Potteric Carr Nature Reserve: Wildlife News

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
Wildlife News

'GEMS OF POTTERIC CARR' — On Sale at the Reserve Shop, £7.50
‘Gems of Potteric Carr’ by Derek Bateson is a 104 page book containing 280 full colour photographs featuring some of the very varied wildlife which can be seen at Potteric Carr. Also available by post (£8.70 inc. p&p) from: YWT Sales, Sedum House, Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB. See cover (pdf). Enquiries potteric.carr@ywt.org.uk

Butterfly Page Dragonfly Page

"Submission of Reports and Images for the Wildlife News Web Page"
Reports and images of wildlife seen or photographed by visitors to the reserve can be submitted and are welcome for inclusion on this webpage.

Any images submitted should be of a suitable quality, relevant and current and submitted with details of when and where observed and photographed.

We are not able to publish every image submitted, we may get several images of the same subject taken at the same time and place, (e.g., various dragonfly species), and then have to make a, sometimes difficult, choice of which image to use.

The choice of images used on the website can only be that of the page editors

(This choice will be based on image quality, relevance, and currency of the subject).

All images must be the property of the photographer and copyright will remain with the photographer. Images will be credited so please supply your full name.

All imagess should to be submitted as an attachment to an email and be JPEGs at a resolution of 72 ppi with a minimum longest length of 1000 pixels.

They can be straight from the camera. Sizing to fit available space, processing and sharpening for web page publishing, can be done by the page editor if required.

Please submit any wildlife reports and images to

aspphoto@tiscali.co.uk

We currently require up to date landscape images of the reserve to illustrate the Nature Walks pages.

(Images need to illustrate views from the paths or hides)

September 2010

Friday 3rd

This Fox, one of two, was photographed by David Roberts on Piper Marsh and the Small Copper was on Black Carr Field and photographed by Barry Wardley.

Fox © David Roberts

Small Copper © Barry Wardley

Thursday 2nd

The images below were all taken recently on the reserve by visitors.

Small Tortoiseshell taken on 1st September © Tom Balaam

Vapourer Moth caterpillar taken on 2nd September © Peter Dawson

Yellow-legged Clearwing Moth taken about 24th July © Steve Taylor

August 2010

Tuesday 31st

A walk down to Black Carr Field and the stand of Devil's Bit Scabious which is now in full flower (Note:- PLEASE STAY OUTSIDE THE SURROUNDING WIRE NETTING FENCE) produced the following:-

Butterflies noted there were, one Small Copper a rather faded individual, one Common Blue, a rather worn male, three Small Tortoiseshell, one Red Admiral, a pristine individual, at least four Gatekeeper, all females, several Meadow Brown, a single Comma and singles of Green-veined and Small White.

Common Darter were numerous and a single Migrant Hawker was at rest on an Oak tree before hunting for insects around the area,

Most of the fungi in this area is now well past its 'sell by date' and quite dried up due to the dry weather.

(all above AP KW and JH)

An after lunch walk past Piper Marsh and round the Yellow route produced several Migrant Hawker, a single female Southern Hawker, two different Brown Hawker and numerous Common Darter.

Speckled Wood butterfly were fairly common with many noted on Bramble patches. Green-veined, Small and Large White Butterfly were also seen.

Various Bee species, numerous Common Wasp and several different species of Hoverfly were also common.

An instar of Hawthorn Shield Bug was noted rapidly 'trundling' along the handrail on the wooden underbridge over Mother Drain.

Various spider species are starting to show the commonest being Garden Spider. The image below shows an as yet unidentified spider with very similar abdomen markings to a Garden Spider but it was much more hairy and 'spiky' in appearance. Any ideas out there?

Now had time to do further checks and seek out other images and it would appear to be an adult female Garden Spider (just a very 'hairy' one) (AP)

(all above AP SP and KW)

Left, Small Copper and right Migrant Hawker © Allan Parker ARPS

Garden Spider adult female © Allan Parker ARPS

Derek Bateson reports:-

'Another warm and sunny day which produced a wealth of invertebrates. The Wasp Vespa vulgaris was numerous and with many a bit drunk on the blackberry juice, I took the opportunity for a close-up face shot (see image), which clearly shows the ‘anchor’ mark which distinguishes this from our other eight social wasps.

I next happened upon several groups of 'caterpillars' on the leaves of a Dog Rose bush which appear to be of two types with yellow or black heads (see images). I thought one might be the larva of Rose Sawfly, but I am not sure, (any expert entomological input would be welcome).

