Despite an increasingly rare frost with ice on edge of the mudflats the only suggestion of cold weather movement was a single Skylark over the Buffer Zone.
Counts from the estuary included 480 Teal, 198 Wigeon, eight Greenshank, two Avocet, two Red-breasted Merganser and single Mediterranean Gull and Great Northern Diver.
A total of 191 species were recorded on site this year (194 in 2024 & 187 in 2023), with 35 species confirmed breeding (39 in 2024 & 36 in 2023), including seven pairs of Cirl Bunting, five pairs of Stonechat, two pairs of Little Grebe and single pairs of Bullfinch and Reed Bunting. A pair of Swallow nested on the Visitor Centre for the first time although with the absence of regular male, the female Mute Swan only incubated a clutch of unfertilised eggs. Present throughout there were also no confirmed breeding Pheasant with Starling and Whitethroat both low in number.
After last year’s exceptional five species, there were no North American waders this year but an eastern vagrant, Marsh Sandpiper, was a new species for the Warren.
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| Cirl Bunting 21st April - Tim Dix |
Other rarities included the 2nd records of Chough, Common Rosefinch, Laughing Gull, Lesser Crested Tern and 6th record of Woodchat Shrike. Last year’s returning Green-winged Teal and 6th Goshawk were again present in 2025 and two notable influxes saw at least 30 Glossy Ibis, just five previous individuals, and after just 17 previous records at least 19 different Caspian Gull.
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| Caspian Gull 11th December - Lee Collins |
Both Caspian Gull and Glossy Ibis were seen in record numbers, with a new vismig peak for Chaffinch in March. Conversely numbers of wintering birds offshore and in the estuary continue to decline with especially low counts in the second winter.
January
A wet and windy start to the year saw a low total of 56 species were recorded on 1st (72 in 2025 & 85 in 2023). The first scarcity was present the next day, a Red-necked Grebe in the estuary, the first since Mar 2023, and after a blank end to 2024 the first Goldeneye of the winter appeared on 3rd. The wintering Cetti's Warbler revealed itself briefly on 7th and the Green-winged Teal reappeared for a few days from 11th
After occasional birds at the start of the year, Siskin peaked at 170 on 22nd, a winter record count for the Warren, after 124 in Feb last year and 100 in Jan 1994.
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| Kingfisher 19th January - Martin Overy |
Many counts from the estuary remained low with peaks of 925 Oystercatcher, 140 Bar-tailed Godwit, 161 Grey Plover and 11 Red-breasted Merganser all down on 2024. Offshore Great-crested Grebe peaked at just 52 late month, when stormy conditions saw 107 Great Black-backed Gull in the estuary on 26th, the first three-fig count since October 22.
Scarcer species included single Golden Plover on 9th & 22nd, an Avocet on 11th, with two on 30th when the first two Lapwing of the year few over, an Egyptian Goose and a Water Pipit on 15th. The first Purple Sandpiper for twelve months at Langstone Rock on 25th was the 100th species of the year.
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| Avocet 30th January - Lee Collins |
February
The year’s only Greylag Goose, the first since October 2023 flew past the seawall on 8th with a Goshawk around the Entrance Bushes on 15th presumably the same bird as in December 2024.
Early spring migration saw Lesser Black-backed Gull peak at 114 north overhead on 16th with 65 Jackdaw on 22nd along with small numbers of Rook, Skylark and Meadow Pipit also overhead.
Seawatching towards the end of the month saw over 1,950 auk sp south on 23rd along with a record count of 137 Red-throated Diver, following 76 on 2nd March 2014, and the year’s first Tufted Duck. Up to four Eider remained offshore with the year’s peaks of 58 Common Scoter and 57 Great Crested Grebe both on 28th.
Elsewhere an Avocet on 9-10th, the Cetti’s Warbler remained very elusive with Firecrest, from 15th, and Water Pipit making occasional appearances.
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| Firecrest 27th February - Dean Hall |
March
Three Black-necked Grebe offshore on 6th were the first since December 2022, with four Velvet Scoter east on the 9th almost as scarce.
Spring migration was slow to get going but a joint site record 290 Lesser Black-backed Gull flew north on 9th, matching the tally south on 4th November 2007. The first Sandwich Tern was offshore on 13th peaking at just 15 by the end of the month.
