Introduction:
Members of the two organisations assembled at 1.30 pm in the car park/park entrance at the end of St Mary’s Road (SE644081) and proceeded in two groups, each taking different routes around the reserve. Each group was guided by key members of the friends, with the Nats members (NB, CH, MP, TH, LH, PD, AD) pointing out plants and insects of note en-route.
A note of mutual Interest:
In the archives of the Doncaster Naturalists’ Society is correspondence (from July & August 1975) with the Planning Departments of Doncaster MBC and the now defunct South Yorkshire County Council. This concerns the Society’s objections to fly-tipping in the disused sand quarry off Greens Road (Dunsville Quarry) and to a Planning Application by Kenton Homes to use the quarry for the disposal of Builder’s Waste. Fortunately, the application was turned down and the rest is history.
Background geology:
This site, formerly a sand quarry, is on the Doncaster ridge of the Sherwood Sandstone, a deposit laid down under tropical conditions during the Triassic geological period approximately 260-230 million years ago, when the continental plate (Pangea) on which Dunsville existed was down near the equator! At that time, river systems from a mountain range across what is now northern France fed vast deposits of sands and gravels across Britain. These porous deposits are revealed in sandy soils and sand quarries across Nottinghamshire and the Doncaster district. Local deposits, 200-400 meters thick are vital to us in forming the aquifer providing our precious, though dwindling water supply.
The habitats forming on the exposed quarry sand are essentially on dry slightly acid soils which are developing a specialist ecology (plant and animal communities) of their own … which we are about to sample.
Group 1. Leading Nat. NB, with CH & MP
Area 1 (Car Park area SE644081):
Trees & Shrubs – Silver Birch (Betula pendula); Spindle (Euonymous europaeus); Cherry (Prunus sp.); Common or Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur); Red Oak (Quercus rubra); Dog Rose (Rosa canina); Bramble sp. (Rubus fruticosus agg.); Elder (Sambucus nigra); Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus);
Herbs – Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris); False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius);
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris); White Bryony (Bryonia dioica); Cock’s-foot Grass (Dactylis glomerata); Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum); Wall Barley (Hordeum murinum); Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolate); Rat-tail Plantain (Plantago major); Curl Dock (Rumex crispus); Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica); Great Periwinkle (Vinca major).
Area 2 (Woodland copse to left of car park SE644082)
Followed the ‘Bluebell’ & ‘Accessible’ Routes:
Trees & Shrubs – Mainly Common or Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur); Silver Birch (Betula pendula); Bramble sp. (Rubus fruticosus agg.); Elder (Sambucus nigra), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Hybrid Lime (Tilia x vulgaris).
Herbs – Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum); Creeping Soft-grass (Holcus mollis).
Invertebrates – Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria).
Area 3 (Open grassland beyond copse SE643082)
Shrubs – Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna); Cherry sp. (Prunus sp.); Dog Rose (Rosa canina); Gorse (Ulex uropaeus).
Herbs – Yarrow (Achillia millefolium); Sweet Vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum);
Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris); False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius);
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgare); Soft Brome (Bromus mollis); Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia); Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra); Common Mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum); Rosebay (Chamaenerion angustifolium); Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense); Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare); Smooth Hawksbeard (Crepis capillaris); Cock’s-foot Grass (Dactylis glomerata); Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum); Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum); Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus); Perforated St.John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum); Common Catsear (Hypochaeris radicata); Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus); Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare); Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris); Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus); Musk Mallow (Malva moschata); Black Medic (Medicago lupulina); Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata); Rat-tail Plantain (Plantago major); Annual Meadow-grass (Poa annua); Smooth Meadow-grass (Poa pratensis); Curl Dock (Rumex crispus); Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea); White Campion (Silene alba); Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinalis); Perennial Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis); Hares-foot Clover (Trifolium campestre); Red Clover (Trifolium pratense); White Clover (Trifolium repens); Nettle (Urtica dioica); Common Vetch (Vicia sativa); Field Pansy (Viola arvense);
Invertebrates – Common Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus); Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus paralellus); Parasitic fly (Tachina fera) nectaring on Common Ragwort, their larvae parasitize caterpillars (!); Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina); Gatekeeper Butterfly (Pyronia tithonus); Small White Butterfly (Pieris rapae)
Galls – Robin’s Pincushion Gall (The gall wasp Diplolepis rosae) on Dog Rose.
