Chester Zoo Nature Reserve News by Andy Jennings-Giles 6 - 10

Issue 1 Winter 2016

The Local Environmental Records centre serving Cheshire, Halton, Warrington and Wirral

Issue 2

Spring 2017

1 Hoverfly (Eristalis sp.) Contents

RECORD Round up 3

Wildlife on your doorstep by Lisa Reeves 4 - 5

Chester Zoo Nature Reserve News by Andy Jennings-Giles 6 - 10

Snap That Fly! by Phil Brighton 11 - 13

Cheshire’s Meres by Katie Piercy 13 - 14

Count Me in Graduates 15 - 16

Species Spotlight - Swifts by Susie Phillips 17 - 18

What to look out for in the coming months 18 - 20

Upcoming events in Cheshire 21 - 28

A note from the editor…

Welcome to the Spring 2017 issue of RECORD’s newsletter. Thank you again to everyone who has contributed. We have lots of interesting articles from our volunteers, partners and recorders that are sure to inspire everyone to get out recording this spring. We also have an insightful update about the development of Chester Zoo’s own nature reserve. At the end of the newsletter you will also find details of the upcoming RECORD Conference, be sure to sign up and reserve your place to join us on the 7th May.

Please get in touch if you would like to contribute to our Summer 2017 newsletter.

Leanna Dixon (Data Services Officer, [email protected])

2 RECORD Round Up

Despite the cold weather over the winter months there has still been lots going on at RECORD.

Our volunteers have been very busy inputting wildlife records onto our system with over 23,000 new records added this winter and a total of 52,375 over the last year! Over 52,000 records In the last month we have also run two wildlife recording have been input by our workshops. The first was held in early March as part of Chester Zoo’s Wildlife Connectionsproject, the master- office volunteers over class successfully gave over 20 people an introduction to the last year! wildlife recording: this included a tutorial on how to record in the field, different surveying techniques and how to use RODIS. The second workshop was run in collaboration with Saltscape and followed a similar format.

Keep an eye on our website and social media for details of upcoming wildlife recording days that we will be running later this year.

©Fiona Megarrell

Common toad (Bufo bufo) on Saltscape’s Jelly ear fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae) & Common garden snails (Cornu asper- Beginners Wildlife Recording day sum) spotted during the Wildlife Connections Recording Masterclass

“An interesting refresher talk on recording wildlife, followed by a successful days recording in which I learnt to identify new plant and fungi species.” Pete Lennon on the Saltscape’s Beginners Wildlife Recording Day.

©Fiona Megarrell 3 ©Lisa Reeves

Wildlife on your doorstep by Lisa Reeves

Winter always seems to take a long time to pass, until one day small signs start to appear in the garden. Dawn heralds the start of new beginnings when new life sprouts up from the cold barren ground indi- cating the end of what seems like a cold dreary winter. In early spring the sun still sits low in the sky trying its best to shine through the bare branches of tall trees. Thankfully with each passing day the sun rises higher and the bird song gets louder, heralding that spring is now truly upon us, lifting our spirits.

On a warm day in early spring the garden is filled with the delicate honey scent of Snowdrops. Vibrant Crocuses, Daffodils and Primroses poke their heads up from the cold damp earth, and bring a much needed zing of colour to the garden.

Catkins delicately sway upon the hazel tree drifting pollen on the wind, and fresh new leaves appear on the honeysuckle that weaves throughout the hawthorn hedge.

The musky scent of foxes also hits my nostrils as I walk around parts of the garden, where they have come in to feed off the last of the windfall apples and marked their territory.

It is also wonderful to see frogs emerging from their winter hiding places and pregnant frogs making their way to water to produce frogspawn.

As I walk amongst the spring flowers I see signs of squirrel activity, where they have been digging up the bulbs. Bare earth under hedges also reveals evidence of old mice burrows and discarded nut shells.

The Wood mice have been making new burrows in the compost heap but I always leave the old burrow holes open for bumblebees Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)©Lisa Reeves

4 to use if needed. I always think the first sign of a bumblebee in spring is a magical one just like the first sign of swallows returning in summer.

As I look up I see Buzzards circling low above the garden and a flock of Long tailed tits flitting through the fruit trees. Birds are getting busy in the garden as they can sense that spring is in the air, and the dawn chorus gets louder and earlier with each passing day. The Blackbirds are busily scratting under hedges. Magpies, Jays and Rooks squabble amongst themselves in the trees, and Robins and Wrens sing merrily from within the hedges. Common frog (Rana temporaria ) ©Lisa Reeves It will soon be time for the nesting season and even though there are plenty of nesting spots in the garden I have also put up a few nest boxes too. I’ve also filled a suet bird feeder with nesting material and hung that from one of the trees. These small cages are great for putting in things like brushed dog hair, small twigs, moss, dead leaves and sheeps’ wool found on wire fences. And don’t forget that if you have a hairdressers’ near you, human hair makes good nesting material too.

I look forward to the lighter nights and warmer days when newts return to the pond to mate and lay their eggs on the long grass that cascades over the pond sides. I can't wait for the hedgehogs to fi- Bumblebee visiting snowdrops ©Lisa Reeves nally wake up from their winter slumber and fox cubs to bound around the garden inquisitively.

There is so much to look forward to this spring, so get out there and see what nature has to offer you on your doorstep.

Learn more about garden wildlife by visiting Lisa’s Blog Ljay Nature

Wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) Magpie (Pica pica) Hazel catkins ©Lisa Reeves 5 Serge Wich©

Chester Zoo Nature Reserve News

March 2017: Mud Fest! by Andy Jennings-Giles

Welcome to the first Chester Zoo Nature Reserve News update. This regular feature tells readers about the developments, activities and wildlife encounters at the nature reserve, which is near to the RECORD office at Chester Zoo. Next time you visit RECORD do please visit the reserve too.

The first phase of the zoo nature reserve opened to the public in 2013 and we’re really pleased with how it has developed into a valuable resource for both wildlife and visitors. With the aim of integrating this area into the wider landscape, we are now embarking on an exciting expansion project. Phase 2 will provide a new species-rich wildflower meadow, enhance the freshwater landscape by creating new ponds, scrapes and ditch lines, and restore the species rich hedgerows and scrub areas. It will also provide new access routes for the public, increase opportunities for education and recording activities, and significantly increase the value of the site for local biodiversity – we hope!

The site is strategically located to provide a vital connection between the Phase 1 area and other important habitats along the Shropshire Union Canal Local Wildlife Site (LWS). This connectivity, highlighted by the influential report ‘Making Space for Nature’, is increasingly important as we head into an un- certain future for UK wildlife, providing more dispersal options for species. The reserve is set to expand from approximately one hectare to well over five hectares in total (14 acres). It is well known that larger sites can support larger populations of more sedentary species and help buffer against any negative pollution on surrounding land.

Phase 2 will be split into two broad areas with the planned wildflower meadow (previously improved grassland) forming one distinct area, and the unimproved damp-grassland and reed bed to the north of the hedgerow, forming the second. The meadow will have improved access with meandering grass paths and platforms over ditches, whilst the more sensitive wet meadow and reed bed will only be accessible for surveyors or during special events. To allow people to view the wet meadow and a large new pond, we plan to build a platform and viewing screen where you can hide with your binoculars at the ready. This should provide opportunities to glimpse Reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, Snipe Gal- linago gallinago, Heron Ardea cinerea, waterfowl and various shy warblers without disturbing them.

We envisage abundant marginal vegetation with Purple-loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, Cuckooflower Car- damine pratensis, Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria and Reed sweet grass Glyceria maxima where nu- merous dragonflies and damselflies can sun themselves. All of the platforms and boardwalks willbe made from English oak that has been sourced sustainably from thinning work in Delamere Forest.

The main meadow will undergo something of a transformation and we are currently stripping away the first 15cm of soil to reduce the fertility following years of agricultural ‘improvement’. We’re not wasting any of the removed soil as this will be used to create south-facing slopes and undulating mounds on the otherwise north-facing site. These will provide additional microhabitats for a range of invertebrates, warmth-loving wildflowers and provide nesting sites for burrowing wasps and bees. We’re planning to introduce two wildflower mixes that broadly resemble a traditional unimproved neutral hay-meadow. Species will include: Bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, the food plant for the Common blue butterfly Polyommatus Icarus and several moths; Common knapweed Centaurea nigra, with round heads of purple that are excellent for pollinators and later favoured by finches for seeds; Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria with tall yellow spires and an apricot scent; Betony Stachys officinalis, with its bright purple flowers providing nectar for a number of our native butterflies; and of course the classic Meadow buttercup Ra- nunculus acris with their dazzling yellow heads. We’re hoping to let the meadow grasses recolonise on their own and characteristic species will include: Crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus, Sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, Red fescue Festuca rubra and Common bent Agrostis capillaris. Finally, the field margins will be softened with more trees and scrub planting.

So what have we done so far?, you may ask. Well, it really is a bit of a mud fest at this point! Since Christ- mas the contractors have been busy creating the large wet-meadow pond that includes two islands, and the lower meadow pond which is slightly smaller, but by no means insubstantial. At the time of writing about half of the topsoil has already been stripped from the main meadow and some of the south-facing banks I mentioned earlier are coming along nicely. Take a look at some photos of the works so far...

7 Wet Meadow Pond

Left photo: Firstly we checked the wet meadow area for any signs of newts, harvest mice or small mammal/bird activity and carefully mowed the area to make it ‘sub-optimal habitat’ prior to digging.

Right photo: The contractor started digging beside the existing ditch line hoping that the earth dam would hold.

Left photo: The newly cre- ated pond! Vegetation will be allowed to colonise naturally.

Right photo: Evidence that badgers (Meles meles) have been along to investigate the edge of the new pond. We nearly got permanently stuck in the mud to get these pics!

8 Soil scraping & making south-facing banks

Left photo: Using a JCB bucket to scrape to a depth of 15cm. Lucki- ly the soil is mostly a sandy loam with a small amount of clay, just right for the new meadow!

Right photo: Unexpectedly we had large congregations of Pied wagtails (Motacilla Alba) feeding on worms and larvae on the newly open ground.

Left photo: Initial for- mation of the south facing banks. We have tried to bury the more fertile grass layer under subsoil to reduce fertility and prevent vigorous grasses coming back.

Right photos: Flocks of Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) and Redwing (Turdus iliacus) were regularly turning up around the Nature Reserve in Jan and Feb.

9 Digging out the lower meadow pond

Left photo: Starting to dig the pond in the lower meadow. This pond will attach to the main ditch- line running down through the meadow.

