Violet Helleborine (RG)
1) THE YEAR IN RAVENSROOST
The year began with the completion of the NW section of the bridleway dead hedge. Also coppicing in the 8-year rotation continued, with in addition clearing of the hazel cut by the contractors and cutting and bundling of some bean and pea sticks. The deer ladder was fixed against a tree so it gave a clear view of ride RJ, but it was subsequently found lying on the ground where it has since remained. I assume no deer culling is now done in the wood. Hedgelaying and coppicing continued till the end of March, there being enough members of the team to allow both activities to continue simultaneously. Coppicing of the north part of section V was completed as was the NE section of bridleway hedge, effectively meaning the whole bridleway was hedged on both sides. There is a weaker section in the SE part of the hedge which will need attention in 2014. An extra session was carried out at the beginning of April to clear the ride side where it was at its most overgrown - RJ 5/6. Half of this was done, the second half was cleared at the first session in October. The April effort was soon rewarded when White Admirals were seen in the cleared area just 3 months later!
Simon Tucker continued his constant-effort bird ringing with some highly productive sessions - eg. 96 birds processed on 19th January! In all he did 23 sessions of ringing during the year mainly in the wood but also a couple in the meadows. See his report below. In addition he, and two ringing colleagues, held two public demonstrations with the Swindon Wildlife group on 23rd Feb and 10th Aug that both attracted over 20 people.
The late winter bird survey was carried out on 4th February with some signs of spring - eg. a displaying Sparrowhawk and drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers. See below.
Michael Sammes' Brown Hairstreak egg search on 12th February (with 7 helpers) found 81 eggs.
In April the birdsong surveys began together with the butterfly transect - see results of both below. The survey on 7th May was led by Jane Deacon as Robin was on holiday, as were various further surveys during the season as Robin was away with family concerns. The bird survey proper finished on June 25th, while the butterfly survey was only just getting going then with the improving weather.
During the year, but particularly in summer, various observers sent their sightings and photographs to me so I was able to include them on the website and in this report.
Another Swindon Wildlife Group event was held on 13th July when 15 people attended Philippa Uttridge's beetle search - several attractive species were found on a very hot day when all insect activity was at its height. See reports below.
A fourth Swindon Wildlife Group event was the moth trapping session with Marc Taylor on 14th September - 22 people turned up to enjoy the sight of more than a dozen species of moths including the local, but frequent here, Oak Lutestring.
The butterfly transect finished on 29th September (with some spectacular results - see below), and the autumn management season began the following week, unfortunately without myself as I had to be away on family duty on nearly every Wednesday until December.The team was led by Geoff Whittle, who qualified for the leadership certificate in November, and when he was not able to come, by WWT staff Ellie and Sue. The team were joined by a new member Rebecca Stratton. Following the clearance of the rideside begun in April, the team cleared the ponds of weed then commenced coppicing a large swathe of section V - this was completed in time for Christmas! The gales in Christmas week resulted in just one casualty, an Aspen that fell across the main ride north of the bridleway. I removed it on 28th December.
The early winter bird survey was carried out on 7th December, results below.
Finally I would like on behalf of the team to pay tribute to the late Dave Kay, who worked hard and enthusiastically with us (and for the Blakehill team) last winter. He was always encouraging and was a great helper to all who worked with him.
2) BIRDS
a) Late Winter Bird Survey 4th February 2013 (31st Jan 2012 figures in brackets): Mallard 4 (0), Pheasant 2 (2) , Buzzard 1 (3) Sparrowhawk 2 - displaying male (1), Stock Dove 4 (2) , Wood Pigeon 3 (c46) , Green Woodpecker 0 (2) , Great Spotted Woodpecker 7 (3) including one drumming in both surveys , Robin 8 (3) singing , Song Thrush 2 (2) singing , Redwing c70 (28), Mistle Thrush 2 (0), Fieldfare c90 (22) , Blackbird 7 (10) , Goldcrest 3 (1) , Wren 6 (4) singing, Great Tit 11 (6) singing , Coal Tit 6 (4) singing , Blue Tit 22 (28) singing , Marsh Tit 5 (8), Long-tailed Tit 8 (c18), Nuthatch 4 (7) , Treecreeper 2 (2) , Magpie 3 (1) , Jay 8 (2) , Raven 1 (0), Jackdaw 9 (10) ,Rook 4 (26) , Crow 12 (1) , Starling 32 (9) , House Sparrow 0 (6) , Chaffinch 7 (12 one beginning to tune up), Goldfinch 0 (2), Siskin 2 (0), Greenfinch 0 (1) , Bullfinch 3 (1) (RG, GW, LN, JaneD).
