Toft Logs - Minifungi etc

Today was the first day for a while that the garden log pile was thawed enough to see what new minilife had errupted. The first 4 images are small fungal species, tentatively identified as Episphaeria fraxinicola, Henningsomyces candidus and Mollisia cinerea (Grey Disco). The Slimemould is a Hemitrichia species and the final image shows a Beetle larva on an Orange Jelly fungus.

Frosty Toft Golf Course Walk

A few images from the very frosty dawn on January 11th - I was surprised to find so many golfers out on the course - frost must make it difficult to find the ball! Back in the early 70s, when this area was rough pasture, we once ringed 10 different Kingfishers in one day on this stretch of the stream during a similar cold period (thought to be on the move towards the coast following streams etc). I intended to walk further up over the fields towards Wimpole Estate you can see in the distance in the panorama but decided on breakfast instead!!

 

Icy Conditions and January Webs Count at Paxton Pits

The first two images are taken during our January Wetland Birds count at the back of Rudd  Lake and a view of Hayling Lake with frosted Water Soldier - these were the only two view points with any numbers of birds and then Gulls, Coots and Swans with no Ducks or Geese. The other images were taken on a later walk round looking at the iced vegetation and puddles. Final couple from the start of my car journey at 8am as the sun was rising on a hoar-frosted landscape along the Hardwick Road.

Technicolour Sunrise in Toft

With clear skies and minus 4 degrees, yesterday's sunrise was spectacular - bright yellow/orange skies contrasting with the heavily frosted foliage. I decided a walk across the Golf Course might give some atmospheric shots but got distracted en route to the Church Drift by the colours and light patterns in the village and some frosted fungi, berries and daisies!

Paxton Pits Winter Birds

The south shallower end of Heronry South Lake at Paxton was frozen over yesterday morning so the birds were concentrated in the area around the Kingfisher hide and Heronry North so good opportunity to record the various duck species etc (Tufted Duck, Swan, Goldeneye, Black-headed Gull, 2 female Goosanders, Great Crested grebe, Teal, Shoveller, Gadwall, Pochard, Heron and Cormorant). A Female Kestrel was enjoying the sunshine together with Robin and flock of Goldfinches. Quite a good list for a short walk!!