Wildlife News from the Haslemere Natural History Society.

Observations in the Haslemere area - week ending 15/9/24.

A reasonable selection of early autumn butterflies enjoyed the welcome sunny weather, with Peacocks and Red Admirals seen in gardens, Small Coppers in grassland and Speckled Woods in woodland, all looking fresh. This set of species is just as likely to have been found in April, but now there is a new generation. These four each have different strategies for the winter: Peacocks will hibernate, most Red Admirals will migrate southwards, the Small Coppers will lay eggs that will hatch into overwintering caterpillars, and next spring’s Speckled Woods will have mostly over-wintered as chrysalises.

There are currently many caterpillars around, making the most of the end-of-season vegetation, but they are surprisingly difficult to find. Many feed at night to avoid the attentions of birds, and become most conspicuous when looking for a place to pupate. A colourful caterpillar of the Knot Grass moth was found this week, which will over-winter as a chrysalis. The cold nights were very unfavourable for adult nocturnal moths, but a Frosted Orange was a good find.

Sawfly larvae create an intriguing spectacle when feeding: it is curious how they make room for their siblings! A group of Craesus septentrionalis (“Hazel Sawfly”) was observed this week; other species can be very destructive of garden plants. Autumn is the best time to look for galls induced by insects on plants. The various galls on oak leaves are familiar, but there are also other types of gall on a wide range of plants: the bulging stems that can sometimes be found on thistles are galls induced by larvae of the attractive picture-winged fly Urophora cardui.

There were more reports of birds passing through on migration, aided by northerly winds. A flock of at least 30 Chiffchaffs were evidently taking a rest at Woolmer Pond, probably noticed by the Hobby and Peregrine that have also been reported there at times this week. There were reports of Whinchats, Redstarts, Spotted Flycatchers, Yellow Wagtails and Yellowhammers near Brook and a Wheatear was seen at Frensham ponds. A Goshawk – always an impressive sight – was reported flying over at Eashing.

There was enough rain to stimulate some fungal activity, with early autumn species such as Tawny Grisette appearing in numbers and a few huge Parasol Mushrooms on roadsides and rough grassland, but it remains a subdued season.

(These observations and photos have been compiled principally from postings by Haslemere Natural History Society members to the Members’ Facebook group).