A morning walk on Newchurch Common took advantage of the sunny half of the day!
Dragonflies were the main news with my first Migrant Hawker here of the year by Shemmy Moss. Also on the mosses 2m Southern Hawkers (1 of the rarer all-blue form), a male Emperor, 10m Black Darters and 4m Common Darters. Also 8 Red-eyed Damselflies on Small Pool and a total of 20+Common Blue Damselflies on my walk.
Lots of Sericomyia silentis hoverflies on the mosses as well as Helophilus pendulus.
A couple of fungus species were recorded, namely Brown Rollrim (Paxillus involutus) and Coconut Milkcap (Lactarius gkyciosmus).
The margin of sedge and rush along the West bank of Tatton Mere I have always found to be a good spot for
dragonflies at this time of year, today's visit did not disappoint.
Numerous Migrant Hawkers frequently hovered and zoomed around at high speed, but not once settled on vegetation and
posed for a photo. A coupled pair was seen, but they dropped out of site into the rushes for privacy.
Several Common Darters were seen resting on the parkland paths throughout, and a number of Common Blue Damselflies
were seen too. The best sighting for me though was when I spotted a couple pair of quite large (For a damselfly) damselflies
that settled on some floating vegetation in the square pool at the North end of Tatton Mere. Through my bins I found myself
looking into a pair of red globe like eyes, a Red Eyed Damselfly, which I think is a first for me.
Butterfly wise I found a couple of Speckled Woods in the Millennium Wood, and a single Red Admiral by the main mere.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Aug 15 3:59 PM, 2022
Reports from today and yesterday from Newchurch Common:
A dead Badger was an unwelcome sight on my patch boundary road of Daleford Lane.
A couple more Common Blue butterflies were seen. A small number, c.15 Red-eyed Damselflies are still on Small Pool but a thorough check revealed no Small Red-eyed Damselflies.
A Brown China Mark was a new moth for the site, in the woods by Small Pool.
A Megachile Leafcutter Bee was seen but these cannot easily be speciated. A Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis) was by Small Pool.
A spider species, probably Metellina mengeiwas photographed. The Harvestman Opilio canestrinii was by Small Pool too, on Red Currant.
Birch Woodwart fungus (Annulohypoxylon multiforme) was in Small Pool woods.
Both White and Red Campion is in flower. Common Sorrel was by Big Pool and some collected for salad! Amphibious Bistort was in Big Pool with Gypsywort nearbly.
John Williams said
Fri Aug 12 4:09 PM, 2022
Leasowe Lighthouse area (Seawall & coastal path) Midday
Numerous Common Blue butterflies were seen along the seawall, and near the now almost dried out
freshwater pond a single Red Admiral appeared.
Despite only a bath sized pool remaining of the pond, a single male Emperor Dragonfly had not given up
and constantly patrolled what remained. A single Brown Hawker was seen nearby.
The saddest feature of today's outing was the the sight of a well decomposed corpse of a porpoise on the shoreline.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Aug 10 9:12 PM, 2022
Out for last 2 days so a late report for my Newchurch patch for Monday 8th August :
At least 3 more Common Blue butterflies were noted.
Flesh Flies are everywhere at the moment.
White-lipped Snail was added to the patch yearlist.
The fungus Lepiota cristata (Stinking Dapperling) was seen for the first time here.
Water Mint and Redshank were 2 plants IDed today.
John Williams said
Wed Aug 10 6:28 PM, 2022
Burtonwood (Arable land between Sankey Brook and Burtonwood Road) 10.00-14.30
Butterflies : Lots of Cabbage Whites (Large and Small), 1 Green Veined White, 5 Speckled Woods,
2 Meadow Browns and just 2 Gatekeepers. No dragonflies or damselflies seen throughout.
Having seen Cormorants resting on pylons by Sankey Brook on a number of occasions recently, but not today,
and being a former coarse angler myself, I have often wondered what the attraction was for the birds here.
Sankey Brook was once little more than an open sewer, and although it now runs clear I have only ever seen Stickleback
sized fish in there, today though I noticed a shoal of what appeared to be Chub swimming near Causeway Bridge Farm.
John Williams said
Mon Aug 8 10:31 PM, 2022
Stocks Reservoir & Gisburn Forest 12.00-16.00
Butterflies : Peacocks and Red Admirals galore, mainly on Knapweed which is currently flowering in profusion
along the trails and cleared areas of the forest. Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Large Whites appeared plentiful too.
Also 3 Small Skippers, 1 Green Veined White and 1 very shabby Ringlet.
There is a large cleared in the forest, to the East of the reservoir, which is always worth checking out.
Not only did it produce large numbers of butterflies, but also 2 Common Lizards and 1 Common Frog.
Butterflies included my 2nd Common Blue of the year, a female, as well as a Holly Blue. Also seen were Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Comma, Small White and Green-veined White.
Lots of Brown Hawkers were seen as well as 2(m+f) Southern Hawkers. Common Darter and Black Darter were also recorded. Emerald and Common Blue Damselflies were seen.
Moths included Shaded Broad-bar and Common Carpet as well as the micro Agriphila tristaella.
Eristalis intricaria was the only less common hoverfly.
Common Field Grasshopper was photographed. The sawfly Tenthredo brevicornis was in the meadows east of Big Pool.
The spiders Lynphia triangularis and Common Fox Spider (Alopecosa pulverulenta) were recorded in Big Pool meadows.
Fungi seen included Turkeytail and Agaricus campestris (Field Mushroom). A new fungus for patch was Yellow Fieldcap (Bolbitius titubans). Dog's VomitSlimemould (Fuligo septica) was seen too.
Black Medic and Tufted Vetch were in flower. Petty Spurge was also recorded and is highly toxic!
John Williams said
Fri Aug 5 6:50 PM, 2022
Moore NR 10.00-15.30
Butterflies : 1 Purple Hairstreak (On an oak along the West side of Birchwood Pool), 1 Comma, 2 Red Admirals,
2 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Green Veined White plus numerous Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Speckled Woods.
Oddly no dragonflies were seen, several Common Blue and Blue Tailed Damselflies were found around Birchwood Pool though.
John O'Neill said
Thu Aug 4 2:47 PM, 2022
Penketh
Our back garden saw first Painted Lady of the year this pm, one maybe two joined various other buttereflies.
5 ssps just on one Buddleia bush at one point.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Aug 3 11:14 PM, 2022
An afternoon in the sun at Newchurch Common.
A new butterfly for 2022 was added to the patch list - Common Blue, a female seen by Big Pool. Also seen were Holly Blue, 4 Red Admirals, Comma, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet and 30 Gatekeepers, 5 together on 1 Ragwort.
A new micromoth was Udea lutealis, 3 being seen. A good count of 8 Dingy Skippers was made, all on Ragwort and 3 Common Carpets were seen as well as a Common Nettle-tap.
The Big Pool Meadows held 7 Brown Hawkers, a female Common Darter and a Broad-bodied Chaser.
