25th December 2016 - Poynton Pool, Stockport, Cheshire - We three wise turnips went for a walk to feed the birds and stretch the muscles. 22 bird species were seen, these were:- Moorhen; Little Grebe; Mallard; Canada Goose; Mute Swan; Coot; Black Headed Gull; Robin; Carrion Crow; Tufted Duck; Jackdaw; Rook; Great Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Blue Tit; Redwing; Goosander; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; House Sparrow; Grey Heron and Nuthatch.

A Hazel tree was sporting the lovely pink female flowers I find absolutely delightful.

12th December 2016 - Chorlton WP, G. Manchester - Still ground down with this ruddy virus myself and my missus did some early morning shopping and then had a 90 minute stroll around this area beneath wretched, hopeless clouds. It was a nice quiet wander though and along the way we recorded 35 bird species:- Ring Necked Parakeet; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Starling; Feral Pigeon; House Sparrow; Wood Pigeon; Common Gull; Black Headed Gull; Great Crested Grebe; Mallard; Coot; Moorhen; Mute Swan; Canada Goose; Tufted Duck; Pochard; Gadwall; Long Tailed Tit; Cormorant; Wren; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Song Thrush; Jay; Blackbird; Grey Wagtail; Pied Wagtail; Shoveler; Goosander; Robin + Jackdaw and Great Spotted Woodpecker on call.

The cup of cha and Courgette and Lime Cake (me) and Lemon and Ginger Cake (my lady) was well deserved afterwards.

4th December 2016 - Delamere Forest, Cheshire - A walk with the Fungal Friends Group that was and along the way we saw the following mosses:- Mnium hornum; Polytrichum commune; Kindbergia praelonga; Polytrichum formosum, the Liverwort:- Lophocolea bidentata and 2 species of beetle Carabus violaceus and Rhagium bifasciatum.

6th September 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - A Green Veined White; Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown were on the wing as well as the hoverflies:- Helophilus pendulus; Eristalis pertinax and Eristalis horticola.

Sea Aster was in flower and the gall Taphrina tosquinetii was on Alder leaves with numerous Alder Leaf Beetles, I suspect these bugs help spread the causal agent of the gall.

29th August 2016 - Etherow CP, Stockport, Cheshire - A Fungal Friends walk so it was all hands to the mycological deck. Along the way we noted the butterflies Small Copper (*1) and Speckled Wood (*2) plus a Blood-Vein Moth. Brown Hawker and Common Darter were on the wing near the water and the hoverflies:- Leucozona glaucia; Eristalis pertinax; Chrysotoxum bicinctum and Helophilus pendulus were added.

Gypsywort was in flower and still remains one of my favourite plants.

24th August 2016 - Formby, Lancashire - A walk with the Young Carers from work and what an insect free place the area seemed to be. A depressing scenario that is becoming more and more common this year. 4 Graylings were the only butterflies seen, 4 Northern Dune Tiger Beetles were noted, a macropterous form of the Short Winged Conehead, A Mottled Grasshopper, a couple of Common Field Grasshopper, several Dune Robber Flies (Philonicus albiceps), a couple of Harlequin Ladybirds and A Hairy Shieldbug and that was it - poor indeed.

A large flock of Knot were approachable and a Lion's Mane Jellyfish was washed up.

17th August 2016 - New Brighton, The Wirrall - A walk with 10 young carers in tow and a good play on the beach. Splishing and splashing, sandcastle building, catching crabs, eating ice creams, climbing on rocks and looking at a bit of wildlife. A few things were noted along the way namely, a cracking Compass Jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella) in a small pool, a washed up but quite fresh Lion's Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata), a few Shore Crabs (Carcina maenas) and Sea Beard (Nemeretesia antennina).

Sea Rocket and Sea Holly were still in flower.

14th August 2016 - Knott Hill NR, G. Manchester - Our 650th location visited in the UK and not a bad area to explore over and over again. We had an eye on the fungi today but noted 2 butterflies along the way:- Speckled Wood (*1) and Gatekeeper (*2) plus 7 species of hoverfly:- Baccha elongata; Chrysogaster solstitialis; Eristalis pertinax; Leucozona glaucia; Epistrophe grossulariae; Melanostoma scalare and Syrphus ribesii.

Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius) and several Oak Artichoke Galls (Andricus fecundator) were seen. Pink Purslane was still in flower.

8th August  2016 - Willow and Wetlands Centre, Somerset - The holiday is over so, as it started, we finished it back at the same place with tea and cake and a short walk. Arrowhead, Spotted Medick; Hemlock and Pink Water Speedwell were in flower, 3 Ravens and 2 Buzzards squabbled in mid-air, Red Admiral (*1); and Speckled Wood (*1) were the only butterflies noted and a Common Darter and a Southern Hawker the only Odonata species seen.

The Alder Tongue Gall (Taphrina alni) was observed outside the cafe.

7th August 2016 - Chard NR, Somerset - A new area and a pleasant stroll taken. 22 birds were seen, these were:- Sparrowhawk; Mallard; Coot; Moorhen; Cormorant; Wood Pigeon; Great Crested Grebe; Black Headed Gull; Mute Swan; Carrion Crow; Blackbird; Herring Gull; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Little Egret; Black Tailed Godwit; Grey Heron; Kingfisher; House Martin; Long Tailed Tit; Great Tit; Wren; Goldcrest and Tufted Duck.

Speckled Wood (*3); Large White (*1); Green Veined White (*2); Holly Blue (*1); Meadow Brown (*2) and Red Admiral (*2) were the butterflies on the wing and yet again, a lone Silver Y Moth was seen.

Some gigantic Carp were observed from the bird hide and a Long Winged Conehead was in damp grassland.

7th August 2016 - Wares Cliffs, Lyme Regis, Dorset - Still the sun was shining and Ringlet (*1); Red Admiral (*2); Peacock (*1); Painted Lady (*1); Gatekeeper (*2); Speckled Wood (*3); Common Blue (*1); Silver Y (*1) and Straw Dot (*2) were all that was around on the lepidoptera front.

Dark Bush Cricket; Common Green Grasshopper; Meadow Grasshopper and Long Winged Conehead were plentiful; a Bloody Nosed Beetle was seen and the 2 hoverflies noted were Episyrphus balteatus and Chrysogaster solstitialis.

The Thistle Gall (Urophora cardui) was a good spot.

6th August 2016 - Tout Quarry, Portland, Dorset - Back on the island in the sizzling sun and mooching in this tucked away area. Speckled Bush Cricket; Grey Bush Cricket; Common Green Grasshopper; Common Field Grasshopper and Meadow Grasshopper were watched whilst 2 Chalk-Hill Blues fluttered around and a Bloody Nosed Beetle ambled across the grass.

Mullein was in flower.

6th August 2016 - Lodmoor CP, Dorset - Another stroll around this pleasurable area. 35 bird species noted:- Starling; Magpie; Black Headed Gull; House Sparrow; Canada Goose; Collared Dove; Blackbird; Great Tit; Great Crested Grebe; Herring Gull; Lapwing; Coot; Mallard; Common Sandpiper; Swallow; Grey Heron; Kingfisher; Linnet; Dunlin; Wren; Dunnock; Greater Black Backed Gull; Mediterranean Gull; Black Tailed Godwit; Wood Pigeon; Shelduck; Oystercatcher; Gadwall; Moorhen; Sparrowhawk; Carrion Crow; Little Grebe; Cormorant + Green Woodpecker and Goldfinch on call.

Very few butterflies again:- Peacock (*1); Brimstone (*2); Red Admiral (*1); Small White (*1); Gatekeeper (*1); Meadow Brown (*2); Wall (*1); Speckled Wood (*5); Comma (*1) and Green Veined White (*2).

A Black Tailed Skimmer and a Common Darter were also seen.

5th August 2016 - Chesil Beach, Dorset - To finish the day a potter on the beach was had. Beadlet Anemone; Snakelocks Anemone; Shore Crab; Broad Clawed Porcelain Crab; Edible Crab; Common Mussel; Edible Periwinkle; Common Limpet; Blenny; Sea Lettuce; Bladder Wrack; Serrated Wrack; Grey Bush Cricket; Long Winged Conehead and a feeding Dunlin all kept me entertained whilst the lasses relaxed. The Encrusting Sea Mat (Cryptosula pallasiana) and Spiral Tubeworm (Janua pagenstecheri) were later identified by David Fenwick, a man on a marine mission and doing things darn ruddy well.

3 species of Barnacle were identified:- Balanus perforatus; Balanus balanus and Semibalanus balanoides.

The 3 butterfly species noted were:- Painted Lady (*1); Common Blue (*2) and Meadow Brown (*5).

5th August 2016 - Okeford Hill, Dorset - A short walk that was timed to beat the incoming rain. Butterflies noted were:- Green Veined White (*1); Ringlet (*3); Red Admiral (*2); Gatekeeper (*7); Meadow Brown (*1) and Essex Skipper (*1). Find of the day was by my daughter and it was a pristine Leopard Moth - nice.

Green Leaf Hopper (Cicadella viridis); Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni) and a Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) were also seen.

5th August 2016 - Alners Gorse, Dorset - One of my favourite butterfly reserves and even though the insect world is on a dip we still did reasonably well today. The flutterer's noted were:- Green Veined White (*9); Speckled Wood (*7); Small White (*2); Meadow Brown (*19); Large Skipper (*3); Ringlet (*3); Holly Blue (*1); Gatekeeper (*10); Brown Hairstreak (*2); Red Admiral (*5); Marbled White (*2); Large White (*1); Peacock (*3); Silver Washed Fritillary (*5 including 2 valezina forms); Purple Hairstreak (*4); Small Skipper (*1) and Painted Lady (*1). Moths included a Straw Dot and a Yellow-Shell.

6 hoverflies were on the wing, these were:- Syritta pipiens; Eristalis abustorum; Episyrphus balteatus; Eristalis pertinax; Myathropa florea and Chrysotoxum bicinctum.

Hornets were plentiful, the Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis) was seen and a Southern Hawker patrolled his area. The Kite Tailed Robber Fly (Machimus atricapillus) was later confirmed. The Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum) was compared with similar species and eventually named.

Sneezewort was seen in flower for the first time this year.

3rd August 2016 - Stonebarrow Hill to St Gabriel's, Dorset - A walk in some lovely sun, up and down hill with a good old sweat on. Luckily for us a couple of dudes were opening a moth trap and we started the walk with:- Ruby Tiger; Peppered Moth; Scalloped Oak; Buff Arches; Buff Tip; Agapeta zoegana; Svensson's Copper Underwing; Peach Blossom; Poplar Hawkmoth; July Highflyer; Slender Brindle; Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing and Nut Tree Tussock. Nice and good to chat to the two blokes doing their bit.

Butterflies on the walk were:- Red Admiral (*5); Peacock (*1); Speckled Wood (*4); Gatekeeper (*10); Green Veined White (*1); Meadow Brown (*2); Wall (*1) and Painted Lady (*1). Other bugs included:- Ichneumon Fly (Heteropelma amictum); Golden Ringed Dragonfly; Beautiful Demoiselle; the Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); Meadow Grasshopper; Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); Red Tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus lapidarius); Scorpion Fly (Panorpa germanica); Band Eyed Brown Horse Fly (Tabanus bromius); Dung Beetle (Aphodius rufipes); Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa) and a 24 Spot Ladybird. Only 2 hoverfly species were identified:- Eristalis pertinax and Chrysogaster solstitialis.

Ivy Leaved Crowfoot; Fool's Water-Cress; Narrow Fruited Water-Cress and Bog Stitchwort were the most noteworthy plants in bloom.

2nd August 2016 - Portland Bill, Dorset - Having hammered Dorset over the years this was a more laid back holiday with less time spent whizzing off-island. A look-out to sea and a potter on the local shore resulted in:- Sooty Shearwater; Purple Top Shell; Black Footed Limpet; Beach Hopper (Orchestia gammarellus); Common Limpet; Shore Crab and the seaweeds Cuvie; Furbelows; Oar Weed and Irish Moss.

The first Tachnid Fly (Tachina grossa) of the year was also seen.

1st August 2016 - Lodmoor NR, Dorset - My lasses wanted to go into Weymouth to spend some brass so, I kindly and most considerately opted to go for a walk around this nice area so as not to get in their way (he says rather craftily). We did pop into a local art exhibition at a local church were we saw some nice dabblings and had tea and cake, served by two delightful women. A good start to the day methinks.

