31st December 2019

Ebeth Murdoch spotted this Peacock butterfly on the wing in Bishopthorpe, York on the 30th.

Paul Andrews found this Early Moth on the wall of the A1 underpass in Wetherby on the 30th. Paul was also surprised to see Lesser Celandine in flower.

Geoff Green reports a Peacock on the wing in York this morning.

Les Driffield spotted a Red Admiral on the wing in Ackworth on the 30th and a Small Tortoiseshell on Wenthillside on the same day.

1st December 2019

Ian Armitage tells us that Alex Whitaker recorded a Small Tortoiseshell on the wing at Leeds-Bradford Airport on the 29th November.

Tim Furness was still collecting Small White larvae off Sweet Rocket seedlings in his Scarborough garden on the 21st November. Tim rehomes them in his conservatory and feeds them cabbage. He has around a hundred, mainly pupae protected until next spring.

15th November 2019

Ange Garrod has shared some photographs of species recorded in her Sheffield garden during October. These include Comma, Red Admiral, Red-Green Carpet, Silver Y, Black Rustic and Feathered Thorn.

29th October 2019

Ian and Kath Weeks report a Small Copper on the wing in Doncaster.

Andrew Rhodes reports Red Admiral nectaring on Buddleia X Weyeriana Sungold in his Coniston Cold Garden.

17th October 2019

Martyn Priestley found this stunning Painted Lady at Caldene Fields Low Moor Bradford on the 15th October.

Tim Furness reports Red Admiral, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Large White on the wing in Scarborough Town Hall Gardens today.

Phil Lazenby walked from Otley to Pool in Wharfedale this morning where he counted eleven Red Admirals on one small patch of ivy. Also present were two Commas. Phil says it was just 9oC. Phil also reports that over the last month he has seen good numbers of Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady feeding on the late flowering yellow Buddleia and Verbena in his garden in Pool and concludes that it has been a very good year in the Wharfe Valley for all of those species but but sadly he has only seen a single Speckled Wood down by the riverside whereas in previous years they have been plentiful and sometimes the most numerous sightings towards the end of the season.

10th October 2019

Bob Hall recorded Brimstone, Comma, Speckled Wood, Small White and Red Admiral on the wing in Altofts.

6th October 2019

Ann Beckett reports Red Admiral and Painted Lady on the wing in Crossgates, Leeds

28th September 2019

Les Driffield recorded more than 30 'Whites' on the wing on Wenthillside on the 21st and says they were mostly Small White with the odd Large and Green-veined White. Also seen were Small Copper, a tatty Brown Argus, several Speckled Wood and a Red Admiral. Today between the heavy showers, there were several Small White, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral on the wing.

18th September 2019

Bob Hall reports good numbers (around 20 of each) of Comma and Red Admiral on Blackberry at Altofts canal side.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland have tried a variety of ripe fruit to attract butterflies and moths and so far the most popular have proved to be bananas and plums. Six Red Admirals were feasting on the bananas today in their Scarborough garden along with Speckled Wood and Comma.

13th September 2019

Jax Westmoreland spotted Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Large, Small and Green-veined Whites and a Comma enjoying the Sedum in a Scarborough garden centre.

Jesika Bone recorded Comma, Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Small White on the wing in her York garden.

Tim Furness reports Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Small White and Large White on the wing in St Nicholas Gardens Scarborough.

11th September 2019

Denis Fleming reports Speckled Wood on the wing on the east bank of the Ouse in St George's Field.

Jesika Bone has recorded Painted Lady and Red Admiral in her York garden.

5th September 2019

Bob Hall walked the main ride through Allerthorpe Common on the 1st where his sightings included good numbers of Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady and Gatekeeper.

1st September 2019

Allan Rodda and Jackie Holder captured Clifden Nonpareil (underside) at Flamborough on the 30th August.

Les Driffield reports that Small and Green-veined Whites are still present on Wenthillside and that Setaceous Hebrew Character and Flame Shoulder bring the moth species count for the site to 134.

30th August 2019

Andrew Rhodes has been recording large numbers of Painted Lady larvae on thistle species (especially Spear Thistle) and on Russian Comfrey. Andrew also says that he was surprised to see many larvae thriving on Common Fleabane.

John Dove in Wakefield has captured Square-spot Rustic, Pyrausta aurata, Vapourer and Flame Shoulder and says that he now realises what a nuisance Large Yellow Underwings can be!

27th August 2019

Andrew Parkinson was at Kippax where he recorded Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Small White on the wing.

Les Driffield reports Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Red Admiral along with Small and Green-veined White, Comma, Brown Argus, Small Copper and Speckled Wood on the wing on Wenthillside between the 23rd and 27th August. Moths present included Gold Spot, Pyrausta aurata, Yellow Shell, Silver Y, Common Carpet and Straw Dot.

24th August 2019

Janet Turnbull reports Scotch Argus on the wing along the Dales Way near the Scargill Estate.

Alan Miller reports Old Lady and Ypsolopha sequella in his Romanby moth trap.

23rd August 2019

Bob Hall's daughter was at Wentworth Castle where she recorded several Yellow-legged Clearwing present.

