From 13th August. Stoat - seemingly small but black tip to tail a give away Crossing path on North bank. 2.30pm.
Mike Chorley said
Mon Jun 14 8:40 PM, 2021
It seems Spring was a little late this year. Recent visits have confirmed a few specimens of Bog Beacon upstream of the pre-Millenium site and good numbers in the 2019 site. Nice to know it hasn't been lost to the area.
Otherwise, 2 Speckled Woods, 1 Small Heath and the usual, just out of range smattering of Whites.
Mike Chorley said
Thu Apr 15 10:52 PM, 2021
No sign of Bog Beacon at any site this year, including upstream of what was apparently the original site pre-Millennium. Changes in the canopy over the first two sites (pre 2014) have changed the nature of them - deciduous leaves rather than pine needles now at one and the spread of Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage at the other. The site found in 2019 appears to have dried out completely, but there doesn't seem to be any change to conditions at what was the main site in 2019.
Otherwise several Peacock butterflies, a Queen Bumble Bee which eluded identification and some golden dung flies (not capitalised because that's their colour and food source rather than a Specific name)
Mike Chorley said
Fri Jul 31 8:57 PM, 2020
Brown Hawker....at least 2
Ringlet......several Small Tortoisehell 3 inc 1 up at Chew Dam Peacock 2 Meadow Brown....several Small Heath....stopped counting after 10 Speckled Wood....2 Whites....various none near enough or stopped long enough for me to check markings Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar 1 on Ragwort up near Chew Res
Swarm of male Solitary Mason Bees near one of the bridges where the Chew Brook enters Dove Stone reservoir, and one of the red-tailed spider-hunting wasps associated with pine - "The one that's not supposed to be here" apparently, but is ; both courtesy of Richard and James, local entomologists out checking their patch and happy to share their sightings. Good general socially-distanced natter about bees, wasps, hover flies, fungi, birds, the Essex Skipper, the Manchester Argus (not the newspaper!) black spider-hunting wasp ninjas and the anomalies of the latest local restrictions.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Friday 31st of July 2020 09:00:41 PM
Mike Chorley said
Mon Apr 15 11:37 PM, 2019
Andy Bissitt wrote:
Mike Chorley wrote:
A couple of interesting records today
The main site for Bog Beacon has now been overgrown with Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage, probably as a result of the gaping holes torn in the canopy by last year's storms, so very few specimens could be found today, although there is some extension to the boggy areas down the slope. However, the nearby secondary site seems to be doing well, with clumps of 24 and 54 as well as a good spread of individual specimens throughout it's length. A new site has also appeared a few yards south- east along the path with a few fruiting bodies in evidence.
A butterfly species was glimpsed while we were having our butties by the side of Yeoman Hey as it appeared briefly above the tussocky heather. Seen initially as a dark shape it showed a warm brown tone as it briefly settled on a patch of grass but was lost to view before either of us could get a good view of it and couldn't be located anywhere in the vicinity. Neither of us thought it was big enough for Peacock or Small Tortoiseshell, Mike A's initial reaction being Small Copper but it was too big for that. Given Green Hairstreaks are already on the wing could either Ringlet or Mountain Ringlet be a possibility?
Hi Mike,
The answers are 'no' and 'no'. Had you considered emperor moth which is very likely over heather moorland at this time of year?
Cheers,
Andy
Hi Andy
I thought that might be the case.
I wondered about Emperor Moth when I was writing the post (Waring and Townsend mentions confusion with Nymphalid butterflies) but I'm not sure it was big enough and when it settled vertically on the side of the tussock it held its' wings up and away from the body in that classic butterfly V . The angled view of it I had through my bins showed a uniformity of colour from the base of the left wings across the body and onto the right wings. We were at an angle to it and more of the right wing was visible, so I think the eye spot might have shown. I guess it will be 'one that got away'
Andy Bissitt said
Mon Apr 15 8:56 PM, 2019
Mike Chorley wrote:
A couple of interesting records today
The main site for Bog Beacon has now been overgrown with Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage, probably as a result of the gaping holes torn in the canopy by last year's storms, so very few specimens could be found today, although there is some extension to the boggy areas down the slope. However, the nearby secondary site seems to be doing well, with clumps of 24 and 54 as well as a good spread of individual specimens throughout it's length. A new site has also appeared a few yards south- east along the path with a few fruiting bodies in evidence.
