Hainault Forest Website |
Written and
Designed by © Brian Ecott |
NATURE DIARY |
December 2014 |
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
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Above: Holly
©
Colin Carron
Left: Ellie
©
Michael Rumble
Christmas and New Year
2015 Greetings to all.
This year has been a
great year for the 2014 Diary pages especially the great photographs.
Mine have been supplemented by a varied range of subject matter taken
by Michael Rumble and Colin Carron which show the varied nature of
Hainault Forest which is often overlooked. Grateful thanks to them
both and others who have contributed to the site.
Local mycologist Peter
Comber and I represented the Forest at the annual social and
exhibition of the Essex Field Club early in December. It has a wealth
of exhibits from all Essex, both Natural History and Geology and is
held at The Green Centre, Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea. |
 |
Peter Comber and Brian
Ecott representing Hainault Forest at the Exhibition and Social of The
Essex Field Club at Wat Tyler Green Centre, 6th December 2014. Forty
photographs taken by Colin Carron, Peter Comber, Brian Ecott and
Michael Rumble were displayed including the rare fungus Postia
ptychogaster in Hainault Forest which was last recorded in Essex
in 1952, |
 |
   |
Members
of a Facebook Group of Border Terrier enthusiasts appeared at the
Forest for a walk and seasonal celebration on the 14th December 2014 |
 |
 |
Stag's horn or Candlesnuff
fungus Xylaria hypoxylon growing on rotting stump. Common
throughout the year. Photo ©
Michael Rumble 8th
December 2014. |
A female Mallard lands on
a thin layer of ice on the lake.
Photo
©
Michael Rumble 9th December 2014. |
   |
Series
of three pictures of a Heron attempting to land in a bush.
Photo ©
Michael Rumble 9th December 2014. |
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A Black-headed gull in
winter plumage walking on an ice sheet on the lake. There is a grey
patch behind the eye. The bill is orange tipped with black.
Photo
©
Michael Rumble 14th December 2014 |
 |
Black-headed
gull in flight over the lake. Black-headed gulls are winter residents
here at Hainault. Photo ©
Michael Rumble 18th December 2014. |
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Cormorants perching on the lake's island. 23rd December 2014. |
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The
speckled breast of this Cormorant show that it is one of this years
brood. Photo ©
Michael Rumble 9th December 2014. |
The Willows on the island
and surrounding the lake support large growths of Ivy. Ivy plays an
important role in the woodland. It provides shelter during the winter
months for the birdlife, nesting sites for the early nesting birds,
and it supplies ripe berries in the spring for Blackcaps and the early
migrants. 13th Dec. 2014. |

|
These
two grey squirrels in full pursuit were photographed by Colin Carron.
18th December 2014. |
 |
 |
On 5th December 2014
Redbridge's Volunteer Conservation team did some ride clearance and
dead hedging. As well as doing conservation work throughout Redbridge
they do regular work in Hainault Lodge and Hainault Country Park.
See their
programme
here. Photo ©
Julia Coulson |
Leaf fall is now complete
in the forest and there is a thick layer of leaves. Here on Hoghill
the leaf litter is caught by the sunlight. 13th December 2014. |
 |
Dark
clouds and sun's rays make a dramatic picture looking towards the twin
towers of Ilford, and on either side the crystal palace transmitters.
20th Dec. 2014. |
On the 23rd December 2014
Michael Rumble captured this picture looking west towards the lake.
The contrast with the black clouds and the low winter sun highlights
the golden willows. |
|
And finally - Never
work with dogs or their owners! |
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JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
November 2014 |
 |
The
Deceiver Laccaria laccata plentiful in grassland and wooded
areas. On Hoghill, 5th November 2014 Identity
confirmed by Peter Comber. |
 |
 |
The Deceiver Laccaria laccata.
Old specimen on Hog Hill 17th November 2014 Photo
©
Michael Rumble. |
 |
Birch milkcap Lactarius
tabidus 5th November 2014 Thanks to Peter Comber for the
identification. |
 |
Sulphur tuft
Hypholoma fasciculare growing on a rotting tree stump. Plentiful
this year. 5th November2014. |
Left: Beech woodland on
Hog hill looking towards the amenity grassland and Cabin Hill. 18th
November 2014. |
 |
 |
Three
Giant puffballs Calvatia gigantea.
These were each the size of a match football. It has been said
that during WW2 they were thought to be Hitler's secret weapon. Police
were notified of their presence in grassland. On Hoghill path
alongside the golf course. 12th November 2014.
©
Peter Comber |
Postia ptychogaster
was found by Sarah White on a wooden fence buttress presumably pine.
It was said by Mary Smith of the Essex Field Club to have been
recorded only once in Essex on
02/09/1952, in Birchanger Wood near Bishops Stortford when It was
found by E Groves, and identified by J B Evans.
Peter Comber
photographed several on the 12th November 2014. |
 |
|
Clouded funnel or agaric
Clitocybe nebularis, common and often in large rings in the
wooded areas, 6th November 2014, |
Butter Waxcap Hygrocybe
ceracea Short grassland on Hoghill. Thanks to local mycologist
Peter Comber for the identification. 20th November 2014. |
 |
 |
Young Parrot waxcaps
Hygrocybe psittacina in short grassland opposite Foxburrows
cottages 17th November 2014. Photo
©
Michael Rumble |
Parrot waxcaps showing
later development and the gradual loss of the green colour to
yellowish. Tip of cap pink. Hoghill grassland 18th November
2014. |
 |
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Leaf
litter found on the path to Cabin Hill from the lake indicating the
presence of a Wild Service tree Sorbus torminalis. It is
regarded as an indicator of Ancient Woodland. I am only aware of this one
in the Country Park. There are four in the Woodland Trust's Lambourne
Forest, One in Chigwell Row Recreation Ground Nature Reserve and one
in Gravel Lane. Several have been recorded in Epping Forest. 6th
November 2014. |
Beech and
yellowing Field maple leaves form the leaf litter on Hog Hill.
Photograph ©
Michael Rumble 17th November 2014 |
 |
Found on a fallen branch
is the fungus Radulomyces molaris syn. Cerocorticium
molare 15th November 2014. Scale x1.5. Identified with thanks to
Peter Comber who states that this is an old specimen. Younger
specimens are lighter in colour. The specific name molare/molaris
refers to the teeth like shape of the fruiting body. Said to be rare. |
 |
 |
Woolly
aphid on crab-apple near the lake. Species not identified. 11th
November 2014
|
 |
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The
Myxomycete (slime mould) Mucilago crustacea resembles cold
porridge. Seen here growing on grassland, there were many patches on
Hog Hill. 18th November 2014. |
This tiny stalked
Myxomycete (slime mould) growing on rotting wood and scanned with a
mm. ruler is called Trichia decipiens. Lambourne Wood. 12th
November 2014 |
 |
Magpie
in flight. The picture clearly shows the ten mainly white primary
feathers and the ten blue secondary feathers on the wing tips. For
more details of feathers go to the feathers
page. ©
Colin Carron 25th
November 2014. |
 |
 |
Green
cellar slug (Irish Yellow slug) Limacus maculatus collected by
manager Paul Browne in some secondary woodland between the Romford
Road and the Lake where the team were clearing ditches. Fully extended
it measured 8.5cms. Top right shows the breathing pore on the right
side near the back end of the mantle. Ridges appear like a large
ridged whorled fingerprints on the mantle in the picture and the one below. On the
right the slug has been turned on its back to show the pale
colouration.

