Potteric Carr Nature Reserve: Wildlife News

Potteric Carr Wildlife
Wildlife News

This website is edited by volunteers and sponsored by Papyrus Tours and ASPphoto Images of Nature, see disclaimer at foot of page

Please send all Wildlife sightings and images to Allan Parker

Natural History Books for Sale

The Potteric Carr Recording Group have a number of books, some rare, for sale, click link for a full list. Sensible offers are welcome. Any proceeds will be used to fund the website.

'In the field reports we strive to provide the most accurate identification possible of the species which we have discovered. In doing this we use, where it is thought necessary, local and national specialists to endeavour to achieve this aim. However, most of the identifications are based on 'in the field' views and on photographic evidence which doesn't always show the key identification features - please note that not all of the photographs taken are posted on the site. We welcome any comments from specialists viewing the reports who may wish to challenge the accuracy of the identifications or to provide additional or corrective information. Please address such comments to the email address given above."

Butterflies Decline:
The following link is to the results of Butterfly Conservation's annual butterfly count that was completed recently. It shows some disturbing declines of common popular species.
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Links to previous months.

Wildlife News October to December 2012 Wildlife News July to September 2012 Wildlife News, April to June 2012 Wildlife News, January to March 2012 Wildlife News, September to December 2011

Wildlife News, March to August 2011

The Yellow Route (Childers Wood) will be CLOSED from Saturday 9th March to Sunday 24th March for maintenance work. Please check at the entrance to see if this includes the Childers Wood Hide

The Lighted Crossing and the Yellow Route Childers Wood. / Lighted Crossing will be CLOSED on the following weekends :--- Saturday 21.30 hours 6th. April to 05.00 hours Monday 8th. April. --:-- Saturday 21.30 hours 13th. April to 05.00 hours Monday 15th. April --:-- Saturday 21.30 hours 20th. April to 05.00 hours Monday 22nd. April --:-- Saturday 21.30 hours 27th. April to 05.00 hours Monday 29th. April

March 2013

Thursday 7th

A large Toad Bufo bufo (probably a female) was on the way towards the water along Butterfly Alley (Michael Bird).

Tuesday 5th

Derek Bateson reports (with additions by Allan Parker):-

'The three Musketeers set off today for Childers Wood, more in hope than expectation. Ken and I took more images of Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara, Gorse Ulex europaeus and Ivy Hedera helix seed pods, as there was little else to observe except numerous Woodlouse of two species and a few millipedes. I did find one Hairy Snail Trochulus hispidus (see image), clearly showing the hairs on its shell. After a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard, we moved through the viaduct area into Corbet Wood / Field noting a number of Scarlet Elf Cap Sarcoscypha austriaca on the way, (seventeen fruiting bodies under the viaduct with more round the corner along side the drain). Ken found and we then photographed a pair of Lichen, as yet unidentified (see image). Allan found, under some loose bark, an unidentified, hibernating, larva of possibly of a moth species. Ken and Allan then photographed the freshly emerged leaves of Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum with one image showing the way the stems twist around each other and their host's branches. Most of the remaining fungi was past its 'sell by date' but there were some colourful Turkey Tails Trametes versicolor in places (see image).

The formerly unidentified fly, found by Ken a couple of weeks ago I have now had identified, by one of Britain’s leading Muscidae experts, as Phaonia tuguriorum, probably a new Reserve record, but I am checking this as we have recorded similar species previously.’

(Note regarding Lichen image:-Lichen Evernia prunastri and below it Parmelia sulcata with soredia on the lobes. Above them both is Physcia adscendens and the brownish one looks like a Melenelixia subaurifera, all on a dead branch per Steve Price).

