Friday 3rd January

A drake Goldeneye off Cockwood, the first of the winter, was the only news received. 

Year list addition:

71. Goldeneye

Wildlife Review 2024: Beetles

A very large order of insects occurring in a wide range of habitats from aquatic and inter-tidal to terrestrial and arboreal. They exploit a wide range of food sources including live prey, carrion, plants, live and rotting wood and dung. 

There are 412 species on the Warren audit, which is only 10% of the total British species. This year 160 species were noted with twenty-three new for the Recording Area. Similar to 2023 when 150 were found including thirty-four new species, clearly much more to learn about this group on site. 

Predaceous diving beetles (Dytiscidae)

An group that largely goes unnoticed on site, Agabus bipunctatus was found on damp ground by the First Pond on 3rd June and a Great Diving Beetle Dytiscus marginalis was attached to light on the night of 20th June.

Agabus bipunctatus 3rd June - Alan Keatley

Ground beetles (Carabidae)

Mostly ground-dwelling with many found under stones, logs or bark with some in more open areas.

Twenty-two species were identified this year. Under driftwood in January were Dromius meridionalis on 22nd, Demetrias atricapillus on 27th and Strand-line Burrower Broscus cephalotes on 31st. Active in February, Common Springtail Stalker Notiophilus biggutatus on 6th, Amara tibialis and Great Four-spot Treerunner Dromius quadrimaculatus on 10th, and another sun beetle, Amara communis on 24th.

Great Four-spot Treerunner Dromius quadrimaculatus 10th February - Alan Keatley

Into spring, Strawberry Seed Beetle Harpalus rufipes on 11th, Paradromius linearis on 13th, Metallic Harpalus H. affinis on 26th, Rainbow Greenclock Poecilus versicolor on 30th were seen in March. Common Sun Beetle Amara aenea on 9th and Syntomus foveatus on 18th were April additions, with Bembidion quadrimaculatum on 11th, Bembidion lampros and Clivia fosser on 15th and Amara equestris on 22nd in May.

Common Sun Beetle Amara aenea 9th April - Alan Keatley

Fewer additions later in the year with Cillenus lateralis on 19th July, Harpalus latus on 24th August, Calathus mollis on 9th and Great Blackclock Pterostitus niger on 23rd September and in October, Calathus melanocephalus on 22nd and Oxypselaphus obscurus on 25th.

Rove beetles (Staphylinidae)

By far the largest beetle family, and in most respects the most challenging to identify. Most are quick running ground predators. Only the ones with the most obvious features can be identified without microscopic examination. As a result, only fifteen species were identified this year, mainly in sandy areas.

The first of the year was Gyrohypnus angustatus on 2nd January, with the common black and red Paederus littoralis from 16th January and the menacing-looking Devil's Coach Horse Ocypus olens on 30th January. A beach dwelIing Phytosus balticus was noted on 10th February.

Devil's Coach Horse Ocypus olens 12th December - Alan Keatley

Philorinum sordidum were active on Gorse from 5th March. The elongated Xantholinus linearis was noted on 20th March and, new for the Recording Area, Anotylus rugosus was found on the beach on 3rd April. The horned Bledius spectabilis was recorded in the inter-tidal zone from 16th April.

Bledius spectabilis 16th April - Alan Keatley

Tachyporus hypnorum was found hiding under driftwood on 30th May, with the carrion eating Philanthus politus under a dead gull on 8th June. Ocypus brunnipes was noted in leaf litter by the Main Pond on 5th August, with Tachyporus dispar and the small beach dwelling Anotylus maritimus later in the month.

 

A new species for the Recording Area was the non-native Teropalpus unicolor, a minute rove beetle from Australia usually found in seaweed, located on the railway wall near Langstone Rock on 1st October. The final rove beetle addition of the year was Cafius xantholoma found on the beach on 8th November.

Dung and Scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae)

Feeding on decaying plant material or dung, and recognised by the shape of antennae. Several species are found, usually on the beach or in the dunes.

Chafers are summer scarabs, with two recorded in June, the familiar Cockchafer Melolontha melolotha on 1st and Dune Chafer Anomala dubia from 8th.

