NORWICH: An abundance of mildews and other plant fungi

September 2021

Wildlife recording during September was mostly incidental as I went about my business in Norwich. As we entered autumn plant fungi, particularly mildews, became more obvious, and I made an effort to check out quite a few of them by carrying around a bag and taking the odd leaf. Here are some of the highlights.

Entyloma cosmi - a white smut on Cosmos, flagged up by Stewart Wright. Present in the UK for a few years although overlooked and not officially on the UK list yet. This was at Waterloo Park.

Erysiphe aquilegiae on Columbine

Erysiphe berberidis on Mahonia

Erysiphe platani on London Plane

Erysiphe platani microsopy

Erysiphe symphiocarpi on Snowberry

Erysiphe symphiocarpi microscopy - pacman like!

Ampelomyces quisqualis picnidia - a mycoparasitic fungus that parasitises mildews

Erysiphe knautia on Scabious, parasitised by the species above

Phrgamidium tuberculosum on Rose

Phrgamidium tuberculosum teliospores

NORTH NORFOLK: Enchanted

Late August 2021

A picnic and walk around Bacton Woods was pleasant as always, and inspection of some Enchanter's Nightshade plants provided sightings of Enchanter's Nightshade Mildew (Erysiphe circaeae), Enchanter's Nightshade Rust (Puccinia circaeae) and Enchanters Cosmet moth (Mompha terminella).

Earlier in the day Gary White had texted to say that he had caught a Clifden Nonpareil, and we were welcome to come and visit to see it if we wanted. This large species, known in the past as the Blue Underwing was a very rare species in Norfolk, but appears to be successfully recolonising, and is one of a handful of species that I was particularly keen to see. As we were coming back from North Walsham it wasn't much of a diversion to go via Wroxham, and we all enjoyed seeing the Clifden Nonpareil. Gary had moved during lockdown so this was our first visit to the new house, and we had a poke around the garden before leaving, seeing amongst other things Pink Domecap.

BRECKLAND: West Stow Beowulf trail

Late August 2021

Having been thinking of places to go for walks, we decided to try the Beowulf and Grendel trail at West Stow Country Park. This wasn't quite as well signposted at various points as most trails are, but was enjoyable and I do like a good dragon.

The lush vegetation alongside the river was particularly productive for insects, with one section in particular hosting Net-winged Beetle (Platycis minutus), Tree Damselbug, Xylota sylvarum and Xylota segnis.

NORTH NORFOLK: Pensthorpe invertebrate highlights

Late August 2021

Pensthorpe is known for many things, including the wildlife-friendly farming, reintroduction programmes and of course the large wildfowl collection. It will however perhaps not be much of a shock to regular readers that the wildlife highlights of my visit with the family were actually both found on a small birch tree outside the toilet block before you enter the main reserve. On this particular birch I found three Solitary Birch Aphids (Monaphis antennata), a rare aphid that is unusual because it occurs on the upper side of the leaf rather than underneath, relying on its colour and solitary nature to hide it from predators. On the same tree I noticed a small caterpillar partly suspended on silky threads. This was Birch Ermel (Swammerdamia caesiella), a new species for me. In the wooded area a really nice ichneumon, Opheltes glaucopterus obliged for photos. The ducks were nice too of course.

NORWICH/WHITLINGHAM: Interesting oomycete and some willow feeders

Late August 2021

Never one to pass up on the chance of a walk, after dropping Cathy & Rose off at the Cathedral for an event I carried on up to St James' Hill and had a stop around the bit of Mousehold Heath in front of the prison. On the way up I noticed some powdery distorted plants, and with a bit of research came to the conclusion it was Lesser Swine-cress, twisted and coated with an Oomycete called Perofascia lepidii. Possibly new to Norfolk.

Later in the day I called in at Whitlingham, where amongst other things I saw some Giant Willow Aphids and some sawfly larvae, tentatively Euura pavida, also feeding on willow.

NORTH NORFOLK: Ponies - always watching

Mid-August 2021

I'd arranged to go out with dad for a walk, but heavy rain saw us adapt our plans to go to Holt so that we could at least be a bit sheltered in the woods. Despite visiting Holt regularly as a teenager I didn't see several of the scarce plants that occur out on the Lowes, so as the rain subsided a bit we headed out and managed to located one of them, Lesser Skullcap. Walking back we noticed a pony stood stock still at the edge of the woodland. As we approached, there was a whole group of them. Turning slowly to our left, we found ourselves observed by yet another. It was all a bit creepy, although several of them did at least turn to look at us as we weaved past to get to the gate.

Back in the country park we looked at some of the wet vegetation near the pond, finding a Tree Damsel Bug amongst other things. There was a small patch of woodland with abundant fungi, including Tawny Grisette, Russula silvestris, an Earthball sp and a young Blusher. We then went on a merry dance to find somewhere where we could have lunch, with several places either full or shut, before ending up under a marquee in the garden at the King's Head at Letheringsett.