28th December 2020 - Rivington Reservoir, Bolton, G. Manchester - A 90 minute walk around the middle part of the reservoir saw a small bird list made. Species seen were:- Blackbird (*3); Great Tit (*1); Mallard (*16); Great Crested Grebe (*1); Carrion Crow (*2); Moorhen (*1); Song Thrush (*2); Stock Dove (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Blue Tit (*1); Robin (*2); Black Headed Gull (*27); Magpie (*1); Pink Footed Goose (*200+); Mistle Thrush (*4); Starling (*21) and Redwing (*1).

Hogweed was in flower.

25th December 2019 - Poynton Pool, Stockport, Cheshire - Our Christmas Day walk as per. We fed the birds and I counted what we saw as we marched along, the tally was 258 birds of 30 species, these being:- Jackdaw (*4); Magpie (*7); Shoveler (*5); Wigeon (*2); Coot (*12); Carrion Crow (*2); Tufted Duck (*13): Canada Goose (*7); Great Crested Grebe (*2); Mallard (*71); Black Headed Gull (*80); Mute Swan (*2); Goldcrest (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Robin (*2); Wood Pigeon (*4): Blue Tit (*3); Moorhen (*7); Nuthatch (*2); Coal Tit (*1); Kingfisher (*1); Ring Neck Parakeet (*3); House Sparrow (*15); Blackbird (*1); Starling (*1); Feral Pigeon (*1); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Goldfinch (*2); Great Tit (*2) and Chaffinch (*5).

Hazel and Winter Heliotrope were both in flower.

11th December 2020 - Springwater Park, Bury, G. Manchester - A mooch at a new place with fungi the main focal point. We did see a few birds though:- Cormorant; Robin; Carrion Crow; Magpie; Moorhen; Mallard; Wood Pigeon; Long Tailed Tit; Great Tit; Dipper; Blackbird; Jackdaw; Coal Tit and Chaffinch.

Wood Avens; Dame's Violet and Hogweed were in flower and an Orange Ladybird hung on to some rather damp bark.

A grumpy old Toad was spotted beneath a log too.

9th December 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Whilst leading a walk with some adult carers we noted a few fungi as well as Bush Vetch, Tufted Vetch, Hogweed; Himalayan Balsam, Red Campion in flower and Tansy, Hemp Agrimony, Lords and Ladies in the vegetative stage.

Birds seen were: – Long Tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Cormorant, Jay, Goldfinch and Goldcrest.

We also discussed – Poplar, Elder, Silver Birch and Hazel trees - it was a lovely walk.

6th December 2020 - Hollins Vale LNR, Bury, G. Manchester - A second pootle of the day, more fungi, more birds:- Cormorant (*2); Robin (*3); Jackdaw (*3); Blackbird (*2); Redwing (*5); Magpie (*4); Grey Wagtail (*1); Kestrel (*1); Wood Pigeon (*2); Mallard (*5); Blue Tit (*1); Black Headed Gull (*3); Great Tit (*1); Bullfinch (*3) and Herring Gull (*1).

Bush Vetch was in flower.

6th December 2020 - Chapelfield LNR, Bury, G. Manchester - Again we were looking at fungi but along the way noted the following birds:- Little Grebe (*1); Coot (*2); Mallard (*10); Grey Heron (*1); Blackbird (*3); Long Tailed Tit (*6); Bullfinch (*3); Black Headed Gull (*1); Blue Tit (*1); Wren (*1); Magpie (*2); Chaffinch (*1); Great Tit (*1); Goldfinch (*1); Carrion Crow (*2) and Jackdaw (*1).

White Melilot was still in flower.

30th November 2020 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - A cycle and then a walk and by heck it was mucky. Fungi were the main target but I did see a few birds, these were:- Collared Dove (*1); Magpie (*1); Jay (*2); Wood Pigeon (*1); Robin (*1); Ring Neck Parakeet (*4); Goldfinch (*1); Great Tit (*2); Blackbird (*2); Grey Heron (*1); Canada Goose (*3) plus several Moorhens and numerous Mallards.

Wood Avens; Hogweed; Herb Robert; Red Campion; Bramble agg and Red Clover were still sporting flowers.

29th November 2020 - Chesham Wood LNR, Bury, G. Manchester - A walk and looking for the dregs of the fungal world. Birds noted along the way were:- Great Tit (*1); Magpie (*5); Starling (*1); Song Thrush (*1); Blackbird (*2); Bullfinch (*1); Wood Pigeon (*2); Blue Tit (*3); Black Headed Gull (*4); Robin (*1); Coal Tit (*1); Nuthatch (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Mute Swan (*2); Coot (*2); Moorhen (*2); Tufted Duck (*3); Ring Neck Parakeet (*1); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Jay (*1); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1) plus oodles of Mallards; Canada Geese and Feral Pigeons.

We also saw 4 Brown Rats and Herb Robert and Meadow Buttertcup in flower.

23rd November 2020 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - A fungal mooch before I go back to work tomorrow. I noted a few birds, these were:- Goldcrest (*2); Jay (*2); Magpie (*4); Great Tit (*3); Dunnock (*2); Blue Tit (*2); Coal Tit (*1); Robin (*1); Grey Heron (*1); Wood Pigeon (*1); Ring Neck Parakeet (*3); Carrion Crow (*2); Blackbird (*1) and Sparrowhawk (*1).

Hogweed was in flower everywhere and a stand of Comfrey agg. was still blooming as well as one White Dead Nettle plant. I noted the fresh leaves of Lesser Celandine too - the flowers may be here before Christmas if this mild weather keeps up.

21st November 2020 - Poise Brook, Stockport, G. Manchester - A quick pootle, fungi were examined and a few birds listed, these were:- Carrion Crow (*2); Grey Heron (*2); Black Headed Gull (*96); Wood Pigeon (*2); Nuthatch (*2); Jackdaw (*1); Blue Tit (*1); Pink Footed Goose (*50); Ring Neck Parakeet (*4); Blackbird (*2); Goldfinch (*3); Mallard (*8) and Cormorant (*1).

Flowers still sporting blooms were:- Common Field Speedwell; Red Campion; Herb Robert; Common Ragwort; Meadow Buttercup; Nipplewort; Hogweed; Creeping Thistle; Common Knapweed; Creeping Buttercup; Groundsel; Red Clover; Ox-Eye Daisy; Yarrow and White Clover.

20th November 2020 - Brookfields Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short roam looking for fungi. The few birds noted along the way were:- Wren; Jay; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Feral Pigeon; Blackbird; Bullfinch; Great Tit; Blue Tit and an escapee Cockatoo.

Cow Parsley; Common Ragwort and Hogweed were in flower.

19th November 2020 - Ladybrook Valley and Cycleway, Stockport, G. Manchester - After the virus had kept me in it was great to be bqack out and pootling. I kept the walk short and didn't see a great deal but what I did see was thoroughgly enjoyed.

The birds noted were:- Goldcrest; Treecreeper; Jackdaw; Magpie; Nuthatch; Robin; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Song Thrush; Jay; Blue Tit; Carrion Crow; Ring Neck Parakeet and House Sparrow.

Hogweed; Meadow Buttercup and Red Clover were still holding flowers.

9th November 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A small car park and a tiny cranny at the side of the river and I had a break and saw 19 * Mallard; 7 * Goosander; 2 * Magpie; 1 * Sparrowhawk; 1 * Pied Wagtail and 1 * Grey Wagtail.

Flowers in bloom were:- Red Clover; Black Medick; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Himalayan Balsam; Canadian Fleabane; Pineappleweed; Groundsel; Hedge Mustard; Rape; Wood Stitchwort; Chickweed; Creeping Thistle; Redshank and Wavy Bittercress.

The Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum) was also noted.

8th November 2020 - Poynton Pool, Stockport, Cheshire - A century of fungi seen and a few other things too - we can't complain.

Birds noted were:- Ring Necked Parakeet; Robin; Great Tit; Jay; Chaffinch; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Starling; Carrion Crow; Jackdaw; Magpie; Nuthatch; Goosander; Blackbird; Canada Goose; Moorhen; Black Headed Gull; Tufted Duck; Great Crested Grebe; Mute Swan; Long Tailed Tit and Mallard.

Dandelion agg; Daisy; Foxglove; Yellow Flag Iris; Creeping Buttercup; Herb Robert and Hogweed were all in flower.

2 * Harlequin Ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis) and 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) were also added.

6th November 2020 - Werneth Low, Stockport, G. Manchester - A fungal mooch but along the way we noted the following birds:- Kestrel; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Redwing; Carrion Crow; Jackdaw and Blackbird.

Flowers in bloom were:- Broad Leaved Helleborine; Feverfew; Groundsel; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Creeping Thistle; Red Clover; Dandelion agg; Hogweed; Gorse; Herb Robert; Green Alkanet and Meadow Buttercup.

A lone Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) was also seen.

1st November 2020 - Philips Park, Bury, G. Manchester - A fungus mooch, a few birds seen, these were:- Magpie (*2); Great Tit (*1) and Sparrowhawk (*1) - well I did say a few.

Flowers noted in bloom were:- Himalayan Balsam; Common Ragwort; Herb Robert; Meadow Buttercup; Red Campion; Wood Avens and Hogweed.

An Alder leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) and a Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) were the only insects seen.

18th October 2019 - Carsington Water, Derbyshire - A walk looking at fungi but whilst out, it is always good to keep an eye on other things and duly record.

The 41 birds seen were:- Cormorant; Little Grebe; Little Egret; Pied Wagtail; Meadow Pipit; House Sparrow; Tufted Duck; Collared Dove; Buzzard; Jay; Greylag Goose; Jackdaw; Magpie; Blackbird; Bullfinch; Nuthatch; Blue Tit; Chaffinch; Reed Bunting; Wren; Willow Tit; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Great Crested Grebe; Black Headed Gull; Robin; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Canada Goose; Teal; Moorhen; Gadwall; Pochard; Coot; Mallard; Lapwing; Shoveler; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Redwing; Mute Swan and Dunnock.

The 44 flowers in bloom were:- Groundsel; Chickweed; Harebell; White Clover; Daisy; Common Field Speedwell; Hedge Woundwort; Cow Parsley; Lesser Spearwort; Shepherd's Purse; Pineappleweed; Marsh Thistle; Ribwort Plantain; Meadow Buttercup; Gorse; Lesser Stitchwort; Bush Vetch; Traveller's Joy; White Dead Nettle; Angelica; Black Medick; Lady's Mantle agg; Wood Avens; Upright Hedge Parsley; Tufted Vetch; Nipplewort; Foxglove; Meadow Vetchling; Yarrow; Spear Thistle; Common Knapweed; Red Clover; Self-Heal; Meadowsweet; Common Ragwort; Water Mint agg; Ox-Eye Daisy; Bramble agg; Herb Robert; Hedge Bindweed; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Red Campion; Dandelion agg and Hogweed.

5 Galls were noted, these bring:- Dasineura ulmariae; Neuroterus anthracinus; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Neuroterus numismalis and Ponatania proxima.

The 7 insects seen were:- 13 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and the Hoverflies:- 1 * Episyrphus balteatus; 2 * Syrphus ribesii; 33 * Melanostoma scalare and 1 * Platycheirus albimanus.

15th October 2019 - Woolston Park, Warrington, Cheshire - 2 fungus walks led but I kept an eye on other things too.

Flowers in bloom were:- Daisy; Common Ragwort; Bush Vetch; Wood Avens; Spear Thistle; Meadow Buttercup; Nipplewort; Redshank; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Hogweed; Himalayan Balsam; Large Bindweed; Cow Parsley; Bramble agg; Black NIghtshade; Ribwort Plantain and White Dead Nettle.

Birds seen were:- Mistle Thrush (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Mallard (*4); Black Headed Gull (*1); Moorhen (*3); Wood Pigeon (*1); Blackbird (*2); Song Thrush (*2); Magpie (*4); Raven (*1) and Buzzard (*1).

A few bugs noted included:- 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Hawthorn Shield Bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); 6 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 8 * Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare) and 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris).

Galls seen were:- Dasineura ulmariae; Neuroterus numismalis; Obolodiplosis robiniae; Pontania proxima and Aceria myriadeum.

Other things recorded were:- Shiny Woodlouse; Garden Snail; Garlic Snail; Black Locust Tree and the Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha).

11th October 2019 - Arley Hall, Cheshire - 2 fungus walks and busy, busy, busy. I did find time though to see 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 4 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and 1 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata) plus a Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) too.

10 + Redwing flew over; 4 Pied Wagtails watched us eat our tea and cake and I also spied a Goldcrest; Nuthatch; a brace of House Sparrows; a Robin and several Jackdaws.

Hartigiola annulipes was the only gall seen.

7th October 2020 - Bruntwood Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk with the carers looking at fungi. We saw 53 species in 2 hours but also noted the following.

Wildflowers in bloom were:- Yarrow; Meadow Buttercup; Common Ragwort; Greater Periwinkle; Creeping Buttercup; Daisy; Self-Heal and Hemp Agrimony.

Galls seen were:- Milkiola fagi; Andricus kollari; Trioza remota; Neuroterus numismalis; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum and Aceria pseudoplatani.

I saw the following insects:- Hawthorn Shield Bug; Harlequin Ladybird (*1) and Alder Leaf Beetle (*3).

The odd bird species spied was:- Carrion Crow (*2); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Blackbird (*1); Blue Tit (*1); Great Tit (*1); House Sparrow (*3); Collared Dove (*1); Wood Pigeon (*2); Magpie (*1); Moorhen (*1);

Shiny Woodlouse; Rough Woodlouse; Garlic Snail; Common Alder; Sycamore; Silver Birch; Common Beech and Hawthorn were a few other things added.

6th October 2020 - Hollyhedge Park, Sharston, G. Manchester - I had a quick pootle before a footy game, I saw Hedge Mustard; Shepherd's Purse and Pinappleweed in flower plus 13 * Black Headed Gulls; 1 * Blackbird; 1 * Magpie and 2 * Wood Pigeons.

10 + Birch Catkin Bugs (Kleidocerys resedae) were picked out and the galls:- Diplolepis rosae; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum and Neuroterus numismalis.

4th October 2020 - Redisher Woods, Bury, G. Manchester - A fungal walk but a few flowers noted in bloom, these were:- Gorse; Bilberry; Harebell; Foxglove; Yarrow; Marsh Thistle; Tormentil; Herb Robert and Meadow Buttercup.

Birch Shield Bug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) and Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea) were nice to see with 8 Mallards; Wood Horsetail and the galls:- Hartigiola annulipes; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum and Eriophyes laevis the only other things seen.

27th September 2020 - Combs Reservoir, Derbyshire - A fine walk at another new place with the sun still dazzling. The mixed bag of species seen included the following birds:- Grey Heron (*1); Mallard (*2); Blackbird (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Moorhen (*1); Jackdaw (*3); Canada Goose (*20); Black Headed Gull (*3); Nuthatch (*1); Great Crested Grebe (*2); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Carrion Crow (*1) and Grey Wagtail (*3).

Hogweed; Himalayan Balsam; Creeping Thistle; Marsh Thistle; Sneezewort; Red Campion; Meadow Buttercup; Red Clover; Sea Aster; Bramble agg; Goosegrass; Nipplewort and Ribwort Plantain were all still in flower.

We also saw Wood Horsetail; a Roach; 2 * Small Tortoiseshell; 2 * Alder Leaf Beetles and the Hoverflies:- Eristalis pertinax (*2); Episyrphus balteatus (*2); Platycheirus granditarsus (*1); and Syrphus ribesii (*1).

Galls recorded were:- Andricus kollari; Eriophyes laevis; Eriophyes inangulis; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Neuroterus numismalis; Andricus lignicola; Andricus fecundator; Aceria pseudoplatani; Andricus quercuscalicis; Pontania proxima; Cecidophyes rouhallii and Andricus gemmeus

27th September 2020 - Buxton CP, Derbyshire - A general walk around a new area. A few birds seen were:- Nuthatch (*1); Jackdaw (*2); Wren (*1); Meadow Pipit (*1); Goldfinch (*10); Blackbird (*1); Buzzard (*1); Carrion Crow (*1) and a Kestrel (*1).

Herb Robert; Creeping Thistle; Eyebright agg; Devil's Bit Scabious; Common Ragwort; Yarrow; Red Clover; Welted Thistle; Harebell; Tormentil; Meadow Buttercup; Field Scabious; Grass of Parnassus; Lady's Mantle agg and Ox-Eye Daisy were still in flower.

A Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and a Small Tortoiseshell were the only insects seen.

21st September 2020 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - A quite early morning stroll, a few flowers I took time to note were:- Pineappleweed; Himalayan Balsam; Japanese Knotweed; Large Bindweed; Nipplewort; Wood Avens; Common Ragwort; Claridge Druce Crane's-Bill; Meadow Buttercup; Ribwort Plantain; Purple Loosestrife and Hogweed.

Several Horse Chestnut Leaf Miners (Cameraria ohridella); a Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); a Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); a Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); a lone Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina); 3 Birch Catkin Bugs (Kleidocerys resedae) and 20 + Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni) were all that was seen on the insect front.

Galls noted were:- Dasineura urticae; Hartigiola annulipes; Andricus lignicola; Neurotus numismalis; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Dasineura ulmariae; Aceria erinea; Trioza remota; Pemphigus spyrothecae and Andricus quercuscalicis.

A Dunnock; a Great Tit; 2 Blue Tits; 2 Wrens and a Magpie were hanging around as I head my roving eye to the ground.

20th September 2020 - Crompton Moor, G. Manchester - A fungus walk with limited numbers. Along the way I also spied 2 Speckled Woods and 1 Common Field Grasshopper. A single hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare) was also picked out.

Flowers in bloom included:- Orange Hawkweed; Bridewort; Dandelion agg; Goldenrod; Red Clover; Greater Willowherb; Common Ragwort; and Claridge Druce Crane's-Bill.

Neuroterus numismalis and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum were the only 2 galls seen.

15th September 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Greater Manchester - A touch more mothing:- Common Marbled Carpet (*2); Rosy Rustic (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*16); Large Yellow Underwing (*4); Lesser Yellow Underwing (*9); Setaceous Hebrew Character (*1); Svensson's Copper Underwing (*3); Brown House Moth (*1); Phyllonorycter geniculella (*1); Acleris variegana (*1) and Garden Carpet (*1).

A Birch Shield Bug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) was also in the mix.

13th September 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Greater Manchester - A day pootling in the garden, the moth trap held:- Silver Y (*1); Common Marbled Carpet (*2); Light Brown Apple Moth (*3); Garden Carpet (*1); Svensson's Copper Underwing (*1); Dusky Thorn (*1); Lesser Yellow Underwing (*1); Large Yellow Underwing (*4) and Least Yellow Underwing (*4). The large Lacewing (Nineta flava) was good to catch back up with.

A Coal Tit fed in the garden before a greedy Grey Squirrel appeared and a Red Admiral flitted around in the sun.

12th September 2020 - Harthill Cookery School, Cheshire - Fungi were few today but I did notice the butterflies:- 1 * Comma; 1 * Large White; 1 * Small White; 1 * Green Veined White and 2 * Speckled Wood.

A few flowers in bloom were:- Nipplewort; Foxglove; Redshank; Herb Robert; Groundsel; White Clover and Hogweed.

A few Raven flew about, several House Martins were seen, a circling Buzzard, a male Pheasant and a Wood Pigeon.

The only other species recorded were:- 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) and the Hoverflies:- 1 * Syrphus ribesii and 2 * Episyrphus balteatus.

The Ground Beetle (Cychrus caraboides) was nice to pick up as well.

6th September 2020 - Melverley Meadows NR, Shropshire - A new place for us, a few things noted. Flowers in bloom were:- Red Clover; Ribwort Plantain; Meadow Buttercup; Hogweed; Eyebright agg; Greater Willowherb; Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil; Foxglove; Herb Robert; Restharrow; Lesser Knapweed; Tormentil; Devil's Bit Scabious; Meadowsweet and Yarrow.

Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni) were observed and only 3 galls, these being:- Andricus quercuscalicis; Acalitus brevitarsus and Neuroterus numismalis.

A Speckled Wood; Green Veined White and Red Admiral were picked out as was a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 3 Swallows chasing a male Sparrowhawk. It rounded off a quite lovely stroll.

6th September 2020 - Brown Moss, Shropshire - A quite walk looking for fungi. We added a few flowers in bloom, these were:- Celery Leaved Buttercup; New Zealand Pygmyweed; Marsh Speedwell; Nodding Bur Marigold; Common Ragwort; Common Nettle; Gypsywort; Enchanter's Nightshade; Redshank; Foxglove; Red Campion; Tormentil; Red Clover; Creeping Cinquefoil; Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil; Rosebay Willowherb; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Dandelion agg; Fairy Flax; Skullcap; Marsh Bedstraw; Wood Avens and Herb Robert.

Galls were few, these were:- Jaapiella veronicae; Wachtliella persicariae; Acalitus brevitarsus; Eriophyes laevis and Dasineura urticae.

The only insects seen were:- 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 8 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 4 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Common Green Shield Bug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Elephant Hawkmoth larva; 1 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Blue Shield Bug nymph (Zircona caerulea); 3 * Marsh Snail Killing Fly (Sepedon sphegea); 3 * Sawfly (Apethymus serotinus); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Nettle Leafhopper (Eupteryx urticae) plus the butterflies 1 * Comma; 3 * Green Veined White and 8 * Speckled Wood and the moth Common Carpet (*1).

Birds noted were:- Coot (*4); Grey Heron (*1); Magpie (*1); Cormorant (*1); Robin (*1); Blackbird (*1); Mallard (*3); Wood Pigeon (*1) and Wren (*1).

7 * Great Crested Newt; 4 * Smooth Newt; 2 * Common Frog and 1 * Short Tailed Vole were added extras.

3rd September 2020 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - 5 * Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana); 3 * Common Green Shield Bug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis balteatus) were a few bugs seen on a dinnertime walk. 1 Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus) was hanging around too.

The only other thing noted today was the Field Maple Gall (Aceria macrochela).

2nd September 2020 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk leading a fine bunch of carers and in two hours we nattered, relaxed and finished with a good cuppa.  A brace of Grey Heron's surreptitiously crept around and the local Mallard flock seemed well fed and happy with their lot.

A few flowers were still in bloom and discussed, these were:- Musk Mallow; Lady's Bedstraw; Yarrow; Ox-Eye Daisy; Purple Loosestrife; Creeping Thistle; Common Knapweed; Great Willowherb; Ribwort Plantain; Canadian Goldenrod; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Perforate St John's Wort and Hogweed.

The day was cloudy and the bugs and beasties weren't having none of it - a Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); a Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); a Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus) and a few Snails were discussed. 

Elder was holding good fruit and the Blackberries were looking scrummy.  A couple of fungi were picked out too and all in all, we did just fine.

31st August 2020 - Hulmes Wood, Tameside, G. Manchester - An early morning walk with the main aim justto get a stretch. We noted a few flowers in bloom and recorded them as this was a new area visited. The small list comprised of:- Garlic Mustard; Nipplewort; Japanese Knotweed; Goosegrass; Greater Burdock; Marsh Woundwort; Angelica; Red Bartsia; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Yellow-Rattle; Meadow Vetchling; Tufted Vetch; Creeping Thistle; Bush Vetch; Large Bindweed; Greater Willowherb; Rosebay Willowherb; Common Knapweed; Meadow Buttercup; Bramble agg; Red Campion; Common Ragwort; Wood Avens; Figwort; Enchanter's Nightshade; Common Nettle; Herb Robert; Common Mouse Ear; Himalayan Balsam and Hogweed.

