All posts by David Pottinger

Volunteer Event This Sunday – 13 April 2014

Conservation, Events, Volunteering

Following on from the very popular Sunday volunteer event in March, the next one is this coming Sunday, 13 April.

Colin Gray writes:

“This coming Sunday is our last chance to burn up all the cut material from past tasks so the reserve is tidy for summer. The fire site is as before on the N E edge of Fugelmere Marsh.”

For further information and booking (which is essential as the tools and resources needed have to be planned beforehand), please contact Hart Countryside Services – details here.

A picture from the last event (see Fifteen Herons Flying for more details).

2014-03-09_08 sm

The Recovery Of The Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Plants and Animals

1280px-Aglais_urticae_LC0310

Top down view of a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Peter Martin writes:

During the autumn of 2013, the biggest surprise was the number of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies that I recorded in this part of North-east Hampshire. Please see pictures above and below.

This butterfly, which used to be seen in fairly large numbers, had been badly affected in recent years by a parasitic fly, Sturmia bella, which arrived here from the Continent due to global warming.

The fly lays its tiny eggs on the leaves of the food-plant which are then consumed by the Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars when munching the stinging nettle leaves. Grubs emerge from the eggs inside the caterpillars and start to eat them, leaving the vital organs ‘til last.

Due to attacks by this parasite, I only saw 8 Small Tortoiseshells in 2008, 11 in 2010, 8 in 2011 and 5 in 2012. In 2013, however, I recorded 88. A National Garden Survey for the whole of the UK showed an increase in numbers compared with 2012 of 388%. Locally, we have bettered this with over 1,600% improvement.

Was this due to weather or other conditions making 2013 a bad year for the parasite or could there be a long-term benefit? Only time will tell, but it would certainly be nice to see more of these beautiful insects in future years.

1280px-Kleine_Fuchs,_Aglais_urticae_6

Side view of a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Picture credits: Wikipedia.

Request For Adder Sightings At The Reserve

Conservation, Education, Photography, Plants and Animals

f08-adder-2a
An adder spotted by Colin Gray (see here)

David Pottinger writes:

David Buckler, a Committee Member of Fleet Pond Society, is currently carrying out a survey for the Amphibian and Reptile Group (ARG).

As part of this, David would be interested to hear of any adder sightings at Fleet Pond, especially during March/April. There is a concern that there may be a decline in numbers.

Please contact David directly on this subject (no need to leave a comment below), his email address is: david.buckler@talktalk.net

Many thanks for your assistance.

davidb adder small

An adder spotted by David Buckler (see here)

 

Sunday 9 March – Fifteen Herons Flying

Conservation, Plants and Animals, Volunteering

2014-03-09_01

The ever popular baked potatoes being prepared

2014-03-09_05

… and then enjoyed

Rachel Jones, the Countryside Ranger, writes:

“Another great turn out for the Fleet Pond Society Volunteer March Sunday!

Wow what amazing weather! We were all rewarded with Brimstone and Peacock butterflies, and we counted up to 15 Herons flying over the Islands!

The aim was to clear as much brash as possible from along the footpaths at Fleet Pond. These extra branches and logs were from the recent storms and previous volunteer parties. With the logs, the team made log piles in the woods which will be valuable dead wood for insects.

2014-03-09_08 sm

Taking a well earned coffee break

The brash was pulled out of the Eastern marsh now thankfully the area is just about dry enough to venture out there! Terry and Nick worked on the view point and it’s looking great! There was lots of interest from passers by.

We have a team out on Fugelemere Marsh burning all the brash, some dragged from the marsh and some from nearby footpaths. We also reduced the huge pile off the dry heath.

2014-03-09_04

Well, that’s one way to get the job done!

There is still much to clear and tidy but this was a really great effort from all and we are very grateful to all our volunteers.”

Ed. Some excellent pictures of herons at Fleet Pond can be seen on the Fleet Pond Society Group Pool on Flickr – see here.

2014-03-09_06

Dedication – working on after the main event has ended…

Ed. If you are interested in the butterflies that can be seen at the Pond (as mentioned above), why not take a look at these articles by Peter Martin?

Butterflies At The Pond – 2013

Butterflies Around The Pond – Have You Seen Any?

Photo credits: David Pottinger and Rachel Jones.