Issue 29 November 2010
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:16 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire dragonflies in 2010
Mike Averill
2010 started with very cold weather in January and February and so the first dragonfly emergences were somewhat later than last year. The monthly temperatures were also not very high with no heat wave weather this year. Much of the year was also dry in Worcestershire with only June and August reaching above average rainfall. The long run of dry months produced drought conditions in many regions and locally Hartlebury Bog went dry as early as mid July. In the report about the Bog in the Worcestershire Record No 25, it was explained how easily the area goes dry in low rainfall years and sadly this was case this year as it is the first time for four years that the bog has gone completely dry.
Dragonfly wise, the Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo had another good year and was recorded outside its usual haunts. It was also a good year for the river Clubtail Gomphus vulgatissimus as well with the highest emergences for ten years. Another river species, the Scarce Chaser Libellula fulva was once again seen outside its usual core area of the Avon below Pershore. This time it was seen at Upton Warren and Hurcott Pool, Kidderminster. The last record is interesting because although it is totally outside its range the male was present for two weeks and at the end it showed the rubbing signs caused during copulation. As no other individual L. fulva was seen at Hurcott it begs the question where was this pairing taking place and why was it at a still water situation. The whole issue of dragonflies being present, without giving much indication, occurred again at Kidderminster where an ordinary garden pond produced the emergence of nine Common Hawkers Aeshna juncea despite no sign of this heathland dragonfly having been seen there in the previous seven years.
Darter dragonflies are often the source of migrant records if the weather favours continental influxes, but this year there were no Red-veined Darters Sympetrum fonscolombei.
The Small red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma viridulum is often mentioned in small numbers in these annual reports there were three for instance at Ipsley Alders in early August, but this year there was a surprise as hundreds were seen at Croome Landscape Park near Kempsey. They were first seen on the 8th of August and they were visible for about six weeks. Showing signs of breeding they were to be seen sitting on the water milfoil and algae along with the occasional Red Eyed damselfly Erythromma najas. Next season is eagerly awaited in order to search for the possible successful emergences and exuviae.
Finally there is the possibility of a retrospective record has being confirmed as the 29th species in Worcestershire – the Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum. In 2008, Des Jennings had taken a photo of a female damselfly that looked interesting, but at the time it was thought to be not sufficient to confirm its identity. At the moment the photo is being considered by the Dragonfly Rarities Committee so we await the outcome with interest. The reason the identification is so difficult is that there is a very similar blue form of the Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella to the female Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum. The only reliable feature is the more deeply lobed rear margin of the pronotum on the upper surface of the prothorax on the Variable Damselfly, just behind the eyes.
Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum. Possibly a new record for Worcestershire if the Dragonfly Rarities Committee confirm the identification. Picture © D Kitching
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:16 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page: 11-14 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Carabidae of note 2009-2010 in the Kidderminster and Bewdley area
Alan Brown
At the beginning of 2009 I was asked to do a carabid survey by John Meiklejohn in the Kidderminster and Bewdley area, which is still ongoing. I used a night hunting tactic with a powerful LED headband torch. The more notable finds are listed below and all were found at night. Good detailed digital photographs are available.
[All species are pictured except two: Bradycellus caucasicus & Badister unipustulatus. The text on each species is included with with its picture also. The pictures are in alphabetic order, down left column below, then down right column. (Web page edit)]Ophonus laticollis: (Notable A): 27.05.2009. My best find! There have been only two other recent records in the county. I found 15 of these on a dry, sandy grass strip at the base of an old hedgerow next to an arable field, Kidderminster.
Carabus monilis (Notable B): 20.06.2009. I found five of these in a recently cut grass meadow on dry, sandy soil, but I have regularly found them on roadside grass strips, Kidderminster.
Calathus ambiguus (Notable B): 31.08.2009. I found six of this rare Carabid on a bare, sandy arable field, Kidderminster.
Poecilus lepidus (Notable B): 21.06.2009. A heath specialist. I found these in good numbers on the Devil’s Spittleful NR. They were on bare, sandy ground near Calluna.
Harpalus attenuatus (local): 21.03.2010. Normally a coastal species. I found a healthy number of these on sandy ground on the Devil’s Spittleful NR.
Harpalus smaragdinus (Notable B): 17.04.2010. Another heathland specialist. I found a strong population of this very local Carabid at the Devil’s Spittleful NR.
Amara equestris (Notable B): 08.06.2009. Another very local carabid. I first found these in small numbers on the sandy fringes of roadside grass strips but later I found a larger population at the Devil’s Spittleful NR.
Amara anthobia (local): 15.04.2010. An introduced species reportedly found on bare sandy ground. I found this one hiding under grasses on a roadside grass strip, Kidderminster.
Amara fulva (Notable B): 25.05.2009. I found this Carabid on bare, sandy arable fields, and also in good numbers at the Devil’s Spittleful NR.
Amara consularis (Notable B): 15.04.2010. This Carabid I found in good numbers on two particular bare, sandy, arable fields, but nowhere else. Soil composition seems to be important with this one. Kidderminster.
Bradycellus caucasicus (local): 17.04.2010. [no picture] Associated with Calluna heathland but more local in the south. I found these in small numbers on the Devil’s Spittleful NR.
Lebia chlorocephala (Notable B): 28.06.2010. I found this handsome Carabid by “staking out” a small population of the leaf beetle Chrysolina varians at the Devil’s Spittleful NR. I saw a second specimen on 02.07.2010.
Elaphropus parvulus (Notable B): 06.06.2010. Often associated with areas of human disturbance. I found this tiny Carabid in a damp, sandy furrow of an arable field. Kidderminster.
Dyschirius politus (local): 13.06.2009. I found this one on a damp, stony pathway through a meadow but since I have found it in good numbers in damp furrows on arable land and on bare sand alongside the river Severn, Kidderminster and Bewdley.
Platyderus depressus (Notable B): 19.04.2009. I first found this Carabid on a sandy grass meadow at Springfield Park but since then I have also found them in good numbers on dry roadside grass strips. Kidderminster.
Chlaenius nigricornis (Notable B): 10.04.2009. A marsh specialist I found a small number of this Carabid on bare, muddy ground at Puxton Marsh, Kidderminster.
Blemus discus (Notable B): 24.07.2009. [no picture] I found a small population of these on bare, silty ground alongside a stream running through Puxton Marsh, Kidderminster.
Badister unipustulatus (Notable B): 10.03.2009. [no picture] I found six of this local Carabid alongside another beetle (Badister sodalis) under leaf litter on the edge of a shaded willow carr bog on Springfield Park, Kidderminster.
Bembidion quadripustulatum (Notable B): 13.07.2010. I found four of this very local Carabid on a sandy area of a shingle bank alongside the River Severn at Bewdley.
Bembidion bipunctatum (Notable B): 11.07.2010. I found six on the same shingle bank, but this one seems to like hiding under the shingle itself, Bewdley.
Bembidion obliquum (Notable B): 30.07.2010. Found in various habitats near still water. I found this one on a bare patch of mud alongside a small pond, next to the river Severn at Bewdley. Very similar to Bembidion varium
Acknowlement
I would just like to thank John Meiklejohn for confirmation of all the listed Carabid species that I have recorded.
Comment by John Meiklejohn
All the records in Alan’s list have been passed to the WBRC with the requisite grid references, dates and habitat notes together with many more for more common carabid species. What has surprised me is the number of individuals of the uncommon species that Alan’s technique has revealed. I was so impressed with his findings that I acquired a head lamp and ventured into my garden here in Defford after midnight. I was surprised at the number of beetles, and slugs, that are active in the dark. Unsurprisingly my beetle finds were numerous common carabids such as Pterostichus madidus and Harpalus rubripes. Alan’s main hunting grounds are in the Kidderminster area, Devils Spittleful, Hartlebury Common, shingle banks of the R. Severn, areas with heathland, habitats not common in Worcestershire as whole. He tells me that he is often out until three or four o’clock in the morning. I must get down to the local brook in the early hours!
It is good to hear of a different species hunting techniques: pit-fall trapping, litter sieving, tussocking and now night time torching! Moths come to lights, beetles are revealed by them.
Amara anthobia (local): 15.04.2010. An introduced species reportedly found on bare sandy ground. I found this one hiding under grasses on a roadside grass strip, Kidderminster.
Amara consularis (Notable B): 15.04.2010. This Carabid I found in good numbers on two particular bare, sandy, arable fields, but nowhere else. Soil composition seems to be important with this one. Kidderminster.
Amara equestris (Notable B): 08.06.2009. Another very local carabid. I first found these in small numbers on the sandy fringes of roadside grass strips but later I found a larger population at the Devil’s Spittleful NR.
Amara fulva (Notable B): 25.05.2009. I found this Carabid on bare, sandy arable fields, and also in good numbers at the Devil’s Spittleful NR.
Bembidion bipunctatum (Notable B): 11.07.2010. I found six on the same shingle bank, but this one seems to like hiding under the shingle itself, Bewdley.
Bembidion obliquum (Notable B): 30.07.2010. Found in various habitats near still water. I found this one on a bare patch of mud alongside a small pond, next to the river Severn at Bewdley. Very similar to Bembidion varium
Bembidion quadripustulatum (Notable B): 13.07.2010. I found four of this very local Carabid on a sandy area of a shingle bank alongside the River Severn at Bewdley.
Blemus discus (Notable B): 24.07.2009. I found a small population of these on bare, silty ground alongside a stream running through Puxton Marsh, Kidderminster.
Carabus monilis (Notable B): 20.06.2009. I found five of these in a recently cut grass meadow on dry, sandy soil, but I have regularly found them on roadside grass strips, Kidderminster.
Chlaenius nigricornis (Notable B): 10.04.2009. A marsh specialist. I found a small number of this Carabid on bare, muddy ground at Puxton Marsh, Kidderminster.
Dyschirius politus (local): 13.06.2009. I found this one on a damp, stony pathway through a meadow but since I have found it in good numbers in damp furrows on arable land and on bare sand alongside the river Severn, Kidderminster and Bewdley.
Elaphropus parvulus (Notable B): 06.06.2010. Often associated with areas of human disturbance. I found this tiny Carabid in a damp, sandy furrow of an arable field. Kidderminster.
Harpalus attenuatus (local): 21.03.2010. Normally a coastal species. I found a healthy number of these on sandy ground on the Devil’s Spittleful NR.
Harpalus smaragdinus (Notable B): 17.04.2010. Another heathland specialist. I found a strong population of this very local Carabid at the Devil’s Spittleful NR.
Lebia chlorocephala (Notable B): 28.06.2010. I found this handsome Carabid by “staking out” a small population of the leaf beetle Chrysolina varians at the Devil’s Spittleful NR. I saw a second specimen on 02.07.2010.
Ophonus laticolis: (Notable A): 27.05.2009. My best find! There have been only two other recent records in the county. I found 15 of these on a dry, sandy grass strip at the base of an old hedgerow next to an arable field, Kidderminster.
Platyderus depressus (Notable B): 19.04.2009. I first found this Carabid on a sandy grass meadow at Springfield Park but since then I have also found them in good numbers on dry roadside grass strips. Kidderminster.
Poecilus lepidus (Notable B): 21.06.2009. A heath specialist. I found these in good numbers on the Devil’s Spittleful NR. They were on bare, sandy ground near Calluna.
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page: 11-14 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Clarke, John - The breeding biology of Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata in South Worcestershire
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:34-47 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
The breeding biology of Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata in South Worcestershire
John Clarke, Kemerton jclarkekem@btinternet.com. Compiled by Graham Martin graham.martin8@btinternet.com from data and observations supplied by John Clarke
INTRODUCTION
Breeding Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata have decreased in the United Kingdom by 82% over the past 25 years and are now a species of major conservation concern (Baillie et al. 2009); they are a Red Listed species in the UK and the subject of a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP 2010).
At one time Spotted Flycatchers were considered a common bird of gardens. Reasons for their decline are only partially understood. Productivity measures (number of eggs laid, number of young fledged) based upon data held in the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) Nest Record Scheme have indicated that lower clutch and brood sizes and greater nest losses at the egg and chick stages may play a part in the decline (Leech & Barimore 2008), and a decrease overall in the ratio of juveniles to adults at constant effort ringing sites suggest lower productivity. Population modelling also suggests that decreases in the annual survival rates of Spotted Flycatchers in their first year of life are also likely to have driven the decline (Freeman & Crick 2003). However, since Spotted Flycatchers are Western Palaearctic-African migrants the geographical focuses of these declines are difficult to determine.
Decreasing survival rates and decreases in the number of chicks produced per breeding attempt may have been caused by deteriorations in woodland quality in the UK which have in particular led to declines in the large flying insects on which Spotted Flycatchers depend. However conditions either on the wintering grounds in Africa or along migration routes (Fuller et al. 2005) may have been particularly important factors in the decline of survival rates. This is suggested by the finding that population declines of Spotted Flycatchers have been similar across the main UK regions and habitat types. Thus it seems more likely that the decline has been driven by factors operating outside the UK.
Spotted Flycatchers that breed in the UK begin to migrate south in late July and the first peak of migratory departure is between mid-August and early September. The majority of birds fly south-west through Iberia to North Africa and it is thought that the bulk of UK breeding birds winter in coastal West Africa (Gambia to Nigeria), but some may go as far south as the Congo Basin (Wernham et al, 2002). Spotted Flycatchers are estimated to have declined by 59% across Europe during 1980–2005 (PECBMS 2007) again suggesting that factors on migratory stop-over and wintering sites may be particularly important in this general decline. However, a predator ‘control’ experiment has indicated that the abundance of nest predators may be determining the breeding success of Spotted Flycatchers, especially in woodland in the UK, where nest success was lower overall than in gardens (Stoate & Szczur 2006). Another study using nest cameras has identified avian predators, especially Jays, as responsible for most nest losses (Stevens et al. 2008).
My study of the breeding biology of Spotted Flycatcher has focused upon a population using breeding sites in village gardens rather than the more typical woodland sites. It is a population which does not appear to have declined as much but accurate population data are not available. In view of general declines of this species, which contrasts with apparent greater population stability at my study site, I ask the question does this study population show breeding parameters (nest site location, clutch size, hatching success, fledging success) found for the population as a whole? Are there any signs that the breeding biology of this population differs from those of the wider population in the UK?
METHODS
This study relied on the cooperation and participation of more than one hundred households.
Study Period
Data collection started in 2001 and continued until 2008.
Study Site
Centred on the north half of Ordnance Survey Grid Square SO93 incorporating a group of villages on the southern lower slopes of Bredon Hill, South Worcestershire. The bulk of the observations were made in the villages of Bredon, Kemerton, Overbury, and Beckford with additional observations from Westmancote, Kinsham, Conderton, Ashton-Under-Hill & Bredons Norton.
Nest Record Data
Initial data collection was based upon nest site and nest outcome data as required by the BTO Nest Record Scheme (NRS 2010). All data have been lodged with the BTO. Nest Record data was gathered from 322 nests. These records represent approximately 25% of the breeding data collected nationally for this species between 2000 and 2008. For each nest the following were recorded: nest height, location, site, general habitat close to the nest site, clutch size, and fate of clutch.
Location of “pairs”
Pairs were located by two methods: 1). ‘cold searching’ of suitable locations: gardens, orchards and graveyards, and 2). following up reports from local people, many of whom were actively looking out for the birds.
Location of nest sites
Nests were located by searching likely sites against house walls, outbuildings, sheds or in cavities, climbing shrubs and epicormic growth on trees, and watching adults back to the nest.
Recording Technique
Nest contents were checked using a mirror on a telescopic pole or a small dentist’s mirror. Progress was monitored if possible from the start of nest-building through to fledging, with up to six visits per nest. Whenever possible pairs were tracked throughout the breeding season (constant monitoring) and records of successive nesting attempts linked. Nest searching and behavioural observations were aided by use of 10×30 binoculars with image stabilisation (Canon).
RESULTS
Nest Site Selection
Spotted Flycatchers arrived in the survey area from early May. They appeared to select breeding territories that contained certain features including holes in trees and walls, open-fronted nest boxes, and climbing shrubs growing against a wall. Almost invariably the territory included a range of tree and shrub heights forming a habitat structure which provided foraging in most weather conditions (unpublished observations).
Spotted Flycatcher were observed ‘prospecting’ nest sites by hovering – humming bird-like – in front of likely sites. Later they used the same technique to collect cobwebs for nest material.
Nest Sites
Some Spotted Flycatchers were attracted to half coconut shells sited in climbing shrubs. This has been noted elsewhere (Douglas-Home, 1977). Spotted Flycatchers often used the old nests of Blackbirds Turdus merula but many nests were in holes and ledges in trees and walls and climbing shrubs growing against a wall.
Nest Height
The majority of nests were located in nest boxes or coconut shells placed for the purpose of attracting Spotted Flycatchers to nest. This increased if more coconut shells were put up. In 2001–2002, when few were available, 14.81% of nests were in coconut shells but from 2003-2008 the average proportion was 59.21%. This is likely to have influenced average nest height above ground. The average height of natural sites was 2.6 m (Clarke 2005). The average height of all nests (n=322) was 2.51 m (range 0.8 m-5 m). The average height of successful nests was 2.41m (range 0.8 m-5 m) and the average height of failed nests was 2.60 m (range 0.8 m–5m). No nests were found higher than 5 m.
Average clutch size and total eggs laid
Where constant monitoring took place it was possible to determine average clutch size and total eggs laid; these are shown in Table 1. First clutch/attempt included only full clutches whereas subsequent attempts and second clutches included all clutches. 48 pairs and first clutches/attempts were followed throughout the breeding season.
Year | 1st attempt | 2nd attempt | 3rd attempt | 2nd clutch | Total eggs laid per “pair” |
48 pairs | 28 nests | 6 nests | 29 nests | ||
2001 | 4.5 | – | – | 3.5 | 8.0 |
2002 | 4.6 | – | – | 3.3 | 7.9 (7-9) |
2003 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 8.4 (7-11) |
2004 | 4.5 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 8.3 (7-12) |
2005 | 4.3 | 3.4 | – | 3.5 | 7.7 (6-9) |
2006 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 8.2 (7-12) |
2008 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 8.7( 7-11) |
overall | 4.5 (3-5) | 3.7 (3–5) | 3.5 (3-4) | 3.4 (2-6) | 8.2 (7-12) |
Table 1. Average clutch size and the total eggs laid per female.
Nest Failure Rates
Table 2 shows that nest failure rate differed with nest location
Nest location | Number of nests | Nest failure rate (%) |
Against house wall | 215 | 39 |
Against tree | 21 | 38 |
Against building detached from house | 45 | 42 |
Against fence or wall (not of a building) | 41 | 4 |
Overall | 31 |
Table 2. Nest failure rate (n = 322) as a function of nest location
A small number of nest failures against houses can be attributed to human disturbance. Occasionally Spotted Flycatchers nested in roof gutters and the nests were subsequently swamped. No comparisons between failure rates of nests on trees closer to or further from houses have been made but there would appear to be clear benefits for pairs nesting against houses (Table 3). There was no marked difference in nest failure rates between natural and artificial sites.
Nest location | Mean nest failure rate (%) |
Against house | 30 |
Remote from house* | 46 |
Table 3. Nest failure rates for 19 sites occupied each year as a function of nest location. * ‘Remote’ includes sheds, out-buildings, walls and trees. Sites were also classed as ‘remote’ if a house was wholly or largely unoccupied.
Earliest and latest first egg laying dates
I differentiated between first and second clutches. Table 4 shows estimated earliest and latest laying dates for first and second clutches.
First clutch | Second clutch | |||
Year | Earliest egg | Latest egg | Earliest egg | Latest egg |
2001 | 24th May | 16th June | 4th July | 14th July |
2002 | 20th May | 15th June | 4th July | 20th July |
2003 | 20th May | 11th June | 1st July | 17th July |
2004 | 18th May | 8th June | 5th July | 21st July |
2005 | 20th May | 8th June | 27th June | 16th July |
2006 | 16th May | 13th June | 27th June | 17th July |
2008 | 16th May | 6th June | 3rd July | 21st July |
Table 4. Estimated earliest first egg and latest last egg laying dates for 1st and 2nd clutches based upon 142 first clutches and 44 second clutches.
These results indicate a trend of first egg dates for first clutches getting earlier during the study period but the sample is too small to test statistically. However there is no clear trend regarding second clutches. Over the eight years of this study all first egg dates for first clutches (142 nests) occurred during a nine day period, the latest first egg dates occurred during an eight day period. On average there appears to be a gap of about twelve days between the earliest egg date and the latest egg date during the period when the first clutches are being laid. For second clutches (44 nests) all first egg dates occurred over a nine day period and latest egg dates over an eleven day period with again a twelve day gap between the two periods.
Nest failure rates
I divided the breeding season into 4 quarters (Q1 to Q4). Q1: 1st May to 30th May; Q2: 31st May to 16th June; Q3: 17th June to 2nd July; Q4: 3rd July to 21st July; and have analysed the rate of nest failures in each of these quarters over the period of the study (Table 5). Quarters were determined such that the longest known breeding season was divided into four approximately equally long sections.
Year | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
2001 | 8 | 33 | 50 | 29 |
2002 | 25 | 33 | 0 | 20 |
2003 | 42 | 33 | 50 | 0 |
2004 | 27 | 52 | 60 | 25 |
2005 | 54 | 23 | 33 | 50 |
2006 | 54 | 44 | 33 | 18 |
2008 | 40 | 50 | 20 | 17 |
Mean | 27 | 40 | 35 | 25 |
Table 5 Nest failures rates (%) in each quarter of the breeding season 2001-2008. Data was used from 272 nests where first egg date could be calculated to within ± 2 days.
The failure rate in each quarter varied from year to year – most particularly so during Q3 and Q4 but the mean failure rates suggest that nests started in the early part of the season are less likely to fail than those laid mid-season.
Nest failure rates for nests in which at least one egg was laid.
These are shown in Table 6.
Year | Overall nest failure rate (%) |
2001 | 22 |
2002 | 24 |
2003 | 36 |
2004 | 48 |
2005 | 43 |
2006 | 42 |
2008 | 37 |
Mean | 36 |
Table 6 Overall nest failure rates
Number of Breeding Attempts
Whenever possible pairs were followed in their attempts to breed. Unless birds are colour-ringed it is impossible to guarantee that the same pair is being followed as Spotted Flycatchers tend to nest in ‘clusters’ of pairs. However, with frequent nest monitoring and assisted by local observers it was possible to calculate the number of breeding attempts for a number of pairs. If the nest failure was noted soon after the event, extra site visits were made to track down the pair. Usually they re-nested within 20-100m of the failed nest site. Table 7 shows the number of breeding attempts recorded each year.
Year | Number of pairs studied | No of pairs attempting to nest twice | No of pairs attempting to nest three times | No of pairs that raised two broods | No of pairs that failed to breed |
2001 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 6 | ? |
2002 | 31 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
2003 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
2004 | 33 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 9 |
2005 | 22 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 4 |
2006 | 22 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
2008 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
Totals | 188 | 32 | 17 | 46 | 28 |
Table 7 Number of breeding attempts over years
Over the period of the study a minimum of 17% (32/188) of pairs made two attempts, 9% (17/188) made three attempts and 15% of pairs (28/188) failed to breed. 25% (46/188) laid second clutches after successful earlier attempts.
DISCUSSION
The general conclusion to be drawn from all of this data is that the breeding biology of Spotted Flycatchers in the Bredon Villages study area does not differ from what is already known about these birds over an historical period across the UK. While this is not surprising it is comforting to find that these birds do not show any signs of an unusual response to the habitats that are offered in these south Bredon Villages. Although this study population is a small sample of the total UK population there seems little ground for supposing that the general decline of this species (nationally an 82% decline over the past 25 years (Baillie et al. 2009) are attributable to changes in the breeding biology of birds from this region of the UK. My main bases for comparisons that lead to this conclusion are the summary data for Spotted Flycatchers presented in Vol. 7 of The Birds of the Western Palaearctic (BWP, 1993).
Nest Site location
Nest sites have been recorded previously over a wide range of heights above the ground between 0-20m. The lowest height in this study was 0.8 m and the highest 5 m, with the average about 2.5 m which is approximately the height where the majority of nests have been previously recorded. Bredon Villages birds preferred (66%) to place their nests against a wall compared with general estimates of 60% of nests in a similar location (BWP, 1993).
Average clutch size and total eggs laid
Average clutch size of first breeding attempts in this study was 4.5 eggs (Table 1). This compares with a clutch size of 4.44 found in northern England and Scotland and 4.21 in south-west England and Wales (BWP 1993). The Bredon Villages birds also showed a decrease in clutch size through the seasons with average clutch size falling from 4.5 to 3.4 between first and second clutches (Table 1). BWP (1993) reports that clutch size typically declines from 4.4 to 3.5 for first and second clutches.
Breeding Success
Around the Bredon Villages the average nest failure rate was 31% (Table 2). This compares with failure rates reported in BWP (1993) of 39% for early clutches (May) to 33% for late clutches (July) but the differences between these periods is not significant.
Nest failure rates
The overall nest failure rate of 36% (Table 6) is lower than the 41% for garden nests of Spotted Flycatchers recorded by Stevens et al (2007).
Number of Breeding Attempts
Summers-Smith (1952) estimated that 20% had second broods whilst Kirby et al (2005) put the figure at 14%. The percentage of pairs attempting second broods in this survey (Table 7) varied considerably from year to year (12% to 45%). 28 out of 158 pairs failed to breed (17%).
Are Spotted Flycatchers breeding earlier?
These results (Table 4) indicate a trend of first egg dates for first clutches getting earlier during the study period but the sample is too small to test statistically. However, this would be in line with evidence of earlier breeding in a wide range of passerine birds over recent decades Crick et al. (1997) which has been correlated with an increase in early season ambient temperature attributed to climate warming, and may also be correlated with the pattern of earlier arrival dates of migrant birds into Europe from Africa in the spring (Sparks et al 2005). It is also interesting to note that the data of Table 4 could also indicate that birds may arrive in the area of this study in “two waves”. Perhaps ringing data and data from Bird Observatories might show a double peak of arrival each spring? However, the passage of birds through a number of Bird Observatories appears to show a single peak of arrival in mid to late May (Riddiford 1981), but this data is now historical, being based upon observations collected before 1980. Perhaps the now generally earlier arrival of migrant passerines would show a double peak?
Overall conclusion
It is reassuring to find that the breeding biology of the population of Spotted Flycatchers that has been studied in villages around Bredon Hill in the first decade of this century is typical of that of Spotted Flycatchers across the UK over the previous 20+ years. The data presented here does not show any evidence of a change in the breeding biology of Spotted Flycatchers except perhaps with respect to the time of breeding.
The trend towards earlier breeding (Table 4) could have an effect on the survival of young birds (e.g. more time is available to achieve optimal body conditions before the need to migrate) and their subsequent recruitment into the breeding population the following year. Clearly this is an area of Spotted Flycatcher breeding biology worthy of further study in both this local area and more widely.
The basic stability in the breeding biology of Spotted Flycatchers in the Bredon Villages is reassuring at a time of widespread environmental change in terms of habitat alteration and climate change. This suggests that the garden habitats of the Bredon Hill villages are as favourable today for Spotted Flycatchers as they were historically and they probably provide an important population reservoir for Spotted Flycatchers at a regional, if not a national scale. Of course, it is not possible to say anything about the stability of the population of these birds in the study area since I have not collected data on population size and so we do not know whether it has changed. However there is plenty of anecdotal evidence from around the villages which indicates that the population has fallen, but it is not possible to quantify this. However, it seems very unlikely to have been as high as the 82% decline over the past 25 years recorded nationally.
