Image updates only refers to wildlife images. Some of the most recent additions will be posted on this page. Older images will ultimately drop off the page. Images presented here will not necessarily make it into the permanent pages.
Much to my surprise I snapped a lone Green Hairstreak today at Wildmoorstone. Initial images for now until I get more time later but I have already emailed Ken Orpe the County Recorder (more expert than me), for comment. I shot some video but it got stage-fright and hardly moved. I'll be returning Tuesday to see if I can do better. Amongst other things my monopod had a tantrum. Now sorted. This Butterfly is one of the first in any year and usually disappears (I thought) before the Dragonflies emerge: October 12th. 2025
Addendum 17.15: I have had a much appreciated email off Ken already which includes the following "Amazing sighting Les - the latest G H record that I have is the 31st of July 2007 which I assumed was a second brood individual at the time. I will forward your email on to a colleague at Butterfly Conservation who reports to British Wildlife as this is an amazing record for Derbyshire - Regards, Ken. Thanks to another photographer and hiis Wife for also taking images to back up my sighting.
Several Small Coppers seen. No surprise there. Plenty of Peacocks as well like the one below from yesterday: October 12th. 2025
Bad as it is and it is bad, I magaged to salvage a bit of video, sufficient to prove the wee creature is alive as of this date. You will see what normally happens before the actual video is usually shot. My monopod collapsed where the video ends. As I have said I will be revisiting (although the forecast is poor) to see if I can see any more. This particular Green Hairstreak is a wee bit jaded, but they all do that. It is too important a sighting not to post it. Ken Orpe has confirmed he has posted an alert to other spotters better qualified than me to see if there are any more broods. Multiple broods are not uncommon but three for this species unheard of apparently up to now: October 12th. 2025
I would not have posted this normally but it was seen at over 530 metres elevation (Stakeside), though it had warmed up a bit. Probably in double figures the temperature. The third time up that climb in the last seven days and there was no gale today for a change. Mapping Route 11 for GPX purposes and I like that route anyway. A bit late in the year hence the interest in the target: October 11th. 2025
This was also catching a few rays hence the pose and close by the Peacock Butterfly above. Nice specimen with a 100% complete tail, which they often lose to predators: October 11th. 2025
Meeting a whole bunch of Reed Buntings on the climb to Stakeside in that veritable zoo on the right as you climb. Snapped a couple and able to produce a useful context image as well. Beautiful setting. NB: Spotted Grouse feeding but too far away: October 8th. 2025
A bit of context: October 8th. 2025
I am used to seeing these waiting for the early Teneral (immature and poor flyers) Darter Dragonflies in spring: October 8th. 2025
This really is what it is all about for me and made it a very special day. The hard work (for me anyway) of Route 12 mapping the next GPX file and I pause at the Goytsclough Quarry brook, always hoping to meet something. And today I did. A young Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) but usefully out of the water. Dippers (and Grey Wagtails) are invariably standing where there is a poor background to the shot. This is different. I have enough to produce a nice portrait and perhaps more important a context shot. Two more are offered in this special case: October 2nd. 2025
October 2nd. 2025
October 2nd. 2025
I am often asked about the large (70mm) Oak Eggar Caterpillar (Lasiocampa quercus) which I spotted chomping on Goat Willow a.k.a. Common Sallow (Salix caprea) close to Shining Tor where it was blowing a gale all afternoon. I was without my fleece and yet the starting temperature was in double figures. Seen hundreds of these, even on snow and for the first time I saw it off the ground on vegetation, yet the gale thwarted me. However as can be seen I managed to time it right and got in a shot. A still image followed by video of the real situation: October 2nd. 2025
Fungi are emerging: September 28th.2025
Lizards still about and this one between the Wildmoorstone Iron Bridge and the bird tree: September 22nd. 2025
It's the season to be jolly for Fungi. This obviously the renowned Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria): September 21st. 2025
This one new to me and I believe (but don't rely on it) is the Penny Bun (Boletus edulis): September 21st. 2025
Again don't rely on it but this could be the Pleated Inkcap (Parasola plicatilis): September 21st. 2025
East side of the Errwood (Route 6): September 9th.2025
East side of the Errwood (Route 6): September 9th.2025
A context shot, Red Deer buried in all the bracken: September 9th.2025