The distribution maps show
an Irish and Western distribution in "Slugs of Britain and Ireland"
Ben Rawson et al. 2014. FSC., although thought by them to be
widespread throughout Britain in domestic situations hence under
recorded. With thanks to Simon
Taylor, Recorder for Molluscs, Essex Field Club for the identification
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Grey
squirrel poses. Photos ©
Colin Carron 25th November 2014. |
And
finally........... Autumn beyond the lake towards Chigwell Row, All
Saints Church,
and sun rays and
mist in the woodland. |
 |
18th November 2014. |
 |
© Colin Carron 25th
November 2014 |
 |
© Colin Carron 25th
November 2014 |
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
October 2014 |
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A large
group of families, their relatives and friends held a Pumpkin Fest and
picnic on Sunday 25th October 2014. Many children were in fancy dress. |
 |
Parasol mushrooms
Macrolepiota procera have been around for the past couple of
months on Hoghill. They are very large and I couldn't resist placing
my Yorkie in the photograph. They measured 33 cms tall and the caps 22
cms diameter. A loose thick white ring is also seen in the picture.
25th October 2014. |

A young parasol Macrolepiota procera shows
the cap and ring before they have separated. 20th October 2014.
|

 |
|
Two pictures above show a
similar species Lepiota rhacodes var bohemica, identified by
local mycologist Peter Comber. This species grows in the lower slopes
of woodland on Hoghill mainly among bramble. They can often be found
tracing out large rings. Cap 10 cms and stem or stipe 9 cms.
Photos
©
Colin Carron 23rd
October 2014. |

|
Another
view of Lepiota rhacodes var bohemica showing the large ring
and the stipe which is bulbous at the base. 28th October 2014.
The lack
of fungi in the forest is shown below when only a few species were
were found on the 5th October. Previous foray lists would show 40 - 50
species. After much dry weather the rains sometimes heavy came in the
second week of October and gradually the soil became moist enough for
fungi to appear and some of these are shown below. |
Fungus Foray for Redbridge
Conservation Team
on 5th
October 2014 in The Lodge Reserve, Hainault Forest
led by Peter Comber
Beech Tarcrust
Biscogniauxia nummularia
Black patches on various branches on the ground
Coral
Spot Nectria cinnabarina
Pink spots on dead branch on ground.
Turkey
Tail Stereum hirsutum
Small colour banded brackets.
Chicken Run
Funnel Clitocybe phaeophthalmo
Small grey funnel shape; unpleasant
smell.
Oak Mazegill Daedalea
quercina
Thick greyish brackets on Oak on
ground
|
______ Trechispora mollusca - (Possibly)
White patch on rotten branch
Milk
Cap Lactarius decipiens
Red-brown cap exuding a scant
white milk
Russet Tough
Shank Collybia dryophila
Delicate looking orange brown cap
on the Ground
Beefsteak
fungus Fistulina hepatica
Medium sized red brackets high up
on standing Oak.
Artists
Fungus Ganoderma applanatum
Large thin bracket, brown with white edge
and underneath.
Spring
Cavalier Melanoleuca cognate
Dark brown cap and white stem on bare earth.
______ Tremella encephala
Small whitish soft round balls with a hard centre.
Parasitic on Stereum sanguindentum mycelium on
conifer log.
|
 |
Young Trooping funnel
Clitocybe geotropa found along the old horseride 11th October
2014 |
 
Spore discharge. Photo
©
Peter Comber 2003. |
Common puffball Lycoperdon perlatum
22nd October 2014 is a fleshy fungus when young. It gradually
becomes a bag of millions of brown spores which are liberated if a
raindrop or object falls on the top of the fungus. This is illustrated
by Peter Comber in an old photograph of his. |
 |
 |
Razor strop
fungus or Birch bracket Piptoporus betulinus
is found on Birch all year round. 11th October 2014. |
Giant puffball Calvatia gigantea.
About the size and weight of a cricket ball. Can be very much
larger. This one has been eaten into by slugs. 25th October 2014 Photo
©
Colin Carron. |
 |
 |
Hairy curtain crust Stereum hirsutum.
Growing from a fallen
beech.
22nd October 2014. |
White saddle Helvella crispa
Found along the ride edges on Cabin Hill.
22nd October 2014. |
Coral spot Nectria
cinnabarina. Appears on small cut branches.
Photo
©
Colin Carron
14th October 2014 |
  
Left to right -
Buttercap Collybia butyracea Cap has a buttery feel 27th
October 2014. Pink bonnet
Mycena pura 25th October 2014. Redlead Roundhead
Stropharia aurantiaca (Leratiomyces ceres) 25th October 2014
with thanks to Peter Comber for its identification. |
 |
Small
orange fungus on silt removed during ditch clearance. Oak path. Orange
cup Melastiza cornubiensis. 31st October 2014.
Thanks for the
identification to local mycologist Peter Comber.
|

Above and right - Two bud
galls |
 |
Skittle
gall Cynips quercusfolii on English oak. 18th October 2014. |
Bud gall
Andricus curvator ♀♀
on English oak. 10th October 2014. This is a new record for
Hainault Forest. |

This large slug was one of
several found on a grassy path after rain which goes towards
millennium hill (Cabin Hill).
Arion ater agg.
Brown form of the Black slug is a common species which feeds on dead
leaves. It has an orange fringe to its foot. At its head is the mantle
and there is a large respiratory pore on its right side.
10th October 2014. |
 |
 |
Common Carder bee
Bombus pascuorum on Bristly Ox-tongue Picris
echioides
22nd October 2014. |
 |
 |
Hoverfly
Syrphus sp. on oak leaf in sunlight. 18th October 2014. |
Batman
Hoverfly Eristalis horticola on Michaelmas daisy 5th October
2014 |

A report of a Hornet's
nest in an old tree was reported
last month
Parts of the comb were
found beneath the tree on 20th October 2014 possibly removed by a
squirrel, woodpecker or other bird. |
 |
The individual cells are
six-sided, each side 7mm and are constructed of paper manufactured by
the Hornet workers by chewing wood and mixing it with saliva and
building the cell in layers which can clearly be seen in the enlarged
photo. Unlike bees no wax is used in the construction. |
 |
 |
Fruits of Guelder rose
after a shower, Alice's hedge on Hoghill path alongside the golf
course. 14th October 2014. Photo
©
Colin Carron. |
Pink Spindle berries with
orange seeds. Alice's hedge. 14th October 2014. Photo
©
Colin Carron. |
 |
 |
Sloe, fruits of Blackthorn
after a shower in Alice's hedge 14th October 2014. Photo
©
Colin Carron. |
Looking forward to the New
Year. Hazel is already sporting next year's catkins. Alice's hedge
18th October 2014. |
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New
record for Hainault. Casual plant brought in on topsoil used to repair
car park. Gallant soldier Galinsoga parviflora 31st
October 2014. |
 |
 |
Leafless, Water Poplar
Populus nigra var. betulifolia silhouetted against a weak sun.
Back of lake. 12th October 2014. |
Hornbeam
pollard in leaf on Taylor's Plain 18th October 2014. |
|
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
September 2014 |
 |
There is
much Ivy in flower throughout the forest and along the
path from the café to the
lake. Flowering now, means that there will be a further supply of
pollen and nectar extending into October sustaining bees and other
insects, and complementing the Michaelmas daisies which are out this
month. The ivy berries will ripen in March and will provide welcome food
for early migrant warblers to these shores next spring. Photo 29th
September 2014. |
 |
 |
Speckled wood Pararge
aegeria sunning on nettle. Photo
©
Michael Rumble.
21st September 2014. |
Red admiral Vanessa atalanta
nectaring on Michaelmas daisies.
28th September 2014. |
The sunny
weather of this month producing little rainfall has meant that butterflies
continue to appear and apart from those shown here there are Small heath,
Comma, Small white, Peacock and Small tortoiseshell still appearing. |
 |
 |
Small copper Lycaena
phlaeas seeks out sorrel leaves to lay eggs on.
Photo
©
Michael Rumble 21st
September 2014. |
A sign of autumn. Teasel,
shown in flower in July is now a spent seed head. Sprayed with silver or
gold paint the heads make good flower decorations.
29th September 2014. |
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 |
The Buff-tip Phalera bucephala.
Caterpillar feeding on Oak
leaves near the lake. Feed from July to September, when they pupate in the
soil. 35mm.
10th September 2014. |
Slightly damaged Square-spot Rustic moth
Xestia xanthographa. Identified by Colin Plant, Lepidopterist, London
Natural History Society.
9th September 2014. |
 |
 |
Micro-moth, possibly
Straw-coloured grass veneer Agriphilia straminella which is a
common grassland species. Photo ©
Michael Rumble
8th Sept. 2014. |
Green lacewing Chrysoperla
sp. on oak leaf. 4th September 2014.Lacewings belong to an order of
insects Neuroptera which also includes Alderflies |
 |
 |
The Common European earwig
Forficula auricularia found on a beech tree, Dog Kennel Hill.. It is
a vegetarian and often found in trees. The straight shape of its pincers
(cerci) indicate that it is a female. Photo
©
Michael Rumble,
18th September 2014.
See the picture right for male. |
The Common European earwig
Forficula auricularia found under a sycamore leaf. It is a vegetarian
and often found in trees. The rounded shape of its pincers (cerci)
indicate that it is a male. 7th October 2010.
|
 |

