Crowle Moor NNR, Friday 18th April 2025

A visit to Crowle today primarily to look for Odonata, saw some nice sightings during the day, in the not ideal, cloudy conditions.

Thankfully the few sunny spells i experienced, had the desired affect and some nice insects were seen along with some lovely birds also. 

Highlights from the avian world included a decent count of 44 species, with the best sightings going to my first Garden Warbler of the year, which gave lovely views with patience. As i have said before, i love these chunky Sylvia's with their lovely liquid song, such subtly beautiful birds. Other sighting's went to 23 singing male Wiilow Warbler, 4 singing male Cetti's Warbler, a singing male Tree Pipit, 7 singing male Whitethroat and a cracking male Stonechat.

The best of the insects in the brief sunny spells went to a favourite which i see here, Sericomyia lappona, or White-barred Pond Fly as it has been renamed. This is a classic spring insect and seems to be quite regular here and is a proper stunner, usually found nectaring on its favourite flowers, either Dandelions or Buttercups.

Another nice find went to another Hoverfly, Chalcosyrphus nemorum or Small Leafwalker as it has been renamed. This is only the third time i have found this species, with 2 other records from Messingham Sand Quarries. It is a species which mainly frequents damp Alder Woodland and the times i have found it, it has been basking on tree trunks and leaves in the spring sunshine.

Other insects seen included Giant Cranefly, a lovely little Spotted Brown Lacewing sp., several Bumblebee species which included Buff-tailed, White-tailed and Common-carder Bee.

Highlight from the world of Lepidoptera, was a brief encounter with a male Emperor Moth, I'll get a photo of one, one of these days.

A surprise encounter with a small herd of 9 stag Red Deer, was really nice to see, as they are not so often encountered in the open in the daylight hours.

A nice visit today and perseverance with the weather certainly paid off.

Spotted Brown Lacewing sp.

Giant Cranefly, certainly living up to it's name.

Common Carder Bee.

Chalcosyrphus nemorum - Small Leafwalker

Sericomyia lappona - White-barred Pond Fly

Red Deer Stags.