Out-of-county (other wildlife)

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RE: Out-of-county (other wildlife)

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

A Newchurch Common walk am in the sun but still quite cool after a frost last night.

On Shemmy Moss 2 Green Hairstreaks were seen as well as 4 Peacocks.

The first Hairy Shieldbug of the year was near Big Pool Island Cut. Another 2 Green Tiger Beetles were on Shemmy Moss. An Ashy Mining Bee was on Shemmy Moss and was the most unusual amongst all the commoner bee species seen, and was on Shemmy Moss.

The Large-leaved Avens on Shemmy Moss was examined closely and we are 99% certain that the ID is correct. To help in this we also found huge swathes of Wood Avens, in a more wooded situation, along the Whitegate Way opposite Gull Pool and it did look significantly different. Also seen was Greater Celandine on Novia Scotia Lane.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 26th of April 2024 05:53:57 PM

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Newchurch Common Patch am in the warm sunshine.

A good butterfly day with six species on the wing. I had my first Holly Blue, a female on Shemmy Moss where 1 Green Hairstreak was seen. Another patch first for the year were 2 Green-veined Whites on Shemmy Moss. Also here were 2(1m) Orange-tips, 2m Brimstones, and a Peacock.

A total of 31 Large Red Damselflies were seen, 29 on Shemmy Moss and 2 on Newchurch Common itself.

A new moth for 2024 was 1 Brown Silver-line on Shemmy Moss, a very early record. Also on Shemmy Moss were 20 Green Longhorn moths in dance display and the top of a silver birch.

All bees recorded were as before but included a nice Grey-patched Mining Bee. The hoverfly Dasysyrphus albostriatus was recorded again. A new fly species was the Dancefly Empis tessellata on Newchurch Common in the NW glade by Big Pool.

A 14-spot Ladybird was on Shemmy Moss, the first away from Newchurch Common proper. A Green Tiger Beetle was watched hunting and devouring ants on Shemmy Moss.

A nice patch of Sulphur Tuft fungus was in Gull Pool Wood.

Recorded for the first time this year were Pendulous Sedge and Cuckoo Flower.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Thursday 25th of April 2024 02:17:13 PM

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A morning walk on Newchurch Common in sunny but cool conditions.

Another Large Red Damselfly was on Shemmy Moss.

Just 2 Common Heath Moths were seen on Shemmy Moss.

A new bee Vestal Cuckoo Bee (Bombus vestalis) was on Shemmy Moss with a striking tri-coloured tail-end. Another new bee for the year was Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) again by Shemmy Moss and also on dandelions. Other bees seen were Early Bumblebee, Buff-tailed Bumblebee and Orange-tailed Mining Bee.

The hoverfly Leucozona lucorum was again photographed. Also seen again were Dock Bug and Green Shieldbug.

Large-leaved Avens was seen and IDed by Shemmy Moss but on checking when home it is a rare invasive plant from the USA and would be a first for the region. This means further ID checks will be done! Also in flower on the mosses were Doves-foot Crane's-bill and Common Stork's-bill (although I'd have rather seen a Crane and a Stork!!).

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Another afternoon walk, in the Big Pool area only. Sunny and warm.

The first Speckled Wood of the year was in the NW corner of Big Pool. A female Orange-tip and a Peacock were east of Big Pool in the meadows. Today 2 Scarlet Tiger caterpillars were found. In a nettle patch near the NW corner of Big Pool at least 20 Green Longhorn Moths danced in display in the sunshine.

A single Large Red Damselfly was by the parking area.

A Pine Ladybird was a great find by the main track as was the first Green Nettle Weevil. Three Shieldbugs were found, a Gorse Shieldbug by the main track, a Dock Bug in the NW corner glade and a Green Shieldbug east of Big Pool in the meadows. An Oulema melanopus beetle was again by the track between the pools.

Lots of (at least 15) Gwynne's Mining Bees were at a newly found 'colony' today with at least 5 Flavous Nomad Bees close by, all near the NW corner glade again.

The first 2 St.Mark's Flies were seen mating by the main track.

A Tetragnatha extensa spider was in the NW corner glade.

There were 3 White-lipped Snails on the nettles, the first of the year.

Nettle Rust was found by the main track and Wolf's Milk Slime Mould was near the Pine Belt on a tree stump. A Broom was in flower in the Big Pool north meadow.

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An afternoon visit to Newchurch but only to the NW corner of Big Pool for inverts.

I had 1 Large Red Damselfly, recorded for Newchurch Common rather than Shemmy Moss (like on 17th) so a different data submission for the County Recorder.

One of the main reasons for going was to check my large patch of Alkanet and Comfrey and it proved successful as I found 5 Scarlet Tiger caterpillars. I also found another Green Longhorn moth, this one to be recorded for Newchurch Common as well.

A few other inverts were photographed that were new for the year, all in the NW corner area again. These were the Stonefly Nemoura cinerea, the Dungfly Scathophaga inquinata and the Common Flowerbug (Anthocoris nemorum).

The first Creeping Buttercup was photographed as well as the first Common Comfrey, the former in flower, the latter not yet.

