COUNTY RECORDERS REPORT 2020 - Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre - Edited by: Chrysoula Drakaki - Wiltshire & Swindon ...
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COUNTY RECORDERS REPORT 2020
Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre
Edited by: Chrysoula Drakaki March 2021
Table of Contents
Table of Contents....................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 3
WSBRC Update .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Records........................................................................................................................................... 4
Curlew Call Project: Jonny Cooper ................................................................................................. 6
County Recorders’ Annual Reports ........................................................................................................... 7
Amphibians and Reptiles: Gemma Harding ................................................................................... 7
Bats: Gareth Harris, Wiltshire Bat Group ....................................................................................... 8
Birds: Claire Jones ........................................................................................................................ 11
Butterflies: Mike Fuller ................................................................................................................. 12
Coleoptera: Marc Arbuckle .......................................................................................................... 17
Diptera: Anthony Bainbridge ....................................................................................................... 21
Geology: Isobel Geddes, Wiltshire Geology Group ...................................................................... 23
Hemiptera: Marc Arbuckle ........................................................................................................... 23
Mammals (excl. bats): Gareth Harris, Wiltshire Mammal Group ................................................ 24
Moths: Wayne Clinch ................................................................................................................... 28
2
Introduction
We are pleased to present the 2020 County Recorders Annual Report with contributions from the
County Recorders of Wiltshire and Swindon. This document offers an overview and some key examples
of the work that took place during this peculiar year, along with some noteworthy sightings.
We would like to take the opportunity once again to thank the County Recorders for their work and
support to WSBRC and the recording community of Wiltshire and Swindon. Their expert knowledge is
key in ensuring the quality of the data held by WSBRC, as well as assisting curious and enthusiastic
recorders.
We are pleased to welcome Rosie Ray, who is taking over the role of the Odonata County Recorder
from the late Steve Covey. Gemma Harding wrote a few words about Steve for last year’s annual
report. He is going to be greatly missed. Also, Wayne Clinch will be taking over the role of the Moth
County Recorder. Dave Brotheridge and Wayne jointly covered the role since 2013, however Dave has
been lately unable to continue. At the same time, Catherine Hosie will not continue with her role as
the Orthoptera County Recorder as she left the County. We would like to thank them both for their
long contribution.
Last but not least, we would like to thank all the recorders that submitted their sightings, in spite of all
the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are the cornerstone of biological recording, not just in
Wiltshire and Swindon but in the UK as a whole.
3
WSBRC Update
2020 was overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic that inevitably also affected the work of WSBRC.
The extensive fieldwork scheduled for the 2020 survey season as part of the Curlew Call project, had
to be postponed. The other operations of WSBRC continued as normal, while staff moved to home
working.
Another significant development was the change in the manager’s role. Simon Sanghera left WSBRC in
June 2020 and was replaced by Jo Wright as the WSBRC Biodiversity Information Manager in January
2021. We would like to thank Simon for his contribution and wish him all the best for the future. We
would also like to thank Sam Stork for her support and for covering the role in the interim period.
One major challenge in the coming year will be for Jo to lead on the Nature Recovery Network
mapping for Wiltshire, ensuring the approach WSBRC takes integrates with work being done by other
organisations within and bordering Wiltshire, and around the country. The NRN is an ambitious
scheme that will result in the production of a map displaying areas that may be targeted for better,
more joined-up habitat creation or enhancement and biodiversity net gain, enabling wildlife to thrive.
Jo will also be looking at developing new partnerships and projects, and investigating new funding
streams with the use of the WSBRC drone. She is very much looking forward to working with you all.
Records
The WSBRC database held 2,714,353 records at the end of January 2021. The majority of records are
largely comprised of three taxon groups: Vascular (flowering) plants 41%, Moths 19%, and Birds 19%
(Chart 1). This order has not changed since the last report.
% of Total Records
flowering plant
4%
4% moth
7%
41% bird
butterfly
19%
terrestrial mammal
19% fungus
Chart 1. Taxon group representation in the WSBRC database, 31 January 2021
Record input increased significantly in comparison to the previous year. 445,795 records were
imported during the 2020 calendar year. This number includes both new and older records that had to
be edited and re-imported. You can refer to Chart 2 for further details regarding total number of
4
records imported per calendar year for the last five years (Please note that total numbers refer to
records that are currently in our database).
Records Imported
500000
445795
450000
400000
350000
300000
250000
190717 200778
200000
150000
99851 103869
100000
50000
0
2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Chart 2. Number of records imported per calendar year
The majority of the records imported during 2020 were Vascular plants (55%) (Chart 3). This was the
result of working on and catching up with old and new datasets received by Sharon Pilkington
(Wiltshire Botanical Society). Also, in 2020 we started importing into our database verified records
downloaded from the iRecord website. This is a significant change as iRecord is a very popular
biological recording platform. We aim to continue the work that we started and gradually import all
records submitted and verified through iRecord.
% of 2020 Imports
flowering plant
6%
6% bird
8% insect - moth
10% insect - butterfly
55%
fungus
11%
terrestrial mammal
Chart 3. % of Imports per species group during 2020
5
Curlew Call Project: Jonny Cooper
2021 marks the third field season for the Curlew Call project. The two previous field seasons have
enabled the identification of the breeding locations of the remaining pairs and the development of a
network of volunteers to help us monitor these birds. There is also widespread support for this work
amongst the local landowners and communities across the Braydon Forest.
Despite the setbacks from Covid-19 in 2020 we were thrilled to be able to record a successful breeding
attempt by one of the pairs breeding at Blakehill Farm WWT Reserve. We also produced a StoryMap to
promote the project online, this will be regularly updated as the project progresses.
Figure 1. Curlew Call StoryMap
In 2021 we aim to catch up on fieldwork that was missed in 2020. The primary focus will be on locating
nests and implementing nest protection measures alongside the regular monitoring of the pairs. Some
limited tagging work will also be undertaken (provided the current plan for lockdown restrictions
easing is adhered to). The focus of this work will initially be at Blakehill WWT Reserve with attempts to
tag birds breeding at other sites if time allows. We also continue to work with landowners and are
putting fundraising plans in place.
6
County Recorders’ Annual Reports
In this section you can find the reports submitted by the Wiltshire and Swindon County Recorders and
their recording groups for the 2020 season. For any further information, please contact the relevant
recorder.