Finally, the breeding biology data presented here does suggest that this study population is at the present time an important and valuable part of the UK population. Clearly, because of its favourable status, there should be continued efforts to maintain and possibly expand this population through the provision of suitable nest sites and the management of garden habitats. In this context it is worth emphasising that Spotted Flycatchers are a Red Listed species in the UK and the subject of a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP 2010). The data presented here also supports the idea that the decline of this species has been driven by factors operating primarily outside the UK, and suggests that more research is required on the biology of these birds on their migration or on their winter grounds, while at the same time continuing to monitor their breeding biology in the UK.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The study was based on nest records from nine villages. Most of the nests were found on private land (gardens) and involved around one hundred householders many of whom actively helped in the study. Without their help this study would not have been possible.
Pamela Clarke helped at all stages and with preparing draft manuscripts.
References
BAILLIE, S.R., MARCHANT, J.H., LEECH, D.I., JOYS, A.C., NOBLE, D.G., BARIMORE, C., GRANTHAM, M.J., RISELY, K. & ROBINSON, R.A. 2009. Breeding Birds in the Wider Countryside: their conservation status 2008. BTO Research Report No. 516. BTO, Thetford. (http://www.bto.org/birdtrends)
BWP 1993. CRAMP, S. & PERRINS, C.M. (Eds) 1993. The Birds of the Western Palaearctic Volume 7, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
CLARKE, J. 2005 The Spotted What!? Plum Tree Publishing, Cowsden, Worcs.
CRICK, H.Q.P., DUDLEY, C., GLUE, D.E., THOMSON, D.L. 1997. UK birds are laying eggs earlier. Nature, 388: 526-526
DOUGLAS-HOME, H. 1977. The Birdman. Collins, London.
LEECH, D. & BARIMORE, C. 2008. Is avian breeding success weathering the storms? BTO News 279: 19–20.
FREEMAN, S.N. & CRICK, H.Q.P. 2003. The decline of the Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata in the UK: an integrated population model. Ibis 145: 400–412.
FULLER, R.J., NOBLE, D.G., SMITH, K.W. & VANHINSBERGH, D. 2005. Recent declines in populations of woodland birds in Britain: a review of possible causes. British Birds 98: 116–143.
KIRBY, W., BLACK, K., PRATT, S., & BRADBURY, R. 2005. Territory and nest-site habitat associations of Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata breeding in central England. Ibis 147: 420 – 424.
NRS 2010. The Nest Record Scheme, British Trust for Ornithology http://www.bto.org/survey/nest_records/index.htm
PECBMS 2007. State of Europe’s Common Birds, 2007. CSO/RSPB, Prague.
RIDDIFORD, N. 1981. Seasonal movements of summer migrants. BTO guide 18. The British Trust for Ornithology, Tring.
SPARKS, T.H., BAIRLEIN, F., BOJARINOVA, J.G., HÜPPOP, O., LEHIKOINEN, E.A., RAINIO, K., SOKOLOV, L.V. & WALKER, D. 2005. Examining the total arrival distribution of migratory birds. Glo. Change Biol. 11: 22-30.
STOATE, C. & SZCZUR, J. 2006. Potential influence of habitat and predation on local breeding success and population in Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata. Bird Study 53: 328–330.
STEVENS, D.K., ANDERSON, G.Q.A., GRICE, P.V., NORRIS, K. & BUTCHER, N. 2008 Predators of Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata nests in southern England as determined by digital nest-cameras. Bird Study 55: 179–187.
SUMMERS-SMITH, D. 1952. Breeding biology of the Spotted Flycatcher. British Birds 45, 153-167.
UK BAP 2010. United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plans. http://www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk/plans/national_plan.asp.
WERNHAM, C. V., TOMS, M.P., MARCHANT, J.H., CLARK, J.A., SIRIWARDENA, G.M. & BAILLIE, S.R. (eds) 2002. The Migration Atlas: movements of the birds of Britain and Ireland. T & A D Poyser, London.
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Spotted flycatcher. Picture ©John Robinson |
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Spotted flycatcher nest and eggs in a half-coconut shell. Picture ©John Clarke |
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Spotted flycatcher in nest |
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:34-47 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:19-20 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Lower Smite Farm: bumble bee and ladybird surveys 27th July 2010. First trial
Caroline Corsie, Andrew Conway and volunteers
Farming and visiting Roving Volunteers surveyed four areas of Lower Smite Farm, the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s headquarters, in late July 2010 for bumblebees and ladybirds. The results will contribute to the development of an effective long term monitoring strategy for the farm. The overall aim is to determine whether changes in farming practice can halt the decline in bumblebees, earthworms, soil organic matter and farmland birds. All the survey plots were situated in the 6ha field known as ‘Oak Tree’ which entered organic conversion on August 5th 2009.
METHODS
Bumblebees were counted in four different habitat/crop types: Phacaelia, Fodder Radish, Spring Oats and Charlock (fallow).
Bumblebees: three volunteers slowly paced 40 steps (20m) in each habitat counting all bumblebees seen in the area covered by their outstretched arms (approx 1.4m) so each surveyed an area of approximately 28m2. Volunteers were approximately 40 paces (20m) apart. The average of the three counts was used for each habitat type (clearly a rough method but it did give results which indicated the order of magnitude of the number of bees present in each area).
Ladybirds : only the Phacaelia plot (3000m2) was surveyed. Adults and pupae were counted in twelve 1x1m squares each separated by at least 10 metres.
Flora/crop types
Phacelia Phacelia tanacetifolia: A 3000m2 (0.3ha) plot. This quick growing hardy annual green manure plant is sown at Lower Smite Farm as part of a soil improvement program. The purple/blue flowers are very attractive to bumblebees and hoverflies. It smothers weeds well and has an extensive root system that improves the soil structure. It flowers from 6-8 weeks after sowing for a period of 6-8 weeks and self seeds well.
Fodder Radish Raphanus sativus: a spring sown, late white-flowering annual brassica producing ‘tough’ seed pods which it is hoped will provide seeds for birds in January/Feb
Spring sown oats (with a lot of docks!). Sown on first year ‘in conversion’ land.
Charlock Sinapis arvensis in fallow: a prolific spring germination on fallow land
RESULTS
Phacelia: Bumblebees
Transect | No. of Bumblebees (28m2) |
Volunteer 1 | 152 |
Volunteer 2 | 217 |
Volunteer 3 | 200 |
Note: Average 189 bees per 28m2. Honey bees appeared near the edge, more bumblebees in the middle of the plot.
At the risk of infuriating the statisticians and allowing that every bee may have been counted twice, extrapolation leads to the possibility of 10,124 Bumblebees in the Phacaelia plot. (Average number of bumblebees per 28m2 = 189 ÷ 2 x 3000 (area of plot)).
Bumblebee species recorded: Buff-tailed Bumble Bee Bombus terrestris; White-tailed Bumble Bee Bombus lucorum), Red-tailed Bumble Bee Bombus lapidarius; Early Bumble Bee Bombus pratorum; Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum. Honey Bees were also counted. Note: the counts did not differentiate between species
Phacaelia: Ladybirds
12 plots of 1m2 were surveyed.
Ladybirds counted = 36
Average number of Ladybirds 1m2 = 3
Ladybird pupae counted = 18
Average number of ladybird pupae per 1m2 = 1.5
By extrapolation total ladybirds in Phacaelia plot (3000m2) = 9,000.
By extrapolation total Ladybird pupae in Phacaelia plot ((3000m2) = 4500
Forage Mustard: Bumblebees
Transect | No. of Bumble Bees |
Volunteer 1 | 3 |
Volunteer 2 | 5 |
Volunteer 3 | 5 |
Spring Oats (with a lot of docks!): Bumblebees
Transect | No. of Bumble Bees |
Volunteer 1 | 3 Bumble bees.
1 Honey bee |
Volunteer 2 | 4 Bumble bees |
Volunteer 3 | 4 Bumble bees |
N.B: Bees were only present on spear thistle within the spring oats or in flight.
Charlock (in fallow): Bumblebees and honeybees
Transect | No. of Honey Bees | No. of Bumble Bees |
Volunteer 1 | 24 | 2 |
Volunteer 2 | 12 | 1 |
Volunteer 3 | 5 |
Summary
The Phacaelia plot had by far the most bumble bees. Phacaelia is known to attract bees away from other plants and this could be to the detriment of adjacent crops requiring pollinating?
Ladybird counts were highest in the Phacaelia plot. However, this plot also had abundant fat hen Chenopodium album hosting dense colonies of Black Bean Aphid Aphis fabae which were attracting the predatory ladybirds – see picture.
Ladybird species were not identified though it was noted that Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis were present and Seven-spot Coccinella 7-punctata ladybirds were abundant everywhere this year.
Improvements for future surveys
Distance will be measured before walking.
Photos will be taken of bee and ladybirds to identify species.
Replicate number will increase and statistical analyses will be applied.
Fat Hen Chenopodium album amongst Phacaelia with Black Bean Aphid Aphis fabae on stems and many 7-spot ladybirds Coccinella 7-punctata |
Counting bumblebees amongst Phacaelia |
Red-tailed bumblebee Bombus lapidarius on Phacaelia |
Volunteers “get their eye in” ready to count bumblebees amongst Phacaelia |

Fat Hen Chenopodium album amongst Phacaelia with Black Bean Aphid Aphis fabae on stems and many 7-spot ladybirds Coccinella 7-punctata

Counting bumblebees amongst Phacaelia

Red-tailed bumblebee Bombus lapidarius on Phacaelia

Volunteers “get their eye in” ready to count bumblebees amongst Phacaelia
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:19-20 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:20-22 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Initial monitoring of earthworm numbers at Lower Smite Farm
Caroline Corsie (assisted by farming volunteers Carol Greenow and Sarah Giles)
Lower Smite Farm
Lower Smite Farm, the HQ for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, is a 65ha mixed farm (of which 15 ha are permanent pasture), an average size for Worcestershire, and has been owned by the Trust since 2002. Lower Smite Farm is also a Flagship site for the Trust and aims to demonstrate how biodiversity can be significantly enhanced alongside a changing commercial farming environment. The farm is in an ELS/OELS/HLS agreement (Agri-environment schemes funded by the UK Government and the European Union (EU) and currently under review) all the land is managed with the aim of maximising year round food supplies and habitat for wildlife. Half the land is in the second year of organic conversion (fully organic from August 1st 2011). The ‘conventional’ land currently grows cereal crops such as maize and winter wheat for a neighboring dairy farmer who also carries out the majority of tractor work. No insecticides or slug pellets are applied.
Soils
The arable soils are deep silty loams, and nutrient contents average as follows: Phosphate Index 1.5, Potash Index 3, pH 6.3 and soil organic matter 3%. The soils retain moisture and are relatively free draining but winter cropping is favoured commercially since the ground lies wet in the spring and is very prone to compaction and capping (forming a hard crust which impairs plant germination) after spring sowings. All in all, the soil health is not great and structure is poor. Our core objective is to restore soil health and soil biodiversity: the capacity of soil to function as a vital living system. The term ‘fertility’ is avoided, since gains here could be achieved entirely through the use of artificial inputs and to the detriment of soil flora and fauna.
Aim
Our aim is to increase earthworm numbers throughout the farmed land by at least 30% over five years and soil organic matter by 3%. Various ‘green manure’ mixes have been sown to kick start the humus building process including chicory (deep root to break pans), red clover (legume) and cock’s-foot grass (prolific roots). Some areas will also receive well rotted farmyard manure. Grazing animals are integrated where practical. On the conventional land, well rotted farm yard manure is applied prior to sowing maize or winter wheat (roughly one in three years). Cultivations are limited by the neighbour’s machinery to ploughing or discing (not ideal).
Earthworms provide a major contribution to soil health by three main means:
1. Biological: digesting organic matter (e.g. dead leaves) and converting into rich humus.
2. Chemical: ingesting soil which is excreted as nutrient and mineral rich casts 5 times N(nitrogen), 7 times P(phosphorus), 11 times K (potassium) than adjacent soil).
3. Physical: burrowing keeps soil open, maintains aeration and drainage (something a grower cannot achieve with mechanical tillage).
Method
All samples were taken on the same day (7th September 2010)
Six sample pits of 20x20x20cm were dug in each test area (Soil animals are predominantly found in the top 8cm)
No expellant solution used (soil moist throughout)
Soil was placed on plastic sheet and carefully stripped to check for worms
Worms were placed in plastic container
Worms identified using the Key to common British Earthworms (Opal). Soil returned to pit.
Sample Areas (all taken on 7th September 2010)
1. Winter wheat stubble
2. Fallow (uncultivated for 9 months)
3. Ryegrass (RG) + red clover + recycled household compost (five month old). Previously one year fallow. Compost applied two months prior to sampling). Cut and mulched on 21st June
4. Rye grass + red clover ley (also five month old, previously one year fallow). Cut and mulched 21st June.
5. True Couch Elytrigia repens: a dense area of couch within a failed green manure crop. Cut and mulched 21st June
Sample areas 1 and 2 were adjacent to each other in ‘South Meadow’
Sample areas 3, 4 and 5 were all within field ‘Thistle East’
Results
Sample area | Ave number of worms | X (times) more than plot 1 (winter wheat stubble) |
1.winter wheat stubble | 1.33 | |
2. fallow | 5.7 | 4 |
3. RG/ red clover + compost | 8.33 | 6 |
4. RG/ red clover | 13.7 | 10 |
5 .couch | 16.3 | 12 |
Summary
The soil was moist throughout.
The majority of worms were less than 2cm long and did not have clearly defined saddles so were juveniles (about 80%).
Species found included Green worm Allolobophora chlorotica; Grey Worm Aporrectodea caliginosa ; Redhead worm Lumbricus rubellus and Black-headed worm Aporrectodea longa.
1. Winter wheat stubble: The winter wheat stubble had the least worms. This stubble was also bare of weed/plant growth as a result of earlier herbicide application
2. Fallow: The nine month old fallow was easier to dig than the wheat stubble and more ‘friable’. The fallow had a cover of arable weeds dominated by winter wheat volunteers (wheat from spilled wheat seed), annual meadow grass Poa annua, scarlet pimpernel Anagallis arvensis, charlock Sinapis arvensis, nipplewort Lapsana communis and smooth sow thistle Sonchus oleraceus.
3.RG/red clover + compost. Worms were harder to find in soil samples from the red clover/rye-grass/household compost area than the adjacent red clover/ryegrass (without household compost). Rye-grass growth was taller and lusher where compost was added but the red clover was less vigorous and swamped by the rye-grass (this may have been because the compost helped retain more moisture during the very dry spring/early summer).
4. Rye-grass/ red clover: this soil showed clear signs of worm activity (worm tunnels) and was friable
5. Couch: The couch plot was the hardest to dig and extract worms from due to the /tangle of both live and dead roots. More worms were found in this plot than any other.
Comments
Worms do ‘less well’ in acid conditions (particularly less than pH6)
The phosphate levels are low and at this level farmers would be advised to apply extra (which is mined in Morocco and is a non re-newable resource)
The potash levels in the soil are moderate.
The soil organic matter level is ‘moderate’ for arable land (could be 1% or less on Cotswold brash) but is not high enough to bind the topsoil and prevent capping and improve moisture retention. Soil organic matter is converted to humus (worms/microbes/fungi etc). Arguably we should be monitoring humus content/soil microbes. Our aim is to get to at least 5% organic matter in five years and then retain it.
The overall trend is for more worms where food is available for them (and other soil critters) e.g. mulching green manures, prolific root growth of ryegrass, root nodules and nitrogen fixing from clovers all contributing to a more active soil environment. The wheat stubble only had ageing/dead wheat roots (we do not apply slug pellets since these can also kill worms as well as slugs and snails). The clover/rye grass crops are generating increasing amounts of fresh/ageing/decaying roots in the soil profile and this should result in increasing worm counts. The ‘higher’ worm count in the couch was ‘unexpected’ but the couch is also a prolific rooter (so providing cellulose/decaying organic matter)
Future steps
Further small trials have been held since this experiment and in future pits will be filled with a dilute solution of biodegradable washing-up liquid to encourage the earthworms to come to the surface without harming them (an expellant).
Sample numbers will be increased to six per crop type and statistical analyses applied.
Surveys will be linked to soil type.
A full survey will be implemented in spring 2011.
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Sample of larger earthworms. Picture ©Caroline Corsie |
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:20-22 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:38-39 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Winter farmland bird counts and ringing scheme returns from Wick Grange Farm and Glenmore Farm in 2009/10
Steve Davies & Peter Holmes
Introduction
As a continuation of a study of farmland birds at two farms near Wick, Pershore, the methodologies employed during the winters of 2007/8 and 2008/9 (Davies & Holmes 2009) were repeated in the winter period 2009/10. A total of eight farmland walks were made by SD between 7th October 2009 and 25th January 2010. The duration of visits ranged from 30 minutes to 180 minutes giving a total observer effort of 17 hours and 35 minutes. The winter ringing scheme, conducted by PH with occasional assistance from SD, commenced in October 2009 and ended when flocking birds dispersed in February 2010. Part of the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements for both farms included the provision of wildbird crops to specifically target winter finch and bunting flocks. White millet and sunflower were among these crops, offering a range of seed sizes that would benefit a suite of different species.
Results
The list. Maximum counts of birds derived from winter farmland walks 2009/10 are the first values given after the species name. Maximum counts of individuals from the ringing data are shown in parentheses. The first value represents the number of new, previously unringed individuals. ‘Retraps’ indicates the number of birds previously ringed and subsequently recaptured. ‘Total’ gives the total number of each species captured including retraps.
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis-1
Cormorant Phalacracorax carbo-1
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea-1
Mute Swan Cygnus olor-1
Greylag Goose Anser anser-224
Canada Goose Branta Canadensis-80
Teal Anas crecca-6
Mallard Anas platyrynchos-26
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula-1
Buzzard Buteo buteo-3
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus-2 (1)
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus-1
Peregrine Falco peregrines-1
Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa-33
Grey Partridge Perdix perdix-5
Pheasant Phasianus colchicus-3
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus-8
Lapwing Vanellus vanellus-1
Snipe Gallinago gallinago-6
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus-50
Woodpigeon Columba palambus-1038
Stock Dove Columba oenas-10
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto-33
Little Owl Athene noctua-1
Green Woodpecker Picu viridis-5 (1)
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major-3
Skylark Alauda arvensis-140 (1)
Swallow Hirundo rustica-2
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis-69 (8)
Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba-26
Dunnock Prunella modularis-17 (86; retraps 21; total 107)
Wren Troglodytes troglodytes-12 (1)
Robin Erithacus rubecula-6 (11; retraps 1; total 12)
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris-27
Blackbird Turdus merula-30 (18; retraps 1)
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos-9 (5)
Redwing Turdus iliacus-15 (2)
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus-1 (1)
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita-1 (1)
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus-2 (1)
Coal Tit Periparus ater-1
Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus-11 (9; retraps 2; total 11)
Great Tit Parus major-10 (18; retraps 4; total 22)
Treecreeper Certhia familiaris-0 (1)
Jay Garrulus glandarius-1
Magpie Pica pica-6
Jackdaw Corvus monedula-5
Rook Corvus frugilegus-2
Carrion Crow Corvus corone corone-15
Starling Sturnus vulgaris-89
House Sparrow Passer domesticus-36 (10)
Tree Sparrow Passr montanus-31 (17; retraps 3; total 20)
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs- 172 (96)
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris-107 (38)
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis-10 (1)
Linnet Carduelis cannabina-310 (52)
Lesser Redpoll Carduelis flammea cabaret-0 (1)
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula-1
Yellowhammer Emberiza citronella-72 (108; retraps 19; total 127)
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus-190 (67; retraps 11; total 78)
Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra-2 (1)
Total species seen-58
Total species ringed-26
Total ‘new’ birds ringed-556
Total retraps-66
Total birds captured in winter period 2009/10-622
Discussion
Counts made of birds on farmland walks accounted for all species recorded other than Willow Warbler, Treecreeper and Lesser Redpoll which were only counted as captures during ringing sessions. Counts of the single grebe, geese, swans, ducks and raptors using the habitat should be considered accurate due to the easy ‘countability’ of these species with a look-see method (Bibby et. Al. 2000).
The numbers of gamebirds were high because of captive birds being released by a shooting syndicate operating on Glenmore Farm. The Grey Partridges may be of natural stock, I am not aware of any being released by the home shoot.
Waders were rather disappointing during counts with only one Lapwing recorded. However, flocks of 200+ were seen flying over the study site. I have no doubt that Lapwings and Golden Plover use the habitat over the winter in larger numbers, just not on my survey days! Surely a case for greater observer effort. Snipe made a good showing when the weather became more severe. They would generally be found along the banks of the River Avon and on open areas of fields with bare earth.
The provision of so much seed food during the winter had a perhaps not unexpected effect on the numbers of Woodpigeon encountered. The number counted by SD was less than half that reported by shooters at Glenmore Farm who gave maximum numbers of 2500+! High numbers of Collared Dove were generally found away from the arable areas and near to farm buildings at both farms.
As last year, passerine counts were impressive. I (SD) am again amazed at the counts of Dunnock with a maxima of 17 recorded on walks but an incredible 86 newly ringed birds and 21 retraps from this winter period. This, of course, raises the question: just how under recorded in winter on farmland is this skulking hedge dweller? It is statistics such as these that emphasise the power of bird ringing as a tool for monitoring the numbers of individuals that use a specific habitat over a period of time.
PH was particularly pleased with the final tally for Yellowhammers along with agreeable returns for Reed Bunting, Linnet and Greenfinch. A single Corn Bunting made a useful addition to the ringing list, but numbers of this come-and-go species for the county(Harry Green, pers. com), found on walks were nowhere near the maximum of 12 recorded in 2007/8 (Davies & Holmes 2009).
A couple of Africa bound summer visitors lingered with rwo Swallows noted on a walk on 7th October and a single Willow Warbler trapped and ringed.
Inevitably, one must save the best till last! Rob Prudden (pers. com), a regular birding visitor to Wick, told me about a flock of 30+ Tree Sparrows congregating in the hedgerows near the strips of white millet. The location was duly relayed to PH who consequently captured and ringed a good sample of these red-listed birds. It was a couple of visits later that I was fortunate enough to encounter a nice tight flock of at least 31 birds.
Conclusion
The farmland walks counting birds can give a fair estimate of the number of individuals using the study site at a particular moment in time. However, for many of the smaller passerine species, this can only ever be a snapshot. A consistent ringing effort is the only reliable way of extracting data for total numbers of individuals using the habitat for them, many of which are to be found on the amber and red lists of species of conservation concern.
Where do the Corn Buntings that breed at Wick go during the winter (perhaps to Bedfordshire where 700 were found during the winter of 2009/10?). There were no reports of Tree Sparrows breeding in Worcestershire in 2009 (Rob Prudden, Brian Stretch, pers. com) and as far as I know not in 2010. The population in the north of the county at Wassell Grove appears to be now extinct. So where do the Tree Sparrows found here this winter breed?
There are so many questions to be answered!
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Tom Meikle and Rob Kings for granting permission to carry out these studies on their land and for their continued commitment to improving the lot for many of our declining typical farmland bird species. This report will be forwarded to Natural England for record.
References
BIBBY,C.J., BURGESS, N.D., HILL,D.A., & MUSTOE,S.H. 2000. Bird census techniques.2nd ed. Academic Press.
DAVIES,S., & HOLMES,P. 2009.Winter farmland bird counts at Wick Grange Farm and Glenmore Farm in 2007/8-a tale of two methods. Worcestershire Record 26:43-44.
DAVIES,S.,HOLMES,P.2009.Winter farmland bird counts at Wick Grange farm and Glenmore Farm in 2008/9.Worcestershire Record 26:44-45
Tree Sparrows. Picture ©John Robinson
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:38-39 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:9 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Identification of specimens and cataloguing of the Coleoptera (beetle) collection of Worcester City Museum and Art Gallery
David M. Green
davidmxgreen@gmail.com
I recently started to identify the specimens and to catalogue the beetle (Coleoptera) collection held in the basement of the Worcester City Museum and Art Gallery where all parts of the Museum’s natural science collection are stored. This work amongst other things provides a view of the beetles of Worcester area mainly around the years 1878 to 1890 (when the built-up area of Worcester was much smaller) as site data is included with many of the specimens. It also gives records and information of a range of nationally significant species for further understanding of species in Britain and Europe.
The species present in the collection are indicated by hand written annotations on a printed 1883 check-list of British Coleoptera (Matthews and Fowler 1883) that was used to set out the order of the collection. These annotations include a note, dated 19 April 1910, that the total number of beetle specimens in the collection is 11,460 of 1,772 species (approaching half the approximately 4000 species of Coleoptera found in Britain). Of these I have now identified most of the specimens of Carabidae (ground beetles) myself, adding new labels as necessary, and catalogued this species data with provenance data from pin labels. It is necessary to identify the species myself to deal with errors, more recent taxonomic knowledge, misplacements of specimens such they were placed under the wrong names, and to contend with the changes of taxonomic nomenclature that have occurred since 1883, especially as the old names used in the collection are not all included as synonyms in the current check-list of British beetles by Duff (2008). Some few species requiring more time than usual for identification I have passed over to move as fast as possible with the project in the main, but I expect to return to the more time-consuming specimens in due course. Proceeding in taxonomic order by the order of the collection (as taxonomy was understood at the time it was set out) I am now working through some of the families of the water beetles.
The Coleoptera (beetle) collection is almost all contained in a cabinet of 20 large drawers. It seems to me so far that little has happened to the collection after 1910 in terms of layout, additions or changes. The specimens are largely undamaged by pests (though careful monitoring is required) but are often dirty requiring in some cases cleaning (50% or 100% isopropanol applied by artist’s paint brush) to enable identification when features such as fine punctures and pubescence must be discerned. The specimens are often packed closely together so are a little difficult to access. The majority of the specimens are stuck on cards on pins rather than run through directly by the pin. Most of the specimens were the collection of John Edward Fletcher, born Newtown, Worcester, England, 1836, died at St. John’s, Worcester, in 1902 (anonymous obituary 1902). Shortly after Fletcher’s death his collection of a range of insect orders in 90 boxes and a cabinet of 20 drawers was purchased for the Museum (then part of a organisation called the Victoria Institute) from his widow for £20 in recognition of the work of a lifetime, as recorded in the minutes of the Museum Sub-committee 12 May 1902. The cabinet mentioned is presumably the cabinet that presently houses the British Coleoptera collection in large part. Most of Fletchers collection of beetles of those that I have viewed in detail so far were collected by himself, apparently, in the Worcester area within walking distance (about 7 km radius) of where he lived in St John’s, Worcester, therefore providing a substantial view of the species in the locality in that time. He was a very active field entomologist; presumably he did much walking. A particular advantage of Fletcher’s specimens is that he wrote details (in minute handwriting, sometimes requiring interpretation) of the specimen’s provenance, including date of capture, on the underside of the card on the specimen’s pin. This is very good compared with most entomologists of the time who usually supplied no such details at all with the specimen (other than perhaps some limited code of their own understanding) or merely at best state an area of the country; or who gave them the specimen – a matter they appeared to find of primary importance as exchanging, buying or selling specimens was a means of pursuing their interest. Fletcher received specimens from correspondents around Britain and Ireland, often of scarce species that would not be found in the Worcester area, so noticeably increasing the species range of his collection. As I have so far discerned from small handwriting on the back of cards on pins some of the names of people who gave specimens to Fletcher are: Rev. W. W. Fowler (Lincoln), A. E. Hodgson (Abergavenny), Richard Wilding (Liverpool), W. H Harwood, W. H. Bennet (Hastings), Robert Gillo (Bath), Dr J. W. Elis (Liverpool), J. H. Threlfall (Preston). Except the last name, the names are covered by the Biographical Dictionary at http://www.coleopterist.org.uk/. I have noted further names that I am unsure of presently owing to the difficulty of interpreting tiny handwriting on cards on pins, but as work proceeds clarity of understanding and interpretation improves.
