Hello Everyone, With November 2024 having temperatures above normal, it has come somewhat as a shock this week to wake up to ground frosts and a covering of snow in the County – not before additional butterfly sightings of 4 species were made before the thermometer took a dip for the worse though.
Red Admirals were noted up to and including the 14th of November 2024 when Alan Hobson saw an individual under trees in the village of Barlow. Earlier 12 other individuals were noted across the County with, as well as late flowering ivy, mahonia plants appear to be a big attraction for the species in gardens and parks – indeed Felicity Jackson saw 2 individuals on mahonia outside Allestree Park Hall on the 13th of November 2024.
Peacock :- A late flying individual was seen flying across Totley Moor on the 13th of November 2024 (Tom Aspinall)
Small Tortoiseshell :- A late individual was seen flying in a garden in Belper on the 12th of November 2024 (Dave Evans)
Speckled Wood :- Still managing to hang on with individuals seen during sunny intervals recently at Forbes Hole (Marion Bryce), along the Canal at Swarkestone (Mark Sherwood) and on the 13th of November 2024 at Wyver Lane, Belper (Dave Evans)
Despite the Purple Hairstreak have a poor year in 2024, Mark Radford had no problem finding eggs of the species at Markham Vale recently – he also turned up a Scarce Umber moth during his searches.(photos attached)
This time last year, I set up a Joint Venture with Butterfly Conservation East Midlands and South Derbyshire District Council to buy and plant ‘Sallows for the Purple Emperor’ which involved approximately 30 Landowners at 40 sites in the County and which proved to be a great success – so much so that the project has won Silver prize at the prestigious Green Apple Environmental International Award Ceremony that was held in London earlier this week – always great when a project comes to fruition and due recognition is made to the participating Individuals and Organisations!
Hopefully many of you will be able to attend the Butterfly Conservation East Midlands AGM and Members Day this coming Sunday, the 24th of November 2024 at the Allestree Club from 10 am till 3.30 pm, when I will be giving a brief Report on the trials and the tribulations that our Derbyshire butterflies (and volunteers) have had to endure this year – further details of the event are on Update no 43 (dated the 28th of October 2024) – we look forward to seeing you there!
