A duet

Wednesday 5th October 2022, Llwynderw

For this outing we travelled into Wales to the farm at Llwynderw just west of Llanidloes along the Severn valley. The owner comes along to meetings of the group and this week we took the opportunity to visit his farm.

Unfortunately the rain tried its best to disrupt the trip although it did relent every now and then until we finished the day in glorious warm sunshine.

Rain greeted us on arrival. But a cup of tea (or coffee) and a biscuit strengthened our resolve not to be put off doing what we had come to do.

As the rain eased we left the comfort of the farmhouse and made for a polytunnel nearby.

This was searched high and low for any signs of invertebrates. There were a few craneflies trying to escape, unsuccessfully, by bashing themselves against the polythene sheeting. Some of these were caught and examined to determine their species and were then rewarded by being released outside.

Whilst we were in the tunnel the rain came and went. The sound of it hammering against the sheeting reminded me of many days of cricket sitting in a pavilion waiting for it to stop so that we get back to the game. Or for the captains or call it off so we could go to the bar.

A pause in the rain drew us away from the shelter of the polytunnel to look at the rest of the garden, Some Common spangle galls were spotted on oak leaves. Here is a photograph of one of them.

Photograph: John Lyden

But after a short while the rain returned and we decided it was time for lunch.

We were invited to lunch in the farmhouse. An offer that was gratefully accepted, especially as the rain soon turned into a downpour.

Needless to say as we lunched the rain stopped and the sun came out!

After lunch we set out to explore a woodland. 

The rain returned but we pressed on determinedly.

After a while the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was suddenly a very pleasant warm autumnal day. 

We began to dry out. 

And spot things of interest:

A moth, Agonopterix arenella;

Photograph: John Lyden

A fungus on a dead Holly leaf, Trochila ilicina, known as Holly speckle;

Photograph: John Lyden

A Flounced chestnut moth;

Photograph: John Lyden

And finally some curious constructions on an oak tree – leaves that had been “moulded” to form miniature nests;

Photograph: John Lyden

This structure has been made by a weevil, Attelabus nitens, known as the Oak leaf-roller. It lays an egg close to the edge of an oak leaf then cuts and rolls the leaf to construct a nest to protect the egg.

As usual time had caught up with us and we made our way back to the farmhouse where the day was wound up with a drink and cake. Wonderful!

We travelled home in glorious sunshine in and almost cloudless sky …

Apart from the huge black cloud that seemed to follow us all the way.

Wednesday 12th October 2022, Stretton Westwood Quarry

Photograph: Bob Kemp

We just about squeezed all our cars into the site car park. It was lucky that no-one else wanted to visit whilst we were there!

Material generated by the Much Wenlock Flood Alleviation scheme was used to encourage the re-growth of calcareous grassland within this former quarry. The visible effects of this scheme was the sculpting of several mounds on the quarry floor. Green hay from a suitable donor site was then strewn on the mounds to initiate the restoration of the vegetation.

There is already an area of calcareous grassland by the car park and that is where our day began.

Finds from this area included:

A Glow-worm larva;

Photograph: David Williams

A nymph of the planthopper, Eupelix cuspidata, note that the nymph has already developed the distinctive arrow-head shaped head of the adult;

Photograph: David Williams

And a sawfly larva whose identity, as yet, remains a mystery.

Photograph: David Williams

Moving on from the grassland we descended to the base of the quarry and to one of the mounds.

Some of us were quite content to investigate the vegetation around the base of the mound whilst the more adventurous searched the sides and the top.

One of the group who seems quite happy to get his hands dirty whilst leaving no stone unturned was successful in finding a Smooth newt in amongst the stones.

Photograph: Neil Nash

He was also able to find:

A Rounded snail, Discus rotundatus;

Photograph: Neil Nash

And the larva of a Cardinal beetle.

Photograph: Neil Nash

There were some fungi in fruit within the quarry. Here are a few that were photographed:

A Blackening waxcap, Hygrocybe conica;

Photograph: Neil Nash

A Shaggy bracket, Inonotus hispidus;

Photograph: Neil Nash

And a Russula which was providing a feast for the slugs.

Photograph: Ian Plumridge

It was time for lunch which we took in some woodland.

Photograph: Ian Plumridge

After lunch a quick scan of the woodland did not yield anything of interest. We moved on to one of the other mounds.

The climb up this mound was easier than the others and even the less mobile amongst us managed it comfortably. 

A pause at the top to enjoy the view.

Searching the damper vegetation at the base of this mound uncovered an inconspicuous ladybird, Scymus haemorrhoidales.

Photograph: David Williams

Moving on from this mound we took a look at the lime kiln that bordered the Much Wenlock – Church Stretton road, scoured the vegetation under a hazel for nibbled nuts – several were found, but none that indicated a dormouse - then started our  the meander back to the cars. 

On the way we found another inconspicuous ladybird, Nephus redtenbacheri;

Photograph: David Williams

And a Field grasshopper.

Photograph: David Williams

Eventually we took the slope back up to the car park, said our goodbyes and went home.