That accounts for the majority of the specimens in the Museum Coleoptera collection. However two other collections were purchased for the Museum, apparently added to the cabinet, forming the next most significant contribution in terms of specimens and species, together with specimens marked “old museum collection”, many with broken antenna, none with further data. The collection of Rev. Harvey Bloom was purchased for the museum in 1909 (indicated on specimen pin labels) for £8, of 640 species of Coleoptera (beetles) and 174 tubes of spiders and Crustacea, as recorded in minutes of the Museum Subcommittee 19 Oct 1909. Since then Bloom’s 174 tubes have been lost. Possibly during the 1939-45 war when collections were treated arbitrarily as the basement of the Museum was used as an air raid shelter. A full time curator of Natural Science has not been employed at the museum since 1950. A collection of A. Ford (born 1871 – died May 1943), who collected insects for a living, was purchased by the museum in 1896 (as indicated by specimen labels), and appears to provide similar numbers of Coleoptera specimens as Bloom. Specimens from Rev. Henry Stephen Gorham (1839 – 22 March 1920) are also present. Of these the name “H. S. Gorham” is written on labels with complete clarity, all dated 4.6.1910, the date on which his specimens passed into the Worcester Museum collection, confirmed by the Museum Sub-committee minutes , 22 June 1910, which record the receipt of a donation of 100 specimens of 43 species from Gorham that month. The basement of the museum also holds a single medium sized detached drawer of two levels of Coleoptera (beetles). These are the remainder of the Bloom collection that was apparently not added to the 20 drawer cabinet with the rest of the specimens. They include non-British specimens, but the number of specimens is comparatively small, site data seems largely absent, so I have viewed the contents of this drawer only cursorily so far, as it is more useful to spend time on the great majority of specimens that provides more data and interest. A specimen with provenance data is considerably more value than one without.
Since the collection covers numbers of scarce and rare species the data is of both national and local value. Data will be passed to the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre and hence various recording schemes and hence will be also maintained on the national database of the Biological Records Centre (http://www.brc.ac.uk/). I expect to produce some paper(s) for journals myself as I look into the details of the collection. (For example, an endangered, in European terms, species of Carabid is present in the collection, found near Worcester by Fletcher; the species was unknown in Britain during the 20th century). The data will become be available for geographic analysis of species to further understand the present trends and state (especially relevant for nature conservation advance) and will add to data available from the web site of the National Biodiversity Network’s Gateway (http://data.nbn.org.uk/index_homepage/index.jsp), from where incidentally one can obtain grid maps of distribution of species in Britain. Going through the species in the Coleoptera collection methodically has already provided points of interest that I have shared that goes towards development of identification keys and have been recorded on the Internet (http://markgtelfer.co.uk/files/2010/02/Carabid-Crib-v6-2010-10-26.pdf). I have received requests from museum and biological record workers to check the collection for particular species to review old records that ideally require a specimen to determine validity. Worcester Museum is pleased to have a collection catalogued and used for scientific purpose.
Ideally such a collection of insects at Worcester should be easily accessed by people of sufficient competence, including those making early progress with serious entomological study, but space in the museum confines the collection to the basement of the building which is not suitable for ready access. In years past the insect collections were housed in a room at gallery level now occupied by the café kitchen. Worcestershire, like other counties, would benefit from a updated and readily visitable insect collection, for example of Coleoptera (beetles) and other orders, in support of scientific work whether of paid, variously funded, unpaid or of productive leisure. It would be nice if in the years ahead that this could be achieved. Such advance could be combined with courses in invertebrate identification for people who would not cause damage to fragile specimens, to advance work and productive leisure interests and natural history knowledge necessary for environmental protection and advance. The study of Coleoptera (in natural history and related areas), as with many other orders, is much helped by using reference collection of named specimens. Specimens in the current Coleoptera collection, especially for pinned specimens, would have to be spaced out better for this usage to avoid damage occurring, and perhaps access restricted to specimens on cards. Ideally further specimens would be contributed to the collection – especially by those who make use of it.
My thanks to Worcester City Museum and Art Gallery and to the museum staff for providing regular access for me to examine the collection, – especially thanks to Garston D. Phillips for further help from day to day including the providing of documentation, for reading a draft of this document and providing me with historical information.
References
ANONYMOUS. 1902. Obituary [John Edward Fletcher]. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine: 38:134-5
DUFF, A.G. (ed.) 2008. Checklist of Beetles of the British Isles, 2008 edition. Wells: A.G. Duff.
MATTHEWS, A. & FOWLER, W. W. 1883. Catalogue of British Coleoptera. West, Newman and Co., London.
Reference was also made to pages of the minutes of the Museum Sub-committee (pages extracted by Garston D. Philips).
Worcester Museum Coleoptera Collection: part of the drawer containing Carabidae (Ground Beetles). Picture ©David M Green
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:9 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:10 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Rhantus suturalis (Macleay) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) and Hydraena nigrita Germar (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) in Worcestershire
David M. Green
davidmxgreen@gmail.com
I recently recorded one specimen of Rhantus suturalis (MacLeay) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in a moth trap (mercury vapour lamp) 10 October 2010 in the village of Little Comberton, British grid reference SO966431. As far as I know the only other record of the species in Worcestershire is Croome Park, Pond 9, Lickmoor outflow, British grid reference SO882456, 16 Sept 2005, by Garth N. Foster. Originally it was of JNCC Notable list B status, but is now found too widespread in Britain, despite its scarcity in Worcestershire, to qualify as Nationally Scarce (Foster 2010). The species is generally understood to feed on mosquito larvae, especially in ponds that dry up, & is found commonly in various parts of the world: this can be surmised by searching the Internet.
During October 2010 I found the species Hydraena nigrita Germar (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) on two sites in the water of shaded ditches with a shallow flow of well oxygenated water with Gammarus pulex (Linnaeus) individuals present. Firstly on Bredon Hill in a ditch flowing through woodland not far from Elmley Castle (British grid reference SO971407) & secondly between the villages of Great Comberton & Little Comberton (grid reference SO961427) in a ditch running alongside a hedge in fields, where the shading is reduced this year owing to severe cutting of the hedge & trees along the hedge-line. However a fully grown hedge nearby provides some continuity of shade & it is near this hedge that the beetles were found. The site does not look significant in conservation terms. The species is now known too widespread to qualify for Notable status (Foster 2010). However, there are few records (three records are indicated for Worcestershire via the NBN website) in Worcestershire currently. It is a small species that would be often missed in non-specialised searching.
Reference
FOSTER, G.N. 2010. A review of the scarce and threatened Coleoptera of Great Britain Part (3): Water beetles of Great Britain. Species Status 1. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. Page 15, 16.
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:10 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:16 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Landscape change – trees
David M. Green
davidmxgreen@gmail.com
The landscape of Worcestershire has perhaps recovered in a way from the death of elm during the 1970s and 1980s. In hedges and fields around the Vale of Evesham where I make my observations ash and oak are now growing in place of elm as far as the general view of the landscape is concerned. However ash and many oak trees as they age become vulnerable to large branch loss, after which the life expectancy of the tree is considerably reduced for most specimens. This seems recognised by landowners of farmland such that it is not uncommon to see oaks subject to crown reduction by chainsaw surgery. In the picture it can be seen that the death of one oak tree after branch loss has apparently prompted the land owner, in fields near Grafton Wood, to reduce the branch length of the nearby oak.
Two oaks, one apparently dead, the other now with crown reduction. Picture © David M. Green
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:16 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:32 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
The BTO atlas, breeding and winter seasons, 2007-2011
Harry Green
BTO Regional Representative Worcestershire. Tel: 01386 710377 or email zen130501@zen.co.uk.
The collection of data for this Atlas is now into the last winter. Next summer (2011) is the last breeding season for recording. For Worcestershire the recording effort has been good but there are still gaps to fill. Please help to plug the gaps.
As a reminder, the atlas records are collected for the Breeding season (beginning April to end July) and winter season (beginning November to end February) in two ways. Roving Records are literally observations made anywhere and the main aim is to build a complete list of species in each 10×10 km square of the National Grid for both winter and summer. Timed Tetrad Visits (TTVs) are recording visits to 2×2 km squares within a 10×10 km square, according to the standard grid, and counting the birds seen during either a one hour or a two hour visit. The TTVs entail two visits to each tetrad in winter (early November & December, late January & February) and two in summer (early April & May, late June & July). These records are of course added to the 10×10 km species list but they also enable BTO to make population estimates for each species. The aim is to cover all 450 tetrads in BTO Worcestershire if possible, both winter and summer.
In addition, observers are encouraged to make evening or nocturnal visits in the breeding season to records owls, nightingales, water rails and maybe nightjars and quail)
Observers can submit records either on paper forms or on the Atlas web site (http://www.bto.org/birdatlas/). The use of the internet is making this an outstandingly efficient project as it is easy to submit records through the web site so they go directly on to the database. Paper records are still of course essential and valuable but these take longer to be entered. The web site also shows which tetrads are not surveyed and enables an observer to select those they would like to survey. As Regional Representative this information is sent to me so I can allocate the tetrads and confirm this with the observer. If you would like to take part and would like to discuss possibilities please contact me especially if you are not an internet user. I can supply paper forms and allocate tetrads.
The absolute minimal number of TTVs required per 10x10km square in eight. However the more that can be covered the better. In several of our neighbouring counties (Shropshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire) the aim is cover every tetrad and to produce a local tetrad atlas of wintering and breeding birds. Although an atlas is not being produced for Worcestershire we have now covered a great many tetrads so complete coverage becomes a goal to aim for! The simplest way to see which tetrads are not covered is at the web site where you can volunteer to fill a gap!
For the summer (breeding) recording the highest possible evidence of breeding is an important aim. The categories are of course to do with nesting e.g. nests with eggs or young, or the sight of an adult carrying food to a nest or carrying faecal sacs away, or seeing an adult enter or leave a nest or nest site, or the sight of freshly fledged young. This evidence is required for each species in each 10x10km square.
The final aim to record the maximum number of species (all that occur) winter and summer so the atlas can give a true picture of distribution. One good way to check what has been recorded and what may be missing is to visit the web site.
Evidence of breeding owls is particularly important as records are scarce.
If you are or want to become a BirdTrack user please join that system! The records from BirdTrack are incorporated into the atlas database. BirdTrack gives a useful way of keeping your own records (you can always access them) and also making them useful for other surveys. If you visit a site regularly please consider joining BirdTrack – visit the Atlas or simply the BTO web site for further information.
Also never assume somebody must have put a record in so you don’t need to bother. Some of our keenest bird watchers of the twitching fraternity don’t contribute to the Atlas – many do of course – b ut it would be a great shame if Worcestershire’s Lapland Buntings and all these waxwings did not get recorded.
Finally, if you have an interesting record for the Atlas and you don’t want to be bothered with the web or paperwork please give me a ring and I’ll make sure your record is used.
The new BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) logo
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:32 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:14 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
The Girdled Snail Hygromia cinctella. Please send records!
Harry Green
Following my note in Worcestershire Record 26 this is a further appeal for records. Please send them either to me or the WBRC through email to zen130501@zen.co.uk or to records@wbrc.org.uk or write or phone – details on back of front cover or on the back cover of Worcestershire Record. Many thanks.
This snail is travelling around the country with potted plants bought at garden centres. Once in a garden it soon becomes established. It was first reported in Worcestershire in 1996 in Little Comberton (Green 1998) and was filmed for “Midlands Today” BBC TV! The original colony is still thriving in 2010. Since then we have received records from elsewhere in the county. It is highly likely that the snail is now lurking unrecorded in many gardens and it would be useful to update our knowledge. The description given in David Green’s original report makes identification clear as follows.
Shell brown to very pale brown, except usually for a single thin pale (often pale yellow) band around the outer rim of the shell. The outer whorl often appears generally darker owing to blackish splodges. A careful look from different angles reveals (a hand lens is useful) that the outer rim is also strongly keeled (the rim is a pale outward ridge, not a more rounded shape like other snails in the garden). Size much smaller than the garden snail and hedge snails. Shell widest width about 10-12mm adult, but you might find a smaller juvenile. Shell height 7mm. Despite being smallish, Hygromia cinctella is quite distinctive with the rounded pyramidal shape above, the somewhat flattened whorl below the rim, and lighter coloured keel at the rim. Mouth viewed-head on is oval as a general shape, not round. Underneath, the umbilicus (hole in centre) is minute, partly covered by lip. The big pair of antennae are particularly long when fully extended.
GREEN, D.M. 1998. New snail to Worcestershire – Hygromia cinctella. Worcestershire Record 4: page 5, May 1998. (http://wbrc.org.uk/WORCRECD/Vol1Iss4/hycin.htm)
Hygromia cinctella, the Girdled Snail. Picture © G H Green
Hygromia cinctella, the Girdled Snail. Picture © G H Green
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:14 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:43 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Trichomonas gallinae – Trichomoniasis in wild birds. An update 2010
Harry Green
I reported on the severe outbreak of this disease previously (Green 2006) in Worcestershire. Since 2005 many people have found dead and dying Greenfinches in their gardens, often near bird feeding stations, and usually in late summer. At times Chaffinches and House Sparrows also seem to suffer similar problems. Birds suffer from many diseases but these particular outbreaks are caused by a disease commonly called canker, an infection that has been well-known in wild, feral and racing pigeons for many years, and technically called Trichomoniasis. The disease appears to again have been particularly severe since summer 2010 with many reports of a complete lack of Greenfinches at many garden feeding stations during the autumn and first part of the winter.
The infection affects the mouth and upper gullet of the bird and the sick birds may drool saliva, regurgitate food and have difficulty in swallowing although they try to eat. There may be wet matted feathers around the face and beak, and food may get stuck in the mouth. The birds look sick, are lethargic, and sit about doing nothing with feathers puffed up. The disease progress is slow and the bird eventually starves to death. Internally the throat may be blocked by ulcerating growths and the crop distended. The disease is caused by a microscopic protozoan parasite called Trichomonas gallinae, and the individual organisms of the disease are single-celled animals far bigger than bacteria although they can only be seen with a microscope.
The disease seems to affect small birds that habitually live in flocks. Greenfinches are a particularly unfortunate species in this respect as their lives are spent in flocks and even when nesting they form loose colonies and do not defend large breeding territories occupied by one pair like most other small birds. On fledging the flocks of young and old birds stay together, roost together and forage together. Biologically this is probably because they are seed eaters and their food tends to be found in small rich clumps rather than scattered through a habitat. The communal behaviour provides plenty of opportunities for the disease to pass from one bird to another through saliva. Also it is now thought that the disease is mostly passed from adult to chicks in the nest when the chicks are fed by a parent regurgitating partly digested seeds. This probably explains why outbreaks occur in late summer soon after youngsters have fledged and is seen at garden feeding stations when the flocks of young and old birds arrive to feed. It is likely that some birds carry the disease without being ill. Pigeons also feed their nestlings by regurgitation of “pigeon’s milk”.
There is considerable worry that the disease may be spread further at garden feeding stations. This could be so but nobody knows for sure. As a precaution good hygiene around feeders may help prevent the spread of this and perhaps other diseases. The organism causing the disease does not survive long outside the bird and is easily killed by drying out. If you find dead greenfinches in your garden a good precaution may be to stop feeding for a fortnight, give all the feeders a really good clean and let them dry thoroughly for several days before re-filling with food. The same applies to bird baths and drinking places. It is advisable to wear washing-up gloves or similar when cleaning up feeding stations. Trichomoniasis does not affect people but rarely birds may carry other bacterial diseases which can affect people so taking reasonable care is sensible.
Nationally this disease appears to be causing a decline in Greenfinch numbers as shown by survey work undertaken by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). A recent brief report gives provisional information (Toms 2010). Analysis of the national Garden BirdWatch data for 2006 compared with previous years showed reporting rates in gardens fell by about 20% in places badly affected by the disease and this fall was not seen elsewhere. Furthermore the 2007 data from the national Breeding Birds Survey (BBS) showed a decrease of 35% of greenfinches in areas where the disease was prevalent compared with previous years. It appears that Trichomoniasis is causing a drop in Greenfinch numbers. However it is worth remembering that other diseases caused by bacteria that also kill birds and it is often difficult to know what exactly causes a change in bird numbers. Further research is needed.
Further information on Trichomoniasis can be found at the following web sites:
http://www.ufaw.org.uk/documents/GBHI_Trichomonas_sheet_2010_.pdf
http://www.bto.org/gbw/news/disease_outbreak.htm
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/health/sickbirds/disease.aspx
References
GREEN G H 2006. Trichomonas gallinae – Trichomoniasis in wild birds. Worcestershire Record. 21:18-19.
TOMS, M. 2010. Trichomonosis hits greenfinch numbers. BTO News. Issue 291, page 15.
Juvenile greenfinch presumably killed by Tichomoniasis (no laboratory tests done) showing drooled stickly saliva on the bill do which material has adhered. Picture ©G H Green
Drawing of Trichomonas gallinae
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:43 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:5 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
The Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea in Worcestershire 2010
Harry Green
Readers of the Bees & Wasps section of Wildlife Reports in British Wildlife may have noticed a series of reports of Violet Carpenter Bees occurring in England and occasionally nesting and overwintering successfully (see Baldock 2009, 2010, & http://www.bwars.com/xylocopa_violacea.htm). We have been on the lookout in Worcestershire for this spectacular bee for several years. This year (2010) two sightings were reported, one through the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust web site, the other through an email enquiry to the Trust In both instances the observers had taken confirmatory photographs with mobile phones.
The first report came from the west of the county at the beginning of June. Nick Emms wrote “Please find attached a photo of what I believe to be a black wasp feeding on our Wisteria in Lower Frith Common. I’ve never come across one of these before and wonder whether you can tell me if they are indigenous and how common. As an indication of size the flower petal is 20mm across its widest part”. The picture showed a fine Violet Carpenter bee!
The second report was at Welland in the south of the county on both the 6th and 27th October.2010. The photographs taken on the 27th October appear below.
A third possible sighting near Evesham early in summer could not be confirmed.
The Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea has been spreading northward in Europe for some years reaching the north coasts of France and Belgium and the sightings in England may be of immigrants that have crossed the channel. It is also the possible they have been imported in timber or timber products. A second species Xylocopa valga is very similar in appearance and has a more southerly distribution in Europe but there have been occasional northerly records. The males of the species are easily identified as two segments (11 and 12) of the antennae near the tip are red in X. violacea and black in X. valga. The females are more difficult to tell apart by looking at teeth on the hind tibia with a microscope. However, all the males see in England have been X. violacea so the females seen are probably of this species. The bees are about 25mm long, jet black, and have dark wings which appear brilliant electric blue or dull brown depending on lighting conditions. Nothing similar occurs in England.
Carpenter bees nest in wood such as dead trees, felled timber, fence posts and sometimes tunnel into beams of barns or houses or into timber products such as pallets. The bee has powerful mandibles and excavates a tunnel discarding the wood shavings or using them to make divisions between a number of separate cells, which are stocked with nectar and pollen on which the female lays an egg. Like other solitary bees, when nesting is finished the female leaves the larvae to develop on their own. The adult bees may hibernate in hollow trees or similar sites.
David Baldock (2010) writing in the October issue of British Wildlife had at that time received only one report (in Surrey) for the year of Violet Carpenter bees. The two reports from Worcestershire in 2010 at opposite ends of the county (north and south) are remarkable. Did they survive the previous winter, were they new immigrant, or had they arrive in wood products from Europe? Hopefully readers will keep a sharp lookout for this spectacular bee during 2011 and please let either WBRC, Geoff Trevis or me know as soon as possible if a possible sighting occurs. And please rake a photograph!
References
BALDOCK, D. 2009. Wildlife Reports: Bees and Wasps. British Wildlife, 20, pages 438-441.
BALDOCK, D. 2010. Wildlife Reports: Bees and Wasps. British Wildlife, 22, pages 56-58.
BWARS web site http://www.bwars.com/xylocopa_violacea.htm.
Internet searches reveal large numbers of pictures of Carpenter Bees.
The Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea at Frith Common on Wisteria. ©Nick Emms

The Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea at Welland. ©Jo Horrobin
The Violet Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea at Welland. ©Jo Horrobin
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:5 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:28 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Atlantic Stream (white-clawed) crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes in Wyre Forest
Ann Hill
The white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes is the only native species of freshwater crayfish in the UK. It has a decreasing population and the species faces an uncertain future in England and Wales, where it is vulnerable to pollution, habitat destruction and competition from introduced crayfish. A recent sighting (during a cave spider survey in July 2010) suggested that there might be a native crayfish population in one of the tributaries of Dowles Brook. As a result, a baseline survey of the watercourse was undertaken to establish if the native crayfish was present and making a comeback to the Wyre Forest. The local native population of white-clawed crayfish was thought to be in decline (Linck 2000) although they had once been “abundant throughout the Dowles and tributary streams” according to Norman Hickin (1971) in his book on the natural history of the Wyre Forest.
The distribution of the white-clawed crayfish is governed by geology and water quality. The species can be found in a variety of locations including canals, streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and water-filled quarries, where it occupies cryptic habitats. They are largely nocturnal, with breeding taking place from September to November when water temperatures drop below 10°C for an extended period. The white-clawed crayfish is usually found associated with stony habitats containing obvious refuges in the form of gaps between and under rocks, macrophytes and marginal tree roots, particularly in streams and lakes with clear water and little marginal mud (Holdich 2003). If the banks are composed of suitable material, then they may also construct and live in burrows. The bottom substrate and presence of morphological structures acting as hiding places, and the geographical isolation of the habitat seem to be of importance.
There has been a significant decline in the reported distribution of white-clawed crayfish across England and Wales during the period 1997-2001 compared to the preceding period 1990-1996 (both inclusive) (Sibley, Brickland & Bywater 2002). The most widespread threat is that of invasive alien species, in particular the signal crayfish (Holdich et al. 2009). The signal crayfish is a vector for crayfish plague, a fungal pathogen which can spread rapidly through populations of white-clawed crayfish and has caused them to disappear from many parts of Britain (Holdich and Rogers, 1997a; Holdich et al., 1999). Signal crayfish are also aggressive predators for food and habitat, and often prey upon the white-clawed crayfish. Localised declines in white-clawed crayfish populations can also occur as a result of alteration to the hydrological regime of rivers, pollution from agriculture, domestic pollution, sedimentation, eutrophication, loss of in-stream cover such as tree roots and pebbles, droughts and changes in land-use activities.
The white-clawed crayfish is protected from ‘taking and sale’ under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended 1992), listed under the EU Habitats Directive Annex II and V, included as a priority species under Appendix III of the Bern Convention and is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red Data List for endangered and threatened species. The species is also a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), with a BAP steering group for white-clawed crayfish overseeing the delivery of a national action plan (UK Biodiversity Group 1995). The key objective of this Action Plan is to “maintain the present distribution of … (A. pallipes)”, and fundamental to this aim is the requirement for an effective programme of distribution monitoring and reporting. The white-clawed crayfish is also a Worcestershire BAP priority species. The Worcestershire BAP Vision Statement is that “all known white-clawed crayfish populations being safe and secure and populations expanding to colonise all suitable rivers and streams”.
White-clawed crayfish is also indirectly affected by the EU Water Framework Directive which seeks to achieve good ecological status of aquatic systems.
A protected species licence is required for any surveys for white-clawed crayfish. Licences are issued by Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales.
Method
A baseline crayfish survey of the tributary where the July 2010 sighting was made (Tributary A) and an adjacent tributary (Tributary B) of Dowles Brook was undertaken on 10 August 2010 using the standard manual search method (Peay 2002, 2003). Only one 100 m sampling site was surveyed in a 500 m stretch of each tributary. Five areas of habitat (termed ‘patches’) considered being the most favourable for crayfish were selected within each 100 m sampling site and ten potential refuges were manually searched in each habitat patch. A total of 100 refuges were manually searched in Tributary A and 50 refuges were manually searched in Tributary B. In addition, an uncounted number of casual searches were made during the survey and the results recorded separately. The manual survey recorded information on the relative abundance and population structure of the crayfish caught including size distribution and sex ratio. All caught crayfish were checked for signs of disease, incidence of claw loss and regeneration and other damage, and were returned to the watercourse.
Night viewing of Tributary A and Tributary B, and the linking stretch of Dowles Brook, was undertaken on four nights in August and September as a supplementary method to the above standard manual search. The torching method gives an abundance estimate of the white-clawed crayfish population. Timed 15-minute searches were made of the same two standard manual search sampling sites on 17 and 23 August. In addition, the down stream sections of Tributaries A and B and the linking stretch of Dowles Brook between Tributary A and B were night viewed, using timed 15-minute searches, on 31 August. Additional night viewing on the upstream stretches of the same two tributaries was undertaken on 13 September to try to establish the upstream extent of the white-clawed crayfish population. The stop watch was stopped and re-started where necessary.
All surveys were undertaken from the downstream end of each stretch. Difficult terrain, fallen timber and dense vegetation with associated health and safety issues prevented survey in places but a representative sample was taken. All surveys were carried out by, or under, the supervision of experienced license holders and all license conditions were complied with. Precautions were taken to prevent the spread of crayfish plague.
The water temperature was between 15° and 16°C for the daytime surveys and between 11° and 15°C for the night-time surveys. Flow conditions fluctuated between no obviously high flow conditions and reducing water levels after periods of rain.
Results
There were 382 white-clawed crayfish recorded in Tributary A and 39 white-clawed crayfish were recorded in Tributary B. No white-clawed crayfish were recorded during a short survey of Dowles Brook. A summary of the results of the daytime and nocturnal surveys are shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3. Please note that the torching records may include duplicate records from the day-time manual survey. Nevertheless this would still give a total of 366 records from Tributary A and 35 records from Tributary B.
Method | Refuges | Time | Sample Site Extent | Total white-clawed crayfish | Adults | Adult | Juveniles | |
Male | Female | |||||||
Manual Search | 100 | N/A | 200m | 8 | 0 | 6 | N/A | 2 |
Casual Search | N/A | 8 | 2 | 2 | N/A | 4 | ||
Torching | N/A | 6 x 15 minutes | 290 | N/A | N/A | 158 | 132 | |
Torching | N/A | 2 x 15 minutes | 140m | 73 | N/A | N/A | 26 | 47 |
Torching | N/A | 10 minutes | 105m | 3 | N/A | N/A | 3 | 0 |
Total white-clawed crayfish | 382 |
Table 1: Summary of white-clawed crayfish recorded in Tributary A, Wyre Forest.
