We have been taking part in the Derbyshire Butterfly Survey, and Steve Orridge has been organising a group of volunteers to carry out a weekly survey in Grin woods. We have attached the latest report for the county wide survey, though at this stage Grin woods do not feature , mainly because the weather has been poor. The report has been compiled from reports across the county by Ken Orpe, the county recorder.

We will be posting these reports on a regular basis and also highlighting the results from Grin woods.

Hi Everyone,
With still no let up in the cold and wet conditions already experienced during May 2015, this has meant that several recorders failed to see even one butterfly on their transects during the last week. Despite this 2 additional butterfly species have managed to defy the odds and emerge recently in the County. First of all Simon Roddis was very surprised to see a fresh Wall Brown in his garden in Darley Dale on the 15th of May 2015 and then on the following day a mint Brown Argus (migrating) was seen by Pat and Ken Orpe at the Stanton Ironworks site, this bringing the May 2015 total to 19 species which is quite a surprise given the very unfavourable weather conditions experienced during the first 3 weeks of this month.
Not surprising but only a few Green Hairstreak sightings have been made during the last week including in Lathkill Dale (Ian White) and at the excellent site in South Derbyshire, namely Stanton Ironworks (Lyn Martin).Similarly only a few Small Copper sightings have been made including Rose End Meadows (Martin Cobham) and Lathkill Dale (Ian White), none of which were noted as being of the ‘blue spotted’ form. Just a handful of sightings of both the Common Blue and Small Heath were made recently including the former species at Stanton Ironworks (Lyn Martin) and the Derbyshire part of Toton Sidings (Brenda Meakin), whilst sightings of the latter species were made at Langley Mill Tip (Colin Penny) and at Stanton Ironworks (Pat & Ken Orpe). Although there have been no further sightings of the Painted Lady in the County recently, it is pleasing to report that Red Admirals were noted at Carsington Water (Brian Romans) and at Buxworth (Damian Hughes) during the last 7 days.
The highlight of the last week has been the number of sightings of the Dingy Skipper including at a new site at Ashbourne Airfield (Trevor Taylor) together with those at known brownfield sites in Lowland Derbyshire including Kilburn Tar Pits (Austin Thomas), Langley Mill Tip/Station (Colin Penny), the Derbyshire part of Toton Sidings (Brenda Meakin & Richard Rogers), West Hallam Tip/Peewit Carr Complex (Pat & Ken Orpe), Stanton Ironworks (Lyn Martin; Pat & Ken Orpe),
Drakelow NR (Tom Cockburn), Williamthorpe NR (Willy Lane), Poulter Country Park (Andy Laking & Shell), Poolsbrook Country Park (Glyn Morris), Barlborough Links (Colin Morris) and the Avenue Washlands, Wingerworth (Sam Ellis). In the Peak District sightings have been made at Cheedale (Steve Orridge) and Rose End Meadows NR (Martin Cobham & James Bradbury)., whilst in the Peak Fringe area, this species was noted at Crich Chase (Ross Pearson) and interestingly in an open area on the woodland walk at Crich Tramway Museum (Ian Hunt).
Finally although not actually to do with Lepidoptera, many recorders enjoy the sight and noise of ‘screaming’ swifts as they swoop around the rooftops of our area having travelled to us from Equatorial Africa. The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Derbyshire Ornithological Society are running a project on Swifts, which is a rapidly declining species. While they have only two and not four wings (!), should you see any flying BELOW roof height or even entering buildings please send full details (including property numbers/street names, post codes) to the survey organiser, Nick Brown nbrown@derbyshirewt.co.uk
Also, recently a definitive book on the Flora of Derbyshire was launched which is the first book on the subject since 1969 and it describes over 1900 plant species that can be found in the County together with over 1100 distribution maps of most of the species. In this connection it is possible to compare food plants of the caterpillars of Lepidoptera with the current distribution maps of particular butterfly species with, for example, Common Rock Rose and the distribution of the Brown Argus in the Peak District. With permission of Nick Moyes, one of the authors, I have attached the distribution map of Common Rock Rose for comparison with the distribution of the said butterfly. It can clearly be noted where the plant has been seen and then it is possible for searches to be made to establish whether the butterfly is also resident in those areas – clearly a challenge if recorders want to contribute to the knowledge of this Peak District speciality butterfly!
If you wish to purchase a copy of this excellent new hardback book, please look for the "Buy The Book" tab here: http://floraofderbyshire.blogspot.co.uk
Regards,
Ken Orpe

Newsletter for Historic Towns Forum May 2015

Report on BCA members dawn chorus walk

International dawn chorus day dawned, wet, very wet, and with just enough of a wind to make sure that you stayed chilled and cold. So it was just before five am on Sunday morning, that we, six adults and two children, gathered in Poole's Cavern visitor's car park, with rapidly dampening spirits and even damper Cagoules to celebrate international dawn chorus day with an early morning walk in Grin woods. A song thrush was awake though and despite the rain, sang us a welcome song, as we set off into the gloom and dankness of grin wood. Now I am not going to claim that I know the wood like the back of my hand, but over the twenty five years that I have been walking there, I guess I would say that I know it reasonably well. Not as well as the younger members of our party though. They seemed to know all the secret paths, and having the super observational skill of the young, had soon spotted what they thought might be badger claw marks. They might well have been right, but by now any self-respecting badger would have been tucked up in his sett; dry, warm, cosy and settling down for a nice lie in.