The first two Wheatear eventually made landfall on 20th along with an early Blackcap with spring vis mig on 23rd including a site record 2,393 Chaffinch, the first Woodlark since March 2018, 104 Jackdaw and the first three Sand Martin of the year.
Two Water Pipit were present on 23rd, a Black-throated Diver was offshore on 26th when the Eider flock increased to seven and the month ended, as usual, with the first Willow Warbler, two days later this year on 28th rising to four on 30th.
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| Chiffchaff 13th March - Dave Jewell |
Offsite a White-tailed Eagle from the IoW reintroduction, was over Powderham on 15th, the previous four all between 17th-27th March.
April
New migrants arrived through the month with first dates including Swallow and Whimbrel on 4th, House Martin on 5th, Redstart on 6th & 13th, just the 3rd & 4th since September 2021, Reed and Sedge Warbler on 11th, Whitethroat on 12th, Grasshopper Warbler on 15th, Yellow Wagtail on 16th, Lesser Whitethroat on 20th and Swift on 26th.
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| Redstart 6th April - Lee Collins |
The first Arctic Tern was offshore on 15th, with Little Tern, Arctic and Great Skua on 19th, the latter the only spring record, and Common Tern on 22nd. Sandwich Tern passage peaked at just 51 on 19th with four Arctic, three Little and just three Common Tern during the month.
Also offshore Black-throated Diver on 11th, and maximum of nine Eider on 19th and 25 Great Northern Diver spread across the bay on 28th.
In the estuary a summer plumaged Spotted Redshank, on 19th was just the third April record after birds on 19th April 1971 and 23rd April 1983. It was also the first black adult since a moulting bird on 20th July 2011.
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| Spotted Redshank 19th April - Lee Collins |
Other waders included a migrant flock of Black-tailed Godwit on 15th, the seventh ever April Avocet on 19th, the only spring Little Ringed Plover around The Bight on 25th and peaks of 110 Whimbrel on 29th and 63 Bar-tailed Godwit on 19th.
Further scarcities included Red Kite overhead on 5th, Black Redstart by the Main Pond on 9th, Great White Egret in the estuary off Cockwood on 21st, a Jay over on 21st and two Spoonbill south on 22nd.
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| Black Redstart 9th April - John Kirkland |
May
The first Cuckoo of the year arrived on the 1st the same day as 12 Whitethroat, the year’s peak and a Red Kite, with four next day and another on the 3rd. Further migrants included a Hobby on the 3rd, a male Redstart in off over the seawall on 4th, three Spotted Flycatcher on 12th, with one on 17th and another Cuckoo on 25th, either a late arrival or more likely, an early autumn migrant.
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| Whitethroat 1st May - Dean Hall |
Offshore a summer plumaged Red-necked Grebe on 2nd was just the third May record after birds in 1987 & 2010, with a 2CY Little Gull on 7th and sightings of breeding plumaged Great Northern Diver throughout was a max count of 18 on 26th and a calling bird on 8th.
Tern numbers were low continuing recent poor springs, with two single Little and an Arctic Tern but no Common Tern and a peak of just 14 Sandwich Tern.
In the estuary wader passage included peak counts of 183 Sanderling on 25th and 41 Ringed Plover on 28th with a breeding plumaged Curlew Sandpiper, the second spring record since 2017, on 14-19th and a Great White Egret on 23rd.
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| Curlew Sandpiper & Dunlin 17th May - Lee Collins |
June
Little Grebe, Mallard and Moorhen all fledged young from the Main Pond with the lone female Mute Swan forlornly incubating a clutch. At least seven Cirl Bunting were holding territory, with five pairs of Stonechat, Reed Warbler holding territory at the Main and Golf Course ponds and a pair of Sparrowhawk again bred. Post-breeding flocks of Starling indicated a decent first brood but the drought impacted later broods with Song Thrush also negatively affected. Greenfinch and Whitethroat were down in number.