b) Early Winter Bird Survey 7th December 2013 (2011 and 2012 early winter survey results in brackets): Pheasant 1 (12, 1), Sparrowhawk 1 (0,0), Buzzard 1 (3,0), Wood Pigeon c500 disturbed by nearby shooting (55,20), Collared Dove 1 singing in hedgerow beside meadow (0,0), Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 (2,3), Meadow Pipit 2 meadow (0,0), Wren 7 song + 2 in meadow area (5,5), Dunnock 1 in meadow area (0,2 Avis meadow), Robin 9 song (10,9), Blackbird 13 + 1 meadow area (14,13), Song Thrush 2 (1,0), Redwing 1 + c20 in meadow area, song heard (32,2), Mistle Thrush 1 song (1,1), Fieldfare 4 + 2 meadow area (3,14), Goldcrest 6 (3,3), Long-tailed Tit 1 (11+,9), Blue Tit 5 (5,5), Great Tit 6 + 1 meadow (8,5), Coal Tit 6 (4,7), Marsh Tit 3 (6,3), Nuthatch 4 (5,1), Jay 6 (8,3), Magpie 1 + 2 meadow (2,4), Jackdaw 2+ (c7, nc), Rook 1 (nc,nc), Carrion Crow 4 (6,nc), House Sparrow 2 at house (0,0), Chaffinch 5 + 1 meadow (10,4), Greenfinch 1+ (1,0), Goldfinch 4 + 5 meadow (0,2), Lesser Redpoll 2 + 4 meadow feeding on thistle seeds (8,0), Bullfinch 3 + 2 meadow area (3,5)
Avis meadow and barn not visited this time.
Not seen this time: Stock Dove (5,2), Green Woodpecker (1,1), Treecreeper (0,1), Raven (0,2), Starling (0,5), Siskin (1,1), Pied Wagtail (3,0), Linnet (1,0)
c) Apr - June Bird Territory estimates in the wood, plus breeding evidence if any (likely to be minima for most species, and only estimated for area covered by the butterfly transect and its surrounds – perhaps at most one third of the wood only.)
NB. Figure is for pairs not individuals.
These results are from a total of 12 full bird counts carried out between 6th April and 25th June 2013, plus various extra observations on other dates of rarer species not counting towards the territory estimate. Each of the full bird counts involved mapping all contacts with birds in the vicinity of the butterfly transect then estimating the number of territories from each visit and making an overall estimate from the set at the end of the season (Not enough birdsong after late June for worthwhile counting). For Simon Tucker's results see his summary.
(2012 results in brackets)
Green = up from 2012,, black = same or not known, red = down
1 Pheasant - not recorded last year
? Sparrowhawk - few contacts, as last year - definitely bred in 2011.
1 Buzzard - 1 - 2 last year
1? Woodcock - 1 flushed, 30th Jan.another 1st Feb., and 3 flushed on 6th April. 1 roding 5th May - first such record since 2011. In autumn one flushed in coppiced area in section V on both 11th and 18th December.
1 - 3 Wood Pigeon - not recorded last year (?)
2? Tawny Owl - heard in full sunshine 1st Feb.and 2 heard on 4th September
1 Green Woodpecker - only seen once last year
1 - 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker (2 -3 last year)
1 Mistle Thrush - only "possible" last year. Sang all day on 9th Jan, a warm winter day. Two sang near the coppiced area in section V on both 11th and 18th December.
3 Song Thrush - probably up on last year (2 -3) - 5 heard singing on 2 occasions this year
6 Blackbird - very hard to estimate as contacts varied between 1 to 9 but probably about six pairs
1? Spotted Flycatcher - 1 seen by Simon Tucker 6th July was the only sighting this year! Disappointing but a suggestive date. Pair present all season last year.
7 - 9 Robin - (7 - 9)
3 - 6 Blackcap - 5 - 7 last year
2 - 3 Garden Warbler - 2 - 4 last year - and even more in 2011. 2 still singing 9th July. Same comment as for Willow Warbler below.
