On the 26th January, Nature Reserve Officer Gary Pascoe spotted the first Black Oil Beetle of the season at Highgate Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, in South Staffordshire.
This beetle breaks a new record in Staffordshire as the earliest sighting of the insect, possibly indicating earlier arrival of spring temperatures. Based on the information currently available, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust believes this may be the earliest record ever recorded in the UK.
Staffordshire Ecological Record Manager Rory Middleton said:
“Based on currently available national database records we believe this may be the only Black Oil Beetle emergence ever recorded during January in the UK. At Staffordshire Ecological Record, the Local Environmental Records Centre for Staffordshire, we rely on members of the public to report their sightings to get a better view of how unusual seasonal temperatures are affecting our wildlife across the county. This allows us to compare trends in Staffordshire alongside those around the UK.
“We encourage everyone to report their sightings, not only is it really helpful citizen science, but it’s also an easy fun activity to do while out on a walk.”
More information on how to report sightings of wildlife can be found on the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust website at:
www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/wildlife/report-wildlife-sighting