The large Tachinid Fly, Tachina fera was quite numerous and makes an interesting picture (see image).

KW and AP together with JH then caught me up at Loversall Delph and Ken found both the following, Emerald Damselfly and Harvestman Leiobunum rotundum.

A Snout moth was seen as were Large and Green-veined White butterfly, together with a Southern Hawker dragonfly, quite a few Common Darters and five different species of hoverfly.

AP saw a small rodent climbing in a bush in Loversall Delph but its identity was not ascertained.’

Left, Common Wasp and right Tachinid Fly Tachina fera © Derek Bateson

Sawfly larvae left © Derek Bateson and right © Allan Parker ARPS (noted different head colour)

Monday 30th

This image of an Eel Anguilla anguilla in Mother Drain was taken today by Jenny Brack. Eels are probably present on the reserve in numbers but it is a very uncommon to get any reports of them never mind a photograph.

Eel Anguilla anguilla © Jenny Brack

This striking caterpillar was found by Evan Maddison near Rossington Carr Bridge ('Iron Bridge' over Mother Drain) and shown to Sue and Roger Bird.

Roger took the image below. It would appear to be the caterpillar of a Lime Hawkmoth Mimas tiliae.

Lime Hawkmoth Mimas tiliae caterpillar © Roger Bird

Derek Bateson reports:-

‘ A relatively cold morning quickly warmed up, so after photographing the Beefsteak Fungi in Black Carr Wood I walked around Black Carr Field where the Devil’s Bit Scabious is now in full bloom and attracting a myriad of bees (four different species), hoverflies of seven different species, and it was here I photographed an Eristalis species. wiping pollen from its eye (see image).

Butterflies here included, Comma (2), Red Admiral (2), Small Tortoiseshell (5) and Small Copper (1) (see images).

I then found an almost perfect male Common Darter (see image) and several females. Behind the Compound there were two male and a single female Southern Hawker. The latter was camera shy but one male cooperated for three photographers (see close-up image).

Other invert's seen today included Ichneumon flies and two Hawthorn and one Common Green Shield-bug.’

Hoverfly Eristalis species © Derek Bateson

Left, Red Admiral and right Small Tortoiseshell © Derek Bateson

Left, Common Darter male and right Southern Hawker © Derek Bateson

Sunday 29th

A cool very windy day which meant that most invertebrates were not very active, but the following were noted.

Butterflies included eight Speckled Wood, three Green-veined White , the same number of Small White. two Small Tortoiseshell, (on the Devils-bit Scabious in Black Carr Field) and a single Comma feeding on ripe blackberries on a Bramble patch.

Dragonflies included up to six Migrant Hawker and Common Darter were very numerous.

Several 7-spot Ladybird were noted along with small numbers of hoverfly and good numbers of Bee species all busy on the various flowers.

In sheltered places out of the wind midges and mosquitoes were active and biting.

The recent rain seems to have triggered fungi into appearing with the fruiting bodies of several different species noted on Black Carr Field and in Black Carr Wood. Notable was several Beefsteak Fungi Fistulina hepatica on Oak in the wood and several Brown Birch Bolete Leccinum scabrum, well past their 'sell by date' on Black Carr Field.

There seems to be good crops of various berries this year with Elderberry, Rowan (Mountain Ash), Hawthorn and Bramble all with ripe berries on them.

Common Fleabane and Yellow-wort were noticeable alongside the paths on Huxter Well Marsh

(all above AP SP KW)

Beefsteak Fungi Fistulina hepatica © Allan Parker ARPS

Brown Birch Bolete Leccinum scabrum (old specimen) © Allan Parker ARPS

Friday 27th

Below are two images taken today by Peter Dawson. The Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea dragonfly was outside the Decoy Lake Hide and the Hawthorn Shield Bug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale was in Loversall Delph

Southern Hawker © Peter Dawson

Hawthorn Shield Bug © Peter Dawson

Wednesday 25th

Tuesday turned out to be a very wet day with no reports forthcoming except for a report of a Painted Lady butterfly on the boardwalk next to the 'Square Pond' in Loversall Field. (RB & AMc)

Painted Lady © Allan Parker ARPS

Mick Adcock took this close-up image of a Migrant Hawker on the reserve today, a much better day weather wise. Migrant Hawker numbers are steadily increasing.

