Welcome!

Raise funds for the Teme Valley Wildlife Group AT NO COST TO YOU

when you shop on-line .......by clicking the blue flashing banner

The Teme Valley Wildlife Group is a local group of wildlife enthusiasts, living and working within the Teme Valley (North & South) area, of Worcestershire, UK. This area covers the River Teme from Ludlow to Clifton and either side of the valley, the center point being Upper Rochford and a 10 mile radius thereof (roughly!). The Outer Area therefore Clockwise is Clee>Cleobury>Abberley>Clifton>Bromyard>Bircher>Leominster>Ludlow>Clee...and hence therefore includes some small parts of the Worcestershire border areas of both Shropshire to the North-West and Herefordshire to the West and South-West.

This site is the start of what is hoped to become, a central record system, which by use of ‘eyes and ears’ of local people living and working in the area, becomes a definitive reference catalogue built up over time, showing the diversity of species we have present in our area.

We actively encourage local participation within the Group and on this web site. We want to know what you are seeing and hearing on the wildlife front in our area and welcome any comments, information or photographs you take.

We will endeavour to update this site at least weekly when ever possible.

All photos on this site are by Danny Arnold (DMA) unless otherwise credited. All photos remain copyright of the photographer.

No re-publication without express permission.

*****************************************************************************************************

These local Companies have Sponsored the Design a Teme Valley Wildlife Group LOGO competition:

M & M Timber

WATERWIDE Winning Design by Charlotte Jones

******************************************************************************************

Meetings

The Teme Valley Wildlife Group holds a Monthly Meeting on the second Thursday of the Month. The Venue is Rochford Village Hall between 7:30 and 9:30 pm. Grid Ref: SO 6338 6770 or Google Earth ....52.18.22.44 N.....02.32.18.33 W.

Want directions with a map?..click here.

Everybody is most welcome. £2 on the door.

Membership is optional, £2 per annum (allows you voting rights & provides Discounts from local suppliers)

The preliminary event list is as follows:

2012 Monthly Speakers Calendar

January	12th	2012	Stuart Lamb	Wildlife, Culture and Scenery of Iceland and the Faroes
February	9th	2012	Dr Elizabeth Pimley	The Dormouse
March	8th	2012	Caroline Corsie	From the soil up
April	12th	2012	Brian Draper MBE	The River Teme
May	10th	2012	Harry Green	Cuckoo's - not just avian
June	14th	2012	Godfrey Jones	Reinstating a lowland heath
July	12th	2012	Graham Hill	The Crayfish
August	9th	2012	Roger Butler	Snakes
September	13th	2012	John Bingham	Fungi of Worcestershire
October	11th	2012	Johnny Birks	Small Mammals of the Teme Valley
November	8th	2012	Dave Barnes	Photographing Birds
December		2012	No Meeting

2012 Monthly Nature Walk Calendar

January		2012		No Walk Planned
February		2012		No Walk Planned
March	11th	2012	Steph Mocroft	Cleobury and around the River Rea Valley
April	15th	2012	Alastair Hardy	Downton Gorge - Ludlow
May	13th	2012	Steph Mocroft	Hope Bagot Church Walk
June	17th	2012	Richard Pill / Nick Benbow	Hunthouse Wood - Butterflies
July	15th	2012	Andy Harris	Devils Spittleful - Bewdley
August	12th	2012	Alastair Hardy	Stockings Meadow Bromyard (Provisional Only)
September	16th	2012	John Bingham	Fungi Foray - Birchfield
October	14th	2012	Alastair Hardy	Risbury Camp (Provisional Only)
November	11th	2012		No Walk Planned
December		2012		No Walk Planned

Other Upcoming TVWG Events in 2012

April	6th	2012	Orchard Survey	Hunt for the Mistletoe Marble Moth in a local Apple Orchard
Apr -> Sept		2012	First Friday of the Month	Monthly Moth trapping night
Apr -> May	TBC	2012	Local Pond Survey	Looking in more local ponds
June	TBC	2012	Orchid Walk	Meet at David Spillsbury's Farm 7:15 pm for 7:30 pm start
September ->	TBC	2012	Nut Hunt	Looking for signs of Dormice in local woods

*****************************************************************************************************

Weekly Update

17 May Another new moth for Ken Willetts at Highwood. This time the Muslin Moth so named as it has the appearance of a fine muslin.

Muslin Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

16 May A couple of remarkable photos have been sent in by Bill & Cherlye Spice from Stockton. These bees came in over Cherlye's head whilst gardening, landed in a tree and started to swarm The sound was amazing. Presumably a new Queen was out and about.

Bees Swarming Photos : Bill &Cherlye Spice

14 May A good number of reports & sightings in today. Chris & Jenny Rodgers at Stoke Bliss report a Red Kite over their house this afternoon. They also report Siskin on their feeders which have been in very scarce this year. (The Siskin...not the feeders!) And their Swallows are back, having taken a longer time than usual to return this year.

Ian Vanes and Charlotte Hughes both report Swifts back in the area. Although independent reports, they come from almost directly opposite sides of the river...so may have been the same birds.

Rosemary Burton emailed to say that she heard a Cuckoo from the Shavers End Quarry end of the Abberley Hills today. We wonder if this is a second male bird on the hills there, or the same bird as being heard by Diana & Ian at the other end, with it just moving up & down the woodland ridge. Keep your records from this area coming in and we will see if we can establish if we have one or two birds present.

At Clifton on Teme, Simone & Roger Arnold took these photos of four Starling fledglings taking their first bath in their garden pond.

Starling Fledglings Photos : Simone &Roger Arnold

At Highwood, moth trapping has been hard work this year with numbers and species of moths being at an all time low. Even the usual common beetle species that turn up in the traps over night are in very short supply. One such species which is usually very common is the Cockchafer beetle. This year however, even this is scarce, although Ken Willetts did trap one and photograph it last night. Nice photo Ken!

