On a wet overcast day at Newchurch Common not many invertebrates were seen.
A few Longhorn Moths (Nemophora degeerella) danced over nettle patches in display. The mosses were teeming with Swollen-thighed Beetles. A few Garden Chafers had emerged, later on I expect there to be loads of these.
Lots of Common Twayblades are now in flower in the woods. Fox and Cubs/Orange Hawkweed(Hieracium aurantiacum) was a new plant for my patch.
John Williams said
Sat May 25 11:48 PM, 2019
Langsett Reservoir & Moor (South Yorkshire) 10.00-15.00
Butterflies : 2 Green Hairstreaks, 1 Orange Tip plus numerous Large and Small Whites.
Moths : Numerous Common Heath, several "Adela Reaumurella" and 1 Brown Silver Line.
Also 1 Parent Bug, 1 Two Banded Longhorn Beetle and 1"Ceropis Vulnerata" froghopper.
John Williams said
Thu May 23 10:24 PM, 2019
Marbury Country Park (Cheshire) : 2 Brimstone butterflies, also a large Hornet was seen by one of the big mere side alders.
Neumanns Flash : 2 Dingy Skipper and 2 Speckled Wood butterflies, also 1 "Arbustorum" type hoverfly.
Dry heath area near the Haydn Pool : 1 Common Blue and 1 Orange Tip butterflies plus 1 Common Blue damselfly.
3 Green Dock Beetles, including mating pair, on dock leaves alongside Elton Hall Flash. Also 2 Wasp Beetles.
Banded Demoiselles were showing well, mainly around the nettle patches alongside EHF.
1 Azure Damselfly was also seen there.
John Williams said
Sun May 19 4:56 PM, 2019
White Coppice (Lancs)
Several Common Heath moths were seen along the edge of the moor.
A mining bee resembling "Halictus Rubicundus" was seen entering a small hole in the ground alongside
the moorland edge footpath to Heatherlea Woods.
John Williams said
Thu May 16 11:14 PM, 2019
South Stack RSPB Holyhead. 11.00-16.00
1 Grey Seal was seen at the base of the cliffs.
On the dry heath were : 1 Common Lizard, 1 Green Tiger Beetle, 2 Rose Chafers and 1 "Ammophila" type wasp.
Butterflies were plentiful, but they were all Wall Browns.
Doc Brewster said
Thu May 16 10:09 PM, 2019
Another walk this morning in hot sunshine on Newchurch Common and the adjoining mosslands.
One Green Hairstreak joined singles of Large White, Small White, Peacock and Speckled Wood as butterfly numbers were surprisingly low. A massive hatch of damsels on Shemmy Moss comprised 130+Azure Damselflies and 30+Large Red Damselflies. Two Downy Emeralds were still flying the rides here. Over at Big Pool still 50+Common Blue Damselflies.
A Common Lizard was on Abbot's Moss along with Green Tiger Beetles.
John Williams said
Tue May 14 11:59 PM, 2019
Lymm Dam & The Bongs.
Butterflies : 1 Speckled Wood and lots of Large Whites.
A large Hornet was surveying a hollow branch on a tree by the Avenue entrance, it then showed an interest in me,
so it was time a quick exit.
There appeared to be plenty of Sticklbacks in Bradley Brook at the point where the path through the Bongs crosses it.
Several of them seemed to be sizeable examples too, for a small fish species that is.
Doc Brewster said
Tue May 14 11:09 PM, 2019
A great walk this morning in hot sunshine on Newchurch Common and the adjoining mosslands.
Star insects were 3+Downy Emerald Dragonflies newly emerged in trees near Gull Pool by the bench on the Whitegate Way and two undisclosed sites too. Also newly emerged were 2 Red-eyed Damselflies, both near Big Pool in bramble patches. My first Large Red Damselflies (2) were seen today too as well as Azure (5) and Common Blue (100+) Damselflies. Butterflies seen included 2 Green Hairstreaks, Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White and Orange-tip. Moths seen were Cinnabar and Silver-ground Carpet.
A Devil's Coach Horse Beetle was nice to see, as well as Nettle Weevil. Harlequin Ladybird and 7-Spot Ladybird were seen. A Green Shield Bug flew in as I was watching a Downy Emerald! Lots of Common Drone Flies were seen. There was a massive hatch of the Cranefly Tipula fascipennis.
