Ravensroost Wood 2025 Report

Above: The end of season lunch at the Dragonfly Cafe, 26th March:  l. to r. standing: Liz, Christine, Graham, Steve Davies, Maurice Chandler,Andrew, Jerry, Robin G., John Durell, Geoff, Anna, Trevor. Seated l. to r., Helen, Kevan, , Jane, David. (Jon Beresford)

                                                                                                  Below: Rejuvenating the dead hedge at the reserve entrance, 12th March. (RG)

The Wednesday Team

The 2024-5 season resumed on 8th January with an extra task of coppicing in the 25 year area in section B2 - the first time we have worked in the 25 year area. Some of the team completed this the following week while Geoff and Ken led the continuation of the  hedgelaying along the boundary of the reserve in section U1/2. On 22nd January we turned our attention to Blackthorn cutting in Raven's Retreat, while the hedgelaying continued. Both tasks continued until 5th February when the Blackthorn cutting moved to the eastern edge of the wood (Z2) in Curlew Meadow. On 12th February we returned to the 25 year coppice to cut the scrub and young trees  adjacent to the north side of the Bridleway, where hedge repairs were also done. We split into three groups in the afternoon when scallop cutting was continued in section J. Meanwhile the hedgelayers completed 38 metres of hedge in U2. Scallop cutting and grass clearing was continued in section J on 19th February, while the hedgelayers started laying along the southern boundary of the reserve. Scalloping was completed in section J on 5th March and then we turned our attention to creating halos around two Wild Service Trees and an Oak in sections F and K1. Hedgelaying was completed for the year that day. On 12th March the halo around the Oak was finished and the dead hedge along the ride into the reserve opposite section Y was re-woven with heathers as was the dead hedge beside the gate into Ravens Retreat. Meanwhile the rest of the team continued Blackthorn cutting in section Z2 east of the wood. On 19th March, the final work day of the season, the Blackthorn cutting was completed and a new dead hedge was created behind the notice boards in the car park (see picture.) As is becoming traditional, on 26th March, our last day of the season, we walked round the wood (in spring sunshine, with many flowers already showing) and then had an enjoyable lunch at the Dragonfly cafe and a fairly short stroll afterwards to Bridge Field with its early  Snakeshead Fritillaries.

Only one session was lost during the period - in fact during the whole 2024-5 season - when bad weather prevented any work on 26th February.

In all we did 10 full sessions in the Jan - March period (not including 26th March) with one missed session (see above). Attendance averaged 15.8 adult volunteers per session with a maximum of 20 on 15th January (possibly an all time maximum) and minimum of 11 on 22nd January. This compares with an average attendance in Jan - Mar 2024 of 14.3. Total volunteer hours was 764.25 compared to 606 in 2024. New volunteers joining the team were Chris Bailey on 8th Jan. and Andrew Taylor on 15th January. Staff members Rosie Wilson  and Ellie Povey joined us on 8th Jan., Ellie also on 15th Jan.  We wish Rosie all the best for her new job in Herefordshire and also to Ellie for being appointed to Rosie's former post.

The second "winter" period began on 10th September (not 3rd due to bad weather) with, unusually, an early start on the coppice coupe in U1, the earliest coppicing we have ever done. The following week the main ride scything commenced, as normal for the next four weeks, until it was finished on 8th October, as always thanks to Ken Saunders for providing the scythes and necessary accessories, and for re-training the team. On 8th October the Newt Pond was also cleared, in and out of the water, that task finishing on 15th. Unusually, also on 8th, three members helped Richard Aisbitt raking and stacking cut plants at the protected verge at Braydon triangle. Coppicing resumed in U1 on 15th October and continued until the Christmas break. apart from 29th October and 12th November when the sessions were cancelled due to bad weather. Additionally, on the first three Saturdays in November Richard Aisbitt's team worked on clearing reeds and willows from the meadow ponds. Jane, David and i helped them with this on 8th November, and David again on 15th.  A special event in the wood was the Horse logging which was going on from mid November until mid December - on 26th November our coppicing session finished early so we could watch the horses and have the process explained by James and his colleague from Wessex Working Horses - a very enjoyable afternoon. By the last working day, 10th December, we had nearly finished the coppicing, perhaps three more weeks work there I guess. 