First seen by the Global café,
this strange creature was seen wormlike pulling itself out of the
grassland soil. It is a favourite food for flocks of starlings. It was
subsequently identified as the pupa of a Cranefly or Daddy longlegs which
are harmless and seen flying in the grassland at this time of year and
often coming |
Orange ladybird Halyzia
16-guttata pupa on white willow leaf.
4th September 2014.
Hornet |
into our homes through open
windows. 3mm in length
Photo
©
Michael Rumble, 15th September 2014. |
 |
 |
Hornets
nesting in a dead beech bole on Dog kennel Hill. Photo
©
Michael Rumble 15th
September 2014. |
 |
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Striped Hoverfly Helophilus
pendulus on Michaelmas Daisy 24th Sept. 2014. |
Red tailed bumble bee
nectaring on Michaelmas Daisy 22nd September 2014. Photo
©
Michael Rumble |
 |
 |
Artist bracket fungus
Ganoderma applanatum on beech bole. Dog kennel Hill. 18th September
2014. |
Sulphur tuft Hypholoma
fasciculare on rotting stump. Dog kennel Hill.
18th September 2014. |
 |
 |
Parasol
mushroom Macrolepiota procera. Abundant this year on Dog
kennel Hill and horse field. Large ring on stem, moveable. Photos
©
Michael Rumble 8th
September 2014. |

|
Glistening
inkcap Coprinus micaceus on rotten wood. The cap glistens like mica
- hence the name. Photo ©
Colin Carron 5th
September 2014 |
 |
 |
Far left: Artichoke gall or Hop gall
Andricus foecundatrix ♀♀ on English oak, near Foxburrows Farm
cottages. 19th September 2014.
Left: Artichoke gall cut in
half showing inner gall which is exuded later in the year. The outer gall
remains on the tree for several years.19th Sept. 2014. |
 |
Stinging nettle gall
caused by the Midge Dasineura urticae. Galls on leaf veins pale
green under leaf and purplish on upper surface showing slit like opening.
Very common this year. From a scan 29th September 2014. |
 |
 |
Found between two oak marble
galls Andricus kollari is a rare gall Andricus malpighii.
Found opposite the Farm cottages, it is a new record for Hainault.
4th September 2014. |
Normally present each year
attached to an oak leaf, sometimes several on a leaf, the Cherry gall
Cynips quercusfolii has been difficult to find this year. Scan 29th
September 2014. |

Leaf mines are caused by the
larvae of Micro-moths. They may form complex snake-like (serpentine) or
blotch mines as above. The larva of the moth Phyllonorycter esperella
feeds on all the material between the two surfaces and the mine is
silvery or almost transparent. This mine is on Hornbeam, Hoghill. Photo
23rd September 2014. |
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For more information
click here. |
Tar spot on elm is caused by a
fungus Dothidella ulmi. Found on Hoghill on 23rd September 2014.
Tar spot on Sycamore is also found in the Forest. |
   |
Apple of Peru or Shoo-fly
plant Nicandra physalodes has appeared on the imported soil on the
extended car park. It is a poisonous plant of the Solanaceae family.
4th September 2014. Many other casuals are in this soil including garden plants such as yellow
oxalis a very successful garden weed
and difficult to control. Also
recently introduced on this imported soil is the Narrow-leaved ragwort
Senecio inaequidens
see below left.
This was recorded in Wanstead Park by Paul
Ferris in 2009. "Wanstead Wildlife" is an excellent local website and can
be seen at
http://www.wansteadwildlife.org.uk/ |
  
Above centre is Common reed
Phragmites australis by the lake edge. The flowering spike looks
attractive at this time of year. Photo
©
Michael Rumble 4th September 2014.
On the heathland the Dwarf
gorse Ulex minor has been in flower for a couple of months. Shown
here it is growing with Ling or Heather Calluna vulgaris. 4th
September 2014. |
  
Above is Gypsywort Lycopus
europaeus - a dead- nettle flowering around the lake this month.
4th September 2014.
|
Above and centre is the Rose
Rosa rugosa agg. The rose is being used for a hedgerow on Cabin
Hill. It is very prickly. It's large flowers and hips are very prominent.
Photos ©
Colin Carron 11th September 2014. |
And
finally why not
drop in for a drink, tea or coffee, a sandwich or a selection of cooked
meals. Global café has 5 stars
¶¶¶¶¶
which is in itself a
recommendation. |
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Photo © Michael Rumble |
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
August 2014 |
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AUTUMN
FRUITS. A local family making use of the abundant blackberries on
the heathland, Romford Road. 16th August 2014. |
 |
 |
Sloes,
fruits of Blackthorn, used in making
Sloe Gin.
Often said better to collected after a frost. Can also be used as
ingredient for jellies, jams and chutney. Photo
©
Colin Carron 15th August 2014. |
Small ornamental apple about
the size of a cherry. Found in the hedgerow on the heathland, Romford
Road. 16th August 2014. |
 |
 |
Woody nightshade or
Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara round the lake and in
hedgerows. Related to the potato and tomato family. Also related to Deadly
nightshade Atropa belladonna which is not found in the forest.
Photo
©
Colin Carron. |
The soft
red berries of Woody nightshade are toxic and should not be eaten. Photo
©
Michael Rumble. Present
throughout the summer and autumn months. |
 |
 |
Artichoke gall or Hop gall
Andricus foecundatrix ♀♀ on English oak, near Foxburrows Farm
cottages. 31st August 2014. |
Hedgehog gall Andricus
lucidus
♀♀
on English oak, near
Foxburrows Farm Cottages. 31st August 2014. |
Plant
galls are particularly numerous this year not only on oaks but on many
trees, shrubs and plants. For more details and list
click here |
 |
 |
Common Blue butterfly Polyommatus icarus male. Nectaring on Cat's
ear hawkweed and showing both the underwing pattern and the blue of the
upper wing. Photo
©
Michael Rumble 12th August 2014. |
 |
 |
Slime mould
Fuligo septica var. septica on rotten birch. Slime mould are not
fungi but have their own Kingdom in the classification of wildlife.
Photo ©
Michael Rumble. 11th August 2014. |
Robin and Great tit feeding on
seed in the grassland. Photo ©
Michael Rumble 24th August 2014. |
 |
Swallows on
wire by farm buildings Photo Michael Rumble |
 |
 |
Aerial shots
of Swallows Photos ©
Colin Carron 24th August 2014 |
 |
Above
and below: Photographs of Swallows flying low over the grassland
catching insects. Colin Carron has captured the speed and acrobatic
agility in flight in these photographs. At this time of year it is
important for the birds to build up fat reserves to fly back to their
wintering grounds in South Africa in September or October. Some travel
over the Saharan Desert where many die of starvation or exhaustion.
Photographs ©
Colin Carron, 24th August 2014. |
    |
|
 |
Heron
perching over Sheepwater. Photo ©
Michael Rumble 30th August 2014 |
 |
A flock of
juvenile Starlings take off near the Country Park entrance, They feed for
grubs in the grassland by day and roost in woodland at dusk. Photograph
shows the Weeping willow in the background at the entrance. Photo
©
Colin Carron 24th August 2014. |
And Finally......The
Foxburrows Express |
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The Foxburrows Express has
been popular with young and old alike during the school holidays, giving
passengers a trip around the lake and forest.
Freedom passes not accepted!!
|
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
July 2014 |
This month temperatures have
been above average with temperatures around 30°C on several days. Warm air
moved up from France and the this brought high humidity with accompanying
lightning and thunder with often localised showers. Heavy electrical
storms on the 20th July brought flooding to parts of Essex including
Canvey Island and Southend. Michael Rumble captured this image of forked
lightning over Hainault Forest in the early hours of the 19th July.
The long grass and the warm
weather brought out record numbers of butterflies especially Meadow brown,
Ringlets and Gatekeepers, although others were well represented -
Peacocks, Small heath, Small copper, Purple hairstreak, Small
tortoiseshell, Comma, Small and large skippers and Holly and Common blues. |
 |
Forked
lightning over Hainault Forest ©
Michael Rumble 19th July 2014.at 04.21h. |