Cockchafer beetle Photo : Ken Willetts

Perhaps more importantly, Ken did trap a moth which is not often recorded in Worcestershire, and has not been recorded in the Teme Valley before. This is the Camomile Shark Moth. There is a very similar species...The Shark...but the Camomile Shark is differentiated by the black stripes on the wing running all the way through into the pale fringe as seen on the second photo below. (For reference, The Shark, also has black stripes, but they stop short of the pale fringe). This is a really goods record for the County.

Camomile Shark Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

The diagnostic fringe pattern of the Camomile Shark Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

13 May Today at Hillwood, Charlotte & Jeremy Hughes had a Red Kite over their farm. The same one Geoff photographed yesterday?

Also today, Nick Birkin sent in this nice photo of a White Tailed Bumblebee in flight

A White Tailed Bumblebee Photo : Nick Birkin

Over at Upper Rochford, Danny Arnold had this Holly Blue Butterfly in the garden, making the most of the glorious sunshine we had today.

Holly Blue Butterfly Photo : Danny Arnold

12 May The Abberley Hill Cuckoo is still around. Heard by Diana Parkin this morning.

After a hard days gardening at his home in Boraston, Geoff Wookey sat down with a beer in hand, when over the hedge, popped a Red Kite. Dashing to get a Camera, Geoff took these amazing pictures of the bird being harassed by a Jackdaw, amongst other Corvids.

A Red Kite being mobbed by Corvids at Boraston All photos : Geoff Wookey

11 May Three Cuckoo reports have come in today, two from different areas, and one possibly the same bird, so clearly at least two different birds. The first from Oldwood Common calling at 7:30am this morning and a second report from David Patrick at Haresbrook, which might be the same bird? The other report came in from Ian & Diana Parkin at Abberley where there seems to be another resident bird.

Chris Mussell saw a Red Kite at Rochford today, being mobbed by the local Corvid population. Chris also reports three pairs of Swallows are back at his house at Stanford Bridge.

This evening as the light was fading, John Abbiss saw three birds flying down the Teme Valley. John says that he thinks they were White Storks, which given the posts recently, could well be that case!

Robin Dean at Eardiston sent in this photo of dozens of snails climbing up old nettle stalks. Robin says there were 3 or 4 per stalk in the evening, yet bizarrely, the following day they were gone. We asked Harry Green about this, who replied with : I am pretty sure they are Brown-lipped Hedge Snails Cepaea nemoralis. This happens at times. They climb up in damp weather often at night and then stay there for the day returning down at night, especially if conditions are drying out. Can be spectacular as the picture shows

Brown-lipped Hedge Snails Photo : Robin Dean

At Highwood, Ken Willetts trapped another new moth species in his garden. This time it is the Lunar Marbled Brown. The moth lays its eggs on Oak.

Lunar Marbled Brown Photo : Ken Willetts

10 May At Lower Rochford Caroline Roseman took a photo of this Orchid growing in one of her fields. A stunning photo Caroline.

Orchid Photo : Caroline Roseman

9 May How cute can you get? Rachel Packard has been out in her Boraston garden today and taken this lovely photo of a newly fledged Long Tailed Tit. Great Photo Rachel!

Long Tailed Tit Fledgling Photo : Rachel Packard

Also at Boraston, Geoff Wookey trapped over night this Great Prominent Moth. A rather impressive sized moth with large hairy legs!

Great Prominent Moth Photo : Geoff Wookey

And on the opposite side of the Valley at Highwood, Ken Willetts trapped this tiny micro moth...the Diamond Back Moth, only measuring about 13 - 15mm, it is all the more impressive as it is a migrant from abroad, although fairly common.

464 Diamond-back Moth Plutella xylostella Photo : Ken Willetts

And at Wolferlow, Stuart Smith has had Swifts back overhead today.

8 May Some great Bird records coming into today. Doh Gannon emailed to say that the Cuckoo she heard at Sapey Common is still around after two weeks.

Ian Vanes at Eardiston emailed to say that his pair of Spotted Flycatchers which seem to return every year are back and nest building. Ian fears however that the Goldcrest nest he had in the garden has been predated by Jays.

At Knightwick on Teme Tim Studer had his first Swifts of the year back today, about 20 soaring over head.

On Highwood, Ken Willetts sent in this photo of a tiny micro moth he trapped last night. With no vernacular English name, it goes by the latin name of Incurvaria masculella The larvae feed on many deciduous trees but especially hawthorn. The moth is only 12 - 16mm in length and this particular moth is a male as it has the large pectinate (comb-like) antenna which is used to track down the pheromones given off by the female.

130 Incurvaria masculella Photo : Ken Willetts

7 May John Abbiss reports his first sightings this year of House Martins being back over Oldwood Common . Meantime at Boraston, Geoff Wookey saw a pair of Redstart on his early morning walk with the dog around his patch.

6 May Tim Studer reports a Cuckoo calling at the Kingswood area of Martley this evening...Nick & Sheila Benbow heard the resident Cuckoo at Frith Common today.....and Steph Mocroft saw a Red Kite at Brampton Bryan today.

Rachel Packard at Boraston has had a Blackbird building a nest in the garden during the last week in April....She managed to get a couple of photos without disturbing the birds...which all appeared to fledge safely.

The Eggs ready to Hatch....... Photo : Rachel Packard

.....and three days later ....... Photo : Rachel Packard

And also at Boraston, Geoff Wookey sent in these photos of Wildlife from his Garden.

Goldfinch Photo : Geoff Wookey

Robin Photo : Geoff Wookey

Great Tit Photo : Geoff Wookey

Marsh Marigold ....self seeded in the new pond Photo : Geoff Wookey

This is My House! Photo : Geoff Wookey

5 May Caroline Roseman saw a Mink on the Lower Rochford road tonight and also saw several Skylark this afternoon by the Bricklayers cottages.

Julia Cooper emailed to say that her Sister had heard a Cuckoo near Dumbleton Farm near Frith Common today. This may well be the same bird as heard by Pete Stevens on 1st May?...indicating the bird may be staying in the area.

Another first Cuckoo of the year at Wolferlow for Stuart Smith today...compared with April 9th in 2011. Almost a month late coming back! Stuart also reports 5 Swifts over the Salway Arms pub today.

