No. 6 April 1999
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 26
ANALYSIS OF THE DIET OF LEISLER’S BAT AT A ROOST AT HARTLEBURY
Mike Averill
During the summer of 1996, droppings from a Leisler’s bat colony were collected from a roost in Hartlebury in order to examine the composition of the bats diet. This was part of a study to see how the feeding habits of Leisler’s bats in England and Germany differed to those in Ireland where there is no competition from larger bats like Noctules. Both Leisler’s and Noctule bats are fast flyers and because they have reduced manoeuvreability they tend to forage in flight and do not glean like smaller bats. The diet therefore predominantly comprises flying insects.
The study gives us a chance to see what the diet is like in Worcestershire where Leisler’s Bat is far from common. Leisler’s are normally known as forest bats but in the case of Hartlebury the surroundings are predominantly arable. The roost is 6 kms from the River Severn, quite close to heathland and there are also some large pools nearby. There is some woodland locally in the form of the Wyre Forest which is within the bats flying distance of 14 kms. Droppings were collected at the end of each month in order to identify any seasonal change of diet. Insect parts were identified to family and further where possible. As can be seen from the first pie chart Midges (Chironomidae and Ceratopogonidae) were the most important part of the diet (25%) followed by Moths (Lepidoptera)(18%), Window midges (Anisopodidae) (14%), Green Lacewing (Chrysopidae) (10%), Lesser Dung-fly (Sphaeroceridae) (8%) and Yellow Dung-fly (Scathophagidae) (7%).
As Leisler’s bat would appear to be imperfectly adapted to the pursuit of individual midges because of its poor manoeuvreability, there seems to be some evidence that it catches the smaller insects by flying through swarms, filter feeding. One researcher noted how the bats would change this habit to one of flying with shallow dives when in pursuit of larger prey like the Yellow Dung-fly. Many of the taxa making up the diet are from swarming insects and so they are obviously important to the bats. This is reinforced by the fact that Leisler’s emerge to feed very early, even before dusk when these swarms are most active. The Yellow Dung-fly for instance tends to stay around cow dung for about 1-1.5 hr after sunset before flying to roost.
Aquatic insects like midges figured quite strongly in the diet and as has already been noted, there are large pools near the roost.
As regards seasonal variation only four food categories showed any evidence of a consistent trend. They are displayed in the pie charts below and expressed as the percentage of those four groups. Most noticeable is the way midges reduce through the months from May. Yellow Dung-fly are important and peak in June. It is not clear why the Green Lacewing is so predominant in the August sample. It was rarely found at all in the other Leisler’s roosts in the survey.
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 15
DISCOVERY OF THLASPI PERFOLIATUM L. (COTSWOLD PENNYCRESS) IN WORCESTERSHIRE
Keith Barnett
Although widespread and locally abundant in parts of Europe and Western Asia, Thlaspi perfoliatum the Cotswold Pennycress is believed to have always been rare in Britain where it is at the northern limit of its European distribution. It is now a seriously declining plant nationally, surveys between 1986 and 1997 suggesting a catastrophic loss of 80% of native and 92% of introduced colonies. Consequently, it is a Red Data Book species which in 1992 was afforded protection under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Plantlife too are taking steps to conserve the plant by including it with about 20 others in its “Back from the brink” project.
First recorded in England in 1689 from Oxfordshire, the present population is largely restricted to about a dozen sites in that county and also Gloucestershire, and until recently has never been reliably recorded in Worcestershire (although there is a 19th century record of a single casual plant from Evenlode, formerly part of ancient administrative Worcestershire but biologically part of VC33 – East Gloucestershire). Thlaspi perfoliatum is largely restricted as a native to screes and open grassland on shallow soil on an oolitic limestone base rock. As an introduced plant, it also grows in various artificial habitats including railways, quarries and arable fields, and it was in the margin of a calcareous arable field that in April Keith Barnett, one of the Worcestershire Flora Project’s recorders, came across a huge colony near the Gloucestershire border in VC37.
After initial determination by the finder, Bill Thompson and Roger Maskew, the plant was vouched by Dr Tim Rich of the Department of Biodiversity at the National Museum of Wales. The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust was immediately informed, so that the owner of the field could be identified and consideration given to the future protection of the colony by maintaining the open conditions required for its survival. On 4th May, the site was visited by Dr Rich and Belinda Wheeler of Plantlife, accompanied by Messrs Barnett, Thompson and Maskew. A count revealed that there were probably in the region of 5,000 plants, which makes this the third or fourth largest site in Britain. Moreover, Dr Rich’s assessment of the geological and other conditions of the site lead him to believe that even though in an arable margin, the colony is nonetheless probably native and of long-standing. He has no doubt that the discovery is of national importance.
The Worcestershire Flora Project is extremely grateful to both Dr Rich and Belinda Wheeler, and in respect of background material above acknowledges with thanks Dr Rich’s article in Biodiversity and Conservation 7 (1998).
Reference:
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RICH TCG 1991 Crucifers of Great Britain and Ireland. BSBI Handbook No 6. BSBI London |
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 25
MOTH IDENTIFICATION – A BEGINNER’S EXPERIENCE
Ian Duncan
I started using a moth trap in February 1998 and have found it such an enjoyable and rewarding experience I felt moved to write down my thoughts to try to encourage others to start using a moth light. I purchased a Heath-type trap -this is a small collapsible, trap which can be run off the mains or car battery. I paid £106 for the unit including one spare light bulb. It is lightweight and very easily assembled. The trap consists of a box with an inverted cone on top. The fluorescent tube light has 3 plastic fins attached and is inserted in the cone. Moths are attracted to the light and fall into the box. Some may escape but this can be discouraged by putting egg cartons in the box for the moths to settle or hide. The light can be controlled with a timer switch. The moths can be examined and identified in the morning and then released unharmed.
I purchased two books to help with the identification of the moths -Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles by Bernard Skinner-price £40 and Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe by Michael Chinnery -price £10-95. I also purchased The Natural History of Moths by Mark Young which provides very interesting additional information on moths-price £27. My only other purchased was a dozen plastic tubes to store the moths in the fridge if I needed time to identify or photograph them. They will keep for several days in this way. My family were not too keen initially to have moths in the fridge (!) but they have slowly come to appreciate them. 1 bought the tubes from Watkins and Doncaster the naturalists suppliers -price £8.
February
I started on February 1st and on the first night I had one moth-it was brown and beautifully marked. I consulted Skinner but had no idea where to begin with the identification so I paid my first of many visits to Peter. Holmes (a local “expert”)who told me it was a Pale Brindled Beauty. It is difficult initially to relate specimens to the illustrations in Skinner which are all shown pinned. Chinnery is much easier to use but unfortunately shows only a limited number of species. However you gradually begin to get a “feel” for the moths and it is well worth persevering. It is a great help if you can find someone to help you at the beginning. Butterfly Conservation, with the assistance of the County Moth Recorder (Tony Simpson) are compiling a list of the 200 or so moths most likely to be attracted to gardens in the West Midlands. This list will be available early in 1999 and should be a big help for beginners using the Skinner guide.
There then followed a spell with no moths until the 17th -a warmer, cloudy night. Three new species: Dotted Border, Hebrew Character, and Clouded Drab. This was followed by the Satellite, Small and Common Quakers before the end of the month. A quiet start but good to get your eye in before the deluge of individuals and species in the summer.
March
I was beginning to recognise the nights favoured by moths, preferably mild, humid and overcast. Cold clear and moonlit nights were definitely not liked. I was also starting to appreciate the wide range of “plumages” shown by some moths e.g. the well named Clouded Drab. Some of the more spectacular species started to appear I had my first Early Thorn then 49 individuals and 8 species on the same night. By the end of March I had reached 18 species.
April
I missed the first two weeks and returned to lots of new and exciting species: Swallow and Pebble Prominents as well as my first Pugs and the nationally rare Silver Cloud. I was also interested in the other insects attracted to the trap -1 had no idea Caddis Flies were so beautiful and Dung Beetles so smelly. There was now a steady stream of new species and I reached 29 by the end of the month. I was now eagerly anticipating opening the trap each morning to see what delights I had caught.
May
May started with the delightful Brimstone Moth Garden Carpet and the curious Angle Shades. The 12th brought a real thrill -my first Poplar Hawk Moth -I never realised there were insects of this size in my garden. It was at this time that I decided to start taking photos of all my moths to help me with future identification. Also I suddenly started to become aware of day-flying moths: Silver-Y, Mother Shipton and Speckled Yellow-it is really surprising that there is no good guide to day flying moths. Mid-May brought my first Heart-and-Dart which would be an ever present for the rest of the summer. More delights followed: Muslin Moth, Buff Ermine, and the stunning Maidens Blush, Oak Hook Tip, and Small Phoenix. Despite the poor weather I was up to 73 species by the end of the month.
June
I was being told this was a poor year for moths but it was actually quite a help to me as the new moths were appearing slowly but surely giving me time to get familiar with the jizz of the different species. It is intriguing how many species are only seen on one night-why is this? The first week in June brought my first Wainscot, the exotic Snout and the amazing Buff Tip-I really am running out of superlatives! There was now a flood of new species including Dark Arches, Small Magpie, Rib and Wave, and Mottled Beauty. There were lots of trips to Peter to distinguish the difficult Minor species. A friendly Robin joined me at this time in the morning looking for a few tasty morsels -I had to be more careful in releasing the moths! The 15th was a red letter day: the shimmering Burnished Brass and the superb Elephant Hawk Moth. On the 20th I reached my 100th species with 7 new species in one night including the Small Elephant Hawk Moth. I had my first definite Uncertain (this is not a contradiction) on the 22nd – this is another well-named species which can be hard to identify. The month ended with the lovely Swallowtail Moth bringing my total to 153. Throughout the month I had an average of 12 species per night well down on the normal apparently but good for a beginner allowing me to keep on top of the identification.
July
Every night now was bringing new species. The 4th brought 11 Buff Tips and the 5th 11 Dark Arches. More stunners such as Spectacle, Drinker and Beautiful Hook Tip appeared. Mid-month was probably the culmination of the year when Garden Tiger and the very subtle Tissue appeared on consecutive nights. Second brood moths such as Swallow Prominent, Early Thorn, and Garden Carpet were now emerging. The list of lovely new moths seemed never ending -Mother of Pearl, Foxglove Pug, and Scalloped Oak to name a few. On the 30th, while looking for Grayling on the Malverns, I stumbled on a Hummingbird Hawk Moth on some buddleia in Hollybush Quarry. The average number of species per night had now risen to 20 and by the end of the month I had seen 176 species of which 150 had been in the garden.
August
Early in the month I attended a moth night organised by Peter Holmes on Craycombe Hill-this produced a further 11 new species including Ruby Tiger, Purple Bar, and Coxcomb Prominent. My nightly trap was now bringing only the occasional new species but the 200 was in sight. I had several exotic sounding moths (but really rather drab) True Lovers Knot – how did some of these moths get their names? Finally on the 16th Bordered Pug was my 200th species. Most of these are the larger macro moths there are many more micro moths which I will turn my attention to next year.
All records should be sent to the County Moth Recorder to assist in the understanding of the status and distribution of the moths in the area.
Thoughts
When I started back in February I had no idea my moth trap would bring me so much enjoyment. The richness and variety of the moth life around us is really quite amazing. I think my outlay of just under £200 is among the best value money I have ever spent. I am looking forward to further revelations in the future – there are over 1300 species (500 macros and 800+ micros) recorded in Worcestershire. As you can see I am well and truly hooked and I would be delighted to help anyone else who would like to get started – phone 01684 568415
Editor’s note; a full up-to-date Guide to the status of larger moths of Worcestershire by county recorder Tony Simpson is published in this issue of Worcestershire Record
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 20
BUMBLEBEES ENDANGERED
Don Goddard
When did you last see a bumblebee foraging in your garden?
Some of you who listen to the Today programme on Radio 4 may have heard the broadcast on Monday 8th March when George Else of the Bee Wasps and Ants Recording Society (BWARS) outlined the alarming state of our bumblebee populations. The following notes summarises the main points that emerged from discussions at the Bumblebee Working Group seminar held on 12th February 1999 There has been a catastrophic decline (and possible extinction) of some species over recent decades. Even formally common species are declining dramatically. Of the 16 species of bumblebee that occur in the British Isles only 6 species remain relatively common and widely distributed. Similar declines have been reported from continental Europe.
Nest densities of some more threatened species may be as low as one or two per square kilometre! The problem is on a large landscape scale.
The reasons for the declines vary from species to species and are due to a variety of factors but the most significant overall reasons are the loss of foraging and nesting habitat through agricultural intensification.
One of the most critical changes in the farmed landscape is the reduced availability of suitable forage flowers, especially those with long corollas and a high nectar load eg legumes and labiates. Many of the most important forage flowers are still widespread and common, eg red clover and bird’s-foot trefoil. However, they may not be present in sufficient quantity over wide enough areas throughout the forage season that is. the whole summer.
Many bumblebees require tall, tussocky yet open swards for nesting. These need only occasional grazing or cutting ( every two or three years), or may be more extensively grazed at low-intensity on a more regular basis. Unlike most solitary bees bumblebees are not associated with warm, dry, sparsely vegetated sun-baked slopes. Intensive winter grazing may harm species which hibernate in tussocks or moss clumps.
The current agri-improvement schemes such as set-aside and conservation headlands may only offer limited respite. Most schemes are too short-term and do not cover a wide enough area. There is an urgent need for large scale changes to the farmed landscape with a reversion to more extensive systems.
Bumblebees in Britain
The sixteen species in the British bumblebee fauna include eleven “true” bumblebees which nest underground and five carder bees which construct a nest on the surface of the ground covering it with fragments of plant material, especially moss. Additionally there are six cuckoo bees which are often referred to with true bumble bees and resemble them in appearance. Cuckoo bees are inquilines in the nests of the other 16 species. Unlike their hosts, cuckoo bees do not have a worker cast, instead the host workers raise their brood.
Bumblebees have evolved in temperate regions and, unlike many solitary bees survive well in cool environments and like hive bees, are able to temperature regulate their nests. They have longer flight periods than solitary species and are not specialised to forage at single flower species, however they do have marked preferences for particular flower families and require a high intake of energy giving nectar. Flowers with long corollas provide such a source.
Bumblebees can be roughly divided into two groups: short- and long-tongued. It is most of the longer tongued species that depend on flowers with a long corolla, especially labiates and legumes. Nectar availability is often a limiting factor in nest success, particularly when queens and males are being reared. The decline of most species has been linked to the reduced availability suitable flowers for nectar and pollen. Foxgloves and vipers bugloss are frequently visited but being biennial, their abundance can vary greatly from one year to the next. Red clover, a component of many unimproved meadows, is another important forage source. It has a long flowering period and flowers well after cutting or grazing. Other important species include bird’s-foot trefoil, red bartsia and black knapweed. Hedgerow plants like white deadnettle, hedge woundwort, tufted vetch and bush vetch are also valuable. Modern seed mixes often only contain white or hybrid clovers that do not have long corollas and only produce small quantities of nectar.
Extensive sowing of legume crops, e.g. sanfoin and red clover would benefit many species. Large scale clover meadow restoration is planned in Wiltshire this year by one sympathetic farmer.
Of the sixteen species of bumblebee recently recorded in the British Isle only six remain widely distributed and frequent in occurrence, most others have undergone dramatic declines since the 1950’s. Mainly due to loss of foraging and nesting habitat as outlined above.
There are five species included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Programme:
| Bombus distinguendus the great yellow bumblebee | Now confined to Scottish Islands |
| B. humilis the brown banded carder bee | Widespread but declining |
| B. ruderatus the large garden bumblebee | On the verge of extinction |
| B. subterraneus the short haired bumblebee | last seen 1996. possibly extinct |
| B. sylvarumthe shrill carder bee | On the verge of extinction |
None of these have been recorded in Worcestershire in recent years.
What do we know of our Worcestershire bumblebees? All to often in the past recorders have passed them over as being common a problem with so many “common” plants and animals. If we begin to record “common” species we may all get a surprise, at least for some species.
What can we do? Record bumblebees!!!