Amphibians and Reptiles: Gemma Harding
Records
There is no doubt 2020 was an unusual year. Fortunately, this did not stop records coming in and
actually may have increased them. A positive note for wildlife, amphibians in particular, is that there
seemed to be a lot of people, myself included, creating ponds in their gardens. Good numbers of
records were submitted via Living Record and verified by myself or members of Wiltshire Amphibian
and Reptile Group (WARG). No unusual or significant records were noted. Although a record of an
alpine newt in Swindon has been recently received.
Active Recording and Monitoring Projects/ Events
Toad patrols and monitoring:
We continue to have concerns relating to developments and toads. In particular, the site at
Wichelstowe is still having problems with toads trapped in gully pots which we continue to rescue and
raise the issue with the developers. Toads, despite being in decline and a priority species they are still
not receiving the consideration they need.
Being at home more during 2020 allowed me to monitor the excellent numbers of spawn, tadpoles
and toadlets at Lawn Woods lake close to my house – which was great to see!
Figure 2. A toadlet finding its way out of the lake at Lawn Woods, © G. Harding
7
Surveys and Projects
WARG were pleased to assist in a study by the University of Wolverhampton into common toad
decline by swabbing toads to provide DNA samples. We continue to regularly monitor amphibians and
reptiles at sites local to Swindon and Warminster. Sadly, the restoration projects we had hoped to
work on were not able to go forward in 2020.
Future Projects
WARG is hoping to work more closely with local wildlife groups across Wiltshire and gather more
support and recording of amphibians and reptiles. Great Crested Newt District licencing has now been
adopted for Wiltshire. It will be interesting to see how this works out but we are hoping to see more
habitat and site protection created as a result of this initiative.
Bats: Gareth Harris, Wiltshire Bat Group
The Covid-19 pandemic, and the resulting restrictions on human activities and movements,
undoubtedly impacted recording activities for a wide range of species groups in 2020. This was doubly
so for groups monitoring mammals (and even more so again for those studying bats) due to additional
restrictions upon mammal recorders (whether voluntary recorders or professional ecologists). These
additional restrictions were a result of confirmation of a theoretical risk of infection of mammal
populations with Covid-19, which was latterly confirmed by infection of mink in fur farms, ferrets,
domestic cats and dogs and zoo animals including lions and gorillas. The guidance disseminated by
organisations including Defra, PTES, Bat Conservation Trust and Mammal Society, basically asked for
non-essential monitoring to cease where it involved handling and working in close proximity to places
of rest/shelter (bat roosts, nests, holts, setts etc) where-ever possible, and where works were to
proceed that a detailed risk assessment be followed, and mitigation employed.
2020 therefore saw significant changes in bat group activities as we sought to prevent infection of wild
bat populations. This was especially pertinent in light of a surge in bat persecution incidents across the
globe, and an increase in contacts from concerned members of the public, following the news of a
potential link between SARS-Cov-19 and a similar virus found in bats in China. A campaign was
launched, Don’t Blame the Bats, to dispel myths and misinformation and to promote positive
messages of bats and bat conservation.
The restrictions were especially felt by bat workers. The bat group has bat box monitoring on at least
10 sites in the county and most of these were not able to proceed in 2020 since most are considered
to be “non-essential” under the guidance. These box schemes generate significant data upon a
number of rare species including Bechstein’s bat (2 maternity colonies) and Barbastelle bat (2
maternity colonies), as well as providing training opportunities for bat group members.
The bat group undertakes a number of trapping surveys of bats during the monitoring of breeding
sites and autumn swarming sites across the county, often contributing to radiotracking studies. Almost
none of these surveys were able to proceed, as again these surveys are considered non-essential
under the guidance, again resulting in significant gaps in datasets. Perhaps more significantly,
hibernation surveys of the various stone mines across the county, many of which are SSSIs, and part of
8
SACs (so therefore supporting nationally- and internationally-important populations) were also not
monitored during winter 2020-21; this likewise represents significant gaps in datasets.
There was, therefore, a significant downturn in recording activity relating to traditional projects run by
the bat group in 2020 and so our attention turned to promoting alternative methods of data
collection, partly to occupy volunteers who would otherwise be engaged in our projects, and partly to
promote recording in under-recorded parts of the county. Data are still being compiled but at this
stage it would appear that 2020 will be a bumper year for records submitted by the bat group.
Highlights 2020
“Tiger team surveys”
A second round of square-bashing surveys were initiated encouraging members to undertake detector
surveys close to home (thereby following government guidelines), and in some cases, in under-
recorded parts of the county. Data is still being compiled.
As part of this, widespread passive acoustic monitoring, i.e. with static detectors, was undertaken at
sites across the county.
Chalke Valley Farmer Group
At the end of 2019, Simon Smart and I successfully fundraised for bat survey equipment for the Chalke
Valley Farmer Group, thanks to some match funding from Wiltshire Bat Group. A generous grant from
the British Association of Shooting & Conservation enabled the purchase of a SongMeter MiniBat
static bat detector and two EchoMeter Touch II handheld detectors. These detectors have been
recording almost continuously across the Chalke Valley since the spring, and have generated
considerable data! This builds neatly upon the
monitoring undertaken there in 2019. This work has
generated in excess of 150,000 sound files in 2020 alone.
Nadder Valley Farmer Group
In late March 2020, as lockdown looked increasingly
likely, static bat detectors were deployed to the River
Nadder in Tisbury (another tributary of the Salisbury
Avon) and remained in situ, recording, until early June!
As may be expected for a river corridor, a high activity of
bats was recorded, of 11 or more species, including both
horseshoe bats. This is an under-recorded part of the
county, so such records are very useful.
We returned to Wallmead Farm, Tisbury, in the autumn,
to deliver a guided bat walk for the Farmer Group
members. Fully compliant with government guidance for
Figure 3. Sonogram of a greater horseshoe bat. A Covid-19, the group was split into three smaller groups
screenshot from an EchoMeter Touch, © Gareth
and WBG members lead each group. Highlights of this
Harris.
9
event were Serotine and a likely Leisler’s foraging over the meadows, with a fly-past of a Barbastelle
bat. And the usual array of noctule, pips and Myotis bats too. Thank you to Jenny Bennett and Mariko
Whyte for assisting!
