Ruislip: What is it good for ......?

Bit of grazing damage to last Autumn's coppiced stools,
and,
the culprit.

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Had another bit of a wander through Ruislip's National Nature Reserve.
That's an interesting gall,
especially as it is on Sweet Chestnut.

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Swift Google search later,
and,
Oriental Chestnut Gall Wasp
a notifiable invasive pest.
Duly reported to the LB Hillingdon Green Spaces Team.

One of the culprits, obviously, even though s/he does look extremely guilty. :)

Bloody immigrants, having the gall to come here, etc.

The adult wasp is tiny, being only 2.5-3mm long

Blimey, that's small.

At least we now have some answers to 'Ruislip: What is it good for ... ?' Muntjac deer and gall wasps!

No horns so likely female,
or possibly young male.
Seems Muntjac Reevesii find the southern UK climate so mild they breed year round,
if sufficient food is available.

Yep, straight into my 'Top Ten Galls'.

We have them on hounslow heath nature reserve too. Very hard to spot. Only ever seen one. Muntjac that is.

If we get through the Shutdown and are allowed to mingle/meet,
you should pop up to Ruislip Woods NNR.
Most people visit Park Wood and the Lido.

I'm currently seeing a muntjac nearly every time I visit Mad Bess Wood or Copse Wood.
Bayhurst Wood has a bit more ground cover and they can slink away unnoticed.

Yep I will do never got round to going ..beach ..mini train ...woods sounds awesome.
We lost the opportunity to expand the heath when the golf course closed sadly the council gave it away free to a commercial theme park, sadly.

'Spotted' just about within the boundaries of Ruislip:

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And definitely within Ruislip,
actually on Poors Field just to the west & north of The Lido:

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Grazing with cattle, (Hereford's again this year), is an integral part of the Management Plan for Poors Field agreed with Natural England. Cattle have grazed this field, in the Summer, since at least 2006.
Once the C-19 Shutdown is over, I'll send an invite out for people to come & marvel at a field that has no recorded history of ploughing, evidenced by the multitude of raised ants' nests looking like a field of green moguls.
(Editted: I had erroneously identified the cattle as Sussexes!).

Can't be in Ruislip, it's not flying.

Dryocosmos kuriphilus update.
Infestation formally reported.
The Oriental Chestnut Gall Wasp has been sighted much more than the previously reported
'Kent & Surrey'. I've asked for a more detailed copy of the map I have received.

Discussing OCGW with a mate, from schooldays, who now keeps bees in south west France,
the gall wasp is a serious pest, greatly reducing the amount of chesnut blossom.

The French authorities have programs underway to introduce an OCGW-specific predatory wasp,
Torymus sinensis Kamija.
I've asked if such a containment program is envisaged for the UK.

It's awaiting permission to proceed to the (grass) runway.

A surprisingly enjoyable thread about Ruislip; much appreciated.

Come visit, once The Shutdown is lifted, and lose the surprise.
P.S.
I'm astonished if you read it all.

Sounds like Ruislip needs GAH.

GAH?

Apologies, not familiar with geometrid moth vernacular.

Giant Asian Hornets. 😎

love this thread

I think we'ld sooner forego GAH.
We do have 'normal' hornets in Ruislip,
much to the chagrin of local beekeepers,
and,
the wild bees that seem to maintain a population in our woods.

This old stump, carefully positioned to prevent access to a Council-owned rough meadow,
last year had a thriving hornet nest in the upper hole. They grudgingly allowed walkers to pass.

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Post Shutdown, I'll send you a free One Day Family Pass to the Glories Of Ruislip.
As @wildwest summarised upthread, 'woods, Lido, beach, child-pleasing narrow gauge railway, cafe', what's not to like.

Bike access from the Central Line to West Ruislip.

Like Council bouncers.

I wonder if they prey on OCGW?

Maybe the bees are too easy.