Upton Warren Worcs BRC Survey Day

Saturday 31st July 1999 was the day selected to undertake a survey of wildlife other than birds at Upon Warren. The area is an important wetland and up-welling brine has led to the fevelopment of important inland salt marsh at the Flash Pools. The saltmarsh plants are well-known but we have little knowledge of other taxa. Our plan was, in retospect, over-ambitious. We aimed to cover the Flash Pools, the County Council Educational Reserve by the sailing lake, and the Moors Pool area. In the event we only managed partial coverage of the first two, in part because it was a very hot, dry day. Nevertheless. a good series of records were obtained which give indication of what needs tobe done in the future. As far as insects are concerned many specimens (especially beetles) remain to be identified and results from that work will be published later. A lot of recording still needs to be done at this important site.

Diptera

By Malcolm Blythe

Literature: where the publication used pre-dates 1976 the nomenclature has been adjusted to that of Kloet & Hincks (1976).

Tipulidae

Tipula oleracea. One female specimen. (Coe R.L. Family Tipulidae. Handbook for the Identification qf'British Insects 9:(1)

Ceratopogonidae

Culicoides riethi. One female and two males from sedge. (Edwards F. W. (1 926) On the British Biting Midges. Trans. Ent. Soc.Lond. 74:389-426. Campbell JA. and Pelham-Clinton E.C. (1960). A Taxonomic Review of the British Species of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera Ceratopogonidae). Proc. R. Soc. Edinburgh LXVII (3)
1 am confident of this identification, but I will make a genitalia preparation as soon as I have some polyvinyl lactophenol. The aedeagus of C rielhi is very distinctive. It is recorded by Campbell and Pelham-Clinton as common in the salt marshes of the Forth and Tay estuaries.

Dolichopodidae

Dolichopus nubilus. Two females from the Meadow Sweet area. (d'Assis Fonseca E.C.M. (1978). Diptera: Orthorrhapha: Brachycera: Dolicholpodidae. Handbooks.Ior the Identificcition of British Insects 9 (5)

Psilidae

Loxocera aristata Single individual from sedge at the base of a thistle. (Collin J.E. (1944) The British Species of Psilidae (Diptera). Ent. Mon. Mag. 80.. 214-24. Name amended from Loxocera aristata reference Kloet and Hincks.

Chyromyidae

Chyromya sp. Three specimens (two males and a female) from lush vegetation away from the water's edge. The female has a distended abdomen as described in Colyer and Hammond for C flava
This is most probably the common Chyromya flava, described in Colyer and Hammond (1951 ) but I do not have the literature to confirm it. The only key I can trace is a German one in Die Fliegen der Palaerktischen Region. Name amended from Chryomyia reference Kloet and Hincks.

Chloroppidae

Elachiptera cornuta. A single specimen collected.
Collin J.E. (1 946). The British Genera and Species of Oscinellinae. Trans. R. Ent. Soc. Lond. 97: 117-48.

Sepsidae

Themira annulipes Single male from sedge.
Sepsis cynipsea. Two specimens collected from sedge.
Pont A.C. 1 979) Sepsidae. Handbook. for the Identilicalion qf'British Insects 10 (5c).

Ephydridae

Large numbers of ephydrids were present in the sedges and on the surface of the mud. I have no literature for most of them but the genera Notiphila, Ephydra, Scatella and Psilopa appeared to be present. An old key (unidentified) to Notiphila keys out my specimens to N. setigera, a name which is not recognised by Kloet and Hincks.

Scatella stagnalis. Two specimens.
Scatella lutosti. One specimen.
Key to genus in Les Insectes Aqualiques d'Europe.Collin J.E. (1930). Some new species of the Dipterous genus Scatella gen. nov., and the differentiation of Stictoscatelia gen. nov. Ent. mon. Mag. 66, 133-9.

Sphaeroceridae

Present in large numbers. Identifications to follow.

