The Butterfly Net at Derbyshire Dragonflies

Welcome to The Butterfly Net

This is the hunting ground for Butterflies throughout Derbyshire. It is our aim to network with enthusiasts in the County and to report the information as we receive it. The Butterfly Net is a sub-domain of Derbyshire Dragonflies ( www.derbyshire-dragonflies.org.uk ) a site dedicated to Damselflies and Dragonflies.

Records shown below have been reported within the last 14 days.

Latest Sightings

Specie Date Number Seen

Holly Blue 15/05/2012
1 at
Willington Village

Orange-tip 06/05/2012
2 at
Willington Power Station

Orange-tip 15/05/2012
2 at
Willington Village

Orange-tip 06/05/2012
1 at
Willington Village

Peacock 06/05/2012
3 at
Willington Power Station

Small Tortoiseshell 06/05/2012
1 at
Willington Power Station

Select specie from the list left to see the location of the latest sightings

Butterfly News

16/05/2012

Ken's updat eNo 14

Hi Everyone,

Despite there still being a dearth of butterflies in the general countryside it is pleasing to note that a further 2 new species were noted in the County over the last weekend, with a Common Blue seen at Crich Chase Meadows on the 12th May 2012 (Kieron Huston), together with a number of sightings of the Small Copper during the period 12th - 14th May 2012. Records were received from Crich Chase Meadows (Kieron Huston); Clough Wood (Simon Roddis); West Hallam Tip (Pat & Ken Orpe); Longshaw (Helen Naylor); Jim Mart NR (Paul Beard); Eyes Meadow, Duffield (Mick Ball); and Breadsall Cutting (Col Bowler). Also observed during this period were fresh individuals of both the Large White and also the Speckled Wood, whilst the Holly Blue was noted at Allestree (Sue Sharp);

Darley Park (Pat & Ken Orpe); Whaley Bridge (Angie & Alan Seymour); and just over the border in Toton, Notts (Marion Bryce).

Thanks, also, to all the recorders who made the effort to check sites for the Dingy Skipper last weekend and consequently this species was noted at a number of locations in the south and east of the County, including Crich Chase Meadows (Kieron Huston); Mercaston (Kath Patrick & Nick Brown);

Intake Quarry (Pat & Ken Orpe); Shipley CP (George Cox); Stanton Ironworks (Richard Rogers); Heanor & Stanton by Dale (Paul Townsend); West Hallam Tip (Pat & Ken Orpe); and Swadlincote Woodlands (Andy Large). Hopefully the next 3 weeks will provide some favourable weather for additional surveys to be carried out at more sites so that we are able to monitor the status of this BAP species within Derbyshire.

Finally, thanks also to the many transect walkers who managed to complete their surveys last weekend, as it was the best weather since the transect season started, despite some sites still having a nil result. Surely things can only get better – we hope so, and very soon!!!

Regards,

Ken Orpe