The Reading Naturalist No. 19 Published by the Reading and District Natural History Society 1967 Price to Non-Members Two Shillings and Sixpence weit THE READING NATURALIST No. 19 for the year 1965-66 The Journal of The Reading and District Natural History Society President: Mr. Brian R. Baker Bye wi BP eMeas ie ve Metis Hon. General Secretary: Editor: Mrs. V. A« Phillips Mr. D. Leatherdale 42 Alexandra Road Eastfield Lodge Reading Whitchurch Oxon. Editorial Sub-Committee: The EGator, B. R. Baker, Miss L. bs Cobb, A.Price, Mrs. A. M. Simmonds, Miss S. Y. Townend Honorary Recorders: Botany: Mrs. B. M. Newman, Earley Cottage, 25 Beech Lane, harley, Reading Entomology: Mr. B. R. Baker, V7la Berkeley Avenue, Reading Geology: Professor H. L. Hawkins, F. R. S., 63 Tilehurst Road, Reading Mammals: Mr. H. H. Carter, 82 Kennylands Road, Sonning Common, Oxon. tenrcnolLory: Dr. Kk. V. Watson, Little Court, Cleeve, Goring-on-Thames, Oxon. Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Naturalists! Trust: Hon. County Secretary (Berks.): Mr. B. R. Baker, The Museum, Reading . Sl lad — <4, Ly» aiedeer ata” UA ep Rii Heer ra SAY. Vyas ae ape em ee ak elt prea elmira sentence atiee ¢yf ads * f C20e OGF ot Of ' 149 tty bi ‘any pes 7 RFI ee VLG i Par, x + Pip 2 P totrtak Soa 2 brs rs wy iL | . pei “4 * 7. m ot 2S » TF 4 | ay a a coho * \ « the «3 so She 4 | : ~ a 4 , : oe ‘ ec - : : : ' x . - i ‘ ‘ ts A as ‘ i e¥s . v A e ¥ . AY ’ 2 S Z i ae 3 : ‘ 1 — © 4 ‘ i ants pm CT ae ee PS Meetings and Excursions, 1965-66 Presidential Addresses: The recurrence of spawn of albino frogs (Rana temporaria L.) in Reading in 1965- Bats of the Reading area The flora of the waterways of Reading Juniper Valley: some observations and problems Weather Records in 1966 Honorary Recorders! Reports: Eetomology Botany Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibia Fungi at Kingwood Common 1945-66 General observations: The immature stages of Bufo bufo (L.) Destruction of Crocus flowers Destruction of Pasque-flower blooms The natural history of mammals Effects of oil pollution on Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus spp.) Plants in Abbey Square, Reading List of Members Price G. Hardy M. Simmonds H. Carter E. Mcon R. Baker M. Newman H. Carter M. Nelmes E. Cobb . Price BE. Cobb M. Nelmes G, Hardy Carter M. Simmonds =f. Meetings and Excursions, 1965-66 The first meeting of the winter Season was the Annual General Meeting, at which Mr. A. Price gave his Presidential Address, on "The Recurrence of Albino Frog Spawn in Reading" (44). One evening was devoted to members' exhibits and communications (39), one to a brains trust (26) and one to the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Naturalists' Trust film and talks about the Trust's work (50). The lectures given at the remaining meetings were "Nature Photography", by D. W. Irvin (40); "Meteorites", by Dr. M. Hey (34), "Birds in an Essex Wood", by Mrs. R. Upton (38); "Why Insects are Pests", by Dr. H. F. van Emden (24); "The Natural History of the Badger", by J. Sankey (86); "Moths, Birds and Predation", by J. Cadbury (37), and "Mountain Flowers", by Miss M. G. Hodgman (57). Winter walks and outings were held on 6th November, Goring Heath to Pangbourne; 4th December, Thames-side from Scours Lane tc Cow Lane; lst January, Museum of English Rural Life; 5th February, Ashley Hill, and 5th March, Mortimer (for mosses). The summer field meetings were as follows: end April, Burghfield; 16th April, Whitchurch; 30th April, Greathouse Wood, Bradfield; 14th May, Medmenham to Hambleden; 28th May, Ashley Hill; Jll1lth June, Goring Heath to Pangbourne; 25th June, Pamber Forest; 29th June, Dunsden; 9th July, Lower Assenden; 13th July, Little John's Farm (for water life); 23rd July, Hazeley Heath; 27th July, Nunhide Lane; 6th August, Swallowfield; 20th August, Woolhampton; 3rd September, Chobham Common (marsh gentian); 24th September, Aldermaston Soke; I1st October, Southlake, Earley; 15th October, fungus foray at Kingwood Common. The annual Young Naturalists' Evening was held on 2lst March in the Large Town Hall. The audience of 500 Reading school children heard Dr. F. B. Hora, Dr. Max Hey, Mr. Robert Gillmor and Mr. W. Aw. Smallcombe answer questions selected from the 775 submitted and presented to them by the Questionmaster Mr. J. F. Newman. Winners of the eight prizes, given by the Natural History Society, were: Wendy Barlow, Geoffr:-; Field Junior School (9 yrs.), Julia Bartlett, Alfred Sutton Secondary Girls' School (11 yrs.), Helen Berry, Grovelands Primary School (10 yrs.), Timothy Cole, Manor Junior School (10 yrs.), Colin Deacon, St. Michael's Primary School (11 yrs.), John Forys, Redlands Prirary School (10 yrs.), Lynette Ridgley, Cintra Secondary School, (14 yrs.), Beatrice Tansey, St. Joseph's Convent Preparatory School (10 yrs.). They received their prizes from the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Reading, Alderman Mrs. A. J. Burrows, who then joined the children to watch the film "Wild Highlands". -5- THE RECURRENCE OF SPAWN OF ALBINO FROGS (RANA TEMPORARIA L.) IN READING IN 1965-66 Based on the Presidential Addresses to the Reading Natural History Society for 1965 and 1966 By Arthur Price White frog spawn was found on 24th March 1965 in the garden of Mr. and Mrs. Masterman, 11, Buxton Avenue, Caversham, Reading, where a light coloured frog had been seen in the gardens a few days previously. Some of this spawn was taken to many schcols in Reading by the children of Mr. and Mrs. Alderman, 19, Clifton Park Road, Caversham, and I was given on end April about fifty newly hatched tadpoles by Mrs. B. Newman from those which hatched in the animal room at Kendrick Girls' School. The word ‘recurrence' is used in the title because of the work done by Mr. W. A. Smallicombe. His paper on 'Albinism in Rana temporaria’ should be read. The word 'albino' means that the animal in question has a congenital deficiency of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes so that the skin is white and the eyes pink. It seems likely that the 1965/6 albino spawn is closely linked genetically with the 1938 albino spawn.. Tadpoles which hatched from the 1938 spawn were given to the late Mr. C. Runge, a dedicated naturalist, who possibly released some of the resulting frogs in his garden, which was not very far from Buxton Avenue. The 1965 albino spawn proved to be fertile and hatched on ist April. The newly hatched tadpoles were white with grey eyes. The grey colour of the eyes and the subsequent, progressive pigmentation of the tadpoles and frogs can be explained by the fact that the frogs in question have a recessive gene for albinism (Smallcombe 1949). I placed my batch of tadpoles in a glass laboratory tank 7" x 5" x 5% on a white background. Small tanks facilitate close observation. In the early stages, even after the external Bills disappeared, the tadpoles remained