Right photo: How to protect your JCB from marauders!

Left photo: After exposing a number of land-drains, the pond started to fill itself! We’re hoping to extend the draw-down zone around the edge to encourage a wider variety of marginal plants.

That’s everything for the moment but we’ll keep you updated in the next edition. The official opening is in Spring 2018 but we’ll try and organise some sneak preview tours for those that are interested.

Snap That Fly! by Phil Brighton

In the last issue, Tony Broome gave his gardening tips on how to attract a wide range of colourful hoverflies. But if you follow his advice, you will soon start noticing a lot of other insects, not only bees, bugs and beetles, but a bewildering range of other flies. Some may be small, bristly and non-descript - typical flies in fact - but there will be others that strike you as unusual. Always keep your digital camera or smartphone on hand for these moments because there is always the chance of making an important con- tribution to our county records. You will certainly increase your appreciation of the variety of life around us. This article will give you a few examples and what you can do next if you don’t know what you’ve snapped.

As April brings some warmer days it will be time to look out for the bee-fly Bombylius major. Although it is disguised as a bumblebee it has very long proboscis which it uses like a humming-bird to take pollen from deep throated spring flowers such as Lung-wort or Primrose, hovering with a wing-beat rate of 200 beats per second (though not a member of the hoverfly family). For that rea- son you can’t usually see the broad dark bands at the front of the wings though you may be lucky enough to see it settle for a moment or two. There are some similar bee-fly species in southern Bee fly (Bombylius major) ©Stephen Plant England but this is the only one likely to be found in Cheshire. In (in Derbyshire) fact, we have far fewer records than would be expected from its nationwide distribution, so your contri- butions would be particularly welcome. Indeed we do not yet seem to have a good picture of B. major from Cheshire.

Lurking on the leaves of daffodils you might spot a very different beast, the Daffodil fly Norellia spinipes, with fear- some spines on its front legs, though whether they are for grabbing its prey or just impressing its mate, I’m not sure. This fly was only discovered in Britain in 1965 and until 5 years ago seemed to be confined to the south. Then there started to be a run of reports from further north: in 2013

Norellia spinipes ©Paul Quigley it turned up in our garden and we’ve seen it several times since. We have only three or four recorded locations in Cheshire - but these all happen to have dedicated fly-spotters, so it seems rather likely it could turn up on any daffodil patch. The larvae of this species mine the leaves, though it is a member of the dung-fly family Scathophagidae. If you do see something like this be sure to get a good shot of the front legs from the side.

If you get out and about in the woods around the end of May or beginning of June, keep an eye on dead 11 stumps or logs because you might see other rare but distinctive flies. This one is the cranefly Tanyptera atrata whose female has a long ovipositor for laying eggs in dead birch. The males have a club-shaped end to the abdomen and beautiful comb-like anten- nae. I haven’t seen this species since 2013, when I also recorded the similar fly Tanyptera nigricornis. It may be that like other wood-dwelling insects they take several years to develop to adulthood and so do not appear every year. Both are nationally rare or scarce but our area seems to be a relative hotspot. Every Tanyptera atrata by Phil Brighton record counts! Special mention must go to Emily Traynor for posting a video of Tanyptera atrata egg-laying at Hatchmere last summer: it can still be viewed on the Facebook page of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.

Tony Broome’s article highlighted Hemlock water dropwort as a star attraction for hoverflies, but I believe Common hogweed is just as good - though perhaps not one for the garden. Despised by bota- nists, hogweed could be called the dipterists’ best friend (a dipterist is a studier of the order Diptera which includes all the two-winged, or “true”, flies). Later on in the summer I always make a bee-line for any hogweed I see while roaming town or country. I spotted this Stratiomys potamida on the side of a track running alongside the M62. It’s another nationally scarce species, which was first found in Stratiomys potamida ©Phil Brighton Cheshire in 1967 at Dunham Massey. It is the largest species in the soldierfly family Stratiomyidae, many of which are colourful like this one. Many species appear rather sporadically, possibly dispersing from their marshy breeding grounds, though not very strong or enthusi- astic fliers.

Even a relaxing summer day at the pub may produce a re- markable record, as with this horsefly Tabanus autumnalis at Bostock Green in August 2015. This is only the third record throughout Lancashire and Cheshire for this large species. In this case there are genuine grounds for alarm, as of course females in this group of flies (family Tabanidae) are painful biters. Nevertheless they can be admired as fine animals often with iridescent or banded eyes. Apart from the notori- Tabanus autumnalis ©Paul Brewster ous cleg fly Haematopota pluvialis, the Tabanidae seem to be a rare sight these days, possibly because of changes in farming practices since the second world war. One of Britain’s rarest species Atylotus plebeius is confined to the bogs of Cheshire and North Shrop- shire. It is rather small and grey, and was last recorded in 1999. It may be a relict of the early post-glacial period as it is mainly known from northern European bogs. With over 7000 species of Diptera recorded in Britain, it can be difficult to know where to start with identifying an unfamiliar fly. Most species still need to be caught and examined under a microscope. However, if you are not yet equipped for that,

12 there are now several Facebook groups where photographs can be posted and friendly people will try to identify them. The UK Diptera covers the full range but may redirect you to the specialist Facebook groups for Soldierflies and Allies, Hoverflies and a few others. Just browsing these groups will help you appreciate the vast range of creatures just under our noses.