Method | Refuges | Time | Sample Site Extent | Total white-clawed crayfish | Adults | Adult | Juveniles | |
Male | Female | |||||||
Manual Search | 50 | N/A | 150m | 2 | 1 | 0 | N/A | 1 |
Torching | N/A | 4 x 15 minutes | 2 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 2 | |
Torching | N/A | 11 minutes | 19m | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 |
Torching | N/A | 3 x 15 minutes | 125m | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 |
Torching | N/A | 15 minutes | 136m | 19 | N/A | N/A | 7 | 12 |
Torching | N/A | 15 minutes | 50m | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 |
Torching | N/A | Approx. 20 minutes | 136m | 9 | N/A | N/A | 9 | 0 |
Torching | N/A | 15 minutes | 136m | 7 | N/A | N/A | 5 | 2 |
Total white-clawed crayfish | 39 |
Table 2: Summary of white-clawed crayfish recorded in Tributary B, Wyre Forest.
Method | Refuges | Time | Sample Site Extent | Total white-clawed crayfish | Adults | Juveniles | ||
Male | Female | Adult | ||||||
Torching | N/A | 3 x 15 minutes | 125m | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 |
Total white-clawed crayfish | 0 |
Table 3: Summary of white-clawed crayfish recorded in 125m stretch of Dowles Brook, Wyre Forest.
The white-clawed crayfish abundance per site from the manual search (calculated as the number of crayfish per 10 refuges) was for Tributary A calculated to be 0.08 and for Tributary B calculated to be 0.04. The average abundance of white-clawed crayfish recorded during the torching survey in each of the nine sampling sites along Tributary A was 41 crayfish per 15-minute search. The average abundance for each of the twelve sampling sites along Tributary B during the torching survey was three crayfish per 15-minute search.
Fourteen white-clawed crayfish were measured to the nearest mm from tip of the rostrum to the junction of the carapace and tail (daytime manual survey). The minimum carapace length was 5.05 mm and the maximum carapace length was 36.8 mm. The median size was 22.05 mm carapace length. The percentage of population classed as juveniles (juvenile = <25 mm carapace length) from the combined surveys in Tributary A was 48% and in Tributary B was 44%.
No evidence of disease in any of the recorded white-clawed crayfish was found. One female white-clawed crayfish was missing a left cheliped and another female had a missing antennae.
No evidence of non-native crayfish was found during any of the surveys.
Discussion
The remarkable and unexpected positive results suggest that the native white-clawed crayfish has returned to the Wyre Forest. The 2000 survey of Worcestershire watercourses found only one small population of white-clawed crayfish (4 female adults; 1 male adult, 2 dead adults and one escapee) in one of the tributaries of Dowles Brook, Wyre Forest (Linck 2000). The 2010 results indicate that there is a relatively large population of native white-clawed crayfish in Tributary A and a small population in Tributary B. The nocturnal torching is likely to give a much better indication of population abundance of this nocturnal species than the day-time manual survey method.
Both male and females were caught and measured in Tributary A and male only in Tributary B although the presence of juveniles implies the presence or recent presence of breeding females in Tributary B. As expected, adults slightly outnumber juveniles in both Tributaries; night viewing is biased towards active adult crayfish (Peay 2003). The proportion of juveniles was between 44% and 48% of the population which implies a strong population with effective recruitment. The proportion of juveniles (<25mm carapace length) from a healthy population is likely to be about 40% (Peay 2003). The size distribution of the population shows a healthy population and also indicates that the population is recovering or colonising. However, it is unknown whether the observed change in population abundance is due to natural factors or because of an external reason.
Sampling of the population of white-clawed crayfish has shown no evidence of disease. More importantly no evidence of the non-native crayfish was found in the watercourses searched.
Further research and survey work is planned to be undertaken in Worcestershire for this UK BAP priority species. The aim would be to improve knowledge of white-clawed crayfish distribution and abundance to allow effective conservation action. At the moment, there is limited up-to-date knowledge of the distribution of all species of crayfish, including introduced species within Worcestershire. I would welcome any details anyone has on native and non-native crayfish populations within Worcestershire or any other relevant information on the species. I can be contacted at ann@hillsecology.co.uk or via the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre.
Acknowledgements
My thanks to the survey assistants: Mike Averill, Graham Hill, Jane Scott, Brett Westwood and Rosemary Winnall who gave support and encouragement during the searches. Special thanks go to Jane and Rosemary during one survey night of very atrocious and adverse weather conditions. Rosemary Winnall also arranged access permissions.
References
FÜREDER, L., GHERARDI, F., HOLDICH, D., REYNOLDS, J., SIBLEY, P. AND SOUTY-GROSSET, C., 2010. Austropotamobius pallipes. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 19 November 2010.
HICKIN, N.E. 1971. The natural history of an English Forest. The wild life of Wyre. Hutchinson, London
HOLDICH, D.M., 2003. Ecology of the white-clawed crayfish. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers, Ecology Series No. 1. English Nature, Peterborough.
HOLDICH, D.M. AND ROGERS, W.D., 1997. The white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, in Great Britain and Ireland with particular reference to its conservation in Great Britain. Bull. Fr. Pêche Piscic., 347, 597-616.
HOLDICH, D. M., GYDEMO, R. AND ROGERS, W. D., 1999. A review of possible methods for controlling alien crayfish populations. In: GHERARDI, F. AND HOLDICH, D. M. (eds.), Crayfish in Europe as alien species – how to make the best of a bad situation?, pp. 245-270. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam.
HOLDICH, D.M. AND ROGERS, D., 1999. Freshwater crayfish in Britain and Ireland. Evironment Agency, Bristol.
HOLDICH, D.M., REYNOLDS, J.D., SOUTY-GROSSET,C. AND SIBLEY, P.J., 2009. A review of the ever increasing threat to European crayfish from non-indigenous crayfish species. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems 394-395: 1-46.
LINCK, K., 2000. Crayfish Survey (2000). A survey of watercourses within Worcestershire. Unpublished report for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.
PEAY, S., 2002. A Standardised Survey and Monitoring Protocol for the White-clawed Crayfish in the UK. Life in UK Rivers LIF 02-11-37. EC LIFE Programme, DG Env.D.1., Brussels, Belgium.
PEAY, S., 2003. Monitoring the White-clawed Crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series No. 1. English Nature, Peterborough, UK.
SIBLEY, P.J, BRICKLAND, J.H. AND BYWATER, J.A., 2002. Monitoring the Distribution of crayfish in England and Wales. Bull. Fr. Pêche Piscic., 367, 833-844.
UK BIODIVERSITY STEERING GROUP, 1995. Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report. Vol. 2: Action Plans. White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), 157-158. HMSO, London.
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White clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes. Picture ©Rosemary Winnall |
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Signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus: two pictures of the same individual – a monster found along Bavaney Brook in Wyre Forest on 14 October 2006. Picture ©Rosemary Winnall |
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Signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus: two pictures of the same individual – a monster found along Bavaney Brook in Wyre Forest on 14 October 2006. Picture ©Rosemary Winnall |
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:28 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:39 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
What do buzzards eat
Richard Medley; Richard Southall
A note from Richard Medley
At 7.45am today Saturday 10 July, we looked out of the window just in time to see a buzzard swoop onto prey in adjoining field in Upper Colwall. It mantled over the prey which appeared to be struggling and which through binoculars turned out to be a young crow. The buzzard was having some difficulty subduing the crow and it was not long before a pair of magpies appeared to mob the buzzard. Shortly after our resident crow family arrived and set up a tremendous din and started to peck and buffet the buzzard who took no notice at all. In the next 5-6 minutes we were astonished by the number of crows which appeared: 10 perhaps 12 pairs, all of which were grouped around the buzzard while some attacked from the air. The buzzard stood its ground for some time – approx 20 minutes – and the crows eventually lost interest and flew away. The buzzard stayed on the ground until approx 8.30am when it lifted the dead crow and flew with some difficulty into nearby trees. We think that the victim was one of three fledglings reared this year but which appeared to then become out of favour with the adult birds who we watched actively feeding its siblings while it was ignored. However it had seemed to be managing well until this morning.
A note from Richard Southall
While I was doing some tractor work at Torton this afternoon, 14th October 2010, I saw a Buzzard swoop down and take a small rodent, which I had disturbed. The bird took the prey in one foot, without having to land. I thought this was quite a nifty manoeuvre for such a large bird. I have seen Buzzards take small rodents on several occasions while I was doing field work. The birds will perch nearby and watch for a meal, responding very quickly at times. Kestrels will also take this approach, particularly during ploughing operations.
Another note from Richard Medley
In Upper Colwall at midday yesterday (19th July 2010), I saw a large bird of prey flying past the window about 25yds away: for an instant I thought it was an escaped bird with jesses attached but then realised that it was a buzzard trailing a dead snake about 2ft long. I think it was a grass snake as it was too slender for an adder and the tail was too fine and pointed for a slow-worm.
So far this year the number of buzzards seen from the house and garden is well down on last year and seems to be confined to two pairs of locally based birds. A short distance to the west of the house is a slight ridge, from which the land drops steeply down to Brockhill Road in Colwall, and on a suitably warm day with a westerly wind, the up current of air forms thermals which attract many buzzards. Despite apparently ideal conditions, we have seen very few buzzards so far. In contrast raven numbers are increasing and we now see or hear them passing over head on a daily basis.
Buzzards
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:39 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:40 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Kestrel and frog
Paul Meers
9th September 2010. On the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust blog (see http://worcestershirewildlifetrust.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html:
‘I was at Feckenham Wylde Moor as usual on the Wednesday work party. After lunch break I started to carry out that weeks butterfly recording and as I walked across Hill Piece I noticed our resident Kestrel perched on the wires that cross the meadow. After a few seconds he dropped down into the grass. I was surprised at how slowly he descended and so I walked nearer to see what he had spotted. As I approached he ‘mantled’ and as I got nearer he flew up. I noticed that he was carrying a large frog. He flew into the big Oak and proceeded to eat it where I took many photographs before he flew off with what was left of the prey’.
1. Kestrel “mantling” over frog it has just caught, Feckenham. ©Paul Meers
2. Kestrel with frog it has just caught, Feckenham
©Paul Meers
3. Kestrel eating frog, Feckenham ©Paul Meers
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:40 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:28 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Border Bryologists 2010-2011
Mark Lawley
Our meetings are to help beginners learn their mosses and liverworts, rather than high-powered recording sessions. All are on Sundays, and start at 10.30 a.m. Please bring sandwiches.
You may wish to bring with you a copy of the British Bryological Society’s Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland: a Field-guide (2010), files for which are also on-line at http://www.bbsfieldguide.org.uk/ (or click on the book cover of the Field-guide on the left-hand side of the BBS web-site’s home page at http://britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ and follow the links).
You are very welcome to suggest venues for future outdoor meetings; please include grid references and details for parking.
January 16th 2011
With the kind permission of Apley Estate we shall explore their land near Bridgnorth. The bank of the River Severn and sandstone outcrops should offer a good range of species. Meet in the parking area by the A442 at SO 726952.
February 13th 2011
Jonathan Sleath will lead us to explore the National Trust’s estate at Brockhampton, near Bromyard in Herefordshire. Park in the National Trust car park at SO 683548 (we will be given free entry). SO 65 is the least well recorded hectad in Herefordshire, and we will do our best to correct this.
March 13th 2011
Our final meeting of the winter will be a joint meeting with the Worcestershire Moss Group, to explore the River Rea and wet woodland on the boundary between Shropshire and Worcestershire at Mawley, near Cleobury Mortimer. Turn off the A4117 at SO 689758 down the main drive towards Mawley Hall. Bear left at the green gates, follow the track round to a green barn, and park there. John Downes, the estate manager will meet us there, and give a short introduction to the estate.
For more information contact Mark Lawley, 12A Castleview Terrace, Ludlow, SY8 2NG. Email: m.lawley@virgin.net
WORCESTERSHIRE BRYOPHYTE GROUP OUTINGS
The following outings for the Worcestershire Bryophyte Group 2011 programme have been arranged.
Saturday 5 February 2011 at 10:00
The Knapp and Papermill (Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Reserve) SO 751 521
27 ha of mixed habitat including apple orchard, Leigh Brook, meadows, and woodland.
Park in the lay-by on the right before Bridge’s Stone bridge
Sunday March 13 2011 at 10:30 am.
A joint outing to the Mawley Hall Estate with the Border Bryologists.
Parking arrangements are as follows: From the A4117 (SO 689 758); drive down the main drive to Mawley Hall. At the green gates bear left and follow the track around to a green barn. Park at the green barn. John Downes will meet us there at 10:30 am and give us a quick introduction to the Estate. We plan to survey the River Rea and wet woodland along the Worcestershire/Shropshire county boundary.
For more information contact Dr Ann Hill, 114 Battenhall Road, Worcester WR5 2BT. Telephone: 01905 359554 or 07743 703139e-mail: ann @ gaehill.f9.co.uk
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:28 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:32-33 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Birds in Worcestershire – May to October 2010
Gavin Peplow
This has been rather a mixed summer, starting quite cool with limited hotter weather in May and June, before turning more unsettled thereafter. Early indications were that it was generally quite a good breeding season for many commoner species, potentially allowing some population recovery from the very cold preceding winter.
As always, May was a very active month in the Birder’s calendar with a good number of scarcer passage birds appearing in the County. Up to four Marsh Harriers were seen at Upton Warren and another flew north over Strensham early in the month. Red Kites continue to increase and were widely reported, but only two Ospreys were noted – concluding rather a poor passage for this species.
Tern and wader passage was typically concentrated when the weather turned less favourable, with at least 16 Arctic Terns and 23 Whimbrel passing through Upton Warren at the start of the second week. Probably the same flock of Whimbrel were later seen flying north over Wassell Grove. A Black Redstart lingered a few days on Bredon Hill and was then followed by two Dotterel on a single date mid month. Two Sandwich Terns spent a short time at Upton Warren after a Long-eared Owl was a surprise find roosting on the east side of the Moors Pool. A little later in the month a Spoonbill flew over the reserve before heading south-west and was then being picked up over Grimley, though sadly it didn’t land at either site.
A Red-necked Phalarope near the end of the month was the first record for Westwood and was enjoyed by many, but perhaps most unexpected was the reappearance of a Bittern at Upton Warren – presumably a failed or non-breeding bird. It continued to be seen intermittently throughout the summer and this is the first time there’s been such a record in the County.
June was typically quiet, though with some notable highlights. Most exceptional was a pale phase Arctic Skua that flew north over Ripple Pits mid month. This has always been a rare and difficult bird to see in Worcestershire and invariably when they do occur, they only seem to be seen by the finder!
A Little Tern spent a short while at Upton Warren, but a female Red-necked Phalarope later in the month at this site was much appreciated by many observers. Elsewhere Quail were heard calling at Abberton, Bluntington and Longdon Marsh.
Little Egrets were seen at many wetland sites during July, with the highest count being six birds roosting at Bredon’s Hardwick, whilst two or three juvenile Mediterranean Gulls joined the Upton Warren roost during the month. A Wood Sandpiper lingered a few days at Bittell and a Common Scoter was found at Grimley.
Wader passage picked up in August with the highlights being a Spotted Redshank at Clifton Pits, two Knot at Grimley, a Little Stint and a party of eight Curlew Sandpipers at Upton Warren, though both of the latter records were brief. A Marsh Harrier also passed through Upton Warren mid month and further Mediterranean Gulls continued to be seen there. Little Gulls visited Bittell and Grimley, the latter being particularly confiding during its ten day stay.
September was mixed in terms of the weather, but the stormy conditions produced some interesting sightings. Two Black-necked Grebes spent a couple of days at Westwood and a few Black Terns were seen, including a party of five at Clifton, welcomed after a very poor spring passage for this species. Strong winds drove an unprecedented two Grey Phalaropes into the County on the same day mid month – at Grimley and Upton Warren, whilst both a Great Skua and a Pectoral Sandpiper were also seen at this last site.
The most eagerly anticipated event of the autumn came to fruition for local birders during the third week, when a party of five Lapland Buntings landed on North Hill, Malvern. There were then further sightings of up to three birds over the following few days. This followed several weeks of exceptionally large numbers of this species being reported in northern Britain, with a gradual southwards movement as the autumn progressed. With the increased observer coverage, a Dotterel was also reported flying over North Hill at this time. An Osprey visited Grimley over a couple of days and another Marsh Harrier was seen at Upton Warren, before an Arctic Skua flew through Westwood at the end of the month.
A Sandwich Tern flew through Upton Warren in early October and several Rock Pipits were seen around the County, whilst a Scaup dropped in to Westwood. Bredon and the Malvern Hills continued to get good coverage, with observers rewarded with several Ring Ouzels at both sites, Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart and Hen Harrier on Bredon, a Woodlark, another Lapland Bunting and Great Grey Shrike on the Malverns. Also before the end of the month, both sites hosted a small number of Waxwings, the precursor of good numbers ‘irrupting’ south following a poor autumn berry crop in Scandinavia. The month concluded with a Whooper Swan calling in to both Bittell and Upton Warren and a party of two, then increasing to four White-fronted Geese also at the former locality, whilst yet another Black Redstart, this time at Lower Moor, concluded a very good series of records for the species.
Records compiled from reports received by Birdline Midlands. Please phone through details of all your interesting sightings to the 24-hour Hotline on 01905-754154 (free on application to regular callers). For all the latest information on birds currently within Worcestershire and the Midlands Region, call 09068-700247 (calls charged at 60p per minute).
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:32-33 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:15 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Lily beetle Lilioceris lilii in a Malvern garden
Frank Screen
Keith Barnett’s article in the April 2010 Worcestershire Record prompted me to inform you of my recordings of the Lily Beetle. For several years I have seen them on a cultivated lily in my garden in Malvern. In 2008 I decided to attempt to photograph its life cycle. The majority of my sightings have been from late April to early July.
The beetles were easy to spot but finding the eggs required a hands and knees approach as they were laid underneath the leaves. To date (August 2010) I have found batches of six to ten eggs. The larvae seem to be covered with excrement which provides them with an excellent camouflage. However just prior to pupation the excrement falls off to reveal and orange coloured larvae. This stage normally lasts two days after which the larva climbs down the lily stem to pupate. This note is illustrates all these stages. I have yet to come across a pupa but I live in hope.
(The author provided colour transparencies which have been scanned to produce the pictures Ed).
2. Lily beetle newly emerged larvae 05 June 2010 ©Frank Screen transcan
3. Lily beetle larvae 23 June 2009 ©Frank Screen
1. Lily beetle eggs 25 May 2010 ©Frank Screen
4. Lily beetle larvae 2 days before pupating 23 June 2010 ©Frank Screen
5. Lily beetles 05 June 2009 ©Frank Screen
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:15 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:18 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Phyllonorycter comparella (Duponchel) rediscovered in Worcestershire
Tony Simpson
This small leaf-mining moth (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was recorded first in Worcestershire by J.E. Fletcher in 1873. There are two specimens in the Worcester Museum collection labelled “Worcs. Ex Populus nigra “ dated 16/8/1873 & 20/8/1873 which probably came from Worcester City or its environs as he seems to have done most of his collecting in or just outside the city.
The moth is very local in the U.K. and the larva is usually recorded as making an inflated blotch mine in the leaves of Grey Poplar (Populus x canescens) and in the literature it seemed uncertain as to whether it fed in other Poplars. The larva feeds in July and September and the second generation then overwinters as hibernating imagines.
In 1976 I found similar mines in Aspen (Populus tremula) in the Drakes Broughton area and bred out moths which turned out to be Phyllonorycter sagitella (Bjerkander) previously known at that time in the U.K. only from Gloucestershire (Price, L., 1977. Entomologist’s Rec. J. Var. 89: 107-107). I also noticed however on examining the Worcester Museum collection that there were four specimens of sagitella also collected by Fletcher labelled “Worcester ex Populus tremula “ three dated 4/8/1876 and one dated 6/8/1876.
In 1976 I was just getting interested in the Microlepidoptera and I found what appeared to be five Phyllonorycter mines in a old Populus nigra by the Laugherne Brook in St. Johns, Worcester in July but failed to breed out any moths. I often searched this and adjacent Poplars in the intervening years but never found any more!
Then this year Oliver Wadsworth Emailed me with an image of a Phyllonorycter mine in a hybrid Black Poplar from just outside Worcester at Powick Bridge near the River Teme. We went there together on 24th September 2010 and found 12 mines, some already vacated, on three small hybrid Black Poplars just north of Powick Bridge. I thought we ought to look at the locality in St. Johns where I had seen the mines in 1976, and there we found five mines on the original Black Poplar and on a hybrid Black Poplar close by in a Pub car park on the other side of the road. Later on 25th September 2010 I found a vacated mine on a hybrid Black poplar at Diglis, Worcester on the east bank of the Severn, and three mines on a Lombardy Poplar by the old town bridge in the centre of Worcester City.
I mentioned these finds to Michael Harper and he thought we ought to look for it at Castlemorton Common in South Worcestershire which is well known for it large numbers of old pollarded Black Poplars P. nigra. We went together on 28th September 2010 and found about 30 mines in a very localised area on the common, some in a Grey Poplar and in its surrounding root suckers, and some on the pollard Black Poplars nearby. Further afield we could not find it however on Nettlebed Common or on Chase End Hill across the border in Herefordshire.
I asked Robert Homan if he was seeing any in adjacent parts of Gloucestershire but he has so far not found any but did find a vacated mine in a White Poplar Populus alba on the outskirts of Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire. I looked there on hybrid and Lombardy Poplars by the river without success and I have also failed to find any on various Poplars at Stourport, Pershore, Malvern, and near Evesham.
Phyllonorycter comparella is obviously having a good year , at least locally, and the fact that it now seems to be utilising a number of different species of poplar seems unusual given its apparent confinement to Grey Poplar elsewhere in the U.K. in recent years. I wonder if it may have made a “jump” to becoming a more generalised poplar feeder, as seems to have happened with the micromoth Phyllonistis saligna (Zeller) on Salix species. This moth was a specialist on Purple Willow(Salix purpurea )and although there was a Victoria County History record for Worcester and some specimens in Worcester Museum I could not find any here in the 1970s-1990s and it was a localised U.K. moth. Then Robert Homan (that man again!) found it was present in rapidly increasing numbers near Tewksbury and then into Worcestershire in 2004. It has since spread throughout the county in large numbers feeding on the long leaved Willow species Salix fragilis, S. alba, S. babylonica , and their hybrids as well as S. purpurea (which is uncommon locally) except osier (S. viminalis).
It could be we are seeing a similar change in the behaviour of P. comparella, in which case it may become much more common and widespread over the next few years?
Reference
PRICE, L. 1977. Phyllonorycter sagitella (Bjerkander, 1790) = tremulae Zeller, 1846 (Lep., Gracillariidae). A species new to Britain. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation. 89:106-107.
Phyllonorycter comparella mines on poplar leaf, upper side. © Tony Simpson
Phyllonorycter comparella mines on poplar leaf, lower side. © Tony Simpson
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:18 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:17 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Stigmella aceris (Frey) (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae), a rapid spread in South Worcestershire
Tony Simpson
Stigmella aceris has been local and uncommon in the U.K. but locally known from the Ledbury area in Herefordshire and adjacent part of Gloucestershire since 1976. Robert Homan recorded it first in Worcestershire in 2004 just north of Tewksbury and I noticed this year that it has suddenly started to expand its range northwards on both sides of the River Severn (see map). Robert Homan tells me that it has also been spreading similarly in North Gloucestershire.
It is a small moth whose larva feeds as a leafminer in Field Maple Acer campestre and Norway Maple Acer platanoides, making a gallery mine initially filled with green frass (excrement) which makes it difficult to find until after the green larva has emerged from the mine to pupate. Then the frass turns brown making the vacated mine easily visible, especially in the yellowing autumnal leaves. Larvae feed in June/July and a usually more numerous generation in August/September.
It has now reached almost to Leigh Sinton on the west side of the Severn and to just south of Worcester on the east side, but not east of the Droitwich to Pershore road, and has reached Worcestershire near Broadway, but I could not find it in the Evesham 10km. square (SP04) this autumn. This is despite the last cold winter, and it will be interesting to see if it continues it northwards spread next year.
Caption for map
Reference
Homan, R. 2007 The distribution of two “new” micro-moths in Worcestershire. Worcestershire Record. 20:16-18. http://wbrc.org.uk/WORCRECD/Issue%2020/distribution_of_2_micromoths.htm
Stigmella aceris in Field Maple leaf, November 2010, Little Comberton. Picture ©G H Green
Stigmella aceris distribution October 2010 in South Worcestershire. Compare to the map published by Homan (2007) which shows a distribution along the border between SW Worcestershire & N Gloucestershire & just E of Tewksbury
Stigmella aceris in Field Maple leaf, October 2010. Picture ©Tony Simpson
Stigmella aceris in Field Maple leaves, November 2010, Little Comberton. Picture ©G H Green
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:17 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:41 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus in Pershore
Richard D E Stott
On 11th May 2010 at about 15.00hrs my wife noticed a dead bird on the roof of our house in Defford Road, Pershore. I retrieved the bird from the gutter and was amazed to discover I had what I believed to be a Manx Shearwater in my hand with a severe throat injury. It was still warm although rigor mortis had begun and there was no obvious cause for the bird’s injury.
Subsequent investigation did indeed confirm that this is a record of Manx Shearwater. This is an unusual record so far from the sea and after a period of comparatively calm weather. Careful examination of the bird showed no obvious injuries on its back that might have occurred had it been predated by a falcon or accipiter. However the throat injuries are consistent with an attack by a raptor.
The weight of this individual was right at the bottom of the weight range and therefore it may have been weak and undernourished. Although there is some overlap in middle toe lengths in this species the longer toe exhibited by this individual would tend to indicate that it was a male.
One can speculate that the bird was weakened though exhaustion and then attacked by a raptor which failed in its effort to carry it away and dropped it and by coincidence it landed on the roof of a house. It is believed that Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus are roosting on nearby Pershore Abbey. It is not unknown for Peregrine Falcons to take shearwaters.
Note that full details of this record have been lodged with the Editor and the County Bird Recorder.
1. Manx shearwater found dead on a Pershore roof possibly attacked by a perigrine Falcon. ©Richard Stott
2. Manx shearwater found dead on a Pershore roof possibly attacked by a perigrine Falcon. ©Richard Stott
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:41 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:8 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
The Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
Geoff Trevis
With most species of bumblebee being in decline and one, Bombus subterraneus, having gone extinct it is interesting to note the arrival and spread of a new species. Bombus hypnorum is not uncommon in Europe where it nests in holes in hollow trees and similar places. It was first recorded in the UK in Hampshire in 2001 since when its spread has been monitored by Stuart Roberts of Reading University. By 2004 two further nests had been reported in the London area and by 2005 it was well established around London. Over the next two years there was a slow spread up the east side of England and by 2007 it had reached north Humberside and there was even one report from Northumberland on the Scottish border. 2008 saw further consolidation in the south-east and a few records were starting to appear from the Midlands. The species is very distinctive having a bright tawny thorax, black abdomen and a strikingly white tail. It is the only species that can be reliably identified from blurred photographs.
