Discover the latest news and sightings from Snakeholme Pit Butterfly Reserve below...

You can report your sightings and send your photos from Snakeholme to John Davison @email

If you would like to visit the site or any of our other sites in Lincolnshire, please take a look at our Events.

Work parties usually run 10 am - 3 pm.

Workparties: Workparties will be on an ad-hoc basis.
Next workparty: 
T.B.A.

You can also take a look at all the wildlife discovered at Snakeholme, from birds to flowers and everything in between, here:
David Lawrence Drone Video

https://youtu.be/ipQZHwUYpBA

View Snakeholme Pit Blog 2022


Snakeholme Pit Blog 2023

Thursday 28th December

Water Receding at Snakeholme (John Davison) 281223 (1)
Water Receding at Snakeholme (John Davison) 281223 (1)

Water starting to recede and the hedge has been cut.

Water Receding at Snakeholme (John Davison) 281223 (2)
Water Receding at Snakeholme (John Davison) 281223 (2)
Snakeholme Hedge Cut (John Davison) 281223
Snakeholme Hedge Cut (John Davison) 281223

Sunday 5th November

"Water, water, every where, nor any drop to drink.
(Samuel Taylor Coleridge - The Rime of the Ancient Mariner)

Snakeholme Flooding (John Davison) 051123 (1)
Snakeholme Flooding (John Davison) 051123 (1)
Snakeholme Flooding (John Davison) 051123 (2)
Snakeholme Flooding (John Davison) 051123 (2)
Snakeholme Flooding (John Davison) 051123 (3)
Snakeholme Flooding (John Davison) 051123 (3)
Snakeholme Flooding (John Davison) 051123 (4)
Snakeholme Flooding (John Davison) 051123 (4)
Snakeholme Flooding (John Davison) 051123 (5)
Snakeholme Flooding (John Davison) 051123 (5)

Wednesday 18th October
Mild, pleasant afternoon - Comma and Small White on the wing.

Pink-barred Sallow at Snakeholme (John Davison) 181023
Pink-barred Sallow (John Davison) 181023


Saturday 7th October

Section 1 - Before & After (John Davison) 071023
Section 1 - Before & After (John Davison) 071023

7 volunteers came to help the annual maintenance of the Bank area of the Reserve. This year it was the turn of Sections 1 & 3.

Section 3 - Before & After (John Davison) 071023
Section 3 - Before & After (John Davison) 071023

Other areas incorporated.......

Snakeholme Pit - Lower Meadow (John Davison) 071023
Snakeholme Pit - Lower Meadow (John Davison) 071023
Snakeholme Pit  - Terminus (John Davison) 071023
Snakeholme Pit - Terminus (John Davison) 071023

Richard Davidson also looked for Brown Hairstreak Eggs.

Brown Hairstreak Eggs at Snakeholme (Richard Davidson) 071023
Brown Hairstreak Eggs at Snakeholme (Richard Davidson) 071023


Monday 25th September
More Grass Snakes about. Far better shots by Gordon Bowes than I could ever get.

Grass Snake at Snakeholme (Gordon Bowes) 250923 (1)
Grass Snake at Snakeholme (Gordon Bowes) 250923 (1)
Grass Snake at Snakeholme (Gordon Bowes) 250923 (2)
Grass Snake at Snakeholme (Gordon Bowes) 250923 (2)

 

Grass Snake at Snakeholme (Gordon Bowes) 250923 (3)
Grass Snake at Snakeholme (Gordon Bowes) 250923 (3)
Grass Snake at Snakeholme (Gordon Bowes) 250923 (4)
Grass Snake at Snakeholme (Gordon Bowes) 250923 (4)
Grass Snake at Snakeholme (Gordon Bowes) 250923 (5)
Grass Snake at Snakeholme (Gordon Bowes) 250923 (5)

Thursday 21st September
Quite a nice sunny day though very few butterflies - only Brimstone, Red Admiral and Large White.

Thanks to the Lincolnshire Conservation Volunteers for raking off the hay last Sunday.

Raked Meadows at Snakeholme (John Davison) 210923
Raked Meadows at Snakeholme (John Davison) 210923


Quite a few Dragonflies including Sothern, Migrant and Brown Hawker. Most of the Willow Emerald Damselflies seemed to be paired up.
Unexpected but nice surprise was the Grass Snake.

Grass Snake aat Snakeholme (John Davison) 210923
Grass Snake (John Davison) 210923

Anyone know when the Hawthorn berries come out?