We stopped by the tree with the swinging branch and listened. Blackbirds and Robins competed with each other orchestrating a beautiful melody whilst in the background a wren favoured a more atonal call. As we moved on the rain intensified, robins and blackbirds continued to vie for pride of place and Steve claimed he heard a tree creeper.

We stopped again in the clearing that links the glades. A wood pigeon made a brief appearance, a blue tit kept up a steady barrage, and a couple of crows called from the top of the canopy. The light fitfully and reluctantly chased away the shadows and the wood began to resemble its old familiar self. The birds were falling silent. The rain was steady; we beat a hasty retreat back to the car park. It had been an experience.

The number and variety of species that we heard on Sunday was disappointing even allowing for the rain. One of the reasons for creating the woodland ride is to increase the variety of habitats available , that will in the long run improve the bio diversity of the wood and lead to an increase in the range of flora and fauna.

Species that we didn't hear but we know are in the woods are; Nuthatch, Coal and Great Tit, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Pied Flycatcher.

You can listen to a short clip of the some of the species that we heard by clicking on the link below.

Dawn Chorus in Grin Woods

April 2015 Members Newsletter

Buxton Civic Association prides itself on being a dog friendly business and place to visit. Not only is man's best friend allowed into the Cafe at the Cavern, our extensive woodland estate provides some fantastic walking for dogs of all sizes and fitness.

We have decided that it would be a good idea to hold a couple of events especially for dog walkers. Click on the link below for more details.

Dog Walking Events April - May 2015

A To Z on Assets of Community Value

First Steps Programme

Are you interested in developing practical action plans to improve your neighbourhood or housing estate? The Community Development
Foundation in partnership with Locality will be supporting 115 communities to decide what they do and don't like in their area, what
steps are needed to make positive changes, and which local partners they need to bring on board to make it happen.

The programme is aimed at small community groups. It offers practical support and grants to help develop community action plans: groups can get £2500 to work with others to help write their plan, as well as access to skills training, and a mentor to see them through the process. Participants will also be plugged into networks of other people who are doing similar things.

Groups can apply from 1 April 2015 and the closing date is 8 May 2015 so if you're interested head over to
www.mycommunity.org.uk/programme/first-steps to find out more

Community Economic Development Programme

The Community Economic Development (CED) programme is a new initiative designed for local community groups and organisations who want to take a lead in shaping their economies for the benefit of local communities. If you belong to a community that wants to work towards seeing real economic change in your area - whether this is in food, housing, finance, energy or any other local economic opportunities - then the CED programme will set you on the right path.

The programme provides specialist support, advice and grant funding to help residents, local business and public sector organisations to work together to develop the best ideas to strengthen the local economy.
Whether that's working on a strategy to promote local spending, exploring the possibility of developing a rural broadband co-operative, or working with key organisations to promote community-led housing, this programme wants passionate people who are committed to working together on a local economic plan that can deliver real local benefits.

For more information visit
http://mycommunity.org.uk/programme/community-economic-development/

Neighbourhood Planning Programme

Do you belong to a community that would like to shape its future growth and development? For example, have a say over where new homes, shops and offices are built, where green spaces are protected, and what new buildings look like. If so, you can do this by developing a Neighbourhood Plan, which is used in judging planning applications and has the same weight in law as a Local Planning Authority's Local Plan.

The 2015-18 Neighbourhood Planning Support Programme is now open to help you to do this. The Programme provides grants of up to £8,000 for all neighbourhood planning groups, and those groups facing more difficult issues can
access expert help from planning specialists, and may also be eligible for a further £6,000 in grant. A phone and web advice service is also available alongside a range of resources to help groups progress their plans.

For more information please visit
http://mycommunity.org.uk/programme/neighbourhood-planning/

Community Buildings and Housing Programme

Do you belong to a Community that would like to bring forward new community buildings or housing, and obtain planning permission for it, without having to apply to the Local Planning Authority through the normal planning application process? For example , this could include getting permission for community-led developments such as affordable housing for rent, community facilities such as a children's playground, or the conversion of disused buildings into community facilities. If so, you can do this by preparing a 'Community Right to Build Order' and the 2015-18 Community Buildings & Housing Support Programme is available to help you to do this.

The Programme provides two types of support - the Community Buildings Pre-Feasibility Grant of up to £10,000 and the Community Buildings Project Support Grant of up to £40,000. These will help you to refine and assess the viability of your proposal, and will help you with collecting evidence and information needed to take the project forward through to getting permission.

The Programme is now open so if you are interested please visit http://mycommunity.org.uk/programme/community-buildings-housing/

A lunch was held at the Lee wood Hotel by the Directors of BCA to celebrate Paul Dinsdale's time as Chair and wished him well in his new life in France. As well as the Directors and Business Development Manager, Olive Middleton one of the founder members of BCA also attended.