Wiltshire Woodland Bat Project
A large volume of static monitoring and observational work was undertaken (avoiding the usual
trapping surveys in order to comply with Covid guidance), generating significant data for woodlands in
the south of Wiltshire previously not surveyed.
Some of these data contributed to some planning casework where there was some concern over
impacts to rare woodland bats and horseshoe bats.
South Wiltshire Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
South Wiltshire supports populations of greater horseshoe bat considered to be of international
importance centred upon the Special Area of Conservation at Chilmark Mines and Fonthill Grottoes
SSSIs. Despite this importance for hibernation, little is known of breeding sites for greater horseshoe
bat in South Wiltshire and little coordinated landscape-scale conservation has been undertaken.
In October 2020, Simon Smart and I launched the South Wiltshire Greater Horseshoe Bat Project, in
conjunction with Margaret Feneley (Natural England) and Professor Fiona Mathews (University of
Sussex, Brighton), in order to focus conservation action in this area. The aims of the project are simple;
to locate more roosting sites of greater horseshoe bat (summer and winter roosts), and to promote
improved land management in proximity to these roosting sites.
Greater horseshoe bats are known to be especially reliant upon pastures and the dung beetles
associated with them and so we are planning dung beetle surveys in the target areas too.
There are several strands to this project, including community engagement, land management advice,
dung beetle & bat survey. Fieldwork was undertaken in 2019 and 2020 contributing to, and
culminating in the launch of this project. This includes monitoring of 2 new hibernation sites and
reinstating monitoring at a site where monitoring had lapsed. Linked to the horseshoe project,
monitoring has commenced on two new maternity sites for lesser horseshoe bat too – one of these is
one of the larger maternity colonies in the county.
Wiltshire Bat Care Network
2020 saw the establishment of the first coordinated Wiltshire Bat Care Network, by Caitlin McCann
and in conjunction with the bat group. Bat care networks, often affiliated to the county bat groups,
may be found in most counties, set up to deliver care and rehabilitation of bats found grounded,
injured or generally in need of care. Bats often require more specialist treatment and so bat care
networks often work alongside veterinary practices and local wildlife hospitals.
In addition to the care and rehabilitation of bats, the bat care network is able to submit records of bats
rescued, and many roosts across the county, as well as promote positive conservation messages of bat
conservation.
10Online events
In partnership with Avon Bat Group, WBG is delivering a series of winter talks to provide engagement
and education opportunities for bat group members as well as the wider public, who are welcome to
attend.
All of those contributing to recording efforts in 2020, and who contributed to promoting positive
messages of bats and bat conservation, are warmly thanked.
Birds: Claire Jones
In 2020 we had a change of recorder as Nick Adams stepped down and I took over in March,
unfortunately right at the start of lockdown, so it has been a challenging handover! It has also been an
interesting year for bird recording, as many people were restricted to birding from their back gardens
and local parks (looking at the BTO’s BirdTrack data). That means that we will probably have many
more records of garden birds this year and fewer records of things like Stone-curlew or Turtle Dove
that people normally have to travel to find.
In 2019 we had nearly 100,000 records and I’m optimistically hoping we will exceed that number in
2020 despite the lockdown effect. Unfortunately I’ve not been able to analyse the data in time for this
report, but here are some highlights from the year.
• A white stork was seen regularly in Durrington between January and March. From the rings
on its legs we could tell that it was a bird that was released in Kent in 2018 as part of a
reintroduction programme.
• A common whitethroat stayed over winter in 2019/20 at Westbury STW and at the end of
the year a Lesser Whitethroat was seen regularly visiting a garden feeder in Marlborough.
This seems to be something that is becoming more common in recent years, possibly due
to milder winters.
• There were a few White-Tailed Eagle records sent in early in the year, some from the Isle of
Wight reintroduction scheme, but also some wild birds, one of which we know came from
Sweden.
• There were a number of Montagu’s Harrier sightings in the summer, but sadly no breeding
attempts were recorded.
• There was a national Honey Buzzard survey coordinated but the Rare Breeding Birds Panel
and as part of this, we recorded 1 confirmed breeding pair as well as 2 probable and 2
possible breeding pairs in the county.
• A Nightjar was heard churring regularly through the breeding season at Shear Water
• And finally, a few unusual migrants turned up this year including an adult Rose-coloured
Starling in a garden in Corsham as well and a juvenile at another site, a flurry of Wrynecks
in August, a couple of Red-backed Shrikes, a Hoopoe, an Icterine Warbler that was caught
and ringed, a Pallid Harrier over Chippenham, a Snow Bunting and up to 40 Russian White-
Fronted Geese at CWP.
11In 2021 I hope to encourage people to send in records of more common species via BirdTrack and
other apps to help streamline the process of collating and validating. I also want to encourage more
people to include breeding evidence with their records, as this makes them even more useful.
Butterflies: Mike Fuller
January - April
January was mainly mild and frequently wet with just a few frosty nights and no snow or ice. It was the
warmest since records began in 1910. However, there were only six days considered marginally
suitable for butterfly activity.
In Wiltshire the first butterflies of the year were two Small Tortoiseshells on the 8th January - one at
Burderop Park and one outside Swindon Crown Court. On the following day on the 9th, a Red Admiral
was seen at Salterton, south of Amesbury and the first Peacock in flight on the 10th on the edge of the
golf course at High Post near Great Durnford. A second Red Admiral was seen at Larkhill Garrison on
the 15th and on the 18th a second Peacock at Thickwood near Colerne. The first and only Brimstone
was reported from Tisbury on the 20th.
February - a Brimstone on the 1st at Ashton Keynes, a Peacock in Melksham on the 3rd and a single Red
Admirals in a Corsham garden on the 5th, Bentley Wood on the 6th and Stourhead on 8th. A Peacock at
Biddestone in the vegetable garden on 13th. Most surprising of all was a Painted Lady seen in Salisbury
on the 3rd, flying and basking in Winchester Street. With no reports of immigrants arriving, presumably
it survived through the mild winter. Although the weather remained unseasonably mild, there were
two very wet and windy periods with Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, causing serious damage and
flooding to many areas in northern England, Wales and in the Wye and Severn river valleys.
