Out-of-county (other wildlife)

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

RE: Out-of-county (other wildlife)

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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!

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

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

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

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

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

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.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

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.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

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.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

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

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

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

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

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.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Along the Weaver Navigation and Old River close to Vale Royal Locks and the railway viaduct.

Butterflies seen this afternoon 14.30-18.30.

1m Orange Tip, 2 Comma, 1 Brimstone and 1 Peacock.

John Williams · Status: Offline

Woolston Eyes No 3 Bed

In the sun this afternoon were 2 Peacock (1 looking really tatty) and 1 Comma butterflies.

The Comma was basking on the trunk of a birch, but just as I was about to take a photo 1

Blue and 2 Long-tailed tits landed in the same tree, and the butterfly made a quick exit.

John O'Neill · Status: Offline

Penketh
First butterfly in our garden this year, a male Brimstone.
Also a Large Bee Fly.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

An early afternoon walk on the Shemmy Moss part of my Newchurch Patch. Sunny and hot.

The first Green Hairstreak was seen but it flew off low over the bracken, not stopping in the heat. This looks like the first one in the UK and is 3 days earlier than last years first here. Last year the first UK date was 23rd March! Also seen were a Peacock and a different Comma to yesterdays one.

Two more Orange Underwing moths were seen, 9 now being the total! One actually landed and I grabbed a quick picture.

The first White-tailed Bumblebee of the year was a queen looking for a nest location in the bracken

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A short afternoon visit to patch, just on Shemmy Moss. Sunny and hot!

The big highlight was my first Common Lizard of the year, a basking individual that allowed me to get close enough for a picture!

Also seen were 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 2 Peacocks and a very tatty Comma.

Another 2 Orange Underwing moths around the silver birches, making it 7 this year now!

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A very short morning pop in at Newchurch Common, sunny and getting warmer.

In Big Pool at the favoured breeding bay at least 8 Common Toads were present.

Another Orange Underwing moth was seen, this time flying over the cabbage field towards a mixed woodland but crucially with silver birches in it! This was my fifth sighting of the species this year!

In the Pine Belt north of Big Pool another female Spotted Thintail hoverfly was seen in what is a bumper year for them too. Just one Tapered Dronefly as it warmed up, in Big Pool east meadow.

Yellowing Curtain Crust was in the Pine Belt north of Big Pool. A new location but a repeat sighting for the year.

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A morning walk at Newchurch incorporating the mosses and the common. Warm and dry, no sun.

A count of 6 Common Toads at Big Pool were my first of the year, two were in amplexus and toadspawn was seen.

A male Brimstone was by Big Pool. Another Orange Underwing moth was on Shemmy Moss.

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A walk from c.11.45am onwards to try to hit the warmest part of the day, sunny & hot at first but cooler later.

On Shemmy Moss just 2 male Brimstones and a Peacock to show for the warmth, the former were the first here on the mosses as opposed to Newchurch meadows!

A dead Early Bumblebee was a new species and was on Newchurch Common as I did a brief detour off the mosses.

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An afternoon walk on my Newchurch Patch in sunshine but felt cooler than yesterday despite forecasts saying higher!

Three butterfly species were seen, all singles, a Comma and a Small Tortoiseshell on Shemmy Moss and a Peacock in Big Pool north meadow.

Lots of Buff-tailed Bumblebees, Honey Bees and Tapered Droneflies across the whole area again too. A couple of Marmalade Hoverflies on Newchurch Common.

A single 7-Spot Ladybird was on gorse on Shemmy Moss.

The first Green Alkanet was in flower in Big Pool southwest glade and more Common Field-speedwell was seen, north of Big Pool in the cabbage field.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 19th of March 2025 04:29:38 PM

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On my Newchurch Patch am and pm in the warm sunshine, morning was on the common proper and afternoon on the mosslands.

My fourth butterfly species was found, a Small Tortoiseshell in the Big Pool southwest glade, then followed by another Small Tortoiseshell pm on Shemmy Moss. A Comma was on Shemmy Moss am.

An Orange Underwing Moth was flying around in Silver Birch Canopies on Shemmy Moss pm, the first on the mosses after two on Newchurch meadows.

My first Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) was on Newchurch by the main track between the pools, and a queen as expected. At least 3 Buff-tailed Bumblebees were seen, a queens, one on Newchurch and two on Shemmy Moss. A colony of c.25 Clarke's Mining Bees was seen by Small Pool, with mating observed, a usual location for this colony.

A new hoverfly was Syrphus torvus in the Big Pool northwest corner glade. Other repeat sightings included 7 Tapered Droneflies, 4 on Shemmy Moss and 3 on Newchurch Common. Also, 2 Common Droneflies on and 2 Marmalade Hoverflies, all on Newchurch Common.

The first Dark-edged Bee-fly (Bombylius major) of the year was seen in Big Pool east meadows, a species that eluded me last year on patch. Today it eluded my phone camera, zipping off, as they do, as I tried to get closer!

Several new flowers were added for the year, Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Red Campion (Silene dioica), and Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna).

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 19th of March 2025 04:27:57 PM

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Sunny and quite warm on Newchurch Common this am.