Close-up of a Migrant Hawker © Mick Adcock

Monday 23rd

Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta are starting to become more numerous, whilst numbers of Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans are declining, here are images of these two species taken by Jenny Kingsland, on the reserve, recently.

Left, Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans and right Migrant Hawker Dragonfly Aeshna mixta © Jenny Kingsland

Sunday 22nd

With most of the Sunday report suppliers busy with other things information for today is some what scarce however the superb image below of a Brown Argus Aricia agestis was taken on Loversall Field by Dave Round.

John Hancox reports:-

Less activity in the morning which, thought sunny, was cooler and breezier, with a similar mixture as on Saturday though fewer numbers. One highlight was a small Pyralid moth Pyrausta aurata at Loversall Delph.

On Loversall Bank, there was a female Common Blue Damselfly showing the characteristic "Christmas tree" shape on segment 8.

There were lots of hoverfly of different species feeding on the umbellifers including a Hoverfly (Chinaman) Myathropa florea on Meadowsweet.

(John Hancox)

Brown Argus Aricia agestis © Dave Round

Hoverfly (Chinaman) Myathropa florea © John Hancox

Left, Common Blue Damselfly female and right Pyralid Moth Pyrausta aurata © John Hancox

Saturday 21st

John Hancox reports:-

Despite the warm weather, there was not a lot of activity. The butterfly transect yielded twenty-two butterfly, mainly white species and Speckled Wood plus a single Comma.

In Loversall Field there were two Brown Argus, both female, and both very active, plus another seen and photographed by Dave. Round.

Dragonflies at the western end, included the usual plethora of Common Darter plus the occasional Ruddy Darter and three Southern Hawker, six Migrant Hawker and six Brown Hawker.

Michael Bird reports:-

Brown Hawker dragonflies were seen in front of both Cottage Drain and Hawthorn Bank hides and one was patrolling along Mother Drain between the Pumping Station and the wooden under-bridge over Mother Drain. Southern Wawker dragonflies were also seen in same areas. Good numbers of Common Darter were along the Red Route between the Mitchell and St Catherine's hides

Not many butterflies were seen, most numerous were Small white ,then Speckled Wood and there was three Peacock butterfly on Buddleia.

Common Darter numbers are increasing with good numbers of mated pairs busy egg laying whilst others are still emerging the image below by Sue Richardson taken last Thursday shows a 'fresh' individual.

Brown Hawker dragonflies can still be seen around the reserve 'hawking' for insects and below is a recent image taken by Tony Smith of one at rest on Purple Loosestrife which mays a great picture.

Gatekeeper are also still about but in much smaller numbers and the image below is again by Tony Smith.

Common Darter © Sue Richardson

Brown Hawker on Purple Loosestrife © Tony Smith

Gatekeeper © Tony Smith

Friday 20th

Below are more images from Monday night's moth trapping session

Left, Poplar Hawkmoth and right Canary-shouldered Thorn © Allan Parker ARPS

Gold Spot © Allan Parker ARPS

Bulrush Wainscot © Derek Bateson

Thursday 19th

This Roe Deer was photographed from the Willow Pool hide wading through the marsh.

Roe Deer © Allen Holmes

Wednesday 18th

MOTH TRAPPING REPORT FOR MONDAY, 16 AUGUST, 2010
Moth trapping took place once again on Monday night (16 August) and, following a mild and rather damp night, the trap was literally

heaving with moths for the ritual opening of the trap on Tuesday morning. To give some indication of numbers of common species, there were 31 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum, 22 Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma and 25 Mother of Pearl Pleuroptya ruralis. A total of 87 species were identified, including 2 new to the reserve.

The ‘newcomers’ are Argyresthia semifusca and the Olive Ipimorpha subtusa. Both of these are reasonably common and widespread, so not unexpected. Of more interest was the capture of 2 more examples of Caloptilia populetorum, the scarce ‘micro’ first recorded on 19th July this year and believed to be only the 3rd Yorkshire record of this species. The trapping of 2 more, the 4th and 5th Yorkshire records, is certainly interesting and could imply that this scarce species is breeding on the reserve. If more are trapped next year, that would strongly indicate breeding.

Also noteworthy was the trapping of a rather worn example of the Barred Rivulet Perizoma bifaciata, a small Geometer associated with Red Bartsia. The only previous Potteric record was in 2008.

