Merseyside Nature (2015 June-July)

June/July 2015 Issue 28

Merseyside Nature Friends of Merseyside BioBank

Phil Smith shares his travels around the Sefton Coast for the month of July James Pearson extols the virtues of the Elephant Hawk Moth

Created by and for Volunteer Naturalists. Edited by Bob Jude Views expressed in this newsletter are those of individual authors.

Breaking News: Tony Carter provided a link to http://www.kew.org/discover/blogs/kew-science/rare-british-fungigenuinely-uncommon-or-simply-ignored for those interested in Fungi?

“With generous financial support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Kew has embarked on the Lost & Found Fungi Project, a five-year UK fungal research programme in partnership with the volunteer science community. With support from Kew, local fungus recording groups will carry out surveys and monitoring exercises for a set of 100 species that are currently assumed to be rare, to establish whether they are still extant in the UK, and if so whether their distributions are Ben Deed calls for Pond Net Volunteers larger or smaller than are known at present and whether they are threatened. “ Hugh Harris details the results of the Urban Grasslands Project

Messages from the National Bat Monitoring Program Upcoming Knowsley Safari Park Bioblitz

Naturalists are always welcome at MBB to freely use the available equipment and facilities

Inside this issue: Wildlife Notes July

2-3

The Adventures of Grimshaw and 4-5 Evans Pond Net

6

Urban Grasslands Project

7-8

NWFG Safari Park Bioblitz

9 10

National Water Vole Monitoring Project

10

NBMP

11

MBAN images - Corrections and

12

An unpublished Nature Fictional story

13-14

Events

15-16

Articles, photographs, real life stories, web links and events from active naturalists are welcome additions to this newsletter.

Please send them in.

Stories from 250 words with accompanying photographs will take us all on your journey.

Please E-Mail your work to: newsletter@activenaturalist.org.uk

Watch out for this very attractive fly and Shield Bug Parasite, Phasia hemiptera.

First reported at Norton Priory Walled Gardens, Cheshire by Paul Quigley on Facebook. Image collected on a later date by Bob Jude 12/8/15.

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WILDLIFE NOTES JULY 2015 - Dr Phil Smith

Ploughman's Spikenard Birkdale frontals 30 07 2015 Lesser Centauries (Centaurium pulchellum), Kristian Peters, Wikicommons

Following June‟s drought, July weather returned to “normal” with rainfall sufficient to restore straw coloured lawns and verges to a verdant green, while encouraging a blaze of colourful wild flowers along the coast.

On 3rd, Peter Kinsella photographed a male Keeled Skimmer at a scrape in the Birkdale dunes. He was “totally astonished” and “shaking with excitement.”

Strawberry Clover New Green Beach 30 07 2015

Birkdale Green Beach, in particular, produced a wonderful display, Common, Seaside and Lesser Centauries being especially prominent, together with the first of the Grass-of-Parnassus and great swathes of Strawberry Clover, while Ploughman’s Spikenard decorated nearby dune slopes.

Although the unsettled weather did little to recharge the depleted water-table, I was delighted to discover about 50 young Natterjack toadlets at one of the new scrapes in the Ainsdale frontal dunes. This may be the only site with successful breeding this year.

July was mainly notable for unprecedented insect records, perhaps linked to the brief heat-wave early on, when temperatures beat the month‟s record high in the south and reached about 27o here.

Keeled Skimmer Ainsdale Peter Kinsella 7 15

This was only the second sighting in Lancashire & North Merseyside of this mainly peatland species. A week later and only 200m away, an even more extraordinary find was of a female Southern Migrant Hawker. Well photographed by Chris Storey, this dragonfly has only recent colonised south-east England, the previous northernmost record being on the Wash.

On the same day, John Dempsey reported a Banded Demoiselle in his greenhouse. There were several extra-limital records of this spectacular insect this summer, including one at Mere Sands Wood on my annual dragonfly walk.

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WILDLIFE NOTES JULY 2015 - Dr Phil Smith

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens), male, Alastair Rae, Wikicommons: Accessed Aug 2015, Online

Then, on 13 th, I spotted a small green creature on Patricia Lockwood‟s car in Freshfield. Somewhat incredulous, I identified it as an immature male Oak Bush-cricket, only the second record for Merseyside, John Dempsey having found a female in his garden at Ainsdale in 2010. Surely this trend could not continue; but it did!

Female Oak bush-cricket (Meconema thalassinum), Sandy, Bedfordshire, WikiCommons: Accessed Aug 2015, Online

Two large populations had been damaged by off-road vehicles in the winter of 2013/14 but, despite this, most of the patches have increased in size with the total area up nearly three-fold. Two extremely rare Baltic rush hybrids also occur on the Sefton Coast, both having been recorded only three times in the wild. Baltic x Soft Rush survives only as transplants in slacks and scrapes, while Baltic x Hard Rush, still has an original “wild” colony at Birkdale, together with several translocated patches.

