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Hainault Forest Website

Written and Designed by © Brian Ecott

NATURE DIARY

For even more content visit Raymond Small's website at hainaultforest.net

MARCH 2019

Walk around the forest

On a lovely sunny morning 30th March 2019 I led a small group around the forest to demonstrate the history of Foxburrows Farm, its buildings, the farm pond. The group are standing under an evergreen Holm oak near the second car park. We found Harts tongue fern growing in damp brickwork, Little Owl pellets, signs of Badgers, and under a log slugs were discovered. Blue tits were seen entering a nest box. Several early spring flowers were out, and I provided a photographic sheet as a reminder of their walk. Raymond Small contributed much to the discussion (he's the one behind the camera!) and Claire Oliverio, Senior Ranger (left) accompanied us.

Early flowers

Spurge laurel Daphne laureola. On Boulder clay, Chigwell Row Common. Possible local native.

5th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Colt's-foot Tussilago farfara. 5th March 2019 Flowers appear long before the leaves, which are said to resemble colt's feet. Around the lake edge. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Hairy Bitter-cress Cardamine hirsuta Ubiqitous weed of gardens and waste places. 5th March 2019. The seedpod is explosive, casting seeds up to 75cm away. Life cycle complete before summer. Photo © Brian Ecott

Primrose Primula vulgaris

13th March 2019 Photo © Brian Ecott.

A couple of plants by the lake, may have been introduced a few years back

Lesser celandine Ficaria verna. Common. In the farm and woodland. 17th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Wood anemone Anemone nemorosa 21st March 2019. A very small patch has appeared annually for decades. Possibly a relic of the ancient woodland. In the Woodland Trust area. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Common field-speedwell 21st March 2019.

Photo © Brian Ecott.

Early Dog Violet 21st March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Blackthorn or Sloe flowers before the leaves emerge. 20th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Who's a pretty boy?

Peacock displaying in the zoo/farm. 17th March 2019. Photos © Brian Ecott

Hornbeam catkins

Catkins on a Hornbeam tree. The leaves are opening. 18th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Blue-green alga Nostoc commune

Nostoc commune is a primitive organism formed from cells which lack a nucleus (prokaryotic). It is classified as a blue-green bacterium (cyanobacterium). From fossil evidence it was present on earth before oxygen had evolved, and was able to fix nitrogen. It is thought to date from 3.5 million years ago. 17th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott. Found on hoggin paths, steps to picnic area and the grassland where the Olympics car park was sited.

More lichens

Lichen Flavoparmelia [syn. Parmelia] caperata on moss covered oak along the outflow stream. The lichen is apple-green with large wavy lobes many of which are covered in a fine dust (soredia = powdery propagules).

6th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Lichen Punctelia [syn. Parmelia] subrudecta 8th March 2019. Photo © Raymond Small

Sheepwater

Frog spawn in Sheepwater. I hadn't recorded it here before. 5th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Horse leech Haemopsis sanguisuga moving right →

The greenish Horse leech showing a sucker on the rear. 5th March 2019. Photos © Brian Ecott

Smooth Newt under log on edge of Sheepwater, showing underside and feet without webs. 5th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Birds

Three views of a Black headed gull on the water gauge. 8th March 2019 Photos © Brian Ecott

Two swans, appear to be cobs.13th March 2019.

Photo © Brian Ecott.

Goldfinch 19th March 2019. Photo © Raymond Small

Michael Trump took this distant shot of a Red Kite over the Country Park. Photo © 23rd March 2019

This is a second sighting for us.

Since the photo was taken they have appeared daily to the end of this month

Beauty

I have nothing to complain about. I am here to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of nature.” ― Debasish Mridha

Beautiful - but what is it?

Slimy slugs - 1

Three species of slug found in the forest. Arrowed is the position of the breathing aperture which is always on the right side of the head end. The colour and shape of the foot and whether it is pointed or rounded is shown below. Identification is also based on the markings, colour and texture of the upper surface. In many Arion species the resting position is hemispherical and if annoyed they sway from side to side as in column 3, 2nd down!





