refused to come back down. We moved on further down the ride and then decided to have lunch. In doing so, by stopping and sitting down, we witnessed at least 8 Purple Hairstreaks dancing in an Oak above us. A couple descended and came within easy reach of our cameras, so it was rude not to oblige. As we got up after lunch, we immediately saw a female Brown Hairstreak flying ahead of us, just a couple of feet off of the ground. This time we were in luck, and she landed for several minutes. She was in perfect condition: a real beauty! Eventually she flew up into a Sallow and disappeared. Shortly afterwards we found an Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar on Great Willowherb before moving on to Minting Triangle.

Here we saw a couple of male Brown Hairstreaks, but only one stopped momentarily on an umbellifer before ascending up into a Beech tree. Nearby, a Comma was nectaring on a Creeping Thistle - this one a form hutchinsoni. We started notching up the species: a fresh looking female Silver-washed Fritillary appeared in the middle of the Triangle, busily feeding on a Spear Thistle, and several Large Skippers darted around, some of them still in good condition. A walk back towards Fiveways produced over a dozen Peacocks, many of which were enjoying the Teasel flowers, some of which were over 8 foot high! We were reacquainted with the fresh Painted Lady again and then watched an aerial courtship between 2 White Admirals, which seemed peculiarly late on in the season. Shortly after this, we perhaps had our most bizarre sighting of the day: a diminutive Ringlet, about the size of a Purple Hairstreak. This aberration is classed as ab. minor. On the way back to Fiveways, we passed a small clump of Greater Burdock plants, which proved very attractive to Peacocks, Red Admirals, a male Brimstone and a Comma - the latter being of the normal form.

Silver-washed Fritillaries now seemed more numerous, and we saw at least 6 males en route to Fiveways. Here, high up in an Ash tree, we watched several Purple Hairstreaks taking it in turns to become airborne. We definitely had 4 in view at one time, but reckon there was probably double that. The walk back to the car park, along the main ride, was not very productive as it was largely in shade late on in the afternoon. Back at the Butterfly Garden it was now a different story to that of the early morning: the many Buddleias and Hemp Agrimony plants were festooned with Peacocks, Red Admirals, and Gatekeepers. In the grassy patches, many more Skippers were on the wing and, at one point, four golden Skippers sped past us in a bundle; I presume that they were all Small Skippers. And finally, just as we were leaving, a Hummingbird Hawk-moth flew in and made the most of the Buddleia flowers. Eighteen species of butterfly recorded, and so all in all, a wonderful day in great company."
Jeffrey Kirkland emailed: "Our first visit to Risby Warren searching for Grayling today, saw 5 including this one laying eggs. Good sign for the future!"

Andy Sims from Swanpool emailed: "This morning I was sat in the garden reading, when I noticed a moth on the wall near my trap site. Amazed to find it was a Dewick's Plusia, only my 2nd ever record."

Gerard Fletcher emailed: "I live just over the Norfolk border, but went walking with James Elsey from Guys Head (Sutton Bridge) to the mouth of the Wash today. 15 Peacock, 6 Red Admiral, many Green-veined White, Small White, Small Skipper, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper. Highlight though, was the first butterfly seen, a Wall near the old lighthouse. Not seen one here since 2003, having visited fairly often in the interim."
Thursday 1st August 2024
Andy Sims from Swanpool emailed: "This morning I had a Clouded Magpie in the trap, which was new for the garden, as was the Scarlet Tiger on 24th June."

Owen Beaumont messaged: "18+ Wall this afternoon, Sea View-Rimac south, and a Painted Lady along the Easy Access Trail."

July 2024
Wednesday 31st July 2024
Mark Johnson emailed: "Last Night my nephew trapped in North Somercotes and had 232 moths of 54 species. Highlight was a Brown-veined Wainscot! Others of note included Copper Underwing, 2 Pine Hawk-moths and a Leopard Moth."

Graham Catley messaged: "Painted Lady this morning near South Ferriby Cliff."
Tuesday 30th July 2024
Pete Smith emailed: "Spent a very pleasurable morning out in the Limewoods today amongst the Brown Hairstreaks - two females and three males seen, with one of the males in particular being very obliging and nectaring for long periods of time on the Angelica, Bramble and even Willowherb. Unusually, it was the females who were being a little more aloof on this occasion!"

Keith Walton emailed: "After a pleasurable morning at Chambers Farm with Pete and Adrian, I went on to Snakeholme Pit and had the following: 35 Peacock, 10 Red Admiral, 5 Silver-washed Fritillary,10 Brimstone, 2 Brown Hairstreak, 1 White-letter Hairstreak, 1 Holly Blue and 12+ Purple Hairstreak in the oaks over the road from the seat. I then went on to College and Thistle Storr Wood, 1 very worn Purple Emperor in the oaks at the entrance, 5 White Admiral, 10 Brimstone,10 Peacock and 2 Brown Hairstreak, which did not come down. The Forestry Commission have already started work here. Finished off in Goltho Woods, where I got a little lost being my first time here and ended up at Great West Wood, but found another 2 Brown Hairstreak."
Graham Catley emailed: "Visited Searby Low Farm today, but no real counts of note. Still plenty of Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns on the wing, and first Willow Emerald of the year! Also, Wall seen at the Barton viewing area last night."

Mike Pickwell from Grimsby emailed: "While the weather stays sunny, we continue to get a trickle of butterflies in the garden. Today there have been 2 Peacocks, a Holly Blue and a Small White. We are also regularly getting a pair of Common Darter dragonflies and as we have just installed a new pond, it's fingers crossed."

Monday 29th July 2024
Josh Forrester from Grimsby messaged: "Nice morning spent at the woodland burial area of Scartho Cemetery today. Butterfly numbers have improved - 6 Speckled Wood, 23 Gatekeeper, 2 Large Skipper, 2 Meadow Brown, 3 Small White, 3 Small Skipper, 2 Essex Skipper, 6 Large White, 1 Purple Hairstreak. Also 5 Common Darter, a Southern Hawker and Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis). Nice surprise was a Small Skipper that had evidently roosted in the front garden - a new species for the garden list."
Owen Beaumont messaged: "376 of 12 species at Rimac in 22°C sunshine, but a Force 4 southerly maybe keeping some butterflies down in the vegetation. 59 Small Skipper, 13 Essex Skipper, 102 Small/Essex Skipper, 2 Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Brown Argus, 2 Common Blue, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, 9 Wall Brown, 52 Gatekeeper, 109 Meadow Brown and 22 Ringlet."
Dave Wright reported: "This morning I had my first Small Tortoiseshell of the year in my Grimsby garden, followed by a second brood Holly Blue late this afternoon."
Pete Roworth messaged: "Holly Blue at Sea View today."
Roy Harvey emailed: " Today I had an Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar in the garden at Grasby, and a nice nectaring Large White, - I haven't seen many at all this summer! I looked in at Nettleton LNR again yesterday. Still good numbers of Gatekeeper around, but numbers of all brown butterflies were down from my previous visit. No sign of a blue or Brown Argus. Did see 2 Small Copper and 1 Small Heath and just a single Red Admiral. Several day flying moths around, including Silver Y, Shaded Broad-bar and Six-spot Burnet."

Sunday 28th July 2024
Owen Beaumont emailed: "I visited Chambers Farm Wood late morning to early afternoon with Liam Andrews in glorious sunshine. A very good 20 species recorded from the Butterfly Garden, Fiveways, Minting Triangle and just into Minting Wood. This included singles of Brown Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak and White-letter Hairstreak. A single Purple Emperor well past its best, 6 White Admiral, 8 Silver-washed Fritillary and a very good emergence of Peacock. I also had a juvenile Cuckoo along the entrance track which was a nice bonus."

Dave Wright reported: "A good morning at Rimac/Sea View - 18 species of butterfly including a fresh Painted Lady, 11 Wall, and second brood Common Blue 8, Brown Argus 3 and Small Copper 2. Lots of Roesel's Bush-crickets about including the attached individual along the Disabled Access Trail."

Sally Johnson reported: "3 Painted Lady this afternoon, close to home along the lane off Bank End in North Somercoates."
Mike Pickwell emailed: "I had a very productive walk around the cemetery, Woodland burial ground and Gooseman's Field in Grimsby today. I saw 3 Small White, 13 Speckled Woods, 21 Meadow Browns, 17 Gatekeepers, 5 Peacocks 21 Green-veined Whites, 4 Ringlets, 4 Burnet moths, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 12 Small Skippers and 1 Essex Skipper."
Friday 26th July 2024
Pete Smith emailed: "Small Coppers have been having a great summer brood out at Woodhall Spa this year, and with the numbers on the wing it's no surprise to find a few aberrant forms turning up here and there. Thanks to Toby for pointing out the pathological ab. and using his Jedi mind tricks to make it stay still whilst I photographed it! Clockwise from top left: ab.caeruleopunctata, pathological ab., ab.oblitera, ab.juncta."

Pete Cawdell emailed: This morning I met up with John Davison for a day's Grayling hunting. This is one of Lincs most rapidly declining species, having been recorded in about 15 Tetrads to the north and east of Scunthorpe during the 40 year existence of BC Lincs Branch. However, during the last couple of years Graylings have only been recorded in 1 Tetrad - at Risby Warren - and only in small numbers. So we entered this huge expanse of inland wind-blown sand dunes with sunny periods and much stronger than forecast winds. The flora looked fantastic. All the rain this year had resulted in North Lincs version of a blooming desert. For a change there were masses of butterflies to view, but they were mostly choosing sheltered sites around the woodlands and in the sand dunes. We found 15 species in a 4hr search, but it was not until we eventually reached the far west side that we came across any of our quarry. Here, in a discrete sunny location measuring no more than 150 meters by 10 meters, we were delighted to come across a colony where we counted 24 Grayling individuals, including both males and females. They were nectaring among large patches of heather. Lovely to spend half an hour observing them. Amongst them there was a newly emerged Wall. Hopefully with better weather predicted, for the next week anyway, they will have good mating and egg-laying conditions to perhaps regain some of their lost territory. As well as the above we counted 2 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral, 300+ Meadow Brown, 40 Ringlet, 150+ Gatekeeper, 30 Common Blue, 25 Brown Argus, 25 Small Copper, 30 Small Skipper, 2 Large Skipper, 3 Large White, 6 Small White .. and, oh yes, not forgetting 1 Dark Green Fritillary. There were a few Burnet moths flying and a Forester moth."

Dave Wright reported: "With the prospect of fine weather today, my wife and I decided to visit Belton House near Grantham, an area of Lincolnshire not usually on our radar. There were quite a few typical summer butterflies on the wing, especially in the less well-manicured areas of the estate. The Whites, which have been noticeable by their absence of late, were present in good numbers, with the Green-veined being by far the most numerous. It was nice to see my first new generation Brimstone of the year as well, a really fresh female in the Boathouse Pond area. Here, there were lots of dragonflies with ten species being noted. These included Emperor Dragonfly, Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, and Black-tailed Skimmer. Also, Banded Demoiselle were seen along the banks of the River Witham near the car park.

Owen Beaumont messaged: "I got out late morning for the Rimac transect. 563 of 13 species - 78 Small Skipper, 16 Essex Skipper, 153 Small/Essex Skipper, 8 Large White, 1 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 1 Common Blue, 4 Peacock, 2 Speckled Wood, 7 Wall Brown, 79 Gatekeeper, 149 Meadow Brown and 62 Ringlet."
Thursday 25th July 2024
Chris Atkin messaged: "2 Walls this morning, along the inland track from Rimac to Sea View in dull, windy conditions."
John Walker messaged: "My first Painted Lady of the year today in my garden at Coastguard Cottage, Churchill Lane, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR."
Mark Johnson phoned: "2 Norfolk Hawkers seen briefly at 16:15 and nearby 2 Wall."
Rick Camm reported: "A Painted Lady at Osbournby Hill today, the second I have seen there this year."

Wednesday 24th July 2024
Dave Wright reported: "Visited Rimac this morning along with Mark Johnson and Chris Atkin in the hope of re-locating the Norfolk Hawker seen recently. Unfortunately, it failed to materialise, but we did manage a further 11 species of dragonfly, including Small Red-eyed Damselfly and Migrant Hawker, the latter being our first of the year! Butterflies noted were similar to last Wednesdays visit but included a single second brood male Common Blue, 4 Speckled Woods, and a single summer brood Small Tortoiseshell. However, the highlight of the day was undoubtedly seeing an Osprey catch a fish out of the Great Eau, close to Rimac Bridge."
Steve Meek from Tetney messaged: "Oak Eggar in the trap this morning and new for my garden."
Mike Pickwell from Grimsby emailed: "I did three counts for the Big Butterfly Count today. The first was in my garden in Scartho and produced 1 Large White and 1 Green-veined White. The second was in the cemetery and I got 1 Large White and 2 Speckled Woods. Next in the Woodland Burial Ground I did somewhat better with 1 Large White, 2 Speckled Woods, 3 Gatekeepers and 2 Small Whites."
Tuesday 23rd July 2024: Brown Hairstreak at Chambers Farm Wood!
Steve Hollinrake from Lancashire emailed: "While we were in Lincolnshire this week, I decided to visit Chambers Farm Wood today with my sons John and Luke. We found a fresh male Brown Hairstreak near Minting Triangle, but we were very surprised to see one this early! We also had a couple of White Admirals and 4 Silver-washed Fritillaries."

Phil Bowler emailed: "Nothing to get excited about but I thought today's sightings from our garden warrant submitting now that the summer broods are emerging. About as good as it gets this year! 26 Six-spot Burnet, 4 Mother of Pearl, 3 Silver Y, 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth, 1 Mint Moth, 15 Essex Skipper, 4 Brimstone, 4 Large White, 4 Small White, 6 Green-veined White, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 2 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue, 2 Holly Blue, 18 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 7 Small Tortoiseshell, 30 Peacock, 2 Comma, 4 Speckled Wood, 14 Gatekeeper, 11 Meadow Brown, 4 Ringlet and 2 Small Heath."
Graham Catley messaged: " Sightings at Searby Low Farm today: 6 Peacock, 2 Small Tort, 120 Gatekeeper, 120 Meadow Brown, 10 Ringlet, 16 Small Skipper, 4 Red admiral, 1 Small Heath, c10 Small White, 3 Green-veined White and 4 Speckled Wood."
Toby Ludlow emailed: "Went out into my Coningsby garden this morning and encountered "the big five" there: Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma. There were 2 Peacocks and singles of all the others. The Painted Lady is the first one that I've seen this year, which is quite late on in the year; it wasn't particularly fresh either.

Later I visited Kirkby Moor and summer brood Small Coppers were everywhere! There were easily 200+ and most were in good condition; it's the most I've seen on one day for a long time! I soon found a mating pair and there were countless examples of courtship behaviour all over the site. Several females could be seen egg laying on Sheep's Sorrel, so good news for the next generation. Half a dozen fresh, summer brood Brown Argus were new emergences, and these included one ab. snellini, where the black discoidal spot is ringed with white. There are still good numbers of Forester moths on the wing, but these are now much harder to find because the Heather is starting to bloom and they obviously prefer this nectar source, so have diverted away from the Ragwort and Spear Thistles where they were "sitting ducks!" A couple of dozen Small Heath and several Meadow Browns accounted for most of the rest. On the edge of the heathland, I added a single Red Admiral, a single Peacock, and around 20 Skippers. Of the latter, I positively identified 8 and they were all Small Skippers."
Dave Wright reported: "I've just received an anonymous report that a Clouded Yellow flew in off the sea at Wolla Bank on Saturday 20th July."
Renata Jackson messaged: "This morning I had 4 Wall on the steps of Quarry Hill, which is close to the car park at Rimac."
Mike Pickwell emailed: "Now that the weather has warmed up we have started seeing a few butterflies in the garden at Scartho in Grimsby. But only a few. We have had singles of Large and Small White, Green-veined White, Comma, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood and Holly Blue. I had an hour at Winter's Pitt at East Halton on Sunday afternoon and saw 1 Large White, 2 Small White and 10 Gatekeepers; my highest numbers of one species this year."
Monday 22nd July 2024
Graham Catley messaged: "50+ Gatekeeper and 5 Red Admiral at Alkborough today."
Pete Smith emailed: "Spent three hours out in the Limewoods this afternoon and came across a couple of minor aberrations. Nothing spectacular, but always nice to see something a little different from the norm! A very mild form of Gatekeeper ab.excessa, and a slightly more unusual Ringlet, ab.cuneata."


Sunday 21st July 2024
Suzanne Nelson messaged: "We visited Risby Warren today and spotted the following butterflies: 35 Gatekeeper, 24 Meadow Brown, 3 Large White, 1 Brimstone, 7 Small Skipper, 2 Small White, 14 Ringlet, 10 Small Copper, 13 Small Heath, 1 Common Blue, 1 Peacock and 3 Grayling."
Derek Fox emailed: "After the field trip on the 13th on another cool, cloudy day, I thought I would go back to Hardy Gang Wood today and have a good look around with the weather being so warm. The only positive butterflies I saw were 18 fresh Peacocks, 5 Red Admirals, one summer brood Comma, 1 Speckled Wood, and low numbers of Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper. No Purple Emperors, although I went down three really boggy rides, and no show also of any Fritillaries. Biggest disappointment was only finding one very tatty White Admiral. I presume they have gone over during last week's torrential rain.
Roy Harvey emailed: "Today, I managed to get a few photos from Nettleton LNR, including Gatekeeper which were present in good numbers. It was nice to see a mating pair. I didn’t attempt an accurate count but Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper were numerous, as were Small Skipper, some of which seemed to have black tips to the antennae. A few Small Heath were also seen plus singles of Small Copper, Green-veined White and Red Admiral. The ragwort carried a lot of Cinnabar moth caterpillars.

Saturday 20th July 2024: Norfolk Hawker at Rimac!
Mark Johnson messaged: "A Norfolk Hawker over the pools at the southern part of the easy access trail at Rimac this morning. I believe this is the first record of this species on the reserve."

Friday 19th July 2024
John Davison emailed: "Purple Emperor and 3 Silver-washed Fritillaries at Cocklode & Great West Woods today."
Pete Cawdell emailed: "Rick Camm reports that 23 species have seen so far this year at Osbournby Hill Top, which he keeps a close eye on. Recent highlights have been Essex Skippers, new to his list, and a bird-pecked White-letter Hairstreak. The latter was found in exactly the same place as last year's!"
Colin Pumfrett emailed: "The warm weather has helped the butterfly count in my Broughton garden. It has risen from 13 to 18 in a couple of days. Just arrived Small and Essex Skipper, Comma, Gatekeeper and Small White."

Thursday 18th July 2024
Martin Timms emailed: "I tried Morkery Wood today for my first ever visit there. I saw at least 4 Purple Emperors, maybe as many as 6. I tried to encourage this one to leave my trouser leg so that I could get a more natural photograph, but it crawled onto my hand and wouldn't leave. I went for a walk from one ride to the next with it still on my hand... even took a phone video. I've read that they're attracted to obnoxious smells. Oh dear!"

Owen Beaumont messaged: "468 of 9 species around on the Rimac transect today in full sunshine and 23°C heat. 81 Small Skipper, 9 Essex skipper, 138 Small/Essex Skipper, 9 Large White, 4 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 33 Gatekeeper, 96 Meadow Brown, 95 Ringlet, 2 Small Heath. 12 Silver Y and increasing numbers of Six-spot Burnet moths too."
Toby Ludlow messaged: "I had a pleasant surprise when I went out into the front garden this morning and found 7 fresh Small Tortoiseshells nectaring on the Lavender, especially considering the fact that I saw very few in the spring. Later on in the day, 2 Commas also found the Lavender to their liking!"
Wednesday 17th July 2024

Dave Wright and Chris Atkin reported: " Summer finally arrived along the Lincolnshire coast today. Therefore, we decided to spend the day at Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR in the hope that the glorious weather might entice a few more butterflies and dragonflies to appear. We concentrated on the Sea View and Rimac areas and noted the following: Butterflies - 1 White-letter Hairstreak ‘buzzing’ about the tops of the Elm at Sea View, 2 Large White, 7 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 106 Meadow Brown, 93 Ringlet, 48 Gatekeeper, 5 Small Heath, 1 Large Skipper, 132 Small Skipper, 11 Essex Skipper, 5 Red Admiral and a single Comma. Also, a second generation Common Blue had been seen by Renata Jackson at Crook Bank. Moths - 18 Silver Y, 1 Large Yellow Underwing, 4 Shaded Broad-bar, 1 Yellow Shell, 3 Common Carpet, 1 Ruby Tiger larva, 18 Six-spot Burnet and Cinnabar larvae everywhere! We also recorded eight species of dragonfly, which included literally hundreds of Ruddy and Common Darter, and 9 Emerald Damselfly, the latter being our first of the year."

Cliff Morrison messaged: "Really nice morning to do a butterfly count around my Brickyard Lane-Churchill Lane circuit today. 151 butterflies of 10 species. Key grassland species were Ringlet 76, Meadow Brown 36, Gatekeeper 25 and Small Skipper 7. They were about 90% down on my typical counts for this circuit for mid-July. I also had 1 Southern Hawker."
Steve Palmer from Healing emailed: "Painted Lady in my garden this morning."
Martin Timms emailed: "Visiting from Sheffield, I saw a single Purple Emperor in Great West Wood around 10am today, but it didn't stick around. Also 2 x White Admiral, 4 x Silver-washed Fritillary, plus other common species."

Phil Bowler emailed: "A combined count today courtesy of me and Toby Ludlow, both being there at Kirkby Moor at the same time. Most of these numbers are from our joint afternoon stroll, though a few were seen by Toby earlier. 29 Forester, 4 Small/Essex Skipper, 2 Large Skipper, 2 Brimstone 2 (male, one female), 1 Large White (female), 2 Small White (male), 4 Green-veined White, 43 Small Copper (including a dark male aberration pictured), 1 Red Admiral, 2 Comma, 1 Silver-washed Fritillary (female), 2 Speckled Wood (new brood), 10 Meadow Brown, 15 Ringlet and 5 Small Heath. At home at Amber Hill earlier in the garden, I saw 2 fresh Peacocks, one of each sex of new Brimstone, a brand spanking new Painted Lady, the first of our summer brood Holly Blue, and a Small Heath plus the other usual residents but no Hairstreaks today! Another Scarlet Tiger made an appearance - that's three now.

Tuesday 16th July 2024
Clive Moor emailed: "I came across several Essex Skippers today at Kirkby Gravel Pit."

Monday 15th July 2024
Paul Daubney emailed: "The sunshine this morning tempted me to go for a quick walk at Chambers Farm Wood. Almost the first butterfly I saw was a male Purple Emperor, on the main track near the car park. His wings appeared quite worn. Unfortunately he was quickly scared off by an inconsiderate walker. I saw just one other Purple Emperor, high above the main track. Also along the main track, 2 brief sightings of White Admiral, the first of 5 fresh, male Silver-washed Fritillaries and a single Purple Hairstreak. 5 fresh Gatekeepers (4 of them in the Butterfly Garden/Car Park) shows that they are now emerging."

Saturday 13th July 2024
Pete Cawdell emailed: "Another week, another BC Field Trip, same old dreary weather! This time the venue was the Bardney Limewoods. Just 6 of us made the most of an uninspiring day, but these participants were all experienced amateur naturalists which made for a very sociable and interesting walk along the woodland rides seeking out anything special. The first wood we visited was Great West Wood and then, after lunch, Hardy Gang Wood. Both these woods have had recent sightings of Purple Emperor and White Admiral ... but obviously not today as, true to the forecast, the sun just refused to shine through the mostly leaden, drizzly skies. In Great West Wood we did actually find a couple of Ringlet. Several Cinnabar moth larvae were feeding on ragwort and a fully grown Herald moth larva was spotted on sallow. Adult moths were just 2 - Early Thorn (2nd. generation) and Buff Footman. In Hardy Gang Wood I related the local legend of the Wild Man of Bardney woods, a deranged soldier returned from the Crusades living rough and allegedly stealing food and kidnapping children. A Royal reward enticed a man called Hardy to get up a gang and hunt him down. The Wild Man's hiding place was revealed by 3 tyrwhitts (old name for peewits) taking flight. The Wild Man was duly killed and his old tunic and helmet were displayed in Stainfield Church until the late 1980s when an overtidy church warden disposed of them. The killers were given marshy land nearby as their reward and the event is commemorated at the Tyrwhit Arms pub, Short Ferry, on the heraldic shield displayed outside containing 3 peewhit feathers. We found the spot where he was apparently killed but no sign of his ghost today. However, in the wood we did find 6 Ringlet, 4 Meadow Brown, a Small Skipper, a Large White and 2 Green-veined Whites. It was disappointing to find that the former large patch of locally rare Cow Wheat had disappeared under a mass of bramble. This was a feature of both woods - some great habitat but uncut rides last autumn and winter by the Forestry Commission (apparently because it was so wet) making a tangled mass of tall vegetation at the ride sides, and smothering the interesting flora beneath. So despite yet another bad-weather butterfly day this Field Trip proved to be an enjoyable trip where we could see the potential for a return in more favourable conditions."
Friday 12th July 2024
Toby Ludlow emailed: "After a week of dismal weather, I decided to get some fresh air and visited Kirkby Moor NR for an hour. Given the gloomy conditions, it was no surprise that I saw very few butterflies. However, I did see some nice moths, the pick of the bunch being 5 Forester moths, resplendent in their iridescent green livery. The Forester is a UK BAP Priority species and the larvae feed on Common Sorrel and Sheep's Sorrel, clearly well catered for at Kirkby Moor. A Beautiful Yellow Underwing, that sat still for more than a second, was an added bonus."

Wednesday 10th July 2024
Phil Bowler messaged to say: "For once the weather forecast was right and I slipped up to CFW today for a mid-afternoon onwards amble. I covered the main ride down to Fiveways, then right to Minting Triangle and back again. I was surprised to see no sign of the Purple Emperor and only 2 White Admiral. The 4 Silver-washed Fritillary I saw were all brand new males. In addition to bramble and thistles, they were nectaring from meadowsweet and hogweed (see photo). Whilst taking a picture of the one nectaring from hogweed, I was amazed to see a Purple Hairstreak doing likewise on the next plant (see photo). I saw another nectaring on bramble, plus another 2 in the treetops. Very few.
There were 9 hutchinsoni Comma, and the only other butterflies of any number were 16 Large Skipper and 132 Ringlet. Despite the good numbers of Ringlet there were no Gatekeeper and only 4 Meadow Brown, all male. Supporting cast were: 3 Large White, 7 Green-veined White, and 3 Red Admiral."
Nigel Wass emailed: “A visit to Chambers Farm Wood this morning saw a Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, 4 Ringlets and two Green-veined White in the butterfly garden. A walk from the car park towards Hatton saw a Small Copper, Small and Large Skipper and Purple Hairstreak. Numerous Whites, Ringlets and Meadow Browns. Highlight was 7 Silver-washed Fritillary along the ride in various locations.”
Owen Beaumont wrote following his Rimac transect walk: "Not in full sunshine around Rimac today, but warm enough and some nice sunny spells. 283 of 9 species on the transect - 44 Small Skipper, 3 Essex skipper, 35 Small/Essex Skipper, 4 Large Skipper, 2 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 6 Gatekeeper, 87 Meadow Brown, 98 Ringlet and 3 Small Heath. A real bonus came in the form of a fresh White-letter Hairstreak nectaring on Elder flower at Sea View."

Saturday 6th July 2024
Pete Cawdell reported: "Our Field Trip to Grimsthorpe Park went ahead in defiance of the unseasonal weather conditions. A bad forecast for the day put off several folks from attending and, indeed, when we set off at 10am the thermometer was only showing 10.5 deg.C and it was raining as well! However, mercifully, the wet subsided on our walking journey and, as well as the lovely limestone flora on view, in the brighter spells many members of the Brown butterfly family showed themselves. We actually saw 4 species - dozens of Meadow Browns, and Ringlets, and Marbled Whites, and my first Gatekeeper of the season. These Browns don't let a bit of cloud and light rain prevent their activities. We managed to complete most of the planned routes, just avoiding the really wet tall grassland. In a recce of the area covered, in slightly better conditions 2 days before, I was able to count 184 Marbled Whites, part of probably the most numerous and extensive colony in Lincs. Many thanks to Richard O'Connor for his excellent company, and for sharing with me some of his extensive botanical knowledge."
Friday 5th July 2024
Mark Johnson from North Somercotes emailed: "Laid up with nowt to do following a minor operation, I thought I’d try a Lunar Hornet Moth lure in the garden. I set up at 10:25 and checked at 11:20 to find one in the trap. Thirty minutes later two more, and after another ten minutes one more. Cheered me up no end!"


Josh Forrester messaged: "Following my sighting of Lunar Hornet Moth in my garden on Wednesday 3rd July, imagine my surprise this morning when I found a pair 'in cop'!"

Owen Beaumont messaged: "Some decent sun and peaking at 20°C today at Rimac around lunchtime. 277 butterflies of 9 species; 72 Small Skipper, 3 Large Skipper, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 fresh Gatekeeper, 108 Meadow Brown, 87 Ringlet and 2 Small Heath."

Dave Wright reported: "This afternoon I had a male Large White in my Grimsby garden, the first white that I have seen locally for a number of weeks."
John Walker messaged: "A few butterflies at Coast Guard Cottages, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR today - 3 Red Admiral, 3 Meadow Brown, 4 Ringlet, 2 Large Skipper, 1 Small Skipper, 2 Small White and 1 Speckled Wood."
Thursday 4th July 2024
Toby Ludlow emailed: "I was passing Morkery Wood late on in the afternoon, so decided to call in for a quick recce. The gamble paid off as I soon spotted a Purple Emperor circling low down just above the track. Just as it thought about landing, it clouded over and instead it ascended and sought refuge at the top of an Oak tree. I waited for the cloud to pass and when the sunshine returned another two male Purple Emperors could be seen gliding around the canopy. After a brief walk, I found a fourth male Purple Emperor, this one imbibing from the damp track edge. After completing a circuit, I again found 3 male Purple Emperors close together. These may, or may not, have been the same ones seen before; we will never know. So, in summary, I had 7 Purple Emperor sightings, of which 4 were definitely different individuals. Other species seen were: Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Large Skipper."

Pete Smith emailed: "Whilst searching for Purple Emperors today at several locations with limited success, I stumbled across this subtle but interesting Ringlet aberration. The Jury is currently out on the name; it is possibly an example of ab.novem-luscus - I have referred it to a Ringlet aberration expert for further opinion.

Wednesday 3rd July 2024: Lunar Hornet Moth in Grimsby!
Josh Forrester messaged: "Today I had a great record for my Grimsby garden, when I found a Lunar Hornet Moth on the Hemp Agrimony."

Dave Wright reported: "The dismal weather that has plagued the start of July looked as though it would continue today. However, just after midday, the sun threatened to break through the cloud, and so I made a dash for Long Strip Wood at Immingham Dock, hoping to see my first White-letter Hairstreaks of the year. Shortly after arrival, sunny spells developed, and I managed to find at least 2 White-letter Hairstreaks flitting about the tops of the Elm. The only other butterfly in the wood was a Ringlet. On the way back to the car, I noted a Red Admiral at Stallingborough North Beck Drain. Nearby, Laporte Meadow produced 6 more Ringlets, another Red Admiral, 5 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet moths, a single Shaded Broad-bar and a Ruby Tiger caterpillar."

Tuesday 2nd July 2024: Grayling out at Risby Warren!
John Davison emailed: "The Grayling are now out at Risby Warren. The attached photograph was taken along Risby Opencast Track."

Roy Harvey emailed: "Despite the cloudy skies, Linda and I went to Red Hill LWT Nature Reserve this afternoon. We were pleasantly surprised at the number of Marbled Whites on the wing, including one on a Pyramidal Orchid. We also noted a few Six-spot Burnet moths and 3 Common Lizards."

Monday 1st July 2024
Pete Smith emailed: "I had my first Purple Emperor of 2024 out at Chambers on Saturday - a mint fresh male on the way down towards Fiveways. Despite searching yesterday and today, I have as yet seen no more. I have also searched a couple of other sites with no luck. It is slow progress out there at the moment, almost as painful as watching England play! On a different note, the buckthorns in my garden in Heighington have been well visited by Brimstones this spring, and although as usual, most of the resultant larvae have been taken by the local bird population, I did note many more final instar larvae this year. The first of the adults have just begun to emerge, and this morning I took the attached photograph on one of my wild flower beds. It is not uncommon for Brimstones to show a slight degree of brownish fleck markings in the ante-marginal area of the hindwing underside, but the one on the left of the photo is a particularly heavily-marked example of ab.hoefnageli."

Mark Brandon emailed: "Two Small Tortoiseshells at Manby Flash today braving the cool wind, are the first I've seen for some while. On Saturday I walked the 'Juicetrump Hill Walk' from Belchford to Scamblesby and Flintwood Farm. They are doing a lot of good work leaving wild flower meadows and edges, and Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Speckled Woods were in the highest numbers I've seen this year. Several Small Skippers, 1 Red Admiral, two Large Whites and one Common Blue were also seen. Also Tree Sparrows, Yellow Wagtails and Corn Buntings around the farm."
June 2024
Sunday 30th June 2024
Laura Gundy emailed: "23 intrepid explorers turned out for the walk jointly organised by Lincs BC and Lincs Wolds Beekeepers, taking in some beautiful scenery around Hallington. In cool conditions we struggled to see much in the way of butterflies at first, instead talking about the virtues of field margins, "untidy" corners of nettles and thistles and native trees and hedgerows. Gradually the clouds parted and soon we were seeing good numbers of Meadow Browns and Ringlets. Large and Small Skippers made an appearance, a Red Admiral, one unidentified White and one Common Blue. Many thanks go to Peter Cawdell and Derek Fox for being the back markers."
Saturday 29th June 2024
Patrick Scott emailed: "A good central spread of White Admirals this week in Woodhall Spa - Kinema, Petwood and Viking Way."
Roy Harvey emailed: "Today, I paid another visit to Nettleton LNR where I noted the following: 100+ Ringlet, 20+ Meadow Brown, several Small Heath, 2 Large Skipper, 1 Small Skipper and a single Six-spot Burnet moth."
Friday 28th June 2024
Pete Cawdell emailed: "I was monitoring a private farm nature reserve near Castle Bytham today. It is only about 2 acres in size, but a great Lincs Limestone floristic site where I was pleased to find the colonies of Marbled White and Dark Green Fritillary still thriving. The weather was cloudy with strongish winds but I managed to count 36 Marbled White including the pair photographed. It was good to see the fresh Dark Green Fritillary as, after encouraging the farmer to establish the area when this species was first discovered, we had that terrible drought 2 years ago when all its larval foodplant violets shrivelled up. I feared the worst and only saw one flying last year. This one was quite at home nectaring when it let me take the photo, and, apparently a paired couple were also seen there yesterday. Apart from these 2 top drawer species the only other butterflies on the wing were 5 Meadow Browns. On the way there I made a quick 'pit-stop' at Morkery Wood where, in the car park area, I observed a Silver-washed Fritillary and a Ringlet."

Roy Harvey messaged: "I went to South Killingholme Pits this afternoon and had a few butterflies along the wall side - 15 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet and 1 Small Heath.
Caroline Sanderson emailed: "A follow on from last year; we have Toadflax Brocade caterpillars in our Spalding garden again. We also have Box Moth caterpillars but the birds have eaten most of them. The box is recovering!"
Thursday 27th June 2024
Nick Clayton emailed: "I saw several Black Hairstreaks at Chambers Farm Wood Today, including a female egg-laying. Also, a single Purple Hairstreak."

Keith Walton emailed: "Today I decided to visit several of the least visited woods in the Bardney Limewoods complex. I found 1 Purple Emperor in Hardy Gang Wood and a further 6 in one of the other woods."

Colin Pumfrett emailed: "I spotted 2 White Admirals at Messingham Sand Quarry today, a first for me at this nature reserve."
Martin Kew reported from Twyford Wood: "A lovely morning to walk the transects. There has been a large emergence of Marbled White since last week and Ringlet numbers have increased significantly. Totals for the reserves were: Glades - 25 Marbled White, 42 Ringlet, 6 Large Skipper, 7 Meadow Brown, 4 Small Heath and 2 Speckled Wood. Sanctuary - 20 Marbled White, 32 Ringlet, 7 Large Skipper, 17 Meadow Brown and a solitary Grizzled Skipper."
John Davison reported: "It was warm with intermittent sun at Southrey Wood this morning. First Silver-washed Fritillary of the year together with White Admiral, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Large Skipper and Green-veined White."
Wednesday 26th June 2024
Robin Chittenden www.robinchittenden.co.uk emailed: "Chambers Farm Wood today: 8+ White Admiral, 8+ Ringlet, many Meadow Brown, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Large White, 4 Large Skipper, 1 Comma and a few Whites. Plus, I had a Southern Migrant Hawker (see attached photo), possibly the first record of this species at this site."

Pete Smith emailed: "While overall butterfly numbers remain well below par for the time of year, at least I managed to get into double figures in terms of the species count out at Chambers Farm Wood today. Plenty of White Admirals on the wing, plus my first three Silver-washed Fritillaries of the year, which weren't stopping for a photo. Also, Comma, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Large Skipper, a single Small Skipper, a couple of Black Hairstreaks higher up, and the star of the show, this female Common Blue ab-supracaerulea. I only had a chance to take a couple of shots of her before a male appeared out of nowhere - he clearly didn't believe in foreplay, because within ten seconds of appearing they had paired up! We are getting there slowly...waiting now for His Imperial Majesty to put in an appearance..."

Dave Wright reported: "This afternoon I spent an hour at Red Hill LWT Nature reserve, concentrating only on the old quarry site. On arrival my attention was immediately drawn to the Marbled Whites patrolling the area, and there must have been at least 30. It was refreshing to see butterflies on the wing again, and I also noted the following: 33 Meadow Brown, 18 Ringlet, 11 Large Skipper, 6 Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Large White. Moths included 1 Silver Y and 1 Yellow Shell."