Left, Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara and right, Gorse Ulex europaeus both images © Derek Bateson

Left, Ivy Hedera helix and right, Hairy Snail Trochulus hispidus both images © Derek Bateson

Left, Common Woodlouse Porcellio scaber © Ken Woolley and right unidentified Lichens © Derek Bateson

Left, Blackthorn Prunus spinosa flower buds and right, Ash Fraxinus excelsior leaf buds both images © Ken Woolley

Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Spring leaves both images © Allan Parker ARPS

Left, unidentified hibernating larva and right, Turkey Tails Trametes versicolor both images © Allan Parker ARPS

Sunday 3rd

Allan Parker reports:-

A very pale coloured (probably moulting from it's winter to it's summer coat) Stoat Mustela erminea was noted, by both Ken and myself, hunting backwards and forwards across the Access Track when we arrived at about 09:15 am.

With Derek still celebrating making eighty last Friday Ken and myself setoff west along Loversall Bank in search subjects for our macro lenses. The weather was dull but somewhat milder than recently with little or no wind so first up was Alder Alnus glutinosa catkins and flowers (see Image). We then re-discovered the Handsome Fungus Beetle Endomychus coccineus that Derek had found the previous Sunday still under some bark (see image). The only other creatures under the bark were a Black Snake Millepede Tachypodoiulus niger which evaded the camera and a Common Woodlouse Porcellio scaber (see image). We continued to Loversall Field before returning east along Willow Bank. Here we noted at least six Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera leaf rosettes showing in the rank vegetation. St Catherine Copse provided us with several fungi species including Velvet Shank Flammulina velutipes, eight Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca fruiting bodies and a small white species which remains unidentified (see images). All in all not a very productive morning but at least it was dry and mild.

After lunch Ken went off to photograph the three or four Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria flowers that Ian Heppenstall had noted along the path past Old Eaa Marsh (see image). He also photographed Gorse Ulex europaeus and Ivy Hedera helix berries and I retired home.

Left, Alder Alnus glutinosa male catkins and female flowers and right, Handsome Fungus Beetle Endomychus coccineus both images © Allan Parker ARPS

Left, Common Woodlouse Porcellio scaber and right, unidentified fungi both Images Allan Parker ARPS

Left, Velvet Shank Flammulina velutipes and right Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca both images © Allan Parker ARPS

Left, Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria and right, Ivy Hedera helix berries © Ken Woolley

Gorse Ulex europaeus © Ken Woolley

February 2013

Tuesday 26th

2 Roe Deer were along the Mother Drain bank (Michael Bird).

Sunday 24th

At least twenty Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara were flowering along the bank between the Mitchell Hide and the Viewing Screen but fairly well closed due to the cold grey weather. A Stoat Mustela erminea was reported from the Huxter Well area.

Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara © Allan Parker ARPS

Derek Bateson reports:-

'My usual compatriots were in 'birding' mode as it was dull and cold first thing, so I set off along Loversall Bank by myself. Inexplicably, the rather attractive Hazel hedge alongside the Compound has been badly 'laid' to a height of perhaps 3 feet, exposing the rather ugly metal railings and buildings to full view from the path. Just along from here, I again photographed the Alder Alnus glutinosa male catkins and flowers which are now fully emergent. As is my practice at this time of the year, with little else to be seen, I soon started to explore under the bark in some of the dead log piles. I was quickly rewarded in a pile of what I think were ash logs, and as I gently moved the bark I saw a flash of red which turned out to be the aptly named Handsome Fungus Beetle Endomychus coccineus (see images). This is slightly similar in appearance, but smaller than a Ladybird for which it is often mistaken. Although it has been recorded here many years ago, it is my first sighting in the past fifteen years, and it made a good find. In the same section of bark was a hibernating Birch Shieldbug, Elastmostethus interstinctus (see image) together with our ‘other’ Woodlouse Porcellio scaber (see image) with its duller, rougher bodied, and a pointed telson, or last body segment. Finally, in the same log was another interesting beetle larva possibly Rhagium mordax, the adults of which we have found many times within 100 metres of where I found this larva . I have included two images, one showing how it has created a system of backfilled tunnels as it chewed its way around, and the other a close-up of the tunnel it is working in. All in all, quite an interesting day, with a final ‘fly-by’ of two Mute Swans’