at the bottom of the tank. When artificially stimulated they swam, but in a very Sluggish manner. They fed on filamentous algae but at first seemed to prefer detritus. By 6th April, they were swimming freely and feeding ste: readily on Canadian Pondweed (Elodea_ canadensis Michx.). The eyes had by this time darkened and pigment had begun to pepper the dorso-lateral region of the body. On 9th April the tadpoles swan to the surface, but not for the purpose of respiration. On llth April, thirty-six tadpoles remained alive and three degrees of pigmentation could be distinguished. One specimen was quite dark, the majority were peppered with pigment in the region of the peritoneum and two were very light in colour with little or no pigment. On 4th April some fresh Canadian Pondweed was placed in the tank and shortly afterwards a newly hatched, predatory water bug, Ilyocoris cimicoides L., was removed from the tank before it had a chance to attack the small tadpoles. The bug had evidently been introduced with the pond weed as an egg. Owing to their increase in size, the tadpoles were divided into two lots on 15th April. Nineteen dark specimens were placed in one tank and the fifteen lighter ones in another. It was noticeable that the tadpoles' tails were asymmetrical. On 18th April two tadpoles were seen feeding on the carcase of a dead one. As a result of this observation, some small pieces of meat were placed in both tanks. Some of this meat was eaten by the tadpoles. Tadpoles which had hatched from normal, black-centred spawn were kept as controls ina third tank, also on a white background. As a result, they became very light on the fore-parts and could only be told from the albino tadpoles with difficulty. Periodically the water in all the tanks was changed. Water was run from the tap and left to stand for about twenty-four hours to allow the chlorine to pass out of it. The tadpoles were transferred from one tank to the other in a table spoon. Meat was now being added regularly in the form of bacon rind, luncheon meat, liver and, later, chopped worms, which proved to be very acceptable. By llth May, the tadpoles began to come to the surface of the water to take in gulps of air. The normal ones seemed to come to the surface less often than the albinos. Three first-instar larvae of the Screech Beetle (Hygrobia hermanni F.) were removed from one tank on 17th May. Again the eggs must have been introduced with the waterweed placed in the -7- tank for food and oxygenation. At this stage the tadpoles were well developed and the dorso-lateral region was fairly heavily pigmented. The fore-parts, however, were still transparent and the details of the internal anatomy could be distinguished. By 28th May, some tadpoles had developed back legs and a reddish tinge could be seen in the region of thé gills due to the presence of haemoglobin in the blood. The black pigment was densest in the region of the peritoneun. On lst June some tadpoles were seen with exaggerated kinks in their tails. It had been stated earlier by Smalicombe that this had the effect of distorting the urostyle in some adult frogs. Drinks of air were now taken much more frequently by all the tadpoles. At this stage, when not one of my tadpoles had metamorphosed, it was reported from Caversham Primary School that four small frogs had been released in the Thames. As far as could be ascertained, these tadpoles had not been given meat as food; this seems to suggest that cannibalism might be a Superior method of rearing frogs. By 7th June, my tadpoles were developing back legs and the elbows of the front legs showed very clearly. By 8th June, the front legs had sprouted and the frogs as they metamorphosed were placed in an earthenware laboratory tank 10%" in diameter and 4" deep containing turf, a flat piece of marble as a rock and a petri dish as a pond. From the time the frogs acquired four legs to the time that the tail was reabsorbed, no food was taken. All frogs had metamorphosed by 15th July and they were divided into two groups in 10" earthenware tanks. The seven large frogs comprised one group, so that the smaller ones could have sufficient food. A larger, glass laboratory tank, 16" x 11" x 11", was obtained on 30th July and the nine larger frogs were placed in it. This tank had the floor ccvered with: turf, and a pond in the form of a petri dish in one corner to keep the tank humid and to allow the frogs to immerse themselves; a 6" square tile was used as a feeding place. The tank was covered with a piece of glass containing a 4" round hole through which insects could be pushed without losing the food already in the tank. The five smaller, less well nourished frogs, were kept in one of the 10" laboratory tanks so that they would be able to obtain sufficient food. An attempt was made at this stage to sex the frogs, but no external differences were apparent. Every year in schools, thousands of frogs approach metamorphosis but few survive due to a lack of suitable food and os the lack of provision of suitable vivaria. I felt that aphids would constitute a suitable diet for the newly metamorphosed frogs and found that, in fact, they were readily eaten by the frogs when their tails had been reabsorbed. Aphids, Microlophiun evansi (Theobald), from Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) were collected by tapping the heads of nettle plants into a petri dish. During wet weather it was found more convenient to collect the aphid, Drepanosiphum platanoidis (Schrank), from the leaves of Sycamore (Acer platanoides L.). As the frogs became larger and ate more, it was found more convenient to tap the nettles into a white enamel tray and then to tip the contents into a petri dish. The few small spiders and Heteroptera taken in this way were also eaten by the frogs. By 7th August the frogs were larger and consequently hungrier, so an alternative source of food had to be found. The Capsid bug Megalocoleus molliculus (Fall.) was found in numbers on Tansy (Chrysanthemum vulgare (L.) ). It was supplemented by another Capsid bug, Stenodema laevigatum (L.), which was beaten from grass. Later in August; spiders became the main source of food. They were beaten from low lying vegetation on to a white enamel tray and sucked up with a pooter. Later a beating tray .was used. The size of spider eaten by the frogs increased 2s the frogs grew. At first the spider Theridion ovatum Clerck predominated, but at a later stage spiders as large as Meta segmentata Clerck. were eaten, and they also ate Xysticus cristatus Clerck., Linyphia triangularis Clerck., and Tibellus oblongus Walckenaer. The frogs in their second year took spiders as large as Araneus diadematus Clerck., even when swollen with eggs in the autumn. One species of centipede, Geophilus longicornis Leach was readily taken and so were green caterpillars from nettle, but sawfly caterpillars were immediately