A butterfly species was glimpsed while we were having our butties by the side of Yeoman Hey as it appeared briefly above the tussocky heather. Seen initially as a dark shape it showed a warm brown tone as it briefly settled on a patch of grass but was lost to view before either of us could get a good view of it and couldn't be located anywhere in the vicinity. Neither of us thought it was big enough for Peacock or Small Tortoiseshell, Mike A's initial reaction being Small Copper but it was too big for that. Given Green Hairstreaks are already on the wing could either Ringlet or Mountain Ringlet be a possibility?
Hi Mike,
The answers are 'no' and 'no'. Had you considered emperor moth which is very likely over heather moorland at this time of year?
Cheers,
Andy
Mike Chorley said
Sun Apr 14 12:23 AM, 2019
A couple of interesting records today
The main site for Bog Beacon has now been overgrown with Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage, probably as a result of the gaping holes torn in the canopy by last year's storms, so very few specimens could be found today, although there is some extension to the boggy areas down the slope. However, the nearby secondary site seems to be doing well, with clumps of 24 and 54 as well as a good spread of individual specimens throughout it's length. A new site has also appeared a few yards south- east along the path with a few fruiting bodies in evidence.
A butterfly species was glimpsed while we were having our butties by the side of Yeoman Hey as it appeared briefly above the tussocky heather. Seen initially as a dark shape it showed a warm brown tone as it briefly settled on a patch of grass but was lost to view before either of us could get a good view of it and couldn't be located anywhere in the vicinity. Neither of us thought it was big enough for Peacock or Small Tortoiseshell, Mike A's initial reaction being Small Copper but it was too big for that. Given Green Hairstreaks are already on the wing could either Ringlet or Mountain Ringlet be a possibility?
Simon Gough said
Sat Aug 4 5:55 PM, 2018
Butterfly sightings today from Chew Valley:
Small Copper - my first ever, they are stunning little things Small Heath Painted Lady Peacock - loads and loads of them Dark Green Fritillary - from the path back to Greenfield along Chew Brook, below the road into Dove Stones, what a beauty this was Meadow Brown Gatekeeper Comma Red Admiral Speckled Wood Large White Small White Holly Blue - down near The Clarence, pointed out to me by Ken Gartside, nice to meet you mate and thanks for this one!
Shannon Llewellyn said
Mon Aug 21 11:34 AM, 2017
Hundreds and hundreds of red-thighed St Mark's flies, Bibio pomonae, around Chew Reservoir and surrounds yesterday (also known as heather flies, so perhaps not surprising!).
Very beautiful flies seen up close, but the amount of them that blundered into me, I'm surprised I didn't end up inadvertently eating a couple of them.
Mike Chorley said
Wed Apr 26 4:29 PM, 2017
Bog Beacon at both the usual recent sites today.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Fri Aug 5 11:05 PM, 2016
Emperor moth caterpillar near the top of Chew Valley path this afternoon.
Other lepidoptera were: small heath, gatekeeper, small white, green-veined white, small tortoiseshell, meadow brown and cinnabar caterpillars.
Brown hawker and a couple of unidentified hawkers.
Two dead common shrew.
James Minchin said
Mon Jun 6 6:42 PM, 2016
A Golden-bloomed Longhorn beetle today. Don't know whether it's been recorded here before.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sun Feb 14 9:38 PM, 2016
Water shrew on Chew Brook; on the second weir (swimming past the dippers' rock). Chuffed to bits with that spot, as I've never seen one before.
