MNA Coach Trip Miller’s Dale Derbyshire 23rd June 2018

A wildlife packed day walking the Monsaldale Trail along Miller’s Dale – the third in our series of Derbyshire Dales. Some of our long standing members mentioned that we had in fact visited here before – way back in 1994! Good views of an adult and juvenille Dipper and Grey Wagtails on the River Wye. Woodland birds are now singing less but we did hear Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Garden Warbler along with a Sedge Warbler in a reedy area. A really extensive wildflower list, butterflies including Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Common Blue, Speckled Wood and even Brown Argus. Insects were enjoying the sunny glades and umbellifer heads with Ichneumon Wasps, Sawflies and gazzilion Hoverflies.

Dyers Greenweed

Greater Knapweed

Bloody Cranesbill

Monkeyflower

Devil’s-bit Scabious

Rust Fungus Puccinia poarum on the leaves of Colt’s-foot Tussilago farfara

Blue Bottle Calliphora vomitoria

Sawfly Tenthredo livida

Lime Green Sawfly Tenthredo mesomelas

Red Legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes – final instar nymph

Drone Fly – Eristalis tenax – female

Tachina fera

If you are interested in the wildlife of the north-west of England and would like to join the walks and coach trips run by the Merseyside Naturalists’ Association, see the main MNA website for details of our programme and how to join us.

This entry was posted in MNA reports. Bookmark the permalink.