Toby Ludlow messaged: "Paid a trip to Southrey Wood and immediately after getting out of the car I spotted a Scarlet Tiger moth flying towards me. It nearly landed on my car, but then turned round and flew back into the wood, slowly getting higher and higher, and eventually settled high up in an Oak tree. Typical! This is the third year in a row that I've seen Scarlet Tiger in this wood. There were a good number of Ringlets along the main ride, several Meadow Browns and a few White Admirals, but not many other species. However, I did spot a male Silver-washed Fritillary, which was sparring with a fresh Comma, but it never settled to have its photograph taken."
Tuesday 25th June 2024
Phil Bowler emailed: "Very little occurring yet in our Amber Hill butterfly garden, but over the last couple of days I have seen the first White-letter Hairstreaks. Three in total, at the tops of two widely elms in different parts of the garden."
Toby Ludlow from Coningsby messaged: "A walk around the Pingle LNR today produced 2 White-letter Hairstreak, my first of the year."
Owen Beaumont messaged: "110 individuals of 7 species in glorious sunshine on the Rimac transect today. 20 Large Skipper, 1 Small/Essex Skipper, 4 Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 63 Meadow Brown, 13 Ringlet and 8 Small Heath. Also a Mother Shipton and Silver Y recorded."
Dave Wright reported: "This morning I paid a brief visit to the Great Coates Section of the Pyewipe Line, and was rewarded with my first Small Skipper of the year. Also noted 47 Ringlet, 13 Meadow Brown, 6 Common Blue and 2 Silver Y moths."
Monday 24th June 2024
Louise Denning reported: "5 White Admirals at Potterhanworth Wood this afternoon. A welcome sighting after the lack of butterflies recently."
Graham Catley messaged: "Spent four hours at the farm in Searby todeay - not a single white! 217 Meadow Brown, 16 Ringlet, 26 Large Skipper, 3 Small Heath, 1 Speckled Wood, but no Common Blue or Brown Argus."
Sunday 23rd June 2024
Phil Bowler emailed: "At last I managed a trip to Chambers Farm Wood today. I was not expecting to see much, as this seems to be the case everywhere in the UK right now. And I didn't see much! Marsh Fritillaries were virtually gone - only 2 females seen. Amongst the handful of Burnet moths, at least 2 were Narrow-bordered Five-spot, which was nice. Large Skipper was the star of the show - 16 seen - they seem to be doing well everywhere I visit this year, including our butterfly garden, following on from the dreadful season they had with us last year. So never give up hope! Our butterflies are incredibly resilient. I saw 5 very fresh White Admirals widespread through the woods, and a new Comma. Meadow Brown and Ringlet were in incredibly low numbers - 15 and 8 respectively, and Speckled Wood recorded 11 - even they were not seen throughout the wood, only certain areas. Just one of each Small and Green-veined White - possibly new broods, and a female Brimstone still in residence."
Laura Gundy emailed: "Blessed with a day off work, I took the opportunity to have a wander around the farm here at Benniworth. Meadow Browns and Ringlets were around in low numbers, and lots of Large Skippers were chasing about. I was delighted to see a Marbled White patrolling a particularly flowery area, but even this was trumped today by my favourite find - two large nests of Peacock larvae. Having hardly seen any adults all spring it was a massive relief to see these little fellers! Later, I paid a brief visit to Sotby Wood where I noted Meadow Browns, Ringlets, 2 Common Blues, loads of Large Skippers and a single White Admiral."
Friday 21st June 2024
Owen Beaumont emailed: "We’ve finally got a bit of sun, so the Rimac transect has been carried out today. Only 58 individuals of 6 species recorded, but it’s an improvement on recent sightings - 14 Large Skipper, 3 Common Blue, 4 Speckled Wood, 21 Meadow Brown, 4 Ringlet and 12 Small Heath."
Mike Pickwell emailed: "I've not been able to get out much lately, so it was good to visit Tetney Blow Wells today. There wasn't a lot about, but I did see 10 Meadow Brown, 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Ringlet and a distant white sp."
Karen Hargreave emailed: "Went to Twyford Wood this morning, 9 Grizzled Skippers but very worn. Also noted the following in the Sanctuary reserve: 9 Large Skipper, 12 Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlets, 8 Common Blue, 4 Marbled White, 2 Large White and 1 Burnet Companion moth."
Thursday 20th June 2024: Small Skipper at Rimac!
Chris Atkin emailed: "My first Small Skipper of the year today at Rimac, opposite the freshwater marsh. I didn't have much else, just a few Large Skippers, Small Heaths, Common Blues and Meadow Browns. Again, no whites!"

Colin Pumfrett reported from Chambers Farm Wood: "Today I had a single Black Hairstreak and White Admiral at Fiveways."

Pete Cawdell emailed: "Today I met up with the BC Lincs Chairman and our Regional BC Conservation Manager to view Crowle Moor. It was good to chat with Phil Lee who was just leaving the site around mid-day, as I hadn't seen him for a while. We managed to find 11 Large Heath in the North Reserve along with 1 Small Tortoiseshell nectaring on privet, 1 fresh Red Admiral, about 7 Large Skipper, 7 Ringlet, 3 Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, and male and female Brimstone. I was there a bit early for our meeting but, by chance, pleased to have a good conversation with a committee member of Yorks BC Branch, also there to check up on the Large Heaths. He was a bit surprised when I informed him we were actually in Lincs (you have to watch these Yorkshire folk, not satisfied with having the massive Humberhead Peatlands portion, they want to claim our small slice as well!).

Phil Lee emailed: "Today I had at least 5 Large Heath at Crowle Moor along north tram. This section is very boggy at the top and wellies are a must!"

Gary Fenwick emailed: "A trip to Red Hill LWT NR today produced the following: 5 Marbled White, 5 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlet, c15 Large Skipper, c10 Common Blue, 6 Latticed Heath moths and a Common Lizard."
Pete Smith emailed: "Given this year's largely dismal weather, I have been fortunate to have made several trips abroad in recent weeks, and enjoyed some excellent continental butterflying. But today I decided to get back into the UK scene and visited Chambers Farm Wood for a couple of hours this morning. It was, as expected, rather quiet. There were several dozen Marsh Fritillaries still flying in Little Scrubbs Meadow, and similar numbers of Meadow Browns and Large Skippers scattered throughout the wood. Add in about a dozen Speckled Woods, one female Brimstone and one Small White and that's about it, apart from the star of the show - a fecund female Black Hairstreak down at nectar. Surprisingly, I didn't see a single Ringlet. With the weather forecast to be warmer over the next week or so, as the song goes, things can only get better!"

Wednesday 19th June 2024
Graham Catley emailed: "Today, I had a Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth at Laughton Forest, my first for this site."

Tuesday 18th June 2024

- Paul Daubney emailed: "I went to Chambers’ Wood today looking for Black Hairstreaks and, despite the cloudy conditions, found them at the usual spot at Fiveways (flying between the Oak tree and the top of the Blackthorn). Quite a few sightings, but a maximum of 3 Hairstreaks at any given time. Also got my first Meadow Browns and Ringlet of the year, just past Fiveways. The picture shows one of the Hairstreaks angling the underside of its wings in an attempt to get some sun. Lots of birdsong, with Garden Warblers showing well. Summer will soon be here!"
- Dave Wright reported: " Having not seen Marsh Fritillary so far this year, I met up with Toby Ludlow at Chambers Farm Wood around midday, to do a count at Little Scrubbs Meadow and the Extension. Little Scrubbs Meadow: 78 Marsh Fritillary, 10 Large Skipper, 26 Meadow Brown and 3 Speckled Wood. We also noted our first Brown Hawker of the year too, and a Common Lizard was an unexpected bonus. Extension: 41 Marsh Fritillary, 17 Meadow Brown, 33 Large Skipper, 6 Speckled Wood and a single Common Blue. We had a staggering total of 353 Green Oak Tortrix moths, some of which fell prey to two more Brown Hawkers and a Common Blue Damselfy. Moths included 2 Latticed Heath, 2 Burnet Companion, 1 Six-spot Burnet, 6 Cinnabar, 1 Silver Y and 2 Yellow Shell. Eventually, we made our way to Fiveways, and despite cloudy conditions, we managed to find at least 3 Black Hairstreaks in the tops of the Blackthorn. Earlier on we bumped into a couple who had seen 5 Black Hairstreaks and a single White Admiral nearby. Prior to meeting up with me, Toby had visited another part of the Limewoods and found 10 White Admirals.
Sunday 16th June 2024
Laura Gundy emailed: "Ever since I was a child, there have always been Magpie Moths in my parents'garden in Strubby. I was pleased to see some of the larvae there today, and interestingly they were feeding on sedums instead of the fruit bushes where they've always been before. Stonecrop is listed as a foodplant for them, so I suppose a sedum is perhaps not too far removed from that.
Friday 14th June 2024
Dave Wright reported: "This morning I popped over to Nettleton and met up with Kev Armstrong at Wold Farm, where we had a walk over his land. We had to dodge a couple of showers, but during a brief sunny spell a Painted Lady made an appearance. The only other butterflies seen were 1 male Orange-tip, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Green-veined White and lots of Brimstone larvae on Buckthorn. Moths included 1 Blood-vein, 1 Cinnabar and 3 Chimney Sweeper. Also, a Banded Demoiselle made an unexpected appearance."
Thursday 13th June 2024

- Chris Cox emailed: "One White Admiral spotted today at Southrey Wood. Also, a few Common Blues, but that was all."
- Owen Beaumont messaged: "A Meadow Brown at Crook Bank on the Saltflletby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR today. Also Common Darter, and earlier a Banded Demoiselle at Sea View bridge."
- Toby Ludlow messaged: "A walk around the Pingle LNR, Coningsby, this afternoon in overcast conditions produced just 2 butterflies: a Red Admiral and a Peacock. However, the latter was of note because it was a fresh, summer-brood Peacock and not an over-wintering individual."
Wednesday 12th June 2024

Chris Atkin emailed: "I visited Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR today, and despite the poor weather, managed to find my first Meadow Brown of the year, adjacent to Rimac freshwater marsh late afternoon. I also flushed 6 Small Heath, 3 Speckled Wood and 2 Common Blue."
Dave Wright reported: "There have been a few sightings of Meadow Brown in Lincolnshire just recently, and so with the prospect of a few sunny intervals in the Grimsby area this afternoon, I decided to visit the Great Coates Section of the Pyewipe Line, in the hope of seeing my first of this species for the year. Unfortunately, I drew a complete blank, but rather unexpectedly came across 3 Ringlets. The only other butterflies seen were 3 Common Blues and 2 Large Skippers. Sadly heavy rain curtailed proceedings prematurely, but not before I managed to find 75 spikes of Bee Orchid, my first ever at this site!"

Saturday 8th June 2024

Pete Cawdell emailed: "Being away for a good part of May, coupled with the bad spring weather, made me fear I had missed out on seeing Grizzled Skippers in Lincs this year. I have had several unrewarding trips out looking for the species lately and this afternoon, I found myself in Twyford Wood, home-base for them in Lincs, for the third time this week. Trudging up the long direct ride to our BC Glades Reserve the weather was slightly better - some sunny spells, dry, but with a moderate, gusty, cool wind. It was getting very late in the flight season for them so I was somewhat surprised then to see a good condition Grizzled Skipper come skipping past me and landing on a flower. Fumbling to get my camera set up and having a dog walker approach (typical!) meant it soon flew off without a shot. A faded Holly Blue then landed on the track and there were at least 8 Speckled Woods on this section of my walk. On reaching the Glades I had a leisurely look round for about an hour and turned up another 4 Grizzled Skippers - 2 males sparring with a fresh male Large Skipper, and 2 females, one of which was egg-laying. There were also 4 Dingy Skipper, 6 Small Heath and only 3 male Common Blue butterflies here, apart from another couple of Speckled Wood. There were several Burnet Companions and a Mother Shipton moth. On the way across to our other BC Sanctuary Reserve I clocked up a male Brimstone and a few more Speckled Wood. By the time I reached the Sanctuary it had clouded over and cooled off so I only recorded a couple of Small Heath. Yet more Speckled Woods (at least there has been a good hatch of them) on my way back to the entrance completed the successful hunt."
Thursday 6th June 2024

John Davison emailed: "Saw my first Meadow Brown today at Old Hag Wood - Doddington Hall Estate. Also, this Comma larva."
Monday 3rd June 2024

Kev Armstrong from Wold Farm, Nettleton messaged: "This morning's trap revealed 62 macros of 36 species. A good steady night with a fair selection of species. Large Nutmeg, Dusky Brocade and Bird's Wing, together with Pine Hawk-moth were the highlights of the night."
Sunday 2nd June 2024
Dave Wright reported: "This morning, my wife and I paid a brief visit to Kirkby Moor LWT Nature Reserve in weather that was more compatible for the time of year - pleasantly warm and sunny. Despite this, butterfly numbers were still low: 7 Small Copper, 1 Peacock, 1 Small White, 1 female Orange-tip and 12 Brimstone (5 male & 7 female). Moths included 3 Common Heath and a superb Beautiful Yellow Underwing. In complete contrast, dragonfly numbers were impressive, and Azure Damselflies were everywhere in the wetter areas. We noted a further 6 species: Four-spotted Chaser, Hairy Dragonfly, Black-tailed Skimmer, Large Red Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and at least 3 Emperor Dragonflies patrolling the heath."
Graham Catley messaged: "My first Large Skipper and Meadow Brown of the year this morning on the farm at Searby. Little else apart from 10 Small Heaths, 2 Brimstones and a few Speckled Woods."
Mark Brandon emailed: "We picked a great day for our first visit to Chambers Farm Wood today, with very warm sun and calm conditions. An abundance of Marsh Fritillaries, hard to put a number on, but likely over a 100, including two in the garden. Also, 1 Dingy Skipper, 1 Large Skipper, 2 Brimstone, I fresh Red Admiral and 2 Hummingbird Hawk-moths."
Pete Cawdell emailed: "I visited a few sites in the Castle Bytham and Colsterworth areas on a fine day Sunday but not much about .. just a few Common Blue, Small Heath and Brimstones and the odd Small White, Green-veined White and Orange-tip. Best I saw was a Green Hairstreak at Castle Bytham old quarry. This quarry is still accessible and it looks like plans for development into housing have stalled at the moment."
May 2024
Thursday 30th May 2024

Pete Cawdell emailed: "I visited the newish Penfield Local Nature Reserve near Langtoft this morning before the showers got going. The enthusiastic and knowledgeable voluntary Reserve Manager, Augy Harrison, showed me round. This 20 acre site was a worked out gravel and sand quarry. The former farmer owners had fortunately put a clause in the deeds preventing it being used as a landfill site, so it was recently sold to the Parish Council for just 1 pound! Augy and a small team of Langtoft volunteers have worked hard over the last 3 years to create an excellent wildlife habitat - a home for the likes of Bitterns, Sand Martins and Marsh Harriers, Otters, Hares and Badgers, and Grass Snakes, to name just a few species present. Augy records the butterflies and moths and last year found a colony of Green Hairstreak (max. count 10) and a couple of Dingy Skippers. Similar numbers have been seen again this May and we managed to find a single late Green Hairstreak today despite the cloudy skies. This is a notable site for both these key species - the furthest south east ever recorded in Lincs for Dingies (nearest colony Grimsthorpe), and an isolated site for Green Hairstreaks with just rare ones recorded on the banks of the nearby River Welland many years ago. Other butterfies we saw today here were an Orange Tip male & 3 Speckled Woods. Moths were a Mother Shipton, 3 Burnet Companions and a Silver Y."
Wednesday 29th May 2024: A Day of Firsts!

Dave Wright reported: "Following my visit to Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR a week last Sunday, I decided to make a return visit today, this time accompanied by Chris Atkin. Once again, the weather wasn't ideal, predominantly cloudy with only occasional sunny spells. However, we managed to notch up a few firsts for the year, which included 2 Large Skippers at Rimac and 1 Painted Lady

nectaring on bramble flowers in the dunes at Sea View. We later learnt that Owen Beaumont had seen one of the latter at Crook Bank. We managed to add a further 8 butterfly species to the list: 2 Green Hairstreak, 1 Small Copper, 17 Common Blue, 7 Brown Argus, 14 Small Heath, 10 Wall, 1 Peacock and 1 Speckled Wood. Moths included: Cinnabar, Silver Y, Common Carpet, Green Carpet, Burnet Companion, Yellow Shell, Grass Rivulet, Dingy Footman larva, Brown-tail larva and lots of Celypha lacunana. We also noted 7 species of dragonfly for the day, the highlight being another first for the year, a single Banded Demoiselle at Sea View. It was great to see 3 Hairy Dragonflies as well. To complete the firsts for the year, there were 2 bird species - a Little Tern flying north just out from the MOD track and a Spotted Flycatcher around the NE buildings at Sea View. We also witnessed a Mole emerging out of the earth near the Eco-classroom. Now that's something you dont see every day!"

Mark Brandon emailed: "Today, a walk at Rimac produced 3 Wall, 2 Small Heath, 1 male Orange-tip, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Small Copper and a Green Hairstreak."
Gary Fenwick emailed: "In suboptimal conditions I ventured out to Chambers Farm Wood this afternoon. At the entrance to the Butterfly Garden I was entertained by a Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth and then in cloudy conditions I saw 4 Marsh Fritillary at Little Scrubbs Meadow in ninety minutes. Then the sun came out and there were suddenly about 50 Marsh Fritillaries flying around, just in the small patch of the meadow that I was in. After ten minutes, cloud cover resumed and the action was over! I was also surprised to see a rather faded Painted Lady."
Bank Holiday Monday 27th May 2024

Renata Jackson emailed: "I had a visit to Chambers Farm Wood this afternoon and two of us counted 55 Marsh Fritilaries at Little Scrubbs Meadow. They were quite active until the clouds came over and then nicely rested on the vegetation individually, and in twos and fours."
Laura Gundy emailed: "I paid a visit with Peter Cawdell to a privately-owned disused quarry at Welton le Wold, which is a regular recording spot for Peter. It was a cool, breezy morning but we still saw singles of Speckled Wood, Orange-tip, Small White, Small Heath and several Common Blues. The

star of the show was the first Large Skipper of the year for both of us. We also visited Welton Quarry LWT reserve, where we saw more Common Blues and then I forced Peter to go to Red Hill to see if we could find more Dingy Skippers. We did see one, which proved I wasn't imagining them previously! Many more Common Blues here too, mostly males. There were also six Common Lizards sunbathing on the wooden raised beds, which was lovely to see."
James Smith emailed: "I visited Rimac this morning in the vain hope of seeing the reported Red-backed Shrike. Had to settle for very few butterflies instead, including my first Large Skipper of the year! Otherwise, I only had singles of Wall and Large White, a couple of Small Heath and a possible Brown Argus. Also, had a teneral Black-tailed Skimmer, a couple of Four-spotted Chasers and a few Azure Damselflies."
Sunday 26th May 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Elliott and I paid a late afternoon visit to Kirkby Moor. We managed to notch up 23 Small Coppers and 5 Brimstones and a single Brown Argus. The latter haven't really got going yet. We also disturbed 4 Yellow Shells whilst traversing the heath, along with 10 Common Heath moths."
Saturday 25th May 2024

Graham Catley emailed: "This morning I was amazed to find a single Dingy Skipper, while doing survey work on the farm at Searby. Little else apart from 5 Small Heath, 2 male Orange-tip, 1 Red Admiral and a Mother Shipton moth."
Friday 24th May 2024

Owen Beaumont messaged: "I went for an early morning walk around North Cockerington this morning and was surprised to find this fresh looking Wall basking in the sun. I had a late one in my garden a few years ago (October 2020 I think) which I thought must have come from the coast, but maybe there’s a small colony locally."
Tuesday 21st May 2024
John Davison emailed: "John Petyt and I had a quick visit to Chambers Farm Wood this afternoon, and found 25 Marsh Fritillary in Little Scrubbs Meadow."

Monday 20th May 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Starting to get very quiet out in the wider countryside: numbers of Brimstone, Orange-tip and Green-veined White have dropped right off, and very few nymphalids about. Paid a visit to Kirkby Moor and apart from a good number of Small Coppers, very quiet here, too. I only saw one Brimstone, but I did discover 2 fresh out-of-the-box, second brood Speckled Woods, which were both males. There were a good number of dragonflies on the wing, though, and I saw 35 Four-spotted Chasers, 3 Hairy, and one Emperor."
Sunday 19th May 2024

Laura Gundy emailed: "Intrigued by the recent sighting of a Dingy Skipper in the Coronation Meadow at Red Hill, I paid a visit this afternoon. As anyone who has been will know, it can be a windy site, and I was not hopeful of seeing many butterflies as the breeze had really picked up by the time I got there. How wrong I was! By choosing to walk in the lee of the hedges and dips I saw the following: 13 Common Blue males plus 1 mating pair, 10 Dingy Skipper (sparring with the blues), 1 Small Heath,

1 male Orange-tip and a Large White. There were moths too: 4 Grass Rivulet, 1 Small Yellow Underwing, 4 Silver Y and 1 Burnet Companion. I can imagine that on a calmer day weather-wise the total of Dingy Skippers may be much better!"
Kev Armstrong from Wold Farm, Nettleton messaged: "I had a Wall in the garden this morning, and as far as I'm aware, is the first record for about twenty years!"
Dave Wright reported: "This morning I visited Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR and walked from

Paradise Wood to the MOD track, hoping to see a few firsts for the year. Unfortunately, the cool northerly breeze and increasing cloud hampered proceedings, but the sheltered areas did produce a few butterflies, including 6 Common Blue, 7 Brown Argus and 1 Small Heath, all new for the year. Also noted 1 Green Hairstreak, 3 Small Copper, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Peacock and 43 Wall, the latter seemed less affected by the conditions. Moths included 7 Silver Y, 2 Burnet Companion, 4 Cinnabar and a Drinker larva. "

Friday 17th May 2024

Dave Wright reported: "Following Roy Harvey’s report last Sunday on his visit to Nettleton LNR, I decided to make a visit myself today, having not been there for about two years. Traditionally a good site for both Common Blue and Small Heath, I was hoping that one or two of both species might have emerged, but I drew a complete blank. However, I was pleased to see that the Green Hairstreak is still doing well and I saw 5 individuals, including 2 females egg-laying on Birds-foot Trefoil. I also had my first Small Copper of the year. Other butterflies included the following: 6 Orange-tip, 1 Large White, 7 Green-veined White, 4 Speckled Wood and a male Brimstone. Moths included: 10 Silver Y, 1 Common Carpet and 1 Cinnabar."
Owen Beaumont reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "30+Wall and 4 Small Heath, Sea View-MOD loop."
Phil Bowler from Amber Hill emailed: "Suddenly Silver Y are everywhere - at least 9 in the garden today, probably more. A couple of fresh Red Admiral too, so the recent southerly winds must have brought in a fresh wave of migrants. Had the first 2 Small Heath of the year in the garden today, as well as the first Common Blue."

Tuesday 14th May 2024
Graham Catley messaged: "This morning I had a pristine Painted Lady at Barton-upon-Humber sailing pit. Also, 6 Walls at Alkborough during the weekend."
Phil Hyde reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "A Painted Lady this morning N of Brickyard Lane in central dune area."
Alison Storey emailed: "We've had our first Hummingbird Hawk-moth on the Red Valerian on our garden wall in Branston this evening. I think it's the earliest we've seen them here."
Monday 13th May 2024

Charlie Barnes reported: "Tony Foster saw a Dingy Skipper in the Coronation Meadow at Redhill today (photo attached)."
Owen Beaumont messaged: "Rimac transect 11:45-12:45 in 100% sun and 20 degrees C, but Force 4

S wind. 1 Brimstone, 3 Orange-tip, 7 Green Hairstreak, 3 Small Copper, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood and 45 Wall. Also 10 Silver Y, 1 Mother Shipton and 1 Cinnabar."
John Walker reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "First Small Heath on the wing here at Churchill Lane."
Toby Ludlow messaged: "There were still a good number of Small Coppers about when Elliott and I

returned to Kirkby Moor today for another visit, but the Moderate Breeze from the south disrupted much of the aerial activity and many were found just resting on the ground with wings ajar. We still managed a respectable count of 72, and additionally we both saw a Brown Argus, which turned out to

be the small male that I first saw last Thursday. We also saw 4 Common Heath moths."
Sunday 12th May 2024

Mark Johnson emailed: "A visit to Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR this morning produced 7 species of Butterfly. Walked from Rimac to MOD path and back through the dunes. 9 Green Hairstreak, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Holly Blue, 3 Large White, 1 Orange-tip, 2 Peacock and 49 Wall. From here, I called in at Donna Nook NNR to see how many Green Hairstreak I could find. Started from Stonebridge and walked on the landward side to the breach at Pye’s Hall, and returned through the dunes. A thorough search produced an astounding 102 individuals. Also seen were 1 Holly Blue, 4 Peacock, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Green-veined White and 10 Wall. Meanwhile at home, Sally had a Wall, 2 Orange-tips and egg laying Brimstone and Holly Blue. The first Brimstone caterpillars were on the buckthorn."
Chris Atkin messaged: "Today I had my first Common Blue of the year between Quad 2 and Quad 3 at Donna Nook NNR. Also,16 Wall and a Small Copper."
Toby Ludlow messaged: "My son Elliott and I paid a visit to Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve this afternoon and retraced our steps of a few days ago. There was still a lot of Small Copper activity, with around half a dozen courting pairs seen on our walk over the heath. We amassed a similar total to before, just a few short with 91 being the final tally. In just a few days, most of these are starting to look a little worn, but it is still worth visiting the site to see this butterfly in such numbers. As an added bonus, Elliott spotted a couple of Beautiful Yellow Underwings, but they were too rapid for us to get a photo."
Roy Harvey emailed: "I had a look in at Nettleton LNR this afternoon, and was rewarded with sightings of 2 Green Hairstreaks, my first for this location. I also saw a single Small Copper. Numbers of Speckled Wood and Orange-tip were into double figures."

