New Butterfly for the year here - Common Blue, also Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Large White and Small White.
Moths - Cinnabar, Common Heath, Brown Silver-line.
New Damselfly for the year here - Blue-tailed Damsel, also Red-eyed, Large Red, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies. Downy Emerald and Four-spotted Chaser Dragonflies.
Other insects - Wall Mason Wasp (Ancistrocerus parietum), Click Beetle (Athous bicolor), Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rustica), Garden Chafer, Alder Leaf Beetles & lots of adult & larval Harlequin Ladybirds.
John Williams said
Sat Jun 3 6:24 PM, 2017
Anglezarke area (Chorley)
Lead Mines Clough :
4 Speckled Wood butterflies
Watermans Cottage area :
1 Scorpion Fly
White Coppice :
1 Ctenicera Cuprea beetle seen on the moor.
John Williams said
Thu Jun 1 12:00 AM, 2017
Neumanns Flash (Early evening)
1 Fox on Neumanns, whilst there was another on Dairy House Meadow, both large adults.
The foxes appeared to have an abundance of prey, with masses of rabbits, and not a single buzzard to compete with.
Doc Brewster said
Wed May 31 10:52 PM, 2017
Went on a dedicated insect trip today to the River Dee area south of Chester.
First port of call was Aldford. Park by the church and walk over the meadows to the iron bridge and then walk S.down the river bank footpath. The target species here is a speciality and rarity, of which I found 2 specimens, Common Clubtail dragonfly (picture). There were over 50 Banded Demoiselles, 50+Red-eyed Damselflies, two Four-spotted Chasers, my first Blue-tailed Damselflies of the year and lots of Common Blue and Azure Damselflies also. I also saw my first Small Copper Butterfly, a Brimstone, a Red Admiral, a Speckeld Wood and lots of Green-veined Whites. A cardinal beetle was spectacular, glowing red on the nettlebeds. One of the best finds was a mating pair of Lime Hawkmoths on a thistle (picture), probably the rarest find of the day as all hawkmoths I've ever seen before have been in moth traps, never just 'out in the wild' like these two.
Next stop was Churton, to a small pool in a cornfield to the east of the village. Here the main addition to the odonata list was Variable Damselfly, the target species at a pool where it is seen annually. Again a rarity in Cheshire and a subtle ID, so always great to see, but far too active in the hot sun for any pictures. Also added to the list here was Large Red Damselfly. A Peacock butterfly was also new for the day.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 31st of May 2017 10:53:44 PM
2 Painted Lady, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Common Blue, 6 Brimstone and 1 Peacock Butterflies.
2 Large Red and lots of Azure Damselflies.
Speckled Wood butterflies plentiful in woodland throughout the reserve.
A robber fly "Atricapilla" carrying a dead crane fly near Pumphouse Pool
Doc Brewster said
Wed May 24 9:24 PM, 2017
At least 5 Downy Emerald Dragonflies on Gull Pool now, being twitched by folk from Hull today they are so rare. Had a compalint from them that Gull Pool was un-named on maps and hard to find so grid ref is SJ602687, a small inlet off the Whitegate Way which you can watch without going over the fence into the private area. It is strictly private as it is a childrens camp, trespassers are being reported straight to the police, no questions asked!
Andy Bissitt said
Wed May 24 9:20 PM, 2017
Tried Coombes Valley RSPB reserve yesterday for Argent & Sable moth, but not successful unfortunately. Had to make do with a probable first for me, small yellow underwing, as well as brown silver-lines and common carpet. Would like to visit here more often, however the journey home was horrendous (90 minutes), so perhaps not.
Doc Brewster said
Tue May 23 10:32 PM, 2017
A warm and sunny day on Newchurch Common, Cheshire.
Best sighting was my first ever Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly for my patch (pictured), made my day. Also seen were two Downy Emeralds and two Four-spotted Chasers in the dragonfly line, and Large Red, Red-eyed, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies. Butterflies seen were Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Green-veined White, Large White, Orange-tip and Speckled Wood. Moths included Straw Dot, Early Tooth-striped and Brown Silver-line. Beetles included a new species for patch, the Click Beetle Stenagostus rhombeus, also Swollen Thighed Beetle, Green Tiger Beetle and Garden Chafer.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 23rd of May 2017 10:37:53 PM
Today on my Newchurch Common Patch in Cheshire my first Four-spotted Chaser Dragonfly, only other odonata being Red-eyed Damselflies, Common Blue Damselflies and Azure Damselflies. Several Garden Chafers now out, they reached swarm proportions last year so I expect the same again. Green Tiger Beetles still showing well. In patchy sunshine the only butterfly was an Orange-tip. Yesterday we saw Green Hairstreak and Holly Blue still on the wing. We also saw Silver-ground Carpet and Brown Silver-line moths.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun May 14 11:09 PM, 2017
Three green hairstreak and a small copper around the Longshaw Estate today.
Doc Brewster said
Sun May 14 10:36 PM, 2017
Another good walk at Newchurch Common. At the moment the 'other wildlife' interest is greater than the avian interest!
At Gull Pool there were two male Downy Emerald Dragonflies on the wing. On Sandiway Small Pool there were now 5 Red-eyed Damselflies. Across the rest of the site lots of Large Red, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies still. Another three Red Admiral butterflies as well as just one Green Hairstreak, a male Brimstone and a few Peacock butterflies.
John Williams said
Sat May 13 4:51 PM, 2017
Alongside Manchester Ship Canal, Halfway House near Wigg Island.
2 Silver Ground Carpet Moths and 1 Peacock Butterfly.
Upper Moss Side (Moore)
1 large Hornet. Alder Leaf Beetles abundant on young Alders.
Doc Brewster said
Fri May 12 4:25 PM, 2017
Late news for Cheshire again (11th May, Thursday):
am - 12-18 Dingy Skippers on the bund between Ashton's and Neumann's Flashes, including a mating pair. Mianly showing on the Ashton's side of the path.
late am/early pm -
Shemmy Moss male Downy Emerald Dragonfly, very early record for this species. Brown Silver-line Moth Shemmy Moss.
4 (inc 2 mating) Large Red-eyed Damselflies Sandiway Small Pool, again a very early record. Silver-ground Carpet Moth Newchurch Common.
Across Newchurch Common Patch site lots of Large Red Damselflies, Common Blue Damselflies and Azure Damselflies.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 12th of May 2017 04:25:58 PM
Doc Brewster said
Mon May 8 2:40 PM, 2017
Late news for Cheshire:
Newchurch Common late am, bright sunshine. Again 8 species of butterfly on the wing but this time with 3 new species for 2017 for me, namely Red Admiral, Large White and Small White, in addition to Green Hairstreaks, Orange-tips, Speckled Woods, Peacocks and Green-veined Whites. Lots of teneral Common Blue Damselflies and Azure Damselflies had emerged and Large Red Damselflies were still out in good numbers. A Common Lizard was seen too on the mosslands as well as large numbers of Green Tiger Beetles.
Ashton's Flash early pm, very hot & sunny. 5+Dingy Skipper butterflies, mainly favouring the area near the bench overlooking Ashton's Flash. Please do not climb over the fence here, there is strictly NO ACCESS onto the limebeds.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 8th of May 2017 10:30:25 PM
Doc Brewster said
Thu May 4 4:45 PM, 2017
Another warm day at Newchurch Common today and this time 8 butterfly species were on the wing - Green Hairstreaks (still 30+ flying), Hollly Blue, Brimstone, Orange-tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Peacock and Green-veined White. At least 50 Large Red Damselflies were flying and a small emergence of Common Blue Damselfies had occurred with several teneral ones on the wing around Sandiway Big Pool, an early appearance for this species. Again over 30 Green Tiger Beetles on the mosses.
Doc Brewster said
Wed May 3 10:23 PM, 2017
Sunny todat but breezy at Newchurch Common, but still a good array of wildlife.
Six butterfly species were on the wing - Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Peacock, Orange-tip, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White. Large Red Damselfly was seen. Lots of Green Tiger Beetles scampered all over the mosslands. A Bank Vole was in its usual location and a Red-eared Terrapin was on a Coots nest, probably the end of that clutch of eggs
Doc Brewster said
Mon May 1 10:16 PM, 2017
After the sun came up today at Newchucrch Common a few butterflies were seen, the species in question being Orange-tip, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White and Speckled Wood.
John Williams said
Wed Apr 26 3:11 PM, 2017
Woolston Eyes (09.30-13.00)
2 Bank Voles, both near the tower hide, and 2 Orange Tip Butterflies.
St. Marks Flies near the bushy areas, though in small numbers, the icy northerly wind kept insect sightings low.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Apr 25 9:12 PM, 2017
With the weather a bit changeable I have summarised the last week on Newchurch Common, Cheshire in one post:
22nd April: A good day for lepidoptera with over 100 Green Hairstreaks, my first Speckled Wood of the year here, Green-veined White and several early Latticed Heath Moths. Over 10 Green Tiger Beetles (picture) were seen on the mosses as well as a few Red-tailed Bumblebee workers. My first Large Red Damselflies were three sunning themselves on a bramble bush. Lots of St Mark's Flies were out, bird food for new arrivals. A Bank Vole was seen.
23rd April: Over 10 Holly Blues were seen, my first on patch this year. Lots of Orange-tips too. Small tadpoles in large numbers in Sandiway Big Pool.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 25th of April 2017 09:13:27 PM
1 Green Hairstreak and 2 Orange Tip butterflies plus 1 Common Lizard.
There were few other insects around, and certainly no other reptiles seen as there was a biting Northerly wind and occasional hail shower.
