100 not out ...

Acheta domesticus

Commonly known as the house cricket, Acheta domesticus occurs in the British Isles as a non-native species. It most likely originated in the hot, dry desert regions of Southwestern Asia, but has spread throughout the world. It is not well adapted to surviving the northern European winter, hence most British records come from artificial environments, such as those found in kitchens, bakeries, boiler houses, glasshouses (such as the female example below) and other areas where it is especially warm; though it can occasionally be found outdoors during the summer months on rubbish dumps and compost heaps, where the fermenting waste generates heat. There are very few outdoor records in the UK.

A. domesticus hides in crevices during the day and becomes active during the late afternoon and into the hours of darkness. The chirruping of the male, produced by rubbing the two front wings together, attracts the female cricket. After mating, several hundred eggs can be laid over a period of a few weeks. Whilst out of doors the eggs are usually laid in a shallow pit in soft earth, in artificial environments the eggs are typically deposited in moist debris in cracks and crevices. They are highly temperature sensitive, being inactive below 20°C, and developing through the nymphal stages most rapidly at around 35°C. High humidity is known to be important. With this in mind, the nymphs usually experience 7-9 moults before reaching maturity; which can take between 5 weeks to 4 months.

Though omnivorous scavengers, A. domesticus shows a preference towards vegetable matter. They themselves are commercially reared as food for pets such as amphibians, arthropods, birds and reptiles. In Thailand, they are also farmed for human consumption where they are commonly eaten as a deep-fried snack.

Chasing clouds ...

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)

The Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) is primarily an immigrant to the UK, originating from North Africa and southern Europe, with numbers varying greatly from year to year. Each season, we normally see at least a few reaching our shores and, occasionally, they arrive in large numbers; such as the estimated 36,000 that appeared during 1947 when good numbers of much rarer migrants, such as Bath White (Pontia daplidice) and Pale Clouded Yellow (Colias hyale), were also recorded.

In more recent years, it has been shown that this species has successfully overwintered in the south of England. However, it is believed that the majority of individuals perish, since both larva and pupa of this continuously-brooded species are easily killed by damp and frosty conditions. In good seasons, C. croceus can produce up to three generations in the UK. In flight, the orange-yellow colour is quite distinctive, and unlike any other species. The pale helice form, occurring only in the female, is a creamy white, rather than yellow in colour and may lead to confusion with other similar species.

This strong-flying species always settles with its wings closed and so the dark borders on the uppersides of the wings are only clearly visible when in flight or when viewed backlit at rest. There is no elaborate courtship and, having mated, the female is subsequently able to lay an extraordinary number of eggs; up to 600 have been recorded from a single female.

Two females from 2013 above ...

Precious metals ...

Surrey Downland, 30-31 July 2013

The Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma) is a warmth-loving species. Its range contracted during the 20th century due to a reduction in grazing stock as well as the onset of myxomatosis in the early 1950s, which severely affected rabbit populations; the butterfly requiring closely-grazed chalk downland sites on which its primary larval foodplant, Sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina), grows. Recent years have been more promising and this is one of the few species that is increasing its range. It is still relatively-local, with current strongholds being located in the Chilterns, Hampshire, the North Downs between Guildford and Reigate, East Sussex and south-east Kent. It occurs locally in my own county of West Sussex and is currently showing a positive trend for expansion into adjacent suitable habitat.

It is easily identifiable, since it is the only golden skipper found in the British Isles that has the distinctive white spots on the underside of the hindwings, which give the butterfly its name. Like other ‘golden’ skippers, the male is distinguished from the female by the sex brand on its forewings, which is a line of specialised scent scales.

H. comma is one of the latest species to emerge, typically not appearing until late July or early August, and it is then on the wing until early September. There is one generation each year. Like most skippers, this is a fast-flying species that flies close to the ground, and can be extremely difficult to follow when in flight. Both sexes spend the majority of their time either basking or feeding, and a wide variety of nectar sources is used. The butterfly will find the warmest patches of ground on which to bask, enjoying the warmth of paths, rabbit scrapes and other patches of bare earth, which have been baked by the sun. The males rest on suitable sunlit perches, and will investigate any passing butterfly, in the hope of finding a mate. If a virgin female is encountered, the pair exhibits a tumbling courtship, with the male eventually forcing the female to the ground where mating takes place. An egg-laying female locates a suitable patch of bare ground, such as a rabbit scrape, and then walks to the edge of the patch looking for a suitable location on which to lay a single egg.

