Nature Notes October

October was a mild month with heavy rainfall at times, strong winds and several thunderstorms.

SIGHTINGS
Birds:   Kingfisher, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jackdaws, Jays, Wood Pigeons, Stonechats, Green/Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Coal/Blue/Great Tits, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrest, Nuthatches, Chaffinches, Bullfinches, Goldfinches, Greenfinches.
Mammals:   Fox, Grey Squirrels, Moles.
Dragonfly/Damselfly:   Small Red, Broad Bodied Chaser.
Pond Life:   Pond Skaters.
Butterflies/Moths:   Large White, Peacock, Red Admiral.
Insects:   Bees, Wasps, Crane Flies.

No readings of Bat movement  recorded during this month.
Despite mild damp weather conditions, very few fungi have appeared on site.
Many berries formed and showed colour on various trees, shrubs and plants.
Birds took to roosting in the nest boxes on site.

Nature Fact

The Shaggy Ink-cap is also known as Lawyer’s Wig.   Readily recognized by the shaggy, narrowly conical cap which soon blackens from below and deliquesces into an inky fluid.   It is a good edible species when young, while the gills remain white, but must be eaten very soon after gathering.