The Reading Naturalist
No. 36
Published by the Reading and District
Natural History Society
1984
Price to Non-Members £1.00
THE READING NATURALIST
No. 36 for the year 1982-83
The Journal of
The Reading and District Natural Sistory
Society
President;
Mr. M. R. We. Sell, B.A,
Hon. General Secretary: Hon. Editor:
Mrs. S. J. Whitfield Miss L. E. Cobb
Ashdown 55 Northcourt Avenue
Basingstoke Road Reading
Reading
Editorial Sub-Committee:
The Editor, B. R. Baker, H..H.. Carter,
Miss =. M. Nelmes, Miss S. Y. Townend,
Mrs. B. R.| Newman, Dr. A. Brickstock
Honorary Recorders;
Botany: Mrs. B. M. Newman, Harley Cottage, 25 Beech
Lane, Harley, Reading
Entomology: Mr. B. R. Baker, 25 Matlock Road, Caversham,
Reading
Vertebrates: Mr. H. H. Carter, 82 Kennylands Road, Sonning
Common, Reading
Fungi ; Dr. A. Brickstock, 25 Cockney Hill,
Tilehurst, Reading
Contents
Meetings and Excursions, 1982-83
Presidential Address:
The Dangers of Discontinuity
Pamber Forest Local Nature
Reserve
Excursion to the New Forest
Collections in Reading Museum
Mothing
An Introduction to Nature
Photography
Honorary Recorders! Reports:
Fungi
Botany
Entomology
Vertebrates
Weather Records
Monthly Weather Notes
Membership
Me
R. Baker
Brough
J. M. Bowen
H, Carter
M. Hall
Hodge
Brickstock
M., Newman
R. Baker
H,. Carter
Parry
Parry
Page
10
tz
16
22
26
B
4O
49
54
a2
56
Meetings and Excursions 1982-83
The Annual General Meeting on 14th October 1982 (attend-
ance 51) was followed by Mr. B. R. Baker's Presidential
Address entitled 'Some Thoughts on the Dangers of Discontinuity'
Other lectures during the winter were 'Charles Darwin! by Mr.
K. G. V. Smith (54); ‘Life Histories of Weeds', by Dr. J.
Ackeroyd (41); ‘Why Caddis?! by Dr. M. I Crichton (38);
‘Wildlife of our Chalk Downs -— conservation or extinction', by
Mr. J. H. P. Sankey (48); ‘Wildlife of North America's
National Parks', by Mr. G. E. Wilson (47): 'St. Kilda past
and present', by Mr. J. Hobson (51}3 'A Bit about Mosses and
Liverworts', by Mr. M Y¥. Fletcher (31), end 'Animal Colour
and Bodyform in Relation to Behaviour', by Dr. D. M. Broome
(41). Members! Evenings of Slides, Talks and Exhibits, at
which coffee and biscuits were served, were held on 9th
December (52) and 17th March (55).
There was a winter walk of general interest in the
Binfield Heath area on 20th November (14), others to study
lichens at Bucklebury on 11th December (19), birds at Twyford
Gravel Pit on 15th January (40), and mosses and liverworts in
the Goring area on 5th March a a and an excursion to watch
birds at Farlington Marshes in Hampshire on 12th February (12).
Summer field excursions were to Swyncombe to see
asarabacca and spring flowers on 23rd April (22): Ashampstead
for spring flowers on 7th May (56): Little Wittenham Wood to
survey the area on 14th May (15)3 Kennet-side at Theale for
birdsong on the evening of 18th May (19)¢ Bernwood Meadows
(SBONT Reserve) for green-winged orchids and butterflies on
21st May (c. 18); Kiln Pond, Mortimer, for bats on the
evening of 25th. May (23)3 Warburg Reserve, Bix (BBONT), for
chalk flora on 4th June (32); Whiteknights Park for plants,
birds and noctule bats on the evening of Sth June (15)3
Berkshire Downs from Warren Farm for chalk flora on 18th
mame (13); he River Pang at Bredfield for birds and water
flora on the evening of 22nd June (15)8 Hatchet Pond and
Beaulieu Road in the New Forest, by coach, on 2nd July (51}3
Nuney Green chalkpit for chalk flora including cut-leaved
selfheal on the evening of 6th July (16); California Country
Park for flora, moths and 2 barbecue on the evening.of 6th
July (30); Silchester Common and Pamber Forest (Local Nature
Reserve) with BBONT for heathland flora and butterflies on
30th July (16 + 6); Nettlebed Woods on 13th August (19);
River Kennet from Tyle Mill for waterside flora on 27th
August (13};3 and Cock Marsh, Cookham (with BBONT} for marsh-
land flora on 24th September (23 + 13). Fungus Forays were
held at Kingwood Common on 10th September (23), Cold Ash on
8th October (31) and Baynes Reserve (BBONT), Thatcham, on
Sunday 23rd October (15).
Tire) Dang ingers. of Discontinuity
ees Sm
The Presidential Address.
to the °eading and District Natural History Society
WAth October, 1982
~
ioe
=
e R. Baker
Some plants and animals are so widespread that they are
very much taken for granted. »Plants such as yarrow and daisy
occur from Lands @nd to John of Groats, seeming to exist
happily on a variety of soils A mammal.such as the short—
tailed vole, having grass as a staple food, occurs in abundance
from north to south, birds such as the starling and chaffinch
are catholic in their tastes and are termed successful species,
and some moths sucn as the large yellow uncerwing and heart
and dart would be recorded in their season wherever one
operated a moth trap. There is no discontinuity in the popul-
ations of these few NAS eo their needs are simply met and
we would seem to have tnem for keeps, but for plants and
animals with,specialised requirements and fragmented territor-
ies discontinuity can prove hazardous.
Discontinuity,..or as the Concise, Oxford Dic tionary
defines it, 'wanting continuity in space or time' can mean
different things, to. different people. Take for example the
case of the married couple for whom the prospect of ‘the
husband's forthcoming retirement has been the subject of more
than one evening's stimulating conversation. Should they
continue to stay put in their present surroundings maintain-
ing the links with family, friends and familiar places, or
should they stretch these ASKS until the continuity is
wanting? What might be the angers of so doing? Would it
make that much difference m4 ene ever available baby sitter
cr committee member was no longer to hand, or if the view
from the window was ea cifferent one from that to which we
were so accustomed”?
I leave these interesting speculations for some of you
to resolve in due time and pass to a few other examples of
discontinuity in plants and other animals and of some of the
dangers that they face.
Orchids provide a good example for, as you will. all be
aware, we have some national rarities occurring within a few
miles of where we are this evening. . Now there is always
danger when one is speaking of rarities, the onvious danger
of predation by humans. Last month's Naturalists' Trust
bulletin relates the sorry tale of the two military orchids
which were dug up by some misguided person, but if these
beautiful orchids were given a complete respite by plant
hunters and the sites were not wardened or managed, would
the plants survive? Orchid seed can only germinate success-—
fully when infected by a fungus which combines with the
embryonic roots to form mycorrhizas — hence the soil is of
prime importance. But does the discontinuity with other
se
colonies have any effect? What happens when there are no
other colonies? The local history of, for example, the
monkey orchid leads one to believe that, provided there is a
safe habitat, the plants will continue to exist in very low
numbers, The interchange of genetic material would not seem
to be as important as the ability to exist without flowering
for a number of years. Doubtless cross pollination was more
certain wnen, not only were there more plants on a given chalk
slope, but there were more chalk slopes which supported .the
plants. According to Summerhayes the monkey orchid was first
recorded from Britain,in 1660 and the species was, until about
1835, locally plentiful on both sides of the Thames between
Wallingford and Pangbourne and as far east as Henley. There
are even records of hybridisation between the monkey and
military orchid when both species were frequent around Goring
and Streatley. towever, those days are long past and perhaps
the sreatest assets possessed by the plants enabling them to
survive despite discontinuity of colonies are a very lengthy
period between germination and flowering (no records for the
monkey but in the case of the burnt orchid 13 to 15 years) and
an ability to survive by vegetative reproduction. it is
interesting to note that when seed is produced in orchids not
only is it produced in immense quantity but it is extremely
small and dust-like and capable of being carried to very
considerable heights by air currents and transported long
distances in the upper atmosphere. Indeed, the sporadic
occurrence of the monkey orchid in south-eastern seaboard
counties has been attributed to germination of seed blown
ever from the Huropean mainland.
In the animal kinsdom the most isolated population of
any mammal must surely be tnat of the wild white cattle of
Chillingham in Northumberland. They are the sole survivors
of their species to remain pure breeding and uncrossed with
any domestic cattle and roam in their natural surroundings in
the 300 acres. of Chillingham Park, Though their origin is
uncertain the existing herd and its »oredecessors have certainly
been at Chillingham for the past 700 years. The dangers faced
by this discontinuous population over this length of time must
have been considerable. Originally corralled as a standby
food suppiy and therefore likely to be predated by man, they
have had to weather the results of inbreeding over these
hundreds of years, One would have expected therefore some
weakening of the stock and perhaps this was manifested and in
some wey eliminated but externally the only visible sign of
change has been the production of a somewhat smaller animal.
The numbers comprising the herd have fluctuated over the
centuries —~ 28 in 1692, 80 in 1838, an all-time low of 13 in
the awful winter of 1947 and: about 60 in 1982.
Another. mammal whose ciscontinuous populations have
suffered in recent years is the otter, When Dr. Harrison
Matthew's New Naturalist "British Mammals'' was published in
1952 he was able to describe the otter as still fairly
plentiful, perhaps partly because of its aquatic habits. Sad
to relate that today we cannot place any reliance on the
ability of the otter's habits to afford it total protection.
fargaret Wood, the Otter Project Officer at the Royal Society
for Nature Conservation wrote an enlightening article in
Natural World last autumn which she entitled 'A Future for
Otters?' She tells us that in 1950 otters were abundant in
every county and that a subsequent crash in numbers has been
accurately dated to 1957 and 1958. As no sudden change in
hunting practice had occurred only a new environmental factor
could have been responsible, At this time significant devel-
opments in agricultural practice were taking place and it is
now believed that pollution resulting from the use of persistent
organochlorine pesticides was responsible for the otters'
decline. It was to be hoped that with lesser use of these
noxious chemicals the otter population might show signs of
recovery but this has not happened and one now has to look for
other dangers which have beset this highly intelligent mammal,
The otter lies up in a burrow, the holt, among tree roots or
rocks in the bank of a stream, but other than the. nolt in which
the younzs are born the otter has ne permanent home. A pair of
otters therefore require a territory of many miles of river or
stream bank and it seems that habitat destruction has been the
other danger facins an already dispersed population. Marshy
areas have been drained, rivers modified to take a larger
volume of water and increased mechanisation has resulted in
more ambitious enzrineering of rivers than ever before,
Otters are secretive animals anc need undisturbed places in
which to live and breed.
Plants are essentially static organisms, incapable of
avoiding a plough, White cattle are more mobile and, in any
case, are ferocious fighters. Otters can at least attempt to
seek undisturbed areas, but one would have thought that of all
animals, ‘those which can fly would stand the best chance of
overcoming the dangers of a discontinuous vopulation,
Unfortunately such is not the case and we have rarities and
losses in both birds and insects.
In 1971 the British Trust for Ornithology brousht out
their ‘Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland' in which it
was estimated that the breeding population of the chough,
that black crow with red bill and legs, was 700 pairs. it is
mainly a bird of rugged coastal sites though there are records
from a few inland areas. We had our first view of choughs on
the rocky coast opposite Cardigan Island and then, some years
later, really good sisntings in County Kerry including a nest
site out on the Dingie Peninsula. This bird was once known
as the Cornish Chough and’ it is. still featured on that
county's heraldic’arms, but the story from Cornwall is a sad
one. Chougns still bred on the rugged cliffs around Tintagel
until 1952, but by late 1968 there was only one bird left.
Choughs are sedentary birds, occasionally wandering from their
centres of normal populction but not breeding in new sites.
