Birds

28/09/21 A female Tawny Owl was again heard calling around my Area 4 garden at 06:00.4 Canada Goose flew East calling and a Jay was Flying backwards and fowards over the garden.

26/09/21 I was woken at 01:50 this morning by a female Tawny Owl calling from a neighbours garden. A walk around Areas 7 & 8 produced a Buzzard near the motorway, Chiffchaff In a Tit flock that was moving through the hedges and a probable Raven moving East.

25/09/21 Seen during a South East Rivers Trust walk along the Emm Brook through Area's 4 and 5 were a Kingfisher heading down stream near Kingfisher Bridge,a Buzzard ,flying over the pond in Area4, which had disturbed the Goldfinch ,also seen were a Great spotted Woodpecker , Grey Wagtail and a Mistle Thrush.

23/09/21 In and around the Car Park field in Area 10 were 2 Chiffchaff a Blackcap , and Bullfinch ,also seen were a Sparrowhawk and a House Martin . All sightings by Nick Kightley.

22/09/21 I visited Area 1 after work and was delighted to see 2 Juvenile Hobby sitting at the top of a Pine tree, being fed Dragonfly by a parent. Also in Area 1 were Jay , Coal Tit , Great spotted Woodpecker , Nuthatch and a Goldcrest. In Area 10 a Little Egret was perched on a branch over the Emm Brook seen by Trevor Guyatt. 2 Chiffchaff were in and around Paul Bright Thomas's Area 4 garden, a Mistle Thrush repeatedly flew overhead. Tree Pipit and Meadow Pipit flew overhead calling with a Kingfisher heard as it flew along the Emm Brook.

21/09/21 3 Ring necked Parakeet were seen flying South over Area 4 by Paul Bright Thomas.

19/09/21 A Mistle Thrush was seen to fly over Area 5 with its rattling call. In Area 8 there were 2 Grey Wagtail and a Grey Heron in the balancing pond by Old Forest Road. A Little Egret landed and then quickly took off. 7 Swallow flew over heading South.

18/09/21 In Area 7A Redstart were still around the houses around Queens Road . A Peregrine was seen later by Paul O'Neill. Fraser Cottington picked up 3 Blackcap in the Area 10 Car park field with 10 Meadow Pipit flying over, later 2 Sparrowhawk and 16+ House Martin were seen . In Area 1 a Hobby was calling and flying around and being harrased by several Carrion Crow .Also seen were Great spotted Woodpecker ,Green Woodpecker and Coal Tit .

17/09/21 14 Ring necked Parakeet were seen flying over Queens Road in Area 7A heading NE also seen by Paul O'Neill were 5 Black Redstart on the roofs and gardens of the houses on the new estate. Close up photo courtesy of John Absolom.In the Area 4 balancing pond a Chiffchaff was heard singing, also a Jay and a calling Nuthatch .

16/09/21 In Area 10 a party of 10 noisy Long tailed Tit were moving between the hedges and ocassionaly perching on the wires.

15/09/21 Over Area 4 this morning a Raven was seen by Paul Bright-Thomas heading low SW calling.

13/09/21 A Raven was seen and heard heading West over Area 4 at 14:12.

12/09/21 On the wires in Area 7A were 7 Swallow a House Martin was also seen flying over Queens Road. In Area 10 a Great White Egret and Little Egret was seen near the Emm Brook by Steve Beasant. In Area 4 a Meadow Pipit was heard heading South and a Raven was heard heading North by Paul Bright Thomas. Egret photo courtesy of Steve Beasant

11/09/21 A walk around Area 10 this morning produced Ring necked Parakeet in the Carpark field along with Jay , a calling Green Woodpecker Blackcap in the hedges and Chiffchaff In Area 7A a Hobby was seen flying high and heading North by Paul O'Neill.

10/09/21 Paul O'Neill was out in Area 7A and saw 16 House Martin drifting South and also at least 6 Swallow still on the telegraph lines and flying around at Ashridge Farm.

09/09/21 A bit of a novelty today for the local Collared Dove population, rain at lunchtime gave them a chance for a wash and brush up. Lifting their wings to the sky in order to get a good soaking and 'wash under their arms'.

08/09/21 On a walk around Ashridge Meadows in Area 7A a charm of 40 Goldfinch were seen feeding on the seed heads in the long grass, before flying to the bushes when disturbed .A Kestrel was also hunting the same areas and a couole of Red Kite were riding the thermals.

07/09/21 A Raven was heard but not seen as it flew over Area 4 at 12:00, meanwhile later in the day 1 but possibly 2 were seen by Paul Bright Thomas along with a Little Egret flying East along the Emm Brook.

06/09/21 No sign of the Red -backed Shrike this morning in a 75 min search by Paul O'Neill however he did have a fly over Yellow Wagtail for his effort. A Hobby was seen around the car park field in Area 10 by Ben Knowles. and a Spotted Flycatcher was seen in Wet Meadow. Photo courtesy of Alan Jackman.

05/09/21 In Area 5 a Coal Tit was heard calling from a Conifer. In Area 10 a Redstart was in the hedge at the bottom of the car park field and a Whitethroat was in middle copse of the car park field. In Area 7A in the afternoon a male Red-backed Shrike was in the hedge to the East of Ashridge Meadows .Whilst watching the Shrike a Yellowhammer was also in the hedge, a Raven flew over and a Ring necked Parakeet was calling.Photo courtesy of Andy Tomczynski.

04/09/21 In Area 10 a Black tailed Godwit was seen to fly over the hedge at the bottom of the car park field with a supporting cast of Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart in the hedge. All seen by Fraser Cottington.In Area 4 a Nuthatch was on my garden feeders.

03/09/21 In Area 10 a Spotted Flycatcher was seen at the top of the trees by the wet meadow. A Redstart was still in the hedges at the bottom of the Car park field and 2 Grey Wagtail and 2 Mistle Thrush were seen by the Dinton Activity Centre. Photo courtesy of Geoff Emmett.

02/09/21 In Area 7A at least 7 juvenile Swallow were still being fed by adults on telegraph lines in Bell Foundry Lane and a female Kestrel was seen over Ashridge Meadows both sightings by Paul O'Neill. In Area 10 a Redstart was still being seen in the hedges at the bottom of the Car park field off Sandford Lane.

01/09/21 In Area 10 a Redstart was still in the hedges at the bottom of the Car park field off Sandford Lane. Photo courtesy of Alan Travers.

Insects

28/09/21 The Moth trap was out overnight(27/09/21) in my Area 4 garden and emptied this morning.Its getting towards the time when the 125 watt Mercury Vapour lamp will be put away for the year . Todays catch was a meagre one with 12 moths of 5 species. Highlight of the moths were 4 Lunar Underwing Omphaloscelis lunosa and 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum . Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

25/09/21 In my porch in Area 4 this morning was a Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata moth

24/09/21 The Moth trap was out overnight(23/09/21) in my Area 4 garden and emptied this morning.Clear, colder nights with a bright moon are not conducive to good results from the moth-trap and as always happens in the autumn the numbers drop. Todays catch was 23 moths of 12 species . Highlight of the moths were Lunar Underwing Omphaloscelis lunosa , and Deep-brown Dart Aporophyla lutulenta both first's for the year. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

21/09/21 In Area 7 in this mornings sunlight Ivy Bee Colletes hederae and Drone Fly Eristalis tenax were enjoying the nectar of the Ivy.

20/09/21 The Moth trap was out overnight(19/09/21) in my Area 4 garden and emptied this morning. The catch was 51 moths of 21 species . Highlight of the moths was a Black Rustic Aporophyla nigra , 4 Common Marbled Carpet Dysstroma truncata a common and remarkably variable species and Hypsopygia glaucinalis .Also around the moth trap was the Harvestman Odiellus spinosus another first for the FOTEB list. Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

18/09/21 The sun was out and so where the Butterflies in Area 10. Comma Polygonia c-album and Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta were feeding on a Bramble Bush in the Car Park field. Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria were sticking close to the vegetation and Large White Pieris brassicae were everywhere.

17/09/21 On the fence in my Area 4 garden was a Migrant Hoverfly Eupeodes corollae . Walking around Area 5 at lunch time another Hoverfly , Myathropa florea was seen feeding on the umbellifers .