A female at rest pictured below ...

Coridon ...

Surrey Downland, 30-31 July 2013

Simply wonderful …

I recently spent two days, with good friend Nick Broomer, searching several areas of chalk grassland on the beautiful Surrey downland; our targets, the beautiful Silver-spotted Skipper and the enchanting Chalkhill Blue. We were not to be disappointed on either count.

Although Tuesday was accompanied by persistent rain for much of the day, an early morning arrival provided ideal conditions for searching the grassland for roosting butterflies; we were not disappointed and found many hundreds, probably thousands, of roosting Chalkhill Blues over much of the hill. This included a number of nice aberrant specimens including those pictured in the two images below, referable to ab. postcaeca, Bright & Leeds (1938). The first image shows a particularly well-marked male which we observed from shortly after emergence until its first flight. Wednesday started warm, and by midday large numbers of insects were on the wing. As the sun pushed through the clouds the numbers of Chalkhill Blues increased and we were privileged to witness a magnificent display as the air and ground around us turned blue as if covered in tiny sapphires. It is difficult to estimate actual numbers, though if I were pressed to do so, there were certainly many thousands and probably many tens of thousands on the wing; possibly many more. Although I didn’t witness the peak of the Sussex Chalkhill Blue explosion last year, Wednesday’s display was an event to remember ...

A privilege to have shared with a good friend …

Black magic ...

Bernwood Meadows, 27 June 2013

The Black Hairstreak (Satyrium pruni) is one of the rarest and most elusive butterflies in Britain. It is also one of the most recently discovered (1828), due to the similarity with its close cousin, the White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album).

S. pruni is not a great wanderer and an entire colony will often restrict itself to a single area within a wood, despite there being suitable habitat nearby. This inability to colonise new areas at a pace, in balance with habitat loss, may partially explain the scarcity of this species. This butterfly has a very restricted distribution that is confined to a line of clays between Oxfordshire in the south-west and Cambridgeshire in the north-east. Colonies are typically located in small woods or nearby hedgerows, where blackthorn, the main larval foodplant grows. Sites are located in sheltered but sunny positions and typically have a southerly aspect to them.

The adult stage has an extremely short flight period, being typically seen in the last two weeks of June and the first week of July. There is a single generation each year. Upon emergence, the adults spend much of their time resting high up on maple, ash or the larval food-plant, crawling over leaves and twigs, in search of aphid honeydew from which they feed. Primarily an arboreal species they will occasionally come down to feed on various nectar sources including man made attractants. As with all hairstreaks, when active, they are extremely difficult to follow. To make matters worse, the Black Hairstreak is often found in the company of both White-letter and Purple Hairstreaks and distinguishing these three species in flight is almost impossible.

A male feeding pictured below ...

Vespa crabro ...

West Sussex, 20 June 2013

Royal appointment ...

The European hornet, Vespa crabro, is the largest European eusocial wasp; the queens averaging around 3cm in length (the queen pictured below measured 3.5cm, with a wingspan of 5.5cm). With the exception of the Median Wasp, Dolichovespula media, whose queens resemble small worker cast hornets in size and colour (D. media is yellow and black with small areas of red whereas V. crabro is a brown, red and yellowish-orange species lacking any deep black markings), it is unlikely to be confused with any other species.

Once only common in central southern England, it has now extended its range from Cornwall to Kent and northwards into Yorkshire. It has also been recorded from The Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands. It is found in many lowland habitats, but is particularly associated with ancient deciduous woodland.

Queens emerge from their over-wintering sites in early April and nests are initiated, usually in hollow trees or similar cavities, in May with the first workers generally appearing around late June to early July. New queens and males, which emerge from the nest from September to October, mate and then disperse, with the males dying and the newly-mated queens seeking over-wintering hibernation sites. Back at the nest, which may persist into November in mild seasons, the old queen and remaining workers eventually die-out. V. crabro predates on a number of invertebrate species including other social wasps, honey bees, flies, butterflies, moths (hornets can forage in moonlight) and spiders. Prey is often taken from flowers and the vegetation of trees. In late summer and autumn, workers are sometimes attracted to exudations from deciduous trees; particularly oak. Workers, males and new queens will also visit Ivy, Hedera helix, blossom for nectar.

