RUTLAND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

LYNDON Nature Reserve, Rutland Water.

Saturday, 14^th August 2010

The weather for the morning of Saturday 14^th August, started with a cold northeast wind, and showers.    But by 11.0am the rain had ceased temporarily.  Heavy clouds obscured the sun.  Despite the poor conditions, 9 intrepid members of Rutland Natural History Society assembled at the Interpretative Centre, on the Lyndon Reserve, Rutland Water.   The society’s Orthoptera Recorder: Phil Rudkin started the field meeting, on the lookout, and to listen for, crickets and grasshoppers.

The group headed along the trail, to the west of the centre, and in the grasses at the edges of the cut hay fields, had to find and capture Lesser Marsh and Meadow Grasshoppers.  This was because these creatures were not stridulating (singing), because of the dull weather.  The hoppers were inspected, and the salient points for identification discussed.   Members took shelter under Ash trees, when a sudden shower started.    However, as soon as the clouds lifted slightly, the sun warmed up everywhere.    Crickets are hardy animals, and stridulating was heard from the thick grasses.  These were identified by sound, picked up with the use of small bat detectors, which are used regularly for Orthoptera fieldwork.  The singers were, Roesel’s Bush Cricket (an attractive dark cricket, with a yellow stripe around the pronotum, and yellow patches along both sides of the body).  And a very green cricket, with the amazing name of, Long-winged Conehead.   Butterflies appeared at the same time, and those observed were: Common Blue males and females, Small Copper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, and Gatekeeper.

The trail passes Deep Water Hide, and then next, the group stopped outside Tufted Duck Hide.  Outside the hide is an area of long grasses and scrub.   This proved rich in the same cricket species and butterflies.  However, a new butterfly for the list was a Brown Argus.  Silver Y moths were active also.   One member captured a male Roesel’s Bush Cricket, and this was admired before release.  Meadow Grasshoppers were abundant in the grass edges.   Gatekeepers were feeding on the brambles, and Blackcaps were observed feeding on the various berries in the in the tall hedgerows.

Carrying on along the trail, and just as the naturalists arrived near Wader Scrape Hide, a very heavy cloudburst made everyone head for the hide.   For the next 30 minutes, the group enjoyed observing the activities of the Ospreys, and watching a Water Rail fledgling feeding in the reeds.

At 2.30pm the journey back towards the centre was along the farm field track. And as the sun warmed up for a brief period, the 2 species of cricket, and Lesser Marsh Grasshoppers were heard, in the grasses at the side of the cut hay fields.  Blackcaps were again heard and seen in the hedges, and a Willow Warbler gave a brief reminder of spring, with some wonderful song phrases.   A Speckled Wood butterfly entered the notebooks.

Back at the centre, the species list was discussed, and all agreed how interesting it was to note that when the sun went behind the clouds, the coolness stopped the stridulating, and the butterflies disappeared.  The reverse happened as soon as the warmth and sun returned.    It was very noticeable that only one Speckled Bush Cricket was located.   This reserve at Lyndon has a big, thriving colony, so it seems that this flightless cricket obviously needs warmer conditions to encourage their activity.  Despite the generally poor weather, it was agreed that this was a successful exercise, and enjoyable event.

There were 4 bat detectors in use during this meeting.  Magenta Bat 5, Bat Box 111D, and, two Stag Electronic Bat Box 111.

Philip Rudkin. 16^th August 2010.

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