In all we did 12 full sessions in the Sept - Dec period (not including 17th December, when 18 of us enjoyed our Christmas meal) with three missed sessions. Attendance averaged 14.0 volunteers per session with a maximum of`17 on 22nd October and minimum of 10 on 17th September. This compares with an average attendance in Sep - Dec 2024 of 14.2. Total volunteer hours was 800.25 compared to 1,015.75 in 2024. One new member joined the team on 3rd December, Jessame (Jessie) Llewellen Palmer.

As always I am exceedingly grateful to the loyal, enthusiastic and skilful members of the team. Working this year were: joint team leaders Geoff Whittle, Ken Saunders and Helen Strike, first aiders Ken, Stephen Davies (who is responsible for first aid overall), Jerry Ollis, Liz Bone and Jon Beresford.  Other volunteers not so far mentioned  are : Maurice Chandler, Jane Deacon, John Durell, David Karn, Steve Lloyd, Steve Medcraft, Graham Roberts, Trevor Simmonds, Robin Simpson, Andrew & Christine Snell, Kevan Wind, Anna McTiernan, Chris Bailey, Andrew Taylor, Heather Berry and Matt Bristow.

Other activities

RG led an event for WWT, BC & WOS members around the wood on 29th Jun. Highlights were a White Admiral, valezina Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Hairstreaks and 12 Violet Helleborine plants not yet in flower. Fifteen people attended including one from Bath and three from Bristol. Another BC event - moth trapping - was less successful. Because the original night for this event was wet we postponed the session until a fortnight later on 12th September. Unfortunately, this meant, in the end, that none of the five people who booked to attend were able to make it for various reasons. Still, we did trap 19 species with two new ones for the reserve (see below).

Below: At the Horse-logging, 26th November (Kevan Wind)

Wildlife Reports

In the following sections observers' names are given in brackets. Where there is no name the report was by RG and / or Ravensroost team members. ALL WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS ARE REQUIRED - PLEASE SEND THEM TO ME FOR INCLUSION IN THIS AND OTHER ANNUAL REPORTS PAST AND FUTURE

Birds

The year featured one new reserve species, Stonechat, plus unusual occurrences of Firecrest, Reed Warbler and Redstart. It seems that Spotted Flycatcher probably bred - birds were seen in three summer months, June, July and September, though no sightings in August.

Late Winter Bird Count, 2nd March : In descending order: 100+ Redwings in communal singing including a couple in full song, 24 Robins, 20 Blue Tits, 16 Blackbirds, 10 Great Tits,  9 Wrens, 7 Crows, 7 Nuthatches, 7 Song Thrushes, 5 Chaffinches, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Wood Pigeons, 2 Jackdaws, 2 Redpolls, 2 Marsh Tits, 2 Jays, 2 Stock Doves, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Dunnock, 1 Pheasant, 1 Buzzard, 1 Long-tailed Tit. Also a Magpie in the meadows. 

There was no early winter bird count as the wood had restricted access in late November / December 2025.

BIRD ESTIMATED  TERRITORIES SURVEY 2025 - 2023 & 2024 figures in brackets - (P = present but territory not established)  Green = increased, Red = decreased,     Arranged in order of abundance. Twelve visits were held weekly from April until June. Thanks to those who helped me with the visits.

