Return to Whixall Moss

Today I made a return trip to Whixall Moss to try and catch up with the two species I missed on my last visit, at the start of the month: Large Heath and Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus). This time, I joined a guided walk, with a couple of experts - good move!!!

Within a few minutes of being back on the moss we had spotted a Raft Spider on the water. This first sider was a male, and just 10ft away was a female carrying an egg sac. Fantastic!!

Raft Spider

Raft Spider (female with egg sac)

The second species, Large Heath, was spotted about 15 minutes later. In total, we saw about 5, most of which didn't hang around to be photographed. Thankfully, a couple did, and I managed to get a few decent shots.

Large Heath (lifer!!)

Other sightings included: Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden Warbler (all singing), Large Skipper, Ringlet, Brimstone, Meadow Brown, Common Heath, Azure Damselfly, Emerald Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Common Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser and, of course, White-faced Darter.

White-faced Darter (mating pair)

Our guide also pointed out some of the special plants that can be seen on site, including Bog Asphodel, Lesser Bladderwort, Cranberry, Sundew and Royal Fen.

Whixall Moss - 1st June 2023

 Today Jayne and I visited the Fenn's, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses in Shropshire. We  went in search of two insects, the Large Heath butterfly and the White-faced Darter dragonfly.

Unfortunately, we didn't see the former species (perhaps a little early in the season??), but we did have fantastic views of the darter, including a pair "in tandem".

White-faced Darter (male)

Other wildlife spotted included: Four-spotted Chaser, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue Butterfly, Orange Tip, Green Tiger Beetle, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Stonechat and Sundew.

Four-spotted Chaser

Sundew