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THE WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND 
NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY 


The Society was founded in 1853. Its activities include the promotion of archaeological and historical 
work and the study of all branches of natural history within the County; the safeguarding and 
conservation of the antiquities and the flora and the fauna of the region; the issue of a Magazine and 
other publications; excursions to places of archaeological and historical interest; and the maintenance 
of a Museum and Library. 


NATURAL HISTORY SECTION 


The object of this Section is to promote the study of all branches of natural history in the 
County by encouraging field observations, maintaining records, arranging field and other meetings 
and by putting observers in touch with each other. Particulars of the Section are available from the 
Honorary Treasurer. The subscription rate for membership of the Section is as follows: Single £3, 
Family £4. 

Natural history observations should be sent to the County Recorders: 

Plants: Mrs. J. Swanborough, Amberley, Pew Hill, Chippenham. 

Lepidoptera: J.N. d’Arcy, Esq., 18 Westbury Road, Edington, Westbury. 

Birds: G.L. Webber, Esq., 66 Southbrook Extension, Swindon. 

Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians: Mrs. M. Browne, Latimer Lodge, West Kington, 

Chippenham. 


Records for all other groups should be sent to The Biological Records Centre, c/o The Museum, 
41 Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire. 


OFFICERS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SECTION, 1979—80 


Chairman: C.E. Jennings, Esq., 1 Perrys Lane, Seend Cleeve, Melksham. 
Hon. Secretary: Mrs. E. Stephens, 95 Leigh Park Road, Bradford-on-Avon. 
Hon. Treasurer: Mr. A. Edwins, Esq., 69 Countess Road, Amesbury, Salisbury. 


Hon. Editors: R.S. Barron, Esq., Holly Cottage, West Lavington, Devizes and 
P.J. Dillon, Esq., Monkton Lea, Winterbourne Monkton, Swindon. 


Hon. Programme Secretary: Mrs. J. Rayment, c/o Biological Records Centre, The Museum, 41 Long 
Street, Devizes. 


Printed by Kingston Press, Bath 


The Wiltshire ; 
Natural History Magazine 


\ 


ISSN. 0309 3468 


VOLUME 74 1979 


CONTENTS 


A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE SPIDERS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL RANGES 
AT PORTON DOWN IN WILTSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE by R. B. COLEMAN .............. 2 


WILTSHIRE WEEVILS (COLEOPTERA, CURCULION OIDEA): 


ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS by M.G. MORRIS .. 1.0.0.0... 0... eee eee ee ee eee 10 
SOME FUNGI OF SOUTH-WEST WILTSHIRE PART V by J.B. HINDLEY ............... Is 
HE WEATHER ORS 7 3,by cE /ROGERS sage.0, call ahanore aetrapeg Atha) eraiebel begs lelieget ote 2 
WILTSHIRE PLANT NOTES (30) compiled by JOAN SWANBOROUGH ................. 23 


ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT 1978 by JOHN d@ARCY 


WILTSHIRE BIRD REPORT FOR 1977. Recorder: G. L. WEBBER 
compiledsby nee SMI Hes “arin: otras semen shies te oneachew. 6 Geis; (aie) eet Seed. 82 


MAMMAL REPORT bysMARION. BROWNE. sect. a0 See ee Se. ee 38 


REBORTSE tate ry oat Rae Se Se Seeley Deals, nie eG), ORY oh MES ied BED be one 42 


A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE SPIDERS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL 
RANGES AT PORTON DOWN IN WILTSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE 


by R.B. COLEMAN 


In 1973 a party of eight Arachnologists, under the leadership of Dr. Eric Duffey collected in 
three localities at Porton Down and completed about 70 hours hand collecting in one hour units 
during three days. 

Many interesting spiders were found during this survey and through the support of Dr. Duffey 
and the Nature Conservancy Council (Southern Region) further studies of twelve and six months 
duration were carried out by me in 1973—74 and 1976—77 using 10 pitfall traps in each of the three 
original areas. 

These studies have shown the remarkable arachnological potential of this area which consists 
of 6800 acres of grass/downland, scrub and deciduous woodland (Nature Conservancy Council 1973). 

The nature of the terrain and the fact that large areas are not disturbed by agriculture, nor by 
sheep and cattle grazing make these ranges an area of special scientific interest in Wiltshire/Hampshire. 


Localities 


A detailed description of the vegetation, soils and land-use history of the Porton Ranges is 
given by Wells et al (1976) and the notes which follow only describe in general terms the main 
characteristics of the vegetation of the sites studied. 

The three sites studied since 1973 are:— 


(a) The ‘Breck’ area in Hampshire (Grass Heath) SU 253379 2. BA 
(b) Roche Court Down, Wiltshire/Hampshire Border SU 246 366... 3< =. RCD 
(c) Battery Hill in Wiltshire SU 198 344..... BH 


The ‘Breck’ area is a grass heath rich in Lichens and has shallow nutrient-poor soil with 
numerous flints, chalk rubble and stones on the surface. The vegetation is predominantly short 
(2—8 cms) and open with approximately 80% cover of Lichens and flowering plants. Amongst this 
are also interspread small tufts of Sheeps Fescue (Festuca ovina), Golden Oat Grass (Trisetum 
flavescens) and other grasses. Herbs such as Mouse-Ear Hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella), Rough 
Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus) and colourful annuals such as Common Centaury (Centaurium 
erythaea), Blue Fleabane (Erigeron acer) and Purging Flax (Linum catharticum) are plentiful. During 
July large patches of Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) and Birds Foot Trefoit (Lotus corniculatus) 
provide a brilliant yellow carpet. The Lichen Mat is, however, predominant and may occupy up to 
60% of the ground vegetation. Rabbit grazing is very evident throughout this area. 

At Roche Court Down the soil is fairly shallow with quantities of chalk rubble in the upper 
soil layer. Typically in the area studied the vegetation is a close turf of Sheeps Fescue/Red Fescue 
(Festuca ovina/F. rubra) and a variety of other grasses. Herbs such as Stemless Thistle (Cirsium 
acaulon), Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus) and Birds Foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) are 
also common here. A feature of this area is the large number of mounds of the Yellow Hill Ant 
(Lasius flavus) which support predominantly Thyme (Thymus drucei) and Common Rock Rose 
(Helianthemum chamaecistus). These plants also occur in the intervening grassland between the 
mounds. Rabbit grazing is also in evidence in this area. 

At Battery Hill a Beech Hanger was studied together with an area of tall grasses (20—60 cms) 
with quantities of Horse-Shoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) growing within the field layer, scattered 
bushes and Yew Trees (Taxus baccata) are also present. The plants of Horse-Shoe Vetch (H. comosa) 
are restricted to one area on the ranges and it is an important food plant for the colonies of Chalkhill 
Blue (Lysandra coridon) Butterflies which are found locally in such habitats in Wiltshire. On the 
north facing scarp of this study area there are grasslands for which no records of cultivation exist. Of 
the grasses which grow generally in the study area Sheeps Fescue (Festuca ovina) Meadow Oat Grass 
(Helictotrichon pratense) and Hairy Oat Grass (Helictotrichon pubescens) are the most common. 


bo 


Collecting Methods:— 
The following methods were used when collecting spider material from the various habitats: 
Methods 2—6, initial 3 day survey: E. Duffey & Party (1973) 
Method 1 twelve and six months survey: R.B. Coleman 1973/74 & 1976/77 


1. At Ground Level: 

Collecting by means of pitfall traps which consisted of burying a series of glass jars in a 
straight line with their rim just below the surface level. The jars were spaced approximately one metre 
apart and ethylene glycol 4 cm. deep was placed in each jar. All the jars were emptied of specimens 
and replaced at one month intervals. 


2. Beech Litter & Dead Wood: 

Specimens were taken by shaking handfulls of leaves into a plastic sheet. Bark was also 
removed and replaced from deadwood, all spider material being retained. Hand collecting from 
crevices and spaces in tree stumps and large fallen branches were also carried out. 


3. Short Turf, Herbs, Lichens & Stones: 
Collections were made by hand, by turning over stones, and then by cutting out pieces of turf 
and shaking these over a plastic sheet. 


4. Medium Tall Grasses: 
Specimens were collected by shaking handfulls of vegetation over a plastic sheet and also by 
grubbing and handsorting amongst the detritus in the ground layer. 


5. Tall Grasses and Shrubs: 
These were swept with a collecting net. Collections were also made by hand in the vegetation 
and debris in the field layer. 


6. Juniper, Pine and Yew Trees: 
Collections were made by beating the foliage of branches onto a collecting tray and then 
extracting the spider material by use of a pooter. 


Key to Site Habitats: 


The following habitat abbreviations are used to indicate the occurrence of various spiders 
given in the annotated list for Porton Down. These distribution records are supplementary to those 
given by Locket, Millidge & Merrett (1974). 


Breck Area:— 

(a) Pitfall traps in short turf with herbs, lichens and stones. 

(b) Small Juniper trees. 

(c) Tall grasses with plants and shrubs. 

(d) Medium tall grasses interspread with short turf and some ant hills. 
(e) Short turf with herbs, lichens and stones. 


Roche Court Down: 

(f) Pitfall traps in tall grasses interspread with short turf and many ant hills. 
(g) Mature Juniper trees. 

(h) Pine and Yew trees. 

(i) Tall grasses with few ant hills. 

(j) Short turf with Thyme and Rock Rose. 


Battery Hill: 

(k) Pitfall traps in tall grasses with Horse-Shoe Vetch. 
(1) Tall grasses with shrubs. 

(m) Beech litter and deadwood. 

(n) Yew trees. 


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‘qdoa 


‘Hd ‘dou’ ‘vd 
‘Hd ‘dou Va 


Wa ‘Wd 
wa 
‘Ha 
‘Had 


dap vipyjad (auatuay ) myddurT 
(°TD) oudjuou (auauany) n1yddurT 
2 dO »S1usisul sajupyddyjdaT 
(142]4Q ) snsosda] sajubyddyjdaT 
(1g) Snapaisa SajunyddyjdaT 
(4apiMy ) 021Aqaua] SajubyddyjdaT 
(7g) Sadianf sajunyddyjdaT 
1ysudzany lasguau sajupyddyjdaT 
NDYIagG luDULaWUIZ SajuDYadYjdaT 
(1g) Sinua] sajupyddyjdaT 

(1g) snanosqo sajupyddyjdaT 
(4apiy ) vsoqgo]3 Djauoji2a0g 
(‘uurT) snqvaul sajunydduowass 
(dapiy ) S1]/DS40op DluaujsaDy 

(1g) Sylap4s sajupyddyiog 

(dapimy ) snfna snzavso0y 

(1g) StussougD SapijauoaQ 

(‘404 [ ) ,DUUIIUOI DJUaWOLjUuaD 
(1g) 40]021q DjLuawuo4sjuay 
(D-d’O) wSNIdssas sndgawUosjuayD 
(YON °7T) winipi9ui sn4awo4sjuay 
(‘D-'d'O) sninpip snaauosjuay 
(D-'d'O) snj4adxa snaawosjuay 
(19) «Snaipayds snsawosquay 

(‘1q) mania Djauos1py 

(O-'d‘O) D1vaq Diauolay 

(1g) syupxps Djauolay 

(UOUNS) y SISADJIINAUIS DJaUuolayW 


(YIOY *TD) Sujsaans Djauoiapy 
(‘D-'d'O) »DA0IJap Djaudsp 
(D-'d'O) vaasiuod vjaucsp 
(D-d'O) «syuigns njaudy 

(D-d'O) surqviouus njndpads 
(1g) v41D auosuUq 

(4apiy ) Sidjodijuap auosuq 
((D-d'O) subssaul DuDLeriy 
_JddSSIT AP »IUOUIS SnjsadyIOYdd J 
(4apim ) »Suodfiajns sdowowpuDng 
(1g) snuiaid snjpydas0jdiq 

(1g) DIDIUOL DAUsIADS 


10) snnns8101214 en@ininszys 


NOTE: The county records additional to those listed by Locket Millidge and Merrett (1974) are 
marked with an asterisk (*). Brief notes concerning these spiders are given as follows. 


NEW RECORDS FOR WILTSHIRE 


Atypus affinis Eichwald:— The period of activity for the adult males is from August through to 
February, they are, winter active and were taken in November, December and January in pitfall traps. 
This spider is common on the ‘Breck’ area and Roche Court Down sites. 


Drassodes lapidosus (Walckenaer):— Is widespread and common throughout the British Isles but its 
distribution records are incomplete as it was formerly grouped with D. cupreus (Blackwall). It 
occurred on the Roche Court Down and Battery Hill sites. 


Zelotes pedestris (C.L..Koch) and Zelotes praeficus (L. Koch):— Are both rare and their distribution 
records are mainly located in Southern Counties. They are usually found under stones and pieces of 
chalk. Their occurrence on the Porton Ranges is however widespread and they were found on all 
three study areas in the summer months. 


Scotina celans (Blackwall):— Is rare and was found only on the grassland habitats of Roche Court 
Down and Battery Hili sites. The males of this species occurred only in November, whilst the females 
were active from November to June. 


Scotina palliardi (L. Koch):— Since the time this spider has been distinguished as a separate species 
from S. celans (Blackwall) authentic records have been scarce in Britain, and, so far, from a few 
Southern Counties. It occurs on all three study areas at Porton and is common especially in spring 
and early summer. 


Oxyptila nigrita (Thorell):— Is rare and occurs mainly on chalk grassland in the South of England. It 
was found on all three study areas at Porton. The adult females had a very early appearance on the 
‘Breck’ area in January, February and March. This feature has not previously been recorded for this 
spider. 


Achaearanea riparia (Blackwall):— A single male of this species was recorded in July at the Battery 
Hill site amongst grasses and leaf litter. It is a rare spider and does occur in Southern Counties of 
England. 


Hypsosinga albovittata (Westring):— Has been recorded from a few Southern Counties, two Midland 
Counties, Suffolk, Cumberland and one county in Scotland. It is widespread at Porton and occurred 
at all three study areas and was particularly abundant at the Battery Hill site. 


Metopobactrus prominulus (O.P.-Cambridge):— Although uncommon has a widespread and general 
distribution in Britain and occurs in undergrowth and moss. At Porton it has a widespread 
distribution over all three of the study areas. 


Trichonus saxicola (O.P.-Cambridge):— Has a general distribution pattern amongst the grassland at 
Porton and was scarce. In Britain it has a limited distribution in the Southern Counties. 


Ceratinopsis stativa (Simon):— Was taken only in the tall grass sites at Battery Hill and Roche Court 
Down. In recent years it has been found not infrequently on chalk grassland in the Southern Counties 
of England. 


Panamomops sulcifrons (Wider):— Recorded from the Southern Counties and as far north as 
Northumberland, this spider is very local. Its usual habitat seems to be chalk or limestone grassland, 
and a single male was recorded from the Battery Hill site. 


Agyneta subtilis (O.P.-Cambridge):— Is frequent and widespread, common in the Southern Counties, 
it is usually found in grass in the undergrowth of woods. But only one female was recorded from 
Battery Hill. 


Agyneta decora (O.P.-Cambridge):— Females were found very locally in grass at Battery Hill. An 
uncommon spider occurring more in the North than the South of England. 


Meioneta simplicitarsis (Simon):— Is recorded from Beauliea Road in Stockbridge (Hampshire); is 
frequent on the coast near Langton Matravers (Dorset) in limestone grassland, and in marshy grass- 
land near Seasalter, Whitstable (Kent). This spider has a local but widespread distribution on the 
Porton Ranges and both sexes were found at all three study sites. 


Centromerus serratus (O.P. Cambridge):— Is rare and recorded from the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, 
Dorset, Berks, Surrey and Devon. Three females and a single male were taken at Battery Hill at 
Porton. 


Centromerita concinna (Thorell):— Is a common spider, but surprisingly, not previously recorded 
from Wiltshire. It occurs in great abundance at all three study areas on the Porton Ranges, and can be 
found during most months of the year. It is particularly common in the winter months. 


New Records for Hampshire 


Zelotes apricorum (L. Koch):— Is widespread and common throughout the British Isles, but, not 
previously recorded for Hampshire. A single male was recorded at the ‘Breck’ area at Porton. 


Scotina palliardi (L. Koch):— (See previous notes in the Wiltshire records). 


Dipoena prona (Menge):— Is a rare spider with a very local distribution in some Southern Counties of 
England, but, frequent in Breckland in Suffolk and Norfolk. A single male was recorded at the 
‘Breck’ area at Porton. 


Pelecopsis nemoralis (Blackwall):— Probably widespread in Britain but relatively few reliable recent 
records. Males and females were recorded at the ‘Breck’ area at Porton from pitfall traps. 


Typhochrestus simoni (de Lessert):— Males of this spider were recorded from the ‘Breck’ area in 
December 1973 and February 1974. This was the second British locality record for this species. The 
first being from Snowdon in Wales in 1966; Goodier (1970). Only the male sex was then known. A 
subsequent study of the ‘Breck’ area in 1977 yielded further males together with females, there was 
a gradual build up of the number of adults from December to March. The female sex is described for 
the first time in a recent paper Parker and Coleman (1978). 


