. 5. ZfifeR THE NATURAL HISTORY MUS8UM " ~1 •8 NOV 2000

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: n\ y. % Si V NATTERJACK :ursion r Exc 8 2000- |P NNNS 2001 |IP

I am keen to make contact with as

To ad-iri-the-hc le. . 1 many of Richard's friends as . . R A R : A bumper edition - many excursion possible, particularly anyone who I'm collecting material together about reports, articles and. your very may be able to provide me with the late Richard Richardson, with a information about his early days own Christmas Crossword from. view to writing a biography about this before he moved to Cley in 1 949. Bob Ellis (maybe for the quiet time well-known, popular ornithologist and after the turkey and plum pud!). artist who lived at Cley in Norfolk ! would be delighted to hear from from 1949 until his death in 1977. Happy Christmas to all members. anyone who thinks that they could contribute to the book. At this stage I am gathering the I have had a very large postbag names of Richard's friends and Moss Taylor, and even by sneaking in another acquaintances who might be 4 Heath Road, Sheringham, Norfolk, page (hope the Treasurer doesn't prepared to share their memories

! NR26 8JH. Tel: 01263-823637. notice) I still have articles and let me have any anecdotes or E-mail: [email protected] remaining. My apologies for not stories involving him for inclusion in

the book. ! am also very keen to putting everything in but some of locate as much memorabilia as the notes are more appropriate for possible, be it letters or post cards the will be other times of year and sent by Richard, his personal birding used nearer those times. My diaries, or sketches and paintings by thanks to everyone who has him. contributed over the year and I One reason for deciding to embark look forward to receiving more on this project is the appearance of from members in 2001. an early draft of a proposed book FF about the birds of Cley, handwritten by Richard in about 1960, which has Norfolk First Again? recently come into my possession. Almost twenty species' texts have

been completed and I believe that In British Wildlife (Vol. 1 1, No. 5) they merit publication. Therefore, I during a general discussion on plan to include them all in Richard's moths, the Norfolk Moth Group (in biography, along with articles he which many Society members are wrote for various bird journals, and, of course, a wide selection of his line active) is highlighted, as probably Bittern design (1970 ) by Richard drawings and paintings. All the first organisation (started 1985) Richardson and /irst used on the contributions to the contents of the of its kind of the many now cover of the Nor/olfe Young Naturalists book will be fully acknowledged. newsletter - Issue 16. established countrywide.

The quarterly bulletin of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists’ Society are steadily moving northwards SCALE INSECTS i MYSTERY OF MOSSES 5 from the south of Britain.

i I was interested to read Jones never have looked at a Reg s You may My occupation with these stran- article in the Natterjack no 70 moss or liverwort, except perhaps gers is to try and find them on other about the Scale insects on Limes in your lawn, when perhaps you ; trees within the town as I believe TilHa sp. wished it wasn’t there. They don’t | Rex is doing in Norwich. like competition from other plants,

5 Colin A Jacobs In 1998 The Late Brian Brown & so mowing your lawn too short will Charles Barsted of The Lowestoft encourage them. Cutting with a

| Field Club informed me of these House Guests mower without a grass box will j | insects on Limes in Lowestoft High increase the because small j moss | During a recent visit, our friends Street. On inspection I too identi- pieces can often grow again. from Massachusetts, told us about fied them as possible Partenol- a family of wrens. A wren flew into canium corni but I did not seem to So what is a moss or liverwort? j their kitchen by way of a gap at the be 100% sure. They are small primitive plants bottom of the door and proceeded

i which don’t have roots, only rhiz- to build its nest in the comer of a In the of that year I oids, enable to cling August was kitchen shelf. Using the base and | which them

given for my Birthday the RHS corner walls as part of the nest, a : onto soil, trees or rocks. All their

Pests & Diseases book by Pippa top cover was constructed and a ; water and nutrients are absorbed Greenwood Andrew Halstead. small aperture left for entry. through their leaves which in most & j There on page 137 was the insect cases are only one cell thick. To Eggs were laid and nestlings that I had seen on the Limes. reproduce they require water and hatched and fed by mother who Known as the Horse Chestnut so there are far more of them in the consistently entered the room via Scale Insect Pulvinaria regalis. It west and north than in East Anglia. the bottom of the door. Evacuation is a sap feeding insect that has one Norfolk has about 260 mosses and day arrived. Mother could not

generation a year. I have found the I 80 liverworts, whilst in Britain as a persuade her young to follow her j heaviest infestations on road side out into the big wide world. Finally whole there are about 600 mosses Limes in Church Road Lowestoft our friends opened the door and the and 280 liverworts. & on Sycamores in Bell Vue Park family flew away. Three days later