Kathy West reports that beningborough Hall Gardens is still in bloom attracting several species of butterfly including Red Admiral and Peacock. Kathy has also been lucky enough to see a Hummingbird Hawk-moth nectaring on lavender.

22nd August 2019

Ange Garrod in Sheffield has sent us some pictures of the butterflies and moths that she recorded in July, they include Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, White-letter Hairstreak and Large Skipper along with Purple Thorn, Shark, Meal Moth, Scarce silver-lines, Blackneck and Muslin Footman.

18th August 2019

Paul Holmes reports that recent butterfly sightings in the East Keswick Wildlife Trust LNRs include a Brown Argus in Elliker field (13th Aug) and a White-letter Hairstreak in Elliker Wood nectaring on Ragwort (15th Aug). In Ox Close Wood on 17th August twelve species were seen which included Silver-washed Fritillary, a newly-emerged Red Admiral and a Holly Blue. Two further species were seen there on the 18th, Brimstone and Comma.

Mike Hayes reports a Dark Green Fritillary on the Sustrans solar system cycle track south of Naburn.

17th August 2019

Steph Jones was at Beverley Swine Moor Pastures where her sightings included Brown Argus, Small Copper, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Painted Lady, Small White, Large White, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Green-veined White.

Jesika Bone tells us that the Elephant Hawk-moth larva has now pupated, she recorded a Painted Lady in her York garden and at the river side meadow she recorded six Brown Argus.

15th August 2019

Bob Hall reports Small Copper on the wing in Altofts.

Jesika Bone spotted this Elephant Hawk-moth larva in her York garden.

Paul Holmes reports that Brown Argus has now been confirmed as present at Ox Close Wood and East Keswick Village.

Bernard and Maureen Featherstone report good numbers of Painted Lady along with Common Blue, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, all three whites and Silver Y on the wing on Hatfield Moor.

Lynne Naylor spotted a male and female Vapourer, a Vapourer larva and a Vapourer female ovipositing.

Chris Yeates recorded a Painted Lady on the wing in Brighouse.

7th August 2019

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough have captured Large Emerald.

John Dove in Wakefield has captured Mother of Pearl, Bird Cherry Ermine and both forms of Dingy Footman (picture two).

Bob Hall recorded Small Skipper on the wing in Altofts.

6th August 2019

Jim Dignan reports Silver-washed Fritillary on the wing in suburban Sheffield (picture 2). Also present was a Comma.

Steph Jones spotted a Copper Underwing (agg) attracted to a lighted window in Beverley.

Tony Butler spotted four Silver-washed Fritillary at Edlington Pit Wood and a further two in near by Wadworth Wood near Doncaster.

5th August 2019

Vivien Fairhurst recorded a Silver-washed Fritillary on the wing (picture 2) in Thorpe Salvin.

Edward Jarratt spotted a Peacock in his Huddersfield garden.

Bob Hall recorded a female Holly Blue in his Altofts garden.

4th August 2019

Tim Furness was amazed to see a Silver-washed Fritillary flying in Scarborough town centre earlier today.

Alan Miller in Romanby has captured Box-tree Moth.

Eileen Campbell tells us that she saw considerable numbers of Painted Lady along with Red Admiral., Peacock and the Whites along the cliff top path near the coastguard station in limekiln Lane, Bridlington as well as in her own garden a short distance away.

Les Driffield reports Silver-washed Fritillary and Common and Dingy Footman on the wing on Wenthillside.

Jesika Bone reports Gatekeeper, Painted Lady, Holly Blue, Peacock and Dark Green Fritillary on the wing in her York garden. Her garden trap has captured Copper Underwing (agg), Large Yellow Underwing and Rhyacionia pinicolana. A walk on Walmgate Stray produced sightings of Peacock, Painted Lady, Small Copper, Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and Gatekeeper. The Millennium bridge meadow contained Small Copper, Gatekeeper, Brown Argus and a fast flying Dark Green Fritillary.

3rd August 2019

Martin Partridge reports Essex Skipper on the wing in Hilton, a first for the area (picture one, picture two, picture three)

Louise Green tells us that a Peacock and a Gatekeeper flew into her Wakefield conservatory.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough mashed up an over-ripe banana and left it outside for a few days. After visits by slugs, snails, spiders and flies they were finally rewarded last night with a visit from a pair of Old Lady.

2nd August 2019

Paul Kipling reports a Silver-washed Fritillary in his VC65 garden.

Steph Jones reports Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Painted Lady (in numbers), Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Silver Y and Hummingbird Hawk-moth on the wing in Beverley Swine Moor Pastures yesterday.

1st August 2019

Les Driffield reports 13 species of butterfly on the wing on Wenthillside including several fresh Painted Lady and Brown Argus. Also observed were two Dusky Sallow moths.

John Dove reports Essex Skipper on the wing at Alverthorpe Meadows, Wakefield today.