We revisited the localities for both hybrids, one trip involving a Landrover tour of Ainsdale National Nature Reserve in the pouring rain! Most colonies were still there and bigger than in 2004; a good result. As usual, this study will be written up as a scientific paper.

Speckled Bush-cricket Freshfield 24 7 15

On 23rd, Trevor Davenport brought me a bush-cricket from his Freshfield garden; I expected another Oak Bush-cricket but it turned out to be a female Speckled Bush-cricket, a mainly southern species not previously recorded in South Lancashire. As it is wingless, the question arises how did it get here?

Amazingly, a few days later Trevor found six more individuals on his Dahlias!

Having its only English locality at Birkdale, the Baltic Rush is arguably one of our most important sand-dune plants. As it was last surveyed in 2004, it was due to be checked again, so Patricia Lockwood and I visited all its known sites, measured the size of the colonies and recorded the associated vegetation.

Launched with a Heritage Lottery grant, The Biodiverse Society is a project that aims to get amateur enthusiasts recording flora and fauna on Local Wildlife Sites (LWS), listed by local authorities as the best for nature in their areas.

The Sefton Coast has many LWS, one being Queen‟s Jubilee Nature Trail, Southport, established by Sefton Council and Birkdale Civic Society in 1991/92 on land reclaimed by the building of Marine Drive in the mid-1970s. Popular with walkers, the site has long been known for its wildlife interest, supporting Sand Lizards and Natterjack Toads, as well as spectacular plantlife.

Joining Biodiverse Society staff and volunteers, Patricia Lockwood and I helped to identify an impressive total of 218 flowering plants, 47 being new to the 8ha site.

Many are nationally or regionally notable, including good numbers of Dune Helleborines and masses of a favourite of mine, Flat-sedge, one of the most rapidly declining plants in the country. To retain this interest, the site needs managing to control aggressive scrub invasion, especially of Sea Buckthorn; but care is needed as this is one of the best places on the coast for rare hybrid willows.

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THE ADVENTURES OF GRIMSHAW & EVANS AND THE ELEPHANT HAWK MOTH - James Pearson paste jars half-filled with water, to keep the plants fresh, and replacing the stalks every day; the caterpillars do not thrive otherwise.

When the caterpillars eventually pupated, they removed the plants and all water sources, covering the pupae with dried leaves to protect them.

Eventually they were rewarded with the emergence of a beautiful pink and khaki adult which they would hasten to release back in its habitat, having taken a few moments to admire its beauty.

Figure 1 Haresfinch Park, St Helens, to-day. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/ Haresfinch_Park,_St_Helens_%288%29.JPG A conversation with my friend and ex-colleague Ian Grimshaw turned to our boyhood activities in 50‟s and 60‟s, long before games consoles and 24 hoursper-day television had taken over.

Figure 3 Deilephila elpenor. "Deilephila porcellus 04" by Jean Pierre Hamon (14) - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deilephila_porcellus_04.jpg#/ media/File:Deilephila_porcellus_04.jpg Large Elephant hawk-moths are brightly coloured moths found throughout most of England, Wales and Ireland but mainly in south and west Scotland‟.

The adult moth, has a wing span of 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in). It lives for up to 5 weeks and can be seen from May to July; feeding at night, often taking nectar from garden plants like Honeysuckle and Petunia. The adult moths are eaten by some species of bat.

Ian surprised me with a tale of his adventures, exploring neighbourhood with another friend, Derek Evans, looking for interesting creatures/finds in places like the rough ground on the corner of Grasmere Avenue & Folds Lane in Haresfinch, St Helens.

The large caterpillars, which can be found from July to September, feed on Bedstraws and Willowherbs in the wild and on Fuchsias in gardens. The larva is about 75 millimetres (3.0 in) long, it can be green but is more frequently brown with a net like pattern along the body, as well as the four large 'eye' markings at the head end. Like most Hawkmoth caterpillars, they have a backward curving spine or "horn" on the final abdominal segment.

The anterior of the caterpillar appears to have the shape of a trunk-like snout, an „elephant‟-like appearance that gives the moth its name, rather than its large size. This can be extended or retracted as a defensive tactic.

One such „find‟ was the caterpillar of the Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila elpenor). Having collected a few specimens in glass-jar, they would hurry back to Ian‟s home where they would place the caterpillars in glass tank with stalks of Rose Bay Willow Herb (which they ate voraciously) standing in Shippham‟s

When startled, the caterpillar draws its trunk into its foremost body segment, shielding the head from danger whilst rearing back and inflating its body, making the four „eye markings look much larger, presumably acting as a deterrent to any hungry predator.

Figure 2 Rosebay Willowherb https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Rosebay_willowherb_epilobium_angustifolium.jpg

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THE ADVENTURES OF GRIMSHAW & EVANS AND THE ELEPHANT HAWK MOTH - James Pearson It has been suggested that this posture resembles a snake with a large head and four large eye-like patches. The caterpillars are preyed upon by birds, but these shy away (at least for some time) from caterpillars in "snake" pose. It is not known whether the birds take the caterpillar for a snake, or are frightened by the sudden change of a familiar prey item into an unusual and boldlypatterned shape.