in the town it is believed that they one of the young wrens returned to Liverworts are of two types, thal- are able to exist where a micro the door and entered the kitchen lose or leafy. An example of a thal- using its mother’s under door route. climate is formed by the heat re- lose liverwort is Marchantia It flew into the nest, flew out again flecting off roadsides and cars in polymorpha which you may have and away. car parks and the like. The females seen at a garden nursery on pots or lay their eggs under a white cotton inside plastic greenhouses. The We wondered if anyone in the wool like substance. This substance thallus is robust, several cells thick, Society had come across a wren appears from the rear of the insects being so confident among humans and regularly forked. On the top shell. Most scales I measured were or of a young bird making a solo surface will be cups containing 4-5mm in length and were found return to its birthplace. gemmae. These are splashed out by up on the trunks of the trees and rain to start fresh plants. into some of the lower branches. Susan & TomPallister After egg laying the adults die A leafy liverwort has three rows of leaving small white eggs on the small leaves on a stem. The leaves

bark. I have found that by looking do not have nerves, and may have on the undersides of the leaves you their leaves divided into lobes such can see the young scales. Later on as Lophocolea bidentata, which around October time they are seen has each leaf divided into two

to go onto the bark and over- points, or bidentate. This is very winter as nymphs. common in damp areas, growing the ground. j through mosses on These Scale insects have never, as

far as I know ever been seen in the Mosses are of two types: single

j Lowestoft district before. On talk- stems with the seta growing from

ing to Rex Haney he says that they I the top, usually forming cushions, and feather mosses where the main the first three for bryophytes. With t 2000 Year of the stem is long and trails on the j a lOx eyepiece, this gives 40x, lOOx ground with side branches giving s and 400x magnification. It has built Clouded Yellow

the impression of a feather, with ! in illumination and a measuring Saxthorpe any seta arising from tire side of a > graticule in the eyepiece for meas-

* branch. They all have leaves usu- uring cell size. SEPT 4 • Fine sunny day. Few light

* ally spirally around a stem. They showers during the morning. mostly have a nerve or midrib, this best to get into bryophytes Checked fields on Aylsham Road j The way Saxthorpe for Golden Plover. Noticed can be any length, even protruding • is to go on outings with other bryo- yellow butterflies amongst beans. This ; out of the end of the leaf. The edge logists. You will find a list of our is the first year A Mitchell & Co. are of the leaf can be entire or indented ; meetings in this issue. growing NORTHERN SOYA for seed. - with small teeth, sometimes double > Sown early May exceptional leaf growth and beans now forming. 26 teeth. f You need to collect small speci- Clouded Yellows counted mainly mens in a herbarium. They are in one area.: Leaves are of many different collected in the field, a pinch is s

- - shapes, some with hair points i enough. I put them in old DL SEPT 5 Dull no butterflies seen.

* which makes the tips look white. envelopes which I always open by SEPT 6 - Fine morning - rain later. Cell size and shape is important in cutting off the right hand end to get Sunny afternoon - very windy. identification. Some cells are the letter out. This makes a useful 2 Clouded Yellows seen. Also round, others long and narrow. packet on which you can write the checked fields at Heydon and Cawston - no butterflies seen. Some leaves may have auricles at ! name, habitat, map reference, date the bottom with cells of different and who has confirmed it. When SEPT 8 - Rain early then fine but no shape to the main cells. you get them home, stand the sun. 5 Clouded Yellows seen. One packets up on a window sill above a resting on a bean leaf - wings closed - To look at these features requires radiator to dry. Once dry they will blends in and very difficult to see. One

• feeding Scentless first a lOx lens. Some mosses you keep forever. To examine the on Mayweed. can tell just by looking at them and ; specimen, soak in a little water to SEPT 9 - 45 Clouded Yellows seen they are growing. revive, squeeze out the water and by where Bryum flying over field and also feeding. argentium, as its name suggests, is tease out so that you can see the ; Watched feeding on heartsease, silvery. It grows on the edge of different parts of the plant. After Persian speedwell, corn sowthistle, nipplewort and scentless mayweed. asphalt paths, even in towns. Half examining, they can be kept in Other plants not visited were mugwort, the secret is in knowing what paper packets. I use an A4 sheet of fat hen, black bindweed, knotgrass, grows in each habitat. paper, an old letter will do. Fold it redshank and corn mint. Walked ! up with the letter inside, first a third across potato field to many other Once you get interested you will up, then each side in one inch and flowering plants as above but no butterflies seen here. need a handbook. The best one to finally the top down a third. This f start with is E Watson’s British i gives a packet roughly six inches by V SEPT 1 1 * Checked fields at Heydon

