Whilst the mainly sunny weather of Week 7 of the transect season was really appreciated by the volunteers, the cold north/north westerly airflow at the start of the week ensured that butterfly numbers remain really low for the time of the year, although 2 new species emerged over the last weekend, namely both versions of the Brown Argus appearing on the 13th of May 2023, with a singleton of the Migrating version being seen at Drakelow NR (Andy Large) together with a singleton of the Peak District version being noted at Deep Dale Sheldon (Eric & Fiona Easom).
Other species that are only just emerging in very low numbers include :-
Small Copper :- Just 16 individuals noted at 9 locations in the County with the highest count of 3 coming from the wildflower meadow transect at Staunton Harold Reservoir on the 13th of May 2023 (Lesley & Phil Gretton) together with 3 at Croft Orchard Overseal ( Peter Brewster) on the 14th of May 2023
Common Blue :- Only 3 records of this species with 2 on the 13th of May 2023 at Goseley Cutting, Woodville (Ruth Frudd & Kate Allies) and 2 seen on the same day on the wildflower meadow at Staunton Harold Reservoir (Lesley & Phil Gretton), together with a singleton at the Forge site Ironville (Sally Fisher & Deb Bliss) on the 14th May 2023
Wall Brown :- Just 2 sightings of this Endangered Species this week with a record from the Clough Wood transect on the 14th of May 2023 (Chris & Sheila Ragg) and surprisingly another one at Arkwright Tip (Paul Townsend) on the same day.
Small Heath :- Just 3 individuals noted this week with 2 on the Markham Vale complex (Sid Morris) together with a singleton at Arkwright Tip on the 14th of May 2023 (Paul Townsend).
Other species that are now coping reasonably well despite the very poor Spring include :-
Dingy Skipper :- Numbers are starting to increase with just over 1000 no seen at 18 locations in the County this week with the highest counts of 31 coming from Arkwright Tip on the 14th of May 2023 (Paul Townsend), and 20 coming from The Forge site in Ironville (Sally fisher & Deb Bliss)) on the 18th of May 2023. Pleasingly Nigel Davidson saw his first Dingy Skipper on his butterfly NR on the outskirts of Belper on the 14th of May 2023 – this taking his site total to 25 species many of which are breeding on his site –well done Nigel! I have attached a photo of the day flying moth Burnet Companion which is now on the wing and is spreading into the Peak District as it can be confused with the Dingy Skipper in the field
Orange Tip :- Still widely distributed across the County but numbers starting to decline now – however this did not stop 33 no being seen in Deep Dale Sheldon (Eric & Fiona Easom) on the 13th of May 2023 together with 29 in Lathkill Dale (Chris & Sheila Ragg) and 24 in Coombs Dale on the 14th of May 2023 (Aline & John Roberts).
Green Hairstreak :- Sightings have been received from 13 sites across the Peak District including the Fringe area of Highoredish where Peter Kidd saw 2 individuals on the 14th of May 2023. The highest count yet again came from Deep Dale, Sheldon where on the 13th of May 2023 Eric & Fiona Easom saw 35 individuals in the dale.
Holly Blue :- Still being seen in reasonable numbers across the County, including the Peak District, with sightings of 98 no from 34 locations with the highest counts coming from Willington Village (14 no – Chris Burnett & Gina Siddalls), Aston on Trent Village (13 no – Roger Martin) and at Goseley Cutting, Woodville (10 no – Ruth Frudd & Kate Allies)
Speckled Wood :- Again a species that is still fairly widespread across the County with recent sightings of 97 no from 38 locations with the highest counts coming from Pleasley Pit (15 no – Willy Lane) and Goseley Cutting, Woodville ( 11 no – Ruth Frudd & Kate Allies)
On the migrant scene, there have been just 2 sightings of the Painted Lady in Derbyshire this week – an individual was seen at Windley on the 16th of May 2023 (John & Anne Coupland) together with another at the Weleda site in Shipley Common on the same day (Kerry Riley & Mike Lee). Sightings of the Red Admiral have come from 18 locations in the County with 22 individuals seen as singletons although 2 were noted at Lightwood, Buxton (Derek Brownlee), Pleasley Pit (Willy Lane) and at both Markham Vale North and Markham Vale South (both Sid Morris). Just 1 sighting of the migrant Humming Bird Hawk moth has been seen this week when an individual was noted on the flowers of lilac in the Clowne garden of Jim Russell on the 17th of May 2023.
Finally for those of you who were unable to attend the National Recorders Meeting in Birmingham during late March 2023, Butterfly Conservation videoed the event including my Presentation on Hoe Grange Quarry and I have kindly been sent a link to it which I am pleased to share with you – it lasts for about 20 minutes but for those of you yet to visit the site it certainly gives you an idea as to what to expect at this Butterfly NR at the southern end of the Peak District, all by courtesy of Longcliffe Quarries – enjoy!
With the promise of a decent spell of weather over the coming weekend and into early next week, hopefully butterfly numbers and species will increase during Week 8 of the transect season – good luck!
