More Mince Pies!

 Wednesday 17^th December 2025, Dingle Farm, Bicton

This week we paid a return visit to Dingle Farm, an arable farm with sheep, cattle and free-range chickens among other animals. An area of the farm has been set aside to encourage improved biodiversity. The north of the site is bounded by the River Severn. A small tributary runs down the western edge in an area known as Bicton Ditch. This was the initial focus of our visit, before we moved northwards and examined various field  margins.
 
A foreboding weather forecast threatened continuous rain. In the event, this forecast proved to be about as accurate as usual ie it remained almost completely dry throughout our visit. Generally rather overcast, patches of blue did appear from time to time.

photo: Keith Fowler

Flocks of winter thrushes swirled around us all day; a few can be seen in the above picture. Early finds from the vacuumers included several species of springtail, among them Orchesella villosa,

and its relative, Orchesella cincta.

Moving into an area of denser woodland, a Birch Shieldbug was discovered clinging to a rucksack onto which it must have been brushed.

A fungus, presumed to be Velvet Shank, Flammulina velutipes was spotted on a dead Elm - typical habitat for this species.

photo:John Martin

Also spotted was White-tipped Bristle-moss, Orthotrichum diaphanum.

photo: John Martin

and the micro moth Ypsolopha ustella.

photo: John Martin

We moved out of the Bicton Ditch woodland and back up into the fields. This gave the resident livestock the chance to eye us with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. First up were the three resident Zebu cattle…

who were then joined by the sheep, who came and stared meaningfully at us as we pitched camp for lunch.

Lunch over, we progressed northwards along the field margins, the vacuumers’ efforts being appreciated by all. 

photo: Keith Fowler

Finds included the weevil Taeniapion urticarium,

 various ladybirds including Red Marsh,

Red-rumped,

22- and 16-spot.

Meanwhile a Cream-spot Ladybird was tapped from an area of dead dock plants.

Two small ‘non-ladybird’ beetles found were Paradromius linearis

photo: John Martin

and Demetrius atricapillus.

photo: John Martin

By now it was approaching 3:30pm and the daylight was showing signs of disappearing, so we began our retreat. The decision to call it a day was very much assisted by an invitation from our hosts to return to their abode for refreshments. For the second week running we were plied with mince pies (among other delights), these ones literally hot from the oven and very gratefully received!
 
This was our final trip of 2025. We will reassemble at Harton Hollow on 7th January. It only remains for me to wish everyone a Merry Chrismas and a Happy New Year!   
 
  
 
Photographs © the author except as noted.