Aftermath grazing - the deer step up

No sheep this year but there has been a lot of Fallow Deer grazing the fields. Not ideal aftermath grazing but it all helps!

Pale Oyster fungus in Manor Wood

Far from a path I found this magnificent Pale Oyster fungus growing on a large Beech Tree. Apparently they are omniverous as they get their Nitrogen from devouring nematode worms!

Fox chilling in the East Field

There is a lot of fox visiting done here - we see the signs, we capture them on camera traps and sometimes we see them out hunting in the daylight. Today there was one stretched out fully relaxed in the field and I think that's a first. I watched it for a few minutes and then it was gone.

Ivory Coral

Actually I am not sure whether this is called Ivory Coral. Ramariopsis kunzei was called Ivory Coral but this version that is thicker and more robust has been separated out as R. robusta. Anyway it is to be found in the South Field again.

Clouded Agaric

One of several members of the Clitocybe genus is the Clouded Agaric (Clytocybe nebularis) whichis fruiting at the edge of the West Field close or under the trees. It is a hefty fungus with deeply decurrent gills.

Species of the Year 2023

Obviously the prize for fungi goes to the Papillate Waxcap (Hygrocybe papillata), a rare Waxcap not far from my back door. Perfect. Pretty much scoops the prize for Overall Species of the Year as well. Butterfly wise it has to be the very brief appearance of a Silver-washed Fritillary, one of the UKs largest butterflies. Other species that deserve a mention include the Palmate Newt which have been glimpsed previously but this year were in hand and could be formally indentified. Lastly I think the Lesser Horseshoe bat that lives in our shed has survived another year and deserves to be recorded. I first spotted him (it is a 'him' as it is the males that lead s solitary existence) in 2014 as an adult so he is ten years old at least and may be a lot more. Photo of the Papillate Waxcap.

Deer doing a lot of grazing

There's been lots of Fallow Deer on site and they seem to be doing a lot of grazing which is actually good news given that the normal small flock of sheep hasn't arrived this year so far. We need aftermath grazing and the deer are providing some so I won't be chasing them away which I sometimes do when they are after the orchids!