Kingsgate Park and Yate Common, 17 September 2024

Above: Southern Hawker over Yate Common pond © Andrew Harrison

Leader: Alvan White

Ten members gathered on a warm relatively bright day. This expedition was identified last year on a hunt for suitable bio-diverse sites in this area. Dave Pole contributed to this and was missed on the day.

Kingsgate Park (formerly Westerleigh Common), although looking very manicured, did prove successful in providing a host of species especially on the botany and tree fronts.

The Park was once part of the formal gardens of Stanshawes Court, which is an impressive Victorian gothic building, which can be seen from the park.

Added interest were the buzzing social wasps around the tree. Unfortunately these could not be indentified because of their constant movement.

Clare and Mark were busy and identified amongst others:

Bifid Hemp-nettle (Galeopsis bifida),  with its distinctive solid coloured lower lip and emarginate edge,  a European native that has reached North America.

Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), a bird seed alien found near the lake side. The plant is native to parts of North and South America.

A scan of the lake for bird life produced very common water birds to include Swans and cygnets plus several Tufted Duck. Two species of dragonfly were present, these were also at the small pond on Yate Common.

Duck Potato plants (Sagittaria latifolia)  were identified by Clare and Mark. The plants were found in shallow water at the lakeside edge. It is sometimes known as Broadleaf arrowhead, Duck-potato, Indian potato, or Wapato. The plant produces edible tubers that have traditionally been extensively used by native Americans..

Lunch was taken overlooking the lake. Movement in the lakeside vegetation gave glimpses of small rodents. Discussion on identification was held but Clare got a very clear view of a long-bodied large rat, which put paid to the possibility of Water Vole.

A walk was then taken over to Yate Common. At first sight, a huge area had been cropped for silage. This put paid to spotting Wax Caps which were present last Autumn.

However the south side of the common has been left to scrub with several inter-twining paths through the wilderness. Richard was helpful in guiding us through the maze.

We stopped to sweep net a piece of grassland and beat a small bush. This revealed amongst others a Roesells bush cricket, a Myrmica sp of ant, and a 24-spot Ladybird.

Eventually we came across the target small pond. Here we all admired a Southern hawker dragonfly, hawking across the pond within two or three metres of the group. Also present were Common Darters. I swept the Watermint and water side plants and capturied a Metallina sp of spider.

Possibly the best non botanical find at the end of the day was a very clear view of a Spotted Flycatcher which was demonstrating its hunting prowess. A young Goldfinch stayed put on the side of the path, meanwhile a loud tac, tac call was heard. The bird was not identified but the habitat could mean that a Stonechat was present, although this could have been the alarm call of a male Blackcap.

My appreciation is especially given for the botanical expertise given by Clare and Mark Kitchen, although as usual, all members contributed to the finds and group discussions. Another enjoyable meeting.

Alvan White