Could it be therefore that human pressure on those much
visited north Cornish cliffs put paid to the chough as the
elite of Cornish breeding birds? Perhaps this is too easy a
deduction for it was certainly not human pressure that led to
the presumed extinction of that otner west country speciality
the large blue butterfly. Degradation’ of known sites by lack
of grazing and destruction of suitable ground by ploughing
led to the remaining large blue colonies being isolated and
in one instance vulnerable to sudden climatic change. The
tropical summer of 1976 is said to have been responsible for
~ 5 2
the failure of this colony, but long before that time I have
seen large blues quartering the ground away from their main
centre and findings thereon completely unsuitable habitat.
& final example of an isolated population is that of the
large copper butterfly at iJood Yalton Fen, a lccality visited
by this Society a few years ago. The true British large
coppers became extinct by 1847 or 1848 dus finally, so it
seems, to persecution by collectors followings destruction of
much of their natural habitat. The closely related Dutch _
race was introduced into Wood Walton Fen in 1927, but although
it has been there ever since it is always on a knife edge and
standby breeding cages are required to supplement the hatch-
ings out on the copper field. In 1930 an attempt was made to
introduce large coppers into the Kennet Valley with chrysalids
sent from the Wood Walton stock, the resultant butterflies
being released near Woolhampton. Disaster struck the main
stock at Wood Walton that autumn and there was a call for all
available eggs to be returned. The experiment was never
repeated.
Apart from the artificiality of the large coppers at
Wood Walton, the locality itself is becoming something of an
artificiality. To maintain the character of this marvellous
fen, water has to be pumped back into it against the pull of
the drier cultivated lands with which it is surrounded. Here
we are concerned not with the discontinuity of populations of
plants or animals, but with the discontinuity in both space
and time of the locality itself.
From having cast my net widely to try and illustrate a
theme I should now like to draw a few threads together and
hope that in so doing not alli tire catch will escape through
the meshes. We have spoken of some of the hazards besetting
populations of plants and animals but the common factor
linking all the examples I have chosen is that of loss of
suitable habitat, and it is concerning a particular type of
habitat, known to all of us, that I should like to confine my
concluding remarks. I refer to the wetlands of the Kennet
Valley and in particular to the few good Phragmites reed beds
remaining there,
in times past what a place the Kennet Valley must have
been, though doubtless our early ancestors would have been
more preoccuvied with survival than with appreciating the
wealth of plants and animals that must have existed there.
We read of "lakelets, created within the valley during pre-
vious epochs, becoming choked by peat-moss, sedges and stouter
forms of vegetation, the valley bottom being by degrees
converted into a morass", and much later on "live peat bogs
no doubt existed in the marshes long after Newbury had come
into existence about the approaches to a ford of the Kennet",
Among the many animal remains found in the valley have been
those of beaver to whose activities at least one authority
has attributed the origin of the formerly massive deposits of
peat, and imagine on this peat, reed beds for mile after mile.
Why not bitterns in abundance? even large copper and swallow-
tail butterflies among their appropriate foodplants — and the
entomological pin not yet invented!
= 5
This peat was the basis of a thriving industry at Newbury
in the early 18th century as: evidenced in a letter from the
Countess of Hertford. The letter is dated from Marlborough,
25th June 1741. ",..Every other beautiful appearance of
nature vanished when we came to’ Newbury. There is just set up
a manufactory there which, though it is said to bring consid-
erable gain to the proprietors, adds neither beauty nor
pleasure to the town and adjacent fields. There is a parcel
of low ground about a mile before one comes to it, where, by
uncovering the surface, they have found great.quantities of
peat, which they burn upon the place, and sell the ashes of
it, to a great advantage, for manuring ground." Those peat
deposits were later described as about a mile to half-a-mile
in breadth and extended along the valley about nine miles
westwards and about seven miles eastwards. The top of the
true peat was found at depths varying from one to eighteen
feet below the surface and the thickness of the deposit varied
from one to nine feet where it rested upon an uneven bed of
gravel. When the Kennet and Avon Canal was opened in 1810
peat-ash used as manure became of more importance than the
peat dried for fuel, for the inhabitants could, by this new
means of transport, obtain coal at a reasonably cheap rate.
During the last few centuries artificial control of the
main and side streams in the Kennet Valley has checked the
formation of peat and marl and such deposits of these kinds as
are forming at the present day are confined to small swampy
patches in the water meadows, to ditches and to the old
turbaries. This last was a comment made in 1907.
What of the situation today? In 1982 the Kennet marsh-
lands have become isolated areas = large lakes have been
created, engineering works have straightened the river banks
and industrial development around ‘Joolhampton and Thatcham
threatens the few remaining acres. Good Phragmites beds still
occur at Kintbury, fortunately close to the sacrosanct domains
of the trout fishermen to whom they doubtless owe their pres-
ervation, Remnants still occur at Thatcham but much has been
lost there and replaced by the deeper lakes created from wet
gravel workings. The only other good area is‘at Woolhampton
where our newly elected President led us this last spring in
our quest for nightingales. Uere on the south side of the
Kennet there are poplar plantations whose management does not
jeopardise the existence of the reed beds. Td the north of
the Kennet and the railway. is another good reed bed where
BBONT is endeavouring to negotiate a ‘reserve but progress is
slow.
More than 20 years ago the Museum undertook a study of
the Woolhampton reed beds and at that time there. were positive -
records of the presence of otter, of harvest mice within the
reed cover and of breeding grasshopper warbler and water rail.
In the autumn, numbers of roosting pied wagtails could be
flushed from the reeds and, entirely dependent upon these
reeds, either the leaf, stem or rhizome, were some very
localised species of wainscot moth. Indeed since that time
another species of wainscot, normally maritime in distribution
has colonised these reed beds. Much of this ground was.
cultivated for osiers in the 1930's but when the basket trade
ee
declined just before the war the untended beds were invaded
by the 'spires' as Phragmites is locally known and gave us
the beds as they are known today.
It is an intensely interesting but fragile habitat,
dangerously close to becoming totally isolated from its like.
In S. M. Haslam's scholarly work 'River Plants' published
in 1978 common reed is but one of many plants for which a
wealth of detail is given, but for our purpose this evening
let us stay with the common reed. We learn of its intoler-
ance of deep water but of its tolerance of shade, of its
inability to withstand the scouring action of a fast’ current
but of the value of the rhizomes in binding and stabilising a
bank. Finally, concerning its ability in the lone term to
remain a continuing feature of a piece of countryside, we
learn that it has been estimated that reed cover has continued
in some large, undisturbed marshes for over 1,000 years.
Would that future field workers will still be able to
say the same for those few acres which remain to us today
within the Kennet Valley.
ale
2K.
BAS
Kk
Pamber Forest Local Nature Reserve
Dr “cP a Drotee
Pamber Forest was dcesignated a Local Nature Reserve in
October 1980 by agreement between the owners, the Englefield
Estate, and the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. A
management committee has been set up, consisting of conserv-
ationists, members of the Parish and Borough Councils, anda
representative of the Englefield Estate. A full management
plan is currently being drawn up, and we hope that a warden
will be employed in the near future.
The area of the Reserve is about 470 acres, and it con-
sists of primary oak woodland managed for centuries as hazel
coppice with oak standards. It was once part of the Great
Northern Oak Forest of Hampshire, including the Royal Forest
of Eversley and probably parts of Windsor Forest. The early
history is obscure, but the gradual inclosure of the original
Pamber Forest began in about 1200 A.D., so that much of it was
converted to pasture. The remaining area was used for hunting
and for pannage, being later converted to the coppice struct—
ure. Although most of the coppice is hazel, there are also
areas of chestnut, birch and oak coppice.
The ;: -ils of the area are fairly recent in origin,
having beei. laid down during the TDocene period of abour 50
million years ago. The clays and gravels of Pamber arrived
either by glacial processes or fluvial drift (river-borne).
Almost the whole area is on an outcrop of the Bagshot sands,
resting on London clay. North of Pamber lie the plateau
gravels of Silchester Common; the soils here tend to be more
acidic due to downward leaching, and form a podsol type of
soil profile. dumus layers are thin here and the soil supports
the characteristic vegetation of Calluna heath. In the lower-
lying forest, however, the clay soils tend to be richer and
less acid, although where the Bagshot sands break through to
the surface a more heathy vegetation develops.
The richest assemblage of plants in the Forest occurs
near the two streans which traverse from west to east. Many
of the plants on these alluvial soils depend on regular
coppicing of the hazgel in order to let in sufficient light in
tre spring for them to flower. Such vernal plants include
Primula yulgaris (primrose), Anemone nemorosa (wood anemone),
Oxalis acetosella (wood sorrel‘, Viola riviniana (common
as
Later-flowering plants take advantage of the spring light by
sending up early leaves during April and May, e.g. Platanthera
chlorantha (greater butterfly orchid), Orchis fuchsii {common
spotted orchid) and Listera ovata (twayblade), which are
rarely found away from the base-rich alluvial soils near the
streams. Platanthera is always found near ash, and there
may be some mycorrhizal association with the roots of this
tree,
Near one stream lies a colony of Ornithogalum umbellatum
(Star of Bethlehem), a local plant whose status is unknown.
Another unusual plant is Ophioglossum vulgatum (adder's
tongue fern) under the hazel coppice, this plant is normally
found in open meadows.
Hazel coppice is cut in a 7-10 year cycle, and towards
the end of this cycle the heavy; shade tends to srevent the
ground vegetation from flowering. However, seeds will lie
dormant for decades and as soon.as the coppice is cut, the
bloom of flowers is a joy to behold.
The banks of the streams also provide an interesting
habitat, particularly for bryophytes. The liverwort
Conocephalum conicum forms large yellow-green patches, and
smells of bergamot oil when ‘crushed. In the streams them-
selves, bullheads and three=spined sticklebacks can-be seen
swimming, whilst in the more open marshy areas, damselflies
and dragonflies patrol the waters. Agrion virgo, Agrion
splendens and Aeshna cyanea are seen regularly, and the flora
inciudes Cardamine amara (large bitter~cress) and
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium (opposite-leaved golden-
saxifrage), the latter forming large patches with its tiny
golden yellow flowers. Df
Away from the streams the hazel coppice is rather
an Gk
species-poor. However, those areas not under hazel have a
rather interesting heath vegetation with Calluna vulgaris
(ling), Erica cinerea (bell heather), Erica tetralix (cross-
leaved heather) and Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) growing
in clearings and rides. The old coppice banks support
interesting bryophytes such as Bartramia porriformis (the
apple-fruited moss).
Pamber is justly famous for its insects. Unfortunately,
the butterflies have diminished in the past 20 years due to
lack of forest management. The only species which has increased
is the White Admiral (Ladoga camilla), which spends its early
stages on mature honeysuckle and is also tolerant of shaded
woodland rides. Lack of coppicing allows the mature honey-
suckle to increase,
The Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) still survives in good
numbers, and its foodplant, Salix caprea (goat willow) is
holding its own. The Silver=washed and Dark Green Fritillaries
(Argynnis paphia and Argynnis aglaia} have both undergone a_
drastic decline, probably due to lack of ride management, and
the High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe) has probably
disappeared from Pamber as it has from most other woods in
southern and eastern England. Purple Nairstreaks (Quercusia
quercus ) remain plentiful on the oaks, whereas the Small
Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) survives,in small
numbers on the wet edges of the Forest. The larvae of selene
seem to prefer the marsh violet, Viola palustris as a food-
plant instead of Viola riviniana. The Pearl—-bordered
Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne) was always less common than
selene in Pamber but now seems to have completely disappeared.
There has been a marked decline of this species in southern
England, possibly because it survives best in coppiced
woodland.
Other insect groups are well represented in Pamber.
There is a strong colony of Urocerus gigas, the wood wasp,
along with its parasite, Rhyssa persuasoria, the largest
ichneumon in the country. Urocerus adults are in flight from
June until autumn; the males appear before the females, but
are rarely seen because trey stay at tne top of trees. The
females lay their eggs in the wood of larch trees, usually
those which are dead or dying. The adults emerge two years
later from circular exit holes in the bark. Rhyssa females
are four inches long, and can detect Urocerus larvae in the
woods; the long ovipositor bores a hole in the wood and deposits
a single egg on each Urocerus larva detected.
