The LakeThe minibus met up with several people who had travelled by car for today's outing to Temple Newsam. As our group of 16 gathered in the car park we spotted a kestrel being persistently mobbed by a magpie. Marilyn was our leader for the day and handed out maps of the grounds so people could explore as they wished. For the morning the group stuck together and walked through woodland looking for fungi. The weather was dull and grey but it remained dry. We found a good variety of fungi including shaggy parasol, wood blewitt, stinkhorn and puffballs. There was an extensive cluster of sulphur tuft on a stump alongside a little smoky bracket. The final fungi count was 31.
Jelly Ear Most of the group had lunch by the lake before splitting off to do different things. Some continued the fungal foray and others chose to look around Temple Newsam House. We were pleasantly surprised when the sun made an appearance and it remained sunny all afternoon. It really brought the autumn colours to life. 25 birds were seen. Apart from a probable but unconfirmed sighting of fieldfare we saw goldfinch, jay, pied wagtail and greater spotted woodpecker. Most ended the day with refreshments in the tea room and a tame little sparrow eagerly cleared up the scone crumbs. A lovely day out.Sue