London Natural History Society The place for wildlife in London

Small Copper. Photo (c) Mick MassieWelcome to this London Natural History Society project working with other organisations and individuals in London. Thank you for all the records to date.

While the project is collating the records from the survey to date, recording is continuing into 2018. Records of any butterflies, are welcome – and see also the box below. As before, records from less well visited locations help to build a picture of distribution. For example, most areas of London have a series of Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation. Those could be worth visiting once or more during the summer.

June; and most species will have been, are now or should soon be on the wing. For some species this may be there second or more generation of the year. Others have just one generation per year.

Aims of the London butterfly atlas project
London Natural History Society (LNHS) aims to map the distribution of butterfly species in Greater London, updating ‘The Butterflies of the London Area’ of 1980-86.  Much has changed since to butterflies in London; while London itself has changed and is continuing to change.  Survey information will improve knowledge to help the conservation of butterflies, habitats and other wildlife in London.  The project is primarily concerned with the Greater London area – that of the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London. The aim is to map to the tetrad (2km x 2km) level.  The project is using records from 2015, with surveying during 2016, 2017 and into 2018. As this is a ‘dots-on-the-map’ survey, records are needed from suburban and urban areas, gardens, streets and as seen during commuting; and from green spaces.

Leslie Williams
Recorder: Lepidoptera (butterflies), London Natural History Society 
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Priority species for additonal records

Speckled Wood - Generations throughout the year

Green-veined White. Photo (c) Mick MassieOrange Tip - Mainly Spring
Occurs in low numbers wandering along hedges, watercourses and other habitats. Seeks Ladies Smock and Hedge Garlic for egg laying; Cow Parsley for roosting; and shrubs for protection.  The males are unmistakable; the females are less conspicuous and fly less.

Brimstone - Spring mainly.  There can be a second generation during summer.
The fluorescent yellow of the male is easily recognisable.  Females are a whitish-green. At rest the intricate wing and vein pattern looks like a leaf. Look also for caterpillars on Alder Buckthorn or Common Buckthorn.

Large White, Small White and Green-veined White
Large Whites can usually be identified easily; but you’ll need to see the wings closely to confirm Small White and Green-veined White.

Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady - Over-wintering adults may emerge in the spring; and subsequent generations may be seen at times during the spring, summer and autumn.
Widespread. Perhaps the most recognisable of butterflies. Some are migrants.

Holly Blue. Photo (c) Mick MassieHolly Blue - Widespread this May in London. Look out also for a second generation during the summer.
Often seen near hedges and shrubbery in gardens, parks, churchyards and on boundaries.

Common Blue and Brown Argus
Grassland species.

Small Copper
Grassland mainly.

Large Skipper; and then the Small Skipper and Essex Skipper
Check with identification guides

Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Small Heath
Small Heath in some areas. Ringlet may be present / absent from some areas.

Marbled White
Actually a ‘brown’ but look for the black and white chequered pattern. Possibly present in only some areas.

Purple Hairstreak - Peak month is July
The Purple Hairstreak is usually an early evening flyer. It could be great to discover more about the distribution to this species in London. Look up around the crown of Oak trees.

Other butterfly species
Less common and specialist species may also occur at locations in London. See an identification guide.

Most butterfly records are of adults, while records of eggs and young stages are equally valuable. Species that over-winter as adults may be encountered hibernating in sheds, out-buildings, or deep in vegetation. Warm weather and sunlight may encourage these to fly. An example is the Red Admiral (illustrated here, though in August, at Grangewood Recreation Ground, Thornton Heath). In London, sightings during the past five years have noted the Red Admiral and the Brimstone in each of the calendar months from January to December.

 

Photography

The project is photographing London’s butterflies and their environments. Photographs of butterfly habitat, or with iconic features and London landmarks are welcome. Please provide information with the photograph/s, including your name, contact details, date, location, species name and any other information that adds to the picture. All photographs used will be acknowledged.

Photographs of any species are welcomed, but photos of the following species in London are particularly sought after:

Small White - Summer
Adults feeding on Bramble in London.

Brimstone - Spring, mainly
Caterpillars on Buckthorn leaves.

 

Recording anywhere in Greater London

Records simply contain the details of: Species name; Date (preferably to the day); Location (a grid reference and/or any of the following: postcode, street name, place name); and your name. If you wish add numbers seen, habitat, behaviour, life-stage if eggs or caterpillars, and any other details. Record anywhere in Greater London:

• Gardens and parks.
• Commuter routes, town centres, residential roads, footpaths, local parks, churchyards, cemeteries, and local wildlife sites (SINCs): all the local places that make up London. 
• Recreational paths: Thames Paths, Capital Ring, London Loop, and others.

This website has more information, with links to social media at:
https://lnhs.org.uk/index.php/about-us/recording/london-butterfly-atlas-project.
and identification charts for common species: https://lnhs.org.uk/index.php/learning/school-packs.