Syrphidae

Syritta pipiens. Numerous.
Neoascia tenur. Three specimens of this minute svrphid collected from flowers near the second lake. A genitalia preparation will be needed to confirm as the genus is a tricky one.
Eristalinus sepulchralis. A single male specimen collected.
Stubbs A.E. (1983). British Hoverflies, an Illustrated Identification Guide. British Entomological and Natural History Society.
Stubbs A.E. (1996). British Hoverflies.' Second Supplement. British Entomological and Natural History Society. (for Neoascia)
Coe R.L. (1953). Diptera.. Syrphidae. Handhook,for the Idetifcation of 'British Insects 10 (1 ).

Scathophagidae

Spaziphora hydromyzina. Numerous amongst the sedge. Six specimens taken.
CollinJ.E.(1958). A short Synopsis of the British Scatophagidae (Diptera). Trans.Soc Brit Ent, 13: 37-56. Generic name adjusted from Spathiophorta. reference Kloet and Hincks. A new key is due to be produced soon.

Tachinidae

Eriothrix rufomaculata. Numerous on flower heads especially thistles.
Belshaw R. (1993) Tachinid Flies. Handbook.flor the Identification of'British Insects 10 (4a(i)) R. Ent Soc Lond.

A detached wing of a Bicellaria species (Diptera, Empididae) was found in one of the tubes and a specimen of Haematopota (Diptera: Tabanidae) was seen resting on a leaf over the stream but was not collected.

Further records of Hoverflies Syrphidae

Harry Green

Flash Pools SO 934664

Cheilosia bergenstammi (larvae live in base-stems of ragworts)
Chrysotoxum bicinctum (one)
Episyrphus balteatus
Eristalis arbustorum
Eristalis nemorum
Platycheirus clypeatus
Sphaerophora scripta
Syritta pipiens

Education Centre reserve SO 934673

Cheilosia antiqua
Chrysotoxum bicinctum (one)
Eristalis arbustorum
Eristalis tenax
Pyrophaena granditarsa
Syrphus vitripennis
Syritta pipiens

Invertebrates

Combined list from observations by John Meiklejohn, Kevin McGee, Patrick Taylor, Martyn Hodgson

Those marked * found at Education Centre Reserve only.
Further information on Odonata and Diptera follows.
Coleoptera collected at the Flash Pools are yet to be identified (Don Goddard).

Coleoptera

*Abax parallelpipedus
Adalia bipunctata
Agabus bipustulatus
Altica lythri
Altica palustris
Anisosticta 19-punctata (photo on Typha at Flash Pools K McGee) Anthocomus rufus (photo at Flash Pools K McGee)
Apion haematodes
*Badister bipustulatus
Ceutorhynchus litura
*Chalcoides plutus
*Chlaenius vestitus
*Cryptocephalus pusillus
*Endomychus coccineus
*Elaphrus cupreus
*Galerucella lineola
Hydrobius fuscipes
Hygrotus inaequalis
Longitarsus rubiginosus
Micraspis 16-punctata
Noterus clavicornis
Oedemera nobilis
Paederus fuscipes
Propylea 14-punctata
*Pterostichus madidus
Rhagonycha fulva
*Sinodendron cylindricum
Sphaeridium scarabaeoides (photo on teasel flower K McGee, det PFW)
*Staphylinus olens
Stenus cicendeloides

Dermaptera

*Forficula auricularia

Diptera

Episyrphus balteatus
Eristalis horticola
*Eristalis nemorum
*Liriomyza melampyga
Syrphus vitripennis
leaf mine on Impatiens

Hemiptera - Heteroptera

Anthocoris nemorum
Aphropohora alni
Deraeocoris ruber
Elasmucha grisea
Gerris lacustris
Halticus saltator
*Heterotoma merioptera
*Hydrometra stagnorum
Philaenus spumarius
*Sigara lateralis
Stenodema laevigatum

Hymenoptera

*Bombus lapidarius
*Pontania proxima - Bean gall on Salix
*Neuroterus quercusbaccarum - Spangle gall on oak

