26th July 2026 - Heaton Park, G. Manchester - A walk with the lasses, the weather had thankfully turned and we got rather damp. The main aim today was to just have a wander and we ambled on and saw lillte but I did record a few blooms:- Common Nettle; Hedge Mustard; Common Ragwort; Greater Willowherb; Creeping Thistle; Redshank; Common Knot-Grass; Enchanter's Nightshade; Himalayan Balsam; Rosebay Willowherb; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Common Field Speedwell; White Clover; Daisy and Lance-Leaved Aster.

The only insects seen were:- 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 2 * Straw Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 10 * Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) and 1 * Little Grey Moth (Eudonia lacustrata).

Galls noted were:- Hartigiola annulipes; Mikiola fagi; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Eriophyes tiliae; Andricus quercuscalicis; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Eriophyes leiosoma; Macrodiplosis pustularis; Eriophyes inangulis and Taphrina alni.

The few birds braving the rain were:- Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Black Headed Gull; Canada Goose; Moorhen; Magpie and Blackbird.

25th July 2025 - Dobcroft NR, Preston, Lancashire - A walk to lead and we fell victim to the weather. The dry spell had hindered our plans and then the rain came so it was a double whammy we struggled with. To add to the snags my list got wet and I couldn't make out the full notes - bah. A good group of folk though, a fine brew and brekkie and some nice nattering. I did the best as I could Steve Palmer helped with the moths and overall we bumbled together a list. Here is what I scrambled together on paper before heading home with soggy feet.

The 35 flowers noted were:- Rosebay Willowherb; Greater Willowherb; Hoary Willowherb; Hedge Bedstraw; Lady's Bedstraw; Red Clover; White Clover; Buddleja; Creeping Thistle; Tufted Vetch; Common Fleabane; Common Ragwort; Meadow Vetchling; Large Flowered Evening Primrose agg; Meadowsweet; Spear Mint; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Bramble agg; Wild Angelica; Yellow Rattle; Wild Carrot; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Herb Robert; Common Nettle; Bush Vetch; Common Spotted Orchid; Self-Heal; Curled Dock; Red Campion; Dandelion agg; Bittersweet; Red Bartsia; Silverweed and Water Plantain.

Hawthorn; Silver Birch; Common Alder; Ash; Field Horsetail; Great Reedmace and Pendulous Sedge were the only 7 other plants I scribbled down.

My insects list was shabby today but I did note 49 species:- 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis); 1 * Picture Winged Fly (Herina lugubris); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia/dentata agg); 1 * Forest Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola); 1 * Groundhopper (Tetrix undulata); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 9 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 1 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 2 * Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 2 * Lesser Clover Leaf Weevil (Hypera nigrirostris); 1 * Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum); 1 * Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Mother of Pearl (Patania ruralis); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus madidus); 2 * Straw Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 5 * Planthopper (Conomelus anceps); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 3 * Shaded Broad Bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 3 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 2 * Alder Spittle Bug nymph (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 5 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); numerous Common Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 2 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 1 * Broad Damsel Bug (Nabis flavomarginatus) and a mall gatering of Parent Bug nymphs (Elasmucha grisea).

Also added were 9 other species:- 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); 1 * Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus); 1 * Four Spotted Orb Weaver (Araneus quadratus); 1 * Harvestman (Leiobunum rotundum); 1 * Harvestman (Opilio canestrinii); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) and 1 * Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus).

8 galls seen were:- Andricus aries; Eriophyes similis; Dasineura ulmaria; Dasineura pustulans; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Andricus kollari; Psyllopsis fraxini agg and Phyllocolpa blennocampa.

The 18 lepidoptera examples I added, courtesy of Steve and his mate were:- Ruby Tiger; Endothenia marginana; Pale Prominent; Willow Beauty; Blood-Vein; Speckled Wood; Brown China Mark; Small China Mark; Scalloped Oak; Canary Shoulder Thorn; Water Veneer; Early Thorn; Calamotropha paludella; Common Plume Moth; Box Tree Moth and Oidaematophorus lithodactyla.

4 birds seen were:- Goldfinch; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Black Headed Gull and Magpie.

With 4 fungal examples thrown in the end tally was 132 species - not great, not bad, I just hope the folk enjoyed it and we have encouraged a few to pootle further and to record what they see.

20th July 2026 - Sale Water Park, G. Manchester - Up early, a good cycle, home for 2pm absolutely scorched and soaked in sweat. A good cool wash, and then sorting the days sightings. The 86 insect species seen were:- 1 * Robber Fly (Dioctria baumhaueri); 1 * Saw-Fly (Rhogogaster chlorosoma); 1 * Tephritid Fly (Tephritis neesii); 1 * False Blister Beetle (Oedemera lurida); 1 * Wood Gnat (Sylvicola fenestralis); 1 * Tachinid Fly (Panzeria anthophila); 1 * Blow Fly (Rhinophora lepida); 1 * Broad Damsel Bug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 1 * Lauxaniid Fly (Sapromyza quadricincta); 1 * Hoverfly (Dasysyrphus albostriatus); 1 * Alder Saw-Fly (Eriocampa ovata); 5 * Tephritid Fly (Urophora quadrifasciata); 1 * Common Damsel Bug (Nabis rugosus); 2 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Planthopper (Conomelus anceps); 2 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus rufus); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Thistle Lacebug (Tingis ampliata); 1 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 1 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius); 1 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 1 * Tachinid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis); 1 * Long Winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus); 8 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 3 * Black Tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 4 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 2 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Dicyphus epilobii); 5 * Blood-Vein (Timandra comae); 4 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 3 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 2 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 6 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 7 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 4 * Hoverfly (Volucella inanis); 12 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 7 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 7 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 4 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 1 * Snail-Killing Fly (Coremacera marginata); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia agg); 5 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 10 * Common Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 2 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 8 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 4 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii); 6 * Dock Bug nymph (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 5 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 8 * Tortoise Bug nymph (Eurygaster testudinaria); 7 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 6 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 3 * Hiary Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 9 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 15 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 7 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 18 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 8 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) and 3 * Straw Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella) plus Alder Leaf Beetle larvae (Agelastica alni) and Cinnabar larvae (Tyria jacobaeae) and many Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum).

61 flowers were in bloom, these were:- Lady's Bedstraw; Tansy; Creeping Cinquefoil; Marsh Thistle; Red Clover; Self-Heal; Purple Loosestrife; Red Campion; Dandelion; Water Figwort; Marsh Woundwort; Common Knapweed; Great Burnet; Water Mint; Buddleja; Meadowsweet; Broad Leaved Helleborine; Russian Vine; Wild Angelica; Red Bartsia; Gypsywort; White Water Lily; Lady's Mantle agg; Wood Avens; Ribwort Plantain; Wild Parsnip; Hedge Bindweed; Bramble agg; Enchanter's Nightshade; Himalayan Balsam; Wood Sage; Pineappleweed; Common Knotgrass; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Yarrow; Herb Robert; Goat's-Beard; Greater Willowherb; Spear Thistle; Greater Plantain; Meadow Vetchling; Perforate St John's-Wort; Rosebay Willowherb; Common Nettle; Common Ragwort; Creeping Thistle; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Wild Carrot; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Bush Vetch; Hedge Bedstraw; Green Alkanet; Tufted Vetch; Tall Melilot; Ox-Eye Daisy; Hogweed; White Clover; Field Scabious; Lesser Stitchwort and Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil.

Mugwort was in bud; Pendulous Sedge in fruit; Common Alder; Ash; Hawthorn; Hazel and Silver Maple were pondered and I added 1 * Spider (Microlinyphia pusilla); 1 * Harvestman (Dicranopalpus ramosus agg); 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); the spider (Enoplognatha ovata/latimana agg) and an Amber Snail (Succinea putris) which made up 12 other species noted.

Disturbance is now high at this area and the water is always busy with dogs dipping in, people swimming and boats and water-boarders out on the lake - as a result, the bird list suffers. I only saw 14 species which is quite pathetic although I was looking too hard:- Cormorant; Black Headed Gull; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Robin; Mallard; Canada Goose; Mute Swan; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Magpie; Wren; Carrion Crow; Greenfinch; Wood Pigeon.

12 galls were seen:- Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Andricus quercuscalicis; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Aceria macrochela; Eriiophyes sorbi; Acalitus brevitarsus; Taphrina alni; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes laevis; Vasates quadripedes and Urophora cardui.

With 3 fungal examples the final total was 188 species.

19th January 2026 - Poynton Pool, Stockport, Cheshire - An early morning walk due to having lots to do. We didn't put in a great effort today but we did see just over 100 species and located the finds of the day, namely the good folk that are Gareth and Sandra Evans - buddies from the touchline who are now taking more note of their surroundings whilst they stride on. Cracking folk. We also bumped into a patch recorder - Phil Oddy - a nice gent doing his bit and on the look out for Odonata species with a rarity on the mind that none of us connected with.

Whilst wandering along we saw and recorded the following insects:- 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 9 * Figwort Weevil (Cionus scrophulariae); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 9 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 6 * Red Malachite Beetle (Anthocomus rufus); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 4 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 2 * Common Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 1 * Marsh Damselbug (Nabis limbatus); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Red Admiral larva (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 3 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 2 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Rush Veneer (Nomophila noctuella); 3 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 4 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata) and plus numerous Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) and the occasional (Enallagma cyathigerum).

Blooms listed were:- Yellow Loosestrife; Bramble agg; Wood Dock; Bittersweet; Greater Willowherb; Purple Loosestrife; Common Ragwort; Greater Plantain; Gypsywort; Skullcap; Meadow Buttercup; Water Figwort; Creeping Thistle; Enchanter's Nightshade; Rosebay Willowherb; Herb Robert; Wild Angelica; Marsh Thistle; Yarrow; Common Nettle; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Himalyan Balsam; Pineappleweed; Lesser Swine Cress; White Clover; Marsh Cudweed; Yellow-Rattle; Greater Spearwort; Water Dock; Claridge Druce Crane's-Bill; Broad Leaved Helleborine; Common Knapweed and Ribwort Plantain.

Galls noted were:- Eriophyes inangulis; Euura proxima; Acalitus brevitarsus; Eriophyes leiosoma; Acalitus stenaspis; Aceria nervisequa; Hartigiola annulipes; Contarinia tiliarum; Eriophyes laevis; Mikiola fagi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Andricus quercuscalicis; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Trioza remota and Chirosia betuleti.

The only birds seen were:- Kingfisher; Mallard; Moorhen; Coot; Blackbird; Blue Tit; Canada Goose; Black Headed Gull; Great Crested Grebe (with 2 young); Grey Heron; Mute Swan; Carrion Crow and Blue Tit.

Pendulous Sedge was in fruit and Ash and Sycamore were producing seeds. The Silver Birch trees and the Copper and Common Beech were looking desperate for water. Common Alder were showing cones but no Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni) were to be seen again. Hawthorn was in fruit; Lime Trees were limp and a Horse Chestnut had mine Leaf Miner mines but no moths were seen.

18th July 2026 - Earby, Thornton-in-Craven Roman Road, Lancashire/N. Yorkshire - A catch up with out botanical friend Peter Hornby and a walk down a track that was half in Lancashire and halh in North Yorkshire. We recording as we went along and will duly split what we say when putting on Irecord. The overall list wasn't fantastic but we did see 60 species in bloom:- Enchanter's Nightshade; Wood Avens; Bramble agg; Nipplewort; Lesser Burdock; Common Ragwort; Common Nettle; Wood Dock; Goosegrass; Meadowsweet; Creeping Thistle; Greater Willowherb; Herb Robert; Garlic Mustard; Greater Plantain; Common Knotgrass; Creeping Cinquefoil; Rosebay Willowherb; Greater Burnet Saxifrage; Creeping Buttercup; Pineappleweed; Red Clover; Dandelion agg; Autumn Hawkbit; Common Valerian; Zig-Zag Clover; Bush Vetch; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Tufted Vetch; Eyebright agg; Greater Burnet; White Clover; Common Knapweed; Red Bartsia; Crosswort; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Hedge Woundwort; Marsh Woundwort; Perforate St John's-Wort; Meadow Vetchling; Tormentil; Goat's-Beard; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Spear Thistle; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Red Campion; Hairy St John's-Wort; Marsh Thistle; Common Blue Sow Thistle; Agrimony; Himalayan Balsam; Wood Crane's-Bill; Wild Angelica; Hedge Bindweed; Wavy Bittercress; Teasel; Fox and Cubs; Betony; Daisy and Ivy Leaved Toadflax.

20 other plants noted were:- Silver Birch; Wych Elm; Hazel; Ash; Hawthorn; Hard Rush; Hart's-Tongue Fern; Maidenhair Spleenwort; Curled Dock; Sycamore; Yorkshire Fog; Timothy Grass; Cock's-Foot Grass; Reed Canary Grass; Elder; Ribwort Plantain; Ground Elder; Red Currant; Maidenhair Spleenwort and Common Alder.

Insects were few, the clouds held them back and then the sun came but it was too hot it seemed. We did manage to record 61 species:- 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Rose Sawfly (Athalia rosae); 1 * Picture Winged Fly (Herina lugubris); 3 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 1 * Marsh Damselbug (Nabis limbatus); 1 * True Lover's Knot (Lycophotia porphyrea); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 2 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 4 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 5 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 5 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug nymph (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Tachinid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 2 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 5 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 2 * Muscid Fly (Graphomya maculata); 1 * Drone Fly  (Eristalis tenax); 2 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 2 * Common Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 2 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 21 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 1 * Leafhopper (Evacanthus interruptus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 5 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 5 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 1 * Long Horned Grass Bug (Megaloceroea recticornis); numerous Straw Grass Veneers (Agriphila straminella); 6 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 5 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 4 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Pithanus maerkelii); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Parethelcus pollinarius); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 3 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 2 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 2 * 22 Spot Ladybird larvae (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 1 * Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis); 1 * Broad Damselbug (Nabis flavomarginatus) and several Dark Winged Fungus Gnats (Sciara agg).

We also added 10 other species:- 1 * Harvestman (Dicranopalpus ramosus agg); 1 * Harvestman (Opilio canestrinii); White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); Amber Snail (Succinea putris); Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 1 * Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus) and 1 * Furrow Orb Weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus) plus a Blackbird; Wood Pigeon and Goldfinch.

The 19 galls noted were:- Euura pedunculi; Aculus tetanothrix; Eriophyes leionotus; Diplolepis eglanteriae agg; Protomyces macrosporus; Andricus foecundatrix; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Phyllocoptes eupadi; Dasineura kiefferiana; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Dasineura ulmaria; Dasineura pustulans; Iteomyia capreae; Acalitus brevitarsus; Eriophyes laevis; Eriophyes inangulis; Andricus lignicola and Cryptomyzus ribis.

With 6 fungi seen the end tally on a casual walk was 176 species - we can't complain.

17th July 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Over halfway through the month already, what madness is this? I only had time for mothing today, I was booking several walks for work and it was driving me nuts. Species recorded were:- 3 Heart and Dart; 1 * Brimstone; 3 * Marbled Beauty; 1 * Pyrausta aurata; 1 * Udea prunalis; 5 * Large Yellow Underwing; 4 * Agriphila straminella; 1 * Mother of Pearl; 1 * Shuttle-Shaped Dart; 1 * Poplar Hawk-Moth; 1 * Bird Cherry Ermine; 4 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 3 * Tachystola acroxantha; 3 * Dark Arches; 5 * Blastobasis adustella; 4 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner; 2 * Brown House Moth; 1 * Acrobasis advenella; 1 * Ruby Tiger and 1 * Rosy Rustic.

A Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) was idly flapping around the garden today.

16th July 2026 - Fletcher Moss, Didsbury, G. Manchester - An early finish from work, a bike ride, a coffee and a mooch. It was way to hot to overdo it but I manage a short saunter and recorded the following insects:- 1 * Leafhopper (Iassius lanio); 1 * Tachinid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 2 * Long Winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Tortoise Bug nymph (Eurygaster testudinaria); 1 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 4 * Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 5 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 1 * Common Plume Moth (Emmelina monodactyla); 3 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Blood-Vein (Timandra comae); 2 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 2 * Leafhopper (Evacanthus interruptus); 5 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 7 * Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 6 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 3 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 6 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 5 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 7 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 8 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 6 * Mirid Bug (Dicyphus epilobii); 3 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 10 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 22 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 4 * Straw Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 5 * Birch Shieldbug nymph (Elasmostethus interstinctus); 100+ Birch Catkin Bug nymph (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 2 * Planthopper (Conomelus anceps); 2 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 17 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 5 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 13 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Leafhopper (Cicadula saturata); 2 * Marsh Damselbug (Nabis limbatus) and 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae).

I also saw 2 Harvestmen, these were:- Mitopus morio and Opilio canestrinii plus a few blooms:- Sneezewort; Common Ragwort; White Clover; Red Clover; Tufted Vetch; Pineappleweed; Gypsywort; Meadow Vetchling; Silverweed; Meadow Buttercup; Bramble agg; Goosegrass; Meadowsweet; Common Nettle; Wood Dock; Purple Loosestrife; Greater Willowherb; Hedge Woundwort; Himalayan Balsam; Large Bindweed; Hedge Bindweed and Enchanter's Nightshade.

The only galls added were:- Urophora cardui; Trioza remota; Andricus lignicola; Eriophyes inangulis; Eriophyes laevis; Acalitus brevitarsus; Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Mikiola fagi.

13th July 2026 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - A coffee and then a morning check of the grassland. No nets, no camera, little effort and only a 50 metre stretch covered on both sides of the path - I was back home for 9.15am.

As I sipped my coffee I made a list of the insects seen:- 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 18 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 3 * Birch Catkin Bug nymph (Kleidocerys resedae); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 25 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 4 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 6 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 1 * Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis); 8 * Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola); 1 * Garden Straw (Agapeta hamana); 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 2 * Hoverfly (Volucella inanis); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Striped Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 3 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 3 * Shaded Broad Bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata); 1 * Hoary Tortrix (Eucosma cana); 3 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 10 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 3 * Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea agg); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum festivum) plus several Cinnabar Moth larvae (Tyria jacobaeae).

13th July 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A moth trapping session, the species seen were:- 1 * Caloptilia alchimiella; 1 * Dusky Thorn; 1 * Scalloped Oak; 1 * True Lover's Knot; 1 * Slender Pug; 2 * Riband Wave f. remutata; 11 * Dark Arches; 1 * Light Arches; 1 * Tachystola acroxantha; 2 * Large Yellow Underwing; 1 * Marbled Beauty; 1 * Small Magpie; 1 * Blastobasis adustella; 1 * Mompha epilobiella; 2 * Clay; 1 * Bird Cherry Ermine; 1 * Heart and Dart; 1 * Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing; 1 * Agapeta hamana; 1 * Agriphila straminella; 1 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 1 * Bryotropha affinis; 1 * Rustic agg; 1 * Anania coronata; 1 * Dot Moth and 3 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner.

Also in the trap were 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and 1 * Caddis-Fly (Athripsodes albifrons).

In the garden thrpughout the day were a Small Tortoisehell (Agalis urticae); a Box Tree Moth (a Small White (Pieris napi); a Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); a Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and a Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

12th July 2026 - National Stone Centre area, Matlock, Derbyshire - It had been a long weekend and the SatNav had been a twat today and sent us the wrong way. We ended up in a car park by the Stone Centre so whilst my good lady had a read in the shade I had a short mooch in a small grassy area. Insects recorded within the frazzled realm were:- 1 * Marsh Damselbug (Nabis limbatus); 2 * Leaf Beetle (Sermylassa halensis); 1 * Weevil (Hypera arator); 3 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 11 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Brown Line, Bright Eye (Mythimna conigera); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 2 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 2 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 14 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 4 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 2 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 6 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 8 * Ant Damselbug (Himacerus mirmicoides); 1 * Spiked Shieldbug (Picromerus bidens); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Cabbage Shieldbug (Eurydema oleracea nymph); 1 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 1 * Long Horned Grass Bug (Megaloceroea recticornis); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 3 * Leafhopper (Evacanthus interruptus); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 1 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 2 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 5 * Mirid Bug (Oncotylus viridiflavus);1 * Thistle Gall Fly (Urophora cardui); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) and 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni).

I also added the gall (Psyllopsis fraxini agg) and the following blooms:- Red Valerian; Broad Leaved Everlasting Pea; Wood Sage; Rosebay Willowherb; Wild Thyme; Common Ragwort; Lady's Bedstraw; Herb Robert; Brown Knapweed; Wild Marjoram; Meadow Vetchling; Hogweed; Yarrow; Harebell; Upright Hedge Parsley and Red Clover.

12th July 2026 - Watermead CP, Birstall NR area, Leicestershire - The heat was starting to rise and we needed a drink. A short circular mooch produced the following insects:- 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 3 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 6 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii); 2 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 2 * Long Winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus); 5 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 12 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 2 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis nemorum); 1 * Black Tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 2 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 1 * Red Malachite Beetle (Anthocomus rufus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Dicyphus epilobii) and 2 * Tachinid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata).

The blooms listed were:- Greater Plantain; White Dead Nettle; Creeping Thistle; Pineappleweed; White Clover; Great Burnet; Tufted Vetch; Greater Willowherb; Meadowsweet; Bittersweet; Meadow Vetchling; Purple Loosestrife; Common Ragwort; Large Bindweed; Nipplewort; Bramble agg; Brown Knapweed; Great Mullein and Common Fleabane.

Also added were the galls (Acalitus brevitarsus) and (Eriophyes inangulis) and the birds:- Black Headed Gull; Mallard; Canada Goose; Goldfinch and Coot plus Pendulous Sedge in fruit.

12th July 2026 - Watermead CP, King Lear's Lake area, Leicestershire - The first recording site of the day, plants recorded were:- Common Nettle; Large Bindweed; Greater Reedmace; Common Ragwort; Bramble agg; Meadowsweet; Purple Loosestrife; Common Fleabane; Himalayan Balsam; Greater Willowherb; Creeping Thistle; Spear Thistle; Marsh Woundwort; Teasel; Marsh Thistle; Daisy; Perennial Sow Thistle; Red Campion; White Campion; Gypsywort; Branched Bur Reed; White Clover; Broad Leaved Dock; Creeping Buttercup; Dandelion agg; Pineappleweed; Silverweed; Common Knotgrass; Greater Plantain; Tufted Vetch; Yarrow; Redshank; White Water Lily; Hedge Bindweed; Welted Thistle; Wild Carrot; Common Stork's-Bill; Small Leaved Lime; Walnut and Square Stalked St John's-Wort.

Birds listed were:- Jackdaw; Kingfisher; Grey Heron; Coot; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Robin; Common Tern; Great Crested Grebe; Mallard; Canada Goose; Moorhen; Cormorant; Greenfinch; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon and Goldfinch.

Insects noted included:- 1 * Leafhopper (Eupteryx urticae); 2 * Birch Catkin Bug nymph (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Water Ladybird (Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata); 1 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 1 * Lesser Marsh Grasshopper (Chorthippus albomarginatus); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug nymph (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Long Horned Grass Bug (Megaloceroea recticornis); 1 * Marsh Damselbug (Nabis limbatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Common Wave (Cabera exanthemata); 2 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 2 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii); 2 * Common Nettle Groundbug (Heterogaster urticae); 4 * Leaf Beetle (Galerucella sagittariae); 11 * Long Winged Conehead nymph (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 5 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 4 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Tachinid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 4 * Crane-Fly (Ptychoptera contaminata); 1 * Red Eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 3 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 3 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathius arbustorum); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 7 * Willow Ermine Moth (Yponomeuta rorrella) and 12 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) plus many Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) and Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans).

The few galls seen were:- Dasineura ulmaria; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Euura proxima; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Iteomyia major; Aceria fraxinivora and Diplolepis eglanteriae agg.

A Common Toad (Bufo bufo) was also seen.

11th July 2026 - Cossington Meadows, Leicestershire - The last port of call for the day and the weather was still sizzling. We were a trifle tired but had a mooch, the insects recorded by 2 jaded moochers were:- 6 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 1 * Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 4 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 2 * Peacock (Aglais io); 3 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 2 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 2 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 2 * Tachinid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 11 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 11 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 4 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 6 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Weevil (Strophosoma melanogrammum); 1 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae) and 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).

Blooms listed were:- Bristly Ox-Tongue; Water Chickweed; Common Knotgrass; Meadow Buttercup; Marsh Thistle; Greater Willowherb; Cow Parsley; Meadowsweet; Gypsywort; Great Burnet; Tufted Vetch; Water Mint; Marsh Woundwort; Lesser Burdock; Scentless Mayweed; Upright Hedge Parsley; Teasel; Tall Melilot; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Common Fleabane; Silverweed; Pineappleweed; Common Nettle; Greater Plantain; Celery Leaved Buttercup; Redshank; Marsh Cudweed; Spear Thistle; White Dead Nettle; Common Ragwort; Creeping Thistle; Purple Loosestrife; Agrimony; Creeping Cinquefoil and Hedge Bindweed.

Birds seen were:- Cormorant; Mallard; Black Headed Gull; Grey Heron; Oystercatcher; Jackdaw; Magpie; Great Crested Grebe; 8 * Little Egret; Stock Dove; Carrion Crow; Moorhen; Blackbird and Wren.

Galls seen were:- Cryptomyzus ribis; Aceria fraxinivora and Aceria macrochela.

The only other addition was 1 * Furrow Orb Weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus).

11th July 2026 - Melbourne Hall, Derbyshire - A fine lunch and a shop and then a walk by the local body of water. The small insect list comprised of:- 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); plenty of Blue Tailed Damselflies (Ischnura elegans) and Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathigerum); a few Small Red Eyed Damselflies (Erythromma viridulum); 2 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 94 * Tachinid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 21 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 2 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 1 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) plus several Cinnabar Moth larvae (Tyria jacobaeae).

Flowers noted were:- Water Figwort; Greater Willowherb; Ribwort Plantain; Oxford Ragwort; Large Bindweed; Common Nettle; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Gypsywort; Meadowsweet; Common Ragwort; Spear Thistle; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Large Flowered Evening Primrose; Branched Bur Reed; White Clover; Red Clover; Meadow Buttercup; Skullcap; Bittersweet; Goosegrass; Bramble agg; Ribwort Plantain; Yarrow; Himalayan Balsam; Greater Burdock; Selfheal; Daisy; Common Fleabane; Dandelion agg; Greater Reedmace; Fan Leaved Water Crowfootand Creeping Thistle.

Bird species seen were:- Black Headed Gull; Moorhen; Canada Goose; Mallard; Greylag Goose; Wood Pigeon; Song Thrush; Swallow; Carrion Crow; 2 * Red Kite; Tufted Duck; Cormorant; Coot and Grey Wagtail.

The only galls seen were:- Acalitus brevitarsus; Eriophyes inangulis and Aceria erinea and we added 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum) and 1 * Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis).

11th July 2026 - Cloud Wood NR, Leicestershire - Permit acquired and a first visit of the day, insects noted:- 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 3 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 38 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Dun-Bar (Cosmia trapezina); 5 * Ant Damselbug (Himacerus mirmicoides); 3 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 4 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 1 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 3 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 3 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 16 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 39 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 7 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Tortoise Bug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug nymph (Dolycoris baccarum); 3 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 14 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 2 * Leafhopper (Evacanthus interruptus); 1 * Marsh Damselbug (Nabis limbatus); 1 * Lesser Clover Leaf Weevil (Hypera nigrirostris); 8 * White Letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album); 1 * Hoverfly (Ferdinandea cuprea); 2 * Brown Argus (Aricia agestis); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 1 * Purple Emperor (Apatura iris); 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 14 * Peacock (Aglais io); 10 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Mother of Pearl (Patania ruralis); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 5 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 5 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Mirid Bug (Dicyphus epilobii); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia agg); 3 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Large Skipper (Thymelicus sylvanus); 1 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 1 * Hornet (Vespa crabro); 16 * Silver Washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Tachinid Fly (Eriothrix rufomaculata); 1 * Shaded Broad Bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata); 1 * Tree Damselbug (Himacerus apterus); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis intricaria); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and 2 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).

Flowers seen were:- Bramble agg; Enchanter's Nightshade; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Eyebright agg; Marjoram; Honeysuckle; Brown Knapweed; Upright Hedge Parsley; Tall Melilot; Red Clover; Red Bartsia; Broad Leaved Everlasting Pea; Creeping Cinquefoil; Curled Dock; Common Ragwort; Greater Willowherb; Creeping Thistle; Red Campion; Perforate St John's-Wort; Wood Dock; Marsh Thistle; Rosebay Willowherb; Herb Robert; Hoary Willowherb; Meadow Vetchling; Self-Heal; White Clover; Common Mouse Ear; Silverweed; Hogweed; Broad Leaved Helleborine; Spear Thistle; Hedge Woundwort; Figwort; Bush Vetch; Ox-Eye Daisy; Common Centaury; Common Nettle; Hairy St John's-Wort and Lady's Mantle agg.

Ash; Pendulous Sedge; Hazel; Hawthorn; Lords and Ladies; the Harvestman (Leiobunum rotundum); a female Blackcap, a Goldfinch, a Wren a Wood Pigeon and the Galls:- Jaapiella veronicae; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Dasineura ulmaria; Dasineura pustulans; Psyllopsis fraxini agg and Andricus lignicola were also added along with 2 * Spiders (Enoplognatha ovata/latimana agg).

10th July 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A last moth trap for a couple of days. The species seen were:- 6 * Riband Wave f. remutata; 3 * Marbled Beauty; 2 * Willow Beauty; 2 * Acrobasis advenella; 1 * Euzophera pinguis; 3 * Chrysoteuchia culmella; 4 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner; 2 * Box Tree Moth; 5 * Crambus pascuella; 2 * Riband Wave; 1 * Acleris forsskaleana; 5 * Bird Cherry Ermine; 1 * Anania coronata; 2 * Clay; 3 * Large Yellow Underwing; 1 * Eudonia lacustrata; 1 * Cabbage Moth; 2 * Crassa unitella; 1 * Swallow-Tailed Moth; 3 * Brown House Moth; 1 * Mother of Pearl; 1 * Common White Wave; 1 * Campion; 1 * Dark Arches; 1 * Dun-Bar; 1 * Heart and Dart; 1 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 1 * Batia lunaris; 1 * Uncertain; 1 * Fan-Foot; 1 * Bryotropha affinis; 3 * Tachystola acroxantha; 1 * Dot Moth; 1 * Hypsopygia glaucinalis; 1 * Apple Leaf Miner and 1 * Sycamore.

Also in the trap were:- 1 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) and 4 * Caddis-Fly (Athripsodes albifrons).

8th July 2026 -  Heaton Mersey Meadow area, Stockport, G. Manchester - A sweaty day, after work I spent 45 minutes with the top off looking at the scorched meadow and cutting down a few invasive White Poplars. Insects seen were:- 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 297 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 10 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 2 * Green Leaf Hopper (Cicadella viridis); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 4 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola); 1 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalinus sepulchralis); 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) and 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae).

Tansy was now in flower.

5th July 2026 - Chorlton WP, G. Manchester - A walk with the lasses, we didn't hang around. A coffee, a circuit of the lake and off to the shops for some healthy food. The rain came at the halfway point then cleared up, the key was just having a stroll. The few insects recorded were:- 43 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 2 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 4 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 3 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) and 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius).

Blooms listed were:- Creeping Thistle; Common Nettle; Hogweed; Common Ragwort; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; White Clover; Greater Plantain; Broad Leaved Dock; Pineappleweed; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Wood Avens; Spear Thistle; Herb Robert; Tall Melilot; Large Bindweed; Meadowsweet; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Yellow Loosestrife; Purple Loosestrife; Red Campion; 11 spikes of Broad Leaved Helleborine; Creeping Jenny; Bramble agg; Buddleja; Common Valerian; Daisy; Common Figwort; Greater Willowherb; Hoary Willowherb; Lady's Mantle agg; Ribwort Plantain; Skullcap; Hedge Bindweed; Rosebay Willowherb; Common Lime; Tufted Vetch; Self-Heal; Fox and Cubs; Nipplewort; Black Medick; Perforate St John's-Wort and Hedge Mustard.

The only birds noted were:- Mute Swan; Feral Pigeon; Wood Pigeon; Canada Goose; Ring Necked Parakeet; Magpie; Blackbird; Mallard; Coot; Carrion Crow and Mandarin Duck.

Galls seen were:- Acalitus plicans; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Eriophyes inangulis; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Chirosia betuleti; Myzus cerasi and Blennocampa phyllocolpa.

The only other species added were:- Pendulous Sedge; 1 * Hairy Snail (Trochulus hispidus) and 1 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum).

4th July 2026 - Crosby Marina, Merseyside - After planning to join the Liverpool Botanical Society for many a year we eventually found time to tag along and join a walk. A lovely bunch of folk with Steve Cross leading and the renowned Phil Smith joining us at halfway. Some good folk were nattered with and after the walk we had a short mooch with the young entomologist known as Sean Hartnett. Of course flowers were the main target but we did add a few insects, these being:- 1 * Red Veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii); 2 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 13 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 85 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 2 * Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola); 3 * Semaphore Fly (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus); 5 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 2 * Common Stilletto Fly (Thereva nobilitata); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 1 * Mother of Pearl (Patania ruralis); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Dicyphus epilobii); 1 * Bulrush Bug (Chilacis typhae); 1 * Weevil (Datonychus melanostictus); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Weevil (Eutrichapion ervi); 1 * Tawny Sycamore Piercer (Pammene aurita); 1 * Silvery Leafcutter Bee (Megachile leachella); numerous Common Green Grasshoppers (Omocestus viridulus); 4 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) and Common Field Grasshoppers (Chorthippus brunneus).

We also saw:- 1 * Harvestman (Phalangium opilio); 1 * Furrow Orb Weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus); 1 * Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus); 1 * Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare) and a close-up male Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus).

The blooms and other vegetation were a joy, and to discuss nuances and ID techniques with other botanically minded folk was a great pleasure and a eye-opener. My list keeping was sketchy but I did make note of:- Smooth Hawk's-Beard; Meadow Vetchling; Mugwort; Fennel; Pyramidal Orchid; Black Horehound; Pink Oxalis; Celery Leaved Buttercup; Dotted Loosestrife; Purple Loosestrife; Meadowsweet; Bittersweet; Common Mallow; Round Headed Leek; Borage; Herb Robert; Great Sea Kale; Broad Leaved Everlasting Pea; Rough Hawkbit; Ox-Eye Daisy; Grey/Goat Willow hybrid; Fodder Vetch; White Clover; Red Clover; Greater Plantain; Ribwort Plantain; Lesser Trefoil; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Bramble agg; Greater Willowherb; Creeping Buttercup; Dandelion agg; Pellitory of the Wall; Creeping Thistle; Common Mouse Ear; Curled Dock; Field Horsetail; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Daisy; Pineappleweed; Common Fleabane; Scarlet Pimpernel; Black Medick; Common Knotgrass; Red Hot Poker; Red Valerian; Red Bartsia; Scented Mayweed; Sea Mayweed; Field Bindweed; Kidney Vetch; Sea Holly; Sea Rocket; White Melilot; Large Flowered Evening Primrose; Wild Carrot; Common Ragwort; Meadow Buttercup; Wild Madder; Fodder Burnet; Lesser Hawkbit; Smooth Hawks'-Beard; Galingale; Toad Rush; Lucerne; Chicory; Spear Thistle; Annual Wall Rocket; Lesser Swine Cress; False Fox Sedge; Sand Sedge; Water Bent; Perennial Sow Thistle; Silverweed; Lesser Centaury; Jointed Rush; Glaucous Sedge; Southern Marsh Orchid; Common Flax; Common Spike Rush; Common Broomrape; Hare's-Foot Clover; Sand Couch; Common Couch; Orange Whitebeam; Japanese Rose; Swedish Whitebeam; Sand Cat's-Tail; Intermediate Flowered Evening Primrose; Sea Wormwood; Isle of Man Cabbage; White Stonecrop; Biting Stonecrop; Hoary Mustard; Sea Arrowgrass; Marsh Arrowgrass; Sea Beet; Strawberry Clover and Irish ivy plus Sea Holly Broomrape (Orobanche minor var. pseudoamethystea); and (Orobanche minor ssp. minor var. pseudoamethystea form lutea).

The only galls noted were:- Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Phanacis hypochoeridis and Eriophyes inangulis.

The loose bird list comprised of:- Magpie; Black Headed Gull; Carrion Crow; Starling; House Martin; Common Tern; Coot; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Herring Gull; Little Egret; Mute Swan; Mallard; Canada Goose; Meadow Pipit and Oystercatcher.

3rd July 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A busy day, work and recording. Once home I noted a Beautiful Plume (Amblyptilia acanthadactyla); 2 Small Whites (Pieris rapae) tumbled in the garden, a Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) buzzed about; a 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) was on Nettle as were 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus). A Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus) waiting patiently in its web and the Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus) was seen mooching about. The bathroom held a few moths:- 1 * Small Magpie (Anania hortulata); 1 * Common Plume (Emmelina monodactyla) and 1 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella).

Meadow Crane's-Bill; Greater Willowherb; Teasel; Large Bindweed; Common Nettle; Red Campion; Rough Sow Thistle; Wood Sage; Dotted Loosestrife; Meadowsweet; Claridge Druce Crane's-Bill; Buddleja; Greater Celandine; Broad Leaved Dock; Square Stalked St John's-Wort; Ivy Leaved Toadflax and Herb Robert were all in flower.

29th June 2026 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - A coffee and a sausage butty from the end of the street and then onto a bit of waste ground that has been disturbed by the construction of a 5G tower. Last year the grass was burned and so I expected little during a short insect hunt. Despite the area being small and near a railway line and a newly constructed industrial estate I saw 61 species:- 1 * Ornate Tailed Digger Wasp (Cerceris rybyensis); 1 * Denticulate Leatherbug (Coriomeris denticulatus); 1 * Marsh Damselbug (Nabis limbatus); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 3 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 31 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 22 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 5 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Thistle Gall Fly (Urophora cardui); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalinus sepulchralis); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 2 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 2 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Tephriditid Fly (Chaetostomella cylindrica);1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 2 * Narrow-Bordered Five-Spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 3 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 1 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 2 * Clover Seed Moth (Grapholita compositella); 2 * Shaded Broad Bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata); 1 * Long Winged Conehead nymph (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 3 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Garden Straw (Agapeta hamana); 2 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 8 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 4 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 7 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 3 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 1 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 4 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 4 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 2 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Straw Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 4 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii); 10 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 4 * Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 7 * Striped Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica); 3 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 2 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) and 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula) plus 40 * Cinnabar larvae (Tyria jacobaeae).

I also added 2 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); the Harvestman (Phalangium opilio); a Common Buzzard; Lesser Black Backed Gull and Hoary Plantain in flower. I will try and do a full flower list later this week.

28th June 2026 - Highfield CP, Levenshulme, G. Manchester - I was leading a walk today, we had a lovely group with a couple of fine young un's in the mix. The rain fell just before we started and scuppered the potential of the sweep netting but we cracked on, took it easy and saw a few insects (with a couple added after the walk). The 72 species seen were:- 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Polymerus nigrita); 1 * Notch-Horned Cleg (Haematopota pluvialis); 1 * Red Tipped Clearwing (Synanthedon formicaeformis); 1 * Striped Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica); 1 * Broad Damselbug (Nabis flavomarginatus); 2 * Long Horned Grass Bug (Megaloceroea recticornis); 1 * Narrow-Bordered Five-Spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae); 6 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 3 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 7 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 7 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 3 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Ferruginous Bee-Grabber (Sicus ferrugineus); 2 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Forest Shieldbug (Pentatoma rufipes); 6 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 1 * Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 2 * Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus); 1 * Long Horned Flat Body Moth (Carcina quercana); 3 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 10 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug nymph (Palomena prasina); 2 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 5 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Straw Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 4 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii); 3 * Common Green Leafhopper (Cicadella viridis); 9 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 2 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 5 * Long Winged Conehead nymph (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Tortoise Shieldbug nymph (Eurygaster testudinaria); 1 * Blackneck Moth (Lygephila pastinum); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 5 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 3 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 3 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 15 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 2 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 3 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 7 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 8 * Common Nettle Groundbug (Heterogaster urticae); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 22 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 3 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 3 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma planicornis); 1 * Woundwort Shieldbug (Eysarcoris venustissimus); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 5 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Snout Moth (Hypena proboscidalis) and 3 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata).

46 flowers noted were:- Dotted Loosestrife; Tall Melilot; Elder; Red Campion; Hedge Woundwort; Ground Elder; Bush Vetch; Bee Orchid; Goat's-Beard; Hairy Tare; Sneezewort; Ox-Eye Daisy; Tufted Vetch; Meadowsweet; Meadow Buttercup; Great Willowherb; Meadow Vetchling; Hoary Willowherb; Silverweed; Wood Avens; Bittersweet; Common Vetch; Hedge Mustard; Rosebay Willowherb; Garden Privet; Redshank; Greater Plantain; Creeping Thistle; Common Mouse Ear; Broad Leaved Dock; Red Clover; Creeping Cinquefoil; Ribwort Plantain; Common Nettle; Goosegrass; Bramble agg; Nipplewort; Dandelion agg; Creeping Buttercup; Herb Robert; Large Bindweed; Pineappleweed; Hogweed; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Claridge Druce Crane's-Bill and White Clover.

The galls list comprised of 17 species:- Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Aceria erinea; Euura pedunculi; Mikiola fagi; Taphrina alni; Taphrina betulina; Eriophyes inangulis; Aceria macrorhyncha; Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus kollari agg; Andricus aries; Neuroterus numismalis (sexual stage); Andricus lignicola; Andricus quercuscalicis and Psyllopis fraxini agg.

Also added were 20 others:- Field Horsetail; Pendulous Sedge; Hawthorn; Walnut; Hazel; Silver Birch; Copper Beech; 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); 1 * Harvestman (Opilio canestrinii); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum); Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber); White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); Amber Snail (Succinea putris); Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum) and Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis). We also saw a massive Common Frog (Rana temporaria).

The 6 birds noted were:- Wood Pigeon; Magpie; Ring Necked Parakeet and Great Spotted Woodpecker; Chiffchaff and Song Thrush on call.

With 2 fungi added the final count was 163 species.

27th June 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - I am running on empty an the heat is a trial. To keep the wildlife recording moving I put the moth trap out and recorded:- 2 * Brimstone; 4 * Crambus pascuella; 2 * Scalloped Oak; 1 * Common Emerald; 2 * Riband Wave; 1 * Small Magpie; 1 * Elephant Hawk-Moth; 1 * Poplar Hawk-Moth; 1 * Lime Hawk-Moth; 1 * Clay; 1 * Riband Wave f. remutata; 1 * Double Striped Pug; 3 * Brown House Moth; 1 * Chrysoteuchia culmella; 1 * Marbled Minor agg; 1 * Anania coronata; 1 * Rustic; 2 * Tachystola acroxantha; 2 * Single Dotted Wave; 1 * Smoky Wainscot; 1 * Blastodacna hellerella; 1 * The Flame; 1 * Large Yellow Underwing; 1 * Twenty Plume Moth; 1 * Nettle Tap Moth; 1 * Heart and Dart; 1 * Marbled Beauty; 1 * Fan-Foot and 1 * Red Barred Tortrix.

Alos in the trap were:- 3  *  Caddis-Fly (Mystacides longicornis); 2* Caddis-Fly (Athripsodes albifrons); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 1 * Black Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus-sulcatus) and 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

A Comma (Polygona c-album) visted the garden later in the day.

23rd June 2026 - Sea Palling, Norfolk - Heading back to where we were staying and a call off at an area was made to try and see a new bird and explore the surroundings. For some inexplicable reason the car park was busy and people seemed to be heading to the beach for a late-in-the-day chill. We stayed away and wandered down a lane and came across a lone gent with a Black Winged Kite in his scope. We had several looks, it was rather distant but the guy seemed happy to have seen it. We appreciated his kindness and I suppose it is an addition to the list of things we have seen but hey, it is a well-recorded bird, us seeing it matters not one jot and the other species recorded were perhaps more important.

Other birds seen were:- Greenfinch; Swallow; several feeding Sandwich Terns; Swift; Skylark; Magpie; Linnet; a couple of Kestrels; Pied Wagtail; Jackdaw and Wood Pigeon.

Flowers recorded were:- Scarlet Pimpernel; Hogweed; Russian Vine; Tree Lupin; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Hedge Woundwort; Black Medick; Tall Melilot; Japanese Rose; Lady's Bedstraw; Red Valerian; Common Poppy; Creeping Buttercup; Yarrow; Bramble agg; White Clover; Meadow Vetchling; Goosegrass; Common Vetch; Tufted Vetch; Dandelion agg; Creeping Thistle; Creeping Cinquefoil and Corn Marigold.

The only insects seen were:- 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 5 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 3 * Painted Lady (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae).

2 galls were noted:- Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Eriophyes similis and the only other species added was a cute Rabbit.

23rd June 2026 - Overstrand, Norfolk - We eventually found a cafe and had a fine refresher before doing a very short walk and lounging on the cliffs. The few birds recorded were:- Wood Pigeon; House Sparrow; Blackbird; Goldfinch; Greenfinch; Herring Gull; Collared Dove and Linnet.

Blooms noted in the tiny area covered were:- Common Nettle; Daisy; Field Bindweed; Buck's-Horn Plantain; Pineappleweed; Creeping Thistle; Common Ragwort; Common Mallow; Ribwort Plantain; Black Horehound; Bladder Campion; Curled Dock; Yarrow; Creeping Cinquefoil; Weld; Goosegrass; White Campion; Red Campion; Japanese Rose; Broad Leaved Willowherb and Large Bindweed.

The only insects listed were:- 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 32 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) and 3 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

The only other species recorded were Cock's-Foot Grass and the gall (Cecidophyes rouhollahi).

