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.

Derbyshire Damselflies and Moths

After the ringing session on Saturday I spent a short time at Cupola Pond and Wragg's Quarry on Beeley Moor with Jayne, looking for some dragonflies and damselflies.

The first species we saw when we arrived at Cupola Pond was Large Red Damselfly. There were at least a dozen individuals flying around the site, including 3 pairs ovipositing (egg laying).

Large Red Damselfly

We also saw 1 male Blue-tailed Damselfly and several Azure Damselflies, both male and female.

Azure Damselfly (female)

Azure Damselfly (male)

Whilst watching the damselflies, Jayne spotted a dragonfly exuvia on grass approximately 2m from the pond. This is the skin that a dragonfly nymph  sheds when it leaves the water to become an adult. I think it's a Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly. 

Four-spotted Chaser?

After visiting Cupola Pond, we drove about 2 miles to Wragg's Quarry, were we saw another 4 Large Red Damselflies along with single Common Heath  and Latticed Heath moths.

Common Heath

Latticed Heath