2017 Second Quarter | Hainault Forest

SECOND QUARTER 2017

This Journal covers the second quarter of 2017 from April to June.

Speckled Wood

Pararge aegeria

Common medium-sized woodland butterfly with a wingspan of 45mm. Often seen resting on bramble along woodland paths. Adults fly in two broods from April to early June and again from July to September. Males normally bask in sunlight and chase away trespassers encroaching on their territory. Both sexes visit tree tops to feed on honeydew made by aphids. This species rarely visits flowers to feed except early and late in the year when supplies of honeydew are low. The caterpillars feed on various grasses including False brome, Cock's-foot and Yorkshire fog.

Common Inkcap

Coprinopsis atramentaria

Grows on roots and buried wood. Its black spores can be mixed with water and cloves and boiled to make an excellent drawing ink, an alternative recipe uses urine instead. Also known as Tippler's Bane, because this fungus can cause serious illness or death if consumed up to three days after drinking alcohol.

Golden Comb Hoverfly

Chrysotoxum festivum

A distinctive hoverfly with bold markings that visits umbellifers, thistles and other flowers. It is found in tall grass areas from June to August. Uncommon.

Bird Cherry

Prunus padus

White fragrant five-petalled flowers normally appear on Bird Cherry during April providing an excellent source of pollen and nectar for insects. The black (or dark red) bitter berries that form after the flowers are enjoyed by biirds and mammals, however they are not suitable for human consumption. The smooth greyish-brown bark has an acrid, unpleasant smell and because of this was once placed on front doors to fend off the plague.

Goldilocks Buttercup

Ranunculus auricomus

Goldilocks Buttercup is a native woodland plant, a rather variable perennial which grows up to 40cm tall and blooms during April and May. Yellow flowers are borne singly, measuring 15-25mm across when complete with 5 petals, often there are less and sometimes no petals at all. Leaves are rounded near the base of the stem. Upper leaves are narrow and lobed.

Wood Spurge

Euphorbia amygdaloides

Wood Spurge is found in damp woodland. It is an evergreen with green, cup-shaped, flowers that have no petals or sepals, instead there are cup-shaped bracts.

Wood Forget-me-not

Myosotis sylvatica

The bright blue flowers can be seen on this plant from April in damp shaded woodland.

Petty Whin

Genista anglica

At one time this perennial was common in the heathland at Chigwell Row, but now only a few plants remain. It is a spiny shrub that grows up to one metre tall. The yellow flowers appear in short spikes.

Common Lousewort

Pedicularis sylvatica

This picture was take at the edge of Chigwell Row Woods. This pretty pink plant now appears to have disappeared from the heathland in Hainault Forest where it once thrived.

Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschata

Muscovy Ducks originate from Mexico, Central, and South America. A female has lived on Hainault Lake for a number of years. Both sexes have distinctive red heads, the colour being more prominent on males. Males can be double the size of females. Their diet consists of vegetation, seeds and fish.

Dryad's Saddle

Polyporus squamosus

During warm weather the brackets disappear within a very short time period. When growing from a root just beneath the surface it can take the form of a horn-like funnel. Fungus flies burrow into pores to lay eggs, afterwards the fungus becomes riddled with maggots and turns into a smelly mess.

Greylag Geese

Anser anser

Greylags are the largest, heaviest grey goose species in Britain. This first batch of goslings on Hainault Lake appeared on 17th April. The average life span of a Greylag is 20 years - sometimes longer. Young geese recognize and stick close to their parents for safety. They can become 'imprinted' on humans during their first days. Later in life will often follow familiar people they feel safe with.

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulata

A pair of Mandarin Ducks on Hainault Lake. Males are colourful, females are brown.

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

After hatching Mallard ducklings remain in the nest for at least 10 hours. This time is spent drying out and learning to use their legs. Leaving the nest for the first time they follow the female into the water. This is normally done early in the morning. The sooner the ducklings get into water to feed, the better their odds of survival. They cannot survive without their mother and it takes approximately two months before they fledge and become independent.

Canada Geese

Branta canadensis

Courtship dance with plenty of neck-swaying and splashing about.

Magpie

Pica pica

The distinctive Eurasian magpie is said to rank among the world's most intelligent creatures.

Red Plant Bug

Deraeocoris olivaceus

First recorded in the UK at Surrey during 1951 and now appears to be spreading across southern England. It is more common in France. Found on hawthorn. Adult season: June-July. Length 10mm.

