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

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.

Svensson's Copper Underwing © Angie Taylor

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.’

Common Green Grasshopper Omocestus viridulis © Derek Bateson

Left, Horse Fly Chrysops relictus male © Derek Bateson and right 7-spot Ladybird © Allan Parker ARPS

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.

Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa © Allan Parker ARPS

Longhorn Beetle Strangalia quadrifasciata © Allan Parker ARPS

Fly Tachina fera © Allan Parker ARPS

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.

Banded Demoiselle male © David Roberts

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.

Chicken of the Woods (Sulphur Polypore) Laetiporus sulphureus © Allan Parker ARPS

Gold Spot Plusia festucae © Derek Bateson

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

Pale Prominent © Derek Bateson

Swallow Prominent © Allan Parker ARPS

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

Fox cubs © Barry Wardley

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)

Hoverfly on Corn Sow Thistle © Allan Parker ARPS

Chicken of the Woods (Sulphur Polypore) Laetiporus sulphureus © Allan Parker ARPS

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).

Ladybird (probable 7-spot) just emerged © John Hancox

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.

Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva © Allan Parker ARPS

Comma © Allan Parker ARPS

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’

Left, Silver Y Moth and right Lacewing Chrysopa carnea larva © Derek Bateson

Left, Hoverfly Syrphus ribesii and right False Fox Sedge Carex atrubae © Derek Bateson

Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa © Allan Parker ARPS

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.

Purple Hairstreak Quercusia quercus © Allan Parker ARPS

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.

Bumble Bee Bombus terrestris © Allan Parker ARPS

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.

July 2010

Saturday 31st

This mated pair of Emerald Damselfly was photographed, on the reserve, today by David Roberts.

Emerald Damselfly mated pair © David Roberts

Tuesday 27th

'A very warm but somewhat overcast morning brought out quite a few invertebrates.

Gatekeeper butterfly were numerous as were Peacock and Green-veined White.

There were very few Common Darter Dragonfly and a single male Emperor patrolled the ponds in Loversall Field together with two Brown Hawker. I sat here for half an hour hoping for to get a photograph but was unlucky. Blue-tailed and Emerald Damselfly were quite numerous.

Soldier Beetles were in profusion and busily mating (see image).

Numbers of tiny Common Toad Bufo bufo were still migrating away from their watery birthplaces (see image).

Seven species of hoverfly were noted. The first grassland species Sphaerophoria scripta have appeared and the image shows a gravid

female.

Another good find was a Forest (Shield) Bug Pentatoma rufipes, with its distinctive shoulder projections and orange tip to the sutellum. Finally, large numbers of Creeping Thistles are demonstrating swollen stems which typically hold the larva or larvae of a Gall Wasp Urophora cardui’ (see image)

Left, Soldier Beetle mated pair and right Common Toad immature © Derek Bateson

Left, Forest (Shield) Bug and right Gall of Gall Wasp Urophora cardui on Creeping Thistle © Derek Bateson

Monday 26th

A very dull and eventually wet day with no reports coming in, so here are a couple of images from yesterday. The Soldier Fly Stratiomys potamida is not common on the reserve and it may be the first time it as been photographed here. The Speckled Wood, on the wing now, are probably from the second brood.

Left, Speckled Wood (2nd brood ?) and right Soldier Fly Stratiomys potamida both images © Allan Parker ARPS

Sunday 25th

Black Carr Field had a minimum of five, possible seven, Purple Hairstreak butterfly (KW) and a single Small Copper (RM).

Purple Hairstreak female © Glyn Hudson

Derek Bateson reports:-

A very warm morning despite the cloud cover and AP,JH and the writer visited Cottage Drain where many species had been tempted out including the first Harvestmen this year. Two species were noted and this one is Leiobundum rotundum (see Image)

Damselfly were much in evidence, mostly Blue-tailed and Emerald in roughly equal numbers. Late in the morning I saw my only
dragonfly a Brown Hawker.

Many Hoverflies were about and six or seven species were seen, with many Episyrphus balteatus.

A Conopid Fly was seen but not photographed.

Lesser Burdock held many attractive yellow flies, but as yet I can't be sure of their name.

Of the butterflies, Peacock were numerous, a single Ringlet, a Speckled Wood, maybe a dozen Gatekeepers, two Green-veined Whites, and four male and four female Brimstone, but of course they rarely open their wings when resting (see image)'

Left, Harvestman Leiobundum rotundum and right Brimstone male both images © Derek Bateson

A late morning walk along Loversall Bank, through Loversall Delph and along to the 'dragonfly pond' now more like 'dragonfly puddles' in Loversall Field was quite productive.