Giant Horestail; Ash; Alder; Hazel and Lime hybrid were a few other plants added.

Mallard (*4); Wood Pigeon (*1); Canada Goose (*7); Magpie (*5); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Robin (*1);

Galls seen were:- Erioiphyes inangulis; Andricus kollari; Neuroterus numismalis and Andricus fecundator; Eriophyes tiliae; Psyllopsis fraxini; Aceria fraxinivora and Eriophyes leiosoma.

A few hoverflies were singles of:- Helophilus pendulus; Epistrophe grossulariae; Eristalis tenax and Episyrphus balteatus.

Other insects noted were:- 2 * Tachnid Fly (Tachina fera); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Silver Y Moth (Autographa gamma); 1 * Common Green leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 1 * Common Green Shield Bug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Spiked Shield Bug (Picromerus bidens); 1 * Hairy Shield Bug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * and 14 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni).

30th August 2020 - Fernilee Reservoir, Derbyshire - A fungal walk but an eye kept on other things too. A Common Lizard; a Toad; a Blackbird; a Red Grouse and 2 Speckled Woods all added variety to a good day out in decent weather.

Insects seen were:- 6 * Common Green Shield Bug nymphs (Palomena prasina); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Tachina fera); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis pertinax).

A few flowers noted to be in bloom were:- Tormentil; Greater Burnet; Eyebright agg; Marsh Thistle; Red Clover; Foxglove; Herb Robert; Red Clover; Angelica; Druce's Crane's-Bill and Wood Avens.

Galls seen were:- Andricus kollari; Neuroterus numismalis; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Hartigiola annulipes and Andricus fecundator.

26th August 2020 - Chadkirk Chapel, Stockport, G. Manchester - I led a walk today, for a small group of carers. Species seen prior and including the walk were few due to the pesky weather but the hoverflies noted were:- Melanostoma scalare (*4); Volucella inanis (*1) and Episyrphus balteatus (*1).

Butterflies noted were:- Large White (*1); Holly Blue (*1) and Small Tortoiseshell (*1).

Others mini-beasts included:- 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 Hawthorn Shield Bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa germanica); 4 * Common Green Shield Bug nymphs (Palomena prasina);

Meadow Crane's-Bill; Greater Willowherb; Himalayan Balsam; Creeping Thistle; Bush Vetch; Garlic Mustard; Goosegrass; Purple Loosestrife; Wood Avens and Herb Robert.

The few birds noted were:- Dunnock (*1); Ringed Neck Parakeet (*2); Magpie (*1); Wood Pigeon (*2); Jackdaw (*1); Mallard (*2); Carrion Crow (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*1) and Grey Heron (*1).

Plant galls seen were:- Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Neuroterus numismalis; Hartigiola annulipes; Andricus kollari; Andricus lignicola; Andricus gemmae; Aceria nervisequa; Taxomyia taxi; Pontania proxima; Dasineura urticae; Protomyces macrosporus; Psyllopsis fraxini; Iteomyia capraea and Eriophyes inangulis.

24th August 2020 - Heaton Mersey Orchard, Stockport, G. Manchester - A chilled morning having a read in the sun and then a short jaunt looking for a few bugs. Butterflies noted were:- Speckled Wood (*4); Common Blue (*2); Meadow Brown (*2) and Gatekeeper (*1). A few moths were seen too, these being:- Udea lutealis (*1); Silver Y (*4) and Ancylis badiana (*1).

Hoverflies picked out were:- Helophilus pendulus (*3); Eristalis horticola (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*1) and Volucella pellucens (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 5 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 2 * Hairy Shield Bug nymphs (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Common Green Shield Bugs (Palomena prasina) + 1 adult.

2 Ravens flew over whilst I was mooching and 1 Common Buzzard.

23rd August 2020 - Styal CP, Cheshire - One of those days following weeks of sleepless nights when the gas runs out and the mood is low. The walk today was short, we did see a Purple Hairstreak though, which was kind enough to sit on my finger and let us admire its delicacy. There was little else to add except the galls:- Mikiola fagi; Pontania proxima; Andricus fecundator; Neuroterus numismalis; Protomyces macrosporus; Jaapiella veronicae and Hartigiola annulipes.

16th August 2020 - Denton, Tameside - Prior to a footy match I noted that the catkins of the local Silver Birch trees were holding many Catkin Bugs (Kleidocerys resedae) as well as giving me the chance to admire a Birch Shield Bug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) up close.

Several Harlequin Ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis) were picked out and Greater Willowherb was still in good flower.

16th August 2020 - Little Budworth CP, Cheshire - Common Green; Common Field and Mottled Grasshoppers were seen whilst looking for fungi, all located in delightful open areas coloured by Heather, Bell Heather and Gorse.

2 Silver Y Moths and the micro Aristotelia ericinella.

3 Fungus Gnats (Sciaria hemerobioides) were also picked out and the Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma scurra).

16th August 2020 - Hob Hey Wood, Cheshire - A walk with a few friends and local enthusiast Mark O'Sullivan. Along the way I spied 3 Speckled Woods and an Angle Shades Moth along with the Hoverflies:- Melanostoma scalare (*2) and Baccha elongata (*1).

A Common Earwing (Forficula auricula) was noted and a couple of galls, namely:- Neuroterus anthracinus and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum.

13th August 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - The heat at the moment is awful, I am moving about like a languid slug and so am happy just to catch a few moths and plod on with other things. Some heavy rain put pay to any significant numbers but I did catch:- Riband Wave (*1); Willow Beauty (*3); Marbled Beauty (*3); Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing (*2); Light Brown Apple Moth (*20); Riband Wave f. remutata (*3); Mother of Pearl (*2); Large Yellow Underwing (*2); Bryotropha affinis (*1); Apple Leaf Miner (*4); Tachystola acroxantha (*1); Argyresthia goedartella (*1); Square Spot Rustic (*2); Blastobasis adustella (*1); Caloptilia stigmatella (*1); Fan-Foot (*1); Caloptilia populetorum (*1) and Small China Mark (*1).

2 Harlequin Ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis) were in the trap too. A tiny fly had me scratching the noggin for a name but David Clements via social media provided the solution - it was Meiosimyza decempunctata. Thanks fella.

Whilts reading the garden later in the day I noted a worn Antler Moth, a Straw Dot and the hoverfly (Syritta pipiens).

11th August 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few moths were had again on a somewhat threatening night. Species seen were:- Willow Beauty (*2); Light Brown Apple Moth (*22); Blastobasis adustella (*8); Pyrausta aurata (*1); Flame Carpet (*1); Marbled Beauty (*5); Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (*11); Argyresthia goedartella (*4); Dark Arches (*3); Large Yellow Underwing (*31); Common Rustic agg (*4); Brown House Moth (*4); Azalea Leaf Miner (*1); Apple Leaf Miner (*19); Crassa unitella (*4); Shuttle Shaped Dart (*2); Riband Wave (*3); Common Carpet (*1); The Miller (*1); Diamond Back Moth (*1); Square Spot Rustic (*5); Bryotropha affinis (*1); Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing (*1); Cloaked Minor (*1); Pandemis corylana (*1); Double Striped Pug (*1); Agriphila straminella (*2); Eudonia lacustrata (*1); Svensson's Copper Underwing (*1); Acleris variegana (*1); Aspilapteryx tringipennellla (*1) and Common Marbled Carpet (*1).

2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Devil's Coach Horse (Ocypus olens); 1 * Delicate Apple Capsid (Malacocoris chlorizans) and 1 Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) were also seen.

9th August 2020 - Burton Leonard Lime Quarry, N. Yorkshire - A short pootle at a small reserve with a chance taken to relax in the sun. A few flowers noted were:- Harebell; Agrimony; Squinancywort; Hoary Plantain; Dotted Loosestrife and Fairy Flax amongst others.

Holly Blue (*1); Large White (*1); Speckled Wood (*1); Peacock (*2) and Brimstone (*1) were the only butterflies noted.

The few other bugs seen whilst lazing about were:- 1 * Maramalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus) and 1 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculatus).

The Rose Pea Gall (Diplolepis eglanteriae) was frequent and we also spotted Cystophora sonchi too. We did find a confusing species of gall that had to be left as Dasineura hyperici/serotina - it is very frustrating when this happens.

9th August 2020 - Staveley NR, N. Yorkshire - A morning spent at a lovely area. We had no binoculars and just wanted to pootle, I think we did OK come the end of the visit with 172 species named and recorded.

A few galls were observed, these bring:- Taphrina tosquinetii; Eriophyes inangulis; Cystiphora sonchi; Diplolepis rosae; Eriophyes laevis; Acalitus brevitarsus; Iteomyia capreae; Jaapiella veronicae; Andricus quercuscalicis; Neuroterus numismalis and Cecidophyes rouhallii.

Flowers in bloom were:- Red Campion; Upright Hedge Parsley; Greater Plantain; Himalayan Balsam; Meadow Buttercup; Common Knapweed; White Clover; Red Clover; Tufted Vetch; Meadow Vetchling; Ox-Eye Daisy; Creeping Thistle; Field Scabious; Hogweed; Bramble agg; Hawthorn; White Dead Nettle; Common Nettle; Dandelion agg; Daisy; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Teasel; Water Figwort; Common Comfrey; Smooth Tare; Goosegrass; Angelica; Redshank; Creeping Cinquefoil; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Meadowsweet; Large Bindweed; Common Fleabane; Water Mint agg; Herb Robert; Rosebay Willowherb; Spear Thistle; Greater Willowherb; Hedge Woundwort; Hedge Bindweed; Pineappleweed; Mugwort; Eyebright agg; Red Bartsia; Nipplewort; Self-Heal; Marjoram; Hemp Agrimony; Bush Vetch; Marsh Thistle; Black Medick; Wild Carrot; Field Bindweed; Common Field Speedwell; White Bryony; Dropwort; Purple Loosestrife; Honeysuckle; White Campion; Lady's Bedstraw; Musk Mallow; Scarlet Pimpernel; Hedge Mustard; Weld; Crosswort; Yarrow; Curl Leaved Dock; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Common Mouse Ear; Wood Avens; Common Knotgrass; Lesser Burdock; Common Poppy; Lesser Water Parsnip; Corn Sow Thistle; Scented Mayweed; Common Ragwort; and Shepherd's Purse.

Butterflies listed were:- Green Veined White (*7); Large White (*4); Peacock (*2); Meadow Brown (*2); Ringlet (*1); Common Blue (*2); Speckled Wood (*5); Gatekeeper (*3); Small White (*1) and Small Tortoiseshell (*1).

Moths seen were few, these being:- Shaded Broad Bar (*5); Udea lutealis (*1); Brown China Mark (*1); Argyresthia goedartella (*1) and Mother of Pearl (*1).

Insects seen were:- 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricula); 3 * Spiked Shieldbug (Picromerus bidens); 2 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 4 * Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Figwort Weevil (Cionus scrophulariae); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 2 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Black Tipped Soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 1 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 6 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculatus); 2 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum); 2 * Leafhopper (Evacanthus interruptus); 1 * Broad Damsel Bug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 1 * Fruit Fly (Urophora jaceana); 1 * Notch Horned Cleg (Haematopota pluvialis); 2 * Snail Killing Fly (Coremacera marginata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Oncotylus viridiflavus); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalinus aeneus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Marsh Damsel Bug (Nabis limnbatus); 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Horsetail Weevil (Grypus equiseti); 1 * Lauxaniid Fly (Minettia fasciata) and 1 * Cinnabar Moth larva.

Hazel was bearing filberts; Elder was in fruit as was Lords and Ladies; Black Bryony was clambering over some tired vegetation and a Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) was lazing in the grass.

Only a few birds were noted due to not having the binoculars, the small list was:- Robin; Wood Pigeon; Lapwing; Goldfinch; Mute Swan; Cormorant; Gadwall; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Canada Goose; Greylag Goose; Mallard; Starling; Coot; Black Headed Gull; Reed Warbler and Common Buzzard.

8th August 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A busy day, started at the crack of dawn with a few moths. Riband Wave f. remuata (*6); Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing (*4); Apple Leaf Miner (*36); Marbled Beauty (*9); Light Brown Apple Moth (*14); Large Yellow Underwing (*34); Pandemis corylana (*2); Riband Wave (*1); Mother of Pearl (*4); Shuttle Shaped Dart (*1); Chrysoteuchia culmella (*1); Willow Beauty (*3); Common Carpet (*2); Small Phoenix (*1); Blastobasis adustella (*9); Common Rustic agg (*4); Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (*26); Argyresthia goedartella (*3); Straw Underwing (*1); Eudonia lacustrata (*1); Agriphila straminella (*1); Dun-Bar (*1); Marbled Minor agg (*1); Square Spot Rustic (*1); Brown House Moth (*1); Acleris laterana (*1); Ruby Tiger (*1); Crassa unitella (*1); Udea lutealis (*1); Svensson's Copper Underwing (*1); Bryotropha affinis (*2) and Diamond Back Moth (*1).

A Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta) were also in the trap.

7th August 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few more moths were caught overnight, it helps keep the natural eye in:- Riband Wave f. remutata (*4); Blastobasis adustella (*6); Carcina quercana (*2); Marbled Beauty (*6); Eudonia lacustrata (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*9); Diamond Back Moth (*2); Large Yellow Underwing (*22); Riband Wave (*2); Swallow-Tailed Moth (*1); Shuttle Shaped Dart (*2); Cochylis atricapitana (*1); Pandemis corylana (*1); Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing (*2); Tachystola acroxantha (*3); Lesser Yellow Underwing (*1); Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (*6); Crassa unitella (*1); Brown House Moth (*3); Pyrausta aurata (*3); Apple Leaf Miner (*13); Square Spot Rustic (*2); Strawberry Tortrix (*1); Dun-Bar (*3); Agriphila straminella (*3); Clay (*1); Honeysuckle Moth (*1); Flame Shoulder (*1); Early Thorn (*1); Spectacle (*1); Udea prunalis (*1); Double Striped Pug (*1)  and Common Rustic agg (*1).

Also in the trap were singles of Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); Caddis Fly (Mystacides longocornis); 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); Hawthorn Shield Bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and the Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare).

Later in the day, when I was cutting the lawn, I saw a Comma, Small White and Large White.

6th August 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few moths were caught in the overnight trap:- Shuttle-Shaped Dart (*2); Garden carpet (*2); Light Brown Apple Moth (*2); Riband Wave f. remutata (*2); Large Yellow Underwing (*31); Marbled Beauty (*4); Small Phoenix (*1); Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing (*6); Fan-Foot (*1); Common Rustic agg (*4); Lesser Yellow Underwing (*1); Dun-Bar (*2); Dark Arches (*2); Mother of Pearl (*2); Pyrausta aurata (*1); Acrobasis advenella (*2); Crassa unitella (*1); Blastobasis adustella (*3); Clay (*1); Common Emerald (*2); Argyresthia trifasciata (*1); Apple Leaf Miner (*7); Azalea Leaf miner (*1); Svensson's Copper Underwing (*1); Pandemis corylana (*1); Square Spot Rustic (*1); Eudonia lacustrata (*1); Agriphila straminella (*1); Cochylis atricapiatana (*1); Tachytstola acroxantha (*1);

A Harelquin Ladybird was also in the mix and the pesky blighter known as Ophion luteus.

3rd August 2020 - Wright's Wood, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk cut severely short by a wicked downpour - boo, hiss. Whilst in the wood I had a nice chap to a gent doing a bit of volunteering and then called upon a lovely local lady to offer up my records kept thus far. Today my sightings were minimal as I only had 30 minutes mooching time. I did see three moth species, these being:- Clouded Border (*1); Mother of Pearl (*1) and Blastobasis adustella (*1). The only Hoverfly seen was Melanostoma scalare (*2) which was feeding on the lovely spires of Purple Loosestrife that was growing around the edge of the pond.

Lesser Spearwort; Gypsywort and Flowering Rush were also seen at the water's edge and nearby Hemp Agrimony was striving to get some light with a lone Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) seemingly unaware as to my presence and feeding away like his life depended on it (which of course it did). 1 Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum) was also seen. I later identified the Crane-Fly (Tipula lateralis).

A Nuthatch was spied peeping from behind a tree and a Magpie was rather put out by a circling young Sparrowhawk...and then the hHeaven's opened and I went home...soaked.

2nd August 2020 - Holly Wood WT, Derbyshire - A neglected woodland and one we only spent a short time at. Several Semaphore Flies (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus) frequented vegetation near a grubby trickle of water, a Ringlet fed on Angelica flowers and a Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum) was seen as well as the Celery Fly (Euleia heraclei).

The galls noted were:- Andricus fecundator; Trioza remota; Andricus quercuscalicis; Neuroterus numismalis and Hartigiola annulipes.

The only other flowers seen in bloom were:- Wood Avens; Red Campion and Foxglove.

2nd August 2020 - Hoe Grange Quarry WT, Derbyshire - A nice stroll around this small reserve with the butterflies seen as follows:- Small Copper (*1); Gatekeeper (*3); Small White (*2); Ringlet (*4); Small Tortoiseshell (*2); Red Admiral (*1); Green Veined White (*1); Large White (*1); Small Skipper (*4); Peacock (*13); Meadow Brown (*5) and Small Heath (*13). Shaded Broad Bar (*6) was the only moth noted on the wing.

Other insects recorded were:- 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 3 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis tenax); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and 1 * Hoverfly (Rhingia campestris).

Flowers seen were:- Black Medick; Herb Robert; Ox-Eye Daisy; Fairy Flax; Common Knapweed; Eyebright agg; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Rosebay Willowherb; Harebell; Field Scabious; Nodding Thistle; Mouse Ear Hawkweed; Yarrow; Creeping Thistle; Red Clover; Ribwort Plantain; Heath Speedwell; Lady's Bedstraw; Lady's Mantle agg; Self-Heal; Common Ragwort; Marjoram; Common Nettle; Yellow-Rattle; Hogweed; Bush Vetch; Kidney Vetch; Wild Carrot; Meadow Vetchling; Mugwort; Perforate St John's Wort; English Stonecrop; Teasel; Red Campion; Large Bindweed; Greater Willowherb; Spear Thistle; Wild Mignonette and Daisy.

Several Garden Snails and numerous Brown Lipped Banded Snails were also added as well as a Raven.

31st July 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A smattering of overnight moths included:- Strawberry Tortrix (*1); Blastobasis adustella (*5); Straw Underwing (*3); Light Brown Apple Moth (*5); Riband Wave f. remutata (*7); Mother of Pearl (*5); Large Yellow Underwing (*14); Brimstone (*2); Dot Moth (*1); Udea lutealis (*1); Common Rustic agg (*5); Apple Leaf Miner (*3); Diamond Back Moth (*1); Tachystola acroxantha (*2); Dark Arches (*5); Common Footman (*1); Lesser Yellow Underwing (*2); Carcina quercana (*2); Brown House Moth (*2); Riband Wave (*1); Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing (*1); Crassa unitella (*1); Small Phoenix (*2); Rustic (*1); 20 Plume Moth (*1); Fan-Foot (*1); Argyresthia trifasciata (*1); Eudonia lacustrata (*1) and Cameraria ohridella (*1).

A Black Tailed Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) was also in the trap.

A Holly Blue was in the garden later in the day and 2 Red Tailed Bumblebees (Bombus lapidarius).

30th July 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Walking home and pushing the bike I noted Fox and Cubs in flower, 4 * Speckled Wood, a Kingfisher and whilst stood on a bridge talking to a lovely couple a Grey Heron landed at the side of us and seemed rather unperturbed by our presence.

Andricus aries was the best gall noted today and I think is a first record for this local patch.

29th July 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Goat's Rue; Marjoram and Broad Leaved Helleborine were in flower with Speckled Wood (*1); Meadow Brown (*1) and Gatekeeper (*2) saying 'hello' as I wandered home after a busy day at work. A couple of Shaded Broad Bars were also nice.

3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis horticola); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus) and Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) were also seen and duly enjoyed.

26th July 2020 - Mere Sands Wood, Lancashire - A fungal mooch but, as ever, we kept an eye on other things.

Galls seen were:- Acalitus brevitarsus; Andricus aries; Eriophyes laevis; Eriophyes inangulis; Neuroterus numismalis; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Hartigiola annulipes; Andricus kollari; Andricus quercuscalicis; Macrodiplosis dryobia; Andricus lignicola; Andricus foecundatrix; Iteomyia major and Iteomyia capreae.

Flowers in bloom were:- Meadow Buttercup; Corn Marigold; Groundsel; White Campion; Lesser Stitchwort; Fringed Water Lily; Yellow Water Lily; Wood Sage; Meadowsweet; Himalayan Balsam; Garlic Mustard; Foxglove; Nipplewort; White Dead Nettle; Figwort; Teasel; Marsh Woundwort; Purple Loosestrife; Common Fleabane; Broad Leaved Helleborine; New Zealand Pygmyweed; Heather; Water Ming agg; Tormentil; Fairy Flax; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Yellow-Wort; Eyebright agg; Yellow Bartsia; Common Centaury; Daisy; Goosegrass; Hemp Agrimony; Large Bindweed; Enchanter's Nightshade; Lesser Burdock; Broad Leaved Willowherb; White Clover; Spear Thistle; Red Bartsia; Ragged Robin; Silverweed; Greater Bird's Foot Trefoil; Common Ragwort; Creeping Thistle; Marsh Thistle; Meadow Vetchling; Lady's Bedstraw; Yarrow; Common Mouse Ear; Ribwort Plantain; Greater Plantain; Common Knapweed; Hogweed; Tufted Vetch; Large Flowered Evening Primrose; Red Campion; Black Medick; Common Poppy; Redshank; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Self-Heal; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Cow Parsley; Square Stalked St John's-Wort; Heath Speedwell; Rough Sow Thistle; Scentless Mayweed; Common Comfrey; Common Nettle; Greater Willowherb; Dandelion agg; Bramble and Creeping Buttercup.

Insects seen were few with butterflies spotted being:- Meadow Brown (*4); Gatekeeper (*2); Common Blue (*1) and Speckled Wood (*4). Moths noted were:- Garden Carpet (*1); Argyresthia goedartella (*2); Dingy Footman (*1) and Acleris emargana (*1). Other insects noted were:- 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Common Green Shield Bug nymph (Palomena prasina); 3 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus) and 1 * Common Darter

The only other things noted were the birds:- Kestrel; Blackbird; Canada Goose; Wren; Robin; Wood Pigeon and Mallard plus Common Frog and 2 * Roe Deer.

With a good bundle of fungi the day's species tally was 200 species.

25th July 2020 - Wythenshawe Park, G. Manchester - Whilst looking for fungi we noted:- Green Veined White (*2); Gatekeeper (*11); Meadow Brown (*2) and Speckled Wood (*1) all on the wing.

2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus) and numerous Black Tipped Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva) were the only other bugs seen.

Andricus quercuscalicis; Neuroterus numismalis; Hartigiola annulipes and Cecidophyes rouhallii were the few galls added.

24th July 2020 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - Work and a ride home. Whilst walking through the park I noted the following hoverflies:- Volucella inanis (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*3); Eristalis pertinax (*8); Epistrophe grossulariae (*1); Chrysotoxum bicinctum (*1) and Myathropa florea (*2).