Figure 5: Elephant Hawk moth Chrysalis http://www.spacefornature.co.uk/defaultc23e.html? gallery=Galleries\Animals\Insects\Moths\elephant-hawkmoth-chrysalis040423.xml Copyright Richard Burkmar 2004.

References Deilephila elpenor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deilephila_elpenor

Elephant Hawk-Moth - Deilephila elpenor - UK Safari www.uksafari.com/elephanthm.htm

Figure 4: Elephant Hawk Moth larva https://snhg.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/deilephila-elpenor-elephanthawk-moth-caterpillar/

Elephant Hawk-moth - | The Wildlife Trusts www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/elephant-hawk-moth

Elephant hawkmoth and caterpillar - Saga When fully grown the caterpillar moves down to the ground to pupate, remaining in this state until the following spring (around May) when it emerges as an adult moth.

www.saga.co.uk › Lifestyle › Gardening

REARING HAWKMOTHS - Lepidoptera Breeders Association Seen on YouTube

www.lba.uk.com/REARING-HAWKMOTHS_AADAA.aspx

“Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillars in my Garden” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4xOv-n4TIQ

Elephant Hawk moth. - BirdForum www.birdforum.net › Forums › Nature In General › Butterflies and Moths

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PONDNET: PROTECTING PONDS WITH THE FRESHWATER HABITATS TRUST - Ben Deed This year the Freshwater Habitats Trust (previously Pond Conservation) are rolling out their new national pond monitoring programme to North Merseyside.

Merseyside BioBank has been asked to help deliver the project on the ground by putting out a call to local naturalists and volunteers, that means you!

"There are opportunities for anyone and everyone to get involved in PondNet. Following extensive trials and feedback from volunteers, we have developed surveys to match different levels of skill and to match the different interests of our volunteers." – FHT website There are several levels of involvement in PondNet. Focal pond: These are set sites where surveys will be repeated year on year. There is 1 site in Sefton, North Merseyside and volunteers have already been found for eDNA surveys of Great Crested Newt. We still need people to record Aquatic plants, Aquatic invertebrates and Dragonflies. If you think you might be up for the challenge then let us know or contact Anne Heathcote (our Regional coordinator) directly (aheathcote@freshwaterhabitats.org.uk).

Species surveys: Each year there will be selected pond species which the FHT would like people to find and record. For this year records of two species have been selected for North Merseyside. These include the Pond Mud Snail (Omphiscola glabra) and Tubular Water-dropwort (Oenanthe fistulosa). A small number of old records have been identified by FHT for re-visiting, but they are also very keen for people to go out, find new sites and make new records. If you would like to, by all means go out and search for these species! If you'd like to be more involved let us know and we'll keep a list of potential surveyors for when training or more resources become available.

The wider Net: The third aspect of the PondNet project is about the wider conservation and monitoring of ponds. What we are asking people to do is choose a pond or a 1km square full of ponds and carry out similar surveys as those on the focal pond. Including a survey for Amphibians, Dragonflies, Aquatic plants and other aquatic invertebrates (to family).

We are coordinating a large portion of this work locally in partnership with the Biodiverse Society project.

We will help to support volunteers in training and recording and your pond will be listed on the Freshwater Habitats Trust project website. You should also recieve a nice welcome pack with all the instruction you need!

If you'd like to be involved in this part of the project as an individual or through the Biodiverse Society project then please contact Ben (ben.deed@merseysidebiobank.org.uk) or Joanne (jmoore@lancswt.org.uk).

If you'd like to know more about the project then contact us or Anne or check out the projects website http://www.freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/projects/pondnet/survey-options/

Keen on amphibians and like splashing about in freshwater ponds looking for all kinds of interesting creatures and plants, Here is your chance to develop your skills and knowledge and meet people by getting involved in this new and exciting project

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URBAN GRASSLANDS PROJECT -The Biodiverse Society - Hugh Harris Thursday 9th July: Childwall Fields Leaders – Julia Simons & Ami Weir. The Biodiverse Society Team including members of the Liverpool Botanical Society met at the southern entrance (Woolton Road) to Childwall Woods and Fields on a fine summer‟s morning.

Julia and Ami led us onto Childwall Fields which consist of unimproved neutral grassland on a capped landfill site surrounded by scrub, recent plantation woodland and patches of ruderal vegetation. There are two distinct sward types: the western half is short, dominated by Red Fescue Festuca rubra and Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus with areas of taller herbs and localised Common Spotted Dactylorhiza fuchsii and Southern Marsh-orchids D. praetis-

sima.

The eastern half is taller with a greater proportion of taller herbs amongst the dominant False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius and Red Fescue.

These grasslands support several interesting species , including Pignut, Oval and Common Sedge, Compact Rush, Crested Dog’s-tail and Common Vetch.