Mike Chorley said
Sun Apr 23 7:00 PM, 2017
Lancs trip, including Leighton and Foulshaw Mosses
Grey Squirrel Rabbit Bank Vole
Common Lizard
Orange Tip Small White Green-veined White Peacock Green Hairstreak
Large Red Damselfly.
John Williams said
Sun Apr 23 3:39 PM, 2017
Oakhanger Moss (Nr Alsager)
I'd been advised the site was a good place to look for Adders, not surprisingly I did'nt find any.
Much of the site is birch woodland, with lots rhododendron and balsam in the damper areas, which isn't adder habitat.
However, there are drier areas, with pines, the odd mature oak and lots of dead bracken which look more promising, although much of the site is not accessible.
1 large Red Fox, 1 Peacock Butterfly and lots of Orange Tip butterflies, particularly on the edge of the wood.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Apr 18 10:37 PM, 2017
Nice sunny day back on patch at Newchurch Common, Cheshire produced a few nice sightings.
A large Common Lizard was seen on the mosslands as well at Green Hairstreaks still at two widespread locations. A Speckled Wood near Big Pool was the first of that species on patch this year. A few Green Tiger Beetles were again on the mosslands as well as a Carabus problematicus (one of the 'Violet' Ground Beetles). A queen Red-tailed Bumblebee was also on the mosslands and nearby a new site for Tawny Mining Bee. An Alder Fly hatch had occurred on Sandiway Big Pool.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Apr 15 10:58 PM, 2017
In Highnam Woods RSPB today we saw our first Holly Blue & Speckled Wood butterflies of the year. Also on the wing were lots of Orange-tips, Green-veined Whites and a few Peacock Butterflies. We were also kept amused by numerous Bee Flies, with a strange long proboscis and furry round bodies! Cuckoo Pint were out as well as the nationally rare plant Tintern Spurge.
John Williams said
Sat Apr 15 10:35 PM, 2017
Little Orme near LLandudno.
7 Grey Seals, 3 Orange Tip, 1 Small Heath and 1 Large White butterflies.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Apr 11 10:50 PM, 2017
At Newchurch Common, Cheshire today I had my first Common Lizard of the year basking in the sunshine. I also had my first Green-veined White Butterfly and the Green Hairstreaks were still flying. All these sightings were in the mosses area.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Apr 7 10:42 PM, 2017
As it was sunny and warm this afternoon I decided on a walk on Newchurch Common to see if any butterflies were flying, or any other inverts for that matter.
I had a huge surprise when I found three Green Hairstreaks (one pictured) flying on the mosslands. This is my earliest date ever for this species and one I never saw on patch last year. Cheshire Wildlife Trust have been doing lots of management work with one priority species being Green Hairstreak, so hats off to them, it seems to be working I also recorded my first Orange-tips of the year, seeing two males on wet areas a fair distance apart. Comma and Small Tortoiseshells were flying too. The mosslands also were teeming with Green Tiger Beetles, a great species to see too.
Not an invert but seentoday was a basking Red-eared Terrapin on Sandiway Small Pool, not a welcome site, but they are here to stay it seems
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 7th of April 2017 10:43:16 PM
A few snippets from Cheshire saved up over the last week:
Tawny Mining Bee at Higher Whitley last Week and a Tree Bumblebee this week, both in the shop at Focalpoint, along with large numbers of Harlequin Ladybirds.
A couple of Seven-spot Ladybirds in our Moulton Garden last week.
Last Week on Newchurch Common a Slime Mould that looks like a fungus that was new for me - Wolf's Blood (see picture for info & ID purposes).
Today at Newchurch Common a Wood Mouse and on the mosslands nearby 3 Comma Butterflies and a Peacock Butterfly. Lots of Eristalis tenax (Dronefly) hoverflies about.
Holly Blue butterfly (male) and Tawny Mining Bee on my garden roses today, the bee now as a cone shaped nest on my lawn, where they have settled in previous years.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Mar 26 5:45 PM, 2017
Walking the horse today at Newchurch Coomon (Cheshire) we recorded our first patch butterflies in the shape of 2 Small Tortoiseshells and a Brimstone. Overdue given the sunshine & the fact I was out on patch yesterday! I did record my first hoverfly (IDed one that is) yesterday with an Eristalis tenax present. Also yesterday I had prospecting queen Buff-tailed Bumblebees searching for nest sites.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 26th of March 2017 05:46:13 PM
John Williams said
Sat Mar 25 9:55 PM, 2017
Langden Valley ( Bowland )
1 Green Tiger Beetle. A constant stream of gossamer filaments was being blown along the valley by the easterly breeze, with some threads containing tiny spiders.
Oddly, despite it being a warmish sunny day no butterflies were seen, and there was just 1 bumblebee around, plenty of lacewings though.
I gave suitable areas a good scan as it seemed to be a good day to check for Adders, but none were found.
If as is often stated, Pheasants are Adders primary predator, then the snakes have no chance in the lower valley judging by the number of game birds around.