Bob Hall walked along the River Calder at Altofts where his sightings included good numbers of fresh Painted Lady and Peacock along with Small Skipper and Small Copper. Moths observed included Latticed Heath and Dingy Footman

30th July 2019

Jesika Bone has captured Mother of Pearl and Poplar Hawk-moth in her York garden trap.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland have been enjoying the Painted Lady invasion along with sightings of Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Holly Blue, Comma, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and all three Whites in their Scarborough garden.

28th July 2019

Lee and Jax Westmoreland were with Nick Hall and Les Driffield at Three Hagges Wood meadow where their sightings included Painted Lady, Small Skipper, Gatekeeper (male and female), Large White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Brimstone and Peacock

24thJuly 2019

Les Driffield tells us that David Williamson trapped on Wenthillside this week and his catch included Buff Arches, Oak Eggar, Digitivalva pulcariae, Elachista subocellea, Pammene fasciana and Phycita roborella (photos by David)

23rdJuly 2019

Mike Smethurst in Rotherham has captured this beautiful Black Arches.

Paul Davis tells us that Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Hairstreak and White-letter Hairstreak were reported on the wing at Potteric Carr today.

22nd July 2019

John Dove has been trapping in Wakefield where his sightings included Marbled Beauty (with added Riband Wave), Double Square-spot, Common White Wave and Clay.

20th July 2019

Bob Hall was walking along the Normanton Railway walk where he recorded good numbers of Gatekeeper and Ringlet along with Comma, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Small Skipper, Clouded Border, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet and Shaded Broad-bar.

Tim Furness tells us that the old Futurist site in Scarborough is now a lovely grassy bank full of wild flowers and butterflies. At lunchtime on the 18th he recorded more than 30 Small White, Ringlet, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady.

Dave Hatton in Farsley captured Common Footman.

18th July 2019

Martyn Priestley found three Six-belted Clearwing while using a pheromone at Low Moor, Bradford.

Steph Jones tell us that in Beverley off Long Lane area there were Gatekeeper, Small Skipper (in numbers), Comma, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Large White on the wing. Also present were Cinnabar, an Emerald Moth and Riband Wave.

Paz Fletcher recorded Silver-washed Fritillary in a wood near Selby on the 16th July.

17th July 2019

Jesika Bone was at Three Hagges Wood Meadow where her sightings included Painted Lady, Six-spot Burnet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Small Skipper. At the Millenium Bridge Meadow she recorded Comma and Meadow Brown and at Selby Colliery a Mullein larva. Jesika says that the Brimstone pupa are now eclosing to the second generation butterflies.

Les Driffield tells us that there are regularly more than ten species of butterfly on Wenthillside at present and a good 16 species today. Moths observed include Shaded Broad-bar, Silver Y, and Barred Straw.

16th July 2019

Paul Holmes recorded Silver-washed Fritillary near Ox Close Wood on the 15th and says that is possibly the first one sighted in that area. A nnumber of Purple Hairstreak were spotted above the oaks in the kiln area on the 14th.

Martyn Priestley found a worn White-letter Hairstreak in Birkenshaw, Bradford on the 16th. Martyn says that he hasn't recorded the species in that area previously.

John Ward reports Purple Hairstreak on the wing in Whiston Meadows Reserve, Rotherham.

Chris Yeates spotted a Marbled White on Knapweed on the Osgodby by-pass near Scarborough on the third July, four Ringlets were also present.

15th July 2019

Phil Lee found Smoky Wave on the wing in Fen Bog.

Andrew Rhodes recorded a female Brimstone and Comma in Coniston Cold and says that these appear to be early emergences of the seond brood. Andrew says that Painted Lady numbers are declining but that has been finding a numer of larvae on local thistles, six larvae have been found in their woven tents on Russian Comfrey, a plant that he had not known was used as a foodplant by the species. An adult Painted Lady was observed mobbing a Dragonfly in the manner of a Swallow chasing a Kestrel.Andrew also reports that Marbled White and Small Tortoiseshell are present in good numbers.

Brian Snell reports good numbers of Ringlet on the wing at Shibden Hall near Halifax.

Jackie Whinn spotted a Hummingbird Hawk-moth on Red Valerian in the Driffield Area.

13th July 2019

Bob Hall spotted both Small and Essex Skipper on the railway embankment in Normanton.

Ange Garrod has been busy trapping in Sheffield where her catches have included Large Yellow Underwing, Ruby Tiger, Cinnabar, Short-cloaked, Scalloped Oak, Angle Shades and Nemophera degeerella.

Susan Wilson tells us that there were lots of butterflies on the wing at Jubilee Park Fangfoss where here sightings included Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Marbled White (the first she has seen at this site) and an unidentified strongly-flying fritillary.

Jackie and Dave recorded Marbled White on the wing in Burythorpe churchyard,

12th July 2019

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough have had a good few days moth trapping and have captured Common Emerald, July Highflyer, Buff-tip, Small Yellow Wave and Yellow-tail.

11th July 2019

Bob Hall was at the railway track in Normanton where he recorded Gatekeeper and Small Skipper, Bob also spotted a Swallow-tailed Moth in Normanton Park.

10th July 2019 Paul Holmes spotted a Hummingbird Hawk-moth nectaring on Buddleia in Tockwith today.

9th July 2019

Belinda Robson in Scarborough captured Yellow Shell.