Alder Alnus glutinosa male catkins and female flowers © Derek Bateson

Handsome Fungus Beetle Endomychus coccineus both images © Derek Bateson

Left, Birch Shieldbug, Elastmostethus interstinctus and right, Woodlouse Porcellio scaber both images © Derek Bateson

Beetle larva possibly Longhorn Beetle Rhagium mordax both images © Derek Bateson

Friday 22nd

Ken Woolley belated reports:-

' Forgot to mention I re-found Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca in St. Catherine's Copse South, at the usual location, on Tuesday afternoon'. (This now makes four known sites on the Reserve for this attractive fungi).

Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca © Ken Woolley

Wednesday 20th

A few early morning trips to Potteric over the last week have given me lots of sightings of Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus. A max count of 7 on one occasion (Allen Holmes).

Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus © Allen Holmes

Another image from yesterday by Ken Woolley shows a Beech Fagus sylvatica leaf bud another sign that Spring is not that far away.

Beech Fagus sylvatica leaf bud © Ken Woolley

Tuesday 19th

Allan Parker reports:-

The three of set off initially to check the fungi found but not identified last Sunday some after some more images were taken a small sample was collected for testing. We then returned and went to Black Carr Field which proved to be not very productive. I found a large group of very small Club-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindriolus punctatus which Derek photographed (see image). We then resorted to photographing Hazel Corylus avellana male catkins yet again and I even took to photographing reflections in dew drops on some of the twigs (see images). Ken found and took images of a Flesh Fly Phaonia tuguriorum which he had found hibernating under some bark.

On our return to the Field Centre a very bold American Mink Mustela vision was active in the Mother Drain Pumping Station / sluice gate area seemingly not bothered about the group of people watching it!!! (see image). This is of course extremely bad news for the reserve and the sooner it is eliminated the better.

Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara is in flower along the path between the Warden's car park and Old Eaa on railway side. A female Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus was in Corbett Wood this afternoon (Michael Bird).

There was also good numbers of Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara in flower along the path between the viewing screen and the Mitchell Hide on Huxter Well Marsh. A Stoat Mustela erminea in near ermine colouration was seen on Huxter Well Marsh by Trevor Lunness and his wife ?. I must grovel at this point as I failed to obtain the lady,s identity, typical male chauvinist. 'Sorry luv'. The sighting was just west of the Viewing Screen on the bank between Cells 2B and 3A.

Left, unidentified fungi fruiting bodies on Willow Salix species © Allan Parker ARPS and right, Flesh Fly Phaonia tuguriorum © Ken Woolley

Club-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindriolus punctatus © Derek Bateson

Left, reflections of tree branches in a dew drop and right, Hazel male catkins both images © Allan Parker

left, Mink Mustela vision © Derek Bateson and right Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara © Ken Woolley

Sunday 17th

Derek Bateson reports:-

'The Three Musketeers were re-united today and traipsed off to Black Carr Wood / Field whilst Susan P. went Bittern watching (with some success). On the way we noted a pair of Mute Swans flying over towards Decoy Marsh. In Black Carr Field the Hazel catkins had emerged in some number after the warm sunshine of the last few days, and both Ken and Allan had more choice than I had last week. I went off to look for more Lesser Stag Beetle larvae, but without success, but we all found numerous Woodlice, plus I photographed some Flat-backed Millipede Polydesmus angustus, together with more Club-tailed Snake Millipedes Cylindriolus punctatus (see images). We then proceeded into the wood where Allan had started to investigate under dead bark, and turned up a Ground Beetle, probably Pterostichus melanarius. The two images show an adult beetle and a close-up of the head, antennae and mouthparts. Close by was a bright yellow slime mould (not identified), which clearly shows the river-like structure and spread of the plasdmodium (see image). On the way back to the café for our morning coffee break, Allan spotted two birds on the far side of Black Carr Field which turned out to be a pair of Mistle Thrush, a good find as we don’t see many here nowadays. Further along the path alongside Hawthorn Field we noted the new group of Scarlet Elf Cap Sarcoscypha austriaca (originally seen by Mike Bird et al last week), by the side of the railway line (see image). Ken and Allan then went to photograph the emerging Alder catkins along Loversall bank, but the wind had got up making photography less than easy though not impossible (see image)’.

