Hello Everyone, Yes January 2025 was a cold but relatively sunny month which meant that on a few sunny and windless days some butterflies were tempted out of hibernation with recent sightings being a Peacock seen on the 25th of January 2025 at Hartington Meadows (Vic Pearson) with another noted at Overton, Ashover on the 28th of January 2025 (John Kidd) together with a Red Admiral seen flying in Chesterfield Town Centre on the 29th of January 2025 (Karl Proctor). The start of February 2025 has seen a couple of sightings of the Small Tortoiseshell with one noted on the 1st of the month in Hognaston (Cath Sinclair) together with another seen on the 3rd of February 2025 (Roger Martin) which was in a sheltered sunny spot at Church Wilne – the total number of butterflies seen outside this year till the end of January 2025 being 10 individuals ie Red Admiral (2) Comma (1) and Peacock (7) – this compares with just 7 butterflies seen in January 2024 (Red Admiral (3); Peacock (2); Comma (1); Small Tortoiseshell (1)) The first Brimstone seen in 2024 was on the 13th of February at Aston Brickyards LNR by John Holloway during the monthly work party day when the Team carry out important conservation work there, including planting Sallows for the Purple Emperor, Honeysuckle for the White Admiral, Disease Resistant Elms for the White Letter Hairstreak., and yes Alder Buckthorns for the Brimstone.
Meanwhile, up in the Peak District, Rob & Sharon Thatcher visited the 3 tunnels on the Monsal Trail on the 5th of February 2025 and they encountered 7 Herald Moths, 5 Tissue Moths and 1 Early Moth but no butterflies (or bats) were seen at all.
