Recording Days 2019 Review

Recording Days 2019

Review by Stuart Colgate What are they?

• A day during which we record as many species as possible within a specific site. • All recorders welcome, from beginners to experts. Purpose of Recording Days…

• Improve data coverage or refresh data in under-recorded areas • Allow Recorders access to new sites • Bring Recorders together from around the county and share skills and enthusiasm • Have fun Although not a training event…

Those new to recording get the opportunity to spend time with more experienced recorders and perhaps pick up identification tips, etc.

Assist by spotting species that might have otherwise been missed! Where we went in 2019…

• Lowther Estate, Lowther, near Penrith

• Harrington N.R., Salterbeck, Workington

• Willowford Farm, Gilsland

• Gowbarrow Hall, Watermillock, near Ullswater No. records collected No. species recorded

1064 1030 583 579

348 553 512 367

Lowther Harrington Lowther Harrington Willowford Gowbarrow Willowford Gowbarrow Lowther Estate, Lowther, near Penrith

Saturday, 22nd June 2019

15 recorders attended

A species Recording Day was held in the grounds of Lowther Park and farms.

The main habitats comprise limestone exposures, limestone grassland, mesotrophic grassland, waterbodies and woodlands. Decoy Pond, Lowther Estate Copyright: Stuart Colgate Decoy Pond, Lowther Estate Copyright: David Benham Parkland, Lowther Estate Copyright: Stuart Colgate Melanohalea exasperata on tree cage rail Copyright: Chris Cant

Lichen survey, Lowther Estate Copyright: Chris Cant Common cudweed Filago vulgaris Lowther Estate. Copyright: Jeremy Roberts Black Snipe Fly Chrysopillus cristatus Lowther Estate. Copyright: David Benham Common green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea, Lowther Estate. Copyright: Guy Broome

Harrington Nature Reserve, Salterbeck, Workington

Saturday, 6th July 2019

16 recorders attended

This recording day was set on land that had been recently transformed from a silted reservoir to a more habitat diverse area.

It now comprises beck, open water, small ponds, marshy grassland, swamp, species-rich grassland, riparian woodland and scrub. Assembled Recorders, Harrington NR Copyright: David Benham Faggots and spiling used to create pond banks, Harrington NR. Copyright: Lyn Baker Hemlock, Conium maculatum, Meadow cranesbill, Geranium Harrington NR. pratense, Harrington NR. Copyright: Susan Cammish Copyright: Lyn Baker Leaf-cutter bee, Megachile centuncularis Harrington NR. Copyright: David Benham © Kevan Baker © Susan Cammish © Susan Cammish Blue-tailed damselfly Ischnura elegans fm. rufescens

NOTE the pink thorax

Blue-tailed damselfly Ischnura elegans ‘normal’ form

NOTE the blue thorax

Goldfish Carassius auratus, Harrington NR. Copyright: Susan Cammish Willowford Farm, Gilsland

Saturday, 20th July 2019

9 recorders attended

Willowford Farm is a small organic farm through which flows the River Irthing as well as an impressive lump of stonework known as Hadrian’s Wall. Habitats present on the farm include unimproved grassland, marshy grassland, sedge swamp, running water, mixed woodland and scrub.

Braving the heavy rain, Rob Pickett and I set out 5 moth traps on Friday evening. Despite the rain an impressive number of moths. Willowford Farm, Gilsland Copyright: Stuart Colgate Drinker Euthrix potataria, Willowford Copyright: Stuart Colgate Lempke’s gold spot Plusia putnami gracilis Copyright: Lauren Harrison Garden tiger Arctia caja, Willowford Copyright: Lauren Harrison Large emerald Geometra papilionaria, Willowford Copyright: Lauren Harrison Common toad Bufo bufo, Willowford Copyright: Lauren Harrison Ragged robin Silene flos-cuculi, Willowford Copyright: Lauren Harrison Meadowsweet rust Triphragmium ulmariae Copyright: Stuart Colgate Gowbarrow Hall, Watermillock

Saturday, 3rd August 2019

14 recorders attended

Gowbarrow Hall is a farm working towards an all year-round grazing regime for its cattle, with particular care taken regarding health of soil.

The site comprises a broad range of habitats including hay meadows, ancient semi-natural woodland, conifer plantation, marshy grassland, becks, tarn etc. Gowbarrow Hall, Watermillock Copyright: Margaret B. Gowbarrow Hall, Watermillock Copyright: Peter Woodhead. Quarry, Gowbarrow Hall Hagg Wood, Gowbarrow Hall Copyright: Stuart Colgate Copyright: Stuart Colgate Tawny owl, Gowbarrow Hall Copyright: John Martin Red-breasted carrion beetle Oiceoptoma thoracicum, Gowbarrow Hall Copyright: John Martin Dark green fritillary Argynnis aglaja, Gowbarrow Hall Copyright: Stuart Colgate Musk mallow Malva moschata, Gowbarrow Hall Copyright: Stuart Colgate Thank you to all our 2019 Recorders Ideas for 2020 sites are welcome… any sites you think might be good for a Recording Day, please let me know.