Robin 13 (11, 15), Blue Tit 9 (10,8), Blackbird 9 (9,9), Chiffchaff 8 (6,7), Wren 8 (8,8), Blackcap 7 (6,7), Song Thrush 4 (2,3), Nuthatch 3 (3,3), Great Tit 3 (4,4), Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 (2,3), Wood Pigeon 3 (2,3), Chaffinch 3 (4,4), Coal Tit 3 (2,4), Willow Warbler 3 (4,4), Jay 2 (2,1), Marsh Tit 2 (2,P), Goldcrest 2 (1,1)*, Garden Warbler 2 (2,1), Carrion Crow 1 (2,2), Goldfinch 1 (1,1), Mistle Thrush 1 (1,1), Long-tailed Tit 1 (1,1), Bullfinch 1 (1,1), Buzzard 1 (1,1), Dunnock 1 (P,1), Stock Dove 1 (1,1), Jackdaw 1 (2,1), Treecreeper 1 (1,P). Present but not established on territory: Spotted Flycatcher P (P,P)**, Pheasant P (2,1), Red Kite P (P,1), Raven P (1,P), Tawny Owl P (-,-)***

Notes: *Goldcrest - I have recently realised that due to hearing deterioration I cannot hear Goldcrests and maybe some other birds except in very exceptional circumstances.Therefore results for Goldcrest and maybe Treecreeper as well cannot be relied on. This came to my attention when I was away and Jane did the survey in week 11 - she heard 3 separate Goldcrests when the most I had heard during the season was 2 in week 2 and 1 in week 10, and no other contacts.

**Spotted Flycatcher - just two contacts during the survey period, one in week 9 when a bird was seen - apparently carrying nesting material in the SE corner of the wood, and another(?) seen at the Newt Pond in week 12. Normally one would accept this as evidence of territory holding - but no more sightings have come to light in the SE corner since week 9. However more sightings followed in late summer strongly suggesting that successful breeding took place - somewhere in the wood - see list below.

***Tawny Owl - not normally included in this survey but one was calling during the survey visit in week 9 (at the same time as the Spotted Flycatcher was observed!) and obviously when we hold evening mothing sessions birds are often heard.

List of additional sightings

Woodcock  Singles flushed 29th Jan. and 5th Feb. by Robin Simpson and Graham Roberts while they were hedge-laying (probably just one bird involved.)

Sparrowhawk  A juvenile calling, 6th Aug.

Buzzard  Ad. plus two juvs. seen, 2nd June

Marsh Tit  Carrying food, 2nd Jun.

Willow Warbler  Trapped and ringed by ST on 30th Aug.

Reed Warbler  One heard singing near Newt Pond, 30th April, a unique event at Ravensroost - there have been eight previous records since 2013 but all were of birds trapped and ringed by Simon Tucker. This year's bird was probably on spring passage.

Garden Warbler  1 singing, 18th April, an early date.

Lesser Whitethroat  First heard in the meadows 30th Apr.

Common Whitethroat First heard in the meadows 30th Apr.

Firecrest  One trapped and ringed by Simon Tucker on 30th Aug. The second ever, following one also trapped by Simon in November 2015.

Goldcrest  One trapped and ringed by Simon Tucker on 30th Aug.

Treecreeper  2, 26th March in recently coppiced area. One trapped and ringed by Simon Tucker on 30th Aug.

Redwing  100+ in loud communal singing including a couple in full song, in the northern part of the wood, 2nd March, prior to their migration northwards.

Fieldfare  10, 15th Oct.

Spotted Flycatcher Reports from later than the two during the transect period were 1, 16th July (Wayne Ford) and another on 21st July. Much later a family of three was seen on 8th Sept. and a single with a tit flock on 13th Sept.

Redstart  One reported 16th July (Wayne Ford), the first since August 2019.

Stonechat  Two reported on 9th Oct by Simon Gathercole, presumably on autumn passage, the first ever at the reserve as far as I'm aware.

Meadow Pipit  One on autumn passage 9th Oct. (Simon Gathercole)

Redpoll (formerly "Lesser Redpoll") 2, 2nd Mar., 10 seen 9th Oct. (Simon Gathercole), 2-3, 15th Oct. 2, 26th Nov., 2+ 10th Dec.