It was not until the 21st that further butterflies were seen with a Peacock at Charlton-All-Saints, a
Brimstone in Bentley Wood on the 22nd and another on the 23rd at Ashton Keynes. The month ended
with another storm, Storm Jorge on the 29th and February proved to be one of the mildest and also
the wettest since records began in 1862.
Early March was mainly cool and overcast until the 6th when more butterflies where reported –The
‘trigger’ date for the Brimstone was the 11th when 18 were widely reported together with a Red
Admiral, a Peacock, and 7 Small Tortoiseshells. In total 27 Brimstone, 2 Peacock and 3 Red Admiral
were reported. On the 14th the first Comma of the year was seen at Bishopdown Farm, Salisbury.
Robin Griffiths once again organised some Brown Hairstreak egg searches in the North of the county
and 151 eggs were found in the Braydon Forest/Cotswold Water Park areas. Mike Lockwood continued
his searches in the south and found 436 eggs. Some exciting finds included eggs in ten new tetrads on
the eastern and southern outskirts of Grovely Wood.
Table 1 below gives a comparison between 2020 and the exceptional start to the 2019 season for the
numbers of butterflies seen during January and February. A much quieter start to the 2020 season. No
doubt several more would have been on the wing but not seen or reported.
12Table 1. Number of butterflies and eggs reported during January and February
Species 2019 2020
Brimstone 305 4
Small White 0 0
Red Admiral 31 6
Painted Lady 2 1
Small Tortoiseshell 59 3
Peacock 36 7
Comma 36 0
Brown Hairstreak eggs (N) 218 151
Brown Hairstreak eggs (S) 637 436
Total butterflies 469 22
From the 21st March until the 12th of April we enjoyed a sustained period of warm/hot, sunny, calm,
dry days and the early spring butterflies excelled. I received numerous reports of large numbers of
Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Commas, Orange-tips and Holly Blues. The only ‘losers’
seemed to be the Large and Small Whites, Green-veined White and Speckled Wood (although all four
were commonly seen later in the year, the Large and Small Whites exceptionally so).
The second half of April was cooler but still suitable for butterfly activity, but then we experienced the
amazing month of May – the driest, hottest and sunniest since records began. 29 days were very
favourable and most of the remaining spring species appeared in large numbers. However, it should be
remembered that many records come from butterfly enthusiasts visiting their favourite sites where
they expect to have a good butterfly experience and do not necessarily reflect the picture in the wider
countryside.
The following were reported in high numbers - Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, Large Skippers, Small and
Adonis Blues, Duke of Burgundy, Marsh Fritillary and Small Heath. Those seen in average or below
average numbers included the Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Common Blue and Wall.
The Pearl-bordered Fritillary fared well in Tytherley Woods but I fear we are about to lose the Small
Pearl-bordered Fritillary, only one or two being seen in their last remaining area of Bentley Wood.
Summer
As we entered June the weather was more changeable but early emergences continued with Essex
Skipper (5th), Silver-studded Blue (9th) and Purple Emperor (16th). A few Grizzled Skippers, and
Brimstones were still around but most other spring species were over. Marbled Whites and Meadow
Browns were reported in their 100s but Ringlets remained unusually scarce, possibly as a result of the
hot, dry May. It is often stated that this species prefers damper conditions. However, their numbers
picked up later and they were commonly reported as June progressed. Small Heaths were also
reported in high numbers but Small Skippers seemed not to do so well.
13Silver-studded Blues had a very good season with 100’s reported on the New Forest heathlands. Just
into Wiltshire at Pound Bottom, 22 were counted in a brief 3 minute visit on the 16th of June and at
nearby Landford Bog WWT reserve, a max of 20 were counted on the 23rd, where it had its best year
since 2014.
Purple Emperors were first noted on the 16th of June in Grovely Wood, at Bentley Wood and Everleigh
Ashes on the 23rd and Savernake Forest on the 25th. However, numbers remained low and it did not
fare well with a very short flight period finishing on the 22nd of July. In spite of this, there were three
extraordinary reports – the forewing of a male found on Pepperbox Hill on the 21st of June, one
drinking from a flower pot saucer in a Firsdown garden for 5 minutes on the 3rd of July and a fine
female at the dewpond on Hackpen Hill near Broad Hinton on the 21st of July, reported independently
by two observers. Also on the 21st, a female observed at the sallows at Bedwyn Common. All the
above were confirmed with photographs. One was also ‘videoed’ from the north Wilts estate where
first reported in 2019. There was also an unconfirmed report from Stratton Wood, north of Swindon.
Only reported from Black Dog Woods from any West Wilts woodlands.
Both White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary were widely reported from their woodland haunts but
rarely in high numbers. Max White Admirals were 22 at Somerford Common and 62 Silver-washed
Fritillaries in Norridge Wood. 16 of the female form Valezina were reported.
The Gatekeeper emerged early on the 21st of June and became abundant in some areas during late
July. A very early Chalkhill Blue on the 22nd of June equalled the earliest county record of 2001 but it
went on to have a rather uneventful season with only a few counts of 50+. Even from Clearbury Down,
its best Wiltshire site, 500 was the highest estimate where it used to occur in 1000’s. The Speckled
Wood continued to remain scarce throughout the summer.
The very local Silver-spotted Skipper was first reported from one of its only two localities in the county,
Warren Hill at Perham Down on the 20th of July when 15 were seen. 23 were counted on the 31st of
July. On Porton Down it had its best year since the transect started in 1994. A max of 173 were
counted.
Some New Early County Records
One exciting consequence of this extraordinary May weather was the very early emergence of most
species and some county records were well beaten as indicated in the following table.
Table 2. Early and late emergence report
Species 2020 Record Previous Record Days difference
Earliest
Small Skipper 20 May 29 May 2016 9
Small Heath 8 April 16 April 2007/11/12/14 8
Ringlet 25 May 1 June 2007 7
Marbled White 29 May 1 June 2007 3
Dark Green Fritillary 22 May 24 May 1987 2
14Species 2020 Record Previous Record Days difference
Silver-washed Fritillary 1 June 3 June 2011 2
White Admiral 1 June 2 June 2011 1
Brown Hairstreak 12 July 18 July 2017/18 6
Equal Earliest
Purple Hairstreak 13 June 13 June 2011 0
Chalkhill Blue 22 June 22 June 2001 0
Latest
Grizzled Skipper 7 August 1 August 1941 6
Wall 6 November 4 November 1990 2
The sightings of Marbled White and Ringlet are the first known May records for Wiltshire. Several
other species were very close to the county record date.