The first Worcestershire records came in 2008 from Gary Farmer in Redditch and Alan Baylis in Worcester. There have been sporadic records since and by the end of 2009 there were nine entries on the database. In the summer of 2010 the brave step was taken of putting out a press release calling for observations as a result of which the number of confirmed records has risen to 31. The total number of responses was greater than this but only records either supported by a photograph or from people with a known expertise in bee identification were accepted. Some reports from Malvern, Cleeve Prior, Astwood Bank, Bewdley and Martley could not be verified and were not accepted but could well have been correct. However, the exercise did underline the need for careful verification, even for so distinctive a species, as people’s enthusiasm sometimes overcame their observational skills. We received photographs of Bombus terrestris/lucorum and Bombus lapidarius claiming to be B. hypnorum!
The distribution map shows the situation in Worcestershire at the end of September. There is clearly a south-west bias which would be expected if the spread is from the London area but we must not read too much into this as the relatively small number of data points may not be statistically significant and the bias could be attributable to the distribution of recorders. It will be very interesting to continue monitoring in the coming years and I would urge everybody to be on the look out for the tree bumblebee and to report any sightings of individuals or nests. If possible, include the flowers being used for nectaring and the location of nests. The species has a special liking for nest boxes as these mimic their natural nesting sites.
References
ANON. 2009 Bombus hypnorum in Birmingham. Worcestershire Record. 26 p. 26
FARMER, G. 2008 Bombus hypnorum found in Redditch. Worcestershire Record. 25 p. 7
TREVIS, G. 2009. The tree bumblebee Bombus hypnorum. Worcestershire Record, 27 pp. 22-23
1. Bombus hypnorum, Eades Meadow, Hanbury, Worcestershire 13 July 2009. ©G H Green
2. Bombus hypnorum records, Worcestershire, October 2010. Map prepared by Jenni Schenke at Worcestershire Biological Records Centre
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:8 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:22 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Red devils and dancing tigers (Lily Beetles and Scarlet Tigers)
Mark Turner
Reading Harry’s request for records of Lily Beetle Lillioceris lillii my immediate reaction was OH DEAR! For at least the last ten years or so we have kept a close eye out for these very obvious insects since we always have a selection of pot plants on show. Needless to say an ongoing programme of eradication or ‘kill on sight’ policy is in place. The first week of June this year saw our first victim removed from a young Lily in a patio pot in our Evesham garden (SP044436), but a second adult insect did not appear until 20th July and in the same pot plant as the first one. Amazingly the Lilies appear unaffected by their alien visitors. A garden border clear-out on 8th August produced five adult Lily Beetles from three stems of flowering Lilies. The emergence continued unabated through August with one adult on 9th, two adults on 11th and two more on 17th. That makes five beetles from one patio pot and seven from three stems of garden border Lilies.
From the same Evesham garden a freshly emerged Scarlet Tiger Callimorpha dominula and an Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa first appeared on 30th May 2010. The Tigers are an annual local event here in the Bengeworth area from the end of May onwards, showing particularly well on sunny days. I had several sightings on 12th June and again a warm, bright, sunny afternoon of 16th June I had at least four individuals on the wing within a few minutes; and a new one drying its wings on a wooden fence.
Fine weather continued to assist more Tigers to emerge on 17th June, I saw three in the afternoon and come the evening a new moth had to be released from my garden shed. On 19th June we received a report that the Scarlet Tiger irruption had reached the Davis Road area of Evesham (roughly ¾km to the southeast of us).
23rd June had been another hot day (28ºC) and by evening the comfortable conditions seemed to trigger a notable emergence of Scarlet Tigers. I noticed the heightened activity between 20.00 and 21.00 hrs with no less than 23 garden overshoots (our garden is only 25 feet by 11 feet), but they were running the gauntlet of local Swifts and House Martins, enticing the birds to swoop low through neighbouring gardens. The garden overshoot tally for 26th June between 20.00 and 21.00 hrs increased markedly to 55. I recorded these moth fly-pasts if only to show the frequency of the to-ing and fro-ing along the row of terrace gardens. The Tigers’ flight pattern was becoming familiar to me; short deep undulations (dipping and rising), sometimes fast and erratic, even occasional spiralling manoeuvres. Only occasionally did two or three Tigers fly close together, generally all flights were solo efforts apparently males patrolling up and down a territory much like the manner of Dragonflies, but without any obvious purpose.
All this insect activity kept local birds busy including up to 36 Swifts in a feeding flock which drew in hunting Sparrowhawks, one of which caught a House Martin I noticed. Our neighbourhood male Blackbird interrupted his evensong to launch from a TV aerial at a Scarlet Tiger, but was unsuccessful. I wonder whether or not the moth’s striking colours and spots warned the Blackbird off.
The majority of Scarlet Tigers patrolling our row of gardens did so between 8-10 feet from ground level occasionally climbing up to house roof ridge height; some including ours being three storey buildings. Over time I saw many moths flutter and tumble over roof ridges and on the evening of 27th June Swifts were virtually taking our heads off in pursuit of their prey. However, I still hadn’t seen a single Tiger taken by a bird although it must have happened on numerous occasions one would assume. Even moths with worn wings fly strongly, determinedly, even tirelessly; they may not be the easiest of prey to catch.
A minimum of three occasionally four Scarlet Tigers patrolled our row of gardens on a regular basis and trees such as Eucalyptus, Cherry and Lilac seemed to draw the moths in close as if providing temporary cover from predators during their rounds.
At 21.30 hrs on 29th June my wife discovered a pair of Scarlet Tigers mating on our patio slabs thus providing us with a new observation. One remained in our garden until late morning the next day when it took flight in bright, glorious sunshine whilst its mate rested up in a patio pot.
Scarlet Tiger sightings dwindled as the new month of July got going and despite another perfect evening on 3rd July, I struggled to see what may have come down to the last patrolling moth on our block. He did but pass over me thrice. The Scarlet Tiger flight season was coming to an end and new insects began to appear in our 25×11 pocket handkerchief garden. Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta, Small Tortoiseshells Aglais urticae, and a female Common Hawker Aeshna juncea. The increasingly overgrown, weedy lane behind the garden produced a Small Magpie Moth Eurrhypara hortulata with its subtle but distinctive markings on a sunny morning of 5th July, but alas no Tigers.
Scarlet Tiger Callimorpha dominula in an Evesham garden. ©Mark Turner
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:22 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record No. 5 Nov 1998 p. 20
An uncommon tern of events (Common Terns Sterna hirundo in Evesham)
Mark Turner
13.30 hrs on Friday 30th July 2010 was one of those all too rare occasions when you make a new discovery right on your doorstep. Taking a short path behind the converted mill in Common Road, Evesham and along the tow-path towards the weir (SP043439) past the Lockkeeper’s house, I was immediately aware of familiar calls normally associated with different locations entirely. A new floating safety boom now straddles the top of the weir and atop the large green drums I discovered two noisy juvenile Common Terns Sterna hirundo and one adult. The two youngsters were subtly different to look at, both with the usual gingery tones to the plumage and a sooty head with pale forehead, but one had a more pronounced dark carpal bar. This one also proved to be the most vocal and active; keeping the parent constantly alert. In fact whilst watching the parent I noticed it glancing skyward followed by a brief burst of alarm notes; sure enough a female Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus was gliding high above following the course of the river.
With the tow path so close to the action I had some wonderful views of the terns flying by me including a plunge dive by one of the juveniles and a fish lunch being offered by the parent again atop the green drums. The adult incidentally was wearing a BTO-type band on its right leg.
I returned the following day at around the same time with my wife and her camera. It was fortunate timing as after half an hour of loafing and preening the three terns became restless and vocal and then the adult led the way up river. We followed their route on passed Evesham Marina for a short distance, but there was no sign of them at all.
However, that was not the end of the story. Again I paid a return visit on Monday 2nd August at midday only to find not just the family threesome but three adults and the two juveniles. Two adults were already fishing when I arrived and the sudden excitement of a juvenile alerted me to the arrival of a third adult. This bird like the original parent sported a BTO-type band on its right leg suggesting to me all the terns had perhaps come from the same breeding site. I made a second call to Birdline West Midlands and another to fellow local birder Peter F Stewart.
An afternoon visit to the lock and weir off Common Road on 7th August revealed an adult Common Tern still present and giving great views. The bird perched openly on the handrail of a raised walkway at the approach to the lock gates.
Before we left my wife and I were treated to some classic seabird behaviour when an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull gave chase trying to force the tern to drop a good size fish that it was carrying. The determined gull was however unsuccessful, the tern flew up and down the river, made tight turns round tall trees even passing us overhead during the pursuit. The gull gave up and the tern came back to the floating barrier to rest and digest.
Photographs ©Christine E Turner
1. Common Tern Sterna hirundo in Evesham. ©Christine E Turner
2. Common Tern Sterna hirundo in Evesham. ©Christine E Turner
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:41-42 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:51-55 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Bockleton Study Centre – Records (Worcestershire Recorders field recording days 2010)
Author – various
See Worcestershire Recorders Field Recording Days 2010
Group | Scientific Name | Common Name | Recorders |
acarine (Acari) | Eriophyes inangulis | Eriophyes inangulis | JWM |
acarine (Acari) | Eriophyes laevis | Eriophyes laevis | JWM |
acarine (Acari) | Eriophyes viburni | Eriophyes viburni | JWM |
acarine (Acari) | Phytoptus avellanae | Phytoptus avellanae | JWM |
amphibian | Bufo bufo | Common Toad | WW, JDS |
amphibian | Lissotriton helveticus | Palmate Newt | WW |
amphibian | Lissotriton vulgaris | Smooth Newt | WW |
amphibian | Rana temporaria | Common Frog | WW |
annelid | Erpobdella octoculata | leeches | WW |
annelid | Helobdella stagnalis | Helobdella stagnalis | WW |
annelid | Theromyzon tessulatum | Theromyzon tessulatum | JWM |
bird | Aegithalos caudatus | Long-Tailed Tit | SD |
bird | Anas platyrhynchos | Mallard | SD, MI |
bird | Apus apus | Swift | SD |
bird | Branta canadensis | Greater Canada Goose | GHG |
bird | Branta canadensis | Canada Goose | MI |
bird | Buteo buteo | Common Buzzard | GHG |
bird | Buteo buteo | Buzzard | SD, MI |
bird | Carduelis chloris | European Greenfinch | GHG |
bird | Certhia familiaris | Treecreeper | SD |
bird | Columba oenas | Stock Pigeon | GHG |
bird | Columba oenas | Stock Dove | SD, MI |
bird | Columba palumbus | Woodpigeon | SD, MI |
bird | Corvus corax | Raven | MI |
bird | Corvus corone | Carrion Crow | GHG |
bird | Corvus corone | Carrion/Hooded Crow | SD, MI |
bird | Corvus frugilegus | Rook | MI, GHG |
bird | Corvus monedula | Eurasian Jackdaw | GHG |
bird | Corvus monedula | Jackdaw | SD, MI |
bird | Delichon urbica | House Martin | MI |
bird | Dendrocopos major | Great Spotted Woodpecker | SD |
bird | Erithacus rubecula | Robin | SD |
bird | Fulica atra | Coot | SD |
bird | Gallinula chloropus | Moorhen | SD |
bird | Garrulus glandarius | Jay | SD |
bird | Hirundo rustica | Barn Swallow | GHG |
bird | Hirundo rustica | Swallow | SD, MI |
bird | Muscicapa striata | Spotted Flycatcher | SD |
bird | Parus ater | Coal Tit | SD, MI |
bird | Parus caeruleus | Blue Tit | SD, MI |
bird | Parus major | Great Tit | SD, MI |
bird | Phylloscopus collybita | Common Chiffchaff | GHG |
bird | Phylloscopus collybita | Chiffchaff | SD, MI |
bird | Poecile palustris | Marsh Tit | JDS, GHG |
bird | Prunella modularis | Dunnock | SD |
bird | Pyrrhula pyrrhula | Bullfinch | SD, MI |
bird | Regulus regulus | Goldcrest | SD |
bird | Sitta europaea | Nuthatch | SD, MI |
bird | Sylvia atricapilla | Blackcap | SD, MI |
bird | Tachybaptus ruficollis | Little Grebe | MI |
bird | Troglodytes troglodytes | Wren | SD, DD, MI |
bird | Turdus merula | Common Blackbird | GHG |
bird | Turdus merula | Blackbird | SD, MI |
bird | Turdus philomelos | Song Thrush | SD |
crustacean | Asellus aquaticus | Water hog lice/slaters | WW |
crustacean | Gammarus pulex | Gammarus pulex | WW |
crustacean | Oniscus asellus | Oniscus asellus | JWM, GAF |
crustacean | Porcellio scaber | Porcellio scaber | GAF |
flowering plant | Lonicera perclymenum | Honeysuckle | DD |
flowering plant | Rubus idaeus | Raspberry | DD |
flowering plant | Tamus communis | Black bryony | DD |
fungus | Erysiphe alphitoides | Erysiphe alphitoides | JWM |
harvestman (Opiliones) | Dicranopalpus ramosus | Dicranopalpus ramosus | JWM |
harvestman (Opiliones) | Leiobunum blackwalli | Leiobunum blackwalli | JWM |
harvestman (Opiliones) | Leiobunum rotundum | Leiobunum rotundum | JWM |
harvestman (Opiliones) | Phalangium opilio | Phalangium opilio | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Acilius sulcatus | Acilius sulcatus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Adalia bipunctata | 2-spot Ladybird | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Agabus (Gaurodytes) bipustulatus | Agabus (Gaurodytes) bipustulatus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Anacaena globulus | Anacaena globulus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Anthonomus (Anthonomus) ulmi | Anthonomus (Anthonomus) ulmi | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Athous (Athous) haemorrhoidalis | Athous (Athous) haemorrhoidalis | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Athous (Orthathous) bicolor | Athous (Orthathous) bicolor | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Bembidion (Philochthus) lunulatum | Bembidion (Philochthus) lunulatum | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Brachypterus glaber | Brachypterus glaber | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Cyphon palustris | Cyphon palustris | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Donacia simplex | Donacia simplex | WW, JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Dytiscus | Dytiscus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Euglenes oculatus | Euglenes oculatus | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Gastrophysa viridula | Green Dock Beetle | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Grammoptera ruficornis | Grammoptera ruficornis | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Graptodytes pictus | Graptodytes pictus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Haliplus (Haliplinus) heydeni | Haliplus (Haliplinus) heydeni | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Helophorus (Atracthelophorus) brevipalpis | Helophorus (Atracthelophorus) brevipalpis | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Helophorus (Helophorus) minutus | Helophorus (Helophorus) minutus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Helophorus (Megahelophorus) aequalis | Helophorus (Megahelophorus) aequalis | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Hydrobius fuscipes | Hydrobius fuscipes | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Hydroporus incognitus | Hydroporus incognitus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Hydroporus memnonius | Hydroporus memnonius | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Hydroporus palustris | Hydroporus palustris | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Hydroporus planus | Hydroporus planus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Hyphydrus ovatus | Hyphydrus ovatus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Ilybius ater | Ilybius ater | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Ilybius fuliginosus | Ilybius fuliginosus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Laccobius bipunctatus | Laccobius bipunctatus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Meligethes aeneus | Meligethes aeneus | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Noterus clavicornis | Noterus clavicornis | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Perapion (Perapion) hydrolapathi | Perapion (Perapion) hydrolapathi | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Protapion fulvipes | Protapion fulvipes | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Pterostichus (Steropus) madidus | Pterostichus (Steropus) madidus | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Rhagonycha fulva | Common Red Soldier Beetle | JWM, GAF, GHG |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Rutpela maculata | Rutpela maculata | JDS, GHG |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Sitona (Sitona) cylindricollis | Sitona (Sitona) cylindricollis | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Tachyporus chrysomelinus | Tachyporus chrysomelinus | JWM |
insect – butterfly | Aglais urticae | Small Tortoiseshell | MI, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Aphantopus hyperantus | Ringlet | MI, JDS, GAF, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Maniola jurtina | Meadow Brown | MI, JDS, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Neozephyrus quercus | Purple Hairstreak | GAF |
insect – butterfly | Pararge aegeria | Speckled Wood | MI, JDS |
insect – butterfly | Pieris brassicae | Large White | MI, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Pieris napi | Green-veined White | JDS |
insect – butterfly | Pieris rapae | Small White | JDS |
insect – butterfly | Polygonia c-album | Comma | MI, JDS |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Aeshna cyanea | Southern Hawker | WW, MI, JDS |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Enallagma cyathigerum | Common Blue Damselfly | DD, WW, MI |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Sympetrum striolatum | Common Darter | JDS |
insect – hymenopteran | Andricus lignicola | Cola-Nut Gall | JWM |
insect – hymenopteran | Apis mellifera | Apis mellifera | GAF |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Bombus) lucorum | Bombus (Bombus) lucorum | GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Bombus) terrestris | Bombus (Bombus) terrestris | GAF |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Megabombus) hortorum | Bombus (Megabombus) hortorum | GAF, GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Melanobombus) lapidarius | Bombus (Melanobombus) lapidarius | GAF, GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Psithyrus) barbutellus | Bombus (Psithyrus) barbutellus | GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Psithyrus) rupestris | Bombus (Psithyrus) rupestris | GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Psithyrus) sylvestris | Bombus (Psithyrus) sylvestris | GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Psithyrus) vestalis | Bombus (Psithyrus) vestalis | GAF, GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Pyrobombus) pratorum | Bombus (Pyrobombus) pratorum | GAF |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Thoracombus) pascuorum | Bombus (Thoracombus) pascuorum | GAF, GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Myrmica rubra | Red Ant | JWM |
insect – hymenopteran | Vespa crabro | Vespa crabro | GHG |
insect – mayfly (Ephemeroptera) | Cloeon dipterum | Cloeon dipterum | WW |
insect – moth | Acronicta tridens | Dark Dagger | JDS |
insect – moth | Alcis repandata | Mottled Beauty | JDS |
insect – moth | Ancylis mitterbacheriana | Red Roller | JDS |
insect – moth | Cabera pusaria | Common White Wave | JDS |
insect – moth | Cameraria ohridella | Horse-Chestnut Leaf-miner | JWM |
insect – moth | Celypha striana | Barred Marble | JDS |
insect – moth | Chrysoteuchia culmella | Garden Grass-veneer | JDS |
insect – moth | Euproctis similis | Yellow-tail | JDS |
insect – moth | Herminia grisealis | Small Fan-foot | JDS |
insect – moth | Hypena proboscidalis | Snout | JDS |
insect – moth | Lithophane leautieri | Blair’s Shoulder-knot | JDS |
insect – moth | Pammene aurana | Orange-spot Piercer | JDS |
insect – moth | Rhopobota naevana | Holly Tortrix | JDS |
insect – moth | Scoparia ambigualis | Common Grey | JDS |
insect – moth | Yponomeuta padella | Orchard Ermine | JDS |
insect – orthopteran | Chorthippus brunneus | Common Field Grasshopper | GAF |
insect – orthopteran | Chorthippus parallelus | Meadow Grasshopper | GAF |
insect – orthopteran | Omocestus viridulus | Common Green Grasshopper | GAF |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Anthocoris nemorum | Anthocoris nemorum | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Aphrophora alni | Aphrophora alni | JWM, GAF |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Bryocoris pteridis | Bryocoris pteridis | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Calocoris (Calocoris) alpestris | Calocoris (Calocoris) alpestris | GAF |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Calocoris (Closterotomus) norwegicus | Calocoris (Closterotomus) norwegicus | JWM, GAF |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Calocoris (Grypocoris) stysi | Calocoris (Grypocoris) stysi | JWM, GAF |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Cixius nervosus | Cixius nervosus | GAF |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Deraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruber | Deraeocoris (Deraeocoris) ruber | JDS |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Gerris (Gerris) gibbifer | Gerris (Gerris) gibbifer | WW |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Gerris (Gerris) lacustris | Gerris (Gerris) lacustris | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Hesperocorixa sahlbergi | Hesperocorixa sahlbergi | WW, JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Hydrometra stagnorum | Hydrometra stagnorum | WW |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Issus coleoptratus | Issus coleoptratus | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Leptopterna dolabrata | Leptopterna dolabrata | JWM, GAF |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Lygocoris (Lygocoris) pabulinus | Lygocoris (Lygocoris) pabulinus | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Lygocoris (Neolygus) contaminatus | Lygocoris (Neolygus) contaminatus | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Lygocoris (Neolygus) viridis | Lygocoris (Neolygus) viridis | GAF |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Nepa cinerea | Nepa cinerea | WW |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Notonecta | Notonecta | WW |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Orthocephalus coriaceus | Orthocephalus coriaceus | GAF |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Palomena prasina | Palomena prasina | GHG |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Pentatoma rufipes | Pentatoma rufipes | GHG |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Philaenus spumarius | Cuckoo-Spit Insect | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Scolopostethus thomsoni | Scolopostethus thomsoni | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Velia (Plesiovelia) caprai | Velia (Plesiovelia) caprai | WW |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Allodiopsis rustica | Allodiopsis rustica | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Austrolimnophila ochracea | Austrolimnophila ochracea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Bellardia viarum | Bellardia viarum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Beris vallata | Common Orange Legionnaire | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Bicellaria vana | Bicellaria vana | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Boreoclytocerus ocellaris | Boreoclytocerus ocellaris | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Brevicornu sericoma | Brevicornu sericoma | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Calobata petronella | Calobata petronella | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Campsicnemus curvipes | Campsicnemus curvipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Chaoborus crystallinus | Chaoborus crystallinus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Cheilosia illustrata | Cheilosia illustrata | GAF, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Chirosia betuleti | Chirosia betuleti | JWM |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Chloromyia formosa | Broad Centurion | MEB, GAF, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Chromatomyia lonicerae | Chromatomyia lonicerae | JWM |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Chrysopilus cristatus | Black Snipefly | GAF |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Chrysotus gramineus | Chrysotus gramineus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Coenosia tigrina | Coenosia tigrina | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Ditrichophora calceata | Ditrichophora calceata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus festivus | Dolichopus festivus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus plumipes | Dolichopus plumipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus popularis | Dolichopus popularis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus trivialis | Dolichopus trivialis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus ungulatus | Dolichopus ungulatus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Elachiptera cornuta | Elachiptera cornuta | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Empis aestiva | Empis aestiva | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Empis limata | Empis limata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Empis livida | Empis livida | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Empis scutellata | Empis scutellata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Episyrphus balteatus | Episyrphus balteatus | MEB, GAF |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Eristalis arbustorum | Eristalis arbustorum | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Eristalis intricarius | Eristalis intricarius | GAF |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Eristalis pertinax | Eristalis pertinax | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Eristalis tenax | Eristalis tenax | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Eudasyphora cyanella | Eudasyphora cyanella | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Eudasyphora cyanicolor | Eudasyphora cyanicolor | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia coracina | Fannia coracina | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia lustrator | Fannia lustrator | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia postica | Fannia postica | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia serena | Fannia serena | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia similis | Fannia similis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Helophilus hybridus | Helophilus hybridus | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Helophilus pendulus | Helophilus pendulus | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hilara litorea | Hilara litorea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hilara rejecta | Hilara rejecta | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hilara thoracica | Hilara thoracica | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hydrellia maura | Hydrellia maura | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hydrophoria ruralis | Hydrophoria ruralis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hydrotaea militaris | Hydrotaea militaris | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hylemya vagans | Hylemya vagans | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Ilisia maculata | Ilisia maculata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Iteomyia capreae | Iteomyia capreae | JWM |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Leptocera fontinalis | Leptocera fontinalis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Leptopeza flavipes | Leptopeza flavipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Limonia macrostigma | Limonia macrostigma | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Limonia nubeculosa | Limonia nubeculosa | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Lonchoptera lutea | Lonchoptera lutea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Lucilia ampullacea | Lucilia ampullacea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Lucilia caesar | Lucilia caesar | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Meiosimyza rorida | Meiosimyza rorida | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Melanomya nana | Melanomya nana | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Minettia longipennis | Minettia longipennis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Molophilus appendiculatus | Molophilus appendiculatus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Molophilus ochraceus | Molophilus ochraceus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Morellia aenescens | Morellia aenescens | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Myospila meditabunda | Myospila meditabunda | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Nephrotoma quadrifaria | Nephrotoma quadrifaria | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Neuroctena anilis | Neuroctena anilis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Notiphila maculata | Notiphila maculata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Ocydromia glabricula | Ocydromia glabricula | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Opacifrons coxata | Opacifrons coxata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Opomyza florum | Opomyza florum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Opomyza germinationis | Opomyza germinationis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pachygaster atra | Pachygaster atra | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pegoplata infirma | Pegoplata infirma | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pericoma nubila | Pericoma nubila | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pericoma rivularis | Pericoma rivularis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pericoma trivialis | Pericoma trivialis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Peripsychoda auriculata | Peripsychoda auriculata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Phaonia errans | Phaonia errans | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Phaonia subventa | Phaonia subventa | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Phronia nigricornis | Phronia nigricornis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Phryxe nemea | Phryxe nemea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Phytomyza heracleana | Phytomyza heracleana | JWM |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Phytomyza ilicis | Holly Leaf Gall Fly | JWM |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Phytomyza lappae | Phytomyza lappae | JWM |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Platycheirus albimanus | Platycheirus albimanus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Platypalpus calceatus | Platypalpus calceatus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Poecilobothrus nobilitatus | Poecilobothrus nobilitatus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pollenia angustigena | Pollenia angustigena | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Psila fimetaria | Psila fimetaria | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Rhagio tringarius | Marsh Snipefly | GAF |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Rhaphium elegantulum | Rhaphium elegantulum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sarcophaga dissimilis | Sarcophaga dissimilis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Scathophaga stercoraria | Scathophaga stercoraria | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sepsis fulgens | Sepsis fulgens | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sicus ferrugineus | Sicus ferrugineus | MEB, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Spelobia clunipes | Spelobia clunipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sybistroma obscurellum | Sybistroma obscurellum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Syritta pipiens | Syritta pipiens | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Syrphus ribesii | Syrphus ribesii | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Syrphus vitripennis | Syrphus vitripennis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Tabanus bromius | Band-eyed Brown Horsefly | MEB, GAF |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Tricholauxania praeusta | Tricholauxania praeusta | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Volucella bombylans | Volucella bombylans | GAF, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Volucella pellucens | Volucella pellucens | MEB, GAF, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Xylota segnis | Xylota segnis | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Xylota sylvarum | Xylota sylvarum | GAF, GHG |