David Lumb said
Fri Mar 24 5:12 PM, 2017
Peacock butterfly at Wayoh
Rob Creek said
Mon Dec 5 7:44 PM, 2016
En route to Camrose (Pembrokeshire) early Sunday morning. Still dark with the faintest of dawn light...
- 1 European Polecat (Lifer) Only ever seen a dead one in the wild. I was on one of the bleak forest lanes in the hills and it suddenly just appeared at the side of the lane bounding along and then darted back into the roadside vegetation, I was driving fairly slowly too due to the icy conditions so I got a decent look at it with my full beam on.
- 3 Brown Long-eared Bats Saw them in close proximity to each other so must've been a decent area for them, flew over the car and again I was driving fairly slowly and this time streetlights made it easier to determine what they were.
- 1 Red Fox was the only other Mammal seen apart from the usual regular roadkill species including a Fox, Badger, Rabbit, Grey Squirrel and a Rat!
Doc Brewster said
Tue Nov 22 10:17 PM, 2016
Very little to report now that the weather has turned very cold, but the Water Shrew was still present at Newchurch Common today.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Nov 6 4:15 PM, 2016
A very cold Newchurch Common walk but still recorded a new insect for the patch - November Moth. Also a couple of Hornets still nectaring on ivy.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Nov 3 2:01 PM, 2016
A real quickie to say that I had one very lethargic Hornet on ivy on a dull, cold morning at Newchurch Common, unexpected given the weather but my aim of recording them into November has been met
Doc Brewster said
Tue Nov 1 3:29 PM, 2016
No Hornets on a dull morning at Newchurch Common, but I added a new Ichneumon to the site - Ichneumon extensorius, a hugely under-recorded species in the UK with no Cheshire Records on NBN Gateway but I have found a Cheshire Record on someones Blog in 2015!
The Water Shrew was in its usual location
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 1st of November 2016 03:29:39 PM
Doc Brewster said
Mon Oct 31 7:17 PM, 2016
At Newchurch Common today some noteworthy sightings. Firstly in the fog, with the temperature hardly breaking 5 degrees a Red Admiral butterfly flew across a field near the entrance gate, I was amazed!! Later on as the sun got up I had a basking Grass Snake, great to see one this late in the year, but it has been a fantastic year for these on my patch. Finally the Hornets were still active and I have every hope of recording them into November now!
Doc Brewster said
Sun Oct 23 10:00 PM, 2016
At Newchurch Common there are fungi everywhere. I wish I could identify more of them but ones I could included massive numbers of Fly Agarics and Sulhur Tuft Fungi, with smaller numbers of Shaggy Inkcaps. Lots of Hornets on the wing today and a mass of wasps feeding on nectar on ivy on one tree on the mosslands.
John Williams said
Sun Oct 23 7:40 PM, 2016
Burton Wetlands/Inner Marsh RSPB
11.00-15.00
10 Common Darter dragonflies, 3 were sun bathing from the "Lizard" fence. 3 Red Admiral butterflies.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Oct 22 10:36 PM, 2016
Today and yesterday at Newchurch Common:
Not sure why my mammal sightings have gone up, Water Shrew, Common Shrew and Bank Vole all seen. Hornets still on the wing and an unidentified butterfly flew over. Fly Agaric fungi are everywhere making it look like pixie heaven!!
Doc Brewster said
Tue Oct 18 5:01 PM, 2016
I am looking to see what the last 'Hornet Date' will be at Newchurch Common, still one today so that goes on! A family of 5 Bank Voles was found under a board and the Water Shrew was still about, albeit in a new location.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Oct 16 10:17 PM, 2016
At Newchurch Common over the last week I still had Hornets flying near their nest site. The Water Shrew that I am keeping tabs on was still around too. Finally two 'baby' Great Crested Newts were found, proof of breeding this year, great news
Rob Creek said
Tue Oct 11 5:19 PM, 2016
Saturday 8th October As part of a seawatch at Old Colwyn, myself and Chris Chandler also saw some Mammals.
- a few Grey Seals towards Rainbow Bridge - a pod of c10-15 Dolphins out in the bay having fun with 2 guys on a windsailing boat.
I knew there were Bottlenose there but some were very pale underneath and I wasn't 100% that they were all the same. The photos I took were sent to Seawatch Foundation at Anglesey who deal with all Cetacean 'and the like' sightings for UK and Irish waters, they have just confirmed them all today as Bottlenose Dolphins and have kept the photos for their database. Even the one that I captured in full breach that has a slightly odd looking blunt beak is a Bottlenose.
Did an afternoon trip onto Newchurch Common for a change, the sun was out but it was never very warm.
