Out-of-county (other wildlife)

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

RE: Out-of-county (other wildlife)

John Williams · Status: Offline

Sandbach Flashes

At least 4 Banded Demoiselles seen this afternoon on the lane alongside Elton Hall Flash.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Two visits to my patch in hot sun again, am on the mosslands, pm on Newchurch Common.

It was a fantastic Odonata day again, with the best day total this year with 12 species seen. The first (fem) Banded Demoiselle of 2025 was in Big Pool Island Cut. Also nearby was a Hairy Dragonfly and a newly emerged Broad-bodied Chaser. On Shemmy Moss the dragonfly highlights were a male Emperor and a female-type Black-tailed Skimmer. Downy Emeralds and Four-spotted Chasers were again seen in large numbers. The other 5 'common' damselflies (Azure, Common Blue, Blue-tailed, Large Red and Red-eyed) were all on Newchurch Common.

Another 2 Burnet Companion Moths were in Big Pool Island cut. Even better in the same area was the first Green Carpet Moth for patch.

The click beetle Athous haemorrhoialis was near Big Pool and new for this year. A new mirid bug Calocoris alpestris was also near Big Pool Island Cut, a species classed as 'Local' so not common!.

A tachinid fly Tachina fera, the first this year, was near Big Pool.

Chris Harper · Status: Offline

At Burton Mere RSPB today finally saw my first Grass Snake after many years of dipping. Also Dingy Skipper, Broad Bodied Chasers, 6 Spot Burnetts and a white Ermine Moth.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On Newchurch around the pools am and pm, hot & sunny.

Another 2 Painted Ladys were seen, one on the main track bewteen the pools that was larger and tatty and one (possibly the same as yesterdays one) in Big Pool North Meadow. A single Large Skipper was in Island Cut Meadow.

A male Emperor Dragonfly was seen over Small Pool.

Two new moths were added today in the form of Burnet Companion (Euclidia glyphicain) in Big Pool North Meadow and 2 Straw Dots (Rivula sericealis) in East Meadow.

The Sawfly Tenthredo temula was seen in the East Meadows.

A Eurasian Drone Fly (Eristalis arbustorum) was in the Big Pool SW glade, a repeat sighting but not seen for some time.

A few flowers were new for the year, Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) on both pools, Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) near 'Lazyman's Peg' and Garden Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) near the parking area.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 20th of May 2025 10:31:47 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On Newchurch again, dull at first, sunshine later!

Another Painted Lady was seen, in Big Pool North Meadow.

A male Hairy Dragonfly showed well on Big Pool but never cooperated for photos!

A nice new beetle was a Common Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus vespilla), in Big Pool Island Cut Meadow.

A couple of Roesel's Bush Cricket nymphs were again seen in the same place as before.

A Cucumber Spider (prob Araniella cucurbitina) was on the Big Pool meadows. A Xysticus species was also seen, on Shemmy Moss, but was too small to positively ID!

Hoary Plantain (Plantago media) was photographed as a new speies ever on patch, in the Big Pool meadows.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

As mentioned on the bird thread I have two days worth on news here for my Newchurch Patch. Hot & sunny both days.

Saturday 17th May 2025:

A day entirely on Shemmy Moss due to a busy angling day on the pools.

A new moth was the micro Dusky Marble (Orthotaenia undulana) whilst Silver-ground Carpet was a repeat sighting.

A Stripe-faced Dronefly was seen again as was Sericomyia lappona.

A few beetles were recorded. Plateumaris sericea was new for the year as was Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus). A new weevil was on oak, Phyllobius pomaceus.

Two new sawflies were recorded, the orange abdomened Arge cyanocrocea andPamphilius sylvaticus (prob).

A new fly was Hydrotaea diabolus.

Germander Speedwell was photographed, a repeat sighting.

Sunday 18th May 2025:

An excellent butterfly day with two new species for the year, the first being 2 Painted Ladys, the first on Shemmy Moss followed by one on Newchurch Island Cut Meadow. Also new were 2 Large Skippers, in the Big Pool meadows. Nine other species made it an 11 species day for butterflies.

Without anything new it was still a 9 species day for Odonata with a Hairy Dragonfly and 2 Broad-bodied Chasers the best ones, all on Newchurch Common.

A new moth species today was a Yellow Horned Moth caterpillar (Achlya flavicornis) on Shemmy Moss.

A Cockchafer Beetle and 3 Garden Chafers were repeat sightings, all on Shemmy Moss.

The Common Twayblades seem fewer in number, some showing signs of probable slug damage, but a couple are close to flowering now.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 18th of May 2025 10:46:19 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On Newchurch all day again, very hot & sunny.

A single Common Lizard skittered away from me on Shemmy Moss.

The best Odonata day of 2025 with 11 species on the wing. Two new species were added, first a male Emperor by the Whitegate Way on the track up past Lymm Vale. The second was a female-type Black-tailed Skimmer seen on Shemmy Moss, both were too warm and flighty for photographs. Good numbers of other species included an incredible total of around 160 Downy Emeralds (110 on the mosses and 50 on Newchurch Common and surrounds), 50 Four-spotted Chasers on Shemmy Moss, 2 Broad-bodied Chasers and a male Hairy Dragonfly on Newchurch Common. At least 80 Red-eyed Damselflies were on Big Pool, with 30 pairs in tandem and ovipositing. Also seen were Large Red Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly and Azure Damselfly.

A new moth was added, new for my patch, male Fox Moth, seen on Shemmy Moss. Around 30 Heath Streaks were seen, the highest count so far this year.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Hot, sunny but breezy on Newchurch am.

A 15" long Pike (Esox lucius) was seen just under the surface in Big Pool Island Cut. The first this year in a location that I have seen them previously.

A new moth was added, Silver Grass-miner (Elachista argentella), in Big Pool north meadow. A second Satellite moth caterpillar of the year was seen, on the main track between the pools.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 15th of May 2025 09:05:16 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

At Newchurch Common pm in the sun.

very short visit but now 2 Broad-bodied Chasers are in the Big Pool Meadows as well as a newly emerged Four-spotted Chaser.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Late Posting for yesterday 13.05.25 (Afternoon)

Chelford Sand Quarries

Butterflies:-

Mere Hall Pools area

1 Red Admiral, 7+ Brimstones, 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Green Veined White.

Lapwing Hall Pool/Arclid SQ (North End)/Colt Hovel Wood & Withington Park Pool

2 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady and lots of Brimstones.

The Painted Lady's behaviour was fascinating, and I spent around 30 minutes watching it.

It clearly had a fondness for the open area just beyond the iron gate overlooking Withington Park Pool,

and at the Southern end of Colt Hovel Wood. It would settle on the ground for a few moments then make

a display flight, before returning to roughly the same spot. If a Brimstone butterfly passed close by, the

Painted Lady would launch an attack, before returning to roughly the same area again, and it rarely settled

for more than a few seconds.

Odonata :- Lots of damselflies, Azure and Common Blues, but no dragonflies.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Morning and afternoon in hot sunshine at my Newchurch Common Patch. A visitor with me am, on to photo dragonflies.

There were 9 species of odonata again icluding totals of 60 Downy Emeralds, 30 Four-spotted Chasers, a Broad-bodied Chaser, a Hairy Dragonfly, 120 Red-eyed Damselflies with 30 pairs in cop and about half of these ovipositing, and the usual other 4 damselfly species.

At least 2 Hornets were seen today, near one of last years' nest sites. They don't re-use sites so I will be searching now to find this years sites.

A Cinnabar and a Common Carpet were seen again.

A new beetle for the year was Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis) in Big Pool Island Cut meadow.

Probably the best find of the day and the hardest were 10 Roesel's Bush Cricket nymphs (Roeseliana roeselii), each around 1-2mm long in quite long grass in one of the meadows, a real needle in a hay stack job!!

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On my Newchurch Patch just am today in hot sunshine.

Another Hairy Dragonfly showed well on Shemmy Moss amongst lots of Downy Emeralds again all over the place including a pair in cop.

A Silver-ground Carpet was a new moth for the year, seen on Big Pool Island Cut meadow.

A Cockchafer on the Big Pool meadows was new for the year. A Black Snail Beetle was on Shemmy Moss in what is a record year for sightings of this species.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On my Newchurch Common Patch am and pm in hot sunshine.

A very large Red-eared Terrapin on Small Pool was the first this year. It was sitting on the side of an occupied Coot nest, I fear for the eggs and chicks from this nest as I've seen this tactic and witnessed predation before.

A great odonata day again. singles of Broad-bodied Chaser on Newchurch Common east meadow and Hairy Dragonfly on Shemmy Moss were good records but again neither was photographable. The exuvia of a Downy Emerald was seen on a flag iris leaf in Big Pool Island Cut. Some numbers were stratospheric today with around 45 Downy Emeralds seen, and how many missed?! The split of these was 24 on Newchurch Common and 21 on Shemmy Moss. Also high; 25 Four-spotted Chasers, all on Shemmy Moss and 50 Red-eyed Damselflies on Small Pool, some in tandem and even ovipositing. The other usual 4 damselfly species made it nine species on the wing today! We checked the Banded Demoiselle area but nothing yet!!

A Welsh Poppy was east of Small Pool, a new flower for the year.

A correction of the longhorn moth from the 10th May, it was Sandy Longhorn (Nematopogon schwarziellus) as it was only c.7mm long, rather than N.swammerdamella!

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 12th of May 2025 05:22:34 PM

John O'Neill · Status: Offline

Gatewarth Penketh
Yesterday 8pm
Always a chance to see something new, no matter how many times you 've been to a place.

Evening visit was very quiet but I did find a wildlife phenomena I have read about but never actually seen before...A downed swarm of Honey Bees just off the main path, close to the hawthorn hedge. A big balled mass of torpid bees clustered in a dense clump. Odd looking thing.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Morning and afternoon on my Newchurch Patch due to a certain bird attracting twitchers! Sunny & warm.

At least 20 Downy Emeralds seen around Newchurch Common, all over the place! Also up to 450 Common Blue Damselflies present today and yesterday. But the odonata headlines were stolen by two new species for the year. Firstly a Hairy Dragonfly was seen in the east meadows followed by a Broad-bodied Chaser in the same area, making it 9 species now flying.

