From a peak count of more than 300 Chalkhill Blue butterflies at Hexton Chalk Pit, near Hitchin, to a Great White Egret at Amwell, near Ware, this summer’s sightings demonstrate the importance of protecting and managing habitats where wildlife can thrive.

The Trust’s reserves have also provided the setting for several significant discoveries by the Herts Invertebrate Project. At the end of June, the project visited Fir & Pond Woods, near Potters Bar, and recorded Euides basilinea, a planthopper associated with reeds, which had no previous records in Hertfordshire. Stripe-winged Grasshopper was also recorded at the site, a new record for the reserve. The species was previously known from only three sites in the county but appears to be spreading to new locations. The survey also uncovered Agyneta mollis, a tiny Nationally Rare (Section 41 UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species) money spider.

At Aldbury Nowers, near Tring, invertebrate surveys have revealed some equally exciting finds. The leafhopper Zygina hyperici, which feeds on Slender St John’s Wort on chalk grassland, was recorded for the first time in Hertfordshire since 1916. Arboridia parvula, a leafhopper associated with Common Rockrose, was also recorded – the first Hertfordshire record since 1976. The reserve also produced a record of the Small Scabious Longhorn, a nationally notable species and just the sixth county record, as well as the first Hertfordshire record since 2011.

For Senior Reserves Officer, Dan Townsend, these discoveries highlight the value of carefully managed nature reserves and the importance of continuing to survey and monitor wildlife.

“One of the most exciting things about wildlife recording is that you never quite know what you are going to find. This summer we’ve had some extraordinary records, from species that haven’t been recorded in Hertfordshire for decades to new discoveries for individual reserves. They show just how much wildlife is out there, and how important it is that we protect the habitats it depends on.”

Another unexpected discovery came during a Local Wildlife Site survey at Hexton Chalk Pit, where volunteers found a Glow Worm – the first records of the species at the reserve for 25 years. The tiny creature was discovered within a one-metre-square survey plot, initially spotted at the base of a plant while volunteers were identifying flora. A subsequent late night visit from the Trust’s reserves team found a glowing Glow Worm in another part of the reserve. The Trust plans to revisit the site earlier next year to look for further evidence of the species. Glow Worms have also previously been recorded at Aldbury Nowers and Alpine Meadow, demonstrating how important the Trust’s chalk grassland reserves are for the species.

The summer has also produced plenty of interest among moth recorders. More than 2,500 moth species have been recorded in the UK, with many records coming from dedicated surveys. Some species are particularly easy to miss, including day-flying moths that do not come to light traps. 

Some moth sightings point to the changing fortunes of species as our climate changes. Jersey Tiger moths, once more strongly associated with the Channel Islands, have increasingly been recorded further north, while Hummingbird Hawk-moths are also being seen regularly in Hertfordshire, with some individuals able to overwinter in the UK.

The unusually hot weather has also affected different groups of wildlife in different ways. Grasshoppers appear to be having a particularly good season, with species such as the Stripe-winged Grasshopper being recorded at more sites. Butterflies can also respond rapidly to warm conditions, with some species able to complete their life cycle more quickly and emerge in large numbers. By contrast, the heat can be challenging for bumblebees and hoverflies, which have struggled during the very hot weather.

The Trust’s nature reserves provide a vital network of habitats for these species, from chalk grasslands and wetlands to woodland and meadow. But the discoveries also demonstrate the value of volunteers, wildlife recorders and specialist surveys in helping build a better understanding of what lives alongside us.

Dan Townsend, said:

“Every record matters. These discoveries help us understand which species are present, where they are found and how they are responding to changes in their environment. That knowledge is essential for informing the management of our nature reserves effectively and giving wildlife the opportunity to thrive.”

To learn more about how the Trust is working for wildlife go to www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk