Peace disturbed

Wednesday 1st May 2024. Farfield Meadows

Farfield Meadows is a Shropshire Wildlife Trust reserve just south of Burwarton. It consists of a couple of west facing wildflower rich meadows with wet flushes. 

The site was acquired for the Trust by neighbours. And it was at the neighbours' property that we met and parked.

We were immediately treated to drinks and a place to rest after the drive. This offer was taken up enthusiastically.

As most of us sat, consuming our drinks, “scouts” were sent out to collect samples which we then examined in the comfort of the seats!

This is the way to do it!

A couple of these early finds were a juvenile harvestman which we were unable to identify;

Photograph: John Martin

And a Pine weevil.

Photograph: John Martin

After a short while the pull of the chairs was overcome and we set out to explore the garden and fields of the owners.

In the area in the photograph above we found a Scarlet tiger moth larva;

Photograph: David Williams

And a Dotted bee-fly.

Photograph: David Williams

The bee-fly was quite difficult to keep track of, but it eventually settled to feed at Forget-me-not. This attracted the attention of a Eristalis nemorum hoverfly which, apparently, started to “court” the bee-fly by hovering just above it. (This courtship behaviour is seen quite frequently when a male Eristalis nemorum spots a female.)

Trying to capture this scene is problematic for photographers. Yes, they are both hovering. but they are constantly shifting, so to get them both in focus in a photograph is, to put it mildly, a challenge!

Photograph: John Martin

Photograph: David Williams

Moving on via the wet flushes ...

To the pool.

A Great crested newt was spotted manoeuvring below the water's surface.

Photograph: Neil Nash

And sweeping the vegetation around the pool collected several stoneflies, of which this was one.

Photograph: Neil Nash

By now we had dispersed quite widely with some keeping to the grassland and others venturing into other areas.

Photograph: Neil Nash

It was time for a break.

Those of us still in the grassland returned to the comfort of the chairs to consume our lunches.

Although we had not sounded the lunch gong, and there was no-one else visible to wave to, the other members of the group started to appear from the far-flung places they had gone. It puzzles me how the message “lunch” is transmitted to everyone when no physical communication is used. 

Lunch over and refreshed, we once again tore ourselves from the comforts provided by our hosts and made the short walk to Farfield Meadows.

Photograph: Neil Nash

There being two meadows we decided that we might as well start in the first!

Photograph: Neil Nash

An Ash bark beetle was spotted on some Elm flowers.

Photograph: John Martin

A Blue shieldbug was observed in the marginal vegetation.

Photograph: David Wil;liams

This micro-moth Grapholita jungiella was swept from the general vegetation.

Photograph: John Martin

And suction sampling collected this pair of weevils.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

The large one on the left is Graptus triguttatus and the small one on the right is Ischopyapion modestum.

Another weevil found on the site was Curculio venosus.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

This weevil is associated with Oak, its larvae developing in acorns.

As some of us lingered in the first meadow others wandered into the second.

Other insects that we found and were able to identify and photograph were the ground beetles Nebria brevicollis and Poecilus cupreus;

Nebria brevicollis - Photograph: John Martin

Poecilus cuoreus - Photograph: John Martin

A richly coloured micro-moth Micropterix calthella;

Photograph: John Martin

And a butterfly that is frequently seen at this time of year, an Orange-tip.

Photograph: Neil Nash

Time was marching on. But before we left we were disturbed by the noise of a helicopter that had appeared over the horizon. It started making short runs over the countryside. Gradually it got closer…

And closer and louder …

It seemed to be attracted by our activities, getting closer still …

Until it was overhead AND VERY LOUD.

Was it spying on us?

I think not, but you never know.

Photograph: David Williams

We assumed it was surveying the power lines in the area. It moved off.

Returned to more natural sounds (plus passing traffic) we made our way back to the cars and then home.

My thanks to the owners and Shropshire Wildlife Trust for allowing us to do what we enjoy doing. My gratitude to the photographers for sending me their excellent images to illuminate the report.