The Butterflies of Northamptonshire in 2024

I’m sure anyone with even a passing interest in butterflies would have realised that something was very wrong in 2024. Woodland rides were barren, grasslands were empty, and gardens were devoid of butterflies. My own garden was awash with nectar sources by mid-summer with lots of Verbena, Buddleia, Thyme, Hebe etc. all flowering beautifully, but there were hardly any insects to be seen using this abundant food source. So, what went wrong? In recent years, habitat loss has been one of the biggest factors in Northamptonshire’s butterfly declines. However, this year the chief culprit was the weather. Despite a warm start to the year spring was dominated by endless cloud fronts which contributed to the season being the sixth wettest since 1986 in the UK. The summer didn’t fair much better and was the coolest since 2015. Although a small few butterfly species did well in 2024, for the majority it felt that the season never got started and many of the accounts below make for depressing reading. The significance of the drop in butterfly numbers led Butterfly Conservation to declare a Nature Emergency which you can read more about here. Fortunately, there were a few breaks in the clouds and some butterfly recording could still be done. In total I have received 23,093 records for the county in 2024, detailing the locations of 71,423 individual adult butterflies. As always, I would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to record the butterflies they were seeing, and it’s not an exaggeration to say that none of our current understanding of our butterflies’ trends would be possible without your help. The records comprise data from the UKBMS transect walks, the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey, the Garden Buttery Survey, the Big Butterfly Count, and casual records sent in via email or iRecord. IRecord is now easily the most popular way of submitting casual records due to its ease of use (especially using the phone app), if you would like to know more about how to use it I have written a tutorial which you can find here. If anyone would like to brush up on their butterfly identification skills I am also leading a Butterfly Identification workshop for the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants, this popular event is now in its third year so if you would like to book you can read more and download a leaflet here. If you would like to get involved in some transect recording, the Hazelborough Forest UKBMS transect has become vacant, and I could also do with a hand in the transect coordinator role (I’m the transect coordinator for the county as well as the county recorder), so if either of these interest you please send me an email or message using the contact form. 2024 also saw the end of the current five-year recording period and I am very pleased to say we achieved a great coverage of records from around the county, in that time I have received 132,694 records detailing the whereabouts of just under half a million butterflies which is a phenomenal achievement! If you wanted to know more about how butterfly recording has evolved in Northamptonshire in recent years I had the great honour of being invited to be a guest speaker at Butterfly Conservation’s 2024 UK Butterfly Recorder meeting which you can watch here (fast forward to the 1 hour and 25 minute mark if you just want to watch my part). Northamptonshire has been extremely lucky to have benefited from the Chequered Skipper reintroduction project and this year it was joined by another exciting project called the Threatened Species Recovery for Northamptonshire's Woodlands which is doing fantastic conservation work to encourage the Wood White and other species, you can read more on this here. It will certainly be interesting to see what effects this year has had on our butterflies and all eyes will be on 2025 to see how our species fare, so please send in as many records as you can, as this year has shown, every record counts!

David James - Northamptonshire County Recorder for Butterflies

2024 Tetrad Coverage

2020-2024 recording period Tetrad Coverage

Chequered Skipper

Like many of our spring butterflies, the Chequered Skippers flight period was marred by inclement weather making surveys difficult. Although Chequered Skipper sightings were down it is very encouraging to see them spreading around the landscape they have been reintroduced into, with quite a few records coming from new areas. If you would like to read more about the project you can do so here and here.

Chequered Skippers, Rockingham Forest, 2024

Chequered Skipper, Rockingham Forest, 2024

Small, Essex and Large Skipper

The Small and Essex Skippers had a poor season in 2024 although the Large Skipper remained average. The Small Skipper shows a 59% drop from the previous year and a 43% drop from the five-year average. The Essex Skipper was 38% down from 2023 and 31% below the five-year average. However, the Large Skipper did much better and although it was 2% down from the previous year their records put it 7% above the five-year average. The first Small Skipper of the year was recorded on the 17th of June at Ring Haw, the last ones of the year were recorded on the 21st of August at Lyveden New Bield and New Duston. The first Essex Skipper of the year was seen on the 25th of June at Old Sulehay and the last of the year was recorded on the 11th of August near Ravensthorpe Reservoir. The first Large Skipper of the year was recorded on the 23rd of May in Thrapston and the last of the year was recorded on the 26th of August in Fermyn Woods.