Lepthyphantes insignis O.P.-Cambridge:— Is rare in Britain and known only from a few counties in 
England. A male and female were recorded at the ‘Breck’ area at Porton. In Norfolk and Suffolk it 
also occurs on dry heath grassland. 


Acknowledgements 


It gives me great pleasure to thank the staff of the Nature Conservancy Council, Southern Region 
and in particular Dr. J.L. Mason and Mr. P.J. Horton for their frequent help and encouragement 
throughout this study. 

To Dr. E. Duffey of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Monks Wood Experimental Station, 
Hunts, I owe a particular debt of gratitude for unstinted advice and discussion and for arranging the 
support for this study. I also acknowledge with thanks his permission to use some of his data in this 
paper. 

Grateful thanks are due to Dr. P. Merrett of the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Furzebrook 
Research Station, Dorset for confirming the county records and for advice concerning other rarities. 

Mr. J.R. Parker Secretary of the British Arachnological Society, kindly reviewed this paper and 
gave permission to use material previously published in the Society’s New Letter. 

Finally, the co-operation of the Minstry of Defence Authorities, Porton Down is gratefully 


acknowledged, in particular the assistance provided by the head of the range section Mr. W.E.B. 
Whatley. 


REFERENCES 


Goodier, R. 1970: Notes on mountain spiders from Wales. 1. Spiders caught in pitfall traps on the Snowdon 
National Nature Reserve, Bull. Brit. Arach. Soc. 1: (6): 85—87. 

Locket, G.H. Millidge, A.F. and Merrett, P. 1974: British Spiders 3: 1—314. Ray Society, London. 

Parker, J.R. and Coleman, R.B. 1978: The female of Typhochrestus simoni. de Lessert (Araneae: Linyphiidae) Bull. 
Brit. Arach. Soc. 4: (3): 129-131; 

Conservation Report, 1973: Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down: Nature Conservancy Council 
(Southern Region): 1—28. 

Wells, T.C.E., Sheail, J., Ball, D.F., & Ward, L.K. 1976: Ecological studies on the Porton Ranges: Relationships 
between vegetation, soils & land-use history. J. Ecol. 64: 589—626. 


WILTSHIRE WEEVILS (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONOIDEA): 
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS 


by M.G. MORRIS 


Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Furzebrook Research Station, Wareham, Dorset. 


Since the publication of my preliminary account of the weevils of Wiltshire (Morris 1974, 
1975a), several new records have accumulated. Nearly all the species listed here were taken during 
the period 1974-1978, and several local and uncommon ones are included. The form of presentation 
follows the earlier accounts, in that dates and methods of collecting have been omitted, for the sake 
of brevity. However, a succinct summary of the larval feeding biology, where it is known, is included 
for the species not previously recorded from the county and indicated in the list by an asterisk, *. 
Almost all my recording has been done in the south-east of Wiltshire and only one record from the 
northern vice-county is included. A high proportion of the species listed was taken on the 
Experimental Ground of the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton. This area, of equivalent 
importance to a formal SSSI, is much too large to figure as a single locality, yet continual reference to 
Porton Experimental Ground would be repetitious. To shorten this account, only the actual localities 
within the Range have been listed. In alphabetical order these are: Allington Farm, Battery Hill, 
Blake’s Firs, Happy Valley, Idmiston Down, Porton Down, Rochecourt Down, Thorny Down and 
Tower Hill. All these localities are, of course, not generally accessible to the public. I acknowledge 
here my indebtedness to the authorities of the Chemical Defence Establishment for facilities to 
record on the Experimental Ground. 

The establishment of a Wiltshire Biological Records Centre, and the fact that several 

coleopterists are now regularly working in the county, either as residents or frequent visitors, promise 
to ensure that the weevils, and other beetles, of Wiltshire will become much better known over the 
next few years. Although the small-scale mapping in the county of relatively obscure groups, such as 
weevils, is not likely for some time, it should be made clear that all my own records are localised to at 
least a 1 km square of the National Grid and are consequently suitable for mapping at various scales, 
should this ever become desirable and feasible. Grid references are omitted here, as in the previous 
accounts, to save space. 

It should be clear in the context of this account and the earlier ones that Wiltshire means the 
vice-counties of North Wilts. (7) and South Wilts. (8) The boundaries of these areas differ slightly, but 
in places significantly, from that of the administrative county. One particular feature of importance 
of the vice-county system is its stability. The frequency with which the boundaries of administrative 
counties have changed, and their very unequal areas, are two of several features which make them 
unsuitable as biological recording units. However, because many Record Centres are administered by 
County Councils, administrative counties will undoubtedly continue to feature in the recording and 
mapping of plants and animals, and this will be true of Wiltshire. No great difficulties in recording or 
interpretation should ensue, provided it is remembered that the boundaries of administrative county 
and Watsonian vice-counties do not invariably coincide. The boundaries of the vice-counties are 
clearly set out in Dandy (1969). 


References cited in the text 


ANON., 1939. Handlist of the Coleoptera of 
the Marlborough district (10 miles radius), 
Rep. Marlboro. Coll. nat. Hist. Soc., 87, 
(1938): 54-86. 

DANDY, J.E., 1969. Watsonian Vice-counties 
of Great Britain, Ray Society, London. 

MORRIS, M.G., 1974, 1975a. A preliminary 
account of the weevils of Wiltshire 
Coleoptera, Curculionoidea), Wilts. archaeol. 
nat. Hist. Mag., 68: 19—24, 69: 30—38. 


10 


MORRIS, M.G., 1975b. [Notes on exhibit] 
Proc. Trans. Br. entomol. nat. Hist. Soc., 
8:61. 

MORRIS, M.G., 1978. Polydrusus  sericeus — 
(Schaller) (Col. : Curculionidae) in South 
Wiltshire, Entomologist’s. Rec. J. Var., 
90: 22-23. 

SCHERF, H., 1964. Die Entwicklungsstadien 
der Mitteleuropaischen Curculionoidea 
(Morphologie, Bionomie, Okologie), Abh. 
senckenb.. naturforsch. Ges., 506: 1—335. 


NEW COUNTY AND VICE-COUNTY RECORDS 
ATTELABIDAE 


* Attelabus nitens (Scop.), larvae in leaf-rolls on Quercus spp. SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

Apoderus coryli (L.). SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

Lasiorhynchites cavifrons Gyll. SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

*Caenorhinus interpunctatus Steph., on Quercus spp., but larval biology unknown. SOUTH: Thorny 
Down; Whiteparish Common. 

*C. nanus (Payk.), larvae in buds of Betula, Salix and perhaps Alnus spp. SOUTH: Whiteparish 
Common. 

C. tomentosus Gyll.SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

*Byctiscus betulae (L.), larvae in leaf-rolls of various trees, especially Corylus, Betula and Populus. 
SOUTH: Whiteparish Common (recorded in Morris (1975b) but repeated for convenience). 


APIONIDAE 


Apion hydrolapathi (Marsh.). SOUTH: Idmiston Down: Salisbury. 

A. ebeninum Kirby. SOUTH: Barnridge Copse, Farley. 

A. meliloti Kirby. SOUTH: Allington Farm. 

*A. reflexum Gyll., larvae in stem galls on Onobrychis spp. SOUTH: Bratton Castle ; Martin (Hants.) 


CURCULIONIDAE 


*Otiorhynchus ligneus (Oliv.), larvae probably polyphagous on roots of various plants. SOUTH: 
Winterbourne Gunner. 

Phyllobius calcaratus (F.). SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

*Polydrusus flavipes (Deg.), larvae probably polyphagous on roots, the adults often on Populus 
tremula. SQUTH:. Whiteparish.Common. 

*P. mollis (Strom), larvae probably polyphagous on roots, the adults usually on young Quercus and 
Fagus spp. SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

*Barypeithes pellucidus (Boh.), larvae root-feeders on Medicago lupulina Scherf, 1964) but almost 
certainly on other plants as well. SOUTH: Bratton Castle. 

Strophosomus capitatus (Deg.) (= subrotundus (Marsh.)). SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

S. melanogrammus (Forst.) SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

Sitona macularius (Marsh.). SOUTH: Bratton Castle. 

*Larinus planus (F.), larvae in inflorescences of Cirsium, Carduus and Carlina spp. SOUTH: Porton 
Down (Morris 1975b — repeated for completeness); Battery Hill; Tower Hill. 

Hypera (= Phytonomus) arator (L.). SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

Cionus scrophulariae (L.), larvae feeding externally on Scrophularia spp. This species was 
inadvertently omitted from my earlier list (Morris 1975a). NORTH: Marlborough, Mildenhall 
(Anon. 1939). SOUTH: Salisbury. 

Magdalis armigera Fourc.). SOUTH: Porton Down. 

*M. cerasi (L.), larvae in dead twigs of rosaceous trees and shrubs and perhaps also of Quercus spp. 
SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

Dorytomus dejeani Faust. SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

D. rufatus (Bedel). SOUTH: Barnridge Copse, Farley. 

D. tortrix (L.). SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

*Coeliodes ruber (Marsh.). Scherf (1964) states that the larvae feed in male catkins of Corylus, but in 
Britain the species is associated with Quercus. SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

Ceutorhynchus asperifoliarum (Gyll.). SOUTH: Idmiston. 

*C. cochleariae (Gyll.), larvae in fruits of Cardamine spp.; Scherf (1964) gives only C. pratensis, but 
my Wiltshire weevils were swept from C. flexuosa. SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

C. pollinarius (Forst.). SOUTH: Porton Down. 

*Poophagus sisymbrii (F.), larvae in stems of Nasturtium officinale and Rorippa amphibia. SOUTH: 
Winterbourne Gunner. 

Curculio nucum L. SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

C. venosus (Gravenh.). SOUTH: Thorny Down; Whiteparish Common. 


ADDITIONAL LOCALITIES 
ATTELABIDAE 
Deporaus betulae (L.). SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 11 


APIONIDAE 


Apion violaceum Kirby. SOUTH: Idmiston Down. 

A. ulicis (Forst.). SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

A. miniatum Germar. SOUTH: Idmiston Down. 

A. carduorum Kirby. SOUTH: Battery Hill. 

A. tenue Kirby. SOUTH: Allington Farm. 

A. pomonae (F.). SOUTH: Thorny Down; Porton Down. 


CURCULIONIDAE 


Otiorhynchus clavipes (Bons.). SOUTH: Battery Hill; Porton Down. 

O. singularis (L.). SOUTH: Thorny Down; Whiteparish Common. 
Phyllobius argentatus (L.). SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

P. oblongatus (L.). SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

P. pomaceus Gyll. SOUTH: Porton Down; Whiteparish Common. 

P. pyri (L.). SOUTH: Battery Hill. 

Polydrusus cervinus (L). SOUTH: Thorny Down; Blackmoor Copse. 
Sciaphilus asperatus (Bons.). SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 
Liophloeus tessulatus (Mull.). SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 
Barynotus obscurus (F.). SOUTH: Happy Valley. 

Sitona cylindricollis Fahr.). SOUTH: Allington Farm. 

S. suturalis Steph. SOUTH: Barnridge Copse, Farley. 

Hypera (= Phytonomus) nigrirostris (F.). SOUTH: Whiteparish. 

H. plantaginis Deg.). SOUTH: Martin (Hants.). 

H. postica (Gyll.). SOUTH: Martin (Hants.). 

H. rumicis (L.). SOUTH: Idmiston Down. 

H. venusta (F.). SOUTH: Bratton Castle. 

Cionus alauda (Herbst). SOUTH: Happy Valley; Winterbourne Gunner. 
C. hortulanus (Fourc.). SOUTH: Happy Valley; Rochecourt Down; Winterbourne Gunner. 
C. tuberculosus (Scop.). SOUTH: Happy Valley. 

Coeliodes dryados Gmel.). SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

C. erythroleucos Gmel.). SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

Cidnorhinus quadrimaculatus (L.). NORTH: Bishopstone. SOUTH: Porton Down. 
Ceuthorhynchidius troglodytes (F.). SOUTH: Barnridge Copse, Farley. 
Ceutorhynchus assimilis (Payk.). SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

C. contractus (Marsh.). SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

C. floralis (Payk.). SOUTH: Thorny Down; Winterbourne Gunner. 
Rhinoncus pericarpius (L.). SOUTH: Idmiston Down; Whiteparish Common. 
Amalorrhynchus melanarius Steph.). SOUTH: Winterbourne Gunner. 
Drupenatus nasturtii (Germ.). SOUTH: Winterbourne Gunner. 
Curculio pyrrhoceras Marsh. SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

C. salicivorus Payk. SOUTH: Barnridge Copse, Farley. 

Miccotrogus picirostris (F.). SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 

Miarus graminis (Gyll.). SOUTH: Blake’s Firs. 

Mecinus pyraster (Herbst.). SOUTH: Idmiston Down. 

Gymunetron pascuorum (Gyll.). SOUTH: Winterbourne Gunner. 

G, villosulum Gyll. SOUTH: Winterbourne Gunner. 

Rhynchaenus pilosus (F.). SOUTH: Blackmoor Copse. 

R. quercus (L.). SOUTH: Thorny Down. 

R. rusci (Herbst.). SOUTH: Whiteparish Common. 


CORRECTIONS 


Apion violaceum Kirby. The record from Salisbury (Morris 1974) should be deleted. 


Apion loti Kirby. The record from Bratton Castle (Morris 1974) should be deleted. Re-examination 
of the specimen showed it to be A. reflexum, which was subsequently found in numbers at the 


site. 


Polydrusus sericeus (Schall.). My note on the occurrence of this rare weevil in Wiltshire (Morris 1978) 
contains an unfortunate error. The Folly Farm locality recorded for the species (Anon. 1939, 
Morris 197Sa) is in the southern vicecounty, not the northern, as stated in the note, passim. P. 
sericeus, whether the Folly Farm record is valid or not, has been found in Wiltshire only in vice- 


county 8, South Wilts. 
12 


SOME FUNGI OF SOUTH-WEST WILTSHIRE PART V 


by 
J.B. HINDLEY 


Rather a miscellaneous collection of fungi appear in this article, comprising (a) Basidiomycetes 
found 1977—78; (b) all other groups 1974—78; (c) a few earlier finds previously overlooked. The 
fungi now listed are complementary to the list of the Dunston Brothers of Donhead St. Mary, 
published in this Magazine, and covering roughly the same area. 

As on previous occasions, the list has been annotated by the Staff of the Herbarium, Royal 
Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the present writer wishes to place on record his gratitude for this service. 
In particular, mention must be made of Dr. D.A. Reid, Dr. R.W.G. Dennis, Dr. D.M. Pegler, and Mr. 
B.M. Spooner, all of whom have been concerned in determinations and annotations. 

All fungi listed have been determined at Kew, either at the Herbarium, or at The Common- 
wealth Mycological Institute. 


AGARICALES 


LACTARIUS BLENNIUS f. VIRESCENS Lange 17/10/77, Grovely Wood. This form is recognized by 
its olive-green colour. 

LACTARIUS LILACINUS (Lasch) Fries. 31/10/78, Quidhampton Folly, Salisbury. A small lilac-pink 
fungus with mild watery milk. The cap is minutely pubescent with small concentric scales. It occurs 
under alder. 

MARASMIUS GRAMINUM (Libert) Berk: 30/7/74 Chilmark M.O.D. Recognized by its small reddish 
or orange-fawn cap, with 5—7 white gills united in a collar around the stem, and large spores 
8.5—13.0 x 2.5—5.5. um. It is found on dead grass. 

NAUCORIA LUTEOLO-FIBRILLOSA (Kuhn) K & R 31/10/78 Quidhampton Folly, Salisbury. 
Distinguished by its whitish then yellowish cap with fibrillose-tomentose surface and cortinate 
margin, marginal cystidia with long narrow necks, and spores 9.5—10.0 x 5.5.—6.2 um. It occurs in 
alder swamps. 

NAUCORIA SUBCONSPERSA Kuhner 1/9/77 Quidhampton Folly, Salisbury. Similar to the above 
but less yellow. The cap is more ochraceous of russet-coloured. 

NOLANEA HEBES (Romagnesi) Orton 17/8/78 Bishopstone Down, Wilton. A small, cystidiate 
species with smell of meal when cut. 

PSATHYRELLA FUSCA (Schum. ex. Lange) Moser 5/9/77 Grovely Wood. This large species has 
distinctive violet-brown gills and a conspicuous marginal veil on the cap. 

PSATHYRELLA PYGMAEA (Bull. ex. Fr) Singer 6/11/78 Quidhampton Folly. Very similar to 
COPRINUS DISSEMINATUS in growing in dense troops on wood or soil, but easily recognized by 
its much smaller spores, 5.0—6.5 x 3.5—4.0 um. 


APHYLLOPHORALES 


TYROMYCES ALBELLUS (Peck) Bond. & Sing. 5/9/77 Grovely Wood. Distinguished from other 
white species of this genus by its trimitic hyphal structure. 