The Broad-leaved Helleborine is in full flower but still manages to look tatty and boring.

Numbers of butterfly along Loversall Bank included numerous Peacock (twenty-six in one 100 yard stretch), several of the following Gatekeeper (both male and female), Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and two Comma.

A male Brown Hawker was patrolling Loversall Delph never landing once,.

The path past the pond dipping area had a male Black-tailed Skimmer, several Common Darter, at least two male Ruddy Darter and a Southern Hawker.

Peacock butterfly was again common along here and Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, and Speckled Wood were noted plus a single Small Skipper.

The 'dragonfly ponds' and the immediate surrounding area of Loversall Field was productive.

The ponds had the following dragonfly and damselfly species; Brown Hawker a female was busy egg laying and up four males were patrolling overhead, a single male and a single female Emperor were present along with small numbers of Common and Ruddy Darter. Damselfly noted were Blue-tailed, Azure and Emerald. Many of the damselfly were mated pairs busy egg laying.

Gatekeeper was common, Green-veined, Small and Large White butterfly were noted along with a single male Common Blue and a Small Skipper.

(all above AP)

Left, Brown Hawker female egg Laying © David Roberts and right Peacock © Allan Parker ARPS

John Hancox reports:-

"On a sunny and warm morning there was plenty of butterfly activity. The most numerous were the Peacock with a total of 74 recorded in the western part of the Reserve. Another notable sighting was the first of the second brood of Common Blue butterfly, with a male in Loversall Field and KW reported at least 5 Purple Hairstreaks in the oaks around Black Carr Field. A total of four male and four female Brimstones were along Cottage Drain where there were also a few rather faded Meadow Browns and Ringlets.

The most interesting dragonfly sighting was of a female Brown Hawker ovipositing in one of the ponds in Loversall Field with a further three patrolling above and seeing off a male Emperor. A number of male Ruddy Darters were seen and a single male Black-tailed Skimmer. The most numerous damselfly was probably the Emerald but there were also Azure, Blue-tailed and Common Blue about. Large Red Damselflies now seem to have finished!

The long dry spell means that many of the water bodies on the reserve are getting very low as witness the two small ponds and Square Pond in Loversall Field. Whilst there is always plenty of water in Mother Drain, and there is an agreement with the Environment Agency through an abstraction licence to pump from that source, this is restricted to the period from October to March so there is no means of replenishing the water bodies from there. It is many years since the water bodies were under such stress - in the early 1990s, Square Pond dried out a number of years in a row but eventually recovered. Whilst there is some rain forecast in the coming week, this will not be sufficient and it will need continuous rain for many days to effect any change to the situation - this is not likely now until the onset of the autumn storms."

Saturday 24th

John Hancox reports:-

"After a barren week due to weather, the sunshine on Saturday morning enabled a transect walk to be completed. The number of butterflies on the transect was 125 (2009: 129) and the most common butterfly was Peacock with 34 counted closely followed by Gatekeeper at 22, Green-veined White at 21 and Comma 17. Loversall Field produced a similar mix of butterflies.

Dragonflies included Emperor, Brown Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter and a female Black Darter. Damselflies included Azure, Blue-tailed and Emerald. On Loversall Bank there was a single immature female Southern Hawker."

Black Darter female © John Hancox

The above shot shows the diagnostic 3 yellow spots on the black mark on the side of the thorax and the black triangle on the top of the thorax.

Comma underwing showing white comma mark © Dale Bentham

Friday 23rd

The Buddleia plants next to the 'lighted crossing', near the Old Eaa hide, had the following butterfly:- seventeen Peacock, three Comma, one Painted Lady, one Small Tortoiseshell and a Holly Blue on the nearby thistles.

A single Purple Hairstreak was on an Oak in Black Carr Field (all SB)

More butterfly sightings included one Comma, two Peacock and a Green-veined White along Loversall Bank plus a Speckled Wood at LBA3 (all RB)

Left, Painted Lady © Derek Bateson and right Holly Blue © John Hancox

Two images taken recently on the reserve show a Scarce Footman Eilema complana (see report on Monday night's moth trapping session) and a mated pair of Bumble Bee.