Whilst wandering I saw 39 bird species, nothing outrageous but all enjoyed in the mixed weather. The list was:- Dunnock; Starling; Swallow; Blackbird; Blue Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Goldfinch; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Magpie; House Sparrow; Herring Gull; Coot; Swift; Mute Swan; Tufted Duck; Mallard; Reed Bunting; Lapwing; Canada Goose; Black Headed Gull; Mediterranean Gull; Common Sandpiper; Common Tern; Redshank; Pied Wagtail; Cormorant; Little Ringed Plover; Gadwall; Grey Heron; Little Egret; Moorhen; Sedge Warbler; Dunlin; Collared Dove; Linnet; Green Sandpiper; Lesser Black Backed Gull and Greater Black Backed Gull.

2 hoverfly species were seen, these being:- Episyrphus balteatus and Eristalis horticola. Only 3 butterflies were noted in the gathering gloom, namely:- Meadow Brown (*1); Gatekeeper (*3) and Red Admiral (*2).

I kept a plant list, 56 species were identified:- Prickly Sow Thistle; Black Medick; Red Dead Nettle; Greater Willowherb; Common Nettle; Common Field Speedwell; Field Bindweed; Hedge Woundwort; Herb Robert; Creeping Cinquefoil; Spear Thistle; Selfheal; Wood Avens; Creeping Buttercup; Bittersweet; Knotgrass; Pineappleweed; Ribwort Plantain; Dandelion agg; Large Bindweed; Hemp Agrimony; Common Fleabane; Broad Leaved Dock; Greater Plantain; Purple Loosestrife; Creeping Thistle; Silverweed; White Clover; Scarlet Pimpernel; Lesser Swine Cress; Yarrow; Groundsel; Marjoram; Mugwort; Tall Melilot; Traveller's Joy; Weld; Wild Carrot; Wild Parsnip; Lesser Burdock; Black Nightshade; Common Mallow; Teasel; Hogweed; Daisy; Common Ragwort; Cut-Leaved Crane's-Bill; Bristly Ox-Tongue; Tufted Vetch; Tansy; Red Clover; Meadow Vetchling; Restharrow and Stone Parsley.

31st July 2016 - Chesil Beach, Dorset - A time to chill as we 3 moochers wandered up the beach and found a spot to lay down, catch some sun and read our books. Little Terns busily fed, a Little Ringed Plover took the attention of two photographers; a Mediterranean Gull; Little Egret and Raven were noted as well as a small flock of Dunlin, what a lovely wader.

Shrubby Sea Blite; Sea Purslane and Sea Plantain were observed too.

31st July 2016 - Portland Bill, Dorset - The last day of July and a few good species to ponder. Moths noted down were:- Acrolepia autumnitella; Argyrotaenia ljungiana; Devonshire Wainscot and Cynaeda dentalis. Thanks to Sean Foote for his ID skills with the former 2 species. A mooch through the local grass produced Denticulated Shieldbug; Down Shieldbug; Lulworth Skipper (*2) and a lone Marbled White. Far too dry and too windy.

Broad Bodied Chaser; Common Darter; Emperor Dragonfly and Large Red Damselfly frequented the Obs garden and 3 Manx Shearwaters and 3 Mediterranean Gulls flew over the sea.

30th July 2016 - Portland Bill, Dorset - As is per usual, every trip we make to the lighthouse on Portland Bill we always try to fit in one day where we do the island walk. We did this today, with a fine lunch taken at the side of an outdoor art gallery in Easton (I am a lover of visiting DIY art events, all good for the soul). A list was kept of all things identified with 117 flowering plants noted:- Teasel; Red Valerian; Common Knapweed; Red Bartsia; Common Ragwort; Wild Carrot; Restharrow; Yarrow; Bristly Ox-Tongue; Agrimony; Blue Fleabane; Eyebright agg; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Pyramidal Orchid; Yellow-Wort; Red Clover; Creeping Thistle; Meadow Vetchling; Common Nettle; Bittersweet; Field Bindweed; Tufted Vetch; Spear Thistle; Dwarf Thistle; Hop Trefoil; White Clover; Lady's Bedstraw; Greater Willowherb; Common Centaury; Field Scabious; Black Medick; Ribwort Plantain; Wild Thyme; Strawberry Clover; Creeping Cinquefoil; Common Fleabane; Tall Melilot; Common Mallow; Sea Mayweed; Scarlet Pimpernel; Buck's-Horn Plantain; Thrift; Sea Beet; Knot-Grass; Slender Tare; Rock Samphire; Golden Samphire; Lesser Burdock; Greater Plantain; Pink Oxalis; Pellitory of the Wall; Pineappleweed; Hedge Mustard; Tree Mallow; Wood Sage; Spear Leaved Orache; Wild Clary; Kidney Vetch; Portland Sea Lavender; Pale Flax; Common Toadflax; Yellow Rattle; Curl Leaved Dock; Carline Thistle; Viper's Bugloss; Ploughman's Spikenard; English Stonecrop; White Valerian; Hemp Agrimony; Small Scabious; Fennel; Daisy; Groundsel; Traveller's Joy; Ivy Leaved Broomrape; Parsley Piert; Wild Radish; Common Field Speedwell; Dove's Foot Crane's-Bill; Scentless Mayweed; Smooth Sow Thistle; Hedge Bedstraw; Sea Wormwood; Common Poppy; Mugwort; Dandelion agg; Weld; Purple Loosestrife; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Portland Spurge; Procumbent Pearlwort; Common Chickweed; Shepherd's Purse; Mexican Daisy; Lesser Swine Cress; Sainfoin; Musk Mallow; Ox-Eye Daisy; Marjoram; Rosebay Willowherb; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Perforate St John's Wort; Tansy; Large Bindweed; Hoary Plantain; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; American Willowherb; Canadian Fleabane; Squinancywort; Wild Parsnip; Biting Stonecrop; Hogweed; Borage; Selfheal; Rape; White Campion and Greater Spearwort.

6 other plants were added:- Sycamore; Buddleia; Holly; Ivy; Soft Rush and Branched Bur Reed.

30 birds were noted along the way, these were:- Willow Warbler; Wood Pigeon; Goldfinch; Blackbird; Little Owl (*4); Carrion Crow; Magpie; Herring Gull; Skylark; Raven; Greater Black Backed Gull; Gannet; Wheatear; Manx Shearwater; Balearic Shearwater; Fulmar; House Sparrow; Rock Pipit; Linnet; Dunnock; Swallow; Blue Tit; Little Ringed Plover; Cormorant; Wren; Kestrel; Great Tit; Jackdaw; Pied Wagtail and Sedge Warbler.

The 15 butterfly species seen were:- Meadow Brown (*24); Gatekeeper (*46); Red Admiral (*9); Green Veined White (*2); Speckled Wood (*1); Common Blue (*26); Peacock (*1); Painted Lady (*4); Marbled White (*29); Large White (*4); Chalkhill Blue (*22); Small Skipper (*1); Grayling (*3); Small White (*1) and Wall (*1). Moths seen through the day (including trap) numbered 37 species:- Shaded Broad Bar; Silver Y; Dusky Sallow; Oncocera semirubella; Ruby Tiger; Dingy Footman; Muslin Footman; Common Footman; Bright Line, Brown Eye; Bright Eye, Brown Line; Buff Ermine; Crescent Dart; Scalloped Oak; Marbled Green; Knot-Grass; Scallop Shell; Wormwood; Pebble Prominent; Purple Bar; Small Fan Footed Wave; Acleris holmiana; Small China Mark; Agapeta zoegana; 6 Spotted Burnet; Oak Eggar; Lackey; Common Rustic agg; Dark Arches; Garden Tiger; Dark Spectacle; Shuttle Shaped Dart; Clay; Flame Shoulder; Heart and Dart; Dark Sword Grass; Common Wainscot; Brown Tail and Rosy Minor.

20 other bugs were noted:- Mirid Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); Beetle (Ophonus ardosiacus); Nettle Flower Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); Grey Bush Cricket; Great Green Bush Cricket; Common Field Grasshopper; Long Winged Conehead; Meadow Grasshopper; Speckled Bush Cricket; Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 7 Spot Ladybird; 22 Spot Ladybird; Broad Centurion Soldier Fly (Chloromya formosa); Nettle Leaf Hopper (Eupteryx urticae); Red Tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus lapidarius); Emperor Dragonfly and the hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus); (Eristalis abustorum) and (Scaeva pyrastri).

16 extras were added, these being:- Rabbit; White Lipped Banded Snail; Brown Lipped Banded Snail; Garden Snail; Purple Top Shell; Shore Crab; Edible Crab; Snakelocks Anemone; Common Limpet; Sea Slater; Sea Bristletail; Wall Lizard; Striped Woodlouse; Pill Woodlouse; Wasp Spider and Flower Spider (Neoscona adianta).

The 3 galls noted were:- Dasineura urticae; Kiefferia pericarpiicola and Trioza centranthi.

Add to this overall list 3 fungal species and the final tally was a respectable 247 species.

29th July 2016 - Stoborough Heath, Dorset - A good mooch around the heath including a session at picking our own blueberries, raspberries and strawberries - nice.  Plants of note were:- Yellow Bartsia; Dwarf Gorse; Hairy Buttercup; Little Kneeling Eyebright; Bog Asphodel; Nordic Bladderwort; Round Leaved Sundew; Oblong Leaved Sundew; Hemp Agrimony; Common Centaury; Fragrant Agrimony; Agrimony and Purple Toadflax.

Bog Bush Cricket; Keeled Skimmer and Small Red Damselfly were noteworthy insects with butterflies on the wing being:- Speckled Wood (*3); Gatekeeper (*6); Red Admiral (*3); Peacock (*2); Marbled White (*1); Meadow Brown (*6) and Small Copper (*1).

The Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi), a Grass Snake and a Slow Worm were added to the day's tally.

28th July 2016 - Portland Bill, Dorset - 3 birds of note today were Grasshopper Warbler (in the warden's hand), Manx Shearwater and Little Owl, all very much enjoyed.  Mooching in the nearby fields produced very little with Red Admiral (*1); Marbled White (*2); Common Blue (*1) and Comma (*1) the only butterflies seen.  A Crescent Plume Moth was an unexpected bonus.

Great Green Bush Cricket; Dark Bush Cricket; Long Winged Conehead; Meadow Grasshopper and Common Field Grasshopper were par for the course and the Mirid Bugs (Myrmus miriformis) and (Liocoris tripustulatus); Ant Damsel Bug nymph (Himacerus mirmicoides) and Pea Leaf Weevil (Sitona lineata) far from outrageous. One Hoverfly was seen, namely Chrysotoxum elegans, not a bad species at all. 

28th July 2016 - Chickerell Downs, Dorset - A poor do for butterflies with only Gatekeeper (*1); Red Admiral (*2) and Green Veined White (*1) on the wing.  The Ichnuemon (Heteropelma amictum) was scouting a Bramble patch, a group of Buff Tip caterpillars were feeding on Willow; a Grey Bush Cricket was in some damp grassland, a Emperor Dragonfly perched on my fingers before taking to the skies, Blue Tailed Damselflies were frequent and the hoverflies Melanostoma scalare and Episyrphus balteatus were on the wing.

Spotted Medick and Common Fleabane were new flowers for the year.

27th July 2016 - Portland Bill, Dorset - All back at the Obs and after unpacking and getting a cup of cha' down our necks a mooch was had.  The moth trap held some old favourites including:- Bright Line, Brown Eye; Ruby Tiger; Garden Tiger; Brown Tail; Shears; Shuttle Shaped Dart; Large Yellow Underwing; Dusky Sallow; Drinker; Lackey and the micro Oncocera semirubella.  Butterflies noted in a nearby patch were:- Meadow Brown (*5); Red Admiral (*2); Speckled Wood (*1); Marbled White (*2); Common Blue (*2); Lulworth Skipper (*2) and Painted Lady (*1).  12 Great Green Bush Crickets, 3 Speckled Bush Crickets, several Grey Bush Crickets and numerous Meadow Grasshoppers were added as well as the Hoverflies:- Myathropa  florea; Episyrphus balteatus; Melanostoma scalare and Eristalis abustorum.

Kidney Spot Ladybirds (larvae, pupae and adult) were observed as well as a Tawny Cockroach; the Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus abustorum); Emperor Dragonfly; Common Darter and Azure Damselfly.  The spiders Argiope bruennichi and Neoscona adianta were expected finds. 2 Ravens and a Short Tailed Vole were bonus balls in a very mixed bag.

