New adventures and new discoveries

Earlswood Lakes

Little did I know that I was in for a treat when I visited Earlswood Lakes on Sunday. To set the scene, the sun was out, it was warm and I was ready to go and see what this place had to offer. I was not disappointed.

 There were some lovely Cormorants enjoying the sun, along with Mallards, Canada Geese and two Aylesbury Ducks.

Cormorants and gulls

Cormorants

 Must admit its the first time I have seen Aylesbury Ducks that have not been on a farm yard.

                                                                                There was a lone mute cob swan that was defending its territory  with ferocity chasing the

Canada geese away from, what I can only believe its nesting area. I did not see the Pen the whole time I was there. 

 

I spent about an hour observing two male Great Tits fighting over a Female. The male and female marking are the same, except that the female has a much smaller black breast stripe and the male black has a larger black stripe especially between their legs. This black belly-stripe is an important ‘badge’  It is more appealing to the ladies, since it indicates a good mate and therefore a good parent. So I will be looking at this chap a bit more closely next time. If you look at this picture you can see a much bigger stripe, compared to the female.

As I walked along the lake, I was pleased to see a sign for a Nature Reserve. Now, I was even more pleased to note that it was a reserve that is managed by the Wildlife Trust, who I am now doing voluntary work for. It is called Clowes Wood and on further investigation I discovered it is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). This could be due to the fact it is an ancient woodland, so I will make sure that I explore this place more.
On walking there was the distinct noise of a woodpecker hammering away. After another hour it was spotted, secretly I was hoping it would be a Lessor Spotted Woodpecker, but alas not to be. It was though the Great Spotted Woodpecker, I was not disappointed. Sadly  I could not get a picture, I was enjoying watching him to much. However, I did take these shots.

Cheeky Blue Tit

Treecreeper

Nuthatch

It was a truly lovely afternoon and it really does not get better then this.

                                      

       “I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.”  

                                                                                                                              William Shakespeare

References

BTO (2012) Garden Favourite Great Tit  Spring Bird Table [accessed 11.3.14] http://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/shared_documents/gbw/associated_files/bird-table-69-great-tit-article.pdf
 
Natural England (ND)  Clowes Wood & New Fallings Coppice[accessed 11.3.14] http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1001494

Whats with the Fungi

Boxing day was spent walking around my favourite RSPB reserve... Middleton Lakes. If you have not been there, well you are in for a treat, it has so much to offer. 

It's not just the wildlife that I find so fascinating, but the different vegetation you can see, but there is something that is neither a plant or an animal, that I have always found intriguing and that is fungi. There are five characteristics of fungi which are quite unique:

•  They contain a nuclei with chromosomes

•  They cannot photosynthesize

•  They are osmotropic, in other-words they absorb their food

•  They have diffuse bodies made up of a spreading network called hyphae

•   They usually reproduce by means of spores.

It is thought that fungi diverged from the plant and animal kingdoms about one billion years ago and at one time it was classed as a plant, but no longer.  The reason being it does not have chlorophyll. 

Plants need chlorophyll to make its food to survive and it does this using a method called photosynthesis.  Since fungi does not have this ability it must obtain its own food and it does this by using absorption. Another fascinating fact about fungi is that it does not only live off trees it will also live in ponds and streams. 


If you look at fungi you will see a spreading network called hyphae. This is a  long, branching filamentous structure and they are stacked from one end to another to make the body that we can see.

We need fungi to help decompose matter, this can then be absorbed by other plants. More importantly during this process the fungi will return carbon dioxide (CO2) back to the atmosphere. This is then used by plants during photosynthesis and this will release oxygen (O2). Any fungus on trees has the same effect and that is how the trees obtain CO2. So we need the fungi to help produce the oxygen we need. 

Not only do fungi help with the production of O2 they are very delicious to eat. Did you know that the common field mushroom is a fruiting body of the fungus Agaricus bisporus.. Well I didn't either until now!... Plus they have many medicinal properties, but do ensure you know what you are eating, since some can be very toxic......

Here are a selection of pictures taken at RSPB Middleton. 

This could be Jelly Fungi

Fungi is immobile and so to reproduce it will disperse spores, or they can grow into an adjoining area, like these have. 

The spores are single cells so they can travel some great distances. However, they do encounter problems trying to clear the boundary layer. The boundary layer is a think layer of air that will cover the surface of the plant/leaf/fungi. This air does not move and so the spores have to be projected over. Hopefully the wind will catch the spores and thus carry them a great distance.

We tend to use fungi in every day life, it can work with us;  we make antibiotics such as penicillin. They are also used an immunosuppressant  during and after bone marrow and organ transplants in humans. It is used to make statins, to suppress cholesterol production. 

It can also work against us; we can pick up fungal infections such as ringworm and candida infections. Fungus can be particularly problematic for anyone who has asthma, or any lung condition.

