Hello Everyone, As we brace ourselves for a burst of hot air coming to us from the Iberian Peninsula, this might be the weekend when a new butterfly species is added to the Derbyshire list as His Imperial Majesty, the Purple Emperor is making steady progress towards Southern Derbyshire with sightings from Cloud Wood in N W Leics (Tony Davison, Richard Winspear et al) and at a new site in South Notts in the West Leake Hills, found by my friend and local intrepid explorer ( Kevin ‘Livingstone’ Gibbons). On his first trip Kevin observed a female diving into a sallow bush and sure enough the next day he found an egg (see attached photos). Sites to look for this species in South Derbyshire include South Wood and other woods on the Calke Estate as they are very close to Cloud Wood in N W Leics where up to 5 individuals have been noted recently. Good luck to all the volunteers who have expressed a desire to turn Derbyshire Purple – a photo to prove the sighting would be ideal of course. Look out for a ride in an oak woodland which has sallow bushes present and cross your fingers whilst keeping your camera at the ready!
At this time of the year oak woodlands and rides are ideal habitats to look for the Purple Hairstreak and recent sightings have come from Elvaston Country Park (Robin & Sally Bryce), a new site at nearby Aston Brickyards ( Melanie Penson et al), at Kedleston Park
(Nick Brown & Kath Patrick), Sturgess Fields, Markeaton (Kevin Morris), Hackwood Farm, Radbourne (Colin Bowler), Ashover (Peter Kidd) and on oaks along a hedgerow in Biggin by Hulland (Ray Badger Walker). Pleasingly the White Letter Hairstreak is now taking advantage of the hot weather with recent sightings coming from Chellaston Brickworks LNR (Mark Sherwood), Doe Lea (Willy Lane), Markham Pit North ( Colin Morris), the National Stone Centre, Wirksworth (India Milward & Dave Evans), Haddon Hall Parkland (Ken Orpe),Tansley Dale (Gordon & Alison Rooke), Millers Dale Quarry (Peter Faulkner), Chee Dale (John & Anne Coupland),Thornhill Carrs NR (Joanna Mackey), Ashwood Dale, Buxton (David Hasell), and in the Buxton garden of Ian & Joy White. At the moment the Ringlet is doing well at many sites in the County including a massive count of 331 at Pleasley Pit on the 5th of July 2022 (Willy Lane) and similarly the Silver Washed Fritillary is making its presence known at a number of sites including Lathkill Dale (Aline & John Roberts), Monsal Dale ( Ian & Joy White), Thornhill Carrs NR (Joanna Mackey), Pleasley Pit NR (David Elliott), Whitwell Wood (Neil Jones), Aston Brickyards (Ken Orpe et al), West Hallam Ash Tip (Pat & Ken Orpe), Melbourne (Christian Murray Leslie), Overseal & Rosliston Forestry Centre (both Ruth Moore). Meanwhile in the Peak District, Dark Green Fritillary numbers are showing well with 40 seen in Tansley Dale (Gordon & Alison Rooke) and 20 seen in Coombsdale Andrew Woodhouse). The new brood Peacock has only been seen at Willington Gravel Pit NR ( Chris Perry) and along the Cromford Canal (Bridget Edwards) both on the 11th of July 2022, but new brood Brimstones have appeared at 10 sites recently including 8 in Deep Dale, Sheldon (Steve Tompkins) and likewise the second brood Holly Blue has appeared at another 12 sites in the County, and the second brood Common Blue has appeared at 10 sites in Lowland Derbyshire. However the big disappointment has been the lack of sightings of the Small Copper with records received from just 6 sites in July 2022 including 7 at Staunton Harold Reservoir (Mel Devlin) and 9 seen at the Weleda site in Shipley (Evelyn Liddell & James Chesters).
Sightings of the migrant Hummingbird Hawk moth seem to have declined with just 10 records received this last week and similarly the Painted Lady flight period is virtually over with sightings from just 9 sites in the County last week.
Interesting that on a trip to S W Cornwall last week, Jane Rogers and her family saw a good number of Wall Browns along the coastal strip – a photo of a fresh female is attached which suggests that the males probably emerged there in the first week of July 2022, So don’t be too surprised if you see a second brood individual in Derbyshire during the next week especially as the weather bomb is likely to last until next Wednesday – only your sightings will prove this theory!
Finally, The Big Butterfly Count begins on the 15th of July 2022 and runs to the 7th of August 2022 – details can be found at the following link
