A damp squib

Rea Brook Valley, Wednesday, 3rd April 2019

The Rea Brook Valley is a local nature reserve that follows the course of the Rea Brook from close to the centre of Shrewsbury out to Meole Brace and beyond. It consists of grasslands, woodlands and plantations and is punctuated by a play ground and playing field. Housing is never far away; from the grander older houses close to the centre to the more modest modern estates of the outskirts. It is a popular area used by walkers, dog-walkers and runners.

We were full of hope and enthusiasm. A new season was about to begin. What would we find? What would be missing? 

Ah! The anticipation.

The weather, unfortunately, had other ideas.

We assembled in a cold wind and drizzle. Not an auspicious start.

Still if it is one thing that defines this group it is our persistence in adversity.

We made for the first area of grassland and set about doing our thing. Sweeping with nets was pointless, the wet vegetation drenched the netting. Beating trees was not much better usually dislodging enough water to create a pool in the tray as well as soak the beater. The most suitable options were observation and the vacuum sampler.

An early find was the weevil Ceutorhynchus pyrrhorhynchus. 

Photograph: Bob Kemp

This species is widespread in England and Wales and is found on hedge mustard plus various brassicas.

We moved on to an area where there is a small pool and spent time rummaging in the vegetation around its border. A curiosity:

Photograph; Les Hughes

What is this? It was found on top of a dead hedge at the end of the pool. One thought was amphibian entrails but this was cast into doubt by a local expert. If you know, we would be delighted to hear from you.

While some puzzled over the above others were making use of the vacuum sampler and one session caught three larvae.

A scarlet tiger (we think)

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

An unknown larva (again any suggestion gratefully accepted):

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

And finally possibly a staphylinid beetle larva, its sizeable jaws clasping a springtail:

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

The rain was persisting, if anything getting heavier. But we pressed on. Pausing close to the river where Ramsons was beginning to flower.

A brief respite was had from the heavier drizzle as we passed through a subway under a road. Some paused for longer than others pretending to search every square inch of the corrugated iron that lined the subway for creatures of interest.

The hardier souls had found their way to a small plantation where an inspection of a bird cherry revealed a cream-spot ladybird.

Photograph: Maria Justamond

Lunch beckoned and there was, close by, a convenient picnic table. It was absolutely drenched. So, rather than eat soggy sandwiches in the rain sitting on a soggy seat at a soggy table, we stood around it in the now very heavy drizzle, chatting. One or two ventured off to entomologise but soon returned.

Still smiling - Photograph: Charlie Bell

Enthusiasm started to wane and two or three drifted off as they had other things to do. And after a short while the remainder decided to do the same. We made our way slowly back to the cars. Believe it or not as we were getting close to where we had started the rain stopped.

This encouraged us to dally a little and gave a chance for our ace shieldbug spotter to demonstrate her skills, finding a hawthorn shieldbug in the vegetation at the side of the path.

Photograph: Maria Justamond

Despite the cessation of the water droplets from above we were cold and wet and took the sensible decision to abandon the day and go home.

My thanks to Shrewsbury Town Council for granting permission for us to do what we enjoy doing. To the photographers Nigel Cane-Honeysett, Maria Justamond, Bob Kemp, Charlie Bell and Les Hughes for taking photographs and letting me use them. But most of all thanks to all who turned up and making the best of it in the bad weather.