Moths were good too with a couple of new species. First was the micro Dark-barred Tortrix (Syndemis musculana), in Big Pool Island Cut. Then the Large Longhorn (Nematopogon swammerdamella) was seen in the Big Pool East Meadows. A caterpillar of the Satellite moth was new for the year too. A repeat sighting was a Common Carpet in Big Pool island Cut.

My first Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis) of the year was in Big Pool Island Cut on an oak.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Mainly am on my Newchurch Patch for the big walk, shorter pm chasing a rarity! Hot & sunny.

Just my second snake today on patch, this time on Newchurch Common proper, a very large female Grass Snake. She was probably the biggest one that I've ever seen on my patch!

At least 15 Mirror Carp were seen in a bay known for breeding in Small Pool.

The best butterfly was my second Holly Blue of the year, on Sandy Lane in the afternoon.

Around 20 Downy Emeralds today again, 18 on Shemmy Moss. One surprise was one that looked like it was going over!! I suppose some may now have been out for 2.5wks so they will be getting worn! The usual 7 odonata species were seen.

A new moth for the year was a Cinnabar near Snipe Island north of Big Pool. Another new species was a Garden Carpet near Big Pool.

A large stand of Fringecups east of Gull Pool were new this year. The Common Twayblades are coming on but no flowers yet from the flower spikes.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A morning on Newchurch Common in the Big Pool area, sunny and warm after a cool start.

Lots (c.150) of Common Toad Tadpoles were in Small Pool.

Nothing unusual for butterflies or odonata but 2 male Downy Emeralds and 3 Red-eyed Damselflies were of note. A high count of 150 Common Blue Damselflies was a yearly max.

A very active Tree Bumblebees nest was found in old farm machinery in Big Pool SW Glade. Around 35 Flavous Nomad Bees were seen along the main track, a repeat sighting for 2025 but the highest number so far.

A Stripe-backed Brusheye (Dasysyrphus albostriatus) hoverfly was by the main track, the first for Newchurch proper as opposed to the mosslands.

A Harpocera thoracica mirid bug was seen again.

A Swan Mussel (Anodonta cygnea) shell was by Small Pool.

Common Comfrey is now in flower, especially in Big Pool SW Glade.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Burtonwood Cheshire Afternoon visit

Arable fields West of Alder Lane, just North of the M62.

Butterflies seen were 2 Green-veined Whites, 2 Large Whites, 2 Small Tortoiseshells,

1 Brimstone, 3 Peacocks, 7m Orange Tips and 2 Red Admirals.

On a field full of brassicas there were large numbers of white butterflies but none stopped

close enough to get a proper ID, judging by perceived size alone they appeared to be mixed

Large and Small Whites.

The Red Admirals were both on Hawthorn blossom.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On the Shemmy Moss part of my local patch this morning, eventually sunny and warm after a cooler start.

A Common Lizard was hunting by the path east of the moss.

Seven butterfly species were seen, the highlight being a Red Admiral that I got photos of, the first photos this year and only the second of this species so far. A count of 11 Green Hairstreaks was the best for some time.

Another good odonata day with excellent counts rather than any new species. The best total of the year for the species was 20 Downy Emeralds, 18 of which were on Shemmy Moss and 2 at Gull Pool. Around 10 Four-spotted Chasers were seen too. A huge total of 450 Large Red Damselflies included at least 10 mating pairs. The max year count of 60 Azure Damselflies was made and 30 Common Blue Damselflies were also seen.

The first Heath Streak (Pleurota bicostella) moth was found, with plenty of larval webs also seen on the heather.

The Ichneumon Banchus volutotorius was positively identified and was new for 2025.

Both Green Tiger Beetles (16) and Common Green Shieldbug were seen again.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A nip onto Newchurch Common to release the Common Green Grasshopper Nymph taken home to photograph. On very briefly but a couple of sightings.

A female rufescens form Blue-tailed Damselfly was in Big Pool east meadow.

A new species for the year was Field Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis) near Big Pool Island Cut.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A brief morning and longer afternoon visit to my Newchurch Patch. Sunny intervals but cooler than recent days. But the temperature drop meant that invertebrates were easier to see and photograph so a bumper haul was had!!

Over 100 Common Toad Tadpoles were in the shallows on the north side of Big Pool.

There were 4 Green Hairstreaks on Shemmy Moss and a male Orange-tip on Newchurch Common amongst five of the usual butterfly species seen.

A good odonata day with two new species for the year. The first was 4 Blue-tailed Damselflies, all in Big Pool east meadows. This was followed by 10 (Large) Red-eyed Damselflies all in Big Pool north meadows and newly emerged. A male Downy Emerald was in a private area and another was off my official patch, at the start of the entrance road to Abbotsmoss Nursery from the A49. Also seen were 60 Common Blue Damselflies, mainly on Newchurch Common meadows, 40 Large Red Damselflies, 25 on Shemmy Moss and 15 on Newchurch Common, Around 6 Azure Damselflies, and finally 2 Four-spotted Chasers on Shemmy Moss.