Left, Scarce Footman Eilema complana © Derek Bateson and right Bumble Bee Bombus terrestris, mated pair © Helen Womack

Thursday 22nd

POTTERIC CARR MOTH TRAPPING REPORT
MONDAY, 19 JULY, 2010

The very warm, humid weather on Monday night was ideal for 'mothing' and the trap was literally heaving with moths on Tuesday morning. A total of 144 species were identified, breaking all previous records for a single night’s moth trapping on the reserve. Some 5 species new to the reserve were identified, bringing the total number of new species added to the reserve list in 2010 to 22. The running total of moth species recorded at Potteric Carr since the reserve was established now stands at 712.
Of the ‘newcomers’, the most exciting was undoubtedly Caloptilia populetorum, with only 2 previous Yorkshire records, both in 2006. This birch-feeding Gracillariid appears to have two main areas of distribution, in southern England and north-west Scotland, with few records in between. Nowhere does it appear plentiful, so this is an excellent find.
The other ‘new’ species include a couple of ‘macros’, Slender Brindle Apamea scolopacina and Buff Footman Eilema depressa. The Slender Brindle is a fairly widespread species, with plenty of Yorkshire records. Buff Footman is, like most of its compatriots, a lichen feeder and has benefitted from the improvements to air quality over the last 30 years. It is now recorded regularly across Yorkshire.
The remaining ‘newcomers’ are both fairly common and widespread ‘micros’: Epiblema foenella, whose larvae feed in the roots of Mugwort.and Cedestis gysseleniella, a pine- feeding Yponomeutid.
Apart from the ‘new’ species, the most significant record was probably that of the Scarce Footman Eilema complana, a species which is common in Yorkshire only at Spurn Point. Potteric Carr is one of a tiny handful of other Yorkshire localities, most are in the Doncaster area.
Ian Heppenstall, Moth Recorder.

Left, Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata © Allan Parker ARPS and right Yponomeuta evonymella © Derek Bateson.

Left, Yellow-tail Moth Euproctis similis © Derek Bateson and right Common White Wave Cabera pusaria © Allan Parker ARPS

Left, Drinker Moth Euthrix potatoria male and right Dingy Footman Eilema griseola both images © Allan Parker ARPS

Two other insects found in the moth trap, along with several Caddis Fly, were Green Lacewing and a tiny but very pretty Mayfly species, unfortunately the extremely long tail streamers don't show up in the this small image.

Green Lacewing © Derek Bateson

Mayfly species © Allan Parker ARPS

Wednesday 21st

A Brown Hare was present on the Grassy Knoll in the evening (SB)

Tuesday 20th

Ian Heppenstall ran his moth trap last night and this morning the trap was 'heaving' with moths. A full report and images will follow shortly but here are a couple of images to be going on with. Five Poplar Hawkmoth were present in the trap but only one Buff-tip Moth.

Also photographed on the reserve today was this male Ruddy Darter.

Monday 19th

A couple of things to look out for on the reserve this week are male Emperor Dragonfly patrolling over the ponds on Loversall Field and elsewhere. Also at various sites (e,g, Loversall and Willow Banks) Marsh Woundwort, compare it with the more common Hedge Woundwort.

Sunday 18th

Derek Bateson reports:-

‘ Although dull, the day proved to be quite interesting, and the first thing that caught my eye was a spike of Common Centaury, Centaurium erythraea, with tightly closed buds (see image).

Hoverflies were numerous and five species were represented together with many Soldier Beetles Rhagonycha fulva (see image).

Last week GH found a Mirid Bug which he asked me to identify. This was Deraecoris ruber which varies considerably in colour. The darker of the two images was taken today and the orange specimen last year (see images for comparison).

As some of you may know, JLS discovered an embryo Hornet nest a month or so ago. Although populated then, it was later deserted, maybe because of cold weather. The image shows the larger comb size and the typical orange coloured appearance compared to the greyish colour of wasp nests.

Butterflies were reasonably numerous but low down in the undergrowth. Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Green-veined White were all noted.

On the dragonfly ponds and elsewhere Blue-tailed Damselfly were all perched low down, along with three Emerald Damselfly. No Dragonfly were seen.

I then turned my attention to the surfaces of the above ponds, plus the Loversall Delph pond and managed images of Pondskater, family Gerridae (maybe two species). I also managed a shot of the usually very active Whirligig Beetle, probable Gyrinus substriatus, (see image) which was a first for me’.

Friday 16th

Two small butterfly to look out for, on the wing around the reserve at the moment, are Common Blue and Small Skipper. The ground adjacent to the 'over-spill' car park is a good place to look. There should be good numbers of 6-spot Burnet in this area as well. This colourful day flying moth can be fairly commonly seen on the reserve.

