"It has been a game of two halves, Brian"

Wednesday 7th June 2023, Nipstone Rock

Photograph: David Williams

Yet again the weather was a major influence on the day. It was very cold in the morning with full cloud and a biting easterly wind – someone recorded the temperature as 10°C – not quite the weather expected by the person who turned up in shorts. Around lunchtime the cloud began to break up and some warmth penetrated the cooling effect of the breeze. By the end of the day it was calmer and warm (21°C).

The outing was to the Shropshire Wildlife Trust Reserve at Nipstone Rock towards the southern end of the Stiperstones. Much of the site was used as a conifer plantation. The trees have now been removed allowing the heathland to regenerate.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend. I am grateful to David who sent me a summary of the day enabling me to generate this report.

The group followed the main path passing an area where Small pearl-bordered fritillaries were being encouraged to make their home.

In view of the cold conditions, when all sensible butterflies would be tucked into the vegetation and not flying, the group continued to head up the main track.

Early finds were two Gorse shield bugs beaten out of a birch tree and a Pine ladybird from a gorse bush.

Pine ladybird:

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

Continuing on they passed some Stag's-horn clubmoss at the side of the path.

Photograph: John Martin

Here are photographs of  a few other insects found, possibly around this time:

A Large red damselfly;

Photograph: Neil Nash

A micro-moth, probably Micropterix aureatella;

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

And Clouded border moth.

Photograph: Neil Nash

Lunch was devoured.

The sun came out, the clouds eventually cleared and all was well.

A view of the Stiperstones ridge now bathed in sunshine.

Photograph: David Williams

The group headed back downhill and into the clear-fell, spotting a Small heath that was flitting about.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

The group reached the Small pearl-bordered fritillary area to find half a dozen or so of the butterfly on the wing along with some Small heaths.

Photograph: David Williams

Photograph: David Williams

Adult Common green grasshoppers were spotted and, without warning, a Cuckoo called several times from the remaining pines to the group’s right, then shut up and was not heard again. More obliging was a small ladybird, Nephus redtenbacheri, that allow itself to be photographed.

Photograph: David Williams

The group continued into the northern area of clear-fell where a pond has been created. A few fought their way through the gorse to an earthy embankment which, unfortunately, did not produce the nesting bees and wasps that they had hoped to observe, but did result in sightings of ovipositing Green Hairstreak.

Photograph: David Williams

They also observed Mottled Grasshopper nymphs, two notable bumblebees, Bombus monticola (Bilberry Bumble) and Bombus campestris (Field Cuckoo Bee), and an over-flying Crossbill.

Everyone found their way back to the cars and went home. 

Given the cold and bleak morning and the sunny and glorious afternoon, they thought that "It has been a game of two halves, Brian" summed it up!

Other news

The moth group visited Apley Woods. I have been sent the following photographs for you to enjoy:

A Ghost moth;

Photograph: David Williams

A Lesser stag beetle;

Photograph: David Williams

A Buff ermine;

Photograph: David Williams

A Ruby tiger;

Photograph: David Williams

A Flame;

Photograph: David Williams

And finally the curiously name Maiden’s blush.

Photograph: David Williams

And, finally, having been spoilt by all the excellent photographs that punctuate these reports here is one of a Noctule bat that did not quite capture the desired effect!

Photograph: David Williams

My thanks to David for letting me include it.

Thank you to Shropshire Wildlife Trust for giving us permission to enjoy ourselves, to David Williams and others for providing a summary of the activities of the day and the weather reports, and to the photographers for their images that illuminate this tale.