Reserves and species

Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:02

Smooth Newt

Scientific Name: 
Triturus Lissotriton vulgaris

Newts are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending most of the rest of the year feeding on invertebrates in woodland, hedgerows and tussocky grassland. They hibernate underground, amongst tree roots and in old walls. The Smooth Newt is also known as the 'Common Newt', and is the species you are most likely to find in your garden pond.

How to identify: 
Grey-brown-grey with an orange belly and neat black spots all over. In the breeding season males have a smooth crest running the full length of their body and tail.
Where to find it: 
A common species found throughout the country, except for parts of western Scotland, west Wales, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and the Isles of Scilly.
How people can help: 

Human activity, including the drainage of land for agriculture and the loss of ponds through development, has resulted in the disappearance of many wetlands. This has taken its toll on wetland wildlife like newts. The Wildlife Trusts are working closely with planners, developers and farmers to ensure our wetlands are protected. You can help: encourage newts and other amphibians into your garden by having a wildlife-friendly pond and leaving piles of logs for hibernating beneath. In partnership with the RHS, The Wildlife Trusts' Wild About Gardens initiative can help you plan your wildlife garden.

Statistics: 
Length: 7-11cm Average Lifespan: 6 years
Conservation status: 
Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.
Did you know?: 
Smooth Newts eat insects, caterpillars, worms and slugs while on land and crustaceans, molluscs and tadpoles when in the water. They are most active during the night.
Seasons: 
Spring
Summer
When to see
Start date: 
March
End date: 
October
Image: 
Smooth newt - Philip Precey
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:02

Great Crested Newt

Scientific Name: 
Triturus cristatus

Newts are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending most of the rest of the year feeding on invertebrates in woodland, hedgerows and tussocky grassland. They hibernate underground, amongst tree roots and in old walls. The British populations of this rare amphibian are internationally important.

How to identify: 
Our biggest newt, the Great Crested Newt is almost black in colour, with spotted flanks and a striking, orange belly. The skin is warty. The males have a long, wavy crest along the body and on the tail during the breeding season, giving them the appearance of mini dinosaurs.
Where to find it: 
Widespread across lowland England and Wales.
How people can help: 

In past times, the Great Crested Newt would have lived in natural wetlands across Britain. But human activity, including the drainage of land for agriculture and the loss of ponds through development, has resulted in the disappearance of many wetlands. This has taken its toll on wetland wildlife like newts. Being particularly partial to lowland farmland and old quarries, The Wildlife Trusts are working closely with planners, developers and farmers to ensure this 'Warty Newt' is looked after. If you know of a pond that might have Great Crested Newts in it, contact your local Trust to ensure it's recorded and protected.

Statistics: 
Length: up to 16cm Average Lifespan: up to 15 years
Conservation status: 
Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981,and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and classified as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Did you know?: 
Individual Great Crested Newts can be identified by looking at their bellies: the pattern of black spots is as unique as a fingerprint. As well as their distinctive crests, males have an extravagant courtship display to woo females: they stand on their front legs, arch their back and wave their tail around as if they are dancing.
Seasons: 
Spring
Summer
When to see
Start date: 
March
End date: 
October
Image: 
Male great crested newt - Philip Precey
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:02

Angle Shades

Scientific Name: 
Phlogophora meticulosa

The Angle Shades is a medium-sized moth, generally seen on the wing from May to October as the result of two broods. The caterpillars are stout and green or brownish, with faint stripes on every segment. Larvae that hatch in autumn overwinter as caterpillars and pupate in the soil the following spring to produce the first generation of adults that year. The caterpillars feed on a wide range of plants including Dock and Stinging Nettles. This moth is quite common in parks and gardens, as well as woodland edges, scrub and hedgerows.

How to identify: 
The Angle Shades is pinky-brown with distinctive, dark, v-shaped patterns on the forewings.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Moths such as the Angle Shades are common in gardens - why not set up a moth trap at night and see who comes to visit? To attract moths and butterflies into your garden, plant nectar-rich borders and shrubs for them to feed on, and leave patches of nettles and docks for the caterpillars. To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Wingspan: 4.8cm
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
With its intricate patterning of pinky-brown, cream and greyish-green, the Angle Shades moth is perfectly camouflaged as a curled-up, dead leaf. Often found amongst dead leaves, it folds its wings back to emphasise its camouflage.
Seasons: 
Spring
Summer
Autumn
When to see
Start date: 
May
End date: 
October
Image: 
Angle shades moth - Rachel Scopes
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:02

Silver Y

Scientific Name: 
Autographa gamma

The Silver Y is a medium-sized moth that can be seen on warm days throughout the year, although it is most common during the late summer. The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants, including Stinging Nettles, clover and cabbages.

How to identify: 
When at rest, the Silver Y holds its wings back along its body in a tent-like shape. The wings are patterned with dark grey, silver and brown, with the characteristic silver y-shaped mark on the forewings.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Moths such as the Silver Y are common visitors to gardens and can be a joy to watch. To attract moths and butterflies into your garden, plant nectar-rich borders and shrubs for them to feed on, and leave patches of nettles and docks for the caterpillars.

To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Wingspan: 3.5-4.2cm
Conservation status: 
Migrant.
Did you know?: 
The Silver Y is a common migrant from the continent, sometimes arriving in vast numbers and often at the same time as massive immigrations of Marmalade Flies and 7-spot Ladybirds, and smaller numbers of Clouded Yellow Butterflies and Hummingbird Hawk-moths.
Seasons: 
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
When to see
Start date: 
January
End date: 
December
Image: 
Silver Y moth - Philip Precey
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:02

Large Yellow Underwing

Scientific Name: 
Noctua pronuba

The Large Yellow Underwing is a very common, large, brown moth, with orangey-yellow hindwings bordered with black. It holds its wings folded back, flat along the body, and scuttles about on the floor like a mouse. Adults fly from June right through to November, and often come to lights at night. They rest during the day, but will flash their bright hindwings if disturbed, designed to surprise and scare-off predators. The caterpillars feed on a wide range of plants, including grasses and Dock leaves, and hibernate over winter. It is found almost everywhere.

How to identify: 
There are six similar species of yellow underwing moth in the UK which can be very difficult to tell apart. Most are smaller than the Large Yellow Underwing; the similar-sized Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing has a thick black border to its yellowy-orange hindwings and a higher contrast brown and grey pattern on the forewings.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Moths such as the Large Yellow Underwing are common in gardens - why not set up a moth trap at night and see who comes to visit? To attract moths and butterflies into your garden, plant nectar-rich borders and shrubs for them to feed on. To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Wingspan: 5-6cm
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
The Large Yellow Underwing is a member of the Noctuidae family of moths; there are more than 400 Noctuids in the UK, making it our largest family of moths.
Seasons: 
Summer
Autumn
When to see
Start date: 
June
End date: 
November
Image: 
Large yellow underwing moth - northeastwildlife.co.uk
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:02

Cinnabar

Scientific Name: 
Tyria jacobaeae
How to identify: 
The Cinnabar is slate-black with two red spots and two pinky-red stripes on the rounded forewings. Its hindwings are pinky-red and bordered with black. It can be distinguished from the similar burnet moths by the broader wings and bars of red instead of spots.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Numbers of Cinnabar Moths are reported to have fallen by 83% in the last 35 years, possibly due to the eradication of poisonous ragwort in livestock fields. The Wildlife Trusts are working closely with farmers and landowners to promote wildlife-friendly practices. You can help too: plant nectar-rich borders and shrubs to attract moths and butterflies into your garden, and leave that patch of ragwort alone! To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Wingspan: 3-4.5cm
Conservation status: 
Classified as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Did you know?: 
The Cinnabar Moth is named after the red mineral, Cinnabar, an ore of the metal Mercury.
Seasons: 
Spring
Summer
When to see
Start date: 
May
End date: 
July
Image: 
Cinnabar moth - Richard Burkmar
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:02

Garden Tiger

Scientific Name: 
Arctia caja

A large, brightly coloured moth, the Garden Tiger Moth is on the wing towards the end of the summer, during July and August. It is a night-flying moth of scrub-covered sand dunes, woodland edge, wet meadows, parks and gardens. The striking caterpillars are large, black and covered in long, dense, black and ginger hairs: they are commonly called 'Woolly Bears'. They feed on Stinging Nettles, Dock leaves and many garden plants.

