The Biggest Fly in Europe !

It's the Giant Tachinid Fly,  Tachina Grossa. 

Why I am telling you about the biggest fly in Europe ?  If you read the last blog post then you'll know that we recently found an Oak Egger moth caterpillar at Dove Stone.  Parasitoid on the Oak Egger moth caterpillar is,  yes,  you guessed it the Giant Tachinid, also to be found at Dove Stone.  The Giant Tachinid comes in at fifteen to nineteen milimetres - pretty big for a fly !  Tachina Grossa basically uses the Oak Egger moth caterpillar as a host for it's own larva.

Elsewhere in the insect world we have more info on the Peregrine of the beetle world,  the Green Tiger Beetle.  Could the larva of this beetle be using dried out peat in lieu of sand to trap food ?  Look out for them on a sunny day on the rocks and paths around Chew Piece plantation. 

If you're out walking around Dove Stone’s peat bogs you're likely to see Cotton Grass, which isn't really a grass at all, but a type of sedge. The "cotton" is made of long white hairs that help the seeds to disperse in the wind. 

One of the activities that RSPB wardens and volunteers have recently been undertaking at Dove Stone has been Cotton Grass picking.  The plant’s heads have been picked and new plants are being grown from the seeds which will be planted in different areas around the Dove Stone estate at a later date. 

On the subject of plants you may remember our posting on Dove Stone's insectivorous plant,  Sundew.  Since being moved to different locations on Dove Stone in order to protect this plant's future we're pleased to report that the Sundew is doing well and is now flowering.   If you're interested in getting involved with habitat conservation work around Dove Stone then please contact us on 01457 899614. 

 Elsewhere around Dove Stone this week there have been recent sightings of Crossbill,  Spotted Flycatcher,  Goldcrest,  Dipper,  Grey Wagtail,  Linnet,  Greenfinch, Curlew and some lovely views of Goldfinches feeding on Thistle head seeds. 

The Peregrines are still with us and although the weather hasn't been at it's best ( note the slight understatement ! ) over the last couple of days we have still seen the young birds flying alongside the adults and continuing to develop in both their flying and hunting skills. We have also being seeing Buzzards regularly this week from Ashway Gap,  including an encounter between a Buzzard and one of the Peregrines.

Don't forget there's a Wildlife Discovery Walk this Sunday,  leaving from the main Dove Stone car park at 10am.  If you feel like coming along it will be a great opportunity to take in some of the wildlife around the estate,  including a stop-off at the Peregine watch.  If you are thinking of coming appropriate wet weather gear and footwear recommended.  If you have binoculars then feel free to bring them along,  although a limited number of binoculars will be available to use on the walk.

More soon . . .