11th December 2023 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - Making my way homeward I saw a few birds:- Coot (*2); Moorhen (*2); Goldcrest (*1); Black Headed Gull (*6); Mallard (*16); Mistle Thrush (*2); Redwing (*20); Great Tit (*1); Magpie (*2) and Ring Necked Parakeet (*1);

I also saw Wood Avens in flower; 2 * Large Yellow Slug (Limax flavus agg); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and the bryophytes:- Metzgeria furcata; Bryum capillare; Grimmia pulvinata; Tortula muralis and Plagiomnium undulatum.

December recording target left 699.

10th December 2023 - Leverhulme Park, Bolton, Lancashire - A short walk, the only birds noted were:- Mistle Thrush (*1); Treecreeper (*2); Goldfinch (*6); Carrion Crow (*3); Goosander (*2) and Magpie (*1).

Bryphytes picked out were:- Metzgeria violacea; Lewinskya affinis; Grimmia pulvinata and Kindbergia praelonga.

The Lichens (Parmelia sulcata) and (Ramalina farinacea) were also seen.

December target recording left 763.

9th December 2023 - Alexandra Park, Moss Side, G. Manchester - An early morning walk, a few fungi were noted as well as the mosses:- Bryum capillare; Grimmia pulvinata andLewinskya affinis.

Bird species seen were:- Feral Pigeon; Wood Pigeon; Redwing; Mistle Thrush; Common Gull; Herring Gull; Black Headed Gull; Blue Tit; Ring Necked Parakeet; Chaffinch; Cormorant; Moorhen; Coot; Mallard; Tufted Duck; Carrion Crow; Magpie; Canada Goose; Mute Swan and Grey Heron.

With na couple of sightings in the last few days the species the aim to add 1000 records in December is now a hard task. The total left is 781.

4th December 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk through Gorsey Bank, down the river and home, the aim was to simply clear a very clouded head. Birds were recorded at different stages, the tally overall was:- Song Thrush (*2); Goosander (*5); Wren (*2); Blackbird (*10); Grey Heron (*2); Redwing (*2); Herring Gull (*1); Common Gull (*23); Ring Necked Parakeet (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*6); Carrion Crow (*9); Canada Goose (*1); Starling (*27); Black Headed Gull (*63); Moorhen (*4); Grey Wagtail (*2); Robin (*4); Wood Pigeon (*17); Magpie (*5); Great Tit (*4); Mallard (*34); Blue Tit (*5); Goldcrest (*1); Jackdaw (*1); Cormorant (*1); Greenfinch (*2); Goldfinch (*3); Kingfisher (*2); Sparrowhawk (*1) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (*2).

I also saw a Grey Squirrel and 9 Garden Snails (Cornu aspersum) with White Dead Nettle and Hogweed in flower.

Catherinine's Moss (Atrichum undulatum) was also noted.

Records to submit during December after todays effort stands at 827.

3rd December 2023 - Lymm Dam, Warrington, Cheshire - A walk through the woods and around the water and then into Lymm for a coffee and a shop. Birds noted today were:- Coot (*2); Black Headed Gull (*48); Mute Swan (*2); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Mallard (*30); Cormorant (*3); Magpie (*2); Carrion Crow (*1); Blackbird (*4); Robin (*1); Nuthatch (*1); Chaffinch (*1); Blue Tit (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*5); Great Crested Grebe (*1); Great Tit (*1) and Redwing (*4).

Gorse and Red Campion were in flower and we saw a Grey Squirrel too and the Lichen (Lecanora muralis) plus the mosses:- Grimmia pulvinata and Tortula muralis.

Records to submit during December after todays effort stands at 876.

2nd December 2023 - Ball Grove CP/Wycoller CP, Colne, Lancashire - A walk of two halves with two seperate recording efforts. Along the first stretch within the Ball Grove half we spied the following birds:- Dipper (*1); Robin (*7); Magpie (*2); Blue Tit (*4); Black Headed Gull (*33); Feral Pigeon (*6); Moorhen (*3); Blackbird (*6); Dunnock (*1); Carrion Crow (*2); Redwing (*5); Fieldfare (*3); Great Tit (*3); Chaffinch (*1); Common Gull (*2); Bullfinch (*1); Pheasant (*1); Wood Pigeon (*19); Nuthatch (*1); Buzzard (*1) and numerous Mallard.

Along the Wycoller stretch we saw:- Chaffinch (*6); Treecreeper (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*3); Carrion Crow (*1); Blackbird (*1); Wood Pigeon (*1); Starling (*10); Fieldfare (*4); Jackdaw (*1); Pink Footed Geese (approx 200 flying over); Nuthatch (*2); Mistle Thrush (*1); Dunnock (*1); Wren (*1); Wood Pigeon (*1); Coal Tit (*2); Blue Tit (*2); Redwing (*6); Pheasant (*2); Meadow Pipit (*1); and Robin (*7), the latter species including one brave soul who sat on my hand to feed.

Along the walk we also saw some mosses, these being:- Campylopus introflexus; Tortula muralis; Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus; Grimmia pulvinata; Dicranoweisia cirrata; Encalypta streptocarpa and Bryum capillare.

4 Roe Deer were noted along with a Rabbit and 6 fungal species.

With these 55 records and a Kestrel added when driving home, the records to be submitted target for the rest of the month is now 919.

1st December 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A month when sightings are few and so, as a result, I set myself a target to submit 1000 records - what a pillock hey? With work, dark early nights and many other matters in the mix I may struggle but it is good to have aims.

The day started with a Robin sitting on my hand and feeding away, on the way homeward I added a few more birds - Goosander (*7); Mallard (*14); Robin (*1); Blackbird (*1); Mistle Thrush (*1); Moorhen (*1); Cormorant (*1); Grey Heron (*1); Great Tit (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*1) and Magpie (*4).

Along with 2 Fungal species seen at work I now have 987 records to submit for the rest of the month.

26th November 2023 - Brown Moss, Shropshire - A fungal and moss walk with a mate of ours, I saw a few birds too, these were:- Coot; Mallard; Robin; Chaffinch; Nuthatch; Mistle Thrush; Jackdaw and Blackbird.

Mosses seen were:- Kindbergia praelonga; Lewinskya affinis; Orthotrichum lyellii; Hypnum cupressiforme; Dicranella heteromalla; Calliergonella cuspidata; Metzgeria violacea; Metzgeria furcata; Brachythecium rutabulum; Didymodon insulanus; Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus; Polytrichum formosum; Lophocolea heterophylla; Frullania dilatata; Hookeria lucens; Orthotrichum diaphanum and Oxyrrhynchium hians.

I also noted the Lichen (Evernia prunastri).

19th November 2023 - Wythenshawe CP, G. Manchester - A short and casual fungus mooch but along the way we saw:- Ring Necked Parakeet; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Jay; Common Gull; Black Headed Gull; Carrion Crow; Goldfinch; Jackdaw; Great Tit; Magpie; Wood Pigeon plus Wood Avens; Cow Parsley and Hogweed in flower.

A fine Leopard Slug was also enjoyed.

15th November 2023 - Alexandra Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk in the rain, a coffee, a breakfast, a few fungi plus:- 18 Goosanders along with an Orange Ladybird ((Halyzia sedecimguttata); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); a Hairy Snail (Trochulus hispidus); 4 * Springtail (Dicyrtomina ornata).

and 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni).

Flowers still bearing blooms were:- Pineappleweed; Creeping Buttercup; Daisy; Hogweed; Wood Avens; Herb Robery and Nipplewort.

Other bird species noted were:- Blackbird; Great Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Magpie; Canada Goose; Coot; Moorhen; Black Headed Gull and Mallard.

14th November 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - The shit year continues with some heartbreaking news. Me and the missus headed out and had a long walk, shed many tears and pootled. Nipplewort; Hogweed; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Himalayan Balsam; Black Medick; Red Clover; Bush Vetch; Dame's Violet and White Dead Nettle kindly offered some pick-me-up colour and we were grateful.

Cormorant; Great Tit; Grey Heron; Canada Goose; Moorhen; Mallard; Wood Pigeon; Magpie and Black Headed Gull were seen along with a Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria).

12th November 2023 - Ainsdale NE, Lancashire - Whilst looking for fungi with a few friends I also noted:- a Buzzard; Woodcock; Robin; Sparrowhawk; Mallard; Moorhen; Blackbird; Great Black Backed Gull and Goldcrest as well as Soapwort; Bramble agg; Common Ragwort; Herb Robert; Yarrow; and Harebell in flower.

The Gall (Andricus gemmeus) was noted along with the Deer Moss (Cladonia rangiferina).

We also saw 2 Winter Moths (Operophtera brumata).

22nd October 2023 - Lingley Woods, Warrington, Cheshire - Whilst leading a funguis walk I spied a Great Spotted Woodpecker; a 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * False Ladybirds (Endomychus coccineus); a Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); Garden Slug (Cornu aspersum); Large Yellow Slug (Limax flavus agg); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus) and Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum).  Red Campion and Herb Robert were sporting blooms.

18th October 2023 - Caldy Valley Nature Park, Chester, Cheshire - Another fungi walk led, again I kept my eye out for a few other things. The odd insect noted included:- 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 3 * Birch Catkin Bug nymph (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Noon Fly (Mesembrina meridiana); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and 2 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

The few flowers in bloom were:- Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Hairy Tare; Hogweed; Meadow Buttercup; Red Clover; Yarrow; Hedge Bedstraw; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Common Nettle; Daisy; White Dead Nettle; Himalayan Balsam and Cow Parsley.

5 Redwing flew over, a Robin pootled in the undergrowth; a Blue Tit peeped from the depths and a Great Spotted Woodpecker sat up on high and duly called.

A couple of galls seen were:- Agathomyia wankowiczii; Andricus kollari; Andricus curvator and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum.

17th October 2023 - Ainsdale Sands Lake, Lancashire - Another walk led, this time with the carers from work. A few bird species seen were:- Sanderling; Little Egret; Carrion Crow; Meadow Pipit; Herring Gull; Black Headed Gull; Pink Footed Goose; Tufted Duck; Coot and House Sparrow.

Flowers still holding blooms were:- Grass of Parnassus; Groundsel; Hare's-Foot Clover; White Clover; Red Clover; Creeping Thistle; Broad Leaved Everlasting Pea; Common Stork's-Bill; Yarrow; Meadow Buttercup; Sea Rocket; Large Flowered Evening Primrose agg; Lesser Spearwort and Lesser Centaury.

A Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and a Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) were spied along with a good patch of Traveller's Joy in seed.

15th October 2023 - Tatton Park, Cheshire - Whilst leading a fungus walk (and afterwards) I noted:- Carrion Crow; Jay; Green Woodpecker; Common Buzzard; Jackdaw; Tufted Duck; Moorhen; Mallard; Coot; Pochard; Cormorant and Great Crested Grebe.

The Galls Mikiola fagi; Andricus quercuscalicis; Andricus gemmeus and Hartigiola annulipes were seen along with 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 3 * Common Frog (Rana temporaria) and 2 * Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris).

Daisy; Herb Robert; Creeping Thistle; Tormentil and Meadow Buttercup were the only blooms noted - I was rather busy.

14th October 2023 - Arley Hall, Cheshire - 2 fungi walks led, a few other things were noted. Birds seen were:- Raven; Wood Pigeon; House Sparrow; Pied Wagtail; Blackbird; Mistle Thrush and Jay.

Galls picked out were:- Hartigiola annulipes; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum and Andricus lignicola.

I also saw:- 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); a few Shiny (Oniscus asellus) and Striped (Philoscia muscorum); Woodlice and the Harvestman (Nemastoma bimaculatum).

Green Alkanet and Dandelion agg were in flower.

9th October 2022 - Brookfields Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A quite stroll and bike ride to stretch the carcass. Flowers noted were found on:- Holly; Red Clover; Bush Vetch; Hogweed; Common Ragwort; Sea Aster; Groundsel; Thale Cress; Shepherd's Purse; Common Nettle; Himalayan Balsam; Yarrow and Bramble agg.

The few bird species seen were:- Ring Necked Parakeet; Magpie; Kingfisher; Wood Pigeon and Jay.

3 Galls noted were:- Trioza remota; Mikiola fagi and Cecidophyes rouhollahi.

I also saw a Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) and a Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

6th October 2023 - Overcombe, Dorset - A final walk to finish a good week. A pair of Stonechat; Herring Gull; Carrion Crow; House Sparrow; Wood Pigeon; Kestrel; Magpie and Goldfinch were the few birds seen. Flowers noted were:- Soapwort; Bramble agg; Groundsel; Common Toadflax; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Red Clover; Common Ragwort; Gorse; Creeping Thistle; Yarrow; White Clover; Bristly Ox-Tongue and Dandelion agg were the few flowers seen.

1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Long Winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) and 1 * Dark Bush Cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera) were the only insects picked out.

Beadlet Anemone; Sea Springtail; Shore Crab; Common Limpet and Common Horsetail were also added.

6th October 2023 - Puddletown Forest, Dorset - Whilst having a look at a few fungal specimens we also made note of a few other things. The few insects seen were:- 2 * Minotaur Beetle (Typhaeus typhoeus); 3 * Devil's Coach Horse (Staphylinus olens); 7 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 5 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) and 1 * Fox Moth larva (Macrothylacia rubi) as well as numerous Rhododendron Leafhoppers (Graphocephala fennahi); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii); Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Median Wasp (Dolichovespula media); 1 * Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina banksii); 1 * Kite Tailed Robberfly (Machimus atricapillus) and 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).

Flowers in bloom were:- Large Bindweed; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Common Field Speedwell; Daisy; White Dead Nettle; Wood Sage; Foxglove; Herb Robert; Bramble agg; Tormentil; Creeping Buttercup; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Self-Heal; Hemp Agrimony; Agrimony; Hedge Woundwort; Red Clover; Ribwort Plantain and Common Mouse Ear.

We also added:- Shiny Woodlouse; Variegated Centipede; Common Frog; Blackbird; Long Tailed Tit; Raven and the galls:- Cynips quercusfolii; Dasineura urticae; Cecidophyes rouhollahi and Trioza remota.

5th October 2023 - Lodmoor RSPB, Dorset - A walk around this quiet reserve was done in glorious sun. We had a walk into Weymouth, had an ice cream and finished up knackered. Birds seen today were:- Great White Egret (*4); Feral Pigeon; Canada Goose; Mute Swan; Cormorant; Moorhen; Grey Heron; Lapwing; Black Tailed Godwit; Teal; Sandwich Tern; Mediterranean Gull; Black Headed Gull; Dunlin (*4); Little Egret; Blue Tit; Wood Pigeon; Herring Gull; Pied Wagtail; Carrion Crow; Wren; House Sparrow; Magpie; Gadwall; Shoveler; Wigeon; Great Black Backed Gull and Coot.

The few insects on the wing were:- 1 * Soft Winged Flower Beetle (Anthocomus rufus); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 9 * Speckled Woof (Pararge aegeria); 7 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 3 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus hybridus); 1 * Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae); 4 * Dark Bush Cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera) and 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax).

Flowers in bloom were:- Sea Aster; Bramble agg; Bristly Ox-Tongue; Mugwort; Hemp Agrimony; Hedge Bindweed; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Russian Vine; Creeping Thistle; Ribwort Plantain; Redshank; White Clover; Daisy; Dandelion agg; Buddleia; Common Mallow; Herb Robert; Marjoram; Hedge Woundwort; Traveller's Joy; Creeping Buttercup; Tansy; Common Knapweed; Scarlet Pimpernel; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Pineappleweed and Gorse.

Also added were several Garden Spiders (Araneus diadematus); a few Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); a young Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris); a Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); a Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); Common Eel (Anguilla anguilla); Giant Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia) and the Galls (Urophora cardui) and (Rondaniola bursaria).

5th October 2023 - Portland Bill, Dorset - The day started with a short walk on the island, a good breakfast at The Heights and after a trip out, we indulged in some rockpooling to finish. The short bird list was made up of:- Meadow Pipit; Cormorant; Wheatear (*3); Magpie; Linnet; Rock Pipit; Pied Wagtail; Goldfinch; Swallow; Great Black Backed Gull; Dunnock; Great Tit; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow and Raven.

On the shoreline we saw:- Rockpool Prawn (Palaemon elegans); Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina); Pink Paint Weed (Lithophyllum incrustans); Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas); Strawberry Anemone (Actinia fragacea); Common Blenny (Lipophys pholis); Montagu's Blenny (Coryphoblennius galerita); Black Footed Limpet (Patella depressa); Common Limpet (Patella vulgata); Cushion Starfish (Asterina gibbosa); Seashore Springtail (Anurida maritima) and Velvet Horn Seaweed (Codium tomentosum).

Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare); 1 * Leaf Beetle (Galeruca tanaceti); Harvestman (Opilio canestrinii); Short Tailed Vole (Microtus agrestis) and 3 * Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis) were also noted.

Agrimony; Wild Thyme; Common Fleabane and Bird's Foot Trefoil were noted in flower and numerous moths were seen in the Obs trap, those noted being:- Brindled Green; Black Rustic; L-Album Wainscot; Square Spot Rustic; Large Yellow Underwing; Feathered Brindle; Common Marbled Carpet and Flame Shoulder. Also in th etrap was the Alfalfa Weevil (Hypera postica).

Also identified was Aceria ilicis on Holm Oak.

4th October 2023 - Lyme Regis, Dorset - A lovely morn was spent at Bridport Market with a few purchases made, a good breakfast had and many steps nailed. Upon arrival at our second location we had a lounge in the sun with a coffee and then headed to a rocky coastal area and had a pootle. We saw the following species:- Four Horned Spider Crab (Pisa tetraodon); Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas); Edible Crab (Cancer pagurus); Broad Clawed Porcelain Crab (Porcellana platycheles); Velvet Swimming Crab (Necora puber); Rockpool Prawn (Palaemon elegans); Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina); Snakelocks Anemone (Anemonia viridis); Gem Anemone (Aulactinia verrucosa); Strawberry Anemone (Actinia fragacea); Common Periwinkle (Littorina littorea); Dwarf Brittlestar (Amphipholis squamata); Star Ascidian (Botryllus schloserri); Purple Top Shell (Steromphala umbilicalis); Common Limpet (Patella vulgata); Flat Periwinkle (Littorina obtusata/fabalis); Pink Paint Weed (Lithophyllum incrustans); Greenleaf Worm (Eulalia clavigera); Sea Lettuce (Ulva agg) and Northern Rock Barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides).

The few insects seen were:- 1 * Greenclock Beetle (Poecilus cupreus); 3 * Dark Bush Cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera); 1 * Tawny Cockroach (Ectobius pallidus); 1 * Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae) and 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

A few flowers noted in bloom whilst we pottered about were:- Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Red Valerian; Traveller's Joy; Greater Sea Spurrey; Buck's-Horn Plantain; Groundsel; White Clover; Hemp Agrimony; Shepherd's Purse; Sea Aster; Common Field Speedwell; Dandelion agg and Daisy.

We also saw a few bird species:- Mallard; Meadow Pipit; House Sparrow; Carrion Crow; Great Black Backed Gull; Cormorant; Turnstone and Herring Gull.

2 Slow Worms were a nice addition and a good way to round off a varied list.

3rd October 2023 - Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset - A good 10, 000 step walk along the cliff edge, a coffee break, some rock-pooling and back to Portland for some more Non-League footy.

Birds seen were:- Cormorant; Meadow Pipit; Black Headed Gull; Carrion Crow; Pied Wagtail; Herring Gull; Wheatear (*2); Pheasant (*2); Linnet (*9); Rook; Jackdaw; Swallow (*2); Raven and Buzzard.

Flowers still holding blooms were:- Greater Periwinkle; Bramble agg; Scarlet Pimpernel; Groundsel; Large Bindweed; Common Mallow; Lady's Bedstraw; Sea Carrot; Red Campion; Bristly Ox-Tongue; Daisy; Thrift; Herb Robert; Creeping Thistle; Hogweed; Pineappleweed; White Clover; Field Bindweed

Insects were made up of:- 1 * Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus); 1 * Devil's Coach Horse (Staphylinus olens); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Noon Fly (Mesembrina meridiana); 2 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 68 * Ornate Shieldbug (Eurydema ornata); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis tenax) and numerous Common Field Grasshoppers (Chorthippus brunneus).

Other interesting species included:- Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); Bladder Wrack (Fucus vesiculosus); Irish Moss Seaweed (Chondrus crispus); Ground Ivy Lighthouse Gall (Rondaniola bursaria); Star Ascidian (Botryllus schloserri); Purple Top Shell (Steromphala umbilicalis); Common Limpet (Patella vulgata); Flat Periwinkle (Littorina obtusata/fabalis); Bushy Berry Wrack (Cystoseira baccata); Sugar Kelp (Saccharina latissima); Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas); Peacock's Tail Seaweed (Padina pavonica); Dwarf Brittlestar (Amphipholis squamata); Hooded Shrimp (Athanas nitescens); Rockpool Prawn (Palaemon elegans); Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina); Snakelocks Anemone (Anemonia viridis); Gem Anemone (Aulactinia verrucosa) and Common Blenny (Lipophys pholis).

2nd October 2023 - Radipole Lake RSPB, Dorset - After a morn shopping and a grand coffee and lunch we had a short wander around this quiet reserve. The thunder rumbled in the background but we avoided any rain and saw a few insects:- 5 * Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta); 4 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and 3 * Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae).

The few flowers noted were:- Shepherd's Purse; Bristly Ox-Tongue; Pineappleweed; Hemp Agrimony; Pale Flax; Common Comfrey; Sea Aster; Hedge Mustard; Groundsel; Common Fleabane; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Herb Robert; Black Medick; Teasel; Hogweed; Ground Elder and Angelica.

Birds seen were:- Shoveler; Swallow; Great Tit; Cetti's Warbler; Mediterranean Gull; Great Crested Grebe; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Moorhen; Gadwall; Mute Swan; Mallard; Tufted Duck; Cormorant; Feral Pigeon; Coot; Black Headed Gull; Grey Heron; Great Black Backed Gull; Herring Gull and Goldcrest.

2 Galls seen were:- Dasineura ulmaria and Urophora carduii.

1st October 2023 - Arne RSPB, Dorset - A nice walk with the lasses, we did a spot of birding, the list consisted of:- Carrion Crow; Chaffinch; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Jackdaw; Wood Pigeon; Teal; Little Egret; Herring Gull; Mallard; Black Headed Gull; Oystercatcher; Great Black Backed Gull; Redshank; Knot; Stonechat; Wigeon; Starling; Shelduck; Sandwich Tern; Forster's Tern; Robin; Long Tailed Tit; Coal Tit; Swallow and Kestrel.

Flowers in bloom:- Dandelion agg; Ribwort Plantain; Germander Speedwell; Herb Robert; Hemp Agrimony; Bramble agg; Gorse; Tormentil; Nipplewort; Meadow Buttercup; Daisy and Red Campion.

1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 5 * Hornet (Vespa crabro); 1 * Water Cricket (Velia caprai); 4 * Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta); Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); Long Winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus); 2 * Meadow Grasshopper (Pseudochorthippus parallelus) and numerous Wood Ants. A moth we had never seen before was the Golden Brown Fern Moth (Musotima nitidalis) - a sweet dinky thing indeed.

2 Galls seen:- Diplolepis rosae and Neuroterus anthracinus.

30th September 2023 - Chesil Beach, Dorset - Following some Non-League Football we had a stretch of the legs at this place we know so well. It was merely an hour before the light faded but we did pick up:- Great Black Backed Gull; Herring Gull; Mediterranean Gull; Dunlin; Ringed Plover; Bar Tailed Godwit; Oystercatcher; Turnstone; Little Egret and Carrion Crow.

Plenty of Blenny's were seen along with several Shore Crabs; Beadlet and Snakelocks Anemone; Rough Periwinkle and Toothed Topshell.

Travellers Joy; Restharrow; Wild Carrot and Common Toadflax were seen in flower before we scarpered back to the lighthouse for tea.

30th September 2023 - Portland Bill, Dorset - After a good drive we arrived at the lighthouse for a weeks pootling. We had a brew, a catch up with a few faces and then scooted off to the local football. During the slurping we saw a few moths, these were:- Old World Webworm; Gem; Yellow Underwing Pearl; Brindled Green; Crescent Dart; Straw Dot and the neat micro (Acrocerops brongniardella).