rejected. In September some Nettle Ground Bugs (Heterogaster urticae (F.) were used as food. This was a most convenient bug to collect, as it congregates in large numbers on the heads of nettles. In late September, small earthworms were accepted but the speed with which the worms disappéared into the turf limited the number.eaten. Although few maggots bought as fishing bait were taken, the blow-flies emerging from the pupae were not so readily eaten. -9- Four methods of feeding were observed: A. The frog's tongue was flipped out and the prey was carried back to the mouth. B. When the prey was a little further away, the frog swayed its body forward but its feet maintained contact with the ground. Then the tongue operated as before. C. The frog leaped at its prey, sometimes rolling over after catching the food it was pursuing. D. When attempting to capture a worm which had surfaced after burrowing in the turf, the frog tumbled over backwards immediately after seizing the worm to prevent it from anehoring itself. The sharpness of hearing of a frog was clearly demonstrated on 7th May. A frog was watching a worm which was wriggling in front of it. I dropped another worm immediately behind the frog where it could not be seen. As soon as the worm moved on the white tile, the rubbing of the setae on the tile caused the frog to turn around and eat the second worm. sometimes a frog "set" on an insect prior to attacking’ it. Other frogs would also 'set' in sympathy, although it was obvious that they could not see that insect. On 23rd October 1965, fourteen frogs which had developed ' from the 1965 albino Spawn, being between 33 mm. and 4) mm. in - length and weighing between 3 and 7 gm., were allowed to hibernate in a glass laboratory tank 15" x 11" x 11" containing loose turfs which had been soaked in water. The tank was placed in an indoor, darkened cellar which was not heated. Some food was placed in the tank. By 3lst October all the frogs were found to be suffering from the effects of desiccation. They were all limp and their limbs were outstretched. The frogs, which were capable of movement, moved in a spasmodic manner. All fourteen frogs were immersed in water; six recovered and eight died. The hibernation tank had not contained sufficient water. The six frogs which recovered were returned to the same tank but water 2 - 3" in depth was placed in it. At no time were the frogs which hibernated torpid. The same applies to the eighteen frogs which are hibernating in the winter of 1966. =10= On 12th February 1966, two frogs were obtained from Robert Howard, a technician in the Zoology Department of Reading University. He had bred them from tadpoles which he obtained from Kendrick Girls' School. They were 15 mm. long and 0.5 em. in weight. One died within a week but the other, which was christened Uno, survived and on 10th September 1966 weighed 30 gm. and was 60 mm. in length. This was an extremely high rate of growth for a period of only seven months. Uno had developed from a tadpole with a kink in her tail and consequently had distortion of the urostyle and asymmetry of the pelvic girdle. This resulted in uncoordinated movement of the back legs. In the field the resulting lack of mobility would militate against survival. On 27th February 1966, the six surviving frogs were brought out of hibernation and placed in the 15" x 11" x 11" tank with turf and a pond. They ranged from 40 mm. to 31 mm. long. They were fed on small woodlice, Oniscus asellus L., owing to the scarcity of other arthropods at so early a date. A few small earthworms were accepted. As the weather improved and the frogs increased in size, they were fed on spiders, millipedes, beetles, caterpillars (including those of the Small Angle Shades Moth, Euplexia lucipara L., taken on ferns), earthworms and commercial maggots. Whilst they were feeding on worms their rate of growth was very rapid. On 7th July 1966 a successful attempt was made to sex the seven frogs. One male was identified by the nuptial pads which showed clearly on the ventral surface of the antericr thumbs. The other six were females. It is of interest at this stage to compare the nuptial pads of frogs and toads and to think about the reasons for. the difference in their positi:n. In the frog the pads are ventral whilst in the toad they are dorsal. What difference should there be in the grip of the males during amplexus? By léth August it was noticed that although the frogs increased in weight there was no appreciable increase in length. This seemed to suggest that the gonads were developing. On 4th September a successful attempt was made to identify individual frogs. As the markings of frogs seemed to present insurmountable difficulties, a suggestion made by Mr. Michael Hardy, of the Reading University Zoology Department, was tried out. The frogs which developed from the albino spawn had acquired patches of black pigment which centred on the glands on their backs. Drawings were made of the black marks and the individual patterns proved to be diagnostic. The 1966 frogs are Ba Similarly marked. It has been postulated that large frogs could turn cannibal. This was proved on 24th August 1966, when two newly metamorphosed frogs about 12 mm. in length were inadvertently placed in the same tank 2s some larger frogs about 60 mm. in length. Both the small frogs were eaten immediately by one of the large frogs. When one thinks of the vast numbers of newly metamorphosed frogs which swarm around the ditches and ponds before they disperse, it seems highly likely that a considerable number of such frogs are eaten by their larger relations. Two samples of newly metamorphosed frogs totalling seventy frogs which were taken near a ditch near Little John's Farm, Reading, in July 1966 were weighed and measured. Little variation was found; they averaged 12 mm. in length and 0.15 gm. in weight. On 28th March 1966, albino spawn was again laid in the artifieial pond in the garden of,.11, Buxton Avenue, possibly by the same female frog. (If this frog returns to the pond in 1967, I hope to photoyraph it.) The 1966 albino spawn was laid in one clump, 600 ml. in volume and containing approximately 3,000 eggs. The large number of eggs in the clump suggests that a very large female frog was responsible. During a visit to the Collier's Claypit in Tilehurst on 20th March 1966, a mass of frog spawn 5' x 2'6" x 4" was found in one section of ditch, although many seemingly more suitable ditches were not used for oviposition. As many as 1,250 eggs were counted in a sample of spawn 250 ml. in volume, and from this figure it was deduced that there were 200,000 eggs in the patch, and that approximately 120 female frogs had laid in this one ditch, Whaichawaseinidangerrof,drying,ups My. sister. and I, on,an errand of mercy, dispersed 30 litres of spawn. On 3rd April 1966, 95 per cent of the spawn was seen to be hatching. Albino spawn