Simon Tucker
7 - 9 Chiffchaff - (9 - 10 in 2012) heard singing for the first time, 29th March. Still about at end of September, last 5th Oct.
2 Willow Warbler - declined from 3-5 last year and 5 - 6 in 2011. This may have simply been a function of the coppicing cycle in the wood and nothing more sinister.
1 Goldcrest - down from 2 last year, though nest-building suspected on 18th April. Common in last part of year with c5 seen on 28th Dec.
1 Marsh tit - down from 2 last year - very few contacts this spring, though regularly trapped by Simon. Winter records: 1, colour ringed but colours not seen against the light, 17th Jan., 3 seen 1st Feb., 1 23rd Feb., heard 6th March, singing 27th March, in late summer heard 18th July, trapped in NE of wood, 12th August, several seen, 7th Sept., 1, 21st & 29th Sept. 3, 12th Oct., regularly heard & trapped rest of year, with about 4 birds seen and heard in different parts of the wood on 28th Dec.
Simon Tucker
5 - 8 Blue Tit Very hard to estimate - large counts early on then few seen later, but 2 families seen on 25th June. See Simon Tucker's comments below "Where have all the Blue Tits gone?".
2 - 4 Great Tit - again no apparent change in numbers
2 - 3 Coal Tit - as Great Tit
2 Long-tailed Tit - probably same, as other tits - also a pair seen in the meadows this year. Very many seen in several different areas on 28th Dec.
2 Nuthatch - 3 -4 last year
1 Treecreeper - only one contact between April - June so apparently declined even from last year. But heard singing 1st Feb. Regularly trapped however, and 2 seen in tit flocks on 28th Dec.
4 - 7 Wren - after last year's bumper numbers apparently declined to below 2011 figure.
2+ Jackdaw - feeding young
1? Raven - could well have bred locally this year (previously only seen outside the period, though of course they are early breeders) Very noisy late Feb - early March and in April. 4 over the wood, 10th November.
2 Carrion Crow - 1 - 2 last year
1 Magpie - flock of 12 on 6th April and family seen later
1 - 2 Jay - 2 - 3 last year
3 - 4 Chaffinch - 3 - 5 last year, 8 estimated in 2011
- Greenfinch none this year
1 Bullfinch - not estimated last year
ALSO SEEN 2013:
Teal A female flushed from the Island Pond on 28th December - a first for the wood!
Redwing - Regular Jan - Mar then c50 in communal song 6th April, c15 singing again on 28th Dec.
Lesser Redpoll - 1 16th Jan & 5th Oct., then increased in late autumn with 4 apparently associating with tit flocks on 28th Dec.
Siskin - 6 trapped 24th March, 1 seen 23rd Feb. & 27th March. 5, 5th October
Reed Bunting - 1 trapped 26th Jan., the first ever recorded in the wood
Simon Tucker
Outside wood (ie. Surrounding meadows):
1 - 2? Mallard - seen on three occasions , even once in the middle of the wood!
Grey Heron - one at the pond in April
Red Kite - 1, 11th July (Simon Tucker)
Peregrine - one on 4th June
Hobby - pursuing Swallows over the meadows, 10th August and again 11th (RG, Helen Rice)
[- Kestrel - not seen on site this year]
1? Lapwing - only seen on 2 occasions this year, 14th April and 6th May - displaying on latter occasion, but no breeding evidence otherwise (at least 1 pair bred last year). Flock of 66 over the meadows on November 10th.
Common Snipe - one on 6th April at the pond
Jack Snipe - one flushed from the pond, 10th November - first since Feb 2012
Green Sandpiper - one on 1st August at the meadow pond - first for Ravensroost (Jon Mercer)
Jon Mercer
1 Stock Dove - in the Avis meadow barn - also in wood for first time on one occasion
Barn Owl - at Avis meadows in the evening, 16th April - the first sighting this year (Chrissy Smith)
Cuckoo - one on 18th May only
? Skylark - heard over the wood in Feb.
Meadow Pipit - winterers stayed on till 18th April (2) this year
? Dunnock - Avis meadow recorded on one occasion only
Redstart - 3, 9th Sept. - only record this year (Bob Philpott)
Fieldfare Regular in winter months in the meadows.
Reed Warbler - migrant adult trapped 17th August
Garden Warbler - seen by meadow pond 18th May, trapped there 11th July
1 - 2 Common Whitethroat - only 1 last year. 3 trapped 11th July, 8 on 17th Aug, last seen 4th Sept.
1 Lesser Whitethroat - same as last year. 4 trapped 17th Aug.
Simon Tucker
2? Goldfinch - same as last year
1? Yellowhammer - singing in meadows NE of wood, 1st Aug. - first since 2011
1 Reed Bunting - probably bred near the pond this year
d) Ringing Results
Ravensroost Woods
Access to Ravensroost Woods for the new project work was given by Natural England in early October 2012 and regular ringing started there on the 13th October 2012. The coppice project started on 12th May 2013 with the last session being run on the 17th September 2013. The results from the first year of this project are combined into this report, with the detailed analysis provided in the separate “Ravensroost Woods Coppice Cycle Project – Summer 2013” report.
For the winter period, two feeding stations were set up: one by the pond in block J opposite R13, as before. This contains an open table for seed and a large peanut feeder (S5). This area is characterised by seeming to be outside of the 8 year coppicing cycle. There is clearance carried out
on an occasional basis but in the 16 years I have been visiting Ravensroost only a quarter of section J, alongside the main path, has been cleared.
The second feeding station was in block U1 just off R28. (S2). This site was coppiced between 2 and 3 years ago and the coppice height was generally around the 2m mark at the start of the coppice project. It is approximately half way along R35, and comprising a seed table protected from squirrels by 2” plastic coated mesh plus a nyjer seed feeder and two medium peanut feeders.
The map below shows the net rides used during the autumn and winter, with the project study areas identified in white type.
Sessions were held on the following dates:
13th April 2013, 21st April 2013, 12th May 2013, 18th May 2013, 8th June 2013, 15th June 2013, 6th July 2013, 9th August, 10th August, 7th September 2013, 15th October 2013, 24th October 2013, 13th November 2013, 7th December 2013, 22nd December 2013, 21st January 2014, 25th January 2014, 16th February 2014, 8th March 2014, 30th March 2014.
Table 2: Ringing and retrap records for Ravensroost Woods:
In 2012/13 22 species were ringed in Ravensroost Woods, and 24 in 2013/14. In 2012/13 Reed Bunting and Lesser Redpoll were ringed in the wood but not in 2013/14 (Lesser Redpoll were known to be present, just not caught and ringed), whereas in 2013/14 the summer migrant warblers Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were added to the list. The lack of Lesser Redpoll being caught in the wood this year has been replicated to a degree in the other sites and is almost certainly due to the mild winter leaving more food available compared to last year. The Reed Bunting caught in the wood last year was the first and only time this bird has been seen in the wood, as opposed to in the meadow areas to the east of the wood where they are regular and known to breed.
There are welcome signs of recovery amongst the Bullfinch population with an increased catch from 2 to 13 this year. The best catch was of 8 individuals on the 9th August. This comprised a family group of both adults and four young, as well as incidental catches of another 2 birds. The newly fledged birds ringed in the wood came from the following species: Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Jay, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Robin, Treecreeper, Willow Warbler and Wren. Also, as previously mentioned, Long-tailed Tit young were almost certainly ringed but are indistinguishable from adults after the summer moult. It was fortunate that a Nuthatch was trapped whilst still in juvenile plumage. Essentially it looks as if the wood is probably supporting breeding populations of 20 of the 22 species ringed during the breeding season.
In addition to ringing in the woods in 2013/14 a few sessions were also arranged in Ravensroost Meadows in the vicinity of the meadow pond. The summer sessions showed a clear distinction between the avifauna of the wood and meadow. The three winter sessions were run at dusk and were specifically targeted at luring Redwing, so additional species were “accidental”.
Table 3: Ravensroost Meadows ringing and retrap records:
The meadows offer a refreshingly different avifauna from the wood. There are a number of woodland species, as one would expect, but also add the hedgerow species: Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat; the open field species: the Swallow and Starling and the water’s edge species: Reed Warbler. In total there were 21 species trapped in the meadows. Of the 20 species that were present during the breeding season 12 had newly fledged young trapped and ringed.
The combination of wildflower meadows, developed hedgerows and ponds is a fantastic environment and the intention is to do some additional ringing in the meadows to compare and contrast with Blakehill Farm and Brown’s Farm, as they are very different open field landscapes. Blakehill is primarily unimproved grassland and beef, Brown’s Farm being on the edge of the Down’s south of Marlborough and being arable crop (oilseed rape, barley and wheat) and beef.