There is a very impressive list of moths, and there.is
only room to mention a few. Some of the more notable species
are Chloroclystis debiliata (Bilberry Pue}, Drepana. cultraria
(Barred Hook-tip), Eupithecia plumbeolata (Lead-coloured Pug)
Eilema sororcula (Orange Footman), Nola confusalis (Least
Black Arches}, Orthosia populeti (Lead-coloured Drab), Apamea
scolopacina (Slender Brindle) and Elaphria venustula (Rosy
Marbled). =
Diptera are well represented, and there are nine Red
Data Book species (i.e. those under various degrees of threat
= ja 2
in the country.) The rarest species is Cheilosia chrysocoma
(RDB 2). Diptera are fond of open, meri places (e. &-
Beggar's Bridge Green ) and open rides wi mud.
An article on Pamber must include the bug Charagochilus
weberi, for this is its only British site. It feeds on
Melampyrum pratense (cow-wheat}, a common plant in the forest
and a semi-parasite on grasses.
The entomological interest of the Forest is enhanced
because it is surrounded by undisturbed habitats - Silchester
Common on the north side and rough pasture on the east and
west, Such a woodland margin has been shown to be important
for insects.
Both roe and fallow deer are seen in Pamber. Foxes and
rabbits are common, but badgers are only seen in: transit. No
badger sets have been found. The small mammals have not been
stucied in recent years, but it is planned to compare popula-
tions in coppiced and non~-coppiced areas. The dormouse
(Muscardinus 3_avellanarius ) may still survive - it:was last
seen ten years ago, Apart from its round nest in coppiced
hazel stools, the best sien of its: presence is the stripping
of honeysuckle stems,
In the space available it is only possible to give a
glimpse of the considerable interest of Pamber Forest. Active
management of the Forest will soon be restarted — rides opened
up and coppicing resumed, In this way, we hope to restore
Pamber to its former glory.
Excursion to the New Forest, 2nd July, 1983
ee ee oe =
H. J. M. Bowen
About 45 members attended the coach trip, which began
this year with overcast skies and occasional rain, The first
stop was at Hatchet Pond, presumably so-named from its shape.
On the pony-grazed margins of this pond was a most interesting
community of plants including :.the rare bedstraw Galium debile,
together with Bog Pimpernel, Lesser Water-plantain, Carex
demissa, Water Horsetail, Marsh Pennywort, Juncus bulbosus
and J. conglomeratus, Myosotis laxa, Red=rattle, Lesser
Spearwort, Unbranched Bur-reed, Marsh Arrowgrass and Marsh >
Speedwell. These merged into Ss truly aquatic vegetation
which had two eA yee (Illecebrum verticillatum or Cobeia
necklace and Ludwigia palustris, the latter in quantity ) with
Marsh St. Johns TWeréy Shoreweed, Bogbean, Water Chickweed,
Myriophylium ‘alterniflorum, White Waterlily, Potamoseton
-~- 11 =
polygonifolius, Ranunculus omiophylius, Floating Club-rush
and Lesser Bladderwort. We now walked the length of the main
pond to look at the vailey bog at the least disturbed end. On
the way we saw Mallard and Pied Wagtail by the pond, and
Redshank and Black-headed Gulls over the bog. The heath veg-
etation was rather drab as the heathers were not fully in
flower, but a few interesting grasses, sedges and rushes were
seen, e.g. Agrostis canina, A. curtisii, A. setacea, Carex
i ao
binervis, G2) & ovalis, Danthonia decumbens, Eleocharis
multicaulis, Juncus Squerrosus: Scirpus — caespitos sus, Nardus
stricta and Lousewort. Nowever, the bog itself was full of
interest with two, if not three, species of Sundew, Cotton-
grass, Star Sedge, Meadow Thistle, Petty Whin, Bog Myrtle, Bog
Asphodel, Pale Butterwort, Creeping Willow and Dactylorhiza
maculata. Here we were Ue to photograph Silver-studded
Blue butterflies. On the return journey round the south side
of the pond, sandy tracks and roadsides were searched to
reveal True Chamomile, Fairy Flax, Buck's-—horn Plantain,
Allseed, Aphanes ase ces ey Juncus tenuis and Trifolium
micranthum.
After lunch the weather improved and an excursion was
made to see Wild Gladiolus among bracken near Beaulieu Road
Station, Here some hundreds of plants were seen in good
flower near a large cottongrass bog. Ornithologists were
lucky to see a hobby near here, and more redshank, probably
nesting. Butterflies were scarce, apart from Large Skippers
and the occasional Brimstone.
The final stop was made at Matley Bog in the hopes of
seeing eae A noli-tangere, but the plant could not be
found. However, we did see a number of new plants including
Vervain, Hard-Fern, Marsh Ragwort, and Dactylorhiza incarnata,
One of the best finds was made just as the bus was leaving;
this was the distinctive moss Splachnum ampullaceum which
has the unusual habitat of animal dung in this - type of country.
Our thanks are due to our President, Martin Sell, for
organising and leading this trip, together with Neville
Diserens.
The Pishlock Prize
The Fishlock Prize was awarded in March 1983 to Kerry
Weller for her general keenness and interest in various
branches of Natural History.
Pa ee
The Collections in Reading Museum
H. H. Carter
Most visitors to a museum. are probably aware that the
institution possesses collections of material other than what
is currently visible on display, but few people realise the
extent of this unless they are in the museum profession or are
specialists who have occasion to study the reserve collections.
For every specimen displayed in Reading Museum there are
approximately 100 in reserve, and most other museums. are in a
similar position. There are several reasons for this. The
most compelling is undoubtedly sheer lack of space. and money
to do otherwise. The 99% of specimens in storage take up
approximately the same amount of floor space as the 1% that
are shown, so to show all would require a building 101 times
the size with.a corresponding army of staff and a budget run-
ning into millions, But there are other reasons no less valid
although less daunting in practical terms. One is that to put
objects on display is to subject them, not to the risk, but to
the certainty of deterioration in the course of time. This
may not be true of most geological specimens but it certainly
applies to most biological items, anc there is.a slow but
constant turnover of display material as old specimens are
replaced by new ones. To sudject the whole or even a large
part of the collections to such wear and tear. would be wholly
irresponsible. The other two principal reasons are closely
linked to each other and are concerned with quality and dupli-
cation, To obtain one specimen good enough to show, it is
often necessary to collect a number, and there are good grounds
for retaining many specimens which are not of the highest
grade. Often they serve as voucher specimens. This means that
they are good enough to be identifiable, beyond doubt, and are
kept as proof for future generations of the existence of a
particular species at a given place and time.
A written record is not sufficient. In the first place
there is the possibility of straightforward misidentification,
To overcome this, bird-watchers have evelved an elaborate
system of checks and procedures for naming. living birds in
the field, but even this has proved in practice to be far from
infallible when checked by capturing individual birds in nets
and examining them "in the hand", Plants are perhaps less
elusive, though not every user of field guides or excursion
floras might agree, With most invertebrates, safe field
identification of any but the largest and most colourful is
impossible, so specimens must be killed and studied under the
microscope, and it makes sense to retain a certain number to
convince future sceptics. There are many examples in the
literature of British insects being named as a species familiar
on the continent, going by the published descriptions of some
French or German author, and later turning out to be something
else. Conversely, a British species with a name of its own
may prove in the end to be identical with a species long known
in some other part of Europe under a different name. Such
problems can only be resolved by examination of specimens.
The writer has often, through sheer lack of space, been
i gs
obliged to throw away specimens which were adequately named by
the criteria available at the time, but whose identity is now
subject to doubt which nothing will be able to dispel. This
happens because a species is split into two - or it may be half
a dozen - separate new species which may be quite easy to identify
once their distinguishing characters have been pointed out. Very
often one of the new species is much less common than the other -
this indeed is the most usual cause of its having been overlooked
in the past —- and while there is a fair chance of being able to
pick it out of a long series of insects supposed to be of the
commoner species, only sheer luck would throw it up in a small
sample of say six or ten. It would not be in any way unusual to
find that the rare species turns up at the rate of one ina
hundred or a thousand of the common one.
Turning from these somewhat theoretical considerations to
more practical matters, what might an amateur naturalist expect
to find in the collections at Yeading? Let us start with the
plants and work upwards. The enthusiastic botanist may cavil at
the notion that the "lower" animals are higher than the "higher"
plants, but I maintain that there are sound ecological reasons,
if not evolutionary ones, for taking this stance, Non-vascular
plants are represented by a few Victorian albums of seaweeds
and more worthily by 1,200 lichen specimens deposited by
Humphry Bowen. Vascular plants number about 2,600 specimens
representing 1,305 species. The main collection was put
together by the Nev. S. O. Ridley around 1927-1930 and the
condition of the specimens is not all that it might be. They
seem to have been dried in the open rather than under pressure,
and are consequently rather shrivelled. Fortunately in 1974
we were able to acquire V. ©. Murray's collection, which is in
much better condition. As a young man Murray came from his
native Herefordshire to work for Sutton's Seeds in Reading.
Consequently many of his specimens are of local origin but
others came from all over Britain. He had a number of micro-
species of the difficult genera Rubus and Hieracium vetted
by experts, and was in touch with the famous Oxford botanist
George Claridge Druce who sent him duplicates of several
rarities. Most of Murray..s plants were collected between 1909
and 1920. In 1921 he bovisht a cnallection of alpine plants from
Switzerland and kept a number of species to fill gaps in his
British collection. Species are still being added and inferior
specimens supplemented with better ones as opportunity offers. ..
Invertebrate phyla other than insects are on the whole net
well represented. There are small and very incomplete collect-
ions of spiders (with some other arachnids) and molluses, not
more than 200 of each. The insect collections on the other
hand are quite impressive. , Some of the smaller or more obseure
orders are represented by only a few specimens but the main
orders are well covered. Although the museum has only 750
@rasshoppers and 100 dragonflies, these include almost all the
British species. We have 530 caddis flies, and though there
are some gaps here, they are mostly northern or upland species
so that our local caddis fauna is almost complete. This
caddis collection is almost entirely the work of Brian Baker.
Of the larger orders, the bugs are perhaps the worst repre-
sented. The museum has over 600 specimens, These include
Pa Pe
167 species of the suborder Heteroptera which has over 500
British members, but only 40 Homoptera out of more than 900
including,all the aphids of which we have very few.. The
situation in Hymenoptera is somewhat similar on a larger
scale. There are 3,600 specimens representing 651 species.
Of the latter, sawflies account for 154 out of a possible 430
British members, parasitic wasps 142 out of a daunting 5,000
odd (x do not believe anybody knows wer how many ) and
aculeates (ants, true wasps and bees) a comparatively respect-
able 355 out of 531. This last group was extensively collected
by W. L. Rudland locally and in Dorset (then a hymenopterist's
paradise} in 1940 to 1944, working chiefly on wasps, and Dr.
Eric Burtt (of wnom more Tater) working on bees. The Museum's
collection of 9,800 beetles, comprising 1,720 species was
amassed by F, W. Cocks in 1913-1924, with the addition of a
number of water beetles by Arthur Price and a few odd specimens
of more recent date. Unlike the collections previously men-
tioned this one remains a separate entity. in Cocks's original
cabinet and is exceedingly cramped, with the minute data
labels frequently impaled by the pins of neighbouring specimens.
The specimens come from all over Britain, many having been
contributed to Cocks by W. R. Le B. Tomline. Even so we have
less than half of the 3,729 British species.
‘The museum's true flies (Diptera) number some 15,000
specimens (a few more will have been added by the time you
read this) but again the British total, now about 6,000, far
outnumbers our 1,060 species. Again, the Poatiaattons of this
collection were laid by Dr. Burtt, who introduced the writer
to the group in the late 1960's, with a substantial contribu-
tion from, Jonathan Cole collecting around Goring in the late
1950's and early 60's.
The moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) have always been
popular with collectors, so it is not surprising that the
suuseum's holding of 33,500 specimens outnumbers all the other
groups put together, even though the Sritish list at 2,495
makes this the smallest of the "big four" insect orders.
Though there are gaps among the "micros" our British "macro"
collection is wellnigh complete. More than half the total of
specimens is taken up by L. M. Parlett's collection of foreign
butterflies. When we admire these spectacular insects which
fill drawer after drawer of his cabinets, we do well to rem-
ember that the depredations of collectors are on a par with
natural predation and could be. compensated by the natural
fecundity of the species whereby to maintain a Tee E, level: of
population it is necessary that something like 90% of adults
reaching maturity be eaten before they breed. The very real
threat to these beautiful creatures i5 habitat destruction
which in many tropical countries as in our own goes on apace.
