Editor: Rosie Etheridge Newsletter No 80 Autumn 2018

Ouf! What a summer! And a few months ago we were suffering from the Beast from the East. This extreme weather is certainly detrimental to our wildlife. I hope you all put out water in your gardens for the birds and hedgehogs. Ed.

REPORTS ON OUTSIDE EVENTS

FRIDAY 23rd MARCH – SIGNS OF SPRING AT HEADSTONE MANOR

Sixteen of us gathered by the moat in Headstone Manor Park to look for signs of spring. Any signs of spring would be welcome following the recent cold weather and snow. Unfortunately we needed more sun to bring out the bees and butterflies, although Rosie did spot a hoverfly on the move.

We followed some of the trail in the Nature Finders leaflet; the trail that was made in memory of Geoff Corney, who loved this place. We made our way onto the island and, after looking at the large Yew (around 300 years old), we looked for buds on the Walnut tree (it was a good opportunity to study the bark and lichens). We found dead walnut leaves and pieces of walnut shell showing the tree was in good health. The old, partly hollow Pear tree has recently been cleared of Holly and Ivy thanks to the Gardening Group. Rounding the house it was good to see the large Box in flower; these yellow flowers are early and easy to miss. We hope the Box does not succumb to the ravages of the Box tree moth which is spreading through the country.

Leaving the island it was good to see that the Sparrows are active around the Barn; a less welcome sight was a Terrapin basking on a fallen branch in the moat. Fortunately they have since been captured and passed to the RSPCA for re-homing.

It was still rather cool and a few people continued on the trail while others visited the museum and some went for refreshment at the Moat cafe. Margaret Huitson

SATURDAY 7th APRIL – EDGWAREBURY WALK FOR BIRDS AND SPRING WILDLIFE

This was the first time the Society had done this walk through a lovely corner of the Green Belt right next to urban Edgware. Five members were there, together with Bob Husband and some members of his RSPB group. The route followed Edgwarebury Lane as it gradually changes from a public to a private road and finally becomes a cart track. At the start the road goes through fields up to the farm where there was a colony of House Sparrows. Here we also saw Moorhen, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Linnet and a flock of Jackdaws. There were also Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Dunnock singing there.

At the end the track goes through a very large field which has been allowed to go to waste (development due shortly) and here there were Skylarks singing, a few Lapwings and a large flock of Stock Doves.

The walk was quite long and took about three hours to complete. Other birds seen were Canada Goose, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, Parakeet, Magpie, Crow, Starling and the following birds were heard singing:- Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chiffchaff, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Pheasant and Little Owl. Three separate Buzzards were seen in the sky as well as a small flock of Mallard and a flock of Herring Gulls.

Brian Hunter

1 SATURDAY 28th APRIL –– BLUEBELLS and APPLE BLOSSOM IN PEAR WOOD

This walk had to be postponed from 14th April because of the weather. The rescheduled walk went well, despite the near constant drizzle or rain. About ten people turned up, including some members of the public who had seen the walk advertised. One person said they had lived in Stanmore all their lives and had always driven miles to see bluebells, having no idea these were on their doorstep. The bluebells were amazing, as always, and the lake and orchard were greatly admired. There was also much interest in the dyke.

Claire Abbott and Rosie Etheridge

SATURDAY 28th APRIL – MOTH EVENING AT STANMORE COUNTRY PARK

This event was disappointing. It was a mostly cloudy evening and a North-Easterly breeze was blowing. Only five locals turned up. The people who had promised to come but didn’t were probably wiser than us. No moths were seen until a couple of policemen arrived to see what we were up to. A Double Striped Pug then appeared and this was the only moth we identified. Oh well, better luck next time I hope. John Hollingdale

THURSDAY 3rd MAY – MORNING WALK FOR SPRING BIRDSONG AT BENTLEY PRIORY

On a bright morning just four members braved the earlier start time of 9.30 am for our annual birdsong walk. We started at the big meadow and Boot Pond where we were lucky enough to see a Sparrowhawk circling overhead and heard Blackbird, Wren and Nuthatch.

