Butterfly Conservation - saving butterflies, moths and their habitats
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saving butterflies, moths and their habitats
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Recent sightings

The purpose of this page is to give an indication of what butterflies and moths are currently on the wing within the North East England region. Sightings do not have to be rare or unusual as the purpose is simply to give other website users an indication of what is about and what they can expect to see. If you have sightings to report please send them with the details of what you saw, the date and the location to this link or alternatively by using the contact page of the web-site.

Important Note: this is intended only as an informal non-validated record of what is currently on the wing and we strongly encourage you to send your records to the relevant recorder for Northumberland or Durham (see Committee page for contact details and the downloads page for the recording form).

Listed below are the reports from 2010 onwards.  To view sightings from 2009 please click here.

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2021

April 2021

6 April.  Graham Beckwith reports: "whilst walking my dog in a very cold Arctic-like wind, I walked along the sheltered (and warm) South Burn and was amazed to count 17 Small Tortoiseshell fluttering and often battling on the sunny south-facing bankside.  Minutes later it was snowing".

4 April.  A Holly Blue was seen flying in Stocksfield, Northumberland (reported by Gordon Port).

Graham Beckwith reports: "close to South Burn, Waldridge Park I saw 9 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock all feeding on Blackthorn blossom and another Peacock basking on a sunny bankside. Also in my garden: 1 Peacock and 2 Small Tortoiseshell.  A drive to West Park in Darlington failed to produce any Brimstone but a few Small Tortoiseshell (9) and Peacock (5) about in the sheltered footpaths away from the wind. Aerial battles ensued in one location between 2 Peacocks and up to 5 Small Tortoiseshell "

3 April.  Graham Beckwith reported 1 Small White and 3 Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Chester le Street.

1 April.  Graham Beckwith reported 1 Red Admiral, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock in his garden in Waldridge Park, Chester le Street.

March 2021

30 March.  Steve Reid saw Orange-tip and Peacock in his garden in Low Fell.   On the same day he saw 8 Small Tortoiseshell at Tanfield Lea.

Jonathan Wallace saw 2 Peacock, 4 Small Tortosieshell and an Orange-tip at the Quarry, Cowgate.

Kyra Wallace saw a Peacock at Walbottle Recycling Centre.

25 arch.  Daphne Aplin saw 2 Small Whites at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park.

20 March.  Daphne Aplin reported 3 Comma, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park.

17 March.  Graham Beckwith recorded two Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Chester le Street.

16 March.  Steve Kirtley saw a male Brimstone and a Comma in West Park, Darlington.

Graham Beckwith reported 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma at South Burn, Waldridge Park, Chester-le-Street. He also saw two Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Chester le Street.

15 March.  Steve Austin saw a Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Houghton Le Spring.

February 2021

28 February.  Den Gregson saw a single Peacock butterfly on the wing at Croxdale

Mike Potts reported A Small Tortoiseshell seen feeding on a small clump of Coltsfoot on in Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne.

27 February.  Susan Dixon reported a Red Admiral seen in her garden in Choppington Northumberland.

Steve Kirtley reported a male Brimstone and two Commas in West Park Darlington.

26 February.  Steve Austin saw his first butterfly of the year - a Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Houghton le Spring.

21 February.  Daphne Aplin kicked off the year for 2021 with a sighting of a Small Tortoiseshell at Belasis Technology Park, Billingham.

2020

August 2020

24 August.  Tim Nelson reports: "Today a short walk at Cotham Wood produced 25+ Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Peacock, 3 Speckled Wood, 1 Meadow Brown, a good selection of flying white and a single Painted Lady."

Graham Beckwith reports from Waldridge Park Chester le street: "2 Painted Lady, 23 Small Tortoiseshell, 14 Peacock, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood, 6 Large White, 4 Small White (the only few Whites identified from many flying around).".

Brian Pike reported a Wall Brown seen at Riding Mill.

20 August.  Graham Beckwith reports: "went on a search for other butterfly life stages along a lane between Warkworth Drive and Waldridge Hall on the Waldridge Park estate, particularly for larvae of Holly Blue and managed the following: 3 Red Admiral larvae on stinging nettles, 5 Comma larvae on stinging nettles, tens of early instars of both Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell larvae also on stinging nettles. I also came across a Buff Ermine larva deep in a thick stinging nettle plant. On a garden fence I found 2 Small Tortoiseshell pupae. The fence was directly above several patches of stinging nettles. Some of the Holly Blue eggs that I found a couple of weeks ago had hatched but I couldn't locate any larvae which I think may have been inside some of the damaged ivy buds".

11 August.  Graham Beckwith reports from Cragside, Northumberland: "I recorded the following in the formal gardens and around Nelly's Moss Lakes (north and south lakes): Again, higher numbers of summer generation Peacock than any other species with 62 counted, predominantly feeding on Buddleia in the gardens and on Water Mint around the Lakes where water levels were low.  Also saw 2 Red Admiral, 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Comma (both feeding on mint at the edge of south Nelly's Moss), 1 Wall Brown (beside a fence bordering a field by the formal garden).  This is only the 2nd Wall Brown I've seen this year.  Again there were a lot of summer generation Whites but I could only positively identify 5 Large, 3 Green-veined and 1 Small."

David Phillips counted three Purple Hairstreak at Mowden, Darlington.

10 August.  Graham Beckwith reports from Wallington Hall, Northumberland: "High numbers of summer generation Peacock with 58 counted, predominantly feeding on Buddleia.  Also saw 3 Red Admiral and only 7 Small Tortoiseshell.  There were a lot of summer generation Whites but I could only positively identify 9 Large, 6 Green-veined and 4 Small.  1 Meadow Brown flew into a grassy seating area near the orchard and 1 Painted Lady whizzed through the same area only pausing to feed briefly 3 times but enough time to identify it."

Michael Coates recorded three Purple Hairstreak at Nine Arches.

David Phillips reported "A worn White-letter Hairstreak seen & photographed by another observer.  Purple Hairstreak x 1 and Small Copper x 2.  Also Wall Brown x 2. All at Hurworth, Darlington."

9 August.  David Phillips recorded 4 Purple Hairstreak at Hurworth, Darlington.

8 August.  David Phillips reports: "Darlington Hurworth: Holly Blue x 2 including my first female of the year.  A pair of Small Copper copulating.  Male was of the blue spotted form. Single Purple Hairstreak & a Brown Argus x 1.  Also: Darlington Baydale Meadows Holly Blue x 1."

6 August.  Mike Hooper and Bob Mawson saw 6 Purple Hairstreak at Trimdon Grange Fox Covert.

David Phillips recorded 5 Purple Hairstreak and 5 Small Copper (inc 1 blue-spotted form) at Hurworth, Darlington.

1 August.  Martin Partridge visited Brierley Wood in Wynyard Country Park and recorded 2 Silver-washed Fritillary and 2 Purple Hairstreak.

David Phillips reported from Baydale meadows, Darlington: "Holly Blue x 1 landed on my grand-daughter's toes during a big butterfly count.  It stayed for a few minutes.  She had painted her toe nails blue.  I may need to try this!"

July 2020

29 July.  David Phillips reports: Darlington Hurworth Holly Blue x 4, rather camera shy although a couple of males did pose briefly. They were nectaring on the last few remaining bramble flowers and the ragwort. White-letter Hairstreak x 1. Recently emerged individual came down onto brambles briefly. Did not linger. Very surprised to find one here. I could only find one Elm/Wych Elm in the area. Purple Hairstreak x 1 high in an oak. Darlington Tees Grange Avenue White-letter Hairstreak x 3 high up in Wych Elm. Pleased to find they are still here as only a single brief sighting last year.

28 July.  David Phillips reports: Darlington Hurworth Purple Hairstreak x 2 spiralling amongst oaks.

24 July.  David Phillips reports: Darlington Hummersknott Painted Lady x 1, first for the year and a rather worn individual.

19 July.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Had a short trip down to Greatham Creek, Teeside yesterday (19th July 2020) and recorded the following: An incredible 64 Grayling, 63 of which were counted between the gate to the creek and the first bird hide and 1, surprisingly by the bus shelter hide near the road. Also 2 Small Copper, 9 Small Heath, 14 Small Skipper including a mating pair and the usual (8) Small Tortoiseshell, loads of Whites with only 1 Large White and 2 Small White identified and 31 Meadow Brown. Strangely I only saw 1 Common Blue (a male) and no Ringlet that I can recall. Moths: 2 Latticed Heath and 1 Shaded Broad-bar. I then called in at Cowpen Bewley and checked the known Essex Skipper location and managed 6 Essex Skipper including a mating pair also (antennae and scent marks checked). "

16 July.  David Phillips reports: Darlington Mowden Purple Hairstreak x 8. A couple seen briefly and a group of 6 observed further east in their favoured oaks.

14 July.  David Phillips reports: 14/7/20 Darlington Mowden Purple Hairstreak x 2 first for the year for me.

3 July.  Graham Beckwith reported his first Purple Hairstreak of the year at Aykely Heads, Durham.

2 July.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Park, Chester-Le-Street 1 Small Skipper, 1 Speckled Wood, 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 White, 1, Comma ( form hutchinsonii), 40+ Ringlet, 30+ Meadow Brown."

1 July.  Martin Partridge reported the emergence of three Essex Skipper on a private biodiversity site in Billingham.

June 2020

30 June.  Martin Partridge reports "On 30th June I saw 5 Grayling on the embankment at Greenabella Marshes, Teesside along with numerous Small Heath, Ringlets and Meadow Browns. 3 Hummingbird hawkmoths seen on Valerian there".

29 June.  Sarah Cowling saw Common Blue on coastal path near High Newton

26 June.  Mike Coates reported 2 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and a Painted Lady at Sweethope

25 June.  Graham Beckwith reported the following sightings ""Between Waldridge Park and South Burn towards Waldridge Fell): 35 Meadow Brown, 8 Ringlet, 3 Red Admiral, 14 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Large White. In garden at Waldridge Park: First Painted Lady in garden (1 only), 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Red Admiral. At Black Plantation with Stephen Lowther: 7 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 2 Red Admiral, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Large Skipper, 20+ Speckled Wood, numerous Ringlet and Meadow Brown. Best guesstimate 18 Ringlet, 30+ Meadow Brown. At A1 roundabout, Chester-Le-Street: 6 Small Skipper (1st of the year), 4 Large Skipper, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, approximately 32 Meadow Brown and 24 Ringlet. Numerous Peacock larvae feeding on nettles.

24 June.  Alan Davis reports "Havannah Drift Nature Reserve today, 24 June. Lots of Meadow Brown and Ringlet, 5 Large Skipper, 4 Speckled Wood, 3 Common Blue, 2 Small Heath, 2 Large White plus single Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and a Painted Lady."

Dick Gilhespy reports "Did a walk through Forestry Commission Fourlaws site and recorded at least 30 SpbF earlier today "

22 June.  Jonathan Wallace recorded Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Large Skipper, Red Admiral and Peacock at Banks' Pond, Dinnington.

20 June.  Brian Chandler reported 1 common blue male, 8 small heath, 2 red admiral and 2 speckled wood, 2 latticed heath moth, 1 silver y moth and 2 chimney sweeper moth on land near Newbrough, Northumberland.

16 June.  Malcolm Hutcheson reports: A visit to Yarrow Slake on the estuary last Tuesday (16th) found a second site for Large Skipper. We found LW 2, SW 6, Sm.Tort, Red Ad 3, Lge Skipper 6, Sp Wood 3 and a Wall. Unfortunately, since then with have been not been out, due to sea fret. The penalty with living near the coast!!

5 June.  Charlotte Rankin observed a White-letter Hairstreak in Gateshead.

3 June.  Dave King comments "Green Hairstreak very scarce on the moors of SW Northumberland by the last week in May, but appears to have been a good year despite lockdown, with sightings in two separate gardens, and a number of new colonies found in roadside Bilberry during daily exercise."

2 June.  Twelve plus Small Pearl-border Fritillary reported at Sweethope Lough by Mike Coates.

Paul Tankard saw a male Brimstone at the enetrance to Gosforth Park Nature Reserve.

1 June. Small numbers of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary reported by Dave King in Wark Forest on 1 June and 31 May .

May 2020

28 May.  Melvyn Kirby reports: NT9304 (Harbottle) Male Orange tip (1), Green-veined white (1); NT9006 (Carnaby's Banks approx. 1km. west of Alwinton), 3 Small heath; NT9503 (Sharperton), 1 Small copper close to the River Coquet

31 May. Malcolm Hutcheson sent a repor of his May sightings: 26th. April; East Ord (NT95V) LW3, SW4, GVW3, SmTort 2, Pea 2. May 20th. Cocklawburn dunes(NU04I) SW, Sm Tort 2, Sm Heath 6, Wall. May 21st. New water Heugh (NT95R) River-side walk. SW3, GVW2, OT2, Sm Tort7, RA, Wall8. May 26th. Needles Eye (NT95X) SW7, GVW2, Sm Tort2, Wall5. May 29th. Spittal cliffs (NU05A) LW7, SW5, GVW3, Pea, Wall8.

25 May.  Graham Beckwith visited Wingate Quarry where Common Blue were showing well (23 which included 2 mating pairs and 5 female), Small Heath (only 2), Red Admiral (1). Also saw several Whites but could only identify a single male Orange Tip, 38 Dingy Skipper, 3 Peacock

21 May.  A surprising record for Chris Barlow at Great Park, Newcastle where he saw a Green Hairstreak during a post work walk around the lake edge.  He aslo recorded a Small Copper.

Mike Taylor counted 12 Green Hairstreak at Dipton Woods.

Christine Wright reported Dingy Skipper seen at Gunnerton.

14 May.  Ian Kerr counted 10 Orange-tip and 1 Peacock along a 1 km stretch of the track at Prestwick Carr.

10 May.  Richard Poyer recorded Wall Brown in the dunes at Alnmouth.

9 May.  Mike Coates counted 24 Dingy Skipper at Fenwick Pit, Earsdon.

Mike Taylor recorded the following at Throckley Bank Top: 10 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Green-veined White,10 Orange-tip, 2 Peacock, 1 Large White,2 Small White, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Copper.

Brian Chandler observed approximately 20 Green Hairstreak at Grindon Lough.

David Phillips recorded 1 male Brimstone and 7 Dingy Skippers at Darlington Red Hall Ponds.  He also recorded a Wall Brown in his garden in Darlington.

Graham Beckwith recorded the following at Waldridge Park, Chester le Street: 5 Orange Tip (all male), 2 Speckled Wood, 3 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, several unidentified Whites and 3 Dingy Skipper

Richard Poyer reports: "I regularly see wall butterflies along the wall at the top of Alnmouth dunes. Yesterday was no exception - first of the year for me".

8 May.  David Phillips observed a male Brimstone at Darlington Green Lane/Springfield Park.  He also recorded a female Brimstone and a Red Admiral at Darlington Barmpton.

6 May.  Mike Coates recorded four Dingy Skipper at Fenwick Pit, Earsdon

5 May.  Waldridge Park, Chester-Le-Street: 2 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Large White, 1 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell recorded by Graham Beckwith.

4 May.  Mike Coates recorded his first Dingy Skipper of the year at Fenwick Pit, Earsdon

1 May.  Mike Coates recorded Wall Brown at Fenwick Pit, Earsdon

Graham Beckwith recorded 1 Small White, 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Small Tortoiseshell at Waldridge Park, Chester le Street.

April 2020

26 April.  Steve Kirtley reports evdience of Brimstone breeding in West Park, Darlington.  He has observed females egg-laying several times and has managed to locate 4 eggs which he will endeavour to monitor.

24 April.  Graham Beckwith reports the following recent sightings: Wednesday 15th April. 2 Orange Tip (both male), 3 Peacock, 5 Small Tortoiseshell. Thursday 16th April a single Speckled Wood. Sunday 19th April 1 Speckled Wood in my garden. Monday 20th April 1 Large White (1st of the year), 2 Orange Tip (both female), 2 Speckled Wood. Wednesday 22nd April 17 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Peacock, 2 Speckled Wood, 4 Orange Tip (all male), 1 Large White, 3 Green-veined White (1st of the year), several unidentified Whites. Friday 24th April 1 Orange Tip (male), 4 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small White (1st of the year), 1 unidentified White and 1 Holly Blue

Shaun Hackett reports sightings of Orange-tip in Rothbury and Simonside.

21 April.  Kelly and Ella Eland recorded Peacock butterfly several times, 1 Orange-tip, 1 small tortoiseshell, 1 holly blue and 1 speckled wood in their garden in Waldridge, Chester le Street.

20 April.  Richard Poyer observed an Orange-tip flying up road to Warkworth Picnic site car park.

Kelly Eland reported a Holly Blue in a garden in Waldridge, Chester le Street.

19 April.  Richard Poyer reported a Speckled Wood seen on St.Oswald's Way Morwick.

David Lockstone reported a Holly Blue seen in a garden in Hexham.

15 April.  Colin Taylor recorded a Speckled wood on Hadrian's Cycle Track near Elswick.

Shona Fraser reports from Northumberland Park, N Tyneside: two commas, two speckled woods (first of the year), one small white, one orange tip (first of the year), NZ365691 one small tortoiseshell.

14 April.  Colin Taylor reported 5 male orange tips and 1 green-veined white at High Spen

Graham Beckwith reported 3 Comma, 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Peacock, 1 Green-veined White and 2 male Orange Tip at Waldridge Park, Chester le Street.

12 April.  Graham Beckwith reported 2 Peacock, 5 Small Tortoiseshell in Waldridge Park, Chester le Street.

Shona Fraser recorded Small White in Northumberland Park, North Tyneside.

11 April.  Ian Hancock recorded a Green Hairstreak in his garden in Slayley.

Graham Beckwith reported Speckled Wood and Orange Tip along Waldridge Lane, Chester-Le-Street - 1 of each; Orange Tip was male. Also 1 unidentified White, 3 Peacock and 4 Small Tortoiseshell. In garden at Waldridge Park, Chester-Le-Street: 6 Peacock, 4 Small Tortoiseshell.

10 April.  Shona Fraser reported the following from Northumberland Park, N Tyneside: one peacock, one small tortoiseshell.

8 April.  Tom Tams reported Small White and Peacock in a Tynemouth garden.

Den Gregson reported lots of Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell on the wing today also a male Orange Tip at Gainford and a Large White at Spennymoor.

Katie Howard reported Peacock (multiple), Small Tortoiseshell (multiple), 1 Holly Blue in Hebburn Riverside Park.

7 April.  Dave Wainwright recorded a male Orange-tip in Newton Aycliffe.

Katie Howard reported Comma (2), Peacock (multiple), Small Tortoiseshell (multiple), Small White, 1 Speckled Wood in Hebburn Riverside Park.

Shona Fraser reported from Northumberland Park, N Tyneside: one peacock, one small tortoiseshell, two commas.

6 April.  Colin Taylor reported 6 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell in Chopwell Woods.

5 April.  Single Peacock observed in a garden in Fenham by Jonathan Wallace.

Shona Fraser reported from Northumberland Park, N Tyneside: NZ362691 one comma, NZ365691 one peacock.

4 April.  Mike Coates reported seeing his first Speckled Wood of the year near Holywell.

March 2020

25 March.  Brian Chandler observed a Small Tortoiseshell in a garden at Newbrough, Northumberland.

Shona Fraser reported the following from Northumberland Park, N Tyneside: NZ362690 first butterflies of the year - one small tortoiseshell, NZ362691 two commas.

George (no surname given)reported 10 Peacock 3 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Comma on the wing at Shibdon Nature Reserve.

While taking his permitted daily exercise along South Burn (near Waldridge Fell) Graham Beckwith counted 12 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Comma and 4 Peacock.  Back home in his garden in Chester le Street he counted 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock and a single Comma all nectaring on Aubretia, Spring Squill and Primula.

Jonathan Wallace observed a Comma and two Peacock in the garden in Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne.

22 March.  Steve Reid observed a Small Tortoiseshell in Longacre Woods, Gateshead.

Colin Taylor reported a Peacock at High Spen,.

19 March.  Gary Witton observed a Comma at Cocken Wood (between Plawsworth and Leamside). (Reported by Dave Liddle).

Graham Beckwith saw 8 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Comma at South Burn, Waldridge.  He also saw a Small Tortoiseshell in a garden at Waldridge Park, Chester le Street.

Richard Poyer reported a Small Tortosieshell seen in the coach park at Holy Island.

17 March.  Den Gregson reported a Peackock at Staindrop Coronation Gardens Allotments.

5 March.  Michael Potts reported a Small Tortoiseshell seen on the wing in Benton, North Tyneside.

Steve Austin reported a Small Tortoiseshell at Chester le Street.

Kara Page reported a Small Tortoiseshell at Cramlington.

February 2020

21 February.  David Lacey observed a single Peacock flying in his garden in Newton Hall, Durham.

2019

September 2019

17 September.  John Corcoran reports: "Sunderland North Speckled Wood 25, 5 Small Whites, 2 Painted Ladies, 1 comma, 2 Small Tortoiseshell "

14 September.  Mike Hooper reports: "Raisby Way, Kelloe: 4 Small Copper, 3 Wall, 2 Common Blue, 1 Painted Lady. Numerous fresh Speckled Wood."

13 Septemebr.  John Corcoran reports: "Sunderland North 5 Red Admirals, 10 Small Tortoiseshell, 6 Painted Ladies, 3 Speckled Wood, feeding on buddlia."

12 September.  Steve Reid reports: "30 Red Admiral , 9 Painted Lady and 5 large white at Howick Hall Gardens yesterday (12 September) during a half hour walk. Some light drizzle didn't seem to put them off ."

8 September.  Brian Chandler reports: "Sighted today in full sun.  We have 15 buddleia bushes where we live near Newbrough on which I counted during a 1 hour period: 22 red admiral, 16 peacock, 4 small Tortoiseshell, 3 painted lady, 1 speckled wood.  Also for the first time here a female brimstone".

Norman Wilson reports: "Just returned from another walk in Weardale near Frosterley. Only common species I'm afraid but never seen so many in a small area - literally dozens of butterflies: Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Small White, Green-veined White. The reason for there being numerous butterflies is the 'escaped' Buddleia plants along the river's edge."

4 September.  Norman Wilson - a visitor from Newfoundland, Canada on holiday in the region, reported three Speckled Wood near the Jack Walker Bridge, Wolsingham. He aslo observed a Painted Lady in the same area.

1 September.  Jonathan Wallace recorded a single Red Admiral and a single Painted Lady on Buddleia in Cherryburn Gardens, Fenham.

Denis Fleming observed two Speckled Wood near Riding Mill.

August 2019

30 August.  Denis Fleming reported a Speckled Wood feeding on honeydew on ivy leaves in a garden in Gosforth.

25 August.  Denis Fleming observed a Comma nectaring on Verbena in Hall's Nursery, Ovington.

24 August.  Kathryn Gander reports: "Sightings in Low Gladdow Wood near Cornsay on 24th August 2019 - warm sunny afternoon. On knapweed and thistles in the open area between wood and gorse area:- 2 red admirals, 2/3 painted lady, 1 small tortoiseshell, 4/5 peacock, Speckled wood, Large white And 2 small copper in the wood itself".

21 August.  Michael Hooper reports from Raisby Way: "4 Wall. 2 Comma. Holly and Common Blue. Peacock and Red Admiral - several of each."

17 August.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Weather has been more like Autumn of late but managed 21 Holly Blue along a linear stretch of Waldridge Lane on Saturday 17th August. My highest count here. These included 7 nectaring on A small patch of Tansy, 4 nectaring on a Snowberry bush and 3 nectaring on Knapweed. A superb location for Holly Blue. Also 17 Speckled Wood, alot of Whites (identified 5 Green-veined White; 3 Large White) and 5 Painted Lady."

15 August.  Melvyn Kirby reports: "Yesterday (15th August) best day so far for 2019 in my (small) garden at Longdyke, near Shilbottle (NU2009) with 7 Peacocks, 4 Red admirals, and singles of Comma, Small tortoiseshell, Painted lady, Small white, Large white, Green-veined white"

12 August.  Jill Stewart observed three Holly Blues in the car park of 'The Hearth' arts centre at Horsley.

8 August.  Den Gregson reports: "Surprised to find three Purple Hairstreak on a single oak tree marooned on farmland at Thinford."

Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Lane: 2 Holly Blue (at least one a female), 7 Speckled Wood, 1 Peacock, 1 Comma, a lot of Whites, numerous Mother of Pearl moths. "

Colin Taylor reported 1 Holly Blue at Lamesely on Bowes Railway Path.

5 August.  David Elliot reported a White-letter Hairstreak attracted to blackberry blossoms in Widdrington Village, Northumberland.

4 August.  Mike Taylor reports: "Today @ The Spetchells (Prudhoe) the SSIG working party saw - 1 Small Copper,1 Wall,3 Peacock,3 Small Heath,6 Meadow Brown,3 G V White,3 L C White, 20 Small White,15 Painted Lady,1 Tortoiseshell,3 Speckled Wood."

3 August.  John Richards reports: "2 Holly Blues, Hexham garden, new to garden, also 10++ Painted Ladies, 15 Peacocks."

Andrea Gordon reported Painted Lady in a garden in Kenton, Newcastle.

Colin Taylor reports "5 commas and 1 small skipper at Cherryburn Gardens, Mickley as well as meadow browns, painted ladies, peacocks and red admirals"

Graham Beckwith reports from Waldridge Lane, Chester le Street: "6 Holly Blue, 5 Purple Hairstreak, 7 Speckled Wood, 6 Ringlet, 4 Peacock, 3 Comma, 1 Small Skipper, 1 Painted Lady (surprisingly given he high numbers recently), a lot of Whites but only 4 Large, 2 Small and 14 Green-veined identified In garden at Waldridge Park : 1 Holly Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 7 Peacock, 9 Small Tortoiseshell and countless Painted Lady and Whites. Also saw a stunning Pale Tussock larva on my decking."

2 August.  Mike Hooper reported a Wall Brown and potential Gatekeeper sighting at Blackhall Rocks.  Please note that for records of Gatekeeper to be accepted onto the county database they need to be supported with good photographic evidence as NE England currently lies outside the known range of this species which can potentially be confused with other species.

1 August.  John Richards observed a single Dark Green Fritillary at Battle Hill near Elsdon, Northumberland.

Colin Taylor reported a Holly Blue seen in a garden in High Spen.

Denis Fleming reported a Comma feeding on thistles in a pasture near Beltingham.

July 2019

30 July.  Graham Beckwith and Stephen Lowther report: "Visited Greatham Creek, Tees-side and counted 35 Grayling (target species), 4 Small Heath (including a mating pair), 14 Common Blue (only 1 female), 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Red Admiral plus good numbers of Whites, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Peacock and Ringlet. Only a handful of Skippers but not identified. In the wooden (open) hide on the roadside opposite the car park there were the following moths all clinging to the wooden boards: 1 Old Lady, 1 stunning Toadflax Pug, 2 Dark Arches.  Cowpen Bewley: 3 White-letter Hairstreak and 1 Comma on the elms at the car park entrance, 2 definite Essex Skipper (target species) and 4 Small Skipper in meadow opposite the car park. In woodland opposite car park: numerous Whites, mainly Green-veined but also only 2 Large White, 11 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Painted Lady, 4 Comma, 6 Speckled Wood, 8 Ringlet and 13 Meadow Brown."

Malcolm Hutcheson surveyed the dunes in the Berwick area with the following results: NU04M Goswick dunes; Small White 2, Common Blue 45, Small Skipper 12, Small Copper 3, Small Heath 14, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady 426, Meadow Brown 122, Ringlet & Silver Y moth 32. NU04N Cheswick Sheil; Large White 4, Small White 2, Green-veined White, Common Blue 42, Small Skipper 15, Small Heath 18, Dark Green Fritillary, Painted Lady 515, Meadow Brown 196 & Ringlet 28.

28 - 29 July.  There appears to have been a large fall of Painted Ladies at the coast with reports of large numbers from Mike Coates, Tom Tams, John Corcoran, Graham Beckwith. Ian Kerr and others from various locations including Sunderland, Tynemouth, St Mary's Island, Druridge Bay, Howick and Holy Island. Migratory moths have also arrived on the same weather system with very large numbers of diamond-back moths, as well as Silver Y and a report of a Bedstraw Hawk Moth (Mike Coates) from North Shields.

Shaun Hackett reported a Holly Blue and a Hummingbird Hawk moth seen in Rothbury.

In addition to large numbers of Painted Lady, Graham Beckwith reported 1 Dark Green Fritillary and 117 Meadow Brown, 42 Ringlet, 12 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small Copper, 6 Small Skipper, 1 Large Skipper and 7 Green-veined White at Annstead Dunes and 3 Meadow Brown, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 9 Whites at Seahouses

26 July.  Mike Hooper reports: "Regular Green-Veined White along Garmondsway Village line.  Also Dark Green Fritillary and Large Skipper today. Garmondsway near Coxhoe."

25 July.  Graham Beckwith reports: "A walk along Waldridge Lane, Chester-Le-Street saw 7 Holly Blue, 2 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, 4 Small White (including a mating pair), 2 Large White, 11 Green-veined White, loads of other Whites, 9 Small Skipper, 8 Speckled Wood, 12 Meadow Brown and 6 Ringlet.  In garden in Waldridge Park: 1 Small Copper, 3 Peacock (1st I've seen for a while), 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large White and a few of other Whites."

24 July.  Shaun Hackett recorded two White-letter Hairstreak in Alnwick.

23 July.  Dave Liddle was enjoying a well-deserved beer in the garden of the Punchbowl Inn, Edmundbyers whena Dark Green Fritillary dropped in. As Dave remarks "now that's the way to do casual butterfly counts!"

John Richards reported very large numbers of Dark Green Fritillary at Holy Island - "probably 300+ seen."

21 July.  Graham Beckwith reports from Waldridge Park Chester le Street: "5 Small Copper (2 of the form caeruleopunctata). Had a look on the oaks which were incredibly for Purple Hairstreak last year but, despite a morning of sunny spells, I saw none. Others seen; 4 Meadow Brown, 19 Ringlet, 2 Small Tortoiseshell , 7 Small Skipper and numerous Whites but only identified 4 Small."

Jonathan Wallace saw five Purple Hairstreaks at Havannah LNR near Newcastle.

20 July.  Andrew Scott reports: "2 White-letter hairstreaks and 1 Meadow Brown were on the rose bay willow herb behind the orchard at Aydon Castle near Hexham today."

Graham Beckwith reports from Gibside: "3 Speckled Wood, 11 Ringlet, 4 Meadow Brown, 2 Small Tortoiseshell (at Stables). Along the Avenue; 3 Red admiral, 2 Meadow Brown. In walled garden; 6 Meadow Brown, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 14 Ringlet and, surprisingly, 2 Dark-green Fritillary. A lot of Whites throughout the site."

19 July.  Mike Taylor reported a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in a garden in Throckley Bank Top.

18 July.  Colin Taylor reports: "red admiral and several meadow brown and 3 ringlet at Gibside plus 3 small skipper and 1 small tortoiseshell in walled garden.  At Hamsterley Viaduct West (Derwent Walk) several suspected purple hairstreaks flying among oak crowns but very fast moving and difficult to identify for certain."

David Phillips reported 2 Purple Hairstreak on oaks at Mowden, DArlingtonm and 7 Comma seen in the Hummersknott area of Darlington.

17 July.  Brian Chandler visited Colt Crag and recorded: Ringlet 50+, Common Blue Male and female 4, Small Heath 4, Small Skipper 5, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Painted Lady 1 very ragged, Meadow Brown 3, Several whites in flight, Cinnabar moth 4, Clouded border moth 1.

16 July.  David Phillips recorded 3 Purple Hairstreak flying around oaks at Mowden, Darlington.  He also observed a single White-letter Hairstreak flying briefly between Wych Elm in Hummersknott Darlington as well as 4 Commas in the area.

Malcolm Hutcheson walked the length of Cheswick and Cocklawburn dunes in north Northumberland and counted the following: Cheswick dunes;(NU05J) A single large white; 12 Common Blues; 18 Small Skippers; 2 Small Heaths; 78 Meadow Browns; 2 Ringlets as well as 10 narrow-bordered five-spot Burnet Moths and 8 6-spot Burnet moths.  Cocklawburn dunes (NU05I); 4 Common Blues; 2 Small Skippers; 17 Meadow Browns; 32 Ringlets and 3 Silver Y moths.

15 July.  Mike Taylor recorded 6 Large Heath,2 Small Heath,1 Meadow Brown,1 Tortoiseshell,40 Ringlet 20 Small Skipper at Grindon Lough.

Graham Beckwith reported 119 Marbled White at Wingate Quarry only eclipsed by Ringlet with 162.  Also 51 Meadow Brown, 85 Small Heath, 2 Large White, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, only 11 Common Blue. He also recorded 3 Chalk Carpet moths as well as Straw Dot and Latticed Heaths.

Colin Taylor reports: "Just West of confluence of Derwent and Tyne - common blue, burnet moth, meadow brown, small skipper and ringlet all showing in reasonable numbers."

14 July.  Duncan Hutt reports "three large heath spotted at Folly Moss today - 14 July (near Colt Crag Reservoir). Nearly 40 spotted at Benshaw Moor near Elsdon on Thursday (11 July) too.".

13 July.  Brian Chandler saw two White-letter Hairstreaks at Bywell Bridge on the river Tyne.

Graham Beckwith reported 1 Small Skipper, 15 Ringlet and 6 Meadow Brown from Rothbury riverside.

12 July.  Michael Coates visited Bywell Bridge on the Tyne and saw two White-letter Hairstreaks.

9 July.  Graham Beckwith reported a single Purple Hairstreak seen in Waldridge Park, Chester le Street.

8 July.  John Richards reports "Newton Links NU2326: Dark-Green Fritillary 30+, all male, Common Blue 500-1000, Small Heath 100."

Denis Fleming reported Speckled Wood at Beltingham, Northumberland.

7 July.  Mike Hooper reported 80+ Marbled White on the wing at Wingate Quarry LNR.

Mike Taylor reports: "Today at the Spetchells during a break the working party saw 26 Meadow Brown, 37 Small Skipper (including a mating pair), 3 Common Blue,34 Ringlet,7 Speckled Wood,1 Green-veined White."

6 July.  Brian Chandler reports: "Whilst walking tracks around New Alston, Northumberland today I counted Painted lady 20+, Red admiral 20+, Ringlet 6, Speckled wood 4, Meadow brown 1, Shaded broad bar moth 1.  Seen during a 2 hour period, warm and part sun".

Michael Hooper reports: " 3 Dark Green Fritillary butterflies near Raisby Pond, Coxhoe.  Good numbers of Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Small Skipper, 4 Painted Ladies, Red Admiral.".

Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Lane, Chester-Le-Street: 17 Ringlet, 5 Speckled Wood, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Painted Lady.  A1 Roundabout, Chester-Le-Street: 9 White-letter Hairstreak (photo attached), 2 Comma, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Meadow Brown, 5 Small Skipper, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, countless Ringlet and Burnet moths (both species), 4 Shaded Broad-bar, 3 Yellow Shell".

4 July.  Brian Chandler reports: "Visited Spetchells and riverside walk at Prudhoe today, sunny, warm but breezy. I saw 50+ ringlet, 10 meadow brown, 4 common blue, 4 small tortoiseshell, 1 painted lady, 1 red admiral, 8 speckled wood, 6 small skipper. Also seen 6 six spot burnet moths, 1 cinnabar moth and 1 yellow shell moth."

2 July.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Lane, Chester-Le-Street: 3 Painted Lady, 4 Speckled Wood, 2 Ringlet, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Meadow Brown and 1 Large Skipper. Thrislington Nature Reserve:2 Dark-green Fritillary, 11 Meadow Brown, 46 Ringlet, 4 Large Skipper, 1 Small Skipper, 13 Northern Brown Argus, 7 Small Heath, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Common Blue (1 female). Moths: 1 Straw Dot, 3 Chimney Sweeper, 2 Shaded Broad-bar, 2 Grass Rivulet."

June 2019

29 June.  Shaun Hackett reports "16 Painted lady 4 Red admiral 4 Meadow brown 3 Small heath and 8 Common blue south of Rothbury."

28 June.  Colin Taylor reports from the Spetchells and Tyne riverside, Prudhoe: "In a group so no exact count but good numbers of speckled wood and ringlet. Also a good few common blues, a few small skippers and a couple of meadow brown, 1 large white, 1 green veined white."

27 June.  Michael Coates reprots: "15 Grayling today at Cambois, Blyth. First Ringlet seen at Cambois today and Fenwick Pit, Earsdon 26th June along with 6 Meadow Brown."

26 June.  Colin Taylor recorded 25 painted ladies, 13 red admirals, 7 speckled wood, 1 ringlet, 1 large white at Cresswell Ponds, Northumberland.

25 June.  Shaun Hackett reports: "Orange tip male and female one speckled wood Elsdon 25th June Several Comon blue one Meadow brown one small heath several Painted lady's 3 Red Admirals - near Scottish border northern cheviots. One Large skipper, one small copper 2 red admiral several Painted ladys north of Ingram Hope.

23 June.  Graham Beckwith reported an incredible 124 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Debdon Plantation, Northumberlan but only singles of Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady and Large Skipper

21 June.  Colin Taylor reports: "Havannah Three Hills Nature Reserve 21/06/19: 15 speckled wood, 10 small heath, 7 painted ladies, 2 large white, 1 green-veined white, 1 red admiral (but zero common blues)".

19 June.  Dave King reports: "Speckled Wood expansion continues with a single noted in woodland near Whitfield in the West Allen valley."

18 June.  Graham Beckwith recorded 1 Speckled Wood at Millennium Green, Waldridge Park, Chester le Street.

Dave King reports: "many Painted Lady in Wark Forest, also some Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries."

17 June.  Silvia Coates saw 2 small Skippers along the long grassy verges along the river side heading to Blanchland from Carricks Picnic area.

Graham Beckwith reports: Wingate Quarry - 1 Painted Lady, 1 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Large Skipper, 3 Dingy Skipper, 12 Common Blue (2 Female). Moths: 3 Silver-ground Carpet, 1 Light Emerald flying in daylight. Thrislington Grasslands - 2 Painted Lady, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Heath, 2 Ringlet (1st of the year), 8 Large Skipper, minimum 37 Northern Brown Argus, minimum 24 Common Blue (also 2 female), 1 Speckled Wood

Colin Taylor reports: 1 painted lady and 1 red admiral at Fenwick Pit. 5 more painted ladies just north of bypass at Shiremoor.

16 June.  Ian Kerr checked 2km of track at Fourlaws Forest (Wanneys) and logged 24 Small Heath, 12 Painted Lady, 2 Orange Tip, 2 Small Copper and singles of Small Tortoiseshell, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Wall Brown and Red Admiral.

Graham Beckwith reports: Waldridge Lane (Chester le Street) - Saw only 2 Speckled Wood and 5 Painted Lady. Also on Valerian in my street on Waldridge Park were 2 Painted Lady and 1 Red Admiral.

15 June.  Silvia Coates reported 1 Meadow Brown and 2 Painted Ladies, 1 Peacock and 3 Red Admirals at the Tyne River Walk Prudhoe.

Graham Beckwith reported Waldridge Lane 2 Dark Green Fritillaries at Waldridge Lane Chester le Street. Also 1 each of Large Skipper, Wall Brown, Small Copper, Large White and Red Admiral, 4 Speckled Wood, 2 Green-veined White.

10 June.  Ian Kerr reported five were along the northern half of Holy Island's Straight Lonnen.  All which allowed close examination were bright pristine specimens.  Also present on 10th in the same area was 12 Small Heaths.

Grahama Beckwith found a White-letter Hairstreak larva on elm at Houghall, Durham.

Malcolm Hutcheson reported Green veined White 1, Common Blue 2, Red Admiral 1, Painted Lady 38, Wall 3, Small Heath 3 at Cocklawburn near Berwick.

9 June.  Brian Chandler reported 2 Red Admirals ina garden near Newbrough, Northumberland.

Michael Coates recorded 3 Painted Ladies and 9 Common Blue at Fenwick Pit near Holywell and 1 Painted Lady at Backworth.  He also counted a further 11 Painted Ladies between Earsdon and Whitley Bay sea front.

Den Gregson reported Painted Lady x 14 Small Heath x 2 Common Blue x 2 (males) Speckled Wood x 1 Green veined White x 1 and Red Admirall x 1 at Nose's Point, Seaham.

Mike Taylor saw 4 Dingy Skipper,2 Red Admiral, 1 Wall,6 Common Blue & 4 large whites at the Spetchells, Prudhoe.

David Phillips and Phil Sharpe recorded Common Blue x 24, Dingy Skipper x 19, Large Skipper x 3 Burnet Companion x 4 at Red Hall Ponds, Darlington.

Ian Kerr found six Painted Lady around the Heugh and pier on Holy Island on 9th, all of them attracted to flowering Thrift(Sea Pink).

Graham Beckwith recorded 1 Wall Brown, 1 Small Toertoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, 7 Green-veined White (plus a number of unidentified Whites, 16 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries and 1 Dark Green Fritillary.

7 June.  Bob Pugh reported several Northern Brown Argus observed at Bishop Middleham Quarry.  He also decorded a single Dingy Skipper, 4 Wall Brown, 10 Common Blue and 1 Small Heath.

6 June.  Graham Beckwith reports a White-letter Hairstreak larva found at Houghall, Durham.

4 June.  David Phillips saw 2 Holly Blue at Hurworth, Darlington.

3 June.  Shaun Hackett reported a single Small Heath seen at Commonburn near Wooler.

Graham Beckwith observed 2 Dingy Skipper whilst walking along South Burn, Waldridge Park, Chester le Street.

2 June.  Graham Beckwith counted 1 Speckled Wood (very worn), 4 Large White, 36 Common Blue (only 1 female), 19 Dingy Skipper, 2 Orange Tip (both male), 1 Peacock, 2 Wall Brown at Wingate Quarry.

May 2019

29 May.  Malcolm Hutcheson reports: "Needles Eye (NT95X) LW19, SW22, GVW11, ST, SCo, Wall6."

26 May.  Martin Partridge reports: "2 Large Skipper seen on private brownfield site in Billingham".

25 May.  Brian Chandler reports: "Visited Spetchells and riverside at Prudhoe this morning and found 5 Dingy Skipper, 3 Treble Bar moths, 6 male Orange Tip, 1 Speckled Wood, several whites in flight".

Dick Gilhespy recorded 2 Small Heath , 7 Green Hairstreak and 1 Small Copper at Fontburn.

Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Fell: 1 Peacock: 1 Large White and 6 other Whites. Poor count despite sunny and warm conditions. Waldridge Park: Before the rain came; 1 Painted Lady (in garden).

24 May.  David and Mary Clarke reported a single Green Hairstreak at Roseberry Topping.

Graham Beckwith reports "Waldridge Park; Millennium Green: A new location for Holly Blue with 4 seen. Also 5 Speckled Wood, 2 Large White and a few other Whites flying past. At Congburn Nurseries, Edmondsley: 1 Small Copper, 1 Peacock and several Whites.

Malcolm Hutcheson reports: "Riverside walk, Berwick. (NT95W) LW9, SW7, GVW3, OT5, Pea3, SCo, Wall2".

23 May.  Martin Partridge recorded a Brimstone on the Billingham industrial site (no public access) taking the species count for the site to 25.

22 May.  Martin Partridge reported 24 Brown Argus, 16 Dingy Skipper, 3 Common Blue, 1 Small Heath,1 Small Copper, 3 Holly Blues, 2 Large, 2 Small and 1 Green-veined White on an indiustrial site in Billingham.

20 May,  Graham Beckwith reported the following in Waldridge Lane, Chester le Street: 13 Holly Blue (best count by far included 6 on one Holly tree), 11 Speckled Wood, 2 Large White, 5 Green-veined White, 1 Small White, 5 Orange Tip (3 male), 1 Small Tortoiseshell.

19 May. Graham Beckwith visited Wingate Quarry and despite heavy clouded managed to see 19 Dingy Skipper and 1 Common Blue.  The butterflies were mostly clinging to the heads of dead knapweed flowers.

18 May.  Colin Taylor reported 35 green hairstreak, 2 speckled wood, 2 green-veined white in Dipton Woods, Corbridge.

17 MayGraham Beckwith reports: "- Waldridge Lane (Chester le Street): 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Orange Tip (male). - Aykley Heads (Durham): 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Peacock. A fair walk around Aykley Grasslands yielded nothing despite warm sunshine".

Melvyn Kirby reported sightings of Wall Brown at Embleton and at Embleton Dunes and a Peacock at Embleton Dunes.

Malcolm Hutcheson reports "Yarrow Heugh, Tweedmouth. (NT95V) LW2, SW2, GVW7, OT2, SCo & a Wall".

16 May.  Shaun Hackett observed Wall Browns in Rothbury and in the Breamish valley and Small Copper in the Breamish valley and at Langleeford.

Malcolm Hutcheson recorded Large White 3, Small White 7, Green-veined White 6, Orange-tip 14, Peacock 2, Speckled Wood 5 & a single Wall Brown at Berrington, N Northumberland.

