In Cornwall on the Roseland peninsula today. Saw a lifer bee, the mining bee - Ivy Bee. This species was only seen in the UK first in 2001 and is now spreading. But we found it ourselves without knowing it was there, always the best way! Also seen Beadlet & Snakelocks Anemones and Green Shieldbug.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Sep 2 11:35 PM, 2018
Today we were around Lizard Point, Cornwall. Highlights included a Hummingbird Hawkmoth, a Painted Lady, Grey Seals and c.6 Bottlenosed Dolphins.
John Williams said
Sun Sep 2 10:32 PM, 2018
Derwent Valley Derbyshire
10.00-16.00
Speckled Wood butterflies abundant around the areas of coniferous woodland.
2 Wall Brown butterflies were on the rough pasture at Open Hagg.
Small Heath butterflies are still plentiful on the areas of open moorland at Rowlee Pasture.
John Williams said
Sat Sep 1 11:14 PM, 2018
Moore NR (13.30-17.00)
Lapwing Lane Pool : 2 Brown Hawker and 2 Migrant Hawker dragonflies, and 3 Common Blue damselflies.
Common Darter dragonflies were numerous throughout the site, as were Speckled Wood butterflies.
Along the former canal tow path East of Lapwing Lane, a large oak which was largely covered with Ivy
attracted 3 Holly Blue and 2 Brimstone butterflies.
Another Brown Hawker dragonfly was by Birchwood Pool, as was a 2-Spot Ladybird.
A large Common Frog was by the gate leading to the Phoenix hide.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Aug 31 8:34 PM, 2018
In Cornwall today and spent late am at Windmill Farm NR. Butterflies seen were Painted Lady, Peacock, Comma, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Small White and Large White. Odonata were Emperor, Common Darter, Emerald Damsel, Blue-tailed Damsel and Common Blue Damsel. Male and female Adders were seen as well as Slow Worm and Common Lizards. Tachina grossa (a fly) was present as well as Silver-Y Moth and Drinker Moth caterpillar.
Near the house where we are staying we saw Southern Hawker dragonfly, Red Admiral, Small Copper, Green-veined White, Green Shieldbug and Ruby-tailed Wasp.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Wed Aug 29 11:33 PM, 2018
Otter showing well at Leighton Moss today.
Also good numbers of common darter and migrant hawker, as well as 3 common blue damselfly and a single blue-tailed damselfly.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Aug 27 10:23 PM, 2018
A colder, dull day on Newchurch Common, Cheshire, but still not a bad day for 'other' wildlife!
A Small White and a Common Blue Damselfly were the only butterfly and odonata seen respectively. A dead Hornet was on Abbot's Moss. A male Common Carder Bee was seen. A Teasel flower hosted both Harlequin and Seven-spot Ladybirds. Hoverfly species included Helophilus hybridus, Myathropa florea and Eristalistenax. A Common Toadlet was also seen.
John Williams said
Sat Aug 25 5:10 PM, 2018
Hesketh Out Marsh (Ribble Estuary)
Dozens of Large and Small White butterflies were along the embankment, perhaps because the adjoining fields
are full of brassicas. Also here where 3 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Aug 23 6:14 PM, 2018
Just a horse walk on Newchurch Common today, but added a new invert species - Forest Shieldbug.
A morning at Newchurch Common again produced a few invert sightings.
A Long-jawed Orb-weaver Spider was new for the year. Another Hornet was seen, again near Big Pool as per yesterday. Also got a piccy for the first time of Myothropa florea, the Batman Hoverfly. Butterflies: Comma, Common Blue,SmallCopper, Small & Green-veined Whites and Speckled Wood. Odonata: Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common BlueDamselfly.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 22nd of August 2018 10:31:34 PM
John Williams said
Tue Aug 21 11:03 PM, 2018
Early evening visit to Woolston Eyes (No 3 Bed)
5 Brown Hawkers were the only dragonflies seen.
4 Speckled Woods and 2 Large Whites were the only butterflies seen.
An extensive search of the oaks along the South side of the bed produced no Purple Hairstreak sightings, just lots of wasps.
