Nature Notes for November/December 2011

Fri 28th October - The day being sunny and hot found us in Delph Wood on another fungi foray. We found twenty-five species, not as many as previous years, but we did discover the Bonfire Scalycap (Pholiota highlandensis) growing on the Scout ground, this fungi is an early coloniser of burnt areas. We also came across Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus) hiding among the pines, no it was not a wanted criminal that the police have trouble holding down, it really is a fungi. We also found some rare Cinnamon Jellybaby (Cudonia confusa) sounds very nice but I would not advise eating it. Midday we decided to stop for a break at the cricket ground when I noticed many insects alighting on the site screen, after having lunch I went to investigate, the screen was now covered in hundreds of Harlequin ladybirds (Harmonia axyridis) and there were even more landing on me as I observed the many colour variations. It is believed that there are more than a hundred colour/pattern varieties recorded. These ladybirds are a recent immigrant to the south arriving here in 2004 having crossed the English Channel; it is predicted to be in most parts of the UK within the next few years. The Harlequin is a native of Asia and was introduced to North America and Continental Europe as a biological pest control agent because of its appetite for eating other insect pests, but good ideas always have a down side, trouble being it does not discriminate between good and harmful invertebrates, it will eat non pests e.g. our native ladybird and its eggs being one, plus the eggs and larvae of butterflies and moths. I made reference to this ladybird on October 25th 2010.

Fri 11th November - Gritnam Woods in the New Forest on a mycology field trip. Now I know what you are thinking, NOT MORE FUNGI, and you would be right, but this field trip was different, it was not sunny/warm as previous fungal forays but dull all day,the sun never showed its face once. The ground was wet and boggy and yes, we did have wellingtons but walking about all day in wellies can be very tiring. We were followed everywhere by New Forest pigs searching for acorns, even when we sat down for lunch they tried to steal our sandwiches, obviously not having much success with acorns. But the highlights of the day were seeing several Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) I say seeing; it was more of a fleeting glimpse as they moved from tree to tree. These very inconspicuous birds were feeding high in some larch/pine trees; it was their call and the discarded bits of pine seed floating to the ground that drew my attention to them. We also came across two fallow deer scraps, these were depressions in the ground with a lot of discarded hair lining the base, the deer urinate in these and then roll in it, the trees close by having been frayed, this is done to remove the velvet covering of the antlers. Oh yes I forgot to mention fungi, out of the twenty-five species found the Yellowdrop Milkcap (Lactarious chrysorrheus) oozing bright yellow milk even though common was still nice to find, also the Blackedge Bonnet (Mycena pelianthina) with its coloured gill edges and the Lilac Bonnet (Mycena pura) with its distinctive smell of radish being a constant feature. The day may have been miserable but the trip was worthwhile.

Mon 21st November - while I was raking up leaves in a neighbours garden I was suddenly aware of a fungi I had not seen for some time, taking off the leaves by hand trying not to damage this rather bizarre looking fungi known as the Collared Earthstar (Geastrum triplex) this locally common Earthstar I have found in previous years growing in the grounds of Upton House. But to find one growing in a garden accompanied by two smaller earthstars was very rewarding , this fungi is known to appear in the same place the following year so I will be looking for it next Autumn.

Tues 22nd - The first frost of year, looking at the grass this morning what appeared at first to be heavy dew was in fact beautiful Ice crystals.

Fri 25th - while on my way to Poole via the footpath that borders Holes Bay I noticed several small groups of wildfowl e.g. Widgeon, Teal and Pochard dabbling in the shallow water. Come December /January I will find these small groups would have grown to hundreds totalling a thousand or more birds and what a picture they make, every winter I look forward to experiencing this winter scene and when the tide is out the mud seems to move with thousands of waders feeding.

Thurs 1st Dec - the Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) are back at Hatch Pond, they probably arrived a week or so ago. The best spot to observe them being opposite the GPO building, walk through the trees and keep your eyes peeled on the phragmites reed beds opposite. The bittern often come to the water’s edge to fish but remember to look in the reeds below your feet; I have often found them there. This pond has become a regular wintering ground for these large brown herons with sometimes as many as four birds being seen on the same day.

Fri 2nd - Looking from my study window this morning I saw my first winter thrush, a Redwing (Turdus iliacus) not just one but a dozen of them sitting high up in a Lombardy poplar. This small winter migrant along with its larger cousin the Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) are always a welcome sight rarely visiting the garden, only in extreme weather conditions will you see them eating the berries of your holly, pyracantha and rowan.

Sat 17th - While waiting for a bus in the Broadway this morning a flock of approx 50 Fieldfares flew overhead heading northwest.

Tues 20th - My wife and I looked in on Holes Bay this morning hoping to see if the Spoonbills that had been seen there on the 18th were still around but they had gone, they had probably returned to Brownsea Island. The tide was just starting to recede the small groups of widgeon and teal that I noted on 25th November had now grown to several hundred and they had been joined by Pintail (Anas acuta) Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) and close to the railway bridge where the water races out in channels made by years of tide flow 50 Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) were feeding sieving small crustaceans through their upturned bill. Among the many other wading birds observed searching the mud for food were the common Redshank (Tringa tetanus) and Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) with large groups of Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) dominating the scene. The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) had grown in number as we counted 20 along the shoreline. A Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) and a Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) searched for food among the seaweed washed up on the shore. In winter (Motacilla cinerea) can normally be seen searching for insects at Cabot Lane Sewage works.

Mon 26th - Boxing Day after getting up several times in the early hours after drinking too much liquid on the25th everywhere was silent except for a Robin that sang their beautiful melodies all night long until dawn, I use the word "their" because both sexes sing believe it or not throughout the year, except when they are moulting. It is believed that Robins in urban areas sing at night because it is too noisy during the day to be heard, being territorial they want other Robins to know they are not welcome. In quieter suburban areas and gardens they often sing by artificial light e.g. Porch lights, I always leave my downstairs hall light on which lights up the porch and part of my front garden and the Robin makes use of this.

I would like to wish all my friends and everyone who reads my Nature News a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Keith Clements - Parks, Nature Reserves & Heathland

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Nature News Archives

2011 January, March, April, May, June/July, August/September, October

2010 January/February, March, May/June, July, August/September, October, November/December

2009 May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December