Of interest, too, were records of Monopis weaverella, Yponomeuta rorrella, Ypsolopha sequella, Batrachedra praeangusta, Triple Spotted Pug Eupithecia trisignaria, Crescent Celaena leucostigma, Angle-striped Sallow Enargia paleacea, Bulrush Wainscot Nonagria typhae and Pinion-streaked Snout Schrankia costestrigalis.
Ian Heppenstall Moth Recorder

Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula © Allan Parker ARPS

Left, Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria and right Ypsolopha sequella © Derek Bateson

Tuesday 17th

Derek Bateson reports:-

' Another good night with the moth trap turning up more species than expected despite the overnight rain. There were numerous Caddis Fly which I have again sent to Stuart for the Recording Scheme.

Very interesting for me were two large Sexton Beetles, one with orange bands on the elytra which Bob Marsh as identified as Nicrophorus investigator, (see image) as there are several similar species. It was infested with what appear to be tiny mites and two can be seen in the image. This may be a first for the Reserve. A second, larger all black Sexton Beetle escaped AP’s clutches as it was camera shy.

Apart from Caddis Fly there were three Lacewing in the trap, plus a couple of Mayfly. The one in the image is probably Chloeon dipterum (see image), clearly showing the two ‘tails’.

Despite the attention of midges and mosquitoes, I ventured a little way down Loversall Bank and on the promontory there was a very nice Sloe Bug, Dolycoris baccarum (see image).’

Left, Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus investigator and right Mayfly (probably) Chloeon dipterum © Derek Bateson

Sloe Bug Dolycoris baccarum © Derek Bateson

Ian Heppenstall ran is moth trap last night with good results and a full report will appear later in the week.

Elsewhere it pretty quiet with numbers of butterfly seemingly down again but the following species were noted, Several each of Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Small White and a single Large White.

Dragonfly species included Southern Hawker both male and female, Migrant Hawker, several noted, Ruddy Darter several males noted, Common Darter reasonable numbers of male, female, mated pairs and freshly emerged tenerals. One or two Blue-tailed Damselfly were seen.

Hoverfly were numerous with several different species noted all busy feeding on various flowers along with other Fly species, Bees and Wasps.

Again large numbers of 7-spot Ladybird were everywhere, but the image below is of yet another variation of Harlequin Ladybird photographed by John Hancox last Sunday.

A superbly colourful small moth Pyrausta aurata was noted and photographed in Loversall Delph. (AP and KW)

Two Latticed Heath Moths were on Adam's Field (JH)

A Painted Lady and a Brimstone were along Willow Bank and three more Brimstone were inn Loversall Delph (RM)

Left, Pyrausta aurata © Allan Parker ARPS and right Harlequin Ladybird © John Hancox

As a 'taster' for the forth-coming moth report, below is an image of a Latticed Heath Chiasmiaa clathrata, compare this underwing shot with the upper wing shot of the same species by JH in last Sunday's report.

Left, Latticed Heath Chiasmia clahtrata © Allan Parker ARPS and right Painted Lady © Rob Mokryj

Sunday 15th

Report from John Hancox:-

"A count on the Loversall Bank butterfly transect revealed only twenty butterflies, comprising seven Green-veined White, nine Speckled Wood, three Comma and a lone Gatekeeper. The three previous counts were respectively one hundred and twenty five, thirty-nine and thirty-four showing the decline in numbers as a summer season ends and the nectaring opportunities on the Bank diminish.

Loversall Field revealed two male and a single female Common Blue butterflies, a very fresh female Brown Argus and an attractive Hoverfly Scaeva pyrastri.

There were a few dragonflies including Brown and Migrant Hawker and ovipositing Common Darters in the ponds, which are now very low and the Square Pond appears to have dried out more or less.

Adam's Field, adjacent to the filtration ponds, brought a further five Common Blue butterflies, a rather attractive Latticed Heath Chiasmia clathrata moth and a few Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper.

The grassland around the reed bed filtration ponds is now about the only place on the Reserve that the lime-loving plant Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata can be seen."

Left, Hoverfly Scaeva pyrastri and right Latticed Heath Chiasmia clathrata © John Hancox

Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata © John Hancox

Derek Bateson reports:-

‘Despite the rather overcast weather, it was warm and many invertebrates were showing although dragonflies were few and far between with only two Brown Hawker, a single Southern Hawker and a Common Darter seen by AP. Emerald Damselfly were numerous (see close-up image), plus a few Blue-tailed Damselfly.

