Fiddlers Ferry Marina
Relatively decent numbers of butterflies on wing, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large White, Comma, Ringlet

A morning on Newchurch Common after rescuing a Mute Swan from a main road!!

The most amazing find was a Muntjac Deer skull on Shemmy Moss!! These deer are in Cheshire but I never expected to find evidence on my patch.

A few butterflies were around, most notable was a count of 10 Red Admirals, others seen were as usual!

A nice male Southern Hawker was on the Whitegate Way above Gull Pool.

If ID is confirmed I had a new bee - Short-fringed Mining Bee, on Shemmy Moss. An Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp was seen nearby as was a Ferruginous Bee-grabber (Sicus ferrugineus) a conopid fly. The bee-mimic hoverfly Eristalis intricaria was photographed on Shemmy Moss. Oak 'Apple' which is the gall of the wasp Andricus kollari was seen on several oaks.

A patch tick was a 10-Spot Ladybird, seen near Small Pool. A Phylonetta impressa spider was in gorse on Shemmy Moss, and was also new for patch.

Another new species was Hairy Snail (Trochulus hispidus), and they really are hairy, near Small Pool.

Several new fungi were seen, firstly Tawny Grisette (Amanita fulva) in Gull Pool Wood, then Common Puffball on Shemmy Moss were Common Fieldcap (Agrocybe pediades) was also seen. Finally a Bay Bolete was seen by the Whitegate Way near Gull Pool.

A good morning walk on Newchurch Common again. Sunny and hot but surprisingly blustery at times!

Two butterfly species were the stars. First I had my first Purple Hairstreak for 2023 in the canopy of an oak just inside the entrance barrier. Then up in the north meadow by Big Pool I finally found an Essex Skipper after checking numerous skipper up to that point. Other species seen were Large Skipper (1), Small Skipper (12), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Comma (10), Red Admiral (3), Large White (1), Small White(2), Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Ringlet (4) and Gatekeeper (5). So with 13 species it was my best butterfly day of the year!

Just  odonata species though, but in a relatively small area. The dragonflies seen were Brown Hawker (12), Four-spotted Chaser (2) and Common Darter (2), and damselflies seen were Common Blue, Blue-tailed, Azure and Large Red-eyed.

A good moth day too with my first Six-spot Burnet of 2023, in north meadow. Also here were a Blackneck and 5 Silver Y moths. Nearby by Big Pool a Yellow Shell and 2 Cinnabars were seen with at least 60 Cinnabar caterpillars on Ragwort in north meadow.

A Green Dock Beetle and a Green Shieldbug were new for the year and were both on the east side of Big Pool.

Scattered widespread across my recording area at the moment are small groups of the fungus Pale Brittlestem.

A good and a bad day on my Newchurch Common Patch. Good because of the sightings, bad as I accidentally deleted all my photos bar one and couldn't recover them.

A Grass Snake was seen really well on Shemmy Moss.

Butterflies seen were as usual : Comma, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Small White, Small Skipper and Large Skipper.

Odonata were : m.Emperor, Brown Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser, and the 5 common damselflies.

A fabulous new moth was seen for the year, Beautiful Yellow Underwing, but all photos lost. Two other moths were new, both micros and both by the main track, Pammene regiana and Pammene aurana. Also seen were Common White Wave and Silver Y, both on Shemmy Moss.

A Gwynne's Mining Bee was by Shemmy Moss as was a Lassioglossum sp.

A Turnip Sawfly was a nice find. A couple of Harlequin Ladybird larvae were seen near the main track. A Cucumber Spider was by the Whitegate Way.

Bittersweet was recorded and a nice find was a corner of the nurseries planted with wild flowers, including Cornflowers and poppies.

 

 

A morning on Newchurch, initially sunny then coming on to drizzle, but always warm. A fantastic day for invertebrates.

First though vertebrates! There were Common Toadlets all over the paths around Big Pool, at least 20 were seen but the area must hold hundreds at least.

The first 5 Small Skippers of the year were found along with 3 Large Skippers. Also seen were 3 Red Admirals, 2 Speckled Woods and at least 20 Ringlets and 20 Meadow Browns.

Odonata were reasonably represented with 1 Downy Emerald, 3m Black-tailed Skimmers, 6 Brown Hawkers, and Common Blue, Azure, Blue-tailed and Large Red-eyed Damselflies.

A really good moth day with a Patch and Cheshire lifer in the shape of 2 Black-necked Moths (a Cheshire scarcity) in the meadow north of Big Pool as well as 2 patch yearticks; a Blood Vein and a Shaded Broad-bar. Also here were 3 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnets, the first Cinnabar caterpillars of the year as well as adults, a Silver Y moth, whilst a Common Wave was between Big Pool and the Pine Belt.