Hawthorn Berries at Snakeholme (John Davison) 210923
Hawthorn Berries (John Davison) 210923

Sunday 17th September

Lincoln Conservation Volunteers at Snakeholme (Sophie Hadfield) 170923 (1)
Lincoln Conservation Volunteers at Snakeholme (Sophie Hadfield) 170923 (1)

Lincoln Conservation Volunteers, despite being a small group of eight volunteers, managed to rake off the hay from the meadows.

Lincoln Conservation Volunteers at Snakeholme (Sophie Hadfield) 170923 (2a)
Lincoln Conservation Volunteers at Snakeholme (Sophie Hadfield) 170923 (2)

They also collected a bag full of litter from the lay-by.

Lincoln Conservation Volunteers at Snakeholme (Sophie Hadfield) 170923 (3)
Lincoln Conservation Volunteers at Snakeholme (Sophie Hadfield) 170923 (3)

 

Lincoln Conservation Volunteers at Snakeholme (Sophie Hadfield) 170923 (4)
Lincoln Conservation Volunteers at Snakeholme (Sophie Hadfield) 170923 (4)
Lincoln Conservation Volunteers at Snakeholme (Sophie Hadfield) 170923 (5a)
Lincoln Conservation Volunteers at Snakeholme (Sophie Hadfield) 170923 (5)

Thursday 7th September
Very hot day with virtually no wind.

Gate Meadow at Snakeholme - Before & After (John Davison) 070923
Gate Meadow at Snakeholme - Before & After (John Davison) 070923


Thanks once again to Colin

Colin cutting Snakeholme Meadows (John Davison) 070923
Colin cutting Snakeholme Meadows (John Davison) 070923

Brown Hairstreak, Vole and Lizard seen whilst cutting.

Seat Meadow at Snakeholme - Before & After (John Davison) 070923
Seat Meadow at Snakeholme - Before & After (John Davison) 070923

Sunday 3rd September

Brown Hairstreak at Snakeholme (Keith Walton) 030923 (1)
Brown Hairstreak (Keith Walton) 030923 (1)

Keith Walton e-mails.........
Ron Henderson, Graeme Baker and I visited Snakeholme Pit on Sunday 3rd of September. We were only there for about an hour but found Common Blue,Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Small Copper,Large White, Small White, Green Veined White, Comma,Peacock, Brimstone all in single digits and 2 late Gatekeepers.
 

Brown Hairstreak at Snakeholme (Keith Walton) 030923 (2)
Brown Hairstreak (Keith Walton) 030923 (2)

The surprise was 5 Brown Hairstreak between 13.30 and 14.00 hours.
 

Brown Hairstreak at Snakeholme (Keith Walton) 030923 (3)
Brown Hairstreak (Keith Walton) 030923 (3)

Wednesday 30th August
Occasional sun but warm.
After the previous Wednesday this seemed an anti-climax. Only the Whites, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral seemed about with 2 Silver-washed Fritillary still hanging on.
The Buff-tip larvae had got a lot bigger.......

Buff-tip Moth Larvae at Snakeholme (John Davison) 300823
Buff-tip Moth Larvae (John Davison) 300823


There were a lot of Dragonflies about including what looked liked a "Chaser" exuvia
 

Dragonfly Exuvia at Snakeholme (John Davison) 300823
Dragonfly Exuvia (John Davison) 300823


 

Snakeholme Dragonflies (John Davison) 300823
Snakeholme Dragonflies (John Davison) 300823

Clockwise: Migrant Hawker Male & Female, Southern Hawker, Common Darter.

Wednesday 23rd August
Very warm and eventually sunny day.
With the sun came the butterflies - Large, Small & Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Common & Holly Blue, Gatekeeper, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brimstone, Speckled Wood and Brown Hairstreak.
Also a Comma larva.........

Comma Larva at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Comma Larva (John Davison) 230823

Moth included adults of Silver Y and Straw Dot. The Herald and Buff-tip larvae were still about.
 

Silver Y Moth at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Silver Y Moth (John Davison) 230823
Straw Dot Moth at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Straw Dot Moth (John Davison) 230823

Lots of Dragonflies including Emperor, Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Common & Ruddy Darter and the usual Willow Emerald Damselfly.

Brown Hawker at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Brown Hawker (John Davison) 230823

Other Fauna........

