The weather in early to late spring was good, with blue skys and warm days. This helped many species of butterflies.
Small White
Imagos were on the wing from mid April through the summer until 07/10/07, not as common as previous years. Common
Large white
On the wing from 13/04/07 to 03/09/07 at Dearden Brook. Not really common as previous years. The large and small white have declined in numbers probably because very few people grow vegetables now. Common
Green Veined white
Common throughout the area, first seen at Troy Quarry 15/04/07 to 03/09/07 at Dearden Brook. Common
Orange Tip
On the wing from 11/04/07 - EBSW which is quite early to 02/06/07. Good numbers were still present in Lumb.until the 2June Common in traditional meadows where Mayflower grows. 26records
Small Skipper
First seen at Ewood Bridge 18/06/07 to 28/08/07 at Musbury where about 100 were seen. Other areas - HMTC 10, Eden Wood 2, Cloughbottom 12. This species does not like the grass to be too high or dense. Common throughout
Large Skipper
This species likes the higher, denser grass unlike the previous species. First Imagos seen at Clif Lodge 04/05 to 25/08 at Clowbridge. Common
Small Heath
This species likes dry south facing hill sides, probably under recorded first seen at Clowbridge where a small number were seen on 06/05 to 26/08 at the same area. Other areas include Chapel Hill, Top O' The Slate, Heap Clough, Goodshaw, HMTC Rifle Range. Common
Green Hairstreak
In the past I would have said this species was rare but not now. The reasons for this is in the past we were looking too late in the spring and also there are not as many sheep which has allowed the winberry (which the caterpillars feed on) to grow bigger. The largest colany is at Calf Hey which supports a few hundred butterflies. On the wing from 15/04 at Calf Hey to 02/06 where one was seen on a doorstep at Haslingden Old Road. Another large colany is at Seat Naze where 24 were seen on 15/04. Other areas - Spring Mill 4, Troy Quarry 1, Oakenhead Wood 2, Gincroft 2, HMTC 5, Hurdles Quarry 3, Fern Isle 5, Branwod 12, Greens clough 3.
Meadow Brown
Probably the most common butterfly in Rossendale this species can be seen on grassland throughout the area. First seen at Alderbottom on 17/06 to 03/09 at Troy Quarry.
Gate Keeper
This is a new species for Rossendale. One was seen in September at Cown Res last year which was the first for the area. This year 2 were seen at Paddy's pond. HMTC 29/07, 1 at Laund Hey 11/08, 1 at Top oth' State 03/09. This species is like a brighter, smaller version of the above. Rare
Wall Brown
Never common likes dry open vegetation. 5 records of the first brood from10/05 Swinshaw Moor. 10/05 Edenwood Lodge. 10/05 Chapel Hill 2, 30/05 Holden Wood 1, 02/06 Goodshaw. Second brood, 25/08 Hall fold 1, 26/08 Clowbridge 4, 28/08 Cloughbottom 4, 28/08 Musberry 2, 03/09 Top oth' State, 08/09 Cloughbottom 2, 08/09 Dearden Brook 1 to Clowbridge 17/09 1.
Speckled Wood
This is now a common butterfly in Rossendale and flies throughout the spring to autumn. 15 years ago you wuld have been very lucky to see this species in this area. First seen at Edge Cote on 06/04 to 07/10 at Kearns lodge there were 42 records for this species.
Small Copper
Some years this species is more common than others depending on the summer weather. This year was generally poor with only 12 records. Sean from 02/05 at Edenfield where 3 were seen to 07/10 at Troy Quarry where one was observed. Local
Brimstone
This year we have more records than ever before for this sulphur yellow butterfly this is probably because of the planting of Buckthorn in the area. The first was seen 13/04 Ewood Bridge, 14/04 Helmshore 3, 15/04 Reedsholme 1, 21/4 Musberry, 29//04 EBSW, 29/04 Irwell Vale, 29/04 Twine Valley. 05/05 Irwell Vale, 05/05 EBSW, 05/06 Lumb, 04/05 Buckworth Clough. Rare
Peacock
This is a very common butterfly throughout Rossendale. This first record of this hibernating species was at Reedsholme. 16/02 (rather early) to 03/09 Top oth' Slate there were 53 records for this species. Common
Comma
Not very common but can be seen most years in Spring in late summer. 31/03 Laund Hey, 01/04 Marl Pitts, 21/04 Musberry. 02/05 Buckden, 16/07 Lumb, 29/07 Eden Wood, 05/08 Lumb. All single. Rare
Small Tortoiseshell
A common species throughout the area. First seen after hibernation 01/04 at Haslingden to 21/10 Hoyle st Whitworth. There were 50 records of this species. Common
Red Admiral
Numbers of this migrating species vary greatly from year to year, rather low this year. First seen 02/02 at Sunnybank, Helmshore. This one must of over wintered in the area. Then seen from 10/05 at Eden Wood lodge to 21/10 at Woodtop. 19 records for this species.
Painted Lady
Another migrant with low numbers this year probably because of the poor mid summer weather breeds on thistles. First seen 06/05 Clowbridge to 24/08 in the same area. 9 records.
Common Blue
Not very common in Rossendale only 2 records. 18/06 Ewood Bridge. 09/07 Lea Brook. Likes areas where Birds Foot Trifoil and Clover grow. Generally waste ground.
Holly Blue
Low numbers seen which is quite normal, the first brood bred on Holly to second on flowering Ivy. Seen from 13/04 Rawtenstall, 28/04 Waterfoot, 29 April Stubbins, 29/04 Irwale Vale, 30/04 Helmshore, 01/05 Lumb Vale and Cribden House, 02/05 Dearden Brook. Second brood 05/08 Eden Wood. Thanks to the members of the Rossendale Ornithologists without there records this report would not be possible
