Hello Everyone,
As we approach the dark month of December , we can look back on a much better than expected butterfly year for 2025 which saw on average a 120% increase in butterfly numbers on transects across the Region together with a 100% increase in butterfly numbers on the Wider Countryside Butterfly Surveys (WCBS) and a 79% increase in butterfly sightings here in Derbyshire during the Big Butterfly Count which took place in July/August 2025.
Despite the changeable weather over the last couple of weeks there have been a number of butterfly sightings on the wing with the Red Admiral being the most common including records of individuals at 11 locations in the County up to and including the 25th of November 2025 when a singleton was seen and photographed in Ironville by Pete Clark. Other recent sightings include ;-
Brimstone :- A singleton was seen flying along the Great Northern Railway in Etwall on the 13th of November 2025 (Kath Patrick & Nick Brown)
Small Tortoiseshell :- A singleton was seen on the 13th of November 2025 in the Northwood, Darley Dale garden of Christine Gregory who also saw a Humming Bird Hawk moth there on the same day, which was nectaring on Cosmos flowers
Peacock :- There were sightings of 6 individuals on the 13th of November 2025 with a singleton at Barlborough ( Neil Jones) , 2 no seen at Ingleby (Ellen Hancock) and 3 noted in Hoe Grange Quarry (Chris Calverley)
A number of recorders have checked out suitable hibernation places for butterflies recently and Jane Rogers noted up to 20 no individuals of either Peacocks or Small Tortoiseshells in the bell tower at Denby Church whilst Derek Brownlee noted 8 Peacocks and 2 Herald moths in the church spire at Fenny Bentley. Meanwhile, Sid Morris checked out the 3 main tunnels on the Monsal Trail and found only a total of 18 Peacocks present plus 4 Herald moths and 2 Tissue Moths.
The 40 or so members and friends who attended the Butterfly Conservation East Midlands AGM and Members Day last weekend were treated to a look at the new Derbyshire Moths website by Tony Davison – and what a great site it is …have a look at the following link :-
The Derbyshire Moth and Verification Team have just been awarded winners of the NBN Group Award for 2025 – well done to everyone involved! If you would like to receive a copy of the monthly Moth News for Derbyshire then please email Tony Davison at
Finally, the South Derbyshire Tree Scheme has the following trees available on offer ….you don’t need to live in South Derbyshire to qualify – please see the details below:-
‘SDDC’s Environmental Education Project has some surplus tree stock, first come first served, all cell grown:
Scottish Elm (387 available),
Wild Pear (119 available),
Rowan (155 available)
Hazel (566 available)
Suggested donation (money will support Conservation volunteering)
£3/ tree;
£10 /4 trees;
£20/ 10 trees;
anything over 50 trees £1 each.
We also have some jpp cell grown Norway Spruce.
Please email rosliston@southderbyshire.gov.uk with your order. (for the attention of Michelle Tyrtania or Kate Allies) or telephone
01283 563483.Tree orders can be collected at either of the Rosliston Forestry Centre Christmas Markets which are Sat 29 & Sunday 30 November and 6 & 7th December 2025 from 10am until 4pm. Payment card (in shop) or cash
