Flowers and flutterbys in November  

We are told that November 2011 is expected be at least the second warmest November in more than 350 years of records.

Many people will have noticed plants in their garden with unseasonal flowers, and the same is true out and about around the Wanstead area. There are also at the moment quite a lot of ladybirds – particularly the Harlequin Ladybird - wasps and even bees to be seen whenever there is some sun and warmth.

Common DarterDuring a walk in Wanstead Park and the adjacent Aldersbrook Exchange Lands (the old Sewage Works site) on the 13th and having seen one Red Admiral butterfly fly past me in Aldersbrook, another (although I suppose possibly the same one!) landed on my hand in the Exchange Lands. Tim Harris reported that he had also seen a Small Tortoiseshell at much the same time nearby, and we both watched Common Darter dragonflies – newly emerged – by the Ornamental Waters and by Perch Pond. There were a few hoverflies about, too – including the drone-fly Eristalis tenax which may in fact be found throughout the year.

As for the plants, there were a number of species still with flowers including MallowCock's-foot (grass), Black Nightshade, Canadian Fleabane, Mallow, Yarrow, Hedge Mustard, Sunflower, Scentless Mayweed, Pineapple Mayweed, Spear Thistle, White Dead-nettle and Common Vetch. I suspect I could have found more without much difficulty.

A  few days earlier, on 9th, a look at Wanstead Flats showed Charlock, Red Dead-nettle and Gorse in addition to some of those found on 13th, and on 6th November near the Green Man roundabout there was Musk Mallow, Tufted Vetch and Chicory as well.

Of course some of these are well known for having a long season for flowers – Gorse particularly, and Yarrow can tend to hang on to its flowers too – but it is both interesting to be able to find so many species in flower and also a bit disconcerting that seasonal expectations may not be fulfilled in the future!

Paul Ferris, 16th November 2011