The fungus Pale Bramble Rust (Kuehneola uredinis) was also found for the first time.

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An early morning on my Newchurch patch given a sunny forecast again. It was sunny, warm in sheltered spots but a brisk cool wind blew too.

Only one species of butterfly, 2 Green Hairstreaks, both sluggish in the cold and one using my hand to warm up!

A successful day given that one target was to add my first odonata, and I did, finding 4 Large Red Damselflies on the edge of Shemmy Moss.

A new moth was also added, I saw 3 Green Longhorns (Adela reaumurella). Also on the wing were 3 Common Heath Moths.

Hoverflies were as usual with at least one Dasysyrphus albostriatus and several Syrphus ribesii the best.

A White-tailed Bumblebee was photographed for the first time this year, on Shemmy Moss. At least 8 Common Carder Bees were on the Yellow Archangel flowers by Shemmy Moss.

Honesty was in flower, a garden escape but a pollen source in April. Hare's-tail Cotton Grass is everywhere on Shemmy Moss but no other species yet.

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Another late morning on Newchurch Common and despite it being overcast the warmth helped make it a good invert day.

The headline species was a patch lifer moth in the form of a well grown Scarlet Tiger caterpillar, found on nettles at the SW corner of Big Pool. This was, up until last year's glut of records, a Cheshire rarity and is well away from the county stronghold of the south Wirral.

Two new hoverflies for the year were Epistrophe eligans and White-footed Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus), both on the west side of Big Pool. A great number now of Helophilus pendulus in the same area.

A new beetle was on the main track between Big Pool and the former Leek Field, namely Oulema melanopus. At least 3 Alder Flies were seen by Big Pool, another new for year species. Green Dock Beetle and 14-spot Ladybird were recorded again whilst an estimated 120 7-Spot Ladybirds were seen including mating pairs. Two Common Green Sheldbugs were also by the main track, between the two pools.

A Gwynne's Mining Bee was a nice find, only the second this year here.

A new cranefly Tipula oleracea was west of Big Pool too, and NW of Big Pool another new fly for the year Eudasyphora cyanella was found.

A new spider was Linyphia hortensis whilst another 2 Nursery Web Spiders were seen.

Red Campion, Hawthorn and Garden Star-of-Bethlehem were all seen in flower for the first time, the latter is an invasive garden escape but a useful pollen plant.

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A late call in to my Newchurch Common Patch, expected sun but no, just overcast, still warm though.

A Common Lizard was seen basking and allowed approach for a phone photo!

An Orange-tip and a Green Hairstreak were photographed too as no sun meant they were less active.

New hoverflies were added to the yearlist, all on Shemmy Moss, Helophilus pendulus, Dasysyrphus albostriatus and Leucozona lucorum.

My first Tree Bumblebee was by the main track between the pools and my first Garden Bumblebee was on Shemmy Moss. Also seen were Red-tailed Bumblebee, Buff-tailed Bumblebee, White-tailed Bumblebee and Common Carder Bee. Lots of Orange-tailed Mining Bees were again seen as well as many Honeybees.

A new insect for me anywhere was a Brassica Shieldbug on Shemmy Moss, this is a species spreading NW from the SE so not common. Also seen was Hawthorn Shieldbug, my first of 2024. In the dandelions hordes of tiny beetles were seen and bit of detective work IDs them as Pollen Beetles, probably Meligethes atratus.

A new fungus Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) was found on a fallen birch in Gull Pool Wood. White Dead Nettle was recorded for the first time this year.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 12th of April 2024 10:37:10 PM

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On Newchurch Common am, hot and sunny.

At least 3 Common Lizards were on Shemmy Moss with one seen basking. A large Common Toad was in Gull Pool Wood.

It was the best butterfly day of 2024 with six species seen. A rough estimate of 24 Green Hairstreaks was made, with a mating pair even seen. My first patch Small Tortoiseshell and Small White of the year were on Shemmy Moss. Also a first were 3(2m) Orange-tips, all on Shemmy Moss. A good count of 6(4m) Brimstones was made as well as 3 Peacocks.

On Shemmy Moss 12 Common Heath Moths were seen.

Predictably in the sunshine the first 3 Green Tiger Beetles were found on Shemmy Moss. A Thistle Tortoise Beetle on Shemmy Moss was a nice addition for the year.

On Sandy Lane Grey-patched Mining Bee and Orange-tailed Mining Bee were again seen.

The first Nursery Web Spider of the year was at the SW corner of Big Pool. Syrphus ribesii hoverflies were again seen. The first Green Lacewing Chrysoperla carnea was found on my new car at the parking area.

On Shemmy Moss Spanish Bluebells were present whilst re-examination of the Bluebells by Big Pool makes me think that they are more likely to be Native Bluebells rather than hybrids! Wood Forget-me-Not was seen in flower by the main track.

On Shemmy Moss 3 Mountain Brownie mushrooms were found, a minute fungus that's a mossland specialist.

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On Newchurch Common today found a few trees of our only native Maple - Field Maple. This has edible seeds so another to try in my foraging repertoire later in the year wink

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Another morning jaunt around Newcghurch Common, not much bird-wise but lots of 'other stuff'! Overcast, occasional sun and mild.