* Mosses and Liverworts, Cambridge four inches which just fits in an old and Cawston: again. No butterflies seen, University Press. Next you will , shoe box. Headings can be printed need a microscope. I have a binoc- i on the front flap with a computer, SEPT 14 - 10am Fine but not sunny - ular dissecting one with both top ! plus fold marks to make life easier. very little wind. 10 butterflies seen and bottom light and magnification \ flying across tops of beans - not 30x. This is excellent feeding on weeds. approx- of lOx and , John Mott Beans imately 24 inches high. Many leaves for a first look at a moss. I dunk the i Bryophyte Recorder with holes but not necessarily cater- moss in some water to clean it and East Norfolk (VC27) ; pillars. No caterpillars seen. Hairy bring it back to life. In fact you can j Snail on one leaf- Evidence of snails do this after having been dried for \ on other plants. Plants still very green. several years. This magnification is *

- - often enough to identify a speci- SEPT 21 Windy, sunny 4 Clouded Yellows seen. but to look at cells a men, you need j compound microscope. I bought a f SEPT 27 - 7 Clouded Yellows seen. second hand one from Brunei

Microscopes, it has 4x, lOx, 40x j SEPT 28 - 5 Clouded Yellows seen. and lOOx objectives, but I only use ; Anne Brewster The air was fetid as I climbed I examined the contents of her the cramped spiral steps of the lair; a bag shaped web below tower. My torchlight stabbed her tubular retreat containing into the darkness above and mangled corpses of her prey, my boots crunched on the dry, and was surprised to find no mummified bodies of pigeons flies at all. The odd wood- lying on the thick carpet of louse and the chitinous droppings that filled each remains of the equally stone step. An updraft of rank fearsome woodlouse feeding air bowed the enormous spider, Dysdera crocata were cobwebs that brushed my the only recognizable prey. head. I was in a most un- pleasant place. Oh! The burglar? He escaped somehow into the night. Or

I had been on duty in a Police perhaps he made it to the top riot van when we received a of the large bell tower where call to attend Gt. Yarmouth’s his macerated cadaver will one St. Nicholas Church where a day be discovered in the web man had been seen on the of an even larger and more roof. With my colleagues sinister - surrounding the building I was discerned a whiter sphere. This was “Queen of the Tower”. ascending a small side tower to her egg sac but the impression was gain access to the roofs of of a fearsome guardian of some Garth M. Coupland ’s largest parish church. mystical runic treasure. PC 215 Acle Police Station

The owners of the cobwebs were Tegenaria parietina, the Cardinal The Halcyon Bird huge. They waited menacingly in Spider, is one of four contenders for tubes at the point where the sheet the title of Britain’s largest spider. Recently I spent a day fishing at a Norfolk Lake where the water is web met the old flint and brick The others are the Raft Spider surrounded by willow and alder interior walls of the tower. I had Dolomedes plantarius, who is trees. During the day I had a never seen large spiders generally bulky all round. female such and A frequent companion in the form my excitement quite overwhelmed Araneus quadratus, heavy with eggs of a Kingfisher. This jewel of the my apprehension at blundering is reputed to weigh the most. bird world would announce its into a burglar waiting at the top of Segestria florentina, of south coast passage by a shrill, high pitched call it flew lake. the tower. walls, has the longest body length. as across the On a couple of occasions it perched This Queen was visibly larger than on a branch in full view. What awaited me in that small any of these. She had an enormous the sinister abdomen and a body length later domed chamber was It sat very still scanning the “Queen” of all these spiders. Much measured at 22 mm. Each leg was water below, sometimes chang- larger than the others she had pride about 50 mm long! ing its position to face the other of place by a small leaded window way, but always intently watching the surface. I marvelled where no doubt the flies who fed The species is distributed through- at its ability to discern small fish on the death, filth and decay below out South arid Eastern England and in the water below, for there was gathered at the light in hope of unknown elsewhere on mainland a strong ripple on the rather Britain. It is generally escape from the tower. uncommon murky lake, but see them it did and appears to prefer undisturbed and several minnow size fish met Her majesty sat upon a beautifully buildings. It was a thrill to find their fate. This lovely bird seems suspended white, cocoon-like web such thriving colonies in all the side to be holding its own in Norfolk, long may it do so. in the centre of which could be towers of the church. Tony Howes !

TALES FROM THE wine, treacle, etc, to attract and not start and having to walk two MOTH TRAP dope the moths) from a fence post miles into Holt to phone for help, and disappear full pace off into the the R AC found it one of there most

distance with it slurping from its unusual cases! With the summer nights so full of mouth big catches, 100 species of moths Even this year I have weird and in the moth trap is easily encount- I was once at S wanton Great Wood wonderful things still happen, a ered on many nights, I have wit- at the end of August and having survey at the RSPB’s Lakenheath nessed 180 species at Thorpe-ness loaded everything back into the car Fen in Suffolk with visits once a in Suffolk and 155 at Wicken Fen, the morning after, I found a slow month, we have to drive three but its not just moths that I have worm hiding under the trap, initially miles along a dusty and bumpy found in my traps over the past thinking a first glimpse it was an track, through reed beds to get to

twelve years, not even the wasps, adder, the trap and electric’s were Botany Bay , an ‘ancient’ reed-bed flies or those terribly smelly flung some ten feet! If you think where we trap, at the end of this burying beetles that one often this rather amusing bare a thought rally I come across a ram-shack finds, but what about the things for a ‘critter’ hunt in California wooden bungalow. In the middle of that really should not be in the trap. USA and while trapping moths they no where is an understatement, and

