This is a simple no-frills page to provide at-a-glance update information. It will not become a diary, so there will be gaps when no significant new content is being reported. Most recent news always at the top of the page. News will fall off the page and vanish at intervals. Image updates only refers to wildlife images. Only the most recent addition(s) will be posted on that page.
26.01.2026
I am delighted to have received today a spreadsheet from Ken Orpe the Derbyshire County Butterfly Recorder and have his consent to publish here. I have altered the presentation to include some title information that was only in the original accompanying email. All the data is faithful reproduced and very interesting. Also embedded in the spreadsheet, an invitation to a free event in March 2026, where you can train to become a Butterfly recorder. You can also use the spreadsheet list as a useful i-SPY book.
My own recording historically has been on an ad-hoc basis and even those records have been welcomed on a spreadsheet which mirrors the preferred format to enable copying and pasting. Recording data points necessarily includes BNG data and all maps provided on this website include sufficient references to enable anyone to extrapolate BNG references to save your valuable time. No need to buy OS maps.
I am launching a little (for interest only) project of my own this year on the Green Hairstreak Butterfly. I will publish details of this before the end of March, in time to catch the start of the season. If anyone wants to be in on the developing details let me know and I will create a mailing list (with email addresses hidden).
26.01.2026
In the latter half of 2025 a Peacock Butterly elbowed its way into my Hedgehog House, climbed a gable wall and appeared to pass away there, as it remained rigid for weeks. I was checking the house one morning through one of my wildlife cameras and saw it move. Having checked with an expert on the subject I was to learn that some species over-winter as adults. I also have a Great Tit using a box as an Airbnb roost, though she never nests in that box.
I have since evicted a spider, spider egg sacks and changed all the leaf bedding. Following this disturbance, kept as brief as possible, the Peacock quickly settled down and has now been static for more than 24 hours. It appears all is well.
This brief video which is captured at a resolution of 720 x 480 (hence the small physical size) shows the Peacock very much alive and getting re-settled.
The peacock had moved to a difficult to see position, possibly to avoid the spider and I moved it back gently to where it originally was.
The roof is designed to open easily and quickly to enable me to evict spiders should the need arise.
Hopefully we can witness the date of emergence in due course. The box is checked daily because we do occasionally see Wood Mice and for a time there was a giant frog using the house as a base.
16.01.2026
Route 17 has now been remapped and includes GPX data for those who use GPX. As a reminder the zipped folder still includes the route presented in the traditional format with PDF map and a PDF page of text. GPX data includes the GPX data itself plus an A4 visualisation of the route both annotated and plain. The latter so people can annotate maps themselves for running/walking club use. The scene is on part of the route 17 leading to St. Joseph's Shrine.
14.01.2026
Three days agp I was walking this route wearing crampons the whole route (6) on solid ice and snow. Now there is not even the slightest trace of ice or snow. The reservoir was 300mm below the spill-over then and now it is noisily overflowing. The scene is Wildmoorstone.
10.01.2026
A superb sub-zero day with tonnes of bright sunshine. The whole road from Pym chair to the Goyt Forest access gate completely iced over but clear of cars. A few off-road abandoned cars obviously there from earlier days. I had no problems in my 4WD set on downhill descent control (5mph) when entering. Early enough to do the popular route 6 (anti-clockwise). Some gorgeous scenes and fitted my crampons as the ice was thick everywhere under the snow. Even the well known deep boggy trails were rock solid for a change but care still needed; a very rare perfect day.
03.01.2026
Well below zero and access to the Goyt from Pym Chair denied. Notices and (unusual) fenced off as well. Thick ice everywhere and my guess there have been incidents overnight, hence the road closure. Chaos at Pym so moved back to Hooleyhey Lane (beware, riddled with pot-holes) and then on to Derbyshire Bridge where it was quiet. It will be the same all weekend at least. One problem now is that modern Sat-Nav is diverting people via the Goyt.
20.10.2025
Forgot to mention that part of Ewrin Lane (spanning Blue Boar Farm) will be closed for roadworks 28.10.2025 for one day. Access to Goyt via Buxton or Lamaload, Hooleyhey Lane if your suspension will cope.
19.10.2025
As previously mentioned I am developing a small project on the subject of the Green Hairstreak Butterfly, following the recent odd sighting of a Green Hairstreak by me and others on October 12th. A page has been set up buried in the appropriate Butterfly section as this is unlikely to be of interest to many. I will announce when documents are publicly available. I usually have one or two projects ongoing at any given time. I also have 8 birds boxes installed in the wild, including one with a camera installed. Well ahead of next spring so early visitors will have a chance to check out the lettings. These have been fully treated but left outside for months before being installed.
16.10.2025
Route 10 mapped today (GPX) and will be online later.
15.10.2025
Route 15 now has a GPX online for those who may be interested. These files are in addition to the original route files.
15.10.2025
I intended mapping Route 10 for GPX purposes today but as conditions were favourable, I extended that to take in the 10-kilometre Route 15 instead. Details in due course. The journey along the old railway and down into Wildmoorstone is breathtaking. I do not have the education to do it justice. I have had a favourable response from the mystery photographer from Sunday and details will be added later in the images section, including his superb image of that lone Green Hairstreak. This has all given me an idea for a Green Hairstreak project for next year. It will add yet more interest to my walking routes. Images today include more interesting fungi and I met two ladies with a wicker basket full-to-overflowing with the 'Penny Bun' variety included here on the images page. So, they are apparently edible. I will post some more fungi later.
03.10.2025
On the ascent to Stakeside yesterday (Route 12), plenty of evidence of the May 2025 moorland fire sadly, including the double-height stock fencing that was in pristine condition previously. Anyone on that footpath would have been seriously at risk. Some images in J. There are many fire-watchers, voluntary and otherwise.
01.10.2025
I have now introduced some GPX information, as mentioned below. More details on a page dedicated to the topic which can be seen directly here. Three routes now have GPX data included as a basis for discussion. Links via the routes page. I will generate similar information for other routes over time. I will obviously need to walk each route to harvest data and that will be whenever.
From landscape page A2. Street lay-by to Errwood Hall - St. Joseph's Shrine: February 10th.