The British Lepidoptera collections.are those of Cocks {again =
most of our Mollusca were his too}, H. L..Dolton (mainly
"micros"), W. Holland and R. D. Sitwell, all of .whom were .
active in the early years of this century.and some in the late
1800's also. ..The "macro" collections remain as separate.
entities, but the "micros", tiny insects of clothes=moth size
or smaller, are now being combined into a singie collection.
Before turning to the vertebrates, I should make some
~ 15%
further mention of Eric Burtt who for a number of years was
the museum's honorary curator of entomology. Born in 1908,
as a young man in the 1930's he collected mainly grasshoppers
and wasps in the Slough area. Entering the colonial service
as it then was, he worked on tsetse flies in Central Africa.
Following a severe motor cycle crash he never fully recovered
his former degree of activity, and by the time If knew him in
the early 60's he was obliged to restrict his collecting to
areas within easy reach of a bus route. He was now concentrat-—
ing on the larger Diptera, particularly crane flies and hover
flies, while still maintaining an interest in bumble bees.
As his disability increased, it became impossible for him to
mount. the steep stairs to the :suseum's entomology store or to
board buses. I was called in to serve as chauffeur and
assistant collector, conveying him to and from his favoured
collecting grounds and transporting drawers out of the collect-—
ion to and from his lodgings. He found movement of any kind
increasingly difficult and distressing, and it was noticed
that ready access to his favourite beer became an essential
factor in his. choice of site, Through his generosity,
additional cabinets were purchased to house the ever~srowing
collection and even when he was unable to get about except in
a wheel-chair, he would still have me wheel him to some
choice spot where flowers and flies abounded while I ranged
further afield with net and tube.
In comparison with the teeming invertebrates, the vert-—
ebrate collections are modest in point of numbers both of
species and specimens. Fish are few, and these mainly anglers'
trophies which though spectacular in size are not really
typical of their kind. Reptiles and amphibia are fewer still.
Such is the scarcity of these "Herptiles" as some now call
them and so intense the pressure on their favoured wetland and
heathland habitats that collecting is impossible in the fore-
seeable future.
Despite what I have said above about predation, these
animals are now so near the brink that positive efforts must
be made to increase them rather than the opposite. Road
casualties Lapaacgii now maintain our supply of birds and mammals
occur among "Herptiles" too, but no amount of doctoring will
make them look lifelike after being run over.
There are something like 2,500 birds including a number
of bird bones in the reference collection, and 3,000 birds'
eggs. The nucleus of the mounted skin ("stuffed bird")
collection was the gift of Councillor Bland in 1882 when the
museum was founded. Many specimens have been added since,
including 75 supplied by George Bristow of Hastings between
‘1897 and 1913. This taxidermist'!s activities became the ©
subject of a lively controversy in 1962 when an article in
"British Birds" analysed the pattern of occurrence of his
"Hastings Rarities" and compared it with that which emerged
from nation-wide visual observations 1925-1954. A second
article in the same issue came to the conclusion that Bristow
had been obtaining specimens from abroad in cold storage,
mounting them and passing them off as British. A book has
been written since, championing Bristow's integrity, but be
= Nowe
that as it may, Reading Museum has one of the finest collections
of "Hastings Rarities" in the world! The egg collections are
something of a mixed bag. Because of the wide range of size
in birds' eggs it is much easier to leave such collections in
their original cabinets with their graded ranges of shallow
and deep drawers, and this has been done. Pride of place must
certainly go to the collection of Arnold W. Hugnes despite its
paucity of local material. The cabinets are so constructed
that there is no necessity to place the shallow drawers at the
top, anc an arrangement in keeping with modern taxonomic ideas
is feasible. Hughes's very complete card index has been
preserved, and with it many of the original labels used by
other collectors and dealers from whom he obtained material,
making it a sort of rogues! gallery of eminent Edwardians like
A. G. W. Sladen and J. Walpole-Bond. Frequently eggs can be
traced through the hands of two or three collectors, perhaps
back to the man who though not in the usual sense a collector
himself supplemented his income by gathering eggs for those
who were.
The mammal collection is comperatively scanty, really
only a reserve for the displays where all the best material
is concentrated. There is however a more extensive bone
reference collection of about 1,500 items for identifying the
bones of domestic mammals and the commoner wild species.
Mothing |
N., Me Hall
IT would guess that for every thousand people who can
identify butterflies well enough for the purpose of recording,
there are only about fifty who can identify the larger moths
(macrolepidoptera or "macros'}, and one who can identify the
smaller moths (microlepidoptera or 'micros'), The larger
moths are nevertheless one of the best recorded of all the
insect groups, and the smaller moths, though currently grossly
underrecorded, are increasing in popularity. A consequence of
the discrepancy in interest is that the national recording. -
scheme for larger moths is on a 10km square basis, whereas for
the smaller moths it is still on a vice-county basis. That
more people are not interested in the smaller moths is-a great
pity, because their study is not too difficult and can be very
rewarding.
Many of the people who study the larger moths are collect-
ors who have 'moved on! from butterflies. There are only
about 40 butterflies that they are likely to encounter.
be he
Consequently, most collectors soon reach a point where they
rarely acquire anything new, and though some begin to’ special-
ise (e.g. in genetic studies) or move on to foreign butterflies,
many move on to larger moths. They can then, of course, reach
a similar situation with these and move on again, either to
microlepidoptera or to other orders of insects. Many regret
not having developed this final interest earlier, especially
as that is where they are most likely to make original contrib-
utions in fields other than that of the knowledge of the
distribution of species. However, the move from butterflies
to larger moths is the first step in the right direction.
The move is not too difficult, largely for the following
reasons;
1) There are only about 750 species of larger moths to
contend with. This is. a manageable number.
2) They can usually be identified on wing pattern: alone.
3') There is a field guide in which all the species likely
to be encountered are illustrated (South's Moths. of
the British: Isles. Vols» 1 & 2. Ref. 1).
4) It is usually possible to find someone living
locally who will gladly help you get started.
5) Most specimens are large enough to set easily, if you
want to start a collection.
6) You can be lazy if you want to and get a moth trap to
do your collecting for you while you are in bed - and
species of considerable interest can turn up even in
urban areas.
7) The larger moths all have well established English
names.
There are one or two problems, however:
1) The division between microlepidoptera and macro-
lepidoptera is a totally arbitrary one. Some of the micros
are much bigger than some of the macros, (For example, the
mother-of—pearl moth frequently seen around nettles at dusk —
is a very large micro!) Consequently, there is a danger of
spending hours looking through South for species which are
not illustrated. ;
\lt is convenient to consider moths as macros if they
are dealt with in South, and as micros if they are not. The
micros are then precisely those dealt with in the extremely
useful recent publication "A Field Guide to the Smaller
British Lepidoptera" (Ref. -2). If,, however, we look at a
recent checklist of all British lepidoptera, by Bradley and
Pleteher of the British Museum (Ref. 3), in which the ordering
of families is done according to which are considered to .be
the most primitive, and which the most. advanced (relative to
the original scale-winged insect), we find that the division
between macros and micros is as much between primitive and
advanced as between small and large. Most of the primitive
moths happen to be small. However, some primitive moths were
large enough, or pretty enough, to be considered collectable
= 1 oer
and these became ‘honorary macros'., (These are the swift
moths, the leopard moths, the goat moth, the foresters, the
burnets, the festoon, the triangle and the atearwinee?)
Others, like the mother-of-pearl, were large, but belonged to
families of moths which were in general 'too small', and
somehow missed out. .
2) Editions-of South published since 1961 have drawings of
all the species rather than photographs. Using these, it is.
almost impossible to be sure of an identification. Usually
one finds no illustration that looks like one's own or twelve
that vaguely like it.
The photographic plates in the first edition of South
were much better than those in the later editions. However,
even using these the beginner will have trouble because moths
are often variable in pattern or colour and one: frequently
encounters worn specimens in which the features critical to
identification are obscured. In any case, the critical
features are not specifically pointed out in South. What is
needed is a Peterson system of arrows pointing to ‘field
marks', as used in his "Pield Guide to the Birds: of Britain
& a lee
3) South's illustrations are of set specimens. This is
because forewing and hindwing patterns can both be helpful in
identification, as can wing shape. The: illustrations are
also life-size. However, it is difficult for a beginner to
compare a live moth in resting position with a picture of a
set moth.
Seven points were listed above which were considered helpful
when_ ‘moving ont from butterflies to larger moths. Let us
now look at the possibility of moving on directly from
butterflies to micros, and consider some parallel points.
1) There are some 1,400 microlepidoptera. This is a lot.
However, one can always start by studyine one small group
only. Many groups contain similar species with different
food-plants. The effect of the larvae on the different food-
plants is however often very characteristic of the group.
For example, in the genus Phyllonorycter, there are:
about 50 species, most of which are food-plant specific.
The eggs.are laid on a leaf and on hatching the larva: bores
straight in. It appears to consider the leaf-as green meat
ee parenchyma), sandwiched between two colourless skins
the cuticles). It separates the cuticle from the parenchyma
either on the upper side of the leaf or the underside (the
side chosen being constant for each species) and then spins
silk on the cuticle. The silk contracts thus forming a hollow
chamber in the leaf in which the larva feeds and subsequently
pupates, Larvae such as these that feed entirely inside
leaves are called leaf-miners and the chambers or tunnels
(galleries) they create ited called leaf mines. ee pin apeabapac=
Sena ae
2) Microlepidoptera frequently cannot be identified on
15S.
wing pattern alone. However, if a moth has been bred from a
known food-plant, the family to which it belongs may be
obvious from its effect on the food-plant, and knowledge of
the food-plant itself may reduce the possibilities to only
one or two species, which may be distinguishable on wing
pattern. For recording purposes, it may not be necessary to
breed the adult out at all - the mine may be so characteristic
that there is simply no need. And if the adult is bred out,
there will be no need to kill it.
In the case of the species of Phyllonorycter, the wing
patterns are all similar, but, even so, some are instantly
recognisable, It is just about possible to key out the
species on wing pabtern alone, and two keys have been
published (Refs. 4, 5).
Sometimes, however, species are so similar that it is
necessary to examine the genitalia to be certain of an
identification, For this purpose, the abdomen must be removed
and boiled in caustic soda, and the genitalia dissected out |
and examined under a binocular microscope. However, with
Phyllonorycter, this is only necessary for some of the species
that feed on rosaceous trees and here there is much pleasure
to be gained in breeding out the moths and trying to identify
the species without going to such lengths.
3) There are no illustrated field guides covering all the
microlepidoptera. :
Flowers", the recommended list of the Botanical Society of
the British Isles.
List of Members! Records
POLYPODTACEAE
Adiantum 1_capillus-veneris L. Maidenhair Fern
Still on Sonning Bridge, Berks. (HJMB).
Asplenium achap Lana Le Black Spleenwort
Ufton church, 6.83 (PRB); growing out of a brick wall,
Brownlow oa Reading (MRH).
Asplenium t: Peo onenss L. if Maidenhair
Ufton church, 6.83 (PRB) ; Spleenwort
Dryopteris cristata tL. 2 A. Gray Crested Buckler-fern
Very rare in “Molinia eee at Deer Rock Hill, Camberley, ?
Surrey; no plants seen on the Berkshire side of the county
ce (HJMB ).
lypteris limbosperma (All. ) H. P. Fuchs
Lemon-scented Fern
a 2 \
Crookham and Silchester commons, F., Rose (PRB).
MARSILEACEAR
Pilularia globulifera 1th. Pillwort
aon ae
Present in very large quantity at Bramshill, 26.8.83 (PRB).
AZOLLACEAT
*AZolla filiculoides Lam. Water Fern
Ss Se
Abundant in shallow pools, Sheffield Bottom pit, Theale (MRH).
OPHTOGLOSSACH,
Opt hioglossum vul atum Ais Adder's-tongue
Pamber Forest, 2833, in a meadow in Tadley, (PRB); three plants
in a group, one with spore-—bearing spike, near the Transport
and Road Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, 7.6.82, did not
re-appear in 1983 (MJD): meadow near Moor Copse, Tidmarsh;
meadow near Herridge's Copse, Tidmarsh (MRE).
