janey

You're missing out. Oh, the fun we have down the pub, relaxing after another hard day's inspecting, chatting about our petreas and canariensis'...

Now to mention it, I can't remember seeing many either this year. I found this on UK Butterflies which may partly explain what you've noticed: "The Small Tortoiseshell is one of our most-familiar butterflies, appearing in gardens throughout the British Isles. Unfortunately, this butterfly has suffered a worrying decline, especially in the south, over the last few years. This butterfly has always fluctuated in numbers, but the cause of the most-recent decline is not yet known, although various theories have been proposed. One is the increasing presence of a particular parasitic fly, Sturmia bella, due to global warming - this species being common on the continent. The fly lays its eggs on leaves of the foodplant, close to where larvae are feeding. The tiny eggs are then eaten whole by the larvae and the grubs that emerge feed on the insides of their host, avoiding the vital organs. A fly grub eventually kills its host and emerges from either the fully-grown larva or pupa before itself pupating. Although the fly attacks related species, such as the Peacock and Red Admiral, it is believed that the lifecycle of the Small Tortoiseshell is better-synchronised with that of the fly and it is therefore more prone to parasitism."

What's the length of the intended avenue and is it a single or double row?

These are, rather bizarrely, also called Robin's pin cushion galls. Since when has a small song bird had need of sewing utensils???

That's one of them funny posh fruits, innit? Don't get them fancy things here in chavcity Northolt. (I was being ironic, in that it doesn't take a lot of imagination to see the obvious comparison with an edible thistle and a parasitised acorn )

I've not come across this one that all much, Oak Artichoke Gall Andricus fecundator on Quercus robur. I wonder how it got it's common name...

I've just bought a really cheap (less than £18!) waterproof and breathable jacket from Trespass UK | Outdoor Clothing, Fleece, Ski Wear & walking Boots. Despite the price, it's about the best waterproof I've owned, including my expensive wet weather biking gear. It has been well tested recently as well . I'm not sure how the fit and manouverability will suit climbing and general arb' work, but it's worth having a look at the 'site. I'm not sure if there's any hiviz in theur range. How about a nice pastel shade instead?

They sound like young yaffles (Green woodpeckers). They're a kind of speckled brown when they fledge. I saw some myself last week and had to take a closer look to see what they were

Sorry, missus, your tree's got Armillaria. Worse than honey fungus, that.

Do you use this ploy in combination with a sharp intake of breath and a few tuts as well?

I thought you'd be the man to enlighten me some more on the subject

Is Snow White involved in that somewhere???

It's no mere portrayal It's no different from saying generically "chainsaw" to a member of the public, as compared to talking about the make and model on here with other professionals, is it?

Is there anything at all related on the Bartlett's 'site?

You made me think of this Science Photo Library, the most well known and comercially important moth / fungal relationship?

It's wierd you say that. I much prefer using the Latin name wherever possible and find it much more "natural" than using the common name. My friends and colleagues in the arb' world seem to be of the same mind on this and we rarely use anything but Latin names. I like using big words n' all; not because I'm hugely intelligent (which, of course, I am ), but because I like precise language and I can convey a slightly different nuance to my meaning by using more defined terminology. Does that make me a geek ?

Sycamore trees. Plane trees. I think they are about the best examples of why one universal language is used for precise plant taxonomy. For anyone interested in the work that they do, the relationship between species, as shown by their genus, family and so on, can give a good indication to their characteristics if you are not overly familiar with that particular one.

Thank you I'm one of those types that find myself on here so often now, that I very rarely look through the forums and just look at today's posts . So a closed thread would be ingnored by my lazy self.

Don't close the other one!!! Apexarb has posted a Red Data find on there Can't you just use your magic admin powers the merge them?

Has your three year old nephew got hold of your phone again, Rob?

That's a very nice find . It's a male Scarce Chaser and it's a red data list species. Where did you find it?

Now that's just plain wierd.

If you wear you work gear, you'll be dead easy to spot. I doubt there'll be many others there doing a 007 impression. I may be wrong...

Oak Processionary Moth inspector by day, occasional bar wench by night. Not quite as glamourus as you in your tux'. It's my day job that's the more unusual one out of the two

How is water moved so quickly into the FB to enable such rapid expansion? Sorry if that's a basic question