How to identify: 
The Garden Tiger Moth has a chocolate-brown, furry body, brown- and white-patterned forewings, and bright red hindwings with four or five large black spots. There are five similar tiger moths in Britain, all of which are smaller. The Wood Tiger and Cream-spot Tiger have yellowy-orange hindwings instead of red; the former has black and yellow forewings and the latter has black and white forewings. The Jersey Tiger has white stripes on the black forewings, while the Scarlet Tiger has white spots on the black forewings.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Once a very common moth, the Garden Tiger has suffered serious declines in recent years, possibly as a result of changes in the climate, and is now only really common around the coast. The Wildlife Trusts manage many nature reserves for the benefit of all kinds of moths and butterflies, including the Garden Tiger. You can help too: plant nectar-rich borders and shrubs and leave patches of nettles to attract moths and butterflies into your garden. To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Wingspan: 6.5cm
Conservation status: 
Classified as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Did you know?: 
The Garden Tiger Moth is well-protected against predators: the hairs on the caterpillar are irritating; the bright colours on the adult warn that it is unpalatable; and adults can rub their wings together to create a rasping noise.
Seasons: 
Summer
When to see
Start date: 
July
End date: 
August
Image: 
Garden tiger moth on buddleia - Denis Jackson
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:02

Buff-tip

Scientific Name: 
Phalera bucephala

The Buff-tip is a medium-sized moth that is on the wing at night from June to July. It is quite a common moth in parks and gardens, as well as woodland edges, scrub and hedgerows. The caterpillars are striking: large, hairy and yellow, with a black head and a ring of short black stripes on every segment. They often gather together in large numbers, eating the leaves of lime, birch, Hazel and willow trees, sometimes defoliating whole branches, but rarely causing serious damage. This moth pupates on the ground and overwinters as a chrysalis.

How to identify: 
Adult Buff-tips hold their wings against the body and look remarkably similar to twigs. They are mainly silvery-grey in colour, with a square-cut, buffy head, and a buff patch at the end of the wings which gives them their name.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Moths such as the Buff-tip are common in gardens - why not set up a moth trap at night and see who comes to visit? To attract moths and butterflies into your garden, plant nectar-rich borders and shrubs for them to feed on. To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Wingspan: up to 6.5cm
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
When it sits motionless, the colouring, shape and buff-coloured wingtips of the Buff-tip moth make it perfectly camouflaged: looking just like a broken birch twig.
Seasons: 
Summer
When to see
Start date: 
June
End date: 
July
Image: 
Buff-tip moth - northeastwildlife.co.uk
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:02

Elephant Hawk-moth

Scientific Name: 
Deilephila elpenor
How to identify: 
The striking Elephant Hawk-moth is mainly golden-olive with bright pink bars on the wings and body. The similar Small Elephant Hawk-moth is smaller, more yellow, and less common; it is found in short grassland.
Where to find it: 
Widespread.
How people can help: 

Moths such as the Elephant Hawk-moth are common in gardens - why not set up a moth trap at night and see who comes to visit? To attract moths and butterflies into your garden, plant nectar-rich borders and shrubs for them to feed on. To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Wingspan: 6-7cm
Conservation status: 
Common.
Did you know?: 
The Elephant Hawk-moth is so-named because the caterpillar has a long 'snout' which looks a little like an elephant's trunk. As protection from predators, it can draw this trunk back into its head to make it seem larger and emphasise its eyespots.
Seasons: 
Spring
Summer
When to see
Start date: 
May
End date: 
July
Image: 
Elephant hawkmoth - Richard Burkmar
Posted by admin
2011-05-05 13:02

Hummingbird Hawk-moth

Scientific Name: 
Macroglossum stellatarum

The hummingbird hawk-moth is a small, day-flying hawk-moth. Hummingbird hawk-moths are summer visitors, migrating here from Southern Europe in variable numbers each year. In some years, they can be common and may frequently be seen in gardens hovering like hummingbirds to feed on the nectar of honeysuckle, red valerian and many other flowers. They can also be found in woodland edge, heath and shrubby habitats. The caterpillar feeds on various species of bedstraw, so the female adult moth lays her eggs on the buds or flowers of these plants.

How to identify: 
The hummingbird hawk-moth has greyish-brown forewings, bright orange hindwings and a greyish body with a broad, black and white 'tail'. Its flight is a distinguishing feature: it can be seen hovering over flowers, feeding with its long proboscis. It flutters its wings so quickly that it can appear orange as it flashes its hindwings and makes an audible hum.
Where to find it: 
A widespread migrant, most frequent in the south and near the coast.
How people can help: 

Moths such as the Hummingbird Hawk-moth are common visitors to gardens and can be a joy to watch. To attract moths and butterflies into your garden, plant nectar-rich borders and shrubs for them to feed on. To find out more about encouraging wildlife into your garden, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.

Statistics: 
Wingspan: 4-5cm
Conservation status: 
Migrant.
Did you know?: 
The Hummingbird Hawk-moth is the only 'hummingbird' in Europe: real hummingbirds are only found in the Americas.
Seasons: 
Summer
Autumn
When to see
Start date: 
May
End date: 
September
Image: