Up on the farm

Wednesday 2nd October 2024, Pentre Hodre Farm

Pentre Hodre Farm is an upland farm where the longhorn cattle and sheep have, more or less, the freedom of the farm. Gates within the farm are left open, so they can range from field to field at their whim. The overall aim of the owners is to “rewild” their farm and are using the stock in the same way that Knepp use theirs. It is still in its early stages. This is a site that should be visited periodically in future to see how it develops.

We met in the farmyard. Suited, booted and kitted out we set out on our wanderings, a bit like the cattle, ranging from field to field as our mood took us.

This is a little fanciful as I had a rough plan for a circuit in mind, but, as I have reported many times, the group does not often follow the plan I have in my head.

We passed a small fenced field where there was a single occupant - a Tamworth boar.

He was a friendly chap and came over to greet us, probably hoping for food, but stood still as we gave it a scratch. 

Moving from this field into the next we noted a herd of English longhorn cattle.

Photograph: David Williams

Eyeing them suspiciously we met the farmer who reassured us that they were very docile and we did not need to worry about them. BUT beware of getting too close as the horns are dangerous if you are near and one turns its head suddenly.

We were at the top of the field they were in the middle. And it remained that way as we investigated the hedgerow and elms.

Here are some of the things we saw:

A mirid bug that has turned up frequently in recent weeks, Pantilius tunicatus;

Photograph: David Williams

A 22-spot ladybird;

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

A colourful fly that awaits identification;

Photograph: John Martin

And, there being plenty of dung around, we noticed some fungi growing on one of the cow-pats, Cheilymenia granulata, otherwise known as the Cowpat fungus.

Photograph: John Martin

By now the cattle had moved down the field and were congregated in the entrance to the next field …

Which is where we were heading!

Emboldened by the farmer’s reassurance we walked straight towards them …

They moved into the second field allowing us to pass through the gate.

But in the next field we were surrounded, giving us a close-up view of those threatening horns.

Photograph: John Martin

The cattle moved further down the field and we followed more slowly, again inspecting the hedgerows and areas of rougher vegetation.

We spotted a clump of Jelly ear fungus.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

And suction sampling of the grassland revealed an Angle shades moth.

Photograph: John Martin

Another insect to present itself was a weevil, Barynotus moerans.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

The cattle led the way and we followed as we moved down the field.

Just when I thought they were going to stay with us for the duration of the visit they moved away to the left into another field.

Somewhat relieved we carried on, veering to the right.

More suction sampling caused a communal huddle.

This revealed a harvestman, easily identified by the two white spots on its otherwise dark body, Nemastoma bimaculatum.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

A colourful Robin’s pin cushion was observed. This is a gall caused by the larva of the wasp Diplolepis rosae.

Lunch was taken with no interruption from the cattle … thankfully.

Early after lunch a suction sample of the neighbouring grassy vegetation captured a host of our favourite wingless wasp, Callitula pyrrhogaster. Here are three of them.

Photograph: David Williams

And here is a wolf spider surrounded by the wasps and a few springtails. Unfortunately the spider has decided to impose its will by walking on a couple.

Photograph: David Williams

Next we moved through some woodland towards an area of wooded meadow that was fenced off to keep the cattle out. On the way we found a green lacewing and springtail.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

We also found a lacewing larva. 

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

What big jaws you’ve got.

All the better to eat you with!

A great find was the staphylinid beetle Encephalus complicans.

Photograph: David Williams

You may remember we have encountered this beetle before when its ability to contort itself left us in awe. Here is the set of photographs that captured that ability.

Photograph: David Williams

We let ourselves into the wooded meadow. An early find in this area was a distinctive looking wasp, possibly an ichneumon.

Photograph: John Martin

And a harvestman. Paroligolophus agrestis.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

Other observations included A Roesel’s bush cricket located in the long grass;

Photograph: David Williams

And a burying beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides.

Photograph: David Williams

But the star of this area was a Spindle that was in full fruit.

Photograph: David Williams

At some stage some wag took this thermal image of a couple of the group to demonstrate, and I quote, “the difference between ambient temperature and a working entomologist's brain".

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

We keep ourselves amused!!!

Time was marching on, and we were at our furthest and lowest point on the farm from our starting position. The long. gentle (mostly) ascent back to the start was undertaken.

On the way we paused to look at the view (really to get our breath back after the steepest part of the climb).

The cattle had got there ahead of us!

Whilst we paused we did a bit of rummaging and found a Common rough woodlouse.

Photograph: David Williams

And a tortoise beetle which, after some debate, was determined as Cassida rubignosa.

Photograph: David Williams

Moving on we entered a field occupied by some sheep. These looked less threatening than the cattle.

Photograph: Nigel Cane-Honeysett

That was until we spotted this guy giving us the eye.

Photograph: John Martin

But, he was not interested in us and took his flock around us to the other side of the field, allowing us to pass unhindered, to return to our cars and home.

My thanks to the owners of Pentre Hodre Farm for granting us permission to do what we enjoy doing and to the photographers for their wonderful images and allowing me to use them in this report.