Gaps: See the list and map of localities at the end of this update that have few records. The project has been visiting some of these – but as, typically, only a few species are recorded per visit, visits by different people and at different during the season helps to compile a fuller species list. Species priorities include those with single, short flight periods. Records of all species and from anywhere in London are welcome.

Flow Of Records: Records can be sent to the email at the end of this briefing; or to Leslie Williams; or entered online on the GiGL (Greenspace Information for Greater London) site; on iRecord, or via Butterfly Conservation branches, or via the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme for transect walks, or on paper.

Hertfordshire and Middlesex atlas: Hertfordshire and Middlesex Butterfly Conservation, and the Hertfordshire Natural History Society have produced a new atlas of butterflies. Details are available on the website of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society.

Data protection: The London Natural History Society has provided a Privacy Notice on their website in respect of the General Data Protection Act. The Privacy Notice is relevant to both LNHS members and to others with whom we work on projects or who submit records. The Notice explains how your records and personal information will be used and your rights in respect of your personal data. Most of the activities of the LNHS are covered by the ‘legitimate interest’ provision. Please note that if you submit biological records (species records), that the LNHS may share those records with other organizations who have similar objectives of scientific recording and/or species conservation. Please also note that if you have received this ‘Butterflies of London Project’ update via electronic media, then the LNHS holds your email or other contact details. (We won’t share your contact details without your personal permission). You have the right to see a copy of that personal data that is held. You can also request to unsubscribe from receiving further copies of the ‘Update’, or from receiving any / other information directly, or request to have your contact details amended or deleted. For further information please contact the LNHS or the Recorder at the contact details below.

Priority tetrads for surveying

Tetrads for which there are no or sometimes only a few 2016-2017 or recent records. Other areas for which more records are welcome are the areas of the London Boroughs of Newham, Barking and Dagenham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge; and Havering. ‘Essex in London’ tetrads are not highlighted on the map above.

Locality	Grid	Tetrad
Bromley Borough and area particularly the North-East,
East and South.
Longlands, New Eltham, Lamorbey	TQ	44 72
Sidcup, Albany Park	TQ	46 72
Sundridge	TQ	40 70
Elmstead, Chislehurst West	TQ	42 70
St Mary Cray / St Paul’s Cray	TQ	46 68
Cray Valley, Cray Park, Hockenden	TQ	48 68
Swanley	TQ	50 68
Bromley Common, Southborough	TQ	42 66
Ramsden, Derry Downs	TQ	46 66
Kevingtown	TQ	48 66
Hayes Common, Keston	TQ	40 64
Locksbottom	TQ	42 64
Farthing Street	TQ	42 62
Green Street Green	TQ	44 62

Hazelwood	TQ	44 60
Norsted Lane	TQ	46 60
Biggin Hill (town)	TQ	40 58
Aperfield, Berry’s Green	TQ	42 58
Cudham, Horns Green	TQ	44 58
South Street, Westerham Hill	TQ	42 56
Cudham Frith	TQ	44 56
South London
Newington, Walworth	TQ	32 78
Bermondsey, Rotherhithe	TQ	34 78
Herne Hill, North Dulwich, East Dulwich	TQ	32 74
Norwood, Gipsy Hill	TQ	32 70
Thornton Heath, Upper Norwood	TQ	32 68
Streatham Hill, Tulse Hill	TQ	30 72
The West End and nearby
South Kensington, Brompton, Knightsbridge	TQ	26 78
West Kilburn, Maida Vale	TQ	24 82
Notting Hill, Bayswater, Westbourne, Green	TQ	24 80
The South-West
Wallington, South Beddington, Woodcote Green	TQ	28 62
Carshalton Beeches	TQ	26 62
Wimbledon Park, Southfields	TQ	24 72
West Sutton to Sutton Common	TQ	24 64
Cheam, Belmont	TQ	24 62
New Malden	TQ	20 68
Norbiton, Kingston	TQ	18 68
To the South of Richmond Park	TQ	18 70
Marble Hill, Ham	TQ	16 72
Hampton Hill, Fullwell, Teddington	TQ	14 70
Areas around Heathrow including Harmondsworth and
Sipson
West Bedfont	TQ	06 74
Harrmondsworth /Heathrow West	TQ	0476
Harmondsworth East / Sipson / Heathrow	TQ	06 76
West Drayton / Heathrow	TQ	04 78
Essex / North-East London: Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, and Havering.
Urban, suburban and rural. Rainham Marshes are covered.
Other
Stanmore – Northern parts near the M1	TQ	16 94
Grim’s Dyke Golf Course	TQ	12 92
William Girling Reservoir, King George Reservoir	TQ	36 94
Upper Edmonton, Lower Edmonton	TQ	34 92
Bayhurst Wood Country Park, Mad Bess Wood	TQ	06 88
Hanworth	TQ	10 70
Forster Memorial Park, Higher Green Cemetery, Catford	TQ	38 72
Grove Park, Mottingham	TQ	40 72