Nature Notes June

A dry, warm and sunny month - reported as the hottest and driest June of recent years.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Dove, Jays, Jackdaws, Buzzards, Green/Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tawny Owl, Sparrowhawk, Black-headed/Common Gulls, Treecreeper, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Stonechats, Tree Pipits, Swallows.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats, Wood Mice, Roe Deer, Fox.
Reptiles/Amphibians:  Common Lizards, Slow Worm, Grass Snake.
Plants in flower:  Cranesbill, Foxglove, Cotton Grass, White Stonecrop, Cinquefoil, Tufted Vetch, Groundsel, Prickly Lettuce, Bog Asphodel.
Butterflies/Moths:  Large White, Holly Blue, Peacock, Ringlet, Large Skipper, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Silver-Studded Blue, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue,
Insects:  Jumping Spider, Bees, Velvet Ants.
Pond Life:  Pond Skaters, Water Boatman, Sticklebacks, Frog
Dragonfly/Damselfly:  Four Spot Chaser, Azure, Large Red, Small Red, Beautiful Damoiselle.

Nature Fact

Beetles can be found in almost all habitats, from deserts and ponds to the tops of mountains.  They are thought to represent one third of all insects.  There are believed to be well over 350,000  species of beetle worldwide.  Beetles play an important role in the natural world as they recycle nutrients by helping to break down animal and plant waste.  Most species are herbivorous.