But still a few bits about. On Sandiway Small Pool there were 3 Migrant Hawkers, a male and a pair 'in cop' mating, another male was on Big Pool. There were also 3 Common Darters around a female and a pair 'in cop' also. A couple of Hornets were seen in the usual place. A Poecilus beetle species was seen too (small metallic ground beetle) which was a new insect for this site. Lots of fungi including big groups of large Shaggy Parasols and several Shaggy Inkcaps
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 9th of October 2016 09:18:59 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sat Oct 8 10:07 PM, 2016
As mentioned in the bird sightings I had a trip onto Newchurch Common with 3 others today & spectacular was the word!
The patch delivered with fabulous views of a Water Shrew, which was photographed and brilliant photographic opportunities with over 100 Hornets seen in the sunshine. Two male Black Darters were still on the wing as well as 6+ Common Darters including two 'in cop'. The butterfly highlight was a Painted Lady, other species included two Small Coppers, a Meadow Brown, a Speckled Wood and two Red Admirals. A new fungus was added to my list with several Fly Agarics seen. Plants included Field Pansy and Round-leaved Cranesbill. Lots of Common Carder Bees and several hoverfly species still on the wing.
John Williams said
Sat Oct 8 2:26 PM, 2016
Woolston Eyes
09.30-13.00
No 3 Bed
5 Red Admiral and 1 Speckled Wood butterflies.
Lots of Honeybees visiting the balsam flowers.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Oct 2 10:37 PM, 2016
A new species for my Newchurch Common recording area in the shape of a juvenile Wood Mouse! Over 40 Hornets (low res pic attached) in the area in which the nest must be, but this still remains unfound! The usual Comma, Red Admiral and Speckled Woods on the wing. Also Black Darter and Common Darter Dragonflies,
Southern Marsh Orchids well out.
Commom Blue Damselflies by canal
Great morning on my Newchurch Common Patch:
New Butterfly for the year here - Common Blue, also Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Large White and Small White.
Moths - Cinnabar, Common Heath, Brown Silver-line.
New Damselfly for the year here - Blue-tailed Damsel, also Red-eyed, Large Red, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies. Downy Emerald and Four-spotted Chaser Dragonflies.
Other insects - Wall Mason Wasp (Ancistrocerus parietum), Click Beetle (Athous bicolor), Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rustica), Garden Chafer, Alder Leaf Beetles & lots of adult & larval Harlequin Ladybirds.
Lead Mines Clough :
4 Speckled Wood butterflies
Watermans Cottage area :
1 Scorpion Fly
White Coppice :
1 Ctenicera Cuprea beetle seen on the moor.
1 Fox on Neumanns, whilst there was another on Dairy House Meadow, both large adults.
The foxes appeared to have an abundance of prey, with masses of rabbits, and not a single buzzard to compete with.
Went on a dedicated insect trip today to the River Dee area south of Chester.
First port of call was Aldford. Park by the church and walk over the meadows to the iron bridge and then walk S.down the river bank footpath. The target species here is a speciality and rarity, of which I found 2 specimens, Common Clubtail dragonfly (picture). There were over 50 Banded Demoiselles, 50+Red-eyed Damselflies, two Four-spotted Chasers, my first Blue-tailed Damselflies of the year and lots of Common Blue and Azure Damselflies also. I also saw my first Small Copper Butterfly, a Brimstone, a Red Admiral, a Speckeld Wood and lots of Green-veined Whites. A cardinal beetle was spectacular, glowing red on the nettlebeds. One of the best finds was a mating pair of Lime Hawkmoths on a thistle (picture), probably the rarest find of the day as all hawkmoths I've ever seen before have been in moth traps, never just 'out in the wild' like these two.
Next stop was Churton, to a small pool in a cornfield to the east of the village. Here the main addition to the odonata list was Variable Damselfly, the target species at a pool where it is seen annually. Again a rarity in Cheshire and a subtle ID, so always great to see, but far too active in the hot sun for any pictures. Also added to the list here was Large Red Damselfly. A Peacock butterfly was also new for the day.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 31st of May 2017 10:53:44 PM
Lapwing Lane Pool and adjoining Heath
2 Painted Lady, 3 Red Admiral, 1 Common Blue, 6 Brimstone and 1 Peacock Butterflies.
2 Large Red and lots of Azure Damselflies.
Speckled Wood butterflies plentiful in woodland throughout the reserve.
A robber fly "Atricapilla" carrying a dead crane fly near Pumphouse Pool
At least 5 Downy Emerald Dragonflies on Gull Pool now, being twitched by folk from Hull today they are so rare. Had a compalint from them that Gull Pool was un-named on maps and hard to find so grid ref is SJ602687, a small inlet off the Whitegate Way which you can watch without going over the fence into the private area. It is strictly private as it is a childrens camp, trespassers are being reported straight to the police, no questions asked!
Tried Coombes Valley RSPB reserve yesterday for Argent & Sable moth, but not successful unfortunately. Had to make do with a probable first for me, small yellow underwing, as well as brown silver-lines and common carpet. Would like to visit here more often, however the journey home was horrendous (90 minutes), so perhaps not.
