Out-of-county (other wildlife)

John Watson · Status: Offline

RE: Out-of-county (other wildlife)

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A morning walk on Newchurch Common, bright and some sun initially but ended in drizzle!

A brand new fungus was Oak Crust (Peniophora quercina), a delicate lilac-coloured crust fungus, found in Gull Pool Wood. More common but not seen too often in 2024 was Blushing Bracket, also in Gull Pool Wood.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Another morning on Newchurch Common, dry and mild.

An exhaustive search for invertebrates as the sun was quite warm turned up just two flies basking on a farm trailer and even though they looked similar they were different species. The first, and larger, one was in the Housefly family and indentified as Phaonia tuguriorum. The second, smaller one, could only be assigned to family, being one of the Root Maggot Flies (Anthomyiidae).

A new fungus was Small Stagshorn (Calocera cornea) found in Gull Pool Wood. Otherwise just repeats such as Yellow Brain Fungus near Big Pool. Also found was the minute stalked Slime Mould Comatricha nigra (probable ID).

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A morning walk on Newchurch after yesterdays storm revealed a few trees down, lots of branches, but nothing spectacular or devastating. Fine and mild with little wind until late afternoon when I popped out briefly again.

Just fungi to report and all are repeat species for the year but may be in a new location! On Shemmy Moss 3 Fragrant Funnels and 2 Shaggy Inkcaps were new for the location, Common Puffballs and Hairy Curtain Crust were repeats all round!!

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

My first December patch walk on Newchurch Common today in misty murk!! All Fungi!

A new species for me and patch was Fragrant Funnel (Clitocybe fragrans), found in the ex meadow east of Small Pool and smelling beautifully of aniseed. It was so strong that it attracted a passing Labrador!! I found a new disc fungus on a dead leaf, possibly Snowy Disco (Lachnum virgineum), but I await expert opinion! This was in woodland south of Big Pool on deciduous leaf litter.

Repeat sightings included Sulphur Tuft, Common Earthball, Common Bonnet, Clouded Funnel and White Fibrecap (all photographed).

As an aside I had my 3rd ever record of the locally rare Southern Oak Bush Cricket in my garden this am, attracted by my moth trap. This was my second male with one female previously too. (photo)

EDIT: So far feedback agrees with my Snowy Disco ID on the small disc fungus smile

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 5th of December 2024 03:17:39 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Lovely and sunny and warm on Newchurch common this morning.

A Common Frog was under a log in Gull Pool Wood.

The biggest surprise was a Red Admiral on Shemmy Moss.

Common Shiny Woodlouse was in numbers under logs still.

Sheathed Woodtuft was a new fungus for the year, seen in Gull Pool Wood in a huge clump on a dead tree stump. A repeat fungus sightings was Panellus stipticus (Bitter Oyster).

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A brief visit to Newchurch Common this morning in the mist.

A Common Wasps nest by Big Pool that I had seen on each visit recently was still active with a number of wasps coming and going still, but the Hornets nests were both seemingly inactive now.

Not much on the fungus front, but some really nice mature Earthy Powdercaps east of Big Pool along with one Snowy Waxcap. Both had been previously recorded this year.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Newchurch late reports from this week:

Old and faded Amethyst Deceiver mushrooms in the birch scrub east of Small Pool and Frosty Bonnet fungi in the Big Pool Island Cut woods.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Glasson Dock (Lancs)

Late Report for yesterday 11th November (Lunchtime)

2 Red Admiral butterflies were seen visiting the flowers alongside the

deserted pub, opposite the Lockkeepers Rest cafe.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A morning on Newchurch Common was surprisingly uneventful. Overcast but mild.

The last remaining Hornet's nest is still active, two Hornets were seen coming out of it. Another Hornet was flying by the Whitegate Way.

A new Jelly Rot Fungus was in Gull Pool Wood. There were 4 new Snowy Waxcaps at waxcap corner near Big Pool. A Blusher was in Gull Pool Wood. at least 5 new Collared Earthstars were by Shemmy Moss.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A short morning trip to my Newchurch Local Patch. Dull weather.

The trip was cut short by news of a male Red-breasted Flycatcher in Wales that I left to photograph! So all sightings refer to fungi.

Ones that I think were new for year were Netted Crust Fungus (Byssomerulius corium) and Common Jellyspot (Dacrymyces stillatus) in the woods by Big Pool Island Cut and Ribbed Bell (Galerina clavata) in Big Pool east meadow.