Jesika Bone was at the meadow near the Millenium Bridge where she recorded these abberations of Ringlet and Small Copper along with Large and Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet, Green-veined White and Gatekeeper.

8th July 2019

Jesika Bone reorded Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Small Skipper on Walmgate Stray in York. In her garden moth trap she captured Common Footman, Brimstone Moth, Scalloped Oak and Riband Wave (non-banded, ab remutata ).

John Dove trapped on the 6th and his catch included Light Emerald, Scalloped Oak, bright-line Brown-eye, Mottled Rustic and Uncertain.

Colin and Kate Robinson report Hummingbird Hawk-moth on the wing at Leyburn Shawl on the 5th.

Les Driffield tells us that a further sighting of the same species was made by Peter on the SSSI near Wenthillside on the 6th.

7th July 2019

Tim Quantrill walked from Threshfield to Bordley and en route he recorded Common Blue, Small Heath, Painted Lady and a Dark Green Fritillary. Near to Cow Close Wood Tim recorded Common Blue, Small Heath and Ringlet and near Bordley House Farm in a meadow Small Heath, Painted Lady, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell.

Bob Hall spotted Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Large Skipper along with Small Skipper and Ringlet in Normanton on the 6th.

Les Driffield reports Dark Green Fritillary and Purple Hairstreak on the wing on Wenthillside on the 5th. At Brockadale on the 6th there were Red Admiral, Marbled White, Essex Skipper (first sighting), Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Ringlet, Meadow brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood and Dark Green Fritillary on the wing. Moths recorded included Thistle Emine, Silver Y, Six-spot Burnet and Yellow Shell. A Mullein moth larva was also seen.

4th July 2019

Dave Hatton in Farsley was please to catch 19 species of moth as he was doubting the efficiency of his new eco Robinson trap. He caught Elephant Hawk-moth, Ruddy Streak, Lychnis, Marbled Beauty and flame amongst others.

Andrew Rhodes just had a walk around Skipton Quarry and recorded a pristine Silver-washed Fritillary (first sighting) along with good numbers of Speckled Wood, Ringlet and a few Common Blue, Small Heath, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Large & Small Skipper, a very worn Peacock and several Six-spot Burnet. Andrew also tells us that on the 2nd July there were good numbers of Dark Green Fritillary and Common Blue flying at Giggleswick Quarry.

3rd July 2019

Rodney and Anne German spotted this Marbled White on the wing in Forge Valley.

Jesika Bone was at Three Hagges Wood Meaadow where she recorded Meadow Brown in good numbers, Small Skipper, Ringlet and Painted Lady.

Damian Money reports Purple Hairstreak on the wing in Skelton (first sighting)

2nd July 2019

David Cockburn spotted this Light Emerald in his Chapel Allerton garden.

Tim Quantrill reports a dozen Painted Lady feeding on brambles between Makenfield Hall and Ripon along with Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell.

David Smith reports Marbled White, Painted Lady, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, common Blue and Large Skipper aaround Thixendale.

1st July 2019

Bob Hall was at Altofts where he spotted a Mullein Moth larva and a Beautiful China-mark.

John Dove in Wakefield captured Silver Y and Small Ranunculus.

Les Driffield tells us that despite the wind there have quite a few butterflies on Wenthillside including Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet, Marbled White, Red Admiral, Large and Small Skipper, Painted Lady, Large White and a Comma along with Silver Y, Cinnabar and Yellow Shell. Les tells us that on a nearby SSSI yesterday he spotted several Gatekeepers (first sighting), a dark Green Fritillary and a White-letter Hairstreak.

28th June 2019

Bob Hall was at Altofts from where he reports good numbers of Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet, Large and Small Skippers on the wing.

Les Driffield tells us that there are good numbers of Painted Lady on Wenthillside with two or three on each flwery patch. Also present are Small Tortoiseshell, ringlet, Large Skipper, Marbled White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral and Large White. Moths present include Yellow Shell, Cinnabar, Brown Silver-line and Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet.

John Dove reports Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Skipper, Speckled Wood, Common Blue and Painted Lady on thw wing in Alverthorpe Meadows near Wakefield.

Julian Pickering reports White-letter Hairstreak (first sighting), Marbled White and Brown Argus on the wing at St Aidans NR.

Belinda Robson in Scarborough has captured her first Gothic of the year.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough captured their first Tawny-barred Angle of the year.

Susan Stead reports that the Shipley Station open day was a great success with sightings of male and female Common Blue, meadow Brown and Ringlet. Also present were Cinnabar and Burnet moths in all three stages, larva, pupa and imago.

27th June 2019

Les Driffield is delighted to report the arrival of Dark Green Fritillary and Small Heath on Wenthillside.

24th June 2019

Belinda Robson in Scarbrough has captured Lime Hawk-moth and Buff-tip.

Andrew Rhodes spotted this Vapourer larva on an apple cultivar in Coniston Cold.

Allan Rodda captured Bird's Wing (second photo) on Wykeham Causeway.

Jesika Bone visited Three Hagges Wood Meadow where her sightings included Common Blue, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Cinnabar Moth.