Area 4 Wild-flower seeded plots (SE645084)
Species highlighted in Yellow are listed in the Boston Seeds BS3P seed mix as supplied by the DMBC (per Lisa Carter, Street Scene Technical Operations Manager).
Species highlighted in Green are of American origin and may be from an earlier seed mix.
Most of the other species present are native pioneer species, typical colonists of sandy soils.
Herbs – Yarrow (Achillia millefolium); Green Amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus); Mugwort (Artemisia vulgare); Common Orache (Atriplex patula); Black Bindweed (Bilderdykia convolvulus); Soft Brome (Bromus mollis); Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris); Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum); Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense); Cockspur-grass (Echinochlora crusgalli); Vipers Bugloss (Echium vulgare); Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata); Hedge Bedstraw (Galium mollugo); Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum); Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus); Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare); Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris); Sweet Alison (Lobularia maritima); Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus);
Black Medic (Medicago lupulina); Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata); Common Poppy (Papava rhoeas); Mignonette (Reseda lutea); Weld (Reseda luteola); Cone Flower (Rudbeckia laciniata); Sheep’s Sorrel (Rumex acetosella); Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor); Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris); Green Bristle-grass (Setaria viridis); White Campion (Silene alba); Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris); Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinalis); Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum);
Perennial Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis); Corn Spurrey (Spergularia arvensis); Field Pansy (Viola arvense); Dark Mullein (Verbascum nigrum); Hairy Tare (Vicia hirsuta).
Area 5 Clustered Bellflower area to the east of the re-seeded plots and near seat commemorating the memory of Gordon Miller (SE646085).
Followed ‘Quarry Hill’ Route.
Herbs– Yarrow (Achillia millefolium); Common Bent-grass (Agrostis capillaris); Sweet Vernal-grass (Anthoxanthem odoratum); Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata); Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum); Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus); Perforated St.John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum); Common Catsear (Hypochaeris radicata); White Dead-nettle (Lamium album); Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus); Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare); Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus); Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata); Rat-tail Plantain (Plantago major); Annual Meadow-grass (Poa annua); Smooth Meadow-grass (Poa pratensis); Cowslip (leaves only) (Primula veris); Sheep’s Sorrel (Rumex acetocella); Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea); White Campion (Silene alba); Perennial Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis); Hares-foot Clover (Trifolium campestre); Red Clover (Trifolium pratense); White Clover (Trifolium repens); Field Pansy (Viola arvense).
On an adjacent close-mown area was a population of very miniaturised Buckshorn Plantain Plantago coronopus .
Invertebrates – Small Copper Butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas); Small White Butterfly (Pieris rapae).
Area 6 First Pine Wood (SE642085) Followed the ‘Bluebell’ & ‘Accessible’ Routes:
Trees & Shrubs – Field Maple (Acer campestre); Silver Birch (Betula pendula); Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa); Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna); European Larch (Larix decidua); Corsican Pine (Pinus nigra); Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur); Dog Rose (Rosa canina); Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.); Elder (Sambucus nigra).
Herbs – Rosebay (Chamaenerion angustifolium); Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas); Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum); Creeping Soft-grass (Holcus mollis); White Dead-nettle (Lamium album); Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum); White Campion (Silene alba).
Vertebrates – Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) (scrapings & droppings); Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) (old Drey in tree canopy but no signs of current activity); Buzzard (Buteo buteo); Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus); Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus); Robin (Erithacus rubecula); Jay (Garrulus glandarius); Blackbird (Turdus merula).
Area 7 Second Pine Wood (SE638086) to ‘Carrot Corner’.
Followed ‘Accessible’ and ‘Oak’ Routes:
Remains of old Hawthorn boundary hedge on eastern boundary, now shaded out by tree canopies.
