Mud fills up the paths of Durlston and clings to walkers boots
Grasses try to hold it firm with their mats of tangled roots
Mud brings armies to their knees and sweeps whole towns away
It nourishes plants, it seals lakes and will cover us one day
The Park was alive with Rabbits today, I spotted at least four during the course of my travels hopping about the place in a rather carefree manner. A Grey Squirrel also made an appearance as well.
I struck out for the Large Copse but got side-tracked trying to spot several birds I could hear but not see. Their calls were unfamiliar and after some time looking I finally drew a bead on one. A Blue Tit, of course. A little more spying and I spotted a Goldcrest, silent but easy to identify due to the striking colour of its plumage.
I decided to play to my strengths and check out a patch of Cobalt Crust fungus unearthed by the Wednesday work party this week, clinging to a couple of Hawthorn branches. The fungus is aptly named, and is indeed a rich cobalt blue. I’d highly recommend coming along to one of our Wednesday work parties if you haven’t been before. They’re fun, social, a great way to get exercise outdoors and a good place to spot interesting fungi. What’s not to love?
The fungi discoveries rolled in thick and fast, with Large Copse Harbouring a newly emerged group of Velvet Shank, as well as a log covered in Jelly Ear. Also emerging from the earth were several young Jack-in-the-pulpit plants. It’s always nice to see a bit of fresh growth in winter.
I continued on with the ever present ‘squeaky wheelbarrow’ tones of Great Tits for company. Another foray after an unknown bird call ended in failure, but as a consolation prize I stumbled on another Mystery Fungi, which I suspect is a Common Bonnet (to be confirmed).
Continuing through the Meadows to the Downlands, the ever present Robins and Blackbirds of the park made numerous appearances. I found that most of my attention was spent on staying upright and out of the mud, though. Heading down the lighthouse slope to the bridge over the gulley, I failed to spot anything I hadn’t already seen, though along the clifftops I did come across a few freshly emerging Field Blewits. It seems today is a good day for fungi.