PHLEBIA GIGANTEA (Fr: ex. Fr.) Donk 25/12/75 Wardour High Wood. This species forms 
extensive sugary coating over conifer stumps and surrounding debris. 


UREDINALES 


PUCCINIA CALCITRAPAE DC. 12/10/78 Woodford, Salisbury. If on leaves of CENTAUREA 
SCABIOSA forming minute brown hypophyllous pustules. 

PUCCINIA MACULOSA (Str) Rohl. 1/10/78 Little Durnford, Salisbury. II on leaves of MYCELIS 
MURALIS. A common rust forming minute, punctiform, pulverulent pustules of a pale brown colour, 
on pallid, irregular spots on the under surface of leaves. 

TRANZSCHELIA DISCOLOR (Fckl.) Tranz. & Litv. September, 1977, Salisbury. III on underside of 
plum-leaves forming conspicuous and often crowded blackish-brown pustules. 


USTILAGINALES 


USTILAGO HYPODYTES (Schlecht.) Fries. Sor in the stems surrounding the internodes and often 
extending from one node to the next. Spore mass powdery and dark brown. On BROMUS 
ERECTUS (7) but there are many other grass hosts. 


13 


CALOCERALES 


DACRYMYCES CAPITATUS Schw. April 1977, Salisbury. Similar to D. STILLATUS but 
distinguished by its tough, gelatinous, stoutly stipitate, turbinate fruitbodies with prominent rooting 


base. 
ASCOMYCETES 
PEZIZALES 


PEZIZA EMILEIA Cooke 27/10/76 Ansty Down. A brown fleshy cup fungus found especially in 
grassland and distinguished mainly by its rather large finely warted ascospores. 

SOWERBYELLA RADICULATA (Sow. ex. Fr.) Nann 24/10/74 Swallowcliffe Churchyard. A rather 
large bright yellow cup fungus with white rooting stalk found mainly in hedge bottoms and amongst 
litter under trees. 

LEUCOSCYPHA ROZEI Boud. 20/10/74 Wardour High Wood. This white fungus of burned ground 
is referred to LEUCOSCYPHA because of its lack of red pigment but in all other features it resembles 
MELASTIZA. 
SCUTELLINIA SETOSA (Nees & Fries) Kuntz. 3/11/74 Wardour 13 acre Wood. Distinguished from 
other members of the genus by its orange (not red) disc and smooth-walled ascospores. 

MELASTIZA CHATERI (W.G. Smith) Boudier 20/10/74 Wardour High Wood. Bright orange and 
occurring in swarms on damp, bare soil. Locally abundant, though not common. 

GEOPYXIS CARBONARIA (Alb. & Schur. ex. Fr) Saccardo 7/9/75 Wardour 13 acre Wood. A small 
pinkish cup fungus common on burnt soil or attached to charred twigs. 

INERMISIA FUSISPORA (Berk.) Rifai 8/19/75 Fonthill Lake. Gregarious on peaty soil or burnt 
ground, often on a white subiculum. Quite common, throughout the year. 

SPHAERIDIOBOLUS ALBOFUSCUS (Crouan) Boudier = (SPH. BRASSICAE Boud.) 31/1/77 
Swallowcliffe, in allotment. A small. whitish species with globose spores. It occurs on dung, especially 
of rodents, and on rotting stalks of BRASSICAE. Apparently uncommon. 

PYRONEMA OMPHALODES (Bull. ex. St. Amams) Fuckel 6/7/78 Quidhampton Folly. A common 
species on burnt ground throughout the year. Light red in colour, often becoming confluent in large 
patches. 

IODOPHANUS CARNEUS (Persoon) Korf. 4/10/76 Dunworth Wood. A minute pale pink disc, 
seldom more than imm. across, common on dung of domestic animals and rotting vegetable matter. 


HELOTIALES 


CIBORIA AMENTACEA (Balbis ex. Fr.) Fuckel. 28/2/77 Fonthill Lake. A common species 
occurring on fallen male catkins of ALNUS and SALIX in Spring. 

CIBORIA VIRIDI-FUSCA (Fuckel) Von Hohnel. 19/11/75 Tisbury Row. A very tiny greenish-brown 
short-stalked cup fungus, very common on old fallen female catkins of Alder. 

ROESLERIA PALLIDA (Fries) Saccardo. 8/2/64 Swallowcliffe. A widespread species on bark, 
particularly of dead roots well below soil level. Stipitate, with the head becoming a powdery spore 
mass when mature. 

NEO- BULGARIA PURA (Fries) Petrak. 12/10/72 Grovely Wood. Common on fallen trunks of beech 
and unmistakeable on account of its watery gelatinous texture and colourless ascospores. 
NEO-BULGARIA PURA var. FOLIACEA (Bres.) Dennis and Gamundi. 21/1/73 Fonthill Terraces. 
Perhaps merely a luxuriant growth-form of the preceding in which the normal flat disc has become 
enlarged and convoluted. 

CUDONIELLA TENUISPORA (Cooke and Massee) Dennis 18/7/75 Wardour High Wood. Closely 
allied to the common C. CLAVUS but found in dryer situations. 

HYMENOSCYPHUS SCUTULA var. SOLANI Karsten. 4/10/76 Dunworth Wood. Differs from 
typical H. SCUTULA in its smaller ascospores with no appendages. 

HYMENOSCYPHUS ALBIDUS (Rob.) Phill. 17/11/76 Fonthill. A minute stalked white cup fungus - 
common on blackened patches of fallen leafstalks of ash. 

CYATHICULA DOLOSELLA (Karst.) Dennis 4/10/76 Dunworth Wood. Distinguished from the 
common C. CORONATA by its much shorter marginal teeth. 

PEZIZELLA CHRYSOSTIGMA (Fries) Saccardo 28/9/75 Ansty Down. A minute, white, downy, 
cup-shaped, stalked species, found scattered over dead petioles of NEPHRODIUM FILIX-MAS. 
PEZIZELLA CHIONEA. (Fries) Dennis 10/3/75 Wardour 13 acre Wood. Similar to the above but 
sessile and found on fallen cones and needles of PINUS in Spring. 

VELUTARINA RUFO-OLIVACEA (Alb. & Schir) Korf. 7/12/75 Squall’s Lane, Tisbury. The olive- 
green cup-shaped fruitbodies up to 3mm. across occur on wood, and are covered on the outer surface 
with a rusty-brown or tan coloured powder formed of thick-walled, loose, irregularly-lobed cells. The 
ascospores, at first hyaline, become pale brown. 


14 


CENANGIUM FERRUGINOSUM Fries. 23/2/75 Wardour High Wood. Erumpent singly or in small 
groups from twigs of PINUS as closed globular fructifications which eventually open irregularly. The 
exterior is dark brown and mealy-pruinose, while the disc is ochraceous and often completely 
concealed by the enrolled margin when dry. 

DURELLA CONNIVENS (Fries) Rhem. 19/11/74 Dunworth Wood. A small, saucer-shaped, sessile 
black fungus. 

HETEROSPHAERIA PATELLA (Tode ex. Fr.) Grev. 13/1/75 Common on old umbellifer stems, 
forming minute black globose structures about 1 mm. across, which open by a pore but later become 
cup-shaped with a strongly enrolled margin when dry. The disc is yellowish or grey. 

DASYSCYPHUS ACUTUS (Vel.) Dennis 23/11/76 Swallowcliffe. Minute, white, short-stalked 
apothecia growing in swarms on rotting grass. Uncommon, or perhaps overlooked. 

DASYSCYPHUS MINUTISSIMUS (Crouan) Le Gal 18/9/75. Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. A tiny, 
white, cupulate, stalked species on fallen leaves, with a covering of cylindrical septate hairs, each 
tipped with a globular mass of small crystals. 

LACHNELLULA SUBTILLISSIMA (Cooke) Dennis 23/2/75 Wardour High Wood. The minute cups, 
which have a white exterior contrasting with an orange disc, occur on pine twigs. They are 
distinguished from the very similar L. HAHNIJAWNA in having spores 6—11 x 2—2.5 u. 


HYALOSCYPHA HYALINA (Persoon) Boudier 19/11/75 Tisbury Row. An extremely minute, 
sessile, whitish cup fungus, clothed with slender, pointed, thin-walled non-septate hairs, occurring in 
swarms on decorticated wood, especially QUERCUS. 

HYALOSCYPHA LACHNOBRACHYA (Desm.) Nannf. 17/11/76 Fonthill. Similar to the above, but 
occurring on fallen leaves, and in having narrower, fusiform spores produced in 4-spored asci. 
HYALOSCYPHA (Aff) PUBERULA (Lasch) Nannf. 20/10/76 Swallowcliffe, on dead oak leaf. 
Found typically on oak leaves. Distinguished from previous species by the pale yellow disc, 8-spored 
asci, and broader spores. 

UNGUICULARIA SCRUPULOSA (Karsten) Von Hohnel 6/11/76 Tisbury Row. A very minute 
sessile cup fungus found in swarms like tiny grains of sand on rotting wood and distinguished by the 
thick-walled glassy hairs clinging to its flanks. 

ARACHNOPEZIZA OBTUSIPILA Grelet. 26/1/75 Wardour High Wood, on fallen cone of LARIX. 
Differs from the common species of ARACHNOPEZIZA in being white and in ascospore characters. 
ORBILIA XANTHOSTIGMA ( Fries.) Fries 7/9/76 Ladydown. Minute yellow waxy discs common in 
swarms on rotting wood. 

PEZICULA ACERICOLA (Peck) Sace. 15/12/75 Chilmark MO.D. The species of PEZICULA are 
externally much alike and distinguished by microscopic characters and by their distinctive hosts, in 
this case the common maple. 

PEZICULA CINNAMOMEA (Dc Ex. Persoon) Sacc. 7/11/75 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. Small 
light brown sessile discs with pruinose surface found typically on dead twigs of oak. 

OCELLARIA OCELLATA (Pers) Schroet. 13/1/75 Fonthill Lake. Like a PEZJCULA but erumpent 
from bark instead of being superficial and confined to willow. 

CATINELLA OLIVACEA (Batsch ex. Pers.) Boudier 8/9/76 Chilmark M.O.D. A flat almost black 
disc fairly common on rotting wood, in this case of Ash. 

TAPESIA ROSAE (Persoon ex. Fries) Fuckel 18/9/75 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. A minute, 
finely downy brown cup fungus fruiting in swarms on a dark brown web of mycelium over dead twigs 
of Rose or allied shrubs. 

MOLLISIA ESCHARODES (Berk. & Br.) Gremmen 13/10/76 Whitmarsh Wood. Differs from most 
MOLLISIA species in the rather downy margin of the gray-brown cup. 

MOLLISIA LIGNI (Desm.) Karsten. February 1976 Swallowcliffe — on oak log in writer’s garden. 
Small, dark gray-brown to almost black, sessile cups common on dead wood of all kinds. 

MOLLISIA MELALEUCA (Fries) Saccardo 9/1/78 Grovely Wood. On rotting, decorticated wood. 
Differs from the more abundant M. CINEREA largely by colour. 

PYRENOPEZIZA CFr.) SALICIS (Fettg.) Nannf. 23/10/76 Dunworth Wood. An extremely minute 
cup fungus sunk in the bark of willow twigs. 

LEPTOTROCHILA RANUNCULI (Fries) Schuepp (previously FABRAEA RANUNCULI (Fr.) 
Karsten. 22/10/78. Very common in summer and autumn on living leaves of various species of 
ranunculus. Harnham, Salisbury. 

PHAEOHELOTIUM SUBCARNEUM (Schum. ex. Sacc) Dennis 5/12/74 Haredene Lane. A tiny pink 
saucer-shaped fungus on dead wood. 

TROCHILA CRATERIUM Fries. 17/8/75 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. Immersed in dead leaf-tissue 
of ivy. Opening by a variable number of teeth to expose the flat dark brown disc up to 0.4 mm. 
across. 


TROCHILA ILICINA (Nees ex. Fr.) Green & Morgan-Jones July 1975. Swallowcliffe Churchyard. 
Similar to the above, but found on fallen holly leaves and opening by shedding a circular patch of 
host epidermis. 

TROCHILA LAUROCERASI (Desm.) Fries. 17/8/75 Swallowcliffe Churchyard. Similar to the above 
species but found on dead leaves of PRUNUS LAUROCERASUS. 


PHACIDIALES 


COLPOMA QUERCINUM (Pers.) Wallr. 13/2/74 Ladydown. Gregarius, erumpent from beneath bark 
of dead but often attached twigs of oak usually as elongated black structures developed transversely 
to the long axis of the twig. When moist the fruitbodies open revealing a light yellow disc up to 
15mm. long and 2mm. wide. 

LOPHODERMIUM JUNIPERINUM (Fries) de Not. 16/2/75 Baverstock. Forming black, lister-like, 
elliptical fruitbodies up to 1 mm. long and 0.4 mm. wide beneath the cuticle on the outer surface of 
the leaves. 


LECANORALES 


KARSCHIA LIGNYOTA (Fries) Saccardo. 27/10/76 Crockerton Firs. Common on decorticated 
wood forming shallowly-cupshaped black fruitbodies up to 1 mm. across with flat or slightly convex 
disc. 


OSTROPALES 


STICTIS STELLATA Wallroth 6/12/75 Tisbury Row. The minute fruitbodies are at first deeply 
sunken in herbaceous stems (especially of EPILOBIUM HIRSUTUM) Then erumpent, opening to 
expose a pale yellow disc surrounded by a white sterile border split into stellate lobes. 


CLAVICIPITALES 


EPICHLOE TYPHINA Pers. ex. Fr.) Tulasne 6/6/76 Ladydown. Stroma sheathing the stems of 
various grasses, at first smooth and white and usually up to 1.5 cm. in length, becoming golden yellow 
and minutely roughened with the tips of the perithecia when mature. 


SPHAE RIALES 


HYPOCREA RUFA (Persoon ex. Fries) Fries 10/11/76 Squall’s Lane, Tisbury. Common on dead 

wood, forming light reddish-brown pustules, up to 10mm. across, minutely dotted with the darker 

ostioles of the immersed perithecia. 

HYPOCREA PULVINATA Fuckel 21/9/76 Haredene Wood. Similar to the above but occurring on 

old brackets of PPPTOPORUS BETULINUS. 

NECTRIA BRASSICAE Ellis and Saccardo 23/11/76 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. A rather rare 

species, occurring in Spring and Autumn on rotting stems of cultivated BRASSICAE. 

NECTRIA EPISPHAERIA (Tode ex. Fries) Fries December 1975 Swallowcliffe, on DIATR YPE 

STIGMA. Perithecia minute, scattered, bright red, ovoid with an apical papilla, on effete stroma of 

other Ascomycetes. 

NECTRIA FUCKELIANA Booth 20/2/75 Fonthill Terraces. Similar to the above, but perithecia 

developed on a stroma erumpent through bark of various conifers. 

NECTRIA LEPTOSPHAERIAE Niessl. 4/12/75 Tisbury Row. One of the smaller species of red 

NECTRIA found typically growing on old perithecia of the common LEPTOSPHAERIA ACUTA on 

dead stinging nettle stems. 

NECTRIA SINOPICA Fries (conidial state) 16/12/75 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. A light red 

NECTRIA found in clusters on dead stems of Ivy. 

NECTRIA VIRIDESCENS Booth February 1976 Swallowcliffe. The perithecia are red when ripe and. 

the fungus gets its name for a green pigment it produces when grown in artificial culture. 

SPHAEROSTILEBE AURANTIACA Tulasne 22/9/75 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. Distinguished 

from red species of NECTRIA by the associated pin-headed conidial fructifications, up to 2mm. tall, 

on dead bark of Elm. 

LASIOSPHAERIA SPERMOIDES (Hoffm. ex. Fr) Ces & de Not. 19/10/76. Dunworth Wood. One of 

the commonest Pynenomycetes, with small smooth black perithecia crowded in swarms over old logs. 

HYPOXYLON FRAGIFORME (Pers. ex. Fr.) Kickx. (conidial state) 29/9/76 Swallowcliffe. This is 

the conidial state of the common red HYPOXYLON found everywhere on dead branches of Beech. 

HYPOXYLON FUSCUM (Pers. ex. Fr.) Fries 19/11/75 Tisbury Row. Alder and Hazel are the hosts 

a ein commen purplish-brown HYPOX YLON, with rather flat fructifications up to 4 mm. across, on 
ead branches. 


16 


HYPOXYLON MAMMATUM (Wahl.) Miller 2/2/75 Tisbury. One of the larger, black species of 
HYPOXYLON, found on old dead willow trunks. 

HYPOXYLON MULTIFORME (Fr.) Fr. 30/10/74 Grovely Wood. Characteristic of dead Birch 
branches, with a black, shiny pimply crust. 

HYPOXYLON SERPENS Var. EFFUSUM (Nits.) Miller 17/2/75 Fonthill Lake. Differs from typical 
H. SERPENS in its smaller ascospores. 

