As the end is in sight of yet another hot spell it is obvious that the lack of rain and high temperatures has resulted in many grasslands becoming desert like and lifeless – whilst the grass will recover eventually when the autumn rains arrive, in the meantime what happens to the butterfly eggs and caterpillars whose survival on fresh grass is crucial? We might see a quick disappearance of the adults this summer but next summer the future doesn’t look bright for our butterflies either – this after the 2021 transect results were down by a third on 2020. Even worse was when Tom Aspinall arrived at his WCBS site to do a survey in the far N W of the County at Roundhill Moss – complete devastation was seen as a result of a recent moorland fire (see photo attached).
Also what is noticeable this month is the way that the Wall Brown has dispersed to new areas away from its usual hot spots in a bid to re-discover sites that have been previously lost in the County. Examples of this are recent sightings from Ednaston (Maggie Percival), Clay Cross and Rowsley (both Peter Kidd), Sitch’s Plantation, Beeley Moor (Roy Frost), the Cromford Canal at Ironville
(Maggie Campbell), Ogston Hall (on buddleia – Caroline Wakefield), Hulland Churchyard (Penny Northall), and Chatsworth Gardens (Esther Weir). The highest counts this last week were 10 seen at Litton Edge on the 9th of August 2022 (Andrew Woodhouse), 5 individuals noted at Clough Wood (Chris & Sheila Ragg) and Northwood, Darley Dale (Christine Gregory) and 4 seen on the 7th of August 2022 at Middleton Moor, Wirksworth (Jonathan Page), 4 at Sir William Hill on the 8th of August 2022 (Robert & Margaret Davies) and 4 noted at Grin Low, Buxton on the 11th of August 2022 (Ian & Joy White), one of which was taking minerals from horse manure (see attached photo).The remainder of the sightings at a further 8 sites consisted of mainly ones and twos including the hotspot of Hoe Grange Quarry (Badger Walker & Ken Orpe). In a bid to show the extent of the change in distribution of this once common butterfly across England, Richard Fox of Butterfly Conservation has kindly emailed me the UK National distribution map for the Wall Brown covering the period 2014 to 2019 and the results are fully expected including the changes here in Derbyshire – a vast region in Central Southern England is now devoid of this Endangered species – in fact it has become a coastal butterfly almost throughout England whilst inland there is a huge gap from the Cotswolds north to our Region at Charnwood and the Peak District. (see the attached map).No doubt since 2019 the distribution of this species has got even worse in Central Southern England whilst pleasingly it appears to be holding its own in our Region. Note how the species has spread up the Eastern coast of Scotland and appears to have reached the Dundee area of that country.
The Clouded Yellow has been seen at 2 additional sites in Derbyshire this week – one noted on the 7th of August 2022 (no 8) at Hognaston (Tina Carter) and another seen on the 9th of August 2022 (no 9) at Tideswell Rake (Andrew Woodhouse). The migrant Painted Lady looks to have produced a new brood in the County recently with additional sightings this week at 30 sites with the max count of 6 coming from buddleias on the 9th of August 2022 at Ryder Point Quarry (Jenny Emerson & Andrew Smith). Also the rare Hummingbird Hawk moth has appeared at 6 sites in the County this week including one seen laying eggs on red valerian at Ripley (Mark Longdon).
Other recent sightings of interest include :-
Essex Skipper :- This species has yet to be recorded in the Buxton area but it is making a determined effort to get there with recent sightings at Alsop Moor (Daisy Fretwell) and along the River Dove near to its junction with Biggin Dale (Kevin Morris). Other records from new sites have come from the Cromford Canal Whatstandwell (Patricia Sharp) as well inside the Haddon Hall Estate (Derek Whiteley).