Peacock (*1); Green Veined White (*3) and Meadow Brown (*2) were the only butterflies seen.

2 Brown Hawkers (Aeshna grandis) were ovipositing on a pond that contained Fringed Water Lily.

2 new galls fresh out were Andricus quercuscalicis and Taphrina alni.

23rd July 2020 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatis) and Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arburstorum) were enjoying a damp Nettle patch.

Russian Vine was in good flower but what a pesky stangling blighter it is.

22nd July 2020 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk in my dinner break around the streets of the urban sprawl.  Shining Crane's-Bill and Common Ragwort added some much needed colour.  Atop the latter plant I spied 3 Red Tailed Bees (Bombus lapidarius); 3 Black Tipped Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 Marmalade Flies (Episyrphus balteatus) and 6 Drone Flies (Eristalis pertinax).  Nearby on some other plant-life I spied a Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 2 copulating 22 Spot Ladybirds (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata) and a Large White and Green Veined White.  

20th July 2020 - Etherow CP, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk to clear a troubled head and it worked a treat. The sun didn't shine so insects struggled but I stuck at it and clocked up the following lists.

The 17 hoverfly species seen were:- Episyrphus balteatus (*5); Melanostoma scalare (*1); Eristalis nemorum (*1); Volucella pellucens (*2); Cheilosia illustrata (*1); Rhingia campestris (*3); Eristalis pertinax (*2); Helophilus hybridus (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*2); Leucozona glaucia (*1); Myathropa florea (*4); Chrysogaster solstitialis (*1); Platycheirus albimanus (*1); Platycheirus granditarsus (*1); Epistrophe grossulariae (*1); Volucella bombylans (*1) and Eristalis tenax (*1).

9 species of lepidoptera were seen:- Common Marble Moth (*2); Chrysoteuchia culmella (*1); Ringlet (*2); Meadow Brown (*4); Gatekeeper (*1); Comma (*4); Small Skipper (*3); Eucosma hohenwartiana (*2) and several Cinnabar Moth larvae.

45 other insects consisted of:- 1 * Bracken Bug (Monalocoris filicis) 2 * Common Green Capsid (Lygocoris pabulinus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna ferrugata); 1 * Ground Bug (Scolopostethus cf. thomsonii); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Mirid Bug (Dicyphus epilobii); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 2 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis); 1 * Broad Damsel Bug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Mecomma ambulans); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 6 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 3 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * German Wasp (Vespula germanica); 10+ * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis opaca); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 5 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricula); 2 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 2 * Tachnid Fly (Dexiosoma caninum); 2 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius); 2 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 2 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculatus); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Spotted Longhorn Beetle (Rutpela maculata); 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 2 * Spiked Shield Bug (Picromerus bidens); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Phasia hemiptera); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida); 1 * Leafhopper (Lamprotettix nitidulus); 2 * Saxon Wasp (Dolichovespula saxonica) and 1 * Semaphore Fly (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus).

20 plant galls seen:- Aceria nervisequa; Dasineura urticae; Acalitus brevitarsus; Aceria pseudoplatani; Psyllopsis fraxini; Hartigiola annulipes; Eriophyes laevis; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes similis; Jaapiella veronicae; Trioza remota; Neuroterus numismalis; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Taphrina tosquinetii; Dasineura pteridis; Dasineura pustulans; Dasineura ulmaria; Acalitus stenaspis; Cecidophyes rouhollahi and Chirosia betuleti.

23 bird species were picked out despite not bringing any bonoculars, these were:- Black Headed Gull (*2); Grey Wagtail (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Coal Tit (*1); Mute Swan (*4); Jackdaw (*1); Buzzard (*1); Blue Tit (*1); House Sparrow (*2); Robin (*1); Tufted Duck (*2); Canada Goose (*60); Nuthatch (*1); Great Tit (*2); Muscovy Duck (*2); Mandarin Duck (*12); Coot (*2); Blackbird (*3); Wood Pigeon (*1); Feral Pigeon (*70); Wren (*2); Mallard (*5) and Feral Greylag Goose (*2).

90 species of flower were noted, these being:- Marsh Bedstraw; Square Stalked St John's-Wort; Lesser Trefoil; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Silverweed; Broad Leaved Helleborine (in bud); Red Clover; Bittersweet; Ground Elder; Gypsywort; White Water Lily; Sneezewort; Hemp Agrimony; Honeysuckle; Lady's Bedstraw; Lesser Stitchwort; Wavy Bittercress; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Figwort; Dame's Violet; Yarrow; Tormentil; Common Bistort; Yellow Pimpernel; Marsh Thistle; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Germander Speedwell; Lesser Swinecress; Pink Purslane; Smooth Sow Thistle; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Tufted Vetch; Common Knapweed; Lady's Mantle agg; Dandelion agg; Common Sorrel; Redshank; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Purple Loosestrife; Garlic Mustard; Large Flowered Evening Primrose; Meadow Vetchling; Musk Mallow; Feverfew; Mugwort (in bud); Yellow Loosestrife; Yellow Water Lily; Wood Sage; Angelica; Upright Hedge Parsley; Meadowsweet; Himalayan Balsam; Enchanter's Nightshade; Buddleia; Common Comfrey; Hedge Woundwort; Red Campion; Creeping Thistle; Ox-Eye Daisy; Wild Carrot; Self-Heal; Rosebay Willowherb; Greater Willowherb; Hogweed; Druce's Crane's-Bill; Knotgrass; Pineappleweed; Broad Leaved Dock; Meadow Buttercup; Ribwort Plantain; Lesser Burdock; Common Ragwort; Spear Thistle; Bush Vetch; Large Bindweed; Cow Parsley; Daisy; White Clover; Creeping Buttercup; Hedge Mustard; Foxglove; Greater Plantain; Herb Robert; Common Nettle; Wood Avens; Goosegrass; Great Burnet; Bramble agg and Nipplewort.

The 17 other bits and bobs noted were:- Common Bulrush; Hart's Tongue Fern; Field Horsetail; Giant Horsetail; Hazel; Ash; Beech; Silver Birch; Hazel; Maidenhair Spleenwort; Bracken; Pendulous Sedge; Shiny Woodlouse; Leopard Slug; Common Frog; White Lipped Banded Snail and Grey Squirrel.

Total sightings including 51 fungi was 272 species - not bad for a cloudy day.

19th July 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A day of gardening and whilst pottering I noted:- 1 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 Red Tailed Bee (Bombus lapidarius) plus the hoverflies:- 1 * Helophilus pendulus; 2 * Episyrphus balteatus and the butterflies:- Green Veined White (*1); Small White (*1) and Comma (*1).

A Swallow-Tailed Moth was in the bathroom too.

16th July 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A 100 metre stretch was walked today, an unkempt trackway at the side of the motorway. Despite the manky weather a few hoverflies were buzzing about:- Volucella pellucens (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*14); Sphaeroraria scripta (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*2) and Eristalis pertinax (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 2 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculatus); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus) and the butterflies - Large White (*1) and Small White (*1).

A Garden Spider and several Cinnabar Moth larvae were also seen.

Flowers in bloom were:- Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Large Bindweed; Ground Elder; Ribwort Plantain; Mugwort; Curl Leaved Dock; Rosebay Willowherb; Lesser Swine Cress; Sea Aster; Common Toadflax; Creeping Thistle; Common Ragwort; White Clover; Black Medick; Red Clover; Tufted Vetch; Hairy Tare; Perforate St John's Wort; Hop Trefoil; Common Nettle; Hogweed; Greater Plantain; Greater Willowherb; Buddleia; Dandelion agg; Bramble agg; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Elder; Hedge Mustard and Purple Toadflax.

13th July 2020 - Ladybrook Valley Cycleway, Stockport, G. Manchester - A swift cycle and a short walk with the weather once more dull and drab. The few Hoverflies seen were:- Episyrphus balteatus (*5); Melanostoma scalare (*1); Volucella pellucens (*2) and Eristalis pertinax (*1).

2 Butterflies were seen:- Speckled Wood (*1) and a Green Veined White (*1) plus the moth Common Marble Moth (*1).

Galls recorded were:- Mikiola fagi; Psyllopsis fraxini; Dasineura urticae; Aceria erinea and Eriophyes laevis.

The only other things noted were:- 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 5 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); ; 5 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum) plus a few flowers in bloom, the best being Lesser Burdock; Tufted Vetch and Meadow Vetchling. Pineappleweed was very common and smelled delicious.

13th July 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few moths were caught overnight, these were:- Swallow-Tailed Moth (*1); Light Emerald (*1); Dun-Bar (*1); Riband Wave (*1); Chrysoteuchia culmella (*1); Brown House Moth (*1); Bright Line, Brown Eye (*2); Bee Moth (*1); Dark Arches (*4); Acrobasis advenella (*1); Uncertain (*1); Tachystola acroxantha (*3); Common Rustic agg (*1); Blastobasis adustella (*1) and Mother of Pearl (*1).

A Dusky Longhorn Beetle (Arhopalus rusticus) was a nice surprise.

12th July 2020 - Brockadale NR, W. Yorkshire - A roam around a lovely area with the weather warm and the serenity very much appreciated. Butterflies on the wing were:- Silver Washed Fritillary (*3); Large Skipper (*1); Speckled Wood (*1); Essex Skipper (*1); Dark Green Fritillary (*8); Small Tortoisehsell (*21); Green Veined White (*4); Meadow Brown (*36); Comma (*8); Red Admiral (*14); Small Skipper (*2); Marbled White (*7); Large White (*3); Peacock (*5); Ringlet (*13); Small White (*3); Brimstone (*1) and Gatekeeper (*4).

A few moths were also seen, these were:- Udea lutealis (*1); Silver Y (*2); Common Plume Moth (*1); Shaded Broad Bar (*2); 6 Spot Burnet (*1) and Yellow-Shell (*2).

Hoverflies were far from happy with the heat as per, the few seen were:- Scaeva pyrastri (*1); Eristalis tenax (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*5); Eupeodes luniger (*1) and Eristalis pertinax (*1).

Other insects noted were:- 1 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); an abundance of Black Tipped Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 2 * Common Earwig (Foricula auriculia); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 6 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 12 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma flavescens) and 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum).

The flower list was as follows:- Marsh Bedstraw; Common Orache; Common Centaury; Common Dog Violet; Wild Basil; Scented Mayweed; Marsh Thistle; Lords and Ladies (in fruit); Figwort (In seed); Enchanter's Nightshade; Common Toadflax; Field Pansy; Common Field Speedwell; Wavy Bittercress; Yellow-Wort; Squinancywort; Long Stalked Crane's-Bill; Yarrow; Giant Bellflower; Restharrow; Welted Thistle; Groundsel; Hairy St John's-Wort; Perforate St John's-Wort; Pale St John's-Wort; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Lady's Bedstraw; Ox-Eye Daisy; Field Scabious; Bramble agg; Marjoram; Common Knapweed; Musk Mallow; Agrimony; Red Campion; Common Nettle; Hedge Mustard; Ribwort Plantain; Common Poppy; Musk Thistle; White Dead Nettle; Greater Knapweed; Kidney Vetch; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Spear Thistle; Goat's-Beard; Rosebay Willowherb; Dandelion agg; Wood Avens; Bladder Campion; Black Horehound; Upright Hedge Parsley; Groundsel; Harebell; Rock-Rose; Common Ragwort; Wild Mignonette; White Clover; Meadowsweet; Black Medick; Self-Heal; Red Clover; Meadow Buttercup; Yellow-Rattle; Hogweed; Common Spotted Orchid; Pyramidal Orchid; Greater Willowherb; Curl Leaved Dock; Meadow Vetchling; Hop Trefoil; Lady's Mantle agg; Teasel; Fairy Flax; Mouse Ear Hawkweed; Daisy; Wood Sage; Garlic Mustard; Chickweed; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Scarlet Pimpernel; Salad Burnet; Lesser Trefoil; Himalayan Balsam; Lesser Burdock; Broad Leaved Dock; Pineappleweed; Shepherd's Purse; Eyebright agg; Herb Robert; Dropwort; White Bryony; Hedge Woundwort; Nipplewort; Germander Speedwell; Crosswort; Common Knot-Grass; Cow Parsley; Clustered Bellflower; Goosegrass (in seed) and Greater Plantain.

Galls noted were few, these being:- Trichochermes walkeri; Aceria campestricola; Didymomyia tiliacea; Urocystis violae; Iteomyia capreae; Psyllopsis fraxini; Jaapiella veronicae; Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Diplolepis rosae.

The other additions were:- Chiffchaff (*1); Yellowhammer (*2); Green Woodpecker (*2); Common Whitethroat (*1); Kestrel (*1); Dunnock (*1); Magpie (*1); Wood Pigeon (*1); Song Thrush (*1); Blackbird (*1) and Pill Woodlouse.

With a few fungi thrown in the mix the end tally today was 171 species - we enjoyed it - now to record all.

11th July 2020 - Cringle Park, Levenshulme, G. Manchester - After doing the Mother-in-Laws shopping we had a super quick walk to stretch the shanks around this urban park. A Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea) was seen we an oodle of young on a single Silver Birch catkin as well as 5 * Harlequin Ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 4 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera).

Large Flowered Evening Primrose; White Clover; Creeping Thistle; Tall Melilot and Dandelion agg were a few flowers noted along with a pair of House Sparrows and a pair of Wood Pigeon.

The only gall picked out was Eriophyes tiliae.

This is the first time we have recorded here. it is important to get all areas noted for the things they can attract, we shall return.

9th July 2020 - Bruntwood Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk for the Carers today done with super limited numbers (group max 6) and with 1 no show and 1 fellow late and having to give up due to serious back seizures it was left to 4 of us to pootle on. We avoided the rain and nattered away and all in all had a good yomp.

Including a quick hour before the walk the bugs seen were:- 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 5 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis opaca); 2 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * Semaphore Fly (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus); 6 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus) and 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)

Hoverflies seen were:- Episyrphus balteatus (*6); Helophilus pendulus (*1) and Volucella pellucens (*1).

Moths and butterflies noted were:- Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (*5); Snout (*1); Common Marble Moth (*2); Meadow Brown (*5); Argyresthia goedartella (*1) and Green Veined White (*1). There were a few groups of Peacock larvae on Nettle.

A few galls added were:- Trioza remota; Mikiola fagi; Neuroterus numismalis; Taxomyia taxi and Iteomyia major.

A Grey Heron; 5 * Magpie; 4 * Wood Pigeon and 1 * Great Spotted Woodpecker; 1 * Robin and a few Mallard with young were the only birds seen due to looking lower down and chin-wagging.

Honeysuckle; Pineappleweed; Spear Thistle and Large Bindweed were a few flowers noted.

7th July 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A real manky day and at work doing what I need to do. I walked home with one of my fine colleagues and by heck the rain didn't let up. We saw the Swifts and House Martins feeding low over the water and a female Goosander all tucked up and looking a trifle dejected. A Blackcap fed low down in amongst the dripping foliage of a Sycamore and a flotilla of Mallards floated down the river seemingly oblivious to the downpour.

Despite the murk Tall Melilot added many sunshine spires whilst Hogweed wasa going to seed and looked utterly beaten.

6th July 2020 - Wright's Wood, Stockport, G. Manchester - A local pootle in far from ideal weather but for bugs it was decent enough. Hoverflies seen were:- Episyrphus balteatus (*12); Platycheirus albimanus (*2); Volucella pellucens (*2); Melanostoma scalare (*1); Xylota sylvarum (*1); Volucella bombylans (*1); Eristalis pertinax (*1); Myathropa florea (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*1); Neoascia podagrica (*1) and Baccha elongata (*1).

Lepidopterans were represented by:- Green Veined White (*2); Speckled Wood (*3); Common Marble Moth (*1); Mother of Pearl (*6) and the Small Carl (Tischera dodonaea).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 10 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 3 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 30 + Semaphore Fly (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lateralis); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocea); 1 * Giant Crane-Fly (Tipula maxima); 2 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); Mirid Bug (Campyloneura virgula); 1 * Fork Tailed Flower Bee (Anthopora furcata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma quadrifaria); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis opaca) and 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa)

I also spied a Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Song Thrush; Garden Spider and 2 Common Frogs.

Purple Loosestrife and Greater Spearwort were both in flower.

5th July 2020 - Alkincoats Park, Colne, Lancashire - A windswept day with the rain coming in spurts. In the main though we avoided any serious downpour and cracked on at yet another new site for us.

Lepidopterans were represented by: - Small Tortoiseshell (*1); Ringlet (*4); Small Skipper (*23); Meadow Brown (*24) and Straw Dot (*1).

Hoverflies were few but we did pick out:- Scaeva pyrastri (*2); Episyrphus balteatus (*5) and Helophilus pendulus (*1).

The few other insects seen were:- 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 6 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus) and 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi).

I made a note ogf a few birds despite not having any optics. The species seen were:- Magpie (*1); Blackbird (*1); Goldfinch (*1); Wren (*1); Great Tit (*1); Robin (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*4); Collared Dove (*1); Buzzard (*1); Swift (*1) and Wood Pigeon (*2).

Plant Galls observed were:- Eriophyes leiosoma; Aceria pseudoplatani; Aceria macrochela; Dasineura urticata; Pontania pedunculi; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes sorbi; Phyllocoptes populi; Acalitus stenapsis and Hartigiola annulipes.

And finally, whilst we were visiting a new place I made a flowers in bloom list, the final tally was:- White Clover; Tormentil; Wood Avens; Shepherd's Purse; Daisy; Meadow Buttercup; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Black Medick; Ribwort Plantain; Yellow-Rattle; Elder; Pineappleweed; Common Nettle; Large Bindweed; Goosegrass; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Common Ragwort; Bramble agg; Red Campion; Herb Robert; Enchanter's Nightshade; Meadowsweet; Broad Leaved Dock; Hedge Woundwort; Hogweed; Red Clover; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Corncockle; Ox-Eye Daisy; Dandelion agg; Creeping Thistle; Spear Thistle; Musk Mallow; Yarrow; Corn Marigold; Foxglove; Creeping Jenny; Lesser Spearwort; Common Knot-Grass; Ground Elder; Rosebay Willowherb; Germander Speedwell; Tutsan; Garlic Mustard; Greater Plantain; Lady's Bedstraw; Common Mouse Ear; Chicory; Bush Vetch; Marsh Ragwort and Chickweed.

4th July 2020 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - A morning in the rain, I arrived home with sodden feet, an aching head and a rumbling tum but, along with the fungi, clocked up 132 species. Flowers in bloom were:- Common Knot-Grass; Wood Dock; Perforate St John's-Wort; Marsh Bedstraw; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Buddleia; Common Nettle; Wood Avens; Curled Leaved Dock; Meadow Buttercup; Wild Carrot; Bramble agg; Goosegrass; Spear Thistle; White Clover; Greater Willowherb; Creeping Buttercup; Meadowsweet; Silverweed; Hedge Woundwort; Enchanter's Nightshade; Herb Robert; Purple Loosestrife; Meadow Vetchling; Lesser Stitchwort; Field Scabious; Lady's Bedstraw; Creeping Thistle; Common Ragwort; Cow Parsley; Dandelion agg; Rosebay Willowherb; Ground Elder; Ribwort Plantain; Greater Plantain; Self-Heal; Tutsan; Large Bindweed; Garlic Mustard; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Comfrey agg; Bush Vetch; Tufted Vetch; Nipplewort; Daisy; Green Alkanet; Groundsel; Common Mouse Ear; Lesser Trefoil; Welsh Poppy; Pineappleweed and Broad Leaved Willowherb. Broad Leaved Helleborine was in bud.

A couple of moths seen were:- Common Marble Moth (*1); Garden Carpet (*1); Dingy Footman (*2) and Epermenia chaerophyllella (*1). The was a good gathering of Peacock larvae too.

Hoverflies were lowly, the ones seen were:- Cheilosia illustrata (*1); Platycheirus albimanus (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*9); Melanostoma scalare (*3) and Helophilus pendulus (*1).

Other insects added were:- 3 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 4 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata).

Galls seen were:- Aceria macrochela; Iteomyia capreae; Psyllopsis fraxini; Trioza remota; Aceria erinea; Hartigiola annulipes; Andricus kollari; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Pemphigus spyrothecae; Andricus fecundator; Aceria pseudoplatani; Pontania proxima; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes laevis; Dasineura pustulans; Eriophyes leiosoma and Dasineura ulmaria.

I also saw Rough Woodlouse; Shiny Woodlouse and Field Horsetail.

3rd July 2020 - Thornfield Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - After finishing work and tidying up a Privet hedge, palting some flowers and sorting out a few documents for the Young Carers I had a walk homeward via this local park. A few flowers in bloom were:- Wood Avens; Small Balsam; Druce's Crane's-Bill; Common Nettle; Hedge Mustard; Nipplewort; Goosegrass; Daisy; White Clover; Greater Plantain; Creeping Buttercup; Broad Leaved Willowherb and Common Ragwort.

3 Marmalade Flies (Episyrphus balteatus) braved the bilge weather as did 2 Harlequin Ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis).

2nd July 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A different route home looking along some hedgerows. Creeping Jenny was still in flower and 1 Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae) was picked out.

On Nettle I saw:- a Diamond Back Moth; 2 *Mirid Bugs (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata); a Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); a Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber) and a Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus).

1 Ringlet; 2 Red Tailed Bumblebees and the gall Dasineura urticae were the other species noted.

1st July 2020 - Heaton Mersey Meadow, Stockport, G. Manchester - A super quick nosey after work to get the new month rolling. Meadow Brown (*1); Small Tortoiseshell (*1); Green Veined White (*1); Small Skipper (*2); Ringlet (*3) and Common Marble Moth (*1) were the scale-winged delights on the wing.

The Conopid Fly (Sicus ferrugineus) was picked out and Lesser Stitchwort and Sea Aster were in flower.

30th June 2020 - Heaton Mersey Orchard, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk around a small area and the surrounding vegetation I know well and after 45 minutes under cloudy skies I had seen a few things. Hoverflies to be recorded were;- Episyrphus balteatus (*21); Cheilosia illustrata (*4); Leucozona glaucia (*1); Eristalis pertinax (*4); Meliscaeva auricollis (*1) and Volucella bombylans (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Conopid Fly (Sicus ferrugineus); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridulus) and 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum).

Butterfllies seen were:- Small Skipper (*6); Meadow Brown (*3) and Ringlet (*3). 2 * Silver Moths were also added.

3 flowers noted in bloom were:- Wild Carrot; Hemp Agrimony and Dotted Loosestrife.

29th June 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A swift non-stop walk with the missus. Birds seen were:- House Sparrow (*2); Goldfinch (*2); Wood Pigeon (*20); Feral Pigeon (*1); Blackbird (*3); Magpie (*4); Sand Martin (*27); House Marton (*2); Carrion Crow (*1); Swift (*22); Grey Heron (*4); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Goosander (*2); Grey Wagtail (*1); Mallard (*7) and Black Headed Gull (*4).

Water Dock was in flower and we noted a 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); a Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); the Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rustica) and a Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus).

Aceria nervisequa was the only gall seen.

