East Woodlands, Frome 10 July 2024

Above: Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee  © Andrew Harrison

Leaders Alvan White and Helena Crouch

Nine members visited these impressive woodlands nine days short of a year since the society’s previous visit. Unfortunately this year we could not explore the St Katherine’s churchyard as work was in progress on some of the impressive trees within.

We were very lucky with the weather considering the summer we have so far had. It was a dry day with good periods of sunshine. Early on as we advanced into the woodlands it was, apart from the noise of the ‘tree surgeons’ and a tractor cutting the edges of the paths we walked on, very quiet. This allowed Helena to have a captive audience as she pointed out the various ferns, sedges etc.

The first was the Thin-spiked Wood-sedge (Carex strigosa) which has been spreading greatly over the last 25 years and is often found on the edges of paths. Helena concluded that it has been spread by walkers.

Nearby were examples of both Pendulous Sedge (Carex pendula) and Remote Sedge (Carex remota). The latter is a tufted plant with short rhizomes, forming small tussocks.

Helena also introduced us to the Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) which is closely related to the Silver Birch (Betula pendula) but grows in wetter places with heavier soils and poorer drainage. Then we were shown some wonderful examples of ferns, notably Soft Shield Fern (Polystichum setiferum), Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas), and Scaly Male Fern (Dryopteris affinis).

As we approached the land surrounding some ponds and water-filled ditches we were serenaded by a Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos). That was the first birdsong since the Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major) were heard at the start of the walk.

It was then we started to see some butterflies. Seemingly from nowhere appeared Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus), Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) and Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus). Also seen here were Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo), Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula), Four Spotted Chaser (Libellulla quadrimaculata) and Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator).

A Dingy Footman (Collita grisola) along with a Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis) and Scarlet Tiger (Callimorpha dominula) were the only moths recorded, making it an underwhelming day for the lepidopterists. On a positive note, the Silver-washed Fritillaries and the Gatekeepers sighted were both in good condition and numbers.

Also in this area of open land Cathy Turner spotted the web of a Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis). The web covered a comparatively sizeable area and is used to shelter their young rather than capturing food. Later on a Nursery Web Spider was sighted seemingly sunbathing out in the open on top of the web though it could well have been on guard duty

Alvan pointed out the Spotted Longhorn (Rutpela maculata) as well as a Vestal Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus vestalis). After lunch he also pointed out Lygus gemallatus which is a member of the plant bugs family Miridae as well as the Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly (Chrystototuxum bicinctum).

Over the latter part of our walk it was the plants that returned to dominate our sightings with Helena bringing to our notice the Bristle Club-rush (Isolepis setacea), Grass Vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia) and the Red Bartsia (Odontites vernus) though last year’s flora highlight, the Lesser Skullcap (Scutellaria minor) was not located.

On the way back we were able to hear birds like the Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) and Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) just before leaving the woodlands.

East Woodlands provided a wonderful location with some lovely trees, notably a number of ancient Oaks (Quercus robur). We very much enjoyed the walk and what we saw. However, compared to last year, there were far fewer species seen in all areas bar the botanical side. This has sadly become a worrying trend of diminishing returns during the summer of 2024.

Andrew Harrison