Dune Chafer Anomala dubia 8th June - Kevin Rylands

Dung beetles however can be found throughout the year, the beach below the geotube can be a productive area, with individuals often trapped by the mobile sand. The first was an Aphodius sphacelatus on 2nd January, with Aphodius foetidus on 27th. Dune Scarab Aegialia arenarius were wandering around from 6th February, with two new species for the Recording Area, Melinopterus consputus and Onthophagus medius found the same day. These were all found on the beach as were Aphodius fimetarius and A. rufipes on 26th February. A third new species was found on 10th July, Colobopterus erraticus.

Melinopterus consputus 6th February - Alan Keatley

Click beetles (Elateridae)

Although numerous and widespread few click beetle species are recorded on site. However, a new species occurred this year with Obscure Agriotes A. obscurus recorded on 7th April. The commoner orange-bodied Agrypnus murinus was noted from 9th May.

Agrypnus murinus 9th May - Alan Keatley

Longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae)

Mostly colourful elongated spring/summer beetles, frequent flower visitors.

The first of the year was Common Grammoptera G. ruficornis on Hawthorn on 29th April, with the boldly coloured Wasp Beetle Clytus arietis nectaring on flowers from 20th May.  Fairy-ring Longhorn Pseudovadonia livida noted from 2nd June, with a new species on the same date, Black-striped Longhorn Stenurella nigra. The familiar Spotted Longhorn Rutpela maculata was recorded from 25th June.

Black-striped Longhorn Stenurella nigra 2nd June - Kevin Rylands

Ladybirds (Coccinellidae)

The most familiar beetle family, colourful and spotted with some exceptions, with the smaller species often overlooked.

24-spot Ladybird Subcoccinella 24-puncta was the first species of the year on 22nd January with the first Seven-spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata from 29th. Harlequin Harmonia axyridis and 22-spot Ladybird Psllobora 22-punctata both appeared on 19th February. One of the so-called obscure species, the Meadow Ladybird Rhyzobius litura was noted from 2nd March.

24-spot Ladybird Subcoccinella 24-puncta 19th February - Alan Keatley 

May saw the emergence of Two-spot Ladybird Adalia bipunctata from 17th with 10-spot Ladybird Adalia 10-punctata the next day, and the tiny red Marsh Ladybird Coccidula rufa was noted on 20th. A new species, Heather Ladybird Chilocorus bipustulatus was found on 5th June, with the first Cream-spotted Ladybird Calvia quattuordecimguttata noted on 24th June. 

Heather Ladybird Chilocorus bipustulatus 5th June - Alan Keatley

The vegetarian Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata and 16-spot Ladybird Tyttaspis 16-punctata were first noted on 15th and 25th August respectively. A Pine Ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus on 14th September was the last new species for the year.

Leaf and flea beetles (Chrysomelidae)

Another sizable family, largely consisting of leaf eating species. Many are colourful, although some of these still require microscopic scrutiny and some are plant specific.

A hibernating Blue Willow Beetle Phratora vulgatissima was the first noted on 24th January, with the second, Large-striped Flea Beetle Phyllotreta nemorum on 18th February, a new species for the Warren. March saw Prasocuris phellandrii, a leaf miner of marsh plants on 6th with a Bloody-nosed Beetle Timarcha tenebricosa, the largest leaf beetle, on the beach on 19th March, only the second for the Warren.

Bloody-nosed Beetle Timarcha tenebricosa 19th March - Alan Keatley

Red Poplar Leaf Beetle Chrysomela populi was first noted on 3rd April, Knotweed Leaf Beetle Gastrophysa polygoni on 16th April and Yellow Flag Leaf Beetle Aphthona nonstriata were active from 28th April, with the first of many Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni the next day.

Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni 1st June - Kevin Rylands

May saw eight new species emergences including Knotgrass Leaf Beetle Chrysolina polita on 9th, Small-striped Flea Beetle Phyllotreta undulata, a new species for the Recording Area on 11th and Nightshade Flea Beetle Psylliodes affinis, Bruchus atomarius and another new species Cryptocephalus moraei all on 17th.

Cryptocephalus moraei 17th May - Alan Keatley

In June Willow Flea Beetle Crepidodera fulvicornis was noted on 17th, with another new species found on 23rd July, Cryptocephalus fulvus. In a poor year just one Asparagus Beetle Crioceris asparagi was spotted on its host plant on 30th July. The striking Fleabane Tortoise Beetle Cassida murraea was also a new species on 5th August, with Thistle Tortoise Beetle C. rubiginosa from 24th August.