23rd June 2026 - Pretty Corner Woods, Norfolk - We were on the prowl for a cafe and found one that was now closed. Nearby was an area that looked intriguing so we had a mooch. More insects were recorded at another new place for us, these were:- 12 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 9 * Speckled Bush Cricket nymph (Leptophyes punctatissima); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Darkling Beetle (Lagria hirta); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 3 * Ant Damselbug (Himacerus mirmicoides); 2 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 2 * Small Magpie Moth (Anania hortulata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 5 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 2 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Long Winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 3 * Silver Washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia); 3 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 2 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii); 1 * Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina polita); 1 * Common Nettle Groundbug (Heterogaster urticae) and 1 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata).

Flowers listed were:- Herb Robert; Cow Parsley; Red Campion; Chickweed; Foxglove; Wood Sage; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Pink Oxalis; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Wood Dock; Groundsel; Bramble agg; Common Mouse Ear; Self-Heal; Creeping Buttercup; Common Nettle; Hedge Woundwort; Enchanter's NIghtshade; Climbing Corydalis; Germander Speedwell and Daisy.

We also added Pendulous Sedge; Common Toad; Grey Squirrel and a Jay.

23rd June 2026 - Holt Lowes NR, Norfolk - An extra area was recorded at, albeit very briefly due to the rising temperature. Insects observed were:- 1 * Skullcap Leaf Beetle (Phyllobrotica quadrimaculata); 3 * Splayed Deer Fly (Chrysops caecutiens); 1 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 3 * Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens); 1 * Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae); 1 * Long Winged Conehead (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 1 * Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris); 1 * Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus); 1 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) and 2 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

A Chiffchaff and a Pheasant were seen and the few flowers recorded were:- Round Leaved Sundew; Self-Heal; Ragged Robin; Goosegrass; Lesser Spearwort; Bog Pimpernel; Tormentil; Bell Heather and Wood Sage.

22nd June 2026 - Gunton Warren, Suffolk - A final pootle on another hot day. The coastal area was scorched and barren, we nipped into a sunny glade and pottered and headed back for an ice cream that was one of the biggest ever - what a bargain.

4 galls were seen:- Eriosoma lanuginosum; Tetraneura ulmi; Dasineura urticae and Aceria ulmicola.

9 bird species picked out were:- Carrion Crow; Herring Gull; Feral Pigeon; Robin; Wood Pigeon; House Sparrow; Common Whitethroat; Swift and Linnet.

48 blooms were noted:- Slender Thistle; White Stonecrop; Biting Stonecrop; Sheep's Bit Scabious; Japanese Rose; Curled Dock; Wood Dock; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Wild Carrot; Chicory; Sea Bindweed; Spear Thistle; Creeping Cinquefoil; Creeping Thistle; White Campion; Common Cudweed; Creeping Buttercup; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Tamarisk; White Clover; Daisy; Dandelion agg; Scarlet Pimpernel; Honeysuckle; Large Bindweed; Hemlock; Black Medick; Hop Trefoil; Hedge Woundwort; Ground Ivy; Tutsan; Goosegrass; Green Alkanet; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Stinking Iris; Sheep's Sorrel; Black Horehound; Bramble agg; White Goosefoot; Ribwort Plantain; Common Mallow; Weld; Tree Lupin; Heath Groundsel; Red Campion and Buddleja.

The insect list was made up of 43 species:- 1 * Fairy-Ring Longhorn Beetle (Pseudovadonia livida); 2 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Monocerus Beetle (Notoxus monocero); 2 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Thistle Gall Fly (Urophora cardui); 1 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Common Nettle Groundbug (Heterogaster urticae); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Parethelcus pollinarius); 8 * Speckled Bush Cricket nymph (Leptophyes punctatissima); 1 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 1 * Weevil (Otiorhynchus ligustici); 1 * Flea Beetle (Podagrica fuscicornis); 3 * Black Tipped Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 7 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 1 * Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Merodon equestris); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis cryptica); 6 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 4 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 5 * Long Winged Conehead nymph (Conocephalus fuscus); 2 * Malachite Beetle (Cordylepherus viridis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 2 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Straw Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Meadow Grasshopper (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) and 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa).

103 species was the end result, I considered this just fine.

22nd June 2026 - Carlton Marshes, Suffolk - A meet-up with a lovely lady was had and a coffee to start the day was grand. We all had a pootle and finished back at the cafe for more nattering and some grub.

During the walk I kept a flower list and noted 52 species:- Daisy; Creeping Thistle; Broad Leaved Dock; Common Field Speedwell; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Green Alkanet; Groundsel; Common Poppy; Goosegrass; Scentless Mayweed; Common Vetch; Tufted Vetch; Water Plantain; Weld; Common Mallow; Field Bindweed; Smooth Sow Thistle; Wild Carrot; Doge Rose agg; Black Horehound; Hemlock; Pineappleweed; Bramble agg; Hairy Tare; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; White Campion; Common Stork's-Bill; Yarrow; Common Ragwort; Bulbous Buttercup; Spear Thistle; Black Medick; Common Mouse Ear; Hop Trefoil; Scarlet Pimpernel; Hogweed; Lesser Trefoil; Field Pansy; Ribwort Plantain; Dandelion agg; Buck's-Horn Plantain; Silverweed; Meadow Vetchling; Marsh Thistle; Hemp Agrimony; Meadow Rue; Water Figwort; Bittersweet; Meadowsweet; Water Dock; Tall Melilot and Branched Bur Reed.

5 other plants were added Field Horsetail; Hawthorn; Common Alder; Great Reedmace and Hard Rush plus 7 galls:- Dasineura viciae; Euura bridgmanii; Taphrina alni; Dasineura ulmaria; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Diplolepis rosae.

Birds were few but as I always say, 'you can't have eyes everywhere and see everything when trying to enjoy the whole shebang' - we did manage to record 16 species though:- Wood Pigeon; Herring Gull; Swift; House Martin; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Linnet; Grey Heron; Hobby; Carrion Crow; Mute Swan; Reed Bunting; Moorhen and Reed Warbler plus Greenfinch; Cetti's Warbler and Cuckoo on call.

65 insects were seen, these were:- 2 * Ant Damselbug (Himacerus mirmicoides); 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Common Wave (Cabera exanthemata); 2 * Reed Beetle (Plateumaris bracata); 1 * Midge Fly (Demeijerea rufipes); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Red Eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas); 5 * Malachite Beetle (Cordylepherus viridis); 5 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 4 * Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isoceles); 2 * Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum); 2 * Hoverfly (Parhelophilus sp); 1 * White Satin (Leucoma salicis); 1 * Green Colonel Soldier Fly (Oplodontha viridula); 1 * Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis intricaria); 1 * Sun Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae); 3 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 13 * 24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata); 4 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 3 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 7 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 10+ * Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva); 2 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 1 * Common Nettle Groundbug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 4 * Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii); 2 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 5 * Short Winged Conehead (Conocephalus dorsalis); 3 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 3 * Meadow Grasshopper (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 1 * Longhorn Beetle (Rutpela maculata); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 12 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Speckled Bush Cricket nymph (Leptophyes punctatissima); 3 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 2 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 2 * Hoverfly (Tropidia scita); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 3 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 2 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus) and 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus) plus 1 * Drinker larva (Euthrix potatoria); 3 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Peacock larva (Aglais io) and 1 * Reed Dagger larva (Simyra albovenosa).

With 1 fungus added, the total of the tooting was 146 species.

21st June 2026 - Weeting Heath, Norfolk - We made progress to where we were staying but another call off was had. This was a last minute decision and we did just fine methinks. 15 bird species noted were 4 * Stone Curlew; 1 * White Stork; 1 * Stock Dove; 2 * Lapwing; 2 * Buzzard; 3 * Goldfinch; 2 * Buzzard; 1 * Mistle Thrush; 1 * Great Tit; 2 * Blue Tit; 1 * Curlew plus Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Oystercatcher and Lesser Black Backed Gull.

42 species of insect were seen:- 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 1 * Mirid Bug (Heterotoma plannicornis); 1 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 1 * Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); 4 * Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 1 * Scarlet Tiger (Callimorpha dominula); 1 * Sulphur Beetle (Cteniopus sulphureus); 1 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris ruber); 1 * Meadow Grasshopper (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 3 * 24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata); 4 * Speckled Bush Cricket nymph (Leptophyes punctatissima); 1 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 2 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum); 1 * Dark Bush Cricket nymph (Pholidoptera griseoaptera); 1 * Snail-Killing Fly (Coremacera marginata); 1 * Dalman's Leatherbug (Spathocera dalmanii); 1 * Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 1 * Brown Silver Line (Petrophora chlorosata); 1 * Lesser Stag Beetle (Dorcus parallelipipedus); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 2 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 3 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Flower Longhorn Beetle (Stenurella melanura); 2 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) and 1 * Longhorn Beetle (Rutpela maculata).

45 blooms were seen:- Dark Mullein; Perforate St John's-Wort; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Climbing Corydalis; Bird's-Foot; Corn Spurrey; Heath Groundsel; Sheep's Sorrel; Broad Leaved Dock; Curled Dock; Bladder Campion; Foxglove; Hop Trefoil; Black Medick; White Bryony; Wild Mignonette; Weld; Ground Ivy; Hemlock; Yarrow; Germander Speedwell; Field Bindweed; Black Horehound; Common Mouse Ear; Pineappleweed; Common Poppy; Garlic Mustard; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Thistle; Cow Parsley; Herb Robert; Ox-Eye Daisy; Shepherd's Purse; Common Nettle; Viper's Bugloss; Daisy; Wood Sage; Nipplewort; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; White Campion; Field Scabious; Ribwort Plantain; White Clover; Restharrow and Lesser Trefoil. I also recorded Bracken.

9 other species added were:- 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); 1 * Cricket Bat Orb Weaver (Mangora acalypha); 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 1 * Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis); White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis); a few Rabbits; several Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare) and the gall (Aceria nervisequa).

With 4 fungi the final total was 115 species. A good day done.

21st June 2026 - Stanwick Lakes, Northamptonshire - We were off on a break for a few days, the weather was set to glorious and beyond, we started with a stop off at an area previously visited but not for a few years. The flowers were blooming beneath the solar soaked skies, the 67 species with blooms were:- Cow Parsley; White Clover; Marsh Thistle; Dandelion agg; Common Nettle; Broad Leaved Dock; Bristly Ox Tongue; White Dead Nettle; Creeping Buttercup; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Bramble agg; Perforate St John's-Wort; Musk Mallow; Wall Speedwell; Scentless Mayweed; Bittersweet; Wild Carrot; Nodding Thistle; Knotted Hedge Parsley; Nipplewort; Hedge Woundwort; Green Alkanet; Japanese Rose; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Daisy; Lesser Trefoil; Ribwort Plantain; Weld; Creeping Cinquefoil; Red Clover; Self-Heal; Creeping Jenny; Skullcap; Common Stork's-Bill; Scarlet Pimpernel; Biting Stonecrop; Common Centaury; Lesser Centaury; Water Forget-Me-Not; Field Bindweed; Yellow Water Lily; Hedge Mustard; Meadow Vetchling; Hedge Bindweed; Red Dead Nettle; Knotted Pearlwort; Ox-Eye Daisy; Creeping Thistle; Red Campion; Common Knapweed; Lady's Bedstraw; Common Comfrey agg; Common Mouse Ear; Wild Clary; Smooth Tare; Silverweed; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Tall Melilot; Himalayan Balsam; Yarrow; Black Horehound; Herb Robert; Hogweed; Field Madder; Hemlock and Prickly Sow Thistle.

5 other plants added were:- Great Reedmace; Ash; Hawthorn; Hazel and Silver Birch.

69 species of insect were recorded, these were:- 1 * Lacehopper (Dictyla convergens); 2 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis tenax); 5 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 3 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 2 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 2 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 2 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 10 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 12 * Straw Grass Veneer (Agriphila straminella); 1 * Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae); 1 * Meadow Grasshopper nymph (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 1 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 5 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 3 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 2 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 2 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 12 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Lesser Marsh Grasshopper (Chorthippus albomarginatus); 17 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigra); 7 * 24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata); 4 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 4 * Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 1 * Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis); 15 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 7 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 4 * Long Winged Conehead nymph (Conocephalus fuscus); 1 * Silver Y (Autograph gamma); 5 * Speckled Bush Cricket nymph (Leptophyes punctatissima); 4 * Striped Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica); 5 * Mirid Bug (Plagiognathus arbustorum);1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * Leafhopper (Athysanus argentarius); 5 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Leafhopper (Eupteryx vittata); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Longhorn Beetle (Grammoptera ruficornis); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis lateralis); 2 * Mirid Bug (Pithanus maerkelii); 1 * Dock Weevil (Apion frumentarium); 2 * Mirid Bug nymph (Heterotoma planicornis); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Leaf Beetle (Cryptocephalus rufipes); 1 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 7 * Leaf Beetle (Podagrica fuscipes); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) and 1 * Tiger Crane Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata) plus numerous Red Eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas); Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) and Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans).

We also added 7 other species:- 1 * Furrow Orb Weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus); 1 * Muntjac Deer (Muntiacus reevesi); 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum) and the Galls:- Iteomyia major; Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Diplolepis rosae.

27 bird species were recorded, these were:- Magpie; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Common Tern; Grey Heron; Black Headed Gull; Coot; Great Crested Grebe; Tufted Duck; Greenfinch; Mute Swan; Reed Warbler; Swallow; Mallard; Egyptian Goose; Reed Bunting; Greylag Goose; Great Black Backed Gull; Little Egret; Oystercatcher; Dunnock and Sand Martin plus Cuckoo; Wren; Chaffinch; Cetti's Warbler and Goldfinch on call.

With only 1 fungus recorded the end tally was 176 species.

20th June 2026 - Tatton Park, Cheshire - We had no definite plans for today other than to drop the young un' off so she could catch the 6.20am train to Glasgow and also, we needed to do some shopping. At 9am prompt we were done and with news of a rare dragonfly just down the road we thought a nice stroll, a quick nosey and home would be the tonic. We had a relaxed walk, spent 30 mins looking for the dragonfly and then went to a cafe with the ex-ranger and his missus. Walking back to the car we did another 15 mins searching and headed home - it was better than spending 5 hours in one spot like one guy. Each to their own though and I hope the fella got some views, we are pootlers and like to move. And so, 13, 800+ steps, a lovely natter at the cafe, a look in the bookshop and a rare ice cream treat, my recording today was shabby but we did see:- 4 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 3 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 2 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 4 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 10 * Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 1 * Scarlet Tiger Moth (Callimorpha dominula); numerous Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); Red Eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas); 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 5 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 1 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 5 * Black Tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum); 5 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Anasimyia lineata); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus) and 1 * Meadow Grasshopper (Pseudochorthippus parallelus).

The few birds seen were:- Pochard; Reed Bunting; Mistle Thrush; Coot; Blackbird; Canada Goose; Greylag Goose; Jackdaw; Mute Swan and Great Crested Grebe - like I say, I was too busy just strolling and nattering today.

Due to the relaxed approach the flowers listed were few:- White Clover; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Thistle; Foxglove; Bramble agg; Self-Heal; Tormentil; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Common Mouse Ear; Germander Speedwell; Lesser Stitchwort; Marsh Thistle; Yellow Flag Iris and Skullcap.

The only other species added were a Pike (Esox lucius); Crested Dog's-Tail and the Gall (Hartigiola annulipes).

So not much today but I reckon I deserved an easy day of it and what we did see, we ruddy well appreciated.

19th June 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few moths were in the garden, after a lousy night's sleep these were enough to get me awake.  The species recorded were:- 2 * Buff Arches; 7 * Tachystola acroxantha; 4 * Beautiful Hook-Tip; 2 * Crambus pascuella; 4 * Brimstone; 3 * Clepsis consimilana; 5 * Riband Wave f. remutata; 1 * Dark Arches; 1 * fan-Foot; 2 * Anania coronata; 3 * Heart and Dart; 2 * Riband Wave; 3 * Willow Beauty; 1 * Small Magpie; 1 * Grey Arches; 1 * Blastodacna hellerella; 1 * Middle Barred Minor; 1 * Diamond Back Moth; 1 *  Hypsopygia glaucinalis; 1 * Sycamore; 1 * Flame Shoulder; 3 * Eudonia lacustrata; 1 * Beautiful Plume; 2 * Rustic; 1 * Double Striped Pug; 1 * Marbled Minor agg; 1 * Scalloped Oak; 3 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 3 * Brown House Moth; 1 * Agriphila straminella and 1 * Teleiodes vulgella.

Also in the trap was a Water Scavenger Beetle (Cercyon umpunctatus).

In the garden, later in the day, my good lady spied:- 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quattuordecimguttata) and I saw an Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni).

17th June 2026 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - Another post-work 30 minute mooch and the insects noted were:- 1 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 4 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 2 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 6 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 4 * Narrow-Bordered Five-Spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae); 2 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 6 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae); 2 * Hoary Tortrix (Eucosma cana); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 1 * Striped Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica); 1 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) and 1 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii).

Redshank was in flower, a lone Corn Marigold was present on some recently disturbed soil, a Goldfinch flew over and Eriophyes inangulis and Acalitus brevitarsus were two galls noted.

15th June 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A day of catching up after a hectic weekend. A few moths were caught overnight, it was a cool morn but I did see:- 3 * Heart and Dart; 1 * Lozotaenia forsterana; 1 * Riband Wave f. remutata; 1 * Snout; 1 * Anania coronata; 4 * Dark Arches; 1 * Poplar Hawk-Moth; 1 * Common Marbled Carpet; 1 * Dusky Brocade; 1 * Rustic; 1 * Eudonia lacustrata and 1 * Bramble Shoot Moth.

Whilst pottering in and out of the garden I noted:- 1 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Small Magpie (Anania hortulata); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) and 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).

14th June 2026 - Birchwood Forest Park, Warrington, Cheshire - We set off early and arrived at this area just to grab a coffee before going to an area nearby and doing some recording. We somehow stayed where we were and decided to visit the other place another day. Insects recorded totalled 117, these were:- 1 * Ichneumon Wasp (Pimpla flavicoxis); 1 * Saw-Fly (Rhogogaster chlorosoma); 1 * Ground Beetle (Curtonotus aulicus); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigra); 1 * Short Horned Black Legionnaire Fly (Beris fuscipes); 1 * Snail-Killing Fly (Coremacera marginata); 1 * Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma quadrifaria); 1 * Ichnuemon Wasp (Aptesis nigrocincta); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis lutea); 1 * Plum Beetle (Tetrops praeustus); 3 * Striped Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica); 1 * Wormwood Fly (Campiglossa absinthii); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis lateralis); 2 * Mirid Bug (Acetropis gimmerthalii); 2 * Lined Click Beetle (Agriotes lineatus); 1 * Large Rose Saw-Fly (Arge ochropus); 1 * Red Belted Macrophya (Macrophya annulata); 1 * Fruit Fly (Tephritis neesii); 1 * Picture Winged Fly (Rivellia syngenesiae); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis flavilabris); 2 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula fascipennis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Notostira elongata); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 3 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 2 * Long Horned Grass Bug (Megaloceroea recticornis); 1 * Hoverfly (Anasimyia lineata); 1 * Marbled Minor sp (Oligia strigilis agg); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenotus binotatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Eupeodes luniger); 2 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 2 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 3 * Figwort Weevil (Cionus tuberculosus); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper nymph (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota sylvarum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 2 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Ground Beetle (Paradromius linearis); 1 * Mirid Bug nymph (Heterotoma planicornis); 8 * Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 1 * Figwort Weevil (Cionus scrophulariae); 2 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Pithanus maerkelii); 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 3 * Leafhopper nymph (Cicadella viridis); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida); 2 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 1 * Pale Grass Straw Moth (Agriphila straminella); 2 * Leafhopper (Eupteryx vittata); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * Black Cherry Aphid (Myzus cerasi); 7 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 16 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 9 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 3 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 18 * Longhorn Beetle (Grammoptera ruficornis); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 1 * Pale Tortoise Beetle (Cassida flaveola); 4 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 3 * Four Barred Knapweed Gall Fly (Urophora quadrifasciata); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 3 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Yellow-Shell Moth (Camptogramma bilineata); 1 * Ferruginous Bee-Grabber (Sicus ferrugineus); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 1 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 1 * Blue Shieldbug (Zicrona caerulea); 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 4 * Welsh Chafer (Hoplia philanthus); 1 * Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 2 * Alder Spittle Bug (Aphrophora alni); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 1 * Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea); 5 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 7 * Forest Shieldbug nymph (Pentatoma rufipes); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Mirid Bug (Cyllecoris histrionius); 3 * Saw-Fly (Tenthredo mesomela); 1 * Viburnum Leaf Beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni); 1 * Reed Stem Borer Saw-Fly (Calameuta filiformis); 1 * Rove Beetle (Tachyporus chrysomelinus agg) and oodles of Semaphore Fly (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus); several Black Bean Aphid (Aphis fabae) and 1 * Common Quaker larva (Orthosia cerasi).

66 blooms were seen, these were:- Claridge Druce Crane's-Bill; Wavy Bittercress; Square Stalked Willowherb; Common Knotgrass; Stinking Iris; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Marsh Thistle; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Silverweed; Fox and Cubs; Smooth Tare; Meadowsweet; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Agrimony; Black Medick; Common Sorrel; Figwort; Creeping Cinquefoil; Garden Privet; Self-Heal; Germander Speedwell; Tufted Vetch; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Broad Leaved Dock; Red Campion; Hedge Woundwort; Common Nettle; Brown Knapweed; Hedge Bedstraw; Dandelion agg; Cow Parsley; Hairy Tare; Common Mouse Ear; Elder; Groundsel; Nipplewort; Greater Plantain; Wall Speedwell; Procumbent Pearlwort; Hedge Mustard; Bramble agg; Ground Elder; Wood Avens; Common Field Speedwell; Dog Rose agg; Prickly Sow Thistle; Daisy; Lesser Stitchwort; Ribwort Plantain; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Meadow Buttercup; Curled Dock; Creeping Buttercup; Cuckooflower; White Clover; Red Clover; Southern Marsh Orchid; Creeping Thistle; Common Vetch; Herb Robert; Lesser Trefoil; Goosegrass; Meadow Vetchling; Grass Vetchling; Hogweed and Shepherd's Purse.

The 18 other plants recorded were:- Turkey Oak; Field Horsetail; Holly; Blackthorn; Hairy Sedge; Ash; Silver Birch; Hazel; Common Alder; Hawthorn; Common Lime; Spindle; Sycamore; Field Maple; Pendulous Sedge; Yorkshire Fog; Cock's-Foot Foot Grass and Crested Dog's-Tail.

18 galls listed were:- Euura bridgmanii; Contarinia scrophulariae; Neuroterus numismalis (sexual stage); Andricus lignicola; Andricus foecundatrix; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Macrodiplosis pustularis; Jaapiella veronicae; Stenacis triradiatus; Aceria macrochela; Protomyces macrosporus; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes tiliae; Iteomyia capreae; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Eriophyes similis and Taphrina pruni.

16 birds noted were:- Black Headed Gull; Song Thrush; Common Whitethroat; Blackcap; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Robin; Blackbird; Magpie; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Herring Gull; Starling; Jackdaw; Long Tailed Tit plus Wren and Great Spotted Woodpecker on call.

8 other species seen were:- Grey Squirrel; Rough Woodlouse; Shiny Woodlouse; Striped Woodlouse; White Lipped Banded Snail; 1 * Furrow Orb Weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus); 1 * Cucumber Spider (Araniella sp) and the Lichen (Xanthoria parietina).

Along with 12 fungi examples the end total was 255 species.

13th June 2026 - Seven Acres LNR, Bolton, Lancashire - A breakfast, a walk and then my latest 8 band gig. Whilst enjoying our grub the weather cracked and threw it down. When we arrived at our place to pootle we nearly threw in the towel and scarpered to a shopping centre but, we braved the elements, had a short walk, ended up with wet feet but saw a few things of interest when the rain cleared up. The small insect list was comprised of:- 6 * Chimney Sweeper Moth (Odezia atrata); 7 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 5 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 19 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rufa); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 32 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 20 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 7 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Mirid Bug (Closterotomus trivialis); 3 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Welsh Chafer (Hoplia philanthus); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Mirid Bug (Miris striatus); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and 1 * Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata).

Blooms listed were:- Elder; White Clover; Broad Leaved Dock; Common Nettle; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Dandelion agg; Hedge Mustard; Pineappleweed; Tufted Vetch; Ribwort Plantain; Bush Vetch; Ox-Eye Daisy; Fox and Cubs; Yellow Rattle; Hogweed; Southern Marsh Orchid; Common Bistort; Goosegrass; Red Campion; Tormentil; Meadow Vetchling; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Marsh Thistle; Pignut; Enchanter's Nightshade; Garlic Mustard; Dog Rose agg; Honeysuckle; Ground Elder; Common Valerian; Hedge Woundwort; Common Sorrel; Yellow Flag Iris; Curled Dock; Self-Heal; Common Mouse Ear and Yellow Pimpernel.

Galls noted were:- Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Chirosia betuleti; Euura pedunculi; Aceria macrochela; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Eriophyes inangulis; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Andricus foecundatrix and Protomyces macrosporus.

The only birds noted were:- Jay; Wood Pigeon; Magpie; Long Tailed Tit and Blackbird.

We also added:- 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 1 * Amber Snail (Succinea putris); a Grey Squirrel; Cock's-Foot Grass; Crested Dog's-Tail; Pendulous Sedge; Wood Horse-Tail; Field Horse-Tail; Hazel; Beech; Silver Birch; Sycamore and Sweet Ciceley in fruit.

12th June 2026 - Heaton Mersey Bowl, Stockport, G. Manchester - Week done, I had a mini-mooch on the way home after work, the small insect list comprised of:- 8 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 13 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 6 * Common Field Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 8 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 2 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 4 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 16 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Semaphore Fly (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 1 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 4 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Snout Moth (Hypena proboscidalis); several White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota sylvarum); 3 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and 1 * Mirid Bug (Closterotomus trivialis).

The few blooms recorded were:- Smooth Sow Thistle; Common Nettle; Meadow Buttercup; Hedge Woundwort; Large Bindweed; Nipplewort; Goosegrass; Common Vetch; Cuckooflower; Common Field Speedwell; Creeping Buttercup; Bramble agg; White Clover; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Common Mouse Ear; Bush Vetch; Greater Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Red Clover; Hogweed and Daisy.

10th June 2026 - Heaton Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Walking from work into Stockport and a green area at the side of the roadway had been left for nature, it was working and added a welcome respite. On this short area I recorded a few blooms:- Square Stalked St John's-Wort; Ox-Eye Daisy; Tufted Vetch; Black Medick; Bramble agg; Yarrow; Common Ragwort; Curled Dock; Creeping Buttercup; Herb Robert; Nipplewort; Hedge Mustard; Dandelion agg; Common Vetch; Broom; Wood Avens; Ribwort Plantain; Common Field Speedwell; White Clover; Large Flowered Evening Primrose agg and Red Clover.

Despite the wind and cool temperatures a few insects were seen:- 16 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Clover Seed Moth (Grapholita compositella); 3 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * Narrow-Bordered Five-Spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 2 * Ichneumon Wasp (Ichneumon sarcitorius).

The Broom Gall (Aceria genistae) was quite abundant.

9th June 2026 - Heaton Norris, Stockport, G. Manchester - A back alley, a glum morning but I did see Feverfew and Purple Toadflax in flower - bonus.

Homeward and with thunder rumbling and the odd droplet falling I added:- 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Mirid Bug (Closterotomus trivialis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Deraeocoris flavilinea); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus) and 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana). Foxglove was noted in flower.

9th June 2026 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - Damp, damp and damp - 20 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi) sat atop some fine Hogweed, a lone 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) was dew kissed and a Common Whitethroat darted into the undergrowth.  Nearby and Jay pootled in the lush greenery.

On the way home I added Hop Trefoil; Lady's Bedstraw; Hedge Bedstraw and Grass Vetchling as well as 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida).

6th June 2026 - Appleton Meadows and Woodland/Grappleton Wall Gardens, Cheshire - A repeat walk at this lovely area for the Land Trust. The weather was set to phase 'shitty' and so we expected little. We scraped along and did what we did with a lovely set of folk. After the walk finished myself and the good lady did a short pootle around the walled gardens and added a few more species. Overall the insects were made up of 76 species:- 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula fascipennis); 1 * Four Barred Knapweed Gall Fly (Urophora quadrifasciata); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 1 * Stripe Legged Robberfly (Dioctria hyalipennis); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis lateralis); 1 * Potato Capsid (Closterotomus norwegicus); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 4 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rufa); 2 * Mirid Bug (Acetropis gimmerthalii); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 1 * Striped Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica); 4 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); several Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Lacehopper (Tachycixius pilosus); 1 * Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma quadrifaria); 3 * Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba); 7 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida); 2 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 2 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Double Orange Spot Moth (Pammene aurana); 1 * Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 2 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 2 * Timothy Tortrix (Zelotherses paleana); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 2 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 5 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 5 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Click Beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 5 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus rosarum); 1 * Crane-Fly (Ptychoptera contaminata); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota sylvarum); 2 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Forest Shieldbug nymph (Pentatoma rufipes); 2 * Mirid Bug (Phylus melanocephalus); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 1 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Rove Beetle (Tachyporus chrysomelinus agg); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa germanica) and 1 * Vapourer Moth larva (Orgyia antiqua).

The final flower list was comprised of 52 species:- Daisy; Bramble agg; Goosegrass; Ribwort Plantain; Wood Avens; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Meadow Buttercup; White Clover; Ox-Eye Daisy; Hairy Tare; Common Vetch; Red Clover; Hogweed; Hedge Woundwort; Elder; Herb Robert; Garlic Mustard; Climbing Corydalis; Cow Parsley; Red Campion; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Shepherd's Purse; Dandelion agg; Hedge Mustard; Nipplewort; Pineappleweed; Common Ragwort; Brown Knapweed; Creeping Buttercup; Southern Marsh Orchid; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Procumbent Pearlwort; Common Field Speedwell; Wall Speedwell; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Thale Cress; Greater Celandine; Yellow Flag Iris; Common Sorrel; Skullcap; Yellow Water Lily; Common Nettle; Broad Leaved Dock; Foxglove; Welsh Poppy; Groundsel; Common Mouse Ear; Hedge Bedstraw; Wavy Bittercress; Lesser Trefoil; Meadow Vetchling and 60+ Bee Orchids - delightful.

22 other plants noted were:- Crested Dog's-Tail; Cock's Foot Grass; Yorkshire Fog; Quaking Grass; Turkey Oak; Pin Oak; Sycamore; Hazel; Hawthorn; Beech; Bracken; Ash; Field Horsetail; Common Alder; Pedunculate Oak; Silver Birch; Common Lime; Horse Chestnut; Hart's-Tongue Fern; Pendulous Sedge; Rowan and Holly.

Oddments noted tallied up to 12 species:- Green Cellar Slug; 1 * Hairy Snail; 1 * Garden Snail; White Lipped Banded Snail; 2 * Rabbit; several Grey Squirrels; Striped Woodlouse; Rough Woodlouse; Shiny Woodlouse; White Legged Snake Millipede; 2 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); 1 * Money Spider (Linyphia hortensis); and the Lichen (Xanthoria parietina).

17 galls were picked out:- Eriophyes leiosoma; Aceria cerrea; Andricus lignicola; Chirosia betuleti; Acalitus stenaspis; Aceria nervesequa; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Eriophyes crataegi; Phytoptus avellanae; Neuroterus numismalis (sexual stage); Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage); Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Aceria macrochela; Aceria macrorhyncha; Eriophyes sorbi and Eriophyes tiliae.

15 bird species were listed, these were:- Robin; Mallard; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Magpie; Canada Goose; Grey Heron; Moorhen; Coot plus Wren; Buzzard; Chaffinch; Goldfinch; Nuthatch and Song Thrush on call.

With 12 fungal examples found the end result was 206 species.

5th June 2026 - Heaton Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - I took a different route home today and checked a patch by the motorway and a small grassy area. The pathway produced the following insects:- 8 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 24 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 6  * Mirid Bug (Closterotomus trivialis); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 2 * Hoverfly (Eristalis arbustorum); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans); 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi) and 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

The blooms noted along this short stretch were:- Garlic Mustard; Yellow Rattle; Lance Leaved Aster; White Clover; Smooth Sow Thistle; Ox-Eye Daisy; Common Mouse Ear; Hairy Tare; Ribwort Plantain; Creeping Buttercup; Curled Dock; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Red Clover; Goosegrass; Hogweed; Black Medick; Bramble agg; Square Stalked St John's-Wort; Hop Trefoil and Tufted Vetch.

On the grassy area I noted more insects:- 1 * Tachinid Fly (Subclytia rotundiventris); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum festivum); numerous Large Thistle Aphids (Uroleucon cirsii); 3 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 2 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 2 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 2 * Semaphore Fly (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 2 * Hoverfly (Eristalis arbustorum); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 20 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 4 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Thistle Gall Fly (Urophora cardui); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Vollucella bombylans); 3 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Eupeodes luniger); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 7 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 5 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 1 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * Nettle Tap (Anthophila fabriciana); 4  * Mirid Bug (Closterotomus trivialis); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) and 10 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).

The only other flowers noted were;- Meadow Buttercup; Common Nettle; Common Vetch; Creeping Thistle; Cow Parsley and Bush Vetch.

2nd June 2026 - Heaton Mersey Orchard/Meadow area, Stockport, G. Manchester - Walking to work the rain was falling, a Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) was soaked through whilst looking in a state of misery atop a blooming Hogweed.  Nearby, under a little shelter and 1 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); 1 * Nettle Tap (Anthophila fabriciana) and 2 * Mirid Bug (Closterotomus trivialis) were seen plus a lone Blackcap sang and flitted about in the undergrowth.

Heading home and another 30 minutes in the same area produced a Song Thrush and the following insects:- 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 3 * Spotted Muscid Fly (Graphomya maculata); 3 * Tachinid Fly (Tachina fera); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 9 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis arbustorum); 2 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 14 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Click Beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans); 4 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 6 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 2 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 2 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 6 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 5 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) and 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

1st June 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - The bathroom attracted a few overnight moths, these were:- 1 * Snout; 1 * Garden Carpet; 1 * Bee Moth; 1 * Small Dusty Wave and 1 * Brimstone.

The Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa) was seen in the garden between showers.

1st June 2026 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - A trip to the docs due to the hernia area playing up, I may have another one, bastard. A short pootle followed, just prior to the rains. It was an overcast day but, despite being net-free, I spied a few insects as I wandered forth:- 1 * Hoverfly (Parhelophilus versicolor); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis cryptica); 4 * Mirid Bug (Closterotomus trivialis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Rhabdomiris striatellus); 1 * Acorn Weevil (Curculio glandium); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida); 1 * Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma quadrifaria); 1 * Saw-Fly (Tenthredo nassata); 2 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 5 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 22 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 14 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 4 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 3 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 3 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Cyllecoris histrionius); 1 * Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae); 1 * Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Rosemary Leaf beetle (Chrysolina americana); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 3 * Woundwort Shieldbug (Eysarcoris venustissimus); 3 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 2 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) and 1 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae).

A few flowers were recording around the main pond, these were:- Brooklime; Hogweed; Cow Parsley; Comfrey agg; Elder; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Bramble agg; Meadow Buttercup and Claridge Druce Crane's-Bill whilst nearby I spied Wall Lettuce; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Nipplewort and Greater Spearwort.

Galls noted and Eriophyes pyri was on the leaves of Pear and Cecidophyes nudus on the leaves of Wood Avens.

Cyperus Sedge and Hairy Sedge were both recorded too.

31st May 2026 - Hyde Park, Tameside - The final day of the month, we stayed close to home and examined a park that we had not visited before. The coffee was grand and the clouds were hanging mighty low. We managed to avoid any roan though and recorded a few blooms:- Common Nettle; Herb Robert; Meadow Buttercup; Daisy; Creeping Buttercup; Elder; White Clover; Ox-Eye Daisy; Thyme Leaved Speedell; Hedge Mustard; Pineappleweed; Garlic Mustard; Goosegrass; Nipplewort; Slender Tare; Red Campion; Dandelion agg; Lesser Trefoil; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Groundsel; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Wall Speedwell; Smooth Sow Thistle; Common Field Speedwell; Thale Cress; Lady's Mantle agg; Yellow Rattle; Broad Leaved Dock; Common Sorrel; Comfrey agg; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Prickly Sow Thistle; Cow Parsley; Bush Vetch; Welsh Poppy; Fox and Cubs; Chickweed; Bramble agg and Geulder Rose.

Other plants listed were:- Common Lime; Field Horse-Tail; Pendulous Sedge; Cock's-Foot Grass and Hornbeam.

The handful of galls listed were:- Eriophyes leiosoma; Acalitus stenaspis; Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Psyllopsis fraxini agg.

The only insects spied were:- 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 2 * Black-Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 3 * Harequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); several Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 12 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae) and 8 * Box Tree Moth larvae (Cydalima perspectalis).

We also added:- Goldfinch; Feral Pigeon; Robin; Wood Pigeon; Collared Dove; Magpie; Blackbird; Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) and several Grey Squirrels.

30th May 2026 - Jet Amber Fields, Hyde, Tameside - It was the day of the final footy match of the season and so we re-visited this area that we first investigated late last year. It was mighty warm and again, the insect life was reflective of a lull in many areas. We broke the mooch up with a breakfast at a cafe and left early so as to get our seat for the cup final and have a chill in the shade. The 48 insects recorded today were:- 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Ground Beetle (Paradromius linearis); 1 * Silver Grass Miner (Elachista argentella); 1 * Mirid Bug (Phylus melanocephalus); 11 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 68 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 7 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 5 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); numerous Cherry Black Fly (Myzus cerasi); 2 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 1 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 2 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 2 * Red Tailed Bumbleebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 4 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 2 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 4 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Cyllecoris histrionius); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 2 * Forest Shieldbug nymph (Pentatoma rufipes); 4 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Thistle Lacebug (Tingis ampliata); 1 * Lacehopper (Tachycixius pilosus); 2 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis pallida); 1 * Meadow Grasshopper nymph (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quattuordecimguttata); 2 * Yellow Barred Longhorn Moth (Nemophora degeerella); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Common Nettle Groundbug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 2 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula unca); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis lateralis) and 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare).

The small bird list comprised of 13 species:- Wood Pigeon; Robin; Blackbird; Jackdaw; Mallard; Magpie; 2 * Bullfinch; 2 * Ring Necked Parakeet; Great Tit; Dunnock; Wren; House Sparrow and Black Headed Gull.

50 blooms listed were:- Common Mouse Ear; Pineappleweed; Lesser Trefoil; Cuckooflower; Sweet Chestnut; Geulder Rose; Common Vetch; Red Clover; Ribwort Plantain; Yellow Flag Iris; White Clover; Creeping Buttercup; Common Nettle; Dog Rose agg; Meadow Buttercup; Sycamore; Wood Avens; Ground Elder; Goosegrass; Bramble agg; Cow Parsley; Herb Robert; Elder; Daisy; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Dogwood; Multi-Flowered Rose; Smooth Sow Thistle; Bush Vetch; Broad Leaved Dock; Curled Dock; Nipplewort; Garlic Mustard; Hedge Mustard; Dandelion agg; Black Medick; Honeysuckle; Horse Chestnut; Hogweed; Dame's Violet; Prickly Sow Thistle; Red Campion; Japanese Rose; Fringecups; Welsh Poppy; Common Figwort; London Pride; Procumbent Pearlwort; Shepherd's Purse and Southern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza  praetermissa subsp. praetermissa).

17 other plants added were:- Crested Dog's-Tail; Common Alder; Field Horse-Tail; Hairy Sedge; Spiked Sedge; Cock's Foot Grass; Field Maple; Common Lime; Hawthorn; Beech; Hazel; Ivy; Hornbeam; Pedunculate Oak; Silver Birch; Pendulous Sedge and Alexanders.

16 galls listed were:- Aceria exilis/Eriophyes leiosma (pouch and erineum); Protomyces macrosporus; Phytoptus avellanae; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Eriophyes sorbi; Neuroterus numismalis (sexual stage); Zygiobia carpini; Aceria macrochela; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Taphrina pruni; Eriophyes similis; Eriophyes inangulis; Acalitis brevitarsus; Andricus foecundatrix and Andricus lignicola.

We also added 4 extras:- 1 * Furrow Orb Weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus); Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis) and Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus).

Along with 2 fungal examples the end tally was 148 species.

29th May 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few moths from the garden were:- 1 * Brimstone; 3 * Common Marbled Carpet; 1 * Dark/Grey Dagger; 1 * Chrysoteuchia culmella; 1 * Light Emerald; 1  * Poplar Hawk-Moth; 4  * Tachystola acroxantha; 3 * Brown House Moth; 6 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 3 * Willow Beauty; 1 * Bee Moth; 3 * Marbled Minor agg; 2 * Heart and Dart; 1 * Lozotaenia forsterana; 1 * Riband Wave f. remutata; 1 * Sycamore and 1 * Garden Carpet.  I also noted a Comma larva (Polygonia c-album) on the Nettle patch - nice.

A Green Pug was resting in the bath and Large Bindweed was now in bloom.

28th May 2026 - Heaton Mersey Orchard/Meadow and Pond area  - A small area was given some time today as I headed home from work. It was once again a sizzler and I was wise to not get too carried away. I concentrated on the insects and blooms only, the former bore the following 75 species:- 1 * Common Red-Legged Robberfly (Dioctria rufipes); 1 * Common Sedge Saw-Fly (Selandria serva); 1 * Ground Beetle (Demetrias atricapillus); 1 * Rove Beetle (Tachyporus obtusus); 2 * Leaf Beetle (Bruchidius varius); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 2 * Mirid Bug (Closterotomus trivialis); 1 * Ferruginous Bee-Grabber (Sicus ferrugineus); 1 * Saw-Fly (Dolerus gonager); 1 * Tephriditid Fly (Chaetostomella cylindrica); 2 * Signal Fly (Rivellia syngenesiae); 1 * Striped Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica); 1 * Mirid Bug (Neolygus contaminatus); 4 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 13 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 7 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 4 * Mirid Bug (Grypocoris stysi); several Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 3 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 2 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 10 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 1 * White Line Pollen Moth (Micropterix aruncella); 2 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 5 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Click Beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis); 10 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 6 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 7 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 3 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 2 * Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata); 1 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 1 * Saw-Fly (Eutomostethus ephippium); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 2 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellulua depressa); 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis arbustorum); 2 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 1 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae).

The 31 blooms noted were:- Thale Cress; Shepherd's Purse; Hogweed; Welsh Poppy; Creeping Buttercup; Common Nettle; Meadow Buttercup; Bramble agg; Broad Leaved Dock; Wood Avens; Ribwort Plantain; Bush Vetch; Yellow-Rattle; Tufted Vetch; Red Clover; Common Sorrel; Elder; Japanese Rose; Dogwood; Goosegrass; Herb Robert; White Clover; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Common Mouse Ear; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Zig-Zag Clover; Dog Rose agg; Lesser Stitchwort; Germander Speedwell and Cuckooflower.

Another 106 species to record and I am way behind - what a pillock!

27th May 2026 - New Cut Trail/Paddington Meadows, Warrington, Cheshire - And yet another mooch with the grand bods at this location and a few fine extra folk too. We didn't compile the best list to date but we cracked on and did what we did in warm sunny weather that was a little too hot for some insects.

The insect list was comprised of the following 91 species:- 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalinus sepulchralis); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 1 * Meadow Grasshopper nymph (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 1 * Thistle Root Borer (Epiblema scutulana); 1 * Common Wave (Cabera exanthemata); 1 * Dark Barred Straw (Eupoecilia angustana); 1 * Garden Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rufa); 2 * Midge Fly (Demeijerea rufipes); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 1 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 6 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 4 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); numerous Banded Demoiselle (Calopterys splendens); 1 * Hoverfly (Merodon equestris); several Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha testacea); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 4 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 3 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Helophilus hybridus); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); a cluster of Melon Cotton Aphid (Aphis gossypii); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Thick Headed Fly (Myopa testacea); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellulua depressa); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Dock Weevil (Rhinoncus pericarpius); 2 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 5 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Common Nettle Groundbug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 3 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 3 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 2 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 5 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 4 * Common Earwig nymph (Forficula auricularia); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 3 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 2 * Reed Beetle (Plateumaris sericea); 2 * Figwort Weevil (Cionus tuberculosus); 2 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 2 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Weevil (Liophloeus tessulatus); 1 * White Line Pollen Moth (Micropterix aruncella); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 2 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rustica); several Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis cryptica); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 1 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 2 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Hoverfly (Anasimyia lineata); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 1 * Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae); 3 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); several Tree Bees (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Click Beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis); 1 * Thistle Lacebug (Tingis ampliata); 1 * Lacehopper (Tachycixius pilosus); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 6 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 1 * Yellow Legged Furrow Bee (Halictus rubicundus) and 1 * Small Tortoiseshell larvae (Aglais urticae).

64 blooms were noted, these were:- Cuckooflower; Hairy Tare; Gorse; Black Medick; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Dog Rose agg; Wavy Bittercress; Bladder Campion; Creeping Cinquefoil; Comfrey agg; Curled Dock; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Multi-Flowered Rose; Hemlock Water Dropwort; Foxglove; Pineappleweed; Southern Marsh Orchid; Angelica; Slender Tare; Ox-Eye Daisy; Garlic Mustard; Claridge Druce Crane's-Bill; Green Alkanet; Bush Vetch; Goat's-Beard; Common Cornsalad; Common Poppy; Wall Speedwell; Smooth Sow Thistle; Wood Avens; Bramble agg; Herb Robert; Ribwort Plantain; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Common Vetch; Goosegrass; Common Nettle; Elder; Hogweed; Common Field Speedwell; Daisy; Prickly Sow Thistle; Red Clover; White Clover; Common Mouse Ear; Cow Parsley; Field Forget-Me-Not; Fox and Cubs; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Lesser Trefoil; Groundsel; Ground Elder; Dogwood; Dandelion agg; Hedge Mustard; Shepherd's Purse; Yellow Flag Iris; Common Knapweed; Yellow-Rattle; Red Campion; Square Stalked Willowherb; White Dead Nettle and Yellow Water Lily.