In Big Pool north meadow the micromoth Roeslersstammia erxlebella was new for 2025.

A Flavous Nomad Bee in Big Pool north meadow was new for the year as was a Campopleginae Sp. of Ichneumon Wasp. Tawny Mining Bee was again photographed.

Several hoverflies were new for the yearlist, all around Big Pool. The first a lifer too, Figwort Blacklet (Cheilosia variabilis). Next a Stripe-faced Dronefly (Eristalis nemorum) was seen then Tiger Marsh Fly (Helophilus pendulus) was added. The aptly named Superb Dayglower (Xanthogramma pedisequum) was the next species found. A Blotch-winged Whitebelt (Leucozona lucorum) was north of the Pine Belt. A nice Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris) was the next new species, in north meadow. A Sphaerophoria sp. was seen but was a female which can't be assigned to a species. 15 Marmalade Hoverflies were a repeat sighting.

Two Bibio flies were seen and photographs, a new one Dilophus fibris and a repeat one, mating St Mark's Flies.

Two Red-and-Black Froghoppers (Cercopis vulnerata) were new for the year, both on Newchurch Common. Mating Phyllobius pyri Leaf Weevils were another addition.

A Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus) nymph was in Big Pool north meadow, a hotspot for orthoptera.

A female Metellina mengei spider was north of the Pine Belt.

New plants in flower were Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), which was widespread, Phacelia in the regenerating Beetle Belt with Oxeye Daisy (Leucantheum vulgare), White Campion (Silene latifolia), Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) and Common Chickweed (Stellaria media), all here too. Common Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) was in Big Pool north meadow.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Again I spent the morning on the Shemmy Moss part of my Newchurch Patch. Cool at first, sunny and warm later.

The huge highlight was my first Grass Snake of the year. This was a small individual, possibly the smallest I've ever seen on here, leading me to believe that it was one of last years young. As well as the snake there were 2 Common Lizards out basking, this morning was a perfect time to go looking for reptiles, which is what my plan was!!

Again 5 Green Hairstreaks were recorded. All five odonata that I have seen already were recorded again.

A new hoverfly for 2025 was a female Furry Dronefly (Eristalis intricaria) and this was watched egg laying in the spagnum edges of mossland pools.

A Common Ground-hopper was seen and saved from a pool!

A Water Spider was seen again in the same area in which the first sighting occurred.

Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium) and Pendulous Sedge (Carex pendula) were both photographed and formally recorded for the first time this year.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On the Shemmy Moss part of my Newchurch Patch again in sweltering heat am.

At least 30 Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies were all over and 1 Downy Emerald was with them, in a totally new area of the moss for that species this year.

A White-barred Pond Fly hoverfly (Sericomyia lappona) was new for the year on patch.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

An excellent day on the Shemmy Moss part of my Newchurch Patch with friends Jen and Tim, to show off my Downy Emeralds. Hot & sunny, perfect invert weather.

The best butterfly today was a fly-through Red Admiral, my twelfth species of butterfly this year on patch or anywhere. Also out were 5 Green Hairstreaks after a few days absence, a new hatch perhaps. Otherwise the usual species.

In a way our best odonata sightings were 15 Downy Emeralds, including one I found on the floor on the Whitegate Way track after it had recently emerged and couldn't yet fly properly! This was rescued and gave fantastic photo opportunities for Jen and Tim. But in a way the best was really 2 Azure Damselflies, as these were my first patch ones this year! Along with Four-spotted Chaser, Common Blue Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly this made it the first five Odonata species day of 2025!

Around 30 Common Heath moths were on the wing as well as 2 Brown Silver- lines. A Neofaculta ericetella moth was on Shemmy Moss again ad around 40 Green Longhorn moths danced in oak canopies nearby.

A sawfly larva was found and best ID is Apethymus filiformis, a species associated with oaks which were plentiful in the area that it was found.

A Cream-spot Ladybird (Calvia quatuordecimguttata) was in Big Pool Island Cut and was new for the year. There were 4 Hairy Shieldbugs on one dandelion head on Shemmy Moss including a mating pair.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A quickie, I'm pleased to say that our Hedgehog is back in our Moulton (nr Northwich, Cheshire) garden, having survived the winter. Food (cat food) and, more importantly in this weather, water is now out nightly! First sighting was 28th April 2025 smile

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

First of all a sighting from yesterday that was a species I took home to photograph and confirm ID with it being a lifer for me anywhere in the UK and of course a Patch Tick! This was Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata), a species that I had been searching for for the last 2-3 years. I knew that it had to be present but it was always going to be hard to find, so much relief now!

................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Next, a hot and sunny day again on Newchurch and Shemmy Moss this afternoon.

A Rabbit was in the Abbotsmoss Nursery Fields, a bit of a scarcity these days!

Eight species of butterfly were seen with the star one being a new species on patch this year, Holly Blue. This was on the main track by Finch Hedge, but wasn't going to stop in todays heat!

A count of 4 Downy Emeralds on Shemmy Moss today. At least 20 Common Blue Damselflies were on Newchurch Common, especially in Big Pool north meadow. Around 90 Large Red Damselflies were on Shemmy Moss as well as a few Four-spotted Chasers again.

