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This fine female Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) was spotted by Gareth in Whitchurch. The wings of this species are distinctly coloured, iridescent green-brown for females and very dark blue-black for males. This trait is shared only with one other damselfly in Britain, the Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens). Beautiful Demoiselles are locally abundant, found along sand/gravel bottomed streams and rivers.
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Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) was spotted by Gareth and caught by Alex Olah during the 'Butterflies of the Moors' traing event. This UK priority species that is experiencing ongoing populations declines, mainly due to the loss and degradation of habitat. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries had not been recorded at Ellesmere Moors since 1992 and were thought to have been lost from the site, so this is an important record. Ellesmere Moors was one of the restoration projects, funded through Community Biodiversity Fund in winter 2011/12, which has increased the amount of suiitable habitat for this species.
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This Bronze Beetle (Carabus granulatus) was spotted at Ellesmere Moors during the butterfly survey. It is quite a large beetle, with a distinctive bronze carapace. Although, thought to be reasonably common it is under-recorded and there are less than 10 records in Shropshire and none in Telford and Wrekin.

Cedar cup (Geopora sumneriana) was spotted by Tom in Preston Gubbals churchyard. This is only the third record for this species and one of the most northerly records in the UK for this species. It is a rather specialist fungus that is found growing under Cedar trees or occassionally Yew.
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A Ringlet Buttefly (Aphantopus hyperantus) was spotted at Walford pools in June. Although this is a fairly common species this is the first record for the Walford area. The last record in this tetrad was made by Sarah Whild in 1994.

14-spot ladybird (Propylea 14-punctata), spotted during the butterfly and bug hunt at the Llanymynech heritage area. Much smaller than the commonly seen red and black seven spot ladybird. Don't be surprised if you do not count 14 spots, as you can see on this individual they sometimes fuse.

A rather beautiful hoverfly, (Volucella pellucens) has distinctive opaque segments on a black abdomen. It is often found in woodlands and the larvae live in the nests of social wasps.
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Beefsteak Fungus (Fistulina hepatica), spotted at the Shawbury moat site. Bright red fungus usually found growing at the base of mature oak or horse chestnut trees. Exudes a red juice if squeezed.
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Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) a distinctive butterfly often spotted flying just off the ground in flower rich grasslands. Records of this species during Butterfly Conservation's 2011 Big Count were substantially lower than in previously years. This individual was spotted in unimproved grassland by the Rea brook in Shrewsbury.