Bulrush Bug - Chilacis typhae at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Bulrush Bug - Chilacis typhae (John Davison) 230823
Hoverfly Chrysotoxum bicinctum at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Hoverfly Chrysotoxum bicinctum (John Davison) 230823
Late Instar & Adult Box Bug at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Late Instar & Adult Box Bug (John Davison) 230823
Late Instar & Adult Dock Bug at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Late Instar & Adult Dock Bug (John Davison) 230823
Roesel's Bush-cricket at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Roesel's Bush-cricket (John Davison) 230823
Long-winged Conehead at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Long-winged Conehead (John Davison) 230823
Sawfly Larva Caliroa cerasi at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Sawfly Larva Caliroa cerasi (John Davison) 230823
Sawfly Larva Nematus septentrionalis at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230823
Sawfly Larva Nematus septentrionalis (John Davison) 230823


Tuesday 22nd August

Brown Hairstreak at Snakeholme Pit (Eric Doughty) 220823 (1)
Brown Hairstreak (Eric Doughty) 220823 (1)
Brown Hairstreak at Snakeholme Pit (Eric Doughty) 220823 (2)
Brown Hairstreak (Eric Doughty) 220823 (2)

Sunday 20th August
Richard O'Connor e-mailed............
I thought I should report that today, I found a female Brown Hairstreak in the meadow area at the above site. She was just a foot or two above ground level, carefully examining Blackthorn suckers near the main path, before laying eggs on them. I believe this butterfly is known at this site?
I was seriously chuffed – a new species for me!


Thursday 17th August
Warm day with intermittent sun.

Common Blue (John Davison) 170823
Common Blue (John Davison) 170823

Slow start but the butterflies emerged with the sun. All 3 Whites, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Copper, Common & Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Brimstone, Speckled Wood and a fresh Brown Hairstreak. Silver-washed Fritillary were flying the length of the Reserve.A worn Purple Hairstreak flitted along the hedgerow top.

Purple Hairstreak at Snakeholme (John Davison) 17082
Purple Hairstreak (John Davison) 17082

Nice to be greeted by the Robin.

Robin at Snakeholme (John Davison) 170823
Robin (John Davison) 170823

 Latticed Heath, Silver Y and Dingy Footman adults.

Dingy Footman at Snakeholme (John Davison) 170823
Dingy Footman (John Davison) 170823

as well as Buff-tip larvae.

Buff-tip Larvae at Snakeholme (John Davison) 170823
Buff-tip Larvae (John Davison) 170823

Other Fauna....

Fly Tachina fera at Snakeholme (John Davison) 170823
Fly Tachina fera (John Davison) 170823


Tachina fera is common on the Reserve but 2 new ones - Harvestman Opilio canestrinii and Brassica Shieldbug (Eurydema oleracea).

Harvestman Opilio canestrinii at Snakeholme (John Davison) 170823
Harvestman Opilio canestrinii (John Davison) 170823

 

Brassica Shieldbug at Snakholme (John Davison) 170823
Brassica Shieldbug (John Davison) 170823


Tuesday 15th August

Brown Hairstreak at Snakeholme Pit (Eric Doughty) 150823
Brown Hairstreak (Eric Doughty) 150823


Friday 11th August
Eric Doughty found a Brown Hairstreak.

Brown Hairstreak at Snakeholme Pit (Eric Doughty) 110823 (2)
Brown Hairstreak (Eric Doughty) 110823 (2)
Brown Hairstreak at Snakeholme Pit (Eric Doughty) 110823
Brown Hairstreak (Eric Doughty) 110823 (3)


Thursday 10th August
Hot and sunny for a change......

Brimstone at Snakeholme (John Davison) 100823
Brimstone (John Davison) 100823


The Purple Loosestrife in the hollow was working overtime today. There must have been 50 Brimstone in that one area alone. 5 Holly Blue about today, 2 on the Loosestrife as well.

Holly Blue at Snakeholme (John Davison) 100823
Holly Blue (John Davison) 100823

6 Silver-washed Fritillary spread all across the Reserve. Other species included Large, Small & Green-veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Brown Argus, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Gatekeeper.

Lots of Dragonflies

Ruddy Darter at Snakeholme (John Davison)100823
Ruddy Darter (John Davison)100823


Emperor, Ruddy & Common Darter, Brown Hawker, Willow Emerald Damselfly and Small Red-eyed Damselfly.

Vapourer Moth Larva at Snakeholme (John Davison) 100823
Vapourer Moth Larva (John Davison) 100823


Shaded Broad-bar moths flying and a couple of larva found.

Herald Moth Larva at Snakeholme 100823 (2)
Herald Moth Larva (John Davison) 100823


Saturday 29th July
Bernard Featherstone e-mailed.......

