NORWICH: Mousehold heath - a June invertebrate selection

There is a rare case-bearing moth, Coleophora saturatella, that feeds on Broom, so now and again I like to check the plants at Mousehold in the hope of finding it there. As expected by now I didn't find it, but there were plenty of other interesting things, some associated with Broom, but others more generalist.

Andrion regensteinense

Ditropis pteridis

Green Tiger Beetle

Common Damselbug (Nabis rugosus)

Norfolk Hawker - a common species in the broads but it seemed strange seeing one up on the heath

Prosternon tesselatum, a species of click beetle.

NORWICH: Early April at Mousehold Heath

Early April 2021

A family walk at Mousehold Heath was notable for the large number of Green Tiger Beetles seen - at least 20, probably quite a few more than that. They were very active, often first seen flying past and landing on a sandy bank. I kept an eye out for bees in the hope of finding my first Ashy Mining Bee, but only found a handful of species, including Orange-tailed Mining Bee. We also saw a couple of False Puffballs (Entiridium lycoperdon), slime moulds that form whitish half-spheres on tree trunks. Judging from social media it is having a good year. On our way back Cathy noticed a Treecreeper on a tree trunk close to the path, which showed very well.