Shannon Llewellyn said
Sat Jul 4 10:34 AM, 2015
Yesterday:
Lepidoptera: small heath, meadow brown, small tortoiseshell, speckled wood, ruby tiger moth.
Odonata: broad-bodied chaser, large red damselfly, common blue damselfly
2 (at least) Mountain Hares - still in winter pelage 1 very confiding Vole (probably Field Vole given the habitat, but I'm not good on furry things)
Steve
steven burke said
Sun Feb 12 3:43 AM, 2012
1 weasel, in chew piece running in the snow with a mouse that was about 3 times the size off its head
JamieDunning said
Mon Feb 6 6:25 AM, 2012
13/1
1 Mountain hare, in main quarry.
David Winnard said
Sat Dec 3 7:44 PM, 2011
A visit yesterday proved to be rather fruitful for fungi;
Bleeding Conifer Crust - new for GM
Slippery Jack
False Chanterelle
Saffron Milkcap
Orange Milkcap
Dusky Puffball
33 species in total in a small area
Dave
David Winnard said
Thu Nov 3 5:20 PM, 2011
Tomorrow we will be in search of 'The Ballerina' or Pink Waxcap. It is a beautiful mushroom, having a bright pink cap and white stem. It is a BAP species so it would be great to find it here (it does occur in Rochdale and in other Oldham sites). So fingers crossed! (Though on the back of the worst fungi season I remember I will not hold my breath!).
We will be updating our facebook page (link below) during the day with the highlight finds and of course a full list will be on here in the near future!
Dave
David Winnard said
Sun Oct 16 8:30 PM, 2011
A fungi foray today around the reservoir, still very few species for the time of the year but a few goodies;
Aniseed Toadstool Bell-shaped Mottlegill Birch Knight Birch Polypore Blackening Brittlegill Blackening Waxcap Blusher Butter Cap Clustered Toughshank Conifer Mazegill Dung Roundhead Dwarf Bell Earthy Powdercap Fairy Inkcap Fly Agaric Fragile Brittlegill Geoglossum fallax Golden Waxcap Grey-spotted Amanita (thin form) Heath Waxcap Larch Bolete Liberty Cap Matt Bolete Meadow Coral Meadow Waxcap Mild Milkcap Mottled Bolete Ochre Brittlegill Orange Birch Bolete Orange Mosscap Parrot Waxcap Slimy Waxcap Smoky Bracket Snowy Waxcap Spotted Toughshank Stump Puffball Sulphur Tuft Tar Spot Vermillion Waxcap White Spindles Yellow Club Yellow Stagshorn
From 13th August.
Stoat - seemingly small but black tip to tail a give away Crossing path on North bank. 2.30pm.
Otherwise, 2 Speckled Woods, 1 Small Heath and the usual, just out of range smattering of Whites.
Otherwise several Peacock butterflies, a Queen Bumble Bee which eluded identification and some golden dung flies (not capitalised because that's their colour and food source rather than a Specific name)
Ringlet......several
Small Tortoisehell 3 inc 1 up at Chew Dam
Peacock 2
Meadow Brown....several
Small Heath....stopped counting after 10
Speckled Wood....2
Whites....various none near enough or stopped long enough for me to check markings
Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar 1 on Ragwort up near Chew Res
Swarm of male Solitary Mason Bees near one of the bridges where the Chew Brook enters Dove Stone reservoir, and one of the red-tailed spider-hunting wasps associated with pine - "The one that's not supposed to be here" apparently, but is ; both courtesy of Richard and James, local entomologists out checking their patch and happy to share their sightings. Good general socially-distanced natter about bees, wasps, hover flies, fungi, birds, the Essex Skipper, the Manchester Argus (not the newspaper!) black spider-hunting wasp ninjas and the anomalies of the latest local restrictions.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Friday 31st of July 2020 09:00:41 PM
Hi Andy
I thought that might be the case.