Maureen & I had an enjoyable day at Snakeholme today, a wonderful array of flowers and Butterflies.
Good numbers of Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small and Large White but only a small number of G V White, not counted.
Red Admiral 20+, Comma 20+, Peacock 20+, Common Blue 5, Holly Blue 2, S W Fritillary 4, Brown Argus 2.
One each of  White Admiral, Brimstone, Purple Hairstreak, Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell.

A good Butterfly count, but we failed to see a White-letter Hairstreak.

A good few Willow Emerald, Brown Hawker 2, Migrant Hawker 2 Southern Hawker 1.

A good day out. 

Friday 28th July
Warm and sunny with lots of butterflies.

Common Blue at Snakeholme (jJohn Davison) 280723
Common Blue (jJohn Davison) 280723
Brown Argus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 280723
Brown Argus (John Davison) 280723

 

Large Skipper at Snakeholme (John Davison) 280723
Large Skipper (John Davison) 280723

Other Fauna.........

Dock Bug (mid-instar) at Snakeholme (John Davison) 280723
Dock Bug (mid-instar) (John Davison) 280723
Red-legged Shieldbug at Snakeholme (John Davison) 280723
Red-legged Shieldbug (John Davison) 280723
Snail Oxyloma elegans at Snakeholme (John Davison) 280723
Snail Oxyloma elegans (John Davison) 280723
Hornet Hoverfly - Volucella zonaria at Snakeholme (John Davison) 280723
Hornet Hoverfly - Volucella zonaria (John Davison) 280723


Keith Walton e-mailed.....
During a visit to Snakeholme Pit, the following butterflies were seen. Peacock-86, Red Admiral-51, Silver Washed Fritillary-20, Holly Blue-8,Brimstone-9, Comma-15,White Admiral-1. 

Good number of Migrant Hawkers.
 

Holly Blue at Snakeholme (Keith Walton) 280723
Holly Blue (Keith Walton) 280723

Thursday 20th July
Warm with sunny intervals.
Jackpot!!!

White-letter Hairstreak at Snakeholme (John Davison) 200723
White-letter Hairstreak (John Davison) 200723

Exceptional day for Butterflies.
 

Painted Lady at Snakeholme (Keith Walton) 200723
Painted Lady (Keith Walton) 200723
Silver-washed Fritillary at Snakeholme (John Davison) 200723
Silver-washed Fritillary (John Davison) 200723


Butterflies included Large, Small & Green-veined White, Large & Small Skipper, Red & White Admiral, Common Blue, Comma, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Brimstone.

Brimstone at Snakeholme on Betony (John Davison) 200723
Brimstone on Betony (John Davison) 200723
White Admireal at Snakeholme (Michael Goddard) 200723
White Admiral (Michael Goddard) 200723


Excellent to report not just the species but also in good numbers.

It's a purple haze at the moment with the Loosestrife and Betony out.

Never seen so many Silver Y moths out at once.

Also

Small China-,ark at Snakeholme (John Davison) 200723
Small China-mark (John Davison) 200723


Disturbed 2 Little Egrets in the Beck.

Emperor Dragonfly hawking and lots of Ruddy Darter.

Willow Emerald Damselfly at Snakeholme (Keith Walton) 200723
Willow Emerald Damselfly (Keith Walton) 200723


Must have been a hundred Willow Emerald.
Also

Brown Hawker Dragonfly at Snakeholme (Keith Walton) 200723
Brown Hawker Dragonfly (Keith Walton) 200723
Southern Hawker Dragonfly at Snakeholme (Keith Walton) 200723
Southern Hawker Dragonfly (Keith Walton) 200723


 

Banded Demoiselle at Snakeholme (John Davison) 200723
Banded Demoiselle (John Davison) 200723


Other Fauna.......

Box Bug at Snakeholme (John Davison) 200723
Box Bug (John Davison) 200723
Fly Conops flavipes male at Snakeholme (John Davison) 200723
Fly Conops flavipes male (John Davison) 200723
Hoverfly Sphaerophoria scripta at Snakeholme (John Davison) 200723
Hoverfly Sphaerophoria scripta (John Davison) 200723


Friday 14th July
Not the best of days but a few things about before the rain descended........

Southern Hawker at Snakeholme (John Davison) 140723
Southern Hawker (John Davison) 140723
Willow Emerald Damselfly at Snakeholme (John Davison) 140723
Willow Emerald Damselfly (John Davison) 140723
Shaded Broad-bar Moth at Snakeholme (John Davison) 140723
Shaded Broad-bar Moth (John Davison) 140723

Friday 7th July
Very hot day
Lots of butterflies but mainly Browns - Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper & Ringlet. Whites, Red Admiral, Skippers and Speckled Wood could also be seen.
Definitely a day for Dragonflies...

