Table of Contents
News
Also known as our “blog”, containing news items (“posts”), usually relating to observations made at the Pond.
15 Feb 2025: Shrimps at Bishop's Pond
Not actually in the pond, but under logs, these are not the familiar seawater shrimps, or even the freshwater “shrimp” (Gammarus). Like the Gammarus and the sandhoppers (Talitrus) found in heaps of rotting seaweed on beaches, these are amphipod crustaceans. The ones we found today might be Arcitalitrus dorrieni, the Landhopper, Woodhopper or Lawn Shrimp, or perhaps Cryptorchestia garbinii. You can see a photo and more information at https://bmig.org.uk/species/arcitalitrus-dorrieni.
15 Jun 2024: Insects and flowers
We are continuing to discover and sometimes identify lots of new wildflower and insect species at the Pond. Here is a Digger Wasp (a species of Ectemnius, possibly E. lituratus) spotted by Ian. Digger wasps are solitary wasps which do not make communal nests. At the previous meeting on 3rd June there was a 14-spot ladybird, which I've never seen before. It rejoices in the Latin name of Propylea quattuordecimpunctata, which you may (or may not) recognise as referring to its 14 spots.
26 May 2024: Flowers and insects
The bluebells have all but finished, but the Red Campion is out, along with other species. The following were spotted today, amongst other kinds too numerous to mention. The Pyramidal orchid has not only survived, it is now producing two flower spikes in place of the one last year.
08 Apr 2024: Turning green
Vegetation is growing rapidly around (and in!) Bishop's Pond. Here's a speedwell, probably Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys).
04 Mar 2024: Spring colours
Although we did not have a full working session on 4th March, a couple of us had a look around the site before the rain began. The snowdrops are going to seed but the wild daffodils are making a splendid display, although some unknown culprit has been chewing many of the trumpets. Lungwort (Pulmonaria) is in flower, ready to supply nectar to feed the queen bumblebees when they emerge from their winter quarters. Many other species of plants are showing signs of growth, promising more colour later in Spring.
Some unexpected splashes of colour right now were provided by several clumps of the Scarlet Elf-cup fungus (Sarcoscypha coccinea) on dead branches lying on the ground among the ivy.