After one of the driest July’s ever, it comes as no surprise that a great deal of vegetation and grasses have suffered almost to the point that very little plants are available for our butterflies to take nectar from so it is important that thistles, ragwort and late flowering knapweed are left alone otherwise the local butterflies will be left high and dry without sustenance. In the Lowland parts of Derbyshire the effect of the dry weather is particularly severe and consequently the flight period of many species such as the Ringlet and the summer Skippers has already come to an end at most sites.
Pleasingly this last week has produced additional sightings of the rare migrant Clouded Yellow butterfly whose flight is quite distinctive as it moves with a purpose in life so as to extend its range northwards – bright yellow with sometimes a hint of orange and about the size of a Small White – very different to the yellow Brimstone. It always settles with its wings together and is particularly partial to fields of clover upon which it lays its eggs. 2 of this week’s sightings came on the 1st of August 2022 with an individual seen (no 4) and photographed by Kevin Morris at Willington Gravel Pits NR followed by another seen (no 5) in Coombs Dale by Angela Brooks. Then another (no 6) was seen at Glapwell on the 2nd of August 2022 (David Elliott), followed by another (no 7) on the 3rd of August 2022 at Carsington Water (Tina Carter). The species has been seen fairly regularly in recent years at The Forge site in Ironville, along the Blackwell Trail, at Pleasley Pit NR and in the upper part of Lathkill Dale.
Fresh examples of the Painted Lady continue to be seen in the County with sightings of 45 individuals noted at 24 sites including 15 seen on the buddleias at Ryder Point Quarry (Bridget Edwards) , whilst sightings of the Humming Bird Hawk moth locally have just about dried up although Kevin Gibbons saw and photographed a caterpillar of the species in East Leake just over the border in Notts, and Nick Sparrow saw a moth in his West Bridgford garden recently, as did Patricia Sharp in her Nether Heage garden on the 3rd of August 2022.
Pleasingly the Wall Brown is showing itself in its second brood with sightings from Ashover Rock (Brian Cuttell & Peter Kidd)), Hoe Grange Quarry(John & Sylvia Green), Bradwell (Sally Pereira), Thorpe (Derek Brownlee), Milldale (Kevin Morris), Alport Heights (Peter Kidd), Redhill Quarry, Hoptonwood Quarry and Stoney Wood, Wirksworth (all Jonathan Page), Breamfield, Wirksworth (David Goldstraw), Taddington High Mere (Richard Gabb), on the Monsal Trail (Ian & Joy White), in his Belper garden (Nigel Davidson), at Northwood, Darley Dale (Christine Gregory), and surprisingly along the Clowne Trail (Dave Fenton) and also in the Ednaston garden of Maggie Percival, whilst a couple of individuals were seen at Holdworth, Bradfield by Chris Kelly, just over the border in South Yorkshire.
Other recent records of interest include :-
Holly Blue :- 7 individuals were seen on the 1st of August 2022 at Toton Washlands (Marion Farrell) and 6 individuals were noted at Manor Farm NR, Long Eaton on the 29th of July 2022 (Joan Breakwell & Margaret Beresford).
Small Copper :- A large number of 14 individuals were noted on the transect in Horseshoe Quarry on the 1st of August 2022 by Joanna & Peter Mackey.
Common Blue :- A massive count of 108 individuals was made by Jane Rogers on the 1st of August 2022 at Salter Wood, Denby.
Migrant Brown Argus :- Pleasingly this week there has been an increase in sightings of the second brood of this species in Lowland Derbyshire with records from the Chesterfield Canal at Hollingworth (Terry Evans), West Hallam Ash Tip and Aston Brickyards (both Ken & Pat Orpe), Chellaston Brickworks LNR (Mark Sherwood), Willington Gravel Pits (Kevin Morris & Chris Perry),
at the Weleda site in Shipley (Nicky Dawson & Rachael Mustoe), Little Eaton Canal (Mick Fitchew), Clover Close Meadows, Elvaston (Joan Breakwell & Christine Carrier), and in his Belper garden (Nigel Davidson). As a reward for letting his West Bridgford garden go wild, Nick Sparrow was very pleased to record this species there recently so you never know what you might attract at your site in order to increase biodiversity in your garden (see attached photo)
It looks like the flight period of the Purple Hairstreak is coming to an end with just 2 seen by Ken Orpe at Kedleston Park on the 29th of July 2022 together with another seen by Chris Kelly on the 1st of August 2022 at High Bradfiield just over the border in South Yorkshire. Only 7 records of the White Letter Hairstreak this week with a couple of individuals noted on the 1st of August 2022 at the National Stone Centre in Wirksworth (Jonathan Page),3 seen in Ashwood Park, Buxton on the 2nd of August 2022 (Ian & Joy White),1 seen in Tansley Dale on the 3rd of August 2022 (Gordon & Alison Rooke) and 2 seen at Northwood, Darley Dale (Christine Gregory) on the same day, together with sightings at Milldale (Kevin Morris), Hopton Quarry (Derek Brownlee) and at Wyver Lane, Belper (Alan Walker & Dave Evans)..
Pleasingly the Silver Washed Fritillary is still being seen in the County with recent records coming from Rowland (Tracey Sharkey),
Rose End Meadows (Martin Cobham), the National Stone Centre (Jonathan Page), Hopton Quarry (Derek Brownlee), Hilton Gravel Pits (Helen Bauer), Wakebridge near Crich (Fred & Gill Dyson), Tansley Dale (Gordon & Alison Rooke), Lathkill Dale (Debbie Worland), on the Monsal Trail (Ian & Joy White), alongside Ladybower Reservoir (Alan Kydd), with 5 no seen at Thornhill Carrs NR on the 1st of August 2022 (Joanna & Peter Mackey).
Once again thanks goes out to the volunteers who send me their great photos – another selection is attached for your interest.