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| Stonechat 18th May - Martin Overy |
Northerly migration continued in the estuary with a peak of 102 Sanderling on the 1st with other waders starting to return mid-month, with two Redshank on 12th, a count of 42 Curlew on 15th rapidly climbing to 135 by 29th, the day after the first Black-tailed Godwit of autumn. A Green Sandpiper calling at night on 26th was just the fourth site record for the month after birds on 13th June 2006, 26th June 2012 & 27th June 1987.
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| Turnstone, Dunlin & Sanderling 2nd June - Dave Jewell |
Up to five Great Northern Diver were present throughout, wing moult rendering them flightless for a while, with a Pomarine Skua on 3rd and the first five Balearic Shearwater offshore on 8th. Later in the month gull and tern numbers started to pick up with a peak of 52 Mediterranean Gull on 21st, a 2CY Little Gull on 23rd and the first fledged Black-headed Gull and Sandwich Tern on 28th.
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| Sandwich Tern 29th June - Lee Collins |
Post-breeding/autumn migration was also picked up in terrestrial habitats, with a couple of Coal Tit, an early Kingfisher at the Main Pond on 3rd and a Nuthatch on 15-17th, the ninth June record in the last 20 years for this increasing visitor.
Nuthatch 15th June - Lee Collins
The highlight though was from further afield, a first summer male Woodchat Shrike around Greenland Lake and later Warren Point on the 20th, the sixth Warren record and the first since Sep 2014.
Woodchat Shrike 20th June - Lee Collins
Counts from the estuary over high tide included 790 Dunlin, 55 Turnstone, 31 Ringed Plover, 31 Sanderling, eight Greenshank, a Great Northern Diver and an Avocet.
Offshore 20 Common Scoter, five Great Crested Grebe and single Great Northern and Red-throated Diver.
Ringing News: Thirty Exe ringed Dunlin were recorded today just some of the 1,600 Dunlin recoveries this year. Of the 99 ringed here on 4th January, 71 of these have now been recorded back on site this winter.
A mixed year with some highs and lows. After a blank year in 2024 there was a welcome return of Ringlet and Brimstone. The latter was observed as a caterpillar for the first time. In contrast there were no sightings of Small Tortoiseshell, a decline has been noted, with few in recent years, however this appears to be the first blank year. Brown Argus numbers seem particularly hit by recent dry conditions affecting breeding. A moderate to low year for migrant species with fewer Painted Lady, Red Admiral and Clouded Yellow.
Small Skipper
A typical showing for recent years, reported on twenty-one days between 5th June and 21st July, seen in low single numbers in favoured grass meadows.
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| Small Skipper 11th June - Dave Jewell |
Large Skipper
A mid-summer species reported on just five dates in June in one or twos, with no July sightings this year.
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| Large Skipper 10th June - Alan Keatley |
Brimstone
Three spring sightings between 30th April and 16th May with a caterpillar on the 31st May on the Warren's only Alder Buckthorn bush. the first confirmed breeding for the Recording Area.
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| Brimstone 31st May - Kevin Rylands |
Clouded Yellow
A better year, but no substantial numbers. Recorded on seven dates between 12th August to 29th September compared with just two dates in 2024. Maximum count was five on 19th September.
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| Clouded Yellow 20th August - Lee Collins |
Orange-tip
A regular spring breeder coinciding with the flowering of it's foodplant, Cuckoo-flower. Present between 4th April and 17th May; a typical showing with a maximum of six on 1st and 10th May.
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| Orange-tip 24th April - Alan Keatley |
Large White
By far the most prominent species in late summer with large numbers recorded in August and September with a maximum 85+ on 1st September, a combination of local breeders and migrants. Recorded on 46 dates between 30th April and 29th September compared with 23 in 2024.
Small White
Noted in smaller numbers than Large White, albeit in a more protracted season with sightings between 4th April and 9th October with maximum of 25 on 1st September.
Green-veined White
Noted across two generations with ten spring sightings and six summer sightings. The first recorded on 21st April and the last on 4th August. A typical year, noted in low single numbers.
Painted Lady
A spread of records on 24 days between 4th May and 7th October, compared with sixteen in 2024. No discernible influx with one for two recorded on most days with maximum of six on 5th September.
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| Painted Lady 8th September - Jim Summers |
Red Admiral
Similar to Painted Lady with no discernible influx with no more than six seen on any day. Unusually there were no winter / early spring record with the first sighting on 1st May. In total recorded on 52 days with the last on 18th November, compared with 57 in 2024.