Several German Wasps were seen. The hoverfly Eristalis arbustorum was photographed. The fly Tachina ferawas abundant. Common Green Grasshoppers were in the grassland north of Big Pool.
John Williams said
Fri Jul 29 7:56 PM, 2022
Sandbach Flashes 12.00-15.30
Butterflies : 2 Red Admirals, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Comma and 1 Painted Lady.
The only dragonfly seen was a single Brown Hawker flying along the edge of Elton Hall Flash.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jul 27 9:56 PM, 2022
Again a warm afternoon with sunny intervals at Newchurch.
Best sightings were 2 Grass Snakes and 4 Common Lizards, all in the mosslands area. Also here lots of small Common Toads, Grass Snake food!
For the second day running I saw Holly Blue and Small Copper, but on the mosses so different individuals. All other butterflies and odonta similar to previous days apart from a Southern Hawker hunting over the old leek field.
Two brand new moths were added to the patch list, Suspected and Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet. A Nettle Tap was also seen.
Pellucid Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens) was photographed and seen in several areas. Common Wasp was officially IDed for 2022 on patch.
Blue-mint Beetle, a very rare species, but with a record locally, was recorded for the first time on Abbot's Moss. a female Bog Bush Cricket was seem/
The tachind fly Tachina fera was seen in small numbers on the mosslands. Awkward Cluster Fly was seen as last year on Shemmy Moss as well as the housefly Phaonia inacana. A probable Sapromyza quadripunctata (a small orange fly species) was seen by the main track between the pools. The common cranefly Tipula oleraceawas on Shemmy Moss in numbers.
Common Froghopper was new for the year, by Shemmy Moss.
The harvestman Opilio canestrinii was seen by the Whitegate Way.
The fungus Agrocybe pediades was new for the year.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 27th of July 2022 10:03:29 PM
John Williams said
Wed Jul 27 9:07 PM, 2022
Glasson area (Lancs)
Conder Green Pool :
Flowering Ragwort and Creeping Thistle in front of the screen attracted numerous butterflies and hoverflies.
Most of the butterflies were Gatekeepers or Large Whites but a couple of Small Tortoiseshells also appeared.
A single Brown Hawker dragonfly toured the flowering plants but was not seen to catch anything.
4 Common Blue butterflies were seen flying alongside the coastal path at Cockersands.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jul 26 11:24 PM, 2022
An afternoon visit to Newchurch, sunny intervals and warm.
Two headline butterflies, Small Copper and 2nd brood Holly Blue. Also Large White, Green-veined White, Comma, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Speckled Wood.
No new Odonata. Hoverflies included Eristalis intricaria, Syrphus ribesii, Helophilus pendulus and Syritta pipiens. The tachinid fly Phasia hemiptera was new for patch. Also new were Orange-legged Furrow Bee and Grey-banded Mining Bee. The Thick-headed Fly Conops quadrifasciatuswas also new As was the Greenbottle Lucilia sericata.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 27th of July 2022 01:55:37 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jul 24 10:06 PM, 2022
Didn't have to venture out to get a couple of noteworthy species today.
My overnight moth trapping saw my catch a Webb's Wainscot, only the third documented record for Cheshire and amazingly I got the third record too with one caught last September!! It means that me and my garden hold half of all the records for Cheshire of Webb's Wainscot moth!! Another moth caught is classed as uncommon in Cheshire, the Double Lobed. That was my first ever of this species. Both moths are marshland species so it probably helps that our house is built on an ex-marsh!!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 24th of July 2022 10:07:32 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sat Jul 23 11:22 PM, 2022
A morning Newchurch walk produced lots of good sightings.
A Common Shrew was in Gull Pool Wood.
Also in Gull Pool Wood a Great Crested Newt and a Smooth Newt were seen as well as a Common Toad. At least 2 Common Lizards were on Shemmy Moss.
A new moth species was 2 Small Fan-footed Waves, 1 on Shemmy Moss and 1 by Newchurch main track. Another was the leaf-miner Stigmella basiguttella whose mines were found on Oaks on Shemmy Moss.
The hoverflies Marmalade Fly, Cheilosia illustrata, Sphaerophoria scripta and Eristalis arbustorum were noted.
At least 2 Bog Bush Crickets were seen. Scorpion Fly was noted.The beetles Devil's Coach-horse, Pterostichus niger and Abax parallelipidus were seen. Common Garden Centipede was noted,
Several Cross Orb-weaver Spiders were on Shemmy Moss.
The lichen Cladonia portentosawas on Shemmy Moss along with Humble Pixie Cup. The fungi Hoof Fungus and Ganoderma australe were seen.
Plants included Upright Hedge-parsley, Common Rush and Dewberry.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jul 22 12:25 PM, 2022
Late news for Weds 20th JULY 2022:
A morning walk on Newchurch Common mainly concentrating on the mosslands area.
A single Common Lizard was seen basking early on before the sun got hotter.
The highlight was the discovery of 2(m+f) Bog Bush Crickets, great to see that they are still here, albeit again in a totally different area. The old areas held none!
Butterflies seen were 7 of the usual common species. But moths were added to the patch list - Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella) and Argyresthia goedartella, a micro common on birch. Also seen, but seen before were Common Wave, Common Heath and lots of Cinnabar caterpillars on the Ragwort.
A male Black-tailed Skimmer was seen as well as a Southern Hawker, a Four-spotted Chaser and lots of Black Darters (including a pair 'in cop') as usual. Emerald, CommonBlue and Azure Damselflies were seen.
A good variety of hoverflies included Eristalis pertinax, Eristalis nemorum(new patch species), Eristalis arbustorum (new patch species), Platycheirus albimanus (new patch species), Sericomyia silentis andXylota segnis (new for the year). Common Carder Bees were abundant.
The cranefly Nephrotoma scurra was added to the patch list and is relatively scarce in the UK. The small snipe fly Rhagio lineola was seen too and was new for the year. A Long-jawed Orb-weaver Spider was also recorded.
A plant highlight was finding a single Common Twayblade in the now overgrown wood which was its former stronghold. Ploughman's-spikenard was a new ID for me on patch. The lichen Physcia adscendens was photographed.
Weirdly a post from 17th July 2022 seems to have disappeared. The main things were:
One highlight was a Dingy Footman moth on Shemmy Moss. Another was my first Four-spot Orb-weaver Spider on Shemmy Moss which had a male Emperor dragonfly in its web, but the dragon escaped with my help, although it did bite my finger (didn't break the skin!!) as I rescued it! Red-tailed Bumblebee and Buff-tailed Bumblebees were seen.The Darkling Beetle species Lagria hirtawas a new species. Also seen was Common Awl Robberfly (Neoitamus cyanurus). The harvestman Phalangium opiliowas recorded. Common Shiny Woodlouse was seen as was Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus).