This was probably the last chance this year to find these butterflies, and where there is a known colony amongst the oaks.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Aug 21 10:25 PM, 2018
My first Southern Hawker dragonfly of the year in Cheshire was a male down Foxwist Green near our horse paddock. It was quartering around the fallen apples probably hunting insects attracted to the fermenting fruit.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Aug 21 10:12 PM, 2018
Managed am am & a pm visit to Newchurch Common today, dull am, sunny pm but still lots of inverts about all day!
Another Hornet was seen, this time near Big Pool, that's my 3rd sighting this summer here, all in widely scattered different locations, good news after a blank last year
Nine species of lepidoptera, namely Comma, Common Blue, Small Copper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown, the latter 2 species being absent from most recent walks! Odonata seen were Common Darter, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Blue-tailedDamselfly and Common Blue Damselfly.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Aug 20 10:02 PM, 2018
Had a few hours at Newchurch Common today and it was dull and rained pretty heavily at times. But the warmth helped it be a really good invertebrate day.
Seven species of odonata were seen, the best being a late female Downy Emerald near Gull Pool. Other odonata were Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Common Darter, Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly. Seven species of butterfly were also seen, the best a nice Holly Blue, also seen were Common Blue, Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Small White, Large White and Green-veined White.
Several beetle species were seen including the Violet Ground Beetle Carabus problematicus, Devils Coach-horse, Whirlygig and a new Leaf Beetle for patch, Galeruca tanaceti. Lots of Green Leaf-Hoppers (Cicadella viridis) were about as well as big numbers of the Tachinid Fly Tachina fera. A single Green Shieldbug was seen.
Finally sadly several rabbits with myxamatosis.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 20th of August 2018 10:27:47 PM
John Williams said
Sat Aug 18 10:43 PM, 2018
Callands Warrington
A single Willow Beauty moth (Dark Form) found it's way into my home this evening.
John Williams said
Sat Aug 18 4:31 PM, 2018
Dane Valley (West of Danebridge) between the brewery and the weir.
4 Migrant Hawker dragonflies.
3 Speckled Wood, 1 Comma and 3 Small White butterflies.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Aug 18 11:29 AM, 2018
Shannon Llewellyn wrote:
Doc Brewster wrote:
After a tip off I headed down less than 3 miles from home this morning to the Shropshire Union Canal between Middlewich and Winsford to see an incredible sight. The hot weather has causeda population boom of Freshwater Jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii). These are an invasive species but seem to do no harm to native plants or animals. They can lay dormant for years and then 'emerge' in hot weather, which I think we qualify as right now Hopefully a piccy attached, they were hard to photograph but easier to video (have posted a video on Facebook).
Cheers, yeah I saw that, Shannon, and they were also on North West Tonight on TV too!! But a few errors in the reporting, they should be looking at the GM Forums
Mike Duckham said
Fri Aug 17 9:34 PM, 2018
Agden Bridge about 3 miles west of Dunham, yesterday evening at dusk - a Polecat making it's way along the side of the lane towards the car. I guess i can't 100% rule out an escaped lookalike ferret, but it certainly looked like one.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Fri Aug 17 1:56 PM, 2018
Doc Brewster wrote:
After a tip off I headed down less than 3 miles from home this morning to the Shropshire Union Canal between Middlewich and Winsford to see an incredible sight. The hot weather has causeda population boom of Freshwater Jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii). These are an invasive species but seem to do no harm to native plants or animals. They can lay dormant for years and then 'emerge' in hot weather, which I think we qualify as right now Hopefully a piccy attached, they were hard to photograph but easier to video (have posted a video on Facebook).
A very short visit to Newchurch Common pm yesterday (16th Aug), taking a visitor, produced a sighting of the male Ruddy Darter, still in the same place that I've had him before. This was a lifer for my visitor and he showed well. We also saw Brown Hawker and Common Blue Damselfly. As well as Common Blue butterfly, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White and Small White.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Aug 15 10:49 PM, 2018
A morning walk in dull weathe4r on Newchurch Common surprisingly brought a couple of interesting insect sightings.
My second ever Purple Hairstreak butterfly was in an oak next to the ex-set-aside field and a Hornet was on Abbot's Moss, only the second this year, not rare here but always nice to see. Other butterflies included Common Blue, Speckled Wood, and Small & Green-veined Whites. Damselflies seen were Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Red-eyed. A Silver-Y moth was on Abbot's Moss. A Common Toad toadlet was seen too.