John Williams said
Sat May 11 5:36 PM, 2019
Marshside RSPB Reserve
Butterflies : 2 Wall Browns (Near Sandgrounders), 4 Peacocks, 4 Orange Tips and 4 Large Whites.
Doc Brewster said
Tue May 7 11:39 PM, 2019
At Newchurch Common this afternoon in the sun there were plenty of inverts about.
Butterflies included Holly Blue, Large White, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Orange-tip and Speckled Wood. A Brown Silver-line Moth was also seen. My first odonata were teneral Common Blue Damselflies, a hatch must have just occurred. Other inverts were Dronefly and Footballer Hoverfly, Yellow Dungfly, Red and Black Froghopper, Alder Leaf Beetle, 14-Spot Ladybird, an Alder Fly, a Caddis Fly larva and Nursery Web Spider. Common Twayblade plants are just emerging too.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 7th of May 2019 11:40:14 PM
John Williams said
Tue May 7 10:09 PM, 2019
White Coppice & surrounding moorland (Lancs)
1 Latticed Heath Moth. "Adela Reaumurella" type moths were widespread on the moorland.
Butterflies seen around the moor : 1 Green Hairstreak, 1 Peacock and 2 Speckled Woods.
St Mark's Flies were still plentiful.
John Williams said
Mon May 6 3:27 PM, 2019
Woolston Eyes 09.00-12.00
No.3 Bed : With a cool Northerly breeze blowing, a single "Adela Reamurella" type moth and several caddis flies were the only insects seen.
John Williams said
Tue Apr 30 5:16 PM, 2019
Pilling Marsh (Lancs)
Along the seawall/embankment :
Butterflies : 2 Green Veined Whites and 1 Speckled Wood.
Numerous small bees were seen along the top of the embankment, they resembled "Colletes Succinctus", but
my field guide advises this species does not normally appear until July.
Also 1 soldier beetle "Malthinus flavolus", 1 Alder Leaf Beetle and lots of St Marks Flies.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Apr 30 4:48 PM, 2019
A sunny morning, not massively warm but OK, on my Newchurch Common Patch, and we're getting into insect season, I'm really pleased!
Highlight was my first Green Hairstreaks of this year, with approx. 8 individuals seen on the mosslands as usual. Also a first for the year were Green Tiger Beetles, with at least 5 seen. I love these speedy, voracious predators, they are the miniature velociraptors of my patch!! Other butterflies on the wing included lots of Orange-tips, a couple of Peacocks and a Green-veined White. My first Common Heath moths were also seen. White-tailed Bumblebees were again foraging but sluggishly as it isn't really very warm yet.
1 dog Otter plus a female with 2 cubs were seen on the pool in front of the Causeway hide.
The male was seen swimming towards 12 small Mallard ducklings and their mother, but then he disappeared into the reeds.
The female Otter and her 2 cubs spent a lot of time playing together in the centre of the pool.
Butterflies seen (Combined count from the main reserve and the Eric Morecombe Complex) :
7 Orange Tips, 3 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Speckled Woods and 1 Peacock.
There had been a mass hatch of St.Mark's Flies at the Eric Morcombe Complex.
Paul Beachcroft said
Tue Apr 23 4:47 PM, 2019
Burton Mere and Inner Marsh Farm RSPB, Monday 22nd April 2019, 11.00am - 16.00: Orange Tip and Brimstone butterflies....
John Williams said
Mon Apr 22 1:49 PM, 2019
08.30-11.00
Burtonwood (Cheshire)
Sankey Valley Trail (Causey Bridge-Newton Brook)
& along the track between Alder Lane and Farmers Lane.
Butterflies : 6 Speckled Woods, 6 Orange Tips, 4 Small Tortoiseshells, 3 Small Whites and 2 Peacocks.
John Williams said
Sat Apr 20 11:34 PM, 2019
Neumanns Flash & Marbury Country Park : 10.00-15.00
Butterflies : Brimstones, Orange Tips and Peacocks in profusion.
Also 6 Speckled Woods, 3 Small Whites and 1 Green Veined White.