Plants recorded included Hare's-tail Cottongrass and Common Cottongrass on Shemmy Moss, Woolly Burdock, Heather and Cross-leaved Heath, Yarrow, Wild Angelica, Common Hawkweed, Perforate St John's-wort and Wood Avens. Dwarf Bell fungus (Galerina pumila) was on the mosses.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 22nd of July 2022 04:39:02 PM
John Williams said
Mon Jul 18 4:50 PM, 2022
Neumanns Flash 10.15-12.00
Butterflies : Gatekeepers galore and 1 Holly Blue.
Dragonflies : 1m Black tailed Skimmer resting on the path to Pods Hide.
As the temperature climbed during the morning large numbers of dragonflies skimmed across the surface of the flash.
The most numerous, and easiest to ID, were male Black Tailed Skimmers.
3 Blue Tailed Damselflies rested on the reeds by Pods Hide, where a single male Banded Demoiselle was also seen.
Several 6 Spot Burnet Moths were seen by the path between the flashes.
The ground vegetation along the bund appeared shrivelled and dying, and there was very little Birds Foot Trefoil to be seen.
I had hoped to find a Dingy Skipper butterfly here today, but with it's foodplant looking to be on the way out, there seemed little hope.
Butterflies : 2 Commas, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Woods and a few Gatekeepers. (The later mainly on the
flowering brambles by the car park). As usual at this time of year I had a good scan round the oaks along the South
bank of the bed in the hope of finding an elusive Purple Hairstreak, I only managed a brief glimpse of a 1p sized butterfly
near the top of one of the trees though. In previous summers friends at WECG have pointed out the individual oaks to
focus on, but I still have not managed to get a decent view of one. It is probably due to timing as early evening is said to
produce the best sightings.
Dragonflies : Numerous Brown Hawkers seen and a couple of male Black Tailed Skimmers resting on path along
with a single male Common Darter.
John Williams said
Wed Jul 13 11:25 PM, 2022
Burtonwood Afternoon visit
Arable fields between Sankey Brook and Burtonwood Road.
Butterflies : Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns in profusion, 2 Commas and 1 Small Tortoiseshell.
The only dragonfly seen was a medium sized hawker on a high speed patrol above a field of wheat,
it did not pause even for a moment, but I'm pretty sure it was a male Southern Hawker.
dave broome said
Tue Jul 12 1:53 PM, 2022
An hour and a half at Morkery Wood, Lincolnshire this morning produced 10 butterfly species, including 3 Purple Emperor (along the main path south from the car park, near the first junction of paths), 11 Silver-washed Fritillary, 5 Purple Hairstreak and 20 Ringlet
John Williams said
Mon Jul 11 11:58 PM, 2022
Birkdale saltmarsh and beach. Afternoon visit.
Butterflies : Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers were numerous along the saltmarsh paths.
4 Small and 1 Large Skippers were also seen.
The only dragonfly seen was a large hawker flying along the beach edge of the saltmarsh, the blue colour
and swollen thorax appeared to indicate a Emperor but I could not be 100% sure.
2 Grey Seals drifted on the sea just offshore.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Jul 11 10:47 PM, 2022
Another Newchurch visit in sweltering heat, am & briefly pm.
Another Essex Skipper was seen and photographed near Big Pool, with Small and Large Skippers also here. A new moth, Common Wave, was added for the year.
At least 35 Black Darters were on Shemmy Moss, many just emerged. Also here 3m Emperors, 19 Four-spotted Chasers and 6 Emerald damselflies.
The hoverfly Volucella zonaria was seen near Big Pool Island Cut.
Lots of Common Toadlets were in the woods here too.
The fungus Psathyrella candolleana was seen in the woods near Big Pool Island Cut. Self- heal was in flower near the main track.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 11th of July 2022 10:59:23 PM
dave broome said
Mon Jul 11 8:18 PM, 2022
A productive two and a half hours or so at Bourne Woods, Lincolnshire today produced 11 butterfly species, including 1 Purple Emperor, at least 1 White Admiral, min 10 Silver-Washed Fritillary and 5 Purple Hairstreak
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jul 10 10:26 PM, 2022
On Newchurch again am, sweltering & almost too hot!
At least 2 Purple Hairstreaks in the same oak as yesterday.
A Black-tailed Skimmer was on Shemmy Moss as well as an Emperor, Four-spotted Chasers, Brown Hawker, Black Darters and Common Darter.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Jul 9 10:17 PM, 2022
A morning walk at Newchurch Common in warm sunshine.
There was a dead Mole near the main track at the gate end.
On Shemmy Moss 3 Common Lizards were seen, my highest day count of 2022.
A total of 10 butterfly species included a Purple Hairstreak in a thirs location for the year, an oak near the main track between the top car parks fpr Big and Small Pools. The other species were as before. A grass moth Crambus pascuella was photographed again.
On Shemmy Moss 3 Brown Hawkers and a Common Darter were seen as well as at least 10 Black Darters. Up to 5 Common Emeralds were seen as well as the other common damselfly species.
A Hornet was seen catching a bee and devouring it on Shemmy Moss. The Thick-headed Fly species Conops quadrifasciatus was on Creeping Thistle by Shemmy Moss.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 9th of July 2022 10:20:41 PM
John Williams said
Sat Jul 9 12:05 AM, 2022
Woolston Eyes No.3 Bed (Afternoon visit) 08.07.22
Butterflies : 1 Small Skipper, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Green Veined White, a few Small Whites plus in the shaded areas
several Speckled Woods. Oddly despite there being around 6 Buddleias in flower along the South Bank not a single butterfly
was to be found on any of them, even when the sun appeared.
Brown Hawker dragonflies were quite abundant whilst a couple of male Black Tailed Skimmers were seen resting on the scrape
in front of the J. Morgan hide. The only damselfly that settled long enough to get an ID was a single Blue tailed by the footbridge.
A Snipe Fly rested long enough to get a photo in the copse by the meadow.
An afternoon walk on Newchurch Common in the warm sun.
The biggest highlight was a superb small Grass Snake, my first of 2022, on Shemmy Moss. A cluster of 5 Smooth Newts was found under a log in a private area.
The best invert sightings were 2 Purple Hairstreaks, 1 on Newchurch Comon between Big Pool and the Pine Belt and one near the Whitegate Way on the edge of Shemmy Moss. Also very pleasing was 2 Essex Skippers in Big Pool meadows near the Island Cut. In all 11 butterfly species were seen, the others being Small Skipper, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Small White, Peacock and Comma.
Cinnabar caterpillars were on Ragwort on Shemmy Moss. A new moth for the patch was the micro Eucosma campoliliana.
A male Black-tailed Skimmer was on Shemmy Moss. A male Emperor and a Brown Hawker were by Big Pool. Common Blue, Azure, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies were all noted.
My first Hornet of the year was on the northern edge of Shemmy Moss. A sweat bee, Lasioglossum sp. was by Shemmy Moss. Lots of Sericomyia silentis hoverflies were on Shemmy Moss as well as a Volucella bombylans.
