tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233768812024-03-13T01:02:05.133+00:00Windowbox WildlifeA weblog that follows the natural biodiversity of a windowbox in Sedlescombe, East Sussex, UK from bare soil to wilderness. The project was started with sterile soil in the box in November 2005.Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-72930018363170549692023-01-07T17:15:00.003+00:002023-01-07T17:15:34.668+00:00The end of 2022<p> I have done a Boxing Day (26 November) tidy of the window box ready for the New Year. I have coppiced back the sallow stems that died in the summer drought and taken away most of the dead leaves. The holly is doing well and continues to look like the hybrid <i>I. x altaclerensis</i>, Highclere holly, with flat leaves and prickles round the edges.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswyLwylz7gVet0rRVFnYhMiu9QDOko8LXlVaKgjws81mAMXf649rQgN1yWos_P88gXWkz8_mU-lypDTl6sRAbISB8FBppFKWa9vMpn3Obdj2GiXef-7Cw5gPjX8OlLs5MjKuAv5D22UfPMP8lbOFHx5AEPdRrexx06Bx6cqHsdCKW_xbFpA/s898/IMG_5360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="898" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswyLwylz7gVet0rRVFnYhMiu9QDOko8LXlVaKgjws81mAMXf649rQgN1yWos_P88gXWkz8_mU-lypDTl6sRAbISB8FBppFKWa9vMpn3Obdj2GiXef-7Cw5gPjX8OlLs5MjKuAv5D22UfPMP8lbOFHx5AEPdRrexx06Bx6cqHsdCKW_xbFpA/w400-h344/IMG_5360.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">To the left of the holly is a young 'wintrer green' plant of nipplewort, </span><i style="text-align: left;">Lapsana communis</i><span style="text-align: left;">, growing on the now much decayed sallow log that has been in situ since this project began This is a new record for WBX. Other vascular plants include herb robert and tutsan, both of which are doing well.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K-1cnePMCmwIlwx1Pe_426QSnVRFmAs8OQ49vnAEp7Jg3TOZQLilduKsPJpVWNEA33xfjAymxgWQ_1V6LrWVgwqQ13JeRfUkoCy-SvoSdS-cT4GiSvInSvdovgZYaxIaFyN7GZ65XGxbgeHwvlajojf3iIf-JFuy5-ziS8CZo3xUwHw-rg/s1197/IMG_5359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1197" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K-1cnePMCmwIlwx1Pe_426QSnVRFmAs8OQ49vnAEp7Jg3TOZQLilduKsPJpVWNEA33xfjAymxgWQ_1V6LrWVgwqQ13JeRfUkoCy-SvoSdS-cT4GiSvInSvdovgZYaxIaFyN7GZ65XGxbgeHwvlajojf3iIf-JFuy5-ziS8CZo3xUwHw-rg/w400-h288/IMG_5359.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-67373663244928110322020-05-21T15:43:00.001+01:002020-05-21T16:11:00.475+01:00A return to the window boxFor a variety of reasons I have been neglecting the window box for a number of years, but now I am back encouraged by people asking me about the project.<br />
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I took the photo below a couple of days ago on 19 May.<br />
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Much has disappeared due to neglect - mainly lack of watering in dry weather - but several sallows are still alive and there are tutsan, herb-robert, goosegrass all doing well. The holly in the foreground has also survived but the sallow log is in a very decayed state but much appreciated by woodlice - a sort of woodlouse castle..</div>
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There is quite a thick covering of dead leaves over the whole surface and I shall leave these. I have also cut back (coppiced) the tutsan as it was rather overwhelming the right hand end of the window box.</div>
<br />Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-63183086597827367072018-04-18T23:33:00.000+01:002018-04-18T23:33:01.311+01:00Another sallow flowersThis time some male catkins on what I identify as <b>goat willow</b> (<i>Salix caprea</i>).<br />
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<br />Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-53163702444911197032018-04-14T20:22:00.000+01:002018-04-14T20:22:43.006+01:00The sallows flowerTwo of the self-sown sallows in WBX are carrying flowers (because if forgot, or omitted to coppice them last autumn). I think this will do more good that harm, but I will try a rotational system in the future leaving some to grow up for two or three years before cutting back.<br />
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The female catkins in WBX below are, strictly, the grey willow (<i>Salix cinerea</i>).<br />
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<br />Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-75346016689644086542015-11-06T17:30:00.001+00:002015-11-06T17:30:10.344+00:00Ten years and counting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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4th November was the tenth anniversary of this window box wildlife project. Generally speaking the box seems to have settled into a fairly stable state with many of the plants happily co-habiting. And still there is no sign of falling fertility.<br />
