Newton St Loe Park, 13 July 2024

Above: Newton Park © Andrew Harrison

Leaders Darrel Watts supported by Alvan White

Darrel Watts from Bath Spa University gave a most comprehensive walk and talk that crossed many topics. Six members listened to Darrel, whilst contributing their knowledge, all enjoying a sunny morning which turned to cloud in the afternoon.

History
Within the campus, there are a lot of imposing ancient buildings, many wrapped around grand vistas and manicured gardens. However, there are many created natural borders and wildflower banks which are stunning.

The key ancient buildings include the 14th century remains of a fortified manor house, a 15th century medieval gatehouse which houses a colony of Lesser Horseshoe Bats and an 18th century mansion. More precise information is contained in this web link.

Land management
Land slippage on the eastern boundary of the park was being monitored. For more information follow this link.

Silt Traps had been placed at the higher end of the top lake. Water quality is reasonably good with Stonefly and Mayfly species present. More information on this topic is contained here. This type of trap was recently mentioned on BBC’s Country File in connection with the preservation of chalk stream water quality.

Wildlife
The lack of insects, after a very wet winter and spring was commented on. Although there were many exquisite wild flower borders and banks, there were few flying insects. The decline over the years at Newton in moth numbers was estimated at 75 per cent.

Moths examined from the trap in the Walled Garden included Vapourer, Rosy Footman, Purple Thorn, Yellow Tail and Black Arches.

A European Hornet was trapped, and this prompted the opinion that the Asian Hornet is likely to become part of the UK fauna. It is spreading around the world.

Later research revealed that Honey Bees can have three potential defensive strategies: by stinging, which for a bee means suicide; by raising the other creature’s body temperature, known as thermo-balling; and by asphyxiation. Please see this link. However I could find no reference to the UK honey bee adopting the last two of these measures against Hornets.

Butterflies sighted included Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Comma and Large White.

The nearness to two large lakes and ponds meant that members observed Southern Hawker, and Emperor Dragonflies, plus Azure and Common Blue Damselflies. A search around the wildlife ponds was made but there was no sign of the Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) found here last year. However the grassland was full of Crickets and Grasshoppers including Dark and Roesell’s Bush Crickets.

Mention was made of the expansion of range of some “dragons” and “damsels”, examples being Willow Emerald (a Damselfly) reported from Warleigh Weir last year and Lesser Emperor breeding at Westhay Reserve.

During lunch, it was thought that a specimen of the Downland Bee Fly, Villa singulata was seen.It was only a momentary sighting. However Darel confirmed they are breeding on site. Leaf cutter bees are also breeding in the green houses within the plant pots. Willougby’s Leaf Cutter Bees are found on site.

Otters are present within the lakes and the Corston Brook, spraint having been found on the rocks beneath the bridge at the top lake.

Bird highlights included a 20-plus twittering group of swooping Swallows, with many breeding within the campus buildings. Spotted Flycatchers had been reported and a group of three stalwart members remained behind and were able to find at least two birds calling from “Butterfly Alley.” This was confirmed through the Merlin app. A gliding Red Kite, plus a Green Woodpecker were added to the list. Also enjoyed was a confiding Heron on Lower Lake and a diving Small Grebe on Top Lake.

Botanic focus included:
The Azolla aquatic water fern from Asia, which has nitrogen fixing bacteria, and is used to add nutrient in east Asia to the rice fields.
Black Bryony, the only UK member of the Yam Family.
Butchers Broom: named because the spiny stalks were used to scour butchers’ blocks (Flora Britannnica).
Field Foget-Me-Not
Corky Fruited Dropwort, distributed only in southern England.

The walk back by some along the campus road was made to the muted murmurings of Woodpigeons and the strong scent of Lime tree flowers.

Alvan White