VIDEO OF
WOODHENGE
Alan and Janice Parish sent me a copy
of their video of WOODHENGE.
Like a bird you can fly over and around
it. Get aerial views of the Lake and surrounds.
Music accompanies the trip and it gives
the site a new perspective.
Woodhenge was opened by the
Mayor and Mayoress of Redbridge Cllr. and Mrs Charles Elliman on the 27th
September 2005. Initially four sculptures were in place representing Fire,
Wind, Man and Water (vortex left). Later another 8 sculptures were added
representing Hainault's past and present. For a detailed description go to
the Woodhenge webpage.
CLICK
HERE
Alan has made many other local
videos including Lightning over Barkingside and views of Fairlop Waters.
To watch the Video and further links to Alan's videos click the Vimeo site
below.
|
 |
Video of WOODHENGE |
Wild Teasel Dipsacus
fullonum near the lake.
Photo
©
Michael Rumble 19th July 2014. |
 |
 |
I found this "slug" eating the
upper layer of cells on a pear leaf. On further examination I identified
it as a Pear slug-worm, It is the larva of a Cherry sawfly
Caliroa cerasi. It is neither slug nor worm but an insect larva which
is covered in a thick black slime. Fruit trees by the farm. 17th July
2014. |
This is a Ladybird larva which
feeds on eggs, aphids etc. It will round up and become a pupa which in
turn develops into the Ladybird. This species is very predatory and has
recently spread into Britain. It is the Harlequin ladybird
Harmonia
axyridis.
6th July 2014. |
 |
 |
Gatekeeper
Pyronia tithonus male 16th July 2014 |
Gatekeeper
Pyronia tithonus female
©
Michael Rumble 19th July
2014 |
The Gatekeeper male butterfly
is smaller than the female. Both have a brown spot on the forewings each
with two white spots. The hind wings each have a tiny ringed white spot.
The male has a dark band of scent scales centrally in the forewings. |
 |
 |
The
Small skipper Thymelicus sylvestris is resting on Meadow barley.
There is one generation a year, the eggs being laid on soft grasses and
the larva overwinters as a small caterpillar. 17th July 2014.
©
Michael Rumble. |
Peacock butterfly Inachis
io nectaring on bramble. It overwinters as a butterfly and after
pairing lays eggs on the underside of young nettle leaves,
17th July 2014
©
Michael Rumble. |
 |
 |
There are
three generations a year of the Small copper butterfly Lycaena phlaeas.
Eggs are laid on docks and sorrels. Overwinters as a larva. 6th July
2014 ©
Michael Rumble. |
There are two generations per
year for the Holly blue butterfly Celastrina argiolus. The
foodplant being Holly in spring, and Ivy in autumn. Overwinters as a pupa.
27th July 2014. ©
Michael Rumble
|
 |
Caterpillar
of the Cinnabar moth. It is a very avid eater of Ragwort and will eat a
plant to the ground before climbing another. 17th July 2014.
©
Michael Rumble. |
 |
 |
Six-spot
burnet moth on Creeping thistle Photograph © Colin Carron
13th July 2014 |
Close up of
Six-spotted burnet moth. The proboscis can be seen inserted into the
thistle head. 16th July 2014.
© Michael Rumble |
 |
 |
Colin Carron
photographed this Black-tailed skimmer male by the lake edge and again in
flight. A rewarding shot. 16th July 2014. |
 |
 |
Honey bee workers visiting
Rose-bay willowherb. Photo ©
Colin Carron. 23rd July 2014. |
Pairs of Soldier beetles
Rhagonychia fulva on thistle. A metallic female Flower beetle
Oedemera nobilis also present. Photo
©
Colin Carron. 23rd July 2014. |
 |
 |
Green bottle fly Lucilia
sp. Photo ©
Michael Rumble 6th July 2014. |
The caterpillar of the Bagworm
moth has constructed a case of sticks, in which it lives and pupates, on a
Dogwood leaf . 21st July 2014.. |
 |
Pair
of Forest Shieldbugs
Pentatoma rufipes on
ash leaflet. 17th July 2014. Photo ©
Michael Rumble. |
 |
 |
Field grasshopper female
Chorthippus brunneus
28th July 2014 Photo
©
Michael Rumble |
Common Green grasshopper
Omocestus viridulus
28th July 2014 Photo
©
Michael Rumble |
 |
 |
One of many very tiny toadlets
leaving the lake to face the hazards of life and not returning until ready
to breed in four or five years. 19th July 2014.
Photo © Michael Rumble. |
"Ugly duckling" Young mute
swan cygnet sunning itself by the lake edge.
3rd July 2014. Photo
©
Michael Rumble |
  |

Sneezewort Achillea
ptarmica pops up occasionally in the forest area usually as a single
plant but this year there are a large number at the top of the Common. |
The Fungus on the grass stem
is probably Epichloë typhina and it has a
symbiotic or
beneficial relationship with the grass. Close up (right
above).
© Michael Rumble 23rd July 2014. |
|
 |
 |
The
Umbellifer Wild carrot Daucus carota is doing well in the wild
flower meadow left of the main gate. It can easily be identified because
in the centre of each umbel (umbrella) is a larger pinky-purple flower. as
illustrated above right. Photos ©
Michael Rumble. |
 |
 
Pictured left the seed head of
the wild carrot. The huge bracts below this seed head are clearly seen in
this magnificent photograph. ©
Michael Rumble 21st July 2014.
Two yellow
flowers above on the wildflower meadow to the left of the main entrance
are Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria and Lady's bedstraw Galium
verum. This site is developing into a first class community supporting
a host of beneficial insects.
Hainault is
a site of Metropolitan Importance, linking sites in other London Boroughs.
Wildlife knows no boundaries and corridors are very important. |
 |
A Cormorant
takes off from the lake on the 27th July 2014. Photo © Michael Rumble. |
|
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
June 2014 |
June has been a good month
weather-wise with temperatures above average for this time of year.
Repairs to some paths have been carried out, and the fields and overflow
car parks, closed since the beginning of the Olympics in May 2012,
will hopefully be in use later in the year. As a result of the work being
carried out, some plants new to the Country Park have been introduced on
soil brought in by the contractors. The swan family are now down to two
cygnets at the end of June, Part of a wall fell in Frank's Yard and made a
suitable habitat for Ivy-leaved toadflax which appeared there as if by
magic this month. A rare gall was found and a colony of Ringlet
butterflies found an ideal habitat in which to breed. Hainault Forest is
special place for all interests and as for the July page it is a blank
sheet at the moment. Perhaps you have a picture taken here to send me.
Thanks are due to Michael Rumble and Colin Carron again for their
excellent photographs which help to give a high standard to the website.
|
 |
This
magnificent close up of a Bee orchid Ophrys apifera flower was
taken on the 9th June 2014 by ©
Michael Rumble at the
lake edge. It was one of several highlights occurring in the Country Park
this month. Seven plants were seen at this site and one plant flowered at
another site accidentally destroyed by cutting last year. It is
intended to map the sites of special wildlife interest to safeguard
vulnerable species. |
 |
 
