Otter delight for reader

Aug 15 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

TWO otters on Cheshire waterways was the best of summer surprises for narrow-boat dweller and traveller Don May. He told me of one on the River Weaver later, along a South Cheshire canal. It looks as though the introductory scheme in the area has paid off.

Reader, Stephanie Catheral’s nature surprise came in the shape of what she called a leopard moth' as she swept up some leaves in her Nercwys area garden. I haven’t heard of this species before but have encountered a garden tiger moth locally. This type of striking moth shows they can often rival butterflies for their colourful looks.

A hobby was a visiting bird which also delighted her, a compact, agile, summer visitor raptor. Also on the ‘surprise visitor’ list was a short-eared owl which perched on a summerhouse.

From his Mouldsworth garden, Tony Gittens tells me one of his bird-boxes used by blue tits was later taken over, after they had reared their young, by wasps. They have now run out of space, says Tony, and are building an extension to the blue-tit nest box.

Recent visitors to this Mouldsworth garden also include nuthatch, great spotted woodpecker and the less often seen tree-creeper. Among butterflies a few commas but small tortoiseshells and peacocks are ‘thin on the ground’. The colourful, larger Nymphalidae family members such as painted lady, red admiral and peacock have been definitely on the thin side.

But of whites there have been plenty, hardly, I’m sure to the delight of vegetable gardeners, whose Brussel-sprouts, cauliflower's, cabbages and other Brassica crops will be munched away by the caterpillars of the whites.

Back to Mouldsworth where Mr Gittens has a large buddleia bush full of flowers, usually a magnet for butterflies, but not so this year so far. His pond has produced a number of southern hawker and a lot of blue butterflies.

All thanks to readers for their observations. Ring me on 01244 341614, write c/o Chronicle Editorial, Commonhall Street, Chester, CH1 2AA or send an email to: yourcountry@hotmail.com,

Saturday, August 16 Bat walk at 8pm at Chester’s Caldy Valley Nature Park. Details from Pam Atkinson on 01244 351066.