28th June 2020 - Hartington Meadows, Derbyshire - A breezy day under clouded skies, we had a fair mooch nonetheless with hoverflies seen as follows:- Pipiza noctiluca (*1); Meliscaeva auricollis (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*25); Cheilosia illustrata (*2); Eupeodes luniger (*1); Eristalis arbustorum (*2); Syritta pipiens (*1); Eristalis pertinax (*3); Volucella bombylans (*1); Eristalis tenax (*3); Sphaeroraria scripta (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*1); Scaeva pyrastri (*2); Myathropa florea (*2) and Syrphus ribesii (*1).

Lepidopterans defying the conditions were:- Ringlet (*1); Common Plume Moth (*1); Silver Ground Carpet (*1); Common Marble Moth (*1); Peppered Moth (*1); Small Tortoiseshell (*2); Red Admiral (*4); Meadow Brown (*15); 5 Spot Burnet (*1); Yellow-Shell (*5) and numerous Peacock larvae.

Other insects identified were:- 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 10 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricula); 2 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa germanica); 1 * Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma quadrifaria); 1 * Ichneumon Fly (Amblyteles armatorius) and 2 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus).

Flowers in bloom were as follows:- Field Forget-Me-Not; Greater Knapweed; Lesser Trefoil; Hairy St John's Wort; Common Spotted Orchid; Nipplewort; Dotted Loosestrife; Spotted Dead Nettle; Dandelion agg; Chickweed; Pineappleweed; Shepherd's Purse; Marsh Thistle; Twayblade; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Common Mouse Ear; Yarrow; Meadowsweet; Dropwort; Fragrant Orchid; Rock-Rose; Kidney Vetch; Tormentil; Salad Burnet; Mouse Ear Hawkweed; Pignut; Creeping Thistle; Betony; Greater Butterfly Orchid; Goosegrass; Musk Mallow; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Common Knapweed; Ribwort Plantain; Elder; Eyebright agg; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Lesser Stitchwort; Daisy; Common Valerian; Germander Speedwell; Field Scabious; Wild Strawberry; Ox-Eye Daisy; Wild Thyme; Self-Heal; Fairy Flax; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; White Clover; Yellow Rattle; Common Sorrel; Lady's Bedstraw; Rosebay Willowherb; Crosswort; Meadow Vetchling; Great Burnet; Tufted Vetch; Herb Robert; Bramble agg; Bush Vetch; Wood Avens; Red Campion; Hedge Woundwort; Hogweed; Broad Leaved Dock; Red Clover; Meadow Buttercup; Common Ragwort and Common Nettle.

We also saw:- Yorkshire Fog; Crested Dog's-Tail; Cock's-Foot Grass; Ash, Hazel; Hawthorn; Hazel; Sycamore; Shiny Woodlouse; Rough Woodlouse; Striped Woodlouse; White Legged Millipede; White Lipped Banded Snail and Maidenhair Spleenwort.

Galls picked out were:- Dasineura urticae; Aceria pseudoplatani and Dasineura fraxini.

With 2 rust fungi seen the end total was 125 species - not bad at all.

27th June 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A rainy night and the moth numbers slightly dwindled but, what was seen was darn well enjoyed. The list was:- Crambus pascuella (*4); Diamond Back Moth (*1); Riband Wave f. remutata (*2); Brimstone (*1); Swallow-Tailed Moth (*1); Willow Beauty (*2); Scalloped Oak (*4); Brown House Moth (*4); Chrysoteuchia culmella (*3); Silver Y (*1); Bee Moth (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*5); Marbled Beauty (*1); Bramble Shoot Moth (*1); Heart and Dart (*3); Tachystola acroxantha (*2); Large Yellow Underwing (*1); Marbled Minor agg (*1); Hypsopygia glaucinalis (*1); Eudonia glaucinalis (*1); Blackneck (*1); Uncertain (*1); Anania coronata (*2); Codling Moth (*1); Apple Leaf Miner (*1); White Shouldered House Moth (*1); Ancylis achatana (*1); Crambus perlella (*1); Anania perlucidalis (*1) and Fan-Foot (*1).

Also taking refuge from the rain was the Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta).

26th June 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - More mothing and the results being:- Dark/Grey Dagger agg (*1); Willow Beauty (*1); Eudonia lacustrata (*1); Common Emerald (*1); Brown House Moth (*1); Anania coronata (*1); Chrysoteuchia culmella (*4); Riband Wave f. remutata (*4); Crambus pascuella (*1); Scalloped Oak (*4); Straw Dot (*1); Swallow-Tailed Moth (*1); Large Yellow Underwing (*3); Yellow-Tail Moth (*1); Rustic (*2); Small Magpie (*1); Brimstone (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*1); Diamond Back Moth (*1); Garden Carpet (*1); Heart and Dart (*8); Bee Moth (*4); Fan-Foot (*2); Bright Line, Brown Eye (*2); Celypha lacunana (*1); Tachystola acroxantha (*4); Poplar Hawkmoth (*1); Riband Wave (*10 Dark Arches (*1); Red Barred Tortrix (*1); Apple Leaf Miner (*4); Common Rustic agg (*2); Mompha subbistrigella (*1); Bird Cherry Ermine (*1); Marbled Minor agg (*1); Pebble Hook-Tip (*1); Hypsopygia glaucinalis (*1); Batia lunaris (*1); Crassa unitella (*2) and Pammene regiana (*1).

Also in the mix were:- 1 * Striped Ladybird (Myzia oblongoguttata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Caddis Fly (Mystacides longicornis); 1 Hawthorn Shield Bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale) and 1 * Potato Capsid Bug (Closterotomus norvegicus).

25th June 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - More mothing - this is the result:- Riband Wave f. remutata (*3); Willow Beauty (*1); Red Barred Tortrix (*1); Scalloped Oak (*6); Riband Wave (*3); Light Emerald (*1); Swallow-Tailed Moth (*2); Black-Neck (*1); Common Marbled Carpet (*2); Chrysoteuchia culmella (*3); Marbled Minor agg (*1); Garden Carpet (*1); Dark/Grey Dagger agg (*1); Double Striped Pug (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*2); Brown House Moth (*8); Bee Moth (*2); Diamond Back Moth (*1); Brimstone (*1); Crambus pascuella (*2); Heart and Dart (*1); Dark Arches (*1); Dot Moth (*1); Eudonia lacustrata (*1); Uncertain (*1); Tachystola acroxantha (*1); Flame (*1); Fan-Foot (*1); Apple Leaf Miner (*1) and Elephant Hawkmoth (*1).

A Humming-Bird Hawk-Moth was a welcome visitor to the garden later in the day.

25th June 2020 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - A morning on the prowl for bugs and things, it was too hot and many six-legged critters stayed low - in truth, I didn't blame em'.

The list of hoverflies was the first to be affected by the sizzle, the ones brave enough to show themselves were:- Episyrphus balteatus (*7); Volucella pellucens (*4); Xylota sylvarum (*2); Epistrophe grossulariae (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*4); Chrysogaster solstitialis (*2); Syrphus ribesii (*1); Platycheirus albimanus (*1) and Myathropa florea (*2).

Lepidoptera delights came in the form of:- Common Plume Moth (*1); Large Ivy Tortrix (*1); Shaded Broad Bar (*1); Silver Y (*2); Common Marble Moth (*4); Comma (*3); Meadow Brown (*3); Speckled Wood (*1); Smalll White (*1); Small Tortoiseshell (*5) and Chrysoteuchia culmella (*2).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Marsh Damsel Bug (Nabis limbatus); 1 * Broad Damsel Bug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * Leafhopper (Evacanthus interruptus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 1 * Thistle Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 1 * Potato Capsid Bug (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Common Green Capsid (Lygocoris pabulinus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Polymerus nigrita); 1 * Scentless Plant Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 6 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 35 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 7 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quattuordecimguttata); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 4 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 2 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 6 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 4 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 3 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 4 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 4 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea); 6 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 7 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * True Bug (Anthocoris nemoralis); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and 2 * Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae).

Plants in flower were:- Common Nettle; Garlic Mustard; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Broad Leaved Dock; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Dandelion agg; Nipplewort; Meadow Buttercup; Ground Elder; Bramble agg; Large Bindweed; Elder; Lesser Trefoil; Pineappleweed; Shepherd's Purse; Druce's Crane's-Bill; Goosegrass; Hedge Woundwort; Spear Thistle; Hogweed; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Bush Vetch; Goat's-Beard; Tufted Vetch; Ox-Eye Daisy; Yarrow; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Common Knapweed; Ribwort Plantain; Daisy; Enchanter's Nightshade; Himalayan Balsam; Common Field Speedwell; White Clover; Creeping Buttercup; Lady's Mantle agg; Meadowsweet; Greater Plantain; Comfrey agg; Red Campion; Curl Leaved Dock; Silverweed; Rosebay Willowherb; Common Ragwort and Creeping Thistle - Teasel was almost in flower but not quite.

Galls spotted were:- Psyllopsis fraxini; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes inangulis; Pontania proxima; Eriophyes similis; Taphrina pruni; Aceria macrochela; Aceria pseudoplatani; Eriophyes laevis and Dasineura pustulans.

The few birds seen were:- Goldfinch; Bullfinch; Dunnock; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Grey Heron; Robin; Mallard; Great Tit; Wood Pigeon; Song Thrush; Moorhen and Magpie - not many but I was looking for bugs.

I also saw a White Lipped Banded Snail; Garden Snail; a Shiny Woodlouse and the Landhopper (Arcitalitrus dorrieni).

24th June 2020 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - Up early due to overwhelming warmth and a spot more gardening around my place of work.  6.45am til 8.45am and then the working day got underway.  Whilst pootling I noted:- a Robin; Mistle Thrush; House Sparrow and Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Procumbent Pearlwort and Great Plantain in flower.

6 Common Earwigs (Forficula aurucularia) and 3 species of Woodlouse, these being Rough; Shiny and Striped, were also observed.

A Garden Snail and a White Lipped Banded Snail were also in residence.

23rd June 2020 - Heaton Mersey Orchard, Stockport, G. Manchester - A quick pootle on the way home, a Meadow Brown; Large Skipper; Ringlet and Comma were aseen along with 2 Common Green Grasshoppers and 12 Mirid Bugs (Plagiognathus arbustorum).

Black Medick; Spotted Dead Nettle and Meadow Crane's-Bill were in flower.

23rd June 2020 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - Back to the normal working routine and the ongoing gardening spurt before work continues to save our charity a both of dosh.  Whilst pottering I noted - A Riband Wave Moth (non-banded); a Harlequin Ladybird; the Black Cock Beetle (Pterostichus madidus); a Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 Marmalade Flies (Episyrphus balteatus) plus Lesser Trefoil; and Self-Heal in flower.

2 plant galls were seen, the common Psyllopsis fraxini and Aceria pseudoplatani.

A Magpie watched all that was going on - nosey blighter.

22nd June 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - I am back at work tomorrow so used today as a catch-up and a time to recharge the batteries. In the garden I saw several birds; these were:- 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird; 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird; 3 * 14 Ladybird and 1 * Harlequin Ladybird.

I also saw 3 Hoverfly species:- Episyrphus balteatus (*2); Eristalis intricaria (*1) and Eupeodes luniger (*1).

2 * Common Green Shield Bug nymphs (Palomena prasina) were lounging in the sun and the nymph of Heterotoma planicornis was picked out - a new one for the garden. The only other things added were a Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and a Red Barred Tortrix Moth.

Days later I eventually identified the Colletes Bee - it was Colletes daviesanus.

21st June 2020 - Ainsdale Sands, Lancashire - From Ainsdale to Southport and back again. The first part was done with good pace, the second part done in a more dawdling manner.

Due to showers we kept the binoculars in the bag but we did manage to see:- Mallard; Coot; Tufted Duck; Mute Swan; Moorhen; Herring Gull; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Little Egret; Buzzard; Goldfinch; Sparrowhawk; Pied Wagtail; Black Headed Gull; Great Black Backed Gull; Feral Pigeon; Oystercatcher; Cormorant; Skylark; Reed Bunting; Meadow Pipit; Wood Pigeon; Jackdaw; Sedge Warbler and Starling.

Again due to iffy weather insect life was lowly but we clocked up the following species:- 1 * Mirid Bug (Lygocoris pabulinus); 1 * Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Spiked Shield Bug (Picromerus bidens); 1 * Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Turnip Sawfly (Athalia rosae); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 3 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Green Soldier Fly (Oplodontha viridula); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 2 * Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris asparagi); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Devil's Coach Horse (Ocypus olens); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus) and 9 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia).

Moths and butterflies included:- Grass Rivulet (*1); Meadow Brown (*2); Small Skipper (*2); Pammene aurana (*1); Common Marble Moth (*1); Yellow-Shell (*2); Homoeosoma sinuella (*1) and Cinnabar Moth larvae (*3).

Hoverfly life was made up of:- Eristalis pertinax (*10); Helophilus trivitattus (*1); Volucella pellucens (*1); Scaeva pyrastri (*1); Cheilosia illustrata (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*1) and Episyrphus balteatus (*4).

Flowers in bloom were:- Foxglove; Red Campion; Twayblade; Changing Forget-Me-Not; Common Mallow; Parsley Water Dropwort; Water Figwort; Sea Mayweed; Sea Arrowgrass; Ground Ivy; Rose Campion; Small Flowered Crane's-Bill; Meadow Vetchling; Marsh Bedstraw; Cloudberry; Common Scurvygrass; Yellow Flag Iris; Round Leaved Wintergreen; Bee Orchid; Marsh Helleborine; Fairy Flax; Goosegrass; Hairy Tare; Wild Parsnip; Pyramidal Orchid; Bittersweet; Common Vetch; Hogweed; Lesser Spearwort; Sea Aster; Crosswort; Common Valerian; Rosebay Willowherb; Large Bindweed; Red Valerian; Meadow Buttercup; Lesser Trefoil; Common Milkwort; Goat's-Beard; Common Mouse Ear; Hemlock Water Dropwort; Self-Heal; Meadowsweet; Ground Elder; Broad Leaved Everlasting Pea; Yellow Rattle; Red Clover; English Stonecrop; Biting Stonecrop; Creeping Buttercup; Restharrow; Kidney Vetch; Buck's-Horn Plantain; Ribwort Plantain; Common Stork's-Bill; Weld; Common Ragwort; Elder; Large Flowered Evening Primrose agg; Sea Spurge; Lady's Bedstraw; Blue Fleabane; Creeping Thistle; Japanese Rose; Strawberry Clover; Wild Asparagus; White Clover; Sea Centaury; Sea Beet; Sea Milkwort; Thrift; Daisy; Dandelion agg; Silverweed; Yarrow; Curled Leaved Dock; Sea Plantain; Hop Trefoil; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Wild Carrot; Sea Rocket; Common Nettle; Tufted Vetch; Hound's-Tongue; Cuckooflower; Southern Marsh Orchid and Eyebright agg.

The few galls added to the days tally were:- Dasineura urticae; Phyllocoptes populi; Acalituis brevitarsus; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes laevis; Dasineura pustulans; Dasineura ulmariae; Cystiphora sonchi; Aceria artemisiae and Iteomyia major.

Lyme Grass; Marram Grass; Common Frog; Rough Woodlouse; Marsh Pennywort; Common Alder; Common Holly and Sea Holly were also noted along with 1 fungus making a grand total of 165 species.

20th June 2020 - Lindow Common, Wilmslow, Cheshire - Exhausted today so just a short jaunt out and a look to see what we could see whilst strolling along hand in hand. We spent 2 hours wandering and saw the following species.

Hoverflies noted were:- Helophilus pendulus (*3); Leucozona laternaria (*1); Eristalis pertinax (*3); Episyrphus balteatus (*4); Xylota sylvarum (*1) and Volucella pellucens (*1).

Butterflies seen were:- Red Admiral (*1); Speckled Wood (*4); Meadow Brown (*2); Small Skipper (*1); Small Tortoiseshell (*2) and Large Skipper (*3). Moths seen were:- Common Heath (*3); Common Marble Moth (*2); Crambus pascuella (*1) and Silver Y (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Birch Shield Bug (Elasmostethus interstinctus); 1 * Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 3 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Tachina fera); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 3 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae) and 2 * Black Tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum).

Galls seen were:- Dasineura urticae; Pontania proxima; Iteomyia major and Trioza remota.

The Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); Branched Bur Reed; 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 young Moorhens were also observed.

17th June 2020 - Wright's Wood, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short bike ride in stinking, clammy weather. The brief mooch in this small wooded area produced the following hoverflies:- Episyrphus balteatus (*3); Volucella pellucens (*3); Xylota segnis (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*2); Myathropa florea (*1); Xylota sylvarum (*1); Eristalis pertinax (*1) and Baccha elongata (*1).

On the lepidoptera front I saw:- Red Admiral (*2); Speckled Wood (*4); Snout (*1); Small Magpie (*1); Nettle Tap Moth (*1) and Common Marble Moth (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 8 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) and 2 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea).

2 Carrion Crows; 2 Nuthatches; a Wood Pigeon; a Common Toad and Greater Plantain and Enchanter's Nightshade in flower completed the humble list.

16th June 2020 - Heaton Mersey Orchard, Stockport, G. Manchester - A quick mooch after work saw me get caught in an hoorendous downpour and get soaked to the skin - and I loved it. Prior to the deluge I saw:- 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird larvae (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 10 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 17 * Marmalade Fly (Episyphus balteatus); 1 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 4 * Common Marbled Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Hairy Shield Bug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Orange Spot Piercer Moth (Pammene aurana); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater) and 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).

Yellow-Rattle and Hogweed were the dominant flowers and making for a wondrous display.

14th June 2020 - Flint Castle to Greenfield Docks - A 9.5 mile walk, it was a good yomp. Flowers in bloom were- Common Spotted Orchid; Great Mullein; Twiggy Mullein hybrid; White Mullein; Stinking Iris; Hoary Cress; Greater Sea Spurrey; Sea Milkwort; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Perforate St John's-Wort; Lesser Knapweed; Common Scurvygrass; Wild Mignonette; Common Field Speedwell; Oxford Ragwort; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Twayblade; Fairy Flax; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Pellitory of the Wall; Upright Hedge Parsley; Wall Speedwell; Buck's-Horn Plantain; Common Mouse Ear; Thale Cress; Lady's Bedstraw; Bladder Campion; Yellow-Rattle; Hedge Woundwort; Scarlet Pimpernel; Garlic Mustard; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Tufted Vetch; Smooth Sow Thistle; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Dotted Loosestrife; Black Medick; Sheep's Sorrel; Curl Leaved Dock; Large Bindweed; Broom; Germander Speedwell; Meadow Vetchling; Restharrow; Foxglove; White Campion; Teasel; Wild Carrot; Hogweed; Red Valerian; Nipplewort; Long Headed Poppy; Large Flowered Evening Primrose agg; Greater Celandine; Shepherd's Purse; Common Mallow; Spear Thistle; Hedge Mustard; Creeping Cinquefoil; Creeping Thistle; Dandelion agg; Sea Plantain; Ribwort Plantain; Goat's-Beard; Ox-Eye Daisy; Yarrow; Red Clover; Chickweed; Mouse-Ear Hawkweed; Musk Thistle; Bramble agg; Daisy; White Clover; Weld; Meadow Buttercup; Herb Robert; Red Clover; Creeping Buttercup; Wood Avens; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Sea Beet; Thrift; Rosebay Willowherb; Lesser Trefoil; Green Alkanet; Buddleia; Yellow-Wort; Elder; Cow Parsley; Common Nettle; Red Campion; Bittersweet; Gorse; Common Ragwort and Goosegrass.

Lepidopterans seen were:- Shaded Broad Bar (*1); Yellow-Shell (*1); Red Admiral (*2); Nettle Tap Moth (*1); Green Veined White (*3); Painted Lady (*1); Meadow Brown (*1); Cinnabar Moth (*3); Silver Y (*2); Small White (*1); Small Tortoiseshell (*2) and 4 Mullein Moth larvae.

Other insects seen were:- 9 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 1 * Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri); 3 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Hoverfly (Eristalis tenax); 5 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Hairy Shield Bug (Dolycoris baccarum); 4 * Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 14 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and 3 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae).

The few galls picked out were:- Aceria nervisequa; Macrodiplosis dryobia; Eriophyes inangulis; Aceria pseudoplatani; Psyllopsis fraxini; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Cecidophyes rouhallii and Iteomyia capraea.

Birds noted were:- Blue Tit (*1); Wren (*1); Cormorant (*1); Jackdaw (*2); Herring Gull (10+); Blackbird (*6); Starling (*15); Swift (*4); Goldfinch (*9); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Feral Pigeon (*2); Wood Pigeon (*4); Great Black Backed Gull (*1); Swallow (*9); Lesser Black Backed Gull (10+); Black Headed Gull (*5); Carrion Crow (*2); Mallard (*26); Shelduck (*3); Pied Wagtail (*4); Little Egret (*4); Magpie (*2); Sand Martin (*20); Blackcap (*2); Greenfinch (*2); Oystercatcher (100+); Mistle Thrush (*2); Great Tit (*4); Dunnock (*1); Linnet (*5); Common Tern (*1); Skylark (*1); Song Thrush (*1); Chiffchaff (*1); House Martin (*7) and Common Whitethroat (*1).

We also saw Wall Rue, 2 * Rabbit; Orange Lichen (Xanthoria parietina); a Pill Woodlouse; Wall Barley; Cock's-Foot; Crested Dog's Tail; Silver Birch; Ash; Common Beech; Sycamore; Hawthorn and Common Alder.

14th June 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Mothing overnight produced:- Light Brown Apple Moth (*4); Lozotaenia forsterana (*1); Heart and Dart (*14); Small Magpie (*2); Garden Carpet (*2); Marbled Minor agg (*2); Riband Wave f. remutata (*1); Mompha subbistrigella (*1); Bee Moth (*2); Tachystola acroxantha (*3); Diamond Back Moth (*2); Common Marbled Carpet (*1); Apple Leaf Miner (*4); Dark Arches (*1); Large Yellow Underwing (*2); Tinea trinotella (*1); Fan-Foot (*1); Light Arches (*1) and Rustic (*1).

Greater Willowherb was in flower in the garden, the 200th species seen today.

13th June 2020 - Princes Incline and Macclesfield Canal, Poynton, Cheshire - A good regular walk with my wife and daughter in grand weather. Hoverflies seen were singles of:- Helophilus pendulus; Helophilus hybridus; Leucozona laternaria; Chrysogaster solstitialis and Episyrphus balteatus.

Other insects seen were:-3 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 4 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis opaca); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis) and 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus).

On the lepidoptera front I spied:- 1 * Small Tortoiseshell; 1 * Orange Tip; 3 * Speckled Wood; 3 * Meadow Brown; 1 * Large Skipper; 1 * Common Marbled Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Diamond Back Moth; 1 * Silver Ground Carpet; 1 * Aethes smeathmanniana; 1 * Ancylis achatana and 1 * Blood-Vein.

3 galls were seen, these were:- Aceria nervisequa; Wachtliella persicariae and Acalitus stenaspis

12th June 2020 - Daisy Nook to Park Bridge, G. Manchester - A walk along the interconnecting pathway between these 2 areas in whipping winds and blustery showers. We cracked on, had a chippy meal to finish and saw the following birds:- Mallard (*3); House Sparrow (*3); Magpie (*4); Wood Pigeon (*4); Moorhen (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Blackbird (*1); Swallow (*2); Jackdaw (*1); Wren (*1); Song Thrush (*1); Swift (*1) and Goldfinch (*4).