As a result of introducing
soil into the Country Park by contractors trying to repair the damage to
the grassland areas following the Olympic Security Site set up in 2012
several plants new to the forest have been found including Weld Reseda
luteola on the former Hainault Cottages site (above). |
A couple of spikes of Bee
orchid taken on the 9th June 2014 above. |
 |

A solitary spike of Common
spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii ssp fuchsii was found by the
lake on the 13th June 2014. It was a tall spike c.37cm (15") and the
leaves spotted. This species was first recorded in 2012 on the 25th June
along the Oak path verge. Photo left
©
Michael Rumble.

Above is Borage Borago
officinalis brought in on imported soil. 14th June 2014 near the
second car park.
|
 |
 |
Salsify Tragopogon
porrifolius - a root vegetable brought in on imported soil. 5th June
2014. |
A new record for the
Country Park is Ivy-leaved toadflax Cymbalaria muralis found on a
broken brick wall, farm buildings. 27th June 2014. |
 |
 |
Dog rose
(above left) after a light shower and Field rose (above
right) are the two most common roses in the forest although most difficult
to identify as they readily hybridize with each and every wild rose. 14th
June 2014 |
 |
 |
Yellow pimpernel Lysimachia
nemorum found along a woodland ride in Lambourne Woods. 14th June 2014 |
Heath
bedstraw Galium saxatile flowers amongst the grasses especially on
the Heathland area. June 14th 2014. |

|
Pair of mating Azure
damselflies Coenagrion puella in wheel position. Photo
©
Colin Carron June 2014. The female is light green. |
 |
 |
On the 30th June 2014 I found
these young nymphs (5th instars) of the Parent bug Elasmucha grisea
huddled together on a birch leaf near the farm cottages. During the early
stages of development the Parent bug stands over her charges to defend
them from leaf predators. |
Here's a
picture that I took earlier. On the 6th August 2006 at The Wetlands
Centre, Hammersmith, London. Showing a Parent bug guarding her young brood
on a silver birch leaf. |
 |
 |
The
Oak Tortrix or Green oak roller moth Tortrix viridana on 9th June
2014. The caterpillars hang from gossamer threads in the spring and pupate
by rolling the oak leaves around them. Photo
©
Michael Rumble. |
I photographed the
Burnished brass moth resting on nettle on 17th June 2014.
I noticed its golden
sheen and it was subsequently identified by Colin Plant, Lepidopterist
recorder of the London Natural History Society. 17th June
2014. |
 |
 |
Hoverfly Melangyna sp.
on hogweed. 2nd June 2014. |
Batman hoverfly Myothropa
florea attracted to my ham roll
at the café.
14th June 2014 |
 |
|
This long-legged Spider on a
dog rose bush was identified by Peter Harvey, Spider recorder of The Essex
Field Club, belonging to the genera Tetragnatha 13th June 2014.
|
Grove or
Brown-lipped snail Cepaea nemoralis on nettle near the Golf course.
Photograph ©
Colin Carron June 2014. |
 |
 |
Meadow brown
butterfly Maniola jurtina nectaring on bramble.
Photograph © Michael Rumble 29th June 2014. |
This small Darkling beetle
Lagria sp. on nettle on 27th June 2014 is transporting two
orange mites which have attached themselves to cadge a lift. (Phoretic
mites). |

|
 |
The Magpie. Perched on a fence
post, they appear to be getting outnumbered by Jackdaws which have several
nesting sites in the forest.
Photograph © Michael Rumble.
29th June 2014 |
A Mistle thrush finds a worm
on a green on the Golf course.
Photograph © Michael Rumble
13th June 2014. |
 |
A Moorhen
family swimming through Duckweed on Sheepwater. Photograph
©
Michael Rumble 29th June 2014.
Moorhens often nest at Sheepwater.. |
 |
 |
This tiny ridged gall emerging
from an oak leaf axil measures just 5mm in length.
Subject to confirmation
it appears to be a rare gall induced by a gall wasp
Andricus seminationis
♀♀. The sexual generation is unknown. 7th June 2014 |
 |
 |
Popular interest in
plant galls and my interest also, took off in the latter half of the 20th
century with the publication of Arnold Darlington's Plant Galls in 1968 -
a Blandford Guide. Arnold, a teacher, dedicated his book to those boys from
Bishop's Stortford and Malvern schools who collected material for the
book. The Spiked pea gall (above left) Diplolepis nervosa on dog
rose (15th June 2014) was nicknamed the Sputnik gall after the Russian
orbiting satellite launched on 4th October 1957 with its four radiating
aerials. Above right are two galls induced by two different gall wasps
laying an egg in the same bud. This is known as a Gall chimera. First is
the Oak Marble gall Andricus kollari
♀♀
and the second is the Ram's
Horn gall Andricus aries ♀♀. Photo 29th June 2014.
|
A small meadow
and picnic area at the top of Dog Kennel Hill has been left uncut and is
mainly flowering grasses with White clover and Cat's ear. This
has enabled a large colony of Ringlet butterflies Aphantopus hyperantus
to thrive and mature. The female Ringlet drops eggs into the grassland
and the caterpillars feed at night on the tall grass stems, and they feed
and overwinter low down in the grass, pupating the following May and
emerging as adults in late June. The grass cutting regime is key to their
survival. Uncut rides and small clearings are key to its survival in the
Country Park and the management this year has been particularly good for
this species |
 |
 |
Mature
grassland and Ringlet male butterfly 27th June 2014. |
 |
Left and below show a
couple of paddocks on the farm that have come alive with a variety of
flowering plants superficially resembling the Machair of the Outer
Hebrides, Scotland. Bees especially are doing well here collecting pollen
and nectar from the flowers that include Self heal Prunella vulgaris,
Bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, White clover
Trifolium repens, Red clover Trifolium pratense, Cat's ear
Hypochaeris radicata and Buttercup.
Whether it is a suitable diet for a Donkey I don't know, but watching them
they seem to select grass and Cat's ear rejecting the rest.
Both photographs
©
Michael Rumble 28th June 2014.
|
 |
|
 |
Ox-eye daisies on Hog Hill.
2nd June.2014 |
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
May 2014 |
May's high
temperature started at 14°C and by the Bank Holiday on the 5th was 19°C.
The weather was mainly sunny with rising temperatures reaching the high of
25°C on the 19th. The high pressure which kept the weather stable was
moved on by low pressure giving heavy and persistent showers in London,
and a lowering of temperatures below the average for the end of May.
Of several notable
events:
● the
hatching of six cygnets to the Mute swan pair on Saturday 17th May
● the
Swallows return and are nesting in the farm buildings.
● Many
insects emerge, some not previously recorded here.
● New
plant, not previously recorded here.
● Several
people have sent in photos (jpg format) for inclusion this month.
● the
arrival of the magnificent Alpacas and Goats and kids on the farm.
This
magnificent beast (right) is one of three Alpacas who have arrived
recently on the farm and zoo. Goats with kids are to be seen, and Quail
chicks have hatched and should be on display shortly.
Around the
lake was a mass of tadpoles. A two foot wide mass of tadpoles
|