Borage, Tree Mallow; Golden Samphire; Rock Samphire; Dwarf Thistle and Strawberry Clover were observed with care and Kiefferia pericarpiicola and Diplolepis nervosa were 2 galls to enjoy.

27th July 2016 - Willow and Wetlands Centre, Somerset - A stop off whilst on our way darn sarf and some delicious tea and cake was consumed and a brief mooch taken.  Green Veined White (*7); Peacock (*3); Small Tortoiseshell (*1); Meadow Brown (*1); Gatekeeper (*7) and Red Admiral (*3) were the butterflies on the wing with a lone Silver Y Moth also seen.  A Common Green Shieldbug, Long Winged Conehead and Common Field Grasshopper were the other insects noted.

Arrowhead was plentiful and in good flower.

24th July 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Me and my missus needed a stretch so did a circular walk in the quite clammy weather - not good at all. Along the way we spotted the following butterflies:- Gatekeeper (*8); Meadow Brown (*5); Small White (*1); Comma (*1); Large White (*1); Speckled Wood (*3) and Small Skipper (*1). A Shaded Broad Bar was flushed from some tall grass and a half dozen 6 Spot Burnet Moths were noted on Common Knapweed.

3 Spikes of Broad Leaved Helleborine were in flower in a different spot from usual and Water Plantain was looking in fine fettle too. Several Blue Tailed Damselflies knocked about the edge of a pond.

23rd July 2016 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - A slow wander with just the camera and a few snacks, I don't need much to enjoy myself. The weather was slightly overcast with the sun making sporadic appearances which was ideal enough and helped me identify 15 species of hoverfly, these being:- Episyrphus balteatus; Melanostoma scalare; Myathropa florea; Eristalis pertinax; Vollucella pellucens; Epistrophe grossulariae; Eristalis nemorum; Cheilosia illustrata; Xylota segnis; Leucozona laternaria; Eristalis horticola; Volucella inanis; Platycheirus rosarum and Chrysogaster solstitialis.

10 species of butterfly were noted today:- Red Admiral (*1); Large Skipper (*1); Small White (*2); Large White (*1) Comma (*2); Small Skipper (*7); Small Tortoiseshell (*1); Speckled Wood (*4); Meadow Brown (*29) and Green Veined White (*9). Only 3 moths were noted which was a disappointment:- Silver Y (*1); Cameraria ohridella (*5) and Shaded Broad Bar (*1).

Other insect life seen was:- Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quatuordecimguttata); Red Tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus lapidarius); Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); Red Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); Mirid Bugs (Grypocoris stysi); (Lycogoris pabulinus); (Liocoris tripustulatus); (Heterotoma planicornis); (Plagiognathus arbustorum) and (Deraeocoris ruber); Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber) and the Common Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius).

Strawberry Snail; Brown Lipped Banded Snail and Garden Snail were all seen on Nettle.

20th July 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - And the stroll home again and the mind distracted by a different route and the following butterflies:- Comma (*3); Large White (*1); Common Blue (*1); Small Skipper (*3); Speckled Wood (*1) and Red Admiral (*1).

2 Brown Hawkers hunted over the river.

19th July 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Walking home and too hot to dawdle. Butterflies seen were:- Meadow Brown (*3); Small Skipper (*3); Small White (*1); Comma (*1) and Large White (*2).

Broad Leaved Helleborine and Yellow Loosestrife were both in flower.

19th July 2016 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Cheshire - That there toilet window attracted a few more moths, these being:- Clouded Border (*1); Brimstone (*2); Lesser Yellow Underwing (*2); Straw Dot (*1); Lozotaenia forsterana (*1); Bird Cherry Ermine (*1); Swallow-Tailed Moth (*1); Riband Wave f. remuta (*3); Dark/Grey Dagger agg (*1): Marbled Beauty (*5); Mother of Pearl (*1); Garden Carpet (*1); Short Cloaked Moth (*1); Small Dusty Wave (*1) and Double Striped Pug (*1).

An Orange Ladybird was also seen.

18th July 2016 - Chadkirk Chapel, Stockport, Cheshire - An early morning walk for 3 hours and then a 5.7 mile walk home. The weather was dull and humid and only brightened up just before I was headed home. 64 species of flowering plant were noted:- Black Medick; Common Vetch; Smooth Tare; Greater Willowherb; Common Field Speedwell; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Shepherd's Purse; Common Mouse Ear; Redshank; Lesser Trefoil; Red Clover; Lady's Bedstraw; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Corncockle; Lesser Burdock; Large Bindweed; Bush Vetch; Comfrey agg; Upright Hedge Parsley; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Wood Dock; Brooklime; Yellow Pimpernel; Spear Thistle; Knot-Grass; Pink Purslane; Enchanter's Nightshade; Nipplewort; Red Campion; Pineappleweed; Red Clover; Tufted Vetch; Meadow Vetchling; Foxglove; Ox-Eye Daisy; Dandelion agg; Hedge Woundwort; Purple Loosestrife; Common Ragwort; Common Knapweed; Broad Leaved Dock; Wood Avens; Curl Leaved Dock; Meadowsweet; Garlic Mustard; Hedge Bindweed; Rosebay Willowherb; American Willowherb; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Thistle; Greater Plantain; Hogweed; Himalayan Balsam; Ribwort Plantain; Common Nettle; Goosegrass; Wood Speedwell; Creeping Buttercup; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; White Clover; Selfheal and Daisy.

Insect life was poor with the butterflies noted being:- Speckled Wood (*1); Green Veined White (*1); Meadow Brown (*10) and Comma (*1). A lone Yellow-Shell Moth was also spotted. Hoverflies noted were:- Eristalis horticola (*3); Episyrphus balteatus (*3) and Epistrophe grossulariae (*2). Several Large Rose Sawflies (Arge pagana) were seen as well as 7 Spot and Harlequin Ladybirds and neumerous Black Tipped Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva).

17 birds were noted:- Grey Wagtail; Magpie; Long Tailed Tit; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Robin; Wood Pigeon; Goosander; Moorhen; Grey Heron; Kingfisher; Mistle Thrush; Nuthatch; Mandarin Duck; Mallard; Stock Dove and Jackdaw.

Dasineura urticae and Cecidophyes rouhollahi were added to the days total.

16th July 2016 - Brown Moss, Shropshire - We decided to attend an organised walk today looking at the plant life of a Flagship Pond Wetland. It was a rewarding trip with lots of useful information and identification pointers picked up. Flowers noted down were:- Water Purslane; Common Water Plantain; Marsh Cudweed; Celery Leaved Buttercup; Bog Stitchwort; Marsh Speedwell; Water Forget-Me-Not; American Willowherb; Creeping Forget-Me-Not; Marsh Bedstraw; Gypsywort; Lesser Skullcap; Clustered Dock; Common Centaury; Perforate St John's Wort; White Clover; Marsh Thistle; Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil; Lesser Trefoil; Rosebay Willowherb; Hemlock Water Dropwort; New Zealand Pygmyweed; Purple Loosestrife; Whorled Mint; Water Mint; Small Flowered Crane's-Bill; Great Willowherb; Ragged Robin; Marsh Cinquefoil and Bog Pimpernel.

Purple Moor Grass (Molinia caerulea); Wavy Hair Grass (Deschampsia flexuosa); Mat Grass (Nardus stricta); Orange Foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis); Velvet Bent (Agrostis canina); Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris); Plicate Sweet Grass (Glyceria notata); Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus) provided good interest as did Bladder Sedge (Carex vesicaria); Cyperus Sedge (Carex pseudocyperus); Heath Wood Rush (Luzula multiflora); Slender Rush (Juncus tenuis); Soft Rush (Juncus effusus); Downy Birch (Betula pubescens); Grey Willow (Salix cinerea oleifolia); Broad Buckler Fern and Floating Fern (Azolla filiculoides).

Green Veined White (*1); Small Skipper (*3); Ringlet (*1); Meadow Brown (*1) and Small White (*1) were the only butterflies noted. A Green Oak Roller Moth was also seen.

A Common Darter and the hoverfly (Volucella pellucens) were additions to the day's mooch.

10th July 2016 - Ainsdale Sands Lake, Lancashire - Back again to this site after a tip of regarding an extremely rare fungus. We found the target (see Fungal Friends section) and also added a few other things. Butterflies noted were:- Small Tortoiseshell (*1); Small Skipper (*6); Gatekeeper (*6); Meadow Brown (*5) and Grayling (*3). A Silver Y Moth was also seen.

A lone Common Darter; Common Green and Mottled Grasshoppers; 11 Asparagus Beetles plus larvae and eggs; a Slender Groundhopper; a young Wheatear and an adult Natterjack Toad were the other sightings of the trip.

Blue Fleabane; Harebell; Wild Carrot; Water Mint and Strawberry Clover were plants seen in flower that weren't recorded last week.

Taphrina alni; Eriophyes inangulis and Eupontania viminalis were the galls noted.

10th July 2016 - Mere Sands Wood, Lancashire - A meet-up with a few members of the Fungal Friends Group. Flowers seen were:- Self-Heal; Wood Avens; Common Nettle; Broad Leaved Dock; Red Campion; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Meadow Buttercup; Marsh Thistle; Foxglove; Spear Thistle; Creeping Buttercup; Hogweed; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Tufted Vetch; Common Centaury; White Clover; Yellow Bartsia; Lady's Bedstraw; Purple Loosestrife; Greater Willowherb; Silverweed; Perforate St John's Wort; Yellow Loosestrife; Eyebright agg; Goosegrass; Black Medick; Ribwort Plantain; Garlic Mustard; Enchanter's Nightshade; Hairy Bittercress; Herb Robert; Wood Sage; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Ox-Eye Daisy; Lesser Stitchwort; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Common Knapweed; Common Ragwort; Rosebay Willowherb; Red Bartsia; Greater Plantain; Redshank; White Water Lily; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Hedge Woundwort; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Meadowsweet; Figwort; Ivy Leaved Toadflax and Meadow Vetchling.

Eristalis pertinax; Episyrphus balteatus; Epistrophe grossulariae and Leucozona laternaria were the 4 hoverflies seen. Only 2 butterflies were seen:- Meadow Brown (*3) and Gatekeeper (*1) plus several Common Wasps; Blue Tailed Damselfly; a Red Tailed Bumble Bee; a 7 Spot Ladybird and a 10 Spot Ladybird.

Dasineura ulmaria and Dasineura urticae were 2 plant galls noted.

3rd July 2016 - Marshside RSPB, Lancashire - The final location of the day and with time pressing on a brief hour was spent in the main hide and around the sand works. Avocet; Little Egret and Black Tailed Godwit were the best birds on show, Opium Poppy; Bladder Campion; Viper's Bugloss; Green Alkanet; Fennel and Black Horehound the best flowers in bloom.

Meadow Brown (*2) and Small Tortoiseshell (*4) were the butterflies noted with a 6 Spot Burnet Moth being the first of the year.

Several Short Winged Coneheads were the final additions to a good day out.

3rd July 2016 - Lifeboat Road, Formby, Lancashire - A day that was spent primarily botanising, with an eye on polishing our identification techniques. 61 plants were listed at this first location during a walk that was blessed with sun and many attractive blooms. The list comprised of:- Common Nettle; Goosegrass; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Creeping Thistle; Common Ragwort; Creeping Buttercup; Self-Heal; Procumbent Pearlwort; Sheep's Sorrel; Common Stork's-Bill; Large Flowered Evening Primrose agg; Curled Leaved Dock; Spear Thistle; Weld; Scarlet Pimpernel; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Wild Parsnip; Wild Asparagus; Large Bindweed; Lady's Bedstraw; Restharrow; White Campion; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Ribwort Plantain; Harebell; Honeysuckle; Wood Sage; Pyramidal Orchid; Biting Stonecrop; Portland Spurge; Broad Leaved Everlasting Pea; Yarrow; Hound's-Tongue; Tufted Vetch; White Clover; Lesser Trefoil; Yellow Rattle; Meadow Vetchling; Hare's-Foot Clover; Green Alkanet; Greater Burdock; Black Medick; Rosebay Willowherb; Sea Spurge; Sea Holly; Sea Mayweed; Hedge Bindweed; Dove's Foot Crane's-Bill; Common Mouse Ear; Red Campion; Daisy; Prickly Sow-Thistle; Musk Mallow; Creeping Cinquefoil; Common Poppy; Germander Speedwell; Spring Beauty; Purple Loosestrife; Chickweed; Broad Leaved Willowherb and Hedge Mustard.

