October 2018
Down by the river a flock of mistle thrushes landed high in
an autumnal tree, lit by the bright morning sun. Sharp shadows chequered the
Avenue, and Mike – usually back working with the rest of the team by
mid-October – gave the grass yet another last cut. It was the start of an
exquisite day of blue skies, warm air, little wind, and a clear light to raise
our spirits and enrich the view. Just as well really; we were off to the West
Wood to clear more brash.
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| Mike mows The Avenue |
Some years ago, a stand of commercial timber was harvested
by the Forestry Commission. We replanted the area with hazel, and will plant
hazel again in the immediate adjoining area which we are currently clearing.
There are good reasons for the choice of hazel: it’s a native species; it can
be coppiced, providing dense growth for birds and a supply of nuts for small
mammals. Another reason is that it doesn’t grow very tall, so won’t interfere
with the overhead powerlines that cross the estate at this narrow point.
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| A tangled mess |
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| Cleared patch, adjoining hazel in top left corner. |
Untangling the debris of the felled trees – interwoven
branches, twigs and substantial logs – appears, so far, only to have disturbed
one field vole, quite a few ladybirds and innumerable spiders. In the afternoon
sunshine, though, young spiders made good use of our lines of stacked brash by
climbing to the top and ballooning away on threads of gossamer to start life
somewhere new.
Autumn also brings lots of fungi to the surface. Here are
just a few recent finds:
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| Glistening inkcaps |
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| Shaggy inkcaps |
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| Puffballs |
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| Puffballs - puffing |
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| Jelly ear |
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| Russula sp. |
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| Pholiota sp. |
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| Fly agaric |
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| Fungal cascade |
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| Sulphur tuft |
Terry – often pictured and mentioned in our blog with his
wife, Mary – turned eighty this week. When not heaving logs around in West
Wood, Terry occupies himself by wardening his parish church, going on forty
mile bike rides with his mates, walking in the countryside with Mary, playing
the cornet, and doing family stuff. And he makes us laugh. Happy Birthday, Terry.
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| Mary & Terry |
Steve Wootten & Phil Coyne
