Despite a spell of cold and frosty weather, as soon as the sun generates some heat around lunch time, it is the chance of a butterfly sighting in the County with flowering mahonia bushes being a good bet. This last week has certainly produced yet more butterfly sightings in Derbyshire including :-
Red Admiral :- 3 more records of this species with a sighting on the 12th of January 2022 in the Wakebridge garden of Fred & Gill Dyson and further records on the 13th of January 2022 from Longstone Edge ( Frank Gallagher) and also Allestree Hall (Felicity Jackson).
Small Tortoiseshell :- A few more outdoor sightings of this species recently with records from Ashbourne on the 12th of January 2022 (Rosie Hamilton), from Linton on the 13th of January 2022 (Chris Leverington) and from Yokecliffe, Wirksworth on the 17th of January 2022 ( Graham Durbin)
Peacock :- First sightings of the year for this species have come from Littleover on the 12th of January 2022 ( Dave Oulsnam), together with another at Ambergate on the 13th of January 2022 ( Graham Durbin) and finally one seen on Eldon Hill near Sparrowpit on the 18th of January 2022 by Vic Pearson at a height of 440 metres above sea level with frost on the ground and icy puddles as well – they really are much more robust than what many people think!
A number of you will know that Derby City Council are planning to re-wild Allestree Park now that the golf club there has been shut – you can have your say at https://letstalk.derby.gov.uk/allestree-rewilding
Looking forward to warmer sunny days in the Spring and Summer, I have attached some photos of the blue family of butterflies that were taken by visitors to Hoe Grange Quarry in recent years together with a photo of the Wood Tiger day flying moth – Longcliffe Quarries have organised an Open Day at the site for this year, details as the attached leaflet – all subject to covid rules at the time of course. Let’s look forward to the possibility of a good outdoor meeting!
Finally if you would like a free copy of the excellent Longcliffe Quarries Wildlife Calendar for 2022 then pay a visit to the National Stone Centre near Wirksworth where the staff in the sales shop will be pleased to let you have one at no cost. What a bargain!