There is a very good guide published in the Naturalists Handbook series: Vol. 6 Bumblebees by Oliver E. Prys-Jones & Sarah. A. Corbet. The Richmond Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 0 521 27781 7
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 26
HYDROCHUS ELONGATUS (SCHALLER) IN WARNDON
D. G. Goddard
A Red Data Book Water Beetle – Hydrochus elongatus (Schaller)
The ponds in the Warndon villages have received much attention for their amphibian and botanical interest (Watson 1996). There have been a number of casual invertebrate surveys of a small number of these ponds over the last three years but only recently have any been fully surveyed. During spring and summer of 1998 a survey of ponds 27 and 28 was commissioned by Worcester City Council to clarify their invertebrate interest (Goddard 1998), with a view to subsequently controlling the three-spined stickleback population that is having a disastrous effect on the reproductive success of the great crested newt population in pond 28.
Both ponds held a good range of aquatic beetles, pond 28 had 20 species including one Red data Book species, Hydrochus elongatus (Schaller) Family Hydrophilidae, (‘scavenger water beetles’) . This dark grey-black beetle is fairly small and narrow, about 3.5 mm long with several longitudinal ridges running down each elytron. The beetle is listed as Red data Book category 3, nationally rare (Hyman, P.S. & Parsons, M.S., 1992), and as far as I can establish there are no previous Worcestershire records. It usually inhabits shallow clayey pools rich in vegetation. It is found in fens, open country and also deciduous woodland although it apparently avoids shaded sites. Pond 28 is somewhat shaded but Hydrochus was found in the shallows under submerged grasses in one of the more open places. There are many similar places in ponds in the Warndon pond cluster, one wonders if other ponds contain the beetle.
In addition to the above, pond 28 supported three other nationally scarce category B water beetles, Cymbiodyta marginella (F), Helochares lividus (Forster) and Cercyon convexiusculusStephens. As with Hydrochus all are scavenger water beetles and are relatively small ranging 3 to 5mm in length. They are thought to feed on either fresh or decomposing plant material, although the genus Cercyon has many members that live in dung of various sorts, including waterlogged dung. Helochares – occurs in ponds, fens and ditches and apparently has a preference for recently restored ponds, it occurs in a number of other ponds in the Warndon area. Helochares and Cymbiodyta are relatively straightforward to identify using standard keys, however most species of Cercyon tend to be tricky and often require dissection to examine the male genitalia. Also the most up to date key is in German! although it has been translated and circulated to Coleopterists Newsletter subscribers. (I can supply copies at cost if anyone is keen).
It is surprising what can be found even within the city providing ones looks! Equipment for sampling ponds need not be elaborate, much good work can be done using a kitchen sieve as a net to sample the shallow edges of ponds where many beetles can be found. An opened out fertilizer bag or even a supermarket bag can serve as a sorting platform. Many common water beetles are easily identified and records for even the commonest species are thinly scattered.
References:
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Goddard D G (1998)Aquatic Macro-invertebrate Survey of Ponds 27 & 28, Lyppard Grange, Warndon, Worcester. Unpublished Report for Worcester City Council. |
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Hyman P S & Parsons M S (1992) A Review of the scarce and Threatened Coleoptera of Great Britain. Part 1. JNCC, Peterborough. |
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Watson W R C (1996) The Warndon ponds 1987 – 1997: A review of their status. Technical report vol. 1. Unpublished report commissioned by Worcester City Council. |
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 12
ASILUS CRABRONIFORMIS L. HORNET ROBBER FLY
(Diptera – Asilidae)
David M. Green
As I wrote (Green 1998) in Worcestershire Record, Asilus crabroniformis L. hornet robber fly was once found 1995 in pony grazed acid grassland on the outside of Kidderminster by Brett Westwood (Westwood 1997). Please look out for this fly that is large, easy to recognise, and of great importance being a Biodiversity Action Plan priority list species nationally and in the Worcestershire BAP (UK Steering Group 1995; Bruce 1999).
The biology of the larvae of Asilus (only one British species in genus) remains an area of overwhelming speculation; information is partly old, scarce, without consensus, and the larva is currently illusive, but I expect CCW will do more research this year. Meanwhile the nutrition in the larval stage remains unknown: faculative or obligate predation, saprophagy or parasitism, or possibly even herbivory or detritivory, therefore all remain possible modes of nutrition. Evidence points to carnivory, probably predatory, but possibly parasitic or saprophagous; and it is likely to be free living in the soil (Clements and Skidmore 1998). There is much speculation. That the larva is free-living in the soil feeding on earthworms is a popular explanation. If the larvae spent much time living on dung, feeding on invertebrates, which is one often stated description, then I would have expected confirming records of such an obvious big beast on dung – dung fauna is well studied. The mystery of the larvae remains unsolved.
The fly spends much time resting on the top of dried dung, moving from dung to dung or bare earth, when warm, sometimes feeding mainly on dung beetles (Aphodius) and sarcophagid flies (but also many other insects) in the field or heath, or land of other description, around or on the dung. Habitats known are varied: calcareous, acid and neutral grassland, semi-improved and improved, species poor pastures, dry heathland, wet heath, marshy acid grassland, clearings in broad-leaf woodland, re-vegetated colliery spoil and sea cliff grasslands. Sites in England also include sandy soils, including near coast and downlands; an old record exists of sites in clearings in coniferous forest in Sweden. The main habitat requirement appears to be light soil and rich coprophilous fauna, including geotrupid beetles, and the presence of usually ungulate dung or dung of herbivore for (at least) egg laying; grazing is often important to prevent infill with scrub etc. Aspect and topography with respect to warmth may be important. Populations tend to be confined to small or very small areas of habitat, possibly with a metapopulation structure within and between sites, with some evidence of dispersal of adults. The flight period late July to early October, probably living 4-6 weeks, becoming worn and damaged, requiring air temperature of 16C at least for activity, going to roost (upside down curiously – for camouflage or to contend with rain?) at lower temperature apparently and at night, with maximum activity 19C+.
Asilus is in decline in Britain and Europe generally with no clear explanation. The fly does not seem to require a typical conservation habitat such as species-rich grassland, but the the effects of ivermectins could be sub-lethal, or could reduce the availability of Aphodius (dung beetles) that are a important part of the diet of the adult Asilus; the other main food item the flesh fly Sarcophaga survives in the most ordinary field. But this is speculation. Geotrupid beetles (that make burrows beneath the dung – Typhaeus typhoeus (L.) minotaur beetle) have been noticed to often coexist on the same site as Asilus but no specific link is exposed. Further research towards understanding of the biology – especially of the mysterious larval life that is presently such an area of speculation – and habitats will hopefully reveal reason for decline and enable improved BAP for reversal.
Come late July to October please remember look out for Asilus – as it is likely that there are unknown sites in Britain – look particularly in warm weather, especially look at dung with dried surface. A fly with large variable size up to 28mm, the abdomen boldly marked bright yellow, a single area of yellow over about half the abdomen, should indicate the species likely from a distance, especially if the fly is perched on dried dung. If you think you have a sighting, your information is urgently required without any delay, (and for further information or colour picture) please contact immediately: tel. 01386 710377.
References:
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CLEMENTS David K and SKIDMORE Peter 1998 The autecology of the hornet robber fly Asilus crabroniformis L. in Wales, 1997 CCW. [includes review of literature] |
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BRUCE Bronwen (ed.) 1999 Biodiversity Action Plan for Worcestershire. Worcestershire Biodiversity Partnership |
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GREEN David M 1998 Asilus crabroniformis (L.) Hornet Robber Fly. Survey in Worcestershire – help wanted. Worcestershire Record 5: 10. |
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UK STEERING GROUP 1995 Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report. HMSO. |
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WESTWOOD Brett 1997 Pats and robbers. Worcestershire Record 3:7. |
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 12
HYGROMIA CINCTELLA – THE GIRDLED SNAIL MOVES NORTHWARWARDS
David M. Green
I wrote previously (Green 1998) in Worcestershire Record of Hygromia cinctella (snail) that I found in my garden August 1996, this being the first record of the snail in Worcestershire and the most northerly recorded site in the UK. H. cinctella was first found in Britain on the south coast about 1950; during the last 15 years or so has spread across S England, and as far north as Worcestershire at least as records go (Michael Kerney, new atlas), but there seems to me little doubt that there are further unrecorded sites. Since 1996 we have foundH.cinctella including juveniles in my garden regularly but not in large numbers. The most northerly known recorded distribution in Britain (and possibly the world) now moves about 10 miles north to Ken Alvin’s garden in Worcester, who sent me specimens for confirmation after I reminded the WBRC annual meeting of my interest in plotting the spread of cinctella; he writes:
“The snail is continuing to prosper (at the expense of my garden plants) … it seems to occupy a niche that competing molluscs are not so keen on. It goes for the tough leaves of Bergenia, and the old outer leaves of the winter greens like cabbage and purple sprouting broccoli. … I force rhubarb under large plastic pots, and I find it on the inside of these and at the top of the blanched leaf stalks, where it seems to nibble at the blanched leaves; it does not eat the ordinary green leaves. It climbs the main stems of purple sprouting broccoli and nibbles the old leaves, shunning (fortunately) the tender young shoots. It climbs the stalks of Narcissus and eats the petals, especially of pale yellow varieties. I’ve never known slugs and snails do this. Last summer, I found it high up on sweet peas”.
H. cinctella appears to have idiosyncratic tastes, and is clearly less numerous in my garden. Generally it seems to turn up in gardens after transplant of plants from S. England, possibly transported as baby snails or eggs. In identification look for the sharp edge round the rim of the shell, this ridge is at the extremity like the edge of a very blunt butter knife all round the shell, distinctly marked with a very fine pale yellow line on the very edge of the ridge alone. The shell about 11mm across, much smaller than the hedge/banded snail. If you think you might have the snail please write sending (live) snail: Windy Ridge, Little Comberton, Pershore. WR10 3EW.
References:
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GREEN David M 1998 New snail for Worcestershire Hygromia cinctella. Worcestershire Record 4 |
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KERNEY Michael P Atlas of land and freshwater molluscs of Britain and Ireland. Harley Books. Publication due. |
Blackcaps and Other Birds Visiting Mahonia Flowers
By Harry Green
The reports of blackcaps visiting Mahonia flowers caught my curiosity! Although birds visit flowers in many parts of the world for nectar, and also pollinate flowers by their visits, this habit is unexpected in Britain. I dimly recollected reports of blue tits visiting flowers for nectar and on looking up the texts found Susan Fitspatrick’s (1994) report of blue tits attacking flowering currant Ribes sanguineum flowers and stealing nectar.She later also reported blue tits visiting Mahonia (1994) Perhaps most interesting was Quentin Kay’s (1985) report of blue tits systematically searching pussy willow catkins (Salix caprea and Salix cinerea) and taking nectar. He counted the birds’ visits and also analysed the nectar and concluded that it could be a useful source of spring energy and that blue tits were more efficient than bumble bees in the number of florets per catkin visited and the amount of nectar collected. He also concluded that the blue tits and willow interaction was probably the only significant example of pollination by birds in Britain.
To obtain further information Brett Westwood (as Producer at the BBC Radio Natural History Programmes in Bristol), and I were able to include a short description of blackcaps and blue tits taking nectar and possibly pollen in the Radio 4 Spring Watch series in April 1999. This brought in many calls from people who had seen both blackcaps and blue tits visiting Mahonia flowers. Later still, in May 1999, Marianne Wade wrote to me to say she had read in The Daily Telegraph Nature Notes, a book by Robert Burton (1998) in which he said that he had heard from a reader of blackcaps visiting Mahonia flowers and apparently taking stamens. Subsequent publicity in the newspaper brought in over 36 letters on the subject. I have not yet contacted Robert Burton.
I hope more research can be undertaken into blackcaps and Mahonia flowers. How valuable is Mahonia as an energy source to blackcaps? Do they pollinate the flowers? Terry Knight has suggested that the blackcaps going to his Mahonia may be damaging the flowers (they may taken stamens accidentally or on purpose) and reducing the berry crop. Interestingly blackcaps and other Sylvia warblers have been recorded visiting flowers in the Mediterranean winter quarters for nectar, and newly arrived migrants have been found in Britain with their the facial feathers caked with citrus pollen (Ash et al 1961)
I should be very interested to hear of any records of blackcaps visiting flowers and especially of blackcaps and other birds visiting Mahonia. If you have an opportunity next winter to watch very closely and see what the birds actually do to the flowers that would also be of great interest. Also if you have records of blackcaps from last winter which you have not sent in we should still be very pleased to receive them.
References
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ASH JS, HOPE-JONES P, & MELVILLE R (1961) The contamination of birds with pollen and other substances. British Birds 54, 3, 93-100. |
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BURTON, R (1998) The Daily Telegraph Nature Notes |
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FITZPATRICK S 1994 Nectar feeding by suburban blue tits ; a contribution to the diet in spring. Bird Study 41, 2, 136-145. |
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FITZPATRICK S 1994 Blue tits have a very sweet tooth. BTO News Sept-Oct 1994 |
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KAY QON 1985 Nectar from willow catkins as a food source for Blue Tits Bird Study 32, 1, 40-44 |
| WBRC Home | Worcs Record Listing by Issue | Worcs Record Listing by Subject |
Grafton Wood Spiders
By Harry Green
John Partridge was unable to attend the recording day in Grafton Wood in 1998 but has now prepared the following list of spiders recorded in the wood last summer.
Grafton Wood North Tetrad SO96/56
| species | Species no | 05/98 | 07/98 |
| Clubiona compta | 02903 | X | |
| Clubiona reclusa | 02913 | X | |
| Diaea dorsata | 04001 | X | |
| Philodromus aureolus | 04501 | X | |
| Philodromus dispar | 04505 | X | |
| Pardosa pullata | 06413 | X | |
| Tegeneria silvestris | 07808 | X | |
| Enoplognatha ovata | 09504 | X | |
| Tetragnatha montana | 10002 | X | |
| Metellina mengei | 10201 | X | |
| Araniella cucurbitina | 11302 | X | |
| Lepthyphantes zimmermanni | 22121 | X | |
| Linyphia hortensis | 22403 | X | |
| Linyphia montana | 22405 | X |
Grafton Wood South tetrad SO96/54
| species | Species no | 05/98 | 07/98 | 09/98 |
| Amaurobius fenestralis | 00301 | X | ||
| Harpactea hombergi | 01301 | X | ||
| Segestria senoculata | 01403 | X | ||
| Clubiona brevipes | 02901 | X | ||
| Clubiona terrestris | 02919 | X | ||
| Anyphaena accentuate | 03701 | X | X | |
| Misumena vatia | 04101 | X | ||
| Xysticus cristatus | 04304 | X | ||
| Xysticus lanio | 04307 | X | X | X |
| xysticus ulmi | 04312 | X | ||
| Philodromus aureolus | 04501 | X | ||
| Philodromus dispar | 04505 | X | ||
| Pardosa prativaga | 06411 | X | X | |
| Pardosa pullata | 06413 | X | ||
| Alopecosa pulverulenta | 06704 | X | X | |
| Pisaura mirabilis | 07301 | X | X | |
| Agelena labyrinthica | 07601 | X | ||
| Achaearana lunata | 09301 | X | ||
| Theridion bimaculatum | 09402 | X | ||
| Tetragnatha montana | 10002 | X | ||
| Pachygnatha degeeri | 10102 | X | ||
| Metellina mengei | 10201 | X | ||
| Araneus diadematus | 10703 | X | ||
| Diplostyla concolor | 21201 | X | ||
| Labulla thoracica | 21801 | X | ||
| Lepthyphantes minutus | 22113 | X | ||
| Lepthyphantes flavipes | 22108 | X | ||
| Lepthyphantes tenuis | 22119 | X | X | |
| Linyphia hortensis | 22403 | X | ||
| Linyphia peltata | 22406 | X |
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 19
NIGHTINGALES IN WORCESTERSHIRE 1999
Harry Green
The BTO National Nightingale Census is in full swing this year. BTO provided me with a list of known sites based on previous censuses and 1998 records – the totals and distribution of these was reported in the last Worcestershire Record (Green 1998). Hopefully dedicated observers are checking them out! However, we do need records of ANY nightingales in the county so that the survey can be reasonably complete. As Worcestershire has always been on the extreme NW edge of European nightingale distribution, and in view of the national decline over the last 50 years, this area is of particular interest in trying to understand the cause of decline.
