SECOND QUARTER 2018

This Journal covers the last quarter of 2018 from April to June.

Canada Goslings

Branta canadensis

Goslings huddled together on the Lake path.

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Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsis

The Barnacle Goose is a medium-sized, social bird with a black head, neck, and breast, along with a creamy-white face. This appearance is complemented by a white belly, a blue-grey striped back, and a black tail. Barnacle Geese typically fly in groups and long formations, producing various barking or yapping noises. During summer the geese breed in the Arctic.

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Pied Wagtail

Motacilla alba

Pied Wagtails are habitual tail-wagglers often seen in open spaces like grassy meadows and car parks searching for food.

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Dunnock

Prunella modularis

The Dunnock is a small brown bird often seen on hedgerows. It eats insects, arachnids, worms and seeds.

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Green Woodpecker

Picus viridis

Green Woodpeckers spend a lot of time on the ground searching for their favourite food... ants. If disturbed there is likely to be a yelp and a flash of yellow tail-feather as they seek the safety of a tree out of harm's way.

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Great Tit

Parus major

Great Tits construct their nests with moss and twigs.

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Common Blue

Polyommatus icarus

The Common Blue is a small butterfly with a wingspan of approximately 35mm, typically found in meadows during the summer and autumn months. Males are brightly coloured, while females tend to be less colourful and may appear nearly entirely brown.

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Orange-tip

Anthocharis cardamines

Males are distinguished by the orange visible when the wings are open, whilst females have no orange on the wings. Both sexes have mottled green underwings.

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Brimstone Butterfly 

Gonepteryx rhamni

Brimstone Butterflies are known to rest under bramble, making them challenging to see. Can you spot one in this picture?

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Feathered Leaf-cutter

Incurvaria masculella

Males are similar to Incurvaria pectinea, as both have feathered antennae, which is a trait not commonly found in micro moths. This species exhibits more distinct contrasting features and is also referred to as "Feathered Bright."

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Yellow-barred Long-horn

Nemophora degeerella

These moths are commonly observed in large groups fluttering around bushes in sunny weather during May. Males possess long antennae, while females have shorter ones. The larvae consume leaf litter found on the ground.

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Common Plume

Emmelina monodactyla

A Plume Moth at rest with the wings folded.

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Mint Moth

Pyrausta aurata

This small moth is active both during the day and at night. It is frequently observed on Water Mint along the perimeter of Hainault Lake from May to August on sunny days. It is also referred to as the Small Purple & Gold.

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March Tubic

Diurnea fagella

An early spring species often found resting on beech trunks at Dog Kennel Hill. Males are larger than females. Females cannot fly, but have been known to glide to the ground. This particular individual was photographed on the bus shelter near Hainault Forest's main entrance.

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Yellow Shell

Camptogramma bilineata

A day-flying moth commonly observed in meadows from June to August. Its colouration and patterning exhibit considerable variability. The larvae feed on plants such as bedstraw and cleavers.

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Burnet Companion

Euclidia glyphica

A day-flying moth frequently seen in locations similar to those visited by Burnet moths, which is the reason for its name.

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Vapourer Moth

Orgyia antiqua

Vapourer moth larvae are very distinctive. The dark body has several large hair tufts. The larval stage usually takes place from May until September. Full-grown larvae are seen on various tree and shrubs during late summer.

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Forest Cuckoo Bumblebee

Bombus sylvestris

This species does not build a nest but occupies those of other bumblebees instead. Females begin searching for a host in April and are frequently observed resting on flowers in sunny conditions. The face is approximately as wide as it is long, and the wings are dark. They visit flowers to feed on nectar and pollen but do not gather any resources to feed their offspring.

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Gooden's Nomad Bee

Nomada goodeniana

This is a type of cuckoo bee. It has a wasp-like appearance with bright yellow and black stripes on its abdomen, along with orange antennae and legs. These bees do not build nests; instead, they are kleptoparasites that target pollen stores in solitary bee nests and lay their own eggs inside. They typically fly from April to June.

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Cuckoo Wasp

Chrysididae

There are several cuckoo wasps that look very similar. They are relatively small, ranging from 4-11mm, and generally have metallic bodies. Their eggs are deposited in nests of different species. The larvae emerge to feed on the eggs and young of the host before consuming the host's food source. These are solitary creatures that usually fly on warm, dry, sunny days.

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Broad-bodied Chaser

Libellula depressa

Females are yellow while males are blue. Both sexes feature very dark brown wing bases and yellow spots on the sides of their bodies.

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Banded Demoiselle

Calopteryx splendens

A damselfly with translucent wings featuring dark bands, usually seen near slow-flowing streams and lakes on vegetation along the banks during June and July. The male exhibits a metallic-blue body, while the female has a metallic-green body.

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Black Snipefly

Chrysopilus cristatus

This species is found in damp, shaded areas and is typically observed from May to July. It preys on small organisms that come close to its perch. Its larvae that exist in leaf mould also exhibit carnivorous behaviour. The female is plumper and has a creamy hairy abdomen. Males are slimmer with a hairy brown abdomen. Hairs wear off with age in both sexes.

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Footballer Hoverfly

Helophilus pendulus

A species frequently observed on various flowers from May to October. The face is yellow with a central black stripe. The wings measure between 8 and 11.5mm in length. Females can be recognised by the conical point at the end of their abdomen. The common name is derived from the resemblance of the stripes to those found on certain football shirts.