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The picture above shows the top of the sallow log with its remarkable plant assemblage: various mosses, rushes (<i>Juncus </i>sp.), willowherb (<i>Epilobium </i>sp.), hairy tare, white clover, birch, hazel and yew. I thought the latter had died, but it perked up in summer and produced some brownish new leaves (between the two clumps of rush). Just off to the right is a leaf of ragwort. There are several small plants of this, all relatively recent arrivals.<br />
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The picture above is of a berry of tutsan (<i>Hypericum androsaemum)</i>, a plant that has been growing in the box for many years. Most books say the berries are poisonous, but others that they are simply inedible: I suspect the latter is true as no evidence seems to be offered as to the nature of any toxicity.</div>
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The specific name of the plant <i>androsaemum</i> is from Classical Greek and means 'man's blood', <i>andros aimon. </i>This is said to be because the berries, if squashed, produce a red, blood-like juice. They don't. The named was coined by Dioscorides who was born in what is now Turkey, worked for the Roman army and wrote in Greek. Perhaps he meant some other plant.</div>
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Another verbal curiosity is that as well as tutsan, the plant is known as 'park-leaves'. Some books say, with impeccable logic, that this is because it grows in parks, but it is not especially prominent in this habitat. I think a better conjecture, given in <i>The Dictionary of Plant Lore</i>, is that 'park' is a corruption of <i>Hypericum. </i>But why 'leaves' instead of 'leaf'? There is possibly a clue in the Welsh term for the plant <i>dail y beiblau</i> meaning 'bible leaves' (because people used to use the pleasantly balsam scented leaves as page markers in their bibles). Maybe park-leaves were used in the same way in England.</div>
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If anyone has noticed them, the yellow-orange spots on the park-leaves leaves are caused by the rust fungus <i>Melampsora hypericorum</i>, which seems to occur wherever the plant grows.</div>
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<br />Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-11554241978038182582015-06-12T18:36:00.000+01:002015-06-12T18:40:05.931+01:00Fat caterpillar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P66xFUbVgGU/VXsWRqO2kZI/AAAAAAAAEPw/AdwseLHEJ1s/s1600/2015-06-12%2B14.38.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P66xFUbVgGU/VXsWRqO2kZI/AAAAAAAAEPw/AdwseLHEJ1s/s320/2015-06-12%2B14.38.47.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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Noticing that the taller sallow was looking a bit shredded with some sort of feeding damage, I quickly found the culprit was the fat caterpillar above. It is a <b>copper underwing</b>, <i>Amphipyra pyramidea</i>. It can be distinguished from its lookalike Svensson's copper underwing by the break in the white line on its side towards the front end (lower left in the picture) and the fact that it has a yellow rather than a red tip to its rear hump.<br />
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It is a new record for the window box and must have fed up very quickly as I have not noticed it until today. The moth flies later in the year and the species overwinters as an egg, indicating that it must have survived in this condition in the window box for six or seven months.Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-47192760969978712622014-12-05T19:34:00.001+00:002014-12-05T19:34:52.474+00:00Coppice time<p>In a brief spell of rather cold sunshine, I tackled the annual job of cutting back the sallows today.  Before and after pictures below.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qb_isfabY5w/VIIIqKYMLSI/AAAAAAAAEN8/SA0uUS1_l68/s1600-h/DSCN4401%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4401" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4401" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bob003EzzOQ/VIIIrgPKmvI/AAAAAAAAEOE/_4MoZnAvVJ8/DSCN4401_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="309" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BTCVKhyXk4c/VIIIwBHXxBI/AAAAAAAAEOM/RDeGPiz0Y4c/s1600-h/DSCN4442%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4442" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4442" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ekymNpHJ3jg/VIIIxLsv0LI/AAAAAAAAEOU/rS5FX2Eivpk/DSCN4442_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="306" /></a></p> <p>There has been a surprising amount of growth on the sallows during the year and I continue to wonder where they get the nourishment from as no fertiliser is ever applied to the box.  I suppose it must come down in the rain and, to some extent, through the nitrogen fixing abilities of the clover and vetch.</p> <p>The stick at the rear on the left is a two-year old wand which I have allowed to grow to about half a metre as a sort of cordon or pollard</p> <p>With a bit of tidying up the top of the box looks quite presentable and very varied.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HzohrokHrlI/VIII1mOK2KI/AAAAAAAAEOc/q3vBVb9ve_M/s1600-h/DSCN4441%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4441" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4441" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7T76l_Kw_5Q/VIII2tsq_FI/AAAAAAAAEOk/1QEEbpOn9aw/DSCN4441_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="221" /></a></p> <p>It does collect a lot of dead leaves in autumn though and I never know whether to leave them or tidy them away.  Perhaps I could put them into a neat leaf mould pile in some neglected corner.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-34076634798244589522014-09-01T21:51:00.001+01:002014-09-01T21:58:53.366+01:00Close encounter<p>Because, I suppose, of the recent wet weather the slugs and snails have been active everywhere.  The other day I spotted this <strong>tree slug</strong> (<em>Limax maculatus</em>) slithering slowly up a sallow wand.  Eventually it progressed onto a leaf already occupied by larvae of the sawfly <em>Nematus pavidus</em>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eDlmzmMUaz8/VATcYq5Tj4I/AAAAAAAAELU/eGYQVszgnJ4/s1600-h/DSCN4109%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4109" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4109" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ikia9Lj66ag/VATcZw8-n0I/AAAAAAAAELc/b5WTp7wIe50/DSCN4109_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="294" /></a></p> <p>The caterpillars kept flicking up their tails to discourage the slug, which quite quickly turned tail and headed into a less crowded area.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-32230747799181584832014-08-21T23:45:00.001+01:002014-08-21T23:45:25.024+01:00Summer variety<p>Many small things go on in the window box at this time of year and I can easily get overwhelmed with what needs to be worked out or dealt with.  Not that this couple of <em>Sapromyza </em>flies (Dipt: Lauxaniidae) would care about that:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R3s0_4LxsBg/U_Z2OWUDRLI/AAAAAAAAEJ8/FtTdJHVl-VM/s1600-h/DSCN3966%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3966" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3966" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wq8I0rIznzo/U_Z2QPNiXbI/AAAAAAAAEKE/8KRTGNln3Xg/DSCN3966_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="277" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A-YY2JbgM9w/U_Z2SNnSkKI/AAAAAAAAEKM/hpPrOhcRyBA/s1600-h/DSCN4034%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4034" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4034" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HaSMxumHHao/U_Z2TfhJUaI/AAAAAAAAEKU/MCvc9cDpFPY/DSCN4034_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="235" /></a></p> <p>One of the sallows has a fungal affliction that slightly distorts the leaves and there are yellowish patches of  ‘rust’ on the lower surface.  It is undoubtedly a micro-fungus, but I cannot pin it down to a particular species.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4_eDY49i684/U_Z2Win_yZI/AAAAAAAAEKc/TzMfU2WBk84/s1600-h/DSCN4057%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4057" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4057" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Cl8ZRf04LA/U_Z2X6F2DqI/AAAAAAAAEKk/zTqbgUhs8MI/DSCN4057_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The colonies of <em>Aphis gossypii</em> on the tutsan are growing and the ants love the honeydew they secrete.  The abdomen of the ant on the right is gorged with it, but she is still drinking.  The black pods are of hairy tare.