In the Wet

Dear All,

Had a chance to investigate the pond for wildlife today.

 

The tadpoles are doing well; they are well spaced in the shallow areas. The planted marginals are looking strong and healthy.

 

Observation of the pond showed it to be somewhat murky, which was in stark contrast to Andy Brewster's observations yesterday of clear but algae-littered water. Derek Bateson suggested we may have had a Duck feast to have altered the water so much!

Male and female flies (St Mark's Flies - Bibionidae) were hovering over the pond.  Some were clearly female as they were dipping their abdomens in the water to deposit eggs. Two types have been identified by the spurs on the end of the tibia of the foreleg. In photo A006 (female) but not clear in A005 (male) a ring of spurs is noticeable, A006 - Dilophus species

In photo A010 & A011 two large spurs are found - Bibio species, possibly marci, which is the St Mark's fly.

We also have a water beetle visitor, Helophorus grandis (photo A001 & A004) and a mayfly visitor Baetis rhodani

The latter has weird turbinate eyes which are orange on top, photo A007.

 

 

Paul Hancock

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* News *

November 2024 - New bat boxes

November 2024 - Photos from the fungi foray

Coming Soon ...

Generally free to members, a £3 donation being requested from non members.

(see Events page  for further details):

*  2024  *

Monday 2nd December:

Talk at Totley Library, 7.30pm – Danny Udall, Senior Site Manager, Eastern Moors Partnership.

Upland Change in a Nature and Climate Emergency.

How the Eastern Moors landscape needs to change to meet the demands of climate change

Practical Conservation Sessions, led by a Ranger.

Wear suitable clothing & footwear. Tools, PPE and light refreshments are provided by the Ranger.

*  2024  *

Sunday 8th December

 

Meet 10am at the end of Totley Hall Lane.

Bramble clearing in the glade in Pheasant Wood and repairing natural fence. Strong gloves advised

 Further dates :

*  2025  *

Sunday 5th January

Sunday 2nd February

Sunday 2nd March

Sunday 27th April