Wet basin treasures

A modestly-sized housing development has recently been completed - or almost completed - along Badby Road West, in Daventry. Very sensibly a stormwater pond, aka wet basin, has been included as part of the scheme. Measuring about 40 metres by 6 metres it is obviously capable of holding a great deal of water, but the basin is currently dry and, along with the perimeter, is developing a fine display of weeds. (At least, I think it is fine; I suspect householders overlooking the area fail to share my opinion.) Covid-19 restrictions have led me to give the area closer scrutiny.

Rank weeds now occupy the perimeter of the stormwater basin. Lovely!

Badby Road East, Daventry. 4 July, 2020

A stroll through the area revealed nothing unusual in botanical terms although White Campion, Silene latifolia, was present, a species I rarely see in the Daventry area. Unlike Red Campion, S.dioica, it is not native but is a long-established neophyte.

Although White Campion is well-established I find it tends to occupy

disturbed ground. 4 July, 2020

A wide range of insects has been drawn to the thistles, clovers and so on.

Looking west across the sunken area of the stormwater basin.

Butterflies flittered about the despite the occasional spot of drizzle, and included the Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Large White.

Large White, Pieris brassicae, re-fuelling at Spear Thistle.

Badby Road West, Daventry. 4 July, 2020

There were no brassicas to attract the latter but they were content to re-fuel, largely at the Spear Thistles, Cirsium vulgare, although there were plenty of Creeping Thistles, Cirsium arvense, available.

Creeping Thistle was common too. Badby Road West, Daventry

Broad-leaved Dock, Rumex obtusifolius, is abundant on waste ground and was present in large quantities. Dock Bug, Coreus marginatus, was common of course but of more interest was the Tortoise Bug, Eurygaster testudinaria, swept from grass. For many years this species was confused with Eurygaster maura but distinguishing characters have now been established and it is clear that E. maura is far less common and largely confined to the south-east. Even so, Northamptonshire is close to the limit of the range for E. testudinaria and it is always pleasing to find it.




Tortoise Bug in its final instar. Badby Road West, Daventry.

4 July, 2020

There can be no doubt that the area will be tidied up but for the moment I will enjoy its goodies. I have lots of specimens to identify and there are unlikely to be any rarities but, hey - carpe diem!

A female Oedemera nobilis enjoys the Spear Thistle flowers.