We also saw a Small White butterfly and a Kestrel.

29th September 2023 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - I pushed the bike through a short stretch alongside the River Mersey and the adjacent grassland. A Kingfisher perched up close and a Jay gave good views whilst on a mowed area.

Nipplewort; Red Clover; Greater Willowherb; Black Medick; Ox-Eye Daisy; Common Ragwort; Ribwort Plantain; Tormentil; Common Field Speedwell; Large Bindweed; Creeping Thistle; Yarrow; Mugwort; Hogweed; Bramble agg; Common Knapweed; Rosebay Willowherb; Hedge Bedstraw and Hairy Tare were still full of flowering life and I also saw 2 galls on Oak, these being the very common:- Andricus quercuscalicis and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum.

26th September 2023 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - Walking home from work and I spied:- 1 * Noon Fly (Mesembrina meridiana); 1 * Common Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis tenax); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) and 1 * Rosemary Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina americana).

Holly was now in flower.

25th September 2023 - Fletcher Moss to Didsbury Bridge, G. Manchester - After a coffee I decided to push the bike down a short stretch of the River Mersey and appreciate the sights of early Autumn. The wind was fair, the sun superb and the greenery still holding its own. Japanese Knotweed; Meadow Vetchling; White Clover; Bush Vetch; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Ribwort Plantain; Large Bindweed; Meadow Buttercup; Common Comfrey and Red Clover were all sporting blooms.

26 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomina prasina); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus) and 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii) were noted as was a Grey Wagtail; a female Goosander and Garden Snail. A flock of Long Tailed Tits called from some lofty shrubbery with a couple of individuals seen.

25th September 2023 - Didsbury Park, G. Manchester - Out on the park before an afternoon of microscopy. The flowers in this manicured area held:- 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 4 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis tenax); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)

The Gall (Cecidophyes nudus) was spied too before I buzzed off and had a quiet al fresco coffee.

24th September 2023 - Coombes Valley RSPB, Staffordshire - I was leading another fungus walk today, along the way I noted a few extra things to keep the general recording rolling. Whilst nattering away and showing various secimens I saw a few insects:- 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 3 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare) and 1 * Sun-Fy (Helophilus pendulus).

Flowers seen in bloom were:- Herb Robert; Welsh Poppy; Hogweed; Daisy; Rosebay Willowherb; Soapwort; Redshank; Buddleia; Feverfew; Yarrow; Ox-Eye Daisy; Hedge Bedstraw; Gorse; Bush Vetch; Common Knapweed; Bramble agg; Pink Purslane and Tormentil.

The few galls discussed were:- Trioza remota; Neuroterus numismalis; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Andricus foecundatrix and Andricus quercuscalicis.

The only birds spied were:- Great Tit; House Sparrow; Jay; Wood Pigeon; Pheasant and Goldfinch.

I also added the Harvestman (Nemastoma bimaculatum) and the Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus) as well as Giant Horsetail and Wood Horsetail.

23rd September 2023 - Marbury CP, Cheshire - Two fungal walks were led, I was run ragged and fagged at the end, I did add a few other species.

Common Ragwort was in flower; 1 *False Ladybird (Endomychus coccineus); 2 * Noon Fly (Mesembrina meridiana) and an Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata) were added along with the Gall (Taxomyia taxi) and an albino Grey Squirrel were also added as well as a House Mouse; a Short Tailed Vole; several Common Frogs and a Common Toad.

The Gall (Aphelonyx cerricola) was added later after a nudge from my mate Terry Eagan.

17th September 2023 - Didsbury Park, G. Manchester - An early morn cycle, a pootle in a bookshop and a coffee - smashing. I had a brief circular walk of this manicured park before the rains came and I got a soaking cycling home - I don't mind the odd drenching. During my short sojourn and whilst I sipped the coffee I noted 3 galls:- Obolodiplosis robiniae; Psyllopsis fraxini and Aceria macrochela. A couple of Harlequin Ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis) looked readcy for the downpour and 2 examples of the Harvestman (Paroligolophus agrestis) were static and looking miserable.

Shepherd's Purse; Herb Robert and Wood Avens held a few blooms, a couple of Magpies and Wood Pigeon mooched about and a Hornbeam tree look a trifle jaded.

16th September 2023 - Clock Face CP, St Helens, Merseyside - Whilst leading another fungus walk the missus and I had a short jaunt before and after the session to see what bugs and blooms we could record.

The flowers still holding colourful gifts were:- Lady's Bedstraw; Yarrow; Common Field Speedwell; Spear Thistle; Red Clover; Common Knapweed; Herb Robert; Common Nettle; Ox-Eye Daisy; Creeping Thistle; Hemp Agrimony; Common Ragwort; Black Medick; Ribwort Plantain; Meadow Vetchling; Purple Loosestrife; Common Fleabane; Pineappleweed; Wavy Bittercress; Groundsel; Common Centaury; Common Mouse Ear; Self-Heal; White Clover; Rosebay Willowherb and Daisy.

Insects seen were:- an abundance of Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni); 1 * Mirid Bug (Phytocoris varipes); 1 * Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema melanopus agg); 1 * Ground Beetle (Curtonotus aulicus); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 6 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis tenax); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 2 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 6 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum); 1 * Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 2 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 6 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa); 4 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Lucerne Bug (Adelphocoris lineolatus) and 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius).

We also added:- Mallard; Moorhen; Jay; Magpie; Wren and a Nursey Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) plus 4 Large Yellow Slugs (Limax flavus agg) and a Garlic Snail (Oxychilus alliarius) and the Harvestmen (Leiobunum blackwalli); (Opilio canestrinii) and (Paroligolophus agrestis).

Galls noted were:- Andricus kollari; Aceria macrochela; Macrodiplosis pustularis; Andricus curvator; Andricus quercuscalicis; Neuroterus albipes; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus gemmeus; Neuroterus numismalis; Trioza remota; Eriophyes inangulis and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum.

The end result of the morns mooch was 122 species - one can't complain but I always do.

13th September 2023 - River Mersey, Didsbury, G. Manchester - Riding homeward and a small meadow was checked. I duly saw:- 3 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Sun Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 1 * Long Winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) plus Agrimony; Musk Mallow and Red Clover in flower along with the Gall (Euura proxima) and a clonking female Four Spotted Orb Weaver (Araneus quadratus).

13th September 2023 - Fletcher Moss, Didsbury, G. Manchester - An afternoon off work, a cycle and a short pootle with a coffee to start and a coffee to finish. Galls noted were:- Dasineura ulmaria; Euura proxima; Dasineura pustulans; Aceria myriadeum; Aceria macrochela; Andricus quercuscalicis; Trioza remota; Andricus aries; Andricus kollari; Neuroterus numismalis; Andricus lignicola; Aceria erinea; Psyllopsis fraxini; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Mikiola fagi and Aceria nervisequa.

The insects species recorded were:- 1 * Mirid Bug (Pantilius tunicatus); 1 * Twin Spot Centurion (Sargus bipunctatus); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Common Green Capsid (Lygocoris pabulinus); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 2 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Forest Bug (Pentatoma rufipes); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Hoverfly (Leucozona glaucia); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus niger); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe grossulariae); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax).

The few bird species seen were:- Moorhen; Robin; Great Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Buzzard; Blue Tit; Chaffinch and Feral Pigeon.

The short list of blooms was made up of:- Meadowsweet; Himalayan Balsam; Dandelion agg; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Purple Loosestrife; Greater Spearwort; Meadow Buttercup; Common Knotgrass; Common Nettle; Hogweed; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Hemp Agrimony; Water Mint; Large Bindweed and Silverweed.

11th September 2023 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - A rainy day and a long day at work. The only things seen whilst walking home were the following few insects:- 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 4 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa) and 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris).

Redshank was in flower, a species I have not recorded on this park before.

10th September 2023 - Stamford Park, Stalybridge, Tameside - Our daughter had a meet up with her friends so we dropped her off and had a stroll and a coffee at this nearby park and parking area. Flowers in bloom were:- Hairy Tare; Ox-Eye Daisy; Common Knapweed; Black Medick; Yarrow; Rosebay Willowherb; Common Mouse Ear; Mugwort; Common Nettle; Common Knotgrass; Red Bartsia; Common Ragwort; Herb Robert; Daisy; Thale Cress; Pineappleweed; Scentless Mayweed; Sea Aster; Wood Avens; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Groundsel; Nipplewort; Greater Plantain; Tufted Vetch; Shepherd's Purse; Red Dead Nettle; Black Bindweed; Wavy Bittercress; Common Orache; Large Flowered Evening Primrose agg; Broad Leaved Dock; Himalayan Balsam; Red Clover; Salad Burnet; Ribwort Plantain; Wall Speedwell; Meadow Vetchling; White Dead Nettle; Wild Carrot; Greater Willowherb; Meadow Buttercup; Japanese Knotweed; Bramble agg and Lucerne.

As the rain began to fall insect life became scarce but we did see:- 4 * Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 5 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 2 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus).

The few galls seen were:- the sexual generation of Andricus grossulariae on Turkey Oak; Cecidophyes nudus on Wood Avens and Obolodiplosis robiniae on Black Locust leaves.

The birds seen were:- Robin; Black Headed Gull; Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Great Tit; Magpie; Mallard; Moorhen; Jackdaw and Grey Wagtail.

We also saw several Grey Squirrels; a Graden Spider; Shiny and Striped Woodlice and False Oat Grass.

9th September 2023 - Clough Fields and local area, Hoyland, W. Yorkshire - Me and the missus made are way across to this new area to meet up with local councillor Cassie Northwood and a few fine folk who are keen to protect their green and precious land. Prior to walk we had a breakfast and a brew in the cafe with nearby A Silver Y Moth seen and the Gall (Trioza centranthi) noted. A few Starlings and Jackdaws flew over and Red Valerian was still sporting flowers.

The walk started soon after following aviewing of Barry Hines' house (author of Kes). Along the way, in sizzling heat we recorded the fiollowing insects:- 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 5 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe grossulariae); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 3 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 5 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 6 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii); 2 * Bishop's Mitre Bug (Aelia acuminata); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Spiked Shieldbug (Picromerus bidens); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 2 * Broad Damsel Bug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 4 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae) and 1 * Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema melanopus agg).

Galls seen were:- Urophora cardui; Aceria cephalonea; Andricus lignicola; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus curvator; Trioza remota and Andricus quercuscalicis.

We also saw:- 1 * Harvestman (Paroligolophus agrestis); 1 * Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); 1 * Common Frog (Rana temporaria); 2 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis) and 2 * Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus) plus a few Grey Squirrels.

The few birds seen were:- Goldfinch; Carrion Crow; Buzzard; Great Tit and Collared Dove.

The few flowers noted in bloom were:- Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Bramble agg; Tufted Vetch; Spear Thistle; Himalayan Balsam; Bittersweet; Creeping Thistle; Greater Plantain; Ribwort Plantain; Hedge Bindweed; Rosebay Willowherb; Black Medick; Pineappleweed; Chickweed; Common Knotgrass; Bush Vetch; Hogweed; Meadow Buttercup plus Lords and Ladies; Hawthorn and Elder in fruit.

Along with 4 fungi, the end tally for this short walk was 67 species.

7th September 2023 - Lindow Common, Wilmslow, Cheshire - A walk with my mate heat in sweltering heat - we were all done for 1pm and glad of the drink at the local pub/cafe. Insect mooching was hard work, we did find however:- 10+ * Ground Bug (Stygnocoris sabulosus); 5 * Heath Damsel Bug (Nabis ericetorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma mellinum); 2 * Small Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Parethelcus pollinarius); 2 * Cicada Bug (Ulopa reticulata); 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * Nettle Leafhopper (Eupteryx urticae); 2 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 3 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 8 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 9 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Meadow Grasshopper (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 2 * Tephrid Fly (Tephritis cometa); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 5 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 2 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 5 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 2 * Spiked Shieldbug (Picromerus bidens); 1 * Bishop's Mitre Bug (Aelia acuminata); 2 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum); 1 * Field Digger Wasp (Mellinus arvensis); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 2 * Common Hornet (Vespa crabro); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Heather Beetle (Lochmaea suturalis); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Tachina fera); 3 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Devil's Coach Horse (Staphylinus olens); 1 * Rain Beetle (Pterostichus melanarius); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Eurygaster testudinaria) and 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) plus the larvae of Spectacle Moth, Grey Pug, Beautiful Yellow Underwing; Narrow Winged Pug; Comma and Pale Tussock.

2 Harvestmen seen were:- Paroligolophus agrestis and Leiobunum blackwalli. 2 Spiders added were:- Araneus quadratus and Araneus diadematus.

The only birds seen were:- Little Grebe; Mallard; Moorhen; Grey Wagtail; Grey Heron; Magpie and Wood Pigeon.

The few galls listed were:- Andricus Kollari ; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus curvator; Andricus aries; Andricus gemmeus and Andricus quercuscalicis.

The flowers I noted in bloom were:- Creeping Thistle; Hogweed; Common Heather; Gorse; Tormentil; Red Barstsia; Ribwort Plantain; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Meadow Buttercup; Rosebay Willowherb; Pineappleweed; Common Knotgrass; Greater Willowherb; Common Nettle; Greater Plantain; Water Mint; White Clover; Purple Loosestrife and Herb Robert.

4th September 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - I should have gone out on the bike today but there were many things that needed doing whilst the missus was working. Dishes, a clean of the kitchen, gardening, microscopy, a nip to the shops and just general pootling. I did have a moth trap to check and also noted a few species whilst I was pottering in the garden. The moths caught were:- Hawthorn Moth (*1); 30 * Large Yellow Underwing; 7 * Lesser Yellow Underwing; 1 * Copper Underwing; 4 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 3 * Square Spot Rustic; 1 * Brown House Moth; 3 * Water Veneer; 1 * Snout and 1 * Old Lady.

Also in the trap was a Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus).

In the garden I noted:- 1 * Harvestman (Opilio canestrinii); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 1 * Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus) and Common Marbled Carpet (Dysstroma truncata).

A Magpie; Robin; Wood Pigeon; Blue Tit; Lesser Black Backed Gull and House Sparrow were the other species seen along with Brown Lipped Banded Snail; White Lipped Banded Snail; Garden Snail; Shiny Woodlouse; Rough Woodlouse; Striped Woodlouse and Landhoppers (Arcitalitrus dorrieni).

Flowers in bloom were:- Meadow Buttercup; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Large Bindweed; Ox-Eye Daisy; Red Campion; Wood Sage; Common Nettle; Nipplewort; Herb Robert; Redshank and Greater Celandine.

3rd September 2023 - Moor Park, Preston, Lancashire - A new place for us, we purchased a coffee and parked up and had lunch in the sun, it was brilliant. We had a lounge about, a read and a short walk. We noted a few flowers in bloom:- Creeping Buttercup; Common Nettle; Wood Avens; Dandelion agg; Daisy; Groundsel; Common Knotgrass; Creeping Thistle; Rosebay Willowherb; White Clover and Common Ragwort.

Insects seen were:- 1 * Speckled Wood (Parage aegeria); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 3 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae).

We also spied a Wood Pigeon; Moorhen; Mallard and the galls:- Andricus lignicola; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Neuroterus numismalis; Eriophyes lateannulatus; Andricus curvator and Andricus quercuscalicis.

A Grey Squirrel was also noted and a couple of fungi.

3rd September 2023 - Dobcroft NR, Preston, Lancashire - I was leading a galls and rusts walk at this snall, but quality site. We didn't expect too much on the fungal front as it was a warm, dry day but we managed 40 species. The 16 galls noted were made up of:- Euura pendunculi; Andricus curvator; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Iteomyia capreae; Trioza remota; Andricus aries; Dasineura pustulans; Dasineura ulmaria; Euura proxima; Andricus foecundatrix; Biorhiza pallida; Andricus lignicola;  Andricus gemmeus; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Protomyces macrosporus and Andricus quercuscalicis.

The 28 flowers in bloom were:- Redshank; Common Field Speedwell; Black Medick; Tall Melilot; Red Clover; Rosebay Willowherb; Greater Willowherb; Common Fleabane; Ribwort Plantain; Red Bartsia; Tufted Vetch; Bush Vetch; Hedge Bedstraw; Creeping Thistle; Herb Robert; Meadow Buttercup; Hogweed; Wild Angelica; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Meadowsweet; Water Mint; Bramble agg; Greater Plantain; Purple Loosestrife; Wild Carrot; Common Knapweed; Meadow Vetchling and Red Campion.

The 20 insects seen were:- 1 * Common Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 2 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 3 * Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa); 2 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum); 1 * Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta); 4 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Common Plume Moth (Emmelina monodactyla); 1 * Brown China Mark (Elophila nymphaeata); several Rose Sawfly larvae (Arge pagana) and a fine Hummingbird Hawkmoth larva (Macroglossum stellatarum).

2 Springtails added were:- Orchesella cincta and Dicyrtoma fusca.

Also seen were 6 * Great Crested Newts, 1 * Garden Spider, 1 * Garlic Snail; 1 * Large Yellow Slug agg; a Jay and a Magpie making for a total of 112 species.

1st September 2023 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - Cycling home and a coffee was had and a check of a small area within this local park. Andricus gemmeus; Andricus aries; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus quercuscalicis; Andricus lignicola; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum and Trioza remota were the galls seen on Oak.

The few insects noted were:- 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 2 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 3 * Strawberry Seed Beetle (Harpalus rufipes); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis): 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) and 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).

I also saw a couple of fungal specimens and a Common Frog.

27th August 2023 - Elsecar Canal and Park, Barnsley, W. Yorkshire - A walk with the missus, a good mate and his better half.  We nattered away and saw a few flowers:- Hogweed; Large Bindweed; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Red Campion; Soapwort; Great Mullein; Common Mallow; Great Willowherb; Common Comfrey; Ox-Eye Daisy; Red Bartsia; Bramble agg; Tufted Vetch; Black Medick; Large Flowered Evening Primrose; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Fox and Cubs; Tall Melilot; Bladder Campion; Sea Aster; Ribwort Plantain and Greater Plantain.

The few insects seen were:- 1 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus): 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe grossulariae); 2 * Lesser Marsh Grasshopper (Chorthippus albomarginatus); 2 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Cocinella septempunctata) and 1 * Long Winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus).

The few galls noted were:- Euura proxima; Andricus foecundatrix and Andricus quercuscalicis.

We also added a horde of Swallows and a few Great Crested Grebe; Mallard; Coot; Carrion Crow  and Mute Swan.

21st August 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - An early morning bike-ride, some jogging on a footy field and a read of an intense sci-fi book.  On the way homeward I heard a sound I was familiar with, it was coming from 3 different places and made by an insect that is on the move.  I found one, it was a male Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii) - it had a brief call, sat still whilst I took in its salient features and then buggered off into the verdant depths.  Other insects seen today were:- 3 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus): 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 6 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 35 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 3 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastrica alni); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Common Blue (Polyomattus icarus) and 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta).

Galls noted were:- Eripohyes tiliae; Mikiola fagi and Eriophyes exilis were the only galls seen.

Wild Carrot; Chicory; Hairy Tare; Red Bartsia Bush Vetch and Dame's Violet were in flower and a Grey Heron and Grey Wagtail flew over the river.

20th August 2023 - Deep Dale NR, Derbyshire - A couple of hours in the field with the good lady before a trip into Buxton for a brew and a pootle in a book shop.

Flowers noted in bloom today were:- Hedge Bedstraw; Marsh Willowherb; Hairy St John's-Wort; Hedge Woundwort; Herb Robert; Common Nettle; Creeping Buttercup; Enchanter's Nightshade; Wood Avens; Hogweed; Common Knapweed; Rosebay Willowherb; Yarrow; Bush Vetch; Nipplewort; Common Ragwort; Meadow Buttercup; Self-Heal; Musk Mallow; Harebell; Creeping Thistle; Horse-Shoe Vetch; Musk Thistle; Mouse Ear Hawkweed; Ribwort Plantain; Small Teasel; Wild Thyme; Marjoram; Dandelion agg; Common Mouse Ear; Red Clover; Lesser Burdock; Meadowsweet; Lady's Bedstraw; Devil's Bit Scabious; Small Scabious; Lesser Trefoil; Rock Rose; Eyebright agg; Tormentil; Marsh Thistle; Crosswort; Lesser Stitchwort; Wood Sage; Greater Plantain; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Goosegrass; White Clover; Lady's Mantle; Upright Hedge Parsley; Spear Thistle; Bramble agg and Greater Willowherb.

The few galls noted were:- Jaapiella veronicae; Eriophyes tiliae; Dasineura ulmaria; Dasineura urticae; Diplolepis rosae and Dasineura helianthemi.

Insects listed were few as we were keen to cover ground rather than dawdle.  We did see though:- 1 * Ground Beetle (Curtonotus aulicus); 1 * Ginger Button Moth (Acleris aspersana); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Urophora quadrifasciata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 6 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 6 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe grossulariae); 3 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 5 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 2 * Hoverfly (Ferdinandea cuprea); 4 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera): 4 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 3 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 2 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 5 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 3 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 5 * Common Blue (Polyomattus icarus); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 5 * Peacock (Aglais io); 7 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 3 * Dark Green Fritillary (Speyeria aglaja); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristlis arbustorum); 3 * Gatekeeper (Pyromia tithonus); 3 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 13 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 4 * Brown Argus (Aricia agestis); 2 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba); 1 * Common Grass Veneer (Agriphila tristella) and 1 * Cinnabar Moth larvae (Tyria jacobaeae).The only other species added were 16 fungal specimens and a Brown Lipped Snail; Blackbird; Buzzard and Maidenhair Spleenwort.

13th August 2023 - Lightwood Reservoir, Buxton, Derbyshire - A meet-up with 2 fine gents, me and the missus pottered along in a slow and general walk and I kept the usual lists. I was a bit slack today but I did record the following 39 plants in bloom:- Sneezewort; Rosebay Willowherb; Pineappleweed; Greater Plantain; Goosegrass; Greater Willowherb; Creeping Thistle; Herb Robert; Common Nettle; Tansy; Tufted Vetch; Bush Vetch; Lady's Bedstraw; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Red Clover; Ribwort Plantain; Lady's Mantle agg; Yarrow; Enchanter's Nightshade; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Self-Heal; Meadow Buttercup; Red Bartsia; Black Medick; Wild Carrot; Tall Melilot; Wild Basil; Slender Tare; Square Stalked St John's Wort; Common Heather; Common Ragwort; Common Knapweed; Tormentil; Lousewort; Harebell; Marsh Thistle; Yellow Rattle; Devil's Bit Scabious and Eyebright agg.

The 50 insects seen were:- 1 * Broad Damsel Bug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 1 * Mirid Bug (Charagochilus gyllenhalii); 1 * Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola); 4 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 7 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 5 * Hoverfly (Leucozona glaucia); 2 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 5 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 5 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 5 * Black Tipped Solder Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 2 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 3 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 5 * Common Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 4 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe grossulariae); 5 * Red Thighed St Mark's Fly (Bibio pomonae); 2 * Heather Mining Bee (Colletes succinctus); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 2* Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata); 1 * Clouded Border (Lomaspilis marginata); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius); 2 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 1 * Rhinocerus Beetle (Sinodendron cylindricum); 1 * Forest Bug (Pentatoma rufipes); 1 * Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis); 1 * Heather Beetle (Lochmaea suturalis); 2 * Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 5 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Tortoise Bug nymph (Eurygaster testudinaria); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Violet Ground Beetle (Carabus violaceus) and 1 * Alder Moth larvae (Acronicta alni) and a couple of Cinnabar Moth larva (Tyria jacobaeae).

The only birds listed were:- Kestrel; Wren; Mallard; Buzzard and Jackdaw.

The few galls seen were:- Dasineura urticae; Taphrina alni; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus kollari; Neuroterus numismalis; Chirosia betuleti; Dasineura pteridis and Urophora cardui.

Other bits and pieces seen were:- Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis); Leopard Slug (Limax maximus); Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); Walnut Orb Weaver Spider (Nuctenea umbratica); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); a fungally infected Common Toad and a young Frog and Smooth Newt.

