We arranged to meet Richard Smith a couple of days early for our walk, due to the poor forecast for Thursdays weather . Meeting up at Setley Pond in early morning sunshine we immediately saw the grey heron, as Setley is known for its long standing heronry. Walking towards the A337 on first the heath and then through narrow paths we noted fresh rabbit holes, a field of crows and a pair of probably goldfinches flying swiftly away.
After crossing the main road, we walked along the ancient path, with its wide variety of ferns. There was a recently dug hole in the bank, with a very small hole - see photo, we thought possibly a bank vole.
We carried on along this path up to Royden woods. There were many varieties of fungi to be spotted - we noted earth-balls, candle snuff, and blushing bracket. Through a small Copse we saw both great and long tail tits.
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| Common Earthball Scleroderma citrinum |
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| Candle Snuff Fungus Xylaria hypoxylon |
We then joined the track through the woods and we heard a nuthatch, and when sitting down for biscuits Richard spotted a coal tit.
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| Coal Tit - (Note: Ticks attached above eye) |
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| ?Mica Cap Coprinellus micaceus |
The forestry people were hard at work felling trees and making log piles as we headed back to the main road, and we did a slight detour around. The weather was glorious, and after crossing the road we then made our way back to the car park across the Heath, there were very few birds, but plenty of ponies and we did see one stonechat.
We looked forward to when we can meet up as a group to have the depth of knowledge of collective membership. A very pleasant walk.