22nd June 2019

Mike Smethurst succesfully used a pheromone lure to attract Currant Clearwings (picture one and picure two) to his Rotherham garden.

Jesika Bone reports Painted Lady on the wing in her York garden, she spotted a Ringlet near the river and captured Heart and Dart in her moth trap.

John Wilcox reports Small Skipper on the wing at Woolley Colliery today (first sighting).

John Dove in Wakefield has captured Mottled Rustic, Dark Arches, Buff Ermine and Rustic/Uncertain agg.

21st June 2019

Wendy Holliday in Ruswarp reports Ringlet on the wing

Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough reports Ringlet on the wingalso present were Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Green-veined White and Speckled Wood.

John Wilcox reports Ringlet on the wing at Woolley Colliery.

Mike Smethurst in Rotherham has captured Small Elephant Hawk-moth and was surprised to catch Tawny-barred Angle as he says that he is not located close to pine woods.

20th June 2019

Andrew Parkinson was at Brockadale where he recorded Dark Green Fritillary, Marbled White, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Brown Argus, Speckled Wood and Chimney Sweeper on the wing.

Allan Rodda tells us that Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper, Marbled White, Green-veined White, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Speckled Wood , Mother Shipton, Yellow Shell and Cinnabar were all flying on Fordon Chalk Bank today.

19th June 2019

David Cockburn tells us that there is a small area of Leeds Burial Ground (around 100 square meters) which is being managed as wildflower meadow this year and it is making a difference. David recorded Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, and Large Skipper today.

Alex Bozman in Linthwaite has captured his first Large Yellow Underwing along with Map-winged Swift, Small Magpie and his first Broom Moth.

18th June 2019

Jesika Bone was at Three Hagges Wood Meadow where she observed Meadow Brown, Common Blue (male and female, Large Skipper, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper, Dingy Skipper, Yellow Shell and Cinnabar on the wing.

Les Driffield and Paul Andrews report Large Skipper, Painted Lady, Ringlet (first sighting), Meadow brown, Red Admiral, Brown Argus, Small White and Marbled White along with Cinnabar, Thistle Ermine, Silver-ground Carpet, Agapeta hamana, Pseudargyotoza conwagana, Crambus lathoniellus, White Plume Moth, Marbled Orchard Tortrix, Yellow Shell, Large Yellow Undewing and Timothy Tortrix on the wing on Wenthillside.

16th June 2019

Nick Hall led a succesful field trip to Thorne Moors today where there were good numbers of Large Heath on the wing (first sighting)

Jesika Bone reports Painted Lady feeding on Verbena bonariensis in her York garden. On Walmgate Stray she recorded Chimney sweeper, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown and Large Skipper on the wing.

Andrew Rhodes reports a large arrival of Painted Lady at Coniston Cold where he coundted 63 on the wing.

Steph Jones reports good numbers of Painted Lady on the wing in Beverley Parks along with Red Admiral, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Small Copper, Large Skipper and Meadow Brown.

Calum Macgregor reports Dark Green Fritillary on the wing at Yatts Farm (first sighting).

Ange Garrod in Sheffield reports Comma and Large White on the wing in her garden where she has also captured Maiden's Blush, Angle Shades, Green Carpet, Clouded Silver, Cinnabar and Vine' s Rustic over the past few weeks.

10th June 2019

Joanna Richards reports Marbled White on the wing at Brockadale on the 9th June (first sighting)

Les Driffield reports Large Skipper, Speckled Wood, Small Copper and Brown Argus on the wing at Wenthillside. Also seen were Pammene aurana, Yellow Shell, Silver Y and Pseudargyrotoza conwagana.

Tim Furness tells us that on the 8th in his Scarborough garden there were nine Painted Lady and tw Red Admiral feasting on Red Valerian along with a Holly Blue. On the 9th along the cinder track between Scarborough and Burniston he spotted 12 Painted Lady, two Red Admiral, two Speckled Wood and Large White.

9th June 2019

Mike Smethurst in Rotherham has captured Privet Hawk-moth.

Bob Hall has been to Altofts Ings where his sightings included Cinnabar and Meadow Brown.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough captured Eyed Hawk-moth.

Steph Jones reports that in Beverley off Spark Mill Lane, there were Red Admiral, Painted Lady (first sighting of year), Small White, Common Blue, Small Copper, Speckled Wood, along with Chimney Sweeper (localised in one field but in numbers) and a Yellow Shell on the wing.

6th June 2019

Andrew Rhodes reports Northern Brown Argus (first sighting) on the wing on the Low Ox Pasture transect. Andrew also reports Green Hairstreak flying at Malham Tarn and Dingy Skipper on the wing in Skipton.

Nick Hall made a quick trip to the old North Selby Mine site which revealed good numbers of Common Blue, Small Heath and Burnet Companion. Also seen were Large Skipper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Dingy Skipper, Mother Shipton, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Small Yellow Underwing and Nick's first Meadow Brown of the year.

Richard and Joy Webb reports Wall flying just off the TransPennine Trail through Penistone, South Yorkshire.