Arion hortensis Southern garden slug	Limax maximus Leopard slug	Arion ater Black slug

Right foot forward

Natalie and farm hands lead the two Alpacas along the roadway. It looks like a military operation as all are in step. 8th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Little beasties

White-legged snake millipede Tachypodoiulus niger 22nd March 2019 Under log. Photo © Brian Ecott

Common rough woodlouse Porcellio scaber and Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede - Cylindroiulus punctatus. Under bark

8th March 2019 Photo © Raymond Small.

Eyed flat-backed Millipede Nanogona polydesmoides 19th March. 2019 Photo © Raymond Small.

Pill woodlouse Armadillidium vulgare 18th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Pot worm Enchytrae. Several similar species under logs and leaves. 15th March 2019. Photo © Raymond Small.

A White leech Hirudinea pictured here has broken the shell and sucked out the body of a Brown lipped snail Cepaea nemoralis (arrowed) and is devouring it. 19th March 2019. Photo © Raymond Small.

Seven spot ladybird Coccinella septempunctata.

Photo © Raymond Small 8th March 2019.

Commonly found overwintering in gorse bushes.

Referring to the work of the late Mike Majerus it is named after the red cloak of the Virgin Mary "Our Lady" and the seven spots to her seven joys and seven sorrows.

Rove beetle Bolitobius cingulatus 21st March 2018

Photo © Brian Ecott.

Tiny beetle 5-6mm found on the café table.

Queen bumblebee Bombus terrestris 16th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Ichneumon wasp Stenichneumon culpator a parasite of caterpillars. 21st March 2019 Photo © Brian Ecott. TBC..

Orange underwing moth Archiearis parthenias at rest on gorse, Dog Kennel Hill.

18th March 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Winter rosettes

Spear thistle 17th March 2018

Common ragwort 21st March 2018


Stags horn plantain 17th March 2018	Storksbill 8th March 2018	Buttercup 21st March 2018

and finally...

I'm a secret lemonade drinker - R.Whites

I photographed an original R. Whites bottle found in the forest this month.

During the seventies Julian Chagrin and Harriet Philpot starred as husband and wife in a very popular TV ad. The music and lyrics written by father and son Ross and Declan MacManus had Ross's voice dubbing that of Julian. Declan became known as Elvis Costello. Ross MacManus died in 2011.

Age related Macular Degeneration

I am at present undergoing treatment for the wet form of AMD. This treatment started in November but at present I am not seeing well. I have found it difficult to compile the Website this month and my current glasses don't help. With this difficulty I have decided after 19 years to discontinue the Nature Diary, but still make the website's hundreds of pages available at www.hainaultforest.co.uk I will still continue to enjoy the forest, and we are very lucky to have Raymond Small to carry on the tradition in his own distinctive style of website. www.hainaultforest.net. His knowledge of Hainault Forest is very useful. I am told that Hainault Forest is one of the best recorded sites in Essex due to its small size and unique ecology. Raymond is ably supported by the rangers, together with Mick Rumble and Michael Trump with their excellent photographs. I'm not going away!

FEBRUARY 2019

January February March

I'm back again this year

Photo © Michael Trump 8th February 2019.

With the lake outflow running, it's time for this Grey wagtail to feed on insects and establish a nest site. Photo © Michael Trump 22nd February 2019.

A Foehn or föhn hits Hainault

Record temperatures for two days in the last week of February reached 21.2° in London. (Even hotter in Wales). This was caused by a warm airflow created over mountains in Europe. A phenomena known as a Foehn or Föhn! These Black-headed gulls (red beaks and legs) were lounging in the warming sun and a Common gull stands on one leg (legs and beak yellow). 27th February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Importance of Ivy berries

The berries of Ivy are ripening this month which is good news for the summer migrant Warblers and Blackcap who rely on them for food before the insect population grows. 20th February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Martin leaves us after 10 years



Martin with John, a former manager of the old and new café for many years.	John, Natalie and Rachel, Park staff say their goodbyes.

Courtney, the Kite Man wishes Martin best wishes for the future as does Francis, Conservation Team leader.

Claire, Senior ranger, with Martin.	Martin didn't look happy leading the Shire from the rear.

It's goodbye from Raymond, it's goodbye from Brian and it's goodbye from him

The Kingfisher

A Kingfisher sits on the bank of the lake inflow watching for fish. 2nd February 2019. Photo © Michael Trump

Photo above © Martin Bell

Photo left © Raymond Small

A seething shoal of small Roach trapped in a pool within the lake inflow stream. 16th January 2019

A favourite observation place is the metal railings bridging the inflow. 2nd February 2019 Photo © Michael Trump

Awarded to Michael Trump for his picture of the Kingfisher adjudged by independent viewers.

The Full Moon - February

"Maria or Seas"

The Maria (singular Mare) or Seas are plains of solidified basalt lava which show as dark areas on the moon.

Frigoris = Sea of cold

Imbrium = Sea of Showers

Serenitatis = Sea of Serenity

Crisium = Sea of Crises

Vaporum = Sea of Vapours

Tranquilitatis = Tranquility

Fecunditatis = Sea of Fertility

Nectaris = Sea of Nectar

Nubium = Sea of Clouds

Humorum = Sea of Humours

Procellarum = Ocean of Storms

Cognitum = The sea that became known after ranger 7 impacted there and two missions landed to the north.

Craters

Bowl shaped depressions on the moon caused by meteorite strikes.

Plato

Aristarchus

Kepler

Copernicus

Langrenus

Stevinus

Grimaldi

Tycho

Photo © Michael Trump

20th February 2019 2037h

Mammals

The Rabbit has bulging eyes on the side of its head giving it good all-round vision for potential threats. This is a feature of herbivores. Carnivores eyes are focussed forward. 2nd February 2019. Photo © Michael Trump.

A large structure of twigs with leaves attached fixed close to the main tree trunk is the winter drey of a Grey squirrel. There are several to be seen in the woods.

11th February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

This track approx.10 cms wide runs along Reynard's ditch and is typical of a trail made by a Badger. 15th Feb 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Claw marks made by the middle 3 0f 5 toes on the front feet of the Grey squirrel. 16th February 2019.

Photo © Brian Ecott

February Mosses

Tamarisk moss Thuidium tamariscinum 9th February 2019 Woodland floor. Photo © Brian Ecott

Common feather moss Kindbergia praelonga. With thanks to Dr Ken Adams Bryophyte Recorder for The Essex Field Club for his help and advice.15th Feb.'19 Photo © Brian Ecott

Moss on oak tree bole Hypnum resupinatum

5th February 2019 Photo © Brian Ecott

Capillary thread-moss Bryum capillare. Close up and with capsules,15th February 2019 Photo © Brian Ecott

Cypress-leaved Plait moss Hypnum cupressiforme or H. andoi Found on tree branches in damp shaded areas. Close up right. Need to see the capsules for positive ID. Thanks to Dr Ken Adams for the advice. Photos © Brian Ecott. 13th February 2019.

White feather moss Brachythecium albicans, a common moss of all grassland areas. 26th February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Wall screw-moss Tortula muralis 11th February 2019. On wall by farm buildings. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Crisped pincushion moss Ulota crispa on birch bole. The leaves become crisp when dry as here.

16th February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Fissidens taxifolius var. taxifolius on ditch bank along Retreat path 26th February 2019 Scan © Brian Ecott

Bank haircap Polytrichastrum formosum by Roes Well. Scans © Brian Ecott 26th February 2019.