ROSELLINIA AQUILA (Fries) de Notaries 8/9/76 Chilmark M.O.D. Rather large, smooth, shiny 
black perithecia seated in a mat of dark hyphae on rotting branches. j 
ROSELLINIA MAMMAEFORMIS (Pers. ex. Fr) Cesati & de Notaris 18/9/75 Swallowcliffe, writer’s 
garden. Distinguished from the preceding by its smaller perithecia, without a surrounding mat of 
mycelium. 

EUTYPA ACHARII Tulasne 28/12/75 Wardour 13 acre Wood. A think black crust on bare dead 
wood, dotted with minute openings from the underlying perithecia. 

DIATRYPE BULLATA (Foffm. ex. Fr) Fries 13/1/75 Fonthill Lake. Small, round black crust, 
bursting from bark of dead willow branches. 

DIATRYPELLA FAVACEA (Fries) Saccardo 27/10/76 Crockerton Firs. Resembles a DIATR YPE but 
contains asci with many more than 8 ascospores. It occurs commonly on dead branches of Alder and 
Birch. 

EUTYPELLA PRUNASTRI (Pers. ex. Fr.) Sacc. 19/11/75 Tisbury Row. Distinguished among the 
hard, black-crusted perithecial fungi by the long, conical, free necks of the perithecia, and found on 
dead branches of sloe. 


QUATERNARIA QUATERNATA (Pers. ex. Fri) Schroct 9/1/78 Grovely Wood. Very common in 
winter and spring in dense swarms on dead branches of Fagus. 

VALSA SORDIDA Nits 6/12/78 Harnham, Salisbury. The perfect stage of the more frequently 
encountered CYTOSPORA CHRYSOSPERMA, on POPULUS. 

PERONEUTYPA HETERACANTHA (Sacc.) Berk 16/12/74 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. Found on 
dead branches of all kinds and recognised by the protruding, hair-like necks of the perithecia. 
DIAPORTHE ERES Nits 18/9/75 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. Though first described on twigs of 
Elm this very common fungus may occur on dead wood of almost any kind. The perithecia occur in 
small clusters beneath the bark through which their black short necks protrude. 

MELANOPSAMMA POMIFORMIS (Pers. ex. Fr) Sacc. 14/12/75 Tisbury Row. Small smooth black 
perithecia which typically shrink to become cuplike when dry, but otherwise resembling a NECTRIA 
on dead wood. 


PLECTASCALES 


SPHAEROTHECA FULIGINEA (Schlect. ex. Fr) Pol. 10/7/75 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. This 
mildew was collected on TARAXACUM sp., a common host for the fungus. 

SPHAEROTHECA MACULARIS (Wallr. & Fr.) Jacy. (oidium) 6/6/76 Ladydown. This mildew was 
collected on FILIPENDULA ULMARIA, a common host for this fungus. 

SPHAEROTHECA MORS-UVAE (Schw.) Berk & Curtis 10/7/75 Swaliowcliffe, writer’s garden. The 
common American Gooseberry mildew. 

SPHAEROTHECA PANNOSA (Walir. ex. Fr) Lev. 16/9/76 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. The 
common mildew of roses. 

ERYSIPHE AQUILEGEI De ex. Merat. (Syn. E. POLYGONI DC ex. Merat) 19/9/76 Swallowcliffe, 
writer’s garden. Mildew of columbine. 

ERYSIPHE CICHORACEARUM DC ex Merat. (syn. E. MONTAGNEI) (also syn. E. DEPRESSA) 
8/9/76 Chilmark M.O.D. The common mildew of thistles. Also found on Burdock. 

ERYSIPHE POLYGONI Dc ex. Merat (syn E. Heraclei) 4/9/76 Swallowcliffe Churchyard. The 
common mildew of hogweed. 


DOTHIDEALES 


DOTHIORA RIBESIA (pers. ex. Fr) Burt. (Syn. PLOWRIGHTIA) 7/2/77 Swallowcliffe, writer’s 
garden. Flat, cushion-shaped stromata erumpent from bark of dead twigs of R/BES, not uncommon. 


LOCULOASCOMYCETES 
PLEOSPORALES 


VENTURIA RUMICIS (Desm.) de Wint. 16/6/76 Tisbury Row. Cause of a very common leaf spot on 
Dock. 

LEPTOSPHAERIA ACUTA (Fr.) Karsten 7/5/74 Tisbury Row. Common everywhere at the base of 
last year’s dead stems of stinging nettle. 


17 


MELANOMMA PULVIS-PYRIUS (pers. ex. Fr.) Fuckel. 16/12/74. One of the commonest of fungi, 
forming swarms of tiny smooth black perithecia on dead bare wood of all kinds. 

PLEOSPORA HERBARUM (Fr) Rabenh. 20/10/76 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. Common every- 
where on all kinds of dead herbaceous plants. 

PERISPORIUM VULGARE Corda. 15/9/76 Swallowcliffe. Black, subglobose ascocarps occurring 
quite commonly on many kinds of vegetable debris. 


HYSTERIALES 


HYSTERIUM ANGUSTATUM Alb. & Schw. ex. Merat. 3/2/78 Quidhampton Folly, Salisbury. A 
common species on wood and bark of various deciduous trees. 


HEMISPHAERIALES 


LOPHIUM ELATUM Greville 15/5/75 Horwood. A rare fungus with thin, erect, flat ascocarps 
projecting from dead bark, in this instance willow. 

MICROTHYRIUM CILIATUM Gremmen & De Karn. 5/10/75 Swallowcliffe. 

AULOGRAPHUM HEDERAE Libert. 5/10/75 Swallowcliffe. These two minute ‘“‘fly-speck” fungi 
occurred together on dead fallen leaves of Holly. 

MICROTHYRIUM fructifications are circular, those of AULOGRAPHUM are elongated. 


FUNGI IMPERFECTI 


ACROSTALAGMUS CINNABARINUS Corda. 15/9/76 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. A very 
common reddish-brown mould found on all kinds of rotting vegetable matter. 

AEGERITA CANDIDA Persoon ex. Fries. 13/12/70 Ladydown. Superficial white subglobose 
sporodochia on wood. Quite common. The conidial state of PENIOPHORA CANDIDA Lyman. 
CERCOSPORA MERCURIALIS Passerini. 24/2/75 Ridge. A common mould on Dog’s mercury 
leaves. 

CLADOTRICHUM TRISEPTATUM Berk. & Br. 3/11/76 Alec’s Shade. The conidial state of the 
common CHAETOSPHAERELLA PHAEOSTROMA forming mats of hairy black mycelium on dead 
bark. 

COLLETOTRICHUM DEMATIUM Pers. ex. Fri) Grove 28/9/75 Ansty Coombe. A minute black 
pustule set with tiny pointed bristles, common on dead herbaceous stems of all kinds. 
COLLETOTRICHUM DEMATIUM f. CIRCINANS (Berk.) Von Arx. 2/9/75 Swallowcliffe, writer’s 
garden. A form of the preceding found on onions. 

COLLETOTRICHUM GLOEOSPOROIDES October 1976 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden on. 
OSMARONIA. Appears to have a wide host range, but is most common on leaves of CITRUS. It is 
infrequently collected in Britain. 

CRISTULARIELLA DEPREDANS (Cooke) Von Hohnel. 

18/10/78 Grovely Wood. On leaves of ACER. Sometimes parasitic, causing greyish leaf-spots, though 
rarely causing serious damage in Britain. 

CYLINDRIUM FLAVOVIRENS (Ditm. ex. Fr.) Bon. 8/12/71 Whitmarsh Wood. A yellowish-green 
mould on fallen leaves of deciduous trees. 

CYLINDROCARPON MALI (Allesch.) Wallen. Tiny white pustules on dead apple twigs, the conidial 
state of the canker fungus VECRIA GALLIGENA Bres. In writer’s garden 1975. 

CYTOSPORA AMBIENS SACC. January 1976. Writer’s Garden. The conidial state of the common 
VALSA AMBIENS. 

CYTOSPORA CHRYSOSPERMA Fries. 6/12/78 Harnham, Salisbury. Very common on bark of 
various species of poplar, the pycnidial stage of VALSA SORDIDA Nits. 


DACTYLIUM DENDROIDES (Bull.) Fries 19/11/73 Haredene Wood. A common hyphomycete, 
most frequently occurring on fleshy fungi, and the conidial state of HYPOMYCES ROSELLUS. 
DENDROSTILBELLA PRASINULA von Hohnel 19/10/76 Dunworth Wood. The conidial state of 
CORYNELLA PRASINULA. 

DIPLODIA MELAENA Ley, 8/12/75 Wardour, spinney near shop. Small black pycnidia in Elm bark. 
DIPLODIA PINASTRI (Lév.) Grove 9/2/75 Wardour High Wood. A common pycnidial fungus on 
dead twigs of conifers. 

ENDOSTILBUM ALBIDUM (Berk.) Reid 20/1/74 Fonthill Lake. Uncommon, forming small, drum- 
stick like fructifications about 1mm. high on dead wood. Conidial state of a CORYNE sp. 
EPICOCCUM PURPURASCENS Ehrenb. 6/12/75 Place Farm, Tisbury. A common black mould 
forming dots of conidia, often surrounded by a purple stain, on vegetable matter of all kinds. 


18 


FUSARIUM LATERITIUM Nees. 23/2/77 Swallowcliffe. Conidial state of GIBERELLA 
BACCATA (Wallr.) Sacc. It has a wide host range, and may cause wilt, die-back and canker in Woody 
plants. Widely distributed in temperate and tropical climates. 

FUSARIUM SAMBUCINUM Fuckel. 18/12/75 Swallowcliffe. The conidial state of GIBBERELLA 
PULICARIS (Fr.) Sacc. May cause cankers. 

FUSICLADIUM FRAXINI Aderh. 17/10/76 Ansty Coombe. Dark grey mould associated with dead 
brown spots on living ash leaves. 

FUSICOCCUM GALERICULATUM Saccardo. April 1977 Salisbury. On branches and twigs of 
FAGUS. Infrequently recorded, but probably overlooked. 

LINODOCHIUM HYALINUM (Lib.) Von Hohn. 9/2/75 Wardour High Wood. Gelatinous globules on 
fallen needles of Scots Pine. 

NODULISPORIUM GREGARIUM (B & C) Meyer 7/1/75 Dunworth Wood. Tiny cushions of shaggy 
beige-coloured mould on dead Ash bark. 

‘PERICONIA BYSSOIDES Persoon ex. Corda. 15/12/75 Chilmark M.O.D. A common pin-head black 
mould on herbaceous stems of all kinds. 

PHAEOISARIA CLAVULATA (Grove) Mason & Hughes 2/2/75 Tisbury Row. Minute dark-brown 
coremia dusted with white spores found in swarms on rotting decorticated wood. 

PHLEOSPORA ACERIS (Berk & Br.) Sacc. 18/10/78 Grovely Wood. Pycnidia in small clusters, on 
living or fading leaves of species of ACER. Common throughout the British Isles. 

PHOMA ULICIS Sydow. 21/10/76 Downs. Forming minute black pycnidia on the spines of gorse. 
PHOMOPSIS EUPHORBIAE Trav. 18/12/75 Ladydown. Small black pycnidia on stems of 
EUPHORBIA AMYGDALOIDES. 

PHYLLOSTICTINA (PHOMA) HYSTERELLA (Sacc.) Petrak. 7/1/78 Shearwater (Warminster). 
Pycnidia on dead leaves of TAXUS BACCATA, often aggregated into short lines and erumpent 
through a slit in the epidermis. 

PYCNIDIELLA RESINAE (Fr.) Von Hohnel. 30/11/75 Wardour High Wood. Small orange pycnidia, - 
the conidial state of BIATORELLA RESINAE, common on resinous exudations on the bark of 
conifers. 

RAMULARIA KNAUTIAE (Messec) Bul. 12/10/78 Woodford (Salisbury). On KNAUTIA 
ARVENSIS. Throughout Europe, causing irregular purplish leaf-spots. 

RAMULARIA URTICAE Cesati 8/12/75 Wardour, Spinney near shop. A common white mould on 
fading leaves of Stinging Nettle in autumn. 

RHINOTRICHUM SUBALUTACEM Peck 3/12/75 Fonthill Lake. A rather shaggy pinkish-brown 
mould found near the base of last year’s dead stems of Rosebay and other herbaceous plants. 
SPADICOIDES GROVEI M.B. Ellis 7/9/76 Chilmark MO.D. On dead wood of FAGUS and other 
trees, at present known from Britain, Canada and North America. Apparently uncommon, but 
probably just unrecorded. 

STILBELLA ERYTHROCEPHALA (Ditton. ex. Fr.) Lindau. 21/9/76 Haredene Wood. A tiny pin- 
headed mould, common on dung, especially of rabbit. 

TRICHOTHECIUM ROSEUM Link ex. Fries. 11/12/75 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. The common 
pale pink mould on decaying vegetable matter of all kinds. 

TRIMMATOSTROMA BETULINUM (Corda) Hughes 27/10/76 Swallowcliffe. Common throughout 
Europe on twigs, branches, and occasionally leaves of BETULA. 

TRIMMATOSTROMA SALICIS Corda. 13/1/75 Fonthill Lake. Little Black powdery pustules 
common on dead willow twigs. 

TUBERCULARIA VULGARIS Tode ex. Fries. February 1976 Swallowcliffe, writer’s garden. 
Commonly called “Coral Spot” from the colour of its pustule, the conidial state of the ubiquitous 
NECTRIA ' CINNABARINA. 

VOLUTELLA BUXI (Dc ex Fr.) Berk. TBR 8/2/76 Swallowcliffe Churchyard. A tiny whitish hairy 
pustule on dead BOX leaves and twigs. 


PERONOSPORALES 


CYSTOPUS CANDIDUS (Pers) de Bary 8/5/74 Swallowcliffe Churchyard. Conspicuous white 
pustules which burst to liberate dusty white spores, common on many species of cruciferae. 


19 


MY XOMYCETES 


ARCYRIA FERRUGINEA Sauter 5/12/74 (New for U.C.8) Castle Ditches, Tisbury. Differs from the 
common A. DENUDATA in its larger spores 8—11u diam., the more ovoid, orange-red sporangia and 
the free capillitium consisting of threads with a different ornamentation. 

ARCYRIA INCARNATA Persoon 17/2/75 Fonthill Lake. Similar to A. DENUDATAbut with pink 
sporangia in which the capillitium is free from the cup. 

CERATIOMYXA FRUTICULOSA (Mull) Macbride 28/9/76 Wardour 13-acre Wood. Distinguished 
from other Myxomycetes by having the spores borne on the outside of white gelatinous threads. 
COMATRICHA NIGRA Schroet. 25/10/76 Chilmark M.O.D. A small stipitate myxomycete, 1—6mm. 
high, consisting of a black, shiny stalk, and a fertile, purplish-brown head, varying in shape from 
cylindrical to globular. 

CRATERIUM MINUTUM (Leers) Fries. 15/12/74 Ansty Down. A common myxomycete, up to 
1.5mm. high, forming characteristic ochraceous, goblet-shaped sporangia with a well-differentiated 
pale lid and dark stalk. 

DIDERMA HEMISPHERICUM Hornem. 20/10/76 Swallowcliffe. Recognised by its flat, chalk-white 
disc-shaped sporangia about Imm. wide seated on a short ochraceous or brownish stalk. 
LAMPRODERMA SCINTILLANS (Berk. TBR.) Morgan 13/10/76 Whitmarsh Wood. Distinguished 
by the iridescent metallic sheen of the minute globular sporangia up to 0.5mm. across, borne on long 
slender black stalks. 


Editor’s note: the presentation of this paper conforms with earlier papers in the same series. 


20 


THE WEATHER FOR 1978 
by 
T. E. ROGERS 


On the whole, 1978 was a pleasant year, being a little drier and warmer than average, but, as is 
usually the case, there were one or two really noteworthy features. Foremost amongst these was the 
dryness of the late Summer and Autumn, only 37.5 mm (1.47 inches) of rain being recorded for the 
spell August—October, compared with the average of 225.2 mm (8.86 inches) for this period. Indeed, 
it was the driest such period at Marlborough since records were first started at the College in 1865 
and the Meteorological Office estimate that, over the country as a whole, there has not been a drier 
Autumn since 1752. 

The year opened with a very unsettled, wet period, although Wiltshire was fortunate to escape 
the mini-tornado which struck Newmarket and East Anglia on January 3rd. Snow was recorded on 
about half a dozen occasions, the biggest fall being of about 5 cms on February 18/19th, though 
some areas of the South-West and South Wales recorded heavier blizzards. Rapid thawing brought 
some flooding, but, otherwise, precipitation was not exceptional. 

After a cool and dull April, May and June were distinctly dry apart from local thunderstorms. 
In contrast, 1978 brought the wettest July in Marlborough since 1950 with 94.7 mm of rain (3.7 
inches), much of which came as a result of heavy storms at the end of the month. Then the dry 
spell followed and from August 15th to the end of October rain was only recorded on 14 occasions. 
In addition to being dry the Autumn was also the warmest since 1969 though, surprisingly perhaps, 
sunshine totals were not comparably high. The end of November brought the first cold snap of the 
Winter and thereafter the weather broke. A lot of rain fell in the second week of December and was 
followed on the 21st/22nd by moderate falls of snow, and although Christmas was a little warmer, 
the Year ended with the mercury falling rapidly and Country-wide easterly blizzards to greet the 
New Year. 