Black-tailed Skimmer at Snakeholme (John Davison) 070723
Black-tailed Skimmer (John Davison) 070723

 

Ruddy Darter at Snakeholme (John Davison) 070723
Ruddy Darter (John Davison) 070723

 

Emperor Dragonfly at Snakeholme (John Davison) 070723
Emperor Dragonfly (John Davison) 070723


Very few Burnet Moths today.

Silver Y Moth at Snakeholme (John Davison) 070723
Silver Y Moth (John Davison) 070723


Birds included Buzzard, Moorhen, Garden Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Goldfinch, Chiffchaff, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Blackcap, Coal Tit and Carrion Crow.

Carrion Crow at Snakeholme (John Davison) 070723
Carrion Crow (John Davison) 070723


Friday 30th June

Moth Nemophora cupriacella at Snakleholme (Helen Kirk) 300623
Moth Nemophora cupriacella (Helen Kirk) 300623

Helen Kirk visited.......
Decided to take a look at Snakeholme Pit, a Lincolnshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation nature reserve just a few miles distant from Chambers Farm Wood as I'd never visited it before.  A fascinating site of around two acres with three different areas to it.  First gem was a male Banded Demoiselle in vegetation along the stream edge to the east and then a Kingfisher's distinctive piping as it moved along the waterway.  Double figures of Ringlet and Meadow Browns, a couple each of Green-veined Whites and Gatekeeper.  Perhaps a dozen Six-spot Burnet Moths on various flower heads but tucked down low out of the wind was a small golden green longhorn moth with a snazzy punk yellow hair do and the obviously long antennae.   It was not one I was familiar with so managed a couple of record photographs and thought no more about it till I got home and downloaded it.  The nearest I could get it to was Nemophora cupriacella.  Now a bit of research suggests it's not a particularly common moth so I begin to doubt my ID and decided to run it past Martin Gray who promptly responded with " Certainly is and quite a rarity, only the 5th Lincolnshire Record - duly recorded."  Well, quite a result for a Yorkshire visitor to this site for the first time.  Just goes to show there's always something interesting to be found even on not ideal weather days!       
Thursday 29th June
Warm day with sunny intervals.

Comma at Snakeholme (John Davison) 290623
Comma (John Davison) 290623

Lots of Meadow Brown about together with Ringlet, Large & Small White, Large & Small Skipper, Comma, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood.
 

Small Skipper at Snakeholme (John Davison) 290623
Small Skipper (John Davison) 290623


Dragonflies included Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser, Emperor, Large Red Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Ruddy Darter and Banded Demoiselle.

Banded Damoiselle - female - at Snakeholme (John Davison) 290623
Banded Damoiselle - female (John Davison) 290623
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) male (Alan & Linda Woodward) 290623
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) male (Alan & Linda Woodward) 290623

Moths included Silver Y, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet and the larvae of the Cinnabar, Sallow Kitten together with Pebble Prominent.

Pebble Prominent (Notodonta ziczac) caterpillar (Alan & Linda Woodward) 290623
Pebble Prominent (Notodonta ziczac) caterpillar (Alan & Linda Woodward) 290623
Sallow Kitten (Furcula furcula) Caterpillar (Alan & Linda Woodward) 290623
Sallow Kitten (Furcula furcula) Caterpillar (Alan & Linda Woodward) 290623


Other Fauna......

Meadow Plant Bug - Leptopterna dolabrata at Snakeholme (John Davison) 290623
Meadow Plant Bug - Leptopterna dolabrata (John Davison) 290623

 

Red Pustule Gall - Aceria myriadeum - at Snakeholme (John Davison) 290623
Red Pustule Gall - Aceria myriadeum (John Davison) 290623
Sawfly Arge ochropus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 290623
Sawfly Arge ochropus (John Davison) 290623
Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobills) -female (Alan & Linda Woodward) 290623
Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobills) -female (Alan & Linda Woodward) 290623

A new record from Keith Walton - Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) - male.

Hairy Dragonfly at Snakeholme (Keith Walton) 290623
Hairy Dragonfly (Keith Walton) 290623


Friday 23rd June
Warm and pleasant day.
Ringlet, second of the summer Browns now out.

Ringlet at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230623
Ringlet (John Davison) 230623

Other butterflies were Large White, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and Large Skipper.
 

