By 11 am, when we met, it was becoming cloudy and breezy, not ideal conditions for dragonflies, but we nevertheless recorded nine species. Don Tagg, who led the walk, thinks that Thursley is recovering well from the terrible fire two years ago, but some of the wildlife is still suffering from the effects, especially the insects and reptiles.
At Moat Pond, we watched several common blue damselflies (Enallagma cyathigerum), but these were not present in their usual numbers and only one azure damselfly (Coenagrion puella) was seen. A few people saw a grass snake (Natrix natrix) close to the water. Heading out towards the boardwalk, Don spotted a brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) caterpillar on a sprig of alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus), and puzzled over how such a common butterfly survives on such a relatively uncommon tree. We were accompanied by a few large red damselflies (Pyrrhosoma nymphula), and one white-legged damselfly (Platycnemis pennipes), and the song of a chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita).
From the boardwalk, we observed four-spotted chaser dragonflies (Libellula quadrimaculata), and a moth which Don identified as a bordered white (Bupalus piniaria) otherwise known as the `pine looper'. We also noted several large skipper butterflies (Ochlodes venata) clinging to grass stems, a couple of common heath moths (Ematurga atomaria) and a nest of young raft spiders (Dolomedes fimbriatus). Don had not seen an adult of the latter species this year, so far. The aerial display was soon taken over by keeled skimmer dragonflies (Orthetrum coerulescens), and a lone emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator), while in the distance a hobby (Falco subbuteo) hunted over the water.
Some of the boardwalk was damaged in the fire, and has been replaced with broader planks which make passing a bit less fraught! Common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) still scamper away as you approach them at their basking places on the boards. The bog was looking spectacular, with masses of cottongrass (Eriophorum spp.) interspersed with the bright yellow flowers of bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum).
For several years now, the uncommon bracket fungus Phellinus pini has fruited on one particular pine tree beside the boardwalk. Despite the tree being scorched in the fire, and despite the attentions of the fungus, it is still alive, and still has fresh fungus brackets this year. On Pine Island, most of the pines are now dead or dying. Here we took lunch, and recorded one black darter dragonfly (Sympetrum danae), and a colony of cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) larvae struggling to survive on a scrap of hoary ragwort (Senecio erucifolius).
In the distance, we could see a mass of red colouring a low ridge. When we reached it, it turned out to be a flowering of sheep's sorrel (Rumex acetosella), amongst a lot of tiny fresh heather sprouts. Patches of fresh bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) were more of a cause for concern. We were delighted to find several sundew plants (Drosera spp.) in flower, their yellow flowerheads on tall stalks. Another yellow flower on display was the water-dwelling marsh St John's-wort (Hypericum elodes). Brian Spooner was pleased to find dried up fruiting bodies of the uncommon jelly fungus Exidia saccharum on scorched pine saplings, as well as the black patches of Diatrype bullata on sallow (Salix sp.) branches.
A curlew (Numenius arquata) was calling as we headed back to Moat Pond.
Don Tagg & Dick Alder