</p> <p>I am still fascinated by the way the top of the small log is turning into a plateau of biodiversity.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gKm1bxIzNVM/U_Z2b2liT1I/AAAAAAAAEKs/D8BVsto8Apw/s1600-h/DSCN4060%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4060" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4060" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tfmzV5LyS_k/U_Z2ddLADWI/AAAAAAAAEK0/M-J9DZ9wuPw/DSCN4060_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="347" /></a></p> <p>One of the rush stalks has grown right through the blade of a leaf on the hazel (see below).  This means the leaf will not be blown away by autumn gales and its nutrients can go beck into the log top.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QGY174Q5ueM/U_Z2fmYJSsI/AAAAAAAAEK8/2CiIdhUZoi0/s1600-h/DSCN4072%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4072" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4072" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SupxcHYrCoA/U_Z2grpUXJI/AAAAAAAAELE/eClt_R4QEk0/DSCN4072_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="318" /></a></p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-54852930763628720142014-08-09T22:19:00.001+01:002014-08-09T22:19:17.236+01:00The chequered fruit-tree tortrix<p>The caterpillar I found in a rolled leave of <strong>tutsan</strong> (<em>Hypericum androsaemum</em>) on 30th June (see below) pupated and hatched into a moth recently.  It turned out to be a <strong>chequered fruit-tree tortrix</strong> (<em>Pandemis corylana</em>), a species whose larvae are usually found on trees, especially oaks.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-roOzuCXV4qA/U-aQTDojCXI/AAAAAAAAEJM/QDkghfwvMUA/s1600-h/DSCN3789%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3789" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3789" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SdPtCxamkDk/U-aQUiFTg5I/AAAAAAAAEJU/gorgnsJJtYo/DSCN3789_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="398" /></a></p> <p>Having photographed it, I took it back to the window box and let it go near the plants where I found its caterpillar.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-79472482476655566822014-08-07T22:59:00.001+01:002014-08-07T22:59:29.585+01:00Aphis gossypii<p>The blackflies depicted here on a shoot of <strong>tutsan</strong> (<em>Hypericum androsaemum</em>) have been identified by Bob Dransfield, the national aphid recorder as <em>Aphis gossypii</em>, the cotton or melon aphid.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LBbVCKcOG7Y/U-P2uuDtZmI/AAAAAAAAEI0/G8BgEjs54Qc/s1600-h/DSCN3999%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3999" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3999" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HaqQs0gjM_4/U-P2v_5_rBI/AAAAAAAAEI8/LcOBRU336w0/DSCN3999_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="374" /></a></p> <p>This is a widespread pest in the tropics but not so frequently recorded in Britain.  It can easily be confused with two other aphid<em> </em>species, <em>Aphis chloris</em> and an unnamed <em>Aphis.</em></p> <p>Although they are a difficult group, much progress in the identification of British aphids can be made by using this web site: <a title="http://influentialpoints.com/Blog/How_to_identify_aphids_from_photos--the_basics.htm" href="http://influentialpoints.com/Blog/How_to_identify_aphids_from_photos--the_basics.htm">http://influentialpoints.com/Blog/How_to_identify_aphids_from_photos--the_basics.htm</a></p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-18351909447414692942014-08-06T23:21:00.001+01:002014-08-06T23:21:37.266+01:00A golden argent<p>Interesting name that – means a ‘golden silver’ – electrum maybe.</p> <p>Anyway, I found this <strong>golden argent</strong> moth (<em>Argyresthia goedartella</em>) resting on a sallow leaf in the window box after a heavy rain shower (note raindrops in photo).</p> <p>The larvae are found in birch catkins and there is a large birch tree nearby.</p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hzvTLKVWle4/U-Kqa6-zNeI/AAAAAAAAEIc/TCz6rmL3mPM/s1600-h/DSCN4020%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN4020" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN4020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QhJQBPBBRas/U-Kqb0BxL9I/AAAAAAAAEIk/TGeMxP3qQvA/DSCN4020_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="266" /></a> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-30909040793152573892014-08-04T23:20:00.001+01:002014-08-04T23:20:30.717+01:00The first lacewing<p>This delicate insect exploring a sallow leaf on the window box is a green lacewing <em>Chrysoperla carnea </em>agg.  there are know to be several species in the aggregate, so it would be difficult to be more specific.