So far 1999 is proving to be an interesting year. Nightingales arrived early with records in southern England at the beginning of April. At the time of writing (Mid May) I have heard of many records in Worcestershire. John Hodson has located at least 12 around Croome; there are several on the Gloucestershire border near Aston Somerville; two at Upton-on-Severn; they are back in Langdale Wood; and there are several other records. However, the most surprising records so far are from Burlish Top, Kidderminster, at Hillside near Martley, and at Broadwas on Teme. I have not heard of records so far to the west for many years.
This article is outdated and remains for Archive purposes only
News from the Data Entry Project
By Martyn Hodgson
It’s a little difficult to report exciting news from the Data Entry Project when, in essence, keying thousands of records is pretty dull stuff! However, the project continues. Slowly, but surely, we are building up a reasonably sized database. There are currently something like 44,000 records keyed in. Those of you who were at the Recorders meeting in March may remember the rather long route some records take before they get added to the main database. This being the case, its very hard to give an exact figure. Table 1, shows the number of records keyed per Order, for the Orders that have been completed so far. Map 1, shows within 100 species bands, where these records have been collected. Note that the map only shows the distribution, by tetrad, of the species in the Orders listed in Table 1. Obviously, records collected at hectad level are not included in the map, but they are included in the totals in Table 1.
Map 1. Number of Species in each tetrad, by 100 Species band, for Orders shown in Table 1.
Boundary lines: The angular, dashed line shows the boundary of the Vice County (VC37), whilst the solid line shows the modern political boundary.
From the map, it should be clear that even with nearly 37,500 records, the county is still very thinly covered, with some tetrads with no records at all. I guess that this is understandable with some of the peripheral tetrads, but this doesn’t explain the absence of records from such as SO9250 and SO9662.
The groups being keyed at present are Coleoptera, Odonata and Flora (currently about 6500 records keyed). It may be that by the time this is circulated, Birds are being keyed as well. The flora records are the historical ones, collected before the start of the Worcestershire Flora Project. This actually makes flora a good group to work on. Although there are more flora records than the rest of the BRC put together, the BRC records are not growing at present. It will take at least a couple of years to key in the flora records, but at least we’ve started.
If you have any questions about the project, please get in touch. General questions about records should be directed to John Meiklejohn
Table 1. Number of records, by Order, keyed so far.
| Order | Number of records |
| Acari | 214 |
| Hymenoptera | 1671 |
| Amphipoda | 2 |
| Lepidoptera | 22834 |
| Araneae | 2786 |
| Lumbricina | 11 |
| Calanoidea | 3 |
| Mollusca | 3163 |
| Chilopoda | 163 |
| Oligochaeta | 3 |
| Cladocera | 22 |
| Opiliones | 154 |
| Coleoptera (see note 1) | 3205 |
| Orthoptera | 648 |
| Decapoda | 19 |
| Pharyngobdellida | 12 |
| Diptera | 1499 |
| Pseudoscorpiones | 7 |
| Gnathobdellida | 2 |
| Rhynchobdellida | 29 |
| Hemiptera | 980 |
Note 1: The figure for Coleoptera is incomplete as the group is being keyed at present.
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 7
ADDITIONAL NOTABLE COLEOPTERA – 1998
Kevin McGee
The following is an account of some scarce and threatened beetles which I managed to photograph during my field trips in 1998. Readers may recall that in the last issue of the Worcestershire Record I wrote an article detailing my records for Longhorn beetles Cerambycidae found in the county last year. Many of these are classified as Notable B species, or rather more threatened. I have omitted Cerambycidae from this article.
| Hadrobieginus denticollis. | Anobiidae | Notable B | A single adult photographed on the exposed heart-wood of an ancient willow at the NW boundary of Monkwood on 5.8.98. This species is entirely dependent on hard dry dead-wood of many broad-leaved trees, either in woodland or isolated trees. |
| Platyrhinchus resinosus | Anthribidae | Notable B | Three adults found and photographed on a small pile of fungus-infected ash logs at the Knapp & Papermill Reserve on 15.3.98. One adult photographed at Feckenham Wylde Moor reserve on 25.4.98, again on a rotting ash log; another adult on living ash on Bredon Hill 6.6.98. This species is associated with dead wood, usually ash. |
| Platystomos albinus | Anthribidae | Notable B | One adult photographed on heavily fungus-infected oak log at Monkwood 24.5.98. Both this and the previous species display superb cryptic camouflage and are very difficult to see, matching their dead wood surroundings to perfection. However, inspection with a hand lens of photographic macro-lens is very rewarding. Another adult on the Monkwood log pile 20.6.98. |
| Lebia chlorocephala | Carabidae | Notable B | One adult seen briefly and photographed in an herbaceous border at the entrance to the Knapp & Papermill on 7.6.98. All carabids are extremely difficult to approach and photograph, being very sensitive to movement and very fast in their bid to escape!. This species has been recorded from a variety of habitats, usually on calcareous soils, where it preys on the larvae of various Chrysomelid (leaf) beetles. |
| Chrysolina oricalcia. | Chrysomelidae | Notable B | An adult found and photographed on cow parsley at Monkwood on 24.5.98. A small colony found near our home at Drakes Broughton, again on cow parsley in nearby orchards – four adults seen early evening 12.6.98. This species is associated with cow parsley family (umbels) and their shiny black appearance makes them very noticeable on these plants |
| Donacia clavipes. | Chrysomelidae | Notable B | One of the strikingly beautiful metallic-looking reed beetles. Six found in a small clump of bur-reed by the river Avon at Eckington Bridge on 28.5.98. The beetles are very shy and tend to fly away or crawl into the unfolding new-growth of the plant, and all this at the edge of deep flowing water! However, one was persuaded to pose for the camera to ensure correct identification. |
| Tillus elongatus. | Cleridae | Notable B | Two (male and female) were found and photographed on dead heart wood of old apple trunks at Knapp & Papermill orchard on 7.6.98. Both were actively inspecting the bore holes of tiny Anobiid beetles that covered the surface of the dead wood., and which Tillus elongatus predates. |
| Megatoma undata | Dermestidae | Notable B | One adult found and photographed on the surface of a rotting tree trunk (?young elm), at Monkwood on 24.5.98. A species heavily dependent on dead wood. |
| Melandrya caraboides. | Melandryidae | Notable B | one adult found and photographed wandering across the track on the main ride in Tiddesley Wood on 27.5.98. Another photographed on the dead wood of a sickly crab apple at Knapp & Papermill on 7.6.98, this individual was infested with mites.. This species is reliant on dead wood, especially willow stumps. |
| Variimorda villosa. | Mordellidae | Notable B | One of the tumbling flower beetles, this species is more lethargic that some of its commoner relatives and easy to [photograph when located.. I found several on meadow sweet at Grafton Wood on 5.7.98, and again 30.8.98. Also three, again on meadow sweet (leaves) 4.8.98. |
| Ischnomera cyanea. | Oedemeridae | Notable B | An adult photographed on aspen leaves in Tiddesley Wood on 27.5.98. Another photographed on flowers of hogweed at Drakes Broughton Orchard 31.5.98. This rather beautiful little dark green beetle is difficult to separate from I. caerulea, so careful inspection by an expert coleopterist is recommended. |
| Pyrochroa coccinea. | Pyrochroidae | Notable B | One of the unmistakable cardinal beetles, however it pays dividends to have a careful look at the colour of the head should you find one! The common P serraticornis has an all-red head, P. coccinea has a black head and to me the elytra are a deeper more crimson-red with a lovely velvety texture. There is a third cardinal to look out for: Schizotus pectinicornis which also has a black head but this one has a red spot in the middle of the pronotum. S pectinicornis is a notable A species so please check cardinal beetles carefully. I have photographer P coccinea at the Knapp & Papermill on 16.5.98 when six were counted, and one at Monkwood 1.6.98. |
| Gnorimus nobilis. | Scarabaeidae | Vulnerable | Red Data Book category 2. This large metallic-green chafer (which superficially resembles a rose chafer) has been known from Tiddesley Wood for a few years now (John Meiklejohn pers. com.) I was lucky to encounter one taking pollen from hogweed just inside the N entrance of the wood on 7.7.98. Conditions were hot and sunny and several photographs were taken. I was even luckier to find another on angelica flowers at Monkwood on 5.8.98. Again, a few photographs were taken, but this individual was more nervous. According to P F Whitehead the Monkwood record may be the first for the wood and for the 10 km square. The larvae develop in wood mould in fruit and willow trees and development takes about two years. |
| Dendroxena quadrimaculata. | Silphidae | Notable B | A rather handsome individual was found by my partner Geraldine in a rather unusual situation making steady progress across the foliage of low-growing nettles. Unusual in that it is apparently usually associated with the canopy of oak trees where it predates caterpillars. Perhaps it had only recently emerged. It was in Monkwood on 24.5.98. Incidentally, Geraldine re-christened it Battlestar galacticus which I consider rather more appropriate having witnessed its steady, indomitable progress in its quest to conquer all! |
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Paul Whitehead for kindly confirming identification of the above species from my slides, particularly the more difficult ones H. denticollis, L. chlorocephala, I. cyanea, M. undata and D. clavipes
References:
|
Hyman PS & Parsons MS 1992 A review of scarce and threatened coleoptera in Great Britain. Part one. JNCC Peterborough. |
|
Harde KW 1984 A field guide in colour to beetles. Octopus (recently reprinted in 1998 by Blitz Editions |
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 8
NEMOPHORA CUPRIACELLA (HUBN)
(Microlepidoptera, Family Incurvariidae, sub-family Adelinae)
Kevin McGee
Another New Record for Tiddesley Wood
In Tiddesley Wood on 19.7.98 a rather beautiful little micro-moth was found on teasel leaves. I recognised it as one of the strongly metallic-looking ‘longhorn moths’ as it was fairly similar to the very common Adela reamurella, but having enough points of difference to warrant a photograph. The main differences were the peculiar antennae , being black from the base to mid-point before becoming white towards the tip, and the very noticeable orange-red head. The forewings were very dark metallic bronzes, blacks and greens, not unlike Adela reamurella (often referred to as the Golden Longhorn in general reference books).
On receiving my transparency photograph I was unable to identify the moth from my books so I asked Dr ANB Simpson to take a look for me. I am indebted to Tony for the following information.
The photograph clearly shows a female Nemophora cupriacella. The male lacks the orange head, it being black and he has longer antennae. This is the first Worcestershire record of the species since 1929. S J Carlier took two specimens at the Wyre Forest, Worcs., in July 1929, and they are currently housed in the Birmingham Natural History Museum. There is an earlier specimen in the Worcester Museum, taken at Oddingley, near Worcester in June 1853.
The female oviposits in the developing seeds of members of the scabious family where the larvae feed before descending to the leaf litter. There it constructs a protective ‘case’ before completing its development in the litter. It may also feed on members of the teasel family in the same way. Both teasel Dipsacus fullonum, and Devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensisgrow in profusion side-by-side along the main ride in Tiddesley Wood where the moth was found..
Acknowledgements
Many thank to Dr Tony Simpson (County Moth Recorder) for supplying me with the information
References:
|
Blamey M & Grey-Wilson C 1989 The Illustrated Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. Domino Books. |
|
Robbins, J. 1997 (revised edition) A provisional atlas of the lepidoptera of Warwickshire, Part 3. The smaller moths and more primitive larger moths. |
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 13
SPIDERS: LAST YEAR, RECORDERS’ DAY, AND WHAT NEXT?
John Partridge
Last year my presentation at Recorders’ Annual Meeting centred on looking for Pholcus phalangiodes, the Daddy-longlegs Spider, and a few other species. The three WBRC Pholcusrecords have now become nearly forty, scattered over most of the county, showing that any northern limit for the species is north of Worcestershire. The other species produced some reports: The Spitting Spider produced records from 1971 (D Oakley) and more recently (A W Reid), but neither suggested an established presence. The Woodlouse Eating Spider was around in large numbers on Warndon before it was built up (D. Goddard), and can be found on Bredon Hill (A W Reid), Cleeve Prior reserve (J Partridge) and in Hanley Swan (M Skirrow); I have yet to find a mature specimen. The green Crab Spider has turned up in a number of places by beating trees, and the Six-eyed Tube Dweller has been found in rotten wood, but never by its ‘characteristic’ web. Many thanks to all who have responded with information.
The year has seen some 1600 records added to the WBRC database, with 11 new species added to the lists. There are still some 20 species recorded pre-1930 which have not been found recently, one of which was the Cave Spider Meta menardi. The records contain a 1933 entry from T. H. Savory for the Crypt of Worcester Cathedral, and so, with the kind permission of the Dean, John Meiklejohn and I went probing round the crypt and the organ blower room a few weeks ago. As expected, the crypt is now too well lit and heated and no Meta menardiwas found. However, we did turn up a first county record for Psilochorus simoni, which is a Pholcus relative, usually found in dry wine cellars near floor level. It will spin round like Pholcus, but more reluctantly – one might have expected otherwise given its preferred habitat!
The grape vine, or should it be the web these days, brought forth a report from M Averill of Cave Spiders at Witley Court, and then ‘Bring a Spider’ on Recorders’ Day produced a live specimen from Hanley Swan (M Skirrow). As I reported at that meeting, some recorders have actually started to examine these specimens instead of just assuming that they are Meta menardi, as some are proving to be the closely related Meta bourneti. Dr Skirrow’s specimen has been confirmed as Meta bourneti and as a first county record for the species, which leaves us wondering which species was in Worcester Cathedral in 1933, and have we got both in the county?
‘Bring a Spider’ produced 25 identifiable specimens, including another county first, Steatoda grossa (Revd J E Cox), and a county second, Nesticus cellulanus (S Micklewright). There were quite a number of Zygiella x-notata (call this the Window-pane spider – it sits in the corner with a signal line to the centre of its circular web, which usually has a missing segment), Amaurobius similis (often found in the cracks between window-frames and the brickwork), Steatoda bipunctata (a glossy brown abdomen with a cream line round the front edge; it likes a right-angle habitat between fence post and wall for instance), and various Tegeneria species ( the hairy house spider). You can often find all of these better on a summer evening after dark if you go round with a torch. Many thanks to all who contributed; I was delighted at the response and the new records – perhaps we should do it with another group next year.
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 18
BIRDS IN WORCESTERSHIRE – NOVEMBER 1998 TO FEBRUARY 1999
Gavin Peplow
Editor’s note.The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Newsletter Panel has decided not to continue publishing the regular bird notes. It is hoped that some notes on Worcestershire bird records will appear regularly in Worcestershire Record. The notes below were originally prepared for Worcestershire Wildlife News.
This has been another wet, though rather mild winter with perhaps the most interesting avian feature being the record numbers of wild geese stopping over in the County. Most exiting was the discovery of two parties of Bean Geese at Bredon’s Hardwick. Firstly, two birds accompanied a flock of 28 White-fronts there at the beginning of December, and these were followed by a further five birds at the end of the same month. These are only the fourth and fifth records ever of this species in the County and perhaps reflect an increasing wintering population of this ‘Tundra’ race on the near continent.
Following October’s flock of Pink-footed Geese at Wilden, an amazing skein of 83 birds were located at Strensham one day at the end of January, whilst a Brent Goose at Larford around the New Year was slightly more predictable. To cap these records off, an Egyptian Goose (though undoubtedly originating from captive ancestry) appeared briefly at Westwood, also in January.
Other notable sightings from our wetland habitats included a Slavonian Grebe at Bittell in mid November; red head Smews there and at Bredon’s Hardwick and Westwood on various single dates; a Red-breasted Merganser also at Westwood in early November and drake Scaup again there and at Grimley. Three Whooper Swans only paused briefly at Upton Warren in late December whilst only single figure counts of Bewick’s Swans were made – at Bredon’s Hardwick, Grimley and Longdon Marsh, early in the winter.
A somewhat elusive Red Kite was seen over several days on Bredon Hill in November whilst one over Tiddesley Wood in early February was believed to be the first for the reserve. Merlins, never easy to catch up with, were reported from at least six scattered localities and a ‘ringtail’ Hen Harrier was reported from Dunclent, also in November.
Winter isn’t recognised as being the best time to look for waders in the County, so a long-staying Knot at Upton Warren from November into mid-December was a pleasant surprise as were six Black-tailed Godwits at the same site during this period. Elsewhere the highest count of Golden Plover has been of 600 over Pirton in early January – disappointingly low, as were reports of Lapwing flocks throughout the County.