would take a very long time to hatch in the field owing to the fact that light would be almost totally reflected by the white egg. On 8th April, embryos 7 mm. long were hatching; they had grey eyes but no other pigment. Development proceeded as in 1965. When metamorphosis commenced, the tadpoles periodically surfaced in order to take gulpa of air. Before they take in air they first of all release a bubble. These bubbles collect on the surface of the water. On 28th April 1966, following prolonged sunshine, it was noticed that the tadpoles, which by now had become heavily pigmented, became transparent about two hours after sunset. It Seems as if the bright sunshine had caused the melanophores to contract. The delay was due to the fact that the ehange in the asi a melanophores is effected by the endocrine system. After the melanophores had contracted, the internal anatomy (especially the nervous system) was to be seen clearly. : Some of the frogs completed metamorphosis in June and were placed in a vivarium. It was found that during metamorphosis they lost 50 per cent of their weight. No food is taken from the time that the frogs develop four legs until the tail is reabsorbed. The loss of weight could be accounted for by the energy used during the changes. The developing frogs, which hatched from the albino spawn laid in 1965 and 1966, were weighed and measured at monthly intervals and the gains in weight have been recorded as percentages. Because these frogs have been bred in very favourable conditions, comparable figures were sought in the field. During this operation, 179 frogs and 339 toads were weighed, measured, and then released. The seven frogs bred from the 1965 albino spawn were weighed and measured before being allowed to hibernate on 12th November 1966. They averaged 60 mm. in length and the weights ranged from 27 em. to 40 em. They will be weighed and measured again when they emerge from hibernation. These frogs should breed precociously in the spring of 1967, their second year. Due to intensive feeding, their weights and lengths are those of fourth year frogs. The eleven frogs bred from the 1966 albino spawn, ranging > from 30 mm. to 45 mm. in length and 3.7 gem. to 10.5 gm. in weight, were also allowed to hibernate. They also will be weighed and measured when they come out of hibernation. On 26th December all the frogs were in good condition. A greenhouse 8' x 7' and a frog house 9! x 6' have been’ built so that complete control of the breeding can be maintained. The frogs, if they breed’ in 1967, will be bred in individual tanks, the one male being allowed to fertilise more than one female. It is hoped to ascertain whether the female lays all albino spawn or a mixture of albino spawn and normal spawn. After 1967, breeding should take place in the frog house as well. I envy the man who breeds the Fruit Fly, Dresophila, which completes a generation in weeks. Frogs are not normally sexually mature until their third or fourth year. That makes an F generation six years away. In the words of Robert Browning, "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be." Thanks 2re due to the many people who have given me acvice and assistance. Further reading Gadow, H. Holmes, S. J. Marshall, A. M. Noble, K. Savage, R. S. Smallcombe, W. A. Smith, M. 1909 1927 1919 bs ee 1961 ion? foot ie Cambridge Natural History. 8. The Biology of the Frog. New York. The Frog. lLondon. The Biology of the Amphibia. New York. The Ecology & Life History of the Common Frog. London. Albinism in Rana temporaria. J. Anim. Genet? 49 C5 Vr. The British Reptiles and Amphibians. London. Paty BATS OF THE READING AREA By M. G. Hardy, M.A. In the British Isles there are perhaps 14 species of bats, belonging to two families, the Rhinolophidae or horseshoe bats (2 species) and the Vewpertilionidae (the rest). Of these, half a dozen are certainly to be found within the Reading area. Some are widely distributed and common, but of the rest we can say little. The Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber), is the ‘common! bat. Its fast, jerky flight, and habit of keeping to a well defined beat, for example, up and down a stretch of road, are characteristic. Being so small, it can creep through very small openings, and nearly all houses both new and old contain potentially ideal roosting places for this species. Situations in which I have found them are beneath a corrugated asbestos roof, within a cavity wall, and in attics; in two cases the animals were living wedged between beams and brickwork, and in another they were hidden in the space between the tiles and underlying felt. it seems they prefer for their sleeping quarters situations into which they can squeeze. Being highly gregarious, colonies may sometimes number several hundred. The Noctule, Nyctalus noctula (Schreber), is another widely distributed species in the Thames valley. With a wing-span of 13 inches, it is one of the largest of our bats. It appears soon after sunset, and is often to be seen flying in company with its avian diurnal counterpart, the swift, before the latter have retired for the night. The noctule is the easiest bat to identify; it has a fast dashing flight, usually at tree-top height, characteristically interrupted by steep dives, presumably to intercept an insect beneath it. At a distance swifts and noctules may be confused, but not when seen clearly. The wings of the swift beat rapidly through a small arc whereas those of the noctule are moved through a much greater distance and sometimes appear almost to meet under the body on the completion of the down-stroke. The noctule certainly has the edge on the swift in manoeuvrability. Englefield Park in early summer, when vast numbers of chironomid midges are emerging from the lake, is a favourite hunting ground and, in fact, a typical habitat for this species. On some evenings I have estimated 50 - 100+ to be present. Summer colonies of noctules live mainly in hollow trees, and in my experience woodpecker or similarly sized holes are =k Ge preferred. Details of several roosts found locally are given below. They may be located by observing the direction from which the bats appear to come when first emerging (this isn't easy!) and thus the approximate position of the roost, and then listening for the high-pitched 'chittering' that occurs before the bats come out to hunt. NOCTULE SUMM™R_ ROOSTS Hes.gne Max. nO- above (Te a8 Locality Situation Cavity ground energing Date Sonning Pine Woodpecker oe nO 20 May 1957 railway hole? eutting Woodcote Oak " e). 5O fee OeGee20) ay Junieree:GGO Leighton Roof of Ca lPO LEE: 30 April 1962 Park boiler house White- Pine Top of CIMZOUBt ¢ - 1964 knights broken ~ Park trunk tt Oak Splitiin’° eokoret. 43 23 April 1965 trunk nt Oak Woodpecker c. 10 ft. 32 3 May 1966 hole? Englefield Oak i) 64V 500 £8. 