After a period of unprecedented heat and sunshine it comes as no surprise that our local butterflies have taken advantage of the conditions – they usually stop flying around 24c here in the UK but it now looks like they are becoming more accustomed to the higher temperatures (37c in Derby on the 18th of July 2022 and 39c on the following day) with some big counts and unusual sightings during the last week, none more so than hairstreaks which have been appearing in the gardens of some observers for the first time ever! The rare White Letter Hairstreak has been seen in gardens at Findern (Brian & Jean Hallam), Alfreton (David Shinfield), Northwood, Darley Dale (Chris & Sheila Ragg & Christine Gregory) and Wakebridge, Crich ( Fred & Gill Dyson). Other sightings have come from Wyver Lane, Belper (Alan Walker), Slayley (Dave & Sue Evans),Monsal Dale (Ian & Joy White), Tansley Dale (Gordon & Alison Rooke), Chee Dale (Robert & Margaret Davies), Tideswell Dale ( Esther Weir), Hay Dale (Derek Whiteley), Litton Frith Wood and Black Plantation, Longstone Edge ( both Derek Whiteley), Linacre Reservoir (Peter Stoppard), Whitwell Wood ( Colin & Sid Morris), Markham Tip North (Colin Morris) and in Hardstoft (Robin Elliott) where Robin also saw Purple Hairstreaks flying around the tops of oaks during the evening of the 18th of July 2022. Additional sightings of this species have come from Poolsbrook C P (Mark Radford), the Staveley Trans Pennine Trail (Sid Morris), Calton Lees and Chatsworth Park (Derek Whiteley), Kedleston Park (Kevin Morris), Allestree Park (Graham Pollock) and unusually in gardens at Langley Common (Nick Brown & Kath Patrick) and inside a bird bath in the Thulston garden of Robin & Sally Bryce) – see the attached amazing photos.
The Silver Washed Fritillary has appeared at over a dozen sites in Derbyshire this last week together with another seen just over the County border in South Yorkshire (James Bradbury) – sightings in VC57 include Hilton Gravel Pits ( Steve Copestake), Ticknall Limeyards (Rob Waldron), The Forge, Ironville (Sally Fisher & Deb Bliss), Northwood, Darley Dale ( Chris & Sheila Ragg), Clough Wood (Alan Kitchen), Wakebridge (Fred & Gill Dyson), Scratta Wood, Monsal Dale ( Chris Thirtle), Hay Dale (Derek Whiteley), Black Plantation, Longstone Edge (Derek Whiteley), Linacre Reservoir (Peter Stoppard) and Whitwell Wood (Colin & Sid Morris et al).
Other species of note seen during the last 7 days include :-
Clouded Yellow – only the second sighting of this rare migrant in Derbyshire so far this year when an individual was seen by Martyn Bradley on the 16th of July 2022 at Pleasley Pit (per Ian Hurst).
Brown Argus Migrating – a couple of new brood individuals were noted at West Hallam Ash Tip on the 17th of July 2022 (Ken Orpe) – note the Peak District version is still on the wing as it is mainly single brooded on the higher ground where rock rose exists.
Small Copper :- Pleasingly this species has had a better week with sightings from 15 locations in the County with the highest count of 12 coming from Clover Close Meadows, Elvaston on the 13th of July 2022 (Robin & Sally Bryce).
Holly Blue :- Sightings have been limited to Lowland parts of Derbyshire with sightings of mainly ones and twos coming from 12 locations including one individual noted at Ryder Point, Hopton (Alan Walker).
Peacock :- Still not common in its new brood despite there being lots of buddleia for the species to take advantage of the nectar that is available – sightings from just 12 locations but with 11 seen on the 17th of July 2022 in Millers Dale Quarry (James Bradbury)
Painted Lady :- Still being recorded in the County although many are looking really worn but there were sightings of 12 individuals from 10 locations this last week including 3 seen at Rosliston Forestry Centre on the 14th of July 2022 (Bryce Newton)
It is not only butterflies that are taking advantage of the hot and sunny weather with the moth recorders out there finally having some bumper ‘crops’ in their moth traps and in their gardens. A Privet Hawk Moth was seen in a garden at Huthwaite, Notts (per Jen Marshall) and the migrant Humming Bird Hawk moth is still being seen at some 6 more sites in the County which makes it a special year for this once rare species.
Finally a visitor from Somerset (Bob Jervis) who attended the Open Day at Hoe Grange Quarry on the 3rd of July 2022 emailed me to say that the second brood Wall Brown was on the wing in that County with sightings from the coastal area around Bridgwater Bay including the aptly named Wall Common – if only it was common again here in Derbyshire, but at least we have this Endangered Species here mainly in the Peak/Peak Fringe areas and its second brood is certainly imminent given the recent weather conditions.
