Gateshead Birders

Red Admiral- Seen at Greenside and Birtley 1st - 7th, others at the end of the month with finally 1 at Thornley on 31st.
Speckled Wood- Several in Derwent Walk CP on 1st and 1 at Shibdon in the sun on 24th with two there on 28th
Southern Hawker- 1 at Stargate on 5th and a very late adult at Westgate on 31st.
Migrant Hawker- 2 at Stargate on 1st
Common Hawker- 1 at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 1st when 1 st Swalwell visitor centre pool
Black Darter - Several at Kibblesworth on 1st and 1 male at Stargate on 5th
Common Darter- Noted at Kibblesworth on 1st, with 50 there on 3rd and several at Stargate on 5th
Ruddy Darter- One at Stargate on 1st
Blue Damselfly sp.- One at Stargate on 4th

Hawthorn Shield Bug- One at Cowen Road, Blaydon on 12th

Red Admiral- Seen at Cowen Road Blaydon (1 on 7th), Shibdon (1-2 on 9th-15th), Clara Vale (15th), at Kibblesworth brickworks pool (1 on 26th), Burdon Moor (1 on 28th) and Westfield Pasture (1 on 28th)
Small Tortoiseshell- Noted at Timber Beach on 28th
Comma- Noted at Westfield Pasture on 28th
Peacock- Noted at Clara Vale (15th), at Kibblesworth brickworks pool (26th)
Large White- Noted at Clara Vale (15th)
Small White- Noted at Clara Vale (15th), Shibdon (15th-28th)
Green-veined White- Noted at Clara Vale (15th)
Purple Hairstreak- A late individual at Westfield Pasture
Speckled Wood- 1-3 noted at Westfield Pasture, Shibdon, Clara Vale and Kibblesworth brickworks pools between 8th and 30th
Small Copper- 1 at Shibdon on 15th
Common Blue - Several at Kibblesworth brickworks pool on 26th

Meadow Brown - Noted at Westfield on 28th & 29th

Peacock- Several at Shibdon on 10th & 14th

Small White - Noted at Lamesley & Shibdon Pond on 14th-15th
Green-veined White- Noted at Shibdon Pond on 15th

Meadow Brown - Noted at Shibdon Pond on 15th
Small Heath - Noted at Timber Beach on 14th
Small Copper - Noted at Shibdon Pond on 14-15th
Speckled Wood - Noted at Shibdon Pond on 14th

Purple Hairstreak - 3 at Greenford Lane, Lamesley on 14th

Lesser Swallow Prominent - 1 caught in a house in Rowlands Gill

Southern Hawker - 2 in Thornley Woods on 10th

Southern Hawker at Thornley [Steven Fryer]

Common Hawker - 3 at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 10th

Common Hawker at Kibblesworth [Steven Fryer]

Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) - Thousands at Shibdon on 14th
Hoverfly (Melangyna umbellatarum) - 1 at Shibdon on 14th
Hoverfly (Eupeodes luniger ) - 1 at Timber Beach on 14th
Hoverfly (Syrphus sp.) - 1 at Timber Beach on 14th

Longhorn Beetle (Strangalia quadrifasciata) - 1 at Shibdon on 14th

Strangalia quadrifasciata)at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Red Admiral - 1 at Shibdon on 1st and 1 in Derwent valley CP on 3rd
Small Tortoiseshell - 1 noted at Kibblesworth and Shibdon on 3rd
Peacock- Larva noted at Cowen Road, Blaydon on 4th.