20 18 June 1966 Unlike the majority of bats, which hunt throughout the night with occasional periods of rest, noctules fly for a restricted period at dusk and dawn. The evening flight lasts 60 -70 minutes. The bats emerge in groups, the individuals often coming out in rapid succession, and they then immediately disperse so that, shortly after they are all out, none can be seen in the immediate vicinity of the roost. LiSe The return of the bats, so well described by Charles Oldham in his classic essay on this species (Zoologist 1901 p. 51-59), is, as would be expected, more scattered. It is by this time too dark to see clearly, but their behaviour is now quite different. The bats, on returning to the tree circle round, often in twos and threes at high speed; occasionally they fly up to the hole, perch for an instant and then go off again. Because of this it is almost impossible by observation alone to determine how many actually enter. The number of bats emerging varies considerably from evening to evening, and, as has been argued by Vesey-Fitzgerald, it seems that individuals are not constant to a specific roost. Also, dens occupied in the early summer may be vacated later on; a considerable movement of these bats must occur in late June and July. Noctules, it seems, are very vulnerable to being evicted by hole-nesting birds. On several occasiogns holes I have known to have been previously inhabited by these bats have subsequently been occupied by jackdaws, starlings, or grey squirrels. I have no definite evidence that eviction has taken place, but I think it likely. Bats have very few enemies, but it would not surprise me if squirrels were shown to be important in this respect. Further information would be valuable. The long-eared bat, Plecotus auritus (L.), (another very similar species, P. austriacus (Fischer), has recently been shown to occur in Britain) is also widely distributed, but is more secretive and later in emerging than the noctule. It is a woodland species but is not confined to this habitat. For several years I have watched these bats in a coppice of young ash trees near Englefield. Early May is the best time, before the leaves have fully come out. For much of the time the bats can be seen flying in and out and hovering amongst the topmost twigs of the trees, then darting off to another, appearing very like large moths. What they are feeding on here I do not know, but certainly noctuid moths often form a major part of their diet. Large prey, ¢.g. Yellow Underwing moths, are not eaten on the wing but are taken to a convenient perch, which may be used again and again. Piles of moth wings and legs in the corner of a@ porch or summer house are a sure sign that a long-eared bat is about. Many moths, notably in the family Noctuidae, have ears which are especially sensitive to ultrasonic sounds, and thus are efficient bat-detectora, enabling their possessor to take evasive action before too late. Jingling a bunch of keys produces ultrasonic sounds besides those that are audible to us. While I was out in Whiteknights Park on the evening of 23rd August, 1966, several Brimstone moths, Opisthograptis luteolata er. a (family Geometridae) were flying along the hedgerows. On my Shaking the keys close by, they dived into the herbage; this was a very rapid movement and quite different from their normally slow fluttering flight. It is not unlikely that long-eared bats are especially adapted to capturing moths, for their echo-locating cries are extremely faint, and they thus stand a greater chance of approaching undetected. Their huge ears would, of course, be correlated with this. Daubenton's bat, Myotis daubentoni (Kuhl), is the fourth and last that I regard as being fairly common. round Reading. It is 'the' water-bat, though, of course, most bats will hunt over water at times. Characteristically, these bats fly low over the surface, which they may be seen occasionally to touch as if they are actually picking insects off the water. I have watched these bats from several bridges. along the Loddon - the ideal bat-watching bridge is one that gives an unobstructed view of the river, without too many surrounding trees, and facing west - such a one is that at Sherfield. Bats of the genus Myotis usually hibernate in caves or Similar. situations. Daubenton's Bat, Natterer's Bat, M. nattereri (Kuhl), and the Whiskered Bat, M. mystacinus (Kuhl), were recorded long ago as hibernating in a chalk tunnel near Henley, and these three species were present when I went there on 15th February, 1953. I should be very pleased to hear of any colonies that members know of, particularly if their identity is in doubt. wom THE FLORA OF THE WATERWAYS OF READING By. A. M. Simmonds Situated as it is between the confluence of the Thames and its tributary the Kennet, the Borough of Reading contains considerable stretches of waterways. The two rivers, the Holy Brook, and many connecting streams furnish several miles of riparian habitat, and thus considerably augment the urban flora already considered in the Reading Naturalist (no. 15). Within built-up areas, the banks of the canalised Kennet have been urbanised with concrete or brick walling, which affords but little scope for plant growth, although even here may be found lowly mosses and liverworts, and an occasional flowering plant, such as Lycopus europaeus L. (Gipsy-wort), Scutellaria galericulata L. (Skull-cap), and Eupatorium cannabinum L. (Hemp Agrimony). Such a place is the stretch of water alongside the Chestnut Walk by the Abbey Ruins. However, where the water-side banks have been left ina fairly natural state, as in the outlying parts of the Borough to the west, north, and east, a variety of semi-aquatic plants flourish. Many of these are typical Monocotyledons, "reeds, rushes and sedges", The commonest species appears to be Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmberg, which is a Reed Grass. This should not be confused with Phragmites communis Trin., the Common Reed, which seems to be absent from our urban water-communities, although abundant higher up the Kennet. G. maxima is present in abundance along both the Thames and the Kennet and especially so in marshy ground such as that bordering the backwater to Caversham Mill. Here, too, in abundance is Impatiens capensis Meerb. (Jewel-weed or Orange Balsam). It has most attractive flowers, orange splashed with red, which dangle on thin stalks. It is an introduced species which has reached the Thames via the Enborne and Kennet, and is spreading rapidly. Its grander relative, I. glandulifera Royle (Policeman's Helmet or Himalayan Balsam) is, as yet, comparatively rare in our area. Both species have explosive fruits. Sedges, with their triangular stems, are fgirly abundant, the two commonest species being Carex acutiformis Ehrh. (Pond Sedge) and C. riparia Curt. (Great Pond Sedge). C. paniculata L. (Tufted Sedge) is rare. True rushes (Juncus species), known by their cylindrical unjointed