A single large black bee by Marbury Lane looked very much like "Andrena Pilipes"
Doc Brewster said
Fri Apr 19 10:57 PM, 2019
At Newchurch Common this afternoon lots of Orange-tip butterflies, Brimstones (males & females), Peacock and Green-veined White. Alos Ashy Mining Bee & Tawny Mining Bee.
John O'Neill said
Wed Apr 17 8:10 PM, 2019
Penketh
Holly Blue on the wing this PM, first of year for me.
Mark Jarrett said
Wed Apr 17 4:54 PM, 2019
A few butterflies on the wing this morning in Primrosehill Wood, nr Kelsall, Cheshire :-
Peacock (8) Orange Tip (6) Comma (1)
John Williams said
Wed Apr 10 10:55 PM, 2019
Langden Valley Trough of Bowland Lancs 10.30-17.00
1 Green Tiger Beetle. 2 Green Hairstreak (Mating Pair) and 2 Peacock Butterflies.
John Williams said
Mon Apr 8 4:42 PM, 2019
Gatewarth (Former tip site) Penketh Warrington
09.30-13.00.
Butterflies : 14m + 2f Orange Tips, 5 Brimstones, 4 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Commas, 2 Peacocks, 4 Speckled Woods and 2 Large Whites.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Mar 29 10:54 PM, 2019
At Newchurch Common pm today in the sunshine lots of fresh Peacock butterflies , a couple of Commas and a few White-tailed Bumblebees.
John Williams said
Mon Mar 25 7:51 PM, 2019
Langden Valley (Trough of Bowland)
11.00-16.00
4 Peacock Butterflies and a single 7-Spot Ladybird.
John Williams said
Wed Mar 20 11:59 PM, 2019
Burtonwood (Cheshire)
Mid-afternoon
A scrum of 8 mating Common Toads, plus 2 Common Frogs were in the flooded horse paddock by the Sankey Valley Trail near Hollins Lane roadbridge.
Between the roadbridge and Newton Brook (Merseyside border) were 2 Peacock butterflies.
1 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly was along the track from Old Alder Lane towards Farmers Lane.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Mar 20 10:28 PM, 2019
In the sunshine at Newchurch Common, Cheshire today I had the spectacle of dozens of Common Toads in the water mating, looking forward to strings of toadspawn very very soon. Also just the one butterfly, a pristine Peacock.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 20th of March 2019 10:29:06 PM
John Williams said
Sat Mar 2 11:11 PM, 2019
Callands Warrington
1 Satellite moth ( Eupsilia transversa ) attracted to house lights this evening.
John Williams said
Wed Feb 27 5:40 PM, 2019
Woolston Eyes (No,3 Bed) 10.00-14.30
2 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies and several early Honey Bees ( Including one allowing a close approach whilst it fed on nectar from sallow blossom).
Bumble bees appeared abundant and included at least 2 "lucorum".
Doc Brewster said
Tue Feb 26 5:13 PM, 2019
In the sunshine and warmth of my Newchurch Patch in Cheshire this morning I had my first butterfly of the year there, a Comma, patrolling banks of brambles at the edge of Shemmy Moss. On Abbot's Moss I had a February Common Lizard, an adult and unusually a black form.
John O'Neill said
Sun Feb 24 4:15 PM, 2019
Penketh
First butterfly of the year for me this PM.
Comma flying in the sunshine.
John O'Neill said
Wed Feb 13 5:10 PM, 2019
Fiddlers Ferry
Fields opposite Fiddlers Ferry Pub, Penketh
430 pm
2 Foxes chasing round at full tilt. Entertaining to watch.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Dec 23 11:00 PM, 2018
Not been out for over a week due to ill health, but had a lift from my wife today to see something she found whilst out riding yesterday. I had to go seeing as how it was within my recording area for Newchurch Common, quite near the area that you park in to access the site. It was a Collared Earthstar Fungus, a first fro patch and actually the first I've ever seen too. Well worth the short trip out in the rain and in pain!
piccy attached to help folk ID this relatievly common but more scarcely seen fungus.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 24th of December 2018 12:23:22 PM
Norfolk. Whilst driving through Lincolnshire and Norfolk yesterday, I had some interesting Mammal sightings. I actually stopped and identified them.