Meantime, Ken Willetts found this day flying moth in his Orchard. Its one of the Long Horn group of micro moths, named owing to their exceedingly long antennae. This is a relatively common species 150 Adela reaumurella

150 Adela reaumurella Photo : Ken Willetts

4 May Two Cuckoos heard today. One by Alastair Hardy over at Woonton and the other my Michael Harley at Menith Wood. This Menith Wood bird is possibly the same bird as reported on the 26th April. Good confirmation it is staying in the area.

Meantime, at Boraston, Geoff Wookey is the first to report Swifts back in the Valley. He had four over his house today.

3 May Unfortunately no photographs, but Geoff Wookey trapped 247 Tinea trinotella and 476 Acrolepia autumnitella two nice but very small Micro moths in his trap at Boraston last night.

Chris Kemble had her first Cuckoo at Knighton on Teme today. And at Stockton, Cheryle Spice also had her first Cuckoo of the year. Bill, her husband also sent in this photo of Toothwort found growing at Menithwood, at the base of a large Silver Birch. Bill says its a parasitic plant that lives on the root system and which does not contain chlorophyll.

Toothwort Photo : Bill Spice

2 May On Dumbleton Lane, Eardiston, Sue Watton emailed to say that she heard a Cuckoo today in that area.

At Highwood, Ken Willetts trapped this rather nice White Shouldered House Moth.

White Shouldered House Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

1 May Ian Vanes at Eardiston has his House Martins back today, just a day after the birds arrived back at Boraston. Ian says that they usually come back around the 20th April, so this year, they are a little late. Over at Stockton, Brian Marsh had his first Swallows of the year back, and at a wood just below Lower Frith, Pete Stevens reported his first Cuckoo of the year. All great records.

30 April On the Bird front today, Geoff Wookey at Boraston had his first House Martins back. Having had some work done on his house this winter, he hopes the birds will re-establish their nest sites under the eaves. Geoff also reports good numbers and sightings of Yellowhammers in the hedgerows, which is very encouraging and is also hearing Skylark regularly in the fields that surround his house.

Over at Wolferlow, Stuart Smith reports having had a Male Wheatear, Male Redstart and a Whitethroat in his field today.

And a sight we haven't seen for a few months, the River Teme carrying a bit of extra water. Water levels have been so low this winter that this extra water really is something different. The photo was taken by Jo Sothers at Little Hereford.

River Teme in Spate at Little Hereford Photo : Jo Sothers

28 April Andrew Palmer had a Red Kite over his Garden at Milsom today. It was being seen off by some aggressive Corvids.

27 April Another member of the Prominent Moth Group for Ken Willetts last night at his Highwood trap. This time a Pebble Prominent Moth. Relatively abundant in the Teme Valley and quite a large moth, its always nice to see this for the first time.

Pebble Prominent Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

And Mrs Dallow had her daughter email in to say that she had heard her first Cuckoo of the year at Newnham Bridge today.

26 April Keith Edney emailed to say he heard his first Cuckoo of the year near to the Cross Keys pub at Menith Wood today.

At Highwood, just days after taking its "big brother" (see 14th) Ken Willetts trapped a Lesser Swallow Prominent Moth last night. Another new record for his garden.

Lesser Swallow Prominent Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

26 April Light Moth traps do not always just attract moths. Occasionally, other insects are attracted to the light. On this occasion, Danny Arnold at Upper Rochford had this tiny beetle come in over night on the 24th May. Measuring just 5.5mm in length, it goes by the name of Megatoma undata. Its a nice record for the site as it is a 'Notable B' species indicating a degree of rarity. The beetle feeds on pollen, typically of Cherry trees, which are incidentally, adjacent to where it was trapped. Thanks to Harry Green and John Micklejohn for the positive ID.

Megatoma undata Photo : Danny Arnold

24 April Margaret Bradley has heard her first Cuckoo of the year at her farm at Knighton on Teme. Meantime a little further up the Valley at Boraston, Geoff Wookey trapped this nice little Micro Moth Esperia Sulphurella. Its larvae feed on rotting wood.

649 Esperia sulphurella Photo : Geoff Wookey

23 April Mike Williams has given us permission to post the Stork Pictures....so we have inserted them here as it is about the time we got the story. Incredible photos taken from his tractor as he worked on a field in Abberley. Many Thanks for allowing to post these photos Mike.

White Stork on a field in Abberley All Photos : Mike Williams

Also today, New in for Ken Willetts on Highwood was this Streamer Moth to his Moth trap. Given its name by the Victorians from the Streamer type pattern on its wings.

Streamer Moth Photos : Ken Willetts

22 April Mike Southall emailed some incredible pictures taken by Mike Williams on his phone camera of nine White Stork which landed in a field which he was ploughing in Abberley. Interestingly, Simone and Roger Arnold had sent in a email on the 6th April saying they thought they had seen two White Stork flying over head at Upper Rochford. We cant publish the photos at present, but will do as soon as we get consent.

Meanwhile up at Wolferlow, Stuart Smith was out on a walk and had four Redstarts, seven Blackcaps, two Linnets, seven Chiffchaffs, one Willow Warbler and a regular passage of Swallows taking place.

And Chris Peacock had some tubes of over wintering Masonry bees emptying today. Also had Greenfinch in the garden, a "first" for a couple of years.

21 April John Abbiss sent in these two photos of an Orange Tip Butterfly he found on Oldwood Common. They show clearly the enormous difference between the upper and lower side of the wings.

Orange Tip Butterfly - Upper side of wing Photo : John Abbiss

Orange Tip Butterfly - Underside of wing Photo : John Abbiss

20 April At his farm just outside Leominster David Norsworthy had a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the Orchard today. A bird in serious decline and a great record anywhere.

On the eastern side of Eastham, Ed Scholefield had his first Swallows of the year back yesterday.

Ken Willetts sent in this photo of a 'new' moth species to his trap. Its a good record as these moths do not readily come to light. It is the Mullein moth, the larvae of which are white yellow and black caterpillars, which unlike the adult can usually easily be found on the Mullein plant.