My mate Ant also picked out Purple Moor Grass bringing up a total of 135 species (including fungi).

12th August 2023 - Macclesfield Riverside Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire - A family bio-blitz was happening at this area new to us and we were invited in to lead a general 2 hour walk for both young and old. The rain fell, the sun peeped, the walk went ahead with 21 of us helping to see a few species. I had a quick mooch prior to the general event and here is my final tally.

Insects recorded were few due to the pesky weather but the 25 noted were:- 1 * Hoverfly (Xanthandrus comtus); 2 * Common Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 3 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Parent Bug nymph (Elasmucha grisea); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 2 * Hoverfly (Leucozona glaucia); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 2 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * Hoverfly (Sericomyia silentis); 3 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 1 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Mother of Pearl (Patania ruralis) and 1 * Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata).

The 40 flowers in bloom were:- Enchanter's Nightshade; Marsh Woundwort; White Water Lily; Hogweed; Angelica; Nipplewort; Daisy; Common Nettle; Himalayan Balsam; Dandelion agg; Greater Willowherb; Rosebay Willowherb; Garlic Mustard; Mugwort; Herb Robert; Hedge Bindweed; Water Mint; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Square Stalked St John's-Wort; Pink Purslane; Wood Avens; Procumbent Pearlwort; Shepherd's Purse; Greater Plantain; Bush Vetch; Common Mouse Ear; Common Ragwort; Meadowsweet; Common Knapweed; Goosegrass; Bramble agg; Bittersweet; White Campion; Red Campion; Tufted Vetch; Red Clover; White Clover; Creeping Thistle and Common Knotgrass.

We also added 16 other species:- Common Horsetail; Giant Horsetail; Common Reed; Xanthoria parietina; Amber Snail; Brown Lipped Banded Snail; White Lipped Banded Snail; Large Yellow Slug agg; Shiny Woodlouse; Striped Woodlouse; Variegated Centipede; Grey Heron and Wood Pigeonplus Hazel, Alder and Holly in fruit.

The 12 galls seeen were:- Eriophyes tiliae; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Dasineura urticae; Eriophyes inangulis; Andricus quercuscalicis; Trioza remota; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus kollari; Neuroterus numismalis; Andricus aries; Euura proxima and Psyllopsis fraxini.

Prior to my walk I had a look at thge previous evenings moth catch and cheekily added 6 species:- Wax Moth; Ruby Tiger; Box Tree Moth; Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing; Riband Wave f. remutata and Large Yellow Underwing.

And so, along with 29 fungi (after microscopy) the end tally was:- 128 species.

11th August 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - The House Sparrows are zoned in to the fact that I had the moth trap out on the previous night. I awoke to see the frenzied feeding with a Wood Pigeon in the mix. When going through the trap a Coal Tit watched my every move and the local Robin awaited its turn so as to feed the third brood of young un's. Despite all this the moths counted were:- Pyrausta aurata (*5); Common Rustic agg (*2); Bird Cherry Ermine (*3); Large Yellow Underwing (*84); Riband Wave f. remutata (*3); Box Tree Moth (*3); Light Brown Apple Moth (*6); Honeysuckle Moth (*1); Garden Carpet (*1); Svensson's Copper Underwing (*4); Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing (*5); Straw Dot (*2); Square Spot Rustic (*1); Apple Leaf Miner (*3); Azalea Leaf Miner (*1); Riband Wave (*1); Marbled Beauty (*1); Blastobasis adustella (*1); Old Lady (*1); Tachystola acroxantha (*1); Flame Shoulder (*1); Fan-Foot (*1); Agriphilla straminella (*1); Yellow Barred Brindle (*2); Turnip Moth (*1) and Small Fan Footed Wave (*1).

Also in the mix were:- 3 * Orange Ladybird and 1 * Common Wasp.

10th August 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - The foot is being gently eased off the bug hunting gas as I turn my attention back to fungi. I did find time though to do a spot of moth trapping. The species caught were:- Buccalatrix thoracella (*1); Yellow-Shell (*1); Willow Beauty (*7); Flame Shoulder (*1); Common Rustic agg (*4); Large Yellow Underwing (*56); Garden Carpet (*1); Acleris forsskaleana (*1); Bird Cherry Ermine (*7); Riband Wave f. remutata (*2); Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing (*6); Marbled Beauty (*4); Pyrausta aurata (*1): Blastobasis adustella (*4); Tachystola acroxantha (*1); Spectacle (*2); Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (*2); Canary Shoulder Thorn (*1); Light Brown Apple Moth (*1); Honeysuckle Moth (*1); Svensson's Copper Underwing (*3); Square Spot Rustic (*1); Small Phoenix (*1) and Hypsopygia glaucinalis (*1).

Also in the mix was the Caddis-Fly (Athripsodes albifrons).

7th August 2023 - Bramhall Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A pootle with my mate Ralph. We didn't strain ourselves looking for things but we saw a few fungi and the following insects:- 1 * Larch Ladybird (Aphidecta obliterata); 1 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 5 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 5 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe grossulariae); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis tenax); 3 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Dexiosoma caninum); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 2 * False Blister Beetle (Oedemera lurida); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Weevil (Rhinoncus pericarpius); 4 * Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp (Cerceris rybyensis) and 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis).

I also saw a few young Common Frogs; a Leopard Slug and the gall Mikiola fagi.

Flowers noted in bloom were:- Silverweed; Common Skullcap; Gypsywort; Greater Plantain; Greater Willowherb; Self-Heal; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Common Ragwort; Purple Loosestrife; Common Knapweed; Common Nettle; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Daisy; Creeping Buttercup; White Clover; Ribwort Plantain; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Dandelion agg; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Common Knotgrass; Pineappleweed; Small Balsam and Meadow Buttercup.

6th August 2023 - Moore NR, Warrington, Cheshire - The weather played fair as we went on a hunt for fungi but the biting insects were a complete menace and after 90 minutes we left the area and went somewhere else. My good lady kept a flowering plant list, this was made up of:- Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Foxglove; Lesser Burdock; Weld; Common Knotgrass; Common Knapweed; Harebell; Sheep's Sorrel; Red Bartsia; Lesser Stitchwort; Meadow Buttercup; Yarrow; Greater Plantain; Common Stork's-Bill; Bramble agg; Hedge Mustard; Hedge Bindweed; Mugwort; Rosebay Willowherb; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Creeping Thistle; Large Flowered Evening Primrose agg; Self-Heal; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; White Clover; Hogweed; Dandelion agg; Spear Thistle; Red Campion; Creeping Buttercup; Buddleia; White Dead Nettle; Tufted Vetch; Common Ragwort; Himalayan Balsam; Meadowsweet; Greater Willowherb and Common Nettle.

The few birds seen were:- Wood Pigeon; Canada Goose; Mallard; Coot; Little Grebe and Sparrowhawk.

I also added 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and 1 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus).

The Galls listed were:- Dasineura urticae; Eriophyes laevis; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus kollari and Andricus quercuscalicis.

5th August 2023 - Maine Road FC, G. Manchester - The next footy fixture and after acquiring a coffee I had a walk down one side of the pitch and saw:- 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 4 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) and 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus).

Brown Lipped Banded Snail; Large Yellow Slug agg; Shiny Woodlouse; Rough Woodlouse and Ring Necked Parakeet were also added along with Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Ribwort Plantain; Common Ragwort; Spear Thistle and Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill in flower.

4th August 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A check of a local pond whilst pootling homeward from a long week at work. Insects seen during the half hour mooch were:- 2 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and 1 * Mother of Pearl (Patania ruralis).

The Ash Key Gall (Aceria fraxinivora) was also showing well.

3rd August 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A real trying week saw me go home from work both jaded and, fed up. I still managed to enjoy and record a few species, these were:- 4 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug nymph (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis tenax) and 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana).

A Grey Heron flew by and I saw the Gall (Urophora cardui).

29th July 2023 - Wythenshawe CP, G. Manchester - A crappy forecast didn't deter us from going for a nice wander with the aim to see a few fungal species, have a brew and clear the noggins. We did just fine and along with 41 species of fungi we also saw a few butterflies, these being:- Comma (*2); Small White (*1); Green Veined White (*1); Holly Blue (*1); Large White (*1); Peacock (*1); Gatekeeper (*2); Small Skipper (*1); Meadow Brown (*1); Speckled Wood (*3) and Red Admiral (*1).

Other insects noted were:- 1 * 14 Spot Ladybirds (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 1 * Forest Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes); 2 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella spetempunctata); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Sun-Fy (Helophilus hybridus); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis) and several Common Sycamore Aphids (Drepanosiphum platanoidis).

The 50 flowers noted in bloom were:- Red Campion; Mugwort; Silverweed; Common Mouse Ear; Yarrow; Himalayan Balsam; Hedge Woundwort; Garlic Mustard; Rosebay Willowherb; Lesser Stitchwort; Buddleia; Shepherd's Purse; Groundsel; Common Knotgrass; Common Ragwort; Chickweed; Enchanter's Nightshade; Wood Avens; Hogweed; Bramble agg; Ribwort Plantain; Black Medick; Wall Speedwell; Dandelion agg; Lesser Swine-Cress; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Hemp Agrimony; Scented Mayweed; Herb Robert; Purple Loosestrife; Lesser Trefoil; Tufted Vetch; Self-Heal; Goosegrass; Greater Plantain; Greater Willowherb; Creeping Thistle; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Red Dead Nettle; Lesser Burdock; Nipplewort; Common Field Speedwell; Canadian Fleabane; Redshank; Common Nettle; Daisy; Creeping Buttercup; White Clover; Black Nightshade and Pineappleweed.

The few galls recorded were:- Trioza remota; Aceria macrochela; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Psyllopsis fraxini; Acalitus stenaspis; Hartigiola annulipes; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus kollari and Andricus quercuscalicis.

A Hornbeam tree was looking splendid, several young Grey Squirrels were pilfering the local fruit and a White Legged Snake Millipede and Leopard Slug were picked out and the 6 bird species spotted were:- Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Dunnock; Great Tit and Blue Tit and rounded the mornings tally at 140 species - we couldn't complain.

27th July 2023 - Heaton Mersey Bowl, Stockport, G. Manchester - I should have gone straight home after work today, I cycled to the local Bowl and did a circuit and duly recorded:- 2 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia pagana); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Small White (Small rapae); 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 4 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 3 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Common Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * Mother of Pearl (Patania ruralis); 9 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 9 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 2 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 63 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * Common Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 6 * Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis); 13 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 6 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug nymph (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis arbustorum); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Broad Damsel Bug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus hybridus); 1 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) and 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni).

The young Oak trees were teeming with 3 common galls, these being:- Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus kollari and Andricus quercuscalicis.

I also saw 2 Striped Woodlice.

24th July 2023 - Chorlton WP, G. Manchester - Cycling homeward, a quick mooch produced the following insects:- 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria); 1 * Marsh Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius); 2 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 14 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 2 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 2 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) and 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni).

A couple of galls added were:- Taphrina alni; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes laevis; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus kollari and Andricus quercuscalicis.

Common Skullcap; Yellow Loosestrife; Agrimony; Purple Loosestrife and Broad Leaved Helleborine were a few blooms that caught the eye.

24th July 2023 - Sale WP, G. Manchester - The good lady dropped me off with my pushbike and then buggered off to sort her mum's funeral with her sister. I was out to see some fungi and duly abandoned matters after getting sidetracked in a field of flowers and bugs. I had no net today but the weather was just right, the coffee before and after was smashing and the 8 mile cycle home very much needed.

The 64 insects noted were:- 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 2 * Common Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 2 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 6 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 5 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 7 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 3 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 3 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 18 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 7 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Barkfly (Graphopsocus cruciatus); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug plus 2 nymphs (Dolycoris baccarum); 5 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 7 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 2 * Marsh Snipefly (Rhagio tringarius); 2 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 6 * Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis); 2 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella inanis): 3 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 2 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Hoverfly (Leucozona glaucia); 1 * Blue Shieldbug (Zicrona caerulea); 1 * Shaded Broad Bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata); 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Dexiosoma caninum); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 2 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 2 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia pagana); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Long Winged Conehead nymph (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Hoverfly (Eupeodes luniger); 1 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis arbustorum); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Tachnid Fly (Graphomya maculata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Phytocoris varipes); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Panzeria anthophila); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum festivum) and a few Cinnabar Moth larvae (Tyria jacobaeae) plus plenty of Black Tipped Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva) and Common Sycamore Aphids (Drepanosiphum platanoidis).

The 49 flowers in bloom included:- Broad Leaved Helleborine; Silverweed; Red Campion; Common Nettle; White Dead Nettle; Greater Willowherb; Garlic Mustard; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Bush Vetch; Ox-Eye Daisy; Rosebay Willowherb; Red Clover; White Clover; Hedge Bedstraw; Lesser Trefoil; Hogweed; Wild Carrot; Common Ragwort; Tall Melilot; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Hairy Tare; Perforate St John's-Wort; Tufted Vetch; Meadow Buttercup; Great Burnet; Meadow Vetchling; Creeping Thistle; Lesser Stitchwort; Marsh Woundwort; Pineappleweed; Large Bindweed; Greater Plantain; Enchanter's Nightshade; Lesser Burdock; Common Knotgrass; Wood Sage; Spear Thistle; Nipplewort; Bittersweet; Rough Sow Thistle; Feverfew; Bramble agg; Dandelion agg; Fox and Cubs; Himalayan Balsam; Common Mouse Ear; Ribwort Plantain and Goosegrass.

The 12 birds I listed were:- Nuthatch; Great Tit; Canada Goose; Mute Swan; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Mistle Thrush; Goldfinch; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Wren; Carrion Crow and Mallard.

The 6 galls added were:- Andricus foecundatrix; Psyllopsis fraxini; Aceria macrochela; Andricus aries; Macrodiplosis dryobia and Andricus quercuscalicis.

With 13 fungi added the end list was 144 species - not bad for 3 hours work.

21st July 2023 - Heaton Mersey Orchard, Stockport, G. Manchester - In between clouds and showers I had a short mooch in the local orchard after another busy week. I saw a few hoverflies:- Syritta pipiens (*3); Sphaerophoria scripta (*3); Episyrphus balteatus (*4); Eristalis pertinax (*1); Helophilus pendulus (*2); Eristalis intricaria (*1); Cheilosia pagana (*1); Platycheirus scutatus s.s (*1) and Melanostoma scalare (*1).

Lepidoptera seen were:- Gatekeeper (*1); Small Skipper (*3); Small White (*1) and the micro moths:- Eucosma cana (*1) and Udea lutealis (*3).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 4 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Sphenella marginata) and 1 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva).

A Common Frog was seen jumping through the grass too.

20th July 2023 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - I am aching all over. Chest, back, arse and legs - I am an old crock.  A lunch time walk was needed and the sun was a ruddy fine bonus.  I saw the following butterflies:- 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 2 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Small White (Small rapae) and 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae). I also added:- 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 4 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum); 4 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) and 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina).

2 White Lipped Banded Snails (Cepaea hortensis) were seen hiding in the shade.

19th July 2023 - Paddington Meadows, Warrington, Cheshire - And yet another walk with the grand bunch of folk who look after this area. There were a couple of friends in the mix too.

I was run ragged today, I missed several things, I am a tired old bugger at the mo but the 88 insects I did see and list were:- 2 * Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola); 4 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 4 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 7 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 5 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Common Blue (Polyomattus icarus); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 2 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 2 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 5 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis); 5 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Hoary Belle (Eucosma cana); 1 * Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata); 1 * Common Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 3 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 2 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 2 * Parent Bug nymph (Elasmucha grisea); 1 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 1 * Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus madidus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Phytocoris varipes); 1 * Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri); 1 * Muscid Fly (Graphomya maculata); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Phasia hemiptera); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida vibex); 5 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii); 5 * Shaded Broad Bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata); 3 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Buff Footman (Eilema depressa); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 2 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 2 * Common Earwing (Forficula auriciularia); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 3 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug plus 3 nymphs (Palomena prasina); 2 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 5 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 2 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Notch Horned Cleg (Haematopota pluvialis); 8 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 5 * Bishop's Mitre Bug nymph (Aelia acuminata); 3 * Dock Bug nymph (Coreus marginatus); 3 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 3 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 3 * Rhopalid Bug (Myrmus miriformis); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug plus 1 adult (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Dasysyrphus albostriatus); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 10+ * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 2 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Red Eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 2 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 2 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 2 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 1 * Rose Sawfly (Arge ochropus); 5 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 2 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa cognata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Apolygus lucorum); 1 * Broad Damsel Bug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 1 * Marsh Snipefly (Rhagio tringarius); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and several Cinnabar Moth larvae (Tyria jacobaeae) plus plenty of Black Tipped Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva) and Horse Chestnut Leaf Miners (Cameraria ohridella).

The 79 plants noted were:- Marsh Willowherb; Scentless Mayweed; Hedge Bedstraw; Field Scabious; Hemp Agrimony; Nipplewort; Greater Willowherb; Hedge Bindweed; Common Reedmace; Herb Robert; White Clover; Red Clover; Common Field Speedwell; Rough Sow Thistle; Black Medick; Buddleia; Common Ragwort; Spear Thistle; Tall Melilot; Ribwort Plantain; Greater Plantain; Creeping Thistle; Common Vetch; Self-Heal; Perforate St John's-Wort; White Melilot; Hairy Tare; Meadowsweet; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Hedge Woundwort; Large Bindweed; Creeping Buttercup; Wild Carrot; Daisy; Common Nettle; Goosegrass; Purple Loosestrife; Dandelion agg; Hedge Mustard; Red Campion; Tansy; Tufted Vetch; Marjoram; Common Knapweed; Meadow Buttercup; Yarrow; Pineappleweed; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Himalayan Balsam; Mugwort; Musk Mallow; Rosebay Willowherb; Teasel; Groundsel; Yellow Loosestrife; Black Nightshade; Sneezewort; Meadow Vetchling; Foxglove; Common Sorrel; Red Bartsia; Square Stalked St John's-Wort; Common Mouse Ear; Common Knot-Grass; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Claridge Druce’s Crane’s-Bill; Wood Avens; White Dead Nettle; Hogweed; Broad Leaved Helleborine; Canadian Goldenrod; Marsh Woundwort; Wavy Bittercress; Figwort plus Elder; Hazel and Hawthorn in fruit and Hemlock Water Dropwort in seed.

The 11 galls observed were:- Andricus quercuscalicis; Iteomyia major; Taphrina pruni; Trioza remota; Andricus curvator; Neuroterus numismalis; Andricus aries; Andricus kollari; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Dasineura ulmaria and Andricus foecundatrix.

The 7 birds I saw were:- Lesser Black Backed Gull; Blackbird; Magpie; Mallard; Common Buzzard; Swift and Goldfinch

I also added a Striped Woodlouse and along with 22 fungi the end tally was:- 208 species.

17th July 2023 - Lindow Common, Wilmslow, Cheshire - A walk with some friends. I arrived 30 minutes early after a 7.5 mile bike ride. I had a pootle and counted some insects before the heavens went boom. A massive downpour, thunder and lightning and then the rest of the group arrived, We set off, a couple more downpours were dodged, we had some sizzling sun too - it was a mixed bag for sure. The insect numbers weren't as expected but I did see and record:- 3 * Weevil (Micrelus ericae); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 4 * Tachnid Fly (Dexiosoma caninum); 5 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 8 * Drone Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 2 * Meadow Grasshopper (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 2 * Devil's Coach Horse (Staphylinus olens); 5 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 1 * Common Heath Moth (Ematurga atomaria); 2 * Beautiful Yellow Underwing (Anarta myrtilli); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug nymph (Dolycoris baccarum); 2 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 5 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Sexton Beetle (Nicrophorus vespilloides); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 3 * Common Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 1 * Common Blue (Polyomattus icarus); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Cicada Bug (Ulopa reticulata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 5 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota sylvarum); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 1 * Rain Beetle (Pterostichus melanarius) and 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quatuordecimguttata).

Flowers in bloom included:- Goosegrass; Common Nettle; Bramble agg; Creeping Thistle; Hogweed; Large Bindweed; Common Comfrey agg; Rosebay Willowherb; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Pineappleweed; Tormentil; Gorse; White Clover; Common Ragwort; Purple Loosestrife; Meadow Buttercup; Hairy Tare; Foxglove; Square Stalked St John's-Wort; Enchanter's Nightshade; Wild Parsnip; Greater Plantain; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Marsh Thistle; Dandelion agg; Meadowsweet; Yellow Rattle and Ribwort Plantain.

The few galls noted were:- Andricus kollari and Andricus foecundatrix.

I also added:- 1 * White Lipped Banded Snail and the birds:- Grey Heron; Mallard; Wood Pigeon and Moorhen.

16th July 2023 - Lymm Dam, Warrington, Cheshire - An early morning walk after very little sleep. We had a coffee and off we set, we felt better when we had finished. The skies were grey but we avoided the rain again, insects recorded were:- 1 * Fanniid Fly (Fannia lustrator); 1 * Figwort Sawfly (Tenthredo scrophulariae); 1 * Plant Bug (Alloeotomus gothicus); 61 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 124 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 5 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 4 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 8 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 9 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 3 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella); 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 2 * Muscid Fly (Graphomya maculata); 1 * Dingy Dowd Moth (Blastobasis adustella); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria); 1 * 18 Spot Ladybird (Myrrha octodecimguttata); 1 * Little Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus asiliformis); Pine Scymnus Ladybird (Scymnus suturalis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi) and 1 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus).

Flowers in bloom were:- Greater Celandine; Common Nettle; Himalayan Balsam; Common Sorrel; White Clover; Greater Plantain; Curled Dock; Wood Avens; Wood Sage; Upright Hedge Parsley; Hogweed; Canadian Goldenrod; Bramble agg; Red Campion; Herb Robert; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Rosebay Willowherb; Common Ragwort; Meadowsweet; Common Knapweed; Creeping Thistle; Musk Mallow; Wild Carrot; Dandelion agg; Meadow Buttercup; Square Stalked St John's-Wort; Ox-Eye Daisy; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Enchanter's Nightshade; Self-Heal; Hedge Woundwort; Pineappleweed and Spear Thistle.

The birds listed were:- Cormorant; Mallard; Coot; Great Crested Grebe; Moorhen; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Mandarin Duck; Magpie and Robin.

I also recorded a Pendulous Sedge; Leopard Slug and the galls:- Andricus aries; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Andricus kollari; Psyllopsis fraxini; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Agathomyia wankowiczii; Eriophyes laevis and Hartigiola annulipes.

With 11 fungi specimens added we clocked up a nice 93 species with little effort.

15th July 2023 - Grappenhall Walled Gardens, Cheshire - The second part of today's list came before and after a break for home-made soup, crusty bread and a coffee. We saw the following 26 insects:- 1 * Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 3 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 35 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum); 1 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 2 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Forest Bug (Pentatoma rufipes); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea); 1 * Parent Bug nymph (Elasmucha grisea); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii) and 1 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata).

The small wild flower list consisted of 33 species:- Pineappleweed; White Clover; Creeping Buttercup; Dotted Loosestrife; Meadow Buttercup; Lady's Bedstraw; Tufted Vetch; Red Campion; Nettle Leaved Bellflower; Foxglove; Rosebay Willowherb; Yellow Water Lily; Tansy; Purple Loosestrife; Hemp Agrimony; Common Skullcap; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Common Mouse Ear; Spear Thistle; Procumbent Pearlwort; Hedge Woundwort; Meadowsweet; Gypsywort; Self-Heal; Field Pansy; Sweet Chestnut; Chickweed; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Bittersweet; Square Stemmed Willowherb; Marsh Cudweed and Dove's Foot Crane's-Bill.

I also saw:- Coot; Mallard; Song Thrush; Moorhen; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Dunnock; Magpie; Pendulous Sedge; Grey Squirrel and the Gall (Andricus quercuscalicis) plus 8 fungi making for an end tally of 78 species.

