Late Summer Activity at Cleaver Heath

The main heather panel at Cleaver Heath

During late August and early September two volunteer task days were organized at Cleaver Heath to deal with the annual problem of bracken re-growth within the upper heather panel. Bracken fronds were removed by stem pulling - rewarding work but laborious, especially in the recent very warm weather! After the main panel was cleared, we concentrated on clearing bracken and pruning overhanging trees along the edge of the Eastern woodland to allow more light to fall onto the nearby heather and encourage fresh growth.

The woodland edge after bracken pulling

While working we took the opportunity to look out for any interesting wildlife especially as the weather was warm and sunny.

Gall wasps had been busy during the year and young oaks along the woodland edge displayed a variety of galls.

Galls on oak trees.
Clockwise from top left:
Marble Gall, Artichoke Gall, Cola-nut Gall, Spangle Gall, Knopper Gall

The young oaks were also providing shelter and home to some spiders.

Lesser Garden spider (Metellina sp.)

The 'Sputnik spider' (Paidiscura pallens)
so-called because of the spiky shape of its eggsac
which is attached to the underside of an oak leaf

By far the most interesting 'find' during the day was the Heather Ladybird (Chilocorus bipustulatus).

Heather Ladybird (Chilocorus bipustulatus)

This very small ladybird was found on mature heather close to where we were working along the woodland edge. It is black and shiny with two or three red spots, sometimes fused, running in a line across the body. It is more likely to be found on mature heather on heathland as at Cleaver, but has been occasionally recorded on coastal dunes. It was recorded in the Wallasey sand dunes in 1991. Nationally it is classed as local and declining so we are very fortunate to have it with us! It feeds on aphids and scale insects and overwinters in litter at the base of heather and gorse.

Future work at Cleaver before the end of the year includes the regeneration project next month, birch cutting and stump treatment with Graham from Cheshire Wildlife Trust and coppicing within the managed scrub area. A lot to keep us busy.


John McGaw
Volunteer Warden, Cleaver Heath