Mullein Moth Photos : Ken Willetts

Ken also trapped this Yellow Barred Brindle moth, a non too common species in the Teme Valley.

Yellow Barred Brindle Moth Photos : Ken Willetts

19 April Simone & Roger Arnold heard a Cuckoo in the area around Kenelm church at Clifton this morning. Doh Gannon emailed to say that her partner heard a Cuckoo a couple of days ago at Sapey Common. And another (or possibly the same bird), Amy Jones heard one on the Hanley Childe / Stoke Bliss border today.

At Knighton on Teme, Margaret Bradley had a Red Kite over the house today.

And Richard Pill sent in this photo of a Dipper taken on the Downton Gorge walk last week.

Dipper Photo: Richard Pill

18 April Ken Willetts took the opportunity of the nice weather over the last few days to photograph the Rape Seed field on the Highwood. It looks over towards the Clee.

Stunning Rape Seed fields at Highwood Photo : Ken Willetts

17 April Danny Arnold had his first Swallow of the year, in the air over at Highwood this afternoon. Meantime, two cracking photographs taken on the Clee Hill by local birder Dave Barnes came in by email . Both birds come back here for the Summer and they will be seen on the Clee for the next five months or so. The Wheatear and Stonechat. Incidentally, you will see that Dave is giving our November indoor meeting talk on Bird photography, so this is definitely one for the diary!

Northern Wheatear Photo : Dave Barnes

European Stonechat Photo : Dave Barnes

16 April Yesterday afternoon saw the monthly walks program take the Group to Downton Gorge. The day and site was stunning as made testament to, by these photographs taken by Alastair Hardy, the Group's walks coordinator.

Downton Gorge All photos : Alastair Hardy

15 April Having just restocked his pool with fish after the previous occupants had been taken by an Otter, Ken Willetts was not pleased to see this fish raider taking off over head. Good photo though Ken !!

Heron in flight Photo : Ken Willetts

Chris Mussell had a pair of Swallows at his house in Stanford today. First ones for the year. He also had a Buzzard digging worms in the Orchard.

14 April Geoff Wookey at Boraston had his first Swallows back for the year. Geoff reports four over the house today.

Yet another first for Ken Willetts moth trap. This time it is a moth by the name of Swallow Prominent. There is also a Lesser Swallow Prominent which is very similar, only really separated by the wedge marked (A) being more 'squat' and the Oval marked (B) being shorter on the Lesser Swallow Prominent.

Swallow Prominent Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

13 April Over at Wolferlow, Stuart Smith emailed to say that he has now had a Wheatear, eleven Meadow Pipets, three Pied Wagtails and just one Swallow on his field today. And another first for Ken Willetts moth trap on Highwood, this pristine example of the moth Brindled Beauty.

Brindled Beauty Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

12 April One of the latest of the Orthosia species to emerge in spring, this pristine Powdered Quaker came to the light trap of Ken Willetts on the Highwood last night.

Powdered Quaker Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

10 April Caroline Roseman had the Red Kite over her drive today at Lower Rochford. On Oldwood Common John Abbiss has cleared away a small patch of bracken to give this Meadow Saffron a chance to come through. Should be a good show in a week or so. John also sent in this photo of Wood Anemone out on the Common.

Meadow saffron Photo : John Abbiss

Wood anemone Photo : John Abbiss

8 April David Hambleton emailed this picture of bees coming out of a weep hole in some brick work at his home in Upper Rochford. After contacting the County bee specialist he suggested that they are an early emerging bee species that lives in colonies called Andrena scotica

Andrena scotica Photo : David Hambleton

7 April Roger Hunstone heard his first Cuckoo today near to Martley Church.

5 April Chris Mussell emailed to say the Yellowhammer was back feeding in the garden today, no worse for its encounter with the patio door. He also mentioned that he saw the Red Kite flying up towards Highwood at 5:30pm.

Around 6pm, Ken Willetts on the Highwood encountered the Kite and took these pictures of the bird over his house.

Red Kite Photo : Ken Willetts

4 April Ken Willetts on the Highwood at Eastham has had his camera out again.... A couple of nice garden bird photos and a tiny moth he trapped yesterday in his moth trap. The moth Ypsolopha ustella is fairly common at this time of year, but does come in a variety of forms which does make the ID difficult on occasions. This stripy form however is relatively the norm.

461 Ypsolopha ustella Photo : Ken Willetts

Goldfinch Photo : Ken Willetts

Greenfinch Photo : Ken Willetts

Meantime Brian Marsh at Eardiston found a very long thin worm in the mud of his garden pool. Brian later ID'd it as a Horsehair Worm [Gordius Species].

And then there is this amazing story from Chris Mussell at Stanford who says " I have been seeing a Yellowhammer in my garden feeding under the bird table for a few weeks and got 3 photos of it on the lawn. Then yesterday evening there was a thud of a bird hitting our back doors , and there was the poor yellowhammer on the patio very stunned. I put it on the bird table where it sat for about 30 minutes slowly recovering and allowing me to take the attached photos of this beautiful and fairly rare visitor to my garden".

Chris sent in several shots of this bird which I am pleased to say made a full recovery, as Chris emailed the following day to say it was back feeding on the lawn again.

Yellowhammer Photo : Chris Mussell

3 April Danny Arnold had an almost unbelievable bird sighting yesterday. Whilst photographing a Tawny Owl which was resting in a conifer in broad day light, his attention was drawn to a bird circling high over head over the house at Upper Rochford. It was a male Hen Harrier, one of the rarest birds in England and one hardly ever seen in Worcestershire. An amazing sighting!

Tawny Owl resting up Photo : Danny Arnold

Male Hen Harrier overhead Photo : Danny Arnold

Located in the top of a box hedge on a path way in her garden at Boraston, this Dunnock's nest was found by Rachel Packard

Dunnock's Nest Photo : Rachel Packard

2 April Mick King one of our local postmen took a walk through Mortimer Forest today and came across two Crossbill. They are present in the forest, though seldom seen. Mick says he had a great view of them today. One of the few places where these birds can be seen locally.