millipede | Cylindroiulus punctatus | Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede | JWM |
millipede | Tachypodoiulus niger | White-legged Snake Millipede | JWM |
mollusc | Cepaea (Cepaea) hortensis | Cepaea (Cepaea) hortensis | JWM |
mollusc | Gyraulus (Armiger) crista | Gyraulus (Armiger) crista | WW |
mollusc | Gyraulus (Gyraulus) albus | Gyraulus (Gyraulus) albus | JWM |
mollusc | Hippeutis complanatus | Hippeutis complanatus | JWM |
mollusc | Valvata (Valvata) cristata | Valvata (Valvata) cristata | WW |
spider (Araneae) | Clubiona lutescens | Clubiona lutescens | WW |
spider (Araneae) | Pirata piraticus | Pirata piraticus | WW |
terrestrial mammal | Meles meles | Badger | SD |
terrestrial mammal | Sciurus carolinensis | Eastern Grey Squirrel | MI |
terrestrial mammal | Sciurus carolinensis | Grey Squirrel | SD |
terrestrial mammal | Talpa europaea | European Mole | GHG |
terrestrial mammal | Talpa europaea | Mole | SD |
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:51-55 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:46-51 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Lower Moor Meadows – Records (Worcestershire Recorders field recording days 2010)
Author – various
See: Worcestershire Recorders field recording days 2010
Group | Scientific Name | Common Name | Recorders |
amphibian | Rana temporaria | Common Frog | WW |
annelid | Piscicola geometra | fish leech | WW |
annelid | Theromyzon tessulatum | duck leech | WW |
bird | Buteo buteo | Common Buzzard | JDS |
bird | Emberiza citrinella | Yellowhammer | JDS |
bird | Podiceps cristatus | Great Crested Grebe | JDS |
bird | Sylvia communis | Common Whitethroat | JDS |
bird | Phylloscopus collybita | Common Chiffchaff | MA, JDS |
bird | Aegithalos caudatus | Long-Tailed Tit | SD |
bird | Aix galericulata | Mandarin Duck | SD |
bird | Apus apus | Swift | SD |
bird | Aythya fuligula | Tufted Duck | SD |
bird | Carduelis chloris | Greenfinch | SD |
bird | Charadrius dubius | Little Ringed Plover | SD |
bird | Corvus corone | Carrion/Hooded Crow | SD |
bird | Cygnus olor | Mute Swan | SD |
bird | Erithacus rubecula | Robin | SD |
bird | Gallinula chloropus | Moorhen | SD |
bird | Parus caeruleus | Blue Tit | SD |
bird | Parus major | Great Tit | SD |
bird | Phylloscopus trochilus | Willow Warbler | SD |
bird | Pica pica | Magpie | SD |
bird | Prunella modularis | Dunnock | SD |
bird | Streptopelia decaocto | Collared Dove | SD |
bird | Sturnus vulgaris | Starling | SD |
bird | Turdus merula | Blackbird | SD |
bird | Turdus philomelos | Song Thrush | SD |
bird | Acrocephalus scirpaceus | Reed Warbler | SD, JDS |
bird | Anas platyrhynchos | Mallard | SD, JDS |
bird | Ardea cinerea | Grey Heron | SD, JDS |
bird | Columba oenas | Stock Dove | SD, JDS |
bird | Cuculus canorus | Cuckoo | SD, JDS |
bird | Dendrocopos major | Great Spotted Woodpecker | SD, JDS |
bird | Emberiza schoeniclus | Reed Bunting | SD, JDS |
bird | Fringilla coelebs | Chaffinch | SD, JDS |
bird | Sylvia atricapilla | Blackcap | SD, JDS |
bird | Sylvia borin | Garden Warbler | SD, JDS |
bird | Troglodytes troglodytes | Wren | SD, JDS |
bird | Vanellus vanellus | Lapwing | SD, MA, JDS |
crustacean | Asellus aquaticus | Water hog lice/slaters | DB, WW |
crustacean | Gammarus pulex | Gammarus pulex | DB, WW |
crustacean | Crangonyx pseudogracilis | Crangonyx pseudogracilis | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Agonum (Agonum) marginatum | Agonum (Agonum) marginatum | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Agriotes obscurus | Agriotes obscurus | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Anthonomus (Anthonomus) rubi | Strawberry-blossom Weevil | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Aspidapion (Aspidapion) radiolus | Aspidapion (Aspidapion) radiolus | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Aspidapion (Koestlinia) aeneum | Aspidapion (Koestlinia) aeneum | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Bembidion (Metallina) properans | Bembidion (Metallina) properans | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Cantharis cryptica | Cantharis cryptica | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Cantharis lateralis | Cantharis lateralis | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Cantharis rufa | Cantharis rufa | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus | Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Chaetocnema concinna | Mangold Flea Beetle | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Cyphon coarctatus | Cyphon coarctatus | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Gymnetron veronicae | Brooklime Gull Weevil | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Gymnetron villosulum | Gymnetron villosulum | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Harpalus (Harpalus) rubripes | Harpalus (Harpalus) rubripes | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Hydrothassa marginella | Hydrothassa marginella | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Nanophyes marmoratus | Loosestrife Weevil | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Otiorhynchus (Dorymerus) singularis | Clay-coloured Weevil | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Oulema obscura | Oulema obscura | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Phaedon armoraciae | Mustard Beetle | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Phaedon cochleariae | Mustard Beetle | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Phalacrus caricis | Phalacrus caricis | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Phalacrus substriatus | Phalacrus substriatus | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Plagiodera versicolora | Plagiodera versicolora | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Protapion apricans | Clover Seed Weevil | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Stenus (Stenus) boops | Stenus (Stenus) boops | AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Pyrochroa serraticornis | Red-headed Cardinal Beetle | DB, JDS, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Oedemera (Oedemera) nobilis | Swollen-thighed Beetle | DB, JDS, GHG, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Cantharis livida | Cantharis livida | JDS |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Gyrinus | Gyrinus | JDS |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Rhagonycha fulva | Common Red Soldier Beetle | JDS |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Adalia bipunctata | 2-spot Ladybird | JDS, JWM, GHG, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Amara (Zezea) plebeja | Amara (Zezea) plebeja | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Anaspis (Nassipa) rufilabris | Anaspis (Nassipa) rufilabris | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Brachypterus glaber | Brachypterus glaber | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Cantharis decipiens | Cantharis decipiens | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Dasytes aeratus | Dasytes aeratus | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Gastrophysa polygoni | Gastrophysa polygoni | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Grammoptera ruficornis | Grammoptera ruficornis | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Phalacrus fimetarius | Phalacrus fimetarius | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Proteinus laevigatus | Proteinus laevigatus | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Thryogenes festucae | Thryogenes festucae | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata | 16-spot Ladybird | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Coccidula rufa | Coccidula rufa | JWM, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Crepidodera plutus | Crepidodera plutus | JWM, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Galerucella sagittariae | Galerucella sagittariae | JWM, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Gastrophysa viridula | Green Dock Beetle | JWM, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Harmonia axyridis | Harlequin Ladybird | JWM, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Limnobaris dolorosa | Limnobaris dolorosa | JWM, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Malachius bipustulatus | Malachite Beetle | JWM, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Phratora vitellinae | Phratora vitellinae | JWM, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Phyllobius (Metaphyllobius) pomaceus | Phyllobius (Metaphyllobius) pomaceus | JWM, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Stenus (Hypostenus) cicindeloides | Stenus (Hypostenus) cicindeloides | JWM, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Propylea quattuordecimpunctata | 14-spot Ladybird | JWM, DD, AL |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Coccinella septempunctata | 7-spot Ladybird | JWM, GHG, DD |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Anacaena limbata | Anacaena limbata | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Cercyon (Cercyon) sternalis | Cercyon (Cercyon) sternalis | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Donacia simplex | Donacia simplex | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Gyrinus urinator | Gyrinus urinator | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Haliplus (Haliplinus) fluviatilis | Haliplus (Haliplinus) fluviatilis | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Helophorus (Atracthelophorus) brevipalpis | Helophorus (Atracthelophorus) brevipalpis | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Helophorus (Megahelophorus) aequalis | Helophorus (Megahelophorus) aequalis | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Hydrobius fuscipes | Hydrobius fuscipes | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Hydroporus palustris | Hydroporus palustris | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Laccobius bipunctatus | Laccobius bipunctatus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Nebrioporus (Nebrioporus) elegans | Nebrioporus (Nebrioporus) elegans | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Ochthebius (Homalochthebius) minimus | Ochthebius (Homalochthebius) minimus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Oulimnius tuberculatus | Oulimnius tuberculatus | WW |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Agabus (Gaurodytes) bipustulatus | Agabus (Gaurodytes) bipustulatus | WW, JWM |
insect – butterfly | Polyommatus icarus | Common Blue | AS, JDS |
insect – butterfly | Aglais urticae | Small Tortoiseshell | AS, JDS, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Vanessa atalanta | Red Admiral | AS, JDS, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Inachis io | Peacock | DB, AS |
insect – butterfly | Pieris napi | Green-veined White | DB, AS, JDS, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Gonepteryx rhamni | Brimstone | DB, JDS |
insect – butterfly | Pararge aegeria | Speckled Wood | JDS |
insect – butterfly | Ochlodes faunus | Large Skipper | JDS, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Celastrina argiolus subsp. britanna | Holly Blue | MA |
insect – butterfly | Ochlodes venata subsp. faunus | Large Skipper | MA |
insect – butterfly | Anthocharis cardamines | Orange Tip | MA, JDS, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Pieris brassicae | Large White | SD |
insect – butterfly | Pieris rapae | Small White | SD, JDS |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Enallagma cyathigerum | Common Blue Damselfly | DB, MA, GHG, DD |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Libellula fulva | Scarce Chaser | DB, MA, JDS, GHG |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Platycnemis pennipes | White-legged Damselfly | DB, MA, JDS, GHG, DD |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Pyrrhosoma nymphula | Large Red Damselfly | DB, MA, JDS, GHG, DD |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Calopteryx splendens | Banded Demoiselle | DB, SD, MA, JDS, GHG, DD |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Sympetrum striolatum | Common Darter | DD |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Anax imperator | Emperor Dragonfly | MA |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Ischnura elegans | Blue-Tailed Damselfly | MA, GHG, DD |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Coenagrion puella | Azure Damselfly | MA, JDS, DD |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Libellula depressa | Broad-bodied Chaser | WW |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus pascuorum | Common Carder Bee | DB |
insect – hymenopteran | Calameuta filiformis | Reed Stem Borer | GHT |
insect – hymenopteran | Hoplocampa testudinea | Hoplocampa testudinea | GHT |
insect – hymenopteran | Nomada lathburiana | Nomada lathburiana | GHT |
insect – hymenopteran | Selandria sixii | Selandria sixii | GHT |
insect – hymenopteran | Tenthredopsis excisa | Tenthredopsis excisa | GHT |
insect – hymenopteran | Tenthredopsis nassata | Tenthredopsis nassata | GHT |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Bombus) terrestris | Bombus (Bombus) terrestris | GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Lasius brunneus | Lasius brunneus | GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Pontania proxima | Pontania proxima | JWM |
insect – mayfly (Ephemeroptera) | Ephemera vulgata | Ephemera vulgata | GHG |
insect – moth | Bactra furfurana | Mottled Marble | AS |
insect – moth | Callistege mi | Mother Shipton | AS |
insect – moth | Cataclysta lemnata | Small China-mark | AS |
insect – moth | Depressaria daucella | Dingy Flat-body | AS |
insect – moth | Elachista poae | Sweet-grass Dwarf | AS |
insect – moth | Phyllocnistis saligna | Willow Bent-wing | AS |
insect – moth | Plusia festucae | Gold Spot | AS |
insect – moth | Adela rufimitrella | Meadow Long-horn | AS, JDS |
insect – moth | Celypha lacunana | Common Marble | AS, JDS |
insect – moth | Crambus lathoniellus | Hook-streak Grass-veneer | AS, JDS |
insect – moth | Glyphipterix thrasonella | Speckled Fanner | AS, JDS |
insect – moth | Autographa gamma | Silver Y | GHG |
insect – moth | Rivula sericealis | Straw Dot | JDS |
insect – orthopteran | Pholidoptera griseoaptera | Dark Bush-cricket | JDS, JWM, GHG |
insect – orthopteran | Leptophyes punctatissima | Speckled Bush-cricket | JWM, GHG |
insect – orthopteran | Tetrix subulata | Slender Ground-hopper | JWM, GHG |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Coreus marginatus | Coreus marginatus | JDS |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Capsus ater | Capsus ater | JDS, JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Calocoris (Grypocoris) stysi | Calocoris (Grypocoris) stysi | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Eupteryx aurata | Eupteryx aurata | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Hypseloecus visci | Hypseloecus visci | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Leptopterna dolabrata | Leptopterna dolabrata | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Liocoris tripustulatus | Liocoris tripustulatus | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Orius (Heterorius) majusculus | Orius (Heterorius) majusculus | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Philaenus spumarius | Cuckoo-Spit Insect | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Pinalitus viscicola | Pinalitus viscicola | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Psylla visci | Psylla visci | JWM |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Eupeodes latifasciatus | Eupeodes latifasciatus | AB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Cheilosia albitarsis sens. str. | Cheilosia albitarsis | DB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Tipula oleracea | Cranefly | DB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Helophilus pendulus | Helophilus pendulus | DB, GHG, AB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Chloromyia formosa | Broad Centurion | DB, MEB, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Rhagio scolopaceus | Downlooker Snipefly | DB, MEB, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Platycheirus clypeatus | Platycheirus clypeatus | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Platycheirus granditarsus | Platycheirus granditarsus | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Platycheirus peltatus | Platycheirus peltatus | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Rhingia campestris | Rhingia campestris | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Riponnensia splendens | Riponnensia splendens | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Melanogaster hirtella | Melanogaster hirtella | GHG, AB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Cheilosia illustrata | Cheilosia illustrata | JDS, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Anthomyza collini | Anthomyza collini | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Anthomyza gracilis | Anthomyza gracilis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Beris vallata | Common Orange Legionnaire | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Bicellaria vana | Bicellaria vana | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Campsicnemus curvipes | Campsicnemus curvipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Cerodontha denticornis | Cerodontha denticornis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Cerodontha fulvipes | Cerodontha fulvipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Cheilosia bergenstammi | Cheilosia bergenstammi | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Chlorops | Chlorops | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Coenosia tigrina | Coenosia tigrina | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Colobaea bifasciella | Colobaea bifasciella | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Delia florilega | Delia florilega | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Delia platura | Delia platura | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dicraeus | Dicraeus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dicraeus vagans | Dicraeus vagans | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dicranomyia modesta | Dicranomyia modesta | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus pennatus | Dolichopus pennatus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus plumipes | Dolichopus plumipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus ungulatus | Dolichopus ungulatus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Erioptera fuscipennis | Erioptera fuscipennis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia postica | Fannia postica | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia rondanii | Fannia rondanii | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia serena | Fannia serena | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia similis | Fannia similis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hilara cornicula | Hilara cornicula | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hilara monedula | Hilara monedula | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hilara subpollinosa | Hilara subpollinosa | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hydrellia thoracica | Hydrellia thoracica | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hydrotaea diabolus | Hydrotaea diabolus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Leptocera fontinalis | Leptocera fontinalis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Leptocera nigra | Leptocera nigra | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Leucopis argentata | Leucopis argentata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Limnophora triangula | Limnophora triangula | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Liriomyza flaveola | Liriomyza flaveola | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Lispe tentaculata | Lispe tentaculata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Lonchoptera bifurcata | Lonchoptera bifurcata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Melieria crassipennis | Melieria crassipennis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Minettia longipennis | Minettia longipennis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Minettia rivosa | Minettia rivosa | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Minilimosina vitripennis | Minilimosina vitripennis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Molophilus obscurus | Molophilus obscurus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Morellia hortorum | Morellia hortorum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Muscina levida | Muscina levida | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Notiphila cinerea | Notiphila cinerea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Notiphila graecula | Notiphila graecula | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Opacifrons coxata | Opacifrons coxata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Opomyza germinationis | Opomyza germinationis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pegoplata aestiva | Pegoplata aestiva | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pegoplata infirma | Pegoplata infirma | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pherbellia griseola | Pherbellia griseola | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pherbina coryleti | Pherbina coryleti | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Platypalpus pallidiventris | Platypalpus pallidiventris | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Platypalpus pictitarsis | Platypalpus pictitarsis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pseudocollinella humida | Pseudocollinella humida | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Ptychoptera contaminata | Ptychoptera contaminata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Rachispoda lutosa | Rachispoda lutosa | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Rachispoda lutosoidea | Rachispoda lutosoidea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Rhopalopterum femorale | Rhopalopterum femorale | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Scaptomyza pallida | Scaptomyza pallida | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Scatella paludum | Scatella paludum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Scatella stagnalis | Scatella stagnalis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Scellus notatus | Scellus notatus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sepsis cynipsea | Sepsis cynipsea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sepsis duplicata | Sepsis duplicata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sepsis flavimana | Sepsis flavimana | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sepsis fulgens | Sepsis fulgens | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sepsis punctum | Sepsis punctum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sympycnus desoutteri | Sympycnus desoutteri | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Tetanocera arrogans | Tetanocera arrogans | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Tetanocera hyalipennis | Tetanocera hyalipennis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Themira annulipes | Themira annulipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Themira lucida | Themira lucida | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Themira minor | Themira minor | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Themira superba | Themira superba | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Tipula vernalis | Tipula vernalis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Trimicra pilipes | Trimicra pilipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Volucella bombylans | Volucella bombylans | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Zaphne divisa | Zaphne divisa | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Cheilosia albitarsis | Cheilosia albitarsis | MEB, AB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Haematopota pluvialis | Notch-horned Cleg | MEB, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pipiza austriaca | Pipiza austriaca | MEB, GHG |
mollusc | Monacha (Monacha) cantiana | Monacha (Monacha) cantiana | JWM |
mollusc | Anisus (Anisus) leucostoma | Anisus (Anisus) leucostoma | WW |
mollusc | Anisus (Disculifer) vortex | Anisus (Disculifer) vortex | WW |
mollusc | Bathyomphalus contortus | Bathyomphalus contortus | WW |
mollusc | Bithynia (Bithynia) tentaculata | Bithynia (Bithynia) tentaculata | WW |
mollusc | Lymnaea peregra | Lymnaea peregra | WW |
mollusc | Physa fontinalis | Physa fontinalis | WW |
mollusc | Planorbarius corneus | Planorbarius corneus | WW |
mollusc | Planorbis planorbis | Planorbis planorbis | WW |
mollusc | Potamopyrgus antipodarum | Potamopyrgus antipodarum | WW |
mollusc | Radix auricularia | Radix auricularia | WW |
mollusc | Radix balthica | Radix balthica | WW |
mollusc | Valvata (Valvata) cristata | Valvata (Valvata) cristata | WW |
spider (Araneae) | Pirata piraticus | Marsh spider | DB |
spider (Araneae) | Larinioides cornutus | Larinioides cornutus | JWM |
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:46-51 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:55-59 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Randan Meadows and Randan Wood – Records (Worcestershire Recorders field recording days 2010)
Author – various
See: Worcestershire Recorders field recording days 2010
Group | Scientific Name | Common Name | Recorders |
acarine (Acari) | Eriophyes sorbi | Eriophyes sorbi | JWM |
amphibian | Rana temporaria | Common Frog | BW |
amphibian | Bufo bufo | Common Toad | MI, JDS, JWM, BW |
bird | Buteo buteo | Common Buzzard | GHG |
bird | Corvus corax | Common Raven | GHG |
bird | Poecile palustris | Marsh Tit | GHG |
bird | Sitta europaea | Wood Nuthatch | GHG |
bird | Corvus corone | Carrion/Hooded Crow | MI |
bird | Fringilla coelebs | Chaffinch | MI |
bird | Hirundo rustica | Swallow | MI |
bird | Parus caeruleus | Blue Tit | MI |
bird | Parus palustris | Marsh Tit | MI |
bird | Pyrrhula pyrrhula | Bullfinch | MI |
bird | Turdus merula | Blackbird | MI |
bird | Parus major | Great Tit | MI, GHG |
bird | Buteo buteo | Buzzard | MI, MN |
bird | Certhia familiaris | Treecreeper | MI, MN |
bird | Columba palumbus | Woodpigeon | MI, MN |
bird | Garrulus glandarius | Jay | MI, MN |
bird | Sitta europaea | Nuthatch | MI, MN |
bird | Dendrocopos major | Great Spotted Woodpecker | MN |
bird | Picus viridis | Green Woodpecker | RAW, MI, MN |
crustacean | Oniscus asellus | Oniscus asellus | JWM |
crustacean | Porcellio scaber | Porcellio scaber | JWM |
flowering plant | Berberis vulgaris | Barberry | BW |
flowering plant | Juncus bulbosus | Bulbous Rush | BW |
flowering plant | Lysichiton americanus | American Skunk-cabbage | BW |
flowering plant | Sempervivum tectorum | House-leek | BW |
fungus | Daldinia concentrica | King Alfred’s Cakes | JWM |
fungus | Chlorociboria aeruginascens | Chlorociboria aeruginascens | RAW |
fungus | Daedaleopsis confragosa | Blushing Bracket | RAW |
fungus | Gymnosporangium sabinae | Gymnosporangium sabinae | RAW |
fungus | Piptoporus betulinus | Birch Polypore | RAW |
fungus | Stereum hirsutum | Stereum hirsutum | RAW |
fungus | Epichloë typhina | Choke | RAW, JWM, BW |
harvestman (Opiliones) | Oligolophus tridens | Oligolophus tridens | JWM |
harvestman (Opiliones) | Leiobunum rotundum | Leiobunum rotundum | RAW |
harvestman (Opiliones) | Dicranopalpus ramosus | Dicranopalpus ramosus | RAW, JWM |
harvestman (Opiliones) | Mitopus morio | Mitopus morio | RAW, JWM |
harvestman (Opiliones) | Phalangium opilio | Phalangium opilio | RAW, JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Apoderus coryli | Hazel Leaf-roller | GAF |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Harmonia axyridis | Harlequin Ladybird | GHG |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Coccinella septempunctata | 7-spot Ladybird | JDS, JWM, GHG, DD |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Brachypterus glaber | Brachypterus glaber | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Lagria hirta | Lagria hirta | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Meligethes atratus | Meligethes atratus | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Meligethes viridescens | Meligethes viridescens | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Notiophilus biguttatus | Notiophilus biguttatus | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Oulema melanopus | Oulema melanopus | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Oxystoma subulatum | Oxystoma subulatum | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Perapion (Perapion) curtirostre | Perapion (Perapion) curtirostre | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Sitona (Sitona) lineatus | Pea-leaf Weevil | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Sitona (Sitona) puncticollis | Sitona (Sitona) puncticollis | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Sitona (Sitona) suturalis | Sitona (Sitona) suturalis | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata | 16-spot Ladybird | JWM |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Propylea quattuordecimpunctata | 14-spot Ladybird | JWM, GAF, GHG, DD |
insect – beetle (Coleoptera) | Rhagonycha fulva | Common Red Soldier Beetle | JWM, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Pyronia tithonus | Pyronia tithonus | BW |
insect – butterfly | Aglais urticae | Small Tortoiseshell | JDS, BW |
insect – butterfly | Pieris napi | Green-veined White | JDS, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Pyronia tithonus | Hedge Brown | JDS, JWM, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Pyronia tithonus subsp. britanniae | Gatekeeper | MI |
insect – butterfly | Neozephyrus quercus | Purple Hairstreak | MI, JDS, GHG |
insect – butterfly | Gonepteryx rhamni | Brimstone | MI, MN, BW |
insect – butterfly | Maniola jurtina | Meadow Brown | MI, MN, JDS, GHG, BW |
insect – butterfly | Thymelicus lineola | Essex Skipper | MI, MN, JDS, GHG, BW |
insect – butterfly | Thymelicus sylvestris | Small Skipper | MI, MN, JDS, GHG, BW |
insect – butterfly | Pieris napi | Green-Veined White | MN |
insect – butterfly | Pyronia tithonus | Pyronia tithonus | MN |
insect – butterfly | Quercusia quercus | Purple Hairstreak | MN, BW |
insect – butterfly | Vanessa atalanta | Red Admiral | MN, GHG, BW |
insect – butterfly | Inachis io | Peacock | MN, JDS, BW |
insect – butterfly | Pieris brassicae | Large White | MN, JWM, BW |
insect – butterfly | Pyronia tithonus | Hedge Brown | RAW |
insect – butterfly | Aricia agestis | Brown Argus | RAW, JDS, BW |
insect – butterfly | Aphantopus hyperantus | Ringlet | RAW, JWM |
insect – butterfly | Pieris napi | Green-veined White | RAW, MI |
insect – butterfly | Pieris rapae | Small White | RAW, MI |
insect – butterfly | Pararge aegeria | Speckled Wood | RAW, MI, MN, JDS, BW |
insect – butterfly | Lycaena phlaeas | Small Copper | RAW, MI, MN, JDS, GHG, BW |
insect – butterfly | Polyommatus icarus | Common Blue | RAW, MI, MN, JDS, JWM, GHG, BW |
insect – butterfly | Polygonia c-album | Comma | RAW, MN, BW |
insect – caddis fly (Trichoptera) | Enoicyla pusilla | Enoicyla pusilla | GHG, BW |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Anax imperator | Emperor Dragonfly | JDS |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Cordulegaster boltonii | Golden-ringed Dragonfly | JDS |
insect – dragonfly (Odonata) | Aeshna cyanea | Southern Hawker | MI, GHG |
insect – earwig (Dermaptera) | Forficula auricularia | Common Earwig | JWM |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Megabombus) hortorum | Bombus (Megabombus) hortorum | GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Psithyrus) campestris | Bombus (Psithyrus) campestris | GHG, BW |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Psithyrus) vestalis | Bombus (Psithyrus) vestalis | GHG, BW |
insect – hymenopteran | Andricus fecundator f. agamic | Artichoke Gall Causer | JWM |
insect – hymenopteran | Andricus kollari f. agamic | Marble Gall | JWM |
insect – hymenopteran | Andricus lignicola f. agamic | Cola-nut Causer | JWM |
insect – hymenopteran | Biorhiza pallida f. agamic | Biorhiza pallida f. agamic | JWM |
insect – hymenopteran | Neuroterus anthracinus f. agamic | Oyster-gall Causer | JWM |
insect – hymenopteran | Neuroterus numismalis f. agamic | Silk-button Causer | JWM |
insect – hymenopteran | Neuroterus quercusbaccarum f. agamic | Common Spangle Causer | JWM |
insect – hymenopteran | Lasius flavus | Lasius flavus | JWM, GHG |
insect – hymenopteran | Biorhiza pallida f. sexual | Oak-apple Causer | RAW |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Bombus) lucorum | Bombus (Bombus) lucorum | RAW, GHG, BW |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Melanobombus) lapidarius | Bombus (Melanobombus) lapidarius | RAW, GHG, BW |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Psithyrus) rupestris | Bombus (Psithyrus) rupestris | RAW, GHG, BW |
insect – hymenopteran | Bombus (Thoracombus) pascuorum | Bombus (Thoracombus) pascuorum | RAW, GHG, BW |
insect – moth | Cosmia trapezina | Dun-bar | BW |
insect – moth | Agriphila tristella | Common Grass-veneer | JDS |
insect – moth | Blastobasis lignea | Dingy Dowd | JDS |
insect – moth | Celypha lacunana | Common Marble | JDS |
insect – moth | Evergestis forficalis | Garden Pebble | JDS |
insect – moth | Hydraecia micacea | Rosy Rustic | JDS |
insect – moth | Noctua comes | Lesser Yellow Underwing | JDS |
insect – moth | Paraswammerdamia albicapitella | White-headed Ermel | JDS |
insect – moth | Phragmatobia fuliginosa | Ruby Tiger | JDS |
insect – moth | Timandra comae | Blood-Vein | JDS |
insect – moth | Xanthorhoe spadicearia | Red Twin-spot Carpet | JDS |
insect – moth | Ypsolopha ustella | Variable Smudge | JDS |
insect – moth | Scotopteryx chenopodiata | Shaded Broad-bar | JDS, BW |
insect – moth | Amphipoea oculea | Ear Moth | JDS, JWM |
insect – moth | Cameraria ohridella | Horse-Chestnut Leaf-miner | JWM |
insect – moth | Autographa gamma | Silver Y | MI, JDS |
insect – moth | Noctua pronuba | Large Yellow Underwing | MN |
insect – moth | Scotopteryx chenopodiata | Shaded Broad-Bar | MN |
insect – moth | Epirrhoe alternata | Common Carpet | MN, JDS, BW |
insect – moth | Agriphila straminella | Straw Grass-veneer | RAW |
insect – moth | Camptogramma bilineata subsp. bilineata | Yellow Shell | RAW |
insect – moth | Carcina quercana | Long-horned Flat-body | RAW |
insect – moth | Emmelina monodactyla | Common Plume | RAW |
insect – moth | Lymantria monacha | Black Arches | RAW |
insect – moth | Scotopteryx chenopodiata | Shaded Broad-bar | RAW |
insect – moth | Rivula sericealis | Straw Dot | RAW, JDS |
insect – orthopteran | Chorthippus brunneus | Common Field Grasshopper | GAF |
insect – orthopteran | Chorthippus brunneus | Field Grasshopper | GHG |
insect – orthopteran | Meconema thalassinum | Oak Bush-cricket | GHG |
insect – orthopteran | Leptophyes punctatissima | Speckled Bush-cricket | JDS, BW |
insect – orthopteran | Chorthippus parallelus | Meadow Grasshopper | JWM, GAF, GHG, BW |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Campyloneura virgula | Campyloneura virgula | JDS |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens | Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens | JDS |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Lygus rugulipennis | Lygus rugulipennis | JDS |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Anthocoris nemorum | Anthocoris nemorum | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Calocoris (Calocoris) roseomaculatus | Calocoris (Calocoris) roseomaculatus | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Coranus (Coranus) subapterus | Coranus (Coranus) subapterus | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Lygocoris (Apolygus) spinolae | Lygocoris (Apolygus) spinolae | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Nabis (Dolichonabis) limbatus | Nabis (Dolichonabis) limbatus | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Nabis (Nabicula) flavomarginatus | Nabis (Nabicula) flavomarginatus | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Philaenus spumarius | Cuckoo-Spit Insect | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Stenodema (Stenodema) laevigata | Stenodema (Stenodema) laevigata | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Trioza remota | Trioza remota | JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Palomena prasina | Palomena prasina | JWM, GAF |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Pentatoma rufipes | Pentatoma rufipes | JWM, GAF, GHG, BW |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Dolycoris baccarum | Dolycoris baccarum | JWM, GHG |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Elasmostethus interstinctus | Elasmostethus interstinctus | RAW |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Elasmucha grisea | Elasmucha grisea | RAW |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Nabis | Nabis | RAW |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorum | Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorum | RAW, JWM |
insect – true bug (Hemiptera) | Picromerus bidens | Picromerus bidens | RAW, JWM, GAF |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Eristalis pertinax | Eristalis pertinax | BW |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Rhagio tringarius | Marsh Snipefly | BW |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Melangyna umbellatarum | Melangyna umbellatarum | GAF |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Platycheirus clypeatus | Platycheirus clypeatus | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Syritta pipiens | Syritta pipiens | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Syrphus vitripennis | Syrphus vitripennis | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Xylota segnis | Xylota segnis | GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Syrphus ribesii | Syrphus ribesii | GHG, BW |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Macrodiplosis pustularis | Macrodiplosis pustularis | JWM |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Taxomyia taxi | Taxomyia taxi | JWM |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Anthomyza gracilis | Anthomyza gracilis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Bellardia vulgaris | Bellardia vulgaris | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Botanophila brunneilinea | Botanophila brunneilinea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Campsicnemus curvipes | Campsicnemus curvipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Campsicnemus scambus | Campsicnemus scambus | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Coenia curvicauda | Coenia curvicauda | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Crumomyia fimetaria | Crumomyia fimetaria | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Crumomyia nitida | Crumomyia nitida | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Delia florilega | Delia florilega | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dioctria baumhaueri | Dioctria baumhaueri | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Ditrichophora calceata | Ditrichophora calceata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus arbustorum | Dolichopus arbustorum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus griseipennis | Dolichopus griseipennis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus trivialis | Dolichopus trivialis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Dolichopus wahlbergi | Dolichopus wahlbergi | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Drapetis assimilis | Drapetis assimilis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Drosophila fenestrarum | Drosophila fenestrarum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia rondanii | Fannia rondanii | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia serena | Fannia serena | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Fannia similis | Fannia similis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Geomyza balachowskyi | Geomyza balachowskyi | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Geomyza tripunctata | Geomyza tripunctata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Haematopota pluvialis | Notch-horned Cleg | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hebecnema umbratica | Hebecnema umbratica | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Helina depuncta | Helina depuncta | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Helina reversio | Helina reversio | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Helina setiventris | Helina setiventris | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Helius longirostris | Helius longirostris | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hybos culiciformis | Hybos culiciformis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hydrotaea militaris | Hydrotaea militaris | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hylemya vagans | Hylemya vagans | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Hylemya variata | Hylemya variata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Ilythea spilota | Ilythea spilota | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Leptocera fontinalis | Leptocera fontinalis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Limnia unguicornis | Limnia unguicornis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Limosina silvatica | Limosina silvatica | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Lonchoptera lutea | Lonchoptera lutea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Lucilia caesar | Lucilia caesar | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Meiosimyza rorida | Meiosimyza rorida | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Minettia rivosa | Minettia rivosa | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Musca autumnalis | Face Fly | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Neoascia podagrica | Neoascia podagrica | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Opacifrons coxata | Opacifrons coxata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Opomyza florum | Opomyza florum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Opomyza germinationis | Opomyza germinationis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Opomyza petrei | Opomyza petrei | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Paranthomyza | Paranthomyza | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Parydra littoralis | Parydra littoralis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pericoma trivialis | Pericoma trivialis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Phaonia angelicae | Phaonia angelicae | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Phylidorea ferruginea | Phylidorea ferruginea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pollenia angustigena | Pollenia angustigena | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pollenia pediculata | Pollenia pediculata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Pseudocollinella humida | Pseudocollinella humida | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Rachispoda lutosa | Rachispoda lutosa | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sapromyza basalis | Sapromyza basalis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sarcophaga dissimilis | Sarcophaga dissimilis | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sarcophaga vagans | Sarcophaga vagans | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sarcophaga variegata | Sarcophaga variegata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Scathophaga stercoraria | Scathophaga stercoraria | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sepsis cynipsea | Sepsis cynipsea | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Spelobia clunipes | Spelobia clunipes | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Spelobia parapusio | Spelobia parapusio | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sphaerophoria interrupta | Sphaerophoria interrupta | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Sybistroma obscurellum | Sybistroma obscurellum | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Tetanocera elata | Tetanocera elata | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Tricholauxania praeusta | Tricholauxania praeusta | MEB |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Melanostoma mellinum | Melanostoma mellinum | MEB, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Melanostoma scalare | Melanostoma scalare | MEB, JWM |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Jaapiella veronicae | Jaapiella veronicae | RAW |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Episyrphus balteatus | Episyrphus balteatus | RAW, GHG |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Scaeva pyrastri | Scaeva pyrastri | RAW, GHG, BW |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Volucella pellucens | Volucella pellucens | RAW, GHG, BW |
insect – true fly (Diptera) | Tachina fera | Tachina fera | RAW, MEB, GHG |
lichen | Parmelia sulcata | Parmelia sulcata | JWM |
lichen | Usnea florida | Usnea florida | JWM |
lichen | Xanthoria parietina | Xanthoria parietina | JWM |
millipede | Glomeris marginata | Pill Millipede | JWM |
mollusc | Limax maximus | Great Grey Slug | JWM |
mollusc | Arion (Arion) ater | Arion (Arion) ater | RAW, JWM |
mollusc | Trochulus (Trochulus) striolatus | Trochulus (Trochulus) striolatus | RAW, JWM |
reptile | Anguis fragilis | Slow-worm | MN, BW |
spider (Araneae) | Araneus diadematus | Garden Orb-Web Spider | JWM |
spider (Araneae) | Metellina mengei | Metellina mengei | JWM |
spider (Araneae) | Pisaura mirabilis | Tent Spider | JWM |
springtail (Collembola) | Tomocerus longicornis | Tomocerus longicornis | JWM |
terrestrial mammal | Muntiacus reevesi | Chinese Muntjac | MN, JDS |
terrestrial mammal | Microtus agrestis | Field Vole | MN, JWM |
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:55-59 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:44-45 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Recorders field recording days 2010
Author – various
All photographs ©Harry Green
See records (tables):
- Bockleton Study Centre – Records
- Lower Moor Meadows – Records
- Randan Meadows and Randan Wood – Records
Most recording was on the date indicated (below). A few people visited on the following day as they were unable to attend on the main day. These records are included.
Three sites were visited as follows:
Lower Moor Meadows, central grid ref SO974466, Saturday 5th June 2010. By kind permission of the Vale Landscape Heritage Trust. This series of meadows lie on the flood plain of the River Avon and are managed as grazed wet meadows although they are quite dry in summer despite an extensive scrape with shallow water and mud. They lie between the Lench Ditch and the River Avon. There are many pollarded willows along the ditch. The river bank is high and steep but bordered within the channel by a narrow shelf covered with emergent vegetation. For a further description see notes by Bert Reid preceding the flora lists.
Bockleton Study Centre, near Tenbury Wells. Central grid ref house and grounds SO576622, adjacent Swingley Pool SO5866619, Saturday 10th July 2010. Both sites visited. All the records for both are combined in the list. More details are recorded on the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre database. Bockleton Study Centre is run by Birmingham City Council and provides outdoor and environmental activities for groups. We visited by kind permission of Andrew Taylor, Centre Principal, and we are most grateful of the kind welcome and help given to us by him and his staff. The Study Centre comprises a large house and extensive openly wooded grounds and gardens (for more details see http://www.bockleton.bham.org.uk/). Swingley Pool is surrounded by trees and surrounded by fields. For a further description see notes by Bert Reid preceding the flora lists.
Randan Meadows central grid ref SO916727 and Randan Wood SO919728 Saturday 7th August 2010. By kind permission of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. Randan Wood is the first reserve managed by the Trust and formally the home of the late Fred Fincher, a great Worcestershire naturalist. Randan Meadows is a newly created reserve comprising two small meadows rich in ant hills. It is bordered by ancient woodland and contains a fine ancient oak. For a further description see notes by Bert Reid preceding the flora lists.
Recorders
Lower Moor Medaows 25 booked, 19 attended
Bockleton Study Centre 22 booked, 13 attended
Randan Meadows and Wood 23 booked, 18 attended.
The lists that follow contain all the records submitted to the WBRC by October 2010. (Flora records are listed separately) Doubtless more records will be submitted at a later date. If you attended one of these Field Days and have note for a species you recorded which does not appear in the lists please send your records in to records@wbrc.org.uk . The aim of these meetings is to provide a snapshot of species at the site on the day and these lists may be more of more value in 100 years than now!
Recorders names and initials used in the tables
Mike Averill | MA |
Bert Reid | AWR |
Alan Brown | AB |
David Barnett | DB |
Denzil Devos | DD |
Gary Farmer | GAF |
Geoff Trevis | GHT |
Harry Green | GHG |
Jane & Dave Scott | JDS |
John Meiklejohn | JWM |
John Partridge | WJP |
Mervyn Needham | MN |
Mick Blythe | MEB |
Rosemary Winnall | RAW |
Mike Inskip | MI |
Steve Davies | SD |
Tony Simpson | AS |
Alan Lawson | AL |
Will Watson | WW |
Brett Westwood | BW |
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Ephemera vulgata dun, Lower Moor Meadows |
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Dragonfly recording, Lower Moor meadows |
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Will Watson in Swingly pool Bockleton Study Centre |
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Acaena ovalifolia a pitti-pitti burr, Bockleton Study Centre |
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Randan Meadows – at the beginning of the day it rained so we started recording in Mervyn Needham’s greenhouse. Good for hoverflies |
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Recording in Randan Meadows |
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Recorders in Randan Wood at nearly dry pool |
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The ancient oak in Randan Meadows |
Shoulder-knot Lithophane leautieri, Bockleton |
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Cattle graze Lower Moor Meadows by River Avon in late summer |
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:44-45 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:8 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Hopper hunt: Woodland Hoppers (Arcitalitrus dorrieni) in Worcestershire?
Brett Westwood.
Do we have woodland hoppers Arcitalitrus dorrieni in Worcestershire? I saw my first this year when scrabbling in leaf-mould under rhododendrons on Tresco in the Isles of Scilly. They’re amphipods native to Australia and New Zealand, which look like the small sandhoppers we see on the beach and leap frantically in all directions when disturbed , making them difficult to catch. The Scilly hoppers originated from a mainland nursery which specialised in imports of plants from New Zealand and since their first appearance in 1925 they have become well-established on all islands in conifer plantations , gardens and under hedges. They’re also becoming established throughout south-west England and have even made it to the Inner Hebrides, so they could be lurking somewhere in Worcestershire.
In Bristol, they are locally common in gardens where they hide under stones, bark and in leaf litter. Females lay up to 70 eggs and youngster numbers peak in August and September. They feed on dead leaves and other detritus. Another species, Arcitalitrus sylvaticus , also from the Antipodes, is also at large in the UK, though its distribution is less well-known. We’d be fascinated to hear of any county records – any “springtails” which seem over-active are worth investigating!
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:8 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:6-7 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Bombus humilis, the Brown-banded Carder Bee, in Worcestershire
Brett Westwood
When entomologist Steven Falk visited Hartlebury Common in June this year, little did he know of the reverberations his findings would make in the world of Worcestershire bumblebee recording. Among the bees he found around the Wilden Top car-park at the north side of the common were “a few queens of Bombus humilis”, dropped casually into a longer list. For those of us who had been grappling with bumblebee identification, and therefore paying close attention to the county’s species, this news was nothing short of seismic.
To begin with, we didn’t know it was in Worcestershire, least of all at a location which has been regularly scoured by hymenopterists over the years. Bombus humilis, the brown-banded carder bee, is also a rare Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species, on the decline almost everywhere and so was hardly expected to re-appear. More worryingly it was an object lesson in knowing your patch too well and seeing only what you expect to see. We didn’t think it was there so it couldn’t be. Except of course that it was. Humiliating, you might say.
On June 23rd, a few days after Steven Falk’s record, I visited Hartlebury Common on a very hot evening. A short search produced a single queen B.humilis, flying fast and low over sandy, tussocky ground, clearly looking for a nest site, and on the third evening visit there were two queens. It was a good start.
Status and distribution
The Brown-banded Carder Bee Bombus humilis has declined sharply in the UK over the last forty years or so, mainly because it needs large areas of grassland rich in flowers, especially vetches, clovers and trefoils for feeding. The queens also need tussocky grass containing mouse nests in which they found their colonies, raking in moss and fine grass leaves. Heavy grazing, “improvement” of pastures, encroachment of scrub and the use of herbicides have all taken their toll on humilis and other specialist bees such as the Shrill Carder Bumblebee Bombus sylvarum. Nowadays Bombus humilis is mainly restricted to dry coastal grasslands, but is also common on Salisbury Plain. It is often associated with brownfield sites such as the grasslands of the Thames Gateway, especially where these are extensive and have a continuous succession of flowers.
In recent years, small colonies have been found in neighbouring Warwickshire and in 2010 it was reported from a brownfield site in Herefordshire, suggesting that a tentative recovery may be under way. In most counties in which it occurs it is the subject of a Local Biodiversity Action Plan as well as the national BAP.
Records for Worcestershire are patchy. In an article encouraging the collection of bumblebee records Don Goddard (1999) pointed out there were no recent records of B. humilis. Between 1999 and 2010 there are doubtful and unsubstantiated records from Kemerton Lake and a brownfield site at Cherry Orchard, Worcester (Trevis 2007), but the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre currently holds no records for the species. According to the NBN and BWARS web sites there are old Worcestershire records for SO97 (Bromsgrove is at south edge of this square which contains Chaddesley Corbett); SO85 (Worcester – no details available), SO74 (West Malvern, 1937), SO76 (1920, no site given – Great Witley lies at the centre of this square) and SP14(Dovers Hill, Aston Subedge, east of Evesham and just within Warwickshire border). There are no records for SO87, the 10x10km square containing Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn.
Hallett & Barrow (1956) compiled a list of Worcestershire Hymenoptera aculeata derived from Bradley (1900); the Victoria County History (Fletcher & Martineau 1902); a few notes from the Transactions of the Worcestershire Naturalists’ Club, and their own observations made at West Malvern, Malvern Link and Chaddesley Corbett. Bombus humilis appears in this list without details of the exact origin of the records. There are no records in the Victoria County History so it is not unreasonable to presume that the reports from SO74 West Malvern and SO97 Chaddesley Corbett are Hallett & Barrow’s own records. Unfortunately the dates of their records are unknown: there are no dates in their county list. Hallett was a Glamorgan naturalist closely associated with the National Museum of Wales. From 1909 he studied aculeate hymenoptera in Wales until he moved to Hereford in 1935. He died in 1958. (Fowles 1996, which can be found at http://www.bwars.com/Files%204%20downloading/Wales%20Aculeate%20checklist%201996.pdf.). It is likely that his Worcestershire records were made between 1935 and 1956. The SO74 and SO76 records also appear in the published atlas (Edwards & Telfer 2002).
Worcestershire sightings 2010.
One reason that B.humilis may have been overlooked in the past, is that the queens emerge late from hibernation. The Hartlebury Common bees were still nest-searching in late June, a time when most other bumblebees had colonies well under way. The nectar sources at Hartlebury were limited in late June, so I decided to explore Wilden Marsh, a Worcestershire Wildlife Trust reserve 1.5 km to the north, where there were abundant comfrey and trefoil flowers. To my delight, there were two queens here nectaring on comfrey on July 4th, though no evidence that they were breeding locally. One was seen to fly off high over the willows. Nesting was likely though, because on August 11th I found several workers feeding on the extensive patches of marsh bird’s foot trefoil Lotus uliginosus along with B.pascuorum and managed to photograph several of these. On August 12th I visited Burlish Top 1.7km to the west and found at least one B.humilis nectaring on patches of wood sage Teucrium scorodonia, again with Bombus pascuorum. Photos of this bee and of the Wilden specimens were sent to Steven Falk who confirmed them as “good” humilis.
On August 28th, Harry Green, Rosemary Winnall and I visited Wilden marsh. We found several workers , mostly on Lotus, but also on spear thistle Cirsium vulgare. Unusually, we also saw a queen with full pollen baskets, behaviour that is sometimes seen in daughter queens which are still visiting the nest, before they leave to hibernate.
My last visit was on October 10th, when the Lotus flowers were over and the last Bombus pascuorum were foraging among late comfrey flowers. A single probable humilis flew past but could not be positively identified.
Identification
Bombus humilis is one of the carder bees and is very similar to the common carder bee Bombus pascuorum and the moss carder bee Bombus muscorum, which (fortunately for identification purposes) does not occur in Worcestershire.
Well-marked queen humilis have a ginger thorax and their abdomen is covered in bands of yellowish-ginger hairs, making them quite distinctive as they fly. Both queens and workers usually have a “cummerbund” of darker brown coloration on their second abdominal segment which also stands out well in flight. Males are broadly similar.
Typical workers and queens of Bombus pascuorum have darker, less hairy abdomens and always have black hairs mixed in with the ginger ones. Most humilis have a few black hairs usually on the thorax near the wing-bases, but never on the sides of the abdomen. Pale specimens of Bombus pascuorum can be a real pitfall, and though this form is commoner in the north of the UK, it can occur in Worcestershire. A search for black hairs should be conclusive, though genital examination is needed for some specimens. It is also easy to be misled by fresh B.pascuorum which tend to be reddish-ginger towards the tail and darker in the upper abdominal segments. If in doubt, use a microscope!
Habitat also helps. Bombus humilis is normally found in open flower-rich areas and doesn’t occur in woodlands or in gardens, unless the latter are close to known colonies. I have an intriguing photo of a pale carder visiting Eupatorium in my garden in Stourbridge which looks very like humilis, but which is most likely pascuorum!
NOW WE HAVE THEM……
…we need to keep them. Conserving specialist bees like B.humilis is a challenge because of their need for large areas of clovers, vetches, trefoils and thistles, flowering throughout the summer (Goulson & Darvill 2003). Their late season means that they fly well into autumn and their nests and forage flowers are at the mercy of early mowing or grazing regimes. Although numbers seem to be low at Hartlebury Common and Wilden Marsh, there is clearly a succession of the right flowers and suitable habitats for nesting and hibernation. At Burlish Top, the clearance of scrub is encouraging larger patches of wood sage and a range of late-summer composites which again should benefit the bees. The rich flora of Wilden Marsh clearly suits the bees and this is where the largest numbers have been seen. A combination of late and light grazing and the continuing prevention of scrub colonisation should ensure that we can enjoy the brown-banded carder bee as a permanent resident of the county for many years to come.
References
EDWARDS, R. & TELFER, M.G. eds. 2002. Provisional atlas of the aculeate hymenoptera of Britain and Ireland. Part 4, page 120. Huntingdon: Biological Records Centre.
FLETCHER, J.E. & MARTINEAU, J. H. 1901. The Victoria History of the counties of England – Worcestershire, volume 1. Hymenoptera page 90.
FOWLES, A.P. 1996. A Provisional checklist of the invertebrates recorded in Wales. 2. Aculeate bees, wasps and ants. Countryside Council for Wales
GODDARD, D. 1999. Bumblebees endangered. Worcestershire Record 6:20.
GOULSON, D. & DARVILL, B. 2003. Distribution and floral preferences of the rare bumblebees Bombus humilis and B. soroeensis (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Salisbury Plain. British Journal of Entomology and Natural History, 16:95-102.
HALLETT, H.M. & BARROW, R.L. 1956. The Hymenoptera aculeate of Worcsetershire. Trans. Worcs. Nat. Club. Volume 11, part 1 pages 75-80.
TREVIS, G. 2007. A review of Worcestershire aculeate hymenoptera. Worcestershire Record 21:34-39.
1. Bombus humilis, queen, Hartlebury Common. ©Steven Falk
2. Bombus humilis worker, Wilden Marsh on Lotus uliginosus. ©Brett Westwood
3. Bombus humilis male at Burlish Top on Wood Sage Teucrium scorodonia
4. Bombus humilis left and B. pascuorum right on Wood Sage Teucrium scorodonia. ©Brett Westwood
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:6-7 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:33 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Avicide in thrushes
P. F. Whitehead
I was fascinated to read the account (Cundall, A., 2010, Worcestershire Record 28:17) of one Fieldfare killing another. This is a really rare observation with few text citations and none given by Norman (1994), The Fieldfare, Hamlyn Species Guides). It certainly warrants explanation. At the discretion of the editor, and since it has a direct bearing on the Fieldfare observation, I should like to briefly relate an identical observation concerning Blackbirds Turdus merula L. in Lancashire. Although briefly cited by Hardy (1966), Merseyside Naturalist’s Association North-western Bird Report 1963-1966, p.46) it has never been properly documented.
In one of many large contiguous suburban gardens in the Childwall area of Liverpool, backed by a 20 acre green field, Blackbirds were ubiquitous in the 1960s and formed a big roost in ancient woodland near Childwall village. Some maintained territories year after year and in March 1963 one such venerable male bird paired with a female, but failed to sing well and generally lost lustre, although the female built a nest. One day near the end of March the pair were joined by a third adult white-headed male and something of a ‘ménage-a-trois’ ensued. It is thought that this white-headed bird may have mated with the resident female at this time, further disrupting a somewhat weakened pair-bond.
During the morning, the white-headed male attacked the old male with force, pinning it down and pecking at the cranium, and holding it by the neck in its beak. I (misguidedly) intervened and ‘rescued’ the old male which had a number of significant injuries, including a badly damaged leg, but still accepted food. The maxilla was slightly overgrown from age. What was striking at this time was the fixated behaviour of the ‘new’ male. As the injured male rested on the inside sill of a window bay, the ‘new’ male repeatedly engaged in ‘fly-pasts’ and paraded to and fro on the outside of the sill.
In the evening I made a conscious decision to release the old male. What followed was a prolonged onslaught in which the old male was eventually despatched by repeated pecking to the head despite its penetrating vocalisations. The female, attracted by the cacophony, merely observed. After nightfall, the new male, ensuring that its ‘rival’ was now completely lifeless, flew to a fence where, in a notably long, loud and flourished ‘victory’ song it pronounced itself to be in command.
I do not wish to take up further space with explanations for these rare observations, which can be deduced, other than to say that the normal submission and threat signals, so evident in social turdids, were never observed by me. Additionally, like Cundall’s observation (op. cit.), this one came after a hard winter.
References
CUNDALL, A., 2010, Homicidal fieldfare. Worcestershire Record 28:17
HARDY (1966), Merseyside Naturalist’s Association North-western Bird Report 1963-1966, p.46)
NORMAN, D. 1994 The Fieldfare, Hamlyn Species Guides
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Alluvial biota and sections at Broadway West End, Worcestershire in 1988
P. F. Whitehead
The hill stream that passes through Broadway from the hills at Snowshill drains the Jurassic escarpment and sits in a well-defined valley. In the West End area of Broadway at about 90 m O.D. (SP0936) it typically flows in a shallow bed (that is, where it is unmanaged) and has a weakly developed flood plain which reflects its lateral movement in spate. Further downstream it becomes part of the artesian drainage passing under delta-fan gravel aquifers to the north-west of Broadway settlement. Upstream nearer to Snowshill it is floored by thermoclastic scree and there still retains some elements of a more ancient biota. At times in its post-glacial history this stream has been impacted on by the introduction into its catchment of largely soft rock sediments from the escarpment above. The nature and extent of this process correlates with time, climate and human activity. The flow rate and flow characteristics of the stream have been modified over time by these mass movements which grossly modified its sedimentary load and course.
During July 1988 I was able to photograph and draw sections through riparian sediments at Broadway West End whilst construction work was taking place. In seeking to age sediments one requires either artefacts or organisms which are indicative of time or climate. At West End this evidence proved very difficult to find, hence the nature of this discussion. I was able to observe sections up to 2.2 m in depth. The lowest element in all cases was weathered Charmouth Mudstone (Lower Lias Clay) i.e. the solid geology of the immediate area. At one spot evidence was found to suggest that the surface of this may have been exposed previously in a cold climate. A significant surface upbulge and vertical alignment of sediments within that upbulge produced a diapir-like structure. At another spot nearby a seam of well sorted limestone gravel 70 mm thick rested on the Charmouth Mudstone and contained a freshwater mollusc fauna. Above this, beds of dense mottled buff or beige cohesive glutinous clay with limestone fragments reached a total thickness of 1.9 m: this represents an episode during which Jurassic soft rocks were introduced into the catchment in large volume. A hiatus-marking land surface in these clay beds was eventually buried under a further 40 cms of buff clay. At the base of the clay just above the shell-bearing gravels, bones of horse Equus sp. and Red Deer Cervus elaphus L. were found. This clay also contained bones and teeth of domestic oxen Bos sp.. This was 13 m distant from the modern stream. Closer to the stream the ground surface had been built up artificially by tipped sediments in post-medieval time and near the base of this a crude flint scraper was found. Some artefacts were found associated with the early phases of this anthropogenic fill including fragments of hand-blown black glass bottles, Midland Yellow Ware, China Clay pipes and flared glazed bowls dating to the 17th century A.D. This would correlate with early phases of house building in the area.
Molluscs from the basal gravels 2.2.m deep.