15th July 2023 - Appleton Meadows and Woodland, Cheshire - Another walk with a crappy weather forecast. A few folk shied away at the last minute, ruddy buggers. Those who turned up had a two hour stroll in damp grassland, woodland and around the local walled gardens. The list was split accordingly. At this site we saw the following 27 blooms:- Daisy; Self-Heal; White Clover; Lesser Trefoil; Greater Willowherb; Common Ragwort; Common Nettle; Broad Leaved Helleborine; Creeping Thistle; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Perforate St-John's Wort; Red Clover; Meadow Vetchling; Red Bartsia; Common Knapweed; Yarrow; Nipplewort; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Bramble agg; Red Campion; Rosebay Willowherb; Himalayan Balsam; Hogweed; Goosegrass; Meadow Buttercup; and Greater Plantain.

The 15 galls listed were:- Aceria macrochela; Eriophyes leiosoma; Andricus kollari; Andricus curvator; Trioza remota; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Andricus aries; Andricus foecundatrix; Aceria nervisequa; Hartigiola annulipes; Acalitus stenaspis ; Biorhiza pallida; Iteomyia capreae; Cecidophyes rouhollahi and Andricus quercuscalicis.

Despite the weather we saw the following 35 insects:- 1 * Tephrid Fly (Tephritis neesii); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 3 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 7 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 3 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug nymph (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 6 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 2 * Noon Fly (Mesembrina meridiana); 4 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Red Tailed Bee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 5 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 2 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Common Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * 6 Spot Burnet Moth (Zygaena filipendulae) and a good gathering of Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis).

I also noted Hazel and Beech Trees as well as Pendulous Sedge; Quaking Grass; a Wood Pigeon; Shiny and Rough Woodlice and a couple of Large Yellow Slugs (Limax flavus agg). These 8 species along with 14 fungal specimens made for a grand total of 104 species - not bad for a 2 hour pootle.

10th July 2023 - Mousley Bottom NR, New Mills, Derbyshire - A trip out on the train, a walk, a coffee and a chat with a lovely lady called Vanessa who was doing a bit of bird watching. The lady pootled on, I had a mooch and then a few friends arrived for a mooch, We did just over two hours and beat the rain. Despite the area being rather damp we saw the following 56 insects:- Patchwork Leafcutter Bee (Megachile centuncularis); 1 * Click Beetle (Adrastus pallens); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 2 * Chrysomelid Beetle (Phaedon tumidulus); 1 * Rover Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Muscid Fly (Phaonia pallida); 1 * Brown China Mark (Elophila nymphaeata); 1 * Leafhopper (Evacanthus interruptus); 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Water Ladybird (Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata); 2 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 4 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 4 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 3 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 12 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Dicyphus epilobii); 1 * Rover Beetle (Stenus cicindeloides); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Dexiosoma caninum); 1 * Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea); 4 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 3 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 2 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 28 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 4 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 5 * Timothy Grass Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 2 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 1 * False Blister Beetle (Oedemera lurida); 10 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 1 * Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Forest Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes); 1 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * Black Snipefly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Pithanus maerkelii); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 5 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus rosarum); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Common Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 1 * Mirid Bug (Phytocoris longipennis); 1 * Little Grey Moth (Eudonia lacustrata); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida) and 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius).

The 59 flowers in bloom were:- Himalayan Balsam; White Clover; Herb Robert; Common Ragwort; Bramble agg; Goosegrass; Hogweed; Wood Avens; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Common Nettle; Dandelion agg; Ribwort Plantain; Wood Sage; Goldenrod; Hedge Woundwort; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Buddleia; Upright Hedge Parsley; Spear Thistle; Garlic Mustard; Wild Strawberry; Nipplewort; Enchanter's Nightshade; Red Campion; Yellow-Rattle; Red Clover; Tufted Vetch; Meadow Vetchling; Self-Heal; Creeping Thistle; Rosebay Willowherb; Foxglove; Pink Purslane; Common Mouse Ear; Purple Loosestrife; Bittersweet; Cuckooflower; Common Knapweed; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Greater Plantain; Meadowsweet; White Water Lily; Yellow Water Lily; Flowering Rush; Monkeyflower; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Water Mint agg; Welsh Poppy; Feverfew; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Great Willowherb; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Weld; Lady's Mantle agg; Daisy; Pineappleweed; Creeping Jenny and 19 spikes of Broad Leaved Helleborine.

The bird list was small again due to the eyes elsewhere and not being willing to lug my binoculars about. I did record:- Chiffchaff; Jay; Jackdaw; Wood Pigeon and Moorhen.

The few galls listed were:- Andricus kollari; Trioza remota; Psyllopsis fraxini; Iteomyia capraea; Dasineura urticae; Aceria exilis; Hartigiola annulipes; Acalitus stenaspis; Eriophyes tiliae; Euura proxima and Protomyces macrosporus.

Also added were:- Shiny Woodlouse; Strawberry Snail; Hart's Tongue Fern; Wall Rue; Maidenhair Spleenwort and several baby Frogs.

Along with 8 fungal species the final tally was 139 species.

9th July 2023 - Sale WP, G. Manchester - A short walk today as we had many things to attend to. A coffee and breakfast bap was followed by a walk along a hedgerow, a pootle in a meadow and back to the car we went. Insects noted on this mini-mooch were:- 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 23 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 2 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 2 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi);10+ * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 3 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 3 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 9 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 4 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 8 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 1 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 2 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 3 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii); 1 * Shaded Broad Bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata) and 3 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae).

The few flowers we noted in bloom as we pottered along were:- Creeping Thistle; Pineappleweed; Wild Carrot; Greater Plantain; Meadow Crane's-Bill; White Clover; Ribwort Plantain; Common Ragwort; Garlic Mustard; Hogweed; Wood Avens; Enchanter's Nightshade; Herb Robert; Rosebay Willowherb; Himalayan Balsam; Spear Thistle and Meadow Buttercup.

A few galls added were:- Trioza remota; Andricus kollari; Andricus quercuscalicis; Andricus aries; Neuroterus numismalis; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum and Andricus foecundatrix.

7th July 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - The moth trap yielded the following species:- White Satin (*1); Dark Arches (*7); Brown House Moth (*3); Common Rustic agg (*1); Chrysoteuchia culmella (*1); Heart and Dart (*3); Rustic (*1); Clay (*1); Scalloped Oak (*1); Uncertain (*1); Eudonia lacustrata (*1) and Tachystola acroxantha (*1).

A Meadow Brown appeared in the garden later in the day and 11 Lesser Black Back Gulls circled overhead. One of the Robins had fledged but had drowned in a tub of water I had left out for the bugs - I was gutted.

A Batman Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) was seen in the kitchen later in the day.

6th July 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Whilst taking time out I had a pootle in the garden, insects seen were:- 31 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 13 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 2 * Nettle Leafhopper (Eupteryx urticae); 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

Teasel was now in magnificent flower.

6th July 2023 - Bramhall Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - During these sad times me and the missus are ploughing on and making sure we get a morning walk in. Today we had a quiet stroll, a coffee and a chinwag. A few insects seen were:- 2 * Hoverfly Cheilosia illustrata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 5 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quatuordecimguttata); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula): 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 8 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 8 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota sylvarum); 2 * Forest Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes); 2 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Dexiosoma caninum); 1 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Larch Ladybird (Aphidecta obliterata); 1 * Cream Streaked Ladybird (Harmonia quadripunctata); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Hover-Fly (Xylota segnis); 3 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Campyloneura virgula); 1 * Leafhopper (Eupterycyba jucunda) and 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii).

The few birds added were:- Chaffinch; Carrion Crow; Song Thrush; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Moorhen; Raven; Grey Heron; Robin; Mallard and Mandarin Duck.

Flowers in bloom included:- Enchanter's Nightshade; Wood Avens; Purple Loosestrife; Common Ragwort; Meadowsweet; Self-Heal; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Common Nettle; Garlic Mustard; Large Bindweed; Red Campion; Bramble agg; White Clover; Broad Leaved Helleborine; Herb Robert; Rough Sow Thistle; Spear Thistle; Procumbent Pearlwort; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Ribwort Plantain; Daisy; Himalayan Balsam; Creeping Thistle; Ground Elder; Rosebay Willowherb; Greater Willowherb and Square Stalked St John's-Wort.

Galls listed were:- Eriophyes laevis; Mikiola fagi; Euura proxima; Eriophyes inangulis; Biorhiza pallida; Andricus foecundatrix; Aceria stenaspis; Hartigiola annulipes and Aceria macrorhynchus.

A Hornbeam tree was looking beautiful as was a small forest of Wood Horsetail.

5th July 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - After the loss of the Mother-in-Law we took time out to clear the heads and have a local walk with a cooked breakfast in between. Along the way we saw:- 3 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 2 * Lime Aphid (Eucallipterus tiliae); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 32 * Common Green Shieldbug nymphs plus 1 adult (Palomena prasina); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 3 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Timothy Grass Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata).

The few galls listed were:- Mikiola fagi; Sphenella marginata; Dasineura fraxini; Psyllopsis fraxini; Andricus kollari; Eriophyes tiliae; Taphrina populina and Aceria exilis.

Chicory was in splendid flower and we also saw 2 * Grey Wagtail; a Goldfinch, a Song Thrush and a Mandarin Duck.

4th July 2023 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk in the dinner break, I was feeling rather deflated of late. A few insects picked me up:- 19 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus qadripustulatus); 5 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea); 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quatuordecimguttata); 3 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus); 20+ * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae) and 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album).

I also saw the Galls:- Mikiola fagi; Psyllopsis fraxini and Aceria macrochelus and a flitting Goldfinch.

3rd July 2023 - Fletcher Moss, Didsbury, G. Manchester - A short walk with some good folk. The rain fell and got worse and worse so, after 2 hours, we had a coffee and called it a day. The insects I saw and recorded were:- 2 * Leafhopper (Eurhadina loewii); 1 * Leafhopper (Iassus lanio); 1 * Ground Beetle (Notiophilus biguttatus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Common Blackclock (Pterostichus madidus); 1 * Great Blackclock (Pterostichus niger); 1 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and an abundance of Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis).

The few flowers I noted in bloom were:- Daisy; Common Ragwort; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Herb Robert; Rosebay Willowherb; Goosegrass; Creeping Thistle; Greater Plantain and Meadowsweet.

The few birds listed were:- Bullfinch; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Magpie; Grey Heron; Dunnock; Wood Pigeon; Robin and Song Thrush.

The few galls picked out were:- Pemphigus spyrothecae; Andricus kollari and Protomyces macrosporus.

We also saw 5 Common Toads and several young Frogs plus a Garden Snail.

1st July 2023 - Wythenshawe Park, G. Manchester - Out early as I wanted to have a nature ramble before the first footy match of the new season. 5.5 miles on the back to the park, a few soakings, a coffee and with the wind blowing. Of course insects were low in number but I did record:- 5 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 3 * Lime Aphid (Eucallipterus tiliae); 2 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 27 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 7 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 6 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 4 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 25 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 9 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 20 * Semaphore Fly (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus); 2 * Common Nettle Groundbug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * Timothy Grass Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe grossulariae); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 1 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria). 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 3 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis arbustorum); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 6 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri); 7 * Mullein Moth larvae (Cucullia verbasci); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum) and 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus).

The few birds listed were:- Mallard; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Great Tit; Greenfinch and Carrion Crow.

Blooms noted today were:- Shining Crane's-Bill; Shepherd's Purse; Bramble agg; Enchanter's Nightshade; Wood Avens; Sweet Chestnut; Rosebay Willowherb; Large Bindweed; Common Nettle; White Clover; Broad Leaved Dock; Dandelion agg; Red Campion; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Daisy; Ribwort Plantain; Greater Plantain; Common Ragwort; Foxglove; Creeping Thistle; Red Clover; Common Knapweed; Ox-Eye Daisy; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Greater Willowherb; Himalayan Balsam; Hogweed; Tufted Vetch; Pineappleweed; Scented Mayweed; Common Knotgrass; Herb Robert; Redshank; Spear Thistle; Goosegrass; Elder; Great Mullein; Lesser Stitchwort; Yarrow; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Nipplewort; Groundsel; Common Field Speedwell; Lesser Swine's-Cress; Red Dead Nettle; Rough Sow Thistle; Self-Heal; Lesser Trefoil; Weld and Garlic Mustard.

Galls listed were:- Mikiola fagi; Taxomyia taxi; Dasineura urticae; Aceria cephalonea; Obolodiplosis robiniae; Andricus kollari; Psyllopsis fraxini and Trioza remota.

29th June 2023 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - I took the afternoon off work, I was utterly fagged so had a cycle down to this local park and had a coffee in the sun. I also had a short mooch in the meadow and a chat with a bloke taking pics. I had no net or camera today but I did see:- 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 1 * Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Blood-Vein (Timandra comae); 6 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Pied Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 3 * Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum festivum); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 4 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 2 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 4 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 4 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 6 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 3 * Long Winged Conehead nymph (Conocephalus fuscus); 2 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 5 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 12 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 4 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 3 * Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa); 3 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 7 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) and 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

The Galls seen were:- Taphrina tosquinetii; Trioza remota and Andricus foecundatrix were seen along with 5 Smooth Newts and a brace of Great Pond Snails.

Fringed Water Lily was now in flower.

26th June 2023 - Banky Meadow, Sale, G. Manchester - A meet-up with some fine folk, we had a pootle and the rain stayed away. A coffee break was excellent as was the company, what a joy.

The 90 insects recorded today were:- 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Green Immigrant Leaf Weevil (Polydrusus formosus); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata - f. bimaculata); 1 * Hoverfly (Chelosia illustrata); 1 * Flower Bug (Anthocoris cf. confusus); 1 * Leafhopper (Eupteryx vittata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 1 * Broad Damsel Bug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 1 * Marsh Damsel Bug (Nabis limbatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Megaloceroea recticornis); 12 * Figwort Weevil (Cionus scrophulariae); 1 * Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens); 7 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 7 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 5 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 5 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 10+ * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 4 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 12 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 6 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 10+ * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Dance Fly (Empis livida); 1 * Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis); 3 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 13 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Adonis Ladybird (Hippodamia variegata); 10 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 5 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 10+ * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Hoverfly (Eristalis intricaria); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 2 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 1 * Snout (Hypena proboscidalis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Miris striatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Small Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Leafhopper (Evacanthus interruptus); 2 * Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 6 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 5 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 2 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 2 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Latticed Heath (Chiasmia clathrata); 1 * Small Magpie (Anania hortulata); 1 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 2 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug nymph (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Narrow Bordered Five Spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae); 1 * Shaded Broad Bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata); 2 * Straw Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 1 * Small Tortoisehsell (Aglais urticae); 3 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 5 * Mirid Bug (Dicyphus epilobii); 3 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 2 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii); 2 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 1 * Riband Wave f. remutata (Idaea aversata); 2 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Orange Spot Piercer Moth (Pammene aurana); 1 * Longhorn Beetle (Grammoptera ruficornis); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 10 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 1 * Picture Wing Fly (Seioptera vibrans); 1 * Mirid Bug (Campyloneura virgula); 1 * Leafhopper (Eupteryx urticae); 1 * Flea Beetle (Neocrepidodera transversa); 1 * Beetle (Anaspis frontalis) and 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus).

The 47 flowers noted in bloom were:- Hoary Willowherb; Scented Mayweed; Tufted Vetch; Silverweed; Common Nettle; Hogweed; Large Bindweed; Goosegrass; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Meadow Vetchling; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Himalayan Balsam; Bramble agg; Creeping Cinquefoil; Ribwort Plantain; Marsh Thistle; Figwort; Hairy Tare; Shepherd's Purse; Lesser Swine Cress; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Spear Thistle; Creeping Thistle; Bee Orchid; Slender Tare; Perforate/Imperforate St John's-Wort hybrid; Hedge Woundwort; Common Valerian; Water Figwort; Self-Heal; Redshank; Rough Sow Thistle; Greater Plantain; Black Medick; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Large Flowered Evening Primrose agg; Common Centaury; Elder; Ground Elder; Giant Hogweed; Rosebay Willowherb; Common Ragwort; Garlic Mustard; Broad Leaved Dock; Knotgrass; Black Nightshade and Greater Willowherb.

The few birds noted were:- Sand Martin; Magpie; Blackbird and Pheasant.

Other bits and bobs were made up of:- Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum); 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) and White Lipped Banded Snail and (Cepaea hortensis).

The couple of galls noted were:- Psyllopsis fraxini; Euura pendunculi; Eriophyes similis; Cecidophyes rouhollahi and Eriophyes inangulis.

A also saw Toad Rush; Pendulous Sedge and the leafmine (Phytoliriomyza melampyga) making the end tally a respectable (including 2 fungal species) 154 species.

25th June 2023 - Lindow Common, Wilmslow, Chesire - A couple of hours were spent at this area, it was too hot to dawdle and we were home for dinner. The insect seen were:- 1 * Weevil (Micrelus ericae); 1 * Weevil (Strophosoma melanogrammum); 1 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus tomentosus); 1 * Rhopalid Bug (Myrmus miriformis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 2 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 3 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 3 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 5 * Cicada Bug (Ulopa reticulata); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 12 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 20 * 1 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Forest Bug nymph (Pentatoma rufipes); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Black Tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Small Tortoisehsell (Aglais urticae); 2 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Gorse Shieldbug nymph (Piezodorus lituratus); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis cryptica); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird larvae (Propylea 14-punctata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Megaloceroea recticornis); 1 * Common Groundhopper (Tetrix undulata); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 5 * Meadow Grasshopper nymph (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 8 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 3 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 5 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Campyloneura virgula) and 4 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Common Green Capsid (Lygocoris pabulinus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 1 * Weevil (Rhynchaenus signifer) plus 2 * Harlequin Ladybird larvae (Harmonia axyridis).

Flowers noted in bloom included:- Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Yellow-Rattle; Marsh Thistle; Red Campion; Yellow Flag Iris; Ribwort Plantain; Square Stalked St John's-Wort; Meadowsweet; Wood Avens; Greater Willowherb; Foxglove; Broad Leaved Dock; Herb Robert; Goosegrass; Common Ragwort; Creeping Buttercup; White Clover; Hogweed; Pineappleweed; Meadow Buttercup; Rosebay Willowherb and Tormentil.

I also saw a a Toad; a Frog; a Shiny Woodlouse and a Treecreeper; Jay; Great Crested Grebe; a couple of Magpies; a Coot; a Moorhen and several Mallard.

25th June 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - The House Sparrows were heard outside and so I had to rise early and see to the moth trap, the feathered tinkers had already had a treat. Species recorded were:- Double Striped Pug (*1); Batia lunaris (*3); Riband Wave f. remutata (*6); Short Cloaked Moth (*1); Chrysoteuchia culmella (*7); Angle Shades (*1); Crambus pascuella (*4); Fan-Foot (*2); Aleimma loeflingiana (*1); Clay (*1); Heart and Dart (*1); Common Rustic (*1); Pandemis cerasana (*1); Marbled Beauty (*1); Crassa unitella (*1); Flame (*1); Light Brown Apple (*1); Swallow-Tailed Moth (*1); Bee Moth (*1); Diamond Back Moth (*2); Uncertain (*2); Eudonia lacustrata (*3); Brown House Moth (*1); Tachystola acroxantha (*1); Clepsis consimilana (*1); Elephant Hawkmoth (*1) and Small Magpie (*1).

Also in the trap were 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus) and the Caddis-Fly (Mystacides azurea).

24th June 2023 - Scar Close NR, Ingleborough, Yorkshire - A walk with our mate Peter Hornby and, as per, the botanical front was the aim of the day. Species noted were:- Bulbous Buttercup; Hairy Stonecrop; Welsh Poppy; Shining Crane's-Bill; Betony; Pignut; Figwort; Bramble agg; Common Dog Rose; Wood Sage; Eared Willow; Creeping Willow; Biting Stonecrop; Meadow Vetchling; Baneberry; Tufted Vetch; Lily of the Valley; Lady's Mantle agg; Common Knapweed; Saw-Wort; Twayblade; Red Clover; Rock Rose; Northern Bedstraw; Bloody Crane's-Bill; Rosebay Willowherb; Common Milkwort; Meadowsweet; Small Scabious; Slender St John's-Wort; Lady's Bedstraw; Elder; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Hogweed; Common Nettle; Silverweed; Northern Dock; Broad Leaved Dock; Daisy; Meadow Buttercup; Self-Heal; Comfrey agg; Marsh Thistle; Tormentil; White Dead Nettle; White Clover; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Spear Thistle; Heath Bedstraw; Thyme; Lesser Meadow Rue; Limestone Bedstraw; Germander Speedwell; Wall Lettuce; Mouse Ear Hawkweed; Ribwort Plantain; Creeping Buttercup; Eyebright agg; Common Sorrel; Cross Leaved Heath and Herb Robert.

The few insect species seen were:- 1 * Carrion Beetle (Phosphuga atrata); 2 * Twin Spot Plume (Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla); 1 * Marbled White Spot (Deltote pygarga); 1 * Hoverfly (Rhingia rostrata); 1 * Nettle Tap (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Straw Barred Pearl (Pyrausta despicata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 5 * Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 4 * Orchid Beetle (Dascillus cervinus); 2 * Northern Brown Argus (Aricia artaxerxces); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 3 * Common Blue (Polyomattus icarus); 5 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida); 3 * Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Common Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella) and 6 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) plus 1 * Emperor Moth larva (Saturnia pavonia) and 30 * Cinnabar Moth larvae (Tyria jacobaeae).

Other species seen were:- White Lipped Banded Snail; Striped Millipede (Ommatoiulus sabulosus); Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare); 1 * Harvestman (Nemastoma bimaculatum); Hart's-Tongue Fern; Quaking Grass; Crested Dog's-Tail; Maidenhair Spleenwort; Wall Rue; Hare's Tailed Cotton Grass; Wall Screw Moss and Mountain Melick.

The only galls noted were:- Iteomyia capreae; Aceria thomasi; Phytoptus avellanae and Dasineura ulmaria.

The few birds recorded were:- Carrion Crow; Goldfinch; Lesser Redpoll; Jackdaw; Pied Wagtail; Skylark and Meadow Pipit.

22nd June 2023 - Heaton Mersey Orchard, Stockport, G. Manchester - By heck what a long week.  It was hard getting out of bed but after a manic surge I was out on the bike and heading to work.  I spent 20 minutes in the local orchard, I saw:- 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum bicinctum); 5 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 6 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempuncata); 1 * Forest Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes); 5 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 3 * Mirid Big (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 2 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) and 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea).

A Chiffchaff sat up on high and provided the DIY noise background.

19th June 2023 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk with a few fine friends and eager naturalists. I saw a few species before and after the meet-up and of course during our jaunt. It was a good pootle and we avoided the rain and had a good snack in the local garden centre.The 78 insects listed were by my sweaty self were:- 2 * Fruit Fly (Terellia ruficauda); 20 * Strawberry Seed Beetle (Harpalus rufipes); 2 * Rain Beetle (Pterostichus melanarius); 4 * Flea Beetle (Neocrepidodera transversa); 1 * Rove Beetle (Philonthus cognatus); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Urophora stylata); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida); 1 * Striped Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica); 10+ * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 1 * Leafhopper (Eupteryx urticae); 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Notch Horned Cleg (Haematopota pluvialis); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 8 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 4 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 3 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 5 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 4 * Harlequin Ladybird larvae (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 2 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 5 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Forest Bug nymph (Pentatoma rufipes); 10 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 8 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 2 * Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa); 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 2 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Narrow Bordered Five Spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae); 2 * Welsh Chafer (Hoplia philanthus); 1 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 1 * Water Ladybird (Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 4 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Metrioptera roeselii); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 3 * Tortoise Shieldbug nymph (Eurygaster testudinaria); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens); 6 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 3 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 2 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 5 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 3 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 2 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Long Winged Conehead nymph (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Broad Damselbug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 2 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Kidney Spot Ladybird (Chilocorus renipustulatus); 1 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 2 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird larvae (Propylea 14-punctata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Pithanus maerkelii); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Small Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 2 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 1 *Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae); 1 * Blood-Vein (Timandra comae); 2 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea) and 1 * Common Marble (Celypha lacunana).