My first queen Hornet of the year was seen, quartering over the bracken on Shemmy Moss like a small helicopter!!

A Dock Bug was again on Shemmy Moss along with my first Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) of 2025.

Common Vetch was in flower in Big Pool north meadow.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A hot and sunny day on Newchurch am and Shemmy Moss pm, post-puncture repair!

Just six species of butterfly, all the usuals! Two new moths for the year were on Newchurch Common in the east meadows, Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata)and Common Nettle-tap (Anthophila fabriciana).

A good day for odonata with my first 4 Common Blue Damselflies of the year, all on Newchurch Common am, east of Big Pool Island Cut. Also seen were 6 Downy Emeralds, 5 on Shemmy Moss and 1 in a private area, both males and females were seen. At least 4 Four-spotted Chasers and 40 Large Red Damselflies were seen, all on Shemmy Moss. That made it my most successful odonata day of 2025, with four species seen.

On some Pedunculate Oaks (Quercus robur) west of Small Pool at least 10 Apple Galls of the Biorhiza pallida gall wasp were seen. Orange-tailed Mining Bees (6) were again on Newchurch Common.

There were at least 5 Long-winged Duskyface hoverflies and 12 Orange-belted Leafwalker hoverflies on Newchurch Common, both repeat sightings this year.

A Red-headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis) was a good find in Big Pool Island Cut Meadow. A Amara aenea beetle was on Newchurch Common and a Hairy Shieldbug on Shemmy Moss, the former a new species for 2025 and the latter a repeat species, but the first pictures of both.

An Empis tessellata Dagger Fly was on Newchurch Common, new for the year. Another 2 Dark-edged Bee-flies were seen, in a new area, Big Pool Island Cut Meadow.

Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) an invasive species, was recorded officially in the Big Pool east meadows. Thyme-leaved Speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia) was new for 2025 and was on Newchurch Common too.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A morning in hot sun on my Patch Newchurch Common and Shemmy Moss, a light relief after finding a nail in my car tyre cry

On Shemmy Moss today there were 2(m+f) Downy Emeralds.

Around 30 Green Longhorn Moths were displaying in the sun in an oak tree.

A Swollen-thighed Beetle was found on Sandy Lane, a first for the year.

Another first were around 5 St.Mark's Flies, also on Sandy Lane.

The lone Large-leaved Avens plant found last year was in flower by Shemmy Moss, whilst like last year all the Wood Avens plants were yet to flower. Meadow Buttercup was added to the flower list, on Sandy Lane.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 27th of April 2025 05:00:37 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A Patch Day again, am Newchurch & pm Shemmy, warm enough for inverts and occasional sun.

Again up to 10 Heather Grey Moths (Neofaculta ericetella) were seen.

At least 3 teneral Four-spotted Chasers were on Shemmy Moss pm.

A Blood Bee (Sphecoides Sp.) was on Shemmy Moss. A Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) was on Newchurch Common.

Again upwards of 20 Green Tiger Beetles were on Shemmy Moss. A number of Mirid Bug species were new and IDed today, all on Newchurch Common. Firstly 4 Harpocera thoracica, and then a Common Nettle Mirid Bug Liocoris tripustulatus were seen. Also a Striped Oak Bug Rhabdomiris striatellus late instar nymph was found under an oak.

The superb and weird looking Snake Fly Xanthostigma xanthostigma was on Newchurch Common am. Two more fly species were on Newchurch Common and were new, a Suillia species and a Hebecnema species.

The Harvestman Rilaena triangularis was on Newchurch Common.

At least 16 St George's Mushrooms (Calocybe gambosa) were out as usual around St George's Day, near Big Pool.

A count of 63 Common Twayblades was encouraging today. Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanstrum) was new and in Big Pool SW Corner Glade as was Field Pansy (Viola arvensis).

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 26th of April 2025 11:16:54 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Had a short walk onto Shemmy Moss pm, surprisingly cool and cloudy!

Lots of small moths were flying, and eventually one was seen well enough to ID them as the first 30 Heather Grey moths (Neofaculta ericetella).

At least 3 Orange-tailed Mining Bees were seen again. A fresh Oak Apple gall caused by the wasp Biorhiza pallida was found, looking perfectly like a small apple rather than the dried spheres later in the year.

Another 12 Green Tiger Beetles were recorded. A new beetle was added for patch in the shape of the Pill Beetle Byrrhus pilula.

The first ever mayfly on my patch was found and was identified as a 3-tailed Mayfly Leptophlebia vespertina, using location and percentage likelihood as much as ID features! Two craneflies were added to this years list too, the smaller Tipula vernalis and the more common, larger Tipula oleracea.

The first Furrow Orbweaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus) was found. A Cucumber Spider (prob. Araniella cucurbitina) was found again.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On Shemmy Moss, Newchurch Patch, twice today, hot and sunny eventually.

An excellent odonata day with the first Downy Emerald dragonfly, a male, seen. At least 5 Four-spotted Chasers were seen too and a larva was found in the shallows of Shemmy Moss looking like it would be emerging tonight, as is the emergence preference for this species. At least 150 Large Red Damselflies were seen, with another landing on my lips and face, for the second time this spring!!