Month Temperature Rainfall Sunshine 
J 0 ++ + 
F —— 0 0 
M ++ 0 p 
A i 0 eGtes 
M ar - 0 
J 0 = — 
J - ++ = 
A _ — 0 
S 0 --—- r 
O ++ ——- 0 
N ++ —— + 
D 0 ++ 0 
Totals for 1978: 8.94°C 685.7 mm 1384 hours 
(48.1°F) (27.0 ins) 
Yearly average figures: 8.79°C 826.2 mm 1431.6 hours 
(Marlborough) (47.8°F) (32.5 ins) 
N.B. In all three columns: 0 signifies ‘average’; — means ‘distinctly below average’; 
— — means ‘very much below average’. The + and ++ signs have comparable positive 
meanings. 


21 


THE WEATHER FOR 1978 


Month Av.Max.  Ayv.Min Mean Days of Air Max. Min. Mean for 114 
Frost years 
J 58°C). Ol Cl 22,976 18 102 C) 9:4 C 3.41°C 
F 24 —0.6 2.3 18 123 —9.0 3.62 
M 10.2 2.6 6.4 8 eon =319 5.04 
A 9.8 2.6 6.2 175 —4.0 7.44 
M 16.5 5.4 11.0 0 25.9 12 10.46 
J 18.3 7.8 13.1 0 24.6 2.8 13.68 
J 18.8 10.2 14.5 0 253 4.1 15.16 
A 19.6 9.5 14.5 0 2505 4.1 15.10 
S 18.1 8.1 13.1 0 22.0 sss) PILE 
O 15.8 6.6 11.2 2 22.9 0:3 912 
N 11.3 4.6 8.0 8 1529 =8.1 6.04 
D 6.8 1.3 4.1 15 13.7. —6.6 3.65 
Whole Year: Mean: 8.94°C 716 D5.316 wz —9:466 8.79°C 
Month Days of Rain Rainfall Mean for 114 Sunshine Mean for 95 years 
years 
J 19 106.8mm 78.6mm (64)* 41.7 
F 15 63.1 61.5 (62) 63.6 
M 20 72.4 58.4 (130) 112.0 
A 18 56:7 56.1 107.2 149.0 
M 10 30.8 58.6 185.5 186.9 
J 10 33.9 56.0 161.5 190.0 
J 15 94.7 62.7 137.8 185.8 
A 13 25.0 TAT 168.8 176.6 
S 9 7.9 69.8 (170) 138.7 
O 5 4.6 83.7 (88) 94.5 
N I3 41.2 83.3 (77) SoS 
D 23 148.6 85.8 (36) 39.5 
Whole Year: 170 days 685.7mm 826.2mm 1384 hrs 1431.6 hrs 


*Sunshine figures in parentheses estimated with the help of R.A.F. Lyneham 


i) 
rw 


WILTSHIRE PLANT NOTES (30) 
Compiled by JOAN SWANBOROUGH 


(All records for 1978 unless otherwise stated) 


LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS 

Bath: NatiHist/Socy) e428 asec BNHS FiWaMerhittnc dene Rene dct vere FWM 
GB iraiomins Gen 2 pee tte Mare posi ite CB AziINewtomintecudien oo dcca chi lbsk iim AN 
MirssBa Burt coc. A Use elle BB MrsiE. Normans, 3 3. ¢ose-den ek. EN 
CriGalstor caesar os Newnes, Le ee vee les wale CC GiQuest-Ritsonacjaseny views oie etek one CQR 
EB Ji Clementes, 2g sega Geka, hake EJC Rv Randalliwiy is eG ahaa ts & RR 
MrseEeiCuntisiiiiad Weehoe. ths ites aed EC MO Rebanemosisfaca: a 22. Ses MR 
MissiM: Compton |... 5.253 3. tek MC D: Rice psy) 8s t ohigeuane <Be¢ enti e oneee DR 
Miss W.s Compton. Fr3aetg hee) 8 i WC Mrs: oRichardsomy: 4% yi) se aves Sls tous FDR 
Missi Bs Gillam wae ee. «Bie ks, boo Ss BG CHRoberts coc EEN AAs ARES CR 
DMGreen: Gus ac. Mest. EE ee '.. DG BiSmithaiics ee tiie. tiated 3 oe ES 
pS arrdSOn2 eee epee is Seeds lainoleaaes TH GaSmithiee cgeked: Soke en a eek ee: GS 
Mr. & MrsSHooki a swine 22, 2 sis J & NH MrsOuStewant:s aii cpseae’ cis een cut: OS 
MisstA sHutchisont ia) cai hycmews xe! atone AMH RevaslesStrattonar, si. Awcecanbac, case ctareialcs IS 
GrAsMathewsis 29 ieee, sta. ke GAM MrsJ.-Swanboroughy.j kite. iiatio.-. . JS 
IDiiR: Melville. niu seem car's thine less RM 


Eranthis hyemalis (L.) Salisb. Winter Aconite. 2. Trackside at Blacklands FWM 

Delphinium ambiguum L. Larkspur. Casual 2. Arable field near Bradford-on-Avon. DG : 

Thalictrum flavum. L. Common Meadow-rue. 7. Nr. Marden Mill. TH. 5. Winterbourne Earls. 8. By 
River Wylye at Stockton. BG 

Papaver rhoeas var. hoffmanianum L. Field Poppy. 1. Trowbridge Trading Estate. EC 

Erucastrum gallicum (Willd.) O.E. Schulz. 1. Trowbridge Trading Estate EC. 2. Seend Old Station. JS 

Sinapis alba ssp. alba L. White Mustard. 2. Derry Hill School. JS 

Lepidium sativum L. Garden Cress. 2. Garden at Biddestone. MC. WC. JS. 1. Canal side Devizes. CB & 
JS. (Det EJC) 

Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. Winter Cress. 7. Nr. Marden Mill. TH (Det. GAM) 

Rorippa islandica (Oeder) Borbas. Marsh. Yellow-cress. 2. Casual in rose-bed at Lackham. JS 

Silene noctiflora L. Night-flowering Catchfly. 2. Nr..Great Chalfield. DG 

Geranium columbinum L. Small Scabious. 8. Nr. Little Cheverell. TH 

Genista tinctoria L. Dyer’s Greenweed. 2. Lye’s Green. DG 

Medicago sativa L. Lucerne. 7. Waste ground near Castle Hill, Salisbury. AMH, FDR 

Medicago arabica (L.) Huds. Spotted Medick. 2. Staverton. EC. Netherstreet. DG 

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. Melilot. 8. Imber Ranges. BG 

Trifolium arvense L. Hare’s-foot Trefoil. 2. Large colony by rail track at Freshford. DG 

Filipendula vulgaris Moench. Dropwort. 2. Kingsdown. DG 

Rubus bercheriensis 2. Edge of track in Webb’s Wood. OS. Det. AN 

Geum rivale x urbanum = G. x intermedium Ehrh. 4. Cakewood. EN 

Rosa dumetorum Thuill. Wild Rose. 1. Canal path Devizes. BB 

Rosa arvensis Huds. f bladensis (Kern) Keller. 2. Edge of track in Webb’s Wood. OS. Det. RM 

Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz. French Hailes. 1. Westwood (1976) DR. N. Bradley, CC. 2. Great 
Wood, Grittenham. Easton Piercy and Upper Shaw Farm, DR. 

Umbillicus rupestris (Salisb.) Dandy. Wall Pennywort. 2. Parsonage Farm at Winsley. DG 

Epilobium roseum Schreb. Pale Willowherb. 1. Cheverell Wood. TH 

Viscum album L. Mistletoe. On Acer pseudoplatanus. 1. Iford. RR & DG 

Euphorbia lathyrus L. Caper Spurge. 1. Trowbridge Trading Estate. EC 

Polygonum bistorta L. Snakeweed or Bistort. 1. Nr. Chancefield Farm. DG 

Fagopyrum esculentum Mill. Buckwheat. 1. Cheverell Wood. TH 

Cyclamen hederifolium Ait. Cyclamen. 4. Alton Barnes ES & GS 

Anagallis foemina Mill. 2. Bury Camp, Colerne. DG & RR 

Atropa bella-donna L. Deadly Nightshade. 1. Garden weed at Devizes CB. 7. Three areas in Salisbury. 
AMH 

Veronica agrestis L. Green Field Speedwell. 2. Melksham. CB. 2. Lackham. JS. Biddestone. JS.MC.WC 

Lathraea squamaria L. Toothwort. 2. Warleigh Wood on Acer pseudoplatanus (Including a yellow 
form) RR 


23 


Calamintha ascendens Jord. Common Calamint. 1. Iford. DG 

Prunella vulgaris L. Self-heal. Form with pink flowers. 8. For some years on Warden Down. JS 

Lonicera xylosteum L. Fly Honeysuckle. 2. Seend Old Station. JS 

Dipsacus pilosus L. Small Teasel. 2. Nr. Sandridge. CB. 

Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) Blake. Shaggy Soldier. 7. Woodborough. ES & GS 

Senecio squalidus L. Oxford Ragwort. |. One large plant in bridge kerbstone at Dewey’s Water. BG 

Solidago gigantea var. serotina Ait. 8. Roadside high above Bratton. JS Det. EJC 

Artemesia biennis Willd. Mugwort. 1. Farm track at Dilton Marsh. EC 

Cirsium dissectum (L.) Hill. 2. Meadow Thistle. 2. Bowden Hill. CB. JS 

Crepis setosa Haller f. A rare casual of cultivated ground. 1. Disturbed ground near Westbury Station. 
TH 

Ornithogalum pyrenaicum L. Spiked Star of Bethlehem. 1. Wood Nr. Vagg’s Hill. BNHS & RR. 

Allium paradoxum (Bieb.) G. Don. Few-flowered Leek. 1. Patch at edge of Poulshot Common. J & 
NH. JS 

Allium vineale var vineale L. Crow Garlic. 2. Nr. Alderton. DG 

Coeloglossum viride (L.) Hartm. Frog Orchis. 1. Nr. Coulston Hill Erlestoke. TH 

Plantanthera chlorantha (Custer) Reichb. Greater Butterfly Orchid. 2. At M.O.D. Nr. Monkton 
Farleigh (2 spikes) DG & RR 

Dactylorchis incarnata (L.) Vermeul ssp. incarnata; D. strictifolia Opiz. Meadow Orchid, Early Marsh 
Orchid. 7. One fine plant in river meadow below Stratford-sub-Castle. IS, Det. AMH 

Dactylorchis pratermissa (Druce) Soo. Marsh Orchid. 5. Hurdcott, 6. Stanton St. Bernard. 8. Imber 
Clump and Berwick St. James. BG 

Anacamptis pyramidata Rich. Pyramid Orchid. 8. Imber Clump, Brouncker’s Down and Honeydown. 
BG 


Sparganium erectum ssp. erectum L. 2. Pond on Kingsdown. DG 

Carex humilis Leyss. Dwarf Sedge. 8. Single clump NW side of road opposite Tilshead Down. BG 
Gaudinia fragilis (L.) Beauv. 2. In several fields near Bowden Hill CB & JS. Det. EJC 

Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv. Bristle Grass. 2. Derry Hill. JS 

Zea Mais. Maize. 2. By drain on Bristol Road, Chippenham. JS 


WHITE FLOWERED VARIETIES 


Malva moschata L. Musk Mallow. 2. Devizes. MR 

Geranium robertianum ssp. robertianum L. Herb Robert. 4. Ogbourne St. George. CB 
Thymus drucei Ronn. Wild Thyme. 8. White Sheet Hill. EC. By Imber Clump. BG 
Prunella vulgaris L. Self-heal. 2. Morgan’s Hill. CQR. 4. Knapp Hill. JS 

Scabiosa columbaria L. Small-flowered Scabious. 8. Butler’s Cross. MR 

Centaurea scabiosa L. Greater Knapweed. 2. Biddestone. MC 

Anacamptis pyramidata Rich. Pyramid Orchid. 2. Biddestone. MC 


24 


ENTOMOLOGICAL REPORT 1978 
by JOHN d’ARCY 


Although the poor summer of 1978 boded ill for the annual report, some unusual sightings, an 
autumn good for moth migrants and some very comprehensive reports from new recorders have 
greatly improved the records. : 

The Wood White butterfly was reported as common in Wiltshire a hundred years ago; by the 
turn of the century it was local and widespread over many counties in the South and Midlands, 
although not in Wiltshire. In recent years besides one sighting at Whiteparish in 1945, the species was 
confined to Surrey, Sussex, Northamptonshire and the south-western counties; it was seen in Dorset 
in 1976 in four localities and with a record in the north of this county it may be extending its range, 
perhaps in a similar fashion to the Comma. The Wood White is widespread and quite common in 
Ireland. 

The Barred Chestnut Clay is generally found on heaths and moorlands from the North 
Midlands to Cumberland, although it has occasionally been seen in some counties neighbouring 
Wiltshire; thus the sighting at Whaddon near Salisbury is not unexpected and it may previously have 
been overlooked being not easy to identify. 

It is always a noteworthy event to see a Brown Hairstreak since it is such an elusive and local 
insect. It was not a particularly good year for butterfly migrants, but in October there was an 
exceptional flight of unusual moths over Wiltshire and the South of England generally; the Bordered 
Straw, the Delicate Wainscot and the Gem or Narrow-barred Carpet are all rare migrants to the 
county and large numbers of the common Angle Shades were seen. The Blair’s Pinion — first recorded 
in Wiltshire in 1969 — seems to be spreading all over the county. 

The opportunity has been taken to recast the format of this report and, in an effort to make it 
more useful and readable, locations of sightings have been given. It might help to list a few points for 
entomological recorders for use in the course of their observations — always note the precise location, 
the appearance of all migrants, the first dates of sighting even common species, any unusual behaviour 
or large number of specimens and any species not generally encountered or requiring specialised 
habitats as the blues or the hairstreaks. 

I would like to thank all the contributors of these records, whose work particularly amongst 
the moths has so improved what promised to be a dull year. 


CONTRIBUTORS 

DB Mr. David Brotheridge, Wroughton FM Mr. Frank Mead, Devizes 
MB Mrs. Marion Browne, West Kington JP Mr. Jack Pile, Edington 
JB Mr. John Buxton, East Tytherton, SR Mrs. S.J. Rawlings, Box 

Chippenham SNHS Salisbury and District Natural 
JdA Mr. John d’Arcy, Edington _ History Society 
HE Mr. Henry Edmunds, Cholderton BGS Mr. B.G. Smith, Ashton Common, 
AG Mr. Alan Gange, Whaddon, Salisbury Steeple Ashton 
BG Miss Beatrice Gillam, Devizes AS Mr. Alan Stonell, Devizes 
TDH Mr. T.D. Harrison, West Lavington RT Mr. Robert Turner, Bratton 
AH Mr. A. Hulme, Frome, Somerset JMW Miss J.M. Ward, South Wraxall 
CGL_ Major-General C.G. Lipscomb, Knook GW Mr. Geoffrey Webber, Swindon 


BW Mr. B.W. Weddell, Trowbridge 


Melanargia galathea Linn. Marbled White 
Pear Tree Hill Well AS 
Porton Ranges 25.6 JdA 
Calstone 10.8 JdA 
Roundway Down OF] FM 
Imber, abundant 12.7 to 19.8 BG, BGS, JP 
Red Lodge 5.8 

Leptidea sinapis L. Wood White 
Not seen in Wiltshire since 1945 26.5 DB 


North Wiltshire 


Vanessa cardui L. 
Heddington 
Imber 
Poygonia c-album L. 
Pear Tree Hill 
Somerford Common 
Whaddon, near Salisbury 
Heywood 
Vanessa atalanta Linn. 
Salisbury, visiting ivy blossom 
Pear Tree Hill 
Bromham 
West Kington 
Bratton 
Limenitis camilla L. 
Collingbourne Woods 
Red Lodge Wood, in some numbers! 
Heywood 
Apatura iris L. 
Somerford Common 
Blackmore Copse, more numerous than 
1977 and spreading as far as Farley 
Argynnis aglaia L. 
Imber 
Calstone 
Porton Ranges 
Grims Ditch 
Argynnis paphia L. 
Collingbourne Woods 
Red Lodge and Somerford Common 
Great Ridge Wood 
Imber 
Clossiana euphrosyne L. 
Somerford Common 
Great Ridge Wood 
Clossiana selene Schiff. 
Great Ridge Wood 
Savernake Forest 
Euphydryas aurinia Rott. 
Imber 
Lysandra Coridon Poda. 
Imber, chasing other species away 
Heddington, scarce 
Kingsplay Hill 
Barbury 
Sidbury Hill, numerous 
Calstone 
Bratton 
Lysandra bellargus Rott. 
Bratton 
Imber 
Celastrina argiolus Linn. 
Heddington and Devizes, numerous 
West Kington 
Devizes 
Cole Park, Malmesbury 


