First Sightings 2023 - Somerset & Bristol

This page shows the first confirmed sighting of butterflies in Somerset and Bristol sent to the Branch Butterfly Records Coordinator.

If you think you have seen a butterfly which could be a first sighting of that species for the current year (outside & active), please send your record with the species name, date seen & site name/location to the Branch Butterfly Records Coordinator.  Click here to send email

Click here to view last year's (2022) first sightings page.

Click here to view 2021 first sightings page.

Last updated: 3rd August 2023
  Species 1st Sighting date Location
Skippers      
  Dingy Skipper 1st May Mendip Hills
  Essex Skipper 12th June Wall Common
  Grizzled Skipper 29th April Mendip Hills
  Large Skipper

27th May

Mendip Hills
  Small Skipper 14th June Multiple Locations
Whites & Yellows      
  Brimstone 14th Feb Netherclay LNR, Taunton, Hallatrow & Stockland Bristol.
  Clouded Yellow 2nd July Black Rock, Cheddar
  Green-veined White 21st March Bridgwater
  Large White 22nd March Shute Shelve
  Orange-Tip 3rd April Multi locations
  Small White 19th March Compton Dundon & Collard Hill
Hairstreaks      
  Brown Hairstreak 3rd August Netherclay
  Green Hairstreak 25th April Shute Shelve
  Purple Hairstreak

22nd June

Lords Wood
  White-letter Hairstreak 17th June Bath
Blues & Coppers      
  Adonis Blue 24th May Draycott Sleights
  Brown Argus 7th May Mendip Hills
  Chalk Hill Blue 19th July Hatch Hill
  Common Blue 7th May Sand Point
  Holly Blue 3rd April Claverham & Taunton area
  Large Blue 28th May Green Down
  Small Blue 21st May Draycott Sleights
  Small Copper 9th  April Ham Wall
Vanessids      
  Comma 14th March Wellington
  Painted Lady 8th April Barrow Tanks
  Peacock 2nd January Curry Mallet
  Red Admiral 2nd January Dunster Beach, Shapwick Heath, Catcott Heath & Abbots Leigh
  Small Tortoiseshell 13th February Crewkerne
  White Admiral 21st June Shapwick Heath
Fritillaries      
  Dark Green Fritillary 11th June Bossington
  Heath Fritillary 27th May Haddon Hill
  Marsh Fritillary 20th May Hatch Hill & Milborne Port
  Silver-washed Fritillary 20th June Walton-in-Gordano
  Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary 19th May Mendip Hills
Browns      
  Gatekeeper 13th June Crook Peak
  Grayling 16th June Brean Down
  Marbled White 5th June Collard Hill
  Meadow Brown

26th May

Fairview Transect (Nr Cheddar)
  Ringlet 4th June Coleford
  Small Heath 10th May Bleadon Hill
  Speckled Wood 5th Feb Somerset
  Wall 15th April Brean Down
Others