SWSEIC Recording Group at Williamwood Farm, 25 June 2024

Our latest SWSEIC Recording Group visit was to Williamwood Farm near Brydekirk. This was one of our best attended days yet with 12 local recorders coming to support us on the day. We are still awaiting some results but so far all together we have recorded 340 species.

Lorraine Hall and Malcolm Haddow found Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus at the site. A significant find as there are only a small handful of known sites for this species in Dumfriesshire. The attendees were also blessed by viewing a Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata entering a suspected nest site whilst having lunch.

Zoe Gardener found Phacelia Phacelia tanacetifolia, a neophyte native to North American which is uncommon in our area but well worth recording as a non-native species. Jon Noad photographed a deceased Mole Talpa europaea outside of it burrow. Whilst common and widespread this species is hugely under recorded, and it is unusual to find the actual animal.

It was a good day for micro-moths with a number of locally rare species being recorded on the day thanks wholly to the mothing expertise there on the day. A special thanks is needed for Alison Robertson who was able to confirm the identification of many of these moths. Notable finds included Brown Rowan Argent Argyresthia semifusca, Marsh Grass-veneer Crambus uliginosellus, Meadow Neb Metzneria metzneriella and Grey Rush-Case-bearer Coleophora glaucicolella. All of which have less than 20 local records locally.

Bob Merritt recorded 10 Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea nymphs at one of the ponds; this is a relatively new colonist to our region which so far appears to be in the east of the region. Bob also recorded two designated Nationally Scarce beetles – Ilybius subaeneus and Rhantus frontalis.

If you are interested in joining our recording group you can do so here.