Wednesday 2 October 2013

From hills to levels, an ibis, butterflies and fungi.

A lovely sunny 9 mile Mendip trek on Sunday with the start of stunning Autumn colours with us on our journey.  The Mountain Ash and Hawthorn is thick with berries and both a vibrant red amongst the green. The bracken is now turning that lovely golden colour and looks great with the sun on it,
 Plenty of Speckled Woods still around as well as Commas, Red Admirals and Small Coppers.  These butterflies and many other insects taking advantage of the sun and to feed on the over ripe blackberries.
The damp and warmth is a great combination for mushrooms and fungi with many varieties to be seen everywhere.  Still trying to find the elusive Fly Agaric though!
Monday morning took us to Shapwick and Ham Wall, an early visit at 8am.  We were rewarded though with great views of the Glossy Ibis, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, about 100+ Black Tailed Godwits, Lapwings, Great White Egret etc on the Scrape.  From Noah's hide we got a glimpse of both Common and Green Sandpipers.  One of the most rewarding views though was that of a Stonechat from the path.  3 hours later and we were back at the car ... the heavens opened and rain set in for the rest of the day!  Superb time spent at Shapwick though.

Walking along Doleberry Warren



Fungi .....



Fungi .....



Mushroom or fungi? .....

Hawthorn - the berries very thick this year even bending branches!



Comma



Comma and Speckled Wood - getting drunk!



Small Copper - perhaps it thinks this iPhone is a 'Blackberry'!



Fungi ...



Bush Cricket - one of a few sunning itself on this bit of wood



Glossy Ibis - the 'Scrape', Shapwick



Stonechat against stormy skies



Black Tailed Godwits - a small group of more than 100 at the 'Scrape'

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