Noar Hill, Revisited - July 2014

Around this time last year I visited the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trusts Noar Hill Nature Reserve in order to carry out a grasshopper survey. The visit was a success as we recorded the local Rufous Grasshopper, along with a variety of other species. The Trust is looking to set up a standardised monitoring programme for the species, so when I was asked to assist I jumped at the chance. We visited the site on 22nd July with the main purpose to survey for grasshoppers, and test the survey methodology that had been designed, but whilst I was there I took the opportunity to catch up with a few other species. 

As I have covered grasshoppers before I didn't take any photos, but during the survey we recorded Rufous, Common Green, Field, Stripe-winged and Meadow Grasshopper and Speckled, Dark and Roesel's Bush Crickets. Noar Hill is well know for its orchids too and there was plenty of evidence of them, but the only species in flower was the Pyramidal Orchid

Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis

As would be expected at this time of year, butterflies were everywhere and making use of the abundance of nectar available. Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper and Red Admiral were the most numerous, the latter species making the most of the flowering Hemp Agrimony.

Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta

Silver-washed Fritillary and Marbled White seemed to be just hanging on, with some very tatty individuals present, whereas the Brimstone's and Green-veined White's were immaculate and clearly evidence of a recent emergence.

Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni

Green-veined White Pieris napi

We also recorded Large and Small Skippers, but the only species of Blue recorded was Common Blue. This time last year their had been an abundance of Chalkhill Blues at the site, but we may have been a bit early this year.

Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris infected with the red mite Trombidium breei

Whilst photographing a Small Skipper and Common Blue I noticed that they were infected with a small red mite. I did a bit of research and it appears that this mite is Trombidium breei, which usually attaches itself to the legs or thorax of its host. Apparently there are no detectable negative impacts on the host butterfly, and the mites transfer from host to host via flower heads. For more information on butterfly parasites check out the following link enemies of butterflies.

Common Blue infected with Trombidium breei

Female Common Blue

Another species recorded was the Small Heath, but only in small numbers. In total we recorded 13 species of butterfly during our visit.

Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus

Despite the orchids not being in flower there were plenty of other plant species on show, including bellflower, yellow-wort, Greater Knapweed and Harebell.

Greater Knapweed Centaurea scabiosa

Harebell Campanula rotundifolia

The Small Scabious flowers were proving very popular with the Six-spot Burnet moths, which were the most numerous moth species we recorded.

Six-spotted Burnet Zygaena filipendulae stephensi on Small Scabious

Creech Woods, Denmead - May 2013

On Friday 31st May I had to opportunity to spend a couple of hours walking around Creech Woods, near Demead, Hampshire. The site is part of the Forestry Commissions estate, and was historically part of the Forest of Bere. Large parts of the site comprise conifer plantation, but there are some areas, where low scrub and woodland clearings and rides are present. It was these areas that proved to be the most interesting for wildlife. It is a site that absorbs a lot of public recreational pressure and whilst I was there I encountered over 20 visitors with at least half of those having a free running dog. But despite the disturbance there were areas that were less disturbance and subsequently had a good mix of species.

The bird life was fairly typical for a woodland with chiffchaffs, blackcaps, great spotted woodpeckers, blackbirds, wrens and blue and great tits present. But in areas where it was less disturbed and the habitat was more suitable, willow warblers, garden warblers, firecrest and bullfinch were recorded. In the north of the site pylons run overhead, and these made the ideal perch for a couple of common ravens to make their presence known.

Bugle Ajuga reptans was a very common species along the woodland rides

The woodland rides were dominated with bugle and this proved to be a popular nectaring source for bumblebees and hoverflies. A large puddle on one of the woodland rides turned out be be very popular for a couple of broad-bodied chasers. 

Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa: A male standing guard whilst the female was egg laying

Whilst the male stood guard on a nearby twig, seeing off any other males, the female set about the business of egg laying. The puddle where they had set up territory did not give the impression of being very permanent and therefore I presume that the larvae will find it difficult to survive as summer progresses and the pond dries out. Unless this summer is as wet as last summer that is!

Female Broad-bodied Chaser egg-laying: This individual was in flight hence the blurred wings

It appeared that there had been a recent emergence of large red damselflies also, as I recorded this species commonly during my visit. The adults of this species typically emerge from late April and can be seen through to the end of September. The cold weather during March and April has delayed the emergence of many dragonfly species, but they seem to be very widespread now.

Female Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula

Butterfly species were fairly thin on the ground with the most common species being speckled wood and orange tip. A very confiding green-veined white was the only other species recorded.

 Female Green-veined White Pieris napi

Given the very strong markings on this individual it looks to be a female. The first brood females of this species are usually much more heavily marked than the males, particularly of the upperside of the wings. The males can appear almost white.