The forecast wasn't good which probably put off a few people, but the persistent enthusiasts were rewarded with some sunshine (and a big shower) as Edward Milner led us around the Grove.

Due to the grass being wet, the hunt for spiders was concentrated on trees and under the bark of trees. We found quite a few different species of spiders some of which had never been recorded in the park and a list will be provided later by Edward. One participant was soon off to study spiders in Bali - we were suitably impressed/jealous. More pictures from the walk.

The threatened rain held off and four families enjoyed searching for bugs and butterflies. Two different species of butterfly were found small white and speckled wood as well a cricket and a grasshopper as well many true bugs including an immature green shieldbug. A large yellow underwing moth was caught together with many small spiders and mirid bugs. A couple of small ladybirds (22-spots) as well as three larger one (harlequins). A fullish list of what was found can be inspected here. 

We had a good turnout – 14 people – and mostly good butterfly weather (sunny and windless), though it was breezy and cloudy at times. From the Gas Hut Dee led us along the Lower Road, spotting plenty of butterflies on the brambles, including gatekeepers and holly blues. We then went into the Anthill Meadow, at which point it clouded over a bit. In spite of this we saw a red admiral, a small copper, meadow browns and more gatekeepers. The ragwort and bramble were popular with all of them. Finally we went over to the fenced patch of creeping thistle on the Old Racecourse. There we saw small, large and green-veined whites (the latter pictured left by Tony Jakeman). There were many gatekeepers there too.  

Nice warm weather for Family Bug Hunt this year. Great to see lots of kids outside with nets waving......

Several butterflies where caught including Meadow Browns and a Common Blue. True bugs (insects with sucking mouthparts) also featured well with a couple of Sloe Bugs and a Leather Bug.

Roesel's Bush Crickets and Meadow Grasshopper were other insects found. Crickets have antenae longer than their bodies and grasshoppers antennae shorter than their bodies.

Sixteen spot and harlequin ladybirds were seen as well some small flies.

The biggest numbers found were spiders of all sizes with a crab spider where had been eating a honey bee and the star of the day, a Wasp Spider (pictured left).

All the insects were released back into the wild as close as possible to where they were found.

Link to a list of species seen on the day.

Butterflies like sunshine, and luckily we had lots of it. Starting in the Upper Main Meadow, our walk leaders Dee Cullen and Gerry Rawcliffe helped us to spot meadow browns and small or Essex skippers (the latter have antenna tips that are entirely black). 

In the Lower Main Meadow we saw a large skipper (more heavily marked than the other two) and then marbled whites, with their gliding flight. In the park there are large, small and green-veined whites, and we saw a large white, the least common of the three, in the Anthill Meadow. 

We also saw speckled woods, which like coming down onto brambles, and a six-spot burnet moth. We had to look up once we were at Cricket Scrub Corner, for the very small purple hairstreaks and whiteletter hairstreaks, as they like oaks and ashes/elms, respectively, so those of us with binoculars were at an advantage!" 

We enjoyed a fascinating insight into the life and importance of Bumblebees by Gill Perkins CEO of the Bumbleebee Conservation Trust.

We found out that although honey bees are important pollinators, bumblebees are vital as the only pollinators of tomatoes, potatoes and strawberries amongst others.

We were show a short video illustrating the unique method that the bumblebees have for extracting the pollen from certain plants that don't openly offer their pollen. This method is called buzz pollination. Want to have it explained? Check out this little video.

We had insight into how bumblebees generate enough lift from such small wings and a large body. The body contains large muscles and the wings rotate generating lift on both the up and down strokes. 

A rush of last minute bookings contributed to a very successful Bug Hunt. Large and Small White butterflies were found as well as three different species of ladybird; Harlequin, 16 spot and the 24 spot (pictured left).

Shieldbugs were also scooped up including Green Shieldbugs, Bishop's Mitre Shieldbugs and Dock Bugs.

Roesel's Bush Cricket and Common Field Grasshoppers were found in the grass.

Spiders of all sizes were found including a particularly smart Garden Spider.

We welcomed Bex back to lead our Family Bug Hunt in August. 

Luckily summery, sunny weather was the order of the day. Youngsters and Oldsters were quite to grab nets and trays and set out see what beasties could be found. Mirid bugs and Harvestmen (spider relatives) were brought in a good quantity. 

On the ladybird front several Harlequin were found together with four or five 16 spots - this small species pictured. 

A great group of families turned up on the hunt for bugs and beasties. On hand was Rebecca aided by Dave to help identify the finds. 

The weather was warm so plenty of butterflies were on the wing includingMeadow Browns (pic of caterpillar also seen), Gatekeepers and a pair of mating Large White were seen.

Lots of Mirid Bugs were spotted and Soldier Beetles covered the ragwort.

Seen also was 7 spot ladybird as well as the Harlequin - also seen a Harlequin larva.

Grasshoppers and crickets were seen in the grass - this is a Speckled Bush-Cricket. (pic on left shows participants holding it up)

Some things found were very small like this weevil only about 3mm long.

A small group of all ages met together on an overcast, but warm day to see what Butterflies we could count and what other insects we could see/identify.

The list of butterflies included Meadow Brown (pictured), Large Skipper, and probably a Small Skipper (could be Essex). 

We managed to identify five different moths; Yellow Shell, Silver Y Moth, Large Yellow Underwing, Heart and Dart and a caterpillar of the Six Burnet Moth.

We spotted Rosel's Bush Cricket and Speckled Bush Cricket as well as a Meadow Grasshopper.

Among the bees were Honey Bee, Common Carder Bee, Red Tailed Bumble Bee, Leaf Cutter and Vestal Cuckoo Bee.

Yellow Longhorn and Swollen Leg beetles were spotted in the the grass.

Several Meadow Plant Bugs were observed as well as vibrantly coloured Weevil (Phyllobius roboretanus or virideaeris)

We spotted Flesh flies - with the beautifully discriptive Genus name Sarcophaga - and one colourful fly spotted was the Pellucid Fly. (Volucella pellucens) - pictured

Ants were also seen, but not identified.

Also found was a Nursery Web Spider, but that is not an insect......... 

Pictures some of these finds here.

It was a lovely sunny Saturday for our Family Bug Hunt. We found at least 3 types of ladybird, lots of 7-spots, a few 16-spots and a 24-spot and one small ladybird lava was spotted.

Top among the numbers found were soldier beetles in their striking orange colour. We also found a Rosel's Bush-Cricket and another grasshopper.

We had a good turn out for our Family Bug Hunt on Saturday, 16th August. Sun and a bit of wind. We managed to find some grasshoppers and a common blue butterfly.

Among the highlights found were a green mosquito, a large number of cinnabar moth caterpillars, an ant lion (lacewing lava) and this juvenile Green Shield Bug.

Thanks to Bex assisted by Dave for providing the expert identifications.

We held our first Family Bug Hunt in July, 2012.

We  provided pots, nets and magnifying glasses, together with guidance of what to look for and how to identify it.

It was a fine warm day, and the event was attended by around 30 adults and children.

Thanks to Rob Wallace, who was our local 'expert', a fun time was had by all.