Green Tiger Beetles were again on Shemmy Moss and Abax parallelepipduswas near Gull Pool. Common Red Soldier Beetles adorned nearly all flowering plants on Shemmy Moss.
Lesser Reed Mace was recorded by Big Pool and Enchanter's Nightshade was in Gull Pool Woods.
John Williams said
Wed Jul 6 7:17 PM, 2022
Burtonwood (Midday)
Arable land between Sankey Brook and Burtonwood Road.
Butterflies : Numerous Meadow Browns, several Small Whites and a single Gatekeeper.
I found a mystery beetle on a young oak, using the web the description matches "Lagria hirta",
Again a short afternoon walk in the sun at Newchurch Common.
New for 2022 were 2 Ruddy Darters. Other dragonflies were a SouthernHawker and a BrownHawker, still over 40 Common Blue Damselflies seen.
A count of 9 butterfly species comprised a female Essex Skipper, Small Skippers, a Red Admiral, a Comma, a Small White, a Speckled Wood, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Ringlets.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jul 3 10:56 PM, 2022
Sunnier this afternoon so an afternoon walk on Newchurch Common.
Brilliant day with my first Essex Skipper of 2022 in Big Pool meadows along with 6+Small Skippers and 2 Large Skippers. Another butterfly addition was 2 Gatekeepers north of Big Pool. A Red Admiral, a Small White, a Large White, a Speckled Wood, 20 Ringlets and 25 Meadow Browns completed the butterfly list.
A 6-Spot Burnet Moth was new for the year.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Jun 25 11:15 PM, 2022
A short walk on Newchurch am. Sunny intervals but windy.
Two new Odonata seen: Black-tailed Skimmer and c.2 Common Darters. Male & female Emperors and Black Darters still as well as Emerald Damselflies.
No new butterflies but a Large Skipper on Shemmy Moss was a new location for the species this year.
Doc Brewster said
Fri Jun 24 9:59 PM, 2022
An early start on Newchurch Common, warming up and sunny most of the time.
A Painted Lady was the butterfly highlight, on the main track by Shemmy Moss. Up to 4 Black Darter dragonflies were on Shemmy Moss as well as a couple of Emerald Damselflies.
A new moth for the year was an Inlaid Grass Veneer (Crambus pascuella) on Shemmy Moss.
Also new was the Mirid Bug Leptopterna dolabrata.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 24th of June 2022 10:00:46 PM
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jun 23 10:12 PM, 2022
Another morning walk in the sun at Newchurch Common to do some of my own habitat management, since this isn't an officially managed site!!
As an aside I got my first (male) Common Hawker on Shemmy Moss, much rarer than Southern Hawker so really pleased. I also recorded 30 Four-spotted Chasers on Shemmy Moss as well as a male Emperor and a teneral Black Darter. Up to 2 Brown Hawkers were by Big Pool.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jun 22 9:57 PM, 2022
A morning Newchurch Common walk around Big Pool.
A Painted Lady was on brambles and again flighty as all have been this year. At least 30 Ringlets were counted. A Small Skipper and 3 Large Skippers were seen.
In the meadows 2 Brown Hawkers were disturbed.
Shaded Broad-bar and Cinnabar moths were seen.
Nursery Web Spiders seemed to be very abundant with over 20 nest webs seen in this small area.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jun 21 11:18 PM, 2022
A walk at Newchurch Common this afternoon in the hot sun especially for inverts and a few really good additions to the year list.
A new butterfly was Small Skipper near Big Pool Island Cut as well as 2 Large Skippers here. Ringlets and Meadow Browns were seen in a few areas. Other species noted were Red Admiral, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Small White and Brimstone. Eleven butterfly species made it the best day this year for these.
Two new dragonflies were seen, 2 teneral Black Darters and a Brown Hawker on Shemmy Moss. A Downy Emerald was also seen away from their normal areas. On Shemmy Moss was a new damselfly, seen in good numbers, for the year, Emerald Damselfly. The usual other damselflies, Common Blue D, Azure D, Red-eyed D, Blue-tailed D and Large Red D were all seen.
Other insects noted included Green Tiger Beetle, Yellow and Black Longhorn (Rutpela maculata), Cinnabar and lots of Brown-silver Line moths. Two new moths for the year were Brimstone Moth and Common White Wave.
A large stand of Round-leaved Sundew on Shemmy Moss was a nice sight.
John Williams said
Sun Jun 19 5:52 PM, 2022
Doc Brewster wrote:
John Williams wrote:
Burtonwood 12.00-16.00
A single female Common Darter was also noted, looking newly emerged, she frequently posed on the ground.
Rather than a Common Darter, John, your picture shows a Black-tailed Skimmer.
Whoops sorry Paul, I think I must of just judged the dragonfly mainly by size. You are 100% correct, the Chesire Odenata website shows a female Black-tailed Skimmer that is an absolute clone of the one in my photo. Thanks for the correction.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Jun 18 12:09 PM, 2022
John Williams wrote:
Burtonwood 12.00-16.00
A single female Common Darter was also noted, looking newly emerged, she frequently posed on the ground.
Rather than a Common Darter, John, your picture shows a Black-tailed Skimmer.
John Williams said
Fri Jun 17 6:19 PM, 2022
Neumanns Flash - Midday
Butterflies : 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet and 1 Red Admiral.
John O'Neill said
Thu Jun 16 5:04 PM, 2022
Silver Lane Pools Risley
A single spike of Bee Orchid fully out.
Several Southern Marsh Orchids , most past their best.
Butterflies common, majority of which were Common Blues.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jun 15 10:52 PM, 2022
A brief visit to Newchurch Common am in the sunshine produced 2 new butterfly species for the year. Both were seen in the meadows by Big Pool and were Ringlet and Meadow Brown. Also noted were several Common Spotted Orchids.
John Williams said
Wed Jun 15 8:00 PM, 2022
Burtonwood 12.00-16.00
Arable farmland between Sankey Brook and Burtonwood Road.
Lots of butterflies seen but all were either Small Tortoiseshells or Large Whites.
2 Southern Hawker dragonflies were seen, 1 patrolled over a field of oil seed rape, the other above a newly cut hay meadow.
A single female Common Darter was also noted, looking newly emerged, she frequently posed on the ground.
It was difficult to avoid walking on countless Garden Chafers as they ambled across a path alongside a field of wheat,
numerous Violet Ground Beetle were seen there too.
At the edge of a field of rape I came across a Honey Bee on the ground, it appeared disorientated and kept turning upside down
as if afflicted with something.
A Bank Vole showed briefly alongside a bramble thicket.
Clockface Rd
between Penketh and Clockface
roadside verge at Swinton Commercials
About two thirds of steep verge has been left unmown this year. This seems to have suited the orchid population here well. Lots of Marsh Orchid spikes still out, most /all apparently Southern Marsh. Some very tall and robust.
Two Bee Orchid spikes found just coming into flower.
Six Spot Burnet moths common.