I counted fourteen species of hoverfly, and new on the scene was the bright Myathropa florea ‘The Chinaman’ because of the face on its thorax, also present was the grassland species Sphaerophoria scripta.

Today there was no shortage of 7-spot Ladybird with twelve being counted on a single dock plant.

Wasps too were much in evidence, but quite difficult to photograph as they are always on the move (see image).

A rather attractive fly caught my eye, very hairy with black wing shading, but not identified as yet (see image).

Finally, there were numerous Peacock Butterfly along Cottage Drain, plus a single Comma, several Green-veined White, Large White, and three male and three female Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni. At least one male was cooperative.’

Left Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa and right Hoverfly Sphaerophoria scripta© Derek Bateson

Left, Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris and right unidentified Fly species © Derek Bateson

An after lunch walk along Loversall Bank, and into Loversall Delph produced the following:-

Butterflies included three male Brimstone, small numbers of Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, two Comma, several Green-veined White, Small White and Large White.

Dragonfly and damselfly species noted were two Brown Hawker, a single female Common Hawker, several male and female Common Darter, at least six Ruddy Darter all males, several Emerald, Blue-tailed and a single Azure Damselfly.

Hoverfly of several different species were numerous and several other fly species were seen including Flesh Fly, Bluebottle, Greenbottle and the green-eyed Horsefly Chrysops relictus, watch out for the females and their nasty bite.

Because of the over-night rain, then a drop in the wind and an increase in temperature the Mosquitos were out in force and biting like mad.

7-spot Ladybird numbers were up again and they were quite numerous but for once I didn't see a single Harlequin Ladybird.

A few Crane-fly were about along with numbers of Soldier Beetle, single Common Green and Hawthorn Shield Bug were also noted.

(all above AP and KW)

Numbers of Common Darter were around Huxter Well which also had a male Black-tailed Skimmer. At least two Brown Hawker were in front of the Beeston Hide (SP)

Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta was also seen and photographed in flight (not easy) by Dave Round (see image)

Left, male Brimstone Gonepteryx rhammi and right 7-spot Ladybird © Coccinella 7-punctata Allan Parker ARPS

Left, Common Green Shield Bug Palomena prasina (imm' final instar) © Allan Parker ARPS and right, Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta © Dave Round

Saturday 14th

Report from Michael Bird:-

There were three Brown Hare on Central grassland, a mating pair plus a singleton.

A few butterflies were seen consisting of Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, several Small White, two Peacock, two Red Admiral and two Brimstone on Teasel along Cottage Drain.

Hoverflies were in abundance along Willow Bank which was sheltered from the wind, all were nectaring on white umbellifers, possibly Angelica. Also on same flowers were many flies, Bees, and a Longhorn Beetle black with gold markings, 7-spot plus a yellow 21-spot Ladybird were seen. Almost every flower had some insect or other.

Not many dragonfly were seen along the paths but a good number were ovipositing in Willow Marsh. A Common Darter was sunning on top of a Red Route marker post near the Mother Drain Bridge. Along Loversall Bank there were two Southern Hawker and in front of Decoy Marsh hide a single Brown Hawker was seen.

(all above MAB & BGAB)

Left, Brown Hawker © Glyn Hudson and right Southern Hawker © Derek Bateson

Left, Red Admiral © John Hancox and right Speckled Wood © Allan Parker ARPS

Friday 13th

This image of a Forest Bug (Red-legged Shield Bug) Pentatoma rufipes was taken as IH was emptying his moth trap it had been attracted to the trap in just same way that moths are.

Lookout for various Shield Bug species on foliage around the reserve. They are often slow to move but very well camouflaged.