                        Below: Valezina Silver-washed Fritillary, 26th June (RG), White Admiral, 1st July (Jon Mercer), Purple Emperor, 3rd July (RG)

Butterflies

Transect 2025

Of the butterflies seen on the transect this year, 12 species had increased,  5 had decreased and there was no significant change for 8 species. So all in all a successful year. Uniquely there were three new species for the transect - Purple Emperor, Small Copper and Small Heath. Of these the first named had been seen on two occasions in both 2023 and 2024, but not on the transect, while the other two both occur regularly (though the Small Heath not annually) on the adjacent meadows. Their presence, (and also that of the Common Blue and Brown Argus) is chiefly if not entirely due to the cutting and widening of the main ride in department G north of the bridleway, mentioned in last year's annual report, when it was predicted that this would increase numbers of, especially, lycaenid species, but also doubtless caused the sighting of the Small Heath there. On the downside, three priority species, White Admiral, Orange Tip and also possibly Brown Hairstreak, all had a poor year, the White Admiral particularly so. However in this case it is doubtful that there is any significance locally - the species seems to have fared badly everywhere. Hopefully this is just a blip. 

There were 23 transect visits between April and September, with three missing weeks - the weeks beginning 3rd June, 29th July and 9th September. I thank those who helped me with the visits.

IoA = Index of Abundance (sum of all totals) (Figures in brackets are the IoAs for 2022, 2023 and 2024)

+ plus and  - minus signs indicate short term trends. ( no sign indicates no particular trend.) 

Underlined species are species of particular conservation importance.

Small Skipper   A single on 25th July, IoA = 1  (5,3,0) - a declining species here

Large Skipper   Seen from 2nd June - 26th July, Max. 5 on 26th June and 3rd July, IoA 21 (27, 34, 16) - average year

• Brimstone  Seen from 4th April - 6th Aug., Max. 9, 4th Apr., IoA 32  (68, 88, 36) - very poor result with only the Covid year of 2020 (when there were no spring visits) with fewer.

+ Large White  Seen from 26th Apr. - 14th Aug., Max 11, 26th June,  IoA 57 (17, 15, 17) - this year's total is second only to the 97 of 2018. A migrant, so totals are likely to vary widely year on year.

Small White  Seen from 13th Jun., - 26th Aug., Max. 6, 21st Aug. IoA 15 (26, 17, 9) - fairly average total here - never as abundant as the Green-veined White

+ Green-veined White  Seen from 12th Apr. - 24th Sept., max. 21, 21st Aug. IoA 153  (126, 69, 70) - the highest ever total, even if some were misidentified Small Whites!

• Orange Tip  Seen from 4th Apr. to 13th May, max. 5 on 30th Apr., IoA 20  (55, 24, 25) - apart from Covid year 2020 when only one Orange Tip was seen, there being no early spring visits, this was the second lowest after 19 in 2014. The average over the last seven years (not including 2020) is 33.9 so this year is well below par, a worrying situation  with such a warm spring.

(- Brown Hairstreak   None on transect but there were two off transect sightings that I am aware of, of one female in the reserve on 11th August (Chris  Norwood) and two seen close together on the eastern edge of the wood in the Blackthorn thicket on 14th August, one of which lacked almost all its scales!  (Transects 2022-4: 1,1,1).  No other sightings this year are known (apart from a rumoured singleton on the record beating date of 1st July) so this year saw the fewest adults ever reported from Ravensroost.  By contrast 222 eggs were found on the reserve in winter 2024-5.) 

• Purple Hairstreak  Two on 26th Jun., 1 on 3rd Jul.  IoA 3  (3, 13, 5) - in addition several were seen on the joint BC/WOS trip to the wood on 29th June.

+ Small Copper  Singles on 21st Jul. and 21st Aug. IoA 2  (0,0,0) - The first for the transect, though seen annually in the meadows - one seen there on 30th Apr..

