Vicky Isherwood

I was asked to attend a meeting at the Ferry Road Club at Scunthorpe on the 4th July to meet Vicky Isherwood of Scunthorpe.  Vicky had just had her birthday and had asked her friends to donate money for the Trust rather than buy any presents for her. The result of this was that they raised the wonderful amount of £200 which she very generously handed over to me.                   

          Scawby Year 5 Pupils

All geared up for a morning's visit to the Messingham reserve, the children from Scawby Primary school year 5 took part in mini-beast hunting, bird watching and pond dipping. This is a good hands on approach to learning about nature while having an enjoyable time as well.

          Epworth Primary 2nd July

Another scorching day, another School visit. This time it was the turn of Epworth Primary School to delve into the world of mini-beast and pond life. As well as bird-watching from the hide, they can now claim to be adept with any kind of net.

          Belton Guides and Brownies

Some of the Belton Guides and Brownies who enjoyed an evening visit to the Messingham reserve on the 1st July.

          Scawby Primary

Pupils and Staff of Scawby Primary School – Year 2 having their photo taken at Messingham Sand Quarry Nature Reserve. The hot June weather did not deter them from a range of activities including Pond-dipping, Bug-hunting and Bird-watching. Not a bad way to spend a morning.

          Clearwing moth

This unusual moth found recently at MSQ is the Red-tipped Clearwing - Synanthedon formicaeformis. As a larva it lives in the trunks and stems of Osiers and willows. 

          Micro Moth

A micro moth with the name of Staphmopoda pedella was found recently on Alder.

It feeds in the alder cones as a larva.

          School Visit

Pupils and Teachers from Epworth Primary making the first school visit of the year to the Messingham Sand Quarry reserve for a day's bug hunting, pond dipping and finding out about the reserve. The weather which had promised to be poor, held out and everyone seemed to enjoy the event.

          Poplar Hawk-moths

A pair of Poplar Hawk-moths (Laothoe populi) seen mating at the Messingham reserve on a rather windy 24th May.

 

Another view of these impressive night flying moths which when at rest look remarkably like dead leaves.