</p> <p>Among other things they eat aphids and we have some good colonies of this building up on the <strong>tutsan</strong> (<em>Hypericum androsaemum</em>)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3r7QdBepq48/U-AHJ86rNrI/AAAAAAAAEIE/R6SYQqgStDc/s1600-h/DSCN3939%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3939" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3939" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DKI88cqqVv4/U-AHLK80xWI/AAAAAAAAEIM/xrx2-cV21bA/DSCN3939_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="480" /></a></p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-2876671618703175832014-07-26T22:32:00.001+01:002014-07-26T22:32:24.680+01:00A candy stripe spider<p>The picture below shows a female <strong>candy-stripe spider</strong> (<em>Enoplognatha ovata</em> sens. lat.).  This species is easily confused with its rarer relative <em>Enoplognatha latimana – </em>the two were only separated towards the end of the last century.  The spots on the abdomen are characteristic, but often there are red, or deep pink, stripes as well</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l8A-NF0XZZU/U9QePv7x41I/AAAAAAAAEHE/F4wEhgOUqTI/s1600-h/DSCN3803%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3803" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3803" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1fuBvTZWs24/U9QeX2MuJYI/AAAAAAAAEHM/M52WWO2JkLY/DSCN3803_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="295" /></a></p> <p><em>E. ovata</em> spends the winter in leaf litter and grass tussocks and comes up to low growing vegetation in spring and summer.  The females bind some leaves together with silk and guard an egg-sac within.</p> <p>A common and widespread species in the British Isles.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-81885083875892011432014-07-23T18:42:00.001+01:002014-07-23T18:42:56.346+01:00Sawfly predator<p>Most years we get troupes of larvae of the sawfly <em>Nematus pavidus</em> eating the leaves of the goat willows (<em>Salix caprea</em>) in the window box (see entry on 21st September 2008).  There are usually two generations in spring and summer.</p> <p>This year the spring generation performed as normal, turning many leaves to fretwork and some just to a midrib.  The second generation also started off well, but went into a decline a week or so ago.  Today I could only find one or two sickly individuals, but noticed the predatory mirid bug <em>Heterotoma planicornis</em> running about where the sawfly larvae had been.  They pierce their victims with the proboscis and suck the juices out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6cCAiQbefoY/U8_zpyCQQrI/AAAAAAAAEGc/l0Mc6e9NAvs/s1600-h/DSCN3790%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3790" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3790" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V5EYUeIm8KU/U8_zwSHNMnI/AAAAAAAAEGk/xkyBhzGTGSI/DSCN3790_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="272" /></a></p> <p>Though not obvious from the photo this is a very distinctive insect with flattened second antennal segments and slender whitish ones beyond these.  This rather poor picture gives a better idea.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v-nzMl3uRCI/U8_zxsSsr2I/AAAAAAAAEGs/TA3RKrLBvwA/s1600-h/DSCN3793%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3793" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3793" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UdgJN5wXS_s/U8_0Hl3iPxI/AAAAAAAAEG0/exhxcy0kahc/DSCN3793_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="271" /></a></p> <p>The bug is quite small, so maybe it had some help in eliminating the sawflies.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-35532811952470941192014-06-30T22:56:00.001+01:002014-06-30T22:56:28.854+01:00Early summer records<p>The window box continues to offer a home, or temporary shelter, to new arrivals.  I found a caterpillar that had neatly rolled a leaf of <strong>tutsan</strong> (<em>Hypericum androsaemum</em>).  This plant is a St John’s wort but there are several micromoths shelter in spun leaves at the tips of <em>Hypericum</em> shoots.  I think the most likely identity is that it is a <strong>large purple flat-body </strong>(<em>Agonopterix liturosa</em>), but it could be the tortrix <em>Lathronympha strigana</em>, both of which have larvae in spun <em>Hypericum</em> shoots, or one of the polyphagous micros.