Lepidoptera

Moths

Cinnabar Moth Tyria jacobaeae 100's of larvae on ragwort at Educ Res.
*Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa
Bright-line Brown-eye (larva on Meadow Vetchling at Flash Pools)
Bullrush Wainscot (pupa of Typha stem at Flash Pools)
Agriphila tristella (Pyralid at Flash Pools)

Butterflies

*Small Copper
Small skipper (both sites)
Large White (both sites)
Small White (both sites)
Green-veined White (both sites)
*Brimstone
*Red Admiral
Small Tortoiseshell (both sites)
Peacock (both sites)
*Comma
*Speckled Wood
Gatekeeper (both sites)
*Meadow Brown
Marbled White

Orthoptera

Chorthippus albomarginatus
Chorthippus bruneus
Chorthippus parallelus
Leptophyes punctatissima
Tetrix subulata
Tetrix undulata

Araneae

Larinoides cornutus
Tetragnatha extensa

Opiliones

*Leiobunum rotundum
*Opilio parietinus

Isopoda

*Armadillidium vulgare
*Trichoniscus pusillus
Porcellio scaber

Mollusca

Snails

Aegopinella nitidula
Clausilia bidentata
Cochlicopa lubrica
Discus rotundatus
*Helix aspersa
Helix hortensis
*Lauria cylindracea
Lymnaea truncatula
Oxychilus alliarius
*Vallonia costata
*Vallonia excentrica

Bryophytes

Mark Lawley

Here is a list of the bryophytes I collected at Upton Warren on July 31st. Conditions were too dry to be conducive for finding bryophytes, and I am sure that this list could be doubled or trebled by a visit in winter. None of the species in the list are in any way unusual; most could be found in a municipal park, and I do not think that Upton Warren is likely to have unusual bryophytes unless some can be relocated in salty conditions. Unfortunately, I failed to find a single moss or liverwort where the Puccinellia or Spergularia grew.

Mosses

Amblystegium serpens
Dicranum scoparium
Barbula tophacea
Grimmia pulvinata
Barbula vinealis
Homalothecium sericeum
Brachythecium rutabulum
Orthotrichum diaphanum
Bryum caespiticium
Calliergon cuspidatum
Pohlia carnea
Campylopus introflexus
Polytrichum juniperinum
Campylopus paradoxus
Pseudoscleropodium purum
Dicranoweisia cirrata
Rhynchostegium confertum
Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus
Ulota crispa

Liverworts

Frullania dilatata
Pellia epiphylla

Lichens of Upton Warrent SO 9367

Trevor Duke

Parish Church and surrounds to the flash pools and flooded pits

A survey was undertaken of the wayside and hedgerow trees around the sailing club lake and flashpools nature reserve and also on the thinly vegetated soils behind the petrol station/plant hire yard. Time spent approximately three hours. A further hour was then spent in the local parish churchyard. Good weather conditions.
The following four lists were produced. Names according to the "Lichen Flora of Britain and Ireland, Purvis et al (1992)".

Thinly vegetated soil behind petrol station/plant hire yard (11 species)

Cladonia chlorophaea (on a log)
C. ciliata var tenuis
C. foliacea
C. furcata
C. humilis
C. portentosa
C. rangiformisa
Diploscistes muscorum
Lecanora muralis (on a pebble)
Peltigera membranacea
P. rufescens

(except where stated these species were growing directly on soil or turf)

Trees and lignum in the Nature Reserve (18 species)

Caloplaca citrina (L)
Candelariella vitellina (L)
Diploicia canescens (S, A)
Diplotomma alboatra (L)
Evernia prunastri (L, S)
Hypogymnia physodes (L)
Lecanora conizeaoides (widespread)
L. expallens (L, S)
Parmelia subaurifera (S)
P. sulcata (S)
Phaeophyscia orbicularis (S)
Physcia tenella (S, Sn)
P. adscendens (S, A, Sn)
Placynthiella icmalea (L)
Scolisciosporum chlorophaeum (L)
Xanthoria candelaris (L)
X. parietina (S)
X. polyocarpa (S)

L = lignum (mainly fence posts)
S = Salix species
A = Acer campestre
Sn = Sambucus niger

(NB substrates given for each species should not be considered exhaustive)

Wayside trees and other substrata outside the Nature Reserve (6 species, 5 additional).