Grey cushion moss Grimmia pulvinata. On farmyard wall. 11th February 2019 The white "hairs" are a drawn out extension of the leaves. The capsules deliver the spores directly into the plant. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Early flowers

Snowdrops Galanthus nivalis, Old Reservoir site, Hog Hill 14th February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Common daisy Bellis perennis in grassland areas. 25th February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Red deadnettle Lamium purpureum on path edges and waste places. 22nd February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Dandelion of the Section Hamata Taraxacum pseudohamatum. A very early flowering dandelion found thinly scattered in the grassland. Previously recorded here by Brian Wurzell. Photo © Brian Ecott 27th February 2019.

Cherry plum Prunus cerasifera bush in flower on Hoghill. Cherry plum flowers about two weeks before Blackthorn when the forest hedgerows turn white. Pictured right clearly show the female stigma which receives the pollen and the ovary deep in the flower which will develop into the fruit. Photos © Brian Ecott 25th February 2019.

Well spotted

Ichneumon fly Ophion obscuratus (Ophion=serpent) This is not a fly but a wasp. It has a very thin waist (arrowed) and is a parasitoid of moth caterpillars, in which it lays a single egg. Found in short mossy turf it flies all year except June and July. I interrupted Raymond from getting a good picture as I moved in too close and it crawled on my camera and later flew away. Photos © Raymond Small. 6th February 2019.

February Lichens

The best specimen of the leafy lichen Physcia aipolia that I have seen. Near New North Road entrance, Oak Path.

Black fruiting bodies contrast well with the pale greeny-blue of the lichen body.

6th February 2019 Photo © Brian Ecott

The crustose lichen Lecidella elaeochroma Black fruiting bodies edged with white powdery borders. Common on Ash trees. 6th Feb. 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Leafy lichen Xanthoria parietina with fruiting bodies, on tree bark. Very common. Made into a red dye by a combination with dilute ammonia. Used by wool hobbyists and cottage industries. Photo © Brian Ecott 15th Feb '19.

Bushy lichen Ramalina farinacea. 6th February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott. In hawthorn scrub by Romford Road..

The Bushy lichen Evernia prunastri 6th February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott. In hawthorn scrub by Woodhenge.

Bushy lichen Ramalina fastigiata showing disk-like fruiting bodies. 6th February 2019 Photo © Brian Ecott. In hawthorn scrub by Woodhenge.

Early insects

Female Marmalade hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus on dandelion. Thought to overwinter and fly on sunny days. 13th February 2019. Often joined by influx of continental migrants in May. Photo © Brian Ecott

This is a form of the Harlequin ladybird

Harmonia axyridis var succinea on Holm oak.

13th February 2019 Photo © Brian Ecott

Birch catkin bug Kleidocerys resedae This tiny bug (4mm) was found on the café table. We had been looking at Silver birch trees previously.!

16 February 2019 Photo © Raymond Small.

This sunshine loving moth is the Orange underwing but needs checking against a very similar species. Identity later. 27th Feb '19. Photo © Brian Ecott

Pictured ABOVE: Tristan Bantock of www.britishbugs.org.uk writes "This is a species of Idiocerus, a very difficult genus, particularly outside the field season when it is difficult to establish host associations. It is hard to identify it confidently, but I suspect it will prove to be Idiocerus vitreus (this is now in the new genus Tremulicerus).

12th Feb. 2019 Photo © Raymond Small.

This Gorse seed weevil Exapion ulicis was found on the gorse flowers at the top of Lower Cabin hill.

27th February 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott.

Two insects were also found in the gorse. The 7-spot ladybird and the Gorse shieldbug Piezodorus lituratus. The shieldbug will enhance it's colours by summertime. Photo © Brian Ecott. 27th February 2019

Flesh fly species feeding on rabbit poo. Yummy! Photo © Raymond Small 14th February 2019

Mite galls on Holm Oak

Blister galls on Holm oak leaves 15th February 2019. The underside of the leaf reveals depressions with masses of brown hairs in which the tiny mites live. This structure is known as an erineum The mites are too tiny to see even at this high magnification. Photo and scan © Brian Ecott.