|
was noted around the edge of
the lake on 2nd May 2014.
Photo ©
Michael
Rumble. |
Alpaca.
Photo ©
Michael Rumble |
 |
By the 17th
May the tadpoles (below) had separated into several trails over the lake.
I have never seen the tadpoles in formation like this before. Young
Rabbits were venturing out into the open on field edges like this one
(below right) on Hoghill. |
 |
 |
 |

|
Someone came to the forest on
Mayday Bank Holiday the 5th May and skilfully wove a crown of dandelions
and left it on a fence.. There are Dandelion events in the States but what
is its significance or folklore here? Perhaps the weaver could tell us.
Photo ©
Claire Oliverio. |
Photographed on the 28th May
2014 this is the first time that this plant has been recorded in Hainault.
It was spotted by the lake edge and is Hemlock water-dropwort Oenanthe
crocata. |
 |
Petty
Whin Genista anglica, although very
endangered in Essex is just holding on the Woodland Trust's heathland
area. 5th May 2014. |
 |
Across the Romford Road is a
continuation of the small heathland area formed from glacial sands at the
southern most limit of the last ice age. Here the area is managed by
Epping Forest District Country Care. Here the Lousewort
Pedicularis sylvatica is doing well. It is a plant that is
semi-parasitic on grasses and has recently been reclassified into the
Family Orobanchaceae (the broomrapes). 5th May 2014. |
 |

Woody nightshade or
Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara belongs to the Solanaceae family
which includes Potatoes, Peppers and Tomatoes. Several parts of these
plants are poisonous. Woody nightshade has red berries in the autumn which
must not be eaten. Photo ©
Michael Rumble. Lake. 5th May
'14 |
Russian comfrey Symphytum x
uplandicum on Hoghill, is a member of the Borage family. In this
family the inflorescence forms a spiral in which the flowers come out in
order with tight buds further back in the spiral. 5th May. |
 |
 |
Cow parsley
Anthriscus sylvestris 16th May 2014 |
Blue Tit
chicks in willow by lake. 28th May 2014 |
 |
 |
Tiny Capsid bug Calocorus
quadripunctatus 23rd May 2014 |
Squash bug Coreus
marginatus found on nettles and docks.
Photo © Colin Carron, 13th May
2014. |
 |
 |
Alderfly
Sialis lutaria by the lake edge. The female lays her eggs on
vegetation overhanging the lake. On hatching the larvae fall off and spend
their time in the water. Photos
©
Michael Rumble
21st May 2014. |
 |

Snipe fly Rhagio
scolopaceus on bramble leaf.
Photo
©
Michael Rumble 12th May
2014
|
Pair of small
Craneflies Limonia
phragmitidis on ash
leaflet. 5th May 2014. A small orange phoretic mite is
holding on to the thorax of one of the Craneflies. The word phoretic
refers to a species which is cadging a lift from another different
species. |
|
 |
 |
Sloe
or Hairy shieldbug Dolicorus baccarum. This is a small shieldbug
about 11mm in length. This is a good find and the first record for
Hainault Forest.
Photo
©
Colin Carron 13th May 2014. |
Pair of
Soldier beetles
Cantharis pellucida.
Photo ©
Colin Carron May 2014. |
 |
 |
Dancing fly Empis sp. -
a long legged, brown winged fly with a down pointing proboscis. Found on
Cow parsley and other umbellifers.
Photo
©
Michael Rumble. 21st May 2014 |
Wasp mimic
and Hoverfly Chrysotoxum bicinctum 9th May 2014. |
  |

10-spot ladybird Adalia decempunctata. A medium sized ladybird with
variable spots and patterns, but typically with a semi circle of 4 black
spots on a white background on the thorax. Blackthorn bush. Photo
©
Michael Rumble
13th May 2014 |
Harlequin ladybird Harmonia
axyridis pairs. They are large ladybirds and vary in colour and
pattern with differing forms. The thorax generally has a W in
black. The spotted ones are Harmonia axyridis f. succinea
and the black one is Harmonia axyridis f. spectabilis. Many
pairs on blackthorn bush near lake on 13th May 2014. Photos
©
Michael Rumble. |
|
 |
 |
CUCUMBER
SPIDER Araniella cucurbitina has caught a fly in its web.
Photos ©
Michael Rumble 13th May 2014 |
 |
 |
Micro-moth. Nettle tap
Anthrophila fabriciana on nettle leaf.
Photo
©
Michael Rumble 12th May 2014 |
Small Heath butterfly
Coenonympha pamphilus on short grassland
The butterfly rests with its
wings closed and angled to the sun for maximum warmth. 23rd May
2014. |
 |
 |
Peacock displaying on the
farm.
Photo
©
Laura Morley, 19th May 2014 |
Rear view of
displaying peacock showing tail feathers raised and brown wings. Photo
©
Michael Rumble, 19th May 2014. |
 |
The cob Mute swan aggressively
attacking a Greylag goose. These geese have been under attack for many
weeks while his mate has been on eggs on the island and the emergence of
the cygnets. The swan appears to be more tolerant of the Canadian geese
and other Waterbirds.
Photo
©
Michael Rumble 19th May 2014 |
 |
 |
The cygnets
hitch a lift from the pen mute swan. Photos © Lynda Johnson 18th May
2014. |
 |
Pen Mute
swan with her six cygnets. Photo © Michael Rumble
18th May 2014 |
 |
The cygnets
Photo © Michael Rumble 18th May 2014
Sadly at the end of May only
three cygnets have survived. |
|
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
April 2014 |
With the mild albeit wet
winter the spring species are appearing 3-4 weeks earlier than were
recorded in Hainault Forest in previous years. On a sunny 1st April Bee
flies were in abundance resting on leaf litter, violets were particularly
noticeable in the plantation area and in cleared areas by the lake
outfall. On the 2nd April health warnings were given as polluted air was
concentrated over London. Weather conditions had combined Saharan dust
from Africa and Industrial pollution from Europe. The London skyline could
not be seen from Hainault. On the afternoon of the 4th April the sky
cleared. Plenty of photographs this month as they require little
explanation. |
 |
Orange tip male butterflies
Anthocharis cardamines were first seen on the golf course on 14th April. Females
followed later when the larval food plants were flowering. The females
lack the orange of the males but the underwings have green mottling in
both sexes. In the picture above a male Orange tip rests on a leaf of
Burdock and on the left of the picture is some white "fluff" which is
currently blowing around the forest being the seeds of Grey poplar.
Photo
©
Colin Carron 26th April 2014.
Below left is the flower head
of Garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata one of the two larval food
plants. Attached to a leaf stalk
(arrowed) is a tiny orange egg 1.2mm tall. Scanned at a high
magnification shows vertical red ridges around the egg which will soon
hatch and feed on the leaves and stems. Scan 24th April 2014 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The alternative food plant for
the Orange tip larva is Lady's Smock aka Cuckoo Flower Cardamine
pratensis. Photo © Michael Rumble 21st April 2014. |
Four days after the egg above was
scanned the young caterpillar 5mm. was found in the flower head. Scan
28th April 2014. |
 |
 |
Peacock
butterfly Inachis io overwinters as a butterfly 13th April 2014. |
Speckled wood butterfly
Pararge aegeria basking on nettles 13th April 2014.
This butterfly likes to fly in
dappled sunshine especially along paths and rides and often rests on
nettles in sunny spots.
|
The four
large eye-spots on the wings of the Peacock butterfly above are thought to
have evolved to frighten would be predators, as the sudden flash of "eyes"
gives a brief moment to escape. This is an example of adaptive mimicry and
chickens who experience these "eyes" are said to give out an alarm call to
the rest of the flock. It is also thought that this mimicry will divert a
bird's peck towards the "eyes" and away from the body. In the picture the
butterfly has lost the lower left eyespot but can still successfully fly. |