Common Spotted-orchid at Snakeholme ((John Davison) 230623
Common Spotted-orchid ((John Davison) 230623

Orchid count continues - now up to 11 Bee & 10 Common Spotted.

Common Valerian at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230623
Common Valerian (John Davison) 230623

Birds about were Pheasant, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Wren, Woodpigeon, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Moorhen, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit & Blackcap.
Quite a few Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnets have emerged.

Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230623
Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet (John Davison) 230623

Other Fauna......
 

Bug - Closterotomus norwegicus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230623
Bug - Closterotomus norwegicus (John Davison) 230623
Bug - Deraeocoris ruber nymph at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230623
Bug - Deraeocoris ruber nymph (John Davison) 230623
Dark Bush-cricket at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230623
Dark Bush-cricket (John Davison) 230623
Longhorn Beetle - Rutpela maculata at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230623
Longhorn Beetle - Rutpela maculata (John Davison) 230623
Tortoise Bug - Eurygaster testudinaria at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230623
Tortoise Bug - Eurygaster testudinaria (John Davison) 230623

Tuesday 13th June
Hot day but few butterflies again. Perhaps the sun is sapping the nectar from the plants.
Large & Green-veined Whites, Common & Holly Blue, Brimstone and Meadow Browns. This one seemed to have large eye-spots on the underside.

Meadow Brown at Snakeholme (John Davison)130623
Meadow Brown (John Davison) 130623

Emperor Dragonfly now out.
Broke my duck with Common Spotted-orchids with not just 1 but 5. Bee Orchid count now up to 8.
Birds included Moorhen, Wren, Chiffchaff, Skylark, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat.
A couple of Moths, Latticed Heath and Yellow Shell.
Other Fauna......
 

Longhorn Beetle Anaglyptus mysticus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 130623
Longhorn Beetle Anaglyptus mysticus (John Davison) 130623
Hoverfly Chrysotoxum bicinctum at Snakeholme (John Davison) 130623
Hoverfly Chrysotoxum bicinctum (John Davison) 130623
Longhorn Beetle Stenocorus meridianus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 130623
Longhorn Beetle Stenocorus meridianus (John Davison) 130623

Crown Rust - Puccinia coronata is a rust fungus with orange aecia which galls the leaf blade and petioles of Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn causing them to become twisted and distorted.

Gall Puccinia coronata on Common Buckthorn at Snakeholme 130623 (4)
Gall Puccinia coronata on Common Buckthorn 130623
Sawfly female Cephus pygmaeus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 130623
Sawfly female Cephus pygmaeus (John Davison) 130623


Thursday 8th June
Decent sunny day but still few butterflies. Maybe it is the temperature which is still relatively cool for this time of year.
Still, Small & Green-veined White, Brimstone, Orange-tip and Common Blue.
A couple of Yellow Shell Moths about.

Yellow Shell at Snakeholme (John Davison) 080623
Yellow Shell (John Davison) 080623

Lots of Four-spotted Chasers together with Azure and Large Red Damselflies.

Blue Tit at Snakeholme (John Davison)  080623
Blue Tit (John Davison) 080623

 Birds included Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Robin, Jackdaw, Skylark, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Wren, Collared Dove (strangely not recorded), Bullfinch, Redstart (a new Reserve record) and Long-tailed Tit.

Long-tailed Tit at Snakeholme (John Davison) 080623
Long-tailed Tit (John Davison) 080623

Looking like no Common Spotted-orchid this year but Bee Orchid spikes now up to 5. Fantastic display of Ox-eye Daisies.
Other Fauna......

Swollen-thighed Beetle - Oedemera nobilis (female) at Snakeholme 080623
Swollen-thighed Beetle - Oedemera nobilis (female) (John Davison) 080623
Swollen-thighed Beetle - Oedemera nobilis (male) at Snakeholme (John Davison) 080623
Swollen-thighed Beetle - Oedemera nobilis (male) (John Davison) 080623
Beetle Agapanthia villosoviridescens at Snakeholme (John Davison) 080623
Beetle Agapanthia villosoviridescens (John Davison) 080623
Tiger Cranefly - Nephrotoma flavescens at Snakeholme (John Davison) 080623
Tiger Cranefly - Nephrotoma flavescens (John Davison) 080623

 

Friday 2nd June
Lot's of Damselflies & Dragonflies plus 3 Bee Orchid spikes.

Bee Orchid at Snakeholme (John Davison) 020623
Bee Orchid (John Davison) 020623
Hoverfly Syrphus ribesii at Snakeholme (John Davison) 020623
Hoverfly Syrphus ribesii (John Davison) 020623


Tuesday 30th May
Very cool with only a solitary Holly Blue on the wing.
Still things to see.......