After lunch Ken and Allan had a walk down Cottage Drain without much success but they did find a rather attractive clump of fungi growing in the top of a dead tree trunk (see image)

Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara were in flower near the viewing screen on Huxter Well Marsh (Susan Parker)

Left, Hazel Corylus avellana male catkins and female flowers and right, Woodlouse Oniscus asellus both images © Allan Parker ARPS

Left, Flat-backed Millipede Polydesmus angustus plus Club-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindriolus punctatus and right, Flat-backed Millipede Polydesmus angustus

both images © Derek Bateson

Ground Beetle probably Pterostichus melanarius left, © Allan Parker ARPS and right Derek Bateson

Left unidentified yellow Slime Mold and right Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca both images © Derek Bateson

Left, Alder Alnus glutinosa male catkins and female flowers and right unidentified fungi both images © Allan Parker ARPS

Friday 15th

Below are two images from Ken Woolley's compact camera. The Black Witches Butter Exidia glandulosa were from Black Carr Field and the Alder Alnus glutinosa catkins were on Loversall Bank.

Left, Black Witches Butter Exidia glandulosa and right, Alder Alnus glutinosa catkins both images © Ken Woolley

Tuesday 12th

Derek Bateson reports:-

'I was left on my own yesterday as the usual cohort of conspirators was absent from the Reserve. As I unpacked my camera gear, I heard one of the harbingers of Spring in the 'drumming' of a Greater-spotted Woodpecker along Loversall Bank. I then made my way towards The Black Carr area, and on the way paused to photograph a couple more Scarlet Elf Cap Sarcoscypha austriaca (see image) and there are now nine fruiting bodies near the seat by the underbridge. I went to Black Carr field to collect a moss sample in order to Identify it, so far without success so I may need to pass this to Joan Egan for a determination. Nothing much else was about so I then reverted to looking under the bark of dead logs for dormant invertebrates, and I immediately struck lucky with a family group of Club-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindriolus punctatus, with an adult and several juveniles (see image). Under the bark of an Oak log I found a long reddish-orange beetle larva (see image ) which I suspect might be that of one of the Click Beetles ( Elateridae). In the thick bark I also found an excavated area housing a large (1 1” X 3/8” cream coloured larva. This I think might be one of the Carabidae and I have included two views, one to show a close-up of the formidable mouth parts (see images). I have asked Bob Marsh if he can help with these. Under every piece of bark were numerous Woodlouse Oniscus asellus (see image) and a couple of Centipede which were too quick for my camera lens. As I turned back towards the Café, I paused to photograph the male Hazel Corylus avellana catkins (see image), and I also managed to find two female flowers, with their tentacle-like red anthers protruding (see image). Another sign that Spring can’t be far away although it was bitterly cold.’

PS. I was right about the small beetle larva but the large one is much more interesting. Bob Marsh is recording it as a probable Lesser Stag Beetle, Dorcus parallelipipedus which has never been recorded here before. It has a three year life cycle so we won’t necessarily see adults even this year.

Scarlet Elf Cap Sarcoscypha austriaca © Derek Bateson

Probable Lesser Stag Beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus © Derek Bateson

Left, Club-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindriolus punctatus and right, Click Beetle Elateridae species larva both images © Derek Bateson

Woodlouse Oniscus asellus © Derek Bateson

Hazel Corylus avellana left, male catkins and right female flowers both images © Derek Bateson

Tuesday 5th

Derek Bateson reports:-

‘The Slime Mould Bahamia utricularis, photographed last Sunday has ripened. The rounded structure (fruiting body) which you see in the highly magnified image, has ruptured to release the spores, revealing a white, limey, mesh-like lattice (capitilium) to which the spores were attached. These are black and quite large measuring 8 microns in size.’