A Bonus …

Whilst at the peak of the very long tripod to take the first photograph of this report, the opportunity was taken to turn the camera around and capture an image of Lea Quarry South and the land beyond framed by Wenlock Edge on the right and hills to the left.

And that concludes the Joy of Wildlife programme for 2022. 

But we have not stopped making our weekly visits. We have switched into “Winter mode”. There is no pre-planned programme but trips will continue to be arranged for those who are interested. Invitations to each visit will be issued in the normal way.

My thanks to the owners of Llwynderw for inviting us to visit their farm and providing excellent refreshments and refuge when needed. Thank you to the National Trust for permitting us to visit the quarry. My gratitude to the photographers for providing their excellent images that supplement my efforts. 

Finally, thank you to everyone who has taken to time and trouble to read these scribblings over the last few moths.

The secret is out

Wednesday 28th September 2022, Earl’s and Pontesford Hill SWT Reserve

Photograph: Bob Kemp

Having gathered in the Reserve’s car park and peered at the site map provided on a board in the corner, we decided the route that we would take to visit the three areas of particular interest that the Trust had suggested we visit. 

Without further ado we set off, at quite a brisk pace (for us), following the path to our first objective – the Upper Ant Meadow.

The path which climbs gently but steadily took us along the eastern edge of the reserve eventually reaching the edge of a pasture. 

We continued to rise as we crossed the pasture to reach a gate giving us access to the ant meadow.

Once there we set about doing what we normally do. Searching for things of interest. 

Unfortunately there was not much about other than a few common invertebrates. However it is just as important to note the common species as well as celebrate the uncommon. 

One species that did catch my eye was Harebell which were widely scattered about the grassland.

A short pause to admire the view through the trees!

It is far too easy to become so absorbed in searching the vegetation that you forget to take in and enjoy the countryside that we are lucky enough to be able to enjoy.

We moved on to our second target area of interest, the scree slope which falls away from the foot of the crags.

Some of the group searched for invertebrates that make their living amongst the rock fragments.

Whilst others took the path across the scree to access the crags.

The rest of us rummaged in the vegetation at the base of the scree.

Why did some climb up to the crags, you may ask …

To see if a rare spider was still in residence.

The spider in question is Atypus affinis, the Purseweb spider.

Did they find it, is your next question.

Yes and No is the answer.

They found evidence of the spider’s presence but not a live specimen.

Unfortunately, if they took any photographs of their finds they have not passed them on to me. So I have delved into the archives and retrieved a couple of photographs of what they may have seen.

The most obvious sign of the spider’s presence is its web. 

But, when I say obvious, the webs are not and they are difficult to find, even if you know where to look! 

Photograph: David Williams

The webs are tubes, usually at this site attached close to the base of a rock and then disappearing down a burrow into the soil and vegetation that borders the rock. They are camouflaged by a covering of debris that makes them blend in well with their surroundings.

On this occasion the searchers found about a dozen of these tubes.

They also found some exuvia, the remains of the skin shed when the spider moults. These remains were found on a visit to this site in 2017.

Photograph: Bob kemp

Whilst this delegation was having fun at high altitude the rest of us decided to have lunch.

As soon as we opened our sandwich boxes it started to rain. Just the odd spot at first but it soon built up to a steady stream. 

Fortunately the rain stopped after five or ten minutes.

The high level delegation had not yet returned but we decided to press on. They knew the way and could catch us up quickly.

And so it proved.

No sooner had we started a descent through the woods …

Than we heard their voices behind us.

“Are we going to the centre of the earth?” was a remark I caught.

There was a short deviation from the gentle but long descent when a small clearing opened up on the left.

Exploration of this area was short-lived as the conditions underfoot in this very wet meadow were extremely difficult being pitted with deep hoof marks.

We reached the end of the woodland and the path turned onto a damp meadow.

At this point the High Level Delegation made themselves comfortable and had lunch.

A Weeping Widow mushroom was spotted.

Apparently the mushroom has acquired this name because of the black, watery droplets that appear at the edge of the gills when they are moist. This one must have been very dry as there were only a very few tiny tears in sight.

There followed a brief period of intense activity as a couple of invertebrates decided to pose for photographs:

An Orange ladybird;

Photograph: David Williams

And a couple of Comma butterflies.

Photograph: David Williams

Then the person with the very tall tripod, who took the wonderful photograph at the start of this report, was rumbled.

Here is his secret very tall tripod in action.

Photograph: David Williams

From this wet meadow it was a very short walk to our final area of interest, the Lower Ant Meadow.

It was next door!

We meandered slowly along the meadow to its far end, pausing every now and then to beat, sweep or vacuum sample to record what we could find.

From there we passed into another area of pasture.

In here there was an extensive patch of rushes. Amongst these we found a small ladybird, Coccidula rufa.

Photograph: David Willaims

The ladybird’s companions in the photograph are a couple of planthoppers, Conomelus anceps.

