Haresfoot Inkcap (Coprinopsis lagopus.sp)
It’s that time of year, mushrooms and fungi are popping up everywhere!
Whilst preparing the range recently we spotted these fungi growing in the Wood-chip floor. This unusual fungi has a tall stem, with...
Buff tip caterpillar (Phalera Bucephala)
‘The Master of disguise!’
These yellow and black caterpillars can be seen from July to early October before they overwinter as pupae under the ground. They feed on ‘Deciduous trees; most frequently on birches, oaks and...
Upright Coral Fungi
(Ramaria stricta)
This fairly common fungi is known to grow on buried deadwood but can also be found on stumps of both coniferous and deciduous trees. It’s widespread and appears throughout Europe.
The yellow...
Western Conifer Seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalise)
Aliens in the wood!
These leaf footed bugs or squash bugs are native to ‘western parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico, but in recent decades it has spread eastward and can...
Buddleia ( buddleja sp)
This common U.K. plant is part of a family of plants made up of over 140 individual species globally. The majority of which form shrubs, up to 5m tall, and in the U.K. are often known as butterfly...
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)
Nobody can fail to notice this nuisance plant whilst out enjoying the countryside, as the sharp thorns catch you by surprise. Like any native woodland, brambles thrive at Cart Wood, and the team constantly cut back this invasive plant...
Green Drake Mayfly (ephemera danica)
‘A large species with three tails and large hind wings. The sub-imago (immature adult) has grey wings, with a yellowish green tinge and heavy venation. The body is creamy yellow with distinctive brown markings on the...
Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
One of the many colourful summer blooming plants found at Cart Woods are Teasels.
Between July and August, when teasels are in flower, the spiky flower heads are mostly green with rings of purple flowers. Found across the...
Last week saw two groups visiting our facility.
On Friday evening the Low Weald Explorers meet, for a fire and some cooking.
Saturday saw the 17th (Gladstone) Cub pack taking part in an activity day. The young people participated in a short...
Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea)
There are three types of Cardinal beetles.
‘The red-headed cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis) is bright red, with black legs and long, black, toothed antennae. There are two other species of cardinal beetle in the UK, both of...
Welsh Poppy (Meconopsis cambrica)
We spotted this beautiful flowering plant just outside our compartment were the public footpath borders our neighbours in Clarence.
It is native in damp woodlands in South West England and Wales, but widespread in many...
Snail Hunter Beetle (Cychrus Caraboides)
Whilst moving the targets in the range the team spotted this ground beetle scurrying off. Clearly we had disturbed it, but fortunately there is plenty of deadwood at the wood for it to make a new home....
Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)
Geranium robertianum, commonly known as herb-Robert, red robin, death come quickly, storksbill, fox geranium, stinking Bob, squinter-pip, crow's foot, or Roberts geranium, is a common species of herb native to Europe. Herb Robert grows in hedgerows and on...
The team popped up the woods at the weekend to carry out some general maintenance.
We are very aware a lot of groups have a break over the summer and are getting prepared to organise their next terms activities, don’t forget...
Common Toad (Bufo bufo)
Whilst carrying out some veg maintenance the team spotted lots of these amphibians. Differing in size and smoothness of their skin to common frogs they spend most of their time in damp rotting woodpiles or leaf litter. ‘...
Wild red currents (Ribes rubrum)
One of the many wild plants growing at the wood are red current bushes. These are closely related gooseberries, and are essentially the same as those often cultivated for their fruit commercially. In the UK the species...
Yesterday saw the wood host a leaders tomahawk throwing day, giving our adult volunteers a chance to experience this activity. The team were also really pleased to invite members of the Tonbridge Scout Support Team who have helped us run activities in the past.