Thursday 15th

Fox seem to be currently more noticeable on the reserve, with adults having to find food to feed their cubs they are scavenging during the day. This one was photographed recently on Piper Marsh by Phil Jones.

Wednesday 14th

Emperor Dragonfly females are still egg laying at suitable sites throughout the reserve but the image below is slightly unusual as it shows the least common of the three 'blue' damselfly on the reserve, a male Common Blue Damselfly in attendance as this female Emperor lays her eggs.

Tuesday 13th

Derek Bateson reports:-

'A dull day meant not many butterflies were about. The warm southerly winds of last week had brought out many of the Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus, plus two smaller species as yet unidentified.

Along Loversall bank I found a nest of tiny (2mm) spiderlings and if you look closely at the image you will see their food store of several beetles, a wasp, three or four flies and a Shield-bug, left by the parent spider.

Spear Thistle, Cirsium vulgare were in full bloom, largely populated by leaf or pollen beetles (see image).

At the entrance car park I counted forty-four chrysalis cases (some empty, some still full) of the Six-spot Burnet Moth. The images show one newly vacated with the pupal skin at the top and a newly emerged adult. The moth had just emerged and is also shown. I counted some thirty-five or so adults which all looked newly emerged, and this has proved a very good area for this species. Also numerous here are Common Field Grasshopper (see image).’

Monday 12th

Fox cubs have been showing well at Loversall Pool in front of the hide, below is a series of images taken recently by Neil Young.

Sunday 11th

Derek Bateson reports:-

' Windy weather made photography less than easy and most subjects kept down in the herbage.

A pair of Brimstone butterflies were seen, but kept dropping down the bank of Mother Drain. Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper were the most numerous butterflies but Large and Small White were also seen.

Some seven species of hoverfly were noted and more of the 'Marmalade Fly' Episyrphus balteatus had appeared (see image).

In Black Carr Field, Common Darter dragonfly were in some numbers, mostly mature females (see image).

On the way back to the Field Centre, my eye was caught by a good specimen of Bulrush (Reedmace), or Cattail Typha latifolia (see image), showing the male and female flower heads’.

Cottage Drain proved to be fairly productive despite the strong wind.

Damselfly included Blue-tailed, Azure, Common Blue and Emerald (see image) with good numbers of the latter, the least common being Common Blue.

Dragonfly noted were three Brown Hawker, one immature female Southern Hawker (see image), several Common Darter and at least one Black-tailed Skimmer.

Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small White, Large White, Green-veined White and Comma (hutchinsoni).

There were several different hoverfly species and the same went for bees. (AP GH JH)

The 'dragonfly ponds' in Loversall Field had at least two different male Emperor along with two egg laying females (see image). A Brown Hawker was patrolling the area along with three or four now rather 'tatty' Four-spotted Chaser and a least one male Black-tailed Skimmer. Common Darter and Ruddy Darter (see image) numbers are slowly increasing and several species of damselfly were noted which included good numbers of Emerald, Blue-tailed and Azure. There are still a few Large Red Damselfly about also.

Butterfly included Comma, Small Tortoiseshell (on the Nettle beds), Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper (see image), Small Skipper and Green-veined White.

Both Common and Great-crested Newt were seen surfacing for air along with numerous water beetle of several species.

The Water Shrew was not seen today but was very active yesterday.

Cinnabar Moth caterpillars were noted on Ragwort in several places along Loversall Bank. (AP GH)

The following is John Hancox's report for Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th:-

Saturday:-

On a very warm day the butterfly transect yielded a lower count (69) than the week previously (109) largely due to a decline in the numbers of Ringlet, though there was a small increase in Gatekeeper. In general there were more 'whites' about, indicating a hatch and small numbers of Meadow Brown, Small Skipper and two Small Tortoiseshell.

The ponds in Loversall Field yielded an Emperor, two Four-spotted Chaser, two Brown Hawker and Southern Hawker along with an increasing number of Common Darter and a few Ruddy Darter. Damselflies included lots of Blue-tailed, a few Common Blue and an increasing number of Emerald.

Sunday:-

On a somewhat cooler day with a fresh to strong SW wind at times, Cottage Drain was sheltered and yielded a good number of Ringlet (54) but very few Gatekeeper, a number of Meadow Brown and an increase in all three 'whites', with Green-veined White predominating.

Dragonflies seen included three Brown Hawker and a number of Common Darter with an immature female Southern Hawker which obligingly posed for photos. Damselfly numbers were dominated by Emeralds glinting in the strong sunlight and smaller numbers of Blue-tailed and Common Blue and just the occasional Azure.