3 34 =
RANUNCULLCEAL
Helleborus foetidus L. Stinking Hellebore
Sulham Woods, 31.3833 Swyncombe, 23.4.83 (AB).
Aconitum anglicum Stapf Monk's-—hood
Plastow 7 Green, 6.83 (PRB).
FUMARIACEAE
Corydalis claviculata ‘a. ‘gpd, ox Climbing Corydalis
In rides, Carbins ood, Bucklebury, Berks. {HJMB>.
RUCLIFERAE
Lepidium heterophyllum Benth. Smith's Pepperwort
On gravel track by Sheffield Bottom pit, Theale (MRH).
Cardamine 2 amara L. Large Bitter-cress
Hill's Meadow, Reading, last recorded in 1967 (HHC).
HYPERICACEAE
Hypericum andresaemum L. . Tutsan
By a footpath past Tadley Lodge, Wasing, 31.8.83 (AB).
Hypericum montanum L. Pale St. John's-wort
In wood clearings near Hammons Farm, Weodcote, Oxon. (HIME ).
CARYOPHYLLACAS
Saponaria officinalis L. Soapwort
By a footpath past Tadley Ledge, Wasing, 31.8.83 (AB).
Moenchia erecta (Tow Gaertn., Mey. & Scherb.
Upright Chickweed
Re-found by tracks at Pound Green and Snelsmore Common,
Berks. (HJMB).
LINACRAR
Radiola linoides Roth ' Allseed
In quantity on a track at Bramshill 26.8.83 (PRB).
OXALIDACEAE
*Oxalis europaea Jord. Upright Yellow Sorrel
In the grounds of St. Andrew's Hall, Reading University (HJMB).
PAPILIOMUACKAL
Medicazo polymorpha L. Toothed Medick
On an old tip, Dry Sandford pit, Berks. (HJMB).
Trifolium medium L. Zigzag Clover
In a meadow in Tadley (PRB); on waste ground between Metal Box
and St. George's Road, Reading; 1? 6.83 .(HHC}).
*Galega efficinalis L. Goat's-rue
A si single plant on a gravel track, Sheffield Bottom pit,
Theale (MRE).
ee
ROSACEAE
Potentilla palustris (LU. ) Seop. “3 Marsh Cinquefoil
Fleet Pond (PRB).
Geum rivale L. Water Avens
In a meadow by Horsemoor Copse, near Tidmarsh (MRE).
Sanguisorba officinalis L. Great Burnet
Tyle Mill, Sulhampstead, NHS walk, 27.8.83 (AB); the embank-
ment of Theale by-pass; in meadow by Wigley Copse, Tidmarsh3
in meadow by Horsemoor Copse near Tidmarsh (MRH).
Rosa rubiginosa L. Sweet Briar
Little Wittenham 14.5,83 (AB).
Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz Wild Service-tree
Nuney Green, NHS walk, 6.7.83 (AB).
SAXTFRAGACEAL
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium L. Opposite-leaved
Golden-~-saxifrage
On bank of river Loddon near Sandford Mill (MRH).
Chrysosplenium alternifolium L. Alternate-leaved
Golden-saxifrage
Baynes Reserve, Thatcham 20.3.83 (AB).
DROSERACEAE
Drosera rotundifolia L. Round—leaved Sundew
Abundant in a small damp area at the foot of an embankment
7). Transport and Road Research Laboratory, Crowthorne
(mMgD).
THYMELAEACEAE
Daphne mezereum L. Mezereon
One bush at Park Wood, Bisham (HJMB).
ONAGRACEAE
*Epilobium nerterioides A. Conn, New Zealand Willow-
herb
A large number of plants in a garden at Thatcham.10,8.83 (AB).
CALLTTRICHACEAR
Callitriche intermedia Hoffm, Intermediate Water-.
starwort
In Upper Lake, Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Surrey (HIMB).
UMBELLIFERAE
Anthriscus caucalis Bieb. Bur Chervil
Near Reading prison, F. J. Rumsey (HJMB ).
- 36 —
*Smyrnium olusatrum L. Alexanders
A leng-established small colony at the corner of Southcote
and Tilehurst Roads, Reading (KR). The plant was recorded for
the Society in this area in 1900, and has been noted several
times in the last thirty years.
Physospermum cornubiense (L.) De. Bladderseed
Many plants at Burnham Beeches 8.82 (PRB).
Oenanthe fistulosa L. | Tubular Water-—dropwort
In a meadow in Tadley (PRB).
POLYGONACBAE
Polygonum bistorta L. Cummon Bistort
Plaistow Green 6,83 (FRB)
BETULACEAE
*Alnus incana (L.) Moench Grey Alder
Pamber Forest 8.83 (PRB)
SALICACEAE
Salix repens L. Creeping Willow
Tadley Common 18.5.83 (AB).
PRIMULACEAR
Hottonia palustris L. Water-violet
Fleet Pond 8.83 (PRB). |
*Lysimachia punctata L. Dotted Loosestrife
On roadside verge near College Wood, Oxon, (HHC}.
APOCYNACEAE
Vinca minor L. Lesser Periwinkle
Ashampstead 7.5.83 (SW).
*Vinea major L Greater Periwinkle
Warren Farm, Streatley, NHS walk, 18.6,83 (AB).
BORAGINACEAR
*Symphytum orientale L. | White Comfrey
By police post, Buckingham Drive, Caversham, last reported in
1968 (aHC). 3
SOLANACEAE
Atropa bella-donne we Deadly Nightshade
In felled woodland, Bottom Wood, Hardwick, Oxon. (HJMB).
LENTIBULARTACEAB
Utricularia neglecta Lehm. . Bladderwort
1 pas
Fleet Pond 8.83 (PRB).
a ee
PLANTAGINACEAE
Pliantago coronopus L Buck's-horn Plantain
On bare, dry places at Pound Green & Silchester Common, Berks,
(HJMB); Osborne Road, Reading (MRE).
CAMPANULACEAE
Campanula patula L. Spreading Bellflower
St. Lawrence's churchyard, Reading (HHC).
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
*Lonicera japonica Thunb.
In an $d garden, Barkham Ride, Berks. First Berkshire record
(HIJMB ).
COMPOSITAE
*Senecio cineraria DC Silver Ragwort
Wall cf Holy Brook, Kings Road, Reading. First Berkshire
record of this grey-leaved garden alien (JMB ).
Inula conyza DC. Ploughman!'s-spikenard
On chalk banks at Park Wood, Bisham, Berks. (HJMB); Nuney
Green, NHS walk, 6.7.83 (AB).
Pulicaria vulgaris Gaertn. Small Fleabane
In a meadow near Bramshill, 8.83 (PRB).
Chameemelum nobile (L.) All. Chamomile
Nuney Green, NHS walk, 6.7.83 (A3).
Cirsium eriophorum (iy. ) Scop. Woolly Thistle
Little Wittenham, 14.5.83 (AB); Beacon Hill, Highclere 1982
(PRB).
Cirsium dissectum (L.) Hill Meadow Thistle
In a meadow in, Tadley (PRB).
Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Milk Thistle
Harcourt Hill, Nuffield, 30.4.83 (N & MD).
Centaurea cyanus L. Cornflower
One plant on new roadside verge, Dorchester by-pass, Oxon.
It was mown off later (HJMB).
ALISMATACEAE
Sagittaria sagittifolia L. érrowhead
Tyle Mill, Sulhampstead, NHS walk, 27.86.83 (AB): Basingstoke
canal, 8.83 (PRB).
HYROCHARTTACEAR
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L. Frogbit
Basingstoke canal, 8.83 (PRB).
=_ 38x
Stratiotes aloides L. Water-soldier
Basingstoke | canal, 8. 83 (PRB).
LILIACEAE
*Allium paradoxum (Bieb.) G. Don Few-flowered Leek
Hazelmoor Lane, opposite Lilac Cottage, Gailowstree Common
4.83 (HHC).
JUNCACEAE
*Juncus tenuis Willd. Slender Rush
Along tracks, Wasing Wood and Long Moor, Berks. (HJMB).
AMARYLLIDACEAE
Leucojum aestivum L. Summer Snowflake,
Loddon Lily
New Lodge Reserve, 24.4.83 (43); near Basing, the only known
Hampshire site, 4.83 (PRB); a single plant on the.bank of
the river Thames east of Streatley (MH).
oe ated
iris foetidissima L. Stinking Iris,
Gladdon
Swyncombe, 23.4.83 (4B); road edge, Quick's Green, near
Ashampstead, NHS walk (MRH).
ORCHIDACEAE
Spiranthes spiralis (is. ) Chevall. Autumn Lady's-tresses
Three plants in Franklin Avenue, Tadley, 8.9.833 about two
hundred plants on frnnt lawns of two houses in Burnham Road,
Tadley, 12.9.83 (AB); a group of nineteen flowerins spikes
near the Transport and Road Research Laboratory, Crowthorne
23.6.83 (MJD).
Ophrys apifera Huds. Bee Orchid
On chalk grassland, Seven Barrows, Lambourn, Berks. (HJMB ) s
sixty~four plants on roadside verge, Burnham Road, Tadley,
ZiaSeos (AB } 3 a group of nineteen flowering weg near the
Cee and Road Research Laboratory, Crowthorne 23.6.83
MJD ).
Orchis morio L. Green-winged Orchid
Bernwood meadow, 21.5.83 (A3 3)3 in a meadow in Tadley (PRB).
LEMNACE AE
Lemna polyrhiza L. Greater Duckweed
in a pond-an St. Patrick's Hall grounds, Reading University
(HIMB ).
CYPERACEAE
te OS ae tabernaemontani (C. C. Gmel.) Palla
Fleet Pond &.83 (PRB). Grey -Club-rush
39 ee
isolepis setacea (Lis ) R oe tts Bristle Club-rush
In a meadow in Tadley (prs).
Cyperus longus L. , Galingale
Bucklebury Common, 11.9.83 (N & MD).
Rhynchospora alba (List Vahl White Beak-sedge
Snelsmore Common, 3.9. 833 Hawley Lake area, Hants., 4.9.83
(PRB).
Carex laevigata Sm. Smooth-stalked Sedge
In wet rides, Carbins Wood, Bucklebury, Berks. (HJMB); in a
meadow in Tadley (PRB).
Carex binervis Sm. Green~ribbed Sedge
On heaths at Silchester Common and Deer Rock Hill, Berks.
(JMB )
Carex demissa Mornem, Common Yellow-sedge
oe a AS SE Se LS x =
On wet heaths at Long Moor, Berks. (HJMB).
Carex pseudocyperus L. Cyperus Sedge
On margin of Upper Lake, Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst,
Surrey (JMB).
Carex vesicaria L. Bladder-sedge
Long Moor, Berks., I. Dicker (HJMB); Ashford Hill (PRB).
Carex strigosa Huds. Thin~-spiked Wood~
sedge )
In wet wood, Padworth Gully, Berks. (HJIMB ) s Horsemoor Copse,
near Tidmarsh (MRH).
Carex pailescens L. cz Pale Sedge
In a meadow in Tadley (PRB).
Carex muricata L. Prickly Sedge
On ary verge of gravel pit near Wasing Wood, Berks. (HJMB).
Carex curta Good. White Sedge
Locally abundant in shaded, iron-rich bogs at Long Moor,
Berks. (HJMB}; Fleet Pond, 8.83 (PRB).
Carex ovalis Good. . Oval Sedg
In dry ride in old Deerpark Wood, Bradfield, Berks. ” (adit yy
Heath Pond, Finchampstead (MRH).
Carex pulicaris L. ..Flea Sedge
Very local in bog, Inkpen Common, Berks. (HJMB).
GRAMINEAE
Hordelymus europaeus (L.) Harz Wood Barley
In wood near Hammons Farm, Woodcote, Oxon. (HJMB )
Agrostis setacea Curt. Bristle Bent
On heath near. Deer Rock Hill, Berks.”. (HJIMB).
*Phalaris canariensis L,. Canary Grass
oe
Warren Farm, Streatley, NHS walk, 18.6.83 (AB).
*Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. Cockspur
cee ae oe coe
In the grounds of St. Andrew's Hall, Reading University (HIMB).
*Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. Green Bristle-grass
In the grounds of St. Andrew's Hall, Reading University (HJMB).
a LEO)
Contributors:
Dr. H. J. M. Bowen (HJMB); Dr. A. Brickstock (AB); Dr. P. R.
Brough (PRB); Mr. H. H. Carter (HHC); Mr. & Mrs. N. Diserens
(N & MD); Dr. M. J. Dumbleton (MJD); Mr. M. R. Hughes (MRH):
Mrs. K. Rhodes (KR); Mrs. S. Ward (SW).
The Recorder's Report for Entomology 1982-83
Bo’ R:- Baker
The order and nomenclature used in this Report are those
given in Kloet and Hincks, A Check List of British Insects,
Part 13 Small Orders and Hemiptera, 19643; Part 2: Lepidoptera,
19723; Part 3: Coleoptera, 19773; Part 4: Hymenoptera, 19783
and Part 53: Diptera, 1975.
ORTHOPTERA Grasshoppers, Bush Crickets, Ground-Hoppers
Tetrix undulata (Sowerby ) Common Ground-Hopper
Baynes Nature Reserve (Parklodge Gully), 14.5.83.. Adults
common in leaf litter (BRB).
ODONATA Dragonflies
Coenagrion puella (L. ) Common Coenagrion
Brimpton Gravel Pit, 25.6.83 (MRH).
Agrion splendens (Harris) Banded Agrion
Moor Copse Nature Reserve, 9.7.83 (MRH).
A. virgo CO) Demoiselle Agrion
Brimpton Gravel Pit, 25.6.83 (MRH).
Gomphus vulgatissimus {L. ) Club-tailed Dragonfly
North bank of Thames close to Reading Bridge, 3.6.83, one newly
emerged specimen (BRB); Thames east of Goring, 11.6.83, one
female (MRH),
Aeshna grandis (L.) Brown Aeshna
Moor Copse Nature Reserve, 9.7.83 (MRH).
A. mixta Latr. Scarce Aeshna
Moatlands Gravel Pit, near Theale, 16.10.83 (MRH).
«= es
Libellula depressa L. Broad=bodied Libellula
Brimpton Gravel Pit, 25.6.83, common; Theale Gravel Pits,
14.8.83, very common (MRH).
PSOCOPTERA Psocids, Book—lice
Liposcelis paetus Pearman
Reading,’ 10.2.83, Pennycroft Road, Upper Basildon,
25.11.78, Earley, 20.7.83 (HHC).
LEPIDOPTERA Butterflies and Moths
Adscita geryon (Hubn) Cistus Forester
Aston Upthorpe, 5.6.83 (BRB, PS).
Apoda limacodes (Hufn, ) The Festoon
Surley Row, Caversham, 16.7.83 (PS).
Erynnis tages (an) Dingy Skipper
Crog Hill, 11.6.83 (HJMB).
Pyrgus malvae (1. 7 Grizzled Skipper
Aston Upthorpe, 4.6.83 (HJMB).
Colias croceus (Geoffr. ) Clouded Yellow
Many records have been received of this beautiful immigrant
butterfly which had its best year in this country since 1947.
The October records indicate that there was a partial second
British-bred generation.
Dry Sandford Pit, 19.6.83, Silchester Common, 30.7.83,
Mapledurham, 5. 10, 83 (MB) Aston Rowant, 19.6.83, Brimpton
Gravel Babs 25.6.83, Theale Gravel Pit, Pode on ee 8783?
two on 20.8.83, four on 25.9.83, two on 2.10.83 ins)
Woosehill, 30.7.83, Twyford Gravel Pit, 14.8.83 (RJG)3_
Crowthorne, 3.9.83, 16.9.83, 19.9.83, prasad f° 4.10.83 (MJD);
Pamber Forest, two on 26.7.83, 28.7.83, Turvilioc Hill, three on
.e.83, ron Upthorpe, 20.8.83 (NJ & MD); RibSPaaS tons
twenty-three including one white var. helice between 29.7. 83
and 20.10.83, Hemdean Bottom, 13.8,83, 23.10.83, Hardwick, four
on 30,8.83, Aston Upthorpe,’ two on 25.9.83 (PS); Aston
Upthorpe, 30.7.83, Theale Gravel Pit, (four, all males),
23.10.83 (BRB).
Gonepteryx rhamni (L.) s ws Brimsfone
‘Padworth Gully, 8.5.83, Park Wood, Bisham, 14.5.83, Little
Wittenham Wood, 19.6.83, Long Moor, larvae on Frangula alnus,
Ly Ris a Pama Forest, 30.7.83, Nettlebed, 13.68.83 (HIMB ) :
Wokingham, 16.4.83, hd ele ghia . 6.6.83 (RIG).
Anthocharis cardamines ix ) Orange-tip
Park Wood, Bisham, 14.5.83, Nuney Green, larvae on Alliaria
petiolata, Be tues (HMB ); Theale Gravel Pit, males common,
ass wl Be
8.5.83 (MRH)s Caversham Warren, 31.5.83 (PS): Northcourt Avenue,
one female, 16.5.83, ome male, 5.6.83, Bix, 4.6.83 (LEC);
Wokingham, frequently between 14,5.83 and 12.6.83, Whiteknights,
frequently between 15.5.83 and 10.6.83, Dinton Pastures,
22.5.83 (RJG).
Quercusia quercus (L.) Purple Hairstreak
Bucklebury Lower Common, frequent on one oak, 24.7.83, Pamber
Forest, common, 30.7.83 (HJMB); Crowthorne, 3.8.83 (MJD).
Lycaena phlaeas Ce) Small Copper
This species had a good season, the October dates
indicating a third brood.
Wasing Wood Pits, 1.8.83, Bucklebury Upper Common, 2.10.83
(HJMB); Aldermaston, 4.10.83, 11.10.83, 17.10.83 (PS); Theale
Gravel Pit, several, 23.10.83 (BRB).
Cupido minimus (Fuess. ) Small Blue
Aston Upthorpe, 5.6.83, 30.7.83, second brood, (BRB).
Plebejus argus (L.) Silver-studded Blue
Silchester Common, 30.7.83 (HJMB):3 Pamber Heath, 30.7.83 (MRH);
near Crowthorne, over a hundred on 14.6,83 and over a hundred
on 21.6.83 in another part of the same area (MJD).
Aricia agestis 5 ae Brown Argus
Alexandra Road, Reading, one on 14.8,83 (MRH).
Celastrina argiolus (L. ) Holly Blue
Ride in Carbins Wood, 24.7.83, Pamber Forest, 30.7.83, Toad
Hall, Fawley, -6.8.83, St. Andrew's Hall, Reading, '30.7.83,
Windmill Hill, Nettlebed, 14.8.83 (HJMB): Chazey Heath, 3.8.83,
Alexandra Road, Reading, 14.8.83, Theale Gravel Pit; 14.38.83,
(MRH); Caversham Warren, (31.5.83 (PS); Christchurch Road,
Reading, 16.5.83, Northcourt Avenue, Reading, 21.5.83, 26.7.83,
(LEC); Dinton Pastures, 22.5,83 (RIG); Matlock Road, Caversham,
8.5.83 (HGB); Matlock Road, Caversham, 4.6.83, female ovipost=
ing on an ornamental Cornus (BRB). °
Hamearis lucina (L. ) Duke of Burgundy Fritillary
Aston Upthorpe, 5.6.83, ova on Primula veris, 8.8.83, partial
second brood (PS; BRB). anit.
Ladoga camilla (L.) ' White Admiral
Long Moor, lo 83. Chapel Row, 17.7.83, Carbins Wood and’
Bucklebury Lower Common, 24.7.83, Pamber Forest, 30.7.83, (HJMB).
Apatura iris (L.) ; Purple Emperor | ;
Pamber Forest, 30.7.83 (JMB); Pamber Forest, two on 30.7.83
(MRH); Pamber Forest,. 17.8.83 (NJ & MD}; Pamber Forest,
27.7.83 (BRB).
Vanessa atalanta (L?) Jes Red Admiral
Pamber Forest, 30.7.83, Nettlebed Woods, 13.08.83, Theale,
= 43 =
25.8.83 (HJMB); Wokingham, 9.8.83, Harcourt Drive, Reading,
19.9.83 (RJG); Moor Copse Nature Reserve, 23.7.3, six on .
24.9.83 (BRB); Matlock Road, Caversham, 14.10.83, four on
24.10. 83, 27.10.83 (HGB).
Cynthia cardui (hE. ) Painted Lady
Toad Hall, Fawley, 6.8. 83 (HJMB); Surley Row, Caversham,
8.8.83, Aldermaston, 3 8.83, 11.10.83, 19.10.83, 20.10.83 (PS);
Bracknell, 7.6.83, Wokingham, 7.8.83 (RJG); Leighton Park,
GT sOn83 (TDH) ; Moor Copse Nature Reserve, 30.8.83, 24,.9.83 (BRB).
Boloria selene (D. & S.) Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Padworth, 10.7.83, very late (BRB).
Argynnis paphia i) Silver-washed Fritillary
Pamber Forest, 30.7.83 (HJMB); Nuney Gréen, 9.8.83 (LEC).
Eurodryas aurinia (Rott.) Marsh Fritillary
Near Lambourn, 11.6.83 (HJMB).
Hipparchia semele ye _ Grayling
Silchester Common, 30.7.03, Wasing Wood Pits, 21.8,83, Deer
Rock Hill, Sandhurst, 4.9.83 (HJMB); Wellington College
grounds, 2 Rees pine trunks, 24.7.83 (BRB).
Rhodometra sacraria (L.) The Vestal
This irregular immigrant moth, like the Clouded Yellow
butterfly referred to earlier, tes had its best year in this
country since 1947 and some of the records span many weeks
suggesting a British-bred generation,
Didcot, six on 26.9.83 (RL); Emmer Green, (JHFN)3; Matlock Road,
Paversham, 25.9.83, 27.9.83 (BRB); Burghclere, thirty-five
recorded in light trap between 17.7.83 and 2.10.83 (GE-F).,
Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata (cC1.) Large Twin-spot Carpet
Surley Row, Caversham, Tote weiss: (PS).
Plagodis pulveraria (4 Barred Umber
Baynes Wood Nature Reserve, 4.6.83 (NMH).
Aspitates ochrearia (Rossi) Yellow Belle
Baynes Wood Nature Reserve, W, Ov 83 (NMH) .
Agrius convolyuli (L.) Convolvulus Hawk-moth
This immigrant hawk-moth was widely recorded over southern
England, particularly on the coast... A locally found specimen.
was brought to the Museum by Mr. K. Stephens during the second
week of September.
Hyloicus pinastri (L.) Pine Hawk-moth
Long Moor, 16.7.83 (TIGH; BRB); Baynes Wood Nature Reserve,
6.8.83 (NMH).
was DE a
Macroglossum stellatarum ro) Humming-bird Hawk=-moth
Surley Row, Caversham, 19.7.83 at 7.30 p.m., 17.8.83 (PS).
Deilephila porcellus Cl Small Elephant Hawk-moth
Surley Row, Caversham, 26.6,.83 (PS).
Ptilodontella cucullina (D. & S.) Maple Prominent
Surley Row, Caversham, 13.7.83, 15.7.83, 11.8,.83, 3.8.83 (PS).
Odontosia carmelita (Esp. ) Scarce Prominent
Baynes Wood Nature Reserve, 16.4,83 (NMH).
Leucoma salicis (1...) White Satin Moth
Surley Row, Caversham, 12.7.83 (PS).
Callimorpha dominula (5, an) , Scarlet Tiger
Surley Row, Caversham, 5.7.03, a wanderer (PS); Sul Stream
banks near Moor Copse Nature Reserve, 7.5.83, larvaes Kennet
banks at Milkmaid's Bridge, Southcote, 6.7.83 (BRB).
Rhyacia simulans (Hufn., ) . Dotted Rustic
Surley Row, Caversham, 6.8.83 (PS).
Hadena_ compta (D. & S.) Varied Coronet
Surley Row, Caversham, 19.6.83 (PS),
Orthosia miniosa (D. & S.) Blossom Underwing
Surley Row, Caversham, 23.4.83 (PS).