Gulls are an ever present feature of local birdlife these days but the ‘unusual’ always attract some interest. During the review period the highlights from this group included four Mediterranean Gulls, five Kittiwakes and first winter Glaucous Gulls over Frankley in January and at Westwood on one date in February. As this family of birds are scrutinised ever closer, the boundaries of identification are pushed further and further back and as an illustration of this, a Caspian Gull – a middle-eastern form of Yellow-legged Herring Gull (itself not yet universally recognised as a full species), was identified at Westwood in February
Remaining from October, the Great Grey Shrike was seen around Bredon Hill until mid November and at this time up to four Snow Buntings were found on the Malvern Hills, with other singletons on Bredon and over Ombersley Golf Course.
A Black Redstart lingered around Castlemorton Church at the end of November whilst nearby two Firecrests and up to seven Hawfinches attracted local birders to Chase End Hll on the Malverns. Indeed this has been a good winter for Firecrests with additional birds also found at Flyford Pool and at Powick.
Other notable records included up to eight Redpolls of the larger Scandinavian “Mealy” form at Holt and a report of two Bearded Tits briefly at nearby Grimley in early January. Finally, on a slightly more optimistic note for two species believed to be declining, flocks of 28 Tree Sparrows and 78 Corn Buntings were counted in southeast Worcestershire.
Records compiled from reports received by Birdline Midlands.
Wintering Blackcaps in Worcestershire 1998/9 – A Simple Survey
By Dave Ratcliffe
This survey arose from my interest in Blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) and what seemed to be an increasing number present during recent winters and an example of micro-evolutionary change amongst some individuals of the north-western population, the majority of whom continue to migrate to the traditional wintering grounds in the Mediterranean.
The survey followed the same methodology employed by Iain Leach in his national survey for the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) during the winter of 1978/9. Worcestershire’s contribution to a national total of 1,714 birds found during that survey was 39. I was interested in finding out what had happened since.
Radio and press appeals were made for sightings of Blackcaps between the 1st October 1998 and 31st March 1999, and asking that people ring Worcestershire Wildlife Trust to report their sightings.
Information requested included place, sex, number, food items, aggressive episodes, and whether the callers participated in the BTO Garden Birdwatch Survey, and were members of the Trust.
To date I have received 249 survey forms, detailing the sightings of 245 male and 115 female Blackcaps.
While there are issues of duplicated sightings particularly in centres such as Malvern and Worcester, the winter population has clearly increased since 1978/9, to a figure in the low hundreds at least. Interestingly BTO data suggests the winter population is declining nationally.
Aggression between species largely involved Robins (Erithacus rubecula) and Great Tit (Parus major) and may point at similar feeding niches. Aggression between Blackcaps was almost exclusively male to female.
Food and feeding behaviour proved one of the surveys most interesting aspects, both in the range of foods taken and the variety of presentations they are willing to tackle, making them as adaptable and adroit as any of our usual garden feeding species.
To my mind it is these abilities, given milder winters, that is the most influential factor in their wintering success.
| Item | Number of Observations | varieties |
| Peanuts | 50 | hanging, bird table, ground |
| Seed | 46 | sunflower, wildbird mix, canary |
| Bread | 34 | white, brown, wholemeal |
| Berries | 32 | mistletoe, asparagus, rowan, ivy |
| Fruit | 29 | apples, pears, jam |
| Scraps | 26 | suet, cake, scones, xmas pudding |
| Fat | 24 | fatballs, birdcake, bacon scraps |
| Cereal | 7 | porridge, muesli |
| Nectar/Pollen | 6 | Mahonia japonica |
| Insects | 5 | |
| Cheese | 3 |
Table 1 – Foods taken by Blackcaps – October 1998 – March 1999
Of real interest have been the six reports of Blackcaps (and Blue Tits) apparently feeding on the nectar of Mahonia japonica,. Nectar feeding has been noted in other plant species in the Mediterranean wintering grounds but not commonly reported in the British Isles. (See note by Harry Green elsewhere in this edition of Worcestershire Record)
The popularity of peanuts and seed demonstrate well the omnivorous nature of their diet and the importance of garden feeding when natural food supplies are scarce. One respondent even reported old Christmas pudding proving an attraction!
A large majority of sightings were in gardens, and although the survey did not ask for nil returns, the absence of sightings from the Trust’s own reserves, some of which are well watched, is notable. I am only aware of sightings from Bibbys Hollow near Halesowen, and one at Upton Warren Nature Reserve which is certainly well watched!
| Information Heading | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Totals |
| No of Survey Forms | 69 | 180 | 249 |
| No of males | 65 | 180 | 245 |
| No of females | 30 | 85 | 115 |
| Garden sightings | 61 | 166 | 228 |
| Aggressive episodes | 7 | 26 | 33 |
| Number of pairs | 8 | 35 | 43 |
| Seen in previous yrs* | 11 | 19 | 31 |
| Trust Members | 17 | 79 | 96 |
| Garden Birdwatch | 10 | 11 | 21 |
| Sex ratio | 2:1 | 2:1 | – |
Table 2 – Summary of Information – 1st November 1998 to 31st March 1999
N.B. Phase 1 refers to the period 1st October 1998 to 30th November 1998, and Phase 2 is the period 1st December 1998 to 31st March 1999, which is the winter period as defined by Leach in his 1978/9 survey
| Place | 1st phase | 2nd phase | Totals |
| Malvern | 30 | 54 | 84 |
| Worcester | 8 | 42 | 50 |
| Evesham | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| Pershore | 2 | 9 | 11 |
| Kidderminster | 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Bromsgrove | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Redditch | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Broadway | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Ledbury | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Upton upon Severn | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Inkberrow | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Stourbridge | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Droitwich | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Rubery | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Stourport | – | 2 | 2 |
| Tewkesbury | – | 2 | 2 |
Remaining sites; Alvechurch 2, Ombersley, Bewdley, Bredon, Cradley, Cleeve Prior, Morton on Lugg, Overbury, Ashton under Hill, Halesowen Hagley, Sedgeberrow, Holt Heath, Flyford Flavel, Fernall Heath, Bidford on Avon, Leominster, Inkberrow, Powick, Westmancote, Overbury, Crowle, Gt & Lt Comberton, Alcester, Elmley Castle.
Table 3 – Distribution by Place Name
Conclusions
So how well have the objectives of the survey been met ?
We know that we have wintering Blackcaps of both sexes, distributed throughout Worcestershire. We know what they eat, and their ability to survive cold spells. We know that some show a site fidelity, both through the winter, and from year to year. The preference for built up areas, rich in gardens and bird feeding stations is clear. Competition is evident, with Robins and Great Tits prominent rivals. Blackcaps have learnt to exploit a variety of foods, and most significantly in a variety of presentations.
As for the size of the winter population educated guesses are required due to the fact that the survey did not ask for nil returns, i.e. absence of Blackcaps, (although it is interesting that I did not receive any records from the Trust reserves) so that densities cannot be assessed, but I think we can make some broad assumptions.
The population of wintering Blackcaps has clearly increased since 1978/79, from a figure of 39 individuals, we now have a population at least in the low hundreds if we assume that the population density in more rural areas is similar, and that many Blackcaps have not been found.
The populations in places like Malvern, Worcester, Redditch are more problematic as the same birds are surely being seen by many observers, and a garden ringing and retrapping programme would be useful in providing a more conclusive estimate.
The use of Mahonia japonica has proved particularly interesting, and while feeding on nectar in known in Mediterranean wintering populations, it is less well known elsewhere. The same observations have also been made in this survey on Blue Tits (Parus caeruleus) and is probably worth a little research in its own right.
Many observers saw both male and female Blackcaps, and 43 respondents had both sexes present together, and where aggression between Blackcaps was noted, it was predominantly male to female.
One respondent, Mrs F.M.Baldock, was able to keep records of two males with distinctive features (injured leg and missing tail feathers), one of which continued to visit her garden for the months of December, January and February.
Mark and Christine Turner were able to provide extensive records of Blackcaps in their garden back to 1996.
During March I began to receive records of, and heard for myself, male Blackcaps in full song, and in one instance display flight – what is the origin of these birds? Are they very early summer migrants or overwintering British birds ? It is hard to believe they are continental wintering individuals – surely they would not waste precious resource and time (and advantage) in delaying their return migration ?
Acknowledgements
It is not possible for me to conclude this survey without offering my thanks, firstly to all those who contributed to the survey by submitting their sightings, comments and in some cases letters. Secondly, to the hard pressed staff and volunteers of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust at Lower Smite Farm, who took the telephone calls and recorded the details, and finally to Harry Green for his encouragement, support, advice and his extensive archive which has yielded all one would want to know about Blackcaps.
References
|
YARRELL W. A History of Britsh Birds Vol ..1 1st Edition London |
|
STAFFORD J. 1956 The Wintering of Blackcaps in the British Isles. Bird Study 3:251-257 |
|
DAVIS P. 1967 Migration seasons of the Sylvia warblers at British Bird Observatories Bird Study 14:65-95 |
|
GLADWIN T.1970 Wintering Blackcaps BTO News 39:1-2 |
|
LANGSLOW D.R. 1979 Movements of Blackcaps ringed in Britain and Ireland Bird Study 26:239-252 |
|
LEACH IA. 1981 Wintering Blackcaps in Britain and Ireland Bird Study 28:5-14 |
|
LACK P 1986. Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain and Ireland BTO/Irish Wildlife Conservancy T&A.D. Poyser |
|
BERTHOLD P. & TERRILL S. 1988 Migratory behaviour and population growth of Blackcaps wintering in Britain and Ireland: some hypotheses. Ringing & Migration. 9:153-159 |
|
BERTHOLD P. 1995 Microevolution of migratory behaviour illustrated by the Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla: 1993 Witherby Lecture Bird Study 42:89-100 |
|
SMITH M. PALMER 1955 Wintering Blackcaps in Worcestershire British Birds 48:372-3 |
|
CRAMP S. et al 1992 The Birds of the Western Palearctic Vol VI Oxford Univ. Press. |
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 22
GUIDE TO THE STATUS OF THE LARGER MOTHS OF WORCESTERSHIRE
Dr.A.N.B.Simpson
I have been asked as county Lepidoptera recorder for a guide to the status of the Macrolepidoptera of the county, to help beginners, and so that more experienced recorders will be able to know which species are rare and uncommon. There has been no recent county list but I have now accumulated a large number of records and a comprehensive list of all the county’s Lepidoptera is planned. In the meantime I thought some information that could be sent to anyone recording in Worcestershire would be useful and interesting.
I have confined this to the larger moths, as to include all the micros would make this too long and cumbersome, although I have myself been concentrating on recording the latter over the past twenty years.
I have divided the larger moths into four groups:
- GROUP A (207)
- Common and widespread species which I would expect most recorders to see throughout the county if they ran a moth trap in their gardens. Obviously exactly which species will turn up in your garden will depend on whether you live in the middle of an urban area or in the depths of the country, or next to woodland, etc. As requested I have included flight periods for these but not any other data, as these can be found in reference books such as Bernard Skinner’s Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. (Flight period listed in months of the year numbered 1-12, divided by / if two or more generations per year; hib=hibernates) These are only average flight periods, and sometimes species occur earlier or later, or in extra generations in unusually warm years. I have also included common day flying species, meaning that they fly in sunshine in the middle of the day. Many others, especially species of Geometridae and many microlepidoptera have an evening or dusk flight, or can be disturbed in the day.
- GROUP B (181)
- Local and less common species that are are nevertheless quite widespread in the county but are restricted in distribution or numbers.
- GROUP C (126)
- Rare and infrequently recorded and/or extremely localised species. 14 of these have not been seen since 1960’s and 70’s and some may now be extinct in Worcs.
- GROUP D
- Extinct species. Last record noted. (36 +13 nineteenth century records which seem likely to have been misidentifications, and have not been included).
Total 514 species plus 36-49 extinct species = 550-563 Macrolepidoptera. There are also 760 (+ 63 extinct) Microlepidoptera. Overall total recent list 1,274.(All time list 1373-1386) It is very difficult to decide which old records, often unverifiable, and which recent records, especially if unsupported by specimens or photos, should be accepted. Some recorders should not be upset if I have erred on the side of caution, and not accepted as proven some recent unusual records, especially if they are new to the county.
I have listed the species in alphabetical order by English name in each group, as most beginners do not use scientific names, followed by the scientific name.
I would be delighted to receive records of both macro and microlepidoptera from anyone recording Lepidoptera in Worcestershire.