At the exit from this field there was a small pool. Only it wasn’t. It had dried out through lack of rain. The opportunity to get amongst the normally inaccessible vegetation within the pool was not to be missed. The reedmace was carefully inspected for hidden Water ladybirds, Coccidula scutellata and anything else.

Disappointingly nothing was found.

With a final look along the valley, through which the Habberley Brook flows, towards The Stiperstones, we set off on the longish walk back to the cars and home.

To finish here is a photograph of a staphylinid beetle, Metopsia clypeata. Unfortunately I am not sure where it was found, but it turned up in one of the vacuum samples examined during the day.

Photograph: John Bingham

My thanks to Shropshire Wildlife Trust for inviting us to visit this reserve to do what we enjoy doing and to the photographers for providing their excellent and varied images that illustrate the report.

A dock bug in a pine tree

Wednesday 21st September 2022, St. Mary, Caynham and St. Mary the Virgin, Bromfield

The Joy of Wildlife programme listed this outing as a visit to St. Mary’s Church in Caynham, but Caring for God’s Acre suggested that we might, in addition, like to visit the St. Mary the Virgin’s Church at Bromfield. 

The visit to the church in Caynham attracted one of our larger gatherings of the year. And so keen was everyone that we were parked, booted, kitted up and ready to go by the meet time. A very rare occurrence!

Photograph: Bob Kemp

Having taken this photograph of the church using his very long tripod, the photographer swivelled his camera around to take a photograph of the countryside between the church and a distant Titterstone Clee.

Photograph: Bob Kemp

Returning to ground level here is the church as the rest of us saw it.

The church dates from the twelfth century but the nave and chancel were rebuilt in the 19th century retaining some of the earlier features. The cross standing in front of the church dates from the 14th century.

Unfortunately our arrival coincided with that of a huge tractor with hedge trimming equipment that proceeded to butcher cut the hedge for the next 60 minutes or so.

The churchyard was a mixture of grassland and various species of tree. Unfortunately the majority of the grass had been cut, but there were some more "neglected" areas around the church and gravestones.

Here are some of the insects we found:

A Box bug nymph;

Photograph: David Williams

A ground beetle, Leistus spinibarbis which has been granted the rather quirky “common name” Prussian plate-jaw;

Photograph: David Williams

A tiny Dot ladybird;

Photograph: David Williams

A Ruby tiger moth larva;

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

A longhorn beetle, Pogonocherus hispidus;

And a larva of the Brimstone moth.

Photograph: David Williams

Whilst we were there the day was fairly sunny and warm. We took full advantage of this as we camped out by the church wall and partook of lunch.

Unfortunately as lunch progressed the clouds built up and the sun disappeared, although it remained pleasantly warm and stayed dry.

Lunch over it was time to move on to our second church for the day, St Mary the Virgin, at Bromfield.

Photograph: Bob Kemp

The origins of this church can be traced back to pre-Norman times. It was rebuilt in the 12th century and the tower added in the 13th.

After the dissolution of the monasteries parts of the church were incorporated into a private residence. 

The house was damaged by fire in the 17th century, but some remains of the property can still be found.

The church was restored in the 19th century.

In its earliest days the church was associated with a priory. There did not seem to be any evidence of the priory now other than the gatehouse which sits at the corner of the churchyard.

However we were not there for a history lesson, interesting though it is, we were there to look around the churchyard.

Photograph: David Williams

It was mainly grassland with trees being confined to the edges. Most of the grass was of medium length, but some areas of longer grass that remained uncut. There was only a small area that had been cut short.

At the rear of the church there was an avenue of yews. However it was rather dark and dingy so I was not tempted to take a look at where it led.

Did we find anything, you may be wondering?

Well, yes.

And here are some of the beasts we found:

A spider, Nigma walkenaeri;

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

A gall on yew caused by the gall midge Taxomyia taxi;

Photograph: John Lyden

Another moth larva, this time a Scarlet tiger (with an attendant 16-spot ladybird);

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

A Bishop’s Mitre, perhaps an appropriate insect for a churchyard;

Photograph: David Williams

And a sawfly larva munching its way through a leaf.

Photograph: John Lyden

The sawfly is Apoceros leucopoda and is known as the Zig-zag sawfly, and seeing the pattern created by its feeding it is easy to see why.

Time to go home after an enjoyable day at these two churches.

I feel as though I have forgotten something …

I have forgotten something …

The title!

I have not said anything about a Dock bug, so what has it to do with the visits.

It is a quote from one of the group who uttered it to me after he had found a Dock bug in a Pine tree at St. Mary, Caynham. 

As we drove home, the rhythm of “A Dock bug in a Pine tree” brought the “Twelve Days of Christmas” to mind. Can this quote become the start of a “Twelve Days of Joy of Wildlife” set to the same tune?

Two other lines came to mind immediately:

“3 Vacs a-vaccing”

“5 Madely Pit Mounds” (OK that does not have quite the same rhythm as the original but it is close enough.)

Can you supply any more?

My thanks to Caring for God’s Acre for arranging the visits and to the photographers for providing their excellent and varied images that illustrate the report.