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| Red Admiral 22nd September - Alan Keatley |
Peacock
Not surprisingly the first butterfly of the year with one on 22nd February. Recorded on 40 days until a late sighting on 18th November. Compared with 33 days in 2024 and 41 days in 2023. Both spring and summer generations were represented with the maximum on six on 31st March. Normally found on or close to its nettle foodplant.
Comma
A two generation species with fifteen sightings this year; five in the spring and ten in the summer. Reported in singles, apart from three on 12th July. A good year compared with ten in 2024 and just five in 2023. First alongside a Peacock on 22nd February with the final sighting on 7th September.
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| Comma 6th July - Kevin Rylands |
Speckled Wood
With its long flight period, the most frequently recorded species with 87 day sightings between 29th March and 28th October; up from 71 last year and 65 in 2023. Found in all woodland areas, displaying territorial behaviour seeing off rivals and other butterfly species. Peak number was 20 on 15th September.
Marbled White
A summer species with a short flight season. A comparatively good year with seven sightings between 10th and 30th June, although may only involve two or three individuals. A better year compared with three sightings in 2024 and just one in 2023.
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| Marbled White 30th June - Alan Keatley |
Gatekeeper
Another species with a short summer flight period, although in much greater numbers with reports on 30 days between 19th June and 25th August - a typical showing. Found throughout the Recording Area a minimum of 40 recorded on 11th July.
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| Gatekeeper 5th July - Kevin Rylands |
Meadow Brown
Found in all grass meadows with 56 day sightings between 22nd May and 29th September. An average year with twenty or more recorded on some days.
Ringlet
After a blank year in 2024 just one record this year on 21st July, always scarce on site with no more than two or three sightings in an average year, since first recorded in 2008.
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| Ringlet 21st July - Alan Keatley |
Wall Brown
Six day sightings this year, down from ten in 2024. A three generation butterfly but only recorded in spring and autumn with two in May and six in September. Except for two on 13th September, seen in singles, usually found in the more open grassland areas.
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| Wall Brown 4th September - Luke Harman |
Brown Argus
A very disappointing year with only three confirmed sightings; two on 14th May and singles on 1st June and 16th July, compared with thirteen in 2024 and nineteen in 2023. A grassland species preferring low vegetated ground, dry breeding seasons impacted on numbers.
Small Copper
After a disappointing 2024, back to a typical year with 52 day sightings. A two generation butterfly there was only a two week gap between generations in June. The first sighting of the year was on 7th April and the last on 4th October.
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| Small Copper 17th August - Jim Summers |
Common Blue
Another two generation species with just a short gap in sightings in July. Recorded on fifty days, an improvement on 2024 (41). Maximum count was twenty on 17th July.
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| Common Blue 1st September - Alan Keatley |
Holly Blue
Just one record this year on 2nd May; disappointing after a good total of ten last year. Normally found around Holly or Ivy, hopefully this year is just a blip.
A Great Northern Diver was in the estuary on the dropping tide with 199 Wigeon, 114 Shelduck, 82 Redshank, five Greenshank and two Avocet.
A Redwing in Dead Dolphin Wood with at least eight Goldcrest, five Chiffchaff, two Siskin and a Bullfinch, with three Shoveler and two Mute Swan on the Main Pond.
A distinctive family of true flies (Diptera), as such are reviewed separately to the main fly review. Many species resemble bees and wasps, some being very effective mimics. The majority are nectar feeders and can readily be found in the reserve's flower meadows. Peak time for many is late spring/early summer. A better than average year with 62 species, compared with 57 in 2024, including four new for the Recording Area, although numbers of droneflies (Eristalis) in particular were down, presumably as a result of a dry winter/spring affecting their aquatic larvae stage.