A good moth day too with two new species for the year. The first Brown Silver-line was seen, a common moth here. Also a Scalloped Hook-tip was found, a first record ever on patch.

A Large Pine Weevil, a serious pest in conifer plantations, was on the entrance road to Abbotsmoss conifer nursery!! This again was a new species for 2025.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A morning walk on Shemmy Moss, Newchurch Patch. Dry tiny bit of sun but mainly cloudy.

A small group of 5 Green Longhorn Moths (Adela reaumurella) were dancing in courtship combat, in a brief sunny interval on a silver birch tree, and were a new species this year.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Pickerings Pasture, Widnes

14.00-16.00

Orange Tip butterflies were showing well on the flowering Bluebells in front of the screen,

with 4 males seen having an aerial scrap, then 1 of them flew off with a single female.

Also seen around the same patch of Bluebells were at least 4 Large White and a couple of

resplendent Comma butterflies.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A morning walk on Newchurch Common and pm on Shemmy Moss. Mild with sunny intervals.

Four species of butterfly were all on Newchurch with a female Orange-tip of special note, as she was watched laying eggs on Garlic Mustard.

At least 50 Whirlygig Beetles (Gyrinus sp.) were seen on Big Pool and officially recorded today. A nice, but minute, Brassy Willow Beetle (Phratora vitellinae) was seen by the main track and 2 Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni) were out, both species were the first of these this year.

The first Alder Fly (Sialis lutaria) of the year was by Big Pool Island Cut. Clouds of Non-biting Midges (Chironomidae sp.) were around, good news for warblers.

A Striped Millipede (Ommatoiulus sabulosus) was by the main track, new for 2025.

A Metellina Mengai spider was in woods by Big Pool Island Cut, the first record of 2025.

A Brown-lipped Snail was again photographed.

A new plant was Smooth Sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) in the Big Pool SW corner area. Red Dead-nettle was a repeat sighting. A total of 21 Common Twayblade shoots were counted, good news for this species almost lost to flooding in the last few years.

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A short trip onto Shemmy Moss, sunshine initially but soon clouded over so we headed home!!

Several bees were seen including 6 Common Carder Bumblebees and Early Bumblebee again.

A new species was Dusky Slug (Arion subfuscus), feeding on a Dandelion flower.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 21st of April 2025 09:37:22 PM

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On my Patch am and pm so sightings from far and wide today, and some crackers amongst them. Sunny and warm.

There were several Common Toad Tadpoles still in Big Pool.

Butterflies were again abundant with 10 species seen, these included a new species for the year. The new species was a Small Copper on Shemmy Moss, a butterfly only seen twice all last year on Patch! There were also 2 Large Whites, 2 Brimstones, 10 Orange-tips, including 3 females, 7 Speckled Woods, 2 Commas, 10 Peacocks, 1 Small White, 10 Green-veined Whites and 25 Green Hairstreaks.

Even more surprising was the first Four-spotted Chaser of the year, on Shemmy Moss, my earliest dragonfly possibly ever on patch! Unfortunately it flew straight through but just 15mins later we found a discarded dragonfly exuvia in the water on Shemmy that was a Four-spotted Chaser exuvia!! In addition at least 120 Large Red Damselflies were seen :)

On Shemmy around 6 Common Heath moths were seen, both males and females.

The first 25 Early Bumblebees (Bombus pratorum)were on the wing, on Shemmy Moss. The first 5 Garden Bumblebees (Bombus hortorum)were seen on Newchurch Common. Gooden's Nomad Bee was on Newchurch Common, a repeat sighting. Ashy Mining Bee was seen again on both Shemmy and Newchurch. Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) was new with 1 on Newchurch and 2 on Shemmy Moss. Bilberry Mining Bee was again on Bilberry on Shemmy Moss. Oyster Galls were a new species, found on oak leaves on Newchurch Common, the galls of the gall wasp Neuroterus anthracinus.

A second Spring Smoothtail hoverfly this year was on Newchurch.

A few beetles were recorded. A first, and new, was the rove beetle Ocypus brunnipes on Shemmy Moss. At least 20 Green Tiger Beetles were on Shemmy Moss as was a single Black Snail Beetle, both seen earlier this year. There were 5 Gorse Shieldbugs (Piezodrus lituratus) on gorse on Shemmy Moss which was a new species this year. Single Dock Bugs (Coreus marginatus) on both Shemmy and Newchurch were new too.

A new fly for 2025 and possibly ever on patch, was Variegated Spring Beegrabber (Myopa buccata), on Newchurch Common. Six Yellow Dungflies were seen again, on Newchurch.

A Common Groundhopper was on Shemmy Moss again. A new species for the year was 20 Common Rough Woodlice (Porcellio scaber).

Two new spiders were recorded, both on Shemmy and the first a lifer for me. This lifer was Water Spider (Argyroneta aquatica), scuttling along the bottom of a mossland pool showing the air bubble trapped around its abdomen really well, which gives it its alternative name, Diving Bell Spider! At least 8 Pirata piraticus scuttled across the water surface on Shemmy Moss, the first of the year.

