At last a few warmish and sunny days during the last week enabled both recorders and butterflies alike to come out of hibernation and enjoy the weather – even dandelions have been seen on some grass verges which will probably mean that mower man will be up to his usual tricks soon unless enlightened Organisations and Local Authorities decide to leave them alone this Spring (fingers crossed!). I recently read an article on how important the humble dandelion is to insects emerging from their hibernation – they also give humans a lift with their striking colour and they can’t be a safety hazard surely?
So pleasingly I can report that 20 butterflies were seen in the last week here in Derbyshire which is about on cue for the time of the year. The sightings consisted of 7 Small Tortoiseshells with records from Kirk Hallam (Brian & Margaret Hobby), Glapwell (David Elliott), Barlborough (Neil & Lorraine Jones), Overseal (Ruth Moore), Linton (Chris Leverington), Bradwell (Paul Townsend), and at Duffield (Emma Bungay). Also Peacocks were noted at Shirebrook (Ian Hunt), Willington Village (Chris Burnett) and Barlborough (Neil & Lorraine Jones), with just 1 sighting of a mint Red Admiral at Allestree Hall (Ken Orpe & Felicity Jackson), The Comma was noted at just 2 locations – Calke Park (Tony Bates) and at Calow (Anita Moore) It is always good to see the Brimstone in Derbyshire and there were 7 sightings of the species during the last week with records from Willington Village (Chris Burnett) , Chellaston (John & Sue Wood), Langley Common (Kath Patrick & Nick Brown), Aston on Trent (Rob Waldron), Creswell Crags (Jim Anderson) at Parwich (Ray Walker) and along Tamworth Road in Long Eaton ( Paul Mortimer).
Thanks to all the recorders who have responded to the call to carry on with the butterfly transects this year – there are a few sites where additional help would be appreciated – these include Tideswell Dale, Cressbrook Dale, Chee Dale and Longstone Edge in the White Peak, Old House Farm and Nether North Grain in the High Peak, Pleasley Pit and Williamthorpe in N E Derbyshire and Hilton Gravel Pit NR in South Derbyshire. I have attached a list of the top 12 sites for butterfly numbers on transects in 2021 and unsurprisingly half of the sites are situated in the Peak District. The highest number seen in South Derbyshire was 1603 butterflies on the newly created transect at Staunton Harold Reservoir meadows.
Finally there was a good turnout of people at yesterday’s transect training session at the Evergreen Club in Allestree with volunteers from groups including the National Trust and Weleda – they like the rest of us are now chomping at the bit to get out in the field!