Trees & Shrubs – Field Maple (Acer campestre); Norway Maple (Acer platanoides); Silver Birch (Betula pendula); Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa); Hazel (Corylus avellana); Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna); Broom (Cytisus scoparius); Ivy (Hedera helix); Corsican Pine (Pinus nigra); Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa); Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur); Dog Rose (Rosa canina); Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.); Elder (Sambucus nigra); Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia); Gorse (Ulex uropaeus).
Herbs – Rosebay (Chamaenerion angustifolium); Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas); Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum); Creeping Soft-grass (Holcus mollis); Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima);
White Dead-nettle (Lamium album); Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum); Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea); White Campion (Silene alba).
Invertebrates – Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria); Gatekeeper Butterfly (Pyronia tithonus); Small White Butterfly (Pieris rapae); Footballer Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus); A Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii). Candy-striped Spider Oenoplognatha ovata was protecting egg cocoon in folded Bramble leaf. Harvestspiders Leiobunum blackwalli walked over ground vegetation and Paroligolophus agrestis was on Oak foliage.
Vertebrates – Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) (scrapings & droppings); Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) (sighting & chewed pine cones); Mole Talpa europaea (fresh hills in sandy soil and eroded hills leaving exposed holes); Buzzard (Buteo buteo); Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus); Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus); Robin (Erithacus rubecula); Jay (Garrulus glandarius); Blackbird (Turdus merula).
Area 8 Agricultural Lane & woodland along west side of Quarry Park (continuation of St Mary’s Road) back to car park (SE641085 to 644081).
Trees & Shrubs (along western side of Quarry Park Reserve)
Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa); Hazel (Corylus avellana); Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna); Broom (Cytisus scoparius); Spindle (Euonymous europaeus); Ash (Fraxinus excelsior); European Larch (Larix decidua); Corsican Pine (Pinus nigra); Aspen (Populus tremula); Cherry sp. (Prunus sp.); Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa); Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur); Red Oak (Quercus rubra); Dog Rose (Rosa canina); Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.); Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia); Elder (Sambucus nigra); Hybrid Lime (Tilia x vulgaris); Gorse (Ulex uropaeus).
Herbs – Yarrow (Achillia millefolium); Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris); Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris); False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius); Common Orache (Atriplex patula); Common Oat (Avena sativa) (survival of previous Oat crop); Daisy (Bellis perennis); Soft Brome (Bromus mollis); Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia); Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris); Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra); Rosebay (Chamaenerion angustifolium); Pineappleweed (Chamomilla suaveolens); Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense); Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare); Viper’s Bugloss (Echium vulgare); Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill (Geranium molle); Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium); Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus); Wall Barley (Hordeum murinum); Perforated St.John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum); Common Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata); Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima); White Dear-nettle (Lamium album); Red Dear-nettle (Lamium purpureum); Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare); Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris); Perrenial Rye-grass (Lolium perenne); Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata); Rat-tail Plantain (Plantago major); Annual Meadow-grass (Poa annua); Smooth Meadow-grass (Poa pratensis); Knotgrass (Poligonum aviculare); Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum); Weld (Reseda luteola); Curl Dock (Rumex crispus); Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius); Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) (large colony amongst open grassland by junction in path); Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea); White Campion (Silene alba); Hedge Mustard (Sysimbrium officinalis); Potato (Solanum tuberosum) (several sprouting from previous year’s crop); Perennial Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis); Red Clover (Trifolium pratense); White Clover (Trifolium repens); Hares-foot Clover (Trifolium arvense); Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica); Field Pansy (Viola arvense).
Invertebrates – Gatekeeper Butterfly (Pyronia tithonus); Small White Butterfly (Pieris rapae)
Vertebrates – Mole (Talpa europaea) (hills in sandy soil); Wood Pigeons (Columba palumbus); Rooks (Corvus frugilegus); Jackdaws (Corvus monedula); Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus); Robin (Erithacus rubecula); Blackbird (Turdus merula).
Group 2. Leading Nats. LH, TH, PD & AD
5 “Friends” and 4 members of the Nats made up our group. Katrina led us around different areas of the Park and for 2 hours we looked for species, and helped to identify what we found.