Slime Mould Bahamia utricularis © Derek Bateson

Sunday 3rd

Ken and myself went to check on the Water Violet Hottonia palustris site and as we went along the Mother Drain bank we noticed several Freshwater Swan Mussel Anodonta cygnea shells that had been dredged out of the Drain (see image).

Freshwater Swan Mussel Anodonta cygnea shell © Ken Woolley

Derek Bateson reports:-

'Two out of the Three Musketeers were in 'birding' mode today, so our paths diverged when we reached Hawthorn Bank. Here my objective was to image the Wall Rue Asplenium ruta-muraria (see image) which Ken photographed the other day. Unfortunately, the recent icy weather had rather spoiled the specimen. I then went down to Black Carr Field, and in the adjacent copse to the west, turned over some ancient Hawthorn logs and found several masses of tiny, 1/16” round, greyish fungi (see image) which appear to be attached to the wood substrate by brownish hypae. I took a small sample but by the time I reached home, the spore mass had exploded, covering the inside of the collecting tube with what I assume are black spores which I will look at later as I cannot make an ID at present. I have also asked Steve Clements for his opinion (now identified as Slime Mold Bahamia utricularis). Close by was a Birch stump which had a roughly circular moss colony developing (see image). It is difficult to tell but it appears likely that it is either a Brachythecium species or a Eurynchium species, but I have asked Joan Egan for guidance. More Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca has emerged near the seat by Mother Drain’.

Left, Wall Rue Asplenium ruta-muraria and right, Slime Mold Bahamia utricularis both images © Derek Bateson

Unidentified Moss species © Derek Bateson

January 2013

Tuesday 29th

A Fox Vulpes vulpes was on Low Ellers Bank (Sue Bird) and an American Mink Mustela vison was swimming in Mother Drain just below the Pumping Station (Dave Carroll).

Sunday 27th

Allan Parker reports:-

Ken and myself were in birding mode but we noted that Jelly Ear (Jew's Ear) Auricularia auricula-judaea were numerous on dead Elder Sambucus nigra and two groups of Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca were also seen (see images).

Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca both images © Ken Woolley

Barbara Murray photographed a Sexton Beetle almost certainly Nicrophorus vespillo on the viewing screen on Huxter Well Marsh (see images).

Sexton Beetle Nicrophorus vespillo © Barbara Murray

Thursday 24th

Two Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus were feeding along the southern bank of Mother Drain where it runs past Huxter Well Marsh (Thursday Birders)

Loversall Bank © Ken Woolley

Willow Bank © Ken Woolley

Saturday 19th

Saturday dawned dull, grey, 'yukky' and definitely solid overcast, not a photography type of day at all. Spent the morning at Potteric Carr attending the Doncaster Nat's AGM; at least I was warm. Post AGM and lunch I foolishly decided to take more photographs under even more adverse conditions than Thursday, which resulted in more so so photos. However the day ended very nicely thank you. The grand kids were staying with us overnight and, as there was a modern jive freestyle on, the Boss magnanimously signed my pass, so I got to dance with a lot of very nice ladies. This last sentence probably contains the only wildlife element of the whole report (Ken Woolley).

Black Carr Wood © Ken Woolley

Piper Marsh © Ken Woolley

Mother Drain looking West from the 'Iron Bridge' © Ken Woolley

Friday 18th

Another Lichen Physcia adscendens photographed recently, by Derek Bateson, is shown below, some previous Lichen images have now been re-captioned with identifications provided by Steve Price.

Lichen Physcia adscendens © Derek Bateson

Thursday 17th

"Thursday dawned bright and sunny after a brilliant overnight hoarfrost. Thinking I had lots of time I 'faffed' around at home answering e-mails etc. I finally got down to Potteric Carr about 11.15am just before a solid bank of cloud put the reserve in the shade. The air turned blue again whilst I expressed my feelings. I managed a few so so photos before I thought blow this I am perished, so went home to have lunch and a glass of wine with the Boss (Ken Woolley).