After a briefing from the leaders we organised into two groups and practiced transect and quadrat surveys: the former for butterflies and bumblebees and the latter for plants and grasses.

RESULTS OF TRANSECT AND QUADRAT SURVEYS OF BUTTERFLIES, BUMBLEBEES, PLANTS & GRASSES Site Name: Childwall Woods and Fields Site no: LWS 11 Grid Reference: SJ416885 Surveyor: Volunteer Date of Visit: 09 July 2015

Butterflies (all transects) Species: Meadow Brown Tally: 32 Species: Speckled Wood Tally: 07 Species: Small Skipper Tally: 17 Bumblebees (all transects) Species: Buff-tailed Bee Tally: 01 Species: Honey Bee Tally: 01 Comments: Also, small moths and Emperor Hawker dragonfly Plants and Grasses (4 quadrats) Quadrat 01: Crested Dog's Tail Yorkshire-fog Ribwort plantain White Clover Rough Meadow-grass Smooth Meadow-grass Willowherb Sward height: 60cm – 04cm

Cynosurus cristatus Holcus lanatus Plantago lanceolata Trifolium repens Poa trivialis Poa pratensis Epilobium sp.

02% 70% 02% 05% 05% 15% 01% 100%

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URBAN GRASSLANDS PROJECT -The Biodiverse Society - Hugh Harris Quadrat 02: Meadow Buttercup Compact Rush Yorkshire-fog White Clover Rye Grass Crested Dog‟s-tail

Ranunculus repens Juncus conglomeratus Holcus lanatus Trifolium repens Lolium perenne Cynosurus cristatus

25%

Ranunculus repens Rumex acetosa Holcus lanata Dactylorhiza praetermissa Poa trivialis

16% 02% 80%

Geranium pratense Alopecurus pratensis Poa trivialis Trifolium repens

40% 02% 05% 05% 02% 10% 36% 100%

20% 48% 03% 02% 02% 100%

Sward height: 30cm – 07cm Quadrat 03: Creeping Buttercup Common Sorrel Yorkshire-fog Southern Marsh-orchid Rough Meadow-grass

01% 01% 100%

Sward height: 20cm – 06cm Quadrat 04: Meadow Cranesbill Meadow Foxtail Rough Meadow-grass White Clover Common Sorrel Smooth Meadow-grass Yorkshire-fog

Rumex acetosa

Poa pratensis Holcus lanatus

Sward height: 22cm – 08cm

HH@UGP

FURTHER REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS TO COLLECT LEAVES - Courtesy of Steve J. McWilliam

Steve J. McWilliam posted a further message on the MBAN Facebook page regarding a request for help.

In 2014, a citizen science project was initiated asking volunteers to collect leaves that were infected with “Powdery Mildew.”

A simple methodology is shown at the Culham Research Group. It involves volunteers collecting leaves, similar to those shown above and posting them for analysis. The Royal Horticultural Society, partnered by Reading University, is again mapping this potentially problematic infection that is unsightly and damaging to plants.

Interested in taking part in the 2015 Survey and learning about Powdery Mildew?

Visit http://blogs.reading.ac.uk/crg/powdery-mildew-survey/ to take part in this important survey.

The research group will feedback the identity of any infected leaves that you send.

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THE NORTH WEST FUNGUS GROUP - Tony Carter Foray Programme 2015 Held in association with the British Mycological Society

Chair: Dr. Irene Ridge, Smalley‟s Farm, Whalley Old Road, Billington Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9JF Tel. 01254 247274

Treasurer and Membership Secretary:

Bring strong footwear. Details about terrain and accessibility of sites can be obtained by contacting the foray leader.

Most venues have their own website.

Forays are planned so that they can continue into the afternoon. If you intend to so continue please bring food and drink.

If travelling a considerable distance to a foray it is advisable to confirm with the leader that the foray is taking place, as on extremely rare occasions, forays have had to be changed at short notice.

Changes will be on the NWFG website.

Beginners are welcome at ALL forays.

Please note that forays are not suitable for very small children.

DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED. About the North West Fungus Group The North West Fungus Group is a regional umbrella group aiming to promote an interest in fungi across the counties of Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria, Flintshire & Denbighshire.

Benefits of membership include:-

Liz Moore, 48 Alan Road, Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 4LE Tel. 0161-432-9124 Recorder: Tony Carter

NWFG Home Page: http://fungus.org.uk/nwfg.htm Sunday 23rd August – BEGINNERS FORAY at Risley Moss, north Warrington.

Meet 10.30. Access from M62 Jct 11. Continue along A574 to first island, turn left. Reserve signposted.

Ample parking space.

SJ665922 (Sheet 109) (WA3 6QS).

Leader - Irene Ridge (01254-247274. A morning foray will be followed by an afternoon microscope workshop.

Sunday 6th September - Styal Woods, Cheshire. Nr. M/c Airport.

Meet 10.30, small National Trust car park off road

by Styal Village, 600 yds past the Ship Inn on opposite side of road. SJ836836 (Sheet 109) (SK9 4JE).

Leader - John Taylor (0161-445-3308)

two newsletters per year. forays and special events. help and advice on a range of fungi related topics.

Sunday 13th September – Roudsea Wood, south Cumbria.

Membership Individual membership - £7.50 Family membership - £10.00 Members joining after November 1st will receive membership for the following year.

Please contact the Membership Secretary for a membership form.

Officers

Meet 10.30 am on the road by the Anglers Arms, Haverthwaite – we will park there and take full cars on for the final mile or so to Roudsea as parking there is limited. Via Newby Bridge A590 west to Haverthwaite. Take B5278 left, the pub is directly in front of you. Roudsea woods location SD330827 (Sheet 97) (LA12 8AJ).

Leader – Helen Speed (01539 733959). No dogs.

Sunday 27th September – Rostherne Mere.

Meet 10.30. Take the third turn on the left going south on the Chester Road (A556) from the M56 Jct 8. The car park is 200 yards past the church on the left hand side SJ743833 (Sheet 109) (WA16 6SB). Or park on the road.

Leader - Tim Rogers (07890949997).

Friday 2nd October to Monday 5th October Residential Foray at Keswick Convention Centre.

Cost inc. meals, for members and for nonmembers will be announced later. Booking form in Newsletter.

Contact Irene Ridge (01254-247274) Sunday 4th October – BEGINNERS FORAY at Moore Nature Reserve, Warrington Meet 10.30. 2 miles south of Warrington on A56 turn north to Moore at traffic lights at Higher Walton. 1 mile turn right, crossing railway and ship canal. Go to end of road to reach entrance. Car park to right of entrance road. SJ578855 (Sheet 108). Leader - Paul Hamlyn (0161-434-1401).

Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October National Fungus Day. Check website for events

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KNOWSLEY SAFARI BIOBLITZ 2015

“Knowsley Safari are taking up the BioBlitz challenge for the second year running – hoping to smash our previous target of 138 species recorded over a 16 hour period! Alongside our Learning & Discovery team, members of various local expert naturalist groups will join our guests and staff to help identify as many different species of birds, plants, small mammals, insects and amphibians living on-site alongside our more exotic residents! There is something for all to get involved with, whether you have done some biological recording before or if you would like to learn more about what is involved and why it is so important. Why not come along and have a dip in our ponds or take part in the various activities scheduled throughout the day!”

Why not volunteer to help at this Bioblitz.?

Or become part of a national project



Arts & Crafts, Mammal trapping,



Moth trapping, Pond dipping, Bat walk, Talks & demonstrations



Wildflower watch, Bug hunting

Start –7pm on 29th August - Finish – 5PM on 30th August 2015 http://www.bnhc.org.uk/bioblitz/knowsley-safari-bioblitz-2015/ [Online] Heather Cunningham Research, the Conservation & Sustainability Officer is in the process of arranging a BioBlitz of Knowsley Safari Park on the weekend of the 29-30th August . She is looking for volunteers who are interested in helping on the day. Email: H.Cunningham@knowsley.com

NATIONAL WATER VOLE MAPPING PROJECT

Water Vole (Arvicola amphibius ) : Peter Timmings: Wikicommons, 25/8/15

There is some evidence of an increase in Water Voles in some local waterways, notably the Leeds Liverpool Canal and there have been sightings and film footage of Water Vole (Arvicola amphibious) posted on to Facebook over the last few months

American Mink (Neovison vison), reported by Darren Wilson, Halewood Triangle, 13/11/2012

This is a call for those naturalists who have not done so already, to submit any sightings of Water Vole and American Mink (Neovison vison) to their record office for inclusion into the latest National Steering Group report

Catherine McGuire, Ecologist (Data Analysis) [:Catherine.McGuire@hiwwt.org.uk] is collating records for inclusion into the latest report which need to be posted ASAP to be included

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MESSAGES FROM THE NATIONAL BAT MONITORING PROGRAM Waterway Survey

National Bat Conference 2015

There's still time to sign up to this year's Waterway Survey and we have lots of previously surveyed sites that need taking on by new volunteers. If you live near one of these sites and would like to take it on please contact us via email.

Book your place at this year's conference for an exciting range of talks grouped under the themes of advances in surveying and monitoring, and ecology.

If you don't live near one of these then you can still take part and we will allocate you a few new sites for you to choose from. Sign up here to take part.

Workshop topics include sound analysis, introduction to GIS and UK bat identification. To see the full range of topics and to book your place please click here.

National Bat Helpline number change BCT now has a new helpline number. The main part of the number is exactly the same; just the prefix has changed.

From 1 July 2015 callers should now dial 0345 1300 228 instead of 0845 1300 228. So, it‟s just the „8‟ in „0845‟ which has changed. Both numbers will be working simultaneously for many months and the service will remain the same.

Image by Hugh Clark

Events

DEFEND NATURE CAMPAIGN We are entering the final week of the public consultation phase of the REFIT project, reviewing the effectiveness of the EU Habitats Directive (as we have reported on in previous editions of the Bat Monitoring Post).

BCT has just posted a final call for everyone to contribute to this process on our website. We would encourage you to participate, if you haven‟t already, and share with your friends and networks.

The consultation has already generated the biggest response the EU has ever had with over 370,000 people contributing so far. The deadline for responses is the 24 July.

The detailed response that BCT has submitted is available on our website, along with links to the web pages for participating in the consultation.

You are able to submit short responses or detailed responses and we are happy for people to make use of our detailed response in preparing their own.

For the links to the consultation pages and for BCT‟s detailed submission please click here

WHY ISN’T EVERYONE ‘BATTY’ ABOUT BATS? Recent research conducted by One Poll has found that 1 in 5 people in the UK either dislike or hate bats, with them proving to be so unpopular that they have been voted as the nation's third least favourite mammal after rats and mice. These opinions were mostly found to be based around common misconceptions, but the survey also found that 3 in 10 people don‟t realise that UK bats are protected, making it illegal to capture, disturb or destroy their roosts.

To find out more about the survey's findings please click here.

Image by Steve Parker

Batfest 2015 - Natural History Museum, London, 12pm-5pm on 29th & 30th August 2015 National Bat Conference University of Warwick, 11th 13th September 2015 To find a complete list of bat events click here.

The Facebook group is a closed group exclusive to NBMP volunteers. It is designed for use as a sharing platform, allowing you to communicate with each other, post questions and share your knowledge, expertise and experiences.

If you have a Facebook account you can join our community of volunteers already using the Facebook group.

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CORRECTION OF INVALID ID’S FROM MAY/JUNE ISSUE - Images by Bob Jude

Phyllopertha horticola

Miridae

Oedemerida

Thank you to Phil Smith and Steve McWilliam who noticed last month’s incorrectly titled images of the above invertebrates.

FROM MBAN FACEBOOK PAGE IN JUNE AND JULY - Images by Bob Jude

Top two images Sefton Park Sloe Bug (Dolycoris baccarum) Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) Bottom 4 images from Liverpool Garden Festival Site Middle Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)

Gorytes quadrifasciatus. First Record for MBB. Bottom

Eriothrix rufomaculata Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans )

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HOPE AND THE GUARDIANS OF THE CODE - A FICTIONAL NATURE STORY - PART 1 OF 3 - R.J.Jude

Tegenaria domestica, , Female, Denis Schubert, Wikicommons

A highly anthropogenic fictional story in 3 parts.

A parody of human ideas of beneficial/harmful insects taken to the extreme.

The media often produces scare stories. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/10-common-spiders-found-around-4200933 increasing arachnophobia. In reality spiders help keep us from being overrun by insects.

It was a wet, windy day; dark clouds almost hid the autumn sun.

A young, deathly pale, brown haired girl looked out the window and saw a rare double rainbow as it stretched across the skies and wondered, had the final treatments worked?

She lived in an old converted bungalow covered in Ivy and Virginia Creeper. In the front garden stood high Pampas Grass that welcomed visitors, beckoning them like an old friend. A Pyracantha climbed high on an old Cedar fence where Sparrows, Blackbirds and Magpies screeched and chattered as they squabbled over bright orange berries.

The house stood on a hill, not far from a meandering river, bordered by giant Sycamores. Beams of morning sunlight streamed from the edges of the clouds filtering through the trees on to the distant dark water mirroring shadowy blurred images of yellow, red and gold in the deep pools below.

Tegenaria atrica,, Male, Kurt Kulac, Wikicommons

As she wheeled her chair into the kitchen, on the high dusty shelf, she saw an extremely large and hairy spider. To her it was a monster. It had a giant cross on its back. Its legs

spread half way up the skirting board and its strange crossed eyes looked fiercely at her as though she was the evil one. It seemed nervous as it watched her.

She loathed all bugs. Insects were bad enough but she especially despised spiders who she knew sucked the blood of dirty, disgusting flies.

She scooted into the lounge to retrieve an old newspaper before returning to the kitchen. She had always detested them.

They were scary and had no place in the world, never mind the kitchen.

Inwardly she shivered and outwardly, grimaced at her thoughts. She would kill it, there would be no escape.

Rolling the newspaper tightly she slowly raised her arm then vainly tried to swat it. She missed and slammed the roll against the shelf, rattling her mother‟s expensive antique clay mugs.

“Oops, lucky me”, she thought.

It had dodged to the side and hid behind the crockery.

Her mother had always told her they were lucky. “Hah, this one certainly was”, she thought in silence.

“Damn this wheelchair, she thought to herself.”

Muttering under her breath she said, “Why am I sick, life is so unfair?

I would give anything to walk again.

Why should it be able to prance around on eight legs while I cannot even walk on two. Why should such evil creatures live at all? I wish it was dead and I could live.”

Her mother‟s familiar voice called, “Hope I‟m just going out”, from the living room momentarily distracting her. When she looked back the spider had gone. Minutes later she looked down and it was on her bare shoulder.

“Arghh”, it had bit her. It didn‟t really hurt but she felt strange and somehow different. She looked closely at the spider. It looked a little less nervous, changed, less frightening and hateful. Just as she was about to sweep it away she became dizzy and faint.

Seconds later she was astounded to hear, “Sorry Hope, I had to bite you so that you could understand. I needed to transfer to you the ability to know the common language of insects and spiders.”

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HOPE AND THE GUARDIANS OF THE CODE - A FICTIONAL NATURE STORY - PART 1 OF 3 - R.J.Jude “You can‟t be talking. I must be having a reaction”, she said, shaking her head to and fro while slapping herself hard?”

“Mum, Mum, I‟m having hallucinations from the medicines and can hear a spider talking”, she tried to shout.

But the only sound that came out was the buzz of a strangled bee.

“I know your name Hope, I‟ve heard your mother call you. Shush”, said the spider. “It will take a few moments for your voice to come back.

My name is Tegenaria Araneus Diadem. Tegs to my friends, please, please, listen to me, you are the only one that can hear, and your mum could come in and take me outside”, said the spider who then related an incredible story.

“Spiders have eight eyes, two see the past, two see the way ahead, two the present and one special pair are able to see each of two different futures.

Two eyes green see where we‟ve been, Two eyes red see the way ahead, Two eyes grey see the world today, Two eyes blue see futures two.

Look into my eyes in turn and I will show you the past, present and the future I see now, one that we must alter by working together, to make the other future possible.

For you are not just Hope, but the hope and the future of all life on earth. I bit you because I am a Guardian , born to protect humankind and ensure that peace remains between human and insects. I had no choice but to break the Code.

I have seen a future and know that a dangerous group has authorised an insect from Africa to carry a deadly

disease. It is arriving at the Airport and will hide out at the Old Hall Museum. Once it transfers the disease, it will let itself be caught. Humans cannot discriminate, and so they will exterminate all the insects there, including the peace loving members, currently preventing retaliation for the war crimes of man. I must do my duty and we don‟t have much time.

The bite effects will only last twelve hours. I must get to the Old Hall Museum safely. The insect must die before it is seen or infects anyone and we must try to influence the vote for peace.

A spider‟s normal eyesight is very poor and I need you to help and protect me, for if I die before the task is complete, the future I see will come about. Unimaginable devastation and loss of all life around the world” Tegs shared his visions with Hope and through his eyes she saw images of long past, at the dawn of time when the insects battled humans.

The wars had lasted for years with many dying on both sides and some species were entirely wiped out. No one group being able to fully dominate the other.

Insects such as dragonflies and spiders at that time were large and powerful, but they were merciful and had an understanding nature and wisdom.

Spiders had second sight that could view a future where humans would eventually create tools that would enable them to affect all life on earth and so desired peace.

On the human side, some knowing that the insects were very small and

prolific and could easily hide and wage germ warfare which could devastate humans, were willing to make peace. They knew insects pollinated flowers and were absolutely necessary for their own survival. The trouble was that not all humans felt the same, and because they were greedy or had suffered losses, they short-sightedly wished to destroy many insects and spiders, even when they were harmless.

The insects who desired peace, were willing to allow the humans to live as long as they kept to themselves and they would even help protect and support them. This group became OBIS, the ancient Order of Bugs, Insects and Spiders which is composed largely of the bees and wasps, dragonflies, hoverflies, butterflies and many of the beetles and of course spiders.

The trouble was that not all insects felt the same and they have never wanted peace with humans and include members of the Confederation of Flies, Lice, aphids and beetles.

Of course there are many creatures who sat on the fence, sometimes eating it, and even within groups separate factions developed, who choose to swap sides when it suits them.

Many times throughout history this evil group found ways to break the peace encouraging fleas to kill thousands using the Black Death and lice to transmit influenza killing many more. Of course mosquitoes are the worst as they despise and kill as many humans as possible. Locusts and some beetles deliberately decimate food crops to cause human starvation. …...TBC

A new look at spiders for those with arachnophobia Did you know?

Newly identified compounds in spider venom could help treat chronic pain in humans

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EVENTS SUMMARY Events are run throughout the year by Liverpool Museum.

These include Mammal Trapping at Knowsley Park and other venues.

Please contact Tony.Parker@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk for details and to book places. Museum collections are open to amateur naturalists and volunteers (by appointment) Other activity events Knowsley: www.knowsley.gov.uk/things-to-see-and-do/ events.aspx Liverpool Parks: liverpool.gov.uk/leisure-parks-andevents Wildlife Trust: www.lancswt.org.uk/what-s-on Court Hey Park: www.courtheypark.co.uk National Wildflower Centre: www.nwc.org.uk/events North West Fungus Group There are forays and special events, with help and advice on a range of fungi related topics.

NWFG Home Page: http:// www.fungus.org.uk/nwfg.htm

Liverpool Botanical Society www.liverpoolbotanicalsociety.co.uk

Merseyside Naturalist Association The MNA organize informal nature events including field trips, talks and practical sessions Visit www.mnapage.info for the programme of events Merseyside & West Lancashire Bat Group The group runs events and training throughout the year check the group website, twitter or Facebook.

Facebook links require membership of Facebook Some links may additionally require permission which can be obtained by contacting the group over Facebook as a pre-requisite. These links are increasingly becoming a major contact point for rapidly expanding naturalist groups and volunteers. Interested then link to: Merseyside BioBank www.facebook.com/MerseysideBioBank

Interested in arranging one yourself next year?

For advice contact ben.deed@merseysidebiobank.org.uk

MBAN www.facebook.com/groups/ActiveNaturalists/ UK Hoverflies www.facebook.com/groups/609272232450940/ WeBS www.facebook.com/pages/Mersey-Estuary-WeBS Lancashire Lepidoptera https://www.facebook.com/ groups/119829941488294/ British Wildlife Photography https://www.facebook.com/ groups/415160405188412/ Lancashire Mammal Group https://www.facebook.com/pages/LancashireMammal-Group/169476803103866?

BTO Garden Birdwatch https://www.facebook.com/gardenbirdwatch RSPB https://www.facebook.com/RSPBLoveNature British Spider ID https://www.facebook.com/ groups/829354860449271/ British Mycological Society (BMS) https://www.facebook.com/groups/18843741618/ Conopids https://www.facebook.com/groups/british.conopids/

HELP! BIRDERS STILL NEEDED The Mersey Estuary is one of Britain‟s best wetlands. We know this because each month we count the waterfowl as part of the national Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS).

However, we need „new blood‟ volunteers. You don‟t need to be an experienced wildfowl counter, though you should be able to identify common waders and wildfowl. If you think you can help then please email Dermot Smith at dermot.smith71@gmail.com or phone 07505 418832 for further details.

For more information plus recent reports and photos visit the Mersey Estuary WeBS page on Facebook

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SUMMARY of EVENTS PROGRAMME of 2015 at SEFTON COAST PARTNERSHIP www.seftoncoast.org.uk Booking is essential for Sefton Coast events Call 01519342964

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.

Details from http://www.lancswt.org.uk/whats-on

Biodiverse Society Training y Online Recording (beginners course) Walks last around 2.5-3 hours and require good footwear. The walk may include small hills and undulations. It would also be advisable to wear appropriate clothing for the day.

Heritage & Health Walks “Discover the heritage along with coastline with a series of walks. Part of the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership scheme” “The walks will take you through a variety of habitats including woodlands, sand dunes and beach walks”

Other Events Why not visit Facebook page SeftonCoast?

Online Recording databases are an easy way for recorders to securely store their own records whilst making them available to the Local Records Centre.

Time: 6-8pm Location: Merseyside BioBank, Court Hey Park Contact: For more information and to book on contact Catherine Haddon on chaddon@lancswt.org.uk, 01772 324129 Tuesday 18th August Invasive Non-native Species (INNS Surveying) Join Senior Conservation Officer John Lamb to learn about the late signs of identifying invasive species; covering identifications, misidentifications and eradication techniques.

Time: 10-12pm Location: Fishwick Bottoms LNR, Preston Contact For more information and to book on contact Catherine Haddon on chaddon@lancswt.org.uk, 01772 324129t to Wednesday 23rd September Urban Bryophytes

RSPB Merseyside SUMMER 2015.

Details copied from RSPB Events Page https://www.rspb.org.uk/ discoverandenjoynature/seenature/events/ results.aspx RSPB Tel: 01704 226190

Join Merseyside BioBank Manager Ben Deed for this three day workshop which will introduce beginners to the identification of key species and how to use keys.

Day 1 (Monday 21st Sept) - Field identification Day 2 (Tuesday 22nd Sept) - Use of keys Day 3 (Wednesday 23rd Sept) - Use of microscopes Time: 1pm-3pm Location: Merseyside BioBank, Court Hey Park Contact: Catherine Haddon at chaddon@lancswt.org.uk Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October

Fungal Foray Weekend Celebrate National Fungus Weekend by joining Tony Carter and John Watt from the North West Fungus Group (NWFG) to improve your skills in the identification of fungus Time: 10am-4pm Location: Sat 10th Oct: Indoor session at Merseyside BioBank followed by a fungal foray at Clarke Gardens, Merseyside with Tony Carter.

Sun 11th Oct: The Barn, Cuerden Valley Park, Preston with John Watt. This session will involve an outdoor fungal foray and indoor session identifying using microscopes and making spore prints.

Contact: For more information and to book on contact Catherine Haddon on chaddon@lancswt.org.uk, 01772 324129 Fungal Foray at Fishwick Bottoms Join John Watt from the North West Fungus Group (NWFG) to improve your skills in the identification of fungus.

Time: 10-4pm Location: Fishwick Bottoms LNR, Preston Contact For more information and to book on contact Catherine Haddon on chaddon@lancswt.org.uk, 01772 324129