Repeat sightings included a Veiled Poisonpie, lots of new Candlesnuff, a new Blackening Waxcap and some new growth Jelly Ear.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A short trip to Newchurch Common was rewarded with my second Northern Winter Moth this week, a really bedraggled specimen, and this time it was in the Pine Belt not far from the first sighting.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Just had a rare catch in my Moulton garden when out looking around my moth trap. My second ever garden Southern Oak Bush Cricket and only the third ever in my tetrad :)

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A morning visit to Newchurch Common, overcast & dull weather.

A Caddisfly, probably Limnephilus nigriceps was by Small Pool.

A beautiful new fungus were at least 8 Pleated Inkcaps (Parasola plicatilis) in the Big Pool SW Glade. Another one was a Peziza species, not possible to speciate, by Small Pool.

A few, c.6 Blackening Waxcaps were found in a totally new area, Big Pool SW Glade, nice to find another patch since the original 'Waxcap Corner' is becoming overgrown! Variable Oysterling was photographed again, by Big Pool.

The plant Lady's Mantle was in flower in Big Pool SW Glade.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 26th of October 2024 01:23:46 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On my Newchurch Patch, Shemmy Moss section am. Overcast but sunny intervals.

There were 2m Black Darters and 3m Common Darters by the main paths.

At least 10 x 7-Spot Ladybirds were seen. A Green Sheildbug and a Dock Bug were recorded.

A new plant for me was by the paths, Bush Vetch, and in flower too.

A new fungus was recorded in the shape of Butter Cap (Rhodocollybia butyracea), by the path through the silver birch scrub thicket.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Newchurch Common am, mild and overcast.

A new moth was found for the patch - Northern Winter Moth, in Big Pool east meadow.

Two new fungi for the year. Three Scurfy Deceivers (Laccaria proxima) was in the old meadows to the south of the main track and a Lilac Fibrecap (Inocybe geophylla var. lilacina) was near Small Pool.

A fully green Parrot Waxcap was near Waxcap Corner, the previous one was yellow with a green tinged stipe so nice to get a green parrot! In a new area a huge group of 200 Jelly Baby fungi were found, I am a bit worried now that foragers are hitting the area and stripping all fungi, evebn non-edibles, so locations will be vague).

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A much duller day on my Newchurch Patch weatherwise, mild but cooler than last time too meaning no new or notable invertebrate sightings.

A new fungus for the year was Dark Honey Fungus (Armillaria ostoyae) near Small Pool, with huge numbers of fruiting bodies seen. The Miller (Clitopilus prunulus) was seen in the same area and also was new for 2024. The Deceiver (Laccaria laccata) was a repeat sighting, seen near Big Pool.

A new slime mould was found on wood chippings near Common Farm, Trichia decipiens Slime Mould, a very tiny globular yellow species.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On Newchurch Common in warm sunshine this mrning.

There were 5 Red Admirals seen, all nectaring on ivy flowers. A Comma was seen basking on brambles.

Hoverflies included a Tapered Dronefly and 3 Marmalade Flys.

At least 3 Harlequin Ladybirds were seen.

A new fungus was in the woods east of Small Pool, the bioluminescent Bitter Oyster (Panellus stipticus). Off the main track my first 3 Shaggy Inkcaps (Coprinus comatus)were seen. to the north of the Pine Belt a nice group of Clustered Pine Bonnet (Mycena stipata) were seen.

Repeat sightings included a second Blue Roundhead, this time north of the Pine Belt, and some new Jelly Baby fungi (probably around 20 now).

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On my Newchurch Patch am again and again around Big Pool in the east meadows. Dull & mild weather.

A couple of invertebrates around including a Common Darter again.

A male Tree Wasp (Dolichovespula sylvestris) was an addition for the year on patch, the yellow face with a single black dot was noted for ID. Away from Big Pool, one of the Hornet's nests was found to have been predated, I'm not sure how because the nest was up inside a narrow tree cavity but comb was on the floor around the entrance. The second nest is still active. A Suillia fly species was on a fungus.

A new Millipede was seen whilst fungus hunting, the Striped Millipede (Ommatoiulus sabulosus).

A new arachnid was added for the year near Beach Peg, the Harvestman Paroligolophus agrestis.

