Folly Farm and Lords Wood, 9 August 2025

Above: Hornet nest © Mike Williams

Leaders: Alvan White, Maico Waites (of Bristol Naturalists’ Society) and Mike Williams

Folly Farm is a 250-acre nature reserve owned and managed by Avon Wildlife Trust. The outing was a joint collaboration with Bristol Naturalists’ Society. Unusually, two children were present, the offspring of a friend of a member. The heat and successive sunny days meant the grassland was scorched brown, and many wild flowers had gone to seed.

Around the main pond was a range of insects and wild plants. We admired a Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Large, Small and Green-veined White butterflies, Common Darters and Common Blue Damselflies. Other fauna included Noon Fly, Field Grasshopper and 7-spot Ladybird. There was an abundance of Wild Marjoram, Water Mint, Vervain and Angelica.

We heard the call of a Green Woodpecker and the humming of Roesel’s Bush-cricket. Across the fields Tom spotted a distant Fallow/Roe Deer browsing along the hedge line.

We admired a magnificent veteran pollarded Oak, reputed to be 400 years old, from the time Charles I ascended the throne in 1625.

The market garden revealed a Mint Moth on Wild Marjoram, a Holly Blue Butterfly, and flesh-flies. While we had lunch under the welcome shade of an awning, the children showed their finds to Maico and were completely engrosssed in examining them. 

Two species of moth caterpillars were later found to be of a Plum Fruit Moth and Common Lutestring. On a dry stone wall Maico identified a possible Mouse Spider.

In a nearby field Mike found a Migrant Hawker, a Dock Bug, a Hawthorn Shield Bug and seven Broad-leaved Helleborines that had gone to seed.

Entering Lord’s Wood we came across a Hornet nest built into a large crack in a tree. Enthusiastic photographers remained close while some viewed at a further distance. Closer inspection revealed circular vents in the nest structure. The blurring of wings from adults indicated fanning was in operation to lower the temperature for the larvae.

An abundance of Common Hemp Nettle was growing beside the footpaths.

The two ponds revealed a number of species. Those of note included Small Copper butterfly and Azure and Willow Emerald Damselflies. The latter was identified by Maico and was of particular interest. It is a recent colonist, spreading due to climate change. Several other sightings have lately been noted in the west of England.

We were enthralled, lingering to watch for some time the grace, beauty and speed of the Southern Hawker. It flew in circles, zooming close to us before darting away at great speed. Its colours sparkled in the sunlight, gossamer wings looking like flashes of light.

Speckled Wood Butterfly, Banded Demoiselles, Pond Skaters, a Meadow Brown and more Common Darters were spotted, and an unusual Horsefly later identified as Splayed Deerfly was briefly spotted landing on an attendee.

Back at our cars a Robin appeared with a song we would like to think was a goodbye to us.

A very interesting and social event enhanced by the knowledge and generosity of Maico from Bristol Nats.

Maico recorded 110 species of flora and fauna.

Alvan White, Mike Williams and Janet Snowdon