Grimes Graves area, 26 November 2022

We did 2 walks in the Brecks today, one around the danger area near Grimes Graves and the other north of Weeting to Weeting Castle and Pilgrim's Walk.

My main aim was to see the rare Stinking Earthfan fungus which I have previously dipped at the site. Luckily I had step-by-step photographic instructions from Jeremy this time but even then they took some finding! When I did find them there were 5 small clumps and closer attention revealed their distinctive garlic aroma. While looking we accidently flushed a Woodcock and out in the grassy area a Woodlark was in song briefly. Redwings and Mistle Thrushes were also in evidence. On our walk I found some Cedarwood Waxcaps, Snowy Waxcaps and Orange Mosscaps but didn't have time for a thorough look. Near the car I then found a gall of the Cherry Gall Wasp, Cynips quercusfolii

At Weeting there was very little to get excited about except some naturalised Winter Jasmine. 

                                                                                                                                Stinking Earthfan

                                                                                                      Cherry Gall Wasp, Cynips quercusfolii

                                                                                                                             Winter Jasmine

A couple of goodies at Whitlingham, 16 November 2022

I spent a rewarding couple of hours at Whitlingham this morning with a good soaking being less enjoyable!

It was good to locate the Common Scoter very quickly on Great Broad just west of the conservation area and as I was watching that the Slavonian Grebe swam past on the far side and decided to linger around too. Also seen on a wander around were a Kingfisher, c15 Siskins and a squeaing Water Rail. Please excuse the dodgy phone-scoped shots below!

                                                                                                                             Common Scoter

                                                                                                                                  Slavonian Grebe
 

 

 

The Elmhams, Suffolk, 12 November 2022

Belinda and I did a bit of walking and poking about around the Elmham villages on Saturday - a quiet part of the county that I particularly like. 

A walk to the 'Minster' hidden in the woods near South Elmham Hall revealed little in the way of anything memorable with just a few Redwings, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Green Woodpecker, a late Peacock butterfly and a large Turkey Oak near the ruins. 

A second walk - to the remote church of All Saints, South Elmham was interesting for a piece of medieval stained glass in one of the windows depicting what looks like a Cuckoo. Upon investigation there is a farm called Cuckoo Farm very close by. A Twitter follower then enlightened me to an old snippet of folklore whereby, back in medieval times it was said that if you caught and kept a Cuckoo you could ensure the continuation of summer. Fascinating stuff! 

Fast forward to Sunday and I popped into Jus's house in Norwich to see a new moth he'd trapped - the rare migrant Golden Twin-spot.      

                                                                                                                                    Turkey Oak

                                                                                                                                    Golden Twin-spot

Rememberance Day Red-rumped Swallows, Walberswick, 11 November 2022

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - I was at Walberswick watching no less than 3 Red-rumped Swallows. This was my first multiple occurence in the UK and very entertaining it was with just a small handful of people enjoying the spectacle as the birds fed over the marsh between the pontoon bridge and the carpark. They were joined occasionally by a single and equally unseasonal House Martin.

Having been seen over the harbour entrance and from the Southwold side too I was glad I chose Walberswick!