Hello Everyone, Well the natural expansion of the iconic Purple Emperorbutterfly is well and truly underway here in Derbyshire thanks to the recent spell of hot and sunny weather and the expertise and keen eyes of our Derbyshire volunteers – recent sightings have come from Carvers Rocks, Foremarke (Margaret Mcloughlin), Gresley Wood (Michael Williams), which is the first transect to have Iris recorded here in the County, and further north at Hardwick Park (Nick Rhodes) which suggests that that particular individual was an interloper from Notts which has been subjected to unauthorised releases, especially in the Sherwood Forest area, over the years. Have a look at the latest 2024/2025 distribution map for Iris and you will see how far north in the County that the Hardwick Park sighting is when compared to the natural progression north of the species from N W Leicestershire. So the chances of seeing His Imperial Majesty during July 2025 at sites such as Aston Brickyards, Chellaston Brickworks, Kedleston Park, Allestree Park, Broomfield College, Morley, Shipley Country Park together with some other sites in Erewash and Amber Valley which look very promising indeed! Only your experience and great photographic expertise will confirm such movement northwards!
Other recent sightings of note include :-
Essex Skipper :- Noted at Lightwood above Buxton again this year (Steve Orridge) – will it be noted elsewhere in the area in 2025?
The species was also seen at the Haddon Hall Estate for the first time on the 28th of June 2025 (Steve & Lin Orridge)
Peacock :- 7 new brood specimens were seen on the 25th of June 2025 at Witches Oak NR by Rob Shaw – it is usually mid July before this species makes an appearance but with buddleias showing flowering fronds in the South of the County, the new brood is now underway.
Marbled White :- An individual seen and photographed at Gresley Wood by Michael Williams on the 27th of June 2025 is a new site for this species which is slowly moving north unaided together with sightings at Salter Wood, Denby (Jane Rogers) and at the Forge Site in Ironville (Sally Fisher et al)
Clouded Yellow :- Just 1 recent sighting on the 27th of June 2025 along the Blackwell Trail South Normanton which in the past has been a successful breeding area for this rare migrant butterfly species.
Painted Lady :- Just 6 individuals seen in the County this week up to the 28thof July 2025.
Holly Blue :- New brood specimens have been noted at 6 locations this last week including Rowsley Peak Shops NR (Rod Dunn)
Gatekeeper :- This species has appeared at a number of sites in Lowland Derbyshire with bramble flowers being a main source of nectar – the butterfly has also been noted at the southern end of the Peak District in Dovedale and at Cromford and further north at the Haddon Hall Estate on the 28th of June 2025 (Steve & Lin Orridge) and in Monsal Dale (Ian & Joy White)
Humming Bird Hawk moths :- There have been 5 recent sightings at Hardwick Park (Nick Rhodes), Oker (Martin Seddon), Kedleston Park (Nick Brown), Bamford (Pete Feetham) and Bradbury’s Bank, Dovedale (Mike Goold)
Finally just a last reminder of the Open Day at Hoe Grange Quarry on the 6thof July 2025 – as 2025 is the 50th anniversary of transect walking here in the UK, we are hoping to have Ian Middlebrook and his wife present on the day. Ian is the UKBMS Programme Lead and he has selected Derbyshire to visit as the County has so many transects walked by so many committed volunteers – it would be great if many of you transect walkers were able to attend the Open Day and meet Ian in person!
