To pass the time away whilst Hertfordshire suffers more rain, I have looked at my sightings for the first 13 weeks of "the year" compared to 1999   The site is in south Hertfordshire and on average 4 hours is spent each week surveying the area which is a mixture of parkland (woodland and fields) and set aside.  Up until the first weeks of June a lot of the area has been waterlogged which will explain the late emergence of some species especially Meadow Brown and may explain the the poor showing of others.  How do my figures compare  to every one elses I wonder.  At least its something to do whilst it rains!  

By the end of September 26 species should be seen   My success story really is the large white - other smaller species are more to do with knowing where to find them this year! The losers small heath and holly blue - a mile of holly hedge and only one sighting!   Liz Goodyear