John Williams said
Sat Aug 11 11:04 PM, 2018
Hodder Valley, Forest of Bowland
3m+2f Common Hawker dragonflies around a moorland pool.
2 Red Admiral and 3 Small Heath butterflies,
Lots of Common Heath, a couple of Northern Spinach and 1 Common Wainscot moths.
John Williams said
Thu Aug 9 11:54 PM, 2018
(16.30-19.00)
Rixton Clay Pits NR : Dragonflies - 1 Black Tailed Skimmer and 4 Common Darters.
Butterflies- 3 Common Blue, 4 Gatekeeper, 1 Meadow Brown and 5 Large White.
Several of the smaller pools that are favoured by dragonflies have dried up completely.
Prospect Lane And Woodend Lane : 1 Brown Hawker dragonfly (By the fishing pools).
Doc Brewster said
Mon Aug 6 10:12 PM, 2018
Another afternoon walk in the sweltering sunshine at Newchurch Common. Another new dragonfly for the year here, this time Migrant Hawker. The male Ruddy Darter was in the same area as yesterday and at least 4 Brown Hawkers were seen. A Red Admiral, a Small Copper and a Holly Blue were seen, as well as at least 16 Common Blues, including 3+ egglaying females. Otherwise a similar mix of odonata and lepidoptera as yesterday.
Mark Jarrett said
Mon Aug 6 4:57 PM, 2018
Three hours at Burton Mere RSPB Reserve today, mainly on the lookout for butterflies. Up to half a dozen Wall were seen in front of the Inner Marsh Farm Hide but were frustratingly active, constantly on the move and only posing momentarily with closed wings. Also around were Green-veined White, Small White, Large White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Common Blue and Red Admiral.
An afternoon walk in sweltering heat on Newchurch Common was the correct decision, rewarding me with two species new for patch, both expected but nonetheless great to add. The first of these was a male Ruddy Darter dragonfly near Big Pool which was pristine and possibly quite newly emerged. I managed to stalk it and get several shots with my phone (one attached). As I left the site in oaks near to the entrance the telltale sight of a small, fast flying, lilac-looking (in flight in the sun, anyway!) butterfly towards the top of an oak tree was spotted, undoubtably a Purple Hairstreak, but this time no piccy!
Other than this odonata were scarce, just Red-eyed and Common Blue Damselflies being seen. Butterflies were more numerous, but predictable, Holly Blue the best with others seen being Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown,Small Tortoiseshell, Large, Small & Green-veined Whites and Speckled Wood. Meadow Grasshopper was also seen.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 5th of August 2018 09:33:37 PM
Chelford (Former sand quarry pools NE of the roundabout on the A537)
Butterflies : 1 Common Blue, 7 Speckled Woods, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Meadow Browns, 8 Gatekeepers, 3 Large White
and 1 Small White.
Odonata : 1 Southern Hawker, plus numerous Brown Hawkers, Common Darters and Common Blue Damselflies.
Also 1 Common Frog.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jul 31 10:31 PM, 2018
Another fantastic sighting close to home, this time less than a mile away. Thanks to John Rayner for the one-up on it too. The second ever site in Cheshire for Small Red-eyed Damsefly has been found along the Vale Royal Cut of the River Weaver, near our village of Moulton. I managed sightings of the odd one a couple of days ago, then yesterday too, but it took until today to get a digiscoped picture!! Scope definitely required for the subtle ID features of this species compared to the Large Red-eyed Damsels that are much more common at this location. Picture of Small Red-eyed Damselfly attached.
Only butterflies seen apart from a few Small Whites were a couple of Speckled Woods.
A large hairy caterpillar resembling that of a Fox Moth was found near Brook Farm.
The body of a large Pike was lying in very shallow water at the SE corner of the flash.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jul 27 12:18 PM, 2018
After a tip off I headed down less than 3 miles from home this morning to the Shropshire Union Canal between Middlewich and Winsford to see an incredible sight. The hot weather has causeda population boom of Freshwater Jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii). These are an invasive species but seem to do no harm to native plants or animals. They can lay dormant for years and then 'emerge' in hot weather, which I think we qualify as right now Hopefully a piccy attached, they were hard to photograph but easier to video (have posted a video on Facebook).
