1st June 2025 -  Reddish Vale, Stockport, G. Manchester - The first day on blood pressure tablets, such is life. We had shopping to do and so only a very short walk was taken before we hit the suppermarket, headed home and caught up on many fronts. The weather was threating again but we avoided the deluge once again.

Insects recorded were:- 3 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 56 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 36 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii) 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila frabriciana); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 2 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * Green Oak Roller (Tortrix viridana); 2 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * White Tailed Bee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 2 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa germanica); 2 * Forest Shieldbug nymphs (Pentatoma rufipes); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 1 * Tachinid Fly (Phyllomya volvulus); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 3 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Marsh Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus).

Blooms recorded were:- Common Comfrey agg; Broom; Red Campion; Meadow Buttercup; Ground Elder; Bramble agg; Common Nettle; Creeping Buttercup; Wood Avens; Multi-Flowered Rose; Dame's Violet; Ribwort Plantain; Cow Parsley; Bush Vetch; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Common Mouse Ear; White Clover; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Yellow Rattle; Red Clover; Great Burnet; Common Bistort; Japanese Rose; Yellow Flag Iris and Redshank.

Carrion Crow; Robin and a Song Thrush were the only birds seen and we saw an Amber Snail (Succinea putris) and Crested Dog's-Tail Grass.

The only Galls seen were:- Macrodiplosis pustularus; Eupontania pedunculi; Andricus kollari and Trioza remota.

31st May 2025 - Bowling Green Farm Recreation Ground, Winwick, Warrington, Cheshire - A park up and a snack. My good lady had a read and I walked the circuit of this small area. Insects seen were:- 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum): 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 3 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 4 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella pellucens); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) and 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus).

Blooms listed were:- Daisy; White Clover; Meadow Buttercup; Creeping Buttercup; Ribwort Plantain; Elder; Red Dogwood; Bramble agg; Multi-Flowered Rose; Cow Parsley; Creeping Thistle; Lesser Stitchwort; Dandelion agg; Common Sorrel and Cuckooflower.

Galls seen included:- Eriophyes similis; Phyllocoptes eupadi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax and Taphrina pruni.

The only birds noted were:- Starling; Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow and Magpie.

26th May 2025 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - A coffee acquired, I made my way homeward but got distracted by invertebrates. No great effort was put in but I still managed to record:- 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis livida); 1 * Mirid Bug (Cyllecoris histrionius); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricula); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 18 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Marsh Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 2 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 5 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 14 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 18 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 7 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 12 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 6 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 5 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 4 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella);1 * Grey Patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida); 2 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 2 * Mirid Bug (Closterotomus trivialis); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Hoverfly (Anasimyia contracta); 1 * Saw-Fly (Eutomostethus ephippium); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis arbustorum); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 7 * Mirid Bug (Phylus melanocephalus); 1 * Saw Fly (Tenthredo atra) and 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).

3 Galls listed were on Alder:- Acalitus brevitarsus; Eriophyes inangulis and Taphrina tosquinetii and I also added the Lime gall (Contarinia tiliarum).

Greater Spearwort and Marsh Thistle were in fine flower.

26th May 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A brisk walk, some short jogging up and down an incline, the hernia says 'take it easy' - and so I did. Along the way I saw a few insects:- 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus hybridus); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis arbustorum); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula) and 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).

A Blackcap sat up singing, a Song Thrush mooched in the shade, a female Goosander floated by with 2 ducklings, 3 Mandarins had 20 young in tow, a few Mallard escorted 6 young un's, 5 Swifts sliced through the air along with 9 Sand Martins and a Grey Wagtail flew over the water.

25th May 2025 - Highfield CP, Levenshulme, G. Manchester - Another walk led with the wind blowing and the crowds posing suspicious threat. We avoided the rain, the people in attendance were lovely, we finished with a coffee and a short pootle back to the car which added a couple of extra species.

The 60 insects that were were unafraid of the dubious weather were:- 1 * Common Sedge Sawfly (Selandria serva); 3 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 1 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 2 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 2 * Black Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus cristatus); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 13 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 2 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 3 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 4 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis); 4 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 2 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 4 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Forest Shieldbug nymph (Pentatoma rufipes); 4 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 3 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 6 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 3 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 5 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 8 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Dark Barred Tortrix (Syndemis musculana); 4 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Leafhopper (Eupteryx atropunctata); 3 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Weevil (Polydrusus formosus); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Leafhopper (Oncopsis subangulata); 2 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 9 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 5 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus madidus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Neolygus contaminatus); 1 * Lacehopper (Tachycixius pilosus) and 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema holsata) plus Small Tortoiseshell larva (Aglais urticae); 1 * Orange Tip larva (Anthocharis cardamines); and 1 * Comma larva (Polygonia c-album).

The 17 Galls listed were:- Protomyces macrosporus; Phytoptus avellanae; Aceria erinea; Eupontania pedunculi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Trioza remota; Andricus curvator; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Macrodiplosis pustularis; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Neuroterus numismalis; Andricus quadrilineatus; Phyllocoptes eupadi; Dasineura fraxini; Taphrina pruni and Rabdophaga marginemtorquens.

The 6 bird species seen were:- Bullfinch; Magpie; Jay; Goldcrest; Carrion Crow and Wood Pigeon.

The 50 flowers in bloom were:- Meadow Vetchling; Goat's-Beard; Dandelion agg; Common Knotgrass; Large Bindweed; Wood Avens; Horse Radish; Creeping Buttercup; Herb Robert; Common Nettle; Goosegrass; Meadow Buttercup; Dog Rose sp; Cow Parsley; Bittersweet; Elder; Bush Vetch; Hogweed; Red Clover; Bramble agg; Ribwort Plantain; Common Vetch; Rape; Shepherd's Purse; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Broad Leaved Dock; White Clover; Silverweed; Redshank; Fox and Cubs; Dame's Violet; Yellow-Rattle; Ox-Eye Daisy; Red Campion; Common Comfrey agg; Hedge Woundwort; Rowan; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Tufted Vetch; Garlic Mustard; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Ragged Robin; Yellow Flag Iris; Salad Burnet; Geulder Rose; Welsh Poppy; Common Vetch; Ground Elder and Black Medick.

The 15 other species added to the list were:- Red Dogwood; Silver Birch; Hawthorn; Hazel; Ash and Cock's-Foot Grass as well as Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Garlic Snail (Oxychilus alliarius); Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); the Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); the Harvestman (Rilaena triangularus); the Lichen (Xanthoria parietina) and White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger).

Along with 7 fungi the end tally was 155 species.

24th May 2025 - Appleton Meadows and Woodland/Grappleton Wall Gardens, Cheshire - Another walk for Green Angels/The Land Trust. The weather was set to be unpredictable but we did just fine and avoided any rain. The lists of species seen today came in two batches, before lunch around the meadows and woodland, and after lunch around the walled gardens.

Part one, and the 55 insects seen were:- 1 * Dusted Fir Moth (Pammene ochsenheimeriana); 1 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus tomentosus); 5 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 1 * Hoverfly (Merodon equestris); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rufa); 16 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 9 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 2 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 3 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Urophora jaceana); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Saw-Fly (Eutomostethus ephippium); 1 * Cream Spot Ladybird (Calvia quattuordecimguttata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 2 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 7 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 4 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 1 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 2 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Wasp Beetle (Clytus arietis); 1 * White Barred Gold Moth (Micropterix aruncella); 2 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 2 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 2 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 1 * Mirid Bug nymph (Heterotoma planicornis); 1 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 1 * Weevil (Polydrusus formosus); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 2 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 15 * Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 5 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Black Tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum); 1 * Scorpion Fly (Panorpa communis); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 2 * Tephrid Fly (Urophora stylata) and 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Lime Aphid (Eucallipterus tiliae); 1 * Bramble Sawfly (Arge cyanocrocea) plus 1 * Vapourer larvae (Orgyia antiqua).

The 24 flowers noted in bloom were:- Common Nettle; Bramble agg; Meadow Buttercup; Daisy; Creeping Buttercup; Wood Avens; Goosegrass; Dandelion agg; Ox-Eye Daisy; White Clover; Red Clover; Herb Robert; Ribwort Plantain; Common Sorrel; Bird's Foot Trefoil; Elder; Red Campion; Cow Parsley; Shepherd's Purse; Common Field Speedwell; Pineappleweed; Thale Cress; Hogweed and Yellow Flag Iris.

12 Galls thrown into the mix were:- Eupontania pedunculi; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Eriophyes leiosoma; Trioza remota; Andricus curvator; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Biorhiza pallida; Acalitus stenaspis; Macrodiplosis pustularis; Contarinia tiliarum and Phytoptus tetratrichus.

9 others were also added were:- Cock's-Foot Grass; Quaking Grass; Bracken; White Legged Snake Millipede; Shiny Woodice; Striped Woodlice; White Lipped Banded Snail; Green Cellar Slug and 2 * Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis).

The 10 bird species added were:- Robin; Blackbird; Wood Pigeon; Magpie; Mallard; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Grey Heron and Buzzard.

With 3 fungi thrown in to the first part the end tally was 113 species.

Part two - a short mooch around the gardens produced a few insects:- 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 5 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Crane-Fly (Ptychoptera contaminata); 5 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 1 * Forest Shieldbug nymph (Pentotoma rufipes); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota sylvarum); 1 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 1 * Hoverfly (Rhingia campestris); 2 * Nettle Tap (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Hoverfly (Sericomyia silentis); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 4 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 3 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Snouted Duck Fly (Anasimyia lineata) and 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius).

The new flowers in bloom for the day were:- Procumbent Pearlwort; Groundsel; Lesser Trefoil; Greater Celandine and Pendulous Sedge in seed.

We also added 2 * Canada Goose with two goslings, a Coot with a couple of young un's and a Black Headed Gull plus the Galls (Neuroterus numismalis) and (Eriophyes inangulis).

With the latter walk producing 28 new species plus 2 additional fungi the days tally was 143 species.

23rd May 2025 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - Walking to and from work, the few species recorded were:- 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysogaster solstitialis); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) and 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus).

2 Galls listed were:- Contarinia tiliarum and Phytoptus tetratrichus.

23rd May 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - 1 * Mandarin; 2 * Herring Gull; 2 * Kingfisher; 1 * Buzzard and 7 * Lesser Black Backed Gull were the birds recorded on a short stretch and and from work. Insects seen were:- 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 9 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) and 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Multiflowered Rose was in glorious flower.

21st May 2025 - Paddington Meadows, Warrington, Cheshire - Me and the missus like these walks, it is great to catch up with some lovely folk, lead the way and hopefully add a few new species to the site, we are looked after too - bonus.

My good lady kept the blooms list, it was made up of 55 species:- Hemlock Water Dropwort; Yellow Water Lily; Angelica; Foxglove; Cowslip; Hawthorn; Silverweed; Creeping Cinquefoil; Pineappleweed; Multiflowered Rose; Spanish Bluebell; Germander Speedwell; Wood Avens; Garlic Mustard; Ground Elder; Horse Radish; Common Bistort; Hogweed; White Dead Nettle; Dandelion agg; Meadow Buttercup; Hairy Tare; Common Mouse Ear; Elder; Ox-Eye Daisy; Bladder Campion; Goosegrass; Comfrey agg; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Hedge Mustard; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Common Knapweed; Common Vetch; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Gorse; Red Clover; Cuckooflower; Red Dogwood; Red Campion; Yellow Flag Iris; Common Sorrel; Common Nettle; White Clover; Cow Parsley; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Green Alkanet; Daisy; Common Corn Salad; Herb Robert; Common Poppy; Creeping Buttercup; Dog Rose agg; Broad Leaved Dock; Scarlet Pimpernel and Ribwort Plantain.

The 87 insects counted were:- 1 * Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * Ichneumon Wasp (Amblyteles armatorius); 1 * Leafhopper (Oncopsis flavicollis);1 * Clouded Wormwood Fly (Oxyna parietina); 1 * Leafhopper (Eupteryx atropunctata); 1 * Hairy Footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 8 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 13 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 4 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 10 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 8 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 2 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 8 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Hoverfly (Syritta pipiens); 5 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 4 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 4 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 3 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 8 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Hydrothassa marginella); 1 * Hoverfly (Merodon equestris); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 7 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 5 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 8 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 5 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Meadow Crane's-Bill Weevil (Zacladus geranii); 1 * Common Nettle Ground Bug (Heterogaster urticae); 4 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 2 * Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 10 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 2 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 2 * Weevil (Liophloeus tessulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Murky-Legged Black Legionnaire (Beris chalybata); 3 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 1 * Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 1 * Meadow Longhorn Moth (Cauchas rufimitrella); 1 * Hook-Streak Grass Veneer (Crambus lathoniellus); 2 * Marsh Snipe-Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis livida); 3 * Timothy Tortrix (Aphelia paleana); 1 * Crane-Fly (Ptychoptera contaminata); 1 * Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata); 2 * Ground Beetle (Demetrias atricapillus); 4 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa); 1 * White Barred Gold Moth (Micropterix aruncella); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 1 * Garden Straw Moth (Agapeta hamana); 6 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 2 * Mirid Bug (Leptopterna dolabrata); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia albitarsus agg); 1 * Thistle Lace Bug (Tingis ampliata); 2 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 5 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 3 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 2 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta); 1 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 1 * Pea Weevil (Sitona agg); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Chaetostomella cylindrica) and 2 * Hoverfly (Parhelophilus sp) plus 2 * Small Tortoiseshell larvae (Aglais urticae) and 1 * Orange Tip larva (Anthocharis cardamines).

The 7 Galls noted were:- Trioza remota; Eupontania pedunculi; Euura proxima; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Dasineura ulmaria; Andricus curvator and Neuroterus numismalis.

The only other 5 things spied were:- Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis); Amber Snail; White Legged Snake Millipede; Common Horse-Tail and Pendulous Sedge.

The bird list was made up of 15 species only:- House Sparrow; Pheasant; Goldfinch; Mallard; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Blackbird; Great Tit; Bullfinch; Mute Swan plus Reed Bunting; Greenfinch; Cetti's Warbler; Garden Warbler and Blackcap on call.

With 5 fungi listed the end tally was 174 species - better than a kick up the arse.

19th May 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A trip to the theatre loomed so I had to stay close to home. A walk down the river was had in uncertain weather. Insects seen were:- 1 * Black Soldier Fly (Odontomyia tigrina); 1 * Cereal Fly (Opomyza germinationis); 4 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Chaetostomella cylindrica); 1 * Thistle Lace Bug (Tingis ampliata); 1 * Slender Robber Fly (Leptogaster cylindrica); 3 * Mirid Bug (Closterotomus trivialis); 2 * Potato Leafhopper (Eupteryx aurata); 1 * Saw-Fly (Eutomostethus ephippium); 5 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 16 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 4 * White Barred Gold Moth (Micropterix aruncella); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 3 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans); 6 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 2 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 6 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 3 * Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis trigramma); 4 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 4 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 9 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Parethelcus pollinarius); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 3 * Murky-Legged Black Legionnaire (Beris chalybata); 2 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 7 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 4 * Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 5 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 2 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Crane-Fly (Ptychoptera contaminata); 5 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 2 * Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis); 3 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 6 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); Common Swift (Korscheltellus lupulina); 1 * Silver Grass Miner Moth (Elachista argentella); 6 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 6 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 1 * Blood-Vein Moth (Timandra comae); 1 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 2 * Hoverfly (Anasimyia contracta); 1 * Siver Y (Autographa gamma); 1 * Weevil (Polydrusus formosus); 1 * Silver Ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata); 1 * Soldier Fly (Chloromyia formosa); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 1 * Hook-Streak Grass Veneer (Crambus lathoniellus); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens) plus 2 Speckled Wood larvae (Pararge aegeria).

Birds noted down included:- Mallard (*13 plus young); Canada Goose (*7); Carrion Crow (*1); Blackbird (*7); Goldfinch (*1); Grey Heron (*2); Magpie (*8); Chiffchaff (*1); Wood Pigeon (*11); Feral Pigeon (*1); Mandarin Duck (*4); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*2); Wren (*1); Common Whitethroat (*1); Swift (*2); Greenfinch (*1); Grey Wagtail (*1) and Song Thrush (*1).

Blooms listed were:- Meadow Vetchling; Honesty; Large Bindweed; Hedge Mustard; Yellow Rattle; Common Sorrel; Red Clover; Hawthorn; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Spanish Bluebell; Germander Speedwell; Broom; Hairy Tare; Hogweed; Wood Avens; Dame's Violet; Common Nettle; Creeping Buttercup; Red Campion; Meadow Buttercup; Ground Elder; Ribwort Plantain; Goosegrass; Bramble agg; Ramsons; Garlic Mustard; Herb Robert; Elder; Creeping Conquefoil; Horse Radish; Tufted Vetch; Broad Leaved Willowherb; Dog Rose sp; Bush Vetch; Japanese Rose; Dandelion agg; Yellow Flag Iris; Hedgerow Crane's-Bill; Ox-Eye Daisy; Greater Celandine; Creeping Thistle; Rape; Broad Leaved Dock and Comfrey agg.

Galls added included:- Andricus kollari; Neuroterus numismalis; Aceria exilis; Eupontania peduncili; Psyllopsis fraxini agg; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Aceria fraxinivora; Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes tiliae and Phytoptus avellanae.

A White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) was added.

18th May 2025 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - After two gigs the last couple of nights the afternoon was spent lazing in the garden Whilst there I saw singles of:- Small White (Pieris rapae); Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata); Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) and White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg).

17th May 2025 - Stalybridge CP, Tameside - A morning meander around the weaving paths of this quiet area. We saw a few insects, these were:- 1 * Crane-Fly (Cylindrotoma distinctissima); 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia albitarsus agg); 1 * Thistle Lace Bug (Tingis ampliata); 3 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema holsata); 3 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 3 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 14 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 1 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica); 1 * May Fly (Ephemera vulgata); 1 * Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 4 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 4 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 5 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 3 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Golden Bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 3 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 3 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata); 2 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum arcuatum); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1 * Hoverfly (Sericomyia silentis); 1 * Sawfly (Aglaostigma fulvipes); 1 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Heather Beetle (Lochmaea suturalis); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 3 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 1 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis) plus 1 * comma larva (Polygonia c-album) and 3 * Small Tortoiseshell larvae (Aglais urticae).

The few Galls recorded were:- Eriophyes inangulis; Macrodiplosis pustularis; Andricus curvator; Trioza remota; Phyllocoptes eupadi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Acalitus stenaspis and Eriophyes sorbi.

The few birds seen without bins were:- Wood Pigeon; Jackdaw; Starling; Robin; Magpie; Long Tailed Tit and Blackbird.

Blooms listed were:- Marsh Marigold; Large Bittercress; Pink Purslane; Common Bistort; Greater Stitchwort; Rowan; Common Nettle; Hedge Mustard; Red Clover; Herb Robert; Red Campion; Guelder Rose; Garlic Mustard; Tormentil; Ribwort Plantain; Yellow Flag Iris; Creeping Buttercup; Common Sorrel; Bush Vetch; Meadow Buttercup; Cow Parsley; Dandelion agg; Wood Avens and Hogweed.

The only other species listed were:- Wood and Field Horsetails.

15th May 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few species as I neared home. 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) and 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).

3 young Long Tailed Tits were seen too.

12th May 2025 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - I was going to try and et on the bike today and go further afield but the area where I had the hernia op was numb and slightly twinging - I stayed local and had a walk down the street and grabbed a coffee and then just checked some waste ground nearby and the tiny park. Insects seen were:- 1 * Rove Beetle (Stenus similis); 2 * Ground Beetle (Demetrias atricapillus); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 2 * Common Damsel Bug (Nabis rugosus); 1 * Parent Bug (Elasmucha grisea); 3 * Thistle Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Hook-Streak Grass Veneer (Crambus lathoniellus); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 3 * Dagger Fly (Empis trigrammma); 7 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 43 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 2 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 2 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 11 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus glaber); 2 * White Barred Gold Moth (Micropterix aruncella); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Black Headed Conch Moth (Cochylis atricapitana); 7 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 3 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Bishop's Mitre Bug (Aelia acuminata); 2 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 1 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 26 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 6 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 10 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 4 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 2 * Mirid Bug (Capsus ater); 9 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 3 * Silver Grass Miner Moth (Elachista argentella); 1 * Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) and a first instar Roesel's Bush Cricket (Roeseliana roeselii) plus several Viburnum Leaf Beetle larvae (Pyrrhalta viburni); a Small Tortoiseshell larva (Aglais urticae) and 1 Burnet Moth Larvae (Zygaena sp).

The blooms that added colour and texture were:- Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Red Campion; Groundsel; Sticky Mouse Ear; Herb Robert; Bird Cherry; Shepherd's Purse; Garlic Mustard; Sycamore; Common Mouse Ear; Dame's Violet; Hairy Tare; Hogweed; Ribwort Plantain; Common Vetch; Broom; gorse; Goosegrass; Hawthorn; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Bush Vetch; Red Clover; Wood Avens; Creeping Cinquefoil; Ox-Eye Daisy; Elder; Common Knapweed; Daisy; Lesser Trefoil; Dog Rose sp; Cuckooflower; Germander Speedwell; Slender Speedwell; Bramble agg and in a nearby street Thale Cress and Scarlet Pimpernel.

10th May 2025 - Newton Le Willows FC, Merseyside - After a coffee we arrived at a new footy ground. It was a grand set up and of course we spied a bit of wildlife whilst seeing the home team easily win 3-0. Blooms noted were:- Greater Periwinkle; Rose Garlic; Hawthorn; Dandelion agg; Creeping Buttercup; Ground Elder; Holly; Bramble agg; Goosegrass; Spotted Dead Nettle; Spanish Bluebell; Greater Celandine; Daisy; Sycamore; Rape; Comfrey agg; Pineappleweed and Ribwort Plantain. Common Nettle was almost in flower too.

Insects seen were:- 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis) and 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella).

We also added:- Jackdaw; Wood Pigeon; Dunnock; House Sparrow; Blackbird; Buzzard; Collared Dove and Lesser Black Backed Gull plus the Gall (Cecidophyes rouhollahi) and some Cock's-Foot Grass.

10th May 2025 - Moore NR, Cheshire - It had been a while since we had visted Moore, it was very warm and we were only able to do a half day as we had another footy game planned.

Odds and sods included:- Common Club Rush; Sweet Vernal Grass; Cock's-Foot Grass; Field Horse-Tail; and the Galls:- Trioza remota; Andricus curvator; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Macrodiplosis pustularis;and Chirosia betuleti.

Insects were not happy in the rising heat but we did see:- 1 * Saw Fly (Nematus lucidus); 2 * Crane-Fly (Ptychoptera contaminata); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus peltatus s.l.); 1 * Lacehopper (Tachycixius pilosus); 1 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis rufa); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha limbata); 3 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 2 * Soldier Beetle (Cantharis nigricans); 4 * Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Hydrothassa marginella); 4 * Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa); 4 * Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata); 1 * Water Ladybird (Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Rhingia rostrata); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 2 * Rhopalid Bug (Rhopalus subrufus); 5 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 3 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 3 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 10 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis); 5 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 10 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 6 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis trigramma); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 1 * Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae); 3 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Weevil (Polydrusus formosus); 2 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Common Blue (Polyomattus icarus); 2 * Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 2 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 2 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 5 * Wood Rush Moth (Glyphipterix fuscoviridella) plus several Viburnum Leaf Beetle larvae (Pyrrhalta viburni) and 1 * Dun-Bar larva (Cosmia trapezina).

Blooms listed were:- Green Alkanet; Meadow Saxifrage; Welsh Poppy; Lesser Celandine; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Wild Strawberry; Hogweed; Herb Robert; Ground Ivy; Goosegrass; Ox-Eye Daisy; Broom; Gorse; Cow Parsley; White Dead Nettle; Bulbous Buttercup; Salad Burnet; White Clover; Hairy Tare; Lesser Trefoil; Bluebell; Guelder Rose; Hawthorn; Red Clover; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Common Vetch; Comfrey agg; Silverweed; Daisy; Cut Leaved Crane's-Bill; Germander Speedwell; Ribwort Plantain; Cuckooflower; Creeping Buttercup; Wood Avens; Garlic Mustard; Dandelion agg; Bramble agg and Red Campion.

We couldn't be bothered to carry our binoculars again, the birds seen were:- Dunnock; Cormorant; Greenfinch; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Wood Pigeon; Cetti's Warbler; Common Whitethroat; Gadwall; Mallard; Grey Heron; Blue Tit; Blackbird; Chaffinch; Tufted Duck; Coot; Carrion Crow; Magpie and Feral Pigeon plus Blackcap; Willow Warbler; Wren; Pheasant and Chiffchaff on call.

9th May 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - I planned to finish the working week with some bug hunting, instead I just marched striaght home, I was rather jaded. A different route was taken, the arsonists had knackered it but I did see:- 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera).

3 * Starling; 1 * Blackbird and 1 * Wood Pigeon were the only birds but in truth, I was too tired to look.

8th May 2024 - Heald Green Village Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - Another visit to help with the Signpost Carers Group - a fine bunch of folk with brews and dishes done and some good chats had.  I had a short break walked around the edge of a local field, I duly recorded:- 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 5 * Mirid Bug (Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 3 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) and 1 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica).

Blooms listed were:- Creeping Buttercup; Bramble agg; Daisy; Meadow Buttercup; Dandelion agg; Cow Parsley; Goosegrass; Common Nettle; Meadow Crane's-Bill; Common Vetch; Spanish Bluebell; Ribwort Plantain; Cuckooflower; Hawthorn; Horse Chestnut; Yellow Flag Iris; Pendulous Sedge; Wood Avens; Rowan and Bush Vetch.

The only Galls seen were:- Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Eriophyes similis; Mikiola fagi; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum and Trioza remota.

Birdlife was made up of:- Carrion Crow (*1); Jackdaw (*1); Starling (*24) and Wood Pigeon (*2).

7th May 2025 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A Buttercup Leaf Beetle (Hydrothassa marginella) was on Creeping Buttercup leaves - it could be one I released. Germander Speedwell was looking splendid and a Large White (Pieris brassicae) was seen laying eggs on an Honesty seed case.

7th May 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - I finished work early and spent a couple of hours in a small grassland and a hedgerow near the river. It wasn't a sunny day but I did see a few insects:- 1 * Hoverfly (Rhingia campestris); 2 * Meadow Crane's-Bill Weevil (Zacladus geranii); 2 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Weevil (Coelositona cambricus); 2 * Silver Grass Miner Moth (Elachista argentella); 32 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 12 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 2 * Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Sawfly (Pachyprotasis rapae); 4 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis trigramma); 1 * Common Marble Moth (Celypha lacunana); 3 * Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata); 2 * Weevil (Rhinoncus pericarpius); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Snipe Fly (Rhagio scolopaceus); 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 11 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Weevil (Apion frumentarium); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 3 * Pea Weevil (Sitona sp); 2 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Green Lacewing (Chrysopa perla); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 4 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 3 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum); 1 * Swollen Thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 1 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus tomentosus); 5 * Crane-Fly (Tipula vernalis) and 1 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea).

The flowers showing in this small area were:- Bush Vetch; Cowslip; Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Ribwort Plantain; Creeping Buttercup; Lesser Celandine; Meadow Buttercup; Hogweed; Red Clover; Comfrey agg; Cuckooflower; Fringecups; Herb Robert; Elder; Hawthorn; Greater Celandine; Red Campion; Wood Avens; Ramsons; Dame's Violet; Rape; White Dead Nettle; Bramble agg and Broad Leaved Dock.

The only birds spied were:- Mallard (*4 plus a nest with 3 eggs); 1 * Goldfinch; 2 * Blackbird; 1 * Wren and a Kingfisher.

Also added 2* Spider (Microlinyphia pusilla).

Further along the river I spotted:- 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines) and 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

6th May 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Walking to work - Creeping Cinquefoil and Horse Radish were now in flower.  As I pondered the flowers a Dunnock watched me closely - wonderful birds they be!

Walking home and in the orchard were:- 4 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) whilst further along at the side of the river I saw a Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); another Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); a Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Ground Elder in flower.

5th May 2025 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - A coffee, a potter, another coffee and another potter and home for 12.45. Insects seen on a cooler day were:- 1 * Grass Fly (Chlorops pumilionis); 1 * Lacehopper (Tachycixius pilosus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Dryophilocoris flavoquadrimaculatus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lunata); 2 * Murky-Legged Black Legionnaire (Beris chalybata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema calcarata); 3 * Crane-Fly (Ptychoptera albimana); 1 * Ground Beetle (Demetrias atricapillus); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula varipennis); 5 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 2 * Grey Patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 5 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 12 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Hoverfly (Anasimyia lineata); 5 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 3 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 1 * Nettle Pollen Beetle (Brachypterus urticae); 1 * Leaf Beetle (Hydrothassa marginella); 3 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 4 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 4 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 8 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Water Ladybird (Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 1 * Hoverfly (Xylota segnis); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 3 * Malachite Beetle (Malachius bipustulatus); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus hybridus); 2 * Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 1 * Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) plus plenty of Alder Leaf Beetles (Agelastica alni).

Galls noted were:- Eriophyes leiosoma; Eriophyes sorbi; Eriophyes exilis; Blennocampa phyllocolpa; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Neuroterus numismalis; Trioza remota; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Andricus curvator; Eriophyes similis and Acalitus stenaspis.

Flowers in bloom were:- Common Nettle; Ramsons; Garlic Mustard; Herb Robert; Nipplewort; Bramble agg; Creeping Buttercup; Meadow Buttercup; Wood Avens; Cow Parsley; Horse Chestnut; Ribwort Plantain; Dandelion agg; Cuckooflower; Common Vetch; Red Campion; Ragged Robin; Spanish Bluebell; Daisy; Goosegrass; Bush Vetch; Bulbous Buttercup; Red Clover; Pignut; Marsh Marigold; Pendulous Sedge; Fringecups; Elder; Hogweed; Lesser Celandine; Broom; Yellow Flag Iris; Spindle and Pineappleweed.

The only birds recorded were:- Mallard (*13); Coot (*3 plus 4 young); Moorhen (*2); Canada Goose (*4); Magpie (*2); Wood Pigeon (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Blackbird (*3); Song Thrush (*1) and Grey Heron (*1).

Also added was the Spider (Microlinyphia pusilla).

4th May 20245 - Abbot's/Shemmy Moss/Whitegate Way, Cheshire - A walk in fair weather broken halfway by beans on toast and a coffee. We had a nice pootle with no emphasis placed on any wildlife area. The birds noted were:- Hobby (*2); Nuthatch (*1); Canada Goose (*1); Kingfisher (*1); Mallard (*5); Coot (*2); Swallow (*2); Mistle Thrush (*1); Magpie (*1); Blackcap (*2); Garden Warbler (*2); Great Crested Grebe (*3); Cuckoo (*1); Reed Bunting (*1); Blackbird (*6); Tufted Duck (*5); Carrion Crow (*1); Greylag Goose (*2); Buzzard (*2); Yellowhammer (*1); Chiffchaff (*1); Black Headed Gull (*43); Oystercatcher (*1); Robin (*2); Starling (*5); Pheasant (*1); Great Tit (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*2) and a few Wood Pigeon plus Common Whitethroat; Willow Warbler; Chaffinch; Wren and Goldfinch on call.

Hoverflies seen were:- 1 * Baccha elongata; 1 * Sericomyia lappona; 2 * Syrphus ribesii; 3 * Xylota segnis; 21 * Episyrphus balteatus; 1 * Melanostoma scalare; 4 * Helophilus pendulus and 5 * Eristalis pertinax. We also found 2 Syrphus sp larvae feeding on Silver Birch leaves.

Other insects added were:- 1 * Crane-Fly (Prionocera turcica); 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp); 1 * Blue Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans); 1 * Brown Silver Line (Petrophora chlorosata); 3 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella); 2 * Nettle Tap Moth (Anthophila fabriciana); 8 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 5 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus); 11 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 2 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 2 * Saw-Fly (Aglaostigma fulvipes); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 9 * Common Heath Moth (Ematurga atomaria); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 6 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 9 * Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi); 103 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 4 * Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata); 5 * Red and Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata); 4 * Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus); 2 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) plus the larva of Yellow-Tail Moth (Euproctis similis); Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria) and Copper Underwing sp (Amphipyra sp).

Also added were 2 * Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis); 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum) and the Galls:- Andricus kollari; Biorhiza pallida; Andricus curvator; Trioza remota; Macrodiplosis pustularis; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum; Andricus lignicola; Protomyces macrosporus and Phytoptus avellanae.

Blooms were few today but we did record:- Common Stork's-Bill; Germander Speedwell; Silverweed; Wood Avens; Cuckooflower; White Dead Nettle; Elder; Chickweed; Thale Cress; Common Mouse Ear; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Shepherd's Purse; Groundsel; Daisy; Spanish Bluebell; Red Campion; Bilberry; Broom; Gorse; Horse Chestnut; Rowan; Fringecups; Field Maple; Ground Ivy; Cow Parsley; Herb Robert; Creeping Buttercup; Dandelion agg; Garlic Mustard; Ribwort Plantain and Hawthorn.

3rd May 2025 - Pennington FC, Atherton, G. Manchester - Whilst watching another game we recorded:- Cow Parsley; Wood Avens; Hawthorn; Herb Robert; Dandelion agg; Lesser Trefoil; Creeping Buttercup; Ribwort Plantain; Common Mouse Ear; Thyme Leaved Speedwell and Cuckooflower plus Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; Feral Pigeon and Black Headed Gull.

We also added the Hoverfly (Myathropa florea).

3rd May 2025 - Pennington Flash, G. Manchester - We met up with my brother and had a morning walk before some more footy action. There was low cloud and a breeze today so the insects stayed hidden but we did record:- 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis tessellata); 1 * Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 1 * Hoverfly (Anasimyia lineata); 2 * Water Ladybird (Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata); 1 * Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum); 2 * Leaf Beetle (Hydrothassa marginella); 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis nemorum); 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 7 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Hoverfly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Tephrid Fly (Chaetostomella cylindrica) and 2 * Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis).

Flowers in bloom were:- Bird's-Foot Trefoil; Spanish Bluebell; Salad Burnet; Rowan; Horse Chestnut; Herb Robert; Yellow Flag Iris; Red Campion; Creeping Buttercup; White Dead Nettle; Meadow Buttercup; Garlic Mustard; Red Clover; Lesser Trefoil; Daisy; Common Mouse Ear and Ivy Leaved Speedwell.

Galls noted included:- Andricus kollari; Andricus lignicola; Biorhiza pallida; Eriophyes sorbi; Eriophyes leiosoma; Aceria campestricola; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Andricus curvator; Phyllocoptes eupadi; Neuroterus quercusbaccarum and Andricus quadrilineatus.

The bird list comprised of the following sightings:- Cetti's Warbler; Grey Heron; Common Whitethroat; Grasshopper Warbler; Skylark; Moorhen; Little Grebe; Coot; Common Sandpiper; Oystercatcher; Gadwall; Stock Dove; Lapwing; Swift; Swallow; House Martin; Mute Swan; Black Headed Gull; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Canada Goose; Mallard; Cormorant; Tufted Duck; Magpie; Song Thrush; Buzzard; Carrion Crow; Jackdaw; Willow Warbler; Wood Pigeon; Robin; Starling; House Sparrow plus Reed Warbler; Reed Bunting; Chaffinch and Greenfinch on call.

Also added was the Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis) and the Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) plus Sweet Vernal Grass.

1st May 2025 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few moths were caught overnight, these were:- 1 * Spectacle; 1 * Peppered Moth; 3 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 4 * Bee Moth; 2 * Muslin Moth; 3 * Tachystola acroxantha; 1 * Sycamore; 1 * May Highflyer; 1 * Pebble Hook Tip and 1 * Epiniotia bilunana.

Also in the mix were 2 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica); 2 * Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum) and 1 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata).

A 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) was in the garden as I read a book later in the day.

29th April 2025 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - A coffee and a brief spell in a small area of grassland before it got too hot. Insects seen were:- 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Tortoise Beetle (Cassida vibex); 13 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 2 * Common Roller Moth (Ancylis badiana); 10 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Green Longhorn Moth (Adela reaumurella); 1 * Common Earwig (Forficula auricularia); 2 * Weevil (Liophloeus tessulatus); 5 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Hairy Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum); 17 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 3 * Sawfly (Aglaostigma aucupariae); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 10 * Dagger Fly (Empis trigramma); 1 * Tortoise Shieldbug (Eurygaster testudinaria); 1 * Thistle Lace Bug (Tingis ampliata); 2 * Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata); 1 * Common Damsel Bug (Nabis rugosus) and 1 * Clover Seed Moth (Grapholita compositella).

A Dunnock sat up and watched me mooch and Guelder Rose was now on flower. I spied the Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) and the Galls:- Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Andricus curvator; Andricus kollari and Andricus lignicola.

29th April 2025 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Up and the moth trap was opened. Not much but some beautiful species:- 2 * Lime Hawk-Moth; 1 * Double Striped Pug; 1 * Peppered Moth; 2 * Shuttle-Shaped Dart; 5 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 1 * Grey/Dark Dagger agg; 1 *; 1 * Early Grey; 1 * Bee Moth; 1 * Garden Carpet; 1 * Miller and 1 * Notocelia cynosbatella. One other moth was Ephestia woodiella - I am recording this as probable as there are similar species which are unlikely but one never knows.

The Caddis-Fly (Stenophylax permistus) was also caught.

Whilst reading in the garden 3 species of Butterfly came and visited:- Large White (Pieris brassicae); Green Veined White (Pieris napi) and Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines).

Also in the garden were:- 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 3 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans) and 4 * Lesser Black Backed Gull flew over.

28th April 2025 - Cheadle Heath, Stockport, G. Manchester - Another hospital visit so the early part of the day was spent doing chores, gardening and reading. In the overnight moth trap I had:- 1 * Iron Prominent; 1 * Pale Pinion; 1 * May Highflyer; 4 * Light Brown Apple Moth; 1 * 20 Plume Moth and 1 * Bright Line, Brown Eye. In the garden I saw 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus) and 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

Wild flowers that were currently blooming on the garden were;- Garlic Mustard; Pignut; Dandelion agg; Honesty; Welsh Poppy; Germander Speedwell; Ramsons; Red Campion; Greater Celandine; Fringecups; Spanish Bluebell and Shining Crane's-Bill

I also added to the small list a Bee Moth; Rough and Shiny Woodlice; Brown Lipped Banded Snail and the Landhopper (Arcitalitrus dorrieni). I later confirmed the Harvestman (Rilaena triangularis).

27th April 2025 - Banky Meadows, Sale, G. Manchester - A park up at a football club and a walk to a coffee shop that is now making the area too busy for us. We purchased and pissed off to quieter realms. Flowers were slow to bloom here and all we recorded were:- Hawthorn; Wood Avens; Grape Hyacinth; Cow Parsley; Goosegrass; Lesser Celandine; Dandelion agg; Spanish Bluebell; Meadow Buttercup; Bird Cherry; Red Campion; Wood Anemone; Broom; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Rape; Ramsons; White Dead Nettle; Ribwort Plantain; Fringecups; Creeping Buttercup; Greater Celandine; Penduous Sedge and Hogweed.

Insects recorded were:- 11 * Raspberry Beetle (Byturus tomentosus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Stenodema laevigata); 1 * Dagger Fly (Empis trigramma); 1 * Cock's-Foot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella); 2 * Hawthorn Leaf Beetle (Lochmaea crataegi); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 2 * European Cinch Bug (Ischnodemus sabuleti); 1 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 6 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Weevil (Rhinoncus pericarpius); 1 * Thistle Tortoise Beetle (Cassida rubiginosa); 2 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 3 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata); 4 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Common Nettle Weevil (Phyllobius pomaceus); 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 4 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 6 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Sawfly (Aglaostigma aucupariae); 11 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 5 * St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci); 5 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 2 * Common Nettle Weevil (Nedyus quadrimaculatus) and 1 * Cereal Beetle (Oulema sp).

The few birds seen (due to having no binoculars) were:- Blackbird; Feral Pigeon; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Jay; Jackdaw; Mallard; Wood Pigeon; Buzzard; Common Whitethroat; Long Tailed Tit; Grey Heron; Canada Goose and Robin.

26th April 2025 - Ladybridge FC, Bolton, G. Manchester - We were watching Bolton United take on Avenue FC in a Manchester League game and, after a fine ice cream, we had a stroll round the area before kick off.

Blooms observed were:- Common Vetch; Daisy; Ribwort Plantain; Meadow Buttercup; Hawthorn; Colt's-Foot; Creeping Buttercup; Common Mouse Ear; Dandelion agg; Spanish Bluebell; Pink Purslane; Red Campion and Cuckooflower.

Bird species picked out were:- Wood Pigeon; Chaffinch; Chiffchaff; Robin; Starling; Magpie and Jackdaw and Carrion Crow.

The only insects seen included:- 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare) and 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quatuordecimpunctata).

Also added were Field Horsetail and the Galls (Biorhiza pallida) and (Phyllocoptes goniothorax).

20th April 2025 - Astley, Chat and Little Woolden Moss, G. Manchester - A change of plans due to trying to avoid the Easter crowd paid dividends as we had a quiet walk away from the madness and duly enjoyed the great outdoors. Birds recorded were:- Blackbird (*6); House Sparrow (*1); Starling (*1); Wren (*3); Blackcap (*1); Song Thrush (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Chaffinch (*2); Dunnock (*2); Robin (*2); Mistle Thrush (*4); Pied Wagtail (*6); Blue Tit (*2); Chiffchaff (*4); Goldfinch (*4); Rook (*5); Hobby (*2); Lapwing (*18); Collared Dove (*1); Pheasant (*2); Magpie (*2); Willow Warbler (*9); Kestrel (*1); Moorhen (*4); Canada Goose (*48); Black Headed Gull (*115); Reed Bunting (*3); Green Winged Teal (*1); Shoveler (*2): Common Whitethroat (*2); Teal (*5); Mallard (*17 plus 10 ducklings); Curlew (*2); Little Ringed Plover (*1); Skylark (*3); Meadow Pipit (*1); Linnet (*16); Swallow (*3); Buzzard (*1); Oystercatcher (*3); Grey Wagtail (*1); Yellow Wagtail (*1); White Wagtail (*3); Sand Martin (*12); Gadwall (*2); Redshank (*2); Grey Heron (*1); Great Tit (*2) plus a plentiful supply of Jackdaws; Carrion Crows; Wood Pigeons and Greenfinch and Grasshopper Warbler on call.

Insects seen were fewer than expected due tomainly birding, we did record however:- 1 * Tachinid Fly (Gymnocheta viridis); 9 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 8 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 14 * Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris); 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 5 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 15 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 17 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * 14 Spot Ladybird (Propylea quattuordecimpunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 4 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae): 3 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * White Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum agg); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 3 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * 22 Spot Ladybird (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata); 22 * Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 3 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 2 * Green Longhorn Moth (Adela reaumurella); 1 * Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus); 2 * Gorse Seed Weevil (Exapion ulicis); 2 * Crane-Fly (Tipula oleracea); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); and good numbers of St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci) and Birch Catkin Bug (Kleidocerys resedae) with below average figures of Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and Willow Leaf Beetle (Lochmaea caprea).

Blooms adding great colour were:- Ribwort Plantain; Sticky Mouse Ear; Common Mouse Ear; Bog Rosemary; Bush Vetch; Field Penny Cress; Thale Cress; Spanish Bluebell; Gorse; Groundsel; Horse Chestnut; Daisy; Garlic Mustard; Shining Crane's-Bill; White Dead Nettle; Greater Periwinkle; Red Dead Nettle; Herb Robert; Hedge Mustard; Rape; Flowering Currant; Creeping Buttercup; Bluebell; Honesty; Common Comfrey agg; Common Field Speedwell; Green Alkanet; Cuckooflower; Red Campion; Pendulous Sedge; Greater Celandine; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Ground Ivy; Elder; Colt's-Foot; Wavy Bittercress; Dandelion agg and Bird Cherry.

Galls were few, the only ones seen were:- Eriophyes sorbi; Phyllocoptes goniothorax; Cecidophyes rouhollahi and Andricus curvator.

18th April 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Up early and a walk in the chill. I chatted with some nice folk and pootle along. Of course the walk began with a coffee, I had another half way and ended up at home a bit fagged. Due to the wind and chill insect life was not flourishing but I did record:- 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 5 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus melanarius); 1 * Hoverfly (Melangyna cincta); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius); 1 * Ground Beetle (Paranchus albipes); 1 * Leaf Beetle (Hydrothassa marginella); 5 * Nettle Weevil (Phylloboius pomaceus); 1 * Mirid Bug (Harpocera thoracica); 1 * Grey Patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida); 1 * Tiger Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma quadrifaria) and 2 * Common Flower Bug (Anthochoris nemorum agg).

Birds recorded were:- Blackbird (*1); Goldcrest (* 1 plus 2 on call); Goosander (*2); Mallard (*22); Wood Pigeon (*21); Blue Tit (*7); Great Tit (*1); Wren (*2 plus 5 on call); Feral Pigeon (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Starling (*3); Carrion Crow (*5); Canada Goose (*16); Cormorant (*1); Goldfinch (*1); Willow Warbler (*1 + 1 on call); Moorhen (*2); Nuthatch (*1); Grey Wagtail (*1); Pied Wagtail (*1); Robin (*2 plus 1 on call); Magpie (*5); Mandarin (*1); Dipper (*1); Ring Necked Parakeet (*2); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Grey Heron (*1); Sand Martin (*6); plus Blackcap; Chiffchaff; Greenfinch; Jackdaw; Song Thrush and Chaffinch on call only.

Blooms listed were made up of:- Greater Periwinkle; Ramsons; Broom; Lesser Celandine; Dandelion agg; Wood Speedwell; Fringecups; Hogweed; Elm; Wavy Bittercress; Cow Parsley; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Hawthorn; Wood Avens; Garlic Mustard; Red Campion; Flowering Currant; Gorse; Spanish Bluebell; Pendulous Sedge; Horse Chestnut; Ribwort Plantain; Greater Celandine; Common Vetch; Herb Robert; Meadow Buttercup; White Dead Nettle; Bush Vetch; Rape; Field Wood Rush; Sycamore; Cuckooflower; Groundsel; Chickweed; Red Valerian; Cowslip; Daisy and Common Mouse Ear.

Galls seen were:- Andricus kollari; Andricus lignicola; Aceria exilis; Biorhiza pallida; Eriophyes sorbi; Protomyces macrosporus; Phytoptus avellanae and Phyllocoptes goniothorax.

I also added:- Field Horse-Tail; Flatworm (Kontikia ventrolineata); White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum) and Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum).

17th April 2025 - Heaton Mersey Orchard and Meadow, Stockport, G. Manchester - Walking home after a stressful week, 4 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 2 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica) and 2 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus) were all that I saw as I wearily wandered forth.

Further along and besides the river Pendulous Sedge was now flowering and the Common Sycamore Aphid (Drepanosiphum platanoidis) was appearing on its usual host.

16th April 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A different route to work with the weather cold, grey and windy.  Goldcrest (*2); Chiffchaff (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*3); Blackbird (*1); Great Tit (*1) and Willow Warbler (*1) was the lot along a short stretch.

15th April 2025 - Heaton Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Trudging to work with a coffee in hand.  The short back alley I use as a short cut was now giving rise to the following blooms:- Thale Cress; Daisy; Cow Parsley; Garlic Mustard; Green Alkanet; Herb Robert; Spanish Bluebell; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Goosegrass and Creeping Buttercup.  I also saw Wood Pigeon (*5); Collared Dove (*1); Blackbird (*1) and Bullfinch (*1).  On the homeward journey I added:-  Hedge Mustard; Hawthorn; Fringecups and Wavy Bittercress as well as Ring Necked Parakeet (*3); Dunnock (*1) and a few Shiny and Rough Woodlice.

14th April 2025 - Daisy Nook CP, G. Manchester - A scan at the hospital and then a shortish walk before food at a nearby garden centre. Clouds and wind with the odd splash of sun was the order of the day. Insects recorded were:- 2 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 6 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 4 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 1 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lateralis) and 2 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni).

Bird species seen were:- Chaffinch (*2); Magpie (*3); Mallard (*27); Moorhen (*4); Chiffchaff (*1); Canada Goose (*24); Mute Swan (*1); Coot (*5); Dunnock (*1); Grey Wagtail (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Great Tit (*1); Robin (*1); Grey Heron (*2); Carrion Crow (*1); Swallow (*4); Blackbird (*1); Collared Dove (*1); Wren (*1); Mistle Thrush (*1) and a few Wood Pigeon plus Greenfinch; Blackcap; Pheasant; Willow Warbler and Nuthatch on call.

The few blooms added included:- Dandelion agg; Butterbur; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage; Wavy Bittercress; Daisy; Common Field Speedwell; Thyme Leaved Speedwell; Red Campion; Bush Vetch; Ramsons; Lesser Celandine; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Garlic Mustard; Marsh Marigold; Creeping Buttercup; Herb Robert; Bird Cherry; Spanish Bluebell; False Yellow Archangel and Shining Crane's-Bill.

Also added were the Moss (Grimmia pulvinata) and the Leopard Slug (Limax maximus) plus a few Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus).

13th April 2025 - Chorlton WP, G. Manchester - We were headed home but called off to visit the Mother-in-Laws grave, we got sad so went to the Tibetan Kitchen and indulged in a coffee and some fine alfesco food. We had a short walk to burn up a few calories and saw:- 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 3 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 2 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare) and a Square Spot Rustic Moth (Xestia xanthographa) larva were all seen whilst letting the food digest.

Fringecups; Cuckooflower and Common Cornsalad were in bloom and we also added Meadow Foxtail.

13th April 2025 - Chorlton Ees NR, G. Manchester - Chores to do, so an early morn walk. Cloudy with the occasional sunny splash, the insects recorded were:- 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 2 * Sun-Fly (Helophilus pendulus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Dasysyrphus albostriatus); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 3 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 1 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Hoverfly (Baccha elongata); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lateralis); 1 * Hoverfly (Cheilosia pagana) and 4 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

A few blooms listed were:- Hawthorn; Cuckooflower and Garlic Mustard.

No binoculars and not really looking for birds but we did see:- 1 * Blackcap; 2 * Song Thrush; 1 * Chiffchaff; 1 * Willow Warbler; 1 * Robin; 1 * Goldfinch and 1 * Goldcrest.

I also added 49 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus) and the Gall (Phyllocoptes eupadi).

12th April 2025 - Madeley Pool, Staffordshire - We were going to watch Madeley White Star FC but when 2 minutes away from the ground we noted an area to explore. We nipped into a cafe and got a brew and some grub, the lass who served us was Madeley White Stars wife (what are the chances). We found a bench, consumed and then had a stroll. A small area but we saw a few insects:- 2 * Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); 3 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 3 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) and 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria).

Birdlife consisted of a small Rookery; 2 * Blackbird; 2 * Jackdaw; 3 * Carrion Crow; 1 * Long Tailed Tit; 1 * Greenfinch; 2 * Blue Tit; 2 * Mallard; 3 * Moorhen; 11 * Canada Goose and a few Wood Pigeon.

Blooms noted were:- Black Medick; Lilac; Groundsel; Cow Parsley; Ramsons; Butterbur; Lesser Celandine; Slender Speedwell; Red Dead Nettle; White Dead Nettle; Creeping Buttercup; Shining Crane's-Bill and Daisy.

12th April 2025 - Queens Park, Crewe, Cheshire - It was nearly a year since we last visited this park, today we had another stroll prior to some Non-League action. Insects seen were:- 43 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 2 * Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris); 1 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus); 2 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 3 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 5 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Large White (Pieris brassicae); 2 * Hoverfly (Myathropa florea); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 10 * Nomad Bee (Nomada marshamella); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and 1 * Peacock (Aglais io).

Bird species listed were:- Little Owl; Pied Wagtail; Long Tailed Tit; Song Thrush; Goldfinch; Great Tit; Jay; Moorhen; Coot; Mute Swan; Robin; Mallard; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Canada Goose; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Blackbird and Carrion Crow plus Chiffchaff; Goldcrest and Nuthatch on call.

The only flowers in bloom were:- Lesser Celandine; Groundsel; Green Alkanet; Common Field Speedwell; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Cuckooflower; Thale Cress; Red Dead Nettle; Colt's-Foot; Dandelion agg and Daisy. Hornbeam was also in flower and we saw a few cheeky Grey Squirrels.

11th April 2025 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk home, a few insects were seen:- 7 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata); 4 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustularis); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 3 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 1 * Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana); 1 * Red Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare).

I also saw a Buzzard; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Blackbird and Cow Parsley in flower.

10th April 2025 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - A quick pootle through in the sun. Insects seen were:- 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 8 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 1 * Green Veined White (Pieris napi); 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 2 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) and 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare).

Germander; Ivy Leaved and Slender Speedwells were all in flower and I saw a Wren and a Song Thrush too.

9th April 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Singles of Green Veined White (Pieris napi); Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and Bee Fly (Bombylius major) sent me home with a smile on my face.

In the nearby Orchard I saw:- 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 2 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

8th April 2025 - Didsbury, G. Manchester - A trip to the hospital to check the hernia, all is cemented in place and looking good. I strolled to work along a green corridor and saw the following birds:- Magpie (*2); Wood Pigeon (*4); Ring Necked Parakeet (*1); Wren (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Blackbird (*2); Chiffchaff (*1); Bullfinch (*1) and Dunnock (*1).

Insects listed were:- 4 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 3 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 7 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 3 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 3 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Hoverfly (Melangyna cincta); 2 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 5 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 51 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) and 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

The only flowers recorded were:- Dandelion agg; Daisy; Slender Speedwell; Green Alkanet; False Yellow Archangel; Lesser Celandine; Hogweed; Cuckooflower; Ivy Leaved Speedwell and Bluebell.

7th April 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Up early, a coffee, a walk down the river, a sit and read and a pootle back after a break at a garden centre cafe. Insects recorded today were:- 4 * Common Shore Bug (Saldula saltatoria); 1 * Stilt-Fly (Neria cibaria); 30 * Orange Tailed Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula lateralis); 1 * Ground Beetle (Bembidion tetracolum); 10 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 9 * Pot Bellied Emerald Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula); 3 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 8 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 2 * Small White (Pireis rapae); 1 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 20 * Ground Beetle (Paranchus albipes); 1 * Slender Groundhopper (Tetrix subulata); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Kidney Spot Ladybird (Chilocorus renipustulatus); 3 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 30 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) and 4 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni).

Birds seen without bins were:- Blackcap (*3); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Blackbird (*3); Chiffchaff (*2); Great Tit (*1); Blue Tit (*1); Wood Pigeon (*2); Kingfisher (*2); Mallard (*7); Ring Necked Parakeet (*1); Goosander (*2); Canada Goose (*37); Sand Martin (*7); Magpie (*5); Carrion Crow (*10); Grey Heron (*2); Dipper (*2); Chaffinch (*1); Goldcrest (*1); Wren (*1); Goldfinch (*1); House Sparrow (*1); Mistle Thrush (*1); Robin (*1);

Blooms observed were:- Ribwort Plantain; White Dead Nettle; Spanish Bluebell; Red Campion; Ramsons; Garlic Mustard; Greater Celandine; American Wintercress; Rape; Herb Robert; Red Dead Nettle; Colt's-Foot and Hawthorn.

6th April 2025 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - An early morning walk with the lasses. There was a breeze and the sun was not at full power but I did note a few insects:- 2 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 5 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica) and 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans).

Bird species recorded were:- Little Egret; Magpie; Chiffchaff; Bullfinch; Blue Tit; Canada Goose; Mallard; Great Tit; Moorhen; Wood Pigeon; Blackcap; Blackbird plus Greenfinch; Wren; Nuthatch and Goldcrest on call.

The only blooms noted were:- Sycamore; Butterbur; Lesser Celandine; Marsh Marigold; Thale Cress; Daisy and Ivy Leaved Speedwell.

We also saw a lone Grey Squirrel.

5th April 2025 - West Timperley NR, Timperley, G. Manchester - A pre-footy walk interruped by a walk to the local shops for a coffee. During the slow amble we listed the insects seen, these were:- 22 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 3 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans); 1 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare); 7 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus) and 1 * Peacock (Aglais io).

Birds seen were:- Chiffchaff (*3); Great Tit (*2); Jay (*2); Blackbird (*3); Wood Pigeon (*6); Buzzard (*1); Mallard (*4); Canada Goose (*2); Robin (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Bullfinch (*1); Blue Tit (*1); Gadwall (*2); Wren (*1); Coot (*1) and Moorhen (*2).

Blooms noted were:- Dandelion agg; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Bird Cherry; Daisy; Bluebell and Wavy Bittercress.

A Grey Squirrel was added too as well as 2 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) and 3 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus).

4th April 2025 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk after work before meeting the missus, I counted the following insects:- 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica); 1 * Sawfly ( Aglaostigma aucupariae); 8 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 11 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 2 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); 3 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria); 3 * Peacock (Aglais io); 4 * Common Nettle Bug (Liocoris tripustulatus); 1 * Clarke's Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella); 3 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 2 * Small White (Pieris rapae); 1 * Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 1 * Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 1 * Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus); 1 * Rufous Stilt Moth (Caloptilia rufipennella); 5 * Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni) and 1 * Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines).

A singing Blackcap; Chiffchaff and Wren were noted as well as a lone Carrion Crow.

2nd April 2025 - Norris Hill, Stockport, G. Manchester - A small area wandered through, I recorded:- Ground Ivy; Lesser Celandine; Dandelion agg; False Yellow Arch Angel; Daisy; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Common Field Speedwell and Groundsel in flower plus a calling Chiffchaff; 2 * Wood Pigeon; 2 * Blackbird; 3 * Magpie and 2 * Long Tailed Tit.

The only insects noted were:- 2 * Comma (Polygonia c-album) and 1 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva).

31st March 2025 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - A circular walk after getting a coffee. The throat and mouth are still burning, the guts are burning now and again, I am fed up with this darn carcass. The hernia post-op mither is slowly getting better - as per, it was a go-slow day.

Walking through this local park I recorded a few birds seen by my eyes rather than through binos. Chiffchaff (*2); Robin (*4); Magpie (*1); Wood Pigeon (*10); Blackbird (*1); Coot (*9); Wren (*2); Mallard (*13); Canada Goose (*2); Moorhen (*3); Great Tit (*7); Carrion Crow (*2); Ring Necked Parakeet (*1); Blue Tit (*1); Nuthatch (*1) and Grey Wagtail (*1).

I also added 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).

30th March 2025 - Alexandra Park, Moss Side, G. Manchester - A coffee and a short walk with the missus to keep things flowing. Insects seen were:- 13 * Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva); 4 * Hairy Footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes); 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Hoverfly (Platycheirus albimanus); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 2 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 1 * Gooden's Nomad Bee (Nomada goodeniana) and 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

6 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); a few White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) and Cuckooflower; Daisy; Lesser Celandine and Red Campion in flower were also added.

Bird species were made up of:- Long Tailed Tit; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Robin; Mute Swan; Moorhen; Coot; Wood Pigeon; Tufted Duck; Ring Necked Parakeet; Black Headed Gull; Canada Goose; Mallard and Feral Pigeon.

28th March 2025 - Sandsfoot Castle, Weymouth, Dorset - A visit in the sun, we met a fine gent who joined us for a walk and an ice cream. 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) were noted along with Rocket Salad; Dandelion agg; Alexanders; Daisy; Lesser Celandine and Greater Periwinkle in flower and the birds:- Little Egret; Great Black Backed Gull; Wood Pigeon; Oystercatcher; Robin; Cormorant; Magpie and Red Breasted Merganser (*6).

A Brittle Starfish and a few Shore Crabs added extra interest.

28th March 2025 - Chesil Beach , Dorset - A trip with a few birders to see a local rarity just down the road (cheers Guy for the lift) and we soon were looking at a Dotterel. Word soon spread and people appeared, we soon buggered off but I did return later in the day to show the lasses. Also noted were:- Ringed Plover; Meadow Pipit; Wheatear; Starling; Pied Wagtail and a brace of Dark Bellied Brent Geese.

Chickweed; Dove's-Foot Crane's-Bill and Ribwort Plantain were in flower.

28th March 2025 - Portland Bill, Dorset - Before the lasses rose I had a walk to the end of the island and a pootle round a few fields. The stand out birds were:- Purple Sandpiper (*6); Hooded Crow (*1); Wheatear (*3); Black Redstart (*1); Stonechat (*2) and Raven (*2).

Bulbous Buttercup was in flower.

27th March 2025 - Poole Park/Baiter Park, Poole, Dorset - Another visit to a lovely area, this time with a slight extension. Bird species seen were:- Mute Swan; Feral Pigeon; Black Headed Gull; Canada Goose; Mallard; Mandarin; Feral Greylag Goose; Herring Gull; Magpie; Moorhen; Willow Warbler; Coot; Tufted Duck; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Cormorant; Carrion Crow; Wood Pigeon; Starling; Turnstone; Little Egret; Great Black Backed Gull; Oystercatcher plus 4 * Dark Bellied Brent Goose; 4 * Mediterranean Gull and 3 * Red Breasted Merganser.

Flowers in bloom were:- Colt's-Foot; Daisy; Gorse; Dandelion agg; Green Alkanet; Red Dead Nettle; Shepherd's Purse; Groundsel; Chickweed; Bulbous Buttercup and Sweet Violet.

Also added were 1 * Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis); 1 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and 1 * Peacock (Aglais io).

27th March 2025 - Longham Lakes, Bournemouth, Dorset - A flat walk is what is needed so we headed to an area we have visited before. Birds noted were:- Robin (*5); Shoveler (*15); Oystercatcher (*2); Cormorant (*5); Mallard (*6); Mute Swan (*2); Reed Bunting (*6); Cetti's Warbler (*1); Chaffinch (*2); Wigeon (*7); Chiffchaff (*4); Great Tit (*4); Egyptian Goose (*1); Blackbird (*3); Blue Tit (*2); Lesser Scaup (*1); Common Gull (*1); Dunnock (*1); Jackdaw (*1); Magpie (*1); plus decent numbers of:- Starling; Carrion Crow; Greylag Goose; Black Headed Gull; Tufted Duck; Herring Gull and Lesser Black Backed Gull and Canada Goose with Greenfinch and Song Thrush on call.

Daisy; Lesser Celandine; Marsh Marigold; Ground Ivy; Cowslip; Dandelion agg; Red Dead Nettle and White Dead Nettle were in flower and we also saw a Peacock (Aglais io).

26th March 2025 - Lodmoor RSPB, Weymouth, Dorset - A fine breakfast, a walk and then a stroll around this quiet reserve. Bird species listed were:- Pied Wagtail; Greenfinch; Wood Pigeon; Black Headed Gull; Little Egret; Mute Swan; Moorhen; Carrion Crow; Shoveler; Blackbird; Chiffchaff; Coot; Black Tailed Godwit; Mallard; Teal; Gadwall; Oystercatcher; Herring Gull; Canada Goose; Great Tit; Shelduck; Grey Heron; Wigeon; House Sparrow; Cormorant; Robin; Great White Egret plus 4 Common Snipe and 2 breeding plumage Mediterranean Gulls and Cetti's Warbler and Goldfinch on call.

1 * Peacock (Aglais io); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Crane-Fly (Tipula paludosa); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 5 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax); 2 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and 2 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) were the few insect seen.

Winter Heliotrope; Alexanders; Ground Ivy; Daisy; Red Dead Nettle; Groundsel; Common Field Speedwell; Sweet Violet; Greater Periwinkle; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Gorse; Dandelion agg; Blackthorn; Cow Parsley and Colt's-Foot were in flower and we added a Walnut Orb Weaver (Nuctenea umbratica) and a cute Rabbit.

26th March 2025 - Radipole Lake RSPB, Weymouth, Dorset - A walk in two short bursts, interrupted by a day at the shops and a walk to a nearby reserve. During the two pootles we saw:- Dunnock; Cetti's Warbler; Moorhen; Cormorant; Shelduck; Great Black Backed Gull; Herring Gull; Black Headed Gull; Mallard; Teal; Carrion Crow; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Greenfinch; Robin; Chiffchaff; Mute Swan; Canada Goose; Tufted Duck; Grey Heron; Marsh Harrier; Gadwall and Feral Pigeon.

Winter Heliotrope; Cow Parsley; Sweet Violet; Early Dog Violet; Red Dead Nettle and Lesser Celandine were in flower and we saw a few Common Carp plus 3 * Drone-Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

26th March 2025 - Portland Bill, Dorset - A walk with the missus from the Obs to the end of the island before starting the day. Wheatear; Black Redstart; Guillemot; Razorbill; Rock Pipit; Gannet; Oystercatcher; Raven and Stonechat were the few bird species recorded plus a chilled out close-up Grey Seal.

Back at the Obs and a Brambling was photographed in the warden's hand - nice.

25th March 2025 - Chiswell/Fortuneswell, Portland, Dorset - A meet up with some friends for some home-made food and a chat. We had a walk afterwards before returning for tea and cake and a look at the work of a fine artist (stand up Mr David Edwards). A reet good day it was. During the walk I noted a few bird species whilst nattering:- Wood Pigeon; Dunnock; Sparrowhawk; Herring Gull; Carrion Crow and Great Black Backed Gull.

Alexanders; Lesser Celandine; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Colt's-Foot and Red Valerian were in flower and we also saw a Dock Bug (Coreus marginatus) plus Striped and Pill Woodlice and a few Garden Snails (Cornu aspersum).

A new species for us was Littoral Whiplash Rove Beetle (Paederus littoralis) - nice.

25th March 2025 - Portland Harbour Area, Dorset - A short walk with the lasses to keep the blood flowing. We were still taking it easy, ambling along and avoiding anything that involved me bending and carrying. A coffee in the sun started matters and the bird species seen were:- Starling (*2); Blackbird (*1); Goldfinch (*3); Linnet (*1); Robin (*1); Chiffchaff (*1); Wood Pigeon (*6); Carrion Crow (*7); Pied Wagtail (*3) and several Herring Gull.

Winter Heliotrope; Green Alkanet; Danish Scurvygrass; Common Field Speedwell; Daisy; Dandelion agg; Common Stork's-Bill; Gorse and Oxford Ragwort were all in flower.

2 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and 2 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) were the only insects noted.

Trioza centranthi was a new gall for the year.

24th March 2025 - Wareham Channel and Wareham Water Meadows, Dorset - A new area pootled at, slow and steady we went and we saw a good range of bird species:- Coot; Tufted Duck; Mute Swan; Stonechat; Wren; Pied Wagtail; Redshank; Marsh Harrier; White Wagtail; Reed Bunting; Common Snipe; Grey Heron; Teal; Black Tailed Godwit; Lapwing; Greylag Goose; Black Headed Gull; Raven; Cormorant; Mallard; Canada Goose; Buzzard; Nuthatch; Great Tit; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Pheasant; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Blackbird; House Sparrow; Carrion Crow; Starling; Stock Dove; Chiffchaff; Willow Warbler; Dunnock; Egyptian Goose; Great Crested Grebe; Goldfinch; Shoveler; Chaffinch; plus 2 * Blue Headed Wagtail and 3 * Little Ringed Plover as well as Cetti's Warbler on call.

We also saw 3 * Roe Deer; 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) and Alexanders; Lesser Celandine; Red Dead Nettle; Greater Periwinkle; Daisy; Gorse; Ivy Leaved Speedwell and Shepherd's Purse all in flower and Mistletoe growing up in the branches of a skeletal tree.

24th March 2025 - Portland Bill, Dorset - Up and I had a quick pootle up the top fields whilst the lasses slowly rose. I didn't see much but did note a few bird species:- Meadow Pipit; Skylark; Pheasant; Magpie; Herring Gull; Chiffchaff; Buzzard; Robin; Wood Pigeon and 3 * Kestrel; 30 * Redwing; 18 * Linnet; 3 * Stonechat and 1 * Common Snipe.

Borage was in flower and a Convolvulus Hawk-Moth had been hatch by the warden and a Pine Beauty caught in the moth traps.

23rd March 2025 - Portland Bill, Dorset - We arrived at the lighthouse late afternoon and had a walk before tea. It was a short slow pootle so as not to aggravate the hernia, birds noted were:- Little Owl (*1); Black Redstart (*3); Goldfinch (*10); Skylark (*1); Starling (*9); Oystercatcher (*1); Turnstone (*2); Stonechat (*2) Sand Martin (*1); Great Black Backed Gull (*1); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Stock Dove (*1); Chiffchaff (*6); Pied Wagtail (*1); Rock Pipit (*1); Blackcap (*1); Meadow Pipit (*1); Dark Bellied Brent Goose (*17); Great Tit (*1); Raven (*1); Blue Tit (*1); plus plenty of Wood Pigeon; Magpie; Herring Gull; and the odd Carrion Crow; Cormorant; Gannet and Jackdaw.

Alexanders was in spectacular flower and we also record Groundsel; Danish Scurvygrass and Wild Carrot in bloom too.

1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Grey Patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida); 2 * Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria); 2 * Blossom Underwing (Orthosia miniosa); 1 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) and 2 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) were the few insects enjoyed.

19th March 2024 - Heaton Mersey Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A slow walk back from work, it took me ages. The few species sighted were:- 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 5 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 9 * Clarke's Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella); 1 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major) and 1 * Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria).

3 Magpies, 2 Wood Pigeons plus Common Field Speedwell; Colt's-Foot and Ramsons in flower and that was it.

18th March 2025 - River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - Having nipped home for an Arthur Bliss I decided to slowly pootle a little more. 7 Goosanders greeted me and I also saw a brace of Wrens and a Chiffchaff. The sun was glorious, I need my Vitamin D and I needed to see a few insects, which I did. 2 * Bee Fly (Bombylius major); 2 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 3 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 1 * Kidney Spot Ladybird (Chilocorus renipustulatus) and 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

Ivy Leaved Speedwell was in flower - it is popping up everywhere, what a blessing.

18th March 2025 - Alexander Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - Hospital visit (again) then the missus dropped me off so I could get a coffee and stroll home. Birds seen were:- Jackdaw (*2); Carrion Crow (*1); Blackbird (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*2); Coot (*4); Moorhen (*10); Black Headed Gull (*5); Robin (*1); Goldfinch (*2); Great Crested Grebe (*1) and good numbers of Canada Geese and Feral Pigeon.

I also saw 2 * Hoverfly (Syrphus torvus); 1 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 2 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 1 * Comma (Polygonia c-album) and 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) plus Cherry Plum; Common Field Speedwell and Groundsel in flower.

I also spied the Common Liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha).

16th March 2024 - River Mersey, Didsbury, G. Manchester - After a garden centre visit we drove home and just checked this area near the river. The floods had done untold damage and the vegetation was struggling. Common Field Speedwell; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Colt's-Foot; Dandelion agg and Lesser Celandine were all that was in flower. Birds noted were:- Mallard (*3); Goosander (*2); Mandarin (*2); Magpie (*1); Wren (*1); Chaffinch (*1) and Robin (*1).

3 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 1 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum) and 2 * Dusky Slug (Arion subfuscus) were added too.

16th March 2025 - Alexandra Park, Oldham, G. Manchester - Again, a short walk that started with coffee and toast. I was sore today so we made sure we kept steps to a minimum. Bird species recorded were:- Tufted Duck; Chaffinch; Greenfinch; Nuthatch; Goldfinch; Blackbird; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Long Tailed Tit; Robin; Canada Goose; Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Coot; Moorhen; Grey Heron; Jackdaw; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Blue Tit and Black Headed Gull.

Field Wood Rush was now in flower and I recorded the Lichen (Ramalina farinacea).

15th March 2025 - Peel Park, Salford, G. Manchester - The daughter was having more tattoo work done, we dropped her off and had a short walk, a good breakfast and a brew. Slow and steady was the way, bird species recorded were:- Feral Pigeon; Mallard; Carrion Crow; Black Headed Gull; Common Gull; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Little Grebe; Magpie; Jackdaw; Canada Goose; Blackbird; Mute Swan; Feral Greylag Goose; Grey Wagtail; Great Tit; Moorhen; Long Tailed Tit and Chaffinch.

 The only flowers sporting blooms were:- Lesser Celandine; Dandelion agg; Meadow Buttercup; Daisy; Colt's-Foot and Ivy Leaved Speedwell.

We also saw a Grey Squirrel.

14th March 2025 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - A day of more rest finalised with a coffee and short tea-time walk at this small area. Bird species noted were:- Grey Heron; Blackbird; Goldfinch; Wood Pigeon; Wren; Magpie; Mallard; Ring Necked Parakeet; Carrion Crow; Blue Tit; Robin; Moorhen; Mandarin and Canada Goose.

Lesser Cleandine; Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Lungwort; Ramsons; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage and Greater Periwinkle were in flower and we also added:- 3 * White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) and 8 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus).

10th March 2025 -  Fletcher Moss, Didsbury, G. Manchester - Still struggling to do much. The missus dropped me at this area so I could have a sit and a read. My mate Ant was there, photographing bees. We had a short walk and then I parked my ass and read for a few hours. Whilst pootling the following bugs were recorded:- 3 * Hairy Footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes); 4 * Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum); 1 * Buff Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris); 3 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 2 * Daffodil Dung Fly (Norellia spinipes); 1 * Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and 1 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata).

Ivy Leaved Speedwell; Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage and Marsh Marigold were in flower and Skunk Cabbage wasn't far off.

5 Stock Doves were added too.

9th March 2025 - Grappenhall Walled Gardens, Warrington, Cheshire - A short walk with the lasses, the key being to have a good alfresco breakfast in the sun (which we did) and get a few steps in on the road to recovery. Whilst on a short walk we noted:- 9 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 12 * 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata); 1 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 3 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina); 2 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 2 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus); 1 * Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni); 1 * Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus) and 1 * Cereal Leaf Beetle (Oulema sp).

Colt's-Foot was in flower and the few bird species recorded were:- Coot; Canada Goose; Moorhen; Wood Pigeon; Song Thrush; Long Tailed Tit; Blackbird plus Chiffchaff and Nuthatch on call.

8th March 2025 - Princes Park, Irlam, G. Manchester - Out with the missus, a cafe visit, a short walk, a read in the sun, I was fagged out when we arrived at the planned footy game. During our visit we noted Dandelion agg; Groundsel; Daisy and Lesser Celandine with Nuthatch; Long Tailed Tit; Coot; Moorhen; Mallard; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Chaffinch; Carrion Crow; Goldcrest; Robin; Great Tit; Black Headed Gull and the years first Chiffchaff all seen.

5 * Comma (Polygonia c-album); 1 * Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and 3 * Daffodil Dung Fly (Norellia spinipes) were the only insects seen.

21st February 2025 -  River Mersey, Stockport, G. Manchester - A day off work, kitchen tidied, some decorating done and then out to do some local seed-bombing. I found a mass of Wild Garlic and relocated a few bulbs to a new area, I hope they take as the area chosen was a veritable dead zone. 3 * Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) and 4 * Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale) were the only insects seen on a dull and windy day. Under few stones I noted a few Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus) and Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber) as well as 1 * Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); 5 * Flatworm (Kontikia ventrolineata); 1 * White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); 3 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); 1 * Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens) and 1 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum).

Sweet Violet was now in flower and I did see a lovely pair of Goosander.

16th Februray 2025 - Denzell Gardens and The Devisdale, Altrincham, Cheshire - A short walk before heading home to catch up with chores. We had been busy of late and the weather was still lacking any positivity. The few bird species recorded were:- Carrion Crow; Jay; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Blue Tit; Greenfinch; Magpie; Blackbird; Song Thrush and 20 Redwing.

2 * Leopard Slug (Limax maximus); 3 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 35 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 2 * White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) and a Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) were the only other species added as well as the Galls:- Andricus kollari and Andricus lignicola and the Liverwort (Lunularia cruciata).

I also found the first Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) of the year.

15th Februray 2025 - Ball Grove CP, Colne, Lancashire - Today we were visiting our 150th football ground, that was a target set and now achieved. Prior to the game we did some shopping, had a good breakfaast and a walk at an area we have visited a couple of times before. Birds were represented by:- Mallard (*43); Black Headed Gull (*27); Magpie (*1); Blackbird (*2); Moorhen (*4); Coot (*1): Dipper (*2); Blue Tit (*1); Goldcrest (*1); Great Tit (*6); Dunnock (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*6); Pheasant (*2); Robin (*2); Redwing (*20); Goldfinch (*1); Nuthatch (*1); Starling (*1); Jackdaw (*2) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (*1).

Also added to the small list were:- Wall Rue; the Mosses:- Bryum capillare; Grimmia pulvinata and Orthotrichum pulchellum plus the Lichens:- Ramalina fastigata; Cladonia pyxidata and Ramalina farinacea.

14th February 2025 - Fog Lane Park, Benchill, G. Manchester - A day off work, after a chat with the doctor I decided I am back on the head pills and am going for counselling. The recent chest x-ray was clear which is good news and I need to get the noggin sorted. A cycle in the sun was perishing, I enjoyed a coffee and ham and cheese butty and counted the following birds:- Starling (*1); Black Headed Gull (*18); Common Gull (*8); Greenfinch (*1); Siskin (*1); Goldfinch (*4); Coal Tit (*1); Great Tit (*3); Jay (*1); Robin (*4); Carrion Crow (*3); Blue Tit (*1); Mistle Thrush (*1); Blackbird (*1); Jackdaw (*14); Redwing (*20) plus fair numbers of Magpie; Feral Pigeon; Mallard and Ring Necked Parakeet as well as a few Mandarin Duck; Moorhen; Coot and Canada Goose as well as a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker

I spied 1 * Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata) and life under a few logs included 8 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); 5 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 3 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); 2 * Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens); 1 * Garlic Snail (Oxychilus alliarius); 2 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 2 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus madidus); 1 * Ground Beetle (Anchomenus dorsalis); 1 * Rove Beetle (Othius punctulatus); 1 * Rove Beetle (Quedius fuliginosus) and 1 * Great Blackclock Beetle (Pterostichus niger).

Hazel was in flower and there were plenty of Snowdrops and Crocus waiting to tempt many flies on a warmer day.

10th February 2025 - Stretford Marina, Stretford, G. Manchester - A final stop before the cycle home. At this small area I recorded:- Canada Goose (*10); Mallard (*9); Magpie (*6); Wood Pigeon (*4); Blue Tit (*1); House Sparrow (*5); Wren (*1); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Starling (*2); Jackdaw (*1) and Black Headed Gull (*3).

Shepherd's Purse was in flower.

10th February 2025 - Salford Quays, G. Manchester - A 22 mile round trip, the halfway point was at Pret-a-Manger where I had a coffee and a ham and cheese butty. The bird species on the quays were:- Mute Swan; Pied Wagtail; Cprmorant; Coot; Mallard; Canada Goose; Goosander; Moorhen; Wood Pigeon; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Black Headed Gull; Magpie; Feral Pigeon and Jackdaw.

Groundsel; Red Dead Nettle; Gorse and Common Field Speedwell were in flower.

8th February 2025 - Skippool Creek, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire - A nice pootle around an indoor market, a cafe visit and a walk before football. The bird species seen were:- Blackbird; Goldfinch; Curlew; Redshank; Carrion Crow; Herring Gull; Mallard; Teal; Great Black Backed Gull; Black Headed Gull; Lapwing; Wood Pigeon; Shelduck; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Magpie; Robin; Wren; Cormorant; Great Tit; Oystercatcher; Starling; Meadow Pipit; Black Tailed Godwit; Dunlin; Jackdaw; Feral Pigeon and Canada Goose.

Gorse was in flower and the regaular wall mosses added were:- Grimmia pulvinata; Tortula muralis and Bryum capillare.

6th February 2025 - Bramhall Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk with my mate Ant, we were too eager it seems, the buglife was almost absent due to a frost. We did see:- 1 * 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata); 9 * Honey Bee (Apis mellifera); 7 * Marmalade Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) and 1 * Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax). 1 * Walnut Orb Weaver Spider (Nuctenea umbratica) and the Galls (Andricus kollari) and (Andricus lignicola) and that was it.

Birds recorded were:- Goldcrest (*4); Treecreeper (*2); Mute Swan (*1); Stock Dove (*1); Robin (*3); Great Tit (*2); Blackbird (*1); Buzzard (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Grey Wagtail (*1) plus plenty of Mallard; Moorhen and Magpie and a few Canada Goose; Coot; Wood Pigeon and Mandarin Duck. Also heard were 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers hammering away and Wren; Ring Necked Parakeet; Raven and Nuthatch on call.

3rd February 2025 - Wythenshawe CP, G. Manchester - 14.5 miles on the bike today, starting a good push and then a walk around this park. I didn't see much as I just wanted to keep moving. The only bird species spotted on this terse jaunt were:- Magpie; Carrion Crow; Goldcrest; Robin; Ring Necked Parakeet; Dunnock; Song Thrush; Nuthatch and Great Tit.

I also saw 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and 1 * Walnut Orb Weaver Spider (Nuctenea umbratica) plus a handful of fungi.

2nd February 2025 - Elton Reservoir, Bury, G. Manchester - A birding wander to keep the legs moving. The species seen were:- Kestrel (*1); Reed Bunting (*1); Goosander (*2): Pheasant (*3); Wren (*1); Goldfinch (*10); Greenfinch (*3); Blue Tit (*5); Blackbird (*2); Great Tit (*4); Coal Tit (*2); Carrion Crow (*2); Common Gull (*3); Goldeneye (*12); Tufted Duck (*12): Great Crested Grebe (*3); Scaup (*1); Mute Swan (*3); Canada Goose (*63); Teal (*12); Cormorant (*2); Jay (*1); Robin (*3); Long Tailed Tit (*3); Jackdaw (*18); Moorhen (*8); Grey Heron (*2) and a handful of Feral Pigeon; House Sparrow; Redwing; Fieldfare; Starling and Magpie plus plenty of Mallard; Coot; Black Headed Gull and Wood Pigeon.

We also saw 4 * Roe Deer.

1st February 2025 - Manor Park, Glossop, Derbyshire - Prior to another footy match and a new ground we had a short walk at this public park and did some shopping. Bird species seen were:- Blackbird (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Jackdaw (*6); Mallard (*100+); Robin (*2) plus good numbers of Canada Goose; Wood Pigeon and Magpie.

Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber); Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); the gall (Taxomyia taxi) and the Lichen (Ramalina farinacea) were the few other bits added as well as a few fungi.

30th January 2025 - Chorlton WP, G. Manchester - I am rough at the mo (what's new), I still managed to have a cycle and record a few birds:- Great Tit; Blue Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Collared Dove; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Canada Goose; Gadwall; Mallard; Tufted Duck; Goosander; Moorhen; Coot; Mute Swan; Great Crested Grebe; Black Headed Gull; Common Gull; Robin; Pochard; Ring Necked Parakeet; Cormorant; Grey Heron; House Sparrow; Blackbird and Starling with Goldcrest; Jackdaw and Redwing on call.

Bryum capillare; Grimmia pulvinata and Tortula muralis were mosses all growing on a fence as was the Lichen (Physcia aipolia). The only species added were two galls:- Andricus lignicola and Andricus kollari.

29th January 2025 - Fog Lane Park, Benchill, G. Manchester - I finished work early, cycled to this park and had some victuals, a chat with a lovely group of folk and a walk in the sun. I didn't see much but the bird species recorded were:- Redwing; Goldfinch; Chaffinch; Bullfinch; Great Tit; Mallard; Feral Pigeon; Black Headed Gull; Mandarin Duck; Moorhen; Coot; Canada Goose; Ring Necked Parakeet; Wood Pigeon; Carrion Crow; Robin; Long Tailed Tit and Magpie.

I had a look at life under logs and recorded:- 6 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); 22 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus) and 4 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis); 4 * Garlic Snail (Oxychilus alliarius); 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 4 * Ground Beetle (Pterostichus madidus) and 1 * Great Blackclock Beetle (Pterostichus niger).

I also spied today the Lichen (Ramalina farinacea) and the Common Flower Bug (Anthocoris nemorum agg).

27th January 2025 - Reddish Vale CP, Stockport, Cheshire - A catch up with my mate Ant and a chance to have a wander and wag the jaw. I fed the birds, spotted a few fungi and recorded a few bird species along the way. The avian interest was provided by:- Canada Goose; Mandarin Duck; Magpie; Blue Tit; Tufted Duck; Coot; Moorhen; Nuthatch; Carrion Crow; Jackdaw; Blackbird; Dunnock; Cormorant; Gadwall; Goosander; Black Headed Gull; Little Grebe; Mute Swan; Wood Pigeon; Feral Pigeon; Ring Necked Parakeet; Goldfinch; Great Tit; Buzzard; Sparrowhawk and Long Tailed Tit.

Hazel was in flower; we saw Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus); 1 * Garlic Snail (Oxychilus alliarius); 2 * Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens); 1 * Leopard Slug (Limax maximus) and several Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus). Elegant Bristle Moss (Orthotrichum pulchellum) was doing well along many broadleaved branches.

2 Galls added were:- Cecidophyes nudus and Andricus kollari.

26th January 2025 - Poynton Coppice/Middlewood Way, Stockport, Cheshire - A good circular walk in whipping wind. A coffee downed, a cake shared and despite a nagging cough we ploughed away and covered nearly 14, 000 steps. The birds were hunkering down but we did see the following species:- Mallard; Canada Goose; Wren; Great Tit; Carrion Crow; Bullfinch; Raven; Jackdaw; Blackbird; Buzzard; Redwing; Redpoll; House Sparrow; Goldfinch; Long Tailed Tit; Blue Tit and Goldcrest.

A few fungi were added and Elegant Bristle Moss (Orthotrichum pulchellum) and the Lichens (Peltigera polydactylon) and (Parmelia subrudecta).

25th January 2025 - Chorlton Park, G. Manchester - A shopping trip, a fine Tibetan lunch from the cafe that never fails and then a short walk in the sun before footy and my next gig. The only birds recorded were:- Great Tit (*1); Redwing (*2); Wood Pigeon (*2); Magpie (*2); Robin (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*2) and Carrion Crow (*2).

I also spied 4 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).

20th January 2025 - Gatley Carrs, Stockport, G. Manchester - A short trip today, the rain began to fall and I didn't hang about. Ramson leaves were just coming through and already someone was foraging them - no thought for the wildlife needs and no need whatsover to strip leafage when so young. Lesser Celandine was in flower and the only birds seen were:- Blue Tit (*2); Ring Necked Parakeet (*9); Magpie (*2); Wood Pigeon (*4): Blackbird (*3); Robin (*2); Carrion Crow (*1); Greenfinch (*1): Great Tit (*1); Dunnock (*1) and Wren (*2).

2 * White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); 6 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); 1 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus) and 2 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis) were othere additions to a very terse trip.

19th January 2025 - Debdale Park, Stockport, G. Manchester - I am in the midst of gigging and so, the nature realm goes on the back foot somewhat. Late nights and ringing ears, with a virus playing silly buggers, getting out is not priority. We are still enjoying the odd jaunt though, bird species recorded today were:- Black Headed Gull; Blackbird; Magpie; Wood Pigeon; Robin; Common Gull; Mallard; Coot; Moorhen; Herring Gull; Feral Pigeon; Mute Swan; Great Crested Grebe; Ring Necked Parakeet; Carrion Crow; Little Grebe; Tufted Duck; Kingfisher; Redwing; Cormorant; Wren and Blue Tit.

We also noted a Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus) and 80 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) and 1 * 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata).

16th January 2025 - Hollyhedge Park, Wythenshawe, G. Manchester - After stuffing a brace of chicken breasts on a shopping precinct I headed onwards and nipped through yet another green area. I was getting a thirst on so didn't dawdle, the avian life noted was:- Redwing (*5); Magpie (*3); Blue Tit (*2); Wood Pigeon (*4); Great Tit (*2); Robin (*1); Blackbird (*4); Goldfinch (*1) and Chaffinch (*1).

16 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 1 * White Lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis) and 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum) were the only other additions.

16th January 2025 - Painswick Park, Wythenshawe, G. Manchester - Out on the bike, the sun was out and so I had a pootle at a park I hadn't visited before. A small area, the birds recorded were:- Goldcrest (*2); Carrion Crow (*2); Magpie (*5); Goldfinch (*2); Lesser Black Backed Gull (*1); Mallard (*9); Canada Goose (*72); Moorhen (*13); Coot (*4); Blackbird (*2); Robin (*2); Black Headed Gull (*29); Wood Pigeon (*5); Great Tit (*1); Redwing (*6); Wren (*1); Starling (*4); Blue Tit (*2); Nuthatch (*1); Feral Pigeon (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*5); Coal Tit (*1) and a Song Thrush on call.

9 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 1 * Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens); 1 * Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis); Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis); a few Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus) and the lichens:- Xanthoria parietina and Physcia aipolia made for a decent trip in the sun.

12th January 2025 - Etherow CP, Stockport, G. Manchester - A walk with the missus at a very old haunt. Bird species seen today were:- Robin; Canada Goose; Mallard; Moorhen; Jackdaw; Feral Pigeon; Dunnock; Wren; Tufted Duck; Starling; Wood Pigeon; Feral Greylag Goose; Blackbird; Blue Tit; Long Tailed Tit; Nuthatch; Cormorant; Grey Wagtail; Carrion Crow; Buzzard; Coot; Mute Swan; Jay; Great Tit; Coal Tit; Goosander; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Magpie; plus Fieldfare (*1); Redwing (*50+) and Mandarin Duck (*54).

We also added:- 1 * Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale); Rough and Shiny Woodlouse; Elegant Bristle Moss (Orthotrichum pulchellum); Hazel in flower and the Lichens:- Ramalina farinacea and Xanthoria parietina.

7th January 2025 - Gorsey Bank, Stockport, G. Manchester - Walking home and the snow was everywhere, in the small area I noted:- Blackbird (*10); Carrion Crow (*4); Wood pigeon (*2); Blue Tit (*5); Coal Tit (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Great Tit (*1); House Sparrow (*1) and Song Thrush (*1).

I also added the Harvestman (Dicranopalpus ramosus agg).

6th January 2025 - Abney Hall, Stockport, G. Manchester - At the docs again, hernia on one side, inflamed duct on the other, back and chest playing up, Achilles tendon twanging, guts a bit off. A short stroll to a coffee shop, on the way there and back I saw a few fungi (104 species recorded for the year) and noted:- Yarrow in flower, the Galls (Andricus aries and Andricus lignicola); the Moss (Grimmia pulvinata); an Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata); 3 * Netted Slug (Deroceras reticulatum); 2 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 1 * Variegated Centipede (Lithobius variegatus) and the following birds:- Blackbird (*2); Blue Tit (*3); Long Tailed Tit (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Ring Necked Parakeet (*1); Wood Pigeon (*5); Robin (*1); Magpie (*3); Great Tit (*2); Mallard (*11); Black Headed Gull (*12); Coot (*4); Moorhen (*7) and Redwing (*8).

A Ground Beetle I named was duly confirmed as Leistus fulvibarbis.

4th January 2025 - Poise Brook, Stockport, G. Manchester - A few more fungi recorded and the following bird species:- Song Thrush (*1); Long Tailed Tit (*3); Nuthatch (*1); Goldcrest (*1); Blackbird (*4); Great Tit (*2); Blue Tit (*3); Magpie (*3); House Sparrow (*1); Wood Pigeon (*47); Carrion Crow (*1); Mallard (*14); Black Headed Gull (*79); Jackdaw (*2) and Canada Goose (*159).

Lesser Celandine was in flower, we saw the Galls:- Agathomyia wankowiczii and Andricus kollari. and the Lichens:- Xanthoria parietina and Cladonia coniocraea.

3rd January 2025 - Fletcher Moss, Didsbury, G. Manchester - To work, freezing, home early - a coffee and a circular walk with 8 miles covered for the day. The river was turgid, it gives people something to photograph and talk about - I would much rather they fed the birds, recorded some wildlife and considered what the long term neglect is doing. Birds seen today were:- Goldcrest (*1); Wren (*1); Great Tit (*2); Magpie (*7); Blackbird (*6); Ring Necked Parakeet (*1); Pied Wagtail (*1); Wood Pigeon (*5); Grey Wagtail (*2); Long Tailed Tit (*4); Feral Pigeon (*6); Robin (*3); Common Gull (*1); Cormorant (*3); Grey Heron (*2); Moorhen (*1); Dunnock (*1); Mallard (*8); Goosander (*3); Song Thrush (*1) and hundreds of Black Headed Gulls and quite a few Carrion Crows.

I also added 6 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 1 * Tramp Slug (Deroceras invadens); 1 * Walnut Orb Weaver Spider (Nuctenea umbratica) plus Lesser Celandine in flower.

2nd January 2025 - Heaton Moor, Stockport, G. Manchester - A dinnertime stroll away from the desk.  Birds seen were:- Robin (*1); Magpie (*4); Ring Necked Parakeet (*5); Moorhen (*3); Canada Goose (*7)  and Carrion Crow (*2). The Moss (Grimmia pulvinata) was looking grand on a frost-kissed on a wall, a Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus) was tucked up behind bark and a Grey Squirrel pinged about in the treetops.  A few fungi were extras and I soon scooted back to the office for a brew.

The Ground Beetle (Dromius quadrimaculatus) was later added.

1st January 2025 - Low Hall NR, Wigan, Lancashire - A morning walk with the missus and my brother. There had been flooding everywhere and this area had waters risen. We pootled on and recorded the following bird species:- Jackdaw (*10); Willow Tit (*1); Great Tit (*1); Coal Tit (*1); Nuthatch (*1); Wren (*1); Carrion Crow (*1); Mallard (*2); Coot (*2); Robin (*2); Wood Pigeon (*1); Black Headed Gull (*2); Mute Swan (*2) and Magpie (*1).

Lichens named were:- Physcia tenella; Xanthoria parietina; Evernia prunastri; Ramalina fastigata; Ramalina farinacea; Cladonia fimbriata and Graphis scripta.

Mosses listed were:- Schistidium crassipilum; Grimmia pulvinata; Orthotrichum pulchellum and Tortula muralis. I also added the liverwort (Metzgeria furcata) and Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium).

The only flower sporting blooms was Wood Avens.

Oddments added were:- White Legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger); Shiny Woodlouse (Oniscus asellus); Striped Woodlouse (Philoscia muscorum); Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber); 31 * Green Cellar Slug (Limacus maculatus); 1 * Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum); 1 * Budapest Slug (Tandonia budapestensis) and an old Ram's-Horn Gall (Andricus aries).

Also added were 2 * Walnut Orb Weaver Spider (Nuctenea umbratica) and singles of 10 Spot Ladybird (Adalia decempunctata) and Orange Ladybird (Halyzia sedecimguttata).

The Ground Beetle (Ocys harpaloides/tachysoides agg) was added after the event as it fell from a sample of moss and also added was (Plagiodera versicolora) after Michael Geiser provided an ID.