Insect life was obviously low but we did pick out the following Hoverflies:- Episyrphus balteatus (*6); Syrphus ribesii (*1); Syritta pipiens (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*2); Chrysogaster solstitialis (*1) and Eristalis pertinax (*3).

2 butterflies were picked out, namely:- Large Skipper and a Meadow Brown.

Other insects seen were:- 2 * Blue Tailed Damselfly; 1 * Large Red Damselfly; 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) and several Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni).

Blooms swaying in the breeze were as follows:-

A White Lipped Banded Snail and the Galls:- Psyllopsis fraxini; Iteomyia capraea; Pontania pedunculi; Eriophyes laevis and Eriophyes inangulis were also seen.

Other insects seen were:- Orange Hawkweed; Yellow Rattle; Common Comfrey; Marsh Thistle; Brooklime; Meadow Vetchling; Cuckooflower; Tormentil; Common Ragwort; Lesser Trefoil; Procumbent Pearlwort; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Dame's Violet; Welsh Poppy; Tall Melilot; Dotted Loosestrife; Red Campion; Nipplewort; Hedge Woundwort; Figwort; Yellow Water Lily; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Common Bistort; Elder; Curl Leaved Dock; Broad Leaved Dock; Ribwort Plantain; Bittersweet; Bush Vetch; Bulbous Buttercup; Japanese Rose; Meadow Buttercup; Daisy; Dandelion agg; Shepherd's Purse; Yellow Flag Iris; Garlic Mustard; Goosegrass; Foxglove; Hogweed; Red Clover; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Common Nettle; Cow Parsley; Dropwort; Bramble agg and Creeping Buttercup.

11th June 2020 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - After work I had a short mooch around the local area. The Walnut Gall (Aceria erinea) was back out and seen on leaves being blown all over the place by a quite blustery breeze.

Hoverflies seen in the breeze were:- Episyrphus balteatus (*16); Syritta pipiens (*7); Xylota segnis (*5); Helophilus pendulus (*2); Platycheirus albimanus (*1); Syrphus ribesii (*1) and Eristalis pertinax (*2).

Other insects seen were:- 9 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 30+ Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea); 1 * Ichneumon Wasp (Amblyteles armatorius); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi).

4 Speckled Woods were on the wing too.

10th June 2020 - Bruntwood Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - Grotty weather, grey skies and rain but a short walk saw a few insects found, these were:- 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 21 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 9 * Dance Fly (Empis opaca); 4 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma analis) and 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).

Helophilus pendulus (*1); Helophilus hybridus (*1) and Episyrphus balteatus (*4) were the only Hoverflies seen.

Moths noted were:- Yellow-Shell (*1) and Celypha lacunana (*1) with a Meadow Brown Butterfly thrown in.

Plant Galls seen were:- Mikiola fagi; Eriopyes leiosoma; Aceria pseudoplatani; Andricus kollari; Pontania proxima; Acalitus stenaspis; Trioza remota; Psyllopsis fraxini and Phyllocoptes goniothorax.

Marsh Woundwort and Figwort in flower and 2 Leopard Slugs were the only other things added.

9th June 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Work, a ride home and a check of a tiny local pond. Hoverflies around the edge were:- Xylota segnis (*1); Eristalis pertinax (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*4) and Volucella pellucens (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Speckled Wood (Parage aegeria); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 3 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 3 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 9 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum).

Meadowsweet was now in flower.

8th June 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Cycling along an Rosebay Willowherb was in good flower and 4 Swifts whizzed over the water.

The Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata) was picked out as well as 35 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomous norwegicus) and 7 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).

8th June 2020 - Fletcher Moss, Stockport, G. Manchester - Another grey day and so a short bike ride. I am run down with a sore throat, I just had a pootle around the edge of a couple of rugby pitches. With the naked orb I was lucky to spy:- 2 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 9 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 3 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 3 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea); 1 * Fruit Fly (Terellia ruficauda) and 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis).

Hoverflies seen were:- 1 * Syritta pipiens; 1 * Platycheirus granditarsus; 1 * Eristalis intricaria; 1 * Helophilus hybridus and 4 * Episyrphus balteatus.

Moths seen were:- 1 * Silver Ground Carpet Moth; 5 * Common Marbled Moth; 1 * Ancylis badiana and 4 * Chrysoteuchia culmella.

The gall Vasates quadripedes was noted too.

7th June 2020 - Alkrington Woods, Stockport, G. Manchester - A drizzly day that didn't stop us wandering on at our 826th wildlife location in the UK. Birds seen today were:- Blackbird (*1); Wood Pigeon (*1); Grey Wagtail (*1); Robin (*1); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*3); Jackdaw (*2); Grey Heron (*2); Dunnock (*2); Song Thrush (*2); Magpie (*1); Mallard (*22); Coot (*17); Mute Swan (*2); Canada Goose (*48); Feral Pigeon (*2); Black Headed Gull (*5); Treecreeper (*2); Tufted Duck (*2); Moorhen (*1); Wren (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Oystercatcher (*1) and a Kingfisher seen by Gill.

Flowers in bloom were:- White Clover; Ground Elder; Broad Leaved Dock; Hogweed; Creeping Buttercup; Common Nettle; Cuckooflower; Meadow Buttercup; Marsh Thistle; Red Clover; Cow Parsley; Wood Avens; Garlic Mustard; Dame's Violet; Bramble agg; Common Bistort; Druce's Crane's-Bill; Daisy; Yellow Flag Iris; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Herb Robert; Foxglove; Pink Purslane; Common Sorrel; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Shepherd's Purse; Smooth Sow Thistle; Wall Speedwell; Welsh Poppy; Red Valerian; Groundsel; Procumbent Pearlwort; Fringe Cups; Elder; Dandelion agg; Goosegrass; Figwort; Ox-Eye Daisy; Common Knapweed; Gorse; Common Comfrey; Tufted Vetch; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Dog Rose and Meadow Vetchling.

A few insects seen were:- 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Caddis Fly (Mystacides longicornis); 1 * Figwort Weevil (Cionus scrophulariae); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristata); 2 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis nemorum); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina).

Galls listed were:- Iteomyia capraea; Eriophyes laevis; Eriophyes inangulis; Aceria pseudoplatani; Pontania pedunculi; Aceria nervisequa; Pontania proxima; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Eriophyes exilis; Eriophyes tiliae; Mikiola fagi and Psyllopsis fraxini.

Wood Horsetail was looking mighty pretty as was Wall Barley and Black Bent.

6th June 2020 - Chadkirk Chapel, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk with the good lady, we cracked on with showers aplenty, it weren't a bad do. Flowers in bloom were:- Daisy; Creeping Buttercup; Goosegrass; Bittersweet; Ground Elder; Red Campion; Common Nettle; Meadow Buttercup; Bramble agg; Herb Robert; Elder; Common Bistort; Bush Vetch; Dandelion agg; Hedge Mustard; Creeping Thistle; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Hedge Woundwort; Broad Leaved Dock; Ribwort Plantain; Cow Parsley; Ox-Eye Daisy; Lesser Trefoil; Wood Avens; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Red Valerian; Welsh Poppy; Foxglove; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Common Mouse-Ear; Green Alkanet; Nipplewort and Yellow Pimpernel.

The few galls noted were:- Eriophyes similis; Aceria nervisequa; Eriophyes leiosoma; Iteomyia capraea; Pontania proxima; Aceria macrorhyncha; Aceria pseudoplatani and Psyllopsis fraxini.

A few insects seen, these were:- 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 7 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Mirid Bug (Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 9 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 10 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 4 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis) and 29 Mullein Moth larvae (Cucullia verbasci).

2 Smooth Newts were also noted.

5th June 2020 - Brookfields Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk in the rain with the odd sunny spell. I found a rare plant gall, very few records in the UK, it was on Beech and called Mikiola fagi. Other galls seen were:- Aceria macrochela; Aceria eriobia; Aceria pseudoplatani; Aceria macrorhyncha; Pontania proxima; Aceria nervisequa; Andricus curvator; Trioza remota; Psyllopsis fraxini; Dasineura fraxini; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes inangulis; Pontania pedunculi and Iteomyia capraea.

Plants in flower were:- Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Bramble agg; Common Nettle; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Common Ragwort; Yarrow; Goosegrass; Dandelion agg; Elder; Lesser Swine Cress; Ground Elder; Bush Vetch, Red Clover; Daisy; Cow Parsley; Hogweed; Germander Speedwell; Pineappleweed; Red Campion; Shepherd's Purse; Broad Leaved Dock; White Clover; Ox-Eye Daisy; Meadow Vetchling; Tufted Vetch; Silverweed; Hedge Woundwort and Common Knapweed.

Trees recorded were:- Common Lime; Beech; Copper Beech; Hawthorn; Silver Birch; Holly; Ash; Field Maple; Horse Chestnut; Sycamore; Sweet Chestnut and Spindle.

The few insects seen were:- 4 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Forest Bug (Pentatoma rufipes); 5 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) and 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus).

A Striped Woodlouse; Grey Squirrel; Pendulous Sedge; Field Horsetail; Cock's-Foot Grass; Buddleia globbosa and Crested Dog's Tail were a few other things thrown into the mix.

The few birds seen were:- Blackbird (*5); Mistle Thrush (*2); Wood Pigeon (*2); Carrion Crow (*2); Ring Necked Parakeet (*1); Mallard (*1); Dunnock (*1); Magpie (*3); Blackcap (*1); Robin (*1); Sparrowhawk (*1);

3rd June 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A cycle into Stockport for a cooked chicken. On the way back I came down the River mersey and saw 52 flowers in bloom, these were:- Hairy Tare; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Yellow Flag Iris; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Broom; Greater Celandine; Creeping Cinquefoil; Comfrey agg; Curl Leaved Dock; Orange Hawkweed; Yellow-Rattle; Common Knapweed; Black Medick; Garlic Mustard; Broad Leaved Dock; Ribwort Plantain; Creeping Buttercup; Giant Hogweed; Red Campion; Dame's Violet; Oxford Ragwort; American Wintercress; Meadow Buttercup; Common Ragwort; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Ground Elder; Creeping Thistle; Hogweed; Large Bindweed; Tufted Vetch; Herb Robert; Ox-Eye Daisy; Daisy; Red Clover; White Clover; Common Nettle; Feverfew; Elder; Red Valerian; Lesser Trefoil; Procumbent Pearlwort; Wall Speedwell; Nipplewort; Bramble agg; Goosegrass; Monkeyflower; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Prickly Sow Thistle; Meadow Vetchling; Wood Avens and Groundsel.

Plant Galls seen were:- Pontania proxima; Psyllopsis fraxini; Aceria pseudoplatani; Aceria macrorhynca; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Iteomyia capraea; Dasineura fraxini; Phyllocoptes populi; Pontania pedunculi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Trioza remota; Eriophyes exilis; Eriophyes tiliae; Aceria nervisequa; Biorhiza pallida; Aceria tenellus and Phytoptus avellanae.

The Common Lime Aphid (Eucallipterus tiliae) was also seen.

Birds noted via the naked eye were:- House Martin (*5); Mallard (*9); Sand Martin (*8); Feral Pigeon (*14); Blue Tit (*1); Wren (*1); Magpie (*3); Grey Wagtail (*4); Dunnock (*2); Wood Pigeon (*4); Starling (60+); Robin (*1); Goldfinch (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Swift (*2); Black Headed Gull (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*4) and Song Thrush (*2).

2nd June 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A quick walk after work and I checked a few Hogweed flowers - I saw the following Hoverflies sat atop the umbels:- Helophilus pendulus (*1); Eristalis pertinax (*3); Myathropa florea (*5); Eristalis intricaria (*1) and Episyrphus balteatus (*1). 2 Swollen Thighed Beetles (Oedemera nobilis) and 12 Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) were also seen enjoy the white, lacy landing platforms.

I also spied:- 1 * Conopid Fly (Sicus ferrugineus); 1 Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) and 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi).

Figwort; Claridge Druce's Crane's-Bill and Bladder Campion were in flower and the gall Iteomyia capraea was added to the small tally.

1st June 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Poor mothing again but I see plenty of wildlife so no gripes. The list was:- Common Marbled Carpet (*2); Willow Beauty (*2); Bee Moth (*1); Heart and Dart (*10); Bright Line, Brown Eye (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*3); Tachystola acroxantha (*1) and Mompha subbistrigella (*2).

The Hoverfly (Merodon equestris) was buzzing around the garden.

1st June 2020 - Stanley Green, Stockport, G. Manchester - Just over 9.5 mile on the bike today and at half way I had a pootle around this local'ish area. Again it was too hot for the Hoverfly with the list seen as follow:- Melanostoma scalare (*3); Episyrphus balteatus (*5); Eristalis horticola (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*1) and Cheilosia albitarsus/ranunculi agg (*1).

Lepidopterans seen were few, these being:- Large Skipper (*1); Meadow Brown (*1); Small Tortoiseshell (*1); Straw Dot (*1); Silver Ground Carpet (*1); Micropterix aruncella (*1) and Celypha lacunana (*1).

Insects observed were:- 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 11 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 3 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 7 * Delphacid Bug (Ditropis pteridis); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Tachina fera); 3 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla) 5 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * Dance Fly (Empis opaca); 1 * Forest Shield Bug (Pentatoma rufipes); 1 * Mirid Bug (Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Miris striatus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 6 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 8 Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 22 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 10 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 1 * Lacehopper (Tachycixius pilosus)1 * Notch-Horned Cleg (Haematopota pluvialis); 1 * Leafhopper (Eupteryx urticae); 1 * Small Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Thistle Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Eurpean Cinchbug nymph (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Spiked Shield Bug nymph (Picromerus bidens); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 2 * Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Tephritis cometa); 2 * Mirid Bug (Phylus melanocephalus); 1 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus) and 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus).

Birds seen whilst bug hunting were few but all were recorded:- Moorhen (*1); Goldfinch (*1); Swift (*8); Robin (*2); Dunnock (*1); Wren (*2); Carrion Crow (*2); Chiffchaff (*1); Jackdaw (*4); Magpie (*1); Wood Pigeon (*5); Blue Tit (*1) and Blackbird (*1).

Honeysuckle was in flower.

31st May 2020 - Llynclys Common, Oswestry, Shropshire - Another place we knew would be void of people - 7 seen throughout the walk. Alas it was also void of many other things with the heat being a real sizzler. Flowers seen were:- Bush Vetch; Cow Parsley; Germander Speedwell; Goosegrass; Common Sorrel; Ramsons; Garlic Mustard; Greater Stitchwort; Red Clover; Ribwort Plantain; Herb Robert; Black Bryony; Common Nettle; Bluebell; Wood Avens; Crosswort; Spindle; Greater Butterfly Orchid (*46); Fragrant Orchid (*2); Aquilegia agg; Wild Strawberry; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Lesser Spearwort; Red Campion; Marsh Thistle; Eyebright agg; Welsh Poppy; Wall Speedwell; Groundsel; Fairy Flax; Honeysuckle; Ground Ivy; Nipplewort; Dog Rose and Hogweed.

3 hoverflies were:- Helophilus pendulus (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*2) and Eristalis pertinax (*1).

The only lepidoptera on the wing was:- Speckled Wood (*5); Small White (*1); Dingy Skipper (*1); Brown Silver Line (*3) and Celypha lacunana (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Broad Bodied Chaser; 1 * Orchid Beetle (Dascillus cervinus); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper; 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa germanica) and 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata).

Galls noted were: - Aceria pseudoplatani; Psyllopsis fraxini; Blennocampa phyllocolpa and Stenacis convolvens.

7 bird species were seen, Great Tit; Willow Warbler; Wood Pigeon; Chiffchaff; Carrion Crow; Swallow and Blackbird. We were just too fagged out to check for more.

Wood Melick was frequent.

31st May 2020 - Dolgoch Quarry, Oswestry, Shropshire - A trip out at a place were we knew would be quiet - only 6 people seen all morn. The habitat for butterflies is changing and there was very little about. The only flutterers seen were:- Large Skipper (*1); Common Blue (*1); Green Veined White (*1); Speckled Wood (*1); Small Tortoiseshell (*1) and Dingy Skipper (*4). The only moths seen were:- Adela reurmurella (*1) and Celypha lacunana (*1).

It was too hot for hoverflies and the few we did see were:- Anasimyia contracta (*4); Rhingia campestris (*1); Scaeva pyrastri (*1); Eristalis pertinax (*1) and Episyrphus balteatus (*1).

Odonates noted were:- Broad Bodied Chaser (*1); Banded Demoiselle (*1); Beautiful Demoiselle (*4); Large Red Damselfly (*7); Azure Damselfly (*3); 4 Spotted Chaser (*2) and Black Tailed Skimmer (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum); 11 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 4 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 4 * Woundwort Shield Bug (Eysacoris venustissimus); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis cryptica) and 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis).

Other bits and pieces added were:- Quaking Grass; Shiny Woodlouse; Smooth Newt; Large Yellow Slug agg and the galls:- Eriophyes laevis; Eriophyes inangulis; Iteomyia capraea; Erioiphyes similis and Aceria pseudoplatani.

The few birds seen were:- Magpie (*1); Pheasant (*1); Blackbird (*3); Robin (*1); Great Tit (*3); Buzzard (*1); Chiffchaff (*1); Dunnock (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Swallow (*2) Greenfinch (*1) and House Sparrow (*1).

Blooms noted were:- Elder; Red Campion; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Figwort; Hedge Woundwort; Lesser Trefoil; Black Medick; Marsh Thistle; Lesser Spearwort; Wild Strawberry; Mouse Ear Hawkweed; Bulbous Buttercup; Germander Speedwell; Ramsons; Pyramidal Orchid; Ox-Eye Daisy; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Red Clover; Black Bryony; Greater Perinwinkle; Garlic Mustard; Bush Vetch; Herb Robert; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Daisy; Bramble agg; Cow Parsley; Common Nettle; Goosegrass; Wood Avens; Dandelion agg and White Clover.

30th May 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A quiet sit in a secluded spot reading a book on Renoir. 3 Grey Wagtails and a Kingfisher blessed me with their presence and I saw 7 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * 2 Spot Ladybirds (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopterys splendens); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Blood-Vein Moth (Timandra comae); 2 Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea) and 3 Hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus).

Monkeyflower was in bloom too.

30th May 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Only a few moths again, there is a Robin hanging around the trap early doors, what a perisher but who am I to deny an opportunistic beauty? The moths recorded were:- Elephant Hawk-Moth (*1); Bright Line, Brown Eye (*1); Bee Moth (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*2); Cinnabar Moth (*1); Marbled Minor agg (*1): Heart and Dart (*2) and Mompha subbistrigella (*2).

The Hoverfly (Eristalis tenax) was also in the trap.

Another Hoverfly turned up in the garden later in the day, it was Scaeava pyrastri.

The Bay Leaf Gall (Trioza alacris) was now getting numerous.

29th May 2020 - Ladybrook Valley Cycleway, Stockport, G. Manchester - An early morning cycle and walk combo, Hoverflies seen were:- Eupeodes luniger (*1); Eristalis intricaria (*1); Melanostoma scalare (*4); Xylota segnis (*3); Eristalis pertinax (*3); Myathropa florea (*4); Helophilus pendulus (*5); Helophilus hybridus (*1); Merodon equestris (*1) and Xylota sylvarum (*1).

Other insects noted were:- 40 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 11 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 5 * Speckled Wood (Parage aegeria); 7 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Light Brown Apple Moth (Epiphyas postvittana); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 11 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum); 1 * Crane-Fly (Epiphragma ocellare); 2 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 3 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocrea); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum) and 2 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa).

Blooms noted were:- Bittersweet; Garlic Mustard; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Common Nettle; Curl Leaved Dock; Broad Leaved Dock; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Goosegrass; Cow Parsley; Bramble agg; Elder; Pineappleweed; Red Campion; Hedge Mustard; Shepherd's Purse; Figwort; Ribwort Plantain; Rape; Yellow Flag Iris; Nipplewort; Common Field Speedwell; Hogweed; Ground Elder; Bush Vetch; Welsh Poppy; Fringe Cups; Guelder Rose and Silverweed.

Plant Galls seen were:- Pontania proxima; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Eriophyes similis; Taphrina pruni; Aceria pseudoplatani; Iteomyia capraea; Pontania pedunculi; Psyllopsis fraxini; Eriophyes inangulis; Aceria nervisequa and Aceria macrorhyncus.

No binoculars today so only a few birds were listed, these were:- Magpie (*2); House Sparrow (*2); Jackdaw (*2); Wood Pigeon (*2); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Dunnock (*1); Blackbird (*2); Blackcap (*1); Wren (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*1) and Song Thrush (*1).

Garden Snail; White Lipped Banded Snail and Grey Squirrel were added to the mornings tally.

28th May 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Work in the morn and then chores later on - it was too hot to pootle but I caught a few moths overnight - emphasis on few:- Hedya nubiferana (*1); Bee Moth (*2); Light Brown Apple Moth (*1); Heart and Dart (*1); Notocelia cynosbatella (*1) and Bright Line, Brown Eye (*1).

In the garden in the afternoon Hogweed was looking fantastic and the Ox-Eye Daisies were attracting a few buzzing beasties one of which was the Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens). Nearby the Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata) resting the the dazzling sun.

A pupa I found woven on an Ivy Leaf hatched out - it was the Large Ivy Tortrix (Lozotaenia forsterana).

27th May 2020 - Ladybrook Interest Trail, Stockport, G. Manchester - I returned home after the previous jaunt via the this open and interesting route. It was still early so species were limited. A few noteable flowers sporting blooms were:- Brooklime; Silverweed; Germander Speedwell and Bush Vetch.

A few Hoverflies started to show their faces, these were:- Xylota segnis (*2); Episyrphus balteatus (*3); Myathropa florea (*3); and Cheilosia illustrata (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Tachnid Fly (Tachina fera); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis opaca); 3 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 10 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 11 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Sawfly (Tenthredo mesomela); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea) and 4 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).

A Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipteris simpliciella); a Common Roller (Ancylis badiana) and a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) were the lepidopterans on the wing.

27th May 2020 - Bramhall Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - Having cut back on the bike riding this month I did manage to squeak through the 200 mile barrier today with a short early morn jaunt to this nearby park. Birds seen were:- Moorhen (*2); Mallard (*39); Canada Goose (*25); Coot (*1); Mandarin (*4); Robin (*4); Magpie (*1); Grey Wagtail (*3); Wren (*1); Carrion Crow (*2); Grey Heron (*1); Wood Pigeon (*2); Blackbird (*4); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*2) and Song Thrush (*1).

It was too early for insects but in the odd sunny alcove I saw a few eager risers:- 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 17 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 4 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Straw Dot Moth (Rivula sericealis) and 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).

Flowers in bloom were:- Wood Avens; Red Campion; Creeping Buttercup; Daisy; Sweet Cicely; Dame's Violet; Ground Elder; Garlic Mustard; Ramsons; Cow Parsley; Herb Robert; Meadow Buttercup; Common Nettle; Common Bistort; Dandelion agg; Cuckooflower; Yellow Flag Iris; Groundsel; Shepherd's Purse; Common Sorrel; Ribwort Plantain and Brooklime.

A few galls noted were:- Trioza remota; Pontania proxima; Eriophyes tiliae; Taphrina tosquinetii; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes exilis and Acalitus brevitarsus.

Copper Beech, Wood Horsetail were also pondered Field Horsetail.