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| Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus 28th October - Alan Keatley |
The first of the year, not unexpectedly, was Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus on 14th January, at times the commonest hoverfly, although numbers were lower this year. Another common species, Migrant Broadtail Eupeodes corollae from 3rd February and the equally common Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis tenax from 6th February. Less numerous the first Tapered Dronefly E. pertinax were noted from 22nd March, the same date as the first Glass-winged Syrphus vitripennis and Hairy-eyed Syrphus S. torvus were on the wing, all nectaring on flowering Alexanders. Also active in March, Furry Dronefly E. intricaria and Yarrow Blacklet Cheilosia vernalis on 24th, Slender Melanostoma M. scalare from 25th, Grey-spotted Boxer Platycheirus albimanus from 27th and Spring Epistrophe E. eligans and Common Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus from 31st March.
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| Stripe-faced Droneflies Eristalis tenax & Hairy-eyed Syrphus S. torvus 26th February - Alan Keatley |
Into April first emergence dates included Lunuled Broadtail Eupeodes luniger on 5th, Parsley Blacklet Cheilosia pagana on 7th, with Humming Syrphus S. ribesii, Batman Hoverfly Myathropa florea and Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta, a common sight with from 14th. Gossamer Hoverfly Baccha elongata preferring shaded areas from 21st, with Stripe-backed Fleckwing Dasysyrphus albostiatus noted on 22nd with a Buff-tailed Bearfly Croirhina floccosa a good find on 27th. The colourful wasp mimic Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly Xanthogramma pedissequum was first noted on the 27th and the honeydew feeder, Orange-belted Leafwalker Xylota segnis found on leaves rather than flowers from 31st.
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| Lunuled Broadtail Eupeodes luniger 9th October - Alan Keatley |
Reaching peak times for hoverflies in May with many found on the water-dropwort in flower, Smudge-winged Clubtail Neoascia podagrica from 1st, Common Flatface Pipizella viduata on 10th, Burdock Blacklet Cheilosia impressa and Pied Plumehorn Volucella pellucens from 14th, Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata, Common Pithead Pipiza noctiluca, Bumblebee Plumehorn Volucella bombylans and a Stripe-backed Glimmer Riponnensia splendens on 19th, along with the first new species, Banded Meliscaeva M. cinctella. Finally, Yellow-barred Peat Hoverfly Sericomyia silentis was noted from 24th.
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| Pied Plumehorn Volucella pellucens 14th July - Alan Keatley |
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| Stripe-backed Glimmer Riponnensia splendens 1st September - Alan Keatley |
Into summer new emergences included Bolete Blacklet Cheilosia scutellata, a frequent umbellifer visitor from 5th June, Twin-spotted Boxer Platycheirus rosarum and Golden-tailed Leafwalker Xylota sylvarum on 10th June, Narcissus Fly Merodon equestris on 11th, the migratory White-clubbed Glasswing Scaeva pyrastri from 15th, Hornet Plumehorn Volucella zonaria and Broad-banded Epistrophe E. grossulariae from 21st and a Dark-winged Wrinklehead Chrysogaster solstitialis and the first of many Compost Hoverfly Syritta pipiens on 30th.
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| Compost Hoverfly Syritta pipiens 21st July - Alan Keatley |
July kicked off with Small Spot-eye Dronefly Eristalinus sepulchralis on Ragwort on 2nd, with Marsh Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus hybridus, the tiny Common Paragus P. haemorrhous and Wasp Plumehorn Volucella inanis all on 8th. The second new species of the year, a Buff-saddled Palebelt Leucozona glaucia, a relatively common and widespread species was recorded on 16th July, with a Matt-backed Spot-tail Melangyna labiatarum on 19th, closely followed by the third new species, a Variable Spearhorn Chrysotoxum elegans on 21st.
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| Variable Spearhorn Chrysotoxum elegans 4th August - Alan Keatley |
A few Dumpy Melanostoma M. mellinum were on the wing from 24th and Broad-banded Globetail Sphaerophoria taeniata from 27th, both favouring Greenland Lake. Hook-barred Spearhorn Chrysotoxum festivum, Plain-faced Dronefly Eristalis arbustorum and Many-tufted Boxer Platycheirus scutatus were all noted on 28th, with Two-banded Spearhorn Chrysotoxum bicinctum on 31st.
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| Two-banded Spearhorn Chrysotoxum bicinctum 31st July - Alan Keatley |
In August late emerging species were still to be found with Dull-bellied Blacklet Cheilosia proxima and Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum on 1st, Figwort Blacklet Cheilosia variabilis on 9th, a Narcissus Roundface Eumerus funeralis on 12th, the fourth new species, and on 16th, a Ragwort Blacklet Cheilosia bergenstammi.
