Harringay online

Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Rare species and newly discovered fungus unearthed at Ally Pally's Wild Day Out

Scientist and the public at the BBC's Springwatch event Wild Day Out at Alexandra Palace Park in London have found evidence of a breeding population of stag beetles-a protected species- by spotting a male and female stag beetle, as well as the rare beetle Amphotis Marginata. This is only the second time that this beetle has been reported in the UK since 1969.

A rare variety of the Bolbitius fungus was found by a volunteer. It is only the fourth time that it has been found in the UK and London-based experts are now using DNA testing to investigate whether it should be classed as an entirely separate species.

Alexandra Palace Park also contains an important area of acid grassland. It is the only site in Haringey where the grass Danthonia decumens can be found

The surprise finds were among over 700 different species of plant, animal and fungi spotted at the park during a 24-hour BioBlitz organised as part of the Wild Day Out by the BBC, the Natural History Museum and Open Air Laboratories (OPAL), a community-based science project supported by the Big Lottery Fund.

Around 100 scientists, naturalists and students were joined by more than 8,000 members of the public to explore the park's wildlife and race against the clock to identify as many species as possible.

Did you go? Find anything good?

Nature notes: Check your garden's beetles, bugs and butterflies at the NHM website

Tags for Forum Posts: alexandra park, flora and fauna, parks, wildlife

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It was an excellent day. Kids loved it. We were there for hours. Lots of fantastic staff from the Natural History Museum who clearly saw it as a bit of an adventure coming up to Haringey. Proper scientists like. Did speak to man who was excitedly studying the newly found fungus which he insisted on showing me.

Spoke to a beekeeping couple who are in the early stages of trying to hook up with the council on trying to get more hives into the borough. The kid's highlight was the pond wildlife! Me, I loved seeing the very alive stag beetle. Amazing insect. :)
A good event to happen at Ally pally - lots of smiling faces. And rounded off with a proper summer rainstorm.
Is there somewhere to see the list of species recorded throughout the day?
I can't find a published list but maybe it will appear on the BioBlitz site is here eventually?

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