Ragwort is a poisonous plant that is often found in heavily grazed areas, such as the rabbit warren near the old canal:
This is possibly Oxford Ragwort, a variety that 'escaped' from the Oxford Botanic Gardens (http://www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk) in the 1700's and spread using the railways that were being constructed at the time.
Due to it's poisonous nature, it is a favourite of the cinnabar moth caterpillar:
Who use it's toxicity as a natural defence against predators.
In the space of a few metres along the river, the lifecycle of a ladybird can be seen amongst the nettles:
From nymph: To pupae:
To adult:
These ladybirds are the invasive harlequin ladybird (succinea form)- thanks to the excellent wild about britain forum with help with the identification. These ladybirds are believed to be a threat to the UK native species and a survey of how they are spreading can be found at: http://www.harlequin-survey.org/default.htm - Where this small population has been recorded.
So a return visit is somewhat overdue, however access to the stream is some what limited due to the growth of grasses in the meadow and undergrowth by the stream..
Still, where I did manage to get to the water edge, I did see what seems like signs of water vole feeding.
So another yellow pin to put on my map (blue are water vole sightings).
This is possibly Oxford Ragwort, a variety that 'escaped' from the Oxford Botanic Gardens (http://www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk) in the 1700's and spread using the railways that were being constructed at the time.
Due to it's poisonous nature, it is a favourite of the cinnabar moth caterpillar:
Who use it's toxicity as a natural defence against predators.