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| Narcissus Roundface Eumerus funeralis 12th August - Alan Keatley |
September saw the last two species for the year, a Yellow-girdled Fleckwing Dasysyrphus tricinctus on 1st and a Pale-knobbed Lucent Didea fasciata on 9th. Thereafter dwindling numbers of hoverflies, mostly Marmalade Hoverfly, Eristalis and Syrphus species, through the autumn into November, mainly on Michaelmas Daisy and later Ivy.
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Pale-knobbed Lucent Didea fasciata 24th September - Alan Keatley
A female Gadwall was with 360 Teal and 168 Wigeon in the estuary corner over the neap high tide with other counts including 141 Shelduck, 89 Grey and 34 Ringed Plover, 32 Sanderling, 32 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 22 Knot, 20 Black and eight Bar-tailed Godwit, nine Greenshank, two Red-breasted Merganser and an Avocet.
Elsewhere 20 Common Scoter, a Great Northern Diver and an adult Mediterranean Gull were offshore.
Although bugs is a general term for insects, these are true bugs of the order Hemiptera. All Hempitera have piercing mouthparts adapted for sucking juices from plants or other insects. There are many diverse families in the bug order, from familiar aphids to robust shield and leather bugs. A total of 157 species were identified this year (including seventeen new species), well up from 130 in 2024 and 116 in 2023. The site audit is 323 species.
Keeled Shieldbugs (Acanthosomatidae). Hawthorn Shieldbug Acanthosoma haemorroidale from 11th May and Parent Shieldbug Elasmucha grisea from 3rd May.
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| (soon to be) Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea 3rd May - Kevin Rylands |
Tortoise Shieldbugs (Scutelleridae). A Common Tortoise Shieldbug Eurygaster testudinaria noted on 29th June.
Typical Shieldbugs (Pentatomidae). Turtle Shieldbug Podops inuncta, a common grassland bug from 3rd February. Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina found from 6th February. Bishop's Mitre Aelia acuminata from 27th February. Numerous Gorse Shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus from 2nd April, with spring generation individuals already active in November. Hairy Shieldbug Dolycoris baccarum noted on 3rd May. Finally, Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes from 5th June.
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| Turtle Shieldbug Podops inuncta 21st Oct - Alan Keatley |
Leatherbugs (Coreidae). Large, usually brown seed or fruit feeders. The Common Dock Bug Coreus marginatus from 5th April and Rhombic Leatherbug Syromastus rhombeus found in open grassland and dunes from 17th July.
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| Rhombic Leatherbug Syromastus rhombeus 21 Oct - Alan Keatley |
Rhopalid bugs (Rhopalidae). Only two species found in the Recording Area both noted this year; Red and Black Squashbug Corizus hyoscyami from 5th April and a Rhopalus subrufus on 25th August.
Groundbugs (Lygaeidae). Mostly ground-dwelling favouring grassland or dunes areas within the Recording Area. The first of the year, was Peritrechus geniculatus on 6th February with Scolopostethus affinis from 10th March, followed by two new species Drymus sylvaticus on 12th March and Cymus glandicolor on 18th March. Thomson's Groundbug Scolopostethus thomsoni recorded from 20th March and Nysius huttoni from 29th April.
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| Cymus glandicolor 18th March - Alan Keatley |
Dune Groundbug Trapezonotus arenarius was found from 22nd May with Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys ericae from 23rd May and the nationally scarce Megalonotus praetextatus on 28th May. In June Megalonotus chiragra on 9th, Graptopeltus lynceus, another nationally scarce new species on 13th, Nettle Groundbug Heterogaster urticae and European Cinchbug Ischodemus sabuleti from 14th and Coastal Groundbug Beosus maritimus from 15th.
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| Graptopeltus lynceus 13th June - Alan Keatley |
In August a fleabane groundbug Nysius ericae on 16th and Glossy Groundbug Plinthisus brevipennis on 22nd. New species for the year still being found In November, with Decorated Groundbug Scolopostethus decoratus on 18th and Stygnocoris fuligineus on 20th.
