The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be hosting a talk on Wildlife crime & investigation on 10Mar16. Click here for more details.
Category Archives: Other News
Breeding ground sought for fish that smells of cucumber
There is a call-out to Londoners for volunteers to help scientists find out more about a rare species of British fish, the smelt (Osmersus eperlanus), which curiously smells like cucumbers. It is found in the Thames in central London.
A holiday of a lifetime
If you’re still wondering where to go on holiday, why not book this modest 111 day trip? Yours for only $1million (just under £600,000). This may seem expensive but the price is for two so immediately you’ve saved that annoying single room supplement. Not sure if breakfast is included!
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – $1million wildlife watching trip of a lifetime is launched
Shieldbug Identification Guide
British Bugs have produced a very useful identification guide “allow easy comparison between the life stages of a range of UK shieldbug species. They are particularly useful for identifying nymphs, and the various instars are depicted as far as possible.” Click here to read more.
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.
What’s About – week of 18th August
INSECTS
Migrant Hawker dragonflies now in most local woodlands.
Small Copper butterfly across Milton Keynes
2 late White Admirals seen at Little Linford Wood by Tony Wood (12th August) Very late records suggesting a rare second brood.
MAMMALS
2 Dormice, 1 Pygmy Shrew and 18+ Brown Long-eared bats in boxes at Little Linford Wood (16th)
3 Noctule Bats hunting over North Willen Lake (18th)
30-40 Daubenton’s Bats at Pineham (11th)
BIRDS
Osprey over Great Linford allotments (Dudley James – 15th)
Peregrine pair very active at Stadium:MK all week.
Maximum of 16 Green Sandpipers at Willen Lake (17th)
2 Little Owls, 1 Greenshank at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton (17th)
3 Juvenile Spotted Flycatchers, Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (Martin Kincaid – 18th)
Small flock of Siskins reported from LLNR on 16th.
(Information provided by Parks Trust Biodiversity Officer Martin Kincaid)
White Admiral photographed by Tony Wood
Bees and ants to flourish while the cuckoo flounders
Climate change research reveals species most at risk.
“Wasps, bees, ants and southern species including Dartford warbler and emperor dragonfly are likely to benefit from climate change in England. Further north and in the uplands, breeding birds such as curlew and our much-loved cuckoo, damp-loving mosses and liverworts will be put at great risk by rising temperatures, according to new research out today.”
Click on the link to read the rest of the article Bees and ants to flourish while the cuckoo flounders – Press releases – GOV.UK
Now there’s an app to log your Grasshopper sightings
The National Biodiversity Network have produced the iRecord Grasshoppers app to help you identify the grasshoppers, crickets, earwigs, cockroaches and stick-insects that you see or hear, and to record sightings to support their study and conservation.” Click on the link above to read more. Those of you who do not possess one of those shiny new smartphones may like to use the national Orthoptera Recording Scheme. Their website has plenty of useful information about grasshoppers and crickets, as well as identification information, recordings of their calls, distribution maps, etc. You can also use their website to submit your sightings, which will be verified before being added to national (and eventually county) records. This was a scheme that Paul Lund and Mike LeRoy promoted during their excellent talk on Orthoptera to the Society in September 2013. iRecord is a very promising records scheme launched by the National Biodiversity Network three years ago. Click here for more details. “to support online collection and collation of high quality biological recording data”. It has the considerable benefit that reported sightings are automatically checked to avoid errors and are open to verification by experts. iSpot is brilliant in helping people find out about the identification of species they have photographed, but iSpot, in contrast to iRecord doesn’t currently add these to national or local records, though they are working on that.” Many thanks to Mike LeRoy for providing the text for this article.
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.
Hollington Wood Open Days 23 & 24Aug15
“Sunday 23rd August & Monday 24th August (Kids Day)
Dear All,
If you haven’t jetted away for your summer hols why not come and visit Hollington Wood on our Late Summer Open Day? Actually we have decided to hold two…
- On both days the wood will be open from 10am to 6pm
- Free admission (donations towards management of the wood always gratefully accepted!)
- Free parking on a first-come first-served basis. Please note that you can only park in the car park at the entrance to the wood, not on the concrete access road
- Tea & coffee will be available but you might have to make it yourselves if we are otherwise occupied at the crucial time! By all means bring your picnics/refreshments so long as you don’t leave any litter.
Sunday (23rd) is aimed for everyone. Aside from the normal opportunity to explore and/or chill wherever you want, Nick will be catching and tagging birds and I will be giving people the chance to have a go with the log splitter. You might be surprised how satisfying hydraulic splitting is whatever your age/gender – I have helped a 3 year old girl do it (she whooped ‘More! More!’ after every log) and the 87 year old Professor George Solt beams with delight when he achieves a perfect split. It’s a good year for butterflies, particularly fritillaries, and someone might do me a real favour by locating this year’s buzzard nest(s). For the last month or so I seem to hear a buzzard chick incessantly shrieking for food but I just can’t seem to locate it.
Monday (24th) is intended primarily for families. Jess will be providing Earthy Explorer activities all day and there will be nature trail challenges. By all means call Jess on 07789938996 if you want any more details. See also http://www.hollingtonwood.com/2015/07/17/earthy-explorers-activities-for-children-in-the-woods/ for Jess’s Earthy Explorer timetable. We’re about halfway through the schedule now and the series of sessions has been going exceptionally well. Organised activities aside, all the usual attractions will be available – swing, trampoline, rope bridge, scramble net, sawdust pit…”
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.
Moths found at Linford Lakes NR July 2015
Buff Arches 06Jul15
The Gallery of moths recorded at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve has been updated with Gordon’s pictures for July 2015.
To view the photos select Gallery, Moths at Linford Lakes NR or click this link
Trip report Linford Lakes 16th June 2015
Members met at Linford Lakes, formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre and a former location for indoor Society meetings, on a warm and sunny evening.
A number of routes lead to the three hides. The Near Hide offers viewing of nesting Sand Martins at a site intended for Kingfishers. The Woodland Hide offers viewing of bird feeders and a log pile for small mammals. There is more bird activity at this hide earlier in the day.
People chose their own routes, stopping at the hides as long as they wanted and no-one got lost. Things of most interest to me were damselflies, my first Marbled White butterfly of the year, a nymph of Roesel’s bush cricket, a red and black froghopper Cercopis vulnerata and a stinging nettle, unusual in having three, rather than two, leaves at each node on the stem.
A Blood Vein moth was seen and some members who walked back along the access road were rewarded with a sighting of a Barn Owl.
Click on any of the pictures for a larger image.
All pictures provided by Paul Lund
Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
Nymph of Roesel’s Bush Cricket Metrioptera roeselii
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens
Marbled White Melanargea galathea
Aberrant Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica
Pilch field work party 23 August 2015
There will be a work party at Pilch Field on Sunday 23 August 2015 from 1-4pm.
