Bog-trotting. 5. Thorne Moor and Crowle

Although we had already visited the section of this large lowland peatland belonging to Lincolnshire, Crowle Moor, today we visited the SW Yorkshire section, Thorne Moor proper. We start at Crowle, and walk through North Tram to cross the bridge to Thorne. It is a hot, humid day, and we struggle with the biting insects on the way back. Deer flies and ticks bother us.

Cotton Grass by North Tram

The bridge crossing to the South Yorkshire side of the Humberhead Peatlands.

Odonata

It is a good day for dragonflies and damselflies. I'm impressed by the numerous Emerald Damselflies. Migrant Hawker, Black Darter, Black Tailed Skimmers and Southern Hawkers are present, possibly a Common Hawker over a pond. Some illustrative photos of the records follow.

Emerald.

Southern Hawker.

Black-tailed Skimmer.

Black Darter female.

Male Emerald perched on heather.

Bush-crickets

Like at Crowle, they seem to be present along the rides well inside the reserve. The rough grasses on the side of the rides are different from those on the heathland area, possibly affected by the different soil by the surfaced roads.

Male Roesel's Bush-cricket calling. This one was on the heathland.

And this one basking.

Long-winged Coneheads are also plentiful.

And what about Bog Bush-crickets? We are almost in the central part of the reserve, on the path leading to the observation platform when Sarah hears a male calling (top shot). We manage to spot him, close to the ground and very aware of us, changing its position to hide better in the undergrowth and incredibly well camouflaged. I'm pleased that I manage some photos.

Location of calling male. Mainly heather, bracken and birsh saplings with some purple moorgrass.

Another photo of the calling male.

Just a few minutes later, Sarah spots a female. She is easier to photograph.

Bog Bush-cricket female.

And that's our Bog Bush-cricket haul of the day. We have our lunch at the top of the platform and afterwards explore the area immediately around it, which looks promising, without success. We do some pilot acoustic transects and head back before it gets any hotter. 

Female Meadow Grasshopper.

Butterflies

Peacocks, Red Admirals and a Common Blue make the list for the day.

Red Admiral.

We spot some interesting plants along the way, this is a selection.

Marsh Pennywort.

Royal Fern.

Round-leaved Sundew and Sphagnum moss.

Orchid.

Greater Bladderwort.