Mythimna vitellina (Hubn, ) Delicate Wainscot
Burghclere, 16.9.83, a rarely recorded immigrant at inland
locations (GE-F).
Lithophane semibrunnea (Haw. ) Tawny Pinion
Baynes Wood Nature Reserve, 15.5.83 (NMH).
L. socia (Hufn., ) Pale Pinion
Baynes Wood Nature Reserve, 16.4.83 (NMH).
L. leautieri (Boisd. ) Blair's Pinion
Surley Row, Caversham, 25.10.83, 26.10.83, 1.11.83, 3.11.83 (PS).
Xanthia citrago (Tso) Orange Sallow
Surley Row, Caversham, 27.9.83 (PS).
Mormo maura (L. ) | ' Old Lady
Surley Row, Caversham, 31.8.83 (PS).
Diachrysia chryson (Hubn. ) Searce Burnished Brass
Baynes Wood Nature Reserve, 6.8.83 (NMH).
-— 45
Parascotia fuliginaria (E.) Waved Black
Long Moor, 16.7.83 (BRB).
COLEOPTERA Beetles
Pterostichus niger (Schaller)
Near Shinfield Grange, 2.5.83 (TDH).
P. nigrita (Payku11 )
—e
Near Hall Farm, Shinfield, 17.9.83 (TDH):
Sphacridium lunatum Fabr.
Near Hall Farm, Shinfield, 17.9.83 (TDH).
Nicrophorus vespilloides Herbst.
Leighton Park, 28.4,83 (TDH).
Lucanus cervus (L.) Stag Beetle
Erleigh Road, Reading, one male, one female, 9.6.83,
Donnington Road, Reading, one male, 11..6.83, Erleigh Road,
Reading, one male, 17.6.83, one female, 10.7,853 (MRE).
Dorcus parallelepipedus (L.) Lesser Stag Beetle
Priory Lane, Bracknell, 22.6.83 (MJD).
Trox seaber (L.)
Leighton Park, 11.7.83 (TDH).
Typhaeus typhoeus Gor)
Aldermaston, one female in light trap, 23.3.83 (GE-F).
Lampyris noctiluca (L.) Glow Worm
Theale, near edge of Kennet Canal, one larva feeding on
Lymnaea palustris water snail 5.83 (MvH).°
Subcoccinella 24-punctata (L. )
Peighton Park, 8.5.83,(TDH)...
Anatis ocellata (L.)’
Crowthorne, 18.7.83 (MJD).
Prionychus ater (Fabr. )
Leighton Park, 5.7.83 (TDH).
Tetratoma fungorum Fabr.
Bast Ginge, near Wantage, 25.9.83 (TDH).
Crioceris asparagi iz.)
Leighton Park, 5.7.83 ({TDH).
Galerucella grisescens (Joannis)
Leighton Park, 30.6.83 (TDH).
= AGEs
Cassida rubiginosa Muller, O.F.
Leighton Park, 15.5.83 (TDH).
Phyllobius roboretanus Gredler
Whiteknights Park, 21.5.83 (TDH).
P. calcaratus (Fabr. ) .
Benyon's Inclosure near Mortimer West End, 6.7.83 (TDH).
Sitona lepidus Gyllenhal
Leighton Park, 10.9.83 (TDH).
Cionus tuberculosus (Scop. )
Whiteknights Park, 11.9.83 (TDH).
HYMENOPTERA Sawflies, Ichneumons, Bees and Wasps
Arge ochropus (Gmel. )
Larvae brought to the Museum by Colin Ravening during
August. They were found in his garden at St. Peter's Road
feeding on rose bushes and when bred out in the Museum proved
to be a species of sawfly new to our collections.
Fenusa pusilla (Lepeletier)
Crowsley, 27.7.83 (HHC).
Tchneumon insidiosus Wesmael
Forbury Gardens, 9.11.82 (HHC).
i. bucculentus Wesmael
Co. Forest, hibernating in clump of Polytrichunm, 222087
BRB jig
Lasius brunneus (Latr.)
White Ladies Park, Ascot, in felled pine trunk containing old
nest of Green Woodpecker (HHC). phe
Vespa _crabro tJ) The Hornet
A thriving nest discovered in a thatched roof at
Burghclere and several specimens brought to the Museum during
August. Rarely recorded in our district (GE-F).
Lasioglossum villosulum (Kirby)
Crowsley, 27.7.83 (HHE).
DIPTERA True Flies
Crypteria limnophiloides Bergroth
Maize field by Crowsley Forest, 5.10.83 ({HHC).
Paratanytarsus laetipes (Zetterstedt)
Bred in Museum fish tanks, 3.83 (HHC).
= 47 =
Empis picipes Meigen
Crowsley Forest, 16.6.83 (HHC).
Alophora hemiptera (Fabr. )
Shiplake College, 6.80 (R. G. Leeke}.
Ceromya nigrohalterata (Villeneuve)
Fence Wood, 25.5.82 (HHC).
Nilea hortulana (Meigen )
Crowsley Forest, 5.9.83 (HHC).
Chirosia parvicornis (Zett.)
Fence Wood, 25.5.82 (HHC}.
C, albifrons Tiensuu
Pence Wood, 25.5.82 (HHC).
Pegomyza praepotens (Wiedemann )
Maize field by Crowsley Forest, 5.10.83 (HHC).
Fannia subsimilis Ringdahl
Crowsley. Forest, 7.7.83 (HHC).
The Society's Entomological Night
This annual event was held at California Country Park on
16th July 1983, and had been preceded by a guided walk around
the heathland and lake led by the Warden, Mrs. Iris Dicker,
The Barbecue, organised by Dr. Bowen, fully cccupied us during
the evening and then two mercury-—vapour moth lamps were operated
from 10 p.m. until shortly after midnight. Weather conditions
were perfect for insect. flight and the sheets were soon covered
with numerous caddis-flies and a single, much bemused toad.
Among the fifty-two species recorded the following were indic-
ators of a.varied and interesting habitat:- . ~
Thyatira batis (L.) Peach Blossom
Ochropacha duplaris (ae ap) Common Lutestring
Xanthorhoe quadrifasiate (Cl.) Large Twin-spot Carpet. .
Mesoleuca albicillata (Hubn, ) Beautiful Carpet
Euphyia unangulata (Haw. ) Sharp-angled Carpet
Byloicus pinastri (Poy : si Pine Hawk-moth |
Deilephila elpenor (L.) Large Elephant Hawk-moth
Miltochrista miniata (Forst. ) Rosy Footman S's.
Parascotia fuliginaria (L. ) “Waved Black
Our thanks are due to Mrs, Dicker for permission to work
this interesting site, tc Mr. Homer for supplying a second
generator and to Miss Cobb and Mrs. Ward for listing our records.
= ASS
Contributors
The Recorder would like to thank the following members
and friends for records received
Mrs. H. G. Baker (HGB), Dr. H. J. M. Bowen (HJMB), H. H. Carter,
(HHC), Miss L. E. Cobb (LEC), J. N. Diserens (JND), Mrs. M.
Diserens (MD), Dr. M. J. Dumbleton (MJD), Lt. Col. G. G.
Eastwick-Field eae Dr. R. J. Grayer (RJG), N. M. Hall (NMH),
T. D. Harrison (TDH), T. J. G. Homer (TJGH), M. R. Hughes (MRH),
R. Lewington (RL), J. H. F. Notton (JHFN), P. Silver (PS).
Our thanks are additionally due to the Director of Reading
Museum & Art Gallery for allowing us to incorporate any
relevant records from the Museum's collections.
The following records of invertebrates other than insects
are contributed by H. H. Carter.
SPIDERS
Cyclosa_conica (Pallas)
Female with web in Passiflora, 2, Kennylands Road, Sonning
Common, First seen May 1983 but disappeared after some weeks.
Moebelia penicillata (Westring)
Crowsley Forest, 10.3.03.
CENTIP®DES
Geophilus electricus (L.)
82, Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, 16.3,.83.
Lithobius forficatus (L. ) LB
82, Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, 11.3.83 and many later
dates,
L. variegatus Leach
82, Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, 3.3.83 and many later
dates. .
L. melanops Newport
82, Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, 23.3.83.
L. duboscqui Brolemann
82, Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, 26.4.83.
MILLIPEDES
Cylindroiulus londinensis (Leach)
82, Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, 2.3.83, 5.4.83.
-~ 49 ~
Ophyiulus pilosus Newport
5, Pages Orchard, Sonning Common, 26.53 33x
Polydesmus gallicus Latzel
82, Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, 28.2,.83.
P. angustus Latzel
82, Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, 28.3.83 (sic).
The Recorder's Report for Vertebrates, 1982-83
H. He. Carter
FISH
Cottus gobio L. Bullhead
Common in the Pang at Hogmoor Bridge, 5.3.83
Gasterosteus aculeatus L. Three-spined Stickleback
Common in the Pang at Hogmoor Bridge, 5.3.83.
AMPHIBIANS
Triturus cristatus (Schr. ) Great Crested Newt
Present at Sulham Pond from 19.3.83 onwards, maximum two males,
four females, one at Cock Marsh, 24.9.83 (PRC). The same
observer found large numbers in an unlikely locality, a small
shallow (250mm deep ) pond full of rotting straw at Sulham,
24.7.83. In ten minutes she caught fifteen, all about 80mm
long, which is unusually large for the time of year. All had
external gills, which are normally lost towards the end of
August in the first year of life.
Triturus vulgaris (L. ) Smooth Newt
About twelve found hibernating in a compost heap on the out
skirts of Wallingford, 2.83 (MRH). Present from 19.3.83
onwards at Sulham Pond, where tadpoles were found in June and
July, and breeding in ponds at Burghfield, Cockney Hill,
Tilehurst,. and Westwood Road, Tilehurst (PRC).
Triturus helveticus (Raz. ) Palmate Newt
Male and female present at Burghfield Pond, 12.2.83, a male
and three females (the first record from this site) at Sulham
Pend, 1.9.:3.83 (PRC). Present in Wasing gravel pits, 6.3,83.
= 3a-5
Rana temporaria L. Frog
Six pairs and much spawn in garden pond, Alexandra Road,
Reading, 5.3.83, tadpoles began to hatch, 5.4.83 (MRH). Four
pairs spawned in garden pond, Westwood Road, Tilehurst, 17.3.83,
and at The Laurels primary school at the same date, also bred
at Burghfield pond where hundreds of froglets emerged, 9.7.83,
two froglets at Moor Copse, 14.8,83 (PRC). Eighty to ninety
frogs in garden pond at 24 The Square, Spencers Wood, (Mr.
Conaweetec} A few frogs and no spawn in the Upper Pond, many
frogs and much spawn in the Lower Pond at Greenmoor Hill,
Woodcote, 19.3.3, some spawn a few days old and some freshly
laid in the Horse Pond, Gallowstree Common, 18.3.83. A 4Omm
(second year) frog in Clayfield Copse, 24.5.83. Two first-year
frogs at Cock Marsh, 24.9.83 (RDNHS Excursion),
Bufo bufo (L. ) Toad
Much spawn at Burghfield Pond, 26.3.83, two adult females, an
adult male and many toadlets emerging there, 9.7.83 at 2100 to
2200 on a warm dry night, also breeding at Moor Copse (PRC).
The same observer reports that adult toads are fairly frequent
in gardens in the Tilehurst area. One dead in Binfield Heath
Lane, 27.2.03. Eighty-two dead toads counted in Kiln Road and
Binfield Heath Lane near the Coach and Horses, but none in the
ponds there, 14.3.83. One dead in Woodlands Road, Sonning
Common, 12.3.83. Few toads and no spawn in the Upper Pond,
many toads and no spawn in the Lower Pond at Greenmoor Hill,
Woodcote, 19.3.83. One seen crossing road in Harpsden Botton,
6.7.83. Five dead in Kiln Road after heavy rain in the night,
3.10.83. .One dead on road in Emmer Green, 2.9.83. A second-
year toad under a log in Whiteknights Wilderness, 6.11.83 (MRH).
REPTILES
Anguis fragilis L. Slow Worm
One dead on road by Crowsley Park, (south side), 16.5.83.