Where have all the Blue Tits gone? (Email from Simon Tucker 14th October)
I remember you asking this question: hopefully this graph will show you that your missing them was correct, but it is nothing to worry about.
Essentially they are too busy foraging for food for their young, probably in the canopy or on the edge of the wood, to be noticeable. You will see that the youngsters from this year have become active inside the wood whereas the adults are less conspicuous. Anecdotally I would have expected to see newly fledged youngsters from the beginning of June (I would always go away on holiday the last two weeks of May and my Blue Tits would have fledged by the time I got back) but it will be interesting to compare with dates from other years.
The distinction between adults born last year or in previous years disappears after the nesting season as both sets of birds moult into the same plumage so the blue bars from 11/07 and 07/09 could be either.
This is an early extraction from my first breeding season's data from Ravensroost, which I am currently analysing. (Simon Tucker: 14th October)
3) BUTTERFLIES
A bumper year for many species with the notable exceptions of the Orange Tip (an early species which did not profit from the warm summer) and 2 brown species (that should have done.) Although I've given it red, to be truthful the status of the elusive Brown Hairstreak this year is not known - see below.
Transect results (Non transect sightings or sightings in meadow area, are in brackets), green = up, black = no apparent change, red = down:
Small Skipper Seen 11th July - 10th August, max 7, 18th July,(also 30+, meadow, 1st August)
(Essex Skipper 1, 18th July (Bob Philpott) (first record since 2011)
Bob Philpott
Large Skipper Seen 9th July - 1st August, max. 7, 20th July.
Large White Seen from 7th May - 29th August, max. 13 on 15th August, (also 20, 11th Aug.)
Small White Identified from 18th July - 29th August, max. 9 on 22/29 Aug. (Outnumbered by the next species at Ravensroost)
Green-veined White From 18th May - 21st Sept., max. 23 on 15th August.
Orange Tip (1 off transect 30th April) then 2, 18th May, 6, 22nd May, 5, 4th June.
(Clouded Yellow 1, 10th Aug., flew rapidly east up the lane, 2, 18th Aug. at the meadow pond (Mike Freeth), 1, 22nd Aug in the meadow)
Brimstone Seen from 14th April (6) - 22nd August, max. 16 on latter date, then one on 24th Oct.
Brown Hairstreak 1, 4th Sept.,a late adult male in Ash beside the Island Pond, first ever record from the transect! (Otherwise,off transect: egg search 12th Feb: A total of 81 eggs both along the woodland edge and two hedges running east at right angles. (Michael Sammes, JaneD, LN, Frank & David Train, Ellie Jones, David Collingbourne and Jenny Parsons) Also on 4th Sept. an egg was found on the hedgerow east of the wood. Adults: a possible, 6th Aug., 1 male in Ash beside lane at 0945 hrs, 10th Aug., 3, including a pristine female, 11th Aug. (Mike Freeth), 1, 15th Aug. at very top of Ash trees in corner by car park - chased away by bumble bee) (Hard to know whether it was really down on last year as there were no records from Matthew Oates this year.)
Mike Freeth
Purple Hairstreak Seen from 13th July - 22nd August, max. 4+ on 1st Aug, though 11 seen on an evening visit, 20th July (Off transect "a few", 6th Aug. 8, 10th Aug., 6, 11th Aug., 2, 15th Aug., 4, 18th Aug., "a few" 22nd Aug.)
Small Copper (Meadow: 1, 1/6Aug., 2, 10th Aug., 1, 22nd Aug., 2, 29th Aug., 4, 2nd Sept)
Holly Blue 1, 4th June
(Common Blue Meadow: 2, 10th Aug., several 22nd Aug, 4, 29th Aug., 3, 2nd Sept., 5, 4th Sept.)
White Admiral Seen from 9th July - 11th August, max. 16 on 18th July, site record since 2011 (Also one in meadow 10th Aug.) I feeding on cuckoo spit, 13th July.
White Admiral on Cuckoo Spit 130713 (Philippa Uttridge)
Peacock Seen from 6th - 30th April, max. 6 on 23/30 April, then from 20th July - 29th August, max. 9 on 11th Aug.
Red Admiral 1, 11th July, 1, 29th Sept., 1, 24th Oct., 1, 10th November (Meadow: 1, 6th Aug.)