Three elusive but very early hairstreaks
The three elusive woodland/hedgerow hairstreaks were frequently reported. The Purple Hairstreak
seen at Ravensroost Wood on the 13th of June equalled the earliest county record of 2011. It had its
worst season since 2005 on the Picket Wood evening transect but was widely reported across the
county’s woodlands. The White-letter Hairstreak was reported from 25 localities including 7 new
tetrads. The first of the 60 reported was at Tisbury on the 15th of June, one day later than the county
record of the 14th of June 2011. The Brown Hairstreak was the last to be reported on the 13th of July
from near Amesbury creating yet another new earliest county record. It was a further nine days before
it was reported from its well-visited site west of Shipton Bellinger. 64 adults were reported from 17
localities. Mike Lockwood found 546 eggs including four new tetrads.
In the north the first reports were of most unexpected vagrants from two new tetrads in North
Swindon gardens on the 16th and 22nd, several days before the first reported from its more usual
habitat, Ravensroost Wood on the 30th. Only 20 adults were reported from eight localities whereas
autumn egg searches found 537 eggs plus a further 118 just over the border in Gloucestershire, two
near Cricklade in a new tetrad and new 10km square.
Second Generations
During July the ‘whites’ became abundant, along with Peacocks (but rather briefly) and to a lesser
extent, Holly Blues, Small Tortoiseshells and Commas. The numbers of Common Blue and Brown
Argus, which had been scarce in the spring, remained scarce but the Wall excelled in the warmth of
late July and early August. Small Coppers improved with a third generation in September and Adonis
Blue remained scarce on most sites. The Peacock was suggested as a strong contender for Butterfly of
the Year by several recorders.
As was expected, following the exceptional May weather and early emergences, two species that
usually have a small second generation were expected to do well. And they did – 180 Small Blues
15reported (76 in 2019) and probably a third generation individual on 16 September and an impressive
60 Dingy Skippers (1 in 2019). The Wall also flourished with a strong third generation reported during
late September and October, 55 individuals reported (0 in 2019). One photographed on 6th of
November created a new latest county record, beating that of 1990 by two days.
Figure 4. Wall, Broughton Gifford, 6/11/2020, © Brian & Ann Bray
The Immigrants
Of the three regular immigrants, as is usual, the Red Admiral was by far the commonest with 2,164
reported (1,984 in 2019), with only 79 Painted Ladies (2,066 in 2019) and 184 Clouded Yellows (96 in
2019). Of course, many more would have been around but not reported. So, a terrible year for the
Painted Lady after last year’s super-abundance, a good but not exceptional year for the Red Admiral
and the best Clouded Yellow year since 2014.
Vagrants
Another consequence of the hot weather was the reporting of several wanderers away from their
normal habitats and even appearing in urban gardens. Grizzled Skipper, Small Heath and most
exceptional of all, the Marsh Fritillary. This species had an amazing season with reports from several
‘new’ sites as well as the garden vagrants. This also occurred in several other counties where it had
been considered extinct, at some for decades. It seems there has been a mix of natural expansion of
range (which I consider to be the case in Wiltshire), with an addition of mass releases by butterfly
breeders. Dark Green and Silver-washed Fritillaries were also reported from some gardens, as was a
single Duke of Burgundy at Farley and Purple Hairstreaks in Warminster, West Swindon and
Winterslow. There was only a single record of one of our most threatened species, the Grayling, a
vagrant from the New Forest heathlands seen in a garden at Lover on the 30th of July.
My thanks to all who have submitted records and observations and all the transect walkers for their
dedication and support over many years.
16Coleoptera: Marc Arbuckle
A challenging year to say the least. The year started with the heaviest winter rain since records began
followed by the driest April and May on record. Of course, March 23 saw the first Covid-19 lockdown
which at least initially largely restricted recording to our gardens and what we could find during our
daily exercise allocation. Needless to say, all my beetle-related projects, workshops, meetings, field-
trips etc. were cancelled due to the necessary restrictions and lockdowns but nonetheless 2020
produced some interesting records.
Trichosirocalus rufulus (5 April 2020)
It’s great to have weevil expert Mark Gurney living in North Wiltshire and comes as no surprise to me
that he found this uncommon species of Ceutorhynchinae while vac sampling his front garden in
Swindon. This looks to be a new first for Wiltshire. He found further specimens at two other Swindon
locations on the 26 May, and the 11/12 June. Check out his weevil guides here:
https://www.coleoptera.org.uk/curculionoidea/weevil-identification-guides
Figure 5. Trichosirocalus rufulus, © Mark Gurney
Rugged oil beetles Meloe rugosus (3 May 2020)
Chris Woods near Colerne reported his last sighting of the rugged oil beetle Meloe rugosus (Meloidae)
in VC7 North Wiltshire on the 16 January. So it was quite a surprise when Maria La Femina from
Ditchampton in VC8 South Wiltshire spotted a gravid female on the 3 May which is VERY late in the
season. This is an Autumn – Spring species.
An article documenting Maria’s ongoing conservation work relating to this species and its habitat
appeared in the December 2020 edition of The Coleopterist.* Note the vertical groove in the
pronotum which is diagnostic for this species.
17Figure 6. Meloe rugosus, © Maria La Femina
Six-spotted spider beetle Ptinus sexpunctatus (10 May 2020)
Nathalie Leyland found this attractive spider beetle on the wall of her house in Teffont Magna. This is a
species that may become more commonly recorded due to the popularity of bee hotels in gardens. A
new record for VC8 and South Wiltshire – previously only recorded in Avebury, North Wiltshire VC7.
Figure 7. Ptinus sexpunctatum, © Stephen O’Donnell
18Welsh oak longhorn beetle Pyrrhidium sanguineum (19 May 2020)
Sue Walker found this strikingly handsome RDB 2 longhorn beetle, another first for Wiltshire, crawling
up the outside wall of her house in Bentley Wood. It’s more normally encountered in central and
south Wales and the bordering counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Gloucestershire**
Figure 8. Pyrrhidium sanguineum, © Gilles San Martin
Rose flea beetle Luperomorpha xanthodera (25/29 May 2020)
I came across multiple specimens of this 5mm flea beetle (Chrysomelidae) on two separate occasions
while mooching around a garden centre near Melksham. I also found it at another garden centre near
Burford. A recent introduction to the UK, known only from garden centres on imported plants. I
appear to be the first to have recorded it in Wiltshire but I suspect it can be found in most garden
centres despite there being only 8 records on the NBN atlas. It originates in China but may have been
imported via the Netherlands.
