Nature Fact

The Common Green Grasshopper can be found in a variety of grassland habitats over most altitudes.  They can be a variety of colours, but their background is mostly brown. The females are more variable and may show splashes of red or purple in their colourations.  They lay their eggs in the Autumn, these then hatch in Spring and the young hoppers grow through a series of instars until they reach full maturity in early summer.

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.

Nature Notes May

The showery April weather continued through May. Temperatures were mild and there was the occasional bright sunny day.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:  Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, Stock Doves, Collared Dove, Magpies, Jays, Jackdaws, Buzzards, Heron, Green/Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Black-headed/Common Gulls, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Coal/Blue/Great/Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Goldfinch, Greenfinches, Bullfinches, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Stonechats, Tree Pipits.
Mammals:  Grey Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats.
Reptiles:  Common Lizards.
Plants in flower:  Cranesbill, Bluebells, Primrose, Ilex, Gorse, Broom, Garlic Mustard, Herb Robert, Foxglove, Cotton Grass.
Butterflies:  Brimstone, Large White, Holly Blue, Peacock.
Insects:  Bees, Wasps, Flies.
Pond Life:  Pond Skaters, Water Boatman, Sticklebacks.

Pipistrelle Bats continued to be seen on warm dry evenings.
Many species of birds had their first fledglings of the year during this month.
The call of the Chiffchaffs and the melodious song of the Blackcaps were heard throughout the month.
Although evening monitoring was undertaken, no Nightjar calling was reported.

Nature Facts

Male Sticklebacks are aggressively territorial and build nests to which they attract females for egg laying.

Water Boatman should not be handled if caught for observation as they can bite. Their usual prey include tiny fish and tadpoles.