Large Skipper

Small Skipper Distribution

Essex Skipper Distribution

Large Skipper Distribution

Dingy Skipper

The Dingy Skipper has a poor season in 2024 showing a 17% reduction from the previous year and a 31% drop in records below the five-year average. The best places to see them were Fermyn Country Park, Fineshade Wood, Harrington Airfield, Old Sulehay and Ring Haw, and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first ones of the year were recorded on the 4th of May at Fermyn Country Park, Old Sulehay and Ring Haw, Twywell Hills and Dales and Weekley Hall Meadow and the last of the year was recorded on the 21st of June at Old Sulehay.

Dingy Skipper

Dingy Skipper Distribution

Grizzled Skipper

The Grizzled Skipper had a poor year in 2024 and shows a 34% drop in records from 2023 which puts it 36% below the five year average. The best places to see them were Fermyn Country Park, Fineshade Wood, Old Sulehay and Ring Haw, and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first of the year was recorded on the 1st of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last of the year was seen on the 16th of June in Fineshade Wood.

Grizzled Skipper

Grizzled Skipper Distribution

Wood White

The Wood white showed a 26% drop in records from the previous year, which equates to a 28% drop below the five-year average. The best public places to see Wood Whites were Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest and Salcey Forest. They were also recorded in Harry’s Park Wood, Geddington Chase, Whistley Wood and the private woodlands of Sywell Wood and Yardley Chase. Some eagle-eyed recorders also found them at Fineshade Wood after they were moved there as part of an official translocation project, so let’s hope they settle into their new home! The first Wood White of the year was recorded on the 9th of May in Yardley Chase and the last of the year was recorded on the 17th of August in Hazelborough Wood.

Wood White

Wood White Distribution

Clouded Yellow

Just two Clouded Yellows were recorded in the county in 2024. The first one was recorded on the 18th of July along Old Dry Lane near Brigstock, and the second was found at Stanford Reservoir on the 11th of October.

Clouded Yellow

Clouded Yellow Distribution

Brimstone

The Brimstone had an average year in the county, and although it was 11% down in abundance from the previous year this is still 9% above the five-year average. This is a common butterfly which can be seen anywhere in the county with suitable habitat. The first of the year was recorded on the 13th of January in Fineshade Wood, and the last of the year was seen on the 18th of December in Hunsbury, Northampton.

A newly emerged Brimstone hanging from its old pupal case

Brimstone Distribution

Large, Small and Green-veined White

All three of the commoner Whites were down in 2024. The Large White was 37% down from the previous year and 24% down from the five-year average. The Small White was down 50% from the previous year and 51% below the five-year average. The Green-veined White fared slightly better in 2024 and was 18% down from the previous year and 11% below the five-year average. The first Large White was recorded on the 1st of April in Kettering and the last of the year was recorded on the 27th of October in Wollaston. The first Small White of the year was recorded on the 9th of March in Wollaston and the last of the year was seen on the 27th of October also in Wollaston. The first Green-veined White of the year was seen on the 30th of March at Summer Leys Nature Reserve and the last ones of the year were recorded on the 11th of October at Sywell Country Park and Stanford Reservoir.

Green-veined White

Large White Distribution

Small White Distribution

Green-veined White Distribution

Orange-tip

The Orange-tip had a better season and was 36% above the total from the previous year, which places it just under the five-year average by 4%. This beautiful spring butterfly could be seen anywhere with suitable habitat, however, the best places to see them were Bucknell Wood, Collyweston Deeps, the Nene Wetlands, Salcey Forest, Stanwick Lakes and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first of the year was recorded on the 22nd of March near Great Houghton, and the last one of the year was seen on the 10th of July in Salcey Forest.