Small White - A few early month
Green-veined White -Noted at Shibdon on 3rd
Large White - A few early month

Small Skipper- Good numbers in the Derwent valley, Shibdon & Kibblesworth on 3rd

Small Skipper [Steven Fryer]

Small Heath - Noted at Kibblesworth and Derwent valley CP on 3rd
Grayling- 4 at Kibblesworth on 3rd, 8 on 4th

Ringlet - Good numbers in the Derwent valley & Kibblesworth on 3rd when 1 at Shibdon
Meadow Brown - Good numbers in the Derwent valley, Shibdon & Kibblesworth on 3rd.
Speckled Wood - Present at Shibdon on 3rd

Holly Blue - The first of the year was in Chopwell on 3rd.
Common Blue - Present at Shibdon on 3rd

Twin-spot Carpet - Noted at Thornley WC on 1st.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Singles at Highfield on 1st & Greenside on 2nd

Emerald Damselfly - Several at Kibblesworth on 3rd

Four-spotted Chaser - 10 at Kibblesworth on 3rd - 4th
Southern Hawker - 1 in the Derwent valley and 1 at Shibdon on 3rd
Common Hawker - 2 t Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 3rd, 1 on 4th
Emperor - 1 male at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 3rd, 3 on 4th.
Black-tailed Skimmer - 1 male at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 4th.

Common Darter - Several at Kibblesworth on 3rd

Scorpion Fly - Noted at Cowen Road, Blaydon on 4th

Ruby-tailed Wasp - Noted at Cowen Road, Blaydon on 4th

Solomon's Seal Sawfly (Phymatocera aterrima) - Noted at Cowen Road, Blaydon on 4th

Peacock - 1 noted at Kibblesworth on 2nd and 9th and in the Derwent valley on 4th.
Small Tortoiseshell - 1 in the Derwent valley on 4th. 1 at Burdon Moor on 12th and Stargate on 15th and Shibdon on 20th
Painted Lady - 1 at Stargate on 30th

Painted Lady at Stargate [Michael Eccles]

Red Admiral - 1 at Shibdon on 26th and 2 next day at Kibblesworth

Red Admiral at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Small White - Common early month
Large White - Relatively small numbers all month.
Green-veined White - Several noted at Kibblesworth on 2nd and in the Derwent valley on 4th.

Speckled Wood - A second hatching noted with an increase on 2nd/3rd. 1 at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 13th followed by others at several other sites.

Speckled Wood at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Wall - Small numbers noted at several sites early month
Small Heath - 1-2 noted at Kibblesworth on 2nd and 9th but 50 there and a few at Burdon Moor on 12th. Several in the Derwent valley on 4th. 40 still at Kibblesworth 18th - 26th
Grayling- 2 at Kibblesworth on 28th and 3 on 29th were the first

Small Copper - 1-2 noted at Kibblesworth on 2nd
Common Blue - 1-2 noted at Kibblesworth on 2nd-9th and the first of the year at Shibdon also on 9th. 12-25 at the former on 12th-26th

Small Skipper - The first was 1 at Kibblesworth on 9th and again on 12th and 23rd. 1 at Shibdon on 20th. 15 at Kibblesworth on 26th
Large Skipper - 1-2 noted at Kibblesworth on 9th-13th
Dingy Skipper - Several noted at Kibblesworth on 9th

Ringlet - Several in the Derwent valley on the 9th-19th. 1 at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 12th, 2 on 17th and 15 on 19th-23rd and 60 on 26th.
Meadow Brown - 1-2 noted at Kibblesworth and the Derwent valley 9th - 12th. 20 at Kibblesworth on 19th and 50 on 26th

Meadow Brown at Shibdon

Small Magpie - 1 at Shibdon on 7th
Mother Shipton - 1 at Shibdon on 9th
White Plume Moth - 1 at Lamesley on 19th
Plume Moth Platyptilia pallidactylax - 1 at Shibdon on 20th
Cinnabar - 1 at Kibblesworth on 9th
Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet Moth - 50+ at Kibblesworth on 12th - 19th
6-spot Burnet Moth - 1 ar Shibdon on 20th
Yellow-shell - 1 at Kibblesworth on 12th
Silver-ground Carpet - 1 at Kibblesworth on 12th
Shaded Broad-bar - 2 at Kibblesworth on 12th 30+ there on 19th
Crambus lathoniellus - 200+ at Kibblesworth on 20th
Garden Grass Veneer - Noted at Shibdon on 20th
Hummingbird Hawkmoth - 1 at Birtley on 20th

Large Red Damselfly - Present at at Kibblesworth on 9th. noted on the 'Bio-Blitz' in the Derwent valley on 4th
Common Blue Damselfly- Present at at Kibblesworth on 9th-19th and in Derwent valley on 8th. Noted on the 'Bio-Blitz' in the Derwent valley on 4th
Azure Damselfly- Present at Kibblesworth on 9th and in Derwent valley on 8th. Max of 20 at the former on 12th-19th
Blue-tailed Damselfly -Small numbers at Kibblesworth on 1st - 19th and noted on the 'Bio-Blitz' in the Derwent valley on 4th
Emerald Damselfly - 1 at Kibblesworth on 17th and 2-3 on 19th were the first.
Banded Demoiselle - 1 in Derwent valley on 4th during 'Bio-Blitz' and again on 8th. Noted at Lamesley from mid month.

Broad-bodied Chaser - 1-3 at Burdon Moor and Stargate on 2nd - 15th, 3 (mff) at Stargate on 19th to 30th

Broad-bodied Chaser at Stargate [Michael Eccles]

Four-spotted Chaser - 2-4 at Kibblesworth and Far Pasture on 2nd-9th and and Far Pasture on 7th. 15 at former site on 12th, 50 on 19th and 20 on 16th-26th
Southern Hawker - The first was 1 at Shibdon on 26th, with two there the next day.
Emperor - 1 male at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 20th and an eglaying female on 27th

Female Emperor at Shibdon [Steven Fryer]

Black-tailed Skimmer - The first was at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 20th, 1- 3 from then until 27th.

Black-tailed Skimmer at Kibblesworth [Steven Fryer]

Common Darter - A Nymph noted on the 'Bio-Blitz' in the Derwent valley on 4th and 2-3 adults at Kibblesworth on 19th - 27th

Median Wasp - 4 at Far Pasture on 3rd

Hoverfly Volucella bombylans - 1 at Shibdon on 8th

Bumblebees - 7 species were noted on the 'Bio-Blitz' in the Derwent valley on 4th - Bombus (Psithyrus) bohemicus, B. hortorum, B. lapidarius, B. lucorum, B. pascuorum, B. pratorum and B. terrestris

Small Tortoiseshell - Sightings continued into early May of 1-2 at many spots. 1 still at Kibblesworth on 20th - 31st
Peacock- Sightings continued into early May of 1-5 at many spots.
Red Admiral - 1 Greenside on 1st.
Small White - Common early month throughout
Large White - Relatively small number all month.
Green-veined White - Fairly common throughout all month.
Orange-tip - 1-2 noted at Shibdon/Greenside/Kibblesworth on 1st. Still on the wing at the latter on 31sth.
Brimstone - What will probably be the butterfly record of the year, 1 was seen at Whickham Thorns on 1st.

Brimstone at Whickham Thorns [Revd. David Atkinson]

Speckled Wood - Noted at Bradley Fell /Greenside on 1st.
Wall - Small numbers noted at Shibdon on 1st and at Kibblesworth on 20th and 31st
Small Heath - The first was at at Kibblesworth brickworks pool on 7th, followed by 1-2 noted at Kibblesworth and Stargate on 10th. Up to 20 at Kibblesworth on most days on 19th-31st

Large Skipper - 1 at Timber beach on the 19th was the the first
Dingy Skipper - Singles at Shibdon on 1st, 7thand 24thh and at Kibblesworth brickworks pool on 7th. Another single at the latter on 19th when 1 at Owlet Hill.

Dingy Skipper at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Small Copper - Single at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 7th was the first of the year. 1 present at this site on 20th and several on 31stand 1 at Shibdon Pond 2 days later.
Common Blue - Single at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 20th was the first of the year. Another ther on 31st.