At least 15 Roesel's Bush Crickets were found, mostly adults now and including the macropterous form diluta which is long-winged and forms only 1% of the normal population. Also seen, and new for the year were Meadow Grasshoppers and again Common Green Grasshoppers.

A new species of beetle was the Welsh Chafer, with dozens seen around gorse bushes north of Big Pool. A Furrow Orb-weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus) was seen with a web containing damselflies and well as a food store with lots more.

A Black Millipede was photographed near Big Pool.A Burdock leaf near the main track entrance was riddled with the leafmines of the fly Phytomyza lappae, looking very artistic indeed!

A morning on Newchurch Common Patch today, this time centered around the mosslands area as well as the walk through the common to it. Hot sunshine again.

A day of rarities, at least at a county level. Two of these were moths and were at least 5 Clouded Buffs and 1 Four-dotted Footman. Another patch speciality and Cheshire scarcity was seen in the form of at least 40 Grass Waves, a species already recorded this year but looking to be at peak numbers now. I also counted 10 Common Heath moths on Shemmy Moss and added the Grass Veneer (Crambus pascuella) for the year.

The final rarity was in the form of 12 Bog Bush Cricket nymphs. Inspired by my find of Roesel's Bush Cricket nymphs yesterday I decided to search much earlier than usual for Bog Bush Crickets and it came up trumps with the nymphs, when I usually only see the adults.

Again very few butterflies, 3 Red Admirals, several Speckled Woods and a Small White being the only ones seen.

Another Southern Hawker Dragonfly was seen, this time near Small Pool. Between the Whitegate Way and the mosses a Brown Hawker was seen. On the mosses I recorded a male Emperor and at least 20 Four-spotted Chasers. Common Blue, Azure and Large Red Damselflies were seen.

I photographed a new hoverfly for the patch by the main track, the European Dronefly (Eristalis arbustorum).

Gatewarth Penketh

First Meadow Browns of year out
Two Red Admirals
Red Campion, Ox Eye Daisies, Dog Roses and Foxgloves all flowering as Spring slips into Summer.
(Still absolutely no sign of various large scale projects restricting access to site ending, despite the numerous signs proclaiming "Spring 2023" as projected finishing time.)

Sunny all day at Newchurch Common.

Yesterdays odonata record only stood for a day as I had 12 species on patch today. The usual 5 common Damselflies were present plus 2m Black-tailed Skimmers, a fem Broad-bodied Chaser, a Downy Emerald, a Hairy Dragonfly, a Brown Hawker, a male & fem Emperor and 3 Four-spotted Chasers. The fem Emperor was seen ovipositing on Small Pool.

Butterflies were as yesterday with the addition of Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell. At least 3 Large Skippers were seen.

A new moth for the year was a pristine Narrow-bordered 5-Spot Burnet N.of Big Pool.

About 8 large (prob Mirror) Carp were rolling on the surface in courtship on Small Pool.

A Blindeyes Poppy was photographed near Big Pool.

An afternoon visit in hot sunshine.

More butterflies than of late with the first 4 Meadow Browns of the year, a Common Blue, 2 Speckled Woods, 2 Small Whites, a very tatty Comma and 2(1m) Brimstones.

The odonata list was much the same with 2 Downy Emeralds, a male Emperor, 3 Four-spotted Chasers, and the 5 common Damselflies.

A Sandy Carpet Moth was photographed.

A new bee was added : Forest Cuckoo Bumblebee, north of Big Pool.

Hoverflies included Pied Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri), Syrphus ribesii and Melangyna labiatarum.

The striking Black and Yellow Longhorn Beetle (Rutpela maculata) was seen by the main track. A new weevil species, Polydrusus formosus, was seen near the main track too, near to a 2-spot Ladybird, 7-Spot Ladybird also being seen.

The Thick-headed Fly species Sicus ferrugineus was seen but was too quick to be photographed! A Scorpion Fly species Panorpa communis was again photographed.

White Campion is in flower everywhere at the moment looking superb.

Newchurch Common am, scorchio:

A real odonata day with 10 species; a first for anywhere in 2023 in the shape of a f/imm Black-tailed Skimmer (on Shemmy Moss), as well as a male Emperor, 3 Downy Emeralds, at least 6 Four-spotted Chasers, including in cop and ovipositing, a Hairy Dragonfly, 100+Large Red-eyed Damselflies, 1000+ Common Blue Damselflies, 25 Azure Damselflies, 40 Large Red Damselflies and 30 Blue-tailed Damselflies.

Again not many butterflies with a male Brimstone the pick of the bunch.

at least 12 Grass Wave Moths were seen on Shemmy Moss.