John Williams said
Thu Jun 9 4:26 PM, 2022
Arley 09.30-13.00
Walked along the path from Arley Road to Hollins Lane Antrobus, and returned via the same route.
1 Silver Y moth. The only butterflies seen were 6 Large Whites.
An "Oedemera noblis" type beetle was seen sharing a bramble flower with a small bumble bee.
In the tall grass alongside Hancocks Flood (Opposite Pumphouse Flash) I found a smallish moth which appeared to be
a male Clouded Buff. Having checked the relevant websites and field guides, nothing else matches the description.
A great pity I did not manage to get a photo as this moth appears to be quite scarce except on peat mosslands etc.
For those with an interest in moths it's well worth looking out for amongst the grassy areas bordering the flashes.
Clouded Buff isn't a small moth, John, and is only found on peat mosslnads as you say. Have a look at Straw Dot, which is a small moth with similar markings and is on the wing at present in reasonable numbers and is a rank grassland species.
Ok many thanks Paul, it probably was a Straw Dot, just wish I'd bothered to take a photo.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jun 7 9:12 PM, 2022
Afternoon invert visit to Newchucrh Common.
A new butterfly for the year was a Large Skipper N.of Big Pool. Also near Big Pool were 2 Painted Ladys. Other species seen were a male Brimstone, 4Red Admirals, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White, 10 species being the highest number in one day this year.
The usual 5 common damselflies were seen, all at Big Pool.
New moths seen were Yellow Shell and Silver-ground Carpet. Other notables being Straw Dot and Silver Y.
Common Poppy was photographed. Also photographed was Nettle Rust Fungus.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jun 7 8:57 PM, 2022
John Williams wrote:
Sandbach Flashes (Late morning)
In the tall grass alongside Hancocks Flood (Opposite Pumphouse Flash) I found a smallish moth which appeared to be
a male Clouded Buff. Having checked the relevant websites and field guides, nothing else matches the description.
A great pity I did not manage to get a photo as this moth appears to be quite scarce except on peat mosslands etc.
For those with an interest in moths it's well worth looking out for amongst the grassy areas bordering the flashes.
Clouded Buff isn't a small moth, John, and is only found on peat mosslnads as you say. Have a look at Straw Dot, which is a small moth with similar markings and is on the wing at present in reasonable numbers and is a rank grassland species.
John Williams said
Tue Jun 7 4:57 PM, 2022
Sandbach Flashes (Late morning)
In the tall grass alongside Hancocks Flood (Opposite Pumphouse Flash) I found a smallish moth which appeared to be
a male Clouded Buff. Having checked the relevant websites and field guides, nothing else matches the description.
A great pity I did not manage to get a photo as this moth appears to be quite scarce except on peat mosslands etc.
For those with an interest in moths it's well worth looking out for amongst the grassy areas bordering the flashes.
A morning walk on Newchurch Common took advantage of the sunny half of the day!
Dragonflies were the main news with my first Migrant Hawker here of the year by Shemmy Moss. Also on the mosses 2m Southern Hawkers (1 of the rarer all-blue form), a male Emperor, 10m Black Darters and 4m Common Darters. Also 8 Red-eyed Damselflies on Small Pool and a total of 20+Common Blue Damselflies on my walk.
Lots of Sericomyia silentis hoverflies on the mosses as well as Helophilus pendulus.
A couple of fungus species were recorded, namely Brown Rollrim (Paxillus involutus) and Coconut Milkcap (Lactarius gkyciosmus).
Garden Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. argentatum) was noted amongst plants seen.
Butterflies : 1f Common Blue, 1 Small Copper (Both by Mere Farm Pools), 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Meadow Brown
and lots of Speckled Woods (Especially around Lapwing Hall Pool).
Dragonflies : 1 Southern Hawker (Mere Farm Pools), 1 Brown Hawker and numerous Common Darters.
Common Blue Damselflies seen in small numbers around all the quarries.
The margin of sedge and rush along the West bank of Tatton Mere I have always found to be a good spot for
dragonflies at this time of year, today's visit did not disappoint.
Numerous Migrant Hawkers frequently hovered and zoomed around at high speed, but not once settled on vegetation and
posed for a photo. A coupled pair was seen, but they dropped out of site into the rushes for privacy.
Several Common Darters were seen resting on the parkland paths throughout, and a number of Common Blue Damselflies
were seen too. The best sighting for me though was when I spotted a couple pair of quite large (For a damselfly) damselflies
that settled on some floating vegetation in the square pool at the North end of Tatton Mere. Through my bins I found myself
looking into a pair of red globe like eyes, a Red Eyed Damselfly, which I think is a first for me.
Butterfly wise I found a couple of Speckled Woods in the Millennium Wood, and a single Red Admiral by the main mere.
Reports from today and yesterday from Newchurch Common:
A dead Badger was an unwelcome sight on my patch boundary road of Daleford Lane.
A couple more Common Blue butterflies were seen. A small number, c.15 Red-eyed Damselflies are still on Small Pool but a thorough check revealed no Small Red-eyed Damselflies.
A Brown China Mark was a new moth for the site, in the woods by Small Pool.
A Megachile Leafcutter Bee was seen but these cannot easily be speciated. A Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis) was by Small Pool.
A spider species, probably Metellina mengei was photographed. The Harvestman Opilio canestrinii was by Small Pool too, on Red Currant.
Birch Woodwart fungus (Annulohypoxylon multiforme) was in Small Pool woods.
Both White and Red Campion is in flower. Common Sorrel was by Big Pool and some collected for salad! Amphibious Bistort was in Big Pool with Gypsywort nearbly.
Numerous Common Blue butterflies were seen along the seawall, and near the now almost dried out
freshwater pond a single Red Admiral appeared.
Despite only a bath sized pool remaining of the pond, a single male Emperor Dragonfly had not given up
and constantly patrolled what remained. A single Brown Hawker was seen nearby.
The saddest feature of today's outing was the the sight of a well decomposed corpse of a porpoise on the shoreline.
Out for last 2 days so a late report for my Newchurch patch for Monday 8th August :
At least 3 more Common Blue butterflies were noted.
Flesh Flies are everywhere at the moment.
White-lipped Snail was added to the patch yearlist.
The fungus Lepiota cristata (Stinking Dapperling) was seen for the first time here.
Water Mint and Redshank were 2 plants IDed today.
Butterflies : Lots of Cabbage Whites (Large and Small), 1 Green Veined White, 5 Speckled Woods,
2 Meadow Browns and just 2 Gatekeepers. No dragonflies or damselflies seen throughout.
Having seen Cormorants resting on pylons by Sankey Brook on a number of occasions recently, but not today,
and being a former coarse angler myself, I have often wondered what the attraction was for the birds here.
Sankey Brook was once little more than an open sewer, and although it now runs clear I have only ever seen Stickleback
sized fish in there, today though I noticed a shoal of what appeared to be Chub swimming near Causeway Bridge Farm.