Painted Lady 1, 11th Aug., first record for Ravensroost since 2011 (Helen Rice)
Small Tortoiseshell One, 23rd April (first ever on the transect),then 2, 9/11 July, 1, 18th July and 1, 29th Aug.
Comma 5 on 6th April, then 6 on 18th July and 29th Sept.,finally 3 on 5th and12th October
Silver-washed Fritillary Seen from 9th July - 22nd August, max. 32 on 18th July - site record since 2011. 2 mating pairs on 11th July, mating pair and female seen on oak trunk presumably egg laying, 20th July, a female apparently ovipositing on a Downy Birch, 1st August, and 2 valesina females, 10th Aug.(Peter Sketch)
Leanne Newton
Marbled White 4, 11th July, 2, 15th July, 1, 18th July, (Meadow: 3, 7th July and 1, 6th Aug.) None on transect last year, 2 singles in 2011.
Speckled Wood Seen from 18th May - 9th July, max. 12 on 4th July, then from 15th Aug. - 12th Oct, max. 29 on 4th Sept. Feeding on blackberry on 29th August.
RG
Meadow Brown Seen from 25th June - 4th Sept, max. 176 on 9th July and 105 on 18th July. Double last year's max.
Ringlet 4, 9th July, 14, 18th July, 3, 6th Aug., 1 very late, 2nd Sept. (Helen Rice) Surprisingly scarce this year, cf. Meadow Browns!
Gatekeeper 2, 18th July, 8, 1st Aug., 3, 15th Aug., 1, 22nd Aug., ( Meadow, 9, 10th Aug. and 1, 2nd Sept.) Marginally down on last year?
4) MOTHS
Moths trapped during the mothing event on 14th Sept. in blue
Longhorn sp. 1, 22nd May
Agonopterix alstromeriana 1, 13th November
Acleris emargana 1, 14th Sept.
RG
Apotomis betuletana (probably), 15th Aug.
Six spot Burnet moth 2, 4th July
Oak Lutestrings a local moth that was frequent in the light traps on 14th Sept
RG
Orange Underwing 1, 14th April - a local day flying moth that was common in early spring 2012
Bloodvein 1, 22nd Aug
Silver Ground Carpet 1, 21st June, 2,25th June, 1, 4/9 July
Yellowshell 1st Aug
Common Marbled Carpets 14th Sept
Blue-bordered Carpet a possible adult, 11th July (eggs are sometimes found during Brown Hairstreak searches)
Magpie 1, 10th Aug.
Brimstone moth 14th Sept.
September Thorns 14th Sept.
Mottled or Willow Beauty 1, 1st Aug
Common White Wave 1, 25th June, 9/13/18 July
White-pinion Spotted 1, 4th June
Light Emerald 1, 4th June, 9th July
Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar, 5th Oct.
Vapourer 1, 12th Oct. nearly caught by a Southern Hawker dragonfly
Scarlet Tiger 2, 13/18/20 July, mating pair on last date
Large Yellow Underwing 9th July, 21st Sept
Setaceous Hebrew Characters 14th Sept.
Square Spot Rustics 14th Sept.
Common Wainscot 14th Sept.
Brick 1, 2nd Oct.
Sallow 14th Sept
Copper Underwing 2, 14th Sept.
Angle Shades 14th Sept.
Small Yellow Underwing 1, 4th June - first site record of this local day flying species
Leanne Newton
Green Silver Lines caterpillar 24th Oct.
Silver Y 1, 21st June, 4, 15th Aug., 1, 22nd Aug., 2, 29th Aug.
Red Underwing 1, 29th Aug. flying around the shooting hut - exactly the same as on 22/8/12!
Blackneck 1, 9th July, first site record of this local species
Leanne Newton
5) DRAGONFLIES
Unlike the butterflies, dragonflies don't seem to have had a particularly good year in 2013.
Banded Demoiselle 1, 11th July, again 13/18 July (one seen in August 2012)
Emerald Damselfly All records: a possible, 13th July, 4, 18th July, seen 22nd Aug., 3-4, 29th Aug., finally 4th Sept. Local in this area.
Large Red Damselfly Always the earliest member of the dragonfly tribe - seen from 7th May - 20th July, max. 8 on 21st June
Azure Damselfly Seen 26th May, 4/26 June, 7/9 July. No reports after this - seen to 9th August 2012.