The main task will be to dig up small hawthorns. The afternoon will end with refreshments. And there will be an opportunity to look at the plants that make the site special.
We would welcome anybody to join us. Stout footwear is essential. Tools and gloves will be provided but it might be useful if people bring gloves if they prefer to use their own.
Pilch field is situated on the bend of Pilch Lane, which can be accessed from the A421 or Great Horwood. The postcode of the chicken farm next door is MK17 0NX and the map reference is SP 748 321. Parking is on the verge only. Click here for a map.
Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information, please contact Ann Biggins annieqq@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 01296 714052 (mob 07961960802) for more information.
White-tailed eagle poisoned in Ireland
Another White-tailed Eagle has been found dead, at a nest site in Connemara, reports the Golden Eagle Trust, an Irish conservation organisation.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – Another white-tailed eagle poisoned in Ireland
Pineham Trip Report 11Aug15
19 members attended the Society walk at Pineham Park on Tuesday 11th August. Martin explained that the site we were visiting had been used as a motorsports track for the past twenty years, but following a closure notice from MK Council, The Parks Trust are now in the process of levelling off the track and will manage the site for biodiversity. We met by the BMX track, giving the slightly surreal experience of a Nat His meeting next to a group of racing BMXs!
A short walk along the Ouzel brought us to the M1. As we passed under this, we could hear bats squeaking from one of the drainage pipes set in the motorway. On the other side of the motorway, we soon came into an area of scrubby grassland and followed the dirt track. The meeting began in light rain but before too long the clouds lifted and we were treated to late sunshine and eventually a glorious rainbow. The sunshine brought the insects out in force.
We had good views of Roesel’s and Dark Bush Crickets, Long Winged Coneheads and three common grasshoppers. We also had a good look at several Common Groundhoppers and several ladybird species. Although we were a little late for the butterflies, Linda Murphy found a Blood Vein moth. The site produces some good birds and the highlight of the evening was a kingfisher which gave good views as it sped along the Broughton Brook.
Further along the track, we stopped at a straw bale which had been used as a crash barrier, strapped to a willow. A few taps of the bale resulted in hundreds of harvestmen which emerged and raced up the willow! Quite a spectacular site.
The walk proper finished at 9pm and whilst most members went home, five of us returned to the M1. A quick look in the pipe with a torch showed us that there were 30 or more Daubenton’s bats present. This was obviously a maternity roost, with female bats and there almost full grown babies. As dusk set in, the bats began to emerge and treated us to a fantastic display as they foraged low over the Ouzel. At times we had five or six Daubenton’s bats in the beam of the torch all at once and the sound through our bat detectors was a cacophony of noise! It was an unforgettable end to a very enjoyable evening.
Click on any of the pictures for a larger image.
Pictures from top to bottom:
Martin Kincaid giving his introductory talk.
Rainbow viewed from Pineham
Sunset
Looking at the bat roost
Looking at the bat roost
Daubenton’s bat by Rauno Kalda
Photos by Peter Hassett unless otherwise stated
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.
What’s About – week of 11th August
All sightings by Peter Hassett
Houghton Regis Gravel Pits
Green veined white
Black-tailed skimmer
Chiltern Gentian
Chiltern gentian
Chalk hill Blue
Chalkhill Blue
Clouded Yellow
Marbled White
Aston Rowant Nature Reserve
Silver–spotted Skipper
Silver-spotted skipper
Silver spotted skippers in copula
Frog Orchid
Botanists under attack?
Corinna has kindly provided details of an article published in Nature Plants concerning the importance attached to botanists and botanical gardens. Click here to read more.
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.
MKNHS autumn programme published
The Society’s autumn 2015 programme has been published. Go to the programme page for more information.
16th August 2015 Open Sunday at Linford Lakes NR
Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre) will be hosting an open day on Sunday 16th August 2015 from 10:00 – 16:00hrs. Click here for more details.
Butterflies, damsel and dragonflies in profusion. Come and meet with other like-minded people, chat about what you’ve seen or share your photo’s.
Refreshments available, second- hand books on sale, home-made cakes, crafts and birdseed available.
Family, friends and neighbours welcome.
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.
7 different jellyfish to look for
As it’s officially summer!, I thought some articles on what to look out for at the seaside was appropriate.
Bitterns back from the brink of extinction in the UK
Bittern were extinct in the UK by the end of the 19th century and was absent as a breeding bird between the 1870s and 1911, when the first breeding male was recorded.
Click on this link for more information. Wildlife Extra News – Bittern populations back from the brink of extinction in the UK
English pine martin spotted for first time in century
After numerous rumours and questionable sightings a pine martin has been confirmed living in England for the first time in a century.
Click the link to read the rest of the article Wildlife Extra News – English pine martin spotted for first time in century
Humpback whale spotted in Firth of Clyde
An adult humpback whale, possibly greater than 12 metres in length, has been sighted in the Firth of Clyde on 8 July 2015 – making it five different humpbacks that have been seen off western Scotland in the past month, compared with a usual total of just one or two per year.
Click on the link to read more: Wildlife Extra News – Humpback whale spotted in western Scotland’s Firth of Clyde
admin
03/08/2015
Three nesting male hen harriers have vanished in Lancashire in unexplained circumstances and Lancashire Police and the RSPB are appealing for any information that could uncover the fate of these rare upland birds of prey. The RSPB is also putting up a £10,000 reward for any information which leads to a conviction.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article Wildlife Extra News – 3 nesting male hen harriers vanish in Lancashire
RSPB walk Aston Rowant, Oxon
On Sunday 9 August 2015 there will be a walk led by the local RSPB Group:
Aston Rowant, Oxon
Location: Meet at the car park for 11am – bring a packed lunch. SP732966.
Following Nick Bowles’s talk in April about butterflies, we will visit this English Nature Reserve off J6 of the M40 to see some of Britain’s rarest butterflies and the flowers on which they depend. A later start! Leader: Brian Lloyd.
Time: 11am
Price: Free
Telephone: 01908 502116
E-mail: pete@petehow.plus.com
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.
Wildflower checklist for August
7 million schoolchildren asked to count insects
The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and EDF Energy are asking school children across Britain to take part in a scientific study that will for the first time map what is under our feet.
Click on this link to continue reading the article Wildlife Extra News – More than 7 million schoolchildren asked to count insects
Work Sunday at Linford Lakes NR 02Aug15
Sunday 2nd August from 10:00-13:00 is a work Sunday at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre).
Planned activities include clearing paths and cutting back overgrowth.
Refreshments available.
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.
Red-tipped Clearwing moth spotted at Wolverton Mill
Red-tipped Clearwing by Peter Garner at Wolverton Mill. 28Jul15
One of our new members, Peter Garner, has managed to photograph a Red-tipped Clearwing moth at Wolverton Mill on 28Jul15. It was found in a clump of thistles on the northern side of the A5 bridge at SP791410.
