Early September (4th) wasn’t too bad for late summer insects and many butterflies and dragonflies were still ‘on the wing’, particularly Speckled Wood, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. Dragonflies included Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter. Some large brightly coloured hoverflies were also present such as Sericomyia silentis and Volucella inanis (13th Sept), the latter has larvae that live in bees and wasps nests where they perform a scavenging function. V. inanis is particularly associated with the nests of Hornets. Also at this time a Harlequin Ladybird was found, which was probably a continental immigrant as many of the established colonies in Norfolk are apparently in decline.

I had a report from Tim Adams that when crossing the Common at night, (10th Sept) he observed a greenish glow coming from many fragments of wood along the paths. This was a form of bioluminescence and is usually caused by fungal mycelium or bacteria. The phenomenon is known as ‘Foxfire’ or ‘Torchwood’. In Europe’s large forests the local people often used it to light their way through the trees.

During a walk on 20th Sept I stopped to look at the Knopper Galls on the acorns of an Oak and spotted a very unusual gall. It was one I hadn’t seen before and after consultation with EDP Nature Writer and gall specialist Rex Hancy it was named as Andricus grossulariae, a recent colonist to Norfolk.  Also that day the Kidney-spot Ladybird was noted and a Stock Dove overflew west. Stock Doves are not seen so much locally now but should you come across a flock in a field their suffused bluish-grey hue is quite striking.

During the Loke and Back Common beck clean-up (27th Sept) Three-spined Sticklebacks were noted frequently and a Grey Wagtail was seen at the Dew Pond.

The first days of October were bright and some bird movements were observed. These were mainly small parties of overflying Skylarks, Lesser Redpolls, Redwings, Song Thrushes and Meadow Pipits. Skeins of Pink-footed Geese were also regularly noted during this time. Snipe have been conspicuous by their absence with only one ‘put up’ and one overflying west at a great height.

Insects, despite some frosts, were still around on sunny days and the Noon-fly (18th Oct) and Red Admiral (21st Oct) were observed.

I left the Common at the end of October with Dark Bush Crickets still calling and recently returned after a month working abroad to a winter scene of wind, rain and sleet. With much of the wildlife in hibernation or at an over wintering stage to escape the worst of the weather, observations will be limited but nature is full of surprises and those who venture out can be rewarded.


Francis Farrow,
Hon. Warden

Red Admiral

Andricus grossulariae