- Reeve's Muntjac (my first). Sadly it was a roadkill, unmistakable with the arched back and diagnostic face. No horns - a Doe.
- Sika Deer. Sadly also roadkill, this was also a female - a small Hind, in her winter coat, darkish grey brown without the spots, and the diagnostic feature that drew me in the first place was the white rump with the definitive black outline.
- Polecat. Again dead at the roadside unfortunately, totally unexpected in this area. Difficult to tell if true Polecat in some cases, looked ok though.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Oct 25 10:30 PM, 2018
On Newchurch today a Migrant Hawker dragonfly was still on the wing.
I also had the pleasure of taking 3 folk to see and photograph Midden Inkcap mushrooms that Carys & I found and identified near to Newchurch at Foxwist Green. Also there were Common Brown Cup fungi.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Oct 22 5:21 PM, 2018
On Newchurch today a late October butterfly, a pristine Peacock. Maybe the last butterfly I'll record on there this year.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 22nd of October 2018 05:21:51 PM
Doc Brewster said
Wed Oct 17 9:34 PM, 2018
A bit of warmth today at Newchurch Common produced a few invertebrate sightings.
A Small Copper butterfly sat torpid on Ragwort on Shemmy Moss, with the same plants hosting several nectaring Common Carder Bees. Dandelions neaby had a couple of Marmalade Hoverflies on them. A Seven-spot Ladybird was on Abbot's Moss. Another Hornet was on the Whitegate Way near Gull Pool, it has been a bumper year for these in Cheshire.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Oct 15 10:48 PM, 2018
Fungi are fab at the moment, had Yellow Fieldcap (picture) at Newchurch Common today as well as Fly Agaric, Sulphur Cap, Candle Snuff and Common Earthball.
Nearby in Whitegate at the horse paddocks the rarely recorded Midden Inkcap fungus was growing on the muckheap as well as Brown Cup fungus.
A late report, I had a Migrant Hawker Dragonfly at Newchurch Common on 11th October.
Large dog stoat ran across the road as I was traveling between wrightington and parbold, just before you start to climb the hill . 9am on Sunday .
Rob Creek said
Sun Sep 30 6:06 PM, 2018
Saturday 29th September 2018
Gravesend, Kent.
- Beluga Whale 1 (Lifer !!!) When this Arctic dwelling close relative of the Narwhal turned up in the Thames and decided to stay a few days, I just had to go and see it. I arrived at the Ship and Lobster pub at 10.40am and found the small dead-end viewpoint looking out over the river, but I'd missed it by 10 minutes. Another report came through saying it was seen near the ferry terminal a mile away. You can't walk the whole river front, its path stops at various points and you have to revert back to the road. Luckily a local knew where to go and around 20 of us followed him down the back street paths behind the dock industrial area. Everyone commented that they wouldn't have walked the route alone, it was quite creepy! But he was true to his word and we soon found ourselves watching the Beluga from the leisure area on the river front with lots more people. An absolute quality Mammal and it showed well, surfacing regularly whilst it was feeding, and provided good scope views. Worth every second of the 4 hour drive down and even longer drive back.
Also a Hornet Hoverfly (Zonaria) landed on a leaf at the original viewpoint right infront of a few of us, it was massive and beautifully marked. The UK's largest Hoverfly I was told.
Butterflies : 1 Small Copper, 2 Red Admirals and 8 Speckled Woods.
Dragonflies : 2f Common Darters (Both looking very shabby).
Also 1 10 spot Ladybird.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Sep 28 10:37 PM, 2018
Late news - 2-3 Noctule Bats were seen tonight on the outskirts of my home village of Moulton, Cheshire as we walked home from the pub!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 28th of September 2018 10:38:12 PM
Doc Brewster said
Fri Sep 28 10:34 PM, 2018
A really interesting walk in the warm sun, for the second day running at Newchurch Common, although yesterday was with the horses and no binoculars.
Today a highlight was a Southern Hawker dragonfly. Alao soon were a few butterflies, namely Small Copper, Comma, Small White and Large White,Speckled Wood being seen yesterday as was Red Admiral. Hoverflies included Sericomya silentis, Eristalis tenax and Episyrphus balteatus. Two 4-Spot Orb Weaver Spiders were seen on the mosslands and a few 7-Spot Ladybirds were present here too.
