Hi Everyone,
So far this year we have seen colder conditions than we have been used to in recent years and this is confirmed by a complete lack of butterfly sightings here in Derbyshire between the 6th and the 22nd of February 2025, which was largely due to the cold easterly wind coupled with overcast skies – most depressing! However, a complete change in weather conditions on Saturday the 22nd of February 2025 resulted in mainly sunny conditions with blue skies and a temperature here in Derby of 13c, which was the catalyst for the emergence in gardens of a Brimstone at Staveley (Mark Radford) and a Red Admiral at Kirk Hallam (Brian Hobby). Whilst no two days are usually the same weather wise, the clearance of the rain yesterday afternoon (24th) resulted in another Red Admiral being seen in the Long Eaton garden of Paul Davis who quickly made up a solution of sugar water alongside some over ripe apples…bingo, the butterfly quickly settled on the ripe apples much to the delight of Paul…well done that man!
With the most important month of March rapidly approaching, a good number of invites have already been sent to volunteers for help on this year’s transects…if you haven’t received anything yet then please let me know as I will be able to put you in contact with your local coordinator. If you have received a request for help on transects, could you please respond as soon as possible so that all the rotas can be drawn up which will enable Organisers to know if there are any vacancies on rotas.
Most of you will be aware that the Purple Emperor was first seen at Bretby in South Derbyshire last July… well we are hoping to organise a couple of transects in the area on 2 smallish private woods – please let me know if you are interested in being part of a small team so that I can put you in touch with the local volunteer/observer.
If you are not quite sure whether transect walking is for you or not, then why not attend a free event and butterfly I D course at one of the following locations …there are a few vacancies available where you will also be able to chat to both the Organisers and other fellow volunteers…it really is a rewarding experience whilst you will also get valuable exercise in our great Derbyshire countryside!
Saturday the 1st of March 2025 – Transect Training and Butterfly I D at Pleasley Pit in the Ken Lomas Room from 11 am by Willy Lane – this will appeal to mainly volunteers in N E Derbyshire and North Notts – please book you place by contacting Willy at the following email address – doeleaboy@gmail.com
Sunday the 16th of March 2025 – Transect Training and Butterfly I D at the Evergreen Club , Allestree from 11.30 am till 2.30 pm by Ken Orpe – this will appeal to volunteers from the remainder of Derbyshire and other parts of the Region – please contact myself to book your place at ken@malaga.plus.com