Again a few new fungi were seen namely Veiled Poisonpie (Hebeloma mesophaeum), Leopard Earthball (Scleroderma areolatum), White Domecap (Leucocybe connata), and a probable Weeping Widow (Lacrymaria lacrymabunda),

Repeat sightings were Candlesnuff, a few new Snowy Waxcaps, the biggest group of Variable Oysterlings I've ever seen, and Shaggy Parasol.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On my Newchurch Patch am, after yesterdays deluge, bright, mild with some sun.

Around Big Pool 2 Red Admirals were seen.

Also here were a male Migrant Hawker and a Common Darter.

On one of the fungi a minute beetle was seen, identified as a Shining Flower Beetle (Phalacridae) species.

A new moth for the year here was the micromoth Scoparia ambigualis, also know as Common Grey.

The rest of the interest was fungi. I was chuffed to find my first Jelly Baby Fungi (Leotia lubrica) in the Big Pool east meadow, around 15 fruiting bodies were seen. Near Big Pool Island Cut at the edge of the small wood I found my first ever Blue Roundhead (Stropharia caerulea) too. Crystal Brain Fungus (Myxarium nucleatum) was seen in the same woodland. A quite rare find was Cortinarius saturninus in a big group under willows by the eastern edge of Big Pool. The first Clouded Funnels (Clitocybe nebularis) were out nearby.

Repeat sightings included Blackening Waxcap, Butter Waxcap, Snowy Waxcap, Scarlet Waxcap, Earthy Powdercap and Sulphur Tuft.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On my Newchurch Patch am, cool and overcast.

A Common Toad was on Shemmy Moss

A Common Darter was also on Shemmy Moss, basking not flying.

A few 'new for year' Parrot Waxcaps were amongst the Butter Waxcaps on Newchurch Common, giving me my fifth waxcap species this year on Patch! The fungus Beige Fibrecap (Inocybe sindonia) was in Gull Pool Wood and was another new fungus species for the year, and was almost certainly the first record for the Patch.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 13th of October 2024 11:07:48 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A sunny morning on my Newchurch Patch but clear skies overnight meant the first frost of Autumn so a wee nip in the air at first. All the walk was on Shemmy Moss.

A star butterfly with only my second Small Copper of 2024 for patch and the first on Shemmy Moss this year.

There were 9 Common Darters on the wing today, all were basking, and not until the end of the morning was it warm enough for any to take flight.

The hoverflies Eupeodes luniger and Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax) were seen.

A Black Snail Beetle (Phosphuga atrata) was found, a burying beetle species that preys on snails, and a second occurrence on Patch, the previous one being found close by on the Whitegate Way.

A Bog Bush Cricket was seen basking to warm up.

Several fungi were recorded, all repeats but some as firsts this year on Shemmy Moss rather that Newchurch Common proper! These included Ochre Brittlegill, around 20 Fly Agarics, The Blusher, Black Milking Bonnet, Brown Birch Bolete, and Brown Roll-rim.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 11th of October 2024 04:32:47 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

An all day stint on my Newchurch Common Patch today, cold and sunny.

Two butterflies were in the Big Pool north meadow, a Peacock and a Speckled Wood.

Just one Common Darter was seen.

The two Hornet nests were still active but one seemed to have been attacked by a Badger, but minimal damage had been done as it is inside a tree trunk. In addition a Queen Hornet was found under a log, already in hibernation. A Common Wasp nest was found in the ground at the northeast corner of Big Pool. Outside the nest on a leaf was a hornet-mimic hoverfly Volucella zonaria. This parasitises wasp nests with the larva growing in the wasp's care until it emerges from the nest as an adult as this adult had presumably done!

A Spiked Shieldbug was photographed on Shemmy Moss. A Common Earwig was near Big Pool.

A good day for fungi again. New for the year were a Shaggy Parasol (Chlorophyllum rhacodes) on Newchurch Common, Yellowleg Bonnet (Mycena epipterygia) on Newchurch Common, Deceiver (Laccaria laccata) on Newchurch Common, Spectacular Rustgill (Gymnops junonius) in Gull Pool Woods, Common Bonnet (Mycena galericulata) in Gull Pool Woods, Brown Roll-rim (Paxillus involutus) in Gull Pool Woods, 12 Collared Earthstars (Geastrum triplex), and Purplepore Bracket (Trichaptum abietinum) in Gull Pool Woods.