Natrix natrix (L. ) | Grass Snake
—
Four or five first-year snakes, about 150mm long and 15mm wide,
in garden at Stanford Dingley (Mr. Lang).
MAMMALS
Talpa europaea L. Mole
Molehills on Watlington Hill, 26.12.82, and at Watlington
Park, 13.3.83. A dead mole at Warren Farm, 18.6.83 (BFC). A>
dead mole near Tyle Mill by the Kennet, 28.7.83 (LEC).
Sorex araneus L. Common Shrew
One under board, S2 Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, 3.3.93.
A few heard in the Sonning Common area through the year,
perhaps less than usual.
Sorex minutus by Pygmy Shrew
One dead at Langley Hill, Tilehurst, 26.10.82: (PRC).
ae
Erinaceus europaeus L Hedgehog
Juvenile dead in garden at 45 Circuit Lane, Reading, 13.12.82
(CAS). One regularly in garden, Alexandra Road, Reading, MRH ).
Road casualties rather few in most areas; single animals dead
cn roads at Bix, 11.11.82; Emmer Green, 12.11.82; Burghfield:
Road south of M4, 29.6.83 (MJH): Sonning Common, 29.8.833
four dead between Nettlebed and Cookley Green, 7.8.83. One
dead on playing field near Swainstone Road, Reading, 18.5.83
(BFC). Skin of one at Aston Upthorpe, 4.6.83 (HJMB). One
curled up dead: on lawn of University Health Centre, Northcourt
Avenue, Reading, 8.8.83 (LEC). Regular visitor to Tilehurst
gardeus, adult and two young seen separately on one night,
29.9.83, frequent road casualty (PRC).
Myotis daubentonii (Kuh1) Daubenton's Bat °
Present at Kiln Pond, Mortimer, on several dates from 25.5.83
onwards, and at Whiteknights Lake, 8.6.83 and 15.6.83 (ident-
ification from flight pattern, supported by Michael Hardy) (PRC).
Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber) Pipistrelle
Small bats assumed to be of this species seen at Tilehurst,
28.3.83 and on many later dates, two summer roosts in roof.
spaces occupied for short periods, a juvenile found clinging
to a school wall, 7.83, many around Pang at Moor Copse,
14.5.83, one at Kiln Pond, Mortimer, 25 5.83, at. Whiteknights
Park, 8.6.83, at Sulham Woods 4.7.83, feeding over water at
Burghfield Pond, 9.7.83 (PRC).
Nyctalus noctula (Schreber ) . Noctule
Three or four over Fox and Hounds gravel pit, Theale, 24.5.83
(RDNHS Excursion), Several at Cane End, 25.5.83. One over
Victoria Recreation Grounds, Tilehurst, 24.5.83, roost in oak
tree in Whitekni¢ehts Park, 8.6.83, bats there but not at
roost site, 15.6.83 (PRC).
Vulpes vulpes (L.) Fox
One at Padworth on.five'dates from.1.1.83-to 26.9,83, one
dead on road 21.6.83, one on Burghfield Road, 12.1.83 (MJH).
One in Northcourt Avenue, Reading, 22.1.83 (LEC). One found
dead at 15 Wychwood Crescent, Earley, 8.2.83 (MM). One heard
in Hagpits Wood, Sonning Common at 5 a.m. 16.2.63. Tracks
in snow, 2.63, some of which led to an earth near The Laurels
Primary School, and to earth in bracken at Moor Copse (PRC).
One seen on several dates in Warwick Road, Reading CCEY One
seen attacking. a cat near Blake's Lock, 27.5.83. ‘Vixen and
three cubs in Emmer Green, early June (Mr. Cowling). Vixen.
and cubs in Tilehurst Road, Reading, 13.6.83 (CAS). One smelt
in Crowsley Park, 12.6.3 (eMc). Dog, fox seen in garden,
Alexandra Road, Reading, 31.7.83 (MRH). One calling in wood
by Sonning Common sewage works, 3.06.03.
Meles meles (L. ) Badger
New sett in hedge near Cucumber Plantation, Sonning Common,
5.1.83. Badger disturbed in daylight near Sonning Common
sewage works, 16.6.83. One seen crossing road at night near
fae fe" Country Park after the mothineg evening, 16.7.83
NMD).
~Seect
Mustela erminea L, Stoat
One found dead at Sonning, 17.6.83 (BT).
Mustela nivalis L. Weasel
One seen crossing Reades Lane near Gallowstree Common, 19.4.83.
Cervus nippon Temminck Sika Deer
Two small deer with large white rumps at Bucklebury Upper
Common, 2.10.83 (HJMB) were perhaps of this species.
Dama _ dama (L.) Fallow .Deer
"Groaning" of males in rut heard in the Sulham area, 10.82,
and two deer seen vanishing into woods at the edge of the
bracken patch in Moor Copse, 12.12.82 (PRC). One seen in Kiln
Road, Emmer Green, 1.83 (DMD). Slots at Crowsley, 9.1.83 and
a doe seen in Crowsley Park, 10.3.83. Three or more at dusk in
field by Cane End, 25.5.83.
Muntiacus reevesi Ogilby Munt jac
Tracks frequent at Moor Copse, and droppings found most months
(PRC). One calling in Chalkhouse Green, 6.1.83. Tracks at
Crowsley Forest, 10.3.83 and one calling there, 26.7.83. One
in garden, Kidmore End Road, Emmer Green, 11.4.83 (JM). . One
near Kidby's works, Sonning Common, 8.5.83 and one at compost
heap, 82 Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, 9.9.83 (EMC). One
calling at Kidmore End, 17.9.83. One seen crossing road at
Stoke Row, 28.9.83 (JC).
Oryctolagus cuniculus (Cre) Rabbit
A total of 663 sightings in the Sonning Common area, very few
reports from elsewhere but clearly another peak year for rabbits.
Lepus capensis Pallas Hare
One in field by gravel pit at Theale, 18.5.83 (PRC). Four
sightings of single animals in the Sonning Common area,
Binfield Heath Lane, 30.1.83, Chalkhouse Green, 13.5.83,
Crowsley, 16.6.83 and near Sonning Common in late July. As
usual, hares have been scarce in a peak rabbit year.
Clethrionomys glareolus Schreber Bank Vole
A small example 70mm long found dead at Sulham, 1.83, and
animals frequently seen beside Sulham Pond, often on a track |
between brambles (PRC). The species especially favours wet
habitats with dense undergrowth, and young born late in the
year normally overwinter at about 90mm long, reaching adult
size in April after a period of renewed growth.
Arvicola amphibius (L. ) Water Vole
One found partly eaten by the Pang at Moor Copse, the skin
pulled up over the head, the skull and backbone exposed, the
limbs eaten but not the viscera, 4.5.83 (PRC). No evidence
as to the predator (but a small Mustelid seems most probable).
"Lawns". of this species were found rather evenly spaced twenty
metres apart along the Pang and a side stream joining it at
Hogmoor Bridge, 5.3.83.
- 53 -
Apodemus sylvaticus (L.) Wood Mouse
Evidence of breeding in garden shed at Tilehurst (a habitat
more typical of A. flavicollis), and often seen there in day-
light, apparently avoiding predation by the numerous local
cats (PRC). Road casualties SE of Sonning Common in Peppard
Road, 12.9.83 and Blounts Court Road, 5.10.83.
Apodemus flavicollis Melchi xr Yellow-necked Mouse
a ene
One male sent in from Newbury district, 14.6.83.
Rattus norvegicus Berk, Brown Rat
Traditionally this species was supposed to winter indoors and
move out into the countryside in summer. Fither present-day
rats are hardier or present-day buildings less hospitable as
the following records show.
Adult male dead on Dark Lane, Tilehurst, 29.3.83, and rats
are frequent visitors to gardens and outhouses in Earley (PRC).
North-west of Sonning Cammon, one in New Copse 24.12.82 and
two at Bishopswood School, 24.1.83 (EMC). South-east of the
village the nuisance has abated with the demolition of derelict
buildings on the site of Kennylands School, nevertheless'a few
‘road casualties, one 23.12.82, two, adult and juveaile,
29.3.83, also one in Sts George's Road, Reading, 17.183.
Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin Grey Squirrel
‘One in garden at Northcourt Avenue, Reading, 22.1.83, 25.1.83
and 9 9.83 (LEC). Seven road casualties in Tilehurst during
the year, and live squirrels active in Westwood Road during
the same period but most in evidence in September when three
squirrels spent most of the daylight hours burying hazel nuts
(PRC}, One at Whiteknights, 15.5.83 and one dead near
Ashampstead, 17.5.83 (BFC). Four road casualties in Emmer
Green, one in Sonning Common and one at Nettlebed. Single
live squirrels. in St, Lawrence's churchyard, Reading, 10.11.82,
in Immer Green, 10.12.82 and 14.3.83, Clayfield Copse,
14.4.83, and in the Sonning Common area at Bur Wood, 23.10.82,
Morgan's Wood, 7.11.82, Devil's Hill, 6.3.83, and Kennylands,
25.9.83 and 30.9.83. Two in Crowsley Forest, 10.3.83. Many
in New Copse, 27.5.83 and in 1982 (EMC ).
Thanks are due to the following contributors:
Humphry Bowen (HJMB), Elizabeth Carter (EMC), Mary Carter
(MIC), Jocelyn Cobb (JC), Léonie) Cobb (LEC), Mr. Colebrook,
Brian Connell (BFC), Mr. Cowling, Paula Cox (PRC), Neville and
Mary Diserens (NMD), Daisy Dunford (DMD), Cilla Green (CG),
Malcolm Hitchcock (MJH), Michel Hughes (MRH), Mr. Lang,
Margaret Manning (MM), John Marshall (JM), Colin Sizer (CAS),
Bruce Tomsett (BT).
STATION : READING UNIVERSITY (WHITEKNIGHTS)
re eennyee > A x
Mean Max.
Daily Min.
as Mean
| Cc Range
iP etree eneninnenneen mamas
| | Extreme Max.
| Pxtreme Date
Temperatures} Extreme Min.
[Oc Date
Ex. Grass Min.
Date
Days with frost
Days with ground frost
Sunshine ; Sum
Hours % of possible
Daily Mean
Precipitation Amount in mm} 52
Rain Days
Maximum rain in one day "
Date
Longest run of consecutive
rain days
Longest run of consecutive
dry days
Snow or sleet days
Days with snow lying
Visibility
at C900 GMT
hunderstorm
Days of hail
Days with fog | 0
Days of thunder] 0
= Bly =
WEATHER RECORDS : 1983
contributed by M. Parry
i
Jan. Feb. | March} April | May | June Regs
9.6} S$.0| 10.0
3. 9b O94, r2ei8
6.8} 2.1) 6.4
BeZ4i3 59) 7.2
13¢2rbokQq5| . Mohd c4% 2
4,5} 26 19} 16
S804 | Be Bil wile | tale
20 4 | 28 3
=11.3-| +14, 3|-7.8| -5.5
20 a Na
3
13
50.7
19
1.6
+
13.0
31
a
9
2
0
0 0 2 3 2
0 0
i
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
oS imany
Very mild (more than 3°C above average), one of the
three mildest Januaries in the University record
(with 1921 and 1975) and the fourth mildest January
of the century over England and Wales as a whole.
Also dry (rainfall 20% below average) and sunny.
Rather cold with frequent frosts and a snowy spell
around mid-month, but only half the normal rainfall
and quite sunny.
Fairly average temperature and rainfall but dull.
Rather cold, but more notable for yielding over
twice the average rainfall. The wettest April. since
at least 1921 (when University records began: some
thundery outbreaks with hail.
Again on the cool side, very dull and again wet
(50% more than Say ae and with frequent thunder-
storms.
Average temperatures and again rather dull, but
rainfall was well (25%) below normal, Nearly half
the monthly total fell in one day. No rain was
measured from the 6th to the 22nd, giving an
absolute drought.*
Decidedly hot! (4°C above average)! In fact, the
warmest July in the station's history and also the
warmest this century over England and Wales gener-
ally. Also very dry (half average), all the rain
falling on only four days; a second absolute drought
reigned from 30th June to 21st July. Sunshine hours
were 40% above average. / ‘
Still warm and even drier than July, with only 30%
of normal rainfall.