At Boraston, Geoff Wookey had a pair of Stock Doves using his garden pool as a drinking point today. There are also a pair of Mallard that have made the pool home as well.

1 April At Upper Rochford at Hilltop, a Red Kite was seen this afternoon.

31 March Margaret Bradley, at her farm in Knighton on Teme, had a Swallow sighting this morning. Another Swallow sighting was made by Sandra Willmott at Lower Rochford. And yet a third Swallow sighting was made by John Abbiss over Oldwood Common. He also sent in these two pictures of insects found on the Common.

LaceWing Photo : John Abbiss

Alder Fly Photo : John Abbiss

Dave Baynton up from Bristol and staying with family this weekend, took the opportunity to photograph this Nuthatch making a nest in a Cherry Tree at Upper Rochford. Note that the hole has been partially sealed up with mud to reduce its opening aperture size.

Nuthatch Photo : Dave Baynton

30 March Pete Thorp saw two Lapwing in the field by his House at Woodston and tried photographing them. If you have ever tried photographing Lapwing in flight, you will know how difficult these shots were to get.

Lapwing in flight Photos : Pete Thorp

At Highwood, another moth for Ken Willetts and this time it is a very important record not just for the Teme Valley but also for Worcestershire. This moth is called The Tissue and there are less than fifty records for it ever in Worcestershire. It has been recorded once before in the Teme Valley back in 2008 just down the road at Danny Arnold's light traps at Upper Rochford, which was in fact, the last time this moth was recorded in the County. Danny also had a tree bumblebee fly into his Kitchen today, just a couple of days after Chris Peacock reported one.

The Tissue Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

29 March Ken Willetts adds yet another moth species to his ever increasing moth list for his garden at Highwood, this time the Frosted Green moth.

Frosted Green Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

28March Chris Peacock recognised a Tree Bumblebee in a nest box in his garden. This species of bee was first found in the UK from the Continent in 2001. Since then, it has been spreading northwards. There are a few records for both Worcestershire and Herefordshire, but we are very interested in any new sightings as trends indicate it should be with us in good numbers this year. It has an orange thorax, Black Body with a white bottom. Very distinctive. If you see one, let us know.

At Great Witley, on a piece of their land, Sallyann Williams managed to just get a photo of this relative rarity. A Yellowhammer. A bird rarely seen nowadays.

Yellowhammer Photo : Sallyann Williams

27March Alastair Hardy reports a sighting of a Red Kite over at Woonton near Leysters. This was also witnessed by the local postman and four others during the previous five days.

At Stoke Bliss, Chris & Jenny Rodgers were impressed to find that there new pool dug last year already supports all three species of UK Newt. This ties in well with the pool survey carried out last year when another pool not too from from this pool was also found to support all three Newt species. Also found in the pool was this Caddis fly larvae which had made its protective home from a mass of pine needles.

Caddis Larvae in a pine needle 'house' Photo : Chris Rodgers

Stuart Smith at Wolferlow has had Peacock and Small Tortioshell butterflies in the garden today and also found this over wintering Angle Shades Moth in the Greenhouse.

Master of Camouflage, the Angle Shades Moth Photo : Stuart Smith

At Frith Common, Barrie Elding went out to the tool shed and found this Robins nest in a hanging carrier bag.

Robins Nest Photos : Barrie Elding

26 March At Pensax, Tim Studer was thrilled to watch a Red Kite performing ariel acrobatics with what looked to be a vole. Tim says the bird was flying up in the air with its prey, dropping it, then swooping down to re catch it in mid air. This went on for about 15 minutes. Amazing!

25 March At Wolferlow, Stuart Smith had three Curlew and a flock of 100 plus Fieldfare on his patch, and Still on the bird front, Nick Benbow had the first Chiffchaff's in Hunthouse Wood today.

Meantime, in the moth trap run by Ken Willetts at Highwood, The Water Carpet and Early Tooth Stripe moths were new to his garden records.

Water Carpet Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

Early Tooth Stripe Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

23 March Traveling back from Tenbury via Lindridge, Phil Morgan saw a Red Kite along side the road. At Wolferlow Stuart Smith had his first Chiffchaff of the year.

22 March Whilst out walking at Coreley today Geoff Wookey heard his first Chiffchaff of the year. He also sent in this photo of his first butterfly in the garden which was this Small Tortoiseshell enjoying the newly opened up heather flowers.

Small Tortoiseshell Photo : Geoff Wookey

21 March At Boraston as well, Rachel Packard photographed this Comma Butterfly in the garden. Rachel also had a Lesser Redpoll on her bird feeders and being just down the road from Geoff, looks like a flock of these birds moved into the area over the past 24 hours.

Comma Butterfly Photo : Rachel Packard

20 March At Lindridge along side the River, Brian Marsh had a Curlew warbling today. There definitely seems to be more Curlew and Lapwing about this year which is very encouraging for the farm land bird population.

Between Eastham and Orelton Dean Fenton saw a Brown Hare along the road side. Again, there appear to be more hare about this year too.

And Geoff Wookey at Boraston took these photos of Lesser Redpoll on his bird feeders.

Lesser Redpoll Photo : Geoff Wookey

14 March At Birchfield, Upper Rochford, Danny Arnold had his first Chiffchaff of the year in the dingle.

12 March At Wolferlow, Stuart Smith has seen Curlew and Stonechat on his patch this week, as well as a Cormorant flying over. At Hillwood, Jeremy Hughes saw two Red Kite going over just moments apart. And meantime, at Boraston, Geoff Wookey had his first Siskin in the garden and also a small green tortrix moth 1061 Acleris literana. On Highwood, Ken Willetts also had this tiny moth in his trap as well, which is an inhabitant of Oak Woodland traditionally, although clearly it is present in areas where there are single mature Oak trees.

Siskin on the Niger seed Photo : Geoff Wookey

1061 Acleris literana Photo : Ken Willetts

11 March Today saw the first of our outdoor events for 2012 which was a walk led by Dr Steph Mocroft along the River Rea Valley at Cleobury. A beautiful day for the walk meant a good turn out of people with almost 30 people attending.

