False oat grass
False oat grass, Arrhenatherum elatius. This course grass, which can grow as high as 150cm tall, will grow in a wide range of neutral to base rich habitats from sea-level up to 550m. It is often used as an ornamental grass.
Ferruginous bee grabber
Ferruginous bee grabber fly, Sicus ferrugineus. The larvae are endoparasites of bumble bees of the genus Bombus. They pupate and overwinter in their victims.
Feverfew
Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium. Feverfew is a traditional medicinal herb commonly used to prevent migraine headaches, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. The plant grows into a small bush up to around 46 cm (18 in) high with citrus-scented leaves, and is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies. It is also sometimes referred to as bachelor’s buttons.
Forget-me-not
Forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica. References go back in German legend to the Creation when the plant asked God to “Forget me not.” It was adopted by Henry IV during his exile and has been a symbol of faithfulness, in particular with lovers, for centuries. Newfoundland still uses the plant to remember Canada’s war dead and it is an interchangeable symbol with Freemasonry. WT
Foxglove
Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea. The species has evolved to be especially attractive to long-tongued bees such as the common carder bee. The brightly coloured flowers and dark spotted lip attracts the bee, while the lower lip of the flower allows the insect to land before climbing up the tube. In doing so, the bee will drop pollen from other foxgloves. As […]
Garden spider
Garden spider, Araneus diadematus. The garden spider is one of the UK’s largest spider species identified by a distinctive white cross on the abdomen. Its overall colour can vary however, ranging from red-orange to almost black. The female lays her eggs in a silken cocoon which she never leaves, protecting them until the late autumn when she will succumb to […]
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper, Pyronia tithonus. The Gatekeeper is one of the ‘Brown’ family. Orange and brown, with black eyespot on forewing tip. Eyespots have two white pupils, not one, as in the Meadow Brown. Gatekeeper is also smaller and more orange with row of tiny white dots on hind underwings. Favourite nectar sources include Wild Marjoram, Common Fleabane, ragworts, and Bramble.
Giant horsetail
Giant horsetail, Equisetum Telmateia. A population of giant horsetail, an uncommon species in the borough, is present along a seepage line on the southfacing slope bordering the rear of the properties on Church Crescent. Equisetum is a “living fossil”, as it is the only living genus of the entire class Equisetopsida, which for over one hundred million years was much […]
Goldcrest
Goldcrest, Regulus regulus. With the firecrest, the goldcrest is the UK’s smallest bird. They’re dull greyish-green with a pale belly and a black and yellow stripe on their heads, which has an orange centre in males. Their thin beak is ideally suited for picking insects out from between pine needles.Seen any time of year, they eat tiny morsels like spiders, moth […]
Goldfinch
Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis. A highly coloured finch with a bright red face and yellow wing patch. Sociable, often breeding in loose colonies, they have a delightful liquid twittering song and call. Their long fine beaks allow them to extract otherwise inaccessible seeds from thistles and teasels. Increasingly they are visiting birdtables and feeders. In winter many UK goldfinches migrate as far […]