Sockless in Shropshire

Cunnery Road Cemetery, Church Stretton and St. Margaret's, Acton Scott - Wednesday 10th July 2019

This was our third outing with Caring for Gad's Acre. We visited two sites - the cemetery at the bottom of Cunnery Road just south of the centre of Church Stretton in the morning and the churchyard of St. Margaret's in Acton Scott in the afternoon.

In the morning we were accompanied by a film crew who were preparing a series of videos about the importance of churchyards and we were to help make the one about invertebrates. It was a bit like "Springwatch" as the crew flitted bout the cemetery filming bits of action, both invertebrate and human. 

And, of course, the interviews. 

Fortunately we had a volunteer to be interviewed. Somewhat reluctant, but a volunteer.

Whilst all this was going on we were joined by a group from Shropshire Wild Team who came for a morning of surveying.

The day started well. I was ready without stress early, collected the others on time and after a quiet drive to Church Stretton arrived on site early. It was only when I was getting ready that I realised I had forgotten something - my socks.

It was too far to nip home for a pair. The choice was boots without or the open toed sandals I was wearing. 

Wary of bramble creeping up on me and taking advantage of unprotected toes, my decision was easy. Boots without socks. 

It never occurred to me that I may have been able to buy a pair in Church Stretton. Hindsight, what a wonderful (but useless) thing.

All this writing and no pictures … I had better do something about that.

The cemetery has an information board:

If you click on the image your browser should give you a larger image that you may be able to read

And here is a photograph of a part of the cemetery:

In the main apart from a small patch where the grass had been cut the vegetation had been left to do its own thing. This was good for animals that like tall rough lush vegetation but less attractive to those that prefer sparser vegetation. 

There were plenty of meadow brown butterflies flying about and the film crew spent quite a while trying to film them especially one pair that were full of the joys of spring.

And what did we find?

I am afraid to say that overall it was a bit disappointing. Although there were plenty of invertebrates there was not a great variety of species. However there were some stars - my own interests may have clouded my judgement slightly!

A forget-me-not shieldbug nymph:

Photograph: David Williams

The nymph of a large plathopper, probably Evacanthus acuminatus:

Photograph: David Williams

The star of the day - a Tortoise shieldbug

Photograph: David Williams

This species had a curious distribution with all the early records being found in Wyre Forest. Then, a few years ago, one turned up in Dolgoth Quarry in Llynclys which is in the opposite corner of the county to Wyre. A couple of years ago they were found in Cramer Gutter close to Catherton Common and in Telford. It has now turned up in Church Stretton. Long may this expansion continue.

Look away gardeners, here are sawfly larva on rose doing the sawfly thing of eating whilst holding a picturesque pose.

Finally before we move on one of the "Springwatch" team in interview mode:

We lunched, said goodbye to the Shropshire Wild Team and the film crew and prepared to move on to St. Margaret's in Acton Scott.

As we were all set to go my passenger noticed a large moth on a car parked in front.

"Is that a Scarlet tiger?" he asked.

He got out of the car for a closer look.

It was. What an excellent spot.

Unfortunately it was disturbed and flew off.

Straight into the cemetery … so we recorded it.

On to Acton Scott we went.

This Grade II listed building dates back to the twelfth century with additions in the 14th; parts were rebuilt in the 19th, The porch, in a recent renovation was dated 1722:

The grass in the churchyard had been allowed to grow although it is due to be cut soon. The dominant trees yews, several of great girth.

We set about our "work".

What did we find?

First the same species of butterflies that the film crew had been chasing - Meadow brown:

Photograph: David Williams

And another bordered shieldbug:

Photograph: David Williams

A clump of tiny, recently hatched, Hairy shieldbug nymphs were found on Woundwort:

Photograph: David Williams

A couple of the larger hoverflies were spotted on flowers.

Volucella pellucens:

And with its distinctive pattern on its thorax Myathropa florea.

Photograph: David Williams

The heat and excitement of the day was beginning to take its toll and enthusiasm was flagging and the 1722 porch with its coolness and seats became popular.

But others continued searching and found a Narrow-bordered five spot burnet:

Photograph: David Williams

And a Field Grasshopper

Photograph: David Williams

What a day.

My thanks to Caring for God's Acre for inviting us and making the necessary arrangements. My gratitude also to the photographer, David Williams, for providing me with his excellent images for me to share with you.