We may well have had some wet days during the last week but the night time temperatures have not fallen too much thereby enabling our current 12 species of butterflies to survive and continue to fly for yet another week in October :-
Brimstone :-Sightings of 3 individuals this week up to and including the 18th of October 2022 with records received from Findern on different days (Alan Roe and Brian & Jean Hallam) and in Upperdale (Phil Gilbert).
Large White :- Latest sighting that I have received for this species is an individual noted on the 16th of October 2022 at Norbriggs (Paul Townsend)
Small White :- Another 8 individuals have been seen up to and including the 18th of October 2022 when sightings were made at the following locations :- Wakebridge (Fred & Gill Dyson), Wyver Lane, Belper (Dave Evans), Yokecliffe and nearby Wirksworth (Alan Durbin) and at Markham Vale South (Sid Morris).
Small Copper :- Sightings of 12 individuals at 7 locations this week including 6 noted at Yokecliffe on the 18th of October 2022 ( Alan Durbin) – I particular like the attached photo taken by Angela Bent whilst walking near Wetton in Staffordshire – was the Small Copper trying to find his way home to Derbyshire by studying the O S map?
Common Blue :- Latest sighting was of an individual noted at Norbriggs on the 16th of October 2022 (Paul Townsend).
Holly Blue :- Another couple of third brood individuals were seen recently, one in the Hartshorne garden of John Schofield on the 17th of October 2022 and another in the Mickleover garden of Max & Christine Maughan on the 18th of October 2022
Red Admiral :- Still the most common butterfly around with 40 individuals noted at 25 sites across the County with the highest count of 6 coming from Creswell Crags on the 17th of October 2022 (Neil & Lorraine Jones)
Painted Lady :- A couple of late sightings of this species were noted on the 18th of October 2022 at both Two Dales (Stuart Slack) and Godfreyhole (Jean Hurdle) – they were probably hill topping as they moved south across the UK?
Small Tortoiseshell :- The warm spell of weather has tempted 10 of this species to emerge from hibernation at 7 locations in the County with the highest count of 3 noted on a late flowering buddleia on the 18th of October 2022 in the Great Longstone garden of Chris Thirtle & Nicky Loveday.
Peacock :- Surprisingly a couple of this species were noted on the 18th of October 2022 at both New Houghton (Anita Aked) and also at Thorpe (Derek Brownlee) although this latter butterfly looks to be well worn and might not survive the winter in hibernation?
(see attached photo – was it waiting for the next train?)
Comma :- Just 9 individuals were noted at 7 locations in the County up to and including the 18th of October 2022 – but at least most of them looked to be in good condition as per the one recently seen in Chatsworth gardens by Ian & Joy White( see attached photo)
Speckled Wood :- A total of 12 individuals were noted at 10 sites in the County up to and including the 18th of October 2022.
It is still possible to see the migrant Humming Bird Hawk moth in your gardens as a further 4 individuals have been seen recently up to and including the 18th of October 2022 when Dot Alderton saw one on a flower bed in the middle of Chesterfield Town Centre!
Finally a date for your diary – the AGM and Members Day for Butterfly Conservation East Midlands will take place on Sunday the 20th of November 2022 in the Allestree Club SK22 2FS from 10 am till 3.30 pm (see the attached details) – after the formal proceedings, I will give an illustrated talk on the latest information and sightings at Hoe Grange Quarry NR this year and after lunch Max & Christine Maughan will give an illustrated talk on Gardening for Pollinators. The event is open to non-members of B C but a donation towards the lunch time buffet will be required. We hope to see many of you there – please bring along a memory stick with some of your own photos to show the attendees as well.
B C E M AGM Agenda 20th November 2022