Saturday 11th May 2024

Owen Beaumont emailed: "I had a really enjoyable time at Twyford Wood from 11:30-13:30 today. The cloud increased after 12:30, but the clearings were alive with activity. Totals; 46 Dingy Skipper, 8 Grizzled Skipper, 3 Green Hairstreak, 2 Orange-tip, 6 Brimstone, 1 Green-veined White and 5 Small White. I may have missed some of the larger species as I was looking down most of the time! 12 Common Lizard were also nice to see (briefly!)."
Mike Pickwell from Grimsby emailed: " Although I have not been out much of late, the recent warm

weather is bringing a few butterflies to my Scartho garden. We have a regular 2 Holly Blues visiting and have also had Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, male and female Orange tip and I found the attached Angle Shades outside the back door."
Pete Smith emailed: "Visited Little Scrubbs Meadow today and was delighted to see some good Dingy Skipper action - 12 very active and fresh males interacting and fighting over territories and also a single female, keeping a low profile! The meadow has now been partially cut (very late) - whether further cuts are imminent or not I do not know, but if the remainder of the meadow is also to be cut this late, the impact on the Dingy Skipper and Marsh Fritillary populations could be dire..."

Friday 10th May 2024
Hugh Middleton emailed: "A single Painted Lady in my Navenby garden today."
Les Catchick emailed: "I visited Twyford Wood this morning and saw Dingy Skipper in the low number of double digits, but no Grizzled Skipper. Also, 3 Orange-tips."
Thursday 9th May 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Went for a walk at Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve with my son Elliott, and what a glorious day it was! With lengthy periods of sunshine, it was very hot, much to the liking of the Small Copper, which is having another amazing spring brood there: it is not quite up to the number that were seen there last year, but not far off! On a walk along the main stone track over the heath we soon amassed a count of 94. There has been a large emergence of females today, and we witnessed a lot of courtship activity along the way, together with one mating pair and one egg-laying female. Brimstone is also having a great spring and these were numerous, too. Apart from that, a solitary Small White and one Peacock seemed like that would be it in terms of species diversity, but on our walk back we both spotted our first Brown Argus of the season. This was a very fresh, and very small, male."
Pete Smith emailed: " Just a quick siting from Greetwell Quarry today - I was delighted to confirm the

continued presence of Green Hairstreak in this isolated colony. I found 2 males fighting over prime positions in their usual "master-tree" area, in this case several hawthorn bushes that are used year after year by the males as an assembly point as they await incoming females with who to attempt to pair up. I don't know how well known this behaviour of Green Hairstreaks is amongst butterfly enthusiasts. Of course, the "master tree" behaviour of species such as Purple Emperor is very well known and documented (although there are those who walk amongst us who deny the existence of such trees!). This assembly area at Greetwell has been consistently used for at least the past 20 years, and is always my "go to" place to find them each year. I also saw 2 egg-laying females both separately and some distance from the assembly point where the males were active. The site is still earmarked for housing development, so how much longer they will be here is not certain, but today's count of 4 is good for this colony. Usual sightings here are of singletons, and only in 2004 and 2010 have I recorded higher counts (5 on both occasions)."
Chris Atkin emailed: "I had an aberrant Speckled Wood of the form ab. pallida at Linwood Warren today."

Wednesday 8th May 2024
Renata Jackson reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "Butterfly sightings this morning between Paradise and Rimac: 4 Speckled Wood, 4 Green-veined White, 6 Orange-tip (4 male & 2 female), 2 Peacock, 2 Red Admiral, 13 Green Hairstreak and 17 Wall."
Chris Atkin messaged: "A walk from Rimac car park late morning S through the dunes to MOD track, then back via the Willow Hedge, produced 34 Wall. Also 2 Hairy Dragonfly, 2 Four-spotted Chaser, and numerous Azure and Large Red Damselflies. Later, I had another 19 Wall N from Rimac to Paradise, so a cracking 53 in total for the day!"

Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Paid a mid-afternoon visit to Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve, but there were very few butterflies about. I thought that 4 male Brimstones were my lot, but when a small, metallic green butterfly flew just past my face, you could have knocked me over with a feather! Green Hairstreak at this inland site is a great record. In fact, all bar one of the records that we received last year for this species were either from around the Lincolnshire coast, or from the extreme south-west of the county. So this record lies roughly midway between these areas. Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve contains large expanses of Bird's-foot Trefoil and Gorse (two of the larval foodplants), so it will be interesting to see if there are any more sightings in the near future."
Roy Harvey emailed: "We had a Waved Umber at our kitchen window last night."
John Walker reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "Brimstone, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Green Hairstreak, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Small White and 2 Wall, all in and alongside Coastguard Cottage gardens."
Sunday 5th May 2024

Mark Johnson emailed: "This morning I visited Donna Nook NNR and a walk from Stonebridge to Pye's Hall produced 32 Green Hairstreak, 4 Wall, 3 Orange-tip, 4 Peacock and 1 Red Admiral. Butterflies in my garden at North Somercotes included 3 Orange-tip, 1 Green-veined White, male and female Brimstone, 1 Comma, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Holly Blue. Later, my garden moth trap revealed 5 Muslin Moth, 1 Flame Shoulder, 1 Green Carpet and 1 Waved Umber."

Tracey Lenton emailed: "Today I have seen 2 Holly Blues, an Orange-tip and a Speckled Wood in my Boston garden. I have seen 9 different butterflies so far this year. Also, a Yellow-barred Brindle moth was in the house last evening."
Saturday 4th May 2024
Martin Kew reported: "I walked the transects at Twyford Wood today with some periods of bright sunshine. Not much on the wing, but I did record my first Grizzled and Dingy Skipper of the year. 2 Grizzled and 1 Dingy at the Glades, and 1 Dingy at the Sanctuary."
Thursday 2nd May 2024

- David Goff emailed: "Green Hairstreaks showing at Donna Nook today."
- Peter Burnett emailed: "Sat in our Fiskerton garden this evening and had an Orange-tip."
- Mike Pickwell from Grimsby emailed: "As our polling station is in the Scartho cemetary chapel, we went for a walk around the woodland burial ground to see what butterflies were out. It's still very wet in there and flooded in parts, but we found 5 Small White, 1 Large White, 2 Holly Blue, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 male Orange-tip. Yesterday I saw butterflies in the garden for the first time in ages - 1 female Orange-tip and 1 Holly Blue."

Wednesday 1st May 2024

Toby Ludlow emailed: "Took a late-afternoon stroll across Kirkby Moor to make the most of the warm weather, but it certainly won't break any records on the butterfly diversity front - only two species were seen: Brimstone and Small Copper. However, there has been a good emergence of Small Copper today and I soon amassed a total of 21 whilst walking over the heath, so it made the visit worthwhile. As an added bonus, I saw 8 male Emperor moths coursing low over the heather.
Dave Wright and Chris Atkin reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "We spent most of

the day at this superb reserve, and as soon as the weather improved during the afternoon, the insect count improved dramatically between Paradise Wood and Rimac! Counts are as follows: 37 Green Hairstreak, 8 Wall, 4 Red Admiral, 25 Peacock, 6 Speckled Wood, male Brimstone, 7 Orange-tip, 5 Green-veined White and 2 Holly Blue. Moths included: Silver Y, Latticed Heath, Grass Rivulet, 2 Common Carpet, Burnet Companion, 2 Nettle-tap, several larval webs of Brown-tail and lots of Green Longhorn moths. Dragonflies: 1 Four-spotted Chaser, 9 Large Red Damselfly and 3 teneral Azure Damselfly. Bird highlights included, male Wheatear near the tank, 30+ Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank and Cuckoo near Paradise."

April 2024
Tuesday 30th April 2024

- Allan Greensmith emailed: "Today I managed to photograph a rather tatty looking Large White along the Freshney at Town's Holt in Grimsby, where I also got a sighting of my first local Brimstone."
- Dave Wright reported: "A male Large White in my Grimsby garden this morning."
- Andrew Kurch phoned: "Today, a walk through the dunes at Cleethorpes Coast LNR produced 4 Green Hairstreaks, 13 Peacock, 5 Orange-tip, 1 Speckled Wood and a Green-veined White."
- Chris Atkin emailed: "This morning I visited the southern end of Donna Nook NNR and found 11 Green Hairstreaks in the dunes near Saltfleet Haven. Later, I moved on to Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, where I had a further 6 Green Hairstreaks at Rimac and 8 near Paradise Wood. At Rimac I also had 3 Wall, my first of the year, a single Small Copper and flushed a Hairy Dragonfly."

Saturday 27th April 2024
Suzanne Nelson messaged: "Today we visited Anderby Creek for the Woodchat Shrike, and then called in at Crook Bank on the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR. We were lucky enough to spot 5 Green Hairstreaks, 1 Peacock, 1 Green-veined White and 1 Red Admiral. Next stop was Rimac, where we rescued a Green Hairstreak off the path."
Friday 26th April 2024
Sightings reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Green-veined White and Peacock in the sheltered Coastguard Cottage garden today (John Walker). Despite the cool wind, the sun actually came out which provided some warmth, so I headed out between Sea View and Paradise to find: 2 Green-veined White, 4 Orange-tip (3 male & 1 female), 1 Green Hairstreak, 8 Peacock and 1 Speckled Wood (Renata Jackson)."
Wednesday 24th April 2024
Dave Wright reported: "I didn't expect to see any butterflies during this current cold spell, but this morning I was staggered to come across my first Large White of the year on the Lincolnshire coast, just south of the North Sea Observatory at Chapel St Leonards. I found it settled on vegetation in a sheltered spot along Willoughby High Drain."
Sunday 21st April 2024
- Toby Ludlow messaged: "Had a walk on Kirkby Moor LWT Nature Reserve today, but only saw one butterfly - a Small Copper, my first of the year. Managed to get a couple of record shots of it before a gust of wind took it over the heath."
- Graham Catley emailed: "This morning I had a pair of Orange-tips at Alkborough."

Friday 19th April 2024
Lesley Robinson emailed: "During my walk in Bottesford this afternoon, I saw a Hummingbird Hawk-moth feeding on purple Aubretia."
Thursday 18th April 2024

- Pete Cawdell emailed: "Visited a very wet, bedraggled and sad looking Little Scrubbs Meadow today. Unbelievably, this SSSI still uncut by the FC. Short term this will be good for the Marsh Fritillaries, but the effect on the scarce flora I don't know. There were plenty of late instar larvae scattered about and I would predict a good flight season for this species, this year anyway. They will probably be on the wing from mid-May."
- Dave Wright reported: "This morning, I visited Donna Nook NNR with Chris Atkin, hoping to find Green Hairstreak for the first time this year. The weather wasn't ideal on our arrival, with cool conditions prevailing. Despite this, we carried out an extensive search from Stonebridge car park to the breach at Pyes Hall and eventually managed to dig out 3 Green Hairstreaks. Increasing cloud meant that we didn't see another butterfly species, although we did come across lots of Brown-tail moth larvae on several webs in the Sea Buckthorn."

Sunday 14th April 2024

Toby Ludlow messaged: "After reading about a handful of Green Hairstreak records from the Lincolnshire coast, I decided to pay a visit to Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR and chance my luck at Rimac. Within a few minutes of being on site I disturbed my first Green Hairstreak from some scrub, so I was feeling rather pleased with myself. But when it landed on a Hawthorn bush, that pleasure was tempered somewhat when I discovered that it wasn't as fresh as I expected it to be; it looked like it had been out for about a week! It would be around 20 minutes before I spotted another one, this one in much better condition and, unlike most of the Green Hairstreaks I find on the coast which have very little in the way of white markings, it had well-developed spots on both fore- and hindwings, making it ab. punctata. With a cold offshore wind blowing across the reserve, butterfly numbers were expectedly low. However, in the more sheltered parts of the dunescape, I encountered several more Green Hairstreaks and 11 was my final tally, 2 of which were ab. punctata."

Saturday 13th April 2024

Pete Cawdell emailed: "After BC Lincs Branch AGM at Whisby this morning, a group of about 18 had a very interesting guided walk around the Reserve by Emily the LWT warden. The weather wasn't really condusive to butterflies, but we did spot several Orange-tips and Green-veined Whites, including a mating pair. Luckily we had Melanie Pensome, BC East Midlands Branch Moth Officer with us and she had given an illustrated talk on the 16 species of Clearwing Moths earlier in the day. On the walk she brought with her an Emperor Moth lure (see pic. of it hanging in a bush in a muslin bag). We were soon dived bombed by what was incorrectly identified as a rather brownish Red Admiral, but we then soon realised it to be a male Emperor Moth. This was a sign of things to come as by the time we reached a large clearing and hung up the lure in a bush, 3 of these beauties were drawn to it, landing on some of the watchers. We were all amazed at the effectiveness of this method of recording. (Not to be used in a garden setting though as it can be counter to conservation by taking the males away from their proper business of hunting females!)."

Thursday 11th April 2024

Dave Wright reported: "Today, Chris Atkin and I decided to head inland and visit the excellent nature reserve of Messingham Sand Quarry. The weather was kind with numerous sunny spells, and it became quite warm, especially during the afternoon. Not surprisingly, we managed to find nine species of butterfly, which included the following: Orange-tip (male), Holly Blue, Small White, 7 Green-veined White, 16 Speckled Wood, 7 Brimstone (5 male & 2 female), 3 Red Admiral, 10 Peacock and a Comma. The latter was seen briefly sparring with an Orange Underwing moth. Other moths included a Drinker larva and 30+ Adela reaumurella. We also noted 11 Common Lizards basking in the sunshine on various habitat piles."
Peter Cawdell emailed: "A walk around Southrey Wood today yielded 7 species: a couple of dozen of

Green-veined White, Brimstone and Peacock, 4 Comma, and singles of Speckled Wood, Holly Blue (male) and Red Admiral. The worn Red Admiral is probably the earliest I have personally seen one although there has been a smattering of sightings around the County already. So the "Butterfly of 2023' has managed to survive the long, wet but comparatively warm winter in small numbers. Brimstone sightings were of course mostly males but I did manage to find this courting pair, following them for 10 minutes in our Coppice Area. The only time you can view the topside of the wings naturally."
Gary Fenwick emailed: "I set off to Rimac to see if I could see any Green Hairstreak (at last the sun was shining)! At the last second I decided to pop to the adjacent Sea View car-park beforehand and I am glad I did, I saw two Green Hairstreak and then none at Rimac! At Sea View I also picked up a Brimstone and a Small/Green-veined White. At Rimac all I saw was a Brimstone and another Small/Green-veined White. I then went on to Gibraltar Point NNR, principally to (successfully) track down the Glossy Ibis, but I also saw nine Peacock and three Small/Green-veined White. Moths in my trap (at Usselby Plantation, Willingham Woods [I have a permit]) this morning included: 3 Early-tooth Striped, 2 Brindled Pug, 2 Pine Beauty, 1 Brindled Beauty, 3 Early Grey, 1 Purple Thorn, 1 Streamer, 1 Water Carpet, 1 Scalloped Hook-tip and 1 Powdered Quaker."
Simon Johnson from Donington emailed: "Today in my garden I saw a pair of Speckled Woods dancing together above the lawn; a Brimstone patrolling the flowerbeds; two Red Admirals, one old and tattered, one straight out of the box; a male Orange-tip; and a Holly Blue. Not bad for less than an hour outside on the first properly mild and reasonably sunny day of the year."
Graham Catley messaged "My first Orange-tip of the year this morning at Laughton wet heath."
Renata Jackson reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "Sightings between Sea View and Paradise Wood: 1 Green Veined White, 3 Speckled Wood, 13 Peacock, 3 male Brimstone, 2 Small White, 2 Green Hairstreak and 1 Small Tortoiseshell."
Toby Ludlow from Coningsby messaged: "My first Orange-tip of the year today, closely followed by a second at the Pingle LNR."
Andrew Kurch phoned: "A male Holly Blue in my Grimsby garden today, was my first of the year!"
Mark Johnson from North Somercotes emailed: "At last, there was some activity in my garden today, with a male Orange-tip, Speckled Wood and a female Brimstone egg-laying, all making an appearance."

Wednesday 10th April 2024: Green Hairstreak at Crook Bank!
Oliver Conley reported: "A Green Hairstreak today at Crook Bank, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR."
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Whilst the sun was shining, a walk around the Pingle LNR again produced a good number of butterflies. This time, of note, were 3 Large Whites: 2 males and a heavily-marked female. Also of note was my first mating pair of the year: a pair of Green-veined Whites, the female of which had only just emerged."
Ian Shepherd from Cleethorpes emailed: "I had my first Holly Blue of the year in my garden this afternoon, and an Orange-tip near the plantation at Tetney Sluice Gates."
Dave Wright reported: "The sunny conditions in the Grimsby area this morning, prompted me to visit

two local sites before the predicted arrival of strong winds and rain by early afternoon. I was rewarded with my first Speckled Wood of the year shortly after arriving at the Great Coates section of the Pyewipe Line. The only other butterflies seen were 11 Small Tortoiseshells and 3 Peacocks. From here I moved on to the Mawmbridge Drain section of the same line, and was delighted to see a male Orange-tip and Green-veined White, both new for the year. I also noted 2 more Speckled Woods, 6 Small Tortoiseshells and 5 Peacocks. An unexpected bonus came in the form of a Spoonbill, seen in flight nearby."
Monday 8th April 2024

Toby Ludlow from Coningsby messaged: "Initially I thought that the weather was borderline and I ummed and ahed for about 30 minutes before finally deciding to get some fresh air and go out. In the end, I was mighty glad I did because I saw 89 butterflies throughout the day. And it was a walk around the Pingle LNR that produced the goods, with 10 species of butterfly seen there. Alas, none of the species were new ones for the year for me. At the Pingle, the pick of the bunch were 6 male Green-veined Whites, a male Small White, and a male Large White. The latter sighting was interesting because it was in the exact same location as the female I saw on the 19th March."
Owen Beaumont messaged: "Not particularly optimal conditions, but with a bit of sun, we headed out for the first transect of the year at Rimac. Only 4 Peacock and a Speckled Wood noted, but hopefully more to come soon! Later in the day I found 2 Orange-tips at Brickyard Lane and Pete Roworth had a Green-veined White at Sea View."
Kev Armstrong from Nettleton messaged: "I had the trap out at Wold Farm for only the second time this year, and last night's catch was an improvement on the first, with 20 moths of 6 species. These included the following: 1 Twenty-plume Moth, 1 Early Thorn, 7 Hebrew Character, 3 Common Quaker, 6 Small Quaker and 2 Clouded Drab."
Sunday 7th April 2024
John Nelson from Grimsby phoned: "A Speckled Wood in my Oliver Street garden today, was my first of the year."
Saturday 6th April 2024

Toby Ludlow messaged: "A brace of Holly Blues in my Coningsby garden today. Also, a Green-veined White. 4 Red Admirals on the Pingle were of note."
Laura Gundy reported: "Today I attended an event organised by the Woodland Trust at Londonthorpe Wood, near Grantham. Despite the extremely windy conditions, the morning produced several male Orange-tips, which were my first of the year. Also noted a few male Brimstones, a couple of Peacocks and a single Comma."
Wednesday 3rd April 2024
Ian Paterson emailed: "A couple of interesting moths! The first is an Emperor, lured by Tim Bagworth today at Belton, with a photograph taken by the NT warden Sacha Welsh. The second is a Dotted Chestnut, trapped recently in my garden at Brant Broughton. Apparently, a second has been reported from Gibraltar Point NNR recently."

Tuesday 2nd April 2024: Painted Lady in Westwoodside and Orange-tip at Snakeholme Pit!
Dave Hursthouse phoned: "Today I had a Painted Lady in my garden in Westwoodside."

John Davison reported from Snakeholme Pit: "A pleasant day with sunny intervals. Still wet under foot, but getting there slowly. A few butterflies out, including Brimstone, Comma and Orange-tip."
Gary Fenwick emailed: "An afternoon trip to Scotton Common today produced a Brimstone, 4 Peacock and my first Speckled Wood of the year."
Sightings reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "Male and female Brimstone, Red Admiral and Peacock at Sea View. Nearby, Speckled Wood at Rimac (Owen Beaumont). Brimstone, Peacock and Comma north of Churchill Lane (John Walker)."
Mark Brandon emailed: "A Small White flew over the path at Covenham this afternoon, first I've seen this spring! Also, 2 Brimstone, 1 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Tetney Blow Wells."
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Spring has definitely sprung! Despite a lot of cloud, there were some nice sunny intervals, and a 20-minute walk around the Pingle LNR in Coningsby produced 5 male Speckled Woods, which included two combatant pairs. Also seen, were 4 male Brimstones, a brace of Peacocks, and a male Small White."
Dave Wright from Grimsby reported: "This morning I ventured out into the back garden during a pleasant sunny spell, and was amazed to find a female Holly Blue egg-laying on my Hydrangea petiolaris."

March 2024
Saturday 30th March 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "A walk around the Pingle LNR in Coningsby today produced a confirmed sighting of a male Green-veined White, my first of the year."
Phil Bowler from Amber Hill emailed: "Usually the Small White precedes any spring sightings of the Green-veined in our garden, but this year the Green-veined White has beaten it, with a male seen chasing Brimstones today."
Gary Fenwick emailed: "Today, while walking on the footpath from Middle Rasen to West Rasen, I had three firsts for the year, singles of Small White and Comma, and 4 Peacock."
Dave Wright reported: "It was pleasantly warm and sunny in the Cleethorpes area this afternoon, and so I decided to take a stroll through the Country Park in the hope of seeing my first 'white' of the year. Unfortunately, that wasn't to be the case, and I had to be content with the usual suspects - 14 Peacock, 9 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Comma."
Owen Beaumont messaged: A Red Admiral and 2 Peacocks at Gibraltar Point NNR today."
Renata Jackson emailed: "Today I explored some land close to Stewton Lane in Louth and found 5 Peacocks."
Good Friday 29th March 2024

Pete Smith emailed: "I was dodging the showers today, doing a bit of outside DIY, completing a garden project, and in a bright spell I found 4 post-hibernation Scarlet Tiger larvae sunning themselves and having a munch on the Green Alkanet in the corner of the garden close to where I was working. 2024 is the fourth consecutive year that this species has bred successfully in my Heighington garden. It still amazes me to find this moth, which was very much a south-western UK rarity in my youth, right on my doorstep! Long may it continue, and if anyone else has Green Alkanet in their garden - keep a look out for the larvae on bright, warm days, and also the moth. This is now an established Lincolnshire species.
Graham Catley messaged: "A Speckled Wood at Waters Edge in Barton-upon-Humber today."
Wednesday 27th March 2024
Dave Wright reported: "An afternoon visit to Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR produced the usual Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock in the sheltered areas, but a Red Admiral in Paradise Wood was my first of the year."
Josh Forrester from Grimsby messaged: "Scartho cemetery woodland productive for early spring butterflies this lunchtime, with multiples of Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock, plus Comma and Small White."
Tuesday 26th March 2024

Dave Wright reported: "Just after midday I had a stroll along the field margin bordering the Aylesby Meadows Estate, close to where I live in Grimsby, and saw 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock and 1 Comma. I continued my walk into Great Coates, but only noted similar species."
Owen Beaumont messaged: "During a sunny spell in my North Cockerington garden, I had a Speckled Wood and a Peacock."
Toby Ludlow messaged: "A lunchtime stroll around the Pingle LNR in Coningsby produced my first Holly Blue of the year, along with the usual suspects of Brimstone, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock."
Mark Johnson messaged: "I had my first Small White of the year today while working in Barnoldby le Beck."
Phi Bowler from Amber Hill emailed: "It's not been worth sending you any of the meagre sightings from our garden - until today! Spring has come, and it just goes to show that the butterflies are there, patiently waiting in the wings. Between 11 am and 2 pm I saw 5 Peacocks, 4 Brimstone, including the first female which was soon looked after by one of the males, 4 Small Tortoiseshells, and a Comma."
Mike Pickwell from Grimsby emailed: "A walk around the cemetary in Scartho today produced only 2 Small Tortoiseshells."
Saturday 23rd March 2024

Laura Gundy reported: "This morning 2 Privet Hawk-moth pupae were accidentally unearthed by my dad in his garden in Strubby. They were gently re-buried after being photographed (see attached)."
Friday 22nd March 2024

Dave Wright reported: "Great to see the sun out in the Grimsby area this afternoon! It felt quite warm, despite the moderate westerly breeze, and so I decided to take a walk down to my local patch of Town's Holt, via the Wybers Wood Estate field margin. The latter produced a decent count of 25 Small Tortoiseshells, but in Town's Holt I only managed a single Peacock, disappointing to say the least."
Tuesday 19th March 2024: Sightings of Speckled Wood, Holly Blue and Large White!

Ian Shepherd from Cleethorpes emailed: "This afternoon I had my second garden butterfly of the year, rather surprisingly a Speckled Wood."
Derek Fox from Langworth emailed: "When busy grass cutting in the garden today, this lovely little blue

butterfly caught my attention, so I dashed into the house to get my camera and I was amazed to see this fresh female Holly Blue. I waited for about 30 minutes for it to open its wings. I cannot recall seeing one this early!"
Toby Ludlow messaged: "With the temperature up at 15 degrees C. and a warm WSW breeze blowing, it was very pleasant outside. When the clouds finally parted, I had enough time for a quick 30-minute walk around the Pingle LNR. This proved rather fruitful and I soon notched up the species. There was a good showing of Brimstones, and 7 males was my final tally. In the distance, I could see one of the male Brimstones showing an interest in a paler, white butterfly, so I shot over to investigate. At first I couldn't find it, but then saw it resting on the ground - it was a female Small White. Other species seen on the walk were Peacock and Comma, with a brace of the former and 4 of the latter being seen. As it started to cloud over again I thought that was my lot, but I kicked up a large, white butterfly that was heavily marked with black, and for some reason I was initially doubting what was certainly a really early female Large White."
Mike Pickwell emailed: "I went for a walk around the cemetery and Gooseman's Field in Grimsby

today. I found a Brimstone in the cemetery, 5 Peacocks (3 on Gooseman's and 2 in the Woodland Burial Ground) and a Small Tortoiseshell on Gooseman's Field.
Monday 18th March 2024
Chris Atkin messaged: "Today I visited Cleethorpes Country Park for about an hour late morning and noted the following: "1 Brimstone, 2 Peacock, 2 Comma and 3 Small Tortoiseshell."
Mark Johnson phoned: "Today my mum reported 4 species of butterfly in her North Somercotes garden - Brimstone, 4 Peacock, 2 Red Admiral and 2 Comma. Earlier, I had a single Brimstone near the church in Grainthorpe."
Andrew Kurch phoned: "Around midday I decided to visit my local patch, just off Westward Ho in Grimsby. I was rewarded with 6 Comma, 7 Peacock, 11 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Brimstone."
Dave Wright reported: "First thing this morning I had a Small Tortoiseshell in the car park of Bradley Football Development Centre, followed by my first garden butterfly of the year, a Peacock. Just after midday, I decided to walk a small circuit of my local area of Grimsby, and noted 13 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock and a single Comma."
Mark Brandon emailed: "Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock in our North Somercotes garden today. Nice to see the sunshine again!"
Alan Daws phoned: "A male Brimstone this morning at Wold Farm in Nettleton."
Ian Shepherd from Cleethorpes reported: "A male Brimstone was my first garden butterfly of the year."
Sightings reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock in my garden near Churchill Lane (John Walker). Small Tortoiseshell near Sea View car park (Pete Roworth). Brimstone, 3 Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell between Crook Bank and Mablethorpe North End (Dean Nicholson). Peacock and a very worn Comma at Brickyard Lane (Cliff Morrison). A single Peacock at Sea View (Renata Jackson). Nearby, Peacock and Comma at Elm House Farm (Owen Beaumont)."
Graham Catley messaged: "This morning I had 4 Brimstones at the farm in Searby. On returning home, another Brimstone was seen in my garden at Barton-upon-Humber."

Saturday 16th March 2024
Dave Wright reported: "This morning, I visited Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR to do a spot of birding with Mark Johnson. We noted some excellent birds throughout our visit, which included a Red Kite that drifted in over the saltmarsh and hung around Rimac for quite a while. The improvement in the weather meant we were optimistic in finding a butterfly, and during one of the numerous sunny spells, we came across a Small Tortoiseshell and Comma at Sea View."
Steve Meek messaged: "I had a Brimstone in Waltham this morning."
Ian McGlynn rmailed: "I saw a Small Tortoiseshell and a Brimstone in my Bourne garden this morning."
Cliff Morrison messaged: "Peacock at Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR this afternoon."
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Today I had to visit Boston and noted 5 Brimstones in and around the town while driving."
Friday 15th March 2024

Mark Johnson emailed: "This evening I trapped for a few hours in the Bardney Limewoods NNR and managed 77 moths of 15 species. Highlights were 5 Oak Beauty, and singles of two lifers - Small Brindled Beauty and Yellow Horned."
Jill Galloway emailed: "Just seen a Hummingbird Hawk-moth on the Rosemary flowers in my Scotton garden."
Toby Ludlow messaged: "Small Tortoiseshell in the bag! Seen flying in Coningsby today, and my fifth species of the year!
Thursdsay 14th March 2024: Camberwell Beauty in Louth, November 2023!

Peter Cawdell reported: ''While we are awaiting the butterfly season to really begin, and a bit of sustained sunshine, take a look at this 'irecord' sent in by Nancy Stockwell of Louth. She has a large wild garden with plenty of fallen fruit and is a keen naturalist. In early November 2023, walking back from feeding her chickens, she saw an unfamiliar butterfly, wings outspread. Quickly looking it up in her book she realised it was a Camberwell Beauty and contacted her neighbour who photographed it. Unfortunately the wings were closed by then but it stayed on her step for another 3 hrs. The only Camberwell Beauty record for Lincs in 2023, almost certainly a late migrant."
Mike Pickwell from Grimsby emailed: "This morning, I saw my first butterfly of the year, a Small Tortoiseshell in my Scartho garden."
Wednesday 13th March 2024
Dean Nicholson messaged: "A Red Admiral blew past me this morning, just south of Crook Bank (Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR)."
John Walker messaged: "2 Peacocks in the Churchill Lane area of Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR."
Tuesday 12th March 2024

Laura Gundy emailed: "At least one Small White larva that I reported in the autumn of 2023 in my garden at Benniworth made it to pupation. I discovered this chrysalis attached to my garden table leg the other day!"
Saturday 9th March 2024: Small White confirmed in Coningsby!

Toby Ludlow messaged: "There was a Moderate Breeze blowing from the east, today, which at times seemed chilly. But as it approached midday, the temperature reached double figures and it actually felt warm. I decided to pay a visit to Jean Green's garden, where a "white" was seen flying a few days ago, but I knew trying to find it was a long shot! However, the garden was filled with flowers in bloom, so

there were plenty of nectar sources to hopefully keep this butterfly there. To my absolute delight, after only being there about 2 minutes, a "white" took to the air! As it clouded over, the butterfly settled with wings held tightly shut, allowing me to confirm that it was a Small White. About a minute later, the sun came back out, and the Small White opened its wings. It was a male. Taking stock, this was my fourth species of the year, having seen a Brimstone earlier in the day. Entering the second week of March, seeing the four species is perhaps notable because I have still yet to see Small Tortoiseshell and Comma this year!
Mark Brandon from North Somercotes emailed: "I was moving planks from a dismantled shed today

and found a Peacock sheltering amongst them (see attached)."
Stephen Thompson emailed: "I trapped at Woodhall Spa Golf Club overnight and caught 22 moths of 8 species, and included the following: 2 Yellow Horned, 2 Clouded Drab, 1 Hebrew Character, 1 Early Grey, 1 Small Brindled Beauty, 10 Small Quaker, 4 Oak Beauty and a Chestnut."

Friday 8th March 2024

Dave Wright reported: "This morning, I met up with Toby Ludlow with the intention of visiting a couple of sites in the Woodhall Spa area. We decided to try Kirkby Moor LWT Nature Reserve first in the hope of seeing a few insects. As the sun began to emerge from behind the clouds while we were crossing the heath, a Peacock flew across the track and eventually settled amongst the Heather and briefly posed for photographs (see attached). This was my first butterfly of the year! The rest of the reserve proved fruitless, despite searching several sunny and sheltered areas, with the only insects noted being a couple of hoverflies - Eristalis pertinax. From here, we moved on to Moor Farm LWT Nature Reserve, and although we drew a complete blank as far as butterflies were concerned, we did manage to find a couple of Orange Underwing moths, our first of the season!"
Wednesday 6th March 2024: Small White in Coningsby!
Toby Ludlow reported: "Jean Green from Coningsby saw 'a white' flying around her garden today, which was almost certainly a Small White. On Monday 4th, she saw and photographed a Small Tortoiseshell in her garden, too."
Monday 4th March 2024
Graham Catley messaged: "A single Red Admiral this morning on the heath in Laughton Forest."
Pete Roworth messaged: "A single Peacock flew off the saltmarsh and over the dunes near Rimac today."
Phil Lee emailed: "I had this Comma at Haxey Turbary this afternoon. It flew up from bracken onto a earby birch, and when I offered it my finger, it jumped aboard for a couple of minutes absorbing the heat before flying off."

February 2024
Wednesday 28th February 2024
Neil Hallett messaged: "This morning I had 2 Small Tortoiseshells in my Grimsby garden, which borders the Aylesby Meadows Estate."
Sunday 25th February 2024
Steve Routledge emailed: "I had a Small Tortoiseshell today at East Halton Skitter."
Saturday 24th February 2024
Sarah Ramsden messaged: "A Red Admiral this afternoon, basking in the sunshine, while settled on one of the children's rides at Haverstoe Park in Cleethorpes."
Monday 19th February 2024
Owen Beaumont messaged: "A Small Tortoiseshell blasted by in the wind today at Rimac."
Phil and Mary Porter reported: "A walk in Bardney village today, produced a pristine male Brimstone fluttering along an ivy hedge; we wondered if it had just emerged."
Friday 16th February 2024
Dave Hursthouse messaged: "Hummingbird Hawk-moth in Westwoodside today."
Toby Ludlow phoned: "The first butterfly of the year this morning in my Coningsby garden, a Peacock."
Thursday 15th February 2024
Rick Camm reported: "I saw a male Brimstone at Osbournby Hill Top today."
Ian McGlynn reported: "A male Brimstone in my Bourne garden today."
Owen Beaumont messaged: "I had a Peacock this afternoon at Sea View, Salfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR)."
John Walker messaged: "Peacock in my garden area today at Coastguard Cottages, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR."
Alison Brownlow from Kettlethorpe reported: "A single Brimstone in the garden today, and 2 in the nearby wood."
Wednesday 14th February 2024

Roy Harvey from Grasby emailed: "Had this Pale Brindled Beauty at our kitchen window this evening."
Saturday 10th February 2024

Roy Harvey from Grasby emailed: "I found this Herald moth in the house this evening after bringing in firewood. The wood is being stored in one of our stables."
Saturday 3rd February 2024
Lesley Robinson from Bottesford emailed: "I had a Red Admiral in the garden this morning, feeding on our Daphne bhoula, which is covered in pale pink scented flowers."
Michael Tarrant reported: "In my garden in Saltfleetby St Peter, there was a male Brimstone mid-morning for about 30 minutes, flying around one of my Holly bushes. The day was very sunny and warm, 14 degrees C, with very little wind. My earliest date for this species last year was 9th April."
Mary Porter reported: "The first male Brimstone of the year flew through our Bardney garden today."
Friday 2nd February 2024
Phil Bowler from Amber Hill emailed: "Unsurprisingly, with all this mild weather, we had the first sighting of a Peacock today in the garden."
Mark Johnson messaged: "My friend, Steve Blades, reported a male Brimstone whilst working in a garden along Ings Lane in North Cotes this morning."
Owen Beaumont emailed: "Peacock butterfly on the wing around Brickyard Lane car park, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR.
January 2024
Wednesday 24th January 2024
Jenny Haynes reported: "I was surprised to see a Peacock butterfly today in Tesco car park at Barton-upon-Humber."
Monday 22nd January 2024

Toby Ludlow messaged: "Spotted a Peacock today in Coningsby, which was basking in the sunshine and enjoying the warmer temperatures, despite the windy conditions."
Thursday 4th January 2024
Toby Ludlow messaged: "My first butterfly of the year this morning, a Red Admiral, initially seen in flight and then later basking in the sunshine on a brick wall in the centre of Horncastle."
New Year's Day Monday 1st January 2024
Cliff Morison reported from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR: "A Peacock here at Brickyard Lane. I had one on the first day of the year as well a few years go."
Previous Year's Sightings
- Lincolnshire 2023 Sightings
- Lincolnshire 2022 Sightings
- Lincolnshire 2021 Sightings
- Lincolnshire 2020 Sightings
- Lincolnshire 2019 Sightings
- Lincolnshire 2018 Sightings
IMPORTANT: We can continue to receive your sightings, but please be aware of our guidance for recorders in response to the Government coronavirus restrictions. Please see BC Website. |