Around the reserve, new life emerges whilst the decay associated with the change of season continues apace.
The damp and varied conditions in the woodland provide an ideal habitat for a large variety of fungi to display its fruiting body in all its glory. As I wandered the trail network earlier its noticeable just how much fungi there is around the place. Some of it is already past its best and itself in decay, whilst some is just bursting through the ground layer. Yet more has still to emerge, like one of my favourites, pink waxcap. Look out for it emerging in the top meadow really soon.
Here are two examples of really fascinating fungi that I picked out on my walk. Firstly we have a Puff-ball, tucked away at the base of a tree on the public footpath that crosses the reserve furthest away from the visitor centre.
Secondly, further down that same path towards the narrow bridge over Coombes brook I saw this bright orange fungi called Calocera viscosa which has emerged from a rotting stick which was resting on the ground. The guide book I've referenced suggests this species is associated with conifer. I'm happy to be corrected though, so if you think it may be a different species, please do let me know.
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Don't forget we have a fungi walk coming up in just over a week. If you're free on Saturday 28th September, join us as Fungalpunk Dave takes us on a journey into the strange world of fungi. Last year he found 70 species in just 3 hours! To book a place on the event, call us on 01538 384017 or email coombes.valley@rspb.org.uk. The walk costs £5 per adult and £3 for a child.
Back to this weeks sightings, and this Autumn looks like providing a bumper crop of harvest fruit, nuts and berries. Trees are bursting with colourful berries all around and compared to last year our oak trees are laden with acorns.
Other sightings from the team this week include a large flock of goldfinch, seen both in the top meadow near the visitor centre and further into the reserve. We estimate around 70-100 birds in the flock taking advantage of the bountiful natural food supply that Coombes Valley provides at this time of year.
We've also spotted a redstart, which was a great surprise (we thought they'd all left us for this year) and a personal favourite of mine, ravens. They're most frequently seen and heard past the end of the current public trails. They're a bigger bird than the other black corvids so they're relatively easy to distinguish from the others, particularly when you become familiar with their call.
Do keep letting us know about your own sightings. If you would like to contribute a blog for publication please get in touch via phone or email, or speak to us in the visitor centre.