Glenn Rostron ([email protected]) and I ([email protected]) have jointly taken on the role of county recorder for Diptera across Lancashire and Cheshire. Glenn is handling the Syrphidae (hoverflies) and Dolichopodidae and I will try to cover the rest. An important aspect is verifying records sent in to the records centre and we have a backlog of many years to catch up with. We will also be compiling lists of the species reliably recorded across the region to aid recording and verification in the future. If you send in records of unusual or hard-to-identify species we may contact you for further details. Do get in touch if you have any comments or queries of your own, whether general or specific.

©Katie Piercy

Cheshire’s Meres by Katie Piercy

It can be easy to take our meres for granted, and yet they are a unique and important feature of our landscape, as much as the broads are to Norfolk or the lakes to Cumbria. They support a wide variety of species, from ducks paddling out on the open water to dragonflies catching the sun in between the rushes. Recently I’ve been fortunate enough to get out and about wildlife spotting on a few of Cheshire’s meres, and here’s why you should too.

Cheshire’s meres first appeared within our landscape over 15,000 years ago. As the climate warmed at the end of the last Ice Age the glacial ice sheets which covered most of northern England began to retreat, leaving behind large chunks of ice scattered across what would later become

Cheshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire. As they melted, basins known as ©Katie Piercy ‘kettle holes’ were left behind, which in time filled with water, becoming our meres. In the centuries which followed many of these sites disappeared, naturally infilling and becoming our wonderful mosses. Today there are about 60 meres left, all of which act as havens for

13 wildlife. Bar mere is my local mere and sits just off the Sandstone Trail, easily reached by a permissive path across rolling farmland. Although a fairly large water body, it is surprisingly easy to miss as it is tucked away between the gentle slopes. The mere itself isn’t accessible, ringed by reeds and gnarly old willows, their trunks cracked and split till they are barely held upright, though you can easily watch the birds on the water, safely hidden from them by a handy wooden screen. On my recent visit I stood behind this station as I watched Redwings flit from tree to tree above my head, calling out their machine gun trills, whilst Goldeneye ducks dabbled in the shallows and a flock of Canada geese picked their way across a neighbouring field, nipping at the grass like sheep. In the distance I caught glimpses of a large Starling murmuration as it ebbed and swayed across the horizon, hanging over the Quoisley meres. In a few months time the air here will be alive with damsel and dragonflies, whilst fluffy baby coots and grebes pluck at weeds with their beaks and snap at flies passing lazily by. The Quoisley meres are com- posed of Quoisley big mere and Quoisley little mere, and my visit to them was something of an accident. Having planned a walk around the neighbouring Big and Little mere I included the Quoisley meres as a bit of an afterthought. Though less obviously signposted than Bar mere, all four meres are easily visible from public footpaths and together make a pleasant after- noon wander. Aside from the attraction of a resident Starling population, whose murmur can be enjoyed on a winter’s evening, the Quoisley meres have the Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) ©Steve J. McWilliam added bonus of providing a stunning view from the slightly elevated path. Surrounded by reed beds, willows and areas of rush pasture, they appeared to me a haven for wildlife. With a pair of binoculars and a few hours to spare I’m sure watching the com- ings and goings of wildlife on these meres would be an enjoyable way to pass the day; however, no access is permitted to the water’s edge. Big mere by comparison has the benefit of a footpath running right along its banks. From here Tufted ducks, Moorhens and the ever present Mallards can easily be observed in their daily dabblings.

Budworth mere is rather different. Easily accessed through Marbury Country Park this mere offers a great deal to the wildlife spotter whilst providing a good recreational resource to others. Ringed by woodlands the mere not only plays host to Great crested grebes, Herons and Kingfishers, but a small reedbed on the western edge, managed by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, regularly houses the ever illu- sive Bittern. On my visit I was not only fortunate enough to see this beautiful straw-coloured bird but also enjoyed the up-close aerial showmanship of the Starlings as they rolled and contorted in their flock overhead, only to rain down into that same reedbed in which the bittern slowly wandered.

In the next few months other visitors will be emerging from their hibernation or winging their way back from warmer climes to revisit our meres. Bats will be zipping through the night sky and gliding tight over the surface of the meres. Otters will be rolling lazily on the banks and damselflies will be taking their rest on the surface of the lily pads. However, our meres are wonderful places to get up close and personal with wildlife at any time of year, so get out and get spotting!

Count Me In Graduates (CMIG) Saturday 28th January - Wildlife Champions Course

CMIG’s Sue Budd and Steve Ryder provided their expertise in wildlife recording to assist with the de- livery of one of Chester Zoo’s Wildlife Champions courses. These training sessions are part of Chester Zoo’s Wildlife Connections project, they are aimed at people involved in community groups and their objective is to give people the know-how and resources they need to run inspiring wildlife-based activities with their group.

Following an introduction to wildlife recording techniques in the morning, the group ventured outside to put the theory into practice. Despite the wet weather, a number of bird species were seen and heard outside the zoo’s Jaguar house. These included Blackbirds, Robins, Moorhens, Mallards, Jackdaws and Black-headed gulls. Although mainly common species, Sue and Steve highlighted to the group the im- portance of recording all species no matter how common they are. There have been a number of occa- sions where species that have been considered to be relatively common have gone into rapid decline, e.g. Wych elm, English elm and Song thrush. All wildlife records, common or rare, support decision- making at all levels and biological data is also utilised by universities to establish trends and correlations that will inform conservation efforts.