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F9ziX2593Oo/U7HcfXcIOII/AAAAAAAAEEQ/fPywam2xFHc/s1600-h/DSCN3528%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3528" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3528" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ugFEP9G5Bbc/U7Hclx0pBXI/AAAAAAAAEEY/wk6XfIOq_bE/DSCN3528_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="160" /></a></p> <p>Also, I can see no feeding damage on the tutsan leaves, so it might just be using this one for shelter.</p> <p>On several of the sallow shoots there are colonies of aphids attended by our little brown ants.  I am pretty certain the aphids are the <strong>small willow aphid</strong> (<em>Aphis farinosa</em>) which favours goat willow (<em>Salix caprea</em>), which is the sallow mine are on.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ykOxLHNC9Ko/U7HcszA1jVI/AAAAAAAAEEg/hgJw43Vn4E0/s1600-h/DSCN3552%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3552" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3552" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0F7a6j2_IvA/U7Hct1J139I/AAAAAAAAEEo/espK1_AW14A/DSCN3552_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="310" /></a></p> <p>Also today there was one tiny micromoth perched on a leaf.  It is a <strong>small</strong> or <strong>plain gold</strong> (<em>Micropterix calthella</em>), now right at the end of its season.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LJShs0qIrag/U7Hc5iz3y7I/AAAAAAAAEEw/9mx46tsuc7M/s1600-h/DSCN3548%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3548" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3548" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qpz49Lh7tNk/U7Hc6awBjFI/AAAAAAAAEE4/jX9mCbAwBjc/DSCN3548_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="298" /></a></p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-91084096740526432342014-05-19T19:54:00.001+01:002014-05-19T19:54:13.745+01:00The scallop shell moth<p>One of the chrysalises from WBX I have overwintered hatched out today and was readily identifiable as a <strong>scallop shell</strong> moth (<em>Rheumaptera undulata</em>).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tDblX8qxDec/U3pTTMhl04I/AAAAAAAAD9c/s8kaeCxmK6I/s1600-h/DSCN3299%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3299" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3299" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QfUbs9u-0RM/U3pTUrleVII/AAAAAAAAD9k/ySXQvsq-tow/DSCN3299_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="354" /></a></p> <p>It was found last year as a caterpillar feeding on the sallow in WBX (see photo below).  It hid, or sheltered, under a loose tent most of the time and is distinctive not only from its colour and pattern but from the way in curls round like a question mark.</p> <p><img alt="2013-09-02 12.08.32" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xfv7VPXwcr4/UiS_B4xA1ZI/AAAAAAAADkA/cNG7aBEul5g/2013-09-02%25252012.08.32_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>Not all that common in Sussex I think, but I’ll have to check.</p> <p>After identification I let the moth go in the window box.  It flew straight off, unconcerned about its old territory.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-88622830704066036152014-05-18T23:55:00.001+01:002014-05-18T23:55:12.146+01:00Maybe a conifer.<p>                        <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X14hGrLi9QY/U3k6SkZzzII/AAAAAAAAD9E/Z5eFg7ppnt4/s1600-h/DSCN3264%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3264" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3264" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B4i7f4bfGQ0/U3k6TbAOmyI/AAAAAAAAD9M/vCdGBeEIAcM/DSCN3264_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="170" align="left" height="320" /></a>                                </p> <p>The seedling spotted the other day emerging from Sallow Log looks very much like a conifer.  Interesting that I now have two trees on top of this rather unpromising habitat, the other being the hazel.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-19862558341345419142014-05-14T00:04:00.001+01:002014-05-14T00:05:52.955+01:00The Window Box reserve in context<p>The window box that is the subject of this blog as seen from our sitting room window.  It is towards the top of the pane on the right against the shed wall.  Surprisingly tiny for so much going on.