NORTH NORFOLK: A walk on the saltmarsh

17th September 2022 

I had originally intended to attend a fungus study group foray on this date, but instead decided to head to Warham saltmarshes where the Norfolk Flora Group were holding a meeting combined with a workshop on Sea Lavenders. Unfortunately the area we were surveying held only Common Sea Lavender and a hybrid with Lax-flowered, so I still haven't seen Matted or Rock Sea Lavenders - maybe next year!

 The plant highlight for me was Corn Parsley, which I'd not seen before, whilst we also had the benefit of Alex Prendergast's Elm knowledge to point out a couple of different Elm species. 

 

I checked some Sea Wormwood plants unsuccessfully in the hope of finding Scarce Pug larvae, but did find a consolation in with some Wormwood Case-bearer larvae (Coleophora albicans). Other invertebrate highlights included Coleophora atriplicis on Annual Sea-blite, the lacebug Parapiesma quadratum and Sea Lavender Aphid Staticobium staticis. I failed to find any Sea Lavender Weevils, but perhaps focussed to much on the flowerheads, as something I've since read online suggests that they are best found by turning over the basal leaves.