Greater Manchester Wildlife

30/04/2011 - A third of the way through the year already and we have reached the best time of year for emergence of new species. I am only making it down to the moss about once a week but there was tonnes of stuff on offer here today adding 30 new species onto the total which is now at 445 species.

Species of interest seen today in glorious sunshine (again!) but a strong easterly wind included my first Common Swifts of the year over the sewage works pools, first Comma, Small White, Small Copper and Red Admiral butterflies on a great day with 10 species on butterfly noted in total. The odd new fly species and other oddity (had a slime-mold which looked like the relitively common dog's-vomit slim-mold (what a name!)) but otherwise it was new wildflowers which kept coming thick and fast. Highlights included Bristly Ox-tongue (my first in the county), Medium-flowered Winter-cress, Wall Speedwell, Green Alkanet, Common Cornsalad and the easily naturalised Snowberry.

If I put in as much effort with the inverts as I do the flowers then I would be seeing shed loads of new stuff. Many of these flies and micro moths and things seem to need disecting which is beyond me, I can't catch them for starters!

14/03/2011 - A good morning on the moss brought up 300 species for the year with additions of Mealy Redpoll in Danewell Wood amongst Lessers, a singing Chiffchaff, Coltsfoot in flower at several spots and Lords and Ladies in Danewell Wood.

Previous visits since my last update have been occasional in frequency (not as often as i'd like) and also threw up some new species such as Peregrine Falcon, Stonechat, Broad Buckler-fern, a rust on Sun Spurge called Melampsora euphorbiae, Common Dogwood in the hedge along Sinderland Road, a good collection of new wildflowers for the year including Giant Hogweed, Red Currant, Dotted Loosestrife and many more.

Still waiting for a flurry of invertebrate activity but at least the sun was out and the birds were singing, spring might just have sprung!

11/02/2011 - Back again already and 8 new species for the year to show for it. It was a surprise to find Pignut along the road to the Recycling center, a species i've previously struggled to see locally. There was only one plant present however, so very easy to overlook. Other new species included Rosebay Willowherb, Shepherd's-purse (in flower already), Blue-green Algae, 7-spot Ladybird, Wet Rot fungus, Pochard and Little Grebe.

03/02/2011 - Quick check of the north of the moss (field 4 largely) produced a few new bits and bobs today including Grey Partridge and Tufted Duck. I chanced upon c20 Collared Earthstars along Isherwood Road which I new were around but it's taken a fair bit of finding! Moving on, a pleasant stroll down the stretch of Sinderland Brook near Broadheath (still in SJ79K) produced a Kingfisher whizzing along the water, a Snipe in the reedmace, Black Medic and Teasel. All in all a good morning in the tetrad with 8 additions taking the years wildlife total to 230.

11/01/2011 - 5 species added to the tetrad yearlist this afternoon with a brief visit to Altrincham Sewage Works. The new species consisted of Wigeon, Willow Tit, Short-tailed Field Vole, Lesser Knapweed and Purple Toadflax. Still plenty of opportunities for new birds and fungi in particular so i'll be back soon.

I think in 2009 when we were 1000 listing i notched up 100 fungi species by March, so lots to go at, I will post a couple of photos for people to look out for, and will add more as i take more.

Dave

195 after 1st Jan! Well Done Henry!!

Dave

A very good choice Henerz, you are surely going to get a vast array of species from farmland to water.

Now whose next to join in!

Remember there is no winner as every tetrad is totally different. Its all for getting an idea of the species, especially the commoner ones that occur in the area

Dave