Rain finally gives way to sun at sixth Hoe Grange Open Day
The soggy start to the day, augmented by a poor weather forecast, limited the number of people attending this year’s Hoe Grange Quarry open day, which has been running since 2017. There were still 200 brave souls who turned up at Derbyshire’s first dedicated butterfly reserve, and by the end of the afternoon the weather had improved enough for the later arrivals to enjoy seeing up to 10 species.
Since Longcliffe Quarries Limited handed the disused limestone quarry back to nature in the 1970s, the 4.75 hectare space has – with more recent help from volunteer planting events to boost the variety of flora and regular monitoring by East Midlands Butterfly Conservation (EMBC) personnel – developed into a brilliant habitat for butterflies and moths (and plenty of other wildlife).
Effectively a joint venture between Longcliffe Quarries, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation’s East Midlands branch, the Hoe Grange Quarry reserve is overseen by an EMBC warden and the site of one of Derbyshire’s numerous butterfly transects, recording more and more species as the habitat developed and matured.
Over the past eight years, 17,500 butterflies of 32 species have been counted, including three BAP species: Wall Brown, Dingy Skipper and Small Heath. Two Peak District specialities – Dark Green Fritillary and local variant of Brown Argus – have been sighted there.
The open day has been a popular annual event on the local Butterfly Conservation calendar (though Covid led to a two-year absence) and, on sunnier days, as many as 600 people have previously pored over the luxuriant vegetation seeking butterflies and moths.
Despite the slightly smaller crowds at Hoe Grange this year, there were some far-flung visitors as nature-lovers from Cornwall, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Surrey, holidaying at nearby Blore Hall, booked a mini-bus to attend.
EMBC representatives welcomed and signed visitors in, raised funds through merchandise sales, and undertook guided tours. Meanwhile, Longcliffe were, as ever, generous hosts, laying on refreshments and areas to sit and relax. There was plenty of coffee and cake to help keep visitors warm and well fed, though neither did the conditions stop queues forming at the ice-cream van!
As the late sun emerged this year, the species list grew and eventually was still quite impressive – comprising Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Small Copper, Common Blue, Small and Large Skippers, a well-worn Dingy Skipper.
The sales table was kept busy throughout the day, and £460 was raised. Thanks go to all branch members and supporters who helped out on the day, including Jane Broomhead, Ken and Pat Orpe, Sylvia and John Green, Jim Steele and Jeanette Bradbury (apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten ... thanks to you, too!).