30 birds were noted along the way:- Wood Pigeon; Jackdaw; Greenfinch; Carrion Crow; Magpie; Long Tailed Tit; Blue Tit; Treecreeper; Goldcrest; Common Whitethroat; Goldfinch; Linnet; Starling; Dunnock; Swallow; Shelduck; Great Black Backed Gull; Oystercatcher; Common Gull; Herring Gull; Black Headed Gull; Sandwich Tern; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Cormorant; Meadow Pipit; Skylark; Mallard; Moorhen; Coot and Robin.

Small Skipper (*1); Painted Lady (*1); Speckled Wood (*3) and Meadow Brown (*4) were the only butterflies seen.

A small group of Mottled Grasshoppers were nice, loads of Cinnabar Moth caterpillars and a lone Drinker Moth caterpillar varied up the list, as did a Striped Millipede and the hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta). A Red Tailed Bumble Bee; 7 Spot Ladybird and the Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum) were standard additions.

1st July 2016 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - Walking home and Purple Toadflax and Feverfew were in flower with a Speckled Wood resting on a leaf in the sunny break.

I took some time stood besides a flowering Blackberry bush and noted the following hoverflies:- Syritta pipiens; Xylota segnis; Merodon equestris; Eristalis pertinax; Myathropa florea and Syrphus ribesii. A Common Wasp was also buzzing about.

27th June 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - My local patch and after walking my good lady top the bus stop I strolled home down this well walked area and had a see at how many flowers I could spot in bloom. The 89 species pondered and named were:- Wild Mignonette; Yellow Bird's Nest; White Campion; Dandelion agg; Creeping Buttercup; Pineappleweed; Silverweed; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Hedge Mustard; Wild Radish; Meadowsweet; Purple Loosestrife; Yellow Flag Iris; Figwort; Rosebay Willowherb; Red Valerian; Rape; Cow Parsley; Lady's Bedstraw; Lady's Mantle agg; Redshank; Common Field Speedwell; Common Mouse Ear; Chickweed; Wavy Bittercress; Welsh Poppy; Wall Speedwell; Daisy; White Clover; Lesser Trefoil; Goldenrod; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Himalayan Balsam; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Monkeyflower; Procumbent Pearlwort; Large Bindweed; Oxford Ragwort; Common Nettle; White Valerian; Perennial Sow Thistle; Red Clover; Meadow Vetchling; Meadow Buttercup; Bush Vetch; Hogweed; Common Ragwort; Black Medick; Ox-Eye Daisy; Greater Willowherb; Perforate St John's Wort; Herb Robert; Ground Elder; Tufted Vetch; Large Flowered Evening Primrose agg; Creeping Thistle; Nipplewort; Spear Thistle; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Curled Leaved Dock; Greater Plantain; Red Campion; Dame's Violet; Shining Crane's-Bill; Groundsel; Blue Fleabane; Weld; Kidney Vetch; Hedge Woundwort; Common Knapweed; Yellow-Rattle; Cut Leaved crane's-Bill; Tall Melilot; White Melilot; Ribwort Plantain; Orange Hawkweed; Goat's Rue; Broad Leaved Dock; Creeping Cinquefoil; Bittersweet; Wood Avens; Garlic Mustard; Knotgrass; Wintercress; Comfrey agg; Wood Speedwell and Hairy Tare.

Only 20 bird species were seen, which isn't bad seeing I didn't take any binoculars. The list was:- Sand martin; Wren; Blackbird; Long Tailed Tit; Magpie; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Song Thrush; Wood pigeon; Dunnock; Chaffinch; Coot; Goldfinch; Mallard; Starling; Jackdaw; Black Headed Gull; Swallow; Pied Wagtail; Grey Wagtail and Great Tit.

To the bug life and due to clouds covering the sun, one shower and then some warmth it was a mixed bag with not much seen, 23 species in fact. Butterflies were lowly:- Speckled Wood (*2); Meadow Brown (*1) and Green Veined White (*1). Hoverflies were few:- Helophilus pendulus; Episyrphus balteatus; Eristalis pertinax; Meliscaeva auricollis; Syrphus ribesii; Eristalis nemorum; Cheilosia illustrata; Eupeodes corollae and Chrysogaster solstitialis. 7 Spot, 14 Spot and Harlequin Ladybirds were seen along with the beetle (Lagria hirta); Forest Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes); Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); Tree Bee and Red Tailed Bumble Bee; Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi) and (Deraeocoris flavilinea) and a Vapourer Moth Caterpillar.

12 plant galls were noted:- Acalitus brevitarsus; Eriophyes laevis; Eriophyes inangulis; Psyllopsis fraxini; Dasineura fraxini; Aceria exilis; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes tiliae; Eupontania pendunculi; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Chirosia grossicauda and Aceria pseudoplatini.

26th June 2016 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, Cheshire - One walk cancelled and one walk completed. This one was just down the road from were I live and was a quick intro to bugs as part of a Nature Awareness Day. In 45 minutes of mooching we found the following critters:- Hoverflies seen were:- Helophilus pendulus; Myathropa florea; Episyrphus balteatus; Eristalis pertinax; Chrysotoxum bicinctum; Cheilosia illustrata and Chrysogaster solstitialis. Butterflies noted were:- Meadow Brown (*1) and Large Skipper (*1). Other bugs seen were:- Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 7 Spot Ladybird; Mirid bugs (Capsus ater); (Grypocoris stysi); (Leptopterna dolabrata); (Heterotoma planicornis); (Liocoris tripustulatus) and (Stenotus binotatus), the Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); Common Green Grasshopper Azure and Blue Tailed Damselflies and a Red Tailed Bumble Bee.

A couple of Nursery Web Spiders were also seen, much to the delight of one little toddler who seemed transfixed by them.

25th June 2016 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - A 2 hour wander to see what I could see.

Flowers noted were:- Creeping Thistle; Nipplewort; White Clover; Herb Robert; Pineappleweed; Hogweed; Daisy; Common Nettle; Curled leaved Dock; Hedge Woundwort; Creeping Buttercup; Goosegrass; Garlic Mustard; Yellow Flag; Himalayan Balsam; White Dead Nettle; Cow Parsley; Wood Avens; Ground Elder; Enchanter's Nightshade; Common Bistort; Broad Leaved Dock; Meadow Buttercup; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Hairy Bittercress; Shining Crane's-Bill; Dandelion agg; Self-Heal; Thale Cress; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Hedge Mustard; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Red Campion; Bush Vetch; Silverweed; Meadowsweet; Lesser Spearwort; Large Bindweed; Black Medick; Ribwort Plantain and Lesser Trefoil.

Hoverflies seen were:- Episyrphus balteatus; Syrphus ribesii; Eristalis pertinax; Myathropa florea; Cheilosia illustrata; Chrysogaster solstitialis and Leucozona laternaria.

Butterflies seen were:- Meadow Brown (*14); Large Skipper (*5) and Speckled Wood (*2).

Other bugs noted were:- Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); Black Snipe-Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus) and Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva).

3 Ring Necked Parakeets whizzed about and a hefty Common Toad was found.

Plant galls included:- Eriophyes laevis; Acalitus rudis; Aceria erinea; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes inangulis; Taxomyia taxi and Pemphigus spyrothecae.

25th June 2016 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Cheshire - The weekend is here again and up early with much to do. Moths attracted to an overnight light were few, the list being:- Clouded Border (*1); Riband Wave f. remutata (*5); Red Barred Tortrix (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*1); Heart and Dart (*6); Peppered Moth (*1); Bright Line, Brown Eye (*1); The Flame (*1); Amblyptilia acanthadactla (*1) and Hedya nubiferana (*1).

A Small Magpie Moth, a Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris) and a Harlequin Ladybird f. spectabilis were in the garden whilst I did some early morning trimming.

20th June 2016 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Cheshire - Absolutely appalling weather today so I caught up with some of the loose ends I constantly create. A cup of tea in the garden at the day's end and the sun shone briefly allowing 3 species of hoverfly to make an appearance:- Eupeodes luniger; Merodon equestris and Episyrphus balteatus all made swift appearances. The Large White Caterpillar congregation is now under attack from a parasitic wasp. A specimen, with cocoons, has been taken to see if the expected predator is Cotesia glomerata.

19th June 2016 - Hopton Quarry, Derbyshire - A wander in dull conditions although it was warmish and there was no rain - mustn't grumble.

Insect life was poor with only a Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); Chimney Sweeper Moth (Odezia atrata); Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus) noted.

Some nice flowers were seen, these being:- Common Spotted Orchid; Frog Orchid (*13); Fly Orchid (*25); Lily of the Valley; Twayblade; Fairy Flax and Rock Rose.

Aceria sanguisorbae and Jaapiella veronicae were 2 galls noted.

18th June 2016 - Chorlton WP, G. Manchester - A short walk whilst my athletic daughter did some running. I would have joined in but the Achille's Tendon is still griping - bah. 2 butterfly species were seen:- Speckled Wood (*4) and Large Skipper (*1) plus 5 hoverfly species:- Episyrphus balteatus; Platycheirus albimanus; Eristalis pertinax; Helophilus pendulus and Syrphus ribesii.

Common Blue Damselfly; Blue Tailed Damselfly and Banded Demoiselle were noted along with the Snipe-Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea) and a few Harlequin Ladybirds.

Figwort and Dame's Violet were in flower and a Ring Necked Parakeet flew over.

The gall Wachtiella persicariae was frequent and Phytoptus tetratrichus was on Lime..

17th June 2016 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, Cheshire - Our lass was at dance so me and the missus had an evening stroll looking for plant galls. 21 species were noted, these were:- Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Andricus curvator; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes laevis; Psyllopsis fraxini; Aceria fraxinivora; Dasineura fraxini; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Eriophyes leiosoma; Aceria macrohryncha; Aceria eriobia; Aceria macrochela; Aceria pseudoplatani; Eriophyes similis; Phyllocoptes eupadi; Iteomyia capreae; Eriophyes sorbi; Pontania proxima; Eupontania pedunculi; Cecidophyes rouhollahi and Phytomyza ilicis.

The hoverflies (Myathropa florea); (Episyrphus balteatus) and (Chrysogaster solstitialis) were on the wing and the Snipe-Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); Lace-Wing (Chrysopa perla); Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); Harlequin Ladybird and 7 Spot Ladybird were additions.

16th June 2016 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - My dinner time stroll, the sun was kind and graced my pate.  It also gave me chance to see 7 Spot, 14 Spot and Harlequin Ladybirds; 2 Common Green Shieldbugs; a Speckled Wood; Diamond Backed Moth; the hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus); (Epistrophe eligans) and (Syrphus ribesii); the Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); the Mirid Bug (Calocoris stysi) and a brace of Common Green Shieldbugs.

Orange Hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiaca); Broad-leaved Willowherb (Epilobium montanum) and Small Balsam (Impatiens parviflora).

A Mistle Thrush rattled by and a few wonderful Swifts glided by over the local playing fields.

11th June 2016 - Sywell Reservoir, Northamptonshire - A tucked away place really and one we just aimed for at the last minute. Some warm food and tea before the walk and some cool cheesecake and more tea for after with in between 26 birds seen, these being:- Goldcrest; Goldfinch; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Mallard; Canada Goose; Robin; Great Crested Grebe; Coot; Moorhen; Mute Swan; Common Tern; Great Tit; Grey Heron; Buzzard; Common Whitethroat; Wren; Skylark; Reed Bunting; Long Tailed Tit; Swift; Swallow; Tufted Duck + Greenfinch; Chiffchaff and Song Thrush on call.

Hoverflies seen were:- (Episyrphus balteatus); (Syrphus ribesii); (Chrysogaster solstitialis) and (Leucozona laternaria).

Lepidoptera was made up of 2 butterflies:- Large Skipper (*1) and Common Blue (*1) and 2 moths:- Nettle Tap Moth (*1) and Chimney Sweeper (*4).

2 Spot, 7 Spot and Harlequin Ladybirds were seen along with the Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); a couple of Speckled Bush Cricket nymphs; a Garden Chafer and an Azure Damselfly.

