June 2022 was a quite a changeable month despite a couple of brief hot and sunny spells and this weather pattern has certainly affected both butterfly numbers and the erratic emergence of new species during the month. However a lonesome Silver Washed Fritillary was seen on the 24th of June 2022 in Whitwell Wood (Jess Bailey) and the Gatekeeper finally appeared on the 20th of June 2022 at Hammersmith Meadows in Ripley (Paul Dempsey & Jean Fountain) – the species has since appeared at another 8 sites in Lowland Derbyshire with the furthest sighting north in the Peak District to date being at the National Stone Centre in Wirksworth ( Jan Hall & Andy Wilkes) on the 28th of June 2022.
The hutchinsoni version of the Comma has pleasingly appeared at over 30 sites in the County this last week with 10 individuals seen at both Toton Washlands and Manor Farm, Long Eaton (Marion Bryce) on the 25th & 26th of June 2022 respectively. Also it is good to note that the Marbled White is making a determined effort to establish itself in Southern/South Eastern parts of the County with sightings from Manor Farm, Long Eaton (Marion Bryce), alongside the River Erewash in Long Eaton (Roger Martin) on the Blackwell Trail (Dave Clay), in Salter Wood, Denby ( Jane Rogers) and on the border with N W Leics near Ingles Wood (Oliver Tyson) – other sites include Clough Wood (Rod Dunn), Brook Park, Shirebrook (David Shaw) and Pleasley Pit (Elaine Woods, Willy Lane & Brian Cuttell), the origins of the species at these latter 3 sites being uncertain.
Surprisingly there have been 2 late sightings of the first brood Wall Brown during this last week with worn individuals noted at both Alsop Moor (Barbara Wager) on the 27th of June 2022 and at Clough Wood on the 29th of June 2022 (Rod Dunn) – let’s hope that this endangered species has a better second brood later this summer and into the early autumn. Also not yet really getting increased sightings are the summer hairstreaks with no further records of the rare White Letter Hairstreak yet (they really need blistering heat around lunch time when they chase each other around the tops of elm trees) and only a few sightings of the Purple Hairstreak which have been noted on oaks at Belper Parks (Adrian & Rebecca Rochford) and on oaks around their farm at Wessington (Eric & Fiona Easom)
Undoubtedly the highlight of the last week has been the further sightings of the Humming Bird Hawk moth in the County with records being received from 16 locations including 3 seen on the 28th of June 2022 on the transect around the National Stone Centre in Wirksworth (Jan Hall & Andy Wilkes) – as well as red valerian, the moth has been attracted to white valerian, lavender, salvia and viper’s bugloss so it looks like July 2022 should be a good month to see this rare migrant moth in your very own garden!
Pat and I visited Hoe Grange Quarry yesterday to put up I D Charts and photos of the site in the Information Centre since we first got involved with Longcliffe Quarries at the site back in 2011 – it is looking absolutely amazing with a brilliant floral display for visitors to enjoy tomorrow and hopefully lots of butterflies on the wing given the decent weather forecast. If you drive to the cross roads in Longcliffe Village, Marshalls will guide you to the large car park at Curzon Lodge from where mini buses will transport you into the nearby Quarry – in the interests of wildlife, hygiene and Health and Safety, no dogs are allowed on site, thank you.