I remember the times when I lived had a diamond back come to intrigues me that it should have net in Shetland and it was always so light not the diamond back curtains, why? If you have ever disheartening to find only about ten moth but a diamond back rattle seen the film “Texas Chain Saw species, if this were not bad enough snake!!! Massacre” then this is the place! I imagine finding our cat inside the was bursting to knock on the door moth trap eating what little there I must admit that a few years ago, to see who lived there, and event- was! quite odd for a moth catcher, I used ually plucked up courage in August to be afraid of the dark, especially with the excuse of letting them

Once trapping in North Wales I had those dark, creepy woods when know what we were doing at ‘not a Tawny Owl sat above the trap not anything could jump out on you (I to be worried’; I waited to see who only frightening the daylights out am glad I can admit I have conq- would come to the door. .. I expec- of the moths but me as well, as I uered this now!) and while at Holt ted a thin gaunt man with string was feeling rather uncomfortable Lowes one night going through the vest and blood shot eyes, Hannibal due to a car being continually actinic trap there was a rustling in Lecter maybe imagine my driven passed me on a number of the undergrowth, it got closer and disappointment when a little blonde occasions with the driver looking closer and then it jumped out at lady came with just a night shirt like a mad axe man. me it was a toad after a free on!!!!! As I say, never a dull mo-

meal! ! ! !! The same night deep in ment when moth trapping with me!

I often have company with bats the back and beyond away from the flying above the light taking main road and at 2am the car would Jon Clifton incoming prey but as is usually the case mothing in late summer and Copper Bryony where survival of the fittest autumn, especially in woodland, I gives way to survival of the am joined by hornets, not just protected, so I shall follow Although the chlorophyll is devouring the moths but them- with interest the fate of still there, it is difficult selves as well, I have been at a 'copper' black bryony to imagine that the Foxley and been joined [Tamus communis) Wood by purplish colour in the growing in a hedgerow 40 plus hornets in one trap! I have leaves of plants such as near Holt. It appeared just obtained thick rubber gloves the copper beech to be growing normally and a beekeepers hat and netting could confer any but has died back sooner for future trapping in woods at this benefit on the than the typically pig- time of year! plant. I have al- mented plant beside it. ways presumed Does anyone know of Imagine a friend of mine looking in that the character other examples of this disbelief at Fordham Wood in arose by mutation pigmentation in wild Cambridgeshire as a fox once took and would persist plants? his wine rope (a only in cultivation rope soaked in Tony Leech ® FIELD & INDOOR MEETINGS EAST ANGLIAN BRYOLOGICAL Excursion Reports Nov 2000 -Jan 2001 EXCURSIONS 2000 2001

Please note that start times are variable. The following excursions are planned for the Parish Potter

Spring of 2000-2001 . Beginners Autumn & July 23d 2000. I Rubber boots recommended. will be most welcome; the only equipment needed is a hand lens (x 10 or x 20), and H Rubber boots essential. Around ten members attended the Parish some paper packets for collecting into. Potter at Wacfon led by resident Meetings will only be cancelled if it snows, or recorder Robert Maidstone. The dull there is hard frost. All meetings will start at Sunday 7th January l 10.30am, unless otherwise stated. For weather continued as we began our . further information, contact either John Mott walk along the road toward the 10.30 a.m. Full Day. or Robin Stevenson. (See below - on page 9) common.

Directions: Meet in the ASDA supermarket Sunday 29 October: Catfield Hall Estate. car park. TG520080. The plan is to walk Many plant galls were found here & with Meet by war memorial at TG38221 3. westwards at low tide and then follow the five of the group members of the British tide back in. With luck, there will be good Sunday 12 November: Smallburgh Fen Plant Gall Society many eyes made light numbers of waders. NWT reserve. An SSSI, calcareous mire, 8 work. One of the first galls found was Leader: Ian Robinson. ha. Park on Union Road verge at TG326243. the Midge Gcll jaapiella veronicae on Germander Speedwell Veronica INDOOR MEETINGS Saturday 25 November: chamaedrys which causes the terminal NWT reserve. Heath, bog & fen carr. Car leaves to be ihickened info a hairy park at track in is fairly To be held at 7, The Sports and TF677227. The Room pouch. Leisure Centre, Easton College, Easton, rough, so take it steady. Norwich. 7.30 p.m. Sunday 10 December: Fen Covert, As we were graced with the presence of

