The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

pastons · 2010-05-04 12:38:53

Hello all,

I am contributing the diptera section of a Flora and Fauna of Flordon Common to be published by the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society around November this year.
The Common is a valley fen SSSI lying south of Norwich and the publication has been planned to mark the centenary of a published survey in the NNNS Transactions by Burrell and Clarke in 1910. THe faunal content of their report was somewhat limited and contained no reference to diptera.
I've so far been unable to track down any historical records from Flordon but feel sure that dipterists will have visited and I would greatly appreciate any help from DF members in pointing me in the direction of data that will enhance the report and species list.
Any assistance will of course be duly acknowledged.

Stuart Paston

Judy Webb · 2010-05-06 11:07:57

I'm very interested in the Dipteria of such calcareous spring fed valley fens as Flordon Common and am studing the Diptera of similar fens in Oxfordshire. I have never visited Flordon, but notice that there are a few Diptera records on the NBN Gateway that may come from this site (the records are not localised to the site, but you might be able to track down the site specific ones). They are from the Larger Brachycera, Mosquito, Hoverfly and Sepsidae Recording Schemes run by Dipterists Forum. However the species list is very short and does not contain the important Stratiomyidae (Soldierfly) species that I'm sure will be present in such a habitat. It will certainly have a huge diversity of flies.

Have you contacted the local Natural England office and asked what fly records they are holding for the site? They may let you have a copy. This certainly was a good source of records for me in Oxon - the local office was very helpful.

You might try the Hoverfly Recording scheme website and try and search for the site. Or email the organisers to see if they could retrieve site specific data for you.

Dipterists Forum had a spring field meeting in Norfolk in May 2007 and it is possible that some attendees visited Flordon Common. It may take some time to track down the records as this is the height of the field collecting season for members and they will be very busy. I see you have a publication date of November, but when do you have to submit your text?

Judy

pastons · 2010-05-06 13:19:50

Thanks for all your suggestions Judy.
Another member of the NNNS research team has initially sought historical records across all taxa from the Norfolk Biolological Information Service but she tells me that there seems to be nothing relating to diptera.
A first draft report is required by August 1st but there will be opportunities for recording to continue up to say mid September or a bit beyond and further additions to the species list can be made.
So there is a good deal of time still and I'll certainly follow up your suggestions.
The site is pretty dry-you can get around a lot of it without wellies but there are some good species present.
Thanks for your help.
Stuart

Colin Jacobs · 2010-07-16 21:52:57

I may have records from the Lowestoft Field Club I will have a look for you

The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

#1 2010-05-04 12:38:53

records appeal

#2 2010-05-06 11:07:57

Re: records appeal

#3 2010-05-06 13:19:50

Re: records appeal

#4 2010-07-16 21:52:57

Re: records appeal

Board footer