We can also eat fungus and it is used in food production, such as making blue cheese and soy sauce. In addition it is used in making bread, we need yeast to make it rise, not forgetting all you beer and wine drinkers, but did you know it is also used in black tea, the cheeky Candida krusei and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are both found in Kombucha Tea, which is a slightly acidulous effervescent drink that is said to have several curative effects. Please do check with your Health Care Practitioner if you are on any medication before thinking about drinking this, it could be contraindicated.

So there is more to fungus than we think and I could go on and on, but like anything if we live in harmony with it, it will do us no harm.
















References

Anke T & Thines E (2007) Fungal metabolites as lead structures for agriculture. In: Exploitation of Fungi. Eds: Robson GD, van West P, Gadd GM. CUP.

Alexopoulos CJ, Mims CW, Blackwell M (1996) Introductory Mycology 4th edn.. John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Clemmensen KE, Bahr A, Ovaskainen O, Dahlberg A, Ekblad Wallander H, Stenlid J,
Finlay RD, Wardle DA, Lindahl BD (2013). Roots and associated fungi drive long-term carbon sequestration in boreal forest. Science. 339, 1618

Fogel R (2006) Fun Facts about Fungi. [accessed 30.12.13] http://herbarium.usu.edu/fungi/funfacts/Kingfact.htm

Fungal Infection Trust (2013) How Common are Fungal Diseases.  [accessed 30.12.13] http://www.fungalinfectiontrust.org

Kendrick B. (2000) The Fifth Kingdom. Newburyport, MA; Focus Information Group.

Kendrick B (2003) Fungi - what are they?. Mycolgy The fifth Kingdom http://www.mycolog.com/fifthtoc.html 

Gow N & Gadd GM. (Eds)(1995) The Growing Fungus. Chapman Hall, London.

Mayser P, Fromme S, Leitzmann C, Gründer K. (1995) The yeast spectrum of the 'tea fungus Kombucha'.Mycoses. 38(7-8):289-95.

Nordqvist C. (2013) "What Is Fungus? What Are Fungi?." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158134[accessed 27 Dec. 2013]

Plant and Soil Sciences (ND) Transpiration - Factors Affecting Rates of Transpiration. [accessed 30.12.13] http://passel.unl.edu/pages/ informationmodule.php ?idinformationmodule = 1092853841&topicorder=6&maxto=8
  
Pitt JI & Hocking AD. (2009) Fungi and Food Spoilage (3rd edit). Springer. 

Roller S (2012) Essential Microbiology and Hygiene for Food Professionals. GB: Hodder Arnold

Suryanarayanan TS, Thirunavukkarasu N, Govindarajulu MB, Sasse F,  Jansen R, Murali TS (2009) Fungal endophytes and bioprospecting. Fungal Biology Reviews 23, 9-19. 

Wainwright M. (1995) An Introduction to Fungal Biotechnology. Wiley, Chichester.

Micro Time

The sun came out and so it was time to go and take a look round my favorite RSPB reserve. I decided that it would be great to look at all the micro wildlife that we tend to miss. I have become quite fascinated by the different insects that over the years I have ignored. Spiders, wasps, hoverflies and many others that I did find scary!

So to start us off here are some of my favorites. These were taken along the Woodland trail path that leads to you to the Fisher's Mill Bridge. For those that don't know the area click here and it will take you to the map of finding your way round the reserve.

Whilst to some they are very creepy, they do play an important role in nature. Fly's, which I must admit I am not a big fan of, are useful in the right conditions. But, if they get out of hand then they can cause many health problems.

I have discovered that the common green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata) seen here plays an important role in forensic and medical science. In forensic science they can use the maggots to relate to the time of death. How they do it is linked to when the fly lays their eggs in the exposed wound or a body that is decomposing. They have also used maggots for medical situations where there is a serious infection. By placing the maggot in the infected area it will devour the infection. Although please don't try this at home!!

Green bottle fly  -Lucilia sericata

The little chap below is a Flesh fly - sarcophaga carnaria. Like the green bottle they are very common in the UK. Plus they love anything that is decomposing, such dead animals,  faeces or any meat base food. They will use these as a food source for their eggs to ensure their survival. They can lay around 500 eggs in between 75 to 150 batches during a four day period.That's a lot of flies gulp.

Flesh fly - Sarcophaga carnaria

Look out for these quick darting hoverflies. They will move quickly from one plant to another looking for nectar or pollen.

Common Hover Fly Syrphus ribesii           

Dolichovespula Saxonica  -Wasp

I have always been wary of wasps, but I learnt you just need to respect and not panic when they buzz round you. Did you know that that in 1987 the first British record of this wasp was reported, it was spotted near Dorking, Surrey. Not many people know that!

Dolichovespula Saxonica - Wasp

If you love spiders, then do keep an eye out for hidden ones, they will make their spider web amongst the leaves, this way they can trap any moving insects for their supper, stay safe and sheltered

 

 

Spiders will often be found lurking in plants, so look out for their webs. I found this one by peering under the leaf, but I could not get that close with my camera, so the picture is a little on the small side.