15 May.  Tom Tams counted 30 Dingy Skipper at Howdon Wetlands as well as 10 Orange-tip and 4 Speckled Wood.

Shaun Hackett observed a Small Copper at Rothbury.

David Atkinson reported a male Brimstone butterfly at Timber Beach, Dunston, Gateshead.

14 May.  Michael Coates reports: "Thought I saw one Dingy Skipper yesterday at Fenwick Pit, Earsdon but not sure, went to same location today and saw 4 then on other side of pit in one small area 14 more plus 5 Wall Brown. Eight Holly Blues and 3 Orange Tips in Northumberland Park earlier in day. A good day !!"

Martin Partridge reported 12 Dingy Skipper and 6 Brown Argus at an industrial site in Billingham.

Vicky Omand observed Orange-tip and Large White on Nuns Moor, Newcastle.

Graham Beckwith reports: "1st local Dingy Skipper of the year along South Burn towards Waldridge Fell, near Chester-Le-Street. Strange location; a very small clearing beside the woodland path. Only 1 seen. Also 3 Peacock, 3 male Orange Tip, 1 Speckled Wood and a few unidentified Whites".

13 May.  John Corcoran reports 2 orange tip males, 2 speckled wood, 1 peacock 1 dingy skipper in Sunderland north

Colin Taylor reported 35 green hairstreak, 2 speckled wood, 2 green-veined white at Dipton Woods, Corbridge.

12 May.  Michael Taylor reported the butterflies recorded during a work-party on the Spetchells, Prudhoe: 1 Dingy Skipper, 5 Speckled Wood, 3 Orange Tip, 1 Peacock.

Tim Burton reports: "Great Eggleshope Beck: 2 Green Hairstreak observed sunning themselves near old mine workings".

Michael Coates reports: "4 Wall on Fenwick Pit, East Holywell 12th May and 20+ Green Hairstreaks around where I stood at Dipton Wood trying to get a decent photo. (took 181 pics in one hour but only a handful worth keeping. Wouldn't sit still and constantly buzzed by others.  Also 8 Orange Tips at Dipton".

11 May.  Ian Kerr checked 2km of track in Fourlaws Forest (Wanneys) and logged 21 Orange Tip, 10 Green-veined White and 4 Peacock during a 45-minute spell when the sun emerged on an otherwise cool and overcast day.

6 May.  Graham Beckwith reported a single Wall Brown at Newton Steads dunes, Northumberland.

Ian Kerr reported two Wall Browns attracted to Wallflower on the sheltered south side of Heugh, Holy Island,despite cold northerly wind. Also single Speckled Wood, still scarce locally, in the island's Straight Lonnen, again in shelter.

5 May.  Graham Beckwith recorded a single Small White on Rothbury riverside.

4 May.  Graham Beckwith observed a single Small White on Waldridge Lane, Chester-le-Street.

2 May.  Ian Kerr reported a Common Blue and an Orange Tip in his garden at Chapel House, Newcastle. The Common Blue was the first record for this suburban garden while the Orange Tip was the first for five years.

David Philips reported Green-veined White x 30+, Orange-tip x 25+ Peacock x 7, Small White x 1, Small Tortoiseshell x 2, Speckled Wood x 1 at High Coniscliffe, Darlington.

April 2019

30 April.  Shaun Hackett reported 12 Green Hairstreak, 1 Orange-tip and 6 Green-veined White at Threestoneburn, Northumberland.

David Phillipos reports: "East Hedley Hope: Fell Green Hairstreak x 10, Peacock x 2 Small White x 1 Orange-tip x 1".

29 April.  Den Gregson observed a male Holly Blue flying along Barnard Castle High Street.

David Phillips reported Speckled Wood x 10, Large White x 3, Small White x 2, Holly Blue x 4 at Northumberland Park, Tynemouth (with Neil Lofthouse).

28 April.  Shaun Hackett reported single Green Hairstreak, Speckled Wood and Orange-tips at Rothbury Carriageway.

24 April.  David Phillips reported 47 Orange-tips, Green-veined White x 14, Peacock x 17, Small White x 3, Speckled Wood x 7 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 and a Holly Blue at High Coniscliffe, Darlington.

23 April.  David Stebbings saw a Painted Lady at Havannah LNR near Newcastle and wondered if it was possibly an individual that had over-wintered here.

David Phillips observed two Green Hairstreak on bilberry at East Hedleyhope Fell.

22 April> Graham Beckwith reports: "Cragside, Rothbury: 2 Orange Tip (both male), 1 Peacock. Also attracted to the exterior light on caravan a Streamer moth".  Riverside West, Rothbury: 1 Orange Tip (male), 7 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 2 Green-veined White".

20 April.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Lane, Chester-le-Street: 3 Holly Blue, 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 3 Orange Tip (1 female searching for egg-laying plants among Garlic Mustard), 5 Speckled Wood, 10 Peacock, 4 unidentified 'small' Whites. Waldridge Park, Chester-le-Street:1 Small White - in garden."

19 April.  Mike Coates reports: "Three Holly Blues, 15+ Speckled Woods, 1 Small White and 1 Orange Tip in Northumberland Park, North Shields today and 4 Holly Blues on one Holly Tree in reston Cemetery, North Shields and 20+ Speckled Woods."

Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Lane, Chester-le-Street: 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Holly Blue, 2 Speckled Wood.  South Burn, Waldridge Park, Chester-le-Street: Walked towards Waldridge Fell along South Burn and had a good haul; 13 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Comma, 12 Speckled Wood, 35 Peacock, 3 Green-veined White, 4 Orange Tip (all male)".

18 April.  David Phillips reports: "18/4/19 Bishop Middleham: Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x1.  18/4/19 Saltholme: Peacock x 2, Green-veined White x 1, 2 other Whites to distant to identify.  18/4/19 Bowesfield Marsh: Peacock x 3, Small Tortoiseshell x 2."

17 April.  Dave Wainwright reports: "Hedleyhope today: Peacock x 8, small tort x 3, comma x 2 and a green hairstreak - earliest I've seen one up there I reckon. Cheers, Dave p.s. been seeing speckled woods, green-veined whites & orange-tips for the last 10 days or so @ Low Barns. Orthosias and not much else in the trap..."

Steve Austin reports:"Making the most of the sunshine I went to Russell Wood 17 April it started slow but soon got better Speckled Wood x 4, Peacock x 4 and Small Tortoieshell x 5. I then went to Rainton Meadows as the day got warmer I saw Green Veined White x 2, Peacock x 12, Small Tort x 1, Orange Tip x 3, 2 males and a female, Speckled Wood x 7 and Comma x 3.

David Phillips reports: "17/4/19 Darlington Baydale Meadows: Orange-tip x 1 Peacock x 1.  17/4/19 Darlington High Coniscliffe: Peacock x 13, Green-veined White x 1, Orange-tip x 6, Small Tortoiseshell x 1.  17/4/19 Bolam near Darlington: Small Tortoiseshell x 1, Peacock x 7."

16 April.  David Phillips reports: "Darlington Maidendale LNR: Peacock x 20+ mostly around the Blackthorn hedges."

15 April.  Chris Barlow reports: "A cold wind but plenty of sunshine at Dipton Woods on 15th April with a single Peacock and a single Green Hairstreak which stubbornly refused to settle long enough for a photograph - the earliest I've ever seen one out up here."

David Phillips reports: "15/4/19 Low Barns: Peacock x9, Comma x 3 and Orange-tip x 2. 15/4/19 Darlington High Coniscliffe: Peacock x 5.

13 April.  Graham Beckwith reports: "This evening I had a walk in pleasant sunshine(out of the wind) along South Burn towards Waldridge Fell where I saw the following: 4 Small Tortoiseshell & 1 Comma.  Also an Orange Underwing moth, settled at ground level."

12 April.  Mike Taylor reported a single Orange-tip seen at Ovingham, Northumberland.

11 April.  Tim Nelson reported a male Orange-tip seen in a garden in Stockton on Tees.

Jonathan Wallace saw 2 Peackock in a garden in Fenham, Newcastle.

5 April.  Jonathan Wallace recorded 10 Peacock, 6 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Comma at Hedleyhope Fell.

March 2019

30 March.  Tim Nelson reported the following from Dorman's Pool, Teesside: Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Small Whites and pristine Speckled Wood.

Shona Fraser saw a Holly Blue flying in Northumberland Park, Tynemouth.

Michale Coates also reported Holly Blue from Northumberland Park where he also recorded 1 Comma and three Small Tortoiseshell.

Steve Austin reported the following from Russell Woods, Newbottle: "got my first Speckled Wood and Small White of the year along with Peacock x 10, Small Tortoiseshell x 2 and Comma x 6".

29 March.  Steve Austin recorded two Small Tortoiseshell in a garden in Newbottle.

Jonathan Wallace saw a single Small Tortoiseshell in the Quarry, Cowgate, Newcastle.

David Phillips reported Peacock x 3 and Comma x 2 at Low Barns NR and a Comma seen at Witton-le-Wear village.

28 March.  Steve Austin reports: "went out for a few hours yesterday 28 March with Ron Henderson first to Lamesley Pastures where we saw Peacock x 6 and Comma x 4.  Then went to Kibblesworth and found Peacock x 9 and Comma x 7.  We then had a short walk around Lampton in Washington and saw Comma x 2 and a single Peacock.  Finally, back in my Garden in Newbottle I had seen 2 Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock.

David Phillips observed a Peacock in his garden in Darlington and another by Eggleston Burn in East Skears Gorge.

25 March.  David Phillips reports 9 Peacock and 2 Small Tortoiseshell at High Coniscliffe, Darlington.

Shaun Hackett observed an Orange-tip in Rothbury.

22 March.  Dave Wainwright reported the following from Low Barns: "Peacock x 15, comma x 8, small tort x 2. Also counted 8 orange underwings flying around birches, mainly along the south ride".  He has also been running his moth trap and recorded the following species: "Species have included Hebrew character, clouded drab, small quaker, march moth, shoulder stripe, chestnut and the highlight, a red sword grass.  Only the third one Ive ever trapped here".

21 March.  David Phillips counted 6 Peacock at High Coniscliffe.

18 March.  Brian Chandler recorded his first butterfly of 2019: a Small White that settled on his patio door in Settlingstones, Northumberland.

11 March.  Steve Austin reports a single Small Tortoiseshell in Russell Wood near Houghton le Spring.

3 March.  Malcolm Hutcheson reports a very worn Painted Lady in a garden at East Ord, Berwick.

February 2019

28 February. Malcolm Hutcheson reports a Red Admiral in a garden in East Ord, Berwick, present since the 26th February.  Also a Small Tortoiseshell seen nectaring on flowering winter cherry at Spittal.

26 February.  Mark Searle, a Butterfly Conservation member visiting the region from the East Midlands had a successful visit to the river meadows below Barnard Castle where he recorded 15 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock, 2 Comma and an exceptionally early Small White.

Steve Austin saw single Small Tortoiseshell and single Peacock in his garden.

25 February.  Joyce Clayton reported a Red Admiral at Hepburn Woods near Chillingham.

Mike Taylor observed a Small Tortoiseshell and a Comma at Throckley Reath.

Christine Kinghorn reported a probable Brimstone butterfly next to Westerhope Golf Course.

Steve Austin saw a Small Tortoiseshell in his garden and two others in Russel Woods.

24 February.  Mark Searle was up on the moors at Moor House Upper Teesdale Nature Reserve and saw a single passing Painted Lady heading in a northerly direction.

23 February. Kyra Wallace saw a Small Tortoiseshell in a garden in Fenham, Newcastle.

22 February. Angus Aitchison saw a Peacock in his garden in Fenham, Newcastle.

21 February.  John Corcoran reported a Small Tortoiseshell seen in Sunderland North.

David Phillips reported a single Peacock seen at the Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve.

2018

October 2018

21 October.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from Waldridge Lane, Chester-le-Street: 2 Comma, 1 Small White, 1 Red Admiral.

14 October,  Graham Beckwith reports: "Rothbury: 5 Red Admiral flying around a garden still with flowering buddleia.  Rothbury, Hillside West: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Copper and 1 Comma on valerian then came across a further 3 Small Copper and 1 Small Tortoiseshell on some cultivated Ox-eyed daisies."

13 October.  Jonathan Wallace was surprised to find a Speckled Wood inside his moth trap in woodland near Ulgham when he checked the contents the following morning.

10 October.  Peter Harvey reports: "On this wonderful day have had many Ladybirds 22 spot and 4-spot black; honey bees, wasps, Daddy Longlegs, Sm White and, I think, a Wall Brown (rather than a Comma) in Blaydon".

Melvyn Kirby reports: "Some records today in the warm autumn sunshine, Speckled wood, Red admiral & 2 Large whites at Seaton Delaval Hall (NZ3276), and Peacock in my garden near Shilbottle, in NU2009".

Steve Austin reports: "Visited Russell Woods for an hour or so - found most of the following on the Daisies but 2 Speckled Wood and the Small White elsewhere. Comma x 6, Red Admiral x 1, Speckled Wood x 4 and 1 Small White".

9 October.  Mike Coates recorded a late Holly Blue in Northumberland Park, North Shields.

7 October.  Ken Dawson was watching the Bee-eater, Merops apiaster, that has been present recently in the South Tyne valley at Haltwhistle and observed it catching a Red Admiral as it hawked for insects over the river.

6 October. Peter Harvey reports: "Driving up the A1 on Saturday lunchtime, I was surprised to see a White (small?), thought it might even have been a leaf or a bit of paper but, not long afterwards , saw another one! At Bellshill (NE70) a Red Admiral flew close to the car at about 1.15pm and minutes later saw a Painted Lady on Lavender and Valerian at Mousen, still there several hours later".

Graham Beckwith recorded 1 Large White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell on Waldridge Lane, Chester le Street.

2 October.  Brian Chandler reports: Seen today St Oswalds Way, Low Steads link around the Howick stretch: 20 speckled wood, 2 red admiral, 7 whites in flight, 1 small copper, silver Y moths.

Tom Dunbar recorded the following at Bamburgh Sand Dunes area NU1898934712: 1 Small Copper, 10 Small White, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Speckled Wood.

1 October.  Tom Dunbar recorded the following at St Oswalds Way Boulmer coastal path NU2674514857: 8 Small Copper, 10 Small White.

2018

September 2018

30 September.  Melvyn Kirby recorded Red admiral & Speckled wood (1 each) on roadside verges near Longdyke (NU2010.)

29 September.  Brian Burke reported numerous Red Admirals feeding on Asters in Moorside Allotments, Fenham, Newcastle.

Graham Beckwith recorded 3 Red Admiral, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Small White along Rothbury Riverside..

28 September.  Melvyn Kirby reports "Nights getting chilly now but on 28th September I noted Red admiral & Small tortoiseshell in a garden In Harbottle (NT9304)".

22 September.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Lane, Chester-le-Street: 3 Small Copper (2 of the form caeruleopunctata), 1 Comma, 5 Red Admiral, 9 Speckled Wood, 5 Large White, 7 Small White - those identified from a lot of Whites seen. Also 8 Silver Y moths."

16 September.  Graham Beckwith sent the following report: "Waldridge Lane, Chester-le-Street: 10 Red Admiral, 12 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Copper, 3 Comma, 2 Large White, 3 Small White - those identified from a lot of Whites seen. Also 5 Silver Y moths. Blackhall Rocks, East Durham: 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small Copper, 2 Small White on south-facing bank of a ravine.  Low numbers but a very chilly north east breeze kept temperature low.  Also on a fence post I spotted an unusual looking Ladybird identified later as an invasive Harlequin Ladybird of the black form with 4 large orange spots. First I've ever seen. Crimdon Dene, East Durham: 15 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Red Admiral, 4 Large White, 5 Small White - those identified from a lot of Whites seen.  Also 6 Silver Y moths.  Much warmer in the Dene but most of the flowers still in bloom are cultivated varieties.  Most butterflies seen were among the remaining thistle patches and ragwort."

12 September.  Steve Austin visited Russell Woods and reports "A great day for Speckled Woods with a nice count of 54 also Small White x 4, Common Blue x 4, Red Admiral x 2, Comma x 1, and a single Small Copper.

8 September.  Two Speckled Wood seen by Jonathan Wallace flying over Moorside allotments, Fenham, Newcastle in spite of the drizzly weather

2nd September.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Newton Steads, Northumberland: Following observed among dunes on a short walk from the car park northwards; 17 Common Blue (only 1 female), 14 Small Copper (the most I've ever seen in one location on the same day, most just on sandy path leading from car park to the beach), 6 Wall Brown, 5 Painted Lady, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Large White, 4 Small White - those identified from high numbers seen.

1st September.  Graham Beckwith sends the following report from Rothbury: "Rothbury; Riverside East: 1 Painted Lady, 13 Small Tortoiseshell, 19 Peacock, 3 Red Admiral, 14 Large White, 3 Green-veined White, 7 Small White - those identified from a lot of Whites seen. Rothbury; Cragside Estate, Lady's Walk: 2 Painted Lady, 6 Red Admiral, 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Peacock, 2 Speckled Wood, 11 Large White, 7 Small White - those identified from a lot of Whites seen. Rothbury; Cragside Estate, Formal Garden 5 Large White, 3 Small White, 1 Speckled Wood, 11 Red Admiral, 9 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock, 1 Painted Lady.

2018

August 2018

31 August.  Martin Partridge reports: "On private biodiversity site in Billingham on Friday 31st. 4 Brown Argus, 2 Red Admiral, More than 10 Common Blue, 2 Small Heath, 3 Meadow Brown, 1 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoieshell, 3 Large White and 2 Green veined White, 1 Small Copper 2 Speckled Wood".

30 August.  Peter Harvey saw a Speckled Wood in Saltwell Park, Gateshead.

Paul Tankard reports from Hauxley Nature Reserve: "On 30th August I recorded the following: 7 Painted Lady; 8 Speckled Wood; 3 Red Admiral; 2 Peacock; 2 Small Tortoiseshell; 2 Wall; 4 Small White; 3 Common Blue;1 Small Copper and 2 Silver- Y Moth".

Hector Galley (Natural Newbiggin) reports: "There is a patch of Devil's bit Scabious on Newbiggin Golf moor (between golf course and ash lagoon bank). Today in the sunshine there were: 23 Painted Lady's, 34 Small Tortoiseshell, 11 Peacock, 5 Red Admiral.

28 August.  Brian Chandler reports from Newbrough, near Hexham "on 12 budleia bushes in Sun and part shade: 20 + peacock, 12 red admiral (including one ab. that has white dots within the red bands on the wing - can't remember the name [ab bialbata?], 8 small tortoiseshell, 15 various whites, 2 painted lady (first I have seen here), 1 speckled wood, 2 silver Y moths, 1 humming-bird hawk-moth (first I have seen here), 2 large yellow underwing moths.  These were seen over a 2 hour period. I have checked again on 29th and similar numbers although no sighting of the hawkmoth. I have managed to photograph them. Obviously I can't say how many of the peacock, red admiral and whites were repeats".

Graham Beckwith recorded the following in a garden in Waldridge Park Estate, Chester le Street: 3 Painted Lady, 2 Red Admiral, 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Speckled Wood and a lot of Whites.  Along roadside opposite entrance to estate: 1 Common Blue (male), 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Large White, 1 Small White.

27 August.  Jonathan Wallace found a Small White roosting in vegetation at dusk at Havannah LNR

25 August.  Peter Harvey saw a couple of Common Blue at Old Mousen near Belford, Northumberland along with Wall Browns and various Whites.  He also saw his first Painted Lady of the year.

20 August.  Tim Nelson reports "Dormans Pool Teesside- Mixed Whites, Peacock, Common Blues, Wall Browns, Speckled Woods and 1 Brown Argus. In our garden 1 Painted Lady and 1 Holly Blue."

19 August.  Graham Beckwith was at the Riverside, Rothbury where he recorded 1 Painted Lady, 3 Wall Brown, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock,1 Small Copper and alot of Whites.

16 August.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Lane, Chester-le-Street: Only a single Holly Blue on the large holly."

15 August.  Martin Neil reports "After the rain of the last couple of days I did a morning walk in Felton and counted 8 Small Whites, 1 Large White, 4 Speckled Woods, 2 Wall Browns, 1 Peacock and 1 Painted Lady."

11 August.  Steve Reid counted 13 Wall Brown and 5 Painted Ladies in afield at Dunstan Hill near Embleton.

Steve Crane reported a Comma feeding on Buddleia globosa in a garden in Swarland, Northumberland where it had been seen over the previous week.

Graham Beckwith reports from Waldridge Lane, Chesterle Street: "Another look along this location saw the highest numbers of Holly Blue to date; 3 on the large holly and 4 further along the lane (2 feeding on tansy, 1 feeding on rosebay willowherb directly opposite these 2 and another flew along the treeline. I'm not sure whether this is a good, overlooked site for Holly Blue or whether it's simply a good year for them because the population of the parasitic wasp is low or both. Also 6 Speckled Wood, 3 Large White, several other whites and 2 Purple Hairstreak (not very active despite the warm sunshine)."

10 August.  Sharon Hearle reported the following species seen while holidaying at Bamburgh and Budle Bay: Wall Brown, Grayling, Small Copper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White.  She also reported sightings of Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

9 August.  John Elliott spotted a Peacock and a Red Admiral in the picnic area at Cawfields Quarry, Haltwhistle.

Andrew Scott found a White-letter Hairstreak on Rosebay Willowherb at Aydon Castle near Hexham.

David Phillips reported Wall x18, Small Copper x 1 Common Blue x 1, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown x 1 and Ringlet x 1 at Croft-on-Tees.

7 August.  Philip Sharp recorded a single Small Copper on Houghton Road, Darlington

David Phillips counted Holly Blue x 1, White-letter Hairstreak x 2, Speckled Wood x 1, Purple Hairstreak x 2 and Holly Blue x 1 at Hummersknott.

Graham Beckwith reports from waldridge Lane, Chester le Street "saw 4 Holly Blue (3 on a large holly but feeding on snowberry surrounding its base and 1 further along the lane feeding on tansy)."

6 August.  Andrew Scott found a single Purple Hairstreak at the A1 roundabout, Chester-le-Street on a solitary oak, but failed to find any White-letter Hairstreaks.

David Phillips reports "Speckled Wood x 3, Common Blue x 3, Wall x 1 and numerous Whites at the Whinnies LNR in Darlington. On the same day Holly Blue x 2 White-letter Hairstreak x2 and numerous Whites at Hummersknott, Darlington and a very dark aberrant / melanistic Purple Hairstreak at Coatham Woods, Long Newton."

5 August.  Graham Beckwith reported 4 Purple Hairstreak, 4 Peacock, 9 Speckled Wood at Waldridge Lane, Chesterle Street. 

4 August.  Graham Beckwith patrolled Waldridge Lane and counted 8 Purple Hairstreak, 2 Large White, 4 Green-veined White, 16 Speckled Wood and 1 Wall Brown.

2 August.  Steve Austin counted 7 Green-veined White, 7 Meadow Brown, 2 Small Skipper, 4 Small Heath, 4 Wall Brown, 5 Speckled Wood and 17 Peacock at Raisby.  He then went to Wingate Quarry where he recorded 31 Peacock, 9 Small Heath, 2 Large White, 2 Marbled White, 1 Ringlet, 3 Speckled Wood and 1 Small Skipper.

Gordon Sirmond reported Holly Blue in a garden in Silksworth, Sunderland present over the past couple of days.

Graham Beckwith returned to Waldridge Lane and counted 3 Holly Blue including an egg laying female.  Also Speckled Wood, Large White, Peacock and 6 Purple Hairstreak.  On the same day he visited Aykley Heads, Durham where he found another Holly Blue nectaring on Snowberry blossom as well as numerous Whites and Peacocks.

David Phillips reported Purple Hairstreak x 4 in Oaks along Staindrop Road, Darlington

1 August.  Graham Beckwith found Holly Blue on Waldridge Lane, Chester le Street. Also 7 Speckled Wood, 1 Large White, 2 Peacock, and 6 Purple Hairstreak.

2018

July 2018

31 July. Steve Austin visited Russell Woods where he recorded 5 Small Skipper, 4 Green-veined White, 2 Small Copper, 3 Large White, 1 Small White, 10 Meadow Brown, 7 Peacock, 28 SpeckledWood,and 1 Red Admiral.  Also 2Silver Y moths.

30 July.  Sue Hepworth discovered White-letter Hairstreak in Path Head Wood, Stella Estate, near Blaydon with sightings on 30 and 26 July. She also found a single Purple Hairstreak on 26th.

David Phillips recorded 6 Holly Blue including a mating pair at Hummersknott as well as 1 White-letter Hairstreak and 1 Comma.

27 July.  Dave Wainwright observed Purple Hairstreak at Low Barns.  On the same date he saw a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary near Satley.  This was in mint condition suggesting the possibility that it was a second generation individual.

Colin Taylor reported 2 Holly Blue at the Watergate Park, Lobley Hill, Gateshead.

DAvid Phillips reported 8 Holly Blue, 1 White-letter Hairstreak, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Painted Lady and 1 Wall Brown at Hummersknott, Darlington.

26 July.  Dave Wainwright recorded Holly Blue at Newton Aycliffe.

Dave King reported the following from Wark Forest, near Scotch Coulthard: 1 Small Copper, 1 Painted Lady, 4 Comma but very few Small Skipper.

Brian Chandler visited Holy Island where he counted 26 Dark Green Fritllary, 1 Red Admiral, 11 Common Blue, 10 Ringlet, 6 Meadow Brown, 6 Small Tortosieshell, 5 Grayling, 1 Green-veined White, 5 Small Heath plus Antler Moth, Cinnarbar Moth caterpillars and Six-spot Burnet Moths.

David PhillipsFound Purple Hairstreak onthe Staindrop Road near Mowden,Darlington.

25 July.  Tim Nelson reported that he has been seeing Holly Blue in his garden in Stockton throughout the last fortnight.

Colin Taylor observed 1 Small Copper, 2 Common Blue and 4 Small Heath at the Spetchells.

David Phillips counted a total of 9 Holly Blues in the Darlington area with sightings in Carmel, Hummersknott and Harrowgate Hill.

24 July.  Phil Richardson spotted two Holly Blue (one male and one female) in a garden in Billingham.

David Phillips saw 3 Holly Blue in the Harrowgate Hill area of Darlington.

23 July.  David Phillips reported 1 Holly Blue in a Darlington garden.  On the same date he reported a single Purple Hairstreak at Carmel, Darlington, 3 Holly Blue at Hummersknott and 5 Holly Blue, 1 White-letter Hairstreak, 1 Dark Green Fritllary and 11 Peacock at Baydale Meadows, Darlington.

Graham Beckwith counted 1 Comma, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and a Holly Blue in a garden in Waldridge ParkChester le Street as well as numerous Peacock.

22July.  Phil Sharp and David Phillips reported the following: at Neasham Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell; at Hummersknott: 11 Holly Blue, 3 White-letter Hairstreak, 10 Peackock: at Carmel, Darlington: 5 Holly Blue, 6 Purple Hairstreak; at Coatham Wood: 6 Purple Hairstreak.

Stewart Sexton and JW Rutter found White-letter Hairstreak at two locations in Alnwick: 3 individuals next to Canongate Bridge and 1 seen at Denwick Bridge (B1340).

19 July.  Graham Beckwith found Purple Hairstreaks flying all over the oaks (and birch trees amongst them) along the wooded lane between Waldridge Estate and Waldridge Fell.  Groups of up to six at a time seen swirling around and Graham reports a best estimate/count of 47 but thinks there could have been more.

David Phillips reported 2 White-letter Hairstreak seen at Hummersknott,Darlington.

18 July.  Graham Beckwith saw 1 Samll Tortoiseshell on the buddleia in the Sidegate car park.

David Phillips reported 5 Holly Blue and 2 white-letter Hairstreak at Hummersknott Drive, Darlington.  On the same date he visited Wingate Quarry where he recorded 26 MArbled White.

17 July.  1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Peacock observed on buddleia in Sidegate car park, Durham City.

15 July. Martin Partridge saw more than a dozen Purple Hairstreaks at Coatham Wood, Long Newton- some low down on the you oaks.  Also 3 Small Copper,5 Peacock and numerous Large White, Green-veined White, Small White, Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Small Tortoiseshell.

Graham Beckwith saw a Small Copper in his garden at Waldridge Park, Chester-le-Street.

David Phillips recorded 10 Purple Hairstreak and 1 Holly Blue at Lamesley.

14 July.  Graham Beckwith counted 7 Purple Hairstreak along a wooded lane between Waldridge Estate and Waldridge Fell.  Also 3 Speckled Wood, 7 Ringlet, 3 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Large White, 1 Small Skipper, 1 Green-veined White.

13 July.  Ian Kerr logged 21 Dark Green Fritillary, 10 Meadow Brown, 8 Ringlet, 3 Small Heath, 2 Common Blue, and 2 very faded Painted Ladies along his usual stretch between the north end of the Straight Lonnen and the old waggonway on Holy Island.

David Phillips recorded 2 White-letter Hairstreak at Hummersknott, Darlington.  On the same day he visted Greatham Creek where he recorded 6 Essex Skipper.

12 July.  David Phillips reported the following at Cowpen Bewley Country Park: 3 White-letter Hairstreak, 3 Comma.  On the same date he recorded a Comma in his garden in Darlington.

11 July.  David Phillips observed four recently emerged Commas at Portrack Marsh

9 July.  Mike Taylor and Keith Shaw recorded 8 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at a site off the A68 along with 12 Small Heath, 20 Small Skipper, 40 Ringlet and 4 Meadow Brown.  They also recorded 4 White-letter Hairsteak at Bywell Bridge and 10 Small Skipper,9 Ringlet, 1 Small Heath, 6 Meadow Brownat Grindon Lough and 1 Painted Lady,10 SmallHeath, 16 Meadown Brown,8 Ringlet, 6 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 Small Skipper at Warden allon the same day.

7 July.  Graham Beckwith counted 6 White-letter Hairstreak, 5 Comma, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Meadow Brown, 24 Small Skipper, 37 Ringlet and a Red Admiral at the A1 roundabout, Chester-le-Street.  At Waldridgre Lane, Chester-le-Street he counted 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Comma, 21 Ringlet,5 Meadow Brown, 1 Large White, 1 Green-veined White.

3 July.  David Phillips counted 28 Grayling in the Dormans Pool area, Teesside

Brian Chandler visited Wingate Quarry and counted 20+ Marbled White, 6 Large Skipper, 3 Speckled Wood, 6 Common Blue, 1 Small Tortoiseshell.

1 July.  Brian Chandler visited Bywell Bridge and during an hour of watching saw 20 White-letter Hairstreaks although he acknowledges this may have involved some double counting.  He also observed 2 Commas.

After a work party at the Spetchells the Spetchells Conservation Interest Group saw 7 Speckled Wood, 12 Common Blue, 40+ Ringlet, 8 Meadow Brown, 50+ Small Skipper, 6 Small Heath and 7 Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet moths (reported by Mike Taylor).

Ian Kerr checked his usual 700 metre stretch - the track between north end of Straight Lonnen and the old waggonway on Holy Island in war,sunny weather and found only 4 Dark Green Fritillary compared to 80 - 100 in previous years.  Also counted were 2 Common Blue and 4 Meadow Brown.

2018

June 2018

30 June. Steve Kirtley saw 2 White-letter Hairstreak on Mowden Estate, Darlington.

29 June.  Graham Beckwith was at Newton Steads, Northumberland where he counted 39 Common Blue, 26 Ringlet, 9 Meadow Brown and 1 Dark Green Fritillary.

28 June.  Graham Beckwith visited Debdon Plantation, near Rothbury where he recorded 13 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 5 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Skipper and 63 Ringlet.

27 June.  Michael Williams saw a single Marbled White at Wingate Quarry.

26 June.  Tim Nelson visited Dormans Pool, Teesside and counted 4 Grayling, 5 Common Blue, 1 Large Skipper, 4 Small Skipper,2 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Heath and 15 Ringlet.

Steve Austin and Steve Lowther visited Bishop Middleham Quarry and recorded 21 Small Heath, 10 Common Blue, 15 Northern Brown Argus, 9 Ringlet, 22 Meadow Brown and 5 Large Skipper.

25 June.  Steve Austin reported 21 Common Blue, 4 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 3 Small Heath, 2 Medow Brown and 1 Ringlet at Waskerley Way. At Black Plantation he then recorded 9 Small Pearls, 2 Ringlet, 1 Meadow Brown, and 6 Speckled Wood.

24 June.  Dave King saw Speckled Wood and Large Skipper at Bardon Mill and Beltingham.

Mick and Sylvia Brennan saw a single White-letter Hairstreak feeding on a flower head in Hardwick Dene, Stockton.

23 June.  Barry Johnson reported 2 Dark Green Fritillary, 15 Common Blue, 2 Small Copper, 4 Small White, as well as Large White, Green-veined White and Small Tortoiseshell at Waskerly Way, Burnhil.

22 June. David Philips reported 6 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, 2 Ringlet, 5 Common Blue and 2 Chimney Sweeper moths in the Waskerley Way area.

21 June.  David James, visiting from Northamptonshire, visited Greenlee Lough where he recorded 30 Green-veined White and 8 Small Heath. A single Large Heath was seen as he walked from Greenlee Farm back to Gibbs Hill Farm where his car was parked.  On his way home he stopped off at Bishop Middleham Quarry where he recorded 15 Northern Brown Argus, 12 Common Blue, 6 Small Heath,2 Dingy Skipper and 4 Meadow Brown.

19 June.  Colin Taylor spotted a Comma at Chopwell Woods as well as 15+ Speckled Wood.

18 June.  Graeme Baker reported 2 Dark Green Fritllary and a number of fresh Ringlets on the embankment at Raisby Way

12 June. Trevor (surname not supplied) reported 6 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Thrunton Wood along the Coe Burn as well as 5 Common Blue,1 Orange-tip, 4 Small Copper and 2 Large White.

11 June.  Dave Wainwright was "poking about" around Hadrian's Wall, Crag and Broomlee Loughs and recorded 70+ Large Heath, approx 20 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Copper, Green Hairstreak, Orange-tip, Silver-ground Carpet, Common Carpet, Small Argent and Sable, Flame Shoulder, Anania fuscalis, Northern eggar and Chimney Sweeper moth.

10 June.  Philip Sharp recorded the following at Redhall LNR (Darlington): 8 Dingy Skipper, 20+ Common Blue, 5+ Large Skipper, 2 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Heath, 1 Orange-tip, 1 Small White and 1 Speckled Wood.

Dave King reported the emergence of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Scotch Coulthard,Wark Forest with at least 16 seen over three sites.

7 June.  Mike Coates reported approx 20 Dingy Skipper at Fenwick Pit, Earsdon.

Steve Austin reported 3 Large White, 1 Common Blue, 2 Dingy Skipper, 1 Large Skipper,and 2 Speckled Wood at Russell Woods.

6 June.  Ian Kerr checked 3 km of tracks across Fourlaws Forest, Northumberland and recorded 4 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary plus 31 Small Heath, 2 Green-veined Whites and 4 Silver-Y moths, the latter all on red clover.

1 June.  Mike Taylor reported the following fromKibblesworth Brick Pools: 3 Common Blue 3 Speckled Wood, 1 Wall, 3 Green-veined White, 26 Small Heath, 6 Large Skipper.

Mike Coates counted at least 30 Dingy Skippers at Fenwick Pit, Earsdon.

Neil & Catherine Weightman and Michael Addis, visiting from outside the region, visited Bishop Middleham Quarry and Black Plantation where they recorded: Bishop Middleham Quarry: 3 Northern Argus, 10+ Walls, 20+ Common Blues, 20+ Small Heaths, 8 Dingy Skippers; Black Plantation Browney Valley: 57+ Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, 3 Large Skippers, 1 Peacock, 2 large Whites, 3 Orange Tips

May 2018

31 May.  Dave Liddle reports: "Saw my first Large skipper and Small heath of the season at Black Plantation yesterday ( 31st). Dingy Skipper numbers continue to be high round the area."

Steve Austin reported 3 Speckled Wood, 5 Orange-tip,3 Comma, 1 Large Skipper and 3 Dingy Skipper at Russell Wood.

28 May.  Steve reid reported 10 Dingy Skipper at Tanfield Lea.

Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Park (South Burn towards Waldridge Fell), Chester-Le-Street: 2 Orange Tip (both male), 1 Peacock, 18 Dingy Skipper (among scrubby clearings of old slag heap). Also following moths: 2 Clouded Silver, 1 Small Phoenix and several Common Heath. Bonus was a female (or immature male) Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly."

27 May.  Tim Nelson reports: "I have had up to 2 Holly Blue in my Stockton garden regularly from 7th May until today.  They have been laying on my Hollies."

Ian Kerr had his first Dark Green Fritillary of the season at Chare Ends, Holy Island.  Also 12 Small Heath.  In the Straight Lonnen 5 Silver Y moths were whizzing about.  This coincided with their sudden appearance in his trap in a village garden.

26 May.  Keith Walton and Dave Liddle watched the first Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary appear in the Browney Valley.

Tom Tams found 8 Dingy Skipper on land behind the Royal Quays.

Dave King found 3 Small Heath and a Small Copper and a scattering of Green Hairstreak at Robin Rock, Wark Forest.

Tim Nelson reported the following from Dormans Pool, Teesside: 16 Common Blue, 2 Wall Brown and 6 Dingy Skipper.

Brian Chandler reported the following at Sweethope Loughs, Northumberland about 20 common heath moth, 6 Orange tip, many whites in flight.

Jonathan Wallace saw several Wall Brown in the dunes at Seahouses.

24 May.  Dave King found a few well scattered Green Hairstreak around Robin Rock in Wark Forest.

Graham Beckwith counted 8 Dingy Skipper at Waldridge Park (South Burn towards Waldridge Fell), Chester-Le-Street: 7 Dingy Skipper, on scrubby clearings of old slag heap.

21 May.  Having searched and failed to find Green Hairstreak on Longframlington Common, Mike Coates shifted his search to Dipton Woods where he found over 20 in one location.

David Phillips reports: "Holly Blue today in my daughter's garden in Darlington.  It was on a mission and did not linger.  Also 10 Dingy Skippers around the ponds at Red Hall Darlington late afternoon".

Peter Webb reports: "Counted 30 Dingy Skippers flying on the forest drive in Hamsterley Forest.  About two miles from Sharberry Gill, where it descends just past Two Seats (Map reference NZ028297)".

Jonathan Wallace found a White-letter Hairstreak larva on Wych Elm in 'The Quarry', Cowgate, Newcastle.

Dave King found a scattering of Green Hairstreaks on Plenmeller Common.

Graham Beckwith reported the following at Waldridge Lane, Chester-le-Street: 1 Orange Tip (male), 4 Large White, 1 Small White, 9 unidentified Whites, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Copper.

20 May.  Brian Chandler counted 7 dingy skipper, 3 speckled wood and 2 Orange tip at the Spetchells.

Mike Taylor reports: "After working on the Spetchells, the Spetchells Conservation Interest Group counted - 51 Dingy Skippers, 4 Speckled Wood,1 Tortoiseshell".

Philip Sharp reports "1 Holly Blue in flight (Milbank Road, Woodland Road end); 1 Brimstone Haughton Road near St James Church; 7+ Dingy Skippers Redhall Nature Reserve.  Also 3+ grassland by footpath adjacent to B2679.

19 May.  Brian Chandler visited Dipton Woods and counted over 60 Green Hairstreak as well as 4 speckled wood, 1 peacock, 2 Orange tip and a number of unidentified whites.

Jonathan Wallace saw two Common Blue flying at Paradise SNCI.

Tim Nelson saw the following at Dormans Pool Teesside 1 Small Copper, 20 Dingy Skipper, 1 Peacock, 1GV White, 6 Small White,2 Large White, 4 Wall Brown and 3 Cinnabar moth.

18 May.  Ron Henderson spotted a male Brimstone on the Raisby Way.

Graham Beckwith reports: "Rothbury (Ship Crag): 3 Green Hairstreak (disappointing total from a site that usually yields decent numbers on warm days), 1 Green-veined White. Rothbury (Whitton Glebe): 1 Comma, 3 Peacock, 2 Orange Tip (both male). Rothbury (Riverside East): 3 Comma, 5 Peacock."

17 May.  Jonathan Wallace found White-letter Hairstreak caterpillar feeding on Wych Elm at Big Waters.

15 May.  Dave King found 13 Green Hairstreak on Broomhouse Common & Ramshaw Fell south of Haltwhistle.

MArtin Partridge reports: "On private brownfield site in Billingham, Teesside: 10 Dingy Skipper, 1 Brown Argus and 1 Small Copper (1st sightings of the year on the site), 2 Large White, 2 Green veined White, 1 Orange Tip and 2 Peacock."

14 May.  Ken Dawson spotted a couple of Dingy Skippers at the Spetchells.

Jonathan Wallace saw two Dingy Skippers at Paradise, Scotswood.

David Phillips saw at least 8 Green Hairstreaks on the wing close to the path in Sharnberry Ghyll.

13 May.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Fell, Chester-Le-Street: 1 Green-veined White.  Searched for Green Hairstreak but still elusive on this site.  Edmondsley (Congburn Nursery): 2 Orange Tip (male), 1 Holly Blue; a bonus I didn't expect but identified as it flew over my head.  Wingate Quarry, Co Durham: Dingy Skipper showing well with 34 counted, 3 Green-veined White, 5 Orange Tip (all male), 3 Peacock, 1 Large White and a bonus of a single early male Wall Brown".

12 May.  Chris Barlow reports: "Dipton Woods this morning, 12th May. 100s of Green Hairstreak across several different areas of Bilberry in the wood, never seen so many but they are taking good advantage of the recently felled areas also 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Peacock, 1 Green-veined White.  Prudhoe Spetchells 12th May. Orange Tip, Green-veined White, 20+ Speckled Wood & 1 Dingy Skipper."

David Phillips also found Green Hairstreak on the wing with three at Bowes.

Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Park, Chester-Le-Street: 10 Large White, 11 Orange Tip (7 male, 3 female), 3 Small White, 15 Speckled Wood.  Strangely no Green-veined White but I watched 2 Small White chasing down a female Orange Tip in their attempts to mate but gave up after about 10 minutes.

11 May.  Mike Coates counted four Holly Blues in Preston Cemetery, North Shields.

10 May.  Jonathan Wallace recorded 2 Small White, 2 Orange-tip and 1 Speckled Wood at Paradise, Scotswood.  Orange-tip eggs were also observed on garlic mustard flowers.

Mike Coates Had first record of a Holly Blue in Earsdon churchyard (near Whitley Bay).

8 May.  David Phillips reports a second-hand report of a Holly Blue along Woodland Road Darlington.  This appears to be shaping up as a good Holly Blue year with a number of people reporting sightings.

MArtin Partridge recorded Holly Blue on a private brownfield site in Billingham.

7 May.  Graham Beckwith reports "Waldridge Fell, Chester-Le-Street: 4 Large White, 2 Speckled Wood, 3 Peacock, 4 Orange Tip (3 male), 2 Green-veined White.   Waldridge Park, Chester-Le-Street: 3 Large White, 3 Orange Tip (2 male), 1 Small White.

6 May.  Den Gregson reports: "The following were recorded in my Spennymoor garden over the weekend 5/6th May, Orange Tip (male),Speckled Wood, Large White, Green Veined White and Holly Blue.  All were firsts of the year for the garden, the Holly Blue was the first ever recorded here".

Steve Austin reports: "After a rather disapointing trip to Wingate yesterday, 5/5, where all I saw was Speckled Wood x 1, Orange Tip x 1, and Peacock x 6 and all on a nice sunny day, I had a rather more interesting afternoon today at Russell Woods: - Orange Tip x 9, Speckled Wood x 8, Peacock x 3, Large White x 3 and the Star of the show: my first Holly Blue in Durham".

George Hogg reports from Hartlepool Power Station (note: this is NOT a publicly accessible site): c50 Green Veined White, c20 Orange Tips, 5 Peacocks, 6 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Speckled Woods.

Graham Beckwith reports: "Waldridge Park (South Burn), Chester-Le-Street: 1 Comma, 3 Peacock, 2 Orange Tip (both male), 2 Green-veined White.  Waldridge Park, Chester-Le-Street: 3 Large White, 2 Peacock, 1 Orange Tip (female). All in garden.  Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, Tees-side: 9 Large White, 10 Peacock, 12 Orange Tip (only 1 female), 1 Green-veined White, 3 Comma.

5 May.  Kelly Fox spotted an Orange-tip in Hexham.

Graham Beckwith saw 2 Orange Tip (both male), 3 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood at Pity Me Carrs.

4 May.  Steve Austin reports: "Nice to report some sightings at Russell Woods today 4 May Peacock x 5, OrangeTip x 10 two females, Green V White x 1, Speckled Wood x 3 and a Small Tort".

Mike Coates reports: "First records for the year in Northumberland Park, North Shields today 4 Holly Blues, 1 Comma, 1 Peacock, 4 Speckled Woods, 2 Green V Whites, 3 Small Whites, 2 Large Whites".