Nice to be able to show 2 visitors around again.

 

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 2nd of June 2023 07:49:24 PM

A pm visit to Newchurch Common produced a few sightings.

Butterflies seen were Small Copper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Small White, Green-veined White, Large White and Brimstone.

Odonata seen were Emperor, Downy Emerald, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Large Red-eyed Damselfly.

Moths recorded in Big Pool meadows were 2 Straw Dots, a Yellow Shell, a Scoparia ambigualis and a Sandy Carpet which were all new for the year, as well as 4 Cinnabars.

A Volucella bombylans and a Xanthogramma pedissequum were new hoverflies for the year. A Buff-tailed Bumblebee queen was watched constructing a nest and lots of Early Bumblebees, Red-tailed Bumblebees, Common Carder Bees and Honey Bees were still about.

30-05-2023 - Lancs. Martin Mere WTO Met up with mates from school for a wander around part of our old haunts. 53 Species of bird recorded (on other thread)

Butterflies:
Brimstone -concentrations round the Buckthorn clumps around the reserve - at least a dozen counted
Peacock - at least 2
Small Tortoiseshell
Common Blue male and female
Holly Blue male
Speckled Wood - 4 minimum
several distant whites as well.

Common Blue Darters lots inc some tenerals
Emperor 1 male
Four-spot Chaser 1/2
Banded Demoiselles 4/5 males and 2 females on a stretch of stream near the Rees Hide

from the moth trap
Buff Ermine 2 males and 1 female
Treble Lines
Heart & Dart
Cinnabar Moth - plus several around the reserve
Peppered Moth -
plus a black 'brocade' type moth the volunteers couldn't remember (and neither could I!) possibly Knotgrass.

Among other things Brown Rat, Lesser Spearwort (plant tick for me) an unusual Bramble -(forgot the scientific name-small flowers and little bud-like growths) and, to quote my botanist mate - "enough Hemlock Water Dropwort to eliminate the entire country"

8.5hrs on Newchurch Common with a couple of guests. Hot sun again.

Highlights included:

A Common Lizard was on Shemmy Moss.

A total of 5 Downy Emeralds, 4 on Gull Pool including a female ovipositing and 1 by Shemmy Moss. A Hairy Dragonfly at Shemmy Moss.

Two Holly Blues were near the main track at the easternmost end of Big Pool.  A hatch of 12 Grass Waves on Shemmy Moss, a scarce Cheshire moth. Also on here a Clouded Drab Caterpillar and an Oak Eggar Caterpillar.

Bumblebees included Tree Bumblebee, Early Bumblebee, White-tailed Bumblebee and Common Carder Bee.

Garden Chafer was again seen as well as Green Tiger Beetles. The sawfly Tenthreda livida was seen. Fine Streaked Bugkin (Miris striatus, a mirid bug) was new for the year as well. On Shemmy Moss Common Ground Hoppers were again seen.

The spider Selimus vittatus was on Shemmy Moss and was also new for the year and possibly a patch lifer.

Fox and Cubs, an attractive flower was out by Shemmy Moss.

Neumanns Flash Cheshire:

Butterflies : 1 Dinghy Skipper, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Brimstone and numerous Common Blues.

Damselflies : 1 Banded Demoiselle (By the path leading to Pods Hide).

Had an afternoon walk in the sun on Newchurch Common, Cheshire. Stayed around Big Pool.

Just 7sp of butterfly : Red Admiral, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White.

A cracking 9sp of odonata : 2 Hairy Dragonflies (1st for 2023), a Broad-bodied Chaser (1st for 2023), 1 Downy Emerald, 3 Four-spotted Chasers, 2000+ Common Blue Damselflies, 1 Large Red-eyed Damselfly, 1 Blue-tailed Damselfly, 5 Large Red Damselflies and 6 Azure Damselflies.

Also seen, and all new for the year, were the hoverfly Parhelophilus versicolor, Early Bumblebees, 14-Spot Ladybird, Swollen-thighed Beetles (Oedema nobilis), Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus) and Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocea).

Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB 11.00-14.30

The only butterfly I could find today around the reserve, apart from several cabbage whites (The area is a brassica eaters heaven),

was a single female Common Blue.

Another walk on my Newchurch Common Patch.

Several butterflies but none new, a male Brimstone east of Big Pool was nice.

At least 3 Downy Emeralds were seen, they are well and truly out now. Also 2 Four-spotted Chasers were on Shemmy Moss. A Blue-tailed Damselfly was on Newchurch Common and at least 100 Common Blue Damselflies were still by the main track between the pools.

A couple of new moth species were added to my patch list. A Mother Shipton moth was on Shemmy Moss and a Satellite moth caterpillar was on the track between Big and Small Pools. A mating pair of Cream Waves was found near the main track too.