26 


Painted Lady 
11.8 
26.8 
Comma 
13.8 
15.8 
20.10 
27:7 
Red Admiral 
16.11 
3.11 
6.4 
20.7 
25.10 
White Admiral 
16.7 
16.7 to 13.8 
OS 


Purple Emperor 
27 
July 


Dark Green Fritillary 

from 4.7 to 17.8 

10.8 

25.6 

28.7 

Silver-washed Fritillary 

16.7 

15.8 

13.8 

from 10.8 to 13.8 

Pearl-bordered Fritillary 
4.6 

June 

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary 
9.6 


9.6 
Marsh Fritillary 
from 3.6 to 18.6 


Chalkhill Blue 
from 13.8 to 19.8 
11.8 
23.8 
27.8 
28.8 
10.8 
8.8 


Adonis Blue 
24.6 
from 28.5 to 11.6 


Holly Blue 
19.5 
10.5 
23.5 
29.5 


DB 
AH 


DB 
DB 


EGS, BG, JP 


BG, EGS 
FM 

BG 

DB 

GLW 
JdA 

JP 


JdA 
EGS 


FM 
MB 
BG 
JB 


Aricia agestis Schiff. 
Roundway 
Calstone 
Fyfield, Marlborough 
Barbury 
Imber 
Cupido Minimus Fuessl. 
Cotley Hill 
Imber 
Hamearis lucina Linn. 
Pear Tree Hill 
Cotley Hill 
Somerford Common 
Grovely Wood 
Thymelicus lineola Ochs. 
Little Cheverell 
Imber 
Bratton 
Thecla quercus Linn. 
Blackmore Copse, scarce 
Red Lodge and Somerford Common 
Red Lodge 
Alderbury 
Thecla betulae Linn. 
An insect rarely seen. Coate Water 


Strymonidia w-album Knoch. 
Heddington 
Blackmore Copse 
Heywood 
Sphinx ligustri L. 
Imber 
Devizes 
Edington 
Hyloicus pinastri L. 
Cholderton 
Landford 
Gastropacha quercifolia Linn. 
Imber 
Edington 
West Lavington 
Landford 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Stauropus fagi L. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Chaonia ruficornis Hufn. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Odontosia carmelita Esp. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Cybosia mesomella L. 
Somerford Common 
Cycnia mendica Clerck. 
Ashton Common, a very late sighting 
Panaxia dominula L. 
Whaddon, larvae 
Hepialus fusconebulosa Deg. 
Ashton Common 
Lymantria monacha. L. 
Landford 
Whaddon, Salisbury 


Brown Argus 
2.6 
10.8 
20.8 
20.8 
from 11.6 to 25.6 
Small Blue 
June 
from 18.6 to 14.7 


Duke of Burgundy Fritillary 


4.6 
June 
4.6 
3.6 


Essex Skipper 
from 9.8 to 19.8 
from 30.7 to 2.8 
12.8 


Purple Hairstreak 
27:8 
13.8 

5.8 

4.8 


Brown Hairstreak 
9.9 


White-letter Hairstreak 
19.8 
16.7 
Dell 


Privet Hawk 
29.7 

14.7 

29.6 

Pine Hawk 
20.6, 7.7 
30.7 


The Lappet 

from 20.7 to 5.8 
4.8 

1257 

30.7 

24.7 

Lobster Prominent 
e7/ 

Lunar Marbled Brown 

275 

Scarce Prominent 

30:4. 13'S 

Four-dotted Footman 

20.6 

Muslin Ermine 

2210 

Scarlet Tiger 

from 23.4 to 13.5 

Map-winged Swift 
5.8 

Black Arches 

30.7 

26.8 


Apatele aceris L. 
Box 
Landford 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Craniophora Ligustri Schiff. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Pyrrhia umbra Hufn. 
Box 
Heliothis peltigera Schiff. 
An occasional migrant to Wiltshire 
Edington 


Agrotis denticulatus Haw. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Polia Nitens Haw. 
Cholderton 
Euxoa tritici L. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Amathes Glareosa Esp. 
Cholderton 
Diarsia dahlii Hubn. 
A new record for Wiltshire 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Hadena conspersa Schiff. 
Imber 
Peridroma porphyrea Schiff. 
Ashton Common 
Edington 
Euschesis orbona Hufn. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Apamea ophiogramma Esp. 
Whaddon, larvae 
Apamea sublustris Esp. 
Imber 
West Lavington 
Cosmia affinis L. 
Imber 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Panameria tenebrata Scop. 
Somerford Common 
Procus literosa L. 
Wroughton 
Imber 
Edington 
Orthosia populeti F. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Orthosia advena Schiff. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Edington 
Eremobia ochroleuca Schiff. 
Imber 
Ashton Common 
Fyfield, Marlborough 
Landford 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Edington 
Phlogophora meticulosa L. 
Cholderton 


28 


The Sycamore 
14.7 
30.7 

5.8 


The Crown 
3.6 


Bordered Sallow 
24.8 


Bordered Straw 


13.10 
Light Feathered Rustic 
2S 


Pale Shining Brown 
6.7 


White Line Dart 
12.8 


Autumnal Rustic 
20.9 


Barred Chestnut Clay 


29.8 

Marbled Coronet 
10.7 

Pearly Underwing 
10.10 

14.10 


Lunar Yellow Underwing 


24.7, 10.8 

Double-lobed 

23.4 

Reddish Light Arches 

LO:7 5, 28-7, 

L257 

Lesser Spotted pinion 
5.8 

251 


Small Yellow Underwing 


1.6 
Rosy Minor 
29.7 
29:7 
4.8 
Lead-coloured drab 
22.4 
Northern Drab 
30.4 
17.4 
Dusky Sallow 
from 28.7 to 9.8 
3.8,5.8 
20.8 
30:7 
29.8 
4.8,11.8 
Angle Shades 
300 on 15.10 


SR 
AG 
AG 


AG 


SR 


JdA 


AG 
HE 
AG 


HE 


AG 


EGS 


EGS 
JdA 


AG 


AG 


EGS 
TDH 


EGS 
AG 


DB 


DB 
JdA 
JdA 


AG 


AG 
JdA 


EGS 
EGS 
DB 
AG 
AG 
JdA 


HE 


Rhizedra lutosa Hubn. 
Wroughton 
Cholderton 
Whaddon, Salisbury 

Leucania straminea Treits. 
Trowbridge 


Leucania vitellina Hubn. 
Very few County records 
Edington 

Oria musculosa Hubn. 
Edington, on Salisbury Plain 

Aporophyla lunula Stroem. 
Ashton Common 
Wroughton 
Cholderton 

Whaddon, Salisbury 
Edington 

Aporophyla lutulenta Schiff. 
Ashton Common 
Edington 

Eumichtis adusta Esp. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 

Graptolitha ornitopus Hufn. 
Ashton Common 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Edington 

Lithophane semibrunnea Haw. 
Cholderton 

Lithophane socia Hufn. 
Edington 

Lithophane leautieri Boisd. 
Wroughton 
Cholderton 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Edington 

Catocala sponsa L. 

Landford 

Chlorissa viridata L. 

Ashton Common 

Scopula immutata L.: 
Whaddon, Salisbury 

Acasis viretata Hubn. 

Imber 

Cholderton 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Trowbridge 


Trichopteryx polycommata Schiff. 


Whaddon, Salisbury 

Rheumaptera undulata L. 
Landford 

Chesias legatella Schiff. 
Cholderton 
Whaddon, Salisbury 

Orthonama lignata Hubn. 
Trowbridge 

Thera firmata Hubn. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 

Colostygia olivata Schiff. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 


Large Wainscot 
22.10 

15.10 

14.10 

Southern Wainscot 
14.8 


Delicate Wainscot 


13.10 

Downland Wainscot 
3 on 10.8, 4 on 17.8 
Black Rustic 

30.8, 18.9 

10.10 

70 on 15.10 

from 9.9 to 30.10 
from 21.9 to 13.10 


Deep Brown Rustic 
20.9 
Palbess) 


Dark Brocade 
9.9, 16.9 


Grey Shoulder Knot 
9.10 

29:3 

19.10 

Tawny Pinion 

23.10 

Pale Pinion 

17.4 

Blair’s Pinion 

12.10 

23.10 

26.9. 26.10 
13.10, 19.10 


Dark Crimson Underwing 


30.7 


Small Grass Emerald 
16.7, 30.7 


Lesser Cream Wave 
28.7 


Yellow Barred Brindle 


10.8 

3.6 
20.5, 26.8 
14.8 
Barred Tooth-striped 
S03 5345 
Scallop Shell 
30.7 
The Streak 
15.10 
13.10 


Oblique Carpet 
4.6 


Pine Carpet 
14.10, 4.11 


Beech-Green Carpet 
9.9 


DB 
HE 
AG 


BW 


JdA 
JdA 
EGS 
DB 
HE 


AG 
JdA 


EGS 
JdA 


AG 
eGS 
AG 
JdA 
HE 
JdA 


DB 
HE 
AG 
JdA 


AG 


EGS 


AG 


EGS 
HE 
AG 
BW 


AG 


AG 


HE 
AG 


BW 


AG 


AG 


Colostygia multistrigaria Haw. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 

Colostygia didymata L. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 

Melanthia procellata Schiff. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 

Deuteronomos erosaria Schiff. 
Ashton Common 


Selenia lunaria Schiff. 
Somerford Common 


Semiothisa notata L. 
Cholderton. 

Semiothisa alternata Schiff. 
Ashton Common 
Cholderton 
Landford 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Trowbridge 

Angerona prunaria L. 
Somerford Common 

Eupithecia intricata Zett. 
Ashton Common 
Trowbridge 

Eupithecia insigniata Hubn. 
Cholderton 

Eupithecia venosata L. 
Cholderton 

Eupithecia tripunctaria H.S. 
Cholderton 
Whaddon, Salisbury 


Eupithecia punchellata Stephn. 


Whaddon, Salisbury 
Eupithecia succenturiata L. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Eupithecia nanata Hubn. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Landford 
Eupithecia dodoneata Guen. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 


Odezia atrata L. 
Bratton 
Imber 
Lygris testata L. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Lygris prunata L. 
Imber 
Trowbridge 
Cholderton 
Euphyia rubidata Schiff. 
Ashton Common 
Rhodometria sacraria L. 
A rare migrant 
Cholderton 
Nycterosea obstipata F. 
Ashton Common 
Cholderton 
Whaddon, Salisbury 


30 


Mottled Grey 
8.4 


Twin-spot Carpet 

DES 

Pretty Chalk Carpet 

12:8, 17.8 

September Thorn 
3.8 


Lunar Thorn 
1.6 
The Peacock 
20.6 
Sharp-angled Peacock 
Negi 
6.6 
30.7 
1.6 
14.7 
The Orange 
15.7 
Edinburgh Pug 
10.6 
6.6 
Pinion-spotted Pug 
6.6 
Netted Pug 
5.6 
White Spotted Pug 
5.6 , 
3.6 
Foxglove Pug 
1.6 
Bordered Pug 
19.8, 26.8 
Narrow-winged Pug 
26.8 
30.7 
Oak-tree Pug 
6.5 
Chimney Sweep 
14.7 
Sel Ont 
The Chevron 
329. 
The Phoenix 


The Flame 
28.6 


The Vestal 


2.on 15.10 
Narrow-barred carpet 
19:7 

15.10 

26.10 


AG 
AG 


EGS 


DB 


HE 


EGS 
HE 
AG 
AG 
BW 


DB 


EGS 
BW 


HE 


HE 


HE 
AG 


AG 


AG 


AG 
AG 


AG 


BW 
EGS 


AG 


EGS 
EGS 
HE 


EGS 


HE 


EGS 
HE 
AG 


Apocheima hispidaria Schiff. 
Whaddon, Salisbury 
Hypsopygia costalis F. 
West Lavington 


Scoparia ambigualis Treits. 
Somerford Common 
Myelois cribrumella Hubn. 
Imber 
Box 
Wroughton 
Laodamia fusca Haw. 
Trowbridge 


Pempellia dilutella Hubn. 
Trowbridge 


Platyptilia ochrodactyla Schiff. 


Imber 

Acentropus niveus Ol. 
Wroughton 

Eudorea resinea Haw. 
Wroughton 

Crambus pascuellus L. 
Somerford Common 

Pyrausta purpuralis L. 
Somerford Common 

Crambus pratellus L. 
Somerford Common 


Crambus perlellus Scop. 
Somerford Common 
Agriphila inquinatellus Schiff. 

Trowbridge 
Caruna quercana F. 

Trowbridge 
Archips oporana L. 

West Lavington 
Amelia paleana Hutbn. 


Trowbridge 

Notocelia uddmanniana L. 
Trowbridge 

Laspeyresia pomonella L. 
Trowbridge 

Ancylis achatana Schiff. 
Trowbridge 

Acleris cristana Schiff. 
Trowbridge 

Telphusa fugitivella Zell. 
Trowbridge 

Yponomeuta padella L. 
Trowbridge 

Yponomeuta cognatella Hubn. 
Trowbridge 

Ypsolophus xylostellus L. 
Trowbridge 

Ypsolophus scabrellus L. 
Trowbridge 

Nemotois metallicus Poda. 
Bratton 


Small Brindled Beauty 


8.3 AG 
Gold-fringed Tabby 
127 TDH 
Brown Grey 
20.6 DB 
Large Ermine Knot-horn 
29%) JdA 
24.8 SR 
29.7 DB 
Brown Knot-horn 

6.7 BW 
Powdered Knot-Horn 
28.7 BW 
Hoary Plume 
29.7 JdA 
False-caddis Water Veneer 
297, DB 
Resin Grey 
2957 DB 
Inland Grass-veneer 
19.6 DB 
Common Crimson-and-gold 

1.6 DB 
Dark-Inlaid Grass-veneer 

1.6 DB 
Yellow Satin Grass-veneer 

1.6 DB 
Barred Grass-veneer 

: BW 

Oak Long-horned Flat-body 

4.8 BW 
Great Brown Twist 
Pa TDH 
Plain Yellow Twist 
26.7 BW 
Uddman’s Bell 

GEL, BW 
Codlin Piercer 
10.7 BW 
Marbled Tooth Roller 
127 BW 
White-tufted Button 

39) BW 
Suffused Groundling 
10.7 BW 
Common Hawthorn Ermel 
26.7 BW 
Allied Ermel 

8.8 BW 
Tooth-streaked Hooked Smudge 

4.8 BW 
Wainscot Smudge 
23.8 BW 
Metallic Long-horn 

18.7 JP 


31 


WILTSHIRE BIRD REPORT FOR 1977 


Recorder: G.L. WEBBER 
Compiled by: E.T. SMITH 


These notes are a summary of the report for 1977 published in the 1978 Edition of Hobby, 


the magazine of the Wiltshire Ornithological Society, {o whom readers should refer for further details. 
The report for 1978 was not available at the time of writing. 


Unusual Spring records for 1977 were the Golden Oriole and Red-backed Shrike. A pair of 


Marsh Warblers bred in the North of the County, and at Tockenham Reservoir Ruddy Duck reared 
young. Autumn migration brought a Broad-billed Sandpiper to Swindon Sewage Farm, and a Pectoral 
Sandpiper to the Cotswold Water Park. Raptors seen included Rough-legged Buzzard and Goshawk on 
Salisbury Plain. During December, a Great Northern Diver was at Fonthill, and a Red-throated Diver 
was stranded in Chippenham. 


Abbreviations: SF, Sewage Farm. SP, Sand Pit. CWP, Cotswold Water Park. Res., Reservoir. 


iis 


60. 


64. 


70. 


is 
TES 


Tos 


32 


SYSTEMATIC LIST 


. Great Northern Diver Gavia immer. One adult at Fonthill Lake 10 Dec. until end of month. 
. Red-Throated Diver G. stellata. One found on a playing field in Chippenham 8 Dec. was 


released on a pond near Purton. 


. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis. Bred on a recently dredged lake at Lydiard Park and on the 


“new lake” at Coate Water. 
Manx Shearwater Puffinus pujffinus. One picked up from a gutter in Salisbury 2 Oct. was 
released near Christchurch. 


. Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Many records especially for Coate Water and CWP. 
. Heron Ardea cinerea. Bred at Semley for the first time since 1960. 
. Teal Anas crecca. Many records from Swindon SF, Coate Water, CWP, Corsham Lake and 


Axford. Highest number was c. 150 at Britford. 


. Garganey A. querquedula. Spring records: single males CWP 7/14 May, and Coate Water 22/25 


June. Late summer: 2 CWP 15 Aug. 


. Gadwall A. strepera. Small numbers Coate Water Jan.; Chilton Foliat and Fonthill Lake Feb.; 


Steeple Langford and CWP Dec. 


. Wigeon A. penelope. Many records of small numbers during winter months from Britford, 


CWP, Chilton Foliat, Coate Water, Fonthill, Corsham Lake, Longleat and Steeple Langford. 