26th May 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - More moths to record, these being:- Willow Beauty (*2); Peppered Moth (*1); Garden Carpet (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*2); Argyresthia trifasciata (*2); Bright Line, Brown Eye (*2); Bee Moth (*2); Heart and Dart (*2) and Tachystola acroxantha (*1).

18 Large White larvae were on a rather robust crucifer plant and 2 Hoverflies buzzed about, these being:- Myathropa florea and Helophilus pendulus.

26th May 2020 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - After work I nipped back through Abney Hall, had a chat to resident photographers the gentlement that is Tony Braithewaite and his friend Josie. I pootled forth and saw a few species.

Lepidopterans seen were:- Green Veined White (*1); Straw Dot (*7); Celypha lacunana (*1) and Blood-Vein (*1).

Hoverflies seen were;- Xylota sylvarum (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*2); Melanostoma scalare (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*1); Merodon equestris (*1) and Eristalis nemorum (*1).

Other insects noted were:- 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 15 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 3 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Turnip Sawfly (Athalia rosae); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 Scorpion Fly (Panorpa germanica); Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea) and 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).

Crested Dog's Tail Grass was coming on and the Gall (Trioza remota) was observed.

26th May 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - More mothing, again only a lowly count but...they all matter. Species seen were:- Marbled Minor agg (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*3); Brimstone (*1); Common Marbled Carpet (*1); Tachystola acroxantha (*2); Bee Moth (*4); Heart and Dart (*3); Brown House Moth (*1); Cinnabar Moth (*1); Argyresthia trifasciata (*1); Mompha subbistrigella (*1) and Hedya nubiferana (*1).

3 Red Tailed Bumblebees (Bombus lapidarius) were feeding in the garden despite the dull skies and the resident Orange Tip larva was getting bigger by the day!

25th May 2020 - River Dee, Cheshire - An early start and a somewhat early finish due to my glasses breaking and us both getting frazzled. Despite big expectations we didn't see as much as we expected but, what we did see was enjoyed and recorded.

Odonates noted were:- Club Tailed Dragonfly (*1); Banded Demoiselle (*24); Azure Damselfly (*1); Blue Tailed Damselfly (*1) and Hairy Dragonfly (*2).

Lepidopterans seen were:- Small White (*13); Common Blue (*1); Small Tortoiseshell (*4); Peacock (*2); Large White (*1); Green Veined White (*9); Straw Dot (*1); Cock's-Foot Moth (*1); Timothy Tortrix (*1); Garden Grass Veneer (*1) and Silver Ground Carpet (*4).

Hoverflies were poor, they aren't daft, when it gets hot they bugger off, I don't blame em'. The few species seen were:- Eristalis pertinax (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*2) and Melanostoma scalare (*2).

Other insects noted were:- 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 3 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 8 Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Turnip Sawfly (Athalia rosae); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata) 2 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Splayed Deer Fly (Chrysops caecutiens); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 1 * Alder Fly (Sialis lutaria); and 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea).

Birds seen today were as follows:- Long Tailed Tit (*7); Mute Swan (*6); Mandarin (*2); Great Tit (*1); Blue Tit (*1); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*5+); Herring Gull (*1); Reed Bunting (*1); Sedge Warbler (*1); Pied Wagtail (*1); Mistle Thrush (*1); Wren (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Mallard (*8); Common Whitethroat (*1); Sand Martin (*1); Wood Pigeon (*3); Carrion Crow (*1); Magpie (*1); Jackdaw (*5) and Blackbird (*4).

Flowers in bloom were few, these being:- Common Sorrel; Meadow Rue; Hogweed; White Clover; Common Nettle; Bramble agg; Cow Parsley; Meadow Buttercup; Ribowrt Plantain; Dandelion agg; Broad Leaved Dock; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Garlic Mustard; Cuckooflower and Ground Elder.

24th May 2020 - Wright's Wood, Stockport, G. Manchester - A grey and dreary day so only a short cycle and a short mooch at a miniscule Nature Reserve. Hoverflies seen were:- Platycheirus albimanus (*1); Melanostoma scalare (*4); Baccha elongata (*1); Leucozona lucorum (*1) and Episyrphuis balteatus (*6).

Other insects seen were:- 30+ * Crane Fly (Limonia phragmitidis); 7 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 10+ * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum); Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Long Horn Moth (Adela reurmurella); 1 * Fern Smut Moth (Physcoides filicivora); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Turnip Sawfly (Athalia rosae); 1 * Short Palped Crane-Fly (Epiphragma ocellare) and 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).

I did see a Fox scurrying away and saw a Chiffchaff, a pair of Blackcaps, several Shiny Woodlice, 1 Rough Woodlouse, 1 Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); 1 * White Legged Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); 4 Starlings, a Carrion Crow and a Toad.

Brooklime and Water Avens were in flower, the latter of dubious origin.

23rd May 2020 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - After a quick shopping trip and a drop off of purchases at my good wife's mums I was dropped off a short distance from home so I could squeeze a walk in. Cutting through this local area the Heavens fractured and the rain fell. I did see a few hoverflies though, these were:- Episyrphus balteatus (*3); Helophilus pendulus (*1); Rhingia campestris (*1); Eristalis nemorum (*2); Eristalis pertinax (*1) and Xylota segnis (*1).

2 * Green Veined White and 1 * Orange Tip were the only butterflies seen and other insects were few, these being:- 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pasacuorum); 1 * Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 4 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) and 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata).

Bittersweet; Brooklime; Greater Spearwort and Marsh Thistle were now in flower.

22nd May 2020 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - By heck the wind was whipping today and my heart went out to all the syrup wearers out there who were endanger of being exposed for the glabrous buggers they really are. Despite the wicked wafts I cycled to a local area and hung around the hedgerows away from were people congregate.

Hoverflies seen today were:- Eristalis pertinax (*3); Melanostoma scalare (*2); Episyrphus balteatus (*4); Helophilus trivittatus (*1); Platycheirus albimanus (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*6); Leucozona lucorum (*1); Myathropa florea (*3); Syrphus ribesii (*1) and Syritta pipiens (*4)

Lepidopterans were represented by:- Silver Ground Carpet (*5); Straw Dot (*2); Green Veined White (*2); Small White (*1); Small Yellow Underwing (*1); Cock's-Foot Moth (*28); Epiblema cirsiana (*1); Cinnabar Moth (*1); Celypha lacunana (*1) and several Small Tortoiseshell larvae.

Other insects seen were:- 8 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 6 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 3 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 6 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); 6 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 3 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 2 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Turnip Sawfly (Athalia rosae); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa germanica); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea) and 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera).

Plant galls seen were:- Psyllopsis fraxini; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes tiliae; Eriophyes similis; Phytoptus tetratrichus and Phytoptus avellanae.

Flowers in bloom were:- Ramsons; Sweet Cicely; Large Bittercress; Yellow Flag Iris; Ground Elder; Green Alkanet; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Creeping Cinquefoil; Bulbous Buttercup; Bush Vetch; White Clover; Dame's Violet; White Dead Nettle; Rape; Wood Avens; Creeping Buttercup; Common Vetch; Cow Parsley; Ribwort Plantain; Lesser Trefoil; Goosegrass; Meadow Buttercup; Hairy Bittercress; Hogweed; Daisy; Common Mouse Ear; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Dandelion agg; Herb Robert; Garlic Mustard; Red Campion; Wood Speedwell and Common Nettle.

Whilst looking for bugs I disturbed a Fox from a sunny area where it was no doubt having a snooze - sorry Mr Fox!

21st May 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - After work it was to hot to dawdle and I was knackered. I did see though a male Orange Tip; a Peacock; a Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); a Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis) and the Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis).

20th May 2020 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - Up early and after a walk round the block with the missus I had a short pootle at this local area. Hoverflies seen were:- Episyrphus balteatus (*1); Meliscaeva auricollis (*2); Melanostoma scalare (*4); Syrphus ribesii (*1); Ferdinandea cuprea (*1); Leucozona lucorum (*1); Myathropa florea (*1); Neoascia podagrica (*1); Eristalis pertinax (*1) and Platycheirus albimanus (*1).

Other bugs seen were:- 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 13 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Hawthorn Shield Bug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); 1 * Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma quadrifaria); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 2 * Broad Centurion Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis) and 2 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae).

2 Kingfishers were whizzing about too - lovely.

Taprina pruni; Eriophyes similis and Aceria pseudoplatani were the only galls noted.

20th May 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Moths caught overnight were few, these were:- Argyresthia trifasciata (*7); Light Brown Apple Moth (*3); Heart and Dart (*2); Common Marbled Carpet (*2); Bee Moth (*2); Bright Line, Brown Eye (*1); Common Pug (*1); Tachystola acroxantha (*1); Freyer's Pug (*1) and Clouded Brindle (*1).

6 Garden Snails; 1 Brown Lipped Banded Snail and 1 White Lipped Banded Snail were up early and a Lesser Black Backed Gull made a fine cacophony overhead.

19th May 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester 3 * Bee Moths were in the bathroom along with a White Shouldered House Moth and a Common Swift - I need to get moth-trapping.

A Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) was buzzing around the garden and a male Orange Tip flew by.

18th May 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Back on the bike today but only a few miles done. The local area produced a few flowers, the most noteworthy being:- Bulbous Buttercup; Cut-Leaved Crane's-Bill; Curled Leaved Dock and Yellow Rattle.

I was only out for a short while with the sun refusing to show itself, I did manage to see the following insects:- 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Turnip Sawfly (Athalia rosae); 3 * Common Red Legged Robberfly (Dioctria rufipes); 3 * Green Leaf Weevil (Phyllobius roboretanus); Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 2 * Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis); Crane-Fly (Limonia phragmitidis) and 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).

Hoverflies seen were:- Helophilus pendulus (*1); Helophilus hybridus (*1); Eristalis arbustorum (*1) and Melanostoma scalare (*5).

A few day-flying moths were seen, these were:- Ancylis badiana (*4); Glyphipterix simpliciella (*2); Grapholita lunulana (*1); Micropterix aruncella (*1); Elachista apicipunctella (*1); Syndemis musculana (*1) and Small Yellow Underwing (*1).

17th May 2020 - Carrington Moss, G. Manchester - A morning walk with the good lady and a few things seen. Birds seen were:- Jackdaw (*1); Mallard (*2); Greenfinch (*1); Kestrel (*2); Skylark (*1); Dunnock (*1); Buzzard (*2); Great Tit (*1); Goldcrest (*1); Starling (*2); Pied Wagtail (*1); Nuthatch (*1); Common Whitethroat (*4); Swallow (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Chiffchaff (*1); Song Thrush (*1); Mistle Thrush (*7); Linnet (*2); Yellowhammer (*2); Robin (*2); Blackcap (*1); Wren (*4); Blue Tit (*1); Treecreeper (*1); Blackbird (*2); Rook (*2); Wood Pigeon (*5); Oystercatcher (*1); Canada Goose (*6); Black Headed Gull (*1); Goldfinch (*3); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Carrion Crow (*3); Lapwing (*31) and Magpie (*15).

Hoverflies were lowly today with species seen being:- Helophilus pendulus (*2); Melanostoma scalare (*2) Leucozona lucorum (*2); Baccha elongata (*1); Helophilus hybridus (*1); Eristalinus sepulchralis (*1) and Eristalis pertinax (*1).

Lepidoptera was represented by:- Red Admiral (*1); Small White (*1); Brimstone (*1); Straw Dot (*1); Silver Ground Carpet (*3); Cock's-Foot Moth (*2); Light Brown Apple Moth (*1); Small Yellow Underwing (*1); Epiblema cirsiana (*2) and Adela reumurella (*1)

Other insects seen were:- 6 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Azure Damselflies (Coenagrion puella); 9 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 6 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 9 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quatuordecimguttata); 3 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 1 * Ground Beetle (Cychrus caraboides); 13 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 5 * Nettle Pollen Beetles (Brachypterus glaber); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Hairy Shield Bug (Dolycoris baccarum); 2 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 1 * Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis); 2 * Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Turnip Sawfly (Athalia rosae); 4 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum); 1 * Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea); 1 * Birch Shield Bug (Elasmostethus interstinctus); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa germanica); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Leafhopper (Adarrus ocellaris) ); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); Ichneumon Wasp (Ophion ventricosus); Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis) and 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata).

Other mini-beasts seen were:- 2 * White Legged Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) and 1 * Striped Millipede (Ommatoiulus sabulosus).

Galls were few, the ones identified were:- Psyllopsis fraxini; Trioza remota; Aceria pseudoplatani; Pontania proxima; Eupontania pedunculi and Eriophyes sorbi.

Flowers blooming away were:- Common Mouse Ear; Daisy; Wavy Bittercress; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Meadow Buttercup; Greater Stitchwort; Holly; Pignut; Yellow Flag Iris; Ramsons; Sweet Woodruff; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Bush Vetch; Red Dead Nettle; Red Clover; Rowan; Goosegrass; Lesser Trefoil; Green Alkanet; Bramble agg; Wood Avens; Hawthorn; Rape; Elder; Ground Elder; Broom; Dandelion agg; Ribwort Plantain; Hogweed; Garlic Mustard; Cow Parsley; Foxglove; Comfrey agg; White Dead Nettle; Red Campion; Thale Cress and Herb Robert.

A Grey Squirrel; Whipe Lipped Snail; Strawberry Snail; Rough Woodlouse; Garden Snail; Pendulous Sedge; Field Horsetail and Cock's-Foot Grass were other species added.

15th May 2020 - Stanley Green, Stockport, G. Manchester - Another bike ride and a pootle finalised with local news coming my way that the site is being built on. With many who have eyes wide shut the building bastards can carry on regardless and get a quick fix that will fill their pockets with money which they can use to try and create an illusion that they are successful. It is a farce, they are selfish pigs and failures - I came home disgusted, it may be apparent!

Anyway, birds seen today were:- Goldfinch (*3); Starling (*1); Reed Bunting (*1); Jackdaw (*1); Dunnock (*3); Song Thrush (*1); Robin (*1); Wren (*1); Blackbird (*3); Blackcap (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*3); Great Tit (*1); Common Whitethroat (*1); Blue Tit (*1); Swift (*2); Stock Dove (*1); Wood Pigeon (*3); Carrion Crow (*1); Magpie (*2) and Chiffchaff (*1).

Insects recorded were:- 2 * Dance-Fly (Empis opaca); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 25 * Mirid Bug (Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 14 * Mirid Bug (Miris striatus); 1 * Dance-Fly (Empis tessellata); 4 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Ichneumon Wasp (Heteropelma amictum); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 2 * Lacehopper (Tachycixius pilosus); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Hairy Templed Thatcher Beetle (Demetrius atricapillus); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernails) and 4 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata).

Lepidoptera species came in the form of:- 1 * Speckled Wood; 1 * Silver Ground Carpet; 1 * Ancylis badiana; 1 * Esperia sulphurella and 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth.

The only hoverflies seen were:- Melanostoma scalare (*1) and Myathropa florea (*1) and Platycheirus rosarum (*1).

Ragged Robin; White LIpped Banded Snail and Striped Woodlouse were the other species added. The Spider (Microlinyphia pusilla) was later confirmed after some on-line help.

13th May 2020 - Mirrlees Fields, Stockport, G. Manchester - The 825th wildlife location I have recorded at in the UK and a local one I had somehow overlooked. It was early morn, the weather was cloudy with sunny breaks and the temperatures was somewhat low but I had a mooch and made a small list of species.

Hoverflies seen were:- Melanostoma scalare (*4); Eristalis pertinax (*1); Epistrophe eligans (*10; Platycheirus albimanus (*1) and Helophilus pendulus (*4).

Other bugs seen were:- 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quatuordecimguttata); 2 * Tachnid Fly (Tachina fera); 3 Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni); Leafhopper (Oncopsis flavicollis) and 4 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum).

A few galls were picked up:- Trioxa remota; Taphrina tosquinetii; Eupontania pedunculi; Biorhiza pallida; Eriophyes laevis and Acalitus rudis.

Flowers in blooming were:- Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Fringe Cups; Rowan; Green Alkanet; Sycamore; Spanish Bluebell; Hogweed; Cuckooflower; Meadow Buttercup; Cow Parsley; Common Nettle; Elder; Horse Chestnut; Common Sorrel; Ribwort Plantain; Yellow Rattle; Red Campion; Holly; Wood Avens; Dandelion agg; Goosegrass; Garlic Mustard; Creeping Buttercup; Hawthorn; Welsh Poppy; Herb Robert and Spotted Dead Nettle.

A few birds were seen with the old peepers:- Bullfinch (*1); Jackdaw (*14); Dunnock (*1); Mistle Thrush (*2); Blackbird (*1); Great Tit (*1); Goldfinch (*1); Chiffchaff (*1); Robin (*1); Wood Pigeon (*3); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Magpie (*5) and Wren (*1).

A Grey Squirrel; a small Rabbit; Rough Woodlouse; Shint Woodlouse; Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); Garlic Snail and Budapest Slug; Pendulous Sedge were other species added.

11th May 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Out of gas and low on motivation so a short 6 mile loop on the bike and home. A few flowers were noted, the best being:- Bird's Foot Trefoil; Black Medick; Bulbous Buttercup; Horse Radish; Hedge Mustard and Ground Elder.

A Greenfinch flew by and showed off its scrumptious colours and 4 galls were seen, these were:- Trioza remota; Protomyces macrosporus; Acalitus rudis and Eriophyes inangulis.

10th May 2020 - Wright's Wood, Stockport, G. Manchester - A tiny and very local nature reserve but one that seems to be well-maintained. We had a quick pootle early morn and noted the following blooms:- Herb Robert; Dandelion agg; Garlic Mustard; Cow Parsley; Hawthorn; Goosegrass; Spanish Bluebell; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Marsh Marigold; Ragged Robin; Three Cornered Leek; Ramsons; Wood Avens and Welsh Poppy.

Pendulous Sedge was still looking fine; the Felt Gall (Aceria pseudoplatani) was found along the periphery of the wooded areas and 2 Mallards quickly left the pond as we pootled through.

9th May 2020 - Stanley Green, Stockport, G. Manchester - A bike ride with the good lady and home before 10am. I didn't indulge in strict list keeping but we both enjoyed what we saw. Birds noted were:- Common Whitethroat; Jay; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Great Tit and 2 Stock Doves.

Hoverflies up early were singles of:- Helophilus pendulus; Melanostoma scalare and Epistrophe eligans.

4 micro moths were noted, these being:- Light Brown Apple Moth; Esperia sulphurella; Glyphipterix simpliciella and Ancylis badiana.

Other insects seen were:- Dance-Fly (Empis opaca); Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); Red Dock Beetle (Apion frumentarium); Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata) and a lone Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).

Thyme Leaved Speedwell and Gorse were in flower and only 2 galls were seen:- Andricus kollari and Biorhiza pallida.

7th May 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A pop to a nearby riverside spot after a morn of work - the sun was blazing and I had plans to list but...I got chatting to one fine bloke and then another and my time was duly taken. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to the two gents in question thoiugh so no complaints - and I even sold a Nettle book - bonus. Whilst there though I did see an Orange Tip; Speckled Wood and Green Veined White as well as a Kingfisher; Grey Wagtail; Pied Wagtail and female Goosander with 6 young - lovely.

Brooklime was in flower too - tis a rich blue to liven the soul.

Other bits seen were a Marmalde Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); a Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina) and a few Common Nettle Weevils (Phyllobius pomaceus).

6th May 2020 - Stanley Green, Stockport, G. Manchester - Only 9.5 miles on the bike today but a good mooch in-between. Hoverflies seen were:- Epistrophe eligans (*3); Myathropa florea (*1); Melanostoma scalare (*11); Helophilus pendulus (*1); Platycheirus albimanus (*2); Cheilosia pagana (*1) and Eristalis pertinax (*8).

Butterflies seen were:- Small Copper (*1); Speckled Wood (*1); Peacock (*1) and Orange Tip (*1).

A few other bugs were recorded, these being:- 4 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 13 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica); 4 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 4 * Dance-Fly (Empis opaca); 1 * Down-Looker Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Dance-Fly (Empis tessellata); 3 * St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula varipennis) and 1 * Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina).

I didn't take the binoculars today but did manage to see the following birds:- Greenfinch (*1); Blackbird (*4); Starling (*16); Jay (*2); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Kestrel (*1); House Sparrow (*2); Wood Pigeon (*7); Goldfinch (*4); Song Thrush (*3); Magpie (*5); Carrion Crow (*3); Great Tit (*4); Jackdaw (*3); Common Buzzard (*1); Blue Tit (*1); Common Whitethroat (*3); Robin (*1); Wren (*1); Chiffchaff (*1) and Blackcap (*1).

Flowers noted were:- Cow parsley; Wood Avens; Hawthorn; Dandelion agg; Meadow Buttercup; Cuckooflower; Pignut; Garlic Mustard; Wavy Bittercress; White Dead Nettle; Bush Vetch; Spanish Bluebell; Herb Robert; Lesser Celandine; Creeping Buttercup; Red Clover; Daisy and Greater Stitchwort,

Giant Horse-Tail and Meadow Foxtail were added to the day's tally.

Galls seen were:- Biorhiza pallida; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Aceria pseudoplatani; Psyllopsis fraxini; Andricus foecundatrix; Neuroterus numismalis (sexual stage); Dysaphis crataegi and Andricus kollari.

5th May 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Work in the morn and a short trip to a nearby pond on the way home. 5 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) and 2 * Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina) were the few insects seen along with the Hoverflies:- Platycheirus albimanus (*1); Eristalis pertinax (*1); Helophilus hybridus (*1) and Syrphus ribesii (*1).

Bramble (Rubus agg) was now in flower and the gall Pontania pedunculi was noted.

4th May 2020 - Alderley Edge, Cheshire - 26 miles on the bike and a stop off halfway at a small enclosure for a rest and a look at some Nettle beds and surrounding vegetation. Hoverflies noted were:- Epistrophe eligans (*2); Helophilus pendulus (*2); Eristalis pertinax (*13); Melanostoma scalare (*5); Platycheirus albimanus (*2); Myathropa florea (*1); Syrphus ribesii (*1); Eristalis interruptus (*1); Leucozona lucorum (*1) and Xylota segnis (*1).

Other insects noted wre 3 * Dagger Flies (Empis tessellata); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus); 2 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quatuordecimguttata); 6 * St Mark's Flies (Bibio marci); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetles (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni); 5 * Nettle Weevils (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 2 * Orange Tailed Mining Bees (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and 2 Mirid Bugs (Harpocera thoracica).

Cuckooflower; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Dandelion agg and Green Alkanet were in flower and a Raven was seen gronking in the sky.

3rd May 2020 - Lindow Common, Wilmslow, Cheshire - 16 miles on the bikes today, the weather was dull so there wasn't a lot to see. Birds listed were:- Dunnock (*1); Magpie (*2); Robin (*2); Blackbird (*1); Coot (*1); Blackcap (*1); Common Whitethroat (*1); Wren (*1); Moorhen (*3 + 6 young); Canada Goose (*2); Mallard (6 + 3 young); Blue Tit (*1) and Great Tit (*1).

Flowers blooming were:- Broom; Aquilegia (garden escape); Red Campion; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Marsh Marigold; Bogbean; Cow Parsley; Ribwort Plantain; Gorse; Dandelion agg; Meadow Buttercup; Wood Forget-Me-Not; Creeping Buttercup and Rowan.