As we walked along the concrete path to the top of the reserve we heard Great Tit, Jackdaw and Green Woodpecker and at the top we saw seven Buzzards circling in the sky. We had hoped to find Whitethroats in the bushes at the top but none were found. However, we heard Song Thrush, Robin, Blackcap, Garden Warbler and Great Spotted Woodpecker in this area.

At the lake Grey Wagtails were again nesting behind the metal grill by the dam. There were fewer birds than usual there: just Coot, Cormorant and Heron.

On this walk we also saw Woodpigeon, Crow and Magpie and the total of birds heard singing or calling was just eleven.

Flowers seen included Cuckoo Flower, Cowslip, Forget-me-not, Marsh-Marigold, Greater Stitchwort, Lesser Celandine, Bluebell, Dog Violet, Buttercup and Bugle. White and Orange Tip butterflies were seen.

Thus ended a very enjoyable walk. A pity so few took part. Brian Hunter

SATURDAY 5th MAY – STANMORE COUNTRY PARK FOR BUTTERFLIES AND BLUEBELLS

The weather was ideal; a hot sunny day. Eight people turned up, some having seen the details on a local web site; hooray for social media.

We met in the car park where we saw a Comma and a Holly Blue. It has been a good year for the Holly Blue in Harrow, also for Orange Tips as we saw several on the circular walk. Also noted were a couple of Large Whites. As we crossed a corner of Wood Farm (the site uphill from SCP) a Peacock butterfly was seen. At this point the local Buzzard came over to inspect these intruders on his/her territory. We heard both Chiffchaff and Black Caps on the route. St. Mark’s flies followed us. Coming into 40 Acre field on the East of the reserve two Green-veined Whites were seen nectaring. A very pleasant couple of hours. John Hollingdale

2 THURSDAY 31st MAY– BEE WALK AT GRIMSDYKE HOTEL

Once again Harrow Natural History Society teamed up with Friends of the Earth for this year’s Great British Bee Count at Grimsdyke Hotel. It was a perfect late spring day in May and Buff-tailed Bumble Bees Bombus terrestris and Honey Bees Apis mellifera were in preponderance. Others less common were the Leafcutter Bee Megachile sp. and the Ashy Mining Bee Andrena Cineraria.

Most of our sighting were made in the vegetable garden and many made by our enthusiastic young naturalists on their half-term break. There were some interesting observations of other species in Lady Gilbert’s Orchard. Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni and small white butterflies Pieris rapae were out enjoying the sunshine. Peter observed a scorpion fly, Panorpa communis which has a curved tail that looks like a sting, and a red-headed cardinal beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis. Someone identified a Bee Fly Bombylius major, a fly pretending to be a bee.

On the way through the woods back to the hotel we spotted a stinkhorn mushroom Phallus impudicus, which gives off the smell of rotting flesh to attract flies, and a deceased mole. Both specimens thrilled the younger naturalists who speculated on who killed Mr Mole? On reaching the hotel Busy bees spotting busy bees in Lady bar we quenched our thirsts with welcoming cups of tea and squash whilst Gilbert’s Orchard sitting outside under the gazebo. Jane Skelly

MONDAY 11th JUNE - WOOD FARM EVENING VISIT

Nine of us met at the Old Dairy at 7.30 on a lovely June evening. We didn’t venture far but enjoyed the view across with the sun lighting up the various landmarks. There were good views in particular of Alexandra Palace, Canary Wharf, The Shard, London Eye and the Victoria Tower of the Houses of Parliament.

Regarding wildlife we had lovely views of the pinkish breasted Linnets returning to one particular perching place, also Whitethroats; thank you Brian for bringing your telescope. Wendy had enjoyed a much longer walk up through Stanmore Country Park and pointed out a tiny Hoverfly larva that had probably just hatched and which will eat much larger aphids.

