Reed bunting Credit Nathan Wilde
Small skipper at Mere Sands Wood Credit Mark Lazenby
Mark Lazenby took this lovely photo of a small skipper butterfly resting on a fleabane flower on his visit to Mere Sands Wood this month.
Small skipper caterpillars hatch in late summer. They eat their own eggshell and then go into hibernation within the grass sheath where they emerged. They come out again the following spring, ready to feed and metamorphose.
Common plume moth Credit Mark Lazenby
This unusual looking moth is a common plume and was spotted by an eagle-eyed Mark on his visit to Mere Sands Wood.
Also known as a morning glory plume, Mark has managed to get a clear, close-up photo of this moth resting on a plant. Plume moths tend to rest with their wings tightly rolled up, making them look like a small cross, and easy to miss. They have spurs on their hind legs, in which one is longer than the other. They are usually found in woodland, scrub land, hedgerows and gardens.
Common darter at MSW Credit Mark Lazenby
It is peak season to see common darters, a small, narrow-bodied dragonfly that is typically on the wing from July to October, and we have delighted in spotting lots across our reserves this month! Mark shared this photo of what looks to be an immature male adult, or female common darter resting on a leaf at Mere Sands Wood.
Their name comes from their behaviour of darting suddenly from a hovering state to catch their insect-prey. They will then fly their catch to a favoured perch to eat it.
Deer at Mere Sands Wood Credit Sophie Cartwright
Sophie Cartwright was lucky enough to sight this roe deer prancing across her path at Mere Sands Wood. Speedy and elegant, it's always a treat to see deer enjoying the shelter and abundance of our reserves. Roe deer tend to be solitary in the summer, but will start to form small, loose groups as we move into winter. Roe deer are widespread in England, but our most popular viewing spots are Brockholes, Heysham, Longworth Clough and Mere Sands Wood.
Hummingbird Hawk Moth at MSW Credit Mark Lazenby
We are particularly delighted with this photo of a hummingbird hawk-moth submitted to us by Mark Lazenby this month, as they are notoriously hard to photograph! You can see from the photo how rapidly their wings beat, looking almost invisible to the naked eye. You can usually hear a hummingbird hawk-moth before you see one.
These hawk-moths migrate to the UK from Southern Europe each year, and can be seen hovering over flowers, feeding with its long proboscis; its wings move so quickly that it 'hums' as it feeds on the nectar of honeysuckle, red valerian and other flowers like buddleia.
Stock doves at Seaforth Credit Tom McKibbin
Tom McKibbin shared this photo of two happy stock doves wading in shallow waters of Seaforth nature reserve this month. The stock dove is a medium-sized pigeon that nests in holes in trees and in farm buildings. Unlike the woodpigeon, it is very rarely found in towns and gardens. It feeds on seeds, leaves, grains, fruit, peas and root crops.
You might think that these doves are common, but unfortunately they are classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021).
Scarlet pimpernel at Heysham Credit Keith Stanley
This striking red flower was spotted by regular reserve visitor Keith on his visit to Heysham. A fascinating flower, it is sometimes known as 'Old man's weathervane' or 'Shepherd's weather-glass' because the flowers close when atmospheric pressure falls, and bad weather approaches.
Once considered a weed of cornfields, the scarlet pimpernel is now in decline due to intensive agricultural practices. It can be found in arable fields, on roadside verges and waste ground, and on coastal cliffs.
Burnet moth Credit Keith Stanley
The six-spot burnet is a medium-sized, day-flying moth, commonly found in grasslands, woodland rides and sand dunes, where the caterpillars feed on common bird's-foot trefoil. The adults feed on the nectar of knapweed, thistles and other grassland flowers, and females lay their eggs on the caterpillars' foodplants. The caterpillars hatch and feed, hibernating over at least one winter.
The red spots of burnet moths indicate to predators that they are poisonous: they release hydrogen cyanide when attacked. Thanks to Keith Stanley for this stunning photo!
Reed bunting Credit Nathan Wilde
Visitor Nathan photographed this beautiful reed bunting among the thistles at Lunt Meadows. In the summer, the males have black heads and black throats extending down into a bib, with a white collar and white 'moustache'. In winter the head is mostly brown, though the white collar and 'moustache' are still obvious. The throat becomes pale, though there are usually traces of the dark bib still visible.
Unfortunately, reed buntings are classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021), and are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. They are a priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.
Black-necked grebe at Brockholes Credit Richard Steel
This striking waterbird was sighted at Brockholes. Known in America as the 'Eared Grebe' because of its golden ear tufts, the black-necked grebe is a rare nesting bird in the UK, and breeds only in a handful of places around the country.
It nests at the water's edge because it cannot walk very well because its legs are set quite far back along its body! Black-necked grebes are also almost flightless for around nine months of the year, which is much longer than any other flying bird. They do, however, undertake immense migrations to their breeding grounds.
Mandarin duck credit Dave Appleton
This distinctive duck is a riot of colour and is a treat to see on our reserves!
Introduced from China and now found on park lakes and other wetlands with overhanging trees, the mandarin duck have elaborate plumage with orange plumes on their cheeks, orange 'sails' on their back, and pale orange sides; females are dull in comparison, with grey heads, brown backs and white eye stripe. Unusually, they nest in holes in trees, sometimes high up and a long way from the water.