Brimstone :- Good numbers being seen in the dales with 13 noted on the 12th of August 2022 in Coombs Dale (Aline & John Roberts) and 10 noted in Tansley Dale on the same day (Gordon & Alison Rooke)
White Letter Hairstreak :- Interesting that of the 5 sites where this species has been seen in the County this week, 3 of them were in gardens! These include Buxton (Ian & Joy White), Northwood, Darley Dale (Christine Gregory) and a new site in Littleover ( Alan Bryan). The other sites were Woo Dale (Ian & Joy White) and not far away in Ashwood Dale, Buxton (Richard Gabb).
Purple Hairstreak :- Slightly more sightings of this species this week with records from Chesterfield at Loundsley Green and also Holmebrook Valley Park (both Andrew Woodhouse), Trans Pennine Way, Staveley (Sid Morris), Wyver Lane, Belper (Dave Evans),
Kedleston Park (Kevin Morris), Allestree Park (Felicity Jackson) and new sites at Godkin, Loscoe (Lucy Benniston), Cupola Pond near Spitewinter (Dan Martin) and one seen at the edge of a bird bath seeking moisture in the Mickleover garden of Max & Christine Maughan (see attached photo)
Small Copper :- A better performance this last week with sightings from over 40 locations in the County with a massive count of 37 coming from Tideswell Rake on the 9th of August 2022 (Andrew Woodhouse).
Brown Argus Migrating :- Again another species that has taken advantage of the hot weather – sightings of the second brood have come from 12 sites in the Lowland part of Derbyshire but mainly in ones and twos.
Brown Argus Peak District Race :- This species is mainly distinguished from the last species by the fact that they don’t possess all their orange lunules on their wings and they are usually single brooded in the Peak District but again probably due to the hot weather it looks like second brood individuals are now appearing with fresh butterflies seen this week at Longstone Edge (Frank Gallagher). Coombs Dale (Aline & John Roberts) and at Hoe Grange Quarry (Badger Walker & Ken Orpe) and a new site at Northwood, Darley Dale where Chris & Sheila Ragg have planted lots of rock rose (the foodplant of the caterpillar) to attract the butterfly – a great result!
Common Blue :- A number of sites have reached 30 to 40 individuals this last week but Salter Wood, Denby still supports a large colony with 123 individual seen on the 9th of August 2022 (Jane Rogers) – this site is the venue for a Music & Beer Festival at the end of August and Jane has politely asked the Organisers to rope off some of the grassed areas where parking has taken place in the past in the hope that the colony does not suffer as a result of the event – we wait their decision with baited breath!
Holly Blue :- Hot weather doesn’t seem to bother this busy little butterfly with sightings from 40 locations across the County with the maximum count of 12 coming from Trent Lock on the 7th of August 2022 (Roger Martin)
Red Admiral :- Some decent counts of this species this week with 16 seen at both Froggatt Edge (Rod Dunn) and at Ryder Point Quarry (Jenny Emerson & Andrew Smith) and 13 noted in Lathkill Dale by Peter Faulkner.
Small Tortoiseshell :- Whilst not generally widespread at the moment, there have been a few mint individuals seen this week which suggest a new brood has emerged although pleasingly 30 were noted on the buddleias on the 9th of August 2022 at Ryder Point Quarry by Jenny Emerson & Andrew Smith.
Peacock :- Buddleias in gardens have not experienced very much take up by visitors of this species for nectar – indeed Nigel Davidson has already seen an individual taking up residence in his outbuilding in Belper as if it has already entered hibernation (or is it just getting out of the heat?). again highest recent count of 55 came from Ryder Point Quarry ( Jenny Emerson & Andrew Smith)
Silver Washed Fritillary :- Again still gaining momentum in the County with sightings from 12 locations including new sites at Haddon Hall Estate ( Derek Whiteley & Badger Walker), Lea Wood (Dave & Sue Evans) and Hartington Meadows (Daisy Fretwell).
Yet again, many thanks to all the volunteers who sent me their fantastic photos recently – a selection of a few of them is attached to this email for your enjoyment.