Balby Carr Copse © Ken Woolley

Decoy Marsh © Ken Woolley

Wednesday 16th

Another sunset from yesterday by Ken Woolley in his best 'arty f***y' mood, this time over Old Eaa Marsh. Ken says he calls it 'breaking the rules', I didn't know he'd got any, never mind knowing he'd broken them!!!!

Sunset over Old Eaa Marsh © Ken Woolley

Tuesday 15th

Ken Woolley reports:-

I again stayed in the north west quadrant of the Reserve, mainly in the hope of seeing the Bittern but as usual with no luck. I photographed Black Spleenwort Asplenium adiantum-nigrum and a Moss Polytrichum juniperinum on Hawthorn Bank, and then in the Beeston Triangle area I managed another Moss probably Mnium undulatum and a fungi possibly Variable Oysterling Crepidotus variabilis. Within the Polytrichum juniperinum there is a few leaves of Black Spleenwort Asplenium adiantum-nigrum and what looks like Wall-rue Asplenium ruta-muraria. On the way back I photographed a reasonable sunset over Decoy Marsh (see images below).

Sunday13th

Derek Bateson reports:-

'I was left to my own devices today as one compatriot was off duty and the other turned up after I set off for Loversall Triangle where I found small two white fungi which I was unable to photograph satisfactorily due to the light conditions. I did manage another small group with tiny 1/8" heads, probably (see image). Hawthorn Field proved a little more productive with three mosses, Polytrichum juniperinum, Plagiomnium undulatum (Mnium undulatum) and some rather attractive spore capsules of Tortula muralis(see images). Close by were some dead Hawthorn branches and these carried some rather nice examples of Crepidotus variabilis (see image). On another dead log were several colonies of a an orange Pyrenomycete, similar to Coral Spot, but I think it is probably Nectria peziza (see image), which we see from time to time. Finally, near the steps up to Hawthorn Bank was a rather nice example of Scaly Earthball Scleroderma citrinum (see image), which I was able to show to some visitors interested in fungi.’

Left, unidentified fungi probably Marasmius or Mycena species and right, Moss Tortula muralis spore capsules both images © Derek Bateson

Left, Moss Polytrichum juniperinum and right, Moss Plagiomnium undulatum (Mnium undulatum) both images © Derek Bateson

Ken Woolley reports:-

Due to suffering from a combination of hypothermia and rigor mortis in my fingers I only went from the Cafe to the entrance and back to the Cafe. I only got as far as the entrance because of the need to hand in a pair of gloves I found in Old Eaa Hide. After thawing out at the Cafe I had a quick trip to Hawthorne Bank to see a single Wall-rue Asplenium ruta-muraria plant Ian Heppenstall (see image). had seen on the brickwork of the railway bridge. This location is quoted in Dorothy Bramley's booklet but this is the first time I have seen it thanks to Ian. I also found Silverleaf Fungi Chondrostereum purpureum growing on a Blackthorn Prunus spinosa trunk which show how variable it can be and a rather revolting unidentified Slime Mold on a cut Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna trunk (see images). Also alongside the Post Office building were two Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna trees, one on each side of the path; the first had freshly opened leaves plus opening buds and the other also had partially opened leaf buds; which shows how mild the recent weather has been. To emphasize this Pete Greaves has reported a Comma Polygonia c-album butterfly by St. Catherine's Hide on the 11th November.

Left Wall-rue Asplenium ruta-muraria and right, unidentified Slime Mold on a cut Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna stump both images © Ken Woolley

Wednesday 9th

Below are the images taken yesterday, on the Reserve, by Ken Woolley. The resupinate fungi was coating a Willow branch. The images of Turkey Tail Trametes versicolor illustrate both the top and bottom surfaces. If you very carefully at the right-hand Slime Mold image there are to very tiny Earwigs.

