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