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VsMsf-480uk/U3KlSGkeu3I/AAAAAAAAD7M/9DYqNuLVFKY/s1600-h/DSCN3109%252520WBX%252520in%252520context%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3109 WBX in context" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3109 WBX in context" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DDKLMcYF200/U3KlTa5C1MI/AAAAAAAAD7U/K_Vm625ojd0/DSCN3109%252520WBX%252520in%252520context_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="338" /></a></p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-25680738997590719332014-05-12T23:21:00.001+01:002014-05-12T23:21:36.927+01:00More flowers<p>The white clover does not seem to be doing quite so well and it has left space for a plant of <strong>goosegrass</strong> (<em>Galium aparine</em>), first recorded in WBX a couple of years ago.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OAi00qLdXzQ/U3FJVhQ80FI/AAAAAAAAD4o/0n5PVAmD5hw/s1600-h/DSCN3140-WBX-goosegrass3.jpg"><img title="DSCN3140 WBX goosegrass" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3140 WBX goosegrass" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G7X6BAFIsFI/U3FJWhMmPQI/AAAAAAAAD4w/nSN-slvIMRA/DSCN3140-WBX-goosegrass_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="216" height="244" /></a></p> <p>There was also another <strong>herb robert</strong> (<em>Geranium robertianum</em>) a white one this time (for the dark pink ‘normal’ variety see 22nd April).  The plants in WBX and about the garden produce either the dark pink flowers, or the white ones: I have never found pale pink intermediates.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IiiuRo7gmf8/U3FJX02N6tI/AAAAAAAAD44/e9aC9cbYlks/s1600-h/DSCN31033.jpg"><img title="DSCN3103" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCN3103" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4UpZStLZ6qc/U3FJYxD_vJI/AAAAAAAAD5A/l_HE-xKaWqc/DSCN3103_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="244" /></a></p> <p>While examining the new found hazel, I noticed what I thought was a small brown lacewing (just below the curve on the right and opposite the leaf stalk in the picture below).  On closer inspection it turned out to be the bud scale of something, blown off a tree in the recent strong winds no doubt.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MZ3mQ8tcXig/U3FJam7pQsI/AAAAAAAAD5I/tFa7XL7bJOc/s1600-h/DSCN31764.jpg"><img title="DSCN3176" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3176" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Upd-S6S5lNU/U3FJbt_1kSI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/htJCUiJ44Y4/DSCN3176_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="305" /></a></p> <p>I am still baffled as to how this baby hazel came to occupy its current position on top of the sallow log, but suspect the shoot must have thrust itself right up through the wood and the nut was probably buried under, or very near, the base of the log.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-65361029827553013452014-05-10T21:26:00.001+01:002014-05-10T21:26:31.051+01:00The mysterious plateau<p>The top of the sallow log, put in place when this window box project was started, is a most unusual habitat.  There is no soil, of course, and the wood seems to decay very slowly, though various insects have bored into it or hatched out of it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LT8krFFM8LQ/U26JhESP5WI/AAAAAAAAD3g/rSMVASwDj-4/s1600-h/DSCN3113%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3113" border="0" alt="DSCN3113" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2D7Gd5E7BCw/U26Ji8eiOcI/AAAAAAAAD3o/OgVDDoY48yA/DSCN3113_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="401" /></a></p> <p>There are a couple of moss species and the black marks are, I think, some kind of fungus.  There are two clumps of rush and, to the right of the farther one, what I have now identified as a hazel seedling (how did it grow there – a hazel nut could hardly be buried in the wood: did it force its way up from near the base of the log?).  There are three more young plants in front of this, one of the weedier willow herbs I think, and a grass in front of the leading rush.  The white thing like a garlic clove is a petal blown from a nearby bird cherry.  Between the two rush clumps there is a strange, snake-like seedling that I cannot identify.  The cotyledons look curiously like bananas.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pY3OxN0yH0c/U26JkOJTbSI/AAAAAAAAD3w/NbB6AIebOWQ/s1600-h/DSCN3114%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3114" border="0" alt="DSCN3114" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nMgq3SDJk7w/U26Jk9i0RQI/AAAAAAAAD34/ViqXhPBvREQ/DSCN3114_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="310" /></a></p> <p>So, at least eight plants resident on the lost world of the Sallow Plateau.