Figure 9. Luperomorpha xanthodera, © Udo Schmidt
19Dot ladybird Stethorus pusillus formerly S.punctillum (26/27 May 2020)
Mark Gurney recorded Britain’s tiniest ladybird in Haydon Wick on the 26 May and then again in
Greenmeadow, Swindon on the 27 May. As far as I’m aware these are the second and third records for
Wiltshire but then at just 1.3 – 1.5 mm who’s looking?
Figure 10. Stethorus pusillus, © Gilles San Martin
Franchises Lodge saproxylic invertebrate survey
Freelance ecologist Graeme Lyons from Brighton carried out a number of invertebrate surveys at this
newly acquired RSPB reserve near Nomansland in South Wiltshire. Amongst the 136 beetle records he
forwarded to me were many species that had not been recorded for many years including what appear
to be 4 new species for Wiltshire. The carabid Dromius angustus, the zopherid Pycnomerus fuliginosus
the erotylid Triplax lacordairii and the fruit-tree pinhole borer Xyleborinus saxesenii. He also found a
specimen of the… wait for it… American utilisable woodboring beetle Gnathotrichus materiarius a
native of North America, which has been introduced to several European countries and although
newly established in Britain it isn’t on the current British list.*** This ambrosia beetle has been
previously recorded in Savernake Forest in 2014.****
Figure 11. Xyleborinus saxenii, © Udo Schmidt
20References:
* The Coleopterist Vol 29 Part 3 p171-172
** The Coleopterist Vol 29 Part 2 p112
*** Duff AG (2018) Checklist of Beetles of the British Isles Third edition Pemberley Books
**** Inward DJG (2019) Three new species of ambrosia beetles established in Great Britain illustrate
unresolved risks from imported wood Journal of Pest Science (2020) 93: 117-126
Diptera: Anthony Bainbridge
Despite the peculiar year we’ve just lived through, and perhaps because of it — all that free time? —
it’s been a good year on the Diptera front. As I no longer travel far these days, I’ve focussed on the
local hedgerows around the village more than in earlier years, and I’ve netted several species new to
me and to the county database; I like to think that every observation and record can teach me
something new.
A table of species I’ve recorded in 2020 would be boring and uninformative for most readers. The
more significant of my records I’ve posted on iRecord, with photographs in most instances. My
spreadsheet will go to WSBRC for incorporation into the database.
I’ve been contacted by several dedicated observers seeking confirmation of their sightings. Paul Derby
has submitted three records, Tachina fera, Scatopse notata and Volucella bombylans, with photos.
Helen Senior reported Asilus crabroniformis from Hinton Parva; this is our largest robberfly, which,
after years of reported decline is turning up frequently in the county. Antony Coles submitted a record
of Eustalomyia hilaris, an Anthomyid, from Foxham. Roger Hammond photographed the Chloropid
Meromyza femorata. Grahame Lyons reported Tipula selene and Xylota abiens from Franchises Wood,
just over the county border into Hampshire. As always, my thanks go to these and other observers,
whose records, while not necessarily of scarce or rare species, nevertheless add to our county
knowledge base. It’s good to see that John Notman, who works at Bentley Wood, is still busy too.
21Figure 12. Tachina fera, © Paul Derby
Figure 13. Meromyza femorata, © Roger Hammond
My own observations include Madiza glabra (Milichiidae), not previously found by me and with no
confirmed Wiltshire records on the Gateway. It was clustering indoors with a Chloropid
Thaumatomyia notata; the co-association of these two species has been reported elsewhere. I’ve
corresponded with the national expert for confirmation of the identification of some Agromyzid leaf-
miners, a notably difficult group; that led me to recording a Chalcid parasite Pnigalio longulus, which
along with other Chalcids will often be found with the Agromyzid species whose larvae they parasitise.
Hylemya nigrimana, an Anthomyid (again, a family I always struggle with) was confirmed for me by the
national scheme organiser; this is the least common of the four known Hylemya species in Britain.
22Figure 14. Pnigalio longulus – a chalcid wasp, © Charles Godfray
I’ve had a short note published in Dipterists Digest, discussing the fascinating topic of nuptial gift
giving observed in some Empids; another will follow shortly relating to my observation of the Milichiid
Madiza glabra mentioned above.
We have discussed in the past the idea that we should try to recruit new members to join our team of
volunteers, to become in due course the next generation of recorders. I have opened a link to the
WWT Magazine which, in view of its wide readership, will I hope be valuable in spreading knowledge
of the role of WSBRC, and informing readers why our work is important for the county and nationally.
The editor gave us a full back page for a recent introductory article, to be followed I hope by other
contributed by CRs writing passionately about their own interests. It’s vital for the future wellbeing of
our county records that new enthusiastic volunteers are recruited. The process has started well — we
have a new CR Rosie Ray for the Odonata — and we know there are other people out there awaiting
to be encouraged in.
Geology: Isobel Geddes, Wiltshire Geology Group
Natural England no longer have the capacity to manage their SSSIs so have commissioned local
Geology Trust groups to do work for them. Over the last two months we have visited the 7 SSSIs in
Wiltshire most in need of monitoring: Old Town, Swindon railway cutting, Stanton St.Quintin quarry &
motorway cutting, Seend Cleeve Quarry, Teffont Evias Quarry / lane cutting, Chicksgrove Quarry,
Chilmark Quarries and West Harnham Chalk Pit. Their condition has not changed significantly in
general over the past 20 years, except for obvious reasons, clay outcrops have become covered in
vegetation and scrub clearance is necessary in places.
Hemiptera: Marc Arbuckle
The warm spell in April brought in many hemiptera records particularly of the Dock bug Coreus
marginatus, the woundwort shieldbug Eysarcoris venutissimuss and the blue shieldbug Zicrona
caerulea.