Leaving the car park past mature English Oaks we made our way around the edge of an area of scrubby grassland with Rowans full of ripe red berries, Gorse and a form of Whitebeam. Here we disturbed a number of Grasshoppers and 1 or 2 small Common Frogs. From here we headed towards a meadow area, full of vibrantly coloured Viper’s Bugloss in shades of blue, pink and white. The flowers were bigger than the native Vipers Bugloss suggesting it was a cultivated variety that had been sown. From the meadow we moved on into an area of woodland on the eastern side of the site and also looked at parts of the original quarry finding species that would have flourished in the dry sandy soils there.
Area 9 (SE644 082) Tricia’s list is in order of appearance – so from ‘English Oak’ to ‘Mugwort’ these records are from the scrubby long grass margin north of the mown playing fields from the car park towards the annual wildflower area.
Plant species
English (or Pedunculate) Oak (Quercus robur); Hedgerow Cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum);
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium); Musk Mallow (Malva moschata); Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia);
Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea); Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale); Daisy (Bellis perennis);
Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum); Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolate); Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale); Sulphur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta); Gorse (Ulex europaeus); Weld (Reseda luteola); Whitebeam sp. (Sorbus sp.); Canadian Fleabane (Conyza Canadensis); Wall Barley (grass) (Hordeum murinum); Smooth Hawk’s-beard (Crepis capillaries); Rough Hawk’s-beard (Crepis biennis); Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare); Hare’s-foot Clover (Trifolium arvense) Typical plant of sand quarry habitat); Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris); Timothy (grass) (Phleum pretense) Species found was smaller than usual; Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris).
Area 10 (SE645 080) ‘Bird’s foot trefoil’ to ‘Crested dog’s tail’ were in the longer grass just to the south of the annual sown wildflower meadow.
Plant species
Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus); Clustered Bellfower (Campanula glomerataI); Crested Dog’s-tail (grass) (Cynosures cristatus).
Area 11 (SE643 083) ‘Creeping thistle’ to ‘Hedge Bedstraw’ were in the western-most area of sown annuals.
Plant species
Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense); Corn Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis); Viper’s Bugloss (Echium vulgare) Cultivated variety with large flowers and mixed colous; Fat Hen (Chenopodium album); Redshank (Persicaria maculosa); Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas); Black Medick (Medicago lupulina); Common Millet (grass) (Panicum miliaceum); White Campion (Silene latifolia); Dark Mullein (Verbascum nigrum); Corn Spurrey (Spergula arvensis); Hedge Bedstraw (Gallium mollugo).
Area 12 (SE643 083) We then walked along the permanent grass margin just to the north of the annuals where we had the ‘Common Toad flax’ to ‘Ox-eye daisy’ list.
Plant species
Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris); Bramble (Rubus fruticosus); Perforate St John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum); Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) Double flowered form (Bouncing Bett); Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra); Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius); Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare).
Area 13 (SE644 084) ‘Black nightshade’ to ‘Sand spurrey’ were in the margins of the eastern annual wildlife area as we skirted around the NE corner.
Plant species
Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum); Amaranth sp. (Amaranthus sp.) Imported in birdseed; Bird’s-foot (Ornithopus perpusillus) Typical plant of sand quarry habitat; Sand Spurrey (Spergularia rubra) Typical plant of sand quarry habitat.
Area 14 (SE644 084) ‘Buck’s horn Plantain’ and ‘Sheep’s sorrel’ were on the short acid turf path just the east of the easternmost annual wildflower area.
Plant species
Buck’s-horn Plantain (Plantago coronopus) Typical plant of sand quarry habitat; Sheep’s Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) Typical plant of sand quarry habitat.
Area 15 (SE644 084) ‘Hazel’ to ‘Stinging Nettle’ were along the dog leg route along a woodland path in the block of trees east of the wildflower area leading eventually to the old quarry. We also recorded filbert (Corylus maxima) here.
Plant species
Hazel (Corylus avellana) Filbert nut; Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) Leaves; Cat’s-ear (Hypochaeris radicata); Wild Cherry (Prunus avium); Field Maple (Acer campestre) 3-winged fruit (photo RIMG2538); Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa); Ash Fraxinus excelsior); European Larch (Larix decidua); Elder (Sambucus nigra); American Red Oak (Quercus rubra); Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca); Common Mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum); Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare); Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica).
Area 16 (SE646 082) ‘Selfheal’ to ‘silvery hairgrass’ were in the old quarry (the one with the play equipment’ – where the heather used to be.
Plant species
Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris); Pill Sedge (Carex pilulifera); Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea); Early Hair-grass (Aira praecox) Typical plant of sand quarry habitat; Silver Hair-grass (Aira caryophyllea). Typical plant of sand quarry habitat; Broad-leaved Willowherb (Epilobium montanum).
Area 17 (SE646 082) ‘Hawthorn’ to ‘Snowberry’ were in the scrubby-filled southern quarry and its margins beside the mown field.
Plant species
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna); Dog Rose (Rosa canina); White Deadnettle (Lamium album);
Male Fern (Dryopteris felix-mas); Small-leaved Elm (Ulmus minor); Tree Lupin (Lupinus arboreus);
Rosebay Willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium); Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris); Pineapple Mayweed (Matricaria discoidea); Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus).
*For navigation purposes, the celebrated ‘Green Flag’ is at SE640 082.
The following is a supplementary report by NB
First we went through a small copse at the entrance of which were two pedunculate oak trees bearing numerous examples of Knopper galls. (Figure 1) After a short explanation as to the nature of plant galls we proceeded into the copse where we found a perfect example of Dryad’s
Saddle (Figure 2) plus a variety of woodland trees and shrubs.
We spent quite a while looking more closely at the meadow identifying several species within and around the meadow. Within the meadow, amongst others, were pockets of cultivated grasses (Figures 5 & 6), colonies of Mignonette (Figure 7), occasional Mullein plants ( Figure 8 ), Yarrow and Corn Marigold (Figure 9). There was also an occasional garden plant such as Rudbeckia and Galardia.
Emerging from the woodland we came across several examples of Spindle with the instantly recognisable fruits and several examples of Robin’s Pincushion, a gall caused by the wasp Diplolepsis rosae. On the final stretch of the walk back to the car park we noted one of the few lime trees on the site and an example of Red oak.
Timing was perfect and we all arrived back at the car park as intended at 3.30pm where one of the Friends of Dunsville Quarry took the following group photograph.
Combined species lists for the Dunsville Quarry Park Nature Reserve 23 August 2023
| Common Name | Latin Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vascular Plants | Plant species in alphabetical order of Common name | |
| Amaranth sp. | Amaranthus sp. | Imported in birdseed |
| Annual Meadow-grass | Poa annua | |
| Ash | Fraxinus excelsior | |
| Aspen | Populus tremula | |
| Bedstraw, Hedge | Gallium mollugo | |
| Bent-grass, Common | Agrostis capillaris | |
| Bird’s-foot | Ornithopus perpusillus | Typical plant of sand quarry habitat |
| Bird’s-foot Trefoil | Lotus corniculatus | |
| Black Bindweed | Bilderdykia convolvulus | |
| Black Medick | Medicago lupulina | |
| Black Nightshade | Solanum nigrum | |
| Blackthorn | Prunus spinosa | |
| Bladder Campion | Silene vulgaris | |
| Blanket Flower | Gaillardia aristata | |
| Bracken | Pteridium aquilinum | |
| Bramble | Rubus fruticosus | |
| Broad-leaved Dock | Rumex obtusifolius | |
| Broad-leaved Willowherb | Epilobium montanum | |
| Broom | Cytisus scoparius | |
| Bryony, White | Bryonia dioica | |
| Buck’s-horn Plantain | Plantago coronopus | Typical plant of sand quarry habitat |
| Campion, White | Silene latifolia | |
| Canadian Fleabane | Conyza Canadensis | |
| Cat’s-ear | Hypochaeris radicata | |