stems are infrequent; J. inflexus L. (Hard Rush) is the one most likely to be seen. Acorus calamus L.. (Sweet Flag) with its unusual green ho flower-spike is quite unlike the Water Flag or Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus L.). It grows in clumps near Reading Bridge (Hill's Meadow). The curious wrinkling of the sword-like leaves is a useful clue to its identity. Swans appear to be fond of this plant. and pieces of rhizome are often seen detached and floating, thus helping to colonise the plant. It seems to be absent from the Kennet. Typha latifolia L. (Reedmace) -and Scirpus lacustris L. (the true Bulrush) occur sparingly, but Sparganium erectum L. (Bur-reed) with its spiky round fruits is frequent as is also another Reed-grass, Phalaris arundinacea L., with very reed-like leaves and pinkish inflorescence. Growing at the water's edge, where the bank is less steep, may be found occasionally Cardamine amara L. (Large Biiter-cress), Myosotis scorpioides L. (Water Forget-me-not), Ranunculus sceleratus L. (Celery-leaved Buttercup), Barbarea vulgaris R. Br. (Winter Cress), Rorippa amphibia (L.) Bess. (Great Yellow-cress), Bidens cernua L. (Nodding Bur-marigold) and B. tripartita L. (Three-cleft Bur-marigold). Both these last species have awned fruits armed with barb-like deflexed bristles. Brassica rapa L. (Bargeman's Cabbage) is an alien Crucifer which is fairly common along the Thames, although it does not appear to be along the Kennet yet. It is a biennial with conspicuous coarse turnip-like radical leaves, and its showy yellow flowers appear in spring. In summer the banks are gay with purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.), Great Willow-herb (Epilobium hirsutum L.), Meadow-sweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.), Hemp Agrimony, Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis L.) and St. John's-wort (Hypericum tetrapterum Fr.). That troublesome family, the Umbellifers, is represented by Oenanthe crocata L. (Hemlock Water-Dropwort), a rather coarse plant, and the much more elegent Conium maculatum L. (true Hemlock) with finely cut leaves and an unpleasant smell; both these species are very poisonous. These are followed in July and August by the aromatic and harmless Angelica sylvestris L. (Wild Angelica). Aster novi-belgii L. (Michaelmas Daisy) has established itself at Hill's Meadow, View Island, and further downstream, and provides colour and interest in the autumn. Purely aquatic plants are sparse. Nuphar lutea Cis) Siti (Yellow Water-lily) flowers above Berkeley Avenue Bridge, and also in the Caversham Mill stream. Water Crowfoot (probably Ranunculus aquatilis L. s. sp.) can be seen in the Holy Brook -20- jus" below its entry into the Borough. Sagittaria sagittifolia L. (Avrowhead) has been seen, though not flowering, just below Berkeley Avenue bridge. Callitriche L. species (Water Starwort) and Apium nodiflorum (L.) L2g. (Fool's Watercress) inhabit almost stagnant water at Mill Green, Cavershan. The water-side trees are mainly pollarded Salix fragilis L. (Crack Willow) and the occasional Alnus glutinosa L. (Alder) whose colourful male catkins are a harbinger of spring. There is a handsome Purple Osier (S. purpurea L.) in Hill's Meadow. Where the Thames is an amenity, as along the Promenade and Christchurch Meadow, the necessity of keeping herbage under control has impoverished the plant life. It is to be hoped that in future river-side developments the lovely and typical plants of our watersides may not be too ruthlessly destroyed, but left For all to enjoy. ee JUNIPER VALLEY: SOME OBSERVATIONS AND PROBLEMS By) H. Hi Carter, MLA. B.Ses Juniper Valley takes its unofficial name from its. most conspicuous feature, the fine stand of Juniperus communis L. which occupies the greater part of its sides. It is a fine example of a dry valley in the chalk downs, leading somewhat west of south from Hogtrough Bottom towards Lowbury Hill, in the 1-kilometre square whose national grid reference is SU 540 630. The more cpen, eastern slope supports several Species of rare plants, and a part of it has been enclosed to form the Aston Upthorpe Nature Reserve managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Naturalists' Trust. Among these rare species is Pulsatilla vulgaris Mill. (Anemone pulsatilla L.), the Pasque Flower, which forms two colonies here, one enclosed within the reserve and one on the unenclosed slope immediately above it. The lower colony was surrounded in 1961 with a fence of 1" mesh wire netting, the bottom edge of which was buried to a depth of 15 cm. (6) while the top edge was garnished with barbed wire, with the object of excluding grazing animals (sheep and rabbits) and discouraging picking by humans. This measure was taken because it was then apparent that although the plants flowered annually, few or no seed heads survived the flowering season and the colony was therefore in danger of extinction. The same state of affairs prevailed in the upper colony.* It was hoped that if the plants could be allowed to set seed, the wind-borne seeds would take root on other parts of the slope. So far this hope has not been fulfilled. On the contrary, damage to the plants has continued. The flower stalks are nipped off close to the ground when in bud,* or the flower itself ‘is nibbled away, leaving only the receptacle, or the upper pert of the stalk may be bitten through after the seeds have formed. That the inner wire netting enclosure has afforded partial protection against this damage is shown by the following census of the two colonies, taken on 20th May 1966:- Plants Flowering stems Bitten off Surviving Upper colony 146 140 137 3 Lower colony 92 31 13 . 18 een ee ewe eww ew eB ew we OO Oe ew OO we Oe we we eK BO BO ww eM wm Mw ew eB we we ee ew mew eB ew ew Owe ew eee * A, M. Simmonds. The Ashton Upthorpe Nature Reserve. B.B.O.N.T, Annual Report 1966. -22= It will be noticed that although the survival rate is much higher in the lower colony, the number cf plants which attempted to flower is less, (It must not be assumed that each plant produces only one flowering stem, or none; some plants produce as many as four or five.) The non-flowering plants within the enclosure are generally small and somewhat spindly, with as few as two or three leaves. Three possible causes for this are suggested. (a) The plants have been disturbed by moles and have not yet fully re-established themselves. (b) The plants are competing unsuccessfully with coarse grasses, which in the absence of grazing animals are tending to form a mat of vegetation. (c) The plants are seedlings. As these small plants are found to occur both on molehills, where they are fully exposed, and amcng the long grass, neither (a) nor (b) can be the sole explanation, but they may well be contributory causes. In an attempt to elucidate this problem, it is propesed to rake over the area within the