Hello Everyone,
At least the changeable weather of the last week has produced some rain for the plants upon which many of the caterpillars of our butterflies and moths rely on, so there is some hope of a better picture for the Nymphalidae species which have been lacking so far this year. (the last time that I saw a Small Tortoiseshell in the County was March 2023).
Pleasingly the Purple Hairstreak has now appeared in Derbyshire with the first sighting on the 24th of June 2023 at South Wingfield (Eric Easom) so well worth checking any local oak trees near you – the best time to see them is in the early evening just as the sun is losing its power – the can be seen flying around the tops of oaks and look quite silvery in their jazzy flight pattern. Another sighting of the species was made along the Cromford Canal (per Nick Brown), and Joanne Mackey has kindly sent me a photo of the underside of one that was taken by John Soady in the South Lakes recently. The other summer hairstreak, the White Letter Hairstreak, has now appeared in N E Derbyshire where Andrew Woodhouse some up to 2 individuals at Linacre Reservoir and Holmebrook Valley Park, Chesterfield. The other butterfly species to emerge this week is the Gatekeeper which was first seen on the 22nd of June 2023 at Rosliston Forestry Centre ( Clare Hopkins) followed by sightings at Toyota UK Pond area on the 25th of June 2023 (Kelvin Lawrence), on the 26th of June 2023 at Clover Close, Elvaston (Joan Breakwell & Christine Carrier) and then by Roger Martin in Church Wilne on the 27th of June 2023, at Sawley (Marion Bryce) and Coton Park (Chris Leverington) both on the 28th of June 2023 and at Drakelow NR on the 29th of June 2023 (Andy Large & Nigel Cowl) and at Findern (Brian Hallam & Roger Nash) on the same day, all these sightings being in South Derbyshire. Then on the 29th of June 2023 Willy Lane saw an individual at Doe Lea in N E Derbyshire, and Sally Fisher saw the species at the Forge site in Ironville whilst Patricia Sharp saw one on the towpath of the Cromford Canal at Ambergate on the same day.
Other interesting sightings this week include a Brown Argus Peak District Race aberration with full white spots on its upper wings that was seen on the 26th of June 2023 in Rose End Meadows by Chris Bent – Roger Dennis tells me that some interaction in the species produces a version of the albiannulata white spot and appears in the A. agestis phenotype from time to time. The rare Endangered Wall Brown has just about come to the end of its first brood in the County with a mere 12 no seen at 5 locations recently with the last sighting on the 28th of June 2023 at Bradwell (Sally Pereira) Also there have been a number of rare Scarlet Tiger moths seen recently – one at Ambaston on the 23rd of June 2023 (Dave Hansell), one in Oadby, Leics on the next day seen by Peter Roberts.(see attached photo), followed by up to 4 in Belper this week (Adrian Rochford), together with another along the Cromford Canal near Ambergate (Patricia Sharp). Another rare Rannoch Looper moth has also been seen recently on the 17th of June 2023 when Terry Burke had one in his garden moth trap in Fulwood, Sheffield – the joint first record for the species in VC63 (S W Yorkshire). The migrant Humming Bird Hawk moth has been noted recently at New Whittington (Peter Walker), Shelton Lock ( Jean McMahon), in Furness Vale (Patrick Anderson), in Eccleshall, Sheffield (John Hall), Bradwell (Sally Pereira) as well as in Hoe Grange Quarry on the 25th of June 2023 (Max & Christine Maughan). Just a couple of recent sightings of the Painted Lady this week, both on the 24th of June 2023, at Bradbury’s Bank, Dovedale (Mike Goold) and at Hardwick Park (Marian Clay) where 3 no were seen there. The 2 Fritillary species that occur in Derbyshire are now both on the wing with the Dark Green Fritillary being noted at 12 sites in the Peak District – the highest count of 10 coming from Monsal Dale on the 24th of June 2023 (Ian & Joy White) – the Silver Washed Fritillary has only been noted at 3 sites so far recently with sightings from Calke Park (Angela Goley), Lea Road, Cromford (Martin Cobham) and in Monsal Dale (Ian & Joy White).Also now appearing mainly on the eastern side of Derbyshire is the Marbled White which is in the process of moving north under climate change no doubt, with recent sightings from Long Eaton Railway (Roger Martin), the Forge, Ironville (Sally Fisher et al) and along the Blackwell Trail (Dave Clay)
Now that the Met Office is informing us that June 2023 was the hottest ever June (even beating 1976), it is vital that Owners, Agents and Managers of grassland do not go round cutting back nettles in areas adjacent to these habitats as the caterpillars of the Small Tortoiseshell and the Peacock are currently devouring the plants in order to complete their life cycle to enable them to become adult butterflies which will hopefully appear on buddleia bushes during July and August before they either produce a new brood during September (the Small Tortoiseshell) or go directly into hibernation (the Peacock) – have a look at the attached photo of Peacock caterpillars enjoying themselves on nettles near Ashbourne.
With the Open Day from 11 am till 4 pm at Hoe Grange Quarry this Sunday (2nd of July 2023), I thought that it would be relevant to include some of the week 13 transect results that was carried out there last weekend by Max & Christine Maughan, The total number of butterflies seen was 221 in 9 species including the Dark Green Fritillary, Red Admiral, Small Heath and Common Blue which brings this year’s total site species to 21 species seen. Calling all Pond Dipping Experts – this year will be different as we have the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust doing pond dipping in the pond in the big hole – so it will be interesting to know what additional insects that we have at this special site at the southern end of the Peak District. One thing that will not change is the issue of free ice creams courtesy of Longcliffe Quarries and there will be a stall manned by members of Butterfly Conservation so all in all an event not to be missed! In the interests of Wildlife and H & S, no dogs allowed on site please. Pat and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there on the day.
