May means our wildlife surveys are now in full swing. Trusty ID charts are out, the sun’s (mostly) shining, and the bees and butterflies are keeping Annie Price and the rest of the survey team busy! Read on as Annie gives us an insight into what they've found so far...
Our monthly BeeWalks began in March and run through to October, while butterfly counts take place weekly from April to September. Each survey takes under an hour, and, as well as being recorded internally, all our records also go straight to count towards the national databases.
Our wildlife survey team are a small band of volunteer spotters, learning together as we go – with plenty of help from photos, field guides and the ever‑useful “bugnoculars”. Some volunteers come especially to record, others join in between their jobs out in the fields.
With longer, warmer days, the insects are out in force. Look closely and you might spot bumblebees dusted in yellow pollen or carrying bright pollen baskets on their legs. At the first count of the year in March we were delighted to come across a large patch of pulmonaria and early flowering borage buzzing with bumblebees. Since hedge laying, this margin was much extended, encouraging more early flowering plants which are so beneficial to emerging insects after the long winter. March and April brought out Buff-tailed and Early bumblebees plus a large Red-tailed queen bumblebee and Common Carder bees. As Spring advances more species will appear. In April favourite flowers around the farm were pulmonaria, centaurea, rosemary and flowering kale – much thanks to the growers for these important sources of pollen!
The butterfly counting started in April. It’s still early in the season for these fragile beauties so numbers start low and gradually build. This early in the year we’re seeing a few Orange Tips, Holly Blues, Speckled Woods, Brimstones, Whites, Peacocks and a Red Admiral. We’ll be interested to see how numbers compare with previous years – and indeed, at the end of the year, with other sites across the UK
Surveying is a lovely way to spend an hour on the farm – pausing to admire the lake, puzzling over a beetle, or just soaking up the birdsong.
New eyes are always welcome. No experience needed – just curiosity and a love of the farm’s wild residents. If you're interested in taking part please contact Mhairi.