23Ornate shieldbug Eurydema ornata (20 April 2019)
Paul Darby from Oare near Pewsey emailed a photo of what he thought might be the rare and
declining scarlet shieldbug Eurydema dominulus. His partner Jane Brown found it feeding on garlic
mustard also known as ‘Jack-by-the-hedge’ Alliaria petiolata. I identified it and later had it verified as
the slightly larger but remarkably similar ornate shieldbug Eurydema ornata. A relatively recent arrival
in the UK, now establishing itself in southern England.* This may be a new record for Wiltshire.
Figure 15. Eurydema ornata, © Paul Darby
References:
*www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/Eurydema_ornatum.html
Mammals (excl. bats): Gareth Harris, Wiltshire Mammal Group
Summary
As mentioned above, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the resulting restrictions on human activities and
movements, undoubtedly impacted recording activities for a wide range of species groups in 2020.
The guidance disseminated by organisations including Defra, PTES, Bat Conservation Trust and
Mammal Society, basically asked for non-essential monitoring to cease where it involved handling and
working in close proximity to places of rest/shelter (bat roosts, nests, holts, setts etc) where-ever
possible, and where works were to proceed that a detailed risk assessment be followed, and
mitigation employed.
The result, from a citizen science perspective, was that projects involving handling and working in
close proximity to mammals, largely ceased, but where risk assessments determined they could
proceed, they involved fewer people, undertaking less handling and wearing a lot of PPE. As a result,
fewer volunteers were involved in some of these projects in 2020, and the usual training in handling
24and ID (for example, within dormouse monitoring projects) was possible in order to minimise handling
(and indeed, to follow the other government guidelines during the lockdowns).
Consequently, although there was a reduction in dormouse monitoring, and in some other activities,
and plans for training events were curbed, the mammal group was able to promote alternative
techniques and adapted to host its first online events. Furthermore, the surge in interest in the natural
world by the wider public during the spring lockdown did lead to an increase in mammal recording
through the Mammal Mapper app and iRecord. We remain hopeful that this interest will be sustained
in the long term.
As a result, my feeling at this time (mid-January 2021) is that a greater number of mammal records
were received in 2020 compared with previous years. This is testament to the resourcefulness of
mammologists and the ability to adapt their survey techniques.
Highlights 2020
As already discussed, recording activities were impacted somewhat in 2020 by the restrictions put in
place as a result of Covid-19, but records continued to flow.
Hazel dormouse
Hazel dormouse monitoring continued where it was possible and compliant with restrictions, and this
resulted in a confirmed new site for dormice near Salisbury. This was all the more remarkable given it
took several years of monitoring with nestboxes and survey tubes to prove them present (the habitat
looked too good so the team persevered!).
Monitoring continued at other new sites that were confirmed in 2019 near Pewsey and East Knoyle;
additional dormice were recorded in 2020. Dormouse monitoring continued in the Savernake, at
Grovely Wood, Nockatt’s Coppice, Collingbourne Woods, Oyster’s Coppice, to name but a few. Each is
coordinated by its own brilliant monitoring group.
In all, over 20 sites are regularly monitored for dormice across Wiltshire; some of these are
coordinated by mammal group members, others are coordinated by local groups specific to their sites
(such as Wildlife Trust reserves, National Trust sites and so on).
Harvest mouse
Harvest mouse surveys continued albeit on a smaller scale and we continued to receive a small
number of records from across the county. There are still some obvious gaps in their Wiltshire range
which we’ll aim to address soon. Searching for nests in the outdoors being something largely possible
and compliant with the current government guidance at the time!
The Mammal Society are fundraising to expand their work on harvest mice – Wiltshire Mammal Group
supported their funding applications with letters of support, so fingers crossed for a positive outcome!
In November 2020, the Group supported Anna Forbes and the Action for River Kennett (ARK) Project,
with a survey at their reserve, Stonebridge Meadows, in Marlborough. This was initiated after ARK
volunteers found nests and a live harvest mouse during autumn management work - a first site record!
25In November, around 20 people from ARK and WMG
found 30 nests. (All surveys undertaken in compliance
with government guidance for Covid-19). This led to
some media interest (here) and a BBC Radio Wiltshire
interview (straight after Heaven 17’s Temptation, at
15:40 on the 11th November 2020!).
WMG also assisted Tisbury & District Natural History
Society in October 2020 with an event for their
younger members, surveying the survey site near
Tisbury beforehand. This event generated a series of
new records for a part of the county previously lacking
in records.
Autumn 2020 also saw a flurry of records from across
the county, such as Avebury, Stanton St Bernard, Enford
and Roundway Down Devizes. These records relate to
nests in field margins, along by-ways, reeds in the
Kennet & Avon Canal and willowherbs in fen on the
Figure 16. Harvest mouse, Stonebridge Meadow, ©
Andy Blake ARK Volunteer edge of the Salisbury Avon. Great to see harvest mice
using such a diversity of habitats.
Other small mammal monitoring
Natural England continued their small mammal studies on Salisbury Plain in 2020, (with regards to the
monitoring of prey items for a potential reintroduction of Hen Harrier) and benefitted from the
involvement of a number of Wiltshire Mammal Group members. A trapped weasel was the highlight in
2020!
Several members undertook some owl pellet analyses from several sites across the county, generating
some helpful new records for small mammal species, including notably pygmy shrew amongst the
more widespread voles and common shrews.
Detailed small mammal monitoring was undertaken on two sites in East Knoyle, including Underhill
Wood Nature Reserve, including dormouse nest box monitoring, camera trapping in a close-focus
camera box and monitoring of refuge mats: these generated records of wood mice, yellow-necked
mice, dormice, pygmy shrew, common shrew, field vole and bank vole.
26Figure 17. Common Shrew, © Gareth Harris
2020 also saw the publication of guidance relating to the acoustic identification of small mammals,
recorded as “bycatch” in acoustic monitoring for bats. Stuart Newson et al have demonstrated that
many of our small mammal species can be differentiated acoustically with a high degree of
confidence; I have contributed to this work in 2020 and generated a number of records of species
which are otherwise infrequently recorded in the county – for example, records of water shrew on the
River Wylye. Clearly such a record isn’t surprising given the location, but the additional records
generated are very welcome.