The 58 flowers in bloom I notred consisted of:- Great Willowherb; Water Dock; Hedge Woundwort; Broad Leaved Dock; Goosegrass; Hogweed; Bramble agg; Common Nettle; Wood Avens; Elder; Bush Vetch; Common Ragwort; Tall Melilot; White Clover; Marsh Thistle; Dandelion agg; Large Bindweed; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Vetchling; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Red Clover; Tufted Vetch; Pineappleweed; Figwort; Monkeyflower; Greater Spearwort; Lesser Spearwort; Cuckooflower; Meadowsweet; Ox-Eye Daisy; Herb Robert; Groundsel; Nipplewort; Cow Parsley; Yellow Flag Iris; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Lesser Swinecress; Dotted Loosestrife; Dame's Violet; Himalayan Balsam; Chickweed; Wall Speedwell; Lesser Trefoil; Black Medick; Ground Elder; Creeping Cinquefoil; Comfrey agg; Claridge Druce’s Crane’s-Bill; Yellow Water Lily; Rosebay Willowherb; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Marsh Willowherb; Scented Mayweed; Red Campion; Southern/Northern Marsh Orchid; Rough Sow Thistle.

10 galls included:- Aceria cephalonea; Eriophyes inangulis; Trioza remota; Myzus cerasi; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus kollari; Eriophyes leiosoma; Dasineura ulmaria; Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Eriophyes tiliae.

5 other beasts I managed to scribble down were:- 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); Grey Squirrel; White Lipped Banded Snail; Shiny Woodlouse and White Legged Snake Millipede.

And I also added 9 other species:- 1 * Large Yellow Slug (Limax flavus agg); 2 * Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris); 1 * Common Frog (Rana temporaria); Cock's Foot Grass; Crested Dog's-Tail; Perennial Rye Grass; Broad Leaved Pondweed; Soft Rush and Pendulous Sedge.

The 9 birds seen were:- Wood Pigeon; Goldfinch; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Common Buzzard; Grey Heron; Moorhen; Blackbird and Mallard (one can't have eyes everywhere).

With 8 fungi thrown in for good measure the end tally was 177 species - not bad at all.

18th June 2023 - Dobcroft NR, Preston, Lancashire - I led another walk today, it was at a place we had never visited before. The weather was kind, the company grand and a cuppa before and after the walk was greatly appreciated. After the event I came away feeling that we should have seen more than we did, I get like that sometimes, especially with an area such as this. Anyway we kept a list and the 55 insects seen were:- 1 * Sawfly (Tenthredopsis/scutellaris agg); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigra); 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 2 * Broad Damselbug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 1 * Flea Beetle (Neocrepidodera transversa); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 5 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempuncata); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 30+ Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa); 5 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 1 * Meadow Grasshopper nymph (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Common Blue Butterfly (Polyomattus icarus); 1 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 1 * Notch Horned Cleg (Haematopota pluvialis); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 2 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 2 * Narrow Bordered Five Spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 15 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 2 * Small Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Clouded Border (Lomaspilis marginata); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Cherry Leaf Aphid (Myzus cerasi); 1 * Mirid Bug (Pithanus maerkelii); 2 * Shaded Broad Bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata); 3 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 2 * Blackneck Moth (Lygephila pastinum) plus 1 * Harlequin Ladybird larvae (Harmonia axyridis) and 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird larvae (Propylea 14-punctata).

The 40 flowers in bloom were:- Red Campion; Self-Heal; Dandelion agg; Curled Dock; Black Medick; Common Nettle; Yellow Flag Iris; Ragged Robin; Ground Elder; Dotted Loosestrife; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Wild Carrot; Meadow Buttercup; Lady's Mantle agg; Tufted Vetch; Lesser Spearwort; Creeping Buttercup; Ox-Eye Daisy; White Clover; Lesser Trefoil; Hedge Woundwort; Creeping Cinquefoil; Meadowsweet; Yellow-Rattle; Large Bindweed; Cut-Leaved Crane's-Bill; Ribwort Plantain; Creeping Thistle; Red Clover; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Hedge Bedstraw; Marsh Bedstraw; Common Spotted Orchid; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Herb Robert; Meadow Vetchling; Bramble agg; Common Knapweed and Silverweed.

The 8 birds listed were:- Wood Pigeon; Magpie; Blackbird; Jackdaw; Buzzard plus Chiffchaff; Willow Warbler and Wren on Call.

The 21 other species added included:- Hart's-Tongue Thyme Moss (Plagomnium undulatum); Orange Lichen (Xanthoria parietina); Broad Leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton natans); Quaking Grass (Briza media); Crested Dog's Tail (Cynosurus cristatus); Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus); Soft Rush (Juncus effusus); Hard Rush (Juncus inflexus); Pendulous Sedge (Carex pendula); False Fox Sedge (Carex otrubae); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); Harvestman (Nemastoma bimaculatum); Garlic Snail (Oxychilus alliarius); Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis); and the Galls - Phyllocoptes eupadi; Andricus curvator; Dasineura pustulans; Dasineura ulmaria and Phyllocoptes goniothorax.

With 7 fungi added to end tally was a fair 131 species.

16th June 2023 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - The specimen of Pale Yellow Eyed Grass was back in flower, it is a quite marvellous plant. Lady's Bedstraw; Hedge Bedstraw; Rosebay Willowherb; Common Knapweed and Yarrow were also in flower.

50+ Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 3 * Narrow Bordered Five Spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae); 11 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Common Blue (Polyomattus icarus) and 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) were the few insects seen.

A Goldfinch sat atop a tree and tinkled away.

16th June 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Pootling homeward at the end of another busy week. One of the local ponds held 35 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) with the surrounding vegetation giving rise to:- 9 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 2 * Cherry Aphid (Myzus cerasi) and 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi).

Meadowsweet and Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil were in flower.

Further along the river and I saw:- 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1​ * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and 5 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo).

Giant Hogweed and Buddleia were in bloom.

15th June 2023 - Heaton Mersey Orchard, Stockport, G. Manchester - On the way to work and a mooch in the local orchard, I did well, I was only 4 minutes late for work.  Hoverflies seen were:- Myathropa florea (*1); Eristalis tenax (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*5); Ferdinandea cuprea (*1); Cheilosia illustrata (*2); Syrphus ribesii (*1); Sphaerophoria scripta (*1) and Eristalis pertinax (*1).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Common Yellow Conch (Agapeta hamana); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 3 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) and 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina).

13th June 2023 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - The heat has fagged me out, a long weekend, no sleep and overly warm.  I cycled to work and pushed the two-wheeled contraption up a hill using rather blue language.  I spied 4 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and the Gall (Myzus cerasi).  

Whilst wandering home I took the same route and saw:- 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 4 * Tephrid Fly (Tephritis bardanae); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 4 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis) and 2 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).

12th June 2023 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - Cycling home after a bug hunt and I thought I would have pootle for some more bugs. In truth it was sizzling and after 30 minutes I buggered off home. During the sort mooch though I did see:- 1 * Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius roboretamus); 1 * Rove Beetle (Tachyporus obtusus); 7 * Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa); 3 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 2 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 10+ Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 3 * Water Ladybird (Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata); 3 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 3 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Metrioptera roeselii); 1 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 1 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Blue Shieldbug (Zicrona caerulea); 6 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Acetropis gimmerthalii); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis cryptica); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris) and 1 * Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica).

Monkeyflower; Greater Spearwort and Marsh Thistle were the only flowers recorded before I whizzed home to cool down.

12th June 2023 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk with 3 fine folk was done in the early morning heat. By heck by the time we had finished it was a scorcher. 2 hours in the field produced a small list of insect species, these were:- 2 * Flea Beetle (Neocrepidodera transversa); 1 * Ichneumon Wasp (Amblyteles armatorius); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona suturalis); 2 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 3 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 5 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 2 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis); 10+ Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 3 * Common Yellow Conch Moth (Agapeta hamana); 1 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * Small Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum festivum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Psyllid Bug (Psyllopsis fraxini); 1 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 1 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 1 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 7 * Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Welsh Chafer (Hoplia philanthus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Nettle Leafhopper (Eupteryx urticae); 1 * Knapweed Bell (Epiblema cirsiana); 1 * Timothy Tortrix (Aphelia paleana); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata) plus steady numbers of the Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus) and a superabundance of Meadow Plant Bugs (Leptopterna dolabrata).

Flowers in bloom were:- Silverweed; Pineappleweed; Common Bistort; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Ox-Eye Daisy; Common Nettle; Yellow Flag Iris; Common Comfrey; White Clover; Tufted Vetch; Smooth Tare; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Cuckooflower; Elder; Hedge Mustard; Bush Vetch; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Cow Parsley; Hogweed; Daisy; Ground Elder; Bramble agg; Dandelion agg; Red Campion; Wood Avens and Goosegrass.

Blackbird; Magpie; Mallard; Mandarin and Wood Pigeon were the only birds seen.

Protomyces macrosporus; Andricus curvator; Aceria cephalonea; Phyllocoptes eupadi and Psyllopsis fraxini were the only galls seen - we couldn't have eyes everywhere.

Hornbeam was now looking spectacular whereas Hawthorn was looking a bit jaded.

With only 3 fungi added the end tally was 96 species, not a bad 2 hours if you ask me.

11th June 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A day in due to a very late night after the daughter had been on the lash, and an early morning after the good lady was called to her mum's after she had fallen and was taken to hospital. The heat today was atrocious, the Robin sat tight on the nest in the garden, it was the second clutch this year. A Magpie, several House Sparrows and the usual gluttonous Wood Pigeon popped in for some food and a drink and a Small White (Pieris rapae) flittered by.

The only Hoverfly seen was Myathropa florea who lapped up the honeydew from some shaded Lesser Periwinkle.

Later in the day a Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) said 'hello' and a Marmalade Fly (Episyphus balteatus) took the wing after an all-too-brief downpour with a large Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) flittering by under more threatening skies.

10th June 2023 - Denton Town FC, Tameside - A couple of hours with the missus as this fine club doing a bit more gardening and general tidying. Whilst pottering I saw a few birds:- 1 * Lesser Black Backed Gull; 1 * Common Buzzard; 5 * Starling; 1 * Wood Pigeon; 5 * Swift; 1 * Magpie and 1 * Carrion Crow.

Insects numbers are still shocking, the only species seen were:- 1 * Hoverfly (Eupeodes luniger); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 5 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Weevil (Rhinoncus leucostigma); 5 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Marsh Marigold Moth (Micropterix calthella) and 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria).

6th June 2023 - Heaton Mersey Meadow, Stockport, G. Manchester - When I walk home from work I usually walk between an orchard and a meadow. Today I spent 45 minutes checking the latter. Moths seen were:- 1 * White Barred Gold (Micropterix aruncella); 1 * Hook Streak Grass Veneer (Crambus lathoniellus); 1 * Orange Spot Piecer (Pammene aurana); 1 * Bramble Shoot Moth; 3 * Straw Dot and 1 * Northern Crescent Piercer (Grapholita lunulana).

Hoverflies noted were:- 2 * Myathropa florea; 1 * Meliscaeva auricollis; 1 * Syrphus ribesii; 1 * Eupeodes luniger; 1 * Helophilus pendulus; 1 * Episyrphus balteatus; 1 * Melanostoma scalare; 1 * Volucella pellucens; 1 * Cheilosia illustrata and 1 * Eristalis tenax.

Other insects seen were:- 2 * Tephrid Fly (Chaetostomella cylindrica); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 24 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Forest Shieldbug nymph (Pentatoma rufipes); 5 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Common Blue (Polyomattus icarus); 8 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Slender Striped Robber Fly 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 3 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus) and 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida).

The few blooms I recorded were:- Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Ribwort Plantain; Silverweed; Meadow Buttercup; Figwort; Bramble agg; Hairy Tare; Japanese Rose and Meadow Crane's-Bill.

I also saw the Gall (Iteomyia capreae) and Quaking Grass.

5th June 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - My day off work and so I stopped in and caught up with all manner of chores. The moth trap was set the previous night though, the catch contained:- 1 * Riband Wave f. remutata; 1 * Epinotia bilunana; 2 * Willow Beauty; 2 * Spectacle; 5 * Bee Moth; 1 * Marbled Minor agg; 6 * Heart and Dart; 1 * Mompha subbistrigella; 1 * Flame and 1 * Green Pug.

Whilst pottering in the garden later in the day I disturbed a Straw Dot and a Small Magpie. I also saw a Tree Bee; the Gall (Trioza alacris); 2 House Sparrows and a Wood Pigeon who were feeding away whilst I read alongside them.

Ox-Eye was the latest plant to produced blooms.

4th June 2023 - Ruby Wood area, Derbyshire  - A small wood with nearby grassland, we had a nosey and a sprawl. We saw a few flowers:- Ribwort Plantain; Meadow Buttercup; Common Nettle; Hawthorn; Rowan; Daisy; Bush Vetch; Common Sorrel; Herb Robert; Germander Speedwell; Hogweed; Dandelion agg; Meadow Saxifrage; Lesser Trefoil; Bulbous Buttercup; Shepherd's Purse; Common Mouse Ear and Red Clover.

1 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus ochraceus); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha nigriventris); 4 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); several Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rustica) and 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) were the few insects seen.

Quaking Grass; Crested Dog's-Tail and Cock's-Foot Grass were added too as well as the Gall (Eriophyes sorbi) and a Wren; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow and Brown Lipped Banded Snail plus the Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis).

4th June 2023 - Hartington Meadows, Derbyshire  - A lazy pootle today at a place that is easy to browse without too much effort. A mid-way coffee and sandwich break was smashing and although nothing outrageous was seen we enjoyed every moment of it.

Insects listed today were:- 1 * White Barred Gold Moth (Micropterix aruncella); 1 * Black Headed Gold Moth (Micropterix mansuetella); 1 * Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); 1 * Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rustica); 1 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 3 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper nymph (Omocestus viridulus); 5 * Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans); 1 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 3 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 2 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 4 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 8 * Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus); 3 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 1 * Knapweed Gall Fly (Urophora jaceana); 1 * Weevil (Otiorhynchus singularis); 2 * Meadow Grasshopper nymph (Pseudochorthippus paralellus); 3 * Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata); 1 * Mother Shipton (Callistege mi); 3 * Grass Rivulet (Perizoma albulata); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 3 * Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens); 2 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 3 * Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages); 3 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Wood Tiger (Parasemia plantaginis); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae) and 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula). We also saw 2 * Harvestman (Platybunus triangularis).

Flowers noted were:- Spindle; Goosegrass; Common Milkwort; Lesser Trefoil; Common Spotted Orchid; Goat's-Beard; Salad Burnet; Lady's Mantle agg; Cowslip; Dame's Violet; Common Sorrel; Meadow Saxifrage; Common Mouse Ear; Eyebright agg; Red Clover; Cuckooflower; Wild Thyme; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Mouse Ear Hawkweed; Yellow Rattle; White Dead Nettle; Twayblade; Herb Robert; Meadow Buttercup; Germander Speedwell; Bush Vetch; Wood Avens; Cow Parsley; Ribwort Plantain; Bramble agg; Ox-Eye Daisy; Bulbous Buttercup; Daisy; Crosswort; Hawthorn; Common Nettle and Guelder Rose.

Quaking Grass was looking as lovely as ever, White Lipped, Brown Lipped and Garden Snails were seen and Sycamore was noted for having an abundance of honeydew laden leaves.

The few birds seen were:- Redstart (*2); Wren; Blackbird; Long Tailed Tit; Skylark; Blue Tit; Carrion Crow; Buzzard; Magpie; Willow Warbler; Jackdaw; Wood Pigeon and Goldfinch.

The few galls seen were:- Aceria cephalonea; Euura pendunculi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Eriophyes crataegi.

3rd June 2023 - Lingley Woods, Warrington, Cheshire  - Another walk for The Land Trust, this time with a small group looking at bugs and blooms and anything else we could spy.

A burrowing Mole was the highlight, we watched the blighter scramble away with his snout popping up now and again after making little headway into the tough substrate.

Insects noted were:- 1 * Spear Thistle Lacebug (Tingis ampliata); 1 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus tomentosus); 1 * Straw Conch (Cochylimorpha straminea); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 1 * Knapweed Gall Fly (Urophora jaceana); 2 * Hoverfly (Parhelophilus versicolor); 1 * Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocea); 1 * Crane-Fly (Epiphragma ocellare); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 3 * Figwort Weevil (Cionus scrophulariae); 2 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 2 * Sycamore Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus acericola); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 2 * Pied Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis arbustorum); 10 * Cherry Aphis (Myzus cerasi); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Hoverfly (Merodon equestris); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); ;3 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens); 1 * Speckled Bush Cricket Nymph (Leptophyes punctatissima) and 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Knapweed Bell Moth (Epiblema cirsiana); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus) plus the larvae of a 14 Spot Ladybird; Comma and a Vapourer Moth.

Flowers in bloom consisted of:- Creeping Cinquefoil; Daisy; Wood Avens; Wall Speedwell; Elder; Goosegrass; Silverweed; Garlic Mustard; Common Nettle; Herb Robert; Cow Parsley; Bramble agg; Hairy Tare; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Goat's-Beard; Common Vetch; Bush Vetch; Figwort; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Silverweed; Ground Elder; Hogweed; Foxglove; Lesser Trefoil; White Clover and Red Campion.

A few other species added were:- White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum) and Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare); Hart's-Tongue Fern and a Song Thrush and Wood Pigeon plus 4 Canada Geese fly over. Hazel; Ash; Silver Birch and Hawthorn were 4 trees pondered.

The few galls seen were:- Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Psyllopsis fraxini; Aceria cephalonea; Trioza remota and Andricus curvator.

With a handful of fungal specimens seen the end tally was 91 species.

2nd June 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Pottering to and from work and I pondered the wild blooms.  I saw:- Creeping Cinquefoil; Tufted Vetch; Dame's Violet; Horse Radish; Hairy Tare; Hogweed; Cow Parsley; Bramble agg; Wood Avens; Garlic Mustard; Meadow Buttercup; Ribwort Plantain; Herb Robert; Bush Vetch; Ground Elder; Common Nettle; Guelder Rose; Fringe Cups; Red Campion; Goosegrass; Broad Leaved Dock; Yellow-Rattle; Red Clover and Common Sorrel.

I also saw a Blackbird - he was a lovely chap on the mooch for a snack or two.

A Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) were the only insects seen.

31st May 2023 - Paddington Meadows, Warrington, Cheshire - Another walk for the fine group that look after this quite excellent area. Some lovely familiar faces came, a few new ones joined the fold and a trio of young 'erberts provided added enthusiasm and caught a few good species. We even had tea and biscuits to start and tea and cake to finish - ruddy magic.

58 flowers noted (57 in bloom) were:- Elder; Hogweed; Many Flowered Rose; Foxglove; Common Sorrel; Pineappleweed; Southern Marsh Orchid; Angelica; Prickly Sow Thistle; Wood Avens;Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Daisy; Hairy Tare; Bramble agg; Dandelion agg; Cow Parsley; Ribwort Plantain; Red Campion; White Campion; Bladder Campion; Hedge Mustard; Goosegrass; White Clover; Red Clover; Lesser Trefoil; Black Medick; Herb Robert; Common Vetch; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Green Alkanet; Hemlock Water Dropwort; Common Mouse Ear; Yellow Flag Iris; Lesser Spearwort; Ox-Eye Daisy; Groundsel; Garlic Mustard; Claridge Druce Crane's-Bill; Wavy Bittercress; Germander Speedwell; Shepherd's Purse; White Dead Nettle; Common Comfrey; Common Bistort; Horse Radish; Ground Elder; Curled Dock; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Cuckooflower; Gorse; Yellow Rattle; Common Poppy; Common Nettle and Common Knapweed plus some Broad Leaved Dock on the cusp of flowering.

The 77 insects listed came in the form of:- 1 * Common Blackclock (Pterostichus madidus); 1 * Beetle (Oedemera virescens); 1 * Marsh Marigold Moth (Micropterix calthella); 1 * Hook Streak Grass Veneer (Crambus lathoniellus); 10 * Vetch Aphid (Megoura viciae); 1 * Common Red Legged Robber-Fly (Dioctria rufipes); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis figurata); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis cryptica); 1 * Lace Bug (Tingis ampliata); 1 * Black Horned Clegg (Haematopota crassicornis); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Alder Sawfly (Eriocampa ovata); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Chaetostomella cylindrica); 1 * Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 4 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 5 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Small Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 3 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 4 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 7 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida vibex); 1 * Weevil (Rhinoncus leucostigma); 20* Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 4 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 4 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell larvae (Aglais urticae); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Mirid Bud (Stenodema calcarata); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 5 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 3 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 3 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocea); 5 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 2 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 5 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 2 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 3 * Hoverfly (Tropidia scita); 1 * Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Tephritis neesii); 6 * Hoverfly (Eristalinus sepulchralis); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus rosarum); 2 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 10+ * Cherry Aphid (Myzus cerasi); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 3 * Orange Spot Piercer (Pammene aurana); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * 4 Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia pagana); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 2 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 12 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper nymph (Omocestus viridulus); 3 * Green Immigrant Leaf Weevil (Polydrusus formosus); 4 * Downlooker Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus) and 1 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella).

My bird list was shabby as my eyes couldn't be everywhere but the 19 species I listed were (not as many as Terry Eagan by the way):- Goldfinch; Wood Pigeon; Common Whitethroat; Canada Goose; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Shoveler; Black Headed Gull; Greenfinch; Mallard; Oystercatcher; Swift; House Martin; House Sparrow; Starling and Jay plus Lesser Whitethroat; Long Tailed Tit; Goldcrest; Robin; Cetti's Warbler and Chaffinch on call.

The 13 galls listed were:- Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Euura pendunculi; Eriophyes laevis; Andricus foecundatrix; Eriopyes inangulis; Eriophyes crataegi; Trioza remota; Eriophyes sorbi; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Aceria myriadeum; Eriophyes similis; Taphrina pruni and Dasineura ulmaria

The 11 trees noted were:- Whitebeam; Blackthorn; Sycamore; Hazel, Silver Birch; Ash; Hawthorn; Rowan; Common Alder; Field Maple and Holly.

White Lipped Banded Snail; Striped Woodlouse; Shiny Woodlouse; Amber Snail; Pendulous Sedge; Yorkshire Fog; Cock's-Foot Grass; Common Horsetail; Common Reed; Common Liverwort were the 10 odds and ends added as well as 10 species of fungi making for an end tally of 200 species.

We also added 2 * Box Tree Moth larvae (Cydalima perspectalis), a White Lipped Banded Snail, Rough, Shiny and Striped Woodlice and a Robin.

Wild flowers in bloom included:- Black Medick; Lesser Trefoil; Red Clover; Green Alkanet; Wall Speedwell; Thale Cress; Shepherd's Purse; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Greater Celandine; Ramsons; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Foxglove; Nipplewort; Daisy; Dandelion agg; Cow Parsley; Hogweed; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Red Campion; Ragged Robin; Garlic Mustard; Shining Crane's-Bill; Wood Avens; Elder; Yellow Flag Iris; Cuckooflower; Wild Strawberry; Common Vetch; Bramble agg and White Water Lily.

2 Galls noted were Cryptomyzus ribis and Phyllocoptes goniothorax and we found a Leopard Slug.

29th May 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Typing up records, reviewing CD's and having a rest was the order of the afternoon but a few pops in the garden saw me spy a Holly Blue; a Small White and the hoverflies:- Merodon equestris (*2); Myathropa florea (*1) and Platycheirus albimanus (*1). A lone Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) fed on the Hogweed and a female Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) feed on a Creeping Buttercup flower.

I placed some slices of strawberry on the fence for a few insects but 2 Magpies came and had a treat.

29th May 2023 - Denton Town FC, Tameside - A morn spent back at one of my fave clubs doing a bit of gardening, Matters had been left for a while due to family matters and life in general - by heck it had gone wild. A good 4 hours spent digging and tidying with some gasbagging and slurping tea in between saw a bit of progress made. After water a few plants a Red Admiral came and took some moistire and Small White visited and laid a few eggs on the Hedge Mustard.

Other flowers listed in bloom were:- Herb Robert; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Creeping Buttercup; Daisy; Wood Avens; Shepherd's Purse; Pineppleweed; Common Stork's-Bill; Meadow Buttercup and Common Mouse Ear.

A Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha nigriventris); Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); Silver Y (Autographa gamma); Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and several Nettle Pollen Beetles (Brachypterus glaber) were the few insects seen as well as several Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus).

Garden Snail and White Lipped Banded Snail were added along with 2 Carrion Crows, a Wood Pigeon; a Starling, a Goldfinch; a Magpie and a Lesser Black Backed Gull.

28th May 2023 - Mousley Bottom NR, New Mills, Derbyshire - A return to site we last visited a few years back. We had a couple of brews at half-way and a slice of cake - I am on a diet but the odd treat is needed. We had a gentle potter, the 13 bird species listed were:- Mandarin Duck; Jackdaw; Song Thrush; Wren; Blackbird; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Blue Tit; Robin; Carrion Crow and Reed Bunting plus Chiffchaff and Great Spotted Woodpecker on call.

The 45 insects listed were:- 1 * Weevil (Otiorhynchus singularis); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis figurata); 2 * Reed Beetle (Plateumaris sericea); 1 * Plain-Winged Spring Bee Grabber (Myopa testacea); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Mirid Bug nymph (Capsus ater); 1 * Willow Leaf Beetle (Lochmaea caprea); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 5 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rustica); 4 * Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 10 * Green Immigrant Leaf Weevil (Polydrusus formosus); 4 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 10+ * Cherry Aphid (Myzus cerasi); 5 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 6 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 2 * Downlooker Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 4 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 4 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 3 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 2 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 10+ Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 3 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 2 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida viridis); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 2 * Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Small Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * White Barred Gold Moth (Micropterix aruncella) and 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare).

The 56 plants in bloom were:- Goosegrass; Groundsel; Dame's Violet; Welsh Poppy; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Yellow Water Lily; Lesser Celandine; Ramsons; Fringe Cups; Bramble agg; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Meadow Buttercup; Garlic Mustard; Guelder Rose; Creeping Buttercup; Common Nettle; Cow Parsley; Sweet Ciceley; Dandelion agg; Brooklime; Hawthorn; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Bush Vetch; Wild Strawberry; Wood Speedwell; Broad Leaved Dock; Ribwort Plantain; Cuckooflower; Greater Stitchwort; Red Campion; Honesty; Hogweed; Sycamore; Common Bistort; Pink Purslane; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Ground Elder; Daisy; Lilac; Ladies Mantle agg; Red Clover; Common Sorrel; Yellow Rattle; Yellow Flag Iris; Wavy Bittercress; Elder; Pick-a-Back Plant; Dame's Violet; Germander Speedwell; White Clover; Ground Ivy; American Wintercress; Shining Crane's-Bill; Common Mouse Ear and Black Medick.

The 8 galls picked out were:- Eriophyes sorbi; Eriophyes tiliae; Psyllopsis fraxini; Aceria exilis; Aceria pseudoplatani; Trioza remota; Andricus curvator and Euura pendunculi.

Brown Lipped Banded Snail; White Lipped Banded Snail; White Legged Snake Millipede; Copper Beech; Common Lime; Silver Birch; Common Beech; Hornbeam; Hart's-Tongue Fern; Pendulous Sedge; Giant Horse-Tail; Common Horse-Tail and 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) were the 13 extras recorded.

With 9 fungi added the tally was 145 species - one cannot complain and the coffee and cake was smashing.

27th May 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few more moths were caught overnight, these being:- 1 * Dingy Footman; 3 * Common Marbled Carpet; 1 * Heart and Dart; 1 * Mompha subbistrigella; 7 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 2 * Garden Carpet; 14 * Bee Moth; 1 * Lime Hawk-Moth; 1 * Chrysoteuchia culmella; 1 * Bright Line, Brown Eye; 1 * Freyer's Pug; 1 * Bryotropha affinis; 1 * Epinotia bilunana; 1 * Azalea Leaf Miner and 1 * Anania coronata.

The Caddis Fly (Mystacides longicornis) was also in the mix.

Later in the day a female Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) popped in as did a Small White (Pieris rapae).

A Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) visited a few flowers, 2 Wood Pigeons stuffed themselves silly whilst a pair of Collared Doves looked on. A Robin also popped in for a bit of seed.

Another potter saw a Mint Moth (Pyarausta aurata) enjoy its host plant, an Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) absorb the powerful sun, a Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) popped in, fed and scarpered and 37 Varied Carpet Beetles (Anthrenus verbasci) seemed happy on the Hogweed plant that arises year in and year out.

26th May 2023 - RHS Bridgewater, Worsley, G. Manchester - A change of tack today with a visit to a showcase area. Our aim was to have a gentle stroll, a relaxing coffee and a look at the plants. Whilst strolling about I made note of a few mini-beasts seen:- 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 3 * Downlooker Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 5 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 11 * Figwort Weevil (Cionus scrophulariae); 4 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 6 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Harvestman (Platybunus triangularis); 2 * Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 2 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) and a good spread of Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum).

Wild flowers noted included:- Yellow Flag Iris; Creeping Buttercup; Daisy; Meadow Buttercup; White Clover; Dandelion agg; Common Sorrel; Lesser Trefoil; Common Vetch; Ragged Robin; Ribwort Plantain; Common Mouse Ear; Yellow-Rattle; Brooklime; Common Nettle; Red Clover; Thale Cress; Horse Chestnut; Groundsel; Shepherd's Purse; Wall Speedwell; Herb Robert; Garlic Mustard; Common Comfrey; Wood Avens; Yellow Pimpernel; Bramble agg; Ox-Eye Daisy; Wood Speedwell; Figwort; Fringe Cups; Foxglove; Spanish Bluebell; Holly; Salad Burnet and Celery Leaved Buttercup.

Jackdaw; Canada Goose; Pied Wagtail; Swift; Oystercatcher; Coot; Magpie; Dunnock; Wood Pigeon; Swallow; Mallard; Buzzard; Robin; Carrion Crow; Pheasant and Little Grebe were the only birds seen.

Great Pond Snail; Pendulous Sedge; Crested Dog's Tail; the Liverwort (Lunularia cruciata) and the Galls (Blennocampa phyllocolpa); (Eriophyes leiosoma) and (Cecidophyopsis ribis) were also seen as well as Rough; Pill; Shiny and Striped Woodlice; a Leopard Slug, a White Lipped Banded Snail and a White Legged Snake Millipede.

25th May 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A bit of mothing, the trap included:- 7 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 11 * Bee Moth; 1 * Poplar Hawk-Moth; 3 * Shuttle Shaped Dart; 1 * Small Angle Shades; 3 * Common Marbled Carpet; 8 * Tachystola acroxantha; 1 * Common Swift; 1 * Argyresthia trifasciata; 1 * Lychnis; 1 * Mompha subbistrigella; 1 * Rustic Shoulder Knot and 1 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner.

A Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) was in the mix and Hogweed and Meadow Buttercup were in flower.

24th May 2023 - Langford Lowfields RSPB, Nottinghamshire - A walk in conditions that became a little too hot for three knackered noodles, We had put some serious wildlife work in of late and this was a pleasant way to end a 3 day jolly. We casually wandered and saw a few insects with the following species seen:- 1 * Swan Feather Dwarf Moth (Elachista argentella); 2 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Tachina fera); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 1 * Common Damsel Bug (Nabis rugosus); 1 * Weevil (Liophloeus tessulatus); 1 * Dead Nettle Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina fastuosa); 8 * Red Eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas); 2 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 5 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 2 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 3 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 5 * 24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata); 2 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 4 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 3 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 4 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 3 * Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus): 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auriculia); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis); 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Bishop's Mitre Bug (Aelia acuminata); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthochoris nemorum); 2 * Common Nettle Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 2 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata) and plenty of Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum).

Flowers listed were those of:- White Dead Nettle; Herb Robert; Common Vetch; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Common Stork's-Bill; Dandelion agg; Cow Parsley; Elder; Ground Ivy; Common Nettle; Spring Beauty; Spanish Bluebell; Chickweed; Sycamore; Hawthorn; Ox-Eye Daisy; Field Maple; Common Mouse Ear; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Ribwort Plantain; Yellow Rattle; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Meadow Buttercup; Cuckooflower; White Clover; Hairy Tare; Common Sorrel; Bladder Campion; Bramble agg; Wavy Bittercress; Grass Vetchling; Red Clover; Lesser Trefoil; Rape; Ground Ivy; Red Dead Nettle; Ragged Robin; Common Comfrey and Germander Speedwell.

Galls listed were:- Aceria cephalonea; Aceria myriadeum; Aceria macrochela; Psyllopsis fraxini; Eriophyes crataegi; Taphrina pruni; Eriophyes similis and Aceria campestricola.

The bird list comprised of:- Magpie; Mute Swan; Common Whitethroat; Reed Bunting; Pheasant; Great Tit: Greylag Goose; Carrion Crow; Black Headed Gull; Little Grebe; Great Crested Grebe; Mallard; Canada Goose; Common Tern; Shoveler; Tufted Duck; Coot; Bittern; Sedge Warbler plus Cetti's Warbler; Reed Warbler; Wren; Chiffchaff and Chaffinch on call.

Brown Lipped Banded Snail; White Lipped Banded Snail; Cock's-Foot Grass; Crested Dig's Tail; Yorkshire Fog; 1 * Harvestman (Platybunus triangularis) and a Striped Millipede were also seen.

With 2 fungi added and considering we didn't dawdle as much as we usually do the end tally of 121 species wasn't bad at all.

24th May 2023 - Newark Castle and Riverside Park, Nottinghamshire - An early morning walk, a fine breakfast and a brief shopping excursion. Around the castle and down the side if the river we saw a few blooms:- Common Poppy; Hogweed; Wood Avens; Green Alkanet; Dandelion agg; Shepherd's Purse; Meadow Buttercup; Yellow Flag Iris; Horse Chestnut; Hedge Mustard; Procumbent Pearlwort; Red Valerian; Garlic Mustard; Yellow Corydalis; Herb Robert; Mexican Fleabane; Elder; Common Mouse Ear; Common Nettle; Pellitory of the Wall; Oxford Ragwort; Goosegrass; White Dead Nettle; Daisy; Ivy Leaved Toadflax and Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill.

The small list of bird life included:- Grey Heron; Pied Wagtail; Wood Pigeon; Collared Dove; Moorhen; Cormorant; Mallard; Carrion Crow; Swift; Feral Pigeon; Jackdaw and Goldcrest.

Wall Barley was looking lovely as it swayed beneath sunny skies and a Copper Beech was a rustling delight.

23rd May 2023 - Hubbard's Hill, Lincolnshire - A final walk with the aim to discover a new area and get some steps in. We did a circular route and my listing was shabby. A Brimstone and Comma were noted as well as two Woundwort Shieldbugs that were spied by my eagle-eyed daughter.

The few flowers noted were:- Sanicle; Lords and Ladies; Elder; Cow Parsley; Hawthorn; Cuckooflower; Red Campion; Sycamore; Dandelion agg; Herb Robert and Daisy.

The Galls (Eriophyes leiosoma) and (Eriophyes similis) were listed as was a lone Robin and a Grey Squirrel.

23rd May 2023 - Mablethorpe Sea Front, Lincolnshire - A change of approach saw us hit the sea front at Mablethorpe and have a gentle stroll, some lunch and a short pootle. Butterfly species seen were:- Green Hairstreak (*7); Wall Brown (*3); Peacock (*1); Small White (*1); Holly Blue (*1) and Orange Tip (*5). We also saw 4 * Cinnabar Moths.

Blooms noted were:- Tamarisk; Daisy; Common Stork's-Bill; Hoary Cress; Spring Beauty; Pink Oxalis; Red Dead Nettle; Hawthorn; Hedge Mustard; Japanese Rose; Meadow Buttercup; Lesser Trefoil; Buck'-Horn Plantain; Ribwort Plantain; Snow in Summer; Creeping Buttercup; Groundsel; Field Madder; Common Sorrel; Common Mouse Ear; Cow Parsley; Common Poppy; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Wall Speedwell; Bugloss and Hound's-Tongue.

The few birds seen were:- Starling; Linnet; Blackbird; House Sparrow; Feral Pigeon; Herring Gull; Canada Goose; Mallard; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow and Dunnock.

We also saw a 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempuncata) and a young Grey Seal lying on the beach.

23rd May 2023 - Red Hills NR, Lincolnshire - A visit to some chalk grassland with nothing expected - we didn't do half bad for a morning's mooch.

18 Common Lizards were grand to see, all sunbathing in one spot with several lazing on top of one another.

Blooms were mixed with the following joys admired:- Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Fairy Flax; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bull; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Long Stalked Crane's-Bill; Field Madder; Hound's-Tongue; Greater Stitchwort; Common Mouse Ear; Scarlet Pimpernel; Mouse Ear Hawkweed; Wall Speedwell; Elder; Daisy; Bulbous Buttercup; Cowslip; Germander Speedwell; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Salad Burnet; Sycamore; Red Campion; Meadow Buttercup; White Dead Nettle; Common Milkwort; Ribwort Plantain; Red Valerian; Wild Clary; Yellow Rattle; Black Medick; Common Field Speedwell; Shepherd's Purse; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Pasque Flower; Cow Parsley and Horse-Shoe Vetch.

Insects noted were:- 1 * Sap Feeding Beetle (Glischrochilus hortensis); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Sawfly (Tenthredo mesomela); 1 * Common Damsel Bug (Nabis rugosus); 1 * Swan Feather Dwarf Moth (Elachista argentella); 1 * Bishop's Mitre Bug (Aelia acuminata); 1 * Hawthorn Leaf Beetle (Lochmaea crataegi); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Nettle Weevil (Parethelcus pollinarius); 1 * Mint Moth (Pyarusta aurata); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 1 * Small Yellow Underwing (Panemeria tenebrata); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Noon Fly (Mesembrina meridiana); 5 * Grass Rivulet (Perizoma albulata); 3 * Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 5 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Dark Bush Cricket nymph (Pholidoptera griseoaptera); 5 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 7 * 24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata); 2 * Green Immigrant Leaf Weevil (Polydrusus formosus); 5 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 26 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 1 * Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Blue Shieldbug (Zicrona caerulea); 1 * Mother Shipton (Callistege mi); 5 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi) and 1 * Burnet Moth larvae.

Birds noted were:- Jackdaw; Chaffinch; Great Tit; Wood Pigeon; Yellowhammer; Linnet and Skylark;

Also added were Quaking Grass and a Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis).

22nd May 2023 - Swanholme Lake, Lincolnshire - A good stretch of the legs to round off another busy day. Greater Celandine; Pink Oxalis and Wood Avens were the few flowers pondered with the following insects also added:- 14 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) plus plenty of Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) and Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).

Andricus curvator and Biorhiza pallida were 2 galls seen and I also recorded a lone Coot too.

22nd May 2023 - Hartsholme CP, Lincolnshire - After a tea break and short shop at a garden centre we has a look at this nice country park. We didn't used bins and couldn't be bothered to sweep net but we did see the following insects:- 10+ * Cherry Aphid (Myzus cerasi); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 1 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Bishop's Mitre Bug (Aelia acuminata) and 1 * Dark Bush Cricket nymph (Pholidoptera griseoaptera).

Blooms noted were:- Sycamore; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Dandelion agg; Daisy; Holly; Common Nettle; Creeping Buttercup; Germander Speedwell; Meadow Buttercup; Sheep's Sorrel; Cow Parsley; Spring Beauty; Common Mouse Ear; Bulbous Buttercup; Ribwort Plantain; Lesser Trefoil; Field Pansy; Common Vetch; Bird's-Foot; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Red Dead Nettle; White Dead Nettle; Chickweed; Spindle; Lesser Stitchwort and Lords and Ladies.

The few birds seen were:- Robin; Blackbird; Carrion Crow and Wood Pigeon.

Galls included:- Taphrina caerulescens; Andricus grossulariae; Eriophyes tiliae; Eriophyes leiosoma; Trioza remota and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum.

We also saw Large Leaved Lime; Pendulous Sedge; Parsley Piert; a Rabbit, a Grey Squirrel and a Short Tailed Vole.

22nd May 2023 - Whisby NR, Lincolnshire - A cracking area with the first half done under semi-cloud and after a coffee break and a breakfast, the second half done in dazzling sun. I should have used a sweep net to up the findings but we did OK anyway.

The 66 insects noted were:- 6 * Mirid Bug (Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus); 1 * Sawfly (Tenthredo temula); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Tachina fera); 1 * Yellow Faced Bell Moth (Notocelia cynosbatella); 2 * Hoverfly (Xanthogramma pedissequum sl.) 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 3 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 3 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Downlooker Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 4 * Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 5 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Common Groundhopper (Tetrix undulata); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Marsh Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius); 1 * Longhorn Beetle (Anaglyptus mysticus); 1 * Hoverfly (Eupeodes luniger); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 6 * Mirid Bug (Miris striatus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Pied Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 3 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 12 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 4 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 2 * Sun Fly (Helophilus hybridus); 3 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida vibex); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 5 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 3 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 2 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 2 * Common Yellow Three Dot Limonia (Limonia phragmitidis); 2 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii) 1 * Chimney Sweeper Moth (Odezia atrata); 2 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Hornet (Vespa crabro); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 2 * Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocea); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans); 1 * Speckled Bush Cricket Nymph (Leptophyes punctatissima); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana) plus oodles of Azure; Large Red and Common Blue Damselflies and a good spread of Green Drake Mayflies (Ephemera danica).

The 34 birds listed included:- Cormorant; Black Headed Gull; Magpie; Mute Swan; Mallard; Tufted Duck; Moorhen; Blackbird; Wood Pigeon; Garden Warbler; Long Tailed Tit; Greylag Goose; Lapwing; Blue Tit; Carrion Crow; Canada Goose; Great Crested Grebe; Sand Martin; Grey Heron; Bullfinch; Willow Warbler; Cuckoo; Kestrel; Robin; Blackcap; Dunnock; Gadwall; Swift; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Wren plus Chiffchaff; Chaffinch; Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting on call.

The 64 blooms that attracted the eye were:- Field Madder; Hedge Mustard; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Bramble agg; Foxglove; White Bryony; Yellow Flag Iris; Spindle; Common Field Speedwell; Goat's Beard; Greater Stitchwort; White Dead Nettle; Elder; Creeping Buttercup; Hawthorn; Wall Speedwell; Wood Avens; Common Stork's-Bill; Bugloss; White Campion; Chickweed; Cow Parsley; Common Mouse Ear; Dove's Foot Crane's-Bill; Meadow Buttercup; Garlic Mustard; Hogweed; Horse Radish; Goosegrass; Germander Speedwell; Ribwort Plantain; Horse Chestnut; Cowslip; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Common Vetch; Guelder Rose; Cuckooflower; Gorse; Yellow-Rattle; Southern Marsh Orchid; Lesser Trefoil; Common Nettle; Green Alkanet; Sheep's Sorrel; Lesser Stitchwort; Red Clover; Common Sorrel; Broom; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Mouse Ear Hawkweed; Buck's-Horn Plantain; Ox-Eye Daisy; Weld; Star of Bethlehem; Red Campion; Wild Strawberry; Ground Ivy; Silverweed; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Bittersweet; Hairy Tare; Dandelion agg; Red Dead Nettle and Changing Forget-Me-Not.

Galls added were:- Andricus kollari; Trioza remota; Andricus lignicola; Aceria myriadeum and Eriophyes similis.

We also saw:- Nursery Web Spider; Brown Lipped Snail; Rabbit and Grey Squirrel and 10 species of fungi making for a list of 182 species.

21st May 2023 - Idle Valley NR, Nottinghamshire - 6 years to the day we were last at this extensive reserve. We had a couple of brews, a good mooch and a break halfway in a pub were I stuck to my tee-total ways and even had a go on the dart board.

45 birds noted were:- Wood Pigeon; Coot; Canada Goose; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Song Thrush; Great Tit; Tufted Duck; Gadwall; Mallard; Long Tailed Tit; Cetti's Warbler; Mute Swan; Goldfinch; Carrion Crow; Cuckoo; Common Whitethroat; Red Crested Pochard (*10); Reed Bunting; Collared Dove; Chaffinch; Lapwing; Great Crested Grebe; Jackdaw; Black Headed Gull; Blackbird; Magpie; Oystercatcher; Starling; Swift; Reed Warbler; Willow Warbler; Kestrel; Little Grebe; Swallow; Greenfinch; Sedge Warbler; Moorhen; Egyptian Goose; Greylag Goose plus Robin; House Sparrow; Wren; Blackcap; Goldcrest and Dunnock on call.

The 70 insects noted were:- 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Slender Horned Leather Bug (Ceraleptus lividus); 2 * Crucifer Shieldbug (Eurydema oleracea); 1 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 8 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 3 * Bishop's Mitre Bug (Aelia acuminata); 3 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 5 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata); 14 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 2 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 1 * Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 4 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 3 * Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 5 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Green Immigrant Leaf Weevil (Polydrusus formosus); 5 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 1 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Peacock (Aglais io); 6 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 6 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata); 1 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 10 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 5 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 2 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * St John's Wort Beetle (Chrysolina hyperici); 5 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Downlooker Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 3 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 4 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 10 * Green Drake Mayfly (Ephemera danica); 2 * Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense); 3 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 1 * Noon Fly (Mesembrina meridiana); 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 2 * Common Heath (Ematurga atamaria); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 1 * Grey Gorse Piercer Moth (Cydia ulicetana); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Tephritis neesii); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris); 1 * Orange Spot Piercer Moth (Pammene aurana); 1 * Water Veneer (Acentria ephemerella); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quattuordecimguttata); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rustica); 1 * Common Damsel Bug (Nabis rugosa) and 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum).

The 76 different blooms seen today were:- Pale Flax; Germander Speedwell; Common Nettle; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Common Mouse Ear; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Crosswort; Hawthorn; Ragged Robin; Hogweed; Cuckooflower; Dove's Foot Crane's-Bill; Broom; Herb Robert; Dandelion agg; Ribwort Plantain; Pignut; Red Clover; Red Dead Nettle; White Dead Nettle; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Wall Speedwell; Common Comfrey; White Campion; Red Campion; Scarlet Pimpernel; Common Field Speedwell; Changing Forget-Me-Not; Common Stork's-Bill; Procumbent Pearlwort; Yellow Flag Iris; Wood Avens; Cow Parsley; Common Vetch; Lesser Trefoil; Garlic Mustard; Bramble agg; Gorse; Ground Ivy; Bugloss; Greater Stitchwort; Pineappleweed; Hedge Mustard; Elder; Goat's-Beard; Sycamore; Rowan; Common Sorrel; Black Medick; Wild Clary; Salad Burnet; Mouse Ear Hawkweed; Goosegrass; Spanish Bluebell; Wild Strawberry; Greater Periwinkle; Shining Crane's-Bill; Horse Chestnut; Groundsel; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Greater Celandine; Green Alkanet; Chickweed; Ox-Eye Daisy; Rape; Spreading Yellow Sorrel; Thale Cress; Shepherd's Purse; Silverweed; Sheep's Sorrel; Cowslip; Lesser Stitchwort; Southern Marsh Orchid; Hoary Cress and Brooklime.

Silver Birch were looking lovely with their new catkins, the fresh leaves of Common Limes were a joy and Field Maples seemed on the cusp of producing their winged seeds. Parsley Piert was seen covering a small patch of ground.

1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); 1 * Harvestman (Platybunus triangularis); 1 * White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 1 * Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum); 5 * Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus); 1 * Brown Lipped Snail (Cepaea nemoralis) and a few Chub (Squalius cephalus) were the 8 other species added.

The 9 galls seen were:- Psyllopsis fraxini; Biorhiza pallida; Aceria cephalonea; Andricus kollari; Phytoptus avellanae; Trioza remota; Andricus curvator; Euura pendunculi and Aceria macrochela.

With 6 fungi added to the list the end tally was 219 species - not bad at all.

20th May 2023 - Styal CP, Cheshire - An early morning mooch with my mate Ant Marriott. The ground covered was minimal but we did ok before I buggered off to a local cafe to meet my other mate STP Stu where I indulged in some pea and ham soup and a cup of coffee before watching another football match.