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-62643782329973021752014-05-10T21:24:00.000+01:002014-05-10T21:24:23.473+01:00Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-88252188988973718492014-04-29T19:56:00.001+01:002014-04-29T19:56:00.289+01:00Sallow bronze<p>The window box nature reserve is just about at its best with all plants looking healthy and bright.  It has never had fertiliser, but everything seems full of vigour.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AfGJ-OYmnvs/U1_1rFW7kwI/AAAAAAAAD1A/_AujAjQPhk4/s1600-h/DSCN3075%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3075" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3075" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4ECZ-HktE3I/U1_1sVML6SI/AAAAAAAAD1I/qdQ-FZw6RrU/DSCN3075_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="178" /></a></p> <p>The sallows that were coppiced, as usual, last autumn are now sprouting well and the leaves on the tips of the shoots are flushed bronze and often backed with white down.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HzhCcXKMDVU/U1_1ufYmj4I/AAAAAAAAD1Q/iCG0eTyrY2c/s1600-h/DSCN3077%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCN3077" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSCN3077" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DWXqOZ7-QWs/U1_1vmJ4AxI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/A_a5fCCgNaM/DSCN3077_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="377" /></a></p> <p>Maybe the brown is due to tannins and discourages insect attack on the new young shoots.  The white down might have to same effect.  Both will disappear quite quickly leaving the leaves plain green.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-83047791716196848742014-04-22T23:18:00.001+01:002014-04-22T23:18:15.396+01:00The year’s first flower<p>A rather fine plant of herb-robert (<em>Geranium robertianum) </em>has produced the first flower of the year in WBX.  It is the normal pink form although many plants of this species in or garden have white flowers</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AkKoQpdszBg/U1bqj0_TX4I/AAAAAAAADv0/FvcbU67buQA/s1600-h/2014-04-22%25252017.51.25%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="2014-04-22 17.51.25" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-04-22 17.51.25" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HWwUrKcO5lk/U1bqk3JIG9I/AAAAAAAADv8/3mpUJEDY8X4/2014-04-22%25252017.51.25_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="291" /></a></p> <p>Overall, the box is doing very well and, as can be seen in the picture below, most plants are growing vigorously and well.  All the more remarkable as WBX has had no applications of fertiliser during the life of the project.  Perhaps the nitrogen fixing properties of the clover roots may be having an effect.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_rMGEiae9ug/U1bqnz51WKI/AAAAAAAADwE/IbElnq8lAq8/s1600-h/2014-04-22%25252017.55.31%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="2014-04-22 17.55.31" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-04-22 17.55.31" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yYB1M2yHKzQ/U1bqpHjYb0I/AAAAAAAADwM/FT9ioTJbjQk/2014-04-22%25252017.55.31_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="291" /></a>.</p> <p>As I arrived today there was a robin perching on the box.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23376881.post-4621127637543452892014-04-17T19:37:00.001+01:002014-04-17T19:37:19.798+01:00Mystery shoot<p>A fat (but tiny) red shoot has emerged from a mossy crevice on top of the sallow log.  It is not a seedling but, at present, I cannot imagine what it is.  A bramble maybe?  But there aren’t any growing in the window box</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M2OsBJNtKpA/U1AfWapn86I/AAAAAAAADvc/iQZ0HPP1SqQ/s1600-h/2014-04-17%25252011.58.21%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="2014-04-17 11.58.21" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-04-17 11.58.21" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X_BX8dZGYjE/U1AfXVmGVnI/AAAAAAAADvk/aghcjFgp-Pw/2014-04-17%25252011.58.21_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="303" /></a></p> <p>Anyway, something to watch over the next few weeks.</p> Patrick Roperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656486045726647263noreply@blogger.com0