Insects seen were:- St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci); Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); Gorse Seed Weevil (Exapion ulicis); Crane-Fly (Ptychoptera contaminata); Crane-Fly (Tipula vittata); Alder Fly (Sialis lutaria) and Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

A Brown Lipped Banded Snail and several Grey Squirrels were also seen.

2nd May 2020 - Didsbury Park, G. Manchester - A 15.8 mile bike ride with the good lady and a stop off at this small public park. Flowers adding a splash of colour were:- Herb Robert; Welsh Poppy; Wood Avens; Dame's Violet; Garlic Mustard; Bluebell; Ramsons; Greater Celandine; Greater Stitchwort; Dandelion agg; Red campion; Horse Chestnut; Lilac; Groundsel; Green Alkanet and Ivy Leaved Speedwell.

Birds noted were:- Magpie (*4); Blackbird (*1); Starling (*2); Wren (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Wood Pigeon (*4); Jackdaw (*1); Dunnock (*2); Great Tit (*1) and Mallard (*2).

1st May 2020 - Adswood Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short cycle loop today, only 5.4 miles done. I had a wander around a local park, the weather was poor and it is rather a small and public place so sightings were few. Birds noted were:- Collared Dove (*1); Chiffchaff (*1); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Goldfinch (*1); Song Thrush (*2); Blackbird (*2); Magpie (*1); Robin (*1); Jackdaw (*9); Starling (*12); Wood Pigeon (*2) and Carrion Crow (*2).

A Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); numerous Alder leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni); a Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina) and 2 Hoverflies (Melanostoma scalare) were welcome on a gloomy day.

Flowers blooming were:- Red Campion; Rowan; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Slender Speedwell; Shepherd's Purse; Hogweed; Hawthorn; Cow Parsley; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Cuckooflower; Daisy; Dandelion agg and Ribwort Plantain.

Meadow Foxtail was doing well on many uncut fields.

29th April 2020 - Ladybrook Cycle Trail, Stockport, G. Manchester - A return to a recently discovered area that is a mere short cycleway but worthy of records (like everywhere). I didn't hang about so the list was far from comprehensive but it is a start. The few birds noted were:- Wood Pigeon (*1); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Dunnock (*2); House Sparrow (*2); Carrion Crow (*2); Robin (*3); Blackbird (*4); Goldfinch (*1) and Magpie (*1).

Flowers picked out were those of:- Hawthorn; Garlic Mustard; Cow Parsley; Creeping Buttercup; Fringe Cups; Wood Speedwell; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Ramsons; herb Robert; Wood Avens; Hogweed; Butterbur and Meadow Buttercup.

Other things seen were:- Shiny Woodlouse; Rough Woodlouse; Ash Tree; White Lipped Banded Snail; Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) and the Oak Apple Gall (Biorhiza pallida).

29th April 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - Just over 8 miles done on the bike today, Common Nettle was seen in flower as was Comfrey agg. A couple Strawberry Snails were also seen.

The Dandelion (Taraxacum bracteatum) was keyed out during a quite lengthy process and using many sources such as the BSBI on-line key and the tome by Clive Stace.

28th April 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire - A morning in work and home early. Only 6 miles done on the bike today with a few things seen under miserable skies. Galls noted were:- Eriophyes sorbi; Aceria macrochela; Eriophyes tiliae; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes similis and Aceria pseudoplatani.

A Willow Warbler was seen singing in a Willow and a Coot sat on a small pond nearby. 2 House Martins and several Sand Martins whizzed over the water.

2 * 7 Spot Ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata) looked a trifle fed up, numerous Garden Snails were found beneath a log and Red Valerian was now in flower.

26th April 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) and a Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) were in the garden whilst reading and moths from overnight were:- Common Pug (*1); Bee Moth (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*2) and Tachystola acroxantha (*1).

3 specimens of the Ox-Eye Daisy Fly (Tephritis neesii) were sitting atop their preferred plant.

25th April 2020 - Kickety Brook, Stretford, G. Manchester - 19.85 miles on the bike and a new location found. I only had a short pootle due to this ruddy lockdown but all I saw will be recorded. Birds seen were few:- Sparrowhawk (*1); Wood Pigeon (*3); Robin (*1); Greenfinch (*5); Wren (*1); Jackdaw (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Great Tit (*1); Bullfinch (*1); Magpie (*1) and Chiffchaff (*1).

Ribwort Plantain; Dandelion agg; Cow Parsley; Meadow Buttercup; Herb Robert; Hogweed; Garlic Mustard; Hawthorn; White Dead Nettle; Guelder Rose; Creeping Buttercup; Red Campion; Ivy Leaved Speedwell and Bluebell were holding fine blooms.

Hoverfly species seen were:- Syrphus ribesii (*1); Epistrophe eligans (*2); Melanostoma scalare (*2) and Eristalis pertinax (*5).

Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) and Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) were the only other insects seen.

24th April 2020 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - I returned home on the bike by having a quick diversion through this nearby site. Black Medick; Hairy Tare and Hedgerow Crane's-Bill were in flower and the Oak Cherry Gall (Neuroterus quercusbaccarum) was seen.

3 Orange Tips were on the wing as well as the hoverflies:- 3 * Eristalis pertinax and 1 * Epistrophe eligans.

The Saw-Fly (Dolerus madidus) was eventually named after some fine on-line assistance.

24th April 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - 2 Speckled Woods frequented the garden as did a female Orange Tip and the Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalis subrufus). A Light Brown Apple Moth; Tachystola acroxantha and a Bee Moth were all that was found in the overnight trap. A Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) was also in the mix.

Greater Celandine was in flower and a Starling flew by.

23rd April 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - After work I had a pootle at a little hot spot I know. It is a small area at the riverside - there is always something to see although today was quieter than expected.

Hoverflies noted were:- Eristalis pertinax (*3); Syrphus ribesii (*1) and Melanostoma scalare (*1).

Butterflies seen were:- Small White (*3); Orange Tip (*1); Peacock (*2) and Speckled Wood (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 6 * Ground Beetle (Bembidion tetracolum); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Alder Fly (Sialis lutaria) and numerous Pot Bellied Emerald Beetles (Gastrophysa viridula).

Dame's Violet; Large Bittercress and Shining Crane's-Bill were in flower and new for the year.

A male Blackcap and a pair of chasing Chiffchaffs were also bringers on interest.

21st April 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A half-day at work, a short cycle to a small fishing pond and a quick mooch. It was quiet but 3 Large Red Damselflies (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) were fresh and fruity and indicated that the year is tripping along.

A Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io); a Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); a Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina) and a 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) were other insects seen with the hoverflies:- Eristalis pertinax and Melanostoma scalare all that was noted.

20th April 2020 - Bridgewater Canal, Stretford, G. Manchester - Out and about early doors with 19.2 miles covered on ye olde push-iron. Birds seen along this short stretch were:- Feral Pigeon (*12); Blackbird (*1); Blackcap (*1); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Song Thrush (*1): Magpie (*2); House Sparrow (*13); Cormorant (*1); Goldfinch (*7); Mistle Thrush (*2); Canada Goose (*5); Blue Tit (*1) and Wood Pigeon (*3).

Red Campion; Dandelion agg; Daisy; Cow Parsley; Cuckooflower; Herb Robert; Bluebell; Lords and Ladies; Greater Celandine; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Creeping Buttercup; Rowan; Hawthorn and Hogweed were all holding attractive blooms.

2 Common Green Shield Bugs (Palomena prasina) were mating and Field Horsetail was numerous.

19th April 2020 - The Carrs, Wilmslow, Cheshire - A 15 mile bike ride and again done for 9.40am. Birds seen were few but as per, will be recorded. The small gathering of feathered friends were:- Ring Necked Parakeet (*10); Wood Pigeon (*5); Great Tit (*2); Grey Wagtail (*2); Song Thrush (*1); Robin (*2); Carrion Crow (*1); Nuthatch (*1); Jackdaw (*1); Magpie (*7); Mallard (*1) and Blackbird (*2).

Blooms noted were:- Wood Anemone; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Lords and Ladies; Wood Avens; Lesser Celandine; Garlic Mustard; Dandelion agg; Creeping Buttercup; Ramsons; Bluebell; Gorse; Marsh Marigold; Cow Parsley; Ribwort Plantain; Butterbur; Daisy; Ground Ivy; Horse Chestnut and White Dead Nettle.

1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax) and 1* Eristalis intricaria were on the wing.

3 Smooth Newts and a young Toad were seen as well as numerous Garden Snails and the gall (Biorhiza pallida).

It was early so only 1 Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula) was seen.

18th April 2020 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - A bike ride in the chill with a short stop off at this area for a stretch of the legs. Birds seen were:- Magpie (*3); Wood Pigeon (*5); Bullfinch (*2); Blackcap (*2); Ring Necked Parakeet (*3); Mallard (*5); Canada Goose (*2); Moorhen (*2); Blackbird (*5); Robin (*1); Chiffchaff (*2); Song Thrush (*1); Great Tit (*2); Carrion Crow (*5); Goldfinch (*1); Wren (*1); Greenfinch (*1) and Dunnock (*1).

Crack Willow was in good leaf and Lord and Ladies was being rather suggestive.

17th April 2020 - Chorlton Ees NR, G. Manchester - Another bike ride, all done for before 10am. Birds seen were:- Blue Tit (*8); Robin (*5); Blackbird (*6); Goldcrest (*2); Jay (*8); Wood Pigeon (*5); Carrion Crow (*1); Magpie (*3); Song Thrush (*4); Blackcap (*2); Chiffchaff (*1); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Nuthatch (*1); Jackdaw (*1); Chaffinch (*2); Wren (*1); Dunnock (*1); Great Tit (*1); Ring Necked Parakeet (*5); Goosander (*2); Grey Wagtail (*1) and Canada Goose (*4).

Blooms admired were:- Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Garlic Mustard; Cow Parsley; Bluebell; Dandelion agg; Wood Avens; Bird Cherry; Hawthorn; Hogweed; White Dead Nettle; Red Campion; Lesser Celandine; Rape; Cuckooflower; Lords and Ladies; Common Bistort; Bush Vetch; Meadow Buttercup and Ribwort Plantain.

Insects noted were:- 6 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 3 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) and 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula).

15th April 2020 - Sale WP, G. Manchester - Another good bike ride with the air going from darn cold to perfectly acceptable. Birds seen were:- Little Grebe (*10); Chiffchaff (*1); Tufted Duck (*4); Grey Heron (*1); Moorhen (*2); Song Thrush (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Dunnock (*4); Willow Tit (*2); Coal Tit (*1); Nuthatch (*1); Great Tit (*4); Blue Tit (*5); Wood Pigeon (*6); Greenfinch (*1); Bullfinch (*2); Blackcap (*4); Robin (*4); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Jay (*3); Carrion Crow (*1); Blackbird (*5); Magpie (*7); Great Crested Grebe (*1); Wren (*5); Goosander (*4); Mute Swan (*1); Mallard (*11); Coot (*4) and Canada Goose (*16).

Flowers noted were:- Rape; Hogweed; Dandelion agg; Hawthorn; Daisy; Ramsons; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Garlic Mustard; Pendulous Sedge; Bird Cherry; Wood Stitchwort; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Lesser Celandine; Marsh Marigold; Sweet Ciceley; Red Campion; Cow Parsley and Ribwort Plantain.

A Leopard Slug, 6 Brown Rats; a Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) ansd 10+ Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni) were also seen with Cock's-Foot Grass now looking in fine fettle.

Only 1 Hoverfly was noted, this being an early sun-soaking Eristalis pertinax.

14th April 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - 2 Orange Tips; a Peacock and the year's first Speckled Wood were joined by the Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus) and the Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula).

Also seen were several Gooden's Nomad Bees (Nomada goodeniana) making a nuisance of themselves with a Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) colony..

14th April 2020 - Heaton Mersey Bowl, Stockport, G. Manchester - Cyclimg home and a call off was had to do a spot of recording whilst getting my daily exercise. Butterflies seen were:- Orange Tip (*4); Peacock (*2) and Small Tortoiseshell (*3).

Hoverflies noted were:- Ferdinandea cuprea (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*1); Platycheirus albimanus (*3); Eristalis pertinax (*12); Melanostoma scalare (*1); Epistrophe eligans (*1) and Syrphus ribesii (*1).

Other insects listed were:- 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).

Flowers blooming away were:- Bluebell; Daisy; Cuckooflower; Dandelion agg; Creeping Buttercup; Ribwort Plantain and Rowan.

13th April 2020 - Wytrhenshawe Park, G. Manchester - Another bike ride into a sharp wind. The area scanned bore little as it was cold, breezy and ruddy early. Birds seen were:- Wood Pigeon (*11); Magpie (*6); Carrion Crow (*38); Blackbird (*9); Great Tit (*4); Nuthatch (*2); Jay (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Ring Necked Parakeet (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Song Thrush (*2); Goldfinch (*3); Wren (*2); Blue Tit (*1); Dunnock (*1); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*2) and Robin (*1).

Flowers admired those of:- Hawthorn; Hogweed; Grape Hyacinth; Bluebell; Herb Robert; Dandelion; Greater Stitchwort; Lesser Celandine; Ramsons; Cow Parsley; Red Campion; Garlic Mustard; Shepherd's Purse; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Sycamore and Horse Chestnut.

2 examples of the Ground Beetle (Pterostichus madidus) were also confirmed.

12th April 2020 - Cheadle Heath to Chorlton WP, G. Manchester - A 16 mile bike ride with the missus, we didn't really hang about and were back home for 10am. Along the first part of the River Mersey we saw a Sparrowhawk; 3 * Ring Necked Parakeets; a Chaffinch; 2 * Goldfinch and a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly. Around the Northenden area a Peacock butterfly was out early and at Chorlton Water Park we found a stonking Leopard Slug; a Buff Tailed Bumblebee; Garlic Mustard in flower and a fine looking male Pheasant.

On the way back and through Fletcher Moss we went with Bird Cherry in glorious bloom, 2 Hoverflies (Melanostoma scalare) on the wing and a squawking Jay making a brief fly past.

11th April 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - An early morning 13 mile bike ride and home at 7.45am. The day was spent pootling, garden wildlife include Bee Moth (*1); Oak Tree Pug (*1); 2 * Drone-Flies (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata).

Ramsons and Welsh Poppy were now in flower and a pair of Coal Tits fed away unconcerned by my nearby sprawling carcass.

10th April 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Sitting in the garden reading a few books, 3 Hoverfly species buzzed about, these were:- Myathropa florea; Platycheirus albimanus and Eristalis pertinax.

I was delighted to note at the side of my book a Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata), a first for the garden and a real surprise.

The only other insect noted was the Rose Sawfly (Arge pagana).

The toilet held 2 moth species, the Herald and the White Shouldered House Moth - a nice bonus when doing one's ablutions.

10th April 2020 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - Still heading home, I stopped to check a very small area were Nettles and Hawthorn grow. Hoverflies seen were:- Epistrophe eligans (*3); Episyrphus balteatus (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*2); Platycheirus albimanus (*1) and Melanostoma scalare (*3).

Other insects noted were:- 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and 1 * Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina).

3 species of butterfly were seen:- Peacock (*1); Small Tortoiseshell (*2) and Orange Tip (*1).

Field Maple; Creeping Buttercup; Wood Speedwell and Bush Vetch were in flower.

A pair of Mallards were on the river with a flotilla of 11 ducklings - they are just the cutest things imaginable.

10th April 2020 - Northenden, G. Manchester - Cycling homeward and a few hop offs resulted in the following insect sightings:- 18 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 7 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetles (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) and 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae).

Wood Anemone; Ribwort Plantain; Hogweed; Butterbur; White Dead Nettle; 3 Cornered Leek; Lesser Celandine; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Ramson; Sweet Cicely were flowers holding blooms.

Birds seen were:- Sand Martin (*3); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*3); Grey Wagtail (*1); Ring Necked Parakeet (*4); Grey Heron (*1); Greenfinch (*1); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*2); Jay (*1); Kingfisher (*1) and Jay (*1).

8th April 2020 - Vernon Park/Woodbank, Stockport, G. Manchester - A cycle with my wife to these two connected parks. It was another early pootle and way before many bugs were awake. Birds were out and about though, the species noted were:- Blackbird (*15); Wood Pigeon (*20); Goldfinch (*1); Mallard (*15); Robin (*3); Song Thrush (*5); Magpie (*7); Wren (*4); Great Tit (*4); Blue Tit (*2); Buzzard (*1); Nuthatch (*4); Grey Heron (*2); Moorhen (*2); Carrion Crow (*1); Greenfinch (*2); Blackcap (*3); Chiffchaff (*2); House Sparrow (*1); Jackdaw (*1); Starling (*1); Canada Goose (*5); Dunnock (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Mistle Thrush (*1); Collared Dove (*1) + Willow Warbler on call.

Slender Speedwell; Dandelion agg; Daisy; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Lesser Celandine and White Dead Nettle were in flower.

2 Brown Rats; 2 Grey Squirrels; 2 Common Toads; a Budapest Slug; 1 Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 Buff Tailed Bumble Bees (Bombus terrestris) and several White Lipped Banded Snails were noted.

5th April 2020 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Stuck in the garden reading, planting wildflower seeds and drawing. Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) and Rough Woodlice (Porcellio scaber) were seen with colour provided by Red Campion; Lesser Periwinkle and 3 Dandelion agg blooms.

A Magpie; House Sparrow and Blue Tit were the only feathered visitors and 2 moths enetered the overnight toilet window, these were the Beautiful Plume (Ambyptilia acanthadactyla) and a Double Striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata).

5th April 2020 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - On't 2-wheeled contraption with the better half and a small bird list made early doors. Species ween were:- Magpie (*8); Wood Pigeon (*9); Jay (*3); Wren (*4); Bullfinch (*3); Goldcrest (*1); Greenfinch (*1); Blue Tit (*4); Robin (*6); Dunnock (*3); Nuthatch (*1); Ring Necked Parakeet (*3); Carrion Crow (*5); Mallard (*6); Canada Goose (*4); Mandarin Duck (*1); Moorhen (*2); Chiichaff (*2); Blackbird (*6); Jackdaw (*6); Great Tit (*2); House Sparrow (*1); Goldfinch (*1); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Song Thrush (*1) and Cormorant (*1).

Bugs seen were:- 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Buff Tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris); 4 * Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni); 1 * Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); several Black Millipedes (Tachypodoiulus niger) and oodles of Shiny and Rough Woodlice.

Blooms appreciated were:- Blackthorn; Dandelion agg; False Yellow Archangel; 3 Cornered Leek; Slender Speedwell; Marsh Marigold; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Ramsons and Lesser Celandine.

4th April 2020 - Reddish Vale CP, Stockport, G. Manchester - Another bike ride, this time with the good lady. It was a fine early jaunt slightly marred by a puncture at the back end - hey ho, these things happen. Birds seen were:- Jay (*13); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*2); Magpie (*26); Wood Pigeon (*16); Dunnock (*8); Robin (*10); Nuthatch (*4); Blue Tit (*9); Chiffchaff (*2); Wren (*3); Carrion Crow (*3); Mistle Thrush (*3); Song Thrush (*2); Blackbird (*13); Great Tit (*9); Collared Dove (*2); Coot (*7); Mallard (*22); Moorhen (*2); Mandarin Duck (*3); Cormorant (*1); Canada Goose (*13); Ring Necked Parakeet (*1); Mute Swan (*2); Chinese Domestic Goose (*1); Feral Pigeon (*4); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Grey Wagtail (*1); Dipper (*1); Goosander (*5); Bullfinch (*1); Goldfinch (*7); Buzzard (*1); House Sparrow (*5); Jackdaw (*1); Muscovy Duck (*1) and Long Tailed Tit (*1).

Primrose; Dandelion agg; Marsh Marigold; Snake's Head Fritillary; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Cowslip; Cuckooflower; Wood Anemone; Butterbur; Blackthorn and Lesser Celandine were all in flower.

3 Rabbits; 2 Grey Squirrels; a Dusky Slug; 2 White Legged Millipedes (Tachypodoiulus niger); Rough and Shiny Woodlice; 19 * Large Yellow Slugs; 2 * Buff Tailed Bumble Bee; 1 Red Tailed Bumble Bee and some Field Wood Rush were other appreciated species that were duly recorded.

3rd April 2020 - Bruntwood Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - Up, pedals whizzing and counting the birds at a place not too far distant.  The outcome in 2 hours was:- Wood Pigeon (*34); Magpie (*14); Robin (*9); Goldfinch (*5); Wren (*6); Dunnock (*3); Blackbird (*11); Great Tit (*10); Blue Tit (*10); Chaffinch (*2); Mallard (*6); Carrion Crow (*19); Bullfinch (*2); Canada Goose (*5); Chiffchaff (*1); Collared Dove (*2); House Sparrow (*18); Song Thrush (*2); Blackcap (*1); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*3); Starling (*1); Mistle Thrush (*2); Mandarin Duck (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Goldcrest (*1); Jay (*2); Jackdaw (*1) + Nuthatch on call.

Blooms noted were:- Colt's-Foot; Blackthorn; Lesser Celandine and Dandelion agg.

Grey Squirrels were frisky and a Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) was up very early.

2nd April 2020 - Heaton Mersey Common NR, Stockport, G. Manchester - A morning in work and then a pootle on the way home. Birds seen were:- Blackcap (*1); Chiffchaff (*1); Wood Pigeon (*2); Magpie (*3); Carrion Crow (*2); Feral Pigeon (*2); Robin (*1); Mallard (*6); Coot (*1); Blackbird (*2); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Great Tit (*2); Blue Tit (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Dunnock (*1); Bullfinch (*1) and Ring Necked Parakeet (*1).

White Lipped Banded Snail; Garden Snail; Strawberry Snail; Dusky Slug; White Legged Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Variegated Centipede; Large Yellow Slug; Large Red Slug; Shiny Woodlouse; Pygmy Woodlouse; Rough Woodlouse ansd a Grey Squirrel provided other interest.

Ash; Lesser Celandine; Colt's-Foot; Cuckooflower; Ramsons; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Bluebell; Hogweed; Daisy; Dandelion agg; Cow Parsley;

A lone Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) braved the bracing weather.

30th March 2020 - Ladybrook Valley, Interest Trail, Stockport, G. Manchester - Out on the bike early doors and a few things to admire. Birds seen were:- Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Great Tit (*1); Magpie (*5); Wood Pigeon (*6); Robin (*5); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Mallard (*4); Wren (*4); Blackbird (*2); Grey Heron (*4); Chiffchaff (*1); Carrion Crow (*5) and Jay (*2).

Butterbur; Blackthorn; Lesser Celandine; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Hogweed; Red Campion and Daisy were seen in flower.

A Leopard Slug, Garlic Snail, 5 * Garden Snails, 3 * Brown Lipped Banded Snails; 3 Large Yellow Slugs; 10 + White Legged Millipedes (Tachypodoiulus niger) and a Grey Squirrel provided other distractions.

Later in the day I keyed out 2 examples of the Rain Beetle (Pterostichus melanarius).

29th March 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - An early morning bike ride and back before many had risen. The wind was sharp, the sun dazzling - a couple of new flowers were seen in bloom for the first time this year, namely Danish Scurvygrass and Garlic Mustard.

