I met Jeremy, Vanna, Mike Ball and the Judds (a sub-set of the NFSG) out at Thompson Common for an insect search.
At least initially our attentions were drawn to fungi though - they have suddenly appeared after recent rain. The highlights proved to be Peeling Oysterling, Hoof Fungus, Pale Brittlestem, Tuberous Polypore, Bleeding Broadleaf Crust, Yellowing Curtain Crust, Cramp Balls, Oakbug Milkcap, Orange Bonnet and Camembert Brittlegill. The latter with its distinctive aroma!
It was insects we were really looking for though and despite the site being the driest I’ve ever seen it we managed to find plenty to keep us amused. A numbers of Copper Peacocks scurrying about had us doing the same trying to photograph them with other beetles being Rain Beetle, Red-breasted Carrion Beetle, Cinnamon Bug, Dock Bug, Knapweed Plant Bug and Tree Damsel Bug also seen. Several Wasp Spiders also entertained - especially when a female devoured a male after they had mated! A Great Pond Snail was by the main pingo (the only one with any water in) and a Woodland Jumping Spider posed, unsurprisingly in the woods. Flies included the hoverflies Volucella inanis, Chrysotoxum bicinctum and Dasysyphus albostriatus with the picture-winged fly Philophylla caesio and the sawfly Selandria serva. Common Groundhopper, Emerald Damselfly, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker and numerous Green Leafhoppers were also seen.
Mike also found the rather lovely liverwort Fringed Heartwort.
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