Syrphus Hoverfly

Syrphus sp.

A common hoverfly with yellow and black bands seen from March to November in a variety of habitats. There are a couple of similar species and they can be difficult to tell apart. Males often vibrate their wings which causes a humming sound.

Green Long-horn

Adela reaumurella

Green Long-horn moths fly in sunshine from April to June often in large swarms over bushes. They possess greenish or bronzy metallic forewings. Males have very long antennae.

Silver Y

Autographa gamma

A common immigrant moth which has an unbroken silver Y-marking on each forewing.

Yellow-tail

Euproctis similis

A Yellow-tail moth caterpillar on hawthorn.

Alderfly

Sialis lutaria

Alderflies are often found on vegetation near water. The larvae are aquatic carnivores that live in the bottom of ponds and slow-flowing streams. Mating occurs at night and the females lay their eggs on plants overhanging water. The larvae hatch and drop into the water where they develop over one or two years.

English Elm

Ulmus procera

Not many Elm trees are found in Hainault Forest since Dutch Elm Disease swept through the country in the 1960s, although a few survived. Winged fruits known as samaras develop after pollination which get dispersed by the wind.

Oak Apple

Biorhiza pallida

Oak Apples on English Oak are caused by larvae of the sexual generation of a gall wasp. There are two generations; the first uses sexual reproduction. Eggs laid in buds produce spongy non-edible apple-like galls which contain insects of only one sex. Every 'apple' contains many chambers each enclosing a larva. The second generation is produced by females without mating. Eggs of the second generation are laid on tree roots underground.

Rosy Leaf-curling Aphid

Dysaphis devecta

Grey aphids cause leaves on crab apple trees to curl and turn red. When the leaf is unrolled the aphids that cause the gall are revealed.

Hainault Lake

Swan Sanctuary

A secluded area of Hainault Lake where swans sometimes build nests.

Foxburrow Road

Kerbside Plants

Strimming destroys so much of our valuable wildlife. Kerbsides look wonderful when flowers are allowed to grow. Vision manager Paul Browne was an advocate in allowing grass to grow a bit longer and spaced mowing sessions further apart than the routine two-weekly cut. In 'The History and Ecology of Hainault Forest' produced as part of the 2006 centenary celebrations, he explained: "The benefit to wildlife is evident in both the increase in variety and in quantity of flora and fauna"

Common Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

Hawthorn is the commonest hedgerow shrub. Three types are known in the forest, Common Hawthorn, Midland Hawthorn and Cockspur Hawthorn. It can grow as either a thorny shrub or tree. Cockspur has particularly vicious spikes.

Conehead Nymph

Conocephalus fuscus

This species of Cricket mainly feeds on grass and sometimes small invertebrates. The nymphs have a black line along the back and short wings.

Common Blue

Polyommatus icarus

Common Blue caterpillars feed on clovers and other peaflowers. The plants have attracted hundreds of butterflies to Chigwell Common this year in contrast to Hog Hill where sightings have been poor due to the grass areas being mowed too often.

Purple Hairstreak

Favonius quercus

Purple Hairstreak butterfly larvae feed on various types of oak tree

Burnet Companion
Zelotherses paleana

This folded Garlic mustard leaf was stuck together with threads to create a place of safety for a Timothy Tortrix moth larva. This find, verified by Brian Goodey, author of The Moths of Essex, has been added to the county database by Essex Field Club's, Peter Harvey.

Copper Underwing

Amphipyra pyramidea

This is a larva of the Copper Underwing moth. They feed on various trees and shrubs, but mostly oak. The adults fly from August to October.

Winter Moth

Operophtera brumata

The pale green larvae of the Winter Moth hatch during spring as buds are opening and then feed on the leaves. They move from tree to tree by spinning a silk thread and using the breeze to carry them along to the next food source. Early June the larvae drop to the ground where they pupate. The adults are one of the few moth species active during the winter months.

Broad-bodied Chaser

Libellula depressa

Usually found near ponds and lakes from May to July. Females are golden-brown, whereas males have a blue abdomen with yellow edges. Immature adults have similar coloration to females. This was photographed at Sheepwater.

Azure Damselfly

Coenagrion puella

This species has narrow blue shoulder-stripes and an extra black line extending from the forewing base a third of the way across the thorax side towards the legs assist with identification. Females are usually green, although blue forms also exist. This species has a preference for still ponds and is normally seen from May to July.