Forest Bug (Red-legged Shield Bug) Pentatoma rufipes © Allan Parker ARPS

Wednesday 11th

MOTH TRAPPING REPORT FOR MONDAY NIGHT, 9 AUGUST 2010
Moth trapping took place once again on Monday night and the outcome was a healthy total of 78 species identified. Pleasingly, three of these represent new reserve records. The most exciting find was that of Nemapogon wolffiella, a Tineid moth ( clothes moth) which is described as ‘scarce’ in Bradley’s revised check-list. This is certainly true in Yorkshire as there appears to be only one previous record, for VC62 in 1951. Subject to confirmation, therefore, this will be a new VC63 record and only the second record for Yorkshire. It is, therefore, an important find. The larva is known to feed on both fungi (Hypoxylon) and dead wood.
The second new reserve record is not quite as exciting. Tinea trinotella is another Tineid moth and a fairly common species, particularly associated with bird’s nests and often bred in numbers from old nests and nestbox remains. It is a species which would be expected to occur at Potteric Carr.
The third and final newcomer is the Lesser Common Rustic Mesapamea didyma, first recognised as a species separate from the Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis only in 1983.The two species are virtually identical in external appearance and can only be reliably separated by means of genitalia dissection. Evidence to date suggests that the Lesser Common Rustic is a fairly common and widespread species.
Other noteworthy moths recorded on Monday night included Coleophora inulae, one of the more localized species of Coleophora; Acrobasis consociella; Maiden’s Blush Cyclophora punctaria; Angle-striped Sallow Enargia paleacia; Bordered Beauty Epione repandaria; Brown-veined Wainscot Archanara dissoluta; Twin-spotted Wainscot Archanara geminipuncta; and Silky Wainscot Chilodes maritimus.
Ian Heppenstall, Moth Recorder

Below are images of some of the moths that came out of the moth trap.

Left, Angle-striped Sallow Enargia paleacea and right Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos alniaria © Derek Bateson

Left, Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon cucullina © Derek Bateson and right Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius © Allan Parker ARPS

Above close-ups of Elephant Hawkmoth Deilephila elpenor © Allan Parker ARPS

Tuesday 10th

Today's sightings included:-

Butterflies noted were a minimum of five Purple Hairstreak on the usual Black Carr Field Oak tree, several Peacock, at least one Red Admiral (KW), three Comma, several Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown plus at least two Speckled Wood. Several Green-veined White, Small White and Large White were also seen.

Dragonflies included a minimum of three Southern Hawker, three Brown Darter, several Rudy Darter with Common Darter numbers gradually increasing with males , females and mated pairs noted.

Damselflies seem to be much reduced in number but Blue-tailed and Emerald Damselfly were both noted,

Hoverfly were much in evidence and several different species were seen. Several other fly species were noted including Flesh Fly. Bluebottle and Greenbottle.

A single Figwort Sawfly was present near Hawthorn Field.

It was nice to see large numbers of 7-spot Ladybird about and a single yellow and black 14-spot Ladybird Propylea 14-punctata was photographed (see image).

Traveller's Joy (Old Man's Beard) the only wild British Clematis is much in evidence on the reserve and in flower now (see image).

Ian ran his moth trap last night and full report and images will appear later.

(All above AP KW)

14-spot Ladybird Propylea 14-punctata © Allan Parker ARPS

Traveller's Joy (Old Man's Beard) Clematis vitalba © Allan Parker ARPS

Derek Bateson reports:-

'All the usual photographers were on hand for the ceremonial opening of Ian's moth trap (see report later). Apart from the moths, I was able to collect a dozen caddis flies for later ID's. There was also a diving beetle, two Ichneumon flies and two Mayflies which appeared to be Baetis sp.

A later walk along Loversall Bank into Loversall Delph, produced a number of Common Darter, one Ruddy Darter, a Brown Hawker in Loversall Delph and AP also saw a Southern Hawker.

Butterflies were represented by Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, three Peacock and two Comma, again in Loversall Delph.

Hoverflies were particularly numerous with nine species noted of which Melangyna umbellatarum (see image) and Myathropa florea were the most interesting and uncommon.

Last Sunday, AP pictured the Tachinid Fly Tachina fera, and today I found another similar species, Alophera hemiptera (see image), which I don’t think has been recorded here before.

More 7-spot Ladybirds were seen today, so they seem to have survived predation by Harlequins.’

Left, Hoverfly Melangyna umbellatarum and right Tachinid Fly Alophera hemiptera © Derek Bateson

Monday 9th

Photographed last week on a Silver Birch log on the edge of Black Carr Wood, this 'fungi' goes with the revolting name of Dog Vomit Slime Mould. I prefer the alternative, if not much better, name of Scrambled Egg Slime. The Latin name is Fuligo septica variant flava. It goes through a series of colour changes becoming brown or green before becoming dry and flaky.

Dog Vomit Slime Mould (Scrambled Egg Slime) Fuligo septica variant flava © Allan Parker ARPS

Photographed by Angie Taylor in the middle Hawthorn Bank hide, yesterday, is this Svensson's Copper Underwing Amphipyra berbera.

Sunday 8th

Derek Bateson reports:-

‘AP, JH and myself initially went to Black Carr Field where minimum of five Purple Hairstreak butterfly were showing on the usual Oak tree, but too high for photography.

