Restored

Wednesday 7th September 2022, Stoney Field, New Invention

This outing took us back to Stoney Field at New Invention. This is a large, recently purchased field being nurtured for the benefit of wildlife. Information about the field and the aims of the owners can be found by following this link We bought a field.

The first thing that we noticed on arrival was that the barn which was in the early stages of restoration on our last visit:

Had now been restored to its former glory.

An excellent job.

And, as I shall relate, it was very welcoming during our visit.

We parked on site on the edge of the two tumps.

The site’s main meadow had been cut for hay but the tumps and other areas had been left.

Our searches started in the wetland area as we spent least time there on our last visit.

Early finds in this area was a Blue shieldbug;

Photograph: David Williams

And a striking (in colour pattern, not its activity) rhopalid bug, Corizus hyoscyami was spotted.

Photograph: David Williams

The group became dispersed along the length of the wetland but soon a ripple circulated that a Black darter had been spotted. This caused a bit of a regathering as members came to take a look and try to photograph it.

Photograph: John Martin

Unable to get a photograph myself I retired to the drier part of the wetland to see what I could find there and amongst the vegetation bordering the wetter area.

My speculative sweeps and beats succeeded in netting a monster spider.

Araneus quadratus. It was huge. Presumably a female full of eggs getting ready for laying.

Pitter-patter …

No, not the sound of the spider lumbering around my tray …

Pitter-patter – splash …

But the sound of rain striking the tray.

We beat a hasty retreat to the welcoming barn.

Fortunately, the rain did not last long.

However, by the time it had stopped it was approaching the time when thoughts turn to food.

But it was just too early!

We returned to the wetland to continue our searching.

I am not sure when the following three insects were found but, for the sake of the narrative, I will pretend that they were found in this period!

A tortoise beetle, Cassida flaveola;

Photograph: David Williams

A weevil, Larinus carlinae;

Photograph: Neil Nash

And a tiny wingless wasp with a red abdomen, Callitula pyrrhogaster.

Photograph: Nigel Jones

By now it really was time for lunch. We returned to the barn where our hosts had very kindly placed some chairs and a bench for us to use. Luxury!

Lunch over we ventured out again. It was sunny, but threatening clouds were massing.

A common darter was spotted perched on a log.

Some of us drifted towards a small pool that was considerably smaller than it should be due to the extremely dry conditions we had experienced recently.

Here we observed a Southern hawker ovipositing, and were able to photograph an Emerald damselfly undertaking the same activity.

Photograph: John Martin

At the base of some of the stalks of the pool’s vegetation, close to where they emerged from the water, we noticed several flies. Each fly occupied one stalk and rested face down. They were all the same species, a snail-killing fly, Sepedon sphegea, 

By now the sun had been hidden away behind very dark clouds. Then the thunder started. No rain, just thunder. After the second or third clap, we headed, as swiftly as we could, back to the barn. 

Although most of us did not quite make it to the barn before the rain started, we did not get too wet. 

As we sat, watching the torrent of water pour from the sky and waiting for it to stop, we realised someone was missing.

Eventually he turned up, rather wet!

He had tried taking shelter under a hedge when the downpour started.

The rain eased …

Then it stopped.

We ventured out once more.

Unfortunately time quickly caught up with us and we had to bring the visit to a close.

Our host offered us tea and cake. I was unable to stay so I asked one of the group to take a photograph to show what I had missed.

Photograph: John Martin

Looks delicious!

Before I finish, after a short break, the Wednesday Weevil of the Week makes a welcome return. On this occasion it is Pelenomus quadritubergulus.

Photograph: Emm Cane-Honeysett

My thanks to the owners of the site for inviting us to do what we enjoy doing and their hospitality. My gratitude to the photographers for providing their wonderful images that illustrate the report.