What a view!

Wednesday 13th September 2023, Hawkstone Park Follies

According to the site’s website “The Follies is a range of dramatic and rugged natural sandstone hills that were developed to include gullies, caves, towers and bridges, becoming one of the most visited landscapes in Britain during the 19th Century.”

There followed a period of neglect before major investment in its restoration allowed it to re-open in the 1990’s.

Please refer to the website (https://www.hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk/) for more detailed information about the origins and development of the area.

We were met by one of the park’s employees who had been asked to look after us during our stay. 

He had the use of a Land Rover and offered to transport us around the site. We took advantage of this offer and asked him to take us to the furthest part of the site called Grotto Hill. The plan would be to explore this area then make our way slowly back to the start on foot.

The Land Rover could take six, so it took him two trips to get us there.

The journey took us from the Visitor Centre down the Grand Valley, a wide grassland between sandstone hills and woodland. We then passed through a narrow passage under a bridge before making the ascent onto Grotto Hill.

After being dropped off we moved onto an area known as Raven’s Shelf where we were met by this magnificent view.

Photograph: David Williams

You will understand why it was some time before we started looking for things of interest as we took it all in.

Photograph: Nigel Jones

Raven’s shelf is so named as it was a site where Ravens nested. The fence is needed as it is perched over a precipitous drop known as "The Awful Precipice".

You may notice in the above photograph a green colouration on the rocks. This is caused, so I am informed, by Malachite, a mineral of copper, that was mined in the area, possibly as early as the Roman occupation.

One feature of the site is the abundance of Rhododendron. This took hold during the period of neglect.

In turn the Rhododendron was inhabited by lots of these.

Photograph: David Williams

This is the colourful planthopper, Graphocephala fennahi. Originally a native to the USA it was introduced to Europe in the 1900’s. It feeds on the sap of Rhododendron.

Other plants in abundance on the shelf were Scot’s pine, other conifers and heather. 

Beating a Scot’s pine dislodged a male Common earwing and a Pine ladybird.

Photograph: David Williams

Rummaging through the heather yielded an Adonis’ ladybird.

Photograph: David Williams

An eye-catching Grey dagger moth larva was found in one of the trees.

Photograph: David Williams

Moving onto the body of the hill, the habitat changed to areas of grass with a few other species of tree together with the omnipresent Rhododendron.

Tapping the leaves of a Silver birch produced a Parent bug which was photographed then returned.

Sandwiched between a couple of bushes was a patch of bramble covered in ripe and rotting fruit. This was in full sunlight and attracted several Commas which were feasting on the berries. Here is one of them.

A Speckled wood butterfly did not seem to want to join in and kept a respectful distance away, on one of the neighbouring bushes.

Nearby a Red admiral was spotted feeding on Yew berries.

Photograph: David Williams

Seeing all these butterflies gorging themselves reminded me that it was lunchtime. As there were a couple of picnic tables handily placed nearby we took full advantage of them. 

But first I nipped over to the edge of the hill to take a photograph of the Swiss bridge which crossed shortly after eating.

We think having lunch where we did must have set a record for the least distance the group had moved from its starting point We were dropped off about 30 yards away!

Lunch over we left Grotto Hill via the bridge we had passed under on the journey there to be met by a staircase of 39 steps. The steps, however, were not a gentle rise, but a rather taxing one.

Pausing for breath at the top we decided to take the route that crossed over the Swiss Bridge. I should admit, that it was not a universal decision! 

Perhaps going this way was not the best choice as the bridge was very narrow. Negotiating it, carrying a rucksack, net, tray, suction sampler and stick, was quite a challenge.

Fortunately nothing was dropped into the abyss below and we all managed to get across safely.

One even went back for a second go to take a photograph of the view.

Photograph: David Williams

The area rising on the right is where we had spent the morning.

Eventually we emerged on to the main track along the sandstone ridge, known as the Terrace, doing a little entomology on the way.

