LAST QUARTER 2017

This Journal covers the last quarter of 2017 from October to December.

Jay

Garrulus glandarius

Unlike Crows, Jackdaws and Magpies which are in the same family, the Jay is a rather shy bird. This may be due to Victorian times when they were hunted for their feathers to put in ladies' hats.

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Starling

Sturnus vulgaris

Starlings are noisy songsters that gather in large groups on bushes. They appear blackish from far away, but when nearer a shiny sheen of purple and green is evident.

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Robin

Erithacus rubecula

Because of a high mortality rate in the first year the average life expectancy of of Robin is just over one year. Once past the first year life expectancy improves.

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Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

Once thought of as a coastal bird, but now a frequent visitor to inland waters. Juvenile cormorants have light-coloured breasts.

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Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Grey Herons feed on fish, ducklings, small mammals and amphibians.

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Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschata

The Muscovy is the only breed of domestic duck found in Britain not descended from the wild Mallard. Originating from central and southern America this species is now widespread in Britain after escaping from captivity.

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Western Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Far more Honey Bees now nest in man-made hives than live in a natural habitat. Many plants rely on these social creatures for pollination.

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Nettle Plant Bug

Liocoris tripustulatus

A tiny plant bug about 4-5mm long. Colouration is variable, but distinctive, usually darker in spring and paler towards autumn. This species is usually associated with nettles.

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Common Blue

Polyommatus icarus

The Common Blue is a small species with a wingspan of about 35mm usually seen in meadows during summer and autumn. Males are brightly coloured. Females are duller and sometimes nearly completely brown.

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Red Admiral

Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral butterflies basking in sunshine on an ivy bush quite near the Global Cafe. When the wings are closed this colouration often helps them blend into their surroundings.

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European Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

European Rabbits originate from the Iberian Peninsula and were introduced to Britain by the Normans, becoming widespread from the mid-1700s.

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Common Stork's-bill

Erodium cicutarium

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Holly

Ilex aquifolium

As winter approaches Mistle Thrushes pair off and seek holly bushes ladened with berries. They don't eat the berries immediately but guard the bush against other birds. This means that if other food sources disappear in the cold weather they still have a full larder to turn to. By Christmas if a holly bush is still full of berries it is likely that a Mistle Thrush is nearby preventing berries being pinched by hungry neighbours. 

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Field Blewit

Lepista Saeva

A fairly unmistakeable grassland autumn mushroom that has a buff or pale-brown cap and a thick purplish stipe.

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Charcoal Burner

Russula cyanoxantha

Although a member of the Russula family that are known as 'Brittlegills', this species is unusual because its gills are flexible and not brittle at all. Associated with Beech woodland.

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Common Earthball

Scleroderma citrinum

The Common Earthball splits open to release sand-coloured spores. When conditions are poor spores are able to remain dormant for a long time. Spores spread by wind form part of the reproduction process. In this case spores were dispersed when Brian Ecott tapped the Earthball with his walking stick.

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Hainault Lake

Autumnal Colours

When the wildlife starts slowing down in autumn the vibrant changing colours of the leaves act as a reminder of nature's beauty.

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Foxburrow Farm

Visitor Centre

The building on the right once used to be a Visitor Centre providing information, but is no longer open to the public. Plans are in motion for an upgraded Centre by 2020. Static bat detectors were set up in old farm buildings and there has been a thrilling discovery. Barbastelle bats now extinct in some countries and not recorded in London since the late 1950s still exist in Hainault Forest. Bats emit sounds at different frequencies and a sonagraph sound spectrum has recorded this rare species. This is one of the UK's rarest bats and a very important find because their habitat will be considered a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Seventeen type of bats live in the UK and this latest discovery makes a total of 11 resident species in London.

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Shoveler Duck

Anas clypeata

Shovelers feed by swimming along with their large spatulate beaks trawling in the water for insects and plant material.

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Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

Lesser Black-backed Gulls are usually winter visitors to Hainault Lake. This bird is still showing hints of juvenile coloration.

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Black-headed Gull

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Black-headed Gulls are regarded as winter visitors but are seen during other seasons too. When in winter plumage there is only a small dot on the side of the head, come summer and the head is totally dark.

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Greylag Goose

Anser anser

The Greylag is the ancestor of most domestic geese.

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Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

The Mute Swan is the commonest swan and the only one in Britain likely to be seen during spring and summer. It is graceful and usually silent, but can occasionally hiss or snort.

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Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorus

The largest British thrush. It stands boldly erect and bounds across the ground. Mistle Thrushes are often seen perched high in the tree-tops singing.

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Poplar Bell

Schizophyllum amplum

This fungus is mostly associated with growing on Poplar trees during wet spells, often seen after high winds when small branches have fallen from trees. It has no gills and dehydrates quickly and can vanish quite fast.

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Clouded Agaric

Clitocybe nebularis

This autumnal woodland species has a cap that is initially convex or conical, before flattening out and often becoming slightly funnel-shaped with a wavy edge. 60-200mm diameter.

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Snowy Waxcap

Cuphophyllus virgineus

The shiny caps of the Snowy Waxcap measure 20-50mm across. Initially convex, then flattening and finally concave. Smooth and dry, turning slimy to the touch in wet weather. The stipes taper towards the base.

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Giant Funnel

Leucopaxillus giganteus

A rare sighting in Hainault Forest. Giant Funnels can grow up to 45cm across. This one measured 25cm. 