Common Blue Damselfly 4 ads. + many tenerals in the meadows, 21st June, also seen 7/9/11 July. Like Azure, not reported after this, while in 2012 was seen to 19th August
Blue-tailed Damselfly Seen 21st June - 4th September.
[Red-eyed Damselfly None seen this year, surprisingly.]
Migrant Hawker Only reported 1/29 Aug. None reported this autumn - seen to October last year
Jon Mercer
Southern Hawker Seen from 11th July till 2nd November - common.
Brown Hawker From 9th July - 4th September, max. 5 on 18th July.
Emperor Presumed exuvium 4th June, adults seen 7th July - 11th August.
Four-spotted Chaser Seen 4th June - 20th July. Seen to 19th August last year.
Broad-bodied Chaser Seen from 4th June to 9th July.
Black-tailed Skimmer Seen from 9th July to 11th Aug. None seen at all last year(?)
Common Darter Seen from 9th July - 29th September then as last year a very late one on 10th November.
Simon Tucker
[Ruddy Darter None seen this year - seen throughout August last year.]
6) FUNGI
By Tim Kaye (TK) on 5th Oct unless otherwise stated
Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystina) 9th Oct TK - first for Ravensroost
Horsehair Fungus 9th Oct TK
Lilac Bell Cap TK
Honey Fungus TK
Birch Russula (Russula betularum) TK - first for Ravensroost
Beechwood Sickener TK
Weeping Milkcap (Lactarius volemus) 9th Oct TK - first for Ravensroost
Rufous Milkcap TK, ID Dave Champion
Woolly Milkcap TK
Sulphur Tuft TK
Sweet Poison Pie (Hebeloma sacchariolens) TK, ID Dave Champion
Lurid Bolete (Boletus luridus) 9th Oct TK - first for Ravensroost
Soft Slipper Toadstool TK
Grey Coral Fungus TK
Hedgehog Fungus TK
Hairy Stereum TK
Grey Polypore TK
Blushing Bracket TK
Birch Polypore TK
Candle Snuff Fungus TK et al
Hazel Woodwart (Hypoxylon fuscum) TK
Coral Spot Fungus Jane Deacon 4th June
Ramularia rubella TK - first for Ravensroost
7) OTHER WILDLIFE
Beetles seen on Philippa Uttridge's beetle day are in blue
Gipsywort 4th Sept Seen at the Meadow Pond ID by Geoff Whittle
Birdsnest Orchid 6, 25th June - August
Leanne Newton
Violet Helleborine about 9 again, 25th June - September - flowered as well as last year and one or two got to seeding. We put them under protectors again - not sure of the success of this but none seems to have been eaten by deer or slugs this year. One seeding late into the autumn.
Leanne Newton
Comb Footed Spider Enoplognatha ovata 29th May
Wasp Beetle Clytus arietis 4th June
14 Spot Ladybird 4th June, 13th July
22 spot Ladybird 13th July
Giant Diving Beetle Dytiscus marginalis eating Toadpoles 4th June
Spotted Longhorn Beetle Rutpela maculata 13th July
Stuart Genn
Soldier Beetle Cantharidae sp. 13th July
Fat Kneed Beetle Oedemera nobilis 13th July
Longhorn Beetle Leptura aethiops 13th July
Whirligig Beetle Gyrinidae sp. 13th July
Black Clock Beetle Pterostichus madidus 13th July
Alder Fly Sialidae sp. 8th May
Snake Fly Phaeostigma notata 29th May
Froghopper Cercopsis vulnerata, 29th May
Water Scorpion Nepidae sp. 4th June
Forest Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes 13th July
Speckled Bush Cricket Leptophytes punctatissima 13th July
Stuart Genn
Lesser Marsh Grasshopper Chorthippus albomarginatus 13th July
Stuart Genn
Large Rose Sawflies Arge pagana 18th July
RG
Hornet Common, seen till October, even after dark at the mothing event, entering the trap. Nesting in shooting hut, and one seen munching a Meadow Brown on 1st August.
Toad Once again many 'poles in the meadow pond 30th April, 4th June, and an adult 2nd Oct.
Palmate newts 8th May, male 29th May
Smooth Newt female 29th May
Roe Deer rutting heard 30th May
Toad October 2nd (Michael Zenderowski)