27th March 2020 - Heaton Mersey/Heaton Moor/River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Last day in work for a bit, I counted the birds on the way:- Wood Pigeon (*11); Blue Tit (*2); Blackbird (*5); Magpie (*5); Robin (*1); Goldfinch (*3); Carrion Crow (*1); Wren (*1) and Dunnock (*1).

Bugs seen were:- 3 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) and 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum).

Flowers in bloom were:- American Wintercress; Ox-Eye Daisy; Common Field Speedwell; Dandelion agg; Colt's-Foot; White Dead Nettle; Lesser Celandine; Common Vetch; Daisy; Common Mouse-Ear; Thale Cress and Toothwort.

26th March 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Coming home from work and I found a secluded spot and had a read. Whilst there I saw:- Goosander (*3); Buzzard (*2); Grey Wagtail (*1); Mallard (*3) and Magpie (*2).

3 * Small Tortoiseshell and 1 Peacock were the butterflies who kept me company.

5 Pot Bellied Emerald Beetles (Gastrophysa viridula) and 3 Buff Tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) also joined me on a pleasantly quite day. Bembidion tetracolum was later confirmed after some on-line nudges and assistance.

White Dead Nettle was in flower.

25th March 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Work was closed early, I had a quick pootle around a tucked away pond where people are not to be found. Coot (*2); Canada Goose (*2) were the birds on the water with 2 Goldfinch flying over and a Grey Heron sat atop a nest.

A Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); a White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum); a Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); a Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); a Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); a Daffodil Fly (Norellia spinipes); 4 * Common Green Shieldbugs (Palomena prasina); a Kidney Spot Ladybird (Chilochorus renipustulatus) and a Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) were the insects seen.

A Black Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) and many Shiny Woodlice (Oniscus asellus) were added and Marsh Marigold was in wonderful bloom.

24th March 2020 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - Another Peacock Butterly was seen as well as another Common Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina) and a Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).

2 hoverflies were pootling about, these were:- Episyrphus balteatus and Eristalis pertinax.

24th March 2020 - Heaton Moor/Heaton Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk making some wildlife videos for the families at work who are stuck indoors resulted in:- 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 9 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 31 * Common Green Shield Bugs (Palomena prasina); 2 * Sawfly (Aglaostigma aucupariae) and 1 Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) were all enjoyed by me and my colleague.

Peacock; Small Tortoiseshell and Comma were 3 butterflies picked out too.

Whilst walking home I also added 3 more Peacock Butterflies; a Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); a Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and a Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus).

23rd March 2020 - Frodsham Marsh, Cheshire - A birding mooch away from people - needs must. Species recorded were:- Blue Tit (*7); Robin (*5); Magpie (*15); Carrion Crow (*18); House Sparrow (*7); Wood Pigeon (*3); Buzzard (*7); Jackdaw (*41); Long Tailed Tit (*6); Chiffchaff (*7); Pochard (*2); Moorhen (*3); Blackbird (*6); Goldfinch (*18); Cetti's Warbler (*1); Wren (*3); Fieldfare (*23); Great Tit (*6); Pheasant (*1); Goldcrest (*1); Raven (*9); Canada Goose (*136); Cormorant (*2); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Dunnock (*3); Starling (*20); Meadow Pipit (*3); Feral Greylag Goose (*2); Red Legged Partridge (*1); Stock Dove (*5); Black Headed Gull (*2); Mallard (*13); Gadwall (*4); Coot (*9); Tufted Duck (*8); Grey Heron (*1); Curlew (*4); Wheatear (*1); Stonechat (*2); Mute Swan (*4); Shelduck (74); Oystercatcher (*3); Lapwing (*3); Teal (*20); Golden Plover (*70); Little Egret (*1); Sand Martin (*2); Herring Gull (*1); Great Crested Grebe (*1); Common Gull (*2); Shoveler (*4); Little Grebe (*2); Kestrel (*1); Rook (*5); Pied Wagtail (*2) + Skylark on call.

Flowers in bloom were:- Yellow Wood Sorrel; Hedge Mustard; Cow Parsley; Spotted Dead Nettle; Bluebell; Red Dead Nettle; Green Alkanet; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Common Field Speedwell; Butterbur; Smooth Sow Thistle; Groundsel; Chickweed; Shepherd's Purse; Thale Cress; Common Whitlow Grass; Colt's-Foot; Lesser Celandine; Daisy; Garden Daffodil; Flowering Currant; Gorse; False Yellow Archangel; Greater Periwinkle and Danxdelion agg.

2 Hoverflies were seen, these were:- Eristalis Tenax (*1) and Eristalis pertinax (*4).

2 Butterflies were observed, the species seen were:- Peacock (*1) and Small Tortoiseshell (*16).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Common Green Shield Big (Palomena prasina); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Clarke's Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 6 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

Ash in flower and large budded Horse Chestnut were also added to the day's observations.

22nd March 2020 - Cutacre CP, G. Manchester - A morning walk in glorious sun, with 41 bird species recorded, these were:- Starling (*18); House Sparrow (*30); Dunnock (*4); Magpie (*30); Pied Wagtail (*1); Wren (*3); Long Tailed Tit (*7); Skylark (*9); Wood Pigeon (*14); Meadow Pipit (*3); Carrion Crow (*9); Linnet (*4); Greenfinch (*2); Kestrel (*2); Robin (*5); Blackbird (*4); Mistle Thrush (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Feral Pigeon (*1); Grey Heron (*1); Mallard (*12); Coot (*1); Canada Goose (*8); Gadwall (*1); Moorhen (*6); Tufted Duck (*1); Lesser Black Back Gull (*1); Cormorant (*1); Herring Gull (*1); Lapwing (*2); Black Headed Gull (*6); Great Tit (*2); Jackdaw (*2); Bullfinch (*2); Raven (*1); Stock Dove (*1); Grey Partridge (*2); Reed Bunting (*1); Goldfinch (*2); Buzzard (*1) + 3 Chiffchaffs on call.

Colt's-Foot was in flower everywhere and Dandelion agg and Daisy were also seen in bloom.

3 * Peacock Butterflies were observed was well as 17 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Clarke's Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella) and 2 * Buff Tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus terrestris).

A lone Roe Deer was also picked out.

20th March 2020 - Lee Valley Country Park (Southern half), Essex - A good yomp to stretch the legs durimng a break on a trip to London. Birds noted were:- Goldfinch (*8); Magpie (*8); Wood Pigeon (*15); Long Tailed Tit (*8); Great Tit (*4); Robin (*6); Chiffchaff (*4); Blue Tit (*2); Greylag Goose (*4); Coot (*92); Tufted Duck (*57); Canada Goose (*30); Mallard (*22); Gadwall (*8); Shoveler (*12); Black Headed Gull (*70); Egyptian Goose (*3); Great Crested Grebe (*2); Common Gull (*2); Dunnock (*3); Mute Swan (*7); Moorhen (*6); Red Kite (*2); Carrion Crow (*9); Pochard (*3); Feral Pigeon (*1); Grey Heron (*4); Blackbird (*2); Goosander (*4); Jackdaw (*1); Wigeon (*2); Teal (*6); Wren (*1) Black Tailed Godwit (*1); Little Grebe (*1); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*4); Buzzard (*1); House Sparrow (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Cormorant (*1); Blackcap (*1) + Cetti's Warbler; Greenfinch; Green Woodpecker; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Pheasant Kingfisher on call.

Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Daisy; White Dead Nettle; Red Dead Nettle; Cow Parsley; Lesser Celandine; Colt's-Foot; Blackthorn; Chickweed; Ground Ivy; Bluebell and Green Alkanet were all in flower.

8 * Buff Tailed Bumble Bees (Bombus terrestris); a Devil's Coach Horse (Ocypus olens); 2 Drone Fly's (Eristalis pertinax); a Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus); Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus);

2 Muntjac Deer looked delightful in the sun.

19th March 2020 - Tittesworth Reservoir, Staffordshire - A fine walk with a good breakfast to start and tea and cake to finish. Birds counted were:- Dunnock (*6); Blackbird (*8); Carrion Crow (*15); Mallard (*18); Jackdaw (*5); Wren (*5); Coot (*6); Robin (*13); Oystercatcher (*4); Great Crested Grebe (*12); Song Thrush (*5); Grey Heron (*5); Magpie (*1); Greenfinch (*3); House Sparrow (*4); Cormorant (*10); Fieldfare (*20); Goldfinch (*4); Redwing (*10); Buzzard (*3); Starling (*3); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*3); Pied Wagtail (*4); Chaffinch (*8); Canada Goose (*22); Blue Tit (*6); Great Tit (*9); Tufted Duck (*11); Wood Pigeon (*9); Lapwing (*3); Raven (*2); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*2); Nuthatch (*2); Mistle Thrush (*2); Curlew (*4); Mandarin Duck (*1); Chiffchaff (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*6); Coal Tit (*3); Siskin (*14); Jay (*3); Goosander (*5); Treecreeper (*1); Feral Pigeon (*2); Wigeon (*29); Goldcrest (*1); Mute Swan (*1); Reed Bunting (*2); Kingfisher (*2); Collared Dove (*1); Willow Tit (*2) and Teal (*3).

Daisy; Sweet Violet; Colt's-Foot; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Lesser Celandine; Barren Strawberry; Dandelion agg; Butterbur and Hazel were all in flower.

Several Rabbits; 2 Grey Squirrels and a few Striped Woodlice were other creatures added. 3 * Buff Tailed Bumble Bees (Bombus terrestris) were also seen.

2 lichens were seen with Physcia aipolia covering a fence and Lecanora muralis on an old stone wall. Field Wood Rush was out in profusion.

17th March 2020 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - The local gardener was outside work, he had spotted the local Mining Bee Colony (Andrena nigroaenea) and so, after a tip off from a work colleague I went to have a word.   The good fellow was appreciative and leaving their area along, I was mighty glad about that!  There were numerous males and females, they have been there many years, they are a real bright spot and need looking after.

During dinner, whilst reading outside, a Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) was on the path nearby and seemed a trifled buggered.  I offered him a fruity drink, he raised his legs in a threatening manner so I put him in some shrubbery and left him to it - ooh the nowty bugger!

16th March 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A grand 4 hour walk with my brother having a chinwag and trying to see a few insect species. 7 Spot Ladybird (*2); Kidney Spot Ladybird (*1) and Harlequin Ladybird (*1) were enjoying the sun as were 7 Common Green Shield Bugs.

5 * Buff Tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Daffodil Fly (Norellia spinipes); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) and 1 * Sawfly (Aglaostigma aucupariae) were lovely extras as was a Small Tortoishell - the first of the year, what a joy.

2 Hoverflies seen were:- Episyrphus balteatus (*1) and Eristalis tenax (*2) - I expected more.

Toothwort as found in several large patches and Cowslip was producing the odd bloom.

14th March 2020 - Aqualate Mere, Staffordshire - The second walk of the day before some Non-League Football. Birds seen were:- Jackdaw (*7); Robin (*3); Great Tit (*3); Chaffinch (*3); Carrion Crow (*2); Common Buzzard (*2); Wren (*2); Mute Swan (*4); Coot (*17); Mallard (*3); Blue Tit (*9); Reed Bunting (*2); Cormorant (*6); Goldeneye (*1); Great Crested Grebe (*3); Moorhen (*3); Canada Goose (*9); Treecreeper (*1); Chiffchaff (*1); Blackbird (*3); Coal Tit (*2); Common Pheasant (*1) + Cetti's Warbler on call.

Flowers in bloom were:- Gorse; Bluebell; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Groundsel; Chickweed; Dandelion agg; Slender Speedwell; Primrose and Dog's Mercury.

14th March 2020 - Doxey Marshes, Staffordshire - An early morning wander, a few birds counted, these were:- Magpie (*22); Wood Pigeon (*8); Blue Tit (*4); Goldfinch (*1); Dunnock (*4); Blackbird (*4); Common Snipe (*4); Coot (*16); Black Headed Gull (*4); Tufted Duck (*14); Canada Goose (*30); Mallard (*16); Carrion Crow (*4); House Sparrow (*12); Wren (*3); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Jackdaw (*1); Starling (*20); Water Rail (*1); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*4); Great Crested Grebe (*5); Little Egret (*2); Teal (*27); Reed Bunting (*3); Grey Heron (*2); Mute Swan (*2); Skylark (*1); Moorhen (*2); Goosander (*3); Cormorant (*7); Shoveler (*1); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1); Kestrel (*1); Lapwing (*1); Gadwall (*5); Robin (*2); Great Tit (*2) + Cetti's Warbler on call.

White Dead Nettle; Daisy; Daffodil; Lesser Celandine; Cow Parsley and Dandelion were in flower whilst Common Alder was sport some fresh red cones.

Also noted were a mass of Garden Snails beneath a log which may be a lucky find for a Thrush on the hunt for a tasty morsel..

2nd March 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A quick cycle home, a few birds were noted:- Black Headed Gull (*126); Common Gull (*10); Lesser Black Headed Gull (*2); Mallard (*1); Wood Pigeon (*4); Magpie (*2); Canada Goose (*2); Carrion Crow (*7) and Grey Wagtail (*1).

Ivy Leaved Speedwell was in flower.

3 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) and 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) were sweet extras.

1st March 2020 - Carrington Moss, G. Manchester - A good walk in a bracing breeze but with the sun shining all morn. Birds seen were:- Great Tit; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Chaffinch (40+); Blue Tit; Canada Goose; Magpie; Coot; Moorhen; Tufted Duck; Black Headed Gull; Carrion Crow; Mute Swan; Skylark; Goldfinch; Long Tailed Tit; Common Buzzard; Lapwing (*33); Redwing; Yellowhammer (*4); Robin; Pied Wagtail (*3); Song Thrush (*2); Dunnock; Jackdaw; Mistle Thrush; Mallard; Rook; Meadow Pipit (*4); Wren; Coal Tit and Kestrel.

Flowers in bloom were:- Lesser Celandine; White Dead Nettle; Dandelion agg; Dog's Mercury and Daisy.

Crescent Cup Liverwort (Lunularia cruciata) and numerous Shiny Woodlice (Oniscus asellus) were also noted.

24th February 2020 - Crosby Marina, Lancashire - A morning at a Liverpool Museum and with time to kill we had a walk around the marina here and indulge in some lunch at the local bistro. Birds seen on a blustery day were:- Black Headed Gull; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Common Gull; Herrinmg Gull; Starling; Goldeneye; Long Tailed Duck; Cormorant; Oystercatcher; Coot; Canada Goose; Mute Swan; Mallard; Feral Pigeon; Tufted Duck; Pied Wagtail; Shelduck; Dunlin; Bar Tailed Godwit; Great Black Backed Gull; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Shoveler; Teal; Carrion Crow; Robin and Dunnock.

Blackthorn; Common Field Speedwell; Groundsel and Daisy were all in flower.

23rd February 2020 - Ball Grove NR to Wycoller CP, Colne, Lancashire - 2 new areas visited and done in one good yomping walk. Birds seen were:- Goldfinch (*8); Dunnock (*2); Mallard (*104); Carrion Crow (*3); Song Thrush (*2); Blackbird (*6); Wren (*2); Robin (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Blue Tit (*2); Great Tit (*2); Jackdaw (*22); Wood Pigeon (*5); Goosander (*2); Kestrel (*2); Moorhen (*1); Black Headed Gull (*53); Sparrowhawk (*1); Coot (*1); Mistle Thrush (*2); House Sparrow (*3); Redwing (*1); Starling (*3); Pheasant (*3); Curlew (*15); Fieldfare (*5); Dipper (*1); Coal Tit (*2); Chaffinch (*3); Magpie (*7) and Bullfinch (*1).

A Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); the Crescent Cup Liverwort (Lunularia cruciata); Common Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis), Groundsel in flower and a few fungi were the other things seen on a clear, bracing day.

Lichens seen were:- Ramalina farinacea; Ramalina fastigata; Cladonia coccifera and Xanthoria parietina.

The moss (Campylopus introflexus) was keyed out with great care.

22nd February 2020 - Goodwood Field, Sale, G. Manchester - Whilst waiting for the Non-League footy game we walked around the playing area. Redwing (*8); Mistle Thrush (*2); Magpie (*2); Jackdaw (*2); House Sparrow (*8); Black Headed Gull (*17); Wood Pigeon (*1) and Carrion Crow (*3) were the birds seen and Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Groundsel; Dandelion; Smooth Sow Thistle; Shepherd's Purse and Daisy were all in flower.

The lichen Xanthoria parietina and the moss Grimmia pulvinata were also added.

10th February 2020 - Cheadle Heath Nomads, Stockport, G. Manchester - A bit of work at my local footy ground, a few birds noted were:- Common Gull; Black Headed Gull; Mistle Thrush; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Nuthatch; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Collared Dove; Wood Pigeon; Redwing; Starling and Goldfinch.

Daisy; Lesser Celandine; Shepherd's Purse and Common Mouse Ear were all in flower.

6th February 2020 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk in the sun, it wasn't too warm but warm enough to bring out 20 Honey Bees (Apis mellifera); 2 Common Green Shieldbugs (Palomena prasina), the first Hoverfly of the year (Eristalis tenax) and a Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus).  Common Chickweed was holding up many pure white stars and Starling (*2); House Sparrow (*5); Dunnock (*2); Blue Tit (*1); Great Tit (*1); Goldfinch (*1) and Magpie (*3) were the few birds to keep me company.

5th February 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A had a slow stroll walking home, a few birds were welcome company, these being:- Treecreeper; Moorhen; Magpie; Blackbird; Grey Heron; Redwing; Wood Pigeon; Robin; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Carrion Crow; Cormorant and Bullfinch.

Hart's-Tongue Fern; Maidenhair Spleenwort; Wall Rue and Black Spleenwort were noted as well as many Striped, Shiny and Pygmy Woodlice. Under one log a large gathering of Large Yellow Slugs (Limax flavus agg) were seen and a few other creepy crawlies that I didn't spend time to identify.

2nd February 2020 - Talacre, Flintshire - A lovely stroll in fine weather, 40 bird species seen which were:- Sanderling (20+); Oystercatcher; Ringed Plover; Dunlin; Cormorant; Meadow Pipit; Bullfinch; Linnet; Pale Bellied Brent Goose (*34); Pied Wagtail; Shelduck; Great Black Backed Gull; Black Headed Gull; Long Tailed Tit; Mistle Thrush; Goldfinch; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Mallard; Pheasant; Wren; Shoveler; Teal; Lapwing; Wigeon; Canada Goose; Curlew; Blue Tit; Mute Swan; Blackbird; Dunnock; Jackdaw; Wood Pigeon; Little Egret; Collared Dove; Rook; Starling; Herring Gull; Common Gull; House Sparrow and Magpie.

Alexanders; Common Knapweed; Daisy; Groundsel; Blackthorn; Yarrow; Rape; Common Field Speedwell; Smooth Sow Thistle and Hogweed were all holding flowers.

9 Yellow Dung Flies (Scathophaga stercoraria) were seen as well as a prowling Fox.

Cock's-Foot Grass was in splendid condition.

Ramalina fastigata; Ramalina farinacea; Xanthoria parietina; Physcia aipolia and Lecanora chlarotera; Lecidella elaeochroma were the lichens on show.

27th January 2020 - Fletcher Moss, G. Manchester - A wander and a few birds seen:- Redwing; Jay; Goosander; Black Headed Gull; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Mallard; Song Thrush; Goldfinch; Ring Necked Parakeet; Grey Heron; Wren; Robin; Goldcrest; Dunnock; Feral Pigeon; Long Tailed Tit; Magpie; Blue Tit; Coal Tit; Carrion Crow; Great Tit; Blackbird and Wood Pigeon.

A Common Shrew, Grey Squrrel and Brown Rat were seen along with Mistletoe and flowering Hogweed; Greater Periwinkle; Daisy and Snowdrops.

Arthonia radiata and Physcia aipolia were a couple of lichens identified.

19th January 2020 - Sale WP, G. Manchester - The fog got thicker has we went on a stroll. As one can imagine the bird sightings suffered but we did see:- Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Willow Tit; Coal Tit; Great Tit; Nuthatch; Grey Heron; Coot; Black Headed Gull; Tufted Duck; Goosander; Mute Swan; Gadwall; Little Grebe; Great Crested Grebe; Moorhen; Cormorant; Carrion Crow and Canada Goose.

A Hogweed plant was in strong flower.

18th January 2020 - Bingley St Ives, W. Yorkshire - A new area yomped around, a few birdies counted:- Black Headed Gull (*65); Common Gull (*3); Canada Goose (*9); Carrion Crow (*2); Wood Pigeon (*1); Blue Tit (*8); Magpie (*4); Siskin (*20+); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*3); Great Tit (*1); Blackbird (*5); Wren (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*8); Treecreeper (*1); Nuthatch (*2); Sparrowhawk (*1); Robin (*3); Jackdaw (*14); Tufted Duck (*3); Mute Swan (*7); Mallard (*53); Dunnock (*2) and Moorhen (*1).

Lichens seen were:- Ramalina farinacea and Cladonia coniocraea and 2 usual mosses were listed, these were:- Tortula muralis and Bryum capillare.

Dandelion agg; Red Campion; Groundsel and Daisy were all in flower and a few Grey Squirrels were seen.

12th January 2020 - Philips Park, Bury, G. Manchester - Another new place, a few records added again, the birds were:- Kestrel; Great Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Bullfinch; Wood Pigeon; Magpie and Blackbird.

Daisy and Meadow Buttercup were in flower and the gall Taxomyia taxi was in good numbers.

12th January 2020 - Redisher Woods, Bury, G. Manchester - A new place to discover, it was very quiet but a few things were found to record. Shiny; Striped and Rough Woodlice were seen along with a couple of Variegated Centipedes and a Devil's Coach Horse.

Soft Rush; Gorse in flower; Hart's Tongue Fern and Common Holly were a few plants noted with the lichen (Cladonia coniocraea) and the galls Andricus kollari and Andricus fecundator added for good measure.

Only a handful of birds were seen, these were:- Blackbird (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Mallard (*4); Blue Tit (*5); Magpie (*2); Robin (*1) and Great Tit (*1).

4th January 2020 - Astbury Mere, Cheshire - A walk before some Non-League Football, birds seen were:- Coot; House Sparrow; Blue Tit; Black Headed Gull; Grey Heron; Robin; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Mute Swan; Goosander; Wood Pigeon; Mallard; Redwing; Mistle Thrush; Jackdaw; Nuthatch; Blackbird; Coal Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Bullfinch; Moorhen; Pied Wagtail; Great Crested Grebe; Goldcrest; Dunnock; Magpie; Common Buzzard and Goldfinch.

Hazel was now in flower, the gall Aceria fraxinivora was highly noticeable and a Large Yellow Slug and Shiny Woodlouse were seen too.

3rd January 2020 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A bike ride from the front door to Didsbury and a few birds recorded, these were:- Wood Pigeon (*24); Blackbird (*6); Starling (*1); House Sparrow (*2); Robin (*6); Magpie (*17); Wren (*2); Blue Tit (*10); Dunnock (*1); Moorhen (*3); Great Tit (*4); Song Thrush (*1); Goosander (*4); Mallard (*16); Carrion Crow (*4); Pied Wagtail 9*3); Goldfinch (*7); Cormorant (*2); Buzzard (*1); Grey Heron (*4); Canada Goose (*1); Grey Wagtail (*2); Chaffinch (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Nuthatch (*1); Treecreeper (*1); Redwing (*2) and Mistle Thrush (*1).

Xanthoria parietina was the only lichen pondered.