The first meeting of the 2025-26 season was again held at the Quaker Meeting House, Queens Road, in Leicester, whilst Leicester Museum in New Walk is being refurbished. About 40 members of the section were in attendance.  The Chairman, Nichola Bashforth welcomed the members, especially Jan Dawson, this being the first meeting since her broken leg had kept her away last season. An appeal was made for a member or members to volunteer to take responsibility for the refreshments following the meeting each month.

We are all encouraged to bring in articles to show and discuss or information to exchange.

Hazel brought in a bird skull found at Swithland Wood that morning thought to be a crow.  Also on display were a selection of galls. Three galls on oak leaves were Silk button Gall caused by the wasp Neuroterus numismalis f. agamic, Oyster Galls of Neuroterus anthracinus f. agamic and Common Spangle Galls of Neuroterus quercusbaccarum f. agamic. A conversation ensued discussing the abundance of oak galls this autumn and how they seem to cycle from uncommon to abundant over several years.  It was also noted that this year is a good “mast” year where acorns, berries, and seeds and fruits of all kinds are also abundant.  Lime leaves with Nail Galls caused by gall mites Eriophyes tiliae were also on display.

Russell Parry informed us about concerns for the future of the University of Leicester Herbarium which four members of the Lit & Phil Natural History Section have been maintaining on a voluntary basis for many years under the direction of Dr Richard Gornall.  The building it is in is due to be demolished and there seems to be no plan for alternative accommodation – in fact the University may be looking at disposing of it – a total tragedy for the inhabitants of VC55 especially the botanists.  We await further developments with bated breath and wonder what we can do to help.

Following these items Chris Hill of Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust was introduced by Nicola to give his talk entitled “Wildlife of Leicestershire Quarries”.  Chris has worked for LRWT for about 20 years, managing some of its nature reserves.  The management of Cossington Meadows is allowing a “mini-wilding” to take place allowing a wider range of species to exist especially using the new water bodies.  Truly a magical place has now developed from the original area quarried for gravel during the 1980s and 1990s.

Chris talked about the abundant wildlife of Cossington Meadows, and also of two other of his favourites, Cadeby Quarry and Brascote Pits. He covered a full range of groups – plants, mammals, butterflies and moths, birds, dragonflies, beetles, fish, reptiles and amphibians, explaining which species can be found where and how sympathetic management is encouraging such a wide range of species. His account was accompanied with excellent photographs.

Questions followed, included the query whether Buckthorn is being planted at Cossington Meadows to encourage Brimstone Butterflies, the answer being that it is being planted but naturally occurs there anyway.  Another question was about the Adders at Ketton Quarry which appear to exist in an isolated land island.  The most frequent sightings of adders occur at Ketton and Bradgate Park, although after consulting the records on NatureSpot it seems that there are sightings in other parts of the county. The question referred to the possibility of transfer of adders between Ketton and Bradgate Park to mix up the gene pool, and also the possibility of transferring adders to Charnwood Lodge, another site that would seem to be suitable for them.  The answer was that adders are “hefted” in the same way as Lakeland Sheep and if transported will attempt to return to their original home. Questions were also asked about the use of horses to manage Cossington and why they were no longer used.  The Exmoor ponies used were quite feisty and difficult to manage and the general public’s incorrect perception of uncared for ponies led to negative publicity.  Using ponies again in the future is not ruled out.

A great evening, rounded off by discussions and questions over refreshments.

Report by Hazel Graves