| Centaury, Common | Centaurium erythraea | |
| Cherry sp. | Prunus sp. | |
| Clover, Red | Trifolium pratense | |
| Clover, White | Trifolium repens | |
| Clustered Bellflower | Campanula glomerata | |
| Cock’s-foot Grass | Dactylis glomerata | |
| Cockspur-grass | Echinochlora crusgalli | |
| Cone Flower | Rudbeckia lacinata | |
| Corsican Pine | Pinus nigra | |
| Cow Parsley | Anthriscus sylvestris | Leaves |
| Cowslip | Primula veris | Leaves |
| Creeping Soft-grass | Holcus mollis | |
| Creeping Thistle | Cirsium arvense | |
| Crested Dog’s-tail (grass) | Cynosures cristatus | |
| Curl Dock | Rumex crispus | |
| Daisy | Bellis perennis | |
| Dandelion | Taraxacum officinale | |
| Dark Mullein | Verbascum nigrum | |
| Dead-nettle, Red | Lamium purpureum | |
| Deadnettle, White | Lamium album | |
| Dog Rose | Rosa canina | |
| Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill | Geranium molle | |
| Early Hair-grass | Aira praecox | Typical plant of sand quarry habitat |
| Elder | Sambucus nigra | |
| European Larch | Larix decidua | |
| False Oat-grass | Arrhenatherum elatius | |
| Fat Hen | Chenopodium album | |
| Field Maple | Acer campestre | 3-winged fruit (see photos) |
| Field Pansy | Viola arvense | |
| Gorse | Ulex europaeus | |
| Great Periwinkle | Vinca major | |
| Green Amaranth | Amaranthus hybridus | |
| Green Bristle-grass | Setaria viridis | |
| Groundsel | Senecio vulgaris | |
| Hairy Tare | Vicia hirsute | |
| Hare’s-foot Clover | Trifolium arvense | Typical plant of sand quarry habitat |
| Harebell | Campanula rotundifolia | |
| Hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | |
| Hazel | Corylus avellana | Filbert nut |
| Hedgerow Cranesbill | Geranium pyrenaicum | |
| Herb Bennet | Geum urbanum | |
| Hogweed | Heracleum sphondylium | |
| Hybrid Lime | Tilia x vulgaris | |
| Ivy | Hedera helix | |
| Knapweed, Common | Centaurea nigra | |
| Knotgrass | Polygonum aviculare | |
| Lady’s Bedstraw | Galium verum | |
| Male Fern | Dryopteris felix-mas | |
| Mallow, Common | Malva sylvestris | |
| Marigold, Corn | Chrysanthemum segetum | |
| Mignonette | Reseda lutea | |
| Millet (grass), Common | Panicum miliaceum | |
| Mouse-ear, Common | Cerastium fontanum | |
| Mugwort | Artemisia vulgaris | |
| Musk Mallow | Malva moschata | |
| Mustard, Hedge | Sisymbrium officinale | |
| Nettle | Urtica dioica | |
| Norway Maple | Acer platanoides | |
| Oak, American Red | Quercus rubra | |
| Oak, Pedunculate or Common | Quercus robur | |
| Oat, Common | Avena sativa | Survivals of from previous Oat crops |
| Orache, Common | Atriplex patula | |
| Ox-eye Daisy | Leucanthemum vulgare | |
| Perennial Rye-grass | Lolium perenne | |
| Perennial Sow-thistle | Sonchus arvensis | |
| Perforate St John’s-wort | Hypericum perforatum | |
| Pill Sedge | Carex pilulifera | |
| Pineapple Mayweed | Matricaria discoidea | |
| Poppy, Common | Papaver rhoeas | |
| Potato | Solanum tuberosum | Several sprouting from previous year’s adjacent crops |
| Ragwort, Common | Senecio jacobaea | |
| Rat-tail Plantain | Plantago major | |
| Redshank | Persicaria maculosa | |
| Ribwort Plantain | Plantago lanceolate | |
| Rosebay Willowherb | Chamerion angustifolium | |
| Rough Hawk’s-beard | Crepis biennis | |
| Rough Hawkbit | Leontodon hispidus | |
| Rowan | Sorbus aucuparia | |
| Salad Burnet | Sanguisorba minor | |
| Sand Spurrey | Spergularia rubra | Typical plant of sand quarry habitat |
| Self-heal | Prunella vulgaris | |
| Sheep’s Sorrel | Rumex acetosella | |
| Shepherd’s Purse | Capsella bursa-pastoris | |
| Silver Birch | Betula pendula | |
| Silver Hair-grass | Aira caryophyllea | Typical plant of sand quarry habitat |
