Spring Flower Walk and Species Recording

Wednesday, May 15th 2019

The weather was perfect for today's Spring Flower Walk. A keen group of visitors, led by Elizabeth, headed out to identify as many flowers as possible on the reserve. One of the first stops was the recently thinned area of conifer where there are already signs of wildflowers growing in the new glades.

Another place of botanical interest was the heathland where heather seeds have recently been sown in the gaps. 

Of course, a Spring Flower Walk had to take in the spectacular Bluebell bank on the moorland! 

This really is at its best just now!

Back in the field centre, Team Wednesday were hard at work identifying moths from the trap.

Amongst the catch, which was relatively small, was this beautiful Pebble Prominent. The larval food plant of this species includes willows, sallows and Aspen.

Later, several volunteers also carried out a butterfly transect and it was another great result.

A total of 106 butterflies of the following species:

Brimstone                         3

Small White                      1

Green veined white        33

Orange tip                      14

Peacock                         12

Speckled wood              42

Small copper                   1

After lunch, staff and volunteers continued to monitor the nest boxes on the reserve. This involved a lot of map reading skills! Many boxes are occupied by Bumblebees this year so care was taken when approaching them!

Finally, as it was a fine day for painting, the main wooden sign received a welcome lick of preserver and some jazzy new white lettering!

Our sincere thanks to everyone involved today. The species recording is so valuable as all of the data is passed on to the relevant County recorders and helps to build the 'big picture' of the state of British wildlife.

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