Big game ...

Iping Common, 17 June 2013

There are five species of Tiger Beetle in Britain: Cicindela campestris, Cicindela hybrida, Cicindela maritima, Cicindela sylvatica and Cylindera germanica. Of these, the Heath Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sylvatica) and the Cliff Tiger Beetle (Cylindera germanica) are both UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) species; meaning they are species of conservation concern and action is being taken to protect and conserve them and their habitats. Two species have been recorded in Sussex. These include Cicindela campestris and Cicindela sylvatica.

The commonest, and possibly the most attractive of the British species, is the beautiful Cicindela campestris, the Common or Green Tiger Beetle. C. campestris is a fast, long-legged, agile predator that is easily recognized due to its iridescent green and purple colouring, along with its distinctive yellowish spots on the elytra. The adults, which can be seen from April to September on dry heaths and other sandy places, fly and run actively in the sunshine.

Grizzlies ...

West Sussex, 10 June 2013

The tiny Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus malvae) typically occurs in small colonies of less than 100 individuals. It is found in England south of a line extended from West Gloucestershire in the west to North Lincolnshire in the east, with strongholds in central and southern England. There are scattered colonies further north and in Wales. This species is absent from Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Despite the suggestion in its specific name, malvae, P. malvae larvae do not feed on flowers of the mallow genus; though several closely related European species do feed on Malvaceae.

The adult emerges in late April, the first of the British Skipper species, and usually flies until the end of June. There is one generation each year, although there may be a small second brood in some seasons, when conditions are favourable.

This is a warmth-loving species, and both sexes bask in the sun for long periods, typically on a stone, leaf or bare earth. This is an active insect which will fly at most times the day, and even into the evening, if conditions are warm enough. The male is somewhat territorial and will chase any butterfly, irrespective of size, from its area. Females entering the territory are courted for a short period and, if the female is receptive, pairing occurs. The butterfly can be found roosting on heads of flowers and grasses during cool weather and at night.

New definition required ...

West Sussex, 3 June 2013

DINGY: Adjective: Gloomy and drab.

Despite its name, a freshly-emerged Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) reveals a most delicate pattern of browns and greys that is undoubtedly quite beautiful. Despite its decline due to changes in farming practice, this is our most widely-distributed Skipper. Colonies can be found throughout the British Isles, including northern Scotland and Ireland (ssp. baynesi) where, although scarce, is found on outcrops of limestone. It’s strongholds are in central and southern England.

And I almost didn't take my camera ...

Serpentes ...

West Sussex, 1 June 2013

Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Grass snake, Natrix natrix, is Britain's largest native terrestrial reptile, and probably its most common species of snake. It is non-venomous and completely harmless to man; and rarely bites, even when handled.

With regards to the British subspecies, helvetica, N. natrix is most easily identifiable by the interlinked black and yellow collar, which usually forms a band or ring immediately behind the head. The upper body is typically olive-green, olive-brown or greyish in colour, with a variable row of black bars along the sides; occasionally with smaller round markings along the back in double rows. The ventral scales are off-white or yellowish, with dark triangular or rectangular markings. The face has marked black bars on each side below the eye and these provide a key method of individual identification. Melanistic and albino forms are rare but occasionally arise. The sexes are similar in appearance, although females are usually larger. Males can be identified by the presence of a swelling at the base of the tail and by the fact that they have longer tails relative to females. In addition, the head of the female is much more pronounced in being triangular in appearance with the eyes deep set into the cheeks; whereas the male has an altogether more slender head with eyes that often protrude beyond the line of the face and jaw. The majority of females also tend to possess two postocular scales (behind the eyes), as opposed to the males three. The female may grow up to 1.2 metres in length (snout to vent); however, more mature individuals have been reported up to 2 metres in length. The male is generally much smaller in comparison, and individuals of around 600mm are usually among the largest specimens recorded.

Ponds, lakes and rivers are their preferred habitat. They are strong swimmers. Not only are features such as bank-side vegetation important to provide cover against their predators, there must also be readily identifiable passages of ground cover in the form of ditches, hedges or banks of brambles which lead up to the banks. If such passages are removed from the surrounding environment, then the frequency at which N. natrix will visit a particular water body will reduce.