This is probably the first record of this moth in Milton Keynes.
7 things you didn’t know about the zebra jumping spider
Discover fantastic facts about this tiny garden predator.
Source: 7 things you didn’t know about the zebra jumping spider | Discover Wildlife
How to identify hoverflies
Enchanting but overlooked, hoverflies are easy to find – even a hanging basket can lure them. Midsummer is the time to seek them out.
UK suspends ban on pesticides linked to serious harm in bees
Farmers allowed to use two neonicotinoid pesticides on their crop for 120 days despite concerns over serious risk to bees and other pollinators
Click here to read more of the article published in the Guardian newspaper: UK suspends ban on pesticides linked to serious harm in bees | Environment | The Guardian
Rewilding Britain
The subject of the reintroduction of extinct species back into Britain has been in the news recently. The following links provide an update on a number of recent articles on this topic:
National Geographic
The Guardian
The rewilding Britain website
New rewilding area to be launched in Europe
What’s About week of July 21st
All sightiong fromn Harry Appleyard unless stated otherwise
BIRDS
Red Kites – Tattenhoe
Siskins – Tattenhoe and Oakhill Wood
Green Sandpiper – Tattenhoe Park
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
White Admirals – Oakhill Wood and Shenley Wood
Silver Washed Fritillaries – Howe Park Wood and Oakhill Wood
Hummingbird hawk moth – Peter Hassett’s garden 16th
ODONATA
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood
Ruddy Darters – Howe Park Wood
Black tailed skimmer female at Woburn woods on 21st July (Andy Walker)
Moth and Bat Evening Linford Lakes NR 29Jul15
Linford Lakes Nature Reserve will be hosting another Moth and Bat Evening. on Wednesday 29th July from 20:00- till late.
“Following on from our last two successful events,
Gordon Redford is our Moth Expert
Martin Kincaid our Bat man.
Friends and family welcome, £2:00 each adult ( includes hot drink)”
6 green woodpecker facts
Discover 6 fascinating facts about the BTO July Garden Bird of the Month.
Source: 6 green woodpecker facts you need to know | Discover Wildlife
Climate ‘vice’ constricts bumblebees’ natural ranges
The natural habitats of bumblebees are shrinking because of higher temperatures in Europe and North America, threatening their survival, researchers say
Source: Climate ‘vice’ constricts bumblebees’ natural ranges – researchers – BBC News
Welsh rainforest home to rare tiny plants
Scientists from the charity Plantlife find rare lichens in the internationally important, and threatened, temperate rainforest of north west Wales
Source: BBC – Earth – Welsh rainforest home to rare tiny plants
How Starling react to predator attacks
The British Ornithologists’ Union have produced a paper on how Starling react to predator attacks. Click on the link to read more Waves of terror in Starling flocks
Pilch field work party 26 July 2015
There will be a work party at Pilch Field on Sunday 26 July 2015 from 1-4pm.
The main task will be to dig up small hawthorns. The afternoon will end with refreshments. And there will be an opportunity to look at the plants that make the site special.
We would welcome anybody to join us. Stout footwear is essential. Tools and gloves will be provided but it might be useful if people bring gloves if they prefer to use their own.
Pilch field is situated on the bend of Pilch Lane, which can be accessed from the A421 or Great Horwood. The postcode of the chicken farm next door is MK17 0NX and the map reference is SP 748 321. Parking is on the verge only. Click here for a map.
Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information, please contact Ann Biggins annieqq@hotmail.co.uk for more information.
Bats harmed by street lights
New research at the University of Exeter and Bat Conservation Ireland has given the lie to the popular belief that streetlights are attractive to our common bat species because of the insect life they attract. Click here to read more.
What’s About week of July 14th
All sightings by Harry Appleyard
INSECTS
LEPDOPTERAS
Silver-Washed Fritillary – Howe Park Wood and Oakhill Wood
White Admiral – Oakhill Wood
Holly Blue – Howe Park Wood
Small Heath – Tattenhoe Park
Gatekeepers – Tattenhoe Park
Silver Y Moth – Howe Park Wood
ODONATA
Ruddy Darters – Howe Park Wood
Brown Hawker – Howe Park Wood
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood
BIRDS
Siskin – Tattenhoe
Red Kites – Tattenhoe, Shenley Brook End and Newton Longville
Dunnock – Inside Costco, Kingston!
The Wildlife Trusts guide to Lizards
The Wildlife Trusts have produced a guide to the six native reptiles of the UK and their best sites to view them. See Great places to see… reptiles for more information.
19th July 2015 Open Sunday at Linford Lakes NR
Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre) will be hosting an open day on Sunday 19th July 2015 from 10:00 – 16:00hrs. Click here for more details.
Lots of butterflies, damsel and dragonflies around now. Come and meet with other like-minded people, chat about what you’ve seen or share your photo’s.
Refreshments available, second- hand books on sale, home-made cakes, crafts and birdseed available.
Family, friends and neighbours welcome.
Big Butterfly Count 17 July – 9 August 2015
This year’s Big Butterfly Count is taking place between the 17th July and the 9th August 2015. It only takes 15 minutes so why not click on this link to learn more: big butterfly count
Howe Park Family Wildlife Day held in memory of Bernard Frewin
Howe Park Family Wildlife Day held in memory of Bernard Frewin by Julie Lane
Howe Park Wood Education and Visitor Centre by Peter Hassett
This day was held on Saturday 4th July in memory of Bernard Frewin who was a founding member of our society and who did so much to promote and protect wildlife in our local patch.
MKNHS display boards at Howe Park Wood. Photo courtesy of The Parks Trust
The day was held in conjunction with the Parks Trust and was a great success with many families with young children turning out to enjoy a day in the sun, spending their time wandering around the environs of the lovely new Education centre and the beautiful woodland. Displays including Owls (all rescued birds), reptiles, bats were located around the centre. Inside the Centre the MKNHS display (beautifully maintained by Tony Wood) took pride of place alongside some lovely photos that Harry Appleyard had taken in the wood. Then in the wood itself there was a small trail consisting of a selection of locally caught moths by Gordon, a Nature Detectives Quiz put together by myself and Jo Handford, a wonderful little grass snake and information on local reptiles courtesy of Martin Kincaid and finally some local bird ringers who were delighted when they caught many more birds than they would normally expect at that time of the day. There were also wildlife walks led by our experts Roy, Harry and Alan Nelson.
Eileen, Bernard Frewin’s wife came with her extended family and was delighted by the way the day had turned out and I am sure Bernard would have been thrilled to see so many people enjoying themselves.
So thank you to all who took part and helped on the day and a particular thank you to The Parks Trust for hosting the event. It was a wonderful collaborative effort and one it would be good to repeat sometime.
Julie Lane
The dangers of Lyme disease
A useful article on spotting the symptoms of Lyme disease.