Butterflies : Peacocks and Red Admirals galore, mainly on Knapweed which is currently flowering in profusion
along the trails and cleared areas of the forest. Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Large Whites appeared plentiful too.
Also 3 Small Skippers, 1 Green Veined White and 1 very shabby Ringlet.
There is a large cleared in the forest, to the East of the reservoir, which is always worth checking out.
Not only did it produce large numbers of butterflies, but also 2 Common Lizards and 1 Common Frog.
A day at Newchurch Common in the sun.
Butterflies included my 2nd Common Blue of the year, a female, as well as a Holly Blue. Also seen were Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Comma, Small White and Green-veined White.
Lots of Brown Hawkers were seen as well as 2(m+f) Southern Hawkers. Common Darter and Black Darter were also recorded. Emerald and Common Blue Damselflies were seen.
Moths included Shaded Broad-bar and Common Carpet as well as the micro Agriphila tristaella.
Eristalis intricaria was the only less common hoverfly.
Common Field Grasshopper was photographed. The sawfly Tenthredo brevicornis was in the meadows east of Big Pool.
The spiders Lynphia triangularis and Common Fox Spider (Alopecosa pulverulenta) were recorded in Big Pool meadows.
Fungi seen included Turkeytail and Agaricus campestris (Field Mushroom). A new fungus for patch was Yellow Fieldcap (Bolbitius titubans). Dog's Vomit Slimemould (Fuligo septica) was seen too.
Black Medic and Tufted Vetch were in flower. Petty Spurge was also recorded and is highly toxic!
Butterflies : 1 Purple Hairstreak (On an oak along the West side of Birchwood Pool), 1 Comma, 2 Red Admirals,
2 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Green Veined White plus numerous Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Speckled Woods.
Oddly no dragonflies were seen, several Common Blue and Blue Tailed Damselflies were found around Birchwood Pool though.
Our back garden saw first Painted Lady of the year this pm, one maybe two joined various other buttereflies.
5 ssps just on one Buddleia bush at one point.
An afternoon in the sun at Newchurch Common.
A new butterfly for 2022 was added to the patch list - Common Blue, a female seen by Big Pool. Also seen were Holly Blue, 4 Red Admirals, Comma, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet and 30 Gatekeepers, 5 together on 1 Ragwort.
A new micromoth was Udea lutealis, 3 being seen. A good count of 8 Dingy Skippers was made, all on Ragwort and 3 Common Carpets were seen as well as a Common Nettle-tap.
The Big Pool Meadows held 7 Brown Hawkers, a female Common Darter and a Broad-bodied Chaser.
Several German Wasps were seen. The hoverfly Eristalis arbustorum was photographed. The fly Tachina fera was abundant. Common Green Grasshoppers were in the grassland north of Big Pool.
Butterflies : 2 Red Admirals, 1 Holly Blue, 1 Comma and 1 Painted Lady.
The only dragonfly seen was a single Brown Hawker flying along the edge of Elton Hall Flash.
Again a warm afternoon with sunny intervals at Newchurch.
Best sightings were 2 Grass Snakes and 4 Common Lizards, all in the mosslands area. Also here lots of small Common Toads, Grass Snake food!
For the second day running I saw Holly Blue and Small Copper, but on the mosses so different individuals. All other butterflies and odonta similar to previous days apart from a Southern Hawker hunting over the old leek field.
Two brand new moths were added to the patch list, Suspected and Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet. A Nettle Tap was also seen.
Pellucid Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens) was photographed and seen in several areas. Common Wasp was officially IDed for 2022 on patch.
Blue-mint Beetle, a very rare species, but with a record locally, was recorded for the first time on Abbot's Moss. a female Bog Bush Cricket was seem/
The tachind fly Tachina fera was seen in small numbers on the mosslands. Awkward Cluster Fly was seen as last year on Shemmy Moss as well as the housefly Phaonia inacana. A probable Sapromyza quadripunctata (a small orange fly species) was seen by the main track between the pools. The common cranefly Tipula oleracea was on Shemmy Moss in numbers.
Common Froghopper was new for the year, by Shemmy Moss.
The harvestman Opilio canestrinii was seen by the Whitegate Way.
The fungus Agrocybe pediades was new for the year.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 27th of July 2022 10:03:29 PM
Conder Green Pool :
Flowering Ragwort and Creeping Thistle in front of the screen attracted numerous butterflies and hoverflies.
Most of the butterflies were Gatekeepers or Large Whites but a couple of Small Tortoiseshells also appeared.
A single Brown Hawker dragonfly toured the flowering plants but was not seen to catch anything.
4 Common Blue butterflies were seen flying alongside the coastal path at Cockersands.
An afternoon visit to Newchurch, sunny intervals and warm.
Two headline butterflies, Small Copper and 2nd brood Holly Blue. Also Large White, Green-veined White, Comma, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Speckled Wood.
No new Odonata. Hoverflies included Eristalis intricaria, Syrphus ribesii, Helophilus pendulus and Syritta pipiens. The tachinid fly Phasia hemiptera was new for patch. Also new were Orange-legged Furrow Bee and Grey-banded Mining Bee. The Thick-headed Fly Conops quadrifasciatus was also new As was the Greenbottle Lucilia sericata.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 27th of July 2022 01:55:37 PM
Didn't have to venture out to get a couple of noteworthy species today.
My overnight moth trapping saw my catch a Webb's Wainscot, only the third documented record for Cheshire and amazingly I got the third record too with one caught last September!! It means that me and my garden hold half of all the records for Cheshire of Webb's Wainscot moth!! Another moth caught is classed as uncommon in Cheshire, the Double Lobed. That was my first ever of this species. Both moths are marshland species so it probably helps that our house is built on an ex-marsh!!
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 24th of July 2022 10:07:32 PM
A morning Newchurch walk produced lots of good sightings.
A Common Shrew was in Gull Pool Wood.
Also in Gull Pool Wood a Great Crested Newt and a Smooth Newt were seen as well as a Common Toad. At least 2 Common Lizards were on Shemmy Moss.
A new moth species was 2 Small Fan-footed Waves, 1 on Shemmy Moss and 1 by Newchurch main track. Another was the leaf-miner Stigmella basiguttella whose mines were found on Oaks on Shemmy Moss.
The hoverflies Marmalade Fly, Cheilosia illustrata, Sphaerophoria scripta and Eristalis arbustorum were noted.
At least 2 Bog Bush Crickets were seen. Scorpion Fly was noted.The beetles Devil's Coach-horse, Pterostichus niger and Abax parallelipidus were seen. Common Garden Centipede was noted,
Several Cross Orb-weaver Spiders were on Shemmy Moss.
The lichen Cladonia portentosa was on Shemmy Moss along with Humble Pixie Cup. The fungi Hoof Fungus and Ganoderma australe were seen.
Plants included Upright Hedge-parsley, Common Rush and Dewberry.
Late news for Weds 20th JULY 2022:
A morning walk on Newchurch Common mainly concentrating on the mosslands area.
