After a relatively poor May which included only 7 days of temperatures of 21c and above here in Derby, at least some species have had a good month increasing both their numbers and even extending their range within the area with the Dingy Skipper being a typical example. The species has been seen at a number of new locations in the Region including above Clay Cross Tunnel (per Peter Kidd), Staunton Harold Reservoir (John Schofield) and just over the County boundary in Sheffield at Eccleshall Wood (Dennis ‘Dellboy’ Dell). There have been recent sightings of 330 individuals from 47 sites with the highest counts coming from Intake Quarry, High Peak Trail (68 no – Dave & Sue Evans) and 25 no from around the BASF factory at Alfreton (Diane Rodger & Jason Richardson).
The iconic Wall Brown butterfly has been noted from 24 sites recently, mainly in the Peak/Peak Fringe areas, with a total number of 85 individuals noted, with 20 seen on Longstone Edge (Sue Walker) and 10 seen nearby on Black Harry Lane, Middleton Moor on the 28th of May 2022 (Paul Townsend). Other interesting sightings include Chatsworth Gardens (Ian & Joy White), Riber village(Dave & Sue Evans), Lea Church (Jim Steele), Peak Village Rowsley ( David Goldstraw), Hayfield (Tony Moss), Northwood, Darley Dale (Christine Gregory) and an individual seen on the 29th of May 2022 at Holmgate, Chesterfield (per Peter Kidd).
Species which are still struggling to get colonies up to normal numbers include :-
Small Heath :- Recent exceptions being 31 in Long Dale (John & Aline Roberts), 33 at Tansley Dale (Gordon & Alison Rooke) and 35 seen on Longstone Edge (Mick Fitchew).
Common Blue :- Again exceptions include 39 seen along the Chesterfield Canal in Brimington (Sid Morris), 73 seen in Bramley Vale and 111 seen at Pleasley Pit NR (both Paul Townsend & Norman Jones).
Large Skipper :- Still quite scarce with the only recent sightings coming from West Hallam Ash Tip (Ken & Pat Orpe), Loscoe Tip
(Lucy Benniston), Brook Park Shirebrook ( Tom Adams), the Blackwell Trail (Helen Naylor), Lathkill Dale NNR (Marion Bryce and John & Aline Roberts) and in Tansley Dale (Gordon & Alison Rooke).
Meadow Brown :- The only sightings that I have received to date are from the Green Grid corridors around the massive Toyota UK factory in Burnaston (Trevor Taylor) who saw individuals on both the 21st and the 28th of May 2022.
Pleasingly the Painted Lady butterfly is still being recorded in the County with 30 individuals noted recently from 25 sites in mainly ones and twos but 3 were noted along the High Peak Trail at Minninglow on the 28th of May 2022 (Derek Brownlee) but there have been no sightings of the migrant Clouded Yellow butterfly in the County yet this year. However the migrant Humming Bird Hawk moth has been noted at both Sherwood in Notts (John Knifton) and in the Peak District at Bradwell (Sally Pereira & Steve Byers).
Not so pleasing is the fact that ‘No Mow May’ seems to be ignored in this part of Derby – the local green spaces where wildlife could flourish have been manicured to a snooker table finish that they would be proud of in the ‘Crucible’ (see attached photo). Other photos attached show the differences between the Dingy Skipper and the day flying moth Burnet Companion (which I saw at Ryder Point last week – my first in the Peak District) and the differences between the Migrating Brown Argus (full set of orange lunules) and the Peak District version of the Brown Argus (missing orange lunules). Please keep your excellent photos coming!