The soldier beetles previously seen on Shemmy Moss were photographed more clearly and a positive ID of Cantharis rustica was made. Red-and-Black Froghopper was again seen. There are still good numbers of Green Tiger Beetles on Shemmy Moss.

Langsett Reservoir (Inc. Moorland & Woodland) South Yorkshire.

Butterflies : 2 Green Hairstreaks, 1 Peacock and 3m Orange Tips.

Moths : Numerous Common Heaths.

Wednesday May 10 Bempton cliffs RSPCA Along with the millions of seabirds I was lucky to see two Bottle nosed dolphins very close in heading north closely followed by six more heading South. While I was watching the six go out of view another eight more heading south appeared including three which kept jumping out of the water. A great couple of hours.

In the past week at Newchurch Common, my Cheshire local patch I have had a bumper week for non-bird sightings.

Today I found a large female Grass Snake basking on dead bracken on Shemmy Moss and watched her for a while before she gently slithered off.

A few new butterflies for the year were added, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood and Large White, with others seen being Orange-tip, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Peacock and Comma.

A first for the year today was a Four-spotted Chaser Dragonfly, with 2  teneral Common Blue Damselflies being new on 4th May and Large Red Damselflies flying throughout.

A new moth was added for the year today, namely at least 6 Brown Silver-lines, Common Heath moths were still present. A new micromoth for the year was the longhorn Adela reaumurella (May 4th).

For beetles a 2-spot Ladybird was new as were Brassy Willow Beetle, Byturus ochraceus, Nalassus laevioctostriatus and Poecilus cupreus. Hairy Shieldbug was also seen and was an addition to my yearlist as was the Strawberry Root Weevil Otiorhynchus ovatus and Nettle Weevil. Common Groundhopper was on Shemmy Moss again as were hordes of Green Tiger Beetles including mating pairs.

Other new species were Orange-tailed Mining Bee, Common Bee Wasp and Gooden's Nomad Bee. The hoverfly Syrphus vitripennis was seen. Dark-edged Bee-fly was again photographed. An Alder Fly was seen as well as a non-biting midge (Stenochironomus sp.) and Yellow Dung Fly.

New spiders were Pardosa amentata, Cucumber Green Orb Spider and a Metellina segmentata.

A totally new fungus for me was Sphagnum Greyling on Shemmy Moss. The rust fungus Melampsora caprearum was seen too.

Lots of new plants were added in this period; Bulbous Buttercup, Field Buttercup, Germander Speedwell, Field Forget-me-Not, Wood Forget-me-Not, Red Campion, Green Alkanet, Field Pansy, Common Stork's-bill, Comfrey, Dog Violet and Wood Sage.

 

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Monday 8th of May 2023 03:33:37 PM

My first May walk of the year on my Newchurch Common patch was pretty productive.

Butterflies seen were Green-veined White, Orange-tip and Green Hairstreak. At least 10 Common Heath moths were seen on Shemmy Moss today.

A Leucozona lucorum hoverfly was new for the year. Lots of St.Mark's Flies were on the wing.

Common Pond Skaters were on the mossland pools and a Pirata piraticus wolf spider was on Shemmy Moss too.

Lots of Green Tiger Beetles were again seen on Shemmy Moss.

The moss specialist fungus Mountain Brownie (Entoloma sericeum) was growing from the sphagnum on Shemmy Moss.

Dove's-foot Cranes-bill was in flower.

Moore Nature Reserve 09.00-13.00

(The track along the North bank of the ship canal from the swing bridge to Halfway House plus Moss Side area).

In contrast to my visit on 7th April when butterflies were seen in profusion, today all could find was a solitary Speckled Wood.

Mammals were represented by a single Bank Vole that crossed the path at Halfway House.

A walk on Newchurch Common in drizzle this morning.

A Harvestman, Rilaena triangularis, was recorded, this species is often called the Spring Harvestman as it is the only adult Harvestman active at this time of year.

The first Bluebells were in flower by the main track, and even though they are in a very early stage they look like Spanish Bluebells rather than native or hybrid ones.

 

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Sunday 16th of April 2023 10:18:00 PM

A late afternoon walk on my Newchurch Common Patch. Dull and cool.

A three amphibian species day with the best being a Palmate Newt on Shemmy Moss, a Common Toad and 5 Smooth Newts were at Gull Pool.

The ground beetles Nebria brevicollis and Pterostichus nigrita were in Gull Pool Wood where 2 carabid larvae were photographed but can't be IDed down to species. A Seven-Spot Ladybird was on Sandy Lane.

White Dead-Nettle is out on Sandy Lane.