As we walked along the Terrace, slowly gaining height, we noticed a pair of Collared earthstars at the side of the path.

Photograph: Nigel Jones

Every now and then we paused to check out clearings or the trees.

A Pale tussock moth larva was knocked out of a Sycamore.

Photograph: Nigel Jones

And just in case we forgot we were on the top of a ridge here was a reminder.

Soon we came across an area where we need to be careful of not upsetting the locals.

Moving swiftly on, we came to the highest point where a path to the side led to the Monument. We took this path, spotting a Hairy shieldbug along the way;

Photograph: David Williams

And a Red admiral at rest on a Rhododendron flower. There is also a hoverfly feeding on the flower.

At the side of the path there was a giant Chile pine (otherwise known as a Monkey-puzzle).

Photograph: David Williams

Yes, we finally reached the Monument.

No, we did not climb the 150 step spiral staircase to the top.

It was locked.

Well, that’s our excuse.

It was built in 1795 as a tribute to Sir Rowland Hill (1492 – 1561), the first Protestant Lord Mayor of London and the first member of the Hill family associated with Hawkstone.

Returning to the track we continued towards the White Tower where we hoped to find the path that took us down from the ridge and back to our starting point.

On the way we found a Rhopalid bug, Corizus hyoscami.

Photograph: David Williams

At last, the White Tower.

Not very white!

The white limestone wash has been lost.

The path down was not the easiest to negotiate but we all made it back to the Visitor Centre unscathed and exhilarated after an excellent day out.

My thanks to Hawkstone Park for permitting us to do what we enjoy doing, to our host for the day for looking after us, and to the photographers for allowing me to use their images.

Wednesday, 20th September 2023, Lilleshall Hill LNR

This trip was postponed due to heavy rain and strong wing. It has been rescheduled for Wednesday 1st November 2023.

Low Flying aircraft

Wednesday 6th September 2023, Handless, Long Mynd

What do you do when you see a sign warning you of “Low Flying Aircraft”?

Take off your hat?

Duck?

For our visit to Handless I did not see this sign, but as we were just beyond the launch runway used by the Midlands Glider Club, we needed to keep a “low” profile during the day.

Handless is a National Trust site. Heathland restoration commenced in 1995 and we were asked to take a look at it to see what invertebrates were making it their home.

In order to get to the site we needed to pass through the Glider Club. This required their co-operation as they would not be able to launch any gliders whilst we were making our way along the track at the side of the runway.

We called in at the Club office and met with the man responsible for getting the gliders in the air. He gave us a brief chat about where we could go, where we could park our cars and what to do when we wanted to leave.

He then accompanied us to a safe spot beyond and to the side of the end of the runway where he advised us to park, pointed out where he would be stationed throughout the day and showed us which of the many paths there were led to the site we were visiting.

As we were getting ready, he had already been called into action as we heard the motor for the winch cable start up, then, shortly afterwards, the sight of a glider climbing into the air, followed by a loud “wheesh” as the cable was released and fell back to the ground.

It missed us!

Kitted up and ready to go we made our way along the path that led to the site.

(No, I did not take this photograph leaning over, the post in the foreground was really at that angle!)

It seemed a long way along this path and, just as I was beginning to wonder how we would know we had got there, a sign came into view.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

We had arrived.

As we were keen to get on with looking for things of interest ,we did not stop to study the Bye-Laws.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

There was not enough time!

Loosed, at last, on site one of our first finds was a Spiked shieldbug.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

The site occupies a rectangle on the western side of the Long Mynd along the top and down the steep western slope to the road. 

Where we entered the site was at the top and we were greeted by an excellent view.

Photograph: David Williams

The habitat was predominantly a heather and bilberry mix which seemed in excellent condition, punctuated by a few small conifers. 

Lower down the slope there was more grass, which was closely cropped by sheep, and gorse.

Whilst a few ventured down the hill others stayed on top claiming that their aged limbs made it difficult for them to negotiate the slope!