Handforth Dean fields in Cheshire is a place I have not visited for about 20 years, but I remembered it as a site where I last saw a ruddy darter anywhere! The area had really 'grown up' in terms of trees, and the shallow ponds seemed to have become overgrown (not surprisingly!), but just as I was out of time, I managed to bump into this little stunner. Surely a candidate for our most eye-catching dragonfly. Also saw 9 brown hawkers, 3 emperors and 1 common darter (imm. male). Mentioning the trees, many are maturing oaks, so not surprisingly I saw 3 certain purple hairstreaks (at eye level), and 2 probables. I would imagine the area holds hundreds. 3 small coppers were the next best find. Oh, and it was hot.
22/07/2018 Blacktoft Sands (post delayed due to minor op)
Good number of Comma butterflies, along with Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Large White, Small White. Also Common and Brown Hawkers, Common Blue Damselfly and a Weasel between the car park and reception.
John Williams said
Wed Jul 25 11:57 PM, 2018
Neumanns Flash 18:00-20.30
Butterflies: 2 Common Blue, 2 Gatekeepers and 1 Speckled Wood
Dragonflies : 3 Brown Hawkers.
1 Fox sunbathing at the Haydn Pool.
-- Edited by John Williams on Wednesday 25th of July 2018 11:59:52 PM
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jul 25 9:35 PM, 2018
Sunny & hot on Newchurch Common. Ten species of butterfly again, the only new ones were a Comma and a Red Admiral. Two Holly Blues and two Common Blues also of note. No new odonata. A Tachina fera was seen, a large fly that parasitises lepidoptera.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Jul 23 10:42 PM, 2018
On Newchurch Common, Cheshire today, in the sun again.
11 species of Butterfly, Painted Lady (again), Holly Blue, Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White and Small Copper. A new dragonfly for the year here on the mosses, Black Darter, also lots of Brown Hawkers, a Downy Emerald still, Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly. Also today a Common Shrew again.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun Jul 22 10:54 PM, 2018
Butterflies around Marshside today: common blue, small white, gatekeeper, meadow brown, wall (pleasingly; the first I've seen outside Anglesey for years), peacock, red admiral.
Lots of six-spot burnets too, especially the scrubby areas behind the Marine Lake; loads of them here.
John Williams said
Sat Jul 21 3:57 PM, 2018
Neumanns Flash 10.00-1400
7 Gatekeepers along the SE corner of the flash were the only butterflies seen throughout.
No dragonflies were seen, which is worrying, but on the plus side no clegs were encountered throughout either.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jul 20 9:13 PM, 2018
Had just an hour on Newchurch Common this morning, more for inverts than birds. Best find was a Common Darter dragonfly, my first for 2018 on patch. Also a Common Blue Damselfly predictably. A better tally was achieved in butterflies with Painted Lady, Peacock, Common Blue, Large, Small & Green-veined Whites, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper all seen.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 20th of July 2018 10:06:05 PM
John Williams said
Thu Jul 19 11:41 PM, 2018
Neumanns Flash ( Early Evening)
1 Broad Bodied Chaser (M) and 2 Brown Hawker dragonflies.
No butterflies were seen and just 1 moth, a Beautiful Golden Y.
bernard hooley said
Thu Jul 19 11:49 AM, 2018
Walking through Otley (Yorks)last Tuesday,surprised to see a juvenile Hedgehog walking along the pavement.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jul 18 10:49 PM, 2018
A very brief walk on Newchurch Common Patch today. Highlight was a Hornet, on Shemmy Moss, my first there this year. Also seen a Common Shrew on the mosslands. Butterflies seen were Holly Blue, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large White and Small White. Odonata were Brown Hawker, Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly.
Steven Nelson said
Sat Jul 14 11:15 PM, 2018
Silverdale and Arnside area butterflies:
Myers Allotment: Ringlet Comma Small Skipper
Arnside Knott: Dark Green Fritillary Northern Brown Argus Grayling Brimstone Painted Lady Small Skipper Large Skipper Large White Small White Peacock Holly Blue Ringlet Meadow Brown Speckled Wood Comma Gatekeeper
John Williams said
Sat Jul 14 9:42 PM, 2018
Hilbre Island 08.30-15.00
4 Grayling and 2 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies were on top of the cliffs, as were a couple of 6 Spot Burnet Moths.
There was a steady procession of white butterflies passing the lifeboat station, all were heading South.