A single Common Lizard was seen basking early on before the sun got hotter.
The highlight was the discovery of 2(m+f) Bog Bush Crickets, great to see that they are still here, albeit again in a totally different area. The old areas held none!
Butterflies seen were 7 of the usual common species. But moths were added to the patch list - Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella) and Argyresthia goedartella, a micro common on birch. Also seen, but seen before were Common Wave, Common Heath and lots of Cinnabar caterpillars on the Ragwort.
A male Black-tailed Skimmer was seen as well as a Southern Hawker, a Four-spotted Chaser and lots of Black Darters (including a pair 'in cop') as usual. Emerald, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies were seen.
A good variety of hoverflies included Eristalis pertinax, Eristalis nemorum (new patch species), Eristalis arbustorum (new patch species), Platycheirus albimanus (new patch species), Sericomyia silentis and Xylota segnis (new for the year). Common Carder Bees were abundant.
The cranefly Nephrotoma scurra was added to the patch list and is relatively scarce in the UK. The small snipe fly Rhagio lineola was seen too and was new for the year. A Long-jawed Orb-weaver Spider was also recorded.
A plant highlight was finding a single Common Twayblade in the now overgrown wood which was its former stronghold. Ploughman's-spikenard was a new ID for me on patch. The lichen Physcia adscendens was photographed.
Weirdly a post from 17th July 2022 seems to have disappeared. The main things were:
One highlight was a Dingy Footman moth on Shemmy Moss. Another was my first Four-spot Orb-weaver Spider on Shemmy Moss which had a male Emperor dragonfly in its web, but the dragon escaped with my help, although it did bite my finger (didn't break the skin!!) as I rescued it! Red-tailed Bumblebee and Buff-tailed Bumblebees were seen.The Darkling Beetle species Lagria hirta was a new species. Also seen was Common Awl Robberfly (Neoitamus cyanurus). The harvestman Phalangium opilio was recorded. Common Shiny Woodlouse was seen as was Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus).
Plants recorded included Hare's-tail Cottongrass and Common Cottongrass on Shemmy Moss, Woolly Burdock, Heather and Cross-leaved Heath, Yarrow, Wild Angelica, Common Hawkweed, Perforate St John's-wort and Wood Avens. Dwarf Bell fungus (Galerina pumila) was on the mosses.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 22nd of July 2022 04:39:02 PM
Butterflies : Gatekeepers galore and 1 Holly Blue.
Dragonflies : 1m Black tailed Skimmer resting on the path to Pods Hide.
As the temperature climbed during the morning large numbers of dragonflies skimmed across the surface of the flash.
The most numerous, and easiest to ID, were male Black Tailed Skimmers.
3 Blue Tailed Damselflies rested on the reeds by Pods Hide, where a single male Banded Demoiselle was also seen.
Several 6 Spot Burnet Moths were seen by the path between the flashes.
The ground vegetation along the bund appeared shrivelled and dying, and there was very little Birds Foot Trefoil to be seen.
I had hoped to find a Dingy Skipper butterfly here today, but with it's foodplant looking to be on the way out, there seemed little hope.
Butterflies : 2 Commas, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Woods and a few Gatekeepers. (The later mainly on the
flowering brambles by the car park). As usual at this time of year I had a good scan round the oaks along the South
bank of the bed in the hope of finding an elusive Purple Hairstreak, I only managed a brief glimpse of a 1p sized butterfly
near the top of one of the trees though. In previous summers friends at WECG have pointed out the individual oaks to
focus on, but I still have not managed to get a decent view of one. It is probably due to timing as early evening is said to
produce the best sightings.
Dragonflies : Numerous Brown Hawkers seen and a couple of male Black Tailed Skimmers resting on path along
with a single male Common Darter.
Arable fields between Sankey Brook and Burtonwood Road.
Butterflies : Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns in profusion, 2 Commas and 1 Small Tortoiseshell.
The only dragonfly seen was a medium sized hawker on a high speed patrol above a field of wheat,
it did not pause even for a moment, but I'm pretty sure it was a male Southern Hawker.
Butterflies : Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers were numerous along the saltmarsh paths.
4 Small and 1 Large Skippers were also seen.
The only dragonfly seen was a large hawker flying along the beach edge of the saltmarsh, the blue colour
and swollen thorax appeared to indicate a Emperor but I could not be 100% sure.
2 Grey Seals drifted on the sea just offshore.
Another Newchurch visit in sweltering heat, am & briefly pm.
Another Essex Skipper was seen and photographed near Big Pool, with Small and Large Skippers also here. A new moth, Common Wave, was added for the year.
At least 35 Black Darters were on Shemmy Moss, many just emerged. Also here 3m Emperors, 19 Four-spotted Chasers and 6 Emerald damselflies.
The hoverfly Volucella zonaria was seen near Big Pool Island Cut.
Lots of Common Toadlets were in the woods here too.
The fungus Psathyrella candolleana was seen in the woods near Big Pool Island Cut. Self- heal was in flower near the main track.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 11th of July 2022 10:59:23 PM
A morning walk at Newchurch Common in warm sunshine.
There was a dead Mole near the main track at the gate end.
On Shemmy Moss 3 Common Lizards were seen, my highest day count of 2022.
A total of 10 butterfly species included a Purple Hairstreak in a thirs location for the year, an oak near the main track between the top car parks fpr Big and Small Pools. The other species were as before. A grass moth Crambus pascuella was photographed again.
On Shemmy Moss 3 Brown Hawkers and a Common Darter were seen as well as at least 10 Black Darters. Up to 5 Common Emeralds were seen as well as the other common damselfly species.
A Hornet was seen catching a bee and devouring it on Shemmy Moss. The Thick-headed Fly species Conops quadrifasciatus was on Creeping Thistle by Shemmy Moss.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 9th of July 2022 10:20:41 PM
Butterflies : 1 Small Skipper, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Green Veined White, a few Small Whites plus in the shaded areas
several Speckled Woods. Oddly despite there being around 6 Buddleias in flower along the South Bank not a single butterfly
was to be found on any of them, even when the sun appeared.
Brown Hawker dragonflies were quite abundant whilst a couple of male Black Tailed Skimmers were seen resting on the scrape
in front of the J. Morgan hide. The only damselfly that settled long enough to get an ID was a single Blue tailed by the footbridge.
A Snipe Fly rested long enough to get a photo in the copse by the meadow.
An afternoon walk on Newchurch Common in the warm sun.
The biggest highlight was a superb small Grass Snake, my first of 2022, on Shemmy Moss. A cluster of 5 Smooth Newts was found under a log in a private area.
The best invert sightings were 2 Purple Hairstreaks, 1 on Newchurch Comon between Big Pool and the Pine Belt and one near the Whitegate Way on the edge of Shemmy Moss. Also very pleasing was 2 Essex Skippers in Big Pool meadows near the Island Cut. In all 11 butterfly species were seen, the others being Small Skipper, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, Small White, Peacock and Comma.