After AP and the writer took more images of fungi in Black Carr Wood, I remained and counted some fifteen Gatekeeper, two Meadow Brown, a Small White and a Vanessid, probably a Red Admiral but I am not sure of this.

Grasshopper are more in evidence around the Reserve this year and the images show different views of Common Green Grasshopper, Omocestus viridulis, which can vary considerably in appearance.

Several 7-spot Ladybirds were seen (see image), somewhat of a rarity these days, but for a change only one Harlequin, seen by AP.

The Horse-fly Chrysops relictus was very numerous, but at least one remained for a photograph (see image). This is a male and clearly shows the large mouthparts used for taking nectar from plants. It is only the female of the species which needs a blood meal before laying eggs. Hoverflies of five species were noted, of which Episyrphus balteatus was the most numerous.

Common Darter, mostly female and immature male (see image), were also in evidence.’

An after lunch walk in the company of KW along Loversall Bank, through Loversall Delph, to the 'dragonfly ponds' on Loversall Field proved to be fairly quiet but the following were noted.

Hoverfly of several different species were numerous feeding on various flowers.

Butterfly species included several Peacock, good numbers of Green-veined White, Small White with a few Large White. Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood were also noted along with a single rather faded Comma.

Common Darter are still not present in the usual numbers, singles of Brown Hawker and Southern Hawker were noted along with Emerald and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

Midges, Mosquito and the Horse Fly Chrysops relictus were ever present and something of a nuisance.

A single Longhorn Beetle Strangalia quadrifaciata (see image, note the all black legs) was feeding on an umbellifer and a large, rather striking, as yet unidentified fly was also noted and photographed (see image). Now identified by DB as Tachina fera.

Saturday 7th

Michael Bird reports:-

There was a single Brown Hare on the Grassy Knoll.

Between the Mitchell Hide and the Wader Scrape Hide there were four or five Common Blue butterfly and at the 'Iron Bridge' a Brown Hawker dragonfly and a Banded Demoiselle damselfly were seen.

Near Old Eea a long (circa three feet) Grass Snake was asleep on pile of cut reed. The Buddleia at 'Lighted Crossing' had several Comma, four Peacock and two Red Admiral plus numerous Small White butterfly.

Friday 6th

A second newer and smaller Chicken of the Woods (Sulphur Polypore) Laetiporus sulphureus is on a dead Oak stump close to the the larger one (see image in Tuesday's report) it will be interesting to see how it develops. The Gold Spot Plusia festucae moth image illustrates one of the species found in the moth trap at the last trapping session.

Wednesday 4th

REPORT ON MOTH TRAPPING, MONDAY NIGHT 2ND AUGUST, 2010

Moth trapping on Monday night proved to be somewhat of a disappointment, with only 46 species trapped following what appeared to be a cooler night than forecast. Contrast this with the record-breaking 144 species recorded two weeks ago.
There were no new records but among the more interesting species trapped were Triple-spotted Pug Eupithecia trisignaria (few previous records), the attractive Svensson’s Copper Underwing Amphipyra berbera, Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina, Crescent Celaena leucostigma,

Suspected Parastichtis suspecta (surprisingly common at Potteric Carr), Slender Pug Eupithecia tenuiata and the pretty Gold Spot Plusia festucae.

Ian Heppenstall
Moth Recorder

Fox cubs have been noted recently, in a variety of places, and the two in the image below were photographed recently on the reserve.

Tuesday 3rd

A walk from the Field Centre to Black Carr Field in the company of KW and DB proved, in the cloudy conditions, to be quiet with little to record.

Common Darter numbers are slowly increasing with several mated pair noted.

Other insects noted included Figwort Sawfly, Scorpion Fly, numerous midges, mosquito and the green-eyed Horsefly Chrysops relictus (which can give a nasty bite).

Butterflies included Comma, a single rather 'tatty' Ringlet, good numbers of Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and in the morning just a single Purple Hairstreak (this increased to circa ten when the sun came out after lunch). Three Holly Blue were counted on the Blue Walk (RWB, DC, SMB) and 20 Peacocks and 2 Comma were on a single B. davidi in the afternoon sunshine. Another Purple Hairstreak was above the canopy of an ash tree on Willow Bank.

Several Silver-Y Moth were seen busy feeding low down.