A brilliant yellow Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata was also seen in St. Catherine's Copse.

Saturday 10th

A young Fox was seen on Huxter Well swimming from island to island on Cell 1A disturbing the birds but was not seen to catch anything. A Brown Hare was on feeding on the Grassy Knoll. (SB).

Huxter Well is a good place to see Black-tailed Skimmer at this time, they can be often be found settled on the paths.

Friday 9th

Lookout for the striking and colourful caterpillar of the Mullein Moth on the reserve. We have only small numbers of Mullein plants so look for them on Figwort which is another food plant for the caterpillar. Small Skipper is about in much better numbers than the previous year look for them on the grassland areas.

Thursday 8th

Two recent, interesting, images are of a female Emperor egg laying with two attendant Azure Damselfly and a Comma on a dead Mole probably attracted by the smell from the dead flesh. Several of the larger butterfly species are known to visit carrion from which they can suck mineral salts and nutrients.

Wednesday 7th

Two more images from yesterday, Emerald Damselfly numbers are increasing as more hatch off and the Longhorn Beetle Rutpela (Strangalia) maculata which is present in numbers, look for them on umbellifer flower heads.

Tuesday 6th

John Hancox reports:_

The number of Ringlet appears to have declined a little since Sunday but there were still plenty about along with quite a few more Gatekeeper, which were all males, and plenty of Small Skipper. Once again active Small Tortoiseshell and Comma were seen.

Three immature Common Hawker were disturbed in Loversall Field where there was a pristine female Ruddy Darter - both first of the season - and a number of Black-tailed Skimmer. Male Emperor were patrolling the small ponds and there were a number of Four-spotted Chaser including females ovipositing. There is an increasing number of Emerald Damselfly along with Azure, Blue-tail and Common Blue and there was still a Large Red Damselfly male, unusual for it to still to be about in July. (A second was noted in Loversall Delph by KW and AP)

A Water Shrew was seen in one of the ponds.

Derek Bateson reports:-

‘Today I took a new route down to St Catherine’s Field. On the way, by Mother Drain was a cooperative Plume Moth (see image) which I could not identify but maybe IH will be able to? ( Now ID'd by Ian as Emmelina monodactyla)

Along Hawthorn Bank, Longhorn Beetles Rutpela Strangalia) maculata and Leptura quadrifasciata were both noted’ in possibly a new area? Later a Comma appeared plus six Meadow Brown, sixteen Ringlet and a single Large White. Interestingly the most numerous butterfly in this area today was Small Skipper, (see image) several of which were nectaring on Tufted Vetch (?) in St Catherine’s Field and along the path

Black-tailed Skimmer also put in an appearance. There had been a large emergence of Common Darter (see image of teneral male), probably from the drains in this field, and a Four-spotted Chaser was also patrolling over what little water was left.

Only three species of hoverfly were noted today’

Fox cubs were photographed along with Roe Deer in front of the Loversall Pool Hide, Several Longhorn Beetle Rutpela (Strangalia) maculata were noted including a mated pair. A female Emperor was egg laying in the smaller of the two 'dragonfly ponds'.

Two newt species were noted coming to the surface for air on the same ponds along with numerous different water beetles.

Monday 5th

Two more images from yesterday at the 'dragonfly ponds' on Loversall Field. One showing a male Emerald Damselfly coming to grief in spider's web (possible Crab Spider) and the second showing a male Emperor dragonfly at rest.

Two Mink were noted swimming across Willow Pool during the afternoon. This is bad news for the reserve and its breeding water birds and small mammals including the endangered Water Vole. Lets hope they move on or are caught quickly.

Sunday 4th

Today's damselflies and dragonflies included Emerald, Blue-tailed and Azure Damselfly with the latter being by far the most numerous.

At least three male and a single, egg laying female, Emperor were counted at the 'dragonfly ponds' in Loversall Field. The ponds and the area around them held three Four-spotted Chaser including a pair mating on the wing. A minimum of six Common Darter were also here and included a single male, at least four female and a single teneral, this species was also noted at several other sites around the reserve. Black-tailed Skimmer included three or four males and a single female. Two Southern Hawker were seen here and elsewhere one was near the Old Eea hide and another one was on Black Carr Field. A single Brown Hawker was also noted by GH on Loversall Field

Butterflies noted included numerous Ringlet, several Meadow Brown, three Small Tortoiseshell, six Comma (hutchinsoni), three Red Admiral, good numbers of Small Skipper, a single Gatekeeper, two Speckled Wood a single Green-veined White and a single Large White.