Thanks also to Claire Abbott for opening and closing the Old Dairy for us. Margaret Huitson

THURSDAY 14th JUNE and WEDNESDAY 18th JULY – CANAL TRIPS FROM BATCHWORTH LOCK

This summer we organised two canal trips from Batchworth Lock in Rickmansworth on the trip boat The Pride of Batchworth. The first trip was on 14th June and headed south through Stockers Lock to Springwell Lock. Along the way we passed pleasingly close to wildlife without seeming to cause any disturbance at all. Memorably we were close to a Little Egret and a Heron sitting side by side and several of us had more than one glimpse of the electric blue of a kingfisher. There were baby Coots and stripy baby Great Crested Grebes.

The second trip took place on 18th July on a fine but not unpleasantly hot day. This time we headed in the other direction towards Common Moor. In this direction the banks were not so wild but there was plenty to interest us again. On both trips one or two of us were welcome to help with operating the lock gates, which was both enjoyable and speeded up the passage through the locks. This second trip was followed by a visit along the bank to the Roger, an historic working boat. Some of us went below to see the small cabin where we saw the coal burning range and the bed and fold down table and the traditional Castle and Roses decoration; ribbon plates etc Margaret Huitson

3 TUESDAY JUNE 19th - EASTCOTE GARDENS AFTERNOON VISIT

A group of us met at the gardens and first made our way to the Dovecote which has recently been renovated and is now open once a month during the summer. It was interesting to see what the nesting holes (for two squabs which are young domestic pigeons, typically under four weeks) would have looked like. A major problem would have been protecting the birds from predators. After that we visited the gardens – the Nepeta (Catmint) is always a Mecca for bees - and then went up to look at the orchard, which very helpfully had an information board with the names of the all fruit trees. A drink at the cafe was very welcome. Margaret Huitson THURSDAY 28th JUNE – ROXBOURNE ROUGH FOR GENERAL NATURAL HISTORY

A select group of us met to walk around some of the site and to add to the records. It was another sunny, warm day and we managed to add a number of species (mainly floral) that we hadn’t seen last year.

Several members were keen to see the new wildlife pond (a memorial to Dave Bolton and his dedication to the site). It is settling down well with tadpoles and newts. The new pond and marsh planting looked good and later we received a list of the planting which was interesting. The pink, brush like spikes were the Adderwort or Bistort (Persicaria bistorta). Margaret Huitson

SATURDAY JUNE 30th – STANMORE COUNTRY PARK FOR BUTTERFLIES AND FLOWERS

The weather was sunny as it had been all week. Eight of us gathered in the Dennis Lane car park, including an American couple who were going to Switzerland on a butterfly tour the following day.

Before setting off we had already seen Ringlets, Meadow Browns and a Large Skipper. In the first meadow a Marbled White was ambling about. However there was a complete absence of Grass moths, the Crambids, although we had seen several in the unimproved meadow inside Headstone Manor moat. .

We went up (or staggered in my case) Dragon Ride, created with the help of a grant. There were Ringlets and Meadow Browns in plenty. We also netted and identified the first of several Purple Hairstreaks. One or two Commas were flying briskly about.

Apart from the many Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Large Skippers and the odd White and Marbled White, nothing new was seen till we got to 40 Acre field. There, on the ragwort plants, we saw many Cinnabar moth caterpillars. In the middle of a group of creeping thistle there was a Small Tortoiseshell and a Brimstone flying along the field boundary.

We saw a couple of Gatekeepers. None of these had been seen in other locations in Harrow, although many had been recorded in Fryent Country Park, about 3 miles to the South. We didn’t see many Marbled Whites either, whereas fifty or sixty plus had been recorded in the fields around the . .

Emerging butterflies are often beaten down by rain, so the prevailing drought led to us seeing and counting many more than usual. An excellent day. John Hollingdale

MONDAY 9th JULY - CANONS PARK EVENING VISIT

Unfortunately only six of us managed to meet for this walk as two of our members encountered a problem on the way. The rest of us however enjoyed a leisurely walk around the park on a warm summer’s evening, checking out the trees on the tree trail and looking them up in Brian’s useful tree book. There were good views of a Kestrel and the fish in the pond too. Margaret Huitson.

