The autumn colours were glorious last week; particularly the Acers like the Acer dissectum below.
Another tree that I loved seeing was a Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipfera).
This tree is so called because the flowers look similar to tulips. I have never noticed it flower but I will try to remember to keep an eye out for them next summer.
The recent wet weather has had opposite affects on wildlife. I haven’t seen many pollinators lately but have continued to see lots of fungi. Infact the timing of this wet weather has meant it’s been a bumper year for fungi.
The few pollinators that I have noticed include Common wasps (Vespula vulgaris) on some Ivy (Hedera helix) flowers
and one White tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) on Monday.
I also saw a couple of moths at the end of the week too. The first one was a Winter moth (Operophtera brumata)
and the second one was a Scarce bordered straw (Helicoverpa armigera). The latter moth is a migrant visiting the UK.
I was a little surprised to see some Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) still flowering in one garden. I enjoy seeing this daisy like wild flower and like it’s common name Bachelor buttons.
The mushrooms I noticed last week were varied in size and colour.
*Once again, please do not use this post as a guide to edible mushrooms.*
I have managed to identify some but have placed question marks next to those I am unsure of.
The mushrooms I saw last week were;
– the Common puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum).
[The second photo was from a few days later. I noticed that they had matured, ready to release their spores].
-Orange Bonnet (Mycena acicula)
-Purple brittlegill (Russula atropurpurea)
-Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor)
-Lilac bonnet (Mycena pura)?
-Rosy bonnet (Mycena rosea)
-Milking bonnet (Mycena galopus)?
-Horse mushroom (Agaricus arvensis)?
-and Cortinarius umbrinolens?
The week ended with a brief visit from a Jay (Garrulus glandarius) to the Rowan tree outside my home. I can’t wait to see if I get Redwings (Turdus iliacus) visit soon as well. I usually have a few snacking on the berries each year; hopefully they come before all the berries disappear. The UK conservation status of this thrush is red so it’s always special to see them. Redwings look similar to thrushes but have a splash of red under their wings.
Bee in the Moment 