Comma Larva at Snakeholme (John Davison) 300523
Comma Larva (John Davison) 300523
Common Malachite Beetle - Malachius bipustulatus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 300523
Common Malachite Beetle - Malachius bipustulatus (John Davison) 300523
Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui at Snakeholme (John Davison) 300523
Thistle Gall Fly - Urophora cardui (John Davison) 300523
Moth Pyrausta purpuralis at Snakeholme (John Davison) 300523
Moth Pyrausta purpuralis (John Davison) 300523
Dragonfly Exuvia at Snakeholme (John Davison) 300523
Dragonfly Exuvia (John Davison) 300523
Azure Damselfly at Snakeholme (John Davison) 300523
Azure Damselfly (John Davison) 300523
Ox-eye Daisies at Snakeholme (John Davison) 300523
Ox-eye Daisies (John Davison) 300523

Tuesday 23rd May
Still very few butterflies despite a decent day.
Large, Small & Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Orange-tip, Holly & Common Blue and Brimstone.

Brimstone at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230523
Brimstone (John Davison) 230523

Latticed Heath again.
Lots of Large Red and Azure Damselflies together with newly emerged Four-spotted Chasers.

Large Red Damselfly at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230523
Large Red Damselfly (John Davison) 230523
Four-spotted Chaser at Snakehlme (John Davison) 230523
Four-spotted Chaser (John Davison) 230523


Birds included Pheasant, Blackcap, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Stock Dove, Willow Warbler, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Skylark, Robin, Wren and Moorhen.

Moorhen at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230523
Moorhen (John Davison) 230523

Other Fauna...

Weevil - Platystomos albinus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230523
Weevil - Platystomos albinus (John Davison) 230523
Bug Rhabdomiris striatellus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 230523
Bug Rhabdomiris striatellus (John Davison) 230523

Wednesday 17th May
Sunny and warm day with Small & Green-veined Whites, Peacock, Orange-tip and Common Blue on the wing.There were also male Brimstones and a female laying eggs on the Buckthorn.
Latticed Heath was flying and a few settled micro-moths.
Birds included Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Moorhen.
Other Fauna........

Alderfly at Snakeholme (John Davison) 170523
Alderfly (John Davison) 170523
Horned Treehopper at Snakeholme (John Davison) 170523
Horned Treehopper (John Davison) 170523
Wasp Beetle at Snakeholme (John Davison) 170523
Wasp Beetle (John Davison) 170523


Tuesday 9th May
Nice sunny day. Butterflies on the wing included Orange-tip, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone and all 3 Whites.

Orange-tip at Snakeholme (John Davison) 090523
Orange-tip (John Davison) 090523
Green-veined White at Snakeholme 090523
Green-veined White (John Davison) 090523


Other Flora & Fauna..........

Red-headed Cardinal Beetle at Snakeholme (John Davison) 090523
Red-headed Cardinal Beetle (John Davison) 090523

 

Bluebell at Snakeholme (John Davison) 090523
Bluebell (John Davison) 090523

 

Greater Thorn-tipped Longhorn Beetle - Pogonecerus hispidulus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 090523
Greater Thorn-tipped Longhorn Beetle - Pogonecerus hispidulus (John Davison) 090523

 

Spider Pisaura mirablis at Snakeholme (John Davison) 090523
Spider Pisaura mirablis (John Davison) 090523
Tortoise Beetle Cassida vibex at Snakeholme (John Davison) 090523
Tortoise Beetle Cassida vibex (John Davison) 090523
Oak Apple Gall at Snakeholme (John Davison) 090523
Oak Apple Gall (John Davison) 090523
Moth Straw Conch - Cochylimorpha straminea at Snakeholme (John Davison) 090523
Moth Straw Conch - Cochylimorpha straminea (John Davison) 090523

Wednesday 3rd May
Sunny day. Large, Small & Green-veined White on the wing. Others included Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Holly Blue and Peacock.

Brimstone Egg at Snakeholme (John Davison) 030523
Brimstone Egg (John Davison) 030523

Other Fauna.......

Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus at Snakeholme (John Davison) 030523
Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus (John Davison) 030523

Tuesday 25th April
Lovely sunny day but very few butterflies, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Peacock and Brimstone.

Two more floral additions.........

