I am senator Slimius Slugus, lord of Durlston Park
I take my fill from leafy greens and mushrooms sat on bark
Today I dine on pale fungi pushing up from neath the dirt
Oh dear is it a Death Cap? No it’s not, it has no skirt.
This morning the sky was criss crossed with Alto and Cirrostratus, creating a multi-layer pattern that was most pleasing to the eye. Turning my attention to more earthly matters, I set off down Long Meadow past our now damp cut hay. I’m sure it’ll dry out again soon. As I approached a Wood Pigeon took off, its wings creating a gust that stirred a few fallen Holm Oak leaves into motion.
A Jay screeched out a morning call as I strode past Agrimony and Fleabane, the latter still retaining its sunny yellow colour. Blackthorns bore sloes at the tips of their branches, the shafts covered with sodden Evernia Prunastri and Usnea Subfloridana, barely a square centimetre of black bark visible. Above a trio of Swallows twirled and wheeled through the skies, chasing after the early morning’s sluggish insects.
Arriving at the Woodlands I checked on the small colony of Branched Oyster at the start of the Woodchip Path. It’s still going strong. I also tracked down a Flame Shield fungi located by one of our volunteers. It caused a bit of a stir in the online mycological community I gather. I can definitely see why it would be popular on an internet message board. Also on display were a Blushing Rosette and some fresh Pale Milkcaps.
Emerging from the depths up Isle of Wight Road a few Painted Ladies were fluttering through the air. At that moment the clouds parted and the morning sun at last began to fall with full intensity. I stood for a moment feeling most pleasantly warmed and began to ponder how sunlight feels for plants. Tasty?
Continuing down to the coast path I heard a few feathered friends up above. Robins, Great Tits and Wrens were all discernible by their calls. Down in the Dell a pair of Grey Squirrels were beavering away at something beside a tree stump. To their right a large clump of a cereal like plant was growing, a type of Wall Barley if I was to guess. As I took in this scene a small red form flitted past, I suspect a Common Darter.
Returning via the woods by the castle I spied a Slug tucking in to a fungus that looked suspiciously like a Death Cap. I crouched down to check the stipe, which lacked a pendant ring. More likely an Ochre Brittlegill. Don’t quote me on that.