Seen again were Snowy Waxcap, Butter Waxcap, Blackening Waxcap, Witch's Butter, Blusher, Sulphur Tuft, Candlesnuff, Hoof Fungus, Turkeytail and Hairy Curtain Crust,

The Tapioca Slime Mould (Brefeldia maxima) was in Gull Pool Wood.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 10th of October 2024 09:08:07 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A late report from Newchurch Common for YESTERDAY 4th October 2024 am:

Two dead Hedgehogs on Daleford Lane were the first record of this species this year, sad but the increase in road casualties can represent an increase in overall population (source 'The Mammal Society'), I hope so.

There were 3 basking Common Lizards on Shemmy Moss including one of this years young.

Odonata seen in the warm sunshine were 16m Common Darters and 5m Black Darters.

A Common Dronefly and a Marmalade Hoverfly basked together on a dandelion by Shemmy Moss. There were 2 Harlequin Ladybirds on the ivy by Dairy Farm.

A Bog Bush Cricket was basking and showing well on Shemmy Moss. A new species for the year was seen in the shape of 2 Noon Flies, one by Shemmy Moss and one on Ivy at Dairy Farm.

Lots of fungi were seen. New ones for the year included two special fungi, Butter Waxcap (Hygrocybe ceracea) and Snowy Waxcap (Cuphophyllus virgineus), both in the Big Pool meadows, with Blackening Waxcaps and the Scarlet Waxcap still here too, all of these were either going over or half eaten, so none in good condition! Other new for year fungi seen were Upright Coral (Ramaria stricta), a Cep (Boletus edulus), Frosty Webcap (Cortinarius hemitrichus) and Ochre Brittlegill (Russula ochroleuca), all on Shemmy Moss. Ones possibly new were Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) on Shemmy Moss and Jelly Rot (Phlebia tremellosa) in Gull Pool Wood. Definitely seen before but in good numbers now in various sites on patch were Fly Agarics, plus one Scurfy Twiglet was on Shemmy Moss.

Asa opposed to the usual cultivated apples gone wild I found my first patch genuine Crab Apple tree (Malus sylvestris) at the edge of Gull Pool Wood.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On Newchurch Common am & pm, sunnier and warmer in the afternoon.

A Wood Mouse ran across the path near Big Pool Island Cut, possibly my first of the year on patch!

A Migrant Hawker and 2 Common Darters were east of Big Pool.

A Dance Fly species Hybos culciformis was near Big Pool.

A red-letter day (literally!!) for fungi as I found my first ever Scarlet Waxcap anywhere, and the bonus was it was on my Local Patch! This beautiful small vibrant red waxcap was in the area that I have found the other 4 species of waxcap on my patch, known by patch watchers as 'Waxcap Corner'!! Other new fungi were Wood Blewit (Lepista nuda), White Dunce Cap (Conocybe apala) and Brownedge Bonnet (Mycena olivceomarginata). Ones seen before this year were Frosty Bonnet (Mycena adscendens) and Blackening Waxcaps (all gone over).

Common Orange Lichen (Xanthoria parietina) was seen near Big Pool too, possibly the first noted record this year.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On Newchurch Common am in sunny but breezy weather.

3 Common Lizards were basking on Shemmy Moss still.

Three butterflies of three species, a Comma, a Red Admiral and a Green-veined White.

Lots of dragonflies, all on Shemmy Moss, namely a Southern Hawker, 2 Migrant Hawkers, 8 Common Darters, a male Ruddy Darter, and 9 Black Darters including a pair in cop.

The first Hornets nest is still very active and now only c.200m away I found a second Hornets nest!

Around 4 7-spot Ladybirds were seen. An absolute stack of shieldbugs too with at least 70 Dock Bugs, 10 Green Shieldbugs, 2 Spiked Shieldbugs and 1 Hairy Shieldbug.

A nice array of fungi were seen, including three new for the year the miniscule Birchleaf Bonnet (Mycena capillaris) near Big Pool Island Cut, Inocybe splendens near Big Pool Island Cut and Lemon Disco (Bisporella citrina) in Gull Pool Wood. Also seen but not new were Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasiculare) on the south of Big Pool Fragrant Funnel, Velvet Shank, and Variable Oysterling. Raspberry Slime Mould was new for 2024 and seen in Gull Pool Wood.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 27th of September 2024 10:30:26 PM

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Saturday 28th of September 2024 11:18:17 AM

John Williams · Status: Offline

Mere Hall Quarry Pools, Chelford, Cheshire

Numerous Common Darter dragonflies along the footpath between the pools.

