Meeting at Eyeworth Pond we had early
views of male and female Mallard, and Mandarin Duck gathered mostly on the
wooded margins, along with a pair of Teal.
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| A pair of Mandarins © Glynis Payne |
We set out under
bright sky, walking into a brisk northerly wind, progressing along the old
Powder Road gravel track and the adjoining woods where we found a variety of
fungi including Spectacular Rustgill Gymnopilus junonius. We paused
briefly to inspect the Chalybeate Iron Well and the iron-stained ground around
it which borders the path on the brook feeding Eyeworth Pond.
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| Spectacular Rustgill © Glynis Payne |
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| Chalybeate Iron Well © Richard Smith |
Before crossing the brook further upstream, we had excellent views of individual groups of Fallow Deer - buck and hinds crossing the open ground beneath Eyeworth Wood. A melanistic buck stood out with an impressive set of antlers. |
| Melanistic Fallow buck © Richard Smith |
Walking uphill towards Eyeworth Wood,
small groups of Redwing fed and flew between berry laden Holly bushes. A few
Dwarf Gorse and Ling were in flower amongst the scrub forming this part of the
walk.
Reaching the ridge overlooking Howen
Bottom, we found Common Wasp and a solitary European Hornet circling around and
feeding amongst the more sheltered holly bushes. Pausing for coffee in Eyeworth
Wood, offered an opportunity for fungi hunting which included Honey Fungus Armillaria
mellea growing amongst the numerous fallen and decaying trees found in this
wood. Also found during the walk were , Green Elf-cup Chlorociboria eruginascens, Amethyst Deceiver Laccaria amethystine and Burgundydrop Bonnet Mycena haematopus.
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Amethyst Deceiver with Green Elfcup © Chris Robinson
 | Burdundydrop Bonnet © Chris Robinson
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Returning along the bridlepath through
the woods, we spotted Blackbird, Blue Tit and large groups of Chaffinch
foraging amongst the Beech mast and leaves. A single Brambling was also spotted
briefly. Butchers Broom was found in some parts of the lower woodland and the
fields next to the woods there were also small groups of Starling and a Green
Woodpecker. We enjoyed watching a couple of sows, one a Gloucester Old Spot,
and several piglets that rummaged around in the fields beside Eyeworth Lodge.
Arriving back at Eyeworth Pond, the
old adage “you see more birds in the car park” proved correct! We were treated
to excellent views of a pair of Goosander, repeatedly diving to feed, as well
as Moorhen, and larger numbers of Mandarin Duck. RS
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| A pair of Goosanders © Glynis Payne |
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| Our route © Ordnance Survey |