Source: Farmers warned of dangers of Lyme disease (From Smallholder)
Name that Bug
You may find this website “British Bugs” useful. It provides an online identification guide to UK Hemiptera.
Field Guide to UK Hemiptera, Bug identification, Bug, Bugs, Hemiptera, true bugs, heteroptera, homoptera, auchenorrhyncha, leafhoppers, froghoppers, planthoppers, treehoppers, cicadas, psylloidea, psyllids
Source: British Bugs Home – An online identification guide to UK Hemiptera
Wildflower checklist for July
Wild beaver gives birth in England
Corinna has kindly supplied the link to an article and video about the birth of two beaver kits in the first wild beaver colony in England for centuries.
What’s about – week of June 30th
ANGIOSPERMS (FLOWERS)
Sainfoin flowering in meadow outside Howe Park Wood (HA)
Wood Vetch plentiful in woodland ridge, Campbell Park (MK)
Pyramidal Orchids at Howe Park Wood, Lodge Lake, Elfield Park, Blue Lagoon (HA/MK)
Bee Orchids everywhere! Especially plentiful at Stonepit, Great Linford.
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Small Skipper, Marbled White, Meadow Brown and Ringlet now on the wing throughout MK.
Purple Hairstreak, North Bucks Way (24th June – MK. Earliest ever record)
White Letter Hairstreak – New Bradwell (25th June – Adrian Cadman)
Chimney Sweeper moths at Shenley Wood (24th – MK)
Six belted clearwing moths came to pheromone lures at Howe Park Wood (27th June – Darren Seaman/MK)
HEMIPTERA- HETEROPTERA
Water Stick Insect Ranatra linearis in pond at Tattenhoe (25th – HA, who took the pic below)
Water Stick Insect, Ranatra linearis
ODONATA (all these records HA)
Emperor Dragonfly – Oakhill Wood
Common Darters – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
Brown Hawker – Howe Park Wood
Black-tailed Skimmer – Hazeley Wood
Beautiful Demoiselle (?) – Hazeley Wood
BIRDS
Peregrine pair with one well grown chick at Stadium:MK (28th June – Mike Wallen)
Goosander with 2 young – Olney (28th – Mike Wallen)
Cuckoo still calling & 2 Hobbies – Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (24th – MK)
Several pairs of Common Tern nesting on Willen Island (27th – MK)
Siskin – Tattenhoe (HA)
Red Kite – Tattenhoe (HA)
MK = Martin Kincaid (HA)
HA = Harry Appleyard (HA)
Ouse Valley Amble 23rd June
The weather was wonderful – one of those still balmy summers evenings that are rare indeed!
We set off at a leisurely pace past Olney church and the Mill house and along the beautiful river Ouse. My one slight reservation about the walk was that the fields beside the river are full of rather large bullocks, but they are placid beasts and I wasnt particularly concerned. However what I didn’t count on was the presence of the farmer in his truck who had really stirred them up and at one point we had 50 plus huge beasts gambolling merrily around us – not an experience for the faint-hearted!! But society members are a sturdy breed and no-one seemed unduly worried.
The river bank was alive with banded demoiselles, red eyed damselflies and other assorted damselflies and we even saw a signal crayfish lurking in the water (not such a welcome sighting). The evening really stepped up however when we spotted three hares in the field on the opposite bank, followed by a bevy of 30-40 twittering house martins collecting mud from the river’s edge and then a sparrowhawk flying over hoping to catch out an unwary martin. Common terns patrolled up and down the river occasionally plunging down into the water for minnows and we saw one male goosander and a few of the resident barnacle geese.
We ambled on to the bridge over the river to Clifton Reynes and managed to locate Roy’s slender tufted sedge down by the water’s edge. The river is lovely on this stretch as the opposite bank is wooded and was alive with birdsong (thrushes, chaffinches, black caps etc ) as the evening drew in. The reflections of the reeds and trees in the river were perfect as there was not a breath of wind.
Eventually we turned for home having had a truly magical evening.
Julie Lane
Butterfly Recording app
You can record your butterfly sightings using an app on your smartphone. The app uses the GPS in your smartphone to accurately log the location of your sighting. Click here to read more.
RSPB walk College Lake near Tring
On Sunday 5 July 2015 there will be a walk led by the local RSPB Group:
College Lake near Tring
Location: Meet at the reserve car park. SP936138.
A marvellous reserve, chalk pits, scrub and meadows with lots of wildflowers and butterflies as well as birds, plus a café for refreshments. Leader: Brian Lloyd.
Time: 10 am
Price: Small charge for parking
Telephone: 01908 502116
E-mail: pete@petehow.plus.com
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.
Macro photographs of butterfly wings
The stunning photos (sunset moth shown) were taken by 51-year-old Linden Gledhill from Staffordshire. He used a trinocular-reflecting light microscope with a Canon EOS 5D mark II on the top.
Source: macro photographs capture the the details of butterfly wings | Daily Mail Online
Trip report Linford Lakes 16th June 2015
Members met at Linford Lakes, formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre and a former location for indoor Society meetings, on a warm and sunny evening.
A number of routes lead to the three hides. The Near Hide offers viewing of nesting Sand Martins at a site intended for Kingfishers. The Woodland Hide offers viewing of bird feeders and a log pile for small mammals. There is more bird activity at this hide earlier in the day.
People chose their own routes, stopping at the hides as long as they wanted and no-one got lost. Things of most interest to me were damselflies, my first Marbled White butterfly of the year, a nymph of Roesel’s bush cricket, a red and black froghopper Cercopis vulnerata and a stinging nettle, unusual in having three, rather than two, leaves at each node on the stem.
A Blood vein moth was seen and some members who walked back along the access road were rewarded with a sighting of a Barn Owl.
Paul Lund (who took the photos below)
Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
Aberrant Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica
Nymph of Roesel’s Bush Cricket Metrioptera roeselii
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens
Marbled White Melanargea galathea
Hawkmoths slow down their brains
AN interesting article and video from NewScientist
What’s About – week of 23rd June
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Wood Whites (55+) at Salcey Forest
Large Skipper at Linford Wood
Red Admiral at Linford Wood
Marbled White at Linford Lakes NR
Click on any of the pictures for a larger image.
Seen in Brian and Val Ellis’s garden at Morton’s Fork:
15/06/22 Painted Lady and Brimstone
22/06/15 2 Small tortoises, Red Admiral, 2 Small Coppers, 3 Holly blues
A pair of Wood Whites mating in Salcey Forest, by Peter Hassett 16Jun15
Red Admiral at Linford Wood by Peter Hassett 16Jun15
Large Skipper at Linford Wood by Peter Hassett 16Jun15
Urban rabbits downsize to smaller, ‘studio’ warrens
The truth about ladybirds!
Here’s a link to a fascinating BBC article containing some less well known facts about ladybirds.