Hornbeam pollard (a stitched
photograph) 14th April 2014. |

Above is a Cuckoo bee
Nomada sp. possibly sp. flava.
Photo
© Michael Rumble 26th April
2014
Left: A magnificent hornbeam
pollard.
Pollarding is an ancient
forest management technique used to provide a continual supply of timber
for fences, building work and for making charcoal. Charcoal was a
particular industry in Hainault Forest and the men involved in the
charcoal industry were known as Colliers - hence Collier Row nearby. The
Colliers spent many months in the forest and lived in huts - see
Charcoal burners hut.
Trees in an area were cut at
head height removing all the branches. The tree soon healed and sent up
new branches which were cut by rotation every 20 years. Pollarding hasn't
been carried out in Hainault for over a hundred years and the branches
become very heavy (as in the picture) and the trunk usually rots in the
crown. Pollards are susceptible to high winds and they either fall or lose
branches. It is a management nightmare. Lowering the height of the tree
was tried, repollarding leaving one branch, and complete pollarding were
tried in Epping Forest. Pollarding was carried out at Lambourne Wood in
1990 with little success - most trees died of shock. The Epping Forest
District Countrycare volunteers carried out some pollarding in the
Chigwell Row Recreation Ground woodland about 10 years ago and have
had a reasonable success at the back of Brocket Way. The Woodland Trust
are introducing pollarding of young trees, and this is probably the only
way to do it but it will take a generation or two see the results! |
 |
 |
Much bird song can be heard
throughout the woodland and scrub areas. Migrant warbler species are
arriving, including this Warbler species photographed by © Michael
Rumble 26th April 2014. |
 |

Left: Galls on leaves and
catkins of Neuroterus quercusbaccarum
♂♀.
16th April 2014.
Above and inset: Ridged
galls of Andricus quadrilineatus
♀♀
on catkins.
14th April 2014.
|
Plant galls, like wild flowers
are appearing 3-4 weeks earlier this year due to the mild winter, The two
featured above are particularly abundant this year. The first is the
Currant gall Neuroterus quercusbaccarum
♂♀
on both catkins and below leaves of English Oak
Quercus robur. These will give rise to the Common spangle gall
generation in the autumn. The second gall featured on English oak catkins
is Andricus quadrilineatus
♀♀ . |
 |
 |
Feral Greylag goose family. The
adults aggressively defend their four goslings. 28th April 2014. |
I have been on the lookout for a Saluki for 7
years for the dogs page when this
magnificent champion animal appeared by the café on the 8th April 2014. |
 |
 |
Hawthorn
blossom with enlarged flower inset, 26th April 2014 © Michael Rumble |
Cowslips in the wildflower
meadow on the left of the main gate. 14th April 2014. |
   |
Red campion Silene dioica,
Greater stitchwort Stellaria holostea, and Thyme-leaved
speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia were all in flower this month.
Photographs
©
Michael Rumble |
 |
 |
Dandelion
clock (16th April) and Coltsfoot seed head (4th April). These are examples
of seed dispersal by wind. |
 |
The English bluebell is under
threat from the gardeners Spanish bluebell which it readily hybridizes
with. The English bluebell is distinguished from hybrids and Spanish
garden escapes by its deeper colour and the heads bending over with the
bells to one side. A good year through out the Country Park and the Golf
Course. Bluebell walks have had to be brought forward as they started
flowering in early April. Photo © Colin Carron.
|
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
March 2014 |
March
started with frosty mornings but bright and sunny. A shower on the 3rd
March produced a double rainbow as we sheltered at the Global café.
The depressions were
pushed further north and our weather was influenced by high pressure areas
over the continent. The first sunny record of the year was 20.5°C on the
8th March and this was beaten on the 30th by 20.8°C. The milder
weather has helped to dry out most areas of the forest with only the path
from Chigwell Row to Cabin Hill impassable to all but the few stoics. This
path is notorious with the thousands of Cross Country Runners (myself in
the early 1950's) who cover themselves not with glory, but mud! |
 |
Double
rainbow over Hainault Forest on 3rd March 2014. |
 |
   |
A resident pair of Great
Crested grebes performed their ritualistic pre-nuptial displays between
the 6th and 9th March. They dived together, swam towards each other, swam
parallel, often calling, and there would be head and neck swaying. They
generally swap pieces of water weed which they gather underwater but I
didn't observe this.
Grebe pictures ©
Michael Rumble 8th and 9th
March 2014, |
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Goat willow aka Pussy willow
or Palm Salix caprea was shedding pollen on the 9th March. This is
the male tree. Willows and Poplars have separate sex trees. This is a
favourite tree for early bees and butterflies including comma, peacock,
Male and female brimstones have been seen on the gold course on 29th March
2014 |
Aptly named Golden willow,
whips planted along one edge of the lake provide an area of seclusion for the
wildfowl. Pushing a cutting into the mud in the lake will quickly root.
Photo ©
Michael Rumble 9th March
2014 |
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A Mandarin
drake was seen on Sheepwater on 15th March 2014 which later flew
into a nearby tree and perched there. A further drake was seen at Bomb
crater pond a few minutes later sitting on a willow coppice. They have a
magnificent plumage. A pair bred on the Lake in 2013 and Dennis Maynard saw
and photographed a pair on the lake on the 18th March 2014 |
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Mandarin
drake perched in tree, Sheepwater 15th March 2014 |
Mandarin
drake at Bomb crater pond on willow coppice. 15th March 2014 |
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Mandarin
pair on lake and a close up of the drake, Photographs
©
Dennis Maynard 18th March 2014. |
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Bomb Crater
Pond can be found by following the path from Chigwell Row Primary School
to the top right of the Common and following the path (muddy) for about
400 yards and the shallow pond with a seat is on your left. Bomb crater
pond was created on 12th March 1945 when a German V2 rocket bomb fell in
the forest and exploded. It is what is known as a temporary, ephemeral or
vernal pond which will dry up in the summer months. This often stops
frog spawn from completing its life cycle and some years frogs are
desperate to find breeding places they have laid spawn in water filled
hollows caused by horse hooves. Frog spawn is much sought after by many
predators that it requires only a few eggs per season to complete their
life cycles to froglets and survive the hazards for four years to become
adult frogs ready to breed again. Below left is some spawn in Bomb crater
pond, and below right in a culvert near the second car park. Spawn was
also seen in Roe's well, the Lake and masses in the Wildlife garden pond.
Toads should be spawning by the lake edge about the end of the month. |
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Frog spawn
in Bomb crater pond 15th March 2014 |
Frog spawn
in lake inlet culvert which runs from 2nd car park. 31st March '14 |
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Left:
Water-starwort Callitriche sp. Scan of the plant in the lake
culvert pictured above right. It roots in wet mud and silt in still water.
Whorls of leaves at the tips of shoots are arranged like a star.
Hence the name. 31st March 2014. Early Dog violet
Viola reichenbachiana pictured here as a scan. This is the earliest
of the violets in the forest. The recent opening up of the scrub by the
Oak path to effect drainage has revealed a good patch of Early dog violet.
Below are two Speedwell seen in the forest this month. Below left is the
Common Field speedwell with its pale to white lower petal. This is seen in
every month of the year. The Ivy-leaved speedwell is a spring plant on
woodland edges with tiny white or very pale blue flowers.
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Common field speedwell
Veronica persica 19th March
2014. |
Ivy-leaved
speedwell Veronica hederifolia 31st March 2014. |
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The three
species of flowers above flowering in March are all from one family - the
Lamiaceae or Deadnettle family. Left is the White deadnettle Lamium
album which is common throughout the forest. It is often found amongst
Stinging nettles but its showy white whorls of flowers distinguish
it. All the Deadnettle family have square stems which should be apparent
in the pictures above. Pictured centre is Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum
galeobdolon sub species argentatum. Yellow archangel is
found in Claybury Woods, but the ssp argentium found in
Hainault Forest is a garden escape, now naturalised over much of
England. It has silver blotches on the leaves and probably arrived from
the rear gardens of Woolhampton Way. Pictured right is another of those
plants found throughout most of the year. It is Red deadnettle Lamium
purpureum.
Below is Blackthorn or Sloe
Prunus spinosa. The blackish/purple bushes or hedgerows mid-March
have suddenly burst into life with a mass of white flowers. The green
foliage comes after flowering and we have to wait until autumn for the
Sloe fruits. |
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Blackthorn |
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Lichen
Ramalina fastigata a rare lichen found near Woodhenge. Found in 2011 it is
developing more fruiting bodies. 31st March 2014. The two
colours on this oak bark are provided by an alga and a lichen. On the left
of this photo is a green alga with orange pigment known as Trentepohlia
sp. The blue-grey powdery lichen on the right is a common lichen of
eastern England Lepraria incana. This was once one of few lichens to
survive the pre-Clean Air Acts of the sixties. 31st March 2014 |
AND FINALLY............... |
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Colin
Carron was in the Woodland Trust's managed Lambourne Forest on the 31st
March 2014.
He spotted
a small herd of Fallow deer which immediately took off into the holly
scrub. He took some, what he described as, dodgy photos but what I call
action shots. This is usually how you see Fallow deer in woodland.
In this
part of Essex and towards Epping the deer are a darker form often almost
black. Deer seen in Richmond Park and elsewhere are lighter and often
white spotted.
Footprints
or slots are often seen in the area and small herds on the Trust's
Havering Park Farm which was acquired in 2006 as buffer land.
I have
arrowed some of the animals and the palmate tine of an antler of a Fallow buck
is clearly
seen in the picture left
Photographs
©
Colin Carron 31st March 2014 |
JANUARY - FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER |
January - February 2014 |
Nobody was
surprised by the Meteorological Office's announcement that for the winter
period 1st December - 28th February the South-East had the wettest winter
since records began in 1766. Some 435mm (17 inches) of rain fell during
this period. My geography teacher some sixty years ago told me that the
annual rainfall was 25" in England but over the years the rainfall became
much less and reservoirs and aquifers dried up and hosepipe bans were in
force most years. There were no cold spells, or frosts and temperature
were well above average for the period. This winter was the fifth warmest
winter since records were kept in 1910 and the mean average winter
temperature is was given as 5.2°C for this winter. |
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We were daily reminded of the
floods and suffering of people on the Somerset levels, High tides and
flooding along the Rivers Severn and Thames. High winds and high tides
were responsible for much coastal damage in parts of Wales and the West
Country.Redbridge
residents coped reasonably well during the winter months. Less road salt
was needed, but the cold spell could still come in March or April. A
number of trees were felled by the high winds and several came down in The
Country park and Golf Course and had to be made safe..
The Country
Park (Foxburrows) sits in a water catchment area with water from Hoghill
and Cabin Hill heading towards the lake. Being on London Clay has made the
woodland paths very muddy and sometimes washed away. Much
remedial work has been necessary by the Country Park staff to clear
ditches and culverts to allow the run off to be channelled into the lake
and into Seven Kings Water on Fairlop Plain. Redbridge Conservation Team
Volunteers have played an important role in helping in the Country Park
during this time. Path restoration and scrub clearance will take time to
effect but I feel that given some reasonable weather the forest will
recover soon but it needs patience and understanding.
Apart from
the photographs of remedial work being carried out visitors will have seen
new notice boards in several locations, and new signposts. |
 
