Home

Two new moths for Raw Nook NR

Today I set out to find any Ectoedemia argyropezaa micro moth leaf mines at Raw Nook NR. I have found the species in Aspen leaves at Caldene fields but until today I couldn’t find any at RN.

This common species of micro moth is extremely difficult to identify as an adult moth. However, at this time of year if you can find the leaf mine it is distinctive and you can prove that the species is breeding, which is good for the reserve.

I found at least 11 leaves and there must be many more in the leaf litter.

On my way back I spotted a moth resting on an Oak leaf.

I wasn’t sure at first what species it was so I took some photos for research at home.

It was a Northern Winter Moth Operophtera fagata another new species for the reserve which is great news.

Northern Winter Moth Operophtera fagata

warbler26 homepage, insects No Comments

Thrushes and Starling…

Today at the watch point there was a good thrush movement noted with Redwings 5,089 S + 293 N and Fieldfare 2,691 S+ 192 N

Whilst a number of thrushes were noted moving overhead the majority were recorded to the south of the watch point.

Also involved were Starlings which came in from the E moving to the S/W although a small number moved to the N/W.

With all these birds about it was no surprise to record a Peregrine moving to the north. A full account can be found here: https://www.trektellen.org/count/view/779/20211104

warbler26 Birds, homepage No Comments

Visible Migrations sightings

As I write the weather is in a southerly air flow with strong winds hardly conducive with migrants coming from the N & E. However, there has been some movement which have been noted from the watch point. Birds of interest were as follows:

22/10 4 Whooper Swans flew N/W also a Ring-necked Parakeet flew S and there was a good movement of Wood Pigeon noted S with 5,664 counted.

There has also been an influx of Cormorants mainly moving S/W with 3 on 26th, 10 on 25th , 3 on 23rd and 7 on the 22nd

In addition I have picked up a movement of Grey Wagtails some to the N/E and some S/W. A good count of 9 on 23rd, 7 on 24th, 8 on 25th and a further 8 on the 26th.

warbler26 Birds, homepage No Comments

Raw Nook’s fungi walk update

The weather on the 19/10/21 the day of the Fungi walk at Raw Nook Nr was ideal! It was warm and damp like the previous few days. So expectations and excitement was high.

The annual Fungi walk which has been running for the last 3 years was conducted by Kat Woolley of he YWT. Whose knowledge and enthusiasm is simply brilliant

And for me, to hear Kat (who does Fungi walks all over the region) say ” I love coming to Raw Nook NR …it’s one of my favourite places! ” Illustrates the excellent work we are all doing on this excellent local nature reserve.

Sadly though for me I could only stop for an hour but Kat kindly sent me the record list of species she had found.

A total of 31 species were found of which 16 were site firsts…

The total number of Fungi species now recorded at Raw Nook NR is 84. A full species list can be found here http://www.lowmoorwildlife.co.uk/fungi/

The White Saddle Helvella crispa is now an annual find at the reserve

The list of new species found on the 19/10/2021

is below:

Variable Oysterling – Crepidotus variabilis

Soap-scented toadstool Tricholoma saponaceum,

Tricholoma saponaceum,

The Saffron Milkcap, Lactarius deliciosus

Verdigris agaric Stropharia aeruginosa

Lilac Dapperling Cystolepiota bucknallii An uncommon species

Fleecy Fibrecap Inocybe flocculosa 

Golden waxcap hygrocybe chlorophana

The witch’s hat Hygrocybe conica

Earthy Powdercap  Cystoderma amianthinum

Jellybaby  Leotia lubrica

Yellowleg Bonnet  Mycena epipterygia

Snapping Bonnet  Mycena vitilis

Dripping Bonnet Mycena rorida 

Amethyst deceiver Laccaria amethystina

Shaggy ink cap coprinus comatus

A Big thank you to Sarah and Peter from YWT for organising this event

warbler26 homepage, Plant Species No Comments

What a beauty…

In the moth world there are some iconic moths to find. One of them is the stunning Merveille du jour moth opposite.

Sadly I have never managed to find one of these moths in our recording area.

However, there was good new this morning when I found one in the moth trap! A site first.

It’s Yorkshire status is : Uncommon and thinly distributed or restricted resident.

Redwings have been arriving in force mainly from the N-N/E during the last couple of days.

And from the watchpoint I have observed passing over and beyond our area 2,198 on 13/10 and a further 1,730 today.

warbler26 Birds, Butterflies/Moths, homepage No Comments

Pink footed goose influx

Today there has been a major influx of Pink footed geese into the UK. Thankfully at the watch point I managed to record 2,620 ( A new site record) at distance moving E/S/E. Over 9,000 were reported from a watch point at Bolton!

Whilst a good number of these geese were flying high it is good time to keep an eye out for lower flying PFG which are fairly common over our area during October. There is a good chance that you will hear them calling as they fly over.

On a different note, I called in at Raw Nook Nr to look for moth leaf mines.

I found a Ectoedemia albifasciella ( status common) mine on Oak with the larva which as I have said before constitutes a breeding record, which is excellent news for our urban nature reserve.

warbler26 Birds, Butterflies/Moths, homepage No Comments
error: Content is protected !!