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Turkeytail

Trametes versicolor

This fungus usually occurs in large, tiered groups on hardwood throughout the year. Fan-like with variable coloured concentric rings, the thin, wavy, edge is always white or creamy. The brackets measure 4-10cm across. 

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Fly Agaric

Amanita muscaria

The Fly agaric mushroom is associated with Silver Birch roots which radiate from the tree. There is a beneficial relationship between the fungal threads (mycorrhiza) and tree roots called symbiosis. The fungi provide the tree roots with water, essential nutrients and chemicals. The tree supplies carbohydrates to the fungi, which, lacking chlorophyll cannot make their own sugar.

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European Hornet

Vespa crabro

New Queens mate with drones from other nests then hibernate. This hornet found a hole under rotting bark to rest over winter. It will start a nest in spring.

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Wasp

Vespula

This underground wasp nest at the edge of a ditch was torn apart by a badger looking for a meal. Most of the contents were scattered on the ground. Inside the hole where the nest had been a number of wasps were still moving about. Badgers are probably one of the few animals that can dig out a wasp nest without getting stung to death. Some of the exposed papery cells still contained a few wasp larvae.

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Hedgehog Slug

Arion intermedius

This is a small slug, 15-20mm long. It has grey tentacles, and variable body coloration of white, orange, or grey, When it becomes compact it has a rounded body like a hedgehog and the tubercles that texture the dorsal surface of its body taper to sharp, prickle-like points. The species is generally associated with living in forests and grassland, where it feeds on plants and fungi. An individual has the ability to fertilize itself.

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Common Rough Woodlouse

Porcellio scaber

Woodlice are crustaceans. This species lives under bark, logs and stones. Usually grey, although it can also be mottled in yellow, red or orange. It is covered in tiny tubercles making the surface appear rough. The antennal flagella have two segments and the maximum body length is 17mm. 

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Common Striped Woodlouse

Philoscia muscorum

This species is normally yellowish or brownish and mottled with pale patches. The head is black and there is a dark stripe along the back. The antennal flagella have three segments and the maximum body length is 11mm. This species runs fast when disturbed. There are 35-40 British Woodlice species and about 3,500 worldwide. They like dark, damp places; often found under stones, bark and logs.

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Common Earwig

Forficula auricularia

A pair of Common Earwigs under rotting oak bark. The male (top) has curved pincers. Female pincers are straighter.

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White-legged Snake Millipede

Tachypodoiulus niger

This millipede is recognised by having a tubular black body and contrasting white legs. It hides in rotting wood and under rocks, breaking down dead plant material and turning it into soil.

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Buzzing Spider

Anyphaena

Buzzing Spiders have two chevron marks on the abdomen. Males vibrate their abdomens against the surface of leaves to attract mates. The common name is derived from the buzzing noise. The species is common and usually found hunting on foliage, rarely on the ground.

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Wood Bristle-moss

Orthotrichum affine

This moss is found on trees, especially Ash. It has a preference for shaded locations with clean air. It develops loose, slightly branched, green tufts, up to 35mm tall.

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Herb Bennet Gall

Cecidophyes nudus

These bulges on the upper side of Herb Bennet Geum urbanum leaves are caused by white mites throughout the year. The mites live on leaf undersides in abnormal growths of hair-like structures (erineum) which they cause. The mites become dormant during winter. Thank you to Enid Barrie for assisting with the identification.

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Lucombe Oak

Quercus cerris x suber

There is a Lucombe Oak at the edge of Hainault Lodge Local Nature Reserve. The tree retains its leaves in the winter. Leaf lengths vary from 35mm to 75mm.

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Chigwell Row

The Heathland

Chigwell Row Heathland has received a makeover, and been cleared of bramble, leaving the European gorse, Dwarf gorse, Broom and Heather. The Petty whin is still hanging on, but will need good management if it is to survive. The site is unique together with a patch in the Chigwell Recreation Ground across the road. Sandy soil dumped here at the last glaciation represents the most southerly extent in this part of Essex.

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Autumnal View

Peter's Gate

Peter's Gate is a mobility gate at the beginning of a path that leads towards Hainault Lake's inflow stream.

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Woodhenge

Modern Sculpture

This circle of sculptures known as 'Woodhenge' was officially opened twelve years ago. The project was conceived by sculptor Jeff Higley and planned with Country Park manager Paul Browne.

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Cabin Hill

Autumnal View

An autumnal view of Cabin Hill.

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Hog Hill

View of Central London

With a good pair of binoculars and a clear day views from Hog Hill are excellent. The London Eye on the South Bank of the River Thames is clearly visible. When opened to celebrate the Millennium in 2000 it was the tallest 'wheel' in the world. Many newspapers moaned about the cost of building the London Eye and Millennium Dome(not shown). Ironically, both turned out to be very successful attractions and it is newspapers that have declined in popularity!

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Car Park

Just the Ticket!

Roy Meekings used cash, but soon a new system called Ringo will be installed that requires mobile phones to pay for parking. No other payment methods will be available. There has been a theft of a cash machine in the past so maybe it is not surprising that the Council decided on a different payment method. Forest and cafe staff will no doubt take the brunt of complaints for the new system even though it is beyond their control. Please don't moan at them!

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Thank you to everyone that have contributed to this Journal.

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