Butterfly observations

On WMF, we have been actively planting and manging areas to attract specific butterfly species. Butterfly observation surveys were undertaken by WMF volunteers throughout the 2025 season and are underway again for 2026. Sightings reports are uploaded to the national UKBMS recording database https://ukbms.org/

Wild Maple Field has received a number of special mentions in the species reports for the East Midlands. Including:

Brown Argus Migrating

“A few late sightings of this species in Lowland Derbyshire with records up to the 13 Sept 2025 coming from Witches Oak Water NR, Shardlow (Rob Shaw), Willington G P ( Richard Winspear), Markham Vale South (Sid Morris) and Seale Wood, Overseal (Peter Brewster) with a surprising sighting on the hillside above Wirksworth at Wild Maple Field on the 12th of September 2025 (Jane Flint) - yet more evidence that this species is about the link up with the Peak District version such as at the other calcareous grasslands where this has already occurred in the past (Cromford Hill and at the National Stone Centre).”

If you are interested in learning more about the survey results, or would like to join in the transect walks next season, please do Contact Us.