First Sand Martin for Compton Park Wetland

28th July 2013 p.m

3+ House Martin over Compton Park Wetland. The results of what, at first seemed like an inadequate planting scheme at the new wetland now appear to be amazing, viewed through the security fencing. I really hope this area is maintained and policed in the future, because it really does look like a valuable habitat addition.Thanks for this has to go to the Wildlife Trusts for reminding developers that you cannot just walk all over mother nature!!!!

On the Barleyfield things were quiet so I turned my attentions to the world of insects!!

I am still on a steep learning curve in my bid to become a competent amateur naturalist, but as I keep adding to my knowledge, then my updates will be of interest to others who notice the wildlife of Smestow Valley as they enjoy their walks through the reserve.

First up- how to sex Red-tailed Bumblebees!! This is quite an easy one:

Large size and simple black coloration with red tail - a female.

Much smaller and note the small amount of yellow in bands
on the head and base of abdomen - the male

Bees can be highly variable and this male is showing
 much more yellow around the head.

Next up a bit more of a challenge - Skipper Butterflies!! These beautiful small butterflies are relatively easy to find on the Barleyfield at the moment. However to sex them we have to look for a line or scar on the upper wing (the sex gland). Also we have to be on the look out for the rarer Essex Skipper. We are right on the edge of the range for this species and to identify it you have to look closely at the antennae!! The underside of the antennae are black in the case of the Essex Skipper and brown in the case of the commoner Small Skipper.

However not much is simple in nature and if you look at the antennae on the following two pics of Skippers seen on the Barleyfield and Eddy's Alders, you will notice that they are highly variable!!! Anyone who has more experience in this area of the natural world, please email me your tips for field identification, as it's not quite as easy as it looks!!!

This example of Small Skipper is showing visible areas of Brown on the antennae

This example appears to show all black antennae with
no striping or definition at all!!

To finish, here is perhaps the most beautiful insect you could wish to encounter on the Barleyfield. Its a type of Longhorn Beetle:

Strangalia maculata - in it's attempt to avoid being eaten, this species has
 evolved to look like a Wasp and in the process has provided
 us with a stunning insect to encounter on walks where
Parsleys and Hogweeds grow. The larvae feed on wood so a
 nearby scrub or woodland edge is necessary for it to colonize a meadow. 

Tuesday 30th July 2013 - late evening

Dry calm and bright after days of intermittent storms and showers. Cooler (c20C)

A late walk to Compton village brought a couple of nice surprises.

First Compton Park wetland attracted 13 Swift 2 House Martin and a single Sand Martin, all swooping low over the water to feast on the insects which had gathered on such a calm evening. It will be interesting to see just how many Swift and hirundines we get here over the coming weeks as passage gets under way.

A young Green Woodpecker was also calling from the Wetland area.

At Compton Rough a pair of Tawny Owl were moving slowly South along the railway line, just before dusk, having emerged from nearby.