Mike Taylor reports: ": I saw the following Butterflies today near the Spetchells and on the Spetchells (Prudhoe): 1 Painted Lady, 2 Large White, 6 Tortoiseshell, 4 Orange Tip,6 Speckled Wood".

David Phillips reports ": 4/5/18 Orange Tip, Peacock, Green Veined White, Speckled Wood, Large White out at Darlington Maidendale LNR and 4/5/18 Peacock, Green Veined White and Holly Blue out at High Coniscliffe.

Graham Beckwith saw 4 Comma, 9 Peacock, 2 Orange Tip at Waldridge Park, Chester-le-Street.

April 2018

29 April.  Graham Beckwith recorded a female Orange-tip and a Small Tortoiseshell at Rothbury Riverside.

28 April.  Chris Barlow added another species to this year's list of those recorded on the wing in the region with a sighting of a single pristine Green Hairstreak at Dipton Woods near Corbridge.

27 April.  Graham Beckwith reported the following at Waldridge Fell, Chester-Le-Street: 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 8 Peacock, 1 Comma.

26 April.  Graham Beckwith saw a Comma at Waldridge Park, Chester-le-Street.

25 April.  Graham Beckwith reports: Waldridge Lane, Chester-Le-Street: 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Aykley Heads, Durham: 1 Green-veined White.

24 April.  Ron Henderson reports a first Holly Blue for Lambton Village, Washington.

22 April.  Ron Henderson reports: "Orange Tips out now at Lamesley and Kibblesworth".

21 April.  Keith Robson reports: "Holly Blue in my garden this pm [21/4] a garden first here at Waldridge Park, Chester le Street. Also 3 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and a Comma".

Jonathan Wallace saw 1 Large White plus a Peacock and three Small Tortoiseshell near Cumberland Arms, Ouseburn.  Later in the day he saw a Comma at Flass Vale, Durham.

Kelly Fox reported a Peacock visiting her garden at Fellside, Hexham.

Graham Beckwith sent the following reports: Pity Me Carrs, Durham: 1 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell. Waldridge Park (South Burn), Chester-Le-Street: 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 3 Comma.

20 April.  Steve Austin had a walk around Russell Woods and saw 9 Small Tortoishell and 10 Peacock and 1 Comma.

Graham Beckwith reports from Waldridge Park (South Burn), Chester-Le-Street: 7 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Peacock, 3 Comma.

19 April.  Graham Beckwith reported two Small Tortoiseshell and two Peacock recorded at Colliery Wood, Chester Moor, Chester-Le-Street and singles of Peacock and Comma recorded at Waldridge Park, Chester-Le-Street.

Steve Austin reports: "Finally a few sightings - Cowpen Bewley 19 April I saw 9 Peacock and 2 unidentified whites then called at Wingate and found 1 Comma and 5 Peacock.

14 April.  Graham Beckwith recorded as Small Tortosieshell at Pity Me Carrs, Durham.

9 April.  Jonathan Wallace recorded a Peacock at Havannah LNR near Newcastle and then 5 Peacock, 9 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Comma at Big Waters near Brunswick Village.

Ron Henderson reported 7 Commas, 1 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell counted in Princess Anne Park, Washington plus a further 1 Small Tortoiseshell feeding on cherry blossom in garden Lambton Village, Washington.

8 April.  Steve Austin recorded a Small Tortoiseshell in his garden near Rainton.

6 Aprl.  Ron Henderson reported a Comma seen at Lamesley.

5 April.  Graham Beckwith recorded 4 Small Tortoiseshell and a Comma at Waldridge Park, Chester-le-street.

March 2018

29 March.  Steve Austin recorded a Small Tortoiseshell at Rainton Meadows.

24-25 March.  Fine weather over the weekend brought a small flurry of sightings of Small Tortoiseshells in Northumberland (Cragside, Corbridge and Woolsingham) and Durham (Wharton Park, Washington WWT reserve and Urpeth Grange).  A couple of Peacock were also reported by Ian Bradley wh saw them near Edlingham, Northumberland.


2017

November 2017

11 November.  Den Gregson reported 2 Red Admirals making the most of the autumn sunshine at Low Burn Hall Woodland Trust site

8 November.  The 2017 butterfly flight season persists into November...Melvyn Kirby reports a Peacock buttefly sunning itself on a windowsill in Harbottle.

October 2017

27 October.  Ron Henderson reported a Red Admiral feeding on ivy blossom in Lambton Village.

25 October.  Steve Austin "managed a walk around Russell Woods today 25/10 and found three Comma on some daises still in flower plus one Speckled Wood.

George Simpson recorded a Green-veined White at Shibdon ponds nature reserve.

16 October.  Sue Moorhouse spotted a Comma whilst parking her car in Haltwhistle.

13 October.  Jonathan Wallace recorded a Speckled Wood at Big Waters despite the blustery winds

12 October.  Steve Austin reported 1 Red Admiral and 2 Comma at Russell Wood.

September 2017

30 September  Ron Henderson re-visited the Washington industrial estate and found one Peacock and one Small Copper flying.

26 Sept.  Ron Henderson observed 3 Red Admirals, 2 Peacocks, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Common Blue feeding on ragwort at Washington industrial estate brownfield site.

18 September.  Steve Austin writes "Managed to get down into Russell Woods this morning 18 Sept and found the following :- Speckled Wood x 14, Red Admiral x 9 and a single Small White.  Yesterday [17 sept] I went down and saw a single Small Tortoiseshell a single Red Admiral and 3 Speckled Wood before a heavy rain shower came and I got soaked walking back to the car.

12 September.  Mike Coates reported a remarkable count of Red Admirals in Northumberland Park, North Shields.  In one flower bed he counted (and re-counted) 80+ Red Admirals as well as another 15 or so elsewhere in the park.  He also reported half a dozen Speckled Wood and 2 Small Tortoiseshell.

August 2017

24 August.  Rachael Dorward observed 5 Speckled Wood in Long Benton, Newcastle.

21 August.  Graham Fairs observed multiple (approx 10) Wall Browns near North Sunderland, Seahouses.

19 August.  Rachael Dorward counted the following at Wingate Quarry: Green veined whites x4, Peacock x3, Small Heath x8, Red Admiral x2, Comma x1.

17 August.  William Blenkinsopp reported a Peacock butterly in woods at Grand View, Sherburn Village.

16 August.  Malcolm Hutcheson had good views of a Clouded Yellow flying around the Coastwatch station on the Golf Course, above Little Beach, Berwick.

15 August.  Steve Austin reports: "Cowpen Bewley: Small White x 2, Peacock x 2, Meadow Brown x 3, Speckled Wood x 7, Common Blue x 2.  Russell Woods: Small White x 3, Peacock x 1, Wall x 3, Meadow Brown x 1, Small Heath x 1, Small Skipper x 1, Speckled Wood x 5, Red Admiral x 1.

10 August  John Hope reported 3 Dark Green Fritillary observed feeding on heather close to the dam wall at Cow Green Reservoir.

July 2017

30 July.  Ian Kerr checked his usual 800m dune-edge stretch on Holy Island between the north end of the Straight Lonnen and the old wagonway on July 30 and recorded 14 Dark Green Fritillary, 7 Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet, 2 Common Blue and 3 Large White, low numbers reflected the generally poor season on the island.

22 July.  Ron Henderson reports: "A half an hour visit at tea time to Picktree interchange saw, Large White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Comma, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Copper and 2 White Letter Hairstreaks".

15 July. Diane Hogg reported a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in her garden in Seghill.

9 - 12 July.  Stewart Sexton passed on reports of White-letter Hairstreak sightings by Steph McElwee and Dick Gilhespy at the western end of the footbridge over the Great North Rd by the Three Mile Inn, Gosforth.

3 July.  Steve Austin reported the folowing from Russell Woods: Ringlets x 21, Small Skipper x 8, Meadow Brown x 3, Red Admiral x 1, Speckled Wood x 1.

2 July.  Steve Austin reported the following from the Chester le Street/A1 roundabout: White Letter Hairstreak x 6, Ringlet x 8, Small Skipper x 3, Small Tortoiseshell x 2, Shaded Broadbar moths x 5 and 4 Narrow Bordered five spot Burnet moths

Also at the Chester le Street/A1 roundabout Graham Beckwith reported 3 White-letter Hairstreaks, 1 Large White, 1, Large Skipper, 11 Small Skipper, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, and numerous Ringlet.  Later in the day he recorded 16 Small Skipper, 1 female Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 7 Meadow Brown and 47 Ringlet on Waldridge Fell.

1 July.  Graham Beckwith visited Pity Me Carr NR where he recorded 3 Speckled Wood, 4 Red Admiral, 5 Meadow Brown, 29 Ringlet, 1 Large Skipper.  Later he walked over Waldridge Fell and recorded 3 Small Skipper, 1 male Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Meadow Brown, 21 Ringlet.

June 2017

25 June.  Graham Beckwith reported 4 Red Admiral in the gardens at Wallington Hall.  A visit to Debdon Plantation then yielded 2 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and 73 Ringlet.  Also 3 Green Carpet moths and 5 Gold Swift.

24 June.  Keith Walton sent the following report: "Visited Wingate quarry today 24th June and when I arrived was informed that the Marbled White were out in force.  I counted 21 in only half of the quarry, must have been out for a day or so.

22 June.  Hummingbird Hawk Moth reported by Keith Saville in Aycliffe Village.

Graham Beckwith reported 3 Speckled Wood, 4 Red Admiral, 2 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary but 61 Ringlet bucked the trend. Also numerous Bordered White moths seen at Debdon Plantation near Rothbury.

21 June.  Ron Henderson reported 37 Ringlets, 4 Large Skippers, 2 Speckled Woods at Lamesley followed by Bowes Valley: 81 Ringlets, 6 Small Skippers, 1 Painted Lady and Swan Estate, Washington: 1 Red admiral, 4 Speckled Woods, 4 Common Blues, 3 Small Skippers.

19 June.  Alistair McLee recorded a single Grayling at the Long Drag, Tees marshes (reported via Tim Nelson).

Ian Kerr had his first Dark Green Fritillary of the season in the dunes just north of the Straight Lonnen, Holy Island.  Also five Small Heaths and single Commom Blue. Surprisingly, not a single white of any species in during a 4km walk.

Ron Henderson reported three Dark Green Fritillaries including 1 mellanic form, Trimdon District.

18 June.  Keith Robson reports the following from Waldridge Fell: 1 Dingy Skipper, 3 Large Skipper, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Meadow Brown, 4 Ringlet, 7 Large White, 2 Small White, 12 Speckled Wood, 1 Wall and 3 Common Blue

Martin Partridge reports: "On a private Brownfield site in Billingham we sighted the first White-letter Hairstreak the first of the year in the same Wych Elm as a small group were seen in last year."

Anne Roberts observed Speckled Wood in her garden in Etal Park.

John Charlton saw at least 10 Northern Brown Argus at Pittington Hills.

Gaynor Clarke recorded 2 speckled wood butterflies in a garden in East Boldon.

17 June.  Martin Partridge reports White-letter Hairstreak on the wing on a private site in Billingham.

Ron Henderson reported three Dark Green Fritillaries and 1 mating pair in the Trimdon district

16 June.  Thomas McKenzie saw a Hummingbird Hawk Moth on red valerian at Dalton Moor Farm near Murton.

15 June.  Ron Henderson reported the following from Lamesley Pastures: 1 male Large White, 4 Ringlets, 6 Speckled Woods, 5, Large Skippers.

14 June.  Ron Henderson visited Bowes Valley, Gateshead and recorded 2 Speckled Woods, 10 Small Heath, 14 Ringlets (his first ones of the year), 8 Common Blues, 6 Large Skippers, 1 Painted Lady.

9 June.  Ron Henderson reports: "Castle Eden Dene: 5 Green Veined Whites, 3 Small Whites, 1 Small Heath, 10 Common Blues, 1, Small Copper, 2 Large Skippers, i Dingy Skipper.  Wingate Quarry: 1 Large White, 5 Green Veined Whites, 3 Meadow Browns,(1st of the year), 2 Speckled Woods, 1 Wall Brown, 15 Common Blues, 2 Large Skippers, 3 Dingy Skippers.  Bishop Middleham Quarry: 2 Small Whites, 1 Peacock, 2 Speckled Woods, 12 Common Blues, 10 Northern Brown Argus, 2 Large Skippers".

7 June.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Wingate Quarry, Co Durham with Stev Austin and Stephen Lowther: 8 Large Skipper, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Meadow Brown (earliest individual ever seen by all 3 of us), 1 Red Admiral, 26 Common Blue (only 4 females), 2 Wall Brown, 1 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 2 Large White, 2 Dingy Skipper, 1 Orange Tip (female) and 1 Small Heath.  Moths: 2 Common Carpet, 1 Latticed Heath, 2 Cinnabar, 2 Silver-ground Carpet, 1 Yellow Shell.

4 June.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Debdon Plantation, Northumberland: The Pearls of Rothbury are on the wing and in force; a minimum of 42 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary seen - a great count for Debdon Plantation in early June and pleased to see alot of scrub and birch have been removed from the site to help protect the Marsh Violet.  Also 2 Small Copper, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral.  Two species of notable moths - 2 Silver Y and an unidentified Pyrausta".

Malcolm Hutcheson reports: "Little Beach, Berwick. LW, GVW2, OT, RA & Wall2. and finally two active Painted Ladys in the garden in the early evening sunshine."

3 June.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Colliery Wood, Chester Moor, Co Durham: 21 Large Skipper, 2 Speckled Wood.  Waldridge Park, Co Durham: 2 Large White in my garden".

Malcolm Hutcheson reports: "Needles Eye (NT95X), visit with Berwick Wildlife Group; LW3, SW6, GVW2, RA2, P Lady, & Wall3. Five Cinnabar Moths also seen with several Silver ground Carpet Moths."

1 June.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Thrislington Nature Reserve, Co Durham: Another joint venture with Stephen Lowther and between us we saw 11 Northern Brown Argus, 1 Speckled Wood, 22 Small Heath, 3 Large Skipper (another first of the year for me), 4 Dingy Skipper and 3 Common Blue (all males and another first of the year).  Also hundreds of Grass Rivulet moths, several Silver Ground Carpet and alot of unidentified grassland micros.  Another highlight was at least 2 Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies."

Dave King reported a Painted Lady at Haltwhistle

May 2017

31 May.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Durham, former DLI Museum Site: 1 Painted Lady (my first of this year), minutes later joined by a Red Admiral (also my first of the year in this region).  Aykley Heads, Durham: 1 Small White".

Dave King reported a Painted Lady at Seaton Sluice.

30 May.  Tim Nelson reports: "Dormans Pool 1Brown Argus together with Dingy Skippers, Common Blues, Small Heaths, Small Whites and a single Red Admiral".

Molly Hardy recorded a single Brimstone whilst walking her transect at Hunting Hall Farm.

Malcolm Hutcheson reported "Cocklawburn dunes; GVW2, Common Blue, Sm Heath7, Wall4 + two Cinnabar Moths.

27 May.  Dave King reported a Painted Lady at Crinkledykes Nature Reserve"

26 May.  Dave Liddle reports: Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary on the wing in the Browney Valley.

25 May.  Graham Beckwith reports from Waldridge Fell "With Stephen Lowther on the hunt for Emperor moth with a lure saw only 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Green-veined White and 2 Orange Tip males despite very warm temperatures.  Lots of moths including Silver Ground Carpet, Brown Silver Lines and hundreds of Common Heath and micro moths of various species.  No Emperors were seen".

24 May.  John Money reports: "Today (24.05.17) at Dormans pool top car park near Saltholme, myself (John Money) & Bert Mitchell saw 5 Dingy Skipper, several Common Blue and a very early Large Skipper along with a couple of Peacocks and a good number of Whites".

Tim Nelson reports: "Yesterday a quick visit to Bishop Midleham produced 6 Common Blue, 4 Cinnebar Moth, 1 Small Heath, 5 Northern Brown Argus, 8 Wall, 2 Dingy Skipper, 4 Orange Tip ans 1 small White".

Graham Beckwith reported On a walk from Waldridge Park towards Waldridge Fell through the wooded lane along South Burn I saw 1 Peacock before looking in a small clearing just off the path where I was surprised to see 5 Dingy Skippers including a mating pair. Another singleton was seen further up a slope. The habitat appeared to be a former slag heap consisting of grey shale with scrubby vegetation (Gorse, Brambles etc) and of course Birds-foot-trefoil.

Tracey Watson reports "Wingate quarry 6 dingy skipper, 7 orange tip , 15 common blue, peacock, numerous large white then Waldrige fell 20+orange tip male and female"

18 May.  Martin Partridge reports: "On a private brownfield site in Billingham we sighted 4 Brown Argus on Thursday 18th May.  Also flying on the site currently are a number of Dingy Skipper and also the first Common Blues of the year".

14 May.  Barry Johnson recorded 1 small tortoiseshell,1 green-veined white, 12 orange tip (2 females) at South Moor golf course

11 May.  Ron Henderson recorded 5 Orange Tips all male; 2 Green Veined Whites; 3 Small Whites, 2 Speckled Woods, 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Lamesley then at Kibblesworth he recorded 1 male Orange Tip, 1 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood and surprisingly an early Small Heath.

Dick Gilhespy observed a single Holly Blue, Jesmond Old Cemetery, N.W. Corner today.

Graham Beckwith reports: "Had a joint venture to Bishop Middleham Quarry last Thursday evening (11th May) with Stephen Lowther and between us recorded 10 Wall Brown, 5 Dingy Skipper and 1 Speckled Wood.  Also saw 1 Ruby Tiger moth.  Then headed to Thrislington where the wind was strong and chilly. Consequently we saw no butterflies at all and only 1 moth; a single Clouded Silver.

10 May.  Graham Beckwith made a short visit to Wingate Quarry in the evening where he saw 2 Wall Brown and 9 Dingy Skipper, most of which were clinging to last year's dead Knapweed flower heads although a couple became active when the sun shone.

Ron Henderson counted the folowing on Raisby Way: 10 Orange Tip, 2 Peacock, 2 Wall, 4 Speckled Wood, 1 Common Blue, 9 Small Copper, 10 Dingy Skipper.  He also visited Wingate Quarry where he saw 1 Peacock and 4 Dingy Skipper.

9 May.  Graham Beckwith undertook further searches for Green Hairstreak on Waldridge Fell and was rewarded with a solitary one.

3 May.  Steve Reid reported the following from Allerdene Field, Gateshead: three speckled woods, one large white, one small white, one orange tip (male) and one red admiral.

Graham Beckwith recorded 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Large White at Cragside.  At Debdon, near Cragside he recorded 1 Orange Tip (male), 3 Green-veined White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell then at Brae Head, Rothbury he recorded: 4 Green Hairstreak, 2 Peacock and numerous male and female Common Heath moths.

2 May.  Graeme Baker visited Raisby Way and recorded 2 Small Copper and 1 Wall Brown

Graham Beckwith recorded a single Green-veined White at Ship Crag, Rothbury

1 May.  Ronald Henderson visited Raisby Way and recorded 2 Orange Tip, 2 Speckled Wood, 4 Dingy Skipper, 1 Small Copper.

April 2017

30 April.  Ronald Henderson reportd the following from Lamesley: 1 Comma, 2 male Orange Tips, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Speckled Wood.

29 April.  On Waldridge Fell Graham Beckwith and Steve Austin searched unsuccesfully for Green Hairstreak but did record 3 Peacock and a Ruby Tiger moth.

24 April.  Dave Heliar, visiting from Somerset, recorded the following on Holy Island (near the observation tower): 1 Green-veined White, 1 Orange-tip and 1 Wall Brown.

23 April.  Graham Beckwith reports: "...on a walk from Waldridge Park to Waldridge Fell: 11 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Orange Tip (all male), 6 Speckled Wood, 9 Peacock, 5 Green-veined White, 1 Large White.  Also saw the first of the following heathland moths: 1 Brown Silver Lines, 2 Common Heath."

Jonathan Wallace observed 7 Orange-tip and 3 Speckled Wood at Newburn Haughs.

15 April.  Graham Beckwith recorded 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 newly emerged Speckled Wood on Waldrideg Fell,Chester le Street.

Jonathan Wallace recorded singles of Red Admiral, Orange-tip and Speckled Wood at Havannah LNR near Hazlerigg.

13 April.  Tim Nelson reports "Seen today around Tees Barrage- 2 Holly Blue, 4 Orange Tip, 6 Speckled Wood, 1 Comma, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Small white."

Kyra Wallace spotted a Speckled Wood in her garden in Fenham.

10 April.  Tim Nelson observed a Peacock at the Tees barrage.

9 April.  Mike Coates reported a Holly Blue at Northumberland Park, North Shields.

Ron Henderson recorded a Speckled Wood basking in his garden in Lambton Village, Washington.

Steve Austin reports "A lovely day today 9/4 so managed a few hours at Cowpen Bewley and got my first Orange tips x 5, first Green Veined White x 1, and first Speckled Wood x 3 plus Peacock x 3".

Dave Liddle and Stuart Priestley walked the transect at Black Plantation where they found 4 Orange-tips - an early record for the location.

Steve Egglestone reports "Scotch est.dene Jarrow- 2 Peacocks, 1 Green-veined white. Station burn- 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacocks and 1 male Orange tip. Edge of the Cotswolds est. /Station road, Boldon- 1 Holly blue in flight, 1 Peacock and 1 Speckled wood."

Graham Beckwith reported a Small White in his garden at Waldrideg Park, Chester le Street.

8 April.  David Lacey visited Low New Junction Nature Reserve, Durham where he recorded 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Orange Tip.

Tim Nelson visited Bowesfield Marsh N.R. where he saw 1x Orange Tip, 1x Small Tortoiseshell.

Michael Taylor reported a Holly Blue in a garden at Throckley Bank Top and a male Orange-tip at Crawcrook.

4 April.  Tim Nelson recorded Speckled Wood in his Stockton garden.

3 April.   Tim Nelson reported 1 Peacock in his garden in Stockton.

2 April.  Jonathan Wallace reported 2 Small Tortoiseshell at Havannah LNR near Hazlerigg.

March 2017

26 March.  Roy Mallaby added another species to the list of species seen on the wing in 2017 with a male Orange-tip at Longnewton near Thornaby.

25 March.  Steve Austin reported 1 Comma, 1 Peacock and 2 Small Tortoiseshell at Crimdon Dene and a single Peacock at Cowpen Bewley.

Ronald Henderson observed two Peacocks at Lambton Village, Washington and two more later in the day at Holly Park, Lambton.

Jonathan Wallace observed a Peacock in Fenham,Newcastle.

24 March.  Tim Nelson reported 1x Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Stockton.

12 March.  Graham Beckwith reported 2 Small Tortoiseshell and a Comma in his garden in Chester le Street.

Kyra Wallace spotted a Peacock in Fenham.

Jonathan Wallace observed a Small Tortoiseshell in 'The Quarry', Cowgate, Newcastle.

Rob Scaife reported a Brimstone seen near Willington, Co. Durham.

6 March.  Graham Beckwith reported a Small Tortoiseshell in the garden of his new home in Chester le Street.

February 2017

28 February.  Veronica Carnell spotted a Peacock in her Gosforth garden.

2016

July 2016

17 July.  Stephen Little reported Small Copper and Six-spot burnet Moth seen at Dawlish Warren.

In a 90 minute walk at Hedley Hall and Beamish Steve Reid today ( Sunday) counted 102 Ringlet, 44 meadow brown, 16 Speckled wood and 2 small white butterflies.

16 July.  Barry Johnson sent the following report: Wingate quarry 15 marbled white 60+ ringlet 50+meadow brown 15 common blue 7 small heath 4 large skipper Greatham Creek 5 grayling 4 small heath.

13 July.  Steve Kirtley visited Bollihope Common were he recorded 1 Dark Green Fritillary and 5 Small Heath.

Steve Austin counted Speckled Wood x 1, Common Blue x 3, Ringlet x 30, Meadow Brown x 3, Small Heath x 1 at Raisby Grasslands.

12 July.  Stev Austin counted Marbled White x 17, Ringlet x 37, Meadow Brown x 16, Common Blue x 15 at Wingte Quarry.

10 July.  Graham Beckwith counted 13 Speckled Wood, 12 Common Blue (all male), 87 Ringlet, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Large White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 8 Small Skipper in and around Low Hauxley Nature Reserve.

8 July.  Steve Austin visited Town Kelloe Field and counted 8 Meadow Brown, 7 Ringlet and 2 Common Blue.

Graham Beckwith counted 26 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (first opportunity to visit this site), 1 Small Heath, 5 Meadow Brown, 53 Ringlet at Debdon Plantation.

7 July.  Dave Liddle reports that DArk Green Fritillary is on the wing at Waskerley Station.

Michael Coates counted 20 Common Blue at Fenwick Pit near Earsdon.

Steve Austin counted 23 Ringlet and 11 Meadow Brown at Raisby Hill.

5 July.  Graeme Baker counted 13 Northern Bron Argus at Castle Eden Dene and 3 Marbled White at Wingate Quarry.

Graham Beckwith counted 26 Ringle at Colliery Woods, Chester Moor and then 3 Ringlet and 1 Speckled Wood at Aykley Heads.

3 July.  Keith Walton reports that MArbled White is on the wing at Wingate quarry with 1 seen.

2016

June 2016

26 June.  Keith Walton reports Bishop Middleham Quarry ( only between gate and the two sets of steps covered) Common Blue-23, Northern Brown Argus-60; Raisby Way Common Blue-27 (3 females egg laying); Wingate Quarry Common Blue-42

25 June.  Den Gregson reports a Small Copper seen in his allotment in Spenymoor

Martin Partridge reports: saw the following Castle Eden Dene NNR 4 Northern Brown Argus, 12 Common Blue, 2 Small Heath, 2 Large Skippers, 1 Wall, 1 Orange Tip, 1 Large White and 4 Speckled Wood. Wingate Quarry - 2 Dingy Skippers, 2 Common Blues, 1 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlets1, Small White and 2 Orange Tips Bishop Middleham Quarry - a mating pair of Northern Brown Argus seen before the thunderstorm.

24 June.  Michael Eccles reports 4 Ringlet and 1 Meadow Brown seen at Clara Vale NR.

Steve Austin reports: Wingate : Common Blue x 14, Small White x 1, Speckled Wood x 1, Meadow Brown x 3. Kelloe Fields : Meadow Brown x 4, Common Blue x 5, Large White x 1, and 2 late male Orange Tips. Bishop Middleham : Common Blue x 9, Northern Brown Argus x 12, Meadow Brown x 1, Wall x 1.

21 June.  Graham Beckwith visited two sites: Bishop Middleham Quarry, Co Durham: 2 Northern Brown Argus, 1 Large Skipper (freshly emerged with curled wings), 1 male Common Blue. Thrislington Grasslands, Co Durham: 1 Large Skipper, 2 Meadow Brown.

19 June.  Ian Kerr checked 3km of tracks through clear-fell areas of Fourlaws Forest and recorded 2 Small Pearl-bordered Frits, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Small Copper, 10 Small Heath, 10 Large White and 8 Green-veined Whites.

Keith Walton reports: "Visited the Browney Valley Site for Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Green Veined White-5, Small Heath-1, Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary-117+, very good emergence all appeared fresh.

18 June.  Barry Johnson reports: "Quick visit to bishop Middleham quarry produced 4 northern brown argus and 3 common blue."

14 June.  Ian Kerr had 3 Painted Ladies in an area of ungrazed meadow at Derwentcote, Co. Durham.

9 June.  A single Painted Lady was seen by Ian Kerr at Wheelbirks Farm, Stocksfield

Keith Walton reported "Between Waskerley Station and Burnhill: Dingy Skpper-17 (some appeared to be fresh), Large Skipper-1, Meadow Brown-1, Common Blue-2, Peacock-1, Painted Lady-3, Small Copper -1.  Also 1 Painted Lady near Lanchester.

8 June.  Michael Eccles sent the following report from Kibblesworth: : Large Skipper x3, Small Heath x14, Large White x1 and a worn Dingy Skipper.

7 June.  Keith Walton reported 1 Painted Lady at Waskerley Way (Burnhill) and 2 Painted Ldy at Broompark Picnic site.

6 June.  Dave Liddle reported small Pearl-bordered Fritillary on the wing in the Browney Valley.

Keith Walton reported: "Visited Thrislington Plantation and Wingate Quarry on 6th.  Thrislington very quiet- 6 Small Heath (my 1st for the year in Durham), 3 Northern Brown Argus, 10 Dingy Skipper and a fly by Painted Lady.  Wingate Quarry (only 10% coverage) 8 Common Blue(my 1st for the year in Durham, 2 fly by Painted Lady- No Small Heath here or Large Skippers at either site.

4 & 5 June.  Painted Lady seems to have arrived in the region with reports coming from all over including Holy Island (Jutta Hahn), Lesbury (Michael McMahon), Low Hauxley (Graham Beckwith), Tynemouth (Tom Tams), Newcastle (Michael Jefferies, Jonathan Wallace), Sunderland ( John Corcoran), Durham (Graham Beckwith),Raisby (Ian Waller), Coxoe (I Waller), Bishop Middleham Quarry (Ronald Henderson), Castle Eden Dene (Ronald Henderson), Newton Aycliffe ('Geordie John'), Waskerley (Dave Liddle), West Rainton (John Dawson), Stockton (Tim Nelson) and Tunstall Reservoir (Christiana Cleasby).

Ian waller ran a transect training event at Bishop Middleham Quarry during which the following butterflies were recorded: 2 male Northern Brown Argus, Common Blue male, Wall male and female, Large White, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Silver-ground Carpet.

Duncan Hutt, Head of Land Management at Northumberland Wildlife Trust, sent in the following report: "Colt Crag Reservoir: Very quiet today except for three green veined whites and my first record of a green hairstreak for this location".

Jonathan Wallace reported the follwing from Paradise SNCI, Scotswood: 1 Small White, 1 Green-veined white, 1 Orange-tip, 5 Dingy Skipper, 4 Common Blue, 1 Small Copper and 1 Painted Lady.

Graham Beckwith visited Aykley Heads, durham and recorded 1 Red Admiral, 3 Green-veined White (including 1 mating pair), 2 Large White, 1 Painted Lady.  On the 5th he visited the Northumberland Coast at Low Hauxley where he recorded 12 Paintd Laddies and 15 Wall Brown.

3 June.  Graham Beckwith reported: 6 Green-veined White, 3 Large White, 2 Orange Tip (1 male and 1 female) at Herrington Park, Co Durham.

2016

May 2016

24 May.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Running Waters Quarry, Nr Durham: 1 Dingy Skipper. First of the year in very chilly and cloudy conditions.  Wingate Quarry, Co Durham: 17 Dingy Skipper, 1 Wall Brown, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Common Blue".

Tim Nelson sent the following report from Teesside: "Dormans Pool 18 Dingy Skipper, 7 Common Blue, 1 Wall Brown, 1 Peacock, 3 Large White and 4 SmallWhite.  Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park Car Park 1 Holly Blue, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Orange Tip."

23 May.  Ken Dawson reported three Dingy Skipper at Riding Dene, Mickley. Also Wall Brown.

Rachael Dorward reports: "I have seen large whites, speckled woods and green veined whites in South Shields over the last two days (The West Park)".

Steve le Fleming reported a Wall Brown seen in Bearpark Wood.

Malcolm Hutcheson reports "A walk around Jacks's Law, Duddo saw; Large White 6, Smll White 9, Green-veined White 4, Orang-tip 14, Small Tortoseshell 2, Peacock 4, Speckled Wood 3 & Wall 5."

22 May.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from Low Hauxley: 2 Red Admiral, 7 Wall Brown, 4 Green-veined White, 1 Small White, 3 Large White.  Also 5 Cinnabar moths.  On the same day he also recorded an Orange-tip in Edmondsley Garden Cente and and Orange-tip and 2 Speckled Wood in his garden in Sniperley Park,Durham.

May 20.  Keith Walton found a singe Dingy Skipper at Baxter Wood near Broompark.

Ken Dawson counted 5 Green Hairstreak along Dipton Road south of Corbridge.

19 May.  Barry Johnson reported 6 Green HAirstreak counted at Headleyhope Fell as well as 2 Smalll White and a Small Tortoiseshell.

Malcolm Hutcheson walked along the lane from Lickar Dene to Berrington (NU04B) and saw Large White, Small White 3, Gtreen-veined White 4, Orage-tip 6 and a Speckled Wood.

17 May.  Michael Coates found three Painted Ladies at Brierdene.

Ken Dawson reported a count of 22 Dingy Skipper at the Spetchells, Prudhoe.  An encouraging result from ongoing conservation work by volunteers at theis site.

Steve le Fleming saw two Wall Brown whilst monitoring his transect at Bishop Middleham Quarry.

Keith Walton counted 43 Dingy Skipper at Wingate Quarry.

Graham Beckwith saw 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Orange-tip at Sniperley Park, Durham.

16 May.  Keith Walton reported 13 Dingy Skipper and 8 Small Copper at Wingate Quarry.

Steve Austin visited Running Waters and found 4 Dingy Skpper and one each of Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Green-veined White.

Graham Beckwith observed a single Speckled Wood At Aykley Heads.

15 May.  Graeme Baker reported 8 Dingy Skipper at Wingate.

Jonathan Walace reported 9 Dingy Skipper and 1 Small Copper at Paradise SNCI.

Graham Beckwith visited Low Hauxley where he saw 3 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, 1 Wall Brown, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Green-veined White. Also 5 Cinnabar moths.

Chris Brlow reported 15 x Green Hairstreak, 1 x Peacock, 2 x Green-veined White at Dipton Woods.

14 May.  Chris Barlow sent the followin report: "2 x Wall, and 1 x Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, male Orange Tip and Red Admiral at Druridge Pools."

Graham Beckwith counted 4 Orange Tip (3 male and 1 female), 2 Green-veined White, 1 Small White at Rothbury riverside.

12 May.  Ian Waller reported a Red Admiral in a garden in Coxhoe.

Steve Ausit recorded 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Small White at Running Waters Quarry.  At Wingate Quarry he counted 4 Dingy Skipper, 1 Green-veined White and 1 Small Tortoiseshell.

Keith Walton reported 66 Green Hairstreak counted at Muggleswick Park.

11 May.  Jonathan Wallace observed one each of Speckled Wood, Large White and Small Tortoiseshell at the Quarry, Cowgate.

Graham Beckwith saw 1 Peacock at Running Waters.

10 May.  Graeme Baker reported the following, seen at Mere Knolls Cemetery, Sunderland: 2 x Red Admiral, 1 x Holly Blue ( female ), 6 x Speckled Wood, 3 x Comma, 1 x Large White ( male ), 3 x Green Veined White

Graham Beckwith reported 2 Speckled Wood at County Hall, Durham.

Trevor Hall reported male and female Orange-tips seen on path between Pontend Rd and Newcastle Airport, southside.

9 May.  Michael Coates counted 5 Holly Blue in Northumberland Park, North Shields.

Ian Kerr observed a Holly Blue in a garden in Chapel House.

Graham Beckwith reported 2 Peacock at the DLI site in Durham and then at Aykley Wood, Durham: 1 Peacock, 6 Small Tortoiseshell.

Trevor Hall saw Orange Tip (M) Small White (M) at Benton Quarry Park.

8 May.  Graham Beckwith reported the following seen in and around Rothbury: 3 Large White; 1 Small White; 10 Green-veined White; 8 Small Tortoiseshell; 7 Peacock; 3 Orange Tip.

Ian Waller saw a single Dingy Skipper at Raisby Way.

Jonathan Wallace observed a single Dingy Skipper at Paradise SNCI, Scotswood.  Also reorded were Orange-tip, Smll white, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper and Speckled Wood.  On the Town Moor he observed a Red Admiral.

6 May.  Michael Eccles reported Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip, Green-veined White and Large White all seen at Shibdon Ponds

5 May.  Michael Coates saw a Holly Blue in Northumberland Park, North Shields.

Graham Beckwith saw 2 Peacock at the DLI Museum site in Durham.

4 May.  Den Gregson found seven species on the wing at Staindrop in sunny but breezy conditions: Speckled Wood, Orange Tip, Large, Small and Green-veined White, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell.

Nick Rossiter spotted a Holly Blue at Wylam on a large ivy bush on the footpath along the north bank of the Tyne just to the West of the main road bridge.

Steve Austin toured a number of sites in Durham with the following results: Wingate: 2 speckled Wood; Town Kelloe Fields: 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 1 Orange-tip; Crowtrees: 4 Peacock, 1 Orange-tip; Rainton Meadows: 2 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma; Russell Wood: 4 Peacock, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Orange-tip, 1 Speckled Wood.

Graham Beckwith saw 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock at Colliery Wood, Chester Moor.

3 May.  Grham Beckwith recorded 4 Green-veined White; 3 Peacock at Low Hauxley.

2 May.  Steve Austin observed a Green-veined White and A Small White in his garden in Newbottle and then in Russell Wood he counted 4 Small Tortosieshell and 4 Peacock.

Jonathan Wallace observed a solitary Green Hairstreak at Dipton Woods.

April 2016

30 April.  Steve Austin recorded his first speckled Wood of the year in Russell Wood along with 2 Peacock, 5 Small Tortoiseshell and one Small White.

23 April.  Steve Austin recorded 2 Peacock butterflies in Russell Wood before the sun went in and hail started to fall.

21 April.  Trevor Hall observed a Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock in the bushes to the right of the Terminal at Newcastle Airport.

Steve Austin saw 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Peacock in Wingate Quarry.

20 April.  Garham Beckwith saw 3 Peacock in hs garden in Durham.  He also visited Preston Park in Stockton where the highlight of the day was a brief sighting of a male Brimstone and he also observed a Green-veined White, 9 Peacock and 7 Small Tortoiseshell, appropriately enough outside "Butterfly World".

Steve Austin had 1 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 small White in his garden, Newbottle.

18 April. Graham Beckwith saw a Peacock in his garden at Sniperley Park, Durham then, at Colliery Wood, Chester Moor: 7 Small Tortoiseshell & 4 Peacock.

11 April.  Ken Dawson reported sightings of Speckled Wood, Green-veined White and Peacock last week (locations not specified).

Steve Austin saw a Small Tortoiseshell in his garden at Newbottle.

10 April.  Trevor Hall reported a small Tortoiseshell on the Green at South Gosforth.

9 April.  John Wilson (via Dave Liddle) reported a Red Admiral seen on Manor Farm, Lanchester.

3 April.  Steve Austin saw a single Small Tortoiseshell in Russell Woods, Newbottle and his first Comma of the year.

March 2016

23 March.  Steve Austin reported 8 Small Tortosieshell and a Peacock in Russell Woods, Newbottle.

14 March.  Graham Beckwith reported a single Small Tortoiseshell seen in Rothbury.

13 March.  Steve Austin kicked off his season with a Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Co Durham.

12 March.  Keith Robson reported Red Admiral seen flying at Chester le Street Riverside Park - an unusual sighting which Keith indicated was "Only my second ever spring record" of the species.

February 2016

22February.  Dave Wainwright reported a Peacock flying at Hawthorn Dene.


2015

September 2015

16 September.  Graham Beckwith saw 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 3 Speckled Wood near Aykley Heads, Durham.

13 September.  Graham Beckwith saw 6 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 7 Peacock, 9 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Green-veined White, 2 Large White, also several unidentified Whites feeding on Buddleia on the Rothbury riverside towards Thrum Mill.

10 September.  Graham Beckwith reports: "Witton Grove, Durham: A walk home from work saw the following nectaring on Sedum in a neighbour's garden, 4 Peacock, 5 Small Tortoiseshell.  Colliery Wood, Chester Moor: A few species seen whilst picking blackberries; always a welcome sight - 9 Speckled Wood, 6 Peacock, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Wall Brown and an Elephant Hawk Moth larva feeding on Willowherb. A search among several stands of Willowherb for more proved fruitless".

7 September.  Trevor Hall visited the Rising Sun Country Park in North Tyneside where a Comma and a Speckled Wood by the path in Hadrian Wood.  A Small White was noted near the Cafe and "apart from a couple of Whites in the distance that was it!".

Elaine Carter reports "Finally some butterflies in my garden [in Consett] on 7th september.  5 small tortoiseshell, 2 red admiral, 3 peacock, 3 comma, 2 large white, 2 speckled wood and, new for the garden, a wall brown.  Also in a friends garden in other side of town a hummingbird hawkmoth was photographed on buddliea."

6 September.  Gordon Pollinger observed a single, worn, female holly blue in garden in Clara Vale.

Steve Austin visited Russell Wood where he counted 9 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Small Whites, 1 Wall, 4 Speckled Woods and 2 Peacocks.

1 September.  Trevor Hall reported "A rather battered Holly Blue spent a short spell in our front garden in South Gosforth yesterday afternoon (September 1st 2015)".

Graham Beckwith reports: "Back home (Witton Grove, Durham) I saw the first ever (1) Painted Lady recorded in my garden, 3 Peacock, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Large White, 2 Small Tortoiseshell".

August 2015

31 August.  Graham Beckwith visited Cragside near Rothbury and reports: ": A search around the Lady's Walk and the Formal Gardens saw the following all on Buddleia - 34 Red Admiral, 21 Peacock, 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 6 Large White, 5 Green-veined White".

30 August.  Dave Brown reported more butterfly action on his Buddliea in Etherley Moor: "A Painted Lady and a Red Admiral were on the same Buddliea today.  Also Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, 5+ Peacock & Large White".

Steve Reid also reported a sighting of a Painted Lady on Buddliea in his garden in Low Fell - "the only one I have seen this year".

Graham Beckwith found 7 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large White, 2 Peacock feeding on Buddleia next to the tourist information office at Craster.

29 August.  Dave Brown reports from Etherley Moor: "Very poor year for butterflies in our Etherley Moor garden this year.  Today was arguably the best with 4 Peacock, 1 Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 1 Wall, 2 Small White, 2 Large White and 1 Green-veined White on Buddleiea throughout the day".

Graham Beckwith reports fro Rothbury: "Along the east riverside towards Thrum Mill I noted my first 3 Painted Lady seen in the region this year, 8 Red Admiral, 7 Peacock, 1 Small Copper, 7 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Large White, 3 Small White, 6 Green-veined White".

28 August.  Graham Beckwith reports from Whitton Glebe, Rothbury "1 Wall Brown clinging to the wind-break around caravan decking.  First I've seen since late spring".

25 August.  Angie Preston reported a Holly Blue seen in her garden in Forest Hall.  The butterfly was observed throughout the day feeding on Sedum.

23 August.  Steve Austin recorded the following in Russel Wood, Newbottle: 1 Small Skipper, 4 Wall, 1 Small Copper, 4 Peacock, 2 Meadow Brown, 2 Green Veined White, 1 Small White, 1 Painted Lady, 9 Speckled Wood amd 2 Comma.  The Small Copper and the Painted Lady were his first records or either species for 2015.

Grahma Beckwith visited Wingate Quarry where he recorded 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Large White, 5 Small Heath, 2 Peacock.

19 August.  Dave Liddle reports: "Despite foul weather Dark Green Fritillaries are still to be seen on the Waskerley Way.  The only butterfly having a reasonable year up here in the sticks".

17 August.  Graham Beckwith found 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 8 Meadow Brown, 7 Purple Hairstreak at Aykley Wood, Durham.

13 August.  Steve Austin recorded 3 Small Skipper, 2 Green Veined White, 17 Meadow Brown, 1 Common Blue, 5 Speckled Wood, 3 Comma and a single Ringlet at Russel Wood, Newbottle.

12 August . Graham Beckwith recorded a single Peacock in Durham City and then in Aykley Wood 1 Ringlet, 2 Comma, 5 Meadow Brown, 3 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Peacock.

9 August.  Steve Austin visited Nose point and Blast Beach - Seaham and recorded: 9 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Skipper, 4 Small Heath, 1 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Green Veined White and 1 Small Tortoiseshell.

6 August.  Steve Austin counted 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 11 Small Heath, 9 Common Blue, 9 Marbled White, 7 Meadow Brown, 1 Large White, 1 Green Veined White and 1 Small Skipper at Wingate Quarry.

5 August.  Graham Beckwith observed a sigle Comma at Sniperley Park, Durham.  Later the same day he visited Aykely Wood, Durham and recorded 3 Ringlet, 9 Meadow Brown, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Green-veined White, 4 Small Skipper, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma.

4 August.  Ian Waller reported an update on the status of Essex Skipper in the region.  He and Mike Hunter have been checking suitable habitat across the Teesmouth area and have now confirmed the presence of the species in 27 separate 1 km squares, indicating that the species is already well established.

1 August.  Ron Henderson kicked off the new month with a sighting of a fresh Wall Brown at Portrack Marsh.

Steve Austin went to Russell Woods and saw 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Comma, 10 Meadow Brown, 9 Ringlet, 2 Speckled Woods, 1 Large White and one Small Skipper.

July 2015

30 July.  Steve Austin found 3 Purple Hairstreak on oak by a small picnic site next to A690 near Durham.

Graham Beckwith recorded 1 Small Skipper, 4 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet, 5 Purple Hairstreak at Aykley Wood, Durham.

26 July.  Julia Meldrum reported both Purple Hairstreak and White-letter Hairstreak on the wing in her woodland near Ulgham.