From March, when the snakes emerge from hibernation, until mid may, they eat large quantities of small fish; mainly because these are spawning during this period and are easier for the snakes to catch amongst the weedy fringes of water bodies. From May to early July, the diet emphasis falls onto newts, and again, this is because the newts own life cycle doesn’t include a land-borne phase until after July. From July, N. natrix gradually disperses away from ponds and into forest clearings, wooded copses and longer grasses / ground cover and a higher number of frogs and toads will then be taken as a result. The frogs and toads themselves have generally moved away from the ponds by April, although some are obviously predated upon between the cross over of snakes arriving at ponds in spring and while the frogs or toads are migrating away from them. Nests of very young chicks such as moorhens are sometimes consumed (mainly to supplement an otherwise restricted diet), as are mice and voles, especially by the more mature female snakes, but these incidents are rare.

Beauty in miniature ...

Springhead Hill, 1 June 2013

After much of the day’s heat had passed, I paid a visit to the beautiful Springhead Hill today with the sole aim of capturing the tiny and charismatic Small Blue (Cupido minimus) at roost. Arriving at around 5pm insects were still on the wing, though it wasn’t long before the first of a number of Small Blue were found roosting amongst grass tussocks in sheltered locations.

The Small Blue, our smallest resident butterfly, has a wingspan that can be as little as 16mm. The sexes are similar in appearance, although the male upperside is a dark black/brown with a variable dusting of blue scales at the wing bases; whereas the female is typically dark brown in colour and without the blue scaling. Both sexes have an underside that is silvery-grey in appearance with a light variable peppering of black spots.

As is the case with this location, the Small Blue is a butterfly that favours sheltered sites, which contain a suitable quantity of its larval foodplant, Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), together with grasses, and shrubs, which are used for perching and roosting. A wide variety of habitats is used, including unimproved chalk and limestone grassland, abandoned quarries, road and railway embankments and woodland rides and clearings. The first image shows a male at roost. The second and third images are both females.

With the light fading I said goodbye …

Papilio albus minor ...

Chiddingfold Forest, 20-24 May 2013

The Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) is one of our rarest and most enchanting butterflies. It exhibits probably the slowest and most delicate flights, almost fairy-like, of all the British species. Its discreet colonies typically contain just a few dozen adults, though there are still a few locations, and seasons, when it can be a locally common springtime butterfly. Salcey Forest, near Northampton, was historically one of its strongest outposts. Today, only the much-reduced populations of the Chiddingfold Forest complex on the Surrey/Sussex border can be classed as 'large' – in a good season.

With conditions being almost perfect for finding and photographing this beautiful species, I recently headed into the Chiddingfold Forest complex. This season’s spring brood has emerged in the known hotspots about three weeks later than last year, and they are only being found in reduced numbers. Their principal colonies appear to be down by up to 75% over last year, with some areas of the forest producing only one or two individuals on a good day. The highest daily count to date, made by myself during my search, was 12 individuals from one of the most productive areas; though I feel sure that others were undoubtedly present away from the main tracks.

One of my favourite shots below …

Pearls ...

16 May 2013

Pearls of wisdom ...

Leaving Heyshott at around 1pm, my good friend Nick Broomer and I headed for private woodland in West Sussex. The site we were heading for holds a small, managed population of Pearl-bordered Fritillaries. Several visits so far this season have proven unproductive; though today seemed somewhat different and I felt confident that luck would be on our side. The area where the Fritillary occurs is comprised of three small areas of mixed age sweet chestnut coppice, with a classic underlay of violets and bugle. An initial slow walk through produced nothing. Further attempts still proved unproductive; but we weren't beaten - well not quite. As Nick walked along the edge of the clearing whilst I concentrated on the coppice, a single, freshly emerged male appeared in the grass at Nick's feet; this was followed shortly after by a second individual in slow flight amongst the coppice. It is my opinion that we had hit the site at exactly the time of the first emergence this season.

These were the only two Pearl-bordered Fritillaries we saw and it proved a fitting end to what has to be one of my most memorable days out looking for butterflies - perfect weather, perfect company and two of the rarest butterflies in Sussex.

Species seen:

Green-veined White
Small White
Brimstone
Orange-tip
Peacock
Dingy Skipper
Grizzled Skipper
Duke of Burgundy
Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Polliwogs ...