Group A: Common and Widespread species and Flight Periods (Months)
| Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa | 5-10 common migrant |
| Barred Straw Eulithis pyraliata | 6-8 |
| Barred Yellow Cidaria fulvata | 6&7 |
| Beaded Chestnut Agrochola lychnidis | 9 & 10 |
| Beautiful Golden Y Autographa pulchrina | 6 & 7 |
| Black Rustic Aporophyla nigra | 9 & 10 |
| Blair’s Shoulder-knot Lithophane leautieri | 9 & 10 |
| Blood-vein Timandra griseata | 5 & 6/8 & 9 |
| Bordered Pug Eupithecia succenturiata | 7 & 8 |
| Brick Agrochola circellaris | 9 & 10 |
| Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea | 5-7 and occ. in autumn. |
| Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata | 5 & 6/6 & 7/8-10 |
| Brindled Beauty Lycia hirtaria | 3 & 4 |
| Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata | 4&5 |
| Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata | 7-9 |
| Brown-line Bright-eye Mythimna conigera | 6-8 |
| Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea | 6 & 7 |
| Brown-spot Pinion Agrochola litura | 9 & 10 |
| Buff Arches Habrosyne pyritoides | 6-8 |
| Buff Ermine Spilosoma lutea | 5-7 |
| Buff-tip Phalera bucephala | 6&7 |
| Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis | 6 & 7/8 & 9 |
| Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos alniaria | 7-10 |
| Centre-barred Sallow Atethmia centrago | 8 & 9 |
| Chestnut Conistra vacinii | 9 &10 |
| Chinese Character Cilix glaucata | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae | 5-7 (DAY FLYING) |
| Clay Mythimna ferrago | 7&8 |
| Cloaked Minor Mesoligia furuncula | 7&8 |
| Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata | 6 & 7 |
| Clouded-bordered Brindle Apamea crenata | 6&7 |
| Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta | 3&4 |
| Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata | 5 & 6/8 & 9 |
| Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata | 5 & 6/8 & 9 |
| Common Emerald Hemithea aestivaria | 6&7 |
| Common Footman Eilema lurideola | 7 & 8 |
| Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata | 5 & 6/8-10 |
| Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata | 5 &6/8 |
| Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi | 3 & 4 |
| Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis | 7 & 8 |
| Common Swift Hepialus lupulinus | 5-7 |
| Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens | 6 & 7/8 & 9 |
| Common Wave Cabera exanthemata | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Common White Wave Cabera pusaria | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Copper Underwing Amphipyra pyramidea | 8-10 |
| Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina | 5 & 6/8 &9 |
| Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha | 6-8 |
| Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Dark Chestnut Conistra ligula | 10 & 11 |
| December Moth Poecilocampa populi | 10-12 |
| Dot Melanchra persicariae | 7 & 8 |
| Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria | 2-4 |
| Double Square-spot Xestia triangulum | 6 & 7 |
| Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata | 4 & 5/7 & 8/occ.9 & 10 |
| Drinker Euthrix potatoria | 7 & 8 |
| Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina | 7-9 |
| Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria | 7-10 |
| Early Grey Xylocampa areola | 3-5 |
| Early Moth Theria primaria | 1 & 2 |
| Early Thom Selenia bilunaria | 4&5/8&9 |
| Elephant Hawk Deilephila elpenor | 5-7 |
| Engrailed Ectropis bistorta | 3 & 4/6-8 |
| Fan-foot Herminia tarsipennalis | 6&7 |
| Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria | 10&11 |
| Figure-of-eight Diloba caerulocephala | 10& 11 |
| Figure-of-eighty Tethea ocularis | 5-7 |
| Flame Axylia putris | 6 & 7/occ.9 |
| Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata | 5 & 6/8 |
| Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta | 5 & 6/8 & 9 |
| Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea | 8&9 |
| Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata | 5 & 6 |
| Freyer’s Pug Eupithecia intricata arceuthata | 5 & 6 |
| Frosted Orange Gortyna flavago | 8-10 |
| Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata | 5 & 6/7 & 8/occ. 10 |
| Garden Tiger Arctia caja | 7&8 |
| Green-brindled Crescent Allophyes oxyacanthae | 9-11 |
| Green Carpet Colotois pennaria | 5-7/occ.9 |
| Green Pug Chloroclystis rectangulata | 6&7 |
| Grey Dagger Acronicta psi | 6-8 |
| Grey Pug Eupithecia subfuscata | 5 & 6 |
| Hawordi’s Pug Eupithecia haworthiata | 6&7 |
| Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamationis | 5-7 |
| Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica | 3-5 |
| Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix | 7-11/hib/3-6 |
| Ingrailed Clay Diarsia mendica | 6-8 |
| Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius | 5 & 618 |
| July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata | 7 & 8 |
| Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis | 5-7 |
| Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba | 7-9 |
| Least Black Arches Nola confusalis | 5 & 6 |
| Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua janthe | 7-9 |
| Lesser Common Rustic Mesapamea didyma | 7 & 8 |
| Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma | 5 & 6/8 |
| Lesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes | 7-9 |
| Light Arches Apamea lithoxylia | 6-8 |
| Light Emerald Campaea margaritata | 7&8 |
| Lime Hawk Moth Mimas tiliae | 5 & 6 |
| Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata | 5 & 6/6-8 |
| Little Emerald Jodis lactearia | 5 & 6 |
| Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis | 4 & 5 |
| Lunar Underwing Omphaloscelis lunosa | 8-10 |
| Lychnis Hadena bicruris | 5-7 |
| Magpie Moth Abraxas grossulariata | 7&8 |
| Maiden’s Blush Cyclophora punctaria | 5 & 6/8 |
| Marbled Beauty Cryphia domestica | 7 & 8 |
| Marbled Minor Oligia strigilis | 5-7 |
| March Moth Alsophila aescularia | 3 & 4 |
| Middle-barred Minor Oligia fasciuncula | 6&7 |
| Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata | 6&7 |
| Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata | 5 & 6 |
| Mottled Rustic Caradrina morpheus | 6-8 |
| Mottled Umber Erannis defoliaria | 10-1 |
| Mouse Moth Amphipyra tragopoginis | 7-9 |
| Mullein Cucullia verbasci | 4&5 |
| Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica | 5 & 6 |
| November Moth Epirrita dilutata | 10& 11 |
| Oak Beauty Biston strataria | 3&4 |
| Oak Hook-tip Drepana binaria | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Orange Swift Hepialus sylvina | 7-9 |
| Pale Brindled Beauty Apocheima pilosaria | 1-3 |
| Pale Mottled Willow Caradrina clavipalpis | 7-9 |
| Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina | 5 & 6/8 |
| Pale-shouldered Brocade Lacanobia thalassina | 5-7 |
| Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda | 5 & 6 |
| Peach Blossom Thyatira batis | 5-7 |
| Pebble Prominent Eligmodonta ziczac | 5 & 6/8 |
| Peppered Moth Biston betularia | 5-7 |
| Pink-barred Sallow Xestia togata | 9 & 10 |
| Plain Golden Y Plusia jota | 6-8 |
| Poplar Grey Acronicta megacephala | 6-8 |
| Poplar Hawk Moth Laothoe populi | 5-7 |
| Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis | 4 & 5 |
| Purple-bar Cosmorhoe ocellata | 5-7/8 & 9 |
| Purple Clay Diarsia brunnea | 6-8 |
| Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Puss Moth Cerura vinula | 5-7 |
| Red Chestnut Cerastis rubricosa | 3 & 4 |
| Red-line Quaker Agrochola lota | 9 & 10 |
| Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Red Underwing Catocala nupta | 8&9 |
| Riband Wave Idaea aversata | 6-8 |
| Rivulet Perizoma affinitata | 5-7 |
| Rosy Rustic Hydraecia micacea | 8-10 |
| Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa | 4-6/8 |
| Rustic Hoplodrina blanda | 6-8 |
| Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens | 5 & 6 |
| Sallow Xestia icteritia | 9 & 10 |
| Sandy Carpet Perizoma flavofasciata | 6&7 |
| Satellite Eupsilia transversa | 9 & 10/hib/2-4 |
| Satin Wave Idaea subsericiata | 6&7 |
| Scalloped Hazel Odontoptera bidentata | 5 & 6 |
| Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria | 7 & 8 |
| Scarce Footman Eilema complana | 7&8 |
| Scorched Wing Plagodis dolabraria | 5 & 6 |
| September Thorn Ennomos erosaria | 7-10 |
| Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum | 5-7/9 & 10 |
| Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata | 7&8 |
| Shark Cucullia umbratica | 6&7 |
| Short-cloaked Moth Nola cucullatella | 6&7 |
| Shoulder Stripe Anticlea badiata | 2-4 |
| Shoulder-striped Wainscot Mythimna comma | 6&7 |
| Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta | 5 & 6/7-9 |
| Silver Cloud Egira conspicillaris | 4&5 |
| Silver-ground Carpet Xanthoroe montanata | 5-7 |
| Silver Y Autographa gamma (a common migrant) | 5-10 |
| Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata | 6-8 |
| Small Angle Shades Euplexia lucipara | 6 & 7/occ.9 |
| Small Blood-vein Scopula imitaria | 7&8 |
| Small Dusty Wave Idaea seriata | 6 & 7/8 & 9 |
| Small Fan-foot Herminia nemoralis | 6-8 |
| Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata | 6-8 |
| Small Phoenix Ecliptoptera silaceata | 5 & 6/8 |
| Small Quaker Orthosia cruda | 3&4 |
| Small Rivulet Perizoma alchemillata | 6&7 |
| Small Square-spot Diarsia rubi | 5 & 6/8 & 9 |
| Smoky Wamscot Mythimna impura | 6-8 |
| Snout Hypena proboscidalis | 6-819 & 10 |
| Spectacle Abrostola triplasia | 5-7/occ.8 & 9 |
| Sprawler Brachionycha sphinx | 11 & 12 |
| Spruce Carpet Thera brittanica | 5-7/9 & 10 |
| Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa | 8&9 |
| Straw Underwing Thalpophila matura | 7&8 |
| Streamer Anticlea derivata | 4 & 5 |
| Svensson’s Copper Underwing Amphipyra berbera | 7-9 |
| Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula | 5 & 6/8 |
| Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria | 6&7 |
| Tawny-barred Angle Semiothisa litura | 6 & 7 |
| Tawny Marbled Minor Oligia latruncula | 5-7 |
| Tawny Speckled Pug Eupithecia icterata | 7&8 |
| Treble Bar Aplocera plagiata | 5 &6/7 & 8 |
| Treble Brown Spot Idaea trigeminata | 6&7 |
| Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica | 5-7 |
| Tumip Moth Agrotis segetum | 5 & 6/8 & 9 |
| Twin-spotted Quaker Orthosia munda | 3&4 |
| Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines | 6-8 |
| Vapourer Orgyia antiqua | 7 & 8/10 (DAY FLYING) |
| Water Carpet Lampropteryx suffumata | 4&5 |
| Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria | 4-6 |
| White Ermine Spilosoma lubricepida | 5-7 |
| Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria | 6-8 |
| Winter Moth Operophtera brumata | 11-1 |
| Wormwood Pug Eupithecia absinthiata | 6&7 |
| Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata | 5 & 6/8 & 9 |
| Yellow-line Quaker Agrochola macilenta | 9 & 10 |
| Yellow Shell Camptogramma bilineata | 6-8 |
| Yellow-tail Euproctis similis | 7&8 |
Group B: Local and less common, although widespread, species.
| Alder Moth Acronicta alni | 5 & 6 |
| Angle Striped Sallow Enargia paleacea | 7-9 |
| Antler Moth Cerapteryx graminis | 7 & 8 |
| August Thorn Ennomos quercinaria | 8&9 |
| Autumnal Moth Epirrita autumnata | 10& 11 |
| Autumal Rustic Paradiarsia glareosa | 8&9 |
| Autumn Green Carpet Chloroclysta miata | 9 & 10/hib/3 & 4 |
| Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria | 6-8 |
| Barred Rivulet Perizoma bifasciata | 7&8 |
| Barred Sallow Xanthia aurago | 9 & 10 |
| Barred Umber Plagodis pulveraria | 5 & 6 |
| Beautiful Brocade Lacanobia contigua | 6&7 |
| Beautiful Carpet Mesoleuca albicillata | 6&7 |
| Beautiful Hook-tip Laspeyria flexula | 6-8 |
| Bird’s wing Dypterygia scabriuscula | 6 & 7 |
| Black Arches Lymantria monacha | 7 & 8 |
| Blackneck Lygephila pastinum | 6 & 7 |
| Blossom Underwing Orthosia miniosa | 3 & 4 |
| Blotched Emerald Comibaena bajularia | 6&7 |
| Blue-bordered Carpet Plemyria rubiginata | 6-8 |
| Bordered Beauty Epione repandaria | 7 & 8 |
| Bordered White Bupalus piniaria | 5 & 6 |
| Brindled Green Dryobotodes eremita | 9 |
| Brindled White-spot Paradarisa extersaria | 5 & 6 |
| Broad-barred White Hecatera bicolorata | 6-s |
| Broken-barred Carpet Electrophaes corylata | 5 & 6 |
| Broom Moth Ceramica pisi | 5-7 |
| Broom-tip Chesias rufata | 4-6 |
| Brown Scallop Philereme vetulata | 7 |
| Brown Silver-lines Petrophora chlorosata | 5 & 6 |
| Bulrush Moth Nonagria typhae | 7-9 |
| Campion Hadena rivularis | 5 7 6/8 |
| Chamomile Shark Cucullia chamomillae | 4-6 |
| Chevron Eulithis testata | 7 & 7 |
| Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula | 4 & 5/8 |
| Clouded Brindle Apamea epomidion | 6&7 |
| Common Heath Ematurga atomaria | 5 & 6/occ 8 |
| Common Lutestring Ochropacha duplaris | 6-8 |
| Cream Wave Scopula floslactata | 5 & 6 |
| Currant Pug Eupithecia assimilata | 5 7 6/8 |
| Dark Dagger Acronicta tridens | 6&7 |
| Dark Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta citrata | 7 & 8 |
| Dark Sword Grass Agrotis ipsilon | 4-10 (migrant) |
| Dark Umber Philereme transversata | 7 |
| Deep-brown Dart Aporophyla lutulenta | 9 & 10 |
| Dingy Footinan Eilema griseola | 7 & 8 |
| Dingy Shears Parastichtis ypsillon | 6-8 |
| Dingy Shell Euchoeca nebulata | 6&7 |
| Dotted Clay Xestia baja | 7&8 |
| Double Dart Graphiphora augur | 6&7 |
| Double Lobed Apamea ophiogramma | 6-8 |
| Drab Looper Minoa murinata | 5 & 6/oec. 8 (day flying) |
| Dusky Brocade Apamea remissa | 6&7 |
| Dusky Sallow Eremobia ochroleuca | 7 & 8 |
| Dwarf Cream Wave Idaea interjectaria | 6 & 7 |
| Dwarf Pug Eupithecia tantillaria | 5 & 6 |
| Early Tooth-striped Trichopteryx carpinata | 4&5 |
| Ear Moth Amphipoea oculea | 7-9 |
| Eyed Hawk Moth Smerinthus ocellata | 5-7 |
| Feathered Gothic Tholera cespitis | 8 & 9 |
| Fem Horisme tersata | 6-8 |
| Flounced Chestnut Agrochola helvola | 9 & 10 |
| Four-dotted Footman Cybosia mesomella | 6-8 |
| Frosted Green Polyploca ridens | 4 & 5 |
| Garden Dart Euxoa nigricans | 7 & 8 |
| Ghost Swift Hepialus humuli | 6&7 |
| Golden Plusia Polychrysia moneta | 6-8 |
| Gold Swift Hepialus hecta | 6&7 |
| Gothic Naenia typica | 6&7 |
| Grass Emerald Pseudoterpna pruinata | 6-8 |
| Grass Rivulet Perizoma albulata | 5-7 |
| Great Prominent Peridea anceps | 4-6 |
| Green Arches Anaplectoides prasina | 6&7 |
| Green Silver-lines Pseudoips fagana | 6&7 |
| Grey Arches Polia nebulosa | 6 & 7 |
| Grey Birch Aethalura punctulata | 5 & 6 |
| Grey Chi Antitype chi | 8&9 |
| Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata | 5-7/9 & 10 |
| Grey Shoulder-knot Lithophane ornitopus | 9 & 10/hib/3 & 4 |
| Heart and Club Agrotis clavis | 6&7 |
| Hedge Rustic Tholera cespitis | 8&9 |
| Humming-bird Hawk Macroglossum stellatarum | 5-9 (migrant) |
| July Belle Scotopteryx luridata | 6-8 |
| Juniper Carpet Thera juniperata | 10& 11 |
| Juniper Pug Eupithecia pusillata | 7-9 |
| Lackey Malacosoma neustria | 7&8 |
| Larch Pug Eupithecia lariciata | 5 & 6 |
| Large Emerald Geometra papilionaria | 6-8 |
| Large Nutmeg Apamea anceps | 6&7 |
| Large Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe quadrifasciata | 6 & 7 |
| Latticed Heath Semiothisa clathrata | 5 & 6/7 & 8 (DAY FLYING) |
| Lead-coloured Drab Orthosia populeti | 3 & 4 |
| Least Yellow Underwing Noctua interjecta | 7&8 |
| Leopard Moth Zeuzera pyrina | 6-8 |
| Lesser Treble Bar Aplocera efformata | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Lilac Beauty Apeira syringaria | 6&7 |
| Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi | 5-7 |
| Lunar-spotted Pinion Cosmia pyralina | 7 & 8 |
| Lunar Thorn Selenia lunularia | 5 & 6 |
| Mallow Larentia clavaria | 9 & 10 |
| Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata | 7 & 8 |
| Marbled Brown Drymonia dodonea | 5 & 6 |
| May Highflyer Hydriomena iinpluviata | 5 & 6 |
| Merveille-du-jour Dichonia aprilina | 9 & 10 |
| Miller Moth Acronicta leporina | 6-8 |
| Minor Shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis | 7&8 |
| Mother Shipton Callistege mi | 5 & 6 (DAY FLYING) |
| Mottled Grey Colostygia multistrigaria | 3 & 4 |
| Narrow-bordered Five Spot Burnet Zygaena lonicerae | 6 & 7 (DAY FLYING) |
| Narrow-winged Pug Eupithecia nanata | 4-6/8 |
| Northern Spinach Eulithis populata | 7&8 |
| Northern Winter Moth Operophtera fagata | 10-12 |
| Nutmeg Dicestra trifolii | 5 & 6/8 |
| Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli | 5 & 617-9 |
| Oak Eggar Lasiocampa quercus | 7&8 |
| Oak Lutestring Cymatophorima diluta | 8&9 |
| Oak Nycteoline Nycteola revayana | 9 & 10/hib/3-5 |
| Oak-tree Pug Eupithecia dodoneata | 4&5 |
| Old Lady Mormo maura | 7&8 |
| Olive Ipimorpha subtusa | 7-9 |
| Orange Sallow Xanthia citrago | 8&9 |
| Orange Underwing Archieris parthenias | 3 & 4 (DAY FLYING) |
| Pale November Moth Epirrita christyi | 10& 11 |
| Pale Eggar Trichiura crataegi | 8&9 |
| Pale Pinion Lithophane hepatica | 10/hib/3-5 |
| Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia | 9 & 10 (migrant) |
| Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria | 5 & 6/8 |
| Phoenix Eulithis prunata | 7&8 |
| Pine Beauty Panolis flammea | 3-5 |
| Pinion-streaked Snout Schrankia costaestrigalis | 6-8 |
| Plain Pug Eupithecia simpliciata | 6-8 |
| Poplar Kitten Furcula bifida | 5-7 |
| Poplar Lutestring Tethea or | 5-7 |
| Pretty Chalk Carpet Melanthia procellata | 6-8 |
| Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata | 9 & 10/hib/4 & 5 |
| Rosy Minor Mesoligia literosa | 6-8 |
| Round-winged Muslin Thumata senex | 7&8 |
| Rufous Minor Oligia versicolor | 6&7 |
| Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula | 5 & 6/8 |
| Scalloped Hook-tip Drepana lacertinaria | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Scallop Shell Rheumaptera undulata | 6&7 |
| Scarce Silver-lines Bena prasinana | 6-8 |
| Scarce Tissue Rheumaptera cervinalis | 4-6 |
| Scarce Umber Agriopis aurantiaria | 10 & 11 |
| Scorched Carpet Ligdia adustata | 5 & 6/8 |
| Seraphim Lobophora halterata | 5 & 6 |
| Shears Hada nana | 5-7 |
| Six Spot Burnet Zygaena filipenduiae | 6 & 7 (DAY FLYING) |
| Six-striped Rustic Xestia sexstrigata | 7 & 8 |
| Slender Brindle Apamea scolopacina | 6-8 |
| Slender Pug Eupethicia tenuiata | 6&7 |
| Small Brindled Beauty Apocheima hispidaria | 2 & 3 |
| Small Clouded Brindle Apamea unanimis | 6&7 |
| Small Dotted buff Photedes minima | 6-8 |
| Small Elephant Hawk Deilephila porcellus | 5-7 |
| Small Emerald Hemistola chrysoprasaria | 6-8 |
| Small Engrailed Ectropis crepuscularia | 5 & 6 |
| Small Scallop Idaea emarginata | 6-8 |
| Small Wainscot Photedes pygmina | 8&9 |
| Small Waved Umber Horisme vitalbata | 5 & 6/8 |
| Small White Wave Asthena albulata | 5-7 |
| Small Yellow Underwing Panemeria tenebrata | 5 & 6 (DAY FLYING) |
| Small Yellow Wave Hydrelia flammeolaria | 6&7 |
| Speckled Yellow Pseudopanthera maculata | 5 & 6 (DAY FLYING) |
| Spring Usher Agriopis leucophaearia | 2 & 3 |
| Straw Dot Rivula sericialis | 6-8 |
| Streak Chesias legatella | 9 & 10 |
| Tissue Triphosia dubitata | 8 & 9/hib/4 & 5 |
| Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata | 7&8 |
| Triple-spotted Clay Xestia ditrapezium | 6-8 |
| Triple-spotted Pug Eupithecia trisignaria | 6&7 |
| True Lover’s Knot Lycophotia porphyria | 6-8 |
| Twin-spot Carpet Perizoma didyma | 6-8 |
| V-Pug Chloroclystis v-ata | 5 & 6/7 & 8 |
| Varied Coronet Hadena compla | 6&7 |
| Waved Black Parascotia fuliginaria | 6&7 |
| Whiteline Dart Euxoa tritici | 7&8 |
| White-marked Cerastis leucographa | 3 & 4 |
| White-pinion Spotted Lomographa bimaculata | 5 & 6 |
| White-spotted Pug Eupithecia tripunctaria | 5-7 |
| Yellow Horned Achyla flavicomis | 3&4 |
Group C: Rare and infrequently recorded, and very localised species.