                           

This is the same spider, but not taken by me. Cheers Tony Bucknall.

You will also see little snails that have crept up the stem of plants, either resting or eating their chosen preferred plant. In gardens they can destroy many plants although, there are many ways of preventing this. One suggestion is to put comfy leaves around plants, this will encourage the snails to eat these leaves instead of the ones you wished they didn't.  

Snails are an easy meal for some predators like leeches, beetles, and caterpillars. Including frogs, toads, snakes and some birds, such as ducks and geese. Snails must keep moist and so you will find that they spend a lot of time inside their shell. So don't always mistake them for sleeping.

Snail

Snail

One of my all time favourites as a child and I still get a lot of joy when I see them, is the Ladybird. Their bright colour of red will put some predictors off and if a predator does try to eat one they will soon get a bad taste in their mouth. 

 



They secrete a substance over their body that will leave a bad taste in the mouth of the opportunist. However,  swifts and swallows seem to be immune to this substance and will feed on the wings of ladybirds.

 
This is a yellow harlequin (succinea) ladybird. Up until 2010 it was in decline in the United Kingdom and it now seems to be making a come back.








Over by the Fishers Miller Pond I saw a small selection of butterflies making the most of the warm weather. like the yellow harlequin, the comma butterfly is making a comeback. In the 20th century it was almost in decline. So it's good to see another butterfly on the increase.

Comma - Polygonia c-album

Comma - Polygonia c-album

Meadow Brown- Maniola jurtina looking a little worn out

Possibly a Svensson's Copper Underwing Amphipyra berbera ?

Not a 100% sure that this is a Svensson's Copper Underwing, looks very similair to a Copper Underwing, so the jury is out. If anyone knows then do let me know on here.



The range of flowers were also a sight for sore eyes and this is just a small collection

Whilst to some these may look like weeds they play an important role by helping our wildlife. Many beneficial insects rely on plants for nectar and pollen or shelter. If you plant wildlife flowers in your garden then you can attract insects that will act as a natural pesticide. Worth thinking about.

It has also been recorded that over the past 50 years declines have been noted in many groups of British insects, such as common butterflies, moths, bees and hoverflies  that need certain flowers to survive. So we do need to plant more.

One of the main reasons  that wild flowers are being destroyed is due to new building complexes being built all over the UK.

 Many plants need to have insects to pollinate so the flowers can become fertilised. If the insects are in decline this will have a knock on effect on wild flowers.
To attract the insects the flowers must provide food. They have two rich sources - nectar and pollen.

The nectar is a source of energy containing sugars. The pollen grains contain the much needed proteins and oils they will use for growth.

So you can see both do help each other. Without flowers no insects and without insects, no flowers.







I cannot finish without putting up one of my favourite spots. Over by the heronry there is a bird feeder and you will see various birds, such as the blue tit, greenfinch, goldfinch flying in and out to snack on the food put out for them. Here are a few of my favourites.

"Primates need good nutrition, to begin with. Not only fruits and plants, but insects as well"
                                                                                           Richard Leakey

References

Allen, G. W., and Archer M. E.  (1989) Dolichovespula saxonica (Fabricius, 1793) (Hym., Vespidae) found in Britain with a key to British Dolichovespula. Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine, Volume  125, p. 103-105.

BioExpedition (ND) Lady Bug the facts. accessed [25.08.13] http://bioexpedition.com/lady-bug/

Butterfly Conservation (ND) Comma [accessed 30.08.13] http://butterfly-conservation.org

Entomology and Nematology (ND) Common green bottle fly. accessed [24.08.13] http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/livestock/flies/lucilia_sericata.htm 

 Entomology and Nematology (ND) Urban Flies Musca domestica Linnaeus  accessed [30.08.13]http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/flies/house_fly.htm


Phillips A & Roberts in Bees, Wasps & Ants Recording Society (2013)  Anthophora plumipes. Accessed [25.08.13] http://www.bwars.com/index.php?q=bee/apidae/anthophora-plumipes.

Rueda LC, Ortega LG, Segura NA, Acero VM, Bello F. 2010. Lucilia sericata strain from Colombia: Experimental colonization, life tables and evaluation of two artificial diets of the blowfly Lucilia sericata.Biol Res ;43(2):197-203

 Bennett SM (2006) Musca domestica  (The Common Housefly)

Snail world (ND) Information and facts about snails accessed [25.08.13]  http://www.snail-world.com/

UK Safari (ND) Flesh Flies. accessed [24.08.13] http://www.uksafari.com/fleshflies.htm

UK Ladybirds (ND)  Ladybird species in the U. accessed [25.08.13] http://www.ladybird-survey.org/species_list.aspx

Halstead A  in RHS (ND) Plants for pollinators. accessed [30.08.13]   http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Sustainable-gardening/Plants-for-pollinators