Most of the information and the photos for this blog were kindly provided by Ken Gartside - a local naturalist and one of our regular & valued volunteers.
Never mind the birds for once...how about a look at some of Dove Stone's smaller residents?
Might not be everyone's cup of tea but the aptly named Yellow Dung Fly is about most of the year, and their eggs are now starting to show on - yep - sheep poo! They show up as very tiny little yellowy white wings sticking up – most of the egg is in the poo, but these wings show above as they are apparently the fly's respiratory organs.
The male is yellow and female a more greeny colour. They breed for most of the year if it's warm enough as they only live for a few weeks.
The males are very aggressive to each other, defending territory and partners, just as birds do. Ken's photo shows two males at Dove Stone entangled in a scrap – eventually the dominant one won and had a 'wash' – wouldn't think they'd bother on poo would you?
Hoverflies (not to be mistaken for bees or wasps!) are appearing and are prospecting for muddy places with organic matter. They are also attracted to Rowan flowers which are coming out around the site - have a look near Ashway Gap picnic area next time you're out.
There is a great blog about Stoneflies written by Trainee Ecologist Genevieve Dalley up on the Scottish reserves with information and photos also supplied by Ken - worth a read as we have Stoneflies at Dove Stone too! http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/scotland/archive/2014/05/09/through-the-looking-glass.aspx
Spring flowers are out too with yellow cowslips and pinky white cuckoo flowers (great for orange tip butterflies) doing well in the meadow near Ashway Gap. There is also plenty of Bilberry coming out where woodland management work has been done. Bilberry is an important species not least because it attracts rare green hairstreak butterflies and Bilberry bumblebees.
The interesting looking Bog Beacon is now in full flow, and can be seen at three sites above Bradbury Lane – worth keeping an eye out in other woods above Dove Stone now we can get at them – look in very wet places, but not running water.
And it's not only the time for lambs - another tiny Dove Stone dweller - the Water Crickets - have already had babies!
That's it for now - more soon - maybe we'll have some peregrine chick news very shortly!
Miriam Biran
Visitor Experience Manager, Dove Stone