23 July.  Michael Coates visited Cambois and recorded about 10 Grayling in a small area about the size of a tennis court.

Malcolm Hutcheson sent the following report: "Cocklawburn dunes;(NU04I) Common Blue 18, Small Skipper7, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Meadow Brown 53, Ringlet 39, Grayling 1( 1st here in 5 years) and several 5-spot & 6 spot Burnet Moths.  Particularly pleasing is to find a small colony of Small Skipper established in the dunes here.

22 July.  Aykley Wood, Durham: Graham Beckwith undertook a quick check on the known oaks for Purple Hairstreak and was rewarded with the first 2 of the season which finally appeared as the sun shone briefly through the thick clouds.  Also recorded singletons of Ringlet and Small Skipper.

Michael Wilcox reported the region's first ever record of the Essex Skipper at Cowpen Marsh, Teesmouth.

21 July. Graham Beckwith reports: "A walk among the dunes at Low Hauxley in some rare warm and sunny (but windy) conditions saw vastly increased numbers than recent weeks: 97 Ringlet, 71 Meadow Brown, 12 Common Blue (all male), 41 Small Skipper, 2 Small Heath, 3 Small Tortoiseshell.  Moth species: 13 Burnet moths (exact species not known), 3 Latticed Heath, 4 Yellow Shell, 3 Shaded Broad-bar, 1 Silver Y, 1 Common Carpet and a count among a few small sections of the Ragwort 'forest' of 142 Cinnabar moth larvae.  The highlight here was an unusual sight of a Ringlet fly up and launched an obvious attack on a hunting large Chaser Dragonfly that I was watching.  Incredibly the Dragonfly flew off and I never saw it again.

20 July.  Graham Beckwith reports: "A walk along the dunes at Newtonsteads and back along the beach in deteriorating weather culminating in driving rain still gave me the following: 5 Ringlet, 2 Meadow Brown.  Also the following moths: Tens of Burnet moths clinging to all manner of vegetation and nectaring on Thistles and Willowherb and 1 worn and faded Garden Tiger moth lying on the beach.

19 July.  Graham Beckwith recorded the following atRothbury (Riverside West): 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Meadow Brown, 12 Ringlet, 1 Green-veined White and then at Whitton Glebe, Rothbury he recorded two Red Admirals flying through the caravan site.

17 July.  Ronald Henderson reports from Lambton Village: "White Letter Hairstreak in garden on Hydrangea today. This is the third year running for the garden suggesting they are resident in the immediate vicinity".

16 July.  Graham Beckwith counted 1 Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Wood, 19 Ringlet, 7 Meadow Brown during his walk home via Aykley Heads.  He also visited the A1 roundabout

Malcolm Hutcheson reports: Little Beach,Berwick;(NU05B) Painted Lady 1 (Ragged specimen), Meadow Brown 3, Ringlet 8.

15 July.  Mike Coates observed 3 White-letter Hairstreaks at Bywell Bridge.

Michael Eccles reported Meadow Browns, Ringlet, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Large White, SmallSkipper, Large Skipper and 3 White Letter Hairstreak seen flying a Winlaton Mill.

14 July.  Mike Coates reported 10 Grayling seen in one small corner of Cambois site this afternoon in quick 15 minute visit.

12 July.  Graham Beckwith, Stephen Lowther and Steve Austin counted 5 Ringlet, 2 Meadow Brown, 4 White-letter Hairstreak, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Small Skipper at the A1 roundabout, Chester-le-Street.

11 July.  David Atkinson reported the impressive record of a Grayling seen sunning itself in the vicarage garden in Dunston, Gateshead.

Stephen Willis reports: "Marbled Whites scattered over Wingate Quarry yesterday and lots of Common Blues.  Also, Hummingbird Hawkmoth in garden in Durham today."

10 July.  Ronald Henderson reports: "An abundance of butterflies today, 10th July at Wingate Quarry.  Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Marbled White, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Skipper and one Dark Green Fritillary.

Vikki Leonard reported a Hummingbird Hawk-moth seen hovering around Valerian and Everlasting Cornflowers in her garden in Ponteland.

9 July.  Steve Austin sent the following report: "Went to Russell woods and found the following 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 68 Ringlets, 22 Meadow Brown, 5 Small Skippers,5 Common Blue, 2 Small Heath, 5 Speckled Woods.  Next I went to Wingate and saw the following 34 Ringlets, 11 Marbled White, 17 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Skipper, 10 Small Heath, and 11 Common Blues.  With a bit of time to spare I went to the A1 roundabout at Chester Le Street it was not as wild as last year but I think they have done a good job after the major disturbance and was pleased to see 2 Small Skipper, 1 Meadow Brown, 4 Ringlet, 1 Small Tort and 2 White Letter Hairstreak.

5 July.  At a site near Rothbury Graham Beckwith searched for Large Heath but found none.  He did count 3 Small Heath, 1 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 2 Meadow Brown.  Also tens of Red-necked Footman moths flying around the conifers of the nearby plantation, 2 Fox Moth and 1 Beautiful Yellow Underwing.  On the same day at Debdon Plantation he recorded 34 Ringlet, 3 Meadow Brown, 16 Small Pear-bordered Fritillary, 1 Large White, 3 Green-veined White.

4 July.  Stephen Lowther reports "Despite the overcast weather, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Large and Small Skippers, Small White, Six-spot Burnet, Yellow Shell all on the wing along Greatham Creek and the Long Drag this morning.  Also saw my first Grayling x10 of the year and what I believe to be a Hummingbird Hawk-moth".

3 July.  Steve Austin visited Wingate Quarry and recorded 15 Ringlet, 12 Meadow Brown,1 Marbled White, 9 Small Heath, 12 Common Blue,1 Speckled Wood and 1 Small Skipper.

2 July.  Tim Nelson recorded a Grayling at Dormans Pool, Teesside.

Malcolm Hutcheson reports: Borewell Wood, Scremerston(NU04E) Peacock 1, Speckled Wood (new tetrad for latter).

1 July.  Dick Gilhespy saw up to ten Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Sweethope Lough.

Graham Beckwith and Stephen Lowther visited Thrislington Grassland and recorded 1 Small Skipper, 6 Large Skipper, 56 Northern Brown Argus, 71 Ringlet, 29 Meadow Brown, 4 Small Heath, 2 Speckled Wood, 22 Common Blue and the followig day-flying moths 2 Straw Dot, 5 Chimney Sweeper, 1 6-Spot Burnet, 1 Yellow Shell.

Ronald Henderson saw Humming Bird Hawkmoth, Large Skipper and Red Admiral in the garden in Lambton Village.  He also went to Bishop Middleham Quarry and recorded Ringlets, Meadow Browns, 1 Large Skipper and 2 Dingy Skippers.

June 2015

30 June.  Michael Eccles reports from Kibblesworth: "Today, Small Skipper x2, Large Skipper x1, Common Blue x3, Small Tortoiseshell x1. Double figures of Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Small Heath."

Graham Beckwith visited Chester-le-Street (A1 Roundabout)and saw 1 Ringlet, 1 Meadow Brown.  He also went to Belmont (Car park on A690 east-bound slip road) and recorded 6 Ringlet, 2 Small Tortoiseshell.

Ronald Henderson reports "30. June: Castle Eden Dene Mouth, Large White, Common Blue, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Small Skipper and 6, Castle Eden Arguses.  30. June: Wingate Quarry.  Desolate.  Only a few Common Blue and Ringlets.  No Marbled Whites yet".

29 June.  Ian Kerr reported seven Dark Green Fritillary in dunes at north end of Straight Lonnen.  Condtions were windy which may have inhibited others.  One Painted Lady was at Emmanuel Head.

28 June.  Den Gregson reported 6 Common Blue, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Small Heath, 5 Large Skipper and 24 Meadow Brown at the Woodland Trust site between Spennymoor and Ferryhill.

27 June.  Steve Austin reports 7 Small Skipper, 7 Speckled Wood, 5 Common Blue, 10 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small Heath, 7 Ringlet and 2 Large Skippers seen in Russell Woods.

Ronld Henderson counted 1 Common Blue and 4 Ringlets on waste ground on the industrial estate next to Lambton Village

26 June.  Tim Nelson recorded Meadow Brown and "a nice Painted Lady" at Coatham Wood.

25 June.  Ronald Henderson added Meadow Brown and Ringlet to the list of species recorded in 2015 with 6 Meadow Brown and 10 Ringet seen at the Bowes Valley Nature Reserve.  He also saw 1 Large Skipper, 10 Common Blues and several Small Heaths.

Jonathan Wallace observed 2 Large Skipper on waste ground in West Chirton Industrial Estate, N Tyneside.

22 June.  Steve Austin observed a fresh Speckled Wood in his garden.

18 June.  Martyn Johnson reported a "pale and tattered" Painted Lady that settled briefly in his garden in Prudhoe.

12 June.  Graham Beckwith recorded a single Orange-tip at Whitton Glebe, Rothbury and 2 Green-veined White and a single Orange-tip at Simonside.

11 June.  Steve Austin reported the following from Bishop Middleham - Common Blue 7, NBA 5, Dingy Skipper 6, Orange Tip 1, Small Heath 1, Wall 4.  He then went to Wingate to find Large Skipper 1, Peaock 1, Dingy Skipper 2, Large White 1, Common Blue 1, Orange Tip 1, Speckled Wood 1.

Graham Beckwith visited Debdon Plantation, Rothbury and counted 57 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 1 Small Heath, 1 Peacock.

9 June.  Michael Eccles reported the following from Far Pasture, Gateshead: Peacock very worn x3. Small Tortoiseshell x1 very worn. Small Tortoiseshell x1 Newly emerged Small Copper x2 Orange Tip (M)&(F).

Graham Beckwith reported the following from Bishop Middleham Quarry: 3 Northern Brown Argus; 4 Small Heath; 2 Wall Brown; 7 Common Blue; 18 Dingy Skipper.

8 June.  Graeme Baker saw two pristine Northern Brown Argus at Bishop Middleham Quarry.

7 June.  Graham Beckwith visited Debdon Plantation and counted: 5 Green-veined White and 4 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

Ian Kerr found three Painted Ladies sheltering from strong westerly winds behind the white navigation pyramid at Emmanuel Head.  They looked rather faded and worn specimens which may have recently arrived.

6 June.  Dave Liddle reports that Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary has "made an appearance" in the Browney valley.

5 June.  Graham Beckwith reported 1 Green-veined White, 1 Wall Brown, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Speckled Wood at Aykley Lane, Durham.

May 2015

30 May.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from sites near Rothbury: Debdon Plantation: 4 Small Copper; 18 Green-veined White.  Rothbury, Hillside east: 2 Green Hairstreak.  Rothbury, Ship Crag (Hillside west): 1 Green Hairstreak; 2 Small Copper.

MAy 26.  Malcolm Hutcheson reports 1 & Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

21 May.  Graham Beckwith reported: Whitton Glebe, Rothbury: 1 Small Tortoiseshell; 3 Green-veined White.  Debdon Plantation: 3 Small Copper; 1 Orange Tip (female); 3 Small Tortoiseshell; 15 Green-veined White; 1 Peacock.

21 May.  Graham Beckwith and Stephen Lowther saw 7 Dingy Skipper at Wingate Quarry.

20 May.  Steve Austin went to Russell Woods where he found 3 Orange Tips all male, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Comma and 1 peacock.

Graham Beckwith saw a single Peacock at Sniperley Park.  He also visited Running Waters Quarry, Nr Durham where h saw 1 Peacock and 2 Dingy Skipper.  In cool conditions with thick cloud, the Skippers were clinging tightly to dead Knapweed flower heads with their wings wrapped firmly around the heads.

17 May.  Phil Eastlake reported a sighting of Speckled Wood in Swarland Woods, Northumberland.

15 May.  Steve Austin went to Russell Woods where he found 8 Small Tortoishell, 8 Small Whites, 7 Peacock and 3 Speckled Woods.

10 May.  Graham Beckwith found a single Green Hairstreak at Ship Crag, Rothbury after a couple of hours of searching.

8 May.  Steve Austin went to Russell Woods where he found 3 Small Tortoishell, 7 Small Whites, 4 Peacock, 2 Comma, 2 Green-veined White and 4 Speckled Woods.

4 May.  John Richards reported 2 Green Hairstreaks seen at Dipton Woods near Corbridge.  On the same day he also observed 2 Speckled Wood in a garden in Hexham.

Malcolm Hutcheson reports: A walk on the banks of the Tweed at Chain Bridge, Horncliffe (NT95G): Small White1, Orange-tip 4, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 2, and Speckled Wood 3.

Graham Beckwith visited Low Hauxley where the reserve was closed but he saw 5 Peacock; 4 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Green-veined White; 2 Small White; 1 Large White; 2 Orange Tip and the villae and then, amongst dunes - 2 Peacock; 1 Small Tortoiseshell.

April 2015

27 April.  Ronald Henderson reported the following from Waldridge Fell: several Peacocks,one Large White, 3 Orange Tips and 2 Green Hairstreaks.

Graham Beckwith recorded singles of speckled Wood, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell in Herrinton Park, Penshaw.

26 April.  Steve Austin counted a single Orange-tip, 4 Speckled Wood and a Small Tortoiseshell in Russell Woods.

Graham Beckwith reported a single Green Hairstreak from a hillside near Rothbury.

23 April.  Mike Coates saw a Common Blue at Backworth.

David Stebbings recorded Green Hairstreak at Greenleighton Moss, Northumberland and also saw Emperor Moth and a Dark Tussock caterpillar.

22 April.  Mike Coates spotted a Holly Blue in Northumberland Park, North Shields.

20 April.  Graham Beckwith and Stephen Lowther visited Hedleyhope Fell in the hope of finding Green Hairstreaks but found only 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock.

Mike Coates recorded a Speckled Wood in Northumberland Park, North Shields.

19 April.  Graham Beckwith recorded asolitary Green Hairstreak, 1 Common Heath moth and 3 Small Tortoiseshell near Rothbury.

15 April.  Alan Davis saw singles of Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White in his garden garden in South Gosforth.

14 April.  Graham Beckwith headed for a search of the known Green Hairstreak sites near Rothbury but saw only 8 Small Tortoiseshell; 5 Peacock; 1 Common Heath moth

8 April.  Steve Austin reported 8 Small Tortoiseshell in his garden and a further 15 Small Tortosieshell and 2 Peacock in Russell Woods.

Nick Megoran saw 14 small tortoiseshells at Broadway west fields, Gosforth.

Graham Beckwith saw a Red Admiral at Sniperley Park.

7 April.  Graham Beckwith counted 26 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma and 5 Peacock in Rothbury.

Mike Coates recorded 2 Comma, 21 Small Tortoiseshell and 7 Peacock at Briardene, Whitley Bay.

6 April.  Graham Beckwith reported 20 Small Tortoiseshell; 10 Peacock; 3 Comma and 1 Green-veined White at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park and then 14 Peacock; 4 Small Tortoiseshell at Wingate Quarry.

5 April.  1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Peacocks seen near Castle Lake hide at Bishop Middleham by Graham Lonsdale.

Gemma Vance reported 3 Commas, 4 Peacock and 4 Small Tortoiseshell in Monkseaton.

Steve Austin counted 25 Small Tortoiseshells, 20 Peacocks and a single Comma in Russell Woods.
Graham Beckwith counted a total of 5 Peacock and 6 Small Tortoiseshell in Rothbury.

Mike Coates observed a Small White in Northumberland Park, North Shields.

2 April.  2 Small Totoiseshell reported by Steve Austin in Russell Woods.

March 2015

24 March.  Gemma Vance saw a Small Tortoiseshell resting on plants in Murton village, North Tyneside .

22 March.  Ronald Henderson recorded 1 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell in Lambton.

10 March.  Sid Gibson recorded 2 Peacock at Station Burn Boldon .

1 March.  Dave Wainwright recorded a Small Tortoiseshell at the mouth of Hawthorn Dene .

February 2015

9 February.  Peacock observed by Brin Pollinger in Milkwellburn Wood .

8 February.  Peacock observed by Stanley Straughan in Ashington Community Wood.

2014

October 2014

20 October.  Terry Pawson reported 5 Red Admiral, 3 Speckled Wood and 2 Comma all in sight at the same time on flowers (mostly on the Verbena Bonariensis) in his garden in Adderstone, North Northumbrland.

17 October.  Dave Liddle reports: "Volunteers from the Heart of Durham project today 17th oct had 7 red admirals and 1 speckled wood on view as they worked at Burnhill nature reserve".

Steve Austin reported a pristine looking Small Tortoiseshell in Russell Woods and a Comma at Rainton Meadows.

12 October.  Steve Austin took a quick look in Russell Wood and found the Michaelmas Dasies are still flowering and he saw 2 Comma and 2 Speckled Wood in a very short visit.

10 October.  Dave Liddle reports: "Sunny but cold morning called, at Chapmans Well nature reserve ,1 Red Admiral ,and an amazing number of Speckled wood , 25 plus ,a wonderful little butterfly thats taken to the area with great enthusiasm , A few seasons ago that would have been a barren walk."

2 October.  Steve Austin took trip through Russell Woods and saw just the three species with 5 comma's, 2 Red Admiral and 11 Speckled Wood.

September 2014

27 September.  Steve Austin reports "just been down to Russell Woods 27 / 9 and had an excellent time.  The bank of michaelmas daises had 8 Commas - 1 Peacock - 2 Red Admiral and 1 Speckled Wood. With a further 2 Commas and 23 Speckled Wood along the pathways".

Ian Kerr recorded three Speckled Woods on Holy Island where they are still very scarce.  Singles were at the Lough, in the Straight Lonnen and in a village garden suggesting a small influx from the mainland.

26 September.  Gemma Vance observed 1 Speckled Wood,1 Red Admiral and 1 Small tortoiseshell in her garden in Monkseaton.

Ronald Henderson saw a Speckled Wood in his garden in Lambton Village.

12 September.  Jonathan Wallace counted 9 Speckled wood in 'the Quarry' at Cowgate, Newcastle.

10 September.  Steve Austin spent several hours in Russell Woods in fine weather and recorded Small White 1, Speckled Wood 46, Small Copper 2, Small Tort 2, Common Blue 1, and Peacock 1.

5 September.  Jenny wigston and Andy Inman saw a Speckled Wood in a garden in Fenham, Newcastle.

4 September.  Steve Austin visited Wingate Quarry where he saw 6 wall browns, 2 Peacock and 6 Small Heath as well as his first Painted Lady of the year.  He also had a fleeting glimpse of what he was sure was a vaery late Marbled White (latest official record in our region is 26 August)but did not manage to refind it in order to get a photo.

David Lacey found some second brood Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars, freshly hatched and still in a web at Low Newton Nature Reserve.

3 September.  Elaine Carter reported the first ever speckled wood in her garden in Consett this morning, along with 2 comma, 5 peacock, 3 small tortoiseshell.

2 September.  Ronald Henderson visited Bishop Middleham Quarry where he counted 10 Common Blue (all males), 12 Wall Brown and 1 Red Admiral.  He also visited Wingate Quarry where he saw 2 Wall Brown, 2 Speckled Wood, 6 Common Blue (all males),1 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 8 Small Heath.

August 2014

31 August.  Den Gregson reported "a worn and weary looking Purple Hairstreak" in a Chester-le-Street garden.

28 August.  Graham Beckwith visited the DLI Museum, Durham where he saw 4 Purple Hairstreak - all on the large oak behind the waste area behind the museum; 2 Speckled Wood along footpath behind the museum.  He also visited Aykley Heads where he saw 2 Speckled Wood.

27 August.  Graham Beckwith reported 7 Speckled Wood - all in and around 3 sheltered trees beside new Police HQ at Aykley Heads, Durham.

26 August.  Steve Austin decided the weather was too nice to be indoors decorating so he abandoned his brushes and wallpaper paste and headed off to Russell Woods where he saw Speckled Wood x 16, Small White x 2, Wall x 9, Peacock x 2. 1 Meadow Brown looking very tatty. 1 Small Copper and 2 Red Admiral.

Graham Beckwith sent the following report from Cragside, Northumberland: On Buddleia near shop - 6 Red Admiral; 15 Peacock; 2 Comma; 2 Small Copper (1 near shop, 1 beside lake). In formal garden - 29 Peacock; 12 Red Admiral; 2 Small Tortoiseshell; 2 Comma; 4 Green-veined White; 2 Small White.

25 August.  Graham Beckwith spent an hour exploring the dunes at Newton Steads, Northumberland, finding 7 Wall Brown but no other butterflies.

24 August.  Graham Beckwith visited Coe Crags Woods near Rothbury where he saw 9 Red Admiral; 1 Small Copper; 14 Peacock.  He also observed four Chevron moths.

22 August.  Ron Henderson reported 6 Common Blues, 12 Wall Browns, 3 Small Heaths, 12 Peacocks, 1 Red Admiral, counted during a two hour visit to Bishop Middleham Quarry.

17 August.  Graham Beckwith reported 38 Red Admiral - 32 in walled garden, 6 basking beside lake at Wallington Hall.  In the walled garden he also counted: 6 Green-veined White; 4 Small White; 3 Large White; 11 Peacock.

9 August.  Graham Beckwith visited Cragside, Rothbury and saw 6 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large White (all on Buddleia), 42 Peacock (vast majority on Buddleia), 3 Green-veined White, 1 Small White and 1 Small Copper.

7 August.  Graham Beckwith reports: DLI Museum, Durham: 3 Peacock; 1 Small Tortoiseshell; 2 Comma; 8 Purple Hairstreak - all in the wasteland behind the museum used for a dump for plant cuttings with the Hairstreaks on a large oak behind the area; 11 Green-veined White; 1 Small White.

5 August.  Steve Austin reports that the buddleia bush in the Asda car-park at Boldon was full of life with 12 Peacocks, 5 Red Admirals a single Comma and a single Small Tortoiseshell.  In the afternoon he visited Russell Woods where he found Meadow Brown 15, Peacock 8, Wall 8, Ringlet 2, Small Skipper 7, a Single Green Veined White and 10 Speckled Woods.

Graham Beckwith reported the following: DLI Museum, Durham: 1 Comma; Aykley Heads, Durham: 32 Green-veined White; 5 Small Tortoiseshell; 3 Peacock; 1 Speckled Wood; 3 Wall Brown.

4 August.  John Richards reports "Wark Forest NY7572.  Power line ride on formerly good quality blanket mire: Large Heath 1".

July 2014

31 July.  Graham Beckwith visted Wallington Hall, Northumberland where he saw 13 Small Tortoiseshell; 11 Red Admiral; 2 Comma; 23 Green-veined White; 2 Small White; 3 Large White; 7 Peacock.

25 July.  Ronald Henderson visited Kibblesworth Nature Reserve where he saw Large White, Small White, Green Veined White, Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Grayling, Speckled Wood, Common Blue and 8 Purple Hairstreak flitting about a single lone standing oak tree.

Michael Coates reported 4 Purple Hairstreak seen at Hoppers Wood, Durham.  He also saw 5 Wall, 3 Peacock, 12 Small Skippers and 100s of Meadow Browns on a field near Holywell Dene.

24 July.  Michael Eccles reported two Dark Green Fritillary seen at Tunstall Reservoir.

Michael Coates reported 3 White-letter Hairstreak seen at Mitford, near Morpeth.

23 July.  Michael Eccles saw 25+ Small Tortoiseshells on Common and Marsh Thistle at Muggleswick today and commented "haven't seen so many together for many years".

22 July.  John Bridges recorded a male Northern Brown Argus at Horden Beach.

21 July.  Mike Coates reported 150-170 Small Tortoiseshells on thistles on slope beside Knotts Flats, Tynemouith plus numerous Meadow Browns and 12 Small Skippers.  On the same day he counted 1 Comma and 6 Small Skippers at Northumberland Park, North Shields.

20 July.  John Richards visited Druridge Bay where he recorded 2 Dark Green Fritillary, 5 Small Heath, 15+ Common Blue and 15+ Small Skipper.

Michael Coates counted 18 Speckled Woods on one tree in sunlight in Holywell Dene.

17 July.  Steve Austin visited the A1 roundabout at Chester-le-street and saw 2 lovely Commas in pristine condition and 5 or 6 Meadow Browns a few Whites and just the 1 White-letter Hairstreak.

Darren Archer reported 2 White-letter Hairstreaks at Causey Arch at about 6pm, one of them nectaring on hogweed on the south end of the arch.

14 July.  Ian Kerr had the following along 1km of tracks through clearfell and young plantations at Fourlaws Forest: Ringlet 39, Small Heath, 12, Meadow Brown 4, Common Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary 1.  The area is about 1.5kn NE of regular well-known fritillary site near Sweethope but Small Pearl-bordered have been recorded there in recent summers.

12 July.  John Richards sent the following report from Coatley (NY902659) "White-letter Hairstreak 10-12, photographed.  Note, 4 were persistently on a large oak, for at least 30 minutes. Over this time the identity of each was carefully observed.  Suggest records of Purple Hairstreak in this area have to involve a good view!"

Allan Rodda visited Bishop Middleham Quarry where he saw at least 11 Northern Brown Argus, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Large White, Green Veined White Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral.

10 July.  John Richards counted the following at Stidhill (NY917855): Dark-green Fritillary two males, Small Skipper 10, Small Heath 12, Ringlet 60+.

9 July.  John Richards reported the following from Muckle Moss, Northumberland (NY7966): Large Heath 3,Small Heath 15+, Ringlet 30+.

Ken Dawson reported 3 White-letter Hairstreak seen by railway cycle-track, between iron bridge and Hagg Bank.

Mike Cotes reported 35 Grayling counted at Cambois.

7 July.  Ken Dawson saw two White-letter Hirstreak at Riding Mill about 1/4 mile from the station, along the riverside public footpath to Corbridge

6 July.  Graham Beckwith and Stephen Lowther saw 9 White-letter Hairstreak at the Chester-le-Street roundabout of the A1 on elms and nectaring on the thistles beneath them.

Den Gregson reported Comma, Large white, Small white, Green veined white, Ringlet, Large Skipper and hundreds of Peacock larvae on nettle beds at the Ouseburn Farm Orchard, Newcastle.

5 July.  Ronald Henderson visited Bishop Middleham Quarry where he saw Wall Brown, Commmon Blue, Northern Brown Argus, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Large White. "Plenty of them around".  Then in his garden at Lambton, Washington he saw a freshly emerged White Letter Hairstreak resting on the flower head of a foxglove.

Paul Hewitt reported two Large Heath seen on Greenleighton Moor, Northumberland.

Graham Beckwith visited the cemetery in Gilesgate, Durham where he counted 7 Ringlet; 1 Speckled Wood; 1 Red Admiral.  He then visited the small car park on the Belmont sliproad (east-bound along the A690) and saw a single White-letter Hairstreak on one of the elm trees beside the path that runs parallel to the A690. There were also 9 Ringlet seen in and around the car park.

Ian Kerr sent the following report: " After a morning of steady rain the skies cleared and it became very warm on Holy Island, prompting a response within minutes from butterflies.  Ian Kerr checked the dunes on the eastern half of the island and found: 91 Ringlet, 54 Dark green Fritillary, 21 Meadow Brown and 13 Common Blue.  The count included Ian's regular 500m section between the N end of the Straight Lonnen and the old wagonway where the totals were: 24 Ringlet, 23 DG Frit, 10 Meadow Browns and 1 Common Blue.

3 July  Steve Austin counted Small Skipper x 2, Meadow Brown x 26. Ringlet x 13, Marbled White x 8, Red Admiral x 1, Speckled Wood x 2, Small Heath x 4 and a Single White Letter Hairstreak at Wingate Quarry.

1 July.  Ronald Henderson reported Ringlet and Speckled Wood in his garden in Washington.

Mike Coates reported 15 Common Blues seen at Fenwick Pit, Earsdon.

June 2014

30 June.  Graeme Baker reported the following from Wingate Quarry: 11 Marbled White, 1 Red Admiral, 8 Small Heath,1 Common Blue and numerous Ringlets and Meadow Browns.

28 June.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from Wingate Quarry:4 Marbled White - these were on the bankside running parallel to the first footpath on the left but none seen elsewhere in the time I spent there; 146 Ringlet; 67 Meadow Brown; 1 Small White; 34 Common Blue - again only 1 female seen, so from my sightings up to now the males far outnumber females this year; 1 Dingy Skipper; 11 Small Heath; 2 Small Skipper and 5 Large Skipper.

25 June.  Ken Dawson walked for half an hour at Druridge Pools and recorded Large Skipper 9, Common Blue 1, Red Admiral 1,Dark Green Fritillary 1,Speckled Wood 2,Meadow Brown 21 and Ringlet 22.

23 June.  Derek Charlton recorded 5 Northern Brown Argus at Pittington Hills.  He also recorded Painted Lady at White Hills, Elemore Woods.

Ian Kerr checked his usual Holy Island patch along the 500m dune-edge track from north end of Straight Lonnen to old wagonway and found 4 Ringlet, 3 Dark Green Fritillary and a single male Common Blue.  All three fritillaries were attracted to white clover.  40c Burnet moths were also along the stretch.

21 June.  Stephen Lowther report a first Grayling and a first Small Skipper of the year at Greatham Creek near Hartlepool.

Graham Beckwith reported from Bishop Middleham Quarry: 28 Northern Brown Argus 28, a single, pristine male Orange Tip, 16 Speckled Wood, 19 Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, 33 Ringlet; 9 Meadow Brown; 14 Small Heath and 2 Green-veined White.

20 June.  Graham Beckwith visited Aykley Wood where he saw 11 Large Skipper, 2 Speckled Wood and 2 remarkably early Purple Hairstreak in the usual oaks on edge of Hopper Wood (previous earliest record for the region = 4 July).  Also 1 Ringlet and 1 Meadow Brown.

18 June.  Steve Austin visited Russell Woods near Newbottle where he saw a Brimstone.  He also counted Speckled Wood x 7, Large Skipper x 12, Ringlet x 7, Meadow Brown x 14, Small Heath x 1.

Stephen Lowther sent the following report: "A good evening's butterfly watching this evening: Meadow Brown x 9, Small Heath x 4, Common Blue x 9 and Large Skipper x 4 at Wingate Quarry.  Followed by: Speckled Wood x 4, Green-veined White x 3, Meadow Brown x 11, Small Heath x 2, Large Skipper x 7, Common Blue x 10, Ringlet x 2 and Northern Brown Argus x 21 at Thrislington Plantation".

Mick Burton recorded a Clouded Yellow at Rainton Meadows.

Graham Beckwith reported the following: Witton Glebe, Rothbury: 1 Small White, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Green-veined White.  Locations near Rothbury: 1 Large Heath, 2 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary,17 Green-veined White, 29 Small Heathan 1 Meadow Brown.  Debdon Plantation: 53 Small Pear-bordered Fritillary; 1 Large Skipper; 1 Ringlet; 3 Green-veined White.

17 June.  Graham Beckwith saw 1 Large Skipper and 1 Meadow Brown at Cragside, Northumberland.

16 June.  Steve Austin saw Speckled Wood in his garden in Newbottle, Durham.

Graham Beckwith visited Low Hauxley where a look through the dunes resulted in 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady nectaring on thistles, 9 Large Skipper and 1 Wall Brown.  Then in the Nature Reserve car park - 2 Large Skipper and 19 Common Blue.

14 June.  Graham Beckwith reported a single Red dmiral nectaring on Red Valerian at Rothbury.

13 June.  Visiting from Yorkshire, Allan Rodda and Jackie Holder had a good 'haul' at Bishop Middleham Quarry where they recorded 30+ Northern Brown Argus, 20+ Large Skipper,6 Dingy Skipper, 12 Common Blue, 4 Wall Brown, 1 Meadow Brown,3 G V White, 1 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral,6 Small Heath and good numbers of Cinnabar Moth.  Sadly they were also struck by the large amount of dog excrement at this site.

12 June.  Carol Stamp reported a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in her garden at Bardon Mill.  Another charismatic migrant to follow the previous day's Clouded Yellow at Weetslade! 

11 June.  Alan Davis and Paul Tankard were walking their transect at Weetslade country Park and were pleased to record a Clouded Yellow.  They also reported their first sightings of the year of Common Blue and Large Skipper.

Graham Beckwith had an excellent count of 58 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Debdon Plantation.  He also saw a single Orange-tip and 2 Green-veined White.

10 June.  Mike Coates sent the following report "5 Holly Blues today in Northumberland Park, North Shields on one of the few Holly Trees I can view as the majority of the park is closed for regeneration work.  Then 1 Common Blue at Fenwick Pit near Earsdon this afternoon".

9 June.  Graham Beckwith reported singles of Small White; Peacock; Speckled Wood and Green-veined White at sniperley Park.

8 June.  Graeme Baker reported 5 Northern Brown Argus seen at ishop Middleham Quarry.  He also recorded 2 x Large Skippers,3 x Wall Brown, 4 x Common Blue and numerous Dingy Skippers.

5 June.  Stephen Lowther reported: Thrislington Plantation: Silver-ground Carpet, Common Carpet and Nettle-tap moths seen.  Bishop Middleham Quarry: Speckled Wood x1, Common Blue x2 and Wall Brown x3.  Also, Silver-ground Carpet, Cinnabar and Small Purple-barred moths seen.

3 June.  Dave Liddle reported the first Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary on the wing in Durham.

Stephen Lowther reported: Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park: Peacock x2, Orange Tip x1, Wall x1, Large Skipper (Male) x1, Small White x1, Green-veined White x1 and Speckled Wood x8.  Also, Silver-ground Carpet moths seen.

2 June.  Stephen Lowther reported: Wingate Quarry: Red Admiral x1, Speckled Wood x1, Dingy Skipper x1, Common Blue x1 and Peacock x1.  Also, Silver-ground Carpet moths seen.  Low Burnhall: Wall x1.

1 June.  Graham Beckwith reported good numbers of Green-veined White at Debdon Plantation near Rothbury.  He also searched a roadside site on the A697 between Longframlington and the crossroads for the B6341 and saw: 1 Red Admiral, 2 Orange Tip (1 male and 1 female), 1 Small White and a further 14 Green-veined White.

Stephen Lowther reported: Littlewood LNR: Wall x3, Orange Tip x4, Dingy Skipper x4, Peacock x1.  Also, Silver-ground Carpet and Mother Shipton moths.  Low Barns: Orange Tip x1, Peacock x1.

May 2014

31 May.  Stephen Egglestone reports "1 Painted Lady in Whitburn coastal park late afternoon today.  Jackies beach- 6 Dingy skippers, 7 Small heaths of note"

On Holy Island Ian Kerr found one Painted Lady near the watchtower on the Heugh.  Three Wall Browns were in the same area and In the Straight Lonnen 12 Red Admirals were attracted to hawthorn blossom along a 100m stretch near St Coomb's Farm.  Regular areas were searched for any very early Dark Green Frits but none were found.

30 May.  Dick Gilhespy reported from Newburn: "two Small Heath and one Large Skipper. Many Orange Tip and three Wall Brown".

26 May.  Ken Dawson went for a walk at the Spetchells and reported "...I saw Dingy Skippers (4) at about 08:30. I think there will be more out, around noon.  I also found Wall Browns, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White".

Den Gregson sent the following report: "Walk around the new Woodland Trust site between Ferryhilll and Spennymoor on 26th May produced the following counts Wall Brown x 7 Small Copper x 5 Orange Tip x 2 (male and female) Speckled Wood x 1 Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Green Veined White x 8 Large White x 5 Small White x 10".

Stephen egglestone reported from Colliery Wood, Boldon:"10 Dingy skippers on the wing, two at a new area not seen in before.  Six Small Heaths, 8 Wall browns of note.

25 May.  Tom Tams recorded a Painted Lady and a Dingy Skipper from Royal Quays, Percy Main.

21 May.  Graham Beckwith visited Running Waters Quarry and recorded 39 Dingy Skipper; 27 Wall Brown; 1 Peacock; 1 Orange Tip (female); 1 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Large White.  Also 2 Cinnabar Moths ; several micro moth Elachista argentela

19 May.  Dick Gilhespy sent the following report from Havannah LNR outside Newcastle: "Amongst many Gv Whites,Wall Brown,Peacock,Orange Tip there were 2 Small Copper and 1 Brimstone

18 May.  Tim Nelson reported a single Holly Blue seen in his garden in Stockton.

Graham Beckwith reported the following from Rothbury, all seen along the riverside west of the village: 4 Orange Tip (2 female, 2 male); 29 Green-veined White (6 females identified); 3 Small White ; 3 Peacock; 7 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Wall Brown.

17 May.  Steve Austin sent the following message: "A really great few hours in my Local patch "Russell Woods" :- Orange Tips x 7 one female, Small Tortoiseshell x 2, Dingy Skipper x 3, Small Copper x 1, Wall Brown x 2, Red Admiral x 1, Speckled Wood x 4 and a Single Peacock.  My first Dingy Skippers, Small Copper, Wall Brown and Red Admiral of this season".

Dick Gilhespy saw 8 Dingy Skipper on the brownfield site west of Costco, Dunston.  On the ame day he visited Jesmond Old Cemetery and saw at least 2 Holly Blue in the NW corner.  He also visited Banks Pond where he saw 3 Wall Brown.

Tim Nelson visited Knitsley Fell where he recorded 15+ Green Hairstreaks.  He also visited Hamsterley Forest where he reported lots of Orange-tip. 

16 May.  Dick Gilhespy saw 8 Dingy Skipper at the Spetchells, six of which were in areas cleared during recent habitat management work undertaken to favour this species.

14 May.  Sally Pattison saw several Speckled Wood, Green-veined White and Orange Tip spotted at Hathery Lane, Bebside.  Also one Comma.

13 May.  Clare Rawcliffe "saw 1 dingy skipper today at Colliery Wood in Boldon Colliery at NZ352624 in an open glade being managed for the species.  It was approx 4:30pm and had gone cloudy after a sunny afternoon so it was roosting in the grasses not basking or flying.  First of this species this year for me".

Keith Walton reported "I had good numbers of Green Hairstreak on Muggleswick Park today.  Part of the site is very easy to visit for anyone who wants to have good views of them.  Park near the cattle grid NZ045485, track to Farm at Coal Gate, walk up the road towards Muggleswick (Dyke House- community centre with small windmill).  Between the 1st and second telephone poles walk across the moor to the gorse bushes ( about 100 ft from the road) and check all these bushes.  25+ Green Hairstreak here very photogenic just siting most of the time with occasional fights.

Graham Beckwith reported 2 Small Tortoiseshell; 3 Green-veined White at Aykley Wood, Durham.

11 May.  Jonathan Wallace saw 2 Dingy Skippers at Paradise SNCI, Scotswood as well as several Wall, Orange-tip, Green-veined White and Small White.

10 May.  Graeme Baker saw 3 x Wall Browns and 1 x Orange Tip at Bishop Middleham Quarry.

9 May.  Chris Barlow reported a Single Green Hairstreak seen at Blaeberry Hill, Rothbury.

6 May.  Graeme Baker saw and and photographed the following at Wingate quarry between 1445 -1515: 4 Dingy Skippers, 1 Small Copper,1 Small White,1 Speckled Wood, 5 Small Tortoise-shell and 3 Peacocks.

Dick Gilhespy visited Ship Crag, Rothbury where he recorded 3 Green Hairstreak on Bilberry just above the stile at the bottom of the hill then 1 more just below the cairn.  6 Small Tortoiseshell,3 Peacock and one Large white also on the hillside.

Michael Coates spent two hours this mid-day searching bilberries in Primrose Wood, Debdon.  Overast generally but saw one Green Hairstreak.

Sally Pattison reported several Green-veined Whites, Small Whites, Large Whites, Peacock, Orange Tips & Speckled Woodss One Small Tortoiseshell and one Wall at Hathery Lonnen, Bebside.

Graham Beckwith sent the following report: "Wallington Hall: Visited the walled garden and was rewarded with 4 Orange Tip (all male).  (his) First of the year and 9 Green-veined White (only 1 female identified).  Debdon Forest: Had an hour or so searching for Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary activity (larvae or pupae).  No luck but was rewarded with 3 Dark Green Fritillary larvae of which one obligingly posed for photos.  Only adult butterfly seen was a solitary Peacock".

5 May.  Graham Beckwith reported "Cragside: A walk around the Lady's Walk saw 1 Peacock and 5 Green-veined White".

4 May.  John Richards sent the following report: "At least 15 Green Hairstreaks flying 1 pm 4.5.2014 in Dipton Forest in a small area of clearfell next to road at NY96855.61452, drinking in waterfilled ruts.  Not seen at usual place at main entrance to forest".

Steve Austin "went to Malton Picnic area and just got a few of the usual suspects - but then went to Smiddyshaw reservoir in the vauge hope of seening a late Emperor moth.  It was cold and windy but worth the effort as I spotted 2 Green Hairstreaks".

Graham Beckwith reported "Rothbury Riverside West: 2 Small Tortoiseshell on a cool, cloudy day".

3 May.  Jaye Scott reported: In and around Tilesheds Local Nature Reserve (NZ 36557 62350)1 Small White, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 9 Speckled Wood and 2 Green Veined White.  In and around Cotman Meadow (NZ 37093 62757): 3 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock and 1 Small White.

2 May.  Ian Kerr reported the following alone 1km of track on Prestwick Carr: 18 Small White, 12 Orange tip, 10 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock.  The count was made between 8am-9am before the area had really warmed up.  It might have been more productive later in the day when, unfortunately, the observer had to be elsewhere.

Chris Barlow reports "Single Green Hairstreak, Dipton Woods 2nd May at North End, the favoured crossroads location in the wood has been dug up."

April 2014

28 April.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from the DLI Museum grounds, Durham: 17 Peacock (most on hill opposite the museum some on waste ground behind museum).  Also on the waste ground; 3 Small Tortoiseshell.

24 April.  Michael Coates counted 54 Small Tortoiseshells, 22 Peacocks, 2 Small Whites and 3 G V Whites at Brierdene Farm Fields, Whitley Bay.  Then in Northumberland Park, North Shields he saw 3 Speckled Woods 3 Small Whites and 1 Holly Blue

Jim Chapman reported multiple Speckled Wood and Peacock and a single Orange Tip at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park.

21 April.  Stephen Lowther reports: 1x Orange Tip, 4x Speckled Wood, 7x Peacock and 1x Small Tortoiseshell all on the wing at Bishop Middleham Quarry today.  Also a single Green-veined White seen along with 10+ Peacock today at Harvey Wood.

Ron Henderson reported 5 Speckled Wood observed at Labton, Washington as well as 3 Small White, 1 Small Tortosieshal and 1 Peacok at Holly Park, Washington.

Graham Beckwith visited Cragside Formal Gardens: 4 Peacock; 5 Small Tortoiseshell.  Then had a walk from the shop to Tumbleton Cottages and saw 9 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Green-veined White; 3 Peacock.

20 April.  Graham Beckwith sent the following report: "The following all seen at Rothbury on a lovely afternoon where I made a point of visiting the 2 areas identified in 2011 hoping for some early Green Hairstreaks: Below Ship Crag - Rewarded with 9 Green Hairstreak, glorious pristine Emerald Green beauties; 5 Peacock; 1 Small Tortoiseshell.  I then moved through the birch wood to Brae Head (approx. 300m) where another colony of Green Hairstreaks was present in 2011 and saw another 8 pristine individuals, a further 4 Peacock and, during my walk between the 2 areas, at least 9 male Emperor Moths whizzing by in their search for females.  Suffice to say, none stopped to pose for a photo.  Along Hillside West I also saw a solitary female Green-veined White.

19 April.  Steve Austen reports "Just back from Russell Woods and have just seen my first 4 Orange Tips plus Peacocks x 12 Small White x 2 Small Tort x 2 Speckled Wood x 7 and a Comma".

Ron Henderson reported Orange Tip from Lambton, Washington.

18 April.  Alan Davis reported - a Speckled Wood in his South Gosforth Garden - also 2 Green-veined Whites.

Graham Beckwith reports "Had a drive across to Amble where a walk through the dunes yielded the first Green-veined White of 2014 - 3 males in a single sandy hollow.  Also 7 Peacock. Then called into Debdon Plantation, Rothbury but only a single Small Tortoiseshell was present."

Michael Coates visted Brierdene Farm Fields, Whitley Bay where he counted 28 Small Tortoiseshells, 5 Peacock and 2 Small White.

16 April.  Alan Davis walked from Craster to Howick Hall and back via Cullernose point.  Spotted 2 Peacocks, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Green-veined Whites.

15 April.  Steve Austen reports "saw a Small White in the garden but suprisingly none in Russell Woods.  Although Russell woods was a pleasant hour or so with Peacock x 22 Small Tort x 7 Comma x 4 and a single Speckled Wood".

Graham Beckwith "spent a couple of hours after work walking around Colliery Wood at Chester Moor but saw only the 2 usual supects: 29 Peacock; 18 Small Totoiseshell".

14 April.  Tim Nelson reports: "Today Portrack Marsh, Stockton -3 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock and 1 Small White.  The good area for Dingy Skipper and Grayling still under 2 feet of salt water after last winter's tidal surge.  Also in my Stockton garden 1 Holly Blue."