Numerous Hoverfly, of several different species, were on the wing and busy feeding. A small group of Corn Sow-thistle Sonchus arvensis flowers were crowded with them. (see image)

Chicken of the Woods (Sulphur Polypore) Laetiporus sulphureus was initially found by HB and DG and later photographed by KW and AP (see image)

John Hancox reports:-

Apart from a Brown Hawker in Loversall Field and a Southern Hawker on Loversall Bank, there was nothing else of any significance to report except for a newly emerged Ladybird probably a 7-spot (see image).

Monday 2nd

No reports in for today so here are a couple of images from yesterday. Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva is common on the reserve at the moment, look on umbellifer flower heads and Comma butterflies continue to emerge.

Sunday 1st

Derek Bateson reports:-

'The predominate invertebrates today were large numbers of midge and Mosquito, accompanied by a number of horsefly, all encouraged by the warm damp weather and biting at every chance. JH retreated after five minutes but AP and I continued for somewhat longer.

I found probably eight species of hoverfly on the wing, with Syrphus ribesii (see image) one of the most numerous.

Both Emerald (see image) and Blue-tailed Damselfly were seen together with two Silver Y moth (see image).

Butterflies included Peacock and some half a dozen Green-veined White (I later saw a male Common Blue behind the overflow car park at the entrance).

One interesting creature seen today was what appeared to be a strange larva on Figwort. This was colourful and had two large pincer-like appendages at the head see (see image). I have absolutely no idea what it is so I have sent images to three Sorby experts to see if they can help with an ID. ( Now identified by Bob Merritt as the larval stage of the Lacewing Chrysopa carnea )

Finally, I took a shot of the inflorescences on False Fox Sedge, Carex atrubae (see image), which looked quite interesting’

Allan Parker reports:-

An after lunch walk by Ken Woolley, Glyn Hudson and myself to Black Carr Field produced, in flight over Mother Drain, next to the 'underbridge', three Migrant Hawker dragonfly 'hawking' over the drain along with several Common Darter including a mated pair.

Arriving at Black Carr Field we counted a minimum of twelve Purple Hairstreak Quercusia quercus (see image) on one of the Oak trees.

Other butterfly here included Gatekeeper, both male and female, Meadow Brown, Comma, Peacock, Green-veined White, Small White and Large White.

Leaving Ken, still trying to get photographs of the Purple Hairstreak, Glyn and myself called in at Hawthorn Field on the way back to the Field Centre and found a male Brimstone, a superb 'fresh' Comma and all the three 'whites' plus Gatekeeper.

John Hancox reports:-

The cloudy and dull start limited the numbers of butterflies but increased the numbers of biting midges looking for a meal! By mid-morning, as the weather brightened with a little sunshine, the numbers of butterflies increased with reasonable numbers of Green-veined White, Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood, and a few Peacock and Large White plus a singles of Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue.

The ponds in Loversall Field yielded 3/4 Brown Hawker and a male Emperor and one each of Southern Hawker and Common Hawker. Darters were reasonably plentiful with ovipositing Common Darter and a number of Ruddy Darter.

Damselflies included all three blues and Emerald.

A number of fairly fresh exuviae were collected and these checked out as Migrant Hawker (33 mm long) and probably Ruddy Darter (15.5 mm long).

Bumblebees were busy with Bombus terrestris, Bombus lapidarius, Bombus pascuorum and Bombus pratorum all being identified.

Ian Heppenstall reports:-

A morning walk around Willow Marsh produced Holly Blue, Brimstone and several Comma and Peacock along Cottage Drain.

Orange Hawkweed was showing one or two new flowers along Willow Bank.

Finally, a visit to Black Carr Field before lunch produced three Purple Hairstreak on the usual Oak tree.

After lunch, Janet and I walked by the railway towards the 'Lighted Crossing' and Janet spotted a Grass Snake sunbathing on top of one of the piles of cut dead reed. We watched it for a few minutes before it slithered off.

We then wandered around Childers Wood, seeing three Holly Blue around an ivy-clad tree, two Red Admiral, a Brimstone plus several Comma and Peacock on the Buddleia.

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The Moths of Potteric Carr (180kb PDF) A revised list of Potteric Carr moths by Ian Heppenstall.

The 2010 edition of Friends of Potteric Carr 'Recorder' (520kb PDF) A review of wildlife recording on the Reserve in 2009.

The 2009 edition of Friends of Potteric Carr 'Recorder' (730kb PDF). A review of wildlife recording on the Reserve in 2008.

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve Wildlife News

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
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