Walblerswick Rex & Barbara Haney It was good to Meet at car park at 5-way junction, see the gall that inspired them into TM450727. Tuesday 21st November further study all those years ago. Millennium Conservation Forum: “Management or non-intervention” Sunday 17 December: Ftoman Camp Not far from here on Salix sp we found National Trust and Incleborough Hill. the rosette of the Midge in car park at 8441 3. gad There is still an opportunity to submit written Meet TGi Rabdophaga rosaria. The rest of the questions to the panel. These should be with sent to Stephen Martin (address on back of Saturday 6 January: Dunwich Heath. walk to the common was taken up programme) or e-mailed to Meet in National Trust car park by the plants. One such notable plant was [email protected] coastguard cottages (charge for non NT the pink flowered form of the Hedgerow members) TM476678. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:. Bindweed Calystegia sepium forma

colorata. Which is locally common here Sunday 21 January: East Winch & mentioned in the current Norfolk Tuesday 19th December NWT reserve. Open heath, pools, woodland. Flora. ”Gal( stories and galling friends” Park at side of lane off A47 at TF6981 60. Rex Haney Saturday 3 February: Pigneys Wood. During an enjoyable lunch in the In 1991 the Community By popular demand, there will again be Village hall much discussion took place Woodland Trust purchased 21 hectares of festive refreshments provided. However, about Natural History and Rex remarked land within the parish of North please note that members will be invited to Knapton near how pleased he was to see younger make a small voluntary contribution towards Walsham. Planting started in 1993. The Naturalists taking on the study of plant the cost of these. wood is bordered on the NW side by the disused railway line, which is the Paston galls. Way. The and Dilham canal Tuesday 16th January runs along the south side. Meet in car park After lunch the group shrunk to four off Hall Lane at TG 297323 on the east side. "Wildlife in the Stanford Battle Area” members when we went to the Wacfon Alec Bull village boundary with Long Stratton. We Sunday 18 February: Thetford Heath. found a very good ditch here with signs Meet at TL849795. This is entrance to Gorse activity noted. Industrial Estate. Park on edge of wide road, of good water vole Bob Ellis , Chairman Programme Committee quiet at weekends. Along the Long Stratton bank of this Sunday 4 March: NNNS meeting. ditch we found the sedge Carex An introduction to mosses & liverworts. Meet pseudoaxillaris The hybrid sedge of Woodland Trust car park, TM205893. Leader False Fox Sedge & Remote Sedge C. John Mott. Starts 1 1 .00am. otrubae x C. remota. This was Sunday 18 March: Horsey Mere, considered a remarkable find in 202 ha, SSSI, open water, fen and grazing Norfolk. Nearby both parents were marsh, and Horsey Gap, coast. Meet in growing in profusion and as Rex said National Trust car park (fee possible?) at "They have been rather naughty." TG456223.

Many thanks to Robert for such a good day. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 Colin A Jacobs © TOWN MEADOWS MEETING The Society wishes to thank Mr W. J. Butler of Shelfanger Hall for 11th June 2000 often found in old pasture like that allowing us to visit the Town at Shelfanger where both its parents Meadows site and Mrs M. Brown of were present. Old Boyland Hall, Bressingham for On a perfect summer day twelve granting permission to park cars on members attended this meeting her land. Leaving aside the grasses, memb- „ ^ whose primary purpose was to A. Copping ers were particularly pleased to note study the vascular flora, with four Dactylorhiza species, D. fuchsii particular emphasis on grasses. List of Grass Taxa Recorded (Common Spotted-orchid), The venue at Shelfanger was a Species seen at Boyland Common D. incarnata, (Early Marsh-orchid), long narrow stretch of unimproved only are marked with an (*) D. maculata (Heath Spotted-orchid) grassland extending over 26 acres and D. praetermissa (Southern through which runs a tributary Festuca pratensis Meadow Fescue Marsh-orchid). Additionally the well- * arundinacea all Fescue stream of the River Waveney. Festuca T known population of Persicaria Festuca rubra ssp rubra Red Fescue Much of the area is marshy and bistorta (Common Bistort) was X Festulolium loliaceum subject to seasonal flooding and is much admired. Hybrid Fescue managed by the taking of a late Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass hay cut each year. It has been an After lunch the party on to Cynosurus cristatus SSSI since 1988. moved Boyland Common, shared between Crested Dog’s-tail Shelfanger and Bressingham, an Briza media Quaking-grass None of the participants visited had *Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass area of grazing land on acidulous to the site before and it was rapidly Poa trlvlalis Rough Meadow-grass neutral or weakly basic soils. Only apparent that the plant commun- * Poa pratensis fruiting specimens of Orchis morio ities present were quite excep- Smooth Meadow-grass (Green-winged Orchid) remained, tional. The first grass to attract Dactylis glomerata but there were many compens- attention was Hordeurn secalinum Cock’s-foot Grass

