Autumn notes from the Commons
As summer gave way to autumn the transition was hardly noticeable as in the main the days continued sunny and relatively warm. A Brimstone butterfly was seen (1st Sept) and during the next couple of days a further nine species were recorded (Speckled Wood, Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Small Copper and Purple Hairstreak), also a Common Wasp’s nest was found (3rd Sept) that had been ‘dug out’ by a Badger. The remaining wasps were desperately trying to repair the damaged nest and to move the pupa.
Mark Clements, who regularly records wildlife on the Commons found a Wryneck and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth (5th Sept). The Wryneck is a small brown bird related to woodpeckers and a migrant, although it formerly bred in the UK. The Wryneck was spotted later (Sept 7th) feeding on the ground, where most likely, it was finding ants, its principle food source. In the spring Mark had found a Devil’s-bit Scabious Sawfly, but it could have been one of two species and to be certain which it was it would be necessary to find larvae. A larva was found (14th Sept) and the species was identified as Abia sericera. This year’s record was the first known for the site in over 25 years. A Dock Bug was noted by Mark (15th Sept) and the first Pink-footed Geese of the season passed over the Common (20th Sept) also the next evening (21st Sept) a Noctule Bat was observed hunting. The following evening (22nd Sept) an adult Hobby was watched coming in from the west, circling and then heading off to the northwest. Another unusual visitor was Birches a female Widgeon, on the pond (25th Sept). A late Hornet was seen to fly into a spider’s web (27th Sept) and was soon killed and wrapped up by the Garden Spider. A walk with West Runton Beavers proved eventful as
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a large female Slow-worm was seen crossing a path. This gave the Beavers a wonderful ‘up-close’ view of the reptile, which made there day.
Red Admiral The relatively mild weather continued into October and over 40 flowering plants were spotted still in bloom (1st Oct). Fly Agaric, the well-known white-spotted red-capped toadstool, was also in evidence as were a number of dragonflies, such as the Common Darter, Migrant Hawker and Southern Hawker. A few days later (5th Oct), a large hoverfly, Arctophila superbiens, was spotted. This species is a light tawny-brown bumblebee mimic, which apart from a small isolated population in Norfolk is more generally encountered in the north and west of Britain. Another scarce, but formally regular winter visitor, the Jack Snipe, was flushed from the Back Bog (11th Oct). The following day (12/10) there was a noticeable influx of Robins, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds and Redwings plus about 20 Bramblings and some Redpolls. Another regular recorder of wildlife over the Commons is Peter Beard and he had the lucky spot of a Peregrine Falcon overflying (13th Oct). As the days passed the number of migrants crossing the Commons increased, with Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Fieldfare, Common Buzzard, Common Snipe, Brambling and Red-legged Partridge being noted by Mark. A large number of Rooks had also visited the Commons, principally to feed on the abundant harvest of acorns. Mark had up to five Common Buzzards (17th Oct) and was fortunate to find a rarity - an Arctic Redpoll. Peter also during the same day had 10 Crossbills flying over. A Noctule Bat again put in an appearance (19th Oct) as did two Chiffchaffs the next day (20th Oct) and another rarity was seen, the Great White Egret, which circled the Common before heading off east (23rd Oct). This was the second record this year of the large heron-sized bird, which are being seen throughout the country more frequently nowadays, in fact, two pairs bred in Somerset this year. Mark also recorded a Woodcock, nine Brambling and a Marsh Tit the same day. A Dock Bug was still active (26th Oct) and Mark reported Goldcrest and Treecreeper (29th Oct) as well as Comma and Red Admiral butterflies and a Common Darter (30th Oct).
With no severe frosts having occurred, the trees were still green with little of the autumn golds, yellows and browns showing as we entered November. A Water Rail was heard calling (3rd Nov) and a Common Buzzard passed over the heath the following day (4th Nov). There was a large westerly movement of Fieldfares (5th Nov) and a Grey Wagtail and two Pied Wagtails were spotted by Mark. A beautiful Short-eared Owl flew up the central valley mire (7th Nov), but despite several attempts to hunt the bird was continually harassed by local Rooks, Magpies and a Sparrowhawk. Eventually it gave up and flew inland. Another westerly movement was noted (8th Nov), this time, by Starlings, with small flocks passing through all day. Mark recorded a flock of 16 Lapwings (12th Nov) heading west as well as a Water Rail calling from the pond’s outflow stream. A Roe Deer was calling (13th Nov) and a Weasel was found dead. It has been over 10 years since a Weasel was recorded and the last one in 2002 was noted swimming in the pond. Siskins were seen by Mark (16th Nov) and a Woodcock and Common Snipe were flushed from the marsh (21st Nov). Five Cormorants headed east and a Nuthatch was heard calling by Mark the same day. A small flock of 10 Brambling heading south and a common snipe were also spotted by Mark (29th Nov). At the end of the month the weather has still been fairly benign and although the autumn colours have finally arrived many of the trees are still carrying a lot of leaves, which, especially with the birches have given the countryside a beautiful golden glow. Francis Farrow, Hon. Warden – Beeston Common SSSI/SAC www.beestoncommon.org.uk Sheringham Independent 382 December 14th 2013