On the heathland area Green Veined White butterflies were abundant, but there were a few Large Whites amongst them too.
Mark Jarrett said
Sat Jul 14 1:04 PM, 2018
Quick walk down a section of the Whitegate Way to Shemmy Moss, then back to the cafe. Warm and sunny.
Butterflies:- Green-veined White, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Common Blue, Holly Blue.
Odonata:- Common Darter, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly.
colin moran said
Sat Jul 14 12:37 PM, 2018
hummingbird hawkmoth on buddleia at Bents garden centre today.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Jul 14 8:10 AM, 2018
The sunshine was back in the Highlands again yesterday so we concentrated on insects again. The moth trap yielded our first Hawkmoth, Poplar, as well as Lesser Swallow Prominent and the usual suspects. Later we revisited a site from day one where we found Scotch Argus butterflies just emerging, with 3 flying so far. Some fresh Northern Brown Argus were about as well as Dark Green Fritillary, Ringlet, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White. Shaded Broad-bar was a new trip moth.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 14th of July 2018 09:22:26 AM
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jul 12 11:23 PM, 2018
Highlands of Scotland again and the moth trap provided three new garden species, Barred Red, Gold Swift and Lesser Swallow Prominent. Then over to Aberdeenshire where a Yellow Shell moth was seen and over 20 Dark Green Fritillaries. Also here, at the Ythan Estuary were the usual Grey and Common Seals.
John Williams said
Wed Jul 11 11:22 PM, 2018
Neumanns Flash (Early evening)
Th only butterfly seen was a single Gatekeeper, whilst 2 Black Tailed Skimmers by Pods Hide were the only dragonflies.
The vegetation along the causeway on the South side of Neumanns is looking dreadful, the leaves on willows, rowans,
hawthorns and Guilder are crispy and dead. Many shrubs bordering the path around Neumanns are dying too.
Large areas of nettles are also fading fast, which is bad news for butterflies. It may be a result of the toxic soil
plus the long hot dry spell, whatever the overall cause, it is worrying.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jul 11 6:02 PM, 2018
In the Scottish Highlands still. Started with the moth trap and nice Scarce Silver-Y amongst the usual haul here. The on to Spey Bay. Small Copper, Common Blue, Meadow Brown and 6-Spot Burnet seen.
bernard hooley said
Wed Jul 11 11:23 AM, 2018
Wildlife from my Somerset holiday: Mammals: Grey Squirrel Rabbit American Mink Red Deer Wild Pony (Exmoor & Quantock) Roe Deer Amphibians & Reptiles: Smooth Newt Common Frog Toad Butterflies: Small White Large White Grizzled Skipper Speckled Wood Painted Lady Meadow Brown Red Admiral Green Veined White Green Hairstreak Dingy skipper Silver Washed Fritillery Small Heath Wood White Heath Fritillery Purple Hairstreak Gatekeeper Small Tortoiseshell Small copper Ringlet Gatekeeper Moths Silver Ground Carpet rosy footman Magpie moth Dragonflies etc: Brown hawker Golden Ringed dragonfly Broad bodied Chaser Blue tailedDamselfly Common blue Damselfly Azure Damselfly
10.00-16.00
Speckled Wood butterflies abundant around the areas of coniferous woodland.
2 Wall Brown butterflies were on the rough pasture at Open Hagg.
Small Heath butterflies are still plentiful on the areas of open moorland at Rowlee Pasture.
Lapwing Lane Pool : 2 Brown Hawker and 2 Migrant Hawker dragonflies, and 3 Common Blue damselflies.
Common Darter dragonflies were numerous throughout the site, as were Speckled Wood butterflies.
Along the former canal tow path East of Lapwing Lane, a large oak which was largely covered with Ivy
attracted 3 Holly Blue and 2 Brimstone butterflies.
Another Brown Hawker dragonfly was by Birchwood Pool, as was a 2-Spot Ladybird.
A large Common Frog was by the gate leading to the Phoenix hide.
Also good numbers of common darter and migrant hawker, as well as 3 common blue damselfly and a single blue-tailed damselfly.
A colder, dull day on Newchurch Common, Cheshire, but still not a bad day for 'other' wildlife!
