Shark!

Wednesday 14th June 2023, Fordhall Farm

Fortunately, we were not subjected to a shark attack in the middle of the country, but came across this caterpillar curled around a flower head.

Photograph: John Martin

It is the rather attractive larva of a Chamomile shark. 

It is safe to go into the water!

Our visit was to Fordhall Farm, an organic livestock farm near to Market Drayton. It is a community owned farm, but it has been farmed by the same family for a long time. More information about the farm can be found by following this link Fordhall Organic Farm.

We gathered in the car park and, as usual, one or two of us was dallying. When this happens those who are ready either stand around waiting, patiently, or wander off (not too far) and start seeking out things of interest. 

And the things of interest on this occasion was a clutch of Green shieldbug eggs on a plant in the garden. Some had hatched and others were close to hatching, there were even a couple of tiny 1st instar nymphs hanging around.

Photograph: David Williams

When we returned later in the day to go home, we checked the progress of the eggs but nothing had changed.

We had been asked to look at three areas, so we made our way to the first – Cottage Field.

This is an area of grassland used for hay.

We spent the morning, under the hot beating sun, in this large field.

Joining us was a member of the Fordhall team who took photographs of us during the morning to use in their publicity efforts. We have been given a copy of the photographs and permission to include a selection in this report.

So. Here we are in full action mode.

Photograph: Fran Lant

Photograph: Fran Lant

Photograph: Fran Lant

Photograph: Fran Lant

Photograph: Fran Lant

Photograph: Fran Lant

Photograph: Fran Lant

Photograph: Fran Lant

Photograph: Fran Lant

Photograph: Fran Lant

Right, that’s the people, but what about the wildlife that we found in Cottage Field?

Well, here are a few of the beasts that we found:

The larva of a Pine ladybird;

Photograph: David Williams

A chafer, not the very common Garden chafer but a Welsh chafer;

Photograph: Jim Almond

A Short-cloaked moth;

Photograph: David Williams

A Yellow shell moth;

Photograph: Jim Almond

And a long horn beetle, Rutpela maculata.

Photograph: Jim Almond

By now we had worked our way across the field and came to a gap that led into the second area that we were asked to focus on, Mill Meadow.

As it was now lunchtime we sought the shade of a large oak and settled down to our refreshments.

Well, most of us did.

Others continued scouring the area.

And turned up:

A Mother Shipton moth;

Photograph: Jim Almond

A pair of Meadow browns involved in ensuring the continuation of the species whilst a third appears to be looking on;

Photograph: Jim Almond

And a Large skipper, distinguished from the similar Small and Essex skippers by the paler patches on its wings.

Photograph: Jim Almond

Refreshed we continued the short descent into Mill Meadow pausing to admire the nymph of a Blue shieldbug.

Photograph: David Williams

Finally arriving in the meadow, we spread out to see what the meadow, which borders the River Tern, supported.

This time of year signals the arrival of ladybird larva. We had already found 14-spot and pine ladybird larvae in Cottage Field and Mill Meadow provided a third species, 2-spot.

Photograph: David Williams

The presence of the river probably contributed to our finding of several damselflies:

A Common blue damselfly;

Photograph: Jim Almond

A Beautiful demoiselle;

Photograph: John Martin

And a Banded demoiselle;

Photograph: John Martin

On a muddy section of the river bank we found a greenish beetle with curious circular markings, Elaphrus riparius.

Photograph: David Williams

Time was passing and we still had to visit a third area of the farm, Three Ponds. It was quite a walk to get there from Mill Meadow. Cajoling everyone to leave the meadow was not a straightforward task as the first obstacle was a short steep climb.

As a straggling line we managed to get close to the entrance to the Three Ponds area where we were forced to congregate to decide if the locals were friendly.

They were.

And they were behind a fence.

We edged past them and onto the ponds.

Here is one of them:

To be frank we were quite tired by this time and the heat was oppressive. Quite a bit of time was spent sitting on the bench or the ground, but we did some exploration.

A large fly was spotted doing what some of us were doing, resting. It was eventually identified as a Horse fly, Tabanus autumnalis.

Photograph: David Williams

And we added to our collection of records of ladybird larva by finding this larva of Coccidula rufa.

Photograph: David Williams

We left the ponds and made our way back to the farm buildings passing an impressive large thistle on the way, which I was informed was a Musk thistle.

Back in the shade of farm buildings we were treated to drinks and lots of cake. After which we waddled home.

Other News

The Shropshire Spider Group joined forces with the Shropshire Botanical Society during a visit to Llynclys Quarry. This is a vast working quarry, but some areas that had been worked out had been restored and a couple of these were the focus of the group’s attention.

Here are photographs of some of the insects that were found during the visit:

A very impressive Lunar Hornet clearwing moth;

Photograph: David Williams

Photograph: David Williams

Another clearwing moth, this time a Six-belted clearwing;

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

A 14-spot ladybird;

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

And finally a Mullein moth larva.

Photograph: David Williams

A visit to Meathrop Moss in Cumbria found a good number of Large heath moths. These were very active and did not settle for long. But, eventually, one did land close by and allowed itself to be photographed.

Photograph: Bob Kemp

Lastly a visit to see the Silver-studded blues at Butterfly Conservation’s Reserve at Prees Heath provided the opportunity for these stunning photographs of the butterfly in flight to be taken.

Photograph: Bob Kemp

Photograph: Bob Kemp

As well as seeing a pair thinking about attempting to preserve the species.

Photograph: Bob Kemp

Thank you to Fordhall Farm for giving us permission to enjoy ourselves and the excellent refreshments. My immense gratitude to the photographers for their images to illuminate this tale.

"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.