Jelly fungi

Jelly ear Auricularia auricula-judae on dead beech, 5th February 2019. Cabin Hill. Photo © Brian Ecott

Witches butter Exidia glandulosa on dead branch of oak. 7th February 2019 Cabin Hill. Photo © Brian Ecott

Dawn in February

View of second car park (on the right) with the Holm oaks. This unusual view also shows the Willows which mark the site of Foxburrows Farm pond. 15th February 2019 0832h. Photo © Michael Trump

Looking towards the Foxburrows Farm and the three unnatural shaped hornbeams. 24th February 2019 0829h. Photo © Michael Trump.

A female Kestrel sits on a sapling of Turkey oak on the grassland. 17th Feb. 2019. 0802h. Photo © Michael Trump

and finally....Dusk in February

Sunset,looking from the Forest to the City and BT tower (arrowed) 2nd Feb. 2019 1627h. Photo © Michael Trump.

Mute swan cob preening at dusk.

6th February 2019 1654h. Photo © Michael Trump

Canada goose homeward bound.

6th February 2019 1643h. Photo © Michael Trump

Four pairs of Shovellers feeding on the lake at dusk. 6th February 2019 1646h. Photo © Michael Trump

JANUARY 2019

January February March

Christmas Eve Woodland sunshine.

Dec.24 2018 Photo © Brian Ecott

Santa's helper photographing Slime moulds.

Dec.24 2018 Photo © Brian Ecott

The Witch of Hainault Forest

She looks at me, the ugly witch

Casting spells of cold and grey,

O’er woodland floor and flowing ditch

Nothing helps, my fears allay.

The Witch of Hainault Forest.

Why wears she, bold, a wooden mask?

Telling tales of times gone by,

Cast brown leaves, hide a mammoth task

Of finding life and future's high.

The Witch of Hainault Forest.

The mask is lifted with great care,

Beetles flee and Woodlice run,

Life is moving forward there,

Great news! Another year's begun

The Witch of Hainault Forest.

Photo © Mick Rumble 19th January 2019

Brian Ecott 21st January 2019

Kingfisher

Raymond managed to grab a shot of a Kingfisher flying over the lake (above). The iridescent blue of the bird is a giveaway. I have seen one at Sheepwater several years ago and they are said to overwinter near small ponds and lakes. 22nd January 2019.

Francis Castro, Redbridge Conservation Officer saw one along the River Roding at South Woodford.

Back to Raymond who tracked it down (left) perching by the lake inflow the following day. 23rd January 2019.

Photos © Raymond Small

Michael Trump didn't do better, but VERY FUNNY.

Here's looking at you kid (Casablanca) Photo © Michael Trump 30th January 2019

Dog Kennel Hill

New Year's Day. The bright yellow flowers of Gorse Ulex europaea are a feature of most January diary pages. This year the photo was taken from Dog Kennel Hill and features Foxburrows Farm Cottages. Photo © Brian Ecott.

'Dog Kennell Hill Wood' (sic) appears on a XXVI George III Parliamentary map of 1791 by Joseph Pennington Below) and the land in the foreground known as Fox Earth or Fox Earth Woods became part of Foxburrows Farm after the Act of Deforestation in 1851.

Foxburrows farm with Dog Kennel Hill behind. Photo © Raymond Small 15th January 2019.

A Triangulation Post on the high point of Dog Kennel Hill looking towards Havering atte Bower, stands at 281ft. (56m.) above sea level. This is 4 metres higher than Nelson's Column. 8th January 2019 Photo © Brian Ecott.

Beech trees on Dog Kennel Hill. 21st January 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Fallen beech on Dog Kennel Hill. 13th January 2019. The shallow rooting shows sandy, pebbly deposits on the surface of Dog Kennel Hill. These are known as Bagshot beds and cover both Cabin and Dog Kennel Hills. In the inventory of 1544 for King Henry VIII, no Beech trees or Holly were present only Hornbeam, Oak and Blackthorn. The attempt at planting Beech in the current forest has been a disaster, as they succumb to disease and wind blow. Photos © Mick Rumble and Brian Ecott.

