Hello Everyone, Like most people in the UK, I am also obsessed with the British weather as it is so variable and impacts on both our lives and activities and also that of our insect friends, but did you know that recently there have been 2 notable anniversaries relating to the weather? First it was 100 years ago on the 1st of January 2024 when the first Shipping Forecast was broadcast on the BBC which now consists of 31 shipping areas from Trafalgar off the coast of Cadiz in Southern Spain to sweet Rockall which is in the stormy North Atlantic far off the Scottish west coast. Second it was the 70th anniversary on the 11th of January 2024 when the first televised weather forecast was made on the BBC by George Cowling and yes they have not always been correct – who can forget the hurricane faux pas in October 1987 by Michael Fish which turned out to be the worst storm since 1803! But at least the evenings are getting lighter now with daylight till 5pm by the end of this month, 6 pm by the end of February and 8 pm by the end of March (thanks to us putting the clocks forward on the 31st of March 2024 so as to begin British Summer Time) – this coincides very nicely with the start of the butterfly transect season on the 1st of April 2024!
With this in mind, Pat and I will be doing our Annual Transect Training and Butterfly I D Session on Sunday the 17th of March 2024 at the Evergreen Club in Allestree from 11.30 am till 2.30 pm including results of the 2023 transect season. Please send me an email if you are interested in attending, especially if you are thinking of setting up a new transect in any part of the Region for 2024 – I see that the RSPB have acknowledged the fact that enjoying wildlife in the countryside is a great way to help with stress, mental health issues and general wellbeing by taking time to be with nature – this is something that we in the East Midlands have been doing for some time with some excellent results from the 500 or so volunteers who carry out surveys including those volunteers who email their casual sightings to me over the butterfly season! At the moment there is a possibility that new transects will be set up this year at Chatsworth Gardens, a NR off Summer Lane, in Wirksworth, around Foremarke Reservoir and at the Allestree Park re-wilding area so if you are interested in joining a transect team at any of these sites then please email me. Additionally there are vacancies for volunteers at the following existing transects this year :- Clough Wood, Darley Dale, and at Kedleston Park near Derby.
Thanks go out to the volunteers who entered their transect data on line at UKBMS – if you would like to help with this important work in 2024 then please email me accordingly. In the meantime I have attached the 2024 Transect Recording Form (in both Excel & Word formats), a blank 2024 Rota Form together with an example of a Casual Sighting Form for your use.
Sunday the 7th of July 2024 – The highly successful Open Day at Hoe Grange Quarry (courtesy of Longcliffe Quarries) will be held again including the usual guided walks around the site, drinks, food and a free ice cream van to enjoy in the heat of the day! We hope to see friends old and new at this friendly social event which should not be missed!
With the weather now being dominated by a cold blast from the Arctic including Snake Pass being shut by snow this morning, It is of no surprise that there have been very few recent sightings of butterflies in the Region – however over the County boundary in Toton, Notts, Brian Parkes saw a Red Admiral sunning itself on a wall on the 14th of January 2024 (per Marion Bryce) whilst Brian & Jean Hallam went to the tramway tunnel at Ticknall Limeyards on the 9th of January 2024 where they saw 72 Herald moths and just 3 Peacock butterflies hibernating there – let’s hope that they stay safe there somewhat longer!