Caloplaca citrina (.C)
C. holocarpa (.C)
Lecanora albescens (.C)
L. chlarotera (S)
L. dispersa (.C)
Parmelia caperata (S)

.C = concrete
S = Salix species

(NB only those species not recorded above and those those recorded on an additional substrate are included)

Upton Warren Churchyard (32 species, 23 additional)

Acarospora fuscata (*)
Caloplaca citrina
C. flavescens (*)
C. saxicola (*)
Candelariella vitellina
Cladonia chlorophaea
C. pyxidata (*)
C. subulata (*)
Diploschistes scruposus (*)
Haematomma ochroleucum var porphyrium (*)
Hypocenomyce scalaris (*)
Lecanora campestris (*)
L. crenulata (*)
L. dispersa
L. expallens
L. orosphaea (*)
L. polytropa (*)
L. sulphurea (*)
Lecidea fuscoatra (*)
Ochrolechia parella (*)
Parmelia glabratula subspecies fuliginosa (*)
P. sulcata
Phaeophyscia orbicularis
Physcia adscendens
P. caesia (*)
Porpidia tuberculasa (*)
Psilolechia lucida (*)
Tephromella atra (*)
Trapelia involuta (*)
Verrucaria nigrescens (*)
Xanthoria calcicola (*)
X. parietina

(*) = species recorded only from the churchyard.

Discussion

The survey at Upton Warren provided a corticolous flora that is typical for the area, together with an interesting terricolous site. Lignum (mainly fence posts) together with concrete walls and posts provided further substrates. Saxicolous habitat was however somewhat limited on the site. The churchyard was therefore visited to provide a list from a stable saxicolous habitat.

A total of 57 species were recorded, 34 on the Upton Warren site and 32 in the churchyard. The latter was not very rich when compared with many other Worcestershire churchyards but is perhaps typical of the more polluted northern Worcestershire yards.

The 34 species on the Upton Warren site include 10 on the thinly vegetated soil and pebbles, 21 on bark and lignum and 3 restricted to concrete. The bark/lignum species are typical of acidified trees and lignum in polluted areas. P. caperata was recorded only once and is indicative of reducing sulphur dioxide levels. Further colonisation of this habitat can be expected.

The terricolous species included seven Cladonias, of which C. foliacea and C. rangiformis, together with Diploschistes muscorum and Peltigera rufescens are indicative of base rich soil. Other species such as Cladonia ciliata var tenuis and C. portentosa are normally found on acid substrates and are possibly growing raised above the soil. The community is dependent on sparse vegetation and may thus be temporary. i.e. the community might be lost if the vegetation sward was to thicken into a dense turf or scrub.

None of the species found on these sites are considered rare. Cladonia foliacea, C. ciliata var tenuis and Diploscistes muscorum may be considered local in Worcestershire but more data is required before this can be confirmed.

Flowering Plants

Bert Reid

The surrounds of the flash pools are one of the best inland salt marhes in Britain and the visit tumed up a good number of the special plants from here. Puccinellia distans (Reflexed Saltmarsh-grass) and Spergularia marina (Lesser Sea-spurry) fonned a narrow band on the otherwise bare mud around the pools. Just landward of these were good stands of Juncus compressus (Round-fruited Rush). A couple of specimens of the rush were taken to make sure that they were not Juncus gerardii (Saltmarsh Rush) which is thought extinct in Worcestershire but measunnent of seed size dashed any hopes in that direction. A puzzling plant in the saltmarsh area was an orache sirnilar to Atriplex prostrata but looking rather different to the normal ruderal form common in the county. Unfortunately the plant was too young to identify.

The tall marsh vegetation behind the saltmarsh area contained few surprises but we did find a small patch of Potentilla palustris (Marsh Cinquefoil) which is scarce in the county.
Schoenoplectus tabemaemontani (Grey Club-rush) was quite widespread.