11th June 2016 - Summer Leys NR, Northamptonshire - A stunning area and one we hadn't visited for over 6 years. Today was a lovely walk in yet more sunshine with a bird list of 45 species very much enjoyed. The list was:- Black Headed Gull; Jackdaw; Great Tit; Wood Pigeon; Blue Tit; Reed Bunting; Blackbird; Robin; Willow Warbler; Garden Warbler; Sand Martin; Chaffinch; Magpie; Mute Swan; Greylag Goose; Lapwing; Gadwall; Mallard; Coot; Moorhen; Tufted Duck; Oystercatcher; Carrion Crow; Common Tern; Cormorant; Great Crested Grebe; Little Ringed Plover (with 2 young); Grey Heron; Shelduck; Chiffchaff; Bullfinch; Wren; Wigeon; Dunnock; Long Tailed Tit; Reed Warbler; Shoveler; Starling; Pochard; Greenfinch; Canada Goose; Black Tern (*3); Swallow + Cetti's Warbler and Green Woodpecker on call.

Flowers worthy of note were:- Bee Orchid; Hemlock; Southern Marsh Orchid and Meadow Rue.

Banded Demoiselles popped up everywhere as did Blue Tailed and Common Blue Damselflies. 3 butterfly species were seen:- Speckled Wood (*2); Small White (*1) and Green Veined White (*1) plus the micro moth (Pseudargyrotoza conwagana) and a Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis) and the hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum) were added extras.

10th June 2016 - Barnwell CP, Northamptonshire - Last destination of the day and another place we have visited before. The sun had gone in for a bit now but a pleasant stroll was had nonetheless. Only 18 birds were recorded, these being:- Carrion Crow; Great Crested Grebe; Mute Swan; Wood Pigeon; Moorhen; Sedge Warbler; Green Woodpecker; Black Headed Gull; Goldfinch; Grey Heron; Reed Warbler; Nuthatch; Chaffinch; Great Tit; Mallard; Mandarin Duck; Blue Tit and Blackbird.

A Small White Butterfly; a Diamond Back Moth; 3 Pellucid Hoverflies (Volucella pellucens); plenty of Banded Demoiselles; a Red Eyed Damselfly; Common Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius); Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 14 Spot Ladybird and Harlequin Ladybird; Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) were the only other species added.

10th June 2016 - Twywell Hills and Dales, Northamptonshire - A fine walk at an interesting place that needs lots more attention. Lepidoptera were represented by the butterflies:- Large Skipper (*2); Small Heath (*1); Brown Argus (*2); Common Blue (*5); Dingy Skipper (*2); Green Hairstreak (*1) and Speckled Wood (*3) and the moths:- Silver Y (*1); Silver Ground Carpet (*1); Nettle Tap Moth (*1); Burnet Companion (*7); Cinnabar Moth (*1); Small Yellow Underwing (*1); Sitochroa verticalis (*1); Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) and Mother Shipton (*3).

Other bugs noted were:- Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); Harlequin Ladybird; 7 Spot Ladybird; 14 Spot Ladybird; Red Tailed Bumble Bee; Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rustica); Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis); Mirid Bug (Calocoris stysi); Azure Damselfly; Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); Roesel's Bush Cricket (nymph) and a Small Tortoiseshell Caterpillar.

The 20 birds noted were:- Blue Tit; Red Kite; Goldfinch; Yellowhammer; Blackbird; Dunnock; Chiffchaff; Kestrel; Wren; Common Whitethroat; Willow Warbler; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Reed Bunting; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Buzzard; Blue Tit; Green Woodpecker; Blackcap and Skylark.

Flowers in bloom were:- Common Mouse Ear; White Clover; Common Nettle; Comfrey agg; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Goat's-Beard; Common Spotted Orchid; Creeping Thistle; Dandelion agg; Hogweed; Cow Parsley; Germander Speedwell; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Ground Ivy; Wild Strawberry; White Bryony; Lesser Trefoil; White Campion; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Black Medick; Hound's-Tongue; Wall Speedwell; Goosegrass; Meadow Buttercup; Bulbous Buttercup; Red Clover; Ribwort Plantain; Daisy; Common Vetch; Ox-Eye Daisy; Salad Burnet and Mouse-Ear Hawkweed.

The galls (Taphrina pruni) and (Liposthenes glechomae) were also seen.

7th June 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Off to the docs so I walked home a slightly different way. The Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis), a Small White and a Green Veined White were the only bugs noticed.

Common Knapweed was now in flower.

4th June 2016 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Cheshire - Moths attracted to an overnight window were:- Brimstone (*1); Bright Line, Brown Eye (*1); Diamond Back Moth (*5); Tachystola acroxantha (*3); Light Brown Apple Moth (*2) and Anania coronata (*4).

Early morn in the garden and several Harlequin Ladybird larvae were seen, a Small Magpie Moth, the leaf mining larvae (Pegomya solennis) was on Broad Leaved Dock and 21 Large White Caterpillars were enjoying the Garlic Mustard.

30th May 2016 - Parrot's Drumble, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire - A walk around this small area with Speckled Wood (*1); Orange Tip (*2) and Large White (*1) the only butterflies enjoying the sun. The hoverflies (Rhingia campestris) and (Myathropa florea) were on the wing, 2 Red Headed Cardinal Beetles (Pyrochroa serraticornis) pottered on a log and a Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata) pottered in the low vegetation.

Aceria pseudoplatini; Eriophyes laevis; Andricus corruptrix and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (bisexual stage) were the galls noted.

30th May 2016 - Sandwell Valley RSPB, West Midlands - Just over 14 years ago we last went to this reserve and boy what a grand place it has turned out to be. A real oasis tucked away in a very busy part of the country. The set up is lovely and we wandered round and clocked up a list of 43 birds, these were:- Robin; Carrion Crow; Swift; Blackbird; Common Whitethroat; Long Tailed Tit; Coot; Magpie; Canada Goose; Jackdaw; Mute Swan; Mallard; Moorhen; Wren; Black Headed Gull; Tufted Duck; Gadwall; Lapwing; Grey Heron; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Common Tern; Cormorant; Great Tit; Song Thrush; Dunnock; Blue Tit; Oystercatcher; Kingfisher; Little Ringed Plover; Buzzard; House Martin; Swallow; Bullfinch; Goldfinch; Mistle Thrush; Great Crested Grebe; Willow Warbler + Reed Bunting; House Sparrow; Blackcap; Chaffinch; Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff on call.

Foxglove was seen in flower for the first time this year.

29th May 2016 - Newton Picnic Site, Warwickshire - before finishing for the day we stopped for some grub. After eating we thought we would check out this curious place and see what flowers were in bloom. Species seen were:- Field Pansy; Bucks-Horn Plantain; Bittersweet; Garlic Mustard; Common Poppy; White Clover; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Brooklime; Ragged Robin; White Campion; Germander Speedwell; Wild Strawberry; Creeping Buttercup; Common Vetch; Lesser Trefoil; Groundsel; Common Field Speedwell; Danish Scurvygrass; Cut Leaved Crane's Bill; Meadow Buttercup; Ribwort Plantain; Scarlet Pimpernel; Common Mouse Ear; Black Medick; Daisy; White Dead Nettle; Red Campion and Dandelion agg.

Helophilus pendulus; Leucozona lucorum; Eristalis pertinax were the hoverflies seen along with 1 Common Blue Butterfly and a Common Whitethroat. Just before turning into the area a Red Legged Partridge was at the side of the road (silly sod).

29th May 2016 - Stockton Cutting, Warwickshire - After chatting to 2 grand birders at the previous location we were pointed towards this delightful area to do a bit of butterflying. Alas the weather was overcast but we still did manage to see:- Dingy Skipper (*2); Small Blue (*5) and Common Blue (*1) plus the moths Burnet Companion (*3) and Mompha locupletella (*1). Other species noted were:- Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); Drone fly (Eristalis pertinax); Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); White Legged Damselfly (Platycnemis pennipes); Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); the hoverflies (Rhingia campestris); (Helophilus pendulus) and (Leucozona lucorum) and the Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum).

The leaf gall on Wood Avens was seen, namely (Cecidophyes nudus).

Flowers listed were:- Cow Parsley; Goosegrass; Creeping Buttercup; Germander Speedwell; Wild Strawberry; Herb Robert; Kidney Vetch; Rough Hawkbit; Greater Yellow Rattle; Common Vetch; Ribwort Plantain; Cowslip; Meadow Buttercup; Twayblade; Common Milkwort; Hogweed; Daisy; Red Clover; Dandelion agg; Common Nettle; White Dead Nettle; Cuckooflower; Wall Speedwell; Common Field Speedwell; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Wood Avens; Ox-Eye Daisy; Hoary Plantain and Ground Ivy.

29th May 2016 - Draycote Water, Warwickshire - Up early and a five mile walk followed by an absolutely cracking Full-English breakfast was the best way to start any day. As a bonus 39 birds were seen along the way:- Swallow; Carrion Crow; House Martin; Swift; Pied Wagtail; Mute Swan; Coot; Mallard; Herring Gull; Starling; Greenfinch; Wood Pigeon; Great Crested Grebe; Tufted Duck; Black Tailed Godwit; Magpie; Canada Goose; Greylag Goose; Moorhen; Blackcap; Chiffchaff; Long Tailed Tit; Blue Tit; Wren; Dunnock; Robin; Oystercatcher; Chaffinch; Jackdaw; Goldfinch; Great Tit; Reed Bunting; Buzzard; Rook; Yellowhammer; Cormorant + Skylark; Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush on call.

Welsh Poppy; Common Poppy and Bittersweet were the only flowers pondered.

28th May 2016 - Swift Valley NR, Warwickshire - A stunning little place with massive potential. It was getting late in the day so not as much seen as might be but a few good bugs were noted. Helophilus pendulus; Leucozona lucorum; Eristalis pertinax were the hoverflies seen; Banded Demoiselle; Azure Damselfly and Keeled Skimmer the odonata species observed and Speckled Wood (*2); Orange Tip (*7); Brimstone (*2); Green Veined White (*1); Comma (*1); Red Admiral (*1) and Peacock (*2) were the butterflies seen with a lone Silver Y moth and a mating pair of the micro moth (Pammene aurana).

The Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis); Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); Harlequin Ladybird and 14 Spot Ladybird were the other bugs seen.

As a Buzzard circled overhead we also added the following damp loving flowers to the list:- Celery Leaved Buttercup; Brooklime and Ragged Robin.

28th May 2016 - Brandon Marsh, Warwickshire - A lovely walk in fine weather at a really interesting location. 43 birds were noted, these were:- Blackbird; Wood Pigeon; Jay; Reed Warbler; Gadwall; sand Martin; Oystercatcher; Cetti's Warbler; Shelduck; Robin; Swallow; Magpie; Greylag Goose; Coot; Lapwing; Dunnock; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Little Ringed Plover; Redshank; Blue Tit; Tufted Duck; Buzzard; Carrion Crow; Water Rail; Common Tern; Great Crested Grebe; Ruff; Black Headed Gull; Shoveler; Canada Goose; Common Whitethroat; Reed Bunting; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Pied Wagtail; Chiffchaff; Blackcap; Treecreeper; Grey Heron; + Pheasant; Willow Warbler; Goldcrest; Chaffinch and Wren on call.

Insects noted were the hoverflies:- Tropidia scita; Leucozona lucorum; Myathropa florea and Epistrophe eligans, the butterflies:- Green Veined White (*1); Large White (*1); Orange Tip (*3) and Brimstone (*3), the moths:- Cocks-Foot Moth (*1) and Pammene aurana (*1). Other species noted were:- Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis); Dock Shieldbug (Coreus marginatus); Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); Reed Beetle (Donacia aquatica); 7 Spot Ladybird; 14 Spot Ladybird; Banded Demoiselle; Azure Damselfly; Blue Tailed Damselfly; Common Emerald Damselfly; Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); Downlooker Snipe-Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); Bee Fly (Bombylius major); Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis); the Saw-flies (Tenthredo mesomela) and (Tenthredo temula) and the spiders (Pisaura mirabilis); (Tetragnatha extensa) and (Salticus scenicus).

Flowers noted were:- Ground Ivy; Wild Strawberry; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Bugle; Common Vetch; Meadow Buttercup; Lesser Trefoil; Common Mouse Ear; Three Veined Sandwort; Greater Celandine; Pignut; Early Forget-Me-Not; Creeping Buttercup; Marsh Thistle; Cuckooflower; Common Sorrel; Red Campion; Greater Stitchwort; Scarlet Pimpernel; Goosegrass; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Germander Speedwell; Common Stork's-Bill; Cow Parsley; White Dead Nettle; Goat's-Beard; Herb Robert; Yellow Flag Iris; Lady's Mantle agg; Groundsel; Common Nettle; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Wood Avens; Dame's Violet; Hogweed; Garlic Mustard; Marsh Marigold; Large Bittercress; Ox-Eye Daisy.

