On a misty damp and overcast morning 11
members crossed the lawn in front of the Bolderwood car park to reach the cycle
track that leads behind the deer sanctuary. Two Pied Wagtails were feeding on
the lawn along with two Carrion Crows. Several colourful fungi were present in
the pasture, Yellow Club Clavulinopsis
helvola was identified and there were many small red coloured waxcaps.
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| Clouded Agaric |
Along the track heavy browsing by deer and
ponies was evident. Most of the trunks of the Holly had been gnawed and further
on an area had been deer fenced. The Holly having been cut back to allow it to
regenerate. Fortunately there was still plenty of Holly and Yew heavily laden
with berries and, although visibility
was not good we saw Redwing, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush and Blackbird all
feeding. In the distance we heard the bellowing calls of Fallow Deer bucks at
their stands, and later on had a glimpse
of just the head and antlers of one with two females as he circled around them.
As we continued down the main track we found several fungi which were Common
Earthball Scleroderma citrinum,
Clouded Agaric Clitocybe nebularis
and Bracken Map Rhopographus filicinus
along with various Russulas and also an interesting Great Grey Slug. Then
crossing Bratley Water we turned right to take a very wet track through mixed
woodland leading to Sandy Ridge.
 |
| False Deathcap |
Leaving the wood we walked across open
heathland. Here there were views across the forest with its autumn colours,
Cross-leaved Heath was still flowering and Meadow Pipits were flitting around
along with Goldfinches and a single Red Admiral was seen. We entered Bratley Wood with its many fine old Beech and
Oak trees and decided to take a break under an old Beech where a cluster of
Sulphur Tuft Hypholoma fasciculare
was growing. Later we realised that this
tree contained a Hornet’s nest, but it allowed us good opportunities for
photographs. Great Tit and Nuthatch could be heard calling.
 |
| Oak Bolete |
From the wood we went down to Bratley Water
again where Duncan identified an Oak Bolete Boletus
appendiculatus. Finally we reached the main track leading up to the car
park. Angela pointed out the small white male flowers of the Holly, and Richard with a couple of others at the
back of our group managed to see 5 Hawfinches, which was a highlight for those
lucky enough to see them.
Other birds seen were Chaffinch, Jay, Great
Spotted Woodpecker and Woodpigeon, and fungi were Yellow Stagshorn Calocera viscosa, False Deathcap Amanita citrina, Meadow Puffball Lycoperdon
pratense and Honey Fungus Armillaria
mellea.
Pam Poole
Photos © Richard
Coomber