Polliwogs and Porwigles

The common frog (Rana temporaria) is found throughout Britain and Ireland, in almost any habitat where suitable breeding ponds are located. The adult frogs, which typically emerge from their overwintering sites during early spring, head straight to a pond or other suitable location in order to breed; frogs reach sexual maturity at around 2-3 years old.

Their clumps of spawn (eggs) are laid in suitable locations anytime from January (in south-west England) onwards, and typically consists of 300-400 gelatinous eggs containing tiny black embryos. Depending on local weather conditions, the tiny, gilled tadpoles hatch out two to four weeks later. As they develop the tadpoles become faintly speckled with gold/brown (as can be seen in the picture below), which clearly distinguishes them from common toad tadpoles, which are black. They feed on microscopic algae and water fleas. After approximately sixteen weeks the tadpoles start to develop back legs, followed by front legs. When they have fully absorbed their tails, through a process known as apoptosis, they leave the water as tiny froglets, usually in early summer but sometimes as late as September.

The Duke's Duke ...

Norfolk Estate, Arundel, 9 May 2013

To be fair, conditions today were really not very good for getting out and searching for butterflies; but I had the opportunity to do so and decided to head out nevertheless …

I arrived on the Norfolk Estate at around 9.45am. Despite the strong wind continually gusting through the trees and the small clearing that was to be my destination, there were a few, more sheltered (though still windy) locations that provided some respite. Moving slowly through these areas I spotted a single female Speckled Wood; a pristine specimen and a bonus as I wasn’t expecting to find much. As I slowly followed her, I suddenly noticed a small brown insect fly up from the undergrowth and immediately land several feet away. My concentration rapidly diverted from the Speckled Wood, as I immediately realized that it was a male Duke of Burgundy sheltering from the rather inclement conditions.

I knew that Neil was in nearby woodland as an earlier phone call from him announced that he had at last seen a Pearl-bordered Fritillary – the first appearing in Sussex on 16th April in 2012. After a quick phone call in return, Neil arrived. As he mentions in his diary, “it wasn’t keen on flying in the strong, cool breeze” which gave Neil ample time to drive over and photograph the Duke for himself.

I’m glad I went out …

Brimstone (revisited) ...

Ashpark Wood, 6 May 2013

With good numbers of Brimstone currently around, I decided to pay them another visit.

It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that I finally got out, and stayed until around 6.30pm. During this time I watched numerous males and several females going about their daily business. I decided to concentrate my efforts solely on photographing the females; and was more than pleased with one which finally settled for a brief time on its larval food plant, Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus). A second, found much later in the day, kept going to rest and would then move on; undoubtedly having not found a suitable roost site.

Species seen:

Small Tortoiseshell
Peacock
Comma
Holly Blue
Large White
Brimstone
Orange Tip
Green-veined White

Brimstone ...

Chiddingfold Forest

I spent much of yesterday in Chiddingfold Forest searching for early spring brood Wood White. After an extensive search of all Surrey sectors during the morning, I headed into Sussex sections of the forest in the afternoon, yet still failed to locate any specimens. Apart from several female Orange Tip, which at quick glance fooled me into thinking I’d found one, none were seen. It is my belief that Wood White, at least as of yesterday, are still not flying in Chiddingfold Forest. That said, I was far from beaten and managed to see ten species with Brimstone being by far the most prolific.

Species seen:

Small Tortoiseshell
Peacock
Comma
Holly Blue
Green-veined White
Large White
Small White
Brimstone
Orange Tip
Speckled Wood

Gene flow ...

Arundel Wetlands

The beautiful water vole, Arvicola amphibius, was once a common site along the banks of the Arun Valley waterways. However, the modification of landscapes for agriculture and urbanisation, and the colonisation of the American mink, Neovison vison, led to their dramatic decline both locally and nationwide. In Sussex alone, we have sadly lost over 90% of our historic populations.

The Arun Valley water vole project is studying the gene flow within and between water vole populations, and investigating the effect of different habitats and landscapes in Sussex. The research is being undertaken during 2012 and 2013 and involves both field and laboratory techniques.