John Williams said
Wed Sep 26 10:43 PM, 2018
Elton Hall Flash Sandbach 17.30-19.20
Apart from gnats the only insects seen were 1 Southern Hawker dragonfly and 1 Red Admiral butterfly.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Sep 25 11:29 PM, 2018
On Newchurch Common today, in the sun a few inverts of note were seen, namely Common Darter dragonflies, as well as a few butterflies: Speckled Wood, Small White and Large White. A nice display of Fly Agaric Fungi was seen as well as several Shaggy Inkcaps.
A Migrant Hawker was seen nearbly as well as several Hornets agaiin.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 26th of September 2018 10:52:43 AM
Doc Brewster said
Sun Sep 16 2:55 PM, 2018
Several Hornets seen today out hunting, quite surprisingly given the showery weather. They were noted both at Newchurch Common and at nearby Foxwist Green, where we stable the horses.
John Williams said
Sat Sep 15 10:18 PM, 2018
10.00-16.00
Leighton Moss RSPB : Butterflies : 1 Comma (Nr Allen Hide) and 5 Speckled Woods.
Dragonflies :1 Southern Hawker (Along the Causeway)and Migrant Hawkers in profusion.
1 large Common Toad was sitting in the middle of the path leading to the Lower Hide,and it took a lot of persuading that
it was safer to be in the adjoining long grass.
Mike Chorley said
Tue Sep 11 8:56 PM, 2018
10 minutes in the family garden in Maghull, nr Liverpool.
Painted Lady 1 Red Admiral 2 Small Tortoiseshell 1 Large White 2 Small Copper 1 this last nectaring on Ragwort, the others feeding on Buddleia and Honeysuckle.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Sep 5 7:04 PM, 2018
At Windmill Farm NR on The Lizard today we had 2 live Adders but sadly 1 dead one. A couple of Common Lizards were present. One surprise was a male Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly on a pool rather than running water. Two Emperor dragonflies were also seen. A few Silver-Y moths were about.
On a wet overcast day at Newchurch Common not many invertebrates were seen.
A few Longhorn Moths (Nemophora degeerella) danced over nettle patches in display. The mosses were teeming with Swollen-thighed Beetles. A few Garden Chafers had emerged, later on I expect there to be loads of these.
Lots of Common Twayblades are now in flower in the woods. Fox and Cubs/Orange Hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) was a new plant for my patch.
Butterflies : 2 Green Hairstreaks, 1 Orange Tip plus numerous Large and Small Whites.
Moths : Numerous Common Heath, several "Adela Reaumurella" and 1 Brown Silver Line.
Also 1 Parent Bug, 1 Two Banded Longhorn Beetle and 1"Ceropis Vulnerata" froghopper.
Neumanns Flash : 2 Dingy Skipper and 2 Speckled Wood butterflies, also 1 "Arbustorum" type hoverfly.
Dry heath area near the Haydn Pool : 1 Common Blue and 1 Orange Tip butterflies plus 1 Common Blue damselfly.
1 Brown Silver Line plus 1 Poplar Kitten moths.
Butterflies : 1 Holly Blue, 1 Comma and 5 Orange Tips.
3 Green Dock Beetles, including mating pair, on dock leaves alongside Elton Hall Flash. Also 2 Wasp Beetles.
Banded Demoiselles were showing well, mainly around the nettle patches alongside EHF.
1 Azure Damselfly was also seen there.
Several Common Heath moths were seen along the edge of the moor.
A mining bee resembling "Halictus Rubicundus" was seen entering a small hole in the ground alongside
the moorland edge footpath to Heatherlea Woods.
1 Grey Seal was seen at the base of the cliffs.
On the dry heath were : 1 Common Lizard, 1 Green Tiger Beetle, 2 Rose Chafers and 1 "Ammophila" type wasp.
Butterflies were plentiful, but they were all Wall Browns.
Another walk this morning in hot sunshine on Newchurch Common and the adjoining mosslands.
One Green Hairstreak joined singles of Large White, Small White, Peacock and Speckled Wood as butterfly numbers were surprisingly low. A massive hatch of damsels on Shemmy Moss comprised 130+Azure Damselflies and 30+Large Red Damselflies. Two Downy Emeralds were still flying the rides here. Over at Big Pool still 50+Common Blue Damselflies.