22 birds were recorded:- Mallard; Canada Goose; Dunnock; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Wood Pigeon; Gadwall; Magpie; House Sparrow; Linnet; Greylag Goose; Ring Necked Parakeet; Goldfinch; Kestrel; Cormorant plus Reed Bunting; Blackcap; Garden Warbler; Pheasant; Reed Warbler; Cetti's Warbler; Goldcrest and Bullfinch on call.

The 14 galls listed were:- Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Dasineura fraxini; Phytoptus avellanae; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage); Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Andricus kollari agg; Andricus lignicola; Andricus foecundatrix; Macrodiplosis pustularis; Andricus aries; Taphrina pruni; Eriophyes similis; Protomyces macrosporus and Neuroterus numismalis (sexual stage).

14 other additions were:- Cock's-Foot Grass; Bracken; Common Alder; Beech; Silver Birch; Sycamore; Field Maple; Pendulous Sedge; Hawthorn; Common Horse-Tail; Amber Snail; (Succinea putris); White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); 1 * Furrow Orb Weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus) and Common Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha).

Along with 5 fungal examples the final haul was 211 species - by heck, I think we did OK considering.

25th May 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A day of rest and catching up - way too hot to be roaming on a bank holiday with people, more than likely, everywhere. the moth trap blessed me with some natural interest and contained a few moths:- 1 * Notocelia cynosbatella; 7 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 4 * Bee Moth; 1 * Pebble Prominent; 4 * Tachystola acroxantha; 2 * Garden Carpet; 1 * Lime Hawk-Moth; 2 * Brown House Moth; 1 * Diamond Back Moth; 1 * Nettle Tap Moth; 1 * Lychnis; 1 * Pyrausta aurata; 1 * Figure of 80; 1 * Mottled Pug and 4 * Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner. Also in the mix was a 2 spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) and a Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans).

As I read a few short stories in the garden I saw a Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and numerous Varied Carpet Beetles (Anthrenus verbasci) on a freshly opened Hogweed flower. Also noted was the Ground Beetle (Asaphidion curtum) - thank you to Clive Washington for confirming this - a fine gent.

24th May 2026 - Abbot's/Shemmy Moss/Whitegate Way, Cheshire - A yomp with the missus, by heck it was a warm one but it was the cooler of the next two days so rather than get sizzled tomorrow we had a mooch today. As per, we tried to vary things up and saw much, missed much but enjoyed a quiet stroll with a good absence of many folk. It was good to see Paul 'Doc' Brewster too and be assured that his good work on his patch is continuing.

The 91 insect species identified were represented by:- 1 * Heather Beetle (Lochmaea suturalis); 1 * Saw-Fly (Eutomostethus ephippium); 2 * Heath Damsel Bug (Nabis ericetorum); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis cryptica); 1 * Hairy Legged Horse Fly (Hybomitra bimaculata); 2 * Reed Beetle (Plateumaris sericea); 2 * Click Beetle (Adrastus pallens); 1 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 7 * Garden Chafer (Phyllopertha horticola); 1 * Hornet (Vespa crabro); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Ctenophora pectinicornis); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 3 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 3 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 3 * Hoverfly (Sericomyia lappona); 7 * Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea); 10 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 28 * Red Eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas); 1 * Click Beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis); 1 * Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator); 2 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 2 * Bracken Planthopper (Ditropis pteridis); 2 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 2 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 1 * Eyed Ladybird (Anatis ocellata); 1 * Hoverfly (Parhelophilus sp); 2 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Calocoris alpestris); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 2 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 3 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 8 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 10 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 8 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Forget-Me-Not Shieldbug (Sehirus luctuosus); 2 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 1 * Crane-Fly (Prionocera turcica); 3 * Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 148 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 12 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Meadow Grasshopper nymph (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quattuordecimguttata); 1 * Mottled Sedge Caddisfly (Glyphotaelius pellucidus); 3 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 8 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 4 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 5 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 6 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 3 * Common Heath Moth (Ematurga atomaria); 1 * Common Groundhopper (Tetrix undulata); 2 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Tortoise Bug (Cassida vibex); 2 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 1 * Heather Ladybird (Chilocorus bipustulatus); 2 * Heather Leafhopper (Ulopa reticulata); 1 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus); 7 * Brown Silver Line (Petrophora chlorosata): 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 2 * Heather Bug (Kleidocerys ericae); 2 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus ochraceus); 1 * Thistle Lacebug (Tingis ampliata) and 2 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata).

The bird list was lowly today but, the yes cannot be everywhere. The 29 species seen were:- Cuckoo; Linnet; Coal Tit; Treecreeper; Long Tailed Tit; Mute Swan; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Willow Warbler; Greylag Goose; Canada Goose; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Mistle Thrush; Dunnock; Grey Heron; Magpie; Mallard; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Pheasant; Blackcap; Tufted Duck; Coot; plus Wren; Chiffchaff; Song Thrush; Great Spotted Woodpecker and Chaffinch on call.

15 galls listed were:- Acalitus stenaspis; Aceria nervesequa; Andricus lignicola; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Phytoptus avellanae; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Biorhiza pallida; Eriophyes sorbi; Eriophyes inangulis; Trioza remota; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage); Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Andricus kollari agg; Andricus foecundatrix and Neuroterus numismalis (sexual stage).

63 blooms noted were:- Field Forget-Me-Not; Dog Rose agg; Danish Scurvygrass; Bush Vetch; Pineappleweed; Common Mouse Ear; White Clover; Common Figwort; Spanish Bluebell; White Dead Nettle; Comfrey agg; Guelder Rose; Hawthorn; Garlic Mustard; Creeping Buttercup; Ground Elder; Common Nettle; Wood Avens; Rowan; Goosegrass; Herb Robert; Rhododendron agg; Ground Ivy; Cow Parsley; Elder; Red Campion; Ribwort Plantain; Dandelion agg; Horse Chestnut; Common Vetch; Lesser Trefoil; Daisy; Wall Speedwell; Broom; Creeping Cinquefoil; Yellow Rhododendron; Bramble agg; Common Stork's-Bill; Black Medick; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Gorse; Bilberry; Shining Crane's-Bill; Fox and Cubs; Hairy Tare; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Prickly Sow Thistle; Germander Speedwell; Wavy Bittercress; Bittersweet; Foxglove; Chickweed; Meadow Buttercup; Yellow Water Lily; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Sheep's Sorrel; 3 Nerved Sandwort; Bird's-Foot; Groundsel; Cranberry; Shepherd's Purse; Sycamore and Yellow Flag Iris.

The 14 other species added were:- White Lipped Banded Snail; Striped Woodlouse; Brown Lipped Banded Snail; Money Spider (Linyphia hortensis); 2 * Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis); Grey Squirrel; Cock's-Foot Grass; Bracken; Field Maple; Common Alder; Silver Birch; Beech; Ash and Common Cotton Grass.

With 9 species of fungi added the end tally was 221 species.

23rd May 2026 - Appleton Meadows and Woodland/Grappleton Wall Gardens, Cheshire - A walk for the Green Angels/Land Trust and with a pre/post pootle, 3 hours with the group and a cafe visit I think we did OK. I was bewildered by the lowly numbers of some species and the absence of some common critters but I hope I did what was there justice and piqued everyone's interest.

The 78 insects seen were:- 1 * Tachinid Fly (Thelaira solivaga); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 2 * Thistle Lacebug (Tingis ampliata); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Parethelcus pollinarius); 2 * Mirid Bug (Calocoris alpestris); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 3 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 4 * Weevil (Liophloeus tessulatus); 4 * White Line Pollen Moth (Micropterix aruncella); 7 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 1 * Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta); 2 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 2 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 5 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus madidus); 1 * Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); 2 * European Cinch Bug nymph (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma quadrifaria); 1 * Peacock (Agalis io); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Woundwort Shieldbug (Eysarcoris venustissimus); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota sylvarum); 2 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 3 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Click Beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis); 1 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 4 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 1 * Common Roller (Ancylis badiana); 1 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 30+ Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Clover Seed Moth (Grapholita compositella); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 5 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 3 * Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laeviagata); 2 * Meadow Grasshopper nymph (Pseudochorthippus parallelus); 3 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 2 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 2 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quattuordecimguttata); 6 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 3 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 13 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Dock Weevil (Rhinoncus pericarpius); 13 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 5 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Forest Shieldbug nymph (Pentatoma rufipes); 61 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 4 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Mirid Bug (Rhabdomiris striatellus); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rustica); 1 * Lacehopper (Tachycixius pilosus); 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * Leche's Twist Moth (Ptycholoma lecheana) and 1 * Crane-Fly (Ctenophora pectinicornis).

18 galls listed included:- Aceria macrochela; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Acalitus stenaspis; Neuroterus numismalis (sexual stage); Andricus lignicola; Andricus foecundatrix; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage); Phytoptus avellanae; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Aceria cerrea; Aceria nervesequa; Trioza remota; Eriophyes crataegi; Eriophyes leiosoma; Macrodiplosis pustularis; Biorhiza pallida; Eriophyes similis and Eriophyes sorbi.

The 15 birds seen were:- Chiffchaff; Blackbird; Mallard; Canada Goose; Moorhen; Coot; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Jackdaw; Wren; Carrion Crow; Robin; Buzzard; Grey Heron and Great Spotted Woodpecker (adult feeding young in nest).

I kept a list of plants bearing flowers and came up with 53 species:- Yellow Flag Iris; Rowan; Yellow Pimpernel; Groundsel; Thale Cress; Horse Chestnut; Procumbent Pearlwort; Lady's Mantle agg; Cowslip; Bluebell; Common Figwort; Chickweed; Red Clover; White Clover; Pineappleweed; Shepherd's Purse; Smooth Sow Thistle; Climbing Corydalis; Ox-Eye Daisy; Common Vetch; Hairy Tare; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Rhododendron agg; Wavy Bittercress; Wall Speedwell; Foxglove; Pendulous Sedge; Ragged Robin; Hawthorn; Common Sorrel; Ribwort Plantain; Broad Leaved Dock; Red Campion; Curled Dock; Common Mouse Ear; Cuckooflower; Meadow Buttercup; Cow Parsley; Hogweed; Goosegrass; Holly; Elder; Garlic Mustard; Lesser Trefoil; Common Nettle; Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Bramble agg; Creeping Buttercup; Daisy and Dandelion agg.

18 others added were:- Hart's Tongue Fern; Cock's Foot Grass; Bracken; Common Lime; Beech; Silver Birch; Field Maple; Hornbeam; Common Alder; Quaking Grass; Grey Squirrel; 2 * Common Frog; Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); Shiny Woodlouse; Striped Woodlouse;1 * Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis) and 2 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis).

Along with 15 fungal examples the end results was 197 species recorded.

22nd May 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Some gardening and planting, whilst pottering I noted:- 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) and 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis). I also noted the egg of an Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) on the stem of a Garlic Mustard plant - nice.

Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis) and Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis) were seen too.

Moth wise the trap was out for the 2nd time this year, it was disappointing but in the mix was:- 4 * Tachystola acroxantha; 3 * Bee Moth; 2 * Common Marbled Carpet; 1 * Twenty Plume Moth; 1 * Caloptilia robustella; 2 * Notocelia cynosbatella; 1 * Seraphim and 1 * Mottled Pug. Other moths seen were a Light Brown Apple Moth and a Shuttle Shaped Dart in the garden and a Brimstone on the bog wall.

18th May 2026 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short cycle, the clouds were heavy and I didn't hang around for too long. The nets and camera were left at home, a sunny spell came and then the rain fell with spite, I did manage to spy 37 insect species though:- 1 * Reed Beetle (Plateumaris sericea); 1 * Saw-Fly (Hemichroa crocea); 1 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus tomentosus); 1 * Saw-Fly (Eutomostethus ephippium); 2 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis stercorea); 1 * Hoverfly (Eupeodes luniger); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum); 6 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 29 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 6 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Crane-Fly (Ptychoptera contaminata); 1 * Click Beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis); 2 * 1 * Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); 6 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 30 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula maxima); 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 5 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 3 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia albitarsus agg); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum); 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 2 * Ramsons Hoverfly (Portevinia maculata) and 2 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii).

The 42 blooms listed were:- Garlic Mustard; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Hawthorn; Cow Parsley; Common Nettle; Bluebell; Ground Ivy; Goosegrass; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Pendulous Sedge; Elder; Ramsons; Fringecups; Yellow Flag Iris; Bird Cherry; Ground Elder; Large Bittercress; Wood Stitchwort; Claridge Druce Crane's-Bill; Horse Chestnut; Sycamore; Rowan; Red Campion; Daisy; Common Mouse Ear; Dandelion agg; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Bramble agg; Cuckooflower; Hedge Mustard; Comfrey agg; Guelder Rose; Bush Vetch; Spindle; Ribwort Plantain; Smooth Sow Thistle; Groundsel; Shepherd's Purse; Welsh Poppy and Nipplewort.

14 galls were listed whilst I pootled forth:- Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Aceria cephalonea; Eriophyes laevis; Protomyces macrosporus; Euura pedunculi; Phyllocoptes eupadi; Taphrina pruni; Eriophyes similis; Eriophyes leiosoma and Euura proxima.

Only 10 bird species were see (well I can't have eyes everywhere), these were:- Carrion Crow; Canada Goose; Wood Pigeon; Mallard; Blackcap; Collared Dove; Magpie; Robin; Wren and Moorhen.

Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Field Horsetail; Hornbeam and Field Maple in fruit and 3 species of fungi brought the end tally up to 110 species - I can't complain.

17th May 2026 - Parrs Wood Environmental Centre, Didsbury, G. Manchester - A busy day and shabby weather but we found time to pop in and visit the fine folk at this lovely area, have a brew and drop off some chairs. After a nice chat with Kit and co we had a short mooch, the rain was on and off and so we concentrated on blooms, we duly recorded:- Purple Toothwort; Goosegrass; Holly; Comfrey agg; Yellow Flag Iris; White Water Lily; Black Medick; Red Clover; Cuckooflower; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Nipplewort; Hogweed; Shepherd's Purse; Common Nettle; Bush Vetch; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Smooth Sow Thistle; Procumbent Pearlwort; Thale Cress; Red Valerian; Welsh Poppy; Garlic Mustard; Ramsons; Fringecups; Greater Celandine; Cow Parsley; Common Mouse Ear; Sticky Mouse Ear; Foxglove; Ribwort Plantain; Herb Robert; Wood Avens; Green Alkanet; Shining Crane's-Bill; Hawthorn; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Lesser Trefoil; Dandelion agg; White Clover; Rowan and Daisy. We also noted Beech; Copper Beech; Field Horsetail and Hornbeam.

It was no good for insects, the conditions were not right but we did record:- 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 5 * Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana); 1 * Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 3 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) and 4 * Juniper Shieldbug (Cyphostethus tristriatus).

Mikiola fagi; Acalitis stenaspis and Phyllocoptes goniothorax were the only galls seen and the only birds noted were:- Blackbird; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Ring Necked Parakeet; Jackdaw and Carrion Crow.

We also noted the Lichen (Physcia adscendens).

16th May 2026 - Wigan Flashes, Wigan, G. Manchester - A meet-up with my brother on a dull and slightly damp day. The area where I use dto live now had a major road running through it and the pathways and grass areas where adorned with dog shit. Some people really do need to take pride in their countryside, have some self respect and consider others - what a tragedy. Despite the turdage we had a short walk before the rain came and we pissed off to the 61st Non League game of the season. The 58 blooms noted today were:- Wood Avens; Herb Robert; Broom; Hawthorn; Ribwort Plantain; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Pendulous Sedge; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Sycamore; Red Campion; Bush Vetch; Common Nettle; Dandelion agg; Cowslip; Goosegrass; Creeping Buttercup; Ox-Eye Daisy; Common Sorrel; Common Mouse Ear; Common Vetch; Comfrey agg; Black Medick; Red Clover; White Clover; Green Alkanet; Meadow Buttercup; Common Field Speedwell; Creeping Cinquefoil; Daisy; Shepherd's Purse; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Wall Speedwell; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Lesser Trefoil; Hedge Mustard; Yellow Flag Iris; Cow Parsley; Horse Chestnut; Silverweed; White Dead Nettle; Lady's Mantle agg; Cuckooflower; Hemlock Water Dropwort; Groundsel; Laburnum; Spanish Bluebell; Rowan; Swedish Whitebeam; Red Valerian; White Campion; Bramble agg; Weld; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Japanese Rose; Hairy Tare and Wavy Bittercress.

47 insects were seen, these were:- 1 * Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula varipennis); 1 * Ichneumon Fly (Tromatobia lineatoria); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 1 * Thistle Lacebug (Tingis ampliata); 1 * Dock W eevil (Apion frumentarium); 2 * Mottled Sedge Caddisfly (Glyphotaelius pellucidus); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Strawberry Seed Beetle (Harpalus rufipes); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus niger); 4 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); plenty Nettle Pollen Beetles (Brachypterus glaber) and (Brachypterus urticae); 6 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 4 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 4 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 8 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 4 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 4 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus); 1 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 1 * Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 1 * Hoverfly (Melangyna umbellatarum); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Willow Flea Beetle (Crepidodera aurata); 2 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * May Fly (Ephemera vulgata); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 3 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 3 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 6 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 5 * Black Silverhorn Caddisfly (Mystacides azurea); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis decipiens) and 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata).

The bird list was shabby, the 22 species seen were:- Cetti's Warbler; Reed Warbler; Goldfinch; Carrion Crow; Cormorant; Gadwall; Swallow; Sand Martin; Common Tern; Blackbird; Swift; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Black Headed Gull; Coot; Wood Pigeon; Grey Wagtail; Wren; Mute Swan; Greylag Goose; Magpie; Canada Goose and Mallard.

7 galls noted were:- Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage); Acalitus brevitarsus; Eriophyes laevis; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Eriophyes sorbi; Andricus kollari agg and Euura pedunculi.

We also added 11 other species:- Yorkshire Fog; Cock's-Foot Grass; Field Horsetail; Hornbeam; Beech; Lime; Striped Woodlouse; Brown Lipped Banded Snail; Garden Snail; 1 * Furrow Orb Weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus) and 1 * Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis).

Along with 4 fungal examples the end tally was 149 species - not bad considering the weather.

13th May 2026 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - The day was made up of rather trash weather, I got a couple of soakings going to work and got caught on the way home. When I hit this miniature area the sun came out and as part of the micro recording I noted down the blooms:- Cuckooflower; Bird Cherry; Germander Speedwell; Shepherd's Purse; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Red Campion; Garlic Mustard; Wood Avens; Ribwort Plantain; Elder; Herb Robert; Daisy; Sycamore; Dandelion agg; Groundsel; Thale Cress; Cow Parsley; Rowan and Sticky Mouse Ear made up the small collection.

A Wood Pigeon and a brace of male Blackbirds were noted and in the briefest of sunny exposures I noted a few brave insects:- 1 * Black Horned Gem Soldier Fly (Microchrysa polita); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale) and 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina).

11th May 2026 - Didsbury Bridge, Stockport, G. Manchester - A cycle, an al fresco breakfast and then a jog. 10 laps of a football pitch were complete before I had a wander around the periphery of the playing fields and recorded a few blooms in cold and iffy weather:- Wood Avens; Hawthorn; Garlic Mustard; Cow Parsley; Ribwort Plantain; Beech; Sycamore; Meadow Buttercup; Comfrey agg; Goosegrass; Common Nettle; Bush Vetch; Common Vetch; Rape; Bramble agg; Cuckooflower; Spanish Bluebell; Creeping Buttercup; Elder; Germander Speedwell; Lesser Celandine; Holly; Daisy; Horse Chestnut; White Dead Nettle; Hogweed; Ramsons; Common Mouse Ear; Ground Ivy; Dame's Violet; Red Campion; Fringecups; Dandelion agg; Red Clover; Bulbous Buttercup and Ground Elder.

The bird species seen were:- Magpie; Mallard; Chiffchaff; Carrion Crow; Cormorant; Wood Pigeon; Ring Necked Parakeet; Grey Heron; Jackdaw; Sand Martin; Lesser Black Back Gull; Starling and Swallow.

The few insects braving the cool air were:- 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Forest Shieldbug nymph (Pentatoma rufipes); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 4 * Weevil (Liophloeus tessulatus); 4 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) and 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa).

The only other things added were:- Cock's-Foot Grass; Meadow Foxtail; Field Horsetail and the Galls:- Cecidophyes rouhollahi and Andricus kollari agg plus the Lichen (Xanthoria parietina).

10th May 2026 - RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire - Untrustworthy weather was the forecast again, the wind blew, the clouds were gradually dissopated and the sun came out. The bird list today was below expectations but we weren't looking as hard as we should have been due to other distractsions. The species recorded totalled 47 which were:- Great Tit; Feral Pigeon; Willow Warbler; Goldfinch; Little Egret; Blackbird; Redshank; Wigeon; Ringed Plover; Black Tailed Godwit; Egyptian Goose; Teal; Buzzard; Cormorant; House Martin; Sedge Warbler; Great Crested Grebe; Lapwing; Shoveler; Avocet; Gadwall; Swift; Garden Warbler; Lesser Black Back Gull; Common Whitethroat; Reed Bunting; Greylag Goose; Tufted Duck; Moorhen; Mute Swan; Blackcap; Canada Goose; Black Headed Gull; Robin; Jackdaw; Dunnock; Pheasant; Oystercatcher; Mallard; Magpie and Grey Heron plus Greenfinch; Cetti's Warbler; Chaffinch; Green Woodpecker; Bittern and Reed Warbler on call.

The 71 insects seen were:- 1 * Weevil (Liophloeus tessulatus);1 * Strawberry Seed Beetle (Harpalus rufipes); 1 * Lace Bug (Tingis ampliata); 1 * Tephritid Fly (Tephritis conura); 1 * Lacehopper (Tachycixius pilosus); 1 * Lauxaniid Fly (Minettia inusta); 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 2 * Straw Conch (Cochylimorpha straminea); 55 * Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 14 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 4 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 19 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 4 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex): 4 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Scarce Fungus Weevil (Platyrhinus resinosus); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 19 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus niger); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus madidus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 62 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 3 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 15 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 13 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 2 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 2 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Speckled Bush Cricket nymph (Leptophyes punctatissima); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 4 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Tiger Crane Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); 17 * European Cinch Bug nymph (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 4 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 7 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 4 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 4 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 2 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedmera nobilis); 2 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 2 * Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocea); 2 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 7 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 8 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 5 * Hoverfly (Parhelophilus sp); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha nigriventris); 1 * Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Click Beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis); 1 * Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum); 1 * 24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 2 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 3 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 2 * Nettle Weevil (Parethelcus pollinarius) and 5 * Brassica Shieldbug (Eurydema oleracea).

The 70 blooms were noted, these being:- Winter-Cress; Welted Thistle; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Common Vetch; Hairy Tare; Red Campion; Common Nettle; Common Stork's-Bill; Germander Speedwell; Ribwort Plantain; Dandelion agg; Horse Radish; Lesser Trefoil; Ragged Robin; Cow Parsley; Hawthorn; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Red Dogwood; Common Mouse Ear; Cuckooflower; Herb Robert; Goosegrass; Wood Avens; Sweet Woodruff; Spanish Bluebell; Pendulous Sedge; Sycamore; Creeping Buttercup; White Dead Nettle; White Bryony; Guelder Rose; Salad Burnet; Pignut; Meadow Buttercup; Greater Stitchwort; Holly; Garlic Mustard; Hogweed; Ramsons; Ground Ivy; Moschatel; Dog's Mercury; Groundsel; Bramble agg; Gorse; Green Alkanet; Red Clover; Hedge Mustard; Bittersweet; Prickly Sow Thistle; Elder; Kidney Vetch; Ox-Eye Daisy; Common Poppy; Sticky Mouse Ear; Red Dead Nettle; Creeping Cinquefoil; Yellow Flag Iris; Shining Crane's-Bill; Chickweed; Japanese Rose; Dove's Foot Crane's-Bill; Laburnum; Bush Vetch; Broom; Lesser Celandine; Pineappleweed; Caper Spurge; Weld and Greater Celandine.

The 12 galls seen were:- Andricus kollari agg; Cryptosiphum artemisiae; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Phytoptus avellanae; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Aceria campestricola; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage); Taphrina pruni; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Eriophyes inangulis; Neuroterus numismalis and Eriophyes similis.

The 11 other bits on bobs comprised of:- 1 * Spider (Cheiracanthym erraticum); 1 * Furrow Orb Weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus); 1 * Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); a Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) plus Lime; Silver Birch; Field Maple; Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber); Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum) and White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger).

Along with 7 fungal examples the end tally (despite missing some common species) was 218 species.

9th May 2026 - Dosthill Park/NR, Staffordshire - The last walk of the day, we were jaded but still managed to record a few species. Flower listed were:- Daisy; Germander Speedwell; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Cow Parsley; Wood Avens; Sweet Chestnut; Rape; Marsh Marigold; Garlic Mustard; Chickweed; Spanish Bluebell; Common Nettle; Bulbous Buttercup; Elder; Small Leaved Lime; Goosegrass; Red Campion; Dandelion agg; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Horse Chestnut; Hogweed; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Ramsons; Broad Leaved Dock; Black Bryony; Common Mouse Ear; Groundsel; Sycamore; Holly; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Pignut; Red Valerian; Ribwort Plantain; White Campion; Kidney Vetch; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Yellow Flag Iris; Shepherd's Purse and Pineappleweed.

Insects added were:- 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 1 * Malacite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 2 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 16 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 2 * European Cinch Bug nymph (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 6 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 3 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 4 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 1 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocea); 1 * Ground Beetle (Demetrias atricapillus) and 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida).

The only birds noted were:- Blackbird; Pheasant; Magpie; Mallard and Chiffchaff.

We also added a few galls:- Aceria macrochela; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes similis; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Aceria campestricola and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage).

Amber Snail (Succinea putris); Cock's-Foot Grass and the Spider (Microlinyphia pusilla) were the only other additions.

9th May 2026 - Warwickshire Moor LNR, Staffordshire - A small, tucked away area was the second port of call today. We had a mini-mooch, lost a hand lens and compiled a compact list. Insects listed were:- 3 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 4 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 1 * May Fly (Ephemera vulgata); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula varipennis); 2 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 5 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Dock Weevil (Rhinoncus pericarpius); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 1 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) and 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus).

Flowers listed were:- Cow Parsley; Wood Avens; Bramble agg; Ribwort Plantain; Red Clover; Holly; Lesser Celandine; Meadow Buttercup; Silverweed; Garlic Mustard; Yellow Flag Iris; Red Valerian; Cuckooflower; Creeping Buttercup; Herb Robert; Common Vetch; Horse Chestnut; Shining Crane's-Bill; Spindle; Black Bryony; Daisy; Hogweed and Hawthorn.

Other additions were:- Mallard; Canada Goose; Grey Heron; Long Tailed Tit; Black Headed Gull; Wood Pigeon and a Brown Lipped Banded Snail.

9th May 2026 - Branston Water Park, Staffordshire - A change of plan, the weather looked set to be iffy so we came hear for a short pootle that turned into a longer walk than expected. The 64 insects noted were:- 1 * Common Damsel Bug (Nabis rugosus); 1 * Rove Beetle (Tachyporus chrysomelinus agg); 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 2 * 24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 1 * Scarce Fungus Weevil (Platyrhinus resinosus); 1 * Small Tortoisehsell (Aglais urticae); 3 * Peacock (Aglais io); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas); 11 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 12 * Nettle Weevil (Parethelcus pollinarius); 4 * Roesel's Bush Cricket nymph (Roeseliana roeselii); 2 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 3 * Bishop's Mitre (Aelia acuminata); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum); 5 * Brassica Shieldbug (Eurydema oleracea); 1 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 2 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 6 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 16 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 9 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura eligans); 7 * Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis); 9 * Woundwort Shieldbug (Eysarcoris venustissimus); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 43 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 6 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 26 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * May Fly (Ephemera vulgata); 5 * Red Headed Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis); 1 * Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocea); 34 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 3 * Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum); 8 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 2 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 3 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Sulphur Bark Moth (Esperia sulphurella); 1 * Nettle Tap (Anthophila frabriciana); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Click Beetle (Athous haemorrhoidalis); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 1 * Crane Fly (Tipula oleracea); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 4 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 3 * 16 Spot Ladybird (Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Dock Weevil (Rhinoncus pericarpius); 3 * Willow Flea Beetle (Crepidodera aurata); 1 * Tiger Crane Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); 1 * Ground Beetle (Demetrias atricapillus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg) and 1 * Hoverfly (Melangyna umbellatarum).

The 24 bird species recorded were:- Tufted Duck; Wren; Goldfinch; Blue Tit; Shelduck; Coot; Greylag Goose; 2 * Cetti's Warbler; Magpie; Chiffchaff; Mallard; Reed Warbler; Oystercatcher; Jackdaw; Canada Goose; Blackbird; Egyptian Goose; 2 * Avocet; Mute Swan; Moorhen and Great Crested Grebe plus Chaffinch and Reed Bunting on call.

The 7 galls noted were:- Eriophyes leionotus; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Acalitus brevitarsus; Euura proxima and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage).

The 50 blooms recorded were:- Red Campion; Elder; Garlic Mustard; Hawthorn; Daisy; Wood Avens; White Dead Nettle; Goosegrass; Dandelion agg; Bramble agg; Common Vetch; Common Nettle; Cow Parsley; Common Mouse Ear; White Bryony; Prickly Sow Thistle; Horse Chestnut; Hedge Mustard; Bush Vetch; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill; Herb Robert; Comfrey agg; Ground Ivy; Creeping Buttercup; Japanese Rose; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Germander Speedwell; Hogweed; Laburnum; Bird Cherry; Sycamore; Spanish Bluebell; Ramsons; Wall Speedwell; Procumbent Pearlwort; Chickweed; Common Field Speedwell; Ribwort Plantain; Large Bittercress; Pendulous Sedge; Welted Thistle; Lords and Ladies; Groundsel; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Shepherd's Purse; Pignut; Wintercress; Lesser Trefoil; Red Dead Nettle; Field Pansy; Broad Leaved Dock; Ox-Eye Daisy; Gorse and Honesty.

9 extras added were:- 1 * Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis); 2 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); 1 * Furrow Orb Weaver Spider (Larinioides cornutus); 1 * Spider (Neriene montana); Silver Birch; a Rabbit; a Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis) and Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis).

With 4 fungi added the end total was 158 species.

7th May 2026 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short stop off looking at the grassland that is left and the nearby areas. Insects seen were:- 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 7 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 3 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula) and 8 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina). I also added a Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis).

Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill was in flower and 2 galls noted were:- Acalitus brevitarsus and Euura pedunculi.

29th April 2026 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - I pushed the bike through this park and had a nosey. Insects recorded were:- 2 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus ochraceus); 19 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 4 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 4 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 3 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 3 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Longhorn Moth (Adela reaumurella); 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 2 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 2 * Comma (Polygonia c-album) and 1 * Large White (Pieris rapae).

Cecidophyes rouhollahi and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage) were the two galls added.

28th April 2026 - Heaton Mersey Orchard, Stockport, G. Manchester - A long day at work, home and a short mooch, I only saw:- 14 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Saw-Fly (Aglaostigma fulvipes); 2 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 4 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex) and 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).

Japanese Rose and Creeping Buttercup were in good flower.

27th April 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - The bedroom carpet was being fitted and so I was stuck in. I spent the time tidying and doing some chores in the garden where I noted the following blooms:- Honesty; Germander Speedwell; Greater Celandine; Shining Crane's-Bill; Garlic Mustard; Herb Robert; Green Alkanet; Creeping Buttercup; White Clover; Dandelion agg; Red Campion and Welsh Poppy.

A Starling flew by and 6 * Lesser Black Back Gull and the insects noted were:- 1 * Blue Mason Bee (Osmia caerulescens); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustualtus); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 2 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

26th April 2025 - Astley, Chat and Little Woolden Moss, G. Manchester - As last year, we had planned to go one place and ended up here. Again it proved to be the correct the decision as we saw few people and recorded a decent list.

The 55 bird species seen were:- 3 * Yellow Wagtail; 1 * Wheatear; 2 * Oystercatcher; 2 * Curlew; 1 * Grasshopper Warbler (plus 2 on call); 2 * Grey Wagtail; 1 * White Wagtail; 3 * Little Egret; 5 * Sand Martin; 1 * Reed Warbler; 2 * Linnet plus Lesser Black Backed Gull; Robin; Long Tailed Tit; Great Tit; Goldcrest; Song Thrush; Grey Heron; Shoveler; Jackdaw; Buzzard; Stock Dove; Gadwall; Jay; Moorhen; Herring Gull; Black Headed Gull; Mallard; Reed Bunting; Meadow Pipit; Skylark; Canada Goose; Rook; Greenfinch; Blackcap; Wren; Chiffchaff; Blue Tit; Chaffinch; Feral Pigeon; Dunnock; Mistle Thrush; Pheasant; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Collared Dove; Magpie; Goldfinch; House Sparrow; Starling and good numbers of Willow Warbler; Common Whitethroat; Swallow; Lapwing and Pied Wagtail.

The 50 plants holding blooms were:- Wild Strawberry; Winter Cress; Field Pansy; Chickweed; Ribwort Plantain; Wall Speedwell; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Goosegrass; Greater Periwinkle; Silver Birch; Common Beech; Hedge Mustard; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Creeping Buttercup; Marsh Marigold; Greater Celandine; Thale Cress; Gorse; Sticky Mouse Ear; Colt's-Foot; Bilberry; Pendulous Sedge; Red Campion; Green Alkanet; Rowan; Common Field Speedwell; Welsh Poppy; Rape; Flowering Currant; Honesty; Greater Celandine; Comfrey agg; Elder; Laburnum; Shepherd's Purse; Sycamore; Field Maple; Spanish Bluebell; Red Dead Nettle; Shining Crane's-Bill; Daisy; Dandelion agg; Hawthorn; White Dead Nettle; Cow Parsley; Groundsel; Horse Chestnut; Garlic Mustard; Bird Cherry and Herb Robert.

Insects were not playing ball today, the breeze was perhaps a little too much but we did record 39 species:- 1 * Birch Leaf Rolling Weevil (Deporaus betulae); 1 * Heather Beetle (Lochmaea suturalis); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 1 * Belted Click Beetle (Ampedus balteatus); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 3 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 11 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 9 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 5 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 3 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 5 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 5 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 3 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 30 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 3 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 9 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 3 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Parethelcus pollinarius); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthochoris nemorum agg); 6 * Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata) and 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Rove Beetle (Tachyporus chrysomelinus agg) plus a Yellow-Tail Moth larva (Euproctis similis) and numerous St Mark's Flies (Bibio marci) and Birch Catkin Bugs (Kleidocerys resedae).

We saw 7 galls:- Acalitus calycophthirus; Andricus curvator; Phytoptus avellanae; Eriophyes sorbi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Cecidophyes rouhollahi and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage).

2 other additions were:- Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum) and Field Horsetail plus a couple of fungi making for an end total of 156 species. Tis' better than a kick up the arse.

25th April 2026 - High Rid Reservoir, Bolton, Lancashire - A vist to my parents, a call in for an Italian Dinner and then a walk at this nearby area before my next gig. It was very quiet but the few birds recorded were:- Goldfinch; Blackcap; Magpie; Herring Gull; Pied Wagtail; Tufted Duck; Sand Martin; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Carrion Crow; Willow Warbler; Garden Warbler; Goldfinch; Common Whitethroat; Linnet; Black Necked Grebe; Cormorant; Wood Pigeon; Robin; Great Crested Grebe; Starling and Swallow.

The blooms noted were:- Cuckooflower; Dandelion agg; Thale Cress; Daisy; Marsh Marigold; Groundsel; Sticky Mouse Ear; Bluebell; Gorse; Cow Parsley; Lesser Celandine; Ribwort Plantain; Common Sorrel; Common Mouse Ear; Greater Stitchwort; Garlic Mustard; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Herb Robert; Hawthorn; Ramsons and Slender Speedwell.

The only insects recorded were:- several St Mark's Flies (Bibio marci); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 13 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Peacock (Aglais io); 2 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus).

We also added Wood Horsetail.

24th April 2026 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - I had a sprawl in the garden, did some drawing and enjoyed the sun. Whilst here I noted:- 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Beautiful Plume (Amblyptilia acanthadactyla) and a Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) ovipositing in the small pond.

Greater Celandine was now in flower.

24th April 2026 - Heaton Mersey Meadow and Pond Area, Stockport, G. Manchester - Heading home I spent 45 minutes in a sunny glade near the meadow area. During this short jaunt I soaked up the rays and noted:- 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata) and 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans).

Bush Vetch; Meadow Buttercup; Thyme Leaved Speedwell and Cuckooflower were in bloom and 4 * Starlings flew over.

24th April 2026 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - The final day of the working week, walking to work, pushing the bike and sipping a coffee, this small area held a few birds:- 1 * Collared Dove; 2 * Ring Necked Parakeet; 1 * Carrion Crow; 1 * Chiffchaff; 1 * Blue Tit; 1 * Blackbird; 1 * Song Thrush; 1 * Lesser Black Backed Gull and 1 * Wood Pigeon. I also added 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and Guelder Rose and Common Stork's-Bill in flower.

Coming home the same way and I added:- 1 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 2 * Gorse Seed Weevil (Exapion ulicis) plus Black Medick; Colt's-Foot and Elder in flower.

23rd April 2026 - River Mersey, East Didsbury, G. Manchester - A short stretch of the river I don't visit as often as I should. Today the wind was blowing but I noted:- 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Hawthorn Leaf Beetle (Lochmaea crataegi); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 4 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 7 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines).

Butterbur; Dandelion agg; Meadow Buttercup; Cowslip; Cow Parsley; Spanish Bluebell; Bulbous Comfrey; Fringecups; Ramsons and Green Alkanet were the blooms noted.

23rd April 2026 - Fletcher Moss, Didsbury, G. Manchester - A half day at work, a cycle and a pootle. A strange affair with the bug list not as good as I would have predicted. I did record though:- 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 9 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 3 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 3 * Hairy Footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes); 1 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 5 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 4 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus niger); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 4 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Prasocuris marginella); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae) and 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea).

Blooms noted were:- Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Daisy; Dandelion agg; Garlic Mustard; Ribwort Plantain; Welsh Poppy; Thale Cress; Cow Parsley; Herb Robert; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Green Alkanet; Fringecups; Red Campion; Lesser Celandine; Horse Chestnut; Cuckooflower; Pendulous Sedge; Marsh Marigold; White Dead Nettle; Ramsons; Cowslip; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Wavy Bittercress; Laburnum; Elder; Spanish Bluebell; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Large Bittercress; Hogweed; Wood Stitchwort; Ground Ivy; Wood Avens; Wood Speedwell; Rape; Barren Strawberry; Comfrey agg and Sticky Mouse Ear.

The only bird species seen were:- Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Robin; Goldcrest; Ring Necked Parakeet; Moorhen; Blackbird; Great Tit; Magpie; Mallard; Grey Heron and Swallow.

The only other additions were Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus) and a few Amber Snails (Succinea putris).

20th April 2026 - Bruntwood Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - Fagged out so no netting today and just a stroll seeing what I could see. Birds listed were:- Wood Pigeon; Chiffchaff; Robin; Blackbird; Sparrowhawk; Ring Necked Parakeet; Willow Warbler; Carrion Crow; Blackcap; Nuthatch; Blue Tit; House Sparrow; Goldcrest; Song Thrush; Jay; Canada Goose; Moorhen; Mallard; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Great Spotted Woodpecker and Wren.

The insect list comprised of:- 1 * Larch Ladybird (Aphidecta obliterata); 49 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 10 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 10 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 6 * Cream Striped Ladybird (Harmonia quadripunctata); 1 * Cream Spotted Ladybird (Calvia quattuordecimguttata); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 7 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); numerous Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni); 7 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Hoverfly (Dasysyrphus albostriatus); 8 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 13 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 3 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 2 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 2 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Peacock (Agalis io); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci); 1 * Longhorn Moth (Adela reaumurella); 6 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) and 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum).

Flowers noted were those on:- Cuckooflower; Meadow Buttercup; Dandelion agg; Horse Chestnut; Sycamore; Lesser Celandine; Field Maple; Wavy Bittercress; Daisy; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Ribwort Plantain; Garlic Mustard; Cow Parsley; Groundsel; Beech; Spanish Bluebell and Pendulous Sedge.

Galls listed were:- Andricus kollari agg; Andricus lignicola; Phytoptus avellanae; Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (sexual stage).

And last of all were:- 2 * Humped Orbweb Spider (Gibbaranea gibbosa); Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and a Short Tailed Vole (Microtus agrestis).

19th April 2026 - Carrington Moss, Trafford, G. Manchester - After the previous nights gig we needed to be away from people and strolling gently along. The Moss is a place we know well but one which we have not visited for a couple of years. Today we pottered along and saw a few insects:- 1 * Weevil (Strophosoma melanogrammum); 1 * Ground Bug (Stygnocoris fuligineus); 169 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Parethelcus pollinarius); 1 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 32 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 2 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 10 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 5 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 6 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 7 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 3 * Hoverfly (Dasysyrphus albostriatus); 1 * Thistle Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 7 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 1 * Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 7 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 17 * Peacock (Aglais io); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 2 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 4 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 2 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 4 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 2 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Rove Beetle (Tachyporus obtusus) plus oodles of St Mark's Flies (Bibio marci) and Birch Catkin Bugs (Kleidocerys resedae); 2 * Weevil (Phyllobius glaucus)1 * Celery Fly (Euleia heraclei); 1 * Ground Beetle (Demetrias atricapillus); 1 * Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata) plus an Angle Shades Moth larva (Phlogophora meticulosa).

We also added:- 1 * Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis); 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); 2 * White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); 1 * Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis); Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Striped Millipede (Ommatoiulus sabulosus) and Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum).

Bird wise was quite, the species seen were:- Black Headed Gull; Mallard; Canada Goose; Wood Pigeon; Chaffinch; carrion Crow; 2 * Common Whitethroat; Robin; 6 * Wheatear; 1 * Yellowhammer; 2 * Grey Partridge; 3 * Blackcap; Great Tit; Lapwing; Skylark; Magpie; Jackdaw; Buzzard; Pheasant; Coot; 2 * Lesser Black Backed Gull; 2 * Dunnock; 2 * Linnet; 1 * Great Spotted Woodpecker; Goldfinch and Blue Tit plus Raven; Greenfinch; Willow Warbler; Wren; Chiffchaff and Oystercatcher on call.

Blooms noted were:- Spanish Bluebell; Dandelion agg; Thale Cress; Red Campion; Common Field Speedwell; White Dead Nettle; Hawthorn; Comfrey agg; Garlic Mustard; Wavy Bittercress; Herb Robert; Ribwort Plantain; Welsh Poppy; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Rhododendron agg; Common Sorrel; Sycamore; Red Dead Nettle; Lesser Celandine; Rape; Common Mouse Ear; Groundsel; Sheperd's Purse; Wall Speedwell; Common Whitlowgrass; Rue Leaved Saxifrage; Sticky Mouse Ear; Honesty; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Hogweed; Silver Birch; Green Alkanet; Chickweed and Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill.

The only other species listed were the galls:- Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Cecidophyes rouhollahi; the moss (Polytrichum commune) and Field Horsetail.

18th April 2026 - Stamford Park, Stalybridge, Tameside - Another coffee was needed before the 60th footy game of the season. We grabbed the brew and had a short walk were we saw a few bird species:- Feral Pigeon; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Robin; Great Tit; Song Thrush; Moorhen; Mistle Thrush; Chiffchaff; Wren; Canada Goose; Coot; Mallard; Magpie and a couple of Treecreepers.

The small insect list comprised of:- 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

Plants with blooms were:- Shepherd's Purse; Marsh Marigold; Wood Anemone; Dandelion agg; Daisy; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Common Field Speedwell; Cherry Laurel; Colt's-Foot; Pendulous Sedge; Bluebell; Cuckooflower; Red Dead Nettle; White Dead Nettle; Red Campion; Chickweed; Common Mouse Ear; Sticky Mouse Ear; Salad Burnet; Goosegrass; Thale Cress and Herb Robert.

As per, several Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) were checking us out for food.

18th April 2026 - Hobson Moor Quarry, Stalybridge, Tameside - A second walk saw us explore the potential of a small but new area. The cold was increasing but we saw a few blooms:- Dandelion agg; Daisy; Ribwort Plantain; Bilberry; Hairy Bittercress; False Yellow Archangel; Broom; Bluebell and Garlic Mustard.

A Roe Deer was noted and the only bird species spied were:- Pied Wagtail; Pheasant; Dunnock; Wood Pigeon; Meadow Pipit; Magpie and Jackdaw.

A Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and a Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) were the only insects braving the breeze.

18th April 2026 - Spout Green, Mottram in Longdale, Tameside - A cafe start where we watched Jackdaws plucking donkeys, lambs staggering around, a few Llamas pottering about and several goats, cows and peahens. A walk was done in sun and cloud, we avoided the rain and recorded a few birds:- 25 * Jackdaw; a few Magpie; 1 * Dunnock; 2 * Collared Dove; 4 * Lapwing; 1 * Wood Pigeon; 1 * Canada Goose; 2 * Pheasant and 2 * Goldfinch.

Blooms listed were:- Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Cherry Laurel; Sticky Mouse Ear; Dandelion agg; Welsh Poppy; Honesty; Sycamore; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Bilberry; Bluebell; Green Alkanet; Groundsel; Lesser Celandine; Cow Parsley; Ramsons; Herb Robert; False Yellow Archangel; Thale Cress and Daisy.

The chill kept the insects down but we saw:- 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus) and 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

We finally added 2 * Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis); 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum) and the old Galls of:- Andricus kollari agg; Andricus lignicola and Andricus foecundatrix.

14th April 2026 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short stretch of the river produced:- 28 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica).

Fringecups were now in flower.

14th April 2026 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - Homeward after work, a cool day indeed but braving the weather were:- 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus scutatus s.l.); 1 * Lathbury's Nomad Bee (Nomada lathburiana); 2 * Dock Weevil (Apion frumentarium); 2 * Weevil (Phyllobius glaucus); 2 * Rosemary Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina americana); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci) and 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria).

A male Blackcap sat up and sang, 3 * Ring Necked Parakeet whizzed overhead, Hogweed was in glorious flower and the Gall (Cecidophyes nudus) was looking mighty fresh.

12th April 2026 - RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire - The weather was set to blow, the rain came just as we finished and found the nearby shops. The soup and coffee was ace and we even brought a mushroom rug. It had been a few years since we had been at this nature reserve and we had a nice stroll. Bird species seen were:- Tufted Duck; Buzzard; Carrion Crow; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Bittern; Goosander; Reed Bunting; Willow Warbler; Pheasant; Swallow; Black Tailed Godwit; Shoveler; Shelduck; Sedge Warbler; Yellow Wagtail; Cormorant; Little Ringed Plover; Skylark; Barnacle Goose; Lapwing; Avocet; Gadwall; Teal; Cetti's Warbler; Mute Swan; Chiffchaff; Moorhen; Great Crested Grebe; Canada Goose; Great Tit; Dunnock; Greylag Goose; Black Headed Gull; Magpie; Wren; Chaffinch; Coot; Rook; Blackcap; Ring Necked Parakeet; House Sparrow; Little Egret; Blue Tit; Robin; Mallard; Long Tailed Tit; Jackdaw; Goldfinch; Pied Wagtail; Grey Heron and Song Thrush.

Insects again were not playing in the breeze, the only ones recorded were:- 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Ground Beetle (Paranchus albipes); 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus scutatus); 11 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Ground Beetle (Nebria brevicollis) and 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major).

Blooms recorded were:- Dandelion agg; Cowslip; White Dead Nettle; Bluebell; Dog's Mercury; Ramsons; Lesser Celandine; Garlic Mustard; Ground Ivy; Wood Avens; Gorse; Hairy Bittercress; Groundsel; Sticky Mouse Ear; Cuckooflower; Colt's-Foot; Ribwort Plantain; Cow Parsley; Red Dead Nettle; Caper Spurge; Thale Cress; Field Pansy; Common Field Speedwell; Rape; Hawthorn; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Chickweed; Blackthorn; Broom; Common Whitlow Grass; Herb Robert; Sweet Woodruff; Greater Celandine; Moschatel; Common Mouse Ear; Field Maple and Red Campion.

Meadow Foxtail was not looking rather proud.

Extras thrown in to the mooch were:- 1 * Tree Slug (Lehmannia marginata); 1 * Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens); 1 * Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus); 1 * Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis); Several Shiny Woodlice (Oniscus asellus); 1 * White Lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis); 2 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber); Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum) and the Lichen (Xanthoria parietina).

The only galls listed were:- Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Andricus kollari agg.

11th April 2026 - Alvecote Meadows, Warwickshire - A post footy walking after a blitzing downpour. We missed the rain but the temperatures were falling and it was getting on in the day. Birds recorded were:- 1 * Jackdaw; 1 * Greylag Goose; 1 * Robin; 1 * Little Egret; 2 * Black Headed Gull; 2 * Carrion Crow; 3 * House Martin; 3 * Sand Martin; 5 * Swallow; 4 * Teal; 26 * Gadwall; 19 * Tufted Duck; 2 * Coot; 14 * Mute Swan; 2 * Blue Tit; 7 * Great Crested Grebe; 1 * Pheasant; 6 * Mallard; 2 * Wood Pigeon; 1 * Wren and a Rookery with several birds.

Flowers recorded were:- Red Dead Nettle; Dandelion agg; White Dead Nettle; Garlic Mustard; Daisy; Green Alkanet; Herb Robert; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Shepherd's Purse; Common Mouse Ear; Germander Speedwell; Groundsel; Cuckooflower; Hawthorn; Lesser Celandine and Spanish Bluebell.

The only insects seen were:- 13 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula) and 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

11th April 2026 - Sutton Park, Birmingham, West Midlands - A pre-footy walk at a place that was larger than we imagined. The weather was dry but a stiff cool breeze kept insect numbers low but we did record:- 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus madidus); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 10 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Cream Streaked Ladybird (Harmonia quadripunctata); 2 * Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus); 1 * Eyed Ladybird (Anatis ocellata); 2 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 5 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) and a Buff Footman Larva *(Eilema depressa).

Birds were far from plentiful but noted were:- 4 * Great Tit; a few Wood Pigeon; 2 * Pied Wagtail; 1 * Carrion Crow; 9 * Robin; several Magpie; 2 * Song Thrush; 2 * Blackcap; 1 * Chiffchaff; 5 * Swallow; 5 * Mallard; 5 * Coot; 2 * Mute Swan; 8 * Canada Goose; 1 * Treecreeper; 1 * Jay; 1 * Jackdaw and 1 * Wren.

Blooms were appallingly low, the only ones recorded were:- Horse Chestnut; Holly; Common Whitlow Grass; Daisy; Lesser Celandine; Chickweed; Dandelion agg; White Dead Nettle; Field Wood Rush; Marsh Marigold and Wood Anemone.

Also added were:- 1 * Striped Millipede (Ommatoiulus sabulosus); 1 * White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) and 12 * Rabbit.

It was nice to add a couple of spider species too, namely:- 2 * Humped Orbweb Spider (Gibbaranea gibbosa); 2 * Walnut Orb Weaver (Nuctenea umbratica) and 1 * Eurasian Green Crab Spider (Diaea dorsata).

10th April 2026 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short section of the river was walked whilst heading home, I recorded:- 5 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 2 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 30 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vittata) and 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii).

Field Horsetail was now through and green and Wood Speedwell was in flower.

6th April 2026 - Alexandra Park, Oldham, G. Manchester - Another footballing day so an early morning walk, home for dinner and out to see the latest ball-hoofing exercise. Birds noted were:- Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Song Thrush; Moorhen; Coot; Canada Goose; Blackbird; Mallard; Goosander; Feral Pigeon; Goldfinch; Wren; Blue Tit; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Chaffinch; Tufted Duck; Greenfinch; Carrion Crow; Chiffchaff; Coal Tit; Black Headed Gull; Wren; Ring Necked Parakeet; Blackbird and Mistle Thrush.

Still a little too cool for many insects but we did see:- 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 6 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 34 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 3 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Eyed Ladybird (Anatis ocellata); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 6 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 1 * Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg).

The few blooms recorded were:- Dandelion agg; Thale Cress; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Colt's-Foot; Ramsons; Field Wood Rush; Meadow Buttercup; Shepherd's Purse; Groundsel; Red Dead Nettle; Common Field Speedwell; Chickweed and Lesser Celandine.

Also added were a couple of Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and a Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens).

5th April 2026 - Sale WP, G. Manchester - A walk with the lasses, to keep the blood flowing and the aging carcass moving. The weather was bilge and the water almost bare of bird life. We had a stretch though and recorded a few species with a nice flock of Sand Martin holding a few Swallows. Also see were:- Great Tit; Mute Swan; Coot; Moorhen; Canada Goose; Great Crested Grebe; Blue Tit; Wood Pigeon; Magpie; Wren; Cormorant; Mallard; Black Headed Gull; Jay; Goldfinch plus Blackcap and Chiffchaff on call.

The only blooms recorded were:- Wavy Bittercress; Red Dead Nettle; Thale Cress; Sweet Ciceley; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Lesser Celandine; Dandelion agg; Herb Robert; Wild Cherry; Bird Cherry; White Dead Nettle; Hawthorn and Common Field Speedwell.

The only insects seen were:- 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare).

Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Andricus kollari agg were the only galls recorded.

We also added:- Leopard Slug (Limax maximus); Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus) and White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger).

4th April 2026 - Oakwell CP, Batley, W. Yorkshire - Time for a visit to this place we had only been to once before. The football game was pending so we didn't dawdle but we did see a few bird species:- Jay; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Moorhen; Wren; Dunnock; Blackbird; Mallard; Goldfinch and Chaffinch.

Blooms noted were:- Marsh Marigold; False Yellow Archangel; Wood Anemone; Dandelion agg; Lesser Celandine; Bluebell; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Chickweed; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Green Alkanet; Thale Cress and Wavy Bittercress.

The few insects seen were:- 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 14 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 4 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum).

Other species added were the Lichen (Punctelia subrudecta); Green Celllar Slug (Limacus maculatus) and Leopard Slug (Limax maximus).

3rd April 2026 - Reddish Vale CP, Stockport, G. Manchester - Chores to do, shopping to do and the rain to beat. We managed all three plus a brisk walk at a place we hadn't visited this year. No binoculars as we just couldn't be arsed to carry them but we did see:- 3 * Blackbird; 2 * Song Thrush; 2 * Great Tit; 1 * Chiffchaff; 11 * Mallard; 1 * Dipper; 2 * Goldcrest; 1 * Chaffinch; 1 * Jay; 2 * Carrion Crow; 1 * Blue Tit; 2 * Magpie; 2 * Robin; 2 * Sand Martin; 2 * Long Tailed Tit; 2 * Wren; 1 * Collared Dove; 1 * Goosander; 7 * Mandarin Duck; 3 * Coot; 3 * Mute Swan; 2 * Tufted Duck; 3 * Moorhen; 4 * Gadwall; 1 * Dunnock; 2 * Blackcap; a flock of Feral Pigeon and plenty of Canada Geese.

Flowers in bloom were:- Spotted Dead Nettle; Dandelion agg; Lesser Celandine; False Yellow Archangel; Sycamore; Daisy; Garlic Mustard; Bluebell; Cow Parsley; Ramsons; Hawthorn; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Wood Anemone; Primrose; Butterbur; Common Field Speedwell; Red Campion; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Cowslip; Colt's-Foot; Marsh Marigold and Wood Avens.

The only other species added were:- 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Grey Patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida); 1 * Leopard Slug (Limax maximus); 3 * White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); 2 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); 3 * Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis); a Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the Gall (Phyllocoptes goniothorax).

1st April 2026 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - I needed a break from the work desk, it is extremely busy at the mo and like all services, it is all rather over-stressed.  A pootle on a local golf course switched off the mind and I saw the following blooms:- Dandelion agg; Groundsel;  Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Spanish Bluebell; Chickweed; Blackthorn; Lesser Celandine; Field Wood Rush; Daisy; Thale Cress; Common Mouse Ear; Bluebell; Wavy Bittercress; Green Alkanet and Hawthorn plus Cow Parsley and Yellow Flag Iris on the brink of flowering.

The drab grey day only produced a couple of insects:- 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and 6 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).

Birds seen were:- 1 * Wren; 4 * Carrion Crow; 1 * Wood Pigeon; 5 * Magpie; 2 * Ring Necked Parakeet; 1 * Coot; 2 * Mallard; 1 * Moorhen; 2 * Canada Goose and 1 * Nuthatch.

The only other species seen were a Garlic Snail (Oxychilus alliarius) and 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum).

31st March 2026 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Last day of the month and only a few sightings after work:- 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea) and 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

A pair of Mallards and 5 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum) and that was that.

30th March 2026 - East Didsbury, G. Manchester - A small area besides the river, a mere few hundred feet by 50 feet (if that) and then home. I had lots to do and the weather was shabby again. I was in another place where the fuckwits invade and disturb, leave their dogshit and beer cans and go home with heads empty and to their shallow existences. I had a mooch and noted:- 13 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); 2 * Smooth Glass Snail (Aegopinella nitidula); 1 * Durham Slug (Arion flagellus); 1 * Dusky Slug (Arion subrufus); 1 * Leopard Slug (Limax maximus); 1 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 2 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); 1 * Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens); 6 * Hairy Snail (Trochulus hispidus); 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 2 * White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); 2 * Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); 35 * White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); 3 * Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis); 5 * Flatworm (Kontikia ventrolineata).

A pair of Goosander were on the river with 3 Mallards and a Canada Goose whilst a Chiffchaff; Dunnock, Blackbird and a few Wood Pigeon were noted in the sparse trees.

The only insects recorded were:- 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 13 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Yellow Dung (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Ground Beetle (Ocys tachysoides); 1 * Ground Beetle (Nebria brevicollis); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) and 17 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula).

Spanish Bluebell; White Dead Nettle; Rape; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Lesser Celandine and Ramsons were in flower.

27th March 2026 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short stretch of the river and not much happening. 2 Blackbirds were joined by 2 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

Another patch of False Yellow Archangel was admired.

25th March 2026 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A pair of Goosander looked oblivious to the biting wind and looked quite dapper.  How do they do it?

23rd March 2026 - Chorlton Water Park, G. Manchester - A morning cycle and mooch that was relaxed and with the priority just to get the legs stretched. The weather was cool but I did see:- 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 459 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 6 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Grey Patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) and 3 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

Blooms noted were;- Rape; Field Wood Rush; Butterbur and Common Dog Violet.

The only birds recorded were:- Grey Heron; Magpie; Chiffchaff; Canada Goose; Mallard; Carrion Crow; Cormorant; Starling; House Sparrow; Great Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Treecreeper; Wren; Dunnock; Ring Necked Parakeet; Blackbird and Mandarin Duck.

21st March 2026 - Church Ope, Portland, Dorset - A walk into Easton with the lasses, a breakfast, a mooch in the charity shops and then I headedd for a pootle whilst the lasses went back to the lighthouse before some Non-League football. Flowers recorded were:- Alexanders; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Herb Robert; Lesser Celandine; Shepherd's Purse; Common Whitlowgrass; Groundsel; Wall Speedwell; Ivy Leaved Toadflax; Bulbous Buttercup; Bulbous Comfrey and Common Field Speedwell.

Insect noted were:- 1 * Cereal Fly (Euleia heraclei); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 5 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Crane-Fly (Limonia nubeculosa); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis); 2 * Hairy Footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 5 * Peacock (Aglais io); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 3 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 6 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica) and 1 * Silver Y (Autographa gamma).

And the few birds listed were made up of:- 3 * Buzzard; 2 * Goldfinch; 1 * Magpie; 4 * Carrion Crow; 4 * Oystercatcher; 1 * Dunnock; 1 * Chaffinch and 1 * Great Tit.

Also added were:- several Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare); Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber); 12 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum) and 8 * Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis).

20th March 2026 - Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset - We were tempted by more rockpooling so decided to return to this fine area. A coffee nabbed and the pools revealed:- 7 * Fragile Brittle Star (Ophiothrix fragilis); 49 * Cushion Star (Asterina gibbosa); 2 * Green Leaf Worm (Eulalia viridis); 6 * Blenny (Lipophrys pholis); 3 * Gem Anemone (Aulactinia verrucosa); 45 * Edible Crab (Cancer pagurus); 11 * Broad Clawed Porcelain Crab (Porcellana platycheles); a few Snakelocks Anemone (Anemonia viridis); numerous Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina); 16 * Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas); 33 * Cornish Sucker (Lepadogaster purpurea); 21 * Worm Pipefish (Nerophis lumbriciformis); 4 * Velvet Swimming Crab (Necora puber); Star Ascidian (Botryllus schlosseri); 2 * Hooded Shrimp (Athanas nitescens); 4 * Grey Sea Slug and eggs (Aeolidia papillosa); 2 * European Eel (Anguilla anguilla); a good spread of Flat Periwinkles (Littorina obtusata/fabalis); 2 * Hairy Crab (Pilumnus hirtellus); Breadcrumb Sponge (Halichondria panicea); 2 * Baltic isopod (Idotea balthica); lots of Common Limpet (Patella vulgata); 1 * Small Bristled Chiton (Acanthochitona crinita/discrepans agg); 1 * Isopod (Cymodoce truncata) and some more Rainbow Wrack (Cystoseira tamariscifolia).

Also seen were:- Blackbird; Pheasant; Oystercatcher; Carrion Crow; Mallard; House Sparrow and 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 3 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Cereal Fly (Geomyza tripunctata) and 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).

20th  March 2026 - Portland Bill, Dorset - Whilst the lasses got ready to go out I had a quick look at the top fields and recorded a few birds:- 6 * Dunnock; 1 * Skylark; 4 * Stonechat; 1 * Goldfinch; 3 * Stock Dove; a small flock of Starling; 1 * Pheasant; 5 * Wheatear; 1 * Willow Warbler; 1 * Linnet; 1 * Meadow Pipit; 1 * Cormorant flying over; a few Herring Gull; a few Wood Pigeon and a couple of Magpie plus 1 * Great Tit in the Obs Garden and also added was a Firecrest the warden had caught, it gave nice views in the hand.

Borage was in good flower.

19th March 2026 - Hengistbury Head, Dorset - The day ended with a good walk at a new area. The key to cover as much ground as possible to get a feel of the place. Bird species listed were:- Starling; Carrion Crow; Cormorant; Wood Pigeon; Skylark; Magpie; Mute Swan; Wigeon; Grey Heron; Black Headed Gull; Shelduck; Stonechat; Mallard; Long Tailed Tit; Jay; Goldfinch and Blackbird.

Flowers in bloom were:- Red Dead Nettle; Common Field Speedwell; Dandelion agg; Danish Scurvygrass; Thrift; Common Whitlowgrass; Shepherd's Purse; Daisy; Gorse; Alexanders and Greater Stitchwort.

The only insects seen were:- 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io) and 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

Also added was Dilated Scalewort (Frullania dilatata).

18th March 2026 - Church Ope, Portland, Dorset - The day was whizzing by and we had friends to meet. A quick call off at this area and back to the Obs we went. 5 * Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) were nice to see and we also added a Kestrel; Magpie; a couple of Robins and a Carrion Crow.

Insects were represented by:- 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 3 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) and 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).

Flowers recorded were:- Alexanders; Dandelion agg; Common Field Speedwell; Red Dead Nettle; Ivy Leaved Toadflax and Daisy.

A nice patch of Sea Ivory (Ramalina siliquosa) was the only other addition.

18th March 2026 - Sandsfoot Castle, Weymouth, Dorset - A year since our last pootle here and once again the sun was beaming. A few birds noted were:- 1 * Wood Pigeon; 1 * Pale Bellied Brent Goose; 1 * Cormorant; 2 * Oystercatcher; 1 * Wren; 1 * Carrion Crow; 1 * Jackdaw and numerous Herring Hulls.

A small number if insects took to the wing, these being;- 1 * Cliff Mining Bee (Andrena thoracica); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 2 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 1 * Yellow Legged Mining Bee (Andrena flavipes); 3 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and 1 * Peacock (Aglais io).

A lovely walk on the beach was quite strange with one large area devoid of much life and then a small area of rockpools produncing a few results, these included:- some good patches of Red Ripple Bryozoan (Watersipora subatra) and Star Ascidian (Botryllus schlosseri); oodles of Sinistral Spiral Tubeworms (Spirorbis spirorbis) and Northern Rock Barnacles (Semibalanus balanoides); many Flat Periwinkles (Littorina obtusata/fabalis); 2 * European Sting Winkle (Ocenebra erinaceus); 1 * Blenny (Lipophrys pholis); 8 * Sea Spider (Nymphon gracile); 1 * Common Starfish (Asterias rubens); 1 * Green Sea Urchin (Psammechinus miliaris); 6 * Edible Crab (Cancer pagurus); 20 * Broad Clawed Porcelain Crab (Porcellana platycheles); 2 * Snakelocks Anemone (Anemonia viridis); 8 * Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina); 11 * Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas); 1 * Brittle Star Fish (Ophiothrix fragilis); 1 * Sea Slug (Elysia viridis); 1 * Sea Gherkin (Pawsonia saxicola) and plenty of Common Limpet (Patella vulgata) and Black Footed Limpet (Patella depressa).

The only blooms noted were:- Common Field Speedwell; Groundsel; Daisy; Thale Cress; Dandelion agg; Rocket Salad; Greater Periwinkle; Alexanders; Lesser Celandine and Ivy Leaved Toadflax.

We also added the Gall (Trioza centranthi).

17th March 2026 - Durlston CP to Dancing Ledge, Swanage, Dorset - A coffee, a qui ck look at an art exihibition and as the sun came out so did 16 Wall Lizards (Podarcis muralis) in all sizes and all shades from green to brown. We eventually set off on a good walk with the aim to try and find some early flowering Early Spider Orchids.

Whilst wandering we noted the following birds:- 7 * Jackdaw; 3 * Great Tit; 2 * Robin; 1 * Blackbird; 2 * Cormorant; 4 * Stonechat; 2 * Fulmar; 4 * Razorbill; 1 * Herring Gull; 1 * Kestrel; 3 * Oystercatcher; 1 * Skylark; 3 * Peregrine Falcon; 3 * Magpie; 1 * Great Black Backed Gull; 1 * Black Redstart; 2 * Linnet; 1 * Pheasant; 1 * Goldfinch; and several Meadow Pipit and Wood Pigeon

Blooms noted were:- Daisy; Alexanders; Danish Scurvygrass; Dandelion agg; Common Whitlowgrass; Lesser Celandine; Shepherd's Purse; Common Field Speedwell; Early Dog Violet; Sticky Mouse Ear; Groundsel and 3 * Early Spider Orchid.

The only insects added were:- 1 * Crane-Fly (Limonia nubeculosa); 1 * Gorse Seed Weevil (Exapion ulicis); 1 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 4 * Bloody Nosed Beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa); 2 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Oil Beetle(Meloe proscarabaeus); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus madidus); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and 2 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

Also added were:- 3 * Roe Deer; 1 * Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis); Shiny Woodlice (Oniscus asellus); Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare); Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber); Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum) and the Lichen (Ramalina fastigata) plus Dilated Scalewort (Frullania dilatata) growing on a bench.

17th March 2026 - Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset - A very brief low tide that wasn't as low as usual. We had a mooch anyway and saw:- several Flat Periwinkles (Littorina obtusata/fabalis); ; 3 * Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina); plenty of Common Limpet (Patella vulgata); 1 * Five Bearded Rockling (Ciliata mustela); 11 * Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas); 1 * Montague's Crab (Xantho hydrophilus); 1 * Four Horned Spider Crab (Pisa Tetraodon); 2 * Brittle Star Fish (Ophiothrix fragilis); 2 * Cushion Star (Asterina gibbosa); 1 * Green Leaf Worm (Eulalia viridis); 1 * Blenny (Lipophrys pholis) and some Rainbow Wrack (Cystoseira tamariscifolia).

Birds noted were:- 1 * Meadow Pipit; 19 * Oystercatcher; 3 * Wood Pigeon; 3 * Pheasant; 2 * Blackbird; 2 * Carrion Crow; 2 * Herring Gull; 1 * Pied Wagtail; 1 * Robin; 2 * Magpie; 3 * Stonechat; 2 * Little Egret; 1 * Peregrine Falcon; 1 * Dunnock and 1 * Rook.

Blooms recorded were:- Alexanders; Greater Periwinkle; Lesser Celandine; Groundsel; Dandelion agg; and Common Mouse Ear.

We also saw a Hebrew Character Moth.

16th March 2026 - Arne RSPB, Dorset - We have visted this area many times over the years but not at this time of year. We took a different route, had a coffee break and then covered the usual areas. It was fairly quiet but the following bird species were recorded:- Raven; Curlew; Shelduck; Canada Goose; Little Egret; Wigeon; Greenfinch; Jackdaw; Robin; Coal Tit; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Goldfinch; Siskin; Teal; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Wood Pigeon; Herring Gull; Mallard; Black Headed Gull; Black Tailed Godwit; Red Breasted Merganser; Oystercatcher; Cormorant; Great Black Backed Gull and Pheasant.

Flowers in bloom were:- Little Mouse Ear; Dandelion agg; Gorse; Thale Cress; Common Field Speedwell; Greater Periwinkle; Dog's Mercury; Red Dead Nettle; Primrose and Ivy Leaved Speedwell.

Insect life was made up of:- 100's of Wood Ant (Formica rufa); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Oil Beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus); 8 * Common Darkling Beetle (Nalassus laevioctostriatus); 1 * Lesser Stag Beetle (Dorcus parallelipipedus); 1 * Violet Ground Beetle (Carabus problematicus); 2 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus niger) and 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

Other additions were:- Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis); the Moss (Funaria hygrometrica); 5 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 1 * Garlic Snail (Oxychilus alliarius); 2 * White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); 1 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); 1 * Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens); 1 * Brown Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis); several White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); a few Shiny Woodlice (Oniscus asellus); 2 * Pill Woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare) and 2 * Ant Woodlouse (Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii).

We also added the Lichens:- Ramalina fastigata; Ramalina farinacea; Flavoparmelia caperata; Evernia prunastri and the Gall (Aceria fraxinivora).

16th March 2026 - Wareham Common, Dorset - A pootle around the charity shops, a good breakfast and a chat with an artist and then a look at an area we haven't explored before. We were pushed for time as the parking was limited but we did record:- 1 * Little Egret; 3 * Glossy Ibis; 13 * Herring Gull; 1 * Great Black Backed Gull; 8 * Black Headed Gull; 2 * Mute Swan; 2 * Canada Goose; 2 * Mallard; 5 * Coot; 2 * Blackbird; 1 * Dunnock; 1 * Wren; 1 * House Sparrow; 3 * Goldfinch; 1 * Moorhen plus a couple of Jackdaws; Wood Pigeons and Chaffinch and Blackcap on call.

Daisy; Lesser Celandine; Alexanders; Gorse; Dandelion agg; Red Dead Nettle; Marsh Marigold; Chickweed and Thale Cress were in flower.

We also added a Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus); a Rabbit; 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).

15th March 2026 - Hive Beach to West Bexington, Dorset - Up and out and a good walk in the whipping winds. We ended up abolutely caked in mud but the key today was to just get some steps in. Birds noted along the way were:- 3 * Pied Wagtail; 1 * Black Headed Gull; 1 * Herring Gull; 1 * Goldfinch; 3 * Greenfinch; 2 * Blackbird; 4 * Starling; 6 * Stonechat; 2 * House Sparrow; 1 * Cormorant; 5 * Skylark; 6 * Linnet; 1 * Wren; 1 * Raven; 2 * Shelduck; 1 * Great Tit; 1 * Meadow Pipit; 1 * Reed Bunting; 1 * Robin; 4 * Mute Swan; 21 * Shoveler; 1 * Moorhen; 7 * Coot and a nice healthy flock of Teal.

Flowers sporting blooms were:- Daisy; Lesser Celandine; Dandelion agg; Danish Scurvygrass; Cowslip; Red Dead Nettle; Common Field Speedwell and Early Dog Violet.

We also saw a lone Rabbit, a few Shiny Woodlice (Oniscus asellus); 5 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 19 * Bloody Nosed Beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa) and 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrstris).

We also added the Gall (Diastrophus rubi) and a new Lichen for us, namely Ramalina lacera.

14th March 2026 - Willow and Wetlands Centre, Taunton, Somerset - Off for a break down to the lighthouse and we needed a break. A good lunch and short walk. A few insects were noted:- 13 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 5 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Grey Patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida); 1 * Box Bug (Gonocerus acuteangulatus) and 1 * Ground Beetle (Agonum marginatum).

Blooms noted were:- Groundsel; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Dandelion agg; Sticky Mouse-Ear; Dog's Mercury; Lesser Celandine; Red Dead Nettle; Daisy and Common Field Speedwell. An Alder was dripping with catkins.

The only birds seen were a Blackbird and a Wood Pigeon.

12th March 2026 - Norris Hill, Stockport, G. Manchester - Walking to work in the wind, a sloping area and a Blackcap was singing but eluded my peepers.  Ground Ivy was now in flower, it seemed a little early but it was a nice surprise.

9th March 2026 - Fletcher Moss, Didsbury, G. Manchester - A cycle, a run round a football pitch 7 times, another cycle and a coffee and a short walk through this park before cycling home. 3 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); 7 * Leopard Slug (Limax maximus); 12 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 2 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis) and 2 * Amber Snail (Succinea putris) were noted under a few logs and on vegetation and Green alkanet; Daisy; Lesser Celandine; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Marsh Marigold and Dandelion agg were in flower.

Mistletoe was in its usual place and the only bird species I recorded were:- Bullfinch; Long Tailed Tit; Ring Necked Parakeet; Dunnock; Mallard; Robin; Song Thrush; Blue Tit; Blackbird; Magpie and Wood Pigeon plus 5 * Chiffchaff on call.

I had too much to do to hang about today but a few records is better than none.

8th March 2026 - Brockholes LWT, Lancashire - Some food and a warm drink and then a walk. We didn't make a concerted efforted but we saw a nice haul of fungal specimens and the following bird species:- Chiffchaff; Goldfinch; Goldeneye; Carrion Crow; Pheasant; Blackbird; Coot; Teal; Shoveler; Canada Goose; Greylag Goose; Lapwing; Black Headed Gull; Mallard; Mute Swan; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Moorhen; Great Tit; Dunnock; Wren; Goldcrest; Wood Pigeon; Robin; Song Thrush; Gadwall; Grey Wagtail; Chaffinch; Blue Tit; Cormorant; Wigeon; Oystercatcher; Reed Bunting; Grey Heron; Cetti's Warbler; Great Crested Grebe; Long Tailed Tit; Buzzard; Coal Tit and Nuthatch.

Blooms noted were:- Hazel; Colt's-Foot; Gorse; Lesser Celandine; Wood Anemone; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Daisy and Dog's Mercury. Field Wood Rush was now in flower too.

We also added:- 1 * Glossy Glass Snail (Oxychilus navarricus); 1 * Tree Slug (Lehmannia marginata); 1 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); 28 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 2 * White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis); 1 * Hairy Snail (Trochulus hispidus) as well as White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber); Common Toad (Bufo bufo); and a lone Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

The few lichens added were:- Parmelia sulcata; Parmotrema perlatum; Punctelia subrudecta; Physcia adscendens; Xanthora parietina and Graphis scripta.

7th March 2026 - Chorlton Water Park, G. Manchester - A walk with the lasses before my next Non-League game and my latest gig. We took it easy, nattered away and made haste but Hazel; Cherry Plum; Ivy Leaved Speedwell and Spring Snowflake were in flower and we saw a few bird species too:- Feral Pigeon; Collared Dove; Wood Pigeon; Great Tit; Goldcrest; Grey Heron; Mallard; Black Headed Gull; Dunnock; Goosander; Pochard; Tufted Duck; Wren; Canada Goose; Mute Swan; Goldfinch and Chiffchaff.

The only insects on a dull day were a Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and the Beetle (Asaphidion curtum).

We also admired a Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); a Leopard Slug (Limax maximus); a Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus) and some splendid buds on an Ash Tree.

5th March 2026 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - Homeward and a cut through this park as the clouds gathered. 5 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Clarke's Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Rosemary Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina americana) and 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album) were all enjoyed.

Common Field Speedwell was putting up flowers here and there, 3 Girdled Snails (Hygromia cinctella) were seen as well as 7 * Goldfinch, 1 * Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 * Blackbird.

4th March 2026 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - A break from the work desk, sunny skies meant that I had a stroll around the streets and looked for the bug life, I duly recorded:- 1 * Hairy Footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes);15 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 32 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 2 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and 4 * Rosemary Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina americana).

A nice patch of Thale Cress warmed the cockles.

3rd March 2026 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - A quick walk to the shops, I saw:- 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 20 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus); 40 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 4 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 1 * Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana) and 3 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina).

3rd March 2026 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk/cycle to work, contemplating the know-it-alls who do nowt.  Hey ho, a hopeless situation.  A few birds were seen, the years fist Chiffchaff flitting about and calling was mighty special. Also noted were:- 1 * Greenfinch; 2 * Canada Goose; 1 * Robin; 1 * Magpie; 2 * Carrion Crow; 1 * Song Thrush and 2 * Wood Pigeon.

On the way home I checked a Gorse bush and noted 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).

1st March 2026 - Abbot's/Shemmy Moss/Whitegate Way, Cheshire - A gentle walk and a small haul of fungi along with a few bird species:- 4 * Blue Tit; 3 * Cormorant; 3 * Coot; 5 * Mallard; 1 * Buzzard; 1 * Jackdaw; 1 * Reed Bunting; 1 * Robin; 3 * Teal; 4 * Long Tailed Tit; 2 * Mute Swan; 12 * Canada Goose; 8 * Tufted Duck; 2 * Great Crested Grebe; 5 * Black Headed Gull; 4 * Blackbird; 1 * Carrion Crow; 1 * Magpie; 1 * Wren; 1 * Mistle Thrush; 1 * Starling and 2 * Greylag Goose.

Lichens added were:- Xanthoria parietina; Punctelia subrudecta; Cladonia fimbriata; Physcia adscendens and Evernia prunastri.

Gorse; Common Whitlow Grass; Lesser Celandine; Chickweed and Dandelion agg were in flower and we also added some Shiny Woodlice (Oniscus asellus); a Walnut Orb Weaver (Nuctenea umbratica); 2 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 4 * Weevil (Andrion regensteinense) and 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).

We also saw a couple of Palmate Newts (Lissotriton helveticus) and a couple of Smooth Newts (Lissotriton vulgaris) - little dinosaurs of the woodland methinks.

Also identified was a Wood Ant (Formica lemani).

23rd February 2026 - Longford Park, Stretford, G. Manchester - After an absolute belting breakfast bap and Latte in Sale, a cycle and a quick mooch through this park was had. I didn't hang about, the weather was getting dull but I did record:- 4 * Magpie; 1 * House Sparrow; 1 * Great Tit; 1 * Blue Tit; 1 * Robin; 1 * Ring Necked Parakeet; 2 * Wood Pigeon; 1 * Starling; 1 * Blackbird and 1 * Carrion Crow.

Red Dead Nettle and Chickweed were in flower.

23rd February 2026 - Bridgewater Canal, Stratford, G. Manchester - A cycle with the head down and Sale the target. Along a short stretch of canal I had a walk and record a few birds:- 1 * Wren; 1 * Dunnock; 1 * Canada Goose; 1 * Mallard; 3 * Magpie; 1 * Goldcrest; 4 * Long Tailed Tit; 2 * Blackbird; 3 * House Sparrow; 2 * Wood Pigeon; 4 * Starling; 1 * Goldfinch and 5 * Feral Pigeon.

Pineappleweed was in flower.

9th February 2026 - Hough End Clough area, Chorlton, G. Manchester - A small but new area inspected, the few bird species seen were:- Carrion Crow; Greenfinch; Goldfinch; Grey Heron; Wood Pigeon; Magpie; Robin; Mallard; Common Gull; Black Headed Gull; Blackbird and Great Tit.

Hazel; Gorse and Groundsel were in flower, a few Landhoppers (Arcitalitrus dorrieni) were seen as well as Pendulous Sedge; White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); a few Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus) and the aging Galls:- Andricus lignicola; Andricus kollari agg and Andricus foecundatrix.

9th February 2026 - Alexandra Park, Moss Side, G. Manchester - A cycle and a short pootle. Birds seen were:- 2 * Lesser Black Backed Gull; 112 * Black Headed Gull; 4 * Common Gull; 2 * Wren; 17 * Tufted Duck; 20 * Mallard; 2 * Moorhen; 1 * Mute Swan; 2 * Coot; 2 * Robin; 1 * Song Thrush; 1 * Goosander; 3 * Dunnock; 2 * Siskin; 1 * Blue Tit; 1 * Great Tit; 1 * Cormorant plus a few Magpie; Redwing; Ring Necked Parakeet; Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Canada Goose and Feral Pigeon.

1 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); 2 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 4 * Garlic Snail (Oxychilus alliarius) and several White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) were added too.

8th February 2026 - Spike Island, Widnes, Cheshire - A very mild day and after the previous nights busy gig a stroll was needed. Birds noted along the way were:- 1 * Common Gull; 112 * Shelduck; 60 * Mallard; 15 * Moorhen; 19 * Coot; 5 * Gadwall; 14 * Cormorant; 23 * Tufted Duck; 11 * Oystercatcher; 1 * Curlew; 6 * Long Tailed Tit; 1 * Kestrel; 11 * Redshank; 2 * Great Tit; 7 * Blackbird; 10 * Mute Swan; 3 * Grey Heron; 18 * Teal; 2 * Robin; 1 * Song Thrush; 1 * Wren; 3 * Little Grebe; 1 * Dunnock; 1 * House Sparrow; 2 * Greenfinch; 6 * Goldfinch; 3 * Blue Tit; 1 * Reed Bunting; 2 * Pied Wagtail; plus plenty of Canada Geese; Feral Pigeons; Black Headed Gulls and the odd Great Black Backed Gull; Lesser Black Backed Gull and Herring Gull plus a few Carrion Crows; Wood Pigeons and Magpies.

Blooms picked out included:- Dandelion agg; Gorse; Common Whitlow Grass; Canadian Fleabane; Hazel; Thale Cress; Common Field Speedwell Chickweed; Daisy; Shepherd's Purse and Red Dead Nettle. We also added Wall Rue.

We saw a couple of Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) plus Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum); 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 1 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); 1 * Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens) and 10 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus).

The only galls seen were old specimens of:- Andricus kollari agg and Diplolepis rosae.

7th February 2026 - Moss Bank Park, Bolton, Lancashire - A short pre-gig walk, we didn't see much but the few things we did see we recorded. The few birds seen were:- 1 * Song Thrush; 2 * Blackbird; 1 * Robin; 1 * Magpie; 1 * Treecreeper and a few Black Headed Gulls.

Winter Heliotrope was in flower and we also added 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); plenty of Landhoppers (Arcitalitrus dorrieni); a Leopard Slug (Limax maximus); a White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); a few Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus) and Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber) and the Lichens:- Ramalina farinicae; Xanthoria parietina; Punctelia subrudecta; Hypotrachyna afrorevoluta and Evernia prunastri.

3 old Galls were added:- Andricus lignicola; Andricus kollari agg and Andricus foecundatrix.

It was nice to find 2 New Zealand Flatworms (Arthurdendyus triangulatus) too although they are an invasive and destructive species.

6th February 2026 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - Working week done, a cycle and a coffee and a nip through this park. More trees were being cut down, more fiddling without looking at micro habitat - I didn't hang about, the mere thought of this idiot vandalism depresses me. Alas the zombies on the phone won't notice.

A nice fungus was noted, a Smooth Newt and Wood Avens in flower plus:- 26 * Mallard; 3 * Black Headed Gull; 2 * Magpie; 1 * Canada Goose; 3 * Moorhen; 2 * Coot; 3 * Robin; 3 * Great Tit; 1 * Blackbird; 3 * Blue Tit and 1 * Coal Tit.

2nd February 2026 - Wythenshawe Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A cycle, a walk around this park with a midway coffee. A cold day but insects recorded were:- 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 5 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Ground Beetle (Platyderus depressus) and 1 * Ground Beetle (Leistus fulvibarbis).

Birds counted today were:- 19 * Magpie; 4 * Ring Necked Pararkeet; 4 * Robin; 4 * Wood Pigeon; 39 * Carrion Crow; 2 * Jackdaw; 2 * Blackbird; 2 * Goldcrest; 4 * Feral Pigeon; 1 * Nuthatch; 1 * Great Tit; 1 * Long Tailed Tit; 29 * Common Gull; 5 * Black Headed Gull; 25 * Siskin; 1 * Goldfinch; 2 * Blue Tit; 1 * Song Thrush; 2 * Mallard; 1 * Jay and 1 * Wren;

I also spied 5 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); a Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); a Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); a Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens); a Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum) and a Walnut Orb Weaver (Nuctenea umbratica).

Groundsel; Daisy and Red Dead Nettle were the only blooms noted.

A few old galls added were:- Andricus foecundatrix; Andricus kollari agg; Andricus aries; Andricus inflator; Andricus lignicola and Taxomyia taxi.

1st February 2026 - Blackleach CP, Salford, G. Manchester - A new month but tired, demotivated and with lots to do. The rain was falling and we just had a terse walk before going for a coffee and to do the shopping. Birds were fed and those recorded were:- 1 * Great Spotted Woodpecker; 6 * Magpie; 2 * Carrion Crow; 3 * Wood Pigeon; 3 * Moorhen; 4 * Blue Tit; 2 * Great Tit; 3 * Blackbird; 3 * Robin; 4 * Dunnock; 27 * Black Headed Gull; 14 * Mute Swan; 5 * Gadwall; 2 * Goosander; 15 * Tufted Duck; 1 * Song Thrush; 3 * Collared Dove; 4 * Starling; 3 * Long Tailed Tit plus plenty of Canada Geese; Mallards and Coots.

Gorse was the only bloom seen and the Lichen (Physcia adscendens) was noted as well as a brace of Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) queens.

26th January 2026 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A cycle into town for some low-sugar chocolate and a coffee and then a walk down the Mersey on a quite day. Birds counted without using the bins were:- 23 * Mallard; 7 * Magpie; 4 * Wood Pigeon; 1 * Goldcrest; 11 * Feral Pigeon; 3 * Grey Wagtail; 2 * Blue Tit; 2 * Kingfisher; 2 * Robin; 2 * Dipper; 1 * Wren; 11 * Long Tailed Tit; 3 * Moorhen; 3 * Goosander; 3 * Cormorant; 1 * Blackbird; 23 * Black Headed Gull; 2 * Great Tit; 7 * Carrion Crow; 47 * Canada Goose and 1 * Grey Heron.

Groundsel was in flower and I recorded the Mosses:- Grimmia pulvinata and Tortula muralis.

19th January 2026 - Ladybrook Cycleway, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few fungi on a very short mooch and 2 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); plenty of Landhoppers (Arcitalitrus dorrieni); 3 * Song Thrush; 1 * Dunnock; 5 * Ring Necked Pararkeet; 1 * Grey Heron; 3 * Robin; 3 * Blackbird; 1 * House Sparrow; 2 * Wood Pigeon; 1 * Blue Tit and 1 * Great Tit.

I also recorded Elegant Bristle Moss (Orthotrichum pulchellum) and Hart's Tongue Fern.

18th January 2026 - Hob Hey Woods, Frodsham, Cheshire - A meet-up with local patcher and top gent Mark O' Sullivan in weather best classed as 'bilge'. Fungi were the main focus but I did record:- Shiny; Rough and Striped Woodlouse and a few bird species, namely:- Reed Bunting; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; House Sparrow; Great Tit; Redwing and Blackbird.

Gorse and Dandelion agg were in flower and the Lichens seen included:- Physcia adscendens; Physcia aipolia; Xanthoria parietina; Parmotrema perlatum and Punctelia subrudecta. 2 old Galls noted were:- Andricus foecundatrix and Andricus lignicola.

Also added was the Springtail (Dicyrtomina ornata).

17th January 2026 - Davyhulme Park, Trafford, G. Manchester - A pre-footy potter after some lunch in a cafe. A small urban park but we did record:- 6 * Moorhen; 1 * Blackbird; 4 * Mallard; 2 * Magpie; 1 * Carrion Crow; 2 * Blue Tit and 1 * Wood Pigeon.

Groundsel and Daisy were in flower, we saw a Grey Squirrel and a few fungi too. It all counts.

13th January 2026 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short pootle after getting soaked on the bike. A few fungi and a few Lichens:- Xanthoria parietina; Physcia aipolia; Evernia prunastri and Physcia adscendens.

The only birds I recorded were:- 1 * Bullfinch; 3 * Robin; 4 * Great Tit; 2 * Blue Tit; 1 * Long Tailed Tit; 4 * Blackbird and 3 * Carrion Crow.

I also spied 4 * Leopard Slug (Limax maximus); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus niger).

9th January 2026 - Fletcher Moss, Didsbury, G. Manchester - A dreary time of year and due to many factors, the motivation has dipped. Whilst heading home I did note a Blue Tit; Great Tit; Jay, Magpie and Carrion Crow plus a few Robins; 2 * Ring Necked Parakeet; 8 * Long Tailed Tit and 10 * Goldfinch.

Lesser Celandine was in flower and under a few logs I noted:- 8 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 1 * Leopard Slug (Limax maximus); 3 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); a White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) and a big fat Common Toad (Bufo bufo).

Also seen was the Ground Beetle (Pterostichus nigrita/rhaeticus agg) and the Rove Beetle (Ocypus brunnipes).

5th January 2026 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - After popping for some veg and a coffee I set off back home through this local area. A chat with a lovely lady feeding the birds, a short wander and I saw:- 2 * Chaffinch; 1 * Jay; 1 * Great Spotted Woodpecker; 2 * Carrion Crow; 2 * Wood Pigeon; 2 * Robin; 1 * Long Tailed Tit; 1 * Blue Tit; 2 * Great Tit; 2 * Blackbird; 1 * Nuthatch; 1 * Coal Tit; 1 * Song Thrush; 2 * Magpie; 2 * Dunnock; 6 * Mallard; 5 * Coot and 13 * Moorhen.

I also saw a Leopard Slug (Limax maximus) and 3 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis).

4th January 2026 - Greenway Bank, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire - A good circular walk, around the upper areas and The Serpentine we saw a few birds:- Jackdaw; Pied Wagtail; Black Headed Gull; Carrion Crow; Redwing; Treecreeper; Robin; Wood Pigeon; Coal Tit; Goldcrest; Blue Tit; Great Tit; Goldfinch; Blackbird; House Sparrow; Robin; Wood Pigeon; Nuthatch and 3 * Little Egret.

We also saw a 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and the LIchen (Punctelia subrudecta).

Around Knypersley Reservoir we clocked up more bird species:- plenty of Coots; Black Headed Gulls; Cormorants and Mallards plus 30 * Tufted Duck; 7 * Coal Tit; 10 * Goosander; 1 * Treecreeper; 1 * Dunnock; 1 * Wren; 1 * Marsh Tit and fair numbers of Blue Tit; Moorhen; Blackbird; Wood Pigeon; Robin as well as the odd Nuthatch; Canada Goose and Lesser Black Backed Gull. A couple of strange Muscovy Ducks were also in the mix.