Fleabane Tortoise Beetle Cassida murraea 5th August - Alan Keatley

Turnip Flea Beetle Phyllotreta nigripes was the fourth new species on 9th September, with Rosemary Beetle Chrysolina americana was noted on its foodplant on 1st October and the usually numerous Bronze Leaf Beetle Chrysolina banksia only noted on 17th October.

Weevils (Curculoinidae)

The second largest family after rove beetles, most readily identified as weevils by their snout (rostrum). Many species are challenging to identify, but the host plant can also act as a useful indicator. A total of twenty-eight species were record this year.

The first of the year was the robust Marram Weevil Philopedon plaglatum on 6th February with Gorse Weevil Exapion ulicis, a plantain weevil Trichosirocalus troglodytes and Orthochaetes insignis all noted on 19th. Also, in February the clover weevil Hypera postica and the gorse weevil Sitona striatellus were added to the year's audit.

Marram Weevil Philopedon plaglatum 20th April - Kevin Rylands

Into March, the willow-feeding Dorytomus taeniatus was active from 3rd with Black Marram Weevil Otiorhychus atropteus on 17th, the wood-boring Euophryum confine on 18th, a Mecinus circulatus on 26th, the first record since 2017, and the Cabbage Leaf Weevil Ceutorhynchus contractus and Sea Beet Weevil Lixus scabricollis both on 30th.

Mecinus circulatus 26th March - Alan Keatley

New for the Recording Area a clover weevil Hypera nigrivostris was a good find on 20th April. End of the month saw the dock weevil Perapion violaceum from 20th, Polydrusus cervinus on 26th and two mallow weevils, Aspidapion radiolus and Pseudapion rufirostre on 27th.

Added to the year list in May were Small Nettle Weevil Nedyus quadrimaculatus, Phyllobius argentatus and Phyllobius pyri on 17th and Loosestrife Weevil Nanophyes marmoratus on 30th. Protapion apricans, another clover weevil, was added the site audit on 19th June, with another mallow weevil Malvapion malve and the leafmines of an oak weevil Orchestes pilosus on 24th June. 

Loosestrife Weevil Nanophyes marmoratus 30th May - Alan Keatley

Into July Black Vine Weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus and a willow leaf weevil Tachyerges salicis on 6th and a pea weevil Sitona lineatus on 23rd. The last addition of the year was an iris weevil Monoychus punctalbum on 9th September.

 

Other species (representing smaller beetle families) this year included:

Whirligig beetles (Gyrinidae): Brackish Whirligig Gyrinus caspius were active on the surface of the smaller ponds from 20th May.

Water scavenger beetles (Hydrophilidae): Heophorus brevipalpis on 6th February and Cercyon littoralis on 3rd April and Sphaeridium bipunctlatum on 16th April.

Clown beetles (Histeridae): Hypocaccus dimidiatus on 11th March and 11th November, both found on the beach.

Hypocaccus dimidiatus 11th November - Alan Keatley

Round fungus beetles (Leiodidae): Catops grandicollis was found on carrion on 17th October.

Stag beetles (Lucanidae): Lesser Stag Beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus, the only species found on site was noted on 25th June.

Pill beetles (Byrrhidae): Cytilus sericeus on 28th April, new for the Recording Area, was the sole representative.

Cytilus sericeus 28th April - Kevin Rylands

Variegated mud loving beetles (Heteroceridae): The tiny inter-tidal Heterocerus fossor was an unexpected new species on 24th August.

Heterocerus fossor 24th August - Alan Keatley

Soldier beetles (Cantharidae): Low in numbers this year with Cantharis cryptica from 14th May, C. rustica from 20th May, Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva from 24th June and Malthinus flaveolus on 13th July.

Spider beetles (Ptinidae): A Furniture Beetle Anobium punctatum, aka Woodworm, was attracted to a recently cut willow on 15th August.

Soft-winged flower beetles (Melyridae): Cordylepherus viridis, a malachite beetle, was active from 11th June with Dasytes plumbeus from 17th June.

Cordylepherus viridis 11th June - Alan Keatley

Silken fungus beetles (Cryptophagidae): Micrambe ulicis, a common gorse beetle from 18th February and Antherophagus silaceus added to the site audit on 7th July.

Shining flower beetles (Phalacridae): An Olibrus affinis on 28th May was a site first.

Short-winged flower beetles (Kateretidae): Nettle Pollen Beetle Brachypterus urticae from 12th June.

