Magical Hotspots – Not Just Hot Weather!
Three counties, three magical hotspots for flowers, butterflies, bees, dragonflies and hoverflies. What did I spot, and why are these places so special?
Many of my posts explore the idea of “hotspots” — places I visit to sit and listen to a natural soundscape, spend time watching nature, or a wander in search of sightings. Sometimes it’s a garden, or a brownfield site, or somewhere a bit more well-known, but wherever it is, you will often find me poking my pots and net into colourful borders in the hope of spotting pollinators going about their work among the blooms.
As a natural historian with a particular interest in hoverflies, I’ve come to realise that a hotspot can exist in many forms and habitats. It doesn’t have to be rare or remote — it can be anywhere nature is thriving.
So, I’d like to share three special places from my recent outings, and what makes them so rewarding to visit.
Carlton Marsh, S.Yorkshire.
Is a mixture of wetland, grassland and scrub. I have been coming to this spot on and off for over 45 years. Remarkably, it has changed very little in that time, thanks to careful management over the years. It has always been good for butterflies and other insects, while also attracting a wide range of wetland bird species.
The site was formerly part of the country’s coal mining industry — an area once dotted with collieries, linked by railway lines between each pit, now transformed into paths worthy of exploration. The embankment that runs through the reserve was once part of the railway line carrying trains to Hull. Cudworth station, at the southern end of the reserve, closed on 1st January 1968, after which trains used the line only infrequently.
The lowland meadow was once a marshalling yard, but both the railway and yard have long since disappeared. In their place, nature has reclaimed the land, supported by the dedication and hard work of a group of volunteers.
Carlton Marsh, particularly its meadow, is now a site of scientific interest (SSISI) managed by a local Friends Group in partnership with Barnsley Council and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT). It was the focus of our most recent visit, where I took members of the BNA around to marvel at its abundance of flowers and insects. Cliff, one of the wardens, told me that it is a site for the Burnet Companion and Forester day-flying moths — unfortunately, we saw neither on this occasion.
We have lost over 90% of Lowland meadow since the 1930s. Although there has been a resurgence in recent years through agri-environment schemes, landscape recovery projects, and the work of the Floodplain Meadow Partnership (FMP), this particular meadow has existed since the 1980s.
As you step onto the meadow, you are immediately struck by the colour — followed by the flutter of numerous butterflies, as one member pointed out during our visit. Cliff had kindly mown a path through the meadow, allowing the group to explore without causing too much trampling.
We recorded 107 species, with full listings below, around half of which were flowers. Highlights included Musk Mallow, Hairy St John’s Wort, Common Centaury, Hedge Bedstraw and Lady’s Bedstraw, along with a whole host of vetches and vetchlings.
Hidden within the meadow is a ditch and small pool, providing some spectacular dragonfly sightings. We saw Black-tailed Skimmer, Broad-bodied Chasers, an Emperor Dragonfly, and a Red-veined Darter — the latter not recorded at the site for over 30 years. This was in addition to Brown Hawker and Southern Hawker seen in and around the entrance to the meadow. At first glance, the pool didn’t look like much — just a drying patch of water — but it is vital habitat, and we can only hope the eggs laid by these dragonflies survive to create the next generation.
I recorded eight species of hoverfly, plenty of Marmalades (Episyrphus balteatus), Long Hoverflies (Sphaerophoria sp.), and a migrant, the White-clubbed Glasswing (Scaeva pyrastri), also known as “hockey sticks”. Before entering the meadow, I also spotted a small, black hoverfly which turned out to be a new species for me — the Yarrow Blacklet (Cheilosia vernalis). Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get a photograph this time, but I’m sure we will meet again. I did however enjoy my Tunnock when I got home, my regular readers ill know this is my reward for finding a new species.
Here are some of the wildlife photos captured from the event.
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| 6 Spotted Burnet, Red Veined Darter, Small Skipper Photos: K.Hinchcliffe |
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| Black Skimmer chasing an Emperor dragonfly: Photos K.Hinchcliffe |
It was certainly a hotspot for flowers and butterflies — less so for hoverflies on this occasion — but no less magical for it. A degree cooler than the surrounding urban environment, which was relief after the heatwave of the last few days. It felt like stepping into something from a Monet painting.
Newby Hall, N.Yorkshire
Newby Hall is a country house beside the River Ure, built between 1695 and 1705, and now a Grade I listed building. Most people visit places like this to tour the house — but not me. It was simply too nice to be indoors. Had it been raining, I would have gladly gone inside, and I’m sure it’s splendid, but the gardens were the greater pull.