At least 8 coupled pairs amongst them.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

This morning at Newchurch Common, very wet underfoot due to recent rain and even a sprinkling whilst I was there!

Two inverts of note. The Springtail species Orchesella cincta on a fungus near Big Pool, tiny but definite ID! Also a large Leopard Slug near Big Pool.

All other sightings were fungi and all near Big Pool. Finally I had 26 Blackening Waxcaps out at 'waxcap corner'. Also in this area, and also new for year were 2 Coconut Milkcaps and at least 16 Earthy Powdercaps. Other new fungi included 2 Brown Birch Boletes, Black Milking Bonnet, Snapping Bonnet, Wood Pinkgill, Fragrant Funnel, Bay Cup, Inocybe geophylla, Inocybe rimosa, Wood Woollyfoot, and Fairy Inkcap. The Miller was near Small Pool. Repeat sightings for this year were, all by Big Pool unless stated, Fly Agaric, Turkeytail, Smoky Bracket and Glistening Inkcaps near the main track between the pools.

John Williams · Status: Offline

The Sankey Valley Trail near Causey Bridge, Burtonwood

A beetle resembling "Leistus Ferrugineus" was seen crossing the

tarmac track, and nearly became a victim of the numerous

bicycles that use the trail. Apart from a swarm of midges beneath

an oak tree, this was the only insect to be found on my afternoon

stroll today.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A follow up afternoon in warm sunshine with a guest.

A Common Frog was in the beetle bank of the field N.of the Pine Belt.

At last the first Small Copper of the year was seen, in the field N.of Big Pool. Also seen were Large White, Small White and Speckled Wood.

A large German Wasp was basking on a Sycamore Leaf N.of Big Pool. On the Ivy on Novia Scotia Lane a Common Wasp was seen as well as Honeybees and just 3 Ivy Bees. Also here were the same hoverflies as yesterday.

In the beetle bank Common Millet and Long-headed Poppy were photographed.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A cracking afternoon on my Newchurch Patch, all around the Big Pool area. Sunny and warm.

Just four butterfly species, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and 3 Commas.

A few odonata with 4 Migrant Hawkers, 2 Brown Hawkers including a female ovipositing, 3 Common Darters and 3 Common Blue Damselflies.

A Nettle Tap Moth was photographed.

A great find was Ivy Bee, a patch first and a species I had been looking for for ages. Both males and females were feeding on Ivy on Nova Scotia Lane near Dairy Farm. Also on the Ivy were at least 30 Tapered Droneflies, 5 Batman Hoverflies, 3 Syrphus hoverflies (probably S.ribesii) and over 20 Honey Bees. A Platycheirus albimanus (Whitefooted) Hoverfly was north of Big Pool.

It was a fungus fest too with lots of new species for patch and others just new for the year. Brand new were False Death Cap (Amanita citrina), Girdled Webcap (Cortinarius trivialis), Powderpuff Bracket (Postia pttchogaster), Blue Roundhead (Stropharia caerulea), Tuberous Polypore (Polyporus tuberasta), Inocybe flocculosa, and Wood Pinkgill (Enteloma rhodopolium) But I may have had the latter species before. New for the year were Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), Inocybe geophylla, Frosty Bonnet (Mycena adscendens), Poison Pie (Hebeloma crustuliniforme) and Bolete Eater (Hypomyces chrysospermus).

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 18th of September 2024 11:38:37 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On the Shemmy Moss section of my Newchurch Patch this morning, weak sunshine and mild temperatures.

There were 8 Common Lizards basking in 3 locations today, an excellent count for September.

Four butterflies of four species ; Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small White and Large White added to yesterdays haul!

A massive drop in dragonflies with the small drop in temperature, just 4 Common Darters, 5 Black Darters and a Brown Hawker.

A new bee species was added and one that fits the habitat, namely Heather Mining Bee, at least 6 of these were seen feeding on the heather! Also recorded again was Field Digger Wasp. A nice Sercomyia silentis hoverfly was photographed.

It was a field day for shieldbugs with 160 Dock Bugs recorded as well as 20 Green Shieldbugs and singles of Spiked Shieldbug and Bronze Shieldbug. The latter species was a first for this year and had impaled an Alder Leaf Beertle larva which it was feeding on.

Another 2 Awkward Cluster Flies were basking. New for patch were 120 Tipula confusa craneflies, one of the smaller species of cranefly.

