Recent Sightings

This Spring and Summer we have had some exciting new species turn up in the wood! 

• Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) are a species of bird very closely associated with water courses. Absolutely gorgeous and unmistakable in their lemon yellow and grey plumage, they are most often to be seen flicking their tails whilst hunting for insects at a waterfall or weir or relaxing on a lily pad, or else their distinctive, high-pitched "chee-chick" calls can be heard. Darch's Wood is lucky to have become home to a pair which have nested near the pond in recent years.
• Welsh Oak Longhorn Beetle (Pyrrhidium sanguineum) is usually a resident far further west in Britain than Sussex, and even then uncommon, the Welsh Oak Longhorn Beetle appears to be expanding its range significantly eastwards and has recently been sighted in Darch's Wood! This longhorn beetle requires dead wood in which to lay its eggs, and as the larvae hatch they help to recycle nutrients within the wood by breaking down fallen trees. Oak is their tree species of preference, and hence the beetle was recorded where a large oak was felled by strong winds.
• Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) is charismatic, foxy-brown-coloured bee species that can be seen as Winter turns to Spring (hence the name), digging tiny burrows in the bare, drier patches of sandy soil next to the pond. In these burrows they lay an egg, plug the hole with pollen, and then leave the emergent grub to fend for itself! Solitary bees, these lovely ladies are often seen nesting alone, but groups of females do occur, even though these groups are never very big. Don't worry, they cannot sting you!

Have you seen something here in the woods? Are you relatively confident in identifying it? If so, we would absolutely love to know about it!

In the first instance, please consider downloading the iRecord app with which you can take a photo, upload it and have it verified by a professional. Then, once you're done, post your photos to your Instagram account and tag us or post them on our Facebook page. Alternatively email them to us at cihamsoc@gmail.com. We love seeing what you discover in the woods!

Welsh Oak Longhorn Beetle (Pyrrhidium sanguineum) in Darch's Wood.