+ Brown Argus  Seen from 21st Jul. - 26th Aug. max. 2 on 21st Jul, IoA 6  (0,0,0) - although seen occasionally in the meadows, only one previous occurrence on the transect back in 2018, and this year's events are most surprising, though see introductory paragraph above.

+ Common Blue  Seen from 21st Jul - 21st Aug. max. 5, 14th Aug, IoA 16  (23, 7, 0) - see introductory paragraph above.

+ Holly Blue  Seen 13th May - 14th Aug, max. 3 on 6th Aug, IoA 11  (8,7,9) - the highest ever IoA this year!

• White Admiral  Seen from 20th Jun - 3rd Jul. max 3 on 20th Jun., IoA 5 (43, 36, 20)  - a devastating year, well down even on last year which was disappointing. The previous lowest was 15 in 2016, but the average in the last 8 years is 27.  Is this species disappearing from the wood? Though see introductory comment above.

+ Purple Emperor  Two seen on 3rd July, IoA 2 (0,0,0) - after two years, each with a couple of sightings by other observers, the first ever sightings at Ravensroost, at last we saw a couple on transect. This species genuinely seems to be spreading into Braydon Forest with a sighting this year also at Red Lodge Wood and others previously in Webbs Wood and suspected at Somerford Common.

Red Admiral   Seen from 9thMay - 24th Sep., max. 3, 13th Jun., IoA 27  (12, 33, 5) - the second highest total after 2023's 33.

Painted Lady  One seen on 20th Jun. IoA 1  (0,1,0)  - the fourth year out of twelve with a transect sighting, three were of just a singleton but there were three in 2019.

+ Peacock  Seen from 4th Apr. - 6th Aug, max 6 on 26th Jun. and 3rd Jul., IoA 29  (20, 22, 23) - the best year since 2021 when there were 33. A slow decline seems to be happening with this species for some reason. There are little or no nettles in the wood,  and it seems that outsde the wood in many places nettles are being outgunned by brambles. Small Tortoiseshells have not been seen on transect since 2022, and then only a singleton.

Comma  Seen from 30th Apr. - 26th Aug. max. 12, 3rd Jul. IoA 43  (24, 53, 20)  - contrary to Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell, the Comma, another nettle feeder,  seems to be on the rise with three totals over 40 since 2021, in 2021, 2023 and 2025, but none before. This is the kind of fact that shows that nature is complicated and rarely simple to explain!

Silver-washed Fritillary  Seen from 20th Jun. - 6th Aug., max 27 on 26th Jun. IoA 90  (143, 100, 52)  - a welcome reversal of fortunes from last year and this year there were a good number of sightings of the dark female valezina form - more than ever before :- singles were seen regularly from 26th June to 26th July, with two seen on, at least, 14th July.

+ Speckled Wood  Seen from 12th Apr. - 24th Sep., max 34 on 21st Aug. IoA 282  (253, 204,177) - the highest ever total this year - it really looks as if the Speckled Wood is on the rise here, perhaps profiting from our policy of maintaining scallops!

Gatekeeper  Seen from 3rd Jul - 6th Aug., max 34 on 21st Jul. IoA 83  (87, 143, 64) 

+ Meadow Brown  Seen from 2nd Jun. - 26th Aug., max 55, 20th Jun. IoA 324  (211, 276, 105 ) - a good increase over the last few years but still below average from the previous decade.

+ Ringlet  Seen from 20th Jun. - 26th Jul., max 71, 3rd Jul. IoA 152  (251, 118, 84 ) - this year's result about average for the last decade or so.

+ Small Heath  A single seen on 26th July - IoA 2 (due to the algorithm)  - the first ever seen on the transect though like the Small Copper small numbers occur on the adjacent meadows - where one seen this year on 30th Apr..

No records this year for Essex Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak, Small Tortoiseshell, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, or Marbled White, all of which have previously been seen on the transect.