Just had time during my WeBS Core Count to take a few pics of a colony of mining bees on 'Lazy Man's' Peg which I was viewing Big Pool from. Around 20 Clarke's Mining Bees (Andrena clarkella) were excavating a sandy bank (I am certain this time on ID!!). This now constitutes the first record of this species for 2025!

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A walk on Newchurch Common am, frost but sunny!

A nice group of Wolf's Milk Slime Mould (Lycogala epidendrum) was found on the edge of Gull Pool Wood, showing signs of it being in the reproductive amoeba stage. This was new for the year.

The mining bees from a few posts back were revisited as an expert had said that my previous photos were not clear enough to be 100% re ID. I potted on up, cooled it and took much better photos from several angles. I am now 100% positive that my first thoughts were correct and that they are Gwynne's Mining Bees (Andrena bicolor).

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On Newchurch pm in weak but quite warm sunshine.

Two queen Buff-tailed Bumblebees prospected for nest holes near the top car park on Big Pool. In the same car park the first Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax) of the year was seen.

The first Blackthorn blossom was seen today in Finch Hedge.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 14th of March 2025 08:11:14 PM

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Today on my Newchurch Patch in dull and cool weather.

Gull Pool has large swathes of Frogspawn clumps in the shallows now, hopefully water levels won't fall before these hatch.

Also in Gull Pool Wood was a clump of at least 30 Sheathed Woodtuft fungi (Kuehneromyces mutabilis) on a fallen tree trunk, the first record of this species this year.

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Doc Brewster wrote:
The first mining bees were also out, around 8 Gwynne's Mining Bees (Andrena bicolor) were prospecting a soil bank in Big Pool SW corner glade.

From my photos processed today these were Clarke's Mining Bees (Andrena clarkella), identified by the pale hind tarsus rather than dark for Gwynne's!

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Delayed my Newchurch Common walk until 12.30pm to take advantage of the highest temperatures today, hot and sunny, promising for invertebrates!

There were three butterfly species on the wing in the Big Pool east meadows. The first two were new for the year, namely 5 Commas and a Brimstone, whilst a Peacock was a repeat from yesterday but the first on 'Newchurch Common' rather than the mosses.

The first moth species of the year at Newchurch was added with 2 Orange Underwing Moths seen, one in east meadow and one near Finch Hedge.

A queen Red-tailed Bumblebee and 2 queen Buff-tailed Bumblebees were seen, both new for the year, the former in the Big Pool east meadows and the latter in the north meadow.

Around 4 Marmalade Hoverflies were in the north meadow on gorse as was a Spotted Thintail Hoverfly, both repeat sightings for 2025.

A 10-spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata) was a nice find in a gorse flower in north meadow, again new for 2025.

A tree trunk near the NE corner of Big Pool was covered by 15 Muscina sp. flies, new for 2025.

A new growth of 10 Blushing Brackets was by Big Pool Island Cut, but not a new species for the year.

The early flowering tree Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) was near Common Farm and was the first time I have ever noted it on patch!

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 9th of March 2025 10:23:24 PM

John Williams · Status: Offline

Callands, Warrington.

Around noon

My first butterfly of the year seen today, a single Brimstone fluttering over the local park.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

Out both am and pm on my Newchurch Patch to take advantage of the warm sunshine.

My first butterflies were added, as I'd hoped given the weather. These were 2 Peacocks on Shemmy Moss.

The first mining bees were also out, around 8 Gwynne's Mining Bees (Andrena bicolor) were prospecting a soil bank in Big Pool SW corner glade. Honey Bees were abundant, all over the gorse bushes.

A new hoverfly was added, the Spotted Thintail (Meliscaeva auricollis), found on gorse north of Big Pool. There were 5 Marmalade Hoverflies today, three on Newchurch Common, one at Gull Pool Woods and one on Sandy Lane.

Two more 7-spot Ladybirds were recorded, one on Newchurch Common and one on Shemmy Moss.

At least 4 Collared Earthstar fungi (Geastrum triplex) were still in reasonable condition by Shemmy Moss

Two more garden escape plants were in flower, both on Sandy Lane, Spring Crocus (Crocus vernus) and Winter Windflower (Anemone blanda).

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An afternoon walk on Newchurch Common, 4mls covered in sunshine but with a nip in the air. Still a warm day with layers shed!!

The highlight was the first Frogspawn of the year, and 2 Common Frogs seen with it, on Abbot's Moss. More Common Frogs were noted in Gull Pool.

A total of 22 Honey Bees were out on the gorse flowers in Big Pool north meadow.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

On Newchurch and the mosses am and pm in the sunshine.

A Honey Bee was seen again. Two fly species were recorded for the second time this year, a Common Bluebottle and the muscid Phaonia signata, both on Shemmy Moss.

The first 2 x 7-Spot Ladybirds were seen, one on the outer edge of Gull Pool Wood and one on the edge of Shemmy Moss.

By Shemmy Moss 2 Garden Snails were seen and photographed.

A new fungus was seen in abundance with over 40 Stump Puffballs by Shemmy Moss, new for 2025. A brand new species for patch was the oddly named Conifer Root and Butt Rot (Heterobasidion annosum), on the end of a felled conifer by Shemmy Moss.

Two plants in flower today were Red Dead-nettle and Common Field-speedwell, both in Big Pool southwest corner glade.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 2nd of March 2025 03:21:31 PM