A Common Lizard was on Abbot's Moss along with Green Tiger Beetles.
Butterflies : 1 Speckled Wood and lots of Large Whites.
A large Hornet was surveying a hollow branch on a tree by the Avenue entrance, it then showed an interest in me,
so it was time a quick exit.
There appeared to be plenty of Sticklbacks in Bradley Brook at the point where the path through the Bongs crosses it.
Several of them seemed to be sizeable examples too, for a small fish species that is.
A great walk this morning in hot sunshine on Newchurch Common and the adjoining mosslands.
Star insects were 3+Downy Emerald Dragonflies newly emerged in trees near Gull Pool by the bench on the Whitegate Way and two undisclosed sites too. Also newly emerged were 2 Red-eyed Damselflies, both near Big Pool in bramble patches. My first Large Red Damselflies (2) were seen today too as well as Azure (5) and Common Blue (100+) Damselflies. Butterflies seen included 2 Green Hairstreaks, Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White and Orange-tip. Moths seen were Cinnabar and Silver-ground Carpet.
A Devil's Coach Horse Beetle was nice to see, as well as Nettle Weevil. Harlequin Ladybird and 7-Spot Ladybird were seen. A Green Shield Bug flew in as I was watching a Downy Emerald! Lots of Common Drone Flies were seen. There was a massive hatch of the Cranefly Tipula fascipennis.
Butterflies : 2 Wall Browns (Near Sandgrounders), 4 Peacocks, 4 Orange Tips and 4 Large Whites.
At Newchurch Common this afternoon in the sun there were plenty of inverts about.
Butterflies included Holly Blue, Large White, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Orange-tip and Speckled Wood. A Brown Silver-line Moth was also seen. My first odonata were teneral Common Blue Damselflies, a hatch must have just occurred. Other inverts were Dronefly and Footballer Hoverfly, Yellow Dungfly, Red and Black Froghopper, Alder Leaf Beetle, 14-Spot Ladybird, an Alder Fly, a Caddis Fly larva and Nursery Web Spider. Common Twayblade plants are just emerging too.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 7th of May 2019 11:40:14 PM
1 Latticed Heath Moth. "Adela Reaumurella" type moths were widespread on the moorland.
Butterflies seen around the moor : 1 Green Hairstreak, 1 Peacock and 2 Speckled Woods.
St Mark's Flies were still plentiful.
No.3 Bed : With a cool Northerly breeze blowing, a single "Adela Reamurella" type moth and several caddis flies were the only insects seen.
Along the seawall/embankment :
Butterflies : 2 Green Veined Whites and 1 Speckled Wood.
Numerous small bees were seen along the top of the embankment, they resembled "Colletes Succinctus", but
my field guide advises this species does not normally appear until July.
Also 1 soldier beetle "Malthinus flavolus", 1 Alder Leaf Beetle and lots of St Marks Flies.
A sunny morning, not massively warm but OK, on my Newchurch Common Patch, and we're getting into insect season, I'm really pleased!
Highlight was my first Green Hairstreaks of this year, with approx. 8 individuals seen on the mosslands as usual. Also a first for the year were Green Tiger Beetles, with at least 5 seen. I love these speedy, voracious predators, they are the miniature velociraptors of my patch!! Other butterflies on the wing included lots of Orange-tips, a couple of Peacocks and a Green-veined White. My first Common Heath moths were also seen. White-tailed Bumblebees were again foraging but sluggishly as it isn't really very warm yet.
Picture of Orange-tip and Green Tiger Beetle.
1 dog Otter plus a female with 2 cubs were seen on the pool in front of the Causeway hide.
The male was seen swimming towards 12 small Mallard ducklings and their mother, but then he disappeared into the reeds.
The female Otter and her 2 cubs spent a lot of time playing together in the centre of the pool.
Butterflies seen (Combined count from the main reserve and the Eric Morecombe Complex) :
7 Orange Tips, 3 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Speckled Woods and 1 Peacock.
There had been a mass hatch of St.Mark's Flies at the Eric Morcombe Complex.