Mustelids
2020 may also have been the year of the mustelid, specifically, otters and polecats. During late
summer, a number of live polecats were observed across the county, and indeed were also
photographed or videoed. Late summer coincides with the dispersal of juveniles from their mothers.
Otters were frequently observed in 2020 too, and often by members of the public on rivers/canals in
towns and cities such as Salisbury, Devizes, Chippenham and Melksham. It would appear that the
county’s otter population has reached a threshold where daytime observations in more urban areas is
increasingly commonplace. I think it’s fair to say that the crowd of people in Salisbury centre watching
a family of otters foraging on Saturday 5th December 2020 will never quite forget the experience –
some weeks later, people in Salisbury are still talking about otters and looking for them when
shopping!!
Sadly, the population has also reached the threshold where more animals are found victim to road
traffic accidents, with perhaps as many as 10 noted across the county this year. This at least suggests a
healthy and growing population.
Rabbit & brown hare
Rabbit numbers remained low in 2020 across much of the county, although the spring offered signs of
recovery (I saw a field with over 80 rabbits in it in the spring, but by the autumn just a half dozen
remained). As rabbit numbers remain low, I wonder what impact this has upon our predators,
especially stoat and polecat (but not forgetting red fox and avian predators too) and can only presume
times are tough for them too. I would therefore encourage people to keep an eye on their local rabbit
27populations – conduct regular counts of adults and juveniles on your regular walks and see if they
show signs of recovery.
We have mentioned in each of the recent newsletters (2018 and 2019) of the impacts of diseases in
brown hares and we circulated information via our website in this regard, encouraging the reporting of
dead and dying hares. Dr Diana Bell, University of East Anglia, who is leading the research on hares,
reiterated the need to remain vigilant and to continue reporting instances of dead/dying/diseased
hares.
Recording & submitting records
There are a variety of ways to submit records to us – Living Record is still supported but increasingly
we encourage submission via iRecord and the Mammal Society’s Mammal Mapper app. Several
members send in regular updates via our template recording spreadsheet.
Mammals in Wiltshire, an updated third edition
Finally, in March 2017 the mammal group, bat group and WSBRC published the updated county
mammal atlas, Mammals in Wiltshire, 2nd Edition. This is available to download from our website.
Since 2017 we have made a series of advances in knowledge of several species in the county that
would suggest that publication of a new edition may be worthwhile. Advances include the trapping of
Alcathoe bat, Myotis alcathoe, at two sites in the county, a new record for the county and for south-
west England. Furthermore, significant advances have been achieved for hazel dormouse, harvest
mouse, Barbastelle bat and Bechstein’s bat.
An interval of 5 years since publication of the second edition seems wise, placing a provisional
publication date in 2022.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed their records, time and expertise in 2020.
Moths: Wayne Clinch
The Records
53,127 records were submitted in this period with 47,988 records for 2020. Most of these records are
from our regular contributors, but they also include repatriated records from Butterfly Conservation
moth surveys such as Moth night.
Record Distribution
The 2020 record set covers the following:
1121 Species ~ 619 Micro moth species and 502 Macro moth species from 174 1km squares.
131 tetrad 2km squares which is approximately 13%
28Figure 18. 2020 Moth record distribution
New county recorder and moth expert group
As Dave Brotheridge was finding it increasingly difficult to use his computer, it was decided that I
would be the named county recorder on the Butterfly Conservation website. This would ensure that
moth related emails would not get missed. Due to this change I also enrolled some local moth experts
to help me with species verification. Steve Nash, Laurie Evans, John Muggleton and Robin Griffiths. We
intend to keep Dave B involved, especially when Covid restrictions allow.
MapMate
I have now installed MapMate and BC have repatriated all Wiltshire historic moth data. This will help
with verification of new records and give us the ability to create species maps.
iRecord
John Muggleton and I have accessed and verified most (13,500) of the 14,000 iRecord records. The
records that remain to be verified are primarily the Forester moths and Narrow-bordered five-spot and
five-spot Burnets. These species are difficult to verify even with photographs. To help with this we are
asking recorders (via the Wilshire butterfly bulletin and later via Facebook) to check carefully and note
foodplants etc, with the aim to identify sites which hold the Five-spot Burnets and which Foresters
species.
Facebook
Our Facebook page is popular and provides an efficient way of communicating with the mothing
community and allows for timely species ID conformation.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ButterflyConservationWiltshireBranch/
29New moth recording form
I have made many improvements to the moth record form. Validation criteria is now also shown for
micro-moths and a new column “Wiltshire status” indicates the likely abundance of each species. The
form can be downloaded here. https://1drv.ms/f/s!AswOlR3_HpulvSUqCE0fSGXdmMFZ
New for the county
Two records of Beautiful Marbled were reported. Laurie Evan and Frank Crosier.
On the 28th May 2020 George Tordoff recorded Elachista orstadii in VC7. This is second only county in
England that this species has been recorded. It is primarily a Scottish species of dry grassland.
Eurhodope cirrigerella, a Pyralid moth thought to be extinct in the UK was re-discovered in 2019 by
Laurie Evans in VC8 and was recorded again this year.
Ectoedemia louisella 21/7/20 - New to VC7 Steve Nash
Pempelia genistella 25/6/20 - New to VC7? Steve Nash
Pediasia contaminella 23/6/20 - New to VC7? Steve Nash
Elachista subocellea 16/7/20 - New to VC7? Steve Nash
Increases
The Box moth continues to extend its range and abundance. The
micro Tachystola acroxantha and the macro Least Carpet (Idaea
rusticata) are becoming increasingly common in North Wiltshire.
Cydia amplana, which was a rare migrant is now being found
regularly in the south of the county.
Mecyna flavalis, a rare chalk downland species is established on
Pitton Ridge and Winterbourne downs.
Another chalk downland species, Grapholita caecana, is becoming
widespread with several 2020 records in VC8 and one record for
VC7.
Figure 19. Cydia amplana
The micro, Eudonia pallida of the Scopariinae family, once local in
damp areas is now numerous in many habitats with 83 records in
2020. Four Radford’s Flame shoulders a rare immigrant were also recorded.
Steve Nash reported a Goat Moth (no other recent Wiltshire records) on the 7th June and a Dark
Crimson Underwing on the 23rd June which was new to VC7.
40+ Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoths were reported from Hounds Wood on May 7th.
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