As the area outside the Jaguar house is managed as a formal garden there were very few native wild plants to record. Although not native, Steve informed the group of the potential wildlife benefits of Bud- dleia. With its brightly-coloured large racemes flowering in the late spring through to late summer, it provides a valuable nectar resource for many beneficial insects such as butterflies, moths, bees and hoverflies. Buddleia can be pruned back in March to invigorate the plant, keeping it in check so that it

15 © Lisa © Reeves doesn’t grow out of control. Another use- ful shrub, Pyracantha, was also observed.

Although very spiny, it is evergreen and has small white flowers in the spring, and coloured berries (red, orange or yellow) in the autumn/winter. It is much appreci- ated by thrushes, including blackbirds, redwings and if you’re lucky, that most exotic-looking of birds: the Waxwing. An- other often-overlooked plant, Common ivy, is also great in a wildlife garden. Its flowers attract an array of insects and are an important source of nectar for bees late in the season when other sources are not available. In the autumn/winter its berries are enjoyed by Blackbirds, Wood pigeons and its evergreen leaves are also used by birds to nest and shelter in, and a ready supply of insects can be found living on and around the leaves.

The second outdoor session of the day brought drier weather, so, for a change of habitat, the group ventured down to the ‘Sunken Garden’ area of the zoo. Immediately a number of bird species were either seen or heard. Again, Blackbirds and Robins dominated, but Dunnocks were also seen on the ground and Wood pigeons and Collared doves were spotted high up in the trees. A number of Blue tits, Great tits and Chaffinches were also seen flitting from branch to branch, probably looking for any early insects. The highlight was Sue spotting a Goldcrest up in the branches. It was hard to make out at first as it didn’t seem to stop for a moment’s rest as it made its way methodically along the branches looking for insects. A Raven was also spotted and its distinctive call was heard. A number of snowdrops, primroses and primulas were out in flow- Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) by F.C.Franklin is licensed under er, adding a splash of colour to a dull day. Primrose, de- CC BY 2.0 rives its name from the Latin, ‘prima rosa’, meaning ‘the first rose of the year’. They are valuable to any early insects on the wing searching for nectar.

Steve pointed out the small green pieces of plastic netting seen at various points around the pond area, half in the water, half out. He informed the group of their use as ‘hedgehog ladders’ and how they are used to help out any hedgehogs that may have inadvertently fallen into the water, suggesting that these could be a great addition to any garden pond.

The wildlife sightings recorded on the day will be inputted into RECORD’s online data input system (RODIS) to add to the dataset of (non-zoo) species found within Chester Zoo’s grounds.

If you would like more information about Chester Zoo’s Wildlife Connections project and/or upcoming events and courses please visit www.chesterzoo.org/wildlife- connections or email [email protected] 16 Species Spotlight by Susie Phillips

Swift Apus apus

Description

Often easily mistaken for a Swallow or Martin, the Swift has a similar scythe-like wing shape and forked tail perfectly suited to a high speed aerial lifestyle - eating, drinking, sleeping and even occasionally mating on the wing! The swift is distinguishable from other similarly-built species due to its plain brown colouration all over, with pale throat, appearing dark against the sky.

Ecology

Swifts are distinguishable by their loud screaming calls and Swift Apus( apus) by David Curtis is licensed under CC BY 2.0 tendency to flock in flight, and unlike Swallows they do not perch.

They mainly feed on airborne insects at around 50-100m, but sometimes weather conditions force them down to lower levels. Turbulence can sweep insects far higher in the air, and Swifts have been observed following these swarms to about 1,000m. Parent swifts gather insects for their chicks, carrying as many as 1,000 at once.

Swifts mate for life after maturing at four years old and return to the same nest site every year, normally laying two to three eggs every two or three days. Unlike Swallows and Martins, Swifts nest in high crevices in buildings.

Distribution

Swifts are a summer visitor seen from April – August (wintering in Africa), returning to the same UK site every year to breed. The RSPB estimates 87,000 breeding pairs of Swifts are present annually, recorded with higher numbers in the south and east of the country. Often sighted around villages, towns and open spaces, the Swift is considered a more suburban species than the Swallow.

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) reports a long term UK decline in the breeding population with numbers, decreasing by roughly 40% over the last twenty years, meriting an amber status on the UK conservation listing.

This trend is thought to be influenced by a decrease in availability of food, more extreme weather events and changes to both wintering and breeding habitats. In the UK this is marked by repairs and renovations to nest sites in old buildings - crevices required for nesting are often filled in. Recent studies by the BTO suggest that swifts both arrive and depart in the UK earlier than in the 1960s, perhaps due to climatic change.

17 How Can You Help?

Swifts were not monitored before the inception of the BBS, therefore data is very much required.

A collaborative project between Chester RSPB Group, Chester Zoo Wildlife Connections, CWAC, Brian Martin and RECORD was set up in 2016. The main aim of the project is to survey the Chester area for Swift colonies, particularly possible nest sites, to compare with data from the previous survey which was done in the 1990s. The project group are looking for additional volunteers for the 2017 season (May to July), so if you would like to get involved, please contact Roger at Chester RSPB Group, email: ches- [email protected]

Other ways you can help:

 Set up a nest box if possible - information is available on the RSPB website.