A warm and sunny day on Newchurch Common, Cheshire.
Best sighting was my first ever Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly for my patch (pictured), made my day. Also seen were two Downy Emeralds and two Four-spotted Chasers in the dragonfly line, and Large Red, Red-eyed, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies. Butterflies seen were Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Green-veined White, Large White, Orange-tip and Speckled Wood. Moths included Straw Dot, Early Tooth-striped and Brown Silver-line. Beetles included a new species for patch, the Click Beetle Stenagostus rhombeus, also Swollen Thighed Beetle, Green Tiger Beetle and Garden Chafer.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 23rd of May 2017 10:37:53 PM
Today on my Newchurch Common Patch in Cheshire my first Four-spotted Chaser Dragonfly, only other odonata being Red-eyed Damselflies, Common Blue Damselflies and Azure Damselflies. Several Garden Chafers now out, they reached swarm proportions last year so I expect the same again. Green Tiger Beetles still showing well. In patchy sunshine the only butterfly was an Orange-tip. Yesterday we saw Green Hairstreak and Holly Blue still on the wing. We also saw Silver-ground Carpet and Brown Silver-line moths.
Another good walk at Newchurch Common. At the moment the 'other wildlife' interest is greater than the avian interest!
At Gull Pool there were two male Downy Emerald Dragonflies on the wing. On Sandiway Small Pool there were now 5 Red-eyed Damselflies. Across the rest of the site lots of Large Red, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies still. Another three Red Admiral butterflies as well as just one Green Hairstreak, a male Brimstone and a few Peacock butterflies.
2 Silver Ground Carpet Moths and 1 Peacock Butterfly.
Upper Moss Side (Moore)
1 large Hornet. Alder Leaf Beetles abundant on young Alders.
Late news for Cheshire again (11th May, Thursday):
am - 12-18 Dingy Skippers on the bund between Ashton's and Neumann's Flashes, including a mating pair. Mianly showing on the Ashton's side of the path.
late am/early pm -
Shemmy Moss male Downy Emerald Dragonfly, very early record for this species. Brown Silver-line Moth Shemmy Moss.
4 (inc 2 mating) Large Red-eyed Damselflies Sandiway Small Pool, again a very early record. Silver-ground Carpet Moth Newchurch Common.
Across Newchurch Common Patch site lots of Large Red Damselflies, Common Blue Damselflies and Azure Damselflies.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 12th of May 2017 04:25:58 PM
Late news for Cheshire:
Newchurch Common late am, bright sunshine. Again 8 species of butterfly on the wing but this time with 3 new species for 2017 for me, namely Red Admiral, Large White and Small White, in addition to Green Hairstreaks, Orange-tips, Speckled Woods, Peacocks and Green-veined Whites. Lots of teneral Common Blue Damselflies and Azure Damselflies had emerged and Large Red Damselflies were still out in good numbers. A Common Lizard was seen too on the mosslands as well as large numbers of Green Tiger Beetles.
Ashton's Flash early pm, very hot & sunny. 5+Dingy Skipper butterflies, mainly favouring the area near the bench overlooking Ashton's Flash. Please do not climb over the fence here, there is strictly NO ACCESS onto the limebeds.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 8th of May 2017 10:30:25 PM
Another warm day at Newchurch Common today and this time 8 butterfly species were on the wing - Green Hairstreaks (still 30+ flying), Hollly Blue, Brimstone, Orange-tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Peacock and Green-veined White. At least 50 Large Red Damselflies were flying and a small emergence of Common Blue Damselfies had occurred with several teneral ones on the wing around Sandiway Big Pool, an early appearance for this species. Again over 30 Green Tiger Beetles on the mosses.
Sunny todat but breezy at Newchurch Common, but still a good array of wildlife.
Six butterfly species were on the wing - Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Peacock, Orange-tip, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White. Large Red Damselfly was seen. Lots of Green Tiger Beetles scampered all over the mosslands. A Bank Vole was in its usual location and a Red-eared Terrapin was on a Coots nest, probably the end of that clutch of eggs
After the sun came up today at Newchucrch Common a few butterflies were seen, the species in question being Orange-tip, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White and Speckled Wood.
2 Bank Voles, both near the tower hide, and 2 Orange Tip Butterflies.
St. Marks Flies near the bushy areas, though in small numbers, the icy northerly wind kept insect sightings low.
With the weather a bit changeable I have summarised the last week on Newchurch Common, Cheshire in one post:
22nd April: A good day for lepidoptera with over 100 Green Hairstreaks, my first Speckled Wood of the year here, Green-veined White and several early Latticed Heath Moths. Over 10 Green Tiger Beetles (picture) were seen on the mosses as well as a few Red-tailed Bumblebee workers. My first Large Red Damselflies were three sunning themselves on a bramble bush. Lots of St Mark's Flies were out, bird food for new arrivals. A Bank Vole was seen.
