It’s damp and dull morning, perfect conditions for a fungal foray. On the Timeline, a Red Cage Fungus has expanded into its flesh-like cage lattice, and collapsed back in on itself. There’s a second one, still in its earlier phase, and encapsulated in an ‘egg’. Continually swelling in size, it will burst open in the next few days.
A Holm Oak log lays on the ground nearby, and is covered into Turkey Tail Brackets. The fan-shaped shelves of fungus layered all the way up the stem, displaying its concentric rings of colour, resembling that of turkey’s tail.
Later in my walk, the slimy-capped Velvet Shank billowing out from a fallen rotting branch of Wych Elm. Also the bright yellow Witches Butter, which appears equally slimy as if it were melting.
All around morning bird song can be heard. Charming chirps and song emanate from the Holm Oaks; Blue Tit, Robin, and Blackcap. Chaffinch, Dunnock, and Great Tit also chime in with their whistles, and all the while, the Woodpigeons soft coo can be heard too.
Signs of spring around the Aviary Glade, where fresh shoots of Daffodil and Crocus have appeared, alongside fresh swathes of dominant Three-Cornered Leek. Another invasive; Winter Heliotrope has flowered upon it’s large kidney-shaped leaves with spread everywhere they can reach.
Winter berries also on display – crimson-red Cherry Laurel, the delicate Snowberries, pale-pink Japanese Spindle, and abundant orange Stinking Iris. Catkins hang from the drooping Hazel branches. Look closely to spot the tiny pink female flowers which extend just a couple millimetres from each bud.
More activity from a Blue Tit investigating the nestbox outside the office window: Viewable on the camera feed in the Castle.