Cinnabar moth - Single at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 20th was the first of the year.
Elephant Hawkmoth - Single at Ryton on 20th

Large Red Damselfly - Dozens at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 10th & 19th and 31st. Several at Gibside Lily Pond on 27th.
Common Blue Damselfly- 6 at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 10th and Shibdon on 11th and several on 27th-31st
Azure Damselfly- 6 at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 10th, 1 at Shibdon on 11th and several on 27th. Dozens at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 31st
Blue-tailed Damselfly - 20 at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 10th and Shibdon on 11th and several on 27th. Several at Gibside Lily Pond also on 27th.
Banded Demoiselle - 1 at Lamesley Water Meadows on 31st.
Four-spotted Chaser - 2 at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 10th and 6+ there on 19th. More unusual, 1 at Thornley Lane on 20th and 1 at Far Pasture two days later and again on 29th. 61 counted at Kibblesworth on 31st
Broad-bodied Chaser - Pair at Burdon Moor and a female at Lamesley Water Meadows both on 19th. 3 at latter on 31st
Emperor Dragonfly - 1 at Kibblesworth brickworks pools on 31st

Sheetweb Spider - 1 at Shibdon on 6th.

Hoverfly Sphaerophoria scripta - 1 at Shibdon on 6th.
Hoverfly Volucella bombylans- 1 at Shibdon on 23rd

Milkwellburn Woods have produced Barred Umber, Early Thorn and a White-pinion Spotted and Micropterix aruncella this year. A Clouded Magpie found on 22nd at Owlet Hill is only about the 13th record for the county
Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet (larva and cocoon) and Silver-ground Carpet at Shibdon on 24th

Froghopper Ceropes vulnerata - noted at Gibside on 27th

Small Tortoiseshell - Sightings continued early month with 1- 4 noted at Blaydon, Costco to Timber Beach, Kibblesworth and Shibdon. 10 were at Shibdon on 6th and Costco on 8th. Regular the rest of the month.
Peacock- 1-3 at Shibdon, Kibblesworth and Costco to Timber Beach on 2nd-7th. 20 were at Shibdon on 5th. Regular the rest of the month.
Comma - 1 Shibdon on 5th and again on 8th-12th. 1-2 were at Watergate on 10th and Clara Vale on 22nd
Red Admiral - 1 at Jackie's Plantation, Greenside on 25th.
Small White - 2 Costco to Timber Beach on 5th, 2 at Kibblesworth on 7th Regular the rest of the month with a max count of 7 at Timber Beach to Costco on 8th and 8 at Shibdon on 10th.
Large White - 1 Birtley on 5th and 2 at Watergate and 1 at Shibdon on 10th. Regular the rest of the month.
Green-veined White - The first were at mating pair at Timber Beach to Costco on 8th. Regular the rest of the month.
Orange-tip - The first were 2 at Timber Beach to Costco and 2 at Shibdon, both on the 8th. Small numbers subsequently at a number of sites all month

Orange-tip female at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Speckled Wood - 1 at Thornley WC on 11th was the first. Noted at Bradley Fell /Greenside / Clara Vale / Shibdon 20th-25th
Wall - Singles at Thornley Lane and Shibdon on 26th were the first. 2 at the latter the next day were mating when 5 were between Timber Beach and Costco. Others seen at Greenside and Stargate by the end of the month.

Wall at Shibdon on 26th [George Simpson]

Small Copper - 1 at Shibdon Pond and 2 between Timber Beach and Costco on 27th were the first. Others seen at Greenside and Stargate by the end of the month.

Small Copper at Shibdon on 27th [George Simpson]

Dingy Skipper - Single between Timber Beach and Costco on 27th was the first of the year. 16 were counted at Stargate on 28th.

