Local Visits in February, Pt.2 - 2022

I did not get out much in February, mainly due to adverse weather conditions. Previous blog posts have already covered excursions in early February. Here is a short account of those that I made later in the month.

Saturday, 12th February                 Ashby Woulds Trail

I'd been informed of Earthstar fungi along the disused railway course near my home which is now part of the Ashby Woulds Trail. I am not at all knowledgeable about fungi, but this particular species appealed to me because of its unusual form, and so I decided to take a look. In the event, I found something that I thought might have been one, and I have since been informed that it was one, but a very old specimen that had its 'rays' peeled back and decayed to the extent that they were almost non-existent.

Collared Earthstar (Geastrum triplex) - Ashby Woulds Trail

Being a tad disappointed, I continued my search and soon found myself elated by the sight of a species of fungus that I have always wanted to see since coming across a picture of it - the Scarlet Elf Cup. I found several patches of this. It was a dull day, and there was relatively dense tree coverage so the light was difficult for photography. I did manage a few shots.

Scarlet Elf Cup (Sarcoscypha austriaca) - Ashby Woulds Trail

I understand that Scarlet Elf Cup makes for good eating, but it would seem a shame to pick such a beautiful thing - and Lindsay would never trust a fungus that I foraged, even if this is relatively unmistakable!

I photographed a couple of other fungal items but have absolutely no idea what they are.

unidentified fungus No.1 - Ashby Woulds Trail

unidentified fungus No.2 - Ashby Woulds Trail

Wednesday, 23rd February                       Hicks Lodge

 

I had limited time available this day due to two scheduled deliveries of materials for a garden construction project, and the delivery and installation (which failed!) of an oven for the kitchen. I did, however, manage to get out for a walk to Hicks Lodge.

 

In an earlier post I commented on how the small island on the main lake had been totally denuded of foliage and was no longer a haven for Snipe. All I'd seen on it were a few Lapwing and a gull or two. I was, therefore, surprised to see it almost covered by gulls on this occasion! I had a scan of the occupants, and only detected Black-headed Gulls.

 

'Gull Island' - Hicks Lodge

Although nothing outstanding was seen, the light was quite favourable for photography.

 

Coot (Fulica atra) - Hicks Lodge

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - Hicks Lodge

Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) - Hicks Lodge

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) - Hicks Lodge

....... and one for David! :-

 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Hicks Lodge

Friday, 25th February                   Little Owl Site No.54 and environs

 

I'd made several visits to the site where, in January, I'd had my first sighting of Little Owl in 2022, and a totally new site for me. Sadl;y, I'd not managed to see the owl again, and was starting to think that this was a chance one-off sighting.

 

It was just over a kilometre from where I park my car to the place from where I'd seen the Little Owl.  As I walked along the lane, I was hearing the chatter of Fieldfare. A few flew overhead from time to time and some landed briefly in a tree at some distance. I grabbed a shot, and it was only when I came to view the shots on my PC that I found that I'd actually photographed a lone Redwing!

 

Redwing (Turdus iliacus) - near my LO Site No.54

To my absolute delight, when I arrived at the point from which I could view where I'd seen the Little Owl, an owl was sitting in almost exactly the same place.

 

Little Owl (Athene noctua) - my Site No.54

The owl was over 100 metres from a point from which it can be viewed, and there is no access to anywhere nearer. Unless I catch it away from this position, I do not stand much chance of getting any better shots, and as soon as the tree comes into leaf it will become invisible.

 

As I passed along the lane on my way back to the car, I stopped to photograph a distant Buzzard.

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) - near my LO Site No.54

A little further on I was in Fieldfare country once more. I managed to photograph one that was momentarily in a tree ahead of me.

 

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) - near my LO Site No.54

I then noticed a number of Fieldfare on the ground on the far side of a paddock adjacent to the lane. This one was a little closer.

 

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) - near my LO Site No.54

I noticed one bird with the the group which, head-on, looked very different to the others, and appeared to be somewhat rufous with dark patches to the side of the breast. I started wondering if I had found an exotic thrush amongst them. My binoculars were not powerful enough to see clearly what I was looking at. The bird stayed adjacent to the far fence and I spent quite some time trying to get shots of it. It was only when I got home again and examined my photos that the penny dropped. I don't see Fieldfare very often and, when I do, they are invariably in winter plumage. This was a Fieldfare that was well into breeding plumage. At this distance, I did not get good shots, but the following two might help you understand the situation.

 

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) - near my LO Site No.54

The most common gull in these parts is, by far, the Black-headed Gull. This is probably because at this location I was about as far from the sea as it is possible to get in England. Just to keep my hand in, I attempted a shot as one passed overhead.

 

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) - near my LO Site No.54

 

This brings me to the end of my blog post. As Lindsay and I have just returned from a week on the Isles of Scilly, I am hoping that my next blog post will feature at least part of that visit.

 

Until then, I wish you all the best - take good care of yourselves and Nature - thank you for dropping by - - - Richard