The promise of a very early start to our larval surveys suddenly changed when it became much cooler, leading to similar weather conditions to that of a year earlier. Overnight temperatures were very low (although rarely with frost) and there were few invertebrates about during the daytime generally and it wasn't until the end of April that temperatures became warmer.

Despite the cooler temperatures, we felt that conditions on many late afternoons and evenings, were still mild enough to have at least encouraged some larval activity, but surveying Clipstone Old Quarter drew a complete blank on each of the five dates we visited in March.

It wasn't until April 5th, that we eventually recorded our first larva. April eventually produced just five larvae on 14 afternoon/evening surveys and we had concerns that the number of adults was going to be low. The table below shows the average larval lengths found over the course of Spring 2009 to 2016 in weekly periods. The data is incomplete for 2015 when regular surveying was not carried out. The figure after the forward slash represents the total number of larvae recorded to calculate the average larval length.

Over previous years, the size of the survey area we covered when surveying for adult Glow Worms, had increased to the point of it becoming physically impossible for both of us to cover on a nightly basis, and so for 2016 we restricted the survey area to cover sections A, B, C, D, J, K and O on the map.

A total of approximately 411 female Glow Worms were recorded between June 3rd and July 24th, with two clear peaks of 44 females on June 19th, followed by a second (main) peak of 92 females on July 4th, then 94 females on July 6th. Peak numbers have generally showed an increase here since 2010 and there is some evidence to suggest that the glowing season is shortening. 2016 was another short glowing season of 52 days and remarkably similar to that of 2013, when the season ended after just 50 days. The similarity with 2013 doesn't really end there, as both the 2013 and 2016 graphs of female totals are quite strikingly alike. With a peak in numbers coming in early July, both years also produced two earlier peaks, but these were less detectable in 2013.

Sections A, B, C, D, J, K and O, form a lengthy survey route and only these sections are compared here. 2014 and 2016 were very different seasons and the following graphs provide an interesting comparison, revealing how Glow Worm populations, emergences and peak dates vary from year to year.

We recorded a total of 38 male Glow Worms during the season, but none after three on July 15th. Peak dates for male activity, based on the number of females glowing for just one night per 50 females, was between June 22nd to 27th. This comes just before the highest counts of 92 females on July 4th and 94 females on July 6th. Previous peak numbers of males have occurred either just before, or just after peak female totals.

After several years of waiting, the go-ahead was finally given to clear the remaining areas of commercial Pine in the Clipstone Old Quarter area. Natural England East Midlands intention, being to complete the removal of the commercial Pine crop in one go and begin the process of restoring the area to Oak/Birch woodland and lowland heath. Unfortunately, commercial timber removal has proved to be a destructive process in the past, one which has had implications on vulnerable Glow Worm populations.

However, there was no response from the Forestry Commission to the phone calls made when we found a section of Clipstone Old Quarter on fire on the evening of July 13th. Fortunately the fire burning four car tyres and other tipped rubbish went out naturally as there had been some rain, but the rubbish still remains.

But despite being regarded by many as Nottinghamshire's Glow Worm experts and although it was nice to be asked about our thoughts and proposals to reduce effects of the felling/removal work, the whole process of pre-work consultation appears to mean very little and is clearly just a 'necessary process' site management have to adhere to, when they appear to already have everything organised and decided.

In our 2014 summary, we wrote "the good number of larvae found along section S in Autumn 2013, proved to be virtually wiped out by the felling and timber extraction process, and only six females made it to maturity, when the number of female larvae was known to have been much higher before the work took place. Although the felling is necessary to the eventual restoration of the site back to heathland/woodland, it will change the site and affect its microclimate. The Pines create shade, help to maintain higher levels of moisture and act as a wind-break. Removing them opens up the site, exposes it and dries it out, effects we have seen at the nearby Sherwood Heath SSSI."

The heavy machinery used is a large part of the problem. We understand that it is impractical to clear fell the area by hand, as that method would take considerably longer, but would be less damaging to habitat.

Its a shame that government funding cannot be found for this (the area being part of the Sherwod Forest NNR), as despite assurances that contractors are considerate and careful in their work, they're often not in their eagerness to make a profit.

Thankfully, weather conditions were less wet than during felling/removal in 2013, so there was not the same damage to forest tracks. However, sections L (through standing log piles) and O (track widening) have been badly affected. Before and after photographs of section L, are shown right and above right.

The photograph on the left, shows the view looking along the now widened track of section O. The two arrows in the centre, show the width of the track as it has been for the past number of years. The outer two arrows show the limits of where the spoil has been deposited and fresh vegetation grew before the onset of colder weather.

The majority of Glow Worm larvae hatching from any eggs laid in 2016, and larvae remaining from 2014 and 2015 females are likely to have been over-wintering within the areas between the central and outer arrows, but its doubtful whether many will survive and we expect very few females to appear along this section in 2017.

Thanks once again to a small group of people who took time out to survey existing, or potential Nottinghamshire sites for Glow Worms this year. It was nice to discover that Glow Worms are at the western end of Sherwood Heath SSSI, where it borders Cockglode Wood, but many sites with good Glow Worm habitat continue to produce no sightings.

Records (including negative reports) were submitted by the following list of recorders this year - Sandy Aitkin, Martin Dale, Jason and Calum King, Wil Heeney, Ludwik Michalek, Trevor and Dilys Pendleton.