Burton Mere and Inner Marsh Farm RSPB, Monday 22nd April 2019, 11.00am - 16.00: Orange Tip and Brimstone butterflies....
Burtonwood (Cheshire)
Sankey Valley Trail (Causey Bridge-Newton Brook)
& along the track between Alder Lane and Farmers Lane.
Butterflies : 6 Speckled Woods, 6 Orange Tips, 4 Small Tortoiseshells, 3 Small Whites and 2 Peacocks.
Butterflies : Brimstones, Orange Tips and Peacocks in profusion.
Also 6 Speckled Woods, 3 Small Whites and 1 Green Veined White.
A single large black bee by Marbury Lane looked very much like "Andrena Pilipes"
At Newchurch Common this afternoon lots of Orange-tip butterflies, Brimstones (males & females), Peacock and Green-veined White. Alos Ashy Mining Bee & Tawny Mining Bee.
Holly Blue on the wing this PM, first of year for me.
Peacock (8)
Orange Tip (6)
Comma (1)
1 Green Tiger Beetle. 2 Green Hairstreak (Mating Pair) and 2 Peacock Butterflies.
09.30-13.00.
Butterflies : 14m + 2f Orange Tips, 5 Brimstones, 4 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Commas, 2 Peacocks, 4 Speckled Woods and 2 Large Whites.
At Newchurch Common pm today in the sunshine lots of fresh Peacock butterflies , a couple of Commas and a few White-tailed Bumblebees.
11.00-16.00
4 Peacock Butterflies and a single 7-Spot Ladybird.
Mid-afternoon
A scrum of 8 mating Common Toads, plus 2 Common Frogs were in the flooded horse paddock by the Sankey Valley Trail near Hollins Lane roadbridge.
Between the roadbridge and Newton Brook (Merseyside border) were 2 Peacock butterflies.
1 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly was along the track from Old Alder Lane towards Farmers Lane.
In the sunshine at Newchurch Common, Cheshire today I had the spectacle of dozens of Common Toads in the water mating, looking forward to strings of toadspawn very very soon. Also just the one butterfly, a pristine Peacock.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 20th of March 2019 10:29:06 PM
1 Satellite moth ( Eupsilia transversa ) attracted to house lights this evening.
2 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies and several early Honey Bees ( Including one allowing a close approach whilst it fed on nectar from sallow blossom).
Bumble bees appeared abundant and included at least 2 "lucorum".
In the sunshine and warmth of my Newchurch Patch in Cheshire this morning I had my first butterfly of the year there, a Comma, patrolling banks of brambles at the edge of Shemmy Moss. On Abbot's Moss I had a February Common Lizard, an adult and unusually a black form.
First butterfly of the year for me this PM.
Comma flying in the sunshine.
Fields opposite Fiddlers Ferry Pub, Penketh
430 pm
2 Foxes chasing round at full tilt. Entertaining to watch.
Not been out for over a week due to ill health, but had a lift from my wife today to see something she found whilst out riding yesterday. I had to go seeing as how it was within my recording area for Newchurch Common, quite near the area that you park in to access the site. It was a Collared Earthstar Fungus, a first fro patch and actually the first I've ever seen too. Well worth the short trip out in the rain and in pain!
piccy attached to help folk ID this relatievly common but more scarcely seen fungus.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 24th of December 2018 12:23:22 PM
Norfolk.
Whilst driving through Lincolnshire and Norfolk yesterday, I had some interesting Mammal sightings. I actually stopped and identified them.
- Reeve's Muntjac (my first). Sadly it was a roadkill, unmistakable with the arched back and diagnostic face. No horns - a Doe.
- Sika Deer. Sadly also roadkill, this was also a female - a small Hind, in her winter coat, darkish grey brown without the spots, and the diagnostic feature that drew me in the first place was the white rump with the definitive black outline.
- Polecat. Again dead at the roadside unfortunately, totally unexpected in this area. Difficult to tell if true Polecat in some cases, looked ok though.
On Newchurch today a Migrant Hawker dragonfly was still on the wing.
I also had the pleasure of taking 3 folk to see and photograph Midden Inkcap mushrooms that Carys & I found and identified near to Newchurch at Foxwist Green. Also there were Common Brown Cup fungi.