Dick Gilhespy visted the Spetchells at Prudhoe and saw Comma,Small Tortoiseshell,Peacock,Speckled Wood, Small White.

11 April.  Michael Eccles visited Shibdon Pond and saw 1 Small Copper, 2 Comma, 5 Peacock and 3 Small Tortoiseshell.

Stephen Lowther reported Single Small Tortoiseshell at Littlewood, 3 Peacock and 3 Small Tortoiseshell at Harvey Wood, and 7 Peacock and 2 Comma at Croxdale Estate.

10 April.  Keith Robson reports that there were 6 species of butterfly today at Waldridge Fell - Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Small White & Orange-Tip.

Steve Austen visited Russell Wood and counted 36 Peacock and 16 Small Tortoiseshell.

Stehen Lowther reported Single Small Tortoiseshell at Thrislington Plantation and 6 Small Tortoiseshell and 5 Peacock at Strawberry Lane, Shincliffe.

9 April.  Stephen Lowther saw 2 Peacock at Low Burnhall.

6 April.  Den Gregson observed 2 Comma and 2 Peacock in Chester-le-Street.

5 April.  Steve Austen saw one small tortoishell at Russell woods.

March 2014

24 March.  Shirley Bertram reported a Peacock in her garden in Gosforth.

23 March.  Steve Reid reported a Comma at Hedley Hall.

Steve Austen saw a Samm Tortoiseshell in his Newbottle garden.

Graham Beckwith saw 11 Small Tortoisesheel near Rothbury.

16 March.  Steve Reid observed a Small Tortosieshell at Tanfield East railway Station.

Steve Ausrten reported a Peacock from his garden in Newbottle.

13 March.  Den Gregson oserved a couple of Small Tortosieshell nectaring on dandelion flowers growing in grassland on the Thorn Lighting factory site in Spennymoor

12 March.  Jaye Scott reported 10 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Comma in or near Cotman Meadow, S. Tyneside.  She also observed 5 Small Tortosieshell and a Peacock near to the Tilesheds Local Nature Reserve.

11 March  Jaye Scott observed a Small Tortosieshell in Cotman Meadow, South Tynesdide.

Steve Austen kicked off his season with 3 Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Newbottle.

10 March.  Christne Kane reported a Comma butterfly in flight and sunbathing on the conservatory door; south facing garden in Darlington.

Graham Lonsdale reported 2 Small Tortoiseshells in front garden during bright sunlight at Sherburn Village.

February 2014

23 February.  Mike Taylor got off the mark for the year with a sighting of a Small Tortoiseshell at High Spen.

20 February.  Roy Mallaby reported a Peacock at Longnewton, near Stockton.

19 February.  Neill Crowther saw a Peacock basking in sunshine in Stockton-on-Tees.

12 February.  Graham Beckwith passed on an unconfirmed report of a possible Brimstone seen by his partner.  For a regional rarity the record is unlikely to pass muster with the Recorder as Graham did not see the butterfly himself and tentatively identified it on the basis of a description of a large creamy-white butterfly but he comments "Mary isn't a big fan of my hobby but she knows a butterfly when she sees one so I have no reason to doubt her sighting".

10 February.  Brian Denham kicked off the year's sightings with a Peacock seen in his garden in Darlington in bright sunshine.


2013

October 2013

9 October.  Still some butterflies out there to be found!

Steve Austen reported 1 Red Admiral and 4 Comma on a bank of Michaelmas Daisies at Russell Woods. 

Michael Eccles also found butterflies, in his case at Druridge Pools where he saw 1 Painted Lady, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Green-veined White and 5 Speckled Wood.

September 2013

30 September.  To find one or two Small Tortoiseshell butterflies hibernating indoors is a common enough experience but Andy Hawes reports an altogether more surprising event when she discovered nearly 80 Small Tortoiseshell and a single Peacock attempting to hiberate inside a windowless bathroom in a farmhouse where she works near Berwick.

23 September.  Ron Henderson reported 4 Speckled Wood and 2 Red dmirals from Lambton Village, Washington.

21 September.  Steve Austen visited Russell Woods where he recorded 4 Small White, 1 Common Blue and 24 Speckled Wood.

14 September.  Graham Beckwith visited Herrington Country park where he saw 1 Wall Brown and 1 Speckled Wood.

13 September.  Keith Walton sent the following comments: "It appears to have been a bumper year for Small Copper, I have seen them in over 40 1km squares in August/September along the cycleways and tracks.( west or south facing banks, short turf , gravel/rocks for basking and heather for feeding).  The largest meta population on Muggleswick Common was 87.  There has also been good number of the form caerulo-punctata.  Has also been a good year for Comma and Wall".

5 September.  Ron Henderson reported a Purple Hairstreak which alighted on his lawn in Lambton Village, Washington.

4 September.  David Stebbings was delighted to encounter a Brimstone at Havannah LNR near Newcastle.

Graham Beckwith counted 17 Wall Brown; 1 Small Tortoiseshell; 8 Common Blue (5 male; 3 female); 5 Small Heath; 1 Meadow Brown (very jaded-looking); 3 Small White; 1 Green-veined White; 1 Speckled Wood at Wingate Quarry.

August 2013

30 August.  Ian Bell saw a Speckled Wood in his garden at Hartburn, Stockton-on-Tees.

Elaine Carter reports "Excellent week for butterflies in my garden (in Consett) including a few that have never had in before, highest counts this week have been 12 Peacocks, 6 Large White, 4 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Painted Lady, 2 Red Admiral, 3 Small Tortoiseshells and 3 Comma's.

Derek Charlton reports "Speckled Wood was by far the most abundant butterfly today around Elemore Woods with 23 seen, also 2 Peacock, 2 Comma, 9 Wall Brown and a single Common Blue".

29 August.  Julie Goodhart comments "We saw 9 species along the river Wear (near Shincliffe) including peacock(8) small tortoiseshell(1) red admiral(1) wall brown(3) comma(2) small and large White( lots) common blue(1) but the best was 80 + speckled wood over 1.5 miles".

28 August.  T D Goddard made the following counts at Seaton Common/North Gare: Common Blue 20+, 1 Comma , Meadow Brown, Peacock, Small White, Large White, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper, Wall Brown.

Keith Robson reports: "Finally found Purple Hairstreak actually within my 1km square that makes it 22 species in NZ2549 (Waldridge Fell) this year. (so far)".

27 Auust.  Barbara Gibson reports: "loads of peacock butterflies in our Alnwick garden".

Graham Beckwith Had a walk around the Lady Walk footpath at Cragside Estate but specifically visited with the purpose of checking the Buddleia bushes around the shop area.  Again, on a sunny afternoon there were a lot of Peacock (62) and all but 1 were on the Buddleia.  Also 1 Painted Lady; 3 Comma; 2 Red Admiral; 4 Small White; 3 Large White; 1 Green-veined White; 3 Small Tortoiseshell.

26 August.  Michael Eccles made the following comment about butterflies seen in his garden and neighboring gardens in Shotley Bridge: 50+Peacocks on Buddleas but only 1 Small Tortoiseshell 1 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood. Great year for Peacocks but not for Tortoiseshell or Comma around here.

Graham Beckwith visited Low Hauxley Nature Reserve and counted: 26 Wall Brown; 1 Small Copper; 4 Speckled Wood; 3 Large White; 2 Green-veined White; 11 unidentified Whites.  He also counted: 43 Wall Brown; 2 Small Copper in Low Hauxley Dunes. Surprisingly few species seen amongst the dunes but there were 100s of the same cream-coloured micro moth as seen at Wingate Quarry and numerous Shaded Broadbar and July Belle.

25 August .  Steve Reid reports from Tanfield/Beamish: "Lots of Walls today. 4 Speckled Woods. One small copper."

Phil Considine also reported good numbers of Wall Brown today at a few different locations around Acklington and Amble... NU279009 - Probably around six or seven individuals at the beach near Amble NU218017 - Around eight or so on the lane beside Station Wood, Acklington NU218010 - Fifteen or more on paths and open areas in Station Wood, Acklington, along with a few Peacock and around six or so Speckled Wood.

Ian Hancock observed a speckled wood basking on an elder on the W. edge of Kellas plantation, Slaley.

Graham Beckwith spent "A cracking couple of hours wandering around Wingate Quarry. Seemed like there were butterflies everywhere and I noted 82 Wall Brown; 1 Painted Lady; 54 Peacock; 5; Common Blue (all Male); 3 Small Tortoiseshell; 46 Small Heath; 3 Small Skipper; 1 Speckled Wood; 6 Meadow Brown; 12 Small White; 8 Green-veined White; 5 Large White. A lot of moths, particularly a small cream-coloured micro moth and tens (possibly 100s) of Silver Y, one of which was snatched from flight by a Yellowhammer. Unfortunate for the Silver Y and I did feel a tad guilty as it only flew because I flushed it out of the vegetation".

22 August.  Sturat Milner reported a Hummingbird Hawk Moth seen in the garden of his holiday cottage at Glororum, Near Bamburgh.

20 August.  The highlights of Derek Charlton's stroll around Elemore woods included 1 Painted Lady, 4 Comma, 6 Speckled Wood, 3 Wall Brown and 30+ Peacock.

At Aykley Wood, Durham Graham Beckwith saw: 4 Purple Hairstreak - 1 individual flew down to grass level and was seen to be very worn; 3 Green-veined White.

18 August.  Ronald Henderson was pleased to find a White-letter Hairstreak in his garden in Lambton Village, Washington.

Graham Beckwith counted the following on Buddleia near Crook's Hall in Durham City: 16 Peacock; 3 Large White; 3 Green-veined White; 5 Small White.

16 August.  Steve Austen reports from Russell Woods, Durham Small White x 17, I smiled to myself as I watched one Small White flying against the wind and bobbing left and right to investigate passing thistle down. Meadow Brown x 2, Wall x 21, Green Veined White x 1, Ringlet x 1 very tatty, Peacock x 4, Speckled Wood x 9, Small Copper x 1

14 August.  Graham Beckwith visited Fontburn Reservoir, Northumberland and counted: 5 Small Tortoiseshell; 37 Green-veined White; 1 Ringlet; 3 Small Skipper; 1 Peacock.

13 August.  Graham Beckwith reported from Colliery Wood, Chester Moor: 15 Wall Brown; 1 Speckled Wood; 1 Large Whit; 18 Green-veined White; 3 Small Tortoiseshell; 2 Small Skipper.

Den Gregson spotted 2 x Purple Hairstreak, 70 + Peacock on thistle patches also good numbers of Wall Brown, Speckled Wood and Whites and a single Small Copper at the Woodland Trust site at Low Burnhall, Durham.

11 August.  Graham Beckwith reported from Thrunton Wood, Nr Rothbury: 35 Green-veined White; 14 Small White; 3 Large White; 12 Small Tortoiseshell; 2 Small Skipper.

10 August.  Keith Walton sent the following report "Butterflies have been very numerous this August so far at Broompark.The following is the max noted so far this month, not all on the same day Small White-606 Large White-84, Green Veined White-342, Red Admiral-14, Painted Lady-12, Small Tortoisehell-77, Peacock-69, Comma-11, Meadow Brown-77, Speckled Wood-46, Wall-36, Small Copper-11, Purple Hairstreak-2, Dark Green Fritillary-2

8 August.  T D Goddard sent the following report from Wingate Quarry (10.00 to 13.00) "100s of Green-Veined White, Small White and Large Whites, 2 rather tired looking Marbled Whites (one with less than half its wings left), 100s of Small Heath, 6+ Small Tortoiseshell, c.50 Peacock, 1 Painted Lady, Ringlet (all worn), Meadow Brown (worn), Small Skipper, 2 Common Blue, 1 Red Admiral, Speckled Wood."

7 August.  Darren Archer saw 2 Purple Hairstreaks at Causey Arch.

Tim Nelson also saw Purple Hairstreaks - 7+ - at Preston Park, Stockton on Tees.  He also saw Red Admiral, Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and a profusion of whites.

Derek Charlton reports "Good numbers of butterflies currently feeding on thistles at White Hills plantation at Elemore woods including 53 Small Tortoiseshell, 41 Peacock, 4 Comma, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Painted Lady, also good numbers of Small and Green-veined White."

David Atkinson reports: "just back from hols and Vicarage Garden, Dunston alive with butterflies today - 35+ large white - 20+ small white - 8 green veined white - 15+ peacock - 11 small tostoiseshells - 1 red admeral - 1 painted lady and best of all 1 male Dark Green Fritillary"

Geoff Spence reported a White-letter Hairstreak in his garden at Heddon on the Wall.

Chris Barlow also reported "rather unexpectedly found an old White Letter Hairstreak Wednesday afternoon sat on thistles in a carpark in Fawdon !"

Malcolm Hutcheson reported the following from Needles Eye north of Berwick: Large White 42, Small White 162, Green-veined White 5, Common Blue 4, Small Copper 5, Small Tortoiseshell 28, Peacock 4, Painted Lady 6, Meadow Brown 94, Ringlet 4, Wall 1.

Graham Beckwith took a walk amongst a small area of dunes at Seahouses and saw the following - 2 Small Copper; 6 Wall Brown; 7 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Small Skipper; 2 Large White; 17 Green-veined White; 5 Small White.

6 Aug.  Den Gregson saw a Hummingbird Hawk Moth nectaring on Red Valerian in a garden in Spennymoor.

Malcolm Hutcheson counted Large White 44, Small White 312, Green-veined White 9, Common Blue 5, Small Copper 11, Small Skipper 1, Dark-green Fritillary 3, Small Tortoiseshel 14, Peacock 1, Painted Lady 14, Grayling 2, Ringlet 4, Meadow Brown 149 & Wall 1 at Cocklawburn dunes (NU04I).

Graham Beckwith visited the DLI Museum, Durham and counted: 11 Ringlet; 43 Meadow Brown; 3 Large White; 14 Green-veined White; 6 Small White; 1 Comma; 3 Small Tortoiseshell.

4 August.  Tom Tams sent the following report from Tynemouth "An apparent invasion of Large and Small white butterflies is being noted at the moment In my garden and the adjacent gardens.  I have counted well over sixty in the space of 10 mins." Large numbers of whites have also been reported in Craster and Morpeth.

John Bridges reported a Clouded Yellow near to South Hettoon, Co. Durham (see our Facebook page for his photo of this lovely species).

Ian Kerr checked his usual 500m stretch on Holy Island in overcast, breezy conditions on August 4th and recorded: Dark green fritillary 53, Large White 52, Green-veined White 32, Meadow Brown 25, Ringlet 5, Small Tortoiseshell 2 and Grayling 1.  Also in a 100m stretch of the Straight Lonnen immediately N of St Coombs Farm were 24 Large White and 20 Green-veined White.

John Bridges reported a Clouded Yellow on the Sout Hetton to Haswell cycle path in Co. Durham, about 100 yards from the place where he recorded one back in 2005.

3 August.  Phil Considine reported a Comma observed by his wife in her parent's garden in Acklington.

2 August.  Michael Eccles sent the following report of Purple Hairstreaks seen at Kibblesworth along with a good tip for finding the species: "At least 11 at Kibblesworth along with x3 Wall.  When looking for Purple Hairstreaks I have found after several years that although they lay eggs on Oak they feed a lot on Aphid juice particularly on Ash trees.  So if you find Ash growing near Oak you have a better chance of seeing this butterfly."

1 August.  Darren Archer kicked off August with a fruitful early evening session at Causey Arch where he saw 10+ Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet, 4 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock and a good haul of Purple Hairstreaks.  One Oak tree had a single Purple Hairstreak, a second had 5 - 7 and a third tree was estimated as having 10 - 15 Purple Hairstreaks on it - an excellent total.  As Darren points out it is well worth scrutinising the tops of oak trees at this time of year in search of this lovely but often overlooked butterfly.

Ken Dawson reports "I went along the track from the Toll House at Warden Bridge, and was pleased to find one White-letter Hairstreak, feeding on creeping Thistle.  A Comma was an added bonus.  On my way back, I found another W-L HS on an Elm, much nearer the road."  Ken also observed 5 Purple Hairstreak in Horsley Wood, at power pole No. 2 on the public bridleway, NZ 099649.

July 2013

31 July.  Steve Austen reports: "the last day of July and a really good few hours at Wingate Quarry where I recorded 14 species :- Green Veined White, Small White, Large White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet (all worn), Small Heath x 20+, Marbled White x 10+, Small Tortoiseshell x 5 all pristine, Painted Lady x 2, Small Skipper 10+, Speckled Wood x 1, Peacock x 1, White Letter Hairstreak x 3, Common Blue x 20+."

30 July.  Keith Walton saw the following at Wingate Quarry: 8 Painted Lady, 16 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, 100+ Small Heath, 100+ Common Blue, 50+ Large White, 50+ Green-veined White, 2 Dark Green Fritillary, 50+ Meadow Brown, 100+ Marbled White.  At Running Waters he then saw 3 Painted Lady, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 100+ Meadow Brown, 100+ Small Heath, 100+ Common Blue, 25 Large White and 60 Green-veined White.

29 July.  Derek Charlton sent the following report: " The highlights of a walk around White Hills plantation at Elemore Woods were 33 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 1 Comma and 2 Painted Lady.

29 July.  Vicky and Dave Foster report the following from Whitburn: "On 29th July at Whitburn Coastal Park we saw a Dark Green Fritillary, numerous Meadow Brown, a few Ringlets and many Small Skippers.  Holly Blue and Painted Lady in our garden at Whitburn also today."

Graham Beckwith sent the following report from Chester le Street "Another visit to the A1 roundabout verge between the Picktree and Sunderland exits finally saw me obtain some long-awaited photos of White-letter Hairstreak - I saw 5 in all and all were nectaring on Rosebay Willowherb growing at the base of some of the mature elms (photos attached).  I saw none in the tree tops but admittedly I was concentrating on photographing those accessible few.  Also 8 Ringlet; 6 Meadow Brown; 9 Small Skipper; 1 Common Blue (male). Also many Shaded Broadbar and July Belle; 3 Silver Y and 1 Yellow Shell."

27 July.  David Lacey saw a Painted Lady and a couple of Small Tortoiseshell in his garden at Newton Hall, Durham.

Derek Charlton saw 12 Dark Green Fritillary along the Bollihope Burn, Weardale.

Tim Goddard saw a White-letter Hairstreak on the riverside in Durham, opposite the cathedral.

Ian Kerr on Holy Island checked his usual 500m stretch from the north end of the Straight Lonnen to the old wagonway on July 27th and recorded: Dark Green Frit. 76, Meadow Brown 36, Large White 13, Ringlet 10, Green Vd White 9 and Small Tort and Common Blue, both 3.

Lynne Kennedy had a great surprise when she saw a Long-tailed Blue, Lampides boeticus, nectaring in her garden in West Cornforth.

26 July.  Malcolm Hutcheson visited Goswick dunes(NU04M) and counted Lareg White 5, Small White 14, Green-veined White 16, Common Blue 33, Small Tortoiseshell 6, Small Heath 30, Grayling 3, Ringlet 14 & Meadow Brown 206.

25 July.  Graham Beckwith sent the following report from Aykley Wood grasslands, Durham: "9 Purple Hairstreak (on oaks on the edge of Hopper Wood); 7 Small Tortoiseshell; 61 Ringlet; 49 Meadow Brown; 64 Small Skipper; 3 Large White; 7 Green-veined White; 9 unidentified Whites. Also several moth species, in the main Burnet moths but only 1 identified as a 6-spot Burnet; also July Belle; Shaded Broadbar and many micro moths."

24 July.  Graham Lonsdale saw the following at Sherburn Hill Moor: Painted Lady 1, Small Skipper 50+, Common Blue 20+, Small Tortoiseshell 5+, Meadow Brown 50+, Ringlets 20+, Green-veined White 6 plus numerous Small & Large White.

Michael Eccles saw 2 Grayling and 5 Purple Hairstreak at Kibblesworth.

Graham Beckwith saw 86 Ringlet, 3 Green-veined White and 1 Dark Green Fritillary at Debdon Plantation.

Malcolm Hutcheson reported Large White 11, Small White 12, Green-veined White 6, Common Blue 4, Small Tortoiseshell 21, Red Admiral 2, Ringlet 46, Meadow Brown 23 at Spittal cliffs (NU05A).

23 July.  Steve Austen saw at least 6 White-letter Hairstreak on elms on the A1 roundabout at Cheter le Street.

22 July.  Graham Beckwith saw 2 Large Heath and 38 Ringlet, 3 Small Heath, 1 Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Meadow Brown and 5 Small Skipper at a site near Rothbury.  At Debdon Plantation he then saw 93 Ringlet; 15 Small Skipper (no Large Skipper evident), 1 Green-veined White and 2 Meadow Brown.

21 July.  Iain Cowe saw he following at Holy Island: Dark Green Fritillary - 100+, Green Veined White - 500+, Meadow Brown - 60+, Ringlet - 40+, Small Tortoiseshell 12, Small Heath 50, Common Blue 6, Grayling 5, Six Spot Burnet 100+, Narrow Bordered Five 20+.

19July.  Derek Charlton counted 97 Grayling at Geatham Creek, Teesside.

19 July.  Graham Beckwith reports from Sniperly PArk, Durham: "Had a short walk home from the park and ride and saw the following in the grass verge - A solitary Red Admiral (another first of the year); 7 Small Skipper (never seen them before on this particular verge and a single Small Tortoiseshell. Then in the evening I visited the small car park on the Belmont slip-road just off the A690 and saw 2 Purple Hairstreak on the large oak behind the car park."

18 July.  Graham Beckwith saw 2 White-letter Hairstreak at Sniperly Park, Durham.

16 July.  Derek Charlton reports: "A walk around White Hills plantation at Elemore Woods produced 105 Small Skipper, 60 Meadow Brown, 48 Small Heath, 30 Ringlet, 2 Small Tortiseshell and 3 Common Blue."

Graham Beckwith reported the following totals from Wingate Quarry: 374 Ringlet; 307 Meadow Brown; 34 Marbled White; 114 Small Heath; 19 Small Skipper; 2 Large Skipper 53 Common Blue.

Michael Eccles sent reported the following fronm Tunstall and from Low Barnes: Tunstall x1 Dark Green Fritillary, 50+ Ringlet, x2 Large Skipper, x15 Small Skipper, 20+ Meadow Brown, x5 Common Blues.  Low Barnes:- x3 Common Blue, x4 Small Skipper, x12 Ringlet, x2 Comma.

15 July.  Julie Taylor sends the following report: "I thought I'd share with you our super-sized butterfly statistics for today.  We took a walk around Chopwell Park this afternoon (15 July 2013), grid ref NZ121580 - particularly the field area that is now being left 'overgrown' by Gateshead Council.  We counted 113 Meadow Browns, 13 Small Skippers, 7 Ringlets, 1 Green Veined White and 1 Speckled Wood.  I think that is the most butterflies we have ever counted in one day around our local patches!"

Graham Beckwith saw 6 Small Heath and 21 Ringlet near Rothbury then at Debdon Forest saw only 5 Small Skipper; 8 Large Skipper; 86 Ringlet.

Ian Kerr sends the following report from Holy Island "In 500m stretch from north end of Straight Lonnen seawards to the old wagonway the following were counted in hot sunny conditions: Dark Green Frit. 38, Ringlet 54, Common Blue 15, Meadow Brown 5."

14 July.  Steve Austen visited Colliery Woods (Chester Moor) and recorded Large White x 3. Ringlet x 22. Meadow Brown x 18. Small Skipper x 29. Speckled Wood x 1. Small White x 2.

Keith Walton saw the following at Wingate Quarry: 70 + Common Blue,100+ Small Heath but only 10 Marbled White.

13 July.  Mike Taylor reported the folowing from Grindon Lough 2 Large Heath, 8 Small Heath, 7 Ringlet, 1 Meadow Brown.  Then at Warden Bridge he saw 2 Male Common Blue, 24 Meadow Brown (including a mating pair), and 20 Ringlet.

Michael Eccles reported the following from Stargate Ponds Nature Reserve 100+ Small Skipper, 60+ Meadow Brown, and 15 Ringlet.  At Winlaton Mill he counted x30+ Ringlet, 20+ Sm. Skipper, 20+Meadow Brown and 1 Green-veined White.

12 July. Steve Austin visited Wingate Quarry and counted Common Blue x 26, Ringlet x 32, Meadow Brown x 6, Small Heath x 11, Marbled White x 6, Small Tort x 1 and 1 Large White.

Mike Coates visited the Blyth Estuary at Cambois where he saw over 20 Grayling (see pictures on our facebook page) as well as 20+ Common Blue, 30+ Meadow Brown and 50+ Ringlets.

Graham Beckwith saw saw 46 Ringlet and 138 Meadow Brown in the grounds behind the DLI Museum, Durham.

10 July.  Steve Reid reports "hundreds of narrow bordered 5 spot burnets and around 70 meadow browns at Kibblesworth brown field site."

9 July.  Steve Reid counted the following at Hadley Woods: 27 ringlets 4 large skippers, 4 meadow brown.

9 July.  Malcolm Hutcheson reported the following from Needles Eye north of Berwick: Large White 2, Small White 1, Common Blue 9, Ringlet 82, Meadow Brown 38.

8 July.  Dave Liddle reported his first Dark Green Fritillary of the year in the Browney Valley.

Malcolm Hutcheson reported the following from Berrington (NU04B)Large White 1, Small White 2, Green-veined White 4, Speckled Wood 2, Ringlet 12, Meadow Brown 2.

7 July.  Graeme Baker sent the following report from Wingate Quarry: "Two Marbled Whites photographed at 1300 Sunday 7th July.  Numerous Common Blue,Meadow Brown,Ringlets and Small Heath.  One Speckled Wood,one Large White together with five Small Skippers also seen in a two hour visit."

Keith Walton visited Wingate Quarry with the following results: 87 Common Blue ( only 3 females) 5 Dingy Skipper (all very worn) 10 Small Skipper, 50 Small Heath,100+ Meadow Brown, 1 Holly Blue( my first for this site) 1 Marbled White.

Derek Charlton also recorded 3 Marbled Whites at Wingate Quarry.

6 July.  Stephen Lowther had a stroll around Thrislington Plantation NNR and counted 59 Ringlet, 26 Common Blue, 8 confirmed Northern Brown Argus(and a further 6 possibles), 8 Meadow Brown, 5 Small Heath and a single Dingy Skipper.

Dave O'Brien visited Bishop Mddleham Quarry and was rewarded with no less than 16 Large Skipper, 1 Dingy Skipper, 49 Common Blue, 117 (!) Northern Brown Argus, 3 Speckled Wood, 37 Ringlet, 9 Meadow Brown, & 10 Small Heath, as well as Latticed Heath, Yellow Shell, & Cinnabar moths.

Trevor Richardson counted 63 common blues in the dunes at Cambois.

Mike Taylor visted Hadrian's Wall Country and observed a total of 3 Small Pearl-boardered Fritillary, 4 Small Heath 1 Green-veined White and 4 Large Heath.

4 July.  Mike Coates visited Banks Pond at Dinnington and saw Small Heath 8, Meadow Brown 15, Ringlet 35, Common Blue 24.

Graham Beckwith visted Aykely Wood, Durham and counted 9 Large Skipper and a single Ringlet.

1 July.  Steve Austin reports: "An hour or so looking for Meadow Browns at Rainon and I saw the following Small Tortoiseshell x 2, Small Heath x 1, Ringlet x 8, and Speckled Wood x 1.  No Meadow Browns."

Keith Walton sent the following report: "Visted Waskerley way on the 1st July- 11* Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, 19 Green Veined White.  3 Sites off the A68 had 4,1 and 6 SPBF."

June 2013

29 June.  Graham Beckwith sends the following report: "Low Newton, Northumberland: After a cloudy but sunny morning in Northumberland, the afternoon became increasingly cloudy when we arrived at Low Newton and after a circular walk along the coastal path and back to the car park I managed to see 1 male Common Blue. Perching with its wings closed it was difficult to see so doubtless there were other butterflies hiding in the vegetation."

27 June.  Derek Carlton sent the following report: A Red Admiral was at Hetton-le-Hill and 2 Northern Brown Argus were at Pittington Hills just before the rain.

26 June.  Graham Beckwith Visited the grasslands on the A167 by the Arnison roundabout (the former scrambling track) where he saw 7 Meadow Brown (his first of the year) and 4 Yellow Shell moths.

25 June.  Iain Cowe reported the following from Ford Moss: Common Blue 6, Ringlet 1, Small Copper 7, Small Heath 6, Large Skipper 2, Large White 1, Green Veined White 4, Small White 1, Wall Brown 1.

23 June.  At Low Hauxley Nature Reserve Graham Beckwith recorded a single Large Skipper and 25 Common Blue.  All of the Common Blues were male.

Dave Liddle reports "Just done a guided walk at Quarrington hill (Littlewood) with John Olley (map ref 345 375).  Lots of Blues and Small Heath, saw our first Argus and Meadow Brown."

22 June.  Graham Beckwith found a solitary Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary at a site north-west of Rothbury and about half a mile from a site where he has previously recorded this species.

20 June.  Michael Eccles counted the following at Kibblesworth Brick Pools x15 Common Blue X3 (F) x2 Peacock, x2 Wall Brown, x1 Meadow Brown, X2 Large Skipper.

19 June.  Steve Austin reports "a fairly disapointing afternoon at Wingate with 6 Large Skippers, 6 Common Blue, 5 males 1 female. 3 Small Heath, 3 Dingy Skippers and a single male Orange Tip and finally 1 Large White."

Grahm Beckwith sent the following report from Bishop Middleham Quarry: "A visit to Bishop Middleham Quarry last night (19th) after work eventually revealed numerous butterflies: I had barely set foot in the quarry when a large cloud obliterated the sun although I had just seen my first N B Argus of the year.  That cloud remained for about an hour with little showing except one or two Common Blue (also first this year) and Dingy Skipper.  After the cloud dispersed the numbers of butterflies really increased and by the time I left I'd noted the following: 23 Northern Brown Argus; 14 Dingy Skipper; 1 Orange Tip (male); 19 Common Blue (all but 2 male); 1 Large White; 1 Green-veined White; 7 Wall Brown; 11 Small Heath. Also saw 2 Cinnabar moths along with several Carpet moths and innumerable micro moths.

18 June.  Derek Charlton reports: "A sunny stroll around Pittington Hill and High Moorsley produced 5 Small Heath, 3 Dingy Skipper, 1 Large Skipper, 3 Wall Brown along with numerous Small White.  Elemore Woods held 3 Speckled Wood, 1 Peacock, 2 Dingy Skipper and 16 Small Heath.

Tim Nelson visited Bishop Middleham Quarry and reports plenty of Common Blue, Dingy Skipper, Northern Brown Argus and single figures of Wall, Small Heath, Cinnabar Moth, one Large Skipper and one Large White.

Steve le Fleming reports three Northern Brown Argus at Bishop Middleham Quarry, all 'salmacis' form.

Robert & Sue Evison (Yorkshire Branch members) sent the following report: "Whilst travelling to Crimdon Dene yesterday (18th June) to view the tern colony, my husband and I stopped to explore the bank on the Crimdon Dene access road at the turning from the A1086.  Along with many Common Blues and a scattering of Dingy Skippers, there was one Small Copper, an aberrant variety which I think is quite rare, according to the internet, an 'alba' form.  Please see accompanying digital images, which have been cropped and reduced for email.  Please let me know if you want the original files.

As it is now on the wing, I thought you might like to know, so other members are able to look for it.  Using the Grid finder on your website, I believe it to be NZ474372.  The site is just on the sea side of the A1086 at the turning to Crimdon Dene.  Park after the turning before the 'Caution - Bump' sign and climb the bank to the left of the Crimdon Dene access road.  Looking back toward the A1086, you will see 3 sign posts.  One has a blue Crimdon sign. The others are only a few feet apart and appear empty.  If you walk to these signs, you will find an area of sparse vegetation with bare batches.  It is in this area that we found the butterfly, and it seemed to be somewhat loyal to the area.  It prefers to land on bare soil. 

We were both amazed at this butterfly, as neither of us had seen a variant before."

Michael Eccles reported the following at a site off the A68 in Durham: 4 Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, 2 mating pair Green Hairstreak, 4 Small Heath, 9- 10. Green Veined White.

17 June.  David Atkinson reported his 1st Male Large Skipper of the year seen at Whickham Thorns Dunston.  Has ayone else seen one yet? He then visited the brownfield sight next to Costco (near Metro Centre)and recorded 28 Small Heath, 2 Dingy Skippers and 1 each of Orange Tip - Small and Green-veined Whites as well as 10+ common Blues (all males).

Jill Stewart reports "today at lunchtime (17th June) I walked all around the Stargate Ponds site and saw the following - 24 Common Blue (only one female, that was mating), 16 Dingy Skipper, 19 Small Heath, one Small Copper, one Wall Brown, 2 Small White.  There was also a Speckled Wood and a male Orange Tip in the little wood nearby".

Steve Egglestone visited Jackie's Beach, Whitburn where he saw his first Large Skipper of the year plus 10-15 Dingy skippers, over 30 Small Heaths, couple of Large Whites and single Wall Brown

Dave Liddle found fresh Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary next to fresh Green Hairstreak on one of his transect sites and comments "another strange year".

16 June.  Graham Beckwith took a short walk around the circular 'Lady walk' at Cragside and saw 2 Wall Brown near Tumbleton House, 1 Large White, 3 Green-Veined White plus 2 unidentified White.  At Debdon Forest he then saw 7 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary as well as 3 Green-veined White, 1 Silver Y moth, 2 Common Heath moths and a number of micro moths.

Mike Taylor visited Allerwash where he saw 7 Orange Tips - all male, 6 Green-veined White, 1 Red Admiral and 2 Large Skipper.

15 June.  Graham Beckwith reported 4 Green-veined White; 1 Silver Y moth and numerous individuals of the micro moth Eulia ministrana seen at Debdon Forest near Rothbury.

8 June.  Ken Dawson counted 13 Dingy Skipper on the Spetchells, Prudhoe, on part of the site where gorse was cut back during the winter to favour this species.  He also saw two Dingy Skipper at Riding Dene, Mickley on land behind the football pitch.

Denis Gregson reports that "a cycle ride/walk around the lanes and footpaths between Thinford, Hett and Bowburn produced the following sightings: 8 Orange Tip, 7 Small White, 6 Large White, 1 Green - veined White, 4 Speckled Wood, 1 Wall Brown and 1 Small Tortoiseshell.  Also a visit to a brownfield site at Bowburn South Industrial Estate produced 9 Dingy Skipper.

7 June.  Michael Eccles reports "A visit to Bishop Middleham 7th June hoping for N.B.A. Butterflies seen: X4 Wall Brown, X4 Common Blue, X11Dingy Skipper, X3 Orange Tip, X3 Speckled Wood, X8 Green Veined White.  A poor return for this time of year.  If weather holds maybe things will pick up, fingers crossed.

6 June.  Megs Rogers saw one fresh Green Hairstreak flying and sitting on Eriophorum vaginatum on rough grassland/ moorland/old bog on 03/06/13 near Bellshiel.

Steve Egglestone reported: "11 Dingy skippers counted at Jackies beach, Whitburn. Plus 1 small heath, 1 large white and 3 Wall browns. In a hour and half visit."

4 June.  David Atkinson reported 7 Dingy skippers - 4 Wall - 2 Orange Tip and 5 Small Heath on brownfield site next to Tyne timber beach, Dunston.

3 June.  Stephen Lowther reports: "30 individuals of nine species today.  Started off with Dingy Skipper and Wall both on the wing at Wingate Quarry.  Large White, Small White, Dingy Skipper, Red Admiral(my first of 2013), Wall and Speckled Wood then all seen at Blackhall Rocks.  My first Common Blue of the year along with more Dingy Skippers and Wall seen at Crimdon Beach.  Finished off with Orange Tip, more Speckled Wood and Peacock at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park.

Derek Charlton was out and about in Elemore Woods and reported 3 Speckled Wood, 5 Large White, 6 Orange Tip and singles of Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Comma.

Steve Egglestone saw 5 Green hairstreaks in two different location in the Muggleswick area around gorse bushes.

2 June.  David Liddle John Olley and David Lacey found approx. 20 Dingy Skipper, all fresh, at Quarrington Hill.

Stephen Lowther saw only a single Green-veined White, 2 Small Whites, 2 Dingy Skippers and a single Speckled Wood on a glorious afternoon at Thrislington Plantation.

Beth Abbott reports "Hi, very happy to add a sighting of a Wall Butterfly seen on 2/6/13 approx. 4pm very coincidental as I live in Wall, Hexham, and this is where I sighted it.

Steve Reid visited a number of sites in Co. Durham and reports "1 Wall brown and 1 small tortoiseshell at Tanfield Railway.  One speckled wood at Causey Arch and + 12 small whites at least in gorge.  Green veined white at Hedley Hall and 3 + peacocks."

May 2013

31 May.  Dave Liddle reported a single Painted Lady at Tanfield Marsh.

Stephen Lowther saw 7 Orange Tips, 2 Green-veined White, 2 Speckled Wood and a further 9 whites which he could not identify in flight at Flass Vale

Graham Beckwith reports a visit to the DLI Museum in Durham: "my first Comma of the year (a singleton on the waste ground behind the museum) and, in the same area, a single Small White in a clearing amongst the scrubby woodland. The clearing also produced my first notable moths of the year; 6 Brown Silver Line; 2 Garden Carpet and 1 Silver Ground Carpet".

28 May.  Steve Egglestone reported 10 Dingy skippers on Jackies beach in Whitburn as well as a Small Copper.  He has not seen Dingy Skipper at this location previously.

Graham Beckwith visited Rothbury (Riverside West) towards Thrum Mill and counted 5 Orange Tip (all male), 1 Large White, 3 Green-veined White plus 4 Unidentified Whites.

26 May.  Steve Egglestone saw 6 Dingy skipper at Colliery Wood, Boldon.

Graham Beckwith saw 9 Green-veined White; 2 unidentified Whites at Debden Plantation, Rothbury.

25 May.  Graeme Baker visited Bishop Middleham Quarry where he counted 2 Peacock,5 Dingy Skippers, 4 Speckled Wood, 7 Green Veined White and 2 Orange Tip (males).  In the afternoon he visited Wingate Quarrry which yielded 7 Dingy Skippers and 2 Large White.

Mike Taylor visited Dipton Woods and saw 5 Green Hairstreak,1 Large White, 1 male Orange Tip and 1 Peacock.

Graham Beckwith reports "Stanton Hall, Northumberland: 1 Large White; 1 Green-veined White; 6 unidentified Whites - all flying around the garden centre."

22 May.  Steve Austen sent the following report: "just back from Russell Woods and although the sun was shining nicely between the clouds I only saw the one Peacock and one Small White in the garden earlier.  I did get a first though as the Peacock was at rest with it's wings closed, and after taking a photo or two I went to see if it would take to my finger.  A startling flash of eyes and I heard for the first time a Peacocks warning hiss, STARTLING."

19 May.  Mike Taylor, Dave Stebbings and Jonathan Wallace visited Paradise, Scotswood together and recorded 2 Dingy Skipper, 1 Small White, 3 Orange Tip, 3 Small Copper, 3 Small Totoiseshell and 1 Wall Brown.  They also recorded several species of day-flying moth including Silver-Y, Common Carpet, Ancyclis badiana, Dichrorampha plumbana, Grapholita lunulana, Diamond-back Moth and Elachista rufocinerea.

Steve Austin recorded a single Dingy Skipper and a Single Peacock at Wingate Quarry and then at Running Waters Quarry he saw 2 Peacock and 2 Small White.

Steve Reid recorded a single Speckled Wood at Beamish Wood.

Stephen Lowther reports: "A stroll along Strawberry Lane at Shincliffe this afternoon produced seven species.  Singles of Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Peacock and Orange Tip, along with two Green-veined White and three Small Tortoiseshell.

Graham Beckwith saw 1 Large White; 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 unidentified Whites at Cragside.  All were along a short walk from the shop towards Tumbleton House.

17 May.  Steve Austin reports: "spent an hour in Russell Woods today and am pleased to report that I found a few butterflies, namely Small White 4, Peacock 5, Speckled Wood 2 and my first two Orange Tips, both males".

16 May.  Jonathan Wallace recorded a single Dingy Skipper, 2 Large White, 2 Small White, 2 Orange Tip, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 1 Small Copper and 1 Wall Brown at Paradise SNCI, Newcastle.

Graeme Baker visited Wingate Quarry where he recorded 2 Peacocks, 1 Small Tortoiseshell,1 Speckled Wood and 3 Dingy Skippers.

Graham Beckwith also visited Wingate Quarry in the evening and was rewarded with just a solitary Dingy Skipper and 2 Peacock.  In relation to the continuing poor butterfly unfriendly weather he comments "Amazingly, I didn't expect seeing anything; and this in the middle of May!".

14 May.  Ian Hancock found two green hairstreaks in seedling scots pine and bilberry at the edge of a sunlit track, Dipton Wood near Corbridge.

9 May.  Stephen Lowther visited Hauxley in Northumberland on 9 May where he saw 4 Green-veined White and 2 Speckled Wood.  He also reported an unconfirmed Green-veined White seen in flight at Seahouses harbour.

8 May.  Steve Reid saw 4 Peacock, 1 Orange-tip and 1 Comma at Long Acre Wood, Gateshead.

7 May.  Dave Liddle reports: "Just walked Morrison Busty and Chapman Wells with John Almond ( 7th may ) counted 12 orange tip ,did the same walk sat. . saw nothing ,welcome change in the weather".

Tim Nelson reported 1 Small Tortoiseshell 2 Orange Tip 3 Peacock 1 Large White and 12 Small White at Portrack Marsh and then at Tees Barrage: 4 Orange Tip and 6 Small White.

Keith Walton reported 1 Dingy Skipper at Waskerly plus 10 Speckled Wood,5 Green-veined White, 2 Large White, 1 Wall and 1 Small Copper at Broompark picnic site.

Graham Beckwith saw 7 Green Hairstreak and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Rothbury. Green Hairstreak were found in 2 locations separated by mixed birch/pine woodland: 3 on the slopes opposite Brae head Farmhouse and 4 on the slopes below Ship Crag to the north of Rothbury.

6 May.  David Atkinson visited Mugggleswick Common and found a single male Green Hairstreak on territory.

Tim Nelson reported 1 Speckled Wood at Cowpen Bewley and 3 Peacock atDormans Pool

Mike Coates added Holly Blue to the season's list with 2 seen at Northumberland Park, North Shields.

Graham Beckwith visited Low Newton, Northumberland and saw 1 Male Orange Tip; 3 Peacock; 1 Large White and 2 Small White.

5 May.  Mike Taylor recorded 2 Small White at the Spetchells.

Dennis Gregson reports 2 Comma, 2 Peacock and one Small Tortoiseshell seen at Chester-le-Street.

Jonathan Wallace counted 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small White and 1 Orange Tip at Paradise SNCI, Newcastle.  Nearby off the Scotwood Road he also saw a single Orange Tip and a single Small White.

Derek Charlton saw 6 Comma in Elemore Woods.

Steve Austin counted 12 Peacock, 8 Small White, 2 Speckled Woods and 1 Comma during a visit to Russell Wood.

Tim Nelson visited Greenvale LNR Stockton on Tees, where he saw 4 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 5 Small White and 1 Green Veined White.

Mike Coates recorded 3 Speckled Wood in Northumberland Park, North Shields.

Keith Walton reported 10 Peacock, 6 Large White, 5 Small White, 1 Orange Tip,2 Small Tortoisehell, 1 Green Veined White , 5 Comma all at Broompark Picnic Site.

4 May.  Grahm Beckwith reported 1 Male Orange Tip, 2 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell from Cragside Estate.  Also at Rothbury Riverside he counted 7 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock.

Jonathan Wallace saw three Green Hairstreak and 1 Peacock at Dipton woods.

Mike Taylor also visited Dipton Woods and recorded a single Green Hairstreak plus 1 Green-veined White, 1 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell.

2 May.  Steve Austin reported 1 Small White, 15 Peacock and 5 Small Tortoiseshell at Russell Wood.

Stephen Lowther added Green-veined White to the season's tally with one seen at Strawberry Lane, Shincliffe, as well as 1 Peacock and 3 Small Tortoiseshell.

Keith Walton reported 10 Peacock, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 1 Small White at Broompark Picnic Site.

1 May.  Keith Walton saw 1 male Orange Tip at Broompark Picnic Site.

April 2013

29 April.  John Austin observed a Peacock on cliffs above south bay at St. Marys Lighthouse.

Graham Beckwith saw 1 Peacock and 1 female Orange Tip at Aykley Woods Durham.

20 April.  Steve Austin observed 3 each of Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock at Russell Wood.

Derek Charlton saw a Comma in Elemore Woods.

Mike Taylor reported 1 Comma and 1 Peacock at Heddon Banks.

19 April.  Rev. David Atkinson observed single Small White and single Small Tortoiseshell in the Vicarage garden, Dunston, Gateshead.

Steve Austin reported 1 Comma, 4 Peacock and a mating pair of small Tortoiseshell from Russell Wood.