| Alder Kitten Furcula bicuspis | four recent sites. ? Becoming more uncommon. |
| Annulet Gnophos obscuratus | Malverns and Kidderminster Heaths only. |
| Archers Dart Agrotis vestigialis | Hartlebury Common. |
| Argent and Sable Rheumaptera hastata | Wyre Forest. DAY FLYING in May. Likes small Birch. and may now be extinct. Any recent records in Wyre |
| Ash Pug Eupithecia fraxinata | confirmed record North Malvern in 1970’s and a few other unconfirmed records. Photo or voucher required. |
| Barred Chestnut Diarsia dahlii | Wyre Forest and a few other unconfirmed records in north of county.(Could be confused with Square-spot Rustic). |
| Barred Hook-tip Drepana cultraria | five sites |
| Barred Tooth-striped Trichopteryx polycommata | last record 1979. Now rare nationally. Sits on Wild Privet bushes after dark in March and April. |
| Beautiful Snout Hypena crassalis | two sites in north of county. |
| Beautiful Yellow Underwing Anarta myrtillii | Kidderininster Heaths and on Lickey hills. |
| Bedstraw Hawk Moth Hyles gallii | migrant |
| Bilberry Pug Chloroclystis debiliata | Wyre Forest only. |
| Birch Mocha Cyclophora albipunctata | four recent sites. |
| Blomer’s Rivulet Discoloxia blomeri | Only recent records from Crews Hill and North Malvern. |
| Bordered Sallow Pyrrhia umbra | last record 1978. ? Migrant or transient resident in county only. |
| Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera | migrant |
| Brown-veined Wainscot Nonagria dissoluta | Upton Warren reedbed only. |
| Buff Footman Eilema deplana | only recent record Blakeshall Common 1995. |
| Burnet Companion Euclidia glyphica | DAY FLYING. Only four recent sites. |
| Butterbur Hydraecia petasitis | recorded at Knapp 1966. not rediscovered there again although habitat and food plant still look right for it. |
| Buttoned Snout Hypena rostralis | ?extinct in county |
| Campanula Pug Eupithecia denotata | very local in west of county |
| Chimney Sweeper Odezia atrata | confined to Pignut-containing meadows in the north of the county. |
| Clay Triple-lines Cyclophora linearia | three recent records. Feeds on Beech. Can easily be confused with Maiden’s Blush. Photo or voucher please. |
| Cloaked Carpet Euphyia biangulata | only recent record Wyre Forest 1984. |
| Clouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata | three recent records only. |
| Common Fan-foot Pechipogo strigilata | confined to Wyre Forest. |
| Confused Apamea furva | on Malvern Hills. |
| Convolvulus Hawk Moth Agrius convolvuli | migrant |
| Coronet Craniophora ligustri | Pershore 1976 is only recent record. |
| Crescent Celaena leucostigma | only two recent records. |
| Currant Clearwing Synanthedon tipuliformis | DAY FLYING |
| Dark Spectacle Abrostola trigeminai | Formerly widespread but has suffered sharp decline in past 20 years for no obvious reason. Last record Moseley 1984. |
| Dark Spinach Pelurga comitata | five records only. Easily confused with other ‘Spinachs’ and Barred Straw. Photo or voucher please. |
| Death’s-head Hawk Moth Acherontia atropos | rare migrant |
| Delicate Mythimna vitellina | migrant |
| Dog’s Tooth Lacanobia suasa | ?migrant or rare resident |
| Dotted Border Wave Idaea sylvestraria | Hartlebury Common only. |
| Dotted Rustic Rhyacia | simulans 15 records 1980-89 but since then it has disappeared again! This historically is typical for this species. ?Only transient resident in county. |
| Dusky-lemon Sallow Xanthia gilvago | rare since Elm disease struck in early 1970’s |
| Emperor Moth Pavonia pavonia | a few records only away from Kiddenninster Heaths. |
| False Mocha Cyclophora porata | declining species of oak coppice. Last record 1974. Photo or voucher please. |
| Festoon Apoda limacodes | last record 1974 Trench Wood. ?Still present there. |
| Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra | migrant |
| Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi | locally common on Kidderminster Heaths only. |
| Gem Orthonama obstipata | migrant |
| Gold Spangle Autographa bractea | ?migrant or transient resident. Last 1992. |
| Gold Spot Plusia festucae | only four recent records |
| Grass Wave Perconia strigillaria | Devil’s Spittleful and Hartlebury Common only. |
| Great Brocade Eurois occulta | migrant |
| Great Oak Beauty Boarmia roborariai | confined to a few ancient oak woods in north of county only. Not found away from oak woodland. I think some recorders are confused by an illustration in Bernard Skinner’s book which shows this species having a pale area on the underside of the apex of the forewing. This is true and is to separate it from the Pale Oak Beauty. However the common Willow Beauty also has a pale area under the apex of forewing |
| Heath Rustic Xestia agathina | Hartlebury Common and Devil’s Spittlefull. |
| Homet Moth Sesia apiformis | DAY FLYING. Larvae in poplars in Worcester City |
| Lappet Gastropacha quercifolia | five recent records only. |
| Large Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon culiciformis | now confined to Wyre forest. |
| Large Wainscot Rhizedra lutosa | three records |
| Lead Belle Scotopteryx mucronata | four sites. Easily confused with July Belle |
| Lead-coloured Pug Eupithecia plumbeolata | larvae found in three old woodlands. |
| Lesser Cream Wave Scopula immutata | supposedly recorded from six sites but I suspect most records are misidentifications. Probably only two good records. Found in damp sites often with Meadowsweet. Easily confused with other “waves”. Photo or voucher please. |
| Lesser-spotted Pinion Cosmia affinisi | Rare since elm disease. Four recent records |
| Light Brocade Lacanobia w-latinum | ?Migrant or transient resident. Last 1992. |
| Light Orange Underwing Archearis notha | four sites on aspen. DAY FLYING. |
| Ling Pug Eupithecia goosensiata | Hartlebury Common. ?Just an ecological form of Wormwood Pug. |
| Lunar Homet Moth Sesia bembeciformis | larvae local in big Goat Sallows in five old woodland areas. DAY FLYING. |
| Map-winged Swift Hepialus fusconebulosa | very local in north of county. |
| Marbled Coronet Hadena confusa | one record 1966 |
| Marbled White Spot Protodeltote pygarga | very local in woodland |
| Mere Wainscot Photedes fluxa | Trench Wood only. |
| Mocha Cyclophora annulata | Tiddesley and Trench Woods only. |
| Muslin Footman Nudaria mundana | Bredon Hill |
| Neglected Rustic Xestia castanea | Hartlebury Common and Wyre Forest only. |
| Netted Pug Eupithecia venosata | Bredon Hill and Malvern Wells. |
| Ni Moth Plusia ni | migrant |
| Northern Drab Orthosia opima | only recent record near Redditch. |
| Oblique Carpet Orthonama vittata | two records only. Uncommon resident. |
| Obscure Wainscot Mythimna obsoleta | Upton Warren and Feckenhan Wylde Moor.. |
| Ochreous Pug Eupithecia indigata | six sites. |
| Orange-tailed Clearwing Synanthedon andrenaeformis | DAY FLYING |
| Orange Upperwing Jodis croceago | Wyre Forest on coppice Oak. ?now extinct |
| Pale Oak Beauty Serraca punctinalisi | Wyre Forest. two records. |
| Pale Shining Brown Polia bombycina | calcareous grassland species |
| Peacock Moth Semiothisa notata | one record only |
| Pimpinel Pug Eupithecia pimpinellata | declining species of open grassland |
| Pine Carpet Thera firmata | three recent records. |
| Pine Hawk Moth Hyloicus pinastri | one ?vagrant |
| Pinion-spotted Pug Eupithecia insigniata | three recent records. |
| Plain Wave Idaea straminata | very local in north of county and on Malverns. Easily confused with Riband Wave. Photo or voucher please. |
| Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon myopaeformis | DAY FLYING |
| Reddish Light Arches Apamea sublustris | only record Bredon Hill 1996. |
| Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis | one recent record at Newland 1984 |
| Red Sword grass Xylena vetusta | onr recent record 1984 at Malvern Wells. |
| Rosy Footrnan Miltochrista miniata | in Monk Wood |
| Rosy Marbled Elaphria venustula | one record at Bransford 1987 |
| Ruddy Carpet Catarhoe rubidata | only recent records are three at Bransford 1996-8 and Windmill Hill and Pershore 1978. |
| Satin Beauty Deileptenia ribeata | three records only. Probably under recorded and unrecognised. Often associated with conifers. |
| Satin Lutestring Tetheella fluctuosa | confined to Wyre Forest. |
| Satyr Pug Eupithecia satyrata | two sites for downland form on calcareous grassland. |
| Scarce Bordered Straw Heliothis armigera | migrant |
| Scarlet Tiger Callimorpha dominula | Malvern Wells 1994-5 |
| Shaded Pug Eupithecia subumbrata | only site is Windmill Hill. |
| Sharp Angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata | four records. Uncommon resident. |
| Silky Wainscot Chilodes maritima | Upton Warren reedbed only. |
| Silvery Arches Polia hepatica | Wyre Forest |
| Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia scopigera | DAY FLYING |
| Sloe Pug Chloroclystis chloerata | four sites. Larvae can be beaten from sloe blossom in April. |
| Small Autumnal Moth Epirrita filigrammaria | one at West Malvern 1989 |
| Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua | migrant |
| Small Purple-barred Phytometra viridaria | four sites on heathland and calcareous grassland. DAY FLYING. |
| Small Seraphim Pteraphapteryx sexalata | Monk Wood and Trench Wood only. |
| Southern Wainscot Mythimna straminea | in reedbeds |
| Spinach Eulithis mellinata | recent sharp decline and only four recent records. Easily confused with other ‘spinachs’ and Barred Straw. Photo or voucher please. |
| Square Spot Paradarisa consonaria | only record from Fred Fincher at Randan Wood 1975. ?Overlooked. Out in May. |
| Square-spot Dart Euxoa obelisca | Malverns only. |
| Stout dart Spaelotis ravida | three records. Not since 1974. |
| Suspected Parastichtis suspecta | five sites in north of county |
| Tawny Pinion Lithophane semibrunnea | three recent records only. |
| Tawny Shears Hadena perplexa | Bredon Hill only. |
| Twin-spotted Wainscot Archanara geminipunctata | five sites in reedbeds. |
| V-Moth Semiothisa wauaria | only two recent records. Has become rare. |
| Vestal Rhodometra sacraria | migrant |
| White-barred Clearwing Synanthedon spheciformis | Larvae in wood of Birch and Alder. DAY FLYING. Wyre Forest and Wilden Marsh only. |
| White Satin Moth Leucoma salicis | A scatter of records from 1983-87 |
| White-spotted Pinion Cosmia diffinis | last record 1974. Possibly now extinct after decline following elm disease and loss of big elms. |
| Wood Carpet Epirrhoe rivata | three records only. Easily confused with Common Carpet. Photo or voucher please. |
| Wormwood Cucullia absinthii | four sites on ‘waste’ ground and river banks where foodplant occurs. |
| Yellow-legged Clearwing Synanthedon vespifomis | six sites. Larvae most easily found in oak stumps 2-3 years after felling. DAY FLYING. |
GROUP D Extinct species. Last record
| Bleached Pug Eupithecia expallidata | Wyre Forest 1911 |
| Bordered Gothic Heliophobus reticulata | Woodforde 1902 |
| Broad-bordered Bee Hawk Hemaris fuciformis | Trench Wood 1946 |
| Brussel’s Lace Cleorodes lichenaria | Knightwick 1955-61 |
| Chalk Carpet Scotopteryx bipunctaria | Bredon Hill 1903 |
| Cistus Forester Adscita geryon | West Malvern 1902 |
| Clouded Buff Diacrisia sannio | Hartlebury Common 1900 |
| Cream-spot Tiger Arctica villica | Rous Lench 1901 |
| Dark Tussock Dicallomera fascelina | Trench Wood 1834. |
| Dotted Chestnut Conistra rubiginea | Nunnery Wood 1874 |
| Double Kidney Ipimorpha retusa | Grimley 1909 |
| Five-spot Burnet Zygaena trifolii palustrella | DAY FLYING. Croft Bank 1957. All ‘Five’ spot Burnets in county now are Z. lonicerae (Narrow Bordered Five spot Burnet) Only the.downland sub-species occurred in county |
| Forester Adscita statices | Randan Wood 1948 |
| Four Spotted Tyta luctuosa | Bredon Hill area 1906. |
| Goat Moth Cossus cossus | Knightwick 1955-61 |
| Kentish Glory Endromis versicolora | Wyre Forest 1972. |
| Lace Border Scopula ornata | Bredon Hill 1896. |
| Large Ranunculus Polymixis flavicincta | Knightwick 1955-61 |
| Light Feathered Rustic Agrotis cinerea | Wyre Forest 1899 |
| Lunar Yellow Underwing Noctua orbona | Malvern 1900 |
| Marsh Dagger Acronicta strigosa | Castlemorton Common 1900 |
| Marsh Oblique-barred Hypenodes humidalis | Hartlebury Common 1916 |
| Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Hemaris tityus | Wyre Forest 1936 |
| Orange Footman Eilema sororcula | Tiddesley Wood 1902 |
| Portland Moth Ochropleura praecox | Hartlebury Common 1908 |
| Privet Hawk Moth Sphinx ligustri | Knightwick 1955-61 |
| Red-tipped Clearwing Synanthedon formicaeformis | Crown East 1877 |
| Scarce Vapourer Orgyia recens | Wyre Forest 1929 |
| Small Argent and Sable Epirrhoe tristata | Wyre Forest 1902 |
| Small Chocolate-lip Clostera pigra | Monk Wood 1853-70 |
| Small Grass Emerald Chlorissa viridata | Broadheath Common 1877 |
| Small Eggar Eriogaster lanestris Holt | 1896 |
| Sword Grass Xylena exsoleta | Bewdley 1932 |
| Sycamore Acronicta aceris | Wyre Forest 1898. ?Bromsgrove 1980 |
| Wood Tiger Parasemia plantaginis | Bredon Hill 1897 |
| Yellow Belle Aspitates ochrearia | Hartlebury Common 1901 |
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 24
LEAF MINING LEPIDOPTERA
Tony Simpson
These notes were circulated at the Annual BRC Meeting . Prospective searchers for leaf mines should find them useful.