; ations. Agrostis canina (Velvet (Meadow Barley), a species local in *G!yceria fluitans Bent) was just showing panicle and Norfolk. However, this was almost Floating Sweet-grass three species of Juncus growing in immediately overshadowed by the Glyceria notata Plicate Sweet-grass the proximity of one another, J. discovery of Bromus racemosus Helictotriche n pubescens effusus (Soft-rush), J. inflexus (Hard (Smooth Brome) in the damper Downy Gat-grass J. areas and Bromus commutatus Rush) and conglomeratus ; Arrhenatherum elatius Rush), were compared. (Meadow Brome) on the periphery (Compact False Oat-grass were too early to find Genista Trisetum flavescens and drier parts. Thousands of We tinctoria ssp. tinctoria (Dyer’s Yellow Oat-grass plants of both species were present : Silaum silaus Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. and the populations would repay Greenweed) and (Pepper-saxifrage) in flower, but cespitosa Tufted Hair-grass study for the presence of vegetative material of both. Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog intermediates, possible hybrids, saw Anthoxanthum odoratum which have been reported in the One interesting diversion on the Sweet Vernal-grass south and west of England where Phalaris arundinacea the common occurred when we inter- species grow together (see Reed Canary-grass rupted Small butterfly P.M. Smith, - a Copper Watsonia 9 pp. 326 Agrostis capillaris Common Bent ( Lycaena phlaeas) laying an egg on 328). Apart from three casual Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Rumex acetosa ssp. acetosa records in the west, the most (Vegtative only) (Common Sorrel), its food plant. recent at King’s Lynn in 1993 by * Agrostis canina Velvet Bent Afterwards we examined the egg ori R.M. Payne, B. racemosus has Alopecurus pratensis the underside of a leaf, its sculp- never been discovered in Norfolk Meadow Foxtail turing through a lens plainly appar- and escaped detection in the tetrad * Alopecurus myosuroides ent, making it look like a tiny golf survey for A Flora of Norfolk Black-grass ball. published in 1999. The Shelfanger Bromus commutatus discovery is therefore one of major Meadow Brome Finally looked at Scandix importance for the county. we Bromus racemosus Smooth Brome pecten-veneris (Shepherd’s-needle) Bromus hordeaceus ssp. at the edge of a nearby wheat field hordeaceus Soft Brome One other noteworthy grass find and Crepis biennis (Rough Hawk’s- Bromus x pseudothominei was X Festulolium loliaceum beard), of which just two plants Lesser Soft Brome (Hybrid Fescue), the sterile hybrid were growing on the road verge, Anisantha slerilis Barren Brome between Lolium perenne (Peren- one in flower and photogra- * Elytrigia repens ssp. repens nial Rye-grass) and Festuca much Common Ccuch pratensis (Meadow Fescue), most phed. The grass total for the day was 32 taxa. Hordeum secalinum Meadow Barley Plant Gall list from Heggatt Hall (Galls, listed under host plants, inducers in brackets)

Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore) Artacris cephclonea (mite) Eriophyes psexdoplatani (mite)

Aesculus hippocastani (Horse chestnut) Vasates hippocastani (mite)

Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) Phyllocoptes goniothorax [mite)

Dry’opterus spp. (Ferns) Chirosia betul eti- (fly)

Euonymus eu.~opaea (Spindle) Eriophyes convolvers (mite)