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Clearing
culvert 6th February 2014 © Michael Rumble |
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New signage.
28th February 2014 |
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Halo around
the sun above Hoghill. A sundog is arrowed. 20th January 2014 at 1pm |
 A
halo around the sun occurs when the sun is low in the sky and when ice
crystals are present in the high cirrus clouds. Each crystal acts as a
prism and bends the light. The crystals are random in orientation but when
they line up vertically a parhelion is formed on each side of the sun.
These are also known as Sun dogs or Phantom suns and are bright patches of
coloured light with red nearest the sun.
Pictured
right is a halo and sundog which I photographed in February 2008.
The halo is 22° distant from the sun and the sun dog is the bright patch
on it.
In the
photograph above the Sun dog (red towards the sun) arrowed is further away
from the halo which suggests it is on a second indistinct rarer halo at
46°
Several sun
dogs were seen over Fairlop Water on consecutive days in January at 1pm
observed when going down Forest Road on the way home.
Left - Halo and
sundog above Hoghill on 2nd February 2008. |
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Sunday the 16th February was a
cloudless, sunny day with little wind and the first butterfly to be seen
this year was a female Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni pictured above.
This identification was confirmed by Robert Smith recorder of the Essex
Field Club and Butterfly Conservation. It is unusual for a female to be
seen before the male. The photograph was taken by
©
Michael Rumble.
Monday 24th February was a
similar sunny day and a male Brimstone was seen flying and is very
noticeable with its sulphur yellow colouring. Also seen were several
Commas Polygonia c-album (left) and Peacocks Inachis io. |
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Also on the
24th February I met Kieron
Dielhenn who told me he had recently hooked this 10lb pike in the lake.
Hopefully I will get more information on the species to be found in the
lake. A pair of feral Muscovy ducks have been on the lake for part of
January and the whole of February and about eight male Pochard ducks. The
pair of Swans have not shown any signs of nest building yet. Signs of
spring were seen on the golf course when two cock pheasants were embattled
in establishing territories on the 26th February. Heads down they face each
other, then the attacker rushes forward with tail erect, then a fight
ensues. Pheasants can do damage with their sharp spurs, |
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 Muddy paths
have their positive side. Apart from dogs of all sizes they are used by
deer, badgers, foxes, squirrels, rats, mice, voles and birds and each will
leave their footprints behind. Pictured far left are the tiny tracks of
Muntjac deer. For most of the year they are solitary animals and are
seldom seen, and being very small they are often mistaken for brown dogs
dashing through the undergrowth. At present most major and minor paths
throughout the Country Park and Forest show signs of Muntjac slots
(footprints).
On Cabin
Plain near the Golf Course I found slots of Fallow deer probably belonging
to three or four individuals. It is interesting to be able to track these
and other animals.
Click here to learn more.
Below left
is a Silver birch tree which has a cluster of twigs high in the branches.
It isn't a nest or a squirrels drey but a Witches Broom. This is an
abnormal growth of the branch. In summer it will have normal birch leaves
growing on it but in the winter it is more noticeable. This abnormal
growth is a gall and is induced by specialised bacteria and transmitted by
a sap sucking insect.
Below are
the catkins of Grey poplar and they will be shedding enormous quantities
of pollen to be carried by the wind. Poplars and Willows are either male
or female trees. So the pollen is carried in the wind to a couple of
female trees on the grassland of Cabin Hill about a kilometre away.
When the female catkins are mature they shed masses of white down which
can be seen under the trees as a snow-like covering and floating in a
light breeze. |
Muntjac slots, Plantation. 22-2-14.
Fallow deer slots, Cabin Plain 26-2-14 |
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Witches
broom 24th February 2014 Grey poplar
male catkins, Hoghill. 27th February 2014 |
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Cherry plum
Prunus cerasifera on Hoghill 24th February 2014. |
 
Cherry plum blossom (above) is
about three weeks early and is often confused with the Blackthorn
which flowers afterwards. Also flowering early is the Coltsfoot
Tussilago farfara around the lake edge (right) and the Lesser
Celandine Ranunculus ficaria (far right) in the wet
woodland. Both photographed on the 24th February they would not by
expected to flower until about mid March.
The
ubiquitous Common daisy, Common field speedwell, Dandelion and White
deadnettle have been seen in flower every month throughout the winter.
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AND
FINALLY Deep in
the forest something stirred..........Photo
©
Michael Rumble |
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