Batman Hoverfly

Myathropa florea

Very common in woodland where it mainly visits umbellifers and ivy from April to September. The black back marking has led to this species becoming known as the 'Batman hoverfly'. Bold colouration means this hoverfly can easily be identified. The wings measure 7-12mm in length. Larvae inhabit decaying leaves at tree bases.

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.

Holly

Ilex aquifolium

Holly bushes have either male or female flowers. Only female bushes bear berries. This is a male flower.

Goat's-beard

Tragopogon pratensis

Goat's-beard is sometimes called 'Jack-Go-To-Bed-At-Noon' because the flowers begin closing at noon and are normally shut by 1 o'clock. The flowers are typically found in rough grass areas from May to August, although we have seen these still in flower on Hog Hill as late as October.

Silver Stretch Spider

Tetragnatha montana

This is a species of Long-jawed Orb Weaver Spider that mainly preys on flies and mosquitoes. Its name refers to the shiny metallic body colour and the habit of extending its legs out in front when at rest.

Blackthorn Gall

Eriophyes homophyllus

These hairy galls are caused by a mite on Blackthorn and various Prunus species. They are usually found along the central leaf vein with a small opening on the leaf underside.

Red and Black Froghopper

Cercopis vulnerata

This species has distinctive markings making it easy to identify. The colours act as a deterant to predators warning that they taste unpleasant. Adults are found in woodland, hedgerows and open grassland. They can fly and also employ the back legs to jump up to 70 centimetres. The nymphs feed on plant roots.

Fourteen-spot Ladybird

Propylea quattuordecimpunctata

The female ladybirds lay up to 400 eggs normally in batches of about 40. These larvae emerge from eggs and moult several times before becoming pupae. At the pupa stage the larvae develop into adults.

Large Skipper

Ochlodes sylvanus

Males perch on vegetation in sunny locations waiting for females to flutter by. Males have a thick black line running across the middle of the forewing, missing on females. Found in damp locations, tall grass and scrub in sheltered positions. This butterfly flies from June until August. Larval foodplants include: cock’s-foot, purple moor-grass and false brome.

White Admiral

Limenitis camilla

White Admiral butterflies are on the wing from June until August visiting brambles for nectar. The green caterpillars feed on honeysuckle. Wingspan about 60mm.

Straw Dot

Rivula sericealis

This moth flies from June to September. Its larvae feed on various grasses. Wingspan 18-22mm.

Blood-vein

Timandra comae

Blood-vein larvae feed on low-growing plants such as the dock plants. Adults are found in a range on habitats from May until September.

Rosy-faced Lovebird

Agapornis roseicollis

The Rosy-faced lovebird is a fairly small bird. Some escaped from Foxburrows Farm and flew into the forest.

Hornet Hoverfly

Volucella zonaria

These big hoverflies fly from May until November and are sometimes mistaken for hornets. Black and yellow markings deter predators and the clever mimicry allows this species to pass freely into wasp nests to lay eggs without being challenged. The larvae that emerge from the eggs grab wasps to eat. They become adults and leave the nest during spring. Also known as the Belted Hoverfly.

Grass Snake

Natrix helvetica

Grass Snakes have a pale yellow or orange neck collar (although this may be missing on elderly females) and a body of dark green or brown. The underside is whitish with irregular blocks of black. Grass Snakes grow up to one metre in length and occasionally a bit longer. They normally slither away when sensing vibration from footsteps. When cornered they hiss and if that fails to scare an intruder away they pretend to be dead. When handled evil-smelling fluid is released from anal glands and stomach contents are regurgitated as a defence mechanism. On rare occasions that they strike it is normally with a closed mouth. Grass Snakes are strong swimmers and enter water to hunt frogs, toads, newts and fish. Hibernation occurs from October to February under logs or in leaf litter.

Lake Path

Flooding

Heavy rain caused severe flooding to Hainault Lake path. The inflow stream (right) overflowed because water was unable to escape fast enough under the footbridge. Possibly a side barrier would be appropriate here to stop any unsuspecting visitors doing a Dr. Foster right up to their middle in the stream! By mid-June glorious weather returned with temperatures reaching 34+ degrees C. which soon dried the paths out.

Thank you to everyone that have contributed to this Journal.

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