. Pintail A. acuta. Single males on R. Avon, Salisbury 22 April, Fonthill Lake 10 Dec. and 


Steeple Langford 24 Dec. 


. Shoveler A. clypeata. Winter records from Coate Water, Corsham Lake, CWP, Steeple Langford 


and Fonthill Lake. Single male seen until late July CWP. 


. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina. A pair CWP Feb.—May, single male until Dec.; pair in nearby 


pit May/Oct.; 2 males during March and 2 immature males June. 


. Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula. Bred at Coate Water, Corsham Lake, Shalbourne cress beds, 


R. Kennet, Wilton Water and CWP. Winter flocks at Fonthill, Coate Water, Froxfield, Steeple 
Langford and CWP. 

Pochard A. ferina. A pair May and a male June Coate Water. Winter flocks: over 600 CWP Nov., 
163 Steeple Langford 24 Dec., 54 Corsham Lake 8 Dec., 90 Fonthill Lake 9 Jan., 58 Coate 
Water 22 Oct., 20 Wilton Water Dec. 

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula. 3 immatures Coate Water Jan.—April 26; Nov.—Dec. usually 
one, occasionally two. Singles Corsham Lake, 7/27 Nov., CWP Feb./March/Nov.; 2 Steeple 
Langford 24 Dec. 

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra. Adult male Corsham Lake 7 Aug. 

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis. First breeding record for the County from Tockenham 
Reservoir. 2 Corsham Lake Dec.; 5 Coate Water 8 Jan.; female Braydon Pond 29 Sep. 
Goosander Mergus merganser. Up to 2 CWP Jan./March/Nov.; one female Frogmore Ponds, 
Westbury 26 Jan.; up to 7 Coate Water Feb./Nov./Dec. 

Smew ™. albellus. One Coate Water 23/24 Nov.; one CWP 3/10 Dec. 

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna. Coate Water throughout year; Wilton Water Feb./March, Corsham 
Lake 19 April; CWP April/May; Wilton Water 18 Sept. Maximum number 2. 

Greylag Goose Anser Anser. One Wilton Water all year. Up to 9 CWP with a pair breeding. One 
Coate Water 16 June. 


76. 
81. 
82. 
86. 


91. 
92: 


93: 
94. 
99: 
100. 


103. 
104. 
107. 
110. 
LES: 
116. 
117. 
120. 


125. 
131% 


134. 
135; 


136. 
139. 
140. 


142. 
143. 
145. 
147. 


148. 
150. 
Wey le 


154. 
156. 


NST 
159). 


161. 
162. 
165. 
176. 
178. 
181. 
184. 


189. 


White-Fronted Goose A. albifrons. One Wilton Water Feb./March; Coate Water 1 April. One 
Stratford-sub-Castle Feb.—April; 2 Standlynch in March. 

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis. One Coate Water 17 May, Chilton Foliat 30 Aug., Wilton 
Water 24 Aug. All could be the same bird. perhaps an escape. 

Canada Goose B. canadensis. Bred at Bowood Lake, Coate Water, Lacock GP, Littlecote and 
R. Marden. 

Bewick’s Swan Cygnus bewickii. 23 flew into Wiltshire from Shorncote SF 9 Jan.; 12 
Standlynch 5 Mar., 8—12 Mar. One in flight CWP 27 Nov. : 
Buzzard Buteo buteo. 2 successful breeding records. 

Rough-legged Buzzard B. lagopus. 2 records of birds in flight: Hippenscombe 11 Oct., 
Woodfalls 5 Nov. 

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus. Many records; 2 of successful breeding. 

Goshawk A. gentilis. Porton Down 21 Feb./5 Sept. 

Marsh Harrier Circus aerunginosus. Immature in flight Roundway Hill 5 Sept. 

Hen Harrier C. cyaneus. 12—20 probably present in open areas. Extreme dates 8 April/8 Oct. 
Two roosts located, one in the South and one near Imber. 

Osprey Pandion Ralietus. One in Salisbury area, one Coate Water: both seen late May. 

Hobby Falco subbuteo. Over 70 records, at least two breeding. Earliest 25 April, latest 3 Oct. 
Merlin F. columbarius. 30 records, most Nov.—Feb. Extreme dates. 7 May/24 Sept. 

Kestrel F. tinnunculus. Numbers probably now near maximum. 

Red-Legged Partridge Alectoris rufa. Widely reported. 

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix. Widely reported. 

Quail Coturnix coturnix. Over 30 records of calling birds 25 May—21 Aug. 

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus. Last in Spring near Norton Bavant 20 March. First in Autumn 
Fyfield Down 17 Sept. 

Corncrake Crex crex. One on allotments Bromham 8 May. 

Oyster Catcher Haematopus ostralegus. Singles Bishopston 6 Mar., Swindon 10 Mar., CWP 
15 May/4 Aug., Salisbury 12 July. 

Ringed Plover Charadius hiaticula. Singles CWP April/May, Neston 28 Aug., Calne SP 20 Aug. 
Little Ringed Plover C. dubius. 4 pairs attempted to breed. CWP, Coate Water, Swindon SF 
April—Aug. 

Kentish Plover C. alexandrinus. One CWP 1 May. 

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, 2 CWP 30 May. 

Golden Plover P. apricaria. Winter flocks c. 1,000 Keevil 9 Jan., Broad Hinton 6 Feb., Wilsford 
20 Feb., Barbury 17 April, Broad Hinton 23 April. 

Dotterel Eudromias morinellus. One Fosbury May. 

Turnstone. Arenaria interpres. One Liden Lagoon, Swindon 22 Aug. 

Snipe Gallinago gallinago. Up to 60 Swindon SF, 36 Coate Water during winter months. 

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus. Singles Swindon SF 12 Mar., CWP 15 April, Longbridge 
Deverill 16 Apr., Rood Ashton 20 Nov. Up to 5 Lacock GP Oct. 

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola. Roding at Grovely Wood, Gare Hill, Chilton Foliat, Dilton Marsh, 
Shalbourne, Somerford Common, Shearwater. 16 flushed at Blackball Firs 26 Dec. 

Curlew Numenius arquata. Breeding near Wedhampton, Lydeway, Ravensroost, Blunsdon and 
Somerford Common. 

Whimbrel VV. phaeopus. In flight: 3 Swindon 16 Apr., one Coate Water 26 Apr., one Old Sarum 
14 July, 9 Swindon 2 Aug., 5 CWP 20 Aug. 

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa. Singles Coate Water 27 Mar./11 Sept. 2 at Britford 2 Oct. 
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus. Wintering birds Chilton Foliat, Fonthill, Kingston Deverill, 
CWP, Britford, Steeple Langford. 12 Swindon SF 26 Aug. up to 9 CWP July/Aug. 

Wood Sandpiper 7. glareola. Singles Coate Water 20 May, Calne SP 12/14 Aug., CWP 15/18 
Aug., Swindon SF 18/21/26 Aug. 

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos. Spring passage late Apr., early May; Autumn passage 
July—Oct. Many records. 

Redshank 7. totanus. Bred at Eysey Farm (Cricklade), Coate Water, Littlecote, CWP. 

Spotted Redshank 7. Erythropus. Singles CSP 17 Apr., 12/21 May 2 19 June. 

Greenshank. 7. nebularia. CWP, Coate Water Swindon SF mainly May/Aug. 

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. First County record CWP 6—16 Oct. 

Dunlin C. alpina. Many records Coate Water, Liden Lagoon (Swindon), CWP. 

Sanderling C. alba. 3 Liden Lagoon 7 June; one Coate Water 14 Aug. 

Ruff Philomachur pugnax. 2 Chiseldon 3 Jan.; singles CWP 6 Mar/26 Sept.; Coate Water 20 
Aug.; Swindon SF 21 Sept. 

Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus. Only 2 breeding records. 


33 


207. 
212: 
217: 
218; 
223. 
230) 
23 
241. 


248. 
249. 


252. 
250% 
261. 
264. 
265. 
PAG 
274. 
276. 
Zig. 


278. 
281. 
300. 
302: 
304. 
SUG: 


ey Ns 
Sys 


SiG: 
320; 
32, 
aa: 
32H. 
333; 


334. 


eee 
343. 


346. 
347. 


348. 
354. 


356. 


34 


Little Gull Larus minutus. 2 adults Coate Water 3 Jan.; one immature CWP 8—16 Oct. 

Black Tern Chlidonias niger. Coate Water, CWP, Corsham Lake May/Aug. 

Common Tern Sterna hirundo. Coate Water Apr./May/Aug. 

Arctic Tern. S. paradisea. 2 Coate Water, 2 in CWP 20 Aug. 

Sandwich Tern. S. Sandvicensis. 3 Coate Water 12 June. 

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur. First Roundway 29 April; last Erlestoke 9 Oct. 

Cuckoo. Cuculus canorus. First Gutch Common, Steeple Langford 16 April; last Imber 10 Sept. 
Barn Owl Tyto laba. Only 2 definite breeding records. Much commoner in central and southern 
areas than in North. 

Long-Eared Owl. Asio otus. 6 Swindon SF 5 Jan.; one Fyfield Down 13 Feb. 

Short-Eared Owl A. flammeus. Everleigh, Beckhampton, Fyfield Down, Bishopstone, Larkhill, 
Imber, Beckhampton Jan.—April; Oct.—Dec. 

Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. One Grovely Wood. 

Swift Apus apus. First Coate Water 18 Apr.; last also there 28 Sept. 

Hoopoe Upupa epops. Singles West Ashton 1/5 May, Norton 6 May. 

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor. A large number of new sites reported. 
Wryneck Jynx torquilla. One Sidbury Hill 4 Sept. 

Woodlark Lullula arborea. One Coate Water 22 Jan. 

Swallow Hirundo rustica. First Coate Water 19 March; last Steeple Langford 23 Oct. 

House Martin Delichon urbica. First Coate Water 2 Apr.; last South Wraxall 2 Nov. 

Sand Martin Riparia riparia. First on R. Wylye 4 Mar.; last Calne SP 29 Sept. Bred CWP c. 35 
holes, Calne SP c. 80 holes, R. Avon at Chippenham c. 20 holes, R. Avon at Salisbury City 
Centre c. 20 holes. 

Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus. One male Southwick 4 Apr. 

Hooded Crow Corvus corore cornix. One West Ashton 14 Dec. 

Dipper Cinclus cinclus. Bred on By brook and Fonthill Lake. 

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris. Last in Spring c. 30 Longbridge Deverill 19 Apr. First in Autumn 4 
Great Ridge Wood 8 Oct. 

Redwing T. iliacus. Last in Spring 4 Great Bedwyn 16 Apr. First in Autumn Bradford-on-Avon, 
Swindon 2 Oct. 

Red Ouzel 7. torquatus. Singles Sutton Veny 22 Mar., Beacon Hill 8 Apr., Swindon 14 Apr., 
Fyfield. One autumn record Clearbury Down 7 Sept. 

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe. First Albourne 19 Mar. Last Westdown Ranges 14 Oct. 
Stonechat Saxicola torquata. Widespread up to March and from late Sept. Two known breeding 
pairs. 

Whinchat §. rubetra. First Imber 24 Apr.; last Steeple Ashton 2 Oct. Bred at Imber (6 pairs), 
Aldbourne, Water Dean Bottom, Everleigh and near Stonehenge. 

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus. First Grovely Wood 9 Apr.; last Westbury 19/24 Oct. Bred 
Imber and Maiden Bradley. 

Black Redstart P. ochruros. Breeding site at Bulford only occupied by a female which laid 4 
eggs, but failed to hatch. Autumn records from Littleton Down 23 Oct., Greenland Camp 29 
Oct. central Swindon 6 Nov., Trowbridge 6/17 Nov. 

Nightingale Luscinia megarhyncos. First Shalbourne 19 Apr. 

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia. First Chippenham Golf course 17 Apr., last Swindon 
SF 30 Aug. 

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus. First Coate Water 26 Apr., last Liddington 12 Sept. 
Bred Coate Water c. 30 pairs, Corsham Lake c. 7 pairs, Tockenham Res. c. 4 pairs, R. Nadder 
at Salisbury c. 6 pairs. 

Marsh Warbler A. palustris. One N. Wiltshire 7 July, later adult seen feeding nearly fledged 
young. 

Sedge Warbler A. schoenobaenus. First Bradford-on-Avon 18 Apr.; last Swindon SF 25 Sept. 
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla. Many wintering birds feeding on honeysuckle, cotoneaster and 
pyracantha throughout the County. 

Garden Warbler S. borin. First Lydiard Park 30 Apr.;last Lavington 11 Sept. 

Whitethroat S. communis. First Kingston Deverill 17 Apr,; last Lacock 13 Oct. The recovery of 
this species is continuing. 

Lesser Whitethroat S. curruca. First Imber 3 Apr.; last Swindon SF 29 Sept. 

Willow Warbler Phyllocscopus trochilus. First Longbridge Deverill 24 March; last Liddington 
23 Sept. 

Chiffchaff P. collybita. Westbury SF 29 Jan., Ramsbury 6 Feb., Longbridge Deverill 3 Mar. 
Latest date Holt and Swindon 8 Oct. 


Si: 
366. 
368. 


376. 
379; 
380. 


382. 
384. 


388. 


391. 
394. 
397. 
404. 


408. 
415. 


Wood Warbler. P. Sibilatrix. First Coate Water 28 Apr., noted in song at Stourton and Maiden 
Bradley May/July. 2 Bedwyn Common 22 May, Gutch Common 26 June. 

Spotted Flycatcher. Muscicapa striata. First Kingston Deverill 28 Apr., last Corsham, 
Liddington, Swindon SF 25 Sept. 

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. Spring records Imber 16/17 Apr., Turleigh 17 Apr., 
Eastleigh Wood 19 Apr., Bradford Leigh 20 Apr., Bradford-on-Avon 24/27 Apr., Shalbourne 
26 Apr., Steeple Ashton 23 May. Autumn records Imber 28 Aug., Middle Winterslow 29 Aug. 
Tree Pipit. Anthus trivialis. First Coate Water 8 Apr.; last Longleat 7 Oct. Bred at Maiden 
Bradley, Semley and Somerford Common. 

Rock/Water Pipit. A. spinoletta. One CWP 10 Oct. of race A.s. petrosus. 2 at Longbridge 
Deverill 9 Jan./5 Mar., one Britford 28 Dec. of race A.s. spinoletta. 

White Wagtail. Motucilla alba alba. Axford 17 Apr., Shalbourne 19 Apr., CWP 24 Apr., Coate 
Water 26/29 Apr. 

Yellow Wagtail 7. flava. First Axford 8 Apr.; last Swindon SF 2 Oct. 

Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor. Singles Westbury 1. Jan., Swindon SF 3 Jan., Shalbourne 
8 Apr., Nunton 27 Nov. 

Red-backed Shrike. L. collurio. A nest in Swindon area was robbed where a pair had been seen 
late June/July. A female Durnford Valley 28 Aug. 

Hawfinch. Coccothraustes coccothraustes. 2 Hare Warren, Wilton 11 July. 

Siskin. Carduelis spinus. Many records Jan.—Mar. and Sept.—Dec. 

Redpoll Acanthis flammea. Site at Somerford Common occupied during breeding season. 
Crossbill Loxia curvirostra. Up to 7 Shearwater/Longleat area Jan.—Mar.; c. 15 Grovely Wood 
9 July. 

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla. Largest party c. 15 Marlborough Downs Nov. 

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus. Kingston Deverill area May. Bred at Winterslow. 


Certain common species, escapes from captivity and unusual or rare species, for which evidence was 
insufficient for positive identification, have not been included. 


134. 
380. 
423. 


ERRATA TO W.N.H.S. MAGAZINE VOL. 73 1978 BIRD NOTES FOR 1976 
should be 135. Little Ringed Plover Charadius dubius 


Pied/White Wagtail 
Snow Bunting One seen. 


35 


MAMMAL REPORT 1978 
Compiled by MARION BROWNE 


The survey of Wiltshire Reptiles and Amphibians continues, and work on material for 
publication is in progress. Records are still required, please send as many as you can to Mrs. M. 
Browne, Latimer Lodge, West Kington, Chippenham SN14 7JJ. 

During 1978 a total of more than 1159 mammal records was received and these have been 
plotted on the distribution maps of the county. The records are summarised in the following pages 
and the number received for each species is given, but no individual details are included. 

Many species, especially those generally regarded as common, are too often overlooked and 
are therefore under-recorded. It also happens that some species are not recorded because they are 
thought to be “vermin”’, a term applied by the user to any animal whose interests are in conflict with 
his own; thus the term is not used by a farmer and a forester, for example, to describe the same 
species. It is to be hoped that naturalists will be more objective and try to observe all species with 
equal and impartial interest. 

Where relevant, in the Summary of Mammal Records 1978, a list is given for each species of 
the 10 km. squares lying wholly or partially within Wiltshire for which no records at all have been 
received. It would be much appreciated if contributors living in or near, or travelling through, these 
squares would make a special effort to record mammals in them. Without these records the 
distribution maps are incomplete and it will not be possible to determine the status of most Wiltshire 
mammals. 


