spring 2009

Spring notes from the Common

The beginning of March saw the recently cleared Newt Pond full of frogs and toads with plenty of spawn deposited. The Barn Owl was still quartering the mire (March 8th) and a Siskin was singing. The following week three Chiffchaffs were uttering their unmistakable calls (March 19th). The Chiffchaffs are the first of our summer visitors and in recent years have overwintered in the UK. As the blackthorn buds swell Bullfinches, the males with rosy red under parts and slate grey backs with white rump, are very conspicuous. Bullfinches have had a stronghold around the common for many years and one particular thicket was named ‘Bullfinches paradise’ years ago as it usually held their nests. A Small Tortoiseshell (March 21st) heralded the first butterflies of the year and was seen in better numbers as the month progressed than in 2008.

By April 4th the Blackcap had joined the bird chorus and many insects were beginning to appreciate the warmer days with Drone Flies, Honey Bees and the Dark-edged Bee Fly or ‘Primrose Sprite’ encountered. Peacock and Comma butterflies were on the wing (April 5th) and followed by an early Speckled Wood (April 10th). Also around this time Willow Warblers were singing their ‘descending notes’ from many sallow patches. The following day (April 11th) the participants of the first ‘Stream Clean’ of 2009 were rewarded with the ‘reeling’ of a Grasshopper Warbler that was hidden in thick scrub by the Weston Terrace gardens and allotments. A few days later (April 16th) another small bird visitor turned up on the SSSI known as a Mealy Redpoll. This bird is a race of Redpoll that is usually larger and paler than the more typical Lesser Redpoll. Mealy Redpolls are generally winter visitors from Northern Europe.

The Cuckoo Flower (April 18th) was now in bloom but no Cuckoos calling, however, by the end of the month reports had come in with one present on the Common. The Common Whitethroat is usually back on its territory around April 24th and this year was no exception with at least three present (April 25th) and calling from the tops of gorse bushes. Being a sunny day Orange-tip butterflies had joined the Speckled Woods, Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells. On the bare ground of the heaths those ferocious hunters of other insects, Green Tiger Beetles, were scurrying fast over the ground and taking flight for a short distance ahead if approached too closely. Common Lizard and Large Red Damselfly completed the list of species for the day.

Painted Lady

Bullfinch

With the start of May more good weather and the males of the small long-horn moth (Adela reaumurella) made good use of the sunshine (May 2nd) to display together by flying up and down in a massed column close to a bush or sapling. The male moth has some of the longest antenna of any moths in UK. The secretive Lesser Whitethroat was also singing from deep inside a blackthorn thicket. On the marshes, Ragged Robin, Marsh Orchids and Butterwort were giving a splash of colour to the otherwise sombre tones last year’s reeds and rushes. A less showy orchid and one hard to see amongst the new growth of rushes is the green-flowered Common Twayblade (May 14th). The following week a Painted Lady was present (May 21st). (This was the start of a huge migration to the UK of this North African butterfly. One report has an estimated 18,000 passing by Scolt Head Island on May 25th). On May 22nd a Hornet was observed inspecting a fallen log, the Common Blue butterfly was out and a Cuckoo was in full voice. In a hawthorn tree the May Bug or Cockchafers were noted resting after a nights bumbling flight. With continuing sunny weather Broad-bodied Chaser dragonflies and Common Field Grasshoppers were present around the pond and on the heaths respectively. Insect life was increasing and a moth trap run on May 28th produced over 20 species with Scorched Wing, Pebble Prominent and Cinnabar moths being some of the more spectacular ones caught. While moth-trapping the familiar ‘churring’ of a Nighjar was heard about 10pm. A follow up trap (May 29th) produced fewer species but did include Alder Kitten and Elephant Hawk moth. As the month drew to a close the Cross-leaved Heath and Meadow Thistle were flowering (May 31st), however, with very little rain and drying easterly winds the ponds and pools of the wet areas are shrinking rapidly. Such drying out will have detrimental effects on tadpoles in the ponds and the marsh plants alike, especially with more hot weather predicted to come.

Francis Farrow – Hon Warden

Beeston Common SSSI/SAC