Paul Holmes was fishing at Leighton Reservoir, flying in the sunlight where he spotted one each of Small Copper, Silver Y and Cinnabar moth.

5th June 2019

Andrew Rhodes reports Painted Lady on the wing in Skipton.

Jax Westmoreland watched a pair of pristine Red Admirals spiralling in her Scarborough garden, also present were Large and Green-veined Whites, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood.

Susan Stead reports Common Blue (male and female) and Dingy Skipper on the wing in Shipley Station Meadow.

4th June 2019

Jesika Bone reports Common Blue, Orange-tip, Cinnabar, Yellow Shell and Large Skipper on the wing at Three Hagges Wood meadow. The Large Skipper appears to have a problem in that its proboscis appears to be split. Jesika tells us that the last remaining Brimstone larva is about to pupate and new larvae are growing casting the skin from their heads as they do.

Nick Hall reports Clouded Yellow on the wing in east Cowick on the second (first sighting).

3rd June 2019

Les Driffield reports Small Copper, Brown Argus, Orange-tip, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Green-veined White, Large Skipper and Common Blue on the wing on Wenthillside. Also present were Cinnabar, Straw Dot, Agapeta hamana, Light-Brown Apple-moth, Silver Y and Crambus lathoniellus.

John Dove reports Red Admiral, Small Copper and Chimney Sweeper on the wing at alverthorpe Meadows near Wakefield.

Steph Jones tells us that around Beverley in the past few days she has observed Holly Blue, Small and Large White, Orange-tip, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Wall and Small Tortoiseshell on the wing. Also present were Cinnabar, Silver Y, Common Carpet and Peppered Moth.

2nd June 2019

Les Driffield tells us that Orange-tip, Small Copper, Speckled Wood and Brown Argus are still flying on Wenthillside. Moths noted were Cocksfoot Moth Glyphipterix simpliciella, Crambus lathoniellus and Thistle Ermine.

31st May 2019

Tim Furness was in the town hall gardens in Scarborough where he recordd Holly Blue, Large and Small White, Small Tortoiseshell and a male Brimstone.

John Dove trapped in Wakefield where his catch included Garden Carpet, Common Swift, Heart and Dart, Setaceous Hebrew Character, Shuttle-shaped Dart and Light-brown Apple-moth.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough captured Elephant Hawk-moth, Flame Shoulder and Ruby Tiger.

30th May 2019

Paul and Denise Martin were on Hawnby Hill on the 29th May where they recorded Dingy Skipper and Duke of Burgundy. On appleton Common they spotted Pearl-bordered Fritillary on the wing.

28th May 2019

Bob Hall reports Small Copper and Common Blue on the wing on Altofts railway bank. Bob also spotted this Yellow-tail larva on Allerthorpe Common.

John Dove reports Dingy Skipper on the wing near the River Calder at Kirkthorpe and captured Small Magpie, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Heart and Dart, Turip and Common Pug in his Wakefield trap.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough captured Lychnis and Poplar Hawk-moth.

26th May 2019

Jesika Bone reports Common Blue, Brimstone, Peacock, Small Copper, Orange-tip and Cinnabar on the wing at Three Hagges Wood meadow. Jesika tells us that the Peacock larvae are getting ready to pupate but sadly she is down to four Brimstone larvae. The globe on the setae of the larva pictured is skin shead from the face and head.

David Smith reports Small Heath and Common Blue on the wing on Ellerburn Bank and Dingy Skipper on the wing at Wharram Quarry.

Gerry Thornton reports Holly Blue and Orange-tip on the wing in Beeston, Leeds.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough captured Small Magpie and Small Phoenix.

24th May 2019

Andrew Rhodes reports Large Skipper on the wing in Coniston Cold (first sighting) along with Large White, Orange-tip, Small Copper and Nettle-tap. In Skipton Andrew spotted Dingy Skipper, Small Heath, Wall, Large, Small and Green-veined Whites and Peacock. On the 21st May Andrew recorded Holly Blue in a Skipton Garden and Common Blue at Skipton Railway Station.

23rd May 2019

Lee and Jax Westmoreland captured Heart and Dart new for year and noted more than 20 Diamond-backs in the hedges surrounding their Scarborough garden.

Les Driffield recorded Green Carpet, Chimney Sweeper and Mother Shipton along with Orange-tip, Peacock and Brown Argus on Wenthillside.

Sophie and Stephen Holroyd who are walking from Land's End to John 'o' Groats tells us that there were good numbers of Green Hairstreak on Ickornshaw Moor at Bare Hill and Caterina Hill and walking towards Lothersdale the pair recorded Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.

Bob Hall recorded Common Blue onthe wing on the railway bank at Normanton.

22nd May 2019

Bob Hall recorded Brimstone on the canal side at Altofts.

Les Driffield tells us that yesterday he observed Brown Argus on Wenthillside, crawling down into cut leaf cranesbill hopefully egg laying. Les spotted Orange-tip, a Common Carpet and Cinnabar on the wing. Today he has recorded several Cinnabar, Orange-tip, Peacock, Crambus lathoniellus and his first ever Small Yellow Underwing.