Fagus sylvatica (Beech) Hartigioia anrulipes (midge) MILLENNIUM MEETING footpath via a field of Flax that had Eriophyes ner/isequus nervisequus (mite) seeded and was ready for harvest. The Eriophyes ner/isequ us fagineus (mite) edges of the field were bordered with It was the intention of the Society to Fraxinus exce lsior (Ash) Wild Radish Raphanus raphanistrum Psyllopisis fraxini (psyllid) add a visit in the first year of the Pseudomonas savastonoi vai. fruxini the flowers of which were attracting present millennium to its list of (bacterium) various insects. Large White Pieris previous recorded field meetings to Galium aparine (Goosegrass) brassicae and Small White P. rapae Heggatt Hall, Horsted, where the very Cecidophves galii (mite) butterflies. Hoverflies Helophilus first meeting of the Society had been Glechoma hederacea (Ground ivy) pendulus, Episyrphus balteatus and held in 1869, as had the meetings for Rondaniola bursaria (midge) vitripennis. Plant Bugs Sehirus our 100th and 125th anniversaries. Syrphus Ilex aquifolium (Holly) bicolor and Common Froghopper Unfortunately due to the restrictions Phytotmyza Weis (fly) spumarius. The hedge caused by the recent Swine Fever Philaenus Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) alongside the track was notable for its outbreak in the county, it was not Phytoptus similis prunispinosae (mite) abundance of Spindle Euonymus possible to follow in our footsteps of ( Quercus robur (English oak) europaes). previous occasions due to the presence Andriem kolluri (wasp) Andricus fecundator (wasp) of a large number of pigs in the fields entering the wood Mother of Pearl Andriais antt.racina (wasp) that we would have to cross. On Andricus ligmcola (wasp) moths Pleuroptya ruralis were distur- Andriais quercuscalicis (wasp) bed from the nettles. A nest of the We were, however, able to visit Burnt Andricus quevcuscorticis (wasp) Carder Bumble Bee Bombus Andricus quercnsradicis (wasp) Wood on the opposite side of the Common ; had been exposed on the Biorhiza pallida (wasp) estate, where our host had kindly pascuorum Cynips divisa (wasp) path by the tractor wheels but was still enlarged a number of pathways in the Cynips longivuntris (wasp) active. Green Shieldbugs Palomena wood which had become overgrown Cynips quercc sfolii (wasp) prasina in various stages of growth Neuroterus aluipes (wasp) due to the wet weather in previous Neuroterus numismalis (wasp) months. were common along the paths. In the Neuroterus quercusbaccarum (wasp) grassy areas Grass Moths Crambus Trioza remola (psyllid) th straminella and Agriphila tristella On Sunday August 20 ., a large party together with the Craneflies Tipula Posa spp. (rose) of members assembled in front of the Diplolepis rosoe (wasp) and Nephrotoma submacal- Hall where we were welcomed by Mr. paludosa Puhus fruticosus (Bramble) losa took flight as we walked along, as and Mrs. Richard Gurney who led us Dusineura plicatrix (midge) did Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria violaceum (micro-fungus) into a small dell in which grew a num- Pbragmidium butterflies and Silver-y Aurographa ber of American Pokeweed Phytolacca Stellaria holcstia (Greater stitchwort) moths. In cleared areas Hemp- acinos and also Deadly Nightshade gamma Brachycolus stellariae (aphid) nettle {Galeopsis tetrahit), Climbing Atropa belladona. Emerging from the Tilia sp, (Lime) Corydalis Ceratocarpnos claviculata) (mite) dell we were confronted with a ( Phytoptus leJospmq

and Wall Lettuce (Mycelis muralis) Chinese Hankerchief tree Davidia Veronica charnaedrys ( Germander speedwell) were among the less common species Jaapiella veron.cae (midge) involucrata, the leaves of which noted. large tree leaves. resemble Lime Also recorded: Unfortunately the tree was not exhib- Periphyllis acericola, non-gatling aphid on reaching the sunny side of the wood iting the showy white bracts from On Sycamore Dragonflies were hawking, the South- which it takes its name. ern Hawker Aeschna cyanea and the Migrant Hawker A. mixta, one of which Rex and Barbara Haney We made our way along the public ) )

kindly posed long enough for close examination. A few insects were swept the Christmas Cross More) from this area, the Mosquito Aedes 8. Compiled by Bob Ellis punctor. Plant Bugs Deraeocoris Across ruber, Calocoris norvegicans and Lyctocoris campestris, Sawfly 7. Chrysanthemum , the corn marigold. (7) Selandria serva, Beetles 7-Spot dulcamara, bittersweet. (7) Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctatci and 10. Could be sickle or bur. (6) Exochomus quadripustulatus also a 1 1 . A resident woodland bird. (8) number of small flies Opomyza 1 2. Could be roseate or sandwich. (4) germinationis. 24. 613. Leucanthemum vulgare. (2-3,5) 1 4. summer-visiting warbler. (1 26. A 1 Tortoise beetles Cassida rubiginosa 1 9. Ligustrum vulgare. (4,6) and their curious larvae were found on 22. A fruit. (4) die Thistle leaves, where a male wasp 23. A type of carnivorous dinosaur. (8) Cerceris rybyenis was also resting. filiculoides, water fern. (6) 25. A name sometimes given to the chough. (3,4) In the afternoon a reduced party made speciosa, yellow-oxeye. (7) a further excursion but the cloud had gathered and insects were scarce. The Down many Gatekeepers (Pyronia tithonus) noted earlier in the sunny glades were 1 A type of damselfly. (3-4) no longer to be seen, although we did 2 In botany, a name often applied to the calyx and the corolla together. (8) find Heath Speedwell ( Veronica offici- 3 Could precede bee, wasp or pint. (6) nalis) along a track not previously 4 A concoction made from dandelions, for example. (4,4) visited. 5 A common alien goose. (6)

pratensis, devil's-bit scabious. (7) We were very thankful that the 9 An animal that feeds mostly on invertebrates. (1 1 weather had held good for us on this 1 5 A culinary herb. (8) occasion, also my thanks to those 1 6 Could be Scottish or bog. (8) members that passed on their records 1 stonecrop. for this report. 7 Crassula , mossy (7) Ken Durrant 1 8 Could be hoary or moth. (7)

20 Silene , red campion. (6)

21 Used by fullers. (6)

BRYOLOGICAL EXCURSIONS Continued from page 6

Saturday 31 March: Swannington Upgate Common. Park on road side at TGI 421 83.