Sid Gibson reported a Small Tortoiseshell at Moor Lane, Cleadon.

Derek Charlton saw 2 Small Tortoiseshell at Dorman's Pool, Teesside.

16 April.  Graham Lonsdale reported a Peacock seen at Sherburn House.

15 April.  Stephen Lowther reports 1 Comma and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Flass Vale LNR.

13 April.  Tim Nelson reported his first butterflies of the season: 1 Peacock and one small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Stockton.

Keith Walton also off the mark with 1 Comma and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Broompark Pinic Site, Durham.

Dan Gregson reports "3 Small Tortoiseshell in my allotment in Spennymoor, two were engaged in an aerial dogfight".

7 April.  Stephen Lowther reported a sighting of a Peacock at Low Burnhall.

3 April.  Following a persistently cold and butterfly unfriendly March, at last some butterfly sightings to report!  Sid Gibson saw a Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Jarrow

Derek Charlton also reported a Small Tortoiseshell, in his case observed at Dorman's Pool, Teesside.

Brian Jones, a visitor to the North East, opened the account for Peacock with a sighting in Chester le Street.

March 2013

2 March.  Mike Taylor kicks off the account for VC67 with a sighting of a Small Tortoiseshell by the Scotswood Road in Newcastle.

February 2013

28 February.  Stephen Lowther reports a sighting of a Small Tortoiseshell at Wharton Park, Durham City.

27 February.  Sid Gibson reports a Small Tortoiseshell seen by the River Don, Jarrow, staking his claim for the first butterfly of the 2013 season.


2012

September 2012

30 September.  Jonathan Wallace observed a Speckled Wood,after dark, perched on the window of the local supermarket at Cowgate, Newcastle.

28 September.  Steve Austin reported 43 Speckled Wood and a single Peacock counted in Russell Woods.

23 September.  Dan Gregson walked along along the River Wear between Croxdale and Tudhoe and counted 1 Comma, 4 Speckled Wood, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Red Admiral and two Small Copper which were observed as a pristine female appeared to be laying eggs low down in vegetation whilst attended closely by a well worn male.

Graham Beckwith visited Wingate Quarry where he counted 16 Small Heath, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock and 1 Common Blue (male).

22 September.  Graham Beckwith saw a single Speckled Wood and a Small Tortoiseshell at the Penshaw Monument tea rooms.

21 September.  On a cool and overcast day Steve Austin counted 17 Speckled Wood 17 plus 1 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoishell.

17 September.  Graeme Baker reported 36 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Tortoise-shell and 1 Red Admiral counted on the bridle path adjacent to Mere Knolls cemetery, Sunderland.

16 September.  Mike Coates counted at least 55 Speckled Wood in Northumberland Park, North Shields - almost twice as high as his previous best count in 2011.  He also observed a late Holly Blue.

15 September.  Steve Austin spent an hour in Russell Woods and saw the following :- Wall x 3, Speckled Wood x 31, Red Admiral x 1, Comma x 1.

9 September.  Graham Beckwith reports the following from Aykley Heads: Speckled Wood; 2 Wall Brown - a male and female nectaring on flowers in the car park of Police Headquarters; 1 Red Admiral; 1 Large White.

7 September.  Graham Beckwith saw 1 Peacock; 1 Comma; 1 Small White in Durham City.

5 September.  Malcolm Hutcheson counted Small White 2, Small Copper 2, Peacock 1, Red Admiral 2, Wall 1, Meadow Brown 4 and 2 Silver 'Y' moths at Cocklawburn Dunes.

4 September.  Graham Beckwith counted 1 Red Admiral; 1 Peacock. Both on buddleia in an old car park near Crook Hall, Durham City.

3 September.  Steve le Fleming saw 4 Dark Green Fritillaries on the path leading to High Force on the south side of the River Tees.  Three were very worn but the fourth appeared quite fresh.

Malcolm Hutcheson recorded Lareg White 1, Small White 3, Comma 1, Small Tortoiseshell 4, Peacock 10 and Red Admiral 7 in his garden at East Ord.

2 September.  Mike Taylor visited the Spetchells where he counted 1 Comma, 1 Small Copper, 1 Peacock, 2 Large White, 6 Meadow Brown, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small Skipper.  In his garden at Throckley Bank Top he also recorded 2 Painted Ladies, 3 Small Tortoiseshelland 1 Peacock.

Jonathan Wallace visited Big Waters where he recorded 10 Wall Brown, 2 Small Copper, 2 Meadow Brown and 1 Small Skipper.  He also visited Paradise, Scotswood where he counted 8 Wall Brown, 1 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Copper 2 Common Blue, 5 Large White, 1 Peacock, 1 Painted Lady and 3 Red Admirals.

1 September.  Graham Beckwith sent the following reports from the Rothbury area: Rothbury, Riverside east towards Thrum Mill: 2 Red Admiral; 3 Peacock; 13 Small Tortoiseshell; 2 Large White; 2 Small White; 3 unidentified Whites. Rothbury, Riverside west from Beggar's Rigg: 1 Small Skipper (a late but pristine specimen); 2 Green-veined White (mating pair); 2 Small Copper; 1 Red admiral; 1 Peacock; 1 Small White; 4 unidentified Whites. Cragside Estate, Rothbury: Following seen between the main car park and Tumbleton House - 1 Green-veined White; 1 Large White; 6 unidentified Whites; 11 Peacock; 3 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Red Admiral; 1 Silver Y moth. Cragside Estate, Rothbury: Following seen in the Formal Garden - 9 Peacock; 4 Red admiral; 5 Small Tortoiseshell; 3 Large White; 2 Small White; 4 unidentified Whites.

August 2012

29 September.  Jonathan Wallace observed a Speckled Wood on the window of the local supermarket after dark at Cowgate, Newcastle.

28 September.  Steve Austin counted 43 Speckeled Wood and a solitary Peacock at Russell Woods.

23 September.  Dan Gregson took a walk along the River Wear between Croxdale and Tudhoe and saw 1 Comma, 4 Speckled Wood, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Red Admiral and two Small Copper which were observed as a pristine female that appeared to be laying eggs low down in vegetation whilst attended closely by a well worn male.

Graham Beckwith visited Wingate Quarry and counted 16 Small Heath, 2 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock and 1 Common Blue (male).

22 September.  Graham Beckwith saw a single Speckled Wood and a single Small Tortoiseshell by the tea room at the Penshaw Monument.

21 September.  Steve Austin visited Russell Woods on a cool and overcast day but still managed to see good numbers 17 Speckled Woods plus 1 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoishell

17 September.  Graeme Baker reported 36 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Tortoise-shell and 1 Red Admiral counted on the bridle path adjacent to Mere Knolls cemetery,Sunderland.

28 August.  Graeme Baker visited Bishop Middleham Quarry for 2.5 hours on a sunny but blustery day and recorded 8 Common Blue (males), 15 Small Heath, 5 Large White, 4 Meadow Brown, 3 Peacock, 1 Northern Brown Argus(very tatty) and 4 Green Veined White.

27 August.  Steve Austin reports "a few sightings from Nose's Point and Blast Beech:- Small Heath 6, Meadow Brown 7, Large White 1, Common Blue 7. Small Skipper 1 and Wall 2".

24 August.  Derek Charlton reports "A walk around Elemore Woods and Low Haswell produced 15 Green-veined Whites, 14 Wall Brown, 1 Painted Lady, 2 Comma, 1 Ringlet, 2 Speckled Wood and 3 Large White".

21 August.  A visit to Lordenshaws near the Simonside Hills produced 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large Skipper and 2 Dark Green Fritillary for Derek Charlton.

20 August.  Derek Charlton recorded a Painted Lady at the Drake Stone at Harbottle Woods.

At Simonside a walk by Graham Beckwith through the forest tracks and through the clearing near the car park produced sightings of 9 Ringlet; 13 Small Skipper; 2 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Meadow Brown; 5 Green-veined White.

19 August.  Graham Beckwith visited Cragside Estate, Rothbury where he counted 2 Red Admiral; 10 Small Tortoiseshell; 5 Meadow Brown; 1 Ringlet; 2 Peacock; 4 Green-veined White; 1 Large White; 2 Small White.  These were seen on the walk from the shop, along the road above the lake and around the circular Lady Walk.

18 August.  Graham Beckwith reported 7 Meadow Brown; 3 Green-veined White; 1 Small White; 1 Large White seen at Alnmouth.

16 August.  Graham Beckwith visited various locations in the Rothbury area with the follwong results: Debdon Plantation 4 Ringlet; 36 Small Skipper; 2 Green-veined White; 6 Meadow Brown; 1 Small Copper. Also several Common Carpet moths.  Cragside Estate, Rothbury: 11 Small Skipper; 5 Ringlet; 2 Green-veined White; 1 Peacock.  Whitton Glebe, Rothbury: An aberrant Antler Moth attracted to the external light on our caravan. Other moths also present but not possible to identify them.

15 August.  Steve Austin and Graham Beckwith report the following from Wingate Quarry: "Small Heath 200 + when we stopped counting. Common Blue x 9 all males, Small Tort x 5, Silver Y x 2,Meadow Brown x 50 +, Five Spot Burnet X 1, Small Skipper x 9, Green Veined White x 5, Ringlet x 13, Small White x 1. Large White x 3 and Marbled White x 6."

Steve and Graham also visited Crow Trees Nature Reserve near Cassop where they saw 5 Small Heath; 1 Small Copper; 2 Small Skipper and a single Comma (the latter was missed by Graham and to his frustration, still remains unrecorded by him in 2012).

14 August.  John Richards reports: "At Kiplaw Moss today, one Large Heath, and on drier ground nearby at least 6 Small Heaths.  Kiplaw Moss is a fairly undistinguished blanket mire, but it does have plenty of bog pools. This year, Large Heath seems to be an August species!"

Steve Austin reported the following from Russell Woods: Speckled Wood x 6, Large White x 2, Small Skipper x 13, Meadow Brown x 10, Wall x 8, Small Copper x 3, Ringlet x 3.

13 August.  Ian Kerr reports from Holy Island: "A count in my usual patch between the wagonway and north end of the Straight Lonnen showed 36 Dark Green Frits.mainly nectaring on the remaining patches of flowering Red Clover.  Just six Meadow Browns were along the stretch, confirming what a poor year is has been for them on the island."

12 August.  Steve Austin reported a minimum of 4 White-letter Hairstreak at the Chester-le-street roundabout site referred to by Graham Beckwith below.  He also visited Nose Point where he saw Meadow Brown 14, Common Blue 1, Small Heath 3 and Small Skipper 2.

10 August.  Graham Beckwith reports: Belmont (Car park on the slip road to Belmont from Duham: 1 lone White-letter Hairstreak.  This was crawling through the upper branches of a small elm a few yards along the track from the car park, parallel to to the A690.  I returned later with camera and binoculars but no sign of any but did see 3 Purple Hairstreak in the oaks beside the track; also 3 Green-veined White.

9 August.  Trevor Richardson reported a visit to Cambois Dunes, Northumberland where he counted 57 Meadow Brown, 12 Ringlet, 8 Common Blue and 2 Small Skipper.

At the Chester-le-street A1 roundabout, Picktree exit, Graham Beckwith recorded 4 White-letter Hairstreak.

8 August.  Steve Austin visited Nose Point, Seaham where he saw Meadow Brown 20, Small Heath 22, Small Skipper 6, Common Blue 2 & Burnet Moths 12, ("the ones I saw close up were "Narrow Bordered Five Spot Burnets"].

Graham Beckwith visited Wingate Quarry where he counted 21 Meadow Brown, 5 Ringlet, 69 Small Heath, 24 Small Skipper, 14 Marbled White and 5 Common Blue (4 female).  He also recorded the follwoing moths: innumerable Shaded Broad-bar, 4 Narrow-bordered 5 Spot Burnet, 2 Latticed Heath & Udea lutealis.

5 August.  Dave Liddle reports: "Just to let you know the Dark Green Fritillary appears to moving down the Browny Valley from the Waskerley Way (several confirmed and unconfirmed sightings.  Congratulations. to all who have given time and expertise over the past few years to create new habitats.  As with Alan Brannon we also spotted a (well worn )Bob Mawson in the Wingate area ,it was from a distance we decided not to use the net!"

Mike Taylor observed a single White-letter Hairstreak at Bywell Bridge.

4 August.  Mr and Mrs Paul Hambleton recorded a Speckled Wood at Shotley Bridge Station.

Mike Taylor visited Grindon where he counted 5 Large Heath including a mating pair plus 6 Ringlet, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Small Skipper.  He also visited Warden where he recorded 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Tortoiseshell and 3 Green-veined White.

3 August.  Steve Austin reports "I went to Blackhall today and found the following :- Ringlet 4, Meadow Brown 18, Common Blue 2, Small Heath 1, Small Skipper 1. Burnet Moths 100 + ( I took a few photo's and these were 6 spot ].  Now this strange behaviour : - I observed at close quarter two male meadow browns fighting , the dominant male repeatedly attacked the other male on the ground, it retired close by only to repeat its attack.  The losing male lost part of it's wing and again the dominant male attacked with I believe every intention of killing the other.  The attacks were vicious on a, by now, helpless opponent.  Is this at all normal?  I have only seen arial attacks of butterflies before and these being fairly brief."  Comments from other observers on this or similar phenoena they have witnessed would be welcome.

2 August.  Steve Austin was happy to report that a couple of hours at Wingate produced the following sightings: Meadow Brown 15+, Small Heath 30+ , Marbled White 21, Common Blue 4 one female, Small Skipper 3.

July 2012

30 July.  John Richards reports "One Large Heath at Hotbank Moss looked fresh so it may be a very late season for this species".

29 July.  At Cragside, Graham Beckwith counted 16 Ringlet and 1 Green-veined White.

28 July.  Keith Walton reported 48 Meadow Brown, 35 Ringlet, 33 Common Blue, 50 Small Skipper, 78 Small Heath, 1 Painted Lady, 74 Marbled White and 2 White Letter Hairstreak at Wingate Quarry.

Graham Beckwith reports from Simonside, Northumberland "47 Ringlet - throughout the forest tracks but numerous also in clearing beside car parks; 29 Small Skipper - all in the clearing beside the car parks; 1 Common Blue (Male) - also in clearing beside the car parks; 8 Large Skipper - many very worn and all in clearing beside the car parks."

27 July.  Keith Walton recorded 2 Purple Hairstreak at Broompark.

24 July.  Michael Eccles reported the following from Kibblesworth: Common Blue x5,Ringlet x8, Meadow Brown x20+, Small Heath x20+,Small Skipper x20+, Green Veined White x1, Small Tortoiseshell x1. "Numbers very low for this time of year, Burnet Moths although in numbers are noticably very low from recent years".

22 July.  Ian Kerr found the following on Holy Island along the 500m track from north end of Straight Lonnen to wagonway stile N of Lough: Dark Green Fritilliary 49, Ringlet 16, Meadow Brown 6 (seemed very few about) all well overshadowed by 556 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnets(and I probably missed many more of them!).

21 July  Alan Brannon reports "A sunny morning at Wingate Quarry gave a count of 53 Marbled Whites across the site including two mating pairs. Also 66 Meadow Browns, 84 Ringlets, 55 Small Heath and 34 Common Blues. Also 4 speckled woods & 1 small Tortoiseshell. Also sighting of 1 Bob Mawson plus friend!"

Graham Beckwith reported the following from Rothbury Riverside (West from Beggars Rigg): 1 Dark Green Fritillary; 12 Ringlet; 2 Small Skipper; 1 Common Blue (Male); 3 Meadow Brown; 2 Small Tortoiseshell.  He also reported five Large Heath from another site near Rothbury.

17 July.  Keith Walton visited Colliery Wood LNR and counted the following Butterflies 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral,1 Small Heath,1 Large White,15 Large Skipper, 24 Small Skipper, 39 Meadow Brown, 90 Ringlet.

16 July.  Mike Taylor reported 2 Common Blue,6 Small Heath, 2 Large Skipper, 8 Meadow Brown, 35 Ringlet, 6 Dark Green Fritillaries and 1 Speckled Wood at Druridge Bay.

Polite request.  There has been a report of some people causing damage to vegetation at Wingate Quarry and Bishop Middleham Quarry by careless trampling of vegetation whilst trying to photograph butterflies.  It is not suggested that anyone reporting on this web-site has been guilty of this but the opportunity is taken to politely request ALL butterfly enthusiasts to tread carefully and avoid causing damage to the insects or their habitat whilst tryng to observe or photograph butterflies. The careless actions of the few can adversley affect the reputation of all butterfly lovers and more importantly can harm the survival of the very insects we are seeking to protect.

15 July.  Derek Charlton reported seeing single Graylings at the Long Drag and Greatham Cree, Teesside respectively.  Then at Elemore Golfcourse: 11 Ringlet, 3 Small Heath, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Small Skipper, 3 Common Blue, 4 Speckled Wood.  At Debdon Forest Graham Beckwith counted 1 Dark Green Fritillary (female), 8 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 64 Ringlet, 3 Large Skipper and 1 female Common Blue.

Andrew Kinghorn visited two sites in Durham with the following results: Bishop Middleham Quarry: 2+ Common Blue, 10+ Northern Brown Argus, 15+ Ringlet, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Large Skipper in brief visit. Wingate Quarry: 2 Small Skipper, 6+ Marbled White, 1 Meadow Brown, 6+ Small Heath, and 1 Large Skipper.

14 July.  Trevor Richardson visited the dunes at Cambois where he reports that he "saw 62 common blues but since i only remembered to start counting half way along I probably saw well over 100 as well as 8 ringlets and 2 large skippers".

Keith Walton visited sveral sites on the Durham coast and also Wingate Quarry with the following results: Nose Point- 43 Ringlet, 35 Meadow Brown. Chourdon Point- 51 Rinlet, 12 Meadow Brown, 10 Small Heath, 11 CoomonBlue, 15 Large Skipper, 5 Northern Brown Argus. Hordon Grasslands- 72 Ringlet, ,44 Meadow Brown,10 Common Blue, 12 Small Heath, 25 Large Skipper. Limekiln Gill- 1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady, 55 Small Heath, 17 Meadow Brown. 2 Common Blue. Blackhall Colliery- 105 Ringlet, 22 Meadow Brown, 25 Small Heath, 14 Common Blue. Wingate Quarry- 63 Ringlet, 22 Meadow Brown, 42 Small Heath, 27 Common Blue, 17 Large Skipper, 4 Marbled White, 1 Red Admiral.

13 July.  Keith Walton reported the following from Bishop Middleham: 1 Large White, 52 Ringlets,11 Meadow Brown,10 Small Heath then at Wingate Quarry he saw 1 Large White, 1 Marbled White( 3 here the day before),84 Ringlet,25 Meadow Brown,39 Small Heath,21 Common Blue,19 Large Skipper.

12 July.  Graeme Baker visited Wingate Quarry where he reported "Despite weather conditions photographed pristine (newly emerged?) marbled white personal first for this year.  Good numbers of Ringlets,Meadow Browns and Large Skippers".  Graham Beckwith also visited Wingate and recorded 4 Marbled White (first of the year), 11 Small Skipper, 4 Large Skipper, 17 Common Blue (all but one were male), 14 Small Heath, a minimum of 40 Ringlet (including a mating pair); a minimum of 32 Meadow Brown (including a mating pair).

8 July.  Keith Walton visited Crimdon Dene where he saw 2 Red Admiral,2 Ringlet, 1 Small Heath, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Northern Brown Argus.  Then at Wingate Quarry he counted 18 Ringlet, 9 Small Heath,1 Large Skipper, 6 Meadow Brown, 7 Common Blue but reported no sign of any Marbled White.

Steve Austin visited Nose point in Seaham and counted Common Blue 4 males. Small Heath 2. Small Tortoishell 1. and also Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Moth 2 and Silver-Y 3.

7 July.  Mike Taylor reported 3 Large Heath, 1 Tortoisehell at Grindon Lough. Then at Sweethough Lough 7 Small Pear-bordered Fritillaries,1 Large Skipper, 2 Small Heath,1 Green-veined White

Graham Beckwith and Steve Austin counted 3 Ringlet; 1 Large Skipper; 17 Shaded Broadbar; 1 unidentified Plume Moth on the verge of the A1 roundabout at Chester-le street.

5 July.  Graham Beckwith sent the following report: Aykley Wood, Durham: 2 Ringlet; 11 Purple Hairstreak - these were in the canopies of 3 oak trees on the edge of Hopper Wood and 2 oak trees within the grasslands. DLI Museum: On waste ground behind car park - 3 Ringlet.

4 July.  Steve Austin visited Russel Woods where he recorded: Large White 2. Speckled Wood 7. Common Blue 2. males. Ringlet 12. Large Skipper 2. Meadow Brown 1.

Derek Charlton reported 3 Northern Brown Argus from Pittington Hills

Eddie Crabtree saw and photographed a Brimstone in his garden at Stamfordham

3 July.  Derek Charlton visited Pittington Hills and reports "My first 5 Meadow Brown and 1 Ringlet of the year, also 1 Northern Brown Argus, 1 Dingy Skipper, 1 Large Skipper, 4 Common Blue, 5 Small Heath and 3 Speckled Wood".

Malcolm Hutcheson surveyed Needles Eye near Berwick and recorded 3 Small White, 1 Common Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Red Admiral and 2 Meadow Brown.

Keith Walton visited a nuber of sites and reported the following:Crimdon Dene- 4 Meadow Brown, 43 Common Blue,15 Small Heath, 2 Northern Brown Argus,1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth. Warren Hart- 2 Small White, 10 Common Blue, 6 Small Heath, 6 Northern Brown Argus, 1 Large Skipper. Blackhall Colliery, 1 Small White, 1 Large Skipper also swarms of 6 Spotted Burnet Moth unable to count accurately at least 500 to 1000. Wingate- 11 Meadow Brown, 1 Green Veined White,8 Small Heath, 9 Common Blue, 2 Large Skipper.

1 July.  Steve Austin and Graham Beckwith visited Wingate where they saw 4 Ringlet, 6 Large Skipper, 7 Small Heath, 8 Common Blue and 2Meadow Brown.

Ian Kerr reports from Holy Island "A first good showing of Dark Green Fritillaries - 22 noted between the willow patch at Chare Ends and the gate at the N end of Straight Lonnen.  Also my two first Common Blues of the season in the same stretch.  Considering the downpour two days earlier I'm amazed any survived at all.  Obviously much tougher than we think!"

June 2012

30 June.  Graham Beckwith reported his first Meadow Brown of the year at the DLI Museum Durham, where he also saw a Cinnabar Moth and a Silver-Y moth.  Mike Taylor reported 2 Speckled Wood and a single Ringlet from Whittle Dene Woods.

29 June.  Steve Austin went to Wingate Querry and recorded: Small Heath 3, Common Blue 7, Large Skipper 2, Speckled Wood 2 and 1 Ringlet.  He went to Rainton next and again it was very quiet with Speckled Wood 3, Large Skipper 4 and 1 Ringlet.

27 June.  Keith Walton visited Waskerly Way late afternoon between 17.00 and 18.30 hrs and saw 1 Ringlet, 10 Small Heath, 12 Dingy Skippers, 4 Green Veined White and 2 Small Tortoiseshell.

26 June.  Graeme Baker visited Bishop Middleham Quarry with the following results: 22 Northern Brown Argus, 2 Large White, 9 Small Heath, 3 Large Skipper, 4 Dingy Skipper and 14 Common Blue.  Keith Walton also reported 'good numbers' of the same species as well as a sighting of a Hummingbird Hawk-moth.

Graham Beckwith recorded 17 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries including a mating pair at a site near Rothbury

20 June.  Derek Charlton recorded 19 Small Heath, 3 Orange Tip, 4 Large White, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Peacock, 3 Common Blue and 2 Large Skipper at Elemore Woods.

19 June.  Graham Beckwith checked out the grassland area adjacent to the A167 near Framwellgate Moor (former scrambling track) where he saw Small Copper (7), Small Heath (2), Peacock (2) and Large Skipper (2).

18 June.  Several people independently made a visit to Bishop Middleham Quarry with similar results: Tim Nelson recorded 1 Large Skipper, 12 Northern Brown Argus, 10 Common Blue, 9 Small Heath and 4 Dingy Skipper.  Graham Beckwith's totals were: 8 Northern Brown Argus, 21 Common Blue (12 Male, 9 Female), 7 Dingy Skipper, 2 Wall Brown, 7 Small Heath, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Orange Tip (Male).  Jim Wade's tally was 4 Northern Brown Argus, 6 Dingy Skipper, 1 Orange Tip and 8 Common Blue.  Several moths were also reported with Tim noting newly emerging Cinnabar Moth and Graham recording 5 Cinnabar Moths, a Bordered Sallow and a Burnet Moth caterpillar.

Elsewhere, Dave Liddle and Michael Eccles were pleased to report - "late but here at last" - 7 Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary on the A68 sites in Durham.   Stephen Lowther repcorded 2 Large Skipper at Bowburn Cemetery and Keith Walton recorded 1 Peacock , 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Green Veined White and 3 Large White at Broompark and 1 Large White at Neville's Cross, Durham.

14 June.  Graham Beckwith and Steve Austin visited Wingate Quarry where they recorded 3 Common Blue (all male), 2 Large Skipper, 1 Small Heath and 1 Wall Brown.

12 June.  Tim Nelson visited at North Gare, Teesside where he saw 1 Large Skipper, 19 Small Heath, 2 Wall Brown and 24 Common Blue then at Dormans Pool he counted 10 Common Blue, 2 Wall brown and 3 Speckled Wood.

10 June.  Derek Charlton counted 12 Common Blue and 2 Small Heath at Crimdon.

4 June.  Derek Charlton saw 7 Dingy Skipers at Elemore Woods.

A late afternoon visit to Bishop Middleham Quarry by Alan Brannon produced: Dingy Skipper 18, Orange Tip 1, Common Blue 20, Wall 16, Small Copper 2, Small Heath 1, and Speckled Wood 1.

3 June.  Malcolm Hutcheson reported the following from Needles Eye north of Berwick: Large White 5, Small White 4, Green-veined White 4, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Wall 2.

May 2012

30 May.  Derek Charlton reported the following from Elemore Woods: 10 Orange Tip, 2 Wall Brown, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Small Heath, 4 Small White.

27 May.  Graham Beckwith reported 3 Green-veined White; 1 Orange Tip from Debdon Plantation, Rothbury.

26 May.  Brian Pollinger visited Tanfield Railway, Garteshead and recorded the following excellent totals: Dingy Skipper 83, Wall Brown 10, Small Copper 5, Small White 3, Large White 2, Orange Tip 5, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 5, Small Yellow Underwing 5, Mother Shipton 8, Brown Silver-lines 4, Latticed Heath 2 and Common Heath 3.

Tim Nelson visited Dorman's Pool on Teesside and counted 9 Wall Brown, 22 Dingy Skipper, 7 Common Blue, 12 Small Copper, 1 Large White, 1 Small White.

25 May.  Keith Smith visited a site adjacent to the North Tyneside Steam Railway at Silverlink where he saw 4 Dingy Skipper, 1 Large White,4 Orange Tip,1 Peacock and 2 Wall Brown.

Graham Beckwith saw a Speckled Wood at the DLI Museum, Durham.

24 May.  Mike Coates saw what may be the first Painted Lady of the year near the Metro station at Tynemouth this morning.

Iain and Sue Wilson, visiting from Northamptonshire, counted 9 Wall Brown in the Dunes at Druridge Bay close to the Country Park coach park.  Sue had previously seen several Wall Brown in te same area on 22nd May.

Keith Robson reported a Holly Blue and good numbers of Speckled Wood at Backhouse Park, Sunderland.

Roger Norman also reported Holly Blue, which seems to be having a good year, with 4 seen at Jesmond Old Cemetery.  He also reported 8 Dingy Skipper observed at Brenkley.

Den Gregson walked along the River Wear from Croxdale to Tudhoe and counted 14 Orange Tip (all males), 8 Large White, 8 Small White, 5 Peacock (all very worn), 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Wall Brown and 1 Comma.

23 May.  Graeme Baker visited Bishop Middleham Quarry where he counted 1 male Common Blue, 7 Wall Brown, 17 Dingy Skipper, 1 Large White, 1 male Orange Tip, 8 Peacock and 3 Green-veined White.

22 May.  Derek Charlton observed 7 Green Hairstreaks at Muggleswick. 

Graeme Baker recorded a Holly Blue in his garden in Sunderland.

Keith Walton visited Wingate Quarry where he reports seeing 13 Wall, 3 Orange Tip, 1 Small Tortoisehell,10 Peacock, 5 Large White,3 Green Veined White, 2 Small Copper and no fewer than 42 Dingy Skipper.  He also visited Bishop Middleham Quarry where he saw 2 Speckled Wood, 11 Peacock, 1 Large White, 6 Orange Tip, 1 Green Veined White, 7 Wall, 3 Common Blue and 19 Dingy Skipper.

Stephen Lowther visited Bishop Middleham Quarry between 17:00 and 17:45 where he saw 3 Orange Tip (all male), 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Peacock, 3 Dingy Skipper and 6 Wall Brown.

Jonathan Wallace counted 1 Small Copper, 12 Wall Brown and 7 Dingy Skipper at Paradise, Scotswood.  He then visited waste ground on the south side of the Tyne near the Metro Centre transport interchange and saw 2 Wall Brown and 2 Dingy Skippers.

Graham Beckwith visited Running Waters Quarry where he reports seeing 28 Dingy Skipper, 5 Wall Brown, 3 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Orange Tip (male), 1 Green-veined White and 2 Large White.   Later in the day whilst killing time while his car was being serviced he saw a Small Copper on Stoneygate Lane, Felling, then 1 Peacock; 1 Holly Blue; 2 unidentified Whites; 1 Speckled Wood along the banks of the Tyne in Felling, Gateshead.  Later still he saw a Wall Brown at the DLI Museum, Durham.

21 May.  Graham Beckwith reported 2 Green-veined White; 3 Orange Tip (all female) from Debdon Plantation near Rothbury.

20 May.  Derek Charlton observed 1 Dingy Skipper, 1 Orange Tip, 2 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Elemore Golfcourse and 1 Wall Brown in Easington Lane allotments.

Keith Walton reported 10 Orange tip,5 Peacock,1 Speckled Wood,2 Green Veined White,1 Large White, 2 Wall at Broompark.

Graham Beckwith recorded 5 Orange Tip (4 male; 1 female), 3 Green-veined White and 2 Small Tortoiseshell at Rothbury riverside.

19 May.  Chris Barlow reported 5 Green Veined White and 1 Wall Brown on Holy Island.

13 May.  Graham Beckwith reported a Peacock and a Wall Brown at Running Waters Quarry.

12 May.  Mike Taylor counted 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Green-veined White, 5 male Orange-tips and 2 female Orange-tips at Allerwash; he also recorded 1 Tortoiseshell, 1 male Orange-tip and 2 female Orange-tips at Warden.  Alan Davis saw a Speckled Wood in his garden in South Gosforth.

9 May.  Chris Barlow found a solitary Green Hairstreak at Dipton Woods, Northumberland.  Graham Beckwith reported a single male Orange Tip from Sniperly Park, Durham.

8 May.  Graeme Baker reported 1 Dingy Skipper and 1 Small Tortoiseshell from Wingate Quarry.  Keith Walton reported 1 Peacock,5 Orange Tip,9 Green Veined White at Broompark,1 Peacock at Framwellgate Moor and 1 Peacock at Pity Me.

7 May.  Derek Charlton recorded a single Dingy Skipper at Wingate Quarry.  He also saw 5 Orange Tip and single Speckled Wood at Durham Wildlife Trust's Rainton Meadows nature reserve.

Graeme Baker visited Bishop Middleham Quarry between 1100 and 1330, where he saw 3 Green veined whites, 2 Peacocks and 7 Speckled Wood.  Keith Walton reported 2 Orange Tip, 2 Peacock,1 Large White,1 Green Veineed White at Broompark.

Mike Taylor visited Dipton Woods, Northumberland where he recorded 1 Peacock and 7 Green Hairstreaks.

Alan Davis saw a Holly Blue in his garden in South Gosforth - after an absence of two years.

6 May.  Jonathan Wallace saw 4 Wall Brown, 1 Small Copper, 1 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Small White and 1 Green-veined White at Paradise SNCI, Newcastle.  Keith Walton reported 5 Orange Tip, 5 Peacock, 2 Green Veined White,3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Wall at Broompark and at Wingate Quarry- 2 Peacock,1 Green Veined White, 1 Wall.

Stephen Lowther walked from Bowburn to Crowtrees L.N.R via Old Quarrington and saw 9 Peacock, 4 Orange Tip (all male), 5 Green-veined White, 1 Large White, 1 Speckled Wood and 2 Small Tortoiseshell.  He then visited Low Newton Junction L.N.R where he saw 2 Peacock and 5 Orange Tip (again all male).

Steve Austin recorded a single Dingy Skipper at Wingate Quarry and A Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock at Running Waters Quary.  Graham Beckwith also visited Wingate inthe hope of seeing Dingy Skipper but was rewarded with only a single Peacock.

5 May.  Despite the low temperatures and a hail shower Graham Beckwith found 4 Green Hairstreaks basking on Gorse blossom once the sun came out at Lamp Hill, Alnwick.

3 May.  Graham Beckwith found no butterflies at Running Waters Quarry, Durham but did find a Drinker moth caterpillar.

April 2012

28 April.  Steve Austin was pleased to see 2 Orange Tip, 8 Speckled Wood, 2 Small White, 2 Green Veined White, 2 Peacock and one Small Tortoiseshell during a visit to Russell Woods, Coaley Lane.

Mike Taylor reported two Green Hairstreaks from Dipton Woods.

John Atkinson observed single Small White and a Peacock in a sheltered area below the Priory at Tynemouth.  In the wooded area between Lord Collingwood's Monument and Priors Park he saw a number of Speckled Wood with four pairs spiralling.

27 April.  Stephen Lowther obsevred a single Speckled Wood late in the afternoon at Bishop Middleham Quarry.

22 April.  Tom Tams reported a Brimstone seen in his garden at Tynemouth as well as Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Peacock, and Small Tortoiseshell.

21 April.  Keith Walton reported 12 Orange Tip, 5 Small White, 2 Green-veined White and 4 Peacock at Broompark.  Denis Gregson observed a single Speckled Wood in a garden in Spennymoor.

13 April.  Keith Walton reports a Small Tortoiseshell at Broompark.

11 April.  Graeme Baker reported seeing 2 Speckled Woods and 1 Small White at Broompark between 12 - 1pm despite the hail showers and temp of 7 degrees.

8 April.  Steve Austin was pleased to see 5 Speckled Wood in woods near his home on Coaley Lane.

5 April.  Keith Walton reported the following sightings: 1 Orange Tip at Framwellgate Moor, 1 Orange Tip and 6 Small Tortoiseshell at Broompark.

4 April.  Graham Beckwith observed 1 Peacock basking on a Pieris shrub at Sniperley Park, Durham.  He then travelled to Rothbury where he saw 8 Small Tortoiseshell in various locations along the riverside west from Beggar's Rigg.

1 April.  Graham Beckwith reported the following sightings from various locations near Rothbury: Rothbury (Riverside West) - 2 Small Tortoiseshell.  Little Tosson, south-west of Rothbury - 1 Small Tortoiseshell.  Cragside: 33 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock and 1 Small White.

March 2012

30 March.  Keith Robson reported a remarkable day's tally for March with eight species seen.  On Waldridge Fell he recorded Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Comma, Orange Tip, Small White, Large White and Speckled Wood then later at Backhouse Park, Sunderland he added Holly Blue to the tally as well as more Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Speckled Woods.

Keith Walton recorded the following at Broompark: 25+ Small Tortoiseshell, 10+ Peacocks, 2 Comma, 4 Small White, 21 male and 1 female Orange Tip.

29 March.  Steve Austin counted 1 Comma, 3 Speckled Wood, 5 Peacock and 6 Small Tortoiseshell in Coaley Lane.  Keith Walton reported 12 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Peacock, 1 Comma, 1 Large White, 4 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 3 or 4 Orange Tip (all male) from Broompark where he also observed several Orange Underwing moths.  Alan Davis visited Weetslade Country Park where he counted 5 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and a Comma.

Keith Smith continued the trend for very early sightings with a sighting of two Green Hairstreaks at Dipton Woods, Northumberland.

Ian Kerr and Mike Natrass recorded 2 Orange Tips at Wylam Pumping station an a Speckled Wood and reported that there were good numbers of Small Tortoiseshells in both areas and three Peacocks.

28 March.  Tom Tams saw a Holly Blue and Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Tynemouth.  Keith Walton counted 10 Peacock and 5 Small Tortoiseshell at Broompark Picnic site and also saw 3 - 4 of each at Framwellgate Moor, Pity Me, Chester Moor, Chester-le Street, Birtley, Sacriston, Whitton Gilbert, Langley Park, Bearpark and Ushaw Moor.

Michael Eccles visited Clara Vale where he recorded 1 Orange Tip(M), 1 Speckled Wood,1 Small White, 1 Peacock and 5 Small Tortoishell.  Keith Smith reported two Orange Tip males seen at Close House nature reserve.

27 March.  The continuation of the exceptionally warm sunny weather has produced a flush of sightings across the region: Daria Wallace observed a Speckled Wood near to the Botanic Gardens, Newcastle.  Graham Beckwith recorded 8 Peacocks and 15 Small Tortoiseshell at Running Waters Quarry.  Keith Walton reported Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks in ones and twos at various points in Teesdale between Staindrop and Langdon Beck.  John Atkinson recorded 3 Small White and 2 Peacock at Havannah LNR, Hazelrigg and 2 Small White and 5 Peacock at Big Waters, Wideopen.  Graeme Baker saw 20 plus Peacocks, 5 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 Small Whites over 3 hours from midday at Bishop Middleham Quarry.  Steve Austin saw a Comma and 7 Small Tortoiseshells on Coaley Lane.  Jill Stewart counted 8 small tortoishell, 5 peacocks and a male Orange Tip at Wylam riverside.  Jonathan Wallace saw a Comma at Cowgate, Newcastle.

Michael Coates reported the first Holly Blue of the year in Northumberland Park, North Shields where he also saw 1 Small White, 3 Comma, 1 Peacock, 2 Speckled Woods.

26 March.  Keith Walton reports an amazingly early Small Copper at Broompark picnic area (previous earliest record 13 April 2003).  He also reports that Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock were widespread in small numbers in Durham with 10+ of each seen in three gardens in Framwellgate Moor and 3+ of each in Broompark, Shincliffe and Pity Me.

Michael Eccles counted 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral and 2 Small White at Shotley Bridge.

25 March.  Brian Denham added Brimstone to the tally of species recorded so far this year with one seen in his garden in west Darlington.  Stephen Lowther visited Flass Vale LNR, Durham in the afternoon and found Small White on the wing as well as two Comma and four Peacock.

Graham Beckwith was out and about in the Rothbury area and recorded the following: Whitton Glebe, Rothbury - 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock; Cragside Cottages, Rothbury - 1 Large White; Rothbury (Hillside West) - 2 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell; Rothbury (Brae Head) - 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock; Rothbury (near Ship Crag) - 1 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell; Rothbury (Gimmerknowe) - 5 Small Tortoiseshell.

24 March.  Steve Austin saw Peacock and Small Tortoisesheel on Coaley Lane.  Stephen Lowther reported a Comma seen at Low Newton Junction L.N.R, along with two Peacock.  Steve Reid, meanwhile visited Hedley Hall woods, Gateshead and saw numerous Peackocks and 2 Small Tortoiseshells.

In Rothbury, Graham Beckwith watched two Small Tortoiseshells chasing one another close to the River Coquet.

22 March.  Keith Smith claimed the first Orange Tip of the year with a single male spotted at Close House Nature Reserve.  Keith Walton visited Broompark picnic site where he recorded the following: 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 4 Small White, 2 Comma and 1 Speckled Wood.  On the same day Derek Charlton saw 3 Peacock and 5 Small Tortoiseshell at Elemore Woods whilst Roger Norman reported 2 Peacock seen at Havannah LNR near Hazlerigg.

15 March.  Steve Austin visited a number of sites in Durham in search of butterflies and was rewarded with a Small Tortoiseshell at Wingate Quarry and then another at Coaley Lane, Newbottle.  Alan Brannon reported a Small Tortoiseshell at Lanchester Valley Railway Path, Langley Park, basking in the sunshine on willow catkins.

14 March.  Peter Fletcher reported a Small Tortoiseshell in his garden at Dinnington.

12 March.  Steve Kirtley saw a Red Admiral in a garden near his home in Darlington.  Given the date, this was assumed to be an 'over-winterer' rather than a migrant.  Keith Walton repored a Peacock at Templetown, Consett.

11 March.  Stephen Lowther recorded his first Small Tortoiseshell of the year at Flass Vale LNR, Durham City.  Keith Walton reported two very early Large Whites at Broompark picnic area, Durham and a Small Tortoiseshell at Framwellgate Moor.

9 March.  Peter Fletcher observed his first Small Tortoiseshell of the year at Beacon Hill, Cramlington.

1 March.  Steve Austin saw his first Small Tortoiseshell of the year at Running Waters Quarry on a wonderful sunny day.

February 2012

28 February.  Michael Eccles reported at least three Small Tortoiseshell seen at Hartlepool Marina.  David Lacey saw a Peacock in his garden in Durham.

24 February.  National Trust Ranger, Chris Wood spotted a Peacock whilst working at Hawthorn Dene on the Durham Coast.

19 February.  Graham Bowman reported a 'probable Peacock' seen in flight in a sheltered hollow at Ross Back Sands near to Holy Island.

January 2012

11 January.  Dave Liddle reports that a couple of Durham CC rangers , Deborah Hannaby and Mark Rothery working on the Sherburn railway transect were more than surprised when a Peacock appeared. 

1 January.  Mike Henry saw a Peacock on 1st Jan at Bondicarr (nr Hauxely).  It was eaten by a pied wagtail! (reported by Roger Norman).


2011

November 2011

19 November.  Keith Walton reports that at least two Red Admirals were present at Broompark.  When leaving Holy Island, Ian Edgar saw a Red Admiral by the roadside between Beale House and the level crossing.

17 November.  John Atkinson saw a single Red Admiral traveling along the "bumpy road" at Prestwick Carr

12 November.  John Atkinson reported a single Red Admiral that lifted from bridle path on way to sentry boxes at Prestwick Carr near Dinnington.  On the same day Graeme Bowman saw 2 Commas (fresh-looking) sunning themselves at Newbiggin (at 'the mound') and a single Red Admiral flew over

7 November.  Comma still present in Malcolm Hutcheson's Berwick garden.  Malcolm also reported a Red Admiral at Castle Hills, Berwick.

6 November.  Stef McElwee had a very fresh Comma butterfly in his garden in Brunswick, Newcastle.  Stephen Lowther observed a Red Admiral flying at Low Barns Nature reserve.  Mike Taylor saw 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Tyne Green Hexham and another close by.  Meanwhile Graeme Bowman reported a Comma at Newbiggin (Northumberland) - in the area known as the 'mound' and Malcolm Hutcheson also observed a Comma on late flowering Buddleja weyeriana in his garden near Berwick-upon Tweed.

4 November.  Malcolm Hutcheson saw a Red Admiral in Seahouses in asea front garden)and then a second one further up the road at Bamburgh Castle.

3 November.  Michael Eccles extended this year's butterfly flight season into November with a sighting of 1 Red Admiral and 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Clara Vale.

October 2011

28 October.  Steve Austin reported 2 Red Admirals at Rainton Meadows.

24 October.  Keith Walton reported 1 Small Copper, 10 Red Admiral, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Comma, 2 Peacockand 2 Speckled Wood at Broompark.

22 October.  Rob Gavan reported a pair of Red Admirals nectaring in his garden at Gunnerton, Hexham.

19 October.  Steve Austin reported a Red Admiral at Coaley Lane, Durham.  Rob Gavan reported A Comma and a Small Tortoiseshell nectaring on flowers in his garden at Gunnerton, near Hexham.

16 October.  Jonathan Wallace saw a Red Admiral flying in Fenham, Newcastle.  At Cragside, near Rothbury Graham Beckwith saw : 3 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Red Admiral; 4 Silver Y moths.

15 October.  Dave Liddle walked Dursand to Collier Law track and recorded 5 Red Admirals, 1 Wall and 1 Small Tortoishell.  On the same day, during a lovely sunny walk around Weetslade Country Park, Alan Davis saw 1 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Common Blue [male].  In her garden near Bardon Mill, Hexham, Carline Bluck saw a Comma feeding on Michaelmas Daisies.  Graham Beckwith was out and about in the Rothbury area and made the folowing observations: Rothbury, Riverside West: 1 Large White, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock and 1 Silver Y moth.  Whitton Glebe, Rothbury: 3 Red Admiral; 2 Small Tortoiseshell.  Meanwhile at at Broompark ( Picnic Area) on the Keith Walton recorded 10 Red Admirals,1 Small Tortoisehell, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Small Copper - all appeared to be freshly emerged.

