THIRD QUARTER 2025

This Journal covers the third quarter of 2025 from July to September.

Carrion Crow

Corvus corone

Crows occasionally search for freshwater mussels, a process that becomes simpler when water levels in lakes decrease during dry periods. Once a mussel is captured, it may keep its shell tightly closed, making it challenging for predators to enter. Crows have learned to drop the shells from a height onto hard surfaces to break them open, allowing them to access the edible flesh inside.

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Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinerea

Grey Wagtails are present year-round. Their diet primarily consists of insects. They are typically found near streams and can be identified by their grey backs and longer tails, distinguishing them from Yellow Wagtails.

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Swallow

Hirundo rustica

Swallows are migratory birds that visit during the summer. They construct their nests in protected areas using a combination of mud, saliva, and straw, which can often be found under eaves, in garden sheds, and other outbuildings. The nests are lined with feathers to provide comfort and warmth. Typically, a clutch contains four to five eggs. Both parents feed the chicks by regurgitating insects. The chicks generally leave the nest about 18 to 23 days after hatching. Once fledged, it may take them up to two hours to achieve flight under the supervision of their parents, who accompany them until they can fly independently. After leaving the nest, swallows tend to return to it for a few weeks before permanently departing. Young swallows that fledged on August 6th began to explore beyond the nest within a few days. After becoming independent, they will gather with other swallows in flocks. In autumn, they undertake a challenging migration to South Africa for the winter, facing adverse weather and potential food scarcity along the way.

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Wren

Troglodytes troglodytes

Wrens often forage on the ground, which increases their chances of picking up ticks. Their head, neck, and face areas are particularly exposed. Ixodes brunneus is a species that specifically feeds on passerine birds, including wrens. When birds engage in dust bathing, which involves rolling in loose dirt or dust, they can eliminate some parasites. Ticks that latch onto birds for a blood meal can transmit diseases and may lead to paralysis or blindness if they are near the bird's eyes.

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Nuthatch

Sitta europaea

In summer, when insects and arachnids are more plentiful, Nuthatches typically shift their diet to include these foods rather than seeds.

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Green Woodpecker

Picus viridis

Green Woodpeckers build their nests in trees, but unlike other woodpecker species, they are seldom heard drumming on tree trunks. They exhibit a undulating flight pattern and produce a call that resembles laughter, often described as "Yah-yah-yah!" Males are identifiable by their red moustaches, which distinguish them from females.

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Shoveler

Anas clypeata

Shovelers are surface feeding ducks with large spatulate bills. These ducks can often be observed at Hainault Lake during the winter months. They use their bills to trawl through the water for insects and plant matter. Female shovelers have mottled brown feathers and display a colourful speculum that is visible when they open their wings.

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Greylag Goose

Anser anser

The Greylag is the commonest native goose.

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Canada Goose

Branta canadensis

The Canada Goose has a distinctive black head and neck, and a large white patch on the throat.

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Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Herons can often be seen standing on the rowing boats in Hainault Lake. They tend to rest near the water, watching for chances to catch fish. When they do catch a fish, herons typically toss it into the air to swallow it head-first, which helps avoid any obstruction from scales and fins in the throat.

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Purple Thorn

Selenia tetralunaria

There are two generations of the Purple Thorn each year. The first generation, which appears in April and May, has more purple in its colouration. The summer generation, emerging in July and August, consists of smaller and paler individuals. This moth inhabits woodland, heathland, and scrub areas. Its larvae feed on broadleaved trees like Hazel and Birch.

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Chocolate-tip

Clostera curtula

Chocolate-tip moths inhabit woodlands, scrub areas, and hedgerows. Their food plants comprise Aspen, Poplar, Sallow, and Willow.

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Lime-speck Pug

Eupithecia centaureata

This moth species is active from April to October, producing two broods. Its larvae have a diverse diet, feeding on various plants.

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Jersey Tiger

Euplagia quadripunctaria

A moth native to the Channel Islands has become increasingly common in Hainault since 2017, being active during the day from July to September. It is often mistaken for being an orange-coloured butterfly while in flight. The larvae consume nettles, hemp-agrimony, plantains, and other shrubs.

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Angle Shades

Phlogophora meticulosa

The Angle Shade is a common moth that produces two generations annually, one in spring and another in autumn. Its larvae consume a variety of herbaceous and woody plants. This moth is well-camouflaged and can be easily confused with a crumpled leaf while resting.

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Mother of Pearl

Patania ruralis

The Mother of Pearl is a micro-moth, with a wingspan reaching up to 4 cm, making it larger than many macro-moths. It can often be found in stinging nettle patches during August, where it is easily disturbed. The moth prefers to rest on the undersides of leaves. Its wings exhibit an iridescent quality reminiscent of mother of pearl when seen from various angles, leading to its common name. The larvae primarily feed on stinging nettles and can be found living in folded leaves that they spin together.