Crossing the River Rea Photo : Ian & Diana Parkin

On the hill looking over Cleobury Photo : Ian & Diana Parkin

Another Crossing point on the River Rea Photo : John Abbiss

A small incline Photo : John Abbiss

Tim Studer had Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock butterflies in the garden today.

10 March At Eastham this afternoon Ed Scholefield saw a Red Kite flying over the River. Good to see these Red Kite records coming in.

9 March On the Highwood Ken Willetts light trapped these two species of moth. The first is a plume moth 1498 Amblyptilia punctidactyla the larvae of which, feed on the seeds of Hedge Woundwort and other herbaceous plants.

The second moth is Dotted Chestnut. This is a great record. It has been recorded in the Teme Valley at Upper Rochford before, but its a new garden record for Ken and adds to the Worcestershire data base, another record for this non too common species.

1498 Amblyptilia punctidactyla Photo : Ken Willetts

Dotted Chestnut Photo : Ken Willetts

8 March At Eardiston, Rob Humphreys had three Lesser Redpoll in the garden today. A good record as there have not been too many reported this year in the Teme Valley.

7 March A common species of moth, this Twin Spot Quaker is one of a few Orthosia moths flying at this time of year. Trapped by Ken Willetts on the Highwood

Twin Spot Quaker Photo : Ken Willetts

6 March A Red Kite was seen at Hilltop by Ian & Diana Parkin this lunch time. Also over at Stoke Bliss, two Red Kite were seen being mobbed by a Buzzard.

5 March Possibly a very early Cuckoo back...Tim Studer saw a bird fly past him whilst out on his bike at Peghouse Wood Martley. Anybody else seen or heard one yet?

2 March Spring really has 'sprung'. Brian Marsh reports a Small Tortoishell butterfly in the garden and about 30 Frogs in his garden pond. The Red Kite was spotted at Boraston by Geoff Wookey this afternoon.

1 March John Abbiss from up at Oldwood Common sent in a couple of photos to show that spring is certainly with us. Catkins are out and butterflies like this Peacock have started to appear. There have also been some verbal reports of Small Tortoishell butterflies being seen.

Catkins Photo : John Abbiss

Peacock Butterfly Photo : John Abbiss

Geoff Wookey had a trail camera out to get this photo of a Kestrel washing in his garden pond.

Kestrel having a morning wash Photo : Geoff Wookey

Francis Peplow reports seeing a Red Kite in the Eastham area and also a Goosander flying down stream on the Teme.

29 February Highwood saw Ken Willetts capture this photograph of a Brambling. Not too many about this year, so a nice garden record.

Brambling Photo : Ken Willetts

Meantime, Stuart Smith at Wolferlow saw some moss sticking out of an old Owl box. The camera trap caught the inhabitants, a Tawny Owl nest building.

Tawny Owl Photo : Stuart Smith

This small Micro moth came into the light traps at Upper Rochford over night. 695 Agonopterix alstromeriana comes fairly readily to light, although it was only recorded twice in the Teme Valley last year...and there are only three records from the Teme Valley ever. The larvae feed on the flowers and leaves of Hemlock.

695 Agonopterix alstromeriana Photo : Danny Arnold

28 February At Boraston, Geoff Wookey reports having ten Frogs croaking away in his pond, and also spotted two Smooth Newts.

27 February New Common Bird Survey recorder Stuart Smith from Wolferlow reports 55 species of bird on his patch in February so far. Highlights include Peregrine, 2 Little owls, 2 Redpoll and a Goldcrest. Great Records Stuart.

26 February Chris Mussell from Broadheath brought some logs in for burning from outside. A few days later, out emerged this beetle. Chris believes it to be a Long Horned Beetle - Pyrrhidium Sanguineum from the family : Cerambycidae class : Hexapoda

Long Horned Beetle Photo : Chris Mussell

At Mamble this evening, a Barn Owl was seen by Chris Peacock's wife and earlier in the day, they saw Kingfisher, Dipper and Great Spotted Woodpecker along side the River Teme at Little Hereford.

25 February Caroline Roseman reports a sighting by her post lady, of the Red Kite seen at Lower Rochford today.

Up at Highwood, Ken Willetts shows a Parsnip Moth trapped over night.

Parsnip Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

24 February Rachel Arnold had a sighting of the Red Kite over her farm at Eastham this morning...then later on in the day, she had two flying over!.....

At Boraston, Geoff Wookey had two Ravens bathing in his new garden pool. And just to top it all off, he also had a Yellowhammer in the Garden!

One of the more distinctive micro moths to identify fairly easily is this small tortrix moth, 1061 Acleris literana. An inhabitant typically of Oak Woodland, this moth will have over wintered as an adult, re-emerging now owing to the couple of warm days we have had. Ken Willetts light trapped it last night at Highwood.

1061 Acleris literana Photo : Ken Willetts

23 February Sallyann Williams has had this visitor regularly over the past few days. We don't get that many reported from local gardens, so this is a good record of a Reed Bunting. Nice one Sallyann!

Reed Bunting Photo : Sallyann Williams

Over at Clifton, spring has sprung. These two Common Frogs snapped by Simone Arnold are a good indication that it wont be long before our pools and ponds start filling up with frog spawn.

Frogs Mating Photo : Simone Arnold

21 February Ken Willetts shows yet another variation of the 1053 Acleris hastiana or 1054 Acleris cristana species

Another variation of either 1053 Acleris hastiana or 1054 Acleris cristana Photos : Ken Willetts

21 February Janice Lucas saw the Red Kite over Lower Rochford this morning and also reports that as well as having all the usual garden birds on her feeders in the Garden at Eastham, she also has a regular visit from a female Blackcap.

Meanwhile, up at Highwood, Ken Willetts shows more of the Spring Moths trapped in this, his first year of Moth Trapping.

The Shoulder Stripe larvae feed on Rose type plants, whilst the Small Brindled Beauty larvae are found typically on Oak or Hazel.