Moths below: From top left: Phyllonorycter trifasciella,  Merveille du Jour, Argyresthia pruniella, Honeysuckle Moth, Lilac Beauty, Four-spotted Footman, Oak Lutestring. (Details see list below.) Photos by Robin Simpson apart from the Lilac Beauty and the Oak Lutestring which are by RG. Photos are not to scale!

Moths

Seven mothing sessions were held in the wood between March and October in 2025 (cf. eight sessions between February and November last year.) Thirteen new species were found in 2025 (cf. just six in 2024, twelve in 2023), mainly due to notable sessions for new micros on 28th June and 13th July. The reserve list is now 505 - 245 of which we have added to the list since regular trapping in 2016. The full list can be seen at Ravensroost Wood 2025 - Lepidoptera 

New and notable species seen in 2025: (New species are underlined) Where foodplants are mentioned this always apply to larval food - adults have no jaws -  just probosci, except in one primitive family of moths, which is not represented in the following list..

7.006  Adela reaumurella  (Green Longhorn)  First noted 30th Apr. -  hundreds seen 

7.012   Nematopogon schwartziellus (Sandy Longhorn) (8th May) One of a surprising number of moths whose larvae feed on dead leaves. 

15.083  Phyllonorycter trifasciella (Banded Honeysuckle Leafminer) (12th Sept.)  It isn't only the White Admiral that depends on honeysuckle! Congratulations to Robin Simpson for spotting this minute moth (Just 4mm in length!) Previous to 2025, there were only 16 records of this species in Wilts.

15.089  Horse Chestnut Leafminer Cameraria ohridella (13th July) Probably the most abundant moth in the UK, but the lack of Horse Chestnuts in Ravensroost makes it relatively rare here, obviously.

17.003  Honeysuckle Moth Ypsolopha dentella (13th July) Another species dependent on Honeysuckle.

20.021  Argyresthia prunella (Cherry Fruit Moth)  (13th July)  Feeds on both wild and cultivated cherries.

21.001  Apple Leafminer  Lyonetia clerkella  (13th July) Feeds widely on many different fruits not just apples.

29.002  Diurnea lipsiella  (November Tubic)  (One in the daytime, 22nd Oct & 4, trapped, 31st October).  A local species. Only 7 records up to the end of 2024 in Wiltshire, of which one was trapped by us in Ravensroost in 2023. We also trapped one in Somerford Common on 6th November this year. It may be on the increase? Apparently its main foodplant is Sessile Oak but in its absence will use Pedunculate Oak, Aspen or Small-leaved Lime, all of which occur in Ravensroost Wood.

32.007  Agonopterix ocellana  (Red-letter Flat-body) (20th March) A willow feeder.

34.004  Limnaecia phragmitella (Bulrush Down Moth)  (13th July) A locally common wetland species - we have also trapped some of the aquatic China-marks in the wood, proof of how wet it is. This species feeds on Bulrush and Lesser Bulrush.

35.003x  Aproaerema larseniella/cinctella (13th July) Two visually identical species, there have only been 19 records in the county prior to 2025. The former named feeds on Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil, the latter on Bird's Foot Trefoil - the latter being much rarer than the former.

35.107  Psoricoptera gibbosella (Tufted Oak Roller)  (13th July) A local oakwood specialist, there have only been 25 records of it in the county before this year.

45.043  Hemp Agrimony Plume  Adaina microdactyla (13th July)

49.061  Acleris holmiana  (White Triangle Button) (13th July) Feeds on many different Hawthorn (Rubus) family members.

49.233  Epinotia solandriana (Varied Birch Roller) (13th July) Scarce in Wilts with only 19 records in the county to the end of 2024.

49.238  Willow Tortrix  Epinotia cruciana  (28th June)  A local species, rare in Wiltshire - indeed not reported in the county for ten years!

54.002 Forester Adscita statices  A day flying species seen in the meadow, 22nd May (Chris Norwood) - on decline so all records needed.

62.034  Acrobasis repandana  (Warted Knot-horn) (28th June) An oak feeder.

63.007  Pyrausta purpuralis  (Common Purple & Gold)  (3rd July) A rarely seen day flying moth in the meadow.

63.072  Eudonia delunella (Pied Grey) (28th June)  A very local but increasing species.  Feeds on lichens and mosses in ancient woodland and old orchards.

65.001  Scalloped Hooktip  Falcaria lacertinaria  One seen on transect, 6th August, an unusual daytime sighting

65.014  Oak Lutestring  Cymatophorina diluta  (24, 12th Sept.)  A local species. Rare in Wilts with just 33 reports up to the end of 2024, of which most of the individuals were trapped from here and Somerford Common! The 24 this year compares with c35 on 29th August last year! Needs mature oaks, so it is surprising it isn't commoner elsewhere in the county. "Ravensroost's premier species".

65.015  Frosted Green  Polyploca ridens  (13, 19th April) A local species. Like the Oak Lutestring it is an oak feeder, but it is the commoner species of the two in Wilts.

66.002  Pale Eggar  Trichiura crataegi  (5, 12th Sept.) Much more catholic in foodplants than the two former species, using Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Birches, willows etc.

69.007  Pine Hawkmoth  Sphinx pinastri (13th July)  A local species. Resident in the conifers of Somerford Common just a mile away, though it is strange that this hawk-moth turns up in our traps occasionally here, as we rarely trap the commoner Hawk-moth species!

69.010  Hummingbird Hawk-moth  (Macroglossum stellatarum) On transect 3rd July. A fairly common migrant always a pleasure to see.

70.004  Least Carpet  Idaea rusticata  (13th July) An excellent year for this species on the increase. Its abundance has increased by 11,560% in the last 50 years in the UK! Hardly a specialist as its larvae eat the withered and dead leaves of Ivy among other plants!

70.103  Water Carpet  Lampropteryx suffumata (20th March)  Local in Wiltshire. A bedstraw feeder.

70.203  Orange Underwing  Archiearis parthenias  (4th April) A local species. The only report in Ravensroost this year, that I know of, of this day flying native of the Braydon Forest birches.

70.231  Lilac Beauty  Apeira syringaria (2, 12th Sept.) A local species. No other British moth folds its forewing quite like the Lilac Beauty. The name refers to its colour not to its foodplant - it feeds on Honeysuckle, Ash and Privet.

71.016  Great Prominent  Peridea anceps (5, 19th April) A local species, feeding on mature oaks.

72.029 Scarlet Tiger Callimorpha dominula Noted on the transect 26th Jun.

72.041  Four-spotted Footman  Lithosia quadra  (13th Sept.) A personal "lifer" for me, this species is rapidly spreading north and east through southern England - I had my first in the garden in Cricklade just a week after this one! A lichen feeder.

72.083 Burnet Companion Euclidia glyphica One seen in the meadows, 22nd May (Chris Norwood) - a day-flying species 

72.084 Mother Shipton Euclidia mi One seen in the meadows, 22nd May (Chris Norwood) - a very attractive day-flying species

73.033  Figure of Eight  Diloba caeruleocephala  (14, 31st October) Very local in Wilts, few sites produce as many as this in an evening. Our maximum is 23 trapped on 22nd October 2023. Rapidly declining throughout the UK, for unknown reasons, though annual cutting of hedges doesn't help. Feeds on Blackthorn, Hawthorn and other Rubus species.

 73.045 Knot Grass  Acronicta rumicis  (13th July) A declining species nationally - by 76% in fifty years, but common enough still to make its appearance at Ravensroost no surprise. A wide variety of food plants.