inner enclosure late in the year when the leaves of the Pasque Flower have died down (if indeed they do), and so remove the mat of dead grasses and open up the dense cover which is forming. It may then appear advisable to cut the grass with shears, particularly round the edges. Unfortunately it will not be possible to control the activities of the moles as well, so that the results will not necessarily be conclusive. It may even happen that when the Surrounding grass is discouraged.the biting cf stems will increase, The animal responsible for this biting off has not been identified, “though I have recently been trying, by trapping and observation, on the lines suggested by Mrs. Simmonds,* to find out what it-is. On the evening of Friday, 6th May, I laid out a line of six Longworth small mammal traps along the length of the reserve, two being inside the inner wire netting enclosure. All the traps were pre-baited (i.e. food and bedding were supplied, and the trap-dcor fastened up so that mice could go in and out freely, and become used to the traps). On the morning of 9th May all the traps were set, and it was obvious that the two traps within the enclosure had been visited, the. food eaten and a quantity of droppings deposited during the. pre-baiting period. HPF. The results of the trappings are given in tabular form below:- TRAP LOCATIONS (inside small enclosure)(inside main fence of the reserve) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hay ‘9 QaeMe- all traps set. May: 9 Pee sonal nil nil Apodemus f. nil cae Gl May 10 Gell, “USEAd, empty - 2 Apodemus j.nil nil nil nil pimi snail nil na dy pms nil nil May 11 am. Apodemus j. Apodemus f. nil nil nil nil (Traps 3 to 6:were now moved to form a line up and dcwn the slope, with Trap 4 joining Traps 1 and 2 inside the small enclosure.) May 12 pem.e Apodemus Apedenus. jep_nil.,..nil mac nad Se Apodemus Apodemus jm. nil Apodemus f. nil dt Pets’ I ; Apodemus jm. nil nil nil nil (Traps 3 to 6 were moved again to the upper colony of Pulsatilla outside the main fence of the SESE oS: and all traps pre-baited.) May 16 D.« His Traps 3 - 6 set.(Trap 5 had been occupied). fay 17 QeMe Traps 1 & 2 set. mod yon nil nil Pell. i@all mite raabdl aaah nak raed May 18 AeM. Apodemus m. Apodemus m. nil nil walat dl igs Peis nil nil ee em cts ee ae Se eo May 19 Ase Apodemus Apodemus Viste ecu: nil meal Pell. nil na nit mail hale be | maid May 20 Ae. Apodemus nil pwIL | fatalal ql nat (All traps were removed.) en The species shown as Apodemus is A» sylvaticus (L.) the Wood-mouse or Long-tailed Field-mouse. The abbreviations m., f. and j. indicate male, female, and juvenile. These resuits may be summarised as follows:- Only one species was taken, A. sylvaticus L. This species was taken only within the inner enclosure, and with one exception only during the night. One trap was used outside the enclosure while pre-baited. When released, most individuals made their way to one or other of three hcles inside the enclosure; one had a hole outside but only 3 or 4 metres from the fence. It therefore appears highly probable that Apodemus is the cnly small mammal resident on the slope, and has been favoured by the growth of long grass. in the inner enclosure. The plants attacked here, presumably by Apodemus, were mostly bitten off well above ground at the late flowering or early seeding stage, and this continued during the trapping period. In the upper colony, a larger proportion of plants were bitten off close to the ground, and some leaves had also been eaten. This damage had already been done before trapping began, and as already mentioned, the attack here was much more intensive. This difference in the pattern of feeding,. combined with the trapping results, suggests that two or more different species are responsible. Animals known to frequent the eastern slope of the valley, which might be responsible and would not be taken in the Longworth traps, are Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) (Rabbit) and Perdix perdix (L.) (Partridge). Lepus cap capensis L. (Brown Hare) and Phasianus colchicus L. (Pheasant) occur just outside the valley and sometimes venture on to its juniper-covered western slope. I regard the Rabbit as the principal suspect. The question might perhaps be answered by visual observation in late March or early April when the buds of Pulsatilla first appear. =25- Appendix A While working in the valley, I took the opportunity of collecting or observing some of the other members of its fguna. Their names, and my impression of their status, are appended. Some birds from the immediate vicinity are also included. Mammals Insectivora Talpa_eurcpaea L. (Mole) Present in small numbers. Sorex araneus L. (Shrew) AvicolLony,.of 10.0% SC 7in the long grass on the floor of the valley below the colonies of Pulsatilla. Lagomorpha Lepus capensis L. (Hare) Common on Aston Upthorpe Downs, but seldom enters the valley. Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)(Rabbit) Two groups of burrows near the reserve, both occupied. Rodentia Apodemus sylvaticus (L.)(Long-tailed Field-mouse) See trapping records above. Birds (Species with territories extending into the valley marked *) *Perdix perdix (L.) (Partridge) 2 pairs. *Phasianus colchicus (L.) (Pheasant) 1 male. Vanellus vanellus (L.) (Lapwing) Nests on level Downs around the valley, and flies over. Burhinus oedicnemus (L.)(Stone Curlew) ditto Columba oenas L. (Stock Dove) 1 seen near the valley. C. palumbus L. (Wood Pigeon) Several pairs in the wood immediately north of the valley. Streptopelia turtur (L.) (Turtledove) Common in the wood, and wherever there are trees. -Cuculus canorus L. (Cuckoo) Males seen in and out of the valley; females probably lay in nests of small birds over the same area. Apus apus (L.) (Swift) Feeds in the valley, but no suitable nesting sites. ae om Alauda arvensis L. (Skylark) Hirundo rustica L. (Swallow) Corvus corone L. (Carrion Crow) Corvus frugilegus L. (Rook) Parus major L. (Great Tit) P. caeruleus L. (Blue Tit) P. ater L. (Coal wt) Troglodytes troglodytes (L.) (Wren) *Turdus ericetorum Turton (Song Thrush *T, merula L. Erithacus rubecula (L.) (Robin) Sylvia atricapilla (L.) (Blackcap) *S. communis Latham (Whitethrcat) *S. curruca (L.) (Lesser Whitethroat) Phylloscopus trochilus (L.) (Waltow.y P. collybita (Vieillot)(Chiffchaff) Prunella modularis (L.) (Hedge Sparrow) *Anthus pratensis (L.) (Meadow Pipit) *Chloris chloris (L.) (Greenfinch) *Carduelis cannabina (L.) (Linnet) *Fringilla coelebs Fn (Chaffinch) *Emberiz2a citrinella L.(Yellowhammer) BE. calandra L. (Corn Bunting) Reptiles . Anguis fragilis L. (Slow-worm) As Vanellus above. As Apus above. Present, and doubtless feeds in valley on occasion. Passes over, but not known to feed. In wood north of the valley, common. ditto. ditto. ditto. Occurs within the valley, and probably breeds. ditta:. As Parus above. ditto. 