19th May 2019

Ange Garrod has recorded Speckled Wood, Orange-tip male and female and Red-Green Carpet in her Sheffield garden.

Jesika Bone recorded Orange-tip, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Small Copper on Walmgate Stray in York. Jesika tells us that the Brimstone larvae are progressing well and have made it to their second instar.

17th May 2019

Ian Armitage reports a lone Brown Argus, (a first for the meadow site on the edge of Holbeck, Leeds) on the wing this lunchtime.

Stuart Roebuck reports Small Blue on the wing on 13th May.

James Dickinson reports Small Blue on the wing in Yorkshire and says there were seven Dingy Skippers on the wing in Skipton on Wednesday..

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough captured Scalloped Hazel and Waved Umber new for year.

Les Driffield visted Hawnby and Appleton where his sightings included Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Duke of Burgundy, Green Hairstreak, Dingy Skipper, Peacock, Orange-tip, Large White, Red Admiral and Common Heat and Brown Silver-lines.

14th May 2019

Jesika Bone reports Brimstone, Dingy Skipper, Small Copper, Peacock, Green-veined White, Duke of Burgundy and Brown Silver-lines on the wing on Hawnby Hill. In Three Hagges Wood Meadow Brimstone, Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Peacock and Orange-tip were on the wing and a nest of Peacock larvae was also present.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough have captured Muslin.

Bob Hall reports Dingy Skipper on the wing on the railway embankment in Altofts. Also present were Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Orange-tip and Small Tortoiseshell.

Julian Pickering reports Green Hairstreak on the wing in Otley Chevin.

Gerry Thornton reports Holly Blue on the wing in West Yorkshire.

13th May 2019

Bob Hall reports Holly Blue, Male Orange tip and Small Heath (first sighting) on Altofts canal bank.

Allan Rodda reports Small Heath (first sighting), Common Blue, Dingy Skipper, Large White, Brimstone, Brown Argus, Orange-tip, Peacock, Wall , Small Tortoiseshell ;Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Comma, Small Copper and Red Admiral on thw wing on Fordon Chalk bank today.

Andrew Parkinson reports Orange-tip (with close up) Dingy Skipper, Peacock, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood on the wing in Allerton Bywater.

Les Driffield reports Small Copper, Orange-tip, Peacock, Brimstone, Large White, Comma, Adela reaumurella, Cinnabar and Lesser Treble Bar on the wing on Wenthillside between the 11th and 13th May.

12th May 2019

Nick Hall and Martin Partridge led the Yorkshire Branch BC field event to Hawnby Hill and Appleton Common on Saturday 11th May. Despite the weather they saw 3 Duke of Burgundy at Hawnby during the brief showing of the sun. At Appleton during another brief sunny interval, there were upto 8 Pearl-bordered Fritillary (picture 2) seen on the wing. The cool temperatures allowed for great views of both species. Sadly, only one member attended the event.

Yves Bouvet tells us that there were 2 Green Hairstreaks (male and female) on Strensall Common today.

Steph Jones reports Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Orange-tip (in numbers), Small White, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Cinnabar and a Knot Grass and Scalloped Hazel hiding out on a wall in Beverley Parks this weekend.

Jesika Bone reports larvae on nettles in York and is unsure if they are Small Tortoiseshell or Peacock. On Walmgate Stray she found Orange-tip male and female, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.

11th May 2019

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough were pleased to see the return of the sunshine and with it Speckled Wood, Peacock, Comma, Holly Blue, Large White, Small Copper, Green-veined White and Orange-tip on the wing in their garden.

Bernard and Maureen Featherstone were in Anston Stones Wood and Meadow where they recorded Orange-tip, Peacock and Brimstone on the wing. At Lindrick Quarry they recorded Brimstone, Peacock, Green-veined White and Dingy Skipper (their first this year)

Bob Hall recorded Orange-tip and Holly Blue on the wing in Altofts.

4th May 2019

Andrew Parkinson reports Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White and good numbers of Orange-tip (male and female) on the wing in Kippax.

Dickie Wood reports an early Meadow Brown on the wing in Leeds (first sighting)

2nd May 2019

Les Driffield reports Shuttle-shaped Dart, Orange-tip, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Holly Blue and Large White on the wing on Wenthillside.

Christine Weaver reports Common Blue on the wing at Nosterfield NR (first sighting)

Lee and Jax Westmoreland caught their first Pale Tussock of the year in Scarborough.

Stuart Ogilvy was surprised to see an Orange Underwing flying around Birch in the grounds of York Crematorium .

1st May 2019

Syd Cochrane reports at least twenty fresh Dingy Skippers on the wing at Wharram Quarry.

Jesika Bone reports Peacock, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Brimstone and Orange-tip (male and female) on the wing at Three Hagges Wood meadow.

30th April 2019

Jesika Bone reports Orange-tip, Speckled Wood and Small White on the wing on the Stray in York on the 26th and a Speckled Wood in her York garden. Today at Strensall Common she reorded Brimstone, Orange-tip (again all male) and Peacock and on the stray in York, Orange-tip (male and female), Brimstone, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White were on the wing.