If you find leaves with mines Dr Simpson would be pleased to identify them and you may post them to him at Sycamores, Old Rectory Gardens, Leigh, Worcs., WR6 5DL. Please note date of finding and exact place found – preferably grid reference – and identity of plant if possible.
Many leaf mines are made by moths whose small larvae feed actually within the substance of a leaf. As they feed and grow they leave a ‘mine’ in the form of a blotch or track which is often characteristic of the species involved. The nature of the mine and identity of the foodplant, and sometimes the colour or form of the larva, usually enable the species to be identified. About 160 species of leaf mining moths occur in Worcestershire and a large number of other microlepidoptera start life in their early instars by mining before feeding externally as they grow larger. Species of flies, beetles, and sawflies also feed in leaf mines. In April and early May mines of a primitive family of moths, the Eriocraniidae, occur commonly in leaves of Birch, Oak, and Hazel. The frass ( faeces ) is in the form of long narrow threads, which enables them to be distinguished from sawfly larvae which also occur in leaves of Birch and Oak. There are a few leaf miners in a large number of other families but the two largest families of leaf miners are the Nepticulidae, which are tiny metallic moths whose larvae make tracks and blotches in many trees and shrubs and some herbaceous plants, and the Lithocolletinae, whose larvae make inflated mines in the leaves of many trees, pupating within their mine.
One of these, Phyllonoryter leucographella is a recent colonist. It was first noticed feeding in garden Pyracantha in Essex in 1989 and reached Worcs. in 1996. I would be pleased to have any records from around the county although I expect it to be widespread by now.
Another family called the Coleophoridae have larvae which live in cases made of pieces of the foodplant or from silk, which they transport about like case-bearing caddis larvae, then attach it to the leaf and use it as a protective retreat as they mine into the substance of the leaf, leaving characteristic blotches with a small hole on the underside of the leaf. About 40 leaf miners of this family occur in the county.
The best way to get into leaf miners is to buy ‘A Field Guide to the Smaller Lepidoptera’ by A.M.Emmet, or Vols 1-3 of ‘Moths of Great Britain and Ireland’ if you can afford them.
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 6
THE MILLENIUM BUTTERFLY ATLAS
By Richard Southwell
Worcestershire are County Champions?
Richard Southwell has acted as stimulator and organiser for Butterfly Conservation’s Millennium Atlas Project in the West Midlands His activities have inspired many people to record butterflies. We need one last great effort for Worcestershire to be the country champions!
The high reputation Worcestershire has for ecological awareness was in tatters after the first two seasons of the five year National Millennium Atlas butterfly recording project. Relegation threatened. However, since ’96, there has been a transformation. Well over 50% of Butterfly Conservation’s 87 Worcester members are now active recorders – if only we had greater numbers! Our efforts were then complemented by a good number of the Wildlife Trust’s Reserve Wardens in ’97 to be followed in ’98 by some of the County Trust’s leaders. At the tiine of writing I am still awaiting records from the Hindlip tetrad and no one has mentioned the existence of Hairstreaks at adjoining Lower Smite Farm – the WWT’s headquarters! It is worth stating the initial inspiration for all this activity came from Patrick Taylor’s Redditch recording group (see Worcestershire Record No 3, 1997) – brilliant stuff and many thanks Patrick.
Looking at the tetrad analysis it’s amazing what can be achieved when the human species puts its mind to it. Worcester is now amongst the leaders in the Premier Division of recording alongside Cheshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and Warwickshire. Can we win the league at the last gasp by becoming the best recorded county? Of course we can!
To win we need your help NOW, in 1999, the last recording season.
Please consider recording in a couple of tetrads close to home or some other haunt you regularly visit, particularly if the species count is showing under 10 in the adjoining map. Well-covered tetrads (as in the Trench Wood area) showing over 20 species don’t need any further data – do please consider the workload on our hard pressed data inputters. If you have a keen eye a tetrad only needs four visits spaced out during the flight period between April and July. The target is 15 species per tetrad,which is possible where the habitat is varied, but most unlikely where large-scale intensive agriculture is dominant.
Our membership, and records to date, are thinly spread west of Abberley and also in both SE and SW Worcestershire: we need all the records we can get from those areas.
Target species
A second initiative focusing on the recording of four historically common species that require particular habitats should also raise the awareness of conservation needs. Joe Public seems to generally believe there is nothing they can do individually to help biodiversity. Not true – if you look for the following species within one mile of your front door I guarantee you will become aware of previously unknown habitat that then needs sympathetic management. I hope you will also become sufficiently motivated to encourage the landowner, whether it be farmer, property developer, industrialist or local council to protect this forgotten corner of land. Most times they are not aware of its existence and importance and appreciate people taking an interest. Some of our most active members are farmers, and yes,if you were wondering, they run profitable businesses. Also Butterfly Consevation’s main sponsors include Land Rover, ICI and BP.
The four special species are :
Brimstone
On wing in APRIL, often earlier in mild weather (February and March this year!). Needs healthy hedgerows that include Buckthorn for the larvae.
Orange Tip
Flying in MAY. Another spring hedgerow species that thrives on the vital four-foot margin of land either side of hedges which should not be ploughed, sprayed or fertilised. Therefore fine grasses, herbs and wild flowers should be in abundance, but how often do you see such sights by the sides of fields or roadsides? Foodplants for the caterpillar are either Cuckoo Flower Cardamine pratensis (also called Lady’s Smock ) or Jack-by-the-hedge Alliaria petiolata (also called Garlic Mustard). The eggs are bright orange and can be identified quite easily. If two or more eggs are laid on the same flower head one caterpillar eats the others as a flower will provide for one alone.
Small Heath
Flying in MAY. Found anywhere where fine-leaved grasses exist. Such habitat is becoming increasingly rare, and now what was once a common butterfly is now a rarity. It is therefore vital we have six figure grid references for this colonial butterfly’s remaining sites. If you have the chance, do encourage landowners away from the increasing habit for excessive tidyness. I bet Eddy Grundy had Small Heath on his farm!
Common Blue
Flying in JUNE.. Its caterpillars eat Bird’s-foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus so this colonial butterfly should be found where this plant is abundant. Typical sites are quarries, wasteland and unfertilised, close-cropped grassland. The Common Blue is now no longer common and again we need six figure grid references. Don’t confuse it with the Holly Blue which is more inclined to fly high above the ground and is often seen close to holly and ivy.
Butterflies are prime indicators of the health and condition of the countryside as suggested by the requirements of the four target species. If butterflies are living and breeding, the land will almost certainly be environmentally sound. However, they are highly sensitive to changes which are unsuitable or hostile to their life cycle needs. The loss of colonies or a reduction in their numbers is usually a reflection of urban, industrial or agricultural pressures. With a bit of forethought butterflies continued existence within this pressurised world we all live in, is quite possible and I for one am continually surprised and gladdened by landowner’s interest and positive reactions to our suggestions, especially when they realise we are not a bunch of head-in-the-clouds idealists. Possessing nature reserves is all well and good but in the long run they have a patchy track record at conserving species effectively unless wildlife corridors exist that connect the reserves to each other. This is why recording at unattractive or unpromising locations is necessary – we really do need 100% area coverage of Worcestershire.
I hope the reader now appreciates why the Millennium Atlas is so important and how we can all have a practical and useful role to play in promoting biodiversity. Butterflies are perhaps one of the most easy and practical ways of starting out on this voyage of discovery. They are mainly attractive, usually easy to spot and only fly when the sun is out. My tip is to take a pocket sized identification book when on a walk plus have a stock of hand sized cardboard scribble pads in the car – I make mine from the backs of comflake packets. Butterflies are a vital cog in the balance of nature as a major food source for birds, andthey also act as a host to regulating parasites, but to conserve the range of local species we need to preserve a reasonable amount of the various habitat regimes. It is my hope that by recording you will appreciate the conservation issues, relay the message to decision-makers and maybe develop your interest in other flora and fauna. In my case I was given Mike Averill’s book on Worcester Dragonflies as a Christmas present!
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 19
BOMBUS RUDERATUS IN WORCESTERSHIRE?
Geoff Trevis
Last year, in August, I visited Monk Wood with a friend from Finland who was interested in seeing the White Admiral butterflies. Whilst walking along the main ride where it is wide with sunlit flower-rich verges my attention was drawn to a large bee which was new to me. Not having my identification guide nor my camera with me I had no option but to memorise its features and refer to the book when I got home – a dangerous procedure with my rapidly fading memory cells. It was clearly a bumble bee. It was almost totally black with just a hint of lighter colour at the tip of the abdomen. I had little hesitation in identifying it as the dark form of Bombus ruderatus as I could find nothing else of comparable colour.
The rude awakening came at the BRC Annual Meeting in March when Bronwen Bruce gave her talk on bumble bees. It appeared from the distribution maps that B. ruderatus is a rare bee confined to the east of England. The bumble bees are, unfortunately, very variable and I now feel it more than probable that what I had seen was a melanistic form of a more common species such as B. hortorum. However, the possibility remains that it was indeed B. ruderatus so if anybody walking in Monk Wood notices this dark bee I would be most interested to hear about it. I will be trying to make a few visits myself in the hope of being able to photograph it as the re-discovery of this species in the west would be significant indeed.
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 19
THE MARBLED WHITE MELANARGIA GALATHEA IN 1998
Geoff Trevis
I had a good and interesting response to my brief article about the apparent demise of the colony of Marbled Whites at Briar Hill Coppice, possibly due to the unusual weather conditions in late spring. Several interesting points have emerged. Reports from the Droitwich area show that of several known colonies the most numerous were down in numbers and the more marginal ones had disappeared. I am told that this instability of marginal colonies is a feature of the Marbled White, and for other species as well I expect, but that the return of favourable conditions results in a rapid build-up, frequently with re-colonisation of the marginal sites. I hope this will be the case at Briar Hill. Peter Darch, who records for Butterfly Conservation in the Droitwich area, noted that whilst the Briar Hill colony was extinct a larger colony remained in a privately owned field immediately to the south of Briar Hill and the Community Woodland.
Other recorders noted reduced numbers at normally favoured sites but, surprisingly, individual butterflies seem to have moved further a field and have been noted in several places for the first time. This accords with my own experience, having recorded Marbled White for the first time in 12 years of recording on the grass verges round the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch.
Perhaps the most telling anecdote came from Ray Bishop. During a visit to Old Hills on a wet June day he saw large numbers of newly emerged butterflies totally rain soaked and unable to fly. As the season progressed the number of adults on the wing was reduced to perhaps a tenth of what it had been in 1997.
It appears that 1998 was indeed a very bad year for the species, perhaps due more to rain than cold, but there is hope of recovery if the dreadful weather is not repeated in 1999.
My thanks to Ray Bishop, Peter Darch, John Partridge and Digby Wood for passing on details of their observations.
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 18
MIGRANT BIRD RECORDING AT BROADWAY GRAVEL PIT
Mark E Turner
I have been recording birds at Broadway Gravel Pit Nature Reserve since 1988 with a handful of records from 1987. Up to 31st January 1999 I have 1393 observations logged comprising 90 species. Long term recording on a single site such as this reveals patterns of migration and changes in population.
Come Spring, the arrival on site of certain species is so predictable that they can be expected during a particular week of the month.
Members of the warbler family are a good example and they always appear in a particular order. The order runs:
| CHIFFCHAFF | 2nd/3rd week of March |
| BLACKCAP | 1st/2nd or 3rd week of April with occasional March records. |
| WILLOW WARBLER | 2nd or 3rd week of April |
| GARDEN WARBLER | 1st/2nd or 3rd week of May, occasional April records. |
| WHITETHROAT | 2nd/3rd week of May, occasional April records. |
| LESSER WHITETHROAT | 2nd week of May, though some years may be absent altogether. |
| SPOTTED FLYCATCHER | 2nd/3rd week of May, annual occurrences can be sporadic. |
| TURTLE DOVE | 2nd/3rd week of May, has arrived on 19th May for three years and 21st/22nd May of four years. |
| COOTS | return to set up territory 2nd/3rd week of January. |
Quite often my figures reflect national trends; it’s a fascinating subject to follow.
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 16
COMMON BUZZARDS IN WORCESTERSHIRE
Richard Harbird, Worcestershire County Bird Recorder, West Midland Bird Club (WMBC)
Introduction
“Scarce and very local as a breeding species passage migrant or winter visitor”. Just 20 years ago, that assessment of the Common Buzzard population in the WMBC region as a whole given in The Birds of the West Midlands portrayed a situation which indicated that the species was struggling to maintain a foothold in the region. The estimate made was just five breeding pairs in the whole of Staffordshire and Worcestershire.
Against that background the current situation in West Midlands had improved by the late 1990’s to such an extent that they are commonly seen throughout much of Worcestershire, Staffordshire, and even Warwickshire. It was decided to conduct a survey during 1997 and 1998 to try to discover the current distribution of the Common Buzzard in Worcestershire.
This paper aims to show the results of the fieldwork, and to discuss the possible reasons for the turnaround in the species’ fortunes.
History
The Common Buzzard probably occurred over much of the region until the nineteenth century, as it did over the rest of Britain. Subsequently, there seems to have been a dramatic decline, and after 1840 no pairs are recorded as having bred in the county until 1944 when a single pair returned.
The first proper survey of an increasing Common Buzzard population came in 1954. This revealed 13 breeding pairs in the county, plus single pairs in Staffordshire and Warwickshire. The Worcestershire birds were largely confined to the west of the county, and particularly the Teme Valley. The date of the survey proved significant as it just pre-dated a serious outbreak of myxomatosis which decimated the Rabbit population. The situation was worsened by the effects of organochlorine poisoning which were prevalent at the time. The result was a drop in the Common Buzzard population to no more than four pairs by 1958.
Between 1966 and 1968 the WMBC Atlas project revealed just one 10km square containing breeding Common Buzzards, although by 1972 fieldwork for the national Atlas project had doubled that.
There was a clear improvement by the second national Atlas, 1988 to 1991 with as many as 10 10km squares containing breeding Common Buzzards. It seems likely that the situation had already improved beyond the 1954 position.
An interesting comparison can be made between the figures for the number of breeding season reports of Buzzards reported to the county recorder in Worcestershire from 1984 to 1986 compared to those reported from 1994 to 1996.
Table 1. Breeding season reports in Worcestershire reported to WMBC in the 1980s and 1990s
| Year | Buzzards reported |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 15 |
| 1986 | 17 |
| Mean | 12.6 |
| 1994 | 45 |
| 1995 | 35 |
| 1996 | 59 |
| Mean | 46.3 |
The comparison suggests a percentage increase of 283% over the 7 year period separating the two sets of data.
With a population which seems to have been so dynamic in recent years, the current study is an attempt to discover the exact pattern of distribution the increase in Common Buzzard numbers has produced.
Method
In order to try to cover the whole County in a survey due to last no more than two years, it was decided to divide the county up into seven areas and to assign each area a co-ordinator who would involve as many interested people as possible. Given that the task of covering all 487 tetrads in Worcestershire would be difficult in just two seasons, fleldworkers were advised to pay particular attention to areas which looked favourable for the species. This worked reasonably well, and a total of 41 observers eventually assisted with the fieldwork.
The usual tetrad, 2km national grid square was taken as the mapping unit, and observers were encouraged to record all Common Buzzard sightings from mid-March to the end of August within the area they were covering.
