It’s too hot!

Wednesday 31st July 2024, Beckbury Meadows

Beckbury Meadows are, not surprisingly, close to the village of Beckbury.

The particular area we visited was a large pasture that bordered the River Worfe, including the marshy land around the river.

The following picture is a panorama of the area in which we were surveying. (Clicking on the picture should present a larger view.)

Photograph: Bob Kemp

The pasture consists of a long narrow plateau which then slopes quite sharply down to the valley bottom where the River Worfe lazily wends its way creating a substantial area of marshy land in the wide flat valley floor.

In the first photograph the main channel of the river is visible in front of the row of trees marking the boundary of the site.

The meadows are part of the Apley Estate, and I thank the Shropshire Moth Group (who have moth trapped here) for the introduction that resulted in us being able to visit this site.

When compiling these efforts, I attempt to present the photographs in roughly chronological order. I can do this as most of the photographs that are sent to me are time stamped. On this occasion the majority are not! Thus, I have little idea of when they were taken and am reduced to guesswork in my effort to put them in order.

We parked at the entrance to the pasture.

On getting out of the cars we noticed immediately how hot and sunny it was, especially compared with our last visit, to Rhos Fiddle. Instead of scrambling for extra layers to keep warm we were searching desperately for the sun cream.

Kitted up and coated in various lotions we made our way across the plateau, then down the slope towards the marsh.

On the way we encountered a Long-winged conehead;

Photograph: David Williams

And a Field grasshopper.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

We spent the rest of the morning exploring accessible areas of the marsh and the bordering, much drier, land.

Getting around the marsh required careful placement of ones feet to avoid ruts and hidden holes where water had gathered, but, on the whole, it was reasonable straightforward – thankfully. 

It was easier to spot the bigger pools.

And if the ground became too waterlogged, we retreated to drier ground.

One insect that is associated with marshy conditions is the mirid bug Cyrtorhinus caricis.

Photograph: David Williams

Dragonflies are generally (but not always) associated with water and we noticed a Common darter perched on a broken branch.

Photograph: Bob Kemp

We also noticed a Common blue butterfly amongst the marsh vegetation.

Photograph: Neil Nash

Another insect that is often found near water is the large soldier fly Stratiomys potamida.

Photograph: David Williams

For some reason it has been given the rank of General and is known as the Banded General. Many of the flies that comprise the Soldierfly family have been given ranks from soldiers, through legionnaires, centurions, colonels, generals and majors all the way to a brigadier.

On the drier ground we found a Lesser stag beetle.

Photograph: Bob Kemp

Here is a picture of its head and pronotum.

Photograph: John Martin

Time passed rapidly and it was well past our normal lunchtime before we thought about having lunch.

Where to have it?

By now the temperature had reached exceptional heights. Shade was the order of the day.

A group of a few trees about halfway up the slope was targeted.

As we moved towards this goal we noticed a couple of flies basking in the sun.

One, we believe, was Mitogramma punctata.

Photograph: Bob Kemp

The other was a conopid fly, Thecophora attra.

Photograph: John Martin

Still making our way towards the shade promising trees an Essex skipper was observed.

Photograph: John Martin

Eventually we stationed ourselves in the shade. 

And, whilst many of us sat down under the trees to enjoy our lunches, …

Photograph: Neil Nash

One person decided to shake one of the trees.

Out fell a Common earwig;

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

And a male Oak bush cricket.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

Even in the shade it was hot!

Lunch over, it was time to venture out into the open again. But as we were stirring, someone noticed some fungi on a tree stump. Here is a photograph of one of them.

Photograph: Bob Kemp

This is a fungus called Volvaria bombycina. This is, apparently, quite a rare fungus.

Leaving the fungus behind we tracked down the hill again to the valley to continue our explorations of the marsh and bordering land.

This delightful weevil was found on figwort, Cionus tuberculosus.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

Within the marsh vegetation an aptly named Lesser marsh grasshopper was spotted.

Photograph: David Williams

The heat was overwhelming. 

It was overwhelming us, and it seemed to be encouraging invertebrates to keep well hidden and safe in cooler microhabitats as they were becoming very to find.

We decided to call it a day.

But before we went, we spotted a Ruddy darter dragonfly.

Photograph: John Martin

When looking through his collection of flies retained for microscopic examination, our dipterist discovered that he had found three species that had not been recorded in the county before. Here are two of them.

Blaesoxipha plumicornis.

Photograph: Nigel Jones

Sepsis duplicata.

Photograph: Nigel Jones

Other news – Eardington Quarry

Here are photographs of some of the insects observed at a recent moth night held at the quarry.

Blue bordered carpet.

Photograph: David Williams

Canary-shouldered thorn.

Photograph: David Williams

Coronet.

Photograph: David Williams

Oak bush cricket.

Photograph: David Williams

Roesel’s bush cricket.

Photograph: David Williams

Six-belted clearwing.

Photograph: David Williams

Speckled bush cricket.

Photograph: David Williams

And a Waved black.

Photograph: David Williams

My thanks to the owner for granting us permission to do what we enjoy doing and to the photographers for providing their excellent images for this report.