Sunday 8 April: Seaming Fen & Rush

Meadow . Parking at Seaming is difficult; best to park on verges at TF980123, before/after the bend in the road. For Rush Meadow, park at TG9771 36 by sewage works.

Saturday 28 April: Swanton Movers Great Wood NNR. Meet at ‘phone box in Swanton Novers village, TG020322. The warden, Robert Baker, will lead us into the wood.

Contacts:

Robin Stevenson, College of West Anglia, Tennyson Avenue, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 2QW Tel (01553)761144 x248, or home (01553) 766788.

John Mott, 62 Great Melton Road, Hethersett, Norwich, NR9 3HA. Tel (01603) 810442. '

The Birds of Norfolk more than 200 years, but it is the A Flora of Norfolk 1 birthplace ofmany eminent botanists

! who occupy an important place in the Following the success of the I Last August received a review . history ofworld botany. initial publication of the book of the 1999 'Flora'. The review The Birds of Norfolk last was sent by Ryszard Ochyra, a i Readers interested in the history of

October, a reprint containing < botany would do well to read A. Bull's Bryologist in the Institute of well written account devoted to the some amendments and addit- Botany, Polish Academy of ; ional information, '. botanists ofNorfolk, whichforms part has now Sciences, Cracow who had > Flora. been published by Pica Press. of the introduction to the written the account in:- This soft version back with a 'Chronmy Przyrode Ojczysta' i The distribution mapsfor vascular cover price of £25 is available {Let Us Protect Nature in Our ! plants have been compiled with the from local bookshops and the Homeland]. Unfortunately it was ‘ utmost accuracy, being based on a Visitor Centres at the reserves all in Polish and meant little to grid of two kilometre squares j of the (tetrads). . . . Numerous species are me. I did, however, visit Poland i

and RSPB at Cley, Holme, i illustrated in excellent coloured later where a friend, Maria Hickling, Minsmere, Ranworth i photographs Nowak, translated the text into and Titchwell. i English for Copies of the me ' The work has been expertly edited and translation have been sent to the , reading it is a The royalties arising from the superbly produced, so authors of the 'Flora' and to 'The > pleasure indeed. Although its rele- sales of the first edition totalled

Norfolk Natterjack' i vance to a Polish readership may £4,100. This sum has been Arthur Copping 1 appear slight, it serves well as a to distributed the RSPB for use '' modelfor other local Floras, of which on the Berney Marshes Reserve ' Review Highlights we are desperately short, instead of (£1,900), the Norfolk Wildlife spending money on nature projects of j Trust for its 'Securing the ; dubious value, Polish botanists would Situated in the south-, Future Appeal’ (£1,900) and the >. be well advised to concentrate on Norfolk now has a marvellous new How Hill Trust (£300). producing such local treatises which treatment of its vascular and have a lasting place in literature, bryophyte flora, thereby making it [ rather than trivial accounts which end It is hoped that buoyant sales floristically one of the best docu- | up as forgotten pieces ofpaper, of the reprint will result in mented parts of the British Isles. Not j

! gathering dust on the shelfofsome further sums becoming avail- only has the county a tradition of official. able for conservation projects botanical research stretching back Ryszard Ochyra within Norfolk. 'An Evening in the A note to CONTRIBUTORS. Moss Taylor (01263 823637) The next Natterjack will be in Peter Allard (01493 657798) Countryside February. It would be much nd Don Dorling (01603 810318) Wed. 22 November 2000 appreciated if any correspondence An evening event (7.30pm ) at could be sent to the following The Playhouse. Norwich in aid of the address, as possible by PHOTOGRAPHIC GROUP ’We care 2000' Appeal as soon January 10 th and marked with MEETINGS 2000 - 2001 , Presentation of slides followed by a question Room H Easton College Leisure Centre 7.30 pm NNNS on the envelope. For those and answer session featuring the EDP nature correspondents: with access to a computer a Monday November 57 Grace Corne - Rex Haney WORD document or an ordinary 'Birds on the rocks' Moss Taylor - Percy Trett text file on disc would be most Illustrated talk Rian Dixon by helpful, or you can send an e-mail

to: [email protected] Monday February 56 Tickets £5 (cheques made payable to 'Botswana and the Okavango We Care 2000 Appeal) call FF Delta’ 01603-625321 or send SAE to 1’ Francis Farrow Illustrated talk by Hans UJatson We Care 2000 Appeal U EDP, Prospect House, Rouen Road, 'Heathlands'

Monday March 56 Norwich, NR 1 IRE. 6 Havelock Road A Fensman with a camera' Sheringharri Illustrated talk by George Taylor. Please submit your question when Norfolk NLUT warden applying for tickets NR26 8QD