14 October. Malcolm Hutcheson reported a Small White in nhis garden at East Ord, Berwick, as well as 8 Small Tortoiseshell and 11 Red Admirals.

9 October.  Steve Austin saw 2 Red Admirals at Nose point Seaham.

6 October.  Darren Archer counted 10 Red Admirals and 3 Speckled Woods in Hawthorne Dene between the car park and the beach making the most of the sun in sheltered spots.  Dave Liddle reported 5 Red Admirals (which seem to be having a good Autumn) at Longburn Ford Quarry.

5 October.  Derek Charlton reported approximately 25 Speckled Wood and 4 Red Admirals at Whitburn CP.

3 October.  Dave Liddle reported 11 Red Admirals at Pow Hill County Park, Durham.

1 October.  Graham Beckwith counted 11 Red Admiral, 13 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Comma - most nectaring on Hebe at Heighley Gate Garden Centre, Morpeth.

September 2011

30 September.  While walking the coastal path between Rumbling Kern, Howick and Craster, John Atkinson saw numerous Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells and 3 Speckled Wood.  Later on the same day, he also observed a female Common Blue at Banks Pond, Dinnington.  Graham Beckwith visited Wingate Quarry where he counted 11 Red Admiral, 2 Painted Lady, 14 Small Tortoiseshell, 17 Small Heath and 4 Silver-Y moths.

29 September.  G.S.Butterfield reported 25 Red Admirals on the plum trees at Dolly's Wood, Butsfield (reported by Dave Liddle).

28 September.  Steve Austin recorded 1 Small White, 2 Painted Lady , 1 Large White , 4 Silver-Y moths, 5 Red Admiral, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Common Blue and 5 Speckled Wood (one pair mating).  He then called at Wingate and found the following : 1 Peacock, 4 Small Heath, 1 Speckled Wood and 2 Small Tortoiseshell.

26 September.  Peter Fletcher reported 4 Speckled Wood and 3 Red Admiral from St Mary's Wetland, Whitley Bay.

25 September.  Graham Beckwith saw 2 Red Admiral; 2 Peacock; 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Whitton Glebe.

24 September.  Graham Beckwith reported 3 Red Admiral. 1 Small Tortoiseshell from Whitton Glebe, Rothbury.  Also 2 Frosted Orange Moths attracted to the lights of his caravan.

21 September.  John Atkinson reported a single Small Tortoiseshell from Prestwick Carr, close to the sentry box.  Graham Beckwith visited Wingate Quarry where he saw his first Painted Lady of the year but was disappointed to see nothing else.

14 September.  Michael Eccles recorded the following at Clara Vale: 2 Red Admiral, 3 Peacock, 1 Small Copper and 15 Speckled Wood.

13 September.  Graham Beckwith rported a single Red Admiral nectaring in a garden at Sniperley Park, Durham.

11 September.  Graham Beckwith reported 1 Red Admiral from Whitton Glebe near Rothbury.

4 September.  Michael Taylor was at the Spetchells where he saw 5 Wall pair mating, 7 Speckled Wood, 3 Small Copper, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Small White, 1 Large White, 4 Peacock, 1 Tortosieshell.  At Rothbury riverside Graham Beckwith recorded Small Copper (2 of the form caeruleopunctata), 2 Large White, 1 Small White, 2 Green-veined White and 1 Small Tortoiseshell.  He also visited Cragside and saw 3 Red Admiral, 7 Peacock an 1 Large White in the vicinity of the shop.

3 September.  Graham Beckwith saw a single Small Tortoiseshell at Rothbury.

August 2011

29 August.  A disappointing day at Dunstanburgh on the Northumberland coast for Graham Beckwith in weather "more akin to a November day" produced just a single Green-veined White and a single Small White.

21 August.  Steve Austin reported the following from Blackhall: Meadow Brown x 7, Small White x 16, Wall x 7, Small tortoiseshell x 2, Peacock x 10, Red Admiral x 2, Painted Lady x 1, Speckled Wood x 1, Common Blue x 1 (f), Small Skipper x 1, Small Copper x 1.  On a walk from Ovingham to the Spetchells Mike Taylor saw 4 Meadow Brown, 1 Comma, 1 Painted Lady, 3 Wall, 3 Green-veined White, 1 Large White and 1 Small White. 

Graham Beckwith saw 5 Peacock; 7 Red Admiral near the entrance to Cragside then at Debdon Plantation he saw 4 Red Admiral in a clearing within the plantation with the following in the clearing by the roadside - 3 Peacock, 2 Red Admiral, 5 Small Skipper and 2 unidentified Whites.

20 August.  At Rothbury Riverside (west from Beggar's Rigg) Graham Beckwith counted 5 Small Copper, 1 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 2 Large White, 6 unidentified Whites, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Wall Brown, 3 Peacock and 1 Red Admiral.

18 August.  Andrew Kinghorn sent the following report from Bishop Middleham Quarry: "20 or so Peacock, 10 or so Red Admiral, 10 Common Blue, 2 Speckled Wood, 5-10 Green-veined White, 10 or so Wall Brown. No Painted Lady!"  At Hauxley Paul Tankard reported a superb day with over 200 butterflies counted on the Northumberland coast, consisting of 71 Red Admiral, 33 Peacock, 35 Meadow Brown, 13 Wall, 2 Painted Lady, 1 Small Copper, 2 Small Heath, 9 Large and 3 Small White all at Hauxley NR and 10 Red Admiral, 8 Peacock, 6 Wall, 6 Meadow Brown, 7 Large and 2 Small White at Druridge Pools. 

Graham Beckwith was at Rothbury, Hillside West where he saw 1 Elephant Hawk Moth larva, 1 Peacock, 2 Red Admiral, 2 Wall Brown, 1 Green-veined White, 2 Small White, 1 Large White, 1 Small Copper (at the old hill fort) and 4 unidentified Whites.

17 August.  Keith Walton had a productive day at Wingate Quarry LNR where he saw 175+ Small Heath, 2 Small Copper, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Comma, 1 Painted Lady ,50+ Peacock,25+ Red Admiral, 1 Common Blue, 15 Wall, 1 Large Skipper, 1 Small Skipper also Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small White, Large White,Green Viened White and Speckled Wood.

16 August.  Ian Kerr reports from Holdy Island "Numbers of Dark Green Fritillary declining fast with just 7 in dunes between Straight Lonnen-Emmanuel Head and 6 at the Snook. Five Wall Brown and single Grayling and Small Copper also at Snook. Seven Red Admirals in my cottage garden was peak figures so far this summer and 1 Comma there was unusal".  Graham Beckwith visited Wingate Quarry, Co Durham and counted 91 Small Heath, 5 Small Copper, 1 Small Skipper, 2 Small White, 1 Large White, 3 Peacock, 4 Meadow Brown, 12 Wall Brown and 1 male Common Blue.

15 August.  Stephen Lowther visited the RSPB reserve at Saltholme where he saw 1 Painted Lady, 4 Wall Brown, 1 Green Veined White and 1 Small White.  At Cragside (Near shop) Graham Beckwith saw 11 Peacock, 4 Green-veined White, 2 Small White, 2 Large White, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 9 unidentified Whites.

14 August.  John Richards counted 65+ Red Admirals, 40+ Peacocks and 1 Small Tortoiseshell in the Walled Garden at Wallington, Northumberland. Stephen Lowther saw 2 Wall Browns and 1 Green Veined White in Shincliffe, Co. Durham.  Graham Beckwith visited Rothbury Riverside (west from Beggar's Rigg)and saw 3 Small Copper, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock and 1 Small Skipper.

13 August.  Stephen Lowther reported Red Admiral, Peacock, Wall Brown and Green Veined White at Thrislington Plantation, Co. Durham.  Graham Beckwith was at Rothbury Riverside (east towards Thrum Mill) where he saw 3 Small Copper, 3 Small White and 1 Green-veined White.

10 August.  Graham Beckwith reported 3 Purple Hairstreak from the South end of Kepier Wood, Belmont Durham: In small car park on Belmont slip road from A690.

5 August Tim Nelson reported 12 Purple Hairstreak, 11 Speckled Wood, 5 Wall Brown 1 Peacock, 1 Small Copper and several White sp. at at Preston Park, Stockton.  At Seaton Snook- Teeside, D Charlton observed 32 Common Blue, 3 Painted Lady, 2 Wall Brown, 3 Small Heath, 4 Meadow Brown.  Steve Austin reported the following: Blackhall Rocks: Meadow Brown x 20. Wall x 12. Small White x 14. Small Skipper x 3. Speckled Wood x 4. Dingy Skipper x 1. Peacock x 3. Small Copper x 2. Ringlet x 1 and Large White x 1.  Wingate: Red Admiral x 1. Peacock x 1. Small Heath x 32. Marbled White x 2. Wall x 1. Meadow Brown x 5. Common Blue x 1. Painted Lady x 1. Small Copper x 1. and Large White x 1.

Sylvia Brennan reports that she has had a Holly Blue in her garden, in Hartburn Stockton, again this year, on 5th August 2011 feeding on holly bush.  She also had a Speckled Wood the day before in the garden.  Ian Kerr made a 1km circuit of Horsley Wood which produced four Purple Hairstreaks around the top oaks along the ride carrying the power line plus 4 Speckled Wood, 7 Green-veined white, four Peacock and 1 Comma.

1 August.  Malcolm Hutheson was at Cheswick Dunes where he recorded Large White 1,Small White4, Common Blue3, Ringlet 2, Meadow Brown 32 and Grayling 1.  AtWhite-hills Plantation, Elemore Woods D Charlton saw 5 Peacock, 1 Small Copper, 8 Meadow Brown, 1 Large Skipper and 2 Small Skipper.

July 2011

30 July.  Stephen Lowther made a late afternoon visit to Bishop Middleham Quarry and saw Small White, Green-veined White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Comma, Wall Brown, Common Blue, Large Skipper, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood.  Keith Walton reported 50+ small skipper, 2 Wall and 2 Common Blue from Chapman's Well and on the same day near the A68, 4 Dark-green Fritillaries, 1 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary , 10 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Wall, 1 Painted Lady and50+ Small Skipper,  He also observed a Large Emerald Moth at his home.  At Coaley Lane, Steve Austin saw Large White x 1, Small White x 7, Small Copper x 3, Meadow Brown x 2, Peacock x 2, Small Skipper x 4 {mating pair) and Wall Brown x 3.  At Kibblesworth D Charlton saw 4 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Wall Brown, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Grayling, 2 Peacock.

28 July.  Michael Eccles visited Tunstall Reservoir where he saw 1 Dark green Fritillary, Ringlets, Meadow Brown, Small skipper and Small Tortoiseshell.  He also saw Common Hawker and GoldenRing Dragonflies.  Mike Taylor visited Kibblesworth Brick Pools and counted 1 Purple Hairstreak, 19 Small Heath, 2 Small Skipper, 1 Small Copper, 10 Meadow Brown and 3 Green-veined Whites.  Keith Walton visited Wingate LNR and saw the following Butterflies- 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Common Blue,1 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady (Fresh) also one large fast flying orange butterfly (another Painted Lady?), 250 Small Heath, 15+ Marbled White,50+ each of Ringlet/Meadow Browns,2 Small Copper, 25+ each of Small White/Green Veined White, 10+ each of Small/Large Skippers, 1 Northern Brown Argus.

27 July.  Mike Taylor recorded 3 White-letter Hairstreak at Bywell Bridge.  Steve Austin saw 8 purple Hairstreaks, 1 Small Copper, 1 Green-veined White and a Large White just off the A690 between Durham & the A1.  In the north of the region at Goswick Dunes Malcolm Hutheson saw Green-veined White 1, Common Blue 16, Small Heath 4, Small Tortoiseshell 14, Ringlet 2, Meadow Brown 122, Grayling 5 & Wall 2.  D Charlton recorded 5 Dark-green Fritillary, 3 Small Heath, 6 Ringlet and 5 Meadow Brown at Shillmoor- Upper Coquetdale.  At Running Watrs Quarry, Durham, Graham Beckwith saw 1 Large White, 1 Green-veined White, 3 Small White, 12 Small Skipper, 15 Small Heath, 9 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlet, 11 Small Tortoiseshell.  The following moths were also recorded: 4 Six-spot Burnet, 1 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet, innumerable Latticed Heath and Shaded Broad-bar, Cinnabar Moth larvae literally covering 3 Ragwort plants and a few more on a fourth plant.

24 July.  Julie Taylor was delighted to come across 2 White-Letter Hairstreaks in Chopwell Wood, not far from the Marx Terrace entrance.  She also reported Large White (2), Small White (5), Large Skipper (1), Small Skipper (4), Meadow Brown (1), Small Copper (1), Comma (1), Small Tortoiseshell (1).  Andrew Kinghorn saw 2 White-letter Haitstreaks at Derwent County Park and at least 8 Purple Hairstreaks at Kibblesworth.  He also reported two Holy Blues seen by his friend Martin Finney in his garden in Roker, Sunderland.  Graham Beckwith reported 6 Green-veined White, 84 Small Skipper, 7 Large Skipper, 53 Ringlet, 1 Peacock, 7 unidentified Whites, 1 female Dark Green Fritillary crawling over violets - potentially looking for egg laying sites al at Debdon Plantation, Nr Rothbury:.

23 July.  Sylvia Brennan walked along Hardwick Dene, Stockton where there was no sign of White-letter Hairstreaks but numerous Holly Blues, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Comma, Ringlets, plenty of Small Skipper and Speckled Wood along with Small and Green-veined Whites and 1 Small Copper.  On the same day, at Dormans Pool she observed 2 Grayling, 1 Peacock, plenty of Common Blue and 1 Small Copper, 2 Small Heath plus Small Skipper and a few Meadow Browns.

D Charlton reported 30+ Small tortoiseshell, 5 Small Heath, 6 Small Skipper, 4 Ringlet, 20+ Large White, 1 Common Blue, 1 Small Copper and 12 Meadow Brown from High Moorsley SSSI near Sunderland.  Graham Beckwith counted the following at Rothbury Riverside (West from Beggar's Rigg): 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, 19 unidentified Whites, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Large White, 7 Small Copper (1 of the form caeruleopunctata), 1 Ringlet, 1 Peacock, 2 Small Skipper, 1 Dark Green Fritillary.

18 July.  John Richards reported 3 Large Heaths from Blackheugh end, Northumberland.

17 July.  John Richards reported 25+ Dark Green Fritillaries and two Graylings Holy Island.

16 July.  More White-letter Hairstreaks with four reported by Michael Coates at Bywell Bridge, Northumberland.  D Charlton counted 20 Grayling at Greatham Crek, Teesside.

15 July.  Tim Nelson reported a Holly Blue seen in his garden in Stockton.

14 July.  John Richards reported 6 White-letter Hairstreaks flying at Coastley in the Tyne valley.  In the south of the region at Hardwick Dene, Stockton, Tim Nelson recorded 12 White Letter Hairstreaks, Commas, Ringlets and Meadow Browns.  Michael Eccles reported 7 Purple Hairstreaks from Kibblesworth.  Graeme Bell reported a Hummingbird Hawk-moth from West Denton.  Graham Beckwith reported a single White-letter Hairstreak from Durham City close to the DLI Museum.  Ken Dawson also reported White-letter Hairstreak with 12 seen near Warden Bridge, Hexham.

13 July.  Michael Eccles reported the following from Kibblesworth Brickworks Purple Hairstreak x1, Grayling x5, Common Blue, Small Skipper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and lots of seemingly freshly emerged Small Heath.  Graham Beckwith visited Bishop Middleham Quarry and recorded 3 Northern Brown Argus; 21 Small Heath (popular number for these); 3 Meadow Brown; 7 Ringlet; 1 Red Admiral; 2 Small Tortoiseshell; 4 6 Spot Burnet moths.

12 July.  Graham Beckwith reported 7 Purple Hairstreak and a Scalloped Oak moth at Aykley Wood Durham.

11 July.  Ian Kerr sent the following report from Holy Island: "A check of the 500m stretch of rough dune track seawards from the north end of the Straight Lonnen to the wagonway gate today produced the following; Dark Green Fritillary: (47), Ringlet (14), Meadow Brown (6) and singles of Common Blue, Small White and Small Tortoiseshell.  Numbers of Meadow Browns seemed much lower than usual for this stretch.  Graham Beckwith visited Wingate Quarry whwere he saw 4 Meadow Brown; 14 Ringlet; 21 Small Heath; 9 Marbled White; 11 Latticed Heath moths; 5 very small Cinnabar moth larvae;1 Narrow-bordered 5 Spot Burnet moth.

10 July.  Mike Taylor reported a Large Heath from Grindon.

8 July.  Graham Beckwith visited Aykley Wood in Durham on a day of heavy rain and saw 3 Small Skipper basking in the sunny downpour, 1 Meadow Brown flying through the downpour and 1 Purple Hairstreak which flew up from the soaking vegetation and up into an oak tree bordering Hopper Wood.  He then travelled to Northumberland where he made the following sigtings.  Debdon (Near Primrose Cottage), Northumberland: 11 Ringlet; 3 Small Heath; 2 Meadow Brown.  Debdon Plantation, Northumberland: 86 Ringlet; 4 Meadow Brown (including a mating pair which flew still coupled together); 23 Small Skipper; 3 Dark Green Fritillary; 1 Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary; 1 Latticed Heath moth.  All seen in the clearing beside the Rothbury to Alnwick road.  Cragside Estate (opposite Debdon Plantation): 22 Ringlet; 1 Small Heath.  *A total of 119 Ringlet in a short space of time.

4 July.  Brian Denham rpeoted two Brimstone butterflies seen at Saltholme RSPB reserve.

3 July.  Stephen Lowther reported the following sightings: Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park: Green Veined White x2, Ringlet x52, Meadow Brown x19, Small Skipper x16, Speckled Wood x1, Small Tortoiseshell x1, Red Admiral x1, Small Heath x1 and Holly Blue x2.  RSPB Saltholme: Meadow Brown x38, Small Skipper x5, Small Tortoiseshell x2, Large White x1 and Ringlet x2.  Greatham Creek: Small White x4, Meadow Brown x12, Small Skipper x3, Small Tortoiseshell x2, Small Heath x1 and Grayling x7.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from a site near Rothbury: 31 Large Heath, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Small Heath and 5 Ringlet.  He also vsisted Alnmouth where he saw 1 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Ringlet, 1 Meadow Brown and 1 Common Blue (female).

2 July.  Ian Kerr reported a sharp increase in the number of Dark Green Fritillary on the wing on Holy Island with 40 counted in the dunes at the north end of Straight Lonnen.  He also noted "literally hundreds" of Burnet Moths.  Stephen Lowther visited Wingate Quarry where he saw 23 Ringlet, 7 Marbled White, 6 Small Heath, 2 Small Skipper, 2 Large Skipper and 3 Common Blue.  He then visited Farnless Farm at Bishop Middleham where he counted 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Ringlet, 4 Meadow Brown and 1 Large White. He concluded his morning with a visit to Bishop Middleham Quarry where he recorded 11 Common Blue, 28 Ringlet, 12 Meadow Brown, 3 Large White, 8 Speckled Wood, 5 Northern Brown Argus, 9 Small Heath, 2 Large Skipper and 21 Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet moths.  Paul Stamp went for a walk amongst the dunes at Warkworth and in a couple of hours recorded 5-10 dark green fritillary,5 small skipper,10+ common blue, 4 ringlet, 10+ meadow brown an20+ small heath.  Keith Walton also visited Wingate Quarry where he counted 40 Marbled White, 100+ Small Heath ,10 Small Tortoiseshell.  Keith also reported a Hummingbird Hawk-moth in his back yard at Broompark.  Graham Beckwith visited Rothbury Riverside (east towards Thrum Mill)and recorded 2 Green-veined White, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Skipper and 13 Ringlet.  Heather McIntyre reported 'hundreds' of Six-spot Burnet Moths from Cobalt Country Park at Silverlink North Tyneside.

June 2011

30 June.  Michael Eccles reported a Painted Lady from Stargate Ponds.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from the Rothbury area: Rothbury Riverside (west from Beggar's Rigg): 21 Ringlet, 1 unidentified White, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Meadow Brown, 1 Common Blue (male) and 3 Small Copper; Cragside (Near shop): 2 Meadow Brown and 16 Ringlet. Heather McIntyre visited Cobalt Country Park in North Tyneside and saw about 50 6-spot Burnet around the pathway leading up the hill to the sundial.  Hundreds of cocoons were attached to the wire fencing which runs around a wild flower meadow.  Many of them had the moths emerging.

29 June.  Brian Denham saw a Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Salthome RSPB reserve.  At a site near Rothbury, Nothumberland Graham Beckwith and Steve Austin recorded 13 Large Heath and 1 Small Heath.  Malcolm Hutheson reported the followng from Needles Eye (NT95X) Small White 2, Large White, Common Blue 3, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown 2, Ringlet 22, Silver Y moth 5.  Then at Marshall Meadows (NT95Y) he saw Green-veined White, Common Blue 3, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Meadow Brown 2, Ringlet 42, Silver Y 6, and a Humming bird Hawk Moth.  He also saw a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, which was present until July 1st, in his garden at East Ord.

28 June.  Michael Eccles reported 2 Grayling, seen at Kibblesworth Brick Pools.  During a couple of hours walking in the Waskerly area Keith Walton saw 2 Red Admiral 2 Small Heath, 10 Large Skipper,3 Green-veined White, 1 Dark Green Fritillary, 10+ Small Pearl Bordered Fritilary and 50+ Ringlets.  He also reports seeing good numbers of Small Tortoiseshell during the current spell of fine weather.  At Milburngate in Durham City on 28 June Stephen Lowrther saw 1 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoisehell.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from Debdon Pit Cottage, Rothbury: 12 Ringlet, 9 Small Heath, 1 Red Admiral.  He saw 21 Large Heath at another site near Rothbury and then on Cragside Estate he recorded 26 Ringlet and 1 Chimney Sweeper moth.  Finally on Debdon Plantation he counted 61 Ringlet, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Red Admiral, 3 faded Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 1 Small Skipper and 1 Dark Green Fritillary.  In the north of the region Malcolm Hutheson recorded the following at Berrington near Berwick (NU04B): Large Skipper 2, Common Blue (new tetrad), Red Admiral, and Ringlet 4.  Philip Jordan reported Ringlet from Gosforth Park Nature Reserve.

27 June.  Kevin Redgrave saw 4 Hummingbird hawks at Newton Point along a sheltered, south facing coastal bank, feeding on Kidney Vetch flowers.  He also reported an emergence of Dark Green Fritillaries, first on the 15th June, now 4 on transect and many more about.  During the week he reported that there were also Meadow Browns and Ringlet here and large numbers of Common Blues.  Peter Fletcher visited Banks Pond near Dinnington and saw 30+ Meadow Brown, 3 Ringlet, 2 Small Skipper, 1 Common Blue.  He also saw 3 male 4-Spotted Chaser dragonflies.  He subsequently visited Prestwick Carr where he saw 15 Ringlet, 4 Meadow Brown, 4 Small Skipper, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small White.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from Rothbury Riverside (West from Beggar's Rigg car park): 1 unidentified White, 1 Meadow Brown, 5 Ringlet, 7 Chimney Sweeper moths, 1 Humming-bird Hawkmoth.

26 June.  Philip Harris reported a sighting of a Gatekeeper in a meadow at Harperley Wood (NZ1853).  Frank Berney reported 15 Dark Green Fritillary in the Waskerley area (reported via Dave Liddle).  At Newburn Riverside Business Park Peter Fletcher observed 5 Common blue (3 female 2male), 2 Ringlet, 3 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Skipper and 2 Shaded Broad Bar moths.  Stephen Lowther walked along the disused railway line at Bowburn where he recorded 16 Ringlet, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Heath, 2 Common Blue, 1 Speckled Wood and 2 Small Skipper.

25 June.  Stephen Lowther visted the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre at Washington where he saw a single female Large White, singles of both Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood, 5 Meadow Brown, 14 Ringlet and a single Narrow-bordered Five-Spot Burnet moth.  Gary Whitton reported (via Dave Liddle) a Marbled White from Wingate Quarry.

24 June.  Steve Austin visited Bishop Middleham Quarry where as well as encountering several other BC members he saw 2 Speckled Wood,9 Common Blue, 3 Meadow Brown, 7 Small Heath, 5 Ringlet,4 Northern Brown Argus and 3 Large Skipper.  Eddie Crabtree reported 4 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries and 2 Common Blue near Sweethope Lough, Norhtumberland.

23 June.  Stephen Lowther scanned a small section of Crimdon Dene and counted 8 Six-spot Burnet Moths.

22 June.  Bob Mawson reported that Marbled White is on the wing at Wingate Quarry with two seen.

21 June.  Stephen Lowther reported a Peacock seen in Sidegate, Durham.

20 June.  David Atkinson reported remarkable numbers of butterflies from the meadows behind the Chester Moor Pub near Chester le Street: 150+ Meadow Brown, 300+ Ringlets, 300+ large skipper, 200+ Small skipper, 6 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 small white plus quite a few day flying moths.  Graham Beckwith reported 3 Meadow Brown, 8 Ringlet, 3 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Large Skipper from Aykely Woods, Durham.

19 June.  Peter Fletcher reported 10 Meadow Brown and 2 Small Skipper at Banks Pond, Dinnington.

17 June.  Graham Beckwith recorded 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Common Blue, 1 Ringlet, 3 Small Heath, 3 Latticed Heath moth and 1 Cinnabar moth at Running Water Quarry, Durham.

15 June.  Graham Beckwith saw a freshly emerged and rather early White-letter Hairstreak on a path at Milburngate, Durham City.

14 June.  Steve Austin visited Rainton Meadows where he recorded: Meadow Browns 10, Common Blue 10, Small Heath 14, Ringlet 9, Large Skipper 5 as well as 4 Chimney Sweeper moths.  Michael Eccles visited Stargate Ponds and recorded : 1 newly emerged Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Meadow Brown and 30+ Common Blue.  At Sniperley Park, Durham, Graham Beckwith saw 1 Green-veined White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Wall Brown.

12 June.  Jonathan Wallace counted 14 Small Heath and 2 Common Blue on waste land near the Metro Centre a well as a number of day flying moths including Mother Shipton, Clouded Border, Yellow Shell, Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet, Thistle Ermine and Garden Grass Veneer.

9 June.  Stephen Lowther visited Bishop Middleham Quarry where he saw 7 Speckled Wood, 11 Common Blue (8 male and 3 female), 2 Northern Brown Argus, 10 Large Skipper, 1 Dingy Skipper and 1 Small Heath.  He then visited Low Barns where he recorded 3 Speckled Wood and completed a successful day with a visit to a site on the A66 where he counted 9 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 2 Green=veined White and 2 Small Heath.

3 June.  Stephen Lowther reported 3 Large Skipper, 5 Small Heath, 11 Common Blue(5 Male and 6 Female) and a single Northern Brown Argus from Thrislington Plantation.

2 June.  Graham Beckwith counted 53 Large Skipper at Aykely Wood, Durham where he also saw many moths including Silver-ground Carpet and Blood-vein.  Stephen Lowther reported Common Blue, Large Skipper and Small Heath from Raisby Hill, Co. Duham.

May 2011

31 May.  Paul Tankard and Alan Davis reported 2 Large Skipper, 2 Small Heath 2 Small White plus a Common Blue fro Weetslade Country Park.  Grham Beckwith reported 2 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary from Debdon Plantation, Northumberland.

30 May.  John Atkinson saw 3 Small Heath in blustery conditions along Hawsen Burn, Northumberland.

29 May.  Stephen Lowther reported 1 Green Veined White, 7 Common Blue, 3Small Heath and 1 Large White at Thrislington Plantation.  On the same day he saw 1 Orange Tip, 2 Peacock, 3 Green Veined White and 1 Speckled Wood at Low Barns.  Bob Mawson reported Brown Argus from Raisby Way.  Graham Beckwith made the following sightings in the Rothbury area: Rothbury Riverside, east towards Thrum Mill: 4 Small White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell.  Debdon Plantation, Rothbury: 12 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (3 Female; 9 Male) - each female experiencing the advances of a male plus 2 Green-veined Whiteand 1 Small Heath.

27 May.  Alan Davis and Paul Tankard recorded their first Common Blue of te year on their transect at Weetslade Country Park.

26 May.  Bob Mawson reported 5 Northern Brown Argus from Bishop Middleham Quarry.

20 May.  Despite the very windy conditions Mike Coates saw 9 Dingy Skippers and 3 Small Heath at Havannah Nature Reserve, Hazelrig.

19 May.  Rev David Atkinson and Bob Mawson both reported sightings of Large Skipper at Dunston on the banks of the Tyne and at Raisby Way respectively.  Paul Tankard saw 1 Red Admiral,1 Speckled Wood,1 male Orange Tip, 4 Wall, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Small Copper and several Small, Large and G/V Whites at Hauxley Nature Reserve whilst wardening.  Dave Liddle reported 2 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary from site on the A68, Durham.  He also reported an sighting of this species by another observer on the 15th.

17 May.  Graham Beckwith added Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary to the season's tally with a sighting of a male at Debdon Plantation, Northumberland.  He also reported 9 Green-veined White (5 Female, 4 Male), 3 Small White, 2 Orange Tip (both Female), 1 Silver Y moth and 12 Brown Silver Line moths.  Graham also visited Swin Hope, near Edlingham, Northumberland where he saw 10 Green-veined White (6 Female; 4 Male), 1 Large White, and 1 Small Copper.

Tom Tams saw 1 Small Copper, 2 Wall plus several Orange Tips and Green-veined Whites at Arcot Pond, Cramlington.

14 May.  At whitton Glebe near Rothbury, Graham Beckwith saw 1 Orange Tip (Male), 1 Green-veined White (Male).

12 May.  David Lacey recorded the following species at Low Newton Nature Reserve in County Durham: Brimstone, Dingy Skipper, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip, Large White, Small White, Green Veined White.  Graham Beckwith visited Debdon Plantation and adjacent moorland near Rothbury and saw 5 Green-veined White, 1 Orange Tip (Female), 1 Peacock and 13 Common Heath moths.

10 May.  Graham Beckwith reported 1 Red Admiral, 4 Dingy Skipper and 2 Wall Brown all seen at Running Waters Quarry, Durham.

9 May.  Graham Beckwith visited a site near the A68, Co. Durham and saw 2 Orange Tip (both Male), 2 Large White, 1 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Green-veined White.

8 May.  Graham Beckwith reported 26 Dingy Skipper; 8 Small Copper, 11 Common Blue (all Male), 10 Wall Brown at Wingate Quarry plus a bonus of 2 Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies.

7 May.  Graham Beckwith and Steve Austin reported the following from Coaley Lane, Newbottle: 8 Speckled Wood, 10 Green-veined White (1 a Female), 3 Large White, 3 Dingy Skipper, 3 male Orange Tip.  They then went to Rainton Meadows and saw: 1 Wall Brown, 1 Peacock, 6 male Orange Tip, 2 Dingy Skipper, 1 Green-veined White and 2 Mother Shipton moths.

6 May.  Steve Austin reported 1 Red Admiral, 6 Orange Tip, 2 Green Veined White, 8 Wall Brown, 4 Small White, 3 Speckled Wood and 1 Small Tortoiseshell from Coaley Lane, Newbottle.  Keith Smith reported 2 Dingy Skipper, 7 Green Veined White, 4 Large White, 5 Orange Tip, 2 Small White and 9 Wall Brown from Moorside, North Tyneside.  In Durham Graham Beckwith visited the DLI Museaum grounds where he saw 2 Large White, 2 Peacock and 1 Comma and then Aykley Wood,where he saw 1 Wall Brown and 1 Clouded Silver moth.

4 May.  Keith Smith visited various locations: Percy Pit: 12 Dingy Skipper, 1 Small Heath, 1 Speckled Wood, 8 Wall Brown, 4 Large White, 1 Small White, 6 Green Veined White, 9 Orange Tip; Nearby Shelley Rd:1 Dingy Skipper, 1 Large White, 4 Green Veined White, 3 Orange Tip, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Wall Brown; Newburn Riverside Park: 5 Large White, 3 Small White, 7 Green Veined White, 13 Orange Tip, 1 Red Admiral, 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Speckled Wood, 9 Wall Brown.  Steve Austin saw the following at Blackhall: Small White 1, Dingy Skipper 7, Small Copper 1, Speckled Wood 3.  Then at Wingate he saw: Common Blue 2, Wall Brown 1, Dingy Skipper 2, Small Copper 1.

3 May.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from Cragside: along roadside near the shop/restaurant - 2 Green-veined White (1 Male; 1 Female), 6 Small Copper (1 of the form caeruleopunctata),1 Orange Tip (Male) near the Formal Gardens; only 1 Green-veined White in the Formal Gardens.

2 May.  Bob Mawson reported Common Blue from Raisby Way.  Tom Tams saw a Red Admiral in his garden in Tynemouth.  Graham Beckwith reported 9 Orange Tip (8 Male; 1 Female)and 1 each of Peacock, Re Admiral and Comma at Rothbury Riverside (east side of north shore towards Thrum Mill).  At Boldon Colliery Vicky Foster recorded 9 Dingy Skippers.

1 May.  David Atkinson got the month off to a fine start with excellent views of a male Brimstone nectaring in dandelions at the Whickam Thorns Activity Centre, Dunston, Gateshead.  Graham Beckwith reported 7 Small Tortoiseshell seen Between Low Hesleyhurst and Wingates, Northumberland amongst disused quarries and lime kilns.

April 2011

30 April.  Bob Mawson added Small Heath to the year's list with a sighting at Lime Kilns, County Durham.  Steve Austin walked along Coaley Lane, Newbottle and saw Large White 2, Small White 2, Speckled Wood 7, Orange Tip 7, Green Veined White 1, Peacock 1 and 2 Dingy Skippers (the first he has seen at this location).

Keith Walton had an excellent day at Wingate Quarry where he recorded 50 Dingy Skipper 10 Wall, 10 Small Copper , Peacock, Orange Tip, Green Veined White, Large White, Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small Heath, 1 Common Blue.  He also visited Hedleyhope Fell near Tow Law where he saw at least 5 Green Hairstreaks.  Jonathan Wallace recorded 13 Dingy Skipper at Paradise, Newcastle upon Tyne as well as 4 Wall, 4 Small Copper, 7 Orange Tip and 2 Small White.  Graham Beckwith was out and about in the Rothbury area and saw the following: Rothbury Riverside (west side of north shore): 11 Orange Tip (10 Male; 1 Female), 1 Large White, 2 Green-veined White, 3 Small Copper, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral; Debdon Plantation: 2 Green-veined White (1 Male; 1 Female), 3 Brown Silver Line moths; Cragside Estate (East side of B6341): 3 Green-veined White, 1 Water Carpet moth.

29 April.  Bob Mawson recorded 2 Brown Argus at Lime Kilns, County Durham.  Mike Taylor reported 4 Dingy Skippers from Wingate Quarry but these were the only butterflies showing.

27 April.  David Atkinson walked along the Tyne riverside in Dunston Gateshead and recorded 5 Wall, 2 Small Copper, 1 Dingy Skipper, 4 Orange-Tips and 3 Small Whites.  Steve Austin and Graham Beckwith visited Running Water Quarry, Durham where they saw 6 Dingy Skippers and 1 Wall.  They then went on to Wingate Quarry and recorded a further 2 Dingy Skippers 1 Wall and 2 Small Coppers.  Michael Eccles recorded 15+ Green Hairstreak Muggleswick Common.

26 April.  Ian Kerr was delighted to record a single Orange Tip on Holy Island where the species is very uncommon in his experience.

Graham Beckwith visited Running Water Quarry in County Durham where he saw Wall Brown (1 Male) 1 Dingy Skipper and 2 Red Admiral.  He then travelled north to Rothbury where he recorded the following: Whitton Glebe, Rothbury: 2 Orange Tip (1 Male; 1 Female); Hillside West, Rothbury: 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 unidentified Whites, 1 Red Admiral; Rothbury Town: 2 unidentified Whites; 1 Orange Tip (Male).

On Waldridge Fell near Chester le Street, Keith Walton saw at least 5 Green Hairstreaks.

24 April.  Mike Coates saw 7 Speckled Woods and 3 Holly Blues in Northumberland Park, North Shields.  Mike Jessop recorded an Orange Tip roosting in a Blueberry bush in his garden in Fenham, Newcastle, overnight and still present the following morning. 

Stewart Sexton reported a small colony of Green Hairstreaks on Alnwick Moor, Northumberland where there were at least three on teritory; he also counted at least 40 Common Heath Moths.

At several locations in the Rothbury area Graham Beckwith made the following observations: Rothbury Riverside: 19 unidentified Whites, 18 Orange Tip (12 Males and 6 Females), 3 Green-veined White, 2 Large White, 3 Small Tortoiseshell; Carterside Cottages, Nr Rothbury: 1 Small Tortoiseshell; Rothbury Golf Course : 1 unidentified White; 11 Small Tortoiseshell (in large patch of nettles); 1 Peacock; 1 Flame Carpet moth.

23 April.  Steve Austin saw the following at Waldridge Fell: Peacock 4, Small White 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1 and Green Hairstreak 1.  Bob Mawson added to the season's species tally with a Brown Argus at Raisby Way.  Stewart Sexton observed 3 Orange Tips in his garden in Howick Village on the Northumberland coast.

22 April.  Graham Beckwith visited several locations in the Rothbury area with the follwong results: Whitton Glebe, Rothbury: 2 Orange Tip (both Male), 1 unidentified White; Debdon Plantation: 5 unidentified Whites; 2 Green-veined White; 5 Orange Tip (all Female), 4 Brown Silver Line moth; Moorland bordering Debdon Plantation: 1 Orange Tip (Female); 1 Green-veined White; 1 Peacock; Primrose Wood, Nr Rothbury: 1 Brown Silver Line moth, 2 Peacock, 1 unidentified White.

21 April.  Ian Kerr saw at least 25 Orange Tips concentrated in a small open area at Beda Hills, Gateshead, along with a single Speckled Wood, six Small Tortoiseshells and a couple of Peacocks.

20 April.  With the temperature at 23 degrees Tom Tams recorded an excellent total of 9 species in his garden in Tynemouth this morning, namely: Holly Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 1, Orange-tip 1, Green-veined White 5, Small White 1, Large White 2,Comma 1 and Peacock 2.  Steve Austin visited Hedleyhope where he recorded 3 Peacock, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large White 1 and after about an hour of searching 1 Green Hairstreak.  At Running Waters Quarry, Nr Durham Graham Beckwith recorded 5 Small Tortoiseshell.

19 April.  A Brimstone butterfly was found at Wallsend Swallow Pond this morning by Joe Dobinson (reported on NE Moths Forum).  Graham Beckwith visited the DLI Museum Grounds, Durham and saw 1 Peacock and 3 Small Tortoiseshell.

18 April.  Michael Eccles reported 6 Green Hairstreaks from Muggleswick Common.  Marge and Norman Tuck reported 6 male Orange-tip and 3 Speckled Wood seen during a walk along Waggonways/Holywell Dene.  Graham Beckwith reported 3 Orange Tip (one male and two female) from his garden in Sniperley Park, Durham.

17 April.  Vicky Foster recorded a Holly Blue in Marsden Quarry.  Graham Beckwith reported the following sightings from the Rothbury area.  Whitton Glebe, Rothbury: 1 female Orange Tip; 2 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Small White; 1 male Green-veined White.  Hillside West, Rothbury: 2 male Orange Tip; 1 Large White; 3 Green-veined White (1 female, 2 male).  Hillside West above Rothbury: 1 female Green-veined White; 2 early species of moth - 3 Brown Silver Line; 4 Common Heath (3 female, 1 male).  Hillside West, Brae Head: minimum of 23 Green Hairstreak in 2 colonies approx 500-600m apart - at least 10 in one colony and at least 13 in the other with several aerial combats between 2 or 3 individuals - one such combat lasting at least 8 minutes before they disappeared over a hill. None seen in the more exposed area between the 2 colonies; further 7 Common Heath moths, further 2 Brown Silver Line moths; 2 Peacock.

16 April.  Graham Beckwith reported 3 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock from Whitton Glebe, Rothbury.  He also had a couple of moths visit the light outside his caravan, a Garden Carpet and a Twin-spotted Quaker.

14 April.  Steve Austin reported the following from Coaley lane Newbottle: Small White 2 Speckled Woods 6 (these have spread from last year) Small Tortoiseshell 1, Peacock 5, Orange Tip (m) 1.

11 April.  Paul Tankard reported 1 male Orange Tip at Waterside Plantation, 2km north of Beanley, Northumberland.

10 April.  Steve Austin reported 1 Small White from Seaham Point and 2 Small Whites and a Peacock fom Easington.  Later in the day he visited Rainton where he recorded 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock, 5 Small White, 1 Comma and his first two male Orange Tips.  At Whitton Glebe, Rothbury Graham Beckwith observed 4 Peacock, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large White and 1 Small White then at Lamp Hill, nr Alnwick he saw 1 Peacock and 4 Green Hairstreak.  Mike Taylor returned to Allerwash where he saw 1 Small White, 6 Peacocks,7 Tortoiseshell 6 Male Orange Tips and 1 Comma.

9 April.  Keith Smith visited Dipton Woods in Northumberland where he saw the first 3 Green Hairstreaks of the year as well as 6 Peacocks.  Grahm Beckwith was in Rothbury and saw the following along the riverside: 9 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Large White, 5 Small White, 1 Green-veined White (Female), 3 Orange Tip (all Male)and 3 Peacock.  In the twn centre he saw 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 4 Small Whites.  Jonathan Wallace saw 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 1 male Orange Tip, 1 Green-veined White and several unidentified flying whites at Elswick Cemetery, Newcastle.  He also saw a Small Tortoiseshell flying through the car park at the Morrisons supermarket in Cowgate, Newcastle, where there was also a Twenty-plume Moth, a Common Quaker and a Twin-spotted Quaker on the supermarket window.  On a walk from Heddon on the wall Grid ref NZ132664 down to the river Tyne Grid ref NZ136655 - Mike Taylor recorded 4 male Orange Tips 4 Tortoiseshell 1 Peacock 1 Large White. He subsequently visited Allerwash Grid ref NY880673 - NY884675, where he saw 5 Male Orange Tips, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Green- Veined White.

8 April .  David Atkinson had a cycle around lower Dunston, Gateshead in an area known as Timber Beach to Costco and noted the following: 2 Male Orange-tips, 3 Peacock, 10 Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Small White and a mating pair of Green-veined Whites.  Steve Austin reported the following: 3 Small Whites and 2 Peacocks in his garden in Newbottle and then during a short walk down Coaley Lane another 5 Small Whites, 2 Commas 9 Peacocks and 4 Small Tortoiseshells.  From High Shincliffe and Shincliffe Village in Durham, Stephen Lowther reported 3 Small White, 4 Orange Tip, 2 Comma and 9 Small Tortoiseshell.  On the same day he visited Bishop Middleham Nature Reserve where he saw 1 Green Veined White, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 9 Peacock, Hardwick Hall where he saw 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Peacock and finally at his home in Bowburn he recorded 2 Small Tortoiseshells.  Graham Beckwith reported a Small White rom the Arneson Centre, Durham.

6 April.  Steve Austin reported the following observations seen during an excursion around several sites: Coaley Lane, Newbottle 4 Peacock, 6 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 Comma; Rainton Meadows: 1 Peacock.  Wingate Quarry: 2 Peacock and 4 Small Tortoiseshell; Crow Trees nature reserve at Old Cassop:6 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Comma.  John Atkinson reported at least 7 Peacocks at Cobalt Countryside Park, West Allotment, N. Tyneside.  Michael Eccles added Small Copper to the season's tally with a single specimen at Salter's Gate as well as seeing a Small Tortoiseshell on Waskerley Way.  Meanwhile in Northumberland Park, North Shields, Michael Coates added Holly Blue to the season's list - his first record of this species since 2008 and hopefully a sign that it will have a better year than the last two very poor ones.  Michael also recorded 2 Peacocks, 2 Small Whites, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 Commas.  Stephen Lowther reported a Small White at Hardwick Park in County Durham.  Robert O'Neill recorded Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Peacock at Marden Quarry, Whitley Bay.

5 April.  Rev. David Atkinson saw 2 Small White, 1 Peacock and 4 Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies on a bright but blustery morning along the Tyne riverside at Dunston, Gatesehead.  Keith Smith also walked along the banks of the Tyne, in his case from Prudhoe Bridge to Newburn Bridge and saw the following. Spetchells: 1 Small White and 1 Speckled Wood; Wylam Haugh: 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 1 male Orange Tip; Close House: 2 Comma, 2Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock.

3 April.  Graham Beckwith saw a single Peacock flying through a roadside clearing and settling periodically at Debdon Plantation, Rothbury, Northumberland.  Andrew Barron observed a newly emerged Large White in his yard in South Shields.  After several hours, however, the butterfly had not succeeded in unfurling its wings.

2 April.  Ken Dawson recorded two Commas at Whittle Dene.

1 April.  Whilst walking in Whittle Dene Woods near to Ovingham, Ken Dawson did not record any butterflies but he did come across the rather surprising piece of apparatus shown in this picture.  Ken is hoping it is sufficiently portable for him to use it later in the summer to get up into the tree-tops when searching for Purple Hairstreaks!