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| Stygnocoris fuligineus 20th November - Alan Keatley |
Beetbugs (Piesmatidae). Only two UK species of this small bug family. The beet leaf bug Parapiesma quadratum, a saltmarsh species associated with Sea-purslane, was noted from 10th May.
Stiltbugs (Berytidae). Mainly brown, well camouflaged grassland bugs. A Straw Stiltbug Neides tipularius, a sand dune specialist, was new for the Recording Area on 9th April.
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| Straw Stiltbug Neides tipularius 9th April - Alan Keatley |
Lacebugs (Tingidae). Small plant feeding bugs with lace-like wings. Spear Thistle Lacebug Tingis cardui was found on its food plant on 9th April. At only 2mm, the moss lacebug Acalypta parvula was well found on 30th October.
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| Acalypta parvula 30th October - Alan Keatley |
Flower bugs (Anthocoridae). Small predators feeding on aphids. Common Flower Bug Anthocoris nemorum active from 22nd January with Cardiastethus fasciiventris, a new Warren species, found on 9th October.
Damsel bugs (Nabidae). Long legged predators of other insects. Overwintering as adults, Field Nabis ferus and Common Damsel Bug N. rugosus were found on 14th January. Common in grassland Ant Damsel Bug Himacerus mirmicoides from 5th March and Marsh Damsel Bug N. limbatus from 11th August. Last species for the year was a Grey Damsel Bug H. major on 30th October.
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| Grey Damsel Bug Himacerus major 30th October - Alan Keatley |
Plant bugs (Miridae). The largest family of land bugs, mostly plant feeders. First of the year was an overwintering adult Stenodema calcarata on 5th March. In April, Common Nettle Bug Liocoris tripustulatus and Common Green Capsid Lygocoris pabulinus from 5th, in May the grass mirid Notostira elongata on 1st, with Meadow Plant Bug Leptoterna dolabrata from 31st.
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| Meadow Plant Bug Leptoterna dolabrata - Alan Keatley |
Diversity picked up in June, with two Restharrow feeding species, Macrotylus paykulli and Dicyphus annulatus on 1st, Deraeocoris ruber on 5th, Orthops campestris and Capsodes sulcatus on 9th, Heterotoma planicornis, Plagiognathus arbustorum and Stenotus binotatus on 14th. Potato Capsid Closterotomus norwegicus was found from 15th, Orthotylus marginalis on 16th, Deraeocoris flavilinea and a Tamarisk mirid Tuponia mixticolor on 28th with Grypocoris stysi the next day.
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| Grypocoris stysi - Alan Keatley |
Into July a new mirid species Orthops basalis on 2nd, Orius niger on 5th, the Great Willowherb feeding Dicyphus epilobii on 12th, Black-kneed Capsid Blepharidopterus angulatus and Phytocoris varipes on 17th. In August, Apolygus lucorum on 6th, Lygus maritimus on 11th, the silver-patched green mirid Orthotylus flavosparsus and a Sea-purslane mirid Orthotylus moncreaffi on 11th, Compsidolon salicellum on 12th, and another tamarisk bug Tuponia brevirostris on 24th August. In September, the nettle feeding mirid Dicyphus errans on 27th and Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus rugulipennis on 30th.
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| Orthops basalis 2nd July - Alan Keatley |
Shorebugs (Saldidae). Small oval predatory bugs found in wetlands and coastal areas, adults overwinter. A Chartoscirta cincta recorded on 22nd February was a new species, with Saldula orthochila noted on the beach on 11th October.
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| Saldula orthochila 11th Oct - Alan Keatley |
Water scorpions (Nepidae). Very elongated appearance, found in ponds, feeds on invertebrates and tadpoles. A Water Stick-insect Ranatra linearis was a pond-dipping find on 12th July.
Froghoppers (Aphrophoridae). Common "hoppers" larvae develop in foam "cuckoo spit". The first cuckoo spit of Common Froghopper Philaenus spumarius was noted on 6th May with a Lined Froghopper Neophilaenus lineatus on 12th August.