Sweeping the heather and bilberry mix dislodged a moth larva.

This seemed to be a Broom moth larva but where was the Broom? Reference to a guide informed me that, although they have acquired a common name that includes “Broom”, they are found feeding on a wide variety of other plants.

And whilst we are looking at larva here is another one.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

This is one of the forms of the Narrow-winged pug moth larva.

Switching attention from the heather and bilberry to one of the conifers a Striped ladybird was found.

It was time for lunch which was taken in two separate groups.

Lunch over, as if by magic, we all managed to regather.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeystt

The scattered conifers became the centre of attention and yielded three more species of ladybird that were photographed and a couple of others that were not. 

The ones with star quality were:

An Eyed ladybird, with pale rings surrounding the dark spots;

Photograph: David Williams

A Cream-streaked ladybird;

Photograph: David Williams

And a loveliness of Larch ladybirds.

Photograph: David Williams

Our next find was a new species for the Joy of Wildlife group, although they have been recorded before in the county (including my kitchen), a Western conifer seed bug.

Photograph: David Williams

This is a native of the USA. It was introduced into Europe in 1999 and spread rapidly on the continent before arriving in England around 2008.

As we were making our way back to the site entrance, we passed a few old fence posts that had become gardens of lichen.

Leaving the site and walking back to the cars we wondered how easy it would be to leave.

As it turned out, it was very easy. When we were ready, we waved our arms and, after a few seconds, the glider launcher waved back to indicate he had seen us and would not carry out any further launches until were back at Club buildings.

Once back at the Club we took advantage of their café.

Now, I must confess that, even though I knew the group was far enough away from the glider action, I still twitched and looked up anxiously whenever I heard the distinctive sound of the winch cable falling to the ground!

Other News

The Shropshire Moth Group visited Lodge Farm on the edge of Fenn’s Moss. Yet again they were visited by a Clifden nonpareil.

Photograph: David Williams

Photograph: David Williams

The missing bit of wing suggests that it may have had a lucky escape from a bird.

And yet again the traps were swarmed by Hornets.

Photograph: David Williams

A couple of the moths that visited the traps were:

A Small blood-vein;

Photograph: David Williams

And a micro-moth which may be Catoptria falsella;

Photograph: David Williams

Would you expect to find a Toad up a tree? 

I would not, but they did!

Photograph: David Williams

Many individuals run moth traps throughout the county. The following couple of moths were trapped at Crossways in the south-west of the county:

An Olive-tree pearl, Palpita vitrealis;

Photograph: John Lyden

And an Anomalous (I wonder what gave rise to this common name).

Photograph: John Lyden

Accompanying these two photographs was this one:

Photograph: John Lyden

These are the galls formed by the gall wasp Andricus infectorius. 

This may be a first record for Shropshire. It was found on a young oak. This species is a recent UK arrival, first recorded in 2013 in Cornwall and now spreading,

And finally, as I was preparing the material for this report last night, with the windows open and the light on, I heard a rattling emanating from the lampshade. When the rattling had stopped I saw this. 

It seemed distinctive and should have been easy to identify…

But searching through my guide drew a blank!

Had I missed it?

A second search also failed.

Was it a new species?

Its general shape resembled some moths found in the Crambidae family and a quick scroll through the UK Moths website soon revealed what it was.

A Box tree moth, Cydalima perspectalis.

This is another invader, being a native of Asia. It arrived in this country around 2007 and has been, like the above gall and Western conifer seed bug, spreading. Its larvae feed on Box and if present in large enough numbers can disfigure, even, defoliate the plant.

Sorry neighbours, I let it go.

Thank you to the National Trust for suggesting the site and giving us permission to do what we enjoy doing. Especial thanks to the Midlands Gliding Club for allowing us to use their track to get closer to the site and arranging for us to get there and back safely. My gratitude to the photographers for their images that illuminate this tale.