Several plants were added to the yearlist today, all on Newchurch Common: Greater Stichwort (Stellaria holostea), Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), White Dead-nettle (Lamium album), Greater Periwinkle (Vinca major), and Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens). Red Campion was a repeat sighting on Newchurch Common.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 21st of April 2025 02:35:00 PM

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An afternoon walk on the Shemmy Moss part of my Newchurch Patch in dull, overcast and cooler conditions.

A new bee species was Orange-tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) whilst Gooden's Nomad Bee and Common Carder Bumblebees were repeat sightings.

Several hoverflies were recorded with several new species this year. New were Long-winged Duskyface (Melanostoma scalare), Yellow-girdled Brusheye (Dasysyrphus tricinctus), Stripe-backed Brusheye (Dasysyrphus albostriatus) and Eurasian Dronefly (Eristalis arbustorum).

Lots of Bibio lanigerus flies were seen, c.40 being the estimate.

Common Shiny Woodlouse (60) was again recorded.

Wood Forget-me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica)was new for the year, in flower and Spanish Bluebells were seen again.

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Rain constantly and not warm at Newchurch Common in the main pool area this morning.

A small number of Common Toad Tadpoles were in Big Pool.

Despite the conditions I found and photographed a female Orange-tip on a native Bluebell south of Big Pool.

In addition to Native Bluebell I added flowering Greater Celandine, Herb Robert and Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage to the 2025 patch flora list today. Even better I found at least 5 newly emerged Common Twayblades in the wet woodland south of Big Pool. This species is just hanging on here as the wood gets progressively wetter.

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On the Shemmy Moss part of my Newchurch Patch today, sunny and warm.

There were six butterfly species on the wing but nothing new. Of note 5 Green Hairstreaks were flitting around the gorse and a male Orange-tip stopped just long enough for a picture!

There was a large hatch resulting in a count of 28 Large Red Damselflies, including over 20 in one regular location where none had been seen prior to today this year so far.

A few, probably 4 Common Heath moths were seen.

A new species of hoverfly was 4 Platycheirus albimanus (new name Grey-spotted Sedgesitter!).

A small mining bee was seen on Bilberry and was identified, unsurprisingly, as a male Bilberry Mining Bee (Andrena lapponica), new for patch.

Bilberry, the food plant of the Green Hairstreak larvae (along with gorse) and preferred nectar plant of the aforementioned Bilberry Mining Bee, was in flower and in greater abundance this year.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 17th of April 2025 04:57:10 PM

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A brief visit am on Newchurch.

A good swathe of Wood Sorrel was found in the woods east of Small Pool.

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My WeBS Count day on Newchurch today but a couple of snippets!

A Green-veined White and 2m Orange-tips were seen.

A Dark-edged Bee-fly was by the main track between the pools.

Spanish Bluebells are coming into flower.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On my Newchurch Patch on Shemmy Moss today. Sunny am, cloudy pm.

A section of sloughed Common Lizard skin was found on Shemmy Moss.

Over 10 Green Hairstreaks were seen amongst 5 species of Butterfly.

A new moth for patch in 2025 were around 6 Common Heaths.

In total 6 Large Red Damselflies were noted.

A totally new plant species, Juneberry (Amelanchier lamarckii) was found on Shemmy Moss.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 13th of April 2025 03:18:56 PM

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Morning and afternoon on a sunny, hot local patch, Newchurch Common and the mosslands.

A live Wood Mouse was watched an photographed today near the top car parks of Big and Small Pools.

Nine species of butterfly were seen today, the usuals minus Large White!

Again double figure numbers of Large Red Damselflies were seen, one in Gull Pool Wood, the rest on Shemmy Moss.

A nice Epistrophe eligans hoverfly on Newchurch was new for 2025. Today at least 6 Dark-edged Bee-flies were seen, what a year this species is having!

A Hairy Shieldbug was in the Big Pool SW Corner Glade.

A Cucumber Spider (prob Araniella cucurbitina) was on Shemmy Moss and was new for the year.

The tree Field Maple is in fresh leaf now.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Mere Hall Pools Chelford Lunchtime visit

Butterflies: 8 Speckled Woods, 6 Peacocks and 2 male Orange Tips.

1 Speckled Wood was seen chasing a Peacock butterfly away, despite the latter being noticeably bigger.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Another morning and afternoon on my patch, am only on Newchurch, pm on Shemmy to start with a brief nip over to Newchurch, all in very hot and sunny weather, glorious!!

A dead Wood Mouse was my first of that species this year, on Newchurch in Big Pool east meadows.

A great butterfly day with all ten species seen so far seen on the wing!! There were 10 Green Hairstreaks seen today on Shemmy Moss as well as a Large White here again and Peacocks, a Comma, a Small Tortoiseshell, lots of Green-veined Whites, Small Whites, up to 4 male Orange-tips and 3 male Brimstones. There were 3 Speckled Woods seen too, two on Shemmy Moss and one on Newchurch Common.

In the Big Pool SW Corner Glade 3 Scarlet Tiger Caterpillars were found today, all on Common Comfrey.