 
Early Purple Orchid at Snakeholme (John Davison)  250423
Early Purple Orchid (John Davison) 250423
 
Cuckooflower at Snakeholme (John Davison) 250423
Cuckooflower (John Davison) 250423

First Dock Bug of the season...

 
Dock Bug at Snakeholme (John Davison) 250423
Dock Bug (John Davison) 250423

Tuesday 18th April
Lovely sunny day again.

Comma at Snakeholme (John Davison) 180423
Comma (John Davison) 180423
Nice to see Orange-tip out. Others included Green-veined White, Peacock, Brimstone and Comma.
Brimstone at Snakeholme (John Davison)180423
Brimstone (John Davison)180423
 

Just the odd moth - a Latticed Heath

Latticed Heath (John Davison)180423
Latticed Heath (John Davison)180423
 

The flora is particularly spectacular at the moment with the Lesser Celendine, Cowslips and Bugle starting to come out.

Cowslips at Snakeholme (John Davison)180423
Cowslips (John Davison)180423
Bugle at Snakeholme (John Davison) 180423
Bugle (John Davison) 180423
 
Dog Violet at Snakeholme (John Davison) 180423
Dog Violet (John Davison) 180423
Adder's-tongue Fern at Snakeholme (John Davison) 180423
Adder's-tongue Fern (John Davison) 180423
 
Snake's-head Fritillary at Snakeholme (John Davison) 180423
Snake's-head Fritillary (John Davison) 180423
 

The usual pair of Mallard were on the water together with Grey Heron and Moorhen.
A female Mallard is already sitting on Eggs.

Mallard on Nest at Snakeholme (John Davison) 180423
Mallard on Nest (John Davison) 180423
Mallard Eggs at Snakeholme (John Davison) 180423
Mallard Eggs (John Davison) 180423
 
Hoverfly Eupodes luniger at Snakeholme (John Davison) 180423
Hoverfly Eupodes luniger (John Davison) 180423

Tuesday 4th April
Full sun but still cool temperatures.Peacock and Brimstone on the wing as were Dark-edged Bee-flies.
Also

Fly Gymnocheta viridis at Snakeholme (John Davison) 040423
Fly Gymnocheta viridis (John Davison) 040423
 

Monday 27th March
Temperature needs to improve a bit but a lovely sunny day.
Grey Heron and a pair of Mallard on the water  - the Tawny Owl still about. Spring flowers emerging..........

 
Primroses at Snakeholme (John Davison) 270323
Primroses (John Davison) 270323
 
Lesser Celandine at Snakeholme (John Davison) 270323
Lesser Celandine (John Davison) 270323
 
Blackthorn at Snakeholme (John Davison) 270323
Blackthorn in flower (John Davison) 270323

The Fly, Phytomyza ilicis lays its eggs in May or June, at the base of the petiole of a young leaf (on the underside).
The larva initially feeds in mid-rib, later producing a characteristic irregular upper surface linear-blotch. Pupation is internal. 

 
Holly Leaf Miner at Snakeholme (John Davison) 270323
Holly Leaf Miner (John Davison) 270323

Wednesday 22nd March
Lovely day for a workparty, the Toad activity in the water makes you think Spring has arrived.......
Sunshine also brought out the people - can't remember the last time we had 7 on a workparty.

 
Snakeholme Pit - Common Toads with spawn and frogspawn (James Hewson) 220323
Common Toads with spawn and frogspawn (James Hewson) 220323
 
Snakeholme Pit - Bridge Bank - Before & After (John Davison) 220323
Bridge Bank - Before & After (John Davison) 220323
 
Snakeholme Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (1)
Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (1)
 
Snakeholme Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (2)
Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (2)
 
Snakeholme Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (3)
Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (3)
 
Snakeholme Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (4)
Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (4)
 
Snakeholme Pit - Seat Bank - Before & After (John Davison) 220323
Seat Bank - Before & After (John Davison) 220323

Good day for birds with Red Kite (new Reserve record), Tawny Owl and Kingfisher.

 
Snakeholme Pit - Kingfisher (James Hewson) 220323
Kingfisher (James Hewson) 220323

Also had time to do a bit more pruning

 
Snakeholme Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (5)
Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (5)
 
Snakeholme Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (6)
Workparty (John Davison) 220323 (6)

Thanks to all the volunteers for their hard work

Tuesday, 7th March

 
Snakeholme Pit (John Davison) 070323
Snakeholme Pit (John Davison) 070323

Beautiful day, unlike the icy snow forecast. First light cut of the paths.
 

 
First Mow Snakeholme Pit Paths (John Davison) 070323
First Mow Snakeholme Pit Paths (John Davison) 070323