Orange-tip

Orange-tip Distribution

Brown Hairstreak

Sadly, despite a quite a few people looking, no adult Brown Hairstreaks were found at Croughton during the Brown Hairstreak’s flight period and a short egg search in late December failed to find any eggs. We’re hoping to carry out more egg searches during the winter and if any are found the news will be posted on this website. It’s not too surprising as the county is on the very fringes of the Brown Hairstreak’s distribution but hopefully in future years they will spread further into the county and become colonised.

Green Hairstreak

The Green Hairstreak did slightly better in 2024 than the previous year with a 6% increase in records and a 5% increase in records above the five-year average. The best places to see them were Collyweston Deeps, Fermyn Country Park, Harrington Airfield, Old Sulehay and Ring Haw, Twywell Hills and Dales and West Lodge Rural Centre near Desborough. The first ones of the year were recorded on the 30th of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and Ring Haw, and the last ones of the year were recorded on the 7th of June near Collyweston Wood and Fermyn Country Park.

Green Hairstreak

Green Hairstreak Distribution

Purple Hairstreak

The Purple Hairstreak had a poor season in 2024 and shows a 56% drop in records from the previous year and a 45% drop in records below the five-year average. This butterfly wasn’t recorded in high numbers anywhere in the county this year but the sites with the most records were Bucknell Wood, the Fermyn Woods complex, Hazelborough Forest and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was recorded on the 25th of June in Salcey Forest and the last of the year was recorded on the 26th of August in Fermyn Woods.

Purple Hairstreak

Purple Hairstreak Distribution

White-letter Hairstreak

The White-letter Hairstreak had a slightly below average year with a 9% drop in records from 2023 and a 9% drop in records below the five-year average. The best places to see this butterfly was Brackmsills Industrial Estate, Harlestone Firs, the Ferymn Woods complex and Ravensthorpe. The first was recorded on the 21st of June at Harlestone and the last ones of the year were recorded on the 30th of July at Harlestone and Duston Quarry.

White-letter Hairstreak

Black Hairstreak

The Black Hairstreak records show it to be 52% down from the previous year which is 12% below the five-year average. However, 2024 was a very notable season as the species was found in numerous new locations which is very encouraging to see. New sites, and areas where they haven’t been recorded in many years, include Bearshank Wood, two locations near Collyweston Great Wood, Ferrels Wood (private), King’s Wood in Corby, Stanwick Lakes, Stanwick Pastures and Titchmarsh. The best places to see Black Hairstreaks were Fermyn Country Park, Glapthorn Cow Pastures and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was recorded on the 3rd of June in Glapthorn Cow Pastures, and the last of the year was seen on the 5th of July in King’s Wood in Corby.

Black Hairstreak

Small Copper

The Small Copper had an extremely slow season and were recorded in low figures at the majority of its more regular sites. Ravensthorpe Reservoir bumped numbers up considerably when the late summer emergence there saw them flying in significantly higher numbers than elsewhere in the county. Overall the species was 8% down from the previous year which is 14% below the five-year average. The first of the year was recorded on the 9th of May at Twywell Hills and Dales, and the last of the year was seen on the 19th of October on farmland south of Daventry.

Small Coppers

Brown Argus

The Brown Argus had an awful season in 2024. It was 83% down from the previous year which places it 71% down below the five-year average. The best places to see them were Fermyn Country Park, Fineshade Wood, Old Sulehay and Ring Haw, Stanwick Lakes and Summer Leys Nature Reserve. The first ones of the year were recorded on the 13th of May at Fermyn Woods Country Park and the Nene Wetlands, and the last of the year was seen on the 3rd of October in Harlestone Firs.

Brown Argus

Common Blue

The Common Blue didn’t have a good year and shows a 58% drop in records from the previous year, and a 51% drop below the five-year average. The sites with the highest numbers were Harrington Airfield, Fermyn Wood Country Park, Fineshade Wood, Old Sulehay and Ring Haw, Pitsford Reservoir and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first of the year was seen on the 5th of May in East Hunsbury, and the last of the year was recorded on the 11th of October in Harlestone Firs.

Common Blue

Holly Blue

The Holly Blue also had a very poor year with a 71% drop in records from the previous year and a 44% drop in records below the five-year average. The first of the year was recorded on the 19th of March in Raunds and the last one of the year was seen on the 9th of October in Northampton.

