Noticing Nature at the Rec

Noticing Nature at the Rec Raising awareness and monitoring the wildlife at Portswood Rec Community group supporting Portswood Rec Southampton

Another 3 shrubs that have berries attractive to birds:HollyDogwoodHimalayan honeysucklePhotographed Sept 2
17/09/2025

Another 3 shrubs that have berries attractive to birds:

Holly

Dogwood

Himalayan honeysuckle

Photographed Sept 2

3 more berry bearing plants at the Rec this autumn. These are:PyracanthusElderLords and Ladies. These are toxic to human...
17/09/2025

3 more berry bearing plants at the Rec this autumn. These are:

Pyracanthus

Elder

Lords and Ladies. These are toxic to humans but enjoyed by certain birds

These are 3 types of berry found at the Rec this autumn. All of them provide a food source for birds. They are:HawthornR...
17/09/2025

These are 3 types of berry found at the Rec this autumn. All of them provide a food source for birds. They are:

Hawthorn

Rowan

Cotoneaster

Photographed Sept 25

This is a Cranefly of the genusNephrotoma. (? flavescens or flavipalpis) There are 15 species of these attractive yellow...
16/09/2025

This is a Cranefly of the genus
Nephrotoma. (? flavescens or flavipalpis) There are 15 species of these attractive yellow and black Craneflies, commonly known as Tiger Craneflies.
The extremely long legs help stability in flight and are sensory organs. A leg can be shed if it happens to be grabbed by a predator
Photographed in the back bed 13/09/25

This is Turkey Tail fungus (Trametes versicolor) growing around the bole of the Horse Chestnut tree that had to be remov...
15/09/2025

This is Turkey Tail fungus (Trametes versicolor) growing around the bole of the Horse Chestnut tree that had to be removed. It comes up every year and has spread into the surrounding area. It takes its name from the obvious resemblance to a turkey’s tail and can have subtly different colours in its striations. September 25. Thanks to Anja and Denise for the photos

A Hairy Shieldbug, also known as the Sloe Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum). It is a striking and fairly common in the sout...
13/09/2025

A Hairy Shieldbug, also known as the Sloe Shieldbug (Dolycoris baccarum). It is a striking and fairly common in the south of England. It turned up in the garden area as we were clearing out some overgrown vegetation. 7.09.25

This is an oak leaf affected by Oak Powdery Mildew Fungus (Erysiphe alphitoides) The white, powdery-looking coating is t...
13/09/2025

This is an oak leaf affected by Oak Powdery Mildew Fungus (Erysiphe alphitoides) The white, powdery-looking coating is the mycelium of the fungus that feeds on the trees sugars, often causing the leaves to be deformed and unable to photosynthesize. Weather conditions are often a significant contributory factor to the development of this fungus. Taken in garden area on 7.09.25

Evidence of an oak tree (or shrub) under siege. This cutting from one of the small oaks in the garden area has been atta...
12/09/2025

Evidence of an oak tree (or shrub) under siege. This cutting from one of the small oaks in the garden area has been attacked by various insects and fungi, including oak powdery mildew ( Erysiphe alphitoides) and the Oak Marble Gall Wasp (Andricus Kollari)

A leaf miner larva of a tiny moth (Stigmella basigutella) The egg is laid on the leaf and the developing larva eats its ...
11/09/2025

A leaf miner larva of a tiny moth (Stigmella basigutella) The egg is laid on the leaf and the developing larva eats its way through the plant tissue. As it grows, so does the size of the tunnel, and it leaves a trail of frass (insect poo) which in this species turns from green to brown. Eventually the fully grown adult emerges. This is an oak leaf from the garden area 7.09.25

This is an oak marble gall created by a tiny wasp (Andricus kollari) It is found growing on the twigs of oak trees, ofte...
10/09/2025

This is an oak marble gall created by a tiny wasp (Andricus kollari) It is found growing on the twigs of oak trees, often at the base of leaves. It is initially green but turns brown later in the year. It protects a single larva of the this wasp species, which emerges as a fully grown adult through a hole in the gall (see photo)

These tiny galls were found on the underside of an oak leaf. They are possibly Oak Vein Pocket Galls caused by the larva...
09/09/2025

These tiny galls were found on the underside of an oak leaf. They are possibly Oak Vein Pocket Galls caused by the larval stage of a tiny gall midge. The larvae would feed on the leaf vein
Taken in the garden area 7/09/25

This is something not often seen during the day, but we disturbed it whilst we were gardening. It’s a Garden Snail (Corn...
09/09/2025

This is something not often seen during the day, but we disturbed it whilst we were gardening. It’s a Garden Snail (Cornu aspersion). The tentacles sense light and smell as a snail’s vision isn’t very good. The top speed of a garden snail is 45metres per hour, which apparently makes it one of the slowest creatures on the planet

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Portswood Rec, Upper Grosvenor Road Portswood
Portswood
SO171WZ

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