By The PondJulia led this weeks trip to three local wildlife sites. Our group of thirteen spent the morning at Railway Terrace nature reserve. This site was formerly a railway station and is now mainly lowland heath with a wildflower meadow and pond. There was an abundance of grass moths in the meadow and we also spotted a northern spinach moth. A few speckled wood butterflies were seen. In the lowland heath we saw numerous blue lacewings. By the pond large red damselflies were seen but we were most surprised to see a terrapin near vegetation in the water! 
Orange Tip, Toadholes BeckA large swathe of greater spearwort gave a lovely splash of colour. We walked on to Toadholes Beck where we saw a longhorned beetle and had lovely views of a male orange tip butterfly. A jay was seen flying over the pond. Other birds recorded included chiff chaff, goldfinch, willow warbler and blackcap. Most of the group went back to the BEES base at Culture Fusion for lunch. Two of us stayed at Railway Terrace and we were rewarded with excellent views of a whitethroat.
The afternoon started with a walk through Boars Well urban nature reserve. 
NewtSpeckled wood and green veined white butterflies and common blue damselfies were seen. A kestrel hovered overhead. Later in afternoon we moved on to the BEES urban nature reserve. - a small reserve on university land on Laisteridge Lane. A few damselflies fluttered around the pond and many newts were seen swimming. Julia told us about the management of the reserve and did some pond dipping. Catch included caddis fly larvae, midge larvae and an adult newt. This was a pleasant day out and when the sun made an appearance it felt quite warm. At least it didn't rain!Sue