Some of Paxton Pits Lichens

Lichens are one group that I haven't attempted to survey at Paxton Pits so 2026 is their year! 

Here are the lichens we found in a group of Hawthorn bushes at the end of Heronry North with preliminary identifications. It will take some attempts to even decide which are different species or different stages.

Great Crested Grebes

 Very pleased to see two Great Crested Grebes at Paxton Pits already paired up and performing mini displays. Beautiful light yesterday afternoon to birdwatch but difficult for photographs.with so much contrast and reflections. One of the pair came quite close and caught a very large fish which it eventually managed to swallow.

Paxton Pits NewYear Birds

Spent an enjoyable couple of hours  yesterday afternoon in the Cobham Hide just watching the birds - the light was very poor but managed a few images of the action including this Long-tailed Tit, one of a party of 4 or 5 who landed in the bush in front of the hide. The Marsh Harrier paid 'its' (female or juvenile) usual visit. The Cormorants are coming into breeding plumage as their nesting season can start early January.

Fun with Fungi at Paxton

We had to abandon the Conservation Work Party at Paxton Pits early when the heavy rain arrived  but, after a revitalising drink,  four of the younger members of the group joined me in a fungi hunt in Rory's Wood. We got soaked through but the woods looked and smelt wonderful and we even found a few loose twigs with interesting fungi to take back to photograph at the visitor centre in the outside shelter. Tom had some small light cubes that took colour filters - I went for a blue one and then discovered that the visitor centre itself made an interesting back drop. It is unusual to see a hexagonal full moon but otherwise quite convincing - even got some surface detail one shot!!

Wet Woodland Fungi

Paxton Pits has areas of wet woodland where mosses, lichens and, at this time of year, am interesting mix of small fungi can be found. 

(Taken with compact Fuji X100V plus Raynox 250)