Only last month I mentioned that no Bush-crickets had been recorded from the meadow. Well, that was soon rectified as on 26th August I found a late-instar, female Long-winged Conehead. This was new, not only to the reserve, but to Nottinghamshire! The rather dull name is a translation of the latinised scientific name – Conocephalus. Until about ten years ago the species was restricted to a localised area of southern England but it suddenly expanded its range and has been expanding northwards, making Leicestershire in 2005 and Derbyshire in 2006.

Bush-crickets resemble grasshoppers but most seem more delicate and have incredibly long, wavy antennae. Recently, another related species also made it to Notts – Roesel’s Bush-cricket was found near Ratcliffe in 2006. Until then, the only species found in Notts were Oak and Speckled Bush-crickets, the former of which has occurred in my garden since at least 1999 and was the one I was most expecting from the Meadow.

Another addition during August was Essex Skipper. This is very similar to Small Skipper, which is on the reserve list but has not been recorded by me. A few years ago I would have just assumed that it was Small Skipper, but Essex too has been extending its range and a close look at the tips of the antennae confirmed the id.