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Latticed Heath

Chiasmia clathrata

This relatively small macro-moth has various named forms and subspecies. The ground colour varies from white to yellow. Its larvae feed on plants in the Pea family, including Clover, Trefoil, and Lucerne.

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Straw Underwing

Thalpophila matura

The Straw Underwing is a frequently observed moth during the months of July and August. Its larvae consume a range of grasses. The underwings of this moth are straw-coloured.

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Oak Processionary

Thaumetopoea processionea

Contact with the hairs of Oak Processionary caterpillars can lead to serious, potentially life-threatening symptoms. In contrast, the adult moths do not present the same health risks. Adults are active from July to September.

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Square-spot Rustic

Xestia xanthographa

The Square-spot Rustic is active from July to October. Its larvae consume grasses and small herbaceous plants.

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Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Noctua janthe

The Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing moth has one generation annually, with adults active from July to September. The larvae feed on herbaceous plants.

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Clouded Yellow

Colias croceus

The Clouded Yellow butterfly is typically an immigrant species that comes from North Africa and Southern Europe. Their populations can fluctuate, and there are years when they are not observed in Hainault Forest.

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Gatekeeper

Pyronia tithonus

The Gatekeeper is a common butterfly that is active during the summer. The males and females can be easily distinguished, as males have notable dark bars on their forewings. Generally, the larger female tends to be lighter in colour. This butterfly is also referred to as the 'Hedge Brown.'

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Small Copper

Lycaena phlaeas

Small Copper butterflies are typically located in meadows. They tend to be solitary, and it is uncommon to observe more than one or two at a time. Males tend to defend their territory and may display aggressive behaviour towards other insects that come near, resuming their position once the encounter is finished. The caterpillars primarily feed on Sheep's sorrel.

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Common Red Soldier Beetle

Rhagonycha fulva

This Soldier Beetle has a reddish-orange body with a black tip. Adults are a common sight in the meadows during July and August when they visit flowers of Knapweed, Wild Carrot, Cow Parsley and Hogweed. They feed on nectar, pollen and other insects.

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Devil's coach horse

Ocypus olens

The Devil's coach horse beetle hunts invertebrates after dark. It curls up its abdomen like the tail of a scorpion when defending itself.

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24-spot Ladybird

Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata

The Twenty-four Spot Ladybird has a dusty appearance. It feeds on fungal moulds and is mostly found on grasses, thistle, nettle, mugwort, knapweed and other low vegetation.

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Adonis Ladybird

Hippodamia variegata

The body of the Adonis Ladybird (4-5mm) is more elongated than other ladybirds with the number of spots varying from 3 to 15 with most located towards the rear. This species is found on wild carrot and other low vegetation on warm summer days.

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Cinnamon Bug

Corizus hyoscyami 

A brightly coloured bug was once considered a coastal species but is now becoming more frequent inland. About 9mm long.

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Leafhopper

Eurhadina

Leafhoppers in the genus Eurhadina normally have a flattened appearance, particularly at the nymph stage. This nymph discovered on an oak leaf measured about 2mm long.

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Roesel's Bush-cricket

Metrioptera roeselii

Roesel's Bush Cricket is omnivorous, but mainly feeds on grass and other greenery. There are two forms; one short-winged that cannot fly and a less common fully-winged form that can. Found in long grass and scrub, this species usually has a cream-coloured edge to the pronotum and three yellow spots on the thorax. Nymphs appear late May and June and adults (13-26mm long) in July and August. 

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Meadow Grasshopper

Pseudochorthippus parallelus

The Meadow Grasshopper is a common insect often found in long grass during the summer months. Females grow to approximately 2cm and are larger and less active than males that grow to about 1.5cm. Males are long-winged, while females are usually short-winged. This species has parallel pronotal side-keels and normally has black 'knees' on its hind legs.

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Willow Emerald Damselfly

Chalcolestes viridis

The Willow Emerald Damselfly is usually seen from July near water where eggs are deposited in willow and alder bark. Large pale wing-spots and a prominent spur on the side of the thorax are distinguishing features that help to identify this species.

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Southern Hawker

Aeshna cyanea

Southern Hawker dragonflies hunt along woodland paths often late into warm evenings and often away from water. They are large, solitary, and inquisitive. Males are dark with bright blue and green markings. Males have eyes that are blue above, females have eyes that are greenish-brown from above.

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Black-tailed Skimmer

Orthetrum cancellatum

This species of Dragonfly is on the wing from May to August. Mature males are blue, females and immatures are yellow.

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Ruddy Darter

Sympetrum sanguineum

The Ruddy Darter is common around well vegetated ponds. Males are red and have club-shaped abdomens. Females have ochre-yellow abdomens with black markings and are not club-shaped. Both sexes have black legs.

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Jewel Wasp

Chrysididae

Members of the family Chrysididae are known as Jewel or Cuckoo Wasps. They are small (4-11mm) and their bodies often have a metallic iridescence. Their eggs are laid in nests of unrelated species. The larvae hatch to feed on eggs and young belonging to the host before eating the host's food supply. Chrysidids are always solitary, usually flying on hot, dry, sunny days. There are a number of similar-looking species.