A Small White and a Common Blue Damselfly were the only butterfly and odonata seen respectively. A dead Hornet was on Abbot's Moss. A male Common Carder Bee was seen. A Teasel flower hosted both Harlequin and Seven-spot Ladybirds. Hoverfly species included Helophilus hybridus, Myathropa florea and Eristalis tenax. A Common Toadlet was also seen.
Dozens of Large and Small White butterflies were along the embankment, perhaps because the adjoining fields
are full of brassicas. Also here where 3 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.
Just a horse walk on Newchurch Common today, but added a new invert species - Forest Shieldbug.
A morning at Newchurch Common again produced a few invert sightings.
A Long-jawed Orb-weaver Spider was new for the year. Another Hornet was seen, again near Big Pool as per yesterday. Also got a piccy for the first time of Myothropa florea, the Batman Hoverfly. Butterflies: Comma, Common Blue, Small Copper, Small & Green-veined Whites and Speckled Wood. Odonata: Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 22nd of August 2018 10:31:34 PM
5 Brown Hawkers were the only dragonflies seen.
4 Speckled Woods and 2 Large Whites were the only butterflies seen.
An extensive search of the oaks along the South side of the bed produced no Purple Hairstreak sightings, just lots of wasps.
This was probably the last chance this year to find these butterflies, and where there is a known colony amongst the oaks.
My first Southern Hawker dragonfly of the year in Cheshire was a male down Foxwist Green near our horse paddock. It was quartering around the fallen apples probably hunting insects attracted to the fermenting fruit.
Managed am am & a pm visit to Newchurch Common today, dull am, sunny pm but still lots of inverts about all day!
Another Hornet was seen, this time near Big Pool, that's my 3rd sighting this summer here, all in widely scattered different locations, good news after a blank last year
Nine species of lepidoptera, namely Comma, Common Blue, Small Copper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown, the latter 2 species being absent from most recent walks! Odonata seen were Common Darter, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly.
Had a few hours at Newchurch Common today and it was dull and rained pretty heavily at times. But the warmth helped it be a really good invertebrate day.
Seven species of odonata were seen, the best being a late female Downy Emerald near Gull Pool. Other odonata were Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Common Darter, Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly. Seven species of butterfly were also seen, the best a nice Holly Blue, also seen were Common Blue, Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Small White, Large White and Green-veined White.
Several beetle species were seen including the Violet Ground Beetle Carabus problematicus, Devils Coach-horse, Whirlygig and a new Leaf Beetle for patch, Galeruca tanaceti. Lots of Green Leaf-Hoppers (Cicadella viridis) were about as well as big numbers of the Tachinid Fly Tachina fera. A single Green Shieldbug was seen.
Finally sadly several rabbits with myxamatosis.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 20th of August 2018 10:27:47 PM
A single Willow Beauty moth (Dark Form) found it's way into my home this evening.
4 Migrant Hawker dragonflies.
3 Speckled Wood, 1 Comma and 3 Small White butterflies.
Cheers, yeah I saw that, Shannon, and they were also on North West Tonight on TV too!! But a few errors in the reporting, they should be looking at the GM Forums
Agden Bridge about 3 miles west of Dunham, yesterday evening at dusk - a Polecat making it's way along the side of the lane towards the car. I guess i can't 100% rule out an escaped lookalike ferret, but it certainly looked like one.
These guys made the paper the other day:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/14/freshwater-jellyfish-spotted-shropshire-canal
A very short visit to Newchurch Common pm yesterday (16th Aug), taking a visitor, produced a sighting of the male Ruddy Darter, still in the same place that I've had him before. This was a lifer for my visitor and he showed well. We also saw Brown Hawker and Common Blue Damselfly. As well as Common Blue butterfly, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White and Small White.
A morning walk in dull weathe4r on Newchurch Common surprisingly brought a couple of interesting insect sightings.
My second ever Purple Hairstreak butterfly was in an oak next to the ex-set-aside field and a Hornet was on Abbot's Moss, only the second this year, not rare here but always nice to see. Other butterflies included Common Blue, Speckled Wood, and Small & Green-veined Whites. Damselflies seen were Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Red-eyed. A Silver-Y moth was on Abbot's Moss. A Common Toad toadlet was seen too.
3m+2f Common Hawker dragonflies around a moorland pool.
2 Red Admiral and 3 Small Heath butterflies,
Lots of Common Heath, a couple of Northern Spinach and 1 Common Wainscot moths.
