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.