The 55 insects seen during the morns mooch were:- 1 * Beetle (Anthocomus fasciatus); 1 * 2 Spot Carpet Beetle (Attagenus pellio); 1 * Weevil (Liophloeus tessulatus); 2 * Dagger Fly (Empis stercorea); 4 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 4 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 6 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 5 * Downlooker Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Weevil (Rhinoncus leucostigma); 1 * Sulphur Tubic (Esperia sulphurella); 2 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 3 * Tephrid Fly (Tephritis neesii); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 2 * Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa); 1 * Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis tenax); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis);1 * Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 1 * Tachnid Fly (Tachina fera); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 5 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 10 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 6 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 20+ * Cherry Aphid (Myzus cerasi); 3 * Hoverfly (Rhingia campestris); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 3 * Common Yellow Three Dot Limonia (Limonia phragmitidis); 2 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * Hoverfly (Baccha elongata); 4 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 5 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 3 * Longhorn Moth (Cauchas rufimitrella); 20 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 1 * Lacebug (Tingis ampliata); 1 * Dark Ash Bud Moth (Prays ruficeps) and 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum).

The 38 flowers I saw were as follows:- Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Bramble agg; Welsh Poppy; Dandelion agg; Goosegrass; Red Clover; Common Mouse Ear; Ox-Eye Daisy; Celery Leaved Buttercup; Ribwort Plantain; White Campion; Common Vetch; Ground Ivy; Star of Bethlehem; Pignut; Common Bistort; Procumbent Pearlwort; Common Nettle; Cow Parsley; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Garlic Mustard; Sycamore; Hawthorn; Groundsel; Thale Cress; Meadow Buttercup; Horse Chestnut; Daisy; Holly; Cuckooflower; Germander Speedwell; Common Sorrel; Red Campion; Spanish Bluebell; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Bugle; and Curl Leaved Dock.

The 9 birds added included:- Starling; Wren; Carrion Crow; Swallow; House Sparrow; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Great Tit and Magpie.

Other stuff thrown in was:- Crescent Cup Liverwort (Lunularia cruciata) and the Galls:- Mikiola fagi; Eriophyes similis; Andricus curvator; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes tiliae; Aceria cephalonea; Biorhiza pallida plus Cock's-Foot Grass.

With 4 fungi thrown in the end list was 115 species.

18th May 2023 - Heaton Mersey Bowl, Stockport, G. Manchester - 3 Rasberry Beetles (Byturus ochraceus) were caught and one was photographed so as to compare the longitudinal eye diameter and the width between the eyes across the frons. Other insects seen in this sunken area were:- numerous Cherry Black Fly (Myzus cerasi); 1 * Downlooker Snipe-Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Sycamore Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus acericola); 2 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 5 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Common Red Legged Robber-Fly (Dioctria rufipes) and 10 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber).

Strawberry Snail and Nursery Web Spider were also added.

Plants in bloom included:- Common Nettle; Garlic Mustard; Hawthorn; Bramble agg; Dandelion agg; Rowan; Common Mouse Ear; Ribwort Plantain; Cuckooflower; Meadow Buttercup; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Hogweed; Cow Parsley; Wood Avens; Goosegrass; Daisy and Creeping Buttercup

18th May 2023 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - I booked an afternoon off work, I stopped off at a local park and saw:- 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 8 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus): 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) and 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare).

I also added 2 * Garden Snail; 1 * White Lipped Banded Snail; 1 * Magpie and Germander Speedwell in flower.

17th May 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - In the garden today I only saw:- 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 2 * Light Brown Apple Moths (Epiphyas postvittana); 1 * Black Headed Conch (Cochylis atricapitana) and 1 * Ruddy Streak (Tachystola acroxantha).

A lone Pignut plant was flowering in the small lawn and a Holly Blue flew by.

17th May 2023 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - The remaining wasteland at the side of the storeage buildings was now giving rise to the blooms of Common Vetch; Black Medick; Shining Crane's-Bill; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill and Hogweed. In the midst of the vegetation I spied:- 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 10 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 14 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Northern Crescent Piercer (Grapholita lunulana); 3 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum) and 1 * Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata).

The Gall (Eriophyes sorbi) was also seen.

15th May 2022 - Woolston Park, Warrington, Cheshire - Leading another walk with good company and grand weather. We had a brew atr the start and the finish (massive thanks to Ranger John) and kept a tally of what we had seen. After a bit of fine-tuning, some lens work and microscopy the list is as follow:-

The 51 insects included:- 1 * Hoverfly (Eupeodes luniger); 1 * Longhorn Moth (Cauchas rufimitrella); 2 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * White Winged Macrophya Sawfly (Macrophya alboannulata); 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 10 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis);1 * Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 3 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 1 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 3 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Sulphur Tubic Moth (Esperia sulphurella); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 4 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Baccha elongata); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 20+ Cherry Blackfly (Myzus cerasi); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Small Tortoisehsell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 3 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 3 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Weevil (Rhinoncus leucostigma); 1 * Downlooker Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Longhorn Moth (Nematopogon swammerdamella); 2 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 1 * Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner (Cameraria ohridella); 4 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus ochraceus) and 1 * Pebble Hook Tip (Drepana falcataria).

The 44 blooms noted were:- Field Pansy; Yellow Corydalis; Field Madder; Hedge Mustard; Dandelion agg; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Hawthorn; Wall Speedwell; Daisy; Cuckooflower; Creeping Buttercup; Sycamore; Holly; Meadow Buttercup; Goosegrass; Common Vetch; Slender Speedwell; Garlic Mustard; Field Maple; Hornbeam; Elder; Horse Chestnut; Common Sorrel; Silverweed; Ribwort Plantain; Japanese Rose; Hybrid Lime; Shepherd's Purse; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Cow Parsley; Germander Speedwell; Bramble agg; White Clover; Common Nettle; Guelder Rose; Common Whitebeam; Bush Vetch; Common Comfrey; Red Campion; Lesser Celandine; Green Alkanet; Spindle and Wavy Bittercress.

12 Galls listed were:- Physemocecis hartigi; Eriophyes laevis; Psyllopsis fraxini; Aceria cephalonea; Eriophyes sorbi; Euura proxima; Phytoptus avellanae; Eriophyes tiliae; Aceria exilis; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes crataegi and Biorhiza pallida.

The 19 birds listed were:- Common Buzzard; Starling; Blackbird; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Jay; Blackcap; Lesser Black Back Gull; Long Tailed Tit; Mallard; Bullfinch; Song Thrush; Nuthatch and Blue Tit plus Dunnock; House Sparrow; Jackdaw Goldcrest and Wren on call.

13 other bits and bobs came in the form of:- Rabbit; 2 * Common Frog; Brown Lipped Banded Snail; Garden Snail; White Lipped Banded Snail; Strawberry Snail; Harvestman (Platybunus triangularis); 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); Cock's-Foot Grass; Pendulous Sedge; Giant Hogweed; Shiny Woodlouse and the Lichen (Xanthoria parietina).

With 11 fungi added to the list the tally ended at 142 species - one can't complain although the lack of volume of insect species is a real concern.

14th May 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - In the garden area today I recorded:- 6 * Light Brown Apple Moths (Epiphyas postvittana); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 2 * Ruddy Streak (Tachystola acroxantha); 2 * Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae) and 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea).

White Clover was in flower.

14th May 2023 - Banky Meadows, Sale, G. Manchester - Continuing the walk with the good lady and this tucked away area was walked through on our way back to the car. Insects noted were:- 4 * Small Tortoisehsell (Aglais urticae); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).

We also admired a few more blooms:- Bugle; Hogweed; Creeping Buttercup; Dandelion agg; Garlic Mustard; Common Vetch; Meadow Buttercup; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Cow Parsley; Common Bistort; Hawthorn; Sweet Cicely; Herb Robert; Laburnum and Common Comfrey.

The only birds seen were;- Goosander (with young); Blackbird; Greenfinch; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Kestrel and Sand Martin.

Galls seen were:- Euura pendunculi and Eriophyes sorbi.

14th May 2023 - Carrington Spur, Sale, G. Manchester - An early morning walk with the good lady with a break for a coffee and a shared bit of cake. We counted a a few natural species, the flowers that blessed our peepers were:- Bush Vetch; Creeping Buttercup; Garlic Mustard; Rape; Cow Parsley; Wood Avens; Elder; Herb Robert; Meadow Buttercup; Goosegrass; White Dead Nettle; Common Comfrey; Dandelion agg; Silverweed; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Common Mouse Ear; Horse Chestnut; Bramble agg; Sycamore; Goat's-Beard; Common Nettle; Cuckooflower; Common Vetch; Ribwort Plantain; Fringe Cups; Spanish Bluebell; Broad Leaved Dock; Common Sorrel; Dove's Foot Crane's-Bill; Broom; Daisy; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill and Groundsel.

Insects seen were:- 1 * Green Immigrant Leaf Weevil (Polydrusus formosus); 1 * Red Rumex Weevil (Apion frumentarium); 3 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 2 * Crane-Fly (Ptychoptera contaminata); 2 * Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 1 * Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Weevil (Rhinonchus leucostigma); 3 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * St Marks Fly (Bibio marci); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 5 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 3 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 5 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 4 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 1 * Long-Horned Caddis Fly (Mystacides azurea); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus) and small gathering of Small Tortoiseshell larvae.

The few birds noted were:- House Sparrow; Blue Tit; Blackbird; Song Thrush; Carrion Crow; Ring Necked Parakeet; Blackcap; Bullfinch; Robin; Long Tailed Tit; Mandarin; Mallard; Goldfinch; Swallow; Jackdaw and Feral Pigeon.

Common Horsetail was added texture to the edges of the verdant pathways and we also saw a Garden Snail; a Grey Squirrel; several Nursery Web Spiders and the 3 galls:- Phyllocoptes eupadi; Euura pendunculi and Eriophyes laevis.

13th 2023 - Greenalls PSO FC, Warrington, Cheshire - Whilst watching football we noted a few species. Butterflies seen were:- 1 * Orange Tip; 1 * Holly Blue; 1 * Small Tortoiseshell and 1 * Brimstone.

Flowers in bloom were:- Creeping Buttercup; Herb Robert; Dandelion agg; Broom; Elder; Hedge Mustard; Ribwort Plantain; Sycamore; Red Dead Nettle; Common Mouse Ear; Thale Cress; Wall Speedwell and Procumbent Pearlwort.

Several Alder leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni) were noted along with 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) and 1 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus).

We also saw several Starlings; a Lesser Black Gull and a couple of Wood Pigeons.

13th 2023 - Bewsey Woods, Warrington, Cheshire - Today I led a gentle walk for a group of folk who were happy to see a bit of this, that and 't' other. The sun was out, the pace slow, and in 3 hours the following 38 insect species were noted:- 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 1 * Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 1 * Common Yellow Three Dot Limonia (Limonia phragmitidis); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 7 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 10 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 4 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 10 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica); 1 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 1 * Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum); 1 * Common Periphyllus Aphid (Periphyllus testudinaceus); 2 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Hoverfly (Meligramma trianguliferum); 2 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus tomentosus); 1 * Regal Piercer Moth (Pammene regiana); 1 * Brindled Flat Body Moth (Agonopterix arenella) and 1 * Downlooker Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus).

The 10 birds noted were:- Grey Heron; Mute Swan; Coot; Wood Pigeon; Jay; Mallard; Magpie; Robin; Blackbird and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

5 Galls added were:- Biorhiza pallida; Phytoptus avellanae; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes tiliae and Eriophyes leiosoma.

14 other bits and pieces seen included:- Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis); Harvestman (Nemastoma bimaculatum); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Common Frog (Rana temporaria); Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); Large Yellow Slug (Limax flavus agg); Strawberry Snail (Trochulus striolatus); Amber Snail (Succinea putris); White Lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis); Brown Lipped Snail (Cepaea nemoralis); Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus) and Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).

9 trees that were looking splendid were:- Hornbeam; Beech; Field Maple; Sycamore; Horse Chestnut; Holly; Elder; Hawthorn and Lime.

I also spied 3 other species these being the Lichen (Xanthoria parietina), Common Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and the Bonfire Moss (Funaria hygrometrica).

The 28 blooms noted were:- Cuckooflower; Hogweed; Spring Snowflake; Ragged Robin; Common Field Speedwell; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Wall Speedwell; Germander Speedwell; Garlic Mustard; Rape; Herb Robert; Cow Parsley; Wood Avens; Dandelion agg; Meadow Buttercup; Ribwort Plantain; Common Mouse Ear; Creeping Buttercup; Yellow Flag Iris; Red Campion; Daisy; Chickweed; Spanish Bluebell; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Hedge Mustard; Common Vetch; Lesser Trefoil and Common Nettle.

With 15 fungi added the list and a patch of Sicilian Honey Garlic (Nectaroscordum siculum) a real oddity, the end tally was 123 species, not bad for a casual effort.

12th May 2023 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - Wandering home and a pop off at this local park, insects seen were:- 6 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miners (Cameraria ohridella); 1 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalis subrufus); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus); 7 * Tephrid Fly (Tephritis neesii); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 4 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) and 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata).

The Gall (Andricus curvator) was noted too.

10th May 2023 - Heaton Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - On my way to work there is a short back alley that leads upwards to a main road, I am now going to start recording what I see in this specific area. Whilst roaming home in the rain I spied the following blooms:- Dandelion agg; Shining Crane's-Bill; Thale Cress; Herb Robert; Goosegrass; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Spanish Bluebell; Common Nettle; Fringe Cups; Meadow Buttercup; Welsh Poppy; Elder; Green Alkanet; Cow Parsley; Hawthorn; Hedge Mustard and Common Mouse Ear.

A Wren was noted and Cock's-Foot Grass was seen. You see, even the unlikeliest places can bear interest. The tally is now at 19 species after one pootle - watch this space.

9th May 2023 - Heaton Mersey/River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A different route from the norm saw me take in a pathway at the side of the motorway and the local orchard as well as a bit of the river. Along the way I saw:- 2 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 3 * Fruit Fly (Tephritis neesii); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 4 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis intricaria); 1 * Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 3 * Duck Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 2 * Diamond Back Moth (Plutella xylostella) and 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida vibex).

Silverweed was now in flow and the Gall (Euura pedunculi) was becoming plentiful.

7th May 2023 - Hope Carr, Leigh, G. Manchester - A quick check at an area we first visited over 20 years ago. By heck it was different and now overgrown and invaded by motorbike goons.

Flowers seen were:- Common Nettle; Goosegrass; Herb Robert; Ramsons; Cow Parsley; Common Vetch; Dandelion agg; Groundsel; Wavy Bittercress; Daisy; Garlic Mustard; Welsh Poppy; Hawthorn; Red Dead Nettle; Ribwort Plaintain; Cowslip; Meadow Buttercup; Field Maple; Common Comfrey; Creeping Buttercup; Bush Vetch; Spanish Bluebell; Thale Cress; Sycamore; Hogweed; Ivy Leaved Speedwell and Common Mouse Ear.

3 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 2 * Weevil (Rhinonchus leucostigma); 1 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) and several Nettle Pollen Beetles ((Brachypterus glaber) were the few insects seen.

Mallard; Wood Pigeon; Grey Heron; Tufted Duck; Canada Goose; Magpie; Coot; Greylag Goose; Gadwall; House Sparrow; Goldfinch; Blue Tit; Common Whitethroat; Black Headed Gull; Swallow; Blackbird; Great Tit and Wren were the few bird species seen.

White Lipped Banded Snail and the Gall (Phyllocoptes goniothorax) were the only other things added - we we a trifle fagged out.

7th May 2023 - Pennington Flash, Leigh, G. Manchester - A wander with my missus and my brother in clammy weather. I had a target in mind, we pottered along and saw the following.

41 blooms were noted, these were:- Sheep's Sorrel; Rowan; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Common Vetch; Gorse; Common Comfrey; Elder; Goosegrass; Lesser Trefoil; Red Clover; Sycamore; Hogweed; Herb Robert; Cowslip; Spanish Bluebell; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Wood Avens; Wall Speedwell; Red Dead Nettle; Common Mouse Ear; Creeping Buttercup; Welsh Poppy; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Primrose; Spring Snowflake; Lesser Celandine; Ramsons; Red Campion; Yellow Flag Iris; White Dead Nettle; Ribwort Plantain; Meadow Buttercup; Garlic Mustard; Pendulous Sedge; Horse Chestnut; Daisy; Cuckooflower; Cow Parsley; Japanese Rose; Fringe Cups and Hawthorn.

42 bird species were listed, these being:- Canada Goose; Mute Swan; Mallard; Black Headed Gull; Tufted Duck; Common Tern; Wood Pigeon; Moorhen; Cetti's Warbler; Magpie; Lapwing; Great Crested Grebe; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Cormorant; Long Tailed Tit; Great Tit; Stock Dove; Reed Bunting; Bullfinch; Robin; Dunnock; Blackbird; Buzzard; Oystercatcher; Mistle Thrush; Wren; House Sparrow; Kestrel; Swallow; Chaffinch; Pheasant; Sedge Warbler; Blackcap; Skylark; Common Whitethroat; Shoveler; Reed Warbler; Carrion Crow; + Greenfinch; Willow Warbler; Chiffchaff and Goldfinch on call.

5 galls listed were:- Aceria campestricola; Andricus lignicola; Eriophyes leiosoma; Biorhiza pallida and Phytoptus avellanae.

51 insects seen were:- 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 1 * Leaf Beetle (Gastrophysa polygoni); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 5 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 5 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Sun Fly (Helophilus pendulus): 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Downlooker Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 3 * Dance Fly (Empis tessellata); 5 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 2 * Weevil (Rhinonchus leucostigma); 2 * Nettle Pollen Bug (Brachypterus glaber); 11 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 3 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata); 1 * Hoverfly (Rhingia campestris); 2 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Plant Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata); 4 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Fruit Fly (Tephritis neesii); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 2 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 2 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 3 * Gorse Seed Weevil (Exapion ulicis); 1 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus); 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Sun Fly (Helophilus hybridus); 1 * Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa); 1 * Sulphur Tubic Moth (Esperia sulphurella); 3 * Grey Gorse Piercer Moth (Cydia ulicetana); 5 * Northern Crescent Piercer (Grapholita lunulana); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); Plain Fanner Moth (Glyphipterix fuscoviridella); 3 * Silver Birch Aphid (Euceraphis betulae) and 2 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata).

Oddments that made up the final list were:- Grey Squirrel; Budapest Slug; Large Yellow Slug agg; Shiny Woodlouse; Striped Woodlouse; White Legged Snake Millipede; Common Horsetail; Nursery Web Spider and Cock's Foot Grass. We also saw the Furrow Spider (Larinioides cornutus).

With 11 fungi seen too the final tally was 160 species. I consider this not a bad total seeing we finished things early due to the arriving hordes that were getting on our tits. Target complete.

6th May 2023 - Stamford Park, Stalybridge, Tameside - I had a footy game and then a 6 band gig to sort, me and the missus manage a short stroll at this well kept park before I hit the touchline. Blooms noted were:- Daisy; Dandelion agg; Red Dead Nettle; Groundsel; Common Field Speedwell; Horse Chestnut; Creeping Buttercup; Garlic Mustard; Fringe Cups; Ribwort Plantain; Herb Robert; Thale Cress; Ramsons; Wall Speedwell; Wavy Bittercress; Bluebell; Spanish Bluebell; Cow Parsley; Pink Purslane; Meadow Buttercup; Hairy Tare; Pendulous Sedge; Goosegrass; Common Mouse Ear; Common Sorrel; Bush Vetch; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Cuckooflower; Sycamore and White Dead Nettle.

The few birds recorded were:- Canada Goose; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Feral Pigeon; Moorhen; Mallard; Blackbird; Jackdaw; Robin; Magpie; Coot and Grey Heron.

The only insects seen were:- 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 7 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica) and several Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni).

I also added a Large Yellow Slug; Grey Squirrel; Shiny Woodlouse and Hart's Tongue Fern.

6th May 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A late night call to see to the ailing Mother-in-Law meant we woke up fagged. The usual chores needed seeing to and I had a footy match and a gig to attend. Whilst feeding the birds in the garden though it was lovely to see Germander Speedwell in flower, the first Welsh Poppies of the year and a lone Creeping Buttercup.

The Nettle Aphid (Microlophium carnosum) was numerous and ready to fall prey some chomping Ladybirds - we shall see.

Also seen were Aphids on Red Campion which were confirmed as belonging to the Brachycaudus lychnidis complex - that will do for me.

4th May 2023 - Gorsey Bank Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - I got distracted again but a tiny sin-kissed area. Hoverflies noted were:- Epistrophe eligans (*2); Syrphus ribesii (*1); Episyrphus balteatus (*1); Myathropa florea (*1); Melanostoma scalare (*1) and Xylota segnis (*1).

2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 3 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); a Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) and Cuckooflower in bloom were recorded too.

4th May 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - The sun was out and a breeze was blowing so whilst cycling home I called off at one of two ponds that I check to see what was happening. On the surrounding vegetation I spied:- 5 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 2 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica) and 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus). Nearby where some small trees were getting established I saw 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and 3 * Comma (Polygonia c-album) plus an Orange Tip near the river and a lone Kidney Spot Ladybird (Chilocorus renipustulatus).

Elder was now in flower and Marsh Marigold was hanging on to its last blooms. On the water were 2 * Canada Goose; 1 * Moorhen and 2 * Mallard.

3rd May 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A day off work due to the ruddy lurgy. I spent a small time in the garden trying to blow the cobwebs away, whilst there I noted the following wild flowers in bloom:- Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Herb Robert; Ramsons; Greater Celandine; Red Campion; Honesty; Garlic Mustard; Fringe Cups; Wavy Bittercress and Dandelion agg.

Insects seen were:- 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 5 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii) and 1 * Springtail (Orchesella cincta); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) and 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris).

Carrion Crow (*2); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*3); Magpie (*1); House Sparrow (*3); Robin (*1) and Wood Pigeon (*1) were the few birds seen.

1st May 2023 - Styal CP, Cheshire - A pre-footy walk and whilst we gently covered a small area near the church we spied the following blooms:- Cow Parsely; Garlic Mustard; Dandelion agg; Honesty; Bugle; Lords and Ladies; Pignut; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Pendulous Sedge; Groundsel; Common Whitlow Grass; Cuckooflower; Slender Speedwell; White Dead Nettle; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Fringe Cups; Barren Strawberry; Wood Avens; Greater Celandine and Germander Speedwell.

Hoverflies picked out under dreary skies were:- Eristalis pertinax (*1); Leucozona lucorum (*1); Melanostoma scalare (*3); Rhingia campestris (*1); Rhingia rostrata (*1) and Platycheirus albimanus (*1).

The few other insects seen were:- 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 2 * Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii); 2 * Weevil (Rhinoncus leucostigma); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 1 * Ichneumon Fly (Ichneumon stramentor) and 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina).

The few birds noted were:- House Sparrow; Wood Pigeon; Dunnock; Blackbird; Long Tailed Tit; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch and Raven.

A couple of galls noted were:- Aceria pseudoplatani; Biorhiza pallida; Phytoptus avellanae and Aceria cephalonea.

We also saw a few Nursery Web Spiders (Pisaura mirabilis) and the Moss (Plagiomnium undulatum).

30th April 2023 - Potteric Carr, Doncaster, Yorkshire - The last day of the month and with the lurgy still knocking on the door we pushed on and had a good day out. Come the end though the thropat was sore and the nose bunged up - cripes.

The 48 bird species recorded were:- Black Headed Gull; Jackdaw; Magpie; Blackcap; Dunnock; Chaffinch; Blue Tit; Canada Goose; Coot; Goldfinch; Chiffchaff; Song Thrush; Mute Swan; Little Grebe; Great Crested Grebe; Tufted Duck; Mallard; Lapwing; Gadwall; Oystercatcher; Pochard; Long Tailed Tit; Teal; Carrion Crow; Greylag Goose; Buzzard; Blackbird; Herring Gull; Reed Bunting; Willow Warbler; Shoveler; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Marsh Harrier; Swift; Cormorant; Shelduck; Grey Heron; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Moorhen; Pied Wagtail + Cetti's Warbler; Skylark; Greenfinch; Pheasant; Reed Warbler; Common Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler on call.

