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View along the gorse boundary
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I visited the Reserve on Friday on my way home from having lunch with friends so it was around 1.30 when I arrived. I had with me a trug full of small logs to add to the log pile, so that was my first job before walking round to observe the wildlife. Early afternoon seems to be siesta time for birds and I was beginning to think that I would have nothing to report this week other than a dozing Ladybird and a couple of flies but as the afternoon wore on things improved.In the meantime I had spotted quite a lot of new fungi under the trees, so had plenty to keep me occupied. Here is the full report:
Birds:
SC209694 ( hide) Woodpigeon; female Chaffinch; Robin; Wren; 2 x Blackbird; Song Thrush; 2 x Bluetit (one ringed); 3 x Goldfinch; Water Rail calling for about 5 minutes but not seen.
SC209694 ( elsewhere, same grid reference) Bluetit; 2 Swallows flying over;
SC209695 juvenile Blackbird
SC208694 Robin heard not seen
Ladybirds:
SC209694 I checked out the Marsh Woundwort where 2 were together in a leaf last week. The plant is going over but one 7-spot was well tucked into the gorse nearby.
Flies:
SC209695 The Cushag ( Ragwort ) was providing late nectar for a couple of Hoverflies ( Melanostoma or Platycheirus species and Episyrphus balteatus )
Fungi:
Thanks to Karen & Mick Rodger for identifying the fungi at SC208695 as Deceivers last week and to Liz Charter for naming the odd formation in the middle of the cap as Rosecomb mutation. There are still plenty of them to be seen. There are new cream coloured fungi coming up adjacent to them. These have white spore prints and also produced some small maggots!
SC208694 Various new types of fungi under the willows all with brown spore prints.
Other:
SC208695 Anthrophila fabricana Moth on Cushag/ Ragwort Also known as Nettle-tap moth. Nettles are its caterpillar food plant.
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Bluetits were enjoying the rosehips
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They are certainly acrobatic birds
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This one was ringed
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Robin seen from hide
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the Thrush took its time, slowly moving closer to the Rosehips
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it seemed very cautious
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| another view of the same bird |
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one of three Goldfinches
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the same bird
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Anthrophila fabricana Moth ( Nettle-tap Moth)
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Marsh Woundwort losing its leaves
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took me a while to see where the 7-spot had taken refuge
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Melanostoma or Platycheirus species Hoverfly
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Episyrphus balteatus Hoverfly
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there are still lots of Deceiver fungi with the Rosecomb mutation
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I spotted these under the willows ( brown spore print)
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along with these ( brown spore print)
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and this one ( also brown print)
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these frilly ones almost looked like flowers
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these have appeared close to the Deceivers
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They have an Umbo ( bump) in the middle and gave a white spore print
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| colourful Oak leaves |
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Imagine this Oak in 100 years time!
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Colourful birch too
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Roof greening up nicely ( not Astroturf - honest!)
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I'm glad I was able to call in ahead of Saturday's storm for a sunny walk round. Last visit for October.
With thanks to Steve Crellin for Fly identifications and Ian Scott for Moth.
Please click on photos to enlarge them
