Carlton Marsh

Today's highlights were: Buzzard, Little Owl, Little Grebe with 3 young, Jackdaw with at least 2 young and 10 singing male Whitethroats. 3 Dingy Skippers, and 1 male Orange-tip butterfly. 

Red Nail Gall (Eriopyhes tiliae)

This gall was found on the leaves of a Lime tree. During late spring and summer, tubular growths develop on the upper surface of the lower leaves of Lime (Tilia europaea). These galls are created by mites that move on to the foliage in spring having overwintered in the bark crevices or around buds. These gall inducers are less than 0.2 mm long, however, the chemicals they release whilst sucking the sap from the leaves have a dramatic and colourful effect, causing upward growing, hollow, red finger-like extensions.

Before the autumn, the mites, which up to now have been actively feeding and growing inside the galls, depart to seek protected sites on the tree. The mites pass the winter in such locations and then the cycle is repeated.