73.048 Small Yellow Underwing  Panemeria tenebrata One seen in the meadows , 22nd May (Chris Norwood) - a local and declining  day-flying species often overlooked - all records are needed

73.155  Clouded Brindle   Apamea epomidion (28th June) A very worn specimen that needed a smartphone "app" to help with identification! A grass feeder.

73.215  Lesser Spotted Pinion  Cosmia affinis  ( 3, 13th July)  A local species. Rare in Wilts with just 23 reports up to the end of 2024. An elm feeder, and declining. 

73.220  Minor Shoulder-knot  Brachylomia viminalis (28th June) A rapidly declining species that is hanging on in Ravensroost, rarely reported elsewhere in the county in recent years. Feeds on willows and Aspens.

73.224  Merveille du Jour Griposia aprilina  (31st October)  An autumn without this stunning species is incomplete! Happily it is on a slow increase nationally. An oak feeder.

73.225  Brindled Green   Drobotodes eremita  (12th Sept)  Rare in Wilts, but increasing nationally like the previous species. An oak feeder.

Moths below: Epinotia solandriana, Minor Shoulder-knot, Willow Tortrix, Lesser Spotted Pinion, Psoricoptera gibbosella (Details above.) By Robin Simpson & RG.

Below: Twin - spotted Quaker adult, 20th March & larva, 9th May (both RG)

Odonata 

Mainly at the ponds both inside and outside the wood, although immature insects tend to avoid open water. The meadow ponds are rapidly filling with reeds and other plants although much work was done in November to clear them. 

Banded Demoiselle  Noted 3rd & 21st July on transect - a species of flowing, not standing, water.

Common Blue Damselfly  First noted 9th May.

Large Red Damselfly  First noted 30th Apr.

Southern Hawker  First noted 20th Jun.

Brown Hawker First noted 20th Jun.

Migrant Hawker First noted 6th Aug.

Emperor First noted 26th Jun.

Hairy Dragonfly  One seen 13th May at the Newt Pond

Downy Emerald  3 seen, 9th/13th May, & 2, 25th May & 2nd Jun., in the northern part of the wood where they have been seen annually for some years

Broad-bodied Chaser  First noted 5th May (Peter Sketch)

Four-spotted Chaser First noted 2nd Jun.

Ruddy Darter  Noted 6th/14th Aug.

Common Darter  First noted 26th Jun.

Other insects 

Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle Agapanthia villoviridescens  One, 25th May (JaneD)

Tobacco-coloured Longhorn beetle Alosterna tabacicolor  One, 2nd Jun. (JaneD)

Plants

Violet Helleborines Ravensroost 2025. by Jane Deacon

 A total of 11 visits were made between 25/05/25 and 08/09/25 to record the Violet Helleborines. Despite a very hot and dry season these records show an improvement in comparison with those of 2024.

 Area Yh 

First shoots recorded 20/06/245. Total of 15 shoots recorded. 9 of these produced tall healthy flower spikes and 6 disappeared or shrivelled without flowering. No signs of being nibbled. 

Flowering recorded between 21/07/25 and 14/08/25. No flowers set seed. 

 Area Kh 

 First shoot recorded 20/06/25. 5 more shoots appeared between 22/06/25 and 02/07/25, making a total of 6. 

Only one shoot produced a small flower which didn’t produce any seeds. 

All remaining shoots disappeared or shrivelled without flowering. 

All shoots were small, less than cm in height. 

 Area Jh and Wh . 

 No helleborines were seen here again this year.

 Birds Nest Orchids. 

 2 healthy shoots were recorded on 25/05/25 at SU 02427 87871 

 2 more were discovered after they had flowered on 20/06/25. SU 02459 87846 and SU 02459 87843

Additional:    A Green-veined Orchid was found in the meadow by Peter Sketch on 3rd May - the first known report from the reserve.

      Below: Green-veined Orchid, Ravensroost meadow, 3rd May (Peter Sketch) & Bird's Nest Orchid 25th May (Jane Deacon)

Below: The wood on 3rd December (RG)