16/09/21 The Moth trap was out overnight(15/09/21) in my Area 4 garden and emptied this morning. It was a modest catch of 47 moths of 18 species . Highlight of the moths caught were a dark form of Box tree Moth Cydalima perspectalis , 2 Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa generally seen on the wing from May to October as the result of two broods and Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens . Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released. In Area 10 a Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Butterfly was on a Bramble Bush.

14/09/21 On the flowers of Water Mint in Area 10 were Green-veined White Pieris napi Butterflies . Nearby Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana Moth were flying around Nettles . Another first for the FOTEB list was the Harvestman Opilio canestrinii . The species is an invader that is quickly colonising Britain. It was first seen in the UK in October 1999 beside a reservoir in the Lea Valley, Essex.

13/09/21 On the vegetation in Area 7 are quite a few Adult Common Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina A large shieldbug with a dark wing membrane and reddish antennae (4th and 5th segments). Adults are bright green in the spring and summer, but finely punctured with dark marks. They become a darker bronze-brown prior to winter hibernation. The nymphs of the species which can also be seen in Area 7, go through 5 instar or moults until they reach maturity and look completely different on each one.

12/09/21 The Moth trap was out overnight(11/09/21) in my Area 4 garden and emptied this morning. It was a reasonable catch of 55 moths of 17 species. Highlight of the moths caught were Oak Hook-tip Watsonalla binaria , Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum , Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata and Vines Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua . Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

11/09/21 Wandering around Area 10 this morning I saw Comma Polygonia c-album ,Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria and Large White Pieris brassicae Butterflies. A pair of mating Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta Dragonflies. There were plenty of Harvestmen seen with Male and Female Leiobunum rotundum , Common harvestman Phalangium opilio and Dicranopalpus ramosus agg .

10/09/21 A Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Butterfly was seen in my Area 4 garden.

08/09/21 The Moth trap was out overnight(07/09/21) again in my Area 4 garden and emptied this morning. It was a reasonable catch of 88 moths of 23 species. Highlight of the moths caught were Gold Triangle Hypsopygia costalis , 2 Centre-barred Sallow Atethmia centrago Common Marbled Carpet Dysstroma truncata and Small Dusty Wave Idaea seriata Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

07/09/21 Patrolling around a pond in Area 7A were several Male Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea Dragonflies, meanwhile taking a far more leisurely approach to a sunny day was a Male Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum .

06/09/21 In Area 1 a large number of Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni were on Nettles beneath Alders and an Oak Tree. There are 263 in this photo. You can see their presence by the lace-like leaves of the alders that have been eaten away to skeletons. Alder leaf beetles were considered as an extinct species in the UK until just a few years ago. However, their status has changed dramatically in the last few years and they are now not just present but super-abundant. Also seen in Area 8 was a Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum .

05/09/21 The Moth trap was out overnight(04/09/21) in my Area 4 garden and emptied this morning. It was a good night with a catch of 101 moths of 27 species. Highlight of the moths caught were Jersey Tiger Euplagia quadripunctaria a first for the FOTEB list and Chinese Character Cilix glaucata This unusual-looking moth combines its wing-pattern and resting posture to give the appearance of a bird-dropping, thus avoiding the attention of hungry birds. Also caught was an Old Lady Mormo maura . A large moth that gets its name from the wing pattern which was said to resemble the shawls worn by elderly Victorian ladies. and Copper Underwing Amphipyra pyramidea . Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

04/09/21 A sure sign that Autumn's coming in the Insect world is the sight of Harvestmen and Craneflies. At Old Forest Meadows Road Meadows in Area 8 among the Fleabane were a Female Harvestman Leiobunum rotundum . and a Male of the Cranefly Tipula oleracea. Both are known as Daddy long legs for obvious reasons.

03/09/21 On my kitchen wall in Area 4 was a particularly magnificent Giant House Spider Eratigena atrica.. Giant house spiders are particularly prevalent in the autumn when the males are out looking for females. It is also one of our fastest invertebrates, running up to half a metre per second.

