Notes for this season

Well it hasn’t been one of the best summers this year but despite the often dull and frequently wet days it is surprising what still can be seen. When the sun did appear so did most of the regulars – insects that is.

The Commons have a record of 29 species of butterfly, which includes ‘one-off’ sightings such as a Swallowtail in 1989. Generally there are around 20 species regularly noted during the year and so far up to the end of August 22 species have been recoded, notably the White Admiral (16th July). Numbers are down for most species but the grassland butterflies such as Ringlet and Meadow Brown did very well.

Other sun-loving insects are the damsel and dragonflies – again the Commons can boast of 18 recorded species with 13 observed this year. Some of the 18 species such as the Yellow-winged Dater seen last year are migrants, although it was suspected of breeding in 1995/96. One of the more interesting species noted this year was the Brown Hawker (29th July), a large dragonfly with bronze-tinted wings.

Other interesting flies and hoverflies have been seen, generally on the large flower heads of Hogweed, Hemp Agrimony and Angelica in particular. Notable among the visitors has been the parasitic fly that targets grasshoppers and shield-bugs – Phasia   hemiptera, the uncommon hoverfly Chrysotoxum veralli, which develops in the nests of ants and a most unwelcome visitor, the alien Harlequin Ladybird observed on July 25th.

Apart from insects reptiles are also sun-loving creatures and Common Lizards have taken every opportunity to bask, even on top of the bracken. (For the record Adders were out in the early Spring and there was also a report of Grass Snake swimming in the Newt pond in April).

Plants have also been in the news with the discovery of Mudwort on the edge of the Top Common Dew Pond, the first in Norfolk since 1914! Mike Crewe, who was taking part in the Sheringham Loke Group’s beck litter pick on July 5th, made the astonishing find.  

Many smaller plants, with increasing scrub and the competition from more robust species, are disappearing. This can be put down to the loss of grazing, burning and other traditional land management techniques being no longer employed. There is, however, another more sinister element that also affects the countryside, including the Commons. This is the abundance of nitrates in the groundwater and the soil, which in effect is causing enrichment of the environment and favouring the coarse vegetation to grow even more luxuriant. The conservation organisation ‘Plantlife’ has studied this particular aspect and concluded that it is indeed a threat. A recent correspondent to the ‘Independent’ mentioned the loss of Harebells from the Commons. Such plants are a casualty of this robust growth and have declined nationally, so much so that in 2005 a survey was conducted throughout the UK. A few Harebells are still present on the SSSI and it is hoped some measures can be undertaken to provide a more sustainable habitat for them.

As August drew to a close it was evident that the Chiffchaffs, Willow warblers and Common Whitethroats had had a good breeding season, as juvenile birds were everywhere. A Reed Warbler was singing from the central marsh throughout July but was probably a non-breeder. In June the Cuckoo called daily with its ‘change of tune’ and a Nightjar could be heard ‘churring’ from the top of a large oak tree. Most of the summer the Commons have provided the hunting ground for a Barn Owl. The owl has been seen both morning and evening quartering the SSSI and the long grass of the Top Common.

By around August 24th the Swifts had left the area and we now turn our thoughts to the Autumn, which is already being heralded by fungi and the high pitched calling of the Dark Bush-crickets from almost every thicket. Whatever the season, whatever the weather the Commons continue to provide a myriad of wildlife to observe and enjoy. If you cannot get to the Commons but have access to the Internet many of the plants and animals are featured in the photo-gallery.

Francis Farrow,
Hon. Warden
www.beestoncommon.org.uk