Nature reserves spot rare species during heatwaves

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.At Aldbury Nowers, near Tring, the leafhopper Zygina hyperici was recorded for the first time in the county since 1916. Arboridia parvula, a leafhopper associated with Common Rockrose, was also recorded for the first time in Hertfordshire since 1976. The survey also uncovered Agyneta mollis, a tiny nationally rare money spider.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. Townsend said: "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."Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.