South Stoke Water Meadows

 

Following the East bank of the Arun northwards from Burpham towards South Stoke you reach an area of old water Meadows. Other than the noise from the railway line passing through, it seems like one of the most remote and untouched spots in Sussex. In practice it is just the opposite, being covered in old man made irrigation channels and water level management structures. 

The meadows themselves look as though they have been sprayed to limit "weed" growth in the verdant grasses growing on them. However, there are pockets around the edges, untouched by man or spray and full of insect life. A real window on what the country side must have once been like. On Thursday Dave and I decided on an entomological day and set off to investigate.

Dropping down to the river bank on the path just to the north of the George pub you pass through a wonderful wildflower meadow before emerging onto the river bank and following it towards the railway crossing.

Drinker Moth Caterpillar

We got off to a bit of a bit of a slow start. Perhaps it was still a bit cool but there was nothing much in the way of insect life showing in the flower meadow or in the nettle beds along the river bank, however, we did eventually find a caterpillar and a few damselflies. Our first thoughts were for a Fox Moth Caterpillar but I have now been corrected on that and it is a Drinker moth Caterpillar

Azure Damselfly

Blue-tailed Damselfly

A little disappointing, insect wise, to this point but at least we had a partial eclipse of the sun to keep us interested. There were also Reed and Sedge Warblers amongst the reeds, a Red Kite over, a distant Peregrine and the usual pigeons masquerading as raptors. All interesting but we were travelling light and had no big lenses to capture the birds.

Partial Eclipse 

As you get closer to South Stoke there is a long narrow area of wood bearing off to the east and a footpath that takes you through it. Be warned, however, it is overgrown and hard work and it is crawling with insects, you will be bitten but if you want to see insects this place is bliss.

Yellow Dung Fly - Scathophaga stercoraria

Didn't get enough time with this one to be able to identify it.

Sometimes you are lucky enough to capture the insects nectaring or resting on the vegetation. You might even get them in good light but most insects are hyperactive or are hiding away in dark, inaccessible places. It is well worth carrying an inspection pot if you want to get a good look at them or a record shot of your find.

Nettle Tap - Anthophila fabriciana

Or better still capture them in the middle of copulation when they are oblivious to anything going on around them.

Dock Bugs

Green Dock Beetles

These are great places to find micro moths but the the moths are very small, only a few millimetres long and you need a good picture if you are going to have any chance of identifying them. Again a pot is useful.

Plum Tortrix - Hedya pruniana

As a boy I would find caterpillars everywhere and as I grew older I have fond memories of having to scrape a layer of splattered moths off of the window screen after a night out. Now I rarely see moths unless I put the trap out and caterpillars are an even more unusual sight but in this small wood a few do still exist.

Yellow-tail Moth Caterpillar

Silver-ground Carpet - Xanthorhoe montanata

Maiden's Blush - Cyclophora punctaria

Red-headed Cardinal Beetle

Common Marble - Celypha lacunana

Yellow-barred Long-horn - Nemophora degeerella

Common Tubic - Alabonia geoffrella

Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle - Agapanthia villosoviridescens

Vapourer Moth Caterpillar

Clouded Border - Lomaspilis marginata

Cream Wave - Scopula floslactata

It is probably about a kilometre along the path through the wooded area and with frequent stops and backtracks, chasing fleeting glimpses, it probably took us a couple of hours to complete the distance. In the end it was a bit of a relief to leave the insects behind and to get out into the open air. 

The walk back to Burpham along the eastern side of the meadow is one we have done before. The footpath takes you through a lot of untouched and undeveloped land and dragonflies were a common sight on the walk back. Unfortunately, as is their way, very few were stopping to give picture opportunities.

Hairy Dragonfly

Dave easily won the bites competition twenty nine bites on his arms and one on his backside, although I am not sure how he managed to get that one. I got off a lot lighter. I can only think that the secret is to let your friend lead the way. Fresh meat going through first attracts all the attention.