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Stonechat
©
Richard Coomber
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20 members on a lovely sunny morning set
off with Pam in a northerly direction to Wort’s Gutter. Following the left hand
track, which is a damp grassy area many species of wild flower were seen: Marsh
Ragwort, Water Mint, Devil's-bit Scabious, Sneezewort, Common Fleabane, Common
Centaury, Tormentil, Knapweed, Lesser Spearwort, Marsh Thistle, Creeping
Cinquefoil, Cat’s- ear and Ling. Hard and Male Fern were seen along the banks
of the gutter, while small shoals of Minnows darted around in the water. A very
obliging juvenile male Stonechat posed for the photographers in the group,
while the occasional Swallow and a few House Martins passed overhead and, there
were plenty of Field Mushrooms along the way.
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Thorn-apple
©
Richard Coomber
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Moving away from the gutter and turning
onto the uphill track leading to Moon Hill a mixed flock of small birds kept us
busy as they flitted in and out of the trees, these were Blue Tit, Coal Tit,
Great Tit and Chiffchaff. This area is more open and dry and with stands of
conifers. Turning onto the cycle track where the ground had been disturbed by
the Forestry Commission, we came across a very unusual plant which Richard
immediately identified as a Thorn Apple. This plant originates from South
America and is thought to have come over as a contaminate of birdseed. The whole
plant is poisonous and, in this country is occasionally found in gardens, along
roadsides and on wasteland. Its appearance is weather dependant as it prefers a
warmer climate than ours.
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Grey Spotted Amanita
© Chris Robinson
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Common Frog
© Mary Mawdsley
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The final part of the walk took us through
a beautiful Beech and Oak woodland. Here we found False Chanterelle, Sulphur
Tuft and excellent specimens of Grey Spotted Amanita. Then following the track
down to the ford we came across areas of Marsh Pennywort, some Coral- necklace
and a solitary Common Frog. When crossing the bridge a Grey Wagtail was seen as
we finally walked back to the carpark.
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Common Darter
© Chris Robinson
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Other birds seen or heard were Robin,
Nuthatch, Pied Wagtail, Buzzard, Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Wood
Pigeon. Butterflies were Speckled Woods with just one Small Heath. Flowers were
Fairy Flax, Eyebright, and Bell Heather. There was also Common Polypody Fern,
Pond Skaters and several sightings of Common Darter. PP
