Feathers, Flowers and Fungi

Our ‘Meet the Birds’ guided walk set off from the Field Centre as the rain began to fall this morning; not ideal conditions for seeing the birds living at Foxglove! Despite the weather the walk was enjoyed and took in several of the different habitats found on the reserve. We started near the conifer block listening for Goldcrest and were lucky enough to see them flitting between the tree tops.

We then headed along the red route to the moorland where after seeing a Kestrel we were distracted by a sighting of Hairy Earthtongue, a new species of fungus found on the reserve for the first time last week.

While in the hide we were treated to good views of Little Grebe and a Kingfisher sitting and fishing between two patches of reed. In total, 19 different species of bird were seen.

Volunteers were out in force again today, spending their time surveying fungi and flowers. Several new species of fungi have been found – we will update you once identifications have been confirmed. The ladies on the flower walk had a surprise finding Primrose in bloom along Risedale beck, not normally seen until the weather warms at the end of winter!