The green-eyed horsefly Chrysops relictus was present in good numbers and biting at every chance. Several different species of hoverfly including Volucella pellucens and Volucella bombylans were either resting or feeding on bramble patches.

A single Longhorn Beetle Rutpela (Strangalia) maculata was on the brambles and large numbers of Common Green Grasshopper were in the long grass.

A single small Common Frog was reported along with numerous tiny Toad.

(all above AP KW GH SL)

Report from John Hancox covering his sighting from Saturday and Sunday.

"Over the two days, a total of over 320 Ringlet were counted on the Reserve along with over 80 Meadow Brown. There was something of a resurgence of Small Skipper with 50 being counted on Saturday, though still far from the over 420 recorded a few years ago, having suffered from the ravages of the weather just at the peak of their breeding time in the intervening years.

Just a few records of Gatekeeper which should start to appear in increasing numbers in the next few days. There were a number of very active Comma and Small Tortoiseshell on both days and one or two Red Admiral were reported.

On Saturday, Emperor and Four-spot Chaser were in action on the ponds in Loversall Field.

Sunday brought the first Brown Hawker of the season along Cottage Drain. A few Common Darters were about and these will increase in number over the next few weeks.

On Cottage Drain, there were many newly emerged Emerald Damselfly, but interestingly all but one were females!

It was rather worrying that there were lots of Harlequin Ladybird, of at least four forms, in various locations but none of the indigenous species were reported."

Saturday 3rd

Derek Bateson reports:-

'Allan and Susan Parker, Ken Woolley and the writer took three groups from the Yorkshire Branch of the Society of Biology round the Reserve today, in quite warm sunshine.

Along with thousands of tiny toads, the following butterflies were noted:- many Ringlet are now on the wing along with Speckled Wood, several Small Skipper, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Large and Small White and a single Small Tortoiseshell. The Peacock caterpillars in Loversall Field were inspected.

Here we saw Emerald, Blue-tailed and Azure damselfly, plus Emperor Dragonfly over the ponds.

I took my sweep net and found hundreds of Leaf Beetle, Mirid and Capsid Bug, four different species of hoverfly plus four differently coloured Harlequin Ladybirds.

Various Orchid species were pointed out to the group, plus Fox and Cubs (Orange Hawkweed), and several other flowering plants.

At the Field Centre, some interest was aroused when one of the female kitchen staff discovered a two feet six inch long Grass Snake which had squeezed under the locked mesh outer door and into the kitchen. It was soon evicted and gave good views to several visitors as it was persuaded to leave it's hiding place in the bread trays, eventually disappearing across the track and into nearby vegetation.

On leaving the Reserve, I took time to explore the over-spill car park area, at the reserve entrance, which held at least three female egg-laying Six-spot Burnet Moth (see image). I looked for caterpillars, of this species, but they all seemed to have pupated and numerous cocoons were found on tall grasses and other plants. (see image).

There were many grasshoppers, one was certainly Common Green Grasshopper Omocestus viridulus, (see image) others I was uncertain of, and one was a possible immature (see image).

There was also a very iridescent hoverfly, species unknown but probably a Cheilosia species.

Michael Bird reports:-

Plenty of butterflies were seen today around the reserve with Ringlet the most common. several Meadow Brown, Small and Large Skipper, two Comma, two Small Tortoiseshell, and a male Brimstone were also noted.

Female Emperor dragonflies were ovipositing in Willow Pool and the Ring Main Drain.

A young Newt was seen in the 'dragonfly pond' near the seat in Loversall Field.

A vixen with 3 young cubs was along the edge of Loversall Pool and a another Fox there was chasing gulls.

(all above BGAB and MAB)

Thursday 1st

Look out for both Large and Small Skipper butterflies which are on the wing now, being small and brown they can be easily overlooked.

Wildlife News April to June 2010 NEW

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

Wildlife News April 2010 (1.5mb PDF)

Wildlife News January to March 2010 (1mb PDF)

The 2010 edition of Friends of Potteric Carr 'Recorder' (520kb PDF) A review of wildlife recording on the Reserve in 2009. Please read the Editor's Note by John Hancox on page 1 of the newsletter for printing advice.

Wildlife News October to December 2009 (2mb PDF)

Wildlife News July to September 2009

Wildlife News March to June 2009

Wildlife News January to February 2009

Wildlife News August to December 2008

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
Wildlife News