Not only have we been enjoying the early spring warmth but is has been a great period for insects.
Down on the beach in the last couple of days we have been seeing this cracking beast - the dune tiger beetle (Cicindela maritima). This beetle is one of the rarest species that occurs on the reserve and in the UK is confined to the Bristol Channel coasts, north-west Wales, Kent and Norfolk and is classed as Nationally Scarce. The beetle is coastal occuring in sand dunes and sandy beaches where is feeds along the upper edge on small insects. The peak time to see them is mid-summer and we monitor them by walking slowly along the beach on sunny, warm and calm days - it's a hard life I know!!
Now that the water in the pools around the Meadow Trail has started to warm up, there has been an emergence of the first damselflies. As a general rule, the first species is the large red damselfly but it should only be a few more weeks until the impressive brown hawker can be seen. As its name suggests, it is brown and can be found hawking around the willow bushes and pools alongside the main path!
Over the last few days we have been running the reserve moth trap outside the back of the visitor centre. Things had been a bit quiet with loads of 'little brown jobs' until this morning. Much to the surprise of Emma and Alice, who were opening the trap, this female emperor was hiding at the bottom! Emperor moths are widely distributed throughout Britain and can often be seen flying during the day and can be easily mistaken for a large butterfly. The moth flashes the large 'eyes' on its wings to scare off predators.
Moths are a facinating group and it is amazing what is flying around your garden when you are asleep. If you want to find out more info about moths and moth trapping, why don't you come to one of our reserve moth mornings. Throughout May and June we will be opening the trap at 09:30 outside the visitor centre and everyone is welcome. Why not bring along the family - you never know what we may catch.