Rixton Clay Pits NR : Dragonflies - 1 Black Tailed Skimmer and 4 Common Darters.
Butterflies- 3 Common Blue, 4 Gatekeeper, 1 Meadow Brown and 5 Large White.
Several of the smaller pools that are favoured by dragonflies have dried up completely.
Prospect Lane And Woodend Lane : 1 Brown Hawker dragonfly (By the fishing pools).
Another afternoon walk in the sweltering sunshine at Newchurch Common. Another new dragonfly for the year here, this time Migrant Hawker. The male Ruddy Darter was in the same area as yesterday and at least 4 Brown Hawkers were seen. A Red Admiral, a Small Copper and a Holly Blue were seen, as well as at least 16 Common Blues, including 3+ egglaying females. Otherwise a similar mix of odonata and lepidoptera as yesterday.
An afternoon walk in sweltering heat on Newchurch Common was the correct decision, rewarding me with two species new for patch, both expected but nonetheless great to add. The first of these was a male Ruddy Darter dragonfly near Big Pool which was pristine and possibly quite newly emerged. I managed to stalk it and get several shots with my phone (one attached). As I left the site in oaks near to the entrance the telltale sight of a small, fast flying, lilac-looking (in flight in the sun, anyway!) butterfly towards the top of an oak tree was spotted, undoubtably a Purple Hairstreak, but this time no piccy!
Other than this odonata were scarce, just Red-eyed and Common Blue Damselflies being seen. Butterflies were more numerous, but predictable, Holly Blue the best with others seen being Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Large, Small & Green-veined Whites and Speckled Wood. Meadow Grasshopper was also seen.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 5th of August 2018 09:33:37 PM
Butterflies : 1 Common Blue, 7 Speckled Woods, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Meadow Browns, 8 Gatekeepers, 3 Large White
and 1 Small White.
Odonata : 1 Southern Hawker, plus numerous Brown Hawkers, Common Darters and Common Blue Damselflies.
Also 1 Common Frog.
Another fantastic sighting close to home, this time less than a mile away. Thanks to John Rayner for the one-up on it too. The second ever site in Cheshire for Small Red-eyed Damsefly has been found along the Vale Royal Cut of the River Weaver, near our village of Moulton. I managed sightings of the odd one a couple of days ago, then yesterday too, but it took until today to get a digiscoped picture!! Scope definitely required for the subtle ID features of this species compared to the Large Red-eyed Damsels that are much more common at this location. Picture of Small Red-eyed Damselfly attached.
Only butterflies seen apart from a few Small Whites were a couple of Speckled Woods.
A large hairy caterpillar resembling that of a Fox Moth was found near Brook Farm.
The body of a large Pike was lying in very shallow water at the SE corner of the flash.
After a tip off I headed down less than 3 miles from home this morning to the Shropshire Union Canal between Middlewich and Winsford to see an incredible sight. The hot weather has causeda population boom of Freshwater Jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii). These are an invasive species but seem to do no harm to native plants or animals. They can lay dormant for years and then 'emerge' in hot weather, which I think we qualify as right now Hopefully a piccy attached, they were hard to photograph but easier to video (have posted a video on Facebook).
Handforth Dean fields in Cheshire is a place I have not visited for about 20 years, but I remembered it as a site where I last saw a ruddy darter anywhere! The area had really 'grown up' in terms of trees, and the shallow ponds seemed to have become overgrown (not surprisingly!), but just as I was out of time, I managed to bump into this little stunner. Surely a candidate for our most eye-catching dragonfly. Also saw 9 brown hawkers, 3 emperors and 1 common darter (imm. male). Mentioning the trees, many are maturing oaks, so not surprisingly I saw 3 certain purple hairstreaks (at eye level), and 2 probables. I would imagine the area holds hundreds. 3 small coppers were the next best find. Oh, and it was hot.
Good number of Comma butterflies, along with Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Large White, Small White. Also Common and Brown Hawkers, Common Blue Damselfly and a Weasel between the car park and reception.
Butterflies: 2 Common Blue, 2 Gatekeepers and 1 Speckled Wood
Dragonflies : 3 Brown Hawkers. 1 Fox sunbathing at the Haydn Pool.
-- Edited by John Williams on Wednesday 25th of July 2018 11:59:52 PM
Sunny & hot on Newchurch Common. Ten species of butterfly again, the only new ones were a Comma and a Red Admiral. Two Holly Blues and two Common Blues also of note. No new odonata. A Tachina fera was seen, a large fly that parasitises lepidoptera.
On Newchurch Common, Cheshire today, in the sun again.
11 species of Butterfly, Painted Lady (again), Holly Blue, Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White and Small Copper. A new dragonfly for the year here on the mosses, Black Darter, also lots of Brown Hawkers, a Downy Emerald still, Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly. Also today a Common Shrew again.
Lots of six-spot burnets too, especially the scrubby areas behind the Marine Lake; loads of them here.
7 Gatekeepers along the SE corner of the flash were the only butterflies seen throughout.
No dragonflies were seen, which is worrying, but on the plus side no clegs were encountered throughout either.
Had just an hour on Newchurch Common this morning, more for inverts than birds. Best find was a Common Darter dragonfly, my first for 2018 on patch. Also a Common Blue Damselfly predictably. A better tally was achieved in butterflies with Painted Lady, Peacock, Common Blue, Large, Small & Green-veined Whites, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper all seen.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 20th of July 2018 10:06:05 PM
1 Broad Bodied Chaser (M) and 2 Brown Hawker dragonflies.
No butterflies were seen and just 1 moth, a Beautiful Golden Y.
Hedgehog walking along the pavement.
A very brief walk on Newchurch Common Patch today. Highlight was a Hornet, on Shemmy Moss, my first there this year. Also seen a Common Shrew on the mosslands. Butterflies seen were Holly Blue, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large White and Small White. Odonata were Brown Hawker, Red-eyed Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly.
Myers Allotment:
Ringlet
Comma
Small Skipper
Arnside Knott:
Dark Green Fritillary
Northern Brown Argus
Grayling
Brimstone
Painted Lady
Small Skipper
Large Skipper
Large White
Small White
Peacock
Holly Blue
Ringlet
Meadow Brown
Speckled Wood
Comma
Gatekeeper
4 Grayling and 2 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies were on top of the cliffs, as were a couple of 6 Spot Burnet Moths.
There was a steady procession of white butterflies passing the lifeboat station, all were heading South.
On the heathland area Green Veined White butterflies were abundant, but there were a few Large Whites amongst them too.
Butterflies:- Green-veined White, Small White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Common Blue, Holly Blue.
Odonata:- Common Darter, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly.
hummingbird hawkmoth on buddleia at Bents garden centre today.
The sunshine was back in the Highlands again yesterday so we concentrated on insects again. The moth trap yielded our first Hawkmoth, Poplar, as well as Lesser Swallow Prominent and the usual suspects. Later we revisited a site from day one where we found Scotch Argus butterflies just emerging, with 3 flying so far. Some fresh Northern Brown Argus were about as well as Dark Green Fritillary, Ringlet, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White. Shaded Broad-bar was a new trip moth.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 14th of July 2018 09:22:26 AM
Th only butterfly seen was a single Gatekeeper, whilst 2 Black Tailed Skimmers by Pods Hide were the only dragonflies.
The vegetation along the causeway on the South side of Neumanns is looking dreadful, the leaves on willows, rowans,
hawthorns and Guilder are crispy and dead. Many shrubs bordering the path around Neumanns are dying too.
Large areas of nettles are also fading fast, which is bad news for butterflies. It may be a result of the toxic soil
plus the long hot dry spell, whatever the overall cause, it is worrying.
Mammals:
Grey Squirrel
Rabbit
American Mink
Red Deer
Wild Pony (Exmoor & Quantock)
Roe Deer
Amphibians & Reptiles:
Smooth Newt
Common Frog
Toad
Butterflies:
Small White
Large White
Grizzled Skipper
Speckled Wood
Painted Lady
Meadow Brown
Red Admiral
Green Veined White
Green Hairstreak
Dingy skipper
Silver Washed Fritillery
Small Heath
Wood White
Heath Fritillery
Purple Hairstreak
Gatekeeper
Small Tortoiseshell
Small copper
Ringlet
Gatekeeper
Moths
Silver Ground Carpet
rosy footman
Magpie moth
Dragonflies etc:
Brown hawker
Golden Ringed dragonfly
Broad bodied Chaser
Blue tailedDamselfly
Common blue Damselfly
Azure Damselfly