Shoulder Stripe Photos : Ken Willetts

Small Brindled Beauty Photos : Ken Willetts

21 February Geoff Wookey who lives just up the road from Rachel at Boraston also has his first Siskin of the year today. So it looks like there are some of these birds on the North side of the Valley at the moment.

20 February Rachel Packard has sent in this photo of Siskin on her feeder. Just because nobody else is getting them Rachel, there is no need to rub it in!. Great to see though!

Siskin Photo : Rachel Packard

Pete Stevens had a Red Kite spotted at Lindridge church this afternoon.

16 February Ken Willetts had this 'walk' to his light trap last night. We believe this is a flightless female of the Pale Brindled Beauty Moth.......unless you know differently!

The Wingless and flightless female of the Pale Brindled Beauty Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

16 February Another stunning micro moth photograph from Ken Willetts This photograph shows either 1053 Acleris hastiana or 1054 Acleris cristana. Both measuring circa 10 mm head to tail, it is not possible to tell these two species apart visually, so they are usually recorded as 1054x

Either 1053 Acleris hastiana or 1054 Acleris cristana Photos : Ken Willetts

15 February At Boraston, Rachel Packard is one of the few people to be reporting good numbers of Siskin. She had eight of them on her feeders today.

At Highwood, Ken Willetts had this micro moth turn up to a light trap. Tortricodes alternella (measuring circa 12mm long) is another early in the year to fly moth and can be seen in good numbers especially where there is a mature woodland, when literally hundreds will come to light on a good night.

1025 Tortricodes alternella Photos : Ken Willetts

14 February A timely reminder from Andrew Mawby over at Abberley that we need to keep the bird feeding stations and water supplies clean for our garden birds. The Avian Pox affecting this poor Great Tit will eventually kill the bird and is spread, it is thought, via saliva, from one bird to the next, at feeding stations where many birds congregate. There is plenty more info available on the internet if you want to find out more, but best advice is to regularly clean out feeding and water stations to prevent the virus from spreading.

Great Tit with an Avian Pox Photo : Andrew Mawby

Meantime, at the Bird Seed field at Eastham, Geoff Wookey had a small group of Linnet, Greenfinch and Chaffinch. He also commented on seeing the Blackbird with the White tail plumage reported here on 29th November (see photo from that date).

13 February At Wolferlow, Stuart Smith had 34 Lapwing in the field adjacent to him today. There certainly seem to be more Lapwing about this year, than seen in previous years. Must be good news!

At Rochford, David Sothers has been experimenting with Macro lenses and using a reversing ring on his camera, took this great shot of a piece of Moss. The main stem going diagonally across the screen is actually about 5/16th of an inch in life size......and if you look carefully top right hand side...that black blotch is the head of a tiny beetle. Now that is small !!

Macro photograph of Moss Photo : David Sothers

12 February In Caynham, David Faulker has had his first Siskin of the year on his garden feeders along with a Male & Female Blackcap.

Down at the Bird Seed Field at Eastham, Nick & Sheila Benbow saw a large flock of Greenfinch, some Chaffinch and very encouragingly, a flock of around one hundred Linnet.

On the Highwood, Ken Willetts has been braving the cold and running a moth trap. He was rewarded last night with this Micro Moth, Agonopterix arenella, one of the first moths to fly in the year.

697 Agonopterix arenella Photos : Ken Willetts

11 February Felicity Beaumont sent in this report from her garden.... "This week in my garden I've seen a Siskin, a lone Fieldfare, 2 Goldfinches,3 Blackcaps, the usual House Sparrow and Starling gangs, and 10 Blackbirds!"

This week in my garden I've seen a siskin, a lone fieldfare, 2 goldfinches,3 blackcaps, the usual sparrow and starling gangs, and 10 blackbirds!:

Meanwhile, Up at Broadheath, Chris Mussell sent in these photos of birds from his garden. Some of our "common" birds are just stunning close up.

Robin Photos : Chris Mussell

Marsh Tit Photos : Chris Mussell

Nuthatch Photos : Chris Mussell

Great Tit Photos : Chris Mussell

Blue Tit Photos : Chris Mussell

9 February Ken Willetts sent in these three photos of birds from his garden yesterday. According to our Local Common Bird survey, run over the past three years, the Marsh Tit is rapidly becoming one of our most commonly seen garden birds, whilst Coal Tits and Chaffinch have seen little change in numbers.

Marsh Tit Photos : Ken Willetts

Coal Tit Photos : Ken Willetts

Chaffinch Photos : Ken Willetts

And Simone & Roger Arnold sent in this snippet of info. "Today in Clifton we had a male and female Bullfinch drinking from the bird bath, five House Sparrows, one female Greenfinch, and about seven Chaffinches , Song Thrush, three Wood Pigeons, Blue Tits and Great Tits, a Wren, Blackbird M&F, two Doves and of course the resident Robin trying to chase them all away".

It seems this cold snap is bringing a lot of birds back into our gardens.

In Ian & Diana Parkin's patch over at Abberley, they have been seeing flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing. Also Golden Plover and various Finches have been seen locally in the fields too. Diana also had a Linnet in the Garden today too!.

More Garden Bird news also comes from Chris Kemble at Knighton on Teme. Chris says they have never seen Jays in their Garden before, but today, there were four!..the photo below shows three of them. Chris also gets a Heron on the garden pool occasionally, but the frost and ice stopped him finding his dinner today.

Three of the four Jays that came down. Photos : Chris Kemble

Heron finding it hard going today Photos : Chris Kemble

8 February David Faulkner reports having a large flock of 100+ Fieldfare in the garden yesterday over at Caynham, and seeing twelve Lapwing flying over the adjacent field. He is also pleased that the Dipper has reappeared in the local brook too.

Meantime, John Abbiss at Oldwood Common has two interesting birds for his garden bird list. This Rook apparently keeps coming down now it knows where to find food....and John knew that something was amiss when all the small birds suddenly dissappeared....this female Sparrowhawk was looking for lunch too !