4 THURSDAY 26th JULY - WETLANDS VISIT

It turned out to be a very hot, humid day for this trip. We had joined up with the NW London RSBP group, courtesy of Bob Husband, who had also found out that there was a regular guided walk on our visit day. Unfortunately there had been a problem with allocating guides and our guide was given the task five minutes before we all set off. However we got a good overview of the site which has only been open to the public since November. We walked to the Coppermill Pump House - a cool haven for bird watching upstairs - then on past the Cormorant Islands, white with guano from the occupying birds. We saw a number of Great Crested Grebes including youngsters, a Tufted duck with five tiny ducklings who looked very vulnerable as they dived under the water, Pochards and Herons. A Common Tern flew over and dragonflies identified were a number of Banded Demoiselles (see picture) and a couple of Brown Hawkers. One or two of us had lovely views of a juvenile Peregrine which was perched for some time on an electricity pylon. An interesting visit. Margaret Huitson

THURSDAY 9th AUGUST – SECOND BEE WALK AT GRIMSDYKE HOTEL The second of our annual bee walks took place in August on a more unsettled day. It rained heavily in the morning so we were not expecting much bee activity. Bees find it difficult to fly in the rain and their navigation is affected.

Nevertheless, we readily identified several Common Carder Bees, Bombus pascuorum, a few Buff-tailed Bumble Bees, Bombus terrestris, and a Honey Bee, Apis mellifera, with a dark-coloured Common Carder Bee Buff-tailed Bumblebee Honey Bee abdomen. As predicted the bees weren’t Bombus pascuorum Bombus terrestris Apis mellifera as lively in the wet and some could be seen resting exhausted on some dahlias.

John showed us how to effectively catch the bees for identification by collecting them bottom upwards.

No bees were harmed and they were While we struggled with umbrellas and waterproofs ... some of the released from the vegemite jar bees used Fuchsia flowers as umbrellas afterwards.

5 Rosie spotted a marmalade hoverfly on a corn cockle and a minute mining bee, which was too small to identify. Helenka (the gardener) showed us the shells of some grass snake eggs that she had found in a compost heap and some kestrel feathers.

A red kite flew over and after visiting the Orchard and inspecting some kestrel pellets containing regurgitated beetle fragments, we retired to the bar for a welcome Remains of grass Claire identified these as cuppa before the thunder and lightning. Jane Skelly snake eggs Kestrel feathers

AND FINALLY, OUR POEM

We are usually pleased to see the sun, but this summer, due to the heat, it is good to see some cloud and lovely to feel the rain! Marian Sartin.

THE SUNSHINE I love it, on the breezy sea, To glance on sail and oar, by Mary Botham Howitt (1799-1888) While the great waves, like molten glass, Come leaping to the shore.

I love the sunshine everywhere – I love it, on the mountain-tops, In wood, and field, and glen; Where lies the thawless snow; I love it in the busy haunts And half a kingdom, bathed in light, Of town-imprisoned men. Lies stretching out below.

I love it, when it streameth in Oh yes, I love the sunshine! The humble cottage door, Like the kindness, or like mirth, And casts the chequer’d casement shade Upon a human countenance, Upon the red-brick floor. Is sunshine on the earth.

I love it, where the children lie Upon the earth – upon the sea – Deep in the clover grass, And through the crystal air – To watch among the twining roots, Or piled-up-clouds-the gracious sun The gold-green beetle pass Is glorious everywhere.

OUR WEBSITE!

You can find details of our current programme, and reports on our evening meetings, at the society’s website:

http://www.harrownaturalhistory.org.uk/

Our sister organisation, the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum, also has a website where you can read about Harrow’s natures reserves and find details of additional natural history events that are open to everyone.

http://www.harrowncf.org/index.html

6