Hello Everyone, Thanks very much to the 350 or so volunteers who diligently went about carrying out their butterfly transects in 2023 at 130 sites across the County – yet another great achievement during a year of not exactly ideal conditions although we didn’t have to survive temperatures anywhere near 40c as in 2022! Thanks also the volunteers who have entered their data for 100 sites directly on to UKBMS this year – that leaves me just 30 sites to enter myself.
As there were some days with sunshine and the fact that the temperature remains above ‘normal’, 16 butterfly species have been noted in the County during week 26 of the transect season – remarkable given the relatively poor summer that we had in 2023.
Species and some records seen this week include:-
Brimstone :- A couple of sightings of this bright yellow butterfly, which gladdens the heart to see, with singletons at Duffield on the 24th of September 2023 ( Robert & Celia Reid) and another at Creswell Crags on the 26th of September 2023 (Jason Lowe)
Large White :- A dozen of this species have been seen this week in the County with the latest sighting on the 29th of September 2023 at both Long Close & Foxley Woods in Linton (Chris Leverington) and in Grattan Dale (John Coupland) – latest County record is the 1st of November (2015), so a long way to go yet!
Small White :- 2 dozen of this species have been seen this week in the County with the latest sighting on the 29th of September 2023 at 9 sites in Derbyshire – latest County record is 20th of December (2022) – even further off than the last species!
Green Veined White :- A dozen of this species have been seen this week with the latest sighting on the 28th of September 2023 at
Poolsbrook C P (Abby Bruce) – latest County record is the 24th of October (2009) – so about a month to go, weather dependant!
Common Blue :- 2 sites produced sightings of this species – singletons at Markham Vale South on the 21st of September 2023 (Sid Morris) and at Longstone Edge on the 23rd of September 2023 (Stuart Davies) – latest County record is the 9th of November (2022)
Brown Argus Migrating :- A singleton was seen on the transect at Drakelow NR on the 25th of September 2023 (Andy Large) – this species can have a third brood in the Lowland parts of Derbyshire hence the latest County record is the 17th of October (2013).
Small Copper :- This multi brooded species has been seen this week at 11 locations in Derbyshire with the last sighting on the 26th of September 2023 at Wyver Lane, Belper (Dave Evans). – latest County record is the 18th of November (2018).
Holly Blue :- This multi brooded species has had a good year in 2023 so it was no surprise to get records of 4 individuals this week – a female seen ovipositing on ivy outside Aston Churchyard on the 24th of September 2023 (Melanie Penson & Suzanne Halfacre), another seen near Taddington on the 25th of September 2023 (Peter Faulkner) and one seen in North Wingfield (Roy Frost) and finally a fourth noted at Northwood, Darley Dale on the 29th of September 2023 (Christine Gregory) – latest County record is 31st of October (2014).
Small Tortoiseshell :- Still relatively scarce in the County with just 45 individuals seen at 19 locations in the County this week up to and including the 29th of September 2023, with the highest count of 10 no noted feeding on thistles at Robin Hood’s Stride, near Elton on the 23rd of September 2023 (Jeff and Denise Kirkland)
Peacock :- Just 3 records of 4 individuals of this species were seen this week with 1 noted at Alsop Moor on the 23rd of September 2023 (Viv Evans & Michael Glendenning), and 2 seen on buddleia in the Great Longstone garden of Chris Thirtle on the 26th of September 2023 and 1 noted at Norbriggs Flash on the 25th of September 2023 (Mark Radford)
Comma :- Still plentiful numbers seen on ripe fruit, flowering ivy and sedums with at least 230 individuals noted at 50 locations in the County with 7 counts in double figures including 31 no seen at Creswell Crags on the 26th of September 2023 (Jason Lowe) and 35 no at Pleasley Vale on the 29th of September 2023 (Roy Frost)
Red Admiral :- Undoubtedly the star of the show this week with over 1350 no individuals noted at 126 sites including at least 30 sites having counts into double figures – the highest counts being 171 no at Creswell Crags all seen feeding on ivy on the 26th of September 2023 (Jason Lowe) together with a massive 505 no at Pleasley Vale on ivy on the 29th of September 2023 (Roy Frost)
This week’s total for the species far exceeds the total for the year for Wall Browns (813) during 2023.
Speckled Wood :- Numbers slightly down on last week but a total of 167 no from 60 locations is still good with counts in double figures coming on the 25th of September 2023 at Chee Dale (12 no – Cate Beck & Sue Mitchell), Rowland ( 12 no – Tracey Sharkey et al) and in Lathkill Dale NNR (15 no – Chris & Sheila Ragg)
Meadow Brown :- A late individual was seen on the 28th of September 2023 at Poolsbrook Country Park (Abby Bruce) – the latest County record is the 10th of October (2017).
Wall Brown:- No sightings in Derbyshire this week although third brood specimens are still being seen in Essex (Dave Chandler)
Painted Lady :- A total of 13 individuals, mostly in mint condition, were seen this week across the County with sightings, especially on late flowering buddleias at Duffield (Robert & Celia Reid), Macklin Street near the Centre of Derby ( Bill Grange), Littleover (Alan Bryan), Thurvaston (John Abrehart), Wirksworth (Saskia Tallis), Robin Hood’s Stride near Elton (Jeff & Denise Kirkland) , Great Longstone (Chris Thirtle), near Taddington (Peter Faulkner), in Furness Vale (Patrick Anderson), with 2 no seen on the 29th of September 2023 at Little Eaton (Phil Shore) together with other singletons at Hartshorne village (John Schofield) and at Pleasley Vale (Roy Frost)
Yet another late sighting of a Humming Bird Hawk moth this week when Steve Plant saw an individual on the 25th of September 2023 in Allestree Park which was checking out late flowering honeysuckle blossom.
Finally, I mentioned last week that I have instigated a project to plant Sallows in South Derbyshire for the use of the Purple Emperor butterflies’ life cycle – this has been received very well by a number of Organisations who are keen to attract His Imperial Majesty into our County (see the attached distribution maps showing both the Local and the National situation with regard to this species)
If you would like to get involved as either a Landowner, a Manager of a site, or you would like to help to survey for this fantastic butterfly species in Derbyshire next Summer, then send me an email and I will put you on the distribution list for my Newsletters.