A hatch of at least 15 Large Red Damselflies were seen on Shemmy Moss.

Around 6 Gooden's Nomad Bees were in the Big Pool SW Corner Glade along with 2 Dark-edged Bee-flies. A Grey-patched Mining Bee was again photographed on Shemmy Moss

In dandelions there were upwards of 40 Meligethes aeneus Pollen Beetles on Newchurch Common.

New plants recorded were Garlic Mustard all over patch, Yellow Archangel on Shemmy Moss, Hare's-tail Cottongrass on Shemmy Moss and Wood Avens on Shemmy Moss.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Hot and sunny pm on my Newchurch Patch.

A new butterfly was added with the first Large White seen, on Shemmy Moss. Also on Shemmy were 12 Green Hairstreaks, the highest count this year. A total of eight species of butterfly were again seen including 3 male Orange-tips, two on Shemmy Moss and one on Newchurch Common.

A Thistle Root-borer moth (Epiblema scutulana) was in the Big Pool SW Corner Glade. Only the third moth species this year. A Scarlet Tiger Moth caterpillar was again in the Big Pool SW Corner Glade.

A (probable) Box-headed Blood Bee (Sphecodes monilicornis) was by Shemmy Moss on a dandelion and was new. A repeat sighting was Ashy Mining Bee with one on Shemmy Moss and one on Newchurch Common.

The first Green Tiger Beetle of the year was on Shemmy Moss. Also on Shemmy Moss Heather Beetle was a new species this year.

A Cheilosia sp. Hoverfly was on Shemmy Moss and was new for 2025. There were 2 Dark-edged Bee-flies egg laying in the Big Pool SW Corner Glade.

Both White-legged Snake Millipede and Brown Centipede, both repeat sightings in 2025, were under logs in Gull Pool Wood.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 8th of April 2025 10:16:15 PM

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An afternoon in warm sunshine on the mosslands section of my Newchurch Patch.

A Common Frog was in Gull Pool Wood.

All butterflies were on Shemmy Moss, namely 5 Green Hairstreaks, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, and Comma.

Best sighting was the first Odonata of the year, a teneral Large Red Damselfly which escaped being photographed by flying straight at my face and then landing on my lips where I couldn't see it before disappearing flying over my shoulder!

There were several nests of Formica lemani 'Wood Ants' on Shemmy Moss.

A Dark-edged Bee-fly was watched again egg laying, or egg flicking as they do, in the Big Pool SW Corner Glade.

At least 2 Green Dock Beetles were in the Big Pool SW Corner Glade, including one gravid female. A Pterostichus nigrita Ground Beetle (prob) was under a log in Gull Pool Wood.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 7th of April 2025 09:48:11 PM

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A morning walk in hot sunshine on the mosslands section of my Newchurch Common Patch.

A Green-veined White was a new butterfly species here this year and 5 Green Hairstreaks were found early on as it was warming up. Also seen were a Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell. A total of 9 species have now been seen so far this year on Patch.

Lots of hoverflies were still around with an estimated 150 Tapered Droneflies and 1 Common Dronefly seen. A (prob) Syrphus ribesii was new for the year, the Syrphus hoverflies are hard to ID for certain but I go on strong probabilities for some individuals. Another Syrphus was left as a sp. only!

Two Yellow Dungflies were seen.

An unexpectedly early Common Groundhopper was photographed as it warmed up in the sunshine. They are seen all year round but my first here is usually later in the year than this one!

p.s. My 10th Butterfly species of the year was seen pm when a Holly Bluie was in our Moulton garden!

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 7th of April 2025 09:29:58 AM

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Both morning and afternoon on my Newchurch Common Patch area in warm sunshine today.

A great butterfly day with eight species recorded. There were 7 Green Hairstreaks on Shemmy Moss as well as 3 Peacocks, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Commas, 2(1m) Brimstones, and the first 3m Orange-tips of 2025. A Speckled Wood was by Newchurch Common main track, new for the year. Also new were 3 Small Whites, 2 on Shemmy Moss and 1 on Newchurch Common.

A nice find were the first 2 Scarlet Tiger caterpillars (Callimorpha dominula) in the Big Pool SW Glade on Green Alkanet, as they were last year. Another Orange Underwing moth was on Shemmy Moss.

There were at least 190 Tapered Droneflies seen on Newchurch Common. A number of Syrphus species hoverflies were seen, probably Syrphus torvus with six on Newchucrch Common and two on Shemmy Moss.

The first 3 Common Carder Bees were on Shemmy Moss. A Red-tailed Bumblebee was a repeat sighting and was on Newchurch Common. Two new species of mining bee were seen, an Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) on Shemmy Moss and a Grey-patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida) on Newchurch Common.

Two Dark-edged Bee Flies were again on Newchurch Common. One of these was flicking eggs towards mining bee nest holes and the other was nectaring on Green Alkanet. A new Scathophagia species, most likely Norellia spinipes was on Newchurch Common by the main track.

Common Dog-violet (Viola riviniana) was seen in flower by the track between the two main pools and was new for the year on patch. Sun Spurge (Euporbia helioscopia) was also new for 2025, in the Big Pool SW Glade.