Pollinator Survey 2024
Hooklands Farm in West Sussex consists of a series of unimproved meadows, woodland, scrub, and ponds. A visit to Hooklands Farm was undertaken on June 19th 2024 to record pollinating insects, as well as other invertebrate species if encountered in the field. The survey methodology followed that of surveys carried out in 2023. Four meadows, an area of woodland, and vegetation surrounding a pond were chosen for surveying and 45 minutes was spent in each compartment. The methods used during the survey included sweeping of the vegetation and direct observation of flowering plants.
Seventy species were recorded, of which four had some sort of conservation status. Diptera (Flies) were the most abundant with 35 species recorded, followed jointly by Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths) and Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps & Ants) with 12 species of each recorded, though this probably reflects the authors interests and expertise in different orders. Twenty-three species were recorded that were not observed during the surveys carried out in 2023 and further surveys would undoubtedly continue to increase the number of species known from the site.
Some of the highlights include the Black-rimmed Hunchback Fly (Ogcodes pallipes) swept from vegetation in Compartment 3. The NBN atlas contains just one other record for this species in West Sussex. The bee-fly Downland Villa (Villa cingulata) was also recorded from Compartment 3 and the Forester Moth (Adscita statices) was observed in Compartment 4, a nice record away from the South Downs.