At least 15 Bog Bush Crickets were seen with at least 2 stridulating on basking areas (pictured).

Two Garden Cross Spiders were seen.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On my Newchurch Patch pm, all on Shemmy Moss, very warm and sunny.

There were 3 Common Lizards basking and a Common Toad was also seen.

There were four butterflies of three species, 2 Red Admirals, a Speckled Wood and a Small White.

Even more impressive was a count of 91 dragonflies of 7 species! These were 2(1m) Common Hawkers, 2m Southern Hawkers, 2 Brown Hawkers, 5 Migrant Hawkers, 1m Ruddy Darter, 15 Black Darters (inc. 3 pairs in cop, 2 of which were ovipositing), and an amazing 64 Common Darters (inc 4 pairs ovipositing)!

Two moths were noted, a Silver Y and a Nettle Tap.

Lots of hoverflies were on the wing and those noted included Sericomyia silentis, Eristalis tenax (Common Dronefly) and Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade Hoverfly).

A final instar Green Shieldbug Nymph was seen as well as an Awkward Clusterfly.

Two Four-spotted Orb-weaver Spiders were on Shemmy Moss, their stronghold.

A new fungus, almost certainly Common Cavalier (Melanoleuca polioleuca) was seen, 2 fruiting bodies being on the edge of the mosses.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A very short trip onto Newchurch Common this afteroon. Dull, cool and windy - what a change!

A Migrant Hawker was flying on the main track between the two pools and 8 Ruddy Darters were on Gull Pool as well as a Brown Hawker.

A main reason for going on was to photograph the Hornet's nest which is still very active.

A new fungus for patch was found in Gull Pool Wood in the shape of Deer Shield (Pluteus cervinus) on an old fallen Silver Birch. Lots of Deceiver fungi are now out and a couple of Tawny Grisettes were found too, but far less than last time.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A few late records for my Newchurch Common Patch for 31st August 2024:

A late ID, due to it being a difficult species was a new moth for my patch, Blastobasis adustella (Common Masoner) near the main track between the pools. Also here was a Dingy Footman moth.

The plants Musk-Mallow (new for the year) and Tansy were in flower in the Big Pool SW Corner Glade.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Just a short sojurn onto my Newchurch Common Patch this afternoon. Fine and dry. All sightings on or just off the main track between the pools, unless stated.

Four butterfly species with a Holly Blue on ivy on Novia Scotia lane being the most noteworthy. Also seen 6 Speckled Woods, a Gatekeeper on Novia Scotia Lane and 3 Green-veined Whites.

Five species of odonata with a male Southern Hawker, 3 Migrant Hawkers, 8 Common Darters, a Red-eyed Damselfly (on Big Pool) and several Common Blue Damselflies.

A Hornet was in the Big Pool SW Corner Glade.

A new fungus for patch was Potato Earthball (Scleroderma bovista) found in woodland by the south shore of Big Pool.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 3rd of September 2024 10:04:24 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Both am and pm on my Newchurch Common Patch, sunny and dry.

A Stoat was seen just off patch near Nunsmere.

An amazing 8 Common Lizards were basking in one small area on Shemmy Moss.

Odonata included 3(1m) Black Darters, 2 Migrant Hawkers (Shemmy Moss), a Common Darter, a Ruddy Darter (Gull Pool), Emerald Damselflies and Common Blue Damselflies.

The most significant moth find was a huge Elephant Hawkmoth Caterpillar. This was in it's final stage and looking to burrow underground to pupate. At least 3 Nettle Tap moths were seen.

Red Pea Galls were on small oaks by Shemmy Moss, seen for the first time ever these are the galls of the Red Pea Gall Wasp Cynips divisa. A Leafcutter Bee photographed on Shemmy Moss is likely to be Megachile versicolor. The Hornets nest is still active with over 100 Hornets seen. At least 10 Sericomyia silentis hoverflies were on Shemmy Moss. There were 6 Xylota segnis hoverflies on Big Pool Island Cut meadow.

Around 25 Dock Bugs were seen and 1 Hairy Shieldbug was photographed.

A Bog Bush Cricket showed well on Shemmy Moss.

A Four-spotted Orb-weaver was on Shemmy Moss.

A good fungus day with 25 Tawny Grisettes found, and 2 Blushers were in the same area of Gull Pool Wood. A cluster of 65 Glistening Inkcaps were also in Gull Pool Wood with around 8 Artist's Bracket fungi also here. Coral Brittlegill was in Gull Pool Wood. Variable Oysterling was near Big Pool Island Cut. Birch Woodwart was also in Gull Pool Wood.

Plants seen included Small Stinging Nettle (Urtica urens) in the former leek field and Crimson Clover in the Beetle Bank near the Pine Belt. Enchanters Nightshade was seen near the Pine Belt.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Morning on my Newchurch Patch in dull dry weather turning to drizzle later.

Not much in the way of butterflies or odonata.

A new micromoth for the patch ever was Acleris emargana near Big Pool, one I'd never seen before, and in the same area a new macromoth for patch in the shape of The Snout. A Straw Dot was also in the Big Pool Meadows.

The Hornets nest is still very active and Hornets were seen on Shemmy Moss and in the Big Pool Meadows. A Xylota segnis hoverfly was again photographed.

At least 3 Scorpionflies (Panorpa communis) were seen, possibly a new hatch. A Greenbottle Fly, probably Lucilia caesar was also near Big Pool.

Three fungi were photographed, the common Common Earthball, out in good numbers in Gull Pool Wood, Brown Mottlegill in Big Pool Island Cut Meadow and Pale Brittlestem in the wood near Big Pool island Cut.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 27th of August 2024 09:27:51 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On the Shemmy Moss section of my Newchurch Patch this morning. Dry and warm.

Just 2 butterflies. a Red Admiral and a Meadow Brown.

Better for odonata. For dragonflies a male Common Hawker (the heathland specialist) was seen plus a female Emperor, Brown Hawker, 8 Black Darters with 2 pairs 'in cop' of which was ovipositing and 11 Common Darters with 4 pairs 'in cop' of which all 4 were ovipositing. Just a Common Blue Damselfly was seen.

Two moth species were noted, the first was new for the year and a heath specialist micromoth species Phiaris schulziana also known as the Large Marble (pictured). This species was last noted in August 2020. A Silver Y was also seen.

There were 2 Hornets quartering the moss looking for prey. At least 3 male Ashy Mining Bees were seen. At least 18 Helophilus pendulus hoverflies were seen as well as 10 Sericomyia silentis.

A Green Tiger Beetle was still present as was a Bog Bush Cricket. Common Field Grasshopper was also seen whilst still searching, without luck, for Mottled Grasshopper.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 26th of August 2024 03:55:32 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

Marshside RSPB

Along the Northern edge of the former Sand Works, this being the only part not battered by the strong SW wind, were :-.

1 Painted Lady butterfly seen resting for a while on Ragwort.

1 male Common Darter dragonfly, with a few others seen in the grass covered area alongside the path.

1 male Migrant Hawker in the NW corner of the site, plus there appeared to be several others (Judging only by size) around the

bushes on top of the bank.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A bob onto Newchurch Common and just non animal reports to be honest.

A group of 3 Field Mushrooms in the Big Pool North Meadow were the first of the year.

Water Mint was by Small Pool and Common Vetch subspecies segetalis was in the beetle bank near the Pine Belt.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A really short stroll on the Shemmy Moss part of my Newchurch Patch. Warm but overcast.

Just one highlight my first ever patch Volucella inanis Hornet/Wasp mimic Hoverfly. Other hoverflies recorded included Eupodes corollae and Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade Fly).

Ruth Mott · Status: Offline

Andy I also live in Appleton, we have had a few bats over our garden (5 mins walk from Red Lane) that we noticed in the very early morning (4-5am) but had also noticed the lack of them generally and much much scarcer than previous years when they were common. There were normally also some around the carpark of the Baptist Church when on an evening stroll but I haven't been there that much this summer so not noticed. There are definitely less wasps, bees, butterflies, moths around us too though, I hope it is an anomaly due to the weather this year and not the new trend :(

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Short afternoon stroll on Newchurch Common around the Big Pool Meadows.

Nowt spectacular re butterflies.

A nice Southern Hawker and 2 Migrant Hawkers as well as 4 Brown Hawkers. Common Darter, Black Darter, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Red-eyed Damselfly seen too.

A new moth species was added to the patch list, Agriphila tristella the Common Grass-moth. Also seen were 2 Straw Dots.

A least 4 Xylota segnis hoverflies were seen.

A Green Shieldbug and a Dock Bug were seen.

A large male Garden Cross Spider was photographed.

The fungal gall Taphrina tosquinetii was on alder and recorded for the first time.

Sheep's Sorrel was in flower in the North Meadow.