 If any work is likely to cause immediate threat to a colony in the breeding season, inform the contractor that nesting swifts are present and that they are legally protected.

If you see a swift or are aware of a nesting site please remember to enter this data onto RODIS or send an email to: [email protected]

What to look out for in the coming months

April is a fabulous month for wildlife, as the trees and shrubs burst into leaf with fresh, vibrant green foliage. In woodlands, the floor can be a mass of White wood anemone Anemone nemorosa and Ramsons Allium ursinum flowers, and slightly later, a blue carpet packed with Bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta.

In the meadows the Cuckoo flower Cardamine pratensis, Green winged orchid Orchis morio and

Cowslip Primula veris emerge. The Adder's-tongue Snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) fern Ophioglossum vulgatum can be found in old mead- by Natural England is licensed under CC BY 2.0 ows but is very hard to spot. On a few selected flood plain sites, in late April, the huge drifts of the delicate Snake's head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris provide a breath-taking spectacle.

By May all the summer migrant birds will have arrived and their songs and calls mingle with those of the resident bird species. These will include the House martin Delichon urbica and many warblers such as the White- throat Sylvia communis, Marsh warbler Acrocepha- lus palustris, Sedge warbler Acrocephalus schoeno- Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) by Nick Ford is licensed under CC BY 2.0 18 baenus and Willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus. Three birds that perhaps most signify the coming summer, the Swallow Hirundo rusti- ca, Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos and Cuckoo Cuculus canorus also return. The first weekend of May is the peak time to catch the dawn chorus so try and catch an event near you.

As gardens come alive and the soil warms up, bees, Small tortoiseshell butterflies Aglais urticae and Peacock butterflies Inachis io flit between the flowers. They may be found basking in the sun to absorb its warmth. On sunny days you may see the pale yellow Brimstone butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni in woodland glades or alighting on a primrose to feed on nec- Common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) ©Leanna Dixon tar. It is one of the earliest butterflies to emerge having spent the winter in the adult stage. The Common blue butterfly Polyommatus Icarus appears later. The length of the grass deter- mines, in many cases, which butterfly species are able to breed. The family of blue butterflies can only tolerate short (in some cases very short) tufty grass. But if the grass is long, species such as Meadow brown Maniola jurtina can be abundant.

Badger Meles meles activity is high by now. Setts will have been spring-cleaned and adults make foraging sorties each night. The young are Peacock butterfly (Inachis io) ©Steve J. McWilliam born from mid-January to mid-March and remain in the breeding chamber for eight weeks. There- fore the early young will already be appearing above ground in April.

Insects start to make a big impact in May. If you hear a thump against the outside of a window it may well be a Cockchafer beetle Melolontha melolontha. This is one of our largest beetles and the brown, slightly furry adult is in search of a mate. By mid May dragonflies and damselflies have started to emerge and quickly go about breeding.

While the Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna blos- som starts to fade in June, the Elder Sambucus Common cockchafer beetle (Melolontha melolontha) nigra blooms light up the roadsides with their big by Adrian Carey is licensed under CC BY 2.0 discs of creamy flowers. The light pink of the wild Dog Roses Rosa canina and the Honeysuckle

19 Lonicera pepper the hedgerows along with the flowers of Bramble Rubus fruticosa agg., Meadow crane's-bill Geranium pratense and Foxglove Digitalis purpurea (but only where the soil is acidic).

In the more open grasslands Ox-eye daisy Leucan- themum vulgare provide wonderful shows, mixed in with vetches such as Bird's-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus. Where walls line field boundaries Herb robert Geranium robertianum shows off a cloud of small pink flowers, Wall pennywort Umbilicus rupestris clings to the walls with round fleshy leaves Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and an unusual single flower spike, and the intro- by Jonathan Hoke is licensed under CC BY 2.0 duced Biting stonecrop Sedum acre pushes up a mat of attractive bright yellow flowers next to the elegant Pink bindweed Convolvulus erubescens. As the Cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris flowers now fade and set seed, the less delicate Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium and the tall Upright hedge-parsley Torilis japonica now take its place.

On calcareous grasslands look out for many plants coming into flower, including Fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea, Common centaury Cen- taurium erythraea, Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfo- liata and Purging flaxLinum catharticum.

The fringe vegetation around lakes and rivers is now tall. Flag irises Iris pseudacorus, surely the most graceful of the group, fleck the wetland fringes with bright yellow flowers. Gypsywort Lycopus euro- paeus, Water mint Mentha aquatica, Water forget-me-not Myosotis scorpioides and Brooklime

Veronica beccabunga are all attractive small plants Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) ©Steve J. McWilliam that can be found in the wet edges.

Summer officially starts on the 21st of June and during this month the countryside becomes lush and the hedgerows, meadows and woodlands burst with growth. Trees are now fully in leaf and by the end of May, most have started to lose their spring freshness, with the bright green exchanged for a darker and mellower hue.

Edited by Rachel Cross from articles by Peter McSweeney on his website When to Watch Wildlife

20 Upcoming events in Cheshire: March - June 2017

25th March 2017 - Warrington Plant Group : Bryophyte meeting, Appleton

We will explore the bryoflora of Lumb Brook Wood, Appleton, having previously enjoyed its vascular plant flora in May 2016. Meet at 10am on Dingle Lane at SJ626846 where there is parking for a few cars (or take the bus).