The land within the educational centre was completely different. The most striking feature here was the presence of a number of non-native plants. Impatiens glandulifera (Indian Balsam) was common and Crassula helmsii (New Zealand Pigmyweed) dominated a couple of pools. The little Lemna minuta (Least Duckweed) covered the surface of some ponds and the international flavour was complete by a large plant of Lysichiton americanus (American Skunk-cabbage). Even the Ranunculus lingua (Greater Spearwort) is surely an introduction here.

Not all the plants in this area are introductions, however, and it was pleasing to find a good stand of Carex ovalis (Oval Sedge) in a dried up hollow accompanied by a mixed colony of Juncus acutiflorus (Sharp-flowered Rush) and J. articulatus (Jointed Rush). I failed to convince myself that any plants were the hybrid between the two rushes although some did look possible. By the brook we saw quite a lot of Dipsacus pilosus (Small Teasel).

Taxa recorded at Upton Warren - 31st July 1999

Scientific name/Common name

Acer campestre Field Maple
Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore
Achillea millefolium Yarrow
Aethusa cynapium Fool's Parsley
Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony
Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent
Alisma plantago-aquatica Water-plantain
Alnus glutinosa Alder
Anagallis arvensis ssp. arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel
Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica
Arctium lappa Greater Burdock
Arctium minus ssp. minus a lesser burdock
Arenaria serpyllifolia ssp. serpyllifolia - a thyme-leaved sandwort Armoracia rusticana Horse-radish
Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grassv Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort
Arum maculatum Lords-and-ladies
Atriplex prostrata sens.str. Spear-leaved Orache
Ballota nigra Black Horehound
Bellis perennis Daisy
Betula pendula Silver Birch
Brachypodium sylvaticum False-brome
Brassica nigra Black Mustard
Callitriche sp. a water-starwort
Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed
Calystegia silvatica Large Bindweed
Cardamine flexuosa Wavy Bitter-cress
Cardainine pratensis Cuckoo-flower
Carduus crispus Welted Thistle
Carex hirta Hairy Sedge
Carex otrubae False Fox-sedge
Carex ovalis Oval Sedge
Carex riparia Great Pond-sedge
Centaurium erythraea Common Centaury
Chaerophyllum temulum Rough Chervil
Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb
Chenopodium album sens.str. Fat-hen
Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle
Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle
Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle
Conium maculatum Hemlock
Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed
Cornus sanguinea Dogwood
Coronopus didymus Lesser Swine-cress
Corylus avellana Hazel
Crassula helmsii New Zealand Pigmyweed
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn
Dactylis glomerate Cock' s-foot
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
Dipsacus fullonum Wild Teasel
Dipsacus pilosus Small Teasel
Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern
Dryopteris filix-mas Common Male Fern
Eleocharis palustris Common Spike-rush
Epilobium ciliatum American Willowherb
Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb
Epilobium obscurum Short-fruited Willowherb
Epilobium parviflorum Hoary Willowherb
Epilobium tetragonum Square-stalked Willowherb
Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail
Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail
Erodium cicutarium sens.str. Common Stork's-bill
Euonymus europaeus Spindle
Fallopia japonica Japanese Knotweed
Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet
Fraxinus excelsior Ash
Galium aparine Cleavers
Galium palustre Common Marsh-bedstraw
Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Cranels-bill
Geranium pusillum Small-flowered Crane's-bill
Glechoma hederacea Ground-ivy
Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed
Hippophae rhamnoides Sea-buckthorn
Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog
Hordeum secalinum Meadow Barley
Humulus lupulus Hop
Hypericum perforatum Perforate St. Johnls-wort
Impatiens glandulifera Indian Balsam
Iris foetidissima Stinking Iris
Juncus acutiflorus Sharp-flowered Rush
Juncus articulatus Jointed Rush
Juncus bufonius sens.str. Toad Rush
Juncus compressus Round-fruited Rush
Juncus conglomeratus Compact Rush
Juncus effusus Soft Rush
Juncus inflexus Hard Rush
Lamium album White Dead-nettle
Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling
Lemna minor Common Duckweed
Lemna minuta Least Duckweed
Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duckweed
Leontodon autumnalis Autumnal Hawkbit
