Birch and oak woods
Woodland of birch, holly, oak and rowan cover the plateau areas and flanks of Long Valley. They are developed on sandy and silty soils of former heathland and often have an understorey of bracken and brambles. Fungi abound here in autumn.
The Hornet Hoverfly is a summer visitor which often haunts woodland glades. Despite its large size and wasp-like appearance it only feeds on nectar.
A Birch Sawfly – their caterpillars feed on birch leaves.
The Common Earthball is a feature of autumn woods. Each ball breaks open to release its spores.
This Dog’s Vomit slime mould is a colony of plasmodial myxomycete organisms. It is able to move slowly around in search of foodstuffs.
Shy Reeves’s Muntjac deer are often seen running for cover when disturbed. They were introduced to England from China in the 19th century.
The Jay is a woodland bird whose harsh alarm call is often heard on the Heath. Jays have a habit of burying acorns for eating later - if they forget where then an oak tree may result.
Mosses and lichens often thrive on the rough, damp bark of oak trees. Here Powdered Ruffle Lichen is surrounded by mats of Cypress-leaved Plait-moss.
The Iceni Bramble – A very rare species found on the Heath, with fewer than 20 plants surviving in the UK.
Tawny Owls are more often heard than seen, the females with their kee-wik call or the males with a wavering hoot. They spend the day roosting in the secluded nook of a tree.
The Fly Agaric – an attractive but toxic toadstool found on the Heath under birch, oak and pine.
Chicken-of-the-Woods fungus grows on hardwood trees such as oak. As it ages it becomes breeding-ground for specialised gnats and flies.
Escaped garden plants thrive in some places. This Small Balsam (a native of Central Asia) resides near Gilman Road.
The Blackcap is a warbler with a fluting song powerful enough to ring through thick undergrowth. Unless over-wintering here, they typically arrive from Africa in April.
Scrubland
Ivy is a rich pollen and nectar source for insects in early autumn and its berries are a winter staple for birds. Mousehold is one of the richest sites in Norfolk for brambles, and at least 28 species have been recorded here.
Red Foxes are a top predator and scavenger on the Heath. Banks of sandy subsoil hidden by scrub are ideal places for them to make holes to raise cubs in.
All images courtesy the author, unless otherwise indicated.