March 2011

29 March.  John Atkinson reported a Small Tortoiseshell basking at Netherwitton, Northumberland.

27 March.  Steve Austin saw seven Small Tortoiseshell and his first Comma of the season during a walk along Coaley Lane, Newbottle.  Michael Eccles added another species to the year's tally with a Small White at Shotley Bridge.

25 March.  Dave Wainwright added Early Tooth-striped, Herald and Orange Underwing to the list of moths caught at Low Barns in 2011.

24 March.  Joyce Walker reported 2 Peacocks and 1 red Admiral sighted feeding in gardens at Blackfell, Washington.

23 March.  Steve Austin saw four Small Tortoiseshell in his garden in Newbottle.  Micchael Eccles recorded 1 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell on Waskerley Way and then in his garden in Shotley Bridge, a Red Admiral.  Meanwhile Roy Webb photographed a Peacock with rather worn and tatty wings in his garden in Long Newton, John Atkinson also reported a Peacock from Rothley Hall in Northumberland and Ken Dawson saw yet another in his garden in Wylam.

22 March.  Mike Coates recorded 3 Commas and 1 Peacock in Northumberland Park, North Shields.  Dave Wainwright reported Red Chestnut and Small Quaker moths from his moth trap at Low Barns.

21 March.  Michael Eccles added Comma to the list of species reported for the year with a sighting of three at Allensford.  Dave Winawright recorded a couple of Peacocks at Low Barns Nature Reserve.  He also ran his moth trap and had over 50 moths, mainly Hebrew characters, quite a few clouded drabs and shoulder stripes, one dotted border and one early grey.  At Northumberland Park, North Shields, Mike Coates saw a Comma.

19 March.  Marge and Norm Tuck saw their first butterfly of the year, a Peacock, in their garden in Monkseaton.  Steve Austin reported a Small Tortoiseshell from his garden in Newbottle.

18 March.  Robert Callf saw a Small Tortoiseshell flying around a patch of crocuses near the Town Hall in Darlington.

14 March.  Steve Austin saw his first butterfly of the year - a Small Tortoiseshell flying through the car park at Asda in Boldon.

9 March.  Alan Davis observed a Small Tortoiseshell sunning itself in his garden in South Gosforth.

March 1.  Ann Hutcheson saw a Peacock in the top of a Sycamore tree next to the Union Bridge in Berwick upon Tweed.

6 March.  Ken Dawson observed a Small Tortoiseshell flying across Amble Harbour.

February 2011

February 24.  An increase in temperature and a bit of sunshine resulted in several butterfly sightings.  Rev. David Atkinson saw a Small Tortoiseshell in the Vicarage garden in Dunston, Gateshead and Michael Eccles also saw a Small Tortoisesell sunning itself at Lamesely in the late afternoon.  Neville Stead observed a Peacock at Brierdene, Whitley Bay, whilst Tom Tams reported a Comma visiting his garden in Tynemouth.  Dave Stebbings visited the Whitelee Moor Nature Reserve near Catcleugh Reservoir where he saw 5 Fox Moth caterpillars basking on grass tussocks in th sunshine.

February 3.  Julie Mason kicked off the new year's sighting's with a Small Tortoiseshell seen at Belasis Hall Technology Park near Stockton.

January 2011

January 16.  Graham Beckwith found a Peacock in his garden at Sniperley Park, Durham; it was crawling around the lawn but was very sluggish.  Obviously brought out of hibernation by the much warmer temps. It is now in Graham's greenhouse settled amongst the pots etc where it will hopefully continue hibernation as the temps are set to fal again soon.


December 2010

December 25.  Despite the White Christmas Nichola Green discovered a Peacock disturbed from hibernation in her garden in Washington.

November 2010

November 10.  Steve Austin saw a Comma whilst walking in Hawthorne Dene, Co. Durham.  Steve reports that in spite of the generally low temperatures in the region it was quite warm in the Dene and the Comma was basking on brambles in a sun trap but flew off when he approached for a closer look.

November 6.  Philip Jordan saw a Red Admiral in Jesmond, Newcastle in unseasonably sunny weather.

October 2010

October 21  Tim Nelson recorded 3 Speckled Wood in the woodland at Wynyard WP.

October 16  Graham Beckwith found 3 Fox Moth caterpillars on Ling at Simonside, near Rothbury.

October 11  Graham Beckwith saw and photographed a pristine looking Meadow Brown basking on waste ground near the Benfield Group Garages in Gateshead.

October 10  Graham Beckwith recorded a Red Admiral flyingt through the caravan par at Whitton Glebe, Rothbury.

October 8.  Graham Beckwith found a final instar Gothic moth caterpillar at Rothbury Riverside.

October 7.  Steve Austin recorded 12 Red Admirals in the gardens of Egglestone Hall, Co. Durham.  Later on he saw another from the car as he drove through Middleton in Teesdale.  Graham Beckwith recorded a Small Tortoiseshell and a Red Admiral in Durham City, bot flying past the window of his place of work; he also recorded a Small Tortoiseshell at Sniperley Park, Durham on the same day.

October 4.  A lovely sunny morning produced a Speckled Wood in Alan Davis' garden in South Gosforth. Later at Weetslade Country Park he saw another Speckled Wood - his first for this site - also a Red admiral, 2 Common Blue plus a Silver Y moth.

September 2010

September 26.  Despite three days of strong N winds the following were noted by Ian Kerr in the dunes on Holy Island: Peacock 3, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Small Copper 1. Four Red Admirals were in a village garden.

September 22.  Peter Minnikin recorded 6 Red Admirals, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Speckled Woods feeding on Sedum spectabile in his garden in Wardley, Gateshead.  From Rainton Meadows, Steve Austin reported 10 Speckled Wood, 1 Common Blue, 1 Small Tortoishell and 1 Peacock.

September 18.  At Beal Point, Lindisfarne, Ian Kerr found five Wall Browns landing on dried sea-weed along the tide line, perhaps taking traces of salt.

September 17.  Michael Eccles saw 2 Speckled Wood and 1 Red Admiral at Trow Quarry, South Shields.

September 14.  Michael Eccles visited Clara Vale Nature Reserve where he saw 13 Speckled Wood, 1 Comma and 1 Red Admiral.

September 12.  At Heighley Gate Garden Centre Graham Beckwith finally saw his first Painted Lady of the year along with 2 Painted Lady; 3 Peacock and 2 Red Admiral.

September 11.  Graham Beckwith reported the following from Rothbury riverside: 11 Small Tortoiseshell, 8 Red Admiral, 4 Small Copper, 5 Peacock, at least 16 Small White, 7 Large Whiteand 4 Green-veined White.

September 9.  Graham Beckwith found another Purple Hairstreak site at Belmont, Durham where he saw 5 flying together.  At Sniperley Park, Durham he also saw 2 Wall Brown, 3 Small Copper, 9 Red Admiral, 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 14 Small White, 8 Large White and 2 Green-veined White.

September 7.  Graham Beckwith saw 4 Purple Hairstreak at Hopper Wood, Durham.

September 5.  Graham Beckwith saw 26 Wall Brown, 19 Small Heath, 14 Small Copper, 9 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Comma, 1 Speckled Wood, 3 Red Admiral, 7 Small White, 1 Green-veined White and 3 Silver Y moths at Running Waters Quarry, Co. Durham./p>

September 4.  Graham Beckwith recorded a minimum of 8 Purple Hairstreak at Hopper Wood, Durham.  He also saw 1 Wall Brown at the same site and 2 Green-veined White at Dryburn Park, Durham, and a further Wall Brown at Sniperley Park, Durham.

September 2.  Maria Drummond recorded a Holly Blue in her garden in Kenton, Newcastle. Graham Beckwith visited Aykley Wods, Durham where he saw 1 Red Amiral, 1 Speckled Wood (both basking on oak leaves) and 1 Small Copper.

August 2010

August 31.  Michael Coates spent an hour and a half watching Purple Hairstreaks at Hopper Wood, Durham with up to five visible simultaneously.  At Rothbury riverside Graham Beckwith saw 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 11 Peacock; 2 Red Admiral, 3 Wall Brown; 1 Small Copper of the form caeruleopunctata, displaying 4 bright blue dots on each upper hindwing plus innumerable Whites (Small, Large and Green-veined). On the same day at Cragside, near Rothbury(in the formal gardens and by the cottages he saw innumerable Whites 3 Comma; at least 41 Peacock; 19 Red Admiral; 17 Small Tortoiseshell; 1 Wall Brown.

August 28.  Michael Eccles saw 4 Red Admiral, 5 Peacock, 1 Large White and 3 Green-veined White at Queens Road, Shotley Bridge.  Ian Kerr reported just one lonely Dark Green Fritillary showing in his usual survey patch between the Straight Lonnen and wagonway on Holy Island after a week which included a lot of heavy rain.  But he also saw 2 Painted Lady and 2 Peacocks near the Lough and about 12 Wall Brown in Straight Lonnen, village and on Heugh.

August 27.  David Lockey saw 4 Red Admiral, 6 Peacock, and only one Painted Lady at Eppleton Hall, DH5 9NQ near Hetton le Hole T & W.  He also saw the same species at the same location on 25 and 26 August.

August 26.  Mike Coates saw two Purple Hairstreak in a lime tree in Northumberland Park, North Shields.  The butterflies flew down to the ground in front of him before returning to the tree-tops and being lost from sight.  Steve Austin also saw a Purple Hairstreak at Aykley Heads as well as 1 Small Copper, 1 Peacock and 2 Wall Brown.  On the same day he also visited Blackhall Rocks where he recorded Wall Brown 16, Small Tortoishell 6, Small Copper 11, Painted Lady 2,Peacock 6,Speckled Wood 1,Common Blue 2,Small Heath 2 and 2 Silver Y moths.

August 22.  Despite windy conditions Mike Coates counted 102 Wall Brown during his walk around the field adjacent to Whitley Bay Cemetery - Briardene Farm, a location where he often sees 20 - 30 of this species.  Steve Austin visited Blackhall Rocks and reported the following: 28 Peacock, 27 Wall Brown, 6 Small Copper,16 Red Admiral,2 Painted Lady, 2 Small Heath, Large Skipper, 3 Small Tortoishell, 1 Speckled Wood, large numbers of Whites and 25 Silver Y Moth.  Meanwhile at Druridge Bay Pools, Peter Fletcher observed the following: 2 Red Admiral, 18 Wall Brown, 4 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Meadow Brown, 2 Small Skipper, 2 Small Copper plus numerous Small white and a handful of Large and Green veined white.  He also reported 4 Common Darter dragonflies.

Michelle Mills reported several Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillars in the poly tunnel on her allotment in Billy Row, Crook, where they were feeding on grape vine.  This is an unusual food plant for this species which more typically is found on willowherbs.

August 21.  Malcolm Hutcheson reported the following from his garden in East Ord, Berwick: Large White 5, Small White 3, Green-veined White 2, Small Copper, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Red Admiral 2, Peacock 14, Painted Lady, Meadow Brown & Wall Brown.  Malcolm also reports that the Speckled Wood has continued its northward spread and has been recorded in Eyemouth north of the border this summer.

August 19.  Graham Beckwith reported 7 Purple Hairstreak on the same tree as the previous day, although three also flew into adjacent oaks.

August 18.  Graham Beckwith saw 5 Purple Hairstreak.  All observed on one (relatively small) oak tree on the edge of Hopper Wood where the wood meets the railway line. 1 basking mid-way up with the rest flying and twirling around the tree top.  He also saw 1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Skipper and 2 Green-veined Whites. Malcolm Hutcheson reported thefollowing from Cheswick dunes, north Northumberland: Large White2, Small White 3, Small Copper, Peacock 3, Meadow Brown 6, Wall Brown 7.

August 16.  At Debdon Plantation, Northumberland, Graham Beckwith observed 1 Chevron Moth, 1 Peacock, 14 Green-veined White, 6 Small White, 2 Pyrausta purpuralis micro moths.

August 15.  Steve Austin reported the following from Coaley Lane in Newbottle: Wall 7, Small White 2, Green Veined White 8.  Then on the same day at at Rainton Meadows he saw: Meadow Brown 6, Small Heath 8, Large Skipper 2, Silver Y moth 2, Peacock 11, Green Veined White 3 and Wall 1.  Graham Beckwith saw 1 Comma, at least 38 Peacock, at least 25 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Red Admiral, 6 Large White, Small White and Green-veined White (both innumerable)at Wallington Hall Northumberland, mainly in the walled garden.

August 14.  Andy Caesar reported a possible sighting of a Camberwell Beauty in the dunes behind Cocklawburn Beach near Scremerston on the north Northumberland Coast.  Unfortunately the butterfly flew off before Andy had a chance to fully confirm the sighting but he was fairly confident that it was a Camberwell Beauty and so any observers out and about in this area should look out for it.  Please note that the recording policy for the Branch is that sightings of rarities such as this must be supported by a detailed description and if possible a photograph in order for the record to be accepted.

August 12.  Ken Dawson saw a Holly Blue in his garden in Wylam and Dave Stebbings also saw one in the grounds of St Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth.  On Rothbury riverside Graham Beckwith saw innumerable Large White, Small White and Green-veined White as well as 2 Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock.

August 11.  Graham Beckwith saw 1 Ringlet, 1 Meadow Brown, 4 green-Veined White and 1 Antler Moth at Debdon Plantation, near Rothbury.

August 10.  Ian Kerr reported the following from Holy Island: "600m stretch from top of Straight Lonnen to wagonway: Dark Green Fritllary 20, Meadow Brown 18, Small White 5, Ringlet 3 and singles of Common Blue, Wall Brown and Grayling.  Also 10 Small Tortoiseshell sunning themselves on stone wall at Holy Island Lough".

August 8.  Peter Fletcher counted the following from the bridle track across the Prestwick Carr ranges: Small white 100+ and Green viened White 35+, Small Copper 28, Peacock 6, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Meadow Brown 2, Comma 2 and a Small Skipper.  On Holy Island Ian Kerr recorded 1 Grayling and 3 Wall Brown on Heugh.  Graham Beckwith visited Debdon Plantation near Rothbury where he saw 2 Antler Moth; 9 Green-veined White; 1 Small Skiper; 3 Meadow Brown;1 Vapourer Moth Caterpillar.


August 5.  Richard Vogel watched and photographed a fine specimen of a Peacock on the platform of the Metro Centre Railway station.  Ken Dawson found 2 Purple Hairstreaks in Horsley Wood in an Oak tree 100 yds to the right from the bridleway junction waymarker post (under the power-lines; OS Ref. NZ 099 649.  He also saw a Speckled Wood.  Meanwhile on the same day, a walk in Preston Park, Stockton for Tim Nelson gave 3 Purple Hairstreak, 5 Holly Blue along with 5 Commas, 2 Walls 9 Speckled Woods, a Peacock and lots of mixed whites.  Jonathan Wallace had a fleeting sighting of a single Purple Hairstreak at 9 Arches Viaduct in Derwent Walk Country Park, Gateshead.  Graham Beckwith found a freshly deceased White-letter Hairstreak on the ground near a large Elm tree near the entrance to Wharton Park Durham but was unable to find any live ones. He also saw th follwong at Sniperley Park: 14 Green-veined White, 3 Small White, 1 Meadow Brown.

August 3.  Tim Nelson reports that he has had up to two Holly Blues present in his garden in Stockton over the past 10 days (see photo in gallery).

August 2.  Graham Beckwith recorded 9 Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars on 1 Ragwort plant; 1 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing at Sniperley Park, Durham (Park and Ride Grounds).

August 1.  Ian Kerr counted the following between the car park and the rear of the Golden Lion pub garden between 10-11am : Meadow Brown 54, Comma 4, Peacock 2, Small Copper 1, Small Skipper 1 and White-lette Hairsteak 1.  Peter Fletcher counted Small white 100+, Green veined white 30+, Meadow Brown 50+ (all very tatty and faded), Small Copper 50+, Small Tortoiseshell 15+ and Small Skipper 3 during about an hour walking alon the bridleway across the ranges at Prestwick Carr.  He also recorded a Comma at Ponteland Golf Course.


July 2010

July 31.  Steve Austin reported the following from Coaley Lane Walbottle: Green veined white 11, Meadow Brown 3, Comma 2, Peacock 1, Small Copper 1.  Graham Beckwith visited Debdon Plantation, Rothbury and recorded 7 Pyrausta purpuralis, 11 Green-veined White, 4 Small White, 3 Meadow Brown and 5 Ringlet.

July 30.  Jonathan Wallace counted 51 Green-veined Whites, mostly nectaring on thistles, at Big Waters along with 8 Meadow Brown, 2 Comma, 4 Large White, 7 Small White, 1 Small Skipper and 2 Small Copper on a rather breezy day.

July 28.  Steve Austin visited Wingate Quarry where he saw the following: Large White 1,Green Veined White, 16, Small Heath 23, Marbled White 11 (some tatty), Ringlet 11, Small Copper 2, Small Tortoishell 2, Meadow Brown 5 (tatty) Common Blue 1.

July 27.  Graham Beckwith visited Tanfield Marsh LNR where he recorded 17 Meadow Brown; 3 Ringlet; 7 Small Tortoiseshell; 8 Small Skipper; 1 Comma; 2 Narrow Bordered Five-spot Burnet. All seen within a 15 minute walk around the larger meadow.  Malcolm Hutcheson recorded the followong at Paxton House near Berwick: Large White 5,Small White 16,Green-veined White 30,Small Copper 1,Comma,Speckled Wood 2,Ringlet 1 & Meadow Brown 4.

July 26.  Ian Kerr reports from Holy Island: "Good day on island. A check from the gate at north end of the Straight Lonnen for 600m east to old wagonway yielded following: Dark Green Fritillary 74 (nearly all on red clover), Meadow Brown 23, Ringlet 16, Green veined white 11, Common Blue 2, Small Tortoiseshell 2. No sign of Graylings there but one on Heugh."  Also in the north of the region, Malcolm Hutcheson reported Large White 15,Small White 62,Green-veined White 27, Small Copper 2,Large Skipper 2, Smal Skipper 10, Small Tortoiseshell 10, Ringlet 20 & Meadow Brown 64 from Marshall Meadows near Berwick.

July 25.  Graham Beckwith saw 2 White-letter Hairstreak in Durham City; he also saw the following at Sniperley Park: 14 Green-veined White; 1 Large White; 5 Small White; 2 Small Tortoiseshell.

July 24.  Phil Harris reported 17 Small skipper, 1 Ringlet, 1 Comma and 1 Small Copper at Harperley Woods.  Graham Beckwith visited Simonside Forest, Northumberland where he saw 49 Ringlet; 8 Meadow Brown; 7 Small Argent and Sable moths.

July 21.  Phil Harris counted 245 Six-spot Burnet Moths a White le Head.  Alan Davis and Paul Tankard found three very obliging WHite-letter Hairstreaks nectaring on thistles behind the Golden Lion Pub in Winlaton Mill.  They also recorded 2 Comma, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Small Copper, 12 Small Skipper, 1 Green-veined White, 8 Small White and 25 Meadow Brown.  In Aykley Woods, Durham, Graham Beckwith counted 2 Purple Hairstreak (on a mature oak tree on edge of Hopper Wood); 19 Meadow Brown; 37 Ringlet; 13 Small Skipper; 2 Large Skipper; 7 Small Tortoiseshell; 3 Common Wainscot moths

July 20.  Sylvia Brennan found at least six White-letter Hairstreaks nectaring on bramble at Hardwick Dene near Stockton, in varying states of freshness.  Tim Nelson independently counted five at the same location.  Tim also recorded two Holly Blue in his garden on Mahonia.  At White le Head, Phil Harris counted 152 Six-spot Burnet Moths.

July 18.  Julie Mason was doing a BTO bird survey at Wynyard but also managed to record: White-letter Hairstreak 1, Meadow Brown 10, Small Skipper 6, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Large White 2, Small White 5.  Graham Beckith recorded 12 Marbled White, 3 Speckled Wood, 2 Green-veined White, 1 Large Skipper, 14 Meadow Brown, Innumerable Ringlet (lost count at 30+), 26 Small Heath; 3 Small Skipper; 2 Latticed Heath moths and 3 July Belle moths at Wingate Quarry, Co. Durham.  He also recorded a female Large Yellow Underwing a 1 Red Admiral in his garden at Sniperley Park, Durham.

July 17.  Julie Mason visited Teesmouth Field Cetre where she counted: Meadow Brown c35, Common Blue 1, Grayling 1, Large White 3, Small Skipper 8,6-spotted Burnet Moth 1 and Cinnabar Moth larvae c20.

July 16.  Graham Beckwith visited Debdon Plantation, near Rothbury where he counted 27 Ringlet, 13 Small Skipper, 9 Meadow Brown, 6 Small Heath, 2 Speckled Wood, 3 Twin Spot Carpet moths and 4 male Gold Swift moths.

July 14.  The Ward family had a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in their garden in Bedlington; the moth was still present on the following day.

July 13.  Ken Dawson saw 20 White-letter Hairstreaks on the Warden Bridge/Burnfoot/bridleway site near Hexham.  Phil Harris reported 31 Small Heath, 92 Common Blue, 8 Small Skipper, 1 Wall and 2 Ringlet from white le Head, Co. Durham.  Mrs Julie Taylor walked a short way into Chopwell Wood from Marx Terrace and recorded 7 Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Large Skipper, 3 Small Skipper, Ringlet, and a White Letter Hairstreak.  Also on the 13th Tom Tams, Tim Sexton and Steve Rock visited the old railway line at Cambois, Northumberland where they recorded: Grayling 17, Small Tortoiseshell 3, Meadow Brown 30, Large White 6, Small White 1, Ringlet 2 and Small Copper 1.

July 10 Ian Graham had a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in his garden near Newcastle upon Tyne.

July 9.  Michael Eccles recorded the following at Kibblesworth: Kibblesworth:- Common Blue x3, Meadow Brown 20+, Ringlet 20+, Small Heath 20+, Small Skipper x8 and Grayling x 5.  He also visited the Derwent Walk where he recorded 2 White-letter Hairstreak, 7 Ringlet, 20+ Meadow Brown, 4 Small Skipper, 6 Small Tortoisesell and 2 Comma.

July 6.  Julie Mason recorded a Painted Lady in her Stockton garden.  Graham Beckwith visited Harbottle Crags, Northumberland and saw 3 Large Heath; all seen in the area in front of Harbottle Lake, 2 Ringlet; 3 Beautiful Yellow Underwing moths and 1 Northern Spinach moth.  He also recorded Riglet at Harbottle Wood and a Dark Green Fritillary at Whitton Glee, Rothbury.

July 4.  Jonathan Wallace visited Havannah Nature Reserve where in the stong wind he counted 29+ Common Blue, 9+ Meadow Brown, 5 Small Heath and a single Small Skipper.  The butterflies were mostly clustered in the vegetation in sheltered spots.  On the same day, in a Meadow between County Hall and the DLI Museum in Durham Graham Beckwith counted at least 23 Ringlet, at least 18 Meadow Brown and 7 Small Skipper.


June 2010

June 30.  Steve Austin visited Rainton Meadows where he "Counted over 30 Ringlets and the same Meadow Browns then lost count as there were as many as you could count and even an estimate would be hard hundreds! 8 common blue. 9 small heath, 3 Large Skippers, 5 Small Skippers, 2 Speckled Wood, 8 Burnet moths. 2 Silver Y moths".  A visit to Weetslade Country Park in North Tyneside by Alan Davis and Paul Tankard produced 144 meadow brown,37 common blue, 20 small heath, 13 small skipper, 7 large skipper, 2 small tortoiseshell and 1 green-veined white.  They also visited Havannah LNR where they counted 95 meadow brown, 52 common blue, 5 green-veined white, 4 small heath, 2 red admiral, 2 small skipper, 1 large skipper and 1 small tortoiseshell.  Meanwhile Graham Beckwith counted at least 32 Large Skipper, 1 Male Common Blue, at least 18 Ringlet, 17 Meadow Brown, at least 26 Small Skipper, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Red Admiral, 3 Shaded Broad Bar moths and 2 Silver Y moths at Aykley Woods, Durham.  From the north of the region Malcolm Hutcheson reported the following at Beal Station: Large White 2,Small White 2,Green-veined White 3,Small Tortoiseshel 5,Red Admiral 2,Large Skipper 1,Speckled Wood 5,Ringlet 8 & Meadow Brown 4.

June 28.  Dave O'Brien made it north of the Tees to visit Bishop Middleham Quarry where he saw 11 Northern Brown Argus, as well as Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, 2 Dingy Skipper (1 worn looking but the other quite fresh), Large White, Common Blue, and, very unexpected, a single Dark Green Fritillary.  Michael Eccles reported 50+ Ringlet, 5 Common Blue, 3 Small Skipper, 15 Small Heath 8 Meadow Brown and 2 Small Tortoiseshell from Coatham Woodlands.  Ian Cook, holidaying in Northumberland observed a Dark Green Fritillary at Plankey Mill, Allen Banks.

June 27  Graham Beckwith counted 1 Red Admiral; 2 Female Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary; 3 Large Skipper, 1 Dark Green Fritillary, 2 Ringlet, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Copperand 1 Chimney Sweeper moth at a site near Rothbury.

June 25.  Dave Wainwright reported the first White-leter Hairstreak of the year from Low Barns.  He also reported a sighting of Hummingbird Hawk Moth from Marsden Bay.  Graham Beckwith saw 4 Small Heath; 1 female Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, 4 Large Skipper and 1 Wood Tiger moth near Rothbury.

June 24.  Dave Wainwright reported Meadow Brown, Ringlet and his first sighting in Durham of Blood Vein Moth.

June 23.  Sylvia Brennan reported lots of Ringlet and Burnet Moths from Coatham Stobbs.  In the Salter's Gate area Dave Wainwright saw: 50+ Small Pearl-bordered Fritilary, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Dingy Skipper, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnetplus first sighting of 2010 for Dark Green Fritillary.  Graham Beckwith recorded 1 female Large Skipper; 4 male Gold Swift moths and 1 male Common Blue at a site near Rothbury.

June 22.  Dave Wainwright recorded the following at Low Barns: Ringlet, Meadow brown, Orange-tip, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Peacock and Small Heath.  On the same day Michael Eccles visited the Kibblesworth Brickworks site where he recorded 6Meadow Brown, 20+ Common Blue, 50+ Small Heath, 2 Large Skipper and 2 Ringlet.  Steve Austin visited a site near the A68 where he counted 1 Small Pearl-borderd Fritillary and 7 Large Skipper.  Graham Beckwith recorded 2 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (1 male and 1 female) and 1 Red Admiral at a site near Rothbury.

June 21. Dave Wainwright visited Pittington Hill where he recorded 7 Northern Brown Argus, 2 Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown.  The NBA were particularly pleasing as he believes they may be the 1st record there since 1997.  Graham Beckwith visited Ross Links, Northumberland where he counted 12 Small Heath; 8 Small Copper; 1 male Common Blue; 1 male Wall Brown; 1 Cinnabar moth; 9 Yellow Shell moths.

June 20.  Graham Beckwith visited Cragside where, despite the warm weather, he was disappointed to record only single Large and Small Whites plus a White Ermine Moth.

June 19.  Graham Beckwith reported 2 Wall Brown from Rothbury.

June 18.  Phil Harris reported 24 Small Heath from White Le Head, Stanley.  Bob Mawson reports that the White-letter Hairstreak reported on 11 June has finally pupated.  Micael Eccles visited a couple of sites; at Bishop Middleham Quarry he counted 18 Dingy Skipper, 5 Wall Brown, 11 Northern Brown Argus, 6 Small White, 2 Large White, 18 Common Blue, 1 Speckled Wood and 5 Large Skipper.  At a site near the A68 he counted 11 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and 4 Large Skipper.  Graham Beckwith also reported 2 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary from a site near the A68 as well as 2 Large Skipper and a Gold Swift Moth.

June 17.  Alan Davis reported the following from the Havannah local Nature Reserve near Newcastle: 7 Small Heath, 3 Green-veined White, 1 Wall Brown, 1 Large White and 1 Small Copper. At Sniperley Park, Durham, Graham Beckwith reported 5 Peacock; 4 Small Tortoiseshell; 5 Large White; 2 Small White and 1 Green-veined White.  Dave Wainwright reported Speckled Wood, Cinnabar moth and Green-veined White from 100 Acre Plantation in Co Durham.

June 16.  Steve Austin visited Rainton Meadows where he recorded 19 Small Heath, 4 Large Skippers,1 Wall Brown, 1 Peacock, 2 Common Blues, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Orange Tip and over 30 Chimney Sweeper Moths.  Meanwhile Sylvia Brennan visited Coatham Stobb, Stockton where she observed 4 Meadow Brown, a single Cinnabar moth, numerous Small Heath and Large Skipper and single Large White.  Jonathan Wallace saw 2 Dingy Skippers still on the wing at Paradise, Newcastle as well as 8 Large Skipper, 5 Small White, 2 Orange Tip, 1 Red Admiral, 4 Common Blue, 1 Small Copper, 2 Wall Brown.  He also saw a couple of fresh Six-spot Burnet Moths and a Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Moth in the process of unfurling its wings.  DAve Wainwright saw the following at Low Barns: Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Dingy Skipper, Common Blue, whilst at Longburn Ford he recorded Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Orange Tip, and Gren-veined White.

June 15.  Keith Smith reported 8 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary from Wark Forest along with 16 Small Heath, 2 Orange Tip, 8 Green Veined White.  From another site in the same area he reported 2 Small Pearl-bordered Fritilliary, 7 Small Heath, 4 Green Veined White, 2 Small White and 3 Orange Tip.  Dave Wainwright reported Northern Brown Argus, Dingy Skipper, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Painted Lady and SPeckled Wood from Thrislington and st, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Northern Brown Argus, Dingy Skipper, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Wall and Small Heath from Sherburn Hll

June 14.  Graham Beckwith reported 2 male Large Skippers from Aykley Wood, Durham.

June 12.  Tom Tams had Speckled Wood in his garden at Tynemouth as well as Small Whites, Large White and Orange-tip.

June 11.  Bob Mawson found a White-letter Hairstreak caterpillar on Raisby Way which he thought was about to pupate.

June 10.  Bob Mawson counted 1 Female Orange Tip, 14 Common Blue, 1 Small Heath, all roosting, on Raisby Way.

June 7.  Philip Harris saw a single Painted Lady at White le Head, Stanley.  Malcolm Hutcheson also recorded one in the Dunes at Cheswick.  Graham Beckwith saw 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Orange Tip and a Large White at Rothbury.

June 5.  Bob Mawson added Meadow Brown to the season's tally with a singleton at Lime Kiln.  Graham Beckwith saw 4 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Orange Tip and a Large White at Rothbury.  Malcolm Hutcheson counted 9 Large White, 11 Small White, 9 Green-veined White, 2 Orange Tip, 2 Small Copper, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 12 Wall at Scremerston and 2Large White, 6 Small White, 7 Green-veined White, 1 Peacock and 5 Wall at Spittal Cliffs near Berwick.

June 3.  Bob Mawson added two more species to the season's tally with a Northern Brown Argus at Bishop Middleham Quarry and Large Skipper (one at Bishop Middleham and 3 on Raisby Way.  On the same day John Money reported a male Brown Argus at Dormans Pool, Teessside in the same area where they were seen last year.  In the Berwick Area Malcolm Hutcheson counted 1 Large White, 3 Small White, 4 Green-veined White, 1 Orange Tip, and 25 Small Heath at Cheswick Sheil in overcast conditions and 5 Small White 5, 1 Green-veined white, 2 Small Copper, 23 Small Heath and 3 Wall Brown at Goswick.

June 2.  Whilst carrying out bird surveys at West Chevington Mike Cooke observed Wall Brown, Speckled Wood, Small Copper, Orange Tip and Green-veined White.  Jonathan Wallace visited Paradise SNCI where he counted 20 Dingy Skipper, 11 Wall Brown, 3 Small Copper, 2 Small White, 2 Green-veined White and 9 Orange Tip.

June 1.  Graham Beckwith reported a Clouded Silver moth seen at Running Waters quarry.


May 2010

May 31.  Bob Mawson counted over 200 Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars at all stages from tiny to large in the Trimdon area.  He also reported finding Dingy Skipper eggs on Raisby Way.  Garham Beckwith visited Runnig Waters Quarry where he counted 27 Wall Brown (minimum), 23 Dingy Skipper (minimum), 1 female Green-veined White, 2 Small Heath, 5 Grass Rivulet moths, and several Elachista argentella (a micro moth).

May 29.  Dave Liddle reported 14 Dingy Skipper from the Waskerley area.

May 28.  Julie Mason saw a Wall Brown flying in the sunshine at North Gare.  Jonathan Wallace recorded 6 Small Heath and 2 Wall Brown on waste ground near 'Costco', Gateshead.

May 27.  Steve Austin visited Running Waters Quarry where he saw 3 Dingy Skippers, 5 Wall Brown, Small Heath and a Peacock.

May 24.  Harry Eales profited from the fine weather with another excellent count of over 50 Dingy Skippers and even more Green Hairstreaks, the latter nectaring on gorse, at a Northumbrian Water site near Smiddy Shaw Reservoir (not open to the public).  He also recorded Emperor Moth, Common Heath, Latticed Heath, Common Pug and Poplar Hawkmoth as well as Wall Brown, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White and Small Copper.  Brian Pollinger reported 11 Dingy Skipper from Barlow Burn.

May 23.  Brian Pollinger recorded 10 Dingy Skipper and 1 Wall Brown at Shibdon Pond and 1 Dingy Skipper, 1 Orange Tip and 5 Wall Brown at Stella Haugh.  Michael Coates reported 7 Green Hairstreaks, 16 Orange Tips, 21 Small Whites and 1 Peacock from Sidwood near Kielder.  Roger Norman recorded 36 Dingy Skipper at a site at Brenkley, Northumberland.  Jonathan Wallace visited waste land near to the Costco store between the Metro Centre and the Tyne and recorded 5 Dingy Skippers, several Small Heath and Wall Brown plus Treble Bar Moths and Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet Moth caterpillars. 

Over the weekend Dave Wainwright also visited a number of Dingy Skipper sites: Land adjacent to Newton Aycliffe LNR: 13 Dingy Skipper; Simpasture Junction: 12 plus Common Blue, Wall Brown, Small Copper, and Treble Bar; Shildon Sidings: 26 Dingy Skipper, plus Common Blue, Wall, Small Heath, Treble Bar, and Mother Shipton; Royal Mail, N. Aycliffe Ind Est: 6 Dingy Skipper; Large site, N. Aycliffe Ind Est: 14 Dingy Skipper; 100 Acre Plantation: 6 Dingy Skipper.

May 22.  Brian Pollinger recorded 16 Dingy Skipper and 7 Wall Brown at Pathhead Quarry, Gateshead.  On the same day he also recorded 22 Dingy Skippers and 6 Wall Brown at Stargate Ponds and Bewes Hills, 3 Dingy Skipper and a Mother Shipton moth at Blaydon Burn and a single Dingy Skipper by the A695 near Mill House Farm East of Stargate.  Ken Dawson reported 3 Green Hairstreak at Muckle Moss.  He also visited the old Frankham Quarry site where he found 3 Dingy Skipper on the restored landfill.  Graham Beckwith reported 6 Green Hairstreak from the western edge of the hillside to the north of Rothbury

May 21.  Brian Pollinger made an astonishing count of Dingy Skipper at Andrews House Station/Tanfield Railway with at least 128 on the wing, including 50 in a timed count of 15 minutes.  Steve Austin visited Running Waters Quarry and saw 17 Dingy Skippers, 4 Wall Browns, 1 Small White, 1 Orange Tip and his first Common Blue of the year.  Meanwhile Michael Eccles also found it was a good day for Dingy Skipper with 23 at Bishop Middleham Quarry where he also saw 5 Speckled Wood, 4 Wall Brown, 1 Small Heath, 1 Peacock and 3 male Orange Tip.  He also visited Low Barnes Nature Reserve where he recorded 4 Dingy Skippers, 1 Peacock and 7 Orange Tip.  At the 'Bioblitz' event at Ashington Community Woodland eight butterfly species were recorded: Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Small Copper, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Large White and Green-veined White.  Further north Malcolm Hutcheson recorded the followng at Haggerston Castle near Berwick on Tweed: 1 Large White, 4 Small White, 3 Green-veined White, 4 Orange Tip, 1 Peacock and 2 Small Tortoiseshell.

May 20.  Bob Mawson added Common Blue to the season's list at Lime Kilns.  George Simpson recorded Dingy Skipper at Shibdon Nature Reserve.  Meanwhile Graham Beckwith visited Running Waters Quarry in Durham and recorded no less than 24 Dingy Skippers ("probably many more"), 4 Wall Brown, 3 Male Orange Tip, 3 Peacock, 2 (probably) Small White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Male Green-veined White.

May 18.  Keith Smith visited Close House near Wylam picnic site and recorded 17 Orange Tip, 3 Wall Brown, 1 Small Copper, also Large White, Green Veined White, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell.  On the same day he also visited the Spetchells near Prudhoe and recrded 2 Dingy Skipper, 3 Wall Brown also Green Veined White, Orange Tip, Large White, Small White, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood

May 16.  Graham Beckwith recorded 2 Orange Tip and 2 Small White at Rothbury.

May 15.  Jonathan Wallace recorded 2 Dingy Skipper at Walker Riverside, Newcastle as well as 3 Speckled Wood, 1 Peacock and 1 Large White.  Gordon Sirmond recorded 2 Dingy Skipper beside the old railway track between Ryhope and Seaton near West Cherry Knowle Farm.  Graham Beckwith saw 2 Peacock and 9 Green Hairstreak at Lamp Hill near Alnwick where he also saw and |Early Thorn moth.

May 14.  Bob Mawson reported another new species for the year with a Wall Brown at Raisby Way

May 10.  Bob Mawson added Small Heath to the season's tally with a singleton on Raisby Way.

May 9.  Dave Wainwright reported 7 Dingy Skippers from a known site within Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate.

May 7.  Michael Eccles visited Bishop Middleham Quarry where he saw 8 Speckled Wood, 1 Orange Tip and 2 Green-veined Whites.  He then recorded 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Peackock and 7 Green-veined White on Trimdon Walkway.

May 4.  Sid Storey and Dave Fletcher recorded Dingy Skipper at Raisby Way.  Graham Beckwith recorded 4 Peacock and a single Speckled Wood in the Grounds of the DLI in Durham and 1 Large White and 2 Small White at County Hall.  Gordon Sirmond reported Speckled Wood, numerous Peacocks, Whites, Small Tortoiseshells and a single Comma from the High Wood - Baron's Quay area in Sunderland.  Michael Eccles returned to Muggleswick Common where he found 14+ Green Hairstreak in patches of Bilberry at between 300 and 340 metres.  He only searched a small area and notes that there were many more Bilberry patches all over the common that he did not search.  He also saw 6 male Emperor Moths.

May 3.  Graham Beckwith and Steve Austin recorded 1 Small White and 1 Green-veined White at Malton Picnic Area, Lanchester.  Graham also reported Garden Tiger Moth caterpillars from Hedleyhope Fell.


April 2010

April 30.  Neville Stead reported a Red Admiral at Whitley Bay.  Emma Pearson recorded Speckled Wood at Low Barns.  Dave Wainwright reports "plenty of Orange Tip, Peacock and Green-veined White at Low Barns".

April 29.  Bob Mawson saw Orange Tip, Speckled Wood and Small Copper at Raisby Way.  David Harrison reported Orange Tip and Speckled Wood from Billingham Beck Country Park.

April 27.  Michael Eccles recorded 6 (possibly 7) Green Hairstreak at Muggleswick as well as a Small Tortoiseshell.

April 24.  Steve Austin recorded 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Peacock and 2 Small Tortoiseshell at Coaley Lane Newbottle and on the same day at Rainton Meadows, 4 Peacocks and 3 Small White.  Dave Wainwright recorded Green Hairstreak at Hedleyhope Fell and on the same day Large White at Willington.  Steve Egglestone recorded 2 male Orange Tips at Scotch Estate, Jarrow, adjacent to the River Don.

April 23  Steve Austin toured several Durham sites and recorded 1 Peacock at Wingate then at Cow Tree Nature Reserve, Cassop where he recorded a Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell.  Finally he went to Rainton Meados where the sun came out and he recorded 6 Peacocks, 1 Comma, 2 Small White and 2 Green-veined Whites.

April 22.  Keith Smith visited Dipton Woods where he recorded 12 Green Hairstreaks and 3 Peacocks.  Dave Wainwright recorded 2 Orange Tips at Low Barns Nature Reserve

April 16.  Steve Austin saw one each of Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Small White at Coaley Lane in Newbottle.  He also visited Rainton Meadows where he saw 6 Peacock and 3 Small Tortoiseshell.  David Anderson visited Rainton Meadows independently and saw six pairs of Peacock spiralling up into the air together as well as 4 Small Tortoiseshell.  Keith Smith walked along the Tyne riverside from Prudhoe to Newburn and was rewarded with plenty of butterflies: Spetchells - 4 small tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Red Admiral; Wylam, the Haughs - 4 small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock; Wylam Picnic Site/Close House Nature Reserve - 2 Green Veined White, 2 Orange Tip (male) 5 Peacock, 7 Small Tortoiseshell; Newburn - 3 Comma, 9 Tortoiseshell, 3 Peacock.  Jonathan Wallace observed a solitary Small Tortoiseshell near to St Mary's Island.  Michael Eccles reported 6 Peacock, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Comma and 1 Green-veined White from Shibdon Pond and 2 Peacock, 3 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Comma at Clara Vale Nature Reserve. 

Dave Wainwright reported that five species have been observed at Low Barns Nature Reserve over the course of this week: Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Green-veined White & Small White.   At Hedleyhope Fell on his transect he has recorded Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock as well as several male Emperor Moths flying over heather at the Tow Law end of the site.

April 11.  Jonathan Wallace saw three Peacock at Dobbie's garden Centre near Ponteland.  Graham Beckwith had a fruitful walk in fields at Sniperley Park Durham in which he recorded 17+ Small Tortoiseshell, 8+ Peacock, 1 Comma, 3 Small White and 1 Large White inn 30 - 45 minutes along a 3/4 mile walk.

April 10.  Julie Mason recorded 3 Small Tortoiseshell in her Garden in Stockton on Tees.  On the same day she also observed a Peacock resting on slag rocks at the Reclamation Pond, North Tees.  Jonathan Wallace recorded 13 Peacock, 6 Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Comma in the Derwent Walk Country Park near Winlaton Mill.

April 9.  An improvement in the weather resulted in 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 Peacock appearing in Graham Beckwith's garden in Sniperley Park, Durham.  Steve Austin recorded a Peacock and a Comma at Malton picnic site and three Peacocks and a Small Tortoiseshell at Hedleyhope.  On the same day Tom Tams recorded a Small White as well as a Red Admiral and a Peacock in his garden in Tynemouth.  Further north, David Anderson recorded 14 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell from Cragside, Northumberland

March 2010

March 22.  Sylvia Brennan observed a Small Tortoiseshell flying in the sunshine at the RSPB Saltholme Reserve.  On the same day in Rothbury, Northumberland Graham Beckwith saw a Small Tortoiseshell alive and well and flying in the window of an estate agent on the High Street.

March 21.  Tom Tams recorded his first Peacock of the year in his garden in Tynemouth whilst Keith Robson recorded his first in his garden at Waldridge Fell, Chester-le-Street.

March 16.  Emma Pearson saw a Peacock on Hedleyhope Fell near Tow Law (reported by Dave Wainwright).

March 13.  Julie Mason recorded her first Small Tortoiseshell of the season in her garden in Stockton on Tees.

March 4 - 12.  Brian Pollinger reported sightings of Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Red Admiral in Gateshead.

March 8.  Dave Wainwright reported a Small Tortoiseshell seen at the Low Barns Nature Reserve at Witton le Wear.

February 2010

February 16. Bob Mawson found a Speckled Wood caterpillar at Trimdon Pit Heap. See his photograph in the gallery.

February 10.  Sid Storey found an adult Small White Butterfly in his house.  It is suspected it was present in a bunch of flowers purchased in Durham on the same day.  (Reported by Bob Mawson). See photograph in the gallery.

February 4, 5 and 6.  Bob Mawson found a total of three Speckled Wood Pupae on Trimdon Pit Heap.


January 2010

January 27.  Bob Mawson found a White-letter Hairstreak egg on Raisby Way.  He also recorded a Small Copper caterpillar on Trimdon Pit Heap.

January 4.  2010 has got off to a wintry start with prolonged low temperatures and plenty of snow so perhaps not many people have been thinking much of butterflies and moths.  Undeterred, Bob Mawson has found a number of Drinker Moth caterpillars (16 in all) over the past two weeks, frozen in ice and snow at Trimdon Pitheap, Beck Fir Trees and Charity Land.  The caterpillars were still alive on thawing as shown in his remarkable photograph.  Bob also made what is surely the first butterfly record of the year with a White-letter Hairstreak egg at Double Dyke on 4th January.


 
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