Cramp Balls and Cranes: October at RSPB Swell Wood

Cramp Balls and Cranes: October at RSPB Swell Wood

 (L-R) Sandie Andrews (Scarlet Elf Cap), John Crispin (Common Crane), Abbie Thorne (Fly Agaric)

As the leaves start to turn golden and the air takes on a crisp chill, October is a magical time to explore the wonders of RSPB Swell Wood. Cramp Balls better known as King Alfred’s Cakes (it was believed that carrying them would protect people from attacks of cramp) are just one of the many weird and wonderful fungi you may find at RSPB Swell Wood this autumn. Autumn is also a great time to look for Cranes as they begin to flock together again after the breeding season. Read on to discover some of the fantastic fungi you make discover and tips for spotting Cranes.     

's Abbie Thorne

There are over 15,000 different fungi in the UK in a variety of different forms including moulds, yeasts and mushrooms and Swell Wood is home to an array of these intriguing fungi if you know where to look. Some of the fungi you might find here (click on the links for photos and more information) includes:

• King Alfred’s Cakes: These common black, round fungi grow on rotting wood. They are said to resemble the burnt cakes King Alfred that was meant to be watching for the woman who had taken in him when he was fleeing the Vikings in the 9^th century.
• Turkey tail: These common bracket fungi have a fan-shaped appearance and a brown or orange colour and a wavy, creamy edge. They are found on dead wood.
• Scarlet elf cup: These common tiny, cup-shaped fungi have a bright red colour. They are found on the ground in woodland.
• Beefsteak fungus: These common large, red fungi have a gruesome fleshy appearance. They even ooze with a blood like substance when cut! They are found on the ground in woodland.
• Fly agaric: The common classic fairy tale mushroom. It is bright red with white spots and can group up to 20cm across. They are found on the ground in woodland. It is poisonous and can cause hallucinations, nausea and vomiting.
• Collared earthstar: These fairly common star-shaped fungi have a collar around the edge of the cap. They are found on the ground in damp areas.
• Shaggy parasol: These common large, umbrella-shaped fungi have a brown cap and white gills. The raised scales on the cap give it a shaggy look. They have a habit of growing in rings which are known as fairy rings. They are found in woodland and meadows.

 Why not take a ‘Fabulous Fungi Wild Challenge activity sheet’ with you and see how many categories you can find. To download the sheet click here. 

 ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Some fungi are poisonous, so its best not to touch any. If you do touch them always wash your hands after – especially before eating or touching your face in any way!

Take pictures but leave these fantastic fungi where they are for others to spot and the wildlife to enjoy. 

In addition to fungi, October is when the Cranes typically begin to group back together and become more visible before they begin to pair up and again towards the end of March and hold a breeding territory. Do remember the cranes are very mobile and not predictable at any single location – so coming to see them is very much a gamble. At Swell Wood the best spot to look from is the Viewpoint, by the picnic bench on the Woodland Trail, looking out over West Sedgemoor. Keep your eyes peeled for a pale flash in the distance – it could be a swan, or it might be the sun reflecting off a Cranes’ back (obviously this works best on days where the sun decides to show itself!).

If you are unable to spot any Cranes from the Viewpoint you could also try the excellent network of footpaths (an OS map is useful) you can join from the reserve which run west of Curry Rivel and provide superb views over RSPB West Sedgemoor (where the Great Crane Project released birds). You can also try parking at National Trust Burrow Mump, just outside of Burrowbridge, and taking a walk up to the ruined church at the top. You might get a flyby from the cranes particularly at dawn or dusk when they leave and return to their roost sites. You can also try to spot Cranes as you walk along the section of the River Parrett Trail which runs alongside Aller Moor.

We recommend visiting the Great Crane Project for more detailed information on the project, one of the great successes in Somerset. The sightings page is particularly helpful and is updated by members of the public and the monitoring team. For more information on the Great Crane Project click here.

 ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Cranes are easily spooked so it’s best to watch from a hide or the cover of a vehicle. If on foot you need to keep a distance of at least 150 metres (400ft) to prevent them from flying off. If you see them suddenly “heads up” and alert, looking around they have probably heard or seen you and you may be too close. Keep very still and then back off slowly at this point and watch from a more discreet distance.

So, budding Mycologists (fungi experts), pack your magnifying glasses, binoculars and cameras, and head to Swell Wood for an unforgettable encounter with some of the UK’s weird and wonderful fungi. We’d love to see any photos or videos you take – why not share them with us on social media using the hashtag #RSPBSwell and tagging @RSPBHamWall. Happy fungi foraging!

Accessibility:

The Scarp Trail is narrow, windy, and muddy in places with a number of steps that makes the trail unsuitable for wheels.

The Woodland Walk is partly suitable for wheels with a gravelled path to the picnic bench/ viewpoint from the car park. However, the rest of the path is a compact dirt path which can be muddy and is crossed by raised tree roots.

Sitting in a car in the car park can be a great way to see small birds up close as they come to the feeders to feed.

For our full accessibility guide see: https://www.accessibilityguides.org/content/rspb-swell-wood

How to get to Swell Wood:

The reserve post code is: TA3 6PX. The What3Words location is: grower.scouts.passenger.

For further information on traveling to Swell Wood see the ‘How to get here’ section on our website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/swell-wood/

What else can I see at Swell Wood in Autumn?

Admire the rich golden and red tones as autumn colour spreads across the woodland and marvel at the spectacular views across the Somerset Levels and Moors. Watch for mix flocks of roving small birds and see if you can spot Nuthatch, Treecreepers and Long Tailed Tits among them. Wrap up warm and enjoy a hot drink from your flask as you watch Great Spotted Woodpeckers selecting the choicest morsels from the feeders in the car park.