Summer notes from the Common 2009
The summer period (June to August) has been a lot better than the previous two years with some warm even hot days enjoyed. Not least by insects, which with ladybirds in particular have had a population explosion, turning the roadsides red on occasions.
Dragonflies and butterflies also love sunny weather and at the beginning of June the largest of the UK dragonflies, the blue and green Emperor was quartering the main pond on the SSSI as well as the shorter bodied powder blue Broad-bodied Chaser with up to six present on June 2nd (4 males and 2 females). A small butterfly, the Green Hairstreak, was also spotted at this time. This butterfly has decreased in numbers over the last 10 years and was only seen in ones and twos, whereas in the mid-90s over 80 were counted feeding on ‘honeydew’ – a sweet secretion made by aphids and left on the leaves of a sycamore. Another insect that prefers the heat is the fast moving Green Tiger Beetle. This beetle, which is metallic green with cream/yellow spots, is found on the dry upland heath areas and is a ferocious predator.
By mid-June the Four-spotted Chaser was also present in small numbers at the pond whilst bumblebees were reaching a peak, with 9 species recorded, however, on June 20th a tenth species was added. This was the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum), a continental species that was first discovered in the New Forest area about 8 years ago and since then has spread northwards. The first record for Norfolk was from Eaton, near Norwich in 2008.
With the warmth continuing into the evenings it was a chance to carry out some moth trapping and on June 28th some 45 species were identified, including the spectacular Eyed, Lime and Elephant Hawk Moths also noted was a Hornet. During the early evening a Nightjar and a Roe Deer were heard calling.
The summer period (June to August) has been a lot better than the previous two years with some warm even hot days enjoyed. Not least by insects, which with ladybirds in particular have had a population explosion, turning the roadsides red on occasions.
Dragonflies and butterflies also love sunny weather and at the beginning of June the largest of the UK dragonflies, the blue and green Emperor was quartering the main pond on the SSSI as well as the shorter bodied powder blue Broad-bodied Chaser with up to six present on June 2nd (4 males and 2 females). A small butterfly, the Green Hairstreak, was also spotted at this time. This butterfly has decreased in numbers over the last 10 years and was only seen in ones and twos, whereas in the mid-90s over 80 were counted feeding on ‘honeydew’ – a sweet secretion made by aphids and left on the leaves of a sycamore. Another insect that prefers the heat is the fast moving Green Tiger Beetle. This beetle, which is metallic green with cream/yellow spots, is found on the dry upland heath areas and is a ferocious predator.
By mid-June the Four-spotted Chaser was also present in small numbers at the pond whilst bumblebees were reaching a peak, with 9 species recorded, however, on June 20th a tenth species was added. This was the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum), a continental species that was first discovered in the New Forest area about 8 years ago and since then has spread northwards. The first record for Norfolk was from Eaton, near Norwich in 2008.
With the warmth continuing into the evenings it was a chance to carry out some moth trapping and on June 28th some 45 species were identified, including the spectacular Eyed, Lime and Elephant Hawk Moths also noted was a Hornet. During the early evening a Nightjar and a Roe Deer were heard calling.
On July 1st there was a bit of a surprise when a large insect settled by the path. This turned out to be the large hoverfly, Volucella zonaria, again mainly a southern species that is moving north. Its larvae are reported to live within wasp’s nests where they feed on debris. Also seen this day was a female Roe Deer and a male Oak Eggar, a large chocolate brown day flying moth.
The following day (July 2nd), another large, mainly yellow hoverfly was seen, Volucella inanis, which is also said to inhabit both hornet and wasp nests as a larvae. Keeled Skimmers, scarce thin-bodied blue dragonflies were noted over the mires, which were covered in Marsh Helleborines and Fragrant Orchids plus three Lesser Butterfly Orchids, which were a major attraction to plant photographers. Bee Orchids were also present on the Top Common.
The following day (July 2nd), another large, mainly yellow hoverfly was seen, Volucella inanis, which is also said to inhabit both hornet and wasp nests as a larvae. Keeled Skimmers, scarce thin-bodied blue dragonflies were noted over the mires, which were covered in Marsh Helleborines and Fragrant Orchids plus three Lesser Butterfly Orchids, which were a major attraction to plant photographers. Bee Orchids were also present on the Top Common.
By around mid-month (11th July) Purple Hairstreaks were chasing around the tops of oak trees and Southern Hawkers had joined the Emperors’ at the pond ensuing a few aerial battles as they competed for territory.
An Adder was noted ‘sunbathing’ on the central mire (August 25th) and towards the southern end of the mire a White Admiral was present.
At the end of the month the Norfolk branch of Butterfly Conservation visited the Common and during their walk around some 18 species of butterfly were recorded, bringing the total for that week to 22 species. The Roe Deer was also spotted again and at the pond a Brown Hawker was present.
An Adder was noted ‘sunbathing’ on the central mire (August 25th) and towards the southern end of the mire a White Admiral was present.
At the end of the month the Norfolk branch of Butterfly Conservation visited the Common and during their walk around some 18 species of butterfly were recorded, bringing the total for that week to 22 species. The Roe Deer was also spotted again and at the pond a Brown Hawker was present.
As August started a male Banded Demoiselle was observed flying by the beck at the bridge between Beeston and Sheringham Commons (August 2nd). A large black bristly fly with a cream face was briefly seen ‘nectaring’ on Hemp Agrimony (August 4th). This was the largest of the Tachinids, a group of parasitic flies. Tachina grossa is known to parasitize large moth caterpillars, such as the Oak Eggar and Drinker. They are very scarce on the Commons with this the only other record since 2000.
Another insect not seen that much nowadays is the butterfly known as the Wall or Wall Brown and with a sighting on August 7th it made 25 species for the year recorded on the Commons. Back on the pond the algal mats that formed during the hot weather made perfect rafts for damselflies, in particular the Small Red-eyed Damselfly, which is a recent coloniser of the UK. It first came to Norfolk in 2001, having been discovered at Felbrigg, and arrived at the Common pond the following year. The last group of dragonflies to make an appearance are the darters and both Common and Ruddy Darter were present (August 11th).
Another insect not seen that much nowadays is the butterfly known as the Wall or Wall Brown and with a sighting on August 7th it made 25 species for the year recorded on the Commons. Back on the pond the algal mats that formed during the hot weather made perfect rafts for damselflies, in particular the Small Red-eyed Damselfly, which is a recent coloniser of the UK. It first came to Norfolk in 2001, having been discovered at Felbrigg, and arrived at the Common pond the following year. The last group of dragonflies to make an appearance are the darters and both Common and Ruddy Darter were present (August 11th).
August closed with an autumn feel and the Dark Bush Crickets began ‘cheeping’ from the dense herbage and on the flat-topped flower heads of Angelica, Speckled Bush Crickets sat motionless (August 22nd). As summer fades butterflies are not as frequent except for Speckled Woods. Red Admirals conspicuous by their absence this year although a fresh example was noted on August 31st.
The ripening fruits and coloured tints appearing throughout the predominantly green vegetation herald the beginning of Autumn and whether it turns out to be an ‘Indian summer’ or gales and rain the wildlife will be there for those who look.
Francis Farrow,
Hon. Warden
www.beestoncommon.org.uk
The ripening fruits and coloured tints appearing throughout the predominantly green vegetation herald the beginning of Autumn and whether it turns out to be an ‘Indian summer’ or gales and rain the wildlife will be there for those who look.
Francis Farrow,
Hon. Warden
www.beestoncommon.org.uk
Lime Hawkmoth
Hoverfly_Volucella zonaria
Wall Brown