Contact details: Gail Quartly-Bishop Email: [email protected]

1st April 2017 - Saltscape: Lecture on Soils

A brief look at the soils of the area, what they consist of and how these are linked to bi- ology and diversity. With Professor Cynthia Burek from Cheshire RIGS.

Location: Lion Salt Works 3-4pm

Booking essential. Tel: 01606 723 160. Email: [email protected]

9th April 2017 - Cheshire Wildlife Trust - New Ferry Butterfly Park Spruce- Up for Open Day

Practical Volunteering Day - The park will be spruced up for the open day and open season. Front gate and the tool container may be painted, weather permitting. Final patches of weedy corners cleaned up, paths cleared of vegetation, furniture repaired etc.

9:30am - 4:00pm

Contact details: Paul Loughnane - Tel: 0151 645 8937 (eve). Email: [email protected]

Common Blue ButterflyPolyommatus ( icarus) ©Leanna Dixon

21 11th April 2017 - Macclesfield RSPB Group- The Lady with the Lens -Talk by James Parry

Intro by Lydia Taylor: This is the first visit James has made to the group. He is a writer, editor and author based in Norfolk who specialises in wildlife, the environment, heritage and art. He is currently researching the life of Emma Turner, who in the early 1900's, when wildlife photography was still in its infancy, became one of the most respected bird photographers in the country and who in 1911 rediscovered the bittern as a British breeding bird. Living on a houseboat on Hickling Broad, Norfolk, moored at an island that still bears her name, she photographed birds which had generally not been cap- tured on film in the wild before, birds such as bearded tits, reed warblers, common snipe and ruff as well as bittern. These provided the subject of her most celebrated book, Broadland Birds, first published in 1924. One of our local group members, Joan Keeling, has a special connection with the subject of tonight's talk - Emma Turner was her great aunt.

Macclesfield Methodist Church. Doors open at 7.15 pm for a prompt 7.45 pm start Price: Group members £1, Visitors £3.50, Under 18s Free - ALL WELCOME

Contact details: Tel: 01260 275248. E-mail: [email protected]

19th April 2017 - Chester RSPB Group AGM and Indoor Meeting

Stand up for Nature - Jeff Clarke

After our brief AGM, we have one of our favourite speakers. Jeff will give a satirical but thought-provoking review of the state of nature and what we can do about it.

Christleton Parish Hall, Village Rd, Christleton, CH3 7AS.

7:00pm AGM, followed by talk at 7:30pm

Price: £2 for members or £4 for visitors (refreshments included).

Contact details: Tel: 01244 335670. E-mail: [email protected]

23rd April 2017 - Warrington Plant Group : Vascular plant meeting, Lymm

Meet 10am at the car park on Stage Lane at SJ701874 to explore Spud Wood.

Contact details: Gail Quartly-Bishop Email: [email protected]

22 23rd April 2017 - Saltscape: Warblers and Waders!

Renowned ecologist Jeff Clarke is at it again!

He will be taking you to Neumanns Flash to see what types of bird are about. Beginner birder and pro enthusiast both welcome for this early morning start!

Some equipment will be provided; however, your own binoculars, ID books and cameras are recommended as well as your waterproofs!

Meet at Whitton Mill car park, Northwich. 8:00am - 1:00pm

Contact details: Tel: 01606 723 160. Email: [email protected]

24th April 2017 - Saltscape Wildflower Walk

Come and see some of the magnificent spring flowers in the Northwich woodlands and learn more about these wonderful plants.

Meet outside the ranger’s cabin at Marbury Country Park and don’t forget your waterproofs and walking boots/wellies.

10:00am - 11:30am

Contact details:

Dave James Tel: 01606 77741. E-mail: [email protected]

7th May 2017 - Cheshire Wildlife Trust - Dawn Chorus Walk at Cleaver Heath

Wirral Wildlife local group of Cheshire Wildlife Trust are running a Dawn Chorus walk at Cleaver Heath. We should hear a wide range of both our resident birds and returning migrants, and there should be plenty to interest those who can already identify birds by call and song, as well as those absolute beginners who want to make a start.

Cleaver Heath, Heswall, Cheshire, CH60 6SG. 4:30am -7:30am

Book by phone: Alan Irving Tel: 0151 342 2641

23 7th May 2017 - Cheshire Wildlife Trust - Dawn Chorus Walk at Etherow Country Park

Join us for a guided walk that will introduce you to the natural wonder that is the dawn chorus. We will explore the bird life of Etherow Country Park, hopefully catching up with species such as blackcap, pied flycatchers and dippers, to name just a few.

Etherow Country Park. 6:00am - 9:00am

Adults: £5 Children: £3 - book on the CWT website or phone: 0151 342 2641 01948 820728

10th May 2017 - Saltscape - Introduction to Beekeeping!

Ever fancied keeping your own bees? Or have you just wondered what actually goes in- to the pastime? Then this event is definitely for you!

Bob Jennings from the North Cheshire Beekeepers will be talking through the basics of beekeeping with attendees and offering advice and information on where to head next.

Barnton Memorial Hall, 30 townfield Lane, Barnton Northwich, CW8 4LH. 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Places limited so please email or ring to book a place.

Contact details: Tel: 01606 723 160 Email: [email protected]

13th May 2017 - Warrington Plant Group: Vascular plant meeting, Hough- ton Green Pool

Meet 10am at the Flaming Grill pub, Mill Lane, Houghton Green (SJ622918) to walk up to Houghton Green Pool and explore its flora.