Andy Slee · Status: Offline

Warrington South: neither ourselves or a few neighbours have seen any bats around here this year (bottom end Stockton Heath / Bridgewater Canal / Appleton up to the Reservoir). Used to get regular bats. Not even had wasps this year or the regular bees.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Two walks on Shemmy Moss, Newchurch Common Patch, today. Sunny and hot.

Lots of odonata (11 species) with a male Emperor, 3(2m) Common Hawkers including an ovipositing female, 2 Migrant Hawkers, a Southern Hawker, 12 Brown Hawkers, a female Black-tailed Skimmer, 10 Black Darters, 8 Common Darters, 2 Ruddy Darters, Emerald Damselflies and Common Blue Damselflies.

A Hornet was seen to take a Honey Bee and decapitate it before eating it!

A new beetle species - Heather Beetle - was found.

A new lacewing - Pearly Green Lacewing - was also found.

A Common Field Grasshopper was again photographed.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A shortish morning walk on the Shemmy Moss part of my Newchurch Patch. Bright and warm. Nice to bump into Dave, a member of these forums, and to have a chat.

There were 3 Common Lizards basking together, nice to see. Also a few small Common Frogs and Common Toads.

Just a few odonata seen, a Common Hawker, 4 Brown Hawkers, a Migrant Hawker, a Common Darter and 6 Black Darters.

For moths a Dingy Footman was seen as well as a Common Carpet.

A large number of the hoverfly Helophilus pendulus were seen as well as several Sericomyia silentis.

A new species ever on patch was a scentless plant bug (related to shield bugs) Rhopalus subrufus, one of only 4 species in this family in the UK. A Dock Bug was also seen.

A Common Horsefly was again photographed after she tried her luck with me, after my blood but I caught her before she managed it!

Again Bog Bush Cricket was seen.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On Newchurch am, dull but warm.

One very notable sighting was a Black Darter on Big Pool East Meadow, not exactly usual habitat but obviously expanding their range from the mosslands. I first noticed them in the meadows just last year. A Migrant Hawker was seen over the meadows too.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

An afternoon on my Newchurch Patch on Shemmy Moss. Warm and dry.

Quite quiet with the odonata highlight being a male Common Hawker again. There were only c.7 Black Darters, maybe the Hobby I saw had taken lots!

A Beautiful Yellow Underwing moth was photographed, and I got my best ever pictures of this flighty species.

A Common Field Grasshopper was new for the year and Common Green Grasshopper and Bog Bush Crickets were seen again.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A dead Hedgehog was on Daleford Lane, not sure if I've ever recorded a roadkill on here before.

Yesterday (and they will still be there today!) a shoal of young Perch were seen in Big Pool.

A Purple Hairstreak was the pick of a meagre number of butterflies (the beetle bank wasn't checked today).

In contrast a fantastic 15 species of odonata recorded including two new for the year and one patch rarity! The first new for year species was a male Migrant Hawker, seen on the south side of Shemmy Moss. Next, again on Shemmy Moss, was a male Common Hawker over the pools out in the middle of the moss, a species I usually only get one or two of per year here so nice to see. A male Southern Hawker was seen along the track between the two pools but never landed so I didn't get pictures! A male Emperor was seen over Gull Pool and a lone Brown Hawker was on the edge of Shemmy Moss whilst out on Shemmy Moss 2 Four-spotted Chasers looked very tatty. A total of 3 Common Darters were seen, 2 in cop on Small Pool and 1 on Shemmy Moss. As usual double-figure numbers of Black Darters were on Shemmy Moss but no count was made today.The patch rarity was a male Banded Demoiselle, the third record of the species this year which is the most ever seen in a single season here. An old looking Large Red Damselfly was in Gull Pool Wood where there were lots of Emerald Damselflies. The 'blue' damsels, Common Blue, Azure, Blue-tailed and Red-eyed were all seen as usual, all of the last species on Small Pool as Big Pool wasn't visited today.

Also seen today were an Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp, on Shemmy Moss and at least 5 Bog Bush Crickets on Shemmy Moss as usual. At least 20 Hornets were in Gull Pool Wood and their nest was still active. A Common Froghopper was near Small Pool.

A Blusher fungus was in Gull Pool Wood but was very 'slug-eaten'!

Wild Camomile was recorded as last month, on Newchurch Common near the Pine Belt.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 2nd of August 2024 05:51:24 PM