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Earlham Park: Holly Leaf Miner

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The holly leaf miner ( Phytomyza ilicis ) is a fly that lays its eggs between the upper and lower surface of a holly leaf. Initial damage is caused to the leaves by the female leaf miners piercing the leaf to deposit the eggs. The larvae feed on the leaf tissue which causes the mines which are pale blemishes on the leaf surface. Mines ruin the aesthetics of the leaf and may cause partial defoliation. In June-July, the eggs are laid on the younger, softer leaves. The older leaves on the trees have a thick and tough cuticle that the flies find it more difficult to break through. Leaf miners like to lay their eggs here because it provides a protected zone and a food source when the larvae emerge. The larvae first tunnel through the midrib of the leaf and feed outwards through the tissue for the winter. By March, the larvae should turn into pupae. The miners will emerge as adult flies in May and June. The success of holly leaf miners is limited by predation from birds, such ...
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Pied Wagtail

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Pied wagtails ( Motacilla alba ) are small black and white or grey and white birds. They have long tails with white edges and a fine, black bill. They measure 18 cm. Juveniles are more brown with less distinctive marks and a dark patch on their breast. A twitter is their song of choice. Pied wagtails are an adaptable species found near rivers, canals, lakes and often in towns away from water. A defining characteristic of the wagtail is their constantly bouncing tail. They can be seen flying or running around in an effort to catch insects. They can be found across the UK. They are resident birds but may leave highland and northern areas of Scotland in winter. They gather in roosts in winter as well. Wagtails will build their nests in a hole or crevice. According to the RSPB, there are 470,000 breeding pairs in the UK. This is where they will lay 5 or 6 eggs. The eggs hatch after 12 days and the chicks can fly after 13 days but the parents will continue to feed them for...
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Great Crested Grebe

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The great crested grebe ( Podiceps cristatus ) is a slender water bird with a long thin neck. They are the largest British grebe species with a length of 46-51 cm and wingspan of 85-90 cm. The great crested grebe has white underparts and black upperparts. In the summer, their plumage has the addition of an orange, brown or red ruff. Both sexes have this. Their bill is orange and dagger-like. Juveniles appear like adults in the winter, with a stripey neck and head. They have an elaborate courtship display which involves the pair rising out of the water and shaking their heads. There are around 4,600 breeding pairs in the UK. They typically breed in inland waters but will sometimes be seen on the sea in flocks. The grebes make a floating nest of aquatic vegetation attached to waterplants. They raise 3-5 eggs which are incubated by both mother and father for 28 days. The chicks can swim soon after hatching and ride on their parents' backs for protection from predators, includin...
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Fun with Fungus: Lemon Discos

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Lemon discos ( Bisporella citrina ), also known as yellow fairy cups, are tiny gelatinous yellow cups, up to 3 mm in diameter and 1 mm in height. The inner surface is smooth and bright yellow while the outer surface is a paler colour. They fruit in dense clusters on decaying trees, particularly deciduous trees like beech.   Lemon discos are widely common in North Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Central and South America. The fungus is found in late summer and autumn, it is common but easily overlooked due to its' small size. Their size also means they are considered inedible as it would be too time-consuming to gather enough produce to be used as food.
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Fun with Fungus: Hoof Fungus

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Hoof fungus ( Fomes fomentarius ) is constructed of layers of tubes that grow annually to form the shape of a hoof. The fruitbodies can live for years so there shape will form over time. The upper side is pale grey with darker concentric bands and ridged with furrows.The underside has pores and is a mix of pale grey-brown and darker brown. Each 'hoof' is 5-20 cm wide and 7-20 cm deep. Its' prior use was to light fires, giving it its other name of tinder fungus. Hoof fungus grows on dead or dying birch and beech trees and can be observed all year round. It infects through broken bark and causes rot. This fungus is commonly found in the north, particularly the Scottish Highlands, but it has been increasing in frequency in southern counties of England. The spores produced are white. In spring, a fruiting body can produce up to 887 million spores in an hour. A random fact about hoof fungus is that a 5,000 year old preserved iceman, Otzi, was found with three piec...
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Fun with Fungus: Jew's Ear

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Jew's ear ( Auricularia auricula-judae ) is reddish-brown and resembles a human ear in the way that it curls up in a cup shape. When there is enough moisture, they are soft and gelatinous but dries hard and dark when there is not. They are 2-8 cm wide and 5 mm thick. Jew's ear can be found all year round as they can withstand freezing temperatures. New growth will appear in January and can be frozen solid and thawed out and still be fine. The habitat of this fungus is mainly living or dead elder trees, but can also be found on beech and sycamore. The common name is derived from 'Judas's ear' referring to Judas Iscariot who hanged himself on an elder tree after he betrayed Jesus Christ. Good news, Jew's ear can be eaten! It's not easily fried though, so soups and stews are recommended.
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European Shag

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The shag ( Phalacrocorax aristotelis ) is a large, dark seabird which is superficially very similar to a cormorant which is from the same aquatic bird family; Phalacrocoradinae. The differences between their appearances are that shags are smaller, 65-80 cm in length compared to 80-100 cm for a cormorant. Also, shags have a green, oily sheen to their plumage and steeper foreheads.  Juveniles have dark brown upperparts and pale but grubby underparts. Adults have a small yellow patch at the base of the bill and a prominent black crest on their foreheads during breeding season.  Below are some blurry attempts of taking a picture of one I saw in the middle of UEA broad. In the UK they breed on coastal sites mainly in the North and West. They are usually seen in groups on the coast but can be seen individually on lakes and rivers inland. There are 27,000 UK breeding pairs and 110,000 wintering birds. Over half the population are found in less than 10 sites which makes them a ...
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