Although the weather patterns have changed during this last week, whereby heavy thundery showers are the ‘norm’ particularly in the afternoons, at least when the sun comes out, the temperature remains relatively high, so that butterflies have been seen on most transect sites in Week 23 and the predicted increase in Speckled Woods has now most certainly materialised as half the transect sites in the County have been reporting the appearance of the species there with a total of 380 individuals recorded from 60 sites with the highest count of 36 coming from Chee Dale on the 2nd of September 2022 (John & Anne Coupland)
Also seen this last week has been a mixture of both second and third brood Wall Brown butterflies with at least 20 fresh third brood individuals seen out of a total of 32 no from 18 sites with the highest count of 6 coming from Hay Dale on the 5th of September 2022 (Ian & Joy White). The latest sightings came on the 8th of September 2022 from Longstone Edge and Brook Bottom, Tideswell (both Dave Mallon) and also on the Haddon Hall Medieval Parkland (Doug Aston). Unusual recent sightings have come from Ironville (Pete Clark) and Kinder Reservoir (Dave Mallon) This situation has not occurred before here in Derbyshire as there is usually a distinct gap between the second and partial third broods. A similar situation appears to be happening in East Cheshire where Tim Ward of B C Cheshire tells me that possible new brood individuals are showing on his transects this week on the high ground at both Tegg’s Nose and Kerridge Hill. Also, David Chandler of B C Essex has given me an Update from his part of England and along a half mile stretch of the sea wall at Tilbury on the 4th of September 2022, a recorder noted 14 third brood Wall Browns.
Other species of interest recorded this last week include:-
Brimstone :- This species is usually one of the first to enter hibernation but this week there have been sightings of 14 individuals noted across the County with a maximum count of 4 on the 5th of September 2022 at Deep Dale, Sheldon (Steve Tompkins).
Purple Hairstreak :- It was a surprise to get a record of an individual seen on oak at Wyver Lane NR, Belper on the 5th of September 2022 (Alan Walker).
Small Copper :- As expected there have been fewer sightings of this species during the last week but 40 individuals have been noted at 20 sites with the highest count of 6 coming from Godfreyhole on the 7th of September 2022 (Jean Hurdle).
Brown Argus Migrating :- Just 2 sightings this week both on the 5th of September 2022 from Toton Washlands (Marion Bryce) and at Toyota UK meadows in Burnaston (Kelvin Lawrence).
Brown Argus Peak District Race – Just 4 individuals seen this week all on the 5th of September 2022 from Deep Dale, Sheldon (Steve Tompkins), Tansley Dale (Gordon & Alison Rooke) and Hay Dale & Peter Dale (both Ian & Joy White).
Common Blue :- Still fairly widespread across the County with pristine specimens still being seen in the Peak District but the highest count came from N E Derbyshire with 28 noted at Markham South Pit on the 2nd of September 2022 (Sid Morris).
Holly Blue :- Unfortunately no sightings of this species during the last week but third brood specimens could well appear in the near future across the County.
Red Admiral :- Pleasingly 70 individuals were noted last week from 28 sites across the County with the highest count of 15 coming from Grin Low, above Buxton on the 8th of September 2022 (Ian & Joy White).
Small Tortoiseshell :- Fewer numbers than expected were seen this week (have many already gone into hibernation?) with just 35 individuals noted from 14 sites in the County with the highest count of just 6 coming from the Bradwell garden of Sally Pereira and Steve Byers.
Peacock :- Virtually disappeared from the County now with just 7 individuals seen at 4 locations with the highest count of 4 coming from Haddon Hall Medieval Park on the 8th of September 2022 (Doug Aston).
Comma :- Mainly seen in ones and twos on ripe blackberries in the countryside but 4 were noted at Doe Lea on the 7th of September 2022 (Willy Lane) and 3 were seen on the 5th of September 2022 at the Jim Mart NR, Press (John Parlby).
Gatekeeper :- A late individual was noted on the 5th of September 2022 at Staunton Harold Reservoir Meadows by Lesley & Phil Gretton)
Meadow Brown :- Just a couple of sightings recently with one noted on the 5th of September 2022 at Rose End Meadows (Angela Bent) and 2 seen at Poolsbrook Country Park on the 6th of September 2022 (Abby Bruce).
Small Heath :- Seen at 9 locations this last week with 6 noted on the 5th of September 2022 in Tansley Dale (Gordon and Alison Rooke) and 5 seen in Hay Dale on the same day (Ian & Joy White).
Migrant wise, many Painted Lady butterflies seem to have deserted us for warmer climes in Africa although 12 individuals were noted in the County up to and including the 9th of September 2022 when Dave Mallon saw an individual in his Glossop garden. A similar number of Humming Bird Hawk moths have been seen this week at just 6 sites up to and including the 7th of September 2022 with 3 no individuals seen in the Godfreyhole garden of Jean Hurdle on the 5th of September 2022.
Finally Pete Clark informs me that there have been some sightings this week of the Camberwell Beauty from East Anglia with records from Essex and Cambridgeshire and into Hertfordshire so if the N E wind persists you might be one of the lucky ones to see this rare migrant butterfly here in Derbyshire – you know what to do – keep those eyes peeled!
