It was a calm and fine day as 8 of us met for our visit to Gallows Hill Nature Reserve. Our last visit had been at the end of 2019 and had produced a surprising range of fungi. Today, in dry conditions, fungi were still in evidence but not the same number of species. None of those present today had the depth of John's knowledge, which had been greatly appreciated on our last visit and was sadly missed today. Of those species we did see we felt reasonably confident in identifying turkey tail, glistening inkcap, blushing bracket, coral spot fungus, candlesnuff, puffballs and lumpy bracket. Mycena sp were noted but there were others which we were at a loss to put a name to.
There were a few late flowers in evidence namely common comfrey, dandelion, water forget-me-not, bindweed, Himalayan balsam, hawkweed ag and white dead-nettle. The change of the seasons gives us chance to view nature's bounty on our trees and shrubs. There were plenty ash keys visible and the rowan and hawthorn had an abundance of berries. More noticeable was the fact that there were no acorns or hazelnuts visible and the elders were bereft of berries. The spindle however was a picture looking especially colourful. Ivy was just coming into flower and the brambles were still in fruit. One oak tree was noted to have been badly affected by spangle gall, the tiny common spangle gall wasp being the culprit here.
After our lunch we decided to round off our day with a walk along the riverside path. A dragonfly was seen but the sighting of the day goes to Sue who spotted a kingfisher. As we followed the bird's progress down the river, it stopped periodically to dive into the river after its prey. A successful catch meant it returned to a nearly perch so giving us excellent views. A wonderful way to round off an excellent visit.
Sally Tetlow