Handsome fungus beetles (Endomychidae): False Ladybird Endomychus coccineus on 3rd August was only the second Warren record.

False Ladybird Endomychus coccineus 3rd August - Alan Keatley

Minute scavenger beetles (Latrididae): Cartodere bifasciata on 6th July followed by C. nodifer on 23rd September.

Tumbling flower beetles (Mordellidae): Anaspis maculata from 17th May and A. frontalis, another new species, on 3rd June.

Darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae): Phylan gibbus active from 8th February, Nalassus laeviotostriatus from 26th February with Phaleria cadaverina on 11th May and Lagria hirta from 24th June.

Nalassus laeviotostriatus 26th February - Alan Keatley

False blister beetles (Oedemeridae): Numerous Thick-thighed Pollen Beetle Oedemera nobilis were noted from 20th May, with Oedemera lurida from 25th May and Wharf Borer Nacerdes melanura was a good find under driftwood on 5th June, with others found later in the month.

Wharf Borer Nacerdes melanura 5th June - Alan Keatley

Cardinal beetles (Pyrochoidae): The distinctive Red-headed Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa seraticornis were active from 15th May.

Red-headed Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa seraticornis 15th May - Alan Keatley

Thursday 2nd January

The highlight came late in the day with a Red-necked Grebe in the lower estuary and later offshore, the first since 11 March 2023. Also offshore eight Great Crested Grebe, three Eider, three Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver.

Elsewhere a fourth Great Northern Diver and three Greenshank were in the estuary at low tide, the Siberian Chiffchaff and three Chiffchaff around the bushes, six Shoveler and a Kingfisher at the Main Pond and two Lesser Redpoll in Dead Dolphin Wood. 

Greenshank - Dean Hall

Shoveler - Dave Jewell

Year list additions:

57. Cirl Bunting
58. Starling 
59. Stonechat
60. Meadow Pipit 
61. Greenfinch 
62. Lesser Redpoll
      Siberian Chiffchaff
63. Red-throated Diver
64. Kingfisher
65. Green Woodpecker
66. Kestrel 
67. Jackdaw 
68. Raven
69. Collared Dove 
70. Red-necked Grebe

Bullfinch - Dean Hall

Other Wildlife: Despite the welcome return of some sunshine very few insects were out, with none on the planted Hebe. An early Limonia nubeculosa was resting on one of the beach huts and a couple of 7- spot Ladybird were on Gorse.

Limonia nubeculosa - Alan Keatley

7-spot Ladybird - Alan Keatley

Wildlife Review 2024: Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians & Fish

Mammals

A real change in status this year, with fluctuating appearances of a lone Grey Squirrel early in the year to March 16th, with sightings scarce in mid-summer with just one record in June and three in August. Then appeared regularly from early September to end of October, feeding on acorns and alder seeds. Then just one record end of November and two in December. Mainly seen around the Entrance Bushes, Dead Dolphin Wood or the trees on the golf course, one did venture as far as Warren Point on one occasion, perhaps the individual found dead on The Bight strandline in September. 

Grey Squirrel 18th January - Alan Keatley

Recorded on six dates throughout the year, Brown Rat is most likely seen early morning. Never too far away from a convenient food source or human activity, with several finding bird table food to their liking.

Brown Rat - Alan Keatley

First recorded in 2013, from a re-introduction scheme at Cockwood, Water Vole have slowly established itself on the Warren. This elusive beast was reported on ten occasions this year, mostly at the Main Pond, but also in ditches and ponds on the Golf Course. The smaller Field and Bank Vole are also ever present, but rarely seen. A Field Vole was found in Greenland Lake on 21st January with a Bank Vole in the Buffer Zone on 12th June and at Langstone Rock on 9th September.

Smaller again mice are similarly under-recorded, with no sightings this year, although abandoned Harvest Mouse nests were found across site, including in reeds at the Main Pond, in the early winter and autumn. First recorded a few years ago, with one exception they remain unseen!

Another unseen species was Badger, with footprints, latrines and foraging signs all noted, a continuing increase in activity. Footprints again were the main evidence of the presence of Weasel and Stoat, but they were also occasionally seen, if briefly, as they ran between cover. A Weasel was spotted on several occasions, often near the Visitor Centre, between 12th January and 27th October, and a Stoat ran across the carpark on 8th November.