I wondered about Emperor Moth when I was writing the post (Waring and Townsend mentions confusion with Nymphalid butterflies) but I'm not sure it was big enough and when it settled vertically on the side of the tussock it held its' wings up and away from the body in that classic butterfly V . The angled view of it I had through my bins showed a uniformity of colour from the base of the left wings across the body and onto the right wings. We were at an angle to it and more of the right wing was visible, so I think the eye spot might have shown. I guess it will be 'one that got away'
The main site for Bog Beacon has now been overgrown with Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage, probably as a result of the gaping holes torn in the canopy by last year's storms, so very few specimens could be found today, although there is some extension to the boggy areas down the slope. However, the nearby secondary site seems to be doing well, with clumps of 24 and 54 as well as a good spread of individual specimens throughout it's length. A new site has also appeared a few yards south- east along the path with a few fruiting bodies in evidence.
A butterfly species was glimpsed while we were having our butties by the side of Yeoman Hey as it appeared briefly above the tussocky heather. Seen initially as a dark shape it showed a warm brown tone as it briefly settled on a patch of grass but was lost to view before either of us could get a good view of it and couldn't be located anywhere in the vicinity. Neither of us thought it was big enough for Peacock or Small Tortoiseshell, Mike A's initial reaction being Small Copper but it was too big for that. Given Green Hairstreaks are already on the wing could either Ringlet or Mountain Ringlet be a possibility?
Small Copper - my first ever, they are stunning little things
Small Heath
Painted Lady
Peacock - loads and loads of them
Dark Green Fritillary - from the path back to Greenfield along Chew Brook, below the road into Dove Stones, what a beauty this was
Meadow Brown
Gatekeeper
Comma
Red Admiral
Speckled Wood
Large White
Small White
Holly Blue - down near The Clarence, pointed out to me by Ken Gartside, nice to meet you mate and thanks for this one!
Very beautiful flies seen up close, but the amount of them that blundered into me, I'm surprised I didn't end up inadvertently eating a couple of them.
Other lepidoptera were: small heath, gatekeeper, small white, green-veined white, small tortoiseshell, meadow brown and cinnabar caterpillars.
Brown hawker and a couple of unidentified hawkers.
Two dead common shrew.
Lepidoptera: small heath, meadow brown, small tortoiseshell, speckled wood, ruby tiger moth.
Odonata: broad-bodied chaser, large red damselfly, common blue damselfly
Other: green tiger beetle, mayfly sp.
Bee Orchid 12
Nemophora degeerella 6 (micro moth wih enormously long attenae)
Silver-ground Carpet 1
2 (at least) Mountain Hares - still in winter pelage
1 very confiding Vole (probably Field Vole given the habitat, but I'm not good on furry things)
Steve
1 Mountain hare, in main quarry.
A visit yesterday proved to be rather fruitful for fungi;
Bleeding Conifer Crust - new for GM
Slippery Jack
False Chanterelle
Saffron Milkcap
Orange Milkcap
Dusky Puffball
33 species in total in a small area
Dave
We will be updating our facebook page (link below) during the day with the highlight finds and of course a full list will be on here in the near future!
Dave
Aniseed Toadstool
Bell-shaped Mottlegill
Birch Knight
Birch Polypore
Blackening Brittlegill
Blackening Waxcap
Blusher
Butter Cap
Clustered Toughshank
Conifer Mazegill
Dung Roundhead
Dwarf Bell
Earthy Powdercap
Fairy Inkcap
Fly Agaric
Fragile Brittlegill
Geoglossum fallax
Golden Waxcap
Grey-spotted Amanita (thin form)
Heath Waxcap
Larch Bolete
Liberty Cap
Matt Bolete
Meadow Coral
Meadow Waxcap
Mild Milkcap
Mottled Bolete
Ochre Brittlegill
Orange Birch Bolete
Orange Mosscap
Parrot Waxcap
Slimy Waxcap
Smoky Bracket
Snowy Waxcap
Spotted Toughshank
Stump Puffball
Sulphur Tuft
Tar Spot
Vermillion Waxcap
White Spindles
Yellow Club
Yellow Stagshorn
Dave