Bees headlined today with four mining bee species and one of their parasite bees too. A stunning Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) was on Shemmy Moss. A Grey Patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida) was by the SW corner of Big Pool. An Orange-tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) was by the path on the W.side of Big Pool. Finally a Painted Mining Bee (Andrena fucata) was by the main track between the two main pools. NEar the SW corner of Big Pool the parasitic Flavous Nomad Bee (Nomada flava) was seen. Two Common Carder Bees were on the W.side of Big Pool too.

A new hoverfly for the year was Syrphus ribesii on Shemmy Moss. Another new hover was a Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) W.of Big Pool. Lots of Melanostoma scalare and Tapered Dronefly hoverflies were again seen. Several Bibio lanigerus flies were again seen.

As well as bees it was a leaf-beetle day. My first Alder Leaf Beetles were by the track between the pools and a Green Dock Beetle was at the SW corner of Big Pool. Other leaf beetles were all ladybirds. New for the year was 14-spot Ladybird in the SW corner of Big Pool again, followed by my first Harlequin Ladybird on Shemmy Moss. 7-spot Ladybirds were seen in huge numbers.

A Kentish Snail on Shemmy Moss was new for 2024 too.

Plants in flower included, by Big Pool Bluebells (almost certainly Spanish/Native hybrids), by Shemmy Moss Common Field-speedwell, and, by Big Pool Green Alkanet. Purplepore Bracket Fungus (Gull Pool Wood) and St.George's Mushrooms (by Big Pool) were seen again.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Tuesday 9th of April 2024 09:11:32 AM

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Morning stroll around Big Pool, Newchurch Common. Dry, mild but windy.

A new hymenopteran added with a lone Gwynne's Mining Bee found on a dandelion near the Pine Belt. Repeat sightings with at least 20 Melanostoma scalare hoverflies too, all on dandelions too, and 7-Spot Ladybird seen too. All on a less than 'hot' day which looked unpromising for invertebrates.

Loads of Ground Elder around, an edible but I've heard mixed reviews about it! Must try!

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On Newchurch am, dull, not too warm but with the occasional bit of sun.

Given the weather I was amazed to have 2 Green Hairstreaks flying today

I added Red Dead-nettle for the flowering plant list this year.

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A morning walk on the 'Newchurch Patch Mosslands' with two photographer friends looking for the Green Hairstreaks.

They didn't disappoint with a count of 10 Green Hairstreaks in one small area of Shemmy Moss. They also performed beautifully for photographs. Also seen were a Comma and a male Brimstone.

An Early Bumblebee was seen as well as 2 Buff-tailed Bumblebees and 2 Common Carder Bees. There were hundreds of Tapered Droneflies and 1 confirmed Common Dronefly!

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Two walks on Newchurch Common in the sun today.

Again a Common Lizard was basking in the sun.

Even better was the first 2 Green Hairstreaks of the year, a really early record for the UK never mind Cheshire! Also seen my first patch male Brimstone and another 2 Peacocks.

The first queen White-tailed Bumblebee was seen, on Shemmy Moss. Also seen were my first Clarke's Mining Bees and attendant parasite Early Nomad Bee by Small Pool. Bare-saddled Blood Bee (Sphecodes ephippius) was seen on Dandelions by Shemmy Moss.

The fly Bibio lanigerus was photographed by Shemmy Moss.

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Another Newchurch Common walk, in the afternoon today.

The 2 Common Lizards were still on Shemmy Moss and 2 Smooth Newts were nearby on the edge of the moss.

A Melanostoma scalare hoverfly was by the Whitegate Way near Small Pool. A Devil's Coach-horse Beetle was at the edge of Shemmy Moss.

At least 3 White-legged Snake Millipedes were by the edge of Shemmy Moss where 3 Polydesmus angustus millipedes were also seen. A Red Slug, Arion rufus was in the same area.

Wood Sorrel was by Small Pool but not yet in flower. In flower were Red Campion by Small Pool and Herb Robert by Shemmy Moss.

Tonight in our Moulton Garden the Hedgehog was seen for the first time this year.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Friday 29th of March 2024 10:15:54 PM

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A morning pop onto Newchurch Common, sunny and warm in places.

An amazing record of 2 Common Lizards basking on Shemmy Moss, my first March record on my patch. Also seen was a Great Crested Newt, on the edge of Shemmy Moss, and in the same area a new and huge patch of Common Frog Spawn, much of which had hatched into tadpoles.

A Polydesmus angustus Millipede was under a log near the Whitegate Way on the edge of Shemmy Moss.

A Garden Snail was logged for the first time this year.

St George's Mushooms were seen at a traditional site, but again much earlier this year. A new patch fungus Purplepore Bracket (Trichaptum abietinum) was on a fallen conifer in Gull Pool Wood. Wolf's Milk Slime Mould was on a fallen silver birch by Small Pool on the Whitegate Way.

Lots of Yellow Archangel is in flower in a damp area opposite Gull Pool Bench by the Whitegate Way.