3 or 4 pairs in the valley, abundant outside, breeds. A singing male at the south end of the valley. As Parus above. aLtto-. ditto. 2 or > pairs In the valley, common outside, breeds. ditto. 5 or 6 pairs in thevalley, abundant outside, breeds. 1 pair inthe valley, several cutside, breeds. 1 or 2 pairs in the valley, abundant outside, breeds. As Vanellus above. A pair seen mating in the . valley by Mrs. Simmonds. a9. Mollusca (all Gastropoda) Pulmonata Theba cantiana (Mliller) Abundant throughout the more open parts of the valley. Helicella itala (L.) 2 dead shells found in disturbed soil in the reserve. H. (Cernuella) virgata (da Costa) ditto. He (Candidula)caperata (Montagu) Not uncommon in the valley and reserve, about 6 seen. Cepaea_nemoralis Cis) One dead shell found among juniper on the western slope. Agriolimax agrestis (L.) 2 among long grass on the Aspidobranchia floor of. the valley. Pomatias elegans (Miller) As H. itala above. All these are snails, except Agriolimax which is a slug. Crustacea Armadillidium vulgare L. (Pill Woodlouse) The commonest visible invertebrate. A single specimen of another species of woodlouse (probably Porcellio sp.) was seen but could not be identified. Insects To attempt to collect and identify comprehensively the members of this class would have taken more time than I could afford. A few isolated observations are given here. Hymenoptera Bombus lapidarius (L.) ; One queen of this red-tailed Bumble-Bee was seen. Another Bombus sp. is also present. Andrena armata (Gm.) Several females and one male of this solitary bee were seen. Myrmica ruginodis Nyl. A worker of this ant seen = carrying one of the following. Lasius flavus (F.) The hillocks of this under- ground ant occur all over the valley, making it the commonest non-micrescopic / : : animal there. Tenthredo mesomelas Le. — I took a female of tis sawfly. aeo= Spiders Dictyna latens (F.) One found on Juniper on the western slope. Members of this and a few other families have a special organ which secretes silk in a broad ribbon, and a comb-. like structure on each hind foot for winding the ribbon round their prey. Lycosa_ monticola (Clerk) Common on the western stope. This, like the next two species, is a hunting spider which makes no web, and uses its silk only for wrapping its eggs. L. pullata (Clerk) This common species is less numerous in the . valley than monticola. Tarentula _barbipes (Sundevall) One specimen taken 9n the western slope. : Pisaura mirabilis (Clerk) Although larger and more conspicuous ~——~and quite unrelated to the following species, this very common species has similar habits and habitat. Philodromus aureolus (Clerk) This little Crab Spider is common on nettles at the entrance to the valley, where it sits motionless, waiting for careless insects. Tibellus oblongus (Walkenaer) I saw one specimen of this long, narrow-bodied species in long grass on the floor of the valley, Despite its very. different shape, it belongs to the same family as Philodromus. Amaurobius terrestris (Wider) Not. uncg6nnon in the resérve. Its web is like that of its relative the House Spider (Tegenaria spp.) but much smaller. Meta_segmentata (Clerk) Abundant on Juniper on the western Slope, where it spins an orb web like that of the next species and other members of the family. Araneus redii (Scopoli) Abundant on nettles and other tall plants near the entrance to the valley. A local species, closely related to the Garden Spider A. diadematus Clerk. Linyphia_ hortensis Sundevall Common on Juniper at the northern end of the reserve, where it builds a horizontal sheet web typical of its family. Mites The queen of Bombus lapidarius mentioned above was carrying | a number of mites, probably Parasitus spe : (T. E. Hughes, Mites or the Acari, p. 30; anges 1959.) aAQu Appendix B A few species which have been recorded in the valley by myself or others in previous years, but were not encountered by me this year, are listed below. , Mammalia Meles meles (L.) (Badger) Said to occur in the wood north of the valley. Birds Falco tinnunculus L. (Kestrel) Up to 2 pairs recorded till quite recently. Strix aluco L. (Tawny Owl) Resident. All these owls have Athene noctua (Scopoli) been recorded in (Little Owl) Resident. recent years within Asio otus (L.) (Long- a mile of the valley: eared Owl) Vagrant Asio flammeus (Pontopp.) Short-eared Owl) Winter visitor. Regulus regulus (L.) (Goldcrest) Recorded in April, 1961 and December, 1964 in some numbers "in Juniper on the western slope. Insect Colostygia multistrigaria Recorded in Reading Naturalist no. 17. ae ee WEATHER RECORDS IN 1966 By A. E. Moon The data refer te Reading University Meteorological Station. A “rain day" is a day on which rainfall equals or exceeds 0.01 of an inch. The averages for temperature refer to the period 1931-60, those for the amount of precipitation and number of rain days to 1916-50, and those for sunshine to 1921-50. For the designation of frost and ground-frost days see Weather Records in 1961. STATION — READING UNIVERSITY. HEIGHT ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL — 148 ft. Se ee T Re a ee saa ae : i : JAN. FEB, MARS | iAPR. | SEP. : ocT. i NOV,: had [rertercasermemcocennasersgpoeer Sie at, i eee TT Sepia ae sovermne erowinerwovrnereesoweren ? ere ree | MEAN Mx _____|at.5, | 4005 | 51,5 5421 | 6220 } DAILY [MINe mnt 332.4 4002 L316. | 4148 | A bad das reba: St. 6 | 44.3 | 44.5 5 LAT OL p Boats NENTS 1 thes ea Morea 120 | 2.9) a Soy ere DIFFERENCE | oe ce meee ae FROM NORMAL It, 4144.4 | 0091 41.4) -2.5 [42.4 | +0.2/ +0.9 [-2.4 | 41.9] -04/ [eames Eo MAX, 4 | 36 | 88 72 | met | | et : TEMPERATURES DATE 7 29. 48,19] 20 | 50.) eo Frveraeenaesrssermeeemearerneteenceerte seman rece a srermererr ede seins napintas 90 eovtveneesee EO a : r OF “E. MIN. Hit i ee 18 a5 AAMT BULLAE a SOR te 12,24 | 17 26, sit sl le | Jae 7 | 23 | 21,35); 38] 3 | 21 oy at | ta eraipeee erweee gee voereeererry Hipage a asec en pe eas 8 7b eon vennee oa fo oa alae 20 | 21 | Cs ee {20,28,)"24 26 | ind DAYS WITH a 3 ‘ Fe mer peop ale vn ee vareneten ry Tope; il ai 00 a LSSTUSAN ELS SESSTTTUNU TES STE STN. ONORPOD NELE IONS i SUNSHINE HOURS SUM. 40.8 i% poss, =| 15 : DAILY MEAN [1,31 | 32.7 | 130, 3 | 77.4 | 238.1! 197.2) 163.0 196.1 | 171.€ 72. 4 | 6aet 12 | 40} 33 | 44 | 45 © 22 | 24 ; Soy 19°F 304 1.17! 4.20 | 2,58 | 7.68 6.57 | 5.26 | 6.32 5.70: sie | $2.13: ere eeerrees peetet recency turer eM RTT eT EET PRECIPITATION | AMOUNT = 4431. 3.5 ie 0.51 | 3.70! 2.10). 2455; 3- 3.23 | 3.28 | 1.55; 5s 15] [1.55 | 2. 39) a ins. |. RAIN DAYS | 17_ atthe Ce eo ry BE B20 16 | 25) 16 MAX. RAIN | T i i ss i |_IN 1 DAY | 0.39 2 | 0.55 | 0.14; 0.61) 0.41) 1, 228) 0,62 0.64 | 0,50! 0.95 | 0.42 | 0,33) Eee. ropepeperat el saat mls. Ss il LONGEST RUN OF CONSECUTIVE eres 7 ‘ise’: bed 1a Pan onys “fg } 40 | 6 fe ee 0 i et ea me Sc opaia oes poeenbunerteonetarioetaiads ee TCA Sy soe inane 5 sree ns Seria ca “ "