Sunday 21st October 2012 - Rifle Range/Devil's Spittleful NR

Today I embarked on a fungi foray with the Mark  (Doorstep Birding) at the nearby lowland heath reserve of Devils Spittleful and Rifle Range.  The morning started fairly misty but soon cleared as the sun burned through.

We were hoping to see Parrot Waxcap fungi today and pre-armed with a bit of info from the Ranger (Adam) we had a good look but it was to no avail.  Still Mark and I did manage to see a good variety of species and it was a pleasant walk all the same.

Whilst on the Devil's Spittleful side of the reserve we noted Brick Tuft, Brown Birch Bolette, The Deciever, Penny Bun, Rosy Bonnet, Scarlet Waxcap and The Sickener.  On the Rifle Range side we added Birch Polypore, Meadow Waxcap, Parasol Mushroom, Yellow Brain Fungus and Yellow Stagshorn too the list.

A few birds were noted including a flock of 6 Redwings that flew through heading South East, 2 Ravens, 4 Common Buzzards and a ♂ Kestrel.

The only butterfly recorded was a single Small Copper (and no...I don't mean a vertically challenged policeman!)

All in all another enjoyable walk around another of the local area's excellent reserves, with a good mix of species recorded.

Brick Tuft (Hypholoma lateritium)















Rosy Bonnet (Mycena Rosea)















The Sickener (Russula emetica)





























Yellow Brain Fungus (Tremella mesenterica)















Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)

3 comments:

  1. I love to see mushrooms, not quite the time, maybe I am wrong, November is more like it. Great photos Jason.

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  2. Another good selection fungi Jason and picture of a butterfly with sunlight on is great, haven't seen the sun much down here in the last few days.

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  3. Cheers Bob...november does tend to be the best month!

    Thanks Alan, it may well be one of the last butterflies I see this year

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