On Newchurch today a late October butterfly, a pristine Peacock. Maybe the last butterfly I'll record on there this year.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 22nd of October 2018 05:21:51 PM
A bit of warmth today at Newchurch Common produced a few invertebrate sightings.
A Small Copper butterfly sat torpid on Ragwort on Shemmy Moss, with the same plants hosting several nectaring Common Carder Bees. Dandelions neaby had a couple of Marmalade Hoverflies on them. A Seven-spot Ladybird was on Abbot's Moss. Another Hornet was on the Whitegate Way near Gull Pool, it has been a bumper year for these in Cheshire.
Fungi are fab at the moment, had Yellow Fieldcap (picture) at Newchurch Common today as well as Fly Agaric, Sulphur Cap, Candle Snuff and Common Earthball.
Nearby in Whitegate at the horse paddocks the rarely recorded Midden Inkcap fungus was growing on the muckheap as well as Brown Cup fungus.
A late report, I had a Migrant Hawker Dragonfly at Newchurch Common on 11th October.
Gravesend, Kent.
- Beluga Whale 1 (Lifer !!!)
When this Arctic dwelling close relative of the Narwhal turned up in the Thames and decided to stay a few days, I just had to go and see it.
I arrived at the Ship and Lobster pub at 10.40am and found the small dead-end viewpoint looking out over the river, but I'd missed it by 10 minutes.
Another report came through saying it was seen near the ferry terminal a mile away. You can't walk the whole river front, its path stops at various points and you have to revert back to the road. Luckily a local knew where to go and around 20 of us followed him down the back street paths behind the dock industrial area. Everyone commented that they wouldn't have walked the route alone, it was quite creepy! But he was true to his word and we soon found ourselves watching the Beluga from the leisure area on the river front with lots more people.
An absolute quality Mammal and it showed well, surfacing regularly whilst it was feeding, and provided good scope views. Worth every second of the 4 hour drive down and even longer drive back.
Also a Hornet Hoverfly (Zonaria) landed on a leaf at the original viewpoint right infront of a few of us, it was massive
and beautifully marked. The UK's largest Hoverfly I was told.
Around midday on No 3 Bed.
Butterflies : 1 Small Copper, 2 Red Admirals and 8 Speckled Woods.
Dragonflies : 2f Common Darters (Both looking very shabby).
Also 1 10 spot Ladybird.
Late news - 2-3 Noctule Bats were seen tonight on the outskirts of my home village of Moulton, Cheshire as we walked home from the pub!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 28th of September 2018 10:38:12 PM
A really interesting walk in the warm sun, for the second day running at Newchurch Common, although yesterday was with the horses and no binoculars.
Today a highlight was a Southern Hawker dragonfly. Alao soon were a few butterflies, namely Small Copper, Comma, Small White and Large White, Speckled Wood being seen yesterday as was Red Admiral. Hoverflies included Sericomya silentis, Eristalis tenax and Episyrphus balteatus. Two 4-Spot Orb Weaver Spiders were seen on the mosslands and a few 7-Spot Ladybirds were present here too.
Apart from gnats the only insects seen were 1 Southern Hawker dragonfly and 1 Red Admiral butterfly.
On Newchurch Common today, in the sun a few inverts of note were seen, namely Common Darter dragonflies, as well as a few butterflies: Speckled Wood, Small White and Large White. A nice display of Fly Agaric Fungi was seen as well as several Shaggy Inkcaps.
A Migrant Hawker was seen nearbly as well as several Hornets agaiin.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 26th of September 2018 10:52:43 AM
Several Hornets seen today out hunting, quite surprisingly given the showery weather. They were noted both at Newchurch Common and at nearby Foxwist Green, where we stable the horses.
Leighton Moss RSPB : Butterflies : 1 Comma (Nr Allen Hide) and 5 Speckled Woods.
Dragonflies :1 Southern Hawker (Along the Causeway)and Migrant Hawkers in profusion.
1 large Common Toad was sitting in the middle of the path leading to the Lower Hide,and it took a lot of persuading that
it was safer to be in the adjoining long grass.
Painted Lady 1
Red Admiral 2
Small Tortoiseshell 1
Large White 2
Small Copper 1 this last nectaring on Ragwort, the others feeding on Buddleia and Honeysuckle.