Part of Henry VIII's survey 1544 after the dissolution of Barking Abbey

A week in the life of a

Slime mould Comatricha nigra

Raymond Small discovered this creamy white slime mould (below) on another fallen beech on the 2nd January 2019. We decided to visit daily to see how it developed.

DAY 1 Creamy white sporocarps with long thin stalks 9mm. tall

DAY 2 The sporocarps are turning pinkish.

DAY 3 The sporocarps are red-brown

DAY 4 The sporocarps are shiny black, some at the top of picture are rough black.

DAY 6 The sporocarps are rough brown.

DAY 7 The sporocarps are discharging millions of spores.

More sporocarps on thin stalks are tall thin cylinders 1.3cms tall. These are from another slime mould, a species of Stemonitis. On beech, 8th January 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott

Water Birds

The Goosander (above) together with the Smew and Red breasted Merganser (themselves listed as rare vagrants in Hainault) have a hooked bill, and their beaks are serrated, giving them the group name of Sawbills.

A female Goosander (left) on the lake island, which has been seen many times during January. It was recorded on Mike Dennis's Check list (2003) as a wintering bird.

Below the Goosander swimming on the lake. It is a diving duck.

Mute swan cob on lake edge.

Male and female Tufted ducks or Tuftys. Note the blue bill and the head tuft in the male. 1st January 2019.

Note: "Bald as a Coot" or "Bald face stag" refers to white.

Fungi

Small stagshorn Calocera cornea on dead beech with white brain fungus.

Yellow brain fungus Tremella mesenterica. Flabby, orange or yellow, on living or dead branches.

Split-gill Schizophyllum commune on dead beech.

Overwintering insects

Two wood boring beetles under oak bark.

Winter moth Operoptera brumata. Common from October to January. Male (left) flies even on cold nights. Female is wingless and waits on a tree for the male, whom she entices with a waft of pheromones. Near Woodhenge.

Liverworts

EVEN SCALEWORT Radula complanata on an Ash tree in scrub near Woodhenge. The tiny green granules on the lobes appears to be vegetative gemmae 30th December 2018. Photo © Brian Ecott

FORKED VEILWORT Metzgeria furcata growing on a hawthorn tree, through scrub on a path near Woodhenge. A close up of this Liverwort is above right. 26th January 2019. Photos © Brian Ecott.

More birds

A Charm of Goldfinches. They seem common this month flying about in groups.

Male (left) and female kestrels are frequently seen hovering over the amenity grassland opposite the café. Photos 16th & 18th January 2019. © Michael Trump.

Goldcrest searching for insects among the ivy. One of our smallest birds at 3½" (9cm). Here it has puffed up its feathers and looking like a small ball. 26th January 2019. Photo © Raymond Small.

Dog lichen and others

Dog lichen Peltigera canina among the moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus on Hog Hill

Lichenicolous fungi

The pink fungus Illosporiopsis christiansenii growing amongst the green-grey lichen Physcia ascendens (right) 30th December 2018 Scan © Brian Ecott

The pink fungus (above centre) on the lichen Physcia ascendens is Laetisaria lichenicola. It is widespread in the UK but not recorded until I found it named in Mycologica an American Journal of 2011.

It was originally photographed in Hainault Forest (left) by Mick Rumble and as a result of Mark Powell and Brian Coppins of the British Lichen Society confirming my identity, a new chapter covering Lichenicolous fungi has been written by Mark Powell in Frank S. Dobson book Lichens 2018 edition.

Animal activity

A food table on a tree stump with Beech mast (top left) and opened Beech nuts. 11th January 2019. This is a Grey Squirrel feeding post. Photo © Brian Ecott

Rosehip nuts have been split open and the kernel eaten. The flesh has been discarded. A Woodmouse has been feeding here. 26th January 2019. Photo © Brian Ecott