Moss species left, possible Polytrichum juniperium and right, possible Brachythecium species both images © Ken Woolley

Tuesday 8th

Many trees in St Catherine's Copse and elsewhere are 'lighting up' the dull woodland with orange coloured alga, probably Trentepohlia abietina (see image) Peter Dawson.

Derek Bateson reports (with additions by Allan Parker)

'The three of us set off for Black Carr Field and Wood, but on the way we stopped to image some of the small Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca (see image) near the junction with Cottage Drain path. Along the Hawthorn Field path, several Lichens were seen (see images). One was Xanthoria parietina, but the others, one possibly another antler-like Cladonia sp. were not positively identified, but the close-up of another seems to show some interesting rootlets and I shall be passing this to Steve Price for an ID. Lingering here, I spotted some unidentified fungus-like growths on a stump, but more interestingly a juvenile Spotted Snake Millipede Blaniulus guttulatus (see image). We all wandered off our separate ways for a while until I received a telephone call from Allan, who had been photographing various fungi (see image), to say that he had found something interesting. When I met up with him it seems that he had adopted my habit of inspecting for invertebrates under dead bark, but instead he had found two juvenile Common or Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris (see image), one slightly larger and carrying more orange colour on the back than the other. We all spent some time photographing these, but little else was seen except for a fallen Silver Birch Betula pendula branch stained a deep blue-green, this is caused by the Green Elf Cup Chlorociboria aeruginascens (see image), before we returned to Low Ellers Café for refreshment’.

(The Green Elf Cup Chlorociboria aeruginascens is interesting in that wood stained by this fungi is used as a decorative inlay on furniture under the name 'Tunbridge ware')

Left, Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca and right juvenile Spotted Snake Millipede Blaniulus guttulatus both images © Derek Bateson

Monday 7th

Taken by Ken Woolley early yesterday morning in the low warm sunshine the two images show some of the trees at the east end of Loversall Bank.

Sunday 6th

Allan Parker reports:-

The three of us set-off for a walk past Old Eaa, across the 'Lighted Crossing' (see image), through Childers Wood then along the board walk to the still flooded Corbett Field retracing our steps back along the bottom path through the Childers Wood. First to be photographed by Ken was a a group of Gorse Ulex europaeus buds (see image). I then photographed a Noctuid moth larva (caterpillar) which is possibly a Grey Arches Polia nebulosa (per Ian Heppenstall) hibernating under bark on a dead Elder Sambucus nigra (see image). Next up several fruiting bodies of Smoky Bracket Bjerkandera adjusta found by Ken on a fallen dead Silver Birch branch. At the bottom of the steps down to the boardwalk I found an attractive tiny fungi which remains unidentified (see image). Under the viaduct we counted some seventeen Scarlet Elf Cup Sarcoscypha austriaca just starting to appear on dead branches floating in the water (see image). Also photographed in this area were some as yet unidentified Lichen growing on dead wood (see images) and some colourful Turkey Tail Trametes versicolor fruiting bodies (see images). On our way back Ken came across the fruiting bodies of probable White Brain Exidia thuretiana (see image). In the afternoon while in the birding mode Ken and myself came across a cluster of Oyster Fungi Pleurotus ostreatus fresh fruiting bodies growing at the bottom of A Silver Birch Betula pendula tree.

Tuesday 1st New Year's Day

Two Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus were on the footpath near Piper Marsh Hide about 10:30 (Michael Bird)

Wildlife News October to December 2012

Wildlife News July to September 2012

Wildlife News, April to June 2012

Wildlife News, January to March 2012

Wildlife News, September to December 2011

Wildlife News, March to August 2011

This website is edited by Potteric Carr volunteers and sponsored by Papyrus Tours and ASPphoto Images of Nature. Copyright rests with several authors, and text/photographs should not be reproduced without prior permission. Potteric Carr Wildlife website is independent of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the staff at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve. The opinions expressed here are those of individual volunteers. Any comments concerning YWT or the Reserve and its operation should be addressed to the staff at Potteric Carr or the Trust's Head Office in York (www.ywt.org.uk).

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