Rook Photo : John Abbiss

Female Sparrowhawk Photo : John Abbiss

7 February The first Brambling reported this year has been seen by Jenny & Chris Rodgers at Stoke Bliss. Chris & Jenny always seem to do well with this bird, seeing a few each winter. Is anybody else seeing them about? Let us know.

Brambling Photo : Jenny Rodgers

4 February Over at Wolferlow, more photos from Stuart Smith's trail camera trap. During the day, flocks of Fieldfare taking the fallen apples, whilst at night, the local Fox comes by to fill up.

Fox under the cover of darkness Photo : Stuart Smith

Fieldfare Photo : Stuart Smith

1 February At Hillwood, Sharly & Jeremy Hughes report a Muntjac Deer feeding openly on Apples in the Orchard.

31 January On John Abbiss's patch at Oldwood Common, the Snow Drops have started to show through, and John also took this photo of a close up shot of some moss.

Snow Drops amongst the bracken Photo : John Abbiss

'Close up' of tiny mosses Photo : John Abbiss

A little out of our Area...but it may be of interest, Tim Studer reports that there is a Pied Wagtail Roost on the High Street in Worcester...next to the Orange Shop. Tim estimates possibly 500 birds...an impressive sight if you have not seen one before. Tim also reports a flock of circa 50 lapwing at a field this side if Ledbury.

30 January Over at Wolferlow Stuart Smith sent in this photo from a camera trap. It shows one of the shy-est of birds found in the Teme Valley, the Woodcock. We look forward to seeing what else turns up on Stuart's home patch.

Woodcock Photo : Stuart Smith

29 January Down on the River Teme in Tenbury and also along the Kyre Brook on Palmers Meadow, there has been a Heron feeding. Faye Prichard alerted us to this if you want to go and have a look. Apparently its been around for some time.

Meantime over at Boraston, Geoff Wookey had two Cormorants flying over the house. An interesting 'tick' for his garden bird list.

28 January Up at Highwood, Ken Willetts took these two photos. The Blue Tit looks in a sorry state. It maybe suffering a viral infection.

Scruffy Blue Tit Photos : Ken Willetts

Long Tailed Tit Photos : Ken Willetts

26 January Another moth trapped by Ken Willetts. Agonopterix heracliana, a tiny moth of about 12mm in length.

Agonopterix heracliana Photos : Ken Willetts

22 January There are around 2600 moth species in the UK and Ken Willetts shows here that identification of any one species, can itself be difficult. Some species show considerable variation, as is shown below with four moths trapped by Ken over the last few nights., They are in fact all examples of a moth called Spring Usher. The bottom example is the 'common' variant, at least here in the Teme Valley.

Four Variations of Spring Usher Photos : Ken Willetts

20 January Out on his travels , Jeremy Hughes saw the Red Kite at Eastham bridge today, as well as two Foxes mating in broad day light. This is a very unusual sighting as they usually mate under the cover of darkness or in deep cover.

18 January Out gardening , Geoff Wookey found a Buff Tailed Bumble Bee Queen today. Has Spring Sprung?

17 January David Sothers sent in these three wonderful photos from his garden at Rochford, of what are for most of us, relatively common birds in the Teme Valley. It is easy to over look just how colourful these birds are when we see them most days, so these photos are a great reminder that our own native birds don't have to be rare to be stunning!

Blue Tit Photo : David Sothers

Robin Photo : David Sothers

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Male Photo : David Sothers

16 January Geoff Wookey at Boraston reports on seeing circa 100+ Fieldfare taking off from a field at Knighton on Teme on a walk earlier in the week. He also has a pair of Bullfinch in the garden and several Blackcap, as well as this tail less bird which he has called Stumpy. At least it easy to recognise Geoff !

'Stumpy' - The tail -less Male Blackcap Photo : Geoff Wookey

13 January Ken Willetts on the HighWood has been moth trapping over a few of these warmer nights. It has paid off with two very early species. Both are common moths, but unusually early for this time of year. The Hebrew Character is not usually around until March, yet this is the second one seen this year. An even earlier one was taken by Danny Arnold at Upper Rochford on the 2nd January.

Hebrew Character Photo : Ken Willetts

Grey Shoulder Knot Photo : Ken Willetts

10 January Rachel Packard is one of the few people to report Siskin in the garden this year. She has also had both Male & Female Blackcap in the garden. Out on her travels, she also saw a Hobby in the lanes at Boraston yesterday...proving this bird which is seen occasionally, is still about and surviving the winter.

Caroline Roseman has had this juvenile Mute Swan on her pool for the past week or so. Clearly a bird in its first year as it is just losing its cygnet molt.

Juvenile Mute Swan Photo : Caroline Roseman

9 January Two Barn Owl sightings today. One in Ryse Lane by Caroline Roseman and one by Dave Baynton, visiting family at Upper Rochford. Daves sighting was in the fields below the Tally Ho pub.

8 January Another couple of bird photos from Ken Willets. Greenfinch numbers have definitely come back this year with good numbers being seen locally. Goldfinch numbers seem to remaining fairly constant, but always nice to see on the niger feeders.

Greenfinch Photo : Ken Willetts

Goldfinch Photo : Ken Willetts

7 January Ken Willets at Highwood has started the year off well with two new species for him in his OPAL Sponsored moth trap. Both of these species are common enough in the Teme Valley, but new records for Ken's site.

Early Moth Photo : Ken Willetts

Pale Brindled Beauty Photo : Ken Willetts

4 January Tony Thompson over at Hope Bagot continues to find huge fungal growths in the area. Once again, Tony uses his boot to demonstrate just how large this latest fungal growth is.

Fungi emerging Photo : Tony Thompson

2 January Three photos from Ken Willets who used today's sunshine to take a few shots of Birds in his garden on the Highwood.....just proving what a stunning bird our House Sparrows are close up!

House Sparrow - Male Photo : Ken Willetts

House Sparrow - Female Photo : Ken Willetts

Great Spotted Woodpecker Photo : Ken Willetts

1 January Happy New Year!! Chris Peacock's garden at Brimfield is still turning up interesting birds. This time six Long Tailed Tits were on the feeders today.

For Older Posts ....please follow this link...