The 48 flowering plants admired were:- 3 Nerved Sandwort; Cowslip; White Dead Nettle; Dandelion agg; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Daisy; Garlic Mustard; Red Campion; Ground Ivy; Pendulous Sedge; Cuckooflower; Colt's-Foot; Common Dog Violet; Wild Strawberry; Dog's Mercury; Sycamore; Ribwort Plantain; Wood Sorrel; Germander Speedwell; Wavy Bittercress; Common Field Speedwell; Hairy Bittercress; Common Mouse Ear; Red Dead Nettle; Cow Parsley; Meadow Buttercup; Broom; Hawthorn; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Wall Speedwell; Common Stork's-Bill; Groundsel; American Winter-Cress; Gorse; Common Chickweed; Lesser Celandine; Marsh Marigold; Wayfaring Tree; Greater Celandine; Comfrey; Bluebell; Primrose; Guelder Rose; Wood Dog Violet; Common Whitlow Grass; Field Maple; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill and Hogweed.

The 6 galls were seen, these were:- Lipara lucens; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes similis; Aceria cephalonea; Biorhiza pallida and Phytoptus avellanae.

The 10 hoverflies seen were:- Eristalis pertinax (*2); Syrphus ribesii (*1); Melanostoma scalare (*1); Epistrophe eligans (*2); Eristalis intricaria (*1); Baccha elongata (*3); Myathropa florea (*1); Platycheirus albimanus (*1); Rhingia rostrata (*1) and Sphaerophoria scripta (*1).

26 other insects noted were:- 10+ Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 5 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 9 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 12 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 1 * St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci); 1 * Green Longhorn Moth (Adela reaumurella); 4 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 5 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 5 * Black and Red Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 4 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 1 * Fruit Fly (Tephritis neesii); 3 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 4 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 4 * 24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata); 1 * Ant Damsel Bug (Himacerus mirmicoides); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 1 * Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata) and 1 * Pied Shieldbug (Tritomegas bicolor).

The Moss (Plagiomnium undulatum) was added too along with a Hart's-Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium); Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis); Short Tailed Vole (Microtus agrestis); White Lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis) ; Brown Lipped Snail (Cepaea nemoralis); Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); Furrow Spider (Larinioides cornutus); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber); Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum); Garlic Snail (Oxychilus alliarius); Striped Millipede (Ommatoiulus sabulosus); Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare); Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) and the Lichen (Xanthoria parietina). These 17 species along with 37 fungal specimens rounded the day's tally off to 192 species.

29th April 2023 - Mersey Valley FC, Sale, G. Manchester - A few things were noted whilst I had a pre-match coffee. 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 19 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Sawfly (Aglaostigma aucupariae); 1 * Weevil (Rhinoncus leucostigma); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus) and 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) were the few insects seen.

Ribwort Plantain was in nice flower as was a Hornbeam tree.

Rough and Shiny Woodlice were observed along with a Leopard Slug, a Common Toad; a Garden Snail; 2 Ring Necked Parakeets; 3 Mallards and a Carrion Crow.

The Sycamore Leaf Gall (Aceria cephalonea) was noted too.

29th April 2023 - Banky Meadows, Sale, G. Manchester - I found another new area to explore just prior to the football kick-off. I had 60 mins and did a quick loop, plants in bloom were:- Herb Robert; Spanish Bluebell; Ramsons; Ribwort Plantain; Hawthorn; Sycamore; Meadow Buttercup; Pendulous Sedge; Dandelion agg and Garlic Mustard.

Hoverflies seen were:- Epistrophe eligans (*2) and Baccha elongata (*1).

Butterflies seen included:- Orange Tip (*10); Large White (*1); Speckled Wood (*7); Brimstone (*1); Comma (*1) and Peacock (*2).

Other insects seen were:- 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) and1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula).

I also added 3 * Jay; 1 * Carrion Crow; 1 * Chiffchaff and 2 * Magpie plus a White Legged Snake Millipede and a Brown Lipped Banded Snail.

29th April 2023 - Carrington Spur, Sale, G. Manchester - Continuing the days jaunt and whilst having a coffee, chatting to a few folk and wandering along I noted the following butterflies:- Orange Tip (*2); Brimstone (*2); Small White (*1) and Green Veined White (*2) plus a Common Carpet Moth.

Insects seen were:- 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis arbustorum); 12 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 7 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus hybridus); 1 * Clarke's Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella) and 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

I also saw the Furrow Spider (Larinioides cornutus); 3 * Nursery Web Spiders (Pisaura mirabilis) and 1 * White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis).

29th April 2023 - Hardy Farm, Chorlton, G. Manchester - A 20 mile round trip on the bike broken by a few stop-off pootles, a cup of coffee and some Non-League Football. The first mooch was taken and the few birds seen with the use of binoculars were:- Magpie; Common Whitethroat; Wood Pigeon; Song Thrush and Blackbird.

Insects noted were:- 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) and 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines).

Dandelion agg; Cuckooflower; White Dead Nettle; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Lesser Celandine; Bird Cherry; Herb Robert; Garlic Mustard; Ramsons; Spanish Bluebell; Butterbur and Rape were the few flowers in bloom.

A Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); the Gall (Andricus kollari) and a Strawberry Snail (Trochulus striolatus) were also seen.

28th April 2023 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short bike ride home was interrupted by a short pootle under yet more grey skies. A splash of colour came via a lone specimen of Red Campion - it is a lovely plant and one I have seedbombed in nearby areas. Insects seen were few with singles of the following the result of a quick vegatitive browse:- Ox-Eye Daisy Fly (Tephritis neesii); Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum) plus several Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni).

2 Mallards and a Coot were on a small pond and a Nursey Web Sider (Pisaura mirabilis) and Strawberry Snail (Trochulus striolatus) were noted.

24th April 2023 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - Cuckooflower was in flower and was visited by a fmale Orange Tip. Marsh Marigold and Greater Celandine were provided splashes of yellow as was the False Yellow Archangel.

Two hoverfly species noted were:- Cheilosia pagana and Eristalis pertinax.

24th April 2023 - Gorsey Bank and River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - After 2 gigs at the weekend I now have the lurgy - I am aching all over. I still managed a stretch down the river and saw the following blooms:- Laburnum; Flowering Currrant; Common Bistort; Wavy Bittercress; Red Campion; Rape; Wood Stitchwort; Meadow Buttercup; Dandelion agg; Creeping Buttercup; Hawthorn; Broom; Red Dead Nettle; Shining Crane's-Bill; Herb Robert; Thale Cress; Common Field Speedwell; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Ribwort Plantain; White Dead Nettle; Pendulous Sedge; Colt's-Foot; Daisy; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Common Mouse Ear; Groundsel; Spanish Bluebell; Garlic Mustard; Cow Parsley; Ramsons; Welsh Poppy; Wood Anemone; Lesser Celandine; Wood Speedwell; Sycamore and Gorse.

Insects were laying low due to the lowly temperatures but I did spy:- 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 10 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Agalais urticae): 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 10 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelsatica alni) and 10 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula).

The few bird species noted were:- Blackbird; Long Tailed Tit; Song Thrush; Canada Goose; Wren; Sand Martin; Mallard; Robin; Magpie; Goosander and Wood Pigeon.

23rd April 2023 - Moses Gate CP, Bolton, Lancashire - A 20 minute walk today, I had to visit my parents and had an afternoon gig to sort and attend. We only saw a few birds:- Lesser Black Back Gull; Herring Gull; Black Headed Gull; Gadwall; Goosander; Tufted Duck; Mute Swan; Coot; Feral Pigeon and Canada Goose.

Marsh Marigold and Wood Anemone were in flower.

22nd April 2023 - Mersey Valley FC, Sale, G. Manchester - A pre-footy pootle down the lane leading to the ground and around the ground itself. Flowers noted were:- Spanish Bluebell; Wood Avens; Dandelion agg; Cow Parsley; Garlic Mustard; Common Comfrey; Lilac; White Dead Nettle; Common Field Speedwell; Common Mouse Ear; Green Alkanet; Honesty; Hawthorn; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Lesser Celandine; Herb Robert; Thale Cress; Hornbeam; Sycamore; Hairy Bittercress; Daisy and Red Dead Nettle.

The few insects seen were:- 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Duck Bugs (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 8 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) and 1 * Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum).

Magpie; Bullfinch; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Mallard; Carrion Crow and Common Buzzard were the few birds seen.

I also added Brown Lipped Banded Snail; White Lipped Banded Snail; Shiny; Rough and Striped Woodlice and a few fungi to make a list of 48 species.

19th April 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A small break at the side of a tucked away pond. The wind was brisk so the only insects seen were the Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) and Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Marsh Marigold and Cow Parsley were in flower and 4 Mallards; 3 Canada Geese; 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Great Tit were seen.

Further along the river and I observed 4 * Common Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 10 * Kidney Spot Ladybird (Chilocorus renipustulatus); 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 10 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus) and 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus).

A Jay was hanging about in the trees.

18th April 2023 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk in the midday sun, a breeding pair of Holly Blues (Celastrina argiolus) were a delight to behold as they cannodled in beneath the glowing orb.  Along my urban travels I also spied:- 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia punctata); 5 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 2 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 16 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus qadripustulatus); 3 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 7 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 4 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hairy Eyed Shieldbug (Syrphus torvus); 1 * Cream Spot Shieldbug (Calvia quattuordecimguttata); 1 * Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana); 2 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) and 2 * Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale). 

Cuckooflower; Green Alkanet; Slender Speedwell and Shining Crane's-Bill were looking delicious.  A Brown Lipped Banded Snail was also noted.

17th April 2023 - Bramhall Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk with the missus after an hospital appointment. We had a coffee and saw the following blooms:- Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; Dandelion agg; Lesser Celandine; Thale Cress; Common Mouse Ear; Wood Anemone; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Sweet Cicely; Common Dog Violet; False Yellow Archangel; Wavy Bittercress; Shepherd's Purse; Chickweed; Butterbur; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Colt's-Foot; Ramsons and Garlic Mustard.

The few bird species noted were:- Mallard; Coot; Canada Goose; Manadarin Duck; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Moorhen; Blue Tit; Robin; Wood Pigeon; Dunnock and Grey Wagtail.

A few Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni) were scattered around a Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) was added.

17th April 2023 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - There was a break in the cloud so I nipped in the garden to top up the food for the birds. The Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) and the Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) were out and the years first Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) was seen. The Nettle patch now held 15 examples of the Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) a fact that made me quite overjoyed.

Another highpoint was the Robin's nest was now holding young birds - this is a real blessing.

16th April 2022 - Marshside RSPB, Lancashire - A second walk was done to get the steps in and hopefully enjoy a few birds. The end list comprised of:- Black Headed Gull; Pink Footed Goose; Canada Goose; Wren; Blackbird; Wood Pigeon; Greenfinch; Mallard; Shoveler; Tufted Duck; Coot; Gadwall; Teal; Redshank; Black Tailed Godwit; Shelduck; Ruff; Pintail; Moorhen; Lapwing; Little Egret; Feral Pigeon; Oystercatcher; Avocet; Starling; Skylark; Black Swan; Mute Swan; Goldfinch; Collared Dove; Greylag Goose; House Sparrow; Great Tit; Jackdaw; Magpie; Red Legged Partridge; Chaffinch; Chiffchaff; Pheasant; Dunnock; Herring Gull; Cetti's Warbler; Little Grebe; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Buzzard and Linnet.

Oxford Ragwort; Dandelion agg; Spanish Bluebell; Red Dead Nettle; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Herb Robert; Groundsel; Gorse; Shining Crane's-Bill; Thale Cress; Alexanders; Common Stork's-Bill; White Dead Nettle; Daisy; Chickweed; Cow Parsley; Cuckooflower; Spotted Dead nettle; Lesser Celandine; Green Alkanet and Field Wood Rush were all in flower.

We also spied a 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); a Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci) and Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare).

16th April 2022 - Hesketh Out Marsh RSPB, Lancashire - An early morning birding mooch under grey skies and in a chilly wind. We had a good stretch of the legs and saw the following bird species:- Goldfinch; Chaffinch; Great Tit; Mallard; Carrion Crow; Avocet; Black Tailed Godwit; Oystercatcher; Moorhen; Little Egret; Whooper Swan; Redshank; Pink Footed Goose; Grey Heron; Blackbird; Reed Bunting; Canada Goose; Skylark; Teal; Barn Owl; Meadow Pipit; Pheasant; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Kestrel; Wren; Tree Sparrow; Stock Dove; Lapwing; Magpie; Pied Wagtail; Buzzard; Dunnock; Gadwall; Blue Tit plus 5 * Wheatear and 2 * Red Breasted Merganser.

Flowers in bloom were few:- Dandelion agg; Cow Parsley; Groundsel; Red Dead Nettle; Lesser Celandine; White Dead Nettle; Common Mouse Ear; Green Alkanet; Garlic Mustard and Hawthorn.

Insects were not risking a chill and so we only saw a few St Mark's Fly's (Bibio marci); 1 Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Marsh Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea) and a couple of Common Nettle Weevils (Phyllobius pomaceus).

We also saw a brace of Brown Hares.

15th April 2022 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - After buying a few plants from the local garden centre we checked a small patch by the river. Common Dog Violet; Dandelion agg; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Ramsons; Rape; Lesser Celandine; Garlic Mustard; Wood Stitchwort and Groundsel were in flower with 8 * Goosander and 4 * Mallard on the water.

A Green Veined White (Pieris napi); a couple of Crane-Fly (Tipula lateralis) and numerous Pot Bellied Emerald Beetles (Gastrophysa viridula) were the only other things seen.

13th April 2022 - River Mersey/Heaton Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Garlic Mustard was now in flower as was Shining Crane's-Bill - two treats on another wet and grey morning.  The Wood Avens Gall (Cecidophyes nudus) was also seen as I pushed the bike up a steep and aggravating incline.

On the way home I did some seed-bombing and saw 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 9 Pot Bellied Emerald Beetles (Gastrophysa viridula).

12th April 2023 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A cycle home and then a short walk down the opposite end of the river, I saw the following plants in bloom:- Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Dandelion agg; Ribwort Plantain; Common Field Speedwell; Green Alkanet; Bush Vetch; Black Medick; Colt's-Foot; Thale Cress; Groundsel; Ramsons; Cornsalad; Lesser Celandine; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Daisy; Hairy Tare; Hawthorn and Toothwort.

A Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum) was tucked away in the leaves of a Common Nettle plant.

The Currant Gall (Cryptomyzus ribis) was also noted along with the causal aphids.

12th April 2023 - West Kirby, The Wirral - A walk with the Young Carers - the weather was awful and after a short walk we only managed to see a few Pill Woodlouse, a Striped Millipede and Garlic Mustard; Spring Beauty and Common Fumitory were in flower.

A couple of Linnets braved the weather too.

Added later, after on-line discussions and much reading of identification matter was the Beetle (Silpha tristis).

9th April 2023 - Ainsdale Sand Dunes, Lancashire - A fine walk with the missus, slow and steady with nothing targetted and no rush had. Bird species seen were:- Coot; Great Tit; Dunnock; Tufted Duck; Mute Swan; Pheasant; Gadwall; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Canada Goose; Kestrel; Buzzard; Mistle Thrush; Shelduck; Lapwing; Reed Bunting; Lesser Redpoll; Long Tailed Tit; Blue Tit; Robin; Linnet; Red Legged Partridge; Skylark; Chaffinch; Wren; Black Headed Gull; Wood Pigeon; Chiffchaff; Mallard; Willow Warbler; Magpie; Stonechat; Herring Gull; Starling; Meadow Pipit and Goldfinch.

Flowers in bloom were:- Heath Violet; Spring Beauty; Dandelion agg; Danish Scurvygrass; Groundsel; Early Forget-Me-Not; Daisy; Creeping Willow; Colt's-Foot; Cuckooflower; Gorse; Marsh Marigold; Spanish Bluebell; Alexanders; Greater Periwinkle; White Dead Nettle; Cornsalad; Little Mouse Ear; Rue Leaved Saxifrage; Spring Vetch; Bluebell; Common Whitlow Grass; Grape Hyacinth; Red Dead Nettle and Hairy Bittercress.

The Lichen (Graphis scripta) was noted and the Mosses (Polytrichum commune) & (Cladonia rangiferina) were also admired.

Insect were few but in truth we weren't looking with any great earnest. We did see though:- 8 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 6 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 4 * St Mark's Fly (Bibio Marci) plus numerous Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni).

2 butterflies were seen, a Green Veined White and a Small Tortoiseshell - it was a little bit too windy I suspect.

Smooth Newt; White Lipped Banded Snail; Shiny Woodlouse; Red Squirrel and a couple of Rabbits were also jotted down to finalise a list of 102 species.

8th April 2023 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short and quiet stroll with the missus, soaking up the sun and seeing what we could see. Birds noted without using binoculars were few, these included:- Carrion Crow; Canada Goose; Wren; Grey Heron; Long Tailed Tit; Wood Pigeon; Mallard; Magpie; Greenfinch; Chiffchaff; Dunnock; Robin and Great Tit.

Flowers in bloom were:- Wood Anemone; Lesser Celandine; Dandelion agg; Greater Periwinkle; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Butterbur; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Marsh Marigold; Ramsons; Slender Speedwell; Wavy Bittercress; Hogweed; Groundsel and Shepherd's Purse.

Several Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 2 * Buttercup Beetle (Prasocuris phellandrii); 1 * Weevil (Rhinoncus leucostigma) and 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

3rd April 2023 - River Mersey to Fletcher Moss, Stockport, G. Manchester - A bike ride and a walk, my head was spinning today so matters had to be cut short. During the initial part of the River Mersey stretch I spied 3 * Goosander; 1 * Dipper; 1 * Song Thrush and 1 * Sand Martin. Toothwort; Ramsons and Wood Stitchwort were in flower and a few insects noted were:- 7 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 7 * Clarke's Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella); 7 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) and 12 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina).

Around the side of the water near Didsbury Bridge I added to the day's tally with 1 * Goosander; 1 * Chiffchaff; 1 * Song Thrush; 1 * Grey Wagtail; 2 * Mallard; 1 * Dunnock and 1 * Great Tit. Ivy Leaved Speedwell; White Dead Nettle; Rape and Dandelion agg were in flower and 7 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula) and 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) were added.

Along the back of some house I spied a stretch of Laurel in flower - 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) were up early but very little else. 3 Starlings were singing, a Dunnock added melody and Barren Strawberry was in flower.

Around the back end of Fletcher Moss and the year's first Peacock butterfly was seen along with a Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 5 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and a singing Goldcrest.

On the homeward trek and whilst going through Gorsey Bank Park I saw False Yellow Archangel in flower and spied another Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) and 1 more Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina).

2nd April 2023 - Burton Mere RSPB, Burton, Cheshire - A walk with the good lady, we strolled along and had a couple of brews, a salad lunch and got in a good number of steps (15, 000+ in fact). The 63 birds listed were:- Song Thrush; Common Buzzard; Garganey; Little Grebe; Marsh Harrier; Stonechat; Mistle Thrush; Whooper Swan; Treecreeper; Ruff; Wigeon; Linnet; Rook; Goldfinch; Long Billed Dowitcher; Common Gull; Coot; Moorhen; Gadwall; Redshank; Oystercatcher; Knot; Dunlin; Blackcap; Chaffinch; Wren; Chiffchaff; Shelduck; Carrion Crow; Cetti's Warbler; Great Tit; Magpie; Grey Heron; Lapwing; Avocet; Black Tailed Godwit; Tufted Duck; Shoveler; Teal; Little Egret; Great White Egret; Nuthatch; Blue Tit; Pied Wagtail; Pheasant; Starling; Jay; Greylag Goose; Long Tailed Tit; Greenfinch; Raven; Wood Pigeon; Mallard; Jackdaw; Black Headed Gull; Reed Bunting; Canada Goose; Blackbird; Robin and Herring Gull + Green Woodpecker and Goldcrest on call and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker.

A few insects seen were:- 2 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 1 * Clarke's Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 7 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Hairy Eyed Flower Fly (Syrphus torvus); 8 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Sawfly (Aglaostigma aucupariae); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 4 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Bronze Shieldbug (Troilus luridus); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare) and 10 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus).

Other critters seen were:- Strawberry Snail (Trochulus striolatus); Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); 2 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) and Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum).

Blooms noted were:- Wavy Bittercress; Lords and Ladies; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Colt's-Foot; Bluebell; Marsh Marigold; Broom; Chickweed; Daisy; Herb Robert; Green Alkanet; Gorse; Ash; Red Dead Nettle; Dandelion agg; Blackthorn and Lesser Celandine.

Mnium hornum and Dicranoweisia cirrata were 2 mosses noted too.

I also spied a fungus growing on the lichen Xanthoria parietina. I put the stick that the lichen was on in a safe place so as to pick it up on my way back to the car, I was so engrossed in the day I forgot to pick it back up. Hey ho, along with a few fungi the end tally of 118 species was not to be sniffed at.

30th March 2023 - Styal CP, Cheshire - 13 miles on the bike, a 3 hour stroll and a call in at a fine cafe for pea and ham soup, crusty bread and a cup of coffee - lovely. The few soakings and the mud-splattered carcass were all part of a day out and I loved it. Birds seen today were:- Goldfinch; Buzzard; Great Tit; Carrion Crow; Nuthatch; Wood Pigeon; Chiffchaff; Robin; Magpie; Song Thrush; Long Tailed Tit; Blackbird; Blue Tit; Dunnock; Goosander; Yellowhammer; Chaffinch; Cormorant; Coal Tit; Great Spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest.

Flowers in bloom were:- Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Honesty; Hairy Bittercress; Bluebell; Dandelion agg; Marsh Marigold; Butterbur; Thale Cress; Groundsel; Shepherd's Purse; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Wood Anemone; Gorse; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Primrose and Barren Strawberry.

I also saw 97 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 3 Buff Tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris); Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare); Large Yellow Slug (Limax flavus agg); Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); Brown Lipped Snail (Cepaea nemoralis); a Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) and the bryophytes:- Orthotrichum pulchellum; Dicranoweisia cirrata; Metzgeria furcata and Plagiomnium undulatum.

29th March 2023 - Midshires Way/Sett Valley Trail, New Mills, Derbyshire - An early morning walk from 7.30am til 12 noon. Birds seen along the way were:- Magpie (*9); Chiffchaff (*4); Canada Goose (*17); Mandarin Duck (*2); Nuthatch (*3); Feral Pigeon (*5); Robin (*9); Blue Tit (*1); Coal Tit (*2); Blackbird (*4); Great Tit (*8); Goldcrest (*1); Wren (*4); Song Thrush (*3); Grey Wagtail (*1); Carrion Crow (*2); Raven (*1); Mallard (*1); Mistle Thrush (*3); Dipper (*3); Redwing (*4); Dunnock (*2); Bullfinch (*2); Chaffinch (*1); Great Spotted Woodpecker (*2) plus plenty of Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws.

Spanish Bluebell; Daisy; Lesser Celandine; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Wood Anemone; Butterbur; Gorse; Blackthorn; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Honesty; Dandelion agg; Dog's Mercury; Colt's-Foot; Groundsel and Common Whitlow Grass were all in flower.

Hart's Tongue Fern; Maidenhair Spleenwort and Field Wood Rush noted whilst mooching here and there.

Bryophytes seen were:- Dicranoweisia cirrata; Bryum capillare; Grimmia pulvinata; Orthotrichum pulchellum; Metzgeria furcata; Plagiomnium undulatum; Fissidens taxifolius; Metzgeria temperata and Tortula muralis.

I also saw a few Grey Squirrels; 3 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Great Blackclock Beetle (Pterostichus niger); 6 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and a Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis).

24th March 2023 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - Cycling homeward and I took a longer roite and had a quick pooter. 2 examples of the Springtail (Dicyrtomina saundersi) were seen as well as 1 * Clarke's Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella). I also found the Harvestman (Platybunus triangularis).

The few birds noted were:- Grey Heron; Grey Wagtail; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Mallard and Long Tailed Tit.

Colt's-Foot; Wavy Bittercress; Ivy Leaved Speedwell and Lesser Celandine were the only flowers in bloom.

21st March 2023 - Heaton Mersey Bowl/Park area, Stockport, G. Manchester - Birds seen in this small area whilst going tp and from work were:- Carrion Crow; Blackbird; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Robin; Wren and Long Tailed Tit.