Alders and mines at Barden Lake, Haysden Country Park

I had a lovely late afternoon walk with Monty around Barden Lake today, concentrating on the Alders and anything I could find on them.

I think this is Fenusa dohrnii (Tischbein, 1846), a Hymenopteran sawfly miner, which is said to be very common. Taken with flash, the mine looked much browner to the eye alone, as in the descriptions. Very interesting to see that [apparently] the mine is constrained at first by the major veins as it moves out away from near the midrib, breaching them in the outer third of its progress - exactly as it reports on the UKflymines site.

This larva could be the third generation of 2015. Although this was apparently just a single mine, it could not have been Heterarthus vagans, the other main sawfly miner of Alder, because the larva did not have the diagnostic dark prothoracic plates. It may have only been a single mine because it was a young partly formed leaf, only 5 cm long,  - perhaps unlikely to have sustained the insect through to its sawfly adulthood. The first picture is from a jpg version of the shot, the second from the equivalent raw version. If anything the jpg is the better I feel.

This is the dorsal view - note again the absence of a distinctive prothoracic plate. The jpg only this time.

Comma chrysalis, Lawyers Wig and Willowherb Downy mildew at Dene Park

I really find it difficult to get satisfactory photos with the mobile - I don't know whether it is focussing or shake that is the main issue.

The Comma chrysalis was absolutely fantastic - and the photos do  not do it any justice at all. I would never have seen it if it wasn't on some sallow whips that had been largely stripped by what I think might be the Willow Sawfly - see below. The chrysalis was just under an inch long I would have said, and here there is a front view and then a side view. The photo just can't capture the wonder of the silvery patches.

I found two or three of the Sawfly larvae as well, maybe the final instar. They may be the Lesser Sawfly, Nematus pavidus, which seems to be the commonest on Goat Willow.

The Tawny Owl was heard for the third evening in a row, and it was heard twice tonight. Nice to think of this male setting up its winter territory for next spring, presumably having successfully moulted over the last couple of months. "Tawny Owls remain within their nesting territory all the year round and pair-bonds last for life. They are generally monogamous but some males are known to be polygamous. The first territorial fights occur as early as October and November, the male determining the territory, the female the nesting hole. The transition from autumn to winter is marked by a final establishment of territories and pre-breeding behaviour. The female and male tend more and more to roost together. Courtship feeding begins in the winter period (December to February), becoming progressively centred on the future nest site.  In Europe the Tawny Owl usually begins breeding in mid-March." from the website: http://www.owlpages.com/owls.php?genus=Strix&species=aluco.

The area for a territory in good woodland may be as little as 12 Hectares, and the area bounded by the track walk is 26 Hectares, so there is perhaps enough room in this central patch for perhaps two territories, and perhaps more in the wood as a whole. However I have only heard the one male, and it could be the same male as heard for the past few years, and therefore possibly the same pair, as pair-bonds are generally for life (although a few males are thought to form polygamous bonds - that must be hard work!). Any young produced over the years will presumably have dispersed to new vacant territories in the area, if any have been available!

"Tawny Owls lay from two to six eggs, but sometimes only one. The eggs are almost round and pure white and are about 46.7 x 39mm. Normally, they are laid at intervals of 48 hours, and are incubated for 28-29 days by the female alone. When the young have hatched, the male brings more food, either to the nest or to the female waiting nearby. Once the chicks are 6-7 days old the female may leave the nest only to hunt, otherwise remaining near the young. Fledging occurs after 28 to 37 days. Tawny Owls are dependent on their parents for food up to three months after leaving the nest.  As the young owls gradually learn to fend for themselves they also establish territories." (ibid.).

As well as the owls taking up territory, other signs of the developing season are the profusion of different fungi, including these Lawyers' Wigs, or Shaggy Inkcaps, Coprinus comatus, at the start of the track to Ringlet Triangle. This is the best of a bad set of photos. The season is rushing along. Already some have completely deliquesced.

This is a very edible fungus, but other species at least are NOT to be mixed with alcohol within the same week! Eat quite young and very fresh for best results!