With the help of volunteers, numerous ditches were surveyed over a three month period, and evidence of breeding water voles was found on 13% of the waterways surveyed. This was an encouraging sign but, for the most part, only a few latrines were recorded. However, it was on an agricultural drainage ditch at Houghton Bridge, near Amberley, that signs of recolonisation were evident. Large concentrations of water vole latrines, feeding stations and burrows were present, indicating a potentially viable breeding population. This was great news as it suggested that water voles were recolonising northwards up the valley.

This raised several questions:

Had this newly found population come from Arundel Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (AWWT), which is a reintroduction site located approximately 6.5km downstream?

Was the population too isolated and unable to rely on new individuals that would provide demographic and genetic rescue?

Can farmland ditches, not managed for water voles, hold viable populations?

Over the last two years Rowenna Baker has set out to answer these questions by studying the genetic structure and demographics of water voles at Houghton Bridge and AWWT through live trapping individuals each year, PIT (passive integrated transponder) Tagging, and by taking hair samples to obtain DNA for genetic mapping. Encouragingly, the abundance of water voles at Houghton Bridge is comparable to other natural colonies occurring along similar habitats nationwide, with estimates ranging from 20 to 50 individuals along 1km of bank. The population is small in comparison to  AWWT (135 individuals in 2010), where they are not affected by the external pressures of grazing and predation that commonly constrain habitat availability and density in unprotected sites. Both populations remain genetically diverse, however dispersal between populations is low, which is unsurprising as the average dispersal of water voles is 1-2km.

Despite the importance of genetic fitness, little is currently known about the genetic structure of water vole populations and what factors facilitate or impede gene flow within and between populations. Other studies have found that increasing distance between populations, land use and habitat design can all influence gene flow in animal populations.

The Arundel population is clearly a vital source for the recolonisation of water voles within the valley, however it is crucial that landscape connectivity is improved to aid dispersal between newly established populations. With additional colonies being found as far north as Pulborough Brooks, Rowenna now uses remote hair tubes to obtain genetic samples from all occupied sites in order to investigate gene flow and factors that facilitate and impede dispersal. This information will help to guide management to strengthen isolated populations by creating habitat networks that will hopefully promote water vole dispersal and recolonisation.

An important project regarding an excellent flagship species and one which I was privileged to witness first hand.

My thanks to Rowenna ...

Leaf-miners ...

Stigmella aurella

The large group of moths known as the Nepticulidae are all extremely small, and because of the manner in which their larvae feed internally within the leaf structure, they are known as leaf-miners. The shape of the pale gallery or blotch created by the larva as it feeds, is usually a much better means of identification than by comparing the adult insect.

Stigmella aurella, pictured below, is probably the commonest and most widespread in the British Isles, its whitish larval mines are a familiar sight on bramble leaves everywhere. In addition to bramble, the larvae will also feed in the leaves of wild strawberry, agrimony, dewberry, water avens, and wood avens. The adults have a wingspan of only 6mm, have a metallic sheen, and fly in May and later in the summer.

Miners are generally restricted to a certain range of food plants, so the identification of a miner is greatly assisted by correctly identifying these plants. The shape of the mines (gallery or irregular blotch) and the patterns of the droppings (frass) within, in addition to the characteristics of the larvae and pupae, can all be key diagnostic features. Lepidoptera tend to construct galleries or blotches with single lines of frass. Diptera characteristically make twin trails of frass. Hymenopteran mines have characteristically more abundant and generally darker frass, particularly when compared to dipterous mines. Several species, including certain Coleoptera, make cut-outs in the leaf and the structure of these can help aid correct identification.

A golden opportunity ...

Mere Sands Wood, Lancashire

Simply stunning ...

Passport in hand (and phrase book at the ready), I recently took a long overdue opportunity to travel north and visit several locations in west Lancashire with friend and professional wildlife photographer Steven Round. Steve, who is based on the Wirral and specialises in bird photography, has had many hundreds of photographs published in books, calendars, advertising, educational literature and magazines (including many front covers). His images have also appeared on television, including the BBC programmes Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Countryfile. Steve's website can be found at www.stevenround-birdphotography.com. I highly recommend a look ...

