Delamere Forest, Cheshire 10th October 2009.

 

Season of Mists in Cheshire.

 

After a misty departure, Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society members were greeted by hazy sunshine, breaking through the clouds, as they began their autumnal exploration of Delamere Forest.  Leaving the Linmere Lodge Visitors Centre, the group soon made their way into the quiet woodland, occasionally serenaded by the wistful winter song of a Robin.  Underfoot was a carpet of soft, golden, pine needles.  To the side of the path were swathes of copper-coloured bracken.  The sunshine, glinting through the trees, sparkled on a profusion of berries of Rowan, Elderberry and Hawthorn, predicting a future feast for hungry birds.

Encircling the bank of Blakemere Moss, a shallow pool displaying the remains of old tree trunks protruding through the surface of the water, the birdwatchers observed several varieties of duck, including Shoveler, Teal, and Wigeon.  Heron and Cormorant also, were to be seen, in addition to pleasing views of Snipe, probing with long bills, in the mud.

 The walk continued through the woodland with the Fungus enthusiasts happily able to benefit from a recent Society lecture on fungi identification. Yellow Russula, Peppery Bolete, Brown Birch Bolete and Parasol were included in their discoveries.  No-one had any doubts about the presence of Stinkhorns, located by their obnoxious smell!  A few plants were still flowering.  Among these were Black Nightshade, Red and White Campion and Gipsywort.

As the group explored further through the deciduous woodland, beautiful examples of sweet chestnut trees, shedding honey- toned leaves, reflected the glowing sunshine. Sweet chestnuts in spiky jackets were scattered on the forest floor.  Silver birch trees displayed cascades of fluttering leaves, gently gliding to earth.  Small birds were searched out in the treetops, Great Tits, Blue Tits, and Long- tailed Tits being identified.  A large flock of Goldfinches gave pleasure to the observers.  The calls of the elusive Crossbills were heard, and a few lucky naturalists were eventually successful in seeing them.

In the afternoon a visit was made to the small Black Lake, where keen eyes spied a Black Darter dragonfly. Along the way, another interesting observation was of a Pale Tussock Moth caterpillar, a very striking specimen, displaying furry white hairs and a red tail.

The day was concluded with fine views of a Kestrel enjoying the now pale rays of the afternoon sun, as it perched on an exposed branch, observing the forest below and overhead a Buzzard circled on the last of the thermals.

 

Looking over Delamere Forest Ganoderma Honey Fungus
Stinkhorn Stinkhorn emerging Sulphur Tuft

                    Images by Sheila Carr and Peter Stevens

Sightings list.