According to David Corke in his Butterflies of Essex (1997): “the only colonies known ever to have existed in Essex were in the Roding Valley water catchment and the Saffron Walden region and none since four were reported from Epping Forest in 1857.”

I think it was seen on transect by an EWT staff member. Rob definitely knows about it.

Definitely not a great year.

I think there’s one from Rannoch Moor too. I would have thought that they were probably dodgy specimens rather than evidence of an introduction but I like to think the Arran Brown was once a UK species.

Yes, Hartsop Dodd. That was on the 23rd May, mind. They are still flying in a few places - I saw a couple of dozen on Thunacar Knott and around 10 above Red Screes (Glenridding Common) on Thurs/Fri last week.

Yes, seems crazy. This colony isn’t even the traditionally earlier one at Irton Fell (which usually emerges in early June) but one of the later ones.

This is now taking place this Sunday 11th. Still some places left if anyone would like to join the walk.

There was also a Red Admiral reported from the far north of Cambs on Thursday