The plant galls Dasineura acrophila; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes laevis and Cecidophyes rouhollahi.

27th May 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - A Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); the Micro Moth (Plutella porrectella) was near it's foodplant, namely Dame's Violet, and the spider (Tetragnatha extensa) were all that was seen walking home from work.

Common Ramping Fumitory was in flower.

25th May 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - What a dreary day, work for most of it and then cloud and rain to finish. On the way home I did note Hairy Tare, Ground Elder and Bird's Foot Trefoil in flower.

Also the gall (Vasates quadripedes) was on the leaves of a Silver Maple tree.

24th May 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Walking home and a stop by the river to watch the Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows swooping over the water and nearby farmland. Dame's Violet was now in wonderful scented flower and the busy butterflies:- Large White (*1); Green Veined White (*2) and Small White (*1) were on the wing. A specimen of the Tortrix Moth (Ancylis badiana) was nice to see.

Pontania gallarum was on the leaves of Willow.

23rd May 2016 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, Cheshire - Up early and out for a mooch around a local area. Hoverflies were few:- Melanostoma scalare; Leucozona lucorum; Cheilosia pagana; Meliscaeva auricollis; Chalcosyrphus nemorum; Syrphus ribesii and Platycheirus albimanus was a very poor return. Butterflies were equally low with the 3 species seen being:- Orange Tip (*2); Speckled Wood (*2) and Large White (*2) the only ones seen. A few Nettle Tap Moths were added and some Cocksfoot Moths (Glyphipterix simpliciella).

Other bugs noted were:- 7 Spot Ladybird; 14 Spot Ladybird; Harlequin Ladybird; Blue Tailed Damselfly; Azure Damselfly; Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle; Alder Leaf Beetle; Red Tailed Bumble Bee; Vine Weevil; Common Nettle Weevil; Downlooker Snipe-Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); Hogweed Picture-Wing Fly (Euleia heraclei) and the Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria).

22nd May 2016 - Errwood and Fernilee Reservoir, Derbyshire - Our annual visit to this spot, an area we have been coming to for over 15 years now and one that can be quite hit and miss. 36 bird species were noted today, these were:- Willow Warbler; Cormorant; Curlew; Canada Goose; Meadow Pipit; Mistle Thrush; Cuckoo (*2); Blackbird; Common Sandpiper; Robin; Grey Wagtail; Ringed Plover; Mallard; Tree Pipit; Goldfinch; Swift; Song Thrush; Wren; Redstart; Spotted Flycatcher; Chaffinch; Treecreeper; Pied Flycatcher; Goldcrest; Buzzard; Dipper; Siskin; Tufted Duck; Jackdaw; Greylag Goose; Jay; Swallow; House Martin; Wood Pigeon + Chiffchaff and Pheasant on call.

Green Veined White (*2); Orange Tip (*9); Speckled Wood (*3) and Small Tortoiseshell (*2) were the only butterflies enjoying the sun.

Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) and the Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum) were the only bugs listed.

Bilberry was in flower and literally everywhere.

21st May 2016 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - A 2 hour wander whilst my wife took her mother shopping. The clouds threatened but were kind and let this moocher stay free of moisture and have a good wander.

Mini-beasts seen were:- The hoverflies:- Rhingia campestris; Epistrophe eligans; Episyrphus balteatus; Eristalis pertinax; Helophilus pendulus and Melanostoma scalare. Alder Leaf Beetle; Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle; Common Nettle Weevil; Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans) and a 14 Spot Ladybird represented the Coleoptera family and a couple of Nettle Tap Moths and Esperia sulphurella were the Lepidoptera noted. A Common Earwig was also seen.

Dasineura fraxini; Taphrina pruni and Eriophyes laevis were the galls noted.

Flowers in bloom were:- Spring Beauty; Greater Celandine; Thale Cress; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Marsh Marigold; Wood Stitchwort; Silverweed; Chickweed; Large Bittercress; Cuckooflower; Yellow Flag Iris; Bush Vetch; Meadow Buttercup; Wood Speedwell; Lesser Celandine; Comfrey agg; Ground Ivy; Red clover; Daisy; White Clover; Lesser Trefoil; Ribwort Plantain; Dandelion agg; Fringe Cups; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Hogweed; White Dead Nettle; Ramsons; Goosegrass; Creeping Buttercup; Wood Avens; Cow Parsley; Common Nettle; Garlic Mustard and Herb Robert.

Mistletoe was still hanging in the same place!

20th May 2016 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - Another stroll and several Nettle Tap Moths were noted on their host plant.  Hoverflies nearby included:- Epistrophe eligans; Episyrphus balteatus; Eristalis pertinax and Syrphus ribesii.  A 14-Spot Ladybird dozed on the aforementioned Nettle!

Protomyces macrosporus was seen Ground Elder leaves.

19th May 2016 - Cheadle Heath to Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire -  Walking to and from work with a few things seen. Birds noted were:- Lesser Black Backed Gull; Wood Pigeon; Great Spotted Woodpecker; House Sparrow; Great Tit; Blackbird; Magpie; Mallard; Carrion Crow; Greenfinch; Canada Goose; Long Tailed Tit; Grey Heron; Mistle Thrush; Chiffchaff; Coal Tit; Dunnock + Goldfinch; Dunnock; Song Thrush; Wren and Common Whitethroat on call.

Pineappleweed; Lesser Trefoil; Hedge Mustard; Pignut and Procumbent Pearlwort were all in flower. It was nice to see the white strain of flower adorning an specimen of Ivy Leaved Toadflax too.

The Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); a Small White butterfly; 2 Nettle Tap Moths; 1 Common Green Shieldbug; and the Mirid Bug (Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus) were lovely extras and keenly enjoyed.

Eriophyes tiliae and Eriophyes leiosoma were 2 galls noted.

18th May 2016 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire -  The conditions have gone to pot, what a dreary day.  Cryptomyzus ribis was found on the usual host as was Aceria erinea; Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Aceria cephaloneus.

The Tortrix Moth (Pammene regiana) was seen at rest on a Sycamore leaf.

17th May 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - A morning wander in search of bug life, why not indeed? Butterflies seen were:- Orange Tip (*6); Small Tortoiseshell (*1); Green Veined White (*2); Large White (*1) and Small White (*1). A single Nettle Tap Moth was also added.

Other bugs included:- Meadow Grasshopper; Alder Leaf Beetle; The Hoverflies (Syrphus ribesii) and (Episyrphus balteatus); 7 Spot Ladybird; Hairy Shieldbug; Pea Weevil (Sitona lineatus); Shiny Woodlouse; Common Earwig; Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobus pomaceus); Spotted Crane-Fly; Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle; St Mark's Fly; Large Red Damselfly (*2); Common Green Shieldbug; Figwort Weevil (Cionus scrophulariae); Alder Sawfly (Eriocampa ovata); Dance Fly (Empis tessalata); Downlooker Snipe-Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); Spear Thistle Bug (Tingis cardui); Scentless Plant Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); the Beetle (Anaspis maculata); the Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata) and the spiders (Pisaura mirabilis); (Tetragnatha extensa) and (Larinioides cornutus).

The Goosegrass Gall (Cecidophyes rouhollahi) was noted for the first time this year.

15th May 2016 - Marbury CP/Anderton NR, Cheshire - A walk through Anderton NR and back round through Marbury CP and 53 birds were noted:- Mallard; Goldfinch; Robin; Blackbird; Blue Tit; Wren; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Great Tit; Common Whitethroat; Buzzard; Reed Bunting; Chiffchaff; Black Headed Gull; Blackcap; Jackdaw; Great Crested Grebe; Reed Warbler; Mute Swan; Song Thrush; Coot; Canada Goose; Garganey (M/F); Oystercatcher; Shelduck; Little Grebe; Jay; Stock Dove; Goldcrest; Long Tailed Tit; Greylag Goose; Tufted Duck; Gadwall; Swift; Grey Heron; House Martin; House Sparrow; Dunnock; Starling; Carrion Crow; Sedge Warbler; Teal; Lapwing; Moorhen; Green Woodpecker; Garden Warbler; Swallow; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Great Spotted Woodpecker + Willow Warbler; Mistle Thrush; Raven and Chaffinch on call.

44 species of flower were in bloom, these were:- Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Daisy; Dandelion agg; Wall Speedwell; Creeping Buttercup; Hairy Bittercress; Cuckooflower; Herb Robert; Cowslip; Meadow Buttercup; Garlic Mustard; Cow Parsley; Red Campion; Wood Avens; Ramsons; Germander Speedwell; Wild Strawberry; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Thale Cress; Black Medick; Common Mouse Ear; Bluebell; Lesser Celandine; Ribwort Plantain; Common Vetch; Goosegrass; Common Nettle; Common Dog Violet; Bush Vetch; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Ox-Eye Daisy; White Dead Nettle; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Hogweed; Wood Anemone; Chickweed; Dog's Mercury; Marsh Marigold; Pignut; Common Sorrel; Danish Scurvygrass; Wood Speedwell; Lord's and Ladies and Common Field Speedwell.

Not as many butterflies were on the wing as expected, the ones seen were:- Dingy Skipper (*9); Speckled Wood (*5); Small White (*1); Orange Tip (*6); Small Tortoiseshell (*1); Brimstone (*3) and Green Veined White (*1).

Other bugs noted were:- The Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax); the hoverflies (Rhingia campestris) and (Platychirus albimanus); Red Tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus lapidarius); Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); Blue Tailed Damselfly; Large Red Damselfly (*11); Harlequin Ladybird and the Dance Fly (Empis tessalata).

3 fish were also seen:- Tench; Rudd and Carp.

14th May 2016 - Carrington Moss, G. Manchester - A walk with the missus in the hope of seeing a few good species. Butterfly wise we did OK I reckon when you take into consideration that the forecast was for chilly weather. The sun shone, the heat rose and as a consequence the following flutterers were seen:- Red Admiral (*1); Peacock (*1); Small Tortoiseshell (*13); Small White (*2); Large White (*2); Painted Lady (*2); Orange Tip (*20); Comma (*1); Speckled Wood (*2); Green Veined White (*7) and Brimstone (*3). Two moths were seen:- Common Carpet (*1) and Brown Silver Line (*1).

Other insects seen were:- The Sun Fly (Helophilus pendulus); The Dead Nettle Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina fastuosa); a Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata); 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata); Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) and a Red Tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus lapidarius).

Birds noted totalled 45 species, these were:- Starling; Long Tailed Tit; Rook; Carrion Crow; Lapwing; Song Thrush; Mistle Thrush; Tufted Duck; Blackbird; Robin; Blackcap; Canada Goose; Chaffinch; Stock Dove; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Yellowhammer; Dunnock; Common Whitethroat; Skylark; Pied Wagtail; Buzzard; Goldfinch; Kestrel; Greenfinch; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Yellow Wagtail; Magpie; Willow Warbler; Chiffchaff; Mute Swan; Coot; Moorhen; Feral Pigeon; House Sparrow; Swallow; Linnet; House Martin; Sand Martin; Oystercatcher; Pheasant; Gadwall + Reed Bunting and Bullfinch on call.

Flowers in bloom were:- Sweet Woodruff; Thale Cress; Herb Robert; Dandelion agg; Cow Parsley; Hairy Bittercress; Red Campion; Red Dead Nettle; White Dead Nettle; Chickweed; Celery Leaved Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Common Mouse Ear; Bluebell; Green Alkanet; Comfrey agg; Red Clover; Ribwort Plantain; Lesser Trefoil; Cuckooflower; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Greater Stitchwort; Bush Vetch; Wood Avens; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Daisy; Groundsel; Shepherd's Purse; Wall Speedwell; Common Vetch and Variegated Yellow Archangel.

12th May 2016 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, Cheshire - An evening stroll with my lovely wife in wonderful sunshine. It was a tranquil wander with a few natural gems pondered. Butterflies noted were: - Orange Tip (*2) and Green Veined White (*1). 2 Moths were seen, these being:- Nettle Tap Moth (*1) and Common Carpet (*1).

Other insects included:- Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); Blue Tailed Damselfly; Varied Carpet Beetle; Tree Bee and the Sun Fly (Helophilus pendulus).

Fringe Cups; Wood Stitchwort and Large Bittercress were two flowers pondered as were the trees:- Wild Pear; Grey Alder; Guelder Rose; Lombardy Poplar and Goat Willow.