Updated Trip Report to Atterbury/Broughton Brook 09Jun15
About 25 Milton Keynes Natural History Society members assembled in the Coachway car-park for a visit to Atterbury and a small section of the Broughton Brook on 9th June 2015. It was a cool and windy evening which did not favour invertebrates but we saw 33 species of bird, a wide range of tree and plant species, a few mammals, an amphibian, and some insects. Both Buckinghamshire County Botanical Recorders were on the walk so they compiled a significant plant list of 117 vascular plants, aside from the 20 tree and shrub species identified by the tree group. We also had experienced birders with us who noted 230 birds of 33 bird species. Many joined one or other of the recording groups for the evening, covering: trees & shrubs (Gordon Redford), flowering plants (Andy McVeigh & Roy Maycock); invertebrates & mammals (Jo Handford & Julie Lane), birds (Harry Appleyard & Ian Saunders). Each of the recording groups compiled a species list and these are being forwarded to the Bucks County Records Office (BMERC) and to The Parks Trust. All the areas we walked are managed by The Parks Trust, which took ownership of the site from the Homes & Communities Agency in 2012.
Our route took us on a Leisure path across a bridge over the Broughton Brook, then alongside the Brook under the A5130 Wavendon to Northfield roundabout road. Here we saw a pair of Grey Wagtail (which were still there when we returned). We took a path from the bridge, behind the Regis office building which faces H6 and alongside a meadow. Here there were unusual tree species planted alongside the path, including: Quince Cydonia oblonga and Medlar Mespilus germanica. As we walked around the far end of this a Fox was sighted but it soon slipped through the fence into woodland. Our route was then a series of circuitous grass paths through the Atterbury site which is a complex mosaic of wet woodland, dense scrub, ponds and Willow carr. There were plenty of birds singing and calling. Bird highlights were a Little Egret perched high on a large Willow, clearly visible from the long boardwalk over a drying-out pond by Bressingham Gate. Another Little Egret was circling it above. Then our attention turned to a Kingfisher perched on a low branch, just visible through the reeds. In the pond in front of that there was a quantity of Yellow Iris (Flag) Iris pseudacorus and egg-yolk yellow Great Yellow-cress Rorippa amphibia. From the boardwalk we walked around the outside edges of the Atterbury site, which had occasional wooden posts along it with discs indicating that this is the proposed route of the Bedford to Milton Keynes Canal. We left this route when we reached the Broughton allotments and diverted into a recently-managed area of dried-out pond where Willows, that had grown out of the middle of the pond leaning at low angles, had been cut back to grow again. Here was our sighting of a single Common Frog Rania temporaria.
Our route was then in the more open areas alongside the Broughton Brook. On the west side of the Brook by a footbridge we spotted a large cluster of Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum. As this is an invasive plant on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 list of species to be controlled, its presence was reported to The Parks Trust. They have been aware of these plants and have been carrying out control measures each year, but it can take years to eliminate these plants from a site. They have reduced the number by about half over the last couple of years. Advice of the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat is that “Contact with any part of this plant must be avoided as even minute amounts of sap can cause blistering of the skin following exposure to sunlight”. We followed the Brook, first southward, then across a footbridge to the old Broughton village, then northwards, back to the bridge over the A5130, under it, returning to the Coachway to finish a very satisfactory evening visit.
The following links will take you to the records submitted to BMERC:
Plant List
Bird List
Invertebrates, mammals and reptiles list
Click on any of the pictures for a larger image.
Photos by Peter Hassett unless captioned otherwise
Frog with ear infection by Julian Lambley
Trip Report to Little Linford Wood 19May15 – updated plant list
The Trip Report on the Society’s visit to Little Linford Wood on 19May15 has been updated with a list of plants in flower at the time of our visit.
Click here for the updated trip report.
Click here for the plant list.
What’s About – week of 16th June
BIRDS
Red Kite – Tattenhoe
Hobby – Tattenhoe Park
Peregrine – Granby (all Harry Appleyard)
Common Terns with 3 chicks at Stony Stratford N.R. (15h, MK)
2 Black Terns, 1 Mediterranean Gull at Summerleys Nature Reserve (14th)
Barn Owl reported from Bury Field, Newport Pagnell (9th June)
Kingfisher Broughton Brook 9th June (Julian Lambley)
MAMMALS
Fox Broughton Brook 9th June – Julian Lambley
INSECTS
ODONATA
Emperor Dragonflies – Tattenhoe – Harry Appleyard
LEPIDOPTERA
Large Skippers – Tattenhoe
Painted Lady – Tattenhoe
Dingy Skipper – Tattenhoe Park
Brown Argus – Tattenhoe Park
Small Coppers – Tattenhoe (all Harry Appleyard)
Hummingbird Hawk-moth in Wolverton Garden – 10th June, Eddie Edwards
Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Heath and Dingy Skipper butterflies – Sandhouse Quarry – 10th June, MK/Helen Wilson
Painted Lady – Stony Stratford Nature Reserve – 15th June, MK.
Small Blues out at Stonepit, Great Linford – 11th June, Janice Robertson
COLEOPTERA
Wasp Beetle Clytus arietus – in conservatory in Oldbrook – 11th June, MK
PLANTS – ANGIOSPERMS
Bee Orchids out at Elfield Park, Stonepit and Linford Lakes Nature Reserve.
Wild Thyme coming into flower at Stonepit (15th June)
21st June 2015 Open Sunday at Linford Lakes NR
Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre) will be hosting an open day on Sunday 21st June 2015 from 10:00 – 16:00hrs. Click here for more details.
An opportunity to bring friends and family to enjoy reserve.
Crafts, second hand books and refreshments available.
Building a bee in 60 seconds
The first 21 days of a bee’s life captured in an incredible 60 second timelapse.
Moths Recorded at Linford Lakes NR
A new page has been added to the Gallery to show some of the moths that Gordon Redford has identified at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly Hanson Environmental Study Centre). If you select Gallery, Moths at Linford Lakes NR or use this link https://mknhs.org.uk/moths-at-linford-lakes-nr/ you will get to the new page.
What’s About 09Jun15
As Steve is on holiday, I have produced a summary of sightings since his last report on 26May15. It would be nice to receive more reports from members of the Society.
BIRDS
01Jun15 Turnstone – Willen Lake South, Willen Lakes Robert Norris (BBC)
02Jun15 Blackcap feeding a fledgling in Sherwood drive in Bletchley Dave Essame (NBBR)
LEPIDOPTERA
29May15 Humming bird hawk moth – Olney Julie Lane
07Jun15 A full survey of Salcey Forest by D.Goddard and D.James produced 94 Wood Whites. Most of the activity around the Piddington crossroads – (BNBC)
07Jun15 Red Admiral was seen egg laying in Salcey Forest – (BNBC)
BBC – Buckinghampshire Bird Club
BNBC – Bedfordshire & Northamptonshire branch of Butterfly Conservation
NBBR – North Bucks Birding
Birds Recorded at Stony Stratford Nature Reserve walk 26May15
Great Crested Grebe Long Tailed Tit
Grey Heron Willow Warbler
Cormorant Garden Warbler
Mute Swan Blackcap
Canada Goose (with young) Common Whitethroat
Mallard (with young) Chiffchaff
Tufted Duck Reed Warbler
Coot (on nest) Sedge Warbler
Moorhen Chaffinch
Oystercatcher (on nest) Goldfinch
Lapwing Greenfinch
Common Tern (on nest) Bullfinch
Pheasant House Sparrow
Woodpigeon Reed Bunting
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Swift
Swallow
Blackbird
Robin
Song Thrush
Dunnock
Wren
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Many thanks to Martin Kincaid for supplying the list of birds identified at the Society’s recent trip to Stony Stratford Nature Reserve
RSPB walk Stony Stratford Nature Reserve
On Sunday 14 June 2015 there will be a walk led by the local RSPB Group:
Stony Stratford Nature Reserve
Location: Meet at the car park off Queen Eleanor Street, opposite Ryeland. SP787412.
A Parks Trust reserve for water birds and possible kingfisher. Leader: Chris Ward.
Time: 10 am
Price: Free
Telephone: 01908 502116
E-mail: pete@petehow.plus.com
Link to the events page of the local RSPB group
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.
Acorn crop hit by climate change
Drop in abundance of acorn crop could be due to warmer years leading to less synchronised flowering of oak trees. Click here to read more of this article published in theguardian.
Was that a Swift?
A helpful video from the BTO to help you tell the difference between a House Martin, Swallow or Swift
Wildflower checklist for June
New threats to wild bees identified
Five common viruses which cause disease in honeybees are circulating in bumblebees. Read the BBC article here.
Video about Marsh Fritillary Butterflies
Marsh Fritillary at Cerne Abbas, Dorset by Ian Kirk
Chiffchaffs overwinter in the UK
A BBC article reporting that Chiffchaffs are now overwintering in the UK. Click here to read the article.
One in six of world’s species faces extinction
New analysis reveals likely impact of global warming on plants and animals if we fail to take action, and comes ahead of crunch climate talks in Paris
Frogs legs anyone?
Common Frog by David Baird
An interesting article in the Daily Telegraph about the bizarre science behind frog legs
RSPB Walk Calvert Jubilee
On Wednesday 03 June 2015 there will be a walk led by the local RSPB Group:
Calvert Jubilee
Location: Meet at the reserve car park. SP682251.
Summer visitors, red kites, and a chance of butterflies, snakes and lizards. Leader: Brian Pratt
Time: 10 am
Price: Free
Telephone: 01908 502116
E-mail: pete@petehow.plus.com
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.
What’s About – week of 26 May 2015
ANGIOSPERMS
Horseshoe Vetch, Kidney Vetch, Common Broomrape, Globularia vulgaris in flower at Stonepit Field. Fine display of Ramsons in Stonepit Copse (24th). (Martin Kincaid)
INSECTS
ODONATA
Broad-Bodied Chasers – Tattenhoe Park
Four-Spotted Chasers – Tattenhoe Park (both Harry Appleyard)
LEPIDOPTERA
Burnet Companion, Mother Shipton and Small White Wave at Stonepit Field (24th).
Common Heath, Clouded Border at Sandhouse Lane Quarry (also 14 spot Ladybird) (25th)
6 x Wood Whites at Salcey Forest 22nd (Julie Lane)
Common Blue Butterflies – Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard)
Small Heath – Kingsmead Wood (Harry Appleyard)
BIRDS
2 Tawny Owl fledglings at Howe Park Wood.
Pair of Garganey, pair of Little Ringed Plover, 3 Barn Owls, Cuckoo at Linford Lakes (24th) Osprey through on 25th.
Little Ringed Plovers observed mating and preparing nest scrapes at Manor Farm Quarry (23rd)
Oystercatcher and Common Terns nesting at Stony Stratford Nature Reserve.
(above all Martin Kincaid)
Marsh Tit – Oakhill Wood (Harry Appleyard)
Cuckoo – Oakhill Wood (24th May) (Harry Appleyard)
Hobby – Oakhill Wood (24th) (Harry Appleyard)
A great white egret at Summer Leys 21/5/2015 (Julie Lane)
21/5 : 2 Grey Partridge : Little Linford Wood (Rob Hill, Bucks Birders)
20/5 : 2 Garganey : Linford Reserve, Linford GPs.Long staying pair. (Rob Hill, Bucks Birders)
19/5 : Goosander : Manor Farm Quarry. Female over east. Presume one of the Olney birds.
(Rob Hill, Bucks Birders)
Dragonfly eyes see the world in ultra-multicolour
An interesting article in NewScientist:
Dragonflies have souped-up colour vision that’s better than anything ever seen in the animal world. Click here to read the rest of the article.
31May15 Warbler Walk at Linford Lakes NR
On Sunday 31st May 2015 at 07:30hrs, Andy Harding, the Bucks County Bird Recorder will be leading a morning Warbler Walk at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre). There is a charge of £2:00 which includes refreshments.
National Garden Bioblitz 30-31 May 2015
An exciting survey of the UK’s gardens that everyone can take part in. From beginners to experts, 30-31 May 2015 is the date for your diary!
Source: National Garden Bioblitz : 30th to 31st May 2015
White-tailed eagle found poisoned on nest
A disturbing press release from Golden Eagle Trust
Permits for Linford Lakes NR
The Parks Trust have advised that permit renewals and new permits can now be purchased online at the Parks Trust website. The link for this can be found here:- http://www.theparkstrust.com/parks/linford-lakes-permit/
The old key locks have been removed on the hides. They have been replaced by new combination keypads which should make the hides more secure and will also ensure that only current fully paid up members are able to access them.
Permit holders will also be asked in future to carry proof of their permit when visiting the hides. This will enable Parks Trust staff to quickly ascertain who should and should not be on the reserve.
Any questions relating to this please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards
James Walsh
Education Ranger
T: 01908 255362
Lost and Found
Found after the Society Walk on 19th May at Little Linford Wood
1 pair small black trainers. Please contact the Society at https://mknhs.org.uk/contact-us/ if you are, or know, the owner.
What’s About Week of 19 May 2015
Goosander : Manor Farm Quarry. 19th May
Trip Report to Little Linford Wood 19 May 2015
The day had been cold, breezy with some heavy downpours so it was nice to see 23 members turn up for the walk at our nearest BBOWT reserve.
Our walk leaders Joe Clinch and Phil Sarre gave an introductory talk on the history of the woods and an outline of what we were likely to see. You can find more details about the woods on our Little Linford Wood and Dormouse pages.
Phil explained that a timber contractor bought the wood and brought in heavy machinery to fell the old oak trees. “Luckily” the contractor felled a tree that was owned by a local farmer who went to court and gained an injunction to stop any more felling.
The farmer was a keen naturalist and suggested to Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Naturalists Trust (now called Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) that they acquire the site. Money was raised to buy the wood and BBOWT set about the task of replanting.
It was also the **th birthday of our President, Roy Maycock and he was presented with a pile of birthday cards much to his surprise and delight.
There was a lot of Dog’s Mercury growing in the wood and Roy was able to point out the differences between the male and female flowers. This link will provide more detail. Roy has also provided a list of plants in flower at the time of our visit.
Simon Bunker managed to find first instars of Roesel’s bush-cricket (Metrioptera roeselii) and striped bush cricket (Leptophyes albovittata).
Towards the end of the walk, in the ploughed fields bordering the wood we were able to see a pair of hares.
If you would like to read more information about the wood, please visit our Little Linford Wood and Dormouse Project pages.
Click on any of the pictures for a larger image.
Pictures from top to bottom:
Little Linford Wood Nature Reserve map
The pre-walk briefing
Roy receiving his birthday cards
The group sets off down one of the rides
Female Dog’s Mercury
Herb Paris
Ragged Robin
Raindrops
Saint George’s mushroom>
First instar Roesel’s bush cricket
White Bugle
Our secretary on a Deer shooting platform (gamekeeper turner poacher??)
Photos by Peter Hassett
Saint George’s mushroomTrip to Pilch Field 12 May 2015 – updated
The trip report on the Society’s visit to Pilch Field on 12May15 has been updated with Roy’s list of plants in flower at the time of our visit.
Is that a native bluebell?
Bluebells by Jim Champion
Sussex Wildlife Trust have produced a handy guide on the differences between native and foreign bluebells on how to spot the difference between native and non-native Bluebells. Click here for more information.
Wildflower checklist for May
Butterfly Walk – Stonepit Field 24 May 2015
Our very own Martin Kincaid will be leading a butterfly walk for Butterfly Conservation Upper Thames Branch (BCUTB) on Sunday 24th May 2015, 11.00am-2.00pm at Stonepit Field, Great Linford, Milton Keynes, Bucks.
Stonepit Field is an area of open grassland including a limestone scrape. It is a good site for the Small Blue and other grassland butterflies. Meet in Stonepit car park.
(BCUTB) have said that non-members are welcome to attend our events. If you do so, please make yourself known to the event organiser/leader.
Location: Nearest postcode: MK14 5AL; ; grid reference SP845423; Google Maps
Leader and Contact: Martin Kincaid tel: 01908 235362
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.
Three hen harriers have vanished in Lancashire
Three nesting male hen harriers have vanished in Lancashire in as many weeks, in unexplained circumstances.
Source: The RSPB: News: Trio of threatened breeding birds of prey vanish
Trip to Pilch Field 12May15
Pilch Field is a SSSI managed by BBOWT with a rich mosaic of habitats, including 200+ plants. 27 members of the Society gathered on a lovely warm evening for our walk was led by Ann Biggins, Roy Maycock & Jenny Mercer.
Jenny has kindly provided this overview of Pilch Field:
Plants with specific requirements for calcareous/basic conditions or acidic conditions or neutral conditions have found their niches.
Care needs to be taken in waterlogged and damp areas as it’s all too easy to sink deeply into the very soft silts .
On the well drained ridge and furrow areas there were fine displays of Green Winged Orchids which need neutral and well drained conditions, and many cowslips.
Early Marsh Orchids in small numbers have appeared recently in damper areas.
The atypical fern Adders Tongue is locally abundant especially in the furrows and other damp areas.
Other plants of note in mid May are the Marsh Valerian, Purple Moor-grass, cuckoo flower, marsh-marigold, ladies bedstraw, meadow vetchling, salad burnet, birds foot trefoil, green winged orchid and common Milkwort (Milkwort only in Little Pilch – through gate in smaller field).
Later in the year the fields are very colourful – highlights being rest harrow, scabious and daisy.
Please note cattle are used to manage the fields from June to November. do not take dogs into the fields as cows and their calves are usually present.
Roy has kindly provided a list of plants which were seen in flower during the walk:
| Ajuga reptans | Bugle |
| Anacamptis morio | Green-winged Orchid |
| Anthoxanthum odoratum | Sweet Vernal-grass |
| Anthriscus sylvestris | Cow Parsley |
| Avenula pratensis | Meadow Oat-grass |
| Caltha palustris | Marsh-marigold |
| Cardamine pratensis | Cuckooflower |
| Carex flacca | Glaucous Sedge |
| Car ex panicea | Carnation Sedge |
| Conopodium majus | Pignut |
| Crataegus monogya | Hawthorn |
| Dactylorhiza incarnata | Early Marsh-orchid |
| Luzula campestris | Field Wood-rush |
| Polygala vulgaris | Common Milkwort |
| Poterium sanguisorba | Salad Burnet |
| Primula veris | Cowslip |
| Ranunculus acris | Meadow Buttercup |
| Rumex acetosa | Common Sorrel |
| Taraxacum agg. | Dandelion(s) |
| Valeriana dioica | Marsh Valerian |
Click on any of the pictures for a larger image.
Pictures from top to bottom:
Discrete sign for Pilch Field Nature Reserve
Jenny leading the group around one of the two fields
A group of Green Winged Orchids
Close up of a Green Winged Orchid
Salad Burnet
Drinker Moth Caterpillar
One of the many clumps of cowslips
Photos by Peter Hassett
20May15 Warbler Walk at Linford Lakes NR
On Wednesday 20th May 2015 at 19:00hrs, Andy Harding the Bucks County Bird Recorder will be leading an evening Warbler Walk at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre). There is a charge of £2:00 which includes refreshments.
Howe Park Wood Plant List
The article on the Society’s trip to Howe Park Wood on 05May15 has been updated with the list of plants identified by Roy.
What’s About – week of 12 May 2015
BIRDS (any information about anything else most welcome!)
The Peregrine pair are sitting on eggs at Stadium:MK!
Curlew Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper among the many waders at Manor Farm Quarry.
Tawny Owl on eggs at Howe Park Wood (seen by several members on recent Society trip)
Nightingale still present at Blue Lagoon Nature Reserve as of 9th May. Singing well between car park and edge of lake.
Swifts now arriving in huge flocks. Well over 100 present at Willen Lake North on 9th May.
Arctic Terns on passage at Willen and Linford Lakes.
Spotted Flycatchers seen at Stony Stratford NR and Linford Lakes in past week.
Thanks to Martin Kincaid for this information.
RSPB walk Summer Leys, Northants
On Sunday 17 May 2015 there will be a walk led by the local RSPB Group:
Location: Meet at the reserve car park, off the A509 opposite Wollaston. SP 885634.
One of the best small reserves in the region. Always plenty of birds, we expect 40+ species. Last year, two great egrets and a long-tailed duck were seen. Not to be missed! Leader: Chris Coppock.
