Monday 30 September 2013

The fungi and the dragonfly - its now 1002


Looking around on the fell yesterday seeing what else could be found (or at least identified) and managed another two species.

One was a fungi,  Fairy Ring Champignon (Marasmius oreades). This is a very common species, often on lawns, though these were on the path by Wanister bog. And its edible, though it must be cooked before eating.


The other species was a big surprise thought the habitat always seemed  perfect for them, it's the first time I have ever see it here despite much searching and indeed I have failed to come up with any old records either. This was a species of dragonfly, the Black Darter, and I was very happy with species number 1002



A Black Darter on the fell yesterday.

Saturday 28 September 2013

The Waldridge 1000

 I've done it at last, I've seen 1,000 species in the 1km square at Waldridge fell this year.  This morning only a dozen or so moths were in the trap but amongst them a Rush Veneer, #1000. Previously a Green Sandpiper flew over and helpfully called which was 999 but I thought it would be some fungi this weekend that would take me over. It's been a hard slog but at last I'm there.


My 1000 breakdown



Sunday 22 September 2013

997, nearly there

It's been more than a couple of weeks since the last post but the list for the fell for the year is pottering on, despite mean having been poorly recently. Thanks mainly to the moth trap and now that the fungi are starting to appear I'm nearly at that magical 1000 mark [though a few of the most recent species actually go back to July but have been waiting to be identified].



Feathered Thorn & Green-brindled Crescent



Still a few butterflies about with Small Copper, Speckled Wood, both Large and Small White as well as Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell being seen the last few days.



Small Copper & Speckled Wood


It is now feeling like autumn and as well as  the autumn moths appearing in the trap, 3 Redwing flew over despite the House Martins still feeding young in their nests in the town centre.



Heath Groundsel & Corn Spurrey




The species bagged since the last posting are -

959). Zygiella x-notata (Missing-segment Spider)
960). Nomada panzeri (a cuckoo-bee)
961). Epinotia ramella  (a micro-moth)
962). Straminergon stramineum (Straw Spear-moss)
963). Eurhynchium striatum (Common Striated Feather-moss)
964). Stoat (Mustela erminea)
965). Puccinia coronata var. avenae (Oat Rust)
966). Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric)
967). Boletus edulis (Cep)
968). Agaricus silvaticus (Blushing Wood Mushroom)
969). Inonotus radiatus (Alder Bracket)
970). Agaricus campestris (Field Mushroom)
971). Tricholoma album (White Knight mushroom)
972). Tricholoma ustale (Burnt Knight mushroom)
973). Leccinum scabrum (Birch Bolete)
974). Salticus scenicus(Zebra or Jumping Spider)
975). Hyperomyzus lacticae (Blackcurrant-Sowthistle Aphid)
976). Rhytisma acerinum (Tar-spot Fungi)
977). Conocybe lactea (White Dunce Cap )
978). Spergula arvensis (Corn Spurrey)
979). Odontites vernus (Red Bartsia)
980). Fallopia japonica (Japanese Knotweed)
981). Epiblema rosaecolana (a micro moth)
982). Tipula  paludosa (a Crane-fly)
983). Helena impuncta (a fly)
984). Cloeon Dipterum (Pond Olive)
985). Catocala nupta (Red Underwing)
986). Xanthia icteritia (Sallow)
987). Colotois pennaria (Feathered Thorn)
988). Rhizedra lutosa (Large Wainscot)
989). Lithophane leautieri (Blair's Shoulder-knot)
990). Allophyes oxyacanthae (Green-brindled Crescent)
991). Agrochola lota (Red-line Quaker)
992). Limnaecia phragmitella (a micro moth)
993). Xylota segnis (a hoverfly)
994). Laccaria laccata (The Deciever)   
995). Lactarius tabidus (Birch Milkcap)
996). Neuroterus numismalis (Silk Button Gall Wasp)
997). Coprinus niveus (Snowy Inkcap)

With 3 more to go next weekend could be it.


Common Darter and the galls on an oak leaf of the Silk Button Gall Wasp  

Wednesday 4 September 2013

3 more - 958 and one that got away?

The moth trap had nearly 200 moths in it but well over half were of 2 species, Large and Lesser Yellow Underwings but inside the trap was a new species for the year, Barred Chestnut. The best moth however was the first moth I saw this morning, a male Vapourer, sitting on the outside of the trap. I have seen this species flying over the trees at the fell but this was the first to grace the garden.
In addition there was a pretty little Picture-wing fly which after checking turned out to be Herina lugubri.

Quite a few Swallows and House Martins flying south today, and though I will not count it, I am quite sure I heard a Tree Pipit overhead. I only heard the call twice and could not see the bird but I
reckon that is what it was

So the three new species brings the total to 958.


Orgyia antiqua (Vapourer)
Diarsia dahlii (Barred Chestnut)
Herina lugubris (Picture-wing Fly)

Monday 2 September 2013

Time for an update

Time for an update as I have neglected the site a bit but still trying to see as many species as I can in the 1km square in the little time I have. At the end of August I had reached 950, so only 50 more to go.

I'll try and fully list the final 50.

The moth trap overnight produced nothing new though a Havestman after some checking was found to be number 951. It relied on checked a bit of waste ground, there's surprisingly very little in the square which produced to more plants and then sweeping the vegetation for hoverflies yesterday which gave be another two.

So the  list has now reached 955 with these -

951). Opilio saxatilis (a Harvestman)
952). Persicaria lapathifolia (Pale Persicaria)
953). Epilobium ciliatum  (American Willow-herb)
954). Melanostoma mellinum (a hoverfly)
955). Sphegina clunipes (a hoverfly) .









Actual
Birds   80
Vascular Plants   336
Mosses & Liverworts  41
Lichens   12
Fungi & Slime Moulds   13
Terrestrial Mammals   9
Butterflies   22
Moths   281
Dragonflies   9
Hoverflies   30
Other invertebrates   119
Amphibians & Reptiles   3
Aggregates & hybrids (not included) 21
TOTAL 955