Butterfly Conservation - Upper Thames Branch

Butterfly Sightings for July 2025 (Species seen this year: 43)

This page shows recent sightings in the UTB region. By default the most recent sightings are displayed. You can select a month and year from the drop-down menus. First reported sightings are shown in bold red text. Clicking an image will show a larger version.

You can submit sightings either by completing the web form or by emailing sightings@upperthames-butterflies.upperthames-butterflies.org.uk . Records which appear on the sightings page wil be added to iRecord, unless you state that you have done this yourself.

If you are submitting images, please read the copyright statement, and please don't submit more than three images per report.

07-Jul-2025

From Michael Hunt : "A Humming-bird Hawk-moth paid a late evening visit (20:30) to our Verbena Bonariensis in Buckingham, Bucks (SP703333) today."

From Steve Nixon : "Two male Chalk Hill Blues seen at Swyncombe Down, Oxon (SU671915) this morning. Red Admiral, Peacock and numerous Marbled White also seen."

Chalk Hill Blue, Swyncombe Down, Oxon , 07-Jul-2025 (© Steve Nixon)

From David Hastings : "It was rather cool and breezy at Hackpen Hill, Oxon (SU350849) this morning, but there were plenty of butterflies about. I found a fresh Painted Lady feeding on Burdock flowers at the top of the slope. Down in the punchbowl I saw about a dozen Chalk Hill Blues, including one female. Other species seen were Essex Skipper (1), Small Skipper (5), Large White (5), Common Blue (7), Brown Argus (1), Peacock (4), Dark Green Fritillary (2), Gatekeeper (35+), Ringlet (7), Meadow Brown (25+), Small Heath (2) and Marbled White (7). I was surprised to find an Oblique Striped moth. Presumably this was an early second-brood individual as it looked fresh. "

Painted Lady, Hackpen Hill, Oxon, 07-Jul-2025 (© David Hastings)

Chalk Hill Blue, Hackpen Hill, Oxon, 07-Jul-2025 (© David Hastings)

Oblique Striped, Hackpen Hill, Oxon, 07-Jul-2025 (© David Hastings)

06-Jul-2025

From Sue Wagner : "A Jersey Tiger appeared in my kitchen in Bourne End, Bucks (SU892879) today."

Jersey Tiger, Bourne End, Bucks, 06-Jul-2025 (© Sue Wagner)

04-Jul-2025

From Bob Theaker : "A very brief, late afternoon visit to Bernwood Forest, Bucks (SP615112) yielded a good number of Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Whites, Silver-washed Fritillary and 2 White Admiral, and finally a single pristine Brown Hairstreak, just to the side of the main ride from the car park."

Brown Hairstreak, Bernwood Forest, Bucks, 04-Jul-2025 (© Bob Theaker)

White Admiral, Bernwood Forest, Bucks, 04-Jul-2025 (© Bob Theaker)

From Peter Kendall : "At Maidenhead Thicket, Berks (SU853808) this morning we saw 2 White-letter Hairstreak, both on vegetation at about 5ft from the ground, and many (20+) Silver-washed Fritillary."

White-letter Hairstreak, Maidenhead Thicket, Berks, 04-Jul-2025 (© Peter Kendall)

From Trevor Lea : "There were plenty of butterflies in the Botanic Gardens, Oxford, Oxon (SP520060) today: a Gatekeeper in one of the glasshouses on leaves of Plectranthus saccatus, a Peacock on an Eryngium and a Holly Blue in the herbaceous border. "

Gatekeeper, Oxford, Oxon, 04-Jul-2025 (© Trevor Lea)

Holly Blue, Oxford, Oxon, 04-Jul-2025 (© Trevor Lea)

Peacock, Oxford, Oxon, 04-Jul-2025 (© Trevor Lea)

From Geoff Dymott : "Quite breezy at Hackpen Hill, Oxon (SU353848) today so most butterflies were seeking sheltered corners of the site. 1 Dark Green Fritillary, 20+ Chalk Hill Blues, 10 Common Blue, 3 Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Brimstone. As always, many Large Whites, Small Whites, Small Skipper, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Marbled White. "

Brown Argus, Hackpen Hill, Oxon, 04-Jul-2025 (© Geoff Dymott)

From Justin Davey : "Quick lunchtime loop around Bernwood Forest, Bucks (SP611113). White Admiral (2); Silver-washed Fritillary (8), including one of form Valezina; Peacock (2); Red Admiral (1); and Comma (2); amongst the usual flotilla of Whites, Skippers and Browns."

Peacock, Bernwood Forest, Bucks, 04-Jul-2025 (© Justin Davey)

White Admiral, Bernwood Forest, Bucks, 04-Jul-2025 (© Justin Davey)

03-Jul-2025

From Hugh Smith : "3 Dark Green Fritillaries seen flying in the ramparts on the east side of the castle at White Horse Hill, Oxon (SU303865) this morning. Over 500 butterflies counted on transect including large numbers of Whites. This is more than double my previous record. Many are starting to look worn. Warm and sunny with little wind. Few butterflies in the Manger which is now quite burnt up."

From Nick Bowles : "6 male Chalk Hill Blue at Rainbow Ride on the Ashridge estate, Bucks (SP965142) made them the most numerous species. 3 were on fox scat. Very hopeful that I will hear of all sightings of Chalkies (contact nick.bowles@ntlworld.com)"

Chalk Hill Blue, Ashridge estate, Bucks, 03-Jul-2025 (© Nick Bowles)

02-Jul-2025

From Denise Harper : "In the gully right at the bottom of Beacon Hill at Aston Rowant NNR, Oxon (SU732966) approx 8 male Chalk Hill Blues and 3 females. On the hill, numerous Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Small Skippers, Large Skippers, 2 Peacocks, and 4 Dark Green Fritillaries (most looking rather worn), some Green-veined Whites and Gatekeepers."

01-Jul-2025

From Denise Harper : "A Silver-washed Fritillary flew into the house in Caversham, Berks (SU710754) (back door open due to hot weather) and landed on the skylight. We managed to get it into a pot, then took it outside to release it, at which point we were able to ID it. On release, it flew up and rested on the parasol outside for a few minutes before flying away. "

From Hugh Smith : "Whilst watching Purple Hairstreak on an oak tree on the main ride in Hailey Wood, Ashdown, Oxon (SU278830) this morning I spotted a Purple Emperor on a branch lower down, possibly on a sap run. It was there for around 20 mins before it flew off. Loads of Red Admiral, Commas and also fresh Peacocks also out but no Silver-washed Fritillaries seen."

From Karen Saxl : "Aberrant Gatekeeper has been around on Sustrans route 544 just south of Didcot, Oxon (SU522883) for a few days. Paler and more orange than the normal Gatekeeper.

Generally going out early in the morning (6am-8am) because of the heat. Plenty of butterflies around sunning themselves though I suspect that many are too low down for me to see. Marbled Whites, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Large Skipper, Small Skippers, Large Whites, Green-veined Whites, a few Brown Argus, Common Blue, Commas, Peacocks, Red Admirals, Painted Ladies and Speckled Woods (usually don't expect to see those until 10.00). Also seeing a few Small Tortoiseshells - which is a real relief after seeing none in the second half of last year. "

From Michael Hunt : "One Gatekeeper, one Humming-bird Hawk-moth, two Large White, one Peacock on Verbena Bonariensis this morning."

From Rikki Harrington : "Seen at Ivinghoe Hills, Bucks (SP959168) today were Chalk Hill Blue, Brown Argus, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Marbled White, Dark Green Fritillary, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper. "