Nature Watch September

Mixed weather conditions experienced with heavy rain at the end of the month.

From September to the middle of November is the best time to search for fungi particularly following heavy rain. Already this year over fifty species have been found on site of which the following were recorded during September:-

Cap Boletus, Bay Boletus badius, Red Cracking Bolete Boletus chrysenteron, Sulphur Tuft Hypholoma fasciculare, Spectacular Rustgill, Brown Rollcap, False Deathcap, The Blusher Amanita Rebecens, Fly Agaric, Lilac Bonnet, Bovine Bolete Suillus Bovinus, Ugly Milkcap Lactarius turpis, Milk White Brittlegill Russula dilica, Panthercap Amanita, Plums and Custard Tricholomopsis decora, The Deceiver Laccaria laccata, Amethyst Laccaria amethystine, Honey Fungus Armillaria mellea, Poisonpie Hebeloma crustuliniforme, Primrose Brittlegill Russula sardonia, Conifer Mazegill Cloeophyllum sepiarlum, Hedgehog Fungus Hydnum repandum, Veiled Fibrecap inocybe nappies, Russet Toughshank Collybia dryophila, St George’s Mushroom Tricholoma gambosum, Brown Rollrim Paxillus involutus, Brittlegill Russula Lactarus, Collared Earthstar Geastrum triples, False Chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, Lactarius quieticolor, Purple Brittlegill Russula atropurpurea.

The only additional birds to last month’s listing has been a flock of Canada Geese flying in formation North to South over the Reserve. Willow Warblers continue to be sighted on migration. A Blackcap was spotted in Hazelwood and it is possible it will remain in the area for the Winter period, as last year.

Only a small number of Common Lizards have been seen on the boardwalk.

No Bat recordings beyond mid-month.

Butterfly sightings: Large White, Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady.