Waxcap #6 - Pink Waxcap

Still in August and we are up to six Waxcaps - one of the two Pink Waxcaps (Porpolomopsis calyptriformis) has a stipe about twice the normal upper length at 150mm.

Pinkgills out

At least three species of Pinkgills appeared in the West Field a couple of days ago. I was able to identify one as the Blue Edge Pinkgill (Entoloma serrulatum), one as the Felted Pinkgill (E. griseocyaneum) and one remains a mystery. It is a bit like the Mealy Pinkgill (E. prunuloides) but definite identification eludes me. Photo shows the felted cap of the Felted Pinkgill.

New Species - Violet Ground Beetle

I do think I have seen this or similar before but I don't seem to have recorded it anywhere so it goes on my new species list. This must be the Violet Ground Beetle (Carabus violaceous) as it fits the description perfectly. The purple line on the elytra and the subtle colouring on the pronotum turn what at first appears to be a plain black beetle into a thing of beauty.

Waxcap #5 Yellow Foot Waxcap

We're off and running in the mid-season waxcaps and first up is the Yellow Foot Waxcap (Cuphophyllus flavipes).

New Species of Hoverfly

I am sure this must be Sphaerophoria interrupta. There are apparently very similar species but none of them are known to be found around here and S. interrupta is 'a common and widespread grassland species' that is found here. My list of identified Hoverflies is now ten species but it wouldbe a lot higher if I was more dedicated to and better at identifying them.

Wildlife at The Beeches

A wildlife trip out to The Forest of Dean reminded me that what we see here is remarkable and perhaps taken for granted too much. Many times I was shown wildlife that I see on a daily basis (Fallow Deer, Sloe Worms, Ravens, Marsh Tits, Eyebright etc). There was also stuff we don't see here so it was a great day out. As a reminder a Buzzard perched this morning on a tree close to the house - we do live in a special place.

Holly Blue

A lovely little butterfly and not uncommon but I don't see a lot of these despite having loads of both Holly and Ivy here. This year there are definitely more and one kept still long enough for me to take a photo.

Butterflies

It's been a good year, in general, for butterflies. A huge increase in Small Tortoiseshells despite reports of them decreasing elsewhere, lots more Peacocks, a good year for Marbled Whites and also for Small, Large and Green-veined Whites. Reasonable numbers of Common Blues and Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers and I have recorded some species I didn't see last year such as Holly Blue and Silver-washed Fritillary. Today there were six specieson the Buddleia including this Red Admiral.

New Species - Roesel's Bush Cricket

Another one for the Orthopterans list - the Roesel's Bush Cricket which brings the count to seven species. Luckily it is an easy one to identify as I did not have my camera with me which is the usual way I id insects. I think there is a general decrease in the density of grasshoppers and crickets this year-last year there were hordes of them. The list in full: Dark Bush Cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera Meadow Grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus Field Grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus Common Green GrasshopperOmocestus viridulus Speckled Bush Cricket Leptophyes punctatissima Common Groundhopper Tetrix undulata Roesel’s Bush Cricket Metrioptera roeselii