Mere Sands Wood is a wildlife-rich haven in the heart of agricultural west Lancashire. It is owned and managed by Lancashire Wildlife Trust. The reserve covers 42 hectares (105 acres) of lakes, mature broadleaved and conifer woodland, sandy, wet meadows and heaths. In addition to its geology the site is of national importance for wildfowl and dragonflies and has a fascinating history. It stands on a large area of layered sand and peat, which was deposited by the wind over boulder clay during the last Ice Age and by periods of water logging following this period. The sand and peat layers have remained almost undisturbed since this time and are therefore of international importance in the understanding of the changes that occurred to the Lancashire coastline since the ice retreated northwards. In addition to the site's status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the geological interest warranted the reserve being designated as a Geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1985.

The name 'Mere Sands' dates back to medieval times when the area was on the shore of a vast lake called 'Martin Mere'. Over time the area was gradually drained for agriculture along with large areas of surrounding peatland. Prior to drainage it formed the largest body of fresh water in England.

The sand proved to be of value for glass-making and extraction companies quarried the site between 1974 and 1982. During this period, the Wildlife Trust, its members and the local community worked with Lancashire County Council to require the extraction company, under a planning agreement, to landscape the site into a nature reserve once the extraction was completed. Close liaison with the quarrying company ensured that belts of the best woodland were left undisturbed during extraction to save as much wildlife as possible and screen the works. Extracted areas were landscaped into shallow-edged lakes with marsh and dry heath conditions nearby. On completion of the sand-winning, restoration and landscaping the Trust acquired the site in its entirety in 1982.

The mature woodland is mainly Birch with some Oak but there is also a mature Scots Pine plantation in the south-east corner of the reserve, which supports a small population of red squirrels. Large amounts of Rhododendron have been removed from the reserve, which has allowed the re-establishment of native flora such as Broad Buckler Fern and several species of Bramble. Over 200 species of fungi have been recorded. The lakes are developing an interesting aquatic flora; some of this has been augmented with the establishment of locally sourced reed beds on the lake shores. Wet grasslands and dry heaths occur on areas refilled after sand extraction and now support many wildflowers including Marsh Helleborine, Common Spotted, Early and Southern Marsh and Bee Orchids and notable populations of Golden Dock, Yellow Bartsia, Yellow-wort, Lesser Centaury and Royal Fern.

From a personal perspective, the main wildlife interest at Mere Sands is the over-wintering birds; particularly wildfowl. Winter populations include nationally important numbers of Gadwall and Teal, as well as Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye (males pictured above) and Goosander. Locally important species include Mandarin Duck and Kingfisher and there are annual sightings of Willow Tit and Lesser-spotted Woodpecker. Tree Sparrow and Reed Bunting (female pictured above) can be found feeding amongst the Phragmites. Breeding species include Great Crested and Little Grebes, Shelduck (male pictured above), Gadwall, Pochard and Tufted Duck, alongside Little Ringed Plover and Lapwing. Over 170 bird species have been recorded on the reserve, of which 60 are known to have bred.

I highly recommend a visit ...

Hypoponera ...

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

Hypoponera punctatissima (Roger, 1859), [Formicidae: Ponerinae], is a small brown ant with a functioning sting, a single substantial petiole (the body section connecting the alitrunk (mid-section) and gaster (the bulbous rear section) in hymenopterous insects) and a constriction between the first and second segments of the gaster. It is an underground species, where it lives and forages on small soil living arthropods. Only the alate gynes (the winged reproductive females of ants) are likely to be seen above ground.

The underground colonies can be polydomous (occupying and maintaining multiple nests) usually containing several queens, a few wingless worker-like males and around 200 workers. Its flight period is from May to September.

There is some dispute as to whether this should be treated as a native species because it is most often come across in greenhouses and other permanently heated buildings, though there is evidence for its presence 1600 years ago in northern Britain. Colonies have occasionally been discovered a long way from human habitation. It has been recorded outdoors from waste spoils warmed by fermentation or decay. It is a cosmopolitan species distributed throughout Europe, the tropics and sub-tropics. Isolated records have come from England, Wales and Ireland. At the time of writing it has not been recorded from Scotland.

Hypoponera schauinslandi (Emery, 1899) has rarely been recorded in Britain. It is a little smaller than punctatissima and can be separated in the gynes by measuring the head-width, head-length and scape length (the basal segment of the antenna). It has a tropical or sub-tropical origin and cannot survive outdoors in Britain. It has an unusual flight period of November to February which can act as a useful guide in its identification. H. schauinslandi was only recognised as present in Britain in 2000.

The alate gyne pictured above came from a small colony discovered living underground in a heated commercial premises in Worthing, West Sussex on 13th January 2012. The original colony, discovered in December 2004, was originally identified as H. punctatissima. My thanks to Mike Fox, Ant Record Coordinator for the Bees, Wasps & Ants Recording Society (BWARS), for confirming correct identification as H. schauinslandi. On 2nd January 2013, another single winged female was recorded from the same location.

It is possible that this is only the fourth known substantiated record for the UK.

Image copyright OUMNH. Photomicrography by James Hogan, Hope Department of Entomology.

Time for action ...

2012 was the worst year on record for UK butterflies.

We all knew it, but it's now official ...

"Washout 2012 was the worst year for UK butterflies on record with 52 out of the 56 species monitored suffering declines, a scientific study today revealed. Some of our rarest species, such as the fritillaries, bore the brunt of the second wettest year on record and now face the real threat of extinction in some parts of the UK.

Last year’s relentless rain and cold created disastrous conditions for summer species in particular as they struggled to find food, shelter and mating opportunities; butterfly abundance plummeted to a record low as a result and 13 species suffered their worst year on record. The critically endangered High Brown Fritillary fell by 46%, the vulnerable Marsh Fritillary was down 71% and the endangered Heath Fritillary saw its population plummet by 50% in comparison to 2011. Many of our most threatened butterflies were already in a state of long-term decline prior to the 2012 deluge. There are now real fears that these already struggling species could become extinct in some parts of the UK as a result of last year’s wet weather.

Hairstreaks did particularly badly last year - the Black Hairstreak, one of the UK’s rarest species, saw its population fall by 98%. The Green Hairstreak was down 68%, the White-letter Hairstreak fell by 72% and the Brown Hairstreak, slipped by 34%. Many common species also struggled. The Common Blue plummeted by 60%, the Brown Argus collapsed by 73% and the Large Skipper fell by 55%. The widespread ‘Whites’, including Green-veined White, Large White and Small White, saw their populations tumble by more than 50%. The Orange-tip fell by 34%. The alarming slide of garden favourite the Small Tortoiseshell continued, with its population slipping 37% from 2011 figures. Only four species saw their populations increase. The grass-feeding Meadow Brown was up 21% and the Scotch Argus, which thrives in damp conditions, rose by 55%.

Dr Tom Brereton, Head of Monitoring at Butterfly Conservation, said: "2012 was a catastrophic year for almost all of out butterflies, halting progress made through our conservation efforts in recent years. Butterflies have proved before that given favourable conditions and the availability of suitable habitat they can recover, but with numbers in almost three-quarters of UK species at a historically low ebb, any tangible recovery will be more difficult than ever.

Data was gathered by the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) jointly led by Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH).

UKBMS has run since 1976 and involves thousands of volunteers collecting data every week throughout the summer from more than 1,000 sites across the UK. CEH butterfly ecologist Dr Marc Botham said: “Despite the horrific weather in 2012 over 1,500 dedicated volunteers still managed to collect data from over a thousand sites across the UK. Their amazing efforts enable us to assess the impacts of wet summers on butterfly diversity.”
The UKBMS is operated by the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and Butterfly Conservation and funded by a multi-agency consortium including the Countryside Council for Wales, Defra, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Forestry Commission, Natural England, the Natural Environment Research Council and Scottish Natural Heritage. The UKBMS is indebted to all volunteers who contribute data to the scheme."

Dr Tom Brereton

Head of Monitoring at Butterfly Conservation


But it’s not too late if we act now …

In Sussex, last ‘summer’ checked the upward population trend for the rare Duke of Burgundy. Nevertheless, our conservation efforts over the previous years means that 2012 will have seen a decrease, not an extinction, of this rare and beautiful butterfly. This tells me that we must highly value and protect what we have. It tells me we must continue to research and keep learning - we may only have 59 native species of butterfly in the UK but there is still much we do not know. We must learn from our successes and we must learn from our mistakes. We must educate and we must conserve. We have no control over the weather but we do over our attitudes and actions – we have the ability to change things.

If you have the time and the ability to get involved with a local conservation project, run by your local branch of Butterfly Conservation, then please consider getting involved. You won’t regret it, and I can guarantee you will get far more out of it than you put in.

We have a responsibility …