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European Hornet

Vespa Crabro

The European Hornet is a large brown and yellow social wasp measuring up to 35mm in length. They fly with a deep buzz and may seem threatening, but are not normally aggressive unless provoked. Queens wake from hibernation during May to establish new nests which are often built in hollow trees. Workers emerge in June and often go unnoticed because they do most of their hunting in tree canopies. If a nest is encountered, back away quickly and quietly without any arm flapping and it is likely the Hornets will not feel threatened. European hornets are primarily carnivorous, feeding on a variety of insects, tree sap, fruit, and nectar. They sometimes raid spider's webs for food. Caterpillars are often taken back to the nest for their grubs to feed upon.

This picture shows an Asiatic Hornet otherwise known as the Yellow-legged Hornet. It is smaller and has a far darker body than the European Hornet. The two species can also be told apart by the yellow legs. European Hornets are not a major pest of bee hives. However, the Asiatic Hornet currently spreading across Europe can be a problem for beekeepers. Fortunately, the Asiatic variety hasn't reached Hainault Forest yet (except in resin!).

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Wasp Spider

Argiope bruennichi

Wasp Spiders build large orb webs in grassland which catch grasshoppers and crickets.

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Hedgehog Gall

Andricus lucidus

Hedgehog Galls are caused by an agamous generation of a gall wasp on English Oak. They grow on buds, producing roughly a hundred spines about a centimetre long. The spines have rounded tips.

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Gypsywort

Lycopus europaeus

Gypsywort grows in wet locations. It is a member of the Mint family. The leaves possess a mild scent with an overall fragrance being fairly mild and not especially strong. The plant is named after its traditional use by Romany people for dyeing.

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Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

Red clover is a common perennial plant, widely found in grassy areas. It has pinkish-red flower heads and trifoliate leaves. The green leaflets are marked with a white V-shape. The plant provides a valuable source of nectar for bees.

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Common Mallow

Malva sylvestris

Common mallow has pink purple-striped flowers with five petals, hairy stalks and five-lobed leaves. Plants are seen from June to October and are usually found on waste ground and along footpaths.

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Curled Dock

Rumex crispus

Curled Dock grows up to one metre tall usually on disturbed ground. It is very hardy and can survive several months submerged in floodwaters. The tall flower spikes are densely packed with flowers and seeds. The leaves are slender with wavy edges and normally taper to a point.

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Teasel

Dipsacus fullonum

During July and August the spiky flower-heads of Teasel display rings of purple flowers. The plant attracts goldfinches and other birds which feed on its seeds.

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Creeping Cinquefoil

Potentilla reptans

Creeping Cinquefoil is a perennial that spreads using long rooting runners. The solitary yellow flowers have five yellow notched petals surrounding twenty stamens and many pistils. The palmate leaves are divided into five (sometimes seven) toothed leaflets.

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Common Fleabane

Pulicaria dysenterica

Common Fleabane is a perennial found in damp habitats during August. Its golden-yellow composite flower-heads (15-30mm across) grow on erect stems. The basal leaves often wither before the flowers appear.

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Water Mint

Mentha aquatica

Water Mint grows in freshwater habitats and during August can often be found near Hainault Lake, Roes Well and Sheepwater. It has clusters of lilac-pink flowers and aromatic, dark green leaves.

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Mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris

Mugwort is a perennial often found on disturbed ground from May until September. It has erect reddish-brown stems that grow up to 1.5m tall. The tiny flowers, 3-4mm long, are wind pollinated.

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Flame Shield

Pluteus aurantiorugosus

Fire Shield is not a common fungus and this is the first record the website is aware of in Hainault Forest. One fruiting body was found inside a cavity on an old deciduous log, the damaged cap of another was discovered loose on the ground. This species is said to have a preference for living in cavities on deciduous trees. The spores are smooth and ellipsoidal and measure 5.5-7.5 x 4.5-5.5µm.

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Coral Slime Mould

Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa

Fairly common in Hainault Forest, this slime mould normally appears after damp weather, in white and sometimes yellow forms. When mature the fruit bodies remain soft and watery. They can cover large areas of fallen trunks, branches and stumps. Up to 4mm tall.

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Brian Ecott

An Amateur Naturalist

Brian Ecott, creator of the original Hainault Forest Website, enjoying a seat commissioned in recognition of his wildlife recording work. It was provided to make a convenient resting place for him between the bus stop and the cafe. A visitor to the forest since boyhood, Brian has submitted thousands of records over the years. His noteworthy claim to fame is identifying the fungus Laetisaria lichenicola which received a mention in British Wildlife Volume 28 No.2 in 2016. Although fairly widespread, the fungus had been overlooked by the experts, proving that amateur naturalists can play an important role in recording wildlife!

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Thank you to everyone that have contributed to this Journal.

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