23rd April: Over 10 Holly Blues were seen, my first on patch this year. Lots of Orange-tips too. Small tadpoles in large numbers in Sandiway Big Pool.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 25th of April 2017 09:13:27 PM
1 Green Hairstreak and 2 Orange Tip butterflies plus 1 Common Lizard.
There were few other insects around, and certainly no other reptiles seen as there was a biting Northerly wind and occasional hail shower.
Lancs trip, including Leighton and Foulshaw Mosses
Grey Squirrel
Rabbit
Bank Vole
Common Lizard
Orange Tip
Small White
Green-veined White
Peacock
Green Hairstreak
Large Red Damselfly.
I'd been advised the site was a good place to look for Adders, not surprisingly I did'nt find any.
Much of the site is birch woodland, with lots rhododendron and balsam in the damper areas, which isn't adder habitat.
However, there are drier areas, with pines, the odd mature oak and lots of dead bracken which look more promising, although much of the site is not accessible.
1 large Red Fox, 1 Peacock Butterfly and lots of Orange Tip butterflies, particularly on the edge of the wood.
Nice sunny day back on patch at Newchurch Common, Cheshire produced a few nice sightings.
A large Common Lizard was seen on the mosslands as well at Green Hairstreaks still at two widespread locations. A Speckled Wood near Big Pool was the first of that species on patch this year. A few Green Tiger Beetles were again on the mosslands as well as a Carabus problematicus (one of the 'Violet' Ground Beetles). A queen Red-tailed Bumblebee was also on the mosslands and nearby a new site for Tawny Mining Bee. An Alder Fly hatch had occurred on Sandiway Big Pool.
7 Grey Seals, 3 Orange Tip, 1 Small Heath and 1 Large White butterflies.
At Newchurch Common, Cheshire today I had my first Common Lizard of the year basking in the sunshine. I also had my first Green-veined White Butterfly and the Green Hairstreaks were still flying. All these sightings were in the mosses area.
As it was sunny and warm this afternoon I decided on a walk on Newchurch Common to see if any butterflies were flying, or any other inverts for that matter.
I had a huge surprise when I found three Green Hairstreaks (one pictured) flying on the mosslands. This is my earliest date ever for this species and one I never saw on patch last year. Cheshire Wildlife Trust have been doing lots of management work with one priority species being Green Hairstreak, so hats off to them, it seems to be working I also recorded my first Orange-tips of the year, seeing two males on wet areas a fair distance apart. Comma and Small Tortoiseshells were flying too. The mosslands also were teeming with Green Tiger Beetles, a great species to see too.
Not an invert but seentoday was a basking Red-eared Terrapin on Sandiway Small Pool, not a welcome site, but they are here to stay it seems
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 7th of April 2017 10:43:16 PM
A few snippets from Cheshire saved up over the last week:
Tawny Mining Bee at Higher Whitley last Week and a Tree Bumblebee this week, both in the shop at Focalpoint, along with large numbers of Harlequin Ladybirds.
A couple of Seven-spot Ladybirds in our Moulton Garden last week.
Last Week on Newchurch Common a Slime Mould that looks like a fungus that was new for me - Wolf's Blood (see picture for info & ID purposes).
Today at Newchurch Common a Wood Mouse and on the mosslands nearby 3 Comma Butterflies and a Peacock Butterfly. Lots of Eristalis tenax (Dronefly) hoverflies about.
1 Holly Blue in garden whilst gardening.
Callands, Warrington
Holly Blue butterfly (male) and Tawny Mining Bee on my garden roses today, the bee now as a cone shaped nest on my lawn, where they have settled in previous years.
Walking the horse today at Newchurch Coomon (Cheshire) we recorded our first patch butterflies in the shape of 2 Small Tortoiseshells and a Brimstone. Overdue given the sunshine & the fact I was out on patch yesterday! I did record my first hoverfly (IDed one that is) yesterday with an Eristalis tenax present. Also yesterday I had prospecting queen Buff-tailed Bumblebees searching for nest sites.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 26th of March 2017 05:46:13 PM
1 Green Tiger Beetle. A constant stream of gossamer filaments was being blown along the valley by the easterly breeze, with some threads containing tiny spiders.
Oddly, despite it being a warmish sunny day no butterflies were seen, and there was just 1 bumblebee around, plenty of lacewings though.
I gave suitable areas a good scan as it seemed to be a good day to check for Adders, but none were found.
If as is often stated, Pheasants are Adders primary predator, then the snakes have no chance in the lower valley judging by the number of game birds around.
Still dark with the faintest of dawn light...
- 1 European Polecat (Lifer)
Only ever seen a dead one in the wild. I was on one of the bleak forest lanes in the hills and it suddenly just appeared at the side of the lane bounding along and then darted back into the roadside vegetation, I was driving fairly slowly too due to the icy conditions so I got a decent look at it with my full beam on.