Holly Blue

White Admiral

The White Admiral was one of the few species of butterfly to show an increase in records from 2023. It was 50% above the previous year, but it is still 25% below the five-year average. The best places to see them were Bucknell Wood, Harry’s Park Wood, the Fermyn Wood complex, and Salcey Forest. The first ones of the year were recorded on the 19th of June in Glapthorn Cow Pastures and Yardely Chase, and the last one of the year was seen on the 2nd of August in Salcey Forest.

White Admiral

Purple Emperor

The Purple Emperor showed a 30% increase in records over the previous year but still shows a 32% decrease in records below the five-year average. The best places to see them were Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest, the Fermyn Wood complex, Old Sulehay Forest, and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was recorded on the 25th of June in Fermyn Woods, and the last one of the year was seen on the 30th of August in Fineshade Wood.

Purple Emperor

Red Admiral

As the previous year was the best on record for this species it is no surprise that there would be a drop in records in 2024. The records show a 78% drop in abundance below the previous year, and a 45% drop below the five-year average. This is a common butterfly which could be found anywhere but the sites with the greatest numbers were Bucknell Woods, the Nene Wetlands, New Duston, Old Sulehay and Ring Haw, and Ravensthorpe Reservoir. The first of the year was recorded on the 1st of January in Great Oakley , and the last of the year was seen on the 19th of December in Wilby.

Red Admiral

Painted Lady

The Painted Lady had a very poor year. The records show it to be 61% down from the previous year, and 88% below the five-year average. The first one to be recorded was seen on the 12th of May near Brixworth, and the last of the year was seen on the 27th of October in Duston.

Painted Lady

Small Tortoiseshell

The Small Tortoiseshell had another terrible year and is now becoming a real cause for concern. This once common and widespread butterfly has declined rapidly in the last few years and is showing a very worrying trend (see the graph below). The figures show it to be 73% down from the previous year and 88% down from the five-year average. The first of the year was seen on the 15th of February in Great Oakley, and the last one of the year was recorded on the 21st of September in Yelvertoft.

Small Tortoiseshell Five-Year Trend

Small Tortoiseshell

Peacock

The Peacock also had a poor season with records down 30% from the previous year, and 31% below the five-year average. The first of the year was recorded on the 3rd of January along Weekley Hall Wood Avenue in Kettering, and the last one of the year was seen on the 30th of December in Delapre in Northampton.

Peacock

Comma

The Comma had an average year, despite being 35% down from the previous year it was just 2% below the five-year average. This is a common butterfly that can be seen anywhere with suitable habitat, but there were areas where they were seen in good numbers such as Bucknell Wood, Fermyn Woods, Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Stanwick Lakes and Summer Leys. The first of the year was recorded on the 21st of January in Finedon, and the last of the year was recorded on the 11th of October at Stanford Reservoir.

Comma

Dark Green Fritillary

The Dark Green Fritillary had a very poor season, with records showing it 33% down from the previous year and 83% below the five-year average. Despite its rapid colonisation in recent years, in 2024, it was only recorded at Old Sulehay and Ring Haw. The first of the year was recorded on the 16th of June at Old Sulehay, and the last of the year was recorded on the 9th of August also at Old Sulehay.

Dark Green Fritillary

Silver-washed Fritillary

The Silver-washed Fritillary had a poor season in 2024 and shows a 41% drop in records from the previous year and a 52% drop below the five-year average. The best sites to see them were Bucknell Wood, the Fermyn Woods complex, Fineshade Wood, Hazelborough Forest and Hazelborough Wood, Old Sulehay Forest and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was recorded on the 26th of June in Fermyn Wood, and the last of the year was recorded on the 6th of September in Old Sulehay Forest.

Silver-washed Fritillary

Speckled Wood

The Speckled Wood was one of the few species to have an above-average year. While the records show a 9% drop from the previous year, this is still 19% above the five-year average. The first Speckled Wood was recorded on 24th of March in Duston, and the last ones were recorded on the 31st of October at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows and Wicksteed Park.

Speckled Wood