Molluscs from these gravels comprise a single shell of the terrestrial gastropod Pupilla muscorum (L.), the hygrophilous Succinea putris (L.), the aquatic gastropod Radix balthica (L.) (= R. peregra), and the bivalves Pisidium amnicum (O. F. Müller) and Pisidium casertanum (Poli). This is the fauna of a well-oxygenated Cotswold hillstream with fringing helophytes and some aquatic vegetation. In other words the aquatic system was relatively stable at that time. Pisidium amnicum is a fastidious species requiring good quality habitat and clean water. The fauna cannot be aged but is of a type whch is apparently no longer extant at the site but which is known to have existed in Cotswold hillstreams more commonly prior to the Bronze Age. This order of chronological magnitude fits well with the evidence for Red Deer just above the gravel. If it is assumed (no more than that) that the gravels are Bronze Age or earlier and the clays no older than Bronze Age, evidence for terrestrial habitat at that time is provided by Pupilla muscorum which is an open grassland indicator species. It is known that as this Jurassic clay was loaded into the catchment by gravity, it was distributed by a stream made much more inefficient, and that P. amnicum persisted for a while in these more turbid conditions before being eliminated.
Chronological hypothesis.
During the present Flandrian Period, hillstreams above Broadway carried clean water and supported molluscs which included the relatively large bivalve Pisidium amnicum. Possible woodland clearance, land use change and increasing climatic oceanicity from the end of the Bronze Age, about 3000 years BP, caused slope instability and failure and the release into the catchment of large volumes of Jurassic soft rock. This seems to have happened relatively suddenly and the valley bottom at West End was finally filled by up to 1.9 m of this sediment. The fact that a land-surface was recognised during this process of deposition does not necessarily have any marked bearing on time, merely on the subsequent movement of the watercourse or change in its nature in response to greater or lesser episodes of slumping and in-wash. The single flint artefact is a very crudely retouched flake without typological significance and which may date to the Iron Age.
Environmental reconstruction.
The aquatic molluscs with P. amnicum are part of the natural post-glacial climax fauna of the relatively stable hill stream. Pupilla muscorum implies open grassland nearby or on the valley side and this is taken to represent a landscape impacted on by humans rather than an early post-glacial one. It is therefore probably one on which trees where scattered or had been cleared, at least on the lower slopes for stock. Domestic cattle remains support this, but Red Deer would imply some wildwood in the area (such as still remain to this day). It is important to stress that there is no evidence of a settled community at this time and that the animal bones are few, not those of extensive occupation. The two associated horse teeth are especially problematical; there is good evidence for the survival of wild horses in this area into the early post-glacial, but what became of them is a highly significant question.
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Observations on British Issus (Hemiptera, Issidae) with reference to development, periodicity and ecology
P.F. Whitehead & R.S. Key
Introduction
Two species of Issus occur in Britain, although in 1960 Le Quesne knew only one. Issus coleoptratus (F., 1781) is widespread in southern England (Map 1), occurring also in Wales and Ireland. Issus muscaeformis (Schrank, 1781) is a relatively rare species of western Britain, accorded Notable status by Kirby (1992). Although some may be widespread, all Issus species are regarded as flightless and thus of some ‘conservation’ significance, especially those found on archipelagos (Remane, 1985; Quartau, 2008). The discovery of a distinctive nymph at Usk, Monmouthshire, during 2006 (Fig. 6), brought into focus how little is known of their immature stages and prompted this paper, which has been written by P.F.W. and illustrated by R.S.K using Helicon autofocus software.
Identification of adult Issus coleoptratus and I. muscaeformis
Issus coleoptratus is distinct amongst European Issus in that the external longitudinal forewing veins are effaced distally in the female, but are prominent throughout in the male (Holzinger, Kammerlander & Nickel, 2003, fig. 243a, b). There is no forewing sexual dimorphism in I. muscaeformis. The forewings of I. coleoptratus are frequently largely concolorous often with a greenish tinge. Although there may be some evidence of forewing banding (Dolling, 1982, unpublished), it is never as well-marked as in the more strongly pigmented I. muscaeformis in which the forewing variegation may be accentuated (Fig. 1) by pale hyaline areas (Holzinger, Kammerlander & Nickel, 2003, plate 40, fig. 4b; Thomas, 2006). I. coleoptratus usually has a discal spot on the forewings (Dolling, 1991, fig. 75; Holzinger, Kammerlander & Nickel, 2003, plate 40, figs 3a, 3b). In I. muscaeformis the forewing cross-veins are simpler and less branched (Fig. 1) than those of I. coleoptratus which frequently divaricate (Dolling, 1991).
The frons patterns of both species are distinct (Figs 2, 3). The frons of I. coloeoptratus has a contrasting heavily pigmented dark zone just below the vertex (Fig. 2) which is absent in I. muscaeformis. In broad terms, the colour patterns of the frons of adults are a developed reflection of those of their nymphs (Figs 5, 6). Adult I. muscaeformis show a clear pale or white horizontal band just above the epistomal suture which runs from side to side without interruption (Fig. 3; Holzinger, Kammerlander & Nickel, 2003, plate 40, fig. 4a; Biedermann & Neidringhaus, 2009 p. 164). This pale band is usually clearly demarcated above and below but on occasion those edges may be somewhat diffusely demarcated (Dr P. Kirby, in litt.,13.xi.2006). Although the lower frons is pale in I. coleoptratus, no such strongly-defined cross-band is present (Fig. 2). Consideration of all of these points of distinction will enable adults of both species to be distinguished in the field and remove any doubts about the specific distinctness of the two species (Kirby, 1992). We have only examined female adult I. muscaeformis. The structure of the abdominal terminalia and its sixth sternite are quite distinct in female I. muscaeformis and female I. coleoptratus (Holzinger, Kammerlander & Nickel, 2003 figs 243 and 245).
[In southern Europe a further species, Issus lauri Ahrens, 1814, occurs in thermophilous scrub woodland, open xerothermic sclerophyllous oak woodland and boken macquis on a range of trees. Adults frequently have pale green forewings but forms with almost blackened forewings have been seen on Kefallinia in Greece (P.F.W., pers. obs.). In this species the frons also has a pale transverse band but it lies above a narrower dark band which itself touches the epistomal suture. Unlike I. muscaeformis the frons of I. lauri is markedly darkened from the top down, on occasion by as much as 30% of its length.]Identification of nymphal Issus coleoptratus and I. muscaeformis
During studies on I. coleoptratus in midland England P.F.W. observed several breeding populations. Some L5 instar nymphs were raised to maturity, and some familiarity with nymphs has been gained. On 12.x.2006 P.F.W. swept an L3 instar Issus nymph at Springdale Farm, Usk, Monmouthshire (VC35 SO48 125m O.D.) on bracken under oak (Quercus) at the edge of a block of ancient oak woodland. It is highly variegated with broadly annulated leg members (Fig. 4) and its identification initially proved problematical. Mr M. Webb of the Department of Entomology, British Museum.Natural History, London, kindly made available examples of L4 stage I. muscaeformis from Wray Castle in the vice-county of Westmorland and North Lancashire (VC69 NY30), collected by W. E. China on 10.x.1945 with adults. The nymphs agreed well in all respects with the Usk L3 nymph. The frons in nymphal I. muscaeformis seen has a single dark horizontal band occupying a medial position (Fig. 6), obvious in the Wray Castle specimens. The frons of nymphal I. coleoptratus have a pale horizontal medial band and more obviously defined sequential banding (Fig. 5), the darker area below the vertex being largely absent in I. muscaeformis.
Further distinctions, which we take to be specific, can be found in the arrangement of sensory pits on the wing pads. As the nymphal instars progress, their forewing pads extend downwards at the sides (shown also in Zenner, Stöckmann & Niedringhaus, 2005), until by the final L5 instar they acquire a rudimentary venation (Fig. 8). A group of sensory pits is situated at the top of each of the forewing pads near their inner angles (Figs 4, 7, 8). In nymphal I. coleoptratus (certainly in L2-L5 instars) these are large, clearly annulated and typically number ten; they are somewhat dispersed and are only occasionally contiguous. In nymphal I. muscaeformis seen these pits are smaller, less broadly annulated, typically number seven and tend to be contiguous. For these reasons we recognise the Usk nymph as I. muscaeformis. The variegated, broadly and clearly darkly annulated leg members are also believed to be characteristic of I. muscaeformis at all growth stages (Thomas, 2006). Although nymphal I. coleoptratus are generally less strongly pigmented in this regard, there should be some awareness of occasional more heavily pigmented I. coleoptratus which some recorders have mentioned to us.
Morphometry of nymphal Issus coleoptratus and I. muscaeformis
We record the overall body lengths of dry nymphal instars of British Issus species as follows: L2, 1.9 mm; L3, 2.5 mm; L4, 2.4 – 2.8 mm; L5, 3.6 mm. These figures based on a small sample include only three nymphal I. muscaeformis (L3, L4) and should be regarded as generalised and merely indicative.
Periodicity of nymphal Issus coleoptratus and I. muscaeformis
Dolling (1982, unpublished) and Kirby (1992) outlined problems surrounding the periodicity of Issus, implying that it could be either annual or biennial, or even ‘disorganised’ i.e. not conforming to recognisable definable time-spans. The finding of L2 and L4 I. coleoptratus nymphs together at Malvern, Worcestershire on 28.x.2006 implies that periodicity and/or nymphal longevity may be variable at a single location. Ameliorated small-scale microclimates or thermal hot-spots in the crowns of woodland edge trees may facilitate this.
We have records of known instar Issus nymphs, all but three of which are I. coleoptratus, during the following months: L2: September, October; L3: October; L4: February, April, May, October; L5: May, August, October, with adults from May to September and in November (an overwintering adult is still awaited). Early oviposition in June could produce L3 stage nymphs by October and late oviposition could explain an L2 stage nymph in October; it may be that the phased attainment of maturity for this flightless group is a ploy to maximise survival over time in line with resource availability dynamics, e.g. at the range edge. We record newly moulted adults at the end of May and teneral adults in June; a captive L5 stage nymph became very sluggish and immobile a few days prior to its final moult on 29.v.2009.
The L2 and L4 instar nymphs together on ivy at Malvern on 28.x.2006 highlight this problem of periodicity, and suggest that all but the first nymphal stage overwinter, sometimes synchronously. To determine the periodicity of the instars it would be necessary to establish their longevity which is unknown, but if the longevity of the L2 nymphal instar was to be extended, as seems likely to us, then nymphs would certainly overwinter at least twice, ongoing development being governed by seasonality, or perhaps more importantly, lack of it. It is thus tempting to suppose that, at least at 52°N in Britain, periodicity is indeed ‘disorganised’ (sensu Kirby, 1992), or more exactly perhaps, randomised. It is possible that prevailing conditions i.e. of locally ameliorated or man-modified climates determine whether nymphs overwinter at instar L4 or L5. The discovery of adult I. muscaeformis in Merionethshire in late June by R.S.K. and in North Lancashire and Westmorland by Mr A.P. Foster in early July provides an indication of comparable periodicity in both species. The existence of L4 instar nymphal I. coleoptratus in October removes the doubts expressed by Dolling (1991) about the distinct or different periodicity of the two species. It seems probable that adults of both species may at least attempt to overwinter, Issus sp., perhaps I.. muscaeformis having been found as late as 11.xi.1998 on Yew (Taxus baccata L.) at Blaise Castle Estate, near Bristol (VC34 Alexander, in litt., 26.i.2010) and 2.xi.2006 also on Yew (Taxus baccata L.) at Gait Barrows (Thomas, 2006). The ability of nymphs and possibly adults to overwinter successfully in Britain is a determinant of the distribution of both species.
Distribution and ecology of Issus coleoptratus and I. muscaeformis
Issus coleoptratus is widespread in the Palaearctic Region and the late Professor R. Remane (in litt.,10.vii.2008) recorded it as far south as Algeria and Tunisia. It is widespread in southern and midland England (Alexander, in litt., 26.i.2010; Dolling, 1982, unpublished; Whitehead, pers. obs) and is more eurytopic than I. muscaeformis. It occurs in many English vice-counties (2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41 and 47) indicating a wide geographical spread across southern England (Map 1). The Irish status is unclear to us but there is a breeding record from Torc Woods, Killarney, County Kerry, on 6.vi.1994 (Alexander, in litt., 26.i.2010) and it is cited as Irish by Dolling (1982, unpublished).
It is sometimes stated that ivy Hedera is a shelter-plant for British Issus but we confirm breeding on ivy based on numerous repeated observations of early instars and adults on that plant. Summer adult I. coleoptratus s on ivy (Hedera helix L.) at Malvern, Worcestershire often appear noticeably green following prolonged feeding on this plant. On Bredon Hill, Worcestershire, adults have been found on ivy in old Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) hedges in summer and at beech and oak woodland edges at Brown’s Folly, Bathampton, Somerset. Fidelity to ivy is confirmed by Alexander (in litt., 26.i.2010) who observed I. coleoptratus nymphs on ivy at Scotney Castle Park, Kent (6.v.1987) and adults on ivy in August (17.viii.1982), September (4.ix.1986) and October (21.x.2005) at Littleton Down, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, Blakes Wood, Essex and Exeter, Devon respectively. Of interest is a further record of I. coleoptratus on cliff-draped ivy at Branscombe Mouth, Devon on 22.vi.2003 which mirrors the habitat of I. muscaeformis on the walls of Wray Castle. In North Essex an adult and nymph were observed on ivy at Colchester on 17.v.2002, and an adult at Thorpe-le-Soken under an ivy-covered oak tree in a garden on 10.vii.2003 (J. Bowdrey, in litt., 29.i.2010). At Gourdon, in Les Alpes Maritimes, Provence (775 m altitude), an adult female I. coleoptratus was on ivy (Hedera helix L.) on oak on crags above the Gorge du Loup on 18.vi.2008 (P.F.W., pers. obs.).
This association with ivy seems to be an important one for many species of Issus. The late Professor R. Remane examined no fewer than 2000 specimens of Issus from Macaronesia (Remane, 1985) describing numerous species. Some were found on herbs e.g. on Euphorbia spp., some on pine Pinus, but most were inhabitants of Neogene Laurel forests, were they were held to be polyphagous on sclerophyllous and other trees. On La Gomera, P.F.W. found Issus sp. breeding in numbers on ivy (Hedera canariensis Willdenow) suspended from overhanging trees at Chipperon de Epina on 28.iv.2008, a host plant which Remane seems to have missed. The area is largely thermophilous, open, Fayal-Brezal woodland (Fernández, 2002) on the eastern boundary of the National Park. The specimens are represented only by later instar nymphs so cannot yet be determined.
Issus coleoptratus has been recorded (Holzinger, Kammerlander & Nickel, 2003; Nickel, 1997) on Hazel (Corylus avellana L.), birch (Betula), lime (Tilia), elm (Ulmus), oak (Quercus), Sorbus and maple (Acer). British experience reflects this wide woody plant utilisation. Alexander (in litt., 26.i.2010) recorded nymphs on Hazel at Brockhampton Park, Herefordshire on 5.vi.1984, an adult on birch at Foxes Bridge Marsh, Gloucestershire on 10.viii.2002 and a nymph on Wild Service Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz at Rudge Wood, Fownhope, Herefordshire on 27.v.1984. At Stour Wood, Wrabness, North Essex, adult females were on Silver Birch Betula pendula Roth on 24.x.1996 and on oak Q. robur L. on 19.xi.2000 (J. Bowdrey, in litt., 29.i.2010). At Weydown Common, Surrey, on 1.vii.1983 Alexander observed a nymph on holly Ilex aquifolium L., apparently a rare host plant cited by Le Quesne (1960).
Issus coleoptratus is markedly synanthropic (P.F.W., pers. obs.) occurring in rural, suburban and urban gardens on such shrubs as Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius L.) and Lilac (Syringa vulgaris L.). At Evesham, Worcestershire, L4 instar nymphs occurred on Clematis armandii Franch. in May and on ivy Hedera ‘Cavendishii’ also in May, where an especially favoured plant is the large-leaved ivy Hedera colchica Koch (P.F.W., pers. obs.). In Worcester city I. coleoptratus is associated with leafy Georgian town squares where L5 instar nymphs have been found on evergreen sclerophyllous Garrya elliptica Dougl. ex Lindl. iIn summer. An affinity for evergreen garden plants with firm leaves is therefore demonstrated, and it is believed that I. coleoptratus breed on these, some garden populations showing high fidelity to ivy, but we have no records of precise feeding methods. Nymphs of I. coleoptratus, and presumably also those of I. muscaeformis, are capable of jumping distances ranging from 240 mm to 350 mm when threatened (P.F.W., pers. obs.). At Malvern, Worcestershire, an association between I. coleoptratus and the rare dryinid Dryinus collaris (L. 1767) has been suggested (Whitehead, 2010).
Issus muscaeformis was recorded new to Britain in 1977 (Payne, 1979) from Gait Barrows, mid-Lancashire, followed three years later by a specimen from Eaves Wood, Silverdale (Alexander, 1981). Subsequently, British specimens of I. muscaeformis collected by W.E. China in 1945 from Wray Castle (vide supra) were found in the collections of B.M.N.H., London (Dolling, 1982). The hinterland of Morecambe Bay around Arnside and Silverdale remains a locus classicus with records from mid-Lancashire (VC60), Westmorland and North Lancashire (VC69) and Cumberland (VC70) (Hewitt, in litt., 24.i.2010; Thomas, 2006). To its vice-county distribution we now add Merionethshire (VC48 SH64 Hafod Garregog, 24.vi.1998, fig. 1), Monmouthshire (VC35 SO49 Usk, 12.x.2006, L4 instar nymph, figs 4, 6), and North Cornwall (VC2 SS21) where, as elsewhere in Europe, it is an inhabitant of mixed oak woodland, often of the woodland fringe. Hafod Garregog lies within a National Nature Reserve renowned for its invertebrate interest (Fowles, 1994) and Fig. 1 illustrates the first Welsh specimen of Issus muscaeformis, the Usk nymph being the second. The hitherto unpublished Cornish record is of an adult female found at Stowe Woods by Dr P. Kirby on 11.ix.1985. Oak (Quercus) is regarded as a host plant by Ossiannilsson (1978) and a specimen collected by Mr A. P. Foster from Waterslack Wood (VC69) (not strictly Eaves Wood as has previously been stated), Silverdale on 9.vii.1996 was beaten from oak (Foster, in litt., 21.i.2010; Kirby in litt., 13.xi.2006). The Monmouthshire I. muscaeformis nymph cited here was also associated with oak woodland and other Welsh records, especially in coastal vice-counties, are anticipated. Recent finds from VC69 and VC70 (Thomas, 2006) have been on Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) in October 2006 and ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in May 2007. Holzinger, Kammerlander & Nickel (2003) add Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) and Hazel (Corylus avellana L.) as potential host plants. There is presently no convincing evidence of synanthropy, but the population on the wall-draped ivy of Wray Castle approaches it, and provides the closest links with I. coleoptratus habitat in Britain.
Occasional records from Yew (Taxus baccata L.) are of particular interest as there is as yet no well-established association between I. coleoptratus and Yew; any Issus nymphs recorded on Yew in the future should be determined. The only record of an Issus nymph on Yew in Britain known to us is that from Lady Park Wood, Monmouthshire (VC35 SO51) on 1.vii.1984, but the specimen was not retained (Alexander, in litt., 29.i.2010). Alexander (vide supra) also recorded an adult Issus sp. on Yew in the limestone gorge area of Blaise Castle Estate, Bristol, on 11.xi.1998, but the specimen was not determined to species. It is tempting to ponder that this was I. muscaeformis.
Conclusion
In Britain Issus muscaeformis is undoubtedly a climatically sensitive species, showing a clear western affinity, especially for areas of maritime influence. I muscaeformis may be more sensitive to winter weather than I. coleoptratus but it may live in greater exposure. The presently-known British distribution of I. muscaeformis correlates strongly with the mapped evidence of British mean annual temperature and climatic continentality (Elmes & Free, 1994). This shows that I. muscaeformis avoids areas of climatic continentality in Britain, occurring only in places where the difference between mean minimum January temperature and mean maximum July temperature is <15.5°C i.e. where the climate is equable. In Britain it occurs only in those places having more than nine hours of bright sunshine on >45 days of the year. This is a feature of all the more continental areas of the country where I. muscaeformis is absent and tangible proof that climatic equability is the key factor in its British distribution.
Any association with Yew would be significant in explaining the population focus in north-west England. Yew is known to have appeared in this area early on in the Holocene (Godwin, 1975) and this also is a species with a range determined exclusively by winter temperature. This focussed population of I. muscaeformis should be regarded as relict, and I. muscaeformis probably penetrated Britain relatively early on in the development of its post-glacial climax forests, indeed it is not an inhabitant of closed canopy woodland.
Although I. muscaeformis is usually cited as European in terms of its wider biogeography, this is an indication of range not of distribution. Hence, in Germany, as in Britain, it is highly restricted and is placed in Category 1 of the German ‘Red List’ (Nickel, Witsack & Remane, 1999). In Sweden it is also ‘Red-listed’ as vulnerable (Gärdenfors, 2000) but was not listed by Stoltze & Pihl (1998) for Denmark.
Acknowledgements
We thank Dr K.N.A. Alexander (Exeter); Mr J. Bowdrey (Colchester Museum); Sheila Brooke (Dunstable), for logistical assistance; Mr S. G. Dodd (Ash, Surrey), Mr W.R. Dolling (Hull); Mr A.P. Foster (National Trust, Swindon); Mr A.P. Fowles and the Countryside Council for Wales (Bangor); Dr E. Fründ (Scheeßel); Mr S. Hewitt (Tullie House Museum, Carlisle); Dr S. Judd (Liverpool World Museum); Dr P. Kirby (Peterborough); Mr J.W. Meiklejohn (Defford); Dr H. Nickel (Goettingen); Dr R. Niedringhaus (Oldenburg); the late Professor R. Remane (Marburg) and Dr M.R.Wilson (N.M.W., Cardiff). In particular we thank Mr M. Webb (B.M.N.H., London) and the Trustees of B.M.N.H. for making specimens available.
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NICKEL, H., WITSACK, W. & REMANE, R., 1999. Rote Liste der Zikaden Deustchlands (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha), Habitate, Gefahrdungsfaktoren und Anmerkungen zum Areal. Beiträge zur Zikadenkunde, 3: 59-78.
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P.F.W., Moor Leys, Little Comberton, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 3EH, England, U.K. e-mail:paul@thewhiteheads.eu
R.S.K., The Old Black Bull, Carthorpe, Bedale, North Yorkshire DL8 2LD, England, U.K.
Footnote.
For the first time in this study, L2 Issus coleoptratus nymphs were observed on ivy at Malvern, Worcestershire, during October 2010, bearing markedly elongate linear grey waxy caudal appendages almost the length of the abdomen. It is presumed that these rarely observed and seldom-cited structures, reminiscent of those of cixiid nymphs, are readily shedlost early in life and seldom observed.
Fig. 1. Adult female Issus muscaeformis dorsal aspect. Hafod Garregog, Merionethshire (VC48 SH64), 24.vi.1998.
Fig. 2.. Adult male Issus coleoptratus frontal aspect. Worcester City, Worcestershire (VC37 SO85), 3.ix.1998
Fig. 3. Adult female Issus muscaeformis frontal aspect. Hafod Garregog, Merionethshire (VC48 SH64), 24.vi.1998.
Fig. 4. L3 stage nymph of Issus muscaeformis dorsal aspect. Although not a perfect image it conveys the variegated pattern of nymphs of this species. Usk, Monmouthshire (VC35 SO48) 12.x.2006.
Fig. 5.. L4 stage nymph of Issus coleoptratus frontal aspect. Malvern, Worcestershire (VC37 SO74), 28.x.2006
Fig. 6. L3 stage nymph of Issus muscaeformis frontal aspect. Usk, Monmouthshire (VC35 SO48), 12.x.2006.
Fig. 7. L4 stage nymph of Issus coleoptratus dorsal aspect. Malvern, Worcestershire (VC37 SO74), 28.x.2006.
Fig. 8. L5 stage nymph of Issus coleoptratus dorsal aspect. Worcester City, Worcestershire (VC37 SO85) 30.v.1997.
Map 1. Confirmed vice-county distribution (solid dots) of Issus coleoptratus in England. Occurrence in other southern vice-counties is predictable
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:23-27 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:42 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Skunk found in Worcestershire!
Rosemary Winnall
On Sunday 7th November 2010 I had a phone call from Pete Wall to say that his friend Ryan Clarke had, the previous morning, spotted a dead skunk at the roadside near Lincomb south of Stourport. Firstly I checked the date, and no, it wasn’t April 1st. Then I agreed to go and have a look, quite expecting to see a strange ferret or even a very late badger cub.
However, when I arrived at Lincomb Bank (GR SO 827684), there was indeed, at the side of the road, a half-grown dead skunk with no apparent external injuries. It appeared to be a Mephitis species – probably a Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis, but with more white than usual. The animal had been moved up the bank out of the way of passing traffic. I photographed it and then retrieved the body as proof of this unusual find.
Later I phoned my aquaintance Simon Key from Central Exotics in Kidderminster who knew that someone had lost a little six month old female skunk called Flower in the Kidderminster area, as described on the internet Reptile Forum of the UK. There was also a movie on UTube of a skunk on the A449 near the Mitre Oak, presumably the same one, filmed on Thursday 4th November, which provided quite a lot of interest.
I also discovered that there are a small number of breeding skunks living wild in the Forest of Dean which has been well documented. They are nocturnal omnivores, feeding on a wide range of invertebrates, plants, berries, frogs, rodents, fungi, bird eggs and nestlings. Both males and females have anal glands from which they spray a strong smelling liquid as a defence when threatened as we know, which will deter predators such as foxes.
I included a short input about the skunk in the Wyre Forest Study Group’s autumn newsletter and Mike Southall responded to say that his neighbours at Nochard had spotted it in their garden during the last week of October. There were two more sightings along Norchard Lane in the following week. Mike was able to provide me with the owner’s contact details, which led me to speak to Stephen Rowlands from TROPICALINC in Dunhampton on the phone. Stephen’s company take in unwanted exotic pets from private individuals and zoos. The company is committed to running educational sessions for children and adults of all ages. He mentioned that Flower had been kept in a fenced compound with several skunks and he still does not know how it had escaped, although he suspects that he climbed up and out of the enclosure, something that older skunks would not try. It had apparently been living free for about a week before it was sadly killed on the road, and had moved around in an area of about two square kilometers.
It was only after about 10 minutes of conversation that I gradually realised that it was Stephen who had provided a most fascinating animal presentation at my son’s wedding party in 2008. This was the best exotic animal session that I’ve seen and he comes highly recommended – see his website at: http://www.tropicalinc.com/index.html It appears that I’d held little Flower’s mother on that occasion which adds yet another twist to a fascinating story of a skunk found in Worcestershire!
Then there’s the note on the internet forum mentioning ‘recent confirmed sightings on Lynx in local woods within the county! I wonder if anyone can spot that to add to the county mammal atlas!
1. Skunk killed by traffic at Lincomb, near Stourport. ©Rosemary Winnall
2. Skunk on bank killed by traffic at Lincomb, near Stourport. ©Rosemary Winnall
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) page:42 | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders
Worcestershire Record 29 (April 2011)
Worcestershire Record | 29 (November 2010) | Worcestershire Biological Records Centre & Worcestershire Recorders