After the wettest October on record with about double the monthly average rainfall in the Region, there is no let-up in rain at the beginning of November 2023, although the main effects of Storm Ciaran managed to avoid us despite our barometer reading of just 952 millibars (the eye of the Storm) on the morning of Thursday the 2nd of November 2023 here in Derby.
Despite all this precipitation, once the sun emerges, whether for a short period or for all day as on Sunday the 29th of October 2023, the local butterflies are quick to appear as the temperature has remained relatively high, especially at night.
This week’s sightings of 5 butterfly species include:-
Red Admiral :- Records of 24 no individuals noted at 18 locations in the County with 2 seen on the 1st of November 2023 in the Barlborough garden of Neil & Lorraine Jones, followed an individual in the West Bridgford , Notts, garden of Nick Sparrow on the same day and finally one flying today around the Allestree garden of Pat & Ken Orpe.. By the end of October 2023 it looks like about 5% of the totals seen at the beginning of that month had decided to spend the winter with us here in Derbyshire – let’s hope that they survive into next Spring.
Painted Lady :- Surprisingly a late individual was noted on the 29th of October 2023 at Stretton near Handley (Peter Kidd) where the specimen appeared to be hill topping on its late journey south.
Large White :- Another surprise record was the sighting of one of this species below Baslow Edge on the 29th of October 2023 by Jane Taylor.
Small Tortoiseshell :- A couple of outdoor sightings of this species took place this week with one individual noted on the 29th of October 2023 at Bradwell (Sally Pereira) and another on the 30th of October 2023 in Bonsall (Sue Quick)
Comma :- A total of 8 individuals were all seen on Sunday the 29th of October 2023 across the County with records from Lower Hartshay (Gordon Shaw), Kirk Ireton (Jonathan Page), Buxton and Litton Mill (both Ian & Joy White) and in the Whaley BrIdge garden of Angie & Alan Seymour.
This week end is the deadline for the inputting of the transect data on to the UKBMS webpage – could I ask therefore that you complete any outstanding records so that Butterfly Conservation and C E H have got the full picture as to what has been seen in the Region this year. Many thanks for your total commitment and support for this important project to monitor our local butterflies.
Finally, Jane Davison is the Time Swap Development Officer for Amber Valley & Derbyshire Dales and she has sent me information on a scheme that she runs – if you decide to join Time Swap, transect volunteers could log the hours they give and then get something back if they wish, totally separate from their volunteering – for example they might want another member to help them with some DIY at home or a job in the garden. They could also choose to donate the hours they have accrued into the community pot, which enables people to benefit from the scheme even if they can’t currently contribute (due to health etc)
Have a look at their website HOME | Derbyshire Time Swap | Swap your time with others