Within each tetrad, the status of Common Buzzards was given a code A, B, C, or D. The following definitions were applied:
| A | Present | Buzzard seen in or over tetrad, but no obvious suitable breeding habitat. |
| B | Possible breeding | Buzzard(s) seen in potential breeding habitat |
| C | Probable breeding | Buzzard(s) holding a territory in suitable breeding habitat. (To qualify the bird(s) should have been seen at the site on more than one date) Courtship and Display observed Observed carrying nest material |
| D | Confirmed breeding | Nest found Recently fledged young seen Adult carrying food for young. |
Observers were also invited to use the comments column to enter any other information which might be considered useful. Most took advantage of this option Results Common Buzzards were seen during the breeding season in 275 of the 487 tetrads surveyed. Although all areas of the county were assigned survey workers, inevitably some tetrads received more attention than others. So although Common Buzzards were recorded in 52% of the tetrads in the county, it is likely that more coverage would have produced a higher percentage of sightings of wandering Buzzards.
A breakdown of the records into the various categories of breeding proof produced the following data:
Table 2
| Category | Number of Tetrads |
| A (Present) | 100 |
| B (Possible Breeding) | 54 |
| C (Probable Breeding) | 62 |
| D (Confirmed Breeding) | 59 |
| Total | 275 |
Although observers were not asked to try to assess the number of pairs thought to be breeding in each tetrad, a number did so and at least eight tetrads where breeding was confirmed were believed to contain up to three pairs.
It was apparent from the results that the primary method used by observers to establish proof of breeding was the observation of recently fledged family parties containing food-begging youngsters. This is not surprising given the secretive nature of the species in the season, and it does give some cause for concern because of the possibility that the observation was made in a tetrad neighbouring the one in which breeding actually took place. On the other hand it seems likely that a number of breeding attempts may have taken place in squares where simple territorial activity was noted.
Taking the figures for confirmed and probable breeding as the most significant, the total breeding population for the county would appear to be between 59 and 121 pairs. Interestingly however, it has been suggested that the number of soaring birds correlates well to the number of Common Buzzard pairs actually breeding. If this is the case, then the number of tetrads containing Buzzards simply in potential breeding habitat becomes more significant, and could raise the upper figure to 175 pairs.
Figure 1. The distribution of Common Buzzards in Worcestershire in 1997 and 1998
The above data show that Common Buzzards breed or probably breed in all but three 10 km squares containing at least five tetrads. Confirmed or probable breeding taking place in 91 tetrads to the west of the SO 900 line of longitude and 30 tetrads to the east of it.
Discussion
What factors could be responsible for the resurgence in the Common Buzzard population in Worcestershire? The two most likely causes would seem to be a reduction in levels of persecution, and an increased availability of a preferred food source.
Looking at persecution levels presents an immediate problem. Common Buzzards have been a protected species along with almost all other birds of prey since 1954. Subsequent legislation has been implemented mainly through the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, which made it an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take, or to attempt to kill injure or take, any wild bird, nest, or egg. The Common Buzzard does not, however, qualify for Schedule 1 of the Act which would have given them even more protection.
Incidents of persecution against Common Buzzards, principally poisoning, have been monitored annually for many years, and it is interesting to compare three-year averages for the UK as a whole from 1975 to 1989, and compare them with the average number of reports of poisoned Buzzards from 1995 to 1997, (See table 3).
Table 3 Incidents involving Buzzard deaths throughout the UK
| Years | Number |
| 1975 – 77 | 27 |
| 1978 – 80 | 61 |
| 1981 – 53 | 50 |
| 1984 – 86 | 58 |
| 1987 – 89 | 44 |
| 1995 – 97 | 47 |
The average number of Buzzard deaths by persecution recorded in the UK as a whole between 1975 and 1989 was 48. The average for 1995 to 1997 was thus almost identical, but since this figure should be taken against an increased Common Buzzard population, it could in effect represent some decrease in levels of persecution. The figures unfortunately lump Herefordshire and Worcestershire as one county, but out of the above incidents, a total of 10 involved Hereford & Worcester. The point has been made that persecution levels appear higher at the periphery of the species’ range in the UK (Elliott & Avery 1991), and it has thus been suggested that this has had the effect of slowing the colonisation of new areas.
One difficulty with the data is that the number of reports of persecution is likely to represent a small, but unknown, fraction of the actual incidents taking place.
There can be little doubt that in the 19th and early 20th century, an active and unenlightened proliferation of gamekeepers kept the Common Buzzard population artificially low. The position in 1911 for example was that Worcestershire had the highest proportion of gamekeepers per square mile than any other Midland county (Brown 1970), and in Britain as a whole 20,000 were employed. This number had fallen to around 5000 by the early 1970’s. Counterbalancing this to some extent has been persecution of predatory species considered to take gamebirds following a trebling, since 1961, of the number of hand-reared Common Pheasants in the UK (Elliott & Avery 1991).
One can perhaps conclude that persecution was once a far more significant factor than it is today.
The second possibility concerns the question of whether there has been a change in the availability of any particular food supply. In the UK the Common Buzzard depends largely on rabbits, particularly during the breeding season. A study of Common Buzzards on Dartmoor from 1956 to 1958, just after the outbreak of myxomatosis, found that the diet contained 345 mammals (120 rabbits and 134 voles) 73 birds, 15 reptiles, and some amphibia (Brown 1976). Thus, in terms of body-weight, Rabbits formed a very important part of the diet even at a time of depleted rabbit stocks. Common Buzzards will of course also regularly take carrion (often dead rabbits), and even invertebrates.
On a local basis there appears very little quantitative data which shows when, and to what extent, Rabbit numbers started to increase after the problems surrounding myxomatosis subsided. However, a very revealing piece of information has come from figures in the west country which looks at the population of rabbits, as indicated by the rabbit bags recorded in shoots (per J Birks in lit), (see Figure 2).
Figure 2. National Game Census data showing trends in rabbit numbers in the West of Britain, 1961 to 1995.
The graph shows the rabbit population exploding after 1985, which provides an interesting comparison with the evidence presented earlier based on reports in the West Midland Bird Club Reports. It is important to remember that Common Buzzards do not breed until they are at least three years old, so one would expect a delay of at least three years if more young Common Buzzards were surviving to sexual maturity, before these new Common Buzzards started to form breeding territories of their own. An increase in rabbit availability coupled with a lower level of persecution should have resulted in an increase in breeding pairs and perhaps a range expansion from the late 1980s.
The data available from the West Midland Bird Club Annual Reports during the late 1980s and early 1990s is unfortunately rather scanty, but suggests the increase in the number of sites from which Common Buzzards were reported may have gathered pace in the early 1990s.
If the expansion did happen after 1992 rather than around 1988, one possible reason for the delay might be found in the habit young Common Buzzards have of returning to the area in which they were hatched in order to breed. This mirrors the experience of ornithologists working on the reintroduction scheme for Red Kites where individuals are even more loyal to the natal area on reaching sexual maturity (I Carter pers comm). The result would be a slowing down of expansion into new areas. Eventually, however, sheer weight of numbers would drive the population to an eastward expansion of its range.
Summary
In 1997 and 1998 a survey of Common Buzzard distribution in Worcestershire revealed that breeding was confirmed in 59 tetrads, and was probable in a further 62. The Common Buzzard population is thus likely to be at the upper range between 59 and 121 breeding pairs. This distribution is compared with the available historical data, and the possible reasons for the recent increase in the local population are discussed.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the West Midland Bird Club for their encouragement and financial support, and my team of section organisers: Sean Micklewright, Mike Inskip, Fergus Henderson, Andy Warr, John Hodson, and Martyn Hodgson for all their hard work with the fieldwork and encouraging other observers to take part. The following volunteers needed little encouragement and provided masses of useful data: Paul Anstis, Paul Bateman, Melvin Butler, Paul Curry, John Coates, Bob Edwards, Sarah Fellows, John Gaden, Joyce Gill, Clive Griffiths, F N Haddon, Ken Heron, Terry Hineft, Bob Howl, Brian Hughes, Patrick Jones, Chris Lane, Garth Lowe, A C Major, Roger Maskew, Dr Elizabeth McDonnell, Damian Offer, Andy Palmer, John Patient, Bob Prudden, Chris Roe, John Raby, Ann Seymour, John Sirrett, Mike Stephens, Mark and Christine Turner, and Mick Woodward. I would also like to acknowledge the helpful advice and assistance of Ian Barber (RSPB), Richard Bashford (BTO), Johnny Birks (Vincent Wildlife Trust), Ian Carter (RSPB), Graham Elliott (RSPB Investigations Unit), Harry Green (Worcestershire Wildlife Trust), and Innis Sim (RSPB).
References:
|
Brown L (1976) British Birds of Prey |
|
Elliott, G.D. & Avery, M.I. (1991) A Review of Reports of Buzzard Persecution 1975-1989. Bird Study, 38, 52 – 56. |
|
Gibbons, D.W., Reid, J.B. & Chapman R.A. (1994) The New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland 1988-1991. Poyser |
|
Harrison, G.R. et al (1982) The Birds of the West Midlands |
|
RSPB publications Birdcrime 1995 to 1997 |
|
Sharrock, J.T.R. (1976) The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. |
|
WMBC Annual Reports 1962 to 1996 |
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 15
CEPHALANTHERA LONGIFOLIA – SWORD-LEAVED HELLEBORINE
Rosemary Winnall
This species is sadly on the decline in Worcestershire, in common with many other sites in Britain. During 1999 Rosemary Winnall is continuing to monitor the species in the Wyre Forest, in conjunction with the Forestry Commission and Plantlife.
If you have any current or historical records of this plant from Wyre Forest or the surrounding area, please contact us, giving a six-figure grid reference or accurate description of the site.
Worcestershire Record No. 6 April 1999 p. 6
RECORDING – WHAT’S IT FOR?
Digby Wood, Reply by Harry Green
I always enjoy the meetings of the Worcestershire BRC and the March meeting was no exception, giving a glimpse into the unfamiliar worlds of longhorn beetles, spiders etc. All fascinating stuff, but the presentation which gave me most food for thought occurred towards the end of the meeting when Harry Green put up a series of maps showing the distribution of mammals within the county on a tetrad (2km squares) basis. The maps were prepared in 1982 and show a fairly sparse distribution across the county, even of common species like mice. One suspects that the usual comment about being more representative of the distribution of the recorders than the subject being recorded might well apply. The reason for showing these maps was to enquire if anyone could suggest a use for them, but no suggestions were forthcoming from the meeting, and I wonder if there have been any since then?
The thing that struck me so forcibly as I made my way home was the amount of effort that had gone into collecting this data that apparently had no use, and that we were still continuing to collect such data. Surely it wasn’t all a waste of time and effort! What could we do to increase the usefulness of such records? I don’t pretend to know the answer but perhaps we can find a few clues. Historically this recording business was the basis for the classification of all living things and that work is to all intents and purposes completed. We have moved on. What engages us all now is the task of conserving that which remains or, hopefully in the longer term, reinstating that which has been lost. A vast task which is only just beginning to be planned and implemented, and to establish priorities in that task we need numbers. Remember, we only realised the plight of the otter because the hunters recorded numbers of kills and sightings.
Now, it is very easy to devise ways of putting numbers to some groups, butterflies being the obvious example. They present themselves in the most visible way possible to permit counting. Most other groups are not so obliging. However, butterfly counting methods may offer a lead. There are two systems in widespread use; firstly mapping, when as many observations as possible scour as many tetrads as possible, producing a map – a snapshot showing distribution during a fairly short period of time (say five years). These maps can be useful for such things as opposing planning and development applications if they are comprehensive enough, and may show changes in distribution if repeated some years later, although they always suffer from the problem of the distribution of recorders. The second counting system used is the transect count, where a recorder walks a set route weekly and records the numbers of each species seen in each of a number of predetermined sections usually based on habitat type. This is a very powerful tool when used alongside weather data, changes in habitat etc. The essential point is that the changes in numbers with time on a particular site is recorded and can be compared with other sites, perhaps leading to ideas on site management.
Can this sort of idea be adapted to cover a whole range of other groups? I can only see masses of problems! But give it some thought. How can it be used for the conservation of your particular speciality?
A Short-ish comment in Response to Digby
By Harry Green
The maxim – all records are valuable – should guide us, but there must be modifications to this because we know so much more about some species or groups than others. Ensuring that we do record what is common now is a difficult discipline to follow, but it is important because what is common now may decline later. But for most species any records are valuable. Birds, butterflies, and flowering plants comprise a small proportion of the species in Worcestershire. The Natural world is dominated by invertebrates and species which are too small to see without a microscope.
Butterflies are in some ways following where birds, and possibly flowering plants, have gone before. Birds, in particular, are fairly well understood, mapped and counted, summer and winter, hence our ability to produce “alert” warnings when numbers decline. But we don’t need to record blue tits every time we see them because various monitoring techniques now keep tabs on their national population changes, but we should record red kites! Our knowledge about birds comes from the British Trust for Ornithology’s two breeding bird atlases, a winter atlas, and a continuing programme of counting through Common Bird Census (map every bird within a small area through the breeding season year in year out) and the Breeding Bird Survey which uses standardised transect methods within randomly selected 1km squares (and there is more). The national bird atlases have been produced for many countries round the world and the mammoth European Atlas based on 100km squares is a truly stunning effort. A few countries have attempted a round-the-year atlas – distribution every calendar month (Holland) At a more local level many counties have produced tetrad atlases of breeding birds. I could list even more examples of bird work which makes them by far he best recorded group – yet more information is still needed and the juggernaught must be kept on the road to keep up the monitoring because birds are good indicators of the health of our countryside and their responses to change can be seen fairly easily. In this they are akin to butterflies.
Flowering plants are probably the next best recorded group. The BSBI National Atlas led the field alongside the first BTO Breeding Birds Atlas. And an update, Atlas 2000, is in production. There are now many detailed county floras usually based on tetrad mapping supported by brief written comment on numbers. The Worcestershire Flora Project is in full swing and will produced the first detailed account of local plants for one hundred years together with tetrad mapping. The bird atlases attempted to estimate actual numbers of individuals, at first roughly, but in a much more sophisticated way with the last Breeding Birds Atlas. This estimated abundance by timed counts per tetrad for a minimal number of tetrads within each 10 km square. A system of estimating “plant rarity” has been proposed (Pearman 1997 Watsonia 21:225-245) involving a frequency ratio of tetrads occupied per 10 km square.
Butterflies soon followed birds and plants with a variety of published maps, county butterfly faunas and the forthcoming Millennium Atlas which I expect will be on a par with the last Breeding Bird Atlas. There is also an increasing amount of information on Dragonflies including Mike Averill’s Dragonflies of Worcestershire. There are also national Bryophyte atlases and a number of provisional atlases of some invertebrates.
There is even an Atlas of Mammals in Britain (Arnold 1993, published by HMSO) based on 10km squares, and this brings me back to Digby’s concern. The problem with the Worcestershire Mammal maps comes down to visibility of species, intensity of recording, scale of recording, and lack on knowledge, especially documented knowledge. But providing these limitations are clearly understood the maps are the first steps along the road already followed by birds, plants, and soon by butterflies. On a coarse grain (hectads) the maps tell something previously undocumented about Worcestershire’s mammals but on a fine grain the tetrad maps are not much use for some species such as wood mice but interesting for moles, dormice and muntjac deer, because moles have probably declined since the field work, muntjac have certainly increased, and the maps for dormice are probably surprisingly accurate. To state the obvious, we know wood mice are common in every wood and many other places, but to prove this on a tetrad basis would require a gigantic effort because the animals are nocturnal and difficult to find. It is much easier to record less common species like rabbits!
There are probably many species (especially invertebrates) when local recording on a tetrad basis is not immediately useful. However these base records with full grid references may well be useful in indicating important sites, and they are the first steps on a very long road. Conclusions? Record everything! But we need discipline. Under-recorded, difficult-to-see species should always be recorded. For a few groups we need time frames – record all the bird species every ten years, and re-map the plants every 50 years, perhaps! But for most other groups we simply need base grid referenced records leading to knowledge of sites, provisional hectad then tetrad maps, followed by estimates of abundance. The amount of effort needed to follow this route is immense but necessary if we are to understand and conserve our fauna and flora. This is what I think recording is for and why the Worcestershire BRC should exist and thrive.
References
I have not included a reference list because most of the texts mentioned are well-known. If anyone wants further information I shall be happy to supply it.