Please refer to the Introduction Page to understand the context behind the monthly photographs.
Birds
Butterflies
Moths
Insects - Dragonflies
Dragonflies have an average life of two to three weeks with a maximum of six.
Fungi
The October wet weather has brought numerous fungi species out in force. (selection below)
One of the Milk Cap Fungi (possible Birch Milk Cap) but cannot be identified with certainty without testing of the milk for colour change and taste along with overall smell which is not to be advised unless an expert at fungi identification.
A dense overlapping cluster of the Oak Mazegill fungus on a fallen moss covered rotting oak tree trunk
These Maple leaf black tar spots usually start developing around mid June. At that stage the dots are tiny and light green. So, you probably didn’t notice them. Around August, those tiny spots become significantly wider and thicker and look like stops of tar stuck to the leaves. However even although caused by a fungus of the genus Rhytisma - Maple leaf tar spot is mostly a cosmetic issue.
Slime Moulds
Galls
There are more than 30 different species of gall wasp that lay their eggs on Oak trees, and each species produces a different type of gall - essentially a protective casing that shelters the wasp larvae as they feed and grow inside. During September two of these different Oak Gall species were found being the Oak Artichoke Gall on a leaf bud and the Oak Knoppler Gall which forms on an acorn. Two further Oak Galls have been found this month.
The Oak Cherry Gall is a result of the Quercus folii gall wasp which lays a single egg on the underside of the Oak leaf. The gall developes as a chemically induced distortion of the leaf. The lavre lives inside and emerges in the autumn.
The Oak Marble Gall is a result of the Andricus kollari gall wasp. The gall is attached to the twig. The gall developes as a chemically induced distortion of the leaf. The lavre lives inside and emerges in the autumn. The second photograph shows the hole formed as the lavre emerged.
This Gall forms on the Dog Rose plant buds and is a result of the Diplolepis Rosae gall wasp.
The mite Eriophyes similis causes galls to form on the leaves of Prunus species, usually Blackthorn, but also on plums and damsons. The galls are usually heaviest around the leaf margins.
Trees
The Spindleberry is a British native, often seen in hedgerows on chalky soil in the south of England. Fast growing, it is an attractive shrub in autumn when the leaves turn bright red and contrast with the strange pink 4-lobed fruits, which split partially open the reveal bright orange seeds.
Lichen
Lichen are only recorded at each new OS Grid location (hover for Grid Ref). They are then entered on the British Lichen Society spreadsheet and submitted for their Warwickshire VC38 Lichen database and Lichen mapping.
Ones that escaped the camera lens this month
a) Roe, Fallow & Muntjac Deer.
b) Little Egret.
c) Hare.