I joined Jeremy, Vanna and Sarah (who kindly drove us) on a foray to the 'MOD Danger Area' just NW of Grime's Graves. Despite it's label there is a public footpath that runs through the area and access is allowed if the flags aren't flying. It's a spot I've been to a couple of times before and never seen a soul.
As always when Vanna is with us she finds some insects of interest with the small parasitic wasp Gelis areator and a congregation of Jet Black Ants on a fence post. Best of all for me was a Parent Shieldbug I discovered on my rucksac! All 3 were new to me.
There were several new fungi for me too with a cluster of slippery Burnt Knights, Geranium Brittlegill, Stinking Dapperling, Bearded Dapperling, Beige Fibrecap, Rufous Milkcap, Saffron Milkcap and Weeping Bolete. The list from both the woodland (a mix of mainly Oak and Beech but with scattered Birch and Sweet Chestnut and then a pine dominated area) and grassland was impressive. Without going through the entire list my personal highlights were Earpick Fungus, Blackening, Parrot, Butter, Snowy and Cedarwood Waxcaps, Meadow Coral, Apricot Club, Collared Earthstar, Elfin Saddle (in good numbers), Beechwood Sickener, Common Cavalier, Bracken Map, Turf Mottlegill, Clubfoot, Aniseed Funnel, Peppery Roundhead, Conifercone Cap, Hairy Nuts Disco, Freckled Dapperling, Lilac Fibrecap, Earthy Powdercap, Collared Mosscap and Glazed Cup.
A lone Crossbill, Redwings and Mistle Thrush were the only avian sightings worth a mention.