- 3 Brown Long-eared Bats
Saw them in close proximity to each other so must've been a decent area for them, flew over the car and again I was driving fairly slowly and this time streetlights made it easier to determine what they were.
- 1 Red Fox was the only other Mammal seen apart from the usual regular roadkill species including a Fox, Badger, Rabbit, Grey Squirrel and a Rat!
Very little to report now that the weather has turned very cold, but the Water Shrew was still present at Newchurch Common today.
A very cold Newchurch Common walk but still recorded a new insect for the patch - November Moth. Also a couple of Hornets still nectaring on ivy.
A real quickie to say that I had one very lethargic Hornet on ivy on a dull, cold morning at Newchurch Common, unexpected given the weather but my aim of recording them into November has been met
No Hornets on a dull morning at Newchurch Common, but I added a new Ichneumon to the site - Ichneumon extensorius, a hugely under-recorded species in the UK with no Cheshire Records on NBN Gateway but I have found a Cheshire Record on someones Blog in 2015!
The Water Shrew was in its usual location
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 1st of November 2016 03:29:39 PM
At Newchurch Common today some noteworthy sightings. Firstly in the fog, with the temperature hardly breaking 5 degrees a Red Admiral butterfly flew across a field near the entrance gate, I was amazed!! Later on as the sun got up I had a basking Grass Snake, great to see one this late in the year, but it has been a fantastic year for these on my patch. Finally the Hornets were still active and I have every hope of recording them into November now!
At Newchurch Common there are fungi everywhere. I wish I could identify more of them but ones I could included massive numbers of Fly Agarics and Sulhur Tuft Fungi, with smaller numbers of Shaggy Inkcaps. Lots of Hornets on the wing today and a mass of wasps feeding on nectar on ivy on one tree on the mosslands.
11.00-15.00
10 Common Darter dragonflies, 3 were sun bathing from the "Lizard" fence. 3 Red Admiral butterflies.
Today and yesterday at Newchurch Common:
Not sure why my mammal sightings have gone up, Water Shrew, Common Shrew and Bank Vole all seen. Hornets still on the wing and an unidentified butterfly flew over. Fly Agaric fungi are everywhere making it look like pixie heaven!!
I am looking to see what the last 'Hornet Date' will be at Newchurch Common, still one today so that goes on! A family of 5 Bank Voles was found under a board and the Water Shrew was still about, albeit in a new location.
At Newchurch Common over the last week I still had Hornets flying near their nest site. The Water Shrew that I am keeping tabs on was still around too. Finally two 'baby' Great Crested Newts were found, proof of breeding this year, great news
As part of a seawatch at Old Colwyn, myself and Chris Chandler also saw some Mammals.
- a few Grey Seals towards Rainbow Bridge
- a pod of c10-15 Dolphins out in the bay having fun with 2 guys on a windsailing boat.
I knew there were Bottlenose there but some were very pale underneath and I wasn't 100% that they were all the same.
The photos I took were sent to Seawatch Foundation at Anglesey who deal with all Cetacean 'and the like' sightings for UK and Irish waters, they have just confirmed them all today as Bottlenose Dolphins and have kept the photos for their database.
Even the one that I captured in full breach that has a slightly odd looking blunt beak is a Bottlenose.
Did an afternoon trip onto Newchurch Common for a change, the sun was out but it was never very warm.
But still a few bits about. On Sandiway Small Pool there were 3 Migrant Hawkers, a male and a pair 'in cop' mating, another male was on Big Pool. There were also 3 Common Darters around a female and a pair 'in cop' also. A couple of Hornets were seen in the usual place. A Poecilus beetle species was seen too (small metallic ground beetle) which was a new insect for this site. Lots of fungi including big groups of large Shaggy Parasols and several Shaggy Inkcaps
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 9th of October 2016 09:18:59 PM
As mentioned in the bird sightings I had a trip onto Newchurch Common with 3 others today & spectacular was the word!
The patch delivered with fabulous views of a Water Shrew, which was photographed and brilliant photographic opportunities with over 100 Hornets seen in the sunshine. Two male Black Darters were still on the wing as well as 6+ Common Darters including two 'in cop'. The butterfly highlight was a Painted Lady, other species included two Small Coppers, a Meadow Brown, a Speckled Wood and two Red Admirals. A new fungus was added to my list with several Fly Agarics seen. Plants included Field Pansy and Round-leaved Cranesbill. Lots of Common Carder Bees and several hoverfly species still on the wing.
09.30-13.00
No 3 Bed
5 Red Admiral and 1 Speckled Wood butterflies.
Lots of Honeybees visiting the balsam flowers.
A new species for my Newchurch Common recording area in the shape of a juvenile Wood Mouse! Over 40 Hornets (low res pic attached) in the area in which the nest must be, but this still remains unfound! The usual Comma, Red Admiral and Speckled Woods on the wing. Also Black Darter and Common Darter Dragonflies,