Cinnabar caterpillars were on Ragwort on Shemmy Moss. A new moth for the patch was the micro Eucosma campoliliana.
A male Black-tailed Skimmer was on Shemmy Moss. A male Emperor and a Brown Hawker were by Big Pool. Common Blue, Azure, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies were all noted.
My first Hornet of the year was on the northern edge of Shemmy Moss. A sweat bee, Lasioglossum sp. was by Shemmy Moss. Lots of Sericomyia silentis hoverflies were on Shemmy Moss as well as a Volucella bombylans.
Green Tiger Beetles were again on Shemmy Moss and Abax parallelepipdus was near Gull Pool. Common Red Soldier Beetles adorned nearly all flowering plants on Shemmy Moss.
Lesser Reed Mace was recorded by Big Pool and Enchanter's Nightshade was in Gull Pool Woods.
Arable land between Sankey Brook and Burtonwood Road.
Butterflies : Numerous Meadow Browns, several Small Whites and a single Gatekeeper.
I found a mystery beetle on a young oak, using the web the description matches "Lagria hirta",
but would welcome other opinions?.
Again a short afternoon walk in the sun at Newchurch Common.
New for 2022 were 2 Ruddy Darters. Other dragonflies were a Southern Hawker and a Brown Hawker, still over 40 Common Blue Damselflies seen.
A count of 9 butterfly species comprised a female Essex Skipper, Small Skippers, a Red Admiral, a Comma, a Small White, a Speckled Wood, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Ringlets.
Sunnier this afternoon so an afternoon walk on Newchurch Common.
Brilliant day with my first Essex Skipper of 2022 in Big Pool meadows along with 6+Small Skippers and 2 Large Skippers. Another butterfly addition was 2 Gatekeepers north of Big Pool. A Red Admiral, a Small White, a Large White, a Speckled Wood, 20 Ringlets and 25 Meadow Browns completed the butterfly list.
A 6-Spot Burnet Moth was new for the year.
An early start on Newchurch Common, warming up and sunny most of the time.
A Painted Lady was the butterfly highlight, on the main track by Shemmy Moss. Up to 4 Black Darter dragonflies were on Shemmy Moss as well as a couple of Emerald Damselflies.
A new moth for the year was an Inlaid Grass Veneer (Crambus pascuella) on Shemmy Moss.
Also new was the Mirid Bug Leptopterna dolabrata.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 24th of June 2022 10:00:46 PM
Another morning walk in the sun at Newchurch Common to do some of my own habitat management, since this isn't an officially managed site!!
As an aside I got my first (male) Common Hawker on Shemmy Moss, much rarer than Southern Hawker so really pleased. I also recorded 30 Four-spotted Chasers on Shemmy Moss as well as a male Emperor and a teneral Black Darter. Up to 2 Brown Hawkers were by Big Pool.
A morning Newchurch Common walk around Big Pool.
A Painted Lady was on brambles and again flighty as all have been this year. At least 30 Ringlets were counted. A Small Skipper and 3 Large Skippers were seen.
In the meadows 2 Brown Hawkers were disturbed.
Shaded Broad-bar and Cinnabar moths were seen.
Nursery Web Spiders seemed to be very abundant with over 20 nest webs seen in this small area.
A walk at Newchurch Common this afternoon in the hot sun especially for inverts and a few really good additions to the year list.
A new butterfly was Small Skipper near Big Pool Island Cut as well as 2 Large Skippers here. Ringlets and Meadow Browns were seen in a few areas. Other species noted were Red Admiral, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Small White and Brimstone. Eleven butterfly species made it the best day this year for these.
Two new dragonflies were seen, 2 teneral Black Darters and a Brown Hawker on Shemmy Moss. A Downy Emerald was also seen away from their normal areas. On Shemmy Moss was a new damselfly, seen in good numbers, for the year, Emerald Damselfly. The usual other damselflies, Common Blue D, Azure D, Red-eyed D, Blue-tailed D and Large Red D were all seen.
Other insects noted included Green Tiger Beetle, Yellow and Black Longhorn (Rutpela maculata), Cinnabar and lots of Brown-silver Line moths. Two new moths for the year were Brimstone Moth and Common White Wave.
A large stand of Round-leaved Sundew on Shemmy Moss was a nice sight.
Rather than a Common Darter, John, your picture shows a Black-tailed Skimmer.
Butterflies : 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet and 1 Red Admiral.
A single spike of Bee Orchid fully out.
Several Southern Marsh Orchids , most past their best.
Butterflies common, majority of which were Common Blues.
Arable farmland between Sankey Brook and Burtonwood Road.
Lots of butterflies seen but all were either Small Tortoiseshells or Large Whites.
2 Southern Hawker dragonflies were seen, 1 patrolled over a field of oil seed rape, the other above a newly cut hay meadow.
A single female Common Darter was also noted, looking newly emerged, she frequently posed on the ground.
It was difficult to avoid walking on countless Garden Chafers as they ambled across a path alongside a field of wheat,
numerous Violet Ground Beetle were seen there too.
At the edge of a field of rape I came across a Honey Bee on the ground, it appeared disorientated and kept turning upside down
as if afflicted with something.
A Bank Vole showed briefly alongside a bramble thicket.
between Penketh and Clockface
roadside verge at Swinton Commercials
About two thirds of steep verge has been left unmown this year. This seems to have suited the orchid population here well. Lots of Marsh Orchid spikes still out, most /all apparently Southern Marsh. Some very tall and robust.
Two Bee Orchid spikes found just coming into flower.
Six Spot Burnet moths common.
Walked along the path from Arley Road to Hollins Lane Antrobus, and returned via the same route.
1 Silver Y moth. The only butterflies seen were 6 Large Whites.
An "Oedemera noblis" type beetle was seen sharing a bramble flower with a small bumble bee.
Afternoon invert visit to Newchucrh Common.
A new butterfly for the year was a Large Skipper N.of Big Pool. Also near Big Pool were 2 Painted Ladys. Other species seen were a male Brimstone, 4 Red Admirals, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White, 10 species being the highest number in one day this year.
The usual 5 common damselflies were seen, all at Big Pool.
New moths seen were Yellow Shell and Silver-ground Carpet. Other notables being Straw Dot and Silver Y.
Common Poppy was photographed. Also photographed was Nettle Rust Fungus.
Clouded Buff isn't a small moth, John, and is only found on peat mosslnads as you say. Have a look at Straw Dot, which is a small moth with similar markings and is on the wing at present in reasonable numbers and is a rank grassland species.
In the tall grass alongside Hancocks Flood (Opposite Pumphouse Flash) I found a smallish moth which appeared to be
a male Clouded Buff. Having checked the relevant websites and field guides, nothing else matches the description.
A great pity I did not manage to get a photo as this moth appears to be quite scarce except on peat mosslands etc.
For those with an interest in moths it's well worth looking out for amongst the grassy areas bordering the flashes.