Brindled Pug - 1 at Thornley WC on 2nd.
Moth trapping at Greenside on 6th produced Common Quaker, Hebrew Character, Clouded Drab and an Early Thorn
Diurnea fagella was seen at Thornley WC on 12th

Large Red Damselfly - The first was one at Clara Vale on 22nd. Several at Stargate on 28th

Large Red Damselyfly at Clara Vale [Derek Bilton]

Common Blue Damselfly - Several at Stargate on 28th
Blue-tailed Damselfly- 1 at Stargate on 28th

Common Carder Bee - First was at Shibdon on 3rd.
White-tailed Bumblebee - 1 at Shibdon on 9th

Mining Bee (Andrena sp). Noted at Shibdon on 1st.

Common Wasp - 1 queen at Stella on 10th

Queen Common Wasp at Stella [Ron McHatton]

Hoverfly Eristalis intricarius - First Hoverfly of the year was 1 at Shibdon on 6th

Eristalis intricarius [George Simpson]

Hoverfly Eristalis tenax - 1 at Shibdon on 26th

Eristalis tenax [George Simpson]

Bee Fly - 1 at Westfield Pasture on 2nd. Several others and widespread sites from mid month.

7-spot Ladybird - Several noted from early month
2-Spot Ladybird - One at Greenside on 7th and 2 at Cowen Road on 13th.
Larch Ladybird - One at Greenside on 7th
Hairy wood ant (Formica lugubris ) - Noted at Strother Hills on 6th.

Pond Skater - Noted at Shibdon on 23rd

White-tailed Bumblebee - 1 at Shibdon on 4th March
Buff-tailed Bumblebee - Queens noted at 4 widespread spots on 27th
Red-tailed Bumblebee - 1 at Cowen Road, Blaydon on 22nd.
Comma- The first of the year was one at Rowlands Gill on 7th, this was followed by 2 between Timber Beach and Costco on 18th. Others at Ryton, Shibdon & Clara Vale on 23rd-27th.

Comma at Ryton on 24th [Steven Fryer]

Peacock - 1 at Shibdon on 14th and 1 in Dunston on 21st. 2 at Greenside on 22nd. Others at Ryton, Shibdon, Lamesley & Clara Vale on 23rd-27th

Peacock

Small Tortoiseshell - 1 at Birtley on 10th and another at Shibdon on 14th. Next were 5 between Timber Beach and Costco and 2 at Shibdon Pond on 18th. Many on the wing throoughout the borough on 21st, with smaller numbers the next day and 23rd. 1-6 at widespread on 24th-27th.

Small Tortoisehell at Shibdon on 18th [George Simpson]

Small White - 1 at Shbdon and a possible at Birtley reedbed pools on 27th.

Orange Underwing - 1 at Strother Hills on 19th and singles at Timber Beach and also by the Tyne just east of Costcos on 20th.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth - 1 was reported in a back garden at Beacon Lough Road on 23rd when it flew in and started hovering/feeding around a bunch of Primula's [another was reported earlier this week near Corbridge]
A trapping session at Greenside on 23rd produced Common Quaker, Clouded Drab and Hebrew Character

Birch Shieldbug - 1 at Shibdon on 18th.
Green Tiger Beetle - An early adult at Gibside on 24th.

7-spot Ladybird - Many noted at Low Fell and Greenside and Clara Vale, particlarly after 21st.
2-Spot Ladybird - One at Cowen Road, Blaydon on 24th.
Black Garden Ant (Lasius niger) - An active colony at Low Fell on 24th.

Bumblebees - a dark unidentified bee at Winlaton Mill on 24th was the first

Small Tortoiseshell - 1 at Dunston on 24th, first butterfly of the year.

7-spot Ladybird - The first was at Low Fell

Gorse Shieldbug - 1 at Shibdon on 24th.

Moths - The first moth of the year was a White-shouldered House Moth in a house in Rowlands Gill on 13th followed by a Chestnut was disturbed during tree felling on 27th at Strother Hills. A Early Moth was caught at Greenside on the 28th

Flies - The first House Fly Musca domestica of the year was on 21st.

First House Fly of the year [George Simpson]