02/09/21 The Moth trap was out overnight(01/09/21) in my Area 4 garden and emptied this morning. It was a busy night with a catch of 123 moths of 35 species. Highlight of the moths caught were Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa. An unmistakeable and distinctive moth with pinkish-brown markings. The wings are folded along the body at rest which gives the impression of a withered autumn leaf and the micro moth Caloptilia alchimiella/robustella. which mines the leaves of Oak.Also caught were double figure numbers of Brimstone Opisthograptis luteolata , Vines Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua and White Point Mythimna albipuncta . Following inspection and recording/photographing anything caught was released.

Plants/ Trees

22/09/21 In Area 1 the acidic soils of Gorrick Woods are perfect conditions for Common Heather Calluna vulgaris to thrive.

19/09/21 On Willow leaves in Area 8 was the Red Bean Gall Pontania proxima The Gall is caused by the female of the Sawfly Pontania proxima who lays eggs into the leaves.

18/09/21 By a tributary of the Emm Brook at Gorrick Woods was a Hard Fern Blechnum spicant The fronds of this Fern are single pinnate, which means that they grow directly opposite each other on the stem which gives them a herringbone appearance. They taper in at both the tip and the bottom of the stem.Hard fern is dimorphic, which means it has two types of frond – sterile and fertile. The sterile foliage has long, flat, leathery, dark green fronds with slightly wavy edges. They arch outwards, almost parallel to the ground, and can grow up to 30cm. The fertile fronds are longer, narrower and upright. They grow in the centre of the plant with their leaflets spaced further apart from each other, and the outer edges rolled inwards on the undersides. Another first for the FOTEB List.

17/09/21 On the banks of the Emm Brook near Ripplestream Bridge in Area 5 is Redshank Persicaria maculosa a member of the Buckwheat family it prefers marshy areas.

16/09/21 It looks like its going to be a good year for Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa this year along the Emm Brook.

14/09/21 From now till November is the time to look out for the yellow-green flowers of Ivy Hedera helix that grow in rounded clusters. They are a great source of nectar for autumn insects, such as hornets, honeybees and Red Admiral butterflies.

04/09/21 Wandering around Old Forest Meadows in Area 8 and Common Toadflax Linaria vulgaris can be seen along with Birdsfoot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus , Greater Knapweed Centaurea scabiosa , Michaelmas Daisy Aster x salignus and Fleabane Erigeron aureus . I'm not 100% sure that the Michaelmas Daisy isnt a garden escapee.

01/09/21 In Old Forest Meadows in Area 8 and also along the roadside verges Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis can be seen. Its common names allude to its large, yellow, sun-like flowers that only open in the evening.

Fungi

22/09/21 An afternoon Fungi foray in Area 1 at Gorrick Woods produced, 2 Common Earthball Scleroderma citrinum at the base of a Red Ants nest. An impressive display of Sulpher Tuft Hypholoma fasciculare on a decaying tree stump. Also seen was what I believe to be the Earthtounge Geoglossum cookeanum .

19/09/21 This one is definetly Fungi, in Area 5 was a Japenese Parasoll Parasola plicatilis Mushroom. Also known as a Pleated Inkcap

18/09/21 Not really a Fungi but this Silme Mould Reticularia lycoperdon was seen in Gorrick Woods in Area 1.

Amphibians and Reptiles

Mammals

26/09/21 2 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes were seen visiting neighbours gardens in Area 4 at 02:45.

24/09/21 One of my Area 4 neighbours feeds the local Grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis with Monkey Nuts.

08/09/21 A Red Fox Vulpes vulpes was seen wandering around Area 4 at 02:00.

04/09/21 At 02:30 a Red Fox Vulpes vulpes was seen on its usual rounds in Area 4 and at 03:00 one was heard alarm calling.

Fish/ Crustaceans

Molluscs

18/09/21 In Gorrick Woods in Area 1 a Leopard Slug Limax maximus was creeping across the pine needles. Must have been uncomfortable. A first for the FOTEB list.

11/09/21 Making its way slowly across the path in Area 10 was the Red form of Black Slug Arion ater agg . This common Slug can be brown, black, grey, green, orange or reddish in colour.