At the end of the Summer Holidays, Helen and Robert teamed up to host a Bug Hunt around the new Bullough Community Woodland. A variety of methods were used, such as sweep netting through the grass, gentle tree shaking onto a collecting sheet, and pond dipping.
Some of the newest areas of the site were explored, and the group discovered an amazing variety of insects and other bugs, including: Four-spotted Orb Weaver, Blood-vein Moth, Common Globetail Hoverfly, male Red-tailed Bumblebee, Ladybird larvae, Harvestman, Green Leafhopper, Shield Bugs, and much more!
Most exciting, the pond, dug out only last October, was already home to Dragonfly larvae, Backswimmers (Greater Water Boatmen) and Water Beetles.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, it was a brilliant morning of exploring and discovering. Thank you to the Forestry Commission for funding the trees, the Windfall Fund for funding the wildflower meadow and the pond, Lancashire Wildlife Trust for creating the pond, and lastly Hyndburn Borough Council for allowing Helen to carry out educational work like this.
Budding entomologist
Robert showing how to safely use the net and tray
Greater water boatmen found in the pond
Helen pond dipping
Bumblebee found in the new wildflower meadow