Bernard and Maureen Featerstone report that on a walk west along the canal from Shireoaks there were Orange-tip (male and female), Brimstone (all male) and Green-veined White on the wing.

25th April 2019

Jesika Bone reports Holly Blue and Speckled Wood on the wing in her York garden. On Walmgate Stray she observed Orange-tip (and notes that all 16 were male), Speckled Wood, Green-veined and Small White. At Three Hagges Wood Meadow she observed Orange-tip (again all 20 observed were male), Peacock, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White. In her garden moth trap she has captured Hebrew Character, Muslin and Bee Moth.

24th April 2019

Rolf Farrell and Ian Armitage report Duke of Burgundy on the wing on the 22nd at Hawnby. Also present were Peacock and Green Hairstreak. Rolf tells us that Shell Lane and Priesthorpe Lane between Calverley and Pudsey are pleasant places to observe butterflies with plenty of Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Large White and Holly Blue.

Tim Furness in Scarborough reports 4 Holly Blue and Brimstone on the wing in his Scarborough garden. The butterfly was also on the wing in Dalby Forest where Brimstone and Orange-tip were also present.

Paul Leyland reports Brown Argus on the wing at Fordon Chalk Banks (first sighting)

23rd April 2019

Jesika Bone reports Speckled Wood and Orange-tip on the wing in York

Bob Hall tells us that there are good numbers of Adela reaumurella on the wing at the canal side in Altofts.

22nd April 2019

Mike Smethurst in Rotherham has captured Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet and Lunar Marbled Brown.

Dave O'Brien reports Duke of Burgundy on the wing in Hawnby (first sighting)

Steph Jones reports Orange-tip, Peacock, Comma, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Brimstone and Speckled Wood on the wing at Beverley Parks. Steph also recorded her first Angle Shades of the year.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough captured Streamer, Shoulder Stripe and Twenty-plume moth.

Bob Hall spotted this Adela reaumurella in Altofts

21st April 2019

Nick Hall reports Pearl-bordered Fritillary on the wing in VC62 (first sighting)

Dave O'Brien reports Holly Blue on the wing in Middlesbrough.

Jesika Bone reports Orange-tip, Peacock and Speckled Wood on the wing on the Stray in York and in her York garden she has recorded Orange-tip, Brimstone and Holly Blue.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland in Scarborough captured a Herald.

20th April 2019

Nick Hall reports a dozen Dingy Skipper on the wing at Fordon Chalk Bank (first sighting) also present were Peacock and Brimstone.

Bob Hall reports Orange-tip on the wing in in Normanton.

Jesika Bone reports Orange-tip (male and female) on the wing on Walmgate Stray in York along with Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell and a number of Whites. In her York garden, Jesika tells us that a female Brimstone has laid seven eggs on the Alder Buckthorn she planted in 2016.

19th April 2019

Following the (first sighting) of a Green Hairstreak recorded by Ian Hargreaves on Keighley Moor on the 17th, today has brought a number of other sightings of the butterfly.

Ale Ambler recorded six Green Hairstreak at Ewden Height today.

Wendy North was on Danby Rigg where she spotted Green Hairstreak on the wing this morning.

John Hume recorded ten Green Hairstreak on Reasty Bank.

Rolf Farrell recorded at least three Green Hairstreak at Colsterdale along with Peacock and reports a fair few whites on the wing in Nidderdale.

18th April 2019

Bernard and Maureen Featherstone report Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell and Orange-tip on the wing at Potteric Carr on the 17th.

Tim Furness in Scarborough reports Holly Blue, Peacock and Orange-tip on the wing in Peasholm Park.

16th April 2019

Jesika Bone reports Peacock, Orange-tip and Small Tortoiseshell on the wing in her York garden and she also spotted and released this Bee Moth from her kitchen.

Andrew Rhodes reports Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Small White, Brimstone and Holly Blue on the wing at St. Nicholas Fields Nature Reserve in York.

11th April 2019

Ange Garrod in Sheffield has captured Oak Beauty, Hebrew Character and Twin-spotted Quaker and has recorded Small Tortoiseshell and Holly Blue on the wing in her garden.

Jesika Bone reports Small Tortoiseshell on the wing on Walmgate Stray in York

Bernard and Maureen Featherstone report Orange-tip, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell Peacock and Brimstone on the wing in Potteric Carr.

7th April 2019

Jesika Bone reports Peacock and Speckled Wood on the wing in in her York garden.

Andrew Rhodes reports Green-veined White on the wing in Coniston Cold on the 6th (first sighting) and says that Peacock and Comma (including a mating pair) were also present.

Lee and Jax Westmoreland have seen the first Speckled Wood in their Scarborough Garden. Brimstone, Large White and Red Admiral were also present.

Les Driffield reports Brimstone, Peacok, Small Tortoiseshell and Small White on Wenthillside and a Peacock and Large White in his garden.

5th April 2019

Bob Hall reports good numbers of Orange-tip, Peacock, Comma, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood on the wing in Normanton.

Steph Jones tells us that Brimstone, Comma, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell and Orange-tip were on the wing in Beverley Park on the 31st March.