Contact details: Gail Quartly-Bishop Email: [email protected]

24 13th May 2017 - Saltscape - Kids Tree Day!

Bring your children along to connect with nature on our kids tree day!

The hour and a half will aim to spark their interest in nature and the trees around them and have them understand how important these structures are. We will be using our senses to touch, feel and smell the trees through bark rubbings and tree bingo! By the end of the day the children will be able to identify a couple of key species that grow within Marbury Country Park and throughout the UK.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and wellies/walking boots and waterproofs are a must!

Marbury Country Park. 10:30 - 12:00

Places are limited so please email or ring to book a place.

Contact details: Tel: 01606 723 160 Email: [email protected]

14th May 2017 - Cheshire & Peak Butterfly Conservation - Bickerton Hill/ Heath

We will look at the re-establishment of lowland heath at the site. Green hairstreak is present and we will search for Emperor moth (including using a pheromone lure). We will also discuss the theory of introductions and transect development for the site. Although there are well made paths we will venture onto uneven ground so stout footwear is required.

Meet at 10am at the National Trust Car Park for Bickerton Hill off Goldford Ln, Bickerton near Malpas SY14 8LN SJ503530 .

The visit will last about 1 ½ hours.

To book contact Rupert Adams: [email protected]

25 21st May 2017 - Cheshire & Peak Butterfly Conservation - Teggs Nose, Mac- clesfield- Transect Training

Introduction to butterfly recording and transects. The emphasis is on practical training in butterfly recording and will be on rough, steep paths so stout footwear and a reasonable level of fitness is required. Green Hairstreak should be flying.

Please book in advance for this event by contacting Tim Ward ([email protected] or 01625424797). Meet at Teggs Nose Visitor Centre, SK11 0AP at 10:00am (car parking charges apply). The event will last 3 hours.

22nd May 2017 - Saltscape - Wildlife Walk

Marbury Country Park and it’s surrounding nature areas are thriving with interesting and unique wildlife! On this wildlife walk Dave the ranger will be taking you through the park and down by Ashton’s and Neumann’s Flashes to discover what’s there. You might even get the chance to see the increasingly rare Dingy Skipper butterfly, an insect protected by law!

Marbury Country Park: 10:00 - 12:00

Places limited, booking essential. Email [email protected] to book your place.

27th May 2017 - Saltscape - Geological Walk around Middlewich

Cheshire RIGS (Regionally Important Geological Sites) are hosting another great walk and talk around Middlewich. They will be talking about the architectural features of the buildings and the building stones that were used to create such a historically interesting town. Come and learn something new about that building you’ve never noticed before!

10:00am - 1:00pm. Places limited, booking essential. Email [email protected] to book

26 4th June 2017 - Saltscape Practical Beekeeping

A day of practical beekeeping at Hatton Apiary where participants will get the chance to walk in a beekeeper’s shoes and get stuck in to the job.

The day will begin with a short talk involving an empty hive, to demonstrate the hive parts and how bees live in a hive and the life-cycle of the bees.

You will then all put our bee suits on to inspect a colony of bees in the garden, we will be able to watch a demonstration which will enable you to see eggs, larva, drone and work- er brood – and hopefully the queen! You will also learn about how the bees collect and store nectar and honey, and what it is used for in the hive.

09:30am - 4:00pm

Hatton Apiary, 2 Hatton Lodge Cottages Warrington, WA4 5NZ United Kingdom.

Limited spaces, booking essential. Email [email protected] to book your place!

4th June 2017 - Cheshire & Peak Butterfly Conservation- Bury Ditches, Shropshire - Habitat Management.

Bury Ditches is Forestry Commision Land which contains a well preserved hill fort dating from 500BC. It is also home to the nearest colony of Wood White butterflies to Cheshire. Butterfly Conservation has a transect for monitoring these and other species and the group will walk the transect. Wall Brown and other common species should be present. Meet at the car park SO334839 at 10:30am. To book contact [email protected].

25th June 2017 - Cheshire & Peak Butterfly Conservation - AGM - Lion Salt Works Museum, Northwich.

Lion Salt Works, Ollershaw Lane, Marston, Northwich, CW9 6ES. 10am-3.30pm

Our branch annual general meeting, this year focusing on moths.

Moth Trap examination and if the weather is suitable a pheromone trap at Ashton’s Flash (Six-belted clearwing) so come in stout shoes.

RECORD Conference

Strength in partnership

Chester Zoo Lecture Theatre 10.00 - 15.30 7th May 2017

The theme of the 2017 RECORD conference is partnership working. We will be celebrating the diverse partnership projects RECORD is involved in and how collaboration on shared goals can deliver much more for conservation.

We have presentations from The Chester Swift Project, Wirral and Cheshire Badger Group, Cheshire members of the Dipterist’s Forum and the Cheshire Hymenoptera Atlas project.

We will also take a look at the new extension to the Chester Zoo Nature Reserve and hear what they have planned for the future.

The conference is open to all, regardless of experience or skill level.

Please book early to avoid disappointment

BOOKING FORM AVAILABLE HERE

28 RECORD LRC, Cedar House, Chester Zoo, Caughall Road, Upton, CH2 1LH.

Tel: 01244 383749

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.record-lrc.co.uk

Record all your Cheshire, Wirral, Halton & Warrington wildlife sightings on our online recording system - RODIS

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