It was a very quiet start to the walk through the mixed conifer and broadleaf wood of Park Ground Inclosure. Although bright and sunny, this perhaps due to the cold.
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| Gymnopilus junonius © Chris Robinson |
Working our way to Parkhill Lawn through an area of wooded pasture, after an initial excitement of Robins, life picked up. Once there we had the mid walk break. There we saw song and Mistle Thrushes, a small flock of Redwings, some Pied Wagtails, a female Siskin near some Scots Pines, a Chaffinch and Great Tits. Nearby was a small bush of Butcher’s Broom.
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| Redwings © Richard Coomber |
Turning back over partially frozen ground which had hardened the waterlogged areas we entered an area of mainly beech wood where we came across some fungi. A keen eye spotted some Amethyst Deceivers buried in the fallen leaves, a fungi belonging to the Russula family, a ring of beautiful Vermillion Waxcaps and some Birch Polypores.
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| Amethyst Deceiver © Richard Smith |
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| Vermilion Waxcap © Richard Smith |
A Fallow buck and four does briefly passed by. Within this part of the wood were a number what look like man made depressions now flooded. There was speculation as to why and the possiblity of extraction of marl for agricultural purposes or clay for bricks.The mysteries of what went on in bygone days. Richard S has since found evidence of drainage ditches in the area.
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| Polypody © Chris Robinson |
Returning between Park Ground and Parkhill Inclosures more Redwings and thrushes were spotted in the open areas that we passed through. JE
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| © Crown copyright 2022 Ordnance Survey. Media 005/22. The licence is valid until 31 December 2022 |