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Great Pied Hoverfly

Volucella pellucens

This is one of the largest hoverflies in Britain. It can be found in woods and copses, where it visits bramble and hogweed. It features an ivory-white waistband and dark patches on its wings. The peak flying months are June and July, but they can also be seen as late as October. The larvae inhabit wasp and bumblebee nests.

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Thick-legged Hoverfly

Syritta pipiens

This is a common fast-flying species that visits ox-eye daisy and fleabane. Broad hind femora gave rise to the common name. Its larvae feed on rotting organic matter.

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Cleg

Haematopota

Clegs belong to the horse-fly family Tabanidae. They usually live around livestock and damp woodland. Males feed on nectar and are harmless, whereas females are blood-sucking insects able to give a painful bite. Clegs are generally seen from May to October.

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Phantom Cranefly

Ptychoptera contaminata

The Ptychopteridae are a small family of Phantom Craneflies that have long or thready antennae and are superficially similar in appearance to tipuloid families. Verified by Essex Field Club recorder, Del Smith.

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Sawfly

Tenthredo arcuata/brevicornis/notha/schaefferi agg.

This is one of four species of sawflies that are challenging to differentiate. They are found on plants like meadow vetch, white clover, buttercups, and bird's-foot trefoil from April to August.

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Brassica Bug

Eurydema oleracea

Markings can be different colours, including red, yellow, white, cream, or orange. Adults hibernate during the winter and emerge in the spring. Their food plants include garlic mustard and related species.

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Gorse Shieldbug

Piezodorus lituratus

These shieldbugs are found on gorse bushes. The ones that emerge to mate in spring are typically green.

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Hairy Shieldbug

Dolycoris baccarum

This shieldbug has purple-brown colouration with banded black and white antennae and connexivum. The base colour tends to fade during the winter months. It is covered in long hairs, which is why it is commonly called the 'Hairy Shieldbug.' Adults hibernate over the winter and become active in the spring, often found on plants such as garlic mustard, brambles, and thistles. Also known as the 'Sloe Shieldbug'.

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Lily Beetle

Lilioceris lilii

The Lily Beetle was first recorded in the UK in 1905 and measures approximately 10mm in length. Its shiny, bright red elytra feature rows of dimples on the surface. This beetle favours damp habitats, and adults are typically found from April to September. The small black larvae feed on Lily plants, causing noticeable holes. To avoid predation, the larvae cover themselves in excrement to resemble bird droppings.

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Fat-thighed Beetle

Oedemera nobilis

This metallic green beetle is seen on flower-heads on sunny days during spring and summer. Only males possess swollen hind femora. The larvae are rarely seen as they live inside the stems of thistles and other plants.

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Red-headed Cardinal Beetle

Pyrochroa serraticornis

These beetles are commonly found in hedgerows within woodlands from May to July. They are predators that consume other insects. The larvae have a flat shape, which allows them to inhabit spaces under loose bark. The second part of their scientific name refers to their serrated antennae.

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Common  Groundhopper

Tetrix undulata

Groundhoppers are smaller and sturdier than grasshoppers. Unlike their close relations they do not produce sound so are not heard chirping. They inhabit woodland and heathland with bare ground and short vegetation all year round. Their diet consists of decaying organic matter and mosses. There are three species in the UK, each measuring approximately 10mm long.

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Gorse Seed Weevil

Exapion ulicis

These are small beetles, 2-3mm in size, that inhabit gorse bushes from March to September. They use their snouts to create round holes in flowers and other soft tissues. The larvae develop within the seed pods, where they consume the seeds.

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Red Velvet Mite

Trombidiidae

These small, brightly coloured arachnids are roughly 4mm in length. They live in plant litter. The adults are predators, while the early instars are usually parasites on insects.

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Brown-lipped Snail

Cepaea nemoralis

The shells come in various colours and feature a brown lip at the opening. This species favours moist habitats. It is important for snails to remain moist; they withdraw into their shells when conditions become too dry to conserve moisture.

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European Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Rabbits are originally from the Iberian Peninsula and were brought to Britain by the Normans, becoming common from the mid-1700s. Male rabbits are referred to as 'Bucks,' females as 'Does,' and the young as 'Kittens.' A group of rabbits is called a 'Colony.' The primary breeding season occurs from April to June. Rabbits create underground homes in a system of interconnected burrows known as a 'Warren.' The entrances to these burrows typically range from 10 to 50 cm wide and are often located on sloping land. A short run is usually present in front of the entrance, allowing rabbits to see ahead and making it more difficult for predators to approach from the sides.

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Muntjac Deer

Muntiacus

Muntjac deer were introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire from China in the early 1900s. These small deer are now found throughout most of South East England due to some individuals escaping. Male muntjacs, referred to as 'bucks,' possess short, unbranched antlers that grow back each year, along with a pair of long canine teeth. Although males have antlers, they typically use their teeth to establish territory rather than engaging in antler-based fights. There is no specific breeding season, and females, known as 'does,' can mate throughout the year, usually giving birth to one offspring, called a 'kid,' at a time.

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Foxburrow Farm

Suffolk Punch Horses

The Suffolk Punch is the oldest breed of working horse in England. They are always chestnut-brown in colour. 'Suffolk' refers to the county of Suffolk and "Punch" is an old English word for a short stout person. During May visitors to Hainault Forest were able to take trips from Foxburrow Barn to the top of Millennium Hill and back.

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