Where is everybody?

Wednesday 13th November 2024, Rectory Wood and Field

After the relatively dull weather we had been experiencing so far in November we were greeted by the sun. But this was accompanied by a very cool breeze.

Lots of extra layers were donned!

Rectory Wood and Field is close to the centre of Church Stretton. The grassland and woodland are set on banks rising to meet the Long Mynd. The site includes a stream and pools. The wood contains mainly mature native broadleaf species, with supplementary mixed planting.

On entering the site the first thing I noticed was that there were very few areas that could be described as level. It was going to be an exhausting day!

Photograph: David William

A large sycamore close to the entrance was the first part of the site to attract our attention.

An Orange ladybird was found.

Photograph: David Williams

Then a large patch of scrub surrounding a few small trees became the focus of our activity.

I noticed later the attraction of this area was a bench!

The bench was the centre of attention and envy for a while as some members of the group were sent out on forays into nearby vegetation and others waited for the results of the forays to be revealed.

Findings during these expeditions from the bench were:

A “lonely” slime mould (probably);

Photograph: Neil Nash

A micro-moth, Caloptilia rufipennella;

Photograph: John Martin

And a psudoscorpion, Neobisium carcinoides.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

After a while the lure of the seat diminished, and we moved on, down the grassland towards the entrance to the woodland, checking the grassland/woodland edge vegetation on the way.

One small group “broke away” and wandered down to the bottom of the hill and explored the vegetation in that area, locating:

A Cream-spot ladybird;

Photograph: Graham Wenman

And an Angle shades moth larva.

Photograph: Graham Wenman

Entering the wood, we were shielded from the cold breeze, and, although we were also in shade, it seemed a good spot for lunch.

But, before lunch could be taken, we just had to apply the suction sampler to a patch of Polytrichum moss that had been found.

Regrettably no Snow fleas were spotted.

Yes folks, its Snow Flea time again. 

We are hoping for more success this year.

The moss did not yield anything of great significance, and we settled down to lunch, with a good view of the hillsides opposite, including Helmeth Hill, which we will be visiting, weather permitting, soon.

Refreshed we followed the path through the woodland.

Very, very slowly.

During our snail-like progress we spotted a harvestman, Opilio canestrinii.

Photograph: David Williams

Pausing in a warm sunlit spot, we noticed several flies on leaves in a tree taking advantage of the sun and warmth.

After a while I decided to move on. 

I took a path to the left. 

I wandered along this path for quite a while ...

Then realised that no-one had followed the supposed leader!

Where was everyone else!?

Then I heard voices …

On a lower path.

When it became clear that the paths were not leading to the same place, I used modern technology (a mobile phone) to make contact.

Only to find that, although a couple had wandered deeper into the wood, most of the group had not moved from the sunlit spot.

I returned to the sunny spot …

But they had all gone …

Except one ...

Who told me that the others had returned to the grassland!

The two of us made our way back to the grassland (using different routes), where we met some of the others hunched over trays.

Slowly over the next quarter of an hour or so we magically reassembled in this area.

Whilst they were away the woodland wanderers had found another micro-moth, Psychoides filicivora.

Photograph: John Martin

And some ferns which had been planted in a fernery within the wood:

Dryopteris cycadina;

Photograph: John Martin

And Polystichum polyblepharum.

Photograph: John Martin

Having reassembled and exchanged pleasantries, a small group made another breakaway, to visit a site where earth star mushrooms had been seen.

Meanwhile, the rest us remained in the grassland and continued our searches of the vegetation around us.

Finds during this time included:

A rather dapper Lesser dung fly, Sphaerocera manilis - Lessser dung flies are usually very small and featureless;

Photograph: Nigel Jones

A micro-ladybird, Nephus redtenbacheri;

Photograph: David Williams

A fungus, Xylaria longipes, known as Dead moll’s fingers;

Photograph: Neil Nash

Another fungus, Ascocoryne sarcoides, known as Purple jellydisc;

Photograph: Neil Nash

A Hawthorn shieldbug;

Photograph: Neil Nash

A Buff footman moth larva;

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

And a log, which was host to Eyelash fungi and a slime mould.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

Eventually, after the breakaway group rejoined, we decided to call it a day and head back to the cars and home.

By the way, the attraction drawing people away from the main event was this.

Photograph: John Martin

A collection of earthstar fungi, probably Geastrum triplex, which was found close to the site. 

My thanks to Church Stretton Council for granting us permission to do what we enjoy doing, and to the photographers for their excellent images and allowing me to use them in this report.