With sunny periods at a premium during the last week, I was not expecting many butterfly sightings in the County but once again the Red Admiral came up trumps with records received of 14 individuals noted at 10 locations in Derbyshire up to and including the 23rd of November 2023 when one was seen on a late flowering yellow buddleia during a brief period of sun in the Allestee garden of Ken & Pat Orpe. A couple of other surprise sightings were that of a Peacock flying across the Ripley garden of Mark Longden on the 17th of November 2023 together with a single Speckled Wood noted at Forbes Hole, Long Eaton on the 20th of November 2023 by Marion Bryce. Also there was a late record of a Small Tortoiseshell flying outside at Pilsbury on the 11th of November 2023 (Mike Archer).
Finally just a quick reminder that the AGM and Members Day of Butterfly Conservation East Midlands will take place this Sunday the 26th of November 2023 in the Allestree Club, Cornhill, Allestree, Derby DE22 2FS from 10 am till 3.30pm – a Sales Stall will be set up to enable you to purchase some butterfly themed Christmas presents as well as other butterfly items of interest. After the formal proceedings, Melanie Penson will give a short presentation on the Clearwing Moth Project in the Region. After the lunch break, I will give an illustrated talk on ‘The Effect of Climate Change on the Distribution of Butterflies in the Region’ including distribution maps and photos of butterfly aberrations. The event is open to non-members of B C but a donation towards the lunch time buffet will be required. Pat and I hope to see many of you there – please bring along a memory stick with some of your own photos to show the attendees later during the afternoon.