The grounds were fabulous, with a wonderfully diverse mix of spaces: herbaceous borders, rose & orchard garden, a wood pasture which were didn’t get chance to explore, a lime walk and a newly restored rock garden recently opened by Gyles Brandreth a few days earlier.
We explored the borders and walled gardens in search of insects, both areas awash with flowers and attracting a wide range of pollinators. These included ten species of bee and twelve species of hoverfly. Most hoverfly species you might expect to find in a garden — Batman (Myathropa florea), Humming Banded (Syrphus ribesii), Grey Spotted Boxer (Platycheirus albimanus), Greater Bulb (Merodon equestris), Long (Sphaerophoria interrupta) and Footballer (Helophilus pendulus) and the bees Common Carder, Early, Garden, Red-tailed, Tree, Brown Footed Leafcutter, Southern and Forest Cuckoo.
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| Humming Banded & Migrant Aphideater (Eupeodes luniger) |
What was also encouraging to see was that it wasn’t all wall-to-wall lawn. Many areas had been allowed to develop into mini meadow-like grasslands, adding variety and life to the landscape. I often found myself pausing on a bench, simply watching the wildlife ebb and flow through the vegetation.
Did I go on the miniature railway? Of course I did. I had a glorious ride through the grounds on Countess de Grey. There wasn’t time for a boat ride on this visit, shame — maybe next time. Being my first visit to Newby Hall, on the way back from our holiday in Rievaulx, I thought it was an absolute delight. I am sure my partner and I will visit again soon.
Hathersage, Derbyshire
This was my second visit to this part of the Peak District, having explored the area last August and discovering a hotspot right where I’d stopped for lunch. Every time I took a sip of coffee or a bite of my sandwich, another species of hoverfly appeared. Not that I was complaining — it’s always good when hoverflies come to you rather than the other way around. In total, I recorded 17 species that day.
All this field research is thirsty work, so if you would like to buy me a fresh coffee or even a bottle of water to keep me hydrated please consider donating if you can afford it.
Would I beat that record this year? Unlikely. The weather wasn’t as favourable as it had been the previous August, so I wasn’t hopeful.
In the end, I recorded 11 hoverfly species — still a decent day — but most were found on the walk up to the lunch spot rather than at it. It was more shaded at the lunch spot, and there was less floral interest than on that visit the previous year. Hoverfly highlights from the day included the Broad-Banded Smoothtail (Epistrophe grossulariae), Great Pied (Volucella pellucens), Marmalade (Episyrphus balteatus), Batman, Scuttler (Xylota segnis), and its cousin, the Golden-tail Leafwalker (Xylota sylvarum). Still a good haul and well worth another visit.
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| Kite-tailed Robber fly (Machimus atricapillus). Golden-tail Leafwalker (Xylota sylvarum) & Large Red Damselfly |
Other notable sightings included Dark Green Fritillaries— around half a dozen chasing each other over the bracken in the meadows just beyond the wooded copse. Lower in the valley, I saw a Garden Chafer, and in the wetter area a Four-banded Longhorn Beetle, Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Large Red Damselfly, and a Yellow Shell moth. I also spotted a robber fly, which I believe to be a Kite-tailed.
As hotspots go, it was a magical place. With views of Stanage Edge in the distance, it’s a beautiful area for a nature walk. We later wandered over to the open-air pool in Hathersage — not for a dip, although it was tempting as the day had warmed up, but for a cool, refreshing drink before our train journey home.
Do you have any hotspots you like to visit? Please do share in the comments below.
What all three sites had in common, despite their contrasting habitats, were opportunities to experience beautiful and diverse wildlife, delivering over 150 species — from bees, beetles, birds, and butterflies to flowers and hoverflies. Each was magical in its own way and reminded me of the importance of taking the time to watch and explore.
There is so much wonderful flora and fauna out there, whether it’s in your back garden or further afield — so this summer, don’t forget to explore your own magical hotspot, to listen to natural soundscapes, and wander in search of those special moments and stories to tell.
So, join me on this journey, and do share your own magical hotspots.
That brings my yearly count to 709 — an increase of 61 since the previous report (click here). Of those, 12 were ‘lifers’, meaning new species for me. I am watching my figure, though… so only the one Tunnock this time!
Links
If you wish to plan a visit to any of these hotspots here are the links below.
Please let me know if you do I would love to know what you discovered.
https://visitpeakdistrict.com/locations/hathersage
If anyone is interested in joining the BNA this is the link to the site, I highly recommend it.
The British Naturalists' Association promotes education, study and research
in all branches of natural history through events, publications, and fieldwork. We nurture naturalists, and expand our reach through local branches and partnerships, ensuring nature remains at the heart of society, being enjoyed, valued and protected.
Species Listing from Carlton Marsh BNA event
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