Some Canada Geese had 9 young and a Moorhen sprang from a nest that had 4 eggs in it.

10th May 2016 - River Mersey & Gorsey Bank, Stockport, Cheshire - A few trees were admired in flower and I dug my hooter into several blossoms and inhaled the heady aroma. Rowan; Elder; Bird Cherry and Hawthorn were smelling delicious with Sycamore and Wych Elm also in bloom.

A family of Long Tailed Tits defied the drizzle and a Light Brown Apple Moth was noted.

9th May 2016 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Cheshire - A few moths were attracted to an overnight light, these were:- Pine Beauty (*1); Bee Moth (*2); Seraphim (*1); Early Grey (*1) and Light Brown Apple Moth (*1).

Due to having sore tendons in the right ankle I was forced to stay around the house and garden but the sun helped me see a few decent species. Butterflies seen were:- Large White (*2); Holly Blue (*1) and Small White (*1).

Hoverflies noted were:- Platycheirus albimanus; Eristalis pertinax and Epistrophe eligans.

Other insects seen were the Turnip Sawfly (Athalia rosae); the Blue Mason Bee (Osmia caerulescens) and a Red Tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus lapidarius).

8th May 2016 - Gait Barrows, Cumbria - After chatting to a couple of chaps at our previous destination about how poor their butterflying experience had been at Gait Barrows we decided to head there anyway and see what the score was. The result was 'pretty poor' to be truthful with the only species seen being:- Speckled Wood (*4); Brimstone (*5); Peacock (*6); Comma (*1); Large White (*1) and Orange Tip (*1).

The Ramsons Hoverfly (Portevinia maculata) was seen, as well as mating Spotted Crane-flies (Nephrotoma appendiculata).

Bugle was in flower.

8th May 2016 - Warton Crag, Lancashire - A butterfly mooch proved to be very disappointing on a day when the weather was absolutely glorious. Species seen were:- Speckled Wood (*7); Peacock (*2) and Brimstone (*1). Moths added were:- Brown Silver Line (*1) and Speckled Yellow (*1).

Rhingia campestris; Platycheirus albimanus and Episyrphus balteatus were the only hoverflies seen with other insects noted being 7 Spot Ladybird; Orange Ladybird; Bee Fly (Bombylius major); St Marks Fly; Gorse Seed Weevil and the Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria).

Best birds were a brace of Peregrine Falcons, a Raven and a Common Whitethroat.

Flowers in bloom were:- Three Nerved Sandwort; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Primrose; Wood Speedwell; Wood Sorrel; Germander Speedwell; Hairy Bittercress; Ground Ivy; Wild Strawberry; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Herb Robert; Common Dog Violet; Common Field Speedwell; Early Purple Orchid; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Crosswort; Red Dead Nettle; Cow Parsley; Greater Stitchwort; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Lords and Ladies; Lesser Celandine; Dog's Mercury; Bluebell; Garlic Mustard; Red Campion; Ladies Mantle agg; Barren Strawberry; Cowslip; Daisy; Ribwort Plantain; Salad Burnet; Cuckooflower and Dandelion agg.

7th May 2016 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - Butterflies noted were:- Peacock (*1); Comma (*1) and Orange Tip (*1).

Hoverflies seen were:- Rhingia campestris and Melanostoma scalare.

Sweet Violet and Yellow Archangel were in flower and the years first Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus) was identified.

7th May 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - An early morning walk and a few butterflies on the wing, these were:- Speckled Wood (*1); Small White (*4); Orange Tip (*13); Holly Blue (*2); Small Tortoiseshell (*3) and Green Veined White (*2).

Birds noted were:- Feral Pigeon; Mistle Thrush; Blackbird; Wood Pigeon; Great Tit; Carrion Crow; Magpie; Grey Wagtail; Jay; Chiffchaff; Grey Heron; Greenfinch; Dunnock; Blackcap; Pied Wagtail; Mallard; Common Whitethroat; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Wren; Robin; House Martin; Starling; Sand Martin; Starling; Goosander; Lesser Black Backed Gull; House Sparrow; Swallow + Bullfinch; Goldcrest; Song Thrush and Willow Warbler on call.

Pendulous Sedge was in fine flower and Cock's-Foot was looking fresh and sturdy.

2nd May 2016 - Pennington Flash, G. Manchester - Another tootle around this frequently visited site with a few insects appearing after the early rains. Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); the Hoverfly (Rhingia campestris) and a Green Veined White butterfly all added to the days interest.

Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) and Fringe Cups were both in flower.

48 species of bird were noted, these were:- Mistle Thrush; Pied Wagtail; Mute Swan; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Coot; Mallard; Canada Goose; Tufted Duck; Magpie; Black Headed Gull; Great Crested Grebe; Moorhen; Pochard; Blackbird; Dunnock; Cormorant; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Great Tit; Bullfinch; Reed Bunting; Song Thrush; Willow Warbler; Robin; Stock Dove; Chaffinch; Blue Tit; Jay; Blackcap; Little Grebe; Shoveler; Chiffchaff; Goldfinch; Sand Martin; Swallow; House Martin; House Sparrow; Long Tailed Tit; Starling; Skylark; Swift; Grey Heron; Gadwall; Goosander; Wren; Common Tern + Cetti's Warbler and Greenfinch on call.

1st May 2016 - Gresford Flash, Wrexham - A quick tootle at this small area produced 25 bird species:- Canada Goose; Mallard; Great Crested Grebe; Coot; Swallow; Sand Martin; House Martin; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Common Sandpiper; Great Tit; Stock Dove; Herring Gull; Magpie; Jackdaw; Moorhen; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Dunnock; Chaffinch; Blackbird; Greylag Goose; Goldfinch; Robin; House Sparrow + Greenfinch; Great Spotted Woodpecker and Chiffchaff on call.

Shining Crane's-Bill and several 7 Spot Ladybirds were the only extras.

30th April 2016 - Victoria Park, Widnes, Cheshire - A trip to watch Widnes FC play Eccleshall FC in a North West Counties match so I thought I'd check out this public park and see what birdies were hanging about - why not? 27 species seen:_ Feral Pigeon; Starling; Blackbird; Mute Swan; Wood Pigeon; Mallard; Black Headed Gull; Coot; Blue Tit; Robin; Chiffchaff; Song Thrush; Goldfinch; Dunnock; Carrion Crow; Mistle Thrush; Swallow; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Herring Gull; House Sparrow; Chaffinch; Collared Dove; Nuthatch + Greenfinch; Wren; Bullfinch and Willow Warbler on call.

The Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) was seen feeding on Flowering Currant and a White Tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus lucorum) was also noted.

24th April 2016 - Stoneycliffe Wood, West Yorkshire - A walk through this extensive woodland revealed many spring flowers in bloom, which all looked wonderful when combined together - Dog's Mercury; Yellow Archangel; Wood Anemone; Bluebell; Ramsons; Garlic Mustard; Lesser Celandine; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage and Wood Sorrel were a delight to behold whilst compiling a list of 23 birds, these being:- Blackbird; Pheasant; Mistle Thrush; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Moorhen; Nuthatch; Chiffchaff; Blue Tit; Blackcap; Goldcrest; Carrion Crow; Robin; Treecreeper; Swallow; Grey Wagtail; Jackdaw; Chaffinch; Mallard; Great Tit; Greenfinch + Lapwing and Great Spotted Woodpecker on call.

2 Short Tailed Voles were seen climbing on a wall.

24th April 2016 - Pugney's CP & Calder Wetlands, West Yorkshire - A walk around these 2 connected areas brought a list of 47 bird species, these were:- Mute Swan; Canada Goose; Mallard; Wood Pigeon; Common Tern; Black Headed Gull; Cormorant; Carrion Crow; Great Crested Grebe; Coot; Common Whitethroat; Great Tit; Reed Warbler; Sand Martin; House Martin; Willow Warbler; Chiffchaff; Chaffinch; Pheasant; Dunnock; Blackcap; Robin; Long Tailed Tit; House Sparrow; Swallow; Blue Tit; Magpie; Bullfinch; Jay; Coal Tit; Tufted Duck; Moorhen; Swift; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Grey Heron; Gadwall; Goldfinch; Pied Wagtail; Little Ringed Plover; Teal; Oystercatcher; Greylag Goose; White Wagtail; Common Sandpiper; Reed Bunting + Wren and Greenfinch on call.

A lone Orange tip was the only butterfly seen.

21st April 2016 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire - A dinner time walk after some fish and chips and 2 Small Tortoiseshells were on the wing; several Tawny Mining Bees (Andrena fulva) were seen; the hoverflies (Epistrophe eligans) and (Eristalis pertinax) gave close up views and the Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) was soaking up a few rays.

Slender Speedwell looked fine and dandy amongst some heavily cut grass.

20th April 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - An afternoon off work and a mooch down river. 12 Common Green Shieldbugs were noted, some in the act of copulation, several Red Tailed and Buff Tailed Bumble Bees, a few Tawny Mining Bees (Andrena fulva) and the hoverfly (Eristalis pertinax) were also observed.

Peacock (*2); Comma (*1) and Orange Tip (*1) were the only butterflies on the wing.

Common Field Speedwell was in flower and the spider (Pisaura mirabilis) was noted soaking up a bit of sun.

17th April 2016 - Boggart Hole Clough, Blackley, G. Manchester - The final stroll of the day before heading to a gig, 19 birds noted:- Moorhen; Magpie; Wren; Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Robin; Goldfinch; Coot; Chaffinch; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Canada Goose; Blackbird; Mute Swan; Chaffinch; Chiffchaff; Blackcap; Mallard + Willow Warbler on call.

The Hoverfly (Syrphus torvus) was later identified.

17th April 2016 - Calf Hey Reservoir, Haslingden Grane, Lancashire - A wander in the sun around this medium sized reservoir, 22 birds noted:- Pied Wagtail; Goldeneye; Canada Goose; Carrion Crow; Great Crested Grebe; Wood Pigeon; Goldfinch; Blackbird; Jay; Mallard; Cormorant; Bullfinch; Mistle Thrush; Long Tailed Tit; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Magpie; Grey Wagtail + Green Woodpecker; Willow Warbler; Wren and Chaffinch on call.

2 specimens of Tachina ursina were seen in flight and at rest at the side of a woodland path.

17th April 2016 - Foxhill Bank NR, Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire - A gig today but that didn't stop us getting up early and having a mooch about. 24 species of bird were noted today, these were:- Chaffinch; Wren; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Blackcap; Chiffchaff; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Magpie; Willow Warbler; Dunnock; Moorhen; Blackbird; Robin; Canada Goose; Mallard; Jackdaw; Jay; Long Tailed Tit; Nuthatch; Goldcrest; Treecreeper; Grey Heron and Goldfinch.

Wood Anemone; Marsh Marigold; Cowslip and Primrose were in flower. A Comma butterfly was enjoying a sun spot and a Buff Tailed Bumble Bee whizzed about.

11th April 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - After walking my good lady to the bus stop I set about doing an eight mile walk and seeing what I could see. Along this stretch of the river 30 bird species were noted:- Goldfinch; Carrion Crow; Sand Martin; Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Mistle Thrush; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Blackbird; Dunnock; Magpie; Wren; Grey Wagtail; Goosander; Bullfinch; Mallard; Chiffchaff; Long Tailed Tit; Jay; Robin; Canada Goose; Moorhen; Grey Heron; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Coot; Cormorant; Chaffinch; House Sparrow; Pied Wagtail and Collared Dove.

Ivy Leaved Toadflax; American Wintercress; Cuckooflower; Cowslip; Ribwort Plantain; Marsh Marigold and Green Alkanet all in flower.

8th April 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Walking back from work and Shining Crane's-Bill; Common Vetch; Black Medick; Ox-Eye Daisy and Danish Scurvygrass were all in flower.

Red Tailed Bumble Bee; Buff Tailed Bumble Bee; White Tailed Bumble Bee and Common Green Shield Bug were the only insects noted.

3rd April 2016 - Owley Wood CWT, Weaverham, Cheshire - A lovely little wood this with some fine flowered slopes and the River Weaver running alongside. The 24 birds noted were:- Blackbird; Blue Tit; Dunnock; House Sparrow; Goldfinch; Wood Pigeon; Nuthatch; Wren; Black Headed Gull; Collared Dove; Mistle Thrush; Cormorant; Mute Swan; Moorhen; Mallard; Buzzard; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Carrion Crow; Robin; Chiffchaff + Great Spotted Woodpecker; Chaffinch and Jackdaw on call.

Dog's Mercury; Bluebell; Green Alkanet; Wood Anemone; Lesser Celandine; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Butterbur; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage and Chickweed were all in flower.

4 Buff Tailed Bumble Bees were on the wing.

1st April 2016 - Heaton Mersey NR and area, Stockport, Cheshire - A walk in the dinner hour, average weather but a poor bird show. Species recorded were:- Great Tit; House Sparrow; Carrion Crow; Magpie; Goldfinch; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Long Tailed Tit; Blackbird; Robin; Mallard; Coot; Moorhen; Blue Tit; Chiffchaff + Dunnock; Nuthatch and Song Thrush on call.

Groundsel; White Dead Nettle; Lesser Celandine and Ramsons were the only flowers seen.

25th March 2016 - Sett Valley Trail, Derbyshire - A second walk after a visit to the chippy (ooh err). Only a few birds seen here, these were:- Wren; Robin; Jackdaw; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Great Tit; Chiffchaff; Dunnock; Long Tailed Tit; Blue Tit; Blackbird; Nuthatch; Goldfinch; Coal Tit; Goldcrest and House Sparrow.

The Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) was seen on a Dandelion agg. and several Buff Tailed Bumble Bees were noted.

25th March 2016 - Millers Dale, Derbyshire - An early morning wander to stretch the old boiled eggs, a few birds were seen, these being:- Wood Pigeon; Goldfinch; Robin; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Wren; Treecreeper; Chaffinch; Long Tailed Tit; Kestrel; Song Thrush; Blackbird; Jackdaw; Raven; Mandarin Duck; Grey Wagtail; Mallard; Goldcrest; Nuthatch; Dipper (*5) and Moorhen.

Both Brown and Rainbow Trout were seen side by side at close quarters which was ideal to compare the identification differences.

Common Whitlow Grass was in flower.

20th March 2016 - Weaver Park, Cheshire - A meet-up with the Fungal Friends Group and along the way I made noted of any extra wildlife other than fungi. Birds noted were:- Chiffchaff; Mute Swan; Grey Heron; Great Tit; Grey Wagtail; Coot; Goldfinch; Blue Tit; Moorhen; Cormorant; Kingfisher; Song Thrush; Buzzard; Black Headed Gull; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Coal Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Chaffinch; Wren; Carrion Crow; Dunnock; Robin; Magpie; Collared Dove; Feral Pigeon; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird + Green Woodpecker and Jackdaw on call.

Insects seen were the Drone-Flies (Eristalis tenax) and (Eristalis pertinax), several Buff Tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) and Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (*2).

Garden Snail; Strawberry Snail; White Lipped Banded Snail; Garlic Snail; Yellow Slug and Dusky Slug were noted whilst looking beneath logs.

The mosses (Atrichum undulatum) and (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus) were also added. A liverwort was added (Lunularia cruciata).

14th March 2016 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, Cheshire - Still struggling so a local stroll to this area was had via Boots the Chemist, Greenhalgh's the Bakers and Oxfam the Charity Shop (no books bought). 24 bird species were noted these being:- Blackbird; Magpie; Collared Dove; Robin; Wood Pigeon; Blue Tit; Carrion Crow; Dunnock; Chaffinch; Great Tit; Grey Heron; Canada Goose; Mallard; Long Tailed Tit; Moorhen; Buzzard; Greenfinch; Wren; Nuthatch; Goldfinch; House Sparrow + Goldcrest; Jay and Bullfinch on call.

The years first butterfly was seen, a Small Tortoiseshell no less.

29th February 2016 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - A day of chores and a much needed walk into town for some cleaning products - oh the joys of being a punk! On the way 2 Kingfishers and 3 Goosanders made up a nice little group whilst a Cormorant perched up and gave good views further down river. White Dead Nettle, Common Mouse Ear and Red Clover were all in flower.

A Devil's Coach Horse was noted.

28th February 2016 - Rothwell CP, W. Yorkshire - The first destination of the day with the sun poking through and the weather getting milder by the hour. 31 bird species noted, these being:- Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Greenfinch; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Grey Heron; Common Gull; Black Headed Gull; Magpie; Robin; Tufted Duck; Teal; Moorhen; Mallard; Great Black Backed Gull; Canada Goose; Wood Pigeon; Pochard; Dunnock; Long Tailed Tit; Coot; Mute Swan; Cormorant; Jay; Wren; Bullfinch; Greylag Goose; Shelduck and Sparrowhawk.

2 Roe Deer were seen at close quarters before one was chased off by a dog!

22nd February 2016 - Frodsham Marsh, Cheshire - A trip with my brother on a fresh, clear day with many changes had at this area and all to the detriment of the bird life. A total of 47 species were seen:- House Sparrow; Blue Tit; Wood pigeon; Carrion Crow; Feral Pigeon; Magpie; Blackbird; Mallard; Long Tailed Tit; Great Tit; Goldfinch; Dunnock; Wren; Red Legged Partridge; Great Black Backed Gull; Buzzard; Coot; Oystercatcher; Tufted Duck; Goldeneye; Little Grebe; Shelduck; Curlew; Common Gull; Lapwing; Black Headed Gull; Cormorant; Teal; Gadwall; Redshank; Black Tailed Godwit; Canada Goose; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Meadow Pipit; Reed Bunting; Robin; Fieldfare; Starling; Chaffinch; Pochard; Shoveler; Linnet; Grey Heron; Rook; Kestrel; Collared Dove and Pied Wagtail.

Red Dead Nettle was seen in flower.

21st February 2016 - Low Hill NR, G Manchester - A walk at this new area and although not a vast amount of stuff seen, there is much potential that makes this worthy of more attention. Birds noted were:- Siskin; Great Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Black Headed Gull; Robin; Mute Swan; Wren; Goldfinch; Blackbird; Cormorant; Jackdaw; Magpie; Gadwall; Teal; Mallard; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Wood Pigeon; Blue Tit; Starling; Tufted Duck; Coot and Song Thrush on call.

A Harlequin Ladybird; Large Yellow Slug; Shiny; Pygmy and Striped Woodlice and the Harvestman (Nemastoma lugubre) were noted extras. Bembidion dentellum was later confirmed by an on-line coleopterist (Will Beetlepunk Heeney take a bow).

21st February 2016 - Pennington Flash, G. Manchester - A walk around the small part of this reserve today sticking strictly to the route with hides rather than doing a full circuit of the flash itself. 45 species of bird were noted, these being:- Greenfinch; Mistle Thrush; Lapwing; Herring Gull; Teal; Oystercatcher; Goldeneye; Great Crested Grebe; Cormorant; Grey Heron; Redwing; Gadwall; Shoveler; Little Grebe; Goosander; Water Rail; Goldfinch; Song Thrush; Wren; Long Tailed Tit; Stock Dove; Coot; Tufted Duck; Blue Tit; Robin; Great Tit; Blackbird; Moorhen; Reed Bunting; Chaffinch; Dunnock; Coal Tit; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Pied Wagtail; Wood Pigeon; Mallard; Black Headed Gull; Canada Goose; Mute Swan; Jay and Cetti's Warbler on call.

White Dead Nettle and Cow Parsley were in flower and a White Lipped Banded Snail was noted.

15th February 2016 - Fletcher Moss, G Manchester - The second part of today's walk with a cup of tea in the cafe breaking up the escapade in the sun. 26 bird species listed this time:- Mallard; Starling; Goosander; Robin; Grey Wagtail; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Dunnock; Treecreeper; Great Tit; Goldcrest; Song Thrush; Redwing; Canada Goose; Bullfinch; Magpie; Nuthatch; Jay; Blackbird; Coot; Moorhen; Ring Necked Parakeet; Blue Tit; Black Headed Gull + Wren and Goldfinch on call.

2 specimens of the Drone-Fly (Eristalis tenax) were noted feeding on a species of Dandelion and a lone example of the Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis) was feeding on Blackthorn flowers.

15th February 2016 - Cheadle Heath to Didsbury, G Manchester - A six mile walk today split into 2 sections, the first of which was from my front door to Didsbury via the River Mersey. 28 bird species were noted, these being:- Goldcrest; House Sparrow; Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Magpie; Goosander; Greenfinch; Reed Bunting; Robin; Wren; Mallard; Great Tit; Grey Heron; Chaffinch; Long Tailed Tit; Song Thrush; Blue Tit; Jackdaw; Grey wagtail; Common Gull; Black Headed Gull; Goldfinch; Dipper; Coal Tit; Pied Wagtail and Dunnock on call.

Sweet Violet and Colt's-Foot were both now in flower.

17th January 2016 - Point of Ayr, Flintshire - After wanders at The North Wales Wildlife Trust Reserves Coed Y Felin, Y Ddol Uchaf and Big Pool Wood we decided to finish the day at this reliable location. Bird wise we saw 35 species, these being:- Dunnock; Herring Gull; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Mallard; Jackdaw; Coot; Wren; Meadow Pipit; Starling; Oystercatcher; Robin; Shelduck; Little Egret; Curlew; Redshank; Teal; Blue Tit; Sanderling; Great Black Backed Gull; Dunlin; Goldfinch; Chaffinch; Pied Wagtail; Carrion Crow; Common Gull; Canada Goose; Mute Swan; Black Headed Gull; Collared Dove; House Sparrow; Lapwing; Pheasant; Rook and Blackbird.

Alexanders; Creeping Thistle; Hogweed; Black Nightshade; Scentless Mayweed; Common Ragwort and Scarlet Pimpernel were all in flower.

11th January 2016 - Etherow CP, Stockport, Cheshire - A walk with some members of the Fungal Friends Group and besides the fungi I noted 32 species of bird, these being:- Canada Goose; Mallard; Coot; Feral Pigeon; Jackdaw; Siskin; Wood Pigeon; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Chaffinch; Wren; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Collared Dove; Grey Wagtail; Robin; Moorhen; Black Headed Gull; Cormorant; Redwing; Mistle Thrush; Bullfinch; Goosander; Mandarin Duck; Mute Swan; Kingfisher; Tufted Duck; Long Tailed Tit; Grey Heron; Goldcrest; Dunnock and Egyptian Goose.

Dog's Mercury; Herb Robert; Sweet Cicely and Wood Avens were all seen in flower and the gall (Phytomyza ilicis) was noted by one of the group. The name came to me later on in the day, Oooh I am getting on a bit!

9th January 2016 - Otterspool NR and promenade, Lancashire - A breezy walk was highly enjoyed and a chat with 2 fishermen admiring their catch (8 pound Cod and 2 Whiting respectively) was thoroughly delightful as well as were the few birds on show. Only 21 species seen, these being:- Wood Pigeon; Herring Gull; Oystercatcher; Black Headed Gull; Starling; Robin; Goldfinch; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Grey Heron; Turnstone; Magpie; Mistle Thrush; Ring Necked Parakeet; Blue Tit; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Blackbird; Great Tit; Jay; Long Tailed Tit and Greenfinch.

Hedge Mustard was in flower.

6th January 2016 - Marbury CP, Cheshire - A wander with my bro' before going back to work tomorrow, only 45 bird species seen which was less than expected. The list was:- Long Tailed Tit; Robin; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Goldcrest; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Song Thrush; Wood Pigeon; Jay; Mallard; Chaffinch; Blue Tit; Nuthatch; Tufted Duck; Pochard; Cormorant; Shelduck; Lapwing; Gadwall; Great Crested Grebe; Grey Heron; Canada Goose; Dunnock; Mute Swan; Common Gull; Black Headed Gull; Redwing; Greylag Goose; Starling; Buzzard; Stock Dove; Curlew; Ruff; Bullfinch; Teal; Shoveler; Magpie; Goldfinch; Collared Dove; House Sparrow; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Lesser Redpoll; Raven and Common Snipe.

Blackthorn was in flower.

5th January 2016 - Bruntwood Park, Stockport, Cheshire - Birds seen today totalled 19 species, not great but better than sitting on my arse. I needed to get out and do some chores so why not sneak a local mooch in too? The species seen were:- Long Tailed Tit; Carrion Crow; Great Tit; Jay; Moorhen; Mallard; Canada Goose; Redwing; Wood Pigeon; Song Thrush; Wren; Goldfinch; Magpie; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Goldcrest; Blackbird; Nuthatch; Robin and Blue Tit.

Wood Avens was seen in flower.