Time: 10 am
Price: Free
Telephone: 01908 502116
E-mail: pete@petehow.plus.com
Link to the events page of the local RSPB group
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.
17 May 2015 Open Sunday at Linford Lakes NR
Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre) will be hosting an open day on Sunday 17 May 2015 from 10:00 – 16:00hrs. Click here for more details.
An opportunity to bring friends and family to enjoy reserve.
Crafts, second hand books and refreshments available.
Trip to Howe Park Wood 05 May 2015
On 15May15, 20 members of the Society gathered on a blustery evening for the first outdoor event of our 2015 summer season. A walk around Howe Park Wood led by Gordon Redford.
Gordon decided to give the walk a botanic theme. We were split into three groups. Each group had a notepad and a clicker to record the number of different plant species identified. There was a competition to see which group identified the most plants.
Martin Kincaid had arranged for the group to visit the Milton Keynes Parks Trust impressive new Education and Visitor Centre at the end of the walk for tea and biscuits.
Roy has kindly provided a list of plants seen during the walk:
| Acer campestre | Field Maple |
| Ajuga reptans | Bugle |
| Alopecurus pratensis | Meadow Foxtail |
| Anemone nemorosa | Wood Anemone |
| Angelica sylvestris | Wild Angelica |
| Anthriscus sylvestris | Cow Parsley |
| Arctium minus | Lesser Burdock |
| Arum maculatum | Lords-and-Ladies |
| Brachypodium sylvaticum | False Brome |
| Cardamine pratensis | Cockooflower |
| Carexpendula | Pendulous Sedge |
| Carey, remota | Remote Sedge |
| Car ex sylvatica | Wood Sedge |
| Carpinus betula | Hornbeam |
| Chamerion angustifolium | Rosebay Willowherb |
| Circaea lutetiana | Enchanter’s Nightshade |
| Cirsium arvense | Creeping Thistle |
| Cirsium palustre | Marsh Thistle |
| Clematis vitalba | Traveller’s-joy |
| Cornus sanguinea | Dogwood |
| Corylus avellana | Hazle |
| Crataegus monogyna | Hawthorn |
| Dactylis glomerata | Cock’s-foot |
| Dactylorhiza fuchsii | Common Spotted-orchid |
| Deschampsia cespitosa | Tufted Hair-grass |
| Dryopteris dilatata | Broad Buckler-fern |
| Dryopteris fllix-mas | Male Fern |
| Epilobium hirsutum | Great Willowherb |
| Ficaria verna | Lesser Celandine |
| Filipendula ulmaria | Meadowsweet |
| Fragaria vesca | Wild Strawberry |
| Fraxinus excelsior | Ash |
| Galium aparine | Cleavers |
| Geranium robertianum | Herb-Robert |
| Geum urbanum | Wood Avens |
| Hedera helix | Ivy |
| Heracleum sphondylium | Hogweed |
| Hyancinthoides non-scripta | Bluebell |
| Juncus effusus | Soft Rush |
| Lapsana communis | Nipplewort |
| Lonicera periclymenum | Honeysuckle |
| Lysimachia nummularia | Creeping-Jenny |
| Malus sylvestris | Crab Apple |
| Mercurialis perennis | Dog’s Mercury |
| Milium effusum | Wood Millet |
| Orchis mascula | Early Purple-orchid |
| Plantago major | Greater Plantain |
| Poa annua | Annual Meadow-grass |
| Poa nemoralis | Wood Meadow-grass |
| Populus tremula | Aspen |
| Potentilla anserina | Silverweed |
| Primula vulgaris | Primrose |
| Prunus spinosa | Blackthorn |
| Quercus robur | Pedunculate Oak |
| Ranunculus auricomus | Goldilocks Buttercup |
| Ranunculus repens | Creeping Buttercup |
| Ribes rubrum | Red Currant |
| Rosa arvensis | Field Rose |
| Rosa canina agg. | Dog Rose(s) |
| Rubus fruticosus agg. | Bramble(s) |
| Rubus idaeus | Raspberry |
| Rumex sanguineus | Wood Dock |
| Salix caprea | Goat Willow |
| Sambucus nigra | Elder |
| Senecio jacobaea | Common Ragwort |
| Silene flos-cuculi | Ragged-Robin |
| Stachys sylvatica | Hedge Woundwort |
| Stellaria holostea | Geater Stitchwort |
| Tamus communis | Black Bryony |
| Taraxacum agg. | Dandelion(s) |
| Urtica dioica | Stinging Nettle |
| Viburnum opulus | Guelder Rose |
| Vicia septum | Bush Vetch |
| Viola riviniana | Common Dog-violet |
| Fagus sylvatica* | Beech |
| Rhamnus cathartica* | Buckthorn |
| Symphoricarpos albus* | Snowberry |
*indicates an unconfirmed record
Click on any of the pictures for a larger image.
Pictures from top to bottom:
Start of the walk at the new Education and Visitors centre
Insect Hotel in the wall of the visitor centre
New pond dipping platform by the visitor centre
Map of Howe Park Wood
Bluebells and Greater Stitchwort
Dogs Mercury
Photos by Peter Hassett
RSPB Farming & Wildlife at Hope Farm
On Thursday 14 May 2015 there will be a presentation hosted by the local RSPB Group:
‘Farming and Wildlife at Hope Farm’ – Darren Moorcroft
Location: The Cruck Barn, City Discovery Centre, Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes
Postcode: MK13 9AP (Google map)
Darren is Head of Species and Habitats Conservation, RSPB. In 1999, the RSPB bought Hope Farm – since then they have used it to show that increasing crop yields and increasing species can be combined. As Natural England said recently ‘Farmlands birds are returning, the local environment is in great shape and field margins are buzzing’. AGM.
Time: Doors open 7.15 pm for a prompt 7.45 pm start
Price: Group Members £2.50, Non-Members £3.50, Children £1
Telephone: 01908 669448
E-mail: northbucksrspb@hotmail.com
MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.
Moths found at Linford Lakes NR April 2015
Gordon Redford has kindly supplied pictures of some of the moths found at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre).
Click on any picture for a larger view. Click on the back button in your browser to return to this page.
Why not send in your photos so that we can all enjoy them on this site.
Twin-spotted Quaker by Gordon Redford taken at Linford Lakes NR 03Apr15
Pine Beauty by Gordon Redford taken at Linford Lakes NR 14Apr15
Purple Thorn by Gordon Redford taken at Linford Lakes NR 16Apr15
Streamer moth by Gordon Redford taken at Linford Lakes NR 25Apr15
Swallow Prominent by Gordon Redford at Linford Lakes NR
National Plant Monitoring Scheme
The National Plant Monitoring Scheme (NPMS) is a new habitat-based plant monitoring scheme designed by BSBI, CEH, Plantlife and JNCC. Click here to read more.