Mammals and the Law 


From the first day of January 1978 it is an offence to kill, injure or take an otter 
(Lutra lutra), which is now protected in England and Wales under The Conservation of Wild 
Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975. 

Surveys are in progress, but the outlook for the future of the otter as a breeding species in 
Wiltshire does not look very promising at the moment. Any-one finding otter signs, possible sightings, 
or dead otters, please contact Mrs Browne at Castle Combe 782 222 without delay so that the 
information can be followed up before the evidence disappears. 

1978 otter records have been included in the summary, but the areas concerned have all since 
been surveyed and no evidence found of resident otters on the river systems. 


Mammals and the Weather 


The exceptionally heavy and prolonged rain during June and early July caused a severe 
shortage of insects. All the British bat species are insectivorous and feed on the wing: they were 
adversely affected by the shortage of flying insects to such an extent that, although giving birth to 
their young normally, the females were unable to produce sufficient milk to suckle the babies, many 
of which were therefore abandoned. This problem was not confined to Wiltshire. As far as was 
known, only the pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) was affected and other bat species, which breed 
later in the year, were successful in rearing their young. 

: Efforts were made to rear several baby pipistrelles and will be described in detail in a later 
bulletin. 

Other orphaned mammals, which can normally be reared for retum to the wild without too 
much difficulty, suffered from exposure to the wet weather before rescue and this resulted in 
respiratory troubles later; dry cold is less of a hazard to mammals than exposure to wet cold. The 
histories of some 1978 orphans other than bats will be reported in later bulletins. This report is 
written with a baby weasel asleep in one cardigan sleeve, which makes a good hammock; hopefully, 
1979 will bea better year for orphans than 1978. 


Ae cal KAC, Kennet and Avon Canal; juv., juvenile; km., kilometre; R., River; 3, male; 
, female 


36 


A Summary of Mammal Records 1978 
Order Insectivora — insectivores 
Family Erinacidae 
Erinaceus europaeus Hedgehog 


212 records from 24 10 km. squares 


Live: 33 April to December inclusive, 9 undated. 
Signs: 25 droppings April to October, several undated. Dead: 195. 


TABLE I. ROAD CASUALTIES 


February March April May June July August September October November December 
1 2 16 32). Dilieieh3 4 26 28 22 15) 4 


Unrecorded 10 km. squares: ST 99, 77, 73, 82, 91; SU 28, 37, 35, 22, 21. 


Family Talpidae 
Talpa europaea Mole 
69 records from 21 10 km. squares 


Live: 2. Signs: spoil heaps at 61 sites. Dead: 6 
Unrecorded 10 km. squares: ST 99, 77,91. 


Family Soricidae 


Sorex araneus Common shrew 
66 records from 11 10 km. squares 


Live: 11. Dead: 55 in milk, lemonade, beer, Schweppes bottles, Longworth and mouse traps. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 77, 97, 82, 92, 91; SU 09, 29, 18, 28, 37, 36, 04, 02. 


Sorex minutus Pygmy shrew 
10 records from 5 10 km. squares 


Dead: in milk and medicine bottles, in traps, on road, and killed by cat. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 88, 77, 97, 84, 73, 82,92, 91;SU 09, 29, 08, 18, 28, 07, 37, 26, 04, 24, 12, 21. 


Neomys fodiens Water shrew 
16 records from 8 10 km. squares 


Live: 12. Dead: 3 in pint and % pint milk bottles, | on road. 
Unrecorded: St 99, 77, 97, 94, 73, 83, 82,92; SU 19, 29, 08, 18, 28, 37, 06, 25, 35, 04, 24, 03, 02, 
12) 2/1: 


Order Chiroptera — bats 
Family Rhinolophidae 


Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Greater horseshoe bat 
Winter roosts: 2 records from 2 10 km. squares 
Rhinolophus hipposideros Lesser horseshoe bat 
Live: 2 records from 2 10 km. squares 


37 


Family Vespertilionidae 


Myotis bechsteini Bechstein’s bat 

Live: 1 record 

Myotis daubentoni Water bat 

Live: 2 records from 2 10 km. squares 
Eptisecus serotinus Serotine 


2 records from 1 10 km. square 
Breeding colony: | Dead: 1 


Pipistrellus pipistrellus Pipistrelle 
12 records from 6 10 km. squares 


Breeding colony: 2. Live: 8. Dead: 3. 


Plecotus auritus Common long-eared bat 
7 records from 6 10 km. squares 


Breeding colonies: 2. Roosts: 2. Live: 2. Dead: 1 


Order Lagomorpha — Lagomorphs 
Family Leporidae 


Lepus capensis Brown hare 
77 records from 30 10 km. squares 


Live: 138 Signs: 2 tracks. Dead: 18 on road, 8 elsewhere. 
Unrecorded: ST 99; SU, 08, 37, 24, 02, 22, 21. 


Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit 
178 records from 32 10 km. squares 


Live: + 252. Signs: droppings at 25 sites. Dead: 38 on road, 2 shot, 1 killed by dog. 
Myxomatosis: summer, Shalbourne; April and August, Southcott. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 73,91; SU 09, 28, 04, 02. 


Order Rodentia — rodents 
Family Sciuridae 


Sciurus carolinensis Grey squirrel 
60 records from 19 10 km. squares 


Live: 50, all months. Signs: 4 opened nuts, 2 dreys.. Dead: 6 on road, 3 on gibbets, 1 shot. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 73, 91; SU 09, 28, 04, 02. 


Family Cricetidae 


Clethrionomys glareolus Bank vole 
26 records from 11 10 km. squares 


Live: 113. Signs: open nuts at 8 sites. | Dead: 3 in milk bottles and traps, 1 killed by cat. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 88, 77, 73, 82, 92, 91; SU 29, 28, 37, 25, 24, 12, 21. 


38 


Microtus agrestis Field vole 
36 records from 13 10 km. squares 


Live: 29 Signs: runs at 9 sites. Dead: 46 in milk and beer bottles, mouse traps, | caught by cat. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 77, 95, 73, 82, 92, 91; SU 29, 08, 18, 28, 35, 04, 24, 02, 21. 


Anrvicola terrestris Water vole 
: 22 records from 10 10 km. squares 


Live: 24 Signs: droppings at 2 sites. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 88, 84, 94, 73, 83, 91; SU 08, 28, 25, 35, 04, 23, 02, 12, 21. 


Family Muridae 
Apodemus sylvaticus Wood mouse 
35 records from 13 10 km. squares 

Live: 31. Signs: opened nuts at 5 sites. | Dead: 33 in milk bottles and mouse traps. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 77, 73, 93, 82,92; SU 09, 29, 18, 28, 37, 35, 04, 24, 03, 12, 21. 
Apodemus flavicollis Yellow-necked mouse 

3 records from 2 10 km. squares 
Dead: 11 in mouse traps. 
Microymys minutus Harvest mouse 

8 records from 6 10 km. squares 
Live: 1. Nests: 16 in hedge, reed bed, stooked corn. Dead: 1 on road, | trapped in bedroom. 
Unrecorded: ST 76, 82,91; SU 21. 


Mus musculus House mouse 
10 records from 8 10 km. squares 


Live: 7. Dead: +6 in water butt and trapped in jam cupboard. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 88, 77, 76, 84, 73, 83, 93, 92,91; SU 29, 18, 37, 35, 04, 24, 23,02, 12, 21. 


Rattus norvegicus Common rat (Brown rat) 
40 records from 18 10 km. squares 


Live: 9. Colonies: 2. Swimming: several in KAC, Clacton Brook, R. Biss. Dead: 24 on road. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 77, 74, 73, 83, 93, 91; SU 09, 29, 08, 35, 04, 21. 


Family Gliridae 


Muscardinus avellanarius Dormouse 
5 records from 4 10 km. squares 


Live: 3. Nests: 1 in brambles, 6 in nest boxes. 


39 


Order Carnivora — carnivores 
Family Canidae 


Vulpes vulpes Fox 
90 records from 28 10 km. squares 


Live: 56 including 3 chasing hares, 1 killing goose, several with cubs, several rabbiting. 
Signs: 31 scats, earths, scent, calls, tracks in snow. Dead: 15 on road, | on gibbet, 1 shot. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 74,91; SU 09, 24, 02, 22. 


Family Mustelidae 


Mustela erminea Stoat 
36 records from 14 10 km. squares 


Live: 22, 4 carrying prey, | in Longworth trap, 1 chased by rabbit. 
Dead: 6 on road, | on gibbet. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 76, 73, 92, 91; SU 29, 08, 18, 28, 07, 04, 02, 22. 


Mustela nivalis Weasel 
46 records from 14 10 km. squares 


Live: 34, 1 carrying prey, 1 orphan juv. d, 1 2? in Longworth trap and recaught 3 hours later. 
Signs: 1 scat. Dead: 1 on road. 
Unrecorded: ST 99, 77, 73,92; SU 28, 35, 14, 02,12, 22. 


Mustela vison Mink 

16 records from 3 10 km. squares 
Live: | on Corsham Lake, 14 on Bristol Avon, 3 on R. Lodden. 
Meles meles Badger 

32 records from 17 10 km. squares 


Live: 9. Active setts: 9. | Signs: tracks at 7 sites. Dead: 8 onroad. Destroyed: 1 sett during 
road works at Knook. 
Unrecorded: ST 91; SU 09, 29, 37, 36, 35, 24, 22. 


Lutra lutra Otter 
5 records from 4 10 km. squares 


Live: 3. Signs: Tracks at 1 site. Dead: 1 d on road. 


Order Artiodactyla — even-toed ungulates 
Family Cervidae 


Cervus elaphus Red deer 


Live: 1 d seen grazing with cattle on downland. 


Dama dama Fallow deer 
14 records from 6 10 km. squares 


Live: +13. Signs: Slots at 8 sites. 


40 


Capreolus capreolus 


Live: 2. Signs: slots at 12 sites. 


25 records from 13 10 km. squares 


Unrecorded: ST 99, 88, 77, 76, 86, 91; SU 09, 19, 29, 18, 28, 07, 36, 35, 04, 14, 24, 13. 


Muntiacus reevesi 


Live: 3. Signs: slots at 2 sites 


Chinese muntjac 
5 records from 5 10 km. squares. 


Mrs J. Allen 

J.N. d’Arcy. 

C. Bindon 

Miss W. Bishop 
Mrs M. Browne 
Miss C. Burke 
Miss J. Buxton 

B. D. Castle 

Miss M. E. Compton 
P. A. Cox 

Miss S. Creane 

R. Daw 

P. J. Dillon 

G. Drake 

L. Edwins 

H. Ennion 

Mrs. B. Fergusson 
Mrs A.O.J. Fitzmaurice 
Miss K. G. Forbes 
Miss J. French 

C. Gingell 

F. R. Gomme 

I. J. Gray 

Dr. S. Harris 

T. D. Harrison 
B.J.W. Heath 

A. Hodges 

Mrs K. Humphry 
Mrs. E. Hunter 
Miss O. Jones 

Dr. H.E.M. Kay 
Miss J. Kedge 


CONTRIBUTORS 


G. Rowles 

M. Russell 

Mrs A. Sawyer 
E.T. Smith 

R.E. Stebbings 
Mr & Mrs. E. Stephens 
J.A. Stevenson 
Mrs J. Swanborough 
Miss J.M. Ward 
Mrs White 

Miss S. Yerrington 
Miss J. King 

D. W. Kingston 

J. W. Lambert 
Miss E. J. Lenton 
Mrs G.M. Lewis 
Miss P. Martin 
Miss K. McDowell 
T. Miles 

P. E. Newbery 

P. N. Newton 

Mrs K. Nicol 

D. Painter 

D. Palmer 

D. B. Paynter 
C.M.R. Pitman 

R. Raddon 

R. Ransome 

J.C. Rolls 

Miss S.F. Rooke 
Mrs. S. Campbell-Ross 


41 


REPORTS 


Chairman’s Report 


by 
C.E. Jennings 


This last year has seen the Natural History Section continue to provide opportunities for 
members to participate in a good varied programme of indoor and field meetings. However, it also 
marked the sudden death of Mr. Richard Sandell, ‘Dick’ to all his friends, and whilst we mourn his 
loss the Section is greatly indebted to him for all his work on its behalf, not least in his efforts to 
achieve the publication of the Supplement to the Flora of Wiltshire. 

It is with this in mind that I am pleased to report that the reprint of Mr. Grose’s Flora of 
Wiltshire will be published early in the autumn of this year. A book on the reptiles and amphibians of 
the county is being prepared under the editorship of Mr. Patrick Dillon and publication of this is 
anticipated for early 1980. Work continues on the manuscript for ‘The Mammals of Wiltshire’ and I 
hope we can shortly predict a likely publishing date. 

The Committee has met regularly to consider the Section’s activities and in particular its 
with similar adjustments for other categories of membership. We have an increasing number of claims 
from members of the Parent Society which we welcome but we do need actively to promote member- 
ship — if each member could introduce at least one new member this year it would considerably 
strengthen our Section. 

The Biological Species Records are now housed at the Museum and this work is being carried 
out by an assistant employed through the Manpower Services Scheme in close liaison with 
Mr. Stewart Lane of the Nature Conservancy Council and Mr. Patrick Dillon representing our Section. 
Section. 

The Section has continued to work closely with the Parent Society with representatives 
serving on the Council and on most Committees. We have been privileged to be able to hold most of 
our indoor meetings at the Museum and this has seemed to be a popular venue. However, with the 
ever increasing cost of heating and lighting it would seem reasonable to make a donation for the use 
of this room. Therefore, the Committee recommend that we make a small charge for each indoor 
meeting, this to include the provision of coffee and to enable a donation to be made for the use of 
the lecture hall. I hope members will consider this reasonable and continue to support all the lectures. 
Attendance at some field meetings has been rather low and with the increase in travel costs we will 
plan a few meetings where a coach or a mini-bus will be provided. 

In closing may I thank all my fellow Officers and Committee for their help in many ways, 
particularly Mr. Barron for his work on the Magazine and Mr. Dillon for his efforts in producing the 
Bulletins. Regrettably we say farewell to Mr. J. Stevenson from the Committee and wish him well as 
he takes up his new post with the Wildfowl Trust. 


42 


Librarian, Programme Secretary and Bulletin Editor’s Report 
by 
Patrick J. Dillon 


Library 

The Natural History Section Library has been considerably expanded following the bequest of 
the natural history volumes from the library of the late Mr. Richard Sandell. Dick was primarily a 
botanist and during his lifetime he put together a comprehensive library on the subject, including 
many county and local floras. We are very fortunate to have this collection which now makes our 
botanical section the finest in the county. All of Dick’s volumes will be marked with a special 
commemorative label. 


Programme 

We have had nine field meetings: Savernake Forest, Lacock, Pewsey Downs, Buckland Warren 
(Oxfordshire), Lavington, Brown’s Folly, West Woods, the Cotswold Water Park and Chute Standen. 
The recently established tradition of arranging joint meetings with other societies was continued; the 
-Buckland meeting was held in conjunction with the Abingdon Naturalists’ Society and was rather 
poorly attended by our members; we had a successful meeting at Brown’s Folly with the Junior 
Section of the Mammal Society; the meeting at West Woods was held with members of an Adult 
Education Course on Mammals that I was running and the Cotswold Water Park meeting was held 
with the Wiltshire Ornithological Society. 

“We reduced the number of field meetings from last year and compensated by increasing the 
number of indoor meetings from five to eight. In September Marion Browne gave us an illustrated 
talk on the hunted fox, an interesting follow up to David Macdonald’s talk on foxes last year. Mr. and 
Mrs. E. Burt came in October to show us slides of habitats in Kent and Sussex; it was a refreshing 
change to hear about somebody else’s corner of the country. Another Mr. Burt (Mr. Ron Burt on this 
occasion) brought us back home again in November with slides on Savernake Forest. In February 
Charles Quest-Ritson and John d’Arcy gave us an illustrated lecture on the Flowers of the Caucasus. 
In March we were fortunate enough to have Sir Christopher Andrewes to talk on Ichneumons and 
other insects that parasitise their close relatives. Unfortunately, a delay in the production of the 
programme card meant that this meeting received very little publicity and as a result it was poorly 
attended. The most recent indoor meeting was my evening of slides of reptiles and amphibians which 
aimed to provide information on identification to assist people with the county-wide survey of 
reptiles and amphibians which is currently underway. 


Bulletin 

Once again I have produced two Bulletins in the last year, each carrying a Programme of 
Meetings, Reports of Meetings, Section Notices and other notices extracted from journals and, of 
course, members articles. 

The quality of material submitted for publication has shown a steady improvement since the 
Bulletin has been produced in its present form and members will have noticed that the quality of 
reproduction has also improved with the last issue; this is because the stencils are now typed on the 
new electric typewriter here at the Museum as opposed to my portable which coped with the job for 
three years. 


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