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| Common Froghopper Philaenus spumarius - Alan Keatley |
Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae). A large varied family of elongated plant feeding bugs. First of the year was Mocydia crocea, a grassland species noted on 6th February. In March other grassland species, Megophtalmus scabripennis from 1st and Anaceratagallia ribauti on 25th. Eupteryx melissae were noted from 29th April, with Nettle Leafhopper E. urticae and the poplar feeding Viridicerus ustulatus from 19th May.
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| Anaceratagallia ribauti 7th April - Alan Keatley |
June saw a new species for the Recording Area, the infrequently recorded grass species Turrutus socialis on 15th. Later in the month Eupterycyba jucunda on Alder, Iassus lanio on oak and Opsius stactogalus on Tamarisk were noted on 28th with Oncopsis flavicollis on birch leafhopper from 29th. In July a sallow leafhopper Innavuoriana sexmaculata on 8th, the bright green Cicadella viridis from 12th and Potato Eupteryx aurata and Water Mint Leafhopper E. thoulessi on 19th.
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| Cicadella viridis 15th Sep - Alan Keatley |
Two additional for the year on 17th August, Eurhadina concinna and Zygina ordinaria. In September, on willow, Metidiocerus rutilans and in sandy areas Psammotettix albomarginatus on 21st. November leafhoppers included a new species on bramble, Lindbergina aurovittata on 6th, Ribautiana tenerrima on 12th and another new species Empoasca decipiens on 24th. The last new leafhopper species of the year was the local Euscelis lineolatus on 26th.
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| Ribautiana tenerrima 12th Nov - Alan Keatley |
Lacehoppers (Cixiidae). Only twelve UK species, all with lace like wings. Two species recorded, Tachycixius pilosus from 29th April and Cixius nervosus from 13th July.
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| Cixius nervosus 13th Jul - Alan Keatley |
Planthoppers (Delphacidae). Small bugs, some with shortened wings. First of the year was the distinctive Issus coleoptratus on 17th February. The coastal species Muirodelphax aubei was noted from 25th March with Eurysa lineata on 1st June and the Sand Sedge planthopper Kelisia sabulicola from 11th August.
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| Kelisia sabulicola 26th Nov - Alan Keatley |
Aphids (Aphididae). Small soft bodied sap feeding bugs. Species can be winged or wingless. Some species are distinctive, but many of the 630+ UK species are difficult to identify. Thirty-four species were identified this year with seven new species including Mottled Arum Aphid Neomyzus circumflexus and Slender Mugwort Aphid Macrosiphum albifrons on 4th April, Small Willow Aphid Aphis farinosa on 18th May, Pink Tansy Aphid Metopeurum fuscoviridae on 16th June, a migrant Lime Aphid Eucallipterus tiliae on 13th September, Elder Aphid Aphis sambuci on 19th September and Hawthorn-Gypsywort Aphid Ovatus insitus on 27th September.
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| Small Willow Aphid Aphis farinosa 18th May - Kevin Rylands |
Other species included Silver Birch Aphid Euceraphis betula on 3rd May, Lupin Aphid Macrosiphum albifrons from 9th May, Evening Primrose Aphid Aphis oenotherae on 13th May, Iris Aphid Aphis newtoni on 6th June, Meadowsweet Aphid Macrosiphum cholodkovskyi on 15th June, Marram Flower Aphid Laingia psammae on 23rd June, Fennel Aphid Hyadaphis foeniculi on 11th July and Giant Willow Aphid Tuberolachnus salignus from 16th August.
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| Evening Primrose Aphid Aphis oenotherae 13th May - Kevin Rylands |
Jumping plant lice (Psyllidae). Small soft-bodied with patterned forewing. Some species forming galls. Galls of Lauritrioza alacris on Bay and Trioza centranthi on Red Valerian were noted wherever the foodplant is found. Species noted as adults included Cacopsylla fulguralis on Elaeagnus from 5 Apr, Trioza urticae on nettles from 14th June, Baeopelma foersteri on Alder from 12th July and Spanioneura fonscolombii on Box on 19th July.
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| Trioza centranthi - Alan Keatley |
Soft scales (Coccidae) and Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae). Sap sucking insects. Mussel Scale Lepidosaphes ulmi was noted on apple twigs on 12th January and the mealybug Balanococcus diminutus hidden in New Zealand Flax on 20th March.