| Small-leaved Elm | Ulmus minor | |
| Smooth Hawk’s-beard | Crepis capillaries | |
| Smooth Meadow-grass | Poa pratensis | |
| Snowberry | Symphoricarpos albus | |
| Soapwort | Saponaria officinalis | Double flowered form (Bouncing Bett) |
| Soft Brome | Bromus mollis | |
| Sow-thistle, Corn | Sonchus arvensis | |
| Spear Thistle | Cirsium vulgare | |
| Spindle | Euonymous europaeus | |
| Spurrey, Corn | Spergula arvensis | |
| Stinging Nettle | Urtica dioica | |
| Sulphur Cinquefoil | Potentilla recta | |
| Sweet Alison | Lobularia maritima | |
| Sweet Chestnut | Castanea sativa | |
| Sweet Vernal-grass | Anthoxanthum odoratum | |
| Timothy (grass) | Phleum pretense | Species found was smaller than usual |
| Toadflax, Common | Linaria vulgaris | |
| Tree Lupin | Lupinus arboreus | |
| Tufted Vetch | Vicia cracca | |
| Vetch, Common | Vicia sativa | |
| Viper’s Bugloss | Echium vulgare | Cultivated variety with large flowers and mixed colours in artificially seeded areas but wild variety also present naturally. |
| Wall Barley (grass) | Hordeum murinum | |
| Weld | Reseda luteola | |
| Whitebeam sp. | Sorbus sp. | |
| Wild Cherry | Prunus avium | |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | |
| Yellow Toadflax | Linaria vulgaris | |
| Yorkshire Fog | Holcus lanatus |
| Common Name | Latin Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Knopper Gall | Andricus quercuscalicis | A gall wasp. All galls on English (Pedunculate) Oak |
| Oak Apple | Biorhiza pallida | A gall wasp on Oak |
| Artichoke Gall | Andricus fecundatrix | A gall wasp on Oak (see photos) |
| Cherry Gall | Cynips quercusfolii | A gall wasp on Oak (see photos) |
| Marble Gall | Andricus kollari | A gall wasp on Oak |
| Puffball | Scleroderma sp. possibly | Photo (see photos) |
| Robin’s Pincushion Gall | Diplolepis rosae | A gall wasp on Dog Rose. |
| A Brittlegill mushroom | Russula sp. | Photos (see photos) |
| Lichen | Cladonia sp. | Photo (see photos) |
| Common Name | Latin Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7-spot Ladybird | Coccinella septempunctata | On Hedge Mustard |
| A Harvestspider | Paroligolophus agrestis | On Oak foliage. |
| A Harvestspider | Leiobunum blackwalli | On ground vegetation |
| A Hoverfly | Sphaerophora scripta | Photo (see photos) |
| A Hoverfly | Syrphus ribesii | |
| Beetle | Oedemera lurida | Photos (see photos) |
| Brown Heath Robberfly | Tolmerus cingulatus | Photo (see photos) |
| Candy-striped Spider | Oenoplognatha ovata | Female protecting egg cocoon in folded Bramble leaf. |
| Common Carder Bee | Bombus pascuorum | |
| Common Drone Fly | Eristalis tenax | |
| Common Field Grasshopper | Chorthippus brunneus | |
| Footballer Hoverfly | Helophilus pendulus | |
| Gatekeeper Butterfly | Pyronia tithonus | |
| Green Shield Bug | Palomena prasina | |
| Green-veined White Butterfly | Pieris napi | |
| Honeybee | Apis mellifera | |
| Lesser Marsh Grasshopper | Chorthippus albomarginatus | Possibly – (see photos) |
| Meadow Brown Butterfly (F) | Maniola jurtina | |
| Meadow Grasshopper | Chorthippus paralellus | |
| Meadow Grasshopper | Pseudochorthippus | Photos (see photos) |
| Parasitic fly | Tachina fera | Nectaring on Common Ragwort, their larvae parasitize caterpillars. |
| Pine Ladybird | Exochomus 4-pustulatus | Photo by Tony Middlebrook |
| Red Admiral Butterfly | Vanessa atalanta | |
| Small Copper Butterfly | Lycaena phlaeas | |
| Small White Butterfly | Pieris rapae | |
| Speckled Wood Butterfly | Pararge aegeria | . |
| Common Name | Latin Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common Frog | Rana temporaria | . |
| Common Name | Latin Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blackbird | Turdus merula | |