Uncertainty on however many Fox there are on site with footprints frequently found on soft sand. Sightings were reduced this year, with presumably only one active den, with most seen between May and September.

Fox 11th July - Lee Collins

The only bat species identified this year were Common Pipistrelle on 3rd March, with pipistrelle sp. on many dates during the summer. 

As with mice and voles, shrews are rarely recorded. Of the three species found on site Pygmy Shrew is the least recorded but one was seen on 21st January with the first Common Shrew noted on 24th April. Related to shrews and, like Harvest Mouse, yet to be seen on site, fresh molehills near the railway footbridge confirmed the continuing presence of Mole.

The Warren's historical relationship with Rabbit continues. Numbers fluctuate with disease (Myxomatosis, VHD1 & 2) taking its toll. Recorded throughout the year, particularly from mid-March to mid-October, numbers were low this year. Quiet times (early morning and evening) and quieter places like Warren Point are the best times and place to see them.

With the removal of a barge that was a favoured haul out in the lower estuary reduced seal sightings this year, although at least eight individuals (six Grey & two Common) were present in the estuary late winter.  No particular pattern to appearances of Grey Seal with sightings in all months apart from February. Seen both offshore and in the estuary, unlike previous years only one individual was noted on any particular date with most sightings of a bull off Langstone Rock.  As is typical fewer Common Seal were recorded; singles noted in the estuary in June, September and December with an adult and juvenile on Warren Point on 30th November.

Apart from a 13th January record, all other Harbour Porpoise sightings, ten, were between May and September. Usually seen singly, however two were noted on 9th May, with three on 17th & 30th August.  In recent years Common Dolphin has lived up to its named, with twelve sightings between May and September and again on December 14th. Usually seen in small pods (including the occasional calf), the maximum was at least ten on 16th September. It was also a good year for Bottle-nosed Dolphin by recent standards with records on four occasions, three in August including a pod of four on 10th, and the final record of the year, a pod of ten on 14th December. 

By far the mammal highlight of 2024 was Risso's Dolphin, a bull was seen well for up to two hours from the seawall, before slowly heading south on 22nd May. The first confirmed record, following two probables on 12th December 2010, it was spotted again distantly on 25th May. No doubt the same animal that had been seen occasionally in Torbay earlier in the year.

Risso's Dolphin 22nd May - David Flack

Reptiles 

The most frequently encountered species, Common Lizard were emerging from hibernation from 2nd March. Only ones or two were recorded on various dates until the autumn when adults and this year's juveniles were seen together.  Seven were recorded on 11th September and a good total of nineteen on 1st October. Sand Lizard emerged later with the first, a female, on 28th April and the last on 29th August. Usually found on the Dune Ridge, this introduced reptile is susceptible to habitat loss due to sand dune erosion. 

Sand Lizard 10th May - Lee Collins

The first Slow-worm since 2021 was found on 7th April, missing part of its tail, it no doubt had a close encounter with a predator.

Slow-worm 7th April - Lee Collins

Amphibians

Common Frog spawn was found in the temporary entrance pools on 6th Feb, with other spawn found in Greenland Lake. However, these pools dried out before the tadpoles could emerge. Common Toad fared better with adults found between May 30th and September 30th, although there were few toadlets noted this year.

Fish

Plenty of Rudd could the found at the Main Pond, attracting Kingfisher, Grey Heron and on at least one occasion a Little Egret to the. Little Grebe were also seen feeding smaller Rudd to their young. 

Rudd (with Kingfisher) 9th September - Alan Keatley

Marine fish are usually encountered stranded on the beach like the Lesser-spotted Dogfish on April 5th, falling victim to a predator such as Lesser Sandeel and, on 31st May, a European Eel, or are caught by anglers.  A common coastal fish, the elongate shaped Garfish was noted offshore on 6th January, with species found around the shallows and estuary later in the year including Flounder, Plaice, Sea Bass, Common Sprat and Thick-lipped Mullet, scarcer species included a Starry Smooth-hound on 20th July and the first Common Goby for the Recording Area on 1st September.

Rockpooling at Langstone Rock revealed Common Pipefish on 9th September. Further searching found Conger Eel and a Topknot, a flatfish new for site on 19th September and a Five-bearded Rockling on 20th. Last, but not least, an Atlantic Bluefin Tuna was seen breaching on December 7th and 22nd.

Five-bearded Rockling 20th September - Kevin Rylands