Leontodon saxatilis Lesser Hawkbit
Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet
Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass
Lotus corniculatus Common Bird's-foot-trefoil
Lycopus europaeus Gipsywort
Lysichiton americanus American Skunk-cabbage
Lysimachia numularia Creeping-Jenny
Malus domestica Apple
Malva moschata Musk-mallow
Malva sylvestris Common Mallow
Mentha arvensis Corn Mint
Moehringia trinervia Three-nerved Sandwort
Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not
Myosotis laxa Tufted Forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides Water Forget-me-not
Myosoton aquaticum Water Chickweed
Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort
Oenothera glazioviana Large-flowered Evening-primrose
Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-Wall
Persicaria amphibia Amphibious Bistort
Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary-grass
Phleum pratense sens.str. Timothy
Phragmites australis Common Reed
Picris echioides Bristly oxtongue
Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear-hawkweed
Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain
Plantago major Greater Plantain
Polygonum aviculare sens.str. Knotgrassv Populus alba White Poplar
Populus x canadensis (P. deltoides x nigra) Hybrid Black Poplar
Potentilla palustris Marsh Cinquefoil
Potentilla reptans Creeping Cinquefoil
Prunella vulgaris Selfheal
Puccinellia distans Reflexed Saltmarsh-grass
Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak
Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus lingua Greater Spearwort
Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup
Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved Buttercup
Reseda luteola Weld
Rosa canina agg. Dog Rose
Rubus ulmifolius a bramble
Rumex acetosella Sheepls Sorrel [agg.]
Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock
Rumex crispus Curled Dock
Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock
Rumex sanguineus Wood Dock
Sagina apetala sap. erecta Fringed Pearlwort
Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort
Salix alba White Willow
Salix caprea Goat Willow
Salix cinerea sap. oleifolia a willow
Salix fragilis Crack Willow
Salix viminalis osier
Sambucus nigra Elder
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Grey Club-rush
Scrophularia auriculata Water Figwort
Senecio erucifolius Hoary Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort
Senecio vulgaris var. vulgaris a groundsel
Silene dioica Red Campion
Silene dioica x latifolia (S. x hampeana) - Hybrid Campion
Silene latifolia White Campion
Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard
Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet
Sonchus arvensis Perennial Sowthistle
Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle
Spergularia marina Lesser Sea-spurrey
Stachys byzantina Lamb's-ear
Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort
Stellaria graininea Lesser Stitchwort
Symphytum asperum x officinale - (S. x uplandic Russian Comfrey
Taraxacum sp. Dandelion agg.
Torilis japonica Upright Hedge-parsley
Trifolium dubium Lesser Trefoil
Trifolium pratense Red Clover
Trifolium repens White Clover
Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless Mayweed
Tussilago farfara colt's-foot
Typha latifolia Bulrush
Ulmus procera English Elm
Urtica dioica Common Nettle
Verbascum thapsus Great Mullein
Veronica anagallis-aquatica Blue Water-speedwell
Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell
Veronica beccabunga Brooklime
Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell
Veronica serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Speedwell

Amphibians and Reptiles

from a report by Will Watson and a few other casual observations.

No reptiles or amphibians seen at the Flash Pools

Reptiles

A Slow-worm Anguis fragilis found under log piles in drier part of Education Reserves

Amphibians

Pool on Education Reserve at grid ref SO936673

83 Smooth Newts Triturus vulgaris
22 Great-crested Newts Triturus cristatus

were counted from netted sampling. Only about 20% of the edge of the site was covered by the survey The body of water is over 0.5 hectares and supports a very large Smooth Newt population. The Great-crested Newt population is "good" or "excellent" ("Excellent" is when over 100 are seen during the survey)

Random searches of litter beneath trees etc in other parts of the Education area revealed at least three first-year Common Frogs Rana temporaria, one Common Toad Bufo bufo, 23 adult and two juvenile Smooth Newts, and four adult Great-crested Newts

The Education Reserve is an important and valuable site for amphibians.

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