| Blue Tit | Cyanistes caeruleus | |
| Buzzard | Buteo buteo | |
| Jackdaws | Corvus monedula | |
| Jay | Garrulus glandarius | |
| Magpie | Pica pica | |
| Robin | Erithacus rubecula | |
| Rooks | Corvus frugilegus | |
| Wood Pigeon | Columba palumbus |
| Common Name | Latin Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grey Squirrel | Sciurus carolinensis | Old Drey in tree canopy, sighting & chewed pine cones |
| Hedgehog | Erinaceus europaeus | Droppings found |
| Mole | Talpa europaea | Fresh hills in sandy soil and eroded hills leaving exposed holes |
| Rabbit | Oryctolagus cuniculus | Droppings found at latrine |
Note : This meeting was rescheduled from 21 July due to low moth numbers and dodgy weather.
Six members and friends along with the ‘tour guide’ gathered at Top House Farm (courtesy of James Hinchliffe) eager to ‘tick’ the rare Sundew Plume Moth. After introductions and being shown cabinet material to illustrate the size and nature of the target species the group headed out! Two vehicles accessed the Moor and proceeded to Blue Bridge where after a quick introduction and potted history the intrepid adventurers trekked to Cottage Dyke, part of HRK’s regular monitoring transect and where 32 adults and a single larva had been located on the 16th August.
Frustratingly the 2mm larva found the previous week was not relocated despite the Sundew plants having been ‘tagged’.
But, thankfully it wasn’t too long before the first adult was found and ‘pounced’ upon by eager moth-ers, keen to try to get good photographs. It was evident that folk hadn’t really expected the plumes to resemble gnats as they flew short distances to hide in the low vegetation, similarly that their cryptic colouration blended in well with the habitat.
The breeze was pleasant in so much as it helped folk in terms of the heat and sun but not good in terms of the Sundew Plume Moths, a species which isn’t really into flying and particularly so in any wind. When they did alight they soon dropped back into nearby vegetation which tested folks observational skills. Size and ‘jizz’ are key to differentiating the target from interlopers.
Some of the group began to get their eye in and sightings increased and at the end of the session of around three hours some 18 adult Sundew Plume Moths had been hounded, harried and admired with some excellent images secured!
See also some uploaded to Flickr by Peter Richman via https://www.flickr.com/photos/145489125@N03/53131980982/in/photostream/
Not much else was noted but that’s not really surprising as folk were focused on the target species and the nature of the quarry which requires observers to look down at the area around their feet! Such care was also useful in locating the moth and ensuring that feet were sensibly placed to avoid damage to the habitat but also in order to avoid wet and deep peat not to mention deep drains!
A pair of Aeshna cyanea were found in cop, despite their discreet position in vegetation. However they flew when too much attention was paid to their antics! A stunning Emperor was also recorded patrolling the dyke.
With thanks to Mark Lynes, Peter Richman, Richard Rowland, Ted Sabin, Joyce & Paul Simmons for the shared camaraderie, hopefully no-one found any unwanted hitch-hikers upon their return home. The challenge now is to locate the other life stages of this Yorkshire gem!
Thanks to Ted Sabin for the use of his images, the group huddle was captured by HRK.
